Whether it's a simple signing at city hall, in a sprawling field with flowers in your hair, or at a big banquet hall with a cathedral veil and a pipe organ, chances are if you want to get married at some point, you've thought about what your dream day would look like. Because even if you're nowhere close to legally binding yourself to someone else, there's no harm in curating the perfect wedding Pinterest board filled with crafty centerpieces you'll probably never actually glue together.
And since Pinterest is the place where fantasy lives of all kinds are built, it's the place we go to find out what's trending in search for brides-in-planning, too. Beauty-wise, the platform's data and analytics show us that the products and photos people are pinning actually translate to five stunning makeup trends that can inspire any bride, regardless of the locale or aesthetic. Check them out, and how to make them fit your own personal style, ahead.
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Planning a wedding is exciting. But it's also very, very hard work. In order to navigate it, you're going to need to arm yourself with an array of tools to help you stay on track (and sane). Using checklists and apps is a start, but sometimes picking up a good old-fashioned book is the most effective wedding-attack strategy.
Ahead we’ve rounded up 21 essential reads that scheming fiancés will want to add to cart now. These bridal guidebooks can help you easily tackle everything from tricky timelines to subtle etiquette and all the other tiny nuts and bolts holding your big day together — plus, there are plenty of glossy picture-filled pages to peruse for added inspiration. Scroll on to find the ultimate planner that fits your wedding style to an organized and effortless T.
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Last Labor Day, a meme of Lindsay Lohan dancing with abandon in Mykonos captivated the internet and the world — and tonight, at long last, we finally get a front row seat to this LiLo in her newfound element. Welcome to Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club, a Vanderpump Rules -esque reality show wherein Lohan presides as the grande dame of a Mykonos club staffed by a crew of hot and bronzed bathing suit-clad people, which premiers tonight at 8 p.m. on MTV
Lohan has been through a lot since her entertainment career started in 2004, and over the last 15 years, so has her net worth. Ahead, we did the math on how much she's made (and lost), and how it stacks up.
After getting her start modeling and acting in commercials as a kid, Lohan got her big break as the iconic separated-at-birth twins, Annie and Hallie, in The Parent Trap in 1998. This led to a robust Disney career for Lohan, including starring roles in Life-Size, Get A Clue, and Freaky Friday. Then came Mean Girls in 2004, which grossed $129 million worldwide, and then Lohan's not-too-shabby foray into music soon thereafter. (I'm sorry, but who can forget "Rumors"? The album went platinum!) Her fame continued to rise, with starring roles in Herbie Fully Loaded in 2005, which grossed $144 million worldwide, and Just My Luck in 2006, for which she earned $7.5 million.
Around this time, Lohan had more than a few encounters with the law, and was arrested for driving under the influence, drug possession, shoplifting, and assaulting a woman at a nightclub, and served time in jail. And with these legal woes came financial ones: In 2012, Lohan's bank account was seized by the IRS for failure to pay her taxes in 2009 and 2010 — apparently $233,904 worth. (And apparently Charlie Sheen cut LiLo a check for $100,000 to cover a chunk of it.) A nude Playboy shoot in 2011 earned her $1 million, but the same year she was served a bill for $90,000 in unpaid limo fees from 2009.
Lohan has reportedly earned close to $28 million for her film career, and yet she was close to bankruptcy in 2010. Then in 2013 came Lohan's infamous interview with Oprah, in which she admitted to being an addict and pocketed $2 million, which she reportedly used to pay back rehab fees and taxes. The interview was followed by an eight-part docuseries called Lindsay that followed her recovery.
After years in the spotlight, Lohan moved to Dubai in pursuit of a more private life. And in 2016, she resurfaced in full swing, with a brand spankin' new (vaguely European?) accent at the opening of her nightclub in Athens. In May 2018, she opened the Lohan Beach House in Mykonos, the playground of her new MTV reality show. She also became a spokesperson for Lawyer.com, which, yes, sounds as odd as it is. And there might be an island called "Lindsayland" off the coast of Dubai sometime soon.
Celebrity Net Worth values Lohan at $800,000, but last April, a representative for Lohan told Money that her net worth lived somewhere between $5 and $8 million, a figure that will likely go up with her new show — I mean, if the trailer is any indication, she means business!
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It's no secret that we love wrap dresses. Besides being universally flattering, they somehow manage to work in every season and can be easily restyled into a makeshift top or lightweight jacket in seconds flat. Like a handy little black dress or a well-fitting pair of jeans, no wardrobe is complete without at least one wrap dress — but really, who's stopping there? So while you probably already have a few (or five) wrap dresses hanging in your closet, trust us when we say that there's always room for one more.
And with end-of-year sales coming to a close and tons of new styles dropping on the daily, there's no time like the present to re-up your collection. From velvet options perfect for your upcoming Valentine's Day plans (it's never too early!) to satin styles that'll transition oh-so-smoothly into spring, there's no shortage of wrap dresses for you to add to your winter wardrobe and beyond. But with so many options and so little time in your post-holiday schedule, we went ahead and rounded up 17 long sleeve wrap dresses so you don't have to.
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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: an auditor working in public accounting who makes $55,900 per year and spends some of her money this week on wine and cheese.
Monthly Expenses Rent: $1,399 (I live by myself in a beautiful, updated, and spacious one-bedroom apartment. It's in a very convenient location, hence the high cost.) Student Loans: $0 (My parents and grandparents graciously paid my tuition and housing for undergrad, in addition the scholarships I received. My master's degree was fully funded by my TA job.) Furniture Payment: $83 Lasik Payment: $350 Dental Insurance: $12/paycheck Vision Insurance: $5.73/ paycheck Health Insurance: I'm still on my dad's (until I get kicked off...) Cable/Wifi: $99 Electric: ~$40 Water/Trash/Recycling/Pest Control: $66 Cleaning Service: $90 401(k): $116.46 Savings: This changes every month. I transfer money to my savings when my checking account balance is over $5,000. I have over $20,000 between my savings, emergency fund, and future home down payment account.
Additional Expenses Car Insurance: $583 for six months. My car was a college graduation gift paid for by my inheritance from my grandpa. Renters Insurance: $234/year
Day One
7 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I get ready for FriYAY! I take a shower and blow-dry my hair. I'm slightly frazzled because I stayed out too late last night and I have to pack up my belongings and check out of my hotel room. I meet my coworker in the lobby, grab a free coffee, and then spill said coffee on myself.
