At last night's Glamour Women of the Year Awards, female empowerment was in the air as luminaries including Solange, Maxine Waters, and the women of #MeToo were honored for their work in 2017 — it was #goals, #girlpower, and a great reminder to be the change you wish to see in your community. But that's not even all the event served up: There was major red carpet glamour.
It's pretty hard to curate a "best of" beauty roundup after an event where every attendee absolutely nails it (and we mean every. single. one.), but we went for it anyway. Ahead, see the game-changing women who prove that there's power in how we style our hair and makeup — and that leadership and lipstick can go together perfectly.
Herieth Paul's short 'fro allows her gorgeous face to shine, putting all the focus on that bronze inner-eye corner strobe and those glossy berry lips.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
Hairstylist Chuck Amos gave Tracee Ellis Ross a head full of disco-worthy, voluminous curls.
Photo: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images.
Now this is how you make an entrance. Serena Williams' segmented high ponytail, styled by Vernon François, deserves the gold medal. (He shared his product list here.)
Photo: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images.
Solange never leads us astray. We're digging her halo of ringlets, which may or may not have been styled with an office tool.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images/Glamour.
Greta Lee added a little bit of bend to her sci-fi bob.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images/Glamour.
As always, Zendaya's hair and brows are tremendously on point.
Photo: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images.
How flawless is Halima Aden's combo of shimmery lids, copper lips, and a bright white smile?
Photo: Noam Galai/WireImage.
All queens deserve a crown, and Bozoma Saint John is no exception.
Photo: Noam Galai/WireImage.
Big hair, don't care. To maximize your 'fro, like Jessica Williams did, try stretching your hair at the root with the lowest setting on your blowdryer.
Photo: Noam Galai/WireImage.
A styling cream, applied to small sections of your hair, can define your curls even more, as demonstrated here by Jourdana Phillips.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
Shoutout to Aisha Dee, because double buns are always a good time.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
Laverne Cox is blonder and more badass than ever, if that's even possible.
Photo: Noam Galai/WireImage.
Nicole Kidman was another member of the ponytail club last night. For wispy tendrils like hers, try wrapping your face-framing strands around a small curling iron.
Calling Andreja Pejić pink lip "pretty" would be a massive understatement.
Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic.
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Gigi Hadid may have ended last night with the distinctive honor of having been named one of Glamour 's Women of the Year, but hours before she stepped on stage to accept an award presented to her by none other than Serena Williams, the model's day had begun as any other: with a bright-and-early appearance on the Today show. As you do.
While the rest of us were still coming to terms with the reality that it was, in fact, Monday, and we would, in fact, be expected to go to work sooner rather than later, Hadid was fresh-faced and ready for the 7 a.m. air time — but looking wide-awake mere minutes after sunrise wasn't the only thing she managed to pull off. If her inspirational commentary on female empowerment was food for thought, then Hadid's '80s-inspired makeup was total eye candy... and we couldn't look away.
With her long, straight hair slicked back off her face, matte skin, and monochromatic pink tones on her eyes, lips, and cheeks, Hadid's look was the perfect modern embodiment of '80s Businesswoman Barbie. It's a throwback not just to a different, pastel eyeshadow-filled decade, but to the crest of second-wave feminism, a moment in time where strong, capable women were demanding that their voices finally be heard in the workplace.
We've come a long way since then in some ways, and not so much in others — but either way, we imagine Hadid's pink lace powersuit, bright, shiny hot pink lip, and retro hairstyle are meant to convey exactly that. We see you, Gigi... or should we say, Woman of the Year.
There's nothing like the dramatic, near-wet effect you get from a ColourPop eyeshadow. From gold glitter to royal blue, we know how each pigment is picked, blended, and pressed into pans (because we're huge fans, and had to find out how it's made). And if you too can match the signature quilted texture on the surface of each color to a ColourPop product, then you are going to appreciate the BOGO flash sale that just dropped on the brand's website today. It's buy one shadow, get one free.
There's the purple Crown Jewel, the shimmery pale pink Prickly Pear, the burgundy Pinky Promise, and dozens more — basically, if you're a fan of cheeky beauty product names and impressive color payoff at a great price, you're going to want to jump on this deal. ColourPop Cosmetics shared the news on Instagram next to an artsy photo of its shadow compacts with the caption: "Time to stock up on your favorite super shock shadows during our BOGO ✨ use code SHADOWGO."
Here are the details: First and foremost, when you buy one regularly-priced eyeshadow, you get one free. (Unfortunately that means the ones on sale are not included in the deal.) You can choose from its Super Shock Shadows, Pressed Powder Shadows, Pressed Pigment Shadows, and Super Shock Pigment Shadows — which still gives you more than 20 shade options. Even though there's a limit of five free eyeshadows per customer, that means you can get up to 10 pans for the price of five when you enter the promo code "SHADOWGO" at checkout.
But you have to act today, because at the stroke of midnight pacific time, the BOGO sale ends — and every single bright, beautiful shade in the eyeshadow rainbow will be back to full-price.
If you, like us, eat cereal for dinner at least once a week and consider taking your laundry out a "splurge," you probably think you can't afford designer gifts for your friends or family. But most high-end brands low-key offer smaller, more justifiable giftables as soon as November rolls around.
While we're not suggesting you have to get everyone on your list a little taste of Louis Vuitton, there are probably one or two people in your life who deserve something really, really special this year — whether your sister had an especially tough 2017 (didn't we all!), or you just want to show your mom how much she means to you. And if you get smart about saving, you might be surprised by what special items you can scoop up from the luxury names you never dreamt of being able to buy.
Click on to scope out the designer gifts you may actually be able to afford without going on a Cup Noodle-only diet. Here's to at least feeling like a big spender this holiday season.
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You've heard of the Beygency, right? It's the subject of a hilarious Saturday Night Live parody mocking an all-seeing organization that will come for you if you trash talk Queen Beyoncé.
But what if there was a far more insidious organization pulling the strings of our favorite pop diva? What if she was really just part of a massive conspiracy to control celebrities, politicians, and athletes, all while brainwashing normal people for world domination?
Enter: the Illuminati (which may have taken over the Cash Me Outside girl's Instagram).
Here's the truth: The Illuminati was once a real thing. It was a Bavarian secret society founded in 1776, organized like the Freemasons. It opposed the Roman Catholic Church's power and wanted to free itself from both the church and government restrictions.
The Order of the Illuminati became super popular — and grew from just five members to thousands. But the problem with popularity is that it's hard to remain secret. Eventually, secret societies were made illegal and punishable by death. This forced them to split up into smaller splinter groups. And while the Illuminati have reappeared in various forms over the years, it has never held the level of control control over society that conspiracy theorists believe.
Unfortunately, these facts haven't stopped the internet from conjuring up some of the most insane — and incredibly creative — Illuminati conspiracies ever, which are mostly fueled by Christian fundamentalists who believe the Illuminati's New World Order would be a sign of the coming of the Antichrist.
But lots of people believe in this stuff. Like 23% of voters, actually. Just type "Beyoncé Illuminati" in Google and you'll get over a million hits.
Every celebrity you hold dear is an Illuminati. Every celebrity who's ever died a tragic death was murdered by the Illuminati. And it's all to bring in a "New World Order" — in secret (because not everybody needs to know your business).
So we decided to take a look at the craziest, wildest, most-insane Illuminati conspiracy theories, and fact-check them. No, we can't straight up call Beyoncé on the phone and ask if she worships Satan for her secret society the same way we can ask about a juice cleanse. But we've attempted to point out the fine line between logic and paranoia.
Theory: Taylor Swift's album reputation proves she's a reptile-worshipper.
Does this teaser video for "Look What You Made Me Do" indicate that Swift has reptile blood, or worships it? The youtuber TruthNeverSleeps noticed that at one point, the snake appears to split in two, and posited that a daemon appears on the right-hand side of the screen. "This is who she worships," says Truthneversleeps. "No denying it."
Theory: Madonna's 2015 VMA performance was actually proof of her Illuminati membership.
Our noses started sniffing hints of the Illuminati when Madge released a song called "Illuminati" in 2014.
Then, during the 2015 Grammys, she performed "Living For Love" while wearing a horned silver crown and traipsing amongst minotaurs. Conspiracists called her the dark witch of the Illuminati.
So, was Madonna's Grammys performance an acknowledgement that she's in the Illuminati?
Probably not. Madonna does know what the Illuminati actually were. In an interview with NME, she said, "People often accuse me of being a member of the Illuminati, but the thing is, I know who the real Illuminati are and I know where that word comes from." The interviewer states she went on to discuss Enlightenment-era philosophers and scientists in the "real" Illuminati. Bah! Another theory bites the dust.
Theory: Taylor Swift is actually Zeena LaVey, Satanist.
Zeena LaVey is quite an accomplished woman. She's an artist and musician. She was the high priestess of the Church of Satan between 1985-1990. And she also has essentially the same face as Taylor Swift.
While the resemblance is mostly appearance-based, fans have been going through Swift's videos for proof of their connection.
Evidence: As Swift grows older, she looks more and more like Zeena LaVey. She's either been replaced by a clone, or she's aging.
@proleby
So, is Taylor Swift Zeena LaVey?
She has been out of the public eye for some time. Maybe she's not writing her album. Maybe she's plotting world domination, or tracking her path to the top of the Satanist Church again.
In all actuality, I think we safely say no, she's not. If Swift were actually LaVey, she'd have embedded mass hypnosis into her songs, duh.
Theory: President Trump’s hand gestures are secret code for his Illuminati membership.
