As the greenery trend rumbles on, chances are you haven't got any better at keeping your house plants alive.
This means that rather than your house looking like this... it probably looks a little bit more like this.
By and large, the big winner of the greenery trend (alongside the palm, which has dominated the house plant market over the past few years) has been the terrarium. This mini glass house, with its own ecosystem, has become one of the most favoured ways for urban gardeners to display their green-fingeredness.
That is, if they've got any green-fingeredness. Otherwise, their terrariums become miniature glass coffins for their once-thriving succulents.
So, how to rectify?
Well, the faux-plant market has really kicked things up a notch in recent times. Inspired by people like you and me who, despite our best efforts, just can't keep a plant alive, faux greenery is now so good that in some cases, you'll struggle to tell it apart from the real thing.
So why not use it in a terrarium?
We spoke to Anna Robinson, the fake flower florist behind Friend of Faux to get her tips on how to go about building a faux terrarium.
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You will need:
Glass container – I've used an old pickling jar Soil Gravel Selection of faux succulents/ cacti/ ferns/ plants Wire cutters Preserved moss (optional)
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What to do:
Making sure your glass jar is clean and free of smears, add your layer of soil. The bigger your container, the deeper this layer should be.
TIP: Use sterilised soil if you want to avoid renegade seed sprouts. You can buy sterilised soil or simply bake ordinary soil in an oven at 180 degrees C for around 45 mins. Personally, I don't bother, as I think any sprouts and shoots bring the terrarium to life.
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Add a smaller layer of gravel on top of the soil and create a gentle gradient to add some detail.
TIP:Aquarium gravel comes in all sorts of sizes and colours and is perfect for fake planting.
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Take your selection of faux succulents and trim off the ends using strong wire cutters. Place into the jar, making sure they're firmly planted and stable.
TIP:Friend of Faux does reasonably priced fakies or you can find all sorts of shapes and sizes online – just be wary of the quality.
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Keep on adding in your succulents, arranging them at different heights so they look natural and interesting.
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Once you're happy with the arrangement, add in pieces of moss to soften the edges and to hide any of the faux stems.
TIP: Using preserved moss means the lovely green colour won't fade and it won't crisp up so much.
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Et voilà! Your very own terrarium that even you can't kill.
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Apps can often prove unnecessary (how many ones for creating a to-do list do you really need?), but one area where they tend to excel is travel.
There are so many nuances to think about — planning flights, translating another language at a restaurant, settling costs after the trip — that having some help on your phone is a must.
It doesn't matter if you're taking a road trip, going backpacking, or heading to a resort for some spa time: Having easy access to input from travellers who have come before you can be both educational and rewarding. You might have taken a more scenic route if you'd downloaded Yonder in advance, or saved hundreds of dollars on your flight with Hopper 's fare tracking. And when you're unsure of how to plan your daily itinerary in Bangkok or whether you're supposed to tip at dinner in Bali, the Google Trips app is your saviour.
We've rounded up the top travel apps that will make every stage of your trip easier and more enjoyable. In this case, the right downloads are just as important as packing well. Bon voyage!
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Google has used its search expertise to create one of the best travel apps out there. Google Tripsis your pocket tour guide and the only one you'll need no matter where in the world you are. The entire app can be used offline (you can easily download all maps and tools), so you don't have to worry about losing service on a tiny road in the Spanish countryside.
Google Trips also pulls all your reservation information from your Gmail account, eliminating frantic searches for confirmation emails. For the world's top 200 cities, the app offers day plans: an itinerary of popular sites (factoring in the distance between them), mapped out for you. If you only want to follow that proposed itinerary for part of the day, the app will adjust to your schedule and help you find new spots to visit based on where you'll be the rest of the day.
Besides itineraries and reservation assistance, the app also includes essential facts, such as how much and when to tip, how to get from the airport to your hotel, and where to go in case of emergency — acting as a resource if you get into a sticky situation abroad.
Plus...
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Traveling with friends? Google's recent update to Google Trips make it easier to share your plans with friends. Just tap the arrow and you can share all your reservation details with your fellow travellers — or your always concerned parents back home.
Finding food at the airport can be a pain, but you can save time and get what you want with the Grab app. Search for the type of food you're in the mood for and Grab will show you the closest restaurants serving that food at the airport. You can order ahead through the app and, if you're travelling for work, easily transfer your receipts to Concur for expense reporting.
Lola Travel will take care of the hard work for you — finding a hotel and flights that are within your price range. After downloading the app, you'll create a profile, selecting what you prefer in a hotel room, which airlines you have miles with, and which hotels you like to stay at (you can also choose Airbnb). Then, a Lola agent will message with you about your trip, to help iron out details before and during, to make sure everything is on point.
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If you want a very comprehensive way to compare all your travel options for getting from point a to point b, go with Rome2rio. The free app not only tells you bus, plane, train, and ferry routes, it also gives you an approximate price for each, meaning you can make the smartest and cheapest decision on the fly.
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There are many apps that you can use to record different moments from your travels, but none are as all-inclusive and easy to use as Polarsteps. Allow the app to access your location and it will keep track of where you go and pull all of the information into a beautifully mapped diary of your adventure, complete with photos you took in different areas. All of the information is kept private, but you can choose to share your journey with friends, who can follow along. Plus, you don't need to worry about having service — the app will update when you're back online.
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Finding activities to do is one thing, but finding activities that deserve a spot on your bucket list is another. If you want to know what the most bucket list-worthy adventures are in the place you're headed, download BUCKiTDREAM. The app lets you search by location or activity to find adventures that others have on their lists. Want to contribute your own or add a place to your list? You can do that, too.
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Get insider info about the best spots to visit in 150 cities around the world with Stay.com 's app. The app has curated guides from local bar staff, chefs, fashionistas, and more. You can use their picks to assemble your own guide and save the locations to a map. Then, save those maps offline so you can view them even without Wi-Fi.
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Citymapper, which works for most major cities in the US, Canada, and Europe, helps you plan your start-to-finish route, whether you're travelling by train, tube, bike, or car. But what really sets the app apart from Google Maps is the opportunity to share your ETA with someone else via text and let them track your location. Now you won't need to worry if you're running a bit behind on the way to the museum.
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When you're driving in a strange city, it's hard to know how much time you should pay for at the parking meter. Destinations that seem nearby end up being further than they appear and activities always end up taking longer than expected. Instead of worrying about extra fees or tickets, download the PayByPhone Parking app. The app, which works in most major cities in the U.S. and the U.K, lets you pay to extend your time via your phone, so you don't have to sprint back to your spot.
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If you still prefer a hotel over Airbnb but don't want the standard experience you'd get at a big chain, find a boutique hotel through the Tablet Hotels app. You'll discover options that feel more local to the place you're in (like this Japanese hotel, located right on the borders of the Imperial Palace), and find exclusive in-app deals. You can earn everything from complimentary upgrades to drinks.
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Trip.com has ideas for everyone. Select your interests when you first log in and you'll be presented with options for nightlife, outdoorsy adventures, historical monuments, or whatever else you're into. The best part: The app recommends ideas based on what the weather is at your location. So you can find something fun to do, even if it's rainy and cold outside.
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Live out your rom-com dreams and travel like Cameron Diaz in The Holiday.Love, Home, Swap lets you specify what you're looking for (in my case, a ski lodge that has Wi-Fi and can house at least two people) and provides a full list of pad-swapping options. We can't promise that Jude Law will meet you on the other side, though.
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Airports aren't the most relaxing places on earth, but airport lounges are a step in the right direction. LoungeBuddy will help you find the best lounge in your current airport (or the one you're heading to), and will show you reviews, amenities, and cost. For lounges that do cost money (some are free), you can pay for access directly through the app.
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Trying to decide on a beautiful place to visit? Instagram is a logical place to start looking, but may prove challenging to pore through. Instead, use Sherpa. This invite-only app lets you browse (and share) photos you've posted to Instagram by geotagged location. Simply scroll through the feed for the app's most recently highlighted trips, then tap to scroll through the photos taken there. You'll definitely find some inspiration here.
Sherpa: The Social Travel Guide, available on the App Store.
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Stay on top of checking into your flight, gate changes, delays, and more with App in the Air. You can connect the app to your email account so that it automatically uploads your travel data. Then, you'll see information about weather and traffic leading up to your flight, as well as airport specifics. The best part is that it brings all of your flight details into one place, so you won't be hurrying to switch from your weather app to your e-ticket to your flight confirmation email.
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Hopper has already earned raves from travellers and industry experts as the go-to app for finding the cheapest flight. In fact, Apple named it the best travel app of 2015. The app predicts when airfare prices will go up and lets you know when's the best time to book. But it's the app's latest update that really sets it apart: Now, Hopper's little bunny mascot tells you which flights are inconvenient (long layovers, airport changes), so you won't accidentally book that Bangkok trip with a next-day arrival.
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Agoda ranks high on our list of accommodations apps because it offers a wide variety of options, from hostels to apartments to hotels. It's easy to filter your search by location, price, and requirements such as free cancellation or free breakfast. You can also get special booking deals that are exclusive to the app, and save your confirmation to your phone's wallet app so you don't have to worry about any reservation mixups.
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Keeping track of who owes who what can create major headaches, but Splitwise makes it easy. Just create a trip, invite your friends (the app connects with your phone contacts), and add bills that need to be split amongst you. You can add pictures of receipts for your records, export the trip totals as a spreadsheet, and change currencies within the app.
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No road trip is complete without Waze. The crowdsourced traffic app serves as a GPS and so much more. You can find the cheapest petrol on your route, get automatically rerouted when there are troublesome road conditions, and share your ETA with friends. But the best part of the app is its traffic notifications, which are shared by fellow drivers and passengers so that you won't spend hours sitting in delays.
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No matter how good a city's public transportation is, it can still be confusing when you're not a local. That's where Citymapper comes in. The transit app helps you find the fastest and easiest trip to your destination, whether it's by tube, bus, train, or taxi. You'll get real-time updates about delays; the app partners with multiple foreign cab companies to provide the most accurate travel options when you're abroad, too. While it's not available in all cities, most of the major ones in both the UK and abroad are covered.
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The new app Whym is your answer to finding cool cultural events at the last minute. Intended for spur-of-the-moment travel, Whym helps you find cheaper tickets for museums, tours, and other city attractions. It's currently available in San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Las Vegas, London, Paris, Rome, and Barcelona.
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Yonder puts a social-networking spin on travel. A community of enthusiastic and outdoorsy Yonderers post pictures and info about their own adventures so that you can find cool experiences wherever you are. You can see trending destinations, photos, and recommendations from locals that will help you get away from some of the more touristy, cliché options.
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Google Translate just celebrated its 10th anniversary with a creative pop-up restaurant in New York that highlighted the app's coolest features. Our favourite: You can tap the camera icon and hold your phone over the piece of text you'd like to translate. This means that whether you're in New York or Paris, reading in another language has never been easier. Plus, the app just added 13 new languages, so now you can use it on your travels to even more exotic locales.
