Update: Celebrity tattoos are cryptic by nature — especially those that involve much-discussed couple — and Zayn Malik's chest tattoo has proved to be one of the most enigmatic tattoos this year. Are those really Gigi Hadid's eyes? Or are they merely a new, sentiment-free addition to Malik's massive collection? Now, thanks to Hadid herself, we finally know the truth.
While shutting down an Instagram troll account (one seemingly dedicated to proving that Zigi's on-again relationship was a PR stunt), Hadid revealed that that tattoo on Malik's chest is certainly of her eyes. And that's exactly why she doesn't need an Instagram follow from her reinstated boyfriend to feel secure in their relationship, nor does she need the public to believe their love is real. She coolly shot back at the post targeting her relationship, writing in the comments, "You guys can call it promo but I just post about my boyfriend like anyone else,” and, “I don't need his follow — my eyes are tattooed to his chest."
For the record, Malik does not follow Hadid on Instagram. He does, however, follow approximately 16 Zayn Malik fan accounts.
This story was originally posted on January 16, 2018.
Zayn Malik has a lot of tattoos — possibly even more than former bandmate Harry Styles. But as of this weekend, the internet is transfixed on his most recent addition: A special-someone's eyes inked on his chest. These have to be girlfriend Gigi Hadid's, fans concluded! Right?
The answer: We can't say for sure. All we know is that Hadid posted an Instagram Boomerang of Malik dancing on his birthday (January 12). And while the post was cute and had fans in a tizzy over how two of the most beautiful people on the planet are still so much in love, others couldn't help but point out how similar Hadid's baby blues look to Malik's tattoo.
Even from a distance, the resemblance to the 22-year-old's eyes is uncanny. But because there are dozens of other, decidedly more important things to worry about right now, we decided to save you the trouble and break down the tattoo's possible meanings so you can go about your day.
1). This is, in fact, a tattoo of Hadid — or someone directly related to her, with a very similar eye shape.
2). The ink is dedicated to his sister Doniya Malik. If this is the case, then we'd also make the claim that those eyes could potentially be for Selena Gomez (Doniya is the singer's doppelgänger, after all).
3). It marks the first tattoo for Malik with religious undertones, as the disembodied eyes could be inspired by Doctor T. J. Eckleburg.
4). This one is just for fun, and holds no significant meaning at all.
The truth is, Malik is no stranger to tattooing tributes to his loved ones. Case in point? His newest ear tattoo is dedicated to his father Yaser. And, while Malik and Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards were engaged, he had a cartoonish replication of the star drawn up on his arm (which has since been covered with a different tattoo). Should history repeat itself, we'd go with option #1 — after all, the eyes are the windows to the soul...
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We know, we know. It’s hard not to be easily seduced by Zara ’s constant stream of new arrivals, especially at the start of a new season. But as much as we (and The Devils Wear Zara) love a good Zara find, it’s difficult to predict whether the piece you're obsessing over will become the next dress — you know, that blue off-the-shoulder one everybody seemed to own. So that’s why we're sharing this crucial wake-up call: It’s time to stop sleeping on Bershka, Zara’s sister brand.
Despite being geared to a younger audience, Bershka still has all warm weather must-haves you're after. From chunky sneakers to feminine blouses and dresses, denim midi skirts, and fanny packs, you can shop all your spring and summer essentials with a click of a button (or at its brick-and-mortar store if you're in New York City). And you won't have to worry about it draining your bank account, either — every piece ahead is under $60.
Don't believe the hype? Here's 28 Bershka pieces that are just as good as Zara's (if not better).
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It takes a lot for a lip balm to impress a beauty editor, but the first time we saw Maybelline Baby Lips, our whole office let out a collective squeal of excitement. With their bubble fonts and cheery colors, they were so cute and colorful — and affordable enough to stash in every single one of our bags. We've been hooked on them ever since, and we're definitely not the only ones.
Now, one Baby Lips balm or gloss is sold every three seconds in the world, effectively turning this drugstore newbie into a cult classic. We wanted to know how the brand keeps up with all that demand, so we headed to its manufacturing facility to find out. There, Maybelline walked us through every step, from mixing the wax, oil, and pigment powders to hosing the liquid into giant plastic vats to cool (our favorite step). Once it's solid, the mixture is cut into large chunks and placed into a kettle to melt before it's poured into metal molds.
The coolest part of the entire thing? To ensure that the Baby Lips balm can withstand a fall without breaking, Maybelline manufacturers perform an in-lab drop-test. If the balm passes the drop test without a scratch, it's ready to be sealed with a label, boxed up, and shipped off to stores around the country. If not, it's back to square one.
Watch the video above to see the entire production process, which will make you love and appreciate your baby blue tube even more.
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Janelle Bynum is a State Representative for Oregon's House District 51, which includes parts of East Portland. She is an engineer and a restaurant owner who cares about small businesses, funding public schools, and helping lower maternal mortality rates among Black women. She loves cooking with Old Bay, watching Black-ish and Murder She Wrote, and "anything on C-SPAN." In 2016, she was endorsed by President Barack Obama.
But all of that didn't matter to one of her constituents, who called the police while the lawmaker was going door-to-door campaigning in Clackamas, one of the communities she represents, according to The Oregonian. Bynum is running for reelection this November.
The neighbor told a sheriff's deputy that Bynum was spending too long in each home and appeared to be "casing the neighborhood" because she was doing a lot of typing on her phone after visiting people's houses. Bynum said that she makes a habit of taking detailed notes on her constituents, and that in her years of campaigning she has knocked on over 70,000 doors — and this is the first time there has been a problem.
When the deputy pulled up to her, he asked if she was selling something. She introduced herself, saying she's a state legislator and is out canvassing. The deputy told Bynum that a woman had made the 911 call, but did not say her race. Bynum asked to meet the woman in person, but he said she was unavailable. They did speak on the phone, and the woman apologized, though she wouldn't say where she lived.
"Of course I was in disbelief at first," Bynum told Refinery29. "But I was happy that I was doing something good when it happened... I'm a little bit annoyed because that interaction was going to cost me time in talking to other people. I also have four children and time away from them is...time away from them."
Bynum told The Oregonian she explained to the deputy that "when people do things like this, it can be dangerous for people like me," addressing all the times Black people have been killed or victimized by police. She said he was courteous and told her he hoped he didn't make her feel that way. She took a selfie with him and posted it on Facebook, captioning it: "Big shoutout to Officer Campbell, who responded professionally to someone who said that I was going door-to-door and spending a lot of time typing on my cell phone after each house — a.k.a. canvassing and keeping account of what my community cares about!"
This is the latest in a string of recent racial-profiling incidents that have gone viral on social media. From #PoolPatrolPaula, who assaulted a Black teen at a neighborhood pool, to #PermitPatty, who called the police because a Black girl was selling water (Yep, Twitter is good at making up nicknames.), it's been a summer of white people calling the police on Black people for doing everyday things. Of course, this didn't start recently — it's a deep-seated issue in American society — but social media is making these cases more visible than ever. Case in point: thousands of people posting the hashtag #CampaigningWhileBlack to call attention to Bynum's experience.
Bynum handled the aggression with grace. And it's obvious from some of the comments on her Facebook post that people haven't learned anything. Some called her divisive, saying she was creating a story out of nothing and that the neighbor was just trying to keep the community safe. "You do understand how this could easily be construed as someone casing the neighborhood and texting out which homes are empty, right?" one commenter wrote.
We call BS on that. For one thing, this kind of selective neighborhood watch never seems to affect white people. For another, while the officer was courteous in this case, this really could have ended up being dangerous for Bynum. Finally, there are a thousand things you can do instead of calling police on your fellow citizens. Maybe try actually talking to them, so that police have more time to respond to urgent calls.
She told us that she's received mostly positive messages since the incident. "I think some people were happy I chose to channel the conversation in a positive way, some were happy that I was knocking on doors and that I was trying to do the best for people in my community, and others were happy to see an African-American woman in an elected position changing the conversation," she said.
In another recent Facebook post, Bynum talked about her commitment to getting to know her constituents while out canvassing. "It's gotten to the point that my canvassing buddies laugh at how as soon as I see the house, I can tell you all about the family, my last conversation with them, and the interesting details of their lives. I mean, like we just talked yesterday and we're old friends. I try to keep pretty good notes, but I can remember the big Gravenstein apple trees in their yards, the ice-cold Coke they offered me on a hot day, what they do for a living, and even the ones who hobbled to the door on crutches."
So there's the reason she spent "too long" at each house. Sounds really suspicious.
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There are very few beauty items in this world that can't be found at Sephora. If it has made an appearance in one of the 2.3 million YouTube beauty tutorials online or in the makeup bag of a random stranger on the subway, then nine times out of 10, Sephora's got it. (Okay, so maybe that's a bit hyperbolic, but there's no denying the store is stocked.) But just like the one other destination claiming to make all your dreams come true, it's all too easy to get lost in the shuffle.
So easy, in fact, that you were probably too preoccupied with tallying up your VIB Rouge points for the latest summer offerings to realize that Sephora is also home to one of the most expansive natural beauty sections in the game. As of June 1, the retailer took the commitment to transparency to new heights with its Clean Beauty initiative. In a press release, Artemis Patrick, Chief Merchandising Officer for Sephora, wrote of the deeper venture into clean beauty, "We’ve sought to help demystify the category and bring clarity to those clients who desire more transparency in beauty, particularly in the ingredients they might like to avoid."
