The actress and singer added fashion designer to her growing (and quite frankly, glowing) résumé, with the launch of her collection with Tommy Hilfiger. Brought to life under the direction of the Zendaya and her stylist, Law Roach, the show was inspired by the 1973 Battle of Versailles show, which put American fashion on the global map.
The show kicked off with a disco dance party before Black models of all sizes, ages, and shades strutted down the runway wearing pieces dripping with sequins, glam metallics, and flared silhouettes. The superstar catwalk cast included Winnie Harlow, Ebonee Davis, Halima Aden, Precious Lee, and Marquita Pring, as well as living legends Beverly Johnson and Pat Cleveland.
One model in particular, though, absolutely stole the show: ageless beauty Grace Jones.
Jones sauntered out on the runway to her own song, “Pull Up to the Bumper,” in a gold bodysuit, metallic blazer, and thigh-high boots, looking as regal as ever. Later for the finale, everyone danced to Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family,” as Zendaya, Hilfiger, and Jones took a bow at the end of the runway.
“We’re paying homage to these women who changed our legacy…and allowed for me and so many others to be here,” Zendaya told WWD ahead of the show.
The former Disney Channel star also explained why one of her non-negotiables in creating the line was size-inclusivity. “If women in my family can’t all wear it, I don’t want to make it,” she said. “We had plus-size models, which Tommy has never done before.”
Breaking down fashion barriers and bringing out bonafide legends? Zendaya we stan.
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It’s hard out there for Ivanka Trump, according to Ivanka Trump.
Trump gave a speech as a stand-in for the president at Saturday night’s Gridiron dinner in Washington, D.C., a white-tie event where elite journalists mingle with politicians. In the speech, Ivanka made a joke that may leave many Americans scratching their heads.
“The press seems to think it’s ironic that I, born of great privilege, think people want to work for what they are given,” she said, according to The Washington Post. “As if being Donald Trump’s daughter isn’t the hardest job in the world.”
From her role on The Apprentice to her executive-level position in the Trump Organization to her current job as a top White House aide, it is arguable that many of the positions Trump has been given have been tied to her last name and family connections. Even her early days as a model come courtesy of brand-name recognition of her family. A 1997 New York Times article about Trump’s then-burgeoning career pointed out that some modeling agencies “raised an eyebrow” over her high-profile gigs and questioned whether she would be on “catwalks and magazine covers if not for her famous last name.” In fact, one of her first modeling jobs was co-hosting Miss Teen USA, which, along with Miss USA, was owned by Donald Trump until he ran for president.
As for the second part of Trump’s statement, it’s impossible to know why she called her father difficult. Could she be referring to the allegations of sexual assault? His anti-LGBTQ+ agenda? His family separation policy? It is likely, however, that because Trump was in a room full of journalists, she was trying to cozy up with them.
And, sure. At one point, it probably was challenging, on some level, for Trump to be her father’s daughter. One imagines it would not be easy for a teenage girl to deal with a dad who publicly cheated on your mother or, as an adult, appear with your father on TV as he says, “If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, I’d be dating her.”
But sympathy for Ivanka Trump only goes so far when her complicity with the Trump administration has allowed her to accept the benefits of being Donald Trump’s daughter.
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Content warning: This article includes detailed claims of sexual abuse of a minor. It was on the set of a 1988 Pepsi commercial that then 10-year-old James Safechuck met Michael Jackson. At the time, he was young, impressionable, and vulnerable — traits Safechuck claims Jackson used to manipulate, groom, and sexually molest him for years. Now 41, Safechuck shared detailed allegations in HBO's 2019 documentary, Leaving Neverland, which details his and Wade Robson's claims of childhood sexual assault they says they experienced at the hands of the late singer. (Jackson denied ever abusing children when he was alive, and the Jackson family vehemently denies Safechuck and Robson's claims now.)
Safechuck, who came forward with his allegations after Jackson died in 2009, has kept a relatively low profile throughout his adult life; though, as he explained in a February 2019 interview with CBS This Morning, Safechuck's desire to warn people about the dangers of child sexual abuse was more important to him than staying out of the spotlight. And the spotlight is definitely on, starting with the standing ovation he and Robson received when the four-hour documentary premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and continuing with the doc's premiere and a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey on March 4.
For years, the former child actor has alleged that Jackson kissed him, taught him how to masturbate, performed oral sex on him, and forced him to perform oral sex. (Jackson's family claims Safechuck and Robson are opportunists who made up these claims to get money from Jackson's estate.) While he now recognizes the trauma Jackson's alleged actions caused him, Safechuck explained to CBS that he didn't realize how harmful the relationship was at the time.
"There's no alarm bells going off in your head or any thoughts like that," he said. "Really, it's just, 'I love this person, and we're trying to make each other happy.' He said I was his first, but even as kid you don't know what that means. You're lovers, and you're best friends... You just feel really connected to someone, and you just love them intensely."
Safechuck and Wade Robson, who's also accused Jackson of child sexual abuse, recognized that viewers may be skeptical of their claims. Both men testified on Jackson's behalf in 1993, after another child, Jordan Chandler, accused the singer of molestation. Despite the backlash, Safechuck and Robson, who are both now married with their own children, said they felt they needed to come forward not to regain favorability in the public eye, but to help others and heal themselves. Safechuck also made it clear that he in no way wants others to feel pressured to share their personal experiences.
"I do think there are others out there, but I also don't expect them to just come out now that we're coming out," he said. "It's such a difficult thing to do to come out. You have to do it when you're ready."
"I was concerned about somebody just sensationalizing the story," he said. "Is this person out to just put together a piece for people to watch because it's Michael? Or is it somebody who is going to tell the story of survivors and abuse and what that's like?"
Ultimately, he agreed to spend two days with director Dan Reed recounting his childhood experiences, even though the process was emotionally difficult. "I don't think it was as therapeutic for me," he explained. "It was tough."
The documentary hasn't been the only triggering thing in his life. Safechuck told Vanity Fair in February that he can't even listen to a Jackson song in public without feeling overwhelmed. "It's still really hard for me. And I don't think a day goes by where I don't hear a song," he said. "You go out to have a drink with your friend, you're trying to relax and let everything go, and he'll come on. Every time. It's hard. It gets easier, but it's still hard."
Though times are still tough, Safechuck said he feels supported by his family and that he's grateful for (if not surprised by) the kindness some viewers have shown him.
Now that the film is out, Safechuck can, hopefully, focus on his needs and feel good knowing he shared his side of the story.
If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of crisis support, please call the RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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Michael Jackson was a singular talent who broke barriers for artists of color and for pop music at a time when rock ruled the airwaves. Plus, the man perfected the moonwalk, a dance only the most daring of people still roll out at bat mitzvahs and wedding receptions in a nostalgic moment. He was the exception to almost every rule.
But, as Leaving Neverland, a disturbing two-part documentary premiering March 3 on HBO, shows, with that level of fame comes great access to the hearts of the world. In the documentary, two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck — now 36 and 41, respectively — allege that Jackson used his status to groom and sexually abuse them when they were boys.
It can be hard to wrap your mind around how famous Jackson was, and how untouchable — as in, he literally surrounded himself with people (attorneys, security, and at times paparazzi) who made it impossible to get near him. The families in the documentary describe feeling overwhelmed by simply being near him. Hearing their accounts brought me back to my brush with Jackson, backstage at his 9/11 benefit concert, United We Stand: What More Can I Give, in October 2001. I was there with MTV News, along with CNN, and an entertainment news magazine — probably Entertainment Tonight — to pull talent for short video interviews.
It was as if a coordinated disinformation campaign had been orchestrated, creating an inscrutable buffer around Michael Jackson.
In spite of being a low-level staffer, I was given the assignment after several people opted out because they were uncomfortable traveling so soon after the attacks. It was an easy job because everyone who came backstage was there to do press; we talked to the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, P!nk, and Christina Aguilera, among many others. All I had to do was walk over to the reps from their record labels who accompanied them and ask if they wanted to talk to us.
But when Jackson came backstage, he wasn’t accompanied by a publicist, manager, or anyone from his label. Instead, he had a team of bodyguards. There were probably a dozen men who looked nearly identical to one another, and all of them were outfitted in the same military-esque look that echoed Jackson’s style at the time. They brought an aggressive and hostile energy to the proceedings, as if they thought the star’s life was in danger. It was disorienting. They all claimed to speak for Jackson, though none of them did. It was as if a coordinated disinformation campaign had been orchestrated, creating an inscrutable buffer around him. It was a baffling breach of protocol in this kind of situation — of course, he didn’t have to do press, but it was bizarre to make himself utterly unapproachable. It demonstrated that when you exist on another plane of celebrity, there is no such thing as normal behavior.
That strange interaction came to mind every time Leaving Neverland showed Jackson rushing through a crowd of flashing cameras and screaming fans with a young boy by his side. No one interviewed him, held him accountable, or even watched their children in his company without Jackson’s explicit approval.
Jackson’s whole life was about as far from normal as one could imagine, and his road to success was not an easy one. He started singing at the tender age of 6, essentially robbing him of a childhood. He was widely recognized as the most talented member of The Jackson 5, a group consisting of Jackson and four of his seven siblings. When he went solo in the early ‘70s, it caused a rift with the rest of the young Jacksons. His father, Joe Jackson, was allegedly abusive to the whole family and focused the worst of it on Michael. MTV had to be persuaded to play Jackson’s music, but once they did it helped break down color barriers on the channel for not only his contemporaries, but subsequent generations.
There was a time when the world would gather ‘round their televisions to watch the premiere of a new Michael Jackson video. That was still true in November of 1991 when the premiere of “Black or White,” and 11-minute long music video, was broadcast in 27 countries to 500 million viewers and did the unthinkable (at the time): got a coordinated rollout on MTV, BET, VH1, and FOX in the United States. Today, only two things can disrupt that many networks’ programming: a presidential address or national emergency. The video, which also starred an 11-year-old Macaulay Culkin, launched Jackson’s eighth album, Dangerous. Despite the massive ratings for the video premiere, Dangerous would be written up as having a “disappointing” first sales week — which followed tapering sales for Bad, his previous album released in 1987. Neither would come near to the popularity of 1982’s Thriller.
The video for “Thriller,” the explosive single off the eponymous album, premiered in 1983. It marked Jackson’s breakthrough moment into the upper echelons. It was unlike anything any artist had done before, and it made him an icon. Directed by John Landis ( An American Werewolf in London, Twilight Zone: The Movie) that became a universal, nostalgic experience that could bring people together, no matter their race, religion, or age.
That video would be what led Robson to Jackson’s door during the Bad Tour in Australia, when Robson won a dance contest whose first prize was the chance to meet the singer.
Thriller was the first album to go 30 times multi-platinum, with 110 million albums sold — which is a strong argument for calling it one of the most important albums ever made. But if you want to add more gas to that fire, Thriller was also the first album ever to be nominated for a record-setting 12 Grammys, of which it won eight. Jackson’s 1987 Bad Tour, his first solo U.S. tour, went to 59 cities in 15 countries over three years and was attended by over 4 million fans. It was the second-highest grossing tour of the ‘80s. By way of comparison, you would have to combine Beyoncé’s Formation World Tour and OTRII to get that crowd size, and Taylor Swift will need to sell another 68 million albums in her career to match his record.
To this day, Jackson has sold a total of a billion albums worldwide. He was the undeniable King of Pop, a star among stars, and a visionary among geniuses.
Having reached the top of the top musically, Jackson’s personal life took a turn towards being too weird to be believed. The tabloid media even nicknamed him Wacko Jacko. There was his surprising relationship with Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of the other King, Elvis. After marrying in May 1994 and announcing it with a very public kiss on stage at the VMAs that fall, the couple made a video for “You Are Not Alone,” which became the first song ever to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995 — everything else had to work its way up to the top slot. The song, written by R. Kelly, would also be his last No. 1 on that chart; goodwill towards Jackson was waning along with his record sales.
