Winter's aggressively cold weather and wind is known to suck the moisture out of everything from your hair to your skin. But while we know that applying hydrating face masks can work wonders for the latter category, sometimes you have to adopt an entirely new hair routine to ensure your hair doesn't turn into the texture of hay.
"The main factor is temperature difference — winter's chill and dry central heating wreak are massively dehydrating," says says Adam Reed, the co-founder of hair brand Percy & Reed. "The cold can make your hair feel very brittle. Never go out in the cold with damp hair, as this is when the cuticles are open and hair tends to frizz and go static. Make sure it's 100% dry before you go outside."
Then, add hydration back to your hair by using moisturizing shampoo and conditioners that also defend against environmental damage, he says. "Incorporating an oil into your haircare routine can be transformative in regenerating and restoring moisture, and doing a weekly overnight treatment will keep your hair in healthy condition, too."
Wondering where to start? Click through to find the products we love for keeping frizz and dehydration at bay.
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.
Conditioner
Whether your hair is more damaged from color treatments or the weather, this reparative conditioner works to revamp your entire style. Infused with caviar extract and vitamin C, your hair will feel — and look — healthy again in no time.
Alterna Caviar Repair Rx Instant Recovery Conditioner, $34, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
— PAID —
Give your hair some extra TLC this winter with a conditioner that both moisturizes your curls and creates a covetable shine that may or may not blind passersby when you step into the sun. Okay, okay... It won't, but what it will do is give your curls bounce and softness thanks to its featured natural ingredients like coconut oil, Shea butter, and hibiscus flower extract.
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner , $9.97, available at Walmart
Infused with a balance of amla extract and coriander oil, this conditioner provides a healthy dose of moisture and shine.
Redken Diamond Oil Glow Dry Detangling Conditioner, $20, available at Ulta Beauty
Thanks to red algae extract and moringa oil, this deep conditioner protects brittle strands from root to tip.
Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Conditioner, $8.44, available at Violet Grey
If you're already a fan of fan of the brand's cult classic oil, this hydrating conditioner is a must. The moringa seed oil smooths the hair shaft to tame any flyaways, while the quinoa protein repairs existing damage so your hair feels stronger.
VERB Ghost Conditioner™, $16, available at Sephora
Shampoo
Leaving the hair squeaky clean but never stripped, this smart shampoo combats the effects of environmental aggressors while injecting hair with moisture — allowing you to wash your hair less frequently without compromising on manageability.
Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo, $26, available at Ulta Beauty
Ideal for more porous hair textures, this strengthening shampoo helps minimize breakage and intensify shine.
Sulphate-free and enriched with coconut and jojoba oils, this deeply moisturizing formula locks in color pigment to prolong your shade and increase color vibrancy.
Pureology Precious Oil Shamp'oil, $29, available at Pureology
Specifically designed for dehydrated hair, this formula uses green tea and vitamins A and E to keep strands smooth and deliver a frizz-free finish.
This lavender oil treatment protects your ends from environmental damage, with vitamin E to treat the scalp, and palm oil to improve hair's elasticity.
Christophe Robin Moisturizing Hair Oil with Lavender, $47, available at Sephora
This multi-action strengthening treatment combats split ends, smooths frizz, and prevents future breakage caused by heat styling.
Rita Hazan Triple Threat Split End Remedy, $30, available at Sephora
It's no wonder this oil, which features a combination of grape seed, sweet almond, macadamia, argan, and coconut oils, tames frizz and protects from breakage like a dream.
Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil, $22, available at Sephora
This conditioner is ideal for protecting natural hair from winter's aggressors. Or, if you regularly color, straighten, or perm your hair, all the more reason to use this detangling, frizz-fighting, leave-in treatment.
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner, $8.09, available at Ulta Beauty
This dual-purpose, coconut oil-spiked product can be used as a finishing touch to tame frizz and flyaways or before shampoo for an extra hit of hydration.
L'Oréal Elvive Extraordinary Oil Deep Nourishing Treatment, $6.99, available at Ulta Beauty
A hydrating blend of shea butter and jojoba oil, this lightweight mist detangles, conditions, and boosts shine without weighing hair down.
Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Hair Sheen, $13.49, available at Ulta Beauty
Treatments
This plant-based deep treatment effectively repairs chemically-treated, dull hair the all-natural way.
Aveda damage remedy™ intensive restructuring treatment, $39, available at Aveda
This hair mask prolongs color vibrancy and prevents color fading caused by water particles, leaving hair healthy, soft, and smooth.
Kerastase Hair Masque Chromatique Hair Mask, $53, available at Kerastase Hair
Designed to work on all hair types struggling with dullness, this treatment transforms brittle ends into shiny, bouncy strands with a single use.
Philip B. Straightening Hair Masque, $44, available at Philip B.
A healthy mix of keratin protein and amino acids makes this heavy-hitting treatment the kick in the ass damaged hair needs.
Joico K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor, $9.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Hailing from Stockholm, this Sachajuan overnight treatment uses sea algae and mineral-rich nutrients to rebuild the hair's elasticity, while adding moisture and shine.
Sachajuan Overnight Hair Repair, $50, available at DermStore
Hot Tools
Since you can't leave the house with wet hair, you want to make sure you're using the gentlest — and most effective — tools out there. This lightweight dryer has three temperature settings and a cool shot button to lock in shine.
DevaCurl DevaDryer & DevaFuser, $159, available at Ulta Beauty
There's a reason this blow-dryer is one of the top selling on the market: It's infused with ionic technology that dries hair faster and seals the hair cuticle, so hair looks smoother — and feels healthier — than ever.
T3 Featherweight Compact Folding Dryer, $119, available at Sephora
The brick-cold weather isn't doing anything to help your hair — and neither are your bath towels. Sure, they're soft and plush against your skin, but they're not gentle enough for your wet hair. Keep your towel where it belongs (around your body), and reserve this hair turban on your head. Not only does it dry your hair 50% faster than terry cloth, but it also prevents breakage and frizz during the drying process.
Aquis Essentials Lisse Luxe Hair Turban, $30, available at Sephora
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We’re in winter denial. Even though the first snow has come and gone, we’ve put off pulling out our real cold weather gear (you know, the coat coat), and we haven’t dug out the hat and gloves from the depths of our closet. But we've been taking other precautions to brave the cold weather, like whipping out our most moisturizing skin-care products.
This time of year provides us with endless opportunities to feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but it usually has the opposite effect on our skin. Between being repeatedly hammered in the face with arctic wind and spending hours in an 80-degree cell office, our skin pays the price with endless dryness, breakouts, and dullness. But that's nothing a thorough regimen can't fix.
Just like that Canada Goose coat, your cold-weather skin-care routine is a worthy investment. The right stuff will keep your face protected from climate combat and will leave you glowing even when it's chilly out. To help you gear up, we broke down the exact products our beauty editors are using this winter.
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.
"In the winter, any irritating cleansers turn my skin into a dry, patchy mess. I shelve my acne foams and charcoal cleansing oils and replace them with this super-gentle, soy-based gel. It takes off mascara and eyeliner, without giving me dry patches around my eyes like other cleansers do this time of year." — Quinn
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, $15, available at Sephora
"To keep my skin clear, I exfoliate a couple times a week with this super-fine powder, which turns into a foamy scrub when you activate it with warm water. The papaya extracts gently slough off dead skin to make my skin glowing — not red and pissed off." — Quinn
AMOREPACIFIC Treatment Enzyme Peel, $22, available at Sephora
"I have to be careful with any active serums this time of year, because again, my skin is not super happy with me between the freezing commute and dry office air. This gentle retinol serum, which has soothing aloe, keeps my skin clear and breakout free." — Quinn
Shani Darden Texture Reform™ Gentle Resurfacing Serum, $95, available at Shani Darden
"Because my skin is super dry this time of year, I always layer on two face creams, starting with this Augustinus Bader one — which, to me, has the silky texture of a serum. The formula, based on Dr. Bader's stem cell research, has made a huge difference in my fine lines and deep forehead wrinkles, which helps justify the cost (a little). I also love that it's totally fragrance-free and comes in a bougie dust bag for travel." — Quinn
Augustinus Bader The Cream, $265, available at Violet Grey
"I follow up the Augustinus Bader cream with Barbara Sturm's Face Cream, which she personalized for me using plasma from blood she drew from my arm (it helps my skin repair itself like my own personalized Neosporin). It sounds freaky, but I've been using it for eight months and my skin has never been clearer, brighter, or smoother. If you can't get to Germany, or are afraid of needles, her plain face cream also gives you serious hydration and an immediate glow." — Quinn
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich Women, $230, available at Net-A-Porter
"Even with my over-the-top (and wildly expensive) skin-care routine, dry patches and rashes just happen — 'tis the season, after all. I keep a tube of this, plus a prescription ointment from my doctor, in my purse at all times. It helps soothe and reverse the scaly areas around my eyes, elbows, lips, and knees. Which is impressive, considering it's by far the cheapest product on my list." — Quinn
Aquaphor Healing Ointment, $4.79, available at Target
"I was casually dating cleansers before this one tied me down. The estheticians at Joanna Vargas salon used it on me a few facials ago, and I was immediately hooked by the citrusy fragrance. But it's the results that keep me coming back. The gel-like formula melts into a creamy liquid that melts away dirt and makeup. My skin is brighter after every single use and my pores never feel like they're gasping for air." — Simeon
Joanna Vargas Vitamin C Face Wash, $40, available at Nordstrom
"I typically use a liquid toner to keep my skin free of hormonal breakouts, but some of them make my face feel dry and waxy like printer paper — especially when it's cold out. Instead, I've been using a few pumps of this AHA solution on a cotton pad. It has a jelly consistency that melts into my face (no sticky residue over here). Since I've been using it, my breakouts have been non-existent and my dark spots have been slowly vanishing." — Simeon
(Malin + Goetz) AHA Treatment Solution, $42, available at Nordstrom
"This serum is like liquid CPR for my face. I massage a few pumps of it into my skin after I tone and it leaves my face feeling brand new. I often consider skipping moisturizer after I use this Vitamin C serum because it's just that good. It also has the most intoxicating scent. I would douse my entire body in it (if a single bottle didn't cost $150)." — Simeon
Joanna Vargas Rescue Serum, $150, available at Net-A-Porter
"Skipping moisturizer isn't an option when your skin is as dry as mine, so I follow up with this Vichy formula. It has SPF 25 to make sure I'm protecting my skin daily. It goes on thick and creamy, but I never feel like I've been dipped in grease after I massage this into my face." — Simeon
Vichy 24HR Hydrating Fortifying Lotion, $31, available at DermStore
"Fading my lingering acne scars has been a journey, but I am in the home stretch thanks to these exfoliating peels. I incorporated them into my routine a few months ago and have seen a drastic improvement in the overall texture and brightness of my skin. I buff my face with the two-step system every other day to let it work its magic." — Simeon
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, $16, available at Sephora
"Using a fuck-ton of exfoliating products when your skin is super dry may seem counterproductive. But extra dryness isn't an issue when I use this cream. Every night once I cleanse, exfoliate, and tone, I smear a thick layer of this all over my face and lips. I let it seep in while I sleep, and when I wake up, my face feels baby-soft with not a dry patch in sight." — Simeon
Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream, $18.98, available at Weleda
"I've been using this cleansing water for years. I just notice a huge difference in my skin when I skip traditional cleansers for this gentle French water. Plus, it doesn't clog my pores the way other liquid formulas might, so in my cabinet it'll stay." — Sasso
Bioderma Sensibio H2O, $14.9, available at DermStore
"I've been a big fan fo the Pixi Glow Tonic for years now, but I leave most of my stock at my parents' house for weekend visits. As an alternative, I've been stealing this exfoliating tonic from my roommate since last winter. All it takes is one cotton round soaked in the orange liquid to rebalance my skin post-cleanse. It's fast, easy, and comes with its own pump so you don't have to make a mess with a pour-only spout." — Sasso
REN Beauty Daily AHA Tonic , $35, available at DermStore
