It's kind of difficult to grasp the fact that makeup brands still don't consider all skin tones at the drawing board. Aside from having human decency, you'd think, if anything, company decision-makers would at least expand their selections for the profit. WWDreported that Fenty Beauty (which earned $72 million in media value in its first month) was on track to outsell Kylie Cosmetics, and that's because people all over the world were excited that someone finally got it right.
So, newsflash to the brands that are behind the times: People of color are consumers, too. People of color actually want to spend their hard-earned coins on a good foundation or concealer that they don't have to mix. And you're doing yourselves a disservice by ignoring them.
Despite the fact that a few recent launchesmissed the mark, there are products at all price points that look out for the masses blessed with melanin. See them — and hopefully support them — ahead.
R29 beauty writer Mi-Anne Chan likes this affordable concealer for its coverage and its comfortability. The brand expanded to 30 shades on March 29, including a robust selection in the medium to dark range.
ColourPop No Filter Concealer, $6, available at ColourPop.
Photo: Via @makeupmatters4woc.
There's a reason why your favorite influencers are always swiping this on in their videos. It's full-coverage, vegan, and the brand just launched their deepest shade (What's Frappenin') in January.
Beauty Bakerie Cake Face Concealer, $24, available at Beauty Bakerie.
Photo: Via @beautybakeriemakeup.
We're already fans of the brand's long-wear foundation, which could hide the most impenetrable blemish and make you look glowy at the same time. Its concealer, which launched in December 2017, does the same thing.
Urban Decay All-Nighter Waterproof Full-Coverage Concealer, $29, available at Urban Decay.
Photo: Via @beautymarked23.
Yes, we know — L.A. Girl's concealers are nothing new. But we'd be remiss to not mention how fantastic their shade selections are. "It's easy to blend and helps with masking imperfections without creasing or caking," makeup artist Carola Gonzalez told us. "Whatever shade you need, they've got it!"
L.A. Girl HD Pro Conceal, $5, available at L.A. Girl.
Photo: Via @lagirlcosmetics.
Rihanna dazzled the entire world with her Body Lava tutorial earlier this week, but the Fenty Beauty Match Stix are equally as dope. Duckie Thot models the Espresso shade on the brand's website.
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Trio, $54, available at Fenty Beauty.
Photo: Via @cocoaswatches.
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It seems that Stacey Dash is getting off the freeway to Capitol Hill because she realized how important God and family are.
On Friday, the former Clueless actress and ultra-conservative pundit announced she is withdrawing her congressional bid. "After much prayer, introspection and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy for California's 44th Congressional District," she said in a statement to CNN.
She added, "At this point, I believe that the overall bitterness surrounding our political process, participating in the rigors of campaigning, and holding elected office would be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of my family. I would never want to betray the personal and spiritual principles I believe in most: that my God and my family come first."
Though short-lived, her candidacy was not without controversy. In her first interview after filing the paperwork for her congressional run, she told MSNBC's Ari Melber that she agreed with President Trump's assertion after Charlottesville that there was blame on "both sides." She went as far as saying that she couldn't judge Neo-Nazis because she didn't know whether some of them had a good heart.
A very Trumpian assertion, though not one that would give her a chance to win a district which Hillary Clinton won with 83% of the vote during the 2016 presidential election.
In her statement to CNN, Dash said she wants to "continue to speak out" about "problems facing this district." Some of the problems she has claimed in the past is that feminism has ruined men's lives, so we're not sure what contributions she will make to help the people of California.
It's been a hot minute since we released season 2 of our pop-culture podcast Strong Opinions Loosely Held, which means you're probably in desperate need of some witty commentary for your commute. Well, the wait is finally over. Your host Elisa Kreisinger is back for season 3.
The five-episode season centers entirely around meme culture: what they are, who creates them, and how they impact the world around us. And Elisa's not alone. She's got a rad lineup of special guests, like tech experts and meme creators, who are here to share their strong opinions on everything meme-worthy. Check out the complete season below, and get ready to binge it all in one sitting.
Episode 1: Digital Black Face
Season 3 kicks off with cultural critic Lauren Michele Jackson on “Digital Black Face.” The issue, similar to other forms of black face, is a culture-wide problem. What began with people searching for reaction GIFs on social media has transformed into thousands of us reinforcing archaic cultural stereotypes. Join Elisa and Lauren for an episode full of cultural commentary as they dive into the celebrity memes we’ve all seen before.
In this episode, Elisa takes a look behind the memes — at the people who create them. Memes have a habit of rapidly weaving their way into the fabric of American culture. But what happens when we don’t give credit where credit is due, especially when others are profiting off an idea that isn’t their own? Elisa interviews Wired reporter and digital producer Emma Grey Ellis about the pros, the cons, and the in-betweens of viral profitable content.
In a society driven largely by social media, memes have the ability to spur conversations both on and offline. Such is the case with “Woke Charlotte,” the meme that reimagines how the iconic '90s character would react to her friends’ ignorant comments. Woke Charlotte’s creators, Chelsea Fairless and Lauren Garroni, chat with Elisa about how they use their meme to spread commentary on hot-button issues.
Listen to "Minds Behind The Meme: Woke Charlotte" on Spotify.
Episode 4: The Great Firewall Of China
From China (where the internet is heavily regulated) to the United States (where the internet reigns freely), meme culture is omnipresent. So much so that author and technologist An Xiao Mina likes to think of memes as street art, a form of media that can be created and accessed by almost anyone. Listen as Elisa joins up with An to discuss this art form and its role in social change.
Listen to "The Great Firewall Of China" on Spotify.
Episode 5: Mind Behind The Meme: Quinta Brunson
In the final episode of the season, Elisa meets up with Quinta Brunson, the woman behind some of our favorite memes from the past years. The meme creator and former Buzzfeed producer discusses her journey and what it means to be a young comedian of color who’s also the face of her own creations. Spoiler alert: Being a meme creator is not as easy as it sounds.
Listen to "Mind Behind The Meme: Quinta Brunson" on Spotify.
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It's been five years since Kate Nash released a new album. When her last EP came out, she was already discussing the issues that have since become a part of the national conversation following the #MeToo movement. It feels like her profile has grown larger since she joined the cast of the Netflix series GLOW, but Nash has been a proponent of women's rights and artistic freedom for nearly 15 years.
Refinery29: I was listening to your album while dancing around my house before this interview. It's so fun and energetic. After your last EP it felt like pop music was something you wanted to grow away from. Is this a return to it for you?
Kate Nash: "Thank you! It's been quite an interesting journey. I have gone through different phases, but I always describe myself as a pop artist. But it's funny because pop means so many different things. If you look at what's on the radio, it's hard for me to even classify some of that as pop music. I'm not, honestly, the biggest fan of what's being played on the radio at the moment but I love a strong melody that's catchy and you can sing along to. For my journey, I want to do something different with every record. They're mini time capsules of what I'm going through, what I'm into, and what I need to express. It was a difficult journey back to pop. I was in L.A. and I had a difficult time finding the right people to work with. I tried doing sessions with people and writing songs for radio, but it was fucking hell to me. I hate that world. I found it destructive, it destroyed my confidence. But, I found a couple of producers in L.A. who I loved and worked with well. I need to work with people where you aren't deconstructing a song just to make it perfect. It took me a long time to find the right players."
Refinery29: Well, I think that's because it's the most commodified world and that's difficult for a lot of women to deal with. Even some of the top female artists on radio now are pushing against what being female is and what they're allowed to do. But, female artists have become used to being paired with male producers. It seems like you really wanted to not get stuck in that trap again, right?
