President Donald Trump signed into law a bipartisan women's economic empowerment bill supported by his daughter, White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump, in a ceremony behind closed doors Wednesday.
The Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment (WEEE) Act, authored by Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel and Republican Rep. Ed Royce, aims to provide support for women-led ventures in developing countries and help them overcome gender-related barriers to economic growth, such as facing gender-based violence and having limited access to education and healthcare.
"When women and girls are educated, free from violence, and have access to tools to support their families, their communities are safer, stronger, and more peaceful," Frankel said in a statement provided to Refinery29. "There’s an undeniable link between women’s economic success and global prosperity, and the WEEE Act gives more women and girls the chance to thrive."
According to Frankel's office, as of today more than one billion women across the world are left out from the formal financial system, which in turn hampers economic growth. But research shows that by advancing women's rights and gender equality, we could add between $12 trillion and $28 trillion to the global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025. (According to the McKinsey Global Institute, the former scenario would happen if "all countries match the rate of improvement of the fastest-improving country in their region," while the latter ambitiously proposes that "women play an identical role in labor markets to that of men.")
As a senior adviser to the president, Trump made women's economic empowerment a priority in her portfolio, next to promoting STEM education and criminal justice reform. When it came to the WEEE Act, Trump began lobbying in favor of the legislation last summer. The measure had similar goals to the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), a project she helped launch with the World Bank in mid-2017.
Some of the things the WEEE Act will do is mandating the U.S.Agency for International Development (USAID) to direct 50% of its small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) resources to women-owned ventures; codifying USAID's use of a gender-lens for shaping its policies and activities; requiring the agency tracks progress in women's economic empowerment, from employment and enterprise development to control over their income; among other stipulations.
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We love wine — but, since we don't live in a chateau, one too many bottles has the potential to become small-space clutter rather than the prized collection it is. When it comes to wine storage, our abilities are limited to stuffing bottles in non-working fireplaces or standing them precariously atop wobbly fridges (a.k.a. not the most secure way to stash our favorite $15-and-under-section vintages). And even the more official tabletop racks or bar carts occupy already limited surface area inside our tiny abodes. Instead of giving up our Cab-habits and Pinot Noir love affairs altogether, we turned to the home-hack pros at Pinterest for a solution.
According to the popular DIY site, search for wine rack organization is up a whopping 140%. But instead of free-standing floor to tabletop racks, the current wine storage trend is all about elevated wall attachment systems. Wall-mounted racks and shelves free up precious space inside tight quarters, while also transforming once cumbersome bottle collections into a stylish and streamlined home-decor statement. Ahead we've rounded up 10 of these off-the-ground support systems that will help turn any wine-lovers' small space into an efficient vino gallery wall.
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This artful rack is accented with a modern, matte-black finish and five shelves for bottle and glass storage.
Noella Wall-Mounted Wine Rack, $263.99, available at Birch Lane
This pegboard fashioned out of reclaimed-wood creates a minimalist-chic storage opportunity for up to 16, standard-sized bottles of wine.
Laurel Foundry Pavo 16-Bottle Hanging Wine Rack, $71.98, available at Wayfair
We love how this wine rack look more like a cubist sculpture than a storage unit.
Anthropologie Thea Wall Mounted Wine Rack, $98, available at Anthropologie
Crafted out of reclaimed wood with a grained finish, this double-rack shelving system is able to hold your favorite bottles in addition to 15 pieces of stemware.
Bernon Rustic Wall Mounted Wine Glass Rack, $66.98, available at AllModern
Like the rustic wall-mounted version of a shower caddy, this wine rack can securely store up to four bottles and four stemware glasses.
Cooks 4-Bottle Wall Mounted Wine Rack, $34.99, available at Joss & Main
If you're short on wall space, no worries — this narrow wooden rack can still hold up to five bottles of vino in addition to two glasses with streamlined vintage style.
Atterstone Rustic Wine Rack with Hanging Stemware Holder, $61.99, available at Amazon
This compact, two-tier floating rack can elegantly display six stemmed wine glasses while also holding up to ten bottles of wine.
Prepac 2-Tier Floating Wine and Liquor Rack, $65.98, available at Amazon
A super sleek find for interior minimalists.
Blomus Cioso Wall Mounted Wine Rack, $66.59, available at 2Modern
If you aren't one for showcasing wine labels, then this concealed-cube rack made from walnut wood may be more your storage speed.
Crate & Barrel Aspect Walnut 47.5" Floating Cube Shelf Wine Insert, $59, available at Crate & Barrel
This wall-mounted rack mimics the feel of a grounded bar cart with its elongated structure — the iron and wood frame can hold up to nine bottles of wine and store between three to six glasses.
Williston Forge Orla 9-Bottle Wall Mounted Wine Rack, $90.99, available at Walmart
A pure utility rack that puts the spotlight on your growing wine collection.
Vintotemp 9-Bottle Epic Metal Wine Rack, $60.99, available at Bed Bath & Beyond
We love the worn-in, vintage feel of this eight-bottle and eight-glass rack constructed from reclaimed hardwood.
Alaterre Revive 8-Bottle Wall Mounted Wine Rack, $126, available at Hayneedle
Stylishly hang any six bottles from this plated-steel and leather, crosshatch wine rack.
Anthropologie Crosshatch Wine Rack, $98, available at Anthropologie
A reasonably-priced wine mount that mimics the efficiency and style of a classic entryway coat rack.
World Market Woodland 5-Bottle Wall Wine Rack, $34.99, available at World Market
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Many people know Frank Ocean for his lyrical genius and his entertaining Instagram page. (I mean, clips of Brad Pitt breaking it down on the dance floor? Epic!) But apparently Ocean has a whole other area of expertise: skin care. For GQ's latest cover story, the music artist spilled the details on his skin regimen and explained how men need to do better when it comes to their nighttime routines. Sure, he also touched on politics and music in his interview, but there's something extra special about knowing Frank Ocean devotedly dabs on retinol every evening.
"I really do believe in night cream," said the cover star. "I need the night cream because when I wake up I feel very beautiful, moisturized, and ready to have people making eye contact with me... [laughs] That’s the life hack right there."
The 31-year-old, who looks like he's aging backwards, also took the opportunity to school men on the value of practicing good skin care. "I feel like men just go to sleep," he says. "They may wash their face or they don’t even bother — they go to sleep with the day face on. You really need to do a gentle wash and put a night moisturizer on. You can’t have the retinol in your creams in the day because it makes you more sun-sensitive, so you wanna throw that on at night." Preach, Frank.
The Blonde singer has done something that girlfriends, mothers, and beauty editors have been trying to accomplish for years: get men interested in moisturizing. Shortly after the interview went live, the fellas took to Twitter to announce their 2019 skin-care goals. "Frank Ocean just dropped his skin-care routine. Fellas we staying moisturized all 2019," wrote one user.
The only thing I care about this morning is Frank Ocean’s opinion on how men don’t pay enough attention to their skin. He’s out here riding for night creams! We have no choice but to stan!
frank ocean told us all to improve our skin care for 2019 + buy night cream so i'm gonna need someone Real Quick to tell me what night cream i need to buy that's like, cheap but still V soothing and nice and makes me feel good/hot okay thanks :) pic.twitter.com/riEZaEXeg5
While Ocean might have a skin routine that's better than most, he's still looking to add new things to his product lineup. Specifically, he's hoping Pharrell — who is flawless at 45 — will reveal his skin-care regimen. "It’s been all these years, and Pharrell still hasn’t given us the keys yet," he told GQ. "He just says 'exfoliate,' but it’s not just 'exfoliate.' We need more keys." We second that: Pharelll, give us the keys!
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For the better part of the past two decades, Lindsay Lohan's fame has been the product of her public missteps. After her straight shot to success as a child actor — starring in blockbuster films and cult hits like The Parent Trap,Life-Size, and Mean Girls — Lohan's notoriety spiked after a string of unfortunate events, like multiple arrests and being frenemies with Paris Hilton.
Even so, despite all the pitfalls Lohan's career and public persona have weathered, the 32-year-old has never given up on trying to prove everyone wrong. Whether it's scoring a gig promoting legal advice, producing a beauty line, starring in an Oprah-produced docuseries, or owning her own island, Lohan always rises from the ashes of her past self.
The haters will say otherwise, but Lohan is thriving in a way she hasn't since the early 2000s — and it shows. Follow the multi-hyphenate on Instagram and you'll see her living it up in bold red lipsticks and sun-kissed skin (after all, she runs a beach club in Greece), serving looks in mirror selfies that are so good we had to hunt down her current go-to makeup artist, Rob Scheppy, to ask, "How does she do it?" Beauty-industry veteran Scheppy has been spending considerable time with Lohan since July while working on her new MTV reality series, Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club — so he's more qualified than most to say that 2019 is bound to be a real turning point for Lohan and her look. All the details on how he's turned Hollywood's comeback kid into a budding beauty icon, ahead...
Lindsay has had a very public evolution throughout the years. What do you think has been the biggest turning point [for her look]? "I think this is the turning point for her now! The summer in Mykonos is so hot and we’re at a beach club all day, so we tried to never put too much makeup on. Luckily, she looks so young and beautiful with no makeup. I wanted to make sure she looked like the boss, so we often just did a bold lip to achieve that look. She likes to have fun with fashion and she was open to trying out different things. We got to play a lot."
What's your favorite look you've done on her? "There are so many, but if I had to pick just one [it would be] from our New York press tour, when we stopped by [the] Rachael Ray [Show]. Jhonatan Rendon, who does her hair, created a beautiful ponytail and I went wild with pinks. She wasn’t feeling 100% that day, but she was feeling her look. That cheered her up enough to get through the day."
What's the most crucial piece to Lindsay's beauty routine? "Good skin care is a must for Lindsay. We love to do masks before makeup. I love the MDNA Skin masks, serum, and face roller. It’s all so luxurious and leaves you feeling like a queen. She's also good about not going in the sun too much. The beach club has cabanas and umbrellas that help minimize exposure."
What are your favorite foundations for freckles? "I like Koh Gen Do's Aqua Foundation. It isn’t heavy and leaves the skin dewy, so you can still see the gorgeous skin underneath."
