No brand does minimal-cool quite as well as COS. And, it turns out they've been doing it since long before it was even "cool" — the brand is celebrating its 10 year anniversary (it opened its first store on London's Regent Street in 2007), and with it, releasing a 10-piece capsule collection of pieces for women, men, and children that stays true to the label's dedication to modern twists on wardrobe staples and reinvented classics. To put it simply: These perfectly minimal pieces are going to be seamless additions to your airy spring-summer wardrobe (and they're all available today in stores worldwide and on cosstores.com).
"Staying true to our DNA has been one of the most important things we have learnt over the last ten years and our foundation as we have grown and evolved," COS' Creative Director Karin Gustafsson told Refinery29. "I would describe it in four words: modern, timeless, tactile and functional...As a brand, we have a clear vision of what we stand for and although the collections may differ in their inspirations and take different directions, we never stray away from the principles which define us whatever we do and wherever we are," she continued. And this collection is no different: Each garment’s pattern is created like a jigsaw puzzle piece, with the full width of the fabric used, one shape deciding another, limiting any excess. So, click through to shop the pieces for your inner minimalist.
COS Technical Cotton-Mix Kimono Coat, $175 available at COS.
COS Technical Cotton-Mix Skirt, $99, available at COS.
COS Cotton Poplin Split Neckline Top, $89, available at COS.
COS Technical Cotton-Mix Dress, $115, available at COS.
COS Cotton Poplin Shirt Dress, $115, available at COS.
COS Technical Cotton-Mix Kimono Coat, $175 available at COS.
COS Cotton Poplin Split Neckline Top, $89, available at COS.
COS Cotton Poplin Shirt Dress, $115, available at COS.
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The cosmetics world tends to meet brown eyeshadow with a "meh," but it’s more versatile than one would think. As the Naked palettes testify, brown is so much more than...brown. Living in Korea, I began to notice a consistent pattern in the way brown eyeshadow was being applied. It’s strategically splayed around the eye instead of the standard beige-tan-dark brown gradient on just the top lid.
Similar to contouring, in Korea, brown eyeshadow lives up to its function of creating depth and accentuating the eye, but that also involves playing up the aegyosal (fat bags under the eye). This is the exact opposite of how the area is treated in America, where anything under the eye is concealed. This makeup technique plays up that little undereye bulge. If you think that’s weird, check out these Korean celebrities without aegyosal. It’s almost as creepy as celebrities without eyebrows.
As Korean luxury brand Vidi Vici ’s senior makeup artist Chaeyeol Lim puts it, many East Asian women have relatively flat, smooth faces. This makeup technique essentially creates a more hollowed-out eye socket. The look doesn’t go full Tim Burton/zombie, but defining and adding depth to this area creates the illusion of deeper, more intense, larger eyes.
If you’re wondering why anyone would want sunken-in eyes, something a night out on the town would accomplish just as well, you’re right. No one wants that. But, going a few steps in the direction of bad can be a good thing. For people who naturally have a little bit of fat right under the eye (Jessica Alba, Beyoncé), ignoring intuition to conceal the undereye and highlighting instead can mean looking younger and happier. Notice how the bit of fat gets fatter when you smile or laugh?
Creating a slightly deeper socket gives the eyes a smoldering intensity, and using brown eyeshadow to subtly pull this look together without going full smoky-eye makes the technique all the more appealing.
Lim explains, “This brown eyeshadow trend is a basic in any Korean girl’s everyday look. Interestingly enough, the more simple and natural a look has to appear, the more complicated it is.” He demonstrated the trend on me, and it was shocking how much better I looked.
For a rundown on how you can mimic the Korean girl’s everyday look, click through for the step-by-step tutorial.
To create a clean, even palette for the eyes to take center-stage, skin prep is minimal. Last year, Korean girls were all about dewy skin. This year, it’s all about semi-dewy. The secret to the toned-down way to show off well-hydrated skin is in face oil.
Blossom Jeju 100% Camellia Seed Dry Oil, $30, available at Glow Recipe.
This rosehip oil is cold-pressed, so all the ingredients are maintained at the highest levels and you're promised the best results. Prep your skin with this concoction first thing in the morning to deliver just the right amount of moisture without making your makeup slip off.
Aromatica Organic Rose Hip Oil, $29, available at Peach & Lily.
If oil isn't your thing, swipe on this tinted sunscreen that adds an instant dewy finish and protects you with SPF 50.
SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50, $34, available at SkinCeuticals.
This sunscreen reflects UV rays like a champ, plus it provides a subtle, flattering tint for no-makeup makeup at its best.
Aromatica Natural Tinted Sun-cream, $25, available at Peach & Lily.
Marry a few drops with your favorite foundation for a lighter gleam of coverage. The current number-one foundation in Korea is TonyMoly’s BCDation All Master, which provides lightweight coverage and a natural-looking, matte finish.
If you're looking to build a bit more coverage, try Belief's Moisturizing Bomb Cushion Compact for foundation. Bonus points: The foundation also boasts an SPF of 50, which is pretty clutch.
Belif Moisturizing Bomb Cushion Compact, $42, available at Sephora.
As with any typically Korean look, the brows need to be straight. First, use a brow pencil to shape arched areas and achieve a flat shape.
Using a highlighter or ivory shadow with a bit of shimmer, highlight the brow bone. This will create contrast with the browns later to make the eye pop.
Son & Park Highighter Cube, $12, avaiable at Soko Glam.
Take a warm brown shadow and with your eye open, lightly stencil the area just above the crease that will be visible when it's open. With the lid now closed, fill in this area, but concentrate the color to be deepest slightly off-center, toward the outer eye. Blend the edges with your fingers or a brush.
Take the same shadow and line the bottom lashline, concentrating color on the outer corners and barely depositing color as you move closer to the tear duct. At this point, you should look like a blonde panda, and it’ll be more weird than cute. But, the next step will resolve this.
Stylenanda 3 Concept Eyes Long Wear Eye Crayon in Fallen, $17, available at Stylenanda.
Using a black eyeliner, line the top lid with a thin line that extends slightly outward.
To accentuate the bags under your eyes (a sign of "cute" in Korea), highlight them with a hit of shimmer, concentrating most of the color in the center, right under the lower lashes, and the inner corners of the eye. Then, create a little shadow using brown powder. For this, it’s easiest to use an aegyosal -specific tool like Etude House’s Dear Girls Cute Eyes Maker (that’s seriously the name), which contains a highlighter and shader on opposite ends of a handy stick.
This mascara's not Korean; it’s Japanese, but it is loved by all. It wields some serious curling power and contains little fibers to lengthen the lashes. It's really waterproof, which means it’s not fun to take off, but you can apply it to the bottom lashes without any anxiety over it becoming a smudgefest.
In another effort to draw attention to the eyes, we need to minimize the face, and Vidi Vici’s Small Face Case makes that easy. The name is no joke, and neither is the case. The handy little compact contains a finishing powder, highlighter, blush, and shading powder. In the same year that Vidi Vici launched, its Small Face Case compact quickly rose to fame after appearing in the popular Korean drama, My Lovely Sam Soon, Korea’s version of Bridget Jones’ Diary. In it, Korean Bridget Jones manages to slim down her face via the Small Face Case.
Sweep on the finishing powder along the jawline and sides of the face to subtly contour. Use the highlighter on a small blending brush to highlight the forehead, bridge of the nose, Cupid’s bow, chin, and inner cheeks.
Since the face is a swirl of neutral and brown at this point, you need some color to rescue it from looking too sallow. Just a touch on the cheeks and lips is enough. Go multi-purpose with Skin Food’s Lip & Cheek balm, and rub a bit on the inner cheekbones. Avoid spreading it to the outer cheekbones, as that would break up the contouring achieved in the previous step.
Or try this lip tint that adjusts its color based on your lip's pH. No one will have a shade like it — and it'll flatter you like it was made for you.
Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Lost Identity Lip Tint, $18, available at Sephora.
Similar to Benefit's cult-favorite Benetint, this one from Peripera makes it easy to accentuate the center of your lips, as opposed to outlining your entire pout. Plus, the stains lasts and lasts.
Peripera Peri's Tint Winter, $12, available at Peach & Lily.
To finalize the look, I am in L-O-V-E with Dr. Jart+’s Ceramidin Oil Balm. First of all, it smells amazing. The scent is slightly herbal, but in a pretty, delicate way — like the kitten version of Tiger Balm.
Via a nifty little metal spatula, you can scrape out a pea-sized amount of the solid balm and rub it between your hands, where it instantly turns into oil from the heat. I like to rub for a few seconds, so my hands absorb some of the oil. Then, lightly press your hands on the cheeks and forehead to leave behind a soft, finishing glow.
But if pressing an oil onto the high points of your face is a little too greasy for your liking, a liquid highlighter will give a similarly dewy effect.
Too Cool for School Dinoplatz Pearl Bay Invasion Highlighter, $33, available at Sephora.
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It's hard enough being a working, breast-feeding mom, but if you're a breast-feeding mom who forgets part of her breast pump, things can easily go awry.
Today Show star and NBC meteorologist Dylan Dreyer recently went through this debacle when she forgot to bring bottles to pump breast milk into while at work. But Dreyer, being quick on her feet, readily improvised a solution with what she had: Paper cups.
A post shared by Dylan Dreyer (@dylandreyernbc) on
"When you forget bottles to pump into, you improvise," she wrote in the caption of a photo she shared on Instagram. "Hey...I'm proud of myself for making it to Friday before this happened! #workingmom#cantgetitrightallthetime"
As Dreyer wrote, balancing a career and a family isn't easy for anyone, and you can't get it right every time. But you can sometimes come up with genius solutions for the times when things don't exactly go your way.
From coming up with breast pump solutions to MacGyver-ingways to get some alone time, moms these days are killing it. Kudos to Dreyer for picking up her routine without a second thought.
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If you're into suspenseful, violent, over-the-top pimple popping videos — no shame. (And allow us to direct you to this slideshow.) For the rest of us — who also feel satisfaction from clean pores but might have a weaker stomach — blackhead-removal videos are the next best thing.
Ahead, find the very best slow-motion extraction videos the Internet has to offer. Whether these people are actually ripping out blackheads or just sebaceous filaments, you can't deny that there's something mesmerizing about the process. And, given the dangers of overly-aggressive pore strips and masks, better to derive pleasure from watching someone else attempt it than to try it yourself. Right?
Let the pore-sucking games begin.
This video has 1.5 million views, and for good reason. One commenter said it best: ‘The whole time I was like ohhh yessss girll ooohhh fuck yeeesss yes yes yes!’
Not quite satisfied? This video features even more gunk — and quite a few long curly facial hairs because... lunch time.
If you want to see what that drugstore Biore strip is really doing, check this out.
It's an epic drugstore strip showdown. Skip ahead to 6:06 for all the action.
Don’t watch this if you’ve eaten in the last 2 hours. You see every painful extraction happen, pore by pore.
Ever wondered what an extraction looks like under a microscope? It's your lucky day!
We definitely don't recommend covering your face in glue, but it's hard to look away from someone else doing it. (As evidenced by 29.7 million people who have tuned in to this broadcast.)
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The call came after Meyers asked whether the pair were really friends. The question is innocent enough — but these two are having too much fun together to be faking their relationship. "Is it because of my stone-cold heart?" Gyllenhaal joked about the skepticism. He explained that he didn't know Reynolds well before filming Life, but he considers him a "great dude."
To prove that they're really friends, Meyers asked Gyllenhaal to give his new bestie a FaceTime call. "Oh my god, please answer," Gyllenhaal joked. "Or don't if you're taking a bath or something."
At first, Reynolds didn't answer the call during the Late Night taping — but when Meyers went backstage to adjust his microphone, he returned Gyllenhaal's call. The actor took advantage of the opportunity, even without the host, stepping behind Meyers' desk and showing Reynolds' face to the audience to prove the call was real.
"Seth's not here, because he didn't believe we were friends," Gyllenhaal told Reynolds. The Deadpool star revealed that he was pushing a baby stroller during the call.
