It's summertime and the living's easy. So why shouldn't your shoe choice be too? While strappy heels and lace-up sandals always look great, by the time the sun sets, a days worth of grime and sweat buildup doesn't always feel the best. But sacrificing comfort for style is and age old adage. The era of flat sandals equating to plastic pool slides or orthopedic-looking styles are far in our wake. Say hello to the age of the fashionable sandal. Slides, sling-backs, and edgy chunky sandals are only a few of the myriad of comfortable options now at our finger tips.
Though flimsy flip-flops may be an easy go-to, your summer shoe collection deserves so much more. So, ditch the urge for $1 rubber slip-ons and opt for a finishing touch that's more fashion-forward (and one that won't fall apart after a wear or two). Ahead, we've rounded up our selection of the best comfortable sandals for summer. Now, about that pedicure...
There’s a lot of product out there, some would say too much. No doubt this has left you with an overwhelming set of questions about the latest must-haves. Luckily we’ve got answers. At Refinery29 we are here to help you navigate this epic world of stuff. All of our editorial market is independently selected and curated by the team. But if you buy something we link to on our site Refinery29 may earn commission.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
From Elton John-esque glitz and glamour to Off-White's Princess Diana-inspired collection, it's safe to say that the 1980s are experiencing a fashion revival in full force. And, on the beauty front, one trend from the decade we thought would never see the light of day again has returned with newfound cool-girl credibility: the perm. (Yes, you heard us correctly.)
When actresses Jaime King and Emma Stone took to Instagram earlier this year to try the once-questionable look, it only confirmed what we had suspected over the past few seasons: The '80s curls are back, only with a thoroughly modern refresh this time around. According to celebrity hair wiz Luke Hersheson, it's all thanks to icons from the era coming back into fashion's focus. "Women like Brooke Shields and Julia Roberts feel relevant right now," he tells us. "There's something quite soulful about those kind of curls; they have character in them."
Fashion has certainly enjoyed the perm renaissance, as seen backstage at numerous Spring/Summer 2018 shows. John Frieda gave Molly Goddard's girls graphic curls with a nostalgic black headband around the hairline, and the models' natural curls, waves, and texture were emphasized at shows like Versus Versace and Temperley London.
The new '80s perm is significantly less Curly Sue than the original incarnation, Hersheson says. In fact, he says we've completely misunderstood the idea of the perm in the first place. "There is a big misconception," he explains. "A lot of the reason the bubble perm has bad connotations is to do with the haircut at the time, which kind of exaggerated the perm. Now, we're doing perms on longer, more simple hair, so the curl isn't as defined or extreme."
With curly icons like models Alanna Arrington and Mica Argañaraz and photographer Petra Collins overtaking our Insta feeds, the modern take is a step up from the beachy waves we've seen so much of over the past few years. It's time to park the salt spray and embrace a more hyped-up curl. So how can we achieve the updated look if our hair refuses to do it naturally?
"The same technology is being used as the first time around, in that we have to change the bonds in the hair in order to change its natural shape," says Claire Bonney of Radio Salon London. "This time, though, there are more nourishing and strengthening ingredients used, so it cares for hair in the process. There are bigger rollers now, and the way you roll and place the roller allows for a softer look — more L.A. wave, less Shirley Temple."
While most hair types will take well to being permed, the more sensitive and weaker your hair, the less likely it is to keep the shape. "There are specialist perms for natural textured hair; in most salons it would be too damaging, though, so seek those out," says Hersheson. "Anything bleached or colored is also a no-go, as the hair will be ruined."
Post-treatment, aftercare is essential. "Use shampoos and conditioners with moisture to keep the curl soft yet buoyant," Bonney explains. "Pureology's Hydrate line is great for hydration. Air drying naturally will keep the wave flatter, and using the Redken No Blow-Dry Cream will help moisturize and control the curl. Using a diffuser will spread air through the hair and increase the volume, giving more body."
With the process less damaging for your locks, and the looks less dramatic than those in the '80s, it sounds like it's definitely time to up your summer hair game with some mega curls.
This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
More money, more problems? In some ways, we believe it. For common people on a budget, no long-lost family members have the audacity to come asking for cash infusions, for one. Plus, we’re immune to getting ripped off by financial managers, because joke's on you, world: We don’t even have them.
But it’s easy to poke a few glaring holes in the theory, and one of them comes with how the well-to-do are able to tackle a problem like acne. Because for those with unlimited time and resources, popping in for a pricey dermatologist visit at the first possible sign of a baby blemish ain’t no thing. (Who are we kidding? Ringing your derm for a house call is more like it.) From there, cortisone shots and other advanced fixes are employed to magically erase any little disturbance in the order of perfect skin.
For those who don’t have gobs of money to throw at a rising zit, there are over-the-counter treatments to help get us through. But which will take us from congested, inflamed, tender, and self-conscious to looking as if we have a derm on speed dial, too?
For that, we turned to big-league dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, who also serves as the director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. “I recommend treating acne at home in the same way that we approach it in the office: You want to get to the root of what causes acne by combining multiple different active ingredients that address different causative factors,” he says.
Dr. Zeichner's go-to combination for at-home treatment? Topical benzoyl peroxide products paired with salicylic acid cleansers or scrubs. “Benzoyl peroxide helps lower levels of acne-causing bacteria on the skin and helps reduce inflammation, while salicylic acid helps remove excess oil and exfoliate the dead cells from the surface of the skin,” he says. Find the skin pro’s other first-line remedies, ahead, which make getting rich-girl skin possible without the pesky side effects of overwhelming wealth.
Benzoyl peroxide can prove too harsh for some, but this oil- and fragrance-free gel bypasses those uncomfortable side effects thanks to a time-released, micronized form of the active ingredient, which gives an as-you-need it dose that’s small enough to penetrate the skin for a more gentle and effective zit-fighting experience.
For a quick and easy way to help remove excess oil, try a treatment pad soaked with salicylic acid. This one also taps glycolic acid and a more textured surface to help exfoliate.
We’ve been using these treatment pads every day for the past month to help keep our oily skin — and breakouts — in check. Salicylic acid is included to help exfoliate and absorb excess oil, while antimicrobial and antiseptic raspberry extracts and witch hazel help defend against future breakouts. With regular use, we managed to sideline the usual cystic bump that comes like clockwork each month.
Our number-one gripe with many acid-charged acne treatments? They can make skin feel dry, tight, and desperately in need of moisturizer. This one is designed to nourish with botanical extracts and address congestion with glycolic and salicylic acid all at once.
Acne doesn't end at your face: Zits can also pop up on your chest, your back, and... well, pretty much anywhere. This body spray from Dr. Pimple Popper is packed with a potent 2% salicylic acid and calming rosemary extract to make quick work of targeting hard-to-reach places, like the center of the back.
This serum can be used all over the face or applied as a spot treatment for active breakouts. While salicylic acid does the blemish-fighting legwork, other ingredients are included to soothe redness and irritation.
Many moisturizers targeted toward acne-prone skin tout oil-free formulas, but they can make skin feel dry and tight. This gel-cream hybrid sinks into skin to hydrate without adding shine, and includes licorice extracts to help reduce redness, inflammation, and oil production.
Another first-line ingredient that Dr. Zeichner favors for addressing acne? Sulfur, which can pull oil and gunk from congested pores. And with a whopping 10% of the stuff inside, this treatment is no joke.
This magic cystic-zit eraser is an editor favorite for a reason: It taps lactic acid to target the acne formation beneath the skin's surface and forces the cyst to a head.
If there is one true "secret ingredient" for treating acne that most people haven't tried, azelaic acid is it. The dicarboxylic acid is hard to find in effective concentrations in over-the-counter formulas, and derm-prescribed treatments like Finacea (a foam that provides 15% of the stuff) can be expensive. This just-launched cream-gel contains 10% azelaic acid, the highest you'll find without an insurance copay, and packs in salicylic acid and soothing ingredients to create one of the most exciting new products on the market.
Ivanka Trump has been in the media for as long as we can remember. (She even appeared on the cover of my very first Seventeen magazine back in 1997.) If only we had known back then that she would go on to become part of the most scandal-plagued administration in U.S. history.