How would describe Lindsay's look since you started working with her? "Boss beauty."
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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: a communications director working in software development who makes $101,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on roses. Editor's note: All prices have been converted to U.S. dollars.
Occupation: Communications Director Industry: Software Development Age: 39 Location: Paris, France Salary: $101,000 Paycheck Amount (Month): $5,000 (I also get food vouchers as part of my company benefits — about $200/month.)
Monthly Expenses Mortgage: $1,235 ($1,185 a month on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage at 1.15%, with homeowner's insurance at $50/month) Utilities: $485 for electricity, gas, and water Internet: $43.75 (includes international calls, TV, and broadband) Cell Phone: $0 ($96 paid for by my work) Navigo Pass: $94 Gym Membership: $200 Subscriptions: $31.25 (This includes newsletters and business tools for my side business in communications consulting.) House Emergency Fund: $490 Savings: $1,000
Day One
5:30 a.m. — On Mondays I take the train to Paris, which costs $15 if I buy my ticket ahead of time online. It's three times as much if you buy it at the station, so I avoid that whenever possible. I can't afford property in Paris, but there's no work in my field where I live, so I work in Paris and live in a rural region about two hours away. My boyfriend, R., and our infant daughter will follow in the afternoon by car. We'll spend Monday through Thursday afternoon in Paris, where my boyfriend owns a small two-bedroom apartment. $15
7:50 a.m. — It's my first day back in the office since maternity leave started four months ago. No one else is here yet. I caffeinate with free office coffee and grab some fruit and nuts.
12:21 p.m. — Morning meetings are over, so I duck outside for lunch. I head to the supermarket to stock up on soup, yogurt, and bars for the next week. Paris is a lunchtime minefield, and if I'm not careful, I know I'll end up spending more money than I can afford. I used to watch my expenses in this area and stick to a strict food budget, but I don't anymore. It was unrealistic while I was single and working all the time, and it's unrealistic now that we're a family of three. When she was my age, my mother had two children and cooked three square meals a day, all while working. Despite the current constraints of my life, I feel like I should be, too, and feel halfway guilty when I cop out by buying bricks of soup. $21.17
5:17 p.m. — I can't seem to settle down, so I go out for a quick walk around the block. I duck into a Starbucks for an herbal tea, as I'm trying to go to bed earlier and don't need caffeine right now. I immediately regret throwing away money on vegetable-tasting water. I leave work early. Well, it feels early. I used to stay until 8 or 9 p.m. several days a week, and that's just not possible anymore with a kiddo. So I get in two or three hours before everyone in the morning and leave around 5. $5.25
5:41 p.m. — I walk to the express train stop right at the Grands Boulevards next to Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. I top up my Navigo pass with a monthly subscription before taking the express train to R.'s place. It's $94 for monthly access to the Paris metro, trams, buses, and suburban trains across a 60-mile radius of the city. Not great value if you're just using it to commute within the city, but a steal if you use the suburban stations like I do. There are so many exquisite things in the store windows. When I first moved to Paris, I redid my budget to bump up the amount I thought I'd be spending on clothes and personal maintenance. Living here had the opposite effect, though. For one, everyone seems to wear the same thing all the time. Also, there's so much trash and junk covering this city — even the pretty, touristy parts — that I'm put off by the idea of buying more stuff and adding more waste to the pile. Black sweaters, Chapstick lips, and eyeliner it is.
6:40 p.m. — We live at R.'s place three days a week, although “live” is a pretty big word for what we do, which is squeeze into his tiny two-bedroom and watch TV until we fall asleep. Before we moved to the country, he was supposed to renovate his place. This hasn't happened yet, and I'm not sure how long I can live without a basic kitchen and a shower that doesn't leak. I run some numbers in my head and figure that it will take at least $7,500 to redo the plumbing for the kitchen and bathroom, put in an oven and fridge, and finish the rest of his move. I don't have that money just sitting around right now, so it'll have to wait a few months. It wouldn't bother me that much, but it's different with a kid.
7:45 p.m. — R. and our daughter, B., have arrived. I consider stepping out to get noodles from the Chinese restaurant down the street, but R. has just finished an early dinner at his parents' place a few miles across town. I'm not that hungry, so I eat an apple, make some tea, and answer some emails before it's time to get B. ready for bed. Goal: no screen time at all while she's awake. Nighttime is precious. I'm in bed and drifting off to an old episode of House by 9 pm.
Daily Total: $41.42
Day Two
6 a.m. — Alarm goes off at 5:07 a.m. I lie around for five minutes or so before I drag myself out of bed and set off for the 15-minute walk to the express train. I change metros and get off at Strasbourg-Saint Denis to go to the gym. A few bars and sex clubs are still open, and the bakeries are just pulling up their shutters. I realize that the gym has changed its hours since I was last here, pre-birth, and now opens at 7. I grab a seat at Sarah Baker and send a few emails over a double espresso until it opens. $3.30
7:47 a.m. — Finish working out and showering. Time for a quick hop into the steam room before dressing. This gym membership, at $200/month, is my only real indulgence. Unlimited entry to the steam room and sauna alone are worth the price.
8:18 a.m. — At my desk with a free office coffee. I have meetings all morning and afternoon, but I block off an hour from 10 to 11 to squeeze in some writing reports and plans.
9:49 a.m. — Coffee break on the second floor patio. I half want a cigarette, but there's no way I'd go back to smoking now that I'm nearly 40, have a child, and work to stay in reasonably decent health.
12:23 p.m. — Time for lunch. I heat up a soup and then go out for some bread and a walk. End up getting a cheese roll from the bakery. $1.50
12:39 p.m. — On my way back from the bakery, I see a can of B.'s formula in the window of a pharmacy. I had problems breastfeeding, and as a result, B. started full-time on formula at two months when her weight gain lagged. We use an organic goat milk-based one, which is $37.50 a can here at the pharmacy. I can get it for $17 online by ordering a pack of six cans and using a promo code. I stop in anyway to pick up some ibuprofen for my back and shoulders, which have pretty much been in constant pain since I gave birth. $6.68
1 p.m. — I call a physical therapist when I get back to the office – I have a doctor's prescription for 15 sessions for my back and shoulders, which will be covered by national health insurance. This therapist comes recommended, but part of his fee isn't covered by insurance. (Guess that's why I got an appointment so quickly). I decide I don't mind paying the extra $50 per session fee out of pocket. My back has been bothering me for years. I can only imagine what it would cost me to get it fixed in the States. $750 isn't so bad, especially since the payments will be spread out over four months.
1:19 p.m. — R. sends me a text message to let me know to meet him at his parents' place after I leave work. He doesn't have a full-time job, and when he's in Paris, he spends a lot of time hanging out with his retired parents. (He has a net worth 10x mine, mostly in property and stocks, but is cash-poor. His family's generosity has allowed him to not work full-time or pursue a career over the years.) He and his mother take care of B. during the day. We're lucky to have this childcare arrangement, I just don't know how long it's going to last. I get off one stop before R.'s parents' place to go by the florist's shop, where I pick up a small bunch of miniature roses for his mother. $12.50
6:41 p.m. — R., B., and I are in the car on the way home to the apartment. We park a block away and I stop by the Chinese takeout place for fried rice and dumplings to split. We can't cook in the apartment, so if we eat a full meal at night it's usually Chinese takeout or sushi. $22.50
Daily Total: $46.48
Day Three
4:43 a.m. — I manage to sleep from about 8:20 p.m. until 4:30 a.m., when I hear B. cooing. I mix up a bottle, feed her, and change her diaper. I probably won't go back to sleep before I get up and go into town. I hop online and place an order for more formula. It'll arrive at my house in time for the weekend. $127.43
5:45 a.m. — Out the door as quietly as possible so as not to wake R. and B. I leave $62.50 on the table for R. He'll probably need to buy diapers for B. and lunch for himself. I don't mind leaving him money, but it makes both of us feel weird. I don't like feeling like I'm giving him an allowance, but he has expensive tastes that I can't afford, and aside from housing, gas, and food, we don't agree on priorities. Money is a huge sore point between us. We don't share finances per se, and neither of us has debt, but I pay all of our basics and 90% of other expenses. Plus I contribute to my own retirement. $62.50
7 a.m. — Gym. Treadmill. Listening to RTL through my headphones. I want to start lifting again but I'm not ready. Pregnancy and childbirth were rougher on my body than I was expecting. I hate admitting that I just can't get up again and bounce back.
9:14 a.m. — At my desk with breakfast eggs and lentil salad from Prêt à Manger ($10), plus free fruit and coffee from the office kitchen, when I get a phone call from R., who wants to know what the money is doing on the table. He “doesn't need money,” except I know that he does, and the next time we need something or he wants something while we're out, we're going to play some stupid game of “Mother May I” that's going to leave both of us with hurt feelings. He hangs up in a huff. $10
11:15 a.m. — Macarons! One of our favorite partners has stopped by with goodies from Pierre Hermé. Time for an office coffee and a salted caramel macaron. I feel defeated about the R. situation; I can't win. My salary package finally reached six figures last year, but four years ago I was making a grand total of $34,000. Living in substandard housing for many years and being worried about how I would pay for groceries at the end of the month took a toll on me. It's why I usually drink office coffee. The idea of going to Starbucks so much that you would want a loyalty card horrifies me. (No judgment, just the residual effect of years of being poor.)
12:30 p.m. — I heat up some soup purchased earlier this week, supplement with a veggie salad and cheese roll takeout from the bakery, grab a pot of yogurt from my stash in the fridge, and head to the lounge to check out the FIFA action happening on the big screen. $6.50
2:20 p.m. — Long distance calls with an American client, who congratulates me on how well I speak English. I've learned not to say anything other than “thanks.” Men at my level never get these kinds of questions, like where they're from or how long they've been wherever, whether or not it's hard to move somewhere completely different, and do they like living in France?