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The Musement app is an easy way to find and book a range of events around the world, from a wine tasting in Venice to a skip-the-line tour of Doge's Palace. There are curated content selections (such as what to do on a rainy day), and also a "concierge" service that lets you ask a local expert for recommendations, reservations, and more.
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Viator is all about giving you insider, VIP access to events on your vacation. The app has exclusive deals on prices, as well as the option to skip the lines at some in-demand tourist locations. It also offers same-day booking. The option to look for events on a day by day basis will simplify your planning.
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Like Viator, Headout is a great app for getting discounts on day-of events. You can find stand-up paddle boarding trips, submarine tours, and more — and booking is easy and at your fingertips. Plus, if you invite friends to join, you'll earn credit when they book their first reservations in the app.
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You check into your hotel and want to go for a walk, but where should you walk to? Use Detour, an app with curated, GPS-based audio walks in cities around the world. You'll see sites you might have otherwise missed, and get a taste of the local culture that you wouldn’t be able to get through tourist-geared walking programs. Plus, you can even listen to a preview of a tour to see if it’s the right one for you.
"Becoming a mother scares me," wrote a Reddit user in the AskWomen subreddit. "I'm afraid of losing myself, of the commitment, and the toll it will take on my relationship," she continued. "But I'm also afraid of regretting a decision to never have children when I'm older."
She asked her fellow users to share how they feel about their choices, whether they became mothers or not. Did their children keep them from living the life they wanted? Do they regret deciding to be child-free?
For those who are on the fence about having kids, these concerns are very common (and so is the need to crowdsource). The redditor ended her post with one request: "Please tell me your stories honestly." Her readers complied, and then some.
Mothers and child-free women alike responded, sharing their personal experiences with total openness. If there's one thing that all respondents had in common, it's that none of them answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Ahead, we've rounded up some of the most eye-opening responses. These truly embody the idea that the first question about motherhood isn't "when" — it's "if."
Welcome toMothership: Parenting stories you actually want to read, whether you're thinking about or passing on kids, from egg-freezing to taking home baby and beyond. Because motherhood is a big if — not when — and it's time we talked about it that way.
"I regret that I did not have an abortion. It ruined my life. I am looking forward to when he is 18 and I can wash my hands of being an active parent. It held me back, drained me of my youth, money, and many accomplishments I could have had. For what? Because society filled my head with lies about 'biological clock' and all of that? Get a dog and a nice house."
"I love my kids very much but raising children is an all encompassing venture. You will lose yourself, at least for a while, it will take a toll on your marriage on some level, it's a huge commitment. The only reason to plan for children is because you want children. There have been many days I wished that I had taken another path, but that's magical thinking. Do not have children unless you really, really want children. And don't feel guilty about not wanting children. It doesn't make you a bad, selfish, or lesser person."
"[I'm a] SAHM mom in my late 20s. No regrets at all. I'm still active and have my own life. It can be done, Reddit, don't let anyone tell you it cannot. Having a helpful partner is the key."
"Things I don't regret: Having an abortion. Choosing never to produce children. Marrying my husband who already had 5 kids. I got the best of both worlds, really, because I never wanted to be pregnant or deal with infants. The youngest was 7 years old when I met my husband. I helped him raise his, and we agreed that we were never going to add any more to the family. Now I get all the fun and perks of being a grandma, which is so enjoyable. And I adore my life."
"Only have kids if you really want that relationship. The first year is the most gruelling work I've ever done. It's awful. Now it's fantastic and my tiny person is one of my favourite people. I've actually done some really cool, unexpected stuff with my career. It made my husband and I work together and know each other in new ways. It will only rob you of your identity if you let it."
"I have never wanted kids and never will have kids. All of my friends who have children do love their kids but at the same time really regret having them. They all say the same thing: it drains the shit out of you and you can't really have a life anymore, not a life of your own anyway. Everything is about the kid. One of my friends has a 12-year-old and she told me just the other day, 'People who say it gets easier as they grow older are full of shit. It doesn't get easier. It's just a different kind of hard.'
"Pretty much all of my friends had kids because they didn't even realise they had the option of not having one. To them, it was just something they were supposed to do eventually — you grow up, get married, have kids. Really glad I never listened to all the people who urged me to have kids because 'they would give my life meaning' or whatever."
"I am in my 40s without kids, but I'm also newly married for the first time. Kids without a husband was never an option for me, and the older I got, the less they became an option period. My husband very much wants them, but he's younger than me and is only just now beginning to understand what it would be like for us to chase around kids at our ages. Had I met him 10 years ago, without a doubt: children. But now, we plan to travel and live abroad and do the things we couldn't do with kids, at least easily. It's hard and sometimes there are tears, but we're moving forward and we'll be just fine."
"I had my son when I was 18 years old. I was dumb and in love wanted to start a family. I love my son. But it was hard and I was so young that I didn't know myself at all. Now that I am almost 40 and he is 20 I am finally able to do things for me. Where I live is no longer determined by good schools and doctors. I don't have to live near his dad anymore so we can switch weekends (shocker that we didn't stay together). I don't have to take crap jobs to make ends meet because now my budget doesn't include school clothes and supplies. I can travel when I want, read what I want, sleep in. He is an adult and now I finally get to be me.
"I don't regret my son, but there is a reason I only have one. To be honest, kids suck sometimes. They crush your soul and your spirit. Like another poster said, you can love your kids but not like being a parent. It is true. I hated parent teacher conferences, stupid kindergarten plays, 5th grade graduation, colds, fevers, boo boos, buying Christmas presents, making dinners (dang kids need to eat every day, more than once). Being a parent is about raising them for 18 years. Your life is pretty much put on hold so they get everything they need. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to be a parent. Don't let anyone tell you differently."
"Every parent regrets having kids about 50 times a day. When you're cleaning the mysterious sticky off of the kitchen cabinets, and when you get the early wake-up call, and when you have to be on teeth-brushing duty instead of watching Game of Thrones. Honestly I'm kind of ambivalent. I thought for a long time before her that I would maybe never have kids. Never had the desire. Then the desire hit and we were pregnant that following month.
"I'd be happy with no kids. I'm down with quiet time, and money, and travelling. And I'm happy with her. I love her, and she's amazing. And it's a special kind of wonder to experience the world through your kid's eyes. The first two months after birth (where I went nearly insane from lack of sleep) were bad enough that I will never have another child. Ever.
"If I didn't have family that could watch her over some weekends and for my husband and I to go on vacation alone every year would most surely make me regret having kids and make me feel like I had lost my identity. Alone time is very important for the self and the marriage."
"When I had my daughter, my husband and I had a joke — we would say, 'I think I've made a huge mistake.' (Any Arrested Development watchers out there?) Anyways — it was a complete shock. I really mourned my 'old life.' I did genuinely think — 'Why did I do this?' The first three months are basically inhumane torture. You are completely sleep deprived and breastfeeding is physically very taxing. After month four it gets better and more rewarding every day. I went skipping back to work — being at my desk is easier than being with the baby. Honestly it's really really hard having a kid, but if you do it, like with anything, you will get through it. Not covered in this post: how incredibly rewarding it is. Seriously, a tiny baby version of yourself! Think about it."
"I'm in my 40s and I have two children. I don't regret having them. Raising children is not always easy. Sometimes it's incredibly frustrating and makes you want to just hide in the closet with a bottle of wine. Other times, it's amazing and you think it's not possible to feel so proud or to feel so much love without your heart exploding. I'm very happy to have brought my boys into the world. They are wonderful, kind people who I am proud to know.
"Sure, there are times when I think about what my life might have been like if I hadn't had children. I gave up a career path and made a lot of adjustments to what I wanted from life. But then I just remind myself that I'm not dead yet. My kids are 21 and 15 (16 next month). Soon, I'll be done with the daily parenting issues and will have a lot of active years to more fully pursue my interests/hobbies/etc."
"Having a baby [at] eighteen taught me that there is more to life than just raising kids. I don't regret being a mum at all. I always planned to have kids someday so I would have done it regardless. However, I always pictured myself with three kids. Then I had my daughter and realised how time consuming it actually is. I feel like I can't accomplish anything big for myself until my daughter is older, because right now most of my attention is focused on her. I am happy to do the mummy thing once. She is cute and funny and loving. But I would like to do other things someday do. Travel, get a degree, a career, idk. So no, I don't regret having one kid, but would regret having any more."
Vegemite, a pufferfish, Billy Ray Cyrus, marijuana, Saturn (not Jupiter): This eclectic array of seemingly unrelated people, places, and things all have one thing in common, which is that they’ve earned a permanent spot on Miley Cyrus’s body. The star has a generous amount of ink, and many of the pieces have special meaning. That jar of brewer’s yeast spread, for example, is a nod to Liam Hemsworth ’s homeland; the prickly fish is for her pet puffer that passed. (Try saying that three times fast.)
Now, Cyrus has added yet another tribute to a beloved family member: a detailed portrait of her Shetland Sheepdog, Emu. Celebrity tattoo artist Dr. Woo, who’s worked with Cyrus on some of her other tattoos in the past, was the first to reveal the new art on his client’s inner arm.
This isn’t the first time Cyrus has gotten a tattoo inspired by one of her many pups. She also has a tribute to her late dog Floyd, who sadly passed away in 2014. She took Emu into her home shortly thereafter, and has been providing regular Instagram updates ever since. The Sheltie is so beautiful, he’s even inspired his own #EmuFanClub hashtag — and clearly, Dr. Woo’s incredibly detailed work does Emu justice. Now, about that fan club... where do we sign up?
Everyone's a critic, they say. It seems that's doubly true for a few of the people following Kylie Jenner on Snapchat. Us Weekly reports that the youngest Kardashian sibling faced an onslaught of criticism when she posted an alluring mirror selfie on Thursday night. Clad only in Puma briefs and a fashionably moth-eaten T-shirt (just kidding, it's probably a one-of-a-kind piece distressed by the hands of a Parisian couturier), Jenner showed off plenty of skin.
Although Jenner was clearly feeling herself, a barrage of commenters accused her of photoshopping the image. Their proof? The wall behind Jenner looks askew, prompting eagle-eyed critics to call her out on warping the photo so that her waist would appear smaller.
"I mean her hips are not like in her Snapchat videos," one commenter wrote, according to Us Weekly. Another added, "The airbrushing on this is terrible, why is the curtain/wall all squiggly."
Late last night, Jenner addressed the haters with a video addressed to the "photoshop police." Her followers got a peek into the same area of her home, where she explained that the wall isn't crooked, it's her drapes.
A post shared by Kylie Jenner Snapchats (@kylizzlesnapchats) on
"So this is like my selfie mirror and my Snapchat mirror, so for future, this is a curtain behind me that looks crooked," Jenner said in the snap.