If you've caught her old interviews on TV, or watched Apprentice episodes in which she appears, you've undoubtedly noticed that the first daughter and White House senior advisor used to speak very differently. Whether it's a product of coaching or a natural evolution (and experts say it's most likely both), there's been a marked change in her voice's tone, pace, and even her vocabulary.
We asked a couple of public-speaking experts — including one whose tips Ivanka recommends on her own website — to find out the story behind Ivanka's vocal changes and what it means in terms of her evolution from socialite to government official.
Read their takes ahead.
2003
Back in 2003, 21-year-old Ivanka starred in a documentary called Born Rich, which was all about what it's like to be young and wealthy. In it, her voice sounds flatter and scratchier than it does today.
"Everyone has a natural voice. Her voice itself has not changed," Anett Grant, CEO of Executive Speaking, Inc. (to whose article Ivanka's site links from its "Guide to Public Speaking "), told Refinery29. "What's changed is the way she's using it."
Today, Grant explained, Ivanka's tone sounds "rounder" because she's learned how to use her breath to support her voice so that it comes out louder — and more confidently. "When you're young and less secure, you have a tighter sound."
2007
In her 2007 appearance on Conan, Ivanka sounded more relaxed and at ease with being interviewed. "Her voice had a rough smokiness to it here," Patti Wood, a body language expert and author of Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma, told Refinery29. "And her presentation made it clear that she was expecting a humorous response."
Wood emphasized that Ivanka hasn't just changed her voice over the years; she's changed her "paralanguage," which includes pitch, volume, intonations, gestures, and facial expressions. In 2007, her delivery had less energy and was less fast-paced than it is today.
2016
Here, Ivanka addresses the Republican National Convention in 2016, introducing her father. "Everything about her image is much more polished and 'straight up and down', rather than sensual, like in the Conan interview," Wood said. "It's a conscious effort on her part to present herself as more educated, sophisticated, formal."
As part of this effort, she's started enunciating more and almost stopped using contractions. "We tend to not use contractions when we're overly conscious or when we're being deceptive," Wood noted.
Grant said: "The big evolution — and it was particularly pronounced in her speech at the convention — is that her sound is richer and rounder now, and she doesn't have those drop-offs where it gets scratchy."
2018
In this recent interview with Fox Business, Ivanka responds to Samantha Bee calling her a "feckless c---" on her show Full Frontal.
"This interview was very well-rehearsed and she had her talking points prepared," said Wood. "Her delivery was fascinating because she was indignant. There was a lot of energy behind it. We haven't seen that aspect of her before."
Grant said that Ivanka is far more comfortable with her voice now. "We were all born with a big sound — babies are loud, right? — and over time we learn to constrict our voice," she said. "But when we become more comfortable in the limelight, in public, we relax, and then our sound comes out in a natural way."
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
First daughter and special adviser to the president Ivanka Trump took time out of her busy schedule to promote one of her father's new "hire American" initiatives. In an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Ivanka said President Donald Trump will be signing an executive order this week “to prioritize and expand workforce development so that we can create and fill American jobs with American workers."
According to Ivanka, her father will create the National Council for the American Worker with the goal of creating a plan that will help companies in high-demand industries hire and retain American workers. The first daughter, who in the past has pushed for more technology education in schools, added the administration will also create a campaign to promote careers in skilled trades and STEM industries.
Ivanka and her father's administration are also asking 15 companies to sign a "Pledge to America’s Workers" — a worthwhile endeavor until you consider that the first daughter herself and the president have spent a lot of time not hiring Americans for their family business.
In launching a National Workforce Strategy @realDonaldTrump and this Admin are working to fill vacant American jobs with American workers; many of whom have been on the sidelines of our economy & deserve an opportunity to work + thrive: https://t.co/gnJMPcAsM2
"Our hope is that millions of men and women who have been on the sidelines will now have the chance to find fulfilling work that lifts up them and their families," Ivanka wrote in the op-ed. "If we give American students and workers the training and opportunities they need, they will continue to be the greatest pioneers of the 21st century."
But the most ironic bit is that the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, FL is currently seeking approval from the Department of Labor to hire 78 foreign guest workers for the next winter season.
We guess "hiring American" is easy to say as long as you don't have to put your money where your mouth is.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
With all the engagements, creative baby names, and Twitter debates, it seems like a lot is going on in the world of entertainment right now. But speedy unions and social media arguments aside, it seems that Hollywood has something else brewing — and it's following in the footsteps of Mexico's World Cup players. That's right: Just about everyone is going blonde right now.
Sure, the look will always be popular, but it really started trending again just days before 2018 when stars like Halsey and Serena Williams went under the bleach bowl. And although the tennis superstar might be back to brown already, the momentum has continued well into summer. Check out the latest stars to jump aboard the trend, ahead.
Demi Lovato
With the European leg of her Tell Me You Love Me tour coming to an end, Demi decided to use her time off to make some new changes. The hair chameleon dyed her hair a drastically light color with the help of stylists Amber Maynard Bolt and Anthony Holguin at Nine Zero One salon.
Instagram Stories/Demi Lovato
Pete Davidson
Tattoos aren't the only thing solidifying Pete and Ariana Grande's love. The comedian recently got a blonde hair transformation and Ari gave her fiancé the seal of approval on Instagram.
Photo: Robert Kamau/GC Images..
LaLa Anthony
We're used to the Power actress with brunette locks, but her platinum hue is just as beautiful. A purple shampoo is key for fighting brassy tones, whether you've dyed your own hair or are rocking extensions.
@lala
Zayn Malik
While we don't know what to expect next from Zayn's relationship with Gigi Hadid, we know we can look forward to more of his 2018 dye job.
@zayn
Amber Rose
In November, Amber Rose told Us Weekly that she wanted to grow her hair long enough to make a ponytail... but that she'd be staying blonde. Months later, she's sticking to her word.
@amberrose
Charlie Puth
Charlie had fans doing a double take at the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards when he hit the red carpet with platinum blonde hair. The singer has darkened his hair up a bit since, but still remains on the blonder side.
@charlieputh
Sophie Turner
Major life changes — like being engaged to a Jonas brother — calls for major hair changes. The Game of Thrones actress and fiancée of Joe traded in her dyed blonde hair for an even lighter, icy blonde.
@sophiet
Rihanna
The makeup mogul nonchalantly debuted a long blonde wig with the lace visible on her forehead on Instagram. While she hasn't shown us the final look, we know she'll slay per usual.
Lily Allen
Lily proves that she doesn't need her usual pastel pink hair to stand out. The singer stunned when she went for a more classic look for for Paris Couture Week, attending the Chanel show with blonde hair.
@lilyallen
Rita Ora
After debuting a fiery red, Rita Ora went back to her signature blonde last month. Pro tip: You'll need a good deep conditioner to make this kind of change less damaging at home.
@ritaora
Lucy Liu
The Charlie's Angel has maintained her long, black signature hair for years, but recently dropped a bomb when she went blonde for the Obie Awards. Making the debut even more epic, Lucy captioned her new hair photo, "Flip it and reverse it" — the best use of the Missy Elliot lyric.
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage..
Ashley Tisdale
The actress traded in her brunette ombré for an even lighter hue with the help of celebrity hair colorist Justin Anderson. If you want to go blonde, but dread the regrowth of your dark roots, dying your hair lighter but keeping your roots visible is the perfect combo for low-maintenance.
@ashleytisdale
Solange Knowles
If there is one person who's been owning blonde hair in 2018, it's Solange. Trying out different lengths and protective styles with her new hair color, she proves that the look works on any look you can dream up.
Photo: Mireya Acierto/Getty Images..
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The Instagram economy is real: The influencer marketing industry is predicted to be a$5 to $10 billion dollar marketby 2020. These billions go to the influencers you love to follow, for the affiliate links and sponsored Stories you see on your feed. But just how much can you make from influencing? In our new series My Insta Income, some of Instagram's biggest stars are (anonymously) sharing what that last Instagram ad they did paid for.
Today, we're talking to a yogi buying her first home.
The ad: "It was for a Matcha start-up. The post needed to be me drinking the Matcha, and they wanted to see my hands in the ad."
Paycheck: $7,200
Time involved: "About 15 minutes."
Getting the deal: "I had personally reached out to see if they would send me product. I happen to teach a celebrity they really love and they offered to pay me for one post. [They could have offered] $1,000 or $1,500 and I would have been totally stoked with that. But they were like, 'Are you okay with $7,200?'"
