Long before Lily Donaldson, Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn, and Edie Campbell, there was Naomi Campbell — the O.G. British supermodel (and arguably the best, alongside her BFF, the one-and-only Kate Moss).
“It is truly an honor to be recognized by the CFDA with this year’s Fashion Icon award,” Campbell said in a statement. While Moss often gets the credit for the best off-duty-model looks of the '90s and '00s, one flick through Naomi's back catalogue and you find yourself a counter argument. “Being from London," she said, "my personal style has always been tremendously influenced by both the dynamic, ever-changing nature of street culture and the music scene.”
While the new generation of models might be adored for their off-duty style, doyenne Campbell isn't one for casual. When it comes to red carpets and swishy events, no one does it quite like her. Yes, some are opposed to her fondness for fur or her looks dripping with diamonds, but with a love of Alaïa, body-con silhouettes and killer heels, 47-year-old Campbell is always impossibly chic.
Though we're big fans of the Tom Ford and Roberto Cavalli gowns Campbell dons now, our love affair with the incomparable catwalk queen and her A+ wardrobe began in the early '90s, in the early days of her career. Let's take a little trip down memory lane to dig out some of her greatest vintage style hits...
The Originals: Christy Turlington, Campbell, and Kate Moss in NYC in 1995. The supermodel quite literally knows how to outshine her friends.
Photo: Kevin Mazur Archive/WireImage/Getty Images.
Mesmerized by the mermaid hair and that pearlescent pink dress? Us, too.
Photo: Dave Benett/Getty Images.
Campbell at the Todd Oldham fashion show in New York in 1996. Check out those flares and that barely-there bandeau.
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage/Getty Images.
Here, Naomi's en route to a party for Vogue' s Grace Coddington in New York in 1993. This is giving us major inspiration for how to style an oversized blazer. And extra points for those socks worn with the mismatched heels.
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage/Getty Images.
Because when glitter is in question, why not go all out? Campbell sparkles in head-to-toe red.
Photo: Jim Smeal/WireImage/Getty Images.
We told you no one does body-con quite like our Naomi. That skin-tight LBD is major (as is Lenny Kravitz's entire look, too).
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage/Getty Images.
Because of course Campbell was doing the Naked dress before everyone else.
Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage/Getty Images.
When asked why she never became a wing-certified Victoria's Secret angel, Naomi responded: "They could not afford me." Natch. Here she is, looking like she's giving serious shade at the VS Fashion Show in 1997.
Photo: Rose Hartman/Archive Photos/Getty Images.
Anyone else might look a bit Miami Vice in an all-white suit (excluding Hillary Clinton), but Campbell looks nothing short of fabulous here in London in 1997.
Photo: Julian Makey/REX/Shutterstock.
Gingham is one of the biggest trends for spring 2017, so take tips from the model in this slinky number in 1992.
Photo: Sipa Press/REX/Shutterstock.
A ra-ra skirt, a stripy top, and knee-high combat boots — this is when many potential wrongs make a right.
Photo: Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock.
Dionne and Cher, eat your hearts out! Campbell wore head-to-toe Vivienne Westwood to the Designer of the Year Awards at the Natural History Museum, accompanied by an equally glamorous Moss, during London Fashion Week in 1991.
Photo: Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock.
We were almost distracted by Elton's blinding suit, but nothing can detract from Campbell, donning yet another black body-con dress at a Versace party in London in 1995.
Photo: Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock.
The fishnets. The baby blue dress. The coat...which Kate Moss wore on another occasion, as we just saw a couple slides ago, because supermodel BFFs share clothes, too. Campbell nails it yet again.
Photo: Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
I have a couple of theories as to why I have such a hard time staying asleep at night. Is it because I'm anxious about potentially sleeping through my alarm, missing my 6:30 a.m. spin class, and being charged $5 for a no-show fee? Maybe. Did I drink too much red wine right before bed, and now I have indigestion so bad I can't stop tossing and turning? It's possible. The exact culprit behind my chronic no-sleep syndrome might vary depending on the day, but the next-morning results are always the same: a cranky attitude and sallow skin. But now, I've found a new beauty product that promises to fix at least one of those things. (The sallow skin — not the 'tude.)
If you're even somewhat active on Instagram, chances are you've already seen the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask in your feed. Since its launch earlier this month, the creamy face mask — and its aesthetically-pleasing sky-blue tube — has practically gone viral, which might have something to do with the fact that it's the skin-care baby of influencers Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Gores Ireland. But familiar founders and chic minimalist packaging aren't what make this product truly worthwhile; it actually works to reverse those telltale signs of sleep deprivation.
With a balm-like texture that goes on white but quickly melts to a smooth, clear finish, this mask is undetectable and doesn't have to be rinsed, which means you can technically wear it in public — like, say, on a long-haul flight surrounded by strangers. Because it's basically invisible, it also works wonders as a moisturizing base underneath your makeup. And, most importantly, it actually seems to do something: After waking up from what was most likely one hour total of uninterrupted sleep, my skin looked dull, tired, and tragically dehydrated. Thanks to what I assume is the help of the mask's chestnut extract, vitamin C, and green tea, I got what felt like an instant face transplant: I looked wide awake, glowing, and healthier than if I spent a week at a Goop-sponsored wellness retreat.
Better still, this mask isn't irritating to the eyes, so it can be applied all over the area to refresh and de-puff, which is exactly what I did. Almost instantly, my terrible sleeping habits became nearly invisible to everyone around me — and if I can't feel well-rested, I might as well look it, right?
In the beauty world, keratin has become the hair-care ingredient of legend. For decades, many celebs with shiny and ultra-soft hair have made it happen via in-salon treatments — the results of which can last for months. But recently, a new spin on the protein has been tapped for promising at-home use thanks to a technology that employs a type of keratin native to the human body. This form of keratin has the potential to repair, restore, and smooth the hair shaft, which is why you'll see it as a principle ingredient in at-home styling and hair-care products from brands like Virtue Labs. But the storied protein has also been a spectacular source of downright confusion, thanks to FDA warnings against some in-salon treatment formulations that contain known carcinogens, outdated ideas on how keratin can be used, and a high-profile lawsuit by consumer watchdog groups.
So is keratin a must-have building block to healthy hair, somewhat of a health hazard, or both? These are the kinds of questions that are only made more confusing by search results. We talked to a veteran stylist who has followed the keratin saga from day one and a chemical specialist who provides in-salon keratin treatments for a most discerning Beverly Hills crowd to settle the score. The facts on whether keratin strengthens the hair’s bonds, leads to hair breakage, thwarts dye jobs, and more, ahead.
1. Claim: Keratin is only available in salons — and for a major price.
Reality: At upwards of $300 per in-salon keratin treatment, it can seem that the road to healthy hair is paved with hundred-dollar bills. Thankfully, there’s another way in: Some beauty brands like Virtue Labs wield the protein’s power by way of nourishing shampoos and conditioning formulas — which allow us to reap the healthy-hair benefits of keratin with each wash, treatment, or styling session.
How does it work? Typically, beauty brands source protein from animal products (like feathers or wool) for these over-the-counter products. But this brand is the first to use keratin extracted from purified human hair — a process that not only helps maintain the protein’s spring-like structural integrity but which also boosts its bioavailability (our bodies' readiness to accept the ingredient as a repair tool and put it into play). Once applied to the hair (via a shampoo, conditioner, or styling product), the extract works with the efficiency of a drug-sniffing hound — by finding hair damage and bonding to those spots only, strengthening the shaft where needed and smoothing the hair cuticle for uniform texture and shine — no hundos required.