3:35 p.m. — Seven minutes until my next meeting. I order a cool poster of wine — I'm a wine lover and a map geek and want to cover the bare walls of my house with all kinds of maps and graphics. I leave the office at 4:15 p.m. I worked straight through with 20 total minutes of break, so I'm out early to go to pilates at the gym. $24.75
7 p.m. — Pilates is over, I'm showered, and we're at R.'s parents' place waiting for traffic to die down so that we can get in the car and drive to mine. I'll work from home tomorrow. I stopped at Franprix to bring some fruit and chocolate to the in-laws and pick up some diapers for B. She's gone up a size in the last week, and for some reason the next size up is nearly three times as expensive as the ones she was wearing. I can't really compare, though, since the packs of diapers have different quantities. This frustrates the comparison-shopping American in me. $26.84
9:21 p.m. — On the road with a sleeping B. in the backseat. We stop to fill up the car and I knock out a few emails before losing the 4G signal about an hour down the highway. $108.51
Daily Total: $366.53
Day Four
5:40 a.m. — Up early and caffeinated with B. fed and diapered. I check emails from my desk downstairs. I remember that I still need to send back a bunch of holiday orders for R. and B. that didn't fit.
9:15 a.m. — Break for more coffee and a trip to the bakery ($6.25) and post office. I open the huge shutters facing the street and watch the light flood in. This place is so pretty (and cheap), but over the past few months I've had the nagging feeling that it was the wrong decision, for lots of reasons. $6.25
9:20 a.m. — Spend more than expected sending back the holiday items and buying stamps. Sending a letter will go up to around $1.25 this year. Crazy. On the way back from the post office, I see our neighbor coming out of the bakery. He's a mysterious figure who, like me, works in the city. Sharp and well-dressed, in his mid-60s. I have no idea what he actually does or what he's doing here in this poky little town. His girlfriend is closer to my age, and I've been wanting to hang out with her for a few weeks. I make a note to call her. I'm back on calls from 9:30 straight until noon. $45
12:07 p.m. — R. runs downstairs in a panic that we're going to miss the Friday market. The market comes to town twice a week. Today it's the fruit and veg wagon, plus the cheese van. R.'s thing is cheese. I'm in the middle of something, so I hand him $40 and tell him to get whatever he likes. He comes back 30 minutes later with two and a half pounds of cheese and $15 worth of muscle car magazines. “Some light reading for the lady,” he smiles triumphantly as he hands them to me. His cheek is incredible, but so is his ability to make me laugh. Market haul includes potatoes, pears, salad, and clementines. And two and a half pounds of cheese. We'll probably do a raclette tonight. $40
4:40 p.m. — I finish up work, we pile in the car, and drive the 10 miles down the road to the butcher shop. It's the kind of place that tourists love to come for the authenticity. We buy some beef for stroganoff, some smoked sausage for freezing and quick weekend dinners, and a couple of slices of pâté for snacking. Everything is local. $34.76
5:17 p.m. — On the way back, we veer off toward a neighboring village and pass in front of Cédric's bar to see if it's open. It is, so we go inside and share a pint of the local microbrew while showing B. around to the regulars we haven't seen since she was born. We're back home by 6:30 p.m. I start messing around with a communications plan for the local organic grocery store, which is in danger of closing. It's not really clear why, but inexperienced management seems to be a factor. It's one of the few oases of progressive thinking here, and it would be a shame if it went under. I attended the last co-op meeting and volunteered to help where I could: marketing, communications, sales. I stop to make the stroganoff around 8 p.m., then call it a day around 10 after B. is fed and things are reasonably clean. We drift off to an old episode of House. $5
Daily Total: $131.01
Day Five
6:13 a.m. — Wake up to B. glurgling happily beside me. She's not hungry or dirty, so I check messages before heading downstairs. There's a WhatsApp from a number I don't recognize. Then I remember it's M., a 20-something investment banker I met last summer shortly after R. left me. We had a few dates before R. came back. M. didn't mind that I was single mom-to-be in my late 30s, but he was scared off by the fact that I was moving to the country part-time. I told him that R. was coming back and we dropped out of contact soon after. He kind of ghosted me on WhatsApp, which is why I'm surprised to see the message. Decide to wait awhile before replying.
6:30 a.m. — M.'s avatar is once again greyed out and there's no status. I don't have the mental energy to wonder what just happened. He's a sweet guy, and I hope he finds someone.
8:17 a.m. — I 'm caffeinated and the baby is changed, fed, and entertained. R. goes down the street for bread and pastries. $6.98
10:15 a.m. — Working on grocery store messaging when the doorbell rings. It's the postal carrier with a package. I ask her to wait a second so that I can get her tube of homemade cookies and her yearly tip. In France, it's traditional to tip service workers a little something at the end of the year. The concept is completely foreign to me as an American, but I play along. Connections mean a lot in a small place like this, and if you're cheap, crazy, or strange, word gets around fast. $25
11:14 a.m. — Browsing clothes for B. I order a couple more pants and another jacket in a warm, comfy style I bought for her a few weeks ago. She looks and feels like a cuddly little penguin in them. $59.96
12 p.m. — Pâté sandwiches with goods from the butcher, fruit from the market haul, and tea. Then story time with baby, which turns into nap time.
2:30 p.m. — Get up and realize I'm late for a meeting with R.'s real estate agent. He bought a property to renovate in the same town at the same time as I was buying my house. I want to drop off a gift for her since she went out of her way to introduce us to people here, and since the transaction had a lot of ups and downs. Normally I wouldn't pick up this particular chore, but R.'s not going to do it because it's a “waste of money” — his words. But I know how hard she worked to get the deal done and smooth things over when things went belly-up with the owners. I want her to know that someone noticed and appreciated the extra effort that she made. $64.44
4:45 p.m. — Just discovered the air wash function of my washing machine. How did I not know about this?! This is going to save a ton on dry cleaning. I also discover that moths have eaten my new-last-season cashmere sweaters that were in storage this summer. I bought them on Grana, but I'm not sure I want to shell out $100 each to replace them. That's not expensive for a decent cashmere, but it's still more than I'm used to paying for a basic sweater. I may go with some merino Uniqlo ones for $29 a pop.
5:30 p.m. — Laundry and Columbo marathon until the late hours of the evening. I make a pot of tea and sandwiches, and a bottle for B.
Daily Total: $156.38
Day Six
1:24 a.m. — Can't sleep. Browsing Amazon for The Feynman Lectures on Physics. I'm looking for something to do; a longer, bigger thing that is greater than the sum of its parts. Raising a child is part of it, but I feel like my intellect is going unchallenged. The last 10 years of my life have been about money and career. I grew up in an unglamorous place on the frugal end of middle class. No one had any particular expectations of me. I arrived at adulthood with no idea of what I should do, and no idea how to do it. Somehow – and most of the time I don't know how – I arrived here at this place I never expected to be. Mostly because I was tired of worrying if I was going to be able to afford groceries and a house one day. I came to France with dreams of making a living from my translation and writing, but gave up during yet another year of grinding anxiety about finances. I just didn't have the personal fortitude to push through. I feel like I failed sometimes, and wish that I had pushed anyway.
1:30 a.m. — The Lectures are over $100 for a box set, plus shipping. It's an unnecessary expense I don't feel like I can afford right now. I add them to my wish list. I keep thinking about the whole work-money-life thing. We often judge people who synchronize their lives to the fluctuations of the balance sheet and promotion cycle (I used to), but when you're on the other side of that looking in and hungry...damn it feels good to even get within striking distance. I'm kind of surprised that I've pulled it off.
5:32 a.m. — Up and on the train. I got my ticket early, so it was only $15. I put on my noise-canceling headphones and try to sleep. Today's a big day: the usual Monday meetings plus lunch out. $15
7:20 a.m. — Arrival in Paris. I take the metro to Grands Boulevards and pop into the Prêt à Manger on Haussmann. Get some eggs, a sandwich, and a small bar of chocolate. Fruit, coffee, and sparkling water will be free at work. $11.01
7:51 a.m. — At my desk and answering emails with office coffee.
8:22 a.m. — Scheduling all the little moving parts of an announcement this week. There's a lot to coordinate and a lot of areas where information can potentially fall through the cracks. I got into marketing and communications by default. Good communication is a real job and an art, though. If I'm doing my job right, everything should look and feel seamless. That's the part that takes the most work – making the rough edges invisible in order to create and highlight the main messages.
10:05 a.m. — Coffee break with the guys from finance. They're talking about their next vacations. Realize that I'm happy enough going home on the weekends and don't feel the need for anything more exotic than pushing a stroller through the forest at the edge of town.
12:03 p.m. — Meet a new friend at a Parisian corner bistro where we're getting lunch. We met on a Facebook group for single parents a few months ago after R. left me, and she recently wrote to ask me for advice about buying an apartment. It's the first time we've met in person. I also want to ask her about her family lawyer and her experience in the court system here. So far R. has been good with B., but I haven't been able to get over the fact that he left while I was pregnant, and the fact that there's increasing tension in our household — especially his badgering about money and our lifestyle in general. $20.08
1:20 p.m. — I stop at a Starbucks on my way back to the office. After hearing my friend's story, I'm more resolved to at least contact a lawyer. Lately, there have also been some temper fits that leave me feeling on edge and unsafe. On the one hand, I feel gutted knowing that my daughter will probably not grow up with her two parents living under one roof. On the other, I know that this leads nowhere good in the long run, and that I need to sort things out now rather than wait until they get worse. Also, I don't want her to grow up believing this is okay. It's going to take a long time to get unstuck from this particular situation, but I've resolved to do it this year. $5.75
3 p.m. — Two pieces of fruit from the kitchen to get me through the rest of the afternoon of meetings. I call it a day around 6 p.m., think about going to the gym but am too tired, and get on the suburban train.
8 p.m. — I call in a sushi order for R. and me. One order is more than I can eat by myself, and he's already eaten at his parents' house, so we'll split one order of sushi, tempura, rice, soup, and salad. It's not great, but it's food. I'm in bed by 9. $22.50
Daily Total: $74.34
Day Seven
7 a.m. — At the gym and on the treadmill after a 5:40 wake-up call. My goal is to be showered, dressed, and in the office by 8:20. Hope I'll have time for the steam room. Even five minutes would be great.
11:07 a.m. — See an envelope lying in my bag and realize it's the check for the plumber. Why have I not sent that back yet? I remember that there's some complicated tax form that comes along with it that also needs to be completed. I want R.'s dad to take a look at it before I mess something up. I shoot his dad a quick email.