External costs: "This was probably the quickest money I’ve ever made in my entire life. There was zero cost — I took the picture with my iPhone and that was it. My friend's little sister is a barista, so I said, 'Does she need to come over and design something?' But they said no."
How I spent the money: "It went towards the down payment for our first home."
Usual rate for Stories: "Today, it typically ranges from $500 to $1,000 for a swipe-up post. I generally am quite picky with brands I work with since I’ve spent the last few years building my brand. I get about two to three different offers from random people a day. Some of them are scammy things where it's the same sort of product from different Instagram accounts. It takes about one hour a day to sort through everything."
Usual rate for profile posts: "$1,000 to 2,000 for something that’s going to live on my feed. Right now I’m only working with two brands per week so that’s about $3,000 per week. If this was my only job, I'd probably be doing more."
The other ways I've spent my influencer income: "I grew up in a large family that had zero money. We were poor. So I’m totally frugal with my money now. I’ve learned from my younger years when I used to spend my money and time on frivolous things like taking all my friends out and buying things I didn’t care for. I choose to do everything in-house — my entire business — so a lot of it is invested back into creating content, podcast equipment, website maintenance and traveling."
Are you making money on Instagram? We want to hear from you.Email uswith your story.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Update: You may recall that, just about two years ago, beauty moguls and then-BFFs Jeffree Star and Kat Von D found themselves in a very public feud. And why? A lot of reasons, apparently, some of which we still don’t know because, well, we don’t actually know them. Stolen artwork, a man named BJ… at some point, the shit hit the fan.
After the initial friendship implosion back in 2016, the drama seemingly calmed down, or at least looked like it had — until this week. Reportedly, Von D still has some beef, and Star has plenty to say about it. As expected, both publicly aired their feelings while fans watched. All the latest details, ahead.
This story was originally published on July 20, 2016.
An ongoing feud between makeup entrepreneurs and former friends Kat Von D and Jeffree Star came to a head today, with Von D releasing an Instagram post and a tell-all video that documents the duo’s one-time friendship and explosive falling-out.
While this came out of nowhere for many fans, it appears as if tensions had been rising for months, according to a nearly 14-minute video posted by Von D. For Von D, the disintegration of her friendship with Star seems to have culminated in a text exchange that went down last week, in which Von D claimed she was working to advocate for a friend who created artwork for Star, but who allegedly never got paid. “I kindly ask you, Jeffree...all I ask is that you do the right thing,” Von D pleads in her video.
So how and when did it all go wrong? Here’s everything we know so far in timeline form. Click ahead to get all the juicy deets.
2006: According to a tweet posted (and seemingly deleted) today by Star, he and Von D became friends about 10 years ago.
2014: Jeffree Star launches his namesake makeup line. Von D later details her involvement in her video, saying that she connected Star with an artist, BJ, who she says helped create graphic designs for the Jeffree Star brand. “BJ drew up his logos, and Jeffree went forward with them — and it’s the logos you see now on all the caps on all his lipsticks. [Star] never, never paid BJ. BJ would call him, and Jeffree basically blocked his phone,” she claims.
Later in the video, she shows BJ’s original mock-ups for Jeffree Star packaging and logos and reads a text from BJ in her phone that states, “He didn’t need me anymore after that. He had the artwork already.” Von D alleges that’s when Star stopped taking BJ’s calls and refused to pay him. Von D then says, “I think as far as being an ethical company, it’s really wrong what Jeffree has done. I think he needs to pay BJ.”
Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in Androgyny, $18, available at Jeffree Star Cosmetics.
June 12, 2016: Beauty blogger Stephanie Nicole posts a 40-plus-minute video in which she reviews new Jeffree Star products and discusses some of the online controversy surrounding the brand.
July 16, 2016: Von D discovers that BJ, the artist she recommended to Star, was supposedly never paid. In her later video, Von D continues, “The minute I found out about that, which was this last Saturday, I texted Jeffree and said, 'Hey Jeffree, can you explain to me why you haven’t paid BJ?' And he basically told me to go fuck myself and then blocked my number.”
July 17, 2016: Von D tweets a heart to @StefNicole, with no additional text. Fans speculate that this is Von D’s way of saluting the vlogger’s video.
Ed. note: The views reflected in the video do not represent those of Refinery29.
July 19, 2016: In the wee hours of the morning, Von D posts a pic and note on Instagram announcing her desire to no longer be associated with Star. Fans and Star note that the photo used in the IG pic is from nine years ago. Star is not tagged. In her later video, Von D explains, “When someone blocks you you can’t [tag them]... The photo I chose was the photo of Jeffree when I knew him. That was, like, the Jeffree I know. The Jeffree that he is now is, like, this monster. This big, like, attention-seeking, fame-desiring, money-driven monster that I want no part of.” Shots. Fired.
July 19, 2016: Star responds to Von D’s Instagram post with a series of tweets, including, “She accused me of something that wasn’t true, so I told her to fuck off, then blocked her number. Not that juicy of a story, sorry.”
Photo: Via @JeffreeStar/Twitter.
July 19, 2016: As promised, Von D posts a 14-minute follow-up video that she filmed while in Singapore. The testimonial describes the allegations she’s made and her take on the events that have led up to this point.
In the video, Von D remembers Jeffree during this period as a friend whom she was eager to help. “I can tell you how he started his makeup line. I can tell you because I was there,” she says in the video. She even claims that she “hooked him up” with her factory contacts and an artist friend who could help with logo design.
Von D concludes the video by saying, “I don't want anybody to go after Jeffree. I don't want to go and attack or start wars. I think, if anything, we can just, like, send positive vibes his way and hopefully we can make some changes in his life.”
Ed. note: The views reflected in the video do not represent those of Refinery29.
July 19, 2016: Star tweets this response: “There are 2 sides of every story. The truth will come out later today,” followed by a Snapchat video in which he calmly states, “So I woke up to a video that Kat posted this morning full of some really interesting lies and propaganda.”
He continues, “There are two sides to every story, so if you want to believe her, that’s fine. But the truth is going to come out.”
Finally, Star said, “I know you guys are expecting me to pop off and be crazy, but that’s not how I react when something’s not true. Later tonight, I will be addressing the false allegations, the ‘logo drama’ which is already squashed, and everything else she lied about.”
Photo: Via @JeffreeStar/Twitter.
July 19, 2016: Star spoke out again this afternoon, tweeting, “There is no beef with BJ. We worked together in 2014 on an idea and someone else took over. Everyone's been paid. #chillout ”
Photo: Via @JeffreeStar/Twitter.
July 19, 2016: Star then tweeted: “I never stole my logo. Where's the receipts??? Where's the lawsuit?? I created my brand in 2014. The truth is not in her video.”
Photo: Via @JeffreeStar/Twitter.
July 19, 2016: He continued his comment: “If people spent this much time worrying about themselves, instead of sitting online for hours talking about strangers... Like damn.”
Photo: Via @JeffreeStar/Twitter.
July 19, 2016: An hour later, Von D responded with an update via Twitter, saying, “Jeffree. Please, do yourself a favor and stop lying. BJ texted me that you reached out w a settlement proposal an hour after I posted video...”
Photo: Via @thekatvond/Twitter.
July 19, 2016: She continued in a follow-up tweet: “...so things are not 'settled' just yet. Would it be so hard to, for once, sincerely just apologize, make things right and move on?”
Photo: Via @thekatvond/Twitter.
July 19, 2016: As of 7 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, no further videos have been posted. But Star retweeted a fan’s comment, suggesting he should not make a video — an idea to which the cosmetics creator added a simple, “Amen.” Shortly thereafter, Star snapped a single shot of what looks like his palate cleanser du jour: mozzarella sticks.
Photo: Via @JeffreeStar/Twitter.
July 20, 2016: For most of the day, both parties remain radio silent on the issue over their respective social media feeds — as does graphic designer JJ Betts, who previously had not publicly commented on the allegations.
However, around 3:00 pm Pacific time, Betts posts a tweet that says, “The matter between myself and Jeffree Star has been amicably resolved and I will have no further comments on the matter.”
Photo: Via @bjbetts/Twitter.