Meyers showed the clip during the episode, even though he wasn't a part of it — and he apologized for doubting the actors' bromance. Check out the hilarious clip below.
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Ever since the news came out almost a year ago that Scarlett Johansson would star in the live-action Ghost In The Shell adaptation, fans have implored both the movie and Hollywood in general to stop giving Asian roles to white actors. When Johansson was approached with these accusations, she was quick to justify the role by saying that it was actually a good thing because it was a franchise starring a female protagonist — so we should just focus on that. Now the original director of the anime movie, Mamoru Oshii, has come forward to say he also doesn't believe the upcoming adaptation is whitewashing.
"What issue could there possibly be with casting her?" he said in an email to IGN. "The Major is a cyborg and her physical form is an entirely assumed one. The name ‘Motoko Kusanagi’ and her current body are not her original name and body, so there is no basis for saying that an Asian actress must portray her."
This echos Johansson's comments to Marie Claire last month. "I certainly would never presume to play another race of a person," she said. "Diversity is important in Hollywood, and I would never want to feel like I was playing a character that was offensive."
Oshii actually took it one step further, saying that "even if her original body (presuming such a thing existed) were a Japanese one," her assumed physical form could still be played by anyone.
“Don’t these people have something better to do than to worry about the fact that Iron Fist isn’t Oriental, or whatever word?” he said. “I know Oriental isn’t the right word now, either.”
Nope, it's not! And if you're directing a movie with an already offensive premise that a white billionaire learns kung-fu to defeat actual Chinese people, that's the bare minimum of things you should keep in mind.
However, it kind of doesn't matter whether or not the people involved in these movies think there's an issue. If the movies keep offending people, it's time for Hollywood to listen.
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Subtitles can be annoying to deal with. Who wants to spend an hour that could be used mindlessly staring at a laptop screen, reading instead? Ugh, what a complete and utter burden. Except, Netflix’s new Spanish-language series Ingobernable is more than worth putting on your thinking cap to watch.
As someone who fell off the Homeland train and only wants to watch a White House drama if Scandal s abound, I wasn’t sure the Mexico-set series was for me (Read: prepare for spoilers now). Ingobernable follows the First Lady of the country, Emilia Urquiza, after a violent fight with her president husband leaves him dead and her the target of a national manhunt. Then I watched the first hour.
Premiere episode “The Decision” opens with Emilia (Kate Del Castillo) looking like a complete boss on a hotel balcony after deciding to divorce her politician husband, President Diego Nava (Erik Hayser). Diego eventually storms into the presidential suite to demand Emilia takes him back. When she doesn’t, he becomes abusive, throwing her against a wall, dragging her down a set of stairs, and trying to pin her down on a bed. Throughout the entire ordeal, Emilia fights back and even holds a gun at her husband for protection.
Every single second is breathless for the viewer.
Once Emilia and Diego end up on the balcony, it’s clear someone is about to go over. Since the entire series is about Emilia, the casualty is, of course, Diego, who falls to his death onto an SUV below. Yet, there’s a twist. The Urquiza-Nava’s gun was left on a bed during the bloody scuffle, but when Emilia wakes up, it’s been placed in her hand. She’s clearly has no recollection of shooting her husband or pushing him off the balcony.
So begins the real drama of Ingobernable as Emilia hides from the people who apparently framed her for Diego’s murder, along with the actual Mexican government, which understandably believes she was involved in a presidential assassination. There’s an elaborate hotel escape, a random Secret Service agent gets shot, and Emilia has to perform surgery on herself — and that’s just in the first two episodes. Everything is intense and claustrophobic in the best way possible.
Since only the first three episodes of Ingobernable were released to the press, I’ll be binging away on this addictive series throughout the weekend. You should probably join me, subtitles and all.
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To some, the term “elope” still conjures images of hasty lovers stumbling into clandestine chapels, or frugal pairs looking to save a few pennies on the guest list.
But elopements have changed.
Today, they’ve become an intimate alternative to a traditional wedding, where the details matter less than the vows being exchanged. No longer taboo, eloping is an incredibly romantic and wild way for adventurous couples to profess their love in some of the most stunning destinations around the world. Here are some of our favorite romantic places to sneak away to say "I do."
(Note: Be sure to check out the local embassy’s marriage requirements and restrictions before eloping in a foreign country.)
Provence, France
When you think elopements, it's this region that may be one of the first to come to mind — picturesque Provence in the South of France is known for its culture, wine, and romance.
Photo: Courtesy of le Mas de la Rose.
Provence, France(Continued)
Le Mas de la Rose is a country-chic estate that is perfect for elopement ceremonies — or any kind of romantic retreats. (That may be why we've even spied a few elopement photo shoots on the web that happened there.) Stroll through the olive groves and enjoy world-class wine as you celebrate your union in style.
Photo: Courtesy of le Mas de la Rose.
The Seychelles
These 115 tropical islands in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa, are basically the definition of paradise. Most of the hotels offer wedding packages, and the islands host many destination weddings and elopements year-round. Plus, getting hitched here is hassle-free: All you need to do is bring your birth certificate and check into your Seychelles hotel two days before saying "I do," according to Lonely Planet.
Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Seychelles.
The Seychelles(Continued)
At the Four Seasons Seychelles, you can have the barefoot-on-the-beach wedding you've always dreamed of. Check into one of the exclusive treehouse villas, enjoy the ocean views, and let the staff do the rest. The resort has a seriously affordable wedding package — and the Four Seasons staff will even help you coordinate your paperwork.
Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Seychelles.
Lake Tahoe, NV
Obviously, Vegas is the no-brainer way to go for elopements — getting a marriage license in Nevada is exceedingly simple. But if all the cheesy hoopla isn't for you, head upstate to Lake Tahoe, where it's quieter and more picturesque. If you're looking for a winter getaway, elope on the ski slopes. And Lake Tahoe's crystal-clear water is gorgeous in the summer. Be sure to check out scenic Emerald Bay State Park, an iconic spot and a popular place for small weddings.
Photo: Courtesy of Edgewood Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe, NV(Continued)
Edgewood Tahoe is the perfect elopement hotel — its outdoor deck overlooks the lake and its wedding specialists can help you with anything you need. The classic Western lodge style is quintessential Lake Tahoe.
Photo: Courtesy of Edgewood Tahoe.
Fiji
Welcome to paradise. Elopement paradise. Fiji is known as the wedding capital of the South Pacific, so you won't lack choice when it comes to venues. Many of the resorts across its 300-plus islands offer wonderful all-inclusive elopement-package deals. Whether you're looking for a simple, barefoot-on-the-beach ceremony or a luxe private-island escape such as Turtle Island (where scenes from the Blue Lagoon were filmed), you'll find something to love.
Photo: Courtesy of Matangi Private Island Resort.
Fiji(Continued)
Matangi Private Island Resort offers an all-inclusive wedding package for about $1,000. In addition to a ceremony and reception, it even includes floral leis for the couple and a Fijian choir. After your rum-punch-filled reception, you can retire to your private treehouse, complete with an outdoor Jacuzzi. And good news: A Fiji marriage license is legally accepted worldwide.
Photo: Courtesy of Matangi Private Island Resort.
Corsica, France This mountainous Mediterranean island offers beaches, hiking trails, some of the most interesting and complicated wine in the world, and plenty of romantic hideaways. If that doesn't spell elopement, we don't know what does.
Photo: Courtesy of U Capu Biancu.
Corsica, France(Continued) From the U Capu Biancu website: "Yes, a delightful vacation home: elegant and colourful, rich yet discrete. One that you long for when winter pales the landscape, and dream of from the first breath of spring. Distanced from hustle and bustle by a long asphalt drive, hidden away in the flowery, sweet-scented maquis. Built above the sea whose gentle rocking it watches, full and tender. A dwelling place that gladly opens its doors to travellers in search of serenity and of reminiscence." That sounds heavenly to us.
Photo: Courtesy of U Capu Biancu.
Calistoga, California For some romance among the vines, visit upper Napa Valley's Calistoga. Winery tours and outdoor activities — from biking to bocce ball to hot-air balloons — abound. And can you think of a more romantic place to elope than in a canyon among ancient oaks?
Photo: Courtesy of Calistoga Ranch.
Calistoga, California(Continued) If you're looking for a resort that offers an elopement package (translation: less work for you), you'll love Calistoga Ranch. Its package for up to 10 guests includes an officiant, a photographer, hair and makeup, flowers, a cake, and more. After you say your vows and celebrate with your nearest and dearest, you can enjoy the resort's private vineyard and hiking trails. Another bonus? Stay here and enjoy free use of a Mercedes-Benz (great for a getaway car).
Photo: Courtesy of Calistoga Ranch.
Hepburn Springs, Australia If you're going off the grid for your elopement, why not go all the way Down Under? Tiny Hepburn Springs is a resort town just over an hour from Melbourne that's well-known for its local mineral springs and spa retreats. Couple's massage, anyone?
Photo: Courtesy of Clifftop at Hepburn.
Hepburn Springs, Australia(Continued) Clifftop at Hepburn is a romantic retreat with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of the surrounding pine forest. Sip Champagne in the lavish private spa or relax by the fireplace as you toast to each other.
Photo: Courtesy of Clifftop at Hepburn.
Montreal, Canada What's more romantic than strolling the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal together? Brush up on your French and retreat north to this charming city. Be aware that the law in Quebec requires you to announce your intent to marry 20 days ahead of time. Also, because Canada's more progressive than us, both spouses keep their last names by law.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel William Gray.
Montreal, Canada(Continued) The sleek, half-Old World, half-modern Hotel William Gray has the perfect roof terrace for small elopement ceremonies — plus a gorgeous interior garden. You can't beat that view of Old Montreal!
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel William Gray.
Tulum, Mexico This eco-chic beachside retreat is prime elopement territory, with its secluded beaches, romantic cocktail bars, and tranquil vibe. Hold your ceremony beachside and then clink glasses to celebrate at a boho-luxe spot like Posada Margherita.
Photo: Courtesy of Amansala.
Tulum, Mexico(Continued) In one word, Amansala Eco-Chic Resort + Retreat is chill. So it's the perfect place to stay if you're eloping in Tulum. Sit back and watch the rolling waves, do some beach yoga (there are daily classes and Tulum is a yoga hub), and get ready to make your friends back home jealous with your Instagrams...
Photo: Courtesy of Amansala.
Eastern Shore, Maryland The tiny town of St. Michaels on Maryland's lovely, quaint Eastern shore is an ideal quiet getaway. You can go sailing, crabbing, or digging for antiques — and hold a private and picturesque elopement ceremony.
Photo: Courtesy of The Inn at Perry Cabin.
Eastern Shore, Maryland(Continued) The Inn at Perry Cabin seems tailor-made for elopements. Say your vows underneath the tree canopy; then walk out to the dock and take some unforgettable photos as the sailboats go by. As evening sets in, relax in side-by-side Adirondack chairs and watch the sunset. Don't forget to put Old Bay on your fries — it's a local must.
Photo: Courtesy of The Inn at Perry Cabin.
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands One of the quietest getaways on Earth, St. John has very little traffic and commotion. It's the perfect place to elope thanks to its pristine beaches, jungle hideaways, and private romantic corners. You can also snorkel or explore historic sites together.
Photo: Courtesy of Sea Shore Allure.
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands(Continued) St. John is full of secluded resorts like Sea Shore Allure, which amazes with its breathtaking views and features a poolside tiki bar, a rooftop hot tub, and plenty of sweet in-room amenities. Romantic bliss, here you come.
Photo: Courtesy of Sea Shore Allure.
Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina Argentina's famous wine-making region is the ultimate romantic getaway. Taste rich Malbecs, ride horseback, and gaze at the stunning views together.
Photo: Courtesy of The Vines Resort & Spa.
Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina(Continued) Nestled at the base of the Andes Mountains, The Vines Resort & Spa offers outdoor adventures, total relaxation, and, of course, plenty of wine-tasting. You can even make your own custom small-batch wine as a couple — to symbolize the start of your new union.
Photo: Courtesy of The Vines Resort & Spa.
