Busy Philipps got her start playing a plucky college freshman on Dawson's Creek , but in the years since, she's become better known for her unfiltered approach to celebrity and her refreshingly candid social-media presence. From her days on The WB to hosting her own late-night talkshow, Busy Tonight , Philipps has seen it all in Hollywood — and then some. Here, the new face of Olay opens up to Refinery29 about her approach to beauty and style, her favorite products of all-time, and the pressure of being a strong female role model in the male-dominated industry of late-night TV. The following interview was told to Megan Decker and edited for length and clarity.
As far as beauty, how has your look evolved from when you were working as an actor to your new role: a talk-show host where you’re playing yourself , not a scripted character? It’s a cool and unique process to get my "look" for each show. I have a full team — Erica Cloud who styles me, Kindra Mann who does my makeup, and Kristin Heitkotter who does my hair — and we think of every show as if I'm playing a different character. We think about the fashion, and how the makeup and hair should complement the style and the vibe. It’s really an extension of myself — just playing dress-up. I’ve always loved expressing myself that way in my real life, and so it only made sense that it'd be a form of that creativity on my show, too.
How does your glam on the show differ from your everyday beauty routine? I’m not a woman who wears foundation or powder off camera; I’m definitely into very natural skin. I’ll do a toner and then some moisturizer over that — right now, that’s the Olay Regenerist one — and that's pretty much my everyday face. Maybe I’ll use a highlighter shimmer situation on my eyelids if I’m feeling it. I actually have light blonde eyelashes and I’m not really down for eyelash extensions, so I just like to curl my lashes and use mascara.
How do you approach switching up your look from show to show? When I started my show, it was important to lean into the fact that I’m a female voice in late-night TV. It’s an industry that’s dominated by men, and has been for the entire history of television. So conceptually, when we thought about the show — myself, Tina Fey, and the show runners — it was important for us that I project the purest form of myself, without ever losing touch with my femininity and the aspects of my femininity that make me, me.
We start every show from scratch, starting with who's coming on as my guest, and my writers and producers and I design how we want that show to look. We think about the topics we’re going to talk about, the bits we’re going to do, and then Kristina and Kendra and I build the beauty look from there. So every night's a little different, with lots of moving parts.
What are the beauty products you can’t live without? It’s stupid expensive and makes me feel out of touch to even say this, but I love Kérastase. I’m obsessed with the Nutritive Lait Vital conditioner, and I will always splurge on that bottle. I’ve been using both the shampoo and conditioner for years, and that brand is probably the thing that I love the most in terms of beauty. I have super-sensitive skin, and my hair products can mess with it, but the formula never causes breakouts — I’m just fiercely loyal, and will use that line until it gets discontinued.
You’ve spoken about directors asking you to cover your moles or hide them with makeup. Do you still have experiences with that today? No, not at all. I’m my own boss, so I would never put up with being shamed for my skin, like I was early in my career. Actually, one of the reasons I was appealing to Olay as a partner is because of my skin and of the experiences I’ve had with my moles. It’s an empowering, full-circle moment for me in my career. My skin is one of the things that I was told to make less than myself, and now this iconic brand is tell me that they love my natural skin — that's amazing.
Now, I’m savvier and older, and I have more agency in my career, so I have less of a desire to fit into anyone else’s idea of what is "beautiful." It's still somewhat of a struggle; I still have to make it clear when I do photoshoots that I don’t want any retouching done to remove any of my beauty marks or moles. We should all be celebrating and protecting our skin.
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Update:Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute, further explained the relevance of the 2019 Met Gala's theme to Vogue on Tuesday, calling out its cultural relevance.
Camp, Bolton notes, “has become increasingly more mainstream in its pluralities—political camp, queer camp, Pop camp, the conflation of high and low, the idea that there is no such thing as originality.” He continues: “but I think you’ve got to be incredibly sophisticated to understand camp—look at Yves Saint Laurent and Marc Jacobs.”
Bolton traces the term Camp back "to the flamboyant posturing of the French court under Louis XIV" and Louis XIV’s effeminate brother Philippe I, duc d’Orléans. He even mentions a letter from Lord Arthur Clinton in 1869 to his lover Frederick Park, a cross-dresser known as Fanny. As Vogue explains it, "the word gained currency in the early-20th-century worlds of fashion and the marginalized queer world at a time when homosexuality was a criminal offense and subtle signals and a coded slang language called Polari were all discreet signifiers of queerness."
We can't wait to see how our favorite celebrities tackle this theme, especially Rihanna.
This story was originally published on October 9, 2018.
Drum roll, please... (but actually, because this is gonna be good)...
After putting on the most-visited Costume Institute show in its history — you saw it, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination — the Metropolitan Museum of Art's curator-in-charge Andrew Bolton is going even bigger. A play on literary star Susan Sontag's 1964 Partisan Review essay "Notes On 'Camp,' " in which she put a word on the meeting of high-brow art with mass culture (think: Andy Warhol, Banksy, but also reality television and meme culture), next year's Met Gala will highlight the art of opposition to conformity — and all of the fun that comes with it.
But that's not all: Fashion's biggest night will also be co-chaired by Lady Gaga, the self-dubbed 'art pop' queen herself, Harry Styles, Serena Williams, and Gucci's all-but-elusive creative director and reviver of high-fashion camp Alessandro Michele. (With that information alone, you can definitely count on an Elton John appearance and maybe a Cher cameo, too.) Of the decision to go from something as serious as religion to something as supposedly light as camp, especially right now, Bolton feels the timing couldn't be more right. Though its opening night usually draws bipartisan criticism in terms of what unfolds on the red carpet, the exhibition itself doesn't disappoint when it comes to tackling real-world topics that, yes, impact how we dress.
"We are going through an extreme camp moment, and it felt very relevant to the cultural conversation to look at what is often dismissed as empty frivolity but can be actually a very sophisticated and powerful political tool, especially for marginalized cultures," Bolton told The New York Times. "Whether it’s pop camp, queer camp, high camp or political camp — Trump is a very camp figure — I think it’s very timely." Though the President and his family have yet to attend a Met Gala since moving into the White House, we're sure any Trump references — at least, on the red carpet — will be left at home. (Or will they?)
"One of my favorite definitions from Susan’s essay is when she talks about the idea of camp as failed seriousness. When it is ‘campy,’ it is more self-conscious, but we are going to look at both," Bolton explained. The exhibition is said to feature 175 pieces of 37 designers, including menswear and art pieces (sculptures, paintings, drawings), and will take museum-goers through the history of camp: from Versailles to the Stonewall Inn, the birthplace of the gay liberation movement which has since been made a national monument that you can still visit today, should you decide to fête your visit to The Met with a shot and a beer post-viewing.
On camp culture and why next year's May 6 show will be more relevant and extra than ever, Bolton puts it perfectly: "I have started to think it is everywhere, and that all fashion is on some level camp. It has gained such currency it has become invisible, and part of my goal is to make it visible again."
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Unlike swiping on a cobalt eyeshadow or a crimson lipstick, switching up your hair color comes with a few more potential consequences than just a dirty makeup wipe at the end of the day. From risking damaging your hair's integrity to ending up with a different color than you might've expected, there are valid reasons to take caution when it comes to at-home hair coloring. Enter: Clairol Professional 's latest launch, which is here to quell any said fears with its breakthrough new line of at-home hair colors.
True Color is a line of permanent cream colors that do the work to deliver salon-like results in the simplest way. The formula first primes hair cuticles by encapsulating free radicals, which then allows the color to deposit evenly without any interference. Finally, it seals everything in for ultra-long-lasting results with up to 100% color coverage — and plenty of shine, ofc. The range comes in a whopping 35 different shades, so your color — in whatever warm, cool, or neutral tone — is completely customizable. Find the perfect fit that makes you feel most like yourself, below. We'll be on the lookout for the IG-selfie reveal!
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Gabi Gregg — or, as most of us know her, GabiFresh — has done it again. The self-proclaimed “OG Fat Girl” and early internet-breaker has delivered her latest collaboration with the beloved size-inclusive online swimwear destination Swimsuits For All, featuring 11 candy-colored maillots, bikinis and coverups in sizes 10 - 26 (and cup sizes from D/DD to G/H). We’d expect nothing less from the confident influencer and designer who first made waves in 2012 with a viral blog post in which she sported a striped bikini reminiscent of Barbie’s first-ever bathing suit and encouraged her readers to “find [a swimsuit] that makes them feel gorgeous.”
Gregg’s newest Swimsuits For All installment arrives on-site today, with an infectiously joyful throwback photo shoot featuring a diverse cast of models like Bree Kish and Hadassah McGrew (plus a cameo from Zach Miko). The “mod-inspired” campaign, says Gregg, “was about juxtaposing retro-inspired imagery with a diversity of body sizes that should be seen and celebrated.” Shot in a pastel-tinged home in Santa Monica, CA, Gregg’s newest designs emit an intoxicating vintage glamour with a modern approach to the silhouettes. Click through to see some of our favorite pieces from one very fresh swim collection.