July 20, 2016: About 30 minutes later, Star retweeted Betts’ comment, adding, “BJ was and is paid for helping me design my logo.”
Photo: Via @JeffreeStar/Twitter.
July 20, 2016: Star also announced his intention to (finally) upload a response video. Meanwhile, as fans waited to hear Star’s video response, Von D seemed to put a cap on the issue by tweeting, “ @BJbetts, sorry it took all of this hassle for you to finally [and rightfully] get payed for your work. Onwards and upwards. X”
Photo: Via @thekatvond/Twitter.
July 20, 2016: Then, around 6:00 pm, Star finally posts his reply video.
Ed. note: The views reflected in the video do not represent those of Refinery29.
October 27, 2016: Jeffree Star had nothing but kind words for Kat Von D in an emotional video posted on his channel today. He says in the video, "Kat, if you are watching this, or if you ever watch this, thank you for covering me in some of the most beautiful artwork I have ever seen." Fans of Star hope the video is an olive branch and that the two are on their way to making amends.
Ed. note: The views reflected in the video do not represent those of Refinery29.
~July 12, 2018: Just short of two years since their last public confrontation, Von D posted a video of her wedding ceremony to YouTube, where a fan commented, “Jeffree Star is watching this right now.” Von D responded with a quick, “Jeffree who? ;)”
July 17, 2018: Star posted a new video re-reviewing older products he’s preparing to toss. While trying the products again for a full-face tutorial, Star rehashed some drama behind exactly why he stopped using some products and brands on account of feuds with the likes of Too Faced, Tarte, and Kat Von D Beauty. While using Von D’s discontinued bronzer (Shady Bronzer), Star revisited his fallout with Von D and added that, although Von D claimed she had discontinued the Everlasting Liquid Lipstick named after her former friend, it’s still available for purchase on the brand site. (The liquid lipstick is no longer available on Sephora.)
Ed. note: The views reflected in the video do not represent those of Refinery29.
July 17, 2018: Star responded to Von D’s decision, which she announced on Instagram in June, to raise her child vegan and without vaccinations. He tweeted a screenshot image of himself from his most recent video, “Full Face Of Brands That Hate Me,” with the caption, “Here is an actual picture of Kat Von D's baby when it found out they weren't getting vaccinated.”
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
How do you deal with a season of deals? Simple: by shopping more deals. That philosophy is exactly how we found ourselves driving down a dangerous path of clicking through Target 's summer fashion arrivals. Well, that, and the flash sale they surprised us with this week. Although our favorite style wares weren't included in the roundup of discounts, we stumbled upon something even better.
Target's cute line-up of summer handbags are so good and so cheap, they don't even need a red tag to get us to take a second look. Ranging across our favorite Target brands like Who What Wear x Target and A New Day, we found basket bags, bucket bags, and even a little drawstring pouch that max out at $35. So instead of digging around the flash sale discount bins for things you don't need, take a stab at a handbag you do, that still rings in for less than a fancy potted plant.
There’s a lot of product out there, some would say too much. No doubt this has left you with an overwhelming set of questions about the latest must-haves. Luckily we’ve got answers. At Refinery29 we are here to help you navigate this epic world of stuff. All of our editorial market is independently selected and curated by the team. But if you buy something we link to on our site Refinery29 may earn commission.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
It’s a hell of a paradox: Zits certainly pop up overnight, but their shadows — dark or red scars — seem to last an eternity. In an era in which we can plump lips, erase wrinkles, brighten complexions, and fix loads of other skin concerns in a matter of days, shouldn’t we be able to diminish acne scars with a swiftness, too? It’s a question we took to New York-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, who immediately corrected us on one major technicality.
It turns out, the stuff we’re calling acne scars (red or dark marks that fade over time) aren’t even scars to begin with. “A brown or a red spot is not permanent and usually resolves in several weeks to months,” Dr. Zeichner explains. “A true scar, on the other hand, is permanent and caused by collagen damage that leaves behind a depressed or raised bump in the skin.”
We’re feeling better already. If you're looking for instant results, Dr. Zeichner tells us that in-office treatments like Fraxel, can help blast away pigmentation. But those of us with lighter wallets are also in luck. From mattifiers and primers to active serums and creams, find the MD’s ultimate guide to stamping out acne scars once and for all, ahead.
Instant Fixes For Scars
“Skin primers, mattifiers, and pore-refining products may help improve the appearance of acne scars,” Dr. Zeichner explains. “The silicone-based products sit on the surface of the skin and fill in the scars to temporarily provide a smooth appearance.” This mattifying primer contains a silicone derivative and tint to help hide dark spots.
Unlike many serums, which have a goopy texture, this one wields the consistency and mattifying finish of a primer (thanks to the included silicone), while delivering a swift dose of skin-brightening vitamin C.
“For red blotches, what’s known as post-inflammatory erythema, my best recommendation is to continue treating the skin with your acne medication,” Dr. Zeichner says. “Continue to use products that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to help treat inflammation under the skin that contributes to the red blotches.”
These peel pads contain a potent, 20% cocktail of acids to tackle inflammation (salicylic acid), soothe skin (oleanolic acid), exfoliate (glycolic, lactic, and phytic acid) and even tone.
This resurfacing treatment contains both salicylic acid and niacinamide (two ingredients that can help reduce red spots caused by acne, according to Dr. Zeichner), along with 25% alpha hydroxy acids (including glycolic, lactic, and tartaric) to smooth and brighten skin. Just be sure to spot test it firs t; it's incredibly effective and mild for most people, but some of our testers did find it irritating.
Our beef with many overnight masks? Their thick, creamy formulas often seem to seep into our pillowcases more than our skin. This lightweight gel quickly absorbs and contains both of Dr. Zeichner’s star ingredients (salicylic acid and niacinamide) for fading lingering red spots. What’s more, it’s also built with glycolic and hyaluronic acids to hydrate as it brightens.
“If your acne has resolved leaving behind a brown spot, you can look for skin lightening ingredients like niacinamide or vitamin C,” Dr. Zeichner advises. This colorless, liquid-gel serum contains both of Dr. Zeicher’s recommended ingredients along with ferulic acid and vitamin E.
Designed to be used as a last step in a nighttime skin-care routine, this silky mattifying cream contains a potent 25% vitamin C to help minimize dark spots and is packaged in a travel-friendly tube so you won't skimp on your routine when you're away.
This concentrated cream made with 10% vitamin C and 2% Ferulic acid (something that has been shown in studies to help stabilize vitamin C) is geared as a spot treatment to help fade dark patches on the skin.
“Topical retinoids enhance cell turnover and can help brighten the skin as well,” Dr. Zeichner says. Retinol joins vitamin C in this milky treatment that smells like a green juice (its ingredients were cold-pressed) and is super gentle on skin.
Licorice, niacinamide, retinol — the whole party of dark spot reducers can be found in this derm-created formula created for those working to ward off hyperpigmentation, whether caused by the sun or a long-gone zit.
After finally ridding ourselves of a blemish, the last thing we want to do is pile on an oil-rich cream to fade dark spots. This oil-free formulation doesn’t feel greasy on skin and is dispensed from a narrow tube, allowing for more targeted application where we need it.
Sunscreen is key for preventing everything from hyperpigmentation and scarring to fine lines and, you know, skin cancer — but this is not just any sunscreen. If you want your preventative sun protection to come with antioxidant-rich moisture and a lush, dewy finish that leaves skin bright and smooth while nourishing it in the long run, this luxe formula is for you.
If you ask us, no workout is complete without a killer playlist — and running is no exception.
Whether you prefer the trails or the treadmill, the right songs can make the difference between a good run and great run. (No, that isn't just your addiction to pop talking.)
Plus, music has actually been found to improve people's performance during cardio workouts. A 2009 study, for example, suggested that music helps us power through fatigue more easily. See, even science wants you to run for your life with Yeezy at full volume.
We asked R29 staffers to share their favorite running songs, and they did not disappoint. Today, we've added songs from Twenty One Pilots, Dirty Projectors, and more.
Below, check out our previous running playlists for even more jams.
Check back in the following weeks for more of your favorite tracks — and don't forget to check out our regular workout playlist, too.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
It's rare to find a pool party where people are actually, well, in the pool. Those fêtes are now reserved for showing off your killer new swimsuit or taking a camera roll's worth of Instagram selfies. Because who wants to get their hair wet after spending hours styling a twist-out or blowout? That's what we thought.