Sephora's research suggests an overwhelming amount of people (60% of women, specifically) read beauty product labels before making a purchase. Sound like something you do? To save you time on sifting through ingredients (it can be kind of a headache, we know), Sephora's now integrated their "Clean at Sephora" stamp of approval that qualifies a number of products from your favorite brands, like RMS, Tata Harper, and Caudalie, with better-for-you formulations to make your shopping experience faster and easier. Just think of all the time you’ll save not having to skim the ingredients list for parabens in your lipstick. What a relief, right?
Ahead, our favorite natural options hiding at Sephora now.
Looking for an eco-friendly, vegan, and certified organic brand that delivers good-for-you ingredients without sacrificing any of the glamour? Let the dreamy swirls of this pink, Champagne, and berry highlighter serve as your proof.
Antonym Certified Organic Highlighter, $42, available at Sephora.
The fact that Greek yogurt is packed with protein, calcium, potassium, and vitamins easily makes it a breakfast superfood, but those benefits extend to skin care, too — and this creamy cleanser will make you feel just as good.
Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser, $26, available at Sephora.
The only thing you'll love more than the warming sensation you get after massaging this golden, jam-like mask onto skin? The immediately brighter, more hydrated effect you'll have for hours after you rinse.
Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask with Echinacea GreenEnvy, $56, available at Sephora.
Consider this your all-natural alternative to NARS' cult-classic workhorse, The Multiple — and it's just as easy to blend allover with your fingers.
Like all good things in life, the magic of this eye cream starts with wine — or, rather, the antioxidants housed inside it — and is just as decadent to apply as it is to drink.
Caudalie Vine[Activ] Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream, $39, available at Sephora.
On the sheerer side of most tinted moisturizers, this hydrator leaves behind a subtle veil of color so skin looks refreshed and glowing (and the added sun protection doesn't hurt, either).
Origins GinZing SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer, $39, available at Sephora.
These pre-moistened shower sheets are the facial cleansing wipes for your entire body, loaded with natural antibacterial and deodorizing agents.
YUNI Shower Sheets Large Body Wipes, $15, available at Sephora.
Honey, exfoliating AHAs, superfruit extracts, and a blend of healing essential oils will leave your skin soft, refined, and hydrated after just 20 minutes.
Tata Harper Clarifying Mask, $68, available at Sephora.
What's better than the creamy texture of these balms that soothe dry, chapped lips like a swig of water? The ultra-chic pod packaging you can bring with you everywhere you go.
Lilah B. Tinted Lip Balm, $36, available at Sephora.
If you can't get through a Monday morning without a $12 green juice, then you'll love this new shampoo from Briogeo. Inspired by the matcha hype and everlasting juice craze, this nutrient-packed formula is gentle enough to use daily, but deeply cleansing for those of us who used way too much dry shampoo this weekend.
Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind Matcha + Apple Replenishing Superfood Shampoo, $28, available at Sephora.
We already know that turmeric is one beauty ingredient we can't live without. The only thing that can make it better is if it's wrapped up in a rose-gold tube and formulated with natural enzymes for an at-home exfoliating facial that leaves us with baby-soft skin in as little as five minutes. Even better, it's supermodel-approved.
Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask, $48, available at Sephora.
If you'd like to avoid sun damage, you'll keep your sunscreen close and your bucket hat even closer this summer. But just because you want to avoid wrinkles and freckles that'd make even your derm nervous doesn't mean you have to live without a sun-kissed glow. Thankfully, this does both: protects your skin's barrier with tons of antioxidants and offers up a faux, albeit very subtle, tan.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Serum, $36, available at Sephora.
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Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
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Today: an evaluator working in higher education who makes $43,500 per year and spends some of her money this week on aloe gel.
Occupation: Evaluator Industry: Higher Education Age: 29 Location: Los Angeles, CA Salary: $43,500 Paycheck Amount (Biweekly): $1,243
Monthly Expenses Rent: $600 for my share. (I live with my boyfriend, S., and he pays two-thirds of our rent. He makes more money than I do and lived here before we met, so he jokes that my contribution is a bonus.) Student Loan Payment: $0 (I went to undergrad in Europe and grad school in Asia.) Phone Bill: $30 Car Insurance: $228.96 (I only started driving at age 28, and I commute 40 miles a day to work.) Health Insurance: $50 Netflix: $0 (We use my boyfriend's sister's account.) Spotify: $0 (My friend put me on his family plan.) Amazon: $10.99 Curology: $24.99 (This has saved my skin.) Gym Membership: $79 (My boyfriend and I are avid rock-climbers — we actually met at this gym.) 401(k): 10% of each paycheck pre-tax Savings: $600-700 Charitable Donations: $5-20 (I know it's not much, but I try to give a little at least once a month.)
Day One
5:10 a.m. — It's Friday! My alarm rings and I roll out of bed to put on coffee and do a 20-minute workout. I'm always happy when I manage to squeeze exercise in, because sleep wins out most of the time. Squats, pushups, and leg lifts done by 5:40, and then it's time to get ready for work. I use benzoyl peroxide, micellar water, niacinamide from The Ordinary, Korean hyaluronic moisturizer, and sunscreen. (I wear sunscreen every single day — I picked up the habit in Asia in my early twenties and am very glad I did.) Then I slap on foundation, and since I'm not going to the gym tonight, I get fancy and put on eyeshadow. I promptly fuck up my eyeliner, as per usual. My eyes never match. Oh well.
7:35 a.m. — I start work at 8 but always give myself breathing room, because LA traffic is terrible. On my drive, I finish the Last Podcast On The Left episode that I started yesterday. Get to work, pour myself some coffee, and have breakfast, which I brought in at the beginning of the week — Greek yogurt mixed with protein powder. I eat pretty much the same things for every breakfast and lunch.
9:40 a.m. — Second breakfast time! I'm constantly hungry. Luckily, there's a protein bar in my gym bag. S. texts me and asks if I'm down to try a new crag tomorrow with one of our climbing friends. Answer is obviously yes! Our favorite crag is in the desert, and it's been too hot there for the last month or so, so we've been trying a lot of new places — luckily there are a ton within a two-hour driving range of us. A couple of my friends have gotten into climbing recently since I dragged them to try it a couple times, so hopefully they'll want to come too!
12 p.m. — Lunchtime. I have to clock in and out, which I find a bit infantilizing. I eat my usual chicken, kale, and carrots with a can of my favorite sparkling water! I'm terribly boring, but I just don't care enough to put more effort into meal prep. I eat at my desk, because if I sit in the break room, people try to talk to me, which I don't really like on my break. I'm moderately introverted, so I like to be left alone.
5:45 p.m. — Get home after an okay commute. I tried two new podcasts on the way — Pod Save America and Candidate Confessional — but didn't make it past the first three minutes of either and ended up settling on an episode of I'm Still Here about opioid addiction. Google Maps sends me through Koreatown to save time.
6:45 p.m. — Spend quality time with S., and then we take the dog on a walk around the reservoir, which is a chill two-mile loop. I think about how wonderful it is to be walking around in this lovely weather with my two favorite boys, and feel very grateful. S. proposes we go to our favorite ice cream place, which I can never say no to. He pays, since I didn't bring my wallet or my phone because I thought we were just walking the dog. Soft serve for dinner!
9:20 p.m. — I pack our climbing gear and snacks for tomorrow while S. makes himself dumplings. Then I shower and sit in bed with a book. We're leaving at 6:20 tomorrow morning so I want to go to sleep early, though I'm in bed by 10 most days anyway.
Daily Total: $0
Day Two
5:25 a.m. — I woke up at 3, 3:30, 4:45, and 5:15 a.m. this morning, and now finally get up after lying in bed thinking about what I want for breakfast. I settle on an egg on toast and make a bagel for S. Then, I do my usual morning skincare and debate wearing concealer on the active pimples I have right now (which are likely here because my period is due). I decide against it, because I'm going to have to reapply sunscreen while we're out, and resign myself to letting them being visible.
6:25 a.m. — My friend, B., gets to our house since we're carpooling, and we go pick up our other friend.
1 p.m. — Make it out of the mountain after getting slightly lost. We call it a day earlier than usual because it's sooooo hot, but we got in some fun climbing. We stop at a gas station for cold drinks and I buy popsicles for S. and me, too. $8.07
3:19 p.m. — The shower when we get home is pure bliss. The dog is afraid of the sound of the shower for some reason and goes to hide upstairs when it turns on. I make a hardboiled egg salad for me and an egg muffin sandwich for S. B. taught us how to make homemade butter, so S. promptly tries it out, and magically, it works! We now have more butter in the fridge. I think there are already a couple pounds of it in there — we go through a lot of butter.
4:30 p.m. — We go to REI because I need to return some stuff. S. is happy because he discovers a Gus's Fried Chicken nearby and insists on going. We stop for food and he pays. It's surprisingly good! I'm not the biggest fan of fried chicken, probably because I never had it growing up, but this is really nice. The fried green tomatoes are my favorite part of the meal.
6:30 p.m. — We go grocery shopping at Ralph's — more kale and baby carrots for my work lunches, veggies, sparkling water (Kroger's brand is really good, except for the blueberry flavor), burrito wraps, and S.'s protein nut milk stuff and protein bagels. S. pays, because I did last week.
