What is it about childhood cartoons that causes heart palpitations in the hearts of so many shoppers? It seems like almost every week a new brand — in categories from footwear to high fashion — is announcing a new collaboration with a throwback character that most of us remember watching on Saturday morning TV or reading in the comics section of the newspaper. And you know what? As constant as this stream of collaborations is, and as much product that we as editors see, I — yes, switching to “I” now — don’t think we’ll ever get tired of it. Every collaboration announcement brings a smile to our faces, no matter how many times we’ve seen an all-over Mickey print.
So it was with no shortage of delight and excitement that we tackled this round-up of our favorite cartoon character collaborations. Bear in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive — it just consists of some of the best ones we’ve seen in the last few years. Since many coveted collaborations are long since sold out, we relied heavily on eBay and Etsy to supplement what’s no longer on the shop floor. (This also means you better get to bidding, as most of these resale sites only offer one-of-a-kind options.) Finally, while we pooled our collective knowledge and created a pretty comprehensive list, there may be a few that we missed — and we’re relying on you guys to let us know in the comments sections. So click on through! We hope you have as much fun reading this as we did putting it together.
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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BeautywithMi, hosted by Refinery29's beauty writerMi-Anne Chan, explores the coolest new trends, treatments, products, and subcultures in thebeautyworld. Never miss an episode by subscribing here.
Jessica Casler's one-bedroom apartment is packed to the brim with things she's found on the curb or at the bottom of trash cans. Glittery palettes, scented lotions, expensive hair tools, and fluffy makeup brushes are scattered across a table in her kitchen — the collective bounty of seven years of dumpster diving.
I spot some familiar brands: Clinique, Sexy Hair, It Cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills. Some of them have clearly been used, while others appear to be completely untouched. And she found all of it in the dumpsters behind the beauty store near her home in New Jersey.
Casler is part of a community of dumpster divers who share their finds on YouTube. In a world where hauls documenting new product purchases have become commonplace, dumpster diving videos serve as a type of "anti-haul," shedding light on cosmetic waste and breathing new life into products typically destined for landfills.
Over the years, Casler has discovered thousands of dollars worth of products in the dumpsters behind stores like Ulta Beauty and Sally Beauty. A large number of these products are returns or testers, while others are leftovers from final sales. "The first time I went diving, I found a box that said 'returns or damaged,'" Casler says. "I pulled it out and inside was a bunch of nice product. I put it in my car and went home. Not every dive goes like that, but the first time was very successful."
A small portion of Casler's massive beauty stash, all recovered from the trash.Photographed by Meghal Janardan.
So, what happens with all the recovered products these divers bring home? Many people use the items themselves, but a growing number have taken to reselling them online in what's become a booming black market. Texas-based dumpster diver, Matt Malone, told Wired he could make upwards of $250,000 a year if he dedicated himself to dumpster diving full time. But he primarily sells electronic waste — and beauty products pose a much greater hazard.
Because they're swiped directly onto skin, lips, and eyes, beauty products from the trash can put consumers at risk of contracting infectious diseases like staph, herpes, and E. coli, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. Yes, even if you dip them in alcohol. "When I hear about sanitizing the applicator of a liquid lipstick, you're not sanitizing the liquid itself," he says. "Products that are liquid or in a moist environment creates an environment that allows for bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms like fungi to grow."
And even if the products still have their protective seal, there's an issue of efficacy. Some ingredients, such as retinol, are less effective if exposed to sunlight or high temperatures (like, say, a dumpster on a hot summer day). Others might be expired. "If you're looking at something like sunscreen and you're using it past its expiration date, that sunscreen filter isn't doing the job it should be doing. You're putting yourself at risk," Dr. Zeichner adds.
When people hear that I dumpster dive, they always wonder why. But there's so much more than that. I hate thinking that all that stuff is going to be unused and go to a landfill when it doesn't need to be.
Legally speaking, dumpster diving occupies a gray area. Thanks to the 1988 Supreme Court case California v. Greenwood, the warrantless search and seizure of garbage left for collection outside of private property isn't prohibited by the Fourth Amendment. In short, individuals or businesses have no reasonable expectation of privacy for items that were discarded, which means dumpster diving, as long as it occurs on public property, is legal. Certain local ordinances, however, can prohibit the practice in some places.
Many divers feel the benefits of dumpster diving outweigh the risks, especially if it means pointing a finger at America's waste problem. "The first time I went dumpster diving, it was so eye opening," says Casler. "When people hear that I dumpster dive, they always wonder why. But there's so much more than that. I hate thinking that all that stuff is going to be unused and go to a landfill when it doesn't need to be."
If you search "beauty product dumpster diving" on YouTube, the videos with the highest views (some in the millions) are all from dives behind Ulta Beauty stores. When asked why the retailer instructs employees to throw products away, and their stance on dumpster diving in general, Ulta Beauty provided this statement:
"Health and safety is a top priority for Ulta Beauty and we strongly discourage the unsafe, and sometimes illegal practice of “dumpster diving.” We are aware that individuals sometimes assume the risks associated with this practice and retrieve discarded products. Ulta Beauty, like other retailers, disposes of products for a reason. Products that are damaged, used, expired or otherwise unsaleable or unsuitable for donation are disposed of in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. These products should never be retrieved or used."
It's understandable that stores need to dispose of their unsalable product, especially if it poses a potential health concern. That's why some retailers have asked their employees to destroy makeup to keep it out of the hands of divers, including taking a knife to powders, cutting up lipsticks, or tossing foundation over makeup. This practice has become known in the dumpster diving community as "souping."
An example of a "souped" dumpster from one of Casler's dives.Courtney of Jessica Casler.
But while souping might deter dumpster divers, it doesn't solve the greater issue of waste — and that's a conversation that starts at the top. Beyond brands making efforts to create refillable makeup, eco-friendly packaging, and practice low-impact production, retailers and brands need to take better steps to recycle unused products. But because a large majority of beauty product packaging can't be processed in municipal recycling centers (pumps, pipettes, and some tubes don't qualify, for example), that often means bringing in third-party recycling organizations.
TerraCycle, which specializes in hard-to-recycle materials, is one such organization that works with major beauty brands like Garnier, Burt's Bees, and Tom's of Maine. The Garnier program, which is TerraCycle's longest standing beauty partnership, has diverted over 11.3 million pieces of waste from landfills. Says Gina Herrera, the US brand partnerships director at Terracycle, it's high time for retailers to start thinking about the end of life of their products — and it's something consumers want, too; more than 66% of global consumers report they would pay more for a sustainable product.
Despite the obvious wasted product, many stores have made steps toward a more sustainable future. Ulta Beauty, for example, has created a Corporate Energy Team which reduced the store's electric consumption by over 3,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2017. The store also makes an effort to recycle cardboard and plastic shrink wrap. But there's a long way to go across the industry.
At the consumer level, there's a responsibility to make smarter purchasing decisions, too. Beyond choosing to support sustainable brands, it's also important to consider returns. While it's great that stores allow customers to return used makeup, this means that they're also required to throw that product away for obvious health and hygiene reasons. This contributes exorbitantly to the waste created by retailers, as consumers lean more heavily on generous policies — especially with the rise of e-commerce which doesn't always allow for testing.
Writer and video host Mi-Anne Chan (right) dumpster diving with Jessica Casler (left) in New Jersey.Photographed by Meghal Janardan.
In an attempt to really wrap my mind around the sheer amount of waste the beauty industry produces, I accompanied Casler on a midnight dive. As Casler and I sifted through a dumpster behind a strip mall near her home, we found two boxes full of products. Next to a bag of what smelled like the store's food waste, we spotted dozens of discounted hairsprays, hair gels, and dye. In a box a few inches away, we found a complete set of powder acrylic polish, body lotion, and shampoo. "Oh, this is that good shampoo for blondes," Casler said as she sifted through the bottles. While there was definitely a thrill in discovering products, it was coupled with dread over witnessing the sheer amount of waste from a single day.
While dumpster diving might look like a niche pastime, the community of divers are actually bringing up a much larger conversation about ethical consumption and corporate responsibility. And if the climate reports have shown us anything, it's that companies and consumers need to take responsibility for the impact they've having on the world — and soon.
When asked what she'd like to see from the dumpster diving community in the future, Casler looked me dead in the eye and told me she hopes it doesn't even exist. "You wouldn't even want to dumpster dive, because everything would have a home."
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When you're standing in a sea of fringed crop tops and white cowboy boots under the Indio sun, you want to make sure the little details set you apart from the rest of the festival crowd: a one-of-a-kind crystal choker, a stack of gemstone bobby pins, and, ideally, a show-stoppingly sparkly glitter manicure.
Shimmer on your nails is nothing new, but the trend has come a long way since the bright, sparkly polish bottles scattered across the carpet at your middle-school sleepovers. Now, it's the perfect finishing touch to your carefully-curated desert vibe.
Ahead, celebrity nail pros break down the best grown-up glitter nail polishes to stock this spring, so you can DIY your dream Coachella mani and spare yourself the trip to the salon. Go ahead and put the cash you'll save toward a huge Revolve haul instead.
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.
Silver
At first glance, this new Essie polish looks like a shiny aluminum-gray shade. But when you get up close, you see the nuanced hints of metallic teal, which may be our new favorite way to wear green shimmer.
Essie Spring 2019 Nail Polish Collection in Reign Check, $9, available at Ulta Beauty
Everyone needs a silver sequin polish in their collection. "You can't go wrong with a true diamond-esque sequin glitter," says celebrity nail pro Michelle Saunders. "Set In Stones by Essie is a glitter lover's dream and looks amazing on every skin tone."
Essie Luxeffects Nail Polish in Set in Stones, $6.89, available at Target
Fuchsia
If you're not into huge flecks of glitter on your nails, try a bright base color with fine-grain glitter mixed in. "A subtly sparkly fuchsia shade is a great way to dress up your nails for the festival season," says Saunders. We're obsessed with Côte's glittery magenta polish — it's fun and 100% non-toxic.
Côte Nail Polish in No. 105, $18, available at goop
If you're at Target or CVS, Saunders recommends tracking down this Essie polish bottle in the shade City Slicker. "This polish gives this fun, retro '80s vibe to your DIY manicure, with a softer shimmer finish," she says.
Essie Concrete Glitter Nail Polish Collection in City Slicker, $9, available at Ulta Beauty
Golden
Try a polish with a clear base and big chunks of gold floating throughout for a truly bright, festive flair. "Smith & Cult’s gold glitter polish in Shattered Souls is my personal favorite, and a must for spring parties," says Saunders.
Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquer in Shattered Souls, $18, available at Bloomingdale's
If you're a fan of OPI polishes, consider grabbing the glitter shade called Gold Key To The Kingdom. "This rich metallic looks gorgeous over bare nails, giving a touch of shine that reads elegant," says Olive & June founder Sarah Gibson Tuttle.
OPI OPI Nail Polish in Key To The Kingdom, $9.25, available at Walmart
Rainbow
Rainbow glitter polish — a clear base filled with an assorted mix of colorful flecks — adds an unexpected sparkle to your mani. "I love the Lauren B polish in the shade One Night in Weho," says Saunders. "It's festive and unexpected, but still sheer enough to keep in your rotation for the rest of the year."