Well, friends, protective style season is here... not that it ever really left. When it was cold, plenty of celebrities opted for box braids, twists, and cornrows to avoid wet styling, especially because of the wind chill. Now that summer's right around the corner, the styles act as a way to let your hair breathe while enjoying the sunshine... and maybe even taking a dip in the pool without fear of messing up your curls. Ahead, get some style inspiration from stars like Jourdan Dunn, Solange, and more.
It only took Vernon François 20 minutes to complete Amandla Stenberg's rainbow braid, done with dozens of bright, knotted box braids. "I literally make it up as I go along and just adjust it so the style fits her face," he tells us.
Photo: Via @vernonfrancois.
A few strategically placed front-facing braids — like Glow 's Sydelle Noel's — can protect your edges from heat damage and hairline stress.
Photo: Via @vernonfrancois.
We already knew that Lupita Nyong'o likes wearing protective styles when she's not filming... but that doesn't stop us from being shook by these lovely flat twists.
Photo: Via @md.warren.
Ever since Redway posted a mysterious, faceless photo of a client with thigh-length braids (spoiler: it was Tessa Thompson), she's been styling the actress' plaits in a variety of ways. There's a lot to admire, but we can't stop staring at these pearls.
Photo: Via @lacyredway.
Hairstylist Amour Jah gave Kehlani a set of jumbo box braids for a New York City concert.
Photo: Via @kehlani.
Is Jourdan Dunn going to make protective styles her look from now on? Because if so, we are here for it.
Photo: Via @lacyredway.
Gabrielle Union rocked her vacation style with beaded center-part cornrows.
Photo: Via @gabunion.
Nia Long switched up the tempo with a similar (but longer) look.
PHOTO: VIA @iamnialong.
Logan Browning's wrapped ponytail — and gorgeously laid edges — deserve an applause.
Photo: Via @naivashaint.
Even Ruth Negga, who's known for her signature pixie, can't say no to the powers of hairstylist Lacy Redway's magic hands. These box braids look beautiful on her.
Photo: Via @lacyredway.
Redway says she installed Jourdan Dunn's faux locs a few days before the Met Gala to give them time to loosen up. For the big event, she swept them up into a bun then studded it with Lelet NY gems.
Photo: Via @jourdandunn.
Takisha Sturdivant-Drew crowned Cynthia Erivo with gorgeous golden cornrows.
Photo: Via @takishahair.
Of course, Nikki Nelms came equipped with awesome accessories — Zoë Kravitz's braided Met Gala bun was equal parts ballerina and badass.
Photo: Via @nikkinelms.
We didn't think that Jordyn Woods could be any prettier, but then she blessed us with a selfie of these box braids and her laid edges... and now we're here.
Photo: @jordynwoods.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Update: As Revlon's newest Global Brand Ambassador, performance artist Mette Towley stars in the brand's latest campaign, "Lash Loudly," which also features American Ballet Theatre principal dancer David Hallberg. While Towley bounces from the wall to the center of the studio (in true "Lemon" form), Hallberg tightly twists and turns against a ballet barre. The message: embrace the unique, the individual, and the bold without fear. Oh, and do it with a reallygood mascara.
Not a dancer? Luckily, the mascara rocks whether you own pointe shoes or not. The video is just an added bonus.
This story was originally published June 8, 2018.
There are very few people in this world who could steal the spotlight from Rihanna on screen. One of those people is Mette Towley. The first time most of us met the 27-year-old, she was getting her head shaved by RiRi in N.E.R.D.'s "Lemon" music video last November. And for the remaining 2 minutes and 66 seconds, all eyes were on her, the glitter-covered dancer whose motions became so intertwined with the visual that it's impossible to hear the line, "I get it how I live it," and not see her.
Photo: Venturelli/WireImage.
Fast forward seven months and Towley's spark has yet to burn out. This week, she landed her first beauty deal as a Revlon Global Brand Ambassador, joining the likes of Ashley Graham, Adwoa Aboah, and Gal Gadot. And with her new gig, she's not just hawking makeup; she's using her platform to challenge industry standards and break beauty rules. Read more about her approach to makeup, her biggest brow secret, and why shaving her head was the best decision she made this year.
How does your beauty routine empower you? "My routine is really defined by my own standards of beauty. I can be super natural one day, and the next day I can have a huge glam stage look. For me, it's about exploring who I am and accentuating parts of my personality — feeling like there are no rules that apply because I make sure there are no rules."
Did you ever feel like there were rules? "Growing up, I had to really build my own self-confidence to find freedom in the expression of my beauty in my skin and with products. Now, there's this cultural shift for women to really redefine what they see as beautiful and share that with the world. This beautiful roster of women I'm joining at Revlon stand strong in their own skin."
There's this cultural shift for women to really redefine what they see as beautiful and share that with the world.
Are there any moments of insecurity that you remember specifically? "I used to get teased for my strong brows. At one point, they were pretty much one connected brow. When I was in school, I was studying female artists throughout history and I saw a picture of Frida Kahlo. I said, 'Oh my gosh. Look at that stunning woman embracing the way she is.' Then, I did a performance later at a small cabaret in Minnesota and I drew in my unibrow."
How has your multiracial identity influenced your approach to beauty? "I'm so proud to be the daughter of my mother and father, and to have the heritage of my grandmother who has these beautiful, full lips. That's something that I've never shied away from my entire life; I own that."
Do you feel the same way about your freckles? "I always loved my freckles. When we were shooting "Lemon" it was specifically in the notes, per my and the team's request, to not cover those up. It's a beautiful reminder of my heritage."
Courtesy of Revlon.
How has being a dancer influenced your beauty routine? "When I was in The Baes, it was essential for me to find a brow pencil that had a brush on it because, in between numbers, I had to make sure that the brow hairs were still going in the right direction. You can't reapply backstage; you have to stay in the game, so to speak. Revlon actually has this brow pencil that I use and it's super easy, it lasts up to 24 hours, and it's waterproof."
Do you enjoy doing your own makeup? "We do our own makeup on tour and I love it. I have everything that I need in this little kit, like my Revlon Kiss Balm — tropic coconut is my favorite! I have that with me at all times because it has SPF 20 and when I'm doing tours in the summer, the sun is just raging on my face. I'm also really interested in highlighter. My summer go-to is the Galaxy Dream Palette; it's popping when I take selfies in that perfect light."
What has been the most transformative part of getting a buzzcut? "Before, my routine was all about my hair. I had probably a gallon of hair products with me at a time, so I didn't even use as much makeup. Now, there's been this amazing shift for me where I'm seeing parts of my face in a new way and I have more time to invest in my routine because I'm not combing my hair, waiting for it to dry, putting the gel in, making sure my baby hairs are down — and those are beautiful things. I had a wonderful time having curly hair, but I'm really excited about my face being the first thing that people notice and connect with."
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
When it comes to eye care, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Perhaps it's because of the sheer amount of products on the market today (creams! gels! serums! masks!) or because there's a bigger focus on other skin-care topics, like brightening or evening. Either way, the jargon surrounding taking care of the skin around your eyes often feels like Latin.
There's a wealth of factors to consider when thinking about the skin around your eyes, from diet and vices to sun exposure and sleep – after all, the eyes are the windows to the soul, and you can bet your lifestyle will take its toll eventually.
"As we age, the levels of collagen and elastin in the skin begin to decrease naturally, leading to a loss of firmness, density, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area. The rate at which we age can be accelerated by a number of factors such as genetics, UV exposure, diet, and skin-care regimen (or lack thereof)," aesthetic dermatologist Dr. Phillip M. Levy, MD, explains. "The root cause of this depletion in collagen and elastin is when our dermal stem cells — the mother cells of the skin’s factories of collagen and elastin — become worn out and tired."
In short, your eyes aren't escaping your last sunburn or love of binge watching Netflix until 2 a.m. any more than the rest of your face and body. Why? Our eyes are affected by the big bad trio: the sun, fatigue, and pollution. However, while the majority of us (hopefully) have preventative measures in place to combat these elements (daily SPF, lots of sleep, regular water intake), the skin around our eyes is much thinner — meaning it's far more susceptible. Skin-care expert and founder of a brand of the same name, Tata Harper, stresses as much: "The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate, so fatigue, dryness, tugging (when removing eye makeup), and your everyday expressions can play an even bigger role."