8:15 a.m. — Coworker gets my rental car from the valet and drives us to work. I attempt to put on a full face of makeup in the car, including Clinique Quickliner and High Impact Mascara, NYX Epic Ink Liner (best liquid liner ever!), and Lorac eyeshadow. Would not recommend doing this in a moving vehicle, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
8:45 a.m. — Arrive at work for another day of protecting the capital markets! (My main project is in a different city.)
11:30 a.m. — We go out to lunch at a local Mexican restaurant. The place is packed due to the holidays, and it takes forever to get our food. I order a combo off the lunch menu — enchilada, guacamole, and rice and beans. I also eat a ton of chips and salsa because they are free and delicious. We typically pay out-of-pocket for work meals out of town and then get reimbursed at the standardized per diem rate at the end of the week. ($9.42 expensed)
4:10 p.m. — Time to leave work to make it to the airport on time. I drop off the rental car and go through security in a whopping 15 minutes. I am upgraded to business class for free, but due to the short duration of the flight (it's 38 minutes), I don't get any snacks or drinks.
6:15 p.m. — Arrive back in Atlanta and grab a Lyft back home. My driver decides to take the scenic route and we get stuck in traffic, but she is such a cool person that I don't even mind. She breeds American bulldogs! I love getting interesting Lyft drivers. All travel relating to work is expensed to the client. ($20.50 expensed)
7 p.m. — Finally home! Waiting outside my front door is my certificate from the Georgia Board of CPAs and my license! Glad I have a piece of paper to certify how boring I am. I scrounge up something to eat even though I'm going on a Bumble dinner date, because I don't want to be hangry later. And this guy can't decide when or where we should meet...
8:30 p.m. — We decide on a Mexican place in Virginia Highlands. I show up five minutes late because I can't find parking. Funny story, I actually went to this same restaurant several months ago on another Bumble date, and the guy ended up kind of catfishing me. (He used pictures from five years ago...and he had aged.) But this guy looks like his pictures! We order a pitcher of skinny margaritas, queso, and tacos. I am convinced they forgot to put the tequila in the pitcher and we drink straight syrup, though, so I don't finish my drink. As my date goes to the bathroom, I find out that my best friend from college is in town for a friend's birthday! I agree to go meet them at a bar in West Midtown after dinner. My date comes back and pays. We both awkwardly walk to our cars. He kind of looks like an ex from college. Definitely friend-zoning.
10:30 p.m. — I drive to the bar and I am so excited to see these friends! We stay for 20 minutes and I have a water. It's so crowded we can barely get the bartender's attention. We walk to another bar in the building and I have another water and eat someone's leftover fries. No fry left behind + fries before guys.
1 a.m. — We decide to walk to another bar, but find out there's a cover, so we keep walking. This is one of the grungiest bars in Midtown — why is there a cover? We keep walking to this upscale bowling alley/bar. I have a frozen orange alcoholic slushie, and we play some games, including one very addicting game where you throw a coin in a hole. $11.57
2 a.m. — The bar closes and we walk back to my car in the rain. Then we drive back to my friends' apartment. I get coerced into staying, and we order Waffle House delivery. I get hash browns. At 4, I finally leave and try to pay my friend for the food, but he treats.
Daily Total: $11.57
Day Two
10 a.m. — I wake up feeling exhausted from last night, but I can't sleep in since I have a hair appointment this morning because today is my company holiday party. I take a quick shower, get dressed, and stop by Dunkin' on my way. I am addicted to their blueberry coffee! It sounds weird, but I promise it's delicious and tastes like a blueberry muffin. I order an iced coffee with blueberry flavor, skim milk, and Splenda and pay with a gift card ($2).
1 p.m. — After two hours, I come out of the hair salon as a new woman. I have naturally auburn hair, but have been going blonde since grad school. It's so expensive to maintain! My hair is so damaged, and my hair stylist added on two treatments, which cost an extra $57 in addition to my already expensive highlighting (which I didn't realize). I'm slightly bitter, but I'm sure my hair needed it. $180
1:30 p.m. — I get my eyebrows threaded. It's so much better and cheaper than waxing! It costs $8 with the cash discount, so I pay with a $10 bill and tell them to keep the change. $10
2:30 p.m. — I still don't know what I am going to wear to the party, and it's in less than five hours. After my expensive morning, I decide to just borrow one of my friend's dresses. I drive over to my friend, T.'s, house to pick her up and the dress. We then go to Trader Joe's to pick up some snacks and drinks for the pregame I'm hosting, including 1,000 day old gouda, wine, and Trader José Lite Lager. The sample of the day is fig goat cheese with pita chips, and it is so good that I buy some. We have a nice spread of charcuterie, and my other friend brings pizza rolls. It's not a real party without pizza rolls. $65.49
5 p.m. — I ordered a TV from Target on sale recently, and it has finally arrived! I plug it in and turn it on, just to find out that there's a crack in the corner! I am devastated. At least it still works for now.
7:30 p.m. — We all leave my apartment to go to the party, which is being hosted at a nightclub in the city. It's a weird location, considering it's for a group of accountants. I drink approximately three Grey Goose and sodas and two bottles of Fiji water, and eat seven cake pops. I love open bars.
11:30 p.m. — People are getting hammered at this party and people keep falling on the dance floor. I take it as my cue to leave. After an hour of convincing my friends, we finally leave. I order a Lyft for us. They're all crashing at my apartment. Once at my place, we eat more pizza rolls. $19.81
Daily Total: $275.30
Day Three
11 a.m. — We all wake up and agonize over what to eat for breakfast. We debate between ordering pho or baking the frozen pizza we bought yesterday at Trader Joe's. We're all very frugal people, so the pizza wins. Then we watch Dumplin' on Netflix. It's actually a pretty good movie, way better than I was expecting.
5 p.m. — My friends leave after the movie is over. I try to watch more Netflix for another hour, but then the screen goes black! I was hoping the TV would still work, despite the crack in the corner, but I don't think so. I look at similar 55-inch TVs online at Walmart and find one in the same size for $50 cheaper, so I order it. Before, I had a 26-inch TV and everyone made fun of me because it was so small in my giant living room. $250.46
8 p.m. — It's time for my favorite TV show — 90 Day Fiancé! It's so terrible, but so great. I am so enthralled by these peoples' lives. All of my friends give me crap for watching it, but it's just reality TV at it's finest. I snack on random things I find in my kitchen, including a Starkist Chicken Creations pouch, leftover salami from last night, and some berries.
11 p.m. — I go to bed after a nice evening of being a hermit. Going out two nights in a row is just too much for my 24-going-on-84 self.