LAUREN B Nail Polish in One Night in WeHo, $19, available at LAUREN B BEAUTY
The best part about swiping on a multi-colored rainbow glitter polish, like this funfetti shade by Jin Soon, over a naked nail is that it's delightfully resistant to chipping.
JINsoon Nail Polish in Fab, $18, available at Amazon
Heart-Shaped
Glitter is inherently fun in its natural hexagonal-fleck form, but when you bling out a clear base coat with teensy laser-cut hearts, the detail is chic and unexpected. "A manicure bedazzled with hearts is always in season," says Tuttle. Bonus: It's the perfect excuse to reuse your Valentine's Day polish.
Essie essie Valentines Day Glitter & Shimmer Nail Polish, $8.99, available at Target
Shimmer Top Coat
When your go-to polish — be it slate gray or pale pink — isn't packing that party-ready punch you're looking for, try layering on a glitter top coat for some pizazz. "I love This Magic Moment by Deborah Lippmann," says Tuttle. "Because it's sheer white mica, you can swipe it over any polish base for a fresh, shiny finish."
Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in This Magic Moment, $20, available at Deborah Lippmann
If you're still rotating though dark, rich base colors this time of year, this glitter makes the perfect top-coat finish. "I love to layer this Crimson and Clover shade on top of a matte red to give a mani that extra-festive pop," says Tuttle.
Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Crimson And Clover, $20, available at Deborah Lippmann
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Festival season lineups may change every year, but one trend remains the same: flower crowns. You can mock them, but you can't escape them. It doesn't matter if you're on the West Coast kickin' it at Coachella, or eating a New York slice at Governors' Ball... there will be a Revolve romper-wearing Instagram star with a headband full of daisies. Get used to it.
But despite all of the Twitter jokes, everyone should feel free to do their hair however they please. And naturalistas with 'fros of all lengths have the advantage of taking it a step further by wearing flowers in their hair. Real or faux, this is a trend that truly feels fresh.
"I was talking to someone the other day about how maybe just 10 years ago if you looked around any Black space, the majority of us had straight, relaxed hair or were rocking straight, silky styles that fit the ‘European standard’ of beauty," Tolani, a YouTuber who attended Curlfest 2018, wrote. "#Curlfest is the perfect example of how far we, as Black women, have come in our self love journey! I also love that we are also growing to accept all textures, not only the type 2 and 3 curls but the koilys and the kinkyz too! Go us."
Photo: Via @mark.c.
"Curlfest was such a liberation for me," model Nestreya said on Instagram.
Photo: Via @nestreya.
Influencer Micaéla Verrelien bloomed where she was planted.
Photo: Via @micaelaverrelien.
Yara Shahidi defined her curls with the help of sunny daffodils.
Believe it or not, but Ebonee Davis, photographed by Micaiah Carter, made this crown herself. "I used baby's breath that I bought from a local flower shop and cut it into small pieces, then I placed directly into my Afro," she tells us.
Photo: Via @eboneedavis.
You can expect us to be wearing this look (modeled by Camille Felicity) as soon as roses come into bloom.
Photo: Via @camillefelicity.
Hair artist Hadiiya Barbel made this creation — which features flowers and butterflies — from scratch for Afropunk.
Photo: Via @hadiiyabarbel.
No need to break out the Snapchat filters when you can have the real deal.
Photo: Via @inikotaylor6.
Flowers add a dash of whimsy to this trio's all-black, badass outfits.
Photographed by Courtney Yates.
It's rare when a bride's hair rivals her own bouquet – but that's exactly what happened with this elegant fro-hawk with side twists (and you've got to see the back).
Photo: Via @rebeccayale.
For a little variation, add a few bantu knots to the front of your 'do, like hairstylist Aieasha did for an Atlas Magazine shoot.
Photo: Via @aieshadoeshair.
If you're concerned with keeping your blooms in place throughout the day, try securing them with a small bobby pin on a medium-sized section of your hair.
Photo: Via @roxiejanehunt.
But when you've been blessed with texture like this, then you don't have to worry about toppling petals. They'll just stay put — because that's a part of our magic.
Photo: Via @tildakimono.
Model Dominique Robinson used the same flowers on her hair to accessorize her glossy nude lip.
Photo: Via @iamdominiquerobinson.
You don't need to pick the whole patch — Kiera proves that three to four blooms can make the look.
Photo: Via @kieraplease.
The multi-colored sunflowers in Jasmine Brown's Afro make her look like a summertime goddess.
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We thought we'd seen it all last year in terms of celebrity tattoos. After all, what could possibly top Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott's matching butterflies, the Game of Thrones cast tributes, or Justin Bieber's... entire chest? Nothing — or so we thought. Then 2019 hit, and all our favorite stars flocked to their favorite artists asking for even more.
From dainty designs to awkward cover-ups, celebrities can't seem to stay out of the tattoo chair for long. In fact, stars like Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and Miley Cyrus are getting inked so frequently, we've started keeping a running tally of the most standout designs. Curious? Ahead, the most unforgettable celebrity tattoos to happen this year — so far, at least.
Frances Bean Cobain
Cobain frequently shows off her growing tattoo collection on Instagram, but her newest addition is perhaps one of our favorites — and far less spooky than that ghost tattoo. The 26-year-old recently visited tattoo artist Daniel Winter to ink a quote from artist Jenny Holzer on her forearm. It reads, "It is in your self-interest to find a way to be very tender."
Busy Philipps
After getting her first tattoo back in July , Philipps just added another — and it's no coincidence both are inspired by her memoir, This Will Only Hurt A Little. She explained on Instagram that the new design is pulled from a chapter of the book, originally illustrated by Geoff McFetridge.
Lady Gaga
After racking up nearly 50 nominations for her acting and songwriting chops in A Star Is Born, Gaga decided to commemorate the experience with one extra-large tattoo right down her spine. The rose, sketched by tattoo artist Daniel Winter, is anchored by four words that, together, make up the song title that landed Gaga the role as Ally in the film: "La Vie En Rose."
On the same day Gaga got the rose inked on her back, she also added some musical notes to her forearm spelling out her name: GAGA. But the tattoo didn't look this good the first time around — thanks to one too many tequilas, Gaga left out one of the staff lines, making the four notes incomprehensible. Luckily, within an hour, Winter fixed the tattoo to include all five.
The only thing better than Gaga's honest, albeit tipsy, mistake is that this tattoo might have a double meaning. Some fans pointed out on Twitter that since Gaga didn't include which clef the notes were in, the tattoo can be read in treble clef as her desired "GAGA," or in bass clef as "BCBC" — you know, for Bradley Cooper, the director and her co-star in ASIB.
Halle Berry
Just in case you thought Lady Gaga's back tattoo would be the last, Berry posted this revealing photo on Instagram to prove you wrong. Although the origins of the massive vine tattoo are elusive, Berry's sure to spawn some copycats.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato's dog, Buddy, passed away after a reported coyote attack several years ago. It wasn't until 2019 that she got her foot tattoo, created by celebrity artist Dr. Woo, as a tribute to her late pet.
Paris Jackson
Jackson is one celebrity offspring who might be more famous for her tattoos than her parents. (Well, not quite — this is Michael Jackson's daughter we're talking about.) The latest tattoo in her collection of over 50 was created at Tattoo Mania in West Hollywood and inspired by Led Zeppelin. The ink extends from her shoulder to her elbow, showcasing the symbols representing each member of the band that they used to promote their fourth album, 1971's Led Zeppelin IV.
Miley Cyrus
Another famous youth who has too many tattoos to count in one sitting: Cyrus. Although she has a collection of delicate pet-dedicated designs all over her body, her latest addition is her most... Miley. Sometime this past summer, the singer visited Keith "Bang Bang" McCurdy to get the word "pussy " inked on the side of her foot. Although it happened months ago, fans didn't see it until this January — but the wait was totally worth it.
Ariana Grande
Grande got a reported 16 tattoos in 2018 alone, but at this rate, she'll probably beat her own record before we're halfway through 2019. In fact, on the second day of the new year, Grande visited New York-based tattoo artist Mira Mariah to get "let's sing" in Japanese inked on the ditch of her arm.
Later that same month, the "Thank U, Next" singer visited tattoo artist Kane Navasard to have Eevee, Grande's favorite Pokémon, inked on her upper arm forever.
Two weeks later, Grande's single "7 Rings " became her second No. 1 debut on Billboard's Hot 100. To celebrate, she got what she thought was the Japanese translation of the song's title. In reality, it meant "shichirin," which is a Japanese-style barbecue grill.
Grande replied to fan criticism of the misspelling with a legitimate(-ish) excuse: "It hurt like fuck... I wouldn’t have lasted one more symbol." A day later, the singer returned to artist Navasard to add more symbols in an attempt to amend the ink — but even after consulting with her Japanese tutor, Grande still ended up with a tattoo that now translates to "Japanese BBQ finger. "
Zoë Kravitz
With nearly 60 dainty designs in total, Kravitz's 2019 additions are definitely on-brand for the actress. Thanks to Dr. Woo, Kravitz now has "baby" inked on the right side of her neck and a dragonfly on her left shoulder, which also happens to be one of the best celeb tattoo cover-ups we've ever seen — the dragonfly replaced some Arabic text Kravitz had in the exact same spot.
Pete Davidson
Although Davidson spent the latter half of 2018 covering up the couple tattoos he got with — and for — Ariana Grande, it wasn't until early February that the comedian hid his very last: "mille tendresse " on the back of his neck. (For the record, Grande has the same exact tattoo in the same spot on the back of her neck, which she got in 2014 in honor of her favorite movie Breakfast at Tiffany's.) Although the tattoo is good — it means "a thousand tendernesses" in French — Davidson decided it was time to bid adieu with a clever cover-up that now reads, "CURSED."
Halsey
Whether she likes it or not, the "Without Me" singer often ignites a headline firestorm every time she gets a tattoo. In November, it was her Libra tattoo — which she got just minutes before performing on Saturday Night Live. Now, it's her rib tattoo inspired by.... Marilyn Manson?
Justin Bieber
Odds are Bieber got his infamous face tattoo in the summer of last year, but it wasn't until January that we finally got a glimpse of the rumored ink. Although we don't really know where the dainty script spelling out "grace" has gone now — seriously, where was it on the cover of Vogue? — we know it happened... even if it's since been removed.
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Welcome toMoney Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar.
Calling all entrepreneurs:We want to hear from you! If you’re a freelancer or self-employed, we’d love to feature your Money Diary.Submit here.
Today: a sales executive working in real estate who makes $96,000 per year and spends some of her money this week on a margarita.
Occupation: Sales Executive Industry: Real Estate/Sales Age: 27 Location: Irvine, CA Salary: $96,000 Paycheck Amount: $1,420 twice a month, and my commission is approximately $3,250 once a month (with a 40% tax), but can be higher/lower depending on the month.
