Well, it looks like the #VSxBALMAIN movement was successful. Last October, the lingerie giant announced it would be partnering with Olivier Rousteing and company — its first high-fashion collaboration ever — on a 22-piece collection of bras, underwear, lingerie, T-shirts, and bags. Capitalizing on that momentum, on Thursday, Victoria's Secret announced that its follow-up designer collaboration would be with the "Queen of Prints," London-based designer Mary Katrantzou.
“Everything that Victoria’s Secret creates is about a woman feeling confident and empowered —and also having fun with what she is wearing,” Katrantzou said in a press release. “This collaboration is going to be bold, fun, and playful." Customers will get their first glance of the pieces during the Victoria Secret Fashion Show in November. Following the event, similar to the pieces Rousteing designed, Katrantzou's offering will be available at select stores and online.
Details are basically nonexistent (you'll have to watch the show for full effect) but Vogue is reporting that Katrantzou worked with Victoria's Secret angels, as well as the show's longtime creative director Sophia Neophitou and executive producer Monica Mitro, to get everything just right. For Katrantzou, that meant pieces that were uplifting and colorful, yet bold and strong. “It’s designed to empower women to have fun with their undergarments and feel free to explore pattern and color as a second skin,” she tells Vogue.
The beauty of this collection, she says, is in the duality of the items. “The pieces can be worn as undergarments or as actual clothing so all the fabrications have dual purpose,” she explains. “I wanted to stay true to our brand heritage so pattern and color are integral to the collection but we always kept the Victoria’s Secret girl central to the design process. There’s a nod to silhouettes that we’ve developed in past collections but there are also new silhouettes that we designed with VS in mind.”
Now that we have an idea of who (and who isn't) walking in the show, and what they'll be wearing, we just have one question: Who will be wearing the coveted million-dollar bra?
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As home accessories go, fake plants have among the worst reputations. Situated somewhere between waterbeds and plastic couch covers on the tackiness scale, we tend to envision them nestled in an unfortunate corner of someone’s great aunt’s house, gathering dust and looking unequivocally not alive. Most interior design experts (and non-experts, for that matter) would therefore advise you to steer clear of faux flora of any kind. That is, they would have until recently.
“I think people are more aware of the beauty plants bring into a home. Fake plants help people who do not have a green thumb enjoy the physical effect of greenery,” explains Deidre Remtema of Michigan-based interior design firm Deidre Interiors. “Fake plants got a bad rap in the past because they looked like plastic and not real at all, which is a huge turn off. The materials used to make fake plants have come a long way to tricking the eye!”
Indeed, as your own window sill may evidence, plants — both alive and otherwise — have experienced a surge in popularity, especially among millennials. An oft-cited 2016 survey from the National Gardening Association notes that of the six million Americans who took up gardening that year (apparently, occasionally remembering to water a succulent counts as gardening!) five million were between the ages of 18 and 34. Generational identity notwithstanding, houseplants can be finicky, time-consuming, and expensive. Thankfully, where there’s a trend, there’s somebody figuring out a way to get the look for less. Enter: the return of the artificial houseplant.
“I went to an Atlanta home and gift trade show last January and I saw them everywhere. They had a whole section catered to just fake plants, which is crazy. Every brand had some kind of [fake plant] product. It was such a thing,” says Taryn Tavella, associate editor of lifestyle and interior design trends at forecasting firm WGSN.
The proliferation of plant fakery might also have something to do with the popularity of plants that aren’t artificial, but can sometimes appear to be — stuff like succulents, cacti, and rubber plants. These sturdy plant varieties are popular because they’re easy to maintain and hard to kill. But if you’re going to have plants that kind of look fake anyway, well, why not go one step further?
Instead of cheap, plastic-y, and weirdly perfect (the dead giveaway of most non-living vegetation), today’s faux plants are crafted with the express purpose of looking realistic. They’re perfectly imperfect, if you will. The enterprising crew behind Slightly Browning Fake Plants, a viral Kickstarter turned legit artificial plant source, have taken this concept to its logical conclusion.
“There’s a category of people who appreciate [the plants] on a pretty sincere level,” Kurt Slawitschka, co-founder and chief “growth” officer, says of the project. “They’re people who have had plants and really struggled to take care of them and feel bad about it.”
Plastic plants are not exactly cheap either: This faux fiddle leaf fig from World Market will set you back $179, while a similar one from CB2 costs $299. At $45, the Slightly Browning Fake Plants are considerably cheaper, though also smaller. While $300 seems like an awful lot of money to spend on a fake plant — especially considering you can get the real deal for about $70 at The Tree Center — the fact that it will live forever no matter how much you neglect it is an understandable draw.
Just as fashion folk are determined to make dad sneakers and mom jeans relevant again, there’s a tendency to mine the past for things that might have been unfairly dismissed. It’s the same thing that happened to shag carpeting: Once considered a gauche relic of the ‘70s, it’s now a staple of college dorms, first apartments, and beyond. You probably even have one of those furry pillows on your couch.
Before you replace the contents of your much-toiled over plant corner with a bunch of fakes, though, Tavella cautions that there is one potential drawback. “I worry about it from a sustainability perspective,” she says of the trend. Many fake plants are made from plastic, which pollutes oceans and the environment. And unlike their living brethren, faux plants don’t help create better quality air for us to breathe. “It would be a good opportunity for a brand to come out with some that are sustainable and of that level of quality,” Tavella notes.
Indeed, judging by their presence not just at commercial design arbiters like CB2, IKEA, Target, and West Elm but also at plant stores like Terrain, it would appear fake house plants aren’t going anywhere. And that’s fine, especially if you’re mixing them with real plants, as Remtema often suggests to clients who want large arrangements (“one fake plant is easy to pass but a grouping of seven would not be convincing,” she says). Just please, remember to dust those oh-so-convincing leaves off every now and then.
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This past year, as # MeToo has gained cultural prominence, we have seen how necessary change can be so very slow, so very infuriating. When Harvey Weinstein and then several other men were finally held to account for decades of misdeeds, it felt like the beginning of something. For once, it seemed, women might be not only heard but believed. Justice felt like a real, tangible thing rather than a vague, illusory ideal.
This reckoning has been a long time coming. Victims of sexual violence, harassment and other forms of misconduct have been lying in wait. We have held onto our hope, clinging to it really, yearning to believe it might be possible for this world to change how women are seen or not seen, and how women are treated.
I am often asked about hope. I am asked if I am still hopeful despite what I know of the world. I am asked if hope is possible in these troubled times. I am asked how to hold onto hope. I always respond, as best I can, but those responses feel hollow because I am not the kind of person who thinks in terms of hope. Certainly, I want to hope because I need to believe there is something better beyond the present. But I am more realist than optimist. Hope is too ephemeral, too inconsistent, too fleeting.
This is a brutal time. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh faces accusations of sexual assault and misconduct and every day there is new information about men who have abused their position or acted inappropriately or committed crimes against women. Every day women cut themselves open to share their experiences with sexual violence and often times, women reopen their wounds over and over again, hoping it will matter, hoping the truth of their suffering will be enough to change something.
But womanhood should not be primarily defined by suffering. As of late, people have offered up all kinds of moving words about the strength of women in a world dominated by the whims of men. And the truth is, I often hate those words. I hate that they are needed. I hate that this culture must be constantly reminded of the magnitude of what women withstand. I hate that even knowing the magnitude of what women withstand, this culture seems to think that we can take even more. Or, worse, they simply do not care.
Women should not have to think of ourselves in terms of resilience, or our ability to endure. We should be able to thrive, unfettered by the chronic malignancy that is misogyny. I am also often asked to define feminism and I enjoy saying I am no longer answering that question. It is 2018, and either you know what feminism is or you don’t. Either you know women deserve to be treated with equality and equity, to be seen as human, or you don’t. If I absolutely had to offer up a definition, though, I would say feminism is working to ensure that women are free to focus our energies on more than mere survival. I look back at this past year and I wonder when that might happen and what more it could possibly take.
We talk about resistance when what we need is a revolution.
As a writer who engages with race, gender, sexuality, and culture, it often feels like I am writing the same thing in slightly different ways, over and over, not because I lack imagination or a breadth of intellectual interests, but because so little truly changes for women (or people of color or the LGBTQ community). What we call progress is marginal change, at best, and that marginal change only comes because women fight tirelessly, to bring about that change. And however incremental change is for women in the United States, the pace of change is far more glacial for women in many other parts of the world.
We march. We share our personal stories. We cannibalize ourselves. We vote, though let us never forget that only 47% of white women voted in their own best interests in the 2016 presidential election. We run for office. We take stands great and small in our personal lives. We try to advocate for ourselves and each other. We fight. We hope. And still, the socio-political structures that shape our lives remain immovable. We talk about resistance when what we need is a revolution.
I feel like I am supposed to offer an uplifting message about how far we’ve come, but we haven’t come far at all.
It has been a year of #MeToo. I feel like I am supposed to offer an uplifting message about how far we’ve come, but we haven’t come far at all. Yes, we have had a vigorous and necessary national conversation about sexual violence and harassment over the last year. Yes, we are starting to see men face consequences for the harm they have done. Bill Cosby is sitting in a prison cell and will probably do so for the rest of his life. Harvey Weinstein will eventually face trial and, hopefully, incarceration. More powerful men will lose their jobs and face the opprobrium of the court of public opinion when the truth of who they are is revealed. But how will we create lasting change? How will we ensure that the justice system better addresses sexual violence? How will we encourage the justice system to include restorative justice in sentencing guidelines?
