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I Cheated On My Hairstylist And Here's What Happened

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"Same?"

"Same."

My hairstylist and I had been on autopilot for years. I'm the least adventurous woman when it comes to my frizzy dark hair. Sometimes when I felt wild, I let her skim an extra 1/8 of an inch or try a new product (but only if I went home right after my appointment because you never know). I've pretty much written my hair off as a lost cause. One day while the stylist whose work station is back-to-back with mine was cutting my daughter's hair, a light bulb went off above my lackluster head: Maybe I need a change.

I pulled my daughter's stylist into a hiding spot behind the sinks. "Can I ask you a question off the record?" I love how the lawyer always comes out to play when I'm nervous. "If I let you do anything you want with my hair, what would you recommend?"

Her eyes lit up. She diplomatically told me she would change the color, get rid of the face frame and chop two inches off to "clean things up." I was feeling dirty for considering cheating on my stylist and could probably use a clean up. To be fair, I never gave my old stylist a chance to say what she would do if only I untied her hands and unleashed her scissors. On the other hand, didn't she notice that my cut and color were just not working? Perhaps it was time for us to part ways and see other people...

I conspired with my new stylist to come back during the one hour that her schedule didn't overlap with my old stylist. I loved my new cut and color and left her chair relatively unscathed because I didn't have to face stylist #1. But the following month stylist #2 was unavailable during that magical time slot and I was faced with waiting an additional two weeks (maybe I could wear a hat every day?) or coming clean with stylist #1.

Stylist #2 assured me that while this happens all the time, she knows it's a huge deal for clients. No one wants to hurt anyone's feelings; we just want to like our hair. And everyone hates a break-up. I tried to convince myself that I have the right to frequent the stylist of my choice. She's a professional and I'm a grown up. So why am I such a chicken?

The dreaded day finally arrived and I woke up at 5am with a pounding heart. I stayed in bed pondering what the heck was wrong with me. Knowing that I wouldn't solve that global question, I just focused on the hair issue. I've switched doctors, manicurists, aestheticians... What is it about hairdressers that makes it so difficult? Maybe it's that I wasn't leaving the salon, just defecting to the stylist across the aisle. Normally I'm not one to shy away from controversy or confrontation, but I make every attempt to handle it with some semblance of decency. Lying in bed, I couldn't find any grace or dignity -- only panic and regret that I didn't just find a new salon.

With twelve cups of coffee sloshing around my veins, I dragged myself to the appointment, wishing I'd also made an appointment with my chiropractor, considering the tension headache that was spreading to my neck and back. My old stylist had not yet arrived and I slinked into the chair, wishing the cape would cover my head as well. Midway through my color application, my old stylist walked in. I heard her voice but couldn't look up as dye was being applied to the back of my head. I had five seconds to think of something to say. I looked up from my mess of hair dye and launched into an incoherent explanation that went something like, "don't be mad at me, I just needed a change, blah, blah, blah..." She graciously smiled and deflected any uneasiness with small talk. She set up her workstation and chatted with us as if nothing was different. She has a huge roster of clients and obviously is a true professional. Just like that it was over.

The colossal awkwardness never materialized and I was dumbstruck by the giant energy suck that I concocted against all good reason and maturity. How did I allow that to happen? The result of my unscientific survey of friends on both coasts reveals that when you cheat on your hairdresser you should just leave the salon entirely. An internal switch is just too controversial. Still, I survived and I'm here to play Monday morning Quarterback. So to my friend who quit her favorite salon, and my friend who drives an hour out of her way and my friend who now colors her hair at home, STOP! I know it's uncomfortable, but of all our issues, hair should be taken off the list. The likelihood of a showdown at the salon is slim to none. Be brave and face yourself in that mirror.

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Move Over Zoolander: Here Come the Fashion Entrepreneurs for Good

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In Zoolander 2, a movie comedy released during Fashion Week, vacuous male models played by Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson set out to save the world's most beautiful people from systematic assassination. The movie reviewers hated it, and it has bombed in the box office. Thankfully, in the real world of fashion, there is a growing band of heroes and heroines who are trying to figure out how to turn the industry into a force for good that can tackle some genuine injustices.



I'm talking about entrepreneurs driven by a strong social purpose to try to build significant fashion businesses that will disrupt the industry. Their goal is to make fashion more virtuous by changing how it works on the inside, in its supply chains, marketing and branding and in how it treats people. It is not easy, but already they are giving us a promising glimpse of how things can improve in an industry that in the past has too often been found to lack an ethical compass.



