Just when we thought we knew all the tricks to survive a night out in high heels — numbing spray! Kitten or block heels! — the Duchess of Sussex, apparently, has fresh insight. Meghan Markle wears her shoes two sizes too big, according toThe Sun. In fact, the brand-new royal is just one of many celebrities who size up to avoid blisters at events or on the red carpet.“There's nothing worse than uncomfortable shoes (we've all been there on a night out) and when celebs like Meghan are wearing heels for a long period of time their feet can often swell up,” style expert Harriet Davey tells the paper, adding that the swelling can lead to blisters and bunions (She claims that Victoria Beckham does not size up her shoes, and her feet are rumored to suffer as a result). The key to walking gracefully in shoes that are two sizes too big: stuff padding or tissue in the excess space, and remove it when your feet start to swell.
Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage.
Most recently, newlywed Markle was photographed wearing black pumps with a noticeable gap between her heel and the shoe to the Ascot horse track last week. The velvet green Jimmy Choo high heels Markle wore to Belfast in March also appeared to be a size or two too big. Add this to list of Meghan Markle-approved style secrets and items we’re dying to try: wearing our hair in a messy bun, that Aritzia dress she wore for her first public appearance with Prince Harry, or an Everlane tote to carry essentials.
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"The Red Hen Restaurant should focus more on cleaning its filthy canopies, doors and windows (badly needs a paint job) rather than refusing to serve a fine person like Sarah Huckabee Sanders," he wrote. "I always had a rule, if a restaurant is dirty on the outside, it is dirty on the inside!"
But Trump might also want to look in his own backyard when he criticizes establishments for their cleanliness and upkeep.
Earlier this year, Trump's Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, FL, was cited by inspectors for poor maintenance, according to the Miami Herald. The exclusive club, which costs $200,000 in initiation fees to join — and which is quite an ethical mess — was discovered to have two violations back in November 2017: lack of smoke detectors capable of alerting the hearing impaired through flashing bright lights, and a slab of concrete missing from a staircase that could cause someone to fall.
The Red Hen Restaurant should focus more on cleaning its filthy canopies, doors and windows (badly needs a paint job) rather than refusing to serve a fine person like Sarah Huckabee Sanders. I always had a rule, if a restaurant is dirty on the outside, it is dirty on the inside!
While those two violations have reportedly been fixed, there were food-safety issues as late as February of this year, when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Mar-A-Lago, including sushi fish that hadn't gone through the mandatory treatment for parasites and food stored in broken-down coolers that could spoil the ingredients.
Photo: Daniel Lin/AP Photo.
For the record, here is a photo of the Red Hen. It's no polished, glossy Trump International Hotel, but at least it's not an ethics disaster that locals avoid like the plague. (After Trump's "shithole" comments, reviewers flooded the hotel's Yelp page with one-star ratings, describing it as a, you guessed it, shithole.)
In Sanders' tweet about getting kicked out of the restaurant, for which she's now facing accusations that she may have committed an ethics violation because it came from the @PressSec account, she said that co-owner Stephanie Wilkinson's "actions say far more about her than about me. I always do my best to treat people, including those I disagree with, respectfully and will continue to do so." She did, however, also point out that the entire interaction was polite, as did Wilkinson.
"This feels like the moment in our democracy when people have to make uncomfortable actions and decisions to uphold their morals," Wilkinson explained her actions to The Washington Post. "I explained that the restaurant has certain standards that I feel it has to uphold, such as honesty, and compassion, and cooperation."
The restaurant incident has elicited the typical responses along political lines: Trump supporters are leaving bad reviews on the Red Hen's Yelp page out of spite, while the administration's critics are praising Wilkinson's principled stance. A resident of Lexington, a town of about 7,000, brought a bouquet of flowers and a sign that read, "Democracy requires principled gov't. Thank you Red Hen!!" to the restaurant.
Last Tuesday evening, Trump's Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen was heckled out of MXDC Cocina Mexicana, a restaurant in Washington, D.C., by protestors.
"How dare you spend your evening here eating dinner as you’re complicit in the separation and deportation of over 10,000 children separated from their parents? How can you enjoy a Mexican dinner as you’re deporting and imprisoning tens of thousands of people who come here seeking asylum in the United States? We call on you to end family separation and abolish ICE!" a protestor can be heard saying in a live video posted on Facebook by the Metro D.C. Democratic Socialists of America, as Nielsen sits at her table and looks down uncomfortably.
Undoubtedly kicking public officials out of restaurants contributes to "incivility" and stirs up emotion. But so does putting toddlers and babies in cages and lying to reporters on behalf of the Trump administration.
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We use clothing to express ourselves, but sometimes, it’s what we wear below the surface that makes us feel most powerful. This week, UndHER World is taking down the taboo of lingerie through personal stories, shoppable roundups, and a closer look at what lies underneath.
It seems easy enough: Wake up, don’t get dressed, unplug your phone, and snap a quick photo. But the reality of the matter is that a sexy selfie that hits the spot — the kind that you keep in a secret album in your phone, upload to a private Instagram account, let your buds see, and save for really deserving textual exchanges — takes a little bit of finesse. You might have sucked at taking a normal selfie when you got your first front-facing camera, but just like how you finally figured out the angles, poses, and lighting that combine to make you look like the Lifetime Movie version of yourself (and not the True Crime version), getting the hang of a sexy selfie demands some practice.
It’s actually as much about what you don’t show as it is what you do, and certain tricks will help you achieve an image that's ~natural and cute~, or over-it and severe (read: hot), or even cheeseball on purpose. And the real secret is to figure out how to take a pic that makes you (not even someone else) feel some type of way. Because, let’s face it, sending pics to a romantic partner can be a lot of fun, but it’s old-fashioned to think that the purpose of taking a sexy selfie is to titillate someone else.
In the spirit of self care, self love, and self satisfaction, we’ve asked some of our favorite women in the sex-positive community to share their sexy selfie tips with us (while dressed in some of our favorite lingerie picks from the season).
While we're arguably more in control of and confident about our sexuality than ever, there's still so much we don't know about female arousal. So this month, we're exploring everything you want and need to know about how women get turned on now. Check out more here.
Tell me about the trick to making this pose work. “Honestly I feel like I just lucked out. That window and mirror are always there. But you can reproduce this with a full length mirror near a window with good sunlight. When I'm taking these types of things, I think about someone that makes me happy, or someone that I want to see me in the lingerie.”
Any photo editing tricks you like to use? Or are you a straight shooter? “My only real trick is a phone tripod and a Bluetooth connected button that makes the shutter go off. I don't really use filters.”
Where do most of your sexy selfies end up? “Most end up on my private Instagram page, or to my best friends. I don't send sexy photos to boys. I'd rather them see me in person.”
What do you like most about the lingerie? “Agent Provocateur is one of my favorite lingerie brands. I love the lace and the criss-cross open back on the butt. And also that the top could potentially be worn under a blazer as a shirt. Not to Sunday church, but maybe to an Ellen Von Unwerth book release party.“
Ericka Hart — sex educator, writer, cancer survivor
Tell me about the trick to making this pose work. "Put your phone over your head and angle it down to the rest of your body. This my favorite type of selfie, because you can see more of the body/outfit/location, and it's just an overall great angle! Natural light is always your friend. I was thinking I just wanted to stay in bed and NOT answer emails or do any work at all. How could I just lay still with makeup that is beat to the gawdss only wearing underwear? Answer: I will pretend I sleep and wake up like this!"
Any photo editing tricks you like to use? Or are you a straight shooter? "I'm a straight shooter. My little brother told me filters are lame, so since I take most life advice from young people, I keep it simple."
Where do most of your sexy selfies end up? "Well, sheesh. Most I would have to say end up in a personal photo folders. But there are definitely some past boos out there who have some scandalous (what does that even mean anymore?) photos of me."
What do you like most about the lingerie? "I love that lingerie decorates areas of our bodies that receive pleasure."
La Perla Windflower Briefs, $168, available at La Perla.
Calu Rivero — actress, model, DJ
Tell me about the trick to making this pose work. "I always think of someone and what I want to convey...breathing and feeling my own power, my aura, my energy. Morning light is the best. I'm always taking #homephotos. For this photo, I used a self timer and piled a lot of books under the phone to get the exact position."
Any photo editing tricks you like to use? Or are you a straight shooter? "I love to use a grainy filter... it makes me feel like I'm doing my own portrait book."
Where do most of your sexy selfies end up? "Sometimes my social media, sometimes my personal photo folder. I'm not taking portraits like this for comments. I do it as a way of expressing something! I don't send sexy selfies to my romantic partner... it's better in person."
What do you like most about the lingerie? "It's comfortable, soft — feels like TLC."
Fleur du Mal Luxe Triangle Bra, $98, available at Fleur du Mal.
Tell me about the trick to making this pose work. "This is definitely a pose where I'm trying to fit the entire outfit into the frame, which is way harder than it seems! I'm holding myself up to get the best possible light from my bedroom window. I would say it's a mix between hard and soft lighting, which usually isn't flattering, but this time it gave kind of a pretty-ugly element, which I thought was nice."
Any photo editing tricks you like to use? Or are you a straight shooter? "I just got the iPhone 7, and now my photos are so high quality. The details are wild — I can see pretty much every pore on my face. Before that, I utilized sharpen a lot on all my favorite features.
Where do most of your sexy selfies end up? "I post all my favorite sexy selfies to my Instagram account. I love sharing myself with people, because I was so insecure when I was kid. Now I'm emotionally/spiritually blossoming, and hopefully helping change some toxic mindsets courtesy of the patriarchy."
What do you like most about the lingerie? "I love the bra, it has an angelic 1950s French pinup feel, but it's insanely comfortable, which is surprising for how flattering it is."
Victoria's Secret Lace Plunge Unlined Demi Bra, $45, available at Victoria's Secret; Fortnight Luna Seamless Bikini, $42, available at Fortnight.
Tell me about the trick to making this pose work. "Whenever I'm trying to take a good butt shot, I like to twist my upper body around so that the viewer gets a lil' face action too. Disembodied butt is always cute, but I like to add a little frontal pizzazz. If I take a selfie with a selfie stick, I really love having part of the stick be visible — it feels more honest. I'm really good at using the self-timer for selfies, but isn't there something *so raw* about a selfie stick handle in view? As far as what I was thinking — I was in my backyard, so I was definitely thinking 'I hope none of my neighbors can see me,' but I was also trying to act like I was taking a candid shot of myself (even though that's virtually impossible since I was clearly taking the picture.) I think 'candid selfie' is my new favorite oxymoron."