What will change for women? What, especially, will change for the most vulnerable women among us — the undocumented, women of color, working class women, single mothers? What will change for women who cannot afford to come forward when they are harassed or assaulted? As I consider this past year, what strikes me is how #MeToo has mostly benefited culturally prominent, mostly white women. Those women deserve justice as much as anyone else, but they are the few among a great many women who deserve justice and acknowledgment. What will change for men who feel entitled to women in whatever ways they see fit? A few men have fallen from grace. A few men are worried they will be next because they know how they have crossed lines. A majority of men do not realize that they too are part of the problem either because they have committed sexual transgressions or they have looked the other way or they have not believed women.
It has been a year of #MeToo, but it has also been more than a decade because before the hashtag, activist Tarana Burke began the MeToo movement after meeting a young girl who had been abused. During that encounter, Burke wanted to tell the young woman “me too,” but she couldn’t. Eventually, she created a non-profit, Just Be, dedicated to helping victims of sexual harassment and assault. She created a space where people could say, “Me too,” so victims of sexual violence would always know they weren’t alone. Today, we know we aren’t alone. We know sexual harassment and violence are practically epidemic. We know change is needed. As we move forward, we need to figure out how to hold this space #MeToo has made for empathy and solidarity while working to create a culture where someday, this space will no longer be needed. That, if anything, is what I hope for.
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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.
Ahead of World Teachers' Day on October 5, Refinery29 is publishing a special theme week ofMoney Diaries featuring teachers from across America. Today, we have a fifth grade teacher who makes $32,926 per year and spent some of her back-to-school money on notebooks. We asked the OP some questions regarding her back-to-school spending, and here's what she had to say:
"I spent approximately $600 on back to school. This includes things like notebooks, pencils, markers, cleaning supplies, snacks, and scissors. But also bigger stuff like new book bins for students to hold their books, a new set of floor cushions and some other storage things. I also buy a lot of books at the beginning of the school year. In a lot of schools here, there aren't books besides old textbooks until the teachers provide them.
"My favorite part about teaching is being able to celebrate victories with students. I have so many amazing students who struggle emotionally and academically. When they have a moment where they finally decide to take a break instead of blowing up, or when they pass an assessment after months of trying, we make a huge deal out of it! I ring bells, I sing songs, I clap and dance and sing and generally embarrass myself for them. I hope that every one of those victories is one that will stick with them forever."
(Ed. note: This diary was submitted a few months ago, during the OP's summer break.)
Monthly Expenses Rent: $240 a month for a very small shotgun triplex I rent and share with my boyfriend. (He pays $240 a month as well.) Student Loan Payment: $141 (I owe $10,000 total. Teacher loan forgiveness kicks in after two years.) Donations: $20 to ACLU and $20 to other charitable causes Phone Bill: $45 paid to my family for our family plan Computer Backup & iCloud: $6.08 Savings: $500 of every paycheck, which I then divide into categories: long-term savings, emergency funds, car, house, and vacation savings.
Day One
9 a.m — I wake up to my alarm but try not to wake my sleeping boyfriend up. I'm a teacher in my first month of summer break, and it feels so amazing to not wake up at 5:30 a.m. and take the bus to work! I start every day by using a routine from the Best Self Journal: writing down my three morning gratitudes, my long-term goal, and the three biggest steps I'll take to reach that goal today, and then I plan out my schedule for the day. I have a breakfast of whole wheat bread with avocado, an egg, and spices.
10 a.m. — I'm feeling lazy because yesterday I spent eight hours in front of the computer lesson planning and working out. I lay in bed and make the PowerPoints for next week's first month of school. Every morning when my fifth graders come in, the morning routine and timers are on the PowerPoint so no one needs to ask me what to do or what's happening next and our whole community can get started right away!
12 p.m. — I finally get up and get dressed. My boyfriend and I meet our friend at my favorite pizza place for lunch and drinks. We get a pizza and dessert, plus I order two cocktails. We split the bill three ways. It feels great to finally socialize, since I don't get much time to during the school year (but of course I still talk about teaching for 20% of the meal). $16.46
3 p.m. — I plan an immersion lesson on the book The Lifters for when we read it as a class. It takes place in underground tunnels propped with random junk, and I'm going to turn my classroom into a series of tunnels! I make a list of supplies I'll need, including free building materials I can scrounge up. I'll probably spend around $55 total, but the expense is worth it if it helps kids love school. I put aside a chunk of every paycheck to fund work.
5 p.m. — My mom helped organized a rally against the horrific practice of separating children from their parents at the border. Most of these families are seeking asylum from abuse, violence, or threats. It doesn't matter if they are in my classroom or not: children will always be my priority. My sister comes over, and my boyfriend and I drive her to the protest. I live in Arizona, so the temperature is 109 degrees. I cry buckets of tears pretty much the entire time.
7 p.m. — I finally take a shower and get some downtime in. I force myself to watch Gilmore Girls instead of doing more work. I would usually say that one meal out in a day is enough…but I was just in 109 degree heat! I order a salad from a local place. $13.05
9 p.m. — I read for an hour or two. I am challenging myself to read one book a day (on average) for the entire month. So far, I've read 15 books in 16 days so…so far so good! I go to bed at about 11 feeling very wiped out!
Daily Total: $29.51
Day Two
9 a.m. — I wake up and have a quick breakfast: wheat toast with peanut butter, cinnamon, and banana. As I do every morning, I write down three gratitudes, my top three targets for the day, and then plan out my schedule. It's summer, so my schedule looks a lot like “read, clean, lesson plan, read, workout, lesson plan, eat…” A lot of people think teachers don't have to work over the summer, but I end up working on plans for about five hours each day (including weekends), and over the summer I don't get paid. I spend the morning going through my basic daily routine. I read, work, workout, and take some downtime.
1 p.m. — Lunch is beans and rice with tons of sautéed veggies. I'm trying to eat less cheese but WOW, is it hard. After lunch I clean the house for a minute so my poor boyfriend doesn't stress. My friend comes over and we chat as I work on constructing and decorating my lesson plan book and planner for next year. I am really craving sweets, but I'm not exactly swimming in money, so I force myself not to order delivery.
3 p.m. — Today's planning is focused on how I'll support the needs of my students next year. Many have encountered significant trauma or poverty, and I try to have plenty of plans and supports in place. I plan what'll go in my snack drawer for next year (where any student can go and grab food any time if they're hungry). Last year I had granola bars and fruit when I could afford it. This year I add PB&J supplies, because sometimes kids go home and there's no dinner for them. I estimate this'll cost $30 to $50 a month depending on the economic makeup of the class. I'll get some extra snacks from the nurse's office. Next, I plan my “safe spot,” which is where a student can go if they're feeling particularly anxious or angry. This is usually an involuntary emotional reaction from a student who is dealing with a lot. We all need time to calm down and re-center before joining class again! I add four calm-down books, an oil diffuser, and a timer to my Amazon cart. Luckily, these supplies will last for years. $65.20
5 p.m. — My sister has a dance performance. I go early because my mom is there collecting petition signatures to get an initiative on the ballot. This initiative will increase school funding significantly. My state (AZ) had a statewide teacher walkout a few months ago, and this is an extension of that. When our walkout ended, my district gave a 4% pay increase (we asked for 20%) and also increased the pay of non-classroom teachers and staff. (The state didn't set aside any money for them.) Our district also put some money towards school funding. Unfortunately, the state didn't allocate the money our schools actually need, and didn't define a sustainable revenue source. So the petition is the next step. I sure would LOVE to live in a world where there is money to fix our crumbling school buildings and get paid a decent post-college professional wage! I pay for two tickets, and they give me a teacher discount. $26
7 p.m. — My sister's friend is with us to watch the dancing, but we're hungry and the doors don't open until 7:20. We head to a local café and restaurant to get some snacks. I buy her food because she's only 14 and has no income, and I also buy my mom some dinner since she's off getting petitions signed. $15.08
7 p.m. — My sister's dance performance is astounding. Afterward, we go out for celebratory dinner and dessert with her friend. I have a slice of chocolate cake, the girls get actual dinner, and my mom gets lemon meringue pie. My mom and I split the check. $26.31
11 p.m. — We get home late, and I'm exhausted. I go right to bed and forget to do my nightly gratitudes and reflection.
Daily Total: $132.59
Day Three
9 a.m. — I wake up and do a little bit of tidying up before getting ready. We are meeting our friend and her kid for breakfast and then to give them a ride to the airport. We go to this tiki-themed diner, which is fun and has pretty good diner food. I get a cinnamon roll, eggs, and toast. $14.45
12 p.m. — My boyfriend and I split the cost of gas for our one car, so he takes my card and heads to the gas station. I use a budgeting app/site called You Need A Budget and out of every paycheck I set aside money in different funds. Among those is the “gas” fund. At home, I work out, do some yoga, and finish my book. $40.15
3 p.m. — It's time for more lesson planning. I work on my first two days of school routine some more. Those first few days are vital because it sets up for your kids every single expectation and procedure. If you don't make all that clear from the get go — and then practice and review it! — the whole year is a little less controlled. I like to make sure the first few days are very fun, but sprinkled with plenty of time for me to set boundaries and show that I can get very serious when I have to.
5 p.m. — I head over for another night of getting petition signatures at my sister's dance performance (#InvestinEd). We don't get as many today, but my amazing mom has been getting signatures since 6 a.m., so she's still got plenty of completed petitions by the end of the night! I suck it up and buy another ticket to my sister's performance (it's a really wonderful performance), since I love my sister AND the dance company has been allowing us to be out here all night getting petition signatures! Afterward, we go out for dessert again, but I don't buy anything because I've been spending kind of a lot this week and nothing really jumps out at me. $13
9 p.m. — I'm sore from my workout, so I stretch for a while. I make a dinner salad with teriyaki-vinegar dressing, marinated (vegetarian) chicken, and grilled pineapple. My boyfriend is off watching a horror movie (not my thing), so I read my other book for a while and fall asleep around midnight – but not before doing my nightly gratitudes and reflection.