Daily Total: $250.46
Day Four
7:30 a.m. — I get to sleep in later than normal this week because I have training at the office. I take a shower, put on my face, and do my hair. I live a mile away from work, so I usually walk or ride an electric scooter. Today I'm feeling lazy, so I take a shared Lyft to the office. It's cheaper than paying for parking downtown. $3.04
8:50 a.m. — I get to the office, and luckily my friends saved me a seat, because it's crowded! I tried to get in early, but there was so much traffic with the parade for Atlanta United in honor of their championship win. However, all my stress melts away when I see that my favorite restaurant is catering breakfast! I load up on rosemary potatoes, chicken sausage, grits, pineapple, and a biscuit. I am truly blessed this morning.
9 a.m. — Training starts and I try my best to pay attention, but I'm feeling super sick. After an hour, I give up and count down the minutes until our first break. Then it's lunch, followed by an afternoon break. And then I get to go home!
5 p.m. — My coworker gives me a ride home from the office, since I am feeling like death. I debate going to the doctor since I think I could potentially have a sinus infection, but I decide not to. Instead, I eat a leftovers and watch Gilmore Girls reruns while I diamond paint (it's like painting by numbers mixed with bedazzling). We all get a notification from work that we're having a delayed opening at the office tomorrow morning due to inclement weather. I will gladly sleep in tomorrow. I go to bed early.
Daily Total: $3.04
Day Five
8:30 a.m. — I wake up feeling refreshed! I shower, do my makeup, and put my hair in a ponytail. I still feel slightly sick, though, but I am so relieved training is starting an hour later today.
9:30 a.m. — My coworker comes over so we can ride to work together. I am having a Christmas dinner and Secret Santa gift exchange with my work friends tonight. I order us a Lyft to get to the office with my $5 off promo. There is still breakfast, despite the late start. I have a biscuit, fruit, bacon, and potatoes. $2.19
4 p.m. — Training is over early today! My friends and I all walk home to my apartment. They have work to do and our dinner plans aren't until 7, so I let them work as I go to the gym for an hour. I go on the treadmill and listen to the 90 Day Fiancé AfterBuzz TV podcast. I am too obsessed over this show.
7 p.m. — I take a shower and then the three of us leave for dinner to meet our other two friends. We thought this restaurant had an unlimited tapas special on Tuesdays, but I guess that promotion ended last year. I'm disappointed and almost suggest going to another restaurant, but the food turns out to be worth it! We eat patatas bravas, broccolini, empanadas, fried goat cheese, steak, and calamari. $24.24
8:30 p.m. — We all decide to go back to my apartment for the gift exchange. I received the cutest sweatshirt that says "Meow Christmas" on it! I've never owned a tacky Christmas sweater before — I am so delighted. We all talk about the holidays and our plans for the upcoming busy season. As tough as this job is, I am really thankful for the opportunities and the coworkers who have turned into my best friends. After a couple hours, they all leave and I go to bed.
Daily Total: $26.43
Day Six
7 a.m. — Another day, another training! This one is different from the one earlier this week. It's nice to have a break from client work before busy season starts. I do my usual shower, makeup, and hair routine. This time, I decide to get some exercise and walk to the office. I listen to the Hungry Girl Chew the Right Thing podcast during my 17-minute walk.
12 p.m. — Lunchtime! The actual best part about training is the free breakfast and lunch.
5 p.m. — I walk home from the office and then go to the gym to listen to another 90 Day Fiancé podcast. I eat some dinner and diamond paint. It's such a soothing activity after a long day of using my brain to think at work. Then it's off to bed.
Daily Total: $0
Day Seven
7 a.m. — Usual routine — shower, makeup, hair, walk to the office. Breakfast today sucked because they subbed grits for potatoes. Usually I would be okay with this, but these were the worst grits I've ever eaten. Instead I eat approximately five strips of bacon and then feel gross about how greasy they are. I also eat two croissants and pick out all the pineapple from the fruit bowl because it's my favorite.
10 a.m. — We learn about Form 8-Ks and play an intense game of Scattergories. Who said accountants are boring?
12 p.m. — The highlight of my work day has arrived — lunch! Today is sandwiches from a nearby bakery.
3 p.m. — Training it over, and I walk back home. I am expecting my new TV to be delivered this afternoon, so I do a no-equipment-needed barre workout on YouTube at home instead of going to the gym. I'm mildly out of breath and only wearing shorts and a sports bra when maintenance brings in the TV, but I am too excited about my new toy to care about my appearance this second.
5 p.m. — I take a shower, eat some Trader Joe's stacked eggplant parm, and then go to my one of my friend's houses. I cracked my iPhone screen last week, and her boyfriend said he could fix it for free as long as I buy the screen, which I bought the screen a couple days ago on Amazon. As he fixes my phone, I talk with my friend and play with her cat. I really want a cat of my own one day, but single me doesn't have the time to take care of a pet, especially with my work schedule. My friend's boyfriend fixes my phone! I thank him tremendously.
8:30 p.m. — One of my coworkers is switching jobs, so we're having a farewell party for him. There's a good crowd at the bar and I enjoy talking with all of my coworkers. I surprisingly don't have anything to drink and only stay for a couple hours.
11 p.m. — Off to bed, even though I have tomorrow off work! I am planning to take my car to get it's first oil change and running some other errands. I stay up late reading BuzzFeed articles and scrolling through social media.
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 outour guide to managing your money every day. For more money diaries, clickhere. Have questions about how to submit or our publishing process? Read our Money Diaries FAQ doc here:r29.co/mdfaqs
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It's the dead of winter, so naturally, all any of us can think about is laying on a pleasantly scorching beach with a good book and a maybe even a strawberry margarita. Our imaginations actively chasing that daydream is pretty much the only thing that's getting us through the cold days. But, if you're looking for real life warm weather and sunshine, Airbnb has affordable suggestions.
According to the rental site, the Caribbean is an extremely popular area for travelers during the months of December, January, and February. Based on increased bookings and the most wish-listed homes, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Sint Maarten, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, St. Lucia, the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, Martinique, Antigua, St. Kitts, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are the most desirable winter destinations in the Caribbean.
Ahead, we've shared the 20 most wish-listed warm weather listings on Airbnb, so you can rent them ASAP or simply make your winter daydreams feel more realistic by gazing at photos and bookmarking ideas for next year.