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Spring marks the return of rosé and festival season — and allergies, which means you’ll probably be packing your eye bags along with those cutoffs as you gear up to see Ariana Grande at Coachella this year. That's because puffy eyes are often provoked by allergens — which includes both seasonal factors, like pollen, and irritants found in makeup or skin care — along with other causes of water retention. Add a couple of sleepless nights to the mix, and the amount of eye baggage can mount in the form of dark circles.
An exception to the rule? When puffiness and darkness don't come and go with lifestyle changes. “Permanent puffy eye bags are generally genetic,” says dermatologist Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, M.D. “As a temporary fix, they can be softened with dermal fillers, which last six months to a year. These procedures have a very high patient satisfaction rate, and should be done by a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.” Those looking for a more permanent solution can opt for surgical correction to remove puffy fat pads from beneath the skin.
Like puffiness, permanent dark circles are also typically caused by genetics, Dr. Mudgil says — though poor sleep, dehydration, and straining your eyes for prolonged periods can also exacerbate darkness. Dermatologist Ashley Magovern, M.D., says there are several options for addressing dark circles that never seem to budge. “In some people, darkness under the eyes has a shadow component due to volume loss. If we improve the volume loss, the shadow improves," she explains. "The placement of hyaluronic acid fillers, like Restylane, can improve the shadow and make a big difference." Dr. Magovern also cites lasers like IPL, chemical peels (which help exfoliate dead cell layers), lights like BBL, and radiofrequency treatments combined with microneedling as other ways to help bust through undereye shadows.
If your brand of eye bags come and go, less invasive and significantly more affordable options abound in the form of eye creams, gels, serums, and masks. Ahead, see which ingredients make actual headway to lift shadowy circles and deflate puffiness, so you can roll into spring as bright-eyed as Ari herself — no matter how little sleep you get in that tent in the desert.
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A cocktail of peptides — which constrict blood vessels and therefore reduce volume — gives this eye cream its de-puffing power. But there's more to love: The botanically-driven cream is housed in a pump-style tube, which not only makes it built for travel, but a boon to stability and sterility, too.
Joanna Vargas Revitalizing Eye Cream, $75, available at DermStore
It’s not just the cool sensation of these undereye gels that helps deflate bags: The addition of licorice root extract, a tyrosinase inhibitor that lifts pigmentation, has been shown in studies to be one of the safest ingredients for fading dark spots.
Soap and Glory Puffy Eye Attack Under-Eye Brightening Hydrogel Patches, $4.49, available at Target
Dr. Magovern calls niacinamide a stand-out skin brightener. You can find it in this cream gel, which is dispensed via a cool, soothing metal tip that can help minimize eye bags on contact.
Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift, $69, available at Sephora
“Topical vitamin K has been shown to improve dark eye circles,” Dr. Magovern says. This formulation uses the ingredient to reduce shadowy bags over time, along with mica and silica to refract light for an instant brightening effect.
Naturopathica Vitamin K Brightening Eye Serum, $74, available at Follain
With its ability to address fine lines, acne scars, uneven texture, and more, there’s very little retinol can’t do to improve the skin. Now we can add "fade dark circles" to the list, because Dr. Magovern suggests trying a retinol cream made for the eyes to do just that. If your eye area is particularly sensitive, try an option with a natural alternative, like this serum, which taps chicory root and tara tree for its retinol-like effects.
Eminence Organics Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum, $58, available at DermStore
We were expecting a goopy balm when uncapping this formula made with plant-based actives, but its creamy texture pleasantly surprised us. Caffeine helps depuff, while vitamin C lifts undereye darkness over time.
Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Line-Filling Eye Balm, $62, available at Credo
There are plenty of gel eye masks packed with vitamin C and E to help brighten dark circles, but this affordable option is a standout because the hydrogel patches are grippy enough to actually stay on the undereyes — and deliver ingredients where intended — without sliding down.
No. 7 Instant Results Revitalising Hydrogel Eye Masks, $14.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Made with horse chestnut, which has been shown in studies to reduce swelling, this vegan eye cream also works to diminish undereye darkness thanks to vitamin C, one of Dr. Magovern’s go-to brighteners.
Madara Organic Skincare Smart Antioxidants Anti-fatigue eye rescue cream, $39, available at Madara Organic Skincare
This luxurious eye cream feels rich and buttery, yet absorbs much faster than many others with similarly heavy textures — though its real selling point is the actual formula, which contains caffeine, peptides, and a host of other ingredients that minimize the ill effects of a sugary diet on the skin.
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex for Dark Circles, $98, available at SkinCeuticals
Peptides, glycosaminoglycans, and caffeine come together in this fan-favorite eye cream to help minimize dark circles and take down puffiness in one fell swoop.
Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream, $64, available at Rodan + Fields
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The messy bun is the unsung hero of all hairstyles. Sure, we've been double-tapping sexy waves and blunt bobs on Instagram, but when we want to leave the house looking like a decent human without putting much work in, the messy bun always saves the day. If you’re short on time (or just lazy AF), you don't grab the curling wand to meticulously put in some "effortless" waves. No, you toss your hair into a topknot and go about your business.
One caveat: Although the name "messy bun" implies that the style should look undone, there's an art to creating a topknot that's got cool-girl carelessness. Ahead, we've rounded up some bun-spiration that strikes that delicate balance between trying too hard and not trying at all. And each one of these styles should take you 10 minutes, tops.
By day three of a blowout we're stuck. We want to preserve the body in our hair, but we don't want to add more heat by curling it on our own. This is where a bun (similar to this one by Emma Chen) comes in clutch. You can toss the majority of your hair into a high ponytail and loosely tuck the ends. Leave a few waves out to frame your face, and soemone might mistake you for an off-duty model.
Next time you're tempted to throw your strands up into a topknot, take a cue from celebrity stylist Lacy Redway, who gave Alexandra Shipp's tight bun an effortless vibe by loosening up pieces of the updo to add texture. Need more hair to get this look? You can buy some extra inches at any beauty supply store to get added height.
Leaving side-swept curls out towards the front of your hair will give your everyday hairstyle some '90s flair.
When you're bored with your routine bun, leave some of your curls out towards the front of your head to create the illusion of bangs (à la Yara Shahidi). Not only is it an easy style to throw together when you've overslept, it's a quick way to try fringe without the commitment.
Hailey Baldwin's topknot looks fairly similar to the ones we rock on the reg, but her pink hair color instantly makes it look more stylish.
Chopping your hair short is fun — until you want to put your strands in a high bun. The shorter pieces of hair towards the back of your head are often slipping out and standing on end. You can fix that by first braiding or twisting the back half of your hair before tying everything into a topknot.
What do you get when you marry your messy bun with the resurrected scrunchie trend? A super-cute topknot that'll take you to the gym, grocery store, or a cocktail party in style.
Weaving a statement hair clip through a messy low bun will immediately look like you put some thought into your style (when really the accessory did all the work).
Those bandanas sitting in the bottom of your sock drawer can be the key to upgrading your hair when it feels lackluster. Just tie one around your wavy bun (like Hannah Bronfman's) to make your hair feel preppy and put together.
Topknots don't have to be reserved for the gym or grocery store. Add some volume to your roots to create a bouffant look in the front, and twirl the ends of your hair into a bun in the back. From the side, you'll look red-carpet ready.
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Author and actress Lena Dunham is, to say the least, an open book. With a frank and honest social media presence that really only rivals Chrissy Teigen, Dunham has long invited her followers into her own personal struggles, whether that be within her romantic life or her health.
Now after all those Instagrams from hospital rooms that have come with intimate and thoughtful captions, Dunham has gotten inked with the one word she fears being called as a result of being so honest about her own medical history: "Sick."
As Dunham showed on Instagram, the word now appears written in large rope lettering on the back of her neck.
"Sometimes the thing you’re most scared of being called is the best thing you can call yourself," she wrote. "Thank you @havenstudiobk for labeling me... and to my sisters in this dizzying but starry slog — I am lasso’d to you!"
According to her Instagram Story, around the same time as this neck tattoo, Dunham also got her parents' names inked on the inside of two of her fingers.
In the past, Dunham has said that getting tattoos has been a way to take ownership of her body while battling endometriosis. With this neck tattoo, she's further marking her control of her body and helping to de-stigmatize this chronic condition, which affects more than 176 million women worldwide.
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It's a conspiracy theorist's favorite catchphrase: The biggest threats are the ones you can't see. On a slightly less troubling note, the paranoiac's motto also applies to skin care — in the case of "blind pimples," which are nodules and zits rooted so deeply that they're practically invisible on the surface of the skin.