Monthly Expenses Rent: $1,905 (I live alone in a 531-square-foot apartment.) Student Loans: $0 (I was fortunate enough to have my parents help out with the cost of undergrad.) Credit Card Payment: $300 Phone/Car Insurance: $150 (I'm on my family's plan, so I pay my dad back.) Utilities: Approximately $100 (water, trash, sewage, gas, electric) Health Insurance: $50 Cable/Internet/HBO: $108 Spotify: $9.99 Chewy.com Dog Food: $24 (My boyfriend pays for half. We have it on autoship once a month.) Amazon Prime: $12.99 Therapy: $60 Libro.FM: $14.99 (It's like Audible, but supports independent bookstores.) Netflix: $0 (I use my boyfriend's account.) ClassPass: $79 (My work covers $75 of it, though, so I only pay $4.) 401(k): 4% of each paycheck
Day One
6:30 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I fall back asleep until 6:45, which is around the time I'm supposed to wake up. (I set my alarm for 15 minutes earlier, though, because I'm horrible and hit snooze so often.) I do my morning routine for skin care (rosewater spray from Trader Joe's + Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream + Juice Beauty primer), and then I take dog to the dog park in my apartment complex. He doesn't really get along with other dogs but likes wandering around the grassy area with no leash, so I take him early in the morning when no one is around. Then I get dressed, grab a Lenny & Larry's protein cookie, and leave for work.
9 a.m. — Buy my ticket for an adult film festival that my cousin and his friends invited me to. He said they went last year and it was a lot of fun. The whole premise of the festival is that people can submit videos — but they'll never be published online or shown again, so people can feel comfortable submitting. I'm really excited to go because I've been a little bored by the monotony of the work week, and this is the perfect thing to shake things up a little. $24.49
11 a.m. — Have therapy during my lunch break. I go every Wednesday at this time. My therapist does teletherapy through the Doxy.me app, so I get to video chat with her instead of going to an office, which makes it SO much easier for me. I suffer from anxiety and depression, which has been under control lately, but I still love therapy. It's really nice to have someone to talk to who doesn't know anyone I know and won't judge me (or does a great job at hiding it, haha). My job can get pretty stressful, so it's especially helpful to have a mental-health break during the middle of the work day. I'm fortunate enough to have my insurance cover it, so I just pay the copay. $15
12:45 p.m. — I'm starting to get hungry because I spent my lunch at therapy, so I heat up some Italian orzo spinach soup I brought from home. A big part of my job is calling real estate agents to persuade them to advertise on our website, so I eat at my desk while cold calling and trying to build more pipeline. I've almost hit my quota for the month, which causes less stress...for now, at least.
5 p.m. — I get off work and head straight to Anaheim, which is about 45 minutes away. I hired a dog walker for the dog so I wouldn't be late for the festival ($14.80 + $3 tip). My boyfriend, K., can usually walk him if I can't, but he has band practice right after work tonight. The walker is super sweet and always sends me photos and a summary of how it went, which makes me feel at ease. (I feel like I have a tendency to baby my dog, oops.) $17.80
6:20 p.m. — I meet my cousin at his apartment and he drives us to Long Beach. We both don't feel like eating at a sit-down restaurant, so we just go to Taco Bell. I get two potato soft tacos fresco-style and a side of cinnamon twists. $5.07
10:30 p.m. — Just got out of the festival, and WOW. I was blown away by how beautiful and artistic (most of) the submissions were. I was expecting just very basic, amateur videos you can find online, but a lot of them were so well done — both aesthetically and thematically. It was also extremely refreshing and inspiring to see different body types, genders, and sexual orientations not only represented, but celebrated. Going in, I felt like it may have been a little too weird to basically watch porn next to a family member (no matter how close friends we are outside of the family context), but it really just felt like we were watching really artsy short films with nudity for two hours. I'm definitely going back for next year's fest.
Daily Total: $62.36
Day Two
6:47 a.m. — Most days it's a struggle for me to get out of bed, but today feels even worse because I got home so late last night. I do my morning routine, grab breakfast (another protein cookie) and some more of the soup I packed for lunch, and leave for work. Thank God we have coffee at the office, because I definitely need some today.
10:30 a.m. — I attended my first ADAPT meeting. Where I work, we have something called affinity networks, which is basically a place where minorities can go and have a safe space and/or raise awareness. I'm a member of both ADAPT and the Women's Impact Network. ADAPT is for disabilities and mental-health awareness. It's great to meet members and brainstorm how we can make our office a better, more inclusive space. Plus, free doughnuts.
12 p.m. — Lunch! I eat leftover soup, which I'm getting a little tired of, but I'm trying to cut back on eating out. I usually listen to an audiobook during my lunch break (sometimes I use Audible if Libro.fm doesn't have the book I want, though I don't have a monthly membership with Audible). It's always a welcome, quiet “me time” break in the day. Right now I'm listening to Skippy Dies by Paul Murray because K. recommended it. It's pretty long but really good so far.
1:30 p.m. — Check my personal email and see a request to donate $3 to Bernie Sanders's campaign, so I do. I supported him in 2016, and so far he is my favorite candidate for 2020. $3
4:30 p.m. — Finally off work! It dragged today, mainly because I was so tired. It takes me about 30 minutes to drive home, even though I only live five miles away — Southern California traffic is insane. I feed the dog and take him on a walk. He can be a pain to walk because bulldogs are so stubborn, but he looks so happy when he walks. It makes my heart melt! When we get back, I make myself a protein shake and watch a little bit of HGTV before I head to my fitness class.
7:22 p.m. — My friend texts me saying she is bowling at a charity event for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County next week. I won't be able to make it, so I donate to her team instead. $20
7:30 p.m. — Took an hour-long class via ClassPass called Brazilian Booty. This is my fourth time taking it, and it kicks my ass every time. The instructor is amazing and always keeps it fun, but it's also pretty challenging. I had to sit down at one point because I was feeling a little dizzy, but I always feel really accomplished and proud when I finish this class. I've struggled a lot with body image for as long as I can remember, but I'm really liking how these strength-training classes make me feel.
9 p.m. — Get home, shower, and do my night-time routine. I'm pretty into skin care, so I take my makeup off with DHC cleansing oil, wash my face with a SheaMoisture Clay-to-Cream cleanser that helps with redness, use Trader Joe's rosewater spray as a toner, and apply Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence, Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Oil, and finally, some Cetaphil moisturizer. I also exfoliate twice a week and use a jade roller when I can remember. It sounds long and intense, but I have it down to a science. K. usually comes over after my class, but he wants to practice for a show his band is playing next week (which works out, because I'm pretty wiped). I read The Complete Stories of Truman Capote before I eventually knock out.
Daily Total: $23
Day Three
6:45 a.m. — I know it's cliché, but I wake up super excited that it's Friday! I have a busy weekend ahead of me, but most of it is socializing and doing fun stuff. I forget to grab breakfast at home, so I eat a protein bar from our work kitchen.
12:30 p.m. — It's been a crazy busy day at work, and I'm finally taking lunch. We have free lunch today, and it's Brazilian food. I have beans, rice, and pico de gallo. I'm still pretty hungry after, so I have a bowl of cereal from the kitchen.
2:15 p.m. — It's International Women's Day, and I'm super bummed that I missed the event that the Women's Impact Network put on. I was on a work call that ran longer than expected. Because I work in sales, we basically have to drop everything if there's a possibility of getting a closing. It's a bummer and it's stressful, so even though I'm getting paid a lot, I'm looking to transition out of this field into something I'm more passionate about. I'd rather feel more joy and stability, even if it means sacrificing a great paycheck.
5:30 p.m. — I get off work at 4:30 and drive straight to a Body Sculpting & Abs class, hosted by the same instructor as last night's class. This is my first time taking this one, and I love it just as much as Brazilian Booty. It's a good way to get a full-body workout, which is great because I need to increase my upper-body strength. I'm meeting a friend for dinner tonight, so I rush home to walk the dog, shower, and get ready.
8:10 p.m. — I'm late to meet my friend for dinner at a restaurant called Puesto. When I get there, he has already been there for a while and downed a wine flight. It's Orange County Restaurant Week, so we get a prix fixe menu for $30. We each get chips and guacamole, two tacos, cilantro-lime rice, esquite, and a slice of dulce de leche cake. I also decide to splurge and get a margarita. I haven't seen him in nearly four months, so it's great to catch up. $48.75
11:15 p.m. — Home from dinner, and I am SO happy I don't have to set an alarm for tomorrow! My favorite thing about the weekend is being able to sleep in on at least one day, if not both. I really need to start falling asleep earlier during the week so I'm not so exhausted when the weekend rolls around.
Daily Total: $48.75
Day Four
7:45 a.m. — The dog is at the foot of my bed waiting for me to get up to feed him and take him out. He always whines a little and gives me these huge bug eyes. I throw on sweatpants and a jacket, let him do his business, feed him, and head back to bed. I hear him come in my room about 10 minutes later and see him cuddle back into his bed. He's such a great, low-key dog.
11:45 a.m. — Ohhhhmygod, I can't believe I woke up this late! I have a few texts from K. and I panic — we're supposed to go see Blade Runner (one of his favorite movies) at the Frida Cinema, but I forgot what time it starts. Once I realize we don't have to be there until 2:30, I relax and check social media in bed for a while.
1:15 p.m. — I start to get ready, but I'm not really feelin' it. I can't tell if I'm having an off day and feeling depressed or if I'm still just tired. Even though I'm doing a lot of fun things this weekend that I'm excited for, part of me wishes I could just veg out at home for a day.
2:15 p.m. — K. picks me up and we're running late for the movie. He notices that I'm not feeling my best but doesn't push for me to talk about it. I feel bad that I'm feeling this way after not seeing him for a couple of days, but he's so nice and understanding about my anxiety and depression. I need coffee, so I walk over to Portola while he grabs seats and meets up with our friends. I don't really care about missing the first few minutes, because I've seen Blade Runner before. I get an oat milk iced latte ($5.75 + $1 tip). $6.75
4:45 p.m. — I always forget how visually stunning Blade Runner is; I could probably just sit and watch it with no sound and still love it. We talk to our friends outside the theater for a bit, and they invite us to get drinks, but K. and I have to go and get ready for my cousin's engagement party. I check my phone and find out I sold something on Poshmark — yay!
6 p.m. — We are running suuuuper late because we had to walk the dog (well, K. did, bless his heart) and change for the party. I hate being late, so this definitely doesn't help my “off” mood today, but I'm trying to not get anxious about it.
7:23 p.m. — Finally arrive! My cousin got engaged a little bit before Christmas, but her fiancé's family lives out of town, so now we're celebrating with everyone while they're here. The party is at a cute Italian restaurant, and the food is amazing. My aunt paid for the party, so we don't have to cover anything. I take some leftover eggplant Parmesan home for lunch on Monday and leave feeling better than I did earlier, which is nice. I fill up my gas tank on the way home. $38.74
11 p.m. — Get home and go straight to bed after my nighttime routine. I have to be up at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow for my drive to Pasadena for a swap meet, PLUS we're losing an hour for Daylight Saving, ugh. I can already tell I'm going to be a zombie tomorrow.
Daily Total: $45.49
Day Five
5:30 a.m. — Snooze.
