By now, we've hopefully all learned that bigger doesn't always mean better. Not every holiday gift has to be a flashy ordeal dressed in diamonds or a big box. But we're also debunking the stigma that small gifts (commonly referred to as stocking stuffers) don't pack a meaningful punch. While human nature may have us gravitating towards the largest package under the tree, it's the actual gift that matters most.
Which is why we set out to find gifts that impress regardless of their small size. From practical gifts to unique finds, the 25 picks ahead will let your giftee know you how much you genuinely appreciate them, all while fitting into the smallest bag you have on hand.
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We obsessed over a lot of music in 2018. We couldn't get enough of Ariana Grande. We spent a solid news cycle dissecting "This Is America." Some of you are probably still trying to get through the entire Migos double album. We even found our favorite Margaret Atwood quote of all time in the chorus to an indie rock gem.
2018 was a great year for the kind of songs you never, ever get tired of. There were bops, there were jams, and of course there was Cardi B. There can never be enough Cardi B.
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Aside from the awkward family debates dripping in political tension at the dinner table, there are plenty of things to enjoy this month, like cozy candles, festive cocktails, and Netflix finally dropping the sequel to A Christmas Prince. But even better than all that: it's gift set season at Sephora.
During the holiday season, retailers roll out a ton of new gift sets that include three, four, even five products inside that make paying the higher price tag totally worth it. Even better, sometimes the sets are discounted so, essentially, you're getting some products for free. Sure, the products are a smaller, TSA-friendly size, but when it comes to the jet-setters or commitment-phobes in your life, they'll never have a shortage of product options to choose from.
Ahead, 12 beauty gift sets that'll satisfy everyone on your list this year.
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It's mid-December and you still haven't checked off over half of your gift-giving list. Sure, you tried taking advantage of all the Black Friday sales, but 90% of your cart never made it to checkout. If this sounds familiar, welcome to the procrastinators club. Some perks of membership? 2 a.m. mindless scrolls through "sale" sections, finding out everything you wanted is now sold out when you finally go to buy it, and anxiety-induced impulse purchases of the least thoughtful of presents: gift cards.
Just because you missed out on said deals, though, doesn't mean there aren't deals to be had — especially if your giftee is as beauty-obsessed as we are. Enter: Eight gift sets at Ulta Beauty that'll make you want to opt in to a festive primer trio or a "library" of lipsticks and opt out of a 2'' x 4'' piece of plastic. Oh, and did we mention they all ring in at under $30? Yeah, that too.
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There are some celebrities out there who are so low-key they don't often get the recognition they deserve. Case in point: Emily Blunt.
We love the Mary Poppins Returns actress for many reasons — including the fact that she married our fave John Krasinski, stole the spotlight in his movie A Quiet Place (and got nominated for it), and has one of the most quotable lines in The Devil Wears Prada. But first and foremost, our adoration stems from the fact that she has the chillest hair in Hollywood.
If you ever need air-dry inspiration, please take a look at Blunt's red-carpet appearances. Not only will you be inspired to ditch your blowout routine, but you'll also feel the immediate need to chop your hair to your collarbone, adopt a British accent, and set out to find your own Jim Halpert.
But before we can do all that, we have to figure out the hair, right? So, we talked to Blunt's hairstylist, Laini Reeves, who's worked with the actress for nearly 12 years. The pro spills all her beauty secrets, ahead, but consider yourself warned: Everything is as chill and effortless as you expected.
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It might come as a shock to some people that the first nail polish to ever hit the mass market wasn't a bright shade of cherry-red — it was pink. It wasn't until the early 30s, when deep red lacquers popped up on the fingers of European socialites, that Revlon responded to the trend with a collection of crimson polishes. By the 40s, when leading ladies could show off their manicures in technicolor, red nail polish had cemented itself as an iconic part of American culture.
But it's been a long time since Rita Hayworth showed off her fiery fingernails in 1941's Blood and Sand. These days, you can walk into a salon and spot hundreds of reds — varying in undertone and finish — proving that picking just one is far harder than it was nearly eight decades ago.
So, how do you know which red is the right red? Ahead, nail pros share the ten polishes that work for everyone.
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After all the holiday shopping is over and the end-of the-year sales expire, we'll be left with a whole lot of deluxe-sized lipsticks and travel-friendly gift sets — which, while a fun diversion from our usual beauty routines, will only last so long. That's why, in the name of preparedness, we're planning our 2019 shopping lists right now... and, in the name of saving money, we're highlighting the best straight-from-the-drugstore buys.
Now that we've mapped out the budget-friendly makeup we're planning on buying in January, it's time to start thinking about hair. After all those 2018 colors and cuts, it's time to revive the damage the trends left behind, with affordable, can't-believe-it's-so-cheap masks, shampoos, and styling creams that are bound to change our lives forever (or at least our split ends). Ahead, the best drugstore hair buys to kick off the new year...
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Pageant contestants have many talents — they walk in six-inch heels without ever teetering, apply false lashes like professionals, and answer hard-hitting questions on the fly — but one very impressive (and often forgotten) skill pageant queens have is that they can hold a smile for hours on end. And with all the appearances, stage time, and photo shoots, these women have to keep their smiles bright 24/7, despite drinking tons of coffee to keep energy up.
As we gear up for the Miss Universe pageant this weekend, we asked current and former titleholders to give their recommendations for a brighter smile. And yes, some of them rely on professional bleaching treatments, but others use products from the drugstore to whiten on the daily.
Thanks to the information we've gathered ahead, you'll know exactly how to get rid of the stains from drinking red wine and coffee all weekend. And the best part is there's no pageant training involved.