"When I want to feel extra clean, I'll wash my face with this milky cleanser. I know most people say jelly cleansers don't dry out skin, but they typically leave my face parched and tight — this one doesn't. But I love it most for its hydrating qualities. It actually makes my skin feel and look baby-soft after a quick rinse. Plus, it's cheap just in case I really need a refill." — Sasso
Neutrogena Gentle Cleansing and Hydrating Face Lotion , $7.99, available at Target
"Renée Rouleau was kind enough to send me a ton of products last year during a difficult time in my life when my face was covered — from forehead to jawline — in hard, hormonal cysts. Once the acne was gone, I needed to handle the patches of red scars leftover from the ordeal, and this is still my go-to. I use it every morning before putting on makeup, and it keeps my skin moisturized, protected, and free of annoying spots." — Sasso
Renée Rouleau Vitamin C&E Treatment, $67.5, available at Renée Rouleau
"This is another product I've been using for over a year. By now I've gone through at least four glass bottles of this fancy serum and, truthfully, I can't even explain why. All I know is when I don't use it, my skin looks dull, exhausted, and frankly, worse." — Sasso
Caudalie Radiance Serum , $79, available at DermStore
"I was using this cream for years, then I strayed to a few other brands. I quickly realized nothing works as well as this cult classic. It's simple, frill-free, and keeps my skin plump and hydrated even when my apartment feels drier than the ninth circle of hell." — Sasso
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, $16, available at Sephora
"Yep, I've continued to give in to the well-deserved hype over this product. You've probably heard a million people rave about it already, so I'll just say it's as good as everyone says (even if it uses lavender oil). Use it before bed (mixed in with your lotion or solo), and you'll wake up looking bright and glowy." —Sasso
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, $47, available at Sephora
"All of my Black beauty friends were raving about this Urban Skin Rx cleanser, and, honestly, I ignored all the hype at first. How good could a bar soap really be? Well, one use of this cleansing bar shut me right up. This product makes my skin look radiant, and I've totally skipped my weekly exfoliating step for almost a month now. " — Cruel
Urban Skin RX Even Tone Facial Cleansing Bar, $6.99, available at Target
"Right after I cleanse, I start in layering the moisturizers. The first up is this essence. I've tried a lot of different sprays and toners, but this is the only one that actually feels like something more than water. The slippery product sinks into my skin immediately, and I lock in the moisture shot it gives with a thicker serum." — Cruel
Dr. Andrew Weil For Origins Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™, $34, available at Origins
"This jelly serves as the perfect moisturizing base after I put on my essence and vitamin C serum in the morning. It leaves my skin with a shine that reminds me of the Vaseline my mom used to slather on my face when I was a kid. It has that same level of wind protection with the lightweight feel of a gel-cream. You might say I look greasy — I call it dewy." — Cruel
Moon Juice Beauty Shroom Plumping Jelly Serum, $58, available at Moon Juice
"Sometimes I wake up in the morning with my face feeling like I just spent hours under the hood dryer at the hair salon (a childhood memory that still makes me run for my water bottle). This mask is what I use after cleansing to revive my skin immediately. In the winter months, I don't even bother to rinse it off. I just put my sunscreen directly on top. " — Cruel
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, $48, available at Sephora
"Sunscreen is non-negotiable for me. I prefer chemical formulas because they easily disappear into my brown skin. This one is so lightweight that sometimes I mistakenly add another layer because I forgot if I even applied it in the first place (which isn't a bad thing when it comes to sun protection)." — Cruel
Elemis Daily Defense Shield SPF 30, $60, available at Nordstrom
"I don't wear makeup on a regular basis. So, I use this Bioderma formula to clean my face in the evenings. Whereas foaming cleansers usually dry out my skin, this gets rid of dirt without making my face feel I cleansed with Clorox." — Cruel
Bioderma Sensibio Hydrabio H2O Micellar Water, $14.9, available at Amazon
"Retinol is an important skin-care step that I just started doing regularly. While many products promise long-term results, I can see a difference in my skin after just one night using this product. And after months of regular use, I can honestly say I think my occasional pimples are gone for good." — Cruel
Shani Darden Texture Reform™ Gentle Resurfacing Serum, $95, available at Shani Darden
"I'm serious about my sleep ritual. A cup of WelleCo sleep tea, the This Works deep sleep diffuser, my humidifier on blast, and this lavender-scented face cream are all nightly essentials. This cream is the perfect gel to go over my retinol. Plus, it doesn't leave my silk pillowcases stained with grease spots." — Cruel
Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon, $80, available at DermStore
"I'm not especially picky about cleansers — if it's gentle, fragrance-free, and doesn't have sulfates, I'll use it. (So maybe I'm a little picky.) This one is my favorite right now because it does just about everything: removes makeup, hydrates and balances, and doesn't make my face feel like I washed it with battery acid. I use it most mornings and nights, though I'll sometimes swap it out for Verso's Acne Deep Cleanse after a workout or if I'm on the brink of a breakout." — Krause
Doctor Rogers Restore Face Wash, $42, available at Doctor Rogers
"Physical exfoliants are usually not my bag, but there's a reason everyone swears by this finely-ground powder. For starters, there's no actual scrubbing action involved; it turns into a silky foam when you add water in your hands, but somehow it leaves skin with that baby-smooth post-scrub feeling without the micro-tears. I, like Meghan Markle, highly recommend." — Krause
Tatcha Gentle Foaming Enzyme Powder, $65, available at Tatcha
"What makes this essence any different from the number of other similar essences on the market? No fucking clue, but it makes my skin feel absurdly soft and calms redness and irritation, and also I like the bottle. I pat it on right after cleansing when my skin is still damp, morning and night." — Krause
Tatcha The Essence Plumping Skin Softener, $95, available at Tatcha
"Anything that's even remotely good about my skin I owe primarily to P50. Everything you've heard about it is true — yes, it smells bad, and yes, it will fix your texture issues and make your pores look smaller and prevent breakouts and clear up dark spots and so on and so forth. Friends and acquaintances constantly approach me at parties to ask if they really need to try it; my answer is always an emphatic yes, and then they come back and thank me. They thank me, and I didn't even do anything! It's the best." — Krause
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50, $28, available at Rescue Spa
"I always add a shot of this gel to whatever serum I'm using in the morning — it's an extra kick of non-greasy moisture, just to be on the safe side."— Krause
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum, $52, available at Drunk Elephant
"There is no known cure for a quarter-life crisis, but this light, easily-absorbed lotion has a nice blend of free radical-fighting vitamins C and E, plus antioxidant-rich red-tea extract, to keep the fear-of-aging demons at bay for the time being." — Krause
Glytone Age-Defying Vitamin C&E Serum, $130, available at DermStore
"This lightweight moisturizer, which is available for preorder now before the official launch on December 1, is extremely solid: It smells like nothing, sinks right into skin, never feels heavy, and doesn't break me out, which makes it the Platonic ideal of the perfect daytime hydrator. The only thing it's missing is SPF, so I'll just top it off with a dime-sized amount of Supergoop Unseen before applying makeup and call it a day." — Krause
Shani Darden Daily Oil-Free Moisturizer, $42, available at Shani Darden
"Another Shani Darden fave (and the winner of a well-deserved Beauty Innovator Award), this serum is one of the best things I've ever put on my face — and trust, I've put a lot of things on my face. There's a delicate balance between a product that's gentle but effective and a product that doesn't irritate skin but does very little overall; this stuff works for my wildly sensitive skin and creates serious results practically overnight. My skin is brighter, smoother, younger-looking, and less congested since I started using it earlier this year. I smooth it on before my moisturizer every night, and will mix in a little bit of Tula's Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel if I'm breaking out — you'd think it would be too much in terms of chemical exfoliation, but they make a surprisingly nice team." — Krause
Shani Darden Texture Reform™ Gentle Resurfacing Serum, $95, available at Shani Darden
"One of the first things that comes up when you Google this excellent facial oil is that Kate Middleton uses it, a rumor that I can neither confirm nor deny. But I can tell you why I use it: It's the rare oil that's fragrance-free and doesn't contain any potentially aggravating essential oils, so it's fine for sensitive skin. There's a common misconception that oils will clog your pores and give you a full face of acne where your skin used to be, but I put this one straight on any and all breakouts, and it actually makes them better. My skin is clearer and more even for it." — Krause
Votary Super Seed Facial Oil, $110, available at goop
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If Carrie Bradshaw wore dark berry lipstick and wrote her sex column in the age of Tinder, she might have looked a lot like Blake, the protagonist in the quasi rom-com The New Romantic. Led by The End of the F***ing World ' s Jessica Barden, the indie film explores the life of a college-journalist-turned-sugar-baby — and all the glitz, glamour, and heartache that comes with it.
The film will leave you smitten with the young actress, and even more fascinated by the complicated sugar-daddy relationship. But while you watch Barden get showered with extravagant gifts — including diamonds and a vespa — you might miss her beauty evolution throughout the film, which directly correlates with her character's development.
We spoke with the film's lead makeup artist, Karly Madill, for all the details on Barden's transformation from a doe-eyed college student to a women who knows what she wants. She breaks down all the makeup she used on The New Romantic set, ahead.
In an effort to make 26-year-old Barden look like a college senior, Madill kept her makeup very, very natural. "With Blake, Jessica's character, I used the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD foundation throughout filming; it's sheer, so [it] didn't airbrush her freckles and gave a fresh glow to the skin," she says.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation, $43, available at Sephora
To give Barden a youthful flush in those beginning scenes, Madill turned to a Nars cult favorite. "I wanted to incorporate makeup that a 19 or 20-year-old might actually wear, to make the characters relatable," Madill says. "We actually experimented with a few different brands during the test shoot, and we all genuinely gravitated towards Nars."
Staying true to the characters also meant dipping into the actors' own makeup bags. "Jessica brought her favorite Charlotte [Tilbury] products to set, so we mixed some of those into Blake's look," Madill says. "Most days we used both the liquid concealer and the Magic Cream moisturizer."
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer, $32, available at Sephora
When Blake begins an arrangement with her sugar daddy, an older economics professor, her look evolves from innocent college kid — sheer foundation and a single coat of mascara — to something a bit more sophisticated.
"Because the sugar daddy is an older guy, Blake transitions when she starts dating him," Madill says. "She starts dressing in a way that a young woman would perceive as mature or sophisticated. For the scenes that she's playing the sugar baby role, we gave her a dark red lip."
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick, $26, available at Sephora
The whole look — dark lipstick and smoky liner — feels a little forced and awkward, and that was entirely the point. "The goal was to make Blake look like what she thought her sugar daddy would want her to be," Madill explains. "But that vibe, the glam and sophistication of it all, was not necessarily a look she was comfortable in — and that's pretty clear."
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, $21, available at Sephora
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Some call it the smuggest trend on the internet, while others take it as a welcome push to reorganize their personal space. Wherever you fall, there's no getting away from one trending hashtag: #shelfie.
While many of us lustfully pin images of pristine vanities and countertops filled with Byredo perfume bottles and wiped-clean Diptyque candle jars holding cleanmakeup brushes, our realities are rarely so picture-perfect. If you feel a pang of jealousy when you see a #shelfie post of your dream vanity — then compare it to your endless piles of hair elastics and half used tubes of mascara and lip balm — let us be the first to say, you're not alone.
We've rounded up the most mesmerizing makeup flat-lays and idealistic mirror shelves on Instagram — then paired them with the exact storage product you should buy to make your reality a little closer to the one you love most. But the best part? This picturesque trend will actually help you to get out the door faster and cut down on daily cleaning and stress. Win-win! Our favorites, 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.
A collection of luxe skin care is clearly not meant to be hidden on the backside of your bathroom mirror. Put all your products in small cubbies for easy access.