11:32 a.m. — Takeout lunch of pesto salad, lemonade, and a yogurt pot from M&S. I also pick up some chocolates for my team and a can of double-acting baking powder for some cookies I want to make this coming weekend. I text with R. He's trying to entertain B. with some rudimentary version of a puppet show. It sounds cute, and I'm sorry to be missing it. $20.01
2:45 p.m. — Office fruit won't cut it today. I'm famished, so I head out for one of those prepackaged triangle sandwiches with egg salad and bacon. $4.50
5 p.m. — My friend T. texts me to let me know he'll be a few minutes late picking me up. He was one of the first people I met when I moved to Paris. We went out twice but weren't right for each other, and he's now dating another friend. We drive to a bar over on the Left Bank where we catch up over drinks every month or two. It's one of those typically Parisian places with gold-plated furniture, glass tabletops, saucy service, and classics like Picon bières, rosé in pitchers, and vermouth by the glass.
5:22 p.m. — T. orders us each a glass of champagne. We're celebrating a career accomplishment of his today. I admire his resilience and work ethic.
7:20 p.m. — R. and B. get home about 30 minutes after I do. R. is hungry and wants Chinese. I go across the street, order, and sit down to wait for another our fried rice and dumplings. Takeout and lunches out are a bigger portion of our budget than I'd like, but we really can't do any differently right now living in a place without a kitchen four days a week. $22.50
7:25 p.m. — Making lists in my head of stuff I need to get within the next week. I order some baby pictures of B. $73.75
7:31 p.m. — I go ahead and buy my train ticket for next Monday. The online price has inexplicably gone from $15 to more than double. The national rail service is trying out dynamic pricing, except it's not dynamic, it's just bad and half-baked. $31.25
7:45 p.m. — Back at home, eating with one hand and cuddling B. with the other. I make a deposit on some baby books at Shakespeare & Co. I'm trying to get B. into a bedtime routine. She has some books in French, but only one or two in English. I'll go pick up the books during one of my lunch hours next week. $25
11:41 p.m. — My eyes snap open after sleeping for two hours. I can't sleep. This has been happening a lot lately. As usual for the past few months at night, I'm worried about something. Objectively, life is good. It hasn't felt this way in a long time, though – last year was horrible and full of fear of instability. But then I look at the result: a beautiful, healthy baby girl, and my health is good. My salary and career are better than they've ever been. I've bought a house I can afford and have been careful to not squander the seeds of long-term financial security. I'm making new friends and volunteering again. I just wish I could relax.
Daily Total: $177.01
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224 for confidential support.
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The holiday season has officially arrived. While that usually means all the best shows go into hiatus for weeks on end, that is no longer the norm thanks to streaming services. Throughout December and into the new year, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu will all premiere some of their buzziest shows. Then, when 2019 kicks off, your favorite broadcast and cable networks will also get in on the fun.
That means new Bachelor, new Grown-ish, the heralded return of True Detective, and introductions to some possible new favorites (hello, Roswell, New Mexico). Although this is all good news, it is also a little stressful. Who can keep track of what premieres when, which channel or streaming site it’s on, and what it’s even about? We can.
To keep your television binges organized, we came up with a handy guide to winter’s best series going into 2019. Continue reading to find out when they premiere and exactly what you should expect.
Looking for more theories, recaps, and insider info on all things TV? Join our Facebook group, Binge Club. The community is a space for you to share articles, discuss last night’s episode of your favorite show, or ask questions! Join here.
If you wish your superhero shows were younger and weirder, Runaways is here for you. The second season of the Hulu saga will follow its teen heroes as they're on the run from their supervillain parents.
Freeform said goodbye to The Fosters in 2018. But, it'll say hello to spin-off Good Trouble in 2018. The upcoming dramedy follows the L.A. exploits of Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) and Callie Adams Foster (Maia Mitchell), complete with some surprise appearances from their brother — maybe you've heard of him?
You're The Worst (FXX)
Premiere date: Wednesday, January 9 at 10 p.m.
Season: 5
The good news: FXX's cult-favorite comedy You're The Worst is finally returning after a year-plus hiatus. The bad: The black comedy's upcoming fifth season will also be its last.
At least we can confirm Worst 's farewell season is as darkly hilarious, raunchy, and ridiculous as it can be.
Someone in the Refinery29 office legitimately questioned whether they imagined certain parts of True Detective season 2 (or the entire season). So let's pretend that was all a bad fever dream since the trailers for the HBO drama's third season suggest Detective has returned to its former glory.
The CW is continuing its track record of updating beloved 20th century series with an eye for inclusive storytelling. This time the network will debut Roswell, New Mexico.
The reboot, inspired by 1999's succinctly titled alien drama Roswell, will now throw undocumented immigrants and intergalactic extraterrestrials together in the Southwest. Despite all the promised political turmoil with a plot like that, New Mexico will still likely feature lots of CW-friendly make out sessions since it's produced by Vampire Diaries creator Julie Plec.
Temptation Island(USA)
Premiere date: Tuesday, January 15 at 10 p.m.
Season: 1
This reality TV reboot throws four vulnerable couples and 24 hot singles together in Maui... just to see what kind of sexy hijinks unfold. This is for everyone sorely missing their summer of Love Island.
USA is so confident in their beachside romp, they made the premiere available to stream a week early on Youtube and their website.
Like True Blood before it, A Discovery Of Witches involves high drama — and high romance, duh — between witches, vampires, and lots of other magical creatures. Watch the trailer for this supernatural-themed limited series and you'll be hooked.
Black Monday (Showtime)
Premiere date: Sunday, January 20 at 10 p.m.
Season: 1
If you miss Succession, Showtime's Black Monday will fill the dark, greed-loving hole in your heart. The new comedy will center around 1987's “Black Monday,” when the stock market crashed, leading to the worst day in Wall Street history.
Get ready to dive into the second season of Freeform’s relentlessly fun mermaid adventure. If the accompanying sneak peek is any indication, Siren will be even more stressful, and mermaid-filled, than last year.
Broad City(Comedy Central)
Premiere date: Thursday, January 24 at 10 p.m.
Season: 5
Welcome to Broad City 's last hurrah. If the Comedy Central staple's trailer suggests anything, it's that its lovable heroines (Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson) will never stop hustling.
The Other Two(Comedy Central)
Premiere date: Thursday, January 24 at 10:30 p.m.
Season: 1
It's difficult to parody celebrity culture without coming off as totally clichéd at this point. Yet, Comedy Central's new series The Other Two offers a fresh prospective on the glam life by moving away from its fictional pop star (Case Walker, playing a Justin Bieber -type teen idol) and turning the focus on his failing adult siblings (Drew Tarver and Heléne Yorke).
Sexiest Man Alive Idris Elba is starring in a Netflix comedy, and that should be enough to get you to click “add to queue” immediately. But, if you must know more about Turn Up Charlie, be advised Elba plays the titular Charlie, a failing DJ and forever playboy.
Charlie finally gets a shot at success when he's offered the chance to be a “manny” for his celebrity best friend's daughter.
A sloth walks into a bar mansion in pursuit of love with an affable virgin, and a girl holding a tray of Fiji water bottles captivates a nation with her smoldering smize. These are just two of the best memes of the year, and it's only January, people!
What will be this year's Blue/Black vs. White/Gold Dress or Laurel vs. Yanny? It's too soon to tell. But I'm calling it now: 2019 shall be a great year for memes.
Ahead, some of the best so far.
Perhaps the most important presence on The Golden Globes red carpet this year was that of Fiji Girl. The model's job was to hand out Fiji water bottles to stars on the carpet, and she wound up photobombing many of them whilst also serving lewks.
Let her story be an inspiration and reminder that all we need to do is find our light, and the rest will fall into place.
Oh, Sloth Girl. You didn't make it past Night One on The Bachelor, but we will never forget you. And you have been immortalized on the internet forever. Thank you for committing to your costume for the entirety of the episode.
Sometimes, what Marie Kondo teaches us about shirts can be applied to all aspects of life. Get rid of anything (read: anyone) in your life that does not spark joy for you!
If you were Sandra Bullock in Bird Box, what would it take for the entity to convince you to take off your blindfold? Harry Styles?
TFW Glenn Close eyes her competition for Best Actress at the Golden Globes.
Honorable mention: When Lady Gaga thought Rami Malek was her waiter.
When a video of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez dancing on a rooftop made the rounds on the interwebs recently, conservatives tried to use it against her. It backfired...and only revealed AOC to be a good dancer!
Now there's a Twitter account pairing the video with a bunch of different songs, and it is everything.
We dare you not to feel motivated and affirmed by this glorious video by Dontè Colley.
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The only thing that tests our patience more than growing out bangs is growing out our eyebrows. Whether you're a recovering over-plucker or simply looking for a bushier shape, reaching your maximum brow potential requires a tedious and frustrating grow-out process. But a killer brow growth serum can certainly help speed things along.
Now, before you get too excited, know this: Nothing will make those hairs grow overnight. Dermatologist Matthew Lin, MD, tells us that the most effective boosters — like minoxidil or bimataprost (which is the main ingredient in Latisse) — require a prescription. He also notes that there could be an underlying reason why your brows aren't growing, like an autoimmune disease or alopecia, which require a physician's supervision. But if that's not the case, you don't necessarily need a doctor's note to give your brows some extra TLC.
Dr. Lin says there are plenty of over-the-counter ingredients — like biotin, hyaluronic acid, ricinoleic acid, and keratin — that help improve the quality and structure of hair. But the brow growth serums online or in the drugstore, don't actually make your hair grow as much as they condition and prime hair for growth. So at the very least, your brows will look and feel healthier — even if they're still a little sparse.
With so many brow serums out there claiming to give you Cara Delevingne-level arches, we asked brow pros for the hair treatments they actually give to their over-plucked celebrity clients. Check out their picks, and get advice from the experts, ahead.
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Castor oil has long been hailed as the best and cheapest solution to growing full, lush eyebrows. But make no mistake: It won't grow your brows or even accelerate the process. What it will do is prime the hairs, so they're in the best condition to grow. "Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which is rich in antioxidants," explains Dr. Lin. "This may improve quality of hair by supporting the keratin in the hair shaft."
