Picture this: The year is 2016; the boy band One Direction officially broke up months ago; and former member and standout singer Harry Styles has made plans to go solo, cutting his shoulder-grazing heartthrob hair in the process. Why? Well, he just ditched the group that skyrocketed him to fame, and he's going to be in a period action-drama about WWII called Dunkirk. In other words, he's moving on. Fans are, naturally, heartbroken over his sudden transformation.
Fast-forward three years, Styles is about to drop his second album (which, he says, is very sad) and just made yet another dramatic haircut decision that is sending fans into a frenzy.
The drama started on Saturday morning when a fan tweeted a selfie of her father and Styles together in Italy. “Soooo my dad just met harry in Italy…., cannot fucking believe my eyes,” she wrote. Soon enough, the photo was retweeted all over the Twitterverse, with fans noticing that Styles looked… different.
As seen in the photo, Styles' not only cut his hair shorter, but he is now brushing it forward into a look that some are comparing to Timothée Chalamet's bowl cut in The King. This is particularly unusual because Styles' hair is always slicked back. Now, he looks like a healthy mix of Stranger Things' Jonathan Byers and former 1D bandmate Louis Tomlinson.
We may not know why Styles got the haircut, when it happened, or if it's for a role, but we do know exactly how some fans feel about it: not good.
me forcing myself to like Harry’s new hair style bc I want to support him in any way possible pic.twitter.com/3JEcNCZNSp
people unstanning harry because of his style and hair 1. what 2. he looks perfect 3. yall only care about looks 4. this beautiful legend stays unbothered
Despite how you feel about the new look, a new era of Styles is officially upon us — and as far as we can tell, Styles is unbothered by the reactions. As one fan tweeted, “He really is THAT bitch.”
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Molly Burke has over 1.9 million subscribers on her YouTube channel. Her videos rack up hundreds of thousands of views in days; her most popular one, sky-diving with fellow YouTubers, the Dolan twins, has 4.7 million and climbing. Not that she’s counting. In fact, the influencer and accessibility advocate — she’s been blind since she was 14, the result of a genetic condition called retinitis pigmentosa — makes it a habit to ignore anything that has to do with likes and comments and analytics. “Most people live and die by their Social Blade. But it stresses me out,” she tells Refinery29. “I want the reason why I make content to be the reason why I started, which is to help people and share my story and what I’m interested in, in a fun and creative way.”
Burke's story is a moving one. Growing up in Toronto, she experienced intense bullying and depression. As she was losing her sight, she started watching YouTube videos — “girls that were just around my age talking about makeup and fashion, all of the things that I loved and cared about, but didn't know how to experience or enjoy anymore… these girls taught me and helped me figure out how to love myself again,” she told Paper Magazine. Wanting to pass along that feeling of empowerment to others, she launched her own channel in 2014.
Today, Burke, now 25, lives in L.A. and posts videos on everything from what it’s like to navigate the mall with her guide dog, Gallop, to getting matching tattoos with her mom to her activism. She's also the author of the new Audible.ca book, It’s Not What It Looks Like. Here, she tells us how she is spreading disability awareness via YouTube and building a business while she’s at it.
How would you describe your YouTube community?
I’m a member of the disability community, specifically the blind community but at the end of the day, the disability community is so small, we’re all fighting for the same thing — equality and accessibility in the world.
Why did you wait to start your channel until you were out of your teens?
Being out of school eliminated one fear of mine, which was being bullied by students at school. By the time I was 20, I had already toured as a public speaker for two years. I was in a really healthy place mentally. I had worked out a lot of my own opinions on my identity and community, compared to when I was 16 or 18, when I was still recovering from my vision loss.
Everyone wants to be an influencer or a YouTuber these days, but few people know the amount of work that goes into it. Can you pull back the curtain for us?
I make a full-time living on social media and with my career in entertainment, and I make enough to pay staff. I’m doing well for myself, especially given 80% of blind people are unemployed. But the reality is, a lot of the time you see #ad and you assume people are being paid but that’s not always the case. You have to disclose when something is free. For example, I got a free mattress, which I’m grateful for, but free mattresses don’t pay bills. So people think you’re getting paid more often than you are if you do a lot of exchanges for free things. Another thing is how much of our money gets eaten up by costs of the business. My manager takes 20% of everything I do, which is fair because he works really hard for me, but that’s a lot of money! I have an assistant who works full-time for me, three editors who edit my videos, my mom who shoots all my photography. There are a lot of moving parts. Even videos where I’m reviewing clothing, I’m spending $500 to get the clothing to film that video. There’s a lot that people don’t see when running a full-fledged business.
How long did it take you to find success?
There’s the odd person who blows up overnight but that’s not the norm. For me, it took years to get 5,000 subscribers because at the time, disability wasn’t represented on YouTube in a big way. People weren’t searching it because they didn’t know it existed and they weren’t watching it so it wasn’t being recommended, so it was a vicious circle of really fighting to even get people to know content like mine was out there.
Just how much are you on your phone and social media on a typical workday?
This is where it’s interesting, I’m not on my phone that much [Laughs]. I delegate everything I can to my assistants because I want to be able to have sanity and balance. For example, I write captions for my Instagram but they post it. If I want to do a story, I film it, they decorate it, I tell them what hashtags to put, they post it. They reply to my DMs for me. So I would say I’m on my phone less than most people. I think the fact it is more difficult for me to use a phone is also the reason why I delegate tasks to my team. My friends know if you actually want to talk to me, they call me. I don’t reply to texts. I’m not that Millennial who’s obsessed with my phone even though my career revolves around the Internet.
Any advice for future YouTubers?
Commitment is key. Don’t start until you can really dedicate yourself to it. At the end of the day, it’s an algorithm we’re trying to play to and algorithms like consistency. So if there’s any advice that’s more helpful than “be yourself!” it’s to be consistent with what you’re posting and when you’re posting.
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Letzten Juni brachte Netflix eine neue Serie namens Diebische Elstern(Originaltitel: Trinkets) heraus, die von einer Gruppe von Teenagern mit einem ungewöhnlichen Hobby handelt: Ladendiebstahl. Das ist zwar nicht das erste Mal, dass das Thema popkulturell aufgearbeitet wird, aber im Gegensatz zu The Bling Ring (2013) kratzt Diebische Elstern nicht nur an der Oberfläche. Stattdessen konzentriert sich die Serie auf die dunklen psychologischen Beweggründe hinter der kriminellen Handlung.
Für die Freundinnen Elodie Davis (Brianna Hildebrand), Moe Truax (Kiana Madeira) und Tabitha Foster (Quintessa Swindell) stellt Diebstahl einen Bewältigungsmechanismus dar. Sie mussten viel durchmachen – vom Verlust eines Elternteils bis hin zum missbrauchendem Partner. Eines Tages lernen sie sich in einer Selbsthilfegruppe für anonyme Kleptoman*innen kennen.
Kristen “Kiwi” Smith, die Autorin des Romans, auf dem die Serie basiert, erzählte der Teen Vogue, dass die Idee Ladendiebstahl zu begehen wahrscheinlich vor allem Menschen anspricht, die ähnliche Probleme in ihrem Leben haben wie die Protagonistinnen. „Viele junge Frauen machen es, weil sie nicht genug Kontrolle und Macht über ihr eigenes Leben haben. Das versuchen sie häufig (unterbewusst) durch das Klauen zu kompensieren. Sie versuchen die Löcher in ihrem Inneren mit materiellen Dingen zu füllen“, so Smith. „Mir war es besonders wichtig, herauszufinden was Menschen anfällig für diese Sucht macht. Ich wollte die Beweggründe und die Sucht an sich so ehrlich und wahrheitsgetreu wie möglich darstellen.“
Laut Terry Shulman, einem ehemaligen Kleptomanen, Gründer von Kleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous und Autor von Something for Nothing: Shoplifting Addiction and Recovery kann es unterschiedliche Ursachen für die Sucht geben. „Manche stehlen zum ersten Mal, nachdem sie eine geliebte Person verloren haben, ein Trauma erlebt haben oder eine große Veränderung in ihrem Leben durchstehen musste“, so Shulman. Es gibt natürlich auch Menschen, die nach derartigen Erlebnissen eine Drogen- oder Spielsucht entwickeln, aber Diebstahl ist wegen des Nervenkitzels für viele besonders reizvoll.
Interessant ist, dass die meisten gar nicht darauf aus sind, ganz bestimmte Dinge zu stehlen, die sie unbedingt brauchen oder haben wollen. Vielmehr geht es darum, die Kontrolle über etwas zu haben. Manche klauen zum Beispiel Sachen, die sie niemals benutzen werden wie Kleidung, die ihnen gar nicht passt oder hunderte von Bleistiften, weil es ihnen hilft, ihr Ängste im Griff zu behalten. Shulman erinnert sich, dass er beim Stehlen ein Gefühl von Kontrolle und Befriedigung empfand. „Ich versuchte, mein Leben besser zu machen, in dem ich mir etwas zurückholte, das das Leben von mir genommen hatte. Damals war mir das nicht so bewusst, aber was ich tat hatte einen großen Symbolcharakter. Ich wiederholte es mehrfach und irgendwann wurde es einfach zur Gewohnheit.“ Mit der Zeit suchen die Betroffenen immer häufiger nach Gelegenheiten, etwas zu stehlen und dann kann es auch zur Sucht werden, so Shulman.
Strenggenommen ist Kleptomanie ein Symptom einer Impulskontrollstörung und keine Sucht. Charakteristisch für das „zwanghafte“ oder „neurotische Stehlen“ sind „wiederkehrende Diebstähle ohne erkennbaren Nutzen oder Motiv“. Der Begriff selbst wird mittlerweile allerdings von einigen Menschen abgelehnt, weil er veraltet und irreführend ist.
Wie in der Serie angedeutet, suchen viele Betroffene Unterstützung bei Selbsthilfegruppen oder machen eine Therapie, damit sie lernen, dem Impuls zu widerstehen. Shulman hofft, dass Diebische Elstern betroffene Menschen dazu animiert, sich Hilfe zu suchen. Auf der einen Seite ist er sich dessen bewusst, dass manche Zuschauer*innen das Ganze als Verherrlichung eines psychischen Problems sehen könnten. Gleichzeitig glaubt und hofft er jedoch, dass die Serie ein Bewusstsein für die Störung weckt und ein Gespräch darüber in Gang bringt.
Wenn du oder jemand, den*die du kennst, an einer Impulskontrollstörung leidet, kannst du dich beispielsweise an die Hotline der TelefonSeelsorge unter 0800 111 0 111 oder 0800 111 0 222 wenden oder dich bei der Caritas informieren.
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Even if you've never been to Scotland, you can probably still picture the color palette: rolling green hillsides, the weathered slate of Edinburgh Castle, a glacial blue sky and mirroring Loch Ness lake. Of course, it's also the birthplace of some of fall's most classic prints: Plaid, tweed, and tartan.
Any way you look at it, Scotland is almost synonymous with autumn tones, and fittingly, it's also the inspiration behind OPI's newest nail-polish collection. From the perfect earth-toned green to a rich red inspired by a traditional Gaelic kilt, scroll through to see and shop all 12 shades. Think of it as a roundtrip flight to Glasgow — well, for your mani-pedi.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Things I’ve Seen in Aber-green
This is hands down the prettiest moss-green polish $10.50 can buy.
OPI Things I’ve Seen in Aber-green, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
Rub-a-Pub-Pub
Coal gray is the chicest transition from summer whites into a September color palette.
OPI Rub-a-Pub-Pub, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
A Little Guilt Under The Kilt
We're not sure about the name... but this deep-red shade reads as a jewel-toned ruby that feels more high fashion and less candy apple.
OPI A Little Guilt Under The Kilt, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
Edinburgh-er & Tatties
A Tattie is a Scottish potato (often used in scones), and this savory beige tone fits the bill.