And to prove her point even further, she was wearing similar Puma underwear and an even skimpier top, giving anyone accusing her of altering her images all the proof they need.
This isn't the first time Jenner has faced accusations of enhancing her photographs. Back in December, Jenner's fans pointed out that her butt looked, well, larger than life. They pointed out a few details then, too, but just like today, Jenner took it all in stride. After all, she has a beauty empire to build.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Everyone's comfort zone is different, especially when it pertains to beauty. Some people request their go-to haircut or wear pink lip gloss about as routinely as we slip into a pair of sweats at the end of a long workday. But there are also those who live unapologetically outside of an average comfort zone, choosing to approach hair and makeup with a zero-fucks-given attitude that's rife with experimentation. As for up-and-coming R&B singer Kehlani? Well, she ranks high on the latter list.
If you're unfamiliar with her beauty ethos, just know that it's epic: Kehlani wears enough wigs to rival the rainbow colour collection sitting in Kylie Jenner's closet and her makeup skills resemble the precision of a veteran YouTube star. But it wasn't always this way.
"Growing up, I wasn’t really able to afford makeup," she tells us in an exclusive interview. "I’ve always been a tomboy — a little rough around the edges. I have a lot of tattoos. I couldn’t afford to try different looks, so now that I’m able to, I’ve watched videos and am learning and experimenting. It's an art form, really, so it takes practice."
Brands are, obviously, taking note. Today, Kehlani announced a huge partnership with Make Up For Ever, a brand that has just as many badass, boundary-pushing fans as the singer. Click through the slides ahead to see her best beauty looks from 2016 to today and you'll see why it's a match made in beauty heaven.
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"Oh, this is from the Grammy's. I’m not going to lie to you, I don’t like this one. The makeup didn’t feel like me; I tend to keep to a more natural palette. I think this photo makes me look old!
"One thing [I learned] is that you shouldn’t ever be afraid to just do you. There’s this pressure out there on girls to have makeup that looks like 'Instagram makeup, but whatever makes you feel happy and pretty and great, do that. Makeup or not, it doesn't matter."
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"This one was definitely very cool. That was right after I cut [my hair] short for the first time. I was at the premiere for Suicide Squad and [my hairstylist] wanted to do my natural hair, which was cool. My makeup was just clean, sexy, dewy — which is kind of what I tend to go for because it just looks very fresh. People easily confuse tattoos for looking dirty. I get told that all the time, but obviously that’s not the truth. It’s crazy."
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"I was at a radio station and this was the first time I did any type of pastel or lavender wig. I did my makeup really light here, kept it very simple. I actually always do my own makeup because I don’t like the feeling of someone else doing it — having them going through the whole thing — and then me not liking it in the end. You don’t want to just take it off because that’s someone’s art and their work. I feel too bad. So I just do it myself because I know what I want my face to look like, you know?"
Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images.
"My hair is really dark blue here. I was at a listening party for my new album. I have a really fun hairstylist who suggests some really out-there and fun colours and I kind of just let him go crazy with it. He makes the wigs from scratch, too. I tend to only wear lipstick when I'm offstage because when I’m performing, I always put my lips all over the mic and it ends up smearing all over my face. [ Laughs.]"
"This was for a show, I think we were in Norway. This is probably the most natural length my hair has been before we cut it. It’s this honey brown, kind of orange colour. I think my brows were a little heavy in this picture [laughs] but no, I like my makeup. I like how warm it is."
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"I love this peachy hair colour we did — it might be my favourite. Coachella gives this cool opportunity to experiment and switch up your hair and makeup — to do something you’d never be able to normally do. So we just went all out and used lots of colour and sparkles."
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In Sunday School, we were taught that all sins are equal. If that were true, God would be as upset with me for saying “oh my god” as I read the positive pregnancy test, as he would for my decision to terminate my pregnancy at the age of 28, for the fact that the baby was a product of adultery, and for the fact that I lied to my parents about it. I broke four of the Ten Commandments in one blow when I had an abortion two years ago. I got up early the following morning, which was a Sunday, went to church, kneeled on the pew – still in pain and wearing ultra-thick sanitary pads to catch the leftover “foetal tissue” – and asked for forgiveness. I don’t think it worked.
Two years on, every time I see a news post about women being imprisoned for home-terminations in Ireland, in South America, in the Middle East, it stings. And every time I see a Facebook post from a religious relative about how terrible women who get abortions are, I feel conflicted. Because I’m a feminist, and a Catholic.
I was brought up Catholic in the UK and my parents are very religious, but they still drink when they want to, and they know I’ve been having sex since I was 16 – which they were upset about at the time but it’s fine now. They are totally sympathetic to abortions under extenuating circumstances, and would march for these rights themselves – if they were isolated cases. They would vehemently disagree, for example, with a teenage girl in our family being forced to have a baby that she couldn’t cope with, or a woman whose health was in danger being forced to continue with the pregnancy, or a woman who was a victim of sexual assault being forced to carry that baby, or a woman not being allowed a termination after finding out during a scan that her baby had a severe disability. What they would object to, is me: a financially stable, healthy, 28-year-old woman who got wasted, slept with someone they shouldn’t have without protection, and had an abortion. And I understand that.
A few weeks after my abortion, in a random conversation about an Irish news story on the subject, my mum said she thought women who simply “choose” to have abortions because they just don’t feel like having the baby are “murderers”. I had to fight back the tears and dig my nails into my hand so as not to give the game away.
None of the energy that I took with me to march for women’s rights on International Women’s Day was present in that waiting room
Maybe you’re thinking my parents’ views are old-fashioned, anti-feminist or ultra-conservative, but the narratives around abortion in the liberal media often follow suit. I have great respect for celebrities who speak publicly about their abortions in order to progress the public perception, but I can’t help but notice how they usually put in a caveat like, “I was a student/ I had no money/ I had no support/ I was so young”. The only two celebrities I can remember talking about their abortions without caveats are the world-famous artists Marina Abramović and Tracey Emin. Abramović told Tagesspiegel newspaper in 2016, “I had three abortions because I was certain that it would be a disaster for my work.” And Emin wrote this in 2009 for The Independent:
“I would have been so much happier had I not had the abortions, but I truly believe that I would have been so much unhappier if I had had the children. These are the kinds of thoughts that fill my mind before daylight comes. I'd never have believed that I would say or think this, but as I get older, it's becoming more and more obvious that my children are hanging on the Tate Britain walls. I felt that my abortions had somehow been a Faustian pact, and in return for my children's souls, I had been given my success.”
Both women have been heavily criticised for these statements, which are, truly, statements of choice. Growing up, Abramović spent a lot of time in churches with her Orthodox grandmother. Emin says that although she isn’t a Catholic, she has “a profound belief in the soul.”
I went to the abortion clinic three times over the course of two weeks – first to check I was actually pregnant, second to get the abortion pills and begin the procedure, and third for a follow-up appointment. Each time, I went alone, despite my friends offering to join me, because at the time I felt like I shouldn’t receive any sympathy. It came as a surprise that almost half the women in the waiting room each time were wearing hijab, and these women were always alone, too. Hijab or not, pretty much everyone was looking down, at their phones, at a newspaper, at anything that wouldn’t lead to eye contact with another person.
None of the energy that I took with me to march for women’s rights on International Women’s Day was present in that waiting room, or at any part of the abortion process. I shouted for a woman’s right to choose in the street with pink signs, and still, I felt nothing but shame in that room.
In my first visit, during my scan, the woman showed me the monitor and I saw the foetus moving in my womb. I really wish she hadn’t done that. She even asked if I would like to keep the photo of the scan – the kind of thing happy pregnant people put on their fridge, text their boyfriend and post on Facebook. The abortion itself was complicated, too; first, I saw part of the foetus in the toilet at home, which I found very traumatic, and which I was later told isn’t the norm. Second, the pain and heavy bleeding went on for over a month, and every time I went to the toilet at work or had a bath in the evening, a bit more of my baby would come out, which I was told happened only to a small number of women. At the follow up appointment, I had another scan, where she showed me my emptied out womb. It all felt like penance.
There was a pro-life activist outside the clinic on my third visit, a man of about 50 with a sign that said “GIVE YOUR BABY A CHANCE”. I already hadn’t and I hated him – this man coming to torment women and throw salt on their wounds.
In 2015, Pope Francis put out a statement saying that all Catholic priests are now officially endowed with the power to forgive women on behalf of God and the church for having abortions. Though he is an Argentinian man, where abortion is illegal and punishable, he has officially given consent for women all over the world to be forgiven for their sins. Which should please me, except it doesn’t, because I suspect (not being able to confirm it with him) that, like my parents, what he actually means is that abortion under awful circumstances is okay, not when it is really a choice. Pope Francis was quoted in the BBC article on the matter as saying that many women have abortions because “they believe they have no other option”. In the same article, the journalist pulled up old comments from the Pope where he called abortion part of a “throw-away culture”: “Unfortunately, what is thrown away is not only food and dispensable objects, but often human beings themselves, who are discarded as unnecessary.”
Did I throw away my baby? The way I throw away mouldy cheese or pub receipts? There was the moment where I saw it in the toilet and I flushed it – did it end up in the same place as the mouldy cheese? Does the fact that I’m so disturbed by it mean I’m eligible to be forgiven? Is Tracey Emin eligible to be forgiven for the disturbing art she’s created around it? Or does the fact that we don’t regret it mean that we can’t be forgiven? In the Catholic faith, you can’t confess your sins unless you first repent, that’s part of the deal. I don’t think I’ll ever have another abortion, at least not by choice, but am I repentant? “Repentance is the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs.” I don’t feel regret, per se. And because of that, I don’t feel able to confess. I still think it was the right choice for me then, and now.
All sins can’t be equal, because I don’t feel bad for saying "oh my god". I do feel bad for committing adultery and lying to my parents but still, I can write those things off with caveats like: I was young, I was stupid. I can’t write off the abortion though, it is written on my soul and I’ll take it to my grave, where, in my Catholic-conditioned mind, God will say, "Your name’s not on the door, remember when you killed an innocent human because you were drunk and full of yourself? Yes. Now go to hell. Bye forever."
I know I did the right thing for me at the time but, just because I feel comfortable with the outcome, it doesn’t mean I don’t feel profoundly guilty, like I deserve the pain I went through, and fear that my decision will come back to haunt me in later years when I am ready for a child. That part, I feel sure, is down to Catholic guilt: I fear that I’ll never be able to conceive again, and that if I do, something will go horribly wrong later down the line.