Robson and Safechuck, along with their families, tell stories in Leaving Neverland about a lonely superstar who was isolated, and their flattery at his attention. The men came forward, in part, after having their own children and feeling a debt to help raise awareness around of this kind of abuse. My brief experience in his orbit showed me one of the ways that Jackson took great pains to isolate himself and select who could enter his space. Leaving Neverland begs the question: Was it for his own protection and peace of mind, or something more sinister?
No matter what the answer, we can never listen to the King of Pop the same way again.
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Ever since Glossier announced the addition of a mysterious new sister brand called Glossier Play last week, intrigue and speculation has run high — what could it be? A line of sex toys? An immersive art experience, like the Museum of Ice Cream for "no-makeup" makeup? A new social-commerce platform... whatever that is?
Now, we have our answer: Glossier Play, out today, is a new range of "dialed-up beauty extras" that promises to turn the image of the clean-faced, dewy-skinned Glossier girl on its head with a full line of color cosmetics. So what does "dialed up" mean to the people who famously brought us makeup that looks like we’re not wearing any at all? Based on the initial launches (which we tried), they’re talking full-throttle makeup-lover’s makeup in saturated shades and dense glitter made to stand out — and not budge.
Four products are available today, starting with Colorslide, a $15 gel eye pencil in 14 metallic and matte shades that’s made to last through 12 grueling hours of life without creasing or smudging. The colors aren't typical, either: Shades include a bright pink and a deep ginger orange — even Brack, Glossier Play's brown-black take on the classic tone, adds an unexpected twist.
Photo: Courtesy of Glossier.
Also launching: the $14 Glitter Gelée makeup topper, made to turn anything sparkly for a 12-hour run, and a $16 Vinylic Lip click pen, which aims to deliver high shine and deep color without staining or feathering. Glossier Play's fourth offering, a $20 liquid highlighter called Nightshine, taps pearl powder for illumination that borders on metallic. Two tools round out the brand's debut collection: a pencil sharpener, and an applicator designed to be used with the brand’s liquid highlighter.
Each product is available à la carte or as part of of Glossier Play’s bundling option, called Playground, which offers one of each product in any shade of your choosing at a $15 savings — because somehow, Glossier knew we'd want them all. One thing is certain: No matter which shades we pick, or how many unexpected additions come to the line, what it means to have a Glossier face will never be the same.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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Update: Welcome Auden, Colsie and Stars Above — Target's three new sleepwear and lingerie brands are now available online.
This article was originally published on February 25, 2019.
While we recover from last night's Oscars — nursing a champagne-induced hangover, processing that "Shallow" duet by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (*cough* Ally and Jack *couch*) — the genius minds over at Target were cooking up one hell of an announcement. This morning, the mega-retailer launched not one, not two, but three new lingerie and sleepwear brands for us to lounge around in for the rest of time — or at least until the Bohemian Rhapsody -themed commercials stop playing.
Over the last few years, we've seen Target make some big initiatives when it comes to making fashion a priority. Between their teen-focused line, Wild Fable, an office-appropriate collection pegged Prologue and other in-house labels, Target, or Targét as we like to call it, has transformed itself from a big box store to a true fashion destination. And if you thought it was good before, just wait until you see what these new brands are bringing to the table.
First up is Auden, a collection that includes 40 unique styles of bras sized 32AA to 46G and 50 unique styles of panties sized XS to 4x, all of which ring in under $22. While you know we already buy plenty of lingerie at the mega-store (who doesn't love those Hanes 6 packs for $8.99?), these new styles are unlike any you've snagged a deal on before. Tested on hundreds of women of all shapes and sizes, Auden is sure to be your new one-stop-shop when it comes to bras and panties.
Then there's Stars Above, a sleepwear collection designed specifically for women of all ages. With over 125 different styles to choose from, we're betting you'll never want to get out of bed again once you've tried a set or two. And that's the best part: since all Stars Above pieces cost less than (drum roll, please!) $29.99, you won't have to stop at just one.
The last line of Target's new launch, Colsie, is all about staying on trend in the sleepwear and loungewear space. From pastel sports bras to of-the-moment bike shorts, every loungewear trend you've been searching for is now available at Target for $21.99 or less. Did we mention the entire collection is available for sizes XS to 3x? Now that's what we call a hole in one.
And if you thought this news couldn't get any better, just wait. On top of launching three brands, Target also revamped their entire shopping experience, both in-store and online, in order to make finding your perfect size and style easier and faster than ever before. All of this news comes as part of the brand's new "No Body Like You" marketing campaign, which according to a press release, "showcases unretouched women, of all body shapes, ages and backgrounds."
So while last night's festivities might have left you feeling slightly overwhelmed (in a good or a bad way, depending on where your loyalties lie in the movie world), we're betting that a first look at Target's newest collections will make you feel good as new (even if Olivia Colman's Best Actress win wasn't what you'd hoped for). Available in stores and online now, take a break from stalking Rami Malek and Lucy Boynton to sneak a peek at the collections ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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According to a recent study by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, film criticism is a field overwhelmingly dominated by (surprise, surprise) white men. Not anymore. In Refinery29's series, Writing Critics' Wrongs, our female movie critic will give fresh consideration to the movies we love, hate, or love to hate. It's time for a rewrite.
Vanity Fair ’s Becky Sharp is what we would call, in today’s parlance, a bad bitch. She’s an unapologetically ambitious status seeker who schemes her way up the ladder of early 19th century England high society, transgressing the conventions of soft, meek, and maternal womanhood that dominated her age. She, like so many women who follow their own path, is not “likeable.”
Or, at least, that’s how she was written by William Makepeace Thackeray in 1848.
And yet, as one of literature’s most complex characters, her story has been adapted many times ever since Thackeray introduced her. (There’s even speculation that Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind protagonist, Scarlett O’Hara, was based on Becky, though the author always denied ever having read the novel.) There have been at least five film versions of Vanity Fair, dating as far back as 1932. Television adaptations peppered the second half of the 20th century, with each version teasing out a new aspect of Becky. The most recent one, released by Amazon in December, cast up-and-comer Olivia Cooke in the role.
Director Mira Nair’s ( Monsoon Wedding) 2004 film adaptation starring Reese Witherspoon was the first real attempt to reconcile Becky’s so-called negative traits with the reluctant admiration so many readers have felt for her. Can a woman play the villain and the hero? This Becky Sharp is both. She’s an egomaniac, shrewd, and manipulative — but also fascinating, complicated, and in her own way, loving. Like all of us, she contains multitudes.
Nair’s adaptation leaned into the feminist themes inherent in Becky’s story — even if they weren’t necessarily intended by Thackeray — as well as renewed scrutiny on the book’s fixation with colonial India, resulting in a rich, colorful, and vibrant film. Fifteen years later, it feels like a film by and for women, reclaiming a character conceived long ago by a man.
It’s not all that surprising, therefore, that many of the mostly male reviewers circa 2004 took issue with Nair’s interpretation. Despite being nominated for a Golden Lion at the 2004 Venice Film Festival (the prestigious festival’s highest honor), Vanity Fair opened on September 1, 2004 to middling reviews.
At Rolling Stone, Peter Travers wrote: “It’s one thing to understand Becky — do we have to love her, too? The fault here may lie with Indian director Mira Nair, who understandably expands on the novel’s India themes but insists on reshaping Becky as a ‘modern woman.’ The strain shows."
David Edelstein echoed that sentiment . “It’s always touching when liberal, antiracist, feminist artists take it upon themselves to rescue incorrect classics from the prejudices of the author’s age,” he wrote for Slate. “Nutty, but touching.”
Over at Salon, Charles Taylor took issue with the neutering of Thackeray’s open judgement of his wicked anti-hero in favor of empathy for her complicated choices. “We get scenes that, even when they follow the events of the book, completely rewrite its meanings.’”
The issue of interpretation is one that comes up whenever a filmmaker adapts a beloved classic. Is it better to remain blindly faithful to the original text, or present their own interpretation? Both are valid methods, even as the latter remains criticized in Vanity Fair ’s case.
As recently as November, pegged to the release of Amazon’s series, The Guardian ’s John Dougdale asked: “Why is Vanity Fair' s scheming heroine misread on screen?”
“Cheering on Becky, rather than tut-tutting,” he wrote, “starts on the big screen with the 2004 Reese Witherspoon movie: with a star committed to empowering women, a feminist Indian director (Mira Nair) drawn to social outsiders, and a script by a future Tory peer (Julian Fellowes) predisposed to applaud the Thatcherite ambition other adapters despised, she was always bound to rebound.”
The recurring argument here seems to be: The male author of this nearly 200-year-old novel didn’t write that we should like this woman, and therefore never should anyone find her, or her savage amorality, sympathetic.
And yet, I too, read Thackeray’s novel. Yes, he is appalled (and amused) by Becky’s actions, and does sometimes paint her as horrendous. But why does that mean I can’t also like her?
Vanity Fair shows two competing versions of womanhood. On the one hand, you have governess Becky Sharp (Witherspoon), the daughter of a poor artist and a French opera singer, who strives to better her station through advantageous friendships and marriage, against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. On the other, you have her only friend, Amelia Sedley (Romola Garai), the daughter of an upper-middle class family, and the stand-in for staid 19th century womanhood. She’s a weepy, devoted friend, and singularly focused on the happiness of her fiancé, George Osbourne (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Unlike Becky, who has to coldly scheme her way into people’s affections, Amelia is loved by all, including Captain Dobbin (Rhys Ifans), George’s caring best friend.
The two remain in each other’s lives through marriage (Amelia to George, and Becky to Rawdon Crawley, the dashing son of her employer, played by James Purefoy), war, death, children, deceit, and betrayals. And in the end, both learn that fulfillment (an entirely relative concept in the world of Vanity Fair) comes at a price.
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes ’ script definitely takes some creative liberties: Most notably, the subplot about Becky’s aristocratic benefactor and maybe lover Lord Steyne (a brooding Gabriel Byrne) being a collector of her father’s paintings, is pure invention, as is the ending, which is sweeter than the original.
But what makes Nair’s directorial choices so compelling is that she injects as much complexity and moral ambiguity into Amelia’s character as she does Becky’s. They exist as a result of their circumstances, and their reactions shift over time. (Hers is also the adaptation that best captures the love/hate dynamic between female friends, who can simultaneously be contemptuous and jealous of each other’s choices, while also deeply caring of one another.)
And yes, the purists are right — this is a departure from Thackeray’s vision. But why can’t both exist? Nair doesn’t claim her interpretation as gospel, so why take it as such? This isn’t the first or last movie to radically shift the perspective of classic source material — take Jane Campion’s Portrait of a Lady, which cast Nicole Kidman in a subversive adaptation of the Henry James classic, or even the zillions of rom-coms and dramas based on Shakespeare plays. Is 10 Things I Hate About You a poor reading of The Taming of the Shrew because it updates the play’s themes to suit modern-day sensibilities? In fact, at this point, not to glean fresh meaning from a classic is to be out of the loop. Nair was arguably ahead of her time.
Becky Sharp is a product of a brief permissive window between the social upheaval of the French Revolution and the looming Victorian era. When the film opens in London in 1802, the former was just winding down (Napoleon would crown himself emperor two years later) and Britain was at war with France, and would be, on and off, for the next 13 years. But it was also a time of Britain solidifying its hegemony over its Empire, which would, at its peak a century later, cover nearly a quarter of the world’s landmass, and rule over 458 million people.
Born in Northern India, Nair teases out the fascination with the country that was such a vital part of Thackeray’s novel with stunning colors and fabrics that punctuate the otherwise bleak and filthy cobblestones of London. The fact that Thackeray himself was born in India wasn’t lost on the filmmaker, who told The Guardian in 2004 that she saw him as “the ultimate outsider in his own society. I thought in Becky Sharp, he had created a mould of himself, as both insider and outsider."