Kennebunkport, Maine Picturesque Maine promises cool weather and delicious seafood for your elopement. Kennebunkport, a town on the southern coast, is a popular summer destination for New Englanders. For a beachy elopement that doesn't send you to the tropics, consider sealing the deal here.
Photo: Getty Images.
Kennebunkport, Maine(Continued) The all-inclusive Hidden Pond resort, just minutes away from the beach, is designed for absolute R&R. Among the forests of Maine, you'll feel secluded in a northern paradise. Dine at Earth, a "farm-to-fork" restaurant situated in the middle of the resort. After dinner, enjoy a massage at the tree spa. Still looking to relax? The main cabin hosts s'mores by the campfire every night.
Photo: Courtesy of Hidden pond resort.
Varenna, Italy A Lake Como gem, this tiny village offers all of the charms — without the tourist madness. Stroll along the rocky coastline, enjoy dinner alfresco, and explore the gardens and old churches. There are plenty of hidden nooks and crannies for a romantic rendezvous, too.
Photo: Getty Images.
Varenna, Italy(Continued) Hotel Du Lac is a charming villa where you can sit by the fireplace, relax lakeside with some cocktails, and take in the sparkling blues and greens of Lake Como. Oh, and did we mention that it's pink?
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Du Lac.
Temecula, California If you're looking to unwind — and enjoy endless wine-tasting — consider Temecula, the heart of Southern California's wine country. You can elope at one of the private, secluded wineries, or perhaps on a hot-air balloon — and if you're there in early June, be sure to check out The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival.
Photo: Getty Images.
Temecula, California(Continued) At the Temecula Creek Inn, you can enjoy a private getaway among the vineyards. After a long, exhausting day of touring the wine country (Poor you!), luxuriate in a well-deserved in-room massage.
Courtesy of Temecula Creek Inn.
Big Sur, California There's nothing quite like the experience of driving the Pacific Coast Highway through magical Big Sur. Whether you're headed north toward San Francisco or south toward L.A., you'll find another breathtaking scene around every mountainous curve.
Photo: Courtesy of Ventana Inn & Spa.
Big Sur, California(Continued) Stay — and wed — at the adults-only Ventana Inn & Spa, located right off the Pacific Coast Highway. Rustic-chic rooms and suites are outfitted with a range of amenities, from working fireplaces to private outdoor hot tubs. You'll be surrounded by mountains, woods, and the sea in every direction. Retreat to the world-class spa or dip your toes into one of the inn's two pools (one of which is clothing-optional).
Photo: Courtesy of Ventana Inn & Spa.
Big Sur, California(Continued) Take your vows as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean behind you, then indulge in a romantic moonlit dinner at Ventana's excellent on-site restaurant. Don't feel like walking back to your room? Call for a golf cart to take you.
Photo: Courtesy of Ventana Inn & Spa.
Aarhus, Denmark Explore the cobbled streets of Aarhus, the second-largest city in Denmark, and a hive of Scandinavian culture. The city, which embodies Danish charm, is brimming with art, architecture, and fabulous cuisine. (Caffeine lovers, pay attention: Aarhus has particularly good coffee.) Visit one of its many art museums or plan your elopement around the Aarhus International Jazz Festival. For those who also want a bit of beach therapy, fear not: The southern coastline of the city has beaches to offer.
Photo: Getty Images.
Aarhus, Denmark(Continued) For proper intake of Aarhus's many features, you'll need to be near the city's center. Enjoy a view of the beaches from the Marselis Hotel, which is conveniently located just 10 minutes away from bustling downtown. Take a walking tour of the city or rent bikes and take to the city on wheels. At the end of the day, take an evening walk along the beach.
Photo: Getty Images.
Malta The Mediterranean sea is calling your name. More specifically, the picturesque island smack dab in the center of the Mediterranean sea is calling your name. This archipelago has a few urban centers, but is otherwise relatively undeveloped. Check out Comino, an island on the Blue Lagoon, which doesn't allow cars. The Blue Lagoon itself is an attraction — the waters are an astounding shade of azure.
Photo: Getty Images.
Malta(Continued) Lovers looking to escape can even stay on Comino at the Comino Hotel. The hotel, which is the only resort on the island, will keep you safely ensconced from the real world. The resort is fairly isolated, so you'll have to take a boat to your residence. But what's more romantic than a boat ride to a private island?
Photo: Courtesy of Comino Hotel.
Tamil Nadu, India Sneak away to this state at the southern tip of India, which houses a generous array of temples for you and your soon-to-be spouse to enjoy. Trek to Thanjavur, a city near the coast, where the Great Living Chola Temples await. When the temples grow tiring, escape to one of Tamil Nadu's many beaches, where you can enjoy fresh seafood with the customary south Indian spice.
Photo: Getty Images.
Tamil Nadu, India(Continued) The Ideal River View Resort in Thanjavur will seat you at the mouth of the Cauvery river. The two of you can enjoy an Ayurvedic massage at the resort, or just lie on the private beach. When the rest makes you restless, venture to the Vijayanagar fort, an impressive stone structure that houses the Tanjore Palace.
Photo: Courtesy of Ideal River View Resort.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic White-sand beaches and calm turquoise seas: If you've always fantasized about getting hitched on your own private island, you can't do much better than Punta Cana. Be sure to plan a trip to Playa Grande, one of the area’s most popular spots, and if you've got time to explore, island-hop to nearby gems like Saona and Catalina.
Photo: Getty Images.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic(Continued) Want to invite your entire extended family along for the ride? Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana offers the perfect mix of all-inclusive ease and luxury accommodations — and you can even get slimed, if that's what you're into. Book one of the five-star resort's 1,300-square-foot Pool Super Villas for the ultimate tropical escape: the bells and whistles include a private infinity pool, outdoor shower and tub, and butler service.
The Smoky Mountains Lovers of the great outdoors can retreat to one of our country’s finest sights: the Smoky Mountains. This eastern National Park, which straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, will keep your nuptials covert under the Appalachian forestry. Looking for some time alone? You’ve got it — just be sure to watch out for the black bears that frequent the area.
Photo: Getty Images.
The Smoky Mountains(Continued) The tallest peak in the park, Mount Le Conte, rises in 5,301 feet from base to summit. Break a sweat on the hike up, then rest in the Le Conte Lodge. In 1934, Pauline and Jack Huff married atop the mountain and began operating a hotel from its peak. Today, the lodge is maintained by a hospitality service, but it has retained its family-run charm. After celebrating your marriage with a hike, cuddle up in a one-room cabin, and dine on family-style meals in the main lodge.
Napa Valley, California Wine country is known for being rustic, charming, and quaint, so why not have a small Napa wedding ceremony to match?
Photo: Getty Images.
Napa Valley, California(Continued) Milliken Creek Inn and Spa has beautiful gardens where you can hold your intimate service. And since eloping is all about avoiding the stress of planning and paying for a big wedding, why not take your relaxation to the new level with pampering at the spa and unwind with a two-day stay in the historic inn.
Napa Valley, California(Continued) While in Napa, make sure to take advantage of the best wine in the country. Take a tour of one of the area's 400 wineries and do a taste-testing with your lover. You can even get a bird's eye view of the landscape from a hot air balloon.
Photo: Getty Images.
New York, New York The Big Apple could be the ideal city for your small or last-minute wedding. With an endless number of urban, natural, and historic spaces, there are hundreds of locations to stage your ceremony and post-nuptial celebrations, solo or with a group.
Photo: Getty Images.
New York, New York(Continued) One classic New York location that never goes out of style is Central Park. If you have fewer than 20 guests, you aren’t even required to purchase a permit to hold your ceremony there. And the park is filled with a variety of quaint bridges, gazebos, and fountains that serve as an idyllic backdrop for your vows.
Photo: Getty Images.
New York, New York(Continued) New York also has pockets of romance around virtually every corner. Kiss your new spouse atop the Empire State Building, à la Sleepless in Seattle, or admire the dreamy views of the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Photo: Getty Images.
Maui, Hawaii Hawaii has long been a popular spot for honeymooners, so why not get a jump on things by exchanging your vows right there in the Aloha State? The most popular island for eloping couples is Maui, as it offers a variety of location options from breathtaking white sand beaches to historic churches.
Photo: Getty Images.
Maui, Hawaii(Continued) You can say “I do” on Makena Cove in South Maui. Also known as “Secret Beach,” it’s the perfect spot for an intimate ceremony. Beautiful sunsets against the crystal blue water make for a dream backdrop.
Photo: Getty Images.
Maui, Hawaii(Continued) In the same secluded area near Makena stands a historic and quintessentially Hawaiian church. Founded in 1832, Keawalai Church is a small and beautiful seaside chapel ideal for a short and sweet ceremony before your tropical honeymoon begins.
Photo: Getty Images.
Monte-Carlo, Monaco What could be more romantic than eloping to the French Riviera? Well, possibly this: As we recently reported, the Hotel Metropole in Monte-Carlo has launched an incredibly unique underwater wedding package, complete with festive diving gear, an officiant of your choosing, and a Champagne-laden reception. Take the plunge as a team of two, or invite up to 22 guests to join you as you say "I do" under the sea.
Da Nang, Vietnam Vietnam's fifth-largest city is also one of its most picturesque, with scenic beaches, stunning mountains, and close proximity to several UNESCO world heritage sites. Da Nang tends to attract fewer tourists than Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but that's part of its appeal for couples looking for a private escape.
Photo: Getty Images.
Da Nang, Vietnam(Continued) The award-winning InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula offers extreme luxury and a private beachfront locale, with plenty of stunning spots to exchange vows.
Kenya, Africa If you're looking to take your vows in one of the most magical, spectacular regions of the world, Kenya should be on your radar. The culture is rich and vibrant, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and it might be your best chance at saying "I do" with a giraffe as your witness.
Photo: Getty Images.
Kenya, Africa(Continued) Want to take wedding pictures with Mount Kilimanjaro or the Indian Ocean in the background? You can. You could also head out on safari and spend your wedding day with lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros, and elephants; all five "big game" animals call Kenya home. Or, just hole up at a high-end resort like Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel on Shanzu Beach and let the staff coordinate all the details. Whatever you choose, this is one trip you'll never forget.
Bled, Slovenia Not only does the country literally have love in its name, but the storybook village of Bled is one of the few destinations around the world with a romantic tradition just as beautiful as the scenery that surrounds it.
Photo: Getty Images.
Bled, Slovenia(Continued) In the middle of the town is a lake; in the middle of the lake is a small island; and on the middle of the island is a tiny church, perched high above the water.
Photo: Getty Images.
Bled, Slovenia(Continued) Local tradition calls for grooms to carry their bride up the steep 99 steps to ring the wishing bell inside the Church of the Assumption of Mary, before heading back across the lake in a wooden gondola to share a slice of Bled cream cake on the veranda at the Grand Hotel Toplice.
Tokyo, Japan Think the irony of planning a private ceremony in the most populous metropolitan area in the world is lost on us? Not quite. Tokyo is a city of contrasts; it’s at once ancient and new, imperial and rustic, quirky and traditional, urban and pastoral.
Photo: Getty Images.
Tokyo, Japan(Continued) It’s a city where almost anything can happen, from climbing 52 stories to say your vows at the highest stand-alone chapel in the city, to attending a robot wedding, to saying “I do” under an umbrella of pink petals during hanami (cherry blossom) season.
Photo: Getty Images.
Park City, Utah Utah’s lax legislation on marriage restrictions makes it a piece of cake to elope there, and it doesn’t hurt that the state also offers some of the most romantic landscapes and unique activities in the country.
Photo: Getty Images.
Park City, Utah(Continued) It may be known as a ski resort town, but the slopes around Park City make a picturesque backdrop for a romantic celebration at any time of year.
Photo: Getty Images.
Park City, Utah(Continued) Opt for a small private ceremony atop Bald Mountain at the breathtaking Deer Valley Resort (accessible via chairlift). Or, exchange vows inside a mountain at the Homestead Crater, before taking a romantic full-moon lift ride up the peak at night. Either way, the beauty of eloping is that you won't have to share the cake!