“Blind pimples are deep cysts under the skin,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D. “Essentially, these are oil-filled balloons without a connection to the surface of the skin, making them unpickable.” Unpickable. With a cyst, because there's no visible head, there's nothing to pick, pop, or squeeze — which means no relief.
Dr. Zeichner says that a trip to the derm is the only surefire way to clear up blind pimples, especially if you're getting them frequently. "A doctor may suggest a cortisone injection or oral medication to reduce inflammation," he says. There's also a new topical retinoid lotion, Altreno, that shows great potential for cystic situations, especially in adult women with acne. "It's the only tretinoin lotion available, and delivers proven efficacy with much less irritation to the skin because of its delivery system. It has been shown to be effective specifically in adult women with acne," Dr. Zeichner explains.
If your blind-pimple problem is more sporadic — or you want to be as proactive as possible to prevent new cysts from forming — a diligent skin-care routine with key acne-fighting ingredients is of the essence. Ahead, Dr. Zeichner sheds light on how to handle blind zits at home.
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“Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that removes excess oil from the skin and helps to dry out pimples,” Dr. Zeichner says — and that includes the deep ones that don't come to a head. This exfoliating scrub packs 2% strength of the recommended ingredient into an oil-free formula.
Clean & Clear Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Facial Scrub, $4.99, available at Target
If blind pimples only plague you from time to time, a salicylic spot treatment may be best. This one is made with 2% salicylic acid to suck the life out of that blemish, and brightening niacinamide to help fade scarring.
G.M. Collin Puracne Treating Gel, $49, available at G.M. Collin
If 2% sounds a little strong for your sensitive skin, this 1% salicylic acid is extra gentle — not to mention fragrance-free, and versatile enough to be used as a scrub, cleanser, or mask.
Clinique Blackhead Solutions 7 Day Deep Pore Cleanse & Scrub, $24, available at Sephora
Consider this your reminder that oily, congested skin still needs hydration. "While you may have oily skin and acne, the skin can actually get dried out, compromising moisture skin barrier," Dr. Zeichner says. "An oil-free moisturizer can help keep the barrier in as good shape as possible." This gel is made with a smart polysaccharide that knows how to soak up oil in the skin while leaving hydration levels intact.
Dr. Brandt pores no more Mattifying Hydrator Pore Minimizing Gel, $48, available at Sephora
For those with combination skin, this moisturizer uses ceramides, glycerin, and cactus-flower extract to deeply hydrate without creating excess oil. The gel absorbs on contact and doesn't feel greasy, but leaves a fresh, dewy finish behind.
It Cosmetics Confidence In A Gel Lotion Weightless Moisturizer, $36, available at Ulta Beauty
This oil-free face cream is a cult favorite for a reason: It charges skin with moisture without clogging pores.
Ole Henriksen Counter Balance Oil Control Hydrator, $36, available at Sephora
Benzoyl peroxide is another key ingredient for treating blind pimples: The ingredient, Dr. Zeichner says, kills acne-causing bacteria on the skin and subsequently reduces inflammation. "While it can be used on the entire face to treat and prevent acne, it can also be applied directly to painful, red pimples to help speed up healing," he says. This spot treatment contains a robust 5% micronized version of the ingredient to pack a punch without the Rx.
Glytone Acne 3P Treatment Gel, $32, available at Glytone
If blind pimples are a regular thing, it may be worth investing in this duo of benzoyl-peroxide products. The high-dosage 5% benzoyl peroxide face wash helps keep pores clean, and the treatment dispenses an oxygen-boosting gel and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide in twin chambers. The gel consistency liquifies the crystalized benzoyl peroxide molecules for better penetration to under-the-surface zits.
Rodan + Fields Spotless Regimen, $89, available at Rodan + Fields
This maximum-strength spot treatment contains a whopping 10% micronized benzoyl peroxide, but it's balanced with sea whip and chamomile to help soothe the skin instead of zapping it of moisture. (Pro tip: Though this is one of the more affordable options in the bunch, it can be had for even less by scoring a coupon from the brand's site.)
AcneFree Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment, $4.97, available at Amazon
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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.
Calling all entrepreneurs:We want to hear from you! If you’re a freelancer or self-employed, we’d love to feature your Money Diary.Submit here.
Today: a copy assistant working in fashion who makes $31,473 per year and spends some of her money this week on Butterkist popcorn. Editor's note: All prices have been converted to U.S. dollars.
Monthly Expenses Rent: I live at home and contribute $300 to the household. Student Loans: $0 (You start paying back student loans when you make more than $35,411 a year.) Other Loans: I took out a loan when I moved to Italy for a year, so now my bank takes $131 a month for five years. I could have paid it off by now, but this is better for my credit score. Phone: $69 Bank Account: $23 (This covers travel insurance and more.) Spotify: $0 (Free with my phone plan.) Netflix: $0 (I use my dad's account.) MonthlyTransit Card: $253 Pension: $40, and my work contributes double
Day One
12 p.m. — I get up really late. I had one too many glasses of Champagne at tea yesterday. I jump in the shower, throw on my mustard jumper and Topshop boyfriend jeans, and leave the house to catch the train to go meet my friend, N.
2 p.m. — Meet N. at this yummy American-style restaurant in Shoreditch. I order lamb fries with cheese on top, and it's so good ($10). N. just orders a Bloody Mary, as she has a hangover and isn't ready to eat yet. We catch up on life and reflect on how far we've come since moving back to London last year. We both moved to Florence together after university to work. We didn't like our jobs there — everyone had watched TheDevil Wears Prada one too many times and made our lives sort of a living hell. We moved back to London a year later, and life has been happier ever since. $10
3 p.m. — We decide we want boozy milkshakes and head to another restaurant called The Diner. I order a vanilla ice cream, blueberry compote, and amaretto milkshake ($11), and N. orders a bourbon chocolate milkshake and fries. We walk around Shoreditch, as the weather is nice, and discuss how much the area has changed and how Shoreditch is starting to resemble parts of New York. Which reminds me to ask N. if she is interested in visiting New York with me in the fall. I love New York and try to visit yearly. N. says maybe, as she may be moving to Paris with her BF, and we say goodbye and plan to meet up again really soon. I take the train home. $11
5 p.m. — My mum made a roast chicken for dinner. I pick at it a bit but am craving something sweet, so I get creative and decide to make French toast with blueberry sauce for my dinner instead. I can't decide what to watch, so I go for a classic favorite, Friends. I watch until I fall asleep around 11.
Daily Total: $21
Day Two
7 a.m. — Four alarms later, I finally get up. I jump in the shower and then throw on wide-legged black denim trousers with a white long-sleeve top and an oversize pinstripe gray blazer. Then I force my hair into a bun and apply some Nars foundation and Glossier mascara. For breakfast, I make some eggs and berries with tea. Then I run to catch the 8:07 train with my big sister.
8:40 a.m. — My work is having a sample sale, and I have no will power. I see a beautiful trench coat for $185 that normally costs $1,984, but I already have a similar one. I know my mum has been wanting one, so I text her and she says yes. I get it and she pays me back later.
10:42 a.m. — Now at my desk, I start my Monday routine of checking what's on the lunch menu this week. My work gives us free lunches, and today I have tomato, roasted pepper, and mascarpone soup. Today is slow, which gives me too much time to think. My mind wanders to food, and I decide to pop by the local Sainsbury's (British supermarket) for cheese sticks and nuts. $2.25
2 p.m. — Go back to the sample sale (please don't judge me, because I am judging me). And, yes! I leave without buying anything. Grab a protein bar and head back to my desk. $2.25
5:30 p.m. — Run out of work to catch my train. I work in Westminster, and there are always Brexit protesters outside Parliament. Today there are a lot more than normal. I am still hoping Brexit will NOT happen. On my way home, I pop in my local supermarket for sea bass, eggs, toilet paper, spinach, halloumi, tomatoes, and turkey. $16.80
7 p.m. — I make a halloumi, spinach, and tomato salad with leftover chicken from yesterday's roast. Then I do an ab workout, shower, throw some clothes in the machine, and catch up with my mum and my sisters. We're an all-women household, which has its pros and cons. I watch For the People before falling asleep and dreaming about cheese puffs.
Daily Total: $21.30
Day Three
6:50 a.m. — Wake up on my second alarm and then wash my face with my favorite Malin+Goetz cleansing oil. For breakfast I make scrambled eggs and turkey bacon. Then I throw on a pink jumper from & Other Stories I haven't worn in a while with some black jeans and do my hair and makeup. My mum forgot her lunch, so I grab it and will drop it off with her on my way to work. She and my sister work down the road from me. As usual, I run like a crazy woman to catch the 7:46 train.