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While dressing for the colder temperatures requires putting a solid quantity of fabric on your body, it doesn't mean that you can't come up with creative outfit ideas. Whenever you're truly in a rut, you can reach for ever-reliable mom jeans: a blank canvas outfit starter that pairs perfectly with both experimental jackets and minimalist turtleneck options equally until your weather app tells you it's safe to head out in a T-shirt.
We all deserve that holy grail pair of denim that makes us feel instantly comfortable and confident when we put them on and today we're on a mission to help you find yours. Whether you prefer a super light wash, a distressed pair, or black jeans that will go with virtually everything in your closet, your perfect match is out there. Be prepared to crush on these 23 pairs of perfect high-waisted mom jeans.
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Thanks to dip powder and gel formulas, there's a manicure standard that we've become accustomed to. We're used to having chip-free polish that can go weeks after a salon appointment without looking ragged. But as it happens with most things that become the new normal, we began to seek ways to game the system: What if you could knock down the price and commute time of these services by getting a similar finish at home?
For this purpose, I turned to powder dip kits. Dip manicures use a combination of colorful, fine-grain powder, adhesives, topcoats, and buffing to achieve a sturdy, acrylic-like finish. This method has become popular because the results last just as long as an in-salon gel or acrylic job, but without the curing lights and faux tips. I rounded up a few kits — some geared for nail pros, others for amateurs like me — to see if I could level up my monthly manicure process.
Most of the kits took some trial and error. But after I got the hang of layering base, powder, activators, bonders, and topcoats, I was seduced by the results: A glossy mani that lasted much longer than my favorite drugstore polish. What's more, the stronger, reinforced finish made tasks like tearing into impossible shrink wrap shockingly easy. Though most kits are an investment (ringing in at about $100), they come stocked with enough powder to cover 30 manicures per jar. That's less than a dollar a manicure, considering many kits are stocked with at least three jars of color.
Read on to see which kits will turn you into a pro with practice and which are best for beginners.
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It's no secret that Amazon owns our shopping habits. So much so, it's become our go-to for everything from a 10 pack of Pocky sticks to designer dresses, sending us down a rabbit hole that results in a cart full of items we hadn't planned on purchasing. If you can think of it, Amazon probably has it.
But coming across more unique and worthy finds, like a novelty plant holder or a new pair of heels, isn't as easy a task. Too many products, so little time. So, we're doing the grunt work and digging through the deepest reaches of Amazon for the best goodies around. Tech, beauty, fashion, wellness, home; there's not one category we're excluding from our search.
From the most buzz-worthy eyeliners on the market to affordable furniture that only looks expensive, our editors are rounding up the best Amazon has to offer. Even better, we're bringing you a brand spanking new list of items, every week. Check back here each Monday for the latest round of Amazon available products you'll want to add to cart, sans the toilet paper.
Be sure to shop our brand new Amazon storefront, updated daily with new and unique finds.
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Up until last year, I was a full-time freelancer for four years. It was a career path I kind of fell into; I love to travel, value my freedom of movement, and revel in the ability to be creative and explore a spectrum of crafts, tasks, and projects.
When I first started working as a freelancer, I was scared. While, on one hand, I saw a limitless path stretching out in front of me, I also had a lot of questions: How does billing work? How do you do your taxes? What makes a good contract? What about healthcare? And saving for retirement?
Of course, many of the answers to these questions were learned the hard way. And, while there are many logistical things I wish I'd known before I started working as a freelancer, there are also innumerable things I wish I'd known about myself before I started; for example, that my work is valuable and that no client is 'doing me a favor' by hiring me.
It's a well-documented fact that freelancers regularly struggle to be treated fairly in the professional world. Though the gig economy is booming, the prevalence of freelancers doesn't necessarily translate into fair treatment. Invoices are regularly left ignored or unpaid, there are no such thing as sick days, and health care comes straight from your own pocket.
Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all secret to being a good freelancer; it depends heavily on your industry, level of experience, and countless other personal traits. But, one thing is for certain: You'll be in a much better position if you take the time to hear from those who've been at it for a while.
We spoke to six freelancers from different industries to shed some light on their biggest challenges, lessons learned, and, most of all, what they wish they had known when they first started. Read on to learn more.
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Nobody asks to end up with hyperpigmentation, but plenty of people find themselves dealing with it anyway. The story is always the same: An uninvited pimple, bug bite, or patch of eczema sets up shop on your skin, way overstays its welcome, and leaves behind a mottled mess of post-inflammatory dark spots.
You can easily lose hours and rack up debt on chemical peels, trips to the dermatologist, and fancy pigment-fading creams in the name of spot-free skin. But while most of those methods are effective (and pro-approved), they aren't the end-all-be-all for treating the condition. "Products containing hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and arbutin all help to treat hyperpigmentation," says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a dermatologist at Skin Wellness Center in Alabama. "Glycolic and salicylic acid also increase exfoliation and help to treat the acne that can lead to hyperpigmentation."
The good news for people sticking to their 2019 budgets (or who don't have regular access to derms and estheticians)? Drugstore shelves are packed with products containing these powerful ingredients. Ahead, 6 ways to clear dark spots — without destroying your bank account.
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Taylor Hill exudes this cool, Colorado-inspired aesthetic. You can just imagine her strolling down the street in a breezy, white midi-dress, scuffed leather boots, tousled curls, and a cable-knit cardigan falling off one shoulder. And it's that effortless aura that landed her the role as the new face of Ralph Lauren Romance.
Romance is a cult-favorite fragrance, but this year the floral scent — which has hints of rose, white violet, and musk — is getting a refresh with updated packaging and a new frontwoman (or couple rather, since Hill's boyfriend, Michael Stephen Shank, is also in on the campaign).
Hill has the kind of chill approachability that makes us want to know everything about her look. Like, how she spot treats a huge pimple; what her morning routine looks like; and, of course, what fragrance she spritzes on in the morning.
We got all that and more, including a full breakdown of the drugstore beauty products Hill swears by, during a recent interview. Ahead, the 22-year-old model shares her under-$10 must-haves. So, even if you're nowhere near après-ski (in bank account or aesthetic), you can shop CVS as if your closet is filled with riding boots and $400 fringe-trim turtleneck s, capturing some of Hill's bohemian vibe for yourself.
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Fact: millennials love to ruin stuff. Or that's what everyone seems to think. Between single-handedly destroying the dairy industry (to make way for the oat milk rebellion, of course) and ruining bar culture forever (wine is somuch cheaper at home), it's almost as if there's nothing that those born between 1981 and 1995 haven't killed. But if there's one outdated concept we're most proud of taking down, it has to be "sexy underwear".