Still, don't be surprised if you hear a pro sing castor oil's praises. In fact, London-based brow expert Suman Jalaf, celeb brow artist Giselle Soto, and makeup artist Daniel Chinchilla of Chinchilla Brow s all swear by the stuff.
Heritage Store Castor Oil, $13.23, available at Amazon
It's not uncommon for someone to use lash serums on their brows, too. For example, makeup artist William Scott suggests GrandeLASH to clients with thinning brows, while Soto and makeup artist Stevi Christine prefer the brand's brow-specific serum instead.
Dr. Lin says that off-label use is generally considered safe. If you take a closer look at both the aforementioned products, you'll see that their ingredient lists are nearly identical. The two key names to look out for: ginseng extract and glycosaminoglycans, which have both been proven to stimulate growth in the hair follicle in previous studies.
Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW Brow Enhancing Serum, $70, available at Sephora
Kristie Streicher, Hollywood brow artist and co-owner of Striiike salon, recommends RevitaBrow to her clients. Not only does it include ginseng and biotin, but it's also packed with panthenol, which promotes thicker hair growth. Streicher stresses that consistency is key with all growth serums and to expect visible results after about six weeks of daily use.
RevitaLash RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner, $110, available at DermStore
Like Scott, Chinchilla is a fan of using a lash serum on the brows. His go-to: Shiseido's Full Lash Serum. "This product is full of hydrating technology that prevents brows from looking sparse and thin," he explains. The serum's hero ingredient: arginine, which Dr. Lin confirms has been used as a hair growth stimulant (though it's lacking in robust research evidence).
Shiseido Full Lash and Brow Serum, $35, available at Sephora
Christine suggests that anyone looking to hit fast-forward on the growth process should try Neubrow — especially if you're looking for a deeper tint. The formula darkens hairs while the biotin and keratin strengthen and smooth.
neuLash neuBrow Brow Enhancing Serum, $100, available at DermStore
RapidLash's brow serum also includes keratin and biotin as its main ingredients. This serum is swept through the hair with a wand instead of a brush, making precise, full-coverage application a bit easier.
Rapid Lash Eyebrow Enhancing Serum, $39.99, available at Ulta Beauty
In addition to the brow growth serum (which is pretty great), BrowFood has an entire line of products — from pencils to powders to gels — that simultaneously treat and tame brows. The line swaps out some of the harsher chemical growth stimulants for adenosine, which has been proven to have similar effects as topical minoxidil. In fact, one study found that patients preferred the fast evidence of adenosine over that of minoxidil.
LashFood BROWFOOD Phyto-Medic Eyebrow Enhancing Serum, $90, available at LashFood
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There are many things we're hoping stay in 2018 forever: the Tide Pod Challenge, Kanye West's twitter rants, and restaurants tricking people with a name-change publicity stunt. Nice try, IHOb. But, you know what can stick around? Chrissy Teigen 's clapbacks, RuPaul's Drag Race, and shiny new beauty products — because, honestly, who could ever get tired of all that?
Just over a week into 2019, and Sephora has already dropped a ton of new stuff — on top of better Beauty Insider perks and some seriously impressive birthday gifts. As exciting as it is, seeing all those new products on the shelves can be a little overwhelming — especially if your brain is still in resting mode from the holidays. That's why we're breaking down what's new and what's actually worth adding to your collection, ahead. Trust us, you'll take these products over a pancake house burger any day.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
In the pan, it looks like the dreamiest undiscovered planet in the solar system. On your face, it melts into a sheer, holographic highlighter that's downright other worldly.
Stila Shade Mystére Highlighting Face Gloss, $28, available at Sephora
Don't be fooled by the dropping temps, you still need to wear SPF in the winter — especially if you're hitting the slopes where the sun exposure is magnified. This creamy, oil-free moisturizer has SPF40 without the typical white cast or clogged pores. (Your skin is going through enough right now.)
Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer, $38, available at Sephora
A brand-new addition to Sephora's growing clean beauty selection, this gentle hair-care line comes in 100% post-consumer recycled paper that miraculously doesn't fall apart in your shower. The coolest part? If you crack the bottle open, there's a packet of seeds inside for you to plant at home.
SEED PHYTONUTRIENTS Daily Hair Cleanser, $24, available at Sephora
Adjusting to life after the holidays (and all the festivities) can be tough, and Rihanna understands that better than anyone. Which is why, we like to think, she chose this time of year to launch her groundbreaking new concealer line in 50 shades. According to the superstar, it's "the cure for bags, dark circles, hangovers, and bad decisions." We'll take two.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Concealer, $26, available January 11th on sephora.com
And when concealer isn't enough, these cooling undereye patches will have you looking bright-eyed and well-rested — even on four hours of sleep.
Milk Makeup Cooling Water Eye Patches, $22, available at Sephora
Technically, this isn't a new product, but after the turbulent journey we've been on with the Ordinary this year, fans are happy and relieved to find them officially back on Sephora shelves this month.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%, $6.8, available at Sephora
Urban Decay might've broken out hearts when it decided to discontinue the OG Naked palette last year, but the brand's been making up for it with the Cherry collection and now a full assortment of eyebrow products. You can easily get the microbladed look — sans needles — with this waterproof pencil that has one side for defining and another for creating feather-like strokes.
Urban Decay Brow Blade, $20, available January 15th on sephora.com
K-beauty brand Kaja made a 5-star debut last year when it launched in Sephora with its adorable and inclusive range of makeup products. And it looks like the brand is keeping the momentum going with these heart-shaped lip glosses that are sure to be a hit — and perfect for Valentine's Day.
Kaja Heart Melter Lip Gloss Stick, $17, available at Sephora
After rounding out its foundation collection in December, Beautyblender is now unveiling even more complexion products, including this new setting and refreshing makeup spray. The hyaluronic acid in the formula helps keep skin moisturized, so your face makeup never gets that patchy winter look.
Beautyblender Re-Dew Set & Refresh Spray, $30, available at Sephora
After the success of the brand's Roller Liner Mascara, Benefit just dropped a sister eyeliner this month — and it's already an editor-favorite.
Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner Liquid Eyeliner, $12, available at Sephora
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It's hard to imagine a more romantic setting for a wedding than at the beach. Swapping vows at sunset, feeling the sand in between your toes, and a breathing in fresh sea salt-infused air that gives your hair that perfectly tousled look. Now that you're picturing this gorgeous scene, let's complete the vision with the all-important dress. Wedding dresses come down to personal taste, but if you're thinking of hosting an oceanside soirée there are a few basic criteria to consider: no tight long sleeves (because, heat), nothing so long that you could trip over it on your way to the altar, and heavy fabric is definitely out.
Focus your search for the perfect beach wedding gown on those made of lightweight, breathable fabrics like linen or cotton and keep an eye out for something special that plays off the natural setting of sun, sand, and sea. There's a ton of bohemian options on offer and we're pro playing with color as a nontraditional option. So get your Pinterest boards ready and scroll through these 25 beach-appropriate options because the big day comes at you fast.
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If 2018 proved anything, it's that colorful hair — we're talking highlighter yellow and My Little Pony pink — isn't just some wacky fad... it's the new norm. And it's celebrities, who change hair colors as regularly as they change designer clothes, that are keeping the rainbow hair alive. Heck, Cardi B wears a different shade almost every day (thanks to her extensive wig collection, of course).
But gazing into 2019, the stars are veering from jewel tones and leaning into pastel hues. For example, sapphire was hot last summer, but now the top shade lighting up the heads of Hollywood is a powdery blue. Lady Gaga and Kylie Jenner are both rocking icy blue hair to start the new year — and you can get it, too. We talked to the celebrity colorists behind the sky blue trend to get tips on how to copy the look at home.
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Kylie Jenner fully embodied the "new hair, who dis?" mantra when she rang in 2019 with ice-blue strands by Priscilla Valles. "Kylie is spontaneous and always down to try new looks," Valles tells Refinery29. "She picked this color to match her new baby blue Rolls Royce," she says. Casual.
To achieve Jenner's baby blue color, Valles used this lightening powder mixed with two tubes of Pravana's Moody Blue and a clear gloss. "I left this on for 20 minutes and followed up with the Ouai Treatment Mask," she tells us.
If you're planning to hop on the baby-blue bandwagon, Valles recommends asking your colorist for a mini stash of your unique shade to use at home. Mix it with a color-safe shampoo (like this one) to keep your hair vibrant.
Uberliss Hydrating Shampoo, $31.95, available at Uberliss
Lady Gaga kicked off her Enigma residency in Las Vegas with her strands dyed cerulean blue by Frederic Aspiras. The new color appeared just a few days after the singer shared a photo with lilac hair. So we think it's safe to say that there will be more rainbow hair colors coming from the artist in 2019.
To create Gaga's custom pastel color, Aspiras used a combination of Joico's Color Intensity in Sky and Rose, along with Joico Blonde Life Powder Lightener. If you follow Gaga's lead and go sky blue, you can use Joico's Blonde Life shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair color as bright as possible.
Joico Blonde Life Brightening Shampoo & Conditioner , $26, available at Walmart
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Every week onDr. Pimple Popper, dermatologist Sandra Lee, MD, meets with men and women suffering from rare, often confidence-crushing skin conditions. The boils they carry are massive. The cysts are bubbling up to balloon-sized. But it's the people underneath the incredible lumps and growths that make the show worth watching. Just cover your eyes through the pus-filled eruptions, if you must.
If you thought you already had enough to watch this weekend, what with both the Critics' Choice Awards and True Detective 's season 3 premiere on Sunday and finally sitting through Bird Box (if only so you can properly appreciate all the memes), we strongly suggest you carve out an hour to settle in with the four can't-miss cases in the second episode of Dr. Pimple Popper 's sophomore season.
But if you'd rather just catch the breakdown without all the visuals (or most of them, at least), we can help you out there. Ahead, everything you could possibly want to know about one woman's avocado-shaped cyst and another's unicorn-horn boil, and much, much more.
Photo: Courtesy of TLC.
