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These Are The Best Celebrity Holiday Decorations We've Seen This Year

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Celebrities have both money and connections, and this time of year, tht can only lead to on thing: seriously impressive holiday decorations.

Over the past several weeks, celebs have been sharing photos and videos of all the ways they're decking out their homes for the holidays. Actors, talk show hosts, reality TV stars, and singers have been showing off all kinds of over-the-top, festive decor from classic bright red baubles to trendy additions like hot pink trees. Some of these celebrities put out the decorations themselves with the help of their families, while others employed the help of professionals and brand partners. Either way, the results have left feeling like our tiny apartment Christmas shrub is sorely lacking.

Take a look ahead to see the best, most over-the-top holiday decorations celebrities have set up so far this year.

Busy Philipps

Along with her daily updates on what mischief her kids' Elf on the Shelf is getting up to, the Busy Tonight host also shared how her living room looked before and after the Michael's Craft Store elves, as Philipps called them in an early December Instagram story, decorated.

Jennifer Lopez

Earlier this month, J.Lo, her boyfriend Alex Rodriguez, and their kids decked out their huge Christmas tree with white lights, various baubles, and most uniquely, red roses.

Ariana Grande

After a year of her world being turned upside-down, the "Thank U, Next" singer opted to bring back 2017's biggest holiday decor trend, the upside-down Christmas tree.

Joanna Gaines

According to a recent post on her blog, Joanna Gaines revealed that this year, her family picked out their biggest tree yet, standing at 13 feet. This one went in their dining room, but it wasn't the only tree they brought home. The second, smaller tree was set up in Chip and Joanna's bedroom.

Leah Remini

Leah Remini recently revealed she had started decorating for the holidays before December had even begun by sharing a photo showing off the cedar branches she had arranged around the Emmy on her mantle. A few days after posting the fireplace picture, the Second Act actress put up a photo that showed her husband Angelo Pagan standing on a ladder so as to reach the top of their Christmas tree with its final touch.

Kylie Jenner

In order to transform her home into a winter wonderland, Kylie Jenner, of course, enlisted the help of her fam's famous florist Jeff Leatham. This year Jenner and Leatham went for a gold theme for the ginormous Christmas tree that's erected annually in her foyer.

Kevin Jonas

According to an Instagram photo Kevin Jonas shared on December 8, he returned home from his brother Nick's epic wedding in India to find it had been decked out with cheer. Unclear who was responsible for the surprise decor.

Bethenny Frankel

Though this real housewife of New York has yet to share a photo of last Christmas's most controversial nutcracker, she did post a photo of her very fun hot pink tree.

Nicole Richie

As someone who has literally taken glamour shots inside her chickens' coop, of course Nicole Richie made sure her chickens Ivy, Sibby, and Dixie Chick got their own dose of holiday cheer this year.

Kelly Ripa

Also one to jump the Christmas tree gun, Kelly Ripa put up her tree on November 25, a full month before the holiday. We're not complaining about the tree's early arrival, though, because the tree has since served as the backdrop for more than one adorable photo of her and hubby Mark Consuelos.

Chelsea Peretti

Last week, Chelsea Peretti shared five close-up images of the sweet ornaments on her tree. Most of them were shaped like animals, and in her caption, the comedian joked that her one-year-old son would likely be tempted to pull them down.

Nicole Kidman

This Big Little Lies actress used her Christmas decor to show off her punny side. In the caption accompanying a photo of her cat sitting underneath her Christmas tree, Kidman wrote, "Paws for Reflection."

Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling threw it back to The Mindy Project, where she created a wreath adorned with photos of Reese Witherspoon aptly called Wreath Witherspoon, and filled her home with punny holiday decor, from Judy Garland wrapped around a banister to a Matthew McConau-Tree.

Reese Witherspoon

The Big Little Lies star shared a snap of her bulldog Pepper patiently waiting under the tree next to wrapped gifts, but also didn't hesitate to share a few Wreath Witherspoons of her own.

Kourtney Kardashian

The Kardashian sister struck her finest mermaid pose next to a snowy tree, complete with a Santa statue bearing a bag of gifts (and festive pinecones).

Madonna

The queen of pop got her Christmas tree, covered in 3D red stars and frosted bulbs, up in early December. She placed it next to her fireplace, with garland cascading down the mantle.

Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland's tree is so tall she needed to stand on a ladder to add trimmings to the top, but that didn't stop her from jamming to some Destiny's Child holiday music as she decorated.

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Lush Is Dropping 12 New Bath Bombs — & Fans Will Flip Over Them

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Not in our lifetime has the importance of voting been made more clear than in the past couple of years. It's a red alert that affected record voter turnout (particularly among young voters) and key wins for women in the midterm elections last month. Less urgently, it has informed one most nostalgic surprises of the season: limited-edition bath bombs from Lush.

Lush announced today it will drop 12 new bombs (all vegan and cruelty free, of course) on December 26. Each is a winner of a special election held by the brand in which Lushies (the company's passionate fanbase) voted their all-time favorite scents and styles back into production. And they brought back some pretty deep cuts.

To start, there's the long-awaited comeback of one of the first bath bombs to have ever been sold by the brand. Long-loved and lost fragrances from holiday seasons past were also resurrected. One special item from this year's limited edition, drag-inspired holiday collection gets an extended run, thanks to a surge in votes, while a handful of other winners have been formulated to match other products' coveted scents. Picture: a cult-favorite avo co-wash reimagined as a bath bomb that spills dark green into your bathwater. Can you think of a more delightful way to be reminded of the power of the polls?

Of course these suckers, which are available online only, are going to sell out fast, so ... well, you know the drill. See every single winner, including Yog Nog's triumphant return, 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.

As one of the first created by the brand, Blackberry is the OG of bath bombs. The new iteration gets a cute makeover while maintaining its original olibanum, lemongrass, and neroli scent and bluebell coloring.



Lush Blackberry Bath Bomb, $5.95, available at Lush

Say hello to American Cream, fragranced just like the vanilla and strawberry scented American Cream Conditioner fans love so much.



Lush Marshmallow World Bath Bomb, $6.95, available at Lush

Made with fair trade organic cocoa butter, this bright bomb swipes its scent from Honey I Washed the Kids, a popular caramel-tinged soap and body spray.



Lush Honey I Washed The Kids Bath Bomb, $5.95, available at Lush

Maybe The Olive Branch was a bath bomb trapped in the body of a shower gel all along? Either way, fans can now enjoy the bergamot, lemon, orange flower absolute, and Sicilian red mandarin scent no matter how they choose to bathe.



Lush The Olive Branch Bath Bomb, $6.95, available at Lush

One of the Lush's best-selling bubble bars gets the bomb treatment, this time releasing a purple, pink, and white foam in the tub.



Lush The Comforter Bath Bomb, $5.95, available at Lush

Inspired by Day of the Dead celebrations, Lush reissued this festive bath bomb made with marigold petals (a Dia De Los Muertos staple), which explodes into a vibrant swirl of yellow and hot pink in the tub.



Lush Calavera Bath Bomb, $6.95, available at Lush

If Avocado Co-Wash is your curl-enriching jam, this bath bomb, made with the same scent, will have you covered in bergamot and litsea cubeba from head to toe.



Lush Melusine Bath Bomb, $6.95, available at Lush

The scent of ylang ylang, vanilla absolute, and jasmine absolute was first found in the brand's Romantic Massage Bar. Now, it's made to turn bathwater pink, to boot.



Lush Tender is The Night Bath Bomb, $7.95, available at Lush

Cocoa and tonka are included in this bomb as skin calming agents, while grapefruit and bergamot oils are used to deliver a chill mindset.



Lush Yuzu & Cocoa Bath Bomb, $6.95, available at Lush

Always wondered what it was like to bathe in milk? The white froth of this bath bomb may be the next best thing. Once a coveted holiday release, the smooth apple fizzer is also infused with rose, for equal parts crisp winter fruit and soft spring floral.



Lush So White Bath Bomb, $5.95, available at Lush

Not all re-issued bombs are taken from deep in the company's archives. This bomb was released as a limited-edition holiday soap just a few weeks back. Now, early adopters can get their hands on a second spicy-meets-sweet variation.



Lush Golden Pear Bath Bomb, $6.95, available at Lush

Yog Nog, a classic holiday release, is back, y'all, in all its cocoa butter and shea butter glory.



Lush Yog Nog Bath Bomb, $6.95, available at Lush

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These Are The Lipstick Shades You'll Be Wearing All Through 2019

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Our beauty resolution for 2019 is to perfect smudged makeup — and we're going to do it without so much as touching an eyeliner.

That's because some of the lipstick trends about to infiltrate the red carpet, Instagram, and our morning commute require a hazy, imperfect finish, according to makeup artist Robert Sesnek. He pegs the soft-focus look as the biggest burgeoning trend for 2019. "It's very unfinished in application, and almost smudged into the lip line — not ultra defined and done by using a lip pencil," Sesnek says.

An easy way to nail the look? Powder lipsticks, another trend makeup artist Carola Gonzalez eyes for 2019. These innovative new formulations, configured in both pans and bullets, feature suspended pigment, and transform from creams to matte powders upon application for serious makeup magic. Get both artists' tips for nailing blurred, messy-on-purpose lip looks, ahead — along with the lipstick colors they say are about to be trending hard in 2019.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

The Trend: Powder-Coated Lips

Gonzalez's pick for the biggest lipstick trend of 2019? Diffused, powder-coated lips. "Because the texture is completely different in powder-finish lipsticks, you can attain a level of color and density that you can’t get from a traditional formula," she says. For this look on Joey King, the makeup artist reached peak lip intensity by using Chanel Poudre à Lèvres Lip Balm and Powder Duo in Rosso Pompeiano, a limited-edition powder and lip balm duo. "This orange-red shade is definitely one of my favorite reds for medium skin tones," she says. "It’s warm and very flattering."

To help powder lipsticks adhere to the lip while still maintaining their matte quality, Gonzalez uses a non-shiny lip balm, like Keihl's Facial Fuel No-Shine Moisturizing Lip Balm, before applying color. The rich burgundy-mauve shade of this lipstick, which transforms into a lightweight powder on the lips, is a standout on darker skin tones.



Shiseido ModernMatte Powder Lipstick in Velvet Rope, $26, available at Sephora

"Think of powder lipsticks as a version of a matte lipstick. They perform like traditional formulas, but have a different consistency, texture, and finish," Gonzalez says. "They can be worn with any makeup style [elsewhere on the face], whether it's dewy, satin, or matte."

This formula looks like it has a powder-dry texture, but feels like a smooth balm when on.



Chanel Rouge Allure Liquid Powder Matte Lip Color, $30, available at Nordstrom

In lipstick, hydration typically comes with shine. But MAC has divorced the two in this formula, thanks to moisture-coated powder pigments that give a hazy matte look while conditioning lips at the same time. Gonzalez particularly likes this bright-pink shade for those with fair skin.



MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick in Relentlessly Red, $18.5, available at MAC Cosmetics

The Trend: The New Nude

Nude lip color will never not be a thing, but the new take on neutrals will have a little more punch, according to Sesnek. "It’s like the natural lip tone with a little more pigment, either in a slightly more intense color than the natural lip color, or slightly toned down," he says of the look. "On the runways for 2019, both ways were really natural and balanced out dramatic eye makeup beautifully."

"For a brown-nude lip color, I like NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Het Loo, applied and pressed out with your finger for a stained effect," Sesnek says.



NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Het Loo, $27, available at NARS

This lighter riff on the shade incorporates a bit of peach to complement fair skin tones. Apply it to the center of the lips, then tap toward the edges to achieve that imperfect look.



Ilia Lipstick in The Brides, $13, available at Ilia

Though Ellis Faas lip colors are made to flatter all skin tones, the orange-y base in this brown nude will particularly pop against darker skin.



Ellis Faas Creamy Lips Lipstick in Hazelnut, $33, available at Neiman Marcus

The Trend: Infrared Lips

"Bold colors are playing a big role in makeup right now," Gonzalez says. "I feel like the '80s are coming back and these neon shades are a true representation of that era." The look can be paired with simple brown or black eyeliner and mascara, or another shot of neon in a shade two steps removed from the lips.

We love this neon-orange shade, which looks a lot more expensive than it is — and Gonzalez cosigns, praising the formula for its ability to deliver rich pigment in one swipe without streakiness. "These feel like nothing is on, but give a full, opaque coverage," she says, adding, "When picking a red lipstick for dark skin tones, go for one with orange undertones versus blue ones. There’s something unique and special about this color that’s really uplifting on dark skin."



The Lip Bar Matte Liquid Lipstick in Boy Trouble, $12.99, available at Target

This coral-tinged shade is perfect for medium skin tones — it delivers a softer take on red, but with major color payoff.



MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick in Relentlessly Red, $18.5, available at MAC Cosmetics

For those with fair skin tones, Gonzalez suggests a lip color so bright, it pares down the need to wear much of anything else. "Pinks have always complemented fair skin, but this shade takes pink to another level," she says. "The shade in itself is very bright and uplifting. It will definitely add a nice pop to the lip, and you won’t have to wear a lot of other makeup because of it."



Maybelline Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid, $7.99, available at Rite Aid

The Trend: Living Coral

It's not just the people at Pantone who pick coral as a big shade for 2019: The color was also a standout at New York Fashion Week... and in Sesnek's mind. "Another runway lip I see trending next year is a bit more intense with a flatter finish, and an almost coral color," he says. "Paired with minimal eyes and cheeks, it's a very chic look and looks very modern."

