Before any celebrity walks down the red carpet, they get a full once-over from the glam squad. The fashion stylist tucks and tapes so there's no risk of a nip slip. The hairstylist gives one more blast of hairspray to make sure there are no flyaways. And the makeup artist does one last spritz of setting spray before checking to make sure the face looks good from every angle. Because lipstick on the teeth or a slipping false lash could end up in a Twitter trending topic or an Instagram meme the next day.
Last night for the 2018 Latin Grammy Awards, an errant lash was the least of singer Lele Pons' worries as she arrived on the red carpet in Las Vegas because her makeup artist Jose Figueroa used a $145 set of falsies that are meant to last for a week. (And no, we're not talking about eyelash extensions.)
Lele's makeup look was inspired by the glamorous ruffled Monsorri gown she wore. And the lashes needed to be as dramatic as the dress. So, Figuero used the Lashify system. What makes these eyelashes so special? Think of them like lash extensions that can be done at home like strips or individuals. The customized system uses a bonding solution to adhere the hairs, and the lashes are individually tucked in underneath your natural lashes, making them easy to blend (a characteristic professional makeup artists rave about).
Jose Figueroa applying Lashify lashes on Lele Pons.Courtesy of Jose Figueroa & Lashify
With this complete glam, Pons was set for a long night of recording Instagram takeovers, presenting on stage, and dancing to Will Smith's performance with Bad Bunny and Marc Anthony. And once the night was over, she could remove the Lashify set or keep them on for an entire week (these lashes are fine to use more than once if you handle them with care.)
As we plan for holiday parties, we'll definitely be saving this look onto our beauty inspiration, because there's nothing that says New Year's Eve like a statement burgundy lip and sturdy pair of false lashes.
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 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.
I like to joke that I have a PhD in not washing my hair. In fact, I'm one of those total weirdos that sort of hates being wet in general. (Yes, we exist — and there are a lot of us.) Due to this perplexing desire to stay dry — and my career as a beauty editor — I have an extensive collection of shower caps and a rather advanced knowledge of dry shampoo.
If you, too, don't like to wash your hair for whatever reason, then you're likely well aware that all dry shampoos are not created equal. From the cult French offerings to the prestige American formulas to drugstore staples worldwide, they all work a little differently. Think you hate dry shampoo? Feel like it doesn't work? I'm here to convince you that you just haven't found your perfect match yet.
But that's about to change, because the best dry shampoos for every concern and hair type are waiting in the slides 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.
Best For: A Tight Budget
This formula is incredibly powerful — so much so that I hit my own personal record of nine days without liquid shampoo after discovering it. I've convinced just about everyone I know to try it, and they've all come back raving about how long it extends styles.
Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo, $3.59, available at Ulta Beauty
Best For: Textured & Curly Hair
Pros don't normally advise the use of dry shampoo on textured hair — and for good reason, as natural and relaxed strands tend to be drier than other hair types. That is, until now: Cantu's formula makes hair fuller, springier, and all around more "done," with way less work.
Cantu Cantu Conditioner Dry Co-Wash , $4.99, available at Target
Best For: Dark Hair
Anyone with dark hair and a penchant for skipping wash days knows that white splotches happen with classic dry shampoo, especially if you use a heavy hand in a hurry. There are tons of tinted formulas to combat this annoying problem, but this is the formula the pros recommend most, likely because it's ultra-strong and comes in a variety of shades.
Bumble and bumble Brownish Hair Powder, $36, available at Sephora
Best For: Fine Hair
Dove's dry shampoo is pretty darn effective, but it's the volume it delivers that really makes it stand out. The active ingredient is a form of starch, which, when layered into roots and lengths, makes hair look and feel fuller without any stiffness.
Dove Refresh + Care Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo, $5.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Best For: Achieving Texas-Level Volume
For those wanting their hair to be as big as it possibly can (I feel you), I present Sachajuan's cult formula. This is like extensions-in-a-can: A quick spray makes hair crazy full, but if you layer it in, section by section, your strands will look so thick, you simply won't believe it. Now, this is hair product, not a miracle, so don't expect to be able to run your hands through your hair with ease if you really go for it. There's always a trade-off.
Sachajuan Dry Powder Shampoo, $35, available at Sephora
Best For: Extra Greasy Hair
Some dry shampoos do little more than add a powdery texture to mask oil and buildup, and leave strands sad and greasy just a few hours later. This one, however, has a special kick that earned it the top spot for this year's Beauty Innovator Awards: The clarifying charcoal powder sops up dirt and sweat, while white-tea powder soothes and strengthens.
Usually, a few hours later, our strands are back to being sad and greasy. But this one has a special kick that earned it the top spot for this year's Beauty Innovator Awards. It has clarifying charcoal powder which sops up dirt and sweat, while white tea powder soothes and strengthens at the same time.
IGK IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo, $27, available at Urban Outfitters
Best For: Dandruff & Sensitive Scalps
Trichologist Philip Kingsley's eponymous line specializes in issues of the scalp — and makes effective dandruff shampoo and DIY treatments downright chic. The brand's entire line was created with sensitive, reactive scalps in mind, which makes this formula perfect for anyone with similar issues. It soaks up oil, yes, but it also has actives like zinc PCA and allantoin to help control bacteria and sebum and condition skin, which in turn helps control dandruff and itchy skin. Win-win!
Philip Kingsley One More Day Dry Shampoo, 200ml, $25, available at Net-A-Porter
Best For: Aerosol Avoiders
Aerosol isn't for everyone, for a variety of reasons. While there are a lot of loose powder formulas without it (cult-favorite French brand Klorane also makes a great one), the pointed applicator on Verb's is my top pick for the sheer control it gives you. Sectioning hair in horizontal partings is very important, especially with loose powder formulas, to ensure the dry shampoo gets to the root, and the engineering of this bottle makes that easier.
Tip: Loose powder formulas are heavier that aerosol, so massage it in at the roots, let it sit for a few minutes, then brush out the excess.
Yes, there is such a thing as too silky — and if your hair just can’t seem to hold a style, a little bit of grit will do the trick. This lightweight formula is perfect for giving you that texture and lift without creating product buildup, and it smells damn good, too.
Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Shampoo, $14, available at Target
Best For: Smelly, Greasy Hair
Dry shampoo that also cancels out odor? Leave it to the twins that made "bag-lady chic" the look during the aughts to create just that. And guess what — it works. It's not quite as strong as a classic dry shampoo, but it has far more benefits than a hair perfume.
Runner-up: Oribe's Cote d'Azur, which is a godsend for removing strong odors (like campfire) but doesn't soak up oil.
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black Dry Shampoo, $14, available at Sephora
Best For: Dry Hair Or Very Light Results
The French brand's classic formula is a top pro pick because it's effective, but also light, so it won't turn your strands into the Sahara Desert. The brand has a few formulas — Nettle is great for super oily scalps — but it's the Oat Milk that I love because it keeps hair feeling soft. Like Dove's, it has starch, which means a ton of celeb hairstylists use it for texture through the lengths, too.
Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, $10, available at Sephora
Best For: Super Greasy Hair
You know those days when you're not sure even the strongest dry shampoo will help your poor, oily, limp hair? This is the formula for those times. Touted by pro hairstylists as the formula that will save your hair after a spin class, its dry texture sops up oil so you can create a chic pony or bun on even the dirtiest strands.
Tigi Bed Head Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo, $14.29, available at Ulta Beauty
Best For: Short Hair
If ever there was a dry shampoo innovation worth raving about, it's this. This paste — yes, paste — is massaged into roots to diffuse oil and add volume. It's rather effective, and adds a nice fullness and grit to hair. It works on any length, but due to the sheer amount of work (you really need to avoid lengths and ends unless you want a piece-y look) I recommend this formula for short hair.
R & Co R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste, $28, available at Nordstrom
Best For: People Who Hate Dry Shampoo
A lot of people loathe the feeling of hair product and absolutely despise the sensation of dry, dusty dry shampoo at their roots. I get it. For you, I recommend one of the most talked-about formulas from the past few years. I am not sure what kind of witchcraft the brand has harnessed, but somehow Living Proof's formula soaks up oil, refreshes hair, and cancels out odor without feeling like anything. Seriously, beauty editors love this stuff — and you will, too.
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, $13, available at Sephora
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Today may not be Black Friday, but it's Friday nonetheless. And lucky for us, Wayfair is hopping on the early shopping train with slashed prices on a wide selection of big home buys across the site. The company kick-started its Black Friday Week sale this morning — an entire week in advance of November 23's highly-anticipated shop-holiday — offering up to 80% off items all the way through the end of the month.
With closeouts on everything from mid-century modern furniture to luxe bedding essentials and unique decor accents, the purchase options seem endless. So, we waded through the stacked selection to pull out the best finds for the biggest deals while they're still in stock. Scroll ahead to shop the top steals on 22 dream home pieces you've been wish-listing all year. If there's ever a time to pull the checkout trigger on plush statement sofas, stylish wooden accent dressers, bohemian area rugs, and/or artful metallic table lamps, it's now.
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 Good: Statement Sofa The Deal: 53% Off Go big and go home with this glamorous, velvet-upholstered statement sofa.
Willa Arlo Interiors Ferrao Chesterfield Sofa, $629.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Memory Foam Mattress Topper The Deal: 74% Off If you're not ready to go the full memory foam mattress route yet, try out a more affordable topper first to get the cushy feel.
Lucid 4" Memory Foam Mattress Topper, $122.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Metallic Accent Lamps The Deal: 67% Off What's better than one chic, sleek, and affordable metallic accent lamp? A set of two.
Wade Logan Courtney 24" Table Lamp, Set of 2, $100.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Wooden Accent Dresser The Deal: 74% Off The price point on this elegant wood-finished piece, accented with aluminum ring pulls and corner brackets is almost dreamier than dresser itself.
Mercer41 Mathis 3 Drawer Accent Chest, $319.88, available at Wayfair
The Good: Rustic-Modern Coffee Table The Deal: 21% Off Ease into the mid-century modern trend by investing in an anchor piece that will pull your living space together with clean and classic ease.