6:24 a.m. — I'm so late! I text my friend who lives in Pasadena and is going with me, and he says he and his wife have been snoozing their alarm, too, so I should take my time. In fairness, we lost an hour of sleep, so I did technically wake up at 5:30!
7:08 a.m. — Leave my house and grab $100 in cash from the ATM, because most vendors at the flea market don't accept cards. Going shopping at flea markets is one of my favorite activities and probably the only thing I'll ever be excited to wake up early for. I'm looking to sell vintage clothing soon, and I'm hoping I'll find some good finds for my future online shop. We're all grabbing brunch after shopping, but I know I won't last until then on an empty stomach, so I drive through Del Taco for breakfast rollers and coffee. $4.30
8:20 a.m. — I make it to my friend's house and we all head out. This is our first time at the swap meet together — they're flea market enthusiasts as well, so I'm excited to shop with them. The Rose Bowl Flea Market happens the second Sunday of every month, and it's enormous. I've done the whole area once, and it took me about five to six hours to get through everything (exhausting but still fun). They have a map to make it easier, so you know what areas to visit if you have a specific focus. It's $9 to get in, cash only. I have a $10 bill in my wallet, so I don't use the cash I got this morning. $9
12:45 p.m. — We're done shopping because we all got what we wanted, and we're super hungry. We only covered about two areas, but I got a great haul! I bought five vintage dresses ($75), a vintage Dodgers shirt ($20), and a vintage T-shirt for K. ($5). I'll be keeping a few of the items and selling some. My best find was an Alfred Shaheen dress for $20 — they usually go for $100-$400! My friends got some great items as well, including an old French poster from 1920 that's been preserved and framed. I spent $100 total for everything, so I'm happy I stayed within budget! $100
1:15 p.m. — We arrive for brunch at Idle Hour in North Hollywood to meet up with some other friends who have already started a few rounds of bottomless mimosas. I order breakfast sliders (basically egg, cheese, and tomato in the middle of a biscuit) and fries, which are okay — next time, I want to try something else. The atmosphere is really cool. The restaurant is shaped like a barrel, and they have a huge walk-in Bulldog-shaped lounge on the back patio with a live band playing inside. We stay a couple hours and sober up before leaving. $35
5:07 p.m. — I'm wiped. I had a lot of fun, but I didn't expect to stay that long. I wanted to take a midday nap, but now it's way too late so I just plan to go to bed early. K. is coming over to hang out, and I'm excited because we haven't spent time alone with each other in a while (or at least it seems like a while). He picks up food for me from Urban Plates, and I Venmo him because I appreciate it! $13.50
8:30 p.m. — I feel like a grandma going to bed this early, but it feels so good, I don't even really care.
Daily Total: $161.80
Day Six
6:58 a.m. — I seriously need to get better about waking up earlier. I do the usual — let the dog out, get ready, leave for work. I forget breakfast again, so I just eat another protein bar and get cold brew at the office.
11:45 a.m. — I have leftover eggplant Parm for lunch, and somehow it tastes even better reheated. I'm listening to Skippy Dies, and I'm realizing how sad I'm going to be when this book is over — I'm too invested in the characters and the story now.
4:30 p.m. — Off work and gotta rush back to my place to clean up some clutter before my cousin (same one from the adult film fest) comes over later tonight for a movie night. We're either going to watch Clue or The Accidental Tourist. K. is coming for a little bit to have dinner with us but has to leave early to meet some college friends for drinks.
6:25 p.m. — My cousin has arrived! The dog is super excited because no one except K. ever really comes over, so he likes seeing a new person around. K. comes shortly after, and we head over to Taco Bell. It probably seems like I eat here a lot, but I actually prefer Del Taco. I eat Taco Bell, like, once every two or three months, but it's cheap, easy, and my cousin's pick. I order two potato soft tacos, a medium drink, and cinnamon twists. $9.78
8:05 p.m. — K. leaves and my cousin and I finally start the movie after some technical difficulties with the DVD player. We decide to watch Clue, and I guess the DVD was important because it has all three alternate endings. My cousin told me when they released it in theaters, you weren't sure which ending you were going to get, which is really cool. It upset a lot of people, though, so when they put it on VHS/DVD, they included all the endings. After the movie, we watch YouTube videos and he educates me on the origins of the movie/similar movies. He's super knowledgeable about movie history, and I always enjoy hearing his theories and facts.
11:10 p.m. — My cousin just left, and I'm EXHAUSTED. I told my mom I would call her when I was finished with the movie, and she's still awake, so I call her despite my exhaustion. I always try to call and catch up with her when I can. Even though we don't live too far away from each other, I do miss her a lot.
12:30 a.m. — My mom and I end up talking for an hour and some change, so I'm just now falling asleep. I can already tell I'm going to feel super tired tomorrow.
Daily Total: $9.78
Day Seven
6:35 a.m. — Miraculously wake up earlier than expected, and it feels so nice not to rush. I get to cuddle a little bit with the dog before we do our morning routine. I eat a Lenny & Larry's cookie for breakfast and make a mental note to not order the chocolate doughnut flavor again. I like lemon poppy seed or chocolate peanut butter more.
9:15 a.m. — Today has been amazing at work so far! This agent whom I called last week called me back, and I ended up selling him, which puts me SO much closer to my quota for the month.
11:30 a.m. — I brought soup from home again for lunch. If I'm being honest, I'm not really liking this recipe. I think it needs more vegetable stock, because it feels more like orzo pasta with vegetables than actual soup. I want to eat the rest of it, though, because I still have two days' worth of leftovers. I'm trying to get better at cooking. Key word: trying.
4:15 p.m. — I officially hit quota! I receive an inbound inquiry from a super sweet agent who basically just gave me her credit card number right off the bat to sign her up. I don't feel as accomplished when this happens because I barely have to sell them, but it's still great to hit my numbers. I leave work on cloud nine.
5:05 p.m. — I love coming home because the dog gets so excited. He jumps on me, then starts running around in circles near his food bowl. I feed him and take him for a walk. I like not having anything to do immediately after our walk, so he can leisurely smell the grass and I can listen to my audiobook a little longer. I'm too lazy and not that hungry for a full meal, so I make myself a protein shake for dinner.
6:45 p.m. — K. comes over after he gets off work. We decided earlier to have a lazy night because we've both been busy and social the past few days. I love going out, but some of my favorite nights with K. are just cuddling and reading books or watching a movie on the couch or even just watching dumb YouTube videos together. Tonight we sit around talking about life and playing with the dog.
10:15 p.m. — Ahhh, it feels so nice to go to bed on the earlier side! Hopefully, this means I'll get around eight hours of sleep. I remember tomorrow is payday, and I'm stoked — the night before honestly always makes me feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. I'm going to start trying way harder to save money and not blow everything on clothes or eating out with this paycheck.
Daily Total: $0
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If you're most comfortable wearing your hair down, a slicked-back updo might feel intimidating. For you, a high ponytail or tight bun isn't complete without a few strands tugged loose to fall around your face — a look that's polished, but still leaves you with something to twirl around your finger.
With Meghan Markle's infamous wedding-day bun setting an obvious precedent, the purposefully messy updo has seen a huge fashion moment in Hollywood recently, with A-listers like Kendall Jenner and Maisie Williams offsetting their designer gowns with tousled, swept-up strands. Needless to say, the relatable spring hair trend is giving us inspiration for every occasion when we want to wear our hair up, but in the most effortless way possible.
Ahead, find all the messy updo inspiration taking over Instagram right now, so you can pinpoint the exact look that'll work from your weekday grind to Saturday-afternoon cocktails — and every upcoming wedding on your calendar, to boot.
To tone down the sophistication of Kendall Jenner's diamond Tiffany choker and bright-pink feathered minidress, celebrity hair pro Jen Atkin styled her middle-parted bun with purposefully playful, wispy strands.
When you have lilac bangs and a big silk bow, like Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams, a messy topknot feels youthful and on-brand.
Even if you're wearing Asos — not floral Giambattista Valli Couture — you can emulate Lily Collins' fancy springtime look with a glossy topknot and perfectly-coiffed tendrils.
We're loving the way model Shanina Shaik's loose strands fall perfectly in line with her diamond droplet earrings.
Indya Moore's French twist feels like a modern nod to the romantic Victorian era.
A slightly askew bun is best styled with a jeweled hair pin, à la Nicole Richie.
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The last time we saw Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka) on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, she'd gotten full control of her witchy powers, but at a cost: She signed her name into the Book of the Beast, which we're guessing will have some detrimental consequences in the second season of the Netflix show. Another major plot twist between season one and two: Sabrina got a makeover. After Sabrina signed away her life to a woman named Madam Satan, her hair and makeup instantly changed to reflect her newfound power.
As if by magic, her hair turns from blonde to an icy-white — something showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said is Sabrina canon since in the comics the character's hair is platinum, not blonde. This is proof that the 16-year-old sweetheart has a wicked side that's yet to be fully unearthed — until season two, of course. Even so, her hair isn't the only aspect of her look that changes because of her darkness, so does her lipstick.
In season one, Sabrina's look is mostly comprised of neutral eye makeup and maybe a subtle pink lip gloss. It's only after she gives her soul to the Dark Lord that Sabrina's lipstick transforms into something much darker. Candice Stafford-Bridge, makeup department head for the show, tells Refinery29 that this otherwise minor detail is crucial to Sabrina's character arc. The character's dark side is directly reflected in her berry lipstick.
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
Although the dark color didn't become Sabrina's go-to until season two, Stafford-Bridge explains that the baseline for Sabrina's signature lip shade came during the half-witch's Dark Baptism way back in the second episode of season one. In the scene, Sabrina wears a stained berry shade as she prepares to join the Church of Night. "That color became the standard for her after that scene," Stafford-Bridge explains. "We based every other lip color choice for Sabrina around that."
And if you want to copy that exact shade, you'll have to spend $90 to get the look. Although Stafford-Bridge has since used other lipsticks on the character, the product she used for Sabrina's Dark Baptism is Christian Louboutin's Velvet Matte Lip in the shade Very Prive. And it's that vampy shade that inspires Sabrina's current look on the Path of Night. Who knew witches had such expensive tastes?
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Louisiana is the latest state to introduce legislation banning abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detected, which typically happens at around six weeks of gestation — a point in which many women don't know they're pregnant.
SB 184, sponsored by Democratic state Sen. John Milkovich, makes exceptions only in cases where the mother's health is at risk. The legislation makes no exception for cases of rape or incest.
This year alone, thirteen states have introduced this type of measure, which is also known as a "heartbeat bill." Last month, these bans were signed into law in Kentucky and Mississippi, before being blocked by a court. In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to sign the state's measure in the coming weeks. Reproductive rights advocates say anti-abortion lawmakers hope these bills will bring the legal challenge that will overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
“These bans are very much at the center of Roe v. Wade,” Elizabeth Nash, senior state issues manager at the Guttmacher Institute, previously told Refinery29. She emphasized anti-abortion lawmakers are relying on the court's conservative majority. “The idea is to kick off a court case and ultimately is to get this before the U.S. Supreme Court with the anticipation that the court is looking to undermine or overturn Roe v. Wade. Conservatives are very eager to get that ball rolling.”