OPI Edinburgh-er & Tatties, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
Boys Be Thistle-ing at Me
This eggplant purple actually has fine-grain glitter blended throughout that gives it a super shiny finish.
OPI Boys Be Thistle-ing at Me, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
Grabs the Unicorn by the Horn
Apparently, unicorns are very real in Scotland — and this opaque baby-blue polish would make any naysayer change their tune.
OPI OPI Grabs the Unicorn by the Horn, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
Suzi Needs a Loch-smith
A bright burnt orange manicure is the easiest way to go all-in on fall.
OPI Suzi Needs a Loch-smith, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
Nice Set of Pipes
If lavender and plum had a baby, it would look like this soft steel purple.
OPI Nice Set of Pipes, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
You’ve Got that Glas-glow
Think classic blush pink, but make it Scottish cool.
OPI You’ve Got that Glas-glow, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
Good Girls Gone Plaid
This polish almost screams to be worn with an edgy dark-purple print.
OPI Good Girls Gone Plaid, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
Nessie Plays Hide & Sea-k
Shimmery teal is the most playful tone from this entire collection, even if it's named for a sea monster.
OPI Nessie Plays Hide & Sea-k, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
Red Heads Ahead
If there's ever been an excuse to swap your dry bottle of red polish for a fresh one, it's this gorgeous tomato tone.
OPI Red Heads Ahead, $Array, available at OPIRefinery 29
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September is, without a doubt, one of the trickiest fashion months of the year (Get it? Because it's Fashion Month). Whether you're spending it running from show to show, looking for the perfect back to school outfit or just trying to survive the seasonal transition period, there's nothing easy about dressing for the first month of Autumn. With that being said, it's about time we suck it up and get thinking about what the hell we're going to wear this month.
It's a bit too early for our usual fall go-tos (read: chunky knits, ripped jeans, sweater dresses and more), but there are a few transitional fashion items that we can move into the rotation. Cowboy boots (or cowboy mules) can slide into the place where your strappy sandals used to be. Hats, tights and scarves can be slowly reintroduced into your wardrobe — even if they're still of the summer variety. And we can finally start swapping out our everyday tank tops for t-shirts and lightweight sweaters. Trust us, it won't be easy to make the leap from summer to fall, but with a little help from the masters, it can be done. We promise.
So to ease the awkward pass-off from August to September, we rounded up some outfit inspo ahead. If you follow the leads of these street style stars, maybe, just maybe, September won't be the hot mess we were expecting it to be.
This look proves that you can still wear a sweater dress during an Indian Summer, just be sure to remove the sleeves first.Refinery 29Are maxi denim skirts the fall alternative to slip skirts?Refinery 29The time for trousers is now, people. Get to it.Refinery 29Trench coat lovers, rejoice!Refinery 29It's never too late to bring some colour into your life wardrobe.Refinery 29#SlimeTime isn't over just because summer is.Refinery 29Have you ever seen a tank top and jeans look this good? We didn't think so.Refinery 29If you're a uniform dresser, this is one look that you must add to your rotation.Refinery 29Leopard print has officially transitioned from trend to essential.Refinery 29Three cheers for long-sleeve dresses no longer inducing pit stains!Refinery 29The best stolen-from-your-boyfriend look we've seen yet.Refinery 29Did we just discover the ultimate hot-to-cold staple?Refinery 29We're never ever parting ways with the prairie dress + sneakers trend.Refinery 29Are we bringing soft yellow into fall with us? You bet your ass we are.Refinery 29Is it even fall if you don't start wearing black and black only?Refinery 29We're riding the colour train right into fall.Refinery 29Nothing says transition style like a slip dress and leather jacket pairing, am I right?Refinery 29Catch us wearing velvet headbands from now on.Refinery 29Fact: there's a positive correlation between the size of your collar and the quality of your outfit.Refinery 29Bring on the leather, well, everything!Refinery 29There's only so many days when going pantless is still acceptable — live 'em up.Refinery 29Sweaters + bike shorts = the ultimate transitional style combo.Refinery 29Don't even think about quitting on white dresses just because it's after Labor Day.Refinery 29Motto for September: wear out your biker shorts while you still can.Refinery 29We're not sure when it happened, but the back-to-school look is back.Refinery 29We're making a case for full-body sheer tights... and you should too.Refinery 29Did pink cow-print boots just become the item we need most for fall?Refinery 29We're fully committed to the blazer game from now on.Refinery 29Who said we had to stop wearing sheer clothing just because summer's over?Refinery 29Don't pack up your tank dresses just yet.Refinery 29Those Sons of Anarchy reruns we've been bingeing must be rubbing off on us because leather vests are looking more and more appealing by the day.Refinery 29We were on the hunt for the perfect utility set until we saw this one.Refinery 29
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Friends, denial ain’t just a river in Egypt — it’s the only way we have of coping with the notion that we’ve bid summer adieu. While the season technically doesn’t end until September 23, the passage of Labor Day marks the a symbolic closure of the sunny, freewheelin’ season. And we know that when August leaves us, it takes with it a whole lot of good end-of-season sales. *sad face emoji* We’re pretending it’s not happening.
It would appear that we have some friends in our camp — one of our readers' favorite shopping destinations is determined to extend the season by one more week. There’s a 40% off sale at Nordstrom that’s running through September 8, giving us plenty of time to ease into fall — while shopping for the greatest hits in beauty and fashion as though we’re still in the throes of August. Click through to check out some of the best fall-ready items we could find in the markdown section — they’ll definitely make the seasonal transition that much easier.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Sbicca Louisa Loafer Mule, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
Reformation Parker Davy Ribbed Tee, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
Vans Old Skool Sneaker, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
Treasure & Bond Mini Campbell Leather Crossbody Bag, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
Eileen Fisher Shift Dress, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
Good American Icon High Waist Biker Shorts, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
Alex Mill Fleece Pocket Sweatshirt, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
Nike V-Love O.X. Sneaker, $Array, available at NikeRefinery 29
Vigoss Rebel High Waist Skinny Jeans, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
Topshop Scott Utility Jacket, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
Nina Baroque Pearl Earrings, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
Nordstrom Signature Stripe Cashmere High/Low Sweater, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
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Clear your schedules for September 10. That’s the day Queen Margaret Atwood is gracing her fans with The Testaments, the long-hoped-for sequel to the 1985 novel The Handmaid’s Tale. Years after encountering the devastating dystopia in high school English class, we’ll learn what happens to Offred on her journey out of Gilead. Atwood’s sequel is independent from the Hulu show — but good luck trying not to picture Elisabeth Moss as Offred.
The Testaments is only one of many tantalizing books coming out this month. The hottest tome of September is The Secrets We Kept, Lara Prescott’s debut involving spies, secretaries, and Doctor Zhivago. Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey tell us how they wrote the Weinstein story in their new book, She Said. And frankly, I’m still not over the ending of Mary H.K. Choi’s Permanent Record.
At 5 o’clock in the morning in New York City, it’s possible for people from disparate worlds to collide. That’s how Pablo Rind, an NYU drop-out working at a deli, meets Leanna Smart, a famous pop star (think Selena Gomez). The endlessly clever Pablo narrates the story of two people fighting to follow the thread of a romance when their lives pull them in opposite directions. This astounding follow-up to her debut, Emergency Contact, proves Choi is a spokesperson for the way we communicate (and strive, and love) now.Refinery 29
Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, Dana Thomas (September 3)
80 billion garments of clothes are produced a year. Spoiler: Not all of them are purchased. Fashionopolis is an eye-opening foray into the environmental impact of fast fashion — and it’ll cause you to think twice before buying that Zara dress. Dana Thomas also explores the future of fashion with a number of eco-friendly developments.Refinery 29
Reading this intricate YA fantasy, you get the feeling Katy Rose Pool’s plot is always seven steps ahead of you. You’ll want to catch up as quickly as possible. There Will Come a Darkness is set in a world bereft by the Seven Prophets’ disappearance a hundred years ago. But they left behind one final prophecy, and it involves the book’s five main characters.Refinery 29
After the Flood imagines daily life 100 years from now, after climate change becomes a full-fledged, undeniable reality. Myra and her seven-year-old daughter, Pearl, live on an isolated archipelago. They set off through the flooded wastelands to find Myra’s long-lost daughter, Row, who disappeared with her father during a deluge in Nebraska. After the Flood is a deeply imagined addition to the speculative post-apocalypse novel sub-genre, up there with Station Eleven and Severance.Refinery 29
Ana Cancion’s voice will grab you on page one, and ensure you’ll stay through everything that faces her on a journey that’s both epic yet not uncommon. At 15, Ana marries her 30-year-old family friend and leaves the Domnican Republic for New York. In that cold apartment, she becomes isolated from her old life, and isolated from herself. When her husband leaves, Ana opens the door to enjoying New York — and possibly her husband’s brother. A coming-of-age story of a girl forced to come-of-age too soon.Refinery 29
Their world isn’t built for women — and especially not for women like them, who love other women. So, they make a world of their own. In 1977, during Uruguay’s dictatorship, five women establish a sanctuary in the isolated Cabo Polonio where they can live and love as they please. Over the next 35 years, the women retreat to their queer sanctuary. Carolina de Robertis fashioned a difficult moment in history into an absolutely gorgeous book about a bittersweet triumph, based on a true story.Refinery 29
If the 19th century writer Lefkadio Hearn’s life were a novel, you’d discount it for being too extraordinary to believe. He was born on a Greek island, moved to Ireland, and later became a chef of Creole food and Japanese literary icon. But Monique Truong’s book focuses, instead, on the three women in the major stops of Hearn’s life. Women united by the need to imagine big lives, lives outside the norm. No wonder they were drawn to Hearn.Refinery 29
Annabelle Archer is ahead of her time. It makes her lonely in 1879 England, but wonderful company in 2019. After getting involved with the suffragette movement, Annabelle is tasked with convincing Sebastian Devereux, the Duke of Montgomery with the ear of the Queen, to the cause. Sebastian is prickly in that adorable Darcy-esque way. Expect the witty banter of two people who can keep up with each other. Bringing Down the Duke is perfect entry-point for people looking to read more romance.Refinery 29
The Ungrateful Refugee is one the most urgently needed works of nonfiction of 2019. Dina Nayeri combines recollections of her family's fleeing from Iran in the '70s with reporting about refugees around the world today. Don't speak about the refugee crisis before you know the refugee experience, which Nayeri renders so powerfully here.Refinery 29
Spies! The CIA! Propaganda schemes! All this, for the sake of literature. Any reader will appreciate The Secrets We Kept, a book that believes in the power of a novel to change the world. This is the true story of the CIA’s scheme to transport Boris Pasternak’s epic novel Doctor Zhivago into the USSR with the intention of destabilizing the post-Stalin regime and firing up the people.Refinery 29
Imagine a world in which concerts and other large public gatherings are illegal, thanks to terror threats and pandemic (it isn’t hard to do). Now imagine trying to party in that world. In Sarah Pinsker’s Black Mirror-esque debut, most socializing has migrated to the Hoodspace, an immersive internet. Rosemary Laws stumbles her way into the underground, where former rocker Luce Cannon is keeping rock’n’roll alive.Refinery 29
Ylfing is a Chant, a person who can literally shape the world around him with stories. How will he use that power? Alexandra Rowland’s books are as fun, surprising, and relentlessly clever as The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Start with the first book in the series, A Conspiracy of Truths, to fully understand the quirks of Rowland’s world, where a story is the most powerful weapon of all.Refinery 29
She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story that Helped Ignite a Movement, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey (September 10)
Everyone remembers where they were when the New York Times’ exposé on producer Harvey Weinstein’s years of sexual misconduct was released. She Said is the story behind the October 5, 2017 story that changed the world. Here’s how Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey brought Harvey Weinstein down and in doing so started a desperately needed (and ongoing) conversation about sexual harassment.Refinery 29
It won’t take much convincing to pick up the sequel of The Handmaid’s Tale. Thanks to the Hulu adaptation and chilling current events, Atwood’s novel has burst back into the zeitgeist. The book is set 15 years after The Handmaid’s Tale. Let’s hope this has a happy ending, for Offred’s sake and for ours.Refinery 29
Melancholy? Self deprecating? Down on her luck due to forces out of her control? Sounds relatable — and that’s what makes Joan Dixon such a relatable heroine. After losing her job as a journalist and moving back in with her parents, a desperate Joan takes a job as a copywriter for a hip tech startup with a vague, impossible-to-describe product. As a copywriter, Joan uses her precision with language to, well, describe the impossible. But what’s lurking behind that mission statement? Palmer is a witty, charming writer; The Nobodies gives hope that people like you and I can be heroes.Refinery 29
Juliet is 19 and has a lot to learn. She knows it, which is why she’s leaving her home in the Bronx for the first time to complete an internship with Harlowe Brisbane, an iconic feminist thinker, in Portland, OR.