Case #1: Matt The first patient of the day is Matt, who was born with a lifelong, untreatable skin condition called neurofibromatosis type 1 that causes rapid tumor growth throughout the body. Matt has visible tumors covering his neck (which present as red, wrinkly folds of skin), and hidden ones lodged in his sides and back. Those are the ones that have become a serious hinderance to his life. "I'm a courier and I deliver packages all across Colorado, and these body tumors have started to really affect my work," Matt says. "I feel like there's a rock growing in my side and my back — it really hurts. I'm nervous the pain will only get worse as I age, so I'm hoping Dr. Lee can take my pain away."
The scary part about living with neurofibromatosis is that there's always the possibility that one of the tumors growing in or on your body may be a life-threatening, possibly cancerous tumor, disguised as a symptom of the condition. Unfortunately, Dr. Lee can't cure Matt's condition, but she can help remove the problematic tumors to help ease the pain and send the excised tumors to pathology for a definitive diagnosis.
In surgery, Dr. Lee removes the two deeply-rooted tumors in Matt's side and back, respectively, pulling out what looks like small, solid petrified pieces of macaroni. And while Matt's tiny tumors are set to the lab for testing, he walks out of Dr. Lee's office feeling much more comfortable than when he walked in.
Photo: Courtesy of TLC.
Case #2: Yamileth Sunny Los Angeles is where we meet 22-year-old Yamileth (or Yammy, as her friends call her), who has long black hair that she wears pulled over to one side to hide the avocado-sized lump growing between her neck and her shoulder. "When I was 10 years old, I remember feeling a little ball in my shoulder, and as I grew older, it got bigger and bigger," Yammy says. "It's now the size of a medium avocado — it's squishy all around the sides with a harder ball-like knob at the top."
The issue with Yammy's lump isn't necessarily the pain or discomfort it causes, but the toll it's taken on her confidence. "I used to get bullied in high school," she says. "Eventually it got so terrible, and I fell behind so far, that I just stopped going, and I started exotic dancing for money. It's not a permanent career — I have a dream of someday becoming a backup dancer — but this lump is in my way."
At the in-office consult, Dr. Lee is nervous about extracting this mysterious lump so close to Yammy's neck. "Yammy's bump is in a really precarious area on her neck — there's not a lot of fat between the skin and the internal structures," she says. She proceeds to surgery with caution, and after slowly slicing into Yammy's neck, a steady stream of white pus spews out, which tells Dr. Lee that the avocado neck lump is actually a cyst. As she squeezes, the creamy mashed potato-like pus continues to spill out. "I've never seen cyst contents like Yanny's," Dr. Lee admits in her confessional post-surgery. "Hers looked like creamed potatoes with chives mixed in."
Case #3: Pat Next up is a woman named Pat, who has unusual moles peppering her neck, chest, and parts of her face. "The spots started popping up in my twenties, but then in my forties they began spreading really rapidly , " Pat explains . " I have no idea what's causing them. My father passed away from skin cancer, so that's always a concern in the back of my mind."
Luckily, at Pat's consultation, Dr. Lee knows right away that her condition is a form of seborrheic keratosis, a fairly common, wart-like skin growth. "This is definitely a presentation of seborrheic keratosis," Dr. Lee says, examining Pat's neck. "The thing is that Pat has so many, we may not be able to remove all of them." In surgery, Dr. Lee sprays the affected areas of skin with concentrated liquid nitrogen, which essentially freezes off the spots, but the sensation while spraying is so cold that it hurts.
Considering that the surgical procedure doesn't involve any kind of numbing, Pat's pain threshold essentially determines how much of the seborrheic keratosis Dr. Lee can remove. But Pat is tough and stoic, and barely even flinches as Dr. Lee freezes off 307 of her individual seborrheic-keratosis spots — the most she's ever removed from one patient in a single sitting.
Case #4: Jenny Last up is Jenny, a 32-year-old woman from Hawthorne, California, with a big, bald boil in the middle of her head. "I refer to this as my unicorn bump," Jenny says, motioning to her shiny stub. "When I was 13, it was the size of a little pimple, but it's much bigger now, about the size of a gum ball. It's smooth, hard — unfortunately, hairless — and it hurts," she continues, adding that she's tired of styling her hair in a combover.
At Jenny's consultation, Dr. Lee diagnoses the bump as a pilar cyst, which is a common scalp condition derived from a buildup of hair follicles. The trick is going to be removing the cyst without leaving Jenny with a residual bald spot, but Dr. Lee is up for the task. She slices into the skin of Jenny's head, begins gently squeezing the sides of the cut, and almost immediately, a gnocchi-sized white pus ball pops out cleanly. What's more, Dr. Lee is confident that Jenny's hair will grow back over the small scar without issue.
So, at the end of the hour, it's four successful surgeries down, with much more messy, can't-look-away action to come this season. Check back next week for a full breakdown of Dr. Pimple Popper, episode three.
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The Barron County Sheriff's Department has reported via Facebook that missing Wisconsin 13-year-old Jayme Closs has been found alive.
Closs has been missing since October 15, when her parents were found shot to death in their home. Police believe the teen was home at the time of the murders and was kidnapped.
Her disappearance set off a massive manhunt and joint investigation between Wisconsin investigators and the FBI. Earlier on Thursday the reward for information in her case had been increased to $50,000.
The Star Tribune reports that Closs was discovered in the town of Gordon, Wisconsin – just 70 miles from her family's home – when she approached a woman walking her dog at around 4:43 p.m. on Thursday and asked for help. The woman, who has asked not to be identified, recognized her immediately and then approached the nearest house, banging on the door for help. When Kristin Kasinkas opened her door, the woman shouted, "This is Jayme Closs! Call 911!"
As they waited for police to arrive, Closs — who was described as being skinny, dirty with matted hair, and wearing oversized shoes — played quietly with the Kasinkas' puppy and declined food and water. Police arrived at 5 p.m. and a suspect was arrested 10 minutes later.
No further details on the suspect are available, but Barron Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald will hold a press conference on Friday at 10 a.m.
The search for the teen began on October 15, with a cryptic 911 call from the Closs home shortly after midnight. While nobody spoke, dispatchers could hear a "disturbance." Neighbors reported hearing gunshots and when police arrived they discovered James and Denise Closs had been shot to death by an unknown intruder. The door had been kicked in and their 13-year-old daughter was missing.
Over 2,000 volunteers joined the initial search effort. Barron has a population of about 3,300. In a statement, Sheriff Fitzgerald said, "We promised to bring Jayme home and tonight we get to fulfill that promise. From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU! This case has been very trying on the family so please respect their privacy and we reunite them later tonight."
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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If there's one product that has survived the test of time, it's the humble makeup remover wipe. It's been there through our most stubborn mascaras and glitter lipsticks — and let's not forget those tired nights when we just couldn't find the energy to wash our face. Products just reach a certain level of recognition when they can 1. Keep our skin on its A-game, and 2. Make our lives easier. Name a better duo, we'll wait.
Ahead, we've rounded up the best wipes on the market so you don't have to get up from your Netflix binge to wash your face. There's something for every preference, budget, and skin type — so stock up and stash them in your nightstand, by your couch, or even in your purse to get ahead of your routine in the Uber ride home.
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Marie Kondo your skin-care collection with 2-in-1 products like this one: One individual sheet serves as a makeup remover and hydrating toner. They're also made of biodegradable cloth so you can cleanse without the guilt.
Paula's Choice Gentle Cleansing Cloths, $11, available at Paula's Choice
If you're a fan of the iconic Bioderma water, there's actually a version of the product in wipe form. In other words, you'll never have to drunkenly stumble through your apartment looking for cotton balls at 3 a.m. ever again.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Wipes , $9.9, available at DermStore
If you want a side of exfoliation with your makeup removal, these cloths are the ticket. They resurface skin, without rubbing your face raw.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Exfoliating Wet Facial Cleansing Wipes, $6.29, available at Target
When you have sensitive skin, makeup wipes can be the devil. But they don't have to be with these oil-free, hypoallergenic ones. They gently remove makeup while soothing the skin with cucumber extract.
Yes To Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Wipes, $3.98, available at FeelUnique
Give yourself a real spa experience — even if it's in your tiny city apartment — with these cotton wipes that are infused with mineral-rich cleansing spa water. They might be on the pricier side, but according to the rave reviews, they're well worth it.
Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water Cloths, $17, available at Sephora
You can't round up the best makeup remover wipes on the market and not include the cult-classic Neutrogena towelettes. Simply put: They're affordable, get the job done, and never irritate skin. There's a reason makeup artists swear by them.
Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty
If your contact lenses continuously give you hell, pick up a pack of these. The ophthalmologist-tested micellar wipes remove every trace of makeup without irritating your eyes.
MAC Cosmetics Gently Off Wipes + Micellar Water, $30, available at MAC Cosmetics
These moisturizing cleansing wipes don't have the clever name 'Bear Naked' for no reason. A portion of the sales for these argan-infused wipes goes to the NRDC Polar Bear SOS Initiative.
Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes, $12, available at DermStore
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A consistent skin-care routine is, like any other type of routine, a habit, and there are differing opinions on how long it actually takes to form, break, or otherwise change one. The antiquated 21-day myth has been busted; recent studies suggest it could be 66, or really just anywhere from 18 to 254, and by the 150th day you might start to wonder, Why even bother trying to change anything at all?
Perhaps one day there will be a chip you can implant in your brain that will send an electric shock through your fingertips to remind you to put on your retinol before your moisturizer each night. That day is not today. But there is a shortcut you can take to good skin. Rather than diligently following a prescribed routine for months on end, fast-track yourself to results with a 30-day program that contains everything you need to transform your skin in, yes, roughly one month.
These six accelerated treatments will brighten up dull skin, diminish fine lines, reverse dryness, and tackle dark spots in the time it takes for your flood insurance to kick in. (No matter how invested you are in your future complexion, don't forget that sea levels are still rising.) And if establishing a twice-daily skin-care routine you can actually stick to in the longterm was on your list of New Year's resolutions — well, you can start in February, right?