8:25 a.m. — Get off the train at Westminster and see all the news reporters getting ready to go live. There are more than usual today. My mum is waiting for me outside her building in her new trench, and she looks great. Since I'm really early to work, I pop by the sample sale again and buy my sister a cashmere scarf and a cardholder for my mum that they each pay me back for. I also buy myself a tote I've been wanting for a while ($131). $131
2 p.m. — I grab a chicken pesto salad for lunch today and sit in the canteen watching The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and clips from The View on YouTube. I am really into politics, thanks to my mother and sister. I get some fresh air and go to Sainsbury's to grab some more nuts, cheese, and Diet Coke before heading back to my desk. $3.50
5:30 p.m. — The day flew past fast. I'm off to meet my friend, B., for our weekly movie date. Last week we saw What Men Want — so funny. Today we're going to see the new Captain Marvel movie. I have a bit of time beforehand, so I stop at my grandparents' house on the way. My 90-year-old grandad has recently become obsessed with making vegetable juices, and he makes me one to take with me. He's so cute — I love him so much. I leave and pop into Superdrugs for deodorant, a body sponge, and toothpaste ($14.20). Now I'm running short on time, so I rush to meet my friend. We each buy a ticket ($8.50), and I buy cheese puffs as a snack ($1.45). $24.15
10:30 p.m. — The movie was good. I wouldn't say amazing, but a good watch. I'm looking forward to seeing Avengers: Endgame. On the way home from the movie, I pop into Marks & Spencer to buy some eggs for breakfast ($1.11). When I finally get home, my hay fever is killing me, so I jump straight into the shower and head to bed. $1.11
Daily Total: $159.76
Day Four
7:10 a.m. — Wake up feeling exhausted. I didn't sleep well because of my hay fever. I take my time getting ready for work. I make my turkey bacon with scrambled eggs for breakfast and sip on some tea before leaving to grab the 8:16 train.
10:50 a.m. — I get a little hungry, so I run to the local supermarket and grab a small packet of mixed almond nuts, a peanut butter chocolate chip Larabar, another protein bar, and blueberries. $7.72
1 p.m. — I listen to my favorite podcast, The Receipts. It's three girls from London who talk about everything from sex and relationships to mental health and hot topics in the media. It's so funny, and I try to hold in my laughter so none of my coworkers side-eye me. I run to the canteen and grab chicken pesto salad for lunch.
4:30 p.m. — As usual, I run out of work to get to London Bridge on time for my 5:55 p.m. train. At home, I make sea bass and grilled halloumi with spinach and tomato salad. Then I head straight to bed. I don't think it's hay fever, actually — I think I have another sinus infection. Twice in one month. This sucks. I'm asleep by 9.
Daily Total: $7.72
Day Five
6:50 a.m. — I wake up and catch a glimpse of my hair in the mirror. It looks worse than Einstein's. I jump in the shower, get dressed, and head downstairs to make my breakfast. I fight my hair into a bun and do my makeup. Then I leave the house with my sister to catch the 8:16 train.
8:45 a.m. — Stop at the pharmacy to pick up some antibiotics before heading to work. $11.54
2 p.m. — Take a break and watch Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia on Netflix while eating my chicken pesto salad for lunch again. I add some seeds to it to spice it up. Then I go to Pret to grab sparkling grape and elderflower water ($1.31) before heading back to my desk. $1.31
5:30 p.m. — I leave work feeling crazy excited because I'm going to see my favorite artist, NAO, in concert tonight. I grab some fries ($2.34) on the way to meet my sister, my cousin, and her friend. $2.34
10:35 p.m. — The concert was amazing. My sister and I run to catch a bus to the train station so we can get our 10:50 train home. The bus driver must hate us, because he is driving extra slowly and stops at a green light and waits for it to turn red. We start to get angry — the train we need to catch only comes every 30 minutes. When we get off the bus, we run like crazy and make it with two minutes to spare. At home, I do my nighttime routine and head to bed.
Daily Total: $15.19
Day Six
7 a.m. — Thank goodness it's Friday. I jump straight in the shower and do my hair and makeup. I throw on wide-legged pants, a gray polo, and a maxi-length knitted gray cardigan without a coat. Then I make gluten-free oatmeal topped with some blueberry sauce, coconut flakes, and sesame seeds. I pack it to take with me to work and leave to catch the 8:16 train.
8:50 a.m. — I eat my breakfast at my desk and decide to head down to the sample sale, as it's the last day. I see a beautiful silk nightgown that I consider buying and wearing as a kimono, but I try it on and decide I don't need it. Then I pop into Sainsbury's and grab a Larabar and Eat Real Hummus Sour Cream and Chives Chips. I love to snack. $2.25
2 p.m. — I grab a chicken pesto salad for lunch again and add some halloumi from home. It's so yummy, I inhale it in seconds. Two friends from another department join me for lunch. We have a quick chat and plan to have a proper catch-up next week over dinner. Afterward, I try to work but there are loads of noises coming from helicopters filming coverage of the protest outside. I still can't believe people think it's a good idea for us to leave the EU. I get hungry and pop over to the shops for another snack: Butterkist Sweet Cinema Style popcorn. $1.31
5:30 p.m. — I run through the crowd of protesters at Westminster hoping no one catches me on camera and thinks I'm part of this mess. Shaking my head at all these people who actually think that Brexit could ever be a good idea — this breaks my heart. Somehow I still manage to catch my 5:55 train home.
6:10 p.m. — I decide to make a healthy dinner while I side-eye my little sister's fried chicken. Jealous. I warm up my sea bass and spinach and add some ginger seasoning and tomatoes. I am still hungry after, so I snack on some popcorn from earlier and watch an emotional episode of For the People. It's about a dad and his son being split apart because of immigration. I love how Shonda Rhimes always finds a way to incorporate U.S. politics into her show so well. I then watch another political drama, The Good Fight, before falling asleep.
Daily Total: $3.56
Day Seven
8 a.m. — Woken up early by the sound of my mother and older sister having a heated discussion about Brexit. On Saturdays I normally go to church, but this morning I'm feeling really exhausted. I grew up in a Seventh Day Adventist family, and when I was younger I would go to church with my grandmother and cousins every Saturday. My family used to keep the Sabbath day very holy from sunset to sunset, but over the years we have become very laid-back. I may not agree with all of the church's views, but I still enjoy it. I end up spending the whole morning laughing and chatting with my mum and sister before getting ready to go and meet my friend P. for lunch.
2 p.m. — I meet P. at the station and we take the train to King's Cross. We decide to go to Dishoom for lunch and sit outside to enjoy the warm day. I love Indian food. I order chili chicken with plain naan and black daal, which is so, so yummy. P. orders vegan khichia and chhundo with vegetable samosas and a vegan mango lassi. After we eat, we walk around to the new shop area that just opened up. One Granary Square has changed so much since I finished university here two years ago. $26.23
5 p.m. — We have a little bit of time before our train, so we stop at Krispy Kreme and I grab the new lotus and white chocolate doughnut, which is so good. The perfect balance between savory and sweet. $2.95
7 p.m. — Finally home after a train mix-up, I pack my bag and head to my grandparents' house for the night. On my way, I stop at the local supermarket and grab some tortilla wraps to have with the rest of my leftover black daal. $1.31
9 p.m. — Crash on the couch with my grandad and watch some awful TV before heading to bed. I just recently discovered Jackie Aina on YouTube — she's so funny. I end up watching her for hours before finally falling asleep around 2 a.m.
Daily Total: $30.49
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When it comes to traveling, comfort is priority #1. After all, who wants to be stuck on an 11-hour flight in too-tight jeans and blister-causing heels? To combat the discomfort that comes with sitting in a metal tube for hours, we tend to prioritize feeling good over looking good. But what about those post-flight dinner plans? Or dare I say it, business meetings? We don't suggest taking on the middle seat in a skirt suit, but sometimes, your travel itinerary might call for something a little less hangover-induced coffee run and a little more 'I woke up like this'.
No one ever thinks to throw on a dress and hop in a plane but a cotton or linen dress can be your best bet for a long day of travel. Think about it: no bells and whistles to remove during security, no jumpsuit -induced bathroom woes, no need to conspicuously change in the backseat of your cab. Whether you're trekking through terminals or playing tourist at your final destination, dresses are the end-all-be-all travel outfit you never saw coming.
Ahead, check out 17 travel dresses that are sure to replace your trusty airport sweats for good.
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It's a well-known fact that anything Meghan Markle wears sells out lickety split. It's happened at Aritzia, J.Crew, Club Monaco and pretty much every other brand she frequents. At this point, she's in an elite class of celebrity influencers like Oprah and Rihanna, who have the power to turn an under-the-radar brand into Zara overnight. For this week's edition of Meghan Wore A Thing, we're calling out a certain pair of cognac Sarah Flint flats that she just so happens to wear on the regular.