Daily Total: $67.60
Day Four
10 a.m. — I oversleep, but figure it must be because I need it. I wake up and make a quick breakfast of wheat toast with peanut butter, cinnamon, and banana slices. I do my morning gratitudes and reflections.
11 a.m. — I'm writing each of my students a letter to be sent out at the end of the summer. They are moving on to middle school next year, so each letter is half “I will miss you!” and half “you're going to do great!” I just write a couple, because school doesn't start for another month and a half. I make a mental note that my free trial of HP Instant Ink ends soon, and I'll have to start paying for ink again. Ughh...
12 p.m. — I work out (which is basically just stretching because I'm so sore!). Then I read for a while. I spend most of my day reading over the new reading curriculum for next year. This will take basically all summer to do, so I figure I should start now. I eat a quick salad lunch while I work.
5 p.m. — My boyfriend and I go grocery shopping for all the basics. I plan out all our meals for the week, and then know exactly what to buy at the grocery store. There are a lot of times where money is pretty tight between the two of us, so this helps keep expenses low. I have most of the foods we need already, so it's most just produce: bananas, apples, mixed greens, cucumbers, zucchini, onion, garlic, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, pita bread, bread, and some cheese. Usually, I need to do a big grocery store trip by now, but somehow we still have enough left in the house that this is just a supplemental trip. $83.28
6 p.m. — I make a dinner of tostadas with beans and squash and a Mexican-inspired salad, then settle in for more work. Tonight, I'm planning our “brain breaks” for next year, where are the 15 minutes we spend each morning between math and writing. Every class goes outside and spends some time doing structured games or P.E. activities. Each teacher takes an activity, and the classes rotate through: basketball, relay races, kickball, workouts, and walking (they earn prizes for meeting mile goals). Last year, I was in charge of the schedule, but when things got hectic I would sometimes forget to distribute the new ones. So next year I'm trying to simplify so the rotations are the same every week! I also restructure the walking program so that when I lead it next year, it's easier for students to track their laps.
8 p.m. — I spend some more time reading (this time a book for teachers about how to support students emotionally), then do my nightly writing and reflections. I fall asleep at around 11.
Daily Total: $83.28
Day Five
9 a.m. — Usual wake up time. I eat breakfast (granola and almond milk, plus some blueberries) and do my morning gratitudes. I start work right away this morning, because that new curriculum I started to look at the other day is really weighty – comprehensive, but weighty. I check out this supplemental writing unit they have where students interact with a “mystery box” I project on my board in the classroom. As we work through the lessons, we help the box become a robot and “teach” the robot how to feel. It's pretty fun!
11 a.m. — A break for a snack of apples and cinnamon. More reading of curriculum.
1 p.m. — I break for lunch: a Mediterranean salad – minus any olives! I work out to my favorite YouTube workout channel (PopSugar Fitness), and then spend some time reading.
3 p.m. — I make a list of the things I want the most for next school year: composition notebooks for each subject (the school provides one per kid, but each student actually needs five or six throughout the year), some new books fifth graders will be really interested in, storage bins, pencil containers, snacks, and a handheld microphone (no, not essential, but very useful for a lot of the things that make my class fun and not a chore). The total ends up being about $300, so I don't purchase anything. I'll have to wait until my next paycheck. Hopefully, that should be the bulk of all the supplies I need for at least the first semester. I started getting my supplies ready for next year back in April, so I'm feeling pretty prepared.
6:30 p.m. — My boyfriend and I head over to a local restaurant where there is an event related to all this petition stuff we've been working on. My mom is there, and a friend of ours is coming, too. At this event there are notaries approving petitions (a process that has to be done before you can officially turn them in to be submitted and counted). I've really spent far too much money this week, but will power is hard, and I buy myself a slice of pizza and get my boyfriend a beer. Later, my mom and I persuade each other to get some ice cream; I'm a sucker for sweets, so I get pistachio ice cream in a waffle cone. The event collected almost 5,000 signatures for our initiative! Only 245,000 signatures left! $20.87
8:30 p.m. — We head out for a couple of drinks with our friend who got her petition notarized with us. We stop at two bars. At the first, I get two tequila sodas, and at the second, I get a third tequila soda. My boyfriend's already gone home, so my friend and I walk back to my house. That's one thing about summer in the desert: the nights are extraordinarily beautiful! I fall asleep with no hesitation at about 11:30. It's late! $20
Daily Total: $40.87
Day Six
9 a.m. — I wake up and do my morning writing. My breakfast is whole wheat toast with a half an avocado, an egg, and some spices. I get to work.
10 a.m. — It's my turn to get gas again, so I give my boyfriend $20 and he goes to the gas station. I actually don't drive, so sometimes he gives me rides (especially in this heat). Since I have a salary, I've pre-planned how much from each paycheck goes to the gas fund. Then, whenever we need gas, I just pull that much out and give it to him, or just give him my card to use at the station! It's an imperfect system, but it works. $20
11 a.m. — I work on reading through the math curriculum for next year. The state education standards change every few days, so I check through and see what's different. Luckily, things are relatively the same. I still take the time to re-familiarize with the first unit, and brainstorm some ways to make the lessons more engaging and hands on.
1:30 p.m. — I make some lunch: a BBQ “chicken” sandwich with veggies and a side salad. I made up the recipe as I went, but it's pretty good! I'm feeling like I haven't left the house in forever, but it's more than 100 degrees out and I haven't finished my work for the day. I vow to get out later and do something.
3 p.m. — This afternoon is very productive for me! I finish making my plan book for next year, and finish reading through the reading and writing curriculum for the whole first quarter. I briefly worry about how wildly boring this Money Diary will end up sounding with all this work I do, but screw it…that's a teacher's life!
5 p.m. — I call, text, and Facebook Message friends and acquaintances to see if they signed our education petition yet. Most people say they haven't. I think there's so much going on in the world that people feel overwhelmed and shut down instead. I felt that way until the Arizona teacher strike. I threw myself into the walkout: getting up at 4 a.m. for the two-hour drive to Phoenix to picket outside the Capitol and go inside to speak with legislators. I spoke in committee, and it was terrifying! My family and coworkers lobbied their representatives. When legislators were up for 48 hours straight debating, I took a two-hour nap and stayed up with them! But all five of our demands were NOT met. This petition is the next step.
7 p.m. — Tonight for dinner I make a simple vegetarian tikka masala with tofu and cauliflower. Despite what this sounds like, I'm actually not much of a cook. Recently I started working harder to plan meals in advance to lower food waste, stress, and portion size. It works for the most part…unless a friend calls me up for a pizza date! I'm a real sucker for pizza.
9 p.m. — I still haven't really left my house: one of the perils of the Teacher Summer. I go for a walk while listening to my favorite podcast, Ear Hustle, which is a podcast out of San Quentin State Prison. I vow that NEXT WEEK I will actually go out and do things! It's just sooo hot. I do my nightly writing and then settle in to watch some One Day at a Time. I go to sleep around midnight.
Daily Total: $20
Day Seven
9 a.m. — My morning routine remains the same: wake up, spend some time laying around, then get to morning writing and breakfast (granola with almond milk and strawberries). I waste some hours on the internet…I guess that just happens sometimes.
11 a.m. — I eat a snack of carrots and hummus, then get to work making labels. Almost everything in an elementary classroom can benefit from some labels. I recently won both a color printer and a home-laminator from a promotional teacher giveaway. I'm really lucky, because usually those are expenses that teachers shoulder all on their own. A color printer and laminator might not seem necessary, but you'd be surprised! I start labeling all my book bins so that students will be able to put books away and pick them out on their own. Then, I make labels for each students' supply box and cubby. Finally, I work on labels for all the math games and supplies we use throughout the day. I munch on a salad while I work.
4 p.m. — My friend (a baker and cake decorator) comes over to teach me how to decorate cookies with royal icing. I met my yearly goal of reading 40 books, so it's time to celebrate! We decorate all the sugar cookies to look like little books which is extremely fun, but difficult for a perfectionist like myself. Luckily, we have almost all the supplies on hand, so I don't have to buy much. I'm almost out of money in the “fun money” part of my budget, which is where the funding for things like cookies comes from. I buy a bag of powdered sugar and some cute decorations. $7.21
6 p.m. — I plan for next week, finalize my meal plan, work on my budget, and look over my calendar. I make a grocery list. I usually spend $150 every two weeks, with one or two little grocery trips in between for perishables or things we run out of. I log onto my online budget and review my purchases. There has been conversation right now about how little teachers make – and that's TRUE! I'm lucky because I don't have kids and my lifestyle is cheap. But most teachers literally rely on their spouse's income or a second job to make ends meet. I've still spent a lot more than I meant to this week, but it's been good to be with friends so much after working my butt off all year. Maybe next time I should invite people back to my house…would it be cheaper?
7 p.m. — I work out and then whip up some dinner: roasted veggies with feta and herbs. My boyfriend will probably have a serving or two as well, but he'll probably cook up some sausage, too.
8 p.m. — I've decided to treat myself to a cute new work dress for next year. It's hard to find decent teacher clothes that are cute, professional, and comfortable all at the same time. I purchase it on Amazon. Hope it fits! $16.89
9 p.m. — I read for a long while, then do my nightly writing routine. This week I have forgotten to reflect once at night, but have successfully written every morning. I have also read six books and finished five or six things on my Summer Teacher To-Do List! I go to sleep around 11.
Daily Total: $24.10
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First daughter and special adviser to the president Ivanka Trump is back making convenience moves advising her father behind-the-scenes, this time on what to do about the sexual misconduct allegations against his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
It was just a few weeks ago that Ivanka told her father to "cut bait" and let the embattled nominee loose. But ever the flip-flopper, and with the midterm elections breathing down Republicans' necks, the first daughter is now #TeamKavanaugh.