@tamirajarrel
If you have the space in your bathroom or bedroom, consider adding this 12-cubby shelving unit. Lotions, serums, creams, and more can fit in the squares. Plus, if you have extra room, you can mix in some decorative knick-knack or a fun bookend to make it a full work of art.
Room Essentials 12-Cube Organizer Shelf 11" , $41.99, available at Target
A plastic organizer might seem boring on its own, but when you fill it with your everyday products, it's all of a sudden a great backdrop for a flat-lay. Carnation placement is on you.
@lundaasen
The best part about plastic storage? It's not going to cost an arm and a leg. This one from Amazon will only set you back $12, so you can spend more on what's going inside.
InterDesign Cosmetic Organizer Tray , $12.28, available at Amazon
Extend the life of your Diptyque candle long after the sweet-smelling wax has run dry by cleaning out the glass and using it to hold your makeup brushes. I mean, if you're spending more than $50 on a candle, you might as well get your money's worth, right?
@lundaasen
Fill your home with the smell of roses for 60 hours, and when the wick disappears, pour in some hot water (to reheat the dried wax residue), pour into the trash ( no t down the drain), and wipe clean with a paper towel.
Diptyque Roses Scented Candle, $35, available at Nordstrom
When your makeup's pretty and pick, clear hard acrylic drawers lets you show off what's inside.
@thecontainerstore
The cool thing about this set from The Container Store is that you can personalize it by choosing which sections and pieces you really need, so you don't end up with that mini cubby you never use. If you want a bunch of drawers, you can get four and stack them. If you're in it for the lipstick dividers, get two of those.
The Container Store Large Luxe Acrylic Makeup Organizer Clear, $29.99, available at The Container Store
The CosmoCube is the makeup vessel many makeup artists and beauty lovers swear by. With deeper drawers, there's room for all of your full sized eyeshadow palettes, with space to spare (for new additions, of course).
@cosmocube
Beauty guru and wedding planner Laura Gurrolatells us she loves the CosmoCube because it's clear and, like those from The Container Store, it's customizable. "The one I have is six drawers, and some of them have different dividers and you can customize them," Gurrola explains. "So if there are four rows in there, and you want two because you’re putting in compacts instead of lip gloss, you can adjust it. It’s big enough to where it fits a lot of stuff, but it’s small enough where it fits on your vanity or a desk or dresser."
Cosmocube CosmoCube Posh, $185, available at Cosmocube
If you're trying to revamp your bathroom cabinet, try adjusting the shelves and popping in a few smaller, standing shelves to mix up product heights and add dimension. Translation: No wasted space!
@laura.cattano
Another pick from The Container Store, this acrylic shelf is small enough to squeeze in-between two shelves.
The Container Store 2-Tier Acrylic Tower, $49.99, available at The Container Store
For makeup you want to have in one portable place for a quick grab n' go, a cute clear makeup bag makes sense for finding things quickly. Plus, how cute?!
@intothegloss
This clear half-moon travel pouch filled with makeup could make even a dark-gray airport security bin look chic.
Madewell Small Crystalline Half-Moon Pouch, $19.5, available at Madewell
If your eyelash curler and eye cream are always laying strewn across your dresser, try giving them a home by adding a metallic platter underneath.
@intothegloss
This silver mirrored vanity plate makes your daily skin care routine into a showstopper
Charlton Home Octangular Design Mirror Vanity Tray, $25.18, available at Wayfair
If gold's more your jam, you can match your jewelry to your perfume tray.
@taraleydon
This plate is luxe, shiny, and is still a fraction of the cost of your Byredo.
Wrought Studio Classic Design Mirror Vanity Tray, $26.99, available at Wayfair
Another pick for the makeup lover who's has more pots and palettes than they can count, the Alex drawers from Ikea are a godsend, decking out any vanity and providing the lets of a desk (just lay a board on top!).
@noemiipalmaaa
The drawer units are a little pricey, but they're worth their weight in gold if your stacks of makeup are getting out of control. Makeup artist Leigh Anntells us she uses the Alex drawers to store the products in her kit because they're portable and the drawers aren't too deep. "They come in different shapes, but I like my shorties on wheels because the drawers are all shallow and I can't be trusted to avoid over-piling products into deep drawers," she explains. "They're also huge, easy to move around, relatively affordable, and convenient."
Ikea Alex Drawer Unit, $159.99, available at Amazon
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In the past year alone, a naturally-brunette Beyoncé has experimented with a dizzying array of blondes — including cream soda blonde, honey blonde, and caramel blonde — and her hair has never looked damaged, not once. Sure, we could chalk it up to Beyoncé magic, but the truth is, her ever-evolving hair color comes courtesy of foilyage, a lightening technique that minimizes damage, according to her longtime colorist Rita Hazan.
The hybridized hair coloring method fuses the effortless, grown out look of balayage with the precision of traditional foil highlights. And the gentler way to color is as versatile as Bey herself: "The technique can be adapted for different looks and colors," Hazan says, including all-over color or low-key highlights near the face.
Ready for the best part? With smart execution, foilyage highlights look fresh for months — a budget and time-preserving godsend for those of us constantly on the run like Queen Bey. Ahead, Hazan shares her best tips to stay golden, raven, and everything in between, all without sacrificing hair health.
Foilyage is a technique in which bleach or color is free-painted onto the strands (similar to balayage). The hair is then wrapped in foils to seal in heat and magnify the processing power of the bleach or dye. "When going lighter, foilyage is less harsh on your hair because you don't have to use high-volume peroxide bleach," Hazan says. "Though it depends on the hair type, as low as 20-volume or 40-volume developer can be used to lift color, using anything higher can damage the hair."
Foilyage also creates a cleaner (and quicker) color job. With balayage, strands of cotton or other materials are used to keep the color-treated hair away from strands that aren't being colored, but this uses foils to accomplish the same effect in much less time.
Think foilyage is just for hints of blonde here and there? Catch this total flaxen look, which Hazan also created using the technique. While opting for foilyage is less harsh on hair than other bleaching techniques, the shift from deep brunette to shades of cream soda blonde still takes multiple sessions. Hazan likes to start with a light lift on darker hair before working her way up to brighter shades in subsequent visits. But after the initial appointments, you can totally ghost your colorist. "Foilyage is actually low maintenance," Hazan says. "It typically lasts three-to-four months."
Like balayage, foilyage allows mid-lights to be added without any harsh lines (which is one reason that traditional foil highlights get a bad reputation). "This gives it a more natural look," Hazan says.
Though warmer blonde shades hug Beyoncé's face, a brighter hue is added at mid-length near the ear line to give the illusion of a more full-bodied blonde. When going for these brighter shades, Hazan uses toner on the roots to create a more seamless transition between the natural and processed strands. Then, she reaches for her Blonde Ultimate Shine Gloss to boost shine.
While the foilyage process can be used to create an array of blondes — from icy to caramel — it can also be tapped to keep darker hair from looking flat. "For both darker and lighter shades, it’s important to be dramatic enough with the color that you can always see the dimension, but not too heavy handed to where it looks chunky — placement is key."
"Foilyage is a technique that can be used for all types of colors and textures. You just have to customize it to get the results you want," Hazan says. "For curly hair, I color thicker pieces to create depth and dimension because curly hair doesn’t have the same curl pattern on all areas of the scalp."
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If we're ever lucky enough to get to write an astrological dictionary, the entry for "Leo" will just be a photo of Jennifer Lopez. Born on July 24, 1969, the singer and actress was born just in time to be a Leo rather than a Cancer, the preceding sign on the Wheel of the Zodiac. But it wouldn't matter if she was born the nanosecond that Leo season started — Lopez would still be a textbook example of this sign, from her versatile star power to her attention-getting looks.
It might not be as obvious as J.Lo's Leonine identity, but her boyfriend, Alex Rodriguez, was born on July 27, 1975, making him a Leo, too. Given what we know about this couple (and Leos, for that matter), it seems to be more than a mere coincidence that they share a Zodiac sign (besides, it could get weirder — they could have the exact same birthday). If you ask us, Lopez and Rodriguez's undeniable chemistry was written in the stars.
According to the AstroTwins' astrological compatibility guide How To Get Along With Anyone (Yes, Even THAT Person), people born under the same sign tend to be very accepting of each other's likes, dislikes, and quirks — they write that getting to know a signmate can feel like looking in a mirror. It's little wonder, then, that while accepting the Video Vanguard Award at this year's VMAs, Lopez addressed Rodriguez as such: "You're my twin soul. We're like mirror images of each other." Plus, if there was ever a sign that liked looking in the mirror, it's the ever-confident Leo.
Of course, there can be a downside to sharing your sign with your partner. As astrologer Annie Heese writes on her site, Cafe Astrology, Lopez and Rodriguez don't just have their positive qualities in common — they likely have the same weaknesses, too. Where couples with opposite signs balance out each other's needs and tempers, couples with the same sign may be too similar to see beyond each other's shortcomings to tackle challenges effectively.
Two Leos may find it difficult to check their egos in order to support each other. They might even come to resent one another's dramatic streak. Luckily, if A-Rod's talents as a supportive-boyfriend-cum-red-carpet-photographer are anything to go on, he doesn't have a problem with checking his ego for J.Lo's sake. To borrow one of Lopez's favorite affirmations, there are "no limits but the sky" for this cosmically advantageous couple.
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In our seriesMy Salary Story, women with long-term career experience open up about the most intimate details of their jobs: compensation. It’s an honest look at how real people navigate the complicated world of negotiating, raises, promotions, and job loss, with the hope it will give young women more insight into how to advocate for themselves — and maybe take a few risks along the way.
Been in the workforce for at least eight years and interested in contributing your salary story?Submit your information here.
Age: 33 Current Location: Charleston, SC Current Industry & Title: Technology, Senior Marketing Specialist Starting Salary: $55,000 base + 10% bonus in 2008 Current Salary: $90,000 base + 6% bonus Number Of Years Employed: 11 Biggest Salary Jump: $ 22,500 ($71,000 to $93,500) in 2016. Biggest Salary Drop: $24,000 ($89,000 to $65,000) in 2011. Biggest Salary Negotiation Regret: "When I switched from sales to marketing I didn't negotiate at all. Because I thought I was lucky to have the opportunity to get out of sales — and always made sure I could live off my base salary — I didn't take into account that I was making over $90,000 some years during my early 20s. When I transitioned to a non-profit it was a huge wake up call. Seven years later, I'm still not fully recovered from my stupidity." Best Salary-Related Advice: "Always negotiate. It doesn't hurt to do your research and push back on HR when they negotiate back. I've had some jobs try to strong arm me, but it's like buying a car. Don't be afraid to walk away if they aren't willing to pay what you are worth."
"I graduated in December 2007 and started this job right out of college. It was in the tire industry and sales — exact opposite of what I wanted to do. But I could feel the job landscape changing and decided to take it after my professor introduced me to the hiring manager.
"At the time, I was young and naive; I was just excited to have a job. It was kind of presented to me as: 'This is the offer' and it was a really good training program, so I didn't even think to negotiate. Even so, looking back, it shaped my career in the best way possible."
"I was offered this job following the sales training program I was in. I had already been in the previous position at the company and this position opened up and was offered to me. I ended up accepting the offer without negotiation. This new position had more responsibility and required a move from Charlotte, NC to Washington, D.C.
"The company gave me a $10,000 moving bonus, but they did not account for the change in the cost of living. Instead, they just upped my bonus since this was now a true sales role. In the first year, I made $94,000 and in the second year, $89,000."
"I never loved sales; it wasn't where I truly wanted to be. Living in a new city in my early twenties, working from home, and constantly traveling was one of the hardest times of my life. I was really lonely and unfulfilled. So, in the second year, I did nothing but apply for jobs.
"I knew I wanted to get back into marketing and an opportunity eventually came up with a nonprofit. The role was a hybrid of sales and marketing, so I decided to make I wanted to make the move.