I still sometimes, privately, look at my iPhone calendar and work out how old my baby would be now. I also dream about it, not often, but vividly. I dream I had the baby and she’s this beautiful little thing who I love, and I’m so happy, even though I’m not with the father. In my dreams I’m so pleased I had the baby; in reality, I’m so relieved I didn’t. Sometimes when I’m praying (which I do most evenings before I go to sleep) I wonder if that baby is in heaven, and I wonder if I’ll get to meet it in heaven – if they let me in – and I wonder whether I’ll be allowed to be a mum to it in God’s house, and tell it how sorry I am. I don’t want to say sorry to a priest, or to my parents, or to Catholics. I want to say sorry to my baby. Does that count, God?
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Piercings are nothing new — earrings and nose piercings have reportedly been found from around 5,000 years ago, and it's believed they were used in ancient African and early European societies. Suffice it to say, there is little doubt that for as long as there have been piercings, there have been mistakes: infected piercing sites or studs and hoops pulled, torn out, or just too big.
Nowadays, navel, septum, and constellation piercings are on top of the trend charts, but with all new piercings, things don't always go to plan. Ahead, we’ve compiled the most horrifying tales of rings and hoops gone wrong, with the hopes we can all learn something before that next piercing.
Interviews have been edited for clarity and some names have been changed for privacy.
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"About a week after getting the second hole in my lobes pierced, I woke up one morning to a terrible earache. While feeling around my ear, I noticed the front of one my new studs was missing and went to pull off the closure on the back. Huge mistake. Huge. I almost passed out in pain and my ear began to bleed like the dickens. My earlobe had swallowed the earring.
"It was definitely one of the most painful experiences of my life (and it should be noted that I've been bitten in the face by a dog, undergone quite a few surgeries, and broken a couple of bones in my time). Luckily, my boss had a great dermatologist on speed dial who was ready to see me immediately.
"Turns out, the piercing got infected quite quickly, and the skin started to swell around it until the stud had become embedded in my ear. She had to inject my lobe with lidocaine and cut out the stud. Not fun. But the worst part is that I will never be able to wear my late grandmother's gold sword earring, which is designed to go in the second hole and out the first." —Holly, New York, NY
Illustrated by Vero RomeroImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
“When I was getting my ears pierced for the first time, the gun jammed while the stud was just halfway through my ear lobe. The piercer, let's call her Suzie Satan, thought she could use tweezers to pull the stud the rest of the way through. There was a whole lot of pinching, tears, and blood until Suzie Satan said ‘Oh, maybe I should just start over.’ Poor 12-year-old me. She just wanted to be cool and stop wearing her mum's clip-on earrings.” —Jessica, Atlanta, GA
[Edit Note: Many piercers in 2017 do not recommend using a piercing gun for a variety reasons — including malfunctioning machines — so steer clear!]
Illustrated by Vero Romero.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
“The worst thing ever happened after I got pierced. My best friend had been drinking, said my belly button piercing looked crooked, and then half ripped it out while trying to straighten it — all before I could stop her. I had to take it out, let it heal, and get it re-pierced several months later.” — Courtney, Tampa, FL
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“I was getting my tragus pierced for the first time and I was really nervous to begin with. I felt the piercing pinch and then nothing. My body relaxed, thinking it was over. Then, my piercer said ‘Sorry, my hand slipped, I have to do the second half.’ I literally screamed out. My friend, who had been holding my hand, told me she was happy she already had hers — she would never get one after watching what I went through.” —H, California, USA
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“I was around 8 or 9-years-old, and it was my first time getting my ears pierced. I was terrified. The piercer had everything prepped and ready to go, and she got the first ear done. Then, on the second ear, the piercing gun got stuck and the earring was about halfway through my ear. The piercer freaked out, so 8-year-old me also freaked out.
"She decided to call her manager, who was at a different location of the piercing station in the mall. Before she walked away to call though, she hands 8-year-old me the piercing gun and asks me to 'hold on to it for just a sec' while she calls the manager.
"About five minutes later, she comes back and says that the manager asked her and me to come down to the station she was at. So there we were, a piercer and an 8-year-old holding a piercing gun to her ear, parading around the mall! When we got down to the other station, another employee was thankfully able to fix things up." — Ashley, Florida, USA
Illustrated by Vero Romero.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
“I got my cartilage pierced when I was in middle school at this clothing store on a beach boardwalk. I was told to clean it for three days with ocean water. It got super infected. I still have bumps of scar tissue on my ear, 15 years later.” —Vanessa, New York, NY
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"The nose ring they pierced me with was too large and had to be replaced with a different one. It hurt like hell. On top of that, the piercing developed a keloid. Needless to say, I no longer have a pierced nose." —Megan, New Jersey
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"On the advice of a friend, I decided to get a conch piercing as my first cartilage piercing. The piercer was super skilled and well-recommended, and he used a dermal punch to do the deed. It was bloody, but the initial piercing went fine — the healing process did not.
"After assuming my ear was infected, I ended up having to go to a different piercer in my hometown (who was also has a very good reputation) to get the jewellery switched out. Unfortunately, not only did it not help — I ended up getting this weird growth on the back of my ear.
"I had to ditch the piercing altogether, but the keloid stuck around and actually got even bigger. I ended up having minor plastic surgery to get it removed!" —Rey, New York, NY
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"[My piercer] pierced my left ear crooked, so now I have to put my earring at an angle. Also, they aren't even." — Stacey, New York, NY
Illustrated by Vero Romero.
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When the sun is shining on a lazy long weekend, the possibilities can seem endless: Picnic in the park, or brunch somewhere with a terrace? A stroll along the river, or a dip in your local lido? A crisp afternoon tipple, or a refreshing ice lolly? Well, that last decision just easier, at least, because Aldi has combined the two into some very grown-up, alcoholic ice lollies.
The supermarket chain has two varieties to choose from: the quintessentially British Gin & Tonic Popsicle or the glamorously Italian Prosecco & Peach Bellini Popsicle. Both come in cartons of four costing £2.99, so they're a fun and affordable way to start your next barbecue or summer party. Oh, and with an alcohol content of 4.5%, they're boozy without being debilitating.
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Are Aldi's alcoholic ice lollies just a one-summer-only novelty item, or will other supermarkets start selling their own boozy freeze-pops, too? We kind of hope they take off, to be honest, mainly because we'd love to try a Pimm's popsicle. And a Piña Colada popsicle. And a Margarita one, now that we think of it... We'll stop right there.
Flex those conversation muscles, stargazers! This Wednesday, May 3, messenger Mercury wraps up a signal-scrambling retrograde that began on April 9. Ever since then, we've all been stumbling over our words — and maybe winding up with the taste of shoe leather in our mouths. (Gulp.) But the gaffes and drags and lovers' quarrels ease up this week as Mercury corrects course. It's time to tell people how we really feel, but in a loving and supportive way. For best results, focus on the positive instead of playing amateur critic. As Mercury powers forward through feisty, quick-fire Aries until May 16, we’re still prone to TMI and SMH blurts. The good news is, it will be easier to apologise or turn your embarrassment into a good joke.
Have you been waiting for Mercury's pivot to purchase new mobile devices or book your summer holiday? Start shopping around; or, if you researched during the retrograde, make your official purchase after Wednesday. Old friends and exes may have crept back into your life since April 9. But do you actually want a sequel to these relationships? If not, keep it moving!
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Taurus April 20 to May 20
How cosy is your home, Taurus? This Tuesday, a quarter moon in Leo inspires some modest nest feathering. You don't have to rip up your floors or renovate your whole kitchen. Just make your place cosier and more functional. Add a bar cart or "summerise" with these H&M Home pieces. If there's been friction among friends and familia, these moonbeams can help you make peace. Bottom line: You need your inner circle to feel like a safe space. If a so-called supporter is turning into a constant critic, call her out on it. And if this is just a character flaw, you may have to boot her from the sacred sisterhood or move her back into the casual acquaintance category. Protect your heart!
If you're feeling confused about life, clarity comes on Wednesday, when Mercury snaps out of a signal-scrambling retrograde. Since April 9, you've been ruminating on closure — or the lack thereof. What unresolved issues are there in your life, Taurus? Before this week is through you'll have a better sense about next steps. And with Mercury powering forward through your transitional 12th house until May 16, maybe you should cut and run. Some things aren't worth salvaging, especially if they bring you more pain than joy. But if it's your refusal to compromise that's making your life hell, consider easing up your stance. You don't have to be a doormat; just be gracious and open to trying on other people's ideas. The end result is harmonious living — and isn’t that what you’re after?
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
What have you been holding back, Gemini? If there is something you’ve (uncharacteristically) left unsaid, Tuesday’s quarter moon in Leo and your communication zone will help you find the right words. Set up time for a heart-to-heart before the week is through. Warning: If you censored yourself for too long, you may be feeling frustrated or resentful. But this moderate moon says, "Dial down the drama!" Vent to a wise friend if you need to blow off steam before your actual talk. Remember: This is supposed to be a dialogue, not a diatribe! You could meet a friend who has strong BFF potential this week. Pace yourself, Gemini, so you can see them for who they are, not who you want them to be.
Double, double toil and trouble? With your ruler Mercury retrograde since April 9, your cauldron has been boiling over, Gemini. And with most of that backspin in your teamwork zone, your squad has been steeped in tension and drama. Don't give up on your ride-or-die crew! Mercury corrects course on Wednesday, bringing back the love. Yes, you'll have some issues to iron out, but the huge eruptions have passed. Whew! Bonus, now that Mercury is direct, you can finally upgrade your devices like the phone with the cracked screen. You’ll need it, too, because friends will be blowing up your feeds for the rest of the month!
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
How balanced is your budget, Cancer? Tuesday's quarter moon in Leo lights up your money zone, bringing some equilibrium to the whole spend-save equation. Have you been tightening up the purse strings then rebelling with retail therapy binges? Starving yourself of spring clothes or that trip to Mexico is not going to inspire you to wake up and work every day. Kill the deprivation mindset and follow these tips for creating a simple and rewarding budget, the rules of which should be basic enough to fit on a simple index card. Do you find yourself checking the clock too much at work? If you're bored, take on an assignment that challenges you. Overloaded? Let go and delegate!
Career confusion will clear up on Wednesday, too! Expressive Mercury ends a three-week retrograde that stressed your professional sector. Despite your best efforts, getting on people's calendars was impossible — and you're still waiting for the boss or client to green-light a proposal you turned in weeks ago. Progress resumes after Wednesday, so grit your teeth and send one more follow-up message. Better yet, pick up the phone and get a live human on the line. Tension with certain men in your life ratcheted up during this retrograde. Let the peace talks commence — even if you just agree to disagree. Ultimately, it's better than losing a great guy from your life.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Leo July 23 to August 22
Roll up those bell-shaped statement sleeves and get to work! Tuesday's quarter moon in Leo brings a motivating boost for your solo projects. Put in some time behind the curtain, polishing up your presentation and performance. Practice makes perfect! But don't wait so long before going public with your plans. At some point you have to put yourself out there and know that you'll develop new skills along the way. Take more initiative while paying attention to the power pyramid that's in place. If you play your cards right this week (read: ascend with humility) you'll rise to the top with the support of the people who are already reigning there. Ideal!