Reality: Think that going near keratin means committing to the same straight hairstyle day in and day out? Think again. While many traditional keratin treatments have focused on ironing the life out of every curl and wave, the ingredient packs some serious bodybuilding power when used in a different way. That’s because when it's tapped in its pure form (especially one that’s native to our own hair), keratin can strengthen hair health, adding body and bounce across the spectrum of hair types. What’s more, it can also pull off a nifty trick for those looking to boost their natural texture: smoothing the hair shaft for amplified shine, while defining curl patterns. The result? Hair that won’t fall flat — no matter how curly or straight you want to wear it.
3. Claim: Keratin will strip the hue from color-treated hair.
Reality: Turns out, at-home products made with keratin can actually help amplify hair color by smoothing the hair shaft to reflect more light — a trick that adds vibrancy to hair color, bottled or not. What’s more, you can have your hair straightened in the salon and get a few highlights (or a full color job), too, without sacrificing vibrancy or shine. “It just takes a little coordination between the colorist and the hair pro administering the straightening treatment to draw up a plan that maintains a dye job’s integrity,” says Devin Jude, a stylist at Jonathan Antin Salon who specializes in color and chemical treatments. Because an in-salon keratin treatment can lighten color-treated hair by a gradient or two, it’s best to protect highlights and lowlights by scheduling a gloss treatment either before or after booking a keratin treatment — a move Jonathan AntinJonathan Antin, owner of the Jonathan Antin Salon in Beverly Hills and a styling vet who has worked with A-list celebrities for more than 30 years, says will help seal the desired hue and prevent color from fading.
4. Claim: Keratin causes breakage and damage to your hair.
Reality: The ability to make or break your hair with keratin depends on how you use it. Take at-home styling products bolstered with the protein, for example: Some are developed to give hair a molecular mend by feeding it exactly what it needs (especially products formulated with protein native to the very hair on our heads). In spots where the hair is already healthy, it sends an “at capacity” signal, and excess keratin is rinsed away — preventing over-treatment and therefore breakage.
When it comes to in-salon keratin treatments, breakage and damage can happen, but most often, the culprit behind fried hair is the stylist, not the treatment itself. “It 100% depends on the stylist, whether the treatment damages or breaks the hair or not,” says Antin. So what, exactly, can stylists do to bring hair to a point of breakage? Apply too much heat (whether too high a temperature or too frequent a pass with the iron). “Keratin is a protein that fills the hair,” Antin explains. “In order for the salon treatment to work, you have to add heat [to the hair]. But if a stylist goes over sections of hair more than once or twice with an iron, damage can ensue.”
Okay. So that’s the worst case scenario. It’s also pretty rare, because when executed correctly, the treatment can not only protect the integrity of the hair, but it can also give strands a healthy boost. “Because it forms a bond, filling in the holes inside the hair shaft and reducing porosity, you can end up with shinier, healthier hair after a keratin treatment,” Antin says. The takeaway? Be extremely picky when stylist shopping, or opt for safer at-home hair-care products laced with the protein.
5. Claim: All keratin treatments contain known carcinogens.
Reality: Some do. And there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding in-salon, animal-derived keratin treatments and the ingredients they possess. In fact, the FDA has warned consumers to steer clear of straightening treatments that contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen that has been linked to headaches, dizziness, nausea, rashes, and other health reactions in both clients and salon workers. Ditto for known formaldehyde releasers (like methylene glycol and formalin), which are thought to release formaldehyde gas into the air when heated (as part of the treatment).
While the battle over carcinogenic ingredients in keratin straightening treatments wages on, several different product formulations (both in-salon and at-home versions) are available without them. Not sure what goes into the keratin straighteners your salon uses? The FDA suggests consulting with your stylist before booking a treatment to ensure the product used does not contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
With every Fashion Month comes the question: Should we celebrate the industry's progression when it comes to diversity and inclusivity, or should we condemn how far it still has to go? With so many facets to consider — race, age, size, gender — fashion has the responsibility to represent everyone. But The Fashion Spot's seasonal Runway Diversity report, released Thursday, shows that while designers have made certain strides when it comes to casting models for their runways and presentations, there are a lot of holes that still need to be filled.
And now for where the industry missed the mark. Despite its continued charge for more body inclusivity, the number of plus-size model appearances dropped from September 2017 to February 2018, with just 30 castings. Most walked in New York City, at brands that consistently promote diversity, like Christian Siriano, Chromat, Prabal Gurung, Michael Kors, and Eckhaus Latta. The mission for body positivity still doesn't seem to be catching on in Europe, though: Paris saw two plus-size models, London featured one, and Milan had zero. All we have to say is, the industry needs to do better.
The same goes for the industry's continuous issue with ageism. The Fashion Spot reports that "women in their 50s, 60s, and upward were...the least represented category," with brands like Eckhaus Latta, Creatures of Comfort, and The Row being some of the few to cast older models.
If fashion is meant to cater to all people, then it's time the runways became a better reflection of what all people actually look like — that means different sizes, backgrounds, and more.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
As Lent draws to a close, worshippers turn their thoughts to Jesus' final days before his resurrection on Easter Sunday. The entire week leading up to (but not including) Easter is known as Holy Week, and Christians of varioussects observe it by reflecting on and even reenacting his suffering and death.
Many churches hold daily services throughout this week, commemorating the Passion of Jesus. But certain days have more specific services attached to them.
Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, is held in honor of Jesus' return to Jerusalem after wandering in the wilderness. Worshippers carry palm branches in a procession, and then have them blessed. Most of the service consists of a reading of the Passion, the account of Jesus' suffering.
The next three days (Monday to Wednesday), are usually observed as preparation for the Triduum, or the last three — and most sacred — days of Holy Week, starting with Holy Thursday.
Also known as Maundy Thursday (for the Latin word mandatum, meaning commandment), this day represents the day of the Last Supper, which ended with Jesus giving his disciples the commandment "that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another." Holy Thursday 's main celebrations are the Chrism Mass, in which bishops consecrate the oils used for sacraments, and the Mass of the Lord's Supper, in which the priest washes 12 congregants' feet (in a nod to Jesus washing his disciples' feet) and church officials strip the decorations from the church's altar.
Good Friday, perhaps the most well-known day of Holy Week, addresses Jesus' death on the cross — and the services held on this day are the most somber of all. Bells and organs are kept silent as a gesture of mourning. Worshippers spend the day giving penance or even fasting, as they did throughout Lent. Some communities may even reenact the Stations of the Cross (Jesus' journey to the cross) as a way of feeling closer to Jesus in his suffering. Services focus on Jesus' last words and end with communion and stripping the altar again.
Holy Week ends with Holy Saturday, or the Easter Vigil. Services aren't held until nightfall, when congregants gather as if to wait for Jesus' resurrection the next day. Sometimes, the Vigil will involve a candlelit procession. And, as a way to break the silence of Good Friday, churches ring their bells to herald the end of Lent.
For Christians who observe it, Holy Week is a solemn time of worship, to say the least. But at the end of it comes Easter Sunday — the celebration of Jesus' rebirth and evasion of death. Allowing oneself to experience Jesus' suffering caps off the Lenten season of penance and makes Easter Sunday's celebrations all the more joyful. This week of mourning tells a story of immense loss, but it leaves worshippers with the message that faith will help them endure it.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Despite what shampoo ads (and bottles, for that matter) might tell you, the hair on your head is not all uniform. Maybe it's smooth on top and frazzled and frizz-prone underneath; maybe it has natural waves in one spot but tends to fall totally flat in others. Even if your hair is predominantly of one texture — straight, curly, natural, wavy, what have you — there will always be a few strands that just won't play ball. More often than not, this will occur on the underside of your hair.
"If you take any random six hairs from somebody’s head, not all of them will look the same," trichologist Anabel Kingsley explains. "Some might be coarser than others, or straighter." It’s more common for these discrepancies to be dispersed throughout your hair more or less evenly, but it’s not unheard of to have one single unruly chunk. "I’ve definitely had clients who have a random section of hair that’s a different texture," says Scott Ade, stylist at London salon Larry King.