"I took a massive pay cut at the time — though it was technically about the same as the base as my previous base salary. It was an easy transition but I under estimated how much I relied on my previous roles bonus structure for my quality of life. I think I made the right decision. But I wish I had negotiated this salary offer. At the time, I thought I would get raises and bonuses as I progressed, but the reality was: Once you got into the company at a certain salary, it was hard to get a raise."
"In participating in My Salary Story, I discovered that my actual salary versus what my official offer letter stated had a discrepancy of over $5,000 for this role. Looking back, I wish I paid more attention rather than trusting the company and would have been able to leverage this as they changed my role, gave me more responsibilities, but refused to increase my compensation.
"Personally, I really struggled to make ends meet while living in D.C. in my mid-20s and a few hundred dollars a month would have made a huge difference. The higher salary would have potentially given me a higher salary at my next role, and I would have had the confidence to ask for more. In hindsight, it's disappointing to feel like I was taken advantage of, but I'm really happy with my career path since then."
"During this annual review, my manager told me that I had exceeded expectations, but that there was only a certain amount the company could award me, which was a standard 2% raise."
"During my time in this position, I tried to build my marketing skills and exceeded expectations on all of my reviews. However, my manager continuously said that they only had a certain amount they could award and the best he could do was a 2% raise.
"I later found out from my next manager, that this probably meant that other people in the department were getting higher raises than I was. "
"In 2014, my role was part of a total division reorganization. This was an actual raise, the prior years more cost of living adjustments. I moved departments and got a new manager who was amazing. She went to bat for me to get a raise since my previous reviews had exceeded expectations and I continued to show I wanted to learn and volunteered to take on new projects."
"In January of 2015, I received a 5% 'appreciation' bonus that was distributed by the division director. In 2014 I secretly worked to revamp one of our programs. I had created a data set to prove we needed to fix the offering rather than having product and sales blame marketing for the issue.
"This project inspired a total revamp of a stale product offering and as a result, increased sales. It was nice to have something I worked on so passionately be recognized by a Senior Director. Still, my role changed shortly after this and I was quickly assigned to a new product and felt discouraged again."
"I eventually started to realize at my previous role that there weren't really any growth opportunities. Though my salary increased about $10,000 during my time at my last job, I knew I was grossly underpaid compared to others in the department with the same experience.
"I knew someone who worked at a tech company and he was able to refer me for a position. During the interview process, the recruiting at this company was really aggressive. This company hires people straight out of college and tends to strong-arm people. I knew a little bit about this and went in with this knowledge. While I wanted a raise, I also knew that this would be a good professional move. Still, I knew I had to make more than what I was making at my previous job.
"During the interview, they asked me flat out what I was making, which I shouldn't have told them, but I did. They knew where I was at the entire time ($69,000) but I told them I wanted to make $75,000. During the negotiation, it came out that the salary I was asking for would put me at a managerial level. Their first offer was $62,000 plus bonuses, which would have put me at $68,000 with bonus potential.
"I went back and forth with them a few times before I was finally able to get them to $72,000 plus 8% in bonus potential. They are well known for taking advantage of young people and I had to sign a contract saying I'd work 45-hour weeks.
"I ended up working 50-hour weeks and never saw a bonus. This position was super stressful; a year and a half felt like five. I had stomach ulcers and was constantly stressed. Looking back at my years of experience at the time, I knew I was severely underpaid."
"After a year and a half in the previous position, I was approached by the CMO of another smaller tech company on LinkedIn. We had a call which led to an interview. The hiring manager asked what I would like to make and I thought, hey, I have nothing to lose and asked for $100,000. And they said that was right around their budget for the position.
"I left the previous job two months before I would have qualified for a review, been able to negotiate for a raise, and been eligible for my 8% bonus. But this company offered over $20,000 more than I had been making before.
"Given my experience, I knew I could be successful in this role and that this was a good next step for my career. Starting this job, I finally felt like I was making a salary that was market-rate for ten years of experience. My confidence soared and I felt so much more empowered."
"The company that enticed me with this amazing new role started having layoffs three months after I started. At first, the layoffs were primarily in sales and customer-facings roles that I supported and the marketing department we went on as usual continuing to launch products and programs. But I knew that once layoffs started in my department that the role would probably be eliminated; I knew it wasn't really critical to the department.
"Even though I was successful in creating customer programming and generating leads, I was finally laid off after ten months. After getting laid off, I started to take on independent work through various websites to get by until I found a new role. At this time, I relocated from Washington, D.C. to Charleston, SC.
"The job market in South Carolina is really tough and I probably could have found a job more quickly in Washington. I ended up working as an independent contractor for about nine months. I went on a lot of interviews but nothing really panned out. Being an independent contractor was tough. I needed to make money, but I didn't really like it. I prefer working on teams, and I felt disconnected."
"Back in May, while independent contracting, I had applied for a job at a tech company where a former colleague worked. I spent the summer working in Europe, and my friend contacted me and told me that the company wanted to talk to me about the role, and that I might be hearing from HR.
"I was worried because I was out of the country, but my friend assured me it would be fine. I was able to do all four of my phone interviews from overseas via teleconference. Originally, the role was going to be headquartered in their Virginia office, but the hiring manager interviewed me and was open to having the position be remote.
"Their first offer was $85,000 with a 5% bonus and I came back with a 10% bonus because I was a little scared of pricing myself out of the role. I really wanted a full time job and though I don't want to say I was desperate, I was a little. They came back with a $90,000 offer with a 7% bonus, so I accepted.
"Professionally, this role was a few steps down from my previous role, but the salary was right where I wanted to be so I didn't care. I was excited to have a job and it was a cool role and still presented a challenge and a learning opportunity, which is always important. It's worth taking a step back for now.
"Now, I'm able to work for a D.C.-based company and work from home in Charleston. I wish that earlier on in my marketing career I'd been a bit more aggressive on the roles I had taken. I think I coasted a little bit too long at the non-profit and wish I had gotten into tech earlier. But I do think that (not to be cheesy) everything happens for a reason.
"I work at a great, solid company doing exciting things for our customers. I'm in a role where I'll continue to grow and making a good salary. So I'm really happy."
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From Steve Jobs to vegan vloggers, Instagram wellness gurus to bodybuilders, lots of health-inclined people on the internet have been under the impression that eating only raw fruits will change your life. This diet is called "fruitarianism," and it involves solely eating raw fruits, and sometimes nuts and seeds. Proponents of the diet claim that it'll help with digestion, keep you hydrated, improve cognition, simplify meal-prepping, give you more energy, and of course, "detoxify " you body.
Fruitarianism sounds extreme because it is — yet tons of people still commit to it, because it seems kooky enough to work. To date, there are more than 600,000 photos tagged #fruitarian on Instagram. However, like many viral health trends on the internet, there's more to fruitarianism than just colorful smoothies and heaping bowls of produce.
Here are a few reasons why a fruitarian diet plan is probably not the best option for most humans. The TL;DR? Too much of one thing is typically not a good idea.
You need other nutrients.
In terms of nutrients, fruit is full of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which is awesome. Thanks to the naturally-occurring sugar and carbohydrates in fruit, it gives you energy and tastes amazing. For these reasons, it's recommended that adults ages 19-30 eat two cups of fruit per day. But fruit can't provide all of the vital nutrients your body needs to function. For example, you need foods with protein to transport, build, and repair tissue, and fat to protect your organs and help your brain do its job. By limiting yourself to only eating fruit, you're missing out on these other delicious and important nutrients that you literally need to survive.
It's restrictive.
When it comes to dietary changes of any kind, it's important to think about what's going to be sustainable for you long-term. Transitioning from eating a variety of foods to just one type of food would be jarring for most people. "Any sort of lifestyle change that takes place overnight and makes a big sweeping change is typically not something that a person is going to stick with in the long term," Jen Bruning, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Chicago told Refinery29. Fruitarianism is very restrictive by nature of the fact that you can only eat fruit. And any "healthy eating plan" that labels certain foods as "off-limits" (Whole30 is a big one, for example) could hurt your overall relationship to food.
It could be pretty bad for you.
Back in 2013, when Ashton Kutcher was filming the biopic about Steve Jobs, he attempted to eat Jobs' infamous all-fruit diet to get into character, and ended up in the hospital due to low pancreas levels. The pancreas is responsible for breaking down food, producing insulin, and controlling blood sugar levels, so without it, your body can't process sugar. And if you're eating mostly sugary fruits, you can see why this is a problem. Additionally, for people with diabetes who can't create or utilize insulin, an all-fruit diet could be harmful, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
So, if you're still intrigued by what an all-fruit diet entails, ask your doctor — chances are they'll tell you to stick to "an apple a day," and a variety of other foods as well.
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As niche workouts come and go, the tried-and-true outdoor workout, whether it be a run, ride or anything else under the sun (or moon), has proven that it's here to stay. Most of us have enjoyed a late fall run as the leaves are changing or a fun HIIT workout on the beach. But what happens when winter creeps in, it's dark for over half the day and there's snow everywhere?
Luckily, if working out outside is your thing, it doesn't need to stop just because temps fall below zero. Exercise physiologist and program director for the Orlando Track Shack Foundation Susan Paul told Women's Health that it's actually safe to workout outdoors until the thermometer hits 20 degrees below zero. After it gets below that, may we suggest hot yoga?
In the article, Paul advised to wear moisture-wicking fabrics to make sure you stay cold and dry. But don't go grabbing your parka! If you're working up a sweat outside you have the potential to feel about 2o degrees warmer. Although hats, gloves and warm socks are endorsed.
However, there are some safety precautions to keep in mind before grabbing your leggings and hitting the snow. First, windchill makes everything worse — in temps below -15 combined with windchill, exposed skin can get frostbitten in under 30 minutes. Frostbite starts with numbness, followed by tingling or burning. If you think that's happening to you, don't work it out. Head back inside and put the area under lukewarm water.
Next, the rain and wind are not your friends. The body has trouble managing its temp when it's soaking wet. Don't make it harder for your body when you're already going through a grueling workout.
Listen to your body last but not least. There are many other alternatives to working out outside, but if your heart is set on a scenic countryside jog, then just refer to our tips above for a semi-enjoyable experience.
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At a time when "wellness culture " dominates, it can be tough to keep up with all the cool health and wellness influencers and products out there. (Not to mention somewhat sketchy, since many "health" or "wellness" supplements and products are not regulated in any way, shape, or form.)
Given that, we've compiled some (safe!) gifts that your sweat-loving, Goop-worshiping, wellness-freaky friend will be obsessed with — and even skeptics like you will want to get behind.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, but if you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Soaking in this luxurious combination of eucalyptus, cajeput, and epsom salts will help them relax from a long day of boutique workout classes.
Saje Apres Sport Soothing Bath Salt Soak, $24.95, available at Saje
Some people swear that sitting on acupressure mats with hundreds of pointy plastic needles can help manage muscle pain. This mat also includes a bolster for their neck.
ProSource ProSource Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set, $19.98, available at Amazon
A classy neoprene gym bag that's big enough to take on an overnight yoga retreat.
Dagne Dover THE LANDON CARRYALL (MEDIUM), $155, available at Bandier
Glacce Rose Quartz Bottle, $80, available at Glacce
If they're so busy that they waste their ClassPass credits each month, they'll appreciate a subscription to the workout streaming service Our Body Electric, aka "obé."
Instagram's not ready for the gorgeous smoothie bowls your friend will prepare with this matcha coconut butter.
CAP The Matcha Coconut Butter, $26, available at CAP Beauty
The racerback design on this sports bra crop top keeps weight off their shoulders — and looks great in workout Instagrams.
Core 10 Core 10 Women's Icon Series The Warrior Mesh Sports Bra, $35.84, available at Amazon
Each day of the year, there's a different prompt to read and reflect upon in this book. Even if they're not into meditation, it might inspire some deep thoughts.