Gretna Green, Scotland This little village in the south of Scotland is the unofficial birthplace of eloping. Couples have been running off to make their bond legal in this village since the mid 1700s, when marriage restrictions in England prompted couples to cross the Scottish border to become husband and wife.
Photo: Getty Images.
Gretna Green, Scotland(Continued) The phrase “running away to Gretna Green” has been used in romantic literature for centuries, and it’s easy to see that the town’s charming pastoral scenes make a great romantic backdrop for any love story.
Photo: Getty Images.
Sydney, Australia Despite housing a population of roughly 4.8 million people, this harbor city has an undeniably intimate and remote vibe.
Photo: Getty Images.
Sydney, Australia(Continued) Maybe it’s the more than 20 hours you have to spend on a plane to get there, or maybe it’s the romantic hidden gems to be found throughout the city.
Photo: Getty Images.
Sydney, Australia(Continued) From the dreamlike QT Sydney Hotel, whimsical custom picnics, starry-eyed outdoor cinemas, and hard to reach heights of the city, it doesn’t get much better than fleeing to the secluded shores of Sydney for a one-of-a-kind escape.
Turks & Caicos Part of the genius of eloping on Turks and Caicos is that it forces you to stay put in paradise. This British territory requires couples to be on the island at least three days before saying "I do," and then pauses their return for three more days after the vows to process the marriage license.
Photo: Getty Images.
Turks & Caicos(Continued) That’s six days of “required relaxation” and beachy bliss. Consider it the island’s elopement gift to you.
Photo: Getty Images.
Turks & Caicos(Continued) Not sure how to fill your time during your mandatory exile? Might we suggest taking a sunset horseback ride along the beach, spending the day on a secluded island, or even extending your stay to enjoy a free night at The Somerset on Grace Bay with their romance package?
Photo: Getty Images.
Cusco, Peru Seal your sacred vows high in the heart of the Andes near the Sacred Valley, in Peru’s crowning city of Cusco.
Photo: Getty Images.
Cusco, Peru(Continued) The city is gilded with romantic gems for couples, including the chance to drift to sleep above ancient Incan ruins in the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco, watch the lamplights flicker on after dusk at the Plaza de Armas, sip coca leaf-infused cocktails at Limo, or even take a day trip to explore the ruins of Machu Picchu.
Bali, Indonesia Boasting breathtaking sunsets, lush landscapes, and a vibrant local culture, Bali has long been regarded as one of the most romantic destinations in the world.
Photo: Getty Images.
Bali, Indonesia(Continued) It’s here that couples can get lost together among the butterflies and rice fields at the Campuhan Ridge Walk, bathe in a pool of 500 red roses at the Spa on the Rocks, take a flavorful journey through Indonesia’s finest ingredients above the Valley of the Kings at the Cascade Restaurant, and stroll around the temple gardens at the Taman Ayun Temple ( pictured).
Photo: Getty Images.
Tremezzina, Italy Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe, the stunning scenery alone is enough to make anyone fall in love with this Italian lakefront village on Lake Como.
Photo: Getty Images.
Tremezzina, Italy(Continued) The Grand Hotel Tremezzo makes it easy for soon-to-be spouses to immerse themselves in la dolce vita. Offering some of the most amazing accommodations in the area, the hotel is without a doubt the best place to book a romantic stay while in town.
Tremezzina, Italy(Continued) There, couples can watch the sun set while sipping Prosecco on a private boat tour, relax in a private spa room for customized couples treatments, and luxuriate in plush robes on a private terrace overlooking Lake Como in the romantic Suite Maria.
Photo: Getty Images.
Salzburg, Austria Salzburg is steeped in romance and history, from the glistening waters below in the Salzach River to the spectacular spires towering above the city on the Fortress Hohensalzburg.
Photo: Getty Images.
Salzburg, Austria(Continued) The city set the scene for The Sound of Music more than 50 years ago, but today it's the perfect storybook setting for couples to write their own romantic tale. Spend the day meandering beneath Baroque architecture, tasting your way through the city’s numerous breweries, or cycling among the natural lakes and soaring mountains on the Tauernradweg cycle path.
Photo: Getty Images.
London, United Kingdom If London hasn’t already seduced you, it will as soon as you disembark the plane. London is one of the most inspiring cities of all time, acting as the birthplace for some of the most romantic writers of all time, from John Keats to Lord Byron.
Photo: Getty Images.
London, United Kingdom(Continued) In fact, English poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning chose London's St. Marylebone Parish Church for their elopement back in 1846.
Photo: Getty Images.
London, United Kingdom(Continued) From choosing a bouquet at the Columbia Road Flower Market to renting a rowboat in Hyde Park before heading to afternoon tea at The Goring Hotel (where Kate Middleton spent the night before her wedding), London offers a poetic start to any eternal romance.
New Orleans, Louisiana Though often thought of as a party capital, New Orleans is also one of the most amorous cities in America.
Photo: Getty Images.
New Orleans, Louisiana(Continued) Spend the morning splitting beignets at Café Du Monde, steal a kiss on a streetcar, make a wish in the Jackson Square fountain, and rendezvous at Café Amelie for a secluded courtyard dinner. Then, snuggle into a booth on Frenchman Street for some live jazz before returning to the ethereally elegant Windsor Court Hotel for a late-night custom cocktail and a four-diamond night’s sleep.
Photo: Getty Images.
Niagara Falls, Canada Located right on the U.S.-Canada border (between New York and Ontario), Niagara Falls may bring to mind cheesy, '70s-style wedding suites, but don't buy into that. A number of cute chapels not far from the Falls do offer quickie weddings, but today you can elope in style. We recommend heading to nearby Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, for your I Dos.
Photo: Getty Images.
Niagara Falls, Canada(Continued) Niagara-On-The-Lake is a bit like stepping back in time — the heart of the town is its downtown historic district, which is full of of well preserved 19th century buildings. In addition to its close proximity to the Falls, it's also a short drive to Ontario's wine country. Book your stay at 124 on Queen, where the staff will happily coordinate the details of your elopement. Or, make like Jim and Pam, and take your vows aboard the Maid of the Mist.
Photo: Getty Images.
St. Lucia, The West Indies Need a Caribbean vacation? Escape to Saint Lucia, the sovereign island nestled among the Lesser Antilles. Brimming with wildlife and beaches galore, the vacation spot is just secluded enough for a clandestine wedding. Drive through (yes, through) a volcano at Sulphur Springs, hike the "twin" mountains Gros Piton and Petit Piton, and get to know the cacao farming process at The Rabot Estate.
Photo: Getty Images.
St. Lucia, West Indies(Continued) Experience both history and luxury in a renovated 18th-century sugar mill called The Balenbouche Estate. The property provides breakfast every morning and access to the island's plentiful sights. The estate features a private private as well as a yoga barn, where you can take class in the mornings. When you're done relaxing (as if that ever happens), venture to the Tet Paul Nature Trail, which runs through an organic farm.
This story was originally published on January 26, 2017.
If there’s one tradition that hasn’t been uprooted in this Trump presidency, it’s the one surrounding the First Lady’s wardrobe. Most first ladies have historically laid low when it came to broadcasting strong political views, opting for subtle cues, instead. Michelle Obama was the primo example of that. We’ve written before about the innumerable ways that she used her clothing to communicate values, like inclusivity, globalism, and supporting small businesses. Those efforts often translated into lucrative opportunities for the designers whose work she wore, too. During the Obama presidency, any time that the fashion industry and FLOTUS converged, the benefits were felt across both The White House and the retail floor.
How First Lady Melania Trump and the fashion industry converge in this new world order presents a complicated problem for Melania, who wants to be seen as stylish, and the fashion industry, which wants to avoid controversy. As a former model and fashion insider, Melania is the very picture of a put-together first lady, and she is personally liked by some designers and critics. But her connection to an administration that the fashion industry has by-and-large denounced has created tension between them. Designers and the brands they represent are questioning whether it’s worth it to promote their own clothing if and when she wears it. Given the foreseeable fallout — brand credibility, the potential for boycotts — the stakes are high. Which leaves them with another possibility: not engaging with her at all. For the next four years, we'll attempt to measure whether this non-engagement becomes an enduring aspect of her tenure, by keeping tabs on whether designers and brands decline to self-promote when FLOTUS wears their wares.
To understand why this is such a big deal for brands, it helps to understand how a first lady usually receives the clothes she wears in the first place. For official events like state visits or balls, designers often offer clothing as a gift, which the first lady would accept on behalf of the U.S. government. After she wears them, all gift pieces are stored by the National Archives as historical artifacts — not in her closet.
First ladies also do not “borrow” clothing the same way that celebrities do for red carpets, since that could lead to questions of ethics, becoming a liability for POTUS. Anything that isn’t a gift is typically purchased out-of-pocket — and not using federal, tax-collected funds. Nevertheless, any First Lady Moment is typically a big press moment, and PR agencies will immediately blast out press releases about her outfit to fashion media following an event.
Judging from appearances on the campaign trail and her short time as FLOTUS, it seems that Melania has had a far smaller circle of designers willing to work with her on custom “gifts” than Michelle Obama. She worked with former Carolina Herrera creative director Herve Pierre on her inaugural gown and Ralph Lauren on her Inauguration Day suit. She has also tapped into indie designers, like Alice Roi and Norisol Ferrari for other daytime events. During the campaign, she purchased the majority of her clothing, which has left certain liberal designers, including Roksanda Ilincic in tough positions. While some designers have answered questions from the press for articles about their pieces, the brands themselves have opted out of sending the typical PR email blasts and have avoided sharing images on their social media accounts. This stark lack of press — a black hole — is unprecedented in modern coverage of a woman in the White House.
Because of Melania’s intimate connection to Trump and his politics — and because she’s never given any reason for us to think otherwise — it’s impossible to separate what Melania stands for from what Donald does. And in many ways, fashion designers are finding that they have to wrestle with the same kind of guilt by association. When Melania purchases designers' products and wears them, it sullies the image: At worst, it can come across as a passive endorsement of Trump’s politics. At best, it’s confusing for brands that make progressiveness and inclusivity part of their mission. Either way, the easiest tactic for brands to take is one that Melania herself has perfected: staying silent.
To see if Melania’s fashion PR black hole exists in the first place, and if so, how big it grows, we’re going to keep tabs on what she wears during her husband's administration and whether the brands themselves actively disengage with self-promotion. We consider emailed PR blasts as publicity, as well as tweets and Instagrams from brands' official accounts. Where appropriate, we will note if designers and brand representatives have given interviews to media about the looks, which we do not consider self-promotion, but is important to note nonetheless. Ahead, take a look at the changing relationship (or lack thereof) between the First Lady and the fashion industry.
March 17, 2017 — No Press About Alice Roi Coat Melania returned to Alice Roi for a recent trip to Mar-a-Lago with a red coat-dress. Despite a comeback announcement in 2014, Alice Roi does not have current product in online stores. There was no emailed press announcement nor social posts about Melania's outfit (but the last dispatch from an Alice Roi account was three weeks ago, on Instagram).
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.
February 28, 2017 — Some Press About Michael Kors Suit Melania Trump chose a black, embroidered suit and skirt set to wear to President Trump's first speech to the joint session of Congress. Though Michael Kors did not administer a press release nor social media promotion of the outfit, Kors issued a statement to various publications that complimented Melania for her style, but made it clear that FLOTUS purchased the suit herself: “Mrs. Trump has been a long time client at our New York boutique. She has a keen understanding of what works best for her and her lifestyle. My embroidered black suit reflects the streamlined glamour that she is known for.”
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.
February 18, 2017 — No Press About Alexander McQueen Dress The Alexander McQueen brand did not issue a press release about this fit-and-flare red dress Trump wore to a rally in Melbourne, Florida. The brand did not post on social media either.
While Alexander McQueen has been conservative about promoting when celebrities wear the label (it has mainly stuck to posts about red carpet appearances that the brand has had a hand in styling), it has acknowledged instances where Michelle Obama wore the brand on Twitter.
Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images.
February 15, 2017 — No Press About Karl Lagerfeld Suit Karl Lagerfeld's eponymous label did not send out a press release nor post on social media about the double-breasted skirt suit Trump wore to greet the Netanyahus at The White House.