But while Thackeray’s relationship with India was that of British citizen in a colonized land, Nair deftly uses his words to make a point about the ease with which Western cultures cherry-pick aspects of so-called “exotic” civilizations to make their own, while rejecting the people who came up with them as other.
Story aside, there’s just so much to love about this film: Nicholas Dodd’s earworm score; the specially composed end song by Indian trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy; stellar supporting performances by British heavy-hitters Jim Broadbent, Eileen Atkins (a joy!), and Bob Hoskins all co-star, as well as beautiful baes Rhys-Meyers, Purefoy (pure sex here) and a very young Tom Sturridge; Declan Quinn’s textured cinematography.
None of this would work without Witherspoon, who dominates the film’s more than two-hour run time and gives one of the best performances of her career.
In his review, Taylor wrote he feared “that after getting a taste of what it's like to be adored by the public in movies like Legally Blonde and Sweet Home Alabama, Witherspoon may be reluctant to throw herself into a true depiction of a character as plainly mean as Becky Sharp.”
Witherspoon’s accent may need a little work, but she’s gripping to watch as she plumbs new depths in Becky’s shallow soul, her impish smile suggesting that she’s in on a joke that we’re in that dark about.
But her Becky can be hard. In fact, Vanity Fair is the first movie I remember seeing — other than Gone With The Wind, and again that’s probably not a coincidence — in which a woman is shown to be largely indifferent to her child. Like most people she comes to love, Becky regards her son as an inconvenience — until she can no longer have him. There’s nothing that piques her interest more than that which is denied her.
What’s more, it’s hard not to empathize with a female character who’s making the most of a world that assumes the only thing she has to trade on is her body — either in marriage, or as a mistress. Though Becky plays the game well, she does get in over her head.
And even if Thackeray never intended us to feel this way — so, what? Art is a living thing, and meaning is gleaned by those who consume it.
That’s not to say critics of the film are entirely wrong. Nair’s film is not the definitive version of the story. The most recent version of Vanity Fair — written by Gwyneth Hughes — allows its protagonist to be a little more callous. The serialized format, in which Cooke’s Becky breaks the fourth wall, is more effective at communicating this balancing act between naked ambition and vulnerability.
As a result, Olivia Cooke’s interpretation is probably the best Becky Sharp yet: She’s intensely charismatic, with a little more bite, and toes the line between being faithful to the book and teasing out more modern feminist themes a little more smoothly. But in doing so, she stands on the shoulders of Witherspoon and Nair’s vision. Onwards and upwards, just like Becky.
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You and your partner probably didn't get married to save on taxes, but there are a number of credits and deductions that come with the territory.
Married couples have the ability to choose between filing jointly or separately on federal income tax returns. Depending on your specific circumstances, being married can actually help you and your spouse save a good chunk of cash.
And while there are many incentives for filing together — and, in fact, the IRS strongly encourages couples to file joint tax returns by offering several tax breaks to those who do so — there are also some circumstances under which filing separately might make more sense.
We chatted with Brittany Turner, CPA, the founder of Countless, a New York City–based accounting firm for creatives. Brittany demystified the sometimes-confusing world of filing taxes as a married person, including when it makes more sense to file jointly or separately.
Perks of filing jointly
Marriage comes with a number of different tax benefits, including the ability for a partner to be a 'tax shelter' in the event that one spouse has a business that is losing money. If you're married and unemployed, you can still contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA).
Couples can also take advantage of earned income tax credits, lifetime learning education tax credits, exclusion or credit for adoption expenses, and more. For example, in 2018, married, filing-jointly taxpayers received a $24,000 standard deduction, compared to just $12,000 for those filing separately.
Perhaps the most crucial aspect of filing jointly is the fact that joint filers generally have higher income thresholds for their taxes and deductions, meaning that they can earn more and still qualify for a number of different tax breaks. This is an especially pronounced perk if one partner is earning significantly more than the other, Turner says.
"There’s a marriage benefit when one person makes significantly more money than the other, and a marriage penalty when both people make the same salaries — which goes back to whole 'the woman should be home not working' argument," she says. "If one person is unemployed or makes drastically more, they’re going to save a lot of money by filing together."
Perks of filing separately
If both partners are making roughly the same amount, Turner says, they may not save by filing jointly. "There are a lot of different variables," she says. For example, if one spouse has massive student loan debt and makes significantly less than their spouse, it may be a good idea to file separately.
These circumstances may also apply to couples who are dealing with medical expenses. Beginning January 1, 2019, the IRS only allows you to deduct medical costs that exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income, so filing separate returns can be beneficial because you can claim more of these deductions by applying it to both partners' incomes.
Bottom line
Though it may mean some extra legwork, Turner says the best way to decide whether you and your spouse should file jointly or separately is to do some calculations beforehand. "Start by putting all of your information somewhere like Turbotax," she says. But, she adds, don't actually file yet. "See what [the return] looks like, then go back and take out one person’s information and update it again. See which way makes the most sense."
Turner adds that there are no rules that say you must file the same way each year. If you and your spouse's circumstances have changed since you last did your taxes, you can file differently this year. "You can go back and forth depending on what your situation is," Turner adds.
Similarly, Turner says there are many online resources that can help you to find out if you’re going to get a tax penalty or tax bonus depending on your financial circumstances. "There are benefits when one person is working and the other isn’t or when spouses incomes are drastically different," Turner says. Making sure to file in the right way could mean a difference in how much you owe — or could potentially get back. "It could be a significant amount of money," she says.
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One can’t help but look at Sophie Turner ’s red-carpet beauty style — dotted with romantic loose waves and braided updos — and think she must have grabbed at least a little inspiration from Sansa Stark. Then again, with hair like that, she has no reason not to.
What really separates the actress's look from her on-screen persona's is the way she uses modern makeup to give classic styles a fresh twist. It’s a trick Turner has mastered almost from day one: take what looks good on you — in her case, a rosy complexion that lets her freckles shine, taupe eyeshadows, and lashes doused in mascara — and add a surprising new element, like a show-stopping matte red lip or feline flick of black liner.
The result is a trademark beauty look that feels authentic to Turner, but is never repetitive. See how the star has elevated a natural beauty look to one that matches her growing stardom (and tops wedding Pinterest boards), ahead.
2012
For one of her very first Game of Thrones carpets, Turner chose an understated makeup look made up of mascara, pencil-thin brows, and little else. It's a sort of like a template of the look she still uses today, with "no-makeup" makeup replacing bare skin.
Photo: Tim Whitby/Getty Images.
2013
Just one year later, the actress took the same look and made it more polished. The lower ponytail has a sophisticated vibe, and the makeup is more cohesive yet still natural-looking, thanks to glossy lips, rosy blush, filled-in brows, and golden eyeshadow, which brings out the tones in her hair to accentuate her eyes and complexion.
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.
2014
By 2014, the pencil-thin brows are gone; Turner has grown them out and shaded them in. But there's even more to love — check the braided updo (a little bit of Sansa there, perhaps?) and pink lipstick, a hue she rarely wears on the red carpet.
Photo: Dominique Charriau/WireImage.
2014
Turner takes a few of her trademarks — long, flowing hair, golden-yellow eyeshadow — and punches them up for the carpet by adding sparkle to the eyes, pin-straight hair, and a knockout matte red lipstick.
Photo: Joe Scarnici/FilmMagic.
2015
Can we talk about that hair? Waves that would make a Disney princess (well, and the rest of us, too) jealous.
Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images.
2015
What a difference a change in hair part makes. Here, Turner trades her signature deep part for one cut right down the center, giving her once-romantic hair an edgier effect.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.
2016
Barely-there waves pulled to the side, ultra-light lipstick, and jet-black mascara all make for signature Sophie style. But it's the use of greige eyeshadow at the center of the lids that highlights her metallic dress and pulls the look together.
Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage.
2016
Monochromatic makeup offset by aubergine shadow and a halo braid straight outta Thrones makes the most of a rare updo on the star.
Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images.
2016
Just when we were beginning to think pale-pink monochrome makeup and lob haircuts were played out, the actress turns up in this twist on the on-trend pairing, thanks to a few extra coats of eyeshadow and a faux lob created with braid that starts at the base of the neck.
Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images.
2017
How long do you think it takes Turner to hit pan on her go-to eyeshadow that's slightly darker than her skin tone? Not that we're complaining — her signature look just works, especially when paired with a matte crimson lipstick and flowing waves.
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.
2017
The first time we've seen Turner with a graphic cat eye, and we sure hope it isn't the last. Alongside "no-makeup" makeup and her signature S-waves, the look is more than premiere-worthy.
Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.
2018
Eyes tightlined in black. Dusty-pink shadow and lips. Natural, freckle-revealing complexion. The gang's all here! But the surprising twist in this look is a big one: The actress's once long locks are reframed as a mid-length chop — a cut we're starting to see all over Hollywood.
Photo: Lars Niki/Getty Images.
2019
For the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscars party, the star gives flat-ironed '90s hair an update, thanks to a touch of curl at the ends.
Photo: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage.
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As excited as we are for beach season, it doesn't come without its challenges — namely, finding that perfect swimsuit for lounging by the sea. This is an especially tiresome process when you're working with D+ cups up top. Whether you're trying to squeeze into conventionally sized bandeau tops or covertly mismatching suits in the dressing room because you need an XL top and an M bottom (hey, we won't tell on you), finding support, comfort, and style in your swimwear is easier said than done.
Seeing as you'll be hitting the surf and likely engaging in a round of competitive paddleball, your suit needs to have more hold than your regular ol' underwire bra — something hard to achieve with traditional "S/M/L" sizes, especially if your bust and waist size aren't on par.
We went to three swim brands that answer the busty girl's call for — drumroll, please — bikinis and one-pieces that are actually made for women's bodies. And, they've heard it all: complaints about not being able to find a two-piece that fits correctly, suits that look too much like lingerie, and accidentally getting a French-cut out of a one-piece.
Ahead, the experts at Swimsuits For All, Panache, and Shoshanna offer great tips to navigate the tricky (salt or chlorinated) waters of swimwear. Click through for their insider insight, as well as market solutions to the peskiest of swim problems, so you can actually get excited about finding a new suit for the summer.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
The Problem: Conventionally Sized Bikini Tops Don't Fit Right "Women are so much more than S/M/L," says Shoshanna Gruss, founder and creative director of the namesake label. Part of the reason she started a brand that offers cup-sized swimwear was her frustration at not being able to find a suit that fit her athletic — but busty — physique. "A lot of companies, they just scale accordingly," explains Sara Mitzner, fit expert at Swimsuits For All. "They’ll scale a size eight with what they think is the average size eight bust. The same for 10 — everything just gets bigger incrementally. And, that’s not necessarily how women’s bodies are shaped."
The most important rule when shopping for swimwear is to buy according to your bra size. However, if you're at a mall or on a site that doesn't offer bikini tops according to your cup, all hope is not lost: There are certain silhouettes that can work — as long as you can buy the top and bottom of the suit separately.
Halter bikinis are probably your best bet in the conventionally sized market because they tend to have wider, sturdier straps and are adjustable around the neck. Another great feature to look for is a tie-back. Whereas you're a little restricted with a clasp-back, a tie-back lets you loosen or tighten according to what's more comfortable and how much support you want. Aside from those silhouettes, though, there are other surprising styles that can work for you as well. See what we're talking about ahead.
The Solution: Buy Your Sets Separately Nowadays, most retailers will sell their tops and bottoms separately, so it's easier to mix-and-match your perfect fit — which saves you from some incognito hanger-switching.
Edited by Amber Rose Textured Bikini Tank Top, $13.99, available at Simply Be
Edited by Amber Rose Textured Bikini Brief, $5.99, available at Simply BePhoto Courtesy of Simply Be.