Kate Nash: "Totally. I'm so fucking happy now that I feel like I don't have to do that. There have been times when I felt that I desperately wanted to have a record out, I needed to make that happen. The fact that this one took so long was really painful. But I'm glad I did it my way. My main advice to other women out there is: don't sign deals that will trap you. I meet a lot of young artists who I feel are being really fucked over by the industry at the moment. They have people telling them to find their sound, but these are young people who literally create culture."
Refinery29: In listening to Yesterday Was Forever, I was trying to figure out if there was a theme or influence, but it feels more like being inside the mind of a real woman who has a myriad of interests and goes through ups and downs. To me, it doesn't buy into the idea that there is a "female sound." Even though there are feminine touchpoints, you're also not afraid to scream in the chorus. Is the idea that women shouldn't be loud one you've had to work through?
Kate Nash: "I never felt that, because I grew up in a household full of loud women. And I'm a middle child and a redhead, so it feels like I've been screaming my whole life. There was a lot of screaming in the Nash household — we are fucking loud. But after I grew up in this open household, I went into the world and realized women aren't allowed to do this everywhere. It was really shocking. In the music industry, they try to suppress that. My old label boss told me, 'I don't like when you do that screaming thing, it sounds like a little girl having a tantrum.' It just made me want to do it on the whole album. Maybe I'm screaming because of you, you fucking dickhead. I actually remember, I taught myself how to scream because I was going through a lot of emotional shit. I'd always read about Kurt Cobain learning how to scream in a song and I wanted to learn it too. I'd practice in my car and I realized I loved singing that way. I think it unleashed something in me, and I found that my fans felt empowered by hearing it. Now it's like a balance of the two sides of me, with this angry woman and the part of me that has a calm perspective — it's just the different levels of being a human, we're multifacited, we aren't one thing. Sometimes women, or even just artists, are forced to pick a label for themselves, to determine where they fit in. People are afraid of women who are powerful. History has shown us that. So I kind of like to freak people out by being a normal person [laughs]."
Refinery29: You also tackle one of the last taboos by talking about mental health. What made you want to delve into that? Was it difficult to be that honest about your own mental health?
Kate Nash: "It comes pretty naturally to me to talk about this stuff, and it actually helps me. It's hard just dealing with it in my head, but when I get to deal with it in a song it makes me feel as if I've healed myself a tiny bit. It's also searching for the connection with other people. People have been responding so amazingly to 'Life In Pink,' and it's such a relief for them to hear someone else talk about it."
Refinery29: I felt that connection after hearing "Drink About You." That song, I know every woman has felt that overly strong connection that makes them come unhinged in a relationship. Those are the kinds of feelings I talk about with other women but that I'm not sure men know how to deal with us having, so it's a relief to hear it in a song.
Kate Nash: "Yeah, I think we're very nervous about being called crazy and emotional because the sexism that exists around that is real. It stops us from furthering our careers. It stops us from having healthy relationships. I think it's like a button that's still in us from being burned as witches. Women were, and in many parts of the world still are, killed for being women. We're seen as too crazy and emotional to make decisions. I think you're a psychopath, or a sociopath, if you make decisions without emotion. To me, it's really strange that we've been killed, murdered, for being too emotional and having intuition. But that's in us! I think if any man calls you crazy, you should dump him right now. Do not date him, do not marry him, do not have a child with that person. If someone can't respect your emotions, you should not be partnering with them. If they make you feel crazy, you shouldn't be with them either. The only reason you're feeling insane is because you're unhappy in that relationship."
We are a society obsessed with eyebrows. Ever since Peaches Monroee uttered the immortal words "my eyebrows on fleek" in a Vine clip (RIP) back in 2014, we've become fixated on plucking, threading, shaping, tinting, and otherwise manipulating the hair above our eyes. Blame Cara Delevingne and her bushy set, a brow situation so iconic you could remove all her other facial features from a photo and still recognize her. The related memes are endless: "Don't let anyone with bad eyebrows tell you anything about life." "Right brow: does yoga, goes to the farmer's market. Left brow: turned up since 8 a.m." There are more powders, pomades, and pencils on the market than a person could count; BBROWBAR even offers a brow-exfoliating pen.
The thing is that, while these products are marketed toward women who ostensibly have sparse brows (or have been bamboozled into thinking they do), people with conditions like trichotillomania or alopecia are left out of the equation. "Boosting" or "thickening" the brows is one thing, but what do you do when you don't have much to work with in the first place?
Hair growth, on your head or otherwise, is a tricky topic. There isn't much you can do to speed up your natural rate of hair growth, but you can at least make sure your brows are in good condition to grow. You'll find that a lot of aspiring Caras swear by castor oil, and London-based brow expert Suman Jalaf agrees, with one caveat: It just doesn't work for everyone. There is a school of thought that the ricinoleic acid found in castor oil can increase production of something called prostaglandin, which spurs hair growth. That said, more studies are needed to confirm whether the science is actually that straightforward.
"The results won't be instant, and will vary from person to person," Jalaf says of the castor-oil approach. "Try a high-strength one like Pukka's and use it every evening if you want a home remedy." Based on reviews, RapidLash's RapidBrow is also worth a try; it's rich in biotin and keratin, both of which are essential for the growth of healthy hair and nails.
There's one other option that practically guarantees the look of fuller brows: microblading. "Microblading is a type of eyebrow architecture, the next generation of brow tattooing," Jalaf explains. "It's all about creating the best shape for the face — a totally bespoke approach for each client." She uses a super-precise tool that's effectively like a pen, but the nib is a sloped blade with little needles at the end that don't penetrate the skin, only delicately scratching the surface. "The needle very softly lays featherweight strokes with medical-grade pigment on the skin, creating fine, realistic, natural-looking hair strokes," Jalaf says.
Eyebrow tattooing has a bad rap, but microblading is nothing like the garish semi-permanent makeup of years gone by. The tiny pen used gives a graduated, natural effect, not harsh, blocky color. There's no denying it's expensive — a session with Jalaf will run you £500 (around $700), including one follow-up retouch, with touch-ups costing £250 (around $350) after that — but the results can last years. It's the perfect technique for people who, for one reason or another, don't have or can't grow brow natural hair.
“The effect of microblading will give the illusion of full brows, which is why I would recommend it for anyone suffering from hair loss," Jalaf says. She works with clients who have issues like alopecia or compulsive hair-pulling, as well as cancer patients. But if microblading seems daunting, Jalaf says you can achieve a similar effect with tinting: "By leaving the tint on for longer, it tints the skin a little, giving the illusion of fuller brows while covering up patches," she explains.
There are, of course, plenty of products you can use at home in terms of makeup, too. Jalaf recommends Glossier's Boy Brow, which gives a perfectly natural, buildable finish. You can also invest in brow fibers, which cling to your existing brow hairs and add density — Eyeko and Wunderbrow both make popular formulas.
There's just one thing to be wary of: However you choose to continue your brow adventure, always remember that less is more. A light hand is essential, because what's worse than sparse brows is eyebrows that look like you drew them on with a black Sharpie.
There's nothing like the memories of prom to make a grown woman cringe — the Betsey Johnson frills, the corsages, the pressure around virginity, the completely unnecessary and environmentally irresponsible Hummerzines. There are a lot of awkward rituals that go hand-in-hand with that one spring night at your average American high school, but one good thing does come out of the chaperoned dance: the pictures.
For most of us, the snaps can only be found in a dusty album in our parent's garage, so we went digging for celebrity photos instead and unearthed the prom photos of 16 stars, from Britney Spears to Kim Kardashian to Amandla Stenberg. Turns out, many even rocked 2018's biggest trends long before Instagram even existed. Think: Curly bobs, monochromatic makeup, and barely-there eyes paired with punchy red lips. See our favorites, ahead.