As we've reported before, legislation banning abortion as soon as heartbeat is detected is considered unconstitutional due to the Supreme Court 's 1992 decision on Planned Parenthood v. Casey. That case upheld a woman's right to choose an abortion before viability, which researches say happens at around 22 weeks. But that clear precedent has not stopped anti-abortion lawmakers from introducing and considering these bans in places such as Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, South Carolina, Florida, West Virginia, Maryland, Texas, and Minnesota.
Louisiana currently bans abortions after 20 weeks of gestation and is one of the handful of states with a "trigger law" on the books, which means abortion would automatically become illegal in the event Roe is overturned.
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Halima Aden is breaking barriers in the fashion industry at a time when xenophobia is at a peak. A proud Somali-American model turned UNICEF ambassador, she made history as the first Miss Minnesota pageant contestant to don a hijab and a burkini on stage. A year later, she signed with international modeling agency, IMG Models, becoming their first ever hijabi model. She has since walked in runway shows for Yeezy, MaxMara, and Alberta Ferretti; graced the covers of Vogue UK, Paper and Allure; and racked up a six-digit Instagram following.
We caught up with the 21-year-old supermodel after H&M's Conscious collection event in Los Angeles, where she showed her support for the brand's focus on sustainable fashion. "I look at the brand’s values and if it aligns with mine," she told Refinery29 when asked why she supports H&M Conscious. "The work that [H&M is] doing with their Conscious Exclusive collection is everything that I want to work for as far as protecting our environment and brands being more conscious."
She chose to wear a v-neck maxi dress from the collection for the event, noting that she styled it modestly. "It still works for me because I paired it with a turtleneck. It looked like those two pieces belonged together.” She also fell in love with the dress’s matching scarf. “I tried a scarf that was part of the collection as an accessory, but I wore it as a hijab, and it really complimented the dress."
Halima is also embarking on her first-ever design venture. Working withModanisa, a Turkish brand that offers modest options to women across the globe, Halima designed a 27-piece collection of hijabs, turbans, and shawls. It will debut at Istanbul's Modest Fashion Week later this month. "It's going to be major,” she teased. “My hijabis better get in formation, because I’m so excited." Inspired by her near one million Instagram followers, the collection is stocked full of pre-tied, vibrant options that are perfect for people on-the-go. "I noticed the colors and styles that my followers asked for and which ones get the most comments, so I’m hoping that every hijabi finds something that works for her and her everyday lifestyle."
She's finally starting to see a shift in the retail industry toward embracing modest fashion. "I think now, more than ever, brands [are] starting to see that there is a modest market. Women want to find outfits that work with their lifestyle, work with their individual style." Representation on the runway is increasing as well. "Just three years ago there wasn’t a single hijab-wearing model, and today, there are like ten of us, so I have to give the industry a huge bravo — I'm really impressed."
Between using her platform to spread UNICEF's message, encouraging brands to embrace the modern fashion market, and creating her own line of hijabs and turbans, Halima Aden really is doing it all. Her end-all-be-all advice? "Always stay true to yourself, know your worth as a young woman, try to always do the right thing, be patient, work hard, and dream BIG."
H&M's Conscious Exclusive collection launches on April 11th.
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On Saturday afternoon, Twitter users shared a video clip of presidential candidate Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in which she greeted a Voice of America News reporter in Mandarin. Gillibrand is known to be conversational in the language. She was an Asian Studies major at Dartmouth College and studied for six months in China and Taiwan, where she famously roomed with her friend Friday Night Lights star Connie Britton.
Unfortunately, Gillibrand's command of Mandarin has made barely a blip in the news cycle. At the same time, media outlets have been falling all over themselves to cover Pete Buttigieg, the polyglot mayor of South Bend, IN. Buttigieg, who has recently experienced a surge in the polls and has raised an impressive $7 million in this year's first quarter, reportedly either speaks or is proficient in, in addition to English, French, Spanish, Italian, Norwegian, Arabic, Maltese, and Dari. (Oh, and he's a Rhodes Scholar — so in case you haven't caught on, he's really, really, smart.)
The fact that a particular subset of intellectuals, or poli sci majors who wish they were, are fawning over 37-year-old Mayor Pete while ignoring the impressive qualifications of other candidates, particularly the female ones, is a glaring double standard. Sen. Elizabeth Warren founded the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an entire agency of the U.S. government, and has a reputation as one of the most distinguished law professors in the country. Sen. Cory Booker was also a Rhodes Scholar, but doesn't get portrayed as a "genius." It's worth noting that Buttigieg could become the first openly gay, and the first millennial, president. But Buttigieg's intellectual prowess doesn't warrant constant, glowing coverage when media outlets could allocate their limited resources to cover women and people of color with equally, or more, exceptional résumès.
"It's not a surprise that the leading candidates for president are white men," Danny Barefoot, a Democratic strategist with Anvil Strategies, previously told Refinery29. "The women in this race are held to a higher standard by voters, the press, and yes, even other women."
It's not a coincidence that white, male candidates are polling ahead because they are considered "household names." They are "household names" precisely because cable news decides to cover them more often, banking on ratings. Covering women, like voting for them, is considered more risky. So, it becomes a vicious cycle: Buttigieg, who doesn't have a lot of tangible policy accomplishments, is clearly being groomed as the young upstart in favor of the senators who've been doing their homework for decades.
This exposes another double standard: The female candidates in this race generally worked their way up the ladder to larger and larger legislative bodies. Many of the men have held executive positions, or are running for an executive position for which they are not traditionally qualified. Had a young woman who was say, a mayor of a small city, thrown her hat in the ring, she would have been portrayed as "in a hurry."
"[W]hether a youngish candidate is bright, brilliant, and promising or inexperienced, off-putting, and ruthlessly ambitious depends on whether the young thing in question is male or female," Jill Filipovic wrote in a recent column for the New York Times. "Voters, donors, and journalists are all excited by the great leadership potential of young men who leapfrog up the political ladder. They expect women to prove themselves before they move forward. ... We want something new, but for women, unfamiliarity and youth end up being tied to incompetence."
It's telling that to find any substance on Gillibrand's life in China in the mainstream media, you have to go as far back as a 2009 article in the NYT titled "New York senator impresses with Mandarin." The article reports that she initially decided to study Mandarin in college because she loved the artistry of Chinese characters. As she learned more, she gained a deeper appreciation for the culture and an understanding of the complex relationship between the U.S. and China that later helped her with her role as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. She researched Tibetan refugees and interviewed the Dalai Lama for her senior project, and later spent four months in Hong Kong as a corporate lawyer.
A reporter from World Journal, a daily Chinese-language newspaper based in New York, told the NYT after a conversation with her in Mandarin, "She definitely understood what I was saying, and she had good pronunciation. Actually, I was very impressed."
This isn't the first time Gillibrand has spoken Mandarin to reporters on the 2020 campaign trail. In February, a CNN reporter tested her language skills in Cedar Rapids, IA, and she seems to have passed with flying colors.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand mentioned she studied Mandarin during her speech in Cedar Rapids today, so another reporter and I took advantage to test out our Chinese: pic.twitter.com/zR4Mf8277J
Here's a challenge: Stop looking for the shiny new guy who's bringing in the clicks and ratings, and start covering the qualifications of the female candidates just as substantively — and, when deserved, just as glowingly — as the men's. Let's give Gillibrand the Beto treatment and portray her as the risk-taker she was in college: according to the NYT, "an exuberant adventurer who sucked down toad venom to counteract poisonous crabs from Beidaihe Beach in Hebei Province and who rode helmetless on a motorcycle in Taipei."
Contrary to what you may have read at the nail salon or in the checkout line, celebrities are not just like us. Last time we checked, we didn't have a private chef, driver, or trainer — although we're totally open to all three — nor do we live in a gated community or vacation on yachts. (Again, we wouldn't mind...) But one way celebrities — even the richest, the most famous, the most successful — actually do seem relatable? They love cheap beauty products.
Yes, sometimes even Kylie Jenner and Beyoncé have to make a pit stop at their local Walgreens for a re-up on their favorite makeup-removing wipes. Sure, they probably send their assistants, but shopping at the drugstore is shopping at the drugstore. That's why we're rounding up the products the rich and famous rave about and that we can actually afford. (Note: None of the products that follow are ones the celebrity is paid to endorse. This is legit, people.) So check 'em out in the slides ahead.
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Blake Lively
Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images.
It's rare that we get a full glimpse into Lively's beauty regimen, so we were all ears when she broke down her routine via her Instagram Stories this week. The actress revealed that while she loves to splurge on lipsticks, she relies on this $16 sunscreen as part of her glowing skin-care routine.
CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Face Lotion, $15.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Jennifer Lopez
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/WireImage.
Admit it: You'd be willing to spend a hefty amount of cash to achieve Lopez's famous glow, right? Luckily, her secret doesn't cost more than $8. Lopez's long-time makeup artist, Scott Barnes, revealed to YouTube star Tati Westbrook that this is his favorite drugstore buy of all time because it gives an instant glow to the body and provides sun protection, too.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Lightweight Sunscreen Spray, $7.49, available at Target
Ariana Grande
Photo: Gregory Pace/REX/Shutterstock.
After falling asleep in her eye makeup, Grande recently defended her skin-care routine on Twitter. Sure, she sometimes goes to bed without washing her eyeliner off (who doesn't?), but she is diligent about using makeup wipes (and toner and face masks) to rinse away everything else on her face. Her go-to makeup remover: Burt's Bees $5 makeup wipes.
Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes Cucumber and Sage, $5.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Although it's never been confirmed whether or not Markle packed these cleansing wipes when she moved to Adelaide Cottage, we do know that, before she was a Duchess, these were her go-to after a long day on the set of Suits. Not only did she admit to Beauty Banter that she used to buy them in bulk, but that they were her answer to a lazy skin-care routine.
Biore Daily Cleansing Cloths, $7.99, available at Target
Constance Wu
Photo: J. Merritt/Getty Images.
The Crazy Rich Asians star told The New York Times all about her daily aspiration to reach peak J.Lo glow. Overall, Wu has a pretty pricey makeup routine, and she washes all the product away at night with an equally expensive oil cleanser from SK-II. But she follows it up with this $6 pick. "I’ve been using it since I was a teenager," she tells the publication.
Clearasil Rapid Rescue Deep Treatment Wash, $5.99, available at Target
Hilary Duff
Photo: John Lamparski/WireImage.
Duff recently shared some of her pregnancy beauty hacks with Byrdie, but made sure to say — pregnant or not — she adores this under-$10 body oil: "It smells so good to me. I love, love, love smelling like that," she says.
Neutrogena Body Oil Light Sesame Formula, $9.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Madelaine Petsch
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic.
This Riverdale star just so happens to be a low-key beauty blogger on the side — seriously, her YouTube channel is a goldmine. In fact, that's where we found her favorite everyday brow gel, which is not only cruelty-free and vegan, but also under $15.
Pacifica Stunning Brows Eyebrow Gloss and Set, $14, available at Pacifica
Yara Shahidi
Photo: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic.