The Duchess of Sussex has been a fan of Sarah Flint for some time (during her Suits days even), but it wasn't until she wore their Natalie ballet flats to the 2017 Invictus Games Opening Ceremony that the brand really blew up. The pointed-toed slip-ons quickly turned into a big hit; within days, there was a whopping 25,000+ waiting list for the bloody things.
Ever since, this specific style has gone through more than its fair share of restocks. But thankfully for us, and more than a few thousand other Meghan Markle-inspired shoppers, it's back in stock again. Available in six color ways on SarahFlint.com, including leopard print, gold and cognac, these elevated flats are historically proven not to last long.
So, before the Meghan Markle effect causes yet another sell out, we suggest snagging your own pair of the brand's Natalie flats. Below, we've laid out three of our favorite Meghan Markle-approved ballet flats for you to shop now.
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Whether you are an aspiring social media influencer, an entrepreneur, or a recent college graduate, there is an increasing emphasis on developing a strong brand to help you reach your personal and professional goals.
Discussions of branding have become the norm particularly in creative fields — and yet personal branding may seem like a nebulous (and at times lofty) concept. And it's not always clear what a strong personal brand should actually look like.
Coco Layne is a multidisciplinary artist, director, strategist, and the founder and director of LOLITA BANDITA. Layne specializes in helping women-identified creators manifest their work and is dedicated to supporting women-led projects that "lead culture into a more conscious future."
From Layne's vantage, a personal brand is the basis of, well, almost everything: "A strong personal brand can help attract the energy, opportunities, and people you want into your life," she says. "It helps to clearly communicate what your values and interests are."
Creating your own brand, says Layne, doesn't need to be complicated. While the practical steps involved — from designing to copywriting to social media and marketing strategies — are important, first and foremost, you should have a deeply rooted connection to a mission or purpose, and be able to express this intention to others. "Personal branding is just knowing yourself and what you want really well — and strategically communicating with others to reach your goals," Layne says.
We chatted with Layne to gain some insight into how to establish a solid sense of what you stand for, hone in on your message, and embrace change and evolution. Ahead, Layne's six tips for creating a meaningful personal brand.
1. Commit to a serious, deep relationship with yourself.
"In other words, get to know yourself really well. Take time to reflect and understand who you are on multiple levels, what your desires are, where you need to heal, grow, and tend to. Check in with yourself regularly and be open to expanding and evolving, because nobody is static. The key to a strong personal brand is to be rooted firmly in yourself so you know where you stand — no matter what the climate of your day-to-day life is."
2. Be intentional with how you communicate (both digitally and IRL).
"Strong brands don't just happen by chance. It takes intention and a level of self-awareness to create and tell the story of your brand. Which ideas, sounds, and images represent you?
"Visualize how you want to be perceived and work from there. It can mean posting on social media every day, showing up to more events, or starting a mailing list. Identify what your communication goals are and create a plan to reach them."
3. Never stop expanding and evolving.
"Just because you've defined your personal brand doesn't mean that it's locked in forever. Give yourself permission to switch things up, try something new, update, or even completely rebrand as you grow and expand as a person.
"Be soft and malleable versus hard and rigid with yourself — don't feel pressured to get it 'perfect.' It can feel like a huge undertaking to authentically represent and 'define' yourself as a brand, but try to feel comfort in knowing you can always course correct if something doesn't work."
4. Know what you stand for — and what you do not stand for.
"What do you really believe in? What are you actually working towards? What do you not tolerate in your life? Take time to really reflect and evaluate how you morally operate. Only you are able to determine what your values are."
5. Be clear about what you offer and follow through with your brand promise.
"In other words, what is your tagline or slogan? This is essential to building trust and growing your brand. Be honest — with yourself and others — about what you are able to offer and how you will follow through with it.
"It doesn't have to be complicated or long at all, maybe a sentence or two summing up what you're about and what you promise to deliver as a brand. Be clear in communicating this where people will see it the most."
6. Give yourself the credit you deserve
"You should be your own biggest cheerleader! You can't place the expectation on others to give yourself credit, especially if you don't give yourself the credit first. Regularly take stock of your accomplishments in all aspects of your life — work, interests, relationships, and emotions. These are valuable and meaningful places where you deserve to acknowledge yourself."
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There's a little over two weeks until Easter, so if you're still searching for an outfit that won't make granny cringe, but will still turn a few heads, we feel you. Go one frill too far and you've tip-toed into toddler turf, but you don't want to look like you didn't try, either.
Sunday dresses that are innocent but pretty enough that you'll want to wear them on a springtime date are where it's at. And on that front, we've got you 100 percent covered. From colors that pop to florals you can wear to brunch with kitten heels and to work with combat boots — this Easter, the eggs won’t be the only things that are dip-dyed.
Ahead, we've rounded up 30 dresses you'll want to wear on the holiday — and all spring long. Click through to peep our stellar finds.
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You may associate Trader Joe’s with Hawaiian shirts but, paradoxically, the beloved grocery chain doesn’t have any locations in Hawaii. The closest store is a few thousand miles away in California. Thus, Marli Arneson, a 25-year-old from Oahu craving Trader Joe’s ginger turmeric tea, did what many of us might: She went on Amazon and bought a box for $9.74, assuming the two retailers had a partnership. But no. It was only later that Arneson learned her sought-after tea hadn’t come directly from Trader Joe’s, where it costs less than $3 in stores, but from a reseller called “Alvinztore Inc.”
After the tea arrived, “I just checked the box to see if there was any kind of ‘best if used by’ date but I can't see one. So who knows how old it is, but it seems exactly the same,” she told Refinery29 via Facebook message. Arneson got hooked on this particular tea after a coworker brought some back from Las Vegas, so she decided to buy some for herself; she says that if she had noticed the tea wasn’t being sold by Trader Joe’s, she would have looked for an official alternative. Failing that, she probably still would have bought it from “Alvinztore Inc.,” who declined to comment for this story.
Welcome to the quasi-underground Trader Joe’s reselling economy. Though the chain has 484 stores around the continental United States in 41 states and Washington D.C., it has no international locations or e-commerce business. In that absence, unsanctioned sellers offer popular items like Speculoos Cookie Butter, Dark Chocolate Covered Powerberries, Roasted Plantain Chips, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups on marketplaces like Amazon, Ebay, and Walmart.com. These treats often come at a significant markup: Two jars of Everything But the Bagel seasoning, which cost $1.99 each at Trader Joe’s, are going for $22.44 on Amazon, a price hike of roughly 564%.
Reselling products that have been purchased at retail is legal — a so-called “gray market,” rather than a black market — but Trader Joe’s does not support its resellers. A Trader Joe’s rep declined my interview request, but did provide this statement (complete with a podcast plug):
"As our President of Stores, Jon Basalone, shared in episode 4 of the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast, 'The store is our brand and our products work the best when they’re sold as part of the overall customer experience within the store.' When shopping at a Trader Joe’s store, customers can expect products of the highest quality, at great, everyday prices. We do not authorize the reselling of our products and cannot stand behind the quality, safety or value of any Trader Joe’s product sold outside of our store."
Indeed, Trader Joe’s has taken legal action against brick-and-mortar reselling operations, the most famous being Pirate Joe’s in Vancouver, which shut down in 2017 after a protracted fight. It’s hard to say how much pushback online resellers receive from the brand since almost all of my messages went unanswered, but the sheer, easy-to-find quantity of Trader Joe’s snacks on Amazon and Ebay suggests that business is at least fine.
To understand why a person would voluntarily buy seasoning at a massive markup, it’s necessary to understand the cult and allure of Trader Joe’s: namely, its low prices, tongue-in-cheek branding, and, most importantly here, unique products, many of them shelf-stable. Though Trader Joe’s is owned by the German supermarket giant Aldi, its vibe is not at all corporate; rather, it’s refreshingly eccentric and laid-back. Staffers wear the aforementioned Hawaiian shirts, and Italian and Mexican foods come with “Trader Giotto” and “Trader José” packaging, a cute conceit that extends across its product range.
"Trader Joe’s does the sweets really well, that’s their thing — it’s a revolving door of great snacks. People have this obsession, this loyalty to it," says Barry Hogan, who had never heard of the brand before moving to Vancouver from his native Ireland in 2012. Even though there was no official Vancouver location, he, too, became obsessed with the stuff after he started working at Pirate Joe’s, where the top-selling snacks included Milk Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Cups and Triple Ginger Snaps.
There are a couple kinds of customers who buy Trader Joe’s from an unofficial online reseller. The first are those who became smitten with the brand or a particular product while living close to a store — then moved somewhere without easy access, and found themselves willing to pay almost anything to get the goods again. The second group have never experienced Trader Joe’s, either because they don’t live in the US or live too far from a store, but have heard about it and want in.
In September, a Twitter user named Emily Rose put out a plea for someone to ship her Everything But the Bagel seasoning, offering to Venmo them for the purchase. She’d grown accustomed to shopping at Trader Joe’s while attending college in Philadelphia, but then moved to a city 45 minutes from the nearest location.