Vanity Fair reports that in private Ivanka has followed the lead of Kellyanne Conway and other women in the Trump administration, arguing that while there should be space for Ford to tell her story, at the end of the day Kavanaugh comes across as a "good man."
She also told her dad that his support for an FBI background investigation and his "measured response" to the sexual misconduct allegations — at least until he cruelly made fun of Dr. Ford at a Mississippi rally earlier this week — had earned him praise from the public.
Her swerve from telling her dad to drop Kavanaugh to pushing the narrative that the judge is a "good man" is a quintessentially Ivanka™ move. The special adviser to the president says she mostly does her work and ignores "the noise," even when people are directly asking her to live up to her self-proclaimed role as a women's champion within the White House.
That means that she stays mostly silent in public, but for some reason information always trickles out from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue painting Ivanka as trying to temper her father's extremism. In this case, however, the news about her "Kavanaugh is good man" reasoning seems aimed at appeasing the conservative women who support him.
Whenever we have the opportunity to kill a few trends with one stone, we take it. And, it turns out most fall dresses are like little fashion burritos, with all of the styles we're loving right now bundled into one easy-to-wear item. Ditsy florals? Ruffles, animal prints, and asymmetric hemlines? Check, check, check.
So when you're ready to shop for this season, take note of how many trends you can tackle with just one piece: the long-sleeve dress. After all, if you're going to wear dresses all season long, you want them function as an entire outfit all on their own. Because really, why should any dress only check one box? From here on out, all of our purchases have to be filling at least three.
It may seem like a tall order, but the 16 dresses ahead will have us covered all autumn long — just throw a cowboy boot here or a chunky sneaker there and we can basically get dressed in the dark from October through December.
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If you're like us, the past few months have gone a little something like this: Halloween costume ideas start popping up in your Pinterest feed in July, but you brush them off as premature, then August and September fly by without a single spooky thought. All of a sudden, the first week of October rolls around, Halloween party invites slide into your DMs, and now you're in a frenzy trying to come up with a creative costume.
Deep breathes. Even though you’ve put off costume planning for the last minute, you can tap buzzy celebrities (like Kylie Jenner) for a fun look, minus the hassle. Though most of the makeup mogul's outfits cost more than our rent, there are a ton of easy ways to mimic her most viral looks for Halloween — and they all start with a wig.
Since Jenner changes her hair like she does her clothes, there are enough distinctive looks to choose from for Halloween parties. The best part? Thanks to all the affordable wigs on Amazon, you don't have to hire an A-list glam squad or spend Kardashian-level cash to replicate her style. Read on to start planning, then follow the advice in this story to make your cheap wig look legit.
Finding a hot pink wig is the easiest part of recreating this look. The real question is...where the hell are we gonna get a camel colored patent co-ord?
Ecvtop 28 Inch Wavy Cosplay Wig, $12.79, available at Amazon.com
Once your neon-yellow wig is secured, the most important part of this costume is copying Jenner's smize. Oh, and don't forget your Apricot Kylie Lip Kit.
Halloween Party Online Kylie Jenner Ombre Wig, $20, available at Amazon.com
Even though Kylie's latest hair color only takes $16 to copy, you can still take it for a spin — without the commitment. Get a baby pink wig, tie it up into a loose bun, and voila!
Beron Lovely Pink Synthetic Wig, $20.99, available at Amazon.com
This 24-inch wig is heat friendly, so you can create a stick-straight pony à la King Kylie.
Kalyss Women's Long Wavy Wig, $19.99, available at Amazon.com
Wearing this blonde piece for a few hours will make you feel so glamorous, you'll consider switching your hairstyle IRL.
Aimole Straight Bob Wig, $19.80, available at Amazon.com
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With Fashion Month one-and-done (hundreds of shows and four cities later, phew!) and the ushering in of a new season comes a fresh slew of brands to know and swiftly add to your wardrobe. And who better to ask about the emerging designers to watch (there are SO many) than a fashion insider whose job it is to scout new talent?
Ida Petersson, womenswear buying director at Browns Fashion, is giving us the down-low on the six brands she's most excited about this season. From eye-catching raincoats (yep, they're as practical as they are cool) to Picnic At Hanging Rock -esque feminine florals (duh!), we're giving our closets a little bit of a designer refresh. Because as much as we love the classics, it's those under-the-radar gems that truly get us excited about fashion.
Click through to familiarize yourself with six labels we'll be watching — and wearing — all season long.
Seoul-based brand Low Classic, led by Lee Myeong Sin, Hwang Hyun Ji, and Park Jin Sun, remixes clean, classic pieces with a contemporary twist. Think trench coats with statement buttons and excess fabric on the seam, and workwear-appropriate trousers with wrap waists and side ties. Founded in 2009, the brand is huge in the Asian market, but only just reaching American and European stores.
"It's effortless dressing at its best," Petersson says. "The tailoring is out of this world and the pricing is extremely well considered."
The relaunch of Poiret for fall 2018 may have been exciting news, but the brand's history is just as interesting. Its founder, French designer Paul Poiret, freed women from the restrictive corset at the turn of the 20th century and became unofficially known as 'the father of haute couture.'
Now, Anne Chapelle and Yiqing Ying have revived the storied Parisian house with a focus on pleats, draping, and artful tailoring. "A revived couture house with real heritage and a modern twist," Petersson says of the brand, "this is a classic in the making. The cuts and fabrics are impeccable." Plus, Rihanna and Naomi Campbell are already fans. Count us in.
Matériel, a Georgian-based collective, was established in 2012 on the foundation of one of the biggest textile producers in the former USSR, Fashion House Material, which dates back to 1949. Rather than looking back, though, this group of designers, which includes Lado Bokuchava and Aleksandre Akhalkatsishvili, are the country's freshest homespun talent.
"This design collective comes from the hottest emerging fashion country of the moment, Georgia," Petersson says. "Matériel delivers on all levels with wearable clothing at a great price point." Prices start around $350, so Matériel sits nicely among the new wave of mid-range brands like Rixo and Ganni.
Romantic dresses aren't going anywhere; they dominated summer, and they'll continue to rule our fall wardrobes. byTiMo, the Norwegian brand founded by Tine Mollat in 2004, does this aesthetic very well.
"byTiMo has managed to balance the right amount of '70s nostalgia that makes this dress collection perfect for this and next season's trends," Petersson says. "We have eight styles to choose from, but the high-neck lace dress looks straight out of Picnic at Hanging Rock."
Kassl, one-part style, one-part utilitarian, is making practical rain gear we actually want to wear. "Functional outerwear is having a moment, and this oil coat brand is both fashion and function at its best," Petersson says.
Kassl's raincoats range from statement-making bright colors to sleek minimalist pieces. Our favorite is the black with neon stitching.
If your summer mood board included shots of Kendall, Gigi, et al wearing thin sunglasses, it's most likely thanks to George Keburia 's influence. "George is one of the geniuses behind the micro shades worn by everyone in the last year but beyond this, his ready-to-wear collection balances the masculine and the feminine with razor-sharp precision," Petersson says.
Georgia is throwing up some incredible talent at the moment, and Keburia's pastel-hued, art-inspired pieces are among the country's top emerging designs. Our favorites are the Pepto-Bismol pink bikes shorts and blazer suit.
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If there were a club of cool, laid-back famous people, Dakota Johnson would probably be the president — or at least the treasurer. Just like the other members of the imaginary club – Jennifer Lawrence, Tiffany Haddish, Chrissy Teigen, Tracee Ellis Ross — Johnson tends to lead a low-key life, with the kind of likable gusto that propels her to take tequila shots on talk shows or give out her phone number on a stage in Central Park to support sexual assault survivors.
And there's another, more superficial reason we like to keep tabs on Johnson: her hair. When she attends the Met Gala, the Academy Awards, or even walks down the streets of New York, Johnson's hair is impossible to ignore — just ask her go-to hair guy and Dove's international celebrity hairstylist, Mark Townsend. Often referring to Johnson as his beauty muse, Townsend is to credit for her great head of hair (well, minus her really, really, great genes) — and, most importantly, her signature bangs.
In honor of the Suspiria star's birthday, we asked Townsend to walk us through his favorite looks Johnson has ever worn, from her curtain fringe to her edgy bob. Even better, he gave us exclusive tips on how to copy each one. Ahead, Johnson's best hair looks, ever.
If you've ever looked at Townsend's Instagram before, then you know he loves thick, long, romantic braids — and this one he created for Johnson for the 2017 premiere of Fifty Shades Darker is one of his favorites.
Although secret extensions can be credited for the thick texture, it's the mix of knots, big braids, and small braids that made this chaotic style so perfect. "I just wanted a ton of texture going around the main braid and down her back," he tells us. "She literally told me to just play that day. I loved it."
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.
Like her character Anastasia Steele, Johnson's hair is very straight naturally. That's why Townsend swears by an absurd amount of dry shampoo to achieve Johnson's lived-in, relaxed waves. "Without it, her sausage curls would look like two large rolls," he explains. "The texturizing products I add to her hair are crucial. Dry shampoo ensures that pieces are separated so everything looks fuller and thicker."
Photo: Robert Kamau/GC Images.
Rumor has it that Johnson wants to try a bob again. Although Townsend is hoping she keeps her back-grazing length for now, this wavy cut from the People's Choice Awards in 2016 still tops his list. He used a double-barrel iron to mimic natural waves, dry shampoo (lots and lots of it), and a tiny bit of finishing cream only on the ends — making sure to leave the flyaways around her crown free for a loose, romantic effect.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
Townsend's favorite half-up look on Johnson was the night she attended the 31st Annual American Society of Cinematographers Awards in 2017. Why? It was one of the rare occasions he pulled her front layers back, allowing us to see her full face. Instead of securing her hair into a ballerina bun, Townsend decided to twist it into a thick knot right at the crown of her head.