According to Shahidi's interview with E!, her first step in a solid skin-care regimen is using the right cleanser. She gravitates toward oil-based formulas, saying they're better for her dry skin. Occasionally, she'll even use pure cut Aloe Vera or vitamin E oil, she adds. Finally, we have some clue to how she achieves that perfect glow.
Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Oil with Coconut & Argan Oils, $15.99, available at Target
Shahidi once told Byrdie that she owes her enviable curls to this cult lightweight gel. "EcoStyler is a $3 gel that I swear by because it’s not always about the most expensive product, but the most efficient," she says.
Even before she became one of the many new faces of CoverGirl, Curry was an under-the-radar beauty guru. Now, she's laying down some wisdom for affordable edge control. "I wear a lot of hair extensions because I’m doing a lot of shoots and things like that," she told The Cut. "But for me, a good edge control is really important, and then a headscarf at night. So I always keep some Cantu edge control around and I’ll use a toothbrush and smooth down my edges."
Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel, $3.97, available at Target
Zoe Saldana
The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 star once revealed that she swears by calendula to hydrate her lips. Saldana told Byrdie: "I buy this thing in Europe whenever I go, or whenever anyone I know goes to Europe." Lucky for us, the ointment can be purchased in the U.S. — and for less than $6, too.
Boiron Calendula Homeopathic First Aid Ointment, $6.48, available at Jet
Chrissy Teigen
Photo: Noam Galai/WireImage.
Teigen told us that when she does take off her makeup (which isn't very often), these $5 wipes are her go-to for the job.
Clean & Clear Oil-Free Makeup Dissolving Facial Cleansing Wipes, $6.79, available at Amazon
Olivia Culpo
Photo: KCR/REX/Shutterstock.
Culpo's signature bob doesn't come without some prep. According to Byrdie, hairstylist Justine Marjan uses this drugstore staple to prep Culpo's blunt cut, then some salt spray for a bit of grit before blow drying.
Tresemmé Expert Selection Pre-Styling Spray Repair & Protect 7, $6.79, available at Walgreens
Zosia Mamet
This drugstore staple has a lot of fans among the celebrity community, including Mamet. "I wash my face every morning and every night with Cetaphil," she told us. "It's my favorite — I’ve used it for years. I will never use a different cleanser."
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $13.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Khloé Kardashian
Photo: Jason LaVeris/Getty Images.
The celeb's former makeup artist, Joyce Bonelli, shared on the Kardashian's app the beauty secret we've always wondered: Khloé gets her glow with a drugstore highlighter. "Your highlighter should be a shade lighter than your natural skin tone, and bronzer a shade darker," Bonelli says. For $6, that hardly feels like an extra step.
Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighters, $6, available at Ulta Beauty
Zendaya
Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images.
Breakouts can be a nightmare, but instead of opting for a drying spot treatment, Zendaya keeps an emergency set of sheet masks to get the job done. She explained on her app and website, "If my skin is trippin' and I have a few zits, I'll use one that fights acne." Her go-to? This gentle spot fighter from Yes To. (And you can't beat that price tag.)
Yes To Tomatoes Clear Skin Acne Fighting Sheet Mask, $2.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Kylie Jenner
Photo: Gregory Pace/BEI/Shutterstock.
We're no strangers to Jenner's extensive — and super glam — makeup routine, but we were kind of shocked to hear she had a drugstore must-have: Maybelline's Fit Me Blush. She told Violet Grey that out this power pigment formula is one of her daily go-tos.
Maybelline Fit Me Blush, $5.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Gigi Hadid
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images.
In an interview with Allure, Hadid revealed the reason this drugstore scrub has remained a long-standing staple in her beauty routine. "It's been around because it's the best," she said. We love the gentle exfoliator, too, especially because it uses natural powders from walnut shells, so it's less irritating. But Hadid's stamp of approval definitely serves as a reminder to use it more religiously.
St. Ives Fresh Skin Face Scrub Apricot, $3.64, available at Target
Kendall Jenner
Photo: Jason LaVeris/Getty Images.
Yesterday, if you had told us that shiny-haired Kendall Jenner's favorite shampoo is under four dollars, we would have laughed. But it turns out the joke's on us because she once told Allure, "Kim likes Finesse shampoo, and now so do I. I’ve tried all the expensive things, too. It just works for my hair and makes it so silky." BRB — running out to pick up this old-school classic now.
Finesse Moisturizing Shampoo, $2.99, available at walgreens.com
Beyoncé
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
Back in 2011, when Beyoncé was rising to her Queen B status, she told Allure that this product is a must-have. “I wear it with my lipstick. I did this trick last summer, when I was on vacation: I used it to prime my lashes before curling. It was like a natural mascara. It made the lashes hold the curl and look shiny. I use it for everything!” In that case, point us in the nearest direction to buy this magic in a tin, stat.
Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve, $7, available at Sephora
Selena Gomez
Photo: Denise Truscello/Getty Images.
Gomez saves a few bucks on beauty favorites from time to time, including this standout shaving cream. She told Into The Gloss that she uses this formula because "it isn't too thick" — and we agree.
Kim’s beauty routine comes with a hefty price tag; happily, we can all afford the facial wipes she stands by. She’s even Snapchatted her morning routine and these double-duty towelettes made an appearance. “But 1st I scrub with these wipes! #obsessed,” she captioned the snap.
Kiko Milano Exfoliating Wipes, $9, available at Kiko Milano
Eva Mendes
Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Image.
“Those are amazing drugstore buys!” Eva told us about the Queen Helene face masks. “You know, when I am shooting in the middle of nowhere you can always find a drugstore...and those are great to get.” With 11 types of masks in the range, these picks are seriously #key.
Queen Helene Masque Mint Julep, $4.99, available at Walgreens
Lupita Nyong'o
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
The award-winning actress told InStyle that for her, nothing works better than avocado oil. “This is what I use to wash off my makeup,” she said. “It's gentle and natural, and my skin tends to be pretty dry, so I need the extra oil.”
Now Solutions Avocado Oil, $7.99, available at GNC
Anna Kendrick
Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images.
One of Anna's top picks is a throwback some of us can appreciate — hello, annoying razor burn — especially if we want silky skin. "If you're not using Intuition razors, you're wasting everybody's time," she told The New York Times. "Whenever I hear someone is still using a separate shave gel, it's like hearing they still use dial-up internet.” (For the record, the Intuition has a built-in shaving-cream cartridge.)
Schick Intuition Sensitive Care Women's Razor Handle, $8.28, available at Target
Shay Mitchell
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
This badass actress tends to keep her makeup light and fresh. She told Teen Vogue: “In the morning, I only use CoverGirl Lash Blast (I purchase 10 at a time in case they discontinue!). It just works really well.”
COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Emma Watson
Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage.
“A makeup artist I met recently used a nude pencil around my lips to give them a perfect outline that’s not as obvious as a red liner,” Emma told Marie Claire a couple years back.
L'Oréal Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Olivia Wilde
Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images.
Olivia swears by this true-blue winner. “I’ve been using the same hippie shit my whole life,” she told Byrdie. “It’s the greatest! You can even use it in your hair when you go camping.”
Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap, $15.99, available at Target
Lucy Hale
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
“At the end of a long day, wiping my makeup off and feeling so clean, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Lucy told Into the Gloss. She praised the wipes' ability to “take everything off without irritating [my skin]."
Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Laverne Cox
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
It's certainly not an easy task to find an SPF that works for you, but Laverne has it on lock. She told InStyle that she swears by this non-greasy face and body sunscreen.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Lotion, $7.99, available at Target
Easy to use, matte, and hydrating? Sign us up. As she told InStyle, Laverne credits her your-lips-but-better look to this chubby balm.
Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm, $8.49, available at Ulta Beauty
Jessica Alba
Photo: Gary Gershoff/WireImage.
You're not the only one who's been strangely tantalized by As Seen On TV beauty scores. Jessica told Into the Gloss that she lives for the Turbie Twist. "It’s the greatest thing in the world," she raved. "It’s like a towel that you pull your hair up in after the shower."
Turbie Twist The Original Turbie Twist, $10, available at Amazon
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Some folks are natural-born gifters who thrive on dreaming up surprising and delightful buys for others (while some are not). But, even the most skilled shoppers among us can find themselves thrown off their game by an unusual gifting occasion. These peculiar scenarios aren't your typical birth to holiday celebrations — instead, we're talking more along the lines of, "congratulations on finalizing your divorce," type situations.
Unusual gifting occasions call for an extra layer of shop-savvy that wields the power to smooth over any potential awkward or atypical moments of appreciation. Whether you want to let a sort-of-stranger know that you appreciate them watching your cat, or you want to thank the parents of your friend for letting you weekend at their house, we've vetted a list of appropriate gifts to express those sentiments and more. From terrazzo-flecked soap bars to affirmational shot glasses and a chic pink vibrator, the creative options ahead are well-equipped for 17 uncommon moments.
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.
"Thank You For Watching My Cat" That sort-of-stranger that you wrangled into watching the cat while you're out of town? Show them some gratitude with an artfully-illustrated coffee table book that covers important feline facts — like, "Did you know that the fishing cat has partially webbed paws for catching fish?" (There's also a, "Smart About Sharks! " edition, too, for any shark owners out there.)
Owen Davey Crazy About Cats (About Animals), $13.96, available at Amazon
"Hey, I'm Thinking About You" It's tough to find the right gift, let alone words, for a close friend who is going through something. Try letting her know she's on your mind with a gift that doubles as a therapeutic craft activity — this chic raffia tote kit comes complete with a bag pattern, crocheting hook, and sewing needle.
Wool and the Gang Crochet Raffia Bag Kit - Make Your Own Bag!, $80, available at Wool and the Gang
"Thank You For Feeding Me" Going to someone else's home (like the in-laws') for dinner is one of those unusual gifting occasions where they've explicitly told you not to bring anything and you're no sommelier but you can't come empty handed — instead of collapsing in a pile of angst, just pickup this unique olive oil duo made from a premium Californian extra virgin blend.
Brightland Alive and Awake Olive Oil Set, $62.99, available at Huckberry
"Congratulations On Being Single & Fabulous" Whether it's someone who just got out of a relationship or a perpetually single someone, give that bud a little love with the reminder that they are everything.
"Happy Moving To A City That I Don't Live In" The real power move in this bittersweet gifting situation would be to give your initial instead of theirs as a dramatic, "forget me not."
Anthropologie Block Letter Monogram Necklace, $38, available at Anthropologie
"Congrats On Getting Accepted" Whether they're headed to a program abroad or just to a grad school down the street, send a friend off in style with this chic blush-pink pack.
Everlane The Packable Backpack - Pink, $35, available at Everlane
"Thank Your Family For Letting Us Weekend At Their House" Let your friend's parents with the upstate house you crashed at last weekend know you're grateful with a gift that's more than just ornamental — this chic chambray backgammon and checkers set comes in a travel friendly drawstring bag for making the most of indoor-outdoor game nights.
Studio Nicco Backpack Backgammon & Checkers: Blue Bird, $45, available at Amazon
"I Hope Your Fur-Child Gets Well Soon" To your pals whose furry friends are their children, let them know they've got your support with a book that's full of empathy and a touch of humor.