But before you can move on to treating the situation to create uniformity, you'll want to examine the causes. Both Kingsley and Ade confirm that it's possible you're one of the special few genetically prone to a mish-mash of textures, but there are causes that go back to nurture — rather than nature — too. "If you love tight ponytails, and you're using a hair elastic to secure it, you could be suffering from traction alopecia," Ade says. Obviously, all kinds of hairstyling can lead to damage, but super tight ponytails worn high up on the head and secured with elastic can pull at the hairs on the nape of the neck, causing breakage and leaving those strands coarser than the rest.
Then there’s the positioning of it to think about. The back of your neck and your back itself will sweat when you get hot, and this stickiness and humidity can only lead to frizz. "Your hair has two kinds of bonds: disulfide and hydrogen," Kingsley explains. "Disulfide bonds can only be broken by chemical treatments, but hydrogen bonds are broken by water; hence, when there’s water in the air through humidity or sweat it breaks down those hydrogen bonds and returns your hair to a puffier state."
It could also be a question of haphazard styling or absentminded fiddling. "Lots of people twiddle their hair as a nervous tic, and it is usually those longer, underneath layers that end up between your fingertips," Kingsley says. The other consideration is that the very nature of an underneath layer makes it harder to style, meaning the cumulative effects of slapdash brushing could be making the issue worse. "If you’re brushing too hard or roughly, it leads to cuticle damage, which makes the hair much more prone to frizz," she adds.
But if you did simply win that particular genetic lottery, help is at hand. "A keratin treatment is a really great way to make hair healthier and easier to style," Ade says. "If it's just the underneath layer that's the issue, I'd only apply to that section — no need to smooth the whole head." If you're not ready to take the keratin plunge, Ade recommends another, more temporary in-salon treatment. "Redken Heatcure would last around 10 washes," he says. "It involves using a special beeswax-based nourishing treatment and helps repair the surface damage on your hair."
As for at-home styling, Ade suggests trying Redken's multitasking One United Multi-Benefit Treatment Spray, which he says he uses on practically all of his clients, thanks to its repairing benefits and lightweight texture. Kingsley suggests dispersing a smoothing serum through the bottom layers of your hair to help counteract the effects of humidity. There's also Color Wow Dream Coat, which offers some of the most effective protection against humidity available on the market right now. It uses a special polymer blend to essentially "waterproof" the hair without weighing it down — the only catch is that it's heat-activated, so you'll need to skip the air-dry to reap its benefits.
Whatever you choose, bear in mind Kingsley's best advice: "Be mindful of the fact that color and heat damage only serve to reduce the elasticity of the hair, which will make things worse," she warns. "You'll then have to put more heat on in order to flatten it down. It becomes quite the vicious cycle." So give your blowdryer a break once in a while, and always keep a Slip silk scrunchie on hand for when things get rough. Literally.
Since creating his namesake label 10 years ago, Christian Siriano has cemented himself as a designer who championed inclusivity and diversity long before the rest of the industry began to embrace either as a way of life. Outside of his New York Fashion Week shows, which are are also a testament to how vast his clientele is, we feel like Siriano is at his best during Awards Season. He often dresses women for the red carpet who designers would otherwise ignore, women like Danielle Brooks, Candice Huffine, Kelly Clarkson, and Leslie Jones, but Siriano let us in on a little secret. All of that comes at a hefty price.
“It’s so much money to make these custom things and send them around the world,” he said tells Sirius Radio host Michelle Collins. “It can be $2,000 to overnight a large box to LA.” He and his husband, Brad Walsh, visited The Michelle Collins Show where they broke down the cost of dressing multiple women for so many awards shows. “I want to tell you what my FedEx bill was the month of the Oscars, you really want to know what it is?” the designer teased. Collins admitted to her listeners she was “armadillo’d” when she heard the news — hugging her knees and pulling out her ponytail for the record — but wanted to know how many dresses Siriano had to overnight to LA.
“We probably sent about a hundred pieces out for the Oscars,” he said, between the parties for InStyle and Entertainment Weekly, it’s easy for costs to pile up. Add in that his client’s styling teams usually don’t have budget to cover shipping gowns across the country. “The reason that these stylists would say ‘we don’t have a budget for shipping’ is because they’re pulling a hundred dresses,” Walsh explained.
Finally, Collins asks Siriano how much Awards Season actually cost him. First, she offers $58,000, and then asks if the bill totaled more than $100,000. “Maybe about $8,000 shy of that,” the designer revealed. So, if you are keeping track, it costs almost $92,000 for Siriano to send his gowns all over the country. Now we’re curious about all the times (if ever) Siriano was offered a corporate discount, and the person at the checkout countered “Doesn’t It Feel Good To Pay Less? ”
Clarkson dropped a new video for a track from her most recent album, and let's just say it's an Adele-style fuck you: elegant, but pointed. Classy. This is the kind of song Kelly Clarkson jumped from RCA/Sony to Atlantic to be able to release. Her longtime beef with the controlling exec, Clive Davis, comes through in the song's lyrics. He, in his own biography, revealed details on how he tried to dictate which songs she sang. The company pushed her into production with Dr. Luke, whom she famously did not get along with. Now Clarkson has a new home and a sense of self-confidence that lets her skip thinking about those who no longer matter. There's really nothing better than the sound of a free woman singing.
Snail Mail "Pristine"
This week in hot shit that Pitchfork loves, but that is really good so you should listen to it is Snail Mail. The words "masterpiece " and "compelling " and "best new music " have been thrown around. Here's why: teen girls are finally getting their due. If I had been this talented and self-aware at 17, I would be ruling the world right now. Her vocal sound is a throwback to the golden era of '90s indie rock, sort of like Liz Phair but with less sex and more of an Emily Brontë by way of Degrassi vibe. The standout here, though, is her guitar skills, and that's no fluke: she studied with the iconic Mary Timony as well as taking classical training.
Hinds "The Club"
Hinds have made the exact inverse of the Go-Go's "Our Lips Are Sealed" video, and it's magnificent. The girl gang vibe is the same, but they took the low/no budget vibe of that '80s gem and plopped it down in a ski lodge instead of the Southern California sunshine. The camaraderie makes both groups everything I want in a girl band. That and the riffs.
Kiana Ledé "Fairplay"
Did you know you could write a whole song that is essentially based on the idea "what's good for the goose is good for the gander"? If you're thinking about it (see the video above to hear about it), you might want to get into therapy because your ideas about relationships are truly not healthy. That said, the whole idea makes for a fine jam when Kiana sings it.
Whitney Fenimore "Find Your Love"
This is one of those tracks that made me keep getting up to check my playlist and see what it was, every time it came up. Loyal viewers of The Voice may recognize Fenimore from her turn on Team Adam on season 13 (circa 2017). She didn't win the show, but she may just win the game of having an actual music career after the show if this is the kind of music she'll be making.
After my first job at MTV working as a music programmer, I can't stop trying to matchmake people with music they might like. So, I wrote a book calledRecord Collecting for Girlsand started interviewing musicians. The Music Concierge is a column where I share music I'm listening to that you might enjoy, with a little context. Follow me on Twitter or Facebook, or leave me a comment below and tell me what you're listening to this week.
With spring comes a few of our favorite things: the first cherry-blossom sighting, sitting outside on our lunch hour, and most importantly, the return of dresses. After months of sweater-and-jeans combos, donning a frock is one of the more exciting aspects of the wardrobe switch-up. And while nothing beats throwing on a breathable maxi, slipping into sneaks, and calling it a day, this go-around, we're mixing things up with the season's most essential silhouette.