Any photo editing tricks you like to use? Or are you a straight shooter? "I'm a straight shooter. If anything, I up the brightness to make things more visible, but I hate filters. I don't like posting deceptive photos that don't look like me, and for that reason I haven't been wearing makeup in photos as much as I used to. When I see someone post a photo that is unposed, I admire their lack of caring. In this world of very rehearsed selfies, lackadaisical selfies help me appreciate my own face and body without makeup or a flattering outfit on."
Where do most of your sexy selfies end up? "My selfies usually end up on Instagram, simply because I get the most positive attention there. I'll often send intentionally gross/unflattering selfies to my BFFs, and my nude selfies are strictly for my partner."
What do you like most about the lingerie? "I have always been a fan of Chromat's designs, so I was really delighted to receive a set from them! I love how the top looks like a deconstructed corset — and while I will certainly rock it as lingerie, I am just as jazzed to throw it over a tight white turtleneck and go out like that. When I got the package, I immediately tried it on for my friends, and they said I looked like Leeloo from The Fifth Element (who is basically the hottest character in existence, so I was quite flattered)."
Chromat Harness Bra, $129, available at Chromat; Chromat Patent Cutout Thong, $29, available at Chromat.
Tell me about the trick to making this pose work. "There's not necessarily any tricks besides going with what you're confident with, and being unapologetic about it. If parts of your body make you self-conscious, it's ok to not show them off — go with a pose that's flattering to what you LOVE about yourself. I think it's so easy for women to feel unattractive because they just don't perform femininity or fit what society's idea of a woman should be. We get stuck in these mindsets that it's a competition but really it's about appreciating our diversity. You can be confident and sexy without baring any skin, wearing any makeup, or serving 'bedroom eyes.'
"I try to not overthink it, but at the same time I had to take about 50 selfies before settling on one. I look directly at the camera or at the screen, and I like to fantasize about multifaceted sources of pleasure — most of it has nothing to do with sex or who I'm dating (no offense). Like, think how romantic it feels to visualize living in a world free of racism, patriarchy, and violence? Like walking around topless in the summer without being harassed or objectified would be so hot."
Any photo editing tricks you like to use? Or are you a straight shooter? "I don't edit my photos, but I do always make sure to think about where I'm shooting! Bedrooms are safe bets, but our sexuality doesn't necessarily start or end there, so neither should our selfies. I've had photoshoots in dressing rooms because of the amazing lighting. The more questionable ones typically happen in front of bathroom mirror's at bars (I feel REALLY attractive after a few drinks). Think of places where you might have semi-public sex: the park, a backyard you can frolic naked in, or the beach, because natural lighting works really well. I used to get a rush from sending my dates nudes taken in risky locations, almost as a sport."
Where do most of your sexy selfies end up? "If I'm seeing someone, chances are that's where the nudes typically go. The more tame photos (such as this one) end up in FB groups like NYC queer cruising, which is a group for queers to post ads for hooking up, not cruises."
What do you like most about the lingerie? "The lingerie is really comfortable, cute, and it covers everything. I like how it didn't have some lacy frills, or was super revealing."
Araks Kinee Tank, $110, available at Araks; Brook There Rose Quartz Organic Cotton Bikini, $28, available at Brook There.
Tell me about the trick to making this pose work. "I come from a photography practice which make me pay a lot of attention to light, composition, and color. Phone cameras still take low light pretty badly, so I usually try to make sure there is enough of that — being close to a window can be great. I also love mirror selfies. With them, you can address the photographer through the mirror, and in the case of selfies, show that you are also the addressee! I also try to make sure the background isn't too cluttered!"
Any photo editing tricks you like to use? Or are you a straight shooter? "I tweak the brightness and the white balance plus pull down the blacks on the Instagram editing tool."
Where do most of your sexy selfies end up? "The sexiest ends up in my girlfriend's phone. I like taking hot selfies but it can also be a scary pressure, that is why I try to make them about compositions rather than only my body being hot — like a way to protect myself from critiques of my body. But I definitely take the purely hot ones too, and get validation from the camera, or I feel like I'm having a hot day, and I want to immortalize it. What I try to avoid though is to build up a bodily pressure that makes me feel terrible unless I do it in a certain way. Bodies are cute, weird, and gross and it's nice to find a happy way to live with that."
What do you like most about the lingerie? "I love the bra — it fits sooo cuuute."
Stella McCartney Clara Whispering Contour Balconette Bra, $140, available at Shopbop; Stella McCartney Knickers Gift Set, $80, available at Stella McCartney.
Tell me about the trick to making this pose work. "It's really not a big mystery, I was just trying to show off the outfit because it's cute and really makes the picture."
Any photo editing tricks you like to use? Or are you a straight shooter? "I never photoshop my pictures and never will. I love myself the best when I look like myself."
Where do most of your sexy selfies end up? "Most of my sexy selfies stay up in the cloud and never really go anywhere."
What do you like most about the lingerie? "I love the confidence lingerie gives, instantly! I remember having my first fitting a few years ago and it was life changing."
Tell me about the trick to making this pose work. "The pose was simple, I made sure I was comfortable and laying in a way that I actually would lay. I found decent lighting and kept the angle looking down the body to accent my long legs and torso. Then looking into the camera I just say in my head 'this is me.'"
Any photo editing tricks you like to use? Or are you a straight shooter? "I tend to be a straight shooter. I think it's important to share honest photos when they are as intimate as a selfie. Photoshopping works for some people, and can be a great artistic opportunity to use. But it's not my style. Instead I use shadow and light. Lighting is a huge part of getting a good and clear photo. Light can change facial structure, bring out features, and cover or show blemishes and scars. I also realize that there's no such thing as a bad photo. We tend to be very self critical based on how we feel others may feel. Society has groomed us to identify certain angles and expressions as attractive while others are not. But nothing is truly ugly as long as you have confidence and integrity."
Where do most of your sexy selfies end up? "I don't post a lot of selfies or send them either. Especially sexy selfies. While I'm confident in who I am and what I look like, I just don't feel natural constantly snapping myself. Trying to be sexy feels fake for me. The rare occasion that I do selfie it's if I'm ether wearing something that will likely be controversial or if I am trying to highlight another person I've met. Since selfies are so intentional and intimate, I see them as an opportunity to share things that I really want people to see as genuine or connecting.
"Any image I share with the world is open to any perception. If anyone says anything — even something that seems negative, I'm always game to start a dialogue. I'm used to a range of commentary. From transphobic people identifying me as trans and sending death threats to people complimenting to people making chides at my body shape or 'masculine' features...It's all good. A photo is art — it will be different to everyone who encounters it."
What do you like most about the lingerie? "This lingerie is something I've never worn before. I actually liked how comfortable it was and how it felt like something you could crawl into bed with, walk around the house in on a lazy day in, or even — if you wanted to — work out in. It didn't feel gimmicky."
Calvin Klein Intense Power Red Bralette + Bikini, $58, available at Calvin Klein.
Tell me about the trick to making this pose work. "The pose is my 'signature selfie pose.' I hold my phone in my right hand slightly above eye level and always make sure that the lighting is good (natural light is best). I'm always thinking 'Girl you better smize.'"
Any photo editing tricks you like to use? Or are you a straight shooter? "I don't usually edit too much. The most I would do is use the tools in Instagram to add contrast or brighten."
Where do most of your sexy selfies end up? "Most of my sexy selfies end up staying right in my camera roll, but if I'm feeling extra risqué, I might send a few to my boyfriend."
What do you like most about the lingerie? "The lingerie makes me feel super flirty."
Lovers + Friends Simone Bodysuit in Pearl, $35, available at Revolve.
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A small-town witch, a punk-rock den mother, and a Monterey mom: Nicole Kidman has nearly one hundred on-screen roles to her name (and that's only her acting credits). From TV to the big screen and back to TV again, the 51-year-old actress has learned a lot about Hollywood in her three decades of nonstop work in the industry.
But with all the accolades and awards comes hours upon hours spent in hair and makeup, doing just about everything physically possible to your skin — and, in Kidman's case, those strawberry-blonde curls. As the star told us during a recent interview, that's why it's her renewed mission to take better care of herself, in ways she didn't at the start of her career. That includes reviving her natural hair texture, and maintaining the porcelain glow that's become her signature.
And if there's one thing that Kidman says she's more vigilant about now than ever, it's sun protection. She told us last year that she always makes a point of teaching her kids — and her husband, Keith Urban — about the importance of sunscreen, so it makes perfect sense that she's partnered with Neutrogena on the brand's latest "Every day is SUNday" campaign. (Because if Kidman can spend hours in the California sun filming season two of Big Little Lies and not destroy her skin, you can avoid a sunburn after a day at the beach.)
Still, that's only one of her beauty secrets. To find out more — and try to solve the mystery of how the actress looks exactly the same as she did more than 20 years ago — we had Kidman walk us through her own beauty evolution. Her insight, ahead.
ShoWest in Las Vegas, 1995
About 10 years after she first broke into the biz, Kidman showed up at the cinema convention with auburn curls so stunning, it's no wonder the actress is yearning to recreate them. "I had that hair. I shouldn’t have abused my hair," she says. "I loved that hair. What was I thinking?" She adds: "I’m working on getting that hair again."
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic..
Golden Globe Awards, 1996
"I'm a little worried about that hairdo," Kidman tells us over the phone. When pressed about the updo of choice, she explains, "I have no idea. I think the hairdresser just decided to do it like that. Now, I wish I hadn’t." Kidman confirms it was a great night nonetheless — she did win her first Golden Globe, after all.
Photo: SGranitz/WireImage..
World Premiere of The Hours, 2002
"I like the curly bob! I loved that hair!" Kidman says. And if you happen to catch the actress on a rare day off at home on her ranch, you'll find her sporting this same look.
Photo: Robert Mora/Getty Images..
The 76th Annual Academy Awards, 2004
"Now, that is true blonde," Kidman says. "And I had too much makeup on. That looks like too much makeup." Although the makeup may not be her favorite memory of the night, you can bet the iconic baby-blue Chanel gown made up for it.
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage..
The 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, 2018
"I had the worst flu that night," Kidman reveals of this year's SAG Awards. "I had a fever of 102 and I was there. But that's the power of makeup, isn't it?" At the end of the day, though, the actress wasn't spending much time thinking about her easy updo or flushed cheeks. When she looks back to that night now, she says, all she thinks is, "Wow, I got to win a SAG Award for the first time."
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage..