Sesnek likes this particular shade of coral to get the look, along with Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Sexy Sienna. "I would apply it with the finger for a stained effect," he says. "Not so precise, but almost smudged in and blotted out."



Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Coachella Coral, $34, available at Nordstrom

This statement-making variation on traditional red is perfect for those with cool skin tones looking for a brighter take on coral.



Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Tilt, $18, available at Urban Decay

This pinky-coral lip color isn't just on trend for 2019 — it also boasts an ultra-comfortable gel formula that delivers intense pigment without drying out the lips.



Mary Kay Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Poppy Please, $18, available at Mary Kay

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The Hair-Color Trends London Girls Can't Get Enough Of For 2019

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Is it just us, or have hair-color trends reached a fever pitch over the past year? From winter white and red velvet to Lady Gaga going lilac just this week, people — famous and otherwise — are branching out like never before.

It's not just the trends that have changed — it's also the advancement of aftercare systems like Wellaplex and Olaplex that have opened up a whole new world of possibilities in hair color. So what's next? We asked London-based color-trends forecaster Zoë Irwin and technical director Robert Eaton, both of Wella Professional UK, to tell us what they think we'll all be obsessed with in 2019.

Ahead, four exciting ways to face the future with really, really good hair.

This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.

The Trend: Amber Slate

Occupying a cozy space between honey blonde, red, and silvery chrome, amber slate serves up '70s retro vibes. Because it's essentially a handful of warm tones mixed with a cool base, it suits all skin tones.

"Within fashion especially, we’ve been exploring the 1970s color palette for a number of years," Irwin says. "If you look at Zara and other high-street stores, you’ll see a dominance of mustard, and this has translated into hair color. At Wella, we've been working through what we now call a 'baked yellow' for spring summer 2019. It's a warm amber tone, but it has an undertone of a slated, chrome-like metallic."

Irwin explains that this isn't a vibrant shade — it's cool and more natural, a sort of "smoked wood," like a faded photograph. (Again, very '70s.) "To get it right, wear your hair in a brushed out texture. We’re seeing curls that would have been more individual, brushed out into this more ethereal feel," Irwin says. "It’s about rich tonal warmth and we’re layering shades to achieve it. It’ll look amazing worn with seasonal clothes, too."

The Trend: Futuristic Tones

Think ice, opals, and lots of metallics.

"When we say 'futuristic,' we're thinking of the year 2000," Irwin says. "Growing up, we thought everything would be alien-like and chrome — we had these visions, but now we’re returning to look at this futuristic vibe when it comes to hair instead. As colorists, we’re coming into a really interesting time, thanks to metallic opals and also new technology. We’re now creating hair-color tones that have never been seen before."

The Wellaplex bond maker, Irwin explains, makes it so that you can lighten up hair color into cleaner, paler shades than ever before, all without sustaining a ton of damage. But it's not all about those blonde and gray tones: "On top of lightened shades, we’re now placing colors like peach, pink, and mint on top," she says. "We’re also now mixing cool and warm tones on one head, so that hair color works well with different skin tones."

The Trend: Color-Texture Embrace & Freehand Painting

"In America, wearing hair natural has overtaken straightening for the first time, and Brazilian blowdries are on a massive decline," Irwin says. "But when people aren't relaxing their hair, they're coloring it more, because the hair isn't so sensitized so you can actually try different colors." She says that we're now seeing curly hair types through a 2019 lens — and freehand painting is at the forefront of custom color.

"Instead of using foils, we’ve started to dye fine little pieces of hair with palms and fingers," Irwin says. New technology like the Koleston Perfect, Wella's purest color ever, not only reduces the risk of allergies but also keep hair soft and healthy. "It has such a creamy feel and takes care of textured hair as it colors," Irwin says. "What we’re now able to do is lighten the hair but keep it in beautiful condition, so there’s still shine. This is an overdue change within the hair industry, and means that those with textured hair don't have to go to one particular salon anymore."

The Trend: Instagram-Filter Hair

The warm, hazy veil of color the Juno filter gives your hair in a selfie? Yeah, that.

"One thing I’ve noticed is that people are coming into the salon asking for us to recreate hair colors in selfies which they've filtered," Eaton says. "Consumers are now thinking of these as realistic shades."

"I have this camera app called Snow that uses really cool filters, so I started shooting myself with it and friends would say, 'Wow, your hair looks amazing,' and it really did," Irwin says. "It was a much cleaner blonde. That’s what clients like now — it’s making us see color in a different way, but hair colorists are now able to create these looks using the latest product innovations and techniques."

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A Week In Pittsburgh, PA, On A $46,250 Salary

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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 sales coordinator working in consumer goods who makes $46,250 per year and spends some of her money this week on the book What If This Were Enough? by Heather Havrilesky.

Occupation: Sales Coordinator
Industry: Consumer Goods
Age: 27
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Salary: $46,250
Paycheck Amount (2x/month): $1,308.05

Monthly Expenses
Rent: $769 split with my partner, A. ($384 each)
Student Loans: $219 (I'm on an income-based repayment plan and I have $21,650 left to go.)
Credit Card Payments: $300, or more if I can swing it. As of October 2017, I had over $9,000 in credit card debt. Now just over a year later, I have over $2,000 left to go at 0% interest. It's been a tough lesson, but I've crushed it and the end is in sight!
Cell Phone: $114 (I'm on my own plan — my partner has a flip phone.)
Utilities: ~$75, split with my partner
Renter's Insurance: $15
Health Insurance: $37
Therapy: $25 copay per visit
Audible: $14.99
Netflix: $7.99
401(k): 4% of my paycheck with company match
Savings: I have $1,500 in my emergency fund.

Day One

7:45 a.m. — Shit, we both overslept. I nudge A. awake and plod over to the kitchen to get breakfast and lunch packed while he's in the shower. Breakfast is a pack of instant grits, a hardboiled egg, and a banana. Lunch is pasta fagioli that we meal prepped earlier in the week.

8:15 a.m. — I drop A. off at the local T station. The bus in front of our apartment building recently cut service, so we're trying out a new routine this morning to park at the station a half mile away. It fails — there are no spots left, so I continue into my office where there's free parking and A. heads downtown. Overall, I prefer public transport, because my weekly fares are typically less than the cost of gas for A.'s car. It's paid off, and we take turns paying the gas on it, but I try to do more if I use it more often.

9:45 a.m. — My morning starts chaotically with a lot of phone calls. I prepare the grits, eat the egg, and fix a cup of coffee with hazelnut creamer.

12:45 p.m. — I heat up the pasta fagioli. It's made with Barilla protein pasta, which keeps me satisfied until dinner usually. I finish off with the banana.

3:56 p.m. — I spent a lot of time on the phone today! I mute my conference call and polish off two clementines.

5:45 p.m. — Heading home! I stop by the grocery store on the way to pick up soy sauce, sesame oil, and parmesan cheese per A.'s request (not all for the same recipe). $13.54

6:15 p.m. — I heat up some leftover chicken, vegetables, and rice, and A. makes a teriyaki sauce. We chat and go about our evening routine — making food and washing dishes.

7:30 p.m. — We watch an episode of The First on Hulu and share some pieces of dark chocolate and red wine. We head to bed around 10.

Daily Total: $13.54

Day Two

7:35 a.m. — Don't do much better with the alarm this morning. I get tea and breakfast ready. A. is meeting a friend for lunch today, so I take the leftover Indian food from his birthday dinner earlier this week! Yum.

8:15 a.m. — Drop A. off at the T again and we agree to discuss a plan for our commutes next week.

9:15 a.m. — For breakfast I have two pieces of toast from a loaf of bread I keep in the work freezer. I top them off with a single packet of Justin's Vanilla Almond Butter.

10:30 a.m. — I check my bank account and move $5.73 to my second checking account. Every day I try to check my current balance and round down to the nearest even $5 or $10 increment by moving the difference into my other account. I manage to save $75-$100 each pay period this way, and I make an extra debt payment with that money.

12:10 p.m. — I get a Facebook notification that a band A. and I want to see is touring. I decide to surprise him. The tickets are $20 each, but of course I get slapped with those additional fees. Looks like we're going to Buffalo for Valentine's Day weekend! $56.35

12:45 p.m. — I heat up my leftover Indian food and my boss calls right before I take my first bite. Sigh.

5:45 p.m. — Home time. I usually like to chill and have downtime on Fridays rather than go out, which also keeps more money in my pocket, too. A. and I hit the liquor store: I buy a Malbec Bota Box, A. gets whiskey and vermouth to make us Manhattans. Yum! $21.39

6:15 p.m. — We have our Manhattans and chat, and then eat the last of the pasta fagioli when we're hungry. We finish the last episode of The First and fall asleep before 10.

Daily Total: $77.74

Day Three

4:35 a.m. — Saturday morning starts off with our cat knocking a glass of water off the bedside table. She knows A. is mad at her and sulks off for the rest of her witching hour instead of crying incessantly.

9:30 a.m. — Sleep in a bit after the cat fuss this morning. We start the day slow: drink tea, shower, then talk about our meal planning for next week before we go to the grocery store. We're going to a brewery this afternoon for a friend's birthday and I plan to bake cupcakes instead of buying a gift. For breakfast, we fry an egg and some onions and top it off with the last of some rice and lentils we cooked this week. I am satisfied. (We ate every bite of all the food we prepped this week! Gold star!)

10:30 a.m. — We hit the grocery store. During our morning planning, we noticed we have four or five open packages of corn tortillas in the fridge, so we make a meal plan to eat those up this week. We're also going to prep ground turkey chili and salsa chicken, so we buy ingredients for those (plus a few other things): chicken thighs on special; red, black, and white beans; snacking fruit; some squash and zucchini, red and green peppers, diced tomatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, chicken stock, ginger, olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs; and cat food. I buy the cupcake ingredients as well. Total comes to $82, and we split. $41

3 p.m. — We relax and do our own thing until it's time to go out. I bake the cupcakes, do some other chores around the house, and listen to the A Funny Feeling podcast while A. works on some music. He's involved in a lot of musical projects in the area, so it's always great to hear what he's working on. We have a quick bite of lunch before leaving the house. We finish the last of the pasta — finally! We also get coffee to-go at a coffee shop before getting in the car. I treat. $5.14

3:30 p.m. — Since we have to travel to another side of town for this outing, we decide to visit the Strip District on the way there, where there are a lot of speciality grocers. It's a big tourist destination so it's usually packed, but the weather is bad and it's late in the day, so this is a good opportunity. We decide to add a mushroom cream pasta as a late birthday treat for A. and shrimp gumbo to our meals this week, as well as a few other specialty things we are running low on. We visit Penn Mac to buy fresh pasta and bread, Wholey's for the shrimp (and we're delighted to find they have massive collard greens, too), Lotus for okra, and Reyna's for Jamaican curry powder, tamales, and salsa. We trade off paying, so I buy the groceries at Reyna's and Lotus. $21.75

4:45 p.m. — We get to the brewery! Most folks are there already, but I really only know the birthday girl, so we situate ourselves near her. The cupcakes get descended on pretty fast. It's a cool place, but the warehouse environment doesn't absorb noise, so it's hard to hear everyone. The birthday girl and her husband order pizza for the group, and I have a few slices. A. and I have a beer each and he covers our tab. On the way home, I log into my banking app and send her husband what I hope is a fair share for the pizza. They didn't ask anyone for money, but I know it's a lot to feed eight people and I want to contribute. $25

7 p.m. — We get home in time to watch the Pitt football game. My attention span isn't great for sports, so we share a few glasses of wine and I putter around the kitchen during the game. I have a pie crust in the fridge and decide to bake a pumpkin pie for tomorrow. I never get it quite right, and I feel like this kind of pie is always better made a day ahead.

10:30 p.m. — Bedtime!

Daily Total: $92.89

Day Four

8 a.m. — I wake up and take a shower. A. is already up and in the kitchen. When I come out, he's made an amazing breakfast casserole with some of our many tortillas. Genius! We tuck in and chat. He's off to the studio today to record one of his music projects and is pretty excited.

10:30 a.m. — It's unseasonably warm — 61 degrees in December! I have plans today to hang out with a friend who lives close by. I say goodbye to A., wish him luck, and walk the mile to her house.

11:15 a.m. — My friend and I chat over coffee and catch up while her boyfriend makes stewed chicken with homemade pita bread, which smells divine. I have a bite, even though breakfast wasn't that long ago. We have The Final Table on Netflix playing in the background.

1:30 p.m. — My friend is also a big meal prepper, so I run along with her on her errands but don't need anything myself. Once we're back, she puts together a lovely black bean soup.

4:30 p.m. — I head home to get a head start on dinner, as well as make turkey chili for the week. I prep all the ingredients for the mushroom pasta and get everything in the Dutch oven for the chili by the time A. gets home. We have Manhattans again and I hear all about his session, which sounds like it went super well.

6 p.m. — The sauce comes together quickly for the mushroom pasta. I'm a bit nervous to cook the fresh pasta, as I'm not sure what to expect, and unfortunately it doesn't unfurl from its little nests as beautifully as I had hoped it would. Nevertheless, it tastes amazing, and we have a little fresh parm over it.

8 p.m. — We turn the Steelers game on and eat the pumpkin pie over halftime. It's a late game and I also don't care a whole lot about it, so I go to bed when I'm sleepy.

Daily Total: $0

Day Five

7 a.m. — My alarm goes off. I go about packing my lunch and make it onto the 7:45 a.m. bus.

8:30 a.m. — I need to get better at drinking water, so I have a full glass, and then I make fresh coffee and eat some of the breakfast casserole A. made yesterday instead of going straight to my laptop.

10:45 a.m. — I finish up a conference call and then eat a banana and drink more water.