This all sounds very ticking time bomb. If we haven't started an eye-care routine, is it too late? Rejoice — it isn't. "Now that the very source of skin’s regeneration system is known, it is possible to 'turn back' the effects of aging on these very cells," Dr. Levy tells us, "and hence re-stimulate the skin’s production of aging-fighting collagen and elastin fibers."
Our favorite products to get you started, ahead.
Age: 20-25
While our eyes may be the last beauty priority in our early 20s (hello, late nights and boozy weekends!), it's good to get started early. "It’s so important to keep this delicate skin hydrated to help keep skin looking plump and firm," says Harper. "So start using an all-purpose eye cream in your 20s for hydration." Our top pick for calming, toning, and tightening hungover eyes? These de-puffing eye cubes.
Get a little tint with your under-eye treatment: This two-in-one moisturizing cream helps counteract visible darkness with peachy tones, in three shades that blend sheer into the skin. Each one is infused with pearl extract to brighten the eye area instantly, alone or under makeup, while a blend of botanicals hydrate and strengthen in the longterm.
"By the time you’re in your mid- to late-20s, you’re ready for a retinol-based treatment, which resurfaces your skin overnight to help diminish the look of fine lines and crow’s feet," Peter Thomas Roth, founder of the eponymous clinical skin-care brand, tells us. We're firm believers in the power of retinol-based formulas, but remember to always apply SPF when using, as the retinol can make skin more sensitive to rays. This gel is light and refreshing, especially worn under makeup.
"This is when you might start to see fine lines. Look for products that really target the area, and layer serums with more hydrating eye creams," Harper says. "You can even add in an eye mask for a hydration boost with lifting and firming properties. Personally, I like to layer my Elixir Vitae Eye Serum and Restorative Eye Crème during the day..."
"...and at night (or before an event or when I fly) layer on the Boosted Contouring Eye Mask. This reduces the look of fine lines and minimizes puffiness, signs of fatigue, and dark circles."
We like to think of ourselves as proud owners of a bachelor's degree in Zara. From being able to predict the start date of its sales and navigating how to shop said sales to deciphering which buys are worth it and which will have you looking like a millennial clone the minute you step outside, we've seen — and bought it — at all. But sometimes, the fast-fashion powerhouse can still throw us for a loop.
Case(s) in point, our go-to shop for sussing out trends has quickly become a source for clever styling tips, beachwear, and products that are capable of taking over Instagram. We're avid trackers of its new arrivals every Tuesday and Thursday for this exact reason. But for its latest offering, Zara has chosen to take us on a style journey through time, rather than introducing us to anything new.
Those "the '90s are back," "the '70s have returned," and "the '80s are seeing a revival" headlines that are going strong? Zara's been taking stock. And instead of sticking to one, it's combining our obsession for all decade comebacks with an epic collection that's a blast from every era's past. So hop in the Zara time machine and whip through the ages with our favorite fall arrivals.
Mod '60s Tweed and paisley are the names of the game this fall, and there's no better era that represents the prints than the '60s. Channel your inner Twiggy with belted midi dresses, white boots just a notch below true go-go boots, and some cat-eye glasses.
Disco '70s From a sea of hippies in floral maxi dresses swaying away at music festivals to Saturday night fevers, Zara's channeling every classic coming-of-age experience in the '70s. Take a turn in lamé mini dresses, mustard and burgundy combos, and a satin smoking jacking set topped off with feathers.
Wild Child '80s Why raid your mom's closet when Zara will give you the same look, without the potential fight. Zara's autumn selection is seeing dresses with shoulder padding, some on-trend animal prints, and rainbow earrings that just won't quit.
The Never Ending '90s Yeah, yeah. We've exhausted kitten heels, slip dresses, chokers, etc, etc, etc. But whether it's '90s kids using their clothing as a reflection of their nostalgia, or just that the decade was a treasure trove of good looks, '90s trends are here to stay. Lean into Zara's eclectic selection of grunge, turtlenecks, and that chic art school teacher look.
Zara, $17.89, available at ZaraZara, $49.9, available at Zara
Yes Diggity '00s Bring back the age of boy bands. While their hair styles (both on their head and on their face) were somewhat questionable, their looks were enviable. Matching denim 'fits, utilitarian jumpsuits, wide-leg pants, the OG baby bag, Lenny Kravitz's whole general aesthetic... If Zara's new offering is anything to go by, we could be describing the fall runway trends as opposed to listing our favorite '00s revivals.
Today & Tomorrow Not every trend has to be a direct clone of that from a past era. In fact, fashion is better off as a mash-up of everything that's worked over the years. So while kitten heels and baggy jeans may be calling your name, temper them out with modern day pieces like two-toned sets and ultra-feminine dresses.
Zara, $35.9, available at ZaraZara, $59.9, available at Zara
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Every week onDr. Pimple Popper, dermatologist Sandra Lee, MD, meets with men and women suffering from rare, often confidence-crushing skin conditions. The boils they carry are massive. The cysts are bubbling up to balloon-sized. But it's the people underneath the incredible lumps and growths that make the show worth watching. Just cover your eyes through the pus-filled eruptions, if you must.
This week's episode of Dr. Pimple Popper is particularly gnarly — even for card-carrying popaholics — featuring four different patients carrying humungous bumps and boils that ooze, smell like rotting trash, and spew cottage-cheese pus. Fair warning: Like your mom used to say about swimming, don't eat anything 30 minutes prior to watching this one.
The first patient we meet is 49-year-old flight attendant Ronan, who has two knees on his left leg. Or rather, what looks like a second knee is actually a squishy, grapefruit-sized lump hanging off his lower thigh, directly above his knee. Ronan explains that the bump has been with him for years, starting as a tiny spot and then ballooning into a painful mass. It's so painful that it takes Ronan more than 10 minutes to pull on his pants as he tries to slide his legs through the holes without disrupting the lump. And work is no easy walk down the aisle, either: If you've ever walked down a narrow airplane hall and accidentally banged your knee on an armrest, mumbling a string of four-letter words under your breath, you can only imagine how it must feel for Ronan on the daily.
Ronan comes to Dr. Lee with ample skepticism, as many doctors in the past have told him that the lump is no big deal and that it'll just go away on its own. "I've always distrusted doctors, and all these unhelpful diagnoses have made me even more cynical," he says. "But if I don't get it figured out now, I know the pain will never go away, so I hope Dr. Lee can help."
Dr. Lee is taken aback by Ronan's lump, simply because she's never seen a ball of this size in this part of the body. "A knee bump is unusual," Dr. Lee explains. "I don't know if it's a lipoma or a cyst. I think that it might be a lipoma because lipomas grow where there's fat, and there's some fat there. But it might be a ganglion cyst, which has to do with the leakage of synovial fluid, this gel-like fluid that's in our joints, and they sometimes pop up on wrists or ankles." To diagnose the bump, Dr. Lee punctures it with a syringe to see what type of liquid drains out. She confirms her suspicion that it is in fact a cyst, albeit the biggest she's ever seen.
Then the fun part: Dr. Lee cuts into the cyst with a scalpel, and a steady stream of white pus the consistency of liquid-y cottage cheese starts spilling out. And even when you think it's over, it keeps spewing, as Dr. Lee pinches and squeezes it until it's empty. (Like I said, it gets nasty.) But in the end, the procedure is successful, and Ronan is left with a fully deflated bump and zero pain — like a whole new leg, and a whole new lease on life.
Case #2: Amber
Next up is 37-year-old Amber from Ada, OK. Amber is a DJ, who uses her radio station as an escape from her painful "invisible" skin condition: Hidradenitis suppurativa, or HS for short. HS is a case of severe inflammation of the sweat glands, causing drippy craters to form beneath the skin. What makes the condition tricky is that these painful sores grow in places where most people can't see, like under the armpit or beneath breast tissue. Thus, Amber suffers in silence — and the silence is smelly. "When the sores drain it gives off a rotting trash odor, or sometimes it smells like mold, depending on what color comes out," Amber explains. "I've had black pus, green pus, yellow pus, bloody pus — I once used an entire roll of toilet paper to sop up the drainage."