“I love anything everything bagel-related and was dying to try,” she explains. She wound up ordering it on Amazon for a little more than the original price, but she says it was worth it — “definitely cheaper” than driving the 45 minutes.
The advent of social media and YouTube “haul” videos has transmitted the legend far beyond American shores. On Reddit’s “Snack Exchange” forum, people outside the country are known to request Trader Joe’s trades (“I’ve heard so many good things!” wrote one Canadian). Rebecca Martin made a pilgrimage to Trader Joe’s while on vacation in New York City from Australia — for the novelty of it and for the snacks — but the store was overcrowded with weekend shoppers and she left empty-handed.
Katie Bentz, a 21-year-old from Waterloo, Ontario, heard about Trader Joe’s online and made it a priority while visiting her sister, who had recently moved to Atlanta.
"I was excited to go because I have heard such good things about their beauty products and different snacks, and you really can't beat the prices!!" she writes. "They also have a lot of exclusive products. When I went to the store in Atlanta I bought a whole cart of products and was so excited that the cashier gave me a free TJ's reusable bag!"
Whenever a gift-giving occasion rolls around, Bentz now asks for Trader Joe’s items like Everything But the Bagel seasoning, tea tree facial cleansing pads, and coconut body butter.
But even someone who lives near a Trader Joe’s might turn to Ebay or Amazon. The brand’s seasonal items (yes, including pumpkin-everything in the fall) disappear quickly, and its perennially popular items can be scarce, says Nathan Rodgers, who reviews the chain’s products on a blog, “What’s Good at Trader Joe’s? ”
“They have limited shelf space and they frequently run out of top-selling items,” Rodgers writes in an email. “Sometimes it's just easier to order online than to drive around to each Joe's in your city, battling traffic and those notoriously terrible parking lots just to get a couple things that might be sold out by the time you get there anyway.
“Also, Trader Joe's likes to discontinue products — even really good ones. They're constantly making room for new concoctions, and that means discontinuing older products, sometimes forever,” he says. “We've had readers tell us on the blog that they'll buy a dozen or more packs of products they really love, because, knowing Trader Joe's, they may never see it for sale in the store again.”
Rodgers and his wife Sonia are currently traveling around the country, having "joined the ranks of the growing number of RV nomads." In the process, he’s become hyper-aware of the gaps in Trader Joe’s geographic coverage.
“For someone who spends all their time in a city like New York or L.A., it might feel like there's a TJ's in every neighborhood, but most of the country isn't so lucky,” he writes.
Globally speaking, as the TJ’s legend grew, there came resellers catering to pockets of the world where the brand had developed a fanbase. A few years ago, cookie butter became a hot-ticket item in the Philippines, says Angela Gustilo Lopez, who recalls seeing the spread being sold on Facebook and Ebay (“boxes of them”) and in storefronts with other imported foods.
“It’s considered a luxury product, so it’s in the higher-end stores,” says Lopez, who is originally from the Philippines but now lives in California. “Getting that thing that’s very rare, it’s a status symbol.”
Lopez says that in 2013, her local Trader Joe’s imposed limits on the number of Speculoos jars that a person could buy at once, apparently because resellers had started buying it up in bulk. Ironically, this is exactly what Pirate Joe’s wound up doing, too, when people began coming into the store to purchase large quantities of cookie butter for re-resale.
Pirate Joe’s was the brainchild of Mike Hallatt, a former software developer who opened the Vancouver store in 2012. He purchased Trader Joe’s groceries in Washington State and ferried them across the border. Then, as now, there were no Trader Joe’s stores in Canada, and though some early customers complained about the markup the store amassed a customer base with a taste for the brand’s unusual snacks, like the aforementioned Cookie Butter and rosemary Marcona almonds.
“On average, I’d do $25,000 a month in sales, and the most I did was $80,000 — that was December of 2014, the peak,” says Hallatt, who recruited secret shoppers to help him on his Trader Joe’s expeditions, which he occasionally did in disguise after getting banned from the stores.
In 2013, the brand filed a lawsuit against him for trademark infringement and the risk of customer confusion. The grocery chain lost, but appealed in 2016. A year later, the two parties settled out of court, and Hallatt, financially drained by the process, shut down Pirate Joe’s.
Like Hallatt, Pamala Sheppard was sent a cease and desist letter when she began stocking Trader Joe’s products at a much smaller operation, Auntie Pam’s Country Store, a shop she owns in Point Roberts, Washington. Sheppard says that grocery options are fairly limited in Point Roberts, which sits on a peninsula just south of Vancouver. So she got in the habit of driving to the Trader Joe’s in Bellingham, Washington, a trip that requires traveling north into Canada and back down across the US border. Round trip, it’s a little less than three hours in the car.
“I thought, you know what, this would be a tremendous convenience for other people,” says Sheppard, whose store also stocks handmade soaps, CBD oils, and crocheted hats. “I started bringing in a few items and people loved it. The demand got to be more and more, and during the summer months we were spending $1,000 a week at Trader Joe’s.”
Carrying TJ’s products lifted her business overall, Sheppard says: Customers would come in for groceries and walk out with new jewelry, too. After getting the cease and desist letter, she petitioned Trader Joe’s but hit a dead end.
Running a brick-and-mortar resale operation like Sheppard’s or Hallatt’s can be costly and labor-intensive. On shopping days, Hallatt would leave at noon to drive across the border and start hitting up Trader Joe’s stores in Washington. Between loading up, traffic, and customs, he’d be back by 1 a.m. at the earliest.
These kinds of resale businesses come with a lot of overhead — rent, freezers and refrigerators, staff — and when they get shut down, it can be hard to get back up. It’s no surprise, then, that Trader Joe’s reselling has persisted online, where the endeavor is more lightweight and less easy to target.
Dionne Kendrick has been selling Trader Joe’s products on Ebay for the last two years, along with other items like limited-edition Twix bars, heart-shaped pillows, and massage hairbrushes, but sticks to a small range of Trader Joe’s goods “that are personal favorites of mine.” (Birthday cake popcorn, for instance.) Kendrick sells between five and 75 items from the brand each month, depending on the season, and to date has received no pushback from Trader Joe’s.
Unlike Hallatt, sellers like Kendrick don’t have to buy in bulk or worry about monitoring cookie butter purchases, because they don’t have brick-and-mortar customers who will be disappointed if the shelf is empty. This is a low-risk, low-infamy approach to reselling, lacking the spunk or humor of an establishment like Pirate Joe’s. But it’s ultimately a more sustainable way of participating in an economy that shows no signs of fading — at least, not until Trader Joe’s starts competing online, too.
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In Greek mythology, the Fates controlled the destinies of men. In Hollywood, that power lies with 37-year-old Scooter Braun and 63-year-old Kris Jenner. Between these two omnipotent managers, they don’t even need a third fate to help them out.
Somebody somewhere makes things happen for famous people, crafting their career trajectories and carefully spinning stories when stars spin out. And for a specific subset of world-famous celebrities, that somebody is Jenner and Braun — master managers strategically plotting the rise of their clients until they’ve reached ubiquity. The Jenner-Braun web is an expansive one, spanning industries (music, film, reality TV, cosmetics, modeling) and generations (Jenner’s first client was her former spouse, Olympian Caitlyn Jenner, in the '90s) — the only competition they have when it comes to world dominance is each other.
Both Braun and Jenner (née Houghton , formerly Kardashian) are self-made managers without college degrees (Braun dropped out of Emory College, and Jenner skipped college to become a flight attendant) who profess to be guided by faith and family. Here's who's on Mama Jenner and Papa Braun’s current roster.
II. The Money: How Much Are They & Their Clients Worth?
Kris Jenner
Through her ventures as CEO of Jenner Communications, creator and executive producer of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and an author and business woman, Jenner is independently worth $60 million.
Clients:
Kylie Jenner: $1 billion (She’s the world’s youngest “self-made” billionaire.)
It’s unclear exactly what percentage of their clients’ earnings go to Braun and Jenner, but, notably, each also owns their own management company, placing them in the highest earning bracket as managers, according to a Billboard study from 2015. According to that study, it’s industry standard for someone in their role to take 10-20% commission as their salary. An E! Online story from 2015, when Jenner unsuccessfully tried to trademark “momager,” reports she was commanding 10% at the time. There are no specific reports of Braun’s cut.
III. The Scandals: What Newsmaking Incidents Have They Weathered?
Where to begin? Name a scandal, and they’ve dealt with it.
These 14 people (who, reminder, don’t even comprise all of Braun and Jenner’s clients) also come with a hefty amount of baggage. There’s a sex tape, a few DUIs, racist comments, political no-no’s, cultural appropriation, deaths, armed robbery, breakups, blackmail, stalkers… and, of course, a well-known conspiracy theory or 10.