Separately, Lagerfeld gave an interview in the Wall Street Journal that mentioned Melania ("Mrs. Trump is a very nice woman and pretty handsome. Good body, no?"), but did not bring up whether he would be happy to dress her in either Chanel nor his own namesake label.
Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty Images.
February 11, 2017 — No Press About Calvin Klein Dress And Cardigan Calvin Klein did not issue press releases, nor post on social media about the cashmere dress and cardigan set that Melania Trump wore to tour the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens with the prime minister of Japan's wife, Azie Abe.
It should be noted that this dress is from Francisco Costa's era at Calvin Klein, and since the label went through a rebranding under Raf Simons, it has primarily focused on promoting its own campaigns over celebrity outfits.
Photo: GASTON DE CARDENAS/AFP/Getty Images.
February 10, 2017 — No Press About Michael Kors Outfit Trump wore a Michael Kors button-up and white trousers to arrive at Mar-a-Lago with Shinzo Abe. The brand is typically generous with press releases on celebrity dressing and posting on social media, but did not engage in this case.
The same day, the sent a tweet celebrating a Michael Kors look worn by Kerry Washington, who's been a vocal about her opposition to Donald Trump.
Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images.
February 4, 2017 — No Press About Dior Dress Melanie wore a bright-pink Dior gown to attend the Red Cross Ball at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. Dior did not issue a formal emailed press release, and the dress did not show up in Dior’s various social media updates. Michelle Obama did not wear Dior during her time as First Lady, so we weren’t able to compare Dior's tactics about publicizing non-Hollywood celebrities.
But, take this as you will: Dior did recently repost an image of Rihanna in its “We Should All Be Feminists” shirt, which many of their fans saw as an endorsement of Rihanna’s anti-Trump, pro-women stance.
Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images.
February 3, 2017 — No Press About Givenchy Dress Givenchy has not confirmed whether Melania’s split-sleeved red dress is their design, but it’s widely believed that the dress that Melania wore to travel to Mar-a-Lago for Donald Trump’s first weekend vacation was Givenchy. If so, this dress marks a return to the European luxury designers she favored during the campaign (Melania favored American designers during the first blitz of outings surrounding the inauguration).
As such, Givenchy has not done any press about this moment either. As a point of comparison, the brand frequently publicized Michelle Obama whenever she wore the brand.
Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images.
January 21, 2017 — No Press About Alice Roi Coat Melania wore an Alice Roi coat to the National Prayer Service at The National Cathedral. Roi gave an interview with WWD, which confirmed that she and Trump are friends, and are planning on working together in the future. Said Roi, "We’ve already begun to design other pieces together. We made a few more she hasn’t worn yet. I expect to dress her all the time."
That said, Alice Roi did not update her Instagram since her last post on January 14, with images of Melania, even though she has posted pictures of other celebrities wearing her clothes. Her Twitter is not active.
Photo: Olivier Douliery/Pool/Bloomberg.
January 20, 2017 — Some Press About Hervé Pierre Gown The former creative director of Carolina Herrera, Hervé Pierre, created the custom dress for Melania Trump to wear during the Inauguration ball. This is the first time Pierre has created an item under his own name, which he disclosed to WWD, Harper's Bazaar, and The New York Times. He does not have a formal press team, nor an official Instagram account.
Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images.
January 20, 2017 — No Press About Ralph Lauren Suit Ralph Lauren confirmed to multiple outlets that it dressed Melania Trump for the Inauguration (and also dressed Hillary Clinton), but did not comment further. The brand did not send out a press release, nor did it post on Twitter nor Instagram. Though the brand consistently posts photos of celebrities wearing its clothing, it has not traditionally engaged with press around members of politics.
Ralph Lauren has already seen a backlash, as some of its customers called for a boycott. But, some outlets are reporting that Ralph Lauren's stock has risen since the inauguration.
Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Pool/Getty Images.
January 19, 2017 — Some Press About Reem Acra Dress Melania chose a shimmering gold dress by Lebanese-born, New York-based designer Reem Acra to a dinner at Union Station the evening before the inauguration.
Although Reem Acra's PR agency, Purple PR, sent out blasts about celebrities who wore Acra to The People's Choice Awards just the week prior, Purple PR has remained largely silent about Melania, and sent no emails. The design house instagrammed an image of Melania accompanied by the caption, "The First Lady of the United States. #ReemAcra," and received over a thousand comments both in extreme support and rebuke. In contrast, the previous post of a lookbook image received just 30 comments. The brand has been retweeting various articles featuring the dress, including an article by Allure that mistakenly attributed Reem Acra as the designer of a Norisol Ferrari coat.
Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images.
January 19, 2017 — No Press About Norisol Ferrari Coat Melania wore an NYC-based independent designer brand, Norisol Ferrari, coat to the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Ferrari gave WWD an interview, which supported Melania as a woman, but did not endorse the president. "I really saw a person who is being misunderstood who is being scrutinized. She’s a woman and a mother and I am pro-woman. I don’t believe that my political affiliation has any relevance in this appointment."
Ferrari instagrammed a graphic on January 12, 2017 that said "I Am Pro-Women," with the caption: “I believe together we can do anything,” and a variety of feminist hashtags, but has not instagrammed anything since. Ferrari did not send an official press release, but her quotes were included in an official statement sent by Melania Trump's office.
Ferrari's husband and business partner, Lawrence Lenihan, retweeted a complementary Vogue article about the look on January 19.
Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images.
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Remember the Kylie Lip Challenge? Of course you do. Two years ago, the world was obsessed with full lips — which happened to blow up right around the time Kylie Jenner emerged with a plumper set of her own. Before she launched her first Lip Kit, all Jenner fans were left to do was research lip fillers, over-line, and swipe on an array of tingling glosses. Then, people came up with the seriously dangerous idea of sucking on a drinking cup to score the plumping effect from the suction. After plenty of injuries, that part of our lives is thankfully over. But PMD Beauty is giving the old trend a fresh (and much safer) spin with its Kiss Lip Plumping System.
The latest invention, which will be available in April, is just as it sounds: It uses vacuum technology to create a fuller lip look. The device is sized to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, with a tiny pink suction cup at the top that resembles a small fish. And while it may or may not have looked — and sounded! — liked a vibrator, I decided to take it for a spin at work.
The power button activates the suctioning device, which kicks on a pulsing sensation. According to the instructions, one click delivers a “quick plump," while a second offers a lower speed for a more intense, targeted plump. Needless to say the entire process reignited my lip craze. Before I started, I applied the thick, tingling serum that comes along with the package. Then, I placed the Kiss gadget on four different sections of my lips (upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right). The instructions say to allow the Kiss to pulse 10 times on each side, but that wasn’t getting me anywhere close to where I needed my lips to be. After 30 pulses, however , I got just the effect I was looking for. The end result was inflamed, swollen, and minimally fuller lips — just enough to see the difference, without the discomfort that often comes with injections.
Normally, my lips are ever-so-slightly lopsided. The vacuum session evened out both sides to the point where I noticed immediately (even if my coworkers didn't). So, while the effect only lasted about an hour, I'd say that having two fluffy marshmallows attached to my face for a full 60 minutes makes it a win in my book.
There's always a lot of hullabaloo in Hollywood when an actor "comes out," or reveals their label of choice in public. When Amber Heard brought her girlfriend with her to a GLAAD event in 2010, many assumed that the actress had "come out." Speaking to a reporter at the event, Heard said, "I think GLAAD is one of the many reasons that I, as a 24-year-old, can come out." According to a more recent interview, though, this wasn't Heard "coming out," per se. This was just an actress talking to a reporter about an event. Nevertheless, Heard received flak for the admission.
"I could tell by the look on this person's face it was a big deal," she said at The Economist 's second annual Pride & Prejudice event Thursday, E! Online reports. "My poor publicist. Then I realized the gravity of what I had done and why so many people — studio execs, agents, advisors — did not want this coming before my name."
According to Heard, execs balked at the label "bisexual," which Heard actively claims. The 30-year-old said that the term is deemed "problematic" when associated with a leading lady's name.
"As a leading lady, there's a certain amount of wish fulfillment. I was asked, 'How is anyone going to invest in you romantically if they think you're unavailable?" Heard said. The logic here is that if an audience knows a woman is sexually fluid, they won't be able to "invest" in a heteronormative fantasy.
Of course, this hasn't been true. Heard has experienced lasting success in the industry, with films like The Danish Girl and The Rum Diaries under her belt. Next up, she'll star in Aquaman, a film in the DC Comics 'verse. Heard will play Mera, queen of Atlantis and wife of Aquaman, who will be played by Jason Momoa.
This doesn't negate the fact that bisexuality is largely seen as, to borrow a word from Heard, "problematic." According to a 2016 study, bisexual women are more vulnerable to college campus sexual assault. In terms of entertainment, television shows like The Real O'Neals have come under fire for enjoying "biphobic" humor. But for every biphobic joke, there's a successful bi character on television. There's Clarke from The 100, Callie Torres from Grey's Anatomy, Kalinda from The Good Wife, William on This Is Us, and Stella Gibson on The Fall, to name a few. In terms of bisexual actors in Hollywood, we have Bella Thorne, Amandla Stenberg, and Sara Ramirez, among others. Progress may be slow going, but if recent history is any indication, what's problematic today won't be for much longer.
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Put on your sunscreen, don't microwave plastic, don't eat processed meats, exercise more, stop gaining weight. These are just a few of the many, many things we've been told to do to avoid getting cancer.
While there may be research backing some of these suggestions up, (a.k.a., please actually do wear sunscreen) new research finds that getting cancer might be at least partially just a matter of bad luck.
Researchers estimate that 66% of the genetic mutations that become cancer develop that way by random chance. They also estimate that 29% are from environmental factors (such as not wearing sunscreen) and 5% are inherited.
This isn't the first time researchers have suggested that we might have little control over whether or not we get cancer. In a previous study, scientists Cristian Tomasetti and Dr. Bert Vogelstein said that cancer risk is more about random DNA error than what precautionary measures a person does or does not take.
"Every time a perfectly normal cell divides, as you all know, it makes several mistakes -- mutations," Vogelstein said, according to CNN. "Now most of the time, these mutations don't do any harm. They occur in junk DNA, genes unrelated to cancer." But sometimes they happen in a gene that is related to cancer.
"That's bad luck," said Vogelstein, according to CNN.
It's not the most uplifting news, and we're sorry to say that there's nothing you can do about it. You can't control random gene mutations. What you can control (at least some of), though, is the 29% of mutations that happen because of environmental factors. Slather yourself with sunscreen, folks, get breast exams, and make sure to check in with your doctor.
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Sure, the lob may be the reigning cool-girl cut. And you may have a few friends who are snipping their strands into impossibly chic pixies. But that doesn't mean we've turned up our noses on Rapunzel-like length. Oh, no — in fact, the beauty industry is still majorly infatuated with down-to-there hair.
What's more, there are a ton of gorgeous hairstyles you can pull off with long hair. And we've rounded up some of our favorites for the next time you feel a style slump coming on. Click through for major long-hair inspiration, from updos to boho waves.
Nicki Minaj's hair reaches her Osmose boots — and looks amazing with a simple center-part and stick-straight styling.
Photo: Via @nickiminaj.
When in doubt, go for a super-long ponytail. To jazz it up, add a velour tie around the base — the added accessory takes a boring pony from gym official to red carpet ready.
Photo: Via @oliviaculpo/Instagram.
Vanessa Hudgens threw half of her wavy, waist-length locks behind her shoulder, and it's still the most hair we've seen in a while.
Photo: Via @vanessahudgens.
Braids don’t always have to look perfect. Elizabeth Olsen’s plait, created by hairstylist Mark Townsend, is as romantic as it is edgy. Tip: Score a similar look by twisting the top section of hair back, then pinning into little knots on top of a loose braid.
Photo: Via @marktownsend1/Instagram.
Juxtapose a slick, middle part with a full, voluminous pony.
Photo: Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
Leave it to Gigi — and her stylists — to make two front and center braids look subtle in a swept up ponytail. We're definitely vibing with this unicorn-inspired moment.