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Like starting with 2.5-pound weights and working your way up to a Herculean 15, this four-week resurfacing system works as a kind of strength training for your skin: The exfoliation starts off slow with a lower dose of hydroxy acids in the first ampoule, then builds in intensity over the course of the treatment. By the end of the month, you'll have smoother, more even-toned skin that's also newly protected against free-radical damage, thanks to the inclusion of an antioxidant called idebenone.
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Progressive Renewal Treatment, $162, available at Elizabeth Arden
Rather than increasing in strength over time, this four-week treatment does things a little differently, with each serum formulated to tackle a specific skin-aging concern. The first week works to restore hydration using a rejuvenating herbal extract; the second week encourages elasticity and smooths fine lines with a blend of ceramides, peptides, and wild yam root; the third week uses apple extract and phospholipids to balance and brighten; and the fourth and final installment promises to make skin more resilient and less prone to sagging thanks to myrothamnus flabellifolia, otherwise known as the "resurrection plant," for a total skin reset.
StriVectin Skin Reset Rejuvenation System, $139, available at Nordstrom
Far beyond simple brightening benefits, this system — which includes a week's worth of individually-packed powder cleanser and a liquid booster meant to be applied with your moisturizer twice daily — uses pure, potent vitamin C to render skin firmer, clearer, more even-toned, and yes, noticeably glowier. The composition of vitamin C is such that it degrades when exposed to oxygen, so the specialized packaging ensures the ingredients stay fresh and powerful.
Clinique Fresh Pressed 7-Day System with Pure Vitamin C, $27, available at Ulta Beauty
Whether you're already hooked on retinol or dipping a toe into the consummate face-fixing ingredient for the first time, this booster system (which actually comes out to 45 days of treatment, but who's counting?) will kick your results into high gear. Each of the three phases consists of two separate components — a highly concentrated, retinol-packed regeneration complex and a peptide-rich growth-factor stimulant — meant to be layered or mixed together. The active ingredients work in tandem to protect and moisturize while the retinol works its magic, with each phase increasing in potency.
BeautyBio R45 The Reversal 3-Phase Retinol Booster System, $150, available at Sephora
These three tiny capsules sure don't look like much, but the science supporting the straight-outta-Iceland ingredients inside — which stay the same through the full 30-day treatment — is the real deal. Barley-based epidermal growth factors, or EGF, are responsible for the serum's efficacy (and its price): The brand produces the cutting-edge ingredient in a carbon emissions-free greenhouse to ensure it's as pure as possible for maximum potency to yield better-hydrated, more even-toned skin while minimizing wrinkles, pores, and redness.
Bioeffect 30 Day Treatment, $290, available at Bioeffect
It's not quite instant gratification, but this optimized treatment promises a total skin transformation in just 10 days by pairing a powerful vitamin-A derivative (that'd be a retinoid) with doses of hydrating hyaluronic acid. By switching between the two, the system ensures skin never gets dry or irritated even when faced with a strong shot of A, and leaves it clear and refreshed, with dark spots diminished and moisture levels restored.
Sarah Chapman Power A Renewal System, $166, available at Net-A-Porter
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At first glance, the script for War Dogs probably read like an outlandish action comedy.
How could a couple of stoner dudes from Miami secure a $300 million contract to supply arms to the U.S. government? How could the Pentagon supply tens of millions of shoddy weapons to Afghani troops fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban? How could the U.S. government be tricked into purchasing decomposing, 40-year-old munitions that were culled from a Communist surplus stockpile or manufactured cheaply in China — from a supplier run by the likes of a 22-year-old masseur?
To get the too-crazy-to-be-true story in full detail, you'll have to read Rolling Stone 's throughly reported account, or the resulting book , Arms and the Dudes. But if a funny, fictionalized version of the events suits you, then War Dog s will do just fine. Jonah Hill and Miles Teller star as the unexpected arms dealers in the movie, which is helmed by Todd Phillips, director of TheHangover. Bradley Cooper also co-stars as a ridiculously shady character who helps them pull it off. (Today, the three principal players in the scheme are embroiled in a lawsuit — not with the government, ironically, but with each other, over who pocketed that $300 million payday.)
War Dogs is a perfect example of truth being stranger than fiction, but it's not the first film of its kind. Here are fifteen more movies you won't believe are based on true stories.
The Upside (2019)
This film starring Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston is actually a remake of 2011 French film Les Intouchables, itself based on a true story. Hart plays Dell Scott, an ex-con from the projects who gets inadvertently hired as a caregiver for Philip Lacasse (Cranston), a successful businessman left paraplegic by a paragliding accident. Their friendship was inspired by the real-life relationship between French aristocrat Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and Algerian immigrant Abdel Sellou. Years after Borgo published their story in his memoir, A Second Wind, the two remain close friends.
The Post(2018)
The Post zooms in on the moment that catapulted the Washington Post into being a top newspaper, and asserted the importance of sharing knowledge with the American people — even if it made the government uncomfortable. Kay Graham (Meryl Streep), publisher of the Washington Post, is faced with a decision that will change journalism forever: To publish, or not to publish, the classified Pentagon Papers that reveal the history of America's interventions in French Indochina?
Molly's Game(2017)
For ten years, Molly Bloom ran an exclusive, underground poker game frequented by Hollywood A-List actors, mobsters, and magnates. In Molly's Game, Jessica Chastain plays Bloom from the time she's just an Olympic-class skiier to the time she's on trial for her illegal gambling ring.
Spotlight(2016)
In 2001, an intrepid group of Boston reporters got to the bottom of allegations against John Geoghan, a priest thought to have molested many boys throughout his career. While searching for the facts of one incriminating case, they uncover an entire rotting system. Based on the Boston Globe 's real reportage, Spotlight watches like a snapshot of real life.
Into the Wild(2007)
Recent graduate Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) has admirable ideals. He wants to live freely, outside of the capitalist system. He rids himself of possessions and embarks on a journey to live in the wild. His trip takes him to Alaska, where, entirely unprepared, he encounters problems he'd never seen in his previously privileged life.
The Imitation Game(2014)
During World War II, the Nazis cloaked all of their radio correspondence with the enigma code to prevent Allied forces from understanding their messages. British mathematician Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his trusty gang of left-brained thinkers build the world's first computer in an effort to crack the code. As war and carnage wracked the European continent and the Pacific Islands, the most important Allied technology was developed in a quaint British village in the countryside.
The Imitation Game also looks into Turing's personal life, and how despicably the U.K. treated Turing following the war due to his sexual orientation.
127 Hours(2010)
After an intrepid hike in Utah goes awry, mountaineer Aron Ralston (James Franco) is trapped between a fallen boulder and canyon wall. Over the course of five days, Ralston tries to escape, and comes to a dire conclusion: He must amputate his arm if he's to survive. Otherwise, he'll remain stuck to the canyon wall, and will starve to death.
The acclaimed film is based off Ralston's aptly titled Between a Rock and a Hard Place..
The Impossible(2012)
On December 24, 2004, a massive tsunami hit the coast of Thailand and resulted in devastation and death. But when the film starts, none of the five main characters are aware of that. They've just finished opening the last of their Christmas presents and are headed to a day by the beach. Each family member is forced to make difficult decisions in the chaotic aftermath.
The family's miraculous story is based on the real experience of Maria Belón and her family, Spanish tourists who were in Thailand at the time of the disaster.
All Good Things (2010) The pace of this movie is so slow and suspenseful while building up to the final twist that it's easy to forget that this romantic thriller is based on a real unsolved crime. Directed by Andrew Jarecki, this movie starring Kirsten Dunst and Ryan Gosling tells the story of a charismatic young couple (Dunst, Gosling) and their tumultuous marriage, which ends with the vanishing of the wife. The story is based on the now-infamous Robert Durst(of HBO's The Jinx) and the situations surrounding the disappearance and murder of his wife, Kathleen McCormack, in 1982.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) Journalist Jean-Dominique Bauby was editor-in-chief of Elle France when he suffered a stroke that left him unconscious for 20 days. When he woke up, his mind was intact — but his body was paralyzed. Bauby chronicled his experience with what is known as locked-in syndrome in a 1997 memoir, which we wrote by blinking his left eyelid to indicate letters in the alphabet. The writing process took him 10 months, and his memoir became the basis for the French drama of the same name.
Open Water (2003) In 1998, Tom and Eileen Lonergan went scuba diving with a group to see Australia's Great Barrier Reef. They never returned. (The crew apparently didn't take an accurate head count.) What happened next is anybody's guess — their bodies were never found, and the couple is assumed to have died out at sea. The haunting film imagines what their final days and hours looked like — battling jellyfish, mental anguish, starvation, and lots of sharks.
Balto (1995) In 1995, a potentially lethal diphtheria epidemic threatened the youth of Nome, Alaska. When the plane that was supposed to fly a supply of antiserum from Seattle to Nome wouldn't start, the situation became dire. The serum was transported by train to the town of Nenana — where it was decided that sled dogs were the best option to get the lifesaving medicine to the remote town in time to prevent an outbreak. More than 20 mushers and their teams of intrepid dogs braved blizzards and freezing temperatures in relay runs. The final, most dangerous part of the run was led by a husky named Balto — the subject of this very stressful children's movie.
Alpha Dog (2006) This crime drama not only boasts an incredible cast — including Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Anton Yelchin, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Sharon Stone, and Bruce Willis — but a fact-based plot. The story revolves around the 2000 kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz. The names and details were changed, but the essence of what happened — a petty drug feud spun out of hand — remains. In fact, the Santa Barbara DA provided the filmmakers with court documents and expert consulting. The case was ongoing when the movie was released, but the killer was convicted in 2008.
Catch Me If You Can (2002) The story of Frank Abagnale — played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the film based on Abagnale's memoir — is truly unbelievable. But the teenager really did pose as professionals, most notably a Pan-Am pilot and a Georgia hospital doctor. And when we say "pose," we mean he actually flew planes and treated patients. The professional impostor's lifestyle was bankrolled in part by Pan-Am, but mostly by forging checks. Oh, and he really did escape police custody — twice. Abagnale spent less than five years behind bars before becoming a fraud consultant for the federal government.