In true Lively fashion, the star wore a sparkling floor-length gown, cascading curls, and body bronzer to her prom. You know what they say: Why fix what isn't broken?
Photo: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library.
Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay jazzed up her black tulle dress with a fun pink lip.
Photo: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library.
Amy Poehler
Poehler's prom look was totally '80s — just look at those curls!
Photo: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library.
Amandla Stenberg
Long silver braids, minimal makeup, a date that opted out of a powder-blue tux... If only we could have looked half this cool at our prom.
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie is nearly unrecognizable without her blonde hair (in case you couldn't tell, she's second from the left), but her makeup style appears to have always been fresh and dewy.
Photo: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library.
Ciara
We've come to know Ciara as a beauty chameleon who loves experimenting with different looks, but back in high school the star kept it simple with barely-there makeup and a simple updo. Oh, and a tiara fit for a queen, of course.
Paris Jackson took the tradition of coordinating prom looks to the next level by dyeing her hair teal to match her date's gown.
Fergie
Platinum color, a fresh blowout, and a bold lip? The Duchess summed it up in one word: G.L.A.M.O.R.O.U.S.
Photo: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library.
Rashida Jones
Rashida Jones was definitely the coolest girl at prom with her slick hair and oversized blazer.
Photo: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library.
Taylor Swift
Old Taylor, is that you? This group photo from Swift's prom brings us back to the singer's "Our Song" days.
Photo: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library.
Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian didn't disappoint on the beauty front, opting for brown lipstick, a sultry smoky eye, skinny brows, and a piled-up updo.
Photo: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library.
Ariel Winter
If you're going to do a mermaid-style gown, you might as well go for the full Ariel vibe, right?
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning was working during her senior prom, but her date flew out to Cannes so she wouldn't miss the photo opp. Considering she was in France wearing couture, it's safe to say she didn't miss out on much.
Octavia Spencer
We know it's black and white, but damn, look at that glow.
Photo: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese's punchy red lip and barely-there makeup is a combination we'd gladly wear any day.
Photo: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library.
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Every Coachella go-er knows that scrounging up the money for a weekend pass, Airbnb, and flight is only the start of things: The real challenge comes in planning out your hair, makeup, and fashion vibe for the desert festival that's become spring's biggest street-style scene. In 2017, neon creases, bedazzled nipples, and glitter highlighter that toggled somewhere between festive and completely extra ruled the beauty looks. But what should we expect this year?
Say what you will about fashion week and its longevity, but we're predicting that the runway's raddest trends from Fall '18 will jump off the faces of Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber and straight onto the lids and lips of ticket-holders. Yes, we're calling it now: The avant-garde lids from Chromat, the hippie lashes from Anna Sui, and the flushed cheeks of Gypsy are getting a second life... all the way over on the West Coast.
Ahead, check out 12 high-fashion makeup moments that'll get you noticed in a sea of people trying their hardest to stand out.
You can thank Ulla Johnson and these gilded lash lines in advance for what'll surely be Coachella's chillest makeup trend. Keep the rest of your skin glowy and dewy (fine, sweaty might be more realistic) to make sure this eye look has its chance to really shine.
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.
Just because you'll be spending your weekend in a minor sandstorm doesn't mean you can't rock your Studio 54 makeup. Thanks to Adam Selman's '80s-inspired style, the more melted your eyeliner and lipstick, the better!
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.
No matter how hard you fight it, glitter will find you at Coachella. So you might as well just take your cue from the models at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi and get ahead of the inevitable.
Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images.
If you're planning on keeping your base minimal and focusing just on sunscreen (you're very smart), try this molten shadow on your lids to spice up an otherwise low-key look. Delpozo may have paired the chrome trend with turtlenecks and coats, but we're betting it'll look just as flattering with your bandana and cut-offs.
Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images.
The dramatic and clumpy lash look made famous by Twiggy and recently spotted on the Ashish runway in London will work just as well in the middle of a laser light show. But to avoid your lashes wilting by noon in the Cali heat, you'll want to pack a waterproof mascara or foolproof falsies.
Photo: Stuart Wilson/BFC/Getty Images.
Not in the mood to worry about your lid's main shade fading halfway through Beyoncé's set? Opt for colored mascara inspired by the Halpern show in London. Add even more drama with a tinge of opal strobing on the inner corners of the eye.
Photo: Tabatha Fireman/BFC/Getty Images.
No one said you need to pack your entire vanity to show your style during festival season. In fact, this look from Maryam Nassir Zadeh proves all you need is a single cream shadow to nail your look.
Photo: Albert Urso/Getty Images.
This look, worn by Gigi Hadid at Anna Sui, combines all our favorite makeup trends at once. Who knew you could rock feathered lashes, innner-corner strobing, and graphic liner and still look like a supermodel?
Photo: Ron Adar/WireImage.
Judging by Jason Wu's fall show, floating creases are officially here to stay. Double up the shades to add depth to the internet-favorite trend.
Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images.
Coachella might be the only time in your life you actually want to look like you haven't left a rave in a week. Take a page out of Christian Siriano's book and pop a neon shadow on your eyelids, then smudge two different kohl liners along the lower waterline.
Photo: Peter White/Getty Images.
This 3D eye trend is perfect for days you want to skip the makeup wipes and just peel off your eyeshadow. To copy the looks on the Jeremy Scott runway, use mess-free face stickers. And obviously, spring for the lime green wig while you're at it.
Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images.
Let your right brain take the wheel on this look from Chromat and use a gel liner to stencil in the winding design on the lid. Add a darker blue liner to the lower waterline and top it all off with a lacquered red lip before making your way to ODESZA.
Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images.
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If you haven't been keeping up with RuPaul's Drag Race, we'll forgive you — but just this once. (It is 2018, after all.) Really, it's insane to think that the Emmy-winning show is just hitting its peak as it heads into its 10th season. But better late than never. As we prepare for the anniversary of the force that's transformed reality television — and added new vernacular and opportunities for drag queens and drag culture — we've found ourselves nostalgic for stars of RPDR 's past. And, as fashion folk, we may or not have a few favorites.
While Drag Race casts queens of all aesthetics (see: fishy queens, pageant queens, the token Puerto Rican queen(s) of each season, and more), we're partial to those who do their homework when it comes to crafting their looks. For example, when Willam wore Versace heels down the runway; or when judge Santino Rice compared Raja Gemini's handmade runway look to Vivienne Westwood; or when Violet Chachki left even Anna Wintour (er, Alaska Thunderfuck 5000) speechless when she wore two outfits in one down the catwalk. It's safe to say that the fashion queens of RPDRbring it every ball.
While there's no one way to be a fierce queen, and killer style is a mere portion of what the judges look for when it comes to crowning America's Next Drag Superstar, we can't help but treat every season of RuPaul's Drag Race as if it's an extension of Fashion Month. And it's no surprise how many queens sit front row and walk the shows, too. (In case you didn't know, Marc Jacobs is a huge fan.) Ahead of the All Stars 3 season finale and premiere of season 10 we're ranking — in no specific order — our top drag queens from Drag Race herstory. Now, sissy that walk!
Welcome to MyIdentity. 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.
In season two, the judges always praised Raja Gemini on her runway walk. But for us, it was her fashion that always left a lasting impression.
Via @sutanamrull.
After her season, Carmen Carrera began her transition. And after being featured in W magazine (at the hands of Edward Enninful, no less) and walking the runways of Chromat each season, she's a bonafide fashion star.