Photo: Phillip Faraone/WireImage.
According to the Townsend, he loved the previous look so much that he wanted to recreate a version of it for the 89th Annual Academy Awards a few months later. Turns out, Johnson wasn't ready for it. "She was in a phase where she wanted really clean hair," Townsend recalls. "There was nothing in her hair except dry shampoo that night and about 100 bobby pins to make sure the whole half-up look didn't come cascading down halfway through the night."
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
If you're really looking to find the epitome of Johnson and Townsend's relationship, look no further than her twisted updo from the 2015 Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood Awards. If you don't recognize this one, that's because most red-carpet photographers didn't catch it. That's exactly why Townsend uses his "Mark's Eye View " photos on Instagram, which showcase the intimate details of his client's hairstyles. "I do that because of Dakota," he tells us. "She told me that the hair was a work of art and that I should take a photo of it because on the red carpet you don't get to see it."
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
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Makeup lovers know that a Halloween costume without a full face of makeup is simply just a thematic outfit. The transformation truly begins when the makeup brushes come out, which is why Halloween is one of the best holidays for the beauty-obsessed. When else do you have a seasonal excuse to break out glitter, neon shadows, and fake blood?
If you already have an idea of what you’ll be dressed up as on the 31st, then it’s time to start planning your makeup. Luckily, YouTube is a veritable buffet of easy-to-follow tutorials that you can master whether you’re going to parties as a deer or a demon. Despite the complexity of your outfit, the makeup tutorials ahead will be sure to accelerate your look. Pull out those brushes and palettes to start practicing.
Just add some thick, black lines and shadowing to your typical makeup, and you'll look like you leapt out of a comic book.
This American Horror Story: Apocalypse demon makeup is giving us goosebumps.
Follow this Princess Ariel tutorial to fulfill your childhood dreams of living under the sea.
This Cinderella goes from glamorous to gory when the clock strikes midnight.
This Meghan Markle makeup tutorial will make you feel like royalty (Prince is sold separately).
So you want to be the Queen Bee of your Halloween party? Pull out your red lipstick and go as Cheryl Blossom.
In case you were looking for an excuse to douse your entire body in Fenty Beauty's Trophy Wife...
This smashed-up doll is not one to play with.
Take a page out of a '90s coloring book and paint yourself as a Lisa Frank leopard this year.
You don't have to be a special FX pro to master this pulled skin, just follow this easy eyeliner hack.
Use this opportunity to give that Khaleesi Halloween costume a go while you patiently wait for the new season of Game of Thrones.
Did you know you can turn yourself into an adorable deer with just white and black eyeliner and a touch of contour? Yep, it's that easy — just ask YouTuber Claudia Sulewski.
Halloween is the perfect opportunity to finally achieve your childhood dream of joining the Sailor Moon clan. Check out this tutorial to see how.
Grab a colorful wig from your local halloween shop and transform yourself into one of Lil' Kim's looks from her 1996 music video "Crush On You."
Two looks that'll set you back less than a movie ticket? Sign us up. YouTuber Jen Im created a shattered doll and panda costume using white and black liner and face paint.
Want a Halloween costume that will really have people scratching their heads? This floating head look is just the ticket.
There are two things you can do with some well-done Kiss makeup. You can either grab a gang of friends and go as the full band, or you can toss on a striped shirt and a beret and be a French Kiss.
Patrick Starr has the cutest Barbie makeup tutorial for all the guys and gals who want to dress up like your favorite childhood toy.
All these years later and we're still suckers for a Disney Princess costume. This Aurora makeup is pretty for Halloween and the rest of the year.
Sometimes, you'd rather be really damn cute over scary. If that's the case, we suggest Sadness from Inside Out.
This Eleven costume hits the Halloween trifecta: It's easy, recognizable, and it gives you the opportunity to walk around eating waffles all night. What more could you want?
Tap into your inner Greek mythology nerd with this awesome Medusa tutorial.
Own a bunch of leopard print? Throw it on and give this easy-to-follow look a whirl.
If you're going really last-minute, some strategically placed cobwebs with an all-black outfit can totally pass as a costume.
American Horror Story fans will flip over this costume inspired by Lady Gaga's character.
Does anything say "Halloween" more than a skeleton? And, because we were feeling generous, we're offering a version that takes half the time.
This pirate is a touch more glam that the typical swashbuckler, but we're okay with a little creative license for Halloween.
Everyone can paint on a few whiskers; this is how to really make your cat costume look pre-planned.
This trippy makeup looks even more realistic the more Halloween punch you drink.
Embrace the pretty, pretty fairy you always wanted to be as a kid — but with a slightly creepier edge.
This cutesy bunny rabbit has some of the best highlighter we've ever seen.
Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas is an oldie but a goodie.
Want to go for something a bit more classic? Give this Cabaret tutorial a try.
In a world of Harley Quinns, be the Enchantress from Suicide Squad. (Or the girl from The Ring — they're not far off.)
Grab your buddy and bust out this Pokémon and Ivysaur couple's costume. (It helps if you can paint it on each other, we find.)
This badass Bride of Chucky is a '90s kid's dream (nightmare, actually).
Conspiracy theorists, this Illuminati-inspired tutorial is for you.
If you're planning an ode to David Bowie this Halloween, this Aladdin Sane makeup is perfect.
Is it just us, or does this werewolf have some seriously cut cheekbones?
For those who love a full face of makeup — and not much else — this cool-girl space alien tutorial is perfect.
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Starting October 4 and running through October 12, you can score 20% off on products from the best upscale skin-care brands (like Sunday Riley, Dr. Dennis Gross, and Elemis) when you shop DermStore's Friends & Family Sale.
Click to the site, browse through the sale section (make sure to note the brands that are excluded), then use the code "FRIEND" at checkout to watch the savings fall off your final receipt. Or, you can grab the best of the best — the top-rated serums, collagen-boosting creams, purifying masks, and face rollers — ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
You've probably heard it a thousand, but it's worth repeating: Sunday Riley's Good Genes is one of those serums that works instantly, boosting the brightness, tone, and elasticity of your skin.
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment (1.7 oz.), $126, available at DermStore
"Skin perfecting" is a vague claim, but this liquid exfoliant lives up to the hype. Inside the plain white tube lives a serum infused with 2% salicylic acid, which clears and tightens pores. A few swipes will leave you with firm and radiant skin that is pretty close to "perfect."
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2%; BHA Liquid Exfoliant (4 fl oz.), $23.2, available at DermStore
This gel creamfeels hydrating as soon as you rub it into your face, but the real magic is noticeable after a few weeks. You'll see a huge improvement in the texture of your skin after using it for a few weeks.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (1.7 fl oz.), $102.4, available at DermStore
Dermalogica's no-fuss cleanser is for those who want a face wash that cleans every trace of dirt and oil off the skin, without any weird smells or stinging detergents.
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel (16.9 oz.), $47.2, available at DermStore
This time of year, you're probably feeling a little stressed out — due to a mix of Q4 demands at work, holiday plans with family, and a shortage of rosé — and your skin might be showing it. A little R&R and a purifying face mask is just what the doctor (and derm) ordered.
Eve Lom Rescue Mask (3.3 fl oz.), $68, available at DermStore
If you haven't heard, Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads are game-changing exfoliating pads that leave your skin high-key glowy with just one swipe.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel Packettes (60), $120, available at DermStore
Face rollers are pretty buzzy right now, and we love this one that sculpts cheekbones, depuffs a sullen face, and requires no batteries orpost-Botox downtime.
Nurse Jamie Instant UpLift (1 piece), $55.2, available at DermStore
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We're down to bleach our hair to oblivion, or try coffee-colored balayage, but red hair — strawberry blonde, rusty copper, blazing auburn, and the like — has long been considered a color category reserved for the 2% of the population born with it. But as it turns out, those warm, red shades we're currently craving are totally achievable on every hair color. The trick is knowing what to ask for at the salon.
"Red-tinged highlights add dimension and tonality to the hair," explains colorist Stephanie Brown. "No matter your natural shade, it looks gorgeous when you infuse, or lift up, those red undertones." Plus, vibrant orange-red color works to instantly brighten up many skin tones, which is perfect for minimalists who feel too groggy to dab on highlighter in the morning.
Ahead, we've compiled your guide to going red, inspired by some of the best red looks we've seen on your favorite celebs. Plus, we've sussed out the best advice from the pros on how to take your hair — be it jet black or mousy brown — to a vivacious red that will have people asking, "Is that your natural color?"
If you have auburn hair...
Wedding Crashers gave us more than just an early crush on Bradley Cooper, it left us with a lasting obsession with Isla Fisher's auburn hair. If your hair is a similar shade of red brown, or even auburn-adjacent, you can add a super-soft strawberry blonde highlight around the face, which celebrity stylist Andrew Fitzsimons tells us will add a little more contrast between the red shades to really make it pop.
Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images.
Jessica Chastian's soft red color is a bit lighter and more orange in tone compared to Fisher's. "When highlighting red hair you want to keep the orangey tones in the color," hair pro and resident redhead herself, Kristin Ess tells us. "A natural balayage technique will always look more natural than a foil highlight — plus the grow-out process is very low-maintenance."
Photo: Anthony Harvey/FilmMagic.
If you have black or dark brown hair...
Colorist Anthony Holguin tells us that the trick to adding a warm highlight over dark hair is to ask for a light, caramel brown with red undertones like Karrueche Tran did here.
Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.
"Hair lifts in stages, meaning warm highlights can show orange, yellow, or bright white," Holguin explains. "To achieve a red tint on black hair, your colorist should use a blend of yellow and pale yellow color." This will give the color an auburn-y richness without it looking fake or brassy, like Jourdan Dunn shows off here.
Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage.