Where we used to look at Victoria's Secret for tips on how to look sexy, buying up all the lace thongs and push-up bras we could get our impressionable teenage hands on, we're now opting instead for underwear that makes us feel confident and comfortable. From runway-approved granny panties to day-of-the-week cotton briefs, once you've made the move away from "sexy underwear" and towards the luxuriously comfy options ahead, there's simply no going back.
So even if you still drink 2% milk and can't resist a good Happy Hour every now and then, we're betting that this is one millennial-backed movement you'll want to get behind.
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Here's a message from your eye doctor: Please, please lay off of the eyelash extensions in 2019 (sorry, don't hate the messenger). Of all the lash enhancement options — glue-on lash strips, magnetic lashes, eyelash extensions, and growth solutions like Latisse — the optometrists we spoke to were adamant about one thing: eyelash extensions should be your last option.
Even though those lashes that add length and volume for weeks are super convenient, they could actually be causing more harm than you think. "I’ve seen quite a few patients who have developed allergic lid reactions, infections, styes, and dry eyes as a result of the glue used during eyelash extensions," Jennifer Tsai, OD, a New York-based optometrist who specializes in eye health and vision care, tells Refinery29. The American Academy of Ophthalmology also reported on the risks of eyelash extensions in 2018, including the potential for permanent damage to the eyelash follicle, trauma to the eyelid, and allergic reactions.
Aside from eye health risks, salon extensions can also cause long-term damage to your natural lashes over time. "I can't tell you how many times I've had patients come in with a decrease in the amount of eyelashes because of the glue," says Veronica Ruelas, OD, optometrist and founder of the ThirdEyeVision Foundation. "Eyelash extensions tend to have that addictive property, where people have to keep going back and getting them done. Because with their natural lashes falling off, they have less than when they started [extensions], so they feel like they need them now even more." And Dr. Tsai echoes, "Long-term usage will cause wear and tear to your natural lashes."
Both eye doctors agree that it's better to use a glue-less option, like a reliable mascara or magnetic lashes, but knowing that people will continue to seek the service, they advise to tread lightly. "Save eyelash extensions for special occasions," suggests Dr. Tsai. And when you do go, make sure to do your homework. Find an experienced salon that will place the lashes correctly. Not all states require lash technicians to have a cosmetology license or esthetician certification, so make sure to ask your provider about their credentials. It's also critical that you're in a sanitary setting for their service. "Anytime you're adhering something to the delicate tissues of the eyes, you're creating a possibility of infection or styes. So, you want to make sure that the adhesive and extensions they're putting on are sterile and approved for use around the eyes," Andrea Thau, OD, president of the American Optometric Association and spokesperson for Think About Your Eyes, previously told R29.
We know it's going to be hard to part ways with your monthly eyelash appointment, but try to stretch the weeks between fill-ins the same way you're cutting down on the coffee breaks in the new year. For 2019, we're manifesting healthier, longer lashes that are au naturel.
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Despite how hopeful you felt at midnight on January 1, no one — not even you — is immune to feeling the unmotivated dread of a rut. Some experience it behind a desk and laptop, others sense it in outdated relationships, and even more tend to feel it when they look in the mirror and toss their year-old haircut over their shoulder with an unenthusiastic sigh.
Sure, signature cuts and colors work for some people, but everyone — celebrities and plebeians alike — can experience intense fatigue over their hair at one point or another. Hair ruts are brutal, but totally fixable. Getting your hair cut, colored, or simply styled can do a whole lot for your mental wellbeing: It'll make you feel like you have your shit together (even if your life is chaos). So, just in case you do feel like your life is the plot of Groundhog Day, but instead of Bill Murray all you have is existential dread and the insatiable craving for a trim, then you've come to the right place. All you need is some curated inspiration.
Ahead, we've compiled a list of solutions to common hair ruts — from the same old, same old wash-and-go to the ultimate ponytail fix. Keep clicking to find a solution that works for you.
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Speaking to the nation from the Oval Office on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump scraped up what little ability he possesses to appear as a humanitarian, all with the single goal of kickstarting his 2020 campaign getting more of the public to back his nonsensical, ineffective border-wall proposal.
But speaking in a reasonable tone of voice and citing facts didn't make him any less credible in his first televised Oval Office address. The speech was a feast for the fact-checkers, and has made it even more painfully obvious that he's manufacturing a crisis while people are suffering as a result of the partial government shutdown, which began in late December.
Even when his facts were true, he used them in a self-serving way that may appeal to his supporters, but is just as dangerous as telling lies. He spent a large part of the address talking about the humanitarian issues migrants face, such as the many women who are sexually assaulted during their journey, calling for the need to end "the cycle of human suffering" — probably the most phony display of empathy we've ever seen.
It's true that a stunningly high number of female migrants crossing into the U.S. through Mexico are sexually assaulted; 80% according to one investigation. But using their experiences to argue for the wall is blatantly cruel. There is absolutely no evidence that a wall will stop any of this abuse. According to everyone from policy experts to Border Patrol agents to even former smugglers, a wall would not deter unauthorized migrants from trying to enter the U.S. In fact, most undocumented immigrants overstay their visas instead of crossing the border illegally.
"Building a wall will not protect women from assault," Archi Pyati, chief of policy at Tahirih Justice Center, told Refinery29. "The opposite is true. Many of the women risking their lives to come to the U.S. are running from sexual violence and threats of death. When they make the difficult decision to leave everything behind and journey north, they are doing so to protect themselves and break the cycle of violence. When they are forced to wait in Mexico, they are more vulnerable to unsafe conditions, disease, and sexual violence. And if they are not admitted, face a wall, or are deported without a chance at asylum, they are sent back to face rape, abuse, and even death."
Besides, this sudden concern for women's welfare sounds incredibly disingenuous from a president who has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women. The real "crisis of the soul "? It's in the White House.
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A human face in a popcorn ceiling, a cat's nose and whiskers in the strands of hair splayed out on your shower wall, Madonna and Child in a tree stump: Stare at anything long enough, and it's bound to take on an image beyond itself, patterns forming and un-forming before your eyes. Spend enough time examining your own skin problems, and you might start to experience the phenomenon there, too: little constellations in the hardened bumps, an unholy asterism of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Hey, is that Orion's belt in that breakout?
If I spent half as much time philosophizing about the inscrutable machinations of the human mind as I do fussing over my skin, I suspect I'd be unstoppable, a kind of 21st-century Bergson with boobs. Or maybe I'd just spend my newfound free time evangelizing Tatcha's new Violet-C Brightening Serum, the product that finally got me there — more missionary work than a life of science and rationality, if you will.