The Solution: Fit Into The Mold(ed Cups) If you're not shopping according to your bra size, seek out features that'll help re-create the feel (and support) of your skyvvies. At the very top of this list are molded cups and underwire. This velvet set offers both, as well as adjustable shoulder straps, to support DD cups comfortably. And, while it's sold as a full suit, you can pick different sizes for each piece.
Triangl Forever Bikini, $89, available at TrianglPhoto Courtesy of Triangl.
The Solution: Seek Out Adjustability Again, when shopping from limited size offerings, it's all about making the pieces work for you. Adjustable straps are key for personalizing the support you get.
Kona Sol Plus Size V-Wire Bikini Top, $27.99, available at Target
Kona Sol Plus Size High Waist Bikini Bottom, $22.99, available at TargetPhoto Courtesy of Target.
The Problem: Bandeau Tops Won't Stay Put. The issues busty girls have with bandeaus have been well documented. "It doesn’t typically provide that support, because you don’t usually have straps to really help lift," explains Mitzner. But, Kay-Lin Richardson, director of sales of North America for Panache, believes the market has "come a long way," as far as bandeaus for big chests go. Nowadays, you can find that simple silhouette equipped with extra-supportive features like an underwire, molded cups, gripped sides, and heavy-duty straps.
"The main thing for someone with a bigger bust is that they have to try a bunch of different suits and different brands," explains Gruss. Take advantage of return policies, and really branch out in terms of styles. Mitzner encourages keeping an open mind. "Your body type does not keep you from wearing anything you want to wear," she says. "It’s a matter of finding the right one that’s made for you, that’s going to look great on you, that fits you and flatters."
The Solution: Grab Back-Up Straps An obvious solution to the age-old bandeau problem, straps get the job done.
Wolf and Whistle Curve Eco Mix & Match Bandeau Bikini Top , $35, available at ASOS
Wolf and Whistle Curve Eco Mix & Match High Waist Bikini Bottom, $23, available at ASOSPhoto Courtesy of ASOS.
The Solution: Try A Bustier Fit As opposed to a regular ol' bandeau, a bustier extends a little further down your torso, which is helpful for keeping your bust fixed in place. This style is also more likely to have molded cups and underwire to maintain its shape.
Cacique BrasRibbed Knot-Front Longline Swim Bikini Top, $56.95, available at Lane Bryant
Cacique Ribbed Bow Side High-Waist Swim Brief, $48.95, available at Lane Bryant
The Solution: Extra Netting Adding an extra layer to an already secure swimsuit top is the perfect protective barrier against slippage.
Becca Etc. By Rebecca Virtue Strappy Front Bralette Bikini Top, $78, available at Everything But WaterPhoto Courtesy of Everything But Water.
The Problem: Flimsy Straps Offer No Support When you've got D+ cups, adjustable straps are key. "You can really lower or raise them according to how perky or large your boobs are, or how much you want them lifted," suggests Mitzner. These come especially handy in one-pieces, when you're working with a single piece of fabric and need extra support.
Luckily, most bra-sized suits have this covered, with thicker-stitched straps and loops to bring the support up and down as you please. With conventional-market tops, halters are particularly appealing, since the straps tend to be wider and you can usually tie them yourself at the nape of your neck and around your back.
The Solution: Extra Support From The Side The straps on this patterned top thicken right on the outer edge of the cup, adding an extra dose of protection from side-boob spillage.
H&M Plus-Size Bikini Bottoms High Waist, $24.99, available at H&M
H&M Plus Plus Size Bikini Top, $29.99, available at H&MPhoto Courtesy of H&M.
The Solution: Straps you can have your way with. Aside from being fully adjustable, with a stretch to them, the straps on this bandeau top can be worn as shown, as a halter, or strapless for support for up to a 36D. Richardson notes how halters have become increasingly popular as of late for bustier women. "You have the uplift. Then, you have the adjustability of the neck, and if you don’t want tan lines, or maybe you don’t feel 100% comfortable wearing strapless or bandeau...the halter neck is like your in-between."
J.Crew Underwire Bikini Top, $58, available at J.Crew
J.Crew Seamless High-Waisted Bikini Bottom, $56, available at J.CrewPhoto Courtesy of J.Crew.
The Solution: Wider & Wider The extra-wide straps have a stronger grip on your shoulders (so, less slippage), and the longline fit will keep you extra supported. This set from ASOS runs in cup sizes DD-G.
ASOS CURVE Curve Recycled Bikini Set, $42, available at ASOSPhoto Courtesy of ASOS.
The Problem: Tops provide too little support in the back. The party may be in front, but you should shift your focus to the fit in the back. The structure of the straps around your back can give you as much great support and lift as a molded cup (although, ideally, you'll get the full package with an underwire and everything). Mitzner recommends a cross-back for that very reason, since doubling the ties gives you twice as much coverage. Additionally, "a keyhole back is really great," she says, if you're looking to get that scoop look. More athletic cuts — like a completely covered back with a zip front, similar to the silhouette of a sports bra — achieve the same effect.
The Solution: Embrace The Cut-Outs This cut-out number offers the traditional coverage of a one-piece but comes with a built-in shelf bra that works to keep everything in check.
Chromat Saldana Suit, $89, available at ChromatPhoto Courtesy of Chromat.
The Solution: All Covered Up This lengthy, covered-up top has an almost tank top fit to keep you fully covered, while the scoop neck still allows you to show a bit of skin off.
Aerie Longline Scoop Tankini Top, $14.97, available at Aerie
The Solution: Criss-Cross Applesauce Double the wraps, double the support for up to a 46H.
Cacique Wrap Longline Swim Bikini Top With Built-In Plunge Bra, $54.95, available at Lane BryantPhoto Courtesy of Cacique.
The Problem: Monochrome one-pieces drown out the figure. While one-pieces are almost universally flattering, their sometimes shapeless nature can be tricky for someone with a bigger bust. Shoshanna always considered one-pieces too "cumbersome." Sizing is especially difficult when you've got big boobs, explains Mitzner, because "you're absorbing so much of the suit in the bust" — in other words, the bust requires so much more fabric to cover up — that you may need to go larger than what you'd normally wear. You then run the risk of an accidental French cut, or exposing more of your bottom than you intended, since "it ends up being shorter in the torso."
When it comes to a one-piece, "you want to be looking out for the vertical of the suit," explains Mitzner. A great way to do this is by finding prints that cut the suit horizontally, defining your figure. Molded cups and underwire are also great here — again, seek out the bra-cup sizing.
If you're looking to minimize the size of your breasts, Mitzner suggests a high-neck style, since it'll "draw attention to your face." On the other hand, scoop- and V-necks are also incredibly flattering. Another great alternative to a traditional one-piece: the monokini, a swimsuit hybrid that offers as much support as the rest of them, in a different, less-common silhouette.
The Solution: The Monokini Gruss has found an unlikely solution to the one-piece dilemma in the monokini.
ModCloth The Siena Plus-Size One Piece Swimsuit, $89, available at ModClothPhoto Courtesy of Modcloth.
The Solution: Get See-Through The same concept of the monokini extends to this Eloquii one-piece: Fitting through size 28, the roomy bust coverage allows for larger breasts.
Eloquii Mesh Detailed One Piece Swimsuit, $99.95, available at EloquiiPhoto Courtesy of Eloquii.
The Solution: All-Over Prints With this gingham piece, your boobs stay put in the built-in underwire cups. "You have the same support as if you were wearing a bra in your size, but it’s hidden," explains Richardson.
Sea Angel High Neck One Piece Swimsuit, $44.99, available at TargetPhoto Courtesy of Target.
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The sexiest movies aren't necessarily lurking in the adults-only section of HBO — or in the deleted archives of one's browser history. Often, the steamiest films are mainstream. Whether a flick actually features a crazy-hot love scene or a more innocent tryst between a forbidden couple, it's perfectly acceptable to find these movies tantalizing. Let's be real: That was totally the filmmaker's point.
As a celebration of the sexiest films to ever grace the big screen, we've rounded up a collection of movies that have a history of encouraging sexy thoughts. While turn-ons are as varied as people are, these movies certainly attempt to evoke certain feelings in all of us.
Is it hot in here? Nope, it's just these movies. Click through to read about the sexiest movies to inspire endless fantasizing.
Disobedience(2018)
Years after leaving the Orthodox Jewish community in which she was raised, Ronit (Rachel Weisz) returns for her estranged father's funeral. There, she reconnects with Esti (Rachel McAdams), her childhood best friend – and eventual lover. The women are confronted with the fact that their feelings for each other remain unchanged, despite time and differences in life paths. Their ensuing hookups are infused with longing, regret, and supercharged sexiness.
Gloria(2013)
Gloria (Paulina Garcia) is 53, divorced, and ready to start living. The Chilean movie begins with Gloria dancing in a club, and continues the theme of fun mixed with self-exploration. A crucial part of Gloria's journey comes through her relationship with Rodolfo (Sergio Hernández), an older bachelor. Instead of a mid-life crisis, what happens in this movie is a mid-life flourishing.
Brangelina is no longer, but this movie about married assassins on assignment to kill one another retains its sizzle.
Stephen Vaughan/20th Century Fox/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
Chloe(2009)
Catherine (Julianne Moore) suspects that her husband, David (Liam Neeson), is having an affair, so she has the bright idea of trying to get a call girl, Chloe (Amanda Seyfried), to seduce him. As a result, their entire lives spiral out of control, leading to a love triangle with dark, erotic thriller vibes.
In The Cut(2003)
In erotic thrillers, people get together who normally never would in real life. For example, an English teacher (Meg Ryan) willingly has an affair with a stranger (Mark Ruffalo), whom she suspects of murder.
The Lost Boys(1987)
Vampire movies were sexy long before Twilight. In this movie, two brothers move to a quiet town in California. One falls in with the nerds. The other, with an actual gang of vampires. The sexiest moment of this movie must, inevitably, has to be the oiled-up sax man who's been a cultural trope since.
Jane O'Neal/Warner Bros/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
She's Gotta Have It(1986)
Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) chooses that she's just not going to choose. Instead of settling down with one man, Nola dates three. Three decades after his seminal movie came out, Spike Lee adapted She's Gotta Have It for a Netflix series.
Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock
Call Me By Your Name(2017)
Elio (Timothee Chalemet) and David (Armie Hammer) have a breathtaking romance over one Italian summer, and you'll never look at peaches the same way again.
Something New(2006)
For the past few years, Kenya McQueen (Sanaa Lathan) has been focused on furthering her career, not on love. Her friend sets her up with an architect, Brian (Simon Baker) — but Kenya balks when she finds out he's white. She runs into Brian later on, and a relationship develops despite Kenya's hesitation. Then, another man comes into Kenya's life: Mark Harper (Blair Underwood), who's everything she'd envision for herself. This is a far smarter love triangle movie than most you've seen before.
The Reader(2008)
This is mostly a dark movie, with a dash of sexiness. When he's a teenager, Michael Berg (David Kross) has an affair with an older woman, Hanna (Kate Winslet). Then, she disappears. Michael finds out why, years later, when he sees Hannah being tried for her Nazi war crimes.
Snap Stills/REX/Shutterstock
In the Realm of the Senses(1976)
The only adjective you really need to describe this movie is sexy. Super, super sexy. The beautiful, artistic movie takes place in 1930s Japan, and is about a passionate and destructive affair between Sada Abe (Eiko Matsuda) and her employer, Kichizo Ishida (Tatsuya Fuji). It features unstimulated (aka real) sex.
Desert Hearts(1986)
In the year 1935, Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) drives to Reno, Nevada so she can expedite her divorce process. While lounging around for the six-week period required for residency, Vivian strikes up a friendship with Cay Rivvers (Patricia Charbonneau), which, to Vivian's surprise becomes something more than friendship.
Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock
Young & Beautiful(2013)
Losing her virginity unlocks something inside of Isabelle (Marine Vacth). She begins to quite willingly work as a prostitute. "It was like a game," she says. It's a game until one of her clients passes away, and her parents find out about her double life led in the name of sexual awakening.
Nymphomaniac Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
You read that right: Volumes one and two. It takes self-proclaimed nymphomaniac Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) two full length movies in order to fully retell a lifetime's worth of sexual exploits to a stranger who finds her beaten-up in an alley, and brings her home for recuperation.
Zentropa Entertainments/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
A Royal Affair(2012)
In 18th century Denmark, Caroline Matilda of Great Britain (Alicia Vikander) is forced to marry the mentally ill King Christian VII of Denmark (Mikkel Folsgaard), because back then, women were convenient alliance-forming pawns. A doctor, Johann Friedrich Strunsee (Mads Mikkelsen), is brought on to care for the king. Finally meeting someone she likes in that castle, Caroline and the liberal-minded Johann start a passionate affair
Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock
Cheri(2009)
In Paris at the turn of century, a retired courtesan (Kathy Bates) enlists the help of her old colleague, Lea (Michelle Pfeiffer), with a parenting problem. Charlotte's son, Cheri (Rupert Friend), is a difficult, stubborn, thorn in her side — and a virgin. Lea's brought on to teach Cheri the ways of the world. Charlotte never intended on Lea and Cheri's relationship blossoming into something like love, yet that's what happens, despite their 20-year age gap.
Poison Ivy(1992)
Drew Barrymore plays a seductress named Ivy, and Ivy becomes poison for the Cooper family. Seeking a stable home life, Ivy very creepily ingratiates herself into the Cooper family by seducing the father. Then, she attempts to off the mother, and frame the daughter. It's sexy in an erotic thriller sort of way.
SNAP/REX/Shutterstock
From Dusk Till Dawn(1996)
We'll sell you on the sex appeal of this vampire film quickly. Salma Hayek plays a vampire goddess named Santanico Pandemonium who specializes in a "snake dance," and is but one vampire working in a bar straight out of True Blood.
Joyce Podell/Los Hooligans/A Band Apart/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
Dangerous Liasions(1988)
Two bored French aristocrats decide to cause trouble by playing games of manipulation and seduction. If you like Cruel Intentions, watch this movie — they're based off the same novel.
Snap Stills/REX/Shutterstock
In the Mood For Love(2000)
Two neighbors in Hong Kong find that their lonely lives adhere to a similar schedule. They spark up an intimate friendship, especially after confessing that their spouses are both having an affair. While they feel lust for each other, they want to be better than their cheating spouses. So, In the Mood For Love is steeped in unfulfilled and aching sexual tension, which is undeniably its own brand of sexiness.
Dirty Dancing(1987)
Rarely are summer flings are productive as the one between Baby (Jennifer Grey) and Johnny (Patrick Swayze). In addition to giving Baby the strength to rise above her judgmental family, she learns to dirty dance. The tangible chemistry between Grey and Swayze spread sex appeal all over the dance floor.
Titanic(1997)
In actuality, the iconic love story between Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) is chaste, compared to some of the other selections on this list. But the palpable sexual tension, combined with one steamy handprint on a car, makes Titanic one of the sexiest (and saddest) movies ever.
20th Century Fox/Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
Kiss Me(2011)
Frida goes to her father's wedding with her fiancé, and finds herself thrown for a loop. She's inexplicably, totally, and completely attracted to her soon-to-be stepmother's daughter, Mia. Kiss Me should be a fixture in the forbidden love genre.
The Lover(1992)
In this film based on the famous novel by Margeurite Duras, a French teenager and a wealthy older Chinese man in 1920s French Indochina carry out an affair in seedy corners of Saigon. The jig's almost up on their forbidden relationship. But when will it end, and how?
Renn/Burrill/Films A2/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
My Golden Days(2015)
Of course a film about a middle-aged French anthropologist remembering his first love is going to be steamy. The lush, romantic film is actually a prequel to the 1996 three-hour epic, My Sex Life or...How I Got Into An Argument," which is all about the French academic's present-day life. My Golden Days explains how he became such a romantic idealist.
Adore(2013)
Robyn Wright and Naomi Watts' characters grow up in idyll on the Australian coast. When they grow up, they raise their beautiful sons in adjacent beautiful homes. Everything is beautiful and nothing hurts.
And then, the women start sleeping with each others' sons. Still beautiful? Up to you to decide.
Troy(2014)
Only Hollywood could take The Iliad, strip it of its poetry and literary significance, and make it an excuse for Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, and Brad Pitt to prance around on horseback.
My Beautiful Laundrette(1985)
In a rough neighborhood of London, Omar Ali (Gordon Warnecke) inherits a laundromat from his uncle. Then, Omar is beat up by a gang of racist kids — the leader of whom is, surprisingly, Omar's ex-lover, Johnny (Daniel Day-Lewis). Despite Johnny's connection to the group, he and Omar rekindle their relationship. This acclaimed, heartening movie about love against the odds features what may be the best ear lick of all time.
Body Heat(1981)
Set in Florida during an intense heatwave, this is a movie about passion, heat, crime, and a lot of sweat. Ned Racine (William Hurt), a shy lawyer, starts a passionate affair Matty Walker (Kathleen Turner), the wife of a big shot businessman. Ned teams up with one of his criminal clients to kill Matty's husband, so the two can run off together. Of course, Ned finds himself way over his head. Not even the hottest sex can save him now.
Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock
Boogie Nights (1997)
What else do you expect from a movie about Mark Wahlberg trying to break into the adult film industry?
Out of Sight(1998)
What happens when you pit George Clooney's notorious bank robber against J-Lo's Federal Marshal on the hunt? Chemistry, of course. In addition to being steamy, this witty movie received almost universal acclaim from critics.
Universal/REX/Shutterstock
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love(1996)
You'd expect that a movie with the title "Kama Sutra" would be sexy, and trust us — it delivers. Set in 16 century India, Kama Sutra is about two childhood friends who become sexual rivals in their womanhood. Tara becomes engaged to the king, and her best friend Maya is groomed into becoming his mistress. This cannot end well, though at least there are drawn-out sex scenes along the way.
Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock
Carol(2015)
This gorgeous period piece tells the story of a timid shopgirl who becomes romantically involved with a wealthy housewife. The movie's sexiest moment comes when a couple takes a road trip away from Carol's husband and steam up a motel room. What makes Carol a great film, however, are the satisfying journeys of self-discovery that both women embark on.
Wilson Webb/Killer Films/The Weinstein Company/REX/Shutterstock
Original Sin Sure, the movie was slammed by critics. But upturned noses can't take away from the crazy chemistry between leads Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas in this period piece set in Cuba during 19th century Spanish rule.
Lourdes Grobet/MGM/REX/Shutterstock
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) The artist-and-his-muse archetype gets revamped in this Woody Allen flick. The Spanish setting is romantic enough, but all bets (and clothing items) are off when you add in the allure of the painter, his colorful past lover, and the promise of a new one.
9 1/2 Weeks (1986) If there's anything sexier than Mickey Rourke as a Wall Street mogul having an affair with Kim Basinger, we've yet to find it. This movie upped the ante on what erotic means in Hollywood.
I Am Love (2009) Visually stunning, I Am Love is one of those movies you can't look away from. The veneer of the perfect family, under the guise of bougie Italian culture, is questioned in this battle over old and new. The meal scene is a must.
Y Tu Mamá También (2001) Two teens embark on a road trip when they encounter a stunningly free-spirited woman who helps them discover intimacy and themselves.
Unfaithful (2002) This movie, despite how disastrous Diane Lane's affair is, will make you want to pull your lover into the nearest restaurant bathroom and get it on immediately.
Malèna (2000) It should go without saying that Monica Bellucci's mere presence amps the sensuality of any film to new heights. But, this coming-of-age tale demystifies the act of growing up and into one's own sexuality.
Bound (1996) Whoever said a sexy movie needed a heteronormative seduction story hasn't seen the Wachowskis' crime thriller. Two femme fatales are better than one.
Streaming: Unavailable
Photo: Courtesy of Gramercy Pictures.
Weekend (2011) This movie from Looking creator Andrew Haigh is a watershed for queer cinema. Not only does it present an insightful story about a homosexual romance without ostentatious stereotypes, it presents gay sex as perfectly normal.
The Dreamers (2003) Though the film treads the incest line, The Dreamers prompts audiences to question sex with people outside of their "type." Plus, Eva Green just exudes sexuality.
Love & Basketball (2000) For once, a movie that focuses on the reactions to sex and sexuality rather than the actual act. Love & Basketball made it feel like the first time.
The Piano Teacher (2001) Dark, but moving, The Piano Teacher doesn't shy away from the shame that sex can generate. There's something inherently sexy about that kind of rawness.
Basic Instinct (1992) Everyone knows this movie for Sharon Stone's interrogation scene, but the sex scene is also incredible. Even more than that, Stone's entire aura is divinely sexy.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) So, their actual marriage has gone to hell. But these two gifted us one of the hottest angry sex scenes, ever. Plus, who doesn't want to watch Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt cinematically get it on?
Elles (2011) Juliette Binoche is the definition of French chic. Her portrayal of a woman seeking to rediscover her sexuality through researching prostitutes is as inspiring as it is enticing.
Betty Blue (1986) An erotic drama that opens with an in-your-face sex scene, Betty Blue presents sex without any gimmicks. The most shocking thing about the sexuality is how not shocking it actually is.
A Single Man (2009) Tom Ford's screen adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's novel is far and away the most sexed-up title on this list. However, it's sexier than the rest because Tom Ford has his hand in every bit of this film. Everything from the styling, set design, soundtrack, and coloring is sleek. This is eye candy.
Breathless (1960) Jean-Luc Godard's debut feature film is one of the reasons we're all slightly obsessed with the effortlessly cool French look and life.
Blue Is The Warmest Color (2013) This French film explores a romance between two young women and shows the excitement of experiencing true intimacy for the first time. Check it out for the sweet romance, stay for the sexy, sexy scenes.
Mulholland Drive (2001) Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring find very sexy romance as they attempt to solve a bizarre mystery in David Lynch's steamy neo-noir.
Savages (2012) Is it hot in here, or is it just the polyamorous relationship between the three beautiful leads? Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson play marijuana farmers who get tangled up in a Mexican drug cartel — but not before getting tangled up in one another.
Brokeback Mountain (2005) Yes, this movie is devastating, but you also can't find two better-looking guys than Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal to hook up in a tent.
Closer (2004) Closer isn't filled with sex scenes, but the deep kisses and smoldering looks exchanged between the four gorgeous actors are enough to get anyone hot and bothered.
A movie about a man who attempts not to have sex for 40 days is surprisingly steamy.
Streaming: Netflix
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The number of women who've had miscarriages while in U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) custody nearly doubled following the Trump administration allowing the indiscriminate detention of pregnant people, according to government records reviewed by the Daily Beast.
The report follows news that an undocumented 24-year-old woman from Honduras gave birth to a stillborn boy while in ICE custody. The agency says the unidentified woman was 27 weeks pregnant when she went into labor and that the stillbirth would not be classified as an in-custody death.
According to the Daily Beast, between October 2016 and September 2017, a total of 10 migrant women began experiencing a miscarriage while in ICE custody or right before being detained. In late 2017, President Donald Trump reversed an Obama-era rule which until then directed ICE not to detain pregnant women except in extraordinary circumstances. Under these new conditions, the number of women who've experienced a miscarriage increased to a total of 18 as of August 2018. This figure is only based on ICE data and does not take into account cases of migrant women experiencing miscarriages or stillbirths while in custody of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
The Obama administration implemented the policy of not detaining pregnant people in an effort to prioritize their health care needs. But the so-called pro-life Trump administration chose instead to put migrant women in custody unless they are in their third trimester. Reports have found that even at that point in pregnancy, migrant women have been detained — and regardless of how far along they are, they've faced abuses such as being shackled around the stomach during transport, denied medical care after an accident, and ignored when requesting prenatal vitamins.