RiRi has taken her hair blazing red before — and it was fresh — but we can't discount her soft, copper balayage color, circa 2013.
Photo: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images.
Colorist Cherin Choi tells us that when weaving red tones through very dark hair, it's important to place the color properly to complement the cut. Dascha Polanco's red highlight is super faint, but adds warmth around her face when coupled with a chin-length bob.
Photo: Dan MacMedan/WireImage.
If you have medium or light brown hair...
If we didn't know any better, we'd bet money that Riley Keough was a natural redhead. But the purposefully grown-out brunette roots (and her current color) tip us off that the wash of copper color over shiny loose waves actually came courtesy of a stellar dye job. To pull it off, ask your colorist to add a rich red highlight, which will take your color from mousy brown to vibrant and multidimensional. Oh, and bring this photo of Riley.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.
When Julia Roberts took her naturally light brown hair to rich auburn for her roles in Pretty Woman and My Best Friend's Wedding,the color (and perm) swiftly became iconic. Since then, the actress has gone full platinum, but we're most obsessed with the in-between color. These shiny, bright blonde highlights brighten up her strawberry base like a dream.
Photo: Venturelli/Getty Images.
Like Roberts, Rachel McAdams now rocks white blonde hair color. But back in the day, she was Allie in The Notebook, with these romantic faded rose gold waves that we just can't forget. Want something this vibrant? Ask your colorist for shade that's a little brighter than expected want since red hair tends to fade faster.
Photo: Karwai Tang/Getty Images.
If you have blonde hair...
The key to taking blonde to sandy gold — a la Blake Lively — is to lift and highlight the copper undertones. Brown explains that the approach can be subtle. "You only need to lift hair a little bit, because dirty blonde may already have those red tones, they just need a boost," she says. A few cinnamon lowlights help, too.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
If you're naturally fair, it's easy to feel washed out by a drab blonde color. If you can relate, try taking your hair to the sparkly light red shade, like the one that Christina Hendricks wears so well. Brown recommends adding clear gloss over the color to really boost the shine.
Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.
Emma Stone often switches between a platinum blonde color and a deep auburn, which has now become her signature. If your hair is naturally a shade of dirty blonde, one way to ease into red — without going full-on Stone — is to weave in a few copper lowlights before a red gloss treatment. If you like the way it reads, then you can take it further at your next appointment.
Photo: Michael Tran/FilmMagic.
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Since coming back into the public eye with a powerful 2014 Vanity Fair op-ed on surviving shaming, Monica Lewinsky has made it her mission to fight bullying — both online and off.
That's why she's launching #DefyTheName today, a new anti-bullying campaign that encourages social media users to change their display names online to the names that they've been bullied with. The idea being that in reclaiming those hurtful names, we can fight name-calling and help people who feel targeted by bullying.
"We’re launching the campaign with what I think is a very powerful PSA [and] a number of brave and generous people who've stepped forward to share the names they've been bullied with," Lewinsky tells Refinery29. "The PSA is going to shine a light around the idea of not letting bullying define you."
To kickoff this new initiative, we spoke to Lewinsky about dealing with public humiliation, social media in the age of #MeToo, and how she handles online harassment.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Tell me a little more about #DefyTheName and what you hope it’ll accomplish.
"I think many of us know what it’s like to be called an unpleasant name, and name-calling is the most common instance of bullying behavior. So this campaign is about taking that name (or names) that we've been bullied and harassed by — whether recently or when we were younger — and defanging the negative label associated with it by claiming it as our own. And in that process, you transfer some of that power that someone has taken [from] you in calling you those names and give it back to yourself.
"We're calling it #DefyTheName because we’re asking people to change their names — not handles — on social media [in an effort to] reclaim the names they’ve been called."
How does this year’s campaign differ from last year’s?
"Last year we really focused on getting people to re-think their online behavior and question why they bring a different set of behaviors and values online than they do offline. This year we’re really focusing more on the targets of bullying.
"One of the things we felt we’ve seen in myriad ways throughout the last year, and one of the benefits of social media, is really around how we can create community, and the value of community. There's value in seeing that you’re not alone in your experience, even if it’s not exactly the same as everyone else's. We’re hoping to create a moment and a space for people to reclaim parts of themselves that they lost in those moments when they were pained, and to also see themselves reflected in a larger community. We also want to show that you can move beyond being bullied.
What first got you interested in fighting against bullying?
"Well, when I think back to 1998 and my experience of being shamed and publicly humiliated, I never could have imagined at that time that one day there would be so many people — because of the way the world has changed, how technology has changed, particularly because of social media — who were feeling the same kind of thing. The idea that those experiences I went through could now be used to help others is incredibly meaningful for me."
Why was it so important for you to lead this conversation and put yourself in the public spotlight again?
"I talk a little about this in the TED Talk I did in 2015, but I had an experience with my mom after the death of Tyler Clementi. [Editor's Note: Clementi was a 18-year-old college student who committed suicide after he was cyber bullied by his roommate.] Seeing my mom [worry] about me being humiliated to death, [we] felt such sadness for Tyler's family, and what Tyler must have been going through — and he didn't even make a mistake.
"I started to think that maybe if I was going to be the poster child of [being] one of the most humiliated people in the world, maybe there was a value to also trying to shine some light on the fact that you can survive it."
What are some ways you think we can combat that name-calling that we see?
"For me personally, I was so lucky to have a very strong family and wonderful friends, all of whom continue reflecting back to me my true self. That’s why it’s so important for us to invest in our relationships and be mindful of how we can [stand up], particularly online, for people we know and strangers too.
"It’s almost a social civic duty in a way, because where online media can tear us down, it can also build us up. With this campaign, what we wanted to drive home is that you can take the power out of the names you’re being called. In no way are we condoning name-calling, but a sense of agency is so important when you are experiencing bullying and any sort of public humiliation.
"You can often feel — I know I certainly did — you feel like you don’t have any power, you don’t have agency, you lose your self-esteem. And so finding ways to build that self-esteem back, finding ways to not allow other people to take your sense of self away, that’s what we’re really hoping to do with the #DefyTheName campaign."
A lot has happened over the year with #MeToo, and with the Kavanaugh hearing last week — Dr. Ford, Kavanaugh’s accuser, was doxxed online when she came forward. How do you see your efforts complementing these movements?
"I think what we’re seeing is that people are finding solidarity in coming together in using their voices in joint ways. And that we’re able to actually use social media for good to essentially stand up and be counted. Not to harken back to ‘98, but in comparison, the only way I knew if there was support for me was if someone sent a letter, or if they made comments in comment sections online. There wasn’t a vehicle like social media, which I know has its pluses and minuses. But social media has provided us with a place to foster collective conversations and to feel supported, which is invaluable.
Something like the #MeToo movement wouldn’t be able to happen without social media, which is pretty extraordinary.
You’re pretty active on Twitter — do you ever feel like you’re bullied online? If so, how do you personally overcome that?
"Sure, I see lots of things on social media that I wish I didn’t see, but more than wishing I didn’t see it, I actually wish more that the person who sent the comment didn’t feel the need to [send it].
"I really value some of the new tools Twitter has put in place that have shifted my experience. You don’t want to be Pollyanna and just be blissfully unaware of conversations that might be including you, but at the same time, it’s really important to know that you don’t owe anyone anything on social media. You don’t have to listen to people, and I’m a huge supporter of being empowered by blocking people. I know some people have issues with it, but you can say what you want, I do not have to listen."
It seems like whenever someone brings up cyberbullying, someone else’s solution is always to get offline, but that doesn't seem like it's always the best answer!
"I agree and there’s no one size fits all solution for any aspect of this morass of a social issue, but what I do think is that we should be working to curb this behavior in myriad ways. We can do this by pushing social media platforms to protect us more, through legislation, through choices of self-care, through educating people on the kinds of things we can do to protect ourselves online. For me, it's blocking, I get so much satisfaction — it’s like popping bubble wrap for me. It’s the silent middle finger.
Do you think the support you’ve gotten online outweighs the harassment or bullying?
"I think from the way the algorithms have changed and the tools being put in place, that’s my experience. I don’t know what the reality is. [ Laughs]
"I also want to touch on what you brought up earlier, that it’s the target’s responsibility to go offline — it’s really important too for parents to know with kids that that’s not always the best solution. Especially for young people, that can feel like a punishment. You have to make the right decisions for what feels right for you."
To that end, do you hope the campaign will help create more safe spaces online?
"I do, I really think the #DefyTheName is going to create a community of awareness around how many people have experienced name calling as a form of bullying, and how you don’t have to allow it to define you for the rest of your life."
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Later in 2018, Cara will release her untitled sophomore album, the follow up to 2015’s Know-It-All, and this time, she took full control of songwriting duties ; lead single “Trust My Lonely” drops today.
Refinery29 spoke to Cara about breaking the mold of what a woman pop star can look and sound like, supporting other, underrepresented women in the industry, and how she turned crying on the bathroom floor into a song.
Refinery29: What about your upcoming album are you excited about?
Alessia Cara: “It is my first album in three years, so just getting new music out is exciting for me. I hope people enjoy the new sounds I’m experimenting with, it’s a little more mature and I’m talking about things with more vulnerability. It’s a change from the first album, which was written and released when I was still a teenager. Now I’m more open and comfortable with myself, so I’m able to talk about things more freely.”
Tell me about your new single, “Trust My Lonely.”
“I initially wrote about my insecurities. It was at the beginning of the album writing process, and I was insecure about writing on my own so I came up with the concept of trusting your lonely, trusting yourself without anybody else. I thought, what would I say to the insecurities and negative thoughts in my head if they were a person? That was where the song came from, I was writing what I’d say to those insecurities. It’s hopefully an empowering song, one that people could relate it to someone in their lives like an ex or someone who was mean to them. And I hope it’s a reminder to trust yourself and that you don’t have to rely on anyone else.”
I understand you wrote all the songs on it by yourself, which is a pretty big change too.
“Definitely! I went from working with a writing partner to trying it by myself. It was kind of scary because when you don’t have a crutch there, you don’t know what will happen. I tried not to think about it too much as a challenge and just write about what I was feeling. It was a lot easier and more natural than I thought.”
You’ve said that writing this album was inspired by getting roughed up in life and that it’s more open. How does that manifest? What was your toughest writing session?
“There were a few, to be honest. There are so many different facets of growing pains, whether it’s personal, emotional, or relationships and being in love and heartbroken. I was wanting to express feeling sad by talking about crying on bathroom floors and going to therapy — it felt very open. I did it not only for myself but for other people who are listening and think crying on the bathroom floor is weird or that they’re weak for doing it. They might hear me saying, ‘hey, I’m right there with you,’ and it may provide them with some kind of comfort. We’re all in the same boat, a lot more than we think. Those things are hard for me to say out loud and talk about, let alone to do it to the world, but I think it’s important.”
Did you happen to see the numbers that came out this year from the Annenberg Inclusion Initaitive about the representation for women in music? One of the things it found was that female songwriters are only writing 12.3% of the top pop hits. While you were working on this album or even working with Zedd and Logic, was that a dynamic you were thinking about?
“It’s tough. Even as a songwriter myself, when I was talking to the few fellow women songwriters I know, I found that the common thing — especially if you’re a young woman — is for people to say, ‘Oh, she’s had some success. I wonder who she owes that to.’ People rarely ever believe that a woman can do it on her own. It seems like such a dated concept, but it is still so present in the music industry. I’ve seen with my own eyes some amazing and talented female songwriters and artists not get the recognition they deserve because people think they aren’t doing it on their own. Or, if they see a man’s name in the credits, they assume he did most of the work. Women have got to keep doing what they do and support each other. People like to create competition between women instead of letting us work together and support each other. I think that’s a big way we can move forward: support each other, work with female songwriters and producers, help each other out. On my next album, I want to find some cool women who produce and just work with them.”
That was the other statistic that blew my mind from the study, that the ratio of male to female producers on the top pop songs is 49 to 1. I’ve been asking a lot of women in music about why that is. What’s your take?
“I know that even for myself, I want to explore producing, and for a long time I didn’t think it was possible. We’re lacking support, and I think we’re lacking confidence too. All the big name producers are men. The executives signing and helping these producers out are men. It creates a cycle of self-esteem issues that stop women from getting into the field. But, going back to the idea about support: men and women artists need to support these people more so it can create a ripple effect. And so more women can gain the confidence to try producing.”
You strike me as someone who has a lot of confidence about trying new things. I remember when “Here” started being played on the radio, I loved it because it stood out from everything else. How did you convince your label, and how did they convince radio to play something so different?
“With regards to ‘Here,’ that was a long battle that I had to fight [laughs]. But if you need people to listen, you’ve got to make them listen to you. I remember sitting in boardrooms, explaining to all the people why they should give me a chance. I was traveling to five different cities within a few days and playing the song on guitar for radio people, asking them to trust me. I think that honestly once they released it, the fans and supporters of that song are what sealed the deal. They were saying they enjoyed it and it was speaking for a group of people who aren’t heard as much. They gave it wings and life. I think it’s important to take risks, but people don’t like to take risks — especially with radio. On the mainstream side of things, people are always trying to play it safe, just in case. But what’s the worst that could happen? Let’s just try some different sounds that deserve to be heard.”
With this second album, has your label been more supportive of you taking risks?
“In a way, yeah. They’ve seen that it has worked for me. I think they know now that my fans are my fans because of what I have to say and not superficial reasons. I have a support system of people who are like me and want to hear that stuff from me. So the label side of things is seeing that and trusting me more because they can see who my fans are and what they need.”
You’ve managed to secure a lot of artistic freedom and success at a young age. Do you think there’s a correlation between that and the way that you eschew traditional beauty standards, going to awards shows and performances without makeup or fancy clothes?
“I think it does. That’s not only who I am as a person, but who I’ve always wanted to be as an artist. I want to show people you don’t always have to be one way. There isn’t only one path to success. There’s a dumb concept — I hate to throw the woman card in again, but it’s true — that there’s just one way for us to dress, look, and sound. When I was growing up, I couldn’t relate to a lot of the pop stars. I didn’t look or sound like them, and I wondered if I had to in order to be an artist. I don’t want any other little girls or boys to feel that way. I want them to see me, someone who looks like them and has the same values as them doing something that is considered successful. Maybe it will give them hope they can do it too. It’s not only selfishly for me, because this is how I want to live my life, but that it gives other kids confidence.”
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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Columbus Day has been a point of contention ever since it was named a federal holiday by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1934. For the Italian-American community, honoring Christopher Columbus' "discovery" of the New World is a celebration of their heritage; for Native American groups and their allies, it is a reminder of the atrocities inflicted on the indigenous peoples by European colonizers, and how Western interpretations of history have whitewashed the grave injustices and discrimination their communities still struggle with.
That's why numerous U.S. cities and states no longer recognize Columbus' arrival as a holiday, but rather choose to spend the second Monday in October observing Indigenous Peoples' Day. You can celebrate the culture and contributions of American Indians from wherever you are by donating to organizations like the Native American Rights Fund, which provides legal assistance to tribes, organizations, and individuals who might not otherwise be able to afford it, or Stand With Standing Rock, which seeks to halt the Dakota Access Pipeline.
And, if you want to support indigenous-owned businesses while also bettering your beauty routine, look to these four brands. Each one is owned and operated by members of the Native American community, who are using their knowledge of traditional herbal therapies to create products for everyone to enjoy. It's also important to note that many Indian reservations and settlements have limited internet access, if any at all, which means they can't sell their wares outside their communities.
So, if you find yourself near Taos Pueblo or Tohono O'odham, Yakama or Yankton, Southern Ute or Spirit Lake, or any one of the 326 reservations in the United States, consider supporting the local native peoples with your purchases. Until then, shop body products, bath bombs, and more, ahead...
Medicine of the People
Founded by Navajo herbalist and entrepreneur Virginia Boone in 1995, Medicine of the People has since grown an international following, with products sold everywhere from France to Peru. The brand has historically been known for its multipurpose salves, and this soothing moisturizer, which gets its antiseptic and healing powers from the sap of the piñon tree, is also not to be missed.
Medicine of the People Piñon Sap Cream Soothing Moisturizer, $25, available at Medicine of the People
Sister Sky
Real-life sisters — and enrolled citizens of the Spokane Tribe — Monica Simeon and Marina TurningRobe turned their side hobby of making plant-based products in their kitchen into a full-time business when the soothing lotion they created for Monica's eczema-prone son Kevin started gaining a cult following.
They now also offer shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, with a portion of proceeds going to Native American non-profits that promote culture, education, health, and wellness. (Monica and Marina also operate a professional-services company under the Sister Sky name that helps disadvantaged Native American communities through training, technical assistance, event management, and communications.)
Sister Sky Kevin's Care Body Lotion, $17, available at Sister Sky
Sequoia
Michaelee Lazore, who grew up in Mohawk Nation in Akwesasne, NY, and spent summers with her Paiute grandmother in Nevada, was an engineer before she started Sequoia Native Handmade Organics over a decade ago. The brand, which is 100% native-owned and -operated, now has its own storefront in Quebec, where Lazore and her team still make every product by hand. In addition to soaps, candles, fragrance oils, incense, and various body-care products, Sequoia offers a line of bath bombs, which are packed with skin-softening essential oils.
Sequoia Medicine Woman Bath Bomb, $7, available at Sequoia Soaps
Herbal Lodge
Nathan Wright and Monica Cady are both members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and the co-founders of Herbal Lodge, which combines Native American herbal medicine with organic and sustainable practices to create a small line of personal-care products, including a pain-relief salve, a lip balm, an antioxidant-rich mushroom tea, and a best-selling ointment for dry, cracked skin. With a light, earthy scent, and a name that translates to "you all heal" in Ojibwe, the Nojmuk balm is packed with 20 herbs to nourish and protect damaged skin.
Herbal Lodge Nojmuk Dry Skin Relief Topical Salve/Ointment, $23, available at Herbal Lodge
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Nearly 180 million Americans plan on participating in Halloween festivities this year. And according to the National Retail Federation, they'll collectively spend about $9 million dollars on candy, costumes, and home decor so scary, one could probably charge guests to come over. Let that sink in for a minute.
Going all out is awesome, but as much as we love dressing up as a murderous clown or exotic animal, we're frankly not prepared to invest that much time or money in all the extra components this year. Instead, we're focusing on our nail art.
Here's the thing: None of us are begging our nail artist to cover all ten fingers in pumpkin-colored polish. Instead, we're scrolling through Instagram for nail art that's as cool as it is seasonal. Even better, think about how much longer a festive manicure will last than the body paint from Party City that you'll use once before tossing under the sink for all of eternity. Don't worry, if you're still in the mood for something spooky, we've got inspiration for that, too.
Keep clicking for the not-lame Halloween nail art we're loving.
While you might assume the classic combination of orange and black will look cheesy on the fingers, it's all about moderation. Swap out a blinding orange polish for one that's warm and metallic, then pair it with a inky navy blue for a flattering contrast that has the same spirit.
Or keep the black and ditch the orange for a matte white. There's something about this mysterious, smudged art that gives us the chills.
Better yet, forget picking complementing colors and instead use the unofficial color of Halloween as your mani muse.
Is it just us or do these floating symbols look like they're straight out of The Blair Witch Project?
Painting a spooky night sky on your nails shouldn't look like a kindergarten art project. For a grown-up spin on a haunting skyscape, pick up your favorite glitter top coat and layer it over a glossy black.