Clearly there's a big problem here, but Amber has been unable to find a doctor that will help her manage her skin condition or, more importantly, a support system of people who understand her pain. "My mom was the only one who was there for me, and when she died I lost my only support," says Amber, her eyes welling up. "My relationship with my dad has been rocky because he doesn't understand my skin condition, and my stepmom Rhonda says some really hurtful things to me." (Be warned: You may need a full roll of toilet paper to sop up your tears after this confessional.)
Amber's story is more one of emotion than shooting pus, a welcome change after Ronan's knee explosion. Dr. Lee explains that Amber's sores are brought on by irritation of the hair follicles and sweat glands, and the best way to deal with it is though a local cortisone injection. "I inject steroids into the infected regions, and that will ultimately help to reduce Amber's pain and calm down the cysts," explains Dr. Lee. There's a lot of prodding and pain, but ultimately the end result is more manageable for Amber, which is more than any other doctor has ever offered her.
More than just treating Amber's HS from a medical standpoint, Dr. Lee offers Amber a support system, connecting her with Jennifer, another HS patient, to make Amber feel less alone when dealing with her chronic sores. Jennifer and Amber become long-distance friends, and the story reminds us that these skin conditions can be just as emotionally painful as they are physically draining. No pun intended.
Sandy enters Dr. Lee's office with Tommy the Tumor, her term of endearment for the large lump growing between her neck and shoulder. "Five years ago I realized I had a lump growing on my neck, and to make light of it, I decided to name it Tommy," says Sandy, whose long blonde hair hides the protrusion. "I went to a plastic surgeon to remove the tumor, but he must've left some of it in there, because Tommy just grew back. Now, I'm really worried that he might be deeper than he looks, and I know you have a lot of veins that connect your neck to your face, which scares me. I just want Tommy evicted from my neck forever."
As the second surgeon to attempt to excise Tommy, Dr. Lee is worried about cutting out the golf ball-sized lipoma, because there are a lot of very important nerves and blood vessels running through the neck. Upon initial incision, Tommy looks kind of like a bloody little eyeball of fat, and Dr. Lee uses her fingers to probe around at the area, as not to put anything too sharp right into Sandy's neck. Sadly, we see our first unbeatable lump of the series so far, as the fibers of the lipoma have wrapped around Sandy's neck veins and arteries. Dr. Lee makes the safe call to close up to avoid the risk, without fully evicting Tommy. In the end, Sandy's life proved far more important than ending Tommy's reign.
Case #4: Kristy
We meet 48-year-old Kristy in San Angelo, TX. When Kristy was in high school, a tiny white dot popped up on her eyelid. Fast forward to about two years ago, and the dot started growing bigger and bigger, leaving Kristy with a veiny sack hanging off her eyelid, seriously obstructing her vision and causing major discomfort. "Sometimes my eye gets watery and I go to rub it," she says, "and there's this nasty smell that I can't even describe when the lump drains." Another case of an odorous cyst. (Feeling #blessed that we can't smell through the TV.)
Kristy makes her way to California to see Dr. Lee, who immediately notices that Kristy's confidence has taken a huge hit because of this eye growth. "She doesn't really make eye contact and she's clearly self-conscious about it," says Dr. Lee, diagnosing the lumpy skin sack as an abnormally large milia. "Milia are typically tiny little superficial cysts around the eye, but this one's a doozy. This will be super tricky because milia form right underneath the surface of the skin, which means you have to knick it precisely to remove it without causing damage."
As for the smell, Dr. Lee says Kristy's milia drainage odor is actually normal. "Cysts do often have a smell," explains Dr. Lee. "I don't react to it, but they can smell like rotten cheese or toe jam. It really runs the gamut." Even though we can't smell the milia (again, bless), the excision itself is tough to watch — there are lots of blood and veins, and you're scared that Dr. Lee might poke Kristy's eye out.
If you're able to keep one eye on Kristy's eye (while the other one is closed in fear), you'll see Dr. Lee satisfyingly scissor away the free-hanging milia, ridding Kristy of the the pinto bean-like lump that's been impeding both her vision and confidence. It's a happy ending to a rollercoaster hour-long second episode. Tune in next week for a whole new cast of patients, and a whole lot more pus.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
This week, BeautyBlender, the brains behind the best-selling makeup sponge, took to Instagram to lift the lid on its debut foundation, Bounce.
It's a launch that made complete sense and one that beauty-obsessives all over the globe, from editors to influencers, have been anticipating for years. With a clever built-in tray for the BeautyBlender sponge, a cruelty-free and vegan formula, plus 24-hour coverage, it sounded promising.
But when the brand unveiled its shade range on social media, people were quick to call out the lack of shades for women of color. Out of 32 shades, only four would suit some deep skin tones, and it wasn't long before Instagram followers shared their thoughts on the collection, calling it "disappointing."
"Bounce back to the lab and create more shades for darker skin tones. How come there’s 2 rows of the same shade?" wrote one Instagram user, while another asked: "WHERE ARE THE DARK SHADES? You’ve got so many shades for light skin toned people, what about the darker skin toned beauties that love makeup too? Makeup should be for everyone to love and use, and when brands still have 50 shades of beige, especially now days when brands are coming out with 40+ shades for ALL skin tones, it just looks like you guys don’t care for darker skin colored people as much as you do for light skinned people."
Beyond wanting more shade options, many criticized the existing shades for being unrealistic. "I was hoping to try this foundation, but the color setup for women of color is horrible - I’m not orange or burgundy," wrote one. Another user said: "Big companies should know how humans look like. I never knew that humans were naturally the color of cherries and oranges."
Having received hundreds of similar comments, the team behind BeautyBlender took the time to respond to their followers in a bid to defend the new launch. "Of our 32 blends, half the shades are formulated for a range of brown skin tones," they wrote. "We truly want everyone to find the perfect match! Our model grid is our actual shade range."
BeautyBlender then went on to address a picture of the foundations that had been posted to Instagram by Trendmood, suggesting the filter used may have skewed the look of shades: "We hear you but the image on Trendmood's post has a wacky filter and doesn't give a true representation of our shade range."
In response to a follower who criticized them for using orange pigments, they alluded to President Donald Trump before going on to explain the importance of undertone: "We never want to look orange like a certain someone but we added enough warmth for those who have yellow or red undertones. Undertones matter!"
But it seems its responses failed to convince some followers, who said they would still be giving the product a miss when the waiting list opens on Sephora today.
Many BeautyBlender fans shared their hopes that the brand would realize its mistake and release many more deep shades to cater to a wider range of skin tones, while others argued that they should have made the collection as inclusive as possible from the start.
Refinery29 contacted BeautyBlender for comment and this is what a representative had to say: "Of our 32 blends, half the shades (16) are formulated for a range of olive and brown skin tones. We truly want everyone to find their perfect match and our founder, Rea Ann Silva, is not only Latina, but a professional makeup artist working primarily with women of color, so she is an expert in this color range. Those with tan, deep, and dark skin tones understand that finding the right color foundation is all about matching your undertone and this is where Rea Ann saw the biggest hole in the market — for women like herself and her multicultural family."
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Sensitive skin: A lot of us say we have it, few of us actually know what do with it. And for those with extremely sensitive skin — that kind that leads to things like rosacea, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and cystic acne — it can sometimes seem like there's nothing out there that will make your skin calm TF down. The answer? A less is more routine using products with gentle ingredients and no harsh chemicals or fragrances.
Ahead, aesthetician Gina Marí, and Amy Wechsler, MD, share their expertise on sensitive skin and the simple, no-fuss routine that will keep your complexion happy. If you're still experiencing skin flare-ups or major irritation, it's best to see a dermatologist who can manage your condition with topical or oral prescription medication.
Step 1: Cleansing Water
After a late night out at the bars, it's always important to take off your eye makeup. Dr. Marí suggests this light micellar formula that won't irritate the skin around the eyes. You'll wake up with happy, hydrated skin — take that, vodka.
Lumene Lahde Micellar Cleansing Water, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Luckily, cleansing water has become so popular, that you can score a bottle just about anywhere — including the drugstore!
Follow up your cleansing water with a gentle wash that won't strip your skin. "I personally have sensitive skin and the Purpose cleansing bar is very mild and doesn’t irritate," Dr. Wechsler says. "I have been washing my face with this since I was a teenager."