These two have moved mountains for clients. Both of them seem to have the same go-to — instead of a basic apology, they urge their clients to lean into the drama. In October 2007, about three months after Kim’s sex tape was leaked, KUWTK premiered its first season. Episode 4 featured Kim owning her sexuality by posing nude for Playboy. After Bieber went bad in 2014 following an arrest in Miami for a DUI and drag racing (among other antics), he admitted to his mistakes and recommitted to his Christian faith, later releasing the biggest album of his career, 2016's Purpose. He appears on the cover of the LP with a huge cross tattoo decorating his chest, and many of the songs are about his connection to God. He even became best friends with his posh pastor, Carl Lentz.
After Kendall Jenner appeared in a Pepsi commercial that hijacked the Black Lives Matter movement, she said she felt “stupid” for her involvement, and then Pepsi apologized to her. She pivoted from being the face of a failed campaign with racist undertones to the victim of unwarranted backlash. In the summer of 2015, Grande faced her own controversy when she licked a donut and mocked obesity in America. At the time, a comeback seemed impossible — especially considering that she already had a damning diva reputation. Grande apologized for her behavior, noted that she was disgusted by her own actions, and pointedly reminded everyone that the donut shop video was taken without her consent. Cut to 2019, and Grande is on top of the world. (She quite literally is in her music video for “God Is A Woman.”) In the past 12 months she’s released 7 singles, two albums, and is headlining music festivals. She’s doing so much that it makes it difficult to even recall a time where the public wasn’t fully obsessed with Grande and her pony-tail. She solidified her reborn reputation after she ended her fast engagement with comedian Pete Davidson — shortly after the sudden passing of her ex Mac Miller — and immediately released “thank u next,” in which she addressed both men, and other exes, with gratitude and perspective. Kloss managed to get married just a few months before her big debut as the new host of Project Runway in a ceremony that was private yet well-documented. (As far as the Braun clients, like Jepsen, Kellly, and Garrix, who haven’t yet had scandals — that we know of —they can sleep well knowing they’re in good hands should that day come.
Braun and Jenner don’t wait for the public to forgive and forget — they just find a new narrative for them to obsess over.
IV: The Impact: How Have Kris & Scooter Changed The Industry?
The effects of Braun and Jenner’s managing strategies are not clear because we, the public, are in the eye of the storm. We never see the actual private damage from the shitstorms that rip through these celebrities’ lives. That’s why we know these two are good.
Braun’s so good that he even appeared on Time ’s 100 Most Influential in 2013 for being a man who “sees what others don’t,” in regards to finding fresh talent. (This accolade came before Bieber’s image overhaul.) “My job is not to be the all-star quarterback, but to be the coach,” Braun told Complex in an interview in 2015. “My artists’ wins are their wins, and their losses are my losses. That’s the job, that’s what a coach does. A hundred years from now, people probably won’t even remember me.”
Also in 2015, Jenner told Haute Living her initial goal when she turned her family into a brand. This ability to transform a typical family — okay, her first husband was O.J. Simpson’s lawyer, so maybe not “typical”— is Jenner’s legacy. “My focus at that time was to develop something my kids could have for the rest of their lives—something they could create for themselves,” she said. “And I learned quickly that all my kids have the most amazing work ethic. They all stepped up to the plate and showed me they were frickin’ amazing!” Of course, Jenner is herself a central figure in the series now, showing that managers don’t have to always live in the spotlight. They can carve out a public space for themselves, too.
In a podcast interview with Janet Mock, Jenner shared her secret for success: “I turned my 15 minutes into 30, somehow.” The businesswoman and mother of six did this through building franchises centered around her family as they grew up. Together, the Kardashian-Jenners have led nine TV shows, launched countless business ventures and collaborations (some, like Kylie Jenner Cosmetics, far more successful than others, like Khroma Beauty), and show no signs of pumping the brakes. After all, Jenner now has 9 — soon to be 10 — grandchildren to turn into global brands. But Jenner isn’t really in the business of working well with non-relatives. Remember the girl group BG5? Miley Cyrus’ best friend, Mandy Jiroux was a member, and later said she was not allowed to wear or sing what she wanted under Jenner’s control.
As a momager, this is both her strength and her weakness. Jenner has the unique skill of transforming family members into lucrative money-making machines — Braun can do that to a charismatic, talented stranger. Jenner’s formula isn’t usually viable for the long term, (Hollywood is littered with the tragic detritus of toxic show-parent relationships), but it works for her.
Braun, meanwhile, does not manage any of his actual children (he has three with wife Yael Cohen, ages 4,2, and a newborn), but after discovering a pre-teen Bieber on YouTube, it does feel like he raised him. "I made a promise to him when he was 13 that I would never give up on him,” Braun told the WSJ. Magazine in 2017 of Bieber’s well-publicized 2014 breakdown. “I plan on keeping that promise."
What we’ve learned in this powerhouse audit is that a good manager finds clients early, and acts as a father figure to them. But a great manager, she literally is their mother figure. Braun may have more clients, but it’s Jenner who has cultivated an actual billionaire — and who deserves a Nobel Prize in scandal damage control.
Imagine the meetings that go down between Braun and Jenner. Jenner on one side of the conference table with her “Rich As Fuck” luggage, and Braun on the other, texting and plotting the rise of his latest musical discovery. They look up at each other and wink, because they know the ultimate secret to success: Fate’s fake, get a manager.
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When it takes hours to do your hair, styling can feel like a full-time job — and just like with our 9-to-5, we deserve a break from our regular hair routine sometimes. So, all the twisting, straightening, and playing around with our natural hair goes on vacation when we do, and we lean on protective styles instead.
No twist-outs or wash-and-gos for weeks. Sounds heavenly, right? It is, but a lot of protective styles, like box braids, require a huge time commitment at the start. We're talking hours in the salon. And the smaller the braids, the more time you'll spend in the chair. That's why this spring, we're going for jumbo box braids.
Unlike micro braids, your hair is parted into bigger sections, allowing the braiding process to move quickly. Additionally, jumbo braids utilize more braiding hair, making each plait thicker overall. They're a great way to make a statement, take a break from doing your own hair, and save some extra time. Bonus: Rocking fewer, larger braids will also result in less time spent taking your style out. Sounds like a win in our book.
Read on for jumbo-braided looks to screenshot before your next vacation.
Dress up your chunky braids by wrapping them with colored cord. White definitely pops against the dark color of this hair.
You can also sweep your hair to the side and deck each plait out with golden braiding cord and cuffs.
You don't have to stick to one type of part, either. Switch between square and triangle parts throughout your hair to make your style more visually interesting.
Tie your braids into a half-up, half-down style for a '90s-inspired look.
If you're hitting up a music festival, try decking out your braids with minimal accessories like gold hair cuffs.
Small braids are sleek, but you can achieve an equally polished look with larger plaits.
Jumbo braids are also chic when chopped into a shoulder-grazing lob.
Middle-parted braids will also make any outfit look more sophisticated. Don't believe us? Just try it.
Big or small, braids are always more fun in vibrant colors, like this turquoise shade.
We're not sure if we love these plaits or the colorful makeup look more but, either way, it's a vacation look.
If you want to try a blunt bob without actually cutting your hair, try out a similar cut with jumbo box braids.
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Back in March, when Felicity Huffman was first photographed at a courthouse in the wake of the college admissions cheating scandal, she did not look like the Felicity Huffman we've seen on countless award show red carpets.
Huffman, who has been accused of paying $15,000 to have her daughter's SAT answers changed to get a better score, arrived at the U.S. Courthouse in Los Angeles with her hair pulled back into a frazzled, low ponytail with dark roots. That was a mistake, according to image consultant Amanda Sanders. "I think she first showed up and it was incredibly intentional to look pitiful, and to not look like a Hollywood star," Sanders tells Refinery29. "But it was also not smart."
And so, as Sanders expected, when Huffman entered the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts on Wednesday to defend herself against charges like conspiring to commit mail fraud, she did it with an entirely new look.
Felicity Huffman arriving at the courthouse on April 3.Photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images.
Glasses and athleisure aside, what most obviously changed between these two appearances is Huffman's hair, which appeared glossy, blow-dried straight, a touch shorter, and significantly blonder, with no roots to be found. All that sends a message, according to Sanders, who's worked with multiple clients who are going into court.
"They have attorneys that work with image consultants," Sanders says. "I definitely think that she wanted to get a bit more respect, and the way you do that is by dressing better. For the hair, it's the blonder, the lighter — the softer, the more angelic."