1:05 p.m. — I check my bank account and move $7.63 to my other checking. First business day of the month stinks: All the bills are coming out today! I'm in good shape, though. I heat up my lunch and take a break from my screens for a while.

3:45 p.m. — Afternoon lull. I snack on my clementines while on mute on a conference call and drink some green tea. I'm not really needed on this call, so I use some Amazon credit to buy a Kindle book: What If This Were Enough? by Heather Havrilesky. I am not familiar with her, but it seems like my style. $5.48

5:30 p.m. — Head home. A. just got out of the studio and is able to pick me up at the T station, so I don't have to walk home in the crappy weather. We make guac and have the salsa chicken he made this morning with corn tortillas.

9:45 p.m. — Bedtime after a quiet night.

Daily Total: $5.48

Day Six

7:30 a.m. — Wake up and do my morning routine as usual. I drop A. off at the station. (I drive on Tuesdays because I see my therapist in the evening.)

9:15 a.m. — Settle into the day at work. I check my bank account first and move $5.07 to my other checking. For breakfast, I eat a grapefruit and some breakfast enchilada casserole.

12:45 p.m. — This day is flying by — I have been moving around a lot getting items shipped to the sales reps. I heat up chili for lunch and catch up on the internet. I'm super excited to see NPR voted my favorite album of 2018, Be the Cowboy by Mitski, as #2 for 2018!

5:45 p.m. — I decide to check out a local bookstore for a book written by a local gal I heard on a podcast. I get flustered trying to park in that part of town, and they don't have the book anyway.

6:30 p.m. — Make it just in time for therapy, where my doctor hands me a statement I've been dreading. He sometimes gets behind on his billing and he's pretty old-school and only accepts check payment. This would have hurt me more in the past, but I've been setting my copays aside after each session, so I'm ready for it. $225

8:10 p.m. — Make it home. I'm annoyed to see my apartment lot is full, even though we're all guaranteed a spot. I back out to try to find street parking, when there is a thud and crunch. To my absolute horror, I've backed right into a car parked on the street across from the lot. I see A. in the window looking at me and I gesture for him to come outside.

8:45 p.m. — We wait a bit for the owner of the car, and I cry a lot. I've never had an accident before. A. is completely cool and calm, isn't upset with me at all, and talks me through what needs to be done. All the houses around us are dark, so it's not clear where the car owner might be. Our bumper is totally fine, but the backdoor of the other car is crunched. We leave a note with our number and plate number, and put it in a sandwich baggy under the windshield in case it rains overnight. Inside, A. starts the incident report on the insurance site. He owns the plan and I'm covered on it.

9:15 p.m. — The owner calls and doesn't sound angry. We finally have a little dinner and a whiskey after the drama of the night and watch some TV before bed.

10:15 p.m. — I'm going to sleep.

Daily Total: $225

Day Seven

7 a.m. — I have a meeting this morning at 9. I'd usually drive, but I still feel bad about last night, so I plan to take the early bus. I set out A.'s lunch and pack my own.

9:30 a.m. — Meeting ends. I have a banana and eat a piece of focaccia toast from our Strip District adventure. I check in with A. and he still hasn't heard from his insurance agent.

11:45 a.m. — I get some busy work cranked out to distract myself from the car. Then I check my bank account and move $5 to my other checking. A. isn't sure what his deductible is, but I plan to pay in full for this accident. I'm worried it will be $1,000 and I will lose almost my entire emergency fund. (But that's why I have it.) I am planning to be consumer debt-free by February, but maybe now this will have to get pushed back a few months. I affirm to myself that I have worked hard on my financial goals and have made good financial decisions in 2018 to get out of debt. I will be able to rebuild that emergency fund easily if it does get completely depleted, even if it means a slight postponement of my ultimate goal.

1:15 p.m. — I need a grilled cheese. I abandon my prepared lunch and get one from a cafe, plus a can of Diet Coke. FEELINGS. $5.63

3:45 p.m. — A. gets back to me. Amazingly, since his car wasn't damaged, no deductible is owed. The insurance accepts responsibility. He also has accident forgiveness, and his rate won't go up. I cry with relief, but feel like there should still be some consequence. We discuss splitting the premium.

5:45 p.m. — Dinner is salsa chicken. The mood is cheerful after the good news from the insurance agent. We have a quiet evening doing our own reading and internet-ing until bed.

Daily Total: $5.63

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.

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There’s Going To Be A Royal Wedding in 2019 — & It’s Identical To Harry & Meghan’s

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St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle has been booked up all year with Royal Weddings. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ceremony in May was the event of the year, followed by Princess Eugenie’s wedding in the same venue —and now it looks like 2019 will have a Royal Wedding of its own.

Lady Gabriella Windsor, daughter of the Queen’s cousin, will get married at St. George’s Chapel in the spring followed by a reception at Frogmore House, where Harry and Meghan also had their reception. The “Meghan Markle” effect is out in full force.

There is no need to set your alarms for the early hours of the morning to watch it on TV, however — Lady Gabriella, who is 50th in line to the throne, is marrying fiancé Thomas Kingston in a small, private ceremony. Senior royals will attend the wedding, but not all of them are expected to attend like they did for Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s big day, reports Rebecca English, the Daily Mail’sroyal correspondent.

If your distant cousin had a wedding that looked almost exactly like yours, it might be cause for some juicy family gossip, but in this instance, it makes sense. Lady Gabriella Windsor has many of her own family memories at the chapel and nearby Frogmore House, a Jane Austen-esque estate that has been a quiet oasis for the royal family for over 300 years. Gabriella, along with Harry and Eugenie, all spent Christmas there. Additionally, Gabriella’s grandparents, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, are buried at Frogmore’s Royal Burial Grounds. Given that she is having a more intimate family wedding, it seems like she picked the perfect spot to celebrate the event.

Lady Gabriella is the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. If that sounds vaguely familiar to you, the princess (Gabriella’s mother) was the royal family member who wore the racist brooch to the Queen’s Christmas luncheon last year when Meghan Markle came to meet many of Prince Harry’s family members for the first time.

A decidedly more private affair, this will just be your typical, more laid back Royal Wedding — but by non-royal standards it is still a pretty big to-do.

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Activists Have Launched A New Website To Help Get Cyntoia Brown Home For Christmas

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Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images.

Update, December 22, 2018: Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has released the names of the 11 people he granted clemency to on Thursday, and Cyntoia Brown was not on the list.

Haslam said in a statement, "These individuals have made positive contributions to their communities and deserve pardons, or are individuals who will receive another chance to become contributing members of society by virtue of their commutations.”

Haslam is expected to make a decision on Brown's case next month.

This story was originally published on December 20, 2018.

With less than a week to go before Christmas, another organization is signing on to the campaign to free Cyntoia Brown — the woman currently serving a life sentence for killing the man who solicited her for sex when she was just 16 years old.

On Monday night, racial justice organization Color Of Change announced that it had partnered with several other organizations, including the Nashville chapter of Black Lives Matter, the #MeToo Movement and the Highlander Center, to launch a new website dedicated to appealing to Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to grant Brown, now 30, clemency.

The movement to secure Brown’s freedom has been picking up steam nationally as of late, with prominent celebrities including Rihanna, Ashley Judd and Kim Kardashian lending their names and star legal teams to the cause. And apparently that zeal also extends to the less-famous folks eager to see Brown freed: In a press release, Color Of Change said that a national call it had hosted on Monday night had over 1200 registrants.

In a statement, Color Of Change senior campaign director Scott Roberts said that the organization had joined others in launching freecyntoiabrown.org because “survivors of violence deserve protection, not imprisonment.”

“We cannot continue to live in a world where survivors and young people are being harshly punished with zero regard for the trauma and life experiences they have endured,” Roberts said. “Elected leaders have a duty to ensure justice, and with Governor Haslam leaving office by early next year, he must immediately ensure that Cyntoia receives the justice she rightfully deserves.”

Legal experts have argued that a 2012 Supreme Court ruling, which deemed mandatory life sentences for juveniles without the possibility of parole unconstitutional, should be retroactively applied to Brown’s case, which was decided in 2004.

Haslam, who leaves office next month to make way for incoming Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, who is also a Republican, said previously that he is “reviewing every aspect” of the case, but has yet to reach a final decision on whether or not to grant Brown clemency.

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Utah Lawmakers Introduced A Gun Control Bill In Memory of Lauren McCluskey

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Utah Lawmakers Introduced A Gun Control Bill In Memory of Lauren McCluskey

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A newly elected Utah lawmaker, Andrew Stoddard, believes that every gun owner should be responsible for their firearms and the harm they might inflict, whether they are in their possession or someone else’s. On Wednesday, lawmakers announced “Lauren’s Law” to address just that.

The law’s name is in memory of Lauren McCluskey, a student at the University of Utah who was murdered by Melvin Rowland, a man she briefly dated, with a gun he borrowed from a friend. McCluskey reportedly ended the month-long relationship after discovering that Rowland had lied about his age, name, and criminal past. Rowland was already a convicted felon on parole at the time, making it illegal for him to own a firearm, but there was nothing stopping him from using someone else’s gun. Had campus police reported McCluskey’s claims to law enforcement, Rowland would have been in direct violation of his parole and arrested immediately.

There were no ramifications for the man who loaned Rowland the gun because, according to campus police, he didn’t know about Rowland’s plans. Current law states that a gun owner cannot be prosecuted unless it can be proven that they intended to help someone commit a crime, or if it is proven that the owner knew it was illegal for the borrower to carry a gun. Unless prosecutors can prove this gun owner knew Roland was a convicted felon – and therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm – he will not be held accountable.

McCluskey’s mother, Washington University professor Jill McCluskey, believes the person who loaned Rowland the gun should be prosecuted. Last month, she tweeted, “It is a great responsibility to own a gun.”

Stoddard, a newly elected representative for the 44th District of Utah, agreed. When “Lauren’s Law” came across his desk, he decided it was time to try and hold gun owners who loan their firearms accountable. The law would also apply to guns that got into the wrong hands after not being securely stored. “It will make people think twice before they loan their gun to someone else, or don’t leave it in a safe, or leave it in their car," Stoddard told The Salt Lake Tribune.

Stoddard believes that a consensus can be met despite the vast difference of opinions on gun control. “I think right now there’s really a consensus that people who own guns, people who don’t, they’re all for responsible gun ownership,” he told the Tribune.

Stoddard has spent much of his career working with victims of domestic violence, and this bill is the third proposal he has introduced to expand Utah’s laws on the subject.

The legislation announcement comes on the heels of a University of Utah report on the shortcomings of the university’s efforts to investigate McCluskey’s reports of harassment and sexual extortion from Rowland. A formal case was not opened until a week after she made the report.

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Joanna Gaines' New Bedding & Housewares Collection Is Here To Fixer Upper Your Life

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She and her husband may not be on TV anymore, but Joanna Gaines is making it easy to Fixer Upper your own home.

For her newest Hearth & Hand with Magnolia collection, sold exclusively at Target, the designer and former reality TV personality is introducing bed linens in her signature farmhouse-chic style. “A well-thought-out bedroom begins with a bed that looks and feels comfortable,” Gaines told the retailer. “My new bedding collection is all about layering soft linens and textiles like patterned pillows.

On sale in stores and online on December 26, the new collection features everything from textured comforters to cozy blankets, sheet sets and comfy throw pillows. Prices for the bedding items in the line range from $19.99-$129.99, so they won't break the bank.

The collection also includes plants, artwork, and candles, perfect for anyone who wants to give their home an upgrade in the new year. Here's a sneak peek at some of the items we will be adding to our carts soon.

You won't have to sacrifice your aesthetic or comfort with this chic bedding set. It comes with two standard pillow shams and is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it's free from harmful levels of more than 300 substances.



Hearth & Hand Embroidered Comforter Set , $109.99, available at Target

These striped cotton sheets are so soft you may not want to get out of bed in the morning.



Hearth & Hand Sheet Set Organic Ticking Stripe, $27.99, available at Target

No bed is complete without throw pillows or blankets. Lucky for you, this new collection has both.



Hearth & Hand Lumbar Throw Pillow , $29.99, available at Target

Want to bring the outdoors into your home, but struggle with remembering to water the plants? Gaines' collection offers plenty of faux greenery perfect for plant-parents-in-training.



Hearth & Hand Faux Eucalyptus in Terracotta Pot , $24.99, available at Target

Jazz up any wall in your home with framed art prints.



Hearth & Hand Botanical Wall Art with Brass Frame, $19.98, available at Target

If traditional artwork isn't your thing, let this motivational wall hangings serve as daily inspiration.



Hearth & Hand Wall Banner - Stay Curious , $16.98, available at Target

Make your home the freshest one on the block with sweet candles that smell even better than they look.



Hearth & Hand Lidded Jar Container Candle 8oz , $12.99, available at Target

Short on storage, but not on stuff? These baskets, which can hold blankets, pillows, shoes and more, can help out.



Hearth & Hand Seagrass Basket with Leather Handle, $24.99, available at Target

Bring a little light and a lot of style to your desktop and home with this collection's many lighting fixtures.



Hearth & Hand Library Table Lamp - White / Gold , $49.99, available at Target

Cake for breakfast? Don't mind if we do. After you shimmy out of the collection's comfy sheets, cut yourself a slice of cake off the new glassware items.



Hearth & Hand Covered Cakestand Sour Cream / Wood, $34.99, available at Target

Sure, you've got a calendar on your phone. But there's nothing like a chic paper desk one to keep you on track in 2019.