The first thing Juliet learns? Your heroes, sometimes, aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Surrounded by members of Portland’s queer community, Juliet explores her identity as a queer, Puerto Rican woman— and sees all the flaws in Harlowe’s thinking. Juliet Takes a Breath is a book about loving yourself loudly.Refinery 29
Let’s be real: The Babysitter’s Club would’ve been way more fun if it had a streak of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Kate WIlliams has righted that in her debut YA novel. Esme Pearl discovers she’s magical and her coven has been waiting for her all again — hint: it’s her Babysitter’s Club. Williams’ debut is like candy for ‘90s girls and Gen-Z’ers alike.Refinery 29
In Red at the Bone, decades of history of a Brooklyn family are rendered into a modern-day epic. 16-year-old Melody’s emotional coming-of-age ceremony prompts her parents and grandparents to look back on how they got here. Woodson’s sparse, precise language focuses only on the meat of the story. Not a word is out of place.Refinery 29
Yet again, novelist, TV, and film writer Attica Locke mines Texas’ Highway 59 for inspiration. In her followup to the acclaimed Bluebird, Bluebird, Texas Ranger Darren Matthews tracks down a missing boy whose family has connections to an Aryan brotherhood.Refinery 29
After concluding her vaguely autobiographical Outline trilogy, Cusk writes personal essays in Coventry. Cusk’s brain makes profound leaps about family life, creativity, selfhood, and their connectivity. So, reading Cusk’s esoteric essays sometimes feels like rock-climbing between ideas. It’s hard work, but it’ll make you stronger.Refinery 29
Lowkey, 17-year-old Kiera Johnson is a genius. She invented an online multiplayer card game where Black teenagers hang out and compete as their super-powered alter-egos. Kiera created SLAY as a place where Black teens can be unapologetically themselves — but her identity is hidden in her real life, where no one knows about online life. When the drama of SLAY seeps into the real world, Kiera’s worlds collide.Refinery 29
Well, folks, she did it again: Ann Patchett created characters so vivid it’s hard to remember they’re not real. Cyril Conroy begins a real estate empire. Due to a series of Dickens-esque twists, Cyril’s children, Maeve and Danny, can never inherit his riches – or the beloved childhood home, the Dutch House. After Danny and Maeve lose the Dutch House, they spend their lives trying to make up for the loss. Spend five decades in Danny and Maeve’s lives, and you’ll feel the ache to invite them to a party.Refinery 29
A mythical road appears before you. Are you brave — or foolish — enough to follow it? In this absolutely gripping YA thriller, Sara sets off on the road in search of her older sister, Becca, who disappeared a year ago. Rules for Vanishing is like Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation but for teenagers. Sara and her fellow travelers encounter truly gruesome creatures along the road. They’re trying to solve the mystery of where they are, while battling all they find there.Refinery 29
Alice Hoffman, the author of Practical Magic, weaves her storytelling magic in Berlin, 1941. Hanni is desperate to get her 12-year-old daughter, Lea, out of Nazi-occupied France. Ettie, a rabbi’s daughter, offers the only help: A spell bring to bring, a statue made animate in Jewish mythology, In a market chock full of with WWII literature, Alice Hoffman’s magical realism-infused creation stands out.Refinery 29
We're huge fans of Morgan Parker's poetry — so it's no surprise that her talents, when applied to the life of a teenage girl, renders an incredibly heartfelt, deep story about a girl's coming of age.Refinery 29
Life advice: When Leslie Jamison writes a collection of essays, buy it. Prepare to be surprised and delighted and moved by her bracingly intelligent insights on a range of topics.Refinery 29
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Als Fan von Lizzo und ihrer Hitsingle „Truth Hurts“ stellt sich dir beim Mitsingen vor allem eine Frage: Wie viel Bitch steckt in mir? Und wenn du jetzt dachtest, dass du das wohl nie erfahren wirst, hab ich eine gute Nachricht für dich, denn jetzt gibt es einen DNA-Test, der dir diese Frage beantworten kann. Kein Scherz! Die Musikerin hat nämlich in Kooperation mit Spotify einen Test entwickelt, der prozentual genau dein Bitch-Level auswertet.
Aber keine Sorge, dafür musst du jetzt nicht in ein Reagenzglas spucken und die Daten im Labor auswerten lassen, sondern nur ein paar Fragen beantworten und fertig!
Bevor es losgeht, bittet Spotify dich um die Erlaubnis, auf deine Daten zuzugreifen. Für Nutzer*innen von Apple Music ist der Test also leider nicht zugänglich. Für alle anderen geht es aber gleich weiter. Im nächsten Schritt musst du nur noch ein Selfie machen oder ein altes hochladen. Ist das geschafft, heißt es dann endlich: Quiz-Time!
Die zehn Fragen beschäftigen sich mit dir als Person und deinen Ansichten zu verschiedenen Themen. So gibt es beispielsweise Grübelfragen, wie: „Was hältst du von festen Partnerschaften?“, oder „Wie hast du die letzte Beziehung beendet?“
Es gibt aber natürlich auch ein paar Fragen, die leichter zu verdauen sind, wie zum Beispiel: „Welches Haustier hast du?“
Wenn du den Test mit einem Ergebnis von 100 Prozent bestehen willst, brauchst du eine gute Strategie. Hilfreich ist es, wenn du die Songtexte von Lizzo im Hinterkopf behältst. Außerdem schadet es nicht, an die Fragen wie eine Bitch heranzugehen. Sei aber gewarnt, denn ganz im Sinne des Songtitels kann die Wahrheit hier wehtun. Lizzo selbst bekam nur 93 Prozent und es ist immerhin ihr Lied.
„Awkward“, kommentierte Lizzo ihren Twitter-Post, in dem sie ihr Ergebnis zeigte.
Auch wenn „Truth Hurts“ schon vor zwei Jahren herauskam, wurde der Song erst durch den Netflix-Film Someone Great ein viraler Hit. Heute ist er der erste Song der Sängerin in den Top-10 der Billboard Hot 100.
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One in four adults in America are living with a disability, but you wouldn't know it with the lack of representation in media, Hollywood, and the workforce. We're shedding light on the real stories — not the caricatures — of this dynamic and vibrant community of individuals. Read more stories from our Voices of Disability series.
In my freshman year of college, I made a plan to get coffee with a former English teacher, whom I’ll call Mark, during my fall break. This first-name basis that students had with their teachers was a linchpin of the progressive private high school I attended. Whether it was because of this institutionalized egalitarianism or his personable, warm energy, Mark always seemed like less of an authority figure to me and more like an uncle.
Most mornings, Mark and I would run into each other on the 1 train as we both made the exodus from the Upper West Side to Gramercy. In these 20 minutes first thing in the morning, we talked about his family and mine, the books we liked, and the best bagel in Manhattan. I remember feeling a rush of excitement when Mark would share mundane details about his life with me, it made me feel like we were truly friends. I hoped that he had thought of me as a precocious 16 year old, but in my heart of hearts I knew he probably thought I was just a lonely nerd who liked to read.
Yet now, with what felt like an immeasurable amount of time and distance from high school (i.e. four months), I wanted to impress him and prove that I was thriving. I’d regale him with my own critical perspective on Hegel and my love for As I Lay Dying, and I’d show him how I was a well-liked, certified “cool kid” with friends. I had even gotten into doing stand-up comedy.
I met Mark outside of the school lobby, feeling relieved that I wouldn’t have to step through those doors again. Mark greeted me and gave me a slightly awkward side hug. We walked to Everyman Espresso, a proletariat title for a coffee shop that charges $4 for a latte. While he was in the bathroom I ordered myself an iced coffee. I made sure to pay for myself—I didn’t want there to be any awkwardness.
“So what have you been up to? What’s new?” Mark asked when he returned.
“Well, actually, I’ve started doing stand-up comedy,” I said, expecting to elicit some awe and admiration.
“Oh wow, are you talking about your hand?”
I felt my body tense. This topic had always seemed off limits. Indeed, one of the most distinctive features about myself is something I avoided discussing at all costs in my comedy routine: I was born without a left hand, a condition that makes it hard to type, climb, or chop a clove of garlic. As a child, this was merely a source of frustration: It prevented me from swinging from the monkey bars or twisting my hair into a high ponytail. But in my teenage years, my hand became a source of deep insecurity. I hid behind cavernous sweatshirts, my armor against the world. When college started, I began wearing a prosthesis, which drastically changed my sense of self. I felt wildly more confident with it, as though I was able to be the person I never felt I could be. I wore sleeveless shirts, I took up space, and most significantly, I tried to forget who I was before.
“Well, actually…” I pulled up my sleeve gradually to show Mark the prosthesis I was wearing.
“Oh wow… that’s – I mean that’s great,” he said, his eyes widening.
“Yeah uh, I- I know, it really is. I feel a lot better about myself now, I guess.”
“Well I’m happy for you. I remember how you used to hide it – your hand, I mean.”
In my teenage years, my hand became a source of deep insecurity. I hid behind cavernous sweatshirts, my armor against the world.
There was only a slight lapse in the conversation but it felt like an eternity. I remember how you used to hide it kept ringing in my head. Here was the one person who I felt respected me, but maybe he saw me in the way I feared everyone else did: A weird kid who was profoundly self-conscious. I forgot about Hegel and Faulkner, about all of my new friends and all of the new things I had pushed myself to do. I felt a lump form in my throat.
“Yeah I guess I did. But like I said, I feel a lot better about myself now.”
“Even if you’re wearing a prosthesis, I still think you should be talking about it. That’s good comedy—putting words to all that. And you’re not one to shy away from a challenge.”
I smiled lightly. Mark was speaking to me with such candor, yet this honesty was not the kind I craved. I felt exposed and belittled. I needed to cut this conversation short while I still had some dignity left. “So tell me about how the year is going. Any changes to the curriculum?” I mustered. And just like that we got on a different track. We didn’t return to the topic of my stand-up comedy for the rest of our time together, and I couldn’t shake how I felt for days.
It seemed like I had no way to win. When I did expose my underdeveloped left hand, the stares of others felt like a searing sting. Yet even with my prosthesis, the comfort I felt in my own skin seemed fragile, as if the sense of self I’d constructed could fall and shatter at any moment. In my freshman year, my new friends soon found out that my left hand, seemingly so life-like, was in fact a pale, silicone imitation. The first time this happened I felt a pit grow heavy in my stomach: My secret had been found out. It was a Saturday night in September. The air was sticky with that cloying, end-of-summer heat. There were a gaggle of us, all dancing with the lights off in someone’s cramped dorm room. My new friend Katie, blue-eyed and American Girl doll-like, grabbed my hand to twirl me around and quickly realized something was off. I met her shocked expression and sputtered out an explanation, growing as red as the boxed wine we’d been drinking. The charade was up. I worried that Katie saw me as I saw myself: ugly.