As you now well know, 100 days into his presidency, Trump is known for making erratic hand gestures during his speech. Don’t write these off as New Yorker mannerisms so quickly, though. This YouTuber, Shane, is sure that his hand contortions are actually signals for the Illuminati. Trump frequently uses the same V-Shaped hand signal, which is long associated with Devil worshippers.
Illuminati conspiracists have long read between the lines of American politics. The same conspiracists who claim that Kennedy’s assassination was caused by the Illuminati are sure to claim that Trump is tied to the group, too. In fact, in 2016, Trump was sued by Janis and Gregory Kaighn for his alleged connection with covert dictatorships that run the world. T heir lawsuit states it plainly: “Donald Trump is ineligible to run for president because he is plainly a member of the New World Order.” The Kaigns think that Trump has been communicating with a secret conspiracy that has existed since the Roosevelts, and hand signals are only physical manifestation of his involvement.
So is Donald Trump really in the Illuminati?
It would be nice to chalk Trump's presidency up to the New World Order and global conspiracies. In reality, his election probably isn't so easily explained away.
But the more this presidency looks like something predicted out of an episode of the Simpsons, the fearful symmetry will have us all making tin foil hats in no time.
Theory: Lady Gaga was an Illuminati slave — but now, she's free.
Everyone loves a redemption story, even Illuminati conspiracy theorists. Lady Gaga was literally called an "Illuminati Puppet" on the blog "The Vigilant Christian " back in 2009. But after years of being pimped out by the Illuminati and throwing symbolism everywhere, Lady Gaga is finally breaking free.
Evidence: Where to begin? First, Lady Gaga's name is proof that she's Illuminati. How? Because her name isn't Lady Gaga. It's just a persona, which probably means that it's a "demonically inspired spirit alter" that allows her to be controlled by the devil. She's always covering on eye or framing an eye, and that's the ultimate proof that the Illuminati is afoot! Theorists believe that when pop stars cover or frame an eye, they're alluding to the occult's all-seeing eye.
In addition to the eye framing and secret demon spirit, Lady Gaga also likes to wear horns on her head. Major Illuminati flags! Horns are a throwback to Baphomet, a goat-headed demon creature. Lady Gaga also used to have blood on her body on stage (blood sacrifice symbolism, much?) and she's super sexual (because of the demon inside her). She also kills people in videos, almost had hints of blood and semen in her signature perfume, and calls her followers monsters. Theorists even say her song "Bad Romance" is about her relationship with Satan. Clearly, there's a lot of evidence against Gaga.
The evidence is pretty harshly stacked against her, but there's a reasonable explanation for just about everything.
Singers, and performers in general, often have personas, an identity that they assume on stage. Sure, it's a little crazy, but everyone from David Bowie to Bob Dylan and even Lana Del Rey have used personas. And Gaga's been playing the role of different personas since she was a preteen.
Lady Gaga loves to use Christian and Hindu symbolism, and to hint at the duality of man. That's not a Satanic symbol, but it is a common one used throughout film and literature over centuries.
Buzzfeed even broke down all the symbolism from her last album in comparison to her first two ( Fame and The Fame Monster, which explore the different sides of fame, not necessarily the Illuminati).
If anything, Lady Gaga belongs to the cult of Andy Warhol. She's been obsessed with his art and the idea of fame being packaged for years. And like any artist, she's changed over time, becoming less enamored with the music industry and doing her own thing with legends like Elton John and Tony Bennett.
So basically, Lady Gaga is weird and obsessed with pop culture. She's even disgruntled with the music industry. But she's not trying to take over the world as a member of a secret society.
(Also, that's fake blood, so...)
Photo: REX Shutterstock.
Theory: The Illuminati killed Michael Jackson — and Tupac, JFK, Princess Diana, Marilyn Monroe, and every other icon.
How much control does the Illuminati have? So much that it's gotten away with murder! Allegedly. According to conspiracy theorists, the Illuminati has killed every major figure and icon you can think of — from Abraham Lincoln to Michael Jackson.
Evidence: In the case of Michael Jackson, Illuminati conspiracy theorists say the signs were EVERYWHERE, especially in the symbols from his music videos. Theorists believe that as Jackson grew more famous and more autonomous, the Illuminati was just not having it! The final nail in his coffin? When he bought the ATV publishing catalogue back in 1984. That purchase gave Jackson the publishing rights to most hit songs by the Beatles, Little Richard, and others.
As Kanye said, "No one man should have all that POWER." And apparently, the Illuminati felt the same way. So it slowly destroyed his reputation and his career. Then, it killed him.
The most damning piece of evidence? His own son saying this in court about Jackson: "After he got off the phone, he would cry. He would say, 'They're going to kill me, they're going to kill me.'"
The trajectory is the same for basically every icon on the above list: become super powerful, start to do good or think for themselves, the Illuminati straight up hate that, so it kills you. Also, because of Illuminati numerology, celebrity deaths always come in groups of three. So that solves that riddle.
Photo: Steve Douglass / Associated Newspapers /REX Shutterstock.
So did the Illuminati REALLY kill Michael Jackson (and everyone else)?
Probably not. Michael Jackson had a long-documented history with drug addiction. Most people believe Jackson began abusing painkillers after his grisly accident during a Pepsi commercial, when his head and scalp caught fire.
Also, Dr. Conrad Murray killed Michael Jackson. Sure, there are people claiming that he was a Freemason online, but Freemasons and Illuminati are totally different. And what does being a Freemason have to do with a doctor's horrible malpractice and manslaughter?
Seriously, the only thing Michael Jackson and Tupac have in common — other than being crazy talented and changing music forever — is that they now have holograms.
Photo: Karl Schoendorfer/REX Shutterstock.
Theory:Boy Meets Worldwas full of Illuminati symbolism — and so isGirl Meets World.
How evil is the Illuminati? So evil that it has managed to infiltrate beloved TV shows like Boy Meets World. Say it ain't so, Topanga!
Evidence: First of all, there's an entire Tumblr dedicated to preaching the Boy Meets World/Girl Meets World -Illuminati connection. Unfortunately, it had to stop because "the police constantly checks this website every day," and we all know who runs the police, right? THE ILLUMINATI.
Apparently, there are satanic, Masonic, and occult symbols throughout both shows. Topanga, played by Danielle Fishel, did weird things like interpretive dance while drawing occult symbols on her face with lipstick.
Theory: Kanye is TOTALLY in the Illuminati — and it staged that Taylor Swift moment.
Kanye, also known as Yeezus, is all over the Illuminati radar. His lyrics, style, and music videos are all proof that he's really a top-level Illuminati member. Oh, and it made that awkward Taylor Swift moment happen on purpose, because she's Illuminati too, obviously.
Evidence: As far as theorists are concerned, every time Kanye West opens his mouth, he's spewing Illuminati secret messages. Kanye is known for songs like "Jesus Walks" and "I Am A God." Even his nickname, Yeezus, which is Yeezy combined with Jesus, is straight up blasphemy. His son with Kim Kardashian is named Saint. Kanye also appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone depicted as Jesus before his crucifixion with a crown of thorns. Why all the blaspheming? Because ILLUMINATI.
Kanye also has a preoccupation with symbols; like the all-seeing eye, also known as the “eye of Horus;" and the pyramids. He often makes a diamond or pyramid shape with his hands, which many theorists believe is secret messaging from the Illuminati. Kanye even wears a giant Horus chain around his neck on occasion.
Music videos like "Power" and "Runaway" are the biggest Illuminati culprits, chock-full of occult symbols. This site actually did an almost shot-by-shot breakdown of all the symbols in the video, and it's far too many to list.
As for that infamous Taylor Swift "Imma let you finish" moment? Theorists believe it was an initiation ritual for Taylor Swift into the "circle of chosen artists." Bonus: Madonna is the "High Priestess" of that inner circle.
Photo: Brian J Ritchie/Hotsauce/REX Shutterstock.
So is Kanye REALLY in the Illuminati?!
Do you even have to ask? Just look at that imagery!
But really, Kanye is NOT Illuminati. He's addressed it multiple times, too.
First, Kanye was laughing about it with tweets like, "Is illuminati and devil worshipping like the same thing ... do they have a social network that celebs can sign up for?” Or even,“Question... can you devil worship on the new iphone??? LOL!!!”
Personal favorite: “What’s better for devil worshipping Iphone or the Droid... Does lucifer return text... is he or she on Skype? Don’t wanna be sexist.”
But that was in 2009; they've been deleted since then. These days, Kanye is tired of the Illuminati connection.
"I heard a comment — a joke — about the Tidal press conference being an Illuminati moment," Kanye wrote in Paper magazine. "If there was actually an Illuminati, it would be more like the energy companies. Not celebrities that gave their life to music and who are pinpointed as decoys for people who really run the world."
He added, "I'm tired of people pinpointing musicians as the Illuminati. That's ridiculous. We don't run anything; we're celebrities. We're the face of brands. We have to compromise what we say in lyrics so we don't lose money on a contract."
Theory: Disney'sFrozenis trying to brainwash your kids to be Illuminati puppets.
At this point, you must realize that nothing is safe from the Illuminati. Not even Princess Elsa.
Evidence: Guys, there are triangles EVERYWHERE in this movie, and if you haven't noticed, triangles are symbols of the occult. And it's not just mountains covered in snow. This website points out several examples throughout the film where there are triangle-shaped windows and faces.
There's magic in this movie, just like most Disney movies, and that's a red Illuminati flag. Magic isn't natural — it's the occult.
