When most of us talk about beauty, the focus is usually on the feminine. The thing is beauty is for everyone, as we’ve seen the community become much more inclusive in recent years. But whether it’s because of gender stereotypes or just a general lack of awareness, we think many of our dads might’ve missed the memo. Sure, they have a few shave products and maybe cologne lining their medicine cabinets, but there might not be much else stocked inside. Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed the talents of amazing male makeup artists and hairstylists and learned so much from them, including how important pampering your outside helps to take care of your inside as well. So to celebrate his big day, I’ve rounded up a few pearls of beauty wisdom to pass along to our dads to help them to look and feel amazing like they deserve. Happy Father’s Day, and if you can, give your dad a big hug for me!
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Lifestyle
Before Instagram, personal style blogs, and long before we started flipping through fashion magazines, our first style inspiration was Mom. In fact, mine still serves as my stylist, ensuring I step out with my most stylish foot forward, which I trained myself to do by running around the house in her red pumps that I adored. The clothing swaps didn’t stop there either. My mom would often let me raid her wardrobe when I needed to dress up during middle school and later on, I gifted her some of my hand-me-downs that she loved that didn’t fit me anymore. Without her, my closet wouldn’t have a drop of color, just a series of mostly black and a few white pieces that I’d constantly repeat. And so in honor of her special day, I’ve rounded up some of the style rules that she instilled in me. Happy Mother’s Day, and if you can, give your mom a hug for me!
Beauty, Body, Fashion, Hair, Lifestyle, Makeup
May the Fourth Be With You: Chic Star Wars Swag to Add to Your Collection
“May the 4th be with of you!”
When it comes to Star Wars, there is no such thing as too much merch, especially since the franchise was acquired by Disney. And it’s gone far beyond action figures, t-shirts, and Lego sets. Since The Force Awakens was released, there has been an explosion of Star Wars-themed, well, everything. And with Solo hitting theaters this month, the mania doesn’t look like it’ll be calming down anytime soon.
With the plethora of products on display from fashion and beauty to even housewares and home decor, there’s plenty of ways to show your love for the ever-growing film franchise on this special day. But everything need not have the bold logo emblazoned across it in order to pay homage. In fact, some of the most recent iterations are subtler than some of the products we’ve collected in the past. So I decided to search the shelves for some chic ways to honor the story that took place in a galaxy far, far away because for die-hard fans, Star Wars day isn’t just today or tomorrow (you know, Revenge of the Fifth), it’s a 365-days a year kind of thing.
Photo: Courtesy of Lola.
Lola, the period company known for its organic tampons, wants to be the first brand to be there for women from “their first period through their last hot flash.” And it’s thinking well beyond just that time of the month by branching out with a new line of condoms and other sexual health products.
Coined Sex by Lola, the new range that boasts everything “natural” you need to have sexy time with your partner (or solo) safely. The collection includes ultra-thin condoms made of natural rubber latex and lubricated with 100% locally-sourced, medical-grade silicone oil. There’s a water-based personal lubricant formulated with aloe juice to mimic the vagina’s natural moisture. And to round things out, there are also all-natural cleansing wipes that’s made with 100% bamboo soaked in a purified water solution to maintain a healthy vaginal pH balance.
The brand is maintaining its transparency when it comes to its materials and where they come from. During the R&D process, Lola found that many suppliers sold lubricants mixed with other additives like industrial-grade silicone, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require companies to share in their ingredients lists since lube is considered a medical device, not a drug that requires more stringent ingredient regulations. (Though many that are on shelves now haven’t been cleared with the FDA.) But the line avoids the scary stuff and unnecessary ingredients altogether like parabens, petrochemicals, and other known carcinogens; glycerin, which is often formulated in a number of lubricants but can also cause yeast infections, according to SELF; as well as synthetic colorants, flavors, and fragrance, which can all irritate anyone’s naughty bits, especially if you already have sensitive skin.
Photo: Courtesy of Lola.
Some might be wondering, “Why condoms?” But Lola’s founders saw it as a natural progression for the brand that already working to destigmatize reproductive health. While condoms and lube are associated with and marketed to people with penises, Lola didn’t want to keep accepting the status quo, kickstart innovation in the category, and open up discussions about sexual health for everyone involved. The brand surveyed about 1,000 women and found that 36% of women say they actually buy the condoms, while another 33% said they buy them with their partner. As co-founder Alex Friedman told Fortune, “Brands are targeting the male consumer, [but] women want to have that conversation and play an active part in the decision making.”