Carissa Potter It's OK to Feel Things Deeply, $11.66, available at Amazon
"Happy Retirement (Here's Something To Fill Your Days)" Bestow a recent retiree with this DIY floral-arrangement subscription to brighten their home and fill up their recently cleared-out schedules.
It's By U Modern Farmhouse Bouquet , $49.95, available at It's By U
"Thank You For Helping Me Move My Shit" Moving is a torturous part of life — and the unfortunate friend, SO, or family member who agrees to assist you in the gruesome process deserves a detoxifying spa treatment they would never splurge on for themselves.
This Works evening detox clay mask, $59, available at DermStore
"Congratulations On Your Divorce" Whether the end of the marriage in question is a cause for celebrations or condolences, gift this empowering pink vibrator for a lot of self-love encouragement.
"Thank You For Letting Me Apartment-Squat" Leave behind an artisan, terrazzo-speckled soap bar as a token of your appreciation to the couple that let you couch surf at their apartment for the past month.
Fazeek Terrazzo Soap Lychee + Black Tea, $12, available at Antidote+
"Happy Getting Pregnant" For a friend or family member that's been trying for some time, let this small heart-shaped succulent serve as a celebration of new life and love.
"Congratulations On Getting Engaged To That Person I Haven't Met" When your friend's sudden engagement to that person you've never met leaves you speechless, let a light bottle of bubbly serve as your blessing on their whirlwind nuptials. Perhaps with a trio of stemless wine glasses to give her the hint you'd love an intro soon?
Winc 2017 Clink! Sparkling White Blend, $18, available at Winc
"Thank You For Networking & Getting Me A Job" For your family friend — or person you found through your college alumni group — who did the networking that led to your recent hiring, a trio of gourmet chocolates will do.
Raaka Virgin Chocolate Best Sellers Chocolate Bar Trio, $14.95, available at Amazon
"Congratulations On Finishing That Thing You've Been Working On" Whether it was a thesis, grad school application, personal memoir, or home renovation, letting your pal know you're proud of them for getting the job done is what this affirmation-shot set is for.
Oliver Bonas Colored Shot Glasses Set of Six, $32, available at Oliver Bonas
"Congratulations On Quitting That Job You Hated" Quitting can be both an exciting and scary milestone — so help sweeten your pal's new career move with a cheery ceramic mug they can take with them on their way out the door.
Debbie Carlos Pedrolino To-Go Mug, $49, available at Of A Kind
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From the White House to the Senate, from courthouses to state legislatures, everywhere you look across the country, men in power are simultaneously dismissing women’s experiences of sexual assault and further restricting access to abortion care.
There’s the cruel irony of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, declaring in one of his first opinions from the bench that he would support upholding an anti-abortion law in Louisiana, only months after he was confirmed despite the protests of women bravely sharing their stories of sexual assault.
Or the irony of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rushing to confirm Neomi Rao to Justice Kavanaugh’s old seat on the D.C. Circuit despite her deeply problematic comments blaming women for being sexual assaulted. The only thing slowing down her nomination was Senator Josh Hawley’s concern that she wasn’t anti-abortion enough (he ultimately voted to confirm Rao after receiving assurances that she is, in fact, anti-abortion).
Or the fact that both Kavanaugh and Rao were nominated by a President who has been accused of sexual assault by more than a dozen women — and whose administration has been hell-bent on decimating access to abortion and reproductive health care.
And while these events might be ironic, and devastating, sadly they’re not surprising. They are part of a scary and a pervasive culture that disregards women’s right to control our own bodies.
When we think about the connection between abortion access and sexual assault, we often think of the rape survivors who need or want to end a pregnancy that resulted from the rape. But the relationship between these two issues runs much deeper.
Deciding whether and when to have a child and whether or when to consent to sexual activity are both fundamentally about asserting autonomy over our own bodies. And both restrictions on abortion and the dismissal of sexual assault are about people in power — predominantly men — trying to strip away our dignity and roll back our march toward equality. We’ve seen it across this country as state legislatures have introduced more than 250 laws restricting abortion access since January 2019.
In truth, these restrictions stem from a culture that allows survivors of sexual assault to be disregarded and where women who want a full range of choices when it comes to starting or growing our families are not seen as the key decision-maker in our own lives.
If we view sexual assault and abortion restrictions through this lens, the misogyny that underpins both becomes so much clearer. But so too does the path forward for those of us who care about women’s equality, who protest efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, who lead the Take Back the Night event at their school, who march in the streets, and who have bravely said #MeToo.
Men may try to gaslight us by telling us that we must be mistaken about what happened to us or about what we want – but we know our own minds and are reliable narrators of our own stories.
Men may try to shame and stigmatize us – but we know that we deserve respect and that our experiences matter.
Now is the time to join together across issues and movements, and to stand united in our resolve to speak out against the harmful laws, policies and culture that would erode our bodily autonomy and our humanity. Now is the time to say that, no matter who is in power, we will continue to trust and believe women.
Ebony Tucker is the advocacy director at the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. Shaina Goodman is the director of policy for reproductive health and rights at the National Partnership for Women & Families. Opinions are their own.
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Just as sonic cleansing brushes hit the shelves about a decade ago, so came the hotly-debated question among skin-care professionals as to whether they were worth investing in. Some, like facialist Joanna Vargas, have argued that a cleansing brush is just the thing we need to keep pores gunk-free and really release all that sunscreen and makeup buildup from our faces. Others, like aesthetician Caroline Hirons , maintain that the use of cleansing brushes is likely to lead to over-cleansing, and inflammation and broken capillaries in the process.
But time has produced a wealth of options and improvements on original devices, with plush brushes, silicone surfaces, and more affordable versions entering the fold. What's more, today's cleansing devices do much more than just clean your face: They create custom cleansing settings, analyze your skin's progress over time, and set phone reminders for when to cleanse and replace brush heads.
Ahead, we tried four different options at a range of price points. The one thing they have in common? They're all ultra-gentle on the skin, something that may just settle the age-old "to brush or not to brush?" argument once and for all.
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.
Ulta's offering comes with an additional silicone head for extra-gentle cleansing, a stand, and two AA batteries — all for just $25. If you're used to intense oscillating brushes, you may not be impressed by the slower spinning speed of the brush head, or the way it seems to pull the skin into its orbit rather than gliding on top of it, but it's a gentle, affordable option that gets the job done. Plus, because it's battery-operated, it comes in handy for international travel.
Ulta Beauty Advanced Cleansing Rotating Facial Cleansing Brush, $25, available at Ulta Beauty
A new Clarisonic might sound like an unnecessary indulgence — after all, they can last for years and still work just fine — but the newer models boast all kinds of new features, thanks to a connected app that (along with a few selfies) helps track skin-care goals and sends alerts when it's time to cleanse every day and replace the brush head. (If you really want to get fancy, the Smart Mia can also offer lymphatic drainage, skin contouring, and smooth makeup application via different brush heads — but we're here for the cleansing.) While data and push notifications are definite perks, they don't distract from the wand's mission to leave skin feeling deeply clean while not roughing it up in the process. The bundled brush head is plenty soft, the device has gentle and customized settings to ensure the vibration isn't too aggressive for your skin type, and its oscillating brush head means no tugging at the skin.
Clarisonic Mia Smart 3-in-1 Connected Beauty Device, $199, available at Ulta Beauty
When trying this battery-operated cleansing brush, we ran into the same hitch as with the affordable option from Ulta: The rotating brush head is harder to control and seemed to steer itself into tugging at the skin — and this baby can be feisty. That said, the brush head's charcoal fibers are ultra soft and the wand itself is extremely ergonomic. It's also nice that it can stand on its own without a cradle, but it would be that much cooler if it came with a cover for the exposed brush head.
Proactiv Charcoal-Bristle Pore Cleansing Brush, $55, available at Proactiv
Cuteness aside, the "eyes" on this device actually work as skin sensors, used to read moisture levels on the cheeks, nose, and forehead before first use. The device takes that data and sets cleansing times for those parts of the face, and gives you skin intel on the brand's app that you probably don't want to know (like its assessment of how your skin's age stacks against your actual age). But actually cleansing with this tool is simple — even if you have your doubts about how much a textured silicone slab the size of a hockey puck could deep clean, skin feels surprisingly fresh after. The rounded edge makes it easy to get into the corners of your nose where oil and dirt collect, and the size and reusable case make it easy to tote along to the gym.
Netflix is officially the future. First, the streaming service made history by being the first network, or “network,” this century to have more Emmy nominations than HBO. Then, it went and tied the premium cable giant at the 2018 Emmys with both companies taking home 23 total awards.
So, it’s time to actually look into the future of Netflix. With 2019 in full swing, it's time to figure out what treats lie in our streaming future. And, the next year is already filled with ultra bingeable promise.
From new series like coming-of-age romp Sex Education and twisty party saga Russian Doll(starring an Orange Is The New Black fave) to new seasons of fan-favorites like 13 Reasons Why and Stranger Things, there is a lot to look forward to. Keep reading to get all the details on Netflix’s 2019 original series, including what they’re about, who’s in the casts, and when they’ll premiere. We hope your queue is ready.
On My Block
Season to premiere in 2019: Season 2
What’s it about?: The continued story of one of Netflix's best hidden gems. On My Block tells the coming of age tale of four best friends of color (Sierra Capri, Diego Tinoco, Brett Gray, and Jason Genao) from a working class neighborhood in Los Angeles. While the Block teens must grapple with gang pressures, immigration woes, and constant tension, they also laugh, love, and mess around like teens from any other sudsy Netflix show (the RollerWorld conspiracy alone!).
What’s it about?: Picking up where we left off with Stranger Things 2 (hopefully without any “Lost Sister” nonsense). Stranger 3 will involve the new Starcourt Mall in Hawkins, adding to the series’ breadth of 1980s pop cultural homages. Because we all know nothing was cooler in the '80s than a good mall.
In fact, Stranger Things 3 is so obsessed with the mall, the first teaser trailer for the new season confirms an episode will be titled, "The Mall Rats." Other episode titles include premiere "Suzie, Do You Copy," along with "The Case Of The Missing Life Guard," "The Bite," and finale, "The Battle Of Starcourt."
Along with the cast we’ve already come to expect, celebrity daughter Maya Hawke and 1980s icon Cary Elwes will join in on the often-fatal sci-fi fun. Lucas Sinclair’s breakout sister Erica (Priah Ferguson) has been upped from a guest star to a series regular, so plan to see a lot more of her.
Release date: Thursday, July 4
Sex Education
Season to premiere in 2019: Season 1
What’s it about?: A) Becoming your new favorite Netflix teen show. B) An awkward high school virgin named Otis (Asa Butterfield), who starts an underground sex therapy clinic in his high school. If you’re wondering what makes Otis an expert in the subject, his mom Jean (international treasure Gillian Anderson) is a successful sex therapist who couldn’t be more open with her son.
School rebel Maeve (Emma Mackey) is also involved in Otis’ burgeoning business.
What’s it about?: Orange Is The New Black ’s Natasha Lyonne stars as Nadia, the guest of honor at an apparently inescapable New York City party.