Frozen is a movie featuring lots of ice and snow. Illuminati conspiracy theorists have pointed out that most of the snowflakes in this movie are hexagrams, which also have a dark connection. They control demons and spirits.
Theorists also believe that a specific scene with Anna and Elsa's father resembles a Freemason ritual. There's also the necromancy theory — essentially that magic is used to bring Olaf to life.
There's also a conspiracy theory that Frozen is using subliminal messaging to push a secret homosexual agenda, hence songs like "Let It Go."
It's highly likely that there's some kind of "hidden message" in Frozen, but it's doubtful that the message is overtly sexual or satanic.
Isn't Frozen really about love? Isn't it about being yourself? Aren't we reading a little too much into a kids' movie?
As Elsa said, "Let it go."
Photo: Courtesy of Disney.
Theory: The Illuminati killed Aaliyah as a blood sacrifice.
Since Aaliyah's untimely death in 2001, there have been countless conspiracy theories. But few run as deep as the Illuminati sacrifice theory.
Evidence:The theory centers around three key players: Jay Z, Beyoncé, and Damon Dash. At the time of her death, Aaliyah was dating Dash, Jay Z's friend and colleague. Theorists believe that both Dash and Jay Z were already in the Illuminati and Aaliyah either wanted to get out of the secret society herself — or reveal the truth about it.
The Beyoncé connection has to do with their similar career trajectories. Beyoncé, like Aaliyah before her, has done some acting.
So what does the Illuminati have to do with Aaliyah and Beyoncé? Conspiracy theorists think that because Aaliyah hated the Illuminati and wanted to break free, she was selected to be a "blood sacrifice" so that Beyoncé could take her place and thrive as the ultimate queen of evil.
In addition to this speculation, there's some creepy theories about Aaliyah's music. Her last song, "Rock The Boat," which happens to be the music video she was filming before her death, is suspected to have hidden messaging. So much so that believers have started playing her music backwards in videos. They think Aaliyah is saying, "Cannot be pushed," to the Illuminati.
Photo: Matt Baron/BEI/REX Shutterstock.
So did the Illuminati kill Aaliyah so Beyoncé can rule us all?!
It's such a horrible theory that it's not even funny.
When you play "Rock The Boat" backwards, it is creepy. But then again, most songs played backwards are creepy! Try playing Hannah Montana's "Best Of Both Worlds" backwards and see what happens! Also, does anyone really hear "Cannot be pushed" without someone first suggesting it as the lyrics? Doubtful.
Let's not mention the fact that Aaliyah and Beyoncé were friends (please see the GIF to your right). Beyoncé even commented on her death, saying Aaliyah, "Was the very first person to embrace Destiny's Child."
We need to let Aaliyah rest in peace and drop all the Illuminati theories.
Photo: Giphy.
Theory: Beyoncé is the Illuminati Queen — and she's possessed by the demon "Sasha Fierce."
As far as the internet is concerned, Beyoncé and Jay Z are the King and Queen of the Illuminati, bathe in blood, and force celebrities to kill off their loved ones in sacrifice. Conspiracists believe that every hand gesture, every music video, every performance, and every public appearance points to their Illuminati membership in some way.
Evidence: There are few things in this world that were more evil than Beyoncé's 2013 Super Bowl performance. EVERYTHING about that performance was apparently a not-so-secret salute to Satan. Beyoncé's outfit? Made by the devil. Her dance moves? Just a send-off to Satan.
At one point, Beyoncé dances in front of a black-and-white background (which apparently is the most Illuminati color scheme, ever), before she is multiplied on a jumbo screen. Throughout the performance, there are multiple silhouettes and Beyoncés, which is all about the duality of man and alter egos, according to Illuminati truthers.
There's tons of fire — which you can probably guess is satanic. She also created a BLACKOUT. All the lights went out at the Superdome after she finished! Can you say Illuminati?
Plus, she flashes the pyramid symbol right in the middle of her performance to millions of viewers as a sign of allegiance.
In fact, Beyoncé often throws her hands up in a pyramid (the Great Seal) symbol and covers one eye with her hands, once again hinting at the all-seeing eye.
Beyoncé also uses the "double six" signs — also known as the "a-okay" — which theorists say is a sign of the devil.
So IS Beyoncé a possessed Illuminati queen ushering in a "New World Order?!"
Look, if you were trying to find a queen to enslave the world, Beyoncé would be a fantastic choice! Who wouldn't follow Beyoncé down into the gates of hell? Or wear leather and lace corsets because she says it's okay? EVERYONE would do it.
Unfortunately, most of this evidence can be explained away.
First, hand signs don't necessarily mean demonic alliance. It's probably Beyoncé paying homage to Jay Z and Roc-A-Fella Records. That's why she, Jay, and Kanye (the holy trinity of Illuminati) use it all the time. Maybe Jay Z picked the symbol because he's in the Illuminati? Or more likely, he chose it because it's supposed to represent a diamond and it's a very cool hand sign. It is and he was right — that's why every celebrity does it.
Maybe Beyoncé is possessed by Sasha Fierce. If so, great demon name! Throwing a million 666 okay signs your way in support. But why would she go around telling people about it? Isn't the Illuminati supposed to be a secret?
It's more likely that Sasha Fierce is a persona, which is highly common among performers, who assume a role that matches the music they sing on stage. Sure, it's a little crazy, but no one said that creative people were totally normal.
"There have always been questions and conspiracies about the structure and nature of power by African-Americans, and naturally, those questions have made their way into hip-hop," Marc Lamont Hill once told Philadelphia Weekly. "Powerless people tend to try and make sense of their circumstance in different ways."
He added: "Any time people have a large chunk of power, it’s reasonable and natural to believe they didn’t get it fairly.”
But guess what you guys? Beyoncé's been in dancing and signing in stilettos since she was 16 years old. She didn't get "Bootylicious" in the dictionary on luck alone. It was hard work and a LOT of Sasha Fierceness.
Photo: Giphy.
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Remember the Pussycat Dolls — best-selling female musical group that blessed the early 2000s in the same way Spice Girls did the 90s? Well, they are reportedly staging a comeback. And on the heels of that big news, there's another topic worth talking about that goes beyond the band's reunion: lead singer Nicole Scherzinger's whole new look — that she definitely did not sport back in 2007.
A post shared by Nicole Scherzinger (@nicolescherzy) on
It's no sci-fi bob, but it sure is shorter than Scherzinger has ever gone before. The 39-year-old X Factor judge often rocks billowing long waves on and off the red carpet, but it appears as though those beachy hair days are long gone. Yesterday, the Pussycat Doll showed off the newly cropped cut alongside her friend Kelly Osbourne on her Instagram.
While the transformation is simple, it's out of character for the singer. The last time she debuted a somewhat similarly layered cut was back in 2015 — but even that still extended past her collarbone. However, unlike chin-grazing styles, the lob offers up a fresh update on an old look that won't require too much of an adjustment period to Scherzinger's usual hair routine.
Unsurprisingly, she's not the only celebrity getting in on the lob craze lately. Earlier this week, Kourtney Kardashian revealed a blunt cut on her Instagram. Unlike her sisters, this is another dramatic — and rare — change for the eldest Kardashian sister. And we're sure these two won't be the last to make the change. As they say, all good trends come in threes.
Lady Gaga and Joe Biden are partnering on a new project to provide support to sexual-assault survivors around the country, according to Entertainment Weekly. In light of the sexual-assault allegations coming out against powerful men seemingly every hour, it's a timely initiative.
"Women who are abused end up having long-term physical and physiological problems," Biden said, responding to an audience question at the Glamour Women of the Year Summit yesterday, EW reported. "I’m working with Lady Gaga now…we [want to] set up trauma centers where women can go to get the long-term help they need to deal with these crises… We finally are recognizing the long-term impacts on the health of women and men who’ve been abused. It’s the next great frontier I want to be part of."
A spokesperson for the former vice president told EW: "The Vice President and Lady Gaga share an interest in addressing the long-term physical and emotional effects of trauma and they have been discussing what to do about it," adding that the discussions are in their early stages.
Gaga and Biden previously teamed up for the It’s On Us campaign, a program that launched under the Obama administration but is now a nonprofit organization educating young people about sexual assault on college campuses. A few weeks ago, they shared a powerful video PSA in which they encourage everyone to come together to end sexual violence.
"We want to make it really clear: It's on us, it's on everyone to intervene, to stop abuse when they see it and when they hear about it," said Biden.
"I am a sexual-assault survivor," said Lady Gaga, "and I know the effects, the aftermath, the trauma, psychological, physical, mental. It can be terrifying waking up every day feeling unsafe in your own body."
We've reached out to representatives for Joe Biden and Lady Gaga, and will update this post as more information becomes available.
If you have experienced sexual violence and are in need of crisis support, please call the RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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Leave it to Serena Williams to make her first post-baby red carpet appearance a verified grand slam. The tennis champion enlisted celebrity hairstylist Vernon François to sculpt her high, segmented ponytail at theGlamour Women of The Year Award s. And everyone's jaw was on the floor.
"Serena’s Versace dress was the inspiration for this hairstyle," François exclusively tells Refinery29. "With the gold detail and padded shoulders, the look needed to give face, so I was like, Ponytail it is! Snatching her hair up away from the face like this works well because it emphasizes the features."
But what really made this look stand out was her maternal glow that no product can fake. "Her hair looks beautiful and healthy, having just had a baby, and she loved the look," François says.