At first pump, the clear, non-sticky serum, which launched last week, is hardly recognizable as a vitamin C serum. The ubiquitous "gold standard" of brightening ingredients appears in many popular formulas, nearly all of which smell like your fingers after you fish loose change out of the bottom of your purse and turn bright, rancid orange within a few months after opening; this formula does neither of those things. It smells like nothing. It is the color of nothing. It goes on smooth, and sinks in with zero residue.
Again, not what a seasoned vitamin C user would expect from a vitamin C serum — it's a much better experience, and quite possibly better-formulated, too. "Vitamin C is a beloved ingredient, but can be difficult to formulate with because it can be an unstable ingredient," says Tatcha founder Victoria Tsai. "Our challenge was to create a formula that is gentle but effective enough to smooth skin instantly and brighten over time, while staying stable." The key, Tsai says, is pairing it with an antioxidant-rich ingredient called Japanese beautyberry (yes, that's its real name), which supports the stabilization of vitamin C.
After six weeks of regular use, applied every other night (with my usual retinoid in between) on clean skin before moisturizer, my skin is clearer, glowier, and more balanced. My pores seem less clogged and I break out less, which I credit to an additional 10% of fruit acids that somehow do not irritate my absurdly sensitive skin. It's a concept I don't fully understand, but am not about to question. Question authority, question the subjective experience, question morality's place in politics, question the significance of rationalism over intuition — but when it comes to matters of better, brighter skin, I'll just sit down, shut up, and take a big swig of that beautyberry-flavored Kool-Aid.
Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA, $88, available at Sephora.
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Update: During the Golden Globes this past Sunday, Kendall Jenner was announced as the new face of Proactiv, following in the footsteps of stars like Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Adam Levine, and Jessica Simpson. In November, we spoke to dermatologist Christie Kidd, who treated Jenner in 2018, for her tips on clearing up acne-prone skin.
This story was originally published November 3, 2018.
Kendall Jenner's acne used to make headlines. Heavily-zoomed paparazzi photos magnifying barely-there chin zits became front-page news stories, tied to tired captions like, "Supermodels, they're just like us." She was even bullied for her barely-visible breakouts on social media, to the point of having to step in to shut down the negativity herself.
But you — and the Twitter trolls — may have noticed that Jenner's skin has done a complete 180 recently. At first, she owned her acne; then, she managed to kick it, leading to headlines that are less "just like us" and more like "glowy" and "radiant." So what changed? The answer: Christie Kidd, dermatology PA and Hollywood's resident skin-care expert. Kidd says that the supermodel walked into her office at a time when she was dealing with a particularly bad cycle of breakouts, and left with a simple regimen that changed her skin forever.
If you can't make it to Beverly Hills for an in-office consultation with Kidd, we have the next best thing: We asked the sought-after pro to break down her top 5 tips for healing acne and the specific active ingredients that work. It's surprisingly simple — scroll through and see.
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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.
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Today: an intern working in government who makes $2,700 per month and spends some of her money this week on Odwalla smoothies.
Occupation: Intern Industry: Government Age: 22 Location: Sacramento, CA Income: I get a monthly stipend of $2,700 Paycheck Amount (Monthly): After taxes, my take-home pay comes out to about $2,400.
Monthly Expenses Rent: $765 (I share a three-bedroom apartment with two roommates.) Student Loan Payment: $0 (I'm still in the deferment period for my loans since graduating last spring, and I will begin payments next month.) Yoga Studio Membership: $68 (I go about 15x month, so it works out to about $4 a class) Transit Pass: My work pays for this. Utilities: $40 Cell Phone: My parents pay. Netflix: I use my parents' account. Health Insurance & Car Insurance: I'm on my parents' plans. New York Times Sunday Subscription: $4
Day One
6:30 a.m. — My boyfriend wakes me up in our Airbnb in South Lake Tahoe. We stopped here last night on our way back to Sacramento after I spent a week at home in L.A. for the holidays. My boyfriend usually sleeps in for hours after I wake up, but when we're in a new place, he's up at dawn. He goes upstairs to read while I start getting ready.
7:45 a.m. — We stop at a local coffee shop and grab two coffees to-go, and I chug a couple glasses of water while we're there. (Being away from home and my reusable water bottles always makes me super dehydrated.) For breakfast, we munch on leftover monkey bread from a roadside bakery, while we drive to our first stop. $4
8:45 a.m. — We arrive at a state park alongside the lake and take in the views. We laughed this morning when our Airbnb host asked if we were there to “hit the slopes” — neither of us are into snowboarding/skiing, and to me it's always seemed way too expensive to be worth it.
12:45 p.m. — After some more sightseeing, we stop at a sandwich shop for lunch. I get a vegan wrap sandwich, and my boyfriend gets a “fake” reuben sandwich. (We're both vegetarian.) He pays. We realize we've hit everything on our must-see list much faster than we expected, and make one more stop at a state beach (I pay the entrance fee) before getting on the highway towards Sacramento. $10
1:30 p.m. — It's my turn to drive, so I pull over in a rural town and buy a cup of coffee. (Coming from L.A. area, it is bananas to me how much open space NorCal has, even near big cities.) $2.50
3:30 p.m. — We get to my apartment and unpack the car. Somehow, I flew to L.A. with only a carry-on and returned with a full carload and multiple bags, including old furniture I took from my parents' garage. I've lived here for a few months, but my roommates and I haven't gotten around to fully furnishing the living room. My boyfriend still lives in Southern California while finishing school, but he's spending a few days here for New Year's.
5 p.m. — We are HUNGRY, so we walk to Chipotle, which we pay for with gift card. One of my favorite things about Sacramento is how walkable it is compared to Los Angeles.
6 p.m. — After Chipotle, we stop by CVS to pick up Neosporin (infected facial piercing), cheap vodka, and cranberry juice to make drinks at home tonight. I buy my Neosporin and my boyfriend picks up the drinks. $5.12
7 p.m. — We watch When Harry Met Sally together on my bed while drinking vodka-cranberry drinks and eating popcorn. (My boyfriend buys the movie on Amazon.) This is a New Year's tradition for us — we were friends for nearly six years before we started dating, so the movie hits close to home.
Daily Total: $21.62
Day Two
7:45 a.m. — I wake up and head down the street to my yoga studio for an 8 a.m. class. I got a Manduka Pro mat for Christmas, but I didn't take the time to break it in with salt, so I'm slipping around during class. I have a monthly membership here, so I don't pay per class.