Many would say Miss Fame 's talents lie in the beauty realm, but we think this Marc Jacobs moment speaks for itself.
You might have caught Milk walking the Perry Ellis fall 2018 show at New York Fashion Week Men's this past season — proving she's a legitimate model, in and out of drag — but it's on All Stars 3 that her best looks come to life.
Not much needs to be said about season nine winner Sasha Velour. We're pretty sure this is the definition of snatched.
While Aja may not consider herself the Linda Evangelista-type (don't act like you forgot), we, well, do. Just look at that pose.
Violet Chachki already has a lingerie campaign under her belt. How do you top that?
She may not be recognizable here, but Willam is an avid collector of designer labels, and you can't miss her affinity for the...luxury side of fashion.
Nothing but love for our president Kim Chi. Have you gotten your T-shirt yet?
While she may prefer to be known as the queen of Halloween, Sharon Needles is our disco queen, too. Anybody else getting Mugler vibes?
Naomi Smalls fancies herself an unofficial offspring of the legendary Naomi Campbell. And can't you see why?
Cameroooon! You know who it is. When it comes to crafting looks, BeBe Zahara Benet never forgets where she came from. And that's why we love her.
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If cleanliness is next to godliness, then what is messiness next to? I don't know, but it's probably about time I found out — because whatever it is, I've spent my entire life living one house over. For as long as I can remember, I've had dirty socks on my bedroom floor, coffee on my white T-shirts, chips in my nail polish, and empty cups (plural) next to my bed. Maybe it's something that could be hypnotized out of me, overcome through a series of past-life regression therapy sessions, but that hasn't happened yet.
So what's a girl to do when she's inarguably, invariably, uncontrollably, gloriously messy? Embrace it, duh. Stand by your mess! Make it your thing. Buy lots of cheap trinkets — bric-a-brac, if you will — and put it all wherever, like a flourishing garden of bullshit. Get a dog that sheds. Stop wearing white; it's never going to work. Throw out your hairbrush, and your frizz-fighting creams and shine serums, too. Lately, I like to top off my chaotic-neutral self with a generous amount of the new Ouai Dry Texture Foam. I still look like I always just rolled out of bed, only this time, it's on purpose.
Laced with wheat starches and proteins, the airy, invisible foam sticks to each strand of my long, fine hair to make it look thicker, fuller, and even more undone. A golf ball-sized amount (or what I assume to be the size of a golf ball — I don't know, I don't play golf) scrunched through from the ends and working up enhances my natural wave and leaves it all matte and lived-in-looking, just the way I like it.
Used on dry hair, it takes soft, clean freshly-washed strands into perfectly gritty territory, and helps fourth-day hair look less gross, thanks to bentonite clay, which is good for absorbing oil. Somehow, it never gets crunchy or weighs my hair down; it still looks healthy, which might be the panthenol in the formula. And it smells truly wonderful, like an Aperol spritz that someone put out their cigarette in, in the best way. So why fight the mess, when it looks (and smells) this good? Life is messy. Sometimes it's best to just roll with it.
Last night, Taylor Swift surprised 40 people in Nashville, TN by playing a few songs at the venue that launched her career. The pop star’s unexpected set was an homage to the Bluebird Cafe and her country music origins.
Is it possible that Swift is returning to her country roots? There would be a lot of happy OG Swifties if she did.
When the singer announced the release of her album 1989, she made it abundantly clear that she was stepping away from country music. “This is my very first documented, official pop album,” she said at the time. In a Rolling Stone interview, she recalled how she gave an emphatic “no way” to her record label when they asked her to include three country songs on her 2014 album. She did not make any appearances at award shows for the genre, she did not appear on the radio — it looked like she went pop with no intention of looking back. It seems the old adage is true, never say never.
Late last year, the songwriter reemerged on the country music charts for the first time since 2013 with her single “New Years Day.” Over the course of her first four studio albums, you would have a hard time listening to country radio without hearing a song by the artist. “ New Years Day ” is the first song to revisit the genre from her past two, synth-heavy pop albums. Between that and her song for Little Big Town, it seems like Swift has country music on the mind.
Her success has consistently grown, with each album selling more than the last. Whether that is just a matter of her gaining a larger audience over time or because her music grew progressively more pop is complicated to separate. Swift garnered significant success on the mainstream charts as a country artist before making the leap to pure pop. In her first few albums, she crossed over and made fans out of people who previously never listened to country music. There is also something to be said for creating the music that makes her happiest rather than focusing purely on the numbers. If country music makes her happy, she should make country music. If it’s pop, make pop.
While she has gained countless new fans with her pop music, there is still an established fan base who have loved her since the beginning. If Swift were to surprise us all with an all-country EP, we would definitely be here for it.
Clearly, this venue holds a special place in Swift’s heart. "I wanted to say a big thank you to the Bluebird Cafe," said Swift Saturday night. "I think any songwriter in town would echo my sentiments and say that this is kind of the only place where this exists — this particular place where you get to come and hear the writer's take on the songs they've put out into the world."
Swift first played and was later discovered as a rising talent at the Bluebird Cafe when she was 14 years old. According to the Tennessean, she played her early hits, including “Love Story,” as well as a cover of the song “Better Man,” which she wrote for country group Little Big Town. Something about this just feels right.
She joined prolific country songwriter Craig Wiseman on stage in honor of the Bluebird Cafe’s 35th anniversary. It turns out, not only was Wiseman an early mentor to Swift, but he actually had the chance to co-write “Love Story” with her and passed on it. Talk about the one that got away!
Following tradition, President Trump declared April Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month on Friday. At least 19 women have accused the president of sexual misconduct. He denies the allegations.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month has been recognized nationwide since 2001; allegations about the current president's past behavior complicate this year's White House proclamation, however. "Sexual assault crimes remain tragically common in our society, and offenders too often evade accountability," it read.
During the 2016 election, voters heard a 2005 recording of Trump saying he grabbed and kissed women without consent. "When you're a star, they let you do it," he told then- Access Hollywood host Billy Bush. Multiple women also spoke up about alleged harassment they experienced from Trump years before, and many of the same women have continued calling for the president to be held accountable.
“In an objective setting, without question, a person with this record would have entered the graveyard of political aspirations, never to return,” said Rachel Crooks, who says Trump kissed her without consent in 2005 and is now running for office herself, at a December press conference. “Yet here we are with that man as president.”
After The Washington Post brought Crooks' allegation back to light in February, Trump lashed out on Twitter. "Why doesn’t @washingtonpost report the story of the women taking money to make up stories about me?" he wrote.
Yet Trump's Sexual Assault Awareness proclamation claims he's committed to advocating for sexual assault survivors and making it easier for them to come forward about abuse. "My Administration is committed to raising awareness about sexual assault and to empowering victims to identify perpetrators so that they can be held accountable," it says.
Trump’s message about Sexual Assault Awareness Month is in direct contrast with the way he’s treated his accusers. After months attempting to silence women’s claims about his behavior, Trump telling the nation to listen to sexual assault survivors came off as nothing less than disingenuous.
As thrill-inducing as shopping for an upcoming getaway is, it's also a fairly humbling lesson in self-control. A quick peek at the impulse buys haunting the back of our closets is proof enough that our splurges usually end up backfiring. There are the towering platform espadrilles we purchased for full price — and quickly swore off after one too many nights nursing painful blisters. There's also the absurdly floppy sun hat that, ironically, still hasn't seen the light of day. Perhaps most incriminating? The massive flamingo float stuffed back in its box after just one Instagram. (How a city-dweller could justify splurging on a pool toy the price of Broadway tickets? Still a mystery.)