As college went on, I grew more comfortable with people knowing about my disability. Yet even so, the idea that my deepest insecurity could become common knowledge terrifies me.
Last year, “The Hysterics,” the stand-up comedy group I performed with throughout my time in college, began planning a benefit show to raise money for the last private abortion clinic in Connecticut. We wanted to draw a big audience and so we booked Crowell Concert hall, a venue that can accommodate over 300 people. I had to cobble together a set but I was tired of all my jokes about how my preferred party activity is monitoring the pile of coats on a bed, or the time some boy accidentally booty called my father instead of me. I liked to think these tales are unique to my experiences, but in truth, they could be told by anyone.
When I first began performing, standup felt like a mode of escapism. When the lights went up I stepped into my onstage persona. With a mic in hand I was in control of the narrative. Yet over time, this habit of deliberately divulging only certain aspects of my life did not feel liberating. Instead, it had started to feel like a self-imposed restraint of what I could and could not say. I was frustrated with my instinct to retreat in fear of what people might think.
Over time, this habit of deliberately divulging only certain aspects of my life did not feel liberating.
A couple of days before the show, my friend Cam and I were talking out our potential sets. Cam can do knockout impressions, construct hilariously deft stories, and have the audience wrapped around her finger with a single line. I laid on Cam’s bed with my feet against the wall as we tossed around various ideas. As we talked I picked at the skin around my nails, a habit that had only gotten worse with age. Across the room Cam swiveled in her desk chair and threw a pink stress ball between her hands. Each time she palmed the ball in her left she gave it a firm squeeze.
“Ok ok, what do you think of this: All I’m saying is, “The Pixar film, Ratatouille, set my expectations for the vegetable-based dish, ratatouille, unreasonably high” Cam said, looking at me expectantly.
“Ha! I like that,” I responded, continuing to pull at my skin. “Cool. I think I’m gonna do the bit about how I lick peanut butter off the spoon like a dog and also the Sex and the City one. What are you gonna do?” Cam asked.
My finger started to bleed.
“Uh, one of the things I’ve been thinking about telling is the story of how before I left for college, my mom’s way of coping was taking pictures of me sleeping.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s so weird,” Cam said, giving a half-hearted laugh. “You can definitely do that.”
“I mean, I was also thinking about how I could tell this one story that happened last spring.”
And so I began to tell Cam a wild story about someone who sought to empathize with me over my hand but had completely and hilariously missed the mark. Even with Cam, a person who had been my friend for most of college, this story felt deeply vulnerable. My hand was the focus of the narrative. Without even looking, I could feel her staring at my prosthesis as we talked. But at the end, Cam burst into laughter. “You have to do that bit in your set!” she exclaimed.
In truth, I had been holding onto stories like these for ages. I knew they went deeper than my other one-liners and bizarre anecdotes. I was still terrified, but I wanted to tell the things that were honest, that rang true. For so long I had been drawn to stories that could be told by anyone. Now, I felt the stories that I’d buried start to stir.
As the event drew closer, my anxiety worsened. My head was full of everything that could go wrong: What if I forgot a critical joke, or what if there was a chorus of pity laughs? Even worse , what if the entirety of the act was met with deafening silence? I asked myself why I was so bent on doing this. Was a part of me trying to please Mark? Had this idea stuck with me merely because it had first been planted in my head by an authority figure who seemed to “get” me? Or was this something I truly wanted to do?
Liv Ryan performs standup comedy with “The Hysterics," a comedy troupe in Connecticut
On the evening of the show, all of “The Hysterics” gathered in the green room of the concert hall. My friend Emma had brought a case of Mike’s Hard Lemonade for everyone, and we waited for the seats to fill. Time seemed to move unbelievably slowly. In the 45 minutes before the set I felt the tick of the clock reverberate through each notch of my spine. Suddenly the MC was introducing me and I walked on to the stage.
The lights were glaring and I felt myself begin to sweat under their heat. The audience was a swath of classmates I knew and did not know. I could make direct eye contact with the girl I shared an ex with, a fairly new friend, and a secret crush. I gulped and began.
So I was born without a left hand and I wear a prosthesis. That was it. The hardest line. And it was over just like that. I had peeled off the Band-Aid to reveal the cut I had closed over.
I let out the next line: It’s not something I’m ashamed of, but at the same time, it’s not something that I love to broadcast. Like, I’m not walking into a room of new people being like, “Fake hand! Who wants to touch, eh?!”
I was doing it, and people were laughing. I leaned in. I felt reassured in the fact that there was nothing I could do now. The hardest part was over, and now I could let the words fall from my mouth.
I had built up this moment in my mind for ages and now it was over.
Almost always, when people find out I have a fake hand, they brush past it because either they feel awkward or they don’t want to make me feel uncomfortable. But this isn’t always the case. One time I was drunkenly peeing in the bathroom with someone I had just met and she starts looking at my arm and is like, “Dude what’s going on with your hand right now?” And I’m like, “Oh it’s fake, it’s a prosthetic limb,” and she gets so apologetic and starts going on like, “I’m so sorry, I really do feel like I should say something vulnerable about myself to make you feel better. And I’m like, “You really don’t need to. I’m fine.” But she insists and says,“One time in the third grade, I shat myself and I had to go home to change my pants.” I’m looking at her and I’m thinking, “I hate to break it to you my friend, but that is not the same.”
The crowd burst into laughter. I kept going. There was this time I was playing cards with my friend Thomas, and it’s hard for me to hold cards. So I’m trying to prop them up on my thigh and they’re all spilling on the ground. And Thomas goes, “Do you not know how to hold cards?” and I was like, “Actually, no I do not.” I explained to him why and he was like, “Oh my god fuck, I’m so sorry. Look,I don’t want this to sound insensitive, but do you know Buster from ‘Arrested Development?’” Then I said, “Um, excuse me? Do I know Buster? The fictional character from a television show who gets his hand eaten off by a seal and wears a hook for a hand in the remaining seasons? Yes, I do. But that is purely coincidence.”
I had built up this moment in my mind for ages and now it was over. The lights went down. There was a chorus of applause, especially from the corner where my friends sat. I felt a sense of relief and a rush of accomplishment.
For so long, the thought of making this aspect of my body so publicly legible seemed like an impossible feat. But now, at the top of the summit, my prior fears and anxieties seemed small and inconsequential. Years ago I had thought that talking about my hand in stand-up would be disastrous. In my elaborate, nightmarish fantasies I imagined my peers would scream in horror, perhaps even gouge their eyes out when I revealed my true self. I shuddered to think that strangers would recoil at my touch. Perhaps I’d walk into the cafeteria to find everyone pointing at me and laughing. However, my delusional brain seemed to be giving me too much credit. In the weeks after the show, my life resumed as normal. Those who did not already know about my difference did not seem to mind or even think twice. The one who cared the most deeply had been me.
And so this set hadn’t been about Mark, even though he had acted as the catalyst. It hadn’t been for or about anyone else but me. I had done this for the version of myself who, as a kid, had blinked three times fast in front of a bathroom mirror and hoped magic would change her. This was for the person who had been so utterly terrified of her body being exposed to the world that she hid, perpetually, under pilled sweaters. I had done this to to prove to myself that I could lean into the things that scared me. I had done this to prove that my own body wasn’t something to fear. For so long I believed that sharing the truth about my disability would reduce me to a synecdoche, that I’d always be the girl with the hand. But after I had brought my whole, unadulterated self into the light I realized others saw me in a way I didn’t always see myself.
And now that I have opened up this box, I see a trove of potential material. Just a couple of weeks ago, I had an experience related to my hand and my immediate thought was “I have to put this in my standup.”
Edited by Kelly Dawson, a disability advocate who was born with cerebral palsy and has a master's degree in media communications.
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You might not be familiar with the name Harper Watters, but you've probably seen one of his viral videos. Maybe the one where the professional ballet dancer struts, pops, and does splits on the treadmill to the sounds of “Fergalicious” — all while wearing a pair of sky-high pink heels? Two years ago, that exact Instagram video became an internet sensation, garnering over 1.4 million views and tons of reposts.
Watters has gone on to post more treadmill routines, in addition to clips in which he pirouettes sans exercise equipment. The star soloist at the Houston Ballet has built an online reputation centered on self-expression and fearlessness. That's what landed him a gig as the face for MAC's Love Me Lipstick collection.
Along with five other individuals who MAC has deemed “powerfully expressive” — a list that includes Halima Aden and Roma Sawayama — Watters appears in the lipstick campaign wearing a shade of candy apple-red lipstick, called Shamelessly Vain. He also takes a stroll on a treadmill to none other than “Lovefool” by The Cardigans.
Watters admits that he came about his signature move spontaneously. It all began when he and his friends randomly put on heels after a workout in the gym. “We were like, 'Could you imagine if we put on these heels and just got on a treadmill,'” he tells Refinery29. They did exactly that, creating the first of many videos. Watters makes it seem easy to pose on a moving stage, but he admits it's a tough task. “It's a lot of prayer, good health insurance, and music that really helps to do it,” he says with a chuckle, revealing that there definitely has been some falling. “The power of editing gives me a lot of grace.”
Although dancing in heels can be tricky — you should probably leave it to the professionals — Watters finds power in wearing stilettos on and off the treadmill. “When I wear the heels, a lot of people see the shoe but there's a certain swagger, a certain attitude that you have to have when you put on heels. The same comes when you put on red lip or you use a gorgeous highlight,” he says. “I really feel like Naomi Campbell when I wear makeup. When you know that you have a stunning lip on, it's indescribable but you just carry yourself a little different. It's like a superhero cape.”
Watters first learned to put on makeup for his dance recitals and studio performances. Over time, he perfected his stage makeup skills by watching YouTube tutorials and copying the techniques of drag queens. “RuPaul's Drag Race was really inspirational for me to start accepting my feminine side and exploring my identity, other sides of who I am, and who I can be,” he says. “It really made me feel like, 'It's cool to put on a heel, makeup, or any type of outfit.”
Don't be mistaken by Watters' undeniable confidence, his journey to self-love has been a work in progress — especially with the pressures within the dance community. “I'm actually in my tenth season with the Houston Ballet, and it's my job to stare at myself in the mirror every day and perfect things,” he reflects. “I doubted myself a lot, and I thought I had to be like other successful dancers. I compared myself to them.”
Eventually, he harnessed the confidence we all see today on his Instagram feed and in the MAC campaign. “It was when I truly accepted who I was, what I had to offer, and what I had to say that my dancing became better.” Watters feeds that self-love by taking his ballet classes every day — which he finds meditative — wearing heels whenever he pleases, and making time for guilty pleasures, like the Real Housewives.
He urges everyone to find the thing that gives them power. In his words, “Whether it's makeup, heels, or doing what you really truly love, celebrate that and own it because once you do that, the sky's the limit for what you can achieve.”
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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Ah, pilates. It’s not just for women from the ‘80s wearing neon spandex. It’s a versatile workout that’s good for posture, conditioning, and strengthening. It’s low impact, and ignites your muscles in a gentle way, making it pretty accessible for most bodies. Pilates tends to work the core, first and foremost, but you can target your bum and other areas, too. It can be done with or without equipment, so don’t worry if you don’t have a reformer in your living room!
We worked with Amy Jordan, the creator and CEO of WundaBar Pilates, to come up with some peak pilates moves for you to incorporate into your life for this month's 30-day challenge. Getting them done will only take about 10 minutes, so don’t worry about this taking over your life.
Jordan calls the moves “fun, challenging, core-shredding, full-body exercises – created for you to feel stronger, longer, and 100% empowered!”
Here's the scoop on this challenge: For the next 30 days, you can do the moves Jordan prescribes in this calendar. It's built for two rounds of what's known by her followers as the "2 Weeks 2 Wunda" Program. The last two weeks will be tougher than the first two — but don't worry, you should get stronger in the first 14 days if you follow the routine.