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As '90s kids, the first thing we'd put on our holiday wishlist was a sweet toy: Tamagotchis, Hit Clips, and Bratz dolls would get us beyond hyped when it was time to unwrap presents.
Those were simpler times. As adults, our wishes — and needs — have changed. Frankly, being a grown-up is exhausting, and all we want to do these days is relax. Brunch dates, shopping trips, and cocktail hours would gladly be traded for a massage or trip to the spa. But every holiday season, that gets tougher: Between gift shopping, working, hosting family, and mandatory partying, downtime is usually the hardest thing to get.
Luckily, you don't even need to leave the house to truly unwind. There are plenty of relaxing holiday sets you can give (and gift yourself) that'll basically turn your bathroom into a five-star oasis... or at least as close as you can get with your cousins screaming "Yahtzee!" from the other room. We rounded them up, ahead.
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You've been looking forward all December to spending time with the family. Or you've been waiting for days for this opportunity to escape all other humans and curl up with your favorite screen. Either way, chances are you are so ready for that particular brand of mind-numbing entertainment that comes with watching a Christmas movie. And after spending so much cash on presents, you probably would also like to stream those Christmas movies for free.
What with the constant ebb and flow of movie studios' contracts with streaming services and premium networks, the Christmas movies you so comfortably streamed for free last year may have moved, or are now only available for rent. Don't curse the scrooges that made that happen. Just make like one of these flicks' heroes and embrace the spirit of the season with an open heart — or something like that — and watch another old classic or a brand-new original. There most certainly isn't a shortage of bright musical sequences and quirky small business owners who think they're too busy for love.
Browse through this list of our favorite Christmas movies that are currently streaming on subscription services* (and premium channels), just in time to rescue you from the reality of the holiday season.
*Yes, we said these are free movies in the headline and yet all of these require a subscription to some kind of streaming service. With just 11 days until Christmas, you can hop from free trial to free trial and cancel all services you don't want to keep before you get stuck with a new monthly bill.
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If Thomas Edison were alive today, we're confident the man would be an absolute gifting legend — shelling out brilliant gadgets we didn't even know we were missing, like an epic inventor Santa. But, since he's not here to drop any more literal and figurative lightbulbs on us, we're currently in need of a more modern, genius holiday role model...Like the female-led company selling an endless collection of creative and cutting-edge inventions, The Grommet.
Jules Pieri and Joanne Domeniconi started the online shopping destination back in 2008 with the intention of creating a, "place to discover and shop innovative new products from local makers and small businesses." Essentially, The Grommet's dedicated team spends, "thousands of hours searching for unique finds," from a vetted list of modern-day inventors across the country so we don't have to. Ahead we've rounded up 13 of these surprising shoppable finds, engineered to make life more colorful and convenient — from collapsible water bottles to meditation seats and smart lamps. It's time to turn up ordinary gifting to legendary Edison levels.
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If you're into astrology, then you're probably used to incorporating the practice into your everyday life. Should I really go out on that second date? Is it a bad idea to make a radical change to my hair? Will signing a new lease later this month be a recipe for disaster? All questions that you might turn to the stars for answers to. (We do the same — trust.)
Another interesting way you might utilize the power of astrology? Work it into your beauty routines — especially now that 'tis the season for festive fetes and holiday parties, galore. Based on personality traits that your sun sign boasts (and if you’re really into astrology, you can even factor in your rising and moon signs, as well), we've picked out the best beauty buys to take your holiday party beauty look to the next level. Are you an attention-loving Gemini? Try a spritz of a new fragrance like Prada Candy Kiss for guaranteed compliments from passersby. An Aries? Maybe a fiery orange-red lipstick hue will strike your fancy. Flip through, find your sun sign, and discover our otherworldly picks. Who knows, the stars just might align and you could find your next (product) soulmate.
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In Refinery29'sSweet Digs, we take a look inside the sometimes small, sometimes spacious homes of millennial women. Today,in partnership with HP, boutique owner Kai Avent-deLeon shows off her Brooklyn brownstone.
Modern luxury apartment complexes have their perks, but any New Yorker — whether lifelong or a transplant — knows the magic of a brownstone: the original moldings, the hardwood floors, the homey feeling that you just can't seem to replicate in a newer apartment. It’s the ultimate New York fantasy — but for Kai Avent-deLeon, owner of clothing and accessories boutique Sincerely Tommy, it’s a reality. For this episode of Sweet Digs, we joined up with HP to get a peek inside Kai's brownstone in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Above, watch as she gives us a tour of all the cozy details, like the exposed brick and original fireplace, and shares how the HP Spectre Folio is the one piece of tech that makes her busy life less hectic.
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Texas-based federal judge Reed O’Connor ruled the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional on Friday, just one day before the ACA enrollment deadline in most states. The ruling would strike down popular ACA reforms such as compulsory coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and the extension of coverage to adults under 26 under their parents’ insurance plans, and potentially mean 17 million Americans could lose their healthcare.
The timing has brought the future of the ACA into question, as well as if the change to the law will affect registration for 2019.
Is Obamacare Unconstitutional?
A coalition of 20 states attorneys general lead by Texas filed a suit claiming that one part of the ACA, the individual mandate requiring all citizens have coverage, is unconstitutional and that the rest of the law should be struck down along with the mandate. The Supreme Court already ruled that the mandate was constitutional back in 2012, likening it to a tax. But Congress set the mandate’s penalty to $0 in 2017, effectively killing the mandate without actually changing the law that requires coverage.