The fact is: While having fun should be the number one priority while shopping for vacation looks, finding pieces that are practical should be a pretty close second. Ahead, we’ve rounded up 15 getaway-approved staples guaranteed to last well beyond a few sun-soaked vacation days — from a pair of statement-making Sam Edelman mules to cat-eye sunnies classic enough for everyday wear. Go ahead, tear off the tags — these staples are as versatile as they come.
The Printed Dress
A subtle take on the whole botanical-print craze, this gathered silky dress is the kind we won't find crumpled and forgotten in our suitcase months later.
These Lolita look-alikes master the cat-eye trend without being too over the top, meaning you'll get way more use out of them than a one-off poolside 'gram.
Adam Selman x Le Specs, $118, available at Intermix
The Classic Wrap Top
The wrap top is the staple that just won't quit (for good reason). Case in point: this slightly dressed-up version that works on island time and during business hours.
No vacation wardrobe is complete without a pair of white pants. This slightly flared option will go a long way throughout our OOO time and post-getaway — as in, they're a win-win.
Spring's unrivaled favorite accessory could easily dip into vacation-only territory, but this pared-down version is still wearable enough for every day.
Behold: a straw hat that'll actually see life beyond your carry-on. Pair this classic style with a casual dress and sandals for the perfect brunch-to-errands formula.
We could probably list out a dozen ways to wear a bandana: fashioned as a headband to keep beach hair at bay, tied to the straps of our go-to work tote, knotted just so around our necks. The list goes on and on.
Button-down details are everywhere this season — and luckily, we don't see the trend losing steam before we get a chance to wear this adorable miniskirt around the world and back.
Okay, okay — while this tropical blanket is technically for the beach, we don't see why it can't double as a living-room accent in the off season, too.
Spring may be synonymous with ridding our closets of last-season's fad we just had to have (RIP fuzzy teddy-bear coats), but when it comes to our vanities, we've been known to do quite the opposite. Gone are the days of hiding behind our winter wardrobes and heavy skin-care routines; it's officially time we welcome all the pretty products that'll give us life this season, because who doesn't want need pastel eyeshadows in every color, new rose-gold blushes, and refreshing skin-care saviors that'll help you get well on your way to that seasonal glow?
In an effort to help you navigate your upcoming shopping spree(s), we tapped our fellow R29ers to dish on their ride-or-die spring finds available at one of our all-time-fave beauty meccas: Ulta Beauty. The kicker? Each and every one of these fresher-than-fresh must-haves will be 50% off (give or take) at this week's 21 Days Of Beauty event. Trust us when we say you'll get FOMO hard if you miss it, so mark your cals and run, don't walk people.
Jessica Roska, Associate Creative Director
"Hyaluronic acid is my best friend during the cooler months — I seriously can't live without it. It helps keep my skin hydrated and supple, and I've been using it as a pseudo makeup primer in the winter and spring for years. That is, until I discovered this actual primer containing this ingredient. It's a multiuse product that both moisturizes and leaves a smooth, glowing finish, creating the perfect canvas for foundation."
bareMinerals Good Hydrations Silky Face Primer, $26.00 $13.00, available at Ulta Beauty on April 1.
Brianna Arps, Lifestyle & Entertainment Editor
"To be honest, I have a very fickle relationship with eyeshadow. Rather than fuss with multiple products to create a super elaborate makeup look, these days, I prefer taking the simple approach of using one — Butter London's Glazen Eye Gloss in Moonshine. Its pudding-like texture is easy to apply and offers a high-shine, metallic finish that doesn't budge."
Butter London Glazen Eye Gloss, $24.00 $12.00, available at Ulta Beauty on April 2.
Alison Ives, Fashion Editor
"I'm pretty fair-skinned year-round, so I always rely on a bronzy blush to bring a bit of color to my face. I love dusting this two-in-one formula on my cheeks for a just-out-of-the-sun glow I don't get naturally."
Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten, $28.00 $14.00, available at Ulta Beauty on April 3.
Laura Delarato, Creative Manager
"This product is literally magical — and I’m not just saying that because it changes color! Yes, I was 100% struck by how unique it is to twist up an emerald shade only for it to turn rosy pink once it hits my lips, but this product is much more than its foreboding exterior. I need to keep a lean makeup bag on me when I’m headed to the gym, into work, and out on dates or for drinks, so I live and die by beauty products that allow for multipurpose use. This lipstick allows me to add a moisturized pink swipe to my lips for any occasion — and I've also been known to add it to my cheeks for a blushy look. It’s distinct without being too overpowering and pretty without being too saturated."
Lipstick Queen Frog Prince Lipstick, $25.00 $12.50, available at Ulta Beauty on April 4.
Jen Anderson, Lifestyle Writer
"The Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion has been my go-to eye primer since I was in high school. And for someone who switches up her makeup products all the time, that's really saying something. This primer works well underneath everyday neutral tones or bold metallics — and either way, it makes shadow last for hours without creasing."
Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $22.00 $11.00, available at Ulta Beauty on April 5.
Cassidy Turner, Associate Photo Editor
“Cool months are always super drying and harsh on my skin, so it’s really important that I integrate an exfoliant into my skin-care routine. This Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is amazing — it's rejuvenating, makes me feel glowy, and gives me soft skin that's ready for spring."
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, $57.00 $28.50, available at Ulta Beauty on April 6.
Allie Briggs, Fashion & Beauty Writer
"I’ve never been a fan of a heavy or matte base; tinted moisturizer, a dab of cream blush, and a sweep of highlighter is my standard. A spritz or two of this lightweight, hydrating mist gives me that dewy, just-applied look all. day. long. I keep one stocked on my vanity at all times."
MAC Original Prep + Prime Fix+, $26.00 $13.00, available at Ulta Beauty on April 7.
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"Once you choose hope, anything's possible." — Christopher Reeve
Gareb Shamus, the founder of Wizard Entertainment, wanted to make superheroes cool again. So he built a comic book empire, and within a year of taking his company public, Shamus's magazine was published in 50+ countries around the world.
His journey, however, did not start smoothly. Graduating in an economic downturn, Shamus started Wizard during a bout of unemployment. "There were no jobs, so I had to move back home with my parents," Shamus says. "Back then it was like, 'Is this my life now? What am I going to do?'"
In this video above, Shamus discusses what he went through in order to become the CEO he is today — he's had people laugh at him during business meetings, and some who treated like a kid. But failure, he says, is oftentimes a sign that you're taking chances — and it's through those chances that you have the opportunity to succeed.
In fact, his "failures" in the past has only made him more marketable: "The fact that I have a failure is actually more appealing," he says, "because I know how to deal with it."
Gareb is the currently CEO and founder at ACE Universe
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Since we're all about breaking the fashion "rules," any time we have to subscribe to a certain dress code we feel, well, boxed in. Yet we encounter them all to often — for parties, for events, for work. So, we've started to approach dress codes as a fun challenge — and with the most common one we face, "business casual," the real challenge is not only having fun with it, but figuring out how to do it without going broke.
Any clothes that look put-together can get expensive, fast. From outerwear and suits to button-ups and trousers, workwear can come with a pretty hefty price tag. But, since it's not quite business professional, we're left with a little wiggle room, both in creativity and cost. And thanks to our usual fast-fashion haunts, it's easier than ever to tackle all the must-have trends, from trendy plaid blazers to midi dresses, without dipping into our savings account.
If you're going to have to abide by a dress code, let it be one that gives you a little bit of freedom, both stylistically and financially. Ahead, find our under-$150 business casual picks.