On the surface, you might think that newlywed Jason Momoa and Gisele Bündchen have very little in common. One is a Hawaiian model-turned-actor of unbelievably large physical stature with rugged good looks and a Buddhist outlook; the other is a Brazilian supermodel and environmentalist who enjoys yoga, communing with nature, and not eating nightshades. See? Apples are to oranges as supermodels are to Conan the Barbarian.
But while there are many differences between the two, there is one thing that they share, aside from the obvious (which is, of course, their mutual choice in very attractive spouses): lush, enviable, naturally voluminous hair with the most perfect sun-kissed ombré.
And while Bündchen's glorious tone-on-tone gradient may have been the catalyst that launched thousands upon thousands of lookalikes, all bringing the exact same photo of the model riding a horse with her long waves flowing behind her to their hair salon, Momoa's most recent appearance at last night's Justice League premiere is proof that he's well on his way to beating the model at her own game. His roots are so dark, the very ends of his curls so pale, the transition so seamless all the way through...
It leaves us to wonder whether he, too, is a loyal client of celebrity colorist Harry Josh, who's responsible for just about every cool girl in Hollywood's perfectly-imperfect highlights. We suspect he's actually just a loyal client of the ultimate colorist, the one that's been in business for around 4.6 billion years: the sun. But if there is a peroxide-wielding hair pro behind it all, please stand up — and let us know when we can book our appointments.
Nothing marks the official arrival of cold weather quite like breaking out your puffer coat for the first time. And if you're still on the fence on whether or not to dust yours off from last year or hold out a couple more weeks, well, Gigi Hadid is already signaling the certified start of "Puffer Season" with a bright red option from H&M.
On Tuesday morning in New York City, the supermodel was spotted layering up in a zipped turtleneck, her signature futuristic cat-eye sunglasses, some off-duty, side-stripe joggers, and a puffer jacket — tugged off-the-shoulder, of course. It's a very Balenciaga runway move — and one you can get for just $60. And in addition to red, the coat is offered in black, khaki green, and camel and is currently available online and in-store (though we suspect it won't be for long).
Winter has arrived, and you'll need a practical and stylish staple to see you through. Click on to shop Hadid's go-to, along with some similar options.
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Continuing his silent protest, Colin Kaepernick declined to be interviewed for his GQ Man Of The Year cover story. Instead, the magazine talked to activists and friends of the athlete, like rapper J.Cole, director Ava DuVernay, activist Harry Belafonte, and Women’s March co-organizer Linda Sarsour to talk about their relationship with Kaepernick and protests. When planning out the look of the images, Kaepernick and the editors wanted to pay homage to iconic moments of athlete activism in the past. According to Rachel Johnson, the athlete's longtime stylist, Kaepernick requested that the clothes he wore reflected the spirit behind the photo portfolio.
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“He wanted to wear designers of color and or designers who were women,” Johnson tells Refinery29. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback’s reasoning? “He wanted to give an opportunity for designers to be featured in the magazine who wouldn’t normally be, especially for a cover shoot of this magnitude. That was was the direction that he gave to [ GQ’s creative director] Jim Moore and I.”
From there, Johnson reached out to designers she had worked with before and knew that Colin liked. “There are not a huge pool of Black designers to choose from honestly, you know, it didn’t take very long to put our list together,” Johnson explains. From there, her office paired with GQ’s team to start the pulling process. “I reached out who I knew, they reached out to who they knew, and we all did research as well to see if there were other designers who weren’t on either team’s radar.”
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One label on Johnson’s radar was Harlem Haberdashery, who created the leather blazer the athlete is wearing in one of the images. “I love the fact that it’s all black clothing, I think that’s powerful,” Shay Wood, who co-owns the Harlem-based store with her husband Guy, tells Refinery29. “I knew we were doing a leather blazer but I didn’t realize the impact of the image until I saw him in it and I was like wow, that’s such a black panther statement. I love the collaborative effort [between the stylist, GQ, and Kaepernick], he was making more than a fashion statement, it’s a political statement.”
But for Kerby Jean-Raymond, the designer behind New York-label Pyer Moss, it was a statement he wasn’t sure he wanted to make. “Rachel is a friend of mine, and [she] has always pulled from [the brand] for Colin in the past," he tells Refinery29. "She wanted the “They Have Names” shirt and I was like I’m not making those anymore, even though I had them in stock, I was just like I’m not going to bring those back out.”
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The designer was hesitant because back in 2015 when he created the initial “They Have Names” shirt, he also did a New York Fashion Week show around Black Lives Matter, and felt he had been “ostracized for a little bit and was like a pariah in the industry." He explained, "It took me awhile to get back to this level, and I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers. I just wanted to keep doing my social justice work on the side." It took some convincing but once Jean-Raymond agreed, the race was on to beat the clock, creating a new design for Kaepernick that read "Even More Names."
He continued: “I was actually in surgery while this was happening but it was thankfully one of those surgeries where I could work. It was weird but I was putting the graphics on, that’s why the "Gray," in "Freddie Gray" is misspelled because I was telecommunicating with my team back at home and I was in California so they were working with the screen printer and everything was moving so quickly, we had to do it in a day.”
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“It was very difficult [to choose the names], that was the hardest part about it. I wanted to use names that weren’t on the last shirt, so just from 2015 to now and the number is just exorbitant." So Jean-Raymond selected the most egregious acts of police brutality, filling up both the front and the back of the shirt. But don’t expect to be able to pick up the t-shirt at your local retailer. “People are just commodifying different things and I don’t want to [be] another peg in that wheel of white corporate culture essentially owning and commodifying activism." He explained, "That’s why I’m making a conscious effort not to sell the shirt. It’s just a protest piece.”
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The shoot was the perfect backdrop for it, too. “It was amazing how it all came together. It feels surreal. I’m proud of how it's being received," Johnson said. "I’m thrilled we were able to feature designers who would have never gotten this look before. There were designers [that] when I told them they made the book, they cried over the phone. I’m like damn, I guess I should go buy [the magazine] right now and actually look at it.”
That would certainly make two of us. GQ’s Man Of The Year issue is on newsstands now.
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The May morning of the MTV Movie Awards, Gigi Gorgeous sat in the dining room of her girlfriend’s Toluca Lake mansion, sipping Red Bull from a paper cup. She’d been up late the night before, she was already suffering from interminable jet lag, and it would have been nice to have another hour in bed. But Gigi was in a good mood anyway, because she was about to engage in her all-time favorite activity: Gigi was about to get glam.
Plucking brushes from a mess piled on the table, a makeup artist painted highlighter on her cheekbones and gold glitter across her eyelids, finishing off the look with so many layers of mascara that Gigi’s lashes began to resemble fluffy black butterfly wings. At the same time, a stylist ironed her platinum strands stick straight. Then she started experimenting with a low key updo, fastened half up with an oversize gold cuff. An hour later, Gigi looked like the star of some future I Dream of Jeannie remake, set on Planet Glamazon — like a fembot Barbie warrior princess prepared for a glitter battle. But there were glitches in the next steps of the glam process, which wasn’t a bad thing. Bloopers make great B-roll. And the camera was rolling.
It started with the shoes. Specifically, the fact that they never made it to the house. The wardrobe assistant didn’t have them, so Gigi dialed up the atelier, August Getty (yes, one of those Gettys), who also happens to be her girlfriend’s older brother. The sky-high Giuseppe Zanotti heels were still in his possession, which meant that the designer shoes had to be ferried in their very own Uber chariot from Hollywood to the Valley. Once they arrived, it became clear they were too small, which would have been bad except that Gigi had a pair of sparkly Louis Vuittons hanging around that worked (excuse me, werked) and, at four inches high, they were “so much more comfortable” than the pair she originally planned to wear.
Still, there were other fires to put out, and one of them was literal. When Gigi slid into the dress (gold leather, dripping with a fringe of chains, featuring a giant bubble butt that would make Nicki Minaj raise an eyebrow), it had to be soldered shut. Holding a lighter up to Gigi’s spray tanned skin, the wardrobe assistant Macgyvered the final touches, and in the process sent sparks flying down her back, into her hair. Gigi screeched, slightly singed. Then she pulled it together, snapped a few photos, and pranced out the door alongside her girlfriend, Nats, who had been ready for many hours by then.
As the car sprinted away, Gigi didn’t know it was about to hail, or that the red carpet would get shut down, or that This Is Everything, the documentary about her gender transition, would lose the golden popcorn award to Ava DuVernay’s 13th. (“Super lame” Gigi said summarily the next day). But while an MTV award would have been a fun bauble to put on the shelf, the truth is that the video she made of herself getting ready was the more valuable asset: Millions would see it, on YouTube and teased across her social media channels, because Gigi Loren Lazzarato — a.k.a. Gigi Gorgeous — has made it.
At 25, she’s a Revlon ambassador, a highly sought after #sponcon queen, an author-to-be with a book out next year, a host on MTV's TRL revival who is also working on her own scripted television series. TIMEnamed Gigi one of the most influential people on the internet this year, putting her on a list with the likes of Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Chrissy Teigen. She's a boss business woman who pulls in six figures a month, easy, as well as a new era reality star whose following numbers in the millions. It all adds up to her being one of the most visible trans women in the world: She has shared, and bared, all, from facial feminization procedures and breast surgeries to hater clapbacks and real talk about hemorrhoids.
But there are also plenty of things that Gigi is not, nor does she profess to be. She is not an expert on bathroom bill legislation or the proposed trans ban in the military. She is not always up-to-date on the latest progressive lingo, and doesn't really want to debate the finer points of femme gender presentation or feminism. She doesn’t consider herself in the same activist league as Janet Mock or Laverne Cox, and she thinks it’s nuts when people lump her into that tier. “I’m totally aware that people see me as a voice for my community and it’s an honor,” she says. “But I’m just living my life.”