Texas successfully argued that the penalty can no longer be considered a tax without a monetary value attached, rendering the individual mandate unconstitutional, and that the rest of the ACA is intrinsically tied to the mandate so it should be considered unconstitutional as well. O’Connor wrote that he would not “parse the ACA’s provisions one by one,” adding, “The Medicaid-expansion provisions were designed to serve and assist fulfillment of the individual mandate.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who originated the lawsuit, lauded the decision, saying in a statement, “Today’s ruling enjoining Obamacare halts an unconstitutional exertion of federal power over the American healthcare system.” Paxton recommends that the Trump administration replace the ACA, better known as Obamacare, with “a plan that ensures Texans and all Americans will again have greater choice about what health coverage they need and who will be their doctor.”
What Happens Next?
The case will be referred to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, LA. From there, most legal experts expect it to be referred to the Supreme Court.
Nancy Pelosi released a statement that indicates a Democratic-run House will protect the ACA, , writing, “When House Democrats take the gavel, the House of Representatives will move swiftly to formally intervene in the appeals process to uphold the life-saving protections for people with pre-existing conditions.”
Which Side Is The Trump Administration On?
The Justice Department backed Texas in arguments that the individual mandate is unconstitutional, but has not insisted that the rest of the ACA is tied to the mandate. Many parts of Obamacare are nationally popular, including protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions and extending the age a child can be covered under their parents’ plan to 26, making it difficult for the White House to support a decision that would threaten these protections.
President Donald Trump tweeted, “As I predicted all along, Obamacare has been struck down as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster! Now Congress must pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare and protects pre-existing conditions.”
As I predicted all along, Obamacare has been struck down as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster! Now Congress must pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare and protects pre-existing conditions. Mitch and Nancy, get it done!
In a statement, the White House said, “We expect this ruling will be appealed to the Supreme Court. Pending the appeal process, the law remains in place.”
Can I Still Register For Obamacare (& Should I?)
The short answer is yes, absolutely. Nothing has changed for Obamacare until further notice, and O’Connor’s decision could be reversed by higher courts.
However, December 15 is the last day to enroll for 2019 coverage in most states. Visit healthcare.gov today to sign up.
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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 baker who makes $20,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on a blackberry muffin.
8 a.m. — I usually find a breakfast I like and stick to for about a year. Right now it's yogurt, muesli, and a banana. While I don't love the politics of buying bananas (yeah, I'm that kind of annoying foodie), they are cheap, filling, and give me potassium. I vow to switch to adding sweet potatoes instead of bananas next week.
10:30 a.m. — I walk over to a coffee shop a few blocks from my house to work on a couple if cover letters. I recently moved to Minneapolis, and I'm viewing my job as a baker as temporary. I'm hoping to get full-time work in my field (with benefits), and to that end, I've got three cover letters I'm working on this morning. I get a medium coffee and a blackberry muffin. $5.70
2:30 p.m. — It's Sunday, so I'm doing a big grocery shop today. My partner and I recently moved in together, and in our division of labor, I do most of the grocery shopping and cooking. This arrangement works perfectly for me because I love food, and I'm invested in food politics. So this means I primarily shop at the co-op near our house. Today I buy broccoli, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, jalapeños, cilantro, yogurt, mandarin oranges (they're in season and so good!), bananas, vanilla extract and poppy seeds (for a cake I'm planning to make this week), muesli, dried beans, eggs, canned pumpkin, and miso. Whenever I shop in the bulk section, I always try to pass off my purchases as something cheaper, and today it's putting the cheapest granola bulk code on the muesli and passing the vanilla off as balsamic vinegar. $67
7 p.m. — My partner and I are having a new friend over for dinner, and we make pumpkin chili, biscuits, and slaw. Where I lived before, I didn't have a good group of queer friends, and it feels so nice to have someone here who we can talk to about who's on our sperm donor list like it's no big deal.
Daily Total: $72.70
Day Two
6:35 a.m. — I'm taking the bus to work this morning ($2.50 on my transit card). Now that it's snowy and cold, I can no longer bike, and my partner has the car. The bus is fine, but not my favorite option. It's a 15-minute walk to my stop and then a 20-minute bus ride. Luckily, it's a balmy 20 degrees this morning. If I'm still working this job in January, I'll really have to suit up for the below zero mornings.
11:10 a.m. — The cafe that I work at gives all employees free meals for every six-hour shift. I normally go for soup or quiche because they change every few days, while everything from the rest of the menu gets old. Today I get a mushroom, gouda, and onion quiche with a side of fruit, and it's very good! While I don't want to be here forever, it's nice to work at a place in the food service industry with ethics. This place not only gives meal money but also paid family leave and sick time. And it no longer does tipping — instead, it pays a living wage for everyone. I've worked in food service on and off for six years, and it's by far the best place I've worked.
3:15 p.m. — I thought I had more money on my transit card, but I only have $0.50. The bus is pretty full and there are three loud babies, so the bus driver just lets me sit down before I can pull out cash to cover the rest.
5:30 p.m. — I make a Smitten Kitchen-adapted Goop miso grain bowl recipe with sweet potatoes and broccoli. I roasted the veggies last night while I was making chili, so dinner prep is quick and it turns out well!
7:15 p.m. — Tonight my partner and I are getting a Christmas tree! We go to a women-owned nursery that has sustainably-grown local trees. We look around for a little bit and decide on a smaller natural fir for $56 and a cheap stand. When the cashier sees the height of our tree, she recommends getting a bigger, more expensive stand. This trip is already feeling costly and I'm ready to just jerry-rig the tree with the cheaper stand, when she says: "As a single gal, I like the bigger stand because I can set the tree up myself with it." While I'm not a single gal, I resonate strongly with this pitch and grab the bigger stand. I sold Christmas trees for a season, and I know how hard the work can be, especially in the cold. I pay for the tree in full and my partner Venmos me for half. We tip the woman who helped us attach it to our car $5 on the way out. $43
Daily Total: $43
Day Three
4:30 a.m. — I open the cafe today and need to be in by 5 a.m., so I shovel some muesli and yogurt down.