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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 patient care technician who makes $18 per hour. This week, she spends some of her paycheck on a set of wooden baby blocks.
Occupation: Patient Care Technician Industry: Healthcare Age: 24 Location: Boston, MA Income: $18/hour Paycheck (2x/month): ~$1,300. (Depends on differentials and overtime. Also, my insurance and transportation pass are taken out of my paycheck.)
Monthly Expenses Rent: $1,175. (I share a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate. It's tiny but in an amazing location!) Student Loan Payment: $178 Electric, Heat & A/C: ~$30 Cable & Internet: $44.55 Netflix: $10. (My sister uses my account.) Hulu: $0. (I use my sister's account.) Gym: $55, after work discount
Day One
5:40 a.m. — Wake up and make breakfast: coffee, oatmeal, and a handful of mixed berries. Get ready for work. I usually walk 25 minutes to the hospital where I work, although today I take advantage of the 50% public transportation discount my employer offers.
2:15 p.m. — I finally sit down for my 3o-minute lunch break. I eat the salad I brought from home (spinach, kale, salmon, avocado, tomato, and cucumbers — my cheaper version of Sweetgreen's OMG Omega salad). I also remember to contribute $20 toward a coworker's baby shower gift – the whole floor is going in on a stroller for her. $20
7:45 p.m. — Heading home from work! I have no motivation to cook dinner when I get home, so I order a sabich sandwich to pick up on my walk. I get home, shower, and eat dinner. It's Friday night and some of my friends are trying to convince me to go out. I decline and invite my boyfriend over instead. (He only lives a few streets over.) He brings beers, I make popcorn, and we watch TV for a few hours. We call it a night around midnight. $8.91
Daily Total: $28.91
Day Two
9 a.m. — My boyfriend was up and out early to get to a CrossFit workout. That's not my jam, but I do make myself a smoothie (kale, banana, frozen mango, and water) and leave for the gym 10 minutes away for a workout (30 minutes on the bike and a 30-minute full body circuit). On my way back I stop by the weekly produce market in my neighborhood. It's all “old” stuff from various grocery stores, but it's super cheap. I buy three bell peppers, two avocados, a handful of green beans, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries. I would easily pay triple that at the grocery store, especially for the berries. They sometimes go bad quickly, but I typically freeze the excess to use in smoothies. I also pick up a coffee on my way home. $14.62
12:45 p.m. — My friends pick me up and we go for a lunch of fish tacos and tequila. Afterward, we go shopping. I've been looking for a gift for my mom's birthday to go along with a scrapbook I made for her with photos of the traveling we've done together. I can't find anything, so I settle on treating her to lunch when she visits tomorrow. $31.06
6 p.m. — I'm babysitting tonight — my fun version of a Saturday night! Living in Boston is expensive, I don't make a lot of money at my job, and I'm starting full-time grad school soon, so every penny counts! Plus this baby is an absolute cutie and the parents are great. I put the baby to bed and start a book – A Widow for One Year by John Irving. It was on sale for $7 at my local bookstore. The parents offer to give me $20 to order in food, but that feels a little too generous to me, so I snack on an RXBar I brought from home and peruse their fridge. I settle on veggies dipped in hummus. They get home around midnight and insist on calling me an Uber home. They Venmo me $100 for the night. I usually keep most of my babysitting money in Venmo and use it to pay my roommate for my half of the utility bills each month.
Daily Total: $45.68
Day Three
8:30 a.m. — Wake up and consider going to the gym, but then decide to do a quick yoga video and core workout with my roommate in our living room, which takes serious furniture rearranging. Afterward, I take a shower and make a hearty breakfast: coffee, a sandwich with a fried egg, mashed avocado, cheddar cheese, a slice of tomato, and a handful of berries.
12 p.m. — My mom and sister arrive! Yesterday was my mom's birthday, so we plan on taking her out to lunch. Before we leave, I put two trash bags' worth of old clothes in my mom's car for her to drop off at a donation bin. I couldn't find any place within walking distance of my apartment, so my mom is kindly doing it for me. My sister and I treat our mom to brunch at one of our favorite spots. Then we go shopping and take a nice long walk back to my mom's car, stopping for gelato at Eataly on the way! $56.12
6 p.m. — I get home and relax for a bit. I try to stay caught up with the news and this year for Christmas, my dad gifted me a yearlong subscription to The New York Times. I read the news for a bit until it's time to get ready to go out. It's Sunday but tomorrow is a holiday, so although I still have to work, I don't have to be there until 3. Most of my friends have the holiday off and we've planned a fun night tonight!
8:15 p.m. — I meet up with my boyfriend and he calls an Uber. We are meeting two of our friends at a big bowling alley and bar. I pay for my bowling shoes and two games ($21), and the boys cover apps and beers. After two competitive rounds of bowling, my friend and I split the cost of a pitcher of Moscow Mules that we share with everyone ($18.50). My boyfriend pays for an Uber back to his place, where I spend the night. $39.50
Daily Total: $95.62
Day Four
8:30 — Wake up. My boyfriend and I both want to work out but we belong to different gyms. We drop by my apartment so I can change and then we hit up a casual breakfast place for coffee and egg sandwiches. My BF offers to pay, but I insist on at least splitting the bill, so I pay $8.50. (He makes more money than I do, but I like to pay some of the time.) We then head off to our separate gyms. $8.50
11:30 a.m. — I get my workout in and take a quick shower at the gym before going to the Whole Foods around the corner. I tend to alternate between Whole Foods, Roche Bros. (near my work), and Trader Joe's (more out of the way, but they have a lot of stuff you can't get anywhere else, so I go every couple of weeks). Today I'm picking up stuff mainly for work lunches and easy dinners. I still have most of the produce from the market on Saturday so that helps keep the cost of this trip down. I get a spinach-kale mix, chicken breast, frozen blackened salmon, baba ganoush, cherry tomatoes, soy coffee creamer, frozen mango, bananas, fresh mozzarella, rolled oats, and chocolate covered pretzels ($54.76). I stop at CVS on the walk back to my apartment for toilet paper (I have a $2 off coupon) and also grab a half-off bag of M&Ms ($7.98). $62.74
3 p.m. — Get to work; I'll be working from 3 p.m. until 11 this evening. I work a rotating schedule, which means days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays. I do two 12-hour shifts and two eight-hour shifts per week and regularly pick up overtime. Although it makes for a wacky schedule between the off-shift differentials and occasional overtime, I'm able to make more money than my base. Tonight is fairly busy but uneventful. I eat pesto chicken that I made earlier today with a tomato-mozzarella salad for dinner.
Daily Total: $71.24
Day Five
9 a.m. — I'm having a lazy morning in bed but I finally get up, make a smoothie (spinach, kale, banana, frozen mango, and water). I watch the news while I have my breakfast and then take a quick shower and get ready for work.
10:15 a.m. — Grab the lunch I made yesterday plus some snacks (bell pepper, baba ganoush, and chocolate covered pretzels) and begin my walk to work. One of my coworkers texts me and asks if I can grab her a cup of coffee on my way in. I gladly do so and get a latte for myself – triple shot, as I suspect today will be a long day. I tell my friend I'll treat her to the coffee but she ends up Venmo-ing me, plus a little extra. Completely unnecessary, but I appreciate the gesture. $3.82
5:30 p.m. — Finally sit down to eat lunch. It's another busy day at work – lots of sick little babies with respiratory infections and the flu this time of year, in addition to all the other patients. Working with pediatric patients can be hard sometimes, but it's also so rewarding. I work as a nurse's aide, and although this wasn't the job I had in mind when I graduated college with a BS in molecular biology, it has been a great learning experience. I'm excited to take the next step in my career when I begin my master's program to become a physician assistant this summer.