And yet. Gigi doesn’t need to think of herself that way in order for the world to foist its expectations on her sculpted shoulders. While the concept of gender identity may be a cornerstone of the cultural zeitgeist now, the reality is that transgender people and issues have only recently been granted entry into the mainstream, and that “transgender” is a word that still sounds unfamiliar to most. Millions of people follow Gigi’s channel; many might say she’s the first trans woman they’ve ever really gotten to know. And that’s the true beauty of Gigi Gorgeous: She doesn’t have to be a role model, or an expert, to be a “perfect” ambassador for the transgender community. All she has to do is be herself.
Gigi Gorgeous has been in a relationship with Nats Getty, the designer and heiress, for nearly two years now, save for one very brief breakup (an event that Gigi documented tearily on her YouTube channel). They are not — I repeat, not — engaged. But the fact is: Earlier this year, Nats bought Gigi the most perfectly pink and literally precious ring, a princess-cut diamond surrounded by other twinkling stones, and that Gigi had sized for her left ring finger one afternoon when we were out together in Beverly Hills.
That day, the duo was dressed down and walking down the sidewalks of Canon Drive, their locked fingers swinging as they went. It was gloriously sunny, and Gigi needed new shades, so we stopped in a chi chi little boutique where the woman behind the counter knew them both by name. Afterward, we strolled to a verdant promenade and waited for a few more members of the entourage. Then the gang all piled into an extra long escalade for approximately four minutes, and hopped out to do some shoe shopping. “I think of myself as a very lucky person,” she says. Welcome to a day in the life of Gigi Gorgeous.
Gigi has always been destined for the limelight. In early family videos, she is a smiley toddler vying to be the center of attention, a classic middle child trying to outshine her brothers. “We were so fricking cute, no wonder my mom kept having us,” she said, and she wasn’t exaggerating. The Lazzarato kids were baby duck blondes with rosy cheeks, soft looking like little human marshmallows. Family pictures look like ads for the wholesomeness of Canada, where Gigi grew up. Her parents were adoring, supportive, financially secure — a blueprint of the future she hopes to provide for her own future kiddos. Who are “100%” in the future, by the way, as Gigi puts it while cooing over $500 booties on our shopping adventure.
But her happy childhood also contained some big questions. Gigi, whose birth name is Gregory, always felt different from her brothers. (She is comfortable with references to her birth name, which is a term she prefers over dead name.) When Gigi turned seven, she had a party at the local gymnastics academy, where a competitive diving coach spotted her and suggested to her mom that she would be a natural on the board. From that first day in the pool, Gigi was hooked on the sport, which played into not only her natural gift for showmanship but also her tenacious athleticism.
“I loved how graceful it was, how strong everyone looked,” Gigi says about the six years she spent pursuing the sport. “Everyone’s bodies were perfect.” Inspired by the athleticism and competitive by nature, she started training, sometimes three hours a night. At one point, she even switched to a high performance high school so that she could be in the pool during the day, too. Her diving career hit a high point when she won first place at a national competition in Canada, putting her on what might have been an Olympic track.
But away from the board, Gigi was not so certain about anything. She had long tamped down a desire to wear makeup and feminine clothes. She was captivated by Victoria’s Secret models. “I would just die over how beautiful those girls looked,” Gigi says. She longed to resemble them herself. A desire to explore those feelings wasn’t the only reason she stepped away from diving — she missed her friends and doing “normal” teenage stuff — but it definitely played a role. A year after nationals, Gigi decided she was done. She went back to her old school, connected with her old friends. But still, something was missing. So Gigi did what kids nowadays do when they’re trying to find a tribe of people who truly gets them. She turned to the internet.
The first Gregory Gorgeous video, which is still up on the Gigi Gorgeous channel today, is a self-described homage. Its star says she was inspired by the upstart beauty vloggers of the day — Michelle Phan, Juicy Star, All That Glitters — but that she knew literally nothing about makeup when she started. “I didn’t want to be them, because I didn’t think that was attainable. I just wanted to do what they did. These girls were in another realm.”
That was 2008, and things were very different. The Obama family wasn’t living in the White House yet; Black Lives Matter and the Women’s March were movements of the years-off future. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell remained the official policy of the U.S. military and marriage equality seemed like an unachievable dream. The things we refer to as “progress” today were still incubating. Facebook was a mere four years old, Twitter was in its terrible twos, Instagram didn’t exist and YouTube — still in its cosmic soup phase — had just begun bursting into an unpredictable constellation of channels, personalities, and subcultures.
There were the makeup artists and wannabe actors, the lip-syncers, early unboxing phenoms, and Kelly, who wanted to get some shoes. In another category, there were true vloggers like Tyler Oakley, whose early diaristic, low-fi videos helped secure his status as the "first gay person " many people had ever met. Influencer campaigns and social media crossover stars were meaningless word salad phrases. It took some time for the Gregory Gorgeous channel (which has since been changed to Gigi Gorgeous in every field but the ones that would impact long-term search optimization, like the URL) to pick up steam. That first year, Gigi posted a handful of videos; the next, a couple a month. But as the cadence increased, so did the following. The initial inkling that her channel was catching on happened when she was folding shirts at the local mall and someone walked up and knew her by name. “I guess I’m kind of famous in Canada?” she remembers thinking.
At that time, Gigi was identifying as a gay male, something she talked about openly on her channel, along with sharing makeup tips, product reviews, and a revolving carousel of silly stuff. YouTube is sort of like a yearbook for her. “I look back and see: Those were my crazy partying days,” she says, “or this is when I learned about liquid eyeliner.” There’s a hair era that she’s glad is in the past, like most of us. “I was obsessed with the heavy side bang — no more!” But the topics were not only superficial: Gigi’s webcam was also like therapy, a place where she could talk out feelings and fears, and connect with people who understood her in a way that her real-life friends just did not. “I would finish a day at high school, make a video really fast, and get all these words of support and advice that I needed to hear, from all these people I could confide in," she says. "I didn’t even realize I was catapulting myself into a community.”
She also didn’t realize she was setting out on a career path. When she started, YouTube wasn’t set up to make money for its contributors — just posting a video would never generate a profit. Things have changed a lot in the intervening years: Now, on a good month, the Gigi Gorgeous channel can generate a healthy six-figures through Google AdSense alone. Her YouTube presence has also opened up a range of other revenue streams, like integrated advertising on videos, event appearances, and “face of” deals. In the early years, though, no one knew the Gigi Gorgeous brand could generate actual income, so after high school, she followed a friend to Toronto for a fashion program. But she kept making videos on the side.
That’s where she wound up meeting her manager to this day, Scott Fisher. Fisher, in his early twenties at the time, and also living in Toronto, was trying to make a name for himself in the entertainment production world. He was working on a web series of his own and knew that he needed star power if he wanted it to succeed. After tuning into her YouTube, Fisher reached out to Gigi to see if she wanted a role. He tried to make his series seem like more of a big deal than it actually was; Gigi made her best friend email him back and pose as her manager. “It was the ultimate ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ story for us both,” Fisher remembers. He also recalls that the first day of filming, Gigi showed up with a full entourage. “She acted like it was a network show that was going to change her life.”
After that, the pair kept working on videos together, with Fisher stepping into more of a business manager role. Soon, he was making more money partnering with Gigi on projects than he was at Starbucks. He knew that if he turned his attention to the Gigi Gorgeous brand full time, they could make even more. Gigi, who felt like dividing her energy between classes and YouTube was making both areas of her life suffer, agreed: She wanted to take the next steps toward stardom. Together, they were all in.
Gigi’s influencer career had been on the rise before she met Fisher; his coming on board the #TeamGorgeous only accelerated the process. But what kicked things into high gear was a video Gigi posted on December 16, 2013. In it, she’s wearing a fuzzy blue sweater and a cheery splash of bright pink lipstick. The title:“I Am Transgender.”
The light bulb went on in New York City five years ago. Gigi was there for an industry event, LGBTQ in nature, and got to talking with a woman who started sharing a story about her own transition. It was like someone flipped a switch. Gigi had so many questions that the woman gamely answered. They talked into the evening. “She was the most open book that a person can be with their life, especially as a transgender person,” Gigi says. “I had never connected with anything more.” That night, she couldn’t sleep. She stayed up, googling and thinking. There were logistics to consider — starting hormones, setting up surgeries, filing the paperwork to officially change her name — as well as the business of coming out to her family, friends, and followers, all to come.
But while that chance meeting is part of the story about Gigi’s decision to transition, there was another important catalyst along the way: losing her mom, to cancer, in February 2012. “It was the biggest pivot I’ve ever had,” Gigi says. “It kicked off my transition, my identity, my independence. After that, more than ever, I was like: I am living for me, and I need to be happy. Because life is just too short.”
Her coming out video, posted four years ago this winter, was generally met with support and congratulations. Longtime followers were thrilled for Gigi to “live her truth” and said so, thousands of times over. “It was definitely a different conversation we needed to have, because I was opening up about this whole new chapter of my life," she told me. "I basically said: ‘There’s a lot more to come.’”