If you’ve never done pilates or anything remotely similar, Jordan says you should expect to be surprised by this workout. "I often hear people say: 'Oh, you teach Pilates? That's stretching, right?' But we do our work eccentrically," she says, "which is a fancy way of saying in length. So you will elongate your muscles as you sculpt them." Jordan encourages taking breaks as needed, and reaching out via DM to the WundaBar Instagram with any questions that come up.
We asked Jordan if she had tips for embarking on the challenge, and her answer was encouraging: "Find gratitude and grace for yourself as you work," she said. "It's so easy to get down on ourselves for missing a planned workout. Missed one? Get back at it tomorrow!"
This workout consists of six basic moves, with an occasional challenge thrown in. You can use light dumbbells or just use your body weight to complete it. It'll also be helpful to have a yoga mat or soft carpeting for your knees. We also recommend a killer playlist: "Señorita," anyone? Download this calendar as a PDF, or save it somewhere on your phone, and read on to learn the moves with helpful GIFs.
If you can't get enough of this workout after 30 days, you can try streaming WundaBar's 30-min pilates workout.Refinery 29
Four-Point Kneeling Xs
Start by kneeling on all fours, like you're about to do cat/cow in yoga. Keep your ab muscles contracting, allowing for a natural curve in your lower back, to keep your pelvis in a neutral position. Reach your right arm straight forward with a dumbbell, and simultaneously lift your left leg off of the floor. Your arm and leg should be level with your torso. Take a deep breath in as you move your floating arm and leg in a parallel movement. Exhale as you return to the starting position. Do this eight times on each side.
Pro tip from WundaBar: Check your pelvis — is it where it started? Or have you leaned to one side? If it's the latter, correct that using your transverse abdominis muscles to stabilise the pelvis. Refinery 29
Tree Hugger Clock Sweeps
Stand up straight holding two dumbbells straight up and down, with your arms slightly bent. You should look like you're awkwardly hugging a basketball. Your heels should be touching, and your toes should be open (this is called first position). Now, point your right leg forward with one toe barely touching the floor. Sweep this leg around behind you like a clock-hand moving from noon to six. Then bring it back around to noon again. Do this eight times and repeat on the other side.Refinery 29
Touchdown Lunges
Stand with dumbbells in your hands with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold them straight out in front of your chest. Take one big step forward with your right foot. It will land flat on the floor, as your left foot lifts a bit. Your knees will bend as you lower into a lunge. At the bottom of the move, push down your shoulder blades and bring the dumbbells up to the ceiling. Bring them back into the starting position as you lift out of the lunge. Do eight reps on each side.Refinery 29
Side Plank Scoops
Start lying on your side. Move one foot in front of the other on the floor. Use the arm closest to the ground to push up so that only your palm and your feet are touching the mat. You should be in a side plank now. Take the arm closet to the ceiling and reach around your torso, bringing your hand or a dumbbell under the oblique closest to the floor. Do this eight times and repeat.
Pro tip from WundaBar: Share the effort all the way around your waistline, like a corset, rather than working through one side only.Refinery 29
Roll Ups
Start lying down on a mat with dumbbells in hands and your arms thrust above your head. Sit up slowly. Exhale, and try to isolate using only your ab muscles (as opposed to using momentum) as you come into a seated position, without letting your legs lift. Once you're seated, lie back down again and repeat this eight times.Refinery 29
One-Legged Bridge
For this move, you'll want to start lying on your back with your knees bent and your bum, hips, and spine raised off the floor. This a basic bridge. Your thighs should be activated and together, as if you're trying to hold a block between them. Now, point your right foot, hoisting your leg up into a 45-degree angle. Keep it there.
As all this is happening, you should be holding light dumbbells and reaching your arms to the ceiling. Now open both arms wide to the sides with a slight bend in your elbows. As you exhale, bring the dumbbells back toward the ceiling. After doing eight arm reps, slowly gravitate your hips back to the floor. Repeat with the other leg.
Pro tip from Wundabar: Think about the ribs lacing together around your heart to activate deep core work, Jordan recommends. Flared ribs will take away from the transverse abdominis connection, leaving all the work to your hamstrings.Refinery 29
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Picture this: The year is 2016; the boy band One Direction officially broke up months ago; and former member and standout singer Harry Styles has made plans to go solo, cutting his shoulder-grazing heartthrob hair in the process. Why? Well, he just ditched the group that skyrocketed him to fame, and he's going to be in a period action-drama about WWII called Dunkirk. In other words, he's moving on. Fans are, naturally, heartbroken over his sudden transformation.
Fast-forward three years, Styles is about to drop his second album (which, he says, is very sad) and just made yet another dramatic haircut decision that is sending fans into a frenzy.
The drama started on Saturday morning when a fan tweeted a selfie of her father and Styles together in Italy. “Soooo my dad just met harry in Italy…., cannot fucking believe my eyes,” she wrote. Soon enough, the photo was retweeted all over the Twitterverse, with fans noticing that Styles looked… different.
As seen in the photo, Styles' not only cut his hair shorter, but he is now brushing it forward into a look that some are comparing to Timothée Chalamet's bowl cut in The King. This is particularly unusual because Styles' hair is always slicked back. Now, he looks like a healthy mix of Stranger Things' Jonathan Byers and former 1D bandmate Louis Tomlinson.
We may not know why Styles got the haircut, when it happened, or if it's for a role, but we do know exactly how some fans feel about it: not good.
me forcing myself to like Harry’s new hair style bc I want to support him in any way possible pic.twitter.com/3JEcNCZNSp
people unstanning harry because of his style and hair 1. what 2. he looks perfect 3. yall only care about looks 4. this beautiful legend stays unbothered
Despite how you feel about the new look, a new era of Styles is officially upon us — and as far as we can tell, Styles is unbothered by the reactions. As one fan tweeted, “He really is THAT bitch.”
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Here on the Shopping team, we’ve been using eBay to source secondhand and vintage clothing since the early years of online shopping. There’s very little that can’t be had on the massive marketplace, and we’ve indulged many throwback whims with the help of eBay’s super-granular search tools — just ask our EIC Christene Barberich how she hacks the site with cleverly specific search terms. However, a lot has changed since our days of vintage-hunting infancy: eBay is now in the business of selling absolutely everything, and secondhand merchandise is only a small fraction of offerings that include Apple products, premium household appliances, and brand-new designer finds.
Despite its foray into omni-retail-dom, we still use the site anytime we have an itch for vintage sterling silver jewelry, a pair of perfectly broken-in Levi’s, or a Batsheva-style prairie dress of the OG variety. And while we’re often hot on the trail of specific search terms, it’s always helpful to have a rolodex of the eagle-eyed secondhand pickers that truly have the goods. So, in an effort to streamline your browse, we’ve rounded up those bookmark-worthy shops reliable for their on-point assortments. Click through to find the vintage purveyors that have us hitting the “save seller” button.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
A spot-on selection of ’80s, ’90s, and “Y2K”-era vintage with some covetable contemporary and designer labels thrown in (MM6, Dries Van Noten, Lacausa) from a seller that boasts 100% positive feedback in the last 12 months.
United Colors Of Benetton Baby Blue Knit Sundress, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
The moment we spotted a mint Pendleton blanket in this Arizona seller’s product images, we knew we were hot on the trail of a like-minded vendor. Sure enough, turns out we’d hit the workwear jackpot — Carhartt, L.L. Bean, and military surplus pieces abound in this collection, in addition to a wide selection of that highly coveted year-round wardrobe staple: vintage Levi’s.
Levi's 501 Button Fly Jeans, $Array, available at eBay
Levi's 501 High Waisted Button Fly Jeans, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
Designer totes of every shape and size proliferate in this collection: Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Celine, Fendi, Balenciaga, and Louis Vuitton are just a handful of the megawatt labels we spotted from this Boca Raton-based seller that specializes in both vintage and contemporary designer handbags. Look for the eBay-backed “authenticity verified” stamp on products here — it means that experts at eBays have inspected the piece to ensure its authenticity.
Gucci Vintage Monogram Duffel Bag, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
This jewelry collection caught our eye for its very affordable assortment of sterling silver and fine jewelry. We spotted minimal, geometric drops and studs in simple shapes, Art Deco-era costume jewelry, and semi-precious stones like citrine and topaz; mostly clocking in at under $50. The assortment is vintage but feels very modern, with a piece or two that could easily be mistaken for a contemporary Sophie Buhai design.
Unbranded Vintage Sterling Silver Etched Puffy Heart Earrings, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
Those embracing the minimal '90s aesthetic will appreciate the pared-down, throwback vibes of this consignment seller. While most of the Y2K-era and contemporary finds are not technically vintage, we found streamlined designer duds from Oscar de la Renta, Prada, Piazza Sempione, and Missoni. The greatest score, however, would probably have to be these square-toed Nine West boots.
Nine West Suede Ankle Boots, $Array, available at Nine WestRefinery 29
Hear ye, hear ye, all hypebeasts and baes — your ’90s-streetwear prayers have been answered. All of the vintage Polo, Nike, Champion, and throwback sports attire your discerning hearts desire are contained within this eBay store. Sure, the assortment seems to be geared towards the fellas, but we all know you’d be stealing this super-preppy Ralph Lauren button-down from the man in your life anyway, so why not just buy it for yourself?
Ralph Lauren Chaps Colorblock Vintage Shirt, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
This Texas-based seller has a variety of Western-adjacent vintage clothing, but what drew us in was their seemingly endless selection of cowboy boots. Yes, it’s very specific, but with footwear of this ilk trickling into stores like Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi for fall, you’d be wise to snag an authentic pair — especially when they clock in for well under $100.
Dingo Cowgirl Boots, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
This well-edited accessories shop contains a pitch-perfect mix of eye-catching vintage sterling silver and affordable antique jewelry. Natural stones like turquoise, opal, jade, and coral adorn necklaces, earrings, and rings that date from the turn of the century to the present day. We love the range of prices, too — we’re ready to spend a reasonable $65 on this unusual sterling silver cocktail ring, and save our pennies for an Edwardian-era amethyst drop necklace when it’s time to treat ourselves.
Unbranded Signed Natural Turquoise Ring, $Array, available at eBay
Unbranded Edwardian Amethyst Negligee Drop Necklace, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
Full disclosure: the selection at this LA-based consignment store skews decidedly more modern than vintage. But, with a brand selection that includes basically every label we’d ever want to buy, we felt it our duty to spread the word about their on-point, on-trend selection. With everything from designer marques like Balenciaga, Celine and Prada; contemporary stalwarts like A.P.C., Ulla Johnson, and Ganni, and indie imprints like Mr. Larkin, LOQ, and Jesse Kamm — which can be reeeally hard to find on eBay — you will definitely find us browsing this seller’s page for hours.
Jesse Kamm Sailor Pants, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
Enter a very distant and bucolic past with a Burlington, VT-based seller specializing in antique European fabrics and clothing. Broken-in linen smocks, chore coats in the signature French blue, and a handful of 19th-century garments are the standout items in this collection — along with our personal favorite: a linen-cotton day dress from the 1950s.
The Textile Trunk 1940-50's French Short Sleeve Dress, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
A seller with a little bit of everything, Nine N Nine has a massive selection of vintage for men and women their collection numbers over 2,000 items. Look for classic throwback pieces that span nearly half a century — like this simple, totally modern transitional shift dress.
Unbranded Stripe Shift Dress, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
A solid selection of vintage and contemporary sneakers drew us to this men’s and women’s seller — we spotted brands like Nike, Converse, and Adidas in the mix.
Nike 1991 Cross Trainers, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
It’s as if a fine and elegant mid-century woman emptied the contents of her ladylike closet into this eBay store. Cotton, lace, and chiffon rule the day for this seller — we spotted antique nightgowns, needleworked Edwardian collars, printed dirndl skirts, and curve-friendly tea dresses among throwback accessories like beaded evening bags, crocheted gloves, and cat-eye sunglasses.