Hearth & Hand 2019 Desk Calendar Wooden , $9.99, available at Target

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Cardi B Won’t Be Performing At The Super Bowl In Solidarity With Colin Kaepernick

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While performing at the Super Bowl is rumored to have been a major money move for Cardi B, the rapper has reportedly said no thanks.

One of her reps told Page Six that while there wasn’t a "solid offer" for the rapper and new mom to perform at the Super Bowl, "there were talks about it.” But the rep made it clear that “[Cardi] was not particularly interested in participating because of how she feels about Colin Kaepernick and the whole movement." The rep also shot down rumors that Cardi B would have said yes if she had gotten her own set and a million-dollar payout.

The movement Cardi B’s rep says swayed her decision is #TakeAKnee, formed by Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who protested racial injustice and police brutality against people of color by kneeling during the National Anthem.

Since then, numerous athletes have followed Kaepernick’s lead by kneeling at games, while many artists, such as Rihanna, have turned down the offer to perform at the NFL’s biggest game. (Well, except Maroon 5 and Travis Scott.)

Maroon 5, with whom Cardi B collaborated on the hit single "Girls Like You," is set to headline the performance. Event organizers have reportedly had issues securing other guest performers before signing on Scott, a move that's drawn criticism from big stars, including Michael B. Jordan and Jay-Z. The latter also turned down an offer to perform at the Super Bowl last year and addressed his decision on a verse in “APESHIT.”

Cardi B’s refusal should come as no surprise, given that back in February she reportedly told TMZ she will not perform at the Super Bowl until Kaepernick is hired again. Given that has yet to happen, it’s safe to say football fans won’t be hearing “I Like It” during halftime anytime soon.

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Is Every Celebrity Getting Engaged Or Married This Christmas?

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How does one know when holidays are really here? It's easy — all you have to do is pay attention to when celebrities start posting festive Instagrams, which, as everyone knows, is the universal signal for the start of the holidays. (Everyone does know this, right?)

This year, celebs have made it extra simple for us. Thanks to posts from Reese Witherspoon, Kylie Jenner, Justin Bieber, and Chrissy Teigen, there is absolutely no doubt that it is officially time for holiday cheer. Here's how your favorite celebrities celebrated the holidays this year.

Kylie Jenner gave Stormi a miniature Lamborghini, decked out with — what else? — a genuine Louis Vuitton skin. She also posted an Insta Story of herself wearing matching PJs with BFFs Jordyn Woods and Stassi Karanikolaou.

Photo courtesy of @KylieJenner/Instagram.

Heidi Klum got engaged to Tokio Hotel's Tom Kaulitz. Cuffing season is in full effect!

Debby Ryan of Netflix's Insatiable got engaged too. Her boyfriend Josh Dun of the band twenty one pilots popped the question and she said heck yes.

Mindy Kaling celebrated the holidays with her daughter, Katherine, in matching PJs while they scoped out Santa.

Lady Gaga (er, Enigma?) hopped a plane to Vegas with her Frenchie Practicing for that Vegas residency means no breaks!

Gwen Stefani legit became a Disney princess.

Chelsea Handler went skiing...and selfie-taking.

Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick put to rest any rumors about their co-parenting relationship by vacationing with their kids in Cabo San Lucas along with Disick's girlfriend, Nicole Richie.

Reese Witherspoon had a photoshoot with her French bulldog, Pepper, beneath her Christmas tree.

Chrissy Teigen received "two cute kids" (her own, to be clear) under her Christmas tree.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman tricked Ryan Reynolds into thinking a casual gathering was an ugly sweater party. (How Legally Blonde of them!)

Busy Phillips added to her elaborate Elf on the Shelf tradition by incorporating themes from her family's daily life into her display, like mini Wicked playbills.

Justin and Hailey Bieber got a Christmas baby "dogson." They named him Oscar.

Chip and Joanna Gaines took their youngest child, Crew, to see Santa for the first time.

Newlyweds Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra cuddled up and celebrated Jonas' "Most Stylish" award from GQ.

Cole Sprouse made sure everyone knows he's not one to waste time, even on a break, and set to work on building up his (already impressive) photography portfolio — but cautioned that co-star Mark Consuelos can't afford his headshots.

Lili Reinhart was also hard at work on a festive, complicated-looking puzzle.

Photo courtesy of @LiliReinhart/Instagram

Nicole Kidman added an ornament to a Christmas tree that most of us could only ever hope to see: herself.

Kaley Cuoco took advantage of being awake at 4 a.m. to wrap presents.

Photo courtesy of @KaleyCuoco/Instagram.

Sophie Turner went home to London for the holidays.

Photo courtesy of @SophieT/Instagram

Paris and Nicky Hilton surrounded themselves with seriously delicious-looking holiday treats.

Photo courtesy of @ParisHilton/Instagram.

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The Under-$30 Skin-Care Launches You Need To Buy In 2019

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In 2017, the consumer and retail research firm NPD Group reported that, after years of being the most slept-on category in beauty, skin care was making a huge comeback. Skin-care sales rose again in 2018, a significant 13% increase from the year prior, spawning futuristic skin trends soon set to replace almost everything sitting in our medicine cabinets.

Don't get us wrong: We love the chase for newer, cooler, faster-acting products as much as any diehard on Reddit, but that doesn't mean our wallets can keep up with our #SkincareAddiction. If you thought buzzy ingredient newcomers like bakuchiol and adaptogens sounded kind of expensive, well, you're not wrong. Luckily, frugal shoppers don't have to miss out on the biggest skin-care innovations of the year — all they need to do is visit the drugstore.

The drugstore makeup and hair launches coming in the new year are good (like, really good), but the skin-care products are about to be even better. Think self-heating face masks for under $6, tiger grass-infused body balms that soothe irritated skin instantly, and good-for-you sunscreens that work alone and under makeup. Keep clicking for the cheap skin-care products you need to know about (and own) in 2019...

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.

Anyone with combination skin knows that it's a challenge to find products that address both oiliness and dehydration. Now, there's a cleanser that clarifies pores, prevents blackheads, and revives parched skin in just one rinse. If we're the betting kind, we'd say this stuff will sell out fast.

Bioré Blue Agave + Baking Soda Balancing Pore Cleanser, $5.99, available at mass retailers in January 2019.

When you want to wear nothing but some spot concealer and mascara to work, pick up this glow-enhancing moisturizer. Apricot extract works to brighten, smooth, and hydrate the skin, so your complexion gets the kind of radiance most people need a highlighter to achieve.



Garnier SkinActive Glow Boost Illuminating Moisturizer, $11.99, available at Ulta Beauty

We really can't stress it enough: Protecting your skin from the sun is important. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, without a generous layer of sunscreen, the sun's UV rays can damage the skin in as little as 15 minutes. But if your biggest gripe about wearing the stuff is that it's chalky or greasy, then meet your new match. Not only does the lightweight, antioxidant-packed formula control oil, but it also nourishes skin like a serum, thanks to the niacinamide.



Olay Face Sunscreen Serum + Shine Control, SPF 35, $26.99, available at Olay

Fragrances — both natural and synthetic — are a common sensitivity trigger for all skin types. Try this fragrance-free cleanser that does what it needs to (which is cleanse your skin) without sounding the alarms.



Olay Sensitive Fragrance-Free Facial Cleanser, $9.49, available at Olay

Nothing about an acid-infused paste sounds gentle, but you better believe that this one is. Since it mainly utilizes PHAs (otherwise known as the perfect acid for sensitive skin), this facial treatment will transform your rough, bumpy texture into smoother, visibly brighter skin in just one use. Even better, it comes with a muslin cloth for additional physical exfoliation while rinsing.

No7 Laboratories Resurfacing Skin Paste, $22.99, available at mass retailers in January 2019.

There's nothing sexy about having to restock your hand soap, but at the very least, you can make sure yours is cleansing, but not drying; fragrant, but not suffocating — just like this foaming formula from Dove.

Dove Foaming Hand Wash, $2.99, available at mass retailers in January 2019.

Still looking for cheap alternatives to the pricey moisturizer your derm recommended? This jar of face cream uses some of the most efficacious hydrating ingredients in the biz — squalane, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide — and will only set you back $12.

E.L.F. Cosmetics Hello Hydration! Face Cream, $12, available at E.L.F. Cosmetics.

Ever look in the bathroom mirror and just think, Wow, my face could use a little TLC? This self-heating mask is your answer to a quick fix for a dull, exhausted complexion.

Bioré Agave + Baking Soda Instant Warming Clay Mask, $5.99, available at mass retailers in January 2019.

There are a lot of innovative self-tanners out there, but not nearly enough that are affordable and effective. The drugstore finally caught up with the clear self-tanner trend with this new bronzing mousse, which means no guide color, no stains, and no burnt-toast smell.

L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse, $14.99, available at mass retailers in March 2019.

It's alarming how many cleansing wipes are formulated with unnecessary scents that can cause irritation or, worse, an allergic reaction. Swap out those troublemakers for these soap-, dye-, and fragrance-free wipes that remove dirt, oil, and makeup without pissing off your sensitive skin.



Olay Sensitive Makeup Remover Wipes, $9.49, available at Olay

Do you follow @trashisfortossers and drink out of a reusable straw? If your answer is yes, then you'll really like these mini product-filled pouches from Simple that strive to reduce as much plastic (and product) waste as possible. And thanks to the flexible, squeezable packaging, the product is good 'til the last drop — literally.

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water Pouch, $3, available at mass retailers in February 2019.

A few years ago, Dr. Jart helped introduce the States to tiger grass (sometimes referred to as Centella asiatica, or cica), an herbal ingredient that's somewhat of a cure-all for sensitive-skin woes. Now, the buzzy ingredient is everywhere — even the drugstore. Smooth this repairing treatment on right before bed, keep it on overnight, and by morning, your most noticeable irritations will be invisible.

No7 Laboratories Cica Rescue Skin Paste, $22.99, available at mass retailers in January 2019.

In the winter, we spend a lot of our time finding the joys in the little things, like staying warm and cozy when it's 25 degrees outside. Our go-to simple pleasure: smoothing on a dollop of this cica balm after a piping-hot shower before tucking ourselves beneath several layers of blankets. It's heavy-duty, long-lasting, and instantly relieving for chapped, irritated skin. What more could you ask for?



Aveeno Cracked Skin Relief Cica Balm, $13.99, available at Walgreens

NPD's latest report says that, more than ever, women are looking for makeup that doubles as skin care — and vice versa. If you're a part of that 90% pool, then it's time you pick up this sunscreen, which hydrates, protects, and primes your skin for a shine-free base that holds up as well in a snowstorm as it does in a heat wave.



Olay Face Sunscreen Serum + Makeup Primer, SPF 35, $24.99, available at CVS

Sure, technically you could DIY this sugar and coffee exfoliant at home, but that's a lot of work for someone who isn't all that crafty. Stubborn dry patches are no match for this self-heating almond and coconut oil scrub, which gently resurfaces your skin until it's baby-soft.

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Scrub: Resurface & Energize, $12.99, available at mass retailers in January 2019.

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A Week In Kauai, HI, On $9.25/Hour

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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 summer intern working in land management who makes $9.25 per hour and spends some of her money this week on mango kombucha. Note: this diary was written last summer and is the last entry in our Your Spending In Your State series.

Occupation: Summer Intern
Industry: Land Management and Development
Age: 20
Location: Kauai, Hawaii
Salary: $9.25/hour
Paycheck Amount (Biweekly): $533

Monthly Expenses
Rent: $0 (I'm living with my parents for the summer back home. It's my last summer before graduating and entering the “real world,” and my first one since high school that I've spent at home.)
Spotify Student: $5
Hulu Basic: $8 (I pay for this, my parents pay for Netflix, and we all have access to both accounts.)
Phone: $0 (My parents pay.)
Health Insurance: I'm on my parents' plan until I turn 26. (#ThanksObama)
College: I'm on an academic merit scholarship that covers my tuition, and other outside merit scholarships cover most of my other costs. Since my scholarship renewal is contingent on maintaining a high GPA, grades are very important to me. My parents contribute about $2,500/semester from a college fund to cover basic costs like books and transportation.
Savings: I put $500 into my Roth IRA every six months and am trying to build up my checking account for next semester, as it was decimated during my study abroad semester (I was not permitted to get paid at my internship because of my student visa).

Day One

6:30 a.m. — I wake up and have scrambled eggs with leftover gyoza filling from last night for breakfast, along with fresh mangos from my best friend's farm and figs from our backyard! Being home for the summer makes me appreciate the wonderful things from my island that I took for granted before moving away.

10 a.m. — Two hours into work, I have a coffee from the office Keurig and a KIND bar.

1 p.m. — Lunch from home: shiso musubi (rice balls), leftover gyoza, takuan, and ahi poke. My mom just returned from a trip to Japan and is way too excited about using the kawaii bento accessories she picked up.

4:30 p.m. — I fill up gas at Costco using my mom's card ($23.33). Gas here is so expensive that this is the only place we fill up for the rebate, and I don't have my own Costco card.

5 p.m. — Finish work and stop at my local juice shop to pick up a mango kombucha. (I get 50 cents off for bringing a reusable bottle!) This company supports a total of 30 local farms on the island and only sells reusable bottles. And their workers are the sweetest! $4.50

5:15 p.m. — I go for a three-mile run along the ocean. Not paying for a gym, plus killer views, and occasional whale spottings make me wonder why I go to college on the East Coast.

8 p.m. — Mom and I cook sukiyaki and brown rice for dinner with fresh watercress on the side, and I pack the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

9 p.m. — The Bachelorette is on! My mom and I munch on ice cream from the freezer while we watch.