In her book On Blondes, Joanna Pitman explains how blondes have long been associated with ditziness and sensuality, but also innocence, which is the vibe that Huffman is likely going for here. In many Grimm fairytales, for example, you'll find heroines whose golden hair signals "youth, innocence, purity, and cleanliness," Pitman writes. And in literature, from Dickens to Lewis Carroll, blondness always hinted at both purity and innocence, according to The New York Times. That could also explain why Cardi B,Blac Chyna, and other stars have all decided to go full-on Marilyn before their most recent court appearance, too.
Whatever reason Huffman had for the change, what her mini makeover did accomplish is making her appear more polished, which matters in a courthouse. "She's an actress, so she can really understand dressing the part that she's now playing, which is a mom having to defend herself," says Sanders. "Overall, it makes it look like she's respecting the court — and the court of public opinion — and she's dressing for it."
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Together, British Vogue and L’Oreal are taking a stance against age discrimination. On Wednesday, editor-in-chief Edward Enninful shared a new cover on Instagram introducing the anti-ageism theme. "In celebration of ageless style and beauty, @JaneFonda stars on The Non-Issue cover — a vision shared by @BritishVogue and @LOrealSkin that age should no longer be an issue," he wrote.
As The Fashion Spot pointed out in its bi-annual diversity report, which tallied up all the fall 2019 model appearances across New York, London, Milan, and Paris, age diversity among women over 50 on the runway has declined from previous seasons. British Vogue called attention to that lack of inclusivity with a teaser for the issue on the magazine's website.
“In 2019, women over 50 remain conspicuous by their absence in the beauty and fashion industries, as well as the wider media landscape,” the post reads. “Age discrimination most definitely still exists, both consciously and unconsciously, leaving many women feeling excluded and invisible.”
Enninful, who has not been shy about his desire to make fashion more inclusive, says “promoting diversity in Vogue has never been solely about a person's ethnicity or gender. It's about diversity across the board.” He continued, “seeing the amazing array of women over 50 in this special edition proves that a person's age will always be a more intriguing, nuanced and inspiring factor than a simple number could ever suggest.”
His cover star, Grace & Frankie’s Jane Fonda, agrees: “It’s important to understand that older women are the fastest growing demographic in the whole world. It’s time to recognize our value.”
The special issue will be sold with British Vogue’s May issue, on newsstands April 9.
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"Her interests have always been hyper-glamour," explains Delgado, a Tennessee native who's helped Musgraves develop her signature voluminous look over the past four years. That "hyper-glamour" was on full display for her fourth studio album, Golden Hour. "Her vibe is definitely more of a '70s, disco moment," Delgado says.. It's almost like she's growing from the '60s aesthetic she was in with her album Pageant Material."
While Musgraves' look feels organic and natural, Delgado says that toeing the line of retro and cheesy is a delicate art. Ahead, he tells us who's inspired Musgraves' most memorable looks, the volumizing spray that helps her achieve ultimate "Yeehaw" status, and the one hair oil that gives her that signature, mirror-like gloss.
If you think Musgraves' look is merely a side effect of the country music scene, you're wrong. While that obviously plays a big role in her aesthetic, she always maintains a specific vision that isn't just about being a country star. "She is her own creative director," says Delgado. "She just knows her vision. She's always been that way."
As seamless as Delgado and Musgraves' collaboration seems, the two only started working together in 2015 after Musgraves released Pageant Material. "We essentially connected through a mutual friend, then I moved to New York from Nashville and we reconnected for the release of Golden Hour, " he says. Since then, the two have made history with her standout red-carpet and music video looks, including the time Delgado turned her into a literal saint for "Rainbow."
"I pulled paintings and images of the Virgin Mary for her look," Delgado recalls. "You see in the different vignettes that she's like the voice of reason. I was channeling some of that energy with the hair. It's a religious wave." Delgado used a flatiron to create the dreamy, ribboned texture, as opposed to a curling iron which would have formed stiffer, barrel curls.
"We're honestly DMing each other all day of just looks," Delgado says. "We pull from different [Instagram] accounts, but I use a ton of fashion books, too." Delgado often references photos from legendary night club Studio 54, as well as music icons like June Carter Cash, Priscilla Presley, Nancy Sinatra, Cher, and Dolly Parton. "We like a lot of the vibes of some country musicians — Dolly always comes up," he says.
The goal: To give Musgraves a look that's true to her country genre, but still feels modern. Some of it might ignite nostalgia, but it never feels tired. "Making something costume-y can kill a look," Delgado says. "We tip toe around it. We do hair that's big, but not so big that it's camp."
Her Hair Product Routine Is Chic — & Expensive
Delgado confirms that, yes, Musgraves' hair is as shiny and healthy as it looks on TV — and, to keep it that way, he's got her on a strict wash-and-styling regimen. Although Musgraves has been quoted saying she almost never washes her hair, Delgado confirmed that she does use Oribe's color-treated shampoo and conditioner in her regular routine. "The conditioner is a bit heavier, but it really protects her hair," he says.
When styling her hair, whether it's a sleek, straight look or something more tousled, Delgado always uses a heat protectant on her damp hair, which helps her thick hair dry faster. And even though she's got a lot of hair to begin with, she does enlist the help of extensions for certain larger-than-life looks (like the time she appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race).
Most of Musgraves' hairstyles start with a really nice blowout, a quick touch-up on the ends with a flat iron, and lots of Oribe's Gold Lust oil. "We call her hair 'Black Mirror' because it's so shiny," says Delgado. As far as volume goes, Delgado prefers a grittier, volumizing spray, like Oribe's Maximista spray. With a little bit of teasing, he says this stuff gets her hair as high as heaven. To secure it all in place, he always reaches for an extra-hold hairspray that sets her hair without weighing it down, like Oribe's Superfine Strong Hair Spray.
Sound like a lot to copy at home? Luckily, you don't have to tease your hair until it hurts to be a part of Musgraves' yee yee club.
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Nail art has come a long way since a toothpick-dotted flower made your middle school dance outfit feel extra special. Now most salons feature at least some sort of design option — a simple dot of glitter at the cuticle or a half dip — if not an entire menu of color-coordinated choices. Nail art is officially mainstream, but that doesn't mean it has to be predictable.
This season's coolest looks in particular are pretty, wearable, and most importantly, fresh. From a new spin on florals to unexpectedly chic cow prints and spots, we've rounded up the breakout nail art you're about to see everywhere. Scroll ahead and find the manicure you — and every other celebrity in Hollywood — will be wearing this spring.
If you fancy yourself a nail-art minimalist, then cuticle striping will be right up your alley. Like the name implies, the look starts with a naked nail that's accented with a skinny stripe of polish along the curve of the cuticle. Nail pro Betina Goldstein tells us she's been gravitating toward neon shades, like this electric blue by Nails Inc.
Spotted Nails
Like a trendier take on polka dots, Ariana Grande wore a speckled, hazelnut brown and white manicure and we were immediately reminded how chic and spring-y spots look sprinkled across our fingernails. Grande rocked a muted version, but you can also go with brighter with pastel droplets.
Cow Print
We've been thinking about this look ever since Kendall Jenner told the world she loves cow print. Long, almond tips painted a crisp white, with imperfect black spots sprinkled over the top, is the chic spring nail trend we never knew we needed.
'70s Florals
Florals for spring may not be groundbreaking, but all things that bloom feel adorably apropos this time of year. "You can paint a single blossom on each finger, or mix and match your bouquet with press-on stickers," says Sarah Gibson Tuttle, founder of L.A. cool-girl nail chain Olive & June. That's right: A '70s-inspired flower child moment is upon us yet again.
Pearl Accents
If you've dabbled in nail studding, like teeny tiny gems or rhinestones, then consider leveling up to delicate pearls for spring. "Pearls are so trendy right now," says nail pro Thea Green. For the most minimalist adaptation of nail jewelry, use a top coat to get a clear glossy base, then stick a single pearl right at your cuticle.
Vibrant Ombré
Faded ombré was a big winter nail trend that we're seeing trickle into the spring season, but instead of the dark or glittery shades, we're seeing a brighter ombré. Nail pro Skyy Hadley recommends starting with a base polish in a nude that's a few shades lighter than your skin tone, then blending a fun color — like this peach polish — as your tonal gradient.
Mix & Match
The single greatest part of the mix and match nail trend is that anyone with opposable thumbs and a few different bottles of nail polish can pull it off. Tenoverten nail pro Nadine Abramcyk tells us that the key to a cohesive multicolored manicure is to be choosey about your polishes. "I always recommend a range of shades in the same color family," she explains. Paint each nail a different color, and you get a shade transition that feels purposefully mismatched.
Negative Space
Negative space adds unexpected shape and dimension to a manicure, while keeping the overall look minimalist. "Negative space nails are going to be huge this season," Green tells us. "You can definitely expect to see more cool creativity with the design of the bare nail." We're partial to this diagonal stripe between two blocks of pastel, but the whole point of this look is to try something new, so have fun experimenting with cut-outs, dips, and floating negative designs, too.
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