4:50 a.m. — I eat a day-old grapefruit and white chocolate scone as an addition to my breakfast. I'm alone in the cafe until 6:30, so I need a little sugar to keep me going.
10:45 a.m. — The nice thing about the 5 a.m. shift is that by 11 a.m., my day is almost done. I take my lunch break and then I only have two hours left to work. Today I get a tofu scramble with kale, peppers, and onions, and a side of potatoes. We carry bougie ketchup and hot sauce that I smother the scramble with.
5 p.m. — Leftover pumpkin chili for dinner.
Daily Total: $0
Day Four
9 a.m. — I don't work on Wednesdays, so I sleep in and have yogurt, muesli, and a banana for breakfast.
12:15 p.m. — I work on cover letters and eat a few pieces of toast with peanut butter for lunch. Another perk of my job is I get to take home the butts from cinnamon raisin bread, so I've pretty much stopped buying bread.
3:30 p.m. — I've sent in two job applications today, and I'm feeling productive and proud. I take a break and peruse my favorite online shops. Everlane has a pair of jeans on sale and I really do need a new pair — my only black jeans are starting to get thin in the crotch and won't last much longer. I get the jeans ($48), and a dress on sale I've been watching since July ($25). $73
5:30 p.m. — Leftover grain bowl for dinner.
Daily Total: $73
Day Five
4:35 a.m. — Another opening shift, and once again I shovel down my yogurt, muesli, and banana breakfast.
10:50 a.m. — There's a new soup today: tofu curry. It's so good, and also nice to have something I haven't eaten at work before. I get it with a kale side salad and focaccia bread.
1:30 p.m. — Small grocery run for the week. We are pretty much out of dinner food, so I get stuff for a quick pasta meal. I buy arugula, mandarin oranges, a half gallon of milk, one Italian sausage, fancy tempeh (the packaging gets me), Greek olive mix (one of my biggest weaknesses), parmesan cheese, and bananas. I get the expensive maple syrup, put the number for the cheaper one on it, and round up at the register for the charity. $40
6:45 p.m. — I make pasta with arugula, sausage, and garlic olive oil. It's fast, simple, and so tasty!
Daily Total: $40
Day Six
6 a.m. — Yogurt, muesli, banana. Miss the bus by seconds. I do the classic movie sprint to try and catch it at the next stop, and once again miss it by seconds, so I end up walking to work.
11:30 a.m. — I get lentil brown rice soup and a mixed green salad today for lunch. I get this soup pretty much anytime it's on the menu because it's so filling!
2:30 p.m. — Bus home ($2). The ride this afternoon goes smoothly, and the bus is quiet.
7:15 p.m. — I just dropped my partner off at the airport, and I'm feeling too lazy and hungry to cook, so I stop by the taco truck near our house. I get a burrito ($8.75) and tip $1.25. It's good, and the salsa is great. I eat it while on the phone talking a friend through some weird friend dynamics. $10
Daily Total: $10
Day Seven
7:45 a.m. — Today I make myself brioche French toast. (The cafe had an old frozen loaf of brioche no one wanted except for me, and I've been slowly using it for my special Saturday french toasts for the past couple of weeks. It has served me well.)
11:10 a.m. — I meet an old friend from camp who I haven't seen in years at a coffee shop. I get a drip and a scone ($3.25), and tip $0.75. We catch up and gossip, and it's nice, but she seems a bit distracted. I suggest making dinner together and she seems enthusiastic. $4
2:30 p.m. — I've been looking for a nice set of Christmas cards to send out this year, and as an ethical consumer, I go to the nearby anarchist bookstore. I find a set that is the perfect balance between seasonal and political, but almost decide not to get them because it's $30 for a pack of 12. I change my mind and buy them, though, because between the bookstore and local artist, the money is all going to good places. $30
4 p.m. — I have more than 12 people I want to send cards to (humble brag), so I decide to make cards for my other friends. I've got a ton of colored pencils at home, so I go to Target and get a sketchbook. $10.60
4:15 p.m. — Since Target is near a grocery store, I pop in and put $25 on my transit card and buy a pack of 20 stamps for $10. The stamps are all white Santas, but it's either that or American flags, so I'm going with festive hetero-patriarchy. I get home feeling ready to make cards and stretch my artistic skills to the limit. $35
6 p.m. — Beans and rice for dinner. It's been an expensive week, so it will be modest eating for the next few days. The cards are turning out well — I've made eight so far!
Daily Total: $79.60
Money Diaries are meant to reflect individual women's experiences and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29's point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more money diaries, click here.
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When you go to a Taylor Swift concert, you might expect your face to show up in the background of a crowd selfie (or a thousand). You might not expect to have pictures of your face analyzed in real time by Swift’s security team.
Rolling Stone reported that concertgoers at Swift’s May 18 Rose Bowl concert had their identities scanned by sophisticated facial recognition technology embedded in a large screen playing concert clips. Faces were compared to a database of Swift’s known stalkers, as a security measure for the singer.
Now, the American Civil Liberties Union has responded. In a blog post published the the nonprofit’s website, an an analyst from the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project outlined some concerns Swift’s use of the technology raises. While they appreciate the serious threat of stalkers, the ACLU warns against the tech: “We shouldn’t rush into embracing without checks and balances to make sure it’s not abused.”