There is a growing number of these social entrepreneurs of fashion. But here are four whose stories I know particularly well, having followed their progress closely for several years. They are each terrific examples of the potential of a growing movement that I call "philanthrocapitalism," which has a core belief that entrepreneurial business people can play a crucial part in solving some of the world's biggest problems.



When I first met Paul van Zyl, he was running a non-profit focused on reconciling people in countries that had been ripped apart by injustice. A South African, Paul had worked as Executive Secretary of the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission alongside Archbishop Desmond Tutu. At first I was astonished when he told me he was launching a New York-based fashion brand. Yet he was clearly driven into fashion by the same social purpose that had turned him on to truth and reconciliation. His goal, he told me, was to find a way to help some of the most talented, but poor, traditional artisans survive in an industry that seemed increasingly determined to drive them and their skills out of existence.



Teaming up with Daniel Lubetzky, the entrepreneur behind KIND bars, and Kristy Caylor, a former head of merchandising for Gap Accessories and Product RED, he formed Maiyet in 2011. He has since raised an impressive amount of money to grow what is fast becoming one of the world's leading "sustainable luxury" brands.



Interestingly, playing down the social mission has been a key part of Paul's branding strategy. Instead, the goal has been to produce clothes and accessories that sell on their own merits, with the social benefits for artisans a beautiful by-product. To be sustainable, he believed, the products had to be competitive in their own right, not rely on the customer feeling altruistic (as the focus of altruism can be fickle, especially among wealthy fashionistas). This has in some ways made his task harder. But Maiyet has been making progress. The company is certainly serious about helping those needy artisans, such as silk weavers in Varanasi, India. It has a thriving partnership with Nest, a non-profit that is providing the artisans with business training.



Last summer Maiyet teamed up to produce a hugely popular range of sunglasses with Warby Parker, an online eye-wear company co-founded by Neil Blumenthal, another purpose-driven entrepreneur. Neil used to work for a non-profit tackling sight problems in the developing world; now that organization, VisionSpring, gets a donation every time Warby Parker sells a pair of specs. Its social mission is embedded in the firm's DNA explicitly, as it is a certified B Corp -- a new rating system for companies based on how seriously they take their social mission and environmental responsibilities. The B Corp movement is growing fast among entrepreneurs with a social purpose; there are now over 1400 B Corps around the world. Last year, Warby Parker raised capital at a valuation of more the $1 billion, becoming the first B Corp to become a "unicorn," as start-ups reaching that valuation are known.



Oliver Niedermaier is a German who prefers to describe himself as a New Yorker. Having succeeded in the commercial private-equity business, a few years ago he decided to do something in his career that he could feel proud about when describing his work to his young children. That something has turned out to be Tau Investment, an investment company focused on buying factories in the developing world and transforming their working practices to meet the highest ethical standards. Starting in the clothing industry, where there have been some recent deadly catastrophes in factories in countries such as Bangladesh, his goal is nothing short of improving from the bottom up the ethical quality of the supply chains of the major global retail brands. His hope is that being a Tau factory will eventually become the ethical equivalent for supply chains of Intel's "chip inside" computers.



Oliver has put together an impressive team of people, including Ben Skinner, an award-winning investigative journalist with a long record of exposing human rights abuses in developing countries; Jean Baderschneider , former head of Exxon Mobil's global supply chain; and James Gifford, who founded the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. They have been getting a good response from global clothing brands, around 50 of which have expressed an interest in using Tau factories, and are raising a fund of around $500m. The first couple of investments in factories are said to be imminent, and the firm has already identified what it describes as a "robust pipeline" of other likely factories for upgrading in countries such as Bangladesh, India and Vietnam.



Diana Verde Nieto is an Argentine who came to London for love, but stayed on to become a serial entrepreneur. Her latest venture, Positive Luxury, which she co-founded with Karen Hanton, the founder of TopTable.com, is helping fashion consumers make more ethical choices. Its app tells consumers whether a particular luxury brand meets various standards for ethics and sustainability. Already some 200 or so luxury brands, from DKNY to Dom Perignon, have earned the right to carry Positive Luxury's signature Blue Butterfly mark of trustworthiness.



In a persuasive new report, "2016 Predictions for the Luxury Industry -- Sustainability and Innovation," Diana argues that 2015 was a turning point for the luxury industry. This year, she predicts, progress will be even faster, especially with the tail wind of the COP 21 agreement in Paris which, she says, has brought home to business leaders the importance of taking sustainability seriously. Let's hope so.