At the end of “I Am Transgender” — a video which has been viewed nearly four million times — Gigi tries to preempt haters by saying that her “choice to be a woman makes me more woman than a lot of women out there.” What predictably ensued in the comment section was a back-and-forth between different coalitions of users. There were the people who understood what she meant but thought she’d phrased it badly and wanted to cut her some slack: “I think I understood what Gigi meant and I can agree with her, let me phrase it like this: Trans* people are more aware of their identity, cis people usually don't question their identity like trans* people do. Therefore trans* people are more aware of their identity and know exactly who they are. Simple as that.”
There were the ones who thought that comment was derogatory to all women, and wanted her to take it back, but were still overall supportive: “WHAT?? I was really quite offended by that because just because she had the choice to be a female doesnt [sic] mean she is better or more feminine or prettier than us natural females. And just clarifying I am not saying because I was born girl makes me better than her. I just don't understand what goes through her mind when she thinks she has the right to say that. I suppose in a way it's sexism!!!”
And then, of course, there were the trolls who took it as an opportunity to trans bash (no need to copy/paste those), as well as a wide, colorful array of other impressions. But while litigation via comment section is just the way the internet works, those posts are also a fascinating real-time sociological record: They reveal, in a 17,000-entry-long thread, a complex portrait of people grappling with the way that they think about gender, some of them seemingly for the first time.
Maybe if Gigi were to redo her “I Am Transgender” video, she might give that last line a rewrite. After all, she’s evolved a lot in the intervening years. She’s older, wiser, has more expansive worldview.But then again: Maybe she wouldn’t. As a savvy creature of the internet who understands the connection between controversy and clicks, she benefits from a certain level of contentiousness, and from saying what she’s thinking for better or worse. In fact, the “worse” moments have become a seemingly intentional part of her brand.
Take, for example, the video where she went to Israel, ignored common sense cultural mores, and then titled the video “BECOMING JEWISH!” Or the one about being “broke and homeless” that was actually about getting locked out of an apartment after a night out on the town. “I get that when you’re rich and beautiful it’s hard to think about things outside of your little bubble," read a typical comment,"but compare what you went through to someone actually losing their home and having literally nothing." (In a follow up video, Gigi basically responded by saying that she was joking and everyone needed to chill.)
But there are also times when she isn’t trying to stir the pot and still manages to wind up taking heat. When she came out as a lesbian a year ago, after she started dating Nats, she didn’t predict the deluge of people whose minds would be boggled by the logistics of that sexual orientation. Comments like: “The title leaves me confused, would you still be gay or lesbian, I'm not saying this in a mean way,” and, “Why is bisexuality always erased? Why is that rarely an option?” It was aggravating for Gigi, she admits. “I think a lot of people were confused about why I labeled myself that way, because there are just so many terms... It’s hard, even for a gay trans girl,” Gigi says. After all, no one gets a brain operating systems update when gender identity vocabulary evolves. Keeping up can be a challenge.
For people who are still working the language out with the best intentions, Gigi is happy to help them through that processing. But for anyone just trolling her videos to tear her down, she’s got a choice acronym: DGAF. “Being on YouTube and online in general has made me build up a really thick skin,” she says. “I’ve heard it all, and I’ve been called every name in the book, over and over.” Still, in spite of everything: Gigi’s comment sections are dominated less by shade and more by warmth. We talk about the internet being the place where people unleash the worst versions of themselves, and too often that's true. But on Gigi's channel, the following is mostly accepting and curious. Overwhelmingly, people respond to her with love.
For reasons largely self-evident, Gigi Gorgeous is obsessed with Halloween. So much so that she rarely settles for just one costume: A couple years back, she dressed up as “sexy Catwoman” (pleather bodysuit, perky ears), as well as in an outfit she called “soldier Barbie” (camouflage onesie, thigh-high boots, dog tags). Her then-boyfriend donned complementary attire (not worth describing). This year, Gigi went all out, per usual, bringing Nats into the couples costume plan. But in 2017, she didn’t just get glammed up. She got glammed up for a good cause — twice.
The first event was the UNICEF Next Generation Masquerade Ball, on October 27. Gigi and Nats channeled their inner Britney and Justin, rocking head-to-toe denim in tribute to those unforgettably awful outfits worn to the 2001 American Music Awards. Gigi Spears and Nats Timberlake were a hit in their matching Versace. But those costumes were a mere amuse-bouche. Two days later, Gigi slipped into a pale blue ruffled minidress and did her best Cinderella impersonation, escorted by — who else — Prince Charming. Their destination? A Haunted Halloween Bash in West Hollywood at Bootsy Bellows, hosted by Gigi herself.
It was another fundraising event; this time, on behalf of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ Center for Transyouth Health & Development. The buy-in wasn’t insanely high — a $25 donation at the door and $1,500 minimum for bottle service — but it was something, and after touring the facility earlier this year and hearing about all the services it would provide for trans youth, Gigi wanted to help. She’s growing more comfortable being thought of as an advocate, a fact that no doubt has something to do with her proximity to the Getty family, who have donated extensively to LGBTQ causes and initiatives. Plus, it meant getting dressed up.
Everything about the Halloween bash was very on brand for Gigi Gorgeous, in terms of aligning herself to a worthwhile cause. She got to put on a costume and party, plus generate content. It's also the kind of activism to which she believes her celebrity lends best. “I feel like I am forever growing, but I’m also not trying to be anything I’m not,” she told me. “Sharing my story, being a stepping stone for people looking to find resources — that’s my calling. I’m not political. But I can speak from what I know.”
Last spring, sitting in the dining room, the glam swirling around her, she the calm eye of the storm, Gigi said something that I bookmarked in my mind and have been thinking about in all the months since. I had asked her about questions she doesn’t want to answer anymore. One is: How does it feel to be famous? “What am I supposed to say to that?" she asked, rolling her eyes. "Just, like, talk up my own ass? No thanks.”
But then Gigi got a little bit serious. "People ask me: Are you sick of being labeled as transgender — do you want that word to fade away?” she said. “Absolutely not. I’m really proud to be transgender. I want to bring it up in everything I say, because it’s powerful. It’s who I am.” Gigi has worked hard to become her true self. And that is exactly the person the world needs her to be.
Gender and sexual orientation are both highly personal and constantly evolving. So, in honor of Transgender Awareness Week, we're talking about the importance of language and raising the voices of the LGBTQIA community. Welcome to Gender Nation, where gender is defined by the people who live it. Want to learn more? Check out our Gender Nation glossary.
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It's dark, it's cold, reading the news feels like tumbling into the Bog of Eternal Stench, and you need to cobble together a creative side dish for your third Friendsgiving this week. Being a grownup during the holidays isn't always warm-and-fuzzy, but an opportunity to get back to the true spirit of Thanksgiving is on the horizon for all of us.
This Saturday, November 18, will see the new moon for the month completely arrive. As you may already know, this lunar phase is less eventful than its brighter, more expansive counterpart, the full moon. But it still serves a valuable spiritual purpos e — one that hinges upon restoration, intention-setting, and gratitude. Sounds pretty seasonally appropriate, doesn't it?
During a time of year when we're already encouraged to count our blessings, the new moon is that additional nudge we need to look inward (even when it feels like we have a million things to do). You can spend any new moon thinking about what brought you happiness (and how that source of joy arrived in your life), but this month, make that the focus of your reflections. Then, put those realizations in the context of Thanksgiving.
Luckily, this year's November new moon falls on a day made for last-minute planning: The weekend before Thanksgiving. Your family probably hasn't gathered for holiday quite yet. You're still putting the finishing touches on your travel plans, picking out recipes, and finalizing your packing list. You may not have even started gift shopping yet. This is also a perfect time to determine how you can best show your thanks to the people and things you're grateful for over the next week.
Spend this Saturday writing notes to the family members you can't wait to see or calling your Thanksgiving host to discuss where they'll need the most help next Thursday. Giving back is as much a part of this new moon celebration as expressing gratitude, so commit to giving thanks through your actions. After personally attending to the positive influences in your life, you may feel more present this holiday season (and even a little warm and fuzzy).
After that, look forward to the December new moon and ask yourself: What do you want to be thankful for then? As is the case with the moon, the cycle is always beginning just as it comes to a close.
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There's close to nothing we love more than a good ol' traditional brunch. Except, of course, a brunch party. And because no drink goes as well with our eggs benny as a jazzed-up Bloody Mary (read it and weep, mimosa fans), what better favors to accompany a boozy breakfast-slash-lunch than these homemade kits? Short answer: none. Whip up these spicy goodies for you and your friends (complete with a mini bottle of Citrus Smirnoff), and see for yourself.
Bloody Mary Favors Makes 10
What You'll Need
7 tbsp seafood seasoning
3 tbsp Worcestershire powder
1 tbsp pimento dulce (sweet smoked paprika)
1 tbsp ground mustard
10 1.5 x 2-inch zip-top bags
10 24-oz Ball mugs with lids
10 50ml bottles Smirnoff Citrus
10 miniature bottles Sriracha
10 small cans (5.5 oz) V-8, Clamato, or tomato juice
Instructions
1. In a bowl, whisk together seafood seasoning, Worcestershire powder, pimento, and mustard.
2. Place one slightly rounded tablespoon into each zip-top bag and seal.
3. Place spice bag in jar along with vodka, Sriracha, and juice.
Please drink responsibly. SMIRNOFF Citrus. Vodka Infused With Natural Flavors. 30% Alc/Vol. The Smirnoff Co., Norwalk, CT.
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Having sensitive, dry skin can be such a bummer during the fall, when moisture in the air all but disappears, leaving us to fend for ourselves. And let's be real, feeling any sign of relief come December is highly unlikely. Covering up flaky patches with makeup does the trick sometimes, except when it doesn't, and you end up drier and more irritated than before.