The most pressing problem presented by the ACLU has to do with private watchlists. This kind of facial recognition technology is only useful when compared to a watchlist of suspected troublemakers, like the one of Swift’s known stalkers. But you wouldn’t know if you’re on a watchlist, and certainly don’t have the ability to appeal your inclusion. The ACLU cautions, “As these watchlists become institutionalized, and in all likelihood shared, the consequences of unfair treatment or racial bias in the compilation of these lists become magnified.”
They even compare these watchlists to blacklisted citizens during the “red scare” of the 1940s and 50s, as an example of the real potential technology has to be misused: “There’s a long history of private and quasi-private watchlists being abused, going back to the labor battles of the early 20th century, when workers and organizers were blacklisted as ‘troublemakers’ and could have trouble getting a job.”
For Swift, threats from stalkers have reached new levels of danger in 2018. A few of the more terrifying incidents included a man who was arrested for stalking Swift’s Beverly Hills home while carrying masks, gloves, rope, and a knife, and a man who was arrested after successfully breaking into Swift’s New York brownstone, showering, and taking a nap in the singer’s bed.
Refinery29 has reached out to representatives for Taylor Swift for comment.
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You'll be able to taste the collective excitement on Monday, thanks to a Mars-Pluto sextile. The planet of action will work with the planet of renewal to help us accomplish our short-term goals. The timing couldn't be better, as everyone's starting to pack up for the holidays. Dot your i’s and cross your t’s before you plan on getting cozy!
The moon is waxing all week, helping us prepare for the rewards to come when she’s full. From Sunday to early Tuesday she lights up Aries, igniting our desires for action. The moon then moves into Taurus from Tuesday until Wednesday night, reinforcing our passions with a strong work ethic. On Thursday morning, she waxes in Gemini, the sign of dynamic communication, until Saturday morning. After a brief void-of-course period from 9:20 a.m. to 11:27 a.m., she will wax to fullness in Cancer.
On Thursday, the sun will form a trine with Uranus retrograde, helping us to create change from lessons learned. On Saturday, the sun bids farewell to adventurous Sagittarius and moves into hardworking Capricorn. On the same day, Mercury and Jupiter conjoin to help us put words to our gratitude. Venus will trine with Neptune on Friday as well, creating a high-energy mood around beauty and our dreams.
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The future of beauty is here — and you’re invited. Check out the rest of our 2018 Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Awardswinners for a full look at the products, brands, and people that are breaking the rules and redefining beauty standards, one lipstick at a time.
Between the cat eye -challenged and those who can finesse a sharp flick in the back of an Uber, in the dark, or with their eyes closed, I'm one of the latter. Not to brag, but since I was first allowed to wear makeup as a teenager, a thick black stripe along my upper lash line has always been my “thing.”
But I wasn’t borneyeliner-savvy: My lids are slightly hooded and greasy as they come, so it's taken plenty of raccoon eyes, gallons of makeup remover, and countless return trips to the beauty aisle before I earned my wings. Since then, I’ve tried nearly every top-rated liner under the sun, and I’ve fallen in love with fewer than I can count on both hands. Maybe I'm picky, but just because it deposits black pigment doesn't necessarily mean it's good. Some liners are deceiving and will impress you with a dramatic opaque line before smudging as soon as you blink; others dry out quickly and can barely last through a few strokes.
So, despite my love for Rihanna and her Fenty Beauty empire, I looked at her Flyliner marker in Cuz I'm Black with a critical lens when it was time to test for our 2018 Beauty Innovator Awards. Its name, an ode to both Rihanna's most epic Twitter clapback and the color of the marker, was enough to make me a believer. But the real test was seeing if it could survive a ten-hour workday, accidental eye-rubbing, excessive yawning, and my buttery lids — without making me look like a panda.
My standards were high, but Fenty delivered on the first try. When the felt tip glided across my lash line, a vibrant, jet-black stripe followed in one clean stroke. The fine-pointed marker also gave me the sharpest wing ever, without having to clean up with concealer. It felt slightly tacky as it dried, so I dusted on some setting powder to lock in the glossy formula. The result was a flawless, extra-sharp wing that could cut someone if they stared too closely — and it stayed vivid and jet black all day. Despite its longevity, the liner was surprisingly easy to remove, no lid-scrubbing or tugging required.
Regardless of whether you can't keep a steady hand to save your life or can wing it at your desk without a mirror, this liner won't fail you. Just tell your Uber driver to take it slow — no matter how perfect the formula, one bump in the road, and the whole liner-on-the-go operation is a bust.
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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 front end engineer working in tech who makes $90,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on burgers.
Occupation: Front End Engineer Industry: Tech Age: 28 Location: New York, NY Salary: $90,000 Paycheck Amount (2x/month): $2,127
Monthly Expenses Rent: $1,825, split evenly with my husband Student Loan Payment: $470 Electricity: $80-$150 depending on the time of year; split 60/40 with my husband Laundry: $40 Green Chef/Purple Carrot: ~$77/week MetroCard: $0 (I have a monthly unlimited MetroCard that I pay for with my company credit card.) Prescriptions: $15 (paid with FSA) Patreon: $5 to Humans of New York Phone: ~$50, dependent on data usage HBO: $14.99 Demand Africa: $6.99 Gym Membership: $288.41 Charity: $75 (I sponsor two children.) 401(k): $1,500 pre-tax (20% of my income) Savings: $500-$2,700, depending on what's leftover at the end of the month
Day One
8:17 a.m. — I wake up from a dream and check the time on my phone. I want to hit the powerlifting gym this morning to bring my attendance up to four days this week, as the coach has us on a program that runs for four days a week. I've been going there for just over a month, and while it's pricey, having coaches constantly watching my form is infinitely worth it. I reserve my spot for 10 a.m. and get up and get ready to go.