These are early days for each of these entrepreneurs, none of whom can yet declare victory. But already they are showing the rest of the fashion industry the way to go: create more virtuous brands; invest in ethical supply chains; inform consumers about which brands they can trust to do the right thing. If you are looking for true heroes in the fashion industry, forget Zoolander and friends and look out for the likes of Paul, Neil, Oliver and Diana.



This blog post is part of the "Soulful Economy" series produced by The Huffington Post and Same Sky, a trade initiative that creates employment opportunities for women struggling to lift themselves out of extreme poverty. The series is running in conjunction with New York Fashion Week, and aims to use shopping as a force for good. To learn how to become a conscious consumer, read here. And to join the conversation on Twitter, look for the hashtag #SoulfulEconomy.

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Grammy Awards 2016: My Favorite Top 15 Red Carpet Dresses

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Glitz, glamour and gorgeous gowns galore on music's biggest night! The 2016 Grammy's red carpet witnessed that sky is no limit for stars to take risks with their dresses. From mullets and bright red wigs to revealing dresses and furry heels, the red carpet saw bold and outrageous looks of few stars wearing the wildest styles and setting unexpected fashion that you can't see anywhere. The biggest trends of the night were, no surprise, gilded and sparkled dresses with lots of plunging legs and deep neck lines. But there were few dresses you're going to fall totally in love with.

Tori Kelly

The American singer and songwriter Tori Kelly looked adorable in her emerald green Gauri & Nainika gown while hitting the red carpet.

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Ariana Grande

The 22 year old American singer and actor Ariana Grande looked sizzling red hot in her striking gown by Romona Keveža and a bag by Gimmi Choo when she walked Grammy's 2016 red carpet.

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Lianne La Havas

The 26 year old London-born British singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lianne La Havas looked stunning in her yellow gold gown by Vivienne Westwood as she walked the red carpet.

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Taylor Swift

The 26 year old "1989 World Tour" famed multi-talented singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Taylor Swift looked bold and beautiful in her two-piece Atelier Versace dress that revealed her midriff and a lot of leg on the red carpet. Taylor wore jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz and shoes by Stuart Weitzman. Taylor flaunted her well-toned body in a bright fuchsia ball gown skirt and coordinating orange cropped tube top setting her unique style statement.

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Selena Gomez

The 23 years old American singer and actress Selena Gomez truly dazzled the red carpet in her shimmering navy gown from Calvin Klein. She brought Old Hollywood glamour with a plunging neck line sequined gown with sexy cutouts.

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Kaley Cuoco

My favorite character 'Penny' from The Big Bang Theory played by Kaley Cuoco looked stunning in Naeem Khan white dress as she walked the red carpet.

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Kacey Musgraves

The 27 year old singer and songwriter Kacey Musgraves looked pretty in her peacock ombre gown by Armani Prive while hitting the red carpet.

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Ellie Goulding

The 29 year old singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ellie Goulding looked gorgeous in her pink classy gown by Stella McCartney as she walked the red carpet.

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Madison Beer

The 16 years old American singer and actress Madison Beer looked stunning in Alexander McQueen little silver floral dress styled with a pearl necklace and studs and nude lace-up pumps. She nailed it!

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Diana Gloster

Diana Gloster looked like an epitome of Grammy Award in her off-shoulder white gown printed with music notes by Tarik Ediz. Her gown was reflecting her true spirit for music's biggest night!

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Anna Kendrick

The 30 years old actress and singer Anna Kendrick looked classy in her black gown by Emanuel Ungaro and jewelry by Harry Kotlar at Grammy's 2016 red carpet.

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Giuliana Rancic

Giuliana Rancic, an Italian-American television personality dazzled the red carpet in Jani & Khosla's gold-embellished slit gown.

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Carrie Underwood

The 32 years old American country pop singer and songwriter Carrie Underwood looked breathtaking in her black leg plunging and strapless gown with a huge thigh-high slit by Nicolas Jebran while hitting the red carpet.

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Demi Lovato

The 23 years old American singer, songwriter, actress and model Demi Lovato looked stunning in a black blazer, matching high slit skirt by Norisol Ferrari and Jewelry by Mouawad on the red carpet of Grammy's 2016.

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Jane Seymour

The 65 years old British-American actress Jane Seymour looked stunning and walked the red carpet in her royal blue gown by Jay Godfrey. Who says you can't look sexy in your 60's?