Langley Street Napoleon Coffee Table, $190.54, available at Wayfair
The Good: Full/Queen Cotton Linen Duvet The Deal: 80% Off There's only six of these left and we can see why. This duvet has a calming, go-with-everything style with a price that can't be beat.
The Twillery Co. Hammett Duvet Cover, $88.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Golden Accent Mirror The Deal: 42% Off Brighten your room with a decor piece that adds depth while making an artful statement.
Willa Arlo Interiors Josephson Accent Mirror, $147.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Stylish Loveseat The Deal: 22% Off This loveseat is the stylish, comfortable, space-saving couch solution that we've been searching for.
Mercury Row Garren Standard Loveseat, $251.19, available at Wayfair
The Good: Bohemian Area Rug The Deal: 67% Off This affordable area rug has just the right amount of understated bohemian-vibes for blending into any space, no matter the decor style.
CosmoLiving by Cosmopolitan Moroccan Nasiba Tribal Ivory Area Rug, $26.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Large Floor Mirror The Deal: 88% Off Your search for an oversized mirror ends here.
Trent Austin Design Bentson Rectangle Wood Floor Mirror, $203.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Mid-Century Modern Side Table The Deal: 65% Off Feeling romantic about the rich midnight-blue wash on this MCM nightstand with metal-capped McCobb legs.
Mercury Row Kraemer 2 Drawer Nightstand, $152.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Upholstered Platform Bed The Deal: 43% Off The clean lines-soft color combo on this platform frame make it an easy and elegant modern accent for pulling together a bedroom.
Langley Street Rasmussen Upholstered Platform Bed, $332.2, available at Wayfair
The Good: Modern Floor Lamp The Deal: 66% Off Choose a floor lamp that also serves dual-purpose as a modern art piece — case in point: this sleek, black metal tripod.
Langley Street Rudy Tripod Floor Lamp, $66.98, available at Wayfair
The Good: Luxe Velvet Sofa The Deal: 55% Off We never thought we'd see the day where a pink sofa would make stylish sense inside our spaces — low and behold, that day is here.
The Good: Rustic Nightstand The Deal: 66% Off Add a rustic flourish to your bedside with this softly-distressed and brass knob-accented wooden nightstand.
Mistana Abbey 3 Drawer Nightstand, $195.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Memory Foam Pillow The Deal: 80% Off Get yourself armed and ready for major R&R during the holidays with a pair of these soft-as-a-cloud, memory foam pillows.
Alwyn Home Memory Foam Pillow, $19.98, available at Wayfair
The Good: Sleek Kitchen/Bar Cart The Deal: 60% Off This Sonoma oak-finished cart is the effortless answer to our all our small kitchen, big booze collection woes.
Mercury Row Comet Kitchen Cart with Wooden Top, $138.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Gilded Nesting Tables The Deal: 45% Off Step up your living room style with a pair of artful, gilded nesting tables.
Everly Quinn Adrianna 2 Piece Coffee Table Set, $192.65, available at Wayfair
The Good: Contemporary Armchair The Deal: 72% Off This soft, contemporary armchair is winter reading nook-approved.
iSTANT HOME Clementina Armchair, $278.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Modern Indoor/Outdoor Rug The Deal: 51% Off Try placing a stylish indoor-outdoor rug inside your space for decor piece that's more durable while still making a statement.
Mack & Milo Anette Ivory/Black/Gray Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug, 5'3'' , $134.99, available at Wayfair
The Good: Retro TV Stand The Deal: 79% Off Use this sleek, retro furniture piece as an entertainment stand, dresser, or stylish extra storage space anywhere inside your apartment.
Langley Street Carneal TV Stand for TVs up to 32", $78.3, available at Wayfair
The Good: Stylish Room Divider The Deal: 32% Off Break up a small space with this elegant, rice paper-paneled screen that doubles as a decor accent when folded and placed against a wall.
Bungalow Rose Leiva Room Divider, $87.73, available at Wayfair
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Quitting your life to travel is a common daydream. But it wasn't until recently that it morphed into an actual trend, with millennials using frequent flyer miles, credit card churning, and hardcore budgeting techniques to achieve the adventures of their dreams. Of course, the rest of us can't help but be envious, which is why when people do manage to put their lives on pause in the name of wanderlust, the story is often big enough to make the local news. Not to mention garner a substantial social media following.
Chanel and Stevo — the couple behind popular travel site and social media brand, How Far From Home — are one such story. In 2015, they sold their belongings, packed their bags, and headed off on a yearlong adventure. Almost four years later, the pair is still traveling, now professionally. We caught up with the duo to chat about the good times and the bad, what they're doing when the cameras are off, and the most surprising thing about their unconventional lifestyle.
How long have you been traveling professionally? We left home with four bags (after having sold all our other belongings) on March 2nd 2015, so we’re coming up close to our four year anniversary of leaving (wow!) The initial plan was to take a sabbatical for one year, but after around 9 months we got our first client, and so from there we managed to turn the sabbatical into a lifestyle.
A lot of people probably wish they could quit their lives to pursue a dream, but for many it never becomes reality. How did you decide to take the plunge? Chanel has always wanted to travel, so it was a dream of hers from the start. Stevo was a little hesitant to just "pack up and go" as it would mean putting his career on hold (not something he was comfortable doing). Then we both attended the Design Indaba conference in Cape Town and watched Stefan Sagmeister (the New York-based, Austrian graphic designer) give a talk about "the power of time off." He explained how he closes his entire agency every seven years to take a year off to reboot, recharge, and get creatively inspired. He made it sound like taking a break would actually be a good thing for the career. So we got back home to Johannesburg and decided to do it. What followed was a year-long planning exercise, looking for ways to travel on a budget (we ended up doing a lot of volunteer work and some dog sitting in our first two years). We also stopped shopping, stopped spending frivolously, and saved every cent we could, selling our cars and furniture and then heading off a year later.
Was there a specific moment or reason you decided to go all in? I think straight after seeing Stefan’s talk, we were so inspired that we said, "We’re 29 years old, no mortgage yet, no kids yet...what do we have to lose?" We told ourselves that if it didn’t work out for whatever reason, we’d just come home and get our jobs back, or look for new jobs. But we stuck to our extremely strict budget every month in that first year (sometimes sharing meals, sometimes walking for five kilometers because we couldn’t afford a taxi) and we just made it work. We both count ourselves VERY lucky that we managed to document the journey in a unique way (with our photo project on Instagram, counting each kilometer traveled and tracking it by writing the number on a chalkboard) which earned us some recognition in the industry (getting featured by Instagram to their 70 million users at the time) and from there our community grew, interest grew in our journey, and from that we managed to turn ourselves into a traveling agency.
What's changed since you first started How Far From Home? Wow, a lot. Although we’re still fairly frugal, we’re definitely able to enjoy travel more, now that we have clients. We’re no longer sharing meals. Our style of travel also evolved over the almost-four years. In the first year we were hungry to see it all, and we did it on a really tight budget. We did a lot of volunteer work (working at a husky lodge in Norway, a campsite in Sweden, and a dog training facility in Italy) and we didn’t get to do a lot of the big sites since we couldn’t afford to.
For example, we traveled to Athens, but couldn’t afford the entrance fee for the Acropolis. After getting our first couple of clients, we began traveling with a different purpose — it wasn’t just about counting kilometers and documenting our journey on Instagram. We had work to do (again). We traveled further, worked hard, and our photography improved. Then into year three we were full-blown traveling photographers and filmmakers with clients from all over the world. Now we travel for work — we’ve only really taken two or three "personal" trips this year, where we chose the location and booked ourselves an apartment. The rest has been client work — we go where our clients need us to go, and we’re there shooting 24/7. We still manage to enjoy the travels, although it’s no longer about doing it for fun like it was in the first year — now it’s about improving our craft as a traveling agency and servicing our clients. We’re also evolving with our skills and interest, spending a lot more time on video work and interactive social campaigns like with our Instagram Stories.
Is there somewhere you consider a home base? How often, if ever, do you go back there? At the moment the closest thing we have to a "base" is Stevo’s aunt’s house in Austria. Luckily she has the space to host us every few months, so in between the client gigs we’ll go back, unpack for a couple weeks, sleep A LOT, eat the amazing Austrian food, edit the work from the previous trip, and plan and book the next trip. Most of our year has been like that.
Is it possible to pick a favorite trip? Aaaaah one of the toughest questions after having seen SO many amazing places around the world. There’s definitely a few that stand out:
Our first volunteering gig in Norway. We made friends there and they took us up to see the North Cape. We drove from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. (as it was the midnight sun) and ventured out into this barren landscape, with nothing but purple skies and reindeer. It was surreal.
We absolutely loved everything about Japan when we visited there during the cherry blossom season last year. The culture, the food, the nature...everything. We can’t wait to go back there.
Namibia surprised us so much (especially since it borders our home country South Africa...we had to travel so far to realize that this gem was just across the border). For a landscape photographer it really is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Jordan also blew us away with the scenery and hospitality. This has to be our favorite work gig.
Special mention to Banff National Park in Canada, the Dolomite mountains in Italy (where we got engaged last year), and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, as all three were some of the best memories.
What is one thing that fans would find surprising about your current lifestyle? That we’re not really where we say we are on social media. We always have to be one or two weeks ahead, as we have to edit our Stories and photos ahead of time, so even though it may seem that we’re in Qatar, for example, we’re already in Austria editing work from Ethiopia.
How long does it typically take to get the perfect shot? To be honest, we don’t know if we have the perfect shot until we get back to our computers and edit and process everything. When we’re out shooting, we just go crazy — shoot, shoot, shoot, try a different angle, shoot, try a different pose, shoot, sometimes change the outfit, shoot. It’s all a whirlwind and it’s so quick because we have jam-packed days where we’re up from 6 a.m., sometimes 4 or 5 a.m., and then we go the whole day shooting photos, videos, Stories, and then we get back in the evening and dump everything onto a hard drive, then shoot again the next day, sometimes only looking at the content we shot a week later when we’re on the plane or at our next destination. Then we sort and go through it all to see what we got. It’s risky, but since there’s two of us, we always manage to pull something off.