Jennifer Lawrence's thick, textured reverse-French braid shows off her gorgeous highlights.
Photos: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images and Karwai Tang/Getty Images.
Not only is this three-strand braid beautiful in its simplicity, but it creates a fun fake-out. Loosen a few pieces in front to fool everyone into thinking you got a lob — until you turn around, of course.
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic.
Chrissy Teigen always brings more than the status status quo — even when she's sporting a ponytail. Not only is the hair slightly twisted and sporadically wrapped with ties, but the pony is also looped back through the band at the bottom. Some clever bobby pin accents behind the ear work to bring the entire style together.
Photo: Amanda Edwards/WireImage.
Next time you style a low pony, try going letting a few loose strands frame your face. It's a modern version of our favorite '90s 'do.
Photo: Barry King/Getty Images.
Double plaits look even better when they're a bit messy and undone.
Photo: Via @kristin_ess/Instagram.
Fishtail pigtails are a more sophisticated twist on a traditionally youthful hair style.
Photo: Getty Images.
There's nothing wrong with channeling a Disney movie for long hair inspiration. (See: Elsa in Frozen, who is only excluded from this list because she's animated.)
All you need is some glossy pomade, a dollop of mousse and a handful of bobby pins to recreate this sleek look. The best part is you can totally rock it at brunch the next day.
Photo: Via @itsashbenzo/Instagram.
Make your standard ponytail a little more exciting by wrapping it in a thick velvet ribbon. Finger-comb salt spray through your ends and mess up the texture for cool contrast.
Photo: Getty Images.
This braided half-up style is perfect for those days when you just can't deal with strands falling in your face.
Photo: Via @chiaraferragni/Instagram.
Hailee Steinfeld gives the classic half-up, half-down style a boho vibe with waves and a deconstructed braid down the center.
Photo: C Flanigan/FilmMagic/ Getty Images.
Shay Mitchell's pulled-apart fishtail milkmaid braid is so stunning. The undone strands make a really complicated look appear effortless.
Photo: Via @shaym.
A high braid is the easiest way to get your hair of of your face in the summer heat — just follow Bey's lead for a chic way to wear long hair up. Tip: Wrapping hair around the base of the plait adds polish and hides your elastic.
Photo: LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images.
You can't go wrong with a versatile topknot. You can dress the style up or down, making it a great option for your 9-to-5 and after-work drinks.
Too lazy to do much of anything to your 'do? Try this trick: Run a cocktail of hair balm and mousse through just the top half of damp hair, then apply the excess left on your hands through your lengths. Smooth hair into a low, loose pony or bun, and let it dry. Remove and your natural texture will be left with added movement just through the bottom. C'est chic!
Photo: Catwalking/Getty Images.
At first glance, this hairstyle looks like your run-of-the-mill ponytail. But hairstylist Riawna Capri actually created four mini ponies underneath the first to inject more volume into Julianne Hough's locks.
A messy, twisted chignon is a great second-day hairstyle for long strands.
Image: Courtesy of Redken.
The longer your hair, the longer your side braid can be. And we dig this Rapunzel-length plait.
Photo: Catwalking/Getty Images.
Large, uniform waves are a total '70s throwback — and look rad on slightly layered lengths.
Photo: MCV.
A twisted low bun is a fantastic take on your typical "toss it back and go" gym style.
Photo: MCV.
Skip the usual braid and opt for a rope braid instead.
Photo: MCV.
Bust out your half-inch curling iron and go for tighter twists. Add some flowers, and this is a lovely #TBT.
Photo: MCV.
Done 'dos are the latest hair trend, so reach for your blowdryer and a gorgeous shine spray.
Photo: MCV.
Embrace your boho vibes and twist two pieces of hair in the back of your head.
Photo: MCV.
A low ponytail is a classic go-to for long-haired ladies, but it gets a romantic update with a velvet ribbon.
Photo: MCV.
Don't feel like doing anything to your bedhead? Just slide in a couple of metallic hair accessories for an instant upgrade.
Photo: MCV.
When in doubt, swap out that low ponytail for a low braid. Make this look even cooler with a sleek, straight center-part.
Photo: MCV.
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Dry, scaly skin can be kind of a nightmare no matter what the season. So, in the spirit of smoother, ultra-hydrated skin, we put together a list of our favorite hard-working body lotions, old and new. Be warned, though. Sometimes, the most effective products come in not-so-sexy packaging (sorry, Curél). For moisturizers, it's what's on the inside that counts — as opposed to our skin, which is clearly a topical issue.
Click through for the lotions that will go the distance all year 'round.
This cream is intensely hydrating — and we mean intensely. This isn't for everyday skin woes of mildly dry skin, but for the parched patches and irritations you just need to get rid of ASAP.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, $30, available at Sephora.
It might feel strange to rub petroleum jelly all over your body, but it's the cure-all formula that won't cost you an arm and a leg. Burns, cuts, wind rash, dry cuticles, and a million other things are solved with Aquaphor's magical formula.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment, $4.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Step out of the shower, don't even bother drying off, slather this everywhere, and let it soak in while you do your hair and makeup.
Dry, itchy skin needs intense hydration — and this reparative lotion is just that. It also contains AHAs so your skin is gently exfoliated of dead skin while being replenished with rich moisture.
Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion, $8.99, available at Target.
This body balm is an essential for dry, itchy skin that just can't beat winter dehydration. It's somewhere between a butter and a lotion — with the added bonus of smelling like sandalwood.
Aesop Rejuvenate Intensive Body Balm, $35, available at Aesop.
This luxurious, rose-scented body oil contains a mixture of nourishing oils like jojoba, coconut, and evening primrose. Oh — and it also doubles as a massage oil. Total win-win.
Aromatherapy Associates Renewing Rose Massage & Body Oil, $66, available at Net-A-Porter.
Irritated skin is pretty much a guarantee in the winter. No matter how rich the body butters might be, the itch never subsides. But this drugstore lotion always gets the job done. It's filled with ceramides to strength skin and prevent it from flaring up in the future.
Curel Itch Defense Lotion, $7.19, available at Target.
This body butter from J.R. Watkins contains a hefty dose of coconut oil and shea butter to moisturize dry skin. Plus, it smells like coconuts and warm honey, which really lifts our spirits on cold mornings.
J.R. Watkins Body Butter, $11.99, available at Target.
Not only does this non-greasy lotion hydrate like a dream, its zesty, tangy scent will help wake you up in the morning post-shower.
Fresh Sugar Lemon Body Lotion, $23, available at Sephora.
This gentle body cream is great for those with easily-irritated skin. It's packed full of seaweed extract and oils to hydrate and sooth the skin. Plus, it doesn't contain any added fragrance, a common irritant.
The Seaweed Bath Co. Unscented Body Cream, $12.99, available at The Seaweed Bath Co.
If you’re looking for something that absorbs in record time, consider Kopari’s lightweight, coconut oil-based formula. It can be used on your face, hair, and cuticles — as long as you don’t mind smelling like you just returned from the tropics.
Kopari Coconut Sheer Oil, $44, available at Kopari Beauty.
This simple, three-ingredient body oil is perfect for slathering on after a warm shower.
Sure, you may not look at a bar and immediately think "moisture." But take the plunge with this tea-scented option from Lush, and you're sure to change your tune. It's actually a pretty genius idea: The bar melts into a moisturizer as you rub it into your skin. Pro tip: Pick up a metal tin to keep this sucker from melting when you aren't using it.
Lush Shades of Earl Grey Massage Bar, $10.95, available at Lush.
This whipped butter not only melts into skin instantly, it smells delicious. Formulated with shea butter and aloe vera, it's gentle and light, but still quenches.
Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter, $15, available at Soap & Glory.
Despite this formula's lightweight, viscous consistency, it's an intense hydrator. How? It's packed with sunflower seed and coconut oils.
Burt's Bees Sheer Body Lotion in Cucumber & Aloe, $10, available at Burt's Bees.
This luxurious body butter is packed with cocoa butter and mango seed oil, which soften and hydrate even the driest of skin. Oh, and it smells like a tropical vacation, too.
The Body Shop Mango Body Butter, $36, available at The Body Shop.
This lightweight, yet intensely hydrating, body lotion is ideal for sensitive or eczema-prone skin. The formula features a mixture of sunflower, jojoba, and grape seed oils to condition the skin and colloidal oatmeal, calendula, and chamomile to soothe it.
Skinfix Daily Lotion, $14.99, available at Target.
This ultra-rich body butter from Clinique is perfect for dry areas (think elbows and knees), and has an ultra-silky texture so it absorbs quickly into skin.
Clinique Deep Comfort Body Butter, $29.50, available at Clinique.
This meringue-like body oil contains a blend of egg-yolk extract, honey extract, and milk protein, which work together to gently exfoliate and hydrate skin.
Too Cool for School Egg Mousse Body Oil, $25, available at Sephora.
This no-frills moisturizer doesn't contain any skin irritants like chemical dyes, lanolin, fragrance, parabens, or formaldehyde, so feel free to slather this stuff all over.
Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream, $11.59, available at Drugstore.com.
This body oil by One Love Organics contains a laundry list of nourishing oils — sunflower, pumpkin, and sea buckthorn to name a few — in a convenient spray bottle.
One Love Organics Gardenia Tea Antioxidant Body Serum, $39, available at One Love Organics.
This absolutely luxurious body soufflé from Mayfair Soup has a combination of cocoa butter and sunflower oil to guarantee extra hydration for your skin. Plus, there is a subtle hint of jasmine and waterlily for the most relaxing scent.
Mayfair Soap Foundry Sea Lily Jasmine Body Souffle, $8.99, available at Target.
If the 10K love tags on Sephora's website is any indication, this Philosophy product is a game changer. It's infused with the brand's Amazing Grace fragrance and includes Godly moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and olive oil.
Philosophy Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion, $44, available at Sephora.
This body cream not only moisturizes your skin but also helps tighten and smooth the look of your bod. It's recommended for your back side area — hence the name — but it works wonders all over.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, $45, available at Sephora.
This jar may seem tiny but the whipped body butter it contains is a hydrating superhero. It includes Josie Maran's signature ingredient, argan oil, as well as other key moisturizing agents like shea butter an avocado oil. It also comes in ten different all-natural scents so you can switch up your fragrance of choice whenever you please.
Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter, $35, available at Sephora.
We've been slathering this rich cream — which includes ingredients like rice-plant essence, cupuaçu butter, and fig — over our bod all winter long, and our skin has never felt more moisturized. Bonus points for the heavenly scent and pretty packaging that helps to instantly improve our vanity.
Kenzoki Sensual Bare Body Cream, $48, available at Sephora.
Elizabeth Arden’s classic Eight Hour Cream helps to banish any dryness, tight skin, or flaking you might feel — for a full eight hours, of course. The cream sinks into your skin without a sticky residue, so you can lotion up quickly, get dressed, and get moving.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, $26, available at Elizabeth Arden.
Is your skin flaking off due to the cold air? The Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer from Jergens will be your savior — the nourishing lotion is packed with vitamins to heal skin and lock in moisture.
Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer, $5.94, available at Drugstore.com.
This super-lightweight, yet intensely hydrating cream was created with a blend of essential oils and shea butter to soften skin. Plus, the white-tea extract helps skin look younger by neutralizing any damaging free radicals in the air.
Origins A Perfect World Intensely Hydrating Body Cream with White Tea, $34, available at Sephora.
This super-moisturizing body cream is packed with 25% shea butter, which helps to heal and sooth dry and itchy skin. Translation: When you’ve started to become completely reptilian, this cream’s high concentration of rich ingredients will not only moisturize, but also help to protect against the elements to prevent more dry skin from forming.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream, $44, available at Sephora.
It may feel like winter, but the coconut smell of Aveeno's lotion can help you pretend you're on an island vacation.
Aveeno Skin Relief Nourishing Coconut Lotion, $8.37, available at Walmart.
If you love a thicker-textured lotion, look no further.
Ahava Mineral Botanic Rich Body Butter, $30, available at Ahava.