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With New York's first heat wave already in our wake and many more (unfortunately) ahead of us, it's time than any to address a very important summer essential: sunglasses. We've covered the top eyewear trends of late from super skinny to futuristic to cat-eye. But there's one sector of the sunglass arena that has yet to garner the coverage it deserves. Designer sunglasses, even at a slight discount, are hard to come by. So when we discovered a way to snag a deal on shades from our favorite brands, we couldn't pass on the opportunity to share the news.
From luxury fashion houses like Gucci and Céline to the masters of the field like Oliver Peoples and Ray-Ban, there's no shortage of designer sunglasses options you can find at Jet.com. With so many products on the site — from beauty products to home goods — it's easy to scroll past the true deals. To ensure that no designer discount opportunity is missed out on (especially with the fourth of July weekend around the corner), we've rounded up all the best summer sunglasses that Jet.com has to offer. Now what are you waiting for? It's the season of sun so slip into these shades for a little cool down.
With so many foundations on the market, how is a person supposed to choose just one? After all, there's a time and a place for each, from mousse to cream to cushion — hell, even aerosol. As you know, your choice of face makeup really depends on the coverage and finish you want, plus the tools you like to use. But what happens when your main priority is finding something fast and mess-free? (So basically, every weekday morning...)
Luckily for the lazy rushed set, there's one formula that's gaining popularity, with more and more brands bringing new versions to a makeup counter near you: foundation sticks. While not exactly new, they're one of the most genius bases you can toss in your bag, apply on the go, and still get great coverage sans tools and mirrors.
In short, stick foundations are the superhero of shortcut routines — and even if you prefer to be incredibly meticulous with your whole face and take more time and care, these babies are still just as useful. They can be used with your fingers or with tools, and they can be layered for maximum coverage or diffused for lighter coverage.
Fair warning: If you’ve never tried these before, you might never turn back. Our favorites, ahead...
This blendable stick offers so much coverage we've been tempted to use a few layers as concealer. (Good news: It works.)
This dual-ended cream foundation stick from CoverFX allows you to pick two shades from the brand's lineup and put them both into one convenient package — so you can conceal, highlight, and contour all at the same time.
CoverFX Cover Click Concealer + Foundation, $18, available at Ulta Beauty.
A stick foundation that gives you the benefits of a hydrating lotion and won't break you out? Check and check. Thanks to the coconut oil and vitamin C and E, pigment glides across skin with ease and leaves you with light-to-medium coverage that can easily be built up to a fuller look.
Wander Beauty Flash Focus Hydrating Foundation Stick, $40, available at Sephora.
This foundation's shea butter-laced formula is great for dry skin and makes skin look supple and plump in minutes. You can use your fingers or a flat brush to smooth this one on — it’s that soft and silky. Oily skin? Simply set with a sheer powder for longer wear.
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick, $46, available at Sephora.
Oily skin? This foundation is injected with a shine-busting core that helps to keep it in place while skin stays matte — and it won't break the bank.
Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Bring back your childhood coloring skills with this option: The thin formula glides right over imperfections and the crayon-like shape lets you reach exactly where you need coverage. It's great as a minimal base and the rounded edges make it easy to contour if you opt for a darker shade.
Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation, $25, available at Sephora.
When it comest to luxe foundation sticks, this is the one you have to beat. Tom Ford turned its famous Traceless liquid foundation into a handy stick that makes transforming your face into a smooth, silky canvas that much easier.
Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick, $85, available at Nordstrom.
This option doubles as a convenient touch-up tool — you'll get great coverage with just a dab or two of product. The texture is thick, so we don't suggest applying too generously on your face. However, if you're looking for a long-wear, full-face look, you've found it.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation, $25, available Sephora.
Lightweight, creamy, and beyond easy to blend, this long-wearing formula offers coverage that looks and feels like second skin.
Tarte Clay Stick Foundation, $39, available at Tarte.
Despite the rich, creamy texture, this foundation melts into skin instantly for a weightless satiny finish that never feels greasy — and with a formula that revolves around pure, natural, organic ingredients, there’s nothing not to like.
W3LL PEOPLE Narcissist Foundation Stick, $28.99, available at W3LL PEOPLE.
Calling all selfie addicts: This formula will keep you looking natural in any lighting. This one takes under a minute to apply and smooth out, but doesn't sacrifice your hi-def glow.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation, $43, available at Sephora.
Great for stick-foundation novices, this triangle-shaped foundation is really easy to get right. With just a couple swipes on each cheek, your entire face will be covered, just blend with warm (clean) fingers. The finish is dewy and it's available in a wide range of shades.
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick, $46, available at Sephora.
This isn’t just one of the best foundation sticks you can get for under $10 — it’s one of the best, period. With a long-lasting, blendable formula that you can use all over your face, or just to spot conceal as needed, it’s incredibly versatile, too.
NYX Mineral Stick Foundation, $4.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
While Estée Lauder's Double Wear foundation is technically not a solid stick, it still has the convenience of one. The tip is actually a cushion top that dispenses liquid for the dewiest skin ever — wherever you are.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup, $42, available at Sephora.
Much like the luxury brand’s iconic concealer, this sheer, dewy foundation stick is all kinds of pricey — but so, so worth it. With a lightweight, almost gel-like texture that glides on like silk and blends to a luminous natural finish, this formula is the best money (a lot of money) can buy. The only downside: It only comes in four shades...
Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Stick Foundation SPF 17, $95, available at Neiman Marcus.
Talk about bang for your buck: You get a smooth, medium-coverage foundation on one side, and a full-sized contour stick on the other.
Smashbox Studio Skin Face Shaping Foundation Stick, $42, at Sephora.
This stick's matte foundation offers a soft, filter-worthy finish and a skin-care routine all in one. Thanks the vitamin-packed formula, you don't have to worry about layering on the serum underneath.
NARS Velvet Matte Foundation Stick, $45, available at Sephora.
As if the convenience of portable foundation in stick form wasn’t enough on its own, this one also hides an under-eye concealer under the cap.
Stila Stay All Day Cover Powder Finish Foundation & Concealer, $36, available at Ulta Beauty.
The deeper tones in this revamped line are a dream come true for darker skin tones looking for a solid contour shade.
Black Opal True Color Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF15, $9.95, available at Black Opal.
The blurring and mattifying formula gives us skin that looks FaceTuned.
Flower Beauty Pore Perfect Instant Blur Stick + Multi-Tasking Foundation, $14.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Skip the bronzer while wearing this stick, as the formula contains a hint of shimmer perfect for creating a natural glow.
Iman Second to None Stick Foundation, $13.99, available at Target.
The beauty world expected a lot from the newly-launched Flesh Beauty — and it delivered. The hero product: a range of medium-coverage stick foundations available in 40 shades, specifically formulated to never look chalky or ashy on any skin tone.
Flesh Beauty Firm Flesh Thickstick Foundation, $18, available at Ulta Beauty.
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Every Monday, we take a deeper dive into the Money Diaries community. We started by rounding up some of our favorite comments. Later, we asked all of you whom you like (or don't like) to talk to about money. And since then, we've asked diarists about their most expensive purchases and rounded up their favorite books. Today, we're sharing lessons that past diarists have learned after tracking their spending.
While we aren't able to publish every Money Diary that gets submitted — which means that not all of the following What I Learned submissions come from published diaries — we do hope that the exercise of keeping such a journal is helpful. Here's what a handful of diarists and Money Diaries community members have to say about the experience.
This office manager living in Los Angeles, CA, remarked that her Money Diary made her feel proud of her ability to pay off debt and handle stress.
"I learned to stop being so hard on myself about my debt. It's not going to go away overnight, but to see that I've been able to pay off $8,000 in nine months is amazing. It was definitely a proud moment.
"I also learned that I handle stress far better than I ever give myself credit for. This week [of my Money Diary] I was sick, in a car accident, experienced an earthquake, got into a horrible fight with my boyfriend, had a package stolen from my mail room, and had to file for small claims court against a past landlord. The fact that I didn't have a nervous breakdown was a victory in itself."
This AmeriCorps member living in Brooklyn, NY, noted how several commenters made (not exactly accurate) assumptions about details of her life that she did not specify in her Diary:
"I work in the nonprofit sphere, have a very small salary, have been (and will continue to be) supported financially to an extent by my parents, and currently live in an expensive city, so I knew my Money Diary would generate some controversy. Maybe the lesson is not to read the comments...but it was strange (to say the least) to welcome such direct, public feedback on a typically private aspect of my life.
"People made wild assumptions about me and literally went back and forth with each other guessing about parts left unsaid. What I've learned from putting my Money Diary out into the world is that there is no perfect way to live your life, earn your money, save it, or spend it, and that when you put it on the Internet, people will find all kinds of ways to be outraged. Knowing that my decisions are backed by serious thought and intention helped me stay grounded in the face of berating (and kind!) comments on the way I live my life.
"Also, people really don't understand how food stamps work!"
One recent diarist, a project writer in Dallas, TX, noted how lucky she feels that she doesn't have to deal with student loans or pay for the expensive medications she takes for her anxiety and autism:
"These money diaries are incredibly humbling for me. I spend a lot of money on fitness and exercise, which is really important to me, but if I had to pay off loans or for my medications, I wouldn't be able to afford my fitness lifestyle. Seeing what other millennials spend motivates me to try to become more independent with my health care."
"I also have to remind myself that having autism makes my daily life more difficult. I rely on my parents and live and work close to them so that I can lean on them for support. I'm doing shockingly well for someone on the spectrum, and I try to remind myself of that and to adjust my expectations accordingly."
"I learned a lot from my Money Diary. I know I make a lot of money, but I had a secret pride that we don't spend like we do. Well, that is not exactly true. The amount of money we spent eating was absurd. I realize that I don't even look at prices when I go to a restaurant. $180 for sushi on a Tuesday? Come on. That is crazy. We could've easily had a great sushi dinner out in L.A. for half that price.
"I think some small changes and cooking a little more could help us save even more money. That is always hard with two working parents, a toddler, and a kid on the way. I still enjoy going out, but I realize we end up being wasteful, too. I think I may keep up the diary so we can be more mindful of how we spend."
This diarist, a 30-year-old manager in Chicago, IL, reflected on writing a Money Diary in the midst of a difficult personal time — and how it helped her see the good in her life.
"I'm currently going through [the] breakup of a long-term relationship. There are many times throughout the day I don't feel great about myself or my situation. Doing this diary helped me realize I have so much to be grateful for, and that I have accomplished a lot financially, professionally, and personally in my 30 years.