Katharina Obser, senior policy of migrant rights and justice at the Women's Refugee Commission, told Refinery29 that advocates have been concerned about the treatment and detention of pregnant women in ICE detention facilities for a long time. "These are not appropriate conditions for pregnant women," she told Refinery29. "[These centers are] already a punitive and inappropriate place for the populations who are being detained there, let alone for someone with the specific medical needs that a pregnant women might have."
Obser said that while immigration detention centers are meant to be part of a civil, not criminal, detention system they are in essence jails. She added that reports of inadequate health care, overcrowding, medical neglect, and other issues can make it an unsafe place for someone who is pregnant. "They are also located in very remote areas, which leads to concerns over medical care because it means someone needs to be transferred to a hospital that might be far away, she added. "It also makes it difficult for people to find a lawyer,"Without a lawyer, it's nearly impossible for someone to pursue their immigration case." The latter adds to the stress of being detained, which is inevitably harmful for pregnant women, Obser said.
In September 2017, the Women's Refugee Commission and several other organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a complaint with Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE and CBP, outlining concerns about the detention of pregnant women. The message then and now was clear: Immigrants should not be in immigration custody while pregnant. "The administration have many other options for anyone in detention: They can use case management, if they need support, or they can be released to their families as their pursue their immgration cases," she said. "That the administration is [detaining people] at these unprecedented rates and has gone so far as to reverse prior policy that favored the release of pregnant women, makes it clear this is about deterring people from coming into the U.S.. This is not about the wellbeing of the pregnant women in their custody."
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Unlike your tiny travel shampoo or your TSA-safe micro-tube of toothpaste, there's something low-key sexy about a rollerball perfume. More than just a carry-on essential (because no one is getting their full-sized bottle of Gucci Bloom through airport security), you can slip a skinny glass bottle into the side pocket of any purse or for an instant refresh when you're standing at the crosswalk on a warm morning, or trying to shake off that stale airplane feeling before heading straight from hotel room to dinner.
Another plus: The baby size means a lower price point, so you can experiment with your fragrance without splurging on the full-size. And while we're waxing poetic, let's acknowledge the simple, luxurious ritual of rolling perfume onto your skin instead of spritzing into the air to dash through on your way out the door.
Ahead, we've put together the best travel-sized fragrances to shop before we're turning the clocks forward and wearing denim jackets on repeat. Whether you want to smell like a walk on the beach in crisp white jeans and a nautical striped sweater, or like you bathe in cold milk and rosewater à la Cleopatra, we have a rollerball perfume worthy of your March getaway... or just your next trip to the grocery store.
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Despite the girlish rose tinge to the glass bottle, this rollerball is surprisingly sensual. The top notes are faintly sweet, like berries, but it dries down to release jasmine and amber undertones that make it the perfect pick for the first Saturday of spring, when you don't really know where the afternoon will take you.
Burberry Burberry Her Eau de Parfum Rollerball, $29, available at Ulta Beauty
The peony hits you right away in this classic feminine floral, but the spicy black pepper hiding underneath keeps the scent from going powdery.
Stella McCartney Stella Peony Rollerball, $25, available at Sephora
Who wouldn't want to smell like a lazy afternoon on the boardwalk? Zesty pink pepper mixed with lemon hints at sea spray without being salty, and ylang ylang and coconut milk give a whiff of Banana Boat sunscreen without the sticky feel. It's beachy and smells like summer in all the right ways — and not at all artificial or cliché.
Maison Margiela ’REPLICA’ Beach Walk Rollerball, $28, available at Sephora
If your rosé is actually frosty frosé and your rooftop garden bar looks more like an overcrowded frat party on the first warm weekend, this cutesy version of Gucci Bloom — plus a burst of green for this youthful take on the original — may be the semblance of sophistication you need to get through the next rowdy day drink.
Gucci Bloom Acqua di Fiori Eau de Tolilette Rollerball, $34, available at Sephora
Like catching a whiff of a coconut cream-filled croissant in the morning, this fragrance is a shot of sweetness that quickly dries down to a soft vanilla and leaves you wanting more.
Lavanila Vanilla Coconut Roller-Ball, $16, available at Sephora
With warm and spicy top notes, you'd think this scent would be more of a wintery curl-up-by-the-fire sort of fragrance. But the unexpected hints of tiare blossom, sandalwood, and Thai ginger make it surprisingly wearable for springtime.
NEST Fragrances Cocoa Woods Rollerball, $27, available at Sephora
As gorgeous as the lavender-printed glass bottle would lead you to believe, this blackcurrant-and-wild iris fragrance is the nighttime scent you want on the nape of your neck right before you walk out of your apartment at 9 p.m. on a Friday — the date-night perfume to end all date-night perfumes.
Maintaining a year-long tan gets expensive. For some, it entails booking a plane ticket to Florida every few months to clock some serious beach hours. For others, it means a standing appointment with a spray-tan artist who can coat your body in expensive, but temporary, bronzer. But what if we told you that you didn't have to spend a fortune to keep up your glow? These days, getting a flawless tan is as easy as running to your nearest drugstore.
We know what you're thinking: Self-tanner is not as good as the real thing. But the category is on the come up. Unlike the formulas of the past, the latest innovations don't smell like toast (seriously, that "yeasty" smell is very real); they don't turn you orange; and they don't cost more than a bottle of Vanderpump Rules Pinot. And with DIY options under $15, you can stay within your budget and actually save for a vacation this year.
Lucky for you, we did all the heavy lifting and found the best affordable self-tanners out there. Interested? Click ahead for the cheap formulas we love.
Finally, the benefits of a translucent self-tanner have reached the drugstore with L'Oréal's latest innovation. Not only is it free of the fussy guide color that will stain your sheets, but it's also eradicated the worst part about at-home tanning: the smell. Instead of the chemical DHA scent, this mousse smells like its hero ingredient, coconut water.
L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Hydrating Self-Tanning Water Mousse, $14.99, available at Target
In a pinch, you can usually run across the street to the drugstore and find exactly what you need. But the self-tanner options were slim to none. That is, until this Aussie-favorite brand launched at Walgreens. Now, you can pick up everything from self-tanning mousse to a bronzing oil whenever you're in desperate need of a tan.
Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam Light/Medium, $24, available at Walgreens
Gradual self-tanners are perfect for beginners, especially when the product doubles as a moisturizing body lotion. You can smooth this foolproof formula on your legs and arms every morning until you've reached just the right level of bronze.
B.Tan Gradual Tan Moisturizer, $14.99, available at Target
If you're a regular at your local spray-tan salon, then you'll appreciate this at-home solution. The micro-mist applicator covers your body in gradual tanner that should develop in 2-4 hours and last for a few days. The final results aren't splotchy, so you won't even need a mitt.
Neutrogena Micromist Airbrush Sunless Tan, $11.99, available at Target
Travel-friendly self-tanner is hard to come by — just imagine trying to get a 4 oz. bottle of brown mousse through the security check at the airport. Luckily, tanning towels, like these from L'Oréal, exist. It's just an added bonus that the tanner is translucent, so you never have to worry about destroying that fancy — and very expensive — hotel bedding.
L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes , $8.99, available at Target
Technically, St. Tropez isn't a drugstore brand, but its self-tanning sheet mask is right on budget at just under $10. Even better, this tanner works fast — like use before bed and wake up with a post-vacation glow fast.
St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Face Sheet Mask, $9, available at Ulta Beauty
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"How did everyone like the salad?" presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar asked a roomful of politicians, journalists, and other D.C. elite types at the annual Gridiron Dinner on Saturday. "I thought it was okay, but it needed just a bit of scalp oil and a pinch of dandruff, would be a little better."
Klobuchar, the Gridiron Club's Democratic speaker for the night, was referring to the story reported by The New York Times that she had once berated a staffer for forgetting to bring a fork for her salad on a plane trip, ate the salad with a comb she pulled out of her purse, and then made her employee clean the comb.
She followed the salad joke with, "So when Jerry [Seib, Gridiron Club president] called me about tonight, he asked, 'Do you need a microphone, or do you just prefer to yell at everyone?' I said, 'microphone.'"
Sometimes the most accurate way to sum up a reaction is: 😬
The bigwig crowd reportedly ate it up. "In the room of ultimate political insiders, Klobuchar's jokes landed well and some of the rougher edges of her reputation were smoothed over," former White House press secretary Joe Lockhart opined on CNN.
Somehow we doubt that an audience of actual Capitol Hill staffers — people who work long hours and don't always make a living wage — would have been as amused, although they might have laughed along politely so as to keep their jobs. Klobuchar's humiliation of staffers and abusive behavior has been well-documented in various recent media stories. The people whom her behavior has actually affected were more likely to be complaining about their jobs in a dive bar than laughing and rubbing elbows with millionaires at a fancy dinner.
The white-tie affair, where reporters and politicians present satirical skits and speeches, is known for being an event that highlights the lighter, "human" side of politics. The president typically speaks, although this year, he sent Ivanka in his place, who whined that being his daughter is "the hardest job in the world" (LOL). The speakers are strategically chosen, and it's seen as a chance for politicians to publicly redeem themselves, at least to the inside-the-Beltway audience. As a veteran Democratic operative told Politico, the chief question of the night for Klobuchar was, "How do I turn this on myself in a way that humanizes and disarms and conveys a sense that I get it?"
She seems to have succeeded. But while the salad jokes may have gone over well with her peers, it remains to be seen whether voters will be turned off by Klobuchar's behavior with staff. Some say all the media coverage of her managerial style is a sexist double standard — many men in Washington are tougher bosses and we never hear about it — while others believe that, gender issues aside, her angry outbursts are disqualifying. Dozens of former staffers have stuck up for Klobuchar, with some saying that her tough style and the demanding environment of her office has made them better at their jobs.
"The best way I can describe it is sort of like Navy SEALs training," Zach Rodvold, who worked on Klobuchar's first U.S. Senate campaign in 2006 and headed her Minnesota office from 2007 to 2009, told the Star Tribune. "It’s not intended to be fun. It’s hard. But what you get from it is you become very, very good at what you do." He said he has seen Klobuchar throw a pen in frustration (another staffer told BuzzFeed she almost accidentally hit them with a flying binder), and that there were times he thought she had unreasonably high expectations, but also that she was funny, charismatic, and worked harder than anyone else.
Klobuchar, without directly apologizing, told the Star Tribune that she intends to treat her staff better. "I’m incredibly proud of the work our staff has done and I would not be here without amazing staff," she said in a statement. "I know I can be tough, I know I can push people too hard, and I also know I can do better — and I will."
The Minnesota senator prides herself on being one of the most efficient lawmakers on the Hill, ranking first when it comes to the number of bills signed into law. She also ranks high in introducing bills, cosponsoring bills, and getting bills out of committee, and is known for effectively working across the aisle. Maybe in the end, that will be enough.
"I will win this election because I’m a woman and all the powerful people in the room told me it’s a sure thing. What could possibly go wrong?" Klobuchar said in her speech.
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When Revlon brand ambassador Ashley Graham marched into the company offices in New York City, dumped out her makeup bag, and got to work on a three-piece lip kit inspired by the bodacious reds she loves most, you had to know it was going to be popular. You might have also assumed a beauty giant like Revlon would be able to keep up with demand, but when the kit dropped last week, it proved to be an unstoppable force (much like Graham herself) and sold out in a mere three hours.