9 a.m. — I run out of time to make breakfast, so I grab a Larabar, a carton of coconut water, and my filled water bottle. I kiss my husband, M., goodbye, and dash out the door.
11:35 a.m. — I am the last of the morning session attendees to leave. I head to the subway, where I schedule a Seamless order to arrive at about the time I should be getting home. $23.78
1 p.m. — I get home and my food is waiting for me. Short rib sandwich with fries. Yum!
2:30 p.m. — M. places a Jet order for this week's groceries. We get Larabars, eggs, bread, yogurt, assorted fruit, rice milk (for me), almond milk (for him), and avocados. The total comes up to $77.53, and we split the bill. $38.76
2:56 p.m. — I need new workout shoes, as my current Converse are really compromised. I've been comparison shopping for a few days, and finally settle on a pair of slip-on Pumas that can do double duty for traveling, as I've wanted a non-lace-up shoes for getting through TSA for a while. I also throw in some much-needed household items (laundry bags for large delicates, face moisturizer, a throw pillow for the couch, and an herb stripper — $77.72) and some Christmas gifts ($42.41). $120.13
3:17 p.m. — I'm still in a shopping mood, so I decide to check on some items on my wishlist at other stores. I see that a tank top I wanted from Aerie is steeply discounted, so I get two and plug in a promo code for an extra 10% off. $16.14
5 p.m. — I'm going with a friend to see Michelle Obama speak tonight, so I get up from the college football game I'm watching to get ready.
6 p.m. — I'm starting to feel hungry, so I warm up my Seamless leftovers and make a peanut butter chocolate protein shake (rice milk, maple syrup, whey protein powder, powdered peanut butter, cocoa powder, and creatine), but after eating, I'm still a bit hungry. Really didn't time this right. I stash a Larabar in my bag just in case.
8:37 p.m. — Getting into the Barclays Center was chaotic! My friend and I are thirsty, so we each get a bottle of water before heading to our seats. I cringe at the price, but the venue doesn't allow outside beverages. $7
12 a.m. — I get home hella late and famished, but my dear husband has just put the finishing touches on his HelloFresh meal (we each do our own meal kit subscriptions). Lucky me!
1:15 a.m. — We stay up late chatting until we're too tired to function, and fall into bed.
Daily Total: $205.81
Day Two
7:38 a.m. — I wake up with a dry throat an hour and a half before my alarm goes off and seriously consider taking a quarter of an Ambien (usually good for two hours), but ultimately decide against it.
8:30 a.m. — I get up and make breakfast — an egg and smashed avocado sandwich with a protein shake, and sit in front of my sunlight therapy lamp while I eat. This lamp has saved my mental health this winter.
9:30 a.m. — Dressed, fed, and off to church. Nasty weather today, but at least it's warmer than usual.
11:30 a.m. — There's a mixer after church. I skip the refreshments but have a great conversation with some people I met.
12:50 p.m. — I didn't plan ahead for lunch, and now I'm starving! Seamless again! This time I get a small pizza with prosciutto on top and a ginger ale. $25.35
1 p.m. — Since it's the start of a new month, I evaluated my wishlist items to decide what to buy. I generally go for what's low in stock (unfortunately, some of my items sold out) and add items as necessary to get free shipping. I order a lingerie set, a bra, fishnet stockings, and a teddy from HerRoom ($84.60 after $20 gift certificate); some wool socks, another teddy, two camisoles, and a demi bra from Nordstrom Rack ($103.82); and some honeymoon lingerie (panties and a robe that say "Mrs." and a satin romper) from Bloomingdale's ($117.08). I read In Intimate Detail by Cora Harrington recently, and I've been on a lingerie kick ever since. I definitely get a rush from spending so much at once, but I've been massaging my shopping carts for a good 24 hours, so I feel confident in my purchases. $305.50
3:50 p.m. — After my shopping spree, it's time to head to a coffee shop to meet up with the founder of a nonprofit that I volunteer with. I'm working on their website redesign, so we're meeting up to discuss. I order a chai latte and secure two seats. The latte gets my stamp of approval! $4.82
6 p.m. — The meeting goes really well! We agree on some action items for both of us. I head home, hop in the shower, and heat up my leftover half of pizza for dinner.
8 p.m. — I do some work on the website until I start to feel sleepy, so I put it away and call my mother for our weekly chat.
Daily Total: $335.67
Day Three
7 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I contemplate my life choices for far too long before getting up, getting dressed, packing my backpack (work laptop, gym clothes, water bottle, book to read on the train, and ADHD meds), and preparing my usual breakfast of an egg and smashed avocado sandwich. I sit in front of my sunlight lamp while eating breakfast and end up leaving one minute late to catch the subway to physical therapy.
8 a.m. — I literally watch my train pull out of the subway station. I resign myself to being a little late, but the MTA is in a mood, so I end up being 20 minutes late. Grr.
10 a.m. — After physical therapy, I head to the subway again to get to work.
12 p.m. — Lunchtime! Everyone in the office typically orders lunch together and the company covers it. I decide I don't want what they're getting, so I hop on Seamless to order from a different place and put it on my company card. I get a chicken plate with hummus and bread. ($15.69 expensed)
1 p.m. — Whew! Lunch was a bit heavy for me, so I put the rest in the fridge for later and mentally prepare myself for my performance review happening in an hour.