"... And the fact that I mainly spend money on food :)"
"I learned so much by tracking my spending for a week. As good as I am with saving money and staying out of debt, I spend much more than I realize on things I don't need, like food and coffee. I wish I spent more on entertainment simply because I sometimes feel like a recluse due to the amount of work I have, and put on myself.
"Moving has also been a crazy experience. I thought that moving from California to Oregon would cut my costs, but it hasn't. Certain things are cheaper in Oregon, but others are more expensive. I make less money too, because back in California, I was higher up in the library food chain.
"Overall, Portland has a much simpler and calmer vibe, and I moved here for my sanity. I am determined to get my money in order so I can live the life I want. And the best way to do that is to stay motivated by reading self-improvement and financial health books, staying positive, and working hard."
Back in March, one of our diarists, a finance VP in New York City, drummed up a lot of conversation after readers learned of her high income and spending habits. Here's what she had to say:
"I had no idea [my diary] was going to cause such a shit storm. Actually, I was pleasantly surprised; most of the comments were very nice.
"I learned a LOT. I am the kind of person who (oddly, [considering] my line of business) wants to avoid really tallying up what I'm doing. I always review my credit card charges and I think I'm pretty responsible for the most part. I [tend to] spend frugally day-to-day, but will save up and be happy to spend on something like a vacation or a new handbag. I care a lot more about the big-ticket items than buying coffee every day. (BTW, I went back and ordered that sofa from ABC Home! It cost just under $2,000, but I expect to keep it for at least five years. I am a trader; I like to invest.)"
"One place where I could definitely be saving is grocery stores! I tend to go every two or three weeks because, honestly I just hate doing it. Then, when I go, I wander around aimlessly and pick out random things. I enjoy cooking, but there's only so many vegetables you can eat as a single person in a week before they go bad and you have to throw them out! I think I will work on either going more often or making a list.
"With regards to the comments on my charity spending, I spend about $3,000 a year on various charities. The form asked for monthly expenses, not yearly ones, so I was just following instructions. I had no idea that's what people would focus on, especially considering I spend quite a bit on causes that matter to me. Also, taxes are nuts! Something like 30% to 40% of my headline income goes to taxes. Especially in Manhattan, you get dinged three time — federal, state, and city. I work on commission, so it's hard to budget. But I'm not complaining, I am in a high-income bracket — so I have very high tax rates.
"I think I have a healthy relationship with debt, which is something I've learned from reading a lot of these Money Diaries. Credit scores are SO important! I was really fortunate to have parents who made me get a credit card when I was in middle school (!!) and pay it down. I've had a credit score for almost 15 years! I have friends who just got a credit card last year.
"There were a few comments about privilege that, honestly, I expected. I went to public school until I went to a top-notch university; it was private and crazy expensive. But my parents grew up very poor and have managed to do some incredible things. This will probably make me sound even more frivolous (I already got nailed for spending $100 on a single candle!), but my parents knew the kind of lifestyle I wanted to live from a young age. They've been very open in telling me, Hey, if you want that $5 million townhouse, you're going to need to make a lot of money. Here are the career paths you can take. They really pushed me into finance because they knew this was the career path I'd need to take to make the kind of money I want.
"I think this is a message that gets lost on a lot of people. If you want to go be a humanitarian or work for a nonprofit, that's great — but it comes with a different financial picture. For me, this was more important. I am fully aware that my job is loathed by some, but it's the choice I made to live the kind of lifestyle I want. I've also been lucky to have parents who understood how much they could help. I'll confess that I originally wanted to be a doctor! This would have also, eventually, yielded the kind of income I'd need to live the life I want, but my parents sat me down and said, 'Look: We can't pay for medical school. How long and how much debt do you want to be in?' It's all about payoffs.
"I am really glad I wrote this because I've never actually itemized the things I've done. And I am happy, overall, with the responses I've gotten. I hope that women — or people — reading this got something out of it as well."
Another diarist, a 28-year-old marketing manager in Vancouver, BC, Canada, makes $58,500. She expressed confidence in her ability to enjoy life in the short-term, but also voiced some longer-term concerns after tracking her expenses.
"I can afford to live quite comfortably in what's known as the city with the highest cost of living here in Canada. That said, [because of] a comfortable lifestyle and frequent travels, I haven't been able to put as much money away for a house, or a wedding, or a rainy day. I want to be able to shed light on the common issue that's facing a lot of the working class here in Vancouver, and that is the balance and struggle of enjoying your life while building your future.
"Filling out the Money Diary was a huge eye opener because you don't realize that even the simplest items are a luxury. It was also a pretty heavy spending week for me; I usually don't spend that much on make-up or clothes. This week showed me that it's not only the larger shopping totals that are a detriment to your savings, but it's also the paying for everyone's movie and not getting paid back. It's the unnecessary dessert after dinner. It's the coffee for two every morning. This was a very helpful exercise to shed light on the changes I need to make for the future."
One diarist, a 29-year-old executive assistant in New York City making $112,000 used her Money Diary to find places to cut back.
"I wanted to keep my own [Money Diary] because I know I spend WAY too much on food and drink, and 'treat' myself on clothing more often than not. Both have led to tremendous amounts of credit card debt. In the past year, I was laid off before landing a new [job] with a major raise. With that [money], I am paying off said cards while trying to save as much as possible. I also realize that I don't donate to charity (time or money) nearly as much as I would like to, so I plan to increase that as well."
One diarist, a 29-year-old school counselor in Richmond, Virginia, said that she learned to be less afraid of money.
"I realized that I hate spending money and I'm constantly trying to stay on a budget that doesn't exist in reality. I need to stop being afraid to spend money on myself. That's not exactly the moral I thought I'd get out of this week, but self-actualization is good, too."
Another diarist, a 27-year-old office manager in Bellingham, Washington, wrote about learning what to prioritize as she and her husband begin raising children. This diarist works in the field of biotechnology and makes $44,000; her husband's salary is $55,000. Here's what she had to say:
"After submitting my Money Diary and looking back at all my notes, I noticed that I have been spending a lot more [money] than normal now that my husband and I are preparing for kids to enter our home. Some of it was in preparation — whether it be toys, furniture, or equipment — but we also spent a lot of afternoons and evenings out. Unexpected purchases are bound to happen when you expand your family, especially in our case, with regard to adoption. Not only are there agency fees, but we will also have lawyer fees in the future.
"Moving forward, especially when we are settled with kids, it will be important to remember that saving is so important. Something I'm still trying to learn is that you may not always need the most extravagant items. I want to make sure we have healthy savings while still providing a fun and exciting life for our little family. I think the key to all of this is to find the right balance for you and those you share your life with."
"I've been tracking my spending for about six months, [a period in which] I realized I needed to consolidate my $16,500 credit card debt. Through a lack of financial oversight and acumen, serious illness, and high/compounding interest rates, I racked up a severe amount of debt in a short period of time (about 4 years). I realized I have to be much more prudent about credit and pay my balance in full each month — if I ever use credit again. For now, and the foreseeable future, I've been credit-free.
"The main thing I learned while tracking my expenses is that despite increased budgeting and awareness, I still am an impulse-spender, especially when it comes to things like groceries, gifts, and non-essential personal items like records. I think I need to be more aware of that and employ more self-discipline to stay on track, while also allowing for a fun purchase here and there."
Another diarist, a 27-year-old office manager in Garden City, Kansas, wrote about how it feels to make $12,000 per year.
"While doing my Money Diary, I felt really awkward about how little I made; my poverty and art degree provide plenty of fodder for internet trolls. I know it's my fault for getting a useless degree, so thanks. It is hard to write a diary about what I spend when I don't have much money to spend — and definitely not on anything exciting.
There are many circumstances that led to me returning home and taking a part-time job. I had to constantly remind myself that this is a temporary pit stop in my life. I often feel guilty spending money on anything that isn't gas, bills, or food, and that's something I want to work on. Nobody should beat themselves up over spending $4 on a water bottle.
"I already have nearly a year's worth of my earning in savings, so I know I can't save much more without making more. On the bright side, the diary kept me motivated. I am working on my résumé for a full-time position where I can live with my boyfriend and not have to commute."
This diarist, a 28-year-old higher-education coordinator in the Metro Detroit Area making $45,000 per year wrote about how her schedule impacts her finances. She realized that operating within time crunches results in her spending more than she and her husband would like to.
"My husband and I have known that we spend a lot on food, but we both love cooking and eating out. This was a week where my schedule allowed me to be home every evening, so I tried to cook at home more, and didn't go to Starbucks as often as I typically would for breakfast.
"Tracking made me recognize how little of our income is going towards saving and investing, so we will be setting up IRAs ASAP. We are also not doing a good job of managing our mornings. Neither of us likes to wake up earlier than we have to. However, hanging onto our old habits while managing our son in the morning presents time management issues that lead us to overspend out of convenience."
"I learned that I don't spend as much on food as I thought I did, [but] I found I was spending way too much on coffee and transportation. I'm okay with paying over 50% of my income toward my living expenses, but I could definitely buy coffee out less and use [fewer] car shares (which I've come to rely on)."
One diarist, a 30-year-old public health advisor in Washington, D.C. making $77,490 per year said she learned to pull back her spending on other people.
"I learned that I spend a lot of money in service of other people (buying coffee/tea, hosting parties, donating to fundraisers, buying from friend's small businesses), and that I rationalize some of the beauty and clothing spending that I do, saying that I 'need' everything."
"I learned a great deal writing a Money Diary," she wrote. "I am normally really conscious of my spending, but writing everything down made me realize just where my money is going. It was a valuable experience and showed me that although I think I am a frugal spender, there are still ways to cut down on costs, such as watching what I spend on the weekends, as well as during the week."
One Money Diaries submitter, a 28-year-old marketing specialist making $55,000 in Portland Maine, said that she sometimes uses her thriftiness on eating out as an excuse to go all out at the supermarket.
"I learned that I should just direct-deposit my paycheck to Trader Joe's. Kidding aside, I realized that I'm very careful with my spending aside from food and drinks, and I make a big effort not to eat out or order takeout, which really helps me stay on track. That said, I also realized that I sometimes use the fact that I cook up to 95% of my meals to justify a sometimes-bloated grocery budget. Give and take, I guess."
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Today, Teigen posted a photo on Instagram of the new cover, and accompany the photo she wrote, "BLESSED DAY, IT’S HERE!!!! My second #CRAVINGScookbook is available for pre-order!! Everything Bagel Cream Cheese Breakfast Bake, French Onion Soup with Croissant Croutons, Grilled Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches, Philly French Dip, Roasted Butternut & Pomegranate Salad, and more more more ohhhhhh there is much to love!" Those who are already craving the dishes she listed can pre-oder the book here.