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All Image Source: grammy.com

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Blake Lively Bonds With Her Mom During New York Fashion Week

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Gorgeousness runs in the family. 


Blake Lively spent some quality time with her mother Elaine on Wednesday. The pair attended the Michael Kors runway show during New York Fashion Week. 





The 28-year-old actress looked stunning as always, dressed in a curve-hugging lace dress that she paired with a few "subtle details," aka some rings with gems that rival her massive engagement ring



Just some subtle details ☺️☺️

A photo posted by Blake Lively (@blakelively) on




The "Gossip Girl" star is super close with her family and revealed to E! News that her mom was part of her and husband Ryan Reynolds' Valentine's Day celebrations. 


"We had a very happy Valentine's Day thanks to 'Deadpool,'" she said of Reynolds' new movie, which earned $152.2 million at the box office this weekend. "My mom was there. We had a nice celebration."


Lively, who welcomed her first child with Reynolds in December 2014, went on to say that motherhood has only made them closer. 


"I really appreciate my mom more than I ever have, but don't tell her, 'cause I don't want her to get a big head!" she said. 




Also on HuffPost:



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Sorry Kanye West, Kylie Jenner Officially Signed With Puma

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Kanye West might not be too happy about Kylie Jenner's latest fashion deal.


On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Jenner will, in fact, take part in a Puma campaign despite West's insistence that the athletic wear company could never "divide the family."  


“I am pleased and excited to be able to confirm that PUMA is indeed working with Kylie Jenner,” Adam Petrick, Global Director of Brand and Marketing for Puma, said in a statement obtained by People magazine. “Kylie will be featured in the brand’s Spring/Summer women’s training campaign launching in April 2016. Kylie represents a fresh and exciting new era for fashion and we couldn’t think of a more fitting and influential female to headline this campaign for Puma.”


West joined Team Adidas back in 2013 when he signed with the company after trying to get multiple other partners for his fashion aspiration. Last week, West tweeted that the 18-year-old would never work with the competition. 










TMZ reports Jenner will star in Puma's spring training ads, debuting in April. Us Weekly confirmed the contract is worth six figures







 


Also on HuffPost: 


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Jacqueline de Ribes Doesn't Miss the Mark

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While on the Upper East Side doing a special New York Fashion Week project, I just had to stop at The Met. Even with all of the new collections from the menswear shows, to the womenswear presentations, which begin this week, my mind was still on grand vintage fashion.

When Vanity Fair profiled the French countess a few years ago, Jacqueline de Ribes is quoted as saying that people said she looked like Nefertiti. No doubt, her elongated neck and bold eyes could have pushed the argument further (opposite a tan) in that direction. But this observation couldn't have been more than a whimsical happenstance because in order to get to her exhibit in the Anna Wintrour Costume Institute, one has to travel through Egypt and its old ruins. Such is the excitement with pomp and circumstance all built around Jacqueline.

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While on the Upper East Side, I checked into The Mark and was immediately transported to old Paris. It was if I was having an Owen Wilson moment a la Midnight in Paris. The black and white aesthetic with gold and silver accent seemed uber-rich, as if it had been reimagined from an early atelier from Mademoiselle Chanel -- when Boy Capel became her business partner.

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The Mark had so many opulent elements that it had been consistent, to me, with the spirit to which Jacqueline would get dressed. Every moment, was a moment -- to costume. Her favorite seemed to be parties, which she always commanded with her mere presence. There, in Yves Saint Laurent and Dior, she made women want to dress like her. And I was instantly inspired.

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The bathroom at The Mark is striped with black and white, but the French cabinets are lined in silver. Famed interior czar Jacques Grange has his signature all over the hotel -- so-to-speak, with his bold trademark of French sensibility. For the next few days, the room and all of its French glory were to be mine. I remember thinking that Grange really was the perfect person to call on for such an ambitious project. And anything on the Upper East Side, when started, is an ambitious project. Grange had already made a name for himself having worked with some of Jacqueline's fashion friends including Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino Garavani and Karl Lagerfeld.

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It became clear to me that at The Mark, it's about the experience which is similar to how Jacqueline felt about her closet. When she first married her husband, she only owned two dresses. She's the epitome, like Gabrielle Chanel, of fashion's Cinderella. When I made the realization that I wanted to work in fashion, I had only owned three looks, due to a series of unfortunate circumstances that belong in another essay.