Unbranded Late '50s/Early '60s Cocktail Dress, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
New and vintage sneakers abound in the collection of this Long Beach, CA-based men’s and women’s shoe shop. Heavy use of the “RARE” and the flame emoji got our attention, but we stayed for the vintage Vans, Nike Air Force 1s, New Balances, and even a few designer imprints like Gucci and Acne.
Nike 1980s Pastel Blue Recognition Sneaker, $Array, available at eBayRefinery 29
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Like many things, I’d been warned about it by older friends but I didn’t truly understand until I experienced it myself. I’m talking about the year you’re absolutely inundated with wedding, hen party and engagement announcements and invitations. You fork out extortionate amounts of money in train station Accessorizes, on poky Premier Inn suites for one and Beyoncé dance classes you’d otherwise have no interest in partaking in. Your phone constantly vibrates with passive-aggressive messages from strangers on hen do WhatsApp group chats and it seems no one – absolutely no one – can talk about anything other than seating arrangements, first dance songs or the pros and cons of purchasing penis straws in bulk.
'The year' for me was the year I was 29. I was living in London and finishing a master's part-time while working for a national newspaper in the evenings and on weekends. My single dad had recently been diagnosed with a degenerative disease that would almost certainly kill him and I lived in the flatshare from hell. Normally, I’d make a disclaimer here that I was happy for all my friends getting engaged and married and that I wasn’t bitter at all. But that’s not entirely true. I felt left out, left behind, neglected, jealous and sad. I spent the year celebrating my friends' romantic accomplishments, feeling like nothing I achieved mattered at all. When I got my master's degree, against the odds, I got some social media likes and 'well done!' messages, but no celebration. And when I tried to organize a big 30th birthday party for myself, some of the same people whose hen dos and weddings I’d spent time and money attending begged off with excuses, while those who did attend insisted on bringing their husbands.
'The year' passed of course, the flurry of invites and announcements slowed down and things in my life gradually got better and less other-people's-relationships-centric. I started postgraduate research at a good university in a provincial city and there I formed a tight-knit group of friends all doing their PhDs. For the first time in a long time I found external, and internal, validation from something that didn’t involve men.
So recently, as one of my PhD friends, Jenny, was about to submit her thesis I decided to enlist a group of us to plan and throw her a 'doctoral shower'. She is around the age I was when I had 'the year' and I know plenty of her friends outside academia are busy planning hen dos and weddings. But she deserves a bit of love and recognition, too. We’ve booked an Airbnb in Brighton that we can decorate with naff doctor-themed paraphernalia, where we plan to take her after her viva (the nerve-wracking part of a PhD where you have to defend your thesis in front of experts) for games, quizzes and a lot of well-deserved good food and wine.
While I wish I could take credit for the idea, the concept first came to my attention through an American woman I follow on social media, Anne Christianson. Anne is a PhD candidate at the University of Minnesota evaluating international climate change policies. Her friends threw her a doctoral shower earlier this year and when I saw the joyous photo evidence of it on her Facebook, I decided to find out more.
She tells me it was an amazing day. “We had trivia, made academic gowns (rather than bridal gowns) from toilet paper, and then had a white elephant book exchange with environment or climate-themed books. People gave toasts to me, which honestly moved me to tears.”
Talking about the idea behind the shower, she said: “I realized I was increasingly frustrated that society doesn't value women who set off on a more independent pathway. The ritual of having a gathering to mark and honour the hard, oftentimes harder, work we have done to reach these milestones isn't formally recognized by our friends and family.”
But despite the strong sentiment, she said the shower didn’t cause a rift with her married friends. “Many of my friends who have got married and had kids pointed out the need for mutual recognition and inclusiveness of celebrating women's life accomplishments, whatever they are.”
Unlike the endless wedding industrial complex sponsored events we keep importing from across the pond (rehearsal dinners, engagement showers, gender reveal parties, etc) this is one Americanism we should be incorporating into our lives more. As Anne put it: “The shower gave me the opportunity to unapologetically say 'I’ve worked hard and I deserve to be celebrated'. Something women often have a hard time saying.”
Life isn’t fair, I know. Some people get beautiful weddings. Some people get PhDs. Some people get both, while some will get neither. Similarly, people’s idea of what success and happiness looks like varies greatly and we’d all do well to remember that someone taking a different life path is not a condemnation of the one you chose.
But in 2019 is there not room for celebrating a wider variety of women’s accomplishments outside of marriage and procreation? Next time you’re going all out planning a friend’s hen do, maybe consider putting a similar amount of effort into throwing another friend a party to celebrate that promotion, that new flat, that brave decision to leave a dead-end job.
No matter how big or small the achievement, we all deserve celebrating from time to time.
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Sure, luminizers are great, but in 2019, bronzers have become the unsung heroes of glowing skin. Ages ago, people used them to fake a tan during the colder months, or added creamy formulas underneath foundation, but for some reason, people with darker skin weren't included in that narrative.
"One of the biggest myths of the beauty industry is that people of color already have naturally bronzed skin, so they have no use for bronzer," makeup artist Kilprity Moore tells us. "But if you look hard enough, there are amazing bronzers for everyone."
Highlighting powders can sometimes look too milled or too shiny on medium, dark, and deep complexions. But with bronzers, the formulas are typically warmer, meaning you can dust it on liberally for a glowing effect. So, maybe you don't necessarily need to fake a tan if you're already blessed with melanin — but everyone can score a good glow up. Ahead, get the details on the best bronzers for medium, deep, and dark skin tones.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
MAC Bronzing Powder
"Look for a product that brings out your golden tones," Moore suggests. According to the pro, who works with actresses Naturi Naughton and Eva Marcille, this lightweight pick is buildable and has a soft sheen.
MAC Cosmetics MAC Bronzing Powder - Matte Bronze, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
For Medium Skin
NYX Cosmetics Matte Bronzer
"I don't wear bronzer every day, so I appreciate an affordable option that gets the job done. This bronzer doesn't fade as the day goes on and gives my already-tan skin more of a sunny glow, which I appreciate year-round," — Thatiana Diaz, Refinery29 Beauty Writer.
NYX Cosmetics Matte Bronzer, $Array, available at Ulta BeautyRefinery 29
Iman Cosmetics Bronzer Sand
"The light-reflecting shimmer in this automatically gives you a great glow," says makeup artist Renny Vasquez, who's behind the looks of Serena Williams and Brandy.
Iman Cosmetics Bronzer Sand 0.35oz, $Array, available at TargetRefinery 29
NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna
"Sometimes, medium skin can get a little orange," makeup artist Rachel Toledo says. "This one gives a tan feel without that happening."
NARS Bronzing Powder - Laguna, $Array, available at Bloomingdale'sRefinery 29
DISCONTINUED For Dark Skin: CoverGirl Queen Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer Brown Bronze
"This one adds a little warmth to the skin without going red," Vasquez notes.
COVERGIRL Queen Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer Brown Bronze, $Array, available at WalmartRefinery 29
For Dark Skin
Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Bronzer
"This golden shade instantly warms up my skin, giving it that sun-kissed glow without the UV rays. It's the perfect bronzer color for my shade," says model Kamie Crawford.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Powder Bronzer, $Array, available at SephoraRefinery 29
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Deep Golden Brown
Toledo notes that a warm bronze is best for dark skin "so it doesn't look too ashy," she says.
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder - Deep Golden Brown, $Array, available at Bobbi BrownRefinery 29
Guerlain Terracotta The Bronzing Powder
This best-seller is a favorite for a reason: It blends easily, creating a naturally chiseled face rather than a dark brown streak.
Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder, $Array, available at SephoraRefinery 29
For Deep Skin
NARS Bronzing Powder in Casino
"Try to avoid cool or olive bronzers that will make your complexion look muddy," Moore advises. "This one is super silky," Kilprity says. "It literally looks like a fresh tan!"
NARS Bronzing Powder - Casino, $Array, available at SephoraRefinery 29
Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer
Fenty's bronzer comes in 9 shades specifically catered to pop on all skin tones, but especially on dark complexions. The deepest shade, Mocha Mami, has red undertones and will chisel the richest skin colors.
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer, $Array, available at SephoraRefinery 29
The Lip Bar Fresh Glow Bronzer
For its first non-lipstick launch, The Lip Bar entered the bronzer category. The new Fresh Glow range includes five new blush and bronzer duos. Each compact features a luminous bronzing powder and a highlighting blush that you can use to contour and highlight. The bronzer shade selection ranges from tan to deep, so a wide variety of brown complexions are covered.Refinery 29
DISCONTINUED: For Deep Skin: CoverGirl Queen Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer Ebony Bronze
COVERGIRL Queen Natural Hue Mineral Bronzer Ebony Bronze, $Array, available at WalmartRefinery 29— In Partnership with Sephora — Refinery 29
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The world could learn a thing or two from the Latinx community, a culture that prides itself on feel-good music, delicious food, and badass leaders (hello, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez).
One thing we hold especially high is our love for beauty. From a young age, our mothers and grandmothers teach us the tricks they learned from their mothers and grandmothers to help us maintain healthy hair, nails, and skin. It's no wonder we see so much Latinx talent shining in Hollywood while catering to some of the biggest stars in the biz, like Rokael Lizama, the makeup artist behind Beyoncé's instantly-iconic OTR II looks. (Let's not forget that we're also a spending power in beauty retailing, as reported by Nielsen.)
So, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we thought it'd only be right to spill our secrets — well, some of them. That's why we asked several Latinas to share their go-to beauty hacks, and rounded up some of our favorites. From fighting sweat to growing nails, these useful tricks won't only save you money, but might just inspire you to change up your beauty regimen, too. Ahead, the best beauty hacks nine Latinas learned from their familias.
Today, there are roughly 55 million Latinxs living in the U.S. — each one of us with unique cultural experiences. In our new series #SomosLatinx, R29's Latinx staffers explore the parallels and contrasts that make our community so rich. Stay tuned as we celebrate our diversity during Latinx Heritage Month from September 15-October 15.