Release date: Friday, February 1
The Umbrella Academy
Season to premiere in 2019: Season 1
What’s it about?: A dysfunctional family of super-powered thirty-somethings (including Ellen Page, short-lived Game Of Thrones bae Tom Hopper, and Robert Sheehan) must ban together to save the world and uncover the mystery of their adoptive father’s death.
For the record, The Umbrella Academy, originally a graphic novel, comes from the mind of My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way. Get ready for some “Vampires Will Never Hurt You ”-level music video weirdness.
Release date: Friday, February 15
Turn Up Charlie
Season to premiere in 2019: Season 1
What’s it about?: Idris Elba (yes, Idris Elba, Sexiest Man Alive and real-life Coachella performer!) plays Charlie, a failing DJ. Charle finds his last chance at success when he's offered the chance to be "manny" to his famous best friend's young daughter.
That means eight episodes of SMA Elba running around with an adorable child. 2019 is blessed.
Release date: Friday, March 15
Santa Clarita Diet
Season to premiere in 2019: Season 3
What’s it about?: Eating people. But also, trying to be a better person in the face of the whole "eating people" thing. Now that the chaos around the Hammond family has momentarily settled down, they have time to ponder the big questions. Like, whether Drew Barrymore's zombie Sheila should bite her non-zombie husband Joel (Timothy Olyphant)? This way, they can be together quite literally forever.
And, how weird it is to keep your zombie-creating spider ball in a hamster cage? Over season 3's 10 episodes, we'll find out.
Release date: Friday, March 29
The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina
Season to premiere in 2019: Part 2, wrapping season 1
What’s it about?: Riverdale creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s take on Sabrina Spellman (this time played by Kiernan Shipka) kicked off on Friday, October 26, 2018. Now we officially know the second half of season 1 will premiere in April 2019, following the genuinely spooky holiday special, which counts as season 1's 11th episode.
Expect to see Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka) truly embrace her sexy side, as part 2's very rock n' roll trailer promises.
Release date: Friday, April 5
Chambers
Season to premiere in 2019: Season 1
What’s it about?: A teen heart attack survivor is lucky enough to get a new heart from a late, wealthy teen. But, is something far more nefarious afoot with her family (played by Uma Thurman and Scandal leading man Tony Goldwyn).
Release date: Friday, April 26.
13 Reasons Why
Season to premiere in 2019: Season 3
What’s it about?: Answering the terrifying final question of 13 Reasons season 2: “What do we do now?” The Netflix’s favorite’s sophomore year wrapped with Tyler Down (Devin Druid) nearly committing a mass school shooting before Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) & Co. convinced him to flee in Tony Padilla’s (Christian Navarro) little red sports car instead.
As the finale wraps, we see Clay, Jessica Davis (Alisha Boe), and Justin Foley (Brandon Flynn), standing outside their high school’s spring fling with Tyler’s assault rifle; the sounds of police sirens blare in the distance. With 13 Reasons Why season 3, we’ll find out what happens next.
Whatever the resolution, two recurring characters will be more directly involved: Montgomery “Monty” de la Cruz (Timothy Granaderos), who sexually assaulted Tyler in season 2, and Nora Walker (Brenda Strong), mother of Bryce Walker (Justin Prentice). Both characters’ portrayers have been upped to series regulars for season 3.
Release date: TBD, but likely spring 2019
Orange Is The New Black
Season to premiere in 2019: Season 7, the finale season.
What’s it about?: Wrapping up OITNB forever. As Netflix confirmed in October, it's ending the veteran drama in 2019 with season 7.
As we know, OITNB Season 6 ended by allowing its original protagonist, Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), to finally exit the prison system. But that’s no reason to worry. Most of Orange ’s most interesting characters — from Taystee Jefferson (Danielle Brooks) to Suzanne Warren (Uzo Aduba) — are still behind bars.
What’s it about?: Glow season 3 will follow the Glow show-within-a-show women leaving their Los Angeles gym behind in favor of a full floor show in Las Vegas. Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie) will handle her long-distance relationship. Debbie Eagan (Betty Gilpin) will grapple with the fact that her young son is being raised a state away. And everyone will likely deal with the temptations of Sin City.
Release date: TBD, but likely June 2019
Ozark
Season to premiere in 2019: Season 3
What’s it about?: More terrible, blue-tinted things happening to the Byrde family in the titular Ozarks. As we learned in the season 2 finale, the Byrde family is there to stay, whether patriarch Marty (Jason Bateman) likes it or not.
Release date: TBD, but likely summer 2019
Elite
Season to premiere in 2019: Season 2
What’s it about?: The return to the bloody, sexy world of Las Encinas, a wealthy Spanish private school. Elite season 2 will likely follow Samuel's (Itzan Escamilla) search for answers when it comes to the horrifying murder of his ex-girlfriend Marina (María Pedraza). The whole thing is very Big Little Lies meets Gossip Girl with more explicit sex than both shows combined.
What’s it about?: A revival of the 1990s miniseries Tales of the City, based on a series of novels by Armistead Maupin, about a group of quirky characters in San Francisco.
The Netflix series, picks up twenty years after Mary Ann Singleton (current Ozark MVP Laura Linney) left her family and home to chase her career dreams. Mary Ann’s ex-husband and daughter are there waiting at her former home of 28 Barbary Lane, and drama will inevitably ensue.
Ellen Page will now play Mary Ann’s daughter, Shawna.
Release date: TBD
The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance
Season to premiere in 2019: Season 1
What’s it about?: A prequel to 1982’s weirdo cult classic film, The Dark Crystal, this time told as a full television series. Again, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop is involved in production. Game Of Thrones ' Nathalie Emmanuel and ascendant British bae Taron Egerton, who will play Elton John in the already buzzy 2019 musical biopic Rocketman, are the lead voices.
Release date: TBD
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When online home goods mega-retailer Wayfair first launched Way Day last year, it didn’t expect it to be the crazed deal-hunting frenzy it ultimately turned out to be. But what was first an underdog company’s semi-successful effort to boost revenue is now turning into a back-by-popular-demand retail holiday that kicks-off today at noon.
On Wednesday, April 10th, starting at noon (EST), Wayfair will open its virtual doors to eager shoppers and deal-hunters. Way Day will allegedly feature Wayfair’s lowest prices since Black Friday with up to 80% off over 100,000 items from the Wayfair family including AllModern, Joss & Main, and Birch Lane. And this year, Way Day is a 36-hour affair.
If you’re the type of person who gets retail brain and blurred vision at the sight of so many deals, Wayfair’s site will also feature live, on-site videos of product reviews to keep you from buying something you’ll regret. And just in case this retail frenzy wasn't already extreme enough, Wayfair will grant you an extra 40% off at check out on select items if you share the deals on social media.
Get a head start on scouting your favorite on-sale pieces by signing up for alerts here and keeping an eye on our onsite shop-guides for the absolute best Way Day furniture to decor finds.
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When it comes to makeup, we're taught that it's always best to be symmetrical. Your eyebrows should match, your blush should, too, and don't even get us started on cat-eye liner. Symmetry is key — or is it?
Instead of copying the same look on both eyes, makeup artists and influencers have recently decided to stick it to the beauty rules — opting for mismatched eyeshadow and liner in a bevy of bold, contrasting shades. Fuchsia and purple? Why not? Pink and green? Who's stopping you?
Call it a non-committal way to pull off two of your favorite hues or a statement against the rigidity of makeup techniques. Either way, there's no denying these looks will turn heads and give you plenty of ideas for spring. Ahead, check out six of our favorite two-toned eye looks.
Taking a cue from the actress' multicolored outfit, makeup artist Nick Barose had some serious fun on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Tati Gabrielle, layering on hot pink eyeshadow on one eye and lime green on the other.
Instagram
Artist Teisha Williams attributes her affinity for mismatched eye makeup to her astrological sign. "I'm a Gemini! It's within me. I love change and I love to switch shit up," she says. To get bold color payoff, Williams applied a base of white cream shadow to her lids before topping it off with multiple layers of purple and hot pink shadow. Then, for a little extra shine, she tapped on a layer of Milk Makeup's Face Gloss.
While many of the mismatched looks on Instagram feature just two shadows, this one has a mix of blues, greens, pinks, and oranges — topped off with a hit of iridescent shimmer on the inner corner.
Makeup artist Hyerim Kim painted a hazy rainbow of sorts onto her model's eyes. The secret? Keep all the shades in the same family so that the colors come together seamlessly.
If mismatched eyeshadow is a little too bold for your liking, try two-toned underliner instead. The result will still be eye-catching, but won't look nearly as obvious as multi-colored lids.
We're digging this graphic eye on makeup artist Celine Bernaerts. Grab your favorite pink and blue liners (we find gel liners work best for more precise work) and go to town. Then, as a finishing step, tap on some matching glitter.
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It's officially April, which means that both pollen and Meghan Markle baby rumors are swirling through the air. According to the Daily Mail 's royal correspondent, Rebecca English, Markle is reportedly considering having a home birth at Frogmore Cottage, where she lives with Prince Harry. The Duchess of Sussex allegedly told sources that she doesn't want the Queen's doctors to be involved in her birthing plan, nor does she want the "goldfish bowl" experience of delivering at the famous Lindo Wing.
Traditionally, members of the royal family have delivered babies at the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital Paddington, although the Queen gave birth to all of her kids at home, aka Buckingham Palace. The Lindo Wing is what the Brits would call "posh," because it provides high-end medical amenities and privacy for pregnant A-listers. Everyone from Kate and Pippa Middleton to Amal Clooney and Princess Diana have had their babies there, and fans often wait outside the entrance for days before a baby arrives to catch a glimpse.
While Frogmore Cottage is undoubtedly super nice, home births are not for everyone, simply because they can be risky. According to the American Congress on Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), home births are associated with an increased risk of perinatal death and neonatal seizures, and it's harder for necessary and life-saving medical interventions if needed. For these reasons, the ACOG's stance is that "hospitals and accredited birthing centers are the safest setting for birth, [but] each woman has the right to make a medically informed decision about delivery." The organization also suggests that a certified nurse midwife or physician should be present for a planned home birth, and there should be a plan to get to a nearby hospital in a timely manner in case of emergency.
People who are adamant about having a home birth should really be educated about these risks, according to the ACOG. The ideal candidate for a home birth would be someone whose pregnancy is considered "low risk," meaning they don't have any health complications. While we don't know much about Markle's health status, we do know that there tend to be more health risks associated with pregnancies over age 35, such as gestational diabetes, premature delivery, and high blood pressure.
Even though the risks of a home birth seem to outweigh the benefits, lots of people choose them because they want to labor without drugs or medical interventions, or prefer a home setting over a clinical hospital, according to the Mayo Clinic. In February, Markle reportedly started hypnobirthing classes and hired a doula, which could be clues about her more "natural" birthing preferences. In the United Kingdom, home births seem to be slightly more popular than in the States; in England and Wales, over 1 in 50 pregnant women give birth at home. In the United States, approximately 0.9% of births per year happen at home, and a quarter of those home births are unplanned.