2:30 p.m. — My review went well! I'll be getting a raise. It's my first raise since becoming an engineer. I really enjoy my work, coworkers, and leadership team, so I'm excited by this news.
4 p.m. — I reserve a time slot at the powerlifting gym for tonight.
5 p.m. — Time to finish my lunch from earlier! It's all soooo good. I may have eaten too much so close to my workout, but we'll see how I feel later.
6:35 p.m. — I arrive at the gym, change into my workout gear, and do my PT warm-ups. My therapist is pretty strict, and this is her requirement in exchange for giving me her blessing to keep lifting.
8:15 p.m. — Workout complete and it's time to head home! I definitely felt a little too full, but I think it also helped me with the endurance portion of my workout: slam balls! I did 100 reps in a row in five minutes. My coach says next time I need to choose a heavier ball.
9:30 p.m. — I order Seamless on my way home and have it arrive around the time I do. M. is usually home, so I don't have to be there to answer the door for the delivery. I kiss M. hello, hop straight into the shower, and then sit on the couch to eat. $10.40
10:30 p.m. — My Purple Carrot order arrived today. (I got a meal kit subscription this summer when I got tired of all the food M. and I were wasting on a weekly basis. We had to do fridge clean-outs too often for my comfort.) I love not having to go to multiple stores to find all my ingredients. This week, I got sesame-ginger noodles with stir-fried greens and toasted peanuts, coconut lentil soup with roasted vegetables, and a tabbouleh burger with tahini yogurt and chickpea salad. I put it all away in the fridge.
11:30 p.m. — At this point, I'll get less than eight hours of sleep if I don't go to bed now. I climb into bed and just close my eyes, hoping I don't wake up too often in the night.
Daily Total: $10.40
Day Four
6:50 a.m. — I'm awake before my alarm. I realize M. forgot to set his alarm, so I nudge him awake and watch him struggle out of bed. At this point I can't go back to sleep, so I waste time on my phone before getting up and getting ready.
7:30 a.m. — I go through my usual morning routine, except this time I decide to have my leftover dinner for breakfast. It's a strange experience. I never did this growing up, so I haven't done it as an adult either. Nevertheless, I get through as much of it as possible before once again leaving just a little too late for the subway. I'm usually on time for things, but this winter has me moving at a snail's pace in the mornings.
9 a.m. — I'm just a couple of minutes late for my class. Twice a week, I volunteer to teach high schoolers to code. As an underrepresented minority in tech, I feel it's important to show kids that people who look like them do exist in the industry. I work with a team of other volunteers and it's not my week to lead, so I don't have to be completely alert. I spend the class session walking around the room assisting students with a group project they're working on.
10 a.m. — Class is over, so I head to work. Watching my students grasp new concepts so eagerly makes me feel good about my work, and gets me pumped for the workday ahead.
12 p.m. — Lunchtime! Today we order salads. ($12.25 expensed)
2 p.m. — I'm working on a major overhaul of one of our platform's features, so I discuss my progress with my product manager. She's really excited about being able to launch this feature, and we have a few current users who want to be our beta testers!
4 p.m. — Time to reserve my spot at the gym for day two! I'm starving today (that salad did not hit the spot) so I grab a few snacks from the snack bar and munch on my Larabar.
6 p.m. — Out of the office and off to the gym.
8:10 p.m. — I made it through my workout! I chug water on my way home and place an order for a burger and fries on Seamless. $24.41
9:25 p.m. — I make it home before 9:30! Gotta celebrate the small victories. I go through my usual routine of showering before plopping down on the couch to eat. My food arrived early, so now it's cold and rubbery, but I don't care enough to not at least eat most of it.
10:30 p.m. — M. and I haven't yet bought our plane tickets for Christmas travel, so I do some Googling and buy us on roundtrip tickets in exit row seats for extra leg room. They're pricey, but with my new raise coming, I don't feel it as much. The total comes to $932.80, which we split evenly. $466.40
11 p.m. — I head to bed a bit early tonight. The exhaustion is building and I'm hoping to make it to PT on time tomorrow.
Daily Total: $490.81
Day Five
7 a.m. — I wake up with my alarm. I'm still exhausted, but my goal of making it to PT on time drives me out of bed earlier than usual.
7:50 a.m. — I decide to skip eating breakfast at home and take it to-go instead. I chug my protein shake and head out the door.
8:05 a.m. — The MTA has been slacking. I simply cannot be late to PT, so I call a Lyft. $38.88
9:12 a.m. — I'm only 12 minutes late today! I think my physical therapist has given up hope that I'll ever be on time. I don't even mention my expensive efforts to get in on time. It is what it is. My FSA balance has run out, so I pay for this visit with my personal credit card. $65
10:30 a.m. — I get into the office and pull out my egg sandwich. I am too self-conscious to eat on the subway when it's crowded (plus, germs).
12 p.m. — Lunchtime! I get a braised chicken plate with chipotle kale and black beans, roasted broccoli and rice, and ginger lemonade. ($15 expensed)
6 p.m. — Time to go home! These days, I only go home at a normal time on Wednesdays. I love it and look forward to cooking dinner tonight.
7:30 p.m. — I cook up coconut lentil soup while catching up with my husband. I'm supposed to video chat with my three-year-old nephew tonight, but last time he wasn't into it and I'm too tired to play engaged aunty tonight. I justify my decision with the reminder that I'll see him for a week over Christmas.
8:30 p.m. — I plop down on the couch in my usual spot and watch reruns of The Big Bang Theory while I eat. The soup is okay. I have a Green Chef subscription as well, and I find myself judging Purple Carrot in comparison. (Green Chef totally wins for overall experience, by the way.)