For the most chapped and flaky skin.
Curél Ultra Healing Intensive Lotion, $8.05, available at Soap.com.
This borrowed-from-the-boys body lotion is clutch post-shave.
Jack Black Epic Moisture Extra Rich Body Hydrator, $32, available at Sephora.
Lush's cult-favorite lotion feels like a dream when you smooth it on.
Lush Dream Cream Body Lotion, $27.95, available at Lush.
There's a reason this jar is one of Kiehl's most beloved products. It intensely hydrating and smells delicious.
Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter, $48, available at Kiehl's.
The almond oil in this little blue bottle gives a heavy dose of moisture.
Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion, $6.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Not only does this power cream — packed with marula oil, kigelia extract, and kalahari melon seed oil — provide all-day moisture, but its glycolic acid exfoliates to fight dark spots and lines, too.
Lancer The Method: Body Nourish, $65, available at Lancer Skincare.
Any formula with shea butter is sure to adequately moisturize your driest spots.
Cetaphil Intensive Moisturizing Cream, $6.29, available at Wal Mart.
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As tedious as it may be, moisturizer is the one step in our daily skin-care routines we're religious about. We may skip the serum and toner from time to time, but no matter how lazy we're feeling at the end of a long day, we'll always apply our go-to night creams.
According to Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, dermatologist and co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, not taking the time to find the right moisturizer for your skin type can lead to issues. "If you overdo it, you could get some breakouts. If [it's] not thick enough, then chronically dry skin is the problem, and wrinkles can be accelerated," she says. Neither scenario sounds desirable to us.
Ahead, Dr. Tanzi tells us which formulas to look for based on your skin type. And, as a bonus, we've found the best ones for your mug and budget. Click through to find your skin-hydrating soulmate.
Acne-Prone: Splurge If you're prone to breakouts and your skin skews on the oilier side, Dr. Tanzi recommends either forgoing moisturizer altogether (which is a pretty scary thought for us, tbh) or looking for a more lightweight product with ingredients like dimethicone and hyaluronic acid.
This moisture-filled gel from Korean cult brand Amorepacific supports the natural production of hyaluronic acid (which helps to prevent dehydration) and not only provides the skin with essential nutrients, but does it without clogging pores.
Acne-Prone: Budget-Friendly Formulated specifically for those with oily and acne-prone skin, this moisturizer from Cetaphil will be kind to both your wallet and your skin. It's lightweight, non-greasy (I'm a regular user and can attest to its powers), and we're not mad about the SPF, either.
Dry: Splurge All of the ladies out there with parched skin — which is probably extra-thirsty from the harsh and drawn-out winter we've been having — should seek out moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, ceramides, hyaluronate, and lanolin, according to Dr. Tanzi. Dr. Jart's cult ceramidine cream will absorb into dry skin quickly, leaving you with a more hydrated, softer complexion.
Or Try... This brand is hard to come by in the U.S., but when you find it, it's totally worth the wait. This is one of those formulas you can use for day and night — without it ever feeling heavy or greasy on the skin.
Biotherm Aquasource Dry Skin, $41, available at Biotherm.
Dry: Budget-Friendly This affordable moisturizer from CeraVe goes on smooth without weighing down the skin. It's a great nighttime lotion, although it also comes in an a.m. option.
Oily: Splurge If your skin is truly oily — like "have to dab your face with blotting papers every couple of hours" greasy — Dr. Tanzi says you may be able to avoid moisturizer altogether. But, if you cringe at the idea, she suggests to "use a moisture serum or gel with pure hyaluronic acid to lock in water without any greasiness at all."
Boscia's new gel contains sodium hyaluronate, which is a derivative of hyaluronic acid, along with other beneficial ingredients that we're huge fans of — like activated charcoal.
Oily: Budget-Friendly Made up of mostly hyaluronic acid, this gel cream (which both Kristen Bell and Jennifer Garner love) is already one of our favorite moisturizers for the warmer months — yes, we can see into the future. It's refreshing, lightweight, oil-free, and the list goes on.
Combination: Splurge "People with combination skin should use a moisturizer on those areas that actually need it, like the cheeks and jawline," says Dr. Tanzi. "They should avoid the nose and forehead." She suggests a more lightweight moisturizer — we're partial to this one from Eve Lom. It's weird to use "comfortable" when referring to a skin-care product, but that's exactly how we would describe this cream. It helps give you a more youthful complexion while still helping out those dryer skin areas.
Combination: Budget-Friendly This one comes recommended by Dr. Tanzi — it shields against UV damage, is non-greasy, and is safe for both combination and sensitive skin types.
This must-take-to-the-beach moisturizer contains SPF 40 and feels way more luxurious that $44.
Origins A Perfect World SPF 40 Age-Defense Moisturizer with White Tea, $44, available at Sephora.
Sensitive: Splurge "Sensitive skin should avoid any sunscreen ingredient, other than those with zinc or titanium," says Dr. Tanzi. She adds to avoid fragranced products, since those could be irritating. May we suggest this fragrance-free corrective cream from the lovely Kiehl's? It's a multi-targeted moisturizer that helps to combat aging with ingredients like beech-tree extract and jasmonic.
Or Try... This moisturizer is gentle, calming, and evens out skin's texture before makeup application. The best part about the smoothing formula is that it can be layered throughout the day any time your skin feels a little dry and tight.
Glossier Priming Moisturizer, $25, available at Glossier.
Sensitive: Budget-Friendly This price-friendly, quality cream is formulated with gentler components like rice and cotton extracts as well as jojoba.
Normal: Splurge For all you "normal" skin types out there, here's a #humblebrag: Dr. Tanzi says you can pretty much get away with using any moisturizer (must be nice). But, she does recommend you switch it up with a more lightweight option in the summer, and a thicker cream moisturizer in the winter.
Philosophy's new refining moisturizer is one we're definitely adding to our must-have list. It includes Asian-fruit extracts for improved microcirculation, and the lightweight, whipped formula is perfect for summer.
This cult cream, packed with squalene and antarcticine, moisturizes skin even in the harshest winter conditions.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, $27.50, available at Kiehl's.
Normal: Budget-Friendly For a moisturizer on the heavier side (a.k.a. ideal for winter), Aveeno's Positively Radiant is a great option. It also helps combat dark spots, if that's what you're looking for.
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Yesterday the pop star took to Instagram Stories to post video footage from new boyfriend The Weeknd 's latest stop on his Starboy tour. The black-and-white video, which was seemingly shot from backstage, appears to be from the Canadian singer's concert in Bogotá, Colombia. People reports that Gomez flew into the Colombian capital ahead of last night's performance. His tour is now headed to Brazil, presumably with Gomez in tow.
Of course, it's highly possible that we're all just closely following the actions of a savvy social media manager and not the actual parties involved. Gomez, after all, just told Vogue that she doesn't have Instagram on her phone anymore, nor does she have access to her password.
"As soon as I became the most followed person on Instagram, I sort of freaked out," she told the magazine, adding that someone else now handled her account.
"It had become so consuming to me," she explained. "It’s what I woke up to and went to sleep to," she continued. "I was an addict, and it felt like I was seeing things I didn’t want to see, like it was putting things in my head that I didn’t want to care about. I always end up feeling like shit when I look at Instagram. Which is why I’m kind of under the radar, ghosting it a bit."
Make of that what you will.
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Your resume is on point. You nailed the interview. And then, nothing. What gives? Turns out, a lot of things…or nothing at all. As maddening as it is, the reason you didn’t get a job could be because the hiring manager just discovered that the budget for the position was not as high as she thought it was. Or she just didn’t feel the same click she did with you as she did with another candidate. Or a million other reasons.
How do we know? Because we asked hiring managers to share their candid (and anonymous) explanations for why they didn’t hire someone. Of course, there are legal guardrails in place to prevent discrimination (and if you think that was a factor in why you didn’t get a job, you should absolutely seek legal counsel), but there's also a murky gray area where it is kind of subjective, and maybe even personal.
You don't want to spend too much time focusing on why a job opportunity didn't work out. But if you're going crazy wondering why, exactly, you didn't get an offer, read on. And then move on — there will be other jobs, we promise.
You Had A Reputation
“ I had heard some weird stories about them from a previous coworker — they just seemed to have baggage that other candidates didn't have.”
You Skipped A Shower
“They seemed to have bad personal hygiene. Okay, let’s be honest. The candidate had dirt under his nails and seemed like he had body odor. It was distracting.”
You Were Distracted
“I have had a few candidates play with their hair or accessories and it makes me wonder about how they’ll act in front of clients.”
You Lied
“ Their resume was totally different than their LinkedIn profile. Next!”
You Embellished
“They totally lied about how much experience they'd had at their internship. I knew a few people who worked at the company, so I asked about their internship program. The way the candidate had spoken about it, it sounded like she was responsible for shepherding through a few projects to completion. That turned out not to be the case.”
You Had Too Much Experience
“She was too experienced! She seemed great but had graduated from college a few years before me and really should have been a level above me — it was easier to hire someone right out of school because they would stay for longer.”
You Talked Up Another Company
“She made it clear that my company was her second choice. During her whole interview, she kept on talking about how great Company X was. Last I heard, she was working there, so good for her?”
You Were Late
“He was late. And then blamed the subways. I get it, because the subways can be unpredictable, but you should prepare for that. And blaming the subway made me feel like he would likely blame other people for things that went wrong if he did come on board with us.”
You Didn’t Pay Attention To Detail
“She pronounced my name wrong. My name is Laura, and she kept saying Lauren. Come on! That's basic reading. On that note, I had a discussion with a colleague who has a difficult to pronounce name, and she says that she far prefers it if a candidate asks her preferred pronunciation rather than assume — it's okay to not know, and what makes a candidate stand out is if you can tell they're curious and courteous.”
You Weren’t Local
“Honestly, she was great but she lived in Florida and from the conversation we had, it sounded like moving would be tough. We're a small firm and couldn't pay for relocation fees or promise a full-time position. Ultimately, it went to someone local.”
You Got Controversial
“He brought up politics. This year was an incredibly high pressure year, but you just can't assume someone has the same political views as you do. Making a Trump joke was just out of place — I'm a Hillary supporter, but I was recruiting for a pretty buttoned-up law firm and it made me nervous about the way the candidate would handle himself in front of senior-level employees and clients.”
You Crossed A Line
“I loved one candidate and we joked around a bit at the interview. But in her thank you note, she joked about how she was "stealing time" from her temp job by emailing me. It made me second-guess her — I know we all respond to personal emails at our work desks, but I don't think it's something you should joke about with a hiring manager you just met.”
You Overstayed Your Welcome
“She didn't take the hint! I tried to escort her out of my office five times when we were wrapping up and she just kept bringing up new topics of conversation. We work in PR and I was like, ugh, she just doesn't get people's cues — bad news.”
Your Online Persona Was Found Out
"I recognized her name from a mom message board! I looked up some of her comments and she was SUPER mean and negative about her nanny. It just rubbed me the wrong way. I think I would have overlooked it, but we had a few great candidates so to me, this just tipped the balance toward 'no.'"
Your “Friend” Told Stories About You
“I knew her through a friend of a friend and heard some stories about her — I didn't want the drama in the office.”
You Seemed Like A Show-Off
“She put her purse right on top of my desk — on top of my piles of paper and everything. I think it was because she wanted to show off the label. Not impressed!"
Your Follow-Up Game Was Too Intense
“She followed up EVERY SINGLE DAY. Honestly? I'll let you know when I know!”
You Got Outside Help
“I had given her a project to take home to show off the way she worked/thought and she admitted she had her boyfriend help her with it. Seriously?”
You Accidentally Insulted The Hiring Manager
“He went to an Ivy League school and made a comment about the fact I had went to a small, no-name college. It was very man-splainy, like, 'Look how well you did to get to this job when you went to that school!'"
You Didn’t Dress To Impress
“He wore ripped jeans and a T-shirt. The culture of our firm is pretty low-key — it's a creative agency — but there's a difference between looking creative and casual and looking like you picked up the first thing you found on the floor. He was definitely wearing the latter.”
You Had Your Phone Out
“She texted during our interview.”