Translation? We're taking our favorite dresses from Macy's INC and extending their wearability by styling them three super-creative ways. First up, we'll show you how to pull off wearing two dresses at once (just trust us on that one) with a daring striped getup. Then see a striking monochrome outfit featuring our spring color crush, red. And finally, find out how to remix your LBD for more modest environments, like the office. With the easy-to-follow tips below, you too can turn your one-hit wonder into the most versatile star of your spring lineup.
All Tied Up Make a striped ensemble more interesting by doubling up on a key piece. Start with the longest dress first, then layer a shorter version on top for extra volume. Belt the look with a rolled-up shirt in the same print to cinch the waist.
Shop This Look Stripes are as timeless as could be — and this look is all about embracing the classic pattern in a modern way. To copy these styling moves, stock up on the same dress in a number of sizes and pile them on for a faux-ruffle effect. The result is intentionally matchy-matchy and perfect for office meetings and daytime weekend hangs alike.
Max Monochrome Go all the way with head-to-toe red. Balance girly florals with a sporty turtleneck. Break up the monotony with a metallic flat.
Shop This Look For a head-turning outfit that's got spring date night written all over it, look no further than this fearless red combo. Use flowy trousers and a side-striped turtleneck as a low-key base, then slide a flower-print frock on top. It's this sort of boho-meets-athleisure mix that has us insanely excited to dress for the season ahead.
LBD Redux Give an off-the-shoulder dress a fresh vibe by styling a striped blouse underneath. Accessorize with blingy earrings and a chain belt to give it a sophisticated spin. Finish with chic footwear like white slingbacks.
Shop This Look Want to wear your sexy black dress to the office? Pair it with a button-up blouse to keep from showing too much skin, plus a mock-neck base layer for the days the AC is turned up way too high. Then add a chain belt to create a contrasting silhouette, and let the bell sleeves shine.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Out with the thick knits and flannel and in with the flounce tops and white denim, or so says H&M with its new spring arrivals. You wouldn't know it by the still snowy forecasts, but winter is in fact over, and it's time to start dressing like it (or at least preparing to dress like it). A good place to start? With the key trends and silhouettes cropping up this season, such as rich embroidery, feminine frills, voluminous boho sleeves, and tie-waist bottoms. Below, get a glimpse of the transitional items we're stocking up on that'll hopefully usher in spring vibes — beyond just our wardrobe.
Welcome toMyIdentity. The road to owning your identity is rarely easy. In this yearlong program, we will celebrate that journey and explore how the choices we make on the outside reflect what we’re feeling on the inside — and the important role fashion and beauty play in helping people find and express who they are.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
In literature, spring is often associated with new beginnings. For some, it means shedding literal weight (in the form of heavy winter boots and those black puffer coats from hell); for others, maybe it means giving up a toxic relationship or a state of mind that's holding you back from all the opportunities ahead.
It also tends to be the time of year most of us desperately want to break out of a hair rut — especially after a season of beanies, scarves, and bitter winter weather. If that means a big chop for you, go for it. But if you're looking for other ways to refresh your dry and damaged hair — without shaving off 12 inches — we've got you covered, too.
Ahead, the pros' guide to rescuing your natural, relaxed, and color-treated strands from the longest winter imaginable. It's time to shine, baby.
Welcome toMyIdentity. The road to owning your identity is rarely easy. In this yearlong program, we will celebrate that journey and explore how the choices we make on the outside reflect what we’re feeling on the inside — and the important role fashion and beauty play in helping people find and express who they are.
If the winter forecast had you relying on your blowdryer and heat tools more than usual, then you might be noticing a pattern — or lack thereof. "Your curls probably don't have an S-shape anymore," Tamara Laureus, owner of Hairenomics Mane Bar in Brooklyn, New York, says. "Your hair tends to look frizzy and dry. It loses its natural shine."
At this point, some naturalistas opt for the big chop — a haircut that both makes a statement and sheds those dead ends. But that's not the only solution. "I always ask my clients about their daily routines," she says. "How much time do they spend trying to revive it? If it gets to be too much, that's when I suggest the big chop. I think it's big chop is a big step, so I like to work with clients before they make that drastic decision."
The best way to breathe life back into tired curls before pulling out the shears? "Up your conditioning treatments," Laureus says. "I like the TGIN Honey Miracle Mask to deep condition, and Infusium 23 for a daily leave-in. Once a month, you can wash your hair with a moisturizing shampoo. But every other week, you must co-wash and always use conditioner. Always use products with little or no alcohol, and try to take a break from heat whenever possible."
Photographed by Rochelle Brock.
If You've Got Color-Treated Hair...
"You’ll know your hair has been damaged by hair color when the cuticle doesn’t lay flat anymore," Jaxcee, a colorist at Hair Rules salon, says. "Damaged hair is usually frizzy and has a lot less shine due to lightener over-processing. In extreme cases, over-processed lightening can cause the hair to break off entirely. Semi, demi, and permanent hair color, in most cases, will not leave your hair damaged. Bleach is usually the culprit when not used properly."
To give your strands some TLC, "make sure your post-color shampoo and conditioner contains sud-free, sulfate-free cleansers — like the Hair Rules Cleansing Cream," Jaxcee says. "If your hair has been over-processed, you can also try an in-salon bond building treatment like Olaplex. Bond building treatments help your hair recuperate after being damaged. They can even be used while coloring to prevent the damage from ever happening in the first place."
In between wash days, Jaxcee says that you must use a good leave-in thermal protector before blowdrying. (Try to keep the heat styling to a minimum, if you can.). "If you're styling damaged or split ends, add an extremely small amount of edge control to the ends of your hair before curling or flat ironing," she suggests. "Doing so will temporarily seal the ends and give the hair a healthy shine."
A little bit of extra attention, combined with trims every three moths and a retouch every three weeks (if you're particular about your roots showing) should bring your curls or coils back to the land of the living. "Just keep it moisturized!" Jaxcee notes. "That's what's most important."
photographed by Courtney Yates; edited by Erin Yamagata.
If You've Got Relaxed Hair...
Take a good look at a handful of your strands. Can you see through them? If so, that's a telltale sign, according to Derick Monroe (who works with Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Rye, and more). "Damaged relaxed hair is thin," he says. "It has excessive shedding, and ends that are dry and frayed." Typically, this happens when you're getting way too many touch-ups. "Get them as much as you need, but at the same time, you're not supposed to overdo it," he says. "Most brands will tell you that six to eight weeks is best."
Like Laureus, Monroe suggests a whole lot of conditioning to get damaged hair to perk up. "Use treatments with plenty of proteins and moisturizers to help build and nourish the hair," he says. The new Dark and Lovely Damage Slayer five-step system contains a hydrating mask that Monroe (who is part of the brand's Style Squad) loves. "I also like the Carol's Daughter Mirabelle Plum line, because it caters to damaged hair. I'm also a fan of going to a salon to get a Dudley's DRC treatment."
An easier fix, in the meantime, is wearing a sew-in weave or clip-ins while giving your real hair some extra care. "Do your protein conditioner or reconstructor once a month, followed by a good moisturizing treatment," Monroe says. Just be sure to take care of your extensions just as you would your real hair, or those will get damaged, too. (More on that next...)
Photographed by Amy Lombard.
If You Wear Weaves...
A lot of people use weaves and wigs as a protective style, but even those can get dry without proper care. "High quality virgin human wefted hair and clip-ins can last for up to a year with proper maintenance and care," Vivian Kaye, CEO of KinkyCurlyYaki, says. "As long as you're regularly washing and conditioning the hair and not just tossing it to the side while it's still dirty, it will last."