What happens when the cameras are off? What are some of the more difficult moments that we don't see? If it were up to us, we’d spend all our free time sleeping. I don’t think anyone realizes just how exhausting this lifestyle can be — we feel like professional sportsmen. We’re working, sometimes seven days non-stop, then we jump on a red eye flight (which we don’t sleep on — for some reason we both can’t sleep on planes...you’d think we would’ve mastered that after 151 flights, but no). We’re constantly adjusting to climates, time zones, altitudes, cuisines, even water.
Our bodies definitely take a beating with this lifestyle and the only thing that helps is rest, so we try sleep as much as we can (even if we’re in a beautiful new place — we’ll still give ourselves a few days of doing nothing before venturing out). Of course, it also isn’t easy — arriving in a new place means first finding it, learning the public transport system with heavy bags, then trying to find a grocery store to get somewhat settled in, making sure the SIM card works so we can use Google Translate to get what we need, exchanging for the new currency, and then hopefully the apartment we have has a good, clean bed. It’s always a surprise, and every single place is different, so every two weeks or so, we’re going through this. And if we’re on a tight deadline, there’s no time to rest once we eventually get settled — we’re editing and posting content, and pitching to new clients, invoicing old work, booking the next trip....it’s constantly on the go!
Do you spend time apart while traveling? Nope. It’s 24/7/365. We’ve had two nights apart since departing in March 2015 (when Stevo had a bachelor party). This in itself is also quite stressful, but somehow we’ve made it work...and it’s been the best test of our relationship ahead of our wedding in Feb 2020.
Do you think you'll ever go back to the 9-to-5 life? We honestly can’t say. There’s days where we’re screaming (maybe even crying) saying, "We need to stop this...let’s just go back and have a routine for sanity’s sake" (normally when we’ve had delayed flights or long-haul flights with no sleep for 36 hours), but then there’s days where it’s just the two of us in the most beautiful national park, and it’s 2 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon and we think, "We could never do this, we’re so lucky." We know for sure that this current lifestyle isn’t sustainable, so we’ll need to stop eventually, but we haven’t quite decided what kind of lifestyle will replace this one. We know we want dogs, and possibly a family in a few years, so we’ll need to settle somewhere, but where, when, and doing what, are still undecided.
How do you plan your trips? When do you find time to plan? 80% of our trips now are for clients, so it’s wherever they need us to go. We have to find time to plan whilst on the go, so while Steve edits a client video, Chanel will be looking at flights. While Chanel is editing images, Steve will be reading hotel reviews to find the best spot.
What is the best part of your current lifestyle? The worst part? The best: Being able to see so many incredible places around the world, with the most important person in the world.
The worst: Not having our own bed, with a dog waiting for us.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to travel more? Live with less. Stop buying things you think you need, and save all your money to collect experiences. There’s definitely ways to travel on a budget, and spending all your money on exploring the world is the absolute best gift you can give yourself. Go learn about the world, meet new people, try new foods, and collect those memories.
You can also take our online course or read our ebook if you want help planning a big trip like ours (and need tips for budget travel).
Any recommendations for our readers looking to book a big trip in 2019? It feels like the travel industry is BOOMING and more and more people are traveling. There are so many more tourists everywhere we go, so our recommendations would be:
Try and take your leave off-season, because the influx of people will be less and you won’t be fighting for a crowd-less photo, or for a good Airbnb.
Don’t go to the most popular spots — visit somewhere you’ve never heard of and be the first (or one of the first) to discover it.
Try go close to home if you can’t afford the long-distance travel. So many of us venture really far when there are amazing places just a few hours away.
Welcome toMyIdentity. The road to owning your identity is rarely easy. In this yearlong program, we will celebrate that journey and explore how the choices we make on the outside reflect what we're feeling on the inside — and the important role fashion and beauty play in helping people find and express who they are.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Ah, Thanksgiving: a holiday known just as well for its signature turkey and gravy as the familial discord it brings to the table.
So this year, after piling mashed potatoes onto your plate, consult the following memes and videos as inspo for navigating tricky holiday scenarios: like, when your grandpa makes you give a toast on the spot and you've had one too many glasses of wine, when your uncle says something racist and/or sexist just as dessert is being served, or when your ex sends you a late night "Happy Thanksgiving" text. (Thank u, next.)
Do like Kim Kardashian to Kourtney and tell your sister she's the "least interesting to look at" in the family photo. I mean, she's blinking, and that's not fair to you!
When your grandpa forces everyone to go around the room and make a toast, and you have to go first, so you turn to Lady Gaga's iconic "There can be 100 people in a room" toast that went viral during the A Star Is Born press tour.
Just remember, there can be 99 people who don't believe in you, as long as one does.
When your mom shouts from the kitchen that dinner is served, so you waltz into the kitchen with a turkey wearing yellow sunglasses on your head.
When it's your younger cousin's turn to make the toast.
When your aunt tells you that she "doesn't get what you do for a living," and you're already in a hangry mood waiting for the food to be ready, so you go off.
When your uncle almost makes it through the whole dinner without saying anything racist and/or sexist.
When your sister ruins the group photo because she was blinking and you're mad because you looked really good in it and wanted to potentially Instagram it, so you tell her what's up.
When you ditch the group photo and opt for a solo shot, so you copy Mariah Carey and pose with a pie.
When your ex hits you up with that out-of-the-blue "Happy Thanksgiving" text.
When you have a green bean casserole food baby.
When after three platefuls you can't look at anymore turkey, so you kiss Thanksgiving goodbye for another 365 days.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Stylish people love the talk of layering, but, truth be told, layering successfully isn’t as effortless as it looks in the wintertime. A few misplaced layers can quickly send your carefully planned ensemble into puffland — and, as people who have been there many times before, we can attest that it’s not so much cozy as it is stuffy and uncomfortable.
That’s where the DIY catsuit comes in, our favorite cold-weather wardrobe hack for layering smartly and stylishly. This base is comprised of just one long-sleeve top and one pair of leggings from Cuddl Duds (you can find them at Macy’s), which serve as the foundation for all winter looks. And unlike an actual one-piece catsuit, these warm separates are versatile and easy on their own, meaning you can wear them as they are. As proof, ahead are three ways to mix and match these on-the-go essentials for wherever your day takes you. Your winter dressing woes have been solved.
Yes, you most certainly can wear pencil skirts in the wintertime. Instead of flimsy tights, opt for a pair of high-waisted Cuddl Duds leggings — these are made with a super-soft microfleece fabric and have a hint of stretch. On top, layer a crewneck sweater over a form-fitting turtleneck for extra coziness.
Cuddl Duds Fleecewear Top, $28, available at Macy's
Cuddl Duds Softwear Stretch Long-Sleeve Turtleneck, $32, available at Macy's
Cuddl Duds Stretch Fleece Leggings, $28, available at Macy's
If you like your bottoms to have softness and texture, these velour leggings feel as luxurious as they look — plus, they can double as regular skinny pants. Amp up the long-sleeve and turtleneck combo with a slick and shiny jacket.
Cuddl Duds Double Plush Velour Long-Sleeve Crew-Neck Top, $36, available at Macy's
Cuddl Duds Softwear Stretch Long-Sleeve Turtleneck, $32, available at Macy's
Cuddl Duds Double Plush Velour Wide-Waistband Leggings, $36, available at Macy's
Since a pop of color is always appreciated in the winter, why not let hints of blue peek through a day-to-night shirtdress? Tuck the long-sleeve top into a pair of high-waisted leggings for a streamlined look, and slip the dress over the catsuit for a wear-and-go vibe.
Cuddl Duds Women's Softwear Stretch Long Sleeve Crew Shirt, $32, available at Macy's
Cuddl Duds Softwear Stretch Leggings, $32, available at Macy's
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
There's no time to let any shopping blues get you down once Black Friday ends. Where one sales day ends, another begins. Cyber Monday has become the premier date to ignore your coworkers' small talk about their holiday weekend, flex your credit card number memorization skills, and covertly spend the first day back at work scrolling through the hundreds of sales happening online.
To help you avoid the grueling process of scrolling through one too many email newsletters, we're rounding up all the best sales your favorite sites have to offer. From promo codes to sale details to who's offering gifts with purchases this year, the list ahead is your guide to it all.
Kick back, relax, and prepare to break a shopping sweat with our A to Z list to Cyber Monday's best sales 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.
There's no losing when it comes to Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings — we can all reap the benefits. But what separates an experienced, zen bargain hunter from someone who spends hours in the checkout line with a splitting headache come Thanksgiving week is that the former jumps on those early sales.
This year, you can fancy yourself a planner, because you'll win big on everything beauty-related when you shop Ulta Beauty 's annual Cyber Fundays flash sale, going on right now. The savings are exclusively online, will be gone at the stroke of midnight tomorrow, and will alleviate all your holiday shopping stress — well before Turkey Day.
Ahead, we've broken down the best deals of the short flash sale, from a buy one, get one free MAC lipstick offer to 40% off a fresh set of makeup brushes. Don't hesitate when adding it all to your virtual cart, because all these deals will disappear tomorrow, November 17, at exactly 11:59 p.m. CT.
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.
When you buy one MAC Retro Matte liquid lipstick, you'll get to choose a second one — same shade or different — absolutely free.
MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour, $21, available at Ulta Beauty
If you're loyal to the Keratin Complex brand, stock up on all your essentials now, while every single product is 35% off.
Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy Keratin Color Care Shampoo, $13.65, available at Ulta Beauty
Mario Badescu Plastic Bottle Drying Lotion, $13.6, available at Ulta Beauty
Normally, Juice Beauty's Stem Cellular moisturizer will cost you 70 bucks. But today and tomorrow, you can get the best-selling anti-wrinkle cream — or anything else from the Juice Beauty brand — for 25% less than its normal retail price.
Juice Beauty STEM CELLULAR Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer, $52.5, available at Ulta Beauty
You can get anything Murad for 40% off when you shop it right now. We'd recommend the exfoliating cleanser with AHAs, BHAs, and over 200 gold-star reviews.
Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, $23.4, available at Ulta Beauty
In the face of a culture that remains ambivalent about what middle-aged (or older) women have to say, Mariah Carey refuses to be silenced — or forced to “act her age.”