Daily Total: $3.82
Day Six
10:15 a.m. — I have another lazy morning in bed before getting up. I make coffee and an egg-avocado sandwich, which I eat with berries while watching TV. I also put a frozen fillet of salmon into the fridge so I can cook it tonight. I have a boot camp class at my gym at noon. (Classes are included in my membership fee.) On my way, I stop at TJ Maxx and pick up candles and a cute pair of PJs for my nephew – it's his birthday in a few weeks. I have a gift card, so I don't pay anything.
1:30 p.m. — Got my butt kicked at boot camp! I take a quick shower in the locker room and then head to a nearby café. Although I've already been accepted into grad school, I have one prerequisite class I must finish before I begin. I paid for the class out of pocket ($1,325), but my employer will reimburse 75% of that once I'm finished with it. It's been hard to find the time and motivation to finish the course, but it has to get done. I buy a coffee and a cup of soup, leave the change, and settle in to do homework. $9
6 p.m. — Get home and cook the blackened salmon that I had put in the fridge to thaw earlier. I make quinoa and chop up tomatoes and cucumber to go along with it. After I eat I put the extra away for tomorrow.
8:30 p.m. — Meet up with my boyfriend at a local restaurant. I get a glass of wine and we share a charcuterie board. He also orders a burger, since he hasn't had dinner yet. BF picks up the bill. We then head back to my place for another glass of wine, TV, and bed.
Daily Total: $9
Day Seven
8:15 a.m. — Wake up. Today is another day off! I'll be working this weekend to make up for it though. I make myself a smoothie and a cup of coffee before heading off to the gym.
11 a.m. — Workout and shower are done, so now off to babysit my little baby friend. It's unseasonably warm out, so after he wakes up from his nap, we go to my one of my favorite lunch spots. I alternate between eating my eggplant sandwich and feeding the baby his lunch from home. Afterward, we walk around the park before meeting his mom at the house. She Venmos me $80. $9.13
3 p.m. — After babysitting, I stop at a different café to do homework. I buy a cup of herbal tea in exchange for free Wi-Fi and an environment conducive to studying. $2.60
6:45 p.m. — Get home, eat the salmon and quinoa leftovers and am happy to see that I have enough left over for lunch at work tomorrow! I get out of work tomorrow at 3:30 p.m., so I'll have time to do more meal prep then. While I eat, I look online for a birthday gift for my nephew and I order a really beautiful set of wooden blocks. I love my nephew so much and being an aunt is so much fun! The blocks are pretty expensive, but they are a classic. He has lots of toys, so I try to focus on quality over quantity when giving him gifts. I use my dad's Amazon Prime to save on shipping. $43
Daily Total: $54.73
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.
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It's difficult to say with total certainty what every person's favorite beauty product is. But, if we had to guess, we'd name concealer. Some will argue that we should rely on our skin care to keep our faces fresh... but let's be real — sometimes we're left with bags under our eyes and emergency pimples on our noses. That's when we rely on cover-up to save the day.
If you don't yet have a favorite, you're about to, because we rounded up the cream of the crop. Here's the best news: Most of the concealers ring in at under $20. Check them out ahead.
Carola Gonzalez, Kerry Washington's makeup artist, loves this formula because, "it's easy to blend and helps with masking imperfections without creasing or caking," she says, recommending Almond for darker skin tones. "Whatever shade you need, they've got it!"
Aside from covering a range of skin tones (they've got Alabaster to Espresso), this NYX cult classic also has color-correcting shades to really mask your circles and spots: Yellow, Lavender, and Green.
"I love this, because all you need is sunscreen and a dab of this concealer to be ready for a sunny city afternoon,” makeup artist Andre Sarmiento, who works with Kate Bosworth and Zoey Dutch, says. "You get great matte coverage that stands up to sweat and works under the eyes and on spots."
Revlon ColorStay Concealer, $10.99, available at Ulta.
"I love the texture of this concealer and how well it blends and lays on skin," Gonzalez says. "It’s a full-coverage, high-resistance concealer that camouflages dark circles."
It's safe to say this undereye concealer is officially on our holy grail list. The sponge applicator deposits just the right amount of product — unlike brush tips. And the formula is medium-to-full coverage so you can use it all over your face for pimples, dark spots, or as a lightweight foundation.
A potted concealer that doesn't dry out makes our hearts flutter. The coconut oil in the formula helps the cream smooth easily over even the most dehydrated skin, and it doesn't budge all day.
Ever wish you could get rid of the redness that comes hand-in-hand with a pimple without caking on the concealer? That's where this green-tinted formula comes in. Dab a little onto the blemish to neutralize the area, then follow with a lightweight cover-up.
Catrice Re-Touch Anti-Red Concealer, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Beyond an impressive shade range that spans 30 different skin tones, this affordable concealer has earned rave reviews for its creamy coverage and wearability.
ColourPop No Filter Concealer, $6, available at ColourPop.
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Ikea raised more than a few eyebrows with its recent OMEDELBAR collection. Designed by stylist to Beyoncé, Bea Åkerlund, it featured a number products, including top hat vases, lipstick-stained glasses and a bed canopy shaped like a tutu. It was worlds away from the brand's usual, minimalist take on interior design.
But the company is returning to its roots with its most recently launched collection. The limited edition HJÄRTELIG products are meant to instill feelings of calm and relaxation; they are as Instagrammable and hygge as you'd expect. Think earthy colors, sustainable materials and knick-knacks and furniture chic enough to rival HAY. There are also well-priced yoga accessories for the home yogi – a yoga bag, blocks and strap – starting at $3.99.
The aim, Ikea says, is that the products, "have a light and peaceful feeling, yet are useful and durable for everyday life at home." by encouraging us to take a step back from modern life to refocus and revitalize. Click through to see the new collection.
With every new skin-care launch seemingly developed to target specific issues, from acne and rosacea to dryness and sensitivity, combination skin types tend to fall through the cracks. For those who deal with both oiliness and dehydration, while also wanting to combat dullness and signs of aging, finding the right products to tackle it all at once can be a real balancing act.
This is where the minimalist Australian skin-care favorite Aesop comes in. After three years in development, the brand has officially launched its latest range: In Two Minds, a three-product line for "skin of many moods," meant to address the complex needs of combination skin. We spoke to chemist Dr. Rebecca Watkinson, who doubles as Aesop's innovation and research manager, about what defines combination skin, the hero ingredients to look out for, and why so much time and research went into formulating this specific range.
Photo: Aesop
It's easy to identify "oily" or "dry" skin, but how would you define "combination" skin?
Combination skin is typically characterized by an oilier T-zone or forehead, with dry to very dry skin across the cheeks. This skin type is also known to have a greater propensity to reactivity, breakouts, and hormonal flare-ups (for women). The oil zone can be either classic T-zone oiliness, or may also be more focused towards the O-zone, the area around the chin and mouth.
Combination skin is fundamentally unbalanced. Therefore, it requires a regimen that won't over-strip the skin, and will keep skin nourished after cleansing to restore balance.
What are we getting wrong about combination skin?
A common misconception is that oily skin is well-hydrated. The skin overall may be equally hydrated (or not well-hydrated), but excess sebum is still being produced in the T-zone (or the O-zone). An often-overlooked fact is that increased sebum production often goes together with irritated or sensitive skin. The key to all of the formulations within the In Two Minds range is that they address the oily T-zone (or O-zone) without causing disturbance to the drier parts of the face, while assisting with decongesting, soothing, and purifying the skin.