"To help grow out my nails, my grandma taught me to use garlic and clear nail polish. You take a garlic clove, smash it, and put it into the clear polish (a strengthening one works best). I apply it as a base coat a few times a week and it works magic for making my nails longer and stronger." — Massiel Ramirez, Dominican-AmericanCourtesy of Massiel Ramirez."Growing up, my tia (aunt) would always insist that we use hair mayo — the ORS HAIRestore Hair Mayonnaise — during our summer beach vacations to keep our curls hydrated and frizz-free. At first, I was grossed out by the idea (personal opinion: mayo is the worst), but when it actually resulted in my curly hair feeling smooth and hydrated after a day spent swimming in the ocean, I was sold. I should probably do it again now post-summer, tbh." — Alessandra Donnelly, Cuban/Irish-AmericanRefinery 29"I remember visiting the beauty salon and the beautician finishing up my hair and asking my mother if I wanted a tubi, which is wrapping your blow-dried hair into a net so that it lasts. I instantly thought no. I wasn't trying to look crazy walking out of the salon, but my mother insisted otherwise. It wasn't until I unpinned my hair from the tubi the following day that I realized how silky straight the technique kept my hair; it's unmatched. Now, my blowdry wouldn't be complete without it." — Krystal Vega, Puerto Rican and BlackRefinery 29"Latinx people are all about being efficient. If the hand soap bottle is running low, you know my mom was adding water to it to make it last longer. So, when shaving cream would run out, my mom would tell me to use the conditioner and call it a day. It was also, in her eyes, a great way to have less products around, which means less of a reguero (mess) — a Latina mother's dream. Honestly, I love this hack and still use it to this day, because it makes for an easier shave and leaves my skin incredibly smooth." — Thatiana Diaz, Dominican-AmericanRefinery 29"My abuela (grandmother) would layer hemorrhoidal cream on her face to tighten the skin. Then, I later found out that Kim Kardashian and her makeup artist swear by it. It's not a permanent fix, but if you have an event or something to get ready for that requires skin tightening, it works." — Cessie Cerrato, Cuban-AmericanRefinery 29"My grandma has always slathered on this cream religiously every morning and night. She's almost 80, and I can say she doesn't look a day past 60. My mom and aunts also still use Pond's because of my grandma. It's safe to say it's a family thing. Growing up my mom didn’t let me put absolutely anything else on my face except Pond's, and I've heard the same from other Latinas. To this day whenever I travel back home to Colombia, I bring back the value size of this cream." — Daniela Herrera, Colombian-AmericanRefinery 29"My family would tell me to use vivaporu (Vick's VapoRub) to help calm bug bites and eliminate the itchiness. I wouldn't say it made the bites disappear overnight, but it made a huge difference." — Gloria Guerra, Dominican-AmericanCourtesy of Gloria Guerra."My grandmother taught me to put clear nail polish on the inside of rings so they wouldn't stain my fingers green (it happens) — and it actually works! I just did it three weeks ago for a ring I bought at an estate sale. I always do it and have never had an issue with green fingers." — Sarah Aires, Portuguese and Puerto RicanRefinery 29"I was taught by my grandma Valdina to use baby powder and lemon on my armpits to reduce sweat, and let me just say that it works. I actually started using it again recently, since I've been trying to walk away from toxic deodorants. Pro tip: never use lemon after shaving." — Diana De Paula, Brazilian-AmericanCourtesy of Diana De Paula.— In Partnership with Sephora — Refinery 29
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The hotel chain will begin offering larger, pump-topped bottles of the toiletries at around 1,000 of its North American properties. As of the announcement, Marriott expects for the change to be rolled out at most of the properties by December 2020.
This decision to eliminate single-use bottles comes a little over a year after Marriott International announced it would remove plastic straws worldwide by July 2019. It's also part of a larger trend of big companies from Walt Disney World to Starbucks rolling out sustainability initiatives.
According to a press release issued by Marriott yesterday, when the use of large, pump-topped toiletry bottles are introduced at Marriott properties across the globe, 500 million small bottles annually are expected to be prevented from going to landfills, which comes to about 1.7 million pounds of plastic. So far, around 1,400 Marriott properties offer larger-pump-topped bottles. But, as it's got over 7,000 properties total around the globe, the chain still has some changes to make.
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You remember this handbag: it sat in the car between the driver and passenger seat, always by your mom’s side as she chauffeured you to school on her way to work, or made the pilgrimage to the pizzeria after soccer practice with you and your three best friends in the backseat. It wasn’t huge, but it was big enough to hold a wealth of necessities for everyone in your family, and it was equipped with seemingly endless pockets and dividers to keep everything organized. Tissues, bandages, peanut butter crackers, a bottle of water, extra socks, Chapstick, sunglasses, disinfectant, Mad Libs — the solution to every problem was contained in that (roughly) 11" x 14" vessel. Your mom set the bar high for this item: it had to be easy to clean, in a color that complemented everything in her wardrobe, with a strap long enough to sling over her shoulder with ease. It also had to have a secure closure to keep all of her precious essentials safely in place.
Now, years later, your mom is still rocking that multi-purpose purse, and you’re starting to understand why. A medium-sized shopper replete with compartments for all of the things you lug — laptop, phone charger, change of shoes, dry shampoo, hot sauce — and a construction sturdy enough to withstand being shoved under things — desks, airplane seats, cubicles, and barstools — is the holy grail of handbags, and you find yourself eyeing your mom’s carryall and wondering where you can score one for yourself. So if you’re looking to cop your own “mom bag” this spring — or if you’re planning on helping your mom upgrade hers in the next few months — look no further, because we’ve rounded up the ones that are totes the best.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Dooney & Bourke brings its classic styling to a sturdy nylon and leather-accented satchel. A zippered compartment keeps valuables out of sight, while a segmented pocket will keep frequently used items close at hand. A key leash and snap closure add a final flourish of convenience to this timeless tote. (Bonus: the price keeps dropping! It’s currently 40% off the original cost.)
Dooney & Bourke Nylon Shopper, $Array, available at ZapposRefinery 29
We were initially drawn to the vibrant color of this zippered leather tote, but what really hooked us was the roomy laptop sleeve and partitioned pocket for a phone and wallet.
Cuyana Tall Structured Leather Zipper Tote, $Array, available at CuyanaRefinery 29
This slouchy-but-roomy satchel (with laptop capacity) hides a lot of storage behind its stylish exterior. A zippered top, two interior slip pockets, a size zippered pocket big enough for an iPad, a detachable cross-body strap, and adjustable shoulder straps make this genuine leather bag feel extremely functional. There’s also a slim outside pocket for documents that you need easy access to. It’s available in a number of go-with-everything colors, including the classic brown shown here.
S-Zone Genuine Leather Satchel, $Array, available at AmazonRefinery 29
Slim-but-sturdy (and adjustable!) handles adorned with petite buckles give this super-streamlined handbag a dose of extra-subtle chic. A secure zippered top keep the contents of the two inner compartments safe and sound, and the faux-leather exterior wipes clean with ease. At $35, this might be the best fall investment you can make.
H&M Slim Strap Handbag, $Array, available at H&MRefinery 29
Our moms taught us to favor anything multi-functional, and we love that this messenger-style bag has an adjustable strap for shoulder or cross-body wear. A roomy interior pocket keeps things organized, and a firm magnetic closure makes sure that your purse’s contents remain sealed up tight.
Everlane The Form Bag, $Array, available at EverlaneRefinery 29
A super-luxe leather and suede construction warrants the originally-$200 price tag on this sleek bucket bag — but it’s now half off and a steal at $99. We love the bag’s simple, tonal design and roomy interior (with two slip pockets and zippered inner pocket) for toting anything and everything around town.
Treasure & Bond Campbell Leather & Suede Bucket Bag, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29
This sturdy faux-leather tote has a roomy exterior slip pocket for all those things you need to keep at the ready, and plenty of interior pockets (guarded by a zippered top) for everything you’d rather keep tucked away. The long strap is adjustable, so you can wear it as a cross-body or a shoulder bag.
Universal Thread Bucket Hobo Handbag, $Array, available at Target.comRefinery 29
A lived-in, patchworked exterior gives this boho satchel a vintage air that belies its super-modern functionality. With a shoulder strap and a detachable cross-body strap, it also boasts a secure zippered top and a total of six interior pockets for squirreling away the essentials.
Anthropologie Louisa Tote Bag, $Array, available at AnthropologieRefinery 29
A doctor-bag inspired tote with multiple zippered compartments makes a chic accompaniment to any office-ready outfit. Take advantage of the roomy sections to tote all of your essentials for work and play.
Time and Tru Albina Satchel, $Array, available at Wal-MartRefinery 29
For anyone in search of a simpler, lower-maintenance option, this canvas tote boasts plenty of storage functionality — including a keychain strap and interior zippered pocket — along with a premium quality, fair-trade construction.
Nisolo Canvas Tote, $Array, available at NisoloRefinery 29
One of the coolest thing about this pared-down, streamlined tote is that it’s compatible with additional “shells”, so you can switch up the texture and color of your bag’s exterior on a whim. Other bells and whistles include the scratch-resistant all-leather exterior, a wide, laptop-friendly interior pocket, a keyring, and numerous additional pockets for notebooks, phones, tablets, and trinkets.
Lo & Sons Seville Tote, $Array, available at Lo & SonsRefinery 29
This streamlined, surprisingly spacious bag has more organizational bells and whistles than we’ve ever seen. A neoprene laptop sleeve, segmented inner pocket, beverage ring, and a keychain leash will ensure that everything — and we mean everything — is kept in its place.
Dagne Dover Allyn Tote, $Array, available at Dagne DoverRefinery 29
This workhorse bag is worth the high price tag. It contains six “slip” pockets for — you guessed it — slipping in small items, meaning you can keep all of those small objects from cluttering up your purse. There’s also a larger zippered compartment and a laptop sleeve, and you can protect the entire contents of your purse thanks to a full zippered closure. If that wasn’t enough, the whole shebang is made in Italy from scratch- and water-resistant Italian leather.
Senreve Voya Tote, $Array, available at SenreveRefinery 29
A long crossbody strap gives this luxury-feeling satchel plenty of carry-anywhere functionality. A zippered center compartment keep essentials safe and out of sight, while open side pockets are suitable for the items you need quick and easy access to.
Charles & Keith Structured Tote Bag, $Array, available at Charles & KeithRefinery 29
This cool, slouchy tote has a hefty capacity and smooth exterior that hides a surprising amount of functionality, including an interior zip pocket and two slim slip pockets for keeping all the goods organized.
Botkier Soho Hobo Bag, $Array, available at Bloomingdale'sRefinery 29
We love the sunny yellow of this quilted nylon tote, but if it’s a little too seasonal for you, MZ Wallace offer its medium-sized satchel in 18 really appealing colorways. Also appealing about this sturdy, compressible bag are its reinforced shoulder straps, six interior pockets, detachable pouch, keyring strap, and zippered top. In a review on the brand’s website, an actual mom vouched for its family-friendly construction: “I have no problem taking this one to work, and it works great with all of the activities for my daughter, from swim lessons, to the zoo and the park.”
MZ Wallace New York Medium Sutton, $Array, available at MZ WallaceRefinery 29This roomy purse comes equipped with a removable clutch for keeping smaller items separate from big ones. Choose to carry the bag from its sculptural metal handles, or use longer straps to hang it from your shoulder. “This is a great purse and a great bargain,” praised a customer. Mom would approve.
Sondra Roberts Faux Leather Satchel, $Array, available at NordstromRefinery 29With a segmented interior pocket to keep small items organized and tucked away, this deep teal tote is rendered in a durable nylon that will withstand wear and tear. Despite a soft fabrication, it maintains its structure thanks to a reinforced bottom.
Herschel Supply Co. Mica Tote Bag in Deep Teal, $Array, available at Need SupplyRefinery 29An inner and outer pocket, along with a removable pouch, make the storage potential of this faux-leather bag practically endless.
Anthropologie Mandy Tote Bag, $Array, available at AnthropologieRefinery 29This mega-chic option doesn’t skimp on functionality — its multiple zippered compartments will help preserve order among your essentials, and magnetic closures will keep those essentials safe.
Charles & Keith Double Handle Tote Bag, $Array, available at Charles & KeithRefinery 29This canvas tote has the sleek structure of a pricy handbag with a very wallet-friendly price tag. With three on-trend colorways to choose from (we, of course, opted for leopard; but you should click through to check out the spring-friendly gingham option), the shopper offers a zippered interior compartment along with slip pockets and a fully zippered closure. The boxy design will accommodate anything you accumulate throughout the day, and is roomy enough to slide a laptop into.
A New Day Canvas Boxy Tote Handbag, $Array, available at TargetRefinery 29The lovely floral print on this roomy satchel isn’t the best thing about it — the interior zippered compartment, phone-sized slip pocket, detachable shoulder strap, super-sturdy leather construction, and laptop-friendly dimensions are what’s really selling us on this style. (Oh, and speaking of selling — it’s on sale until May 12th.)
Coach Charlie Carryall With Floral Print, $Array, available at CoachRefinery 29With a firm snap closure, zippered interior pocket, and sizable exterior pocket, we bet this sturdy military-inspired bag will stay on active duty in your wardrobe rotation.
Time and Tru Time and Tru Emiko Tote, $Array, available at Wal-MartRefinery 29
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Sunday Riley stans may swear by Good Genes, the brand's top-selling potion that delivers brighter skin thanks to powerful AHAs, or the retinol-infused Luna Sleeping Night Oil, which helps minimize fine lines and uneven texture overnight — but there's a new holy-grail coming to shelves this month. Meet Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream, the cult skin-care brand's take on a nourishing ceramide cream.