Purpose Gentle Skin Cleansing Bar, $4.99, available at Walgreens.
Not crazy about bar soaps — or just don’t have enough room on your sink? Dr. Wechsler’s gentle soap-free face wash of choice also comes in pump-bottle form, so you can get the same mild cleanse without having to worry about the fate of your bathroom counter.
Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, $4.69, available at Target.
Fancy-smelling pink citrus cleansers always sound like fun at first, but they aren't always the best idea. "Selecting cleansers that are free of fragrance and dyes is the way to go. Cetaphil is a great over-the-counter option," says Dr. Dr. Marí. To get an even deeper clean after a long, tiring week, she suggests using a wash cloth to gently exfoliate.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $9.59, available at Target.
Step 3: Lightweight Serum
Don't forget to immediately follow up your cleanser with a light treatment serum. Dr. Marí recommends iS Clinical Pro-Heal serum because it's gentle on even the most sensitive skin types, including those who have rosacea, cystic acne, and even dermatitis.
iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum, $145, available at DermStore.
Step 4: Fragrance-Free Moisturizer
To finish off, Dr. Wechsler recommends following up with this fragrance-free cream she co-developed with Chanel. "I even use it as a hand moisturizer during the day," she adds.
Chanel La Solution 10 De Chanel, $80, available at Chanel.
On the other hand, Dr. Marí swears by this all-natural indie find. Don't be frightened by the green color: This cleanser is a nourishing miracle in a jar.
Way back in 2010, we were #blessed with the gift that is One Direction. (Thank you, Simon Cowell.) The five adorable boys — er, young men — from the U.K. instantly captured the hearts of many and life was never the same. That was when we were introduced to Zayn Malik. Don’t get us wrong: Niall, Liam, Louis, and Harry all have their charms. But Zayn. He was the mysterious one, the edgier one, the enigma. His bandmates were cheeky, but he was broody.
Then, in 2015, Malik ditched the boys to go solo. Since then, it’s been nothing but success for the singer-songwriter, whose hit single “Pillowtalk” sailed to number one in several countries this past spring. He’s received a warm welcome from the fashion industry, was ranked #5 on Glamour ’s 100 Sexiest Men list this year, and even starred in a seriously hot Vogue editorial alongside on-off girlfriend Gigi Hadid.
But it wasn't always this way. Let’s take a look back at Malik's looks over the years, from the babyfaced budding star to the man he is today — with bright blue hair.
2011 The first thing we noticed about Zayn? Those iconic brows.
Photo: Fred Duval/FilmMagic.
His shiny, tousled hair and big, brown doe eyes made him one of our favorite members of One Direction right out of the gate.
Photo: Jon Furniss/WireImage.
Zayn soon added some flair with pierced ears. This pair of earrings seems to be the moon and a star.
Photo: Danny Martindale/Getty Images.
2012 A fresh-faced Zayn showed off his dark, preternaturally shiny ‘do.
Photo: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images.
Zayn appeared on the Today show with an unexpected switch-up: a bleached blond streak placed right in the center of his hair.
Photo: Peter Kramer/NBC/Getty Images.
He soon ditched the bold highlight for a more sophisticated look, with a little bit of boyish stubble.
Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.
2013 Zayn’s brows were characteristically impeccable on the BRIT Awards red carpet.
Photo: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images.
Thus begins Zayn’s rapid transition from “boy from The X-Factor ” to sex symbol. The chest tattoo was the first sign.
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
A shorter haircut and some scruff gave Zayn a more mature look.
Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage.
Zayn began reinforcing his status as the dark, broody member of the band, starting with the pout.
Photo: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/ Getty Images.
A full-on facial-hair situation had us doing a double take.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
2014 Zayn made a clean-shaven appearance at the 2014 BRIT Awards.
Photo: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images.
Longer hair looked good on Zayn, with one hitch: It almost hid his brows.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
After a few months of smiling in photographs, Zayn returned to his natural expression. Records show he has not smiled since.
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
2015 Zayn kept his hair on the longer side for years, so this tight buzz was a whole different look.
Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage.
Don’t look so concerned, Zayn: Your brows are on-point.
Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.
That blond streak back in 2012 must have been a sign of things to come, since Zayn showed up at Paris Fashion Week looking like a total towhead.
Photo: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images.
2016 He eventually traded out his blond status and transitioned over to the pastel side of things with this pale-lavender shade.
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images.
Zayn went for a classic short ‘do, full-on facial-hair look, and also appeared as if he could burst into tears at any time.
Photo: Mike Pont/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images.
If Zayn claims that his fall 2016 vibe is not inspired by Jon Snow, then Zayn is lying.
Photo: Brian Killian/WireImage.
2017 That's right: Zayn is currently making pastel green hair happen.
Zayn's summer aesthetic has arrived. The "Let Me" singer is now rocking lavender hair with a matching vintage graphic tee, picking purple flowers for Gigi someone.
@zayn
After dropping his new single "Sour Diesel," Zayn Malik stepped out in New York City rocking a jazzy new hair color: icy blue tips.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Sunscreen lotions — albeit totally necessary — can be a menace. The constant reapplication, that greasy feeling, the subsequent breakouts, and that lingering smell all day are inevitabilities when you're trying to protect your skin when out in the sun.
Thankfully, there is a way to protect your skin that doesn't involve any of the above: powder sunscreens. Made from highly refined minerals, these powders offer a high level of broad-spectrum protection, according to dermatologist Annie Chiu, MD. Most SPF powders are comprised of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and iron oxide particles — the same ingredients you will find in many traditional SPF lotions. "The iron oxide and titanium dioxide particles are large molecular structures that help block infrared rays and keep skin cool," Dr. Chiu says. The powder creates a physical block over top of your skin, shielding it from UV rays by not allowing them to penetrate through.
In addition, Dr. Chiu says powders have particles that vary in size, which means they can fill in any "gaps" and provide more complete protection. "I often see that around the nose or by the hairline can be missed by creams or lotion SPF coverage, but powders can easily be blended into these areas," she says.
We were skeptical at first — if the powder just sits on top of your skin instead of absorbing into it, how does it not just wipe off the minute you walk outside or touch your face? "A well-made, high-integrity mineral powder sunscreen will stay in place because of the particle size," says Dr. Chiu. She adds that the skin's natural oils also help it adhere to the skin. That said, she recommends that you should still reapply every two to three hours, or after swimming or sweating. She also notes that because the powder sits on top of your skin, it's important to make sure your other skin care products are completely dry and absorbed into the skin before you apply your powder. Otherwise, your protection may not be as effective.
Now, you may have heard some chatter recently about SPF powders posing a health risk due to inhalation. Says Dr. Chiu: "There was some concern in the media that nanoparticles were of such a small size they could be absorbed into the skin or inhaled and cause problems down the line. Most cosmetic companies sheer their sunscreen particles into various sizes that are well above the nanoparticle range, to not penetrate the skin or be dangerous if inhaled."
We're big fans of SPF powders because they make sunscreen protection so damn easy. You don't need to wait around for it to absorb in order to be effective, you can apply it multiple times throughout the day without getting greasy or messing up your makeup, and it is super-portable so you can pop one in your purse and know that you always have sun protection handy.
Since you're now seriously familiar with the beauty of powder sunscreen, we've gone ahead and rounded up 11 of our faves for your browsing pleasure. Stock up now, people — those UV rays mean business.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 30, $50.00, available at Colorescience.
Jane Iredale Powder-Me-SPF Dry Sunscreen, $47.00, available at Jane Iredale.
Peter Thomas Roth Oily Problem Skin Instant Mineral Powder SPF 30, $30.00, available at Sephora.
Susan Posnick Brush On Block SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen, $32.00, available at Susan Posnick.
Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Loose Powder SPF 30, $13.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Sweat Cosmetics Twist-Brush + Translucent Mineral Powder SPF 30, $42.00, available at Sweat Cosmetics.
ILIA Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20, $30.00, available at Net-A-Porter.
Supergoop 100% Mineral Invincible Setting Powder SPF 45, $30.00, available at Sephora.
Tarte Tarteguard Mineral Powder Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $28.00, available at Sephora.
Derma E Sun Protection Mineral Face Powder by Ash Deleon SPF 30, $21.95, available at Ulta Beauty.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