Pour yourself a celebratory margarita on Wednesday and chase it with a shot of truth serum. Expressive Mercury officially ends a retrograde that began on April 9. You held a lot in, Leo, and it could all come out in a rush. Good! But before you open your mouth to roar, mull over your words carefully. You don't want to hurt feelings, even if someone wounded your pride over the past few weeks. If you have stepped on toes, make amends. A sweet, “I’m sorry,” might be all that's needed. (And not an, "I'm sorry, but… ") With Mercury now on course in your worldly ninth house, turn your attention to travel plans and even doing business with someone in a different country code.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Virgo August 23 to September 22
Want to move on from a toxic situation? Then you have to really close the door, Virgo. And shutting it for good means shutting down any talks about the matter. Every time you bring it up, you relive that fresh hell in some small way. On Tuesday, the quarter moon in Leo and your healing 12th house can help you get closure. First, give yourself one more chance to rant about this situation. Write out everything you're furious or sad about and what you wish had happened differently. When you're done scrawling (which might take pages…) do a ritual burning of the paper to release the situation into the universe's hands. Maybe you've been a little too forgiving? If so, these balancing moonbeams help you create healthier boundaries. You don't have to cut people out of your life, but start saying "No" when you need to — there's nothing to feel guilty about!
People's true intentions become clearer on Wednesday as Mercury ends a rocky, three-week retrograde in your secretive eighth house. Since April 9, it's been hard to figure out what's true and who to trust. But before your suspicious mind goes off the rails, take heart. With Mercury correcting course on hump day, your intuition is back to "sharp as a tack" status. No sweeping those unsettling signals under the rug or ruminating about them in private. Instead, ask pointed questions and run legit background checks. If people have proven themselves untrustworthy, forget about extending another chance. Cut them off as an act of self-preservation. The last thing you need is for a snake to slither into your inner circle and betray you, Virgo! Protect your peeps and yourself.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Libra September 23 to October 22
Many hands make light work, Libra! But before you go "mano a mano" with a new group, figure out who the right collaborators would be. With Tuesday's quarter moon in Leo lighting up your 11th house of team and tech, you'll be inspired to draft members for your dream team. Where do you shine — and what skills are so not your strong suit? You don't need a clone of yourself, but rather people who can pick up where you leave off. Once you have a clear picture in mind, ask friends to make introductions. Scour Facebook groups and run a Google search, too. Your future squad could be spread out all over the world — and you might prefer the independence that comes from collaborating remotely. While you're at it, give your profiles some polish to make sure you're representing like the pro that you are.
Happy news for your love life comes on Wednesday, when flirty Mercury rouses from a retrograde that began on April 9. Did you recently (and maybe regrettably) re-light an old flame? Snuff it out if you got burned again. Or, if this is the sophomore hit your heart wanted, make it official — again. Coupled Libras may have weathered some extra tension or felt distant and detached. What have you been afraid to say to bae? After Wednesday, you'll be ready to come clean. Better to get your woes out into the open than to let a good relationship die on the vine! Take the risk to talk it out and let the creative solutions emerge.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Scorpio October 23 to November 21
Step up to the podium, Scorpio! Tuesday’s quarter moon in Leo draws you into the public eye — and this time, you could be in a position of leadership and authority. Have politics been calling your name? Or maybe a more executive title? If you're not ready to leap, start scouting out leads for your ascent. A mentor figure might be an email away or maybe there's a summer program you could enroll in. Growth is exciting, and your stability-loving sign will be happy to see it come at the measured (instead of extreme) pace that this quarter moon brings. If you've been quietly achieving behind the scenes, launch a little strategic self-promotion this week. You want the powers that be to peg you as the influencer you are — and that means making them aware of all your savvy skills and wins.
Did you fall off the spring training wagon, Scorpio? With buzzy Mercury retrograde, primarily in your wellness zone, since April 9, you may have been so slammed at work that you had zero time for the gym. But did you fall into the trap of playing office martyr (or, cough, control freak), taking on too many assignments or failing to delegate to your willing colleagues? Step out of the stress spiral as Mercury corrects course. Start by streamlining, simplifying, and, yes, outsourcing what you can't handle. It can help to systematise now, so pick set times to eat lunch every day and peg a few slots for fitness. Self-care should be a priority, Scorpio, not a luxury! Remember that and reschedule meetings that clash with your 6 p.m. hot yoga jam.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Sagittarius November 22 to December 21
That gambling instinct of yours has gotten you in trouble at times, Sagittarius, but that's no reason to snuff it out. This Tuesday, the quarter moon in Leo lands in your venturesome, optimistic ninth house. If you're getting good vibes from a situation, forge ahead and explore it! A calculated risk could pay off this week — so look, dabble, and try things on before you totally leap. Wanderlust is in your cosmic DNA and these moonbeams can inspire you to travel. Globe-trot sensibly by securing days off before you book the plane ticket and using these savvy hacks for getting a great deal on airfare.
If you've been drowning in drama, you'll secure a life raft this Wednesday, as Mercury snaps out of a three-week retrograde. This signal-muddling cycle may have dimmed your glamorous lights and made you feel kind of "meh" about the whole spring fever thing. But from Wednesday until May 16, you get a do-over. Flirty Mercury powers forward through your passionate fifth house, making a fearless flirt out of you. Stay "camera ready," Sag, because Mercury is charging up your fame zone, too. Style bloggers will come a-snapping or you could schedule your own photo shoot. (Why not?) Take that Pinterest inspo and head to the salon — like Archers Miley Cyrus and Zoe Kravitz, you may be game for a cute pixie or some bleached blonde locks!
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Capricorn December 22 to January 19
Are you in or are you out? You're not one to waffle on a commitment, Capricorn — not once you've made up your mind. But other signs aren't always quite as comfortable playing the long game as you are. This Tuesday's quarter moon in Leo falls in your "all or nothing" eighth house and it might be time to give someone an ultimatum. (Hey, it worked for Jenna Dewan, why not you?) Life may be a circus, but you don't need to suffer clowns. Not in the bedroom, the boardroom, or at band practice. Nope. If you've been the one stuck in constant uncertainty, be honest with yourself. Are you really "just scared," or are you settling for something that's merely satisfactory? Falling in love with people's potential can be a huge trap for Caps. If they aren't what you want and need now, set them free and find someone who is ready to level up.
On Wednesday, the emotion ocean gets a lot smoother as Mercury wakes up from a retrograde that began on April 9. Those feels have been rather overpowering for the past few weeks, and yeah, you probably took things a little too personally — especially with family and your inner circle of friends. As the week goes on, you'll regain perspective. Maybe they were just trying to be helpful, not tear you down. After Wednesday, have any heart-to-hearts needed to bring back the love. Old friends may have entered the picture while your newer pals saw less of you. Now's the time to unite both factions of your social life. Magic things can happen when you bring your queens together for a girl's night out this weekend!
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Aquarius January 20 to February 18
Tired of doing the "Single Ladies" dance — or are you desperately craving more space for yourself? On Tuesday, the quarter moon in Leo lands in your relationship zone, bringing a balanced perspective to your partnership style. Pairing up won't make loneliness go away, Aquarius; in fact, dating with that expectation can make you feel desperate. No matter your relationship status, use this week to fuel up all your tanks (not just the love one). Sign up for a workshop that feeds your soul, pursue an artistic or intellectual interest, mingle with new friend groups. Physical exercise is a surefire mood booster, too — and nothing gets you in your body quite like a vigorous run or a series of graceful yoga postures. And don't feel bad about leaving bae behind. Just explain that you're not going AWOL and that you'll be far more available for fun and connection once you've had a little "me time."
Was it something you said, Aquarius? Sorry to tell you, but yeah. You've had more than the usual number of foot-in-mouth moments ever since Mercury turned retrograde on April 9. But on Wednesday, your spotty signal goes full strength again, helping you clear up your mistakes with grace — like calling someone the wrong name during a crucial conference call or accidentally spreading fake news. Tension with a sibling or close friend will begin dissolving now, too. Apologise for your part in the matter and let them know that you really want to patch things up. When you turn on that sweet and friendly charm, only a cold-hearted snake would hold a grudge. And if you happen to be dealing with one, isn't it best to know so you can keep your distance?
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Pisces February 19 to March 20
Sun salutations, anyone? Tuesday's quarter moon in Leo lights up your self-care zone, motivating you off the sofa and onto the mat. Feeling fried and frazzled just isn't fun and with your busy schedule, you need to make it your business to de-stress. Forget artificial boosters. Try clean fuel instead. Swap out one of those coffee refills with energizing (but hydrating) green tea; add more greens to your plate. Quarter moons are like gentle nudges, so avoid doing anything "extreme." And try some hacks that will make the whole healthy living thing easier, like keeping a gym bag packed and downloading a recipe app that you can choose from before you hit Trader Joe's. Moderation will get you to your goal, and you’re less likely to injure yourself by going the slow and steady route.
On Wednesday, loosen up those purse strings a little and let your guard down at work. With messenger Mercury retrograde since April 9, you may have overspent on festival outfits just as a forgotten bill came in. And tension with coworkers sure did ramp up! Clarity returns on hump day as Mercury resumes direct motion again. Get your budget back in order — and set aside a little coin for some spring cuteness. A Pisces cannot live on thrift store steals alone! (Although you do love your vintage.) If your work superiors have been sending scrambled signals and unclear directions, call a summit to develop smarter workflow procedures. With proper communication you can get the dream team vibes back in place.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Aries March 21 to April 19
Rev up your romantic life, Aries — but dial down the drama. Tuesday’s quarter moon in Leo lights up your fifth house of passion and brings some balance to matters of the heart. Frustrated or bored in your current relationship? Don't ghost without at least trying to improve the situation. Do some legit date planning instead of being so spontaneous all the time. Thoughtful gestures like surprise reservations at their favourite spot, or a night out to see that band they’ve been raving about can bring back the sparks. Single Rams, refresh your dating app profile with some new photos. These glamorous Leo moonbeams give you the perfect excuse for dressing up.
Has everyone been talking in circles the past three weeks? With Mercury retrograde since April 9, you've weathered a seemingly endless barrage of misunderstandings and misfires. And it only got worse when Mercury slipped back into Aries on April 20. So frustrating! Good news: On Wednesday, the communication planet pivots back into direct motion — and powerfully sails through your sign until May 16. Your silver tongue is back! Take advantage of this window to pitch, promote, and present. Did you put an ankle boot in your mouth or slack on an assignment? Apologise profusely and ask for a do-over. You'll nail it this time.
Illustrated by Alia Penner. Photographed by Jason Rodgers.
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It's kind of scary to realise, but J.K. Rowling's first Harry Potter novel was published 20 years ago this June. While her wizarding world continues to expand with the Fantastic Beasts film franchise, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been a huge hit in the West End, it's still hard to beat the captivating storytelling of those original books.