Daily Total: $4.50

Day Two

6:30 a.m. — I wake up and see that my grades from my semester abroad came in! I did well in most of my classes but got one unexpected B. I shoot off emails to the professor and my advisor while eating an avocado and chicken sandwich for breakfast. (The avocados are free from our friend's farm.)

7:30 a.m. — I call my best friend from study abroad on my way into work to vent about the grade. She's the best and I miss her.

9:30 a.m. — Office Keurig coffee and leftover KIND bar for snack.

1 p.m. — Leftover sukiyaki and rice for lunch with a raw egg. A coworker went to a Filipino restaurant nearby and brought back cascaron for dessert, and another coworker brought in homemade matcha ice cream!

5 p.m. — I meet my dad after work for our favorite hike and we trail run three miles up and down the mountain. He is 56 and still kicks my ass.

7:30 p.m. — I make beef, broccoli, salad, and brown rice for dinner for my dad, my grandma, and myself. (My mom is working.) Afterwards, I read more of Labor of Love by Moira Weigel, a really interesting book about the history of dating that I'm renting as a free library eBook!

Daily Total: $0

Day Three

6:30 a.m. — Wake up and eat breakfast: avocado sandwich on whole grain again with fresh mango.

7:30 a.m. — I study economics and love that there are so many accessible, well-made, and free podcasts available on the topic! I listen to Planet Money on my way into work.

12 p.m. — I'm selling a bathing suit that doesn't fit me properly on eBay, so I run to the post office during lunch. I make $152 after fees and spend $28.78 on expedited shipping for the buyer, so I net $123.22.

12:15 p.m. — I'm tired of Japanese food, so I go to the Costco food court (my happiest place) and get a chicken bake for lunch. I also grab a free strawberry guava juice from the company fridge. $2.33

5:30 p.m. — There's a swell on the south side of the island, so I meet up with my dad after work and we surf until the sun goes down. When we get out of the water, we realize someone has stolen our car keys! This has never happened to us before on the island, and it's super disappointing. We call a friend to bring us a spare.

9:45 p.m. — By the time our friend comes and we get back to our side of the island, everything but fast food is closed. I'm starving and exhausted, so I go through the Taco Bell drive-through and get a cheesy potato burrito. $3.68

Daily Total: $6.01

Day Four

6:30 a.m. — Up and at 'em! I have cereal with chopped apples and bananas from our friend's farm and fresh pineapple.

8 a.m. — Get to work and make a Keurig coffee.

12 p.m. — I go on a lunch run with my boss and she treats me to a pineapple tea. I eat leftover beef broccoli and brown rice for lunch.

5:30 p.m. — I stop at my local juice shop to pick up more kombucha. Mango mint jalapeño for me and strawberry guava for my mom. I get a free shot of ginger juice, cinnamon, lemon, and honey. $9

6 p.m. — I would usually go for a run now, but I'm exhausted, so I FaceTime with my friend instead. He is interning in Silicon Valley this summer, and I try to convince him to use that sweet tech cash to come visit Kauai for a weekend.

7:30 p.m. — I treat my friend to dinner as a thank you for driving 90 minutes roundtrip to bring us our keys last night. My parents have a date night, so I bring my grandma with us as well. We go to her favorite sushi restaurant and order miso soup, seaweed salad, three rolls, and green tea. $77

8:30 p.m. — I crack open my AFOQT book for an hour. I'm studying to become an officer in the Air Force after graduating – I want a break after undergrad before hopefully going to law school. I also feel strongly that our military should be more diverse, and I'm ready to put my money where my mouth is.

Daily Total: $86

Day Five

5:30 a.m. — I wake up early for a phone interview for a fall internship at a cool start-up. It goes well, and I'm excited about the prospect! Afterwards, I eat a BLT with avocado from our friend's farm and some honeydew melon.

7:30 a.m. — New Freakonomics Radio episode! The drive to work flies by.

8 a.m. — Work! My coworker gives me the top of a pineapple we ate yesterday and suggests I try to plant it in my house. I do some research and decide to give it a try.

12 p.m. — Our office is playing tennis today! And my coworker brought in Chinese chicken salad and homemade banana lumpia for everyone for lunch.

5 p.m. — I go home and help my mom prep for the dinner party we're throwing to thank our farmer friends for all of the recent goodies – five of our good friends come over and we make slow roasted salmon, garlic risotto, chicken masala, eggplant parm, and a caprese salad! I've typically only come home for a couple of weeks every year since I graduated high school because my college is so far away, so spending time with my family and friends feels absolutely amazing.

11:30 p.m. — I help clean up and then hit the hay.

Daily Total: $0

Day Six

8 a.m. — I wake up and text my friends about breakfast. My friend's roommate from college is visiting Kauai for the first time, so we go to our favorite local diner and order loco mocos, oxtail soup, and banana macadamia nut pancakes to split. $15.08

11 a.m. — We stop at our favorite local boutique to check out the new arrivals, but I ate too much at breakfast and feel too bloated to try anything on. We go for coffee at another local shop and I get an iced coffee. $3.05

12 p.m. — I get home and nap, clean, and watch a few episodes of The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu. I read the book a few years ago and loved it, and the show is just as good!

6 p.m. — It's Bon Dance season — a Buddhist summer festival that we look forward to every year. I meet a friend and we drive down to the Bon Dance with my grandma in tow. (She's too old to dance now, but likes to sit and watch.) We dance for hours while snacking on shaved ice, daikon, musubi, and nishime. As per tradition, the church provides free dinner for dancers.

10:30 p.m. — I get home, finish up the leftover risotto, and sleep. After studying abroad, living a more chill lifestyle has been exactly what I need.

Daily Total: $18.13

Day Seven

8:30 a.m. — It feels so nice to sleep in! I make avocado toast for breakfast.

12 p.m. — It's a family tradition to do a deep clean every Sunday, so I help out by scrubbing the toilets and folding towels.

2 p.m. — More of The Handmaid's Tale! I'm officially hooked.

5 p.m. — My dad, mom, grandma, and I pile into the car and drive to the south side. Grandma is stoked to see a couple of monk seals chilling on the shore! We swim for a while and then go to our favorite hot dog place, where I get a Polish dog with Lilikoi mustard and mango relish and then chocolate gelato for dessert ($12, Mom pays). I'm so lucky to have parents that can afford to have me home for the summer.

8 p.m. — We drive home. I hop in the shower and then scroll through Instagram before going to sleep.

Daily Total: $0

Money Diaries are meant to reflect individual women's experiences and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29's point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.

The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more money diaries, click here. Have questions about how to submit or our publishing process? Read our Money Diaries FAQ doc here: r29.co/mdfaqs

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Your 2019 Horoscope Is Here

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We have a lot to be excited for in 2019, stargazers! For starters, three solar eclipses will occur this year. The first one, a partial solar eclipse, happens in Capricorn on January 5 or 6, depending on where you live. This event will occur between Saturn, the planet of structure, and Pluto, the planet of transformation. And, since this eclipse occurs in go-getter Capricorn, we'll feel compelled to focus our collective attention on our work lives and ambitions. If you’re planning on starting a new business and following a new career path, meditate during this eclipse before moving forward with your plans.

We will have our first lunar eclipse on January 20 to 2o during a full Leo moon, which will leave us feeling emotional and raw. This lunar eclipse will give us a chance to reflect on how we are seen in the world and how we think about self-presentation.

Our second total solar eclipse occurs on July 2 in Cancer, while the second lunar eclipse of the year occurs in Capricorn on July 16 . This particular eclipse will sextile with Uranus, making it a much more lighthearted than 2019's first lunar eclipse. You may find that you want to change who you spend your time with — you may even wish to branch out and find a whole new community. Come winter, we'll have an annular (ring-shaped or total) solar eclipse in Capricorn on December 26. This eclipse will put work back on our brains, highlighting any work habits that need adjusting.

Jupiter, the planet of luck, will square against Neptune, the planet of dreams and idealism, three times this year — and they haven’t squared against each other since 2006! Watch out for high expectations and overspending around January 13, June 16, and September 21. If hope is hard to come by on these days, relax and remember that challenges arrive in order to teach us important lessons.

And that's only scratching the surface of 2019's celestial activity — read on to find out what’s in store for your sign.

Aries
March 21 to April 19

July 2’s solar eclipse in Cancer may have you rethinking your living situation, Aries. Have you been thinking about getting out of the city or, alternately, heading somewhere more urban? Prepare yourself by reviewing your lease or mortgage, and check in with roommates and partners before making a final decision.

Lucky Jupiter is going to spend the majority of 2019 in your ninth house of expansion. Take every chance you get to expand your horizons. Jupiter lends you luck for international travel in particular, if you prefer learning through new experiences. If expanding your mind closer to home is more attractive to you, consider your options for higher learning. Either way, invest in yourself — you'll find opportunities for growth all year long. Mercury, your planetary ruler of health and work, will undergo three retrogrades this year. Instead of dwelling on what you shouldn't do during these periods, spend time looking for things you’ve lost, connecting with old friends, and double-checking your work. Neptune, the planet of dreams, will inhabit your 12th house of spirituality and unconscious thoughts all year — don’t forget to listen to your inner self.

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

Taurus
April 20 to May 20

Are you ready for some seriously significant changes, Taurus? On March 7, Uranus, the planet of innovation, enters your sign for the next seven years! He is here to help you embrace your sense of creativity and inner rebel. You may feel as though your brain is rebooting, as Uranus amplifies your voice and brings your ambitions to the surface.

When it comes to your home life, pay attention to the lunar eclipse on January 20 or 21 (depending on where you live in the world). Surprises may arise. Thankfully, Venus and Jupiter will calm your nerves soon after with some financial help. If you need to borrow some cash, do your research before you take it while these two planets inhabit your eighth house. Your ninth house of growth, adventure, and intellect will be blessed with travel opportunities! Make time to broaden your horizons this year.

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

Gemini
May 21 to June 20

The moon, your financial planet, will undergo two eclipses this year — mark your calendars for January 21 and July 16. Lunar eclipses herald endings and finality, but, with every loss comes a new understanding of how to move forward, Gem. You can stay prepared for anything by accepting the fact of change.

Jupiter, your personal planet of love, started moving into your seventh house of relationships in late 2018. He’s here to imbue your closest relationships with luck, meaning your current relationships could hit some major milestones in 2019. If romance isn’t on your mind, this fortuitous placement could lead you to enter into some fantastic partnerships, in business or art. Your ruling planet, Mercury, is up to his usual tricks in 2019. He's hitting three retrogrades on the following dates: March 5 to 28, July 7 to 31, and October 31 to November 20. Don’t push yourself too hard during these periods. Instead, they'll be beautiful opportunities to reconnect with your past, review old ideas, and ground yourself.

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

Cancer
June 21 to July 22

If your career has seen its share of ups and downs in the last seven years, you have Uranus to thank, Cancer. The planet of change and innovation has been taking you on a ride through your 10th house of career and prestige. You may be relieved to know that he’s finally changing houses in 2019, but don't let that movement obscure what you learned from this period. You likely grew wiser and tougher from the challenges that came your way.

On March 7, Uranus will make his way into your 11th house of friends, opening up your social circle to people who will inspire you. If all you’ve been able to talk about is work, it's high time to break out of this rut. Set your sights on recreation this year and watch your social circle expand.

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

Leo
July 23 to August 22

Ready to glow? Jupiter, the planet of happy coincidences and fortune, is spending 2019 in your fifth house of pleasure! Uranus, the planet of change, makes a major move on March 7, sliding into Taurus and your 10th house of career for the next seven years. This period will see you reaching your goals, but they won't be without their ups and downs. Take each lesson in stride and stay the course, dear Leo.

We’ve got three solar eclipses and two lunar eclipses coming up this year, which will all encourage change in different areas of your life. Eclipses tend to hit you harder than most signs, since your ruling planet, the sun, doesn't like to have his light hidden! Brace yourself for the lunar eclipse in your sign on January 20 or 21 (the timing will depend on where you are), which will signal that it’s time for you to evolve beyond an old version of yourself and determine how you want to present yourself to the world now. July 16’s lunar eclipse in Capricorn will help you tackle obstacles at work that no longer need to be your problem.

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

Virgo
August 23 to September 22

Are you ready to get comfortable, Virgo? Jupiter will inhabit your fourth house of home and family for almost all of 2019. But the planet of luck and expansion won't be alone in making this an advantageous year for your home life — your planet of pleasure, Saturn, is entering your fifth house of entertainment and love, ensuring that 2019 heralds harmony in your living space. How's that for domestic mojo?

Venus, your personal planet of finances, is moving at full speed throughout 2019, without a retrograde in sight. Her direct motion aside, Venus' activity may make it harder for you to keep your attention on one subject when thinking about your spending and saving. At the end of the year, on December 27th, Jupiter will join Saturn in your fifth house of love and pleasure.

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

Libra
September 23 to October 22

In 2019, Jupiter bestows his luck upon your third house of communication. He'll sharpen your wit and offer you more opportunities to take weekend getaways. Make this the year that you finally explore your neighboring cities and nature. Plan camping trips, hikes, and quick jaunts to cure any bouts of wanderlust! On March 7, Uranus, the planet of innovation and change, moves from your seventh house of relationships into your eighth house of regeneration and sex. The next seven years will involve experimentation of all kinds when it comes to matters of death, taxes, and rebirth.

Pay close attention to your work life when 2019's lunar eclipses come around, Libra. Your career planet is, after all, the moon, and its eclipses will likely reveal new information about how you can best succeed.