7:30 p.m. — After S. plays with the dog in the backyard for half an hour or so, I take him out for another walk (our backyard is all paved and he won't pee on it, which is both a blessing and a curse). We then settle in to watch Game Night, eat ice cream, and split a Miller High Life that's been sitting in the fridge for two weeks, which I drink most of.
Daily Total: $8.07
Day Three
7:01 a.m. — Wake up feeling pretty good! S. gets up to take dog out, so I roll out of bed and go stare at my face. Pimples seem to be calming down, luckily. Put benzoyl peroxide on them and then go start the coffee — I like using my downtime from one thing to do another. When that's done, I go wash the benzoyl off with micellar water, slap on niacinamide, two moisturizers, and more sunscreen, and have the same debate as yesterday regarding makeup — especially as there might be a couple people at the beach today I don't like very much. I feel naked without foundation if things are bad. Still, being able to reapply sunscreen wins again, so no makeup.
8:25 a.m. — I have nothing better to do, so I start my meal prep — throw chicken in the Instapot and measure out oatmeal, yogurt, and baby carrots into snack packs. I wash my makeup brushes while the chicken cooks.
9:30 a.m. — Throw chicken in a Tupperware and get coffees for S. and me. $9
10 a.m. — My friend M. meets us at a burrito place for breakfast. Papas bacon — best breakfast burrito ever. (S. pays for me since it's cash-only and I don't have cash.) We go pick up ice for the cooler and I pick up a six-pack and a Coke Zero. $13.47
11 a.m. — I stop to get gas before we get to the beach. $25.17
11:30 a.m. — Finally we're here! Parking is $13, which is mildly horrifying. $13
3:30 p.m. — After a few hours of sun and hanging out, the wind has gotten really strong and I'm cold. We call it a day, and I drive my friend back home. I realize that despite the sunscreen, the backs of my legs have gotten badly burnt, which is painful and annoying.
4:45 p.m. — I unpack, throw everything in the wash, and shower — it's finally time to wash my hair, which I only do once a week. The cold water provides relief on my burns. S. offers to get me aloe at the store, lovely man, but I figure I'll survive. I can't be bothered to blow dry, so I slap my wet hair in a braid and pray it turns out decent.
6 p.m. — S. has been eating junk all day and feels gross, and the same goes for me, so I roast us butternut squash, zucchini, and garlic, and we both feel a lot better! We sit on the couch talking for a while and end up watching the pilot of Ozark. We've been trying to find a show to watch together for ages, as we usually don't care for the same things (except Stranger Things, GoT, and Orange is the New Black), but we both enjoy this one!
Daily Total: $60.64
Day Four
5:25 a.m. — The stinging in my legs wakes me up, but otherwise I feel pretty good. Lie in bed for 15 more minutes before getting up. Put benzoyl peroxide on my pimples, which are clearing up! Go start the coffee, then lotion for the millionth time since I got home yesterday. This shit hurts, man. I don't think I've been sunburnt in the last 10 years, and this is more painful than I remember. Slap foundation on — I'm running low and have to open the bottle to scoop it out. I somehow manage to not mess up my eyeliner and mascara. Hair is a wavy cloud, which I am okay with.
6:40 a.m. — Leave for work! Traffic is good and I listen to NPR and the latest drama in politics. Lots of talk about the California primary, and I am pleased because I already posted my ballot last week. (This is only my second year living in the States, but I'm an American citizen.) I spent an hour and half researching everything last week because this is the first time I've been legally allowed to vote anywhere, and I take it very seriously.
9:16 a.m. — When I was still excited about my job during the first couple of months, I volunteered for an extra research project, and I have a draft due in a month and a half for it, so I start working. I also put in requests for time off to go to my cousin's wedding in Montana at the end of the month — unpaid, since I don't get paid time off.
12 p.m. — Chicken salad and Reddit. Then I browse for collagen powder, because I read something about it being good for your skin, and wonder if I should become one of those people who puts collagen powder in their tea. (Maybe I've been in LA for too long.) Research the best place to donate stuff to and find a volunteer-manned thrift store near us that provides help to seniors in our community.
1:27 p.m. — Time for a puzzle break; we have a giant puzzle in the break room. And more sparkling water. (It is a serious addiction.)
6 p.m. — Make it home after stopping at CVS and picking up new foundation and aloe, as well as hair oil and a single use mud mask to try out. I lather myself in aloe and then start on making burritos, both for dinner tonight and for our gym nights this week. $29.30
7:30 p.m. — Quiet time for both of us, which means that I settle in with Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, and S. goes to read his book. An hour later, we switch around, and I go read my book in bed while he goes upstairs to do whatever on the computer. S. turns in around 9:10 because he's not feeling so great, and I pass out not much later.
Daily Total: $29.30
Day Five
5:45 a.m. — Alarm rings. Get up, slap BP on, turn on coffee, slather self in aloe. Hair is floofy, which I'm still okay with. Wash off BP and put on niacinamide, eye cream (cheapo CVS kind), moisturizer, sunscreen, primer, foundation, eyeliner, and mascara. Slather more aloe on before getting dressed in the dark (because S. asked me not to wake him up this morning). Settle in with my book and coffee for a couple minutes.
7:40 a.m. — Slow drive to work today. It's election day in California, and I hope the voter turnout is good this year. Eat overnight oats and browse Reddit until I have to clock in at 8.
10:42 a.m. — Eat a protein bar for my second breakfast. Scroll through Instagram for a minute and apparently all my friends are going through a spiritual phase, because every other post is something about seizing the moment or stopping and smelling the flowers.
12:20 p.m. — Chicken salad for lunch. I avoid the clique of coworkers in the break room.
5:50 p.m. — Get to the gym! Climb all the things. S. talks to a dude we see here all the time and asks him if he wants to climb with us. He gladly accepts. New friend!
8:30 p.m. — Get home, eat dinner, shower, and have long emotional talk about stuff with S. He's has been pretty stressed about various things recently, and it's been affecting me as well. We end the talk with both of us feeling better!
9:45 p.m. — Finish my book in bed — that's 11 books this year so far! I'm doing a reading challenge on Goodreads with a goal of reading 30 this year, so I'm a little bit behind. Pass out.
Daily Total: $0
Day Six
5:45 a.m. — S. is up before me, which is an exceedingly uncommon occurrence. I make him a bagel while he walks the dog, which makes him very happy. I'm wearing a ton of eyeliner because I messed it up, but S. tells me he likes this style. We drink coffee and he eats while we argue over who gets the last good protein bar — we're both trying to give it to each other. He wins, since he refuses to take it with him. I see him looking at the clock, so I offer to take care of the dog's paws. (We have to clean them after every walk now, because he has a grass allergy and licks them raw.) S. accepts gratefully and runs off.
6:35 a.m. — Leave for work a bit early because I have to get gas. $40.13
7:30 a.m. — Get to work, eat my Greek yogurt with vanilla protein powder, and make a giant mug of coffee. I'm feeling tired, and my throat is a bit scratchy, so I suck on a lozenge I find in my purse and get to work.
9:27 a.m. — Making great progress at work! I have pretty bad cramping going on and wish this period would start already. I consider (for the millionth time) getting my IUD removed.
12:55 p.m. — Busy day. Chicken salad did not hit the spot today. I check my bank account, and my direct deposit hit! I have a very basic credit card that doesn't really earn me any rewards or anything, but now that I have a year of credit under my belt, I look at the offers from my bank and debate applying for a new one.
5:45 p.m. — Get home after listening to part of a Last Podcast On The Left episode about Casey Anthony. Super interesting stuff. Snuggle with S. for a bit before he goes to have dinner with his best friend. I was invited, but opted to let them have alone time. Plus, I'm excited to get my own alone time.
6:45 p.m. — Let tofu marinate in a mix of gochujang, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy sauce, and then go work out for 15 minutes. I watch half an episode of the The Only Way Is Essex and drink half a beer (leftover from beach day) before deciding tofu is marinated enough. I toss it in a pan while stir-frying cabbage, kale, and onions with the leftover marinade. I eat way too much of it and have to restrain myself to save some for S. Watch more The Only Way Is Essex, pack my gym bag for tomorrow, and finish my beer. S. comes back around 8:45 and we spend time together before bed. Life is good.
Daily Total: $40.13
Day Seven
5:35 a.m. — Roll out of bed feeling a bit tired but overall good. Skin is not happy with me today, so I think again about buying collagen powder and spearmint tea — apparently the latter is supposed to help with hormonal breakouts, periods, and the like. I also remember seeing a Money Diarist talk about an ice roller, so maybe I should get one of those. Or change my routine? My skin was good for a while, but this month it's being very fussy.
7:30 a.m. — Pretty easy drive to work! Hopefully today is better than yesterday.
11:23 a.m. — Take a 10-minute screen break and use it to look for split ends, as my hair is feeling rougher than usual. Find too many, and consider getting a haircut, which I don't really want to do. It's been three months since my last one, where I chopped a big chunk of damaged hair off, and I'm trying to grow it back out. My hair does not like the dryness of L.A. Sometimes I look at the girls in L.A. and wonder if I should upgrade my wardrobe or get my nails done or buy a hair straightener. Weird competitive feelings I don't like.
12:10 p.m. — Chicken salad again. Someone reheated fries in the break room, and now I want fries.
3:05 p.m. — Feeling efficient! Got all the extra work done that I got suddenly assigned (because we're understaffed), and I reward myself with a chocolate protein bar and yet another sparkling water (cranberry lime!). I browse Amazon and look at ice rollers, but don't pull the plug just yet.