Sew-in weaves are best kept in for two to three months — especially so you can take out your braids underneath and get a deep conditioning session in. But while your hair is installed, be sure to do a biweekly wash with a moisturizing shampoo. And use your styling products and heat tools in moderation to maintain what Kaye calls that "fresh out of the satin bag" look.
photographed by Courtney Yates; edited by Erin Yamagata.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Certain troops are a target in the new policy, which the White House addressed in a statement, saying, "transgender persons with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria -- individuals who the policies state may require substantial medical treatment, including medications and surgery -- are disqualified from military service except under certain limited circumstances."
In a Pentagon memo, Mattis says he compiled a "Panel of Experts comprised of senior uniform and civilian Defense Department and U.S. Coast Guard leaders" and directed them to review the Obama-era policy allowing trans people to serve using "data, as well as their professional military judgement."
The panel came to the conclusion that allowing troops with a history of gender dysphoria or who have undergone treatments or surgery to change their gender to serve presents "substantial risk" as well as "imposing an unreasonable burder" on the military by deviating from their established regulations for mental and physical health in addition to sex-based standards.
Mattis' recommendation allows for persons with gender dysphoria to continue serving if they have "been stable for 36 consecutive months in their biological sex," if they are already enrolled and do not want to have gender-confirmation surgery, and soldiers currently serving who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria may continue to seek treatment or have gender-confirmation surgery and serve under their preferred gender.
This story was originally published on December 17, 2017.
A federal judge has ruled that transgender people can enlist in the military starting on January 1, 2018, CNN reports. The Pentagon confirmed that it will move forward with transgender applicants on that date.
Federal Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled that the ban likely violates the Constitution, The New York Times reports.
"The court is not persuaded that defendants will be irreparably injured by allowing the accession of transgender individuals into the military beginning on Jan. 1, 2018," Kollar-Kotelly wrote in her ruling, which was obtained by the Times.
The ruling is another blow to President Donald Trump's agenda. He announced through a series of tweets in July that transgender people wouldn't be allowed to serve in the military at all. "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail," Trump posted on July 26.
As the nonpartisan fact-checking site PolitiFact confirmed in July, the military currently spends more money on erectile dysfunction medications than it does on healthcare and procedures for transgender people.
Trump didn't elaborate on what he meant by transgender people being a "disruption" in the military, but retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and current Senator Tammy Duckworth issued a powerful statement in August. Duckworth wrote that she didn't care whether the people saving her life "were gay, straight, transgender, black, white or brown. All that mattered was they didn't leave me behind." (Duckworth lost both her legs when her helicopter was shot down by a grenade in 2004.)
According to guidelines sent to military recruiters, transgender applicants will be referred to by their "preferred gender name and pronoun," and room and bathroom assignments will be determined by an applicant's gender identity.
Still, transgender applicants will face challenges that their cisgender counterparts don't. According to The Associated Press, any recruit who is on hormone therapy must be 18 months into the process in order to be allowed into the military. However, the outlet notes that this mirrors certain limitations suggested by the Obama administration last year.
With an estimated 15,500 transgender people currently serving in the United States Armed Forces, it's actually the largest employer of trans people. Today's ruling protects the transgender community's ability to put their lives on the line for this country.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The royal wedding is just under two months away, but it sounds like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are already thinking about the next major step in their relationship: kids.
At a conference for local entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland, the couple listened intently to husband and wife duo Adam and Sinead Murphy as they pitched their range of baby products. As they listened, Markle said something that had fans of the royal family everywhere over the moon. "I’m sure at some point we’ll need the whole thing,” she said, referencing the baby products. We have yet to get over how much we love the two of them together as a couple, and now we are on royal baby watch!
It isn’t the first time they have spoken about their interest in starting a family in the near future. Maybe it is just the media training talking, but neither of them seemed taken aback by the question of kids during their engagement interview back in November. “One step at a time, and hopefully we’ll start a family in the near future,” Prince Harry explained to BBC's Mishal Husain. Barely engaged, and already fielding questions about kids.
For most people, this would feel premature, like when a distant relative asks you very specific questions about your future. Near future is usually a politely vague way of saying that it is not a super long way off, but when they say it, it sounds like they really mean it. According to Entertainment Tonight, Prince Harry is “very keen to start a family, pretty soon after the royal wedding.”
In a 2016 interview with Hello!, Markle expressed her desire to one day have kids. “It's all about balance, and I have so much happiness in my career and am fortunate to travel the world and see so many amazing things,” she said. “It will also be nice to be anchored to something grounded and in the same place. Raising a family will be a wonderful part of that.” Knowing how stunning their engagement photos were, can you imagine how beautiful their family photos would be?
There's a phenomenon that I like to call the "afternoon glow" — not to be confused with Starland Vocal Band's 1976 hit "Afternoon Delight" — where, around 1 or 2 p.m., I reach a point where my skin's natural oils have done their best work, wearing away my foundation and powder just enough to make me look naturally dewy, not greasy. It only seems to occur when the stars align, when I've got the perfect combination of a good skin day and a foundation-concealer-powder combination that manages to blend seamlessly into my skin, rather than just sitting on top of it.
On those very good days, my skin looks healthier and more radiant, my cheekbones a little more pronounced. But the afternoon glow is hit or miss; sometimes I'm too oily by midday, other times I'm dull-faced and tired by noon. That's why I call upon a revolving door of products to help me fake it 'til I make it to the perfect afternoon, like Bobbi Brown's new All Over Glow liquid highlighter. This might just be the dewiest product I've ever used — dew in a bottle, if you will.
The liquid-gel hybrid looks a little too shimmery when you first smooth it on, but when tapped onto the high points of the face or mixed into foundation, the shimmer blends away and leaves behind the prettiest glossy sheen. That effortless glow is all thanks to the micro-fine gold particles and squalane in the formula. Squalane, in this case derived from olive oil, is a hydrogenated oil derived from the one naturally produced by our own skin cells. Typically found in moisturizers and serums, its ability to mimic the skin's natural sebum makes it a kind of "miracle ingredient," keeping skin looking balanced, plump, and non-greasy — just like the glow I get from the All Over Glow.
One caveat: If you have oily skin, this might not be the highlighter for you. My skin is on the oily side of combination, and while this stuff has given me the perfect glow without reading greasy all winter, chances are I'll phase it out as the weather warms up for my skin's shinier seasons. But this little jar is a guaranteed shortcut to that perfect just-took-a-light-jog sheen, so you better believe I'll be wearing it up until the sun starts melting my makeup straight off my face.
Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Today: a project writer working in data management who makes $66,000 per year and spends some of her paycheck this week on kombucha lemonade.
Monthly Expenses Rent: $1,279. (I live in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with my dog. My total rent includes $10 pet rent.) Student Loan Payment: $0. (I had a partial scholarship for undergrad, and grad school was free, thanks to grants.) Dental Insurance: $17.54 Vision Insurance: $4.62 401(k): $126.92 Disability & Life Insurance Benefits: $39.20 Therapy: $250. (I go twice a month for anxiety, depression, and Asperger's syndrome.) Health Insurance: $0. (I got permission to stay on my mom's far superior health insurance until I can afford my medications.) Water, Trash & Exterminator Fees: $50-$60 Electricity: $30-$60 Car & Renter's Insurance: $110.66 Cell Phone: $100. (I pay my parents because I'm on their plan.) Internet: $81.64 Pet Insurance: $72.82 for my cat and dog Dollar Shave Club: $6 Remote Personal Training: $110. (My trainer gives me 3x/week programs that I do by myself.) Gym Membership: $ 92.01 Hulu: $12.98. Spotify Family: $16.23. Netflix: $12. (I share my Hulu, Spotify, and Netflix accounts with my sister.)
Additional Expenses LifeLock Identity Theft Protection: $275/year Unlimited Spin Studio Membership: $1,336.65/year Amazon Prime: $99/year. (I share with my sister.)