So we reached out to four of Hollywood's top makeup gurus to get their tricks, plus their favorite foundations for sensitive skin.
According to Jo Baker, who has been in the industry for nearly two decades, toning the skin with a gentle micellar water (she loves Bioderma's classic version) should be your first step. "Not only does it calm the complexion and add hydration, but it will get rid of all dirt and debris to ensure that nothing gets trapped in between your skin and foundation base, which could lead to irritation," Baker says.
After that, don't forget to moisturize. "Using a good moisturizer under makeup can create a barrier between makeup and skin to reduce sensitivity," Mariah Carey's makeup artist, Kristofer Buckle, says. He also suggests waiting at least an hour after washing your face to apply makeup: "Hot water can make sensitive skin more reactive, so waiting gives skin time to calm down and acclimate."
On the list of makeup products to avoid? Anything with fragrance. "Fragrance is one of the main reasons people have reactions from makeup," says Buckle. Steer clear from waterproof foundations, too. "They are harder to clean off and can end up clogging your pores," according to artist Molly Stern.
Finally, take care not to rub foundation into your skin. "I like to apply it as gently as possible, pressing foundation into the skin so you're not dragging and causing irritation," Baker says. "Use soft touches and layer, avoiding any unnecessary activity."
Ahead, see the nine, pro-approved foundations for sensitive skin that make wearing makeup a breeze.
The Expert:Jo Baker Clients: Karlie Kloss, Natalie Portman, Paris Jackson, Ruby Rose, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lawrence
"One of my favorite foundations is Chantecaille Future Skin. It's formulated with 60% charged water and seaweed, so it’s very gentle. I would liken the formula to aloe vera, as it has almost a gel-like finish that provides a very soothing, cooling sensation. It creates surface-level hydration so skin looks dewy, vibrant, and healthy."
Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation, $78, available at Nordstrom.
Another sensitive-skin face product Baker recommends is tinted moisturizer, especially the one made by Laura Mercier. "With tinted moisturizers, you still get coverage with added skin-care benefits," she says.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20, $44, available at Sephora.
Baker is also a fan of the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream. It's full of collagen, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid to help create a radiant, skin-like finish.
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+, $38, available at Sephora.
The Expert:Kristofer Buckle Clients: Mariah Carey, Chloë Grace Moretz, Kelly Ripa, Katy Perry, Blake Lively, Gabrielle Union
"My Triplicity Cream Stick Foundation is what I always use. It’s highly pigmented, but very mild and ultra-moisturizing. It has a beautiful finish that makes your skin look flawless, blurring lines and pores. It also has hyaluronate, which draws moisture to the skin, and other soothing ingredients."
Kristofer Buckle Triplicity Cream Stick Foundation, $39, available at QVC.
"Physician's Formula was developed specifically for sensitive or allergic skin. Their foundations are a good, affordable option for people with extreme sensitivity."
Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free All-in-1 ABC Cushion Foundation SPF 50, $8.49, available at Ulta.
The Expert:Camara Aunique Clients: Tia Mowry, June Ambrose, Simone Missick, Chloe x Halle, Justine Skye, Yvonne Orji
"Water-based foundations are best because they don’t make you feel like you’re wearing makeup. They help the skin feel like it can actually breathe. MAC Cosmetics' Face and Body is amazing and provides sheer-to-medium, buildable coverage."
MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation, $29, available at MAC Cosmetics.
Make Up For Ever's Water Blend Face & Body Foundation has a similar effect. Made with 80% water and enriched with vitamins, it's also super hydrating.
Make Up For Ever Water Blend Face & Body Foundation, $43, available at Sephora.
"Koh Gen Do foundations are amazing, too. Their entire line is definitely a kit need for clients with sensitive skin," Aunique says.
Plus, the brand's products are made without artificial colors, fragrance, or mineral oil — all of which are known skin irritants.
Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation, $66, available at Sephora.
The Expert:Molly Stern Clients: Cara Delevingne, Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Mandy Moore
For a great two-in-one product, consider the RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up Concealer/Foundation. "It is filled with such clean ingredients. It's fantastic for sensitivities, it's hypoallergenic, and it's non-comedogenic," Stern says.
RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up Concealer/Foundation, $36, available at Sephora.
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You know what goes perfectly with a Pumpkin Spice Latte? A brand spankin' new reading list. And while we're not handing out Starbucks cards at the moment, we can supply you with some brilliant book picks for the upcoming month.
In our first batch of November reads, the latest from White Oleander author Janet Fitch is top of the pile: Her new book, The Revolution of Marina M. is a historical coming-of-age drama that brings us back to Russia on the brink of complete cultural (and political) upheaval. Another novel that's similarly sweeping and yet completely different: Paul Takes The Form of a Mortal Girl tells the story of a young man trying to figure out his own identity against the backdrop of the early '90s AIDs epidemic and evolving LGBTQ scene. Also on our list: plenty of whip smart nonfiction. We're especially digging Buzzfeed global copy chief Emmy J. Favilla's A World Without 'Whom', as well as Sarah Lacy's terrific, aptly titled A Uterus Is A Feature Not A Bug. Raise your lattes, folks, to the bookish month ahead!
If you thought you loved Ritter in Jessica Jones, just wait 'til you catch her in novelist mode — she's wickedly good.
It's been 10 years since Abby Williams left her hometown and reinvented herself completely; now, she's an environmental lawyer working in Chicago who thinks she's got life all figured out. But when a case takes her back to the place she grew up, the persona that she's created for herself started to fall apart. Getting to the bottom of what's going on in Barrens, Indiana will ultimately mean ruining reputations and lives — including, her own.
Out November 7
Paul Takes The Form Of A Mortal Girl
By Andrea Lawlor
Paul is a gender fluid jack-of-all trades, a 22-year-old college dropout trying to understand his own shifting identity. Is he a girl? Is he a boy? What’s the clearest route to discovering yourself? Set in America in the early ‘90s, Paul Takes The Form Of A Mortal Girl is an LGBTQ coming-of-age narrative that takes the reader on a winding journey: from ACT UP meetings in New York City to dinner parties in Provincetown and myriad corners of culture at the height of the AIDS epidemic. This book is bound to be a new school classic among narratives about gender, sexuality, and the quest for self-understanding.
Out November 1
Seduced By Mrs. Robinson: How ‘The Graduate’ Became the Touchstone of a Generation
By Beverly Gray
On the 50th anniversary of this classic American film, Gray takes a look back at its legacy — the players involved, what the older-woman-young-man storyline meant at the time, and why it captivated audiences so completely — not to mention how the movie actually got made. With a historian’s eye for detail and a novelist’s story weaving skills, this richly researched work of nonfiction will give a new generation insight into how The Graduate effect is felt to this day.
Out November 7
The Revolution of Marina M.
By Janet Fitch
From the writer of White Oleander comes the story of a young Russian woman trapped in a cage of privilege, who longs to escape — and gets her wish. It is New Year’s Eve in St. Petersburg, 1916, and everything is about to change for Marina Makarova. Swept up in the tides of national renaissance, Marina will join the fight for worker’s rights, fall in love with a young radical, and give up everything she holds dear. But what she never predicted was the betrayals hiding in the shadows, just when she thinks she is certain about everything.
Out November 7
Wonder Valley
By Ivy Pochada
Wonder Valley begins in the wee hours of the morning in Los Angeles, when a naked man darts across the freeway. To explain why, Pochada takes the story four years back: to the Mojave Desert, where two petty criminals are hiding out; to Skid Row; and then the tony Westside neighborhoods that sprawl along the Pacific's shoreline Along the way we meet Ren — a juvenile delinquent on a search for his mother — and Britt, a former tennis star trying to outrun a dark secret. Then there’s James, who is trying to leave his childhood (included his self-proclaimed “shaman” father) in the dust, and Blake, the dangerous drifter who has set in motion a series of events that explain the naked man bobbing and weaving through the standstill traffic. What emerges is a portrait of a city, the good and the bad, and the people who are trying to survive within its limits and beyond.
Out November 7
A World Without “Whom”
Emmy J. Favilla
Language is evolving faster than it ever has in history, thanks to, you guessed it, the internet and all our myriad forms of textual communication, from emoticons and acronyms to memes and beyond. Favilla, who joined the Buzzfeed back in 2012 and has since become the platform’s global copy chief, literally helping to set the tone for the platform. A lively lesson in everything you forgot from English class, as well as the rules you don’t even realize you’re writing by on the internet today, A World Without “Whom” is a good refresher for writers and editors. But it's also a smart, funny, insider look at the guidelines that govern the way we communicate today.
Out November 14
A Uterus Is a Feature Not A Bug: The Working Woman’s Guide To Overthrowing the Patriarchy
By Sarah Lacy
A rallying cry for working mothers that improves upon the edicts in Lean In by looking at society and career culture in a way that is both more relatable and and accessible, Lacy — a journalist, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and the founder of PandoDaily — makes a cogent case for how motherhood fits into the modern workplace. Along the way, she also suggests that the most ambitious and successful era of a woman’s professional life can indeed come after she becomes a parent.
Out November 14
Future Home of the Living God
By Louise Erdrich
Fans of The Handmaid’s Tale or The Giver (you know, any novel that posits a dystopian world in which women lose dominion over their reproductive rights): Here’s another title to add to your list. Future Home of the Living God takes place in an America where, because most babies are being born with abnormalities, including a lack of male genitals, women are being whisked away by the government and forced to abandon their pregnancies. The novel, which is dominated by themes of female agency, biological crisis, and natural rights, unfolds through the gripping journal of a mother desperate to save her unborn child — and herself.