Your Email Address Wasn’t Professional
“She shared an email address with her partner, which just struck me as odd. There were other reasons too, but that was a red flag that made me not want to call her in for an interview.”
You Didn’t Show
“He didn't show up. I called him 10 minutes after the interview had started and he told me his car had broken down. I get it, these things happen, but you couldn't have called me before? It made me think he just forgot.”
You Badmouthed Your Current Gig
“She badmouthed her current boss, which just put a really bad taste in my mouth.”
You Got Too Personal
“This wasn't the deal breaker, but one candidate did show me pictures of her wedding which was ... odd? We were chatting to break the ice and she mentioned she'd gotten married the month before. Great! Happy for her, but don't need to see the pictures!”
You Overstepped Boundaries
“I had a box of cookies on my desk that had been sent by a client. She immediately zeroed in on them, talking about what calorie bombs they were and I wasn't going to eat them, was I? I think she may have been nervous and just chattering but it was weird.”
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The best thing about ClassPass is also the worst: You can try a different class each time you work out and never get bored. It's a uniquely New Yorker problem to feel crippled by having too many options at your fingertips. That's why you can live in an apartment for years and still walk down the block and think, "Hey, I didn't know there was a restaurant here!" because you only order from the same three places on Seamless.
Branching out and trying a new spot outside your normal routine — whether we're talking takeout food or fitness classes — can be beautiful and adventurous, and it can also be the worst. Worst case scenario is that you spend a whole yoga class wishing it would end, wasting your precious ClassPass credits and time. Best case? You try something out of your comfort zone and end up actually liking the workout. Currently, there are upwards of one thousand studios on ClassPass in New York City, so you've got to do your research.
There's really only one way to find out if you like something (trying it), but we combed through the list and found the best of the best classes and studios on ClassPass. Flip through to find the class that sounds like it could be your thing — then go!
Flywheel Fitness
If you like to know exactly how fast to go in a cycling class instead of guessing, you'll like Flywheel Fitness. For competitive types, there's a leaderboard that ranks the group's speed, but you can always opt out.
You'll learn a lot about strength training in these classes. The coaches provide hands-on assistance, and will help you perfect your form so you won't hurt yourself.
Body Space Fitness, 5th floor, 47 West 14th Street, New York, NY; (646) 684-4912
Photographed by Erin Yamagata.
Y7 Studio
Hip hop music is the soundtrack to these hot yoga classes. And yes, this is that place you saw on Instagram with the steps that quote a Drake song.
Y7 Studio, 430 Broome St, New York, NY; (646) 820-0781
Photo: Courtesy of Y7 Studio.
Mile High Run Club
If you've never experienced a runner's high before, you will after one of these classes. The coaches tell you how to adjust your speed and incline (which is great if you're not used to using a treadmill), then walk you through some strength moves off the 'mill. You can also rent some Nike running shoes if you don't have your own.
The hour-long strength and cardio class at Barry's might sound intimidating, but the instructors are super-motivating. It's broken up into half-hour segments, so it doesn't get boring, either. Most of the studios use MALIN + GOETZ products in the locker room, so that's pretty chic.
Barry's Bootcamp, 419 Lafayette St, New York, NY; (212) 260-4777
Photographed by Aaron Richter.
Physique 57
If you're into barre classes, these mix it up with cardio, stretch, and strength training. At first, the lingo might be confusing, so try a beginner class if you're new to barre. You can't have bare feet in the studio, so make sure you bring socks.
Physique 57, 55 Broadway #1602, New York, NY; (212) 747-0570
Photo: Courtesy of Physique 57.
Swerve Fitness
Before class, you're assigned to a team based on your bike. You race against the other side for quick timed cycling intervals. Win or lose, it's still fun, but might be best for competitive types. Oh, and there's a smoothie bar by the front desk.
Swerve Fitness, 30 W 18th St, New York, NY; (212) 242-3330
Photo: Courtesy of Swerve Fitness.
Brooklyn Body Burn
This is like reformer Pilates, only harder because the machines have stronger springs in them. Show up a few minutes early so someone can walk you through how to use the machine (there are lots of straps and things), and be prepared to feel muscles you didn't know you had the next day.
Ultra-chill yoga studio doubles as a communal workspace — so Greenpoint, right? The classes are vinyasa yoga, and they're known for their supportive and positive teachers. They also provide mats, but the studio is pretty intimate, so get there on time.
New Love City, 4th Floor, 68 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, NY; (616) 915-4576
Photo: Courtesy of Mindy LaVergne.
The Bari Studio
You'll use trampolines and resistance bands to bounce around during the workout — it's fun, not gimmicky. The classes are a nice departure from your usual strength-and-cardio class, and the instructors use the music to keep time with the exercises.
The Bari Studio, 23 Leonard St, New York, NY; (212) 966-2274
Courtesy of The Bari Studio.
City Row
Rowing indoors on a machine might be the new cycling. The machines at City Row are easy to use, and you'll also do some bodyweight exercises between breaks on the ergs. You'll be surprised how much of a mind-body experience rowing is, because you really have to think about form.
City Row, 80 5th Ave #1501, New York, NY; (212) 242-4790
Courtesy of Jay Sullivan.
Body and Pole
If learning how to pole dance is a secret passion, go to one of these classes. The instructors will teach you how to safely do flips and tricks, and your upper body will really feel the workout. Plus it's a fun party trick!
Body and Pole, 115 W 27th St, New York, NY; (212) 334-6900
Photo: Courtesy of Body and Pole.
Uplift Studios
This is a women-only gym that offers small group classes. Most of them focus on strength training, and people say they're challenging but pressure-free.
Uplift Studios, 24 W 23rd St, New York, NY; (212) 242-3103
Photo: Courtesy of Uplift Studios.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Game of Thrones made headlines last year for unleashing its first full-frontal penis. Sure, the scene was half-a-split-second long, and featured a male member belonging to a very minor character inspecting it for warts , but still — a major show had embraced male nudity!
Well, if you thought that was an achievement, just wait until you see Harlots, Hulu's latest binge-worthy TV drama, which premieres on March 29. The show stars Samantha Morton as brothel-owner Margaret Wells, who struggles to teach her daughters Charlotte (Jessica Brown-Findlay, a.k.a. Lady Sybil from Downton Abbey!) and Lucy (Eloise Smythe) to navigate the 18th-century Georgian London sex trade scene while keeping her own business thriving. There is sex — lots and lots of sex. And there is nudity, female AND male. But there's also strength, dignity, and compassion.
Sex on TV isn't new. What is noteworthy however, is that everyone involved in developing the show — from co-creators Moira Buffini and Alison Newman, to the directors and writers — is a woman. And it shows. This isn't to say that women are naturally more compassionate, strong or dignified than men, but in a show that deals almost exclusively with female sexuality, having women working behind the scenes makes a huge difference.
"When you’ve got female directors, it is sort of less of a conversation," Buffini explained. "It was actually a sort of shorthand... you just knew people got how those scenes should feel and be because they were women. The conversations didn’t have to be had in the same way that I, very awkwardly, on occasion, tried to explain to a male director how you sort of think it should be and it’s not. He just doesn’t get it.”
It shows. Scenes that could have come off as exploitative instead feel nuanced. I didn't feel the weird split between mind and body that comes over me during most sex scenes — that feeling of having to both grapple with the intellectual and gendered implications of what is happening onscreen ("that is weird and wrong"), while at the same time wanting to sit back and enjoy the action ("but he's so hot and shhh brain!").
That's not to say that the sex in this show is rosy, or mindless. The action takes place in 1763 London, a place where, as the opening scene informs us, "one in five women makes a living selling sex." Some of them, like Margaret Wells, and her rival Lydia Quigley (Lesley Manville), have managed to set themselves up as madams, and have a certain degree of agency and control over their own fates. Charlotte Wells, Margaret's oldest daughter, is mistress to a rich and influential nobleman who is contractually obligated to pay her a pension if he ever tires of her. But on the other end of the spectrum, you have girls barely over the cusp of puberty selling themselves in the street for pennies, or dying of venereal diseases they can't prevent.
This show is about the ownership of women: if you were single, your father determined your fate. If you were married, you legally became your husband's property. If you lived in a brothel, you had a debt to repay to your madam. Harlots, at least, had the opportunity to own their bodies, if only because they got paid for them. How can you portray all of that accurately without women behind the camera?
Samantha Morton and the cast of "Harlots"Photo: Courtesy of Hulu.
"Until very recently, women were property," Buffini pointed out. "Of their fathers, their husbands, their owners, their lovers, their husbands. I think that’s what the show is really about. It’s about an economy in which women have no power and how some women try to turn that to their advantage. So heaven forfend there should ever be another economy where women have no power, and we know that in lots of places in the world, those economies still exist in exactly the same way as they did in 18th-century London."
Old friends Buffini and Newman had been talking about collaborating on a project for years when the idea came to them— a sort of Orange Is The New Black, but in 18th-century London. "We were looking for a show that would have a huge female cast with parts for women of all ages, shapes, and sizes, and it seems that this world was perfect for that," Newman said. "The more we looked into it, the more we researched, the more we explored the world, we discovered that some fantastic stories and women who survived in a patriarchal society, who lived outside of polite society, who really wrote their own rules, and the ones who thrived — really thrived — they became huge celebrities. And of course then you go to the other end of the spectrum, where you get street girls where life is a lot tougher, and we just thought it was a really, really interesting world. We wanted to do a show which was very much from their point of view."
That's why the sex is so exciting. The stories are told from female points of view — and if that happens to involve nudity, then let's get naked! But what's refreshing is that neither the female nor male nudity (what Newman and Buffini call "equal opportunity nudity") feels gratuitous.
"The Georgians actually didn’t like getting their clothes off that much, and when you think about it, those corsets — wow — it’s quite a production getting in and out of them, I’d imagine," Newman joked. "We never wanted any of our nudity to be gratuitous, and whenever you do see sex — and of course there’s sex in the show — it’s always to help drive story, or it’s funny, or it’s something to do with a character. We don’t just cut away to a rather gratuitous, icky sex scene."
The sex isn't exactly guilt-free — some scenes are truly difficult to watch. But it's honest. And like dicks, that's something we haven't seen much of on TV.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Update: Too Faced co-founder Jerrod Blandino finally offered up a closer look at the new Glitter Bomb Palette, and the sparkly eyeshadows are even more out-of-this-world than we imagined. As one of the shade names put it, this is exactly what we'd call "glitter goals." Check it out for yourself, below.
A post shared by Jerrod Blandino (@jerrodblandino) on
This story was originally published on March 23.
When it comes to beauty innovations, the world is Too Faced's oyster. Co-founder Jerrod Blandino has seemingly pulled inspiration from anything and everything for the countless makeup launches this year — from unicorns and lace to peaches and chocolate. But the one category that often goes untouched is dark and gloomy glitter. Lucky for most beauty fanatics, the brand has finally decided to take a walk on the wild side. Enter: the Glitter Bomb palette.
The announcement comes right off the heels of a string of new launches from the brand these past three months. In early January, Too Faced hinted that its cult-favorite Unicorn Tears formula would now come in a liquid iteration. After that, we saw so many teasers, we could barely keep up: there was a Skinny Dip collaboration that stole fans' hearts, confirmation that a new Too Faced store is in the works, the future of the Sweet Peach legacy was answered, and lace highlighters popped up all over Instagram without warning. Now, its gearing up for a huge summer roll-out, which includes a galactic glitter palette loaded with sparkling flecks and vibrant colors any club kid would envy.
The newest palette features eight prismatic eye shades, as well as a white and black base shadow anchoring the kit. The colors include: Brightening Base (a matte white); Fairy Dust (silver); Confetti (baby pink); Hot Damn (warm purple); Glitter Goals (lavender); Rosé All Day (rose); Work It (hot pink); Oh, It's On! (gold); Splash (navy); and Intensifying Black (matte black).
The Glitter Bomb won't hit stores until June, and is unfortunately limited-edition, but you now have plenty of time to save up for the official launch. We'll be over here planning our matching sparkly summer outfits in the meantime.