5:45 p.m. — Gym time!
7:30 p.m. — Only spend an hour and a half climbing, because S. is tired and I'm having insane cramps. Go home and walk the dog. S. stops on the way and buys me spearmint tea and ice cream, because he is an angel. I vape some weed to alleviate the pain, but it doesn't seem to help. Spend the rest of the evening with my heating pad wrapped around me, drinking tea and talking to S.
Daily Total: $0
Money Diaries are meant to reflect individual women's experiences and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29's point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
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We've said it before and we'll say it again, swimwear is one of the fastest growing spaces in terms of just how many new brands pop up each year. But with an abundance of options to choose from, it can be difficult, if not outright daunting, to figure out where to start when shopping for a new suit. While we have a few guides on the best silhouettes and styles to buy, there's only one way to ensure you won't be sporting the same suit of the moment as everyone else: getting a head start on the newest labels.
As much as we love our Solid & Striped low-cut one-piece and H&M halter bikini, even we can admit they're far from the most original options out there. While cute, if individuality is your thing, you're better off looking towards less ventured territory with pieces from some newly-launched labels. From minimalists to Instagram maximalists, there's a brand out there for everyone. Here's nine labels we're keeping an eye on in 2018.
Faithfull The Brand This Bali-based brand quickly became a favorite of L.A. celebrities with an affinity for that boho look. In August of 2017, the brand branched out of its usual array of two-piece dresses with an equally-as-enviable collection of swimwear.
Ookioh Ookioh may be our personal favorite on this list. With an all-female creative team (including Sarah Godshaw of Sidway Swim), this label touts original styles and an eco-friendly ethos. Best of all, everything runs under $100.
Galamaar Launched in June of last year, Galamaar is the latest swimwear brand to focus on clean, minimalist styles. The company also roots itself in sustainability, crafting its suits from fabrics made from recycled ocean waste.
Les Girls Les Boys Agent Provocateur alum Serena Rees kickstarted a new, co-ed intimates brand rooted in streetwear trends just last year. Since then, she's expanded Les Girls Les Boys' offering with a full-fledged swim collection that's '70s trends-meets-athleisure. Expect unexpected styles and fabrics, like velvet bikinis and tracksuit-inspired drawstring monikinis.
Caroline Constas Mer Caroline Constas has quickly become queen of resort wear trends. Best known for her off-the-shoulder tops and colorful gingham prints, she's a staple for vacation packing. In December of last year, she expanded her line with a collection of swimsuits perfect just as Instagrammable as her ready-to-wear pieces.
Juillet For barely-there but still tasteful swimwear, Juillet is your match. Since launching just last September, the brand has proven its place with 411K Instagram followers and a handful of designs that sold out just after their release.
Bluebella Want cute swimwear but don't have the big bucks? Turn your eyes towards Bluebella, a London-based lingerie brand that recently introduced swimwear this spring. It offers a crossover of the brand's best-selling lingerie looks into bathing suits, and none of them exceed $54.
EBW Swimwear We're accustomed to hitting up Everything But Water every time we need a new suit; there's hardly a swim brand the retailer doesn't carry. But for the first time ever, Everything But Water has launched an in-house collection called EBW Swimwear. Where the styles are simple, it's the sizing customers should really be looking towards. The new collection will include three bikini tops available in cup sizes D-DD.
Yours and everyone else's favorite workout apparel brand is now making (drumroll please!) swimwear. Whether you're the active type who's constantly hopping from your bike to the beach or you just love all things OV, this collection is calling your name. Don't wait - numerous pieces have already sold out!
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In the streets of Baltimore, Lakeyria Doughty has made a name for herself as the Wheelie Queen. To do what she loves, however, the Queen has to put her own safety on the line, skirting the law and avoiding danger.
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ASOS has launched a tie-dye waterproof jumpsuit with wheelchair users in mind, ahead of festival season. It enlisted the help of BBC reporter and GB Paralympic hopeful Chloe Ball-Hopkins, 21, who is also shown modeling the jumpsuit on the site.
So over the last several months I have been working with @ASOS to create a fashionable, yet practical waterproof all in one! Not just for people like me in a chair but for anyone. It's about making fashion accessible! So what should be next?! https://t.co/1gzzkRlED9pic.twitter.com/7yS57QEmpD
— Chloe Ball-Hopkins (@chloe_ballhopzy) July 4, 2018
"So over the last several months I have been working with @ASOS to create a fashionable, yet practical waterproof all in one!" Ball-Hopkins tweeted. "Not just for people like me in a chair but for anyone. It's about making fashion accessible! So what should be next?!"
The project came about after Ball-Hopkins, a BBC Bristol sports reporter who is also training for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, emailed ASOS with her suggestion. She had the idea after getting wet at a festival last year, she told the BBC. The jumpsuit is designed with a zip around the waist, making it easy to get in and out of, and a waterproof breast pocket.
"Whether that's to put your phone in, or you've got medication or information you need to have on you in case of emergency, you can have it on you and know that it can stay dry," she said. "It was just literally those little tiny details that make the difference to people like me. We don't want to have to look like we're just doing practicality, we still want to be able to look fashionable."
The reaction on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly among people with disabilities, campaigners, and the charities fighting for their rights, suggesting that such a product was long overdue.
Yes. Yes. Yes! This is so good to see. This is what our young people keep asking for and it is great to see @ASOS leading the way with models who are wheelchair users AND fashion which is accessible! Great job @chloe_ballhopzyhttps://t.co/jH63getEui
Disability and lifestyle blogger Shona Louise, 20, wrote a moving post about the importance of the jumpsuit in a world where progress on disability-related issues often feels slow.
Countless others also applauded ASOS for its move towards even greater inclusivity, with many calling on other brands to follow suit by catering to differently abled people.
Fashion brands - please read the comments on Chloe's post. So many unmet needs from women with health & disability issues who just want practical, fashionable clothes. Bravo @chloe_ballhopzy and @ASOS for leading the charge. https://t.co/60ssrl6c6G
Diversity without tokenism. Always using POCs, plus sized models, models with disabilities etc. Well done @ASOS! pic.twitter.com/Cz5pXxHmDz
— Rore Erica Okoh ✨👩🏾💻 (@rorerorerore) July 4, 2018
Great to see this sort of representation on the @ASOS website. Shopping is something most of us take for granted in terms of representation. Seeing disabled people in the media through campaigns, as actors, singers is so important as it challenges the stigma around disabilities. pic.twitter.com/asQAprWFxS
After seemingly countless investigations and growing public pressure, Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt has resigned from his position.
Pruitt's legacy will consist of dismantling Obama-era environmental regulations aimed at combating climate change — he urged Trump to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement — and caricature-like levels of corruption.
Some of his latest alleged shady dealings include: using his aides to try to get his wife a $200,000 job, asking his aides to use their own credit cards when booking him hotels, and installing a $43,000 soundproof phone booth in his office — something no previous EPA administrator had required. Among other bizarre requests, he asked his aides to get him a used mattress from the Trump Hotel and made members of his security team drive him around to find his favorite fancy moisturizer, which features "sweet notes of ylang ylang, jasmine, and uplifting bergamot."
It's no coincidence that Pruitt's resignation comes only a few days after an activist who's part of the Boot Pruitt movement went viral when she confronted him in a restaurant. On Monday, Kristin Mink approached Pruitt while he was eating lunch, holding her 2-year-old son. She urged him to resign, saying, "We deserve to have somebody at the EPA who actually does protect our environment, someone who believes in climate change and takes it seriously for the benefit of all us, including our children."
Mink's nonviolent protest was all over cable news that night, and the ensuing rise of public outrage undoubtedly contributed to the pressure for Pruitt to peace out. (As if the multiple investigations weren't enough.)
"It is extremely difficult for me to cease serving you in this role first because I count it a blessing to be serving you in any capacity, but also, because of the transformative work that is occurring," Pruitt wrote in his resignation letter to Trump. "However, the unrelenting attacks on me personally, my family, are unprecedented and have taken a sizable toll on all of us."
In response to this development, Mink tweeted, "HOLY CRAP this is such amazing news for the country/world!! Looks like you’re gonna have to change your Twitter handle, @EPAScottPruitt!!!"
First came the acne and then came the fully-loaded pile of salicylic acid cleansers, benzoyl peroxide creams, and spot treatments. Now all that remains are the ghosts of pimples past: acne scars — and they can haunt you long after the initial breakout has gone away.
The hard truth is that nothing you can buy over-the-counter will be as effective for deep-seated scarring as a derm-recommended prescription or in-office procedure, but there are plenty of at-home skin-care products that do a damn good job of fading the dark spots faster.
Ahead, the best scar-lightening serums, peels, toners, and more that can help get you one step closer to the even-toned complexion you had before that massive breakout. Consider those ghosts busted.
These pre-soaked pads are a much more sophisticated, way less harsh version of the medicated Oxy pads you probably scrubbed your face with growing up. It's loaded with salicylic and glycolic acids, plus a blend of antioxidants to clear pores and even out your skin tone — in just 60 seconds.
M-61 PowerGlow Peel, $28 for 10 treatments, available at BlueMercury.
This acne spot-fading gel does exactly what it says it will. It won't make a huge difference on existing zits — you'll need Rouleau's other spot treatments for that — but it's specifically formulated for post-breakout skin, to treat leftover dark spots straight away.