So, it's exciting to hear that an unofficial but pretty awesome-sounding Harry Potter book club is coming to London. Beginning on the 20th of June, the Wizard Book Club will run every Tuesday evening until the 15th of August. Each week a storyteller will read out two chapters from Rowling's first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, before proceedings turn a little more interactive. The organisers promise "there will be activities, wizarding treats, and more."
It's worth noting that the Wizard Book Club is definitely a grown-up event as "alcohol will be served." According to the organisers, it's designed to be a weekly gathering "for giant kids at heart who still love Harry Potter and were brought up with the books and movies. " That's pretty much all of us, right?
The location has yet to be announced, but it's definitely going to take place somewhere in zones 1 and 2. In the meantime, you can find out more over on the Wizard Book Club website.
Oh, and if this isn't quite enough Harry Potter nostalgia for you, find out all about Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley's recent reunion in New York City here.
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If you’re unfamiliar with the disaster now infamously known as Fyre Festival, then do yourself a favour and read up on it here. With packages ranging anywhere from $4,000 (£3,100) to $12,000 (£9,300) per ticket (and up to $250,000 (£193,000) for VIP packages), the luxury music fest promised attendees a “cultural moment created from a blend of music, art, and food.” It didn’t end or begin well.
The pricey event was promoted by some celebrity A-listers, influencers, and models. One of those people was model Bella Hadid.
In a statement released Saturday via Twitter, Hadid addressed the disaster.
“Hey guys, I just wanted to address Fyre Festival…Even though this was not my project what so ever, nor was I informed about the production or process of the festival in any shape or form, I do know that it has always been out of great intent and they truly wanted all of us to have the time of our lives.
"I initially trusted this would be an amazing & memorable experience for all of us, which is why I agree to do one promotion not knowing about the disaster that was to come. I feel so sorry and badly because this is something I couldn't stand by, although of course if I would have known about the outcome, you would have all known too. I hope everyone is safe and back with their families and loved ones,” she wrote, ending with a butterfly and heart emoji.
After an onslaught of tweets from festival goers and exposés written by former staff, it seems the high-profile event — which was co-organised by Ja Rule and promoted by Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, and Hailey Baldwin — was doomed from the start. Clearly, Hadid wants to distance herself from this major PR disaster as much as possible. It's hard to blame her for that.
Everyone is going bare in L.A., but it's not what you think. We're not talking about topless beach protests or Carrie Bradshaw's infamous Brazilian bikini wax (although it is worth re-watching the Escape From New York episode if you have a chance) — but instead, the city's love affair with all things negative space, which just hit a fever pitch.
Over the past few months, we've spotted a massive uptick in half dips, modern French manis, and glitter tips. Now, it seems as if the top salons have taken it a step further with what some call "base coat nail art," which is basically minimalist nail art painted over a clear coat — that's it.
Tiny flowers, chic dots, simple stripes of color done with artful precision — the possibilities are infinite. Call your favorite salon for an appointment — or grab a striping brush and some clear tape — and get ready to expose that nail bed. Check out some inspiration, ahead.
This delicate art guarantees your hands will be getting a whole lot of double takes throughout the day.
The Drybar founder got her nails adorned with the cutest little rainbows we've ever seen. We know what mani we'll be going into Pride Month with...
We tried not to make a "this manicure is out of this world" pun here, but it's just too good.
Dotting deep, inky polish at the base makes a buffed manicure look so cool. Bonus: You can definitely do this yourself with a toothpick.
It was game over when we discovered nail artist and Olive & June manicurist Hang Nguyen's page — her gorg base coat paintings are works of modern art.
Olive & June's long been our go-to for trendspotting, and the salon has been posting negative spaces almost exclusively lately. This hack is great inspiration for those with white spots or unwanted coloring on their nail beds: It's a perfectly-matched nude above the colorful line.
This should get you in the L.A. mindset — no matter where you live.
Essentially a throwback to '90s nail art, this flower-dotted French manicure from Marie Nails gives us major Clueless feels.
These pastel tips are giving us classic spring vibes — and we're here for it.
This look checks off two trend boxes at once: negative space and geode nails.
Feeling confident in your ability to work with striping tape? Then we'd like to present celeb nail artist Whitney Gibson's take on the trend for your DIY consideration.
Beachy tips made for the weekend.
Proof you can have short nails and nail art.
The women at Nailing Hollywood (the top nail artist-only agency for the industry) are turning out rad versions, too.
A minimalist's springtime dream...
Not into a bare base? Copy one of the top nail artists in the game, Steph Stone, and fake it with a nude.
A French manicure gets the coolest update from nail artist Madeline Poole.
Ten fingers, all of which are festival ready.
I am woman, hear me roar.
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In an interview with the Associated Press, Gomez said the show sticks very closely to Jay Asher's 2007 book of the same name that looks at the suicide of 17-year-old Hannah Baker, which is "a beautifully tragic, complicated yet suspenseful story and I think that’s what we wanted to do." She's not surprised that there is of the subject matter. “We wanted to do it justice and, yeah, [the backlash is] gonna come no matter what," Gomez said. "It’s not an easy subject to talk about, but I’m very fortunate with how it’s doing.”
13 Reasons Why has been criticised many times before for ignoring the connection between suicide and mental illness; critics argue that people "often commit suicide because they are unwell, not simply because people have been cruel to them." The Washington Post ran a story yesterday about a Florida schools superintendent who told parents that students are harming themselves and citing 13 Reasons Why. In a letter, the superintendent explained that "personnel have observed an increase in youth at-risk behaviour at the elementary and middle school levels to include self-mutilation, threats of suicide, and multiple Baker Act incidents."
Netflix released a statement to the Washington Post in connection to the Florida claims to explain that they gave the series a TV-MA rating and "added explicit warnings on the three most graphic episodes." They also worked with mental health experts to make sure it accurately portrayed what teens are struggling with now. "Entertainment has always been the ultimate connector," Netflix wrote, "and we hope that 13 Reasons Why can serve as a catalyst for conversation."
Despite our many, many conversations about haircare, makeup tricks, and how we’re handling our various beauty concerns, hair loss among women is still a taboo subject. According to the American Hair Loss Association, women make up an estimated 40% of those affected by hair loss.
However, Kylie Bamberger is challenging our perceptions of baldness among women with a powerful message.
“When I lost my hair I was so focused on what I had lost, that I hadn’t necessarily realised what I had gained,” Bamberger said in a video posted to Instagram. “...I gained the ability to finally love myself. It’s something I encourage so many others to try and do. No one should ever be alienated because of the way that they look.”
Bamberger was only 12 years old when she was diagnosed with alopecia universalis, an autoimmune disease that results in complete hair loss all over the body. As noted by the HuffPo, in October 2016 the model and public speaker, sported an understated floral headband, instead of a wig or elaborate head-covering veil.
A post shared by Kylie Bamberger (@kyliebamberger) on
In an April interview with Health magazine, the 27-year-old opened up about the what it took for her to stop wearing hats and sporting short haircuts as a teen, covering her head wigs as an adult and then toss all of the above in the trash later on. Bamberger has not worn a wig in more than five years.
“Hair loss doesn’t make you unhealthy, and it doesn’t make you ugly,” she said to the publication. “Those are two massive, massive misconceptions. I am not sick. I’m only stronger. If you’re out there, bald, it just means you’re becoming stronger. If you’re out there embracing your bald, you’re stronger. Period.”
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“Feminism means the commitment to holding my camera and walking in the streets of Kabul. Feminism means to actively challenge patriarchy through my confidence,” says Afghan filmmaker Sahar Fetrat boldly. “It means the courage to raise my hand and use my voice on those bitter moments when sexism and inequality shout.” Through all the slogans, commerce and digital noise that contemporary feminism has been twisted to embody in the West, it is powerful to hear such an active answer to the question, “What does feminism mean to you?”
Given that the answer comes from Afghanistan, it is even more astounding. The country is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman. Being outspoken in the name of women’s rights can cost you your life and even working can have dire consequences. In December of last year, five female airport workers were gunned down. Reportedly, they’d received death threats from those who disagreed with them having professions – this is now regarded as the motive for the attack. In March 2015, the brutal murder of Farkhunda Malikzada sent shockwaves around the world. She was beaten by a mob, set alight and thrown into a river in Kabul after a rumour circulated that she’d burnt the Koran. Many came to see her death as that of a martyr for women’s rights in Afghanistan.
In the wake of Farkhunda’s murder, hundreds of women flooded the streets holding her coffin and pushing the hands of men away from her body. Among the protests, Afghan actress Leeha Alam reenacted the killing for all to see. These very visual acts of defiance contradict the narrow portrayal of the 'meek women' hidden behind blue burqas that was propagated by Western media and ultimately used as a justification for military intervention. Sahar agrees: “Most Western feminists think all Afghan women are suppressed, jailed in a burqa and not doing much. In some ways, this is true, as within this patriarchy we are oppressed. Yet I think it is worth recognising that we do fight on a daily basis.”
Sahar believes this fight is critically important. “At this point, our fight is not about wearing a hijab or not. At the [current] time, the hijab is not our biggest problem. Our biggest problem is to fight each day to prove our existence and capabilities. It is constant and takes a lot of energy but its importance is not really recognised or supported from the outside.” In Sahar’s film work, which challenges gender stereotypes through documentary, she seeks to alter larger societal problems by attempting to shift everyday attitudes.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Participant of the Sahar Speaks programme
Since the fall of the Taliban and the American invasion, there has been an internationally supported effort to fund women’s organisations and enshrine formal rights into the legislature in Afghanistan. And in a recent article for The New York Times, journalists Zahra Nader and Mujib Mashal point out that more Afghan women have begun to assert their legal rights but, still, it is the human attitudes that are toughest to change. In response to this, Afghanistan’s new generation of female leaders are taking to the streets to educate their fellow citizens.
Graffiti artist Shamsia Hassani does this by spray-painting the city of Kabul. Known for her bold imagery of women in burqas and use of symbolism, Hassani was inspired by a series of classes aiming to put art on the streets, refusing to be put off as an artist by Afghanistan’s lack of galleries. “People didn’t have money to visit galleries and exhibitions… I was inspired by giving everyone a chance to see your artwork, observe it and learn from it. This is what really drew me to the medium.” While graffiti is illegal in most of Europe, she believes that “artworks on the walls that once had bullets and ruins change the shape of the environment positively.”
Despite Hassani receiving international recognition as the country’s first female graffiti artist, she still faced problems due to her gender. Her family has always been fiercely supportive of her but as she puts it, “Most of my audiences are ordinary people who believe I am doing something wrong just because I am a woman. They say bad things and try and make me feel bad for what I am doing. Their intention is to force me to stop doing it.” Clearly, the fight for women’s rights and visibility in the country is still far from mainstream.