In the year of our Lord, 2018, Mariah Carey finally decided – after an especially dramatic several years in her personal life – to drop a few f-bombs. Sure, the superstar has dropped a few swears on live TV and is a known curser in her day-to-day life, but she hasn’t really done it in a song before. With Caution, the diva’s 14th studio album, the fucks come fast and furious in the choruses of the LP’s first two singles, “GTFO” and “With You.” She drops a casual fuck in the first verse of “The Distance,” and although the word itself doesn’t make an appearance in “One Mo’ Gen” or “Stay Long Love You,” fucking itself is the focus of the tracks. The right time to start saying fuck is right when you have no more fucks to give, and that seems to be the message Carey wants to send on Caution.
One of the album’s biggest no-fucks track, and its best overall, is “A No No,” which is packaged in a Bad Boy throwback beat. That B.I.G. sample of Lil' Kim's verse from “Crush on You” that runs through it brings the late ‘90s vibe home, but Carey’s playful lyrcis (“Snakes in the grass, it’s time to cut the lawn / Ed Scissorhands, a.k.a. I cut you off”) delivered in the ice cold voice of a woman who is DONE. WITH. IT. create an utterly delectable song.
Carey keeps it 2010s-style fresh on “Giving Me Life,” a co-production with Dev Hynes of Blood Orange (Solange, Sky Ferreira); the light track has just enough hipster cool to make the phrase “giving me life” relevant past its expiration date. Carey worked with a plethora of big-name producers on the album, bringing in Timbaland, Mustard, No I.D., Skrillex, and several others. There’s a different crew on each track; the only thing keeping it cohesive is the album’s executive producer, Carey herself. It takes an experienced and thoughtful level of talent to select tracks from such disparate producers and turn it into a cohesive album, which Carey does, that still reflects her brand.
Carey knows her vocal range isn’t what it was in her ‘90s heyday and selects arrangements and even tracks that compliment what she can do, with more whispering in her higher octaves than belting these days. That means less iconic sing-along karaoke tracks for the public to butcher, but it also means she’s producing more tracks that are relevant to the bedroom production style that rules the streaming charts today.
The album’s final track, “Portrait,” is perhaps the most traditional Carey song; it’s a dark ballad that ruminates on heartache but also mulls where to go when one thing ends and another begins. For Carey, it could be a conversation about where she goes as an artist when the world would rather linger on “All I Want for Christmas ” or “Honey” or any of her record-breaking 18 No. 1 hits. Carey knows it would be so much easier to rest on her laurels and milk the hits, as she has done with her yearly holiday shows. But something inside of her, the irreverent and artistic part that doesn’t give a fuck, still wants to be let out.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
‘Tis the season for wardrobe confusion. While the temperatures have definitely dropped from what they were in October, we’re still in the awkward in-between season where you can be bundled up in a parka walking outside and then feel uncomfortably warm as soon as you step inside of a building. This fluctuation calls for some transitional pieces to take center stage in your closet and one of the tried-and-true classics you can wear over the next few weeks is the long sleeve crop top.
Crop tops and sweaters may not seem like what you’d think to reach for in the winter, but hear us out — it’s all about the proportion and how you style them. A long sleeve crop top pairs well with a pleated midi skirt and a pair of tights, while a cropped sweater tucked into a pair of high-waist wide-leg jeans creates an instant cozy yet polished outfit. If you are running out to get your morning coffee, meeting some girlfriends for lunch, or heading out for a night on the town, consider one of these 21 options as a way to still feel stylish while also staying warm.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Any kind of subscription service sounds great — free music, streaming TV, weekly meals delivered to your door — until you start considering that pesky monthly fee. $9.99 a month isn't so bad for Spotify Premium, you think. Then you tally up how much that will ding you over the course of a year, and realize a curated ad-free workout playlist might not be worth $120 in the long run after all.
Luckily, Target understands both our need for convenience and general aversion to accumulating credit-card debt, which is why the megastore is bringing us the coolest beauty subscription service — without the actual subscription. Each month, Target's beauty team puts together a cute, curated box filled with travel-sized personal-care essentials, along with fun not-so-essentials, and makes the set available to any Target shopper buying in-store or online.
Ahead, we're breaking down what's inside the just-launched November Beauty Box (which retails for just $7), plus all the other hidden-gem, holiday-specific assorted bundles you can grab along with it — with zero hidden fees to catch you by surprise on your next bank statement.
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.
For November, Target rolled out a fully-stocked box filled with a coconut-scented shampoo and conditioner, three different moisturizers, and a trusty tube of Aquaphor (which is the only thing you were probably there to pick up in the first place). The whole kit retails for just $7.
Cover all the beauty-loving bases with this gift box full of options. For $20, you get an assortment of 12 different products for the 12 days leading up to Christmas, including dry shampoo, exfoliating cleanser, highlighting powder, body scrub, and more.
Target Target Beauty Box - Holiday - Beauty Advent Calendar, $19.98, available at Target
With five different volumizing sprays inside, this styling set is basically the equivalent of giving the gift of bouncy, full hair — and that's huge.
Target Target Beauty Box - Holiday - Hair Styling Set, $14.99, available at Target
This skin-care set — specially curated by the good people at Dermstore — includes both Bioderma micellar water and Sunday Riley's Good Genes serum, among other high-end picks, which makes it approximately ten times fancier than its $24 price tag.
Target Target Beauty Box - Holiday - Dermstore Skin Care, $24.99, available at Target
SheaMoisture released its own fully-stocked box at Target; inside you'll find an amazing hair mask, curl-loving conditioner, and some skin-care extras, to boot.
Target Target Beauty Box™ - Holiday - Hair Shampoo And Styling, $14.99, available at Target
This box is a wildcard win: It has a deep conditioner, two different curling creams, and tea-tree essential oil to promote hair growth, plus a set of false lashes.
Target Target Beauty Box - Holiday - Hair Shampoo Styling Set, $14.99, available at Target
We all know someone who swears by Sunday-night sheet masking. This $14 box will give them five brightening options — that's more than a month of glow.
Target Target Beauty Box - Holiday - Let It Glow, $14.99, available at Target
Make it easy for your friends and family to start removing toxins from their beauty routine with this five-piece kit, which ditches unnecessary ingredients in favor of a more natural approach.
Target Target Beauty Box - Holiday - Good Clean Fun, $9.99, available at Target
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Our latest Instagram obsession? Runway To Music Video, an account highlighting all the best designer pieces worn in music videos, from the of-the-moment to the legendary. Run by Mario Dodovski, a 24-year-old fashion enthusiast living in Skopje, Macedonia, the account brings together our two passions – beautiful fashion and music we listen to again and again – in one aesthetically pleasing post.
Incidentally, Mario doesn't work in either industry; he's a technical writer for a large international company that develops scanning solutions for the dental industry. So how did the account come about? "I've always had a huge interest in fashion and music, but I happened to combine both when I saw Gwen Stefani wearing one of those Dolce & Gabbana hand-painted gowns from spring 2008," he tells Refinery29. "I was mesmerized."
Arguably, Runway To Music Video has been in the works for a long time. "As a kid I used to spend more hours than I’d like to admit looking at photos of fashion shows, and managed to archive a lot of looks in my memory that still come in handy," Mario explains. "Wanting to share my passion with more like-minded people, in 2012 I started a thread on a forum dedicated to catwalk items in music videos that proved to be beloved among members, and so creating this Instagram account in the age of social media seemed like the next logical step to reach a wider audience." Fast-forward to May 2018 and his 'digital museum' was born.
Pieces worn by musicians in their videos tend to be overlooked in favor of the overall aesthetic of the video, even at award ceremonies entirely dedicated to the art, like the VMAs. But why is this? "I think most record label executives still fear that the fashion aspect of the video will overpower the music, or that the artist will become too closely associated with a certain brand, so they often avoid publicly crediting the stylists and designers involved in making the visuals," Mario says. "Thankfully with the internet and social media, proper crediting is becoming less and less of an issue."
For him, Kylie Minogue is the star who gets it right every time. "She always wears that one extraordinary piece that later becomes as iconic as the video itself. Take 'Slow' for example, where she dons a Balenciaga dress from the spring 2003 collection throughout the entire video. Everyone remembers that dress."
Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" is the era-defining video of the last decade for Mario. "What she did with that song and video was nothing short of reinventing pop culture at the start of the new decade. Her look was fresh and the Alexander McQueen costumes she wore throughout were the perfect tribute to an era in fashion that had sadly just ended."
Click through to spot the best pieces worn by your favorite stars in their most bewitching videos, side by side.
Beyoncé wearing Roberto Cavalli in "Déjà Vu" ft. Jay-Z.
Gwen Stefani wearing Christian Dior in "What You Waiting For?"
Jennifer Lopez wearing Ralph Lauren in "If You Had My Love".
Daphne Guinness wearing Givenchy by Alexander McQueen in "Evening Space".
Kylie Minogue wearing Balenciaga in "Slow".
FKA Twigs wearing Christopher Kane and Christian Dior in A$AP Rocky’s '"Fukk Sleep" .
Nicki Minaj wearing Gareth Pugh in Tyga's "Dip".
Madonna wearing Balmain and Christian Dior in "Celebration".
Adele wearing Dolce & Gabbana in "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)".
Kelis wearing Balenciaga in "Trick Me".
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Public opinion on pubic hair has come a long way since the Renaissance. Back then, south-of-the-border fuzz was thought to be so uncivilized, women used depilatories formulated with arsenic to remove it. (The directions, according to a 1532 recipe: "Wash quickly with hot water so the flesh doesn't come off.") Those times, in the best interest of everyone's skin, are luckily behind us.
Today, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. Plenty of celebrities, from Emma Watson to Amber Rose to Ashley Graham, have addressed growing a bush like it's casual dinner party talk. We support whatever you choose to do down there, but if you're ready to go au naturale and want a bit more guidance beyond just "grow it out," stick around.
On the road from bare to bush, you might experience ingrown hairs, irritation, and chafing along the way — the storm before the pubic hair rainbow, if you will — but with the advice of Jodi Shays of Queen Bee Salon & Spa, you'll be embracing the style in no time.