Amazon Journey to the Heart: Daily Meditations, $13.59, available at Amazon
These Swiss sneakers are highly cushioned, thanks to the cloud-like sole, and they're pretty cool-looking too.
On Running Cloud, $129.99, available at On Running
Equinox groupies will appreciate this kit of essential oils, which was inspired by the gym's signature eucalyptus scent.
UMA UMA x Equinox Wellness Oil Trial Kit, $36, available at Uma Oils
No, this is not a torture chamber or human toaster, it's an at-home infrared sauna.
Serenelife Portable Infrared Home Spa, $189.99, available at Amazon
A packable rose gold jumprope will make their home gym way chicer.
Amanda Kloots AK! Jump Rope, $40, available at Amanda Kloots
This gorgeous vessel will keep their green concoctions smoothies chill all day long.
S'well Geode Rose Traveler, $35, available at S'well
Reishi mushrooms are known to be a divine, spiritual, ~*~*magic*~*~ kind of mushroom in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Moodbeli Mushroom Adaptogen Sachets, $28, available at Moodbeli
Inside one textured foam roller you'll find an even knobbier one to target tough-to-reach muscles.
lululemon Double Roller, $58, available at lululemon
Protect their beloved AirPods within the depths of their massive gym bag with this neoprene case.
Amazon PodSkinz AirPods Case Protective Silicone Cover Skin, $7.95, available at Amazon
Anxietylooks different in every person who lives with it and every person has their own way of managing it. But, if you have a friend who has anxiety, it's natural to want to do something that shows you're there to help them. Luckily, there are a few items you can give them that will undoubtedly make them smile.
From weighted blankets to scented candles to journals, these simple gifts can help your friend unwind and focus less on their worries. No gift can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, but it certainly can remind your friend that you're there for them when they need you.
Ahead, find the perfect gift for your friend with anxiety.
If you or someone you know is experiencing anxiety and is in need of crisis support, please call theCrisis Call Center ’s 24-hour hotline at 1-775-784-8090.
This ultra-plushy, braided ball is exactly what we'd want to squeeze when we're stressed. Plus, it's machine-washable.
Ohhio Ohhio Braid Stress Ball, $25, available at Etsy
Depending on how your friend experiences their anxiety, the feeling of being grounded and supported by a weighted blanket may be just the thing that soothes them to sleep.
Mosaic Weighted Blankets Blanca White - Cotton Blanket, $144.94, available at Mosaic Weighted Blankets
If your friend is interested in meditation but doesn't know how to get started, a subscription to the structured meditation app Headspace is the perfect gift. A monthly plan goes for $12.99 a month.
photographed by Erin Yamagata; modeled by Melissa Fifitia; produced by Sam Nodelman.
Sometimes, all it takes is a reminder to take a slow, deep breath. The pendant on this simple necklace actually slows down the user's exhalations when they breath in and out of it, which leads them to breathe more mindfully and feel calmer.
Uncommon Goods Mindful Breathing Necklace, $95, available at Uncommon Goods
A simple journal can provide your friend with an outlet for their thoughts, emotions, or just their impressions about their day.
Muji High Quality Paper Hard Cover Notebook A6, $11.5, available at Muji
This citrus-scented candle is invigorating without being overpowering — taking a moment to pause and breathe in its fragrance may help your friend clear their mind.
Scentered De-Stress Travel Therapy Candle, $29, available at Scentered
If your friend isn't a candle fan but still wants their home to smell great, opt for an essential oil diffuser, which will imbue your friend's space with any number of soothing, uplifting scents.
Saje Aroma Om® Gold Marble, $71.95, available at Saje
If you ask us, nothing helps us relax quite like a pair of thick, fuzzy socks.
Smartwool Women's Premium Moonridge Crew Socks, $29.95, available at Smartwool
Research suggests that coloring helps people unplug and find a creative outlet for their energy — and coloring in tarot cards, specifically, just sounds fun to us.
Sounds True The Tarot Coloring Book, $11.56, available at Amazon
Whether your friend's an avid yogi or mainly goes to yoga class for the savasana, they could use a new mat. And this one provides enough support for floor poses and enough grip for active flows.
"Worry Eater" dolls were originally intended to help kids cope with nightmares, but their purpose can totally apply to adults with anxiety. Simply write down any worries and feed them to the doll. It'll "eat" them up and take them off your friend's mind.
Sorgenfresser Worry Eaters Enno (Large), $22.99, available at Target
This is a very different doll from the Worry Eater. As its name suggests, the Dammit! Doll is made to be an outlet for stress. In times of frustration, your friend can punch it, squeeze it, or throw it across the room — whatever helps them vent.
Dammit! Dolls Rebel Rose Stress Doll, $15.87, available at Dammit! Dolls
Truth be told, you can meditate anywhere. But it can helpful for your friend to have a specific spot where they can go to unplug. This supportive cushion will help them maintain a comfortable meditative posture, no matter how long they sit.
Gaiam Premium Zafu Crescent Meditation Cushion, $49.98, available at Gaiam
This customizable set lets you select your friend's favorite variety of tea plus a flavor of honey to sweeten the deal. They'll think of you every time they make themselves a cup.
The Republic of Tea Custom Tea and Honey Gift, $21.93, available at The Republic of Tea
This peppermint soak will help your friend recharge after a long day, soothing their body and their mind.
Moa Fortifying Green Bath Potion, $35, available at Lucky Scent
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Phone, wallet, keys, and lipstick: The mantra of many a millennial woman. Beyond those four basics, however, every woman has a few necessities that might seem just plain weird. InSpill It, we ask influential women to share everything that's in their bag — embarrassing, enlightening, and otherwise. Here, model Kyra Santoro opens up her little Gucci bag to share her beauty secrets.
If model Kyra Santoro's bag was ever lost backstage, it wouldn't take long to figure out who it belonged to. The electric-purple Gucci purse is her favorite color, for one, and it's also packed to the brim with personal items that are all her: a handmade necklace, a film camera for shooting snaps of her friends, and euros and pounds from her trips abroad.
And like many other models on the road, it's also a tiny home away from home. In it, you'll find makeup and deodorant wipes, sunglasses, hair ties, lipstick, a protein bar, and the Tarte mascara she swears by. "I can live without any other beauty product, but I love when my lashes look full and luscious and pretty," she says.
Watch the video above to see how this model packs her bag for the road, and the one product you won't catch her on set without.
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The benefits of the warmer months are painfully obvious in September as we say goodbye to beaches, bathing suits, and naturally glowing skin. And as we inch closer to fall and winter, we start to remember all the cons of cold weather, like dry skin. But the good news is, stopping thirsty skin in its tracks is as simple as adding a body scrub and rich cream to your routine.
Textured exfoliators packed with nourishing ingredients will buff away dead skin cells and leave your body feeling silky and hydrated. An added bonus? You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get a good scrub.
We did some digging, slathering, and scrubbing to reveal some of the best body formulas that can be found right at your local drugstore and they're all under $10. Click ahead for budget-friendly body scrubs that will benefit your skin and save you some cash.
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.
Some body scrubs can be harsh, but this one is gentle and hypoallergenic, so it won't irritate even the most sensitive skin.
Aveeno Aveeno Positively Radiant Body Wash Exfoliating, $8.28, available at Amazon
Brown sugar and karite butter makes this oldie (but goodie) drugstore favorite a sweet recipe for hydration.
Caress Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash , $3.97, available at Target
This body polish is infused with nourishing shea butter and pomegranate seeds that will shed dead skin without being too harsh.
Dove Dove Body Polish , $5.99, available at Target
If your skin is really dry, then you should shower with this Shea Moisture Scrub. It has coconut oil which will soothe and hydrate your skin, while also keeping it super soft.
SheaMoisture SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hand and Body Scrub , $9.99, available at Target
Jojoba oil and crushed coconut will not only keep your skin feeling smooth and hydrated, but you'll also smell delicious.
SOFTSOAP Softsoap Coconut Butter Body Scrub, $2.97, available at Walmart
This scrub will buff away rough skin with its sugar based formula, which is also packed with argan oil and shea butter.
Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Almond oil has found its way into your shower routine via this coconut body scrub. It works double time to gently remove dry, flaky skin and smells like an actual dessert.
Yes To Yes to Coconut Polishing Body Scrub , $7.19, available at Target
Body acne may be hidden from sight under your winter sweaters, but that doesn't make it any less annoying. This scrub has a high dose of salicylic acid, the same bacteria-busting ingredient you use on your facial breakouts, to help get rid of hard-to-reach pimples on your chest, back, and butt.
Neutrogena Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Scrub, $5.59, available at Target
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Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Today: a writers' PA on a TV show who makes $41,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on
Occupation: Writers' PA on a TV Show Industry: Entertainment Age: 22 Location: Los Angeles, CA Take-Home Income: about $41,000 Paycheck Amount (Weekly): about $820 (My hourly take-home rate adjusted for taxes is $13.50, and I get paid for a guaranteed 12 hours per day, plus sometimes more for overtime if I work more than that.)
Monthly Expenses Rent: $975 (I live in a three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with two other roommates. We got a deal on our rent when we first moved in due to a property manager mishap. I previously paid $800/month for a DOUBLE room in college.) Credit Card Payment: $50 (After spending my postgrad summer in Europe, the debt was inevitable. I'M HANDLING IT.) Netflix: $0 (I'm on my mom's account.) Phone: $100 (I'm on my mom's plan, but I like to chip in for my half.) Student Loan Payment: $0 (I was lucky enough to benefit from financial aid and parental support.) ClassPass: $75 (I like to go to a pilates studio in my neighborhood but can't afford the studio's own monthly plan. It's also nice to try other classes in the area and mix up my workouts.) Health, Vision, & Dental Insurance: $50 (deducted from my paycheck each week) Utilities: $67.57 for my third Car Payment: $0 (I drive my car from high school, and my mom pays for my car insurance.) Savings: I have about $2,000 in savings from odd jobs in college.
Day One
6:45 a.m. — Monday, the start to the week! I wake up, shower, and get ready for work. I have to go to the grocery store to hunt out a specific type of almond butter for the kitchen in my office. As a PA, I'm responsible for snacks and lunches. Of course the store does not have the right almond butter, so instead I buy a fresh dandelion root juice and a bottle of Essentia for breakfast with my own money. SUE ME, fancy water is more fun to drink. $9.08
9:30 a.m. — I make coffee at work and eat an orange. I've been feeling a cold coming on for like two weeks that somehow my immune system has continued to dodge. As everyone else trickles into the office, I'm sent out on a run for fancy coffee. (Pretty sure I'm the only one who drinks the office coffee.)
11:30 a.m. — I also order and pick up lunch every day for the office. Today we're ordering from a salad/sandwich place. I order a “Paleo plate.”
12:30 p.m. — Drive to pick up lunch. I'm running late due to traffic, and then the mac and cheese takes forever at the restaurant. I have to get lunch back by 1 p.m., so I'm stressed (but what's new). Work pays for lunch every day, so I don't have to worry about that.
1 p.m. — I make it back in time (not getting fired today, woohoo). My “Paleo plate” is boring and I'm still hungry.
3 p.m. — I call around and try to make different doctors appointments now that I have health insurance through work.
4 p.m. — I do more grocery shopping for work. The two stores I go to are out of what I'm looking for.
5 p.m. — I finally find an e-book of this cookbook I need to buy for the cookbook club I'm starting. The idea is to pick a cookbook and everyone signs up for a recipe, but I want to provide everyone with a PDF. I buy the e-book and take screenshots to send in a file to tentative members (friends who I convinced to join). $18.99
7:30 p.m. — Once home, I eat a leftover half of a chicken arugula wrap from last night and part of my leftover lunch from last week. (If you aren't constantly testing expiration dates, are you even living??) I'm exhausted and lay down to watch reruns of Friday Night Lights.