In the case of Sahar, it was also her decision to work in plain sight that caused her problems. Despite personal risk, she believes that it is only by working in public that will change the hearts and minds of her society. “It was really challenging at first to hold a camera and go to communities or go into the streets,” she recounts. “People show different reactions when they see you with a camera; I have been hit by small rocks, tomatoes and fruit. I have also been harassed while filming and once a young man slapped one of the women in my film while she was buying a bicycle.”
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Two participants of the Sahar Speaks programme shoot overlooking Afghanistan
Most people would be put off by flying fruit and the feelings of intimidation whereas Sahar managed to draw motivation from it. In 2013, she decided she wanted to highlight street harassment in Kabul because “people wouldn’t talk much about [it]” so she followed her instincts to use film to “force it out to show how it affects me every day as a young woman.” The film is groundbreaking and bold; her use of a hidden camera to showcase her own harassment demonstrates her innovation as a filmmaker but also her bravery as she places herself in the crossfire to better the lives of others.
After the film, Do Not Trust My Silence, won a prize in Italy, it was broadcast on Afghan TV and social media. Once openly in the public eye, Sahar was hit with abuse and people denying the problem of harassment. Yet for Sahar, this didn’t matter. “It created a vibe,” she tells me, “people talked about it and many young girls came forward about the issue. Due to my film, I have seen many more women and men talking about harassment and the intensity of it. People started doing more research about it and this has led to a decrease of it in Kabul.” Grinning, she adds, “This really showed me the power of a voice and a video. It showed me that, if others see one woman speaking up and doing something, they’ll believe they can do the same!”
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Sahar Fetrat
Fuelled by this realisation, Sahar decided to found a production company, for which she is currently raising funds. Her hope is that it can become a sustainable platform for other young female filmmakers, as “holding a camera and being able to tell stories has empowered me on a personal level and I want to do the same for others, so they can produce more work and tell more stories.”
I ask her what sort of stories she’d like her company to produce, and she’s quick to answer: “I want us to be able to tell the world about the Afghan women who are not just the ‘victims’ or the champions. I want to tell the stories that the rest of the world has missed when concentrating on war; the stories of the women who are survivors. The stories of women like my mother, who don’t know the term 'feminism' but live all their life in a country which consumes and produces patriarchy. Yet every day, they stand strong and have raised their daughters to become their voice.”
Of the future Sahar foresees for her own potential daughter, she is uncertain. Given that the Taliban recently killed 140 soldiers in an army base a few days after America dropped ‘the mother of all bombs’ in the country, this uncertainty is hardly surprising. In provinces such as Kunduz, where the Taliban has advanced, female activists have fled – but their husbands were still shot by association.
Wisely, she says: “I don’t want to leave my country because these backwards ideas will be able to take control again if all the women like me leave. Here, there are many things which I wish to see changed in our lives as Afghan women but I know this will take a lot of sisterhood, support and courage. For now, I just hope for and ask for that.”
Illustrating the article are photos from the Sahar Speaks programme that inspired Sahar Fedrat to set up her own organisation. In 2015, award winning journalist Amie Ferris - Rotman founded the programme to nurture the voices of Afghan female journalists. More of their work can be foundhere. You can help raise funds for Sahar's production companyhere.
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Fashion Month SS17 proved it wasn't all about heavy cut creases and flawless, full coverage as gossamer-esque crème blushes caressed cheeks, eye glosses glazed lids, veil-like foundations gave skin an ethereal dewiness and tinted balms provided lips with a subtle wash of colour at shows like Delpozo and Who What Wear.
Fast-forward to now, and the beauty sphere has followed suit, swapping the matte effect (which has had Instagram in a headlock for far too long) for a balmier, more delicate and all-round much-easier-to-pull-off makeup look. So take inspiration from the sheer trend and shop Refinery29's pick of the best barely there beauty buys to land this spring.
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Spring always calls for lightweight, breathable textures and MAC has got it so right with the new Next To Nothing Face Colour. Enduring yet virtually undetectable, the silky tinted cream is imbued with a subtle iridescent pigment to provide a veil of coverage that works almost like a soft-focus lens. Perfect if you find foundation too much and tinted moisturiser not enough.
MAC Next To Nothing Foundation, £27, available at MAC
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'Candlelight' is about right – your complexion will look bathed in it after a dusting of this illuminating powder. If you find your foundation tends to turn flat throughout the day, daub this on shortly after. The texture is so fine, resulting in a dewy, lit-from-within finish gorgeous enough to give any supermodel a run for her money.
Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating Powder in Candlelight, £27, available at Space NK
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If you're nonplussed by cream blush, Chanel's new Colour Stick is guaranteed to sway you. It harnesses the skin-smoothing properties of cotton flower extract and glides on (yep, no snagging on your perfectly applied foundation base) to lend cheeks a pretty, pinched effect that oozes ethereal beauty. Plus, it doesn't vanish after a few hours.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Stick Blush, £34, available at Boots
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No one does powder blush like Nars and their latest cheek palette is the perfect addition to any spring beauty arsenal. It boasts six complexion-enlivening shades – three packed with a delicate sheen and three super-sophisticated matte hues, all of which will tint the apples of your cheeks a natural, petal-like flush.
NARSissist Unfiltered II Cheek Palette, £45, available at Nars
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Spring is all about subtlety, which means supernatural highlights you could probably see from space are on their way out. Instead, grab Zoeva's Strobe Gel, which imparts a gauzy glow upon skin. Go back to basics and use your fingertips to gently press the cream onto the tops of your cheekbones.
Zoeva Strobe Gel in Halo, £11, available at Cult Beauty
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Every product in the IT Cosmetics range has been formulated with help from plastic surgeons and dermatologists in a bid to erase tricky skin concerns such as rosacea, hyper-pigmentation, acne scars and uneven skin tone, all without looking obviously cakey. This CC+ cream is the makeup equivalent of an Instagram filter – it tucks away redness and other blemishes and plumps skin with moisture.
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, £30, available at QVC
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A swipe of YSL's Volupté Tint-in-Balm leaves behind a delicious hint of translucent colour while jojoba and macadamia oil work to nourish dry skin and lock in moisture. You'll want to whip out the ornate silver and gold case for touch-ups at every opportunity – but the staying power is very impressive!
YSL Volupté Tint-in-Balm, £27, available at Selfridges
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Dior masterfully marries makeup and skincare in the sparkling new Luminizer Serum which is so light, you have to dispense the droplets into the palm of your hand using the dropper tool. A single sweep over naked skin will lend even the most lacklustre of complexions a dreamy glow.
Dior Nude Air Luminizer Serum, £35, available at Dior
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A convincing sun-kissed radiance is no longer so elusive thanks to Laura Mercier's new crème bronzer. It melts on contact with fingertips and brushes and meshes beautifully with the skin, making you look like you've spent a week lapping up the sun on a mini-break instead of five seconds in front of your dressing-table mirror.
Laura Mercier J'adore Le Soleil Matte Veil Crème, £32.77, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
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Forget what you know about cream eyeshadow slipping and sliding everywhere because once this is on, it isn't budging. Thanks to the pearlescent shimmer (read: not gaudy), just a single swipe across the eyelids lends a deliciously glossy effect. To dial up the intensity, simply scrawl on another layer and use the soft pad of your ring finger to blend, blend, blend.
Inglot Aquastic Cream Eye Shadow in 13, £14.49, available at eBay
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The Ordinary has sent beauty lovers into meltdown with the launch of a foundation collection and, yes, it really does live up to the hype. A handful of their serum versions, which give the skin a barely-there drape of colour, boast either silver or gold highlights to bestow an enviable radiance. Skip the strobing step and stick to this – it'll shave minutes off your beautifying routine.
The Ordinary Colours Serum Foundation SPF15, £5.90, available at Victoria Health
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There are 38 shades in Sally Hansen's new Color Therapy collection, which is supercharged with nail bed-nourishing argan oil, but this has to be our favourite. Semi-translucent and sorbet-like, just one slick of Sheer Nirvana is enough to lend nails a clean and stylish wisp of colour. A second slick takes the chic factor to 100.
Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish in Sheer Nirvana, £8.99, available at Boots
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Vegans will have long been aware of the oddly named aquafaba. For those of you who've recently turned, though, this wonder ingredient is going to be a lifesaver when it comes to cooking.
So what is aquafaba? Well, in short, it's the "jus" that beans and legumes (mainly chickpeas) have been cooked in. It's viscous (thicker and stickier than water) and, in many cases, makes an excellent substitute for egg whites.
Can you buy aquafaba?
You can't buy it on its own – even Whole Foods doesn't sell it, which is saying something. But actually, if you're conscious of food waste, aquafaba is a great thing to get to know because it's already in that can of chickpeas you were going to use anyway. As Sadhbh, Refinery29's social media assistant says (Sadhbh is vegan), aquafaba is the "vegan equivalent of using the whole cow".
FYI, some chickpeas are soaked in salted water which will drastically change the taste of anything you bake. Best check the ingredients on the can for legumes in non-salted water.
Yes, yes you can. It is a bit of a schlep but, according to blog Food Highs, the taste is much cleaner and there are no "tinny notes". They recommend soaking dried chickpeas overnight in just over double the volume of water of chickpeas. Keep the mixture airtight. The next morning, you need to drain your chickpeas and boil them.
Remember, if this all sounds like too much hard work, just buy yourself a can of chickpeas. No one's giving out medals for virtuous baking here. And we're sure you've got much better stuff to do with your time.
Can aquafaba be frozen?
If you do go ahead and make your own aquafaba like an absolute hero, you may find you've got too much to use in one go. Can you store it to save yourself another sleepless night of soaking legumes? You certainly can. The home of aquafaba (these guys even came up with the weird name), Aquafaba.com recommends storing your juice in an ice tray and refrigerating it, if you're only going to keep it a few days. For anything over that, freezing is your best bet.
Makes sense, right? Chickpeas are a super way for vegans to get the protein they need. There are about nine grams of protein for every 100 grams of chickpeas. Sadly, though, this doesn't translate to aquafaba. A recent study of aquafaba registered protein levels too low even to be recorded on a nutritional label.
What recipes can aquafaba be used in?
Oh so many. As mentioned above, aquafaba is a good substitute for egg whites. It can therefore be used to bind things together, can be whipped up (hello, vegan pisco sours), used for thickening things, and baked to make meringues and pavlovas. Most importantly, though, it can be used to make...
... aquafaba mayo
Because a life without mayonnaise has to be a very dark one indeed. We recommend this garlic mayo (they call it aioli) from Lauren Caris Cooks. It takes 15 minutes to make and you've probably got everything you need already in your fridge and cupboards.
It’s still decidedly wintry outside so use it as an excuse to nestle down with some intriguing-looking new Netflix shows until the sun decides to make an overdue appearance. We’re counting down the days for The Keepers to start.