Out November 14
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There are certain things I expect around the holidays. I expect to stress over how to afford all the gifts I want to buy while also paying my electric bill. I expect to drink too much wine on Thanksgiving and pass out before the post-dinner turkey sandwiches. And I expect to scroll through Instagram between now and New Year's and see about five million engagement announcements. It's engagement season, and rings are being handed out like it's Oprah's "Favorite Things" episode.
Meanwhile, I'm still single. Every time I see a new sparkler on yet another finger, it serves as a reminder that I am plodding through the holiday season solo. And while I am, for the most part, happy with that status, the onslaught of engagement selfies can, let's say, weaken my resolve.
So how are we, the very consciously uncoupled, meant to cope when everyone is hitting the milestones we'd like to be hitting? "If you're single, and you really want to be in a relationship, and it's just not happening, sometimes you're going to feel really bummed out — especially if you see all these people getting engaged," says Rachel Sussman, a relationship counselor and expert in NYC. "And it's okay to give yourself permission to feel bad." The important thing, though, is to limit the pity party to a specific time frame.
"Wallowing too much can really pull you down," she says. "This could make a situation worse, because it could hold you back from situations and experiences that will make you feel better — or could put you in a position to meet someone." It's not news that jealousy and self-pity have pretty much never made anything better. Being proactive can, though.
Which means it's time to reframe your thinking. "It's important to take stock of your life and see what you have," says Megan Stubbs, a certified sexologist. "Look at all of the amazing things you accomplished on your own in the past year — even the small things. Did you take up a positive new habit? Are you better about drinking water?" Celebrating the small accomplishments can help you realize how #blessed your life is sans partner. Sussman has a similar suggestion: Make a list of all you are grateful for, and reference it any time these things are hard to remember.
If lists are really your thing, it could be beneficial to make a list of the qualities you're looking for in a future partner, too — if that's something you want to prioritize in the new year. "It helps you to be mindful about who is around you, and may open your eyes to people who have been around you that you haven't considered," Stubbs says. And remember — just because other people are reaching certain milestones now doesn't mean you never will. "Life is a journey, and people's journeys are totally different from one another," Stubbs says. "Comparing your life to someone else's isn't proactive."
Most importantly? Stay hopeful. "If a relationship is something you really want in the future, you have to be hopeful that it's going to happen one day," Sussman says. So I've decided to add an expectation to my list this year: I expect to feel grateful for the year I've had and hopeful that love (and marriage) will enter my life when the time is right. And in the meantime, I'm issuing a blanket congrats to everyone. Even if you just made it to work today, you deserve it.
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The fight to curb sexual harassment in the workplace is coming to Congress.
On Wednesday, Rep. Jackie Speier and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Member and Employee Training and Oversight On Congress Act, also known as the ME TOO Congress Act. The bipartisan legislation aims to prevent sexual harassment on Capitol Hill and change the process of dealing with complaints. Reps. Ann McLane Kuster, Ryan Costello, and Bruce Poliquin are also co-sponsoring the bill.
There's already a reckoning happening on the Hill, like in so many other workplaces: Sexual harassment is a problem that needs to be dealt with. Current and former congresswomen and staffers have detailed their experiences dealing with harassment in the House and Senate. During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, Speier and Rep. Barbara Comstock raised sexual misconduct allegations against some male lawmakers currently serving in Congress, though they didn't name them. Later in the day, House Speaker Paul Ryan announced that a sexual harassment awareness training will be mandatory for members and staff. A similar measure was adopted by the Senate last week. But a training is not enough, as the process to report sexual harassment claims in Congress is still flawed.
Under the current system, if someone wants to submit a claim to the Office of Compliance, they have to undergo months of mediation and counseling before filing an official complaint. The parties involved in the case would have to sign a confidentiality agreement during the mediation process, and if the accuser still wishes to proceed with the case, they would have to file a complaint in court or ask for an administrative hearing. It's important to note that only staffers and members can go through the process — interns, fellows, and others can't.
The ME TOO Congress Act would open the process to non-staffers and members, make the counseling and mediation process optional, and give accusers 180 days after the alleged incident to file a complaint. Furthermore, the Office of Compliance would be renamed the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, be required to create an online reporting system, and its website would include the names of offices where complaints have been filed and the monetary amount of all settlements, if applicable. Finally, those filing a complaint would be allowed to work remotely or receive a paid leave of absence if they request it.
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After this year's MTV Video Music Awards, the internet was buzzing about her upside down teal eye makeup — but that the only thing that caught everyone's attention. It was also her actual eyes. According to Teen Vogue, the enamoring effect of Jackson's eyes isn't just the flattering eye shadow. In fact, the 19-year-old's makeup artist, Jo Baker, told the publication that Jackson was born with a "rare eye condition" that leaves her irises a striking blue pigment.
So, what is this mysterious condition? Baker doesn't mention specifically, but according to Business Insider, there's a likely explanation. Since Baker mentioned that the condition does not affect Jackson's vision, one genetic syndrome that could apply is the Waardenburg syndrome (WS). WS impacts the pigmentation of someones eyes, hair, and skin, and people with the condition are known to have pale blue eyes — just like Jackson's. However, the National Organization for Rare Disorders states that there are multiple subdivisions of the syndrome — six, to be exact — so there's no way of knowing exactly which one Jackson has solely based on what Baker told Teen Vogue.
At the very least, now we have exactly one more explanation as to why we couldn't stop staring at Jackson's makeup that night.
I’m not the first person to attempt Shailene Woodley’s beauty routine. It’s batshit crazy — and people, like me, are attracted to that sort of thing. Unlike the routines of Jacqueline Kennedy Onsassis, Marie Antoinette, and Cleopatra, there’s nothing decadent about it. There’s no luxury, no gold-infused skin care, no Chanel. Instead, it’s like Emma Watson's medicine cabinet met Goop and the two had an eco-conscious hippie baby who enjoys oil-pulling.
Before starting Shailene's routine, I had high hopes. After all, it was reported that the actress' skin is so radiant, her makeup artist has to actually make her look tired — what a dream to not look as exhausted as I usually feel. There must be something to her philosophy of reconnecting to your roots, living life to the fullest, and not taking yourself too seriously. Turns out, it wasn't that simple.
First, let's start with what I could manage:
Wearing natural, powdered deodorant made from baking soda, clay, and essential oils was surprisingly easy, and when the B.O. arrived midday, I didn’t even mind it. Dare I even say, I actually enjoyed my ~natural musk~. This wasn’t the first time I passed on real deodorant and it won’t be the last.
Woodley’s choice for a lip stain can be found in your fridge's fruit and vegetable drawer, so that was easy. I have a strong aversion toward beets, so I tried Woodley’s red carpet trick with pomegranates, raspberries, and anything else red and juicy I had on hand. (Fun fact: If you drink enough red wine, you will also get a pretty stain on your lips.)
Not washing my hair wasn’t so bad, either. In fact, I tried washing my hair less last summer and the results were similar. This time, I skipped the dry shampoo most days, threw some olive oil in my ends for a DIY treatment, and pulled my hair back in such a way that made me look like a second-rate Kardashian. Regardless, I enjoy sleeping in to the last possible minute before my day must become productive, so cutting down on shower time always gets a thumbs up in my book.
Now, for the big question: Did I sun my vagina? (And did it decrease my likelihood of getting a yeast infection?) Yes and no, not really. Woodley once told Into the Gloss, “Another thing I like to do is give my vagina a little vitamin D. [Laughs] I was reading an article written by an herbalist I studied about yeast infections and other genital issues. She said there’s nothing better than vitamin D. If you’re feeling depleted, go in the sun for an hour and see how much energy you get. Or, if you live in a place that has heavy winters, when the sun finally comes out, spread your legs and get some sunshine. [Laughs]”
My gynecologist recently told me that my estrogen and progesterone hormones are imbalanced, which can often lead to chronic yeast infections, so sunning down there didn’t sound that crazy to me. But even though some weird shit happen in NYC, I still didn't feel like I could sit spread-eagle in Central Park. However, my bedroom gets great lighting (that’s a hot pickup line, take note), so I spread out my yoga mat every morning, lifted my legs up on the sill for about 10-20 minutes, and basked in the beams as I meditated (only because I assume Shailene loves to meditate, too). I didn't get a yeast infection this week, but I'm hesitant to connect the two.
The least out-there part of her routine includes the (little) makeup she uses. A lot of the brands are ones I own, so rocking a Tarte mascara or an 100% Pure primer wasn’t hard at all. Moving on.
Two things I couldn’t bring myself to try more than once:
Oil-pulling is the kind of punishment Satan makes sinners repeat for all of eternity in Hell. Do you know what it’s like to swish oil in your mouth for 20 minutes? It's effing exhausting. You don’t know patience until you’ve tried this task Woodley swears by.
Full disclosure: Eating clay is not recommended by most nutritionists, physicians, or even companies that make powdered clay. Shocker. But I did it anyways because a taxi driver Woodley met once recommended it. Clay tastes exactly as good as it sounds, which is to say horrible — and I eat a lot of beauty powders and elixirs in my regular life as is. The amount of time it took me to figure out how to eat a tablespoon of clay was far longer than it took me to actually swallow it, and that took a very long time.
So while I'll be holding on tightly to my Crest and limiting my clay usage to clarifying masks, natural beauty products and morning meditation are here to stay. And hey, if I don't get any infections for the rest of the year, I'll be the first to credit Woodley.