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 first step, from the department of duh: Stop shaving, waxing, or doing any other form of hair removal and just let nature do its thing. It's worth noting that your preferred method of removal will likely affect the way your hair grows. (Shaving can lead to thicker stubble, Shays says; lasers and waxing might cause it to grow in spotty or uneven patches.)
"It's like a haircut — you just have to get through the grow-out phase," Shays says. "There's the frustration of not being able to put your hair in a ponytail, but you have to [remember] that one day, you will get there." To help speed up the process, you can also take hair-stimulating vitamins, which some people swear promotes growth of all your hair.
Not only are these colorful gummy bears utterly delicious, each one packs a 5 mg of biotin, plus folic acid and vitamin C, punch — which, while not confirmed by the FDA, seems to have the brand's 2.2 million followers on Instagram convinced.
Sugar Bear Hair Hair Vitamins, $29.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Worried about overdoing it with the sugary gummies (we've been there)? You can also get your biotin in natural pill supplements.
Razor burn can make the grow-out process especially brutal if you don't treat it before things get too hairy. "If the skin was chafed after shaving, the hair will grow out onto sensitive skin," Shays says, so you have to be especially careful. The first order of business: Reach for soothing potions, stat. "You're looking for anything that will help calm the skin down with ingredients like oatmeal or aloe vera," she says. "Make sure there's no perfume in it."
When you find your formula, just be mindful you're only smearing the concoction on the outer skin. "You never want to put anything anywhere there's a membrane," Shays warns.
"Anti-fungal creams can help with itching, because it's warmer down there," Shays says. "There are different jock itch ones that are great for chafing." This one, from Gold Bond, is her husband's go-to.
gold bond Rapid Relief Anti Itch Cream, $7.29, available at Amazon
For a lighter touch, try this rejuvenating botanical oil specially designed for daily use on and around the vulva. With its cocktail of organic tamanu oil, which helps soften the skin, and eclipta prostrata extract, which combats razor burn and irritation from any ingrown hairs, this product is especially nourishing immediately after shaving or waxing.
Lady Suite Rejuvenating Botanical Oil For Intimate Skin, $46, available at Amazon
If you need something stronger, try an anti-inflammatory cortisone cream. Just make sure to mix it with soothing aloe vera or a fragrance-free lotion to dilute it, Shays advises, since you don't want to apply too much of a steroid to the sensitive area.
CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, $10.23, available at Amazon
Ingrown hairs are the bane of anyone who's ever gotten a wax, but there's one surefire way to fight them. "You should be exfoliating every day anyway, but the bikini line area tends to get ignored," Shays says. Whatever you do, don't pick. Step away from the tweezers and pick up a sugar scrub, salicylic acid toner, or an on-the-go exfoliating pad. For the especially adventurous, you can also opt to get a "vajacial."
Shays' recommendation: These glycolic- and- salicylic acid-loaded pads. "It's truly wonderful because the glycolic works to strip the dead skin away and the salicylic clears out the bacteria from the [hair] follicles," she says. "It's a glorified acne pad, but we use it for everything."
Packed with papaya enzymes to remove dead skin cells and clary sage oil to soothe redness, you can use this exfoliating scrub quickly in the shower or leave it on a bit longer and consider it a mask.
This little sister to Anthony's Ingrown Hair Treatment has all the AHAs and BHAs to keep your bikini area smooth, plus a soothing complex that calms irritation.
Shaveworks The Cool Fix, $12, available at Sephora
Now, for the most uncomfortable part of the process: the inevitable itchy phase. Hair, when it first sprouts, can come in a bit stubbly and poke the surrounding skin. A good rule of thumb? Give your nether regions as much breathing room as possible. "The looser the clothing during grow-out, the better," Shays says. "Synthetic fibers like the tight, micro-pants you'd wear spinning can lock in moisture and trap sweat, bacteria, and dirt, [which will] obviously make irritation worse." Switch to 100% cotton panties, and if you can't quite fight the urge to itch, "there's no real answer other than to clip your nails down," Shays laughs.
"This is key," Shays says. Softening the hair and skin underneath at every phase ensures less itching, and a smoother process overall. Just make sure to stay away from conventional hair products, since they can mess with your vulva's natural pH balance. "Buy a men's beard oil with natural ingredients," she says. "Whichever one tickles your fancy — pardon the pun."
Emma Watson, who shared her eco-friendly beauty musts with Into The Gloss, claimed this pubic hair oil was an "amazing all-purpose product."
If you opt to use a regular moisturizer for the hairs, you'll want make sure it's a gentle formula. "I always tell my clients to use the Aveeno brand because it has oatmeal in it, which is both moisturizing and calming," Shays says. "Slap it on if you ever have razor burn, too."
Aveeno Unscented Daily Moisturizing Lotion For Dry Skin, $7.99, available at Target
Going au naturel doesn't mean you have to let it go completely; you don't have to totally forgo maintenance, unless you want to. If things are getting a little too wild down there, take some time to landscape. Pick up an at-home trimmer to keep it neat or create your preferred shape. You can also book an appointment with your waxer and just have her take a little bit off the sides. (Most salons offer discounted rates for touch-ups.)
If you already tossed your razor, this trimmer from Schick gives you the ability to completely shave or easily trim down your pubic hair.
Schick Hydro Silk Women's TrimStyle Razor, $13.99, available at Target
Related Video
appearance by Ally Hickson; appearance by Brittany Nguyen; appearance by Jacki Huntington; appearance by Josh Daws; appearance by Marcos Cortorreal; appearance by Maria Carola; appearance by Mariela Fuentes.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
While there's plenty to love about Thanksgiving (No obligation to check email! Dinner at 3:30! Lots of encouraged napping!), the holiday can start to feel a little repetitive year after year: We wake up early to watch the parade, inevitably fight about politics with our extended relatives, then cap off the night counting down the hours until we blow our entire monthly budget on Black Friday sales. Fret not, though, because it's never too late to hit the refresh button on your Turkey Day celebration.
To inspire you to change up your tired traditions and make the most out of the day, we partnered with Amazon Fire TV to create a guide of easy and unexpected activities that'll make this Thanksgiving your most memorable yet — from giving your menu a full refresh to adding an exciting new component to your game-watching routine. Sure, there's no dodging your aunt's uncomfortable questions about your dating life, but rest assured, there's a way to make this year's celebration feel entirely brand-new.
Give old-school, traditional recipes a modern twist.
The last thing you want to do with your precious holiday time is spend an entire day slaving over a mediocre, mostly dry turkey. This year, take a fresh approach to the menu with new twists on classic dishes. Cook up a hassle-free turkey pot pie, change out your grandma's notoriously burnt squash casserole for a hearty pumpkin pasta, turn regular mashed potatoes into fried mashed potato balls, and deconstruct your pumpkin pie into a layered dessert. The whole fam will enjoy the start of a new tradition — even if your grandma is a little salty about her casserole.
Designed by Seung Won Chun & Hannah Minn.
Divide and conquer like pros.
Instead of leaving one or two lonely souls to cook everything on their own, make your meal into a group project with Alexa on your Fire TV Cube. Divvy up duties based on everyone's strengths, like cooking the main dish, crafting the tablescape, mixing up a batch of the cranberry sangria, or playing DJ. With Alexa, you can easily keep everyone on track by setting voice-activated timers, reminders, and to-do lists — or if you really get stuck, you can ask Alexa to open YouTube, so you can follow a recipe video on the big screen.
Amazon Fire TV Cube, hands-free with Alexa built-in, $119.99, available at AmazonDesigned by Seung Won Chun & Hannah Minn.
Add incentive to your game-watching.
If there's one thing that's more synonymous with Thanksgiving than turkey, it's football. Don't have cable? No problem. This year, use your Fire TV Cube and plug an HD antenna into your TV to stream the game (and other HD channels) for free without cable. Take things to the next level by placing wagers on the winning team, MVP, and final score. Winners get to choose what to watch once the game is over.
Amazon Fire TV Cube, hands-free with Alexa built-in, $119.99, available at AmazonDesigned by Seung Won Chun & Hannah Minn.
Make “I’m thankful for” fortune cookies.
Pie has had a good reign, but it's high time something new takes over the holiday dessert throne. This year, save yourself the embarrassment of a poorly constructed lattice top and bake up a Thanksgiving-themed take on fortune cookies instead. All you need is sugar, flour, an egg white, salt, and vanilla extract. Once you've got a batch whipped up, have everyone write down what they're thankful for on small strips of paper, and fold them into the cookies. At the end of the night, break them open and have everyone read theirs aloud before indulging in cookies and a nightcap.
Designed by Seung Won Chun & Hannah Minn.
Take a “give back” approach to Black Friday.
Instead of whipping out your laptop as soon as those early Black Friday sales start making an appearance online, focus that shopping energy into surfing the sales with the fam and donating items to those in need — like teachers with underfunded classrooms.
Designed by Seung Won Chun & Hannah Minn.
Make lazy movie watching even lazier.
Once the night starts dying down and tryptophan has gotten the best of everyone, turn on the big screen to experience Ultra HD picture quality with your Fire TV Stick 4K, Amazon’s most powerful streaming media player. The best part? With the all-new Alexa Voice Remote, you can just ask it to find your favorite holiday movie and slip into a state of relaxing bliss. You deserve it.
Amazon Fire TV with 4K Ultra HD and Alexa Voice Remote, $69.99, available at AmazonDesigned by Seung Won Chun & Hannah Minn.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
After my first job at MTV working as a music programmer, I can't stop trying to matchmake people with music they might like. So, I wrote a book calledRecord Collecting for Girlsand started interviewing musicians. The Music Concierge is a column where I share music I'm listening to that you might enjoy, with a little context. Get everything I've recommended this year on Spotify, follow me on Twitter or Facebook, and leave a comment below telling me what you're listening to this week.
Normani & 6LACK "Waves"
"Thank god for the weekend," Normani sings, opening "Waves." The line is accompanied by a beat that sounds like a more raw version of what The Weeknd himself might be drawn to. That raw edge isn't wasted as she uses it to rough up her usually smooth delivery while singing about a shitty relationship. Throw this one on your playlist for that moment when you're in between a peak and a valley in your own relationship, or just on the verge of a breakup.