Besides our attitudes towards condoms have changed in recent years. A 2017 survey by Trojan Condoms in partnership with Indiana University’s National Survey of Sexual Health & Behavior found that 96% of those polled thought that when seeing a woman buy condoms as being responsible and smart, or don’t find it to be any of their business. (Because it’s not anyone’s business other than their partner.) Plus 68% of women polled either “strongly disagreed” or “disagreed” that it was a man’s “responsibility” and not the woman’s to supply the condoms for a heterosexual hookup, though only 18% of women said they purchased the condom for their most recent sexual encounter. But with Lola stepping further into sexual health, those numbers are sure to skyrocket, especially since you can easily order them along with your monthly supply of period products.
Decor, Lifestyle
Lady Gaga’s Stylist Launches Line With Ikea to Make Your Space Look Glamorous — And I Want Everything!
via Ikea.com
You may not know Bea Åkerlund, but you’ve definitely seen her work before. The fashion activist and costume designer has added her decadent touch to create some of the most memorable looks of our favorite stars. We’re talking Beyoncé‘s iconic Lemonade-yellow dress from the “Hold Up” video (as well as half of the clips from her eponymous visual album); Madonna‘s Mark-Antony-meets-Cleopatra-inspired ensemble for her 2012 Super Bowl Halftime Show; Katy Perry’s Katy Kat CoverGirl collection commercial (and her Harper’s Bazaar Icons NYFW performance that I got to witness first-hand ); and even Lady Gaga‘s eye-popping “Paparazzi” video.
But now the stylist is adding her signature blend of gothic glamor not to your wardrobe but everywhere else in your apartment with an exclusive Ikea collection that is not only Instagrammable but also brings a bit of the red carpet home with you. Called OMEDELBAR (which is “immediate” in Swedish), the collection features home accents and accessories, like a gilded clothing rack and valet stand to put your prettiest pieces on display as well as a Birkin-inspired lighting fixture, all designed to allow you to get imaginative with your interiors and transform your space into the decadent dressing room of your dreams.
“’B. WHO YOU ARE’ is about embracing yourself, no matter what the world thinks of you. It’s about individuality and creativity – two important cornerstones of OMEDELBAR,” she said of the collection in a press release.
While the collection hit shelves on February 14th — yup, while we were drowning in red hearts, lipstick, chocolate, and all things amoré — the great thing is that everything is very affordable. The most expensive pieces are the armchair, the ottoman, and the clothes rack, which are priced at $249 and $129, respectively. Not to mention that the collection is available for purchase at almost all locations, save for IKEA Grand Prairie or IKEA Jacksonville.
And as much as I want to snap up everything, regardless of the lack of room in my house, I decided to sift through everything to narrow down it down to a few favorites I’m planning to purchase before everything disappears. Read more to see what I’m adding to my shopping list.
While everyone is either scrambling for a last-minute gift or getting dolled up for a big date tomorrow — you know, Valentine’s Day —LOLA, a feminine product delivery service, is spreading the love a day early by donating up to 500,000 period products to homeless shelters throughout the country. And the best part is you can lend a hand too!
To celebrate Galentine’s Day, a holiday meant to celebrate the women in our lives, the period brand known for its organic tampons wants you to raise your voice for women by sharing the image in the Instagram above, which is meant to symbolize how a small act of kindness can make the difference for millions. All you have to do is post the picture in either your feed or your Instagram stories from today until 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, the 15th, with hashtag #TamponsAreNotALuxury and tagging the brand. And LOLA will donate 100 period products to women in need through Support The Girls, a non-profit dedicated to providing homeless women with bras and feminine hygiene products. This would help double LOLA’s lifetime donation since its start in 2015.
LOLA initially kicked things off last week by linking up with 100 of its New York City customers to help hand deliver over 10,000 tampons to shelters throughout the city. The drives are part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to ensure that people who get periods, no matter how much they make, are able to access the products they need every month. The fact is tampons, pads, and other monthly necessities can be pretty hard to come by even if you’re in a homeless shelter, as they’re not donated as often as coats or non-perishable food. That means that millions of low-income people in the U.S. are forced to choose between buying menstrual products for themselves or essentials for their families, according to the organization’s founder, Dana Marlowe.
“You don’t really think to donate this [feminine care products], but this really is a basic life necessity,” Alex Friedman, LOLA’s co-founder, told Cheddar.com. “And we’re doing everything we can, as a brand, to get women the products they need.”
And even if you’re not homeless, feminine care products can hit your wallet pretty hard over time! Aside from the fact that not only are we paid less than men, we also pay for items like razors, toys, and even dry cleaning, including tampons. That’s because period products are subject to sales tax in most states since it is seen as a luxury item when items like cowboy boots, Viagra, and candy are exempt in various states in the U.S. (Yeah, I know. WTF?!) In fact, only 12 states don’t have a tampon taxor have recently gotten rid of it. So by adding your voice to the conversation, maybe we can all help change these policies so everyone who has a period doesn’t feel financially penalized for having it.