Daily Total: $28.07
Day Two
6:45 a.m. — Wake up early because today is VOTING DAY. I take a shower, get dressed, and walk across the street to my polling place. The line takes about 10 minutes, and I'm out of there in 20. People literally wait in line for brunch for like three times longer than that.
8 a.m. — After voting I head to work, but not before stopping for a responsible citizen treat for myself. I get a smoothie at the grocery store and add in some extras, making it an extravagant purchase. $8.97
10 a.m. — I drink a cup of tea instead of coffee since I'm already feeling a little jittery/anxious today.
12 p.m. — Same old, same old. I go pick up lunch for the office from a burger place. I opt for a chicken salad which is mediocre at best.
4 p.m. — I drive to the studio and pick up paychecks and as well as a poster for our office.
7 p.m. — I get off work a little early because my friend texted me today with free tickets to go see A Bronx Tale at The Pantages. She got house seats from someone at work. I know nothing about A Bronx Tale but hey, free theater and great seats. I live close by, so I take the Metro to Hollywood. (I never take the Metro, but I thought it might be fun and it drops off literally right across the street. Also, it was free to ride on Election Day.) At the show I buy an overpriced bottle of water. $4
10 p.m. — The musical was fine — it ran a little long and didn't really tell a gripping story. Good to support the arts though, right? I forego Metro-ing home since I'm not familiar with transit post 10 p.m. in this city. I catch a Lyft instead. $3.07
11 p.m. — Realizing I didn't have dinner, I eat some almonds and then sit on my phone for too long before finally going to sleep.
Daily Total: $16.04
Day Three
7 a.m. — I get up early to go buy post-election day treats for the office. The plan is to go to two bakeries in the Larchmont L.A. area. One of them still isn't open when I get there, so I walk around for a few minutes and decide to get a smoothie. This is smoothie week I guess. I go to Kreation, and I'm about to buy one of their fancy smoothies when I find out it's 20 DOLLARS. Usually I'd say no thanks, but I decide to screw it and buy the $20 smoothie. It's actually an insane purchase, and I pledge to not buy any more breakfast for the rest of the week. $20
8 a.m. — The giant smoothie made me jittery — I don't even know what was in it. I get the rest of my baked goods and head to work with lingering buyer's remorse about the smoothie. But whatever, it's over, it happened.
10 a.m. — I drink green tea with two tea bags because coffee seems like a bad idea this morning.
12 p.m. — I order and pick up lunch.
1:30 p.m. — I finally get to sit down and eat after having to run back to the restaurant because someone's lunch was messed up. I get a tuna salad, and it's better than expected. But I also can't complain too much because it's freeee.
4 p.m. — I finish up some clerical PA work and then go on another grocery trip. As we are dipping into “winter” here in Los Angeles, everyone is freaking out that we need hand sanitizer and Emergen-C.
7:30 p.m. — I head home to see my boyfriend, who's been waiting for me. We live on opposite sides of the city and usually see each other only on weekends, but he was working near me today. He already got pizza for dinner, and I have a leftover sandwich from work that someone didn't want. I eat that while we hang out and talk.
11:30 p.m. — We're both extremely tired and go to sleep by 11:30. I'm too young to be this weak!
Daily Total: $20
Day Four
7 a.m. — I wake up with my boyfriend, we shower, and he eats a bagel that I brought him from work. We bid adieu and go on our separate ways.
8:30 a.m. — I get to work and make oatmeal and coffee. We're having a fire drill with the building today. I make a roster of everyone in the office and walk us to safety.
11 a.m. — Everyone is safe, but I refused to wear the neon vest they gave me. Once back in the office, I grab coffee for someone and then order lunch.
12:30 p.m. — I pick up lunch and have my third celebrity sighting of the week at the café we ordered from.
4 p.m. — I sit in the office on my computer and pretend to read important articles while actually just bouncing between Twitter and Instagram until I reach the end of both of them.
7 p.m. — One of my best friends just started dating a new guy, and we're having a dinner so he can “meet the friends.” Seems a little overwhelming since there are three of us and one of him, but we'll see! We're going to some vegan place in Beverly Hills.
10 p.m. — Dinner was good! The guy's great, and we all approve. We got drinks, and I splurged on some vegan risotto with truffle mushrooms. It hits my wallet hard, but is it worth it for friendship? We'll see. I also pay $5 for parking, tragic. $53
11 p.m. — I get gas for my car on the way home. Work compensates me for most of my mileage, but I haven't gotten any checks for that yet, so it's still coming out of my pocket. I also buy a coconut popsicle for dessert. Gas station coconut popsicles are my kryptonite. $51.64
Daily Total: $104.64
Day Five
8 a.m. — Friday!! Finally!! I go to the grocery store before work since my office is inhaling all of the fruit I buy at a rapid pace. Then I have my usual oatmeal and coffee.
12:15 p.m. — We order pizza today for the office, and I get it with cauliflower crust.
1:3o p.m. — I stress eat my entire cauliflower pizza and an extra “sweet knot” that the office decided to order.
3 p.m. — I drive to pick up more paychecks from the studio for some of the assistants. The finance office is near a Sephora, so I go in because they're having a sale. After waiting in line, I find out that the sale is only for MVB members, and since I'm only a lowly Beauty Insider, I don't qualify. I forego my purchase and drive back to work.
7:30 p.m. — I go home, totally exhausted. I'm not interested in doing anything fun tonight. I eat a salad someone didn't want for lunch and a couple pieces of leftover cauliflower pizza. Then I turn on Friday Night Lights and CHILL OUT. (I luv u, Tim Riggins).
11 p.m. — I get tired and decide I should just go to sleep. This week has been enough.
Daily Total: $0
Day Six
10 a.m. — I wake up late, thank god. I have an optometrist appointment at 10:45. Before going to the appointment, I go to Lassen's and get another dandelion juice to detox from my Friday pizza craze. I also end up buying another fancy water and a few more packets of Vital Proteins collagen. I grab the matcha one to try it. $21.54
11 a.m. — I'm trying to get different contacts with my new health insurance from my job. I decide to get dailies because I've given myself one too many eye infections with my monthlies (pathetic, I know). My insurance will cover most of the cost of the contacts, but I still have to pay for a lot of the contact fitting. $121.25
12 p.m. — I have some time before the pilates class I booked, so I go to Von's to get some almond milk for a matcha latte and vegetables I may or may not cook tonight. At home I combine the matcha collagen and milk for the latte. It's delish, but I can't make this a consistent thing because those packets are like $4.
1 p.m. — I finish my pilates class and drive to the valley (Saturday is errand day I guess) for my first laser hair removal appointment. I was tired of shaving, and waxing is so expensive, so a friend convinced me to go to this place she goes to in Burbank. Instead of just paying for the one treatment, I throw caution to the wind and buy the six-appointment package. I'm assuming I'm going to need to go at least six times anyway, and this will make it a little cheaper. $200
2 p.m. — I stop by Trader Joe's (my third grocery store of the day??) to get Dr. Bronner's body wash, almond butter, probiotics, and pistachios for a snack. $37.15
3 p.m. — I go home and chill out for the afternoon. There's a massive fire in northern L.A. and the sky looks almost apocalyptic. I stay inside to avoid the poor air quality and watch more Friday Night Lights.
5 p.m. — A friend of mine comes over, and we decide to get dinner. Despite the hazardous air, we walk to a nearby Thai spot. I get a larb (minced chicken) dish, but it's way too spicy. This is the same friend whose new boyfriend I met earlier this week, so we chat for a while about that and then decide to get ice cream. $17.37
7 p.m. — We get ice cream from a place nearby. I treat because I told the guy our order was together, and I don't feel like charging her for $4. $9.40
9 p.m. — We hang out at my house and then I drive her home. She Ubered over to mine earlier, and I didn't want to make her Uber again.
Daily Total: $406.71
Day Seven
10 a.m. — I wake up and make myself some dandelion tea and oatmeal for breakfast. I start reading a book my friend just gave me. After breakfast, I make Earl Grey tea and put one of my collagen packets in it. (I don't like drinking caffeine until after I eat in the morning.)
12 p.m. — I read for most of the morning until one of my other girlfriends comes over to borrow a dress for this gala she's going to next week. She picks out something from my closet, and we go get smoothies at this place nearby. Someone needs to hold me back from this newly found smoothie addiction!! $10
1 p.m. — We decide to go shopping at Crossroads by my house. I never leave this particular place empty-handed since they have such good stuff and today is no exception. I buy a Reformation dress for a fourth of the usual price, plus a jacket and a button-up blouse. $106
5 p.m. — We hang out at my house, and she helps me finalize my email for cookbook club. I finally send it and get disappointed when I don't get 10 immediate reply emails telling me how excited everyone is.
7 p.m. — My friend leaves, and I make a grain bowl with the few vegetables I currently own. I try to watch an episode of FNL but decide to read my new book instead. It's quite captivating.
11 p.m. — I go to sleep to prepare for another week of exhaustion!!!
Daily Total: $116
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Ivanka Trump has been in the media for as long as we can remember. (She even appeared on the cover of my very first Seventeen magazine back in 1997.) If only we had known that she would go on to become part of the most scandal-plagued administration in U.S. history.
If you've caught her old interviews on TV, or watched TheApprentice episodes she guest-stars in, you've undoubtedly noticed that the first daughter and White House senior advisor used to speak very differently. Whether it's a product of coaching or a personal choice (and experts say it's likely both), there's been a marked change in her voice's tone, pace, and even her vocabulary.
We asked a couple of public-speaking experts — including one whose tips Ivanka recommends on her own website — to find out the story behind her vocal changes and what it means in terms of her evolution from socialite to government official.
Read their takes ahead.
2003
Back in 2003, 21-year-old Ivanka starred in a documentary called Born Rich, which was all about what it's like to be young and extremely wealthy. In it, her voice sounds flatter and scratchier than it does today.
"Everyone has a natural voice. Her voice itself has not changed," Anett Grant, CEO of Executive Speaking, Inc. (to whose article Ivanka's site links from its "Guide to Public Speaking "), told Refinery29. "What's changed is the way she's using it."
Today, Grant explained, Ivanka's tone sounds "rounder" because she's learned how to use her breath to support her voice so that it comes out louder — and more confident. "When you're young and less secure, you have a tighter sound."
2007
In her 2007 appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Ivanka sounded more relaxed and at ease with being interviewed. "Her voice had a rough smokiness to it here," Patti Wood, a body language expert and author of Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma, told Refinery29. "And her presentation made it clear that she was expecting a humorous response."
Wood emphasized that Ivanka hasn't just changed her voice over the years; she's changed her "paralanguage," which includes pitch, volume, intonations, gestures, and facial expressions. In 2007, her delivery had less energy and was less fast-paced than it is today.
2016
Nine years later, Ivanka addressed the 2016 Republican National Convention, introducing her father. "Everything about her image is much more polished and 'straight up-and-down,' rather than sensual, like in the Conan interview," Wood said. "It's a conscious effort on her part to present herself as more educated, sophisticated, and formal."
As part of this effort, she's started enunciating her words more and has almost stopped using contractions. "We tend to not use contractions when we're overly conscious or when we're being deceptive," Wood noted.
Grant said: "The big evolution — and it was particularly pronounced in her speech at the convention — is that her sound is richer and rounder now, and she doesn't have those drop-offs where it gets scratchy."
2018
In this recent interview with Fox Business Network, Ivanka responds to Samantha Bee calling her a "feckless c---" on her show Full Frontal.
"This interview was very well-rehearsed and she had her talking points prepared," said Wood. "Her delivery was fascinating because she was indignant. There was a lot of energy behind it. We haven't seen that aspect of her before."
Grant said that Ivanka is far more comfortable with her voice now. "We were all born with a big sound — babies are loud, right? — and over time we learn to constrict our voice," she said. "But when we become more comfortable in the limelight, we relax, and then our sound comes out in a natural way."