Cravings: Hungry For More will be officially released on September 18, 2018. Until then, you can find us cooking our way thing the OG Cravings as a way to pass the time.
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Turns out, for the price of $100,000, you can make a clone of your dog. Which makes you wonder: What would it cost to clone a person? Our guess is a hell of a lot more than any of us will ever have in our checking accounts. But luckily (or creepily), some celebs don't have to think about extracting DNA or shelling out millions to replicate themselves, because their doppelgängers are already walking around IRL.
Click ahead to see Taylor 2.0, Selena's double, the long lost Rihanna, Gigi's other sister, and more celeb look-alikes. The resemblance is so uncanny, if they ever met, these duos could pull off some serious Parent Trap switch-ups.
Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande
This past weekend, at an LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Houston, Texas, one festival-goer snapped a photo of 18-year-old Samantha Rodriguez. The pic has since gone viral — not because of her on-point glitter highlight or celebratory rainbow bikini, but because the Twitter-verse thinks she looks exactly like a hypothetical pop-star hybrid of Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande.
@samrennee
Taylor Swift
The old Taylor might be dead, but her British twin is very much alive and well. Her name's Laura Cadman, and with her propensity for a bright red lip and swoop-y blonde bangs, plus her Instagram feed sprinkled with pictures of cats, the college student from Manchester, England could easily pass as T. Swift's twin.
@laurah
Rihanna
Andele Lara, a beauty influencer and founder of the website Grow & Glow, was flying relatively under-the-radar until she collaborated with YouTube sensation Patrick Starr on a Fenty Beauty project — then fans started freaking out over the crazy Rihanna resemblance.
Gigi Hadid's mom, former model and RHOBH star Yolanda Foster, is from the small Dutch town of Papendrecht in The Netherlands, so it kind of makes sense that Gigi's doppelgänger hails from there, too. Iza Ijzerman is a Dutch blogger with the same long, bright blonde hair, pale blue eyes, and full, slightly-agape lips — even her tinted sunglasses have "Gigi" written all over them.
@izaijzerman
Ariana Grande
We thought we could place that high and tight half pony anywhere, but maybe not — because this is not Ariana Grande. It's actually former Miss Teenage California Alexxa Morgan, who looks likes a carbon copy of the pint-sized pop princess.
@alexxa_morgan
Lady Gaga
“If I had a dollar for every time someone said I look like Lady Gaga, I’d be V rich,” 18-year-old Amethyst Rose writes in her Instagram bio of the Gaga comparisons she gets on the reg.
@amethystbby
Kim Kardashian
Sonia Ali and her sister Fyza have garnered a pretty impressive following in part because they're dead ringers for Kim and Kylie. Sonia looks exactly like Kim, but she told us in a recent interview that she's not trying to curate her look for fame — it's just in her blood. "My grandmother looked like Kim before Kim looked like Kim," she said.
@soniaxfyza
Jennifer Lopez
J. Lo's ripped and doesn't age, and 28-year-old Janice Garay is a bodybuilder from Texas with the same caramel-colored hair and iconic "J.Lo Glow," so it makes sense that people might get the two confused.
@jayfromhouston
Emma Watson
Also from the U.K., Meghan Flockhart not only looks, but likely sounds, just like Emma Watson.
@meganflockhart
Katy Perry
Putting the shark in the shot is just adding fuel to the firestorm of Katy Perry comparisons. Per Francesca Brown's Instagram bio, the resemblance is so uncanny that the actress/presenter is currently playing Katy Perry in Legends In Concert.
@francesca_brown
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Welcome to A-Listed, where we take you inside the mansions, shacks, apartments and houses (remember that elementary school game, MASH?) of Hollywood's elite. Okay, fine, so there are probably not going to be too many shacks in the mix. What there will be, however, are hefty price tags, eccentric decor, insane swimming pools, and occasionally, some tabloid-worthy gossip about your favorite celebs.
'Tis the season to buy and sell astronomically-priced real estate, apparently, because there are plenty of stars with homes on the market right now. But the buzziest home in this round-up isn't one being sold by a star. It's one recently purchased by newly-minted couple (and overnight tabloid obsession) Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson. In case you've been living under a rock, the pop starlet and SNL cast member recently got engaged after dating for, like, maybe a month, much to the shock of everyone on the internet and also Larry David's daughter. Please enjoy this look inside the pair's home, because at the speed these two seem to move, it might not be around for long.
In non-Pete-and-Ariana news, Real Housewife Ramona Singer is selling her Upper East Side apartment, Keith Richards apparently no longer wants to live the Greenwich Village co-op life, and Shakira has shockingly elegant taste in decor. Who knew?
Pete Davidson & Ariana Grande's $16 Million Love Nest in NYC's Chelsea
Whatever you think about Pete and Ariana's shotgun engagement (we have a lot of thoughts), it's hard to deny that this posh pad the couple reportedly purchased in an exclusive Chelsea apartment building — designed by the late starchitect Zaha Hadid (no relation to Bella and Gigi, by the way) — is the stuff of dreams.
Photo: Gotham/GC Images.
It's also hard to deny that Grande is almost certainly the one footing the bill for this. We don't know how much exactly junior SNL cast members make, but it definitely ain't this much. By the way, a few amenities Grande and Davidson's new building has that are a far cry from those of your average NYC apartment: a juice bar, a skylit pool, an IMAX theatre, and according to People, something called a "wellness level." Casual!
We definitely wouldn't mind hanging out in this sun-drenched living space. Pete and Ariana, we'll be on the lookout our housewarming invite! Lucky for you two lovebirds, we're known for our great taste in hostess gifts.
Ramona Singer's $4.9 million Upper East Side Apartment
Real Housewives of New York veteran Ramona Singer is reportedly selling her swanky UES apartment (which she once shared with now-ex-husband Mario), which features four bedrooms, sweeping views of the city, and some delightfully furry throw pillows (though sadly, we're thinking those probably don't come with the home).
Photo: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images.
If you've got a couple extra million lying around, you can live in a place that has likely played host to countless Pinot-Grigio-fueled cat fights and vodka-soaked dance parties.
If these walls could talk... well, they'd probably have their own RHONY "friend" designation.
Ryan Murphy's $18 Million Laguna Beach Manse
Of course Ryan Murphy lives in Laguna Beach! Given his penchant for creating campy fictional characters that can really only be described as "messy bitches who live for drama," he was probably very inspired by MTV's iconic foray into the real lives of wealthy California teenagers. And/or the very first iteration of the Real Housewives franchise, set in Orange County.
Photo: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images.
Anyway, Murphy is selling his Laguna home for a cool $18 million. It has six bedrooms, seven bathrooms (!!!), and a gorgeous kitchen with an insane view. There's also this stone sculpture of a head, if that's your kind of thing.
If you're not suddenly hearing Hilary Duff's "Come Clean" on repeat in your head, well, we apparently had very different viewing preferences circa 2005.
Shakira's $11.6 Million Miami Mansion
We all know Shakira's hips don't lie, but were you aware her homemaking skills were also on point? Well, judging by the state of this insane waterfront, 20,726-square-foot home in Miami Beach, they definitely are.
Photo: Robert Marquardt/Getty Images.
Given the singer's penchant for glitz and glamour, her home's aesthetic is surprisingly minimalist, with white-washed rooms (all-white pool table anyone?) and plenty of natural light.
There is, however, a room in there that appears to exclusively house her Grammys and other awards, which is definitely not low-key at all.
Keith Richards's $9.9 Million Residence In Greenwich Village
Richards has reportedly been trying to sell his very rock n' roll Greenwich Village apartment for a while. Back in 2017, he was asking a cool $12 million for it, so, you know, these days it's practically a steal!
Photo: Samir Hussein/WireImage
What, did you think that Keith Richards wouldn't have a gold chair shaped like a giant hand in his apartment? Just because the Rolling Stones guitarist is loaded doesn't mean he's lost his quintessential rock n' roll edge, and that's very evident in the decor choices that define this home.
Said apartment is also, notably, in a co-op building, which means at some point, Richards, a man once known for his drug-fueled exploits, had to appear before the board of what realtor Douglas Elliman calls "one of the most prestigious and highly sought after" (read: stuffy, pretentious) coops in New York City. If that thought doesn't make you LOL, we don't know what will.
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BeautywithMi, hosted by Refinery29's beauty writerMi-Anne Chan, explores the coolest new trends, treatments, products, and subcultures in thebeautyworld. Never miss an episode by subscribing here.
There are many clichés about the passing of time, most of them referring to the fact that we simply don't have a lot of it. As such, human beings have devised numerous ways to shave off a few seconds here and there, from Disneyland's FastPass to TSA Pre-Check. When it comes to beauty treatments, we want the same time-saving wonders — and we want them to be effective, relaxing, and affordable, too. Skin Laundry's Laser & Light Facial ticks all the boxes.
Unlike many laser treatments that are expensive, time-consuming, and, frankly, painful, Skin Laundry's signature offering is the opposite. The spa, which has multiple locations in the U.S., the U.K., and Hong Kong, uses a combination of YAG laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) to help clear breakouts, even tone, and brighten skin.
Unlike traditional lasers and light treatments done at your dermatologist's office, Skin Laundry nurses and aestheticians use their machines at lower frequencies to vaporize pollution and dead skin, and kill acne-causing bacteria with zero recovery time. As a result, you should see clearer skin, reduced inflammation and redness, and a smoother complexion after just a few rounds.
I decided to try the treatment out for myself last month, and while the treatment won't be your cure-all for acne (those with cystic acne may not see much of an improvement), I will say my skin feels — and looks — much better for having tried it. Curious to see the results? Press play to watch it all in action.
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Take a glance at your coffee table (or nightstand or shelf), and chances are most of the larger books you own are about fashion, art & design, or photography. And they're usually all focused on one person, place, or thing. That's cool and all, but GILESSØLVEKATIE, which comes out tomorrow, sees a London trio who've known each other for decades — and influenced the industry along the way — come together for an epic collaboration: designer Giles Deacon, stylist and LOVE magazine editor-in-chief Katie Grand, and photographer Sølve Sundsbø.
"We are great friends and work in a very, very intuitive manner," Deacon tells Refinery29 via email. "When we work it's not like I am a client saying, 'We have to have that bag or shoe.' The whole creative experience is more open from everyone’s perspective." In addition to works that many fans have already seen or tacked to their walls, GILESSØLVEKATIE features never-published shots with accompanying commentary. And because it was just the three of them, putting the book together was a lot easier than, say, a magazine. "Editorial is much more of a group decision," says Grand. "There were only so many images we had all worked on together."