Braveheart(1995) In 13th-century Scotland, a warrior named William Wallace led his people in the fight for autonomy from England during the First War of Scottish Independence. His men did achieve some incredible victories on the battlefield, inspiring patriotic epic poems including "The Wallace," which is the basis of the Mel Gibson vehicle. The most excruciating scenes in the movie — when Wallace is tried, hanged, drawn, and quartered by King Edward I for high treason — are, sadly, based in reality.
Seven Years in Tibet (1997) In 1944, Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer — portrayed by Brad Pitt in the movie adaptation of Harrer's best-selling memoir — and his companion were exploring British India during WWII when they were captured by the British and taken to an internment camp. After escaping to Tibet, where they stayed for — you guessed it — seven years, they became deeply embedded in the country's life and culture. Most incredibly, Harrer really did tutor and befriend the young Dalai Lama.
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A lot has been happening the last few weeks, and if you care about certain issues, you may be trying to figure out how to get more politically involved.
One thing that you probably keep hearing is that you should call your elected officials. And yes, we understand that sounds a little bit scary. But honestly, it's easier than you think. Calling is the most powerful ways to put pressure on your representatives — even more than social media, email, or snail mail.
Why? It shows commitment to a cause. And representatives know that if they don't hear the concerns of their constituents, it could impact their ability to get reelected.
So, if you want to pick up the phone, we've laid down step-by-step instructions for calling your representatives. We even included a script!
Okay, to be honest, I don't know who my representative is.
Believe us, you're not alone. Many people don't know who their senators and representatives are. And that's okay! You can go here or here and input your zip code or state; it will tell you who your elected officials are. Once you have the names, you can find their contact information here and here.
Thanks! Now, how do I contact them?
The easiest thing is to call their offices directly.
But if for some reason you are unable to do that, you also have the option of dialing 202-224-3121. This number will direct you to the Capitol switchboard. When you call, ask to be connected to your senator or representative. The operator will direct your call to their office.
Sounds good. What happens when I call?
A legislative assistant will answer the phone. They'll ask if you need a response, and it's better if you say you don't. That way they can tally you down without having to go through the extra step of adding you to a response database.
The most important part is to be clear about what issue you're calling about. Why you support or oppose certain legislation is irrelevant. The more people that call the representative's office, the less detail the assistants will write down. Getting straight to the point makes things easier for everyone — including those who are waiting for their phone calls to be picked up.
Here's an example of what you could say, modeled after a post by Facebook user Mark Jahnke, who used to do this job at Capitol Hill.
"Hello, my name is Jane Smith. I'm a constituent from New York, zip code 10001. I don't need a response. I am concerned about the partial government shutdown and I strongly encourage the senator to please vote for a funding package that solves this situation. Thank you for your hard work!"
If you're shy, tools like 5 Calls could help you out. You just need to provide your zip code, select the issue that you care about, and 5 Calls will provide you a script to read.
Pretty easy, right?
Awesome! Is there anything else I should know?
Yes. Call only your representatives! Maybe you really, really want to speak with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, but please don't call the people that don't represent you. Unless you can provide a zip code that proves you're a constituent, your call will be pretty much ignored and not tallied down. This will also help create a backlog of calls coming from constituents from that district, and we want to make sure their concerns are heard.
If you stick to calling only your representatives, and keep it short and direct, it's better for everyone. That way the office will answer more calls, which translates into more people being heard. In the end, the bigger the total number of callers, the more your representatives need to pay attention.
This story was originally published on January 30, 2017.
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Remember the first time you shaved? It probably went something like this: One day, your mom came home with an extra set of pink razors and offered you some kind words of guidance like, "Please be careful and take your time," or, in my case, "Scream if something goes wrong." After years of watching those comically ecstatic Venus razor commercials, you knew roughly what to do once you got in the shower, sliding that pink razor over your armpits full of stubble and your hairy legs. What was revealed was silky, supple skin that made you feel like a walking, talking goddess.
It was a high that was frankly hard to come down from. But come down we did, especially once we realized that women's razors, for the most part, suck. I can't count the number of times I've gotten a new razor, been thrilled to shave with it for the first time during my nightly shower, and then woken up the next day to find legs that feel like those prickly hairless cats. (Ever held one? I wouldn't recommend it.) Or, how about shaving at night and then waking up to red, irritated bumps along your bikini line? That's fun, too. Oh, and are these razors cheap? LOL, girl, NO. After all, the pink tax exists.
We've had enough. It's 2019. We all deserve to stop wasting our money on razors that simply don't work. Ahead, our editors broke down the ones that do the damn jobs — and do it well.
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"For years, I've been perplexed by how most shaving commercials only show women shaving hairless body parts (because that makes sense). So when subscription-based brand Billie launched with a campaign showing women shaving actual hair off their bodies, it caught my attention.
"For the past few years, I've used the cheapest razors at CVS without really thinking much about how one $10 pack of razors could really be that different from the next. But when I tried the Billie razor, which has a flexible head and an aloe shave soap surrounding the blades that makes shaving cream unnecessary, it's like I was awoken. Now I actually look forward to shaving. The fact that Billie's razors come in colors that match my bathroom exactly doesn't hurt either." — Rachel Lubitz, Senior Beauty Writer
Billie Billie Starter Kit, $9, available at BillieCourtesy of Billie
"Intuition and I go way back. The razor first launched right around the time my mother finally allowed me to switch from hair removal creams (remember Nair?) to a real, bladed razor. Unfortunately, like a lot of women who start shaving, I found myself bleeding from nicks almost every time I showered. To avoid further wounds, I begged my mother to buy me the Intuition razor. Its four blades are hugged by about two inches of solidified shaving gel that not only helped me avoid going to school with Band-Aids all over my knees, but also left my skin super smooth and baby soft. To this day, I keep a stock of these razors underneath my bathroom sink." — Sam Sasso, Beauty Writer
Schick Intuition Sensitive Care With Natural Aloe Razor, $9.99, available at Target
"It’s a little insane that it took until 2018 for a mass drugstore brand to launch a metal women’s razor. I have spent years replacing the cheap plastic handles that melt into my shower caddy, while my boyfriend has been using the same one since college. (The pink tax is so real!) While I could technically use the men’s version, I find that it’s just not as flexible around the bikini line, ankles, knees, and toes. But this one is! I’ve gone to town on my bikini line with it and have yet to find a single bump. And with a sturdier handle, I’m much better at replacing the razor heads after three or four uses." — Cat Quinn, Beauty Director
Gillette Venus Platinum Extra Smooth Metal Handle Women's Razor, $9.97, available at Amazon
"As someone who balks at the $13 price tag of three disposable razors, you’d think a $75 model would insult me on principle. Not so! In fact, it’s really quite economical and better for the environment, too — less plastic to throw in the trash, yada yada yada. Anyway, the Oui is expensive but good. The weighted handle makes it so you don’t have to apply any pressure at all to get a really close, smooth shave, which is excellent for anyone who tends to cut themselves while shaving. Also it’s very sexy and rose gold and makes me feel like that Queen of Versailles lady with the half-finished mansion outside Orlando." — Rachel Krause, Senior Beauty Writer
Oui Shave The Rose Gold Single-Blade Razor, $75, available at Oui Shave
"This may go against the rules in the unwritten beauty bible but — I don’t shave my legs with shaving cream. Not for any particular reason other than being lazy AF and never having time for that extra step. But my legs are, thankfully, never left bruised, bloody, or dry thanks to the Venus ComfortGlide Razor. This razor has five blades cushioned between two buttery Olay bars. It glides over my skin and leaves behind moisture with every pass. I can literally shave my legs with my eyes closed and never worry about stabbing my leg or scraping them dry (although, for the record, I don't recommend blind shaving). It also comes with a shower hook, so I can keep my blades in shape for a few uses instead of leaving it to rust in a random corner of my shower caddy." — Aimee Simeon, Beauty Writer
Venus Gillette Venus ComfortGlide plus Olay Coconut Razor, $9.99, available at Target
"Even though this Venus Snap is meant for travel, it's been my main shaving tool for the last three years (literally, I've held on to the same base for that long). I should probably also mention that I only shave like six times a year — once a month from May to September. I love that this Venus razor comes in a convenient carrying case that protects the blades from rusting in my shower as my razor sits idle during the winter months, and something about the short, round handle makes it easier to get in those curves behind the knee and under my arms." — Jessica Cruel, Deputy Beauty Director
Venus Snap Cosmo Pink Women's On-the-Go Travel Razor, $6.79, available at Target
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Animal print has seen a tumultuous past. One season finds animal print rising to runway-approved heights and the next, it’s something you exclusively found on disturbingly shiny polyester slip dresses found in your local mall crawl's discount bin. But for the winter 2019 season, the consensus is in and animal print is once again reigning supreme! Dresses, coats, handbags, and now boots — there's hardly a spot on the fashion spectrum that animal prints haven't touched.
Snakeskin has slowly been slithering up on us since spring and mock-croc bags are some of this season's best accessories. But it's really leopard prints that have come out ahead. While it's been treated as a statement print in the past, the leopard's recent prevalence has turned it into somewhat of a neutral, a starting piece to build an outfit around. So jump on the bandwagon and click through for 16 boots to aid you in your hunt.
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.
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Target has long been committed to advancing the conversation around body positivity and their latest swim launch is no exception. Meet Kona Sol, the retailer's newest swimwear brand, now available in stores and online. The collection is size-inclusive and features styles available in XS-XL with select styles available in 14W to 26W as well. The pieces in the collection range from bikinis to cover-ups to one pieces, so there are a variety of styles to suit (pun, very much intended) your beachwear needs no matter your style or size.
In addition to this brand new collection, Target boasts nearly 1,500 swim styles — so there's surely one affordable suit in the mix to kick off 2019 in. Maybe they'll inspire you to book a warm getaway in the next few months or maybe you'll just feel so good being stocked up on the summer essentials way ahead of the season. Oh, and did we mention each Kona Sol piece is under $50? Here are 22 of our favorites to get you started.
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.
One Piece Swimsuits
Kona Sol Women's Plus Size Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit , $39.99, available at Target.com
Bikini Tops
Kona Sol Women's Triangle Bikini Top, $22.99, available at Target.com
Cover-Ups
Kona Sol Women's Embroidered Tassel Trim Cover Up, $22.99, available at Target.com
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