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

Scorpio
October 23 to November 21

In 2019, your primary focus will be on verbal and written interactions, Scorp. Your ruling planet, Pluto, has been in close collaboration with Saturn, the cosmic taskmaster, from their positions in your third house of communication. These two planets are working together to help you fine-tune your approach to generating and seeking out opportunities. If you’re a quieter person, applying your strategic nature to your words may feel easier than before.

Jupiter, the planet of luck, will inhabit your second house of value and possessions until December 2. If your goal is to create a comfortable financial future for yourself, throw your weight and your words behind it — any moves you make during this year will be beneficial.

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

Sagittarius
November 22 to December 21

Are you ready for the time of your life, Sagittarius? Your ruling planet, Jupiter, moved into your sign in early November 2018 and will stay there until early December 2019. The luckiest planet of the solar system will help you to get back to what you love doing most: traveling and learning!

On March 7, Uranus will be changing houses, from your fifth house of pleasure to your sixth house of health. The planet of change and innovation only makes this sort of move every seven years, so prepare to feel a long-term shift. Sags in particular will experience transformations in their health and work sectors. You'll be firing from all cylinders — and have the rewards to show for it.

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

Capricorn
December 22 to January 19

This new year will be all about being the most honest version of yourself, Capricorn. Saturn, the planet of rules and regulations as well as your ruling planet, will remain in your sign for the rest of 2019. The ringed planet will encourage you boldly express both the positive and negative qualities associated with your sign. Remember that it’s all about balance — striving for perfection is a nice idea, but it’s also an excellent reminder to be comfortable with our prickly areas. Being aware of them helps us control them.

On March 7, Uranus, your personal planet of money will be moving from your fourth house of home and family to your fifth house of creativity, true love, and children. This movement will bring its challenges (and a few unexpected shifts, no doubt), but ultimately, you’ll come out on top and stronger, Cap!

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

Aquarius
January 20 to February 18

Your ruling planet, Uranus, is making a big move this spring, Aquarius. On March 7, he will move from your third house of communication to your fourth house of home and family. The past seven years have focused on changing how you speak and present your ideas to others. The next seven will reorganize your living situation, as well as relationships with your family members. You may become more observant of the people around you and what makes them tick as you ride these waves of change.

Speaking of how you relate to others, Jupiter entered your 11th house in late 2018 and will stay here until early December 2019. The planet of luck will help you make new friends, encourage you to strengthen your existing relationships, and lead you to join new communities.

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

Pisces
February 19 to March 20

If 2018 treated you like a workhorse, you’re finally going to see the fruits of your labor, Pisces! Jupiter, your career planet, is in Sagittarius and your 10th house of social standing and honors until early December.

On March 7, Uranus will move out of your second house of finances and into your third house of communication. You may have noticed that getting in control of your spending was a bit of challenge over the last seven years. You’ve conquered this period of your life so that you can move forward toward prosperity. The change-making planet will now ask you to fine-tune the way you speak, write, and travel.

Read more about your sign's year to come, including your love and career predictions, here.

Illustrated by Abbie Winters.

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The International Hair Trends You Won't See On Instagram

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Instagram may be just seven years old, but it’s damned near impossible to remember how we got on without it. For beauty lovers, the social-media platform has given us a steady stream of new celebrity cuts, product leaks, and a surge of of-the-moment hair color trends. But the app has also made for an influx of homogeneous beauty looks, because we all get bombarded with the same well-liked posts.

Because the Instagram algorithm is clearly biased, sussing out micro, localized trends feels tougher than ever. Which is why we went analog to nail down the coolest haircuts and styles — not just in one localized city, like New York or Los Angeles, but the biggest trends all around the world. We asked beauty insiders with major stamps on their passports to key us in to the brightest hair trends hiding beneath the surge of likes. What we found was anything but redundant.

From Seoul to Sydney, Berlin to Toronto, these are the haircuts and styles that are getting real-life likes in international salons.

Seoul, South Korea

The Cut: Anyone who’s a fan of K-beauty knows that Seoul dominates when it comes to skin care and makeup innovation. And haircuts? Well, the city kills it there, too. Soko Glam founder Charlotte Cho tells Refinery29 that the place to spot Seoul’s latest hair trends is Jenny House. “Many Korean celebrities and entertainers frequent the salon, which has a luxe location in Cheongdam,” Cho says, noting that stars like Tilda Swinton and Kate Bosworth have also made appointments with lead stylist Jung Myoung Sim when in Korea. (Both Cho and Michelle Phan have traveled for the salon’s exclusive cut, too.) Among the styles trending with clients? The Layered Cut Perm or “Ley Perm.”

What to Ask For: Hair permed in the very loosest of waves, then cut in layers that fall softly around the face and neck.

Photo Courtesy: Jenny House

Many Korean women don't use curling irons or blowdryers for everyday styling, which means a great cut has to do the legwork long after the salon blowout has worn off. Thanks to lots of built-in layers, hair seems plumped up, as if it’s been volumized with styling tools.

Photo Courtesy: Jenny House

For a more amped-up version of the lay perm, clients request the “wolf cut” — so named for its wild waves. To create the edgy look, bangs are cut at eyebrow length, then framed by graduated layers around the face.

Photo Courtesy: Jenny House

You can achieve the same "wolf cut" on shorter hair, complete with messy waves and lots of texture. The result is a cool, shaggy lob, finished off with wispy bangs and a rounded shape framing the face.

The ultimate goal is to convey hair that is “effortless chic,” according to stylist Jung Myoung Sim. While the wolf cut has been a go-to for South Korean women for a while, wolf cut 2.0 is a more mild and soft version, with light and feathered layers that are sometimes permed for soft, bouncy volume.

Photo Courtesy: Jenny House

Sydney, Australia

The Cut:Valonz Haircutters is the Aussie it-girl’s destination for a reason. Salon founder and stylist Renya Xydis did her first editorial cover starring a BMX Bandits -era Nicole Kidman at just 16 years old. Flash forward a few decades, and Xydis is still creating lust-worthy cuts, like her signature Reversible Layer Cut, which can be styled in a sleek or shaggy look.

Ask For: Layers only near the face that start from cheekbone and travel down to the tips, with the back of the cut kept layer-free.

Photo Courtesy: Valonz Haircutters

The genius of this cut is its have-it-all styling. A blowdry with a round brush gives this cut a bouncy, wholesome feel, but that vibe can turn edgy in an instant. “The important part of all these looks and cuts is that there is a beautiful curve in the hair, which can also become a shag look,” Xydis says.

Anyone else see hints of Stephanie Seymour’s signature look in this cut? More importantly, anyone else suddenly checking flights to Sydney?

Photo Courtesy: Valonz Haircutters

When styled in a more tousled way, the once-sleek cut suddenly feels more like the shaggy styles worn by Goldie Hawn and Sienna Miller. "The individual look comes with the styling — and, if the cut is correct, the look can be styled from a sleek blowdry or a curly shag,” says Xydis.

Photo Courtesy: Valonz Haircutters

Toronto, Canada

The Style: At Braids by Krystal, a boutique salon outside Toronto, clients can’t get enough of stylist Krystal Tash’s impeccable box braids. The protective style isn't anything new, but it feels fresh when the style is customized for each client with fresh details, like metallic cuffs, wrapped accent braids, or Ket braid influences (a style where the hair is braided in a half-up, half-down look).

Ask For: Box braids, in which hair is parted into square or triangular sections, then braided with extensions added from the root.

These box braids are fit for a queen, thanks to metallic gold crown cuffs added at lengths along the braids framing the face.

Jumbo box braids that taper to micro-width tips minimizes the amount of hair and the weight of the braids.

Looking for a waist-length look? Consult with your stylist ahead of time. “When asking for box braids, a stylist needs to know the size and length of the braids to determine the price,” Tash says.

Berlin, Germany

The Cut: Blunt cuts are making a major comeback all over the globe. But at ESHK Berlin, the style is given extra edge, thanks to added elements like undercuts and baby bangs.

Ask For: One-length blunt bob with an undercut and/or fringe.

Photo Courtesy: ESHK Berlin

Not all blunt styles follow the single-length rule. This version adds a tapered edge toward the back, which gives a bowl-like effect without the severity.

Photo Courtesy: ESHK Berlin

If shorn hair isn’t for you, try a more textbook version of the blunt cut. The single-length style makes longer hair look precise, even with minimal styling.

The classic, blunt cut gets a twist, thanks to an undercut at the sides and back of the head, created with clippers after the overall chop was made.

Photo Courtesy: ESHK Berlin

San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Cut: Om Studio Salon founder Laura Feliciano hasn’t become known as La Reina de los Rizos (or “The Queen of Curls”) by playing it safe. After experimenting with volume and asymmetry on her curly-haired clients, she landed on a cut she calls the “fullylicious.” The style is layered from the top down, creating an illusion of cascading curls.

Ask For: Fluid layers that maximize movement and volume.

Photo Courtesy: Laura T Feliciano

When you think “bangs,” versatility isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But cutting curls to meet the length of the eyebrows means they can be worn as bangs or pushed away for a different look.

Photo Courtesy: Laura T Feliciano

After cutting bangs, Feliciano creates short layers that frame the face to create maximum volume for curls. Face-framing layers not only help curls hold their springy shape, they also help create a uniform silhouette throughout the hair.

Photo Courtesy: Laura T Feliciano

Mexico City, Mexico

The Cut: Bowl cuts often get a bad reputation for being too severe. But the trending cut at Paprika Hair Salon in Mexico City gets props for its softer look, thanks to layers that minimize a hard-edged line. Stylists use the point cutting method, a technique used to to reduce volume, to also preempt the mushroom head effect.

Ask For: A bowl cut with softer lines.

This cropped cut may look like a piecy pixie, but it’s a bowl cut 2.0. The secret to keeping the style from looking Dumb and Dumber? Little layers for cool-girl texture.

When going for a modern bowl cut, stylist Andrea Galván stresses the importance of balancing the proportions of the hair with the head. “For thick and straight hair, the bowl should be point cut when the hair’s dry to take some volume away,” she says.

Thanks to face-framing layers, this brow-skimming bowl cut contains movement without looking like an '80s mop top.

Photo Courtesy: Paprika Hair Salon

The key to getting a textured, voluminous look with thinner hair? Ask the stylist to go easy on the layers, notes Galván.

Photo Courtesy: Paprika Hair Salon

Johannesburg, South Africa

The Cut: The defining characteristic of the cuts happening in South Africa has less to do with the length of the hair and more to do with the styling. According to stylist Pekela Riley, the look de jour is all about texture stretching and shaping. Riley is the creative director for the 2019 Mizani global images, which she created in Johannesburg with a team of South African artists. "I'm seeing a lot of women in South Africa creatively exploring shapes and techniques to stretch their natural hair," says Riley. "This trend of stretching is so gorgeous because it showcases versatility of textured hair." Meaning a mid-length cut can be worn long and full, or short and natural, depending on the styling.

Ask For: A cut that allows for versatility of stretching out curls to create different shapes and styles. Riley tells us it's important to keep in mind that the cut will be shorter when it's worn in its shrunken, curly state, so it's important to work with your stylist to find a shape that will work in both situations.

Photo Courtesy: Pekela Riley

A common trend that Riley has been seeing is a pin-up style coupled with stretching, which adds even more shape around the face.

Photo Courtesy: Pekela Riley

"Shaping and stretching creates a 'wow' moment for expanded volume, and the perception of longer hair," says Riley. "It's a great way for women with textured hair to experience these beautiful moments of length and volume with a blowout, instead of using extensions."

Photo Courtesy: Pekela Riley

London, UK

The Cut: Blunt cuts have had a major comeback as of late. In London, clients at Ena Salon can’t stop asking for this “various length line” style. The precise style may appear impeccably straight-laced at first, but beneath the cut’s precise shell is a world of fine-cut layers that help keep the style from falling completely flat, an effect that makes the hair seem suspended away from the neckline and skin. “We teach every stylist how to control shape, because if you can control shape, you can create any haircut you want,” says Ausra Bandarenkaite, marketing manager for Ena Salon.

Ask For: Baby-fine layers created beneath a clean, straight-lined cut.

Photo Courtesy: Ena Salon

A great way to go blunt without the bulk? Building in ultra-fine hidden layers underneath, an effect that makes hair fall perfectly even.

When created on curly hair, blunt cuts can take a more triangular shape (think Solange circa A Seat At The Table). By creating teeny, wispy layers near the neckline, the curls seem to float in air.

Want to step away from the classic editrix look for a day? Apply a bit of texturizing paste to ends and expose the texture that lies beneath.

Mumbai, India

The Cut: According to the pros at Jean-Claude Biguine India salons in Mumbai and Bangalore, Indian hair tends to be strong and thick. No wonder clients often focus on maintaining long and healthy hair when going for a cut. The salon often turns out layered cuts that keep length in tact and decrease density for swingy movement.

Ask For: A blunt cut that emphasizes strong and thick ends with lightly contoured layers near the face and the crown. “This helps in increasing volume and removes the static effect, giving life and movement around the long hair,” says Michel Baltazar, the salon’s creative director of training and education.

The best way to maximize swingy movement is to add a slight wave to the layered cut.

Volume, length, and shine? Thanks to incognito layers, this look hits the hair trifecta.

Thanks to this cut’s concentration on hair health, curl pattern and hair strength are uniform from root to tip.

Paris, France

The Cut: The Internet loves to call out differences between French girl and American girl styles, so here’s one more: According to stylist David Mallett, Parisian and Americans tend to differ when defining hair length. “Despite the 'short' hair trend, most women in the US request hair that falls at or past the breastbone,” Mallett says. On the other hand, Parisians like their short hair to graze the shoulders. At David Mallett Paris, the short, french-girl cut with fringe is boss.