Renée Rouleau Post-Breakout Fading Gel, $38.50, available at Renée Rouleau.
Vitamin C is best known for its brightening abilities, and yes, the essential ingredient is great for making dull skin look more vibrant. But it also has a less-advertised perk, which is that it can work gangbusters on erasing redness. This serum features 20% of the stuff, so it works lightening-fast at fading discoloration.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum, $95, available at Sephora.
Because breaking up pigmentation with papaya and pineapple fruit enzymes and reducing overall discoloration with a potent brightening blend of vitamins and extracts wasn't enough, this lightweight serum goes one step further, with a probiotic balancing complex that maintains the integrity of the skin's pH.
Dr. Brandt Bright Biotic Dark Spot Minimizing Serum, $55, available at Dermstore.
Best known for their unparalleled ability to fight fine lines and acne in record time, retinoids also flex their muscle in the presence of acne scars. This one's gentle enough for sensitive types, and features vitamin C — the perfect package deal.
MDComplete Citrus-C Healthy Complexion, $24.99, available at MDComplete.
This incredibly effective new moisturizer was made for brightening, but it goes above and beyond the call of duty with smoothing glycolic and lactic acids, exfoliating fruit enzymes, and naturally-hydrating squalane. It's basically a one-and-done for all your dark spot-fading, dullness-fighting needs.
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Glow Moisturizer, $65, available at Kate Somerville.
A powerful acne-scar fighter that comes in toner form? Believe it. This one is infused with a peony extract, vitamin C, and licorice root extract to visibly brighten, plump, and hydrate.
Fresh Peony Brightening Moisturizing Facial Toner, $60, available at Fresh.
This cult-favorite product — which contains a potent mix of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin — really brings the big guns: It protects against free radicals, evens out the skin tone, and diminishes both dullness and dark spots.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel, $163, available at SkinCeuticals.
Disregard the name; this isn't a skin-bleaching product. But, the kojic acid and licorice root in this mask do fade acne scars and age spots in record time.
Mario Badescu Whitening Mask, $24, available at Mario Badescu.
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A custom couture wedding dress would be stunning on any bride, but for the majority of the population, it's a pretty fanciful concept. Heck, as of late, a record number of couples are getting married at their local strip mall Taco Bell and A-list celebrities are wearing drugstore makeup down the aisle.
But, if you still find yourself occasionally daydreaming about that perfect Parisian garden wedding, so far out of the realm of budgetary possibility that it jolts you back into consciousness, we may just have your fix. We've found the most breathtaking, Pin-able, bridal beauty inspiration, sourced straight from this summer's haute couture fashion week in the City of Love.
Ahead, find the most gorgeous hair and makeup looks on the celebrities siting front row at the shows. From Mandy Moore's perfect tousled waves to Zoey Deutch's soft lavender shadow, there's something for every bride and budget.
Zoey Deutch has been serving up some seriously stunning looks as of late, but this one from the Christian Dior show is especially dreamy. Her center-parted slicked-back hair spotlights an airbrushed complexion, punctuated by bold feathery brows, pale lavender eyeshadow, a kiss of pink on the apples of her cheeks, and a demi-matte peachy lip color. Trés chic.
Photo: Victor Boyko/Getty Images..
Model Liya Kebede has the effortless bridal beauty vibe on lock. Her skin: dewy, but not too shiny. Her makeup: minimal, aside from a subtle flick of black eyeliner on her upper lash line. Her hair: shiny, but not overstyled. Heck, we'd wear that white jumpsuit down the aisle, too.
Photo: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images..
If you're looking for something romantic, search no further than Kate Bosworth on a photo call in a Parisian garden. The look is minimal yet angelic, courtesy of a delicately braided bun, blush pink lips, and soft brown eyeliner.
Photo: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images..
French supermodel Cindy Bruna dished out major bridal beauty inspiration at the Atelier Swarovski cocktail party. Her sleek low bun puts her luminous complexion on display — and we're also taking notes on that demure over-the-shoulder pose.
Photo: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images..
Bridal styles can often have the same sorry outcome as prom hair: crunchy, stiff, over-done. But Jenn Streicher gave Mandy Moore our dream wedding style with a shoulder-skimming lob cut that features loose, textured waves —not barrel curls. Her soft purple eyeshadow, shiny pale pink lips, and long lashes only elevate the look.
Photo: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images..
We've already been inspired to bleach our dark hair and chop baby bangs a la Sofia Boutella. And now the model, actress, and dancer is proving that grown-out roots and above-the-eyebrow fringe can looks just as romantic and elegant when you add a low ponytail, a black ribbon headband, and a Victorian collar.
Photo: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images..
Somewhere between a messy chignon and a topknot, Karlie Kloss is serving chic and sophisticated with an effortless updo that leaves some piecey waves framing her face. Rosy cheeks and a nude lip pop next to her bright blonde hair and crisp white dress.
Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images..
For Valentino's show in Paris, Tracee Ellis Ross wore her hair in six tight cornrows, which spilled down her back courtesy of hairstylist Lacy Redway. The fresh, pulled-back style was the perfect complement to her gold statement earrings, dewy complexion, precise smoky eye, and plunging V-neck gown.
Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images..
Singer/songwriter Pixie Lott 's waterfall of bright blonde curls, pulled up into a loose messy bun, look so gorgeous that we can't even imagine covering them with a veil. Finish the look with bright red lipstick and a touch of pink on the cheeks, and you'll be the coolest girl at your own damn party.
Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images..
Brazilian model Raica Oliveira shows the power of easy loose waves and a pink-toned contour that looks natural but emphasizes her killer cheekbones.
Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images..
Ashley Graham's bright cheekbone highlight and sleek tucked-behind-the-ears hair is a bridal classic, but the pop of red instantly makes it feel cool and modern.
Photo: Jacopo Raule/GC Images..
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Nails have long been used as a form of self expression. Thanks to their commitment-free nature, you can decorate your fingertips according to any given mood or moment — and nail artists like WAH, Madeline Poole and Imarni are leading the way in intricate and statement-making designs. We thought we’d seen everything — from pierced tips to surrealist scribbles — but a new micro-trend has emerged on our Insta feed: #jellynails.
With 4,000 tagged photos on Instagram – including Kylie Jenner's pink jelly nails, which have a Nike swoosh on the pinky and over 4 million likes – the look might just bring some sweet nostalgia to your beauty routine. Reminiscent of the jelly sandals we wore back in the ‘90s (such a look), we're seeing the translucent acrylics in a variety of shapes, colors, and finishes.
"The trend is also known as glass nails," manicurist Michelle Humphrey tells Refinery29 UK. "Although it’s trending now, it’s actually been around for some time with OPI bringing out a Sheer Tint range back in 2014."
So how can we create the look? WAH Nails ’ senior nail tech Holli Anna says, "Jelly nails are made by translucent colored acrylic being sculpted onto your nail. You place a foil under the nail and we apply the acrylic on top to the shape and length you want." Explaining that you can also mix glitters or encapsulate sequins in the color, she adds, "It’s really fun, Instagram-friendly, and the light shines through like crazy," making it all the better for summer.
While Michelle says you can recreate jelly nails at home by mixing a clear polish with a color and painting it on as usual, she advises that it's best left to a pro nail technician. Ahead, some of the best inspo picks to take to the salon today.
Because you're already making a texture statement, try one color on one hand, and a completely different shade on the other. Bright green and fuchsia are dueling tones that are both inherently '90s.
@nail.lord
A more subtle take would be to keep your jelly coat clear or blush-toned, jazzing it up with a glitter overlay.
Nail artist Jessica Washick says she drew her inspiration from Jolly Ranchers and lip gloss, adding that this retro look is easy to DIY. "For the color, all you do is mix some top coat with a few drops of your favorite polish and voila: candy coated nails," she says, explaining that she applied clear tips and an extra layer of clear topcoat to complete the look.
We can't think of anything that goes better with glossy, '90s nails than distressed denim.
@beautythiccc
The jelly finish and highlighter-bright color add playfulness to pointy acrylics.
@thenailtender
Like glitter lipgloss, a designer emblem feels so '90s.
@dollfacedidit
To make the trend modern for summer 2018, try half-dipping your jelly polish.
@matsui.e
You don't need to add acrylics or extensions to try jellies, the subtly translucent technicolor rainbow looks just as cool on shorter nails.
@paintedbykerib
Use a glittery jelly nail as a fun accent against an all-matte mani.
Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Today: a copywriter working in beauty who makes $36,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on watermelon. Editor's note: All prices have been converted to U.S. dollars.
Monthly Expenses Rent: My fiance's job covers $1,300 of our rent per month, and then I pay the remaining $448. Student Loan Payment: $0 (Thank you, Mom and Dad!) Netflix: $0 (Thanks, Mom and Dad.) House Cleaner: $47 (my monthly share for six hour of cleaning per week) Savings: I am trying to save $500/month in hopes of buying a home next year
Additional Expenses Phone: $14, paid every three months Gym: $897 for a year (paid in full)
Day One
6:30 a.m. — Wake up extremely tired, but force myself to go to the gym before work. My wedding is in exactly 38 days, so I am finally at the finish line of a very long year of getting my ass into shape for the big day.
8 a.m. — Make my post-gym workout tonic of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and water, and then hop in the shower and start getting ready for work. I make myself a slice of whole wheat toast with almond butter and banana on top (my favorite), and pour a Nespresso-brewed coffee into my thermos before hopping on my scooter to work.