10 a.m. — I stop at the Natural Foods Co-op on my way home to pick up a few groceries for my apartment and an early lunch for my boyfriend and me. The Co-op is super hip and sells organic local produce, and I know I should shop local because #sustainability, but it is also pretty pricey, so this is actually my first time shopping here. Even though it's a block from my apartment, I normally drive to the Trader Joe's in the suburbs. I buy two cans of garbanzo beans, a large bag of kale, tomatoes, and carrots, and four Odwalla smoothies. From the deli section, I grab a pre-made kale salad for myself and a fake bacon BLT for my boyfriend. $41.74
12 p.m. — I'm craving a lazy Sunday afternoon before four more friends from home arrive tonight, so we head to a local coffee shop. Work was really stressful before the holiday break, so I use the time at the coffee shop to strategize ways to make the upcoming week more engaging — meditation breaks using Headspace, intellectually stimulating books to read at lunch instead of scrolling through social media, and scheduling coffee dates with mentors/career role models. I buy a cider. I like this coffee shop because they also have beer/wine. $7.41
4 p.m. — My boyfriend and I walk around the touristy Old Sacramento, then go to a thrift store to kill time until our friends arrive. I buy a funky cheetah print shirt to wear for NYE, and I'm excited because it matches the animal print shirt my boyfriend is wearing. $9.74
7 p.m. — Get to our friends' Airbnb in the suburbs and order a pizza. (My boyfriend pays for my share.) I was a little nervous about having my friends come up because I thought they'd want to eat out for most meals and go out each night since they're on vacation, and I only have about $60 to spend until my paycheck on the 31st. Luckily, it seems like they also prefer staying in and saving money. My November 30th paycheck was my first full paycheck since moving here, so I had a lot to catch up on — rent, credit card bill, and purchases I'd been putting off — as well as the additional expense of Christmas gifts. I'm looking forward to getting on a more regular budget in January.
11 p.m. — Arrive back at my apartment. I know I should sleep since I have work in the morning, but I don't fall asleep until past 2 a.m. due to my boyfriend snoring louder than usual, and my roommate having a friend over. I struggle with insomnia and can rarely fall asleep unless it is silent — which screams “she needs her own place,” but I can't afford to live without roommates.
Daily Total: $58.89
Day Three
8:15 a.m. — NYE. I end up dragging my feet so much that I'm running late. I miss my train, so my boyfriend drops me off. I bring a vanilla chai protein shake for breakfast.
10:45 a.m. — I meet my boyfriend and our friends at a cafe, and a I get a fake bacon BLT. (My boyfriend pays.) I've been vegetarian for about eight years, and I'm working on transitioning to being a “weekday vegan” this year.
12:30 p.m. — I guide my friends on a tour around the State Capitol building. We do a “photoshoot” in front of the building, and I'm SO happy they're here.
2 p.m. — We go back to the thrift store so my friends can look for fun/extra NYE clothes. I try on about seven pairs of jeans and find a like-new Madewell pair that fit perfectly for only $25. I don't have the money for them until my paycheck, so I put them on hold.
4 p.m. — Our friends go back to their Airbnb, and my BF and I go back to my apartment so I can nap. He puts on his record player — he packed it from home (?!), and it puts me to sleep.
5 p.m. — I thought for sure my friends would want to go out to eat and pregame tonight, but instead they say we can eat on our own then meet at the Airbnb for pregaming. My boyfriend and I make a decadent meal of Annie's mac and cheese and kale salad that I have on hand, and then get dressed to leave. I'd expressed concern over the cost of us Ubering into the suburbs to meet my friends at their Airbnb, so one of my friends drives to pick us up instead. (Bless them.)
8 p.m. — After pregaming and eating appetizers at the Airbnb, we head to a brewery in West Sacramento hosting a NYE event. It cost $30 per person but includes two drinks, and I figured we were more of a “chill brewery vibes” group than a “wandering through crowded bars downtown” group, so I think it was worth it. I paid for my ticket and my boyfriend's a few weeks in advance. One of my friends doesn't want to drink, so she offers to drive, saving us immensely on NYE Uber costs. $62
12:30 a.m. — We get back to my apartment — the event was outside, and it was way too cold for my SoCal friends, so they were ready to dip as soon as the clock struck 12. Like, literally they were sprinting to the car as Auld Lang Syne played. Fine with me, I'm not feeling great, and I'm ready to sleep.
Daily Total: $62
Day Four
12:30 p.m. — PAY DAY! After a lazy morning, my boyfriend and I go to a ramen restaurant down the street — it is our friend group's New Year's tradition to eat ramen as the first meal of the year. In L.A., this typically happens around 1 or 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve, but since the sole ramen restaurant in Sacramento closes at 10 p.m. we had to delay it to a NYD lunch. I'm really not feeling great, and I realize while waiting for our table that I've started my period. I run over to the Safeway down the street for pads and Advil. $15.13
1 p.m. — I pay for my BF's ramen and my own. He typically pays for the vast majority of our meals and activities, which I feel very guilty about, so I usually overcompensate by trying to pay for everything the week my paycheck hits. $28.82
3 p.m. — My boyfriend is supposed to drive home, since he has work in the morning and is planning on dropping me off to meet my friends at the zoo. But I start crying when it's time for him to leave. (Again, I've been stressed at work and not loving Sacramento, and it's hard to face another few weeks without seeing him, especially after spending every day over the holidays together.) He feels bad and decides to come to the zoo and leave later. He pays for our tickets ($15 each), but I pay for us to feed a giraffe ($5, worth it) and for a Vitamin Water ($4). $9
5 p.m. — One of my friends wants to visit a local coffee shop, so I take her to one by my apartment and buy a Mexican hot chocolate, even though I initially planned on not buying anything. Afterwards, she drops me off at my apartment to nap. $4.50
7 p.m. — I drive to my friends' Airbnb to eat dinner there for free — they've made breakfast for dinner, although we don't eat it until after about four hours of playing Mario Kart. I leave around 11 and say my goodbyes, since they leave tomorrow morning.
Daily Total: $57.45
Day Five
8:30 a.m. — First full day back at work, with strong Monday vibes even though it's a Wednesday. I hop on the train at the station right behind my apartment at 8:15, and am at work by 8:30.