Ask For: A chop made near the collarbone with gradient layers that get longer from back to front. And bangs, of course.

Hate wasting hours per week styling your hair? Then this cut is for you. “At its best, this cut is minimalist, with very little styling needed,” Mallett says.

To keep hair from settling into a more straight, precise look, Mallett suggests applying a bit of serum into damp hair before a quick, messy blowout. “This will let the cut swing freely,” he says. For a second-day look, try styling the cut with a few pumps of volumizing powder and a quick tousle of the head.

If opting for a lob or bob-length cut, Mallett offers this advice: “Be sure to ask your stylist to blend your bangs properly with the rest of the cut through some light and subtle point cutting.”

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8-Year-Old Guatemalan Child Detained By Immigration Officials Died On Christmas Eve

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An 8-year-old boy from Guatemala died while in custody of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol late on Christmas Eve, the agency said Tuesday. Though CBP hasn't released his name, the child was identified by Guatemalan authorities as Felipe Alonzo-Gomez.

Felipe is the second migrant child to die while in immigration detention at the southwest border this month alone. Jakelin Ameí Rosmery Caal Maquin, a 7-year-old girl from Guatemala, also died while in custody of CBP in early December. The deaths have only intensified questions about the dire conditions in immigration detention centers across the country, including those ran by CBP, and whether federal agents are equipped to take care of the most vulnerable detainees.

According to CBP, the child and his father were detained when they crossed into the U.S. on December 18. They were originally held at the El Paso Border Patrol Station in Texas and then transferred to the Alamogordo Border Patrol Station in New Mexico on Saturday. (Per the agency's guidelines, migrants are not supposed to be detained for more than 72 hours in CBP holding facilities before being transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.)

After being detained for six days, Felipe was "coughing and appeared to have glossy eyes," according to a CPB official. He was then taken to the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center for medical treatment, where physicians diagnosed him with a common cold and held him 90 minutes for observation. The child was prescribed amoxicillin, a common antibiotic, and ibuprofen to deal with his fever before being released.

But in the evening, Felipe grew nauseated and vomited. CBP said the father initially refused further medical treatment, but then agreed. Despite how overcrowded border facilities have become, there was no EMT officer on site to attend Felipe which led officials to take him back to the hospital. He died there shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve. (Original reports stated that Felipe died early on Christmas morning, but CBP has since then updated its timeline.)

In the wake of Felipe's death, CBP announced it plans to review its policies on the "care and custody of children under 10 both at intake and beyond 24 hours in custody." The agency will also be "conducting secondary medical checks upon all children in CBP care," with a stronger emphasis on detainees under the age of 10.

Felipe's death happened while the government has been partially shut down over President Donald Trump’s demands for Congress to allocate funds for his border wall. Meanwhile, Felipe's father remains detained, waiting to be transferred to ICE custody.

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Lady Gaga Is Getting Ready For Her Las Vegas Residency With A New Hair Color

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Ahead of her Las Vegas residency, which is set to begin on Friday, Lady Gaga is proving what it really means to be an enigma. Beyond just keeping the details of her show, Enigma, a mystery (though we're sure it'll be incredible), Gaga continues to keep us guessing when it comes to her look for the show, too.

Just days ago, fans were flipping over Gaga's new dusty lilac hair on her fiancé's Instagram feed. Now, she's ditched that hair color for something far more dramatic and Vegas-appropriate, debuting new silver hair on her Instagram over the holidays.

In a very Gaga move, she revealed the new hair while stepping off a (most definitely) private plane in Vegas, with one of her adorable French bulldogs in tow.

View this post on Instagram

@GagaVegas #Enigma

A post shared by Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) on

Gaga's rocked this silver shade before. Most notably she wore the grayish hue on the 2015 Grammys red carpet and on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine in 2010. But unlike those looks, this color appears to be actually dyed onto her real hair, as opposed to a wig or extensions.

While lilac hair was already expected to be a huge trend in 2019, Gaga just made sure silver hair is going to be a major salon request, too.

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The Top 11 Humidifiers, According To People Whose Noses Don't Feel Like The Atacama Desert

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Welcome to Hype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star & up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.

From gift shopping to party planning and feast prepping, the holidays can dry us out — figuratively and literally. Which is why, amidst the annual festive hustle, it's important to stop and invest in our health with one of the season's top home buys: a humidifier. For this week's edition of Hype Machine, we're tackling the air enhancement devices that won't moisturize tapped-out bank accounts but will soothe tired skin and achy sinuses during the harsh months ahead.

Humidifiers are engineered to add moisture to dry environments, and according to Medical News Today, "people are more likely to benefit from a humidifier in the cold months, when cold air dries out the lungs, nose, and lips. Also, some types of central heating can dry out the air indoors." With five different types (steam vaporizer, ultrasonic, evaporator, impeller, and central humidifiers) and seemingly endless styles available, we hunted down the 11 best options out there — according to the glowing reviews of air-quality aficionados. Scroll ahead to shop the top-rated humidifiers that will turn your dry winter spaces into hydrated, self-care oases.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

The Under $50 Choice Humidifier
This Amazon's Choice product has been reviewed over 1,000 times, with 88% of those reviews clocking in at well over 4-stars. With an intelligent LED water-level indicator and a tubular-flow air duct, this cool mist humidifier provides a more powerful output of moisture for longer durations (i.e. up to 24 hours of working time).

The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Air Aficionados Say: "This was easy to find on Amazon; attractively priced, auto shut off upon empty tank, and got here super quick. But the best thing was that I was so happy to find the humidifier SUPER EASY to set up!" — Amazon Customer, Amazon Review



VicTsing Cool Mist Humidifier, $38.99, available at Amazon

The Stylish Humidifier
Ultrasonic safe-mist technology meets chic decor piece in this bacteria-destroying humidifier that's built to run 18 hours in rooms up to 400 sq. ft.

The Hype: 4.1 out of 5 stars on Bed Bath & Beyond.

Air Aficionados Say: "I bought the pink one two years ago and run it basically 24/7 in the winter. I live in a condo and it does a great job in the room it's in. It also looks beautiful, like part of my decor, unlike all the other ugly humidifiers out there! It helps keep my skin hydrated and nose stuffiness at bay. " — Grace, Bed Bath & Beyond Review



Objecto H3 Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier, $79.98, available at Bed Bath & Beyond

The Filterless Humidifier
This ultra-quiet, cool-mist humidifier is able to maintain its sleek structure by going filter-free — the 1.25-gallon tank is also designed with a wide opening for easy filling and cleaning.

The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Air Aficionados Say: "No filters, very easy to fill, great-looking, and one fill lasts me at least a day and a half. I love the little scent slot where you can put a few drops of essential oil. It keeps the water clean and unpolluted with oil, but it really scents the air well." — Jeddy 3, Amazon Review



Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier, $69.98, available at Amazon

The Hi-Tech Humidifier/Purifier
A compact cool-mist humidifier that also doubles as an ionic air purifier, this top-reviewed model comes complete with an easy-to-read, set, and monitor LCD screen.

The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars on Overstock.

Air Aficionados Say: "It's quiet, works perfect. Looks nice, doesn't take up too much space, doesn't leave area around wet. The air quality improved a lot after only about 30 minutes." — Vladan J., Overstock Review



Costway Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier, $52.99, available at Overstock.com

The Cute Humidifier
A USB-powered, tree-shaped humidifier that's built for cute and easy portability — tote this Amazon's Choice buy, with two spray modes and automatic power-off protection, with you from home to office and beyond.

The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Air Aficionados Say: "Great product! I did A LOT of research before I bought this diffuser. I am very happy with my purchase - even bought one for a Christmas gift...It's small, cute and silent." — Maria, Amazon Review



Arespark Mini Cool Mist Humidifier, $18.97, available at Amazon

The Premium Humidifier
Dyson is known for its cutting-edge, premium home devices — and this hygienic mist humidifier falls right in line with its sleek design and intelligent climate control technology that monitors and balances air moisture to temperature.

The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars on Macy's.

Air Aficionados Say: "Being able to select the fan speed and level of humidity has enabled us to make the rooms comfortable and healthier. I have never experienced such a valuable benefit from any other in home appliance." — HappyReviewer, Macy's Review



Dyson AM10 Hygienic Mist Humidifier, $399.99, available at Macy's

The Steam Vaporizer Humidifier
This humidifier from Vicks utilizes steam vaporizer technology to provide warm moisture for relief of irritated winter respiratory symptoms — the product also features automatic shut-off capabilities and a special slot for adding medicinal inhalants or essential oil scents.

The Hype: 4 out of 5 stars on Target.

Air Aficionados Say: "This vaporizer is exactly what I needed in my home and after looking at all available retailers, Target offered the best price. Ordered online, did in-store pick up and it was waiting for me in store. Thumbs up!" — Anaegomez, Target Review



Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer Humidifier, $14.89, available at Target

The Small Humidifier
This small but sleek #1 Best Seller on Amazon produces more mist than previous versions of the product — and also includes seven color-changing light modes and programmable on-off cycles.

The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Air Aficionados Say: "Super IMPRESSED!!!!!! I bought two...so glad I did. I like that I can choose which option that I can run it at either the Mist or intermittent mist or continuous mist.. it automatically turns off once it is out of water. I really like that feature. It is so easy to use and it shows you where to fill it up inside the plastic area. It comes with a nice clear plastic container as well to store the chords and also tell you how much to fill it up and as well." — Nunez.Family.Farms, Amazon Review



URPOWER Cool Mist Humidifier, $17.98, available at Amazon

The Cool & Warm Humidifier
Made with an elite smart mist technology, this ultrasonic humidifier boasts both cool and warm-mist capabilities from a sensor that monitors and maintains humidity levels within your space.

The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars on Wayfair.

Air Aficionados Say: "This is the third humidifier we've purchased and by far the best. I like that we can have cool mist or warm. You can choose the humidity level you prefer and it will shut itself off when it reaches that level and go back on when it drops again. It's got a pretty powerful output- yet very quiet." — JoAnn, Wayfair Review



PureGuardian Cool & Warm Mist Ultrasonic Console Humidifier, $153.99, available at Wayfair

The Award-Winning Humidifier
The drop-shaped design of this PTPA (Parent Tested Parent Approved) award winner is designed to provide a steady stream of soothing, cool mist for up to 24-hours.

The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars on Walmart.

Air Aficionados Say: "Best humidifier I've ever purchased! No filter to change, easy to fill, absolutely quiet operation. The top cone allows me to direct the mist where I want it to go. Easy to clean." — Birdie, Walmart Review



Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, $39.99, available at Walmart

The Large Humidifier
This crisp, Amazon's Choice model can hold up to 5-liters of water for 40-hours of consistent cool moisture output — it also runs at a noise level that's described as, "even lower than that of turning the page of a book."

The Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Air Aficionados Say: "So quiet! So effective! Holds a lot of water. It's great." — Amazon Customer, Amazon Review



Homasy Humidifier With 5L Ultrasonic Large Capacity, $46.99, available at Amazon

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22 Meal Subscription Deals To Help You Conquer That 2019 New Year's Resolution

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These days, you can get just about anything delivered. And since it's becoming more popular to cook health-conscious meals at home, typical takeout is being crowded out by weeklong meal-subscription delivery boxes that come right to our front doors. We're talking about fresh ingredients, picked for us, and prepackaged with recipes tailored to our specific dining preferences. Hey, this sounds pretty damn convenient — especially as we gear up to start the new year on a healthier, cook-more-meals-at-home foot.

But before we all run out to sign up, there are a few questions to answer: How much do these services actually cost? And which one (if any) of the dozens out there is right for us? For the full 411, we sought out and rounded up (from A to Z) the most popular meal-delivery subscriptions available today. Scroll ahead to find out which could be the one to help you kickstart your new year cooking regime.

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.

Blue Apron
"Makes cooking fun and easy. We'll provide you with all the ingredients that you need to make a delicious meal in exactly the right proportions."

Cost: 2-person plan supplies 3 recipes per week (serving 2) for a total of $59.94 ($9.99 per serving). The Family Plan supplies 2-4 recipes per week (serving 4) for a total of either $69.92 or $139.84 (each $8.74 per serving).

Delivery schedule: Tuesday through Friday, with select Monday and Saturday availability in certain areas.

What you get: A flexible subscription for farm-fresh dinner with seasonal produce and spot-on proportions (no leftover food-waste here). Blue Apron also offers a wine-pairing membership to complement your selected dishes (if you so choose).

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes, minus salt, pepper, and olive oil.

Great for: Those looking to share in a straightforward food-delivery lifestyle with fresh food and wine.

Photo: Courtesy of Blue Apron.

Chef'd
"Famous recipes and premium ingredients. Delivered to your kitchen and home-cooked by you."

Cost: Meals range from $33-$79 and serve 2.

Delivery schedule: Delivery between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.; order one day prior to your desired cooking date.

What you get: Offering a wide array of dinner dishes from well-known chefs across the country (i.e. lots of Food Network stars). Less of a food subscription and more of a make-your-own-meal-on-demand service.

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.

Great for: Non-committers who are interested in some occasional weeknight kitchen assistance.

Photo: Courtesy of Chef'd.

Dream Dinners
"At Dream Dinners, our thoughtful and attentive staff take care of every detail, from prep to clean up."

Cost: Meal kits range from $9.99 - $13.50 per serving (with a minimum of 36-servings per order); prices can vary depending on store and state location.

Delivery schedule: Subscribers must register for a assembly session at a nearby Dream Dinners' location for assembling and collecting meals to take home.

What you get: A rotating monthly menu of meals that require no shopping, chopping, prep work, or cleanup whatsoever.