9:30 a.m. — After a short five-minute commute, I arrive at my office armed with caffeine and feeling ready. We're launching a bunch of new products in Q3 and Q4 this year, so I have lots of research and brainstorming to do today.
12:30 p.m. — I ride home for lunch and eat leftover salad in the fridge. I find myself riding to my apartment to eat lunch more and more lately, since it's a nice way to get out of the office for an hour, relax, and save money. I make a can of pumpkin soup to eat, too. (Is it weird that I am eating pumpkin soup in the summer? It sounds pretty weird to me. ) Then I head back to work.
6:30 p.m. — Ride my scooter home and order a chicken salad from one of my favorite Western delivery shops. I'm meeting friends for drinks at a newly renovated bar tonight, so I don't have time to cook dinner. $11
7:30 p.m. — Meet my friend outside my apartment and we grab Mobikes (ride-sharing bikes) for $0.14 and attempt to ride over to the bars. Unfortunately, with my poor sense of direction we get completely lost and end up just paying for a taxi ($2.99). Once there, we order a bread and dip platter to share and a cocktail while we wait for our other two friends. $3.13
8:30 p.m. — Once our friends arrive, we head over to another bar in the area for aperol spritzes (my favorite summer drink). $11
10:30 p.m. — We chat for a while and then decide to ride our bikes home, since it's only a 15-minute ride (assuming we don't get lost). My friend leads the way this time. I really love Shanghai in the summer — it's so easy to get around by bike, and with bike-sharing companies such as Ofo and Mobike, it's very affordable. Plus, I get to discover restaurants when I ride down new streets. $0.14
11:30 p.m. — Do my nightly skincare routine which consists of cleansing my skin, using my glow tonic toner, and then hydrating with eye cream and moisturizer. I turn on an episode of Queer Eye and then pass out.
Daily Total: $25.27
Day Two
8:30 a.m. — It's FRI-YAY. I have a busy day ahead at work, which always makes me happy because it means the day will go by faster. I skip my morning workout today because I've already gone four days in a row and I'm trying to listen to my body more and give it some rest when it needs it. I make myself scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on top for breakfast.
9:20 a.m. — Head outside to grab my scooter, only to realize someone cut all the alarms wires and tried to steal it last night while I was sleeping. The bike lock, ignition, and bike seat are all broken — but luckily they weren't able to steal the bike, and the battery inside is still intact. I run to ask my security guard for help in my broken Mandarin, but he says the security cameras outside our building are broken...so that's not very helpful. I grab a Mobike and head to work in a panic. I just got my scooter a few months ago and it cost $400, so this definitely puts a damper on my mood. $0.14
10 a.m. — Get to work and immediately start looking for a company who will come to my apartment to fix my scooter. Since the thief broke the keyhole on the bike lock, I can't move the bike. My coworker orders us Americanos from the coffee shop downstairs so we don't have to drink shitty work coffee today, and I pay her back. $3.59
10:30 a.m. — Call my fiance, S., and ask him for advice. He suggests calling the guy who sold me the scooter (it's second hand) and asking him if he knows a repairman. I have nothing to lose at this point, so I shoot him a text, and five minutes later I have the cell phone number of a repairman who is willing to come to my apartment and fix everything on the spot.
12:30 p.m. — Ride a Mobike home ($0.14) to meet the guy, and in one hour flat he fixes my bike seat, saws off the bike lock with a chainsaw and gives me a brand new one, replaces all the wires in the bike, and fixes the ignition. I pull up my translator app to search for the word "hero," and then tell this seemingly 17-year-old Shanghainese boy that he's my hero! He charges me $74 and I ride back to work on my scooter, loving life. Only in China can you get this kind of service... $74.14
2 p.m. — Was so frazzled this morning that I forgot to eat lunch, so I order myself a chicken and avocado salad from my usual delivery place. $11.97
5 p.m. — Today the HR department throws our office a magnificent midsummer party filled with flower crowns, fruity drinks, and lots of delicious treats. I enjoy two grapefruit vodka cocktails and then head home to hang out with S. It's one of our last nights alone before he heads home for a few weeks to visit his family before the wedding. (He's from London, and I'm from New York). We order in protein bowls for dinner (his treat) and watch a few episodes of Queer Eye. (I swear he enjoys watching it more than I do. He's already sporting a French tuck on the reg.)
Daily Total: $89.84
Day Three
8:30 a.m. — S. and I head off to the gym to get a solid workout in before our busy weekend ahead. It's a tough one, but I feel great afterwards.
11 a.m. — S. and I get ready and head off to a cute restaurant in the French Concession for a boozy brunch with friends. I order eggs benedict to start and cookies and milk for dessert (random — but I saw it on the menu and felt like I deserved it), plus a cocktail. $53.90
2 p.m. — The brunch ends, but our day has just begun. We head over to another bar for a gym mixer. They had a workout challenge for the last eight weeks that just ended, so we go to support our fellow workout mates. Plus, they have a $3.75 cocktail deal and we are feeling very social. S. buys me drinks.
8 p.m. — After indulging in far too many cocktails, we head off to a goodbye party at a rooftop bar for some of S.'s work colleagues. Since we live abroad, there are always so many people coming and going. I probably shouldn't be allowed to socialize at this point based on the number of cocktails I've consumed.
1 a.m. — I run up to S. in a panic at the bar screaming, “HELP ME I NEED PIZZA.” He decides it's time for us to go home. But not before I order us two large pizzas. $35.90
Daily Total: $89.80
Day Four
7 a.m. — Wake up with the worst hangover of my life, not surprisingly. Meanwhile, S. is getting ready to go to the gym...I will never understand how he is able to drink so much and make it to the gym the next morning. We order groceries to be delivered to our place, which will arrive at 9:30 a.m. — three almond milks, chicken breast, baby spinach, whole wheat bread, tomatoes, ham, turkey breast, smoked salmon, cottage cheese, salad mix, eggs, rolled oats, and bananas. We split the bill. $52.39
10 a.m. — I booked an acupuncture appointment for this morning, so I grab a protein bar from my kitchen, hop in a taxi, and make my way over to the appointment, secretly praying I don't throw up when I get there (or in the taxi, for that matter.) I've never done acupuncture before, but I've always wanted to try it, and my back has been feeling sore lately from all the resistance training I've been doing the past few months. $4.50
10:30 a.m. — After the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) doctor applies the needles into my back, she asks if I want to do cupping (another TCM remedy where they suction glass on your back to remove toxins from the body), but before I can answer, she already starts doing it. It feels weird — definitely not relaxing. $22.40
12 p.m. — After I take a taxi back home ($4.50), I look in the mirror and see 10 baseball-sized bruises along my back. My wedding is in four weeks, and the back of my wedding dress is completely sheer, so fingers crossed that these spots fade. No, seriously, I am freaking out, but there's really nothing I can do at this point, so I make myself a hangover cure of ham and cheese on whole wheat toast that I find in the fridge for lunch. $4.50
12:30 p.m. — S.'s mom has just flown in from London to visit us for the week, so we excitedly await her arrival at our apartment. We have a two-bedroom apartment, so she'll be staying in our guest room. After she arrives, she and S. head to the Shanghai Eyeglasses market to get her a few pairs of custom glasses, which are extremely cheap in China compared to the West. I stay home and curl up in bed, as my hangover is still going strong.
3 p.m. — S. texts me to meet him and his mom for food at a Cuban restaurant down the street. I feel bad that I didn't go to the glasses market with them and I'm still hungry, so I walk five minutes down the road to meet them. We catch up and order Cuban sandwiches. S. treats us all!
6 p.m. — After relaxing in the apartment for a few hours, we grab a taxi and head to meet a bunch of friends to watch the World Cup at a bar with a massive screen. England is playing Panama, so naturally S. and his mom are very excited to watch. $4.50
9 p.m. — After seeing England score five goals, it starts pouring raining, and I just don't have the energy to make it to the end of the game after running on such little sleep from Saturday night. I tell S. and his mom that I will meet them at home and grab a taxi. $4.50
Daily Total: $92.79
Day Five
8:30 a.m. — Can't face the gym this morning, so I let myself sleep in. Get up and make myself a spinach banana smoothie with chia seeds, vanilla whey protein powder, and almond milk.
9:10 a.m. — Hop on my scooter and ride to work. I get there a bit early, so I run across the street to grab an iced coffee from Starbucks. S. is a teacher and he recently got $300 worth of Starbucks vouchers from one of the parents of his students. Being the generous man that he is, he gave me half, so I have been treating myself to Starbucks regularly now.
12:30 p.m. — Ride home to meet S.'s mom for lunch. She isn't hungry, so I make myself a quick salad with chicken and peppers. We decide to head across the street to grab a coffee together at a cute new coffee shop near my apartment during the remainder of my lunch break. She orders a latte and I opt for a sparkling water. My treat! $12.57
4 p.m. — Feel my stomach growling, so I munch on an apple that I bought last week from a fruit vendor on the street.
6:30 p.m. — Have a relatively quiet day at work today. Head off on time and stop by a nail salon on my way home. The gel on a few of my nails has peeled off, and it's driving me crazy. I ask the woman in the salon how much it would cost to remove the gel, and she says $4.50. I get annoyed because I feel like that's way too expensive for putting acetone on my nails, so I bargain down to $2.99. We end up chatting a bit in Mandarin and she files and cuts my nails for free. $2.99
7:30 p.m. — Head to a burger joint to meet S. and his mom for dinner. They split a BOGO burger deal and milkshakes, and I order a salmon salad. S. treats.