Day One
5:10 a.m. — Alarm goes off for my morning lift at the gym, and then I'm back at my apartment by 6:30. I shower quickly before taking my dog to my parents' house, which is five minutes away. I shamelessly use them for doggy daycare on a daily basis. My dog gets to play and nap with our family dog all day, and I don't have to pay for daycare (plus I frequently get free breakfast and/or dinner out of the arrangement). It's a win-win-win situation. I stop at the grocery store after dropping off my dog to get apples, almond and peanut butter, yogurt, cereal, almonds, protein bars, kombucha, and other snacks for work. $14.78
8 a.m. — I'm the first person in my department to arrive at work, so I have more time to sort through my hefty inbox and do a couple of personal things online. I bought two pairs of shoes from Zappos last week to wear to a friend's recent bachelorette party in New Orleans, knowing I'd end up returning one. I print that return slip and then call my primary care doctor to get a prescription for oral steroids. I'm super sensitive to cigarette smoke and NOLA has pervasive wafts of it. I could barely breathe in spin class last night and I started having chest pain. When that happens, my asthma meds aren't enough to open up my lungs, and I have to go on oral steroids for a couple of days.
12 p.m. — I send video clips of myself lifting this morning to my personal trainer and email him the tally of my February lifts. I started working with a personal trainer last April as a way to strengthen my joints. I've had several surgeries through the years after playing soccer competitively in college, and lifting again keeps me from getting re-injured. I feel like the resulting improvements in my confidence, self-esteem, and strength justify the cost. A lot of people design their own lifting programs or do stuff like BBG, but I have very specific needs and limitations and working with a trainer is a much more comfortable fit for me.
3:30 p.m. — Work is very busy today. It seems like all of our salespeople decided to need things as soon as I left last Friday. I sort through my inbox and prioritize projects with my supervisor. Because I don't usually take a lunch break, I can leave early some days (especially every other Tuesday when I go to therapy). I eat an apple and almond butter, yogurt, and a protein bar throughout the day, drinking plenty of water too, and take some Do-si-dos from the front mail room. They're usually one of the first boxes to disappear during Girl Scout cookie season, and they're a nice treat when I want something sweet. I leave work at 5:15 and call my sister on the way to the polling station to vote in the primaries, and I take my dog to the dog park after voting.
7 p.m. — I drop off the dog at my apartment and start a load of laundry before heading back to the grocery store to pick up toilet paper, cat food, sweet potatoes, Lean Pockets, spinach, eggs, and beans ($98.99), as well as my prescriptions. I'm still on my mom's insurance until I can afford my medications – I'm on a lot of very expensive ones to help moderate the more prevalent of my autism manifestations. Today, I pick up my birth control, thyroid medication, anti-anxiety medication, and the oral steroid my doctor called in. (It's a $30 total co-pay that I pay for with my flex spending account card.) I return home, too tired to cook the sweet potatoes I bought, so I heat up a few Lean Pockets and wash them down with Arctic Zero before crawling into bed at 9 to read a little Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. $98.99
Daily Total: $113.77
Day Two
5:45 a.m. — Dog wakes me up a little early. I get up and go through my morning routine: listen to the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix audiobook while I brush my teeth (I keep the series on repeat on my phone), wash my face, do my skincare routine, put Tend Skin on my bikini area and legs, put on work clothes, and grab my spin clothes for after work. Then I head to my parents' house at 6:20 to drop off my dog. I start my steroid prescription, and holy shit, after only one dose I can feel my lungs really opening up. Drugs are awesome. I arrive at work at 7:45, and we have a new hire interview at 9 (someone to share some of the conference scheduling and admin burden with me). The candidate is woefully unprepared and inappropriately dressed, so we go with a different candidate, who will start tomorrow.
3:30 p.m. — I finally start looking at receipts from the bachelorette party weekend. So much money on ride-sharing! Mostly solo trips, since I did some excursions by myself and left Bourbon Street earlier than the others. I start a Google Sheet to keep track of what I paid and what I owe. Three of the four girls end up owing me a total of $74.90, so I send the totals out on the group chat and they Venmo me their shares. I owe the other girl $17.18. She doesn't have Venmo, so I write her a check that I'll give her when I see her this weekend for dinner with the bride and her maid of honor (who couldn't make the trip). $17.18
4 p.m. — Our Bachelor bracket commissioner sends a memo reminding us to pay. I came in dead last, but fortunately, we don't have punishments like in Fantasy Football leagues. I Venmo her $5 for my shameful performance. After a packed day today and yesterday, I take the last hour of the day to clear my Gmail inbox; my Atlas Obscura, Refinery29, Countable, JSTOR Daily, and alumni emails have piled up since last week. I tinker with an inventory spreadsheet while watching Beauty With Mi and Sweet Digs videos on Refinery29. A $104 refund for dresses from Lulus comes through. I bought two in the hopes that I'd be able to wear them on the trip, but one looked cheap and the other was too big in the boob area. $5
5 p.m. — Finish a busy day and head to the spin studio for a 5:30 class. I'm confident I'll be able to go harder today now that my lungs are less compromised. After spin, I check dating apps. I made a new rule for myself that I can't look at dating apps unless it's after a workout. This really keeps my mindless swiping addiction in check and my confidence high. I check my mail on the way back to my apartment and find an invitation to my cousin's baby shower, my Dollar Shave Club shipment, and a reimbursement check for my cat's vet visit a couple of weeks ago. I text my cousin to let her know I'll be at the shower in a few weeks and mobile deposit my reimbursement check ($275.48). I shower and change before going to pick up my dog and have dinner with my mom.
9 p.m. — After dinner, I go home with my dog. I'm a little hyper from the steroids, but I don't want to commit to chores and risk a later bedtime, so I brush my teeth, walk my dog, and read TheHitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for 10 minutes or so before falling asleep.
Daily Total: $22.18
Day Three
5:45 a.m. — Up early again. My mom is taking our family dog to the vet for a tumor removal and jaw X-rays, so she offers to drop off my dog at daycare (and pay for it) while she's out with the other dog. I swing by the dry cleaner on my way to work to pick up a conference room table tablecloth I dropped off earlier this week. ($13.59 expensed)
7:30 a.m. — I drive to the gas station to put air in a tire. I'm nearly positive there's a nail tear in it that will need to get patched soon. That happens to me all the time, but for now, it's cheaper and easier just to fill it up when it gets low ($1.50). I fill up on gas while I'm at it ($27.25). I get to work super early today, but it's nice because that gives me a little extra time to sort my day and warm up my brain. Our new hire starts today, meaning there is an additional person added to my interaction slate today. Not super happy, but it'll be nice when I don't have to worry about conference stuff anymore. $28.75
11 a.m. — We go out for lunch as a department with our new employee. Someone else pays and expenses it. I'm excited because the new employee is about my age (which is rare for my job) and loves animals. I get a Chinese chicken salad and eat half of it; I don't want to be too weighed down in spin class this evening.
12:30 p.m. — I'm trying to finish up a large project for a client, but I'm already sleepy from lunch. I grab a bottle of GT's Kombucha Lemonade from my grocery store run. The little caffeine boost and bubbles help keep me awake. I remember to plug in my Fitbit Flex 2. (If your activity's not on your activity tracker, did you really even do it?) I also go ahead and cough up the registration fee for my high-school reunion next month. I don't really want to go, but the girl who planned it lives in my apartment complex and really wants me to. I've changed since high school, so maybe everyone else has, too. Plus, the school's paying for the alcohol and ride shares, which is nice. $30
2:30 p.m. — Refill my water bottle. I drink 96 to 120 ounces of water during work, which keeps me hydrated and awake and also lets me get up and walk every couple hours. I register for a free yoga class that one of my favorite spin instructors/buddies is teaching in a couple of weeks. I never do yoga, and it's on a Sunday (I usually don't spend Sundays around humans) but I want to support him!