Why did the brand want to focus on combination skin over any other type?
As we have opened Aesop stores in new countries and cities, we have observed an increasing prevalence of combination skin in our customers — both men and women — and across a wide range of climates. Although Aesop’s existing range of skin-care products consists of products that are suitable [for combination skin], we identified an opportunity to create a suite of products to provide a regimen tailored specifically for the particular needs of combination skin.
Talk us through the three products in the range.
The clarifying cleanser offers thorough cleansing but is also exceptionally gentle and mild for stressed or dry skin. This is followed and complemented by a well-balanced toner, with a small input of alcohol to lift excess sebum, while at the same time imparting a gentle veil of actives, including salicylic acid, niacinamide, and refreshing witch hazel. To finish is a lightweight, yet comprehensively hydrating moisturizer that soothes and balances without over-moisturizing the oilier parts of the face.
And why did the cleanser take three years to formulate?
Cleansing is a crucial step in caring for combination skin, working to remove excess oil and preparing the skin for hydration to follow. Inappropriate cleansing products can worsen irritation and increase sebum production. What we have here is a gel-based cleanser containing salicylic acid that offers gentle cleansing to remove excess sebum without aggravation. In this way, In Two Minds Facial Cleanser works to bring fragile and reactive skins into equilibrium by providing the exact degree of cleansing required — whatever the conditions.
As my other half clears the kitchen table, tossing our children’s books into a pile on the windowsill and placing a bag over the back of a chair, my hackles rise and I immediately put the books in their rightful place. Ironically, there’s nowhere for them to go because we have too many books and not enough space. But still, I can’t bear to see them in a pile. Similarly, if someone in my family leaves dishwater in the sink, I have to empty it immediately.
But, I’m not a neat freak. Far from it. In fact, I have drawers spilling with uncategorized items and our cellar sometimes doesn’t bear going in. It doesn't make sense, but if you’re also the child of a hoarder, you’ll probably recognize my confusing and somewhat hypocritical behavior.
For example, I’m simultaneously fine with having seven bags full of random items hanging up on the porch, but will not tolerate crumbs on the table when I return from a night out. Spilled sugar makes me feel extremely panicky, but a drawer rammed with cables and batteries, not so much.
Growing up, a messy house was all I ever knew. It was only when I moved through grade school that I discovered that most people didn’t have to move piles of clothes to sit on a settee or that other people’s bathtubs didn’t have a constant dirty ring around them. It was completely normal in our house to come across a large patch of dried-on cat vomit or an unidentifiable smell that might turn out later to be rotten food. To the adult me (and, no doubt, to anyone reading this) that seems pretty shocking, but it was just how my parents and I lived.
I had friends around occasionally in the early years, but they soon started making excuses (or, more likely, their parents told them they weren’t allowed). I once walked up the stairs to my room to overhear one of my friends say, “Oh god, this house is SO weird.”
Going to other people’s houses, on the other hand, was a real thrill. I was pathetically desperate to go visiting — anywhere. I’d fetishize the shiny surfaces and delight when I drank out of a clean cup. If I knew we were going to someone else’s house, I’d cheer up immediately; I'd try and create endless excuses for having to go places. Of course, the cleaner and tidier the house, the better.
Hoarding is a control issue, so cleaning up can be incredibly stressful for someone with the condition.
When I made a dear friend in secondary school, I spent virtually every Friday night at her house. She’d ask whether she could come to mine and I’d make excuse after excuse, lie after lie about whether I was allowed or whether my parents were in. She once asked me in front of my mother who said, “Of course you can come! Any time,” while I squirmed in embarrassment. I never allowed the subject to come up again.
I tried to make my own space clean and tidy but — and here’s the thing that only the child of a hoarder will understand — if nobody ever shows you how to clean, you never really know how to do it properly. These days, I bathe regularly, I wear deodorant, and I clean the toilet after I’ve used it. But, I honestly didn’t know how to do this until I was well into my late teens. I just didn’t know that was how it worked.
I was in my 20s when I discovered that hoarding was a thing, via TV shows like How Clean Is Your House? Of course they made compelling and essential viewing, but I watched through my fingers. I would also get unreasonably angry when people talked about piles of papers and referred to hoarders in affectionate terms, as though they were collectors. Our house wasn’t full of dusty old books or eccentric trinkets; it smelled of cat pee and was full of moldy cups.
Oddly, my father (who died more than a decade ago) wasn’t a hoarder. He was just extremely laid-back/loath to upset the house of cards, so he never bothered to clean unless it was absolutely necessary — if he physically couldn’t get in the bed, for example, or if we needed the table to eat on.
So, because I’d never really seen my parents tidy up, I wasn’t equipped with the skills to do it for them or myself. By god I’d try. I’d get the Hoover out and start putting papers in piles, only to be told to leave things alone. One of the most notable features of a hoarding disorder is the aspect of control; being a hoarder and being a bit messy are two very different things. I am a bit messy and think I probably would have been, however I was raised. But hoarding is a control issue, so cleaning up can be incredibly stressful for someone with the condition. Hence, most people who have tried to clean my mother’s house have been met with short shrift or they’ve sensed the anguish their words cause and backed away.
The scars can run deep for the offspring of hoarders. “Children need to feel like they fit in a home to form healthy attachments,” says psychologist Dr. Amanda Gummer, founder of Fundamentally Children, “and problems occur when the lifestyle of the parents conflicts with the personality/temperament of the child. This isn’t always an issue, but children need to feel that their home is their own and reflects their values and personality; and when it doesn’t, it can be painful and have a lasting impact.”
“Hoarding is such an obvious trait,” she says, “that is difficult for children to cope with and the usual tactics — avoidance, distraction, confrontation — aren’t effective.” Dr. Gummer talks about the "Goodness of Fit" model, which is simply defined as the compatibility between environment and a child’s temperament. Poorness of fit occurs when this is not respected and accommodated. It’s been suggested that children are more likely to reach their potential when there is goodness of fit.
I’ve now lived (far, far) away from my family home for longer than I lived in it. My own house is a busy, lively home rammed with books and with no space on the walls. We have two children and two dogs, so it’s messier than the average. My mother-in-law would probably say it's unbearably cluttered. It’s essential to me that people visit constantly, perhaps as validation that our house is welcoming.
Nonetheless, the effects of growing up with a hoarder have never left me. In addition to the aforementioned double standards, I won’t allow food upstairs, ever — so breakfast in bed is an absolute no-no. If we have visitors I spend hours cleaning (in my own half-trained fashion, of course), I’m obsessed with incense and would rather my guests sneezed endlessly than caught a whiff of a food smell, I force my other half to clean up WHILE he’s cooking, and heaven forbid he leaves a draining can in the sink (our kitchen sink was always full of old tins and carrier bags). While it must be quite tiring being a hoarder, living with the legacy of it is exhausting.
But Dr. Gummer warns of the knock-on effect my reactions might be having on my own children: “In terms of lasting impact, having an extreme reaction to having grown up in a hoarder’s household can create problems for the next generation, too,” she says. “It’s all about control and a feeling of belonging. If there are irrational behaviors, such as excessive tidiness or storage fetishes that young children are struggling to understand, then they are likely to suffer from that, too.”
Hoarding: The facts
The NHS defines a hoarding disorder as "where someone acquires an excessive number of items and stores them in a chaotic manner."
Hoarders often also experience obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or symptoms of anxiety and depression.
It is thought that around one or two in 100 people are hoarders.
If you are experiencing anxiety and/or depression, and are in need of crisis support, please call the Crisis Call Center ’s 24-hour hotline at 1-775-784-8090.
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