Cooking required? Yes — heating the frozen pre-made, but uncooked meals.

Great for: Those looking to design their meals without putting in a ton of time/work the night of cooking/assemblage.

Photo: Courtesy of Dream Dinners.

eMeals
"Weekly Recipes, Shopping List, & Peace of Mind"

Cost: $5 a month for a 12-month subscription or $10 a month for a 3-month subscription — plus a 2-week free trial option.

Delivery schedule: No delivery — groceries tied to chosen meal plans can be arranged for pick up at a variety of participating grocery stores (e.g., Aldi, Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Whole Foods, etc.).

What you get: 15 different food variety plans (e.g., Quick & Healthy, Paleo, Classic, Gluten Free, Vegetarian, etc.) each including recipes for seven meals per week (or a mix and match meal from any plan option) in addition to their corresponding shopping lists.

Cooking required? Yes. You get a week's worth of recipes with corresponding shopping lists that can be placed online and arranged for curb side pick up at your nearest participating grocery store.

Great for: Those wanting flexible meal plan and recipe choices along with control over specific grocery and ingredient brand selection.

Photo: Courtesy of eMeals.

Foodkick
"Dinner is easy as 1-2-3"

Cost: Depends on type of meal, size, etc.

Delivery Schedule: Totally à la carte – order meal kids (or appetizer kits or snack packs) as you need them and include them with your normal Foodkick grocery order.

What You Get: The ability to buy all the ingredients you'd need for steak night or Taco Tuesday (for example) in one place. You'll get a bundled deal, as well as the opportunity to customize what proteins, sides, and spices get included along with it.

Cooking Required? Almost always, though a few options, like the three breakfasts for $10, are grab-and-go.

Great For: People who like the inspiration of a boxed meal kit without being tied to a schedule. s

Photo: Courtesy of FoodKick.

Freshly
"Chef-prepared, healthy meals, delivered weekly."

Cost: Choose from 6-21 meals per week ranging between $69-$229.

Delivery schedule: Tuesday through Saturday — meals can arrive up to as late as 10 p.m. on the selected delivery date.

What you get: A flexible subscription with chef-prepared recipes and ingredients that not only come fresh (not frozen), but are ready to eat within 2 minutes of opening — no prepping, cooking, or cleaning required. All meals are free of gluten.

Cooking required? No. You get fully prepared meals.

Great for: Anyone looking to do zero work and eat extremely fresh food.

Photo: Courtesy of Freshly.

Gobble
"Create stress-free dinners in only 10 minutes."

Cost: Weekly kits come with three recipes, with either two or four servings per recipe. The meals cost $11.95 regardless, and a six-serving box is $71.50. You can also add on two cookies for $1.95.

Delivery Schedule: Meals arrive between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the chosen delivery day.

What You Get: 2-3 meals that are prepped and pre-chopped and ready to cook. All meals are designed for one-pan cooking and minimal clean-up. Gobble offers several "certified kid-friendly" meals a week.

Cooking Required: Yes, though most of the prep is done for you.

Great For: Anyone who really hates chopping and clean-up, families.

Photo: Courtesy of Gobble.

Graze
"Looking for yummy, nutritious snacks for busy days? Welcome to graze. We're reimagining the way you snack with over 100 graze ideas you can feel good about."

Cost: Snack box subscriptions start at $5.12 per box and individual snack product purchases can range from $2.84 to $14.82 on average.

Delivery schedule: Flexible subscription that can be set to your delivery preference of either twice weekly, weekly, or every two weeks. Additionally, your subscription can be frozen and/or resumed at any time.

What you get: A special curation of over 100 handpicked, healthy snack creations that adhere to your preferred tastes and dietary restrictions

Cooking required? No. Snacks arrive already prepared, portioned out, and ready-to-eat.

Great for: Those looking for a healthy snack plan that is pre-made with a variety of fresh flavors and options.

Green Chef
"Fresh, organic ingredients. Healthy, chef-crafted recipes. Right at your doorstep."

Cost: Each weekly box contains 3 recipes for either 2, 4, or 6 servings ranging from $10.49 per meal to $14.99.

Delivery schedule: Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on your chosen delivery day (shipping is an additional $9).

What you get: A flexible subscription for USDA-certified organic dinners that will take you 30 minutes or under to cook.

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured and prepped ingredients with recipes.

Great for: Those with dietary restrictions looking for some well-rounded meal support.

Photo: Courtesy of Green Chef.

HelloFresh
"Delivers great recipes and fresh ingredients to your home each week. Cook fast, healthy recipes designed by nutritionists and chefs."

Cost: Choose from 3-5 meal boxes, ranging from $59-$99 (serving 2) or $105-$129 (serving 4).

Delivery schedule: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, with select delivery from Saturday through Tuesday in certain areas.

What you get: A flexible subscription for your choice of weekly dinner menus preplanned by chefs.

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.

Great for: Anyone with a busy life looking to get in on weekly meal prep made easy (and fresh).

Photo: Courtesy of HelloFresh.

Home Chef
"Our weekly meal-delivery service has everything you need to prepare home-cooked meals in about 30 minutes."

Cost: $9.94 per serving.

Delivery schedule: Tuesday through Friday with a $10 fee for orders under $45.

What you get: Flexible subscription to chef-prepped, sustainably sourced and portioned meals that you can whip together in as little as 30 minutes or less.

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.

Great for: Those who care about food sustainability and time — especially on weeknights.

Photo: Courtesy of Home Chef.

Marley Spoon
"Seasonal ingredients and delicious recipes from Martha Stewart delivered directly to your door."

Cost: Two-person box ranging from $48-$76 (2-4 meals a week), or the Family Box ranging from $76-$139 (serving 2 adults and 2 children, 2-4 meals a week).

Delivery schedule: Tuesdays and Fridays (shipping is free of charge).

What you get: Gourmet-made easy dinners by the legend herself, Martha Stewart — with the future possibility of breakfast, lunch, and dessert subscriptions.

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.

Great for: Martha wannabes who don't have very much time to cook.

Photo: Courtesy of Marley Spoon.

PeachDish
"Delivers fresh, locally sourced meal kits right to your door."

Cost: 2-12 servings of weekly dishes starting at $50 ($12.50 per serving).

Delivery schedule: Flexible select delivery dates depending on location.

What you get: Flexible subscription delivering food products that are sourced from small-scale Southern farms. All meals are packaged and proportioned in recyclable containers by classically trained chefs.

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.

Great for: Those who are interested in some good old Southern comfort food made easy.

Photo: Courtesy of PeachDish.

Plated.
"Chef-designed recipes, pre-portioned ingredients, delivered every week."

Cost: 2-7 dinners (serving 2) a week from $48-$168 (free shipping on orders over $50). Desserts can be added for an additional $4.

Delivery schedule: Delivery between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

What you get: A flexible meal-delivery subscription offering plenty of recipe combinations, plus dessert! The meals are designed by chefs and utilize sustainable and locally sourced products.

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes, minus staples (e.g. eggs, salt, pepper, olive or vegetable oil, etc.).

Great for: Those who are looking to prepare fresh dinner AND dessert on demand.

Photo: Courtesy of Plated.

PlateJoy
"Custom, on-demand meal plans and grocery lists for your unique lifestyle. Optional grocery delivery."

Cost: 6-month and 12-month flexible subscriptions beginning at $8 monthly (excluding optional grocery costs).

What you get: Customized recipes, access to personal meal plans that are tailored to your specific needs, and an optional grocery list. Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Cooking required? Yes. You get recipes with optional corresponding ingredient deliveries.

Great for: Those who love to cook, but hate to plan ahead.

Photo: Courtesy of PlateJoy.

Purple Carrot
"Cook delicious plant-based meals at home."

Cost: 3 meals per week (serving 2) for $68 or 2 meals per week (serving 4) for $74.

Delivery schedule: Tuesday and Wednesday, dependent upon delivery area.

What you get: Flexible subscription for plant-based (i.e. vegan) meals that come freshly prepped and ready to cook.

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes, minus salt, pepper, and olive oil.

Great for: Vegans.

Photo: Courtesy of Purple Carrot.

Real Eats
"Chef-Prepared, Healthy Meals Delivered to You."

Cost: Meal plans range from 4 meals for $60 a week (i.e. $15 per meal) to 12 meals for $153 a week (i.e. $12.75 per meal).

Delivery Schedule: Meal boxes arrive weekly on Tuesday or Wednesday (depending upon state shipping/delivery guidelines).

What You Get: A weekly subscription that provides a customizable menu of fully prepped and portioned sous-vide meals (i.e. pre-cooked, cooled, and stored in vacuum-sealed pouches).

Cooking Required? N0, only a reheating of the pouches within a pot of boiling water for package-designated times.

Great For: Those who are looking to enjoy a variety of fresh and well-balanced meals on a flexible schedule without having to spend any time with actual prep-work or cooking.

Photo: Courtesy of Real Eats.

Sakara
"Eating clean has never tasted so good."

Cost: 3 meals per day for $82 (one-week program) or $69 (weekly subscription).

Delivery schedule: Monday through Friday within the flexible timeframe that you select.

What you get: Flexible options for either a one-off or weekly subscription service of breakfast, lunch, and dinner delivered to your door. All meals are plant-based, gluten-free, and organic.

Cooking required? No. You get fully prepared meals.

Great for: Those into clean eating, or with dietary restrictions, who have money to spend.

Photo: Courtesy of Sakara.

Sun Basket
"Cook easy, healthy meals every week using organic, sustainably sourced ingredients."

Cost: 2-person plan supplies 3 recipes per week (serving 2) for a total of $34.47 ($11.49 per serving). The 4-person plan supplies 3 recipes per week (serving 4) for a total of $103.41 (each $11.49 per serving).

Delivery schedule: Weekly delivery options with non-binding agreement (i.e. can cancel or skip anytime). First delivery is free and all additional cost $5.99 per week.

What you get: Seasonal produce that has been hand-picked from organic farms across the country along with corresponding 30-minute recipes that have been developed by an award-winning chef.

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes, minus salt, pepper, and cooking oils.

Great for: Those looking for seasonal weekly meals with a fresh and healthy focus.

Photo: Courtesy of Sun Basket.

Takeout Kit
"Introducing the FIRST and ONLY long shelf life meal kit."

Cost: Monthly subscription plans from $32-$90, starting at $7.50 a serving/kit (up to three kits monthly). Shipping is free.

Delivery schedule: Kits ship on the first of every month and arrive within 2-6 business days.

What you get: Globally inspired meal kits that are shelf-life stable for up to two months.

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.

Great for: Those wanting the convenience of a meal subscription service without the 3-5 day pressured time frame for cooking it.

Photo: Courtesy of Takeout Kit.

Terra's Kitchen
"A recipe for real life."

Cost: 1-serving items from $3.99 or 2-serving items from $9.99-$17.99. Shipping is free with a minimum order of $64.99.

Delivery schedule: Delivery days vary dependent upon area; meals will arrive between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

What you get: Flexible subscription for seasonally fresh meals that are pre-portioned and can be thrown together in 30 minutes or less. Food arrives in a convenient "climate-controlled, eco-friendly vessel" that is reused for future orders.

Cooking required? Yes. You get pre-measured ingredients with recipes.

Great for: Those wanting fresh, dietary restriction-conscious meals delivered and tailored to their household sizes and schedules.

Photo: Courtesy of Terra's Kitchen.

Veestro
"Our meals are so fulfilling, it just might surprise you that they're made from organic plants. Hand-selected. Chef-prepared. You, pleased."

Cost: A la carte ordering with an order minimum of $35 (each meal is a single serving). The starter pack comes with 12 meals (each a single serving) and one juice for a total of $99 with free shipping.

Delivery schedule: Weekly deliveries placed on Sunday will ship out the following Monday or Tuesday. First delivery is free and all additional orders under $35 cost an additional $35 in shipping (additional $19 if the order total is $99 and over, and free if the order total is over $199).

What you get: Fresh-frozen gourmet plant-based meal options that have already been fully prepped and cooked for you.

Cooking required? No. Meals arrive fully prepped and cooked — all that is required is reheating.

Great for: Those looking for a wide array of pre-made, plant-based meals.

Photo: Courtesy of Veestro.

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This Avocado Body Wrap Is Designed To Save Winter Skin — But Does It Really Work?

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Is An Avocado Body Wrap The Ultimate Millennial Spa Treatment?

Beauty with Mi, hosted by Refinery29's beauty writer Mi-Anne Chan, explores the coolest new trends, treatments, products, and subcultures in the beauty world. Never miss an episode by subscribing here.

Avocado mania hit its peak in 2015 when, according to the Washington Post, avocado consumption eclipsed 4 billion — a record high for the pitted fruit. Since then, avocados have graduated from a Sunday brunch star to a key player in a multitude of different beauty applications. This year alone, a handful of products featuring the fruit hit stores, including Glow Recipe's Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask and First Aid Beauty's Hello FAB Bendy Avocado Concealer.

Although I've got lots of products with the fruit dotting my vanity, it was a treatment featuring the stuff that got me out of the house and into a spa. Last month, I tried Premiere57's Avocado Body Wrap, an hour-long experience designed to hydrate and exfoliate dull skin, especially skin that's been neglected all winter long.

But first, a warning: If you're not comfortable being close-to-naked as an esthetician gives you a head-to-toe cleanse and scrub, you probably won't like this treatment at all. If you can get past that though, you might enjoy the process. The treatment ends with the full-body application of an avocado oil-infused mask, after which your body is swaddled in a foil-like blanket that traps in heat allowing you to drift into sleep for 20 minutes while the mask works its magic. Peep the video above to see how it all wen.

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