Karen O & Danger Mouse "Lux Prima"
I am forever fascinated by my queen Karen O, but this track is wayyyyyyyy out there. It's the debut from their collaborative album, coming in 2019. The duo say they wrote it while in search of a place more than a sound and once you hit play that actually makes sense. It's got roots to Pink Floyd's sweeping, dramatic sound to nicely fit any exploration, be it interior or exterior. Take a listen, and add a little wonder to your life.
Lauren Jenkins "Maker's Mark and You"
I normally shy away from country songs that put a brand of booze (or drinking at all) in the title; it's a cliche that not a lot of people have anything worthwhile to add to. But this track from Lauren Jenkins is musically so damn good and, well, pure that I was immediately drawn to it. Her breathy delivery of the word "Maker's," cooed almost in a whisper, is not the typical rumination on alcohol. Way to take something so very, very old and make it new again.
Ayanis "Wait A Minute"
Yes, please draw me in with your vocal callback to the New Jack swing gem "Too Close" by Next and then hit me with a song I cannot get out of my head, Ayanis. This is the template that Diddy built in '95. It's nice to see a woman using it in 2018 and finding a way to make it new and exciting.
Rosie Carney "Zoey"
Be careful: this haunting track may follow you around for days after you press play. Rosie Carney is an Irish singer/songwriter, as her style will make obvious immediately. It's written as an ode to her mother, who stepped into the role of caretaker when her grandmother became ill with dementia. A story that personal can't be told without a lot of love and care. And those etherical harmonies you hear on this track come courtesy of Lisa Hannigan, a fellow Irish woman who spun off a solo career after a time backing up the Irish ballader Damien Rice.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
When people start planning for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, they usually start saving their coins for new TVs, appliances, or that coat at Nordstrom they've had their eyes on since September. But what's not spotlighted enough are all the beauty buys you can snag on the biggest shopping day of the year.
Most of the products that you'd have to step out of your budget to get (like that $60 NARS palette) or the wish list items you resisted (even if Jackie Aina told you it was worth it), are actually brought down in price over the holiday weekend, sometimes even as much as 50% off.
Because we don't want you to miss out on these sales coming from some of your favorite makeup brands — that includes free gifts with purchase — we've rounded up the best beauty deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Now, you can bookmark that coat and all the discounted lipsticks that will match it.
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.
No glam holiday look is complete without a good pair of lashes. Get this multipack from Ardell Beauty that will be 30% off from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, along with everything else on ardellbeauty.com. You'll be all set for the office party, Christmas, New Year's, and still have an extra pair just in case.
And it gets better, with purchases made on Cyber Monday, customers will get the Looks to Kill Sultry Night Out palette for free, because what are lashes if you don't have a bomb shadow to bring them out even more?
Ardell WISPIES MULTIPACK, $11.9, available at Ardell
You'll want to be sitting when you read this: Urban Decay is bringing different deals for 10 straight days (and we're talking huge savings). Each day, the brand will be unlocking a new deal. It all starts on Thanksgiving with 20% off everything on urbandecay.com and free ground shipping (and loyalty program members get 25% off). To busy eating turkey to worry about makeup? No worries. The same deal applies through Saturday.
Then starting Sunday, November 25, a select product will be 50% off — but for one day only. So you'll have to keep track to get best-sellers like the All Nighter concealers, the Naked Heat palette, and Vice lipsticks for cheap. Sign up for notifications for the Urban Decay Cyber Week deals here.
Urban Decay Naked Heat Eyeshadow Palette, $54, available at Urban Decay
Lime Crime will be giving away free gifts with purchases. On Black Friday, you can get a Hot Stuff Brush Set with every order over $20. Then on Cyber Monday, Lime Crime will throw in a Beet It Velvetine with all orders — gratis. On top of that, the brand will be offering a 25% off discount site-wide from November 23 to 26. As they say, you can never have too many lipsticks.
Lime Crime Beet It Matte Velvetine, $20, available at Lime Crime
If you need to restock on a new mascara, get a free one when you shop $55 or more on Wanderbeauty.com on Cyber Monday. The brand is also taking 25% off site-wide from November 21 to 26.
Wander Beauty Unlashed Volume and Curl Mascara, $24, available at Wander Beauty
Still have some makeup obsessives to shop for on your holiday list? Check them off when you shop the discounted BareMinerals kits. From November 22 to 23, the Solar Spectrum Kit, which features 10 products, will go from $98 down to $49. And a couple other kits will only be $12. No worries, we won't tell the gift recipients you got their present on sale — your secret is safe with us.
And for Cyber Monday (November 25-26), BareMinerals will have 25% off site-wide and free shipping — with no exclusions — so you can stock up on all your favorites.
Bare Minerals Solar Spectrum Beauty Essentials, $98, available at Bare Minerals
From November 22 to 24, Kat Von D wants you to get your money's worth, so with every $75 purchase, customers will get a free makeup bag with a mini version of their cult-classic tattoo liner and a full-size Everlasting Liquid Lipstick.
If your favorite shade is the iconic Lolita, then you might want to wait for November 25 to shop. On that day, you'll only need to spend $50 to score the same free gift but Lolita will be the lipstick shade of choice. The brand will also have 20% off site-wide on November 25 and 26.
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, $20, available at Kat Von D Beauty
You don't need to be a Victoria's Secret Angel to rock the best of Charlotte Tilbury. On charlottetilbury.com, you'll be able to get three gift sets (Your Lip Service, Naughty & Nice Box, Lip Masterclass Set) for half off from November 23 until the 26th.
Once Cyber Monday comes around, fans of the brand will be able to purchase a mystery box ($100) for one day that includes five full-size products and one makeup bag, or a deluxe master box ($210) that includes eight full-size products and one makeup bag.
Charlotte Tilbury Your Lip Service, $85, available at Charlotte Tilbury
Speaking of sets, Beautyblender will be selling a Bounce + Nude blender kit for $50, exclusively available on beautyblender.com, from November 21 through the 26th. The set includes the new foundation and a full-size Beautyblender. FYI: The foundation alone is usually $40.
On Black Friday, the All About Face kit will be $25 (at beautyblender.com, Sephora, Nordstrom, and Macy's) and on Cyber Monday, the BBF Kit will be $33 (on beautyblender.com and HSN.com).
When you buy any two Col-lab products November 18-22, like this matte liquid lip, you'll get one free at Sally Beauty. That means, three of these full-coverage formulas will come in under $20.
COL-LAB Matte Addiction Liquid , $8.78, available at Sally Beauty
Let E.L.F. Cosmetics gift double your Black Friday haul. They're giving away a $25 pre-packaged holiday gifts (that include an eyeshadow palette, baked highlighter, and more) for any $25 and over purchase you make in stores from November 19 to the 26th.
And if you go shopping online 11/22-11/26, you'll get 50% off when you spend $30 — and with the brand's unbelievably affordable prices, that's a lot of loot.
From November 21 to November 27, MAC will be slashing prices by 25% for Select members (which is free to join) and even throwing in full-sized gifts for all customers who shop from the 26th until the 29th. Want more info? We've rounded up the brand's week worth of sales here.
MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour, $21, available at mac cosmetics
Want to get your hands on the NARS Radiant Foundation, which was named a 2018 Beauty Innovator Awards winner? Well you can at 20%. All the products on narscosmetics.com from November 22-27 will be on sale. You'll want to be sure that you take advantage of these discounts, because it's the only time of the year the brand offers a site-wide deal.
NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation, $49, available at NARS
The holidays can take a toll on you, but you can fight against looking tired AF with the All About Eyes Skincare Set from IT Cosmetics, which will be $18 from 11/22 to 11/25. And if makeup is more your thing, the CC+ Cream will also be discounted, with all itcosmetics.com orders being 20% off over the holiday weekend (promo code: "ITFRIDAY").
On Cyber Monday, IT Cosmetics customers will get 25% off on $30 or more orders. And if you spend over $70, you'll be gifted a free Hello Lashes Mascara (promo code: "CYBER25"). But the festivities go well into December as you'll get a free Vitality Flush Lip Stain in Je Ne Sais Quoi from 11/28 to 12/2 if you spend over $50 (promo code: "GIFT4U").
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+, $38, available at It Cosmetics
Kill two birds with one stone, by treating yourself and buying a holiday gift for someone else. Target is offering a buy one, get one 50% off for kits on Black Friday. Sets, like this one from Pixi, can be mixed and matched with anything of equal or lesser value.
Pixi Pixi Cosmetic Set Medium - 2.87oz, $32, available at Target
Black Friday is like the gift that keeps on giving, and Bite Beauty is joining the party with 20% off site-wide, free shipping, and a free 5-piece kit with any $35 purchase (promo code: "FRIDAY5"). The set includes a makeup bag, mirror, lip pencil, matte lip crayon, and lipstick.
On Cyber Monday, the 20% discount will stay the same, but the gift will be a 4-piece set that includes the makeup bag, mirror, and two lipsticks.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
There's something about the holiday season that inspires us to step up our game in the makeup and hair categories and try our hand at fancier looks we wouldn't normally dare attempt. You know, the kind of looks you'd only see strutting down the runway in Paris or while scrolling through your social feed during awards season?
Well, 'tis the season to try said looks, so to help you get in the holiday spirit, we asked two women to show us how they plan on getting party-ready — all with budget-friendly beauty buys from Target, nonetheless. From a fun, twisted half-up look to a slicked-back bob that's surprisingly easy to create with the help of a few key Kristin Ess products, see how these two women up the ante on this season's styles, just above.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
It's happened to the best of us. One day, you're shaving your body like always, maybe along your bikini line or down your armpits. Then a few days later, you look down and see a few irritated-looking bumps where your hair once was. There's a good chance you've got yourself an ingrown hair.
"Ingrown hairs are hairs that tend to grow inwards in the follicle" New York City-based dermatologist Anita Cela, MD, explains. "It’s often hairs that are curly and coarse, and once they protrude they curl back on themselves and cause a bump."