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What do you call a text message that's flirty, but not yet a sext? A flext? I'm still brainstorming.
Regardless of the term, connecting with someone over text has become increasingly common, especially in an age when our phones never leave our side. Although making a move via text may seem a bit impersonal, it can be a good way to test the waters of a new relationship.
"You know your crush is receptive to flirting if he or she is responsive," says Barbara Greenberg PhD, a clinical psychologist who specializes in family and relationship issues. "Pupils dilate when a person is interested in you. Look into the eyes of the one you are flirting with. They speak volumes."
If you're mostly limited to texting or online messaging, Dr. Greenberg confirms what many of us already know: More than likely, your crush is into you if they carry on the conversation and respond without too much of a lag time.
At a loss for the words (and emojis!) to send to someone? I put together some tried-and-true text messages to send when you want to flirt but haven't started sexting yet. (But if you're already there, here's how to kick the conversation up a notch.)
While we're arguably more in control of and confident about our sexuality than ever, there's still so much we don't know about female arousal. So this month, we're exploring everything you want and need to know about how women get turned on now. Check out more here.
"This reminded me of you" (Send with photo).
Why it works: Visual reminders are great, especially if it's an inside joke or cute animal. And you know what they say — a picture's worth a thousand words.
hair & makeup by Andi Yancey; produced by Julie Borowsky; modeled by Lao J; produced by Lorenna Gomez-Sanchez; photographed by Megan Madden; styled by Michelle Li.
"I'm totally craving sushi right now."
Why it works: It's completely unassuming — a good approach to take if you're teetering towards the thought that they aren't quite into it. But also a great segue into one of a relationship's most important factors: are you food compatible?
"If I said 'come over,' what would you say?"
Why it works: Everyone knows why you want them to come over — and it isn't to watch a movie. But what's really great about this one is that it lets your boo know that you want to see them, but still leaves the choice up to them. If they're into you and don't have any pressing commitments, then there's a good chance that they'll say they can be there asap.
modeled by Azzari White; modeled by Baylee Brown; produced by Lorenna Gomez-Sanchez; photographed by Natalia Mantini; produced by Nicolas Bloise.
"Do you miss me yet?"
Why it works: Use this one when you've just left your bae-to-be or if you haven't spoken to them in a while. Either way, it's a smug way to make sure you're on their mind and to let them know that if they don't miss you, then they should.
photographed by Ashley Armitage; produced by Lorenna Gomez-Sanchez; modeled by Lorlei Black; produced by Megan Madden; modeled by Sebastian Rosemarie.
"You're at the top of my wish list."
Why it works: With the holiday season arriving, channel your inner Mariah Carey to let your crush know what you really want this year.
produced by Lorenna Gomez-Sanchez; photographed by Natalia Mantini; produced by Nicolas Bloise; modeled by Riya Hamid.
"You, me, dinner at 7. Let's go."
Why it works: Sometimes you just want to cut right to the chase. Own your confidence and let your crush know it's time for a date, ASAP. Do your research and plan something they're sure to love, and hopefully plenty more dates will follow.
produced by Erin Yamagata; produced by Julie Borowsky; modeled by Madeline Schepis; photographed by Refinery29.
"I have so much to do, but I keep getting distracted thinking about you."
Why it works: Whether or not you're actually super busy, let your crush know that they're on your mind, even when you're supposed to be thinking of something else. Feel free to follow it up with a compliment — a little flattery never hurt anyone.
photographed by Alexandra R. Gavillet; modeled by Daria/Red Model Management.
"What are you passionate about?"
Why it works: Use this one when you want to go a little deeper. Share your passions to really get to know your crush on a personal level. This way, you can start establishing a stronger emotional connection and find out all the important things you have in common.
Photographed by Bianca Valle.
"It's so chilly out, I need you to come warm me up."
Why it works: Take advantage of the weather turning colder and let your crush know they should come over and cuddle with you.
"Just worked out, ready to hit the showers!"
Why it works: A post-workout text is a classic way to get your crush thinking about you in some steamier situations. You might be getting clean, but the conversation doesn't have to be.
Photographed by Sam Nodelman
"Did you catch Game of Thrones last night?"
Why it works: Find a shared interest to strike up an instant connection with your crush. Whether it's a sporting event, a new episode of a TV show you love, or an album that just dropped from your favorite artist, spark a natural conversation by connecting over what you have in common. Looking for an excuse to hang out? Suggest you check out your shared interest together next time.
Photographed by Michael Beckert.
"My dog/cat misses you!"
Why it works: Almost no one can resist the cuteness of an adorable pet Snap (which would obviously accompany this text). Let your crush know they're on your mind without the sappiness of a traditional, "I miss you." Send this when you subtly want to let them know they should come over — first to see your pet, but most importantly to hang with you.
Photographed by Bianca Valle.
"So where are you taking me tonight?"
Why it works: Sick of an indecisive bae or wanting to break up a monotonous "Netflix and chill" cycle? Send this to someone you've seen a few times to mix things up and get a sense of what they do to have fun. Let them know you're not taking "I don't know, what do you want to do?" as an answer.
Photographed by Julia Robbs.
"I mean, how can you resist this face?"
Why it works: It might go without saying, but be sure to send this one along with a perfectly curated selfie. For those of you trying to steer a platonic friendship in a more flirtatious direction, this works best dropped into the middle of a regular conversation. What was once a casual chat about making plans to go thrifting, for example, becomes a cutesy request for your crush's time, and a face they can't refuse. Giving them something nice to look at certainly won't hurt your chances of landing a date.
Photographed by Caroline Tompkins.
"Some friends and I are grabbing drinks later! You should stop by (so I can show you off)."
Why it works: On the surface, you've got a low-pressure invitation to a group hang out. But you're also slyly suggesting that you're proud to be involved with — or almost involved with — the cutie in question. This text works for already established flirtations, but just as well if your situation isn't quite fully fledged yet. It's vague enough to keep you both safely in your comfort zones, but it's also relatively platonic (though that's open to interpretation).
Photographed by Caroline Tompkins.
"Wanna skip class/work and hang out with me instead? ;)"
Why it works: No, your crush might not actually leave their responsibilities behind, but your spontaneity will get them to at least consider it. The fact that you'd brazenly ask them to blow off their day paired with a tongue-in-cheek winking emoji lets them know you'd push boundaries to see them.
Photographed by Erin Yamagata.
"Tell me a secret."
Why it works: Save this for a late-night exchange when you both have each other's full attention. We all know texting into the wee hours of the morning can get pretty open — take a chance and ask your crush to spill. It gives them a way to play the shy card and give in to telling you how badly they want you without feeling too forward (hey, you asked). Besides, if they opt for a secret that doesn't lean sexually, that still breeds intimacy.
Photographed by Michael Beckert.
"You know you miss me."
Why it works: If you're feeling pretty solid about where you stand with your cutie in question, this message has just the right amount of bordering-on-arrogant spunk to make them blush. Confidence is attractive — if you're sure of yourself, they will be, too. How can they say no?
Photographed by Michael Beckert.
"My friends won't stop talking about how cute you are."
Why it works: There's a bit of subtle flattery in dropping that your friends know about them, that they've seen photos, and that they might just approve. Feel like pushing it a little further? Don't underestimate the power of injecting some sarcasm into your flirting. Adding an eye roll emoji to this text playfully serves as a "don't get a big head" reminder to balance out your compliment so it doesn't read as empty sweet talk.
Photographed by Erin Yamagata.
"You've kept me smiling all day."
Why it works: With just the right amount of sweet, you're telling your love-to-be that the thought of them makes you a little giddy. Think of this as a slightly subtler version of, "I can't stop thinking about you." But just what about them makes you smile? They'll be dying to find out.
Photographed by Rockie Nolan.
"When do I get to see you again?"
Why it works: Not only does this let your crush know that you're thinking about them and enjoy spending time with them, but it also gives them an exciting jolt at the anticipation of meeting up again in person (preferably sometime soon). Plus, if you and your crush are in the friend zone, or you aren't going on dates just yet, this hints that you could be looking for more. It also opens the door for them to suggest that you come over, um, maybe later tonight?
Photographed by Nicolas Bloise.
"I can't sleep."
Why it works: When you draw your crush's attention to the fact that you're in bed, their mind is bound to wander to not-so-PG thoughts about you in that particular spot. Plus, you're subtly stroking their ego, since they'll likely ask themselves if you can't sleep because you're thinking of them.
Photographed by Natalia Mantini.
"Let's cut the crap and go out already."
Why it works: As Dr. Greenberg said, if your crush has been responding to your texts, they're likely interested in you. Cute and original messages are a very fun way to prolong conversation and build up hot sexual tension. But do you know what's also hot? Cutting the crap and simply asking your crush out. Confidence is sexy. If you're feeling bold, there's often benefit in getting straight to the point.
Photographed by Kristina Wilson.
"This song reminds me of you."
Why it works: If you send your crush a song that makes you think of them, they'll listen to the track and analyze the lyrics for days. Not only is sending someone a song you enjoy a thoughtful act of flirtation, but music opens the conversation floodgates — it's fun to talk about what you like and don't like. And who knows? Maybe your crush will send you a song back.
Photographed by Rockie Nolan.
"Guess what I'm imagining..."
Why it works: The key to a successful flirty text is constructing one that creates a conversation. While a cute and simple "picturing you naked ;)" isn't always in poor taste, it may leave your crush a little confused about how to reply. Even if they're not responding because they're nervous, it doesn't feel good to have a message go unanswered. By sending this text, you're hinting that you're indeed imagining them in a racy way — but you're keeping things mysterious and opening up a conversation. After some coy back-and-forth messaging, you might just land a date. Oh, and including a cute selfie with this text won't hurt, either.
Photographed by Bianca Valle.
"I bet you wish I was sharing this pizza with you."
Why it works: As Cher in Clueless once said when talking about getting the attention of a crush, "Anything you can do to draw attention to your mouth is good." While you can certainly attach a simple photo of the delicious thing you're eating, we suggest you send this text along with a silly/sexy photo of you actually eating it. Your crush will either want to come to wherever you are immediately, or they'll want to plan a pizza date ASAP.
Photographed by Alexandra Gavillet.
"You made an appearance in my dream last night."
Why it works: This suggestive message lets your crush know that you're interested in them while also hinting at sex (hey, you're telling them about what you do in bed). Pro tip: Don't tell them what happened in the dream so you can keep them guessing and intrigued. And of course, feel free to send this one even if your dream wasn't actually about them.
Photographed by Refinery29.
"How was your day? I just got home and am finally relaxing."
Why it works: This is a great text to send in the early stages of a crush or courtship, as it shows you care and are thinking of them, but isn't directly sexual (though the "relaxing" bit is certainly suggestive in a good way). It's a great one to send during the week after you know your crush has had a long day, since most people love to talk about themselves. Plus, it's an open-ended question that encourages conversation, which is always preferable to a "yes or no" answer. And in this case, that involves talking about how you both like to unwind (which is, again, suggestive).
Photographed by Rockie Nolan.
"Stop distracting me. I'm busy ;)"
Why it works: People want what they can't have. Send this sucker when you and your crush are texting back and forth during the work day or while you're running errands (or, hell, when you're out with friends), and you actually don't have time for them. By stating that they're distracting you (in a sexy way, since you employed the wink emoji), you let them know you're not being mean — and you also remind them that you're indeed a busy person with a full life, so if they want you, they're going to have to work for it.
Photographed by Ashley Batz.
"I can't stop thinking about you."
Why it works: As the saying goes, flattery will get you everywhere. Send this one after a first date. If you haven't gotten it on yet, the sexual tension will be palpable, since you're letting your future bae know they're on your mind. By the time the second or third date roles around, good luck keeping your clothes on.
Photographed by Lorenna Gomez-Sanchez.
"How about we move this conversation to IRL?"