9 p.m. — Ride my scooter home from the restaurant, since I rode it there to meet them, while S. and his mom take the metro.
Daily Total: $15.56
Day Six
6:30 a.m. — Up and ready for the gym. Today is a resistance-based workout, which I prefer over cardio-based, so I am in a good mood.
8 a.m. — Ride my scooter back from the gym and start my morning routine, which consists of taking a shot of apple cider vinegar with lemon, showering, blow-drying my hair, drinking a protein shake with spinach and banana and almond milk, and then getting dressed. After I get dressed I put on moisturizer infused with SPF, concealer under my eyes, brow gel, cream blush, and nude lipstick, and I am on my way with coffee from my Nespresso.
9:30 a.m. — Arrive at work.
12:30 p.m. — Make myself another boring chicken salad with organic pesto dressing for lunch and eat it at my desk. I go for a walk down the street to see if I can find a new coffee mug at Miniso, which is basically a very classy Japanese version of the dollar store in Asia. However, no such luck. I stop by a fruit stand on my way back to the office and grab watermelon and blueberries to have as a snack later. $2.99
7 p.m. — Go home, freshen up, and head off to dinner with S., his mom, and two of our friends we met in Shanghai. We head to a Sichuanese restaurant that serves up delicious spicy food and order a bunch of different meats, vegetables, and rice to share. S. pays for me and his mom.
9 p.m. — Head to another rooftop bar down the road for beers. Everyone orders something to try, while I opt for water...I'm trying to limit my midweek drinking.
Daily Total: $2.99
Day Seven
6:30 a.m. — Alarms goes off and 10 minutes later I am out the door on the way to the gym. Today's cardio session is killer.
8 a.m. — Proceed with my morning routine. Make myself rolled oats with raspberries for breakfast.
9:30 a.m. — Off to work with a coffee from home in hand while I ride on my scooter. Today is going to be a busy day, I can feel it.
12:30 p.m. — Ride my scooter home for lunch again to meet S.'s mom. I eat a boring salad with tomato, avocado, chicken, and spinach for lunch. Then we head to the same coffee shop again (since she liked it so much), where she gets a latte and I get a sparkling water. I treat again. $12.56
3 p.m. — Starting to feel a bit sick, but I power through the day. S. and his mom are going out for dinner and then to the largest Starbucks in the world (it just opened here recently), but I can't meet them in time, so I just tell them I will meet them at home later.
4 p.m. — Get bored at work so I start online shopping, which is never a good idea, especially with how easily accessible and cheap everything is in China. I end up buying a black slip dress to go under a few of my sheer summer dresses ($4.72), two sheer white blouses ($10.34), a jade roller because I hear they're all the rage and I want to see what the fuss is about ($2.95), and a popsicle mold tray ($2.81) because I saw a recipe for healthy popsicles online today and I want to test it out. $20.82
6:30 p.m. — Head home on my scooter with a horrible stomachache. I'm too lazy to cook dinner, so I order a Mexican power bowl with chicken, tomato, avocado, corn, and brown rice. $11.97
8 p.m. — Decide to make protein cookies while I wait for S. and his mom to get home. I take rolled oats, two egg whites, vanilla whey protein powder, blueberries, dried coconut, almond milk, and almond butter, mix it together, and pop it in the oven for 20 minutes. They don't really look like typical cookies, but they taste great for what they are!
10 p.m. — Try to fall asleep, but end up spending most of the night awake.
Daily Total: $45.53
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1. Have you ever been in a job you couldn’t stand but couldn’t quit? Did you write an elaborate quitting fantasy in your mind to pass the time? Maybe you’d finally tell your boss your honest opinion. Perhaps, you daydreamed of finally calling out your co-worker who takes credit for your ideas. If this is you, we want to hear from you! Email ushereto share your most elaborate quitting fantasy and how you actually quit.
2. If you decided a spur of the moment trip the court house was more your vibe than a traditional wedding, we want to hear your story. More specifically, how much did eloping cost you? We all know that today’s weddings can range from a sweet, backyard ceremony all the way to costing than a law degree.Tell us whyyou chose to elope for a chance to be featured on the site.
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PSA: There are more than 100 days until the holiday season. Which, for most people, seems like a reasonable amount of time to not think about gifts yet — but most, my friends, is not all. Not everyone leaves their holiday shopping to the very last minute, and for those forward-thinking individuals, now is the time to make your first moves.
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale sets are some of the best gifts around right now. After all, wouldn't mom appreciate a La Mer set? What about your best friend — wouldn't she enjoy a value pack of sheet masks (so she can stop using yours)?
It might be July, but we've rounded up the best holiday gifts to shop right now, ahead.
There is a lot of product out there — some would say too much. At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, but if you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
For that one friend who still can't figure out how to use a curling iron. This one will do all the work for her — it twists around your hair with just the press of a button — and she'll still get to work on time.
The Beachwaver Co. Beachwaver® Pro 1 1/4-Inch Professional Rotating Curling Iron, $133, available at Nordstrom
If a luxe pillowcase feels unnecessary, then you probably haven't tried one yet. Yes, they quickly elevate your bedding to look less Target and more West Elm, but what's even better is that they keep your hairstyle lasting days longer, whether it's air-dried curls or a bouncy blowout. Trust us, they pay for themselves in time and styling.
Slip slip™ for beauty sleep Slip Silk™ Pure Silk Queen Pillowcases, $110, available at Nordstrom
Four sheet masks for your bestie so the next time you have a girls' night in, she can bring the supplies.
Dermovia Lace Your Face by Dr. Pimple Popper Clear Complexion Kit, $35, available at Nordstrom
We'd say one jar of Crème de la Mer is enough for anyone's stocking, but throw in a full La Mer skin-care routine (The Eye Concentrate, The Lifting Eye Serum, The Treatment Lotion, and The Renewal Oil) and you're this holiday's MVP.
La Mer The Radiant Collection, $330, available at Nordstrom
When your bestie's new year's resolution includes quitting her job, moving out of her apartment, and hopping a flight straight to god-knows-where, this 20-piece kit will come in handy before she starts to miss Sephora.
Trish McEvoy Sunlit Glamour Planner Collection, $225, available at Nordstrom
Ever bought your mother a spa gift card that she never used? Since it continues to sit at the bottom of her purse, present her with this at-home option instead. This way, she gets the LED light treatment she read about without having to leave the house. Bonus: It comes with two sheet masks to sweeten the deal.
Skin Inc Rose Gold Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light++ Set, $175, available at Nordstrom
When your aunt swears not even fillers could repair her dark circles, offer her this eye-care set featuring an overnight eye serum, two eye brightening treatments, and a sleep mask. She'll thank you by the next morning.
Erno Laszlo All About the Eyes Set, $80, available at Nordstrom
For the travel buddy who always asks, "Do you have tweezers?"
Skinny Dip Sunset Pink + Rose Gold Manicure Set, $23, available at Nordstrom
Catch Tracee Ellis Ross on Instagram and you'll spot her slowly rolling this tool up and down her face. Why? The technology helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles in an instant.
Raffaele Ruberto R-Lift X-Calibur Firming and Contouring Device, $83.75, available at Nordstrom
Imagine how volatile your best friend is with Bumble matches. Now imagine how indecisive she is when it comes to choosing — and sticking to — a fragrance. This set may not repair her fickle heart, but it will give her every option she needs to smell good while doing it.
Aerin AERIN Beauty Five-Piece Fragrance Discovery Set, $115, available at Nordstrom
Five Diptyque candles for $55? Just try not to keep them all for yourself.
Any skin-care addict who scans Reddit late into the evening deserves this five-piece set of Kiehl's best-selling products, like the Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Ultra Facial Cream.
Kiehl's Healthy Skin Set, $69, available at Nordstrom
Mascara, mascara, and more mascara — this is for anyone who wants to quit their extensions, but needs a cushion to fall back on once their fluttery lashes are gone.
Lancôme The Best of Lancôme Lashes Mascara Set, $59.5, available at Nordstrom
Rarely is there a chance to get your hands on not one, but three, discounted products from La Prairie. While this might be the biggest splurge of your holiday, it's well worth it once you — or whoever you get this for — looks in the mirror.
La Prairie Skin Caviar Indulgences Set, $350, available at Nordstrom
It's rare to find a makeup wipe that will actually remove 100% of your perfectly smoked-out eyeshadow — but these cotton wipes will.
Makeup Eraser 2-Pack The Original Makeup Eraser, $25, available at Nordstrom
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Migos rapper Offset was arrested on Friday in Jonesboro, Georgia, 10 days after wife Cardi B gave birth to their daughter, Kulture Kiari Cephus. Now, he’s facing two felony weapon charges.
Offset has been charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. He’s also facing charges of possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and an improper lane change.
According to a press release from the Clayton County Police Department, the rapper — whose legal name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus — was pulled over for an improper lane change. The officer detected the smell of marijuana, and upon searching his vehicle, discovered three handguns, less than an ounce of marijuana, and more than $107,000 in cash. Offset and his bodyguard, Senay Gezahgn, were both arrested.
Gezahgn has been charged with the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.
Other outlets have report that Offset is still serving a five-year probation from a 2015 weapon and drug possession, but his attorney, Drew Findling, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the rapper had his probation terminated early.