Things aren't complicated at The Mark. There's a pedicab flanked in the hotel's signature black and white that shuttles guests to Bergdorf Goodman. In fact, it would only make sense, I suppose, that Bergdorf Goodman be associated with the hotel intimately, which is why there's a 24-hour concierge service available to guests that allow them to shop from the collections at Bergdorf with free delivery. They've made shopping luxury -- a luxury experience. And in New York, such isn't always the case.

Walking through Jacqueline's exhibit, one might think that her life was always wrought with luxury and stories of fantasy and leisure, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. What does a girl who survives a war, separation from her parents, and the tragic deaths of loved ones, do when she grows up -- become a fashion icon of course.

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Prior to the exhibit, I thought Jacqueline's story to be all-French, and with good reason I suppose. But at her sartorial core, her New York pedigree, which had a lot to do with Diana Vreeland, helped shape who she would become aesthetically. New York City and the U.S. as a whole, were her most avid supporters in the 80s when she produced her first fashion line, with more Jacqueline de Ribes collections opening in U.S. stores than anywhere else.

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She was the first brand-driven label. She knew that her power was in her lineage and standing as a proper French dignitary. And people would buy in to that story the same way I did when watching "Gossip Girl." So she created accessible and non-intimidating garments. Jacqueline de Ribes stores all over the world had built and modeled their brick and mortar after her own living quarters in Paris. People who shopped the collection were getting a taste, intimately, of the pinnacle of French high society and glamour.

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A hôtel de l'extravagance, indeed, The Mark has the kind of old school finishing and detailing that could have easily positioned it in another period when Jacqueline de Ribes might have just realized that she would be one of the most important figures in modern fashion -- and if she did realize, and happened to be on the Upper East Side, my guess would be, that she wouldn't dare miss The Mark.

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Chrissy Teigen And John Legend Slay, Once Again, At Sports Illustrated Event

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Chrissy Teigen's maternity style game is on point. 


The model stepped out on Wednesday with husband John Legend for the Sports Illustrated BBQ in Miami. All eyes were on the couple, who looked as great as ever. 


Teigen, who appears inside the magazine's latest Swimsuit Issue, opted for a sexy little black dress, which featured lace-up detailing along the sides. The "Lip Sync Battle" co-host accessorized the look with a small clutch and her gorgeous mom-to-be glow. 


Legend looked sharp, as always, in a dark navy suit and patterned shirt. 




Teigen attended another SI event earlier that day, looking pretty in a pink mini dress. Fellow model Gigi Hadid was also in attendance, and was spotted rubbing Teigen's growing baby bump



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Amber Riley Turns Up Her Sexy For Valentine's Day

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Image credit: Amber Riley's Instagram

Amber Riley, who is best known for her role in Glee and the recent rendition of The Wiz Live! posted a very sexy photo on her Instagram for Valentine's Day. The singer/actress wooed her fans with a very seductive and alluring image of herself wearing black boots and a bodysuit. She captioned the image by wishing herself a happy pre-birthday and a happy Valentine's Day.

Amber Riley visited AOL BUILD in December to talk about her project, The Wiz Live! and her passion for her family and her career. The star revealed her humanitarian and philanthropist side by stating certain issues are more personal to her such as homelessness, and family equality. According to her fan website, she's active in the following campaigns, causes and charities:

American Cancer Society
Family Equality Council
Feeding America
Save The Music Foundation
The Trevor Project

Her causes:
Cancer, Children, Civil Rights, Creative Arts, Depression and Suicide, Education, Family/Parent Support, Health,Hunger, LGBT Support

This photo is sexy and it shows that plus-size women are just as sexy as non plus-size models/entertainers and celebrities. Hopefully, we will see more images of Ms. Riley embracing her thirties as well as her sex appeal.

Love her look?


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Tricky Trendy Items

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With trends evolving in such a quick pace, it's not easy to follow up all the time. We might feel "passé" when failing to catch up with them. I have news for you. Trends as their name indicate, are ephemeral. Very few persist and make it through another season. I know women who stress out, if they miss out on the latest trends and are not a part of the fashionistas gang who are carrying them and heavily "instagraming"them.

We all want to lead a stylish life and look elegant without going bankrupt!

When we find outrageous prices for certain items, that cost a lot more than we should be spending, how should we behave? What is the right attitude? When do you know if this piece has to be in your closet or no?

The secret is in controlling our impulses and imposing a budget per month for our sartorial spending. Easier said than done... but it's worth trying and I promise you'll feel less stressed out and frustrated.

Remember trends come and go, style is eternal!

Few trendy pieces are enough to modernize and actualize your wardrobe. Integrating these items and incorporating them to your actual outfits will create your own personal style and give a cool touch to your look.