9 a.m. — I buy a small carton of milk to keep in the office fridge for coffee. I already have K-cups there, but I feel bad about the waste they produce. But, I can't afford to buy a new coffee pot for the office, so… $1.50
1 p.m. — I am officially sick, not hungover. I walk a mile in my new cheetah print heeled boots to Rite Aid and buy DayQuil/NyQuil, and also new mascara. I then eat my packed lunch (kale and chickpea salad). $18.50
5:15 p.m. — Home from work, I eat split pea soup I have on hand. I spend a few hours cleaning my room, then reading a new book my boyfriend bought me called The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade. I'm asleep around 11 p.m.
Daily Total: $20
Day Six
8:30 a.m. — At work drinking another Odwalla juice for breakfast. Our office is always silent, so my constant coughing and sneezing is increasingly obvious.
10 a.m. — I have a phone meeting with my boss, who is also sick and working from home. She advises me to take the rest of the day off, as well as tomorrow, since I'm “most contagious right now.” She doesn't have to tell me twice — I've gone through an entire box of tissues just this morning. I contemplate Ubering home, but it is $7 for a five-minute drive, so I take the train instead.
12 p.m. — I get home and eat the food I packed for lunch, which is quinoa and roasted eggplant with soy sauce. Then I lie around on the couch, wondering what to do with my now free afternoon in my empty apartment.
3 p.m. — I stop by the post office to mail a letter to my boyfriend (writing out my personal 2019 resolutions for our relationship) and the birthday gift to my friend. I know literally nothing about the post office (#millennial), so I am surprised that I have to pay nearly $9 to mail one mug across the state. But I suck it up and make a mental note of how much my mom and friends must be paying each time they send me a large care package. $8.75
3:30 p.m. — I stop by the Natural Foods Co-op to buy ingredients for soup. Even before I was sick, I wanted to cleanse this weekend, so this is a good excuse. I get bunches of kale, rainbow carrots, vegetable broth, two pre-made soups, orange juice, and tea. I also get a pre-made kale Caesar salad. $29.35
7:30 p.m. — I head to yoga. I know I probably shouldn't go to yoga when I have the day off of work for being sick, but it is really the only thing that'll make me feel better. And I don't do well with entire days without movement. Also, my boss is really into yoga, so I think she'd understand.
9 p.m. — I'm home and make a soup with kale, carrots, and mushroom broth. I read my book for a few hours and head to bed.
Daily Total: $38.10
Day Seven
7:30 a.m. — I'm not going to work today, but I wake up and finish up an assignment due today so I can email it in. I text my boss to let her know I'm still feeling sick, then go back to sleep.
10 a.m. — I drink hot water with lemon and read last week's New York Times Sunday edition — I just signed up for print copies. I was a print journalism major, so seeing the print layout is soothing.
11 a.m. — I get a call from one of the graduate schools I applied too, letting me know I've been admitted. It's a nice surprise, since I wasn't expecting to hear back for a few months, and I daydream while looking on Craigslist at apartments near the campus.
12 p.m. — I make another soup. I want to go to yoga, but decide I shouldn't go during work hours on a day I have off for being sick.
4 p.m. — I use the time to visualize my 2019 goals, trying to contextualize them more in terms of what I want in the next five to 10 years. As an ENFP personality type, I often jump from thing to thing. Especially with grad school, I want to make sure that my next step lines up with my future goals, not just what I'm interested in right now. My smaller 2019 goals include being a weekday vegan, yoga four times a week, meditation three times a week, and reading two books a month. The traits I'm hoping to focus on are patience, gratefulness, and passion.
7 p.m. — I spend the whole day at home, reading and watching Netflix before going to sleep. It's been a social few weeks with the holidays and having friends in town, and I'm glad to get a bit of a break, although I know I can't handle another boring sick day in the apartment alone next week.
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.
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Carrying a title bestowed by Queen Elizabeth, wearing a grip of jewels as a headband, casually padding around a palace (you know, because you live there). There are plenty of things about being Kate Middleton that we will never know for ourselves. Thankfully, scoring her warm, rich hair color isn’t one of them. Even though NDAs abound when it comes to pinpointing her exact routine, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge keeps things surprisingly simple in the hair department. The basic recipe for princess hair, according to pros? “A warm, brown base with very subtle highlights just one level lighter to give hair dimension,” says Stephanie Brown, master colorist at Eddie Arthur Salon in New York.
It almost sounds too easy — like so many looks that seem do-able, but requires multiple sittings and thousands of dollars to maintain. Sharon Dorram, master colorist at Sally Hershberger Salon in New York, assures us otherwise. “Kate’s color is very soft and subtle, and I’m happy to say an easy color to obtain” she says .“The semi-permanent rinse creates the richness of the brown, with extremely subtle highlights that frame the face and lowlights throughout. A lot of people think that to go this 'natural' is very hard to achieve, but this is a very universal look.”
That doesn't mean our pros advise whipping out just any photo of Kate and marching into the first salon that pops up on Yelp: Finding a colorist who can tweak the formula to best match your skin tone is key. "[The color is] so natural, much like children’s hair," Dorram notes. "It’s so effortless and looks true to form while really accentuating Kate’s eye color.” To find your own version of so-natural-it-looks-virgin hair, your colorist must consider skin tone, Brown says. Those with olive-toned skin might start with neutral-toned highlights; Those with pink undertones can veer toward the ashier side of the spectrum; and those with warm-toned skin look best with golden highlights.
The tricky thing: These shades can appear differently in photographs, depending on the light in which they were captured, so it takes more than a cool inspo pic to make it all happen. (To be on the safer side, bring in several.) Plus, as Dorram points out, just because the look is simple to achieve, doesn’t mean it’s foolproof. “You can bring in all the pictures and chat through ideas with colorists, but until you actually see their work, it’s hard to know if they’ll be able to achieve this look without any brassiness,” she says. So study up on those Instagram feeds and ask for stylist recommendations from people who have similar dye jobs.
Once you’ve made the color change, be prepared for one more delight: maintenance is next to nothing. If you go down a rabbit hole of Middleton hair pics on the internet (who among us hasn’t?), you’ll find images of her extremely chill highlights at varying stages of growth — all looking quite purposeful. That’s because the color looks great grown out or newly refreshed. “Maintenance can be as little as a gloss or once a year — or as much as every three months, depending on how your hair oxidizes,” Brown says. “Once you get the color you want, you don’t have to do highlights that often. The color is so close to a natural color, it grows out easily.”
Low-to-no maintenance hair color? Turns out a working duchess shares at least one very important thing with the rest of us: Very little time for hair appointments.
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