In a statement to Refinery29, Findling said that Offset’s main concern right now is Cardi B and their newborn, and denied that Offset had broken the law.
“We are going to pursue this aggressively,” Findling told Refinery29. “This arrest never should have happened.”
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Reboot culture has struck again: A new Buffy: The Vampire Slayer series is in development. From the information available so far, Joss Whedon will return to executive produce, while producer and writer Monica Owusu-Breen ( Midnight, Texas, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fringe) will be working on writing the script. But the most exciting part of this news is perhaps that along with Owusu-Breen taking part in the scriptwriting, a Black woman will be featured as the lead of the show.
The news brought me a wave of conflicting feelings. Buffy was such an important part of my childhood, and in a lot of ways my first introduction to fandom culture. But part of loving the show meant reckoning with its imperfections. Like many other forms of media at the time, even touted feminist examples, marginalized people were afterthoughts. As reboots gain popularity and are dominate popular culture, I’m apprehensive that a rebooted Buffy is the solution to the demand for more stories to reflect the fantasy settings.
Buffy was an important part of my homelife. Some of my oldest memories include my mother, who was largely disinterested in anything connected to science fiction or horror, carving out time every Sunday to watch the latest episode of Buffy. Sometimes she would play the show while she braided my hair for the upcoming week, making sure to keep my eyes averted from the screen as to not give her impressionable child nightmares from the overtly ‘90s special effects. Though I didn’t watch the show itself until I was in college, I have always been attached to the fondness that my mother had for it.
Watching the entire series on my own once I reached adulthood was an incredible experience, almost like re-introducing yourself to a long-lost friend. I fell in love with Buffy and her longing to be a normal girl while carrying the isolating and unfair weight of being the only Slayer. And in many ways, I connected to Buffy and the struggles she faced, because they were sometimes the closest examples to what I was going through as a young Black woman, carrying multiple burdens. I felt conflicted by my love of the show’s charm in spite of my frustration at its treatment of the few Black female character that were featured on-screen during the show’s run. There was Kendra Young, a Slayer chosen after Buffy’s temporary death, only to meet her own end by season two; Nikki Wood, a Slayer during the 1970s who was Sunnydale principal Robin Wood’s mother and later killed by Spike; Olivia Williams, an old friend and romantic interest of Giles’ that gets a few fleeting moments of screen time during season four; and the Sineya, the First Slayer.
There’s also ample criticism of the legitimacy of a franchise still claiming to have feminist roots with a white male showrunner. Whedon, the creator and lead writer for the original Buffy, has had his role as a feminist called into question in recent years. His work on projects such as Avengers: Age of Ultron and the upcoming Batgirl film also faced criticism, because the portrayals of female characters were less developed and nuanced, hunging on tired tropes of femininity and womanhood. At the same time, many have rightfully called into question why attaching Whedon to a project has been more of a priority than hiring more female writers, directors, and showrunners.
Owusu-Breen’s involvement does address this, as does her history of working on successful sci-fi TV shows. Her role in the Buffy reboot reiterates the necessity of having marginalized people involved in all parts of creating a show to ensure the authenticity of addressing identity. But, the issue remains: a reboot of a completed franchise may not be the best solution to the desire for more media led by people of color.
There’s no doubt that science fiction and fantasy are still desperately lacking stories within popular media that are inclusive from their origins. But to solely reboot franchises that have already been done reinforces the false idea that reboots are the only option. There are incredible novels, graphic novels, and other forms of original media being created by marginalized creators with stories that are just as captivating and important as Buffy. But to push them aside in favor of retelling a story that fans are already familiar with only sends the message that these stories are somehow less than. New stories have no guarantee of success, and perhaps there is monetary safety for studios in rebooting a series with a strong fan base; but in doing so, there’s the risk of denying fans the joy of falling in love with new stories and squandering any success a new series could have. And with so much time having passed since Buffy aired its final episode, it’s high time that we give new ideas with the inclusive leads that we’ve been waiting for a chance to succeed instead.
Buffy is an important part of feminist media and, despite its many imperfections, will always remain so. People of color, especially Black people who are already erased in sci-fi and fantasy, are not afterthoughts and deserve their own mythology. Doing a reboot instead of taking a chance on a new series is not the answer to calls to be more inclusive.
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A Netflix documentary is being credited with helping to get Essure, a form of birth contro l many people say has caused them serious harm, pulled from the United States market — even though the documentary hasn’t actually been released yet.
The film, The Bleeding Edge, documents the forces that control the medical industry and the patients and advocates fighting for safer medications and devices. It comes from the directing and producing team behind The Hunting Ground and The Invisible War, Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering.
Bayer, the device’s distributor, said in a statement on Friday that Essure will no longer be available in the United States after December 31, and that pulling the device was a “business decision” based on declining sales.
The birth control device, Essure, is a small metal coil that gets inserted into the fallopian tubes, causing sperm-blocking scar tissue to form, and marketed as the only non-surgical permanent infertilization device. The United States is the only place the device is still sold, according to the Washington Post.
Many people who have used Essure have claimed to experience devastating side effects, such as perforated uteruses and fallopian tubes. Several deaths have also been attributed to the device, according to the New York Times.
Essure’s many potential damages are outlined in the trailer for T he Bleeding Edge — in it, a woman who used the device, Angie Firmalino, tells a nurse, "I had a medical device that broke, that set off a connective tissue disorder, that started deteriorating my joints."
To this the nurse responds, “Holy crap!”
According to Vulture, Dick and Ziering voiced their approval for Bayer’s decision through a statement issued via Netflix.
“This is exactly why we do this work,” Dick said. “This film has already changed policies and changed history.”
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Not all superheros wear capes. One anonymous woman has been fighting gender inequality in the art world for decades by doling out over $5.5 million in grants to women artists. Now, 77-year-old photographic artist Susan Unterberg is revealing her secret identity so she can put her mouth where her money is.
The grant program is strategically named Anonymous Was A Woman, an homage to Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own, where she wrote about how women felt compelled to sign their work as Anonymous so their feminine nomenclatures won’t negatively affect their work’s reception. Unterbeg herself kept her identity as the grant’s sole patron anonymous out of fear that it would affect the reception of her work as she built a name in the contemporary art world.
Twenty-two years later, Unterberg has decided to reveal herself to use her platform for good. “It’s a great time for women to speak up,” Unterberg told The New York Times. “I feel I can be a better advocate having my own voice.” Unterberg once met her grant’s requirements: a middle-aged female artist undervalued by the art world, at a crossroads in her work. But now her work hangs on the walls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.
Gender parity in the art world has a long way to go. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, a 51% majority of visual artists are women, but they make on average 81 cents to the dollar as their male peers. Work by female artists makes up just 1-3% of major permanent museum collections in the United States and Europe.
Inequality drips from the top to the bottom: according to the Association of Art Museum Directors, of museums with significant budgets of at least $15 million, only 30% of directors are women, and they earn 25% less than male directors. When decision-makers are disproportionately men, it’s very difficult for women artists to garner equal attention. As 2014 grant winner Carrie Mae Weems explained to The New York Times, “The work is not taken as seriously, and men are still running the game. Men in power support men in power, and they want to see men in power.”
With her voice newly unveiled, Unterberg hopes to call attention to the obstacles barring parity in the art world and the vital importance of women supporting each other. Though Unterberg’s grant has always helped fight inequality by giving individual women a helping hand, now she wants to advocate for change in a more public sphere. Following on the heels of the Time’s Up movement’s success in Hollywood, there’s reason to believe that the first step in fixing gender inequality is to get loud about calling it out. But you can’t pick up a megaphone if you’re anonymous.
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About a year ago, I made a promise to myself that I will never wear a matte lipstick again. You know that dry, nearly-cracking feeling that liquid lipsticks bestow upon lips in exchange for budge-proof color? I'm over it.
Sure, there are a few (non-liquid) exceptions — including semi-matte formulas like Rodin Lipstick and Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution — that don't leave my lips more dehydrated than Spongebob Squarepants in Sandy Cheeks' water-free dome. Anything else is an absolute deal-breaker. Then I met Urban Decay's Lo-Fi Lip Mousse.
Powder lipsticks in no way, shape, or form, are groundbreaking. They've been a staple in Korean beauty routines for years and are key when creating the ever-popular ombré blotted effect. But before Urban Decay's Lip Mousse, most powder lipsticks were messy as hell. Using — and ultimately loving — these innovative lipsticks meant sacrificing whatever clothes you were wearing, because by the time you finished coating your lips, your lap would be covered in loose pigment.
But Lo-Fi avoids the mess completely by pressing its pigment into a small, circular compact (that's small enough to fit in a clutch or your back pocket). The formula itself is bouncy, but firm, so you can use your finger or a brush to sweep it over your lips. And speaking of brushes, each Lo-Fi package houses a tiny sponge applicator in the bottom that reveals itself each time you open the lid. Normally, we'd render these pre-packaged tools useless in eyeshadow palettes, but in this case, they're necessary. At least, if you want the boldest results possible.
The color is matte, bright, and as long as I'm not eating a greasy pizza, the shade lasts through two glasses of wine and a plate of tapas. It doesn't dry me out and, in fact, the longer you wear it, the more it dissolves to a flattering stain as opposed to patches of crusty color. And while it doesn't rid my heart of contempt for 99.9% of the matte lipsticks in the world, it does give me hope for a day when it will.
Urban Decay Lo-Fi Lip Mousse, $22, available at Urban Decay.
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