For every five fast fashion purchases buy one investment piece. It's so easy to be tempted to buy everything you see in fast-fashion retailers stores, but you will end up having a wardrobe full of clothes you will get bored of, and most probably these pieces won't look good after a few washes. So spending almost the same amount on one piece in elevated stores instead of on a few pieces in more affordable ones, is absolutely the right thing to do.

When shopping for trendy items, always keep in mind you can live without them. Buy only pieces that work with your personal style and not because it's trendy! Try to do a quick mental exercise: How would I wear this piece? With what will I team it? Do I have the items that go with it to complete the look?

And if it really works on you, why don't you adopt it whether it's still trendy or not.

Now for statement pieces, most likely you might be splurging on them. For that reason, before getting excited about them, think in how many ways you can wear them. If you can only wear an item one way, it's not worth buying.

Versatility is a key word in styling. The more outfits ideas you can come up with, the more you'll be happy with your purchase and won't regret it.

I always recommend adding a third piece to your outfit to give it this je-ne-sais-quoi that makes an outfit stylish and not just bland. The third piece could be a biker jacket worn over a skinny denim and a tee or simply a scarf.

This third item has to elevate the look and be a signature staple in your style. Invest in it as it'll be a recurrent one in your various looks.

When in doubt, it's much easier to rely on your basics rather than on all these trendy pieces. Basics can be repeated as much as you want as long as their shape holds properly, their color is still fresh. Being creative and stylish is not about amassing every trendy piece that is likely to pop up every few weeks; it is simply about appropriating these pieces and incorporating them in your looks subtly, stylishly.

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Beard Oil And Other Grooming Products Men Don't Realize They Need

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It used to be that when a guy wanted to groom himself, all he had to think about was which bar of soap was the easiest to get (usually the cheapest).


But men are wising up to the ways of healthier skin care, and those days of simplicity (and ignorance) are long gone. Now, with everything from beard oil to eye cream, guys across the country know that their skin is a vital organ that needs to be nurtured, and that it takes time and effort to keep it healthy and handsome.


The big brands have noticed too, but judging by the lineup at the recent Liberty Fair in New York City, there are a lot of smaller brands producing grooming products that aren't only affordable, but leave your hair, beard, face and body healthier than ever.


With more options come more decisions, so we're here to help: The following men's grooming products have earned the HuffPost approval for giving great results while being healthy and made with good quality.


They're masculine and fragrant -- but more importantly, an investment in your health. We can't recommend them highly enough.


 



Also on HuffPost:




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What The 'Ideal' Man's Body Looks Like In 19 Countries

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What does a "perfect" body look like? A new photo project attempted to answer that question. 


UK online pharmacy Superdrug Online Doctors recently published the second part of their project "Perceptions Of Perfection" which features 19 photoshopped images of the same man. Each image is photoshopped to represent a specific country's ideal body type, manipulated by a graphic designer from that country. 


The first installment of the pharmacy company's "Perceptions Of Perfection" series featured 18 photoshopped images of the same woman to illustrate what the "ideal" female body type around the world looks like. Similar to the first installment of the project, the company hired graphic designers from around the world to photoshop the original image.


"The quest for a perfect body transcends gender: Fueled in part by the media and popular culture, men around the world may feel even more body image -- related pressure than women do -- pressure to be stronger or slimmer or more muscular," a SuperDrug press release reads


Below is the original image that was sent to graphic designers.



The designers included 11 women and eight men from 19 countries on six continents around the globe. The countries include Australia, the U.S., the Philippines, Russia, Egypt and Colombia. 


The designers photoshopped everything from hair color to build and facial hair to properly illustrate the ideal body type of their cultures. According to SuperDrug, they gave designers "minimal instructions" and free reign to mold the original image as they saw fit. 


Some of the designers altered the original image completely, while others changed it only slightly. The American and Russian designers dramatically retouched the original image to make the man have larger muscles and different hair styles. The altered photos of Bangladesh and Serbia were changed to include different styles of dress. The Bangladeshi designer included purple boxer briefs and the Serbian designer added arm tattoo.


One noticeable weakness of the series when it comes to looking at beauty standards around the world, is that the model is a white man -- and thus the vast majority of the photoshopped images depict a white man. While retouches from Egypt and Nigeria slightly altered the model's skin tone, the photoshopped images from Bangladesh and the Philippines do not accurately depict the skin tones of the majority of people from those regions.