5 p.m. — Spin time! The instructor is injured, so I'm encouraged to ride the instructor bike in his place. I've been doing spin classes consistently for three years, but I've always been terrified of the instructor bike because being in front of crowds with eyes on me is a personal nightmare. I don't have enough time to think about it and be scared, so I go up there and it is amazing! I have the best time. Who knows, maybe I'll be a teacher someday...
7:45 p.m. — My mom is picking up the dogs from the vet, so I have to wait for her to come home with them before I can leave. I help feed both dogs when they're back but I'm not really hungry, so I decline my parents' invitation to stay for dinner. I go back to my apartment, still grinning from spin this evening. I spread peanut butter on a Kodiak Cake and take my meds. My dog and I are in bed by 9 and asleep by 9:45 after a nice chunk of Hitchhiker's.
Daily Total: $58.75
Day Four
7:30 a.m. — I skip my lift this morning. I don't have March's lifts yet from my trainer, and my body could use the break. I snooze until 5:45, then brush my teeth, take my asthma meds, wash my face, and moisturize. Dog is still asleep at 6:15 when I pull the covers back to wake him up! We pack up and go to my parents' house, and after a nice long walk with my mom and the dog, I swing by Smoothie King on my way to work. I usually reserve JuiceLand and Smoothie King runs for rewards after early-morning lifts, but I'm feeling peckish, so I get a Lean 1 smoothie. $6.50
9:30 a.m. — It's inventory photo day! Taking inventory photos is one of my favorite parts of my job. I get to go play with old records, read them, and photograph them. Today, we don't have anything super interesting but sometimes I get fascinating stuff, like old murders and bizarre legal cases. I show our new hire how to take archival "before" photos. By 11:30, I'm back to my desk to tackle quotes. I grab the rest of the kombucha I started yesterday and a Siggi's yogurt I bought last week. I skim a JSTOR Daily interview with Steven Pinker and pop over to Goodreads to add a couple of his books to my "To Read" list. I'm always looking for books to add to my list, especially from unfamiliar areas.
1:30 p.m. — My leftover Chinese chicken salad from yesterday has congealed into an unappetizing lump in the to-go container. I toss it and grab the last of my apples from my desk, which I eat with Justin's Honey Almond Butter. I finish up a few quotes and read some Public Domain Review articles. The deviation from my morning lift routine, leftover energy from last night's spin, and steroids opening up my lungs have me itching to go for a run after work. At 3, we have a meeting to discuss a massive project for one of our biggest clients. And then at 4, I review a proof I designed for one of our records management systems.
5:15 p.m. — I leave for the day and chat with my sister on the way to my gym, where I go for a quick run. Afterward, I hit the dog park with the dog and then stop by Trader Joe's for tortilla chips to snack on while I cook and clean tonight. I try to spend Fridays recuperating from my weekly responsibilities by cleaning, doing laundry, and cooking. I'm in bed by 9:30 and read Hitchhiker's before falling asleep. $5.38
Daily Total: $11.88
Day Five
10:45 a.m. — I sleep in a little, then get up, brush my teeth, wash and moisturize my face, and get my workout clothes on. I grab a sleeve of Clif Bloks for carbs and caffeine and take my Saturday walk with the dog and both parents. It's a great way to catch up with both of them. Then it's time for spin. After a great class, I meet my parents, my cousin, and his family for brunch. I decide to run there because my GPS says it's only a mile from my apartment. False — it's a solid two miles. Exhausted, I change shirts at the restaurant and join my family. I order tomato pasta with grilled chicken and my cousin snags the bill before my dad. I don't usually like kids, but my cousin's kids are pretty cool.
5:30 p.m. — I spend a relaxing afternoon at my apartment with the dog. I'm meeting my friends for dinner tonight and decide to go to the restaurant early for a drink. Not only does drinking lessen my social anxiety, but it actually reduces the effects of external stimuli for me, making me less overwhelmed. My friends trickle in, and I put their drinks on my tab. I'm pretty sure I still owe them from NOLA even though we settled up earlier this week. $38.93
9 p.m. — We finish up our dinner. I had a 25% off coupon for our whole party, and the waitress forgets to apply it. I remind her about it and she brings new checks. It's great seeing everyone, even though I just spent the weekend with them. $28
9:30 p.m. — The bride and maid of honor head home, and the other girls and I go across the street to a pub to hang out. I get a PBR to sip while we chat before leaving at 10:30. I contemplate going back out, but by the time I get home to my dog, I don't really feel like it. I crawl into bed by 11:30. $4
Daily Total: $70.93
Day Six
7 a.m. — The alarm hurts this morning. Daylight Saving has started, so instead of seven and a half hours of sleep, I get six and a half. I take my dog for a short walk with my mom. Sometimes I don't take my stimulant medication on Sundays so I can sleep more. It's not great to skip it, but the medication is really expensive and I can make the prescription last longer if I skip odd days. I take a long morning nap and then go for another walk with the dog at 11:30.
12:30 p.m. — My alma mater's men's basketball team is playing in the conference championship today, but I decide to watch at home instead of going to the watch party. I had my fill of socializing last night, so I watch while I clean and vacuum. I do some serious stretching too. The run after spin class yesterday left me more sore than normal. Huzzah, we win! March Madness will be a little more exciting with my alma mater still in the running. After the game, the dog and I go for another walk. Then the dog takes a nap and I settle into my reading chair to finish The Kremlin's Candidate. I loved the first two books in The Red Sparrow trilogy, but I'm taking longer than normal to finish this book. It just doesn't grip me as much as the last ones did.
6 p.m. — I boil pasta with tomato sauce and spinach for dinner and then finally finish the book. I cried a little at the end – one of those: "It had to end this way, but it's still sad" conclusions. I take the dog for another walk and turn on Archer, do a clay mask, and shower to cheer myself up before bed. I'm in bed by 9:30, but my brain won't settle down, so I read Hitchhiker's until 9:50 before falling asleep.
Daily Total: $0
Day Seven
6 a.m. — Up at 6. Losing an hour to Daylight Saving Time is killing me. I know a lot of people like it, but the hour time change and extra light at night are really hard for me. Light is one of my biggest autistic sensitivities. I usually have to bring hats and sunglasses with me all the time since it's bright so late now. Dog and I head to my parents' house at 6:45. I read theSkimm while he and our family dog eat breakfast, and then we go for a morning walk. I stop by the grocery store at 8 for apples, a bottle of kombucha, and cereal. It's going to be a caffeine day today. I get to work a little late, start up my computer, and get water and Earl Grey going. Hopefully, my brain starts working soon. $11.59
12:30 p.m. — I eat a protein bar from my desk, which makes me surprisingly full, and call in more prescription refills that I can pick up after work. By 3:30, I'm hungry again, so I eat one of my apples with honey almond butter as a pre-workout snack. I leave promptly at 5 today. I can't wait for spin at 6:30 when I can get some endorphins. I feel much better after my hard workout, but I don't have the energy to pick up my meds, so I'll do that tomorrow. I shower and go to my parents' house to get my dog and eat a little. We're back home by 8, and I brush my teeth, take my meds, and hop in bed by 8:45. I read Hitchhiker's for a bit and fall asleep with my dog.
Daily Total: $11.59
Money Diaries are meant to reflect individual women's experiences and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29's point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more money diaries, click here.
Have a Money Diary you'd like to share? Right now, in addition to our ongoing diaries, we're looking for potential diarists along the following theme:
Your Spending In Your State:We want to run one Money Diary from a different state each week. Want to rep your state? Submithere!