For Sundsbø, whose 20-plus years in photography have won him an Emmy award, the process of looking back only energized him for future creative challenges. "The nature of fashion photography is ever-changing. Media is also changing," he says. The Norwegian photographer has been praised for his open-mindedness when it comes to using new technology in his work. "I would be incredibly naive if I thought that I have nothing left to discover. It feels like I have only scratched the surface." The book also sees our favorite supermodels, such as Gisele Bündchen, Linda Evangelista, Stephanie Seymour, and others in some of their most iconic editorials.
Trust us: After flipping through GILESSØLVEKATIE, you'll want more. Much more. But for now, click through the slideshow to see some of our favorite selections from the next essential addition to your fashion library.
Summer has officially landed, by way of long, hot days, World Cup fever, and margaritas on rooftop bars. While we're enjoying every minute of summer in the city, we're certainly not the only ones to have our vacation departure dates circled in red on the calendar.Whether you're headed abroad or staying stateside, a summer getaway calls for a special kind of wardrobe, one laced with freedom and fun. Lucky, then, that both the emerging summer trends have been so fantastic.
From rattan bags to textured sandals, rainbow-striped dresses to oversized sun hats, this summer's aesthetic is shaping up to be joyful, playful and brimming with color. Click ahead to find the best statement pieces we're wearing from the beach to the bar and beyond.
Our penchant for a basket bag – in straw, wicker, bamboo or rattan to be precise – has been going strong for several summers now. Cult Gaia's structured Ark bag has become a permanent fixture on our Instagram timelines, while brands like Mercedes Salazar and Parme Marin are serving up rainbow-bright, non-picnic looking bags perfect for a week in the sun.
Striped dresses in a plethora of colors have been popping up everywhere. Vertical, horizontal or diagonal; in rainbow brights and dreamy pastels; bold as a zebra crossing or delicately pinstriped – there's a host to choose from this season. We're layering Mira Mikati's rainbow delight over swimwear on the beach, and wearing J.Crew's ruffled blue and white number while exploring new cities.
Ever since we put comfort over aesthetics and practical brands like Teva and Birkenstock became the summer footwear du jour, the chunky sandal has been in the spotlight. Think thick straps and clunky fastenings, bouncy soles and – thankfully – not a blister in sight.
Swimwear has grown into its own over the last few years. No longer relegated to bikini or two-piece, the category has proved itself to be as diverse as the resort runways themselves . With so many stellar swimsuits out there it can be tough to break down the one's you need for summer. Mara Hoffman always comes in clutch when it comes to graphic designs and colors while Onia's seersucker number calls for a lemonade by the pool.
The jumpsuit should be a staple in your summer wardrobe. Whether you're strolling around the Mediterranean coast or in need of something to throw on over your swimwear for a day at the beach, a one-piece is the ideal solution to holiday dressing.
What's summer without a pair of standout sunglasses? Sure, Matrix -esque micro shades are reigning supreme right now (Adam Selman x Le Specs are the best around), but there's a wealth of statement-making specs that emphasize a unique look.
Ah, the sun dress. The reigning symbol of the summer wardrobe, there are so many to choose from each season. Florals, of course, are in abundance but there's so much more to explore. Find the perfect whimsical white dress (if you can avoid spilled sangria) or choose from the many emerging vintage inspired cuts.
You'll have seen Jacquemus' totally extra wide-brimmed sun hat on Instagram (both style and sun protection, if you ask us), which has inspired a host of straw hat creations – perfect for a dramatic poolside entrance.
As with interiors and bags, textures have made their way into our footwear. Miista's popular take on the block heel is at the top of our list, while Loq's woven mules are perfect to wear with a cotton dress while sipping on a sunset accompanied nightcap.
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I'm easily tricked by seemingly "comfortable" shoes; the ones that have a clunky thick sole and lots of straps (+2 points for velcro). They imply there are no pain points, but after a walk down the stairs and out the door, I start to notice the straps brush against my feet in a weird way and the uncomfortable lack of cushioning for my heel. Unfortunately by that point there's already enough wear on the soles that the shoes are rendered un-returnable. Fun. We've all witnessed the scam sandal, the one disguised as being comfortable only to betray you with a thick sole and cushy inserts that, in reality, feel like having a 40 pound weight strapped to each foot. So I set out to find the sandals that are actually worth our time.
A little bit about my foot anatomy: I have flat feet and an extra bone on the side of my left foot so my main concerns revolve around extra support and strap placement. While every foot is different and filled with its own quirks and weaknesses, every foot undeniably wants to feel like its walking on a soft puff of clouds. There's been a steadily increasing trend of heels being left by the wayside to make way for more practical shoes. While this year has been the age of the dad sneaker, its close cousin, the chunky sandal, is just the ugly sneaker summer-ified.
With more chunky sandals on the market than ever, I decided now was the time to test the most notable ones so that your feet don't have to suffer. Click through for my week of "comfy" sandals (blister pics not included).
Monday: Skechers D'Lites
I took a tip from my mom and picked up some some throwback Skechers for day 1. In case you've blacked out during the era of Kim Kardashian acting as its main spokesperson (*ahem* Shape Ups), Skechers have always been the ultimate representation of the comfy sneaker. But the comfort can sometimes be a sacrifice for current style. Not in this case though. Someone be sure to @ Britney because Skechers are back. I loved that the sandal straps had a shiny effect and loved the way the treads looked from the bottom even more.
Bounce-back: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Strap friction: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Support: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Miles Walked: 6 miles
Helmut Lang Asymmetrical Tank Top, $105, available at Shopbop; LPA Payette Sequin Draped Mini Skirt, $178, available at LPA; Darner Powder Blue Mesh Socks, $38, available at Darner; Skechers D'Lites, $55, available at Skechers.
Photographed by James Jiang
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I sprinted to the bus wearing these sandals and didn't trip once. I also made the bus (in case you were wondering). These get the 5 star rating for being superbly comfy.
I wanted to include a luxury sandal in the mix because if you're going to pay up for some fancy sandals, you should know exactly what you're getting for your money. I went with heavy, but definitely higher quality, sandal from Marc Jacobs. They're the epitome of a dad sneaker made summer friendly. In terms of comfort, the weight creates a domino effect. The pressure is tighter on the straps which made me subconsciously walk a little differently which also tired out my ankle quicker. However with rhinestones on the aglets and the sole of the shoe resembling a true sneaker, these shoes were undoubtedly the highest quality in terms of aesthetic. While the shoe wasn't the most comfortable, they did make my non-pedicured feet look great.
Although the weight made them less comfortable, the details on the sandals themselves were so good it made up for it.
Marc Jacobs Somewhere Sport Sandal, $295, available at Marc Jacobs.
Photographed by James Jiang
Wednesday: Dr. Martens Sandals
Dr. Martens boots are notorious for having a break-in period. Wear thick socks, carry blister band-aids, and buckle up because you're in for a ride. But the rule is that once they're broken in, you no longer have to worry about them hurting you ever again. These sandals have the famous air-cushioned sole without the painful breaking in period. The back strap was initially loose resulting in a lack of support causing some strap friction. But luckily that was fixed with the elastic laces.
Bounce-back: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Strap friction: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Support: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Miles Walked: 6.4 miles
Sui Studio Cameron Navy Striped Suit, $499, available at Sui Studio; Raen Sunglasses; Dr. Martens Kristina Aunt Sally Sandals, $95, available at Dr. Martens.
Photographed by James Jiang
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lesson learned: switch out all laces for elastic ones and the shoe will automatically move to the ebbs and flows of your foot.
Dr. Martens Kristina Aunt Sally Sandals, $95, available at Dr. Martens.
Photographed by James Jiang
Thursday: Fila Disruptor Sandals
I took these for a casual 7.5 mile stroll across the Williamsburg Bridge and they didn't hurt my feet at all. That's a feat of sandal technology because I definitely experienced some elevated climbs during my walk. The Fila sandals come with a lot of cushioning and the side of the straps are made from neoprene meaning there's little to no strap friction. The best way I can sum it up? I have nothing negative to say about these shoes. Also, expect mega compliments when wearing the disruptors; even in a pair of sequin shorts they totally stole the show.
Bounce-back: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Strap friction: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Support: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Miles Walked: 7.5 miles
Tracksmith Relay Singlet, $65, available at Tracksmith; Anouki shorts; Fila Disruptor Sandals, $80, available at Barneys.
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I would walk a thousand miles in these shoes.
Fila Disruptor Sandals, $80, available at Barneys.
Photographed by James Jiang
Friday:Teva Hurricane XLT 2
It wouldn't be an ugly sandal story without some good ol' Tevas. Teva makes way more comfortable shoes than these (trust me, I did a 20 mile hike in a pair once), but these fall more under its line of "fashion" sandals. The monochromatic coloring deserved 4-stars in my book and as far as fashion sandals go, they were extremely comfortable. Unfortunately as I got going, the sandal proved to feel a bit hard on the feet so no "walking on a cloud" effect was achieved.
Bounce-back: ⭐️⭐️
Strap friction: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Support: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Miles Walked: 5.5 miles
Topshop Roll Sleeve T-Shirt, $18, available at Topshop; Sandy Liang skirt; Bauble Bar Ariza Anklet, $36, available at Bauble Bar; Teva Hurricane XLT 2, $70, available at Teva.
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was glad today was an easy day with the least amount of miles on these shoes They're cute, but I'll stick to my less-fashionable Tevas in the future.
These sandals were a winner when it came to the style category. The rope detailing was beautiful and the speckled print on the front adds a whole other dimension to the shoe. Unfortunately, relative to the other shoes, this was the least comfortable. The shoe didn't have much in the way of cushioning giving it a low rating on the bounce factor scale which, in turn, affected the support.
Bounce-back: ⭐️⭐️
Strap friction: ⭐️⭐️
Support: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Miles Walked: 6 miles
Miaou Lucy Corset, $350 $245, available at Miaou; Levi's Made and Crafted Summer Culottes, $198, available at Levi's; Charles and Keith Laced Up Rope Sandals, $59, available at Charles and Keith.
Photographed by James Jiang
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Extra points for the speckled details and lace-ups. Unfortunately, 6 miles later, I was ready to go home and give myself a much needed foot massage.
Charles and Keith Laced Up Rope Sandals, $59, available at Charles and Keith.