"Real men come in all shapes and sizes and span various skin tones and facial features -- and so does our man," a SuperDrug press release reads. "Watch him evolve based on each culture’s beauty standards and ethnic norms: barrel-chested or slim, muscular thighs or sinewy legs, wide eyes or hooded lids, a smattering of body hair or a baby-smooth body." 


Scroll below to see the "perfect man" in 19 countries. 



Head over to SuperDrug to read more about the project. 


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9 Famous Faces On The Struggles And Beauty Of Being Afro-Latino

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Afro-Latinos face many challenges when it comes identity, particularly when people refuse to believe that being Black and Latino aren't mutually exclusive experiences.


The Latino identity denotes an ethnicity, which means that Latinos exist in every color and race imaginable -- and explaining the difference between race and ethnicity can be quite a cumbersome task to take on on a daily basis. And yet, many Afro-Latinos are often forced to do so after being told they're not "Latino enough" or being asked to choose between being Black and Latino.


While many Latino actors have been brutally honest about the limitations that come with working in a predominately white industry, Afro-Latino celebrities often face even tougher challenges in Hollywood and beyond.


Take a look at what Laz Alonso ("The Mysteries of Laura"), Tatyana Ali ("Fresh Prince of Bel-Air") and more famous Afro-Latinos have said about being Black and Latino. 



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5th-Grader Bullied By Her Classmates Debuts Clothing Line At Fashion Week

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Kids attending New York Fashion Week is cute. Kids designing clothes for New York Fashion Week is downright inspiring.


Fifth grader Egypt Ufele, who goes by "Ify," made headlines this week when she debuted her clothing line Chubiiline at the Small Boutique Fashion Week show last Thursday. The designer, who creates clothing in a range of sizes, said she started the line after being bullied at school for her size. 


"I was bullied, and they called me all kinds of names. One time I got stabbed with a pencil," she told Today.



Ify told The Huffington Post she started sewing at just five years old, thanks to lessons from her grandmother. Her line, she said, is "African print design with an urban twist," and she worked with her mom and a publicist to see her vision become a reality -- a vision that's rare for children her age.



"I can actually see my hard work is not in vain," she told HuffPost of seeing her line come to life. "I sacrifice a lot of time and money to be a designer. 



She lists her favorite designers as Betsey Johnson and her own big sister Sade Perry, a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology she calls "the mastermind to teaching me about sketching and researching fashion." She loves fashion, she says, for its ability to "make you feel good."


Whom does Ify hope to dress someday? "I would love to design for the first lady Michelle Obama and her beautiful daughters Sasha and Malia," she said.


Ify is proof that it's never too early to start turning your dreams into a reality. 





 


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Kim Kardashian Grills Khloe On Her 'Changed' Face And Filler Use

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Ever since Khloe Kardashian lost weight, rumors accusing the star of getting liposuction, Botox and lip injections have spread through the Interwebs.


In a preview for the Season 11 "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" finale, Khloe's own sisters start speculating that she's had work done. Klassic. 


"Khloe, I was gonna call you and talk to you last night about this," Kim said over the phone. "Your whole face has changed. Did you do any filler?"


"No, I asked her that and she said no," chimed in Kourtney, while Khloe denied getting any work done -- including Botox. 


"Khloe, your whole face changes when you laugh. It's like, I stare at you," Kim said, making the most of this "normal" Kardashian konversation. 





Kim and Kourt (and Jonathan Cheban) jokingly concluded that Khloe's changing face was the result of two things: one, drug use, or two, lots of laughter -- pointing to this photo as proof of the latter: 



Khloe has denied changing her face, telling New Beauty in December 2015 that she's actually just started changing the way she sleeps. 


"I sleep on the right side of my face and my best friend pointed out that it looks flat and suggested I get filler," Khloe explained. "I see it, but I don’t think one side of my face is flat. I don’t think people thought about these things before Botox and fillers became so accessible. Now, I try to sleep on my left side." 


 


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Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck, Tom Brady And Gisele Bündchen Are On Vacation Together Right Now

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This might be Sydney Bristow's toughest mission yet. 


Assignment: Survive a ski vacation in southwestern Montana with your soon to be ex-husband and a supermodel and her quarterback husband, who exist on a strict plant-based, organic, dairy-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, sugar-free, caffeine-free, flour-free diet. 





According to Page Six, Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck, Tom Brady And Gisele Bündchen are currently in the throes of a winter getaway at the exclusive Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana. The pairing is honestly a little strange, considering Affleck's former nanny and rumored lover, Christine Ouzounian, reportedly shared a photo of herself wearing Brady’s Super Bowl rings in August. 