Now why are these hairs curling back into the skin? Lots of reasons, actually, but it mostly has to do with the irritation of the hair follicle, which can come from waxing/shaving/tweezing improperly, exercising a lot, and even wearing tight clothing. "As you're moving around all day the tight underwear is rubbing against the skin, and of course, the skin is beginning to get irritated," Jodi Shays, aesthetician and founder of Queen Bee Salon & Spa, says. "Not only will the follicle react by swelling, but then it traps whatever's in there, like the hair, and that's when it can curl in." The follicle can also get disturbed and cause an ingrown hair if there's oil and dirt buildup on the skin, which can actually be prevented with routine body exfoliation and moisturizing.
Obviously with so many ways for this pesky problem to start, ingrowns are quite common, and Refinery29 has gone over the many ways to prevent ingrown hairs before. But we talked to a few experts about how best to get rid of the ingrown hairs you already have, no matter where thy rear their ugly little heads.
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 Face, Chin, and Neck
Unfortunately this is the part where we have to guilt trip you a little bit: Most of the ingrown hairs on your face or neck are caused by unwise grooming decisions.
"For women, ingrown hairs on the face are ingrown because they’re being removed improperly," Shays says. "A lot of times when women see a hair, they stab at it with a pair of tweezers and actually break the hair so the end is still in the skin. When the hairs are broken, that’s when you can get an ingrown situation. For men, it's mostly about shaving in the wrong direction. "
Oops. So now your hair follicle is seriously disturbed and in need of fixing, but face and neck ingrowns can be extremely difficult to remedy. Every expert we spoke to recommended seeing a professional — either a dermatologist or aesthetician — to deal with this particular problem, since extraction of the hair is your most solid option. And for people who get ingrown hairs regularly in this area, Dr. Cela says permanent hair removal should be considered.
But there is one at-home alternative, according to Shays, and that's benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient mostly known for acne-busting. It can actually kill the bacteria that exacerbates ingrown hairs. Shays, naturally, likes her own benzoyl peroxide from Queen Bee as a spot treatment, but there are plenty of other benzoyl peroxide treatments out there, including this popular face wash from Humane.
Queen Bee Benzoyl Peroxide Amped, $13, available at Queen Bee Salon
The Legs
For the legs, a tiny tube of ingrown-be-gone just won't do. You need to bring out the big guns. For that Los Angeles-based aesthetician Gina Mari recommends a big ol' bottle of Tend Skin, which has exfoliating acids to get rid of ingrown-causing oil, dirt, and dead skin.
"This is an old product, and it’s been around forever," Mari says. "It’s the go-to for everything because it really can eliminate ingrown hairs after regular use. Just pour a bit on your hand and rub all over your legs, and in a few days I promise you'll see a difference."
Tend Skin Liquid Skin Care Solution, $15.99, available at Target
The Australian brand Nad's also has a specialized ingrown solution that's known to be extremely effective, with enough aloe vera-infused formula in one bottle that you won't have to repurchase it after just one use.
The armpit skin is a little more sensitive than the face. You sweat. You could have a skin fold or two. Your shirt is probably constantly rubbing against it. So it's important to treat this area of the body delicately, even when you're dealing with something as tough and pesky as an ingrown hair.
Again, all the experts say tweezers are not the solution to get this hair out yourself (getting a good angle on your armpit is nearly impossible). Instead, see a pro that can safely extract the hair if it really is irritating for you. For an ingrown that's not too irritated just yet, Dr. Cela has had luck washing with a moisturizing soap that keeps the skin soft, like Lever 2000.
Lever 2000 Lever 2000 Original Bar Soap, $3.97, available at Target
The Labia and Bikini Line
Although ingrown hairs on the bikini line might be the most irritating, you should never reach for the tweezers. This is an area that's highly sensitive and the ingrown hairs can be hard to see (and therefore to pluck). Attempting to pull out an ingrown hair would only make it worse. What you can do, though, is use topical treatments to soothe the area and those irritated follicles.
"If you see one or two [ingrown hairs], you can spot treat with glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide," says Shays. "But any sign of irritation, go for unadulterated aloe vera and hydrocortisone." Shays recommends Epicuren's aloe vera formula, which is extremely gentle, for the vulva area and bikini line.
Epicuren Discovery Aloe Vera Calming Gel, $25, available at Amazon
To prevent ingrowns from happening in this region, Shays says it's wise to spread a little Aquaphor around the bikini line before working out, which is usually when follicles are the most irritated by tight clothing and sweat.
Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment , $9.96, available at Amazon
The Butt
Despite not being able to see them, irritated hair follicles on the buttocks are quite common, especially for people who exercise regularly and do classes like SoulCycle. But really, how do you address a skin issue on your butt? Unless you've been blessed with extremely long arms, it's pretty impossible to do something like a spot treatment.
That's why Mari's become a huge fan of this Murad spray. "You can spray it right side up and upside down," Mari says. "It works incredibly fast. Spray it on once, and it will clear up that little issue area within a day."
Murad Clarifying Body Spray, $40, available at Sephora
Shays also recommends an anti-bacterial body wash to get rid of these irritated follicles. Her own Queen Bee Anti-Bac Attack has 5% benzoyl peroxide, that magical ingredient that not only helps heal those ingrowns but prevents them from ever sprouting again.
Queen Bee Anti-Bac Attack, $15, available at Queen Bee Salon
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
As the number of acres ravaged by the wildfires in California increase, even more alarming numbers are on the rise as more than 1,000 people are missing and at least 74 are confirmed dead.
California’s deadliest wildfire on record has entered its second week and at this point has killed at least 71 people and is 50% contained. The Camp Fire alone has destroyed 9,800 homes and 146,000 acres. Butte County coroner Kory Honea told CNN that investigators have been working to get a comprehensive list of 1,011 missing people from the sea of reports authorities have received since the fires first erupted on November 8. Honea cautioned that some of the names on the list could be duplicates, but officials are trying to get the information out as quickly as they can to reunite people with their loved ones.
The Woolsey Fire is 78% contained as of Saturday morning and has killed at least three people, according to CBS. The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management said several communities will have to be "completely rebuilt."
As of Friday, 47,200 of the 52,000 total people evacuated were still displaced, per NBC News. Companies such as Airbnb and several non-profit organizations have been tirelessly coordinating relief efforts for those displaced, and firefighters have been working to contain the fires.
President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with how the fires have been handled and blamed forest mismanagement for the blazes, visited the state on Saturday. "Hopefully this is going to be the last one of these because it was a really, really bad one," Trump said while standing in a charred mobile home park.
In the last month alone, California firefighters have put out more than 500 fires, reports CNN. Brian K. Rice, the president of California Professional Firefighters, said in a statement, “The president’s message attacking California and threatening to withhold aid to the victims of the cataclysmic fires is ill-informed, ill-timed and demeaning to those who are suffering as well as the men and women on the front lines.”
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Calling all entrepreneurs:We want to hear from you! If you’re a freelancer or self-employed, we’d love to feature your Money Diary.Submit here.
Today: a commercial analyst working in oil & gas who makes $117,400 per year and spends some of her money this week on a chicken kebab plate.
Occupation: Commercial Analyst Industry: Oil & Gas Age: 34 Location: Houston, TX Salary: $117,400, plus a bonus, which is typically $15,000 Paycheck Amount (2x/month): $2,700 per pay period from my job and $1,600 from two rental properties
Monthly Expenses Mortgage: $1,000 contribution to our mortgage. (I live with my girlfriend.) Grad School Loan Payment: $2,000 Water: $0 (My girlfriend pays.) Hulu: $0 (I use my friend's account.) Netflix: $0 (I use my sister's account.) Health Insurance: $395 for me and my girlfriend Yoga: $79.99 for unlimited classes Spotify: $14.99 for family plan Landline/Cable/Internet: $105 for my parents. My parents are aging and are on a single income, so I am happy to help them and feel lucky that my GF is supportive of this. (My GF and I don't have cable, and she pays for our internet.) Heat/Electric: $200 on average for my parents Phones: $220 for five lines (I pay for my parents, my sister, my brother, and myself.) Auto Insurance: $310 for my car and my parents' cars
Annual Expenses Costco Membership: $120
Day One
6:30 a.m. — Alarm went off an hour ago — no joke, an hour ago. I briefly consider whether I really need my job to survive. I have no morning meetings so I tell myself it's okay to come in a bit late. I shower and make a coffee (black). Since I'm running late, I'll just grab breakfast at work.
8:15 a.m. — It rained all night, so the entire city of Houston has forgotten all they know about traffic regulations. I finally get in and grab a breakfast taco in the work cafeteria. The food here is…not good, but oddly enough, the salsa is delicious. $1.40
11 a.m. — I have a lunch meeting, which means I will be fed. Today's catering service is from Hungry's; not my favorite, but at least it's better than boxed lunches. I grab lemon chicken with rice and veggies. Since I'm technically working through lunch, I feel less bad about coming in late this morning.
1 p.m. — Meeting is finally over and there is a ton of dessert left. I am not a big fan of sweets in general, but people are really excited about the carrot cake, so what the hell, I grab a piece. Not worth it, so I toss it. My girlfriend, C., texts to remind me of her dinner plans with her friends, so I will be on my own tonight.
3:15 p.m. — I discover I have earned enough points for a $20 Amazon gift card through Drop, an app that earns you points when you shop at certain places. This is all thanks my H-E-B shopping. I cash out on the points and redeem my gift card on Amazon. I am going to put this towards a Bialetti for when I move abroad next year. (I recently accepted a one-year assignment in Asia.)
5:30 p.m. — I stop by the store to pick up a few things. I am craving lamb for dinner, so I get lamb loins, plus condensed milk for my Vietnamese coffee. $20.51
7 p.m. — I want to make couscous with my lamb, so I check the fridge. I like to have some herbs on hand for quick meals, so I chop up some parsley, cilantro, and tomatoes, which I throw into the couscous with good olive oil. I quickly season the loins and pan sear them. C. is not a huge fan of lamb or couscous, so I tend to make things she doesn't like when I'm on my own. I pair the meal with a nice bottle of Napa cabernet.