Quick science lesson: Ceramides are naturally present lipids that bolster the skin barrier. The fatty acids in ceramides are especially key if you have dry skin, since they help lock in moisture so your skin stays hydrated round-the-clock. With ceramides as the key ingredient, this moisturizer will be especially useful in the colder, windier temps that will be descending this fall.
“I created Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream because, as a person with dry skin, I wanted something rich and soothing as we go into the colder months, something that instantly absorbed into my skin for ultimate softness and glow,” Sunday Riley, the founder of the brand, tells Refinery29.
The texture is as decadent as it sounds, falling somewhere in between whipped cream and cake frosting. It may be a little heavy for oily skin, but dry or combo skin types will drink it up. Or, you can reserve this thick moisturizer for in-flight use, when the dry air is known to dehydrate skin.
In addition to ceramides, this moisturizer is packed with other hydrating ingredients — like red algae extract, squalane, and coconut extract (which lends a subtly sweet scent) — to help soften and plump skin. At $65, it's not exactly the same as stopping by the drugstore for a tub of CeraVe, but rest assured that it's a truly formidable opponent against dry skin.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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Combien de fois vous êtes-vous réveillée avec un mal de tête en faisant cette promesse solennelle : plus jamais ça ! Pour beaucoup d’entre nous, le sentiment de gueule de bois, les bleus dont on ne sait comment ils sont arrivés là et les nausées qui vous font regretter votre existence, vont de pair avec une consommation d’alcool abusive. Mais certains des effets de l'alcool les plus graves sur la santé sont beaucoup moins bien connus ni même discutés, en particulier en ce qui concerne les femmes.
C'est peut-être parce que les statistiques sur la consommation d'alcool montrent que les hommes sont plus susceptibles de consommer de l'alcool que les femmes, et que les personnes âgées de 45 à 64 ans sont les plus susceptibles de boire. Dans le même temps, l'abstinence a augmenté chez les 16-44 ans depuis 2005, et les 16-24 ans sont le groupe le moins susceptible de consommer de l'alcool.
Cependant, malgré ce qu’on entend dire à propos de la consommation d'alcool de la génération Y qui serait moins fréquente que celle de nos parents, lorsqu’on boit, on a tendance à le faire avec démesure.
« Tout le monde sait que les maladies du foie sont liées à l'alcool, mais ce qui est moins bien connu, c'est qu'elles touchent de plus en plus de jeunes et qu'elles commencent à toucher les femmes dans une mesure beaucoup plus importante que dans le passé, » explique la professeure Petra Meier, directrice du Sheffield Alcohol Research Group. « Les hôpitaux nous disent maintenant qu'ils voient de plus en plus de jeunes gens et de femmes dans la trentaine qui ont trop bu pendant un certain temps et qui ont vraiment endommagé leur foie.
Une étude publiée récemment indique que nos habitudes de consommation d'alcool à l'échelle nationale ont de graves répercussions sur le Service de santé. Une étude a révélé que 10 % des admissions aux urgences sont liés à l'alcool, et 10 % des Français consomment de l'alcool tous les jours.
« L'alcool peut affecter tous les systèmes de l'organisme, du cœur au foie en passant par le système nerveux, et il peut aussi avoir des effets importants sur la santé mentale, » explique le Dr Emmert Roberts, psychiatre spécialiste des dépendances.
« Lorsqu'une consommation d'alcool est telle qu'elle vous mène à l'hôpital, on peut dire qu'elle est excessive et cela affecte votre santé mentale et physique. Cela peut se traduire par une jambe cassée, ou une cirrhose du foie, » ajoute-t-il.
Nous avons discuté avec trois femmes dans la vingtaine et trentaine dont la consommation sociale d'alcool s'est transformée en une dépendance à l'alcool plus grave, causant des dommages importants à leurs organes internes, leur système nerveux et même leurs os.
« Mon foie me faisait tellement mal que je n’arrivais plus à m’asseoir »
Sonia, une professionnelle des relations publiques de 37 ans, avait 24 ans lorsque sa spirale alcoolique s’est déclenchée suite à la rupture d'une relation à long terme. « J'avais tout planifié : me trouver un bon travail, m'installer, me marier, peut-être avoir des enfants. Quand nous nous sommes séparés, c'est tout mon monde qui s'est effondré, » dit-elle.
« Au début, je me suis dit que j'allais sortir et essayer d'oublier tout ça, en espérant que je me sentirais mieux un jour. Malheureusement, cela a eu l'effet inverse : j'ai continué à boire et je ne me suis pas sentie mieux du tout, » ajoute-t-elle.
« Pendant cinq ou six ans, j'ai bu tous les jours, parfois dès sept heures du matin. Rétrospectivement, c'était beaucoup, et j'ai beaucoup de chance d'être en vie. J'étais jeune, je ne réfléchissais pas vraiment aux effets à long terme, et l'alcool a complètement pris le dessus sur ma vie. »
Originaire d'une communauté asiatique, elle ajoute que la honte et la stigmatisation autour de la toxicomanie n'ont fait qu'ajouter aux difficultés de Sonia. « Les anciens de la communauté asiatique ont tendance à porter des jugements, » dit-elle. « Peu de femmes asiatiques osent dire qu'elles ont des problèmes de dépendance. C'est quelque chose dont on ne s'attend pas à ce qu'elles souffrent. »
Lorsqu'elle était au plus mal, Sonia raconte qu'elle ne mangeait plus et perdait du poids rapidement. Sa peau et le blanc de ses yeux sont devenus jaunes, et elle avait le teint pâle et l'air décharnée. Sonia souffrait également d'évanouissements constants, ainsi que de douleurs au foie et au bas du dos, au niveau des reins. « Il y a eu un moment où j'étais au travail, et c'était si douloureux que je n'arrivais pas à m'asseoir sur ma chaise pendant la majeure partie de la journée, » dit-elle.
« Mon médecin m'a fait passer quelques tests et on m'a dit que je devais arrêter de boire ou du moins réduire ma consommation drastiquement. C'était un avertissement : “Si vous continuez comme ça, vous allez probablement finir par avoir une cirrhose.” C'est là que j'ai su que je devais prendre ça plus au sérieux. »
Après plusieurs phases de sobriété et de rechute, Sonia est maintenant capable de boire avec modération. Elle dirige sa propre entreprise de relations publiques dans le domaine du sport. « J'ai l'impression d'avoir repris le contrôle de ma vie, » dit-elle. « Mais je m’estime heureuse. »
« À 21 ans, on m’a annoncé qu’il me restait deux mois à vivre si je n'arrêtais pas de boire. »
Bella*, 24 ans, a commencé à boire socialement à l'âge de 15 ans, mais c’est à 19 ans que les choses ont basculé, après la mort de sa mère. « Ma mère avait elle-même des problèmes avec l'alcool, et elle s'est suicidée. C'est vraiment là que tout a basculé. Lorsque j’étais au plus bas, je pouvais boire jusqu'à deux litres de vodka par jour, explique-t-elle.
« Ma santé a vraiment commencé à se détériorer presque du jour au lendemain. Pendant quelques années, j'ai passé beaucoup de temps à l'hôpital, pour des programmes de désintoxication. C'est à 21 ans que ça a été le pire et que mes jambes ont cessé de fonctionner. C'était tellement douloureux que j'avais l'impression de marcher sur des couteaux. Cela m'a un peu secoué, parce que je ne comprenais pas ce qui se passait. On m'a dit que j'avais une neuropathie périphérique, où les terminaisons nerveuses meurent, » raconte Bella.
« Environ deux mois plus tard, j'étais de nouveau aux soins intensifs, cette fois avec de fortes douleurs à l'estomac et je vomissais du sang, » se souvient-elle. « À ce moment-là, on m'a dit que si je continuais à boire, il me restait tout au plus deux mois à vivre. Ce qui est vraiment triste, c'est qu'à l'époque, ça ne me dérangeait pas vraiment. J'avais tellement mal et je ne voyais pas vraiment comment m’en sortir. »
Le premier anniversaire de son demi-frère a été une véritable prise de conscience. « J'étais à l'hôpital juste après une désintoxication et j'ai appelé ma famille FaceTime pour son anniversaire. C'est alors que j'ai réalisé que je n'étais pas la seule à avoir mal, que mon alcoolisme affectait aussi le reste de la famille. »
Après une désintoxication complète à l'hôpital, Bella a commencé à assister aux réunions des Alcooliques anonymes (AA) tous les jours et elle cela fait presque trois ans qu’elle est sobre. « Je n’ai jamais été aussi proche de ma famille, j'ai mon propre appartement et j'enseigne de nouveau, » dit-elle. « Je me suis enfin construit une vie. Une vie bien à moi. »
Bella est toujours aux prises avec des lésions nerveuses à long terme, ce qui affecte son équilibre et elle souffre également de problèmes digestifs. Mais dans l'ensemble, dit-elle, sa santé s'est considérablement améliorée, et elle est « émerveillée par la façon dont le corps s’auto-guérit. »
« Quand j'étais à l'hôpital, on m'a dit que j'avais une maladie hépatique aiguë et on m'a montré des scintigraphies où mon foie était devenu plus gros et marqué. Chez une personne de 20 à 30 ans de plus, le foie ne se régénère généralement pas. Heureusement, en raison de mon âge, le mien a réussi à se rétrécir et a commencé à guérir, » dit-elle.
« J'ai eu une double prothèse de hanche à 30 ans »
Geri, 32 ans, a commencé à boire du vin à l'âge de 15 ans. « Au milieu de la vingtaine, les choses se sont accélérées et à l'âge de 29 ans, je gardais toujours un verre de vin à côté de mon lit car mes jambes tremblaient déjà trop pour pouvoir m'extirper du lit, » explique Geri.
« J'ai été hospitalisée à plusieurs reprises, mais lorsque j'ai touché le fond, mes jambes et mon ventre se sont mis à gonfler, et j'avais de la difficulté à marcher parce qà cause de la douleur, » se souvient-elle. « J'ai été transporté d'urgence à l'hôpital et mon père, qui avait été généraliste pendant 40 ans, m'a dit qu'il n'avait jamais vu un patient dont le taux de sodium était aussi bas que le mien. Malheureusement, parce qu'ils ont dû rétablir mon taux de sodium le plus rapidement possible, cela m'a causé des lésions cérébrales — ce qu'on appelle la myélinolyse du pont central, » ajoute-t-elle.
« Je ne pouvais pas marcher, je ne pouvais pas parler correctement, ma coordination se détériorait complètement et il m'arrivait parfois de perdre le contrôle de ma vessie ou de mes intestins, » raconte Geri. « Je pensais que j'avais déjà touché le fond plusieurs fois, mais c'était environ 10 niveaux en dessous. Toute ma dignité a disparu.»
Geri n'a pas bu depuis cette hospitalisation, et elle était sobre à son 30e anniversaire, mais elle a eu une pancréatite chronique ainsi qu'une cirrhose du foie, qui a été diagnostiquée lorsqu'elle était sobre depuis six mois. « En gros, plus rien ne fonctionne correctement, » dit-elle.
Bien qu'elle soit sobre depuis près de trois ans, les séquelles de de sa consommation d'alcool ont pour conséquence des visites régulières à l'hôpital, tant pour des examens de routine que pour de nouvelles complications. « Peu de temps après qu'on m'a diagnostiqué une cirrhose, j'ai commencé à avoir mal aux hanches et j'ai reçu un diagnostic de nécrose avasculaire. En gros, mes hanches me lâchaient, alors j'ai dû subir une double arthroplastie de la hanche. Maintenant, tous mes os sont examinés régulièrement et je suis à la limite de l'ostéoporose, » dit Geri.
*Le nom a été changé pour protéger l'identité de Bella.
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