The group is having some fun, however, when they're not hitting the slopes, as they reportedly let loose in a bar on Monday night. 


“They had some serious après-ski and shut the bar down. They started drinking bloody marys, then beer and bourbons. They kept the bar open late for them. They all ate nachos, even Gisele,” a source revealed to Page Six. 


Gisele? Nachos?!







Although we don't have photo confirmation of the get-together, Brady posted a photo of himself on Monday atop a snow-covered mountain with the caption, "At least it’s safer than cliff jumping!"





Let's hope they all make it out alive.  


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Has Instagram Fueled Our Love Of Selfies?

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These questions originally appeared on Quora - the knowledge sharing network where compelling questions are answered by people with unique insights.

Answers by Eva Chen, Head of Fashion Partnerships for Instagram, on Quora.

Q: There is a growing obsession among girls/women nowadays to take selfies. Do you think Instagram has fueled this habit this even further?

A: As I type this I'm a few seats away from Kylie Jenner at the Hugo Boss show. Basically I feel like people have always taken photos of themselves. When I was in college I had these Polaroid cameras my friends and I would have so much fun with. Today, we'd be taking those pictures on our phones. I think it's just part of culture today... Why not have fun with it?

...

Q: How do you guide a teen girl to find her own style?

A: Practice makes perfect! Remember, it's just clothing. So try a lot of shapes, colors, textures on. Think about what you like and then think about why--was it the shape? The hem length? And then repeat over and over until you find your signature style. And if you ever get sick of your signature style... change it! That's the beauty of fashion.

...

Q: What are the best ways a small fashion retailer can reach to its audience on Instagram?

A: Well, Instagram is the perfect place to reach your audience because the playing field is leveled if you can create engaging/amazing/compelling content that people want to follow. Remember that there's more than just showing product. Show the woman who designed it. Write about your muses. Show them that extra-pretty flower stall you walked by this morning. Build a lifestyle around your brand and the audience will follow.

...

Q: How has social media affected how fashion cycles change?

A: That's a question a lot of people are asking right now. I think that fashion has always been about change and evolution and right now it's just a bit accelerated. I do feel, on a personal level, I am shopping for more timeless things, like the perfect pair of jeans (just found a pair at COS that I love. Perfect amount of stretch) or black boots. And then accessorizing around that. So in a way, Instagram has made me think about the things that will be the canvas to changing highlights (like accessories). I don't even know if that answers your question but there you go.

These questionsoriginally appeared on Quora. - the knowledge sharing network where compelling questions are answered by people with unique insights. You can follow Quora on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. More questions:​

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14 Reasons Getting Married In Hawaii Is Totally Overrated

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Head to any beach in Hawaii and you'll see a bride and groom posing barefoot on the sand, happy as can be.


But the truth is, weddings in Hawaii are downright unbearable -- and we've got 14 reasons to prove it.


1. All your friends will hate you after you post your tropical engagement photos.


*unfollow*




2. And they'll have to fly thousands of miles to celebrate in paradise with you.


What a travel nightmare.




3. You have to choose between beaches, sea cliffs, and waterfalls for your wedding photos.


It's impossible. Don't even bother.




4. And don't even get us started on picking a venue for the reception.


Who wants to celebrate their union in a romantic, abandoned sugar mill?




5. Your bridal party's funky "aloha wear" could clash with the electric blue water and velvety green mountains.


Ugh, flower prints.



A photo posted by Cologne (@colognemumu) on




6. The scenery will probably outshine you on your big day.


Photobombed by Mother Nature.




7. Your heels definitely won't make it through the day.


Go ahead and say your goodbyes to that perfect pedicure.




8. And your dress will need a serious dry cleaning.


Trashing the dress has never been so easy.




9. Your centerpieces will be replaced with horrendous fruits.


At least it doubles as a snack.



Pineapples are always a good idea

A photo posted by ARIA Studios (@ariastudios) on




10. You'll never stop smelling like salty air and plumeria.


It stinks.




11. At some point, you'll be forced to take off your flower crown.


Don't worry, the devastation you're feeling is totally normal.



A photo posted by PAIKO (@paikohawaii) on




12. You might get caught in Hawaii's unpredictable rain mists.


Which just ruins photos.




13. Worst of all, you'll probably have to stick around for your honeymoon.


Can you say boring? 




14. Hawaiian sunsets will ruin all other sunsets for the rