Instagram has 1 billion active users, 80% of whom follow at least one business (of which there are 25 million!). So basically, there's a lot of shopping happening on the 'gram, and these days, more and more users are citing shopping as one of their top Instagram interests.
In September, Instagram expanded shopping to Stories with the introduction of product stickers — which means that when you tap on the cool blue eyeliner featured in that photo you're looking at, you're taken to the product page on the brand's site where you can easily become the proud owner of said blue eyeliner (or whatever else you find while browsing). As of today, though, Instagram is rolling out three new features to make shopping on the platform even easier and more efficient.
The first (and, IMO, the most exciting) piece of news: You can now create a saved Shopping collection, which means you can save products to easily come back to and reference. This feature functions like the Save tool we're already familiar with – you can add posts to your own curated collection that lives on the righthand panel of your profile, only now, you can do it with products in addition to cat memes. This new Shopping collection capability is especially useful for when you're shopping in Stories (since Stories disappear after 24 hours). All you have to do is tap the product tag and then tap the Save button, and voila, the item is saved so you can deliberate 'til your heart's content over whether you need it or just want it.
You can also shop in video, marking Instagram's official entrée into the window shopping space. Now, when you're watching a makeup tutorial on Milk's Instagram feed, for example, you can tap the shopping tag and see exactly which highlighter, shadow, and concealer are being featured in the video, and you can buy them right then and there. But it's not just beauty brands that will be utilizing this new feature — Instagram notes that more and more apparel brands will be moving toward this immersive tool as well.
Lastly, Instagram is introducing a redesign of the Shop tab on brand and retailer profiles — which means that now there's a way to see every product a brand is selling together in one easy place, with individual prices listed as well as the posts that feature them, so you can reference what each item looks like styled or in action. So now you can buy a capsule wardrobe in approximately five minutes from the comfort of your couch, whereas before it might have taken 15. And time is money, right?
Good luck trying to stay away from Black Friday sales now, folks. You've been warned.
Shop Black Friday Deals
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Having been brought up by a born-and-raised French mother, one might expect I’d have an affinity for all the usual stereotypical suspects: That elusive red lip! Berets! Croissants! (Well, let's be real, I do love a pastry — because, butter.) But, it wasn't until I became a beauty editor — and pitched a promotion-worthy story to my boss on the wonders of micellar water, six years before it was cool in the states — that I truly realized the extent to which my heritage had influenced my daily routine, beauty and otherwise.
By the time I was 12, I had perfected the chignon; by 15, I had been lectured countless times on how one should never accentuate both the eyes and lips; and by 18, the subtle cat-eye had become my tried and true. Some of my French-girl-in-training teachings have fallen off since then (I’ve proven my mom wrong that you can, in fact, do up both areas of your figure in a way she’d call “tasteful”), but many — like my love for micellar water and anything infused with it — are still so ingrained in my routine that I’ll likely never give them up.
Curious to hear if others can relate, I set out to interview three women with entirely different backgrounds — from an American-born woman with Guinean parents, whose love affair with coconut oil and shea butter is no joke, to a woman whose Korean culture influenced her adoration for essences like AMOREPACIFIC Vintage Single Extract Essence (case in point: she calls them “magic potions”). Scroll on and discover what routines hit close to home and why they'd call them tres magnifique.
That Glow-Up "Ever since I can remember, I've been a beauty junkie. My mom, who's Korean, has the most amazing skin, and she taught me how to take care of my skin starting from a very young age. I think the first time she took me to a beauty counter I was around 7 or 8 years old. Now, my routine is quite lengthy, but I like it that way. Some of my go-tos are eye creams — I've been using one since I was 15 because I love wearing eye makeup and it's important to protect that sensitive area — and any and all face oils like rosehip or hemp-seed oil because they give me that coveted dewy glow."
Her Daily Dose "Essences like AMOREPACIFIC Vintage Single Extract Essence are very popular in the K-beauty world — and for good reason. I call them magic potions in a bottle: They're packed with so many nutrients, usually have a beautiful aromatic scent to them, and the process of slowly, methodically patting them into my face has become a meditative experience."
Tea Time "My mom constantly drinks yuzu tea because it's rich in vitamin C. She'd give it to me when I was sick or as a preventative measure when I was feeling rundown. Now, I make the tea for myself all the time — it feels very comforting to drink it and it feels like home."
Moisturizing Is #Key "I'm first-generation American, born to Guinean parents. All-natural shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil all play a major part in our daily beauty routines and are often infused in cleansers and moisturizers. I was taught to moisturize three — sometimes even four — times per day because my skin tone gets ashy quickly."
Back To Her Roots "It's very traditional in my culture to drink herbal tea after every meal to help with digestion — probably because many Guinean recipes tend to be on the heavier side. My mom always makes me ginger-root herbal tea, which isn't the type she grew up drinking, but I love it for its immune-boosting properties."
When Life Gives You Lemons "Growing up, my mom wasn't big on wearing much makeup — but she was a huge advocate for taking care of your skin. She taught me the importance of exfoliating — with a homemade formula of sugar, honey, and a squeeze of lemon — at least once a week to minimize pores around my T-zone and to even my skin tone. I've been doing it for about three years now, and it's so, so effective!"
H20 Wonders "Being of mixed race — my mom is Black and from South Carolina and my father is white from France — I tend to have pretty dry skin and hair, so the majority of my routine is all about hydrating. Especially while I travel, if I forget my moisturizer or sheet masks, there's a good chance I'll have a mini panic attack. Jokes aside though, a moisturizer like AMOREPACIFIC Time Response Eye Reserve Crème — that features shea butter, rose water, or aloe vera — is well worth the splurge because the ingredients are all super hydrating, which is especially needed around the sensitive eye area. Plus, rose water smells amazing."
Get Toned "My dad was actually the one to teach be about the importance of skin care and taking care of your skin. Though, it's funny that he was the one to teach me because one time he accidentally mistook nail-polish remover for face toner! It was a total accident that happened 10 years ago, but to this day, he still labels nail-polish remover with the word 'poison.'"
Delicate Natured "My mom, on the other hand, was the one to teach me all about hair care and the dos and don'ts with my delicate texture. She encouraged me to never brush my hair while it's dry, to use a wide-tooth comb whenever possible, and to avoid hot tools on my natural curls."
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We know, we know, we shouldn't pop our pimples. We’ve heard that advice for most of our lives, but there’s just something about those bumps that begs us to break the rules.
If you do give in to temptation against your best interests, there are a few things you should know to avoid infection, scarring, or simply making the spot worse. For starters, only extract a pimple when there’s a visible head on the surface of the skin, otherwise you risk leaving a permanent mark.
The next step: understand what’s going on inside each bump, so you can better learn how to treat them. In general, breakouts form when pores get clogged from bacteria, oil (sebum), and dead skin build-up, but are also heavily influenced by things like stress and genetics. And while we’re quick to assign the gross-sounding term "pus" to the substance inside every pimple, it’s more complicated than that.
Pustules — aka, red bumps with pus near the surface — are just one type of blemish you can develop, according to dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research for dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. There’s also papules, nodules, cysts, whiteheads, and blackheads. (The latter two categories don’t actually contain pus.)
More often than not, what you’re tempted to pop is a pustule pimple. “Pus is a collection of inflammatory blood cells that accumulate within the follicle and reach the surface of the skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. “It accumulates as a result of the inflammation that develops in the pore and oil gland.”
When the pimple is popped, the pus typically has a white or yellow tint. But sometimes, you’re met with green. “A green discoloration may be the result of a specific type of bacteria involved in an infection, but that usually is not the case in acne,” Dr. Zeichner says. While normal bacteria-causing acne will not result in this, if you do have a big, painful, green-filled pustule, ask your doctor whether you might need a prescription for antibiotics.
You may also notice a small amount of blood coming out of your popped pimple, but don't fret. Dr. Zeichner says this is nothing to be concerned about, as blood will usually drain out of the pimple once the pus is gone. However, if only blood comes out, that’s a sign your pimple should not be messed with, so stop touching it immediately.
Other types of acne you might be tempted to mess with are whiteheads and blackheads. But what's coming out of those, if not pus? Since those form as a result of excess sebum getting trapped in the pore, that’s exactly what you’re squeezing out, says Dr. Zeichner.
While a little pus or sebum isn’t dangerous for your body, using products that help fight the bacteria and oil will help reduce it. “Your go-to treatment [for pus pimples] should be benzoyl peroxide,” Dr. Zeichner says. “It kills acne-causing bacteria and clears the pimple.” He recommends a product like Neutrogena On The Spot Acne Treatment.
To dry out the pimple, a salicylic acid treatment will “exfoliate dead cells, open the pores, and remove excess oil.” For this, Dr. Zeichner recommends Clean and Clear Advantage Spot Treatment, which will work for whiteheads and blackheads, as well.
Although you may still be left with bumps just waiting to be prodded, we remind you yet again to be wary of popping blemishes in the first place, since you’re creating an open wound and increasing the possibility of scarring and infection. But, if you must, proceed with caution and know your secret is safe with us.
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Last weekend, you likely had to search the sky to find even the moon — you can expect a major change of scenery this Saturday and Sunday, stargazers. Not only will the moon be visible as a waxing gibbous, but a full-blown meteor shower, known as the Leonids, will grace the heavens as well.
Named for the constellation Leo, from which the meteors appear to fly, the Leonids occur every year sometime in mid-November, and this year, NPR reports, they will reach their peak late on Saturday night and into early Sunday morning. If you want to see them in action, NASA recommends finding somewhere with little to no artificial light, such as street lights (sadly, this may mean that city dwellers will miss out on the Leonids' display).
On a related note, the moon's visibility during the Leonids may be too much of a good thing, unfortunately. According to Earthsky, stargazing is best done on relatively moonless nights, as its glare can interfere with the light of other celestial bodies. So, before you head out for the night, look up when the moon sets in your area — and plan your shower-watching for after that time.
Regardless of the visibility or what time, exactly, you choose to go out, pack and dress accordingly. It's the middle of November, so that means plenty of layers and at least one thermos containing a warm beverage. Your extremities will thank you.
Compared to the Orionid meteor shower that took place last month, this shower may seem a little tame. Where between 15 and 20 meteors were expected to be seen every hour of the Orionids, NASA estimates that the Leonids' meteor rates will be about 15 per hour at their peak. Nevertheless, it's still considered a major shower — and one that will arrive just in time for your Friendsgiving dinner festivities this weekend.
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Bigger, more expensive home buys (like furniture) might be apartment essentials, but they aren't exactly what pulls a space together; it's the small things that punch personality into our spaces. Achieving an apartment atmosphere that feels effortlessly luxe is as easy as placing a selection of small home accents with intention. Not only do these found items ooze unique energy, but they also make for affordable and fire gifting material. And you don't need to sift through thrift shop shelves or holiday market booths in order to find them...
From funky area rugs to chic candles, handmade picture frames, tiny cacti humidifiers, pizza puzzles, and much more, we've rounded up 29 one-of-a-kind buys (all for under $29) to gift this holiday season. So, skip the flea market and shop our curated online hit-list instead. Scroll on to discover the stylish home accents for your most polished to eclectic or wildly whimsical giftees.
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.
Light up your daily affirmations with a stylish mini marquee box.
My Cinema Light Box MINI LIGHT BOX, $23, available at ban.do
Give the gift of fashionable lower-back support with this chic, cheetah-print lumbar pillow.
Cost Plus World Market Oversized Leopard Print Faux Fur Lumbar Pillow, $24.99, available at Cost Plus World Market
Need a golden-hand holding your jewels?
Lulu and Georgia Meno Jewelry Holder, Gold, $18, available at Lulu and Georgia
Handmade by woodwork artisans in the Philippines, this tiny treasure of a picture frame is the perfect decor piece meets memory-holder.
St. Frank Charcoal Classic Mud Cloth Picture Frame, $8, available at St. Frank
For your television-obsessed pals — these statement prints are made by Austrian graphic designer, Albert Exergian, and showcase his love for art with a dual passion for cult TV.
Industry West Breaking Bad Print, $10, available at Industry West
Illuminate your space with a splash of vintage charm inspired by 20th century galvanized metal marquee lights.
Wrought Studio Buhl Marquee Metal Letter Blocks, $17.98, available at Wayfair
These vintage tile work-inspired coasters come in an array of monogrammed stoneware styles.
Anthropologie Tiled Margot Monogram Coaster, $10, available at Anthropologie
Up your apartment garden game with this grow-your-own cactus kit complete with seed packs, coconut husk pots, compost discs, wooden plant markers, and an instruction booklet.
Oliver Bonas Grow It Cactus Kit, $22, available at Oliver Bonas
Add a pop of modern color to any wall with this cheerful, minimalist clock.
The future of beauty is here — and you’re invited. Check out the rest of our 2018 Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Awards winners for a full look at the products, brands, and people that are breaking the rules and redefining beauty standards, one lipstick at a time.
So when the first product from Summer Fridays, the brand launched by influencers Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Gores Ireland, arrived on our desks, we were skeptical. Would this be another brand hawking IG fodder with zero substance? To our surprise, it's anything but.
Since the Jet Lag Mask came out earlier this year, rave reviews have consistently rolled in from consumers, celebrities, and editors alike. In fact, the super-hydrating cream mask (which, BTW, isn't just for when you switch time zones — we've been using it to get our dry winter skin back in shape) not only has a history of selling out at Sephora, but is also so good that we elected it as the best face mask for our own Beauty Innovator Awards this year.
Curious? (Of course you are.) Check out just why it won, ahead, along with five dupes that are nearly as good.
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.
The leave-on mask is ideal for anyone looking for a quick hit of moisture, thanks to the sodium hyaluronate, chestnut-seed extract, and shea butter in the formula, and also contains vitamin C and E to brighten and fight free radicals. We can attest to its ability to erase everything from dry patches to puffiness induced by a night of ugly crying in front of the TV (we tested).
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, $48, available at Sephora
Frank Body's Glow Mask was designed with lazy girls in mind. The mask, which contains shea and cocoa butters, coffee seed oil, and goji berry extract to perk up tired skin, can be smoothed on in the morning, left for five minutes, and rinsed away to reveal a healthy-looking glow.
Frank Body Glow Mask, $21.95, available at Ulta Beauty
For those of you who feel like winter's already doing a number on your complexion, let us introduce you to this overnight mask. It's loaded with squalane, shea butter, and glycerin to seriously hydrate parched skin.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask, $35, available at Sephora
The hyaluronic acid in this lightweight gel mask works its magic on dry skin while you sleep. Plus, it's housed in a convenient single-use package that makes it easy to travel with.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Hydro Boost Overnight Gel Mask , $2.59, available at Target
Like the Jet Lag Mask, simply slather this mask on for ten minutes, then tissue off the excess. It's packed full of avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, and rose water to soothe and hydrate.
Origins Drink Up 10-Minute Mask, $25, available at Origins
For those looking for a little more brightening action, try this overnight mask. It contains a blend of gentle acids, watermelon extract, and hyaluronic acid to exfoliate, calm, and replenish moisture. Its ice cube-inspired jar and natural pink coloring make it Instagram-worthy, too.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, $45, available at Sephora
Related Video
camera assistance by Mi-Anne Chan.
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While you’re probably already hip to how great Amazon is for purchasing inexpensive electronics and other everyday essentials, we’re not so sure you knew how awesome the website’s home decor selection could be. Believe it or not, the site we all know and love for its cheap well…just about everything also features a surprising assortment of affordable and design-forward home goods. That’s right, the next time you’re stocking up on socks or your favorite discontinued lipstick, you can just as easily throw a fab apartment furnishing in the mix to meet the free shipping minimum, too.
However, as with any large conglomerate, separating the good stuff from the basic can be almost as tricky as staying on budget. Lucky for us, we have Canopy, Amazon’s beautifully curated housewares boutique, to look to for interior guidance. In an effort to scope out all the very best products, we scoured both sites and rounded up some of the coolest — and most economical — home accents that Amazon has to offer. Scroll ahead for the fairly priced decorative items that you can order from the privacy of your own home (pants optional).
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.
A design-savvy clock with a pop of color will liven up just about any space.
Kvell Home Pop Wall Clock, Passionate Plum, $39.99, available at Amazon
Create the ultimate hygge-home atmosphere this winter with a reed diffuser that bottles the cozy Scandinavian vibe.
Skandinavisk Hygge (Cosy Living) Scent Diffuser Refill 6.75 Fl Oz, $39, available at Amazon
Store your odds and ends in spooky style with this sleek, gilded skull container.
Suck UK Jewellry Box and Accessories Container, $80, available at Amazon
A wireless speaker that doubles as artful (and super chill) bulldog-decor.
Dornlat French Bulldog Portable Bluetooth Speakers, $32.99, available at Amazon
Let’s be honest — you’re probably due for a new shower curtain. So why not go with this dramatic sloth steal?
Sharp Shirter Sloth Shower Curtain, $29.99, available at Amazon
Employ an geometric-patterned throw pillow to create a more artful sofa scene.
Now House by Jonathan Adler Chain Stitch Fractal Pillow, Multi, $38, available at Amazon
Start a desk fire by planting your most colorful succulent inside this tiny ceramic log pile.
Fred And Friends Fancy Ceramic Mini Air Plant/Succulent Holder, Campfire, $9, available at Amazon
A stylish oil diffuser that moonlights as an air purifier and humidifier? Yes, please!
InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser/Humidifier, $19.98, available at Amazon
Vamp up a boring table or bookshelf in no time with a polished pair of pink elephants.
Topbuti Pink Elephant Bookends, 1 pair, $9.94, available at Amazon
An easy (and affordable) way to jump on the geode home decor trend without overdoing it.
Rock Paradise Home Decor Agate Coaster - Set of 4, $26.5, available at Amazon
Dress up your desk succulents with this stylish geometric planter set.
Umbra Trigg Desktop Planter Vase & Geometric Container, $32.81, available at Amazon
An Eames-inspired armchair for less than $75. Need we say more?
Poly & Bark Poly and Bark Vortex Arm Chair, White, $69, available at Amazon
Not only can this adorable — and portable — turntable play all your favorite vinyl records, but it’s also Bluetooth-enabled, allowing you to stream music straight from your mobile phone, too.
Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable with Speak, $47.85, available at Amazon
Keep your keys in check at all times with this clever key holder.
Twone White Cloud Magnetic Wall Key Holder, $7.98, available at Amazon
To brie or not to brie — now that is the question.
Kinson Bamboo Cheese Board with Cutlery Knife Set, $22.87, available at Amazon
Dress up your bar cart — or just an end table — with a cool cocktail set like this one that’ll make everyone want to play bartender.
S'well Cocktail Kit, One Size, White Marble, $95, available at Amazon
This tiny, Japanese-inspired plant holder is perfect for housing succulents.
T4U Ceramic japanese Style Serial No.5 succulent Plant Pot, $9.93, available at Amazon
A splashy espresso maker proves a swanky addition to any stovetop.
Pantone Universe Pantone Coffee Percolator 6 Espresso Cup Strong Red, $27.95, available at Amazon
Elevate the ambience of your place with a few simple but sophisticated light pendants.
Plumen Drop Cap Pendant Set, Brass, $39.95, available at Amazon
Brighten up a humdrum nightstand or end table with a colorful desk lamp.
Tomons Wood Adjustable Head Desk Lamp, $15.99, available at Amazon
Make your morning coffee and afternoon teas even cozier this season with a porcelain rabbit "mugtail" from Kinto.
Investing in some hardcover art books is an easy way to incorporate fancy art into your apartment, sans a hefty price tag.
Samantha Friedman Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs, $44.36, available at Amazon
If you’re searching for a hip way to display anything from pens and pencils to your toothpaste and brush, look no further than this fun, easy-to-clean organizer.
Umbra Grassy Organizer, White, $24.12, available at Amazon
A chic alternative to an otherwise unsightly accessory, this bamboo scale is as fashionable as it is affordable.
Red Rock Modern Bamboo Weighing Body Scale , $22.99, available at Amazon
Show off stellar album covers, magazines, and books with this stylish floating metal wall shelf.
Umbra Strum Wall Shelf, Copper, $15, available at Amazon
Instantly step up your bathroom game with this sleek acrylic organizer — great for holding everything from cotton balls to makeup brushes.
BINO 'The Glamour Caddy', $14.99, available at Amazon
Use this marble magnetic orb to spruce up your desk space by stylishly holding a stash of gold paperclips or hair pins.
METAN Marble White Paper Clips Holder Magnetic, $10.98, available at Amazon
How many kitchenwares can you come up with that are cute, multifunctional (as in do everything, from grate cheese to squeeze lemons), and under 10 bucks? 'Cuz we got one.
Bento & Co. Bin 8 Multi Kitchen Tool, $5.99, available at Amazon
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Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Calling all entrepreneurs:We want to hear from you! If you’re a freelancer or self-employed, we’d love to feature your Money Diary.Submit here.
Today, as part ofYour Spending In Your State:a graduate program assistant who makes $41,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on Meyer's dish soap.
Occupation: Graduate Program Assistant Industry: Higher Education Age: 26 Location: Boston, MA Salary: $41,000 Paycheck Amount (Weekly): $560.49
Monthly Expenses Rent: $1,000 for my half of the rent. (I live with one roommate.) Student Loan Payment: $0 (My parents paid for undergrad, and I work at a university, so my Master's degree is free!) Car Payment: $263 Phone Bill: $90 Health/Dental Insurance: $150 Work Parking: $16 Utilities: $45 for my half Netflix: $0 (Yes, I'm 26 and still use my best friend's family plan — I'm the worst.) Internet/Cable: $67.50 for my half Savings: $200 (this varies depending on how well I'm doing per month) 401(k): $60 Pure Barre Membership: $80 (My mom pays for my monthly unlimited amount because it's way too expensive, and I just pay her $80 per month. She's great about encouraging fitness and knows I have a limited budget, so she's always happy to help out with things like this.)
Day One
4:15 a.m. — Wake up SUPER early to go to my 5 a.m. barre class. I have to leave work early tonight to make it to my 4:30 p.m. grad school class, so I get to work at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays. No fun waking up this early, but barre makes me feel really good about myself and even when I'm grumpy about waking up early, it really is a great way to start my day. Afterward, I run home to change/shower/get dressed for work.
8 a.m. — Get to work with my yogurt for breakfast and just sit there and stare at the yogurt for a while. It's great and wonderful and I pretend it'll fill me up...but then I break down and walk over to the coffee bar on campus to get a croissant. Now I'm MUCH happier with my morning. I make coffee in office kitchen and spend my morning answering emails, putting out fires, and dealing with people. I work in the graduate programs office and most of my day is spent dealing with our graduate business students. Sometimes it can get tiring (as any job can), but working with the students is the best part of my job. $3.19
1 p.m. — I try to eat lunch later in the day at work, as it helps make the day go by a little faster. I munch on cheese and crackers, Goldfish, and grapes. Not my best work, but it fills me up enough that I can deal with the rest of the day. Eventually, I cave and grab a little pumpkin-shaped Reese's from the kitchen.
4:30 p.m. — Leave work and head off to class! It's a sort of general history of American higher education, and I love it. I've always loved history. It's funny to think of things like the American Revolution and Civil War in terms of their effects on higher education. Also a bit of a major bummer when you realize how higher ed doesn't have a great history of inclusiveness. Book recommendation: Ebony and Ivy by Craig Steven Wilder. I had to read it for my Diversity in Higher Education class last semester, and it really opened my eyes to a lot of really upsetting things about this profession.
7:15 p.m. — Get out of class and tell my boyfriend I'll drive him home to his apartment so he doesn't have to take public transportation. He's in class the same time I am on Tuesdays, so it works out well. It's dark and a little rainy, so I get nervous driving, but we make it there and I give him a kiss goodnight and wait to make sure he gets into his apartment safely before driving off.
10 p.m. — My roommate and I live on the second floor of an old house, and I love the apartment, but it gets a little creepy when I'm there all alone, which I am tonight. I love watching Criminal Minds and Forensic Files, which probably contributes to why I have trouble sleeping when my roommate's not home. But I've gotten much better about only watching fun/funny/happy things while she's gone so I don't freak myself out. Tonight, I turn on Coco to make me feel better, and it's definitely a good option.
Daily Total: $3.19
Day Two
7 a.m. — I wake up at 7 on days when I need to get to work by 9 because it gives me an hour to sit and drink coffee, relax, and start my morning right. When I get to work, I jump right into the day. It's a little crazy because it's still the beginning of the academic year, so we're dealing with a lot of overwhelmed students. Some of them can be a bit rude when they don't get what they want, but you have to be firm (especially when it comes to adding/dropping a class after the deadline!). I try to be really understanding since I'm a student myself , but it's amazing how some people are just not nice. Luckily for me, we have plenty of really wonderful students who make up for it.
1 p.m. — Scoot over to the dining hall with a coworker to grab a salad. $8.99
5:30 p.m. — My mom and I go to the same Pure Barre location, so sometimes we end up in class together, which happens today. When she's in class, she kicks butt. After class, I tell her I'm heading to Wegmans to get food for dinner, and she offers to take me to Sweetgreen for dinner instead. I take her up on it. I get a mix of romaine and shredded kale with carrots, sweet potatoes, spicy broccoli, cucumbers, onions, and spicy cashew dressing. Thanks, mom!
8 p.m. — Get home, shower, and start to relax. I recently traded in an old Walgreens gift card I never used for an Amazon gift card (you don't get the full amount when you trade it in, but it's much better than having a gift card you'll never use), which I use to buy toothpaste, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream, Mrs. Meyer's basil-scented dish soap, lip balm, sheet masks, BB cream, clear eyebrow gel (my Armenian eyebrows are NO JOKE and must be put in their place — I also really should get mine threaded again soon), spot treatment, and a super cute fall blanket scarf because I feel like I need one fun thing in this package of necessities. The gift card covers almost all of it, so I only spend $10.45. Roommate is away again tonight, so I put on a few episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which helps me get to sleep eventually. $10.45
Daily Total: $19.44
Day Three
7 a.m. — Get up at my usual time. I did NOT sleep well. Ended up waking up at 2 a.m. and had a hard time getting back to sleep because I freaked myself out about scary stuff, as usual. Eventually fell back asleep at around 5 a.m. So I'm a bit grumpy this morning. I have my coffee, pack my bag for barre, grab the rest of my salad from last night for lunch, and scoot out the door! I end up stopping at Starbucks for a latte on my way to work because I tell myself I deserve it. $5.03
11 a.m. — Staff meeting, which means free lunch! Whoop! Sit through the meeting – and then grab a yummy tomato, basil, mozzarella, and prosciutto sandwich and a piece of chocolate-dipped biscotti. I stay around for a while talking and eating but scoot back to the office a bit earlier than my coworkers because I have a lot of work to get done.
5:30 p.m. — Head to barre class and, oh my god, my abs. The girl who teaches the class today is amazing but also kills me by the end. My abs, legs, EVERYTHING hurts. But it also feels so good. I go home and make pasta with sauce for dinner.
8 p.m. — Roommate is finally home! That means I can go back to watching my true crime shows! I'm very into Oxygen's crime docuseries options lately, so I watch some of The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers. These shows kill me because they really build up the drama as if they're going to help solve the case, but then always leave you with: “We've exhausted all of our leads, and now we're just going to go home to leave other people to deal with it.” But I love them anyways.
9:30 p.m. — Boyfriend calls on his way home from his class. He does this usually when he's walking to or from the train station, and it's nice to hear his voice after a long day. We share stories about our days and then he tells me he has a giant container of peanut butter for me. It seems very weird, but he's a student and doesn't have a lot of money to get me any sort of gifts/flowers/whatever, so he tries really hard to give me smaller things that are practical and helpful, and it means a lot. We hang up once he gets home because he has to get work done, but we still text back and forth a little until I fall asleep.
Daily Total: $5.03
Day Four
7 a.m. — Sleep until 6:30. I have three alarms in the morning — one at 6:30, one at 6:45, and one at 7 when I need to get up. Probably not the best way to handle waking up, but it works for me. It finally feels like fall this morning, so I open up all of the windows in the apartment and curl up on the couch with my coffee to start my day off right.
7:30 a.m. — Mom calls to tell me that I should get my niece a baby doll for her third birthday. It's a little pricey, but it's good quality, and it'll last her a long time. I just have a hard time with these sorts of purchases — getting paid weekly makes it hard to buy bigger things out of the blue, and I don't end up with much “spending money." I end up putting this purchase on my credit card so I can pay it off slowly. $60
10:30 a.m. — At work, sipping some coffee and taking it a little slow. Fridays aren't too crazy in the office because our students aren't in class, so we don't have to worry too much. It's a good day to get to all of the emails that I didn't have time for earlier in the week. Boyfriend texts to see if I can come into the city this weekend for a bit. I was planning on staying at my parents' house for the weekend (they're away) and going in to pick him up on Sunday so he can come over and do his laundry for free for once instead of paying $8 per load. But I tell him I will, while silently dreading the Uber fees that come with getting into town on the weekends.
5 p.m. — Get home, grab my things, and head into the city in an Uber. We've talked about the fact that my weekend rides into the city are costing me a lot of money, but I don't know if he really gets it. I try to keep the limit on my credit card low ($2,000 total — it's been that way since I was in college), whereas he has a much higher limit. I need to get better about telling him I just can't come into town every weekend, even though I love doing it, and there's way more for us to do there. $19.33
6:30 p.m. — Head out to a cute restaurant for dinner. The food is good — we share calamari, I get a great salad with tomatoes, peppers, grilled pineapple, red onions, and basil vinaigrette, and he gets the bolognese.We each get two glasses of wine. $61.43
9 p.m. — Get back to my boyfriend's place, turn some music on, and get work done. I have a ton of reading to do for my class, and he has some job applications to finish.
11:30 p.m. — We finally head to bed. I quickly remove my makeup, wash my face, and brush my teeth. I've tried to have a fancy skincare routine in the past, and honestly, I kind of need one. But right now, I really don't have the funds to go crazy on all different creams and moisturizers, so I just make do with washing my face, getting all of my makeup off, and occasionally putting on a cheap mask if I can. I use Neutrogena makeup wipes, which are pricey enough, but my mom is the best and gets me the giant package of them from Costco that lasts me five months.
Daily Total: $140.76
Day Five
7 a.m. — Wake up because the blinds in my boyfriend's apartment do a terrible job of keeping the sunlight out. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love me some natural lighting, but I'm a tiny bit grumpy right now. We wake up slowly and try out my boyfriend's new coffeemaker that my mom bought him as a housewarming present. It's a drip coffeemaker, and it actually works really well.
9 a.m. — I tell him I need to leave because I have to get a bunch of things done today. Since my parents are gone, I agreed to do my mom's grocery shopping for the week. (She does so much for me that I try really hard to return the favor when I can). I also need to do laundry and drop something off at my grandmother's house. My boyfriend keeps trying to get me to stay, and I kind of have a bit of a breakdown. I have a tendency to overextend myself for other people, and I've just have been feeling a little overwhelmed, so I want to get everything done and then give myself some “me time” to relax because I need a breather.
10 a.m. — After my lovely little freak out, my boyfriend calms me down by saying he has no problem coming with me tomorrow if I need to get groceries, or if I want to do it without him. He then tells me to get back in bed, gives me a fresh cup of coffee, and makes me breakfast. Usually I help him when he cooks, but he won't let me this time. We eat and then cuddle while watching a few episodes of The Office. It's really relaxing and helps me feel a lot better about my day. I'm trying to be a lot less emotional (I don't like how easy it is for me to panic/cry sometimes), but he's also gotten really good at helping me deal with my emotions in a way that validates how I'm feeling but doesn't let me go too far off into anxiety and panic.
1 p.m. — Finally time to head back to my apartment so I can grab my things, and my car and head to my parents' house. I give him my BF a kiss goodbye and tell him I'll see him tomorrow. Hop in an Uber ($15.63), get back to my apartment, load up my laundry and overnight bag, and drive over to my parents' house. On my way there, I stop at TJ Maxx to grab a gift to bring to my friend's engagement party tonight. I already got her an engagement gift right when she got engaged a few months ago, but I hate showing up empty-handed, so I want to get her something little. She and her fiancé are moving into a house, so I go into the home décor section and find a really sweet sign for them to put up ($8.14). $23.77
4 p.m. — Arrive at the engagement party. I'm in the bridal party, and we needed to show up early to take pictures. Then a bunch more family and friends come over and the party gets started! I have a hard cider and a small glass of sangria early in the party and then stop drinking so that I'll be okay to drive home. I eat a ton of food (two hot dogs, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and a super cute strawberry shortcake in a mason jar) and spend time with everyone. I always get nervous before these events because I don't know anyone really well (I'm the only one in the bridal party who didn't go to school with the bride-to-be) but her friends are so wonderful and everyone in the bridal party makes me feel so welcome that it's a great time.
10 p.m. — Get back to my parents' house and curl up in bed. Their house has an alarm system so I feel way better being there alone. That means true crime time! Fall asleep watching a few more episodes of The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers …
Daily Total: $23.77
Day Six
8 a.m. — Wake up, relax, and have my coffee for a little bit. Text the BF to say I'll pick him up in the early afternoon so that I have time to get a few things done. Scoot over to the farm stand near our house to grab my mom's groceries and a few mini pumpkins for my apartment. I have what I call a "tiny pumpkin army" every fall. I pick up so many of them that they end up all over the apartment, and it's insane, but I love them. My collection accumulates slowly as fall progresses but then suddenly they've taken over, and it's great. I swing by my grandmother's house and bring her a few pumpkins for her apartment too, and she trades me for a cute fall decoration she picked up for me. My grandmother has a habit of picking out cute little things for me. They're always a little silly, usually from Walgreens, but they're really sweet, and I love her for it. $31.75
1 p.m. — Scoot into the city to pick up the BF. Swing by the grocery store to pick up a few things for lunch/dinner so that we don't end up going out to eat. We get swordfish, scallops, pasta sauce, spaghetti, garlic, onion, Sun Chips, frozen corn dogs, and ice cream. We split the cost. $23.40
6 p.m. — After doing laundry and working all day and swinging by Staples so my boyfriend can pick out highlighters (and so we can try out all of the office chairs for fun), he starts making dinner. He's a great cook, so we have a deal where he cooks and I do the dishes after. Lucky for me, he's really big on using as few pots/pans/dishes as possible, which makes my job a lot easier. He does the swordfish and scallops over the pasta with sauce and everything comes out perfectly.
11 p.m. — Finally head to bed because we have to get up bright and early tomorrow!
Daily Total: $55.15
Day Seven
6 a.m. — Wake up bright and early so that I can drive him and all of his laundry back into the city before work. I drop him off, kiss him goodbye, and he hands me a yogurt he grabbed from his apartment because he knew I didn't have anything for breakfast this morning. Saves my whole morning, honestly.
11 a.m. — The Monday-est Monday there ever was. Is it time to go home yet? Put out a bunch of small fires in the office. Pour myself a cup of coffee and throw in some pumpkin spice coffee creamer my coworker brought in.
4:30 p.m. — Head to class. BF texts me beforehand — he has class tonight at the same time and wants to know if I want to grab dinner after. I tell him I'd love to, but that I'm honestly too broke to afford going out right now, though I'd be happy to drive him back to his apartment after class since it's raining. He tells me that he'll take me out and pay because he wants to treat me anyway, so I agree.
7 p.m. — End up at a yummy seafood restaurant nearby. It's cozy inside and a great way to get out of the rain. I have a tendency to just order salad or something as cheap as possible on the menu when someone else is paying, and my BF knows this. He tells me not to worry and to order something I want — better yet, something that will give me leftovers for lunch tomorrow too. He's good about things like this. He orders us oysters to start — I never used to liked oysters (the idea freaked me out too much), but he got me to try one and now I actually enjoy them. He always asks for my opinion after I try each different one so that he can remind me which ones I really liked the next time we order. I get baked cod with a side salad and butternut squash, and he orders the Cioppino. I get a glass of wine and he gets two glasses of bourbon. (He's not driving!) He pays and makes sure I don't forget my leftovers!
9:30 p.m. — Home to a totally dark apartment in the pouring rain, and needless to say, I'm a little freaked out. Roommate is gone again — and it sounds like she's a bit under the weather, which means she will probably just stay at her parents' place until she gets better…so I could be alone for a while. Call the BF while I get into the apartment and turn on all of the lights on so I feel less alone. Then I curl up in bed and turn on Making It. My coworker told me to watch it when I'm alone because it's fun and happy, and she thinks I'll like it. She's 100% correct! I. Love. This. Show.
10:30 p.m. — Rain and wind are howling outside and I'm a little anxious, so I make some tea, pop a few melatonin, and try to catch some Zzzs…
Daily Total: $0
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The future of beauty is here — and you’re invited. Check out the rest of our 2018 Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Awards winners and honorees for a full look at the products, brands, and people that are breaking the rules and redefining beauty standards, one lipstick at a time.
When it comes to buying beauty products at the drugstore, you generally know what to expect: You walk in, head to the dental-care aisle to get the toothpaste you came in for, then suddenly black out and by the time you come to you're in the checkout line with a basket full of "essentials" you probably don't need. (And forget about shopping online — with all those coupons, you could stock up on enough "essentials" to last you the next decade.)
But right now, there's much more to the drugstore beauty section than the usual moisturizers, masks, and Banana Boat sunscreens — and it's proof that "innovative" and "affordable" are not two mutually-exclusive concepts in the world of beauty. Rather, the formulas you'll find on shelves these days are new, exciting, and like nothing you've ever seen before, at the same low prices you've come to expect from, well, the drugstore.
Ahead, the five coolest skin-care products that just launched at drugstores... as if you needed another reason to "go buy band-aids."
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Uniquely packaged in an easy-to-use twist-up stick, this brightening oil — with a pleasantly-surprising dose of sun protection — is as convenient as it gets, and such a game-changer we even gave it an award. Pop it in your carry-on to immunize yourself against dry plane-cabin air, or into your overstuffed work tote to combat moisture-zapping office heating systems. (We've all got 'em.)
Physician's Formula Vitamin C Brightening Facial Oil Stick SPF 30, $9.95, available at Physicians Formula
Dark circles, puffiness, that weird furrow you get between your brows from staring fixedly at your computer screen for hours: This unique hydrogel mask eases those symptoms of a long, stressful day on contact, while strengthening seaweed extract replenishes the delicate eye area. It's exactly what your pre-bedtime wind-down ritual is missing, especially considering it leaves the bottom half of your face uncovered, so you can soothe your weary eyes and sip wine unencumbered at the same time.
Clean & Clear Night Relaxing Jelly Eye Sheet Mask, $2.99, available at Walgreens
Bridging the gap between low-maintenance makeup and high-functioning skin care, this tinted balm is the dream: an easy, swipe-and-go tint in varying shades of sheer, flattering neutral, with the very necessary addition of SPF to protect the delicate skin on your lips from sustaining sun damage. (It's a thing.)
Sun Bum Tinted Lip Balm SPF 15, $5.99, available at Ulta Beauty
From the classic brand behind the scrub you used to slough off your prepubescent acne comes this much gentler cleanser, which is as brightening and soothing as it is travel-friendly. With a base of natural coconut oil, infused with apricot and honey extracts, it leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed no matter where you are — even if you're hastily washing your face in an airport bathroom during a layover.
St. Ives Apricot & Manuka Honey Cleansing Stick, $9.99, available at Walgreens
This powerful serum has already amassed a cult following since it launched earlier this year, with five-star reviews across the board — and for good reason. Ginseng extract, vitamin C, and an array of peptides make quick work of brightening dull, tired skin, and a touch of salicylic acid smooths uneven texture and keeps skin clear without triggering dryness or irritation. It's the rare formula that packs benefits for all skin types, and it works well under makeup, too.
No7 Early Defence Glow Activating Serum, $24.99, available at Walgreens
How many cleansers do you know of that come packaged in ball form? Very few, probably. This highly-concentrated formula is packed inside a thin latex sphere; all you have to do is wet the ball and massage it in circular motions over your face to create a light, floral-scented lather. It's a lot of fun, and surprisingly long-lasting — it should last up to 45 days when used properly.
Bliss Jelly Glow Ball Radiance-Boosting Cleanser, $12.99, available at Target
Forget SPF 4 tanning lotion and aluminum reflectors: The future of sun-kissed summer skin is not a fast track to melanoma, but rather the advent of products like this one, which provides SPF 30 and bronzing benefits in one 360-degree spray (as in, you won't need any help covering those hard-to-reach areas on your back). It's also cruelty-free, water-resistant, and uses mineral UV protectants instead of chemical, so you've really got nothing to worry about. (Except, of course, for reapplication.)
Pacifica SPF 30 Mineral Bronzing Spray Sunscreen, $15.99, available at Target
With just 11 ingredients in this potent formula, you get more of the good stuff — like the powerhouse combo of 15% vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, and a soothing antioxidant boost from vitamin E — and less of the... other stuff. The dropper bottle might be tiny, but it packs quite a punch, and the addition of the French brand's signature thermal water means your skin gets all the firming, strengthening vitamins and minerals it needs without any extra filler.
Vichy Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum Brightening Skin Corrector, $28.5, available at Target
When your skin is crying out for heavy-hitting moisture, this fast-absorbing night cream will more than suffice — without actually feeling heavy. Surprisingly lightweight, and with zero greasiness, it smooths away dryness and soothes irritation overnight, and it won't leave your face stuck to your pillowcase.
Simple Water Boost Sleeping Cream, $9.99, available at Target
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It's easy to imagine perfect curls — big, healthy ringlets and coils with zero tangles and plenty of bounce. But in the real world, those lush, good-hair-day curls can feel a lot like the unicorns of hair: a beautiful mystery.
Or they used to — that is, until this year. It was a slow process, but in 2018, brands both mainstream and high-end finally made the push to cater to girls with curls, launching some game-changing styling products (miracle detangling sprays, crunch-free foam mousse, featherlight control creams...) along the way. All of them aim to rid those good-hair-day curls of their unicorn status and make them 100% achievable on a wash n' go maintenance plan any day of the week.
Ahead, our R29 editors are breaking down the best of the best — the four most incredible new curly hair products that topped our Beauty Innovator Awards list this year. Read on for the glowing reviews of the curly hair products we can't shut up about.
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"You all have no idea how dry and crusty my 4c hair gets (or maybe you do), but DevaCurl's Curl Cream not only infused my hair with a ton of welcome moisture — it helped set my notoriously stubborn twist out, too." —Patia Braithwaite, Health Editor
DevaCurl Super Stretch Coconut Curl Elongator, $30, available at Ulta Beauty
"This curl cream smells beyond heavenly, and helped my hair survive a weekend of activities — a long bus ride, an intense workout, a baseball game, and 10 miles of walking over three days — with almost zero frizzing at all. Because it's pretty pricey, I only wish the bottle was bigger (sigh). Still, I had amazing ringlet definition, with zero crunchiness at all, which makes it well worth the splurge." —Kayla Isaacs, Editorial Assistant, Snapchat Discover
Oribe ORIBE Curl Control Silkening Crème, 5 fl. oz., $39, available at Amazon
"This stuff has me shook. I find it's best used as a hair primer in conjunction with any other product you love to use on your curls. Think of it as the base mixer you never knew you needed to get that perfect cocktail. My hair-care routine is no longer complete without spritzing this all over first — it really makes a difference." —Thatiana Diaz, Beauty Writer
Color Wow Dream Coat For Curly Hair (6.7 fl oz.), $24, available at DermStore
"I will never live without this product — it gave my 3B curls such ridiculous bounce. I use it as a last step. Plus, since it's drugstore price, I can replenish my supply fairly often without feeling guilty." —Elena Nicolaou, Entertainment Writer
Marc Anthony Strictly Curls 7-in-1 Treatment Foam, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty
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The future of beauty is here — and you’re invited. Check out the rest of our2018 Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Awardswinners for a full look at the products, brands, and people that are breaking the rules and redefining beauty standards, one lipstick at a time. This story was originally published on April 30, 2018.
I've loved magazines since the days when I scrounged up $3.99 worth of allowance money for an issue of YM. I can't remember every prom horror story that I read, or all of the flirting tips that still fail me in my late twenties, but there's one lesson that resonated with me from those preteen reading days: You must mattify your T-zone. Or I need to, rather.
Back then, I always wondered why my forehead and the bridge of my nose were so much oilier than the rest of my face. And once my beloved mags taught me about that T-shaped area and how oil glands are a lot more populous there, I began choosing products that would help dull the shine. So whenever I do wear foundation, it's a full-coverage matte or nothing at all. That way, I can control my glow. And I grew to become really particular about my highlight placement, too — no more than three sweeps on my cheekbones, one underneath each brow, and absolutely none on my nose.
So when a colleague asked me to try NARS' new Radiant Longwear Foundation, I wasn't all that thrilled. Don't get me wrong: I love NARS, and have probably gushed about the brand's Velvet Matte Skin Tint at least a dozen times. But the whole name of the game is to hide my flaws, not highlight them, and I feared a sheer formula would do just that. I should've had more faith, though. Upon first try, the foundation did go on lightly and smoothly — and managed to bring life to my otherwise dull complexion (thanks to an extra glass of wine from the previous night). My dark spots were mostly covered, and instead of having to overcompensate with illuminator, my high points looked dewy and natural. It's all because of the formula's watermelon, raspberry, and apple extracts, which work to smooth your skin and give the light a surface to bounce off of. It's glow without the grease, and it's what I'll be wearing for the foreseeable future. I think my inner 13-year-old would be proud.
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.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The future of beauty is here — and you’re invited. Check out the rest of our 2018 Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Awards winners for a full look at the products, brands, and people that are breaking the rules and redefining beauty standards, one lipstick at a time.
Remember back in middle school, when filling in your brows was like a secret trick? Those were the days — but definitely not our most polished Kodak moments. Then, we blinked and our brow woes were a thing of the past, thanks to tinted gels, powder palettes, and smooth twist-up pencils. Hell, even the most low-touch makeup users might run a clear gel through their arches every morning.
While some of us are pros at this point, and can master a well-traced brow in seconds, finding the right products can still be a challenge, especially when you're on a budget. As you likely know, we’ve exalted the wonders of drugstore finds time and time again, but today we're focusing on just bargain brow products. That's right: We put boxes of brow products to the test. After diligent swiping and brushing, we've landed on our favorites from many categories. In fact, a lot of them stood up to our favorite prestige formulas.
From bold and bushy to sharp and thin, all kinds of brows went up against these products — and they passed our test with aplomb. Click ahead to see our favorites.
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.
Liquid Pens
With just one stroke of this tapered felt-tip pen, you'll see just how flattering and realistic the liquid pigment leaves filled-in brows looking. Even better, it's totally smudge- and water-proof.
Ardell Stroke A Brow Feathering Pen, $9.99, available at Ulta Beauty
This eyebrow marker is just as thickening and long-lasting as the last, but our favorite feature includes one of the shade options — one fit for redheads. Considering how difficult it is for red-haired people to find a brow product that works for them, this is a victory worth celebrating.
Kiko Milano Eyebrow Marker, $2.9, available at Kiko Milano
Most liquid brow products only offer one felt-tipped prong, but this launch from Maybelline features four. The fork-like marker mimics the same method of a microblading needle — leaving behind brushstrokes of lifelike pigment — minus the scraping pain and scabbing. Simply put, we love it.
Maybelline TattooStudio Brow Tint Pen, $9.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Twist-Up Pencils Just ran out of that prestige favorite? Take this wonderfully-pigmented pencil for a spin and see how quickly your brow game changes.
L'Oréal Brow Stylist Definer, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty
One of those pencils you don't need to warm up on your hand before using, this one's loaded with dense pigment at first glide.
Flower Beauty Draw The Line Eyebrow Pencil, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Sure, the pencil is really smooth, but it’s the opposite end that steals the show. The sponge applicator is covered in a light dusting of powder, which adds additional fullness after you create definition.
Maybelline Eye Studio Brow Define and Fill Duo, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty
With four color options, this pencil makes it easy to find a match.
Palladio Brow Definer Micro Pencil, $7, available at Forever 21
This thicker-than-most twist-up pencil looks just as natural as thinner versions — but covers more ground per swipe.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Instant Lift Brow Pencil, $2, available at Ulta Beauty
For professional-quality precision at a too-good-to-be-true price, this fine-tipped twist-up pen is not to be missed.
NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil, $9.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Clear Gels Finally, a taming gel that doesn’t make your brows look as glossy as your lips.
Pacifica Stunning Brows Eyebrow Gloss & Set, $14, available at Ulta Beauty
Medium hold and $5? Sold.
Milani Cosmetics Brow Shaping Clear Gel, $4.99, available at Milani Cosmetics
Highly recommended for big brows, this clear gel coats every inch of hair in seconds.
Rimmel Rimmel Brow Gel, $3.97, available at Walmart
Pomades Our biggest brow pet peeve? When our products smudge. Luckily, this waxy pomade ensures a long-lasting brow all day.
NYX Professional Makeup Tame & Frame Tinted Brow Pomade, $7.49, available at Ulta Beauty
Pomades can dry up quickly, but consider this one the exception. Every time you open it up, feel confident that the formula will be as smooth as when you first got it.
Tinted Tamers Quite possibly the smallest wand we've ever swept across our brows, this one's petite but unleashes intense pigment.
Soap & Glory Archery Volu-Boost Fibre Gel, $14, available at Ulta Beauty
This round wand guarantees a full brow in one spot.
Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Eyebrow Mascara, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Have large brows that never seem thick enough? This inexpensive find really delivers the drama.
Catrice Eyebrow Filler Perfecting & Shaping Gel, $5.49, available at Ulta Beauty
The tapered spooly makes brushing on brow color a bit easier, especially when you're trying to reach those sparse edges.
Jordana Fabubrow Shape & Set Gel, $3.99, available at Jordana Cosmetics
Just like your favorite mascara, this pigmented gel ensures a brushed-out look even Cara Delevingne would ask for.
Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Mascara, $4.99, available at Ulta Beauty
If you prefer an affordable alternative to Benefit's Gimme Brow, you'll love this. The smaller wand makes filling in brows — sans powder and pomade — incredibly easy.
Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara, $2.99, available at Ulta Beauty
While the pencil is a solid B, it's the gel that wins an A+. Never worry about depositing a little too much pigment with this finely-bristled brush.
Revlon Brow Fantasy Pencil & Gel, $9.49, available at Ulta Beauty
Powder Palettes Simple and to the point, this powder-and-wax kit makes sculpting those arches a breeze.
Rimmel Rimmel Eyebrow Enhancer , $3.99, available at Target
There are days when we just want a no-frills product that gives us intense brows in seconds.
Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Kit, $3.99, available at Wet n Wild
While the brushes aren't our faves, the highlighting powder and tinted wax are perfect for a standout look.
Maybelline Brow Drama Pro Eyebrow Palette, $8.49, available at Walmart
Compact and perfect for midday touch-ups, this kit has a lot more than just cute packaging. Bonus: It includes mini-tweezers.
Milani Cosmetics Brow Fix Kit, $7.99, available at Milani Cosmetics
Good news: This kit lasts forever. We can't believe how much product you get for under $10.
Classic Pencils Pencils are the O.G. way to get the brows of your dreams, and this creamy formula has us remembering why we loved these in the first place.
Maybelline Brow Precise Shaping Pencil, $5.89, available at Target
This reminds us of the first brow product we stole from our mother's makeup bag — and we love it just as much today.
Jordana Fabubrow Eyebrow Pencil, $2.99, available at Jordana Cosmetics
Pencils ensure no flakes or fading throughout the day — and this one comes in a wide range of shades for every hair color and complexion.
L'Oréal Brow Stylist Designer Eyebrow Pencil, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Double the pigment, double the fun: This chubby pencil is perfect for the days when you wake up a little too late to fiddle with brushes.
Milani Cosmetics Brow & Eye Highlighters, $6.99, available at Milani Cosmetics
Skipped your last threading appointment? This all-in-one kit makes sure your browbone highlight is on point, while unruly hairs stay in place all day.
Physician's Formula Eye Booster™ 4-in-1 Brow Boosting Kit, $14.95, available at Physicians Formula
Any product that comes with its own sharpener is a winner in our book.
COVERGIRL Brow & Eye Makers Pencil, $4.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Prefer to travel light? This space-saving tool features a pencil, powder, and brow mascara all in one.
NYX Professional Makeup 3-In-1 Brow, $12.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Thanks to its slanted tip, this natural-effect pencil will cut your brow routine in half. Bonus: The attached spoolie brush is one of the smallest on the market to make sure pigment is brushed out to feathered perfection.
Maybelline Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty
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Every year, Fortune rolls out its famed Businessperson of the Year list. Comprised of individuals who meet a number of financial metrics — including profit increases, revenue, stock performance, and shareholder returns — the Businesspeople of the Year are deemed to be the standout CEOs in a sea of "so-so" counterparts. And this year, for the first time ever, a woman has come in at number one.
Tricia Griffith is the CEO of Progressive Corporation, one of the largest car insurance providers in the United States. Based out of Ohio, Griffith was appointed as president and CEO of Progressive in July 2017, though she first joined the company as a claims representative in 1988. During her time as CEO of Progressive, the company has seen intense growth, something that Fortune notes is remarkable considering the relatively stable industry.
According to Fortune, under Griffith's guidance, Progressive’s one-year and annualized three-year sales growth rates have surpassed those of both Microsoft and Apple. Additionally, Progressive insurer's stock is up 50% in the last year, and profits have doubled.
And it isn't just the numbers that speak to Griffith's capacity as a leader. Fortune writes that Griffith's colleagues say she is outstanding when it comes to fostering teamwork and creating connections throughout the company. Having previously worked as a entry-level employee for Progressive, Griffith says she understands how to cultivate relationships between different levels of the company.
Evidently, Griffith's attitude is just as important as her business acumen when it comes to being a remarkable leader. After a rigorous review of leaders of the largest public companies in the world, Griffith has come out on top among 19 other leading CEOS — six of whom were women.
And, at a time when female leaders are making slow gains in the business world — the number of female Fortune 500 CEOs declined by 25% this year — Griffith is not only making history, she is setting an example for future generations of women business leaders. “Focus on the job you’re doing now,” Griffith advises aspiring CEOs. “You will get noticed.”
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From enigmatic PMS symptoms to an erratic poop schedule, your period throws some real curveballs at your body. One that is less talked about but still perplexing is the odor of your period blood itself. You're pretty sure it's harmless, but you're still dying to know what's up with it. For real, why does period blood smell like that?
To get some answers, we spoke with Taraneh Shirazian, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the NYU Langone Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health, to determine what makes your period blood smell, and if there's ever a time you need to worry about it. Here's what we learned:
It's totally natural.
"Blood itself has a certain odor," Dr. Shirazian says, adding that, as you probably already know, there's more to your menstrual fluid than just blood. You also expel bacteria, vaginal mucus, fluid, and tissue during your period, and that's why your period blood doesn't smell exactly like the blood that comes out of any other part of your body. That odor can be more or less intense, depending how long it sits in your uterus before leaving, but Dr. Shirazian says "it’s either bacteria mixed with old blood or it’s bacteria in the vagina that’s coming out with the blood" that plays the lead role in making your period blood odor special and specific to you. As far as what's normal and what isn't, Dr. Shirazian keeps it simple: "A healthy period smell just shouldn’t be fishy."
A change in odor can signal a problem.
Odor can also come from the bacteria that naturally accumulates during your period. "When you’re bleeding, you retain moisture in the vagina," Dr. Shirazian says, which can lead to "secondary vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis, which has a strong, fishy odor." The thing to remember about bacterial vaginosis (sometimes shortened to BV) is that it occurs when the bacteria that's normally found in your vagina is out of balance, and can either go away on its own or be treated with antibiotics. While BV itself isn't an STI, it is known to increase your risk for catching an STI, so if you are experiencing odor, itching, or painful urination, you should definitely see your doctor for treatment. And, if you notice an out-of-the-ordinary odor when you aren't menstruating, you might want to talk to your doctor. You may have BV, vaginitis, or some other kind of infection that requires treatment.
Keeping things dry down there can help.
While there is nothing wrong with the natural blood smell (and the likelihood that it is noticeable to anyone but you is very small), Dr. Shirazian says keeping the surrounding area as dry as possible can help reduce it if it's bothering you. Change your tampon, pad, or menstrual cup regularly and try to "wear cotton underwear and breathable clothing, not a lot of spandex or tight clothing" during your period to reduce sweating, she says. Although it's not the main cause of period blood odor, sweat can definitely contribute to it. "Many types of bacteria can grow during your period that are due to both blood and sweat," Dr. Shirazian explains.
"Sometimes the issue is very heavy periods or a lot of bleeding. There’s just so much blood that it will allow bacteria to overgrow," she adds. This means that if your flow is naturally heavier, you're probably going to experience more odor than someone with a lighter flow.
If you notice that you're bleeding more than usual, or you're worried that you're bleeding excessively, Dr. Shirazian recommends talking to your doctor. "Heavier bleeding could be a sign of fibroids, polyps, or hormonal changes," she says. Plus, even if it turns out that you just have a naturally heavier flow, there's actually no reason to put up with an annoying period; you can just skip it entirely with the help of a hormonal birth control method.
Don't douche, ever.
The bottom line is that vaginal odor, much like vaginal discharge, is totally normal. As long as you're maintaining healthy period habits — keeping track of any weird changes to your normal cycle (including changes to the smell), changing your period protection regularly while you're bleeding, and most importantly, never, ever douching — you don't need to worry about the normal odor. As self-conscious as any odor may make you feel, there's no reason to go to extremes like douching, which, in fact, has been linked to bringing on the very infections (like BV) that cause even more (and honestly, much grosser) smells.
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When you find the eyeliner that makes you feel like a skilled makeup artiste even though you're just kind of winging it (literally), you buy those skinny tubes in bulk, so you never have to drag another dry pencil around your fragile eye area ever again. The only challenge is finding that elusive formula in the first place.
Well, challenge accepted — we're here to help guide your eyeliner journey. Over the past few months, our R29 editors have tested over $156 worth of eyeliners for this year's Beauty Innovator Awards, and we unanimously agreed that this liquid liner is the one to stockpile.
Ahead, find out which incredible eyeliner changed our cat eyes and kitten flicks for the better, plus the three runner-up formulas that are also smudge-proof, soft, and a cinch to apply.
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.
"I. Love. This. Liner. It made it through three weddings with countless tears streaming down my face and many manic office days in 90-degree weather on my always dewy (read: oily) skin. It made me feel like an expert when applying, didn't require more than one layer for impact and density (I can't say the same for other pre-loaded liquid felt tips I've tried), and stayed in place all day and night." —Mary Fletcher, Senior Photo Editor
FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner, $20, available at Sephora
"I love this liner because it's easy to apply, even if you're not an makeup expert — which, duh, most of us aren't. The biggest innovation is in the applicator, which has the precision of a felt-tip pen with the glide of a brush, so you can swipe it across your lash line in one single swoop." —Thatiana Diaz, Beauty Writer
"Prior to this funky tool, my cat eye was always uneven — too thick on one eye, too long on the other, a real hot mess. This stamp took some trial and error to get used to, but as soon as I got the hang of it on the third try, I was sold. I coat the stamp with the Fenty Flyliner, press it onto my lash line, and my cat eye is poppin'." —Sojourner Elleby, Producer
The Vamp Stamp Vixen Wing Eyeliner Stamp, $19, available at Bloomingdale's
"You want bold? Here it is. This liner-shadow hybrid formula makes a statement in the best way. At first, it was a little tricky for me to apply with a brush because of how soft it was, and I half-expected it to jump up to my crease. But amazingly , it stayed put exactly where I swiped it through a stressful day of photoshoot production. There was no smudging and no creasing, and it earned me compliments from four NYC strangers." —Fletcher
NYX Professional Makeup Online Only Holographic Halo Cream Eyeliner, $10.99, available at Ulta Beauty
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Police arrested dozens of protestors at the Georgia state capitol on Tuesday who were demonstrating to "count every vote" for gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, who alleges that her opponent Republican Brian Kemp has knowingly purged voters from the roster.
More than 15 people were arrested inside the Georgia state capitol, including state Sen. Nikema Williams, who was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of justice and spent about six hours in jail. One of her white, male colleagues, state Rep. David Dreyer, said he went to the same protest but was not arrested and that she was unfairly treated.
In an interview with Refinery29, Williams said that she showed up at the Capitol for a special session, but when she heard police had slammed somebody to the floor, she tried to get them to explain what happened. Then, an officer made a command for people to leave the Capitol, which several people including Williams did not obey. "I stood there with my constituents. Clearly I didn't think he was talking to me because I'm a legislator in the State Senate. ... There were other representatives there and they were not arrested," she said.
Williams said she doesn't believe she was lawfully detained, and that she was singled out as a Black female senator. "I've never been through an ordeal quite like this," she said. "I didn't realize this was going to happen when I woke up yesterday and played with my 3-year-old. I was told to pee in a cup, take my dress off so I could be strip-searched. This is never something that I imagined would happen to a sitting senator." She said an investigation has been opened and that she hopes to find a resolution to what happened.
"I saw I had constituents protesting for their voices to be heard. There are countless Georgians who cast their ballots and still don’t feel like their voices are heard. I’m incredibly proud and will continue to stand with the citizens of Georgia to demand that their votes be counted," she said.
BREAKING: @NikemaForSenate just got released from jail after being arrested at today’s #counteveryvote rally at the Georgia Capitol. “I am incredibly proud and will continue to stand with the citizens of Georgia to demand that their votes be counted.” pic.twitter.com/SA5V3F1oAN
Police also arrested a separate group of 12 Black Lives Matter protesters who were holding balloons in front of the Capitol that spelled out "340,134," the number of voters investigative journalist Greg Palast uncovered as wrongly purged from the rolls.
Kemp, who only recently resigned as Georgia Secretary of State — which let him oversee elections, claims that he has an "insurmountable lead" in the governor's race according to results certified by county election officials. But Abrams has not conceded, and is still fighting for every vote, alleging that Kemp used his position to purge voters in order to sway the election in his favor.
Palast, who has been investigating Kemp for years, said that Kemp canceled the registrations of over half a million Georgians last year, saying they had moved. But after consulting an independent firm, a top expert in address location, Palast found that at least 340,134 of them had remained at their original address. He said Kemp also purged thousands of people who moved within their county.
Several election-related complaints have been filed before multiple federal judges. Palast sued Kemp last month in a federal court.
"We can confirm with absolute certainty that 340,134 voters were purged," Palast told Refinery29. "We have their names and addresses." The saddest case, he mentioned, is that of 92-year-old grandmother Christine Jordan who'd been voting since 1968 and "vanished " from the polls this year.
Palast said he thinks "there is a good chance" the election is headed to a runoff in December, which Abrams herself has predicted. "There's no question that Stacey Abrams sees herself as a voice for women, as a voice for young people, for new Georgia versus old Georgia. There's no question that women are leading this battle."
Photo: John Bazemore/AP Photo.Photo: John Bazemore/AP Photo.
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The wait is finally over - America's favorite unofficial holiday has finally landed. The Friday after Thanksgiving never fails to see thousands of people in their Turkey induced comas lining outside of store fronts at 5 a.m., fingers furiously typing in credit card numbers, and bank accounts slowly depleting as retailers announce their mega mark-ups for the national sale day. Seasoned sale shoppers can expect this year to be no different.
If there's one thing we've learned over the years, it's that Black Friday sales never really wait until Black Friday. Itching to get a good discountbefore you consume mass amounts of stuffing? Nordstrom, Amazon, and Target are here to help you out with that.
Good things come to those who wait, however. Even if you don't have to wait as long as November 23. Ahead, we're putting together an ever evolving list of the best Black Friday sales (and the best Cyber Monday sales) to study, bookmark, and shop.
So enough chit-chat, we know you just came here to barrel through a list of discounts. Without further ado, our annual A to Z guide to Black Friday's best fashion sales.
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.
& Other Stories Dates: 11/23 - 11/24 Sale: 20% off everything Promo Code: None
& Other Stories Double Breasted Velvet Blazer, $129, available at & Other Stories
& Other Stories High Waisted Velvet Pants, $99, available at & Other Stories
11 Honoré Dates: 11/23 - 1/3 Sale: VIP early access to exclusive designer styles available for up to 70% off retail price Promo Code: Sign up for VIP access on 11honore.com to receive exclusive link to shop
Dates: 11/26 - 1/3 Sale: General public access to exclusive designer styles available for up to 70% off retail price Promo Code: None
Brandon Maxwell Ribbed Double Lapel Jacket, $1097.5, available at 11 Honore
Brandon Maxwell Wide Leg Pants, $497.5, available at 11 HonorePhoto Courtesy of 11 Honoré.
3x1 Dates: 11/23 - 11/25 Sale: Take an additional 20% off sale items; 50% off spring, summer, and pre-fall styles Promo Code: BFSALE
3x1 W4 Adeline Split Flare Leia, $137.5, available at 3x1Photo Courtesy of 3x1.
Alala Dates: 11/21 Sale: 30% off site-wide; 40% off $500+, 50% off $1000+ Promo Code: BLACKOUT18
Alala Stance Hoodie, $145, available at AlalaPhoto Courtesy of Alala.
Alternative Apparel Dates: 11/22 - 11/25 Sale: 30% off site-wide Promo Code: THANKS30
Alternative Apparel Champ Eco-Teddy Sweatshirt, $58, available at Alternative ApparelPhoto Courtesy of Alternative Apparel.
Anine Bing Dates: 11/17 - 11/22; 11/23 - 11/26 Sale: Up to 70% off; Up to 70% off sale + classic styles added Promo Code: None
Anine Bing Rosemary Silk Slip, $499, available at Anine BingPhoto Courtesy of Anine Bing.
Astrid & Miyu Dates: 11/20 - 11/27 Sale: 25% off site-wide Promo Code: None
Astrid & Miyu Mystic Cross Huggies Gold, $63.69, available at Astrid & MiyuPhoto Courtesy of Astrid & Miyu.
Freya Mini Poppy Round Leather Bag, $650, available at FreyaPhoto Courtesy of Freya.
Genuine People Dates: 11/19 - 11/26 Sale: 30% off site-wide Promo Code: TAKE30
Genuine People Belted Wool Wrap Coat, $395, available at Genuine PeoplePhoto Courtesy of Genuine People.
Gola Dates: 11/23 - 11/27 Sale: 30% off site-wide Promo Code: None
Gola Coaster Satin Neon, $65, available at GolaPhoto Courtesy of Gola.
Gorjana Dates: 11/22 - 11/24 Sale: Spend $100 get $20 off; spend $150 get $50 off; spend $250 get $100 off Promo Code: None
Gorjana Compass Coin Necklace, $15, available at GorjanaPhoto Courtesy of Gorjana.
Hat Attack Dates: 11/21 - 11/28 Sale: 20% off site-wide; Excluding Made in the USA styles Promo Code: None
Hat Attack Wicker Small Basket, $104, available at Hat AttackPhoto Courtesy of Hat Attack.
Herschel Supply Dates: 11/23 Sale: $10 off orders of $70+; $30 off orders of $120+; $50 off orders of $160+ Promo Code: None
Herschel Supply Co. Sherpa Vest, $129.99, available at Herschel Supply CoPhoto Courtesy of Herschel.
Jeu Illimite Dates: 11/22 - 11/26 (9p.m. EST) Sale: 40% off site-wide Promo Code: BFCM40
Jeu Illimité Vino High-Waisted Trouser, $210, available at Jeu IllimitéPhoto Courtesy of Jeu Illimité.
Keds Dates: 11/20 - 11/27 Sale: 30% off full priced orders; 20% off sale; free gift with purchase Promo Code: None
Keds IWD Triple Shimmer, $24.95, available at KedsPhoto Courtesy of Keds.
Koral Dates: 11/20 - 11/25 Sale: Up to 60% off SALE Promo Code: None
Koral Pump Pullover, $87, available at KoralPhoto Courtesy of Koral.
Kurt Lyle Dates: 11/23 - 11/26 Sale: 25% off site-wide; a signed print from George and Raphael Greaves of Printed Goods for all orders over $300 Promo Code: ART25
Rachel Antonoff Margaret Tea Dress, $328, available at Kurt LylePhoto Courtesy of Kurt Lyle.
As beauty editors, we get inundated with product pitches claiming to "heal" our hair. But the reality is that these formulas just gloss over the rough patches and damaged bits, filling them in or coating them so they look smoother — they don't actually do anything for hair's structural integrity. That was before Olaplex hit the scene.
If you're part of the bleach brigade, then you probably know all about Olaplex — the hair-colorist community continues to sing its praises since it first arrived on the market a few years ago, and it's been steadily introduced into salons around the country. Cool-girl makeup artist Robin Black credits Olaplex as the only reason she was able to take her dark hair to platinum without all of it falling out. Hardcore.
The brand's founders, Dean and Darcy Christal, have since introduced Olaplex to the consumer market. Previously, Olaplex was limited to professional use, which is a testament to the buzz and power of the salon grapevine — so many colorists are raving about it to other pros that salons are beating down the doors to add it to their services.
That's because many colorists feel limited as to what they can actually do to their clients' hair. The clients come to the salon holding pictures of blond celebs and, due to the potential of severe damage and trauma to the hair shaft, colorists are unable to responsibly fulfill those requests. Olaplex, supposedly, allows the pros to color the hair much lighter than they safely would be able to normally.
My bullshit meter was on full alert when I went in to try the treatment for myself — I've been burned before with so-called reparative treatments and didn't have high hopes for this unicorn of hair color. I made an appointment with Olaplex ambassador Chad Kenyon to get my blond on and prepared to be underwhelmed.
Kenyon walked me through the process, noting that there were three parts to the Olaplex system, conveniently called No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3. The first part of the treatment, No. 1 (in case you were unclear on the numerical order), is mixed into the bleach, powder lightener, or hair color, and applied to the hair. What No. 1 does, Kenyon says, is repair the disulfide bonds that are separated as a result of chemical treatments or heat styling. "Those bonds are separated and momentarily broken to achieve a different color or hair texture," says Kenyon. "Numbers 1, 2, and 3 all rebuild those bonds."
No. 2, is done in-salon as well and is needed to complete the coloring process. After the color has been applied and "cooked" (for lack of a better term), your colorist will take you to the bowl and rinse the color out of your hair — just a rinse, not shampooing. Hair is then towel-dried and No. 2 is applied to the hair and left on for a minimum of 10 minutes. Then it's back to the bowl for a rinse, shampoo, and conditioning.
Now that's all well and good for getting your hair professionally colored, but what about those who don't have the cash for a pro color treatment? That's where No. 3 comes in. "[It's] a retail-friendly version of No. 2 that allows consumers to protect their hair from themselves (curling irons, flat irons), as well as rebuild broken disulfide bonds in the days prior to visiting their colorist," explains Kenyon. The 3.5-oz bottle is only available from Olaplex affiliated salons and will cost you anywhere from $40 to $75 per bottle.
The at-home treatment is a less potent version of the salon-exclusive No. 2 that can be used every 10 days to resuscitate dry, damaged hair. According to Olaplex's vice president of education, Slim (just Slim, like the Beyoncé of color care), No. 2 is a 15% concentrate whereas No. 3 is 12.5%.
Don't call it a conditioning treatment. "[No. 3] conditions and that’s synonymous with moisturizing," says Kenyon. "We all need moisture in our hair, but No. 3 does something completely different. It’s in no way, shape, or form a conditioning treatment. It’s reparative — it rebuilds broken hair and it will reconnect those [broken disulfide] bonds."
And you don't have to have had an Olaplex coloring service or even a hair color session. Kenyon says the product can benefit those who have damage due to other chemical treatments (relaxing, keratin, straightening) and those whose hair is just wrecked from wear and tear from styling tools.
As far as different hair textures go, Kenyon says Olaplex works for everyone. No, seriously: curly, thick, fine — it helps them all. Kenyon explains that by repairing broken bonds, Olaplex is returning your hair to its natural state. That means it will help reduce frizz, dullness, and even make curls more defined.
So the big question: Does it live up to the hype? In my experience, that's a big, fat, resounding yep. Post-bleaching, Kenyon handed me a few bottles of No. 3 to use on my own at home, with the instructions to use it when I first washed my newly dyed hair. Fast forward three days and I was about to give No. 3 its first test-drive.
I jumped in the shower and shampooed my hair as advised by Kenyon. I then towel-dried my hair and applied No. 3, saturating my strands and combing it through. I popped on a shower cap and a bathrobe and bustled productively around my apartment (read: Sat on my couch binge-watching Arrow while devouring Panda Puffs and sending out random gibberish on Twitter). Kenyon says that while the instructions say 10 minutes, he advises clients to leave on for at least 30. Since my color was fresh (meaning my hair had just gone some through chemical trauma), Kenyon told me to keep it on my locks for an hour or two.
I got antsy at the hour-and-a-half mark (there's only so much superhero angst one can handle in a sitting), so I took off my cap and popped in the shower. Following Kenyon's very specific instructions, I first rinsed the (somewhat sticky) treatment out of my hair, then shampooed and conditioned. I immediately noticed a difference — my hair felt so silky and smooth I almost didn't feel it as my hands rinsed it out.
Now, I've tried my fair share of conditioning treatments and felt the silky aftereffects, but this was a whole new sensation — my hair was weightless and basically had the same feel and consistency of the water trickling out of my shower head. I toweled off my hair and added some styling product (Reverie Milk, my go-to) and let it air dry. The end result was lustrous, healthy-looking hair that had movement, definition, and zero greasiness or added weight. Oh yeah, I think I'm in love.
If you dye your hair blonde, or even certain shades of brunette, brassy hues are like cockroaches after the apocalypse. They just keep on comin', reappearing no matter how cool-toned your original shade was. Blame the sun, your shampoo, or post-summer fun. Regardless of the cause, once that brass shows up, you gotta deal with it, stat. (Unless you like it, in which case, you do you — and maybe send this article to a friend who needs it.)
When your color turns brassy, it can be tempting to just call the salon and have it redone. But, that habit gets expensive real fast — plus, most colorists recommend waiting six to eight weeks between dye jobs to avoid damage. What's an unintentionally brass-ified girl to do? Ahead, the products you need to stay cool — in more ways than one.
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.
This foaming gloss has a permanent place in our showers, for good reason. It once maintained the frosty baby-blond that Jessica Simpson sported at her wedding, so it can definitely cut through our brassy tones — and even prevent them. Use it after you shampoo, and let it sit for about five minutes. It'll make your locks extra shiny, too. "You'll notice a difference after one or two washes," celebrity hair colorist Rita Hazan tells us.
Worth noting: This product works well on blonde, brown, and gray hair.
Rita Hazan Ultimate Shine Gloss, $26, available at Sephora
This option is known for lightening up sun-kissed strands. "My favorite summer shampoo and conditioner is R+Co's Sunset Blvd," John Ruggiero, stylist to Kate Upton and Olivia Wilde, says. "They're purple to give summer blonds that extra brightness."
R+Co Sunset Blvd Conditioner, $29, available at R+Co
Brassy hues plague brunettes, too — but not if they're armed with this teal mousse, which is specifically designed to eliminate orange and red from dark hair.
Color Wow Brass Banned Correct and Perfect Mousse, $24, available at Amazon
Of course, the hair wizards behind Pravana would come up with a clever blue-green shampoo and conditioner for brunettes.
Pravana The Perfect Brunette Brunette Toning Shampoo, $19.98, available at Ulta Beauty
Chlorine, heavy metals (not the fun, musical kind), and chemicals in your tap water can wreak havoc on blond hair, adding brassiness and sometimes even tinges of green. This water purification system removes almost all of those undesirables from your shower and keeps your color fresh, shiny, and green-free.
Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System, $54.98, available at Amazon
This system boosts color, and helps hair in need of some nourishment. "It has become my number one recommendation to all my clients for damaged hair," hairstylist Bridget Brager says. "It's part protein with a ton of moisture and leaves the hair so shiny."
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo, $66, available at Ulta Beauty
Pureology Hydrate Conditioner, $68, available at Ulta Beauty
This Drybar brightening conditioner delivers a surge of lightweight moisture to dyed and highlighted hair, without weighing it down. The color-enhancing formula is great because it'll keep your hair color from becoming dingy, and will also detangle and soften for more manageable strands. Even better, the smell is heavenly.
DryBar Blonde Ale Brightening Conditioner, $27, available at Ulta Beauty
This shampoo was originally formulated to bring out the bright, silvery tones in natural gray hair, but it also works as a great neutralizer for hair of all shades — color-treated or otherwise.
Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo, $48, available at Nordstrom
This affordable pick is perfect for natural and curly hair. "It replenishes moisture and will also strengthen and soften the hair," Cantu Global Artist Maria Antoinette says. "The healthier the hair, the better it will retain the color." She also recommends rinsing with lukewarm water to lock in your hue.
Brassy hair doesn't have to feel like such an emergency, especially if you've got this glossing formula, which adds shine and counteracts the warm tones in blonde hair.
Bumble and bumble Bb. Color Gloss, $34, available at Sephora
Giving that extra attention to your hair color doesn't mean you have to shell out the extra dollars. If you're looking for a more affordable conditioning option, this treatment has a pastel violet pigment to neutralize hair and violet rice for soothing. And don't let the price tag fool you, as the reviews prove, it's definitely worth a try.
Not Your Mother's Blonde Moment Treatment Conditioner, $5.99, available at Bed Bath & Beyond
In a rush? This 2-in-1 gloss and conditioning treatment enhances your color and repairs hair in just three minutes, so when you say you're on your way, you won't be lying to buy time.
dpHUE Color Boosting GLOSS Deep Conditioning Treatment, $30, available at DermStore
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appearance by Beatrice Copeland; appearance by Sean Bennett.
Hair color touch-ups are pricey enough, so at-home maintenance shouldn't set you back even more cash. This DIY gloss treatment by John Frieda revives dull color in 3-5 minutes and rings in at under $15.
John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss, $12.99, available at Ulta Beauty
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The future of beauty is here — and you’re invited. Check out the rest of our 2018Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Awardswinners for a full look at the products, brands, and people that are breaking the rules and redefining beauty standards, one lipstick at a time.
Sometime between the years 3500 and 2500 B.C.E., Egyptian women — and men, too — used a combination of oil and a black powder called kohl to coat their eyelashes in rich, dark pigment to protect their eyes from the sun's damaging rays. Today, we just call that putting on mascara.
Roughly 5,500 years later, we don't have to cocktail our own lash makeup at home (nor should we — there are so many ways a DIY experiment that close to your eyes could go wrong). Now, we have sunglasses to shield our eyes, and no shortage of mascaras that do a whole lot more than block out sunlight. A Sephora search will reveal over 200 tubes that promise to lengthen, volumize, curl, and even tint your lashes blue, purple, or red like it's 1985. (A.D., to be clear.)
Even despite the product's remarkable evolution, we'll probably never stop looking for the next best thing; the one mascara that turns short, struggling lashes into a better version of themselves without a single flake or smudge. Luckily, we found a few that we think would make our ancient ancestors proud... and probably a little jealous of what a mix of wax and pigment can accomplish these days. Our top — and most recent — picks for mascaras that actually work, 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.
The last thing a stubby-lashed person needs is a thick, goopy formula that weighs it all down. This formula is formulated with weightless aeroparticles (yes, like the kind they use in outer space), and promises to be so lightweight that you can pack on layers and layers without flaking, smudging, or your worst nightmare: drooping.
Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara, $25, available at Sephora
There are two secret ingredients to this favorite: First, Estée Lauder's proprietary "smudge-shield" formula, which uses special polymers to lock the formula to lashes and prevent smudges even through your sweatiest workout; second, the spiral-shaped wand, which houses micro-fibers to extend and separate your lashes for a fanned-out look that's both dramatically flared and somehow natural.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara, $26, available at Sephora
Short, long, thick, or thin — this mascara caters to every kind of lash. The tapered wand is key for wiggling the formula deep into the lash line without leaving awkward smudges on your eyelid, while the waterproof formula is to credit for the long-lasting wear. Bonus: Since the formula is a powerhouse and totally resistant to water-based cleansers, MAC provides a deluxe size of its cleansing oil to comfortably remove the formula without tearing out your lashes in the process.
MAC Cosmetics Up For Everything Lash Mascara, $24, available at mac cosmetics
For an even coat of pigment from the inner to the outer corners, you need this mascara. Not only is the formula waterproof, but the wand boasts a lash-hugging hourglass shape to cover every single lash in just one swipe.
Beauty Bakerie Eyelash Icing Mascara, $18, available at Ulta Beauty
The fluffy, no-fuss wand isn't the only reason we love this mascara — we're also partial to the waterproof formula, which is loaded with wavy lash-boosting filaments for our most lifted and voluminous look yet.
Revlon Volumazing Waterproof Mascara, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty
If waterproof formulas aren't your jam, opt for this mascara, which provides long-wear power — without the inevitable eye-scrubbing — thanks to a clear primer and curvaceous wand. Yes, it lasts hours and hours, but it also contains olive-leaf extract and panthenol to condition lashes and keep them soft and healthy.
PYT Cosmetics Primed + Ready / Mascara, $16, available at Ulta Beauty
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