Have questions about how to submit or our publishing process? Read our Money Diaries FAQ doc here:r29.co/mdfaqs
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The discussion surrounding gun control reform and school shootings has managed to maintain a front and center position in an often echoing and forgetful news cycle. Some believe that it is because the students themselves are the ones propelling the conversation forward. March For Our Lives came as a direct response to the shooting which took 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last month. In the aftermath of yet another tragic shooting, survivors were told that now is not the time to talk about gun control. Instead, they chose to plan a time and a venue where their voices could not go unheard. First, it was a national walkout. Now, it is a nationwide demonstration.
Many of the survivors have become the powerful instigators of change behind this movement, proving that if you are old enough to be affected by it, you are old enough to advocate against it. They are fed up with the inaction of elected officials on gun control, and have channeled their frustration into a history-making demonstration. According to CNN, their next goal is to vote out unsympathetic politicians during the midterm elections in November.
The march today not only calls for an end to gun violence, but for an end to elected officials accepting funding from the National Rifle Association (NRA). Many celebrities have expressed their support and got involved by spreading the word, making donations, and participating in the march itself. In Washington D.C., musical artists including Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Common, and Andra Day are performing throughout the day in solidarity.
Generation Z has banded together alongside their families, friends, and countless others today in the hope for lasting change.
Since late 2017, countless women in Hollywood have shared details about the lurid behavior and devastating sexual assaults happening behind closed doors. Some men have either chosen to be silent (leaving fans to wonder if they support their fellow female co-stars), while others spoke out against the outpouring of stories.
As for Chris Evans’ take? In a recent New York Times profile, the Captain America actor explained that he aims to be a better ally to women following the #MeToo movement, particularly in an industry we now know to be inherently problematic.
“The hardest thing to reconcile is that just because you have good intentions, doesn’t mean it’s your time to have a voice,” he said to the NYT.
The profile points out that the actor has been doing some pretty savvy reading lately. Thanks to his former girlfriend, actress Jenny Slate, he read Rebecca Solnit’s The Mother of All Questions.
Solnit’s 2017 book covers a number of timely topics, particularly misogyny, feminism, and fragile masculinity.
The introspection comes on the heels of Evans’s Broadway debut in the play Lobby Hero, alongside Michael Cera, this month. In the play, he plays an unlikable character with a creepy handlebar mustache. According to the play’s director, Trip Cullman, the mission of the play is to “expose toxic masculinity.”
We typically see Evans flexing his brand — or, perhaps, Marvel’s brand — of heteronormative machismo as a superhero, though the Times painted a different picture. Not only is Evans tackling feminist prose, he's also tackling a new art form just for the hell of it: tap dancing.
It's private tap dance lessons with a close friend that gets his dopamine flowing. “If you walk down the street and you see someone tapping,” you stop in your tracks, he said. Why? “Because it’s awesome.” He noted that his newfound hobby has nothing to do with his day job.
The NYT profile also dropped a bomb: Evans’ Captain America is no more. The actor announced he was quitting the Marvel franchise: “You want to get off the train before they push you off,” he said.
Between Evans #MeToo P.O.V. and him possibly reviving the most undervalued form of artistic expression, the Marvel Cinematic Universe clearly lost a real one this week.
They can take away our unicorn lattes, but the moment they come for our selfies, millennials are not going to be happy. Cannes, the most selfie-friendly red carpet of them all, is stopping the practice on ground of it being, well, annoying, reports Vanity Fair. Thierry Fremaux, who heads up festival, called red carpet selfies “ridiculous and grotesque,” and declared that they degrade the prestige of Cannes.
Celebs gliding around the Cannes red carpet in their fashion finest are often stopped by fans to pose for a selfie. Sometimes the celebs are willing, other times they may politely decline, but a hallmark of Cannes is that fans are able to stand close to the action (as opposed to the Oscars, where fans are relegated to bleachers). Fans in close proximity and an expectation of couture on the carpet means that selfies are going to happen. It’s an inevitability, but a harmless one.
Granted, on a logistical level, we can see how this would cause a traffic jam. But if there’s space and time, and a celeb is down to be memorialized, why not allow them to make silly faces with a fan? Vanity Fair notes that selfies may even be potentially less time-consuming than autographs; they’re certainly easier on an actor’s wrist. Selfies: a perfect solution to Sharpie markers that run out of ink and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Still, Fremaux has spoken, and selfies are now against the rules. Vanity Fair also points out that celebs are being asked to respect the new prohibition and abstain from surreptitiously taking a selfie, either of themselves, each other, or with fans. Few things in the world as as wholesome as candid celebrity selfies, so we admit to being bummed about this. Guess we’ll have to keep refreshing our favorite celeb Instagram feeds in the meantime.
Age is just a number. When Naomi Wadler gave her impassioned speech in front of thousands at March For Our Lives in Washington D.C., with the White House in the distance, you would not know by her words that she is only 11 years old. Her eloquence shows that she is wise beyond her years. Perhaps she is one of the next great changemakers. Perhaps it is because she and many kids like her have been forced to grow up too fast.
Not yet out of elementary school, Wadler is already an active member of her community in Alexandria, VA. She, along with a classmate at George Mason Elementary School, lead their walkout on March 14 as one of many schools who participated in the nationwide walkout to protest gun violence. “I am here today to acknowledge and represent the African-American girls whose stories don’t make the front page of every national newspaper,” said Wadler. Her declaration was met with wild cheering and applause. “I represent the African-American women who are victims of gun violence, who are simply statistics instead of vibrant, beautiful girls full of potential.”
According to a study conducted in 2014, black Americans are twice as likely to be killed by a gun. Another study found that black women are twice as likely to be victims of homicide than white women. “I am here to acknowledge their stories, to say they matter, to say their names, because I can and I was asked to be,” Wadler continued.
People have questioned the many young people a part of the March For Our Lives movement, believing that their age inhibits them from fully understanding the situation at hand. “People have said that I am too young to have these thoughts on my own. People have said that I am some tool of some nameless adult. It’s not true,” Wadler said to anyone questioning her age. “My friends and I may still be 11. We may still be in elementary school, but we know. We know life isn’t equal for everyone and we know what is right and wrong. We know we have seven short years until we, too, have the right to vote.”
She concluded her speech to her fellow protesters with a Toni Morrison quote, calling her audience to be the change they want to see in the world. “If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.” From the sound of it, we just met a future world leader and undoubtedly will be hearing a lot more from her.
One dollar and five cents. According to March For Our Lives organizers, that is what each Florida student is worth to Marco Rubio. The state senator has come under fire for being among the top recipients of contributions from the National Rifle Association (NRA). More importantly, he is on the receiving end of some harsh criticism for being unwilling to stop accepting donations from the organization when faced with survivors from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
This price tag has become a symbol of the movement fighting to put an end to mass shootings and gun violence. The March For Our Lives website created a free printout of it encouraging protesters to wear them. The organization’s website explains: “On March 24th wear this price tag to protest politicians who accept NRA blood money and demand they pass meaningful gun control legislation now.” During his speech on Saturday, student and Parkland, FL shooting survivor David Hogg condemned Rubio for putting a price tag on the lives of students. “This is not cutting it,” Hogg said as he pointed back at the White House amid cheers of agreement.
These prices tags could be seen on countless young protesters today at the March For Our Lives demonstrations in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New York, and around the country. While the exact amount may vary, its poignant imagery reminds anyone who sees it that their safety, or lack thereof, comes with a price tag. Rubio has reportedly received $3,303,355 from the NRA to date. Fellow survivor Sarah Chadwick elaborated on the price tag symbol during her speech saying, “Is that all we’re worth to these politicians? A dollar and five cents? Was $17.85 all it cost you that day, Mr. Rubio? Well I say, one life is worth more than all the guns in America.”
Students around the country have done the math and it doesn’t add up. They want change and they don’t want to hear anyone’s excuses.