Did you miss me?
Aww, I missed you too! I promise I wasn’t too far away….just on a different platform. But with the New Year and the many changes that come with it, I wanted to share a few of the resolutions I’m planning on keeping for 2018, the first being: getting back to sharing beauty secrets and fangirling about my faves from the big screen to the store shelves right here.
Want to know what else I’m hoping to achieve during 2018? Check them out under the cut!
Right here! Over here! ??
Sorry, kittens. I didn’t mean to ghost you guys! But it is for a good reason. I’ve received another amazing opportunity to share my love of beauty with even more people. The only snag? Trying to balance the hours between work and play again.
This isn’t the end — far from it. I’ve still got more beauty secrets to share, news to freak out about, and muses to inspire your next look. You’ll just have to stay tuned on Snapchat to see what comes next. But if you’re still willing to come along for the ride, it’s sure to be filled with more crazy twists, turns, and lipstick smears.
Can’t believe this was already six years ago!
Has your newsfeed been filled with customized caps lately? Have you had to run home to see your sibling, friend, or family member pick up their diploma? With graduation season in full swing, everyone thinks their future is so bright that they’ve got to wear shades. But the reality is that the Class of 2016 has the most student debt in American history with a total sum of $60 billion! While we’re not in the midst of the recession like when I was in school (hey class of 2010), that’s still a lot of money to pay back with a small starting salary.
Like most millennials, I returned to the nest after earning my degree to help save money while I paid off my student debt. But unlike many of my contemporaries, I’m still hanging at home with the ‘rents and I’m happy there. Over the years, I’ve heard: “Don’t you think it’s time to be on your own?” “Don’t you want to live in the city? Wouldn’t that make it easier?” They mean well, but it doesn’t mean I have to move out if I’m not financially ready. According to U.S. News and World Report and Rent.com, the average cost of a one-bedroom in the Big Apple is $3,044—not including utilities, cable, groceries, cell phone, etc. that can put a serious strain on your wallet. And I’m not the only one! A recent study by the Pew Reasearch Center found that 32.1% of millennials are currently living at home.
While living at home eases my budget, there are benefits and pitfalls that both the child and the parent(s) have to contend with. What I’ve found is most of the problems that come along with this setup boils down to a few things to keep in mind so everyone can find harmony:
Respect: First off, this goes both ways no matter what. While you are under your parents’ roof and should adhere to their rules (within reason, as I know some households are stricter than others), they also need to understand that you’re an adult—which may be more of an adjustment for them than it is for you. They may still see you as a child, which can cloud their judgement and color how they treat you now. They need to understand that though they have endless life experiences and advice to offer, you have to make your own mistakes in order to learn from them—they’ll be there to catch you when you fall.
Communicate: Remember, you’re grown now. So that means you can’t give them the silent treatment when things don’t go your way. It only creates resentment that will build over time before it explodes, leaving everyone’s feelings hurt. Going back to respect, be upfront with your feelings when it comes to the space you share as well as how you assert your independence within the household. And your parents should hear you out and respect your opinions whether they agree or not. Once both sides are out in the open, it’ll make it much easier to find a compromise and resolve the conflict.
Contribute: Just because Mommy did your laundry before college doesn’t mean you treat your home like a hotel and sit on your butt while they do all the work. All of you have busy lives filled with jobs, bills, a social calendar, and more, but the house is a communal space you share. Whether you assign weekly chores or rotate responsibilities, you should all do your part. Pitching in not only makes it easier to maintain a household, it also compels you to feel like the house is also yours and teaches you the basics of running a home for when you finally leave the nest.
Still live with your parents and have tips of your own? Or if you’re already out on your own, what’s the biggest lesson living at home taught you? Let me know if the comments below.
I’ve been feeling seriously sluggish lately, and it’s not just because of EDC (there will be more on this later). It could also be the batch of good weather we’ve finally received on the East Coast—I mean, I have to enjoy the sunshine while I can, right? Whatever it is, I find myself distracted by everything and I really need to focus. I can make promises as much as want, but unless there’s something there to remind me to complete my tasks, they can fall by the wayside. But I’ve decided to get myself in gear starting with my space.
While my decorating has stalled a bit with a bunch of boxes that I can’t get rid of just yet, I’m looking up when it comes to making my house my home, namely with some wall art that adds some motivational mojo. I’m a visual kind of person—if I can’t see it (or feel it tangibly) I just won’t get it. I’ve been on the hunt for cool prints that give me the life advice I need minus the saccharine clichés that already clutter home decor shelves. No shade to “Live, Laugh, Love,” but I need a swift kick in the butt, not a hug, to get stuff done. If you’re in the same boat, I’ve found a few favorites I’m adding to my cart to ensure I can Carpe that Diem and stay on track to making my dreams come true.