8:30 p.m. — C. comes home and we watch an episode of I'm Sorry on Netflix (I have a little crush on Andrea Savage thanks to Showtime's Episodes) and a couple episodes of Kim's Convenience.
10 p.m. — I convince C. to go to bed early, but she's kind of a night owl. She tells me she thinks one of her friends is a Trump supporter — I tell her to get new friends.
Daily Total: $21.91
Day Two
5:30 a.m. — Alarm goes off and I see my sister texted me late last night. She did not win the lottery. I quickly check, and I also did not win the lottery. Not a good start to my day. I make a coffee, boil a few eggs, and peruse the internet. I really thought I would win the lottery. I pack breakfast for myself and C. (who is still very much sleeping). For lunch, I pack leftovers from last night's dinner. C. def won't want this for her lunch.
7:30 a.m. — I rush into the office for my 8 a.m. call. It's with someone in Asia, who is at the end of their work day, so I don't want to make them wait. The call goes really well. I'm really looking forward to my move next year.
11:45 a.m. — It's finally time for lunch, but I opt to sit at my desk because I'm slightly embarrassed about eating my bougie lamb and couscous in public. I'm also not in the mood to socialize, so I happily eat while reading Money Diaries. My lunch portion is way too big, but I am able to finish most of it. Talent.
3:30 p.m. — I check the yoga studio schedule and I see that my fave yoga instructor's class has been replaced with a substitute. I am so disappointed. She only teaches once a week, and she's the best instructor I've ever had. It also helps that she's hot AF (I call her Yogabae) and I'm hopelessly in love with her. I text C. about the bad news and she consoles me via text.
6 p.m. — I go to a different yoga studio because Yogabae's studio is really out of the way for me. The session is good, but it really highlights how excellent Yogabae is as an instructor.
7:30 p.m. — I meet up with C. at Shake Shack for dinner because there is no In-N-Out in Houston. (I grew up in California, so I'm a diehard fan.) If I hear one more person say Whataburger is better than In-N-Out, I will throw down some shit. We get a double ShackBurger for C., a single ShackBurger for me, and an order of fries. I use a BOGO promo code through the app, and receive a $6 discount. (I usually pay for both of our food expenses, since C. is focusing on paying off her student loans right now.) $11.66
9 p.m. — I catch up with C. while she showers. We are pretty busy during the day, so this has been how we catch up lately. We talk about trying to get me pregnant in 2020 when I come back from my international assignment. We have been talking about getting pregnant for the last nine years, and it's looking less and less likely.
Daily Total: $11.66
Day Three
6 a.m. — I finally get up, take a shower, make coffee, and boil eggs. While I wait for the eggs to boil, I like to sit on the couch cuddled under the blanket with my coffee and read all the important overnight news I missed on Instagram/Facebook.
11 a.m. — My coworker wants to go to Target to pick up a costume for her daughter, so I volunteer to come along. I need to pick up something for a Halloween party I'm going to tonight. I do not understand dressing up as an adult as I really don't care about Halloween, but it's my friend's husband's company party, and we're going in support. I pick up a cute cat dress since I already have cat ears. $16.23
12 p.m. — Coworker and I head to the food court for lunch in the interest of time. The Target is connected to the mall, so we figure we can just grab something quick. We both opt for Chick-fil-A. I get a Spicy Chicken Deluxe. $8
4:30 p.m. — I go to Costco to get gas. I have an executive membership with Costco, and my credit card gets me 4% cash back on Costco gas. $35.56
6:30 p.m. — I arrive at the venue for the Halloween party. C. arrives sans costumes — we aren't really good at this stuff. We mingle and catch up with a few people.
8 p.m. — We're pretty hungry, and the hors d'oeuvres ain't cutting it. We leave with another couple to go down the street to Thai Gourmet. The four of us are fairly obsessed with this place, so we are super excited. Houston is a really awesome food city with lots of diversity, but for some reason we do not have a lot of good Thai options. This is one of the best ones, but it's kind of a trek from where we live. We order a few dishes and share them family-style. $72.37
10 p.m. — We head home and crash.
Daily Total: $132.16
Day Four
7 a.m. — I am off today and cannot sleep in. I'm pretty irritated about it. I get every other Friday off, which is standard in my industry. Usually Friday evenings are our date nights, but we have been eating meals out a lot and I would love nothing more than to stay in (plus I feel like cooking). I suggest we invite C.'s friend over, and C. wants to invite her other BFF too, so now I guess I'm hosting a dinner party.
9 a.m. — I finally roll out of bed and take a quick shower. I make a coffee with condensed milk, because it's the MF weekend! I curl up on the couch with my coffee and look up different recipes.
11 a.m. — I eat leftover noodle soup my mom gave me. I text her to tell her it's delicious. My mom is a great cook!
1 p.m. — I drive across town to pick up fresh fish from an Asian market. Asian markets have the freshest seafood, so I don't mind making the drive. I notice the shrimp looks pretty good too, so I pick up a pound for shrimp cocktails. I then hit up H-E-B for the rest. $97.85
4 p.m. — I start prepping dinner by boiling the shrimp and chopping herbs. I'm making roasted bass with mint sauce, roasted corn and tomato salad, and spaghetti aglio e olio. I learned how to cook when C. and I first started dating. We ate out at restaurants all the time, and since I was in school and had no money, she would pay for everything. I wanted to contribute, so I learned how to cook, and I found the process to be really therapeutic. I basically do all the cooking now even though C. is a much better cook than I am. She's not a fan of cooking, though.
7 p.m. — Everyone arrives and we sit down for dinner. C. and I have been together for a long time, so her friends are my friends too. The fish turns out great — I make a mental note to save this recipe.
11 p.m. — We hang out until late, and they leave at 11. I'm pretty good about cleaning as I cook, so the kitchen isn't so overwhelming at the end of the night.
Daily Total: $97.85
Day Five
8 a.m. — C. is up and moving about, so I get up too. She's meeting up with contractors at Home Depot this morning, since she does home renovation on the side, and tells me she will be busy all day. I try to go back to sleep, but no such luck.
10 a.m. — I cuddle on the couch with my coffee while researching local candidates for the election.
1 p.m. — Yoga was great and I am starving! I've only consumed coffee and water so far today and I need sustenance. I drive by my polling place and decide to vote early. The parking lot is packed! I guess I could complain about a lot of things, but people spending their beautiful Saturday to vote would not be one of them.
2 p.m. — I make it home and am now famished. We have a dinner reservation at 7 with a friend, so I don't want to eat anything too heavy now. I open a can of tuna and season it with mayo, mustard, garlic salt, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper, and throw it in with some romaine. I put on Slow Burn and listen as I eat. Then I clean up the rest of the kitchen and unload the dishwasher.
7 p.m. — We meet our friend at Backstreet Cafe. It's 75 degrees out (a unicorn day in Houston), so we take advantage of the gorgeous weather and sit on the patio. We share an appetizer of grilled octopus, I order lamb chops, C. gets the braised beef, and our friend gets the seared scallops. We finish it off with creme brûlée and a few drinks. Our friend pays.
9 p.m. — We follow our friend to her house so I can help her set up her Apple TV, since she's not very tech savvy. We hang out there until 11 p.m. and then call it a night.
Daily Total: $0
Day Six
9 a.m. — I get up and take a shower. C. is complaining about how she might be coming down with something, so I make her some hot tea. I feel her head and she doesn't feel sick. I think she's just exhausted from work. She likes to be spoiled sometimes, so I humor her.
12 p.m. — After much debate, we head to a Tex-Mex place for brunch since we have a gift card. We share fajitas for two and desserts, and I get a Bloody Mary. We then head to Highland Village so C. can pick up a few clothing items for work.
2:30 p.m. — We had plans to get pedicures, but now we're lazy. I still need to grocery shop for some basic stuff. I usually grocery shop per meal, since we dine out so often. I used to try to shop once a week, but would end up wasting half the groceries. This means I visit the store two to four times a week, depending on how often we cook. C. wants something comforting tonight, so I suggest roasting a chicken to pair with Caesar salad. $25.39
5:30 p.m. — I chop and wash some romaine as C. does laundry. Then I spatchcock the chicken so it will be easier to carve later. I'm not very good with carving. We watch Jane the Virgin while we wait for the chicken. I love Jane's dad!
8 p.m. — We finish dinner and clean up the kitchen. There's half of the chicken left, so I save it for tomorrow. We watch a few more episodes of Jane the Virgin and fold laundry.
Daily Total: $25.39
Day Seven
6 a.m. — I get up and do the same morning routine. C. is sleeping heavily (my baby is not a morning person), so I kiss her goodbye and am out the door by 7:20.
10:40 a.m. — I have had back-to-back meetings since 8 a.m. Monday mornings are rough.
11:30 a.m. — I'm not very hungry, but it's time for lunch. I message a coworker to see if she wants to eat together. We agree to go offsite to a Mediterranean restaurant. I get the chicken kebab with rice and tabbouleh, and save half for lunch tomorrow. $15.69
3:30 p.m. — Finally back at my desk after back-to-back meetings all afternoon. I literally haven't done any work today, but I'm too mentally exhausted to start something new.
6 p.m. — I get home and start dinner. We have half the chicken from last night, so I decide to make tostadas. I wash and chop romaine, tomato, onion, jalapeños, and cilantro, pull the chicken, and make the guacamole. (This is a great recipe to clean out your fridge!) C. comes home by 6:45, which is early for her, but I'm not complaining.
9:30 p.m. — We finish a few more episodes of Jane the Virgin and head straight to bed.
Daily Total: $15.69
Money Diaries are meant to reflect individual women's experiences and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29's point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more money diaries, click here.
Have you been working for at least 8 years and seen your salary increase or fluctuate?If so, fill outthis formfor a chance to be featured on our Salary Story series!
Have a Money Diary you'd like to share? Right now, in addition to our ongoing diaries, we're looking for potential diarists along the following theme:
Your Spending In Your State:We want to run one Money Diary from a different state each week. Want to rep your state? Submithere! In particular, we're looking for diaries from Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, New Mexico, and North Dakota.
Have questions about how to submit or our publishing process? Read our Money Diaries FAQ doc here:r29.co/mdfaqs
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