Why it works: If you've just been flirty texting and haven't officially gone out yet (and all is going well), this text is the perfect way to land a date. Sure, you're flirting, but you're also being straightforward and asking for what you want. Have a list of date ideas ready to throw out just in case — that could mean anything from drinks at an intimate bar to a daytime hike to a movie and take out at your place, so no pressure to come up with anything too complicated.
Photographed by Alice Gao.
"I want to experience you."
Why it works: Save this work of art for when you're confident your flirting partner is down to bone. A friend who was obviously about to turn into more than that sent this to me in college, and we were shortly having sex multiple times in the span of a few hours. This text gets straight to the point: You want to have sex with them. However, rather than make it vulgar or about their body, you're demonstrating that you're interested in them as a person. This one's definitely not for everybody, but with the right person, this message could lead to an intimate experience via text and IRL.
Photographed by Natalia Mantini.
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Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell (yes, that's her actual, totally badass name) has recently skyrocketed in the music industry. And, the 16-year-old has opened up about living with Tourette Syndrome after revealing that she has the disorder on her Instagram.
Tourette Syndrome is classified as a type of Tic Disorder. Tics are defined as "repeated, sudden, rapid, nonrhythmic muscle movements including sounds or vocalizations." And Tourette Syndrome manifests itself as involuntary and repetitive movements or vocalization, according to Tourette Association of America. Eilish shared that her tics are only physical and "not super noticeable to others" if they're not paying attention.
She posted the Instagram story in response to videos of her Tics being posted online by some followers.
"I've never mentioned [my Tourette's] on the internet because nobody thinks I'm deadass," Eilish wrote. "As well as the fact I've just never wanted people to think of Tourette's every time they think of me."
The Tourette Association of America estimates that 1 in 100 school-aged children have Tourette Syndrome or a similar Tic Disorder. Since the severity of Tourette Syndrome varies from tics that are barely noticeable to tics that can be embarrassing and painful, treatment is different for each individual. In many cases, people with Tourette's can live perfectly normal lives, and, as in Eilish's case, chase after their dreams regardless of their disorder.
Eilish's debut single "Ocean Eyes" went viral in October and she's been on the rise ever since, making the annual Forbes' "30 Under 30" list in November.
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First daughter and senior White House adviser Ivanka Trump gave a rare interview defending her use of a private email account for official government business in early 2017, insisting that she's no Hillary Clinton and therefore everyone should chill.
Trump, who has long pretended the rules don't apply to her, said her use of a personal account to discuss government policies, her official work schedule, and travel details was totally different from the scandal that plagued the former secretary of state during the 2016 presidential election.
"All of my emails are stored and preserved. There were no deletions. There is no attempt to hide," she told ABC News, adding, "There's no equivalency to what my father's spoken about." (The emails Clinton deleted were of personal nature and a FBI investigation cleared her of any wrongdoing.) Asked if her dad's favorite "Lock her up!" chant should apply to her, Trump smiled before saying, "No."
Regardless of her defense, both Democrats and Republicans said they're likely to investigate her email use in the next Congress to find out if she complied with the Presidential Records Act and Federal Records Act. Her husband Jared Kushner and other senior White House officials came also under scrutiny in late 2017 for their use of private servers to conduct government business.
In the wide-ranging interview, Trump also touched on the investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election, saying the probe should conclude. "I know the facts as they relate to me and my family, and so I have nothing to be concerned about," she added. And when asked about the administration's treatment of asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border, the first daughter echoed her father's claims while also activating her moderating force chip.
“Your father has authorized lethal force, he says, 'if necessary,'" ABC News' Deborah Roberts asked Trump. "Does that concern you?" Trump seemed put off and responded, "I don’t believe that that’s what he said, but his primary role as the nation’s commander in chief is obviously to protect our nation’s borders. He has to protect our country’s security." She scoffed and added: "But I don’t — lethal force, in this case would — that is not, I think, something that anyone’s talking about." ABC News then showed her a clip of the president saying: "If they have to, they’ve got to use lethal force. I’ve given the OK, yeah. If they have to. I hope they don’t have to."
Trump backtracked, responding: "Lethal force, under any circumstance, would be the last resort. But he is the commander in chief of the armed forces of this country, so he always has to be able to protect the border. He’s not talking about innocents. So he’s not talking about innocent asylum-seekers."
Many women and children fleeing violence were hit with tear gas over the weekend as they tried to enter the U.S. on Sunday. "I think, like any other person with a heart, it’s devastating to see the images and seeing children put at risk," Trump told ABC News. "Running towards the border is heartbreaking."
If you're guilty of picking at your pimples, or have battled cystic bumps since your teenage years, chances are you've been plagued by an acne scar or two. The dark marks and crater-like indentations linger, taking weeks — sometimes months — to see themselves out.
Although makeup is the easiest way to hide these dreaded spots, certain products and application techniques (like swiping motions) can draw attention to them rather than minimize their appearance. To avoid that — and anything else that will make our scars stand out rather than blend in — we tapped makeup artists Jamie Greenberg and Andre Sarmiento to share their best tips for dealing with acne scarring: what to use, what to steer clear of, and the one step you should never skip. Check out their advice and a few of our product recommendations, 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.
Prime Time
Before you apply so much as a drop of makeup, you should always prime to smooth over any indentations. Sarmiento relies on this one by Too Faced when he's working with clients who have acne scars. "This primer is incredibly smoothing and seems to fill in the scarring while brightening the whole face," he says. Greenberg also highly recommends primers for scarring — she swears by Smashbox's whole line.
Too Faced Primed & Poreless Face Primer, $30, available at Ulta Beauty
This primer goes one step further to infuse skin with moisture as it diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smooths uneven texture, minimizes pores, and creates the perfect canvas for makeup. The blurred, soft-focus finish is so good, you might even be tempted to go foundation-free.
Lancer Skincare Studio Filter Pore Perfecting Primer, $58, available at Lancer Skincare
For a drugstore option, look to this celeb makeup artist favorite: it blurs, fills in pores, and helps makeup go on smoothly.
L'Oréal Revitalift Miracle Blur Instant Skin Smoother, $24.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Don't Go For The Glow
"Makeup formulas that have a lot of luminosity, dewiness, or a high shimmer content tend to bring out texture and really emphasize the difference between the flat skin and the raised skin," says Sarmiento. Lesson: Avoid. Anything. Glowy. Sadly, this includes highlighters.
On the flip-side, matte products are the best because of their ability to absorb light and soften the appearance of the textured areas. If you're looking for a high-coverage, super-matte, and ultra long-wear base, Sarmiento recommends Kat Von D's Lock-It Foundation. "If you have oily, pigmented acne-scarring, then this might be your holy grail," he says.
Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation, $35, available at Sephora
— PAID —
For a matte foundation that won’t leave skin feeling tight or dry, we love this loose mineral powder from bareMinerals. Formulated with 0.5% salicylic acid, the buildable powder both treats breakouts and prevents future ones. (Because who has time for anything else?) It also contains a mineral complex that balances moisture levels, so your skin will feel nourished and calm — never stripped.
Bare Minerals Blemish Rescue Skin-Clearing Loose Powder , $29, available at Sephora
You can also try this super matte, medium coverage formula. It's light on the skin and doesn't feel like a heavy base so you don't have to worry about it looking oily throughout the day.
L'Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR Foundation, $12.99, available at Ulta Beauty
This foundation is called "Comfort Matte" for a reason. It's creamy, blendable, and never looks dry or cakey on our skin.
Too Faced Peach Perfect Foundation, $36, available at Too Faced
Selectively Highlight
That doesn't mean you have to throw out all your glow-giving products. According to makeup artist Wayne Goss, even those with visible scarring and acne can make use of highlighter — you just need to apply it sparingly. Rather than dusting a highlighting powder all over your face, stick to areas you really want to accentuate like your cheekbones. Just remember: Don't put highlighter on any areas of your face that you don't want to draw attention to.
Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator, $26, available at Laura Geller
If a powdery finish makes you cringe, try adding some illuminating drops to your foundation, or just use them on their own.
Algenist REVEAL Concentrated Luminizing Drops, $38, available at Sephora
Jelly highlighters make for easy, selective application. You can tap it on with your fingers, so ultimately where and how much is totally up to you. There's no highlighter dust flying or falling anywhere. The best part is that jelly formulas like this one from Almay moisturize the skin instead of drying it out.
Almay Make Them Jelly Hi-Lite, $14.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Stipple, Don't Swipe
Sarmiento says to stay away from "wispy" or buffing strokes, as they can cause the scalier bits of skin to become more prominent and leave a "grainy" effect.
"When I’m working on acne scars, I find myself focusing on stippling or pressing motions to really meld the product with the skin and fill in any of the deeper scarring," says Sarmiento. "I love to press on the foundation into the spots that need the most coverage with a Smashbox Foundation Brush #13, and then take the larger end of the It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7 to blend the product into place with a bouncing motion."
It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush #7, $48, available at Beautylish
Not a fan of brushes? A BeautyBlender is a great alternative. Use the same strategy as Sarmiento suggests on the previous slide, but whatever you do, don't forget to wash your sponge after each and every use so it doesn't trap bacteria.
Beautyblender the original beautyblender®, $20, available at Sephora
Matte It Up
Just like with your foundation, you should opt for a cover-up that's both matte and highly pigmented. Sarmiento is a huge fan of Make Up For Ever's cult Full Cover Camouflage Cream. "It's super-opaque and matte, and it does an incredible job smoothing out the unevenness in the skin texture," he says. "It seems to fill in the deep parts of the scarring." To apply the concealer, Sarmiento dots it onto specific areas with a flat Jane Iredale Camouflage Brush, which allows him to press the product into the skin seamlessly.
Make Up For Ever Full Cover Camouflage Cream, $32, available at Sephora
This concealer, which is actually meant to go on your zits, is infused with witch hazel, tea tree oil, and zinc oxide.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout™, $28, available at It Cosmetics
Color-Correct
For more stubborn marks that still show through a layer of concealer, give color-correcting a whirl. You can layer a peach-toned concealer like this one under your regular concealer to cancel out any dark spots.
Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid, $29, available at Sephora
This orange corrector makes covering dark spots on darker skin tones a breeze.
Koyvoca Orange Color Corrector, $12, available at Koyvoca
This color-correcting treatment protects, hydrates, and minimizes any redness or dark spots, thanks to the lightly-tinted formula. It works great under concealer or foundation, but also diffuses discoloration alone.
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair ™ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment, $52, available at Sephora
Set Your Work
To keep all your hard work in place, set your makeup with a setting spray like this one from L'Oréal. Not only will it extend the life of your base, but it won't leave a dry, powdery effect on the skin like many pressed and loose powders do.
L'Oréal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray, $16.98, available at Ulta Beauty
No need to have a makeup meltdown: This setting spray keeps powder, cream, and just about every other formula in place for hours. Your complexion will look smoother than ever.
Urban Decay Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, $32, available at Urban Decay
If you simply cannot give up setting powder, reach for one that's won't accentuate uneven texture on your skin. This one from Glossier is super silky and never looks powdery.
If you're looking for something a little more translucent, opt for this 100% silica formula from RMS. It reflects light, but never draws attention to spots you don't want noticed.
For a seamless, foolproof application over scarring, Greenberg swears by airbrush makeup. "I love using Temptu airbrush, because it covers really [naturally]," she says. "It lies on the skin, but still looks super-natural."
Temptu Deluxe Signature Kit, $235, available at Temptu
Don't feel like investing in a whole airbrush system? Try a bottled version, like this one from Dior. Sure, you're spending almost $70 on a bottle of foundation, but when you notice just how long this water-resistant formula lasts, you'll be convinced it's totally worth it.
Dior Dior Airflash Spray Foundation, $62, available at Sephora
Or opt for this option from Sephora that's a bit cheaper, but just as effective.
Sephora Collection Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation, $28, available at Sephora
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