Photographed by James Jiang
Sunday: Birkenstock x Opening Ceremony Sandal
I have one rule: don't wear a backless sandal if you're planning on walking a lot. This lesson was learned the hard way when I was walking so fast that my backless sandal flew off of my foot and into the middle of the street. Luckily I chose these Birkenstocks on a Sunday where there's no a rush to get anywhere fast and it's acceptable dress up as a pillow. I found that these shoes were incredibly comfortable. The grooves make it so that your ankle isn't fatigued from trying to keep the shoe on.
Bounce-back: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Strap friction: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Support: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Miles Walked: 7.5 miles
Rhode Resort Nala Dress, $335, available at Shopbop; Sleepy Jones PJ pants; Birkenstock x Opening Ceremony Glitter Arizona Sandal, $145, available at Opening Ceremony.
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
On mile 4 I forgot that these were even backless, a true Sunday miracle in terms of comfort and sparkle factor.
Birkenstock x Opening Ceremony Glitter Arizona Sandal, $145, available at Opening Ceremony.
Photographed by James Jiang
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If you haven't wrapped your head around the fact that the Fourth of July is next week... well, welcome to the club. The end of June is fast approaching and America's birthday is quick to follow, sneaking up on all of us this year (and, annoyingly, falling on a Wednesday). But there is some good news to buffer the fact that summer is speeding by much too fast: There are a few killer sales going on in honor of Independence Day.
One particularly exciting blowout sale comes in the form of some major skin-care steals, courtesy of SkinStore. The beauty retailer is launching a 40% off sale for the Fourth, chopping prices off beloved brands including Purlisse, Patchology, and 3Lab. Ahead, we have the serums, moisturizers, and masks marked down the full 40%, so you can spend your savings on something red, white, and blue.
This serum is free of frills — no snazzy label or overpowering fragrance, just the perfect lightweight anti-aging serum to improve skin smoothness and clarity.
Formulated with volcanic ash and kaolin clay, Patchology's detox sheet mask clears the gunk out of clogged pores without the usual messy mud-mask aftermath.
Wearing a moisturizer with SPF is important 365 days a year, but it's especially crucial in the summer. This one is great because it's non-greasy, and goes on with a subtly refreshing cooling sensation.
Even with a 40% off discount, this one's still pretty pricey, but it's worth the (significantly reduced) splurge. If you have aging skin or just want something plumping and super-hydrating, this is the best of the best.
A good sugar scrub is necessary for dry, flaky skin. This one is perfect for sloughing away dull skin without being too abrasive, and it leaves a layer of moisture behind that doesn't feel oily. Plus, it smells delicious.
Whether you caught too much sun, or your skin just errs on the dry side in the first place, this gentle calming serum is incredible for soothing a weakened skin barrier and calming irritation.
We use clothing to express ourselves, but sometimes, it’s what we wear below the surface that makes us feel most powerful. This week, UndHER World is taking down the taboo of lingerie through personal stories, shoppable roundups, and a closer look at what lies underneath.
Having been blessed with a colossal chest and curves that just won’t quit, I’ve been strapped into an over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder since my 11th birthday. I skipped right past the training-bra stage and settled — extremely awkwardly — into a full C cup just months into middle school. As years passed, my bust grew out of cutesy Victoria’s Secret styles, forcing me to scour through racks of woebegone beige bras, settling for literally anything that appeared to keep my chest in check. Those adorable bralettes, all lacy and sexy, seemed solely for the slimmer set; not an option for the D-plus crowd, and especially for me, a 38H.
My busty sisters can relate, I’m sure; you get home from a long day at the office, and what’s one of the first things you do? Off goes the bra and it feels like bliss. But the lack of support and lift can begin to create its own aches and pains, not to mention heat, sweat, and chafing. (Yay, big boobs are fun!)
Thankfully, bras have evolved since I began my search many years ago. And although the majority of bralettes on the market are still made for those smaller than a D cup, I have actually found several styles that work for me.
The first that I tried was Torrid’s crop lace bralette in a size 2X, which could easily pass for a regular crop top (although it’s fairly sheer, so be warned). The longline band provides a lot of support, and the cups are considerably deeper than I expected. It’s also supremely comfortable; I’ve worn it all day and even fallen asleep in it. Would I go jogging in it? No. Does it offer the same lift and support of a molded-cup underwire bra? Of course not. But does it look like I’m totally braless? Not even close.
Feeling emboldened, I tried another Torrid style, the strappy lace bralette. It embodied exactly what I wanted in a bralette — strappy, sexy, and edgy. It also provided similar support and coverage to the cropped version, so it quickly made its way into my wardrobe rotation. I love to pair it with a low-cut top, allowing the criss-cross neckline to peek out. And the racerback multi-weave design makes dip-back shirts a reality, instead of a dream.
Want to score some bralettes of your own? Click through to see my top picks, and tell us in the comments where you’ve found your favorite styles.
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When Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty with an impressive 40 shades of foundation, she set the bar for any other beauty brand unveiling their own range — or, in some cases, expanding an existing one. So you can only imagine our excitement when Lush announced they would be joining the ranks and coming out with a line of their very own.
Introducing: Lush Slap Sticks Solid Foundations. With 40 shades, three undertones to choose from (cool, warm, and neutral, to complement all complexions), and 100% vegan credentials, they sound pretty great. And after landing an exclusive swatch session at the newly built Lush Labs HQ Swatch Shop, we can confirm that they're even better than we hoped.
Photo: Courtesy Of LUSH
Now, Lush obsessives will know that aside from bath bombs and fancy soaps, the brand turned their hand to makeup a few years ago; the Skin Tint and Liquid Eyeliner are just two of the products that we can't imagine our makeup bags without. But this is the first time they've branched out into foundation, let alone launched a product with such an array of shades to choose from.
So what can you expect? Unlike most of the foundations currently lining your dresser, this little egg-shaped number is... solid. In keeping with Lush's fresh philosophy, the ingredients list boasts tons of naturals (you'll see them labeled in green) while preservatives and synthetics are kept to a minimum.
Comprised of 14% pigment, 45% Indonesian coconut oil, and a mix of candelilla, sunflower, and Turkish rose waxes, each bar lends brilliant coverage (we'd even suggest skipping the concealer), satisfying slip (making blending with brushes, sponges, and fingers an absolute dream), and protection against whatever the environment slings at your face on a daily basis, like humidity. In other words, the staying power is on par with any high-end foundation range, and although the ingredients are rich, it doesn't feel at all heavy.
Better still, sourcing raw materials from projects supporting women in work and children in education is a key focus in the formulation of Lush's brand-new makeup, and through the purchase of coconut oil, 10% of profits go towards funding literacy classes and a dentist on the Indonesian island of Nias.
Photo: Courtesy Of LUSH
Then there's the packaging. Plastic packaging especially is a huge issue in the beauty industry, and according to Lush cofounder Rowena Bird, a lot of plastic makeup packaging — such as foundation bottles — is too small to be recycled. Lush has a solution, though: Just like their increasingly popular solid shampoo, serum, and moisturizer bars, they decided to make their solid foundations "naked."
Instead of heaps of unnecessary packaging, the foundations are housed in a natural black wax seal. Lush also supplies complimentary recycled boxes to store and transport the bar in. "We need to look beyond fancy packaging," says Bird. "For Lush, it's all about the product. How much do you care about what you're putting onto your lips and on your skin? Come in, have a look, and save the planet."
Photo: Courtesy Of LUSH
So where can you get your hands on one? Well, about that — the foundation is only launching as a limited-edition UK release right now. If you do so happen to have a trip to London in the books, you can shop the product online for a month (at the relatively affordable price of £16.95, which comes out to roughly $22) starting this Friday, June 29th, or stop by the Lush Swatch Shop in the Soho neighborhood. But if there's one thing we know about Lush, and their history of bringing back old products from the archives by popular demand, it's that they have a way of giving the people what they want... and the people want 40 shades of solid foundation.
This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.
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When you're a female consumer, you pay more than men do on beauty products. (7 percent mor e, according to the most recent report by New York City's Consumer Affairs.) This is more commonly known as the Pink Tax — and we're not the only ones who think it's bullshit. Just ask Billie.
The subscription-based service mails reasonably-priced razors right to your door every month, two months, or three months — Pink Tax-free. Your first order includes a Billie razor handle, a magnetic holder, and two blade cartridges. From there, the brand continues to send you four more cartridges at a time — for $9 flat, and no extra shipping fees.
Now, the grooming company is taking it a step further for its female fans. From the beginning, the brand's advertisements never shamed women into being hairless from the neck down. And to make that message crystal-clear, it just launched a new campaign that actually shows hair, fuzz, and stubble — a first for an industry that typically features commercials of women shaving already smooth legs. Enter: Billie's Project Body Hair.
Photo Courtesy of Billie.
Directed and shot by photographer Ashley Armitage, Project Body Hair showcases beautiful images of women with hair, well, everywhere: underarms, legs, happy trails, toes, the mons pubis. For Armitage, who's long been fighting for better representation of women through her work, the partnership was a natural fit. In fact, the photographer has already made headlines in the past for her Instagram movement to embrace pubic hair. "The beauty industry has typically celebrated hairless, glossy, airbrushed women," says Armitage. "Our goal was to push against these stereotypes and not only show women with body hair but do it in a super beautiful and celebratory way."
Armitage chose a diverse cast of women — some who shave everything, some who shave nothing, and some who shave some parts and not others — to get real about what female body hair actually looks like. So where does a razor brand fit into all this? For Billie, it's about putting women first, and letting the product take a backseat. "However, whenever, if ever you want to shave, we'll be here," the brand writes. And that's just the way it should be.
Billie Project Body Hair
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Update: After nearly a year of waiting, beauty vlogger Jackie Aina's foundation collaboration with Too Faced is finally here. Today, you can grab the expanded range of the brand's beloved Born This Way foundation, in 11 new shades — nine of which Aina helped to develop — which brings the final count to an impressive 35. Three of the brand-new shades are darker than Cocoa, previously the brand's darkest offering, making the line even more inclusive. The entire updated foundation collection is available now for $39 a pop at Too Faced, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty.
This article was updated on August 15, 2017.
It didn't take long for Too Faced to follow the news of its upcoming collab with beauty vlogger Jackie Aina with product teasers. Yesterday, the brand's co-founder Jerrod Blandino took to Instagram to share a photo of the pair busy at work on the Born This Way line. But if you look closely, it's hard to tell what kind of swatches are on Aina's arms — could it be concealer? Foundation? Contouring cream? One thing we do know, however, is that the shade range is definitely expansive.