Comprised of a cherry-red lipstick, a lip liner to match, and shimmery ruby-red gloss, Graham’s Never Enough Lip Kit in Worship was designed to match the model's bold signature look. “The Revlon team and I went through loads of swatches to land on the final colors," she said in a press release. "I felt strongly that one of the kits should be about the classic Revlon red, which is so vibrant and beautiful on everyone.”
Judging from how quickly stock dwindled, she achieved that and more. The good news? The lip kit was just restocked on Amazon, and it's also slated to launch on Target’s site beginning March 10. Something tells us nabbing one of these sets is going to be a hell of a game of Whac-A-Mole. For those who can’t quite sync with its availability, find a few similar options, ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
All three of Graham's products look great on their own, but layer them together and you've got full, sexy, supermodel lips.
Revlon Ashley Graham Never Enough Lip Lip Kit in Worship, $19.98, available at Amazon
You might have to import your own gloss to match Revlon's three-piece offering, but this matte lipstick and liner duo paints a true red lip at a wallet-friendly $10.
NYX Cosmetics Suede Matte Lip Kit in Spicy, $12, available at Nyx Cosmetics
Sure, this trio of lip shades costs more than a few extra bucks and doesn't feature a liner or gloss, but the spectrum of saturated reds are so gorgeous, you won't need much else.
Pat McGrath LUST: Mini MatteTrance Lipstick Trio in Colour Blitz , $25, available at Sephora
If you want to get in on the affordable lip kit action, but prefer deeper crimson shades, you'll find them in this bundle. It contains cherry-red and berry lipsticks, plus a wine-colored liner.
Maybelline Maybelline NY Minute Berry Lipstick Lip Liner Kit , $17.98, available at Target
This matte cherry liquid lipstick and liner duo scores points from fans for its all-day wear and non-drying formula.
Winky Lux Kiss-Kiss Cherry Kit, $17, available at Ulta Beauty
How cute is this lip-shaped tin? Inside you'll find a full-size lip liner, a mini color-flipping lip gloss, and mini matte lipstick (which fans swear stays put even after a meal).
Huda Beauty Contour & Strobe Lip Set in Heartbreaker , $25, available at Sephora
A full, cherry-red pout for less than the cost of a coffee run? We can't add this matte lipstick and matching liner to cart fast enough.
Profusion Lip Duo Kit in Passion, $3.99, available at Target
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On a Saturday morning in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza, you’ll find a cluster of canvas tents, root vegetables, some 200 dogs, and even more reusable tote bags. In August, you might see strawberries, and in February, turnips, but for the most part, few things change. In fact, since the market’s humble beginnings in 1979 — before Instagramming Swiss chard was a thing — there’s been just one truly notable shift: the crowd.
Where you once found older neighborhood natives and restaurateurs, you’ll now find millennials stocking up on potted herbs and butter lettuce. You’ll see overalls, worn both earnestly and ironically. You’ll see spandex workout clothes and full pajama sets on couples sampling pickles from compostable paper plates.
“I love buying vegetables that are still dirty,” says a 26-year-old shopping at the market in late January, showing off an armful of soil-dusted turnips.
“We try to come every Saturday,” says a 23-year-old, gesturing to a roommate. “Then, every Sunday, we make a feast.”
Illustrated by Paola Delucca.
The movement towards more conscientious food buying neither starts nor ends with Brooklyn’s cool-kid farmers' market scene: Nationwide, millennials are focusing more of their energy on eating wholesome, organic foods from quality, transparent providers. According to the Organic Trade Association 's survey of American families, a whopping 52% of organic customers are millennials (Gen X'ers account for 35%, and baby boomers represent just 14%), while research firm FutureCast found that 80% of millennials place serious value on having access to information about where their food is coming from.
“We’re definitely excited about the recent uptick in millennial shoppers,” says New York Greenmarket director Michael Hurwitz. “For a long time, younger people weren’t our typical demographic.”
This is all part of a larger food revolution: Beyond buying local and eating organic, millennials are talking more about their food (out loud and online) and spending more time in the kitchen (see: the viral recipe phenomenon).
“This generation is more interested in food as currency than any I have seen before,” says Krishnendu Ray, food studies professor and department chair at New York University. “My students talk constantly about food — the things they cook, what they will eat for dinner tonight, restaurants they enjoy. It’s a social topic, like sports or music. It’s on their minds.”
As food continues to take up more space in millennials’ lives — whether they're Instagramming their monochrome desserts or discussing tomorrow’s breakfast at tonight’s party — they’re also becoming more stringent with their choices, shunning things like chemical additives, food dyes, and diluted labels from unreliable producers.
“[At the farmers' market,] I never feel like I’m being scammed by some crazy label with a million chemicals I don’t recognize,” says a 28-year-old customer, eyeing loaves of fresh bread under a nearby stand. “I definitely feel more in control when I can trust all the brands and farms I’m buying from.”
Illustrated by Paola Delucca.
Beyond our own kitchens, restaurants, too, are placing a larger (and more public) emphasis on both their ingredients and where they come from. “It’s all about having relationships with the people who grew our food and loving and trusting the products they give us,” says Sara Zandi, one half of the couple behind Brushland Eating House — a rustic farm-to-fork restaurant tucked into New York’s Catskill Mountains. “We’re really transparent about what we’re serving — and customers love that.”
According to Zandi, food is best enjoyed in its simplest form: straight from the source. So when it comes to food buying, her allegiance is to products that steer clear of elaborate packaging and unpronounceable, multisyllabic chemical additives. “When we got started with the restaurant, we just drove around upstate [New York] looking for food,” she says. “We’d knock on doors and ask to taste someone’s fresh squash or apples. Sometimes we’d just do all of our shopping at roadside stands. That way, we felt like we were giving our customers ingredients we’d hand selected for them. That’s a good feeling.”
Still, eating organic, non-processed foods is often a luxury. The ability to choose farmers' market produce is a substantial privilege — as is having access to a market to begin with. “It's important to note that, though wellness and mindful eating have a lot of cultural capital at the moment, these tastes are especially prevalent among white, class-privileged folks in big cities and along the coasts,” says Katherine Magruder, adjunct food studies professor at both New York University and The New School.
That said, for those without access to a roster of roadside vegetable stands, organic, transparent goods are still plenty available at most grocery stores.
“People are getting increasingly savvy about ingredients and labels, and we make it a priority to keep our ingredient lists simple and certifiably organic,” says Jyoti Stephens, spokesperson and VP of people, culture, and mission at Nature’s Path — a family-owned purveyor of packaged products like oatmeal, granola, and breakfast bars, available at most grocery stores. “We’re passionate about championing universal access to organic foods, which is why we work hard to support the food bank and the development of organic gardens in food deserts.”
According to a survey conducted by Euromonitor International, 40% of American millennials seek out grocery products with limited or no artificial ingredients, and research firm Label Insight found that 94% of consumers feel most loyal to brands that offer full transparency.
Illustrated by Paola Delucca.
In the Instagram age, it can be difficult to restrain ourselves from falling subject to diet trends or shiny, minimalist packaging. Foods go in and out of style — we’re promised immortality so long as we switch to oat milk or stronger bones if we subsist on açaí, exclusively. Then, next month, the secret to eternal life will change.
“You’ll hear about this superfood or that toxic thing. We went through the quinoa cycle and the Paleo cycle. Everyone wants to tell us that we’ll find salvation through one food, but that’s never true,” says Ray. “That’s why returning to basic, simple things and wholesome diets without all the marketing is so appealing.”
For most of us, opacity is the norm: We base our dating decisions on profiles boasting photos from 2009, our online purchases rarely arrive as pictured, and that easy-to-assemble furniture is usually extremely-difficult-to-assemble. On the whole, we’re used to being manipulated in one way or another.
“It’s exhausting being a consumer today,” says Ray. “Of course you want to control what you put in your body.”
In many ways, conscientious food buying feels like a way to combat all that lofty marketing. It’s a way of reclaiming some sense of agency — of controlling the narrative that comes with our food.
“I’m so busy,” says a 26-year-old shopper at the farmers' market, cradling two sunflowers and a large Spanish onion. “But when I’m cooking, or eating, I feel like I’m actually in control of my own time. That’s so refreshing.”
As millennials devote more of their energy to eating, food becomes a way of maintaining control. When everything is in flux, conscientious buying, in particular, becomes a rare opportunity to connect with what you eat.
“There’s something really special about the types of conversations that happen at farmers' markets,” says Hurwitz. “You’ll watch two farmers talk at 5 a.m. before the day is about to get started, then you’ll watch those farmers interact with young and old customers. You’ll hear two neighbors talking about what a rutabaga is. You’ll see people build relationships with the place their food is coming from — and obviously that’s special.”
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The average 22-year-old takes great pleasure in anticipating days off. An inclement weather advisory that cancels classes or closes the office? Score. A three-day weekend due to a national holiday that you totally forgot about? Winning. But Anya Taylor-Joy, who you might recognize from thriller films like Split and the upcoming Marvel project The New Mutants, is looking to fill her calendar as much as possible. The actress has racked up nearly 26 movie credits in the last four years. Yeah, you read that right — that’s about six movies per year. And while you might assume she’s looking to take a break soon, she plans to keep her foot on the pedal as she makes a name for herself in Hollywood.
And that hustle is clearly working in her favor, because for Taylor-Joy's 27th role, she'll be playing the face of Viktor&Rolf's latest launch: Flowerbomb Midnight. The perfume, a remix on the best-selling Flowerbomb, features a dark, floral scent of night-blooming jasmine, patchouli, and musk with a touch of fruitiness. In celebration of this new release, Refinery29 caught up with the British-Argentinian actress to talk all things fragrance, career, and beauty.
This perfume launch in a way correlates to your career: It’s a mysterious, darker version of a perfume, and you’ve made a name for yourself in the thriller genre — was this what interested you in being the face of the campaign?
"I'm a big believer in nobody being black and white, or in this case, black and pink. I've always felt like someone who's into Disney and really happy and bubbly, and then also just incredibly interested in the dark belly of things. So, the idea of being the face of Flowerbomb Midnight and Flowerbomb really appealed to me, because it felt like Viktor&Rolf understood the two different sides of my personality without having to make me choose."
At the start of your career, did you ever fear getting boxed into one genre?
"I believe in myself as a chameleon, so I have played all of these different people, and although they might've lived in similar dark worlds, if you look at them, they're actually quite different and have unique struggles."
With these characters in “dark worlds,” how do you unwind after months of filming such intense scenes?
"I do another movie [laughs]. I'm really excited because my career has gone in a way that I didn't expect it to, and I've just been rolling with the punches. I'm about to start work on my next three movies, and when that finishes, I will have made 26 films in four years. I just don't stop, but I love that. I'm sure that at some moment I'll be like, 'Whoa, I need to take a break from being other people,' but I just find that I'm growing up so much with these characters."
Twenty-six movies in four years? Wow!
"It's like a compulsion. I feel like this is what I'm put on Earth to do. It makes me the happiest in the entire world — I don't just mean acting, but being an artist. And if I wasn't creating all the time, I think I'd feel empty."
Let's talk beauty. We read that you cut off your hair and dyed it pink at the age of 14, please tell us more.
"When I was 14, I had really, really long blonde hair. I said, 'new me, it's time.' So, I went to Ricky's and bought Manic Panic hair dye in the shade Pretty Flamingo. And I dyed it in a Chipotle bathroom in New York City. My hands were looking gnarly for a while."
Ha. But why at Chipotle?
"I was 14, and it felt more dramatic. I didn't want to spend a second more in New York City without looking the new version of me."
What are three beauty products you can’t live without?
"A good cleanser. I love Chanel's Sublimage, because it's extremely delicate and I have incredibly sensitive skin. Toner is my favorite product of all time, because it feels like you're really treating yourself when you apply it. I’m loving this new mist by True Botanicals. And lastly, the Bond Girl lipstick shade by Charlotte Tilbury. It's the only lipstick that goes with absolutely every hair color I've ever had — and there have been multiple."