May also brings music from three of R29's female favourites, Angel Olsen, Lana Del Rey and Marika Hackman, and there are some exciting art shows to keep you out of the pub on the two bank holidays that May boasts.
Scroll through to check out what R29 staffers are most excited about coming up in May. Never complain of being bored again.
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Georgia Murray, Fashion & Beauty Writer
Angel OlsenUK tour, from 18th May I'm a sucker for strong women with lairy guitars, and Angel Olsen is set to be a real treat. Her third and most recent album, My Woman, is witty, hopeful and fragile perfection, so I can't wait to see her perform it live. A meditation on love, losing it, and the moves you'll make to keep it, her lyrics are as sharp as they are catchy: "Stop pretending I'm not there / When it's clear I'm not going anywhere". Shred it, Angel.
The Keepers, Netflix, May 19th I love to binge – food, podcasts, TV – so since I waved goodbye to S-Town 's John B. and Bibb County, there's been a hole in my life ready to be filled. Enter The Keepers. Promoted with the chilling tagline "Who killed Sister Cathy?", the story is centred on the mysterious 1969 murder of a 26-year-old nun who may have known too much about the goings on of the church... See you the other side of the weekend with theories aplenty.
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Gillian Orr, Senior Editor
Pond, The Weather, 5th May I've been one of Pond's biggest fans ever since I caught them play at SXSW in 2012. The Australian foursome is one of the most thrilling bands you can watch live and their records are just as weird, trippy, fun and affecting as their performances. They're particularly prolific; The Weather, produced by Tame Impala's Kevin Parker, will be their seventh album in eight years. Get a taster here.
Miss Sloane, in cinemas 12th May I'd quite possibly watch the fantastic Jessica Chastain play a sandwich, but an obsessive Washington lobbyist? Sign me up. The film – dismissed by some as "gun control propaganda" – might have spectacularly tanked at the US box office (the 75th worst opening weekend since 1982 has to hurt) but I'm still going to give it a go when it comes out later this month.
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Jess Commons, Health & Living Editor
Bloodline Season 3 on Netflix, 26th May It's devastating that this is the last season of Bloodline. For the uninitiated, this Netflix drama is a modern day Shakespearean family tragedy set in the beautiful Florida Keys where, if you scratch the surface, nothing is quite as picturesque as it seems. Props to Kyle Chandler for (yet again) playing a dreamy dad.
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins, 2nd May You probably heard about The Girl On The Train, Paula Hawkins' last novel which experienced just a little bit of success in both the book and film world last year. Rather than relax on a pile of (well-earned) money, Hawkins has moved swiftly on and is now set to release Into the Water, her second novel. It's about a woman who drowns in a river which seems to have a long tradition of taking the lives of the local female population. Will the daughter and sister left behind be able to get the answers to their questions?
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Alice Casely-Hayford, Fashion & Beauty Editor
Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion at the V&A, from 27th May I recently returned from a holiday in Getaria, the birthplace of one of the greatest designers and couturiers of the 20th century, Cristobal Balenciaga. I visited the museum in his hometown which had a beautiful collection of his works but am extremely excited for the extensive upcoming exhibition at the V&A examining his work and legacy, his protégées and the contemporary designers inspired by his vision.
Giacometti at Tate Modern, from 10th May I can't wait to see this retrospective of the iconic Swiss modern artist. Many may be familiar with his elongated, existential figures but this exhibition brings together over 250 works from plasters and drawings to bronze sculptures.
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Anna Jay, Art Director
Foam Talent, Beaconsfield Gallery Vauxhall, London, 18th May - 18th June I look forward to Foam Talent every year; the Amsterdam gallery selects a pool of emerging photographers to feature in a special edition of the magazine, as well as a touring exhibition. Setting the tone for who's who in the photography world, it's always an anticipated shortlist. This year's artists include some personal favourites - Stefanie Moshammer, Nico Krijno, Felicity Hammond and Jack Davison.
Offprint London, Tate Modern, 19-21st May Two photography events for me this month as it's Photo London too. Offprint has established itself as the destination event for the best in independent publishing. Spend a day or the opening evening perusing the crème de la crème of art books and interacting with the schedule of events, yet to be confirmed for this year.
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Sarah Raphael, Editorial Director
Twin Peaks Season 3, 22nd May Master of the dark arts David Lynch has been whetting our appetites for cherry pie and season three of his thrilling series for some time now. Toying with our emotions by dropping out and then dropping back in, now, finally, we have something concrete: a date! Original cast members in the new series include Sheryl Lee as the presumably still-dead Laura Palmer and Kyle MacLachlan as Agent Cooper – you’ll understand why he is necessary if you’ve seen season 1 and 2, and, like us, have been hanging on this cliff since 1991 when the last episode aired. Get that coffee on the stove, folks.
SKAM Season 4, released throughout May I can't stress enough how much everyone needs to watch Skam, the hit Norwegian teen drama that's so much better than Skins. Season 4 has just started and will be running throughout May; they release episodes sporadically so you have to keep up! The episodes are posted a few hours after they've been filmed so there's a real 'live' element and DIY aesthetic. You can follow all the characters on Instagram and Tumblr and they post links to watch it there with subtitles. Trust us, it's well worth the search.
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Rose Lander, Executive Assistant
Marika HackmanUK tour, from 18th May Super cool, overly talented and seemingly eternally chilled, vocalist Marika Hackman is on tour with her latest album I'm Not Your Man. The first single, "Boyfriend", is a wickedly funny track that strikes back at any guy who doesn't take lesbian relationships seriously. If you know a guy who, as Marika sings, thinks "a woman needs a man to make her shout", definitely take them to this gig. They might just learn something.
American Godson Amazon Prime Video, 1st May I gave my boyfriend a Neil Gaiman novel at the very beginning of 0ur relationship. I don't think he's forgiven me yet for spoiling a major plot point when I gushed about it, but his love for Gaiman's writing made me sure he was the one for me. When I heard Amazon were adapting his novel American Gods, I was skeptical. But this show looks amazing, with killer casting like Ian McShane as Norse god Odin and Kristen Chenoweth as an overly chirpy personification of Easter.
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Katy Thompsett, Sub Editor
Lana Del Rey, Lust For Life, 26th May It’s been a year and a half since Lana’s last full-length album, Honeymoon – darker and more desolate even than 2014’s Ultraviolence, it was the exact opposite of how you’d imagine two weeks in the Maldives post-nuptials going down. Now Lana’s back with Lust For Life and it sounds like we’re in for an altogether sunnier ride. First single “Love” layers the singer’s drowsy vocals over a sweeping instrumental, with lyrics conveying an indulgent – almost maternal – affection. I can’t wait to hear what the rest of the album has in store.
House Of Cards Season 5 on Netflix, 30th May OK, so season three was a little off-kilter but the jewel in Netflix’s crown really pulled it back in season four, which saw Claire Underwood go toe-to-toe with scheming husband Frank in pursuit of her own political ambitions. The complex dynamic between these two power players drove the narrative towards a chilling (and, as it turned out, terrifyingly prescient) season finale that left audiences speculating over just how messed-up the relationship – and, by turn, the politics – could get.
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Natalie Gil, News Writer
Master of None Season 2 on Netflix, 12th May I practically inhaled Aziz Ansari's book Modern Romance, an all-too-real exploration of dating and love in the digital age. And when his Netflix comedy series Master of None dropped shortly after, I was suitably hooked on that, too. Sure, it’s not laugh-out-loud funny, but Ansari’s take on love and identity is both sharp and heartwarming. Season 2 looks set to focus on newly-single Dev’s foray into dating – and I can’t wait to see what he learns.
Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami, 9th May Haruki Murakami has admitted he finds writing novels challenging (which is surprising given he’s written so many of them). But short stories? To him, they’re a doddle. “If writing novels is like planting a forest, then writing short stories is more like planting a garden,” he’s said. Accordingly, I’ve got high hopes for Men Without Women, his latest book. The collection of seven short stories delves into the lives of men who, for various reasons, find themselves alone. If you need me, I’ll be devouring it in the spring sunshine with a cold, stiff drink.
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Natasha Slee, Social Media Manager
Rooftop Film Club, various London venues, from 4th May There is something so romantic and un-British about watching a movie in the open air, no? Rooftop Film Club kickstarts its programme on the 4th May with Mary Poppins, but what we’re REALLY excited about is the special Refinery29 screening of Lost In Translation on the 19th May. Tickets on sale now. Bring a blanket!
Photo London, Somerset House, 18-21st May The UK’s biggest photo fair is back, cramming the walls of Somerset House with both established and emerging names. Come for an inspiration deluge and enough #art #photography #culture Instagram snaps to see you through the month. Look out for the super close-up, squidgy, glistening and sensual work of R29-fave Maisie Cousins.
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Sadhbh O'Sullivan, Social Media Assistant
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 3 on Netflix, 19th May Honestly, I've found Netflix originals to be very hit and miss, but Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt makes me snort with laughter and is the one I will always recommend. If the teaser of Titus pulling a "Lemonade" is anything to go by, this third season will be as good, if not better, than the last.
McGlue by Ottessa Moshfegh, 25th May Of all the books I read in 2016, Moshfegh's Eileen was a standout sucker punch of a novel. McGlue is actually her debut novel but is being published in the UK for the first time and I've no doubt it will be just as strange and haunting as Eileen.
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An artistic vision in red, Beyoncé was the embodiment of a work of art at the Wearable Art Gala at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
The inaugural Wearable Art Gala proved to be a family affair with Beyoncé, Solange Knowles, Bianca Lawson, and Kelly Rowland all in attendance serving as the Gala's Honorary Chairpersons for the new creative centre established by Tina Knowles Lawson and husband, Richard Lawson. Many other celebrities came decked out in outfits celebrating art and creativity.
"We are truly thrilled to establish a new creative centre in Los Angeles where art can occur," Tina Knowles Lawson shared the night of the gala. "The purpose of this endeavour is empowering people to gain the skills and ability to identify and pursue their dreams no matter who they are or where they came from. It is also to give both professional and non-professional actors, artists and youth a place to celebrate their own talent and artistry."
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Photo: Courtesy of Beyonce.com
Though she did not walk the red carpet at the gala, the singer took a moment to pose for this photo that could be a piece of art in and of itself.
Also present were Beyonceé's husband Jay Z and their daughter, and soon to be older sister to twins, Blue Ivy.
If you are looking at Beyoncé's ensemble, a silky, red Michael Costello dress, complete with a beautiful floral headpiece and feeling déjà vu, you're just having a little fashion flashback. She also wore a floor-length red gown to VMAs in 2011 while she announced that she was pregnant with Blue Ivy.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
While they are obviously not a spot on match, the red dresses bear a lot of similarities. The most noticeable similarity being that Beyoncé stuns like the Queen Bey that she is in both looks.
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