Trade in the cat-eared headband for claw-like art. Bonus: Negative space is the "It" trend for fall.
According to Pinterest, celestial makeup is trending right now. Forget the hours it would take to paint on galaxy freckles and bring this photo to your local nail salon instead.
Orbit nails are also a trendy way to make an intergalactic style work.
Inspired by the wood fire used to boil your cauldron.
Okay, so maybe some people can make orange nail polish work — at least Kate Hudson can.
Even if we skip the costume store this year, that doesn't mean we won't try to DIY every gown at this year's Heavenly Bodies Met Gala. These Sunday school nails by Tom Bachik will be our first step in recreating Rihanna's Pope ensemble.
Upgrade from pumpkin nail art to some nosy black cats.
Imagine a film that takes the horror and chaos of The Purge and blends it (somehow seamlessly) with the teenage drama of Riverdale and the aesthetic of Spring Breakers. Basically, the result is a modern-day Heathers, but with better clothes and the Internet. Enter Assassination Nation, Neon Films' production about a high school senior named Lily (Odessa Young) and her three best friends who, along with their entire town, essentially get hacked and have their entire lives (secrets, sexts, etc.) strewn out on the metaphorical front lawn for every to see. Sounds like a nightmare, right? Just wait until you see what happens next.
But, amidst all the mayhem, one thing, in particular, stands out most: the fashion. Which makes sense given that the film's director, Sam Levinson, noted his "idea was that the girls would all look like they just walked off some Tumblr page." No surprise, we want the whole wardrobe. Of all the outfits, however, there's one piece we can't seem to forget. As part of the film, San Francisco-based brand Dolls Kill designed an exclusive red patent leather trench coat called, of all things, "The Viral Vengeance Trench Coat." Even the name is badass.
So whether you're on the lookout for the perfect Halloween costume or just feel like looking really freaking cool, this trench coat is the pick. And if you need a little more convincing, just take a look at the trailer below.
Assassination Nation X Dolls Kill Viral Vengeance Trench Coat, $68.00, available at Dolls Kill.
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To this day, I still haven't seen any of the Halloween movies, mostly due to the enduring childhood trauma of my older brother playing the theme song, in order to terrorize me. I'm not sure if that's where I can trace the origin of my inability to get through anything scarier than A Quiet Place, but either way, I can't stand horror movies. It's exactly why I will read the Wikipedia page of a scary movie (hello, Hereditary) instead of seeing it to avoid FOMO without actually having to see the movie.
If you can't stand horror movies either, there are few reasons why.
For starters, some people enjoy feeling more intense emotions. This is called a "need for affect," and a 2010 study found that people with this desire tend to like horror movies. As for the rest of us, we might just not get as much out of feeling all the feelings.
And just as how some people are naturally more thrill-seeking than others, some of us just react to fear differently. Margee Kerr, sociologist and author of Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear, says that different people respond to threats in different ways.
"There are folks who have had a bad experience with horror movies or scary content and associate all things scary with negativity," she says. "[It's] basic fear conditioning, for them it's just not fun and never has been."
Kerr also says that some people see scary movies as an outlet for safely experiencing stress and anxiety without real-world consequences, but of course, some of us don't feel that way.
"It really all depends on if people want to be scared — their expectations — and the content they like," she says. "Psychologically when we make it through a safe yet scary activity it results in feelings of confidence, competence, accomplishment, and success — it can be a real self-esteem boost."
But if, like me, you like to keep all aspects of your life as chill as possible and don't want to be scared, that's totally cool and valid, too.
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It's officially the season of orange, and we've decided to go all in. We know what you're thinking: Coral tones are doable, especially when you've got a bit of color... but orange? Won't that make you look like, well, an Oompa Loompa? According to Pinterest, searches and saves for orange blush are up an enormous 250% year on year, especially in Japan, where the trend is reigning supreme at the moment. And while the move from failsafe pink to tangerine is a bold one, it works.
"It’s a trend-based choice," says Pablo Rodriguez, backstage makeup artist and director of artistry for Illamasqua. "Pink blush will always be there, but lips and cheeks with a lot more yellow tones in the mix are stronger than ever this year, even for winter. Think tonic oranges and terracottas."
But, Rodriguez adds, it does depend on your skin tone. "If you want your makeup to look more natural, pink blushes work better, especially on warmer complexions, but orange can look incredible on olive skin tones," he says. "If you like contrast, you can definitely switch this up. Overall, though, peaches and corals always give a healthy glow. Don't be scared — think of it as blush and bronzer mixed together in one product."
Sold. Ahead, we show you the best orange blushes of the season on seven Refinery29 UK staffers...
Lydia Raghavan, Creative, Refinery29 UK
"To be honest, blush is not my thing. I've got acne-prone skin and residual scarring on my cheeks, so I try to avoid highlighting the area with any color, let alone bright orange. But I sacrificed my complexion and honed in on this pinky-orange shade, which looked cute in the palette. I have to say it doesn't look that bad in the photos (my Google Pixel camera has my back) but IRL it was a bit too '80s for me. My verdict: Swerving orange blush for the foreseeable future."
Sleek Makeup Blush in Coral, $4.99, available at Target
Georgia Murray, Fashion & Beauty Writer, Refinery29 UK
"I usually use Julep's Skip the Brush blush stick in Golden Guava, which is a bright poppy pink, so I’m not averse to a shocking flash of color. I love orange and regularly wear it on my eyes, so I was thrilled to discover Charlotte Tilbury’s Beach Stick in Es Vedra, a vibrant tangerine hue. I realized soon after applying that a little goes a long way, so I just dabbed a smidge on each cheek before blending with my fingers. I love it on my skin tone — it's subtle, but definitely looks different from my usual pink. Tragically, Es Vedra has since been discontinued, but Moon Beach is a reliable, if slightly less bold, alternative."
Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Moon Beach, $45, available at Charlotte Tilbury
Jazmin Kopotsha, Entertainment Editor, Refinery29 UK
"I’m not normally very adventurous in the blush department; most of my (beauty) action is all in the lips. So when faced with Illamasqua’s unwaveringly orange blush, I was apprehensive. Thankfully, the luminous glow you see on the product in hand doesn’t translate when applied to the face. It suited my skin tone much more than I expected it to and looks a little more pinky-gold than orange, but I had to apply quite carefully to avoid Oompa Loompa overkill."
Illamasqua Powder Blush in Excite, $31.28, available at Illamasqua
Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Editor, Refinery29 UK
"Oh, dear. My light olive skin has a tendency to look dull and washed out, but somehow this bright orange shade makes me look like a beet — I'm so red! I usually use a mauve-toned powder blush because it complements my undertones, but the only positive is that I'm now no longer afraid of cream blush; this blended easily and didn't make a crater in my foundation base. I'm not a big fan of the shimmer, though."
FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Chili Mango, $25, available at Sephora
Kara Kia, Editorial Intern, Refinery29 UK
"The very first blush I owned was actually NARS Luster (gifted to me by my first boyfriend, thanks!), so when I saw the beautiful terra cotta of Taj Mahal, I was instantly excited — and felt super nostalgic. I have strong yellow-gold undertones in my skin, so I usually stay away from orange or yellow-toned makeup, but this rich, shimmering shade looked so good, not glittery or gaudy at all. It was like a hybrid of my favorite bronzer and a pretty peach blush. Some of the girls even asked if I was wearing fake tan because I looked much more glowy than usual.
If you have tanned, olive skin of the sand or honey variety and strong yellow undertones like me, then you will love this blush. It gave me a beautiful glow that stayed put all day, without using a setting spray or primer."
NARS Blush in Taj Mahal, $30, available at Net-A-Porter
Rose Lander, International Co-Ordinator, Refinery29 UK
"Honestly, I’m slightly terrified of blush. I was never taught how to put it on and have definitely had a few failed attempts which left me looking like Pennywise the clown. Orange blush felt like even more of a stretch, but actually, I really liked it. This is a cream, so I didn’t even have to worry about brushes. When I put a little too much on, it was easy to blend in but still left me with a nice glow. I wear a lot of pink (as you can see), so not having pink on my face was actually a lovely contrast. I would definitely wear this again."
Glossier Cloud Paint in Dawn, $18, available at Glossier
Samantha Yu, Senior Director, Strategy and Client Services, Refinery29 UK
"After testing Glossier's Cloud Paint this summer, I was very open to the idea of non-pink, non-powder blush. That said, I didn’t make any changes to my beauty bag, and remained loyal to my usual Benefit Dandelion. This luxe cream has changed that. It has an amazing floral smell, which means it's a pleasure to open up and apply every morning. The shade is a strong orange when you look at it in the stick, but it goes on light and is definitely buildable. I tap it right onto my skin — once up the cheekbone, once down the cheekbone — and blend with my fingers. It's super simple (which is important to me) and the resulting shade works so well for my skin tone. I’ve worn it every day for a week and have no plans to stop any time soon."
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick, $45, available at Chanel
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People either love the rain or really hate it — nothing in-between. Unfortunately, no matter what side you're on, there's no avoiding a downpour once you're already soaked. And since the forecast's predicting more than a slight chance of thunderstorms, there's no time like the present to get prepared for a rainy day. Though raincoats are historically a bit blasé, lately we've been seeing more and more brands try to make them more exciting. And surprisingly, it's working.
Some leopard print here, a little plaid there, and all of a sudden raincoats are starting to look pretty cool. Even better, since transparent raincoats are becoming the norm, the days of hiding your meticulously planned-out look under a sheet of waxy plastic are in the past. So, other than avoiding suede boots and anything made of silk when the weather turns stormy, with the 14 raincoats ahead, you'll never have to worry about the rain again. Just don't forget to pick up a pair of rain boots too.
There is a lot of product out there — some would say too much. At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, but if you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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