Are there any beauty tips that you've learned from growing up in Argentina or going back to visit?
"I tend to go very natural while I'm there, because I'm always in and out of the pool or just with the horses. I like to mix olive oil with sugar. You rub it all over your face and your skin, leaving it so moisturized. Olive oil for everything is what my mom taught me."
You once said that you love when you're not wearing makeup, but then you have such creative looks that you wear, like blue eyeliner or the bold looks that we see on Instagram. So, when do you feel most like yourself?
"I am terrible at makeup, I cannot put it on, but when you're working with such talented hair and makeup people, and you have an outfit that's not yours, I'm just the most extra person ever. It’s like you're co-creating with all these talented people and artists, too. I think I feel most like myself when I'm creating, whether that's creating in my own life by hanging out with my friends and being a co-conspirator with the universe or just putting a look together."
Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Midnight, $115 (1.7 OZ), is available now at sephora.com.
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Every six months, the streets of the world's fashion capitals overflow with style-inspiration riches. In New York, London, Milan, and Paris, the fashion industry turns out in their newest and finest lewks, filling us with the frenzied realization that we need a vinyl trenchcoat, a teeny-tiny purse, and neon green everything. It's overwhelming! What's a shopper to do?
First, take a deep breath — we're here to help you navigate and focus. We're in the throes of Paris Fashion Week, the final circuit of the Month (yes, that's a capital M) and arguably our favorite, for a couple of reasons. First, the sometimes-decisive but always-alluring French-girl style is in fullest effect in its home city, and we're watching our Gallic counterparts with eagle eyes for styling tricks. Second, as the final leg, Paris is the last chance for the street-style stars from all over the world to pull out all the sartorial stops. So needless to say, we're really paying attention.
So, where to put your energy — and your dollars — when it comes to the endless eye candy that Paris provides? Well, since you asked: our expert opinion is shoes. We're seeing all kinds of trends this season: grunge redux, South Beach color schemes, Lilliputian heels, and cowboy boots. It's an exciting time below the knee, so we're rushing to our favorite retailers and filling our carts with footwear. Plus, nothing solves a life woe like new shoes. Want to forget your slush-sodden commute Monday morning commute? Usher in the new season with a festive purchase? Bored? We recommend new shoes for all of these scenarios, and we're looking at the streets of Paris to inform our next purchase. Allons-y.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
The Monster Sneaker
The fashion sneaker continues to dominate both the runways and the sidewalks, and its proportions seem to be increasing commensurate with the trend's popularity. We saw the sneaker accompanying every possible garment and hem length. When you need to match a super-techy athletic shoe with a flowing, bohemian maxi dress, do like the influencers do and just make sure that the colors match up perfectly.
Rombaut's all-white Boccaccio sneaker will be the perfect foil for all of your suiting trousers and prairie skirts this spring.
Rombaut Boccaccio Sneaker, $340, available at Nordstrom
Nike brings its shoe-engineering expertise to the table with the extremely cute, extremely functional M2K Techno Sneaker. Grab 'em now, because they're selling out quick.
Nike Nike M2K Tekno Sneaker, $100, available at Urban Outfitters
A collaboration from Adidas and Stella McCartney that will make you (and the people around you) smile.
adidas by Stella McCartney Adidas by Stella McCartney, $184, available at mytheresa
How The West Was Worn
The cowboy boot — or shall we say, cowboy-inspired boot-adjacent footwear — continues its low-key slide into our feeds, and we like it. As long as the toe is structured, elongated, and pointy, and the heel is wide and stacked, you can get creative with pretty much every other aspect of this shoe — and you better believe these street-style stars did.
Get your disco on with this go-with-everything silver pair.
Nine West Cahluz Western Chelsea Bootie, $108.95, available at Nordstrom
Frye has been turning out super-high quality boots since 1863. This "starter" cowboy pair will break in beautifully, and will look amazing in skirts and boyfriend jeans alike.
Wear this knee-high & Other Stories style with your floatiest of skirts.
& Other Stories Patent Croc Knee High Cowboy Boots, $299, available at & Other Stories
The Heritage Sneaker That Won't Quit
You'd think that a 100-year-old shoe might be ceding its reign to some whipper-snapper brands at this point, but Converse's iconic Chuck Taylor is still one of fashion's favorite shoes after almost a century on the market. (The prototype for the style was introduced in 1917.) This season was no exception, with the shoe appearing in street-style looks both normcore and editorial. Influencers and editors stuck with a mostly grayscale palette in their selection, but we've got our eye on some unexpected colors in Converse's New Arrivals section.
Anahita Moussavian brings a Southern California-cool to the gray Parisian streets.
Converse has partnered with countless artists, designers, and other brands over its 100+ years in business, and choosing a favorite collaboration is kind of like asking us to choose a favorite child. But, if you insist: we'd choose the iconic Comme de Garçons Play Chuck Taylor with the sneaky peekaboo heart logo, duh.
Comme Des Garçons Play Hidden Heart Low Top Sneaker, $135, available at Nordstrom
The dusty lavender high-top is a seriously elegant work-to-weekend option.
Converse Chuck Taylor® All Star® Hi Sneaker, $75, available at Nordstrom
Think it's your standard Chuck Taylor? Think again. This pale gray option has a scalloped opening, upping the cuteness factor just enough on an otherwise low-key shoe.
Converse Frilly Scallop Platform Sneaker, $75, available at Nordstrom
The Optic White Boot
Appearing in many heel heights, and spanning leg real estate from the ankle to the knee, the blindingly white shoe is many-a-street-styler's go-to for capping off a tonal outfit.
Balenciaga Leather ankle boots, $1390, available at Net-A-Porter
An easy option that you'll find yourself wearing to work five days a week.
Nasty Gal Put a Sock in It Heel Boot, $35, available at Nasty Gal
A sharp heel means business.
Treasure & Bond Scope Bootie, $99.95, available at Nordstrom
Get your texture on with this faux-snakeskin pair.
Has the loafer, normally the stay-at-home-and-study type, gone rogue? Suddenly appearing dans la rue tricked out with exaggerated hardware and in hot-to-trot colors (along with its foreign-exchange bestie, the brogue), it seems like this staid footwear standby is hanging out with a cool new crowd — and we want in.
Part creeper, part loafer; this transitional shoe is all wearability.
Dr. Martens Gracia Stud Mary Jane Shoes, $125, available at Shopbop
A rune-like buckle adds mystery to these Tory Burch loafers.
Tory Burch Jessa Loafer, $179.99, available at Zappos
Super fresh and super clean, this Asos pair cultivates interest with minimal but-eye-catching hardware.
New Look New Look ring detail loafer in white, $37, available at ASOS
Fashion continues to mine the functional, turning its attention now to hiking shoes. Joshua Tree-appropriate footwear abounds on the runways and in stores, and our favorite street-style stars are taking full advantage of this cool and comfortable trend.
Tried-and-true hiking boots from Danner will be a surprising companion to any outfit.
Leave it to Rag & Bone to deliver the subtlest, most spot-on version of any season's trends — their Low Top Hiking Sneaker is no exception.
rag & bone Army Low Top Hiking Sneaker, $275, available at Nordstrom
An all-weather pair to get you through the most rugged upstate weekends.
Timberland Timberland Premium Work Boot, $170, available at Urban Outfitters
Shades of A Party
If the fashion industry can't be on spring break, they can at least show their allegiance to this cherished, drunk institution through their footwear choices. We saw a multitude of avant-garde boots in some distinctly Daytona Beach-inspired colorways on the streets of Paris this season. Our verdict? WOOO!
Mango Heel leather ankle boot, $149.99, available at Mango
Tower over the competition with an unexpected heel.
ASOS DESIGN Edina heeled ankle boots, $64, available at ASOS
Channel the day-drinking atmosphere with this super-sale score from coveted indie brand Maryam Nassir Zadeh.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh Agnes Booties, $232.8, available at Shopbop
Rare is the opportunity to score Dries Van Noten on sale, and we don't think this color will come around again anytime soon.
Dries Van Noten Metallic Leather Block Heel Booties, $392.5, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
The Kitten Heel
Popularized in the 1950s as "trainer heels", short, spiky kitten heels have been inching (get it?) their way back to acceptance with the fashion crowd. We love this trend for its mutability — the heel can attach itself to anything from a mule to an over-the-knee boot and still look cute.
The Row Coco leather mules, $795, available at Net-A-Porter
Everlane's very appropriately-named Editor Heel is your best way to dip a (pointed) toe into the trend.
Everlane The Editor Heel, $165, available at Everlane
Snag this sunny, on-sale pair of satin mules — perfect for every spring and summer party.
Loeffler Randall Loeffler Randall, $150, available at Farfetch
We couldn't find a more festive pair of shoes if we tried — and believe me, we tried!
The multi-inch stiletto is so not for the faint of heart. That wobbly little heel is liable to get you into all kinds of trouble with cobblestones, sewer grates, and muddy lawns. However, we can't deny its power to make a serious optical impact when you're strutting to an event. For better or for worse, the trend is very much back from its post- Sex and the City exile, and we'e here for it.
Business in the front, party in the back: a muted, super-soft gray scales back the sexiness of this heel just enough.
Brian Atwood Brian Atwood Liason, $209.99, available at Zappos Luxury
If you're going to rock a spike heel, you might as well go for it — no one's going to miss you in this over-the-knee sock boot.
FSJ Spike Heel Thigh High Boots, $105.99, available at Amazon
The Aggressively Square Toe
I'll get this out of the way: it's hip to be square. (Sorry.) The once-untouchable '90s footwear silhouette is back with a vengeance, and we're all flying white flags of surrender. This toe shape is strict, forming 90-degree angles at all times — rounded corners not permitted.
Ease back into this trend with a slip-on style, like these L'Amour Des Pieds mules.
L'amour Des Pieds Winoc Mule Pump, $189.95, available at Nordstrom
We're spellbound by these sky blue Geox loafers, and are already envisioning them with every pair of cropped jeans and trouser that we own.
Geox Vivyanne Square Toe Loafer Pump, $159.94, available at Nordstrom
If you're in the market for a basic black boot, we suggest staying ahead of the curve by going square.
& Other Stories Square Toe Leather Boots, $179, available at & Other Stories
Rubber Sole We may not have been cool enough to wear those chunky oxfords in middle school, but we certainly looked up to the punk girls who wore platform boots and Doc Martens with their school uniforms. Luckily, we're getting a second chance — street style stars have ushered lug soles back into style, and we're not missing out this time.
Vagabond Grace Platform Ankle Boot, $110, available at Urban Outfitters
For years, dainty, delicate tattoos were the celebrity obsession, with things like stars, hearts, and butterflies dotting their wrists, forearms, and ankles like freckles. But now, a much more dramatic tattoo trend is on the rise.
First, there was Lady Gaga with that rose tattoo that spanned from the middle of her neck straight down her spine. Now, we have Halle Berry posting an Instagram to show off yet another massive back tattoo. And this time, it's a vine (or maybe it's seaweed) that goes straight down her spine. "Who says I’m not a mermaid," she wrote on Instagram, giving us no hints to who did the ink or if it's even real.
For now, the origins of the tattoo are a mystery, since Berry didn't tag a particular tattoo artist. Given the dramatic nature of the picture — which has Berry posing as if she's cooking topless (we wouldn't recommend!) — it may very well be a fun, temporary tat. Though, we do know that Berry has at least one other tattoo: a sunflower on her butt covering her ex-husband's name.
Looking at her upcoming movie roles, which include a MMA fighter in Bruised and a lawyer in Jagged Edge, neither would necessarily call for a fake tattoo. So we're leaning towards the theory that Berry has just been feeling particularly daring, and this spinal tattoo is proof.
Refinery29 has reached out to Berry's representative and will update this post when we hear back.
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