A post shared by Jerrod Blandino (@jerrodblandino) on
But it doesn't stop there. Aina also took to Snapchat to share a sneak peek of the brand's Chocolate Gold palette, which is a highly pigmented mix of metallics and mattes — made with real gold and cocoa powder, of course.
As for when the products drop? Well, considering that Blandino shared the news on Instagram with the hashtags "#ImNotTellingTheReleaseDate" and "#GottaWait," we have a feeling we'll have to wait a few more weeks to find out.
A post shared by Jerrod Blandino (@jerrodblandino) on
This article was originally published on August 7, 2017.
Despite the fact that human beings have always come in a wide array of skin tones, it’s taken the beauty industry a frustrating amount of time to catch up by extending foundation shade ranges beyond the catch-all categories of fair, light, medium, and deep. As more and more mainstream brands finally make moves to expand their offerings, Too Faced is taking its commitment a step further by enlisting beauty vlogger Jackie Aina to help make its Born This Way foundation and concealer collection even better — for everyone.
Aina shared the news of what she called “the biggest project of [her] career to date” via Instagram this weekend, conveniently timed to her 30th birthday. “I've been keeping a little secret for the past few months but it's FINALLY time to announce that this year I will be working with one of my favorite brands @toofaced to help expand their Born This Way foundation line and create darker AND deeper shades for all of you,” she wrote. “I'm so glad that all of the awareness we've created about INCLUSIVENESS is finally being heard and I get to curate these new shades from the FORMULA all the way to the shade names that will be available to all of you in the near future!!!”
Jerrod Blandino, Too Faced’s founder and creative director, also addressed the big reveal on his personal Instagram, writing, “I've been dying to tell you all that the one and only Miss Jackie Aina will be helping us create new shades of Born This Way! This means the world to me, it's so important to me that everyone feels included and knows they're seen and loved; and this is the perfect partnership to do just that.”
Blandino is right: The company couldn’t have picked a better beauty influencer to partner with. Aina’s millions of YouTube followers already rely on her to give her honest opinion about makeup options for people of color (and, frequently, the lack thereof), so this new collaboration gives her the perfect platform to help make the makeup world a more inclusive place for beauty lovers who don’t see themselves represented as much as they deserve. Other brands should take note.
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A seven-minute house tour from Chiara Ferragni, Tamera Mowry talking about her struggles with gray hairs, and a tongue-lolling adventure on the high seas with pro dog influencer Doug the Pug: These are just a few of the trending videos today on IGTV, Instagram's first take on longer-form video.
Instagram launched its YouTube competitor last week, a day before the start of VidCon, the conference for online video creators and their legions of screaming teenage fans. The reasoning is obvious: While many top YouTubers have Instagram accounts, they have previously turned to YouTube to post videos longer than 60 seconds. Now, with IGTV supporting video up to 60 minutes long, Instagram is positioning itself as a place for new and existing stars of the creator world to build a strong, video-based presence. With one billion monthly users spending almost an hour on Instagram every day, the question is not if IGTV will increase those numbers, but how much it stands to do so.
Last week, Refinery29 sat down with Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger in the company's VidCon lounge to talk about how long it took to develop IGTV, why creators are important for Instagram, and how the new video platform fits with Silicon Valley's increasing focus on digital wellbeing.
How long have you been working on IGTV?
"Not that long actually. We basically plan everything at Instagram in six month cycles — it doesn't mean everything gets done in that process, but at least we know what we're working on for the next six months — and that usually aligns with December and June. So, in December Kevin [Systrom, Instagram's other co-founder] and I started thinking about what was next and what was our big thing for the first half of 2018. We'd seen how Stories had grown, and we'd seen how video was flourishing on Stories, but we also saw that it was limiting what people could do in terms of video.
"We do a big all hands near the end of the year, so our big, send everybody out for the holidays was, alright, during the first half of next year we're going to work on this thing, it's going to be called IGTV. We had one of our designers create a demo of what it could be, and this one was actually remarkably close.
"We gave people a couple of weeks to recover after the holidays, but then we jumped right in. Really, in earnest, the engineering team has only been building it since February. Most of the team that built IGTV overlaps with the team that built Stories. They're kind of our SWAT team that we send in when we have a big exciting new project."
How do you see people using IGTV?
"I think it's both on the creator and the consumer side. I'll start with the consumer: Our hunch here is that people are in different mindsets at different times. That's why we also built it as a separate app, because we wanted something where when you're in the mood for watching long-form [video], you have something that will give you exactly that.
"One of the things with video in Feed that I think has been really hard for us is that when you're in the mode of I just want quick hits and you hit a video, you're probably like, okay, five seconds, then I'm going to move on.
"On the creator side, I think we're going learn a lot from the first couple of weeks, but so far, obviously, the length helps [IGTV] feel different than Stories. The permanence helps as well. It raises the bar a bit in terms of what people are posting, but it also means that their investment is justified because it's going to stick around and it's going to be available for views."
Beyond the difference in length, what were creators most interested in when you told them about IGTV? What did they want to know about?
"I think the first one was how it interacted with the rest of Instagram. One of our bets here is that we can be interesting because they have an existing audience on Instagram and, especially for the creators we've been talking to, this is often where they got started and grew.
"One of the things we believe in at Instagram is being really user centric in our design, so we brought creators in pretty early. We didn't tell them all the details — nobody knew the name until launch, which is funny because if you watch the first set of videos on [IGTV] people are like, yeah, so this new Instagram TV thing. Nobody knew what it was called.
"Obviously, revenue and rev share is a conversation that we started with them. It's an ongoing conversation — we don't have anything finalized yet — but if we try develop it without engaging the creator community, we're going to be shooting in the dark.
"Most of the [creators] were like, cool, I'm totally down to try this but I want to know that there's something down the line to make it sustainable. We're all going be exploring whatever options makes sense. A lot of creators tell us that in terms of making a living, there's a portfolio approach. Part of their revenue comes from web share, part from branded content deals, part from doing their own merch, and part from going on tour. They have that portfolio and we want to be mindful of those needs."
"Creators are nothing if not super smart about how they spend their time. I think it's on us to prove that there's an audience for them and that it's worth it to them over time."
So many of these creators are already on YouTube and other platforms. Did any express concerns about trying to juggle everything?
"I just talked to a creator this morning and their first reaction was, o h, another one. But then it became, there's this different thing that I can do here, that I was meant to do, and it makes sense on Instagram.
"I think they'll feel it out. Creators are nothing if not super smart about how they spend their time. I think it's on us to prove that there's an audience for them and that it's worth it to them over time. We talk to them and they're like, I don't want it to be this production fatigue thing, where I'm producing video all the time for that. I think it's on us to show value."
How do you see celebrities using IGTV differently than creators? What about everyday Instagram users?
"I'll start with the creators, since I think that's the one that's the clearest so far. They're very used to doing things that are more episodic with themes, whether that's a cooking show or an illustration series, so I think that will probably be a lot of what they do.
"Celebrities will be interesting. For musicians, I think it's cool for them to be able to put whole music videos on Instagram for the first time, and I already saw a couple of those go up. It's funny to think about how many music videos will be thought of from a vertical-first perspective from now on. But you also see some behind-the-scenes for them as well. And a lot of celebrities have established branded content deals in place, so they can do deeper versions of those things on IGTV."
"For normal people, a lot of them are creators that just haven't made it yet. One of the fun things about having IGTV be internal for a couple of months was we discovered some of our employees are creators in the making. I'm a little worried they're going to leave their engineering jobs and just do full-time IGTV."
"That's a really good question and it's something that came up when we were developing [IGTV]. I think we're going to integrate them more over time. Right now, you can save your Live for 24 hours afterwards. I think figuring out how to blend that into IGTV better makes sense."
IGTV seems like it's going to make people spend more time on the app. How will it fit with Instagram's new tools focused on ensuring time spent is "positive and intentional"?
"I'd say there are two main things we've thought about. One is, how do we make sure people are conscious and aware? We have our usage insights tool coming out soon. That will be within your settings and will include IGTV as well. That's things like, how long am I spending on Instagram? Or, hey it's finals week, let me go on do not disturb mode just for Instagram for a week. Or, I want a notification for if I'm spending too much time.
"Two, is really trying to make sure that what we're building is a place where people interact rather than just consume. The very first version [of IGTV] we built internally didn't have comments, and our future aspiring creators internally were like, this is tending towards the direction that we don't want to go in, because it starts feeling really empty on the creator side because you're putting it out into the void. And on the consumer side, too, you want to feel like you're actually connecting to the person behind [the video].
"A lot of the things that we're doing research around is what feels like good time spent versus what feels like meaningless time spent. The constant theme is around interaction and making sure that you close that loop. I've been enjoying how much commentary there is happening on IGTV."
How often will Instagram roll out updates for IGTV? Will it be at the same pace Instagrammers are used to with their Stories and Feed?
"Yeah, I think so. Already after using it for two days, there's a lot I would change about the navigation. I think there's a bunch we've got to do, which is always natural after a launch. One of the exciting things about having IGTV in its separate app, too, is that we can experiment with new ideas there before we bring them into the main [Instagram] app."
"We had Stories mute, and then we launched mute in Feed. I think adding controls for IGTV makes sense."
Do you think users will discover new creators on IGTV that they haven't discovered on their Feed?
"Totally, that's one of our hopes. We launched with 'For You', which is a personalized mix of stuff you follow and stuff that's blowing up, 'Following', which is just the stuff you follow, and then 'Popular'. But we want to add more of those tabs over time, and as we do I think it will be awesome for discovery.
"What you're also seeing is us, over time, getting more granular in how people control what they follow. We had Stories mute, and then we launched mute in Feed. I think adding controls for IGTV makes sense. Ideally, somebody is into all three of the things you make as a creator, but maybe they really like the IGTV stuff but not your Feed. We should let you control that overtime."
How will Instagram handle moderation for IGTV?
"There's a couple of things we do. We do proactive, machine learning-based things, and usually, the majority of those cases get flagged for human review. Then, when the visuals aren't the problem but the content is — you can imagine things where our algorithms are not quite there yet — we rely on reporting. So what we've been doing over the last couple of years is ramping up the number of human reviewers. If something is getting flagged a lot, it gets seen and then we can take it down. We're talking about how we can make sure that loop is as fast as possible.
Are you hiring extra reviewers?
"I don't think specifically for IGTV, but just in general. This is something that Facebook has been talking about basically in every earnings report. I think it's a recognition that while it's important to work on automatic content moderation, the realistic thing is we're not at the point where that's going to be catching everything. So, it's important to have the human element in there, too."
This interview has been edited for length and style.
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