9:45 p.m. — I get up to prep for bed. I received a new hair product set in the mail today that I bought on Black Friday for 50% off. It smells good enough to eat, so I try it on my hair when I shower. The hair gel works wonders, but everything else is just okay.
10:15 p.m. — I have needed a new travel bag for when I travel by plane for a while now, so I get one on eBags, as well as some packing cubes, a tech organizer, and a pill organizer. I use my $10 reward certificate towards the total. $133.57
10:30 p.m. — M. and I head to bed. He never goes to bed this early, but he's exhausted from not sleeping well for several nights in a row.
Daily Total: $237.45
Day Six
7 a.m. — Yay, I finally wake up feeling somewhat well-rested! I bask in the feeling for too long and start my day just a bit too late.
7:50 a.m. — I get myself ready and prep breakfast to-go once again. I listen to the Daily Calm on my Calm app (I like to meditate on my commute) and then read Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor. It had a great start, then got a bit monotonous, but the action has picked back up and I'm on pins and needles.
9:08 a.m. — I'm definitely late for class, but it's okay, the students are still working on their project. I spend the hour helping groups better structure their HTML to achieve their desired effect. Each group is amazed by the suggestions I've made. These easy wins give me a major ego boost.
10:20 a.m. — Like yesterday, I get into work, pull out my egg sandwich, chow down, and then chug my shake.
12 p.m. — A few of us order lunch from a casual chain. I get a veggie burger (I read something about a beef recall due to salmonella) and fries, with chipotle mayo in lieu of ketchup. The burger falls apart, but I eat most of my food before sticking it in the fridge for later. ($13 expensed)
5 p.m. — I'm starving, so I grab a couple of snacks from the snack bar. Right as I open a bag of Late July cheddar crackers, I remember my leftover lunch in the fridge. Welp.
6 p.m. — Out the door and off to the gym! After entering the subway station, I see a five dollar bill float to the floor. I run ahead to the person I think it belongs to, but they say it's not theirs. At this point I have no idea whose it is, so I pocket it with the aim of passing it on to a homeless person.
8:15 p.m. — I leave the gym a bit later than intended and head to the subway. My stomach growled a couple of times during my workout and I'm not feeling much confidence in my coconut lentil soup's ability to satisfy me. So while I'm on the train, I place a Seamless order for pizza. $26.28
9:30 p.m. — Home! Dinner isn't here yet, so I hop in the shower and then open a package I received today. It's the shoes I ordered! I leave the second part of my delivery unopened, since it contains part of M.'s Christmas present.
10 p.m. — I eat dinner on the couch in my new shoes while watching more reruns of The Big Bang Theory. I've seen all the old episodes, but it's a reliable sitcom for a much-needed winter mood lift.
11:30 p.m. — M. and I finally head to bed. I browse on my phone for a bit before shutting everything down at midnight.
Daily Total: $26.28
Day Seven
5:47 a.m. — I get up to pee and look at the clock. Just over two hours until my alarm goes off, so I pop a quarter of an Ambien pill to help me fall back asleep. It works.
8:10 a.m. — Up and at 'em! Tonight is our office holiday party. At first I considered bringing a change of clothes, but I've decided to just wear my party outfit for the day. After a week of lugging gym clothes in my bag, I'm craving a light day.
9:27 a.m. — I head to the subway. The five dollar bill I picked up last night is burning a hole in my pocket, and I try to be mindful of any panhandlers as I settle into my book. I'm in luck when a trio of older men with walking canes enter my train car singing "This Magic Moment" a capella. They sound really good and they're pleasant people, so I gleefully drop the $5 in their little container. Mischief managed.
10:30 a.m. — I stroll into work to see most of my coworkers similarly dressed up for later. I made the right choice. I feel a little drowsy and panic a little when I realize I'm not 100% sure I took my ADHD meds this morning. I wave it off with the reminder that I'd be much drowsier if I hadn't. I should be fine.
12:50 p.m. — Lunch! I get a vegan rice bowl with mushrooms, cashew cheese, guac, and chicken on top. ($15 expensed)
3 p.m. — A coworker asks if I'd like to join her on a coffee run. I agree and haul on my coat. We go to a new spot, so even though I don't need anything, I order a chai latte, because tradition. It's awful. The cinnamon flavor is overpowering, and their prices are high for the size. I guess I won't be returning. $5.44
7 p.m. — Party time! We all Uber over to the location and grab drinks to get started. Our plus ones meet us there. We all spend the night drinking a little too much and letting down our hair much more than we do on a regular basis. Nothing too crazy, though! We are a pretty straight-laced bunch.
12:50 a.m. — It's freezing cold and super late, so I call a Lyft to take M. and me home. It's an expensive ride but well worth it, since the subway would take two hours. I get in and check on a coworker before passing out on the couch. I'm definitely going to feel this in the morning. $45.18
Daily Total: $50.62
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As much as we love reading our horoscopes, we recognize that they can't be correct 100% of the time. More often than not, a horoscope paints a beautiful — but abstract — image of one possible outcome for our lives. On one hand, that can make it really frustrating when you read a horoscope that repeatedly doesn't "get" you. On the other, a horoscope that ends up nailing the following week or month can feel all the more special.
Even if the event that your horoscope predicted was less-than-great, it still feels pretty cool when the cosmos seems to be in perfect sync with your life. And, between the series of eclipses and utter barrage of retrogrades we endured this year, we're willing to bet that more than a few of you felt particularly seen by your horoscope in this year of wild astrological activity.
Here, members of the R29 community and those of the astro communities on Reddit share their most accurate horoscope readings from the past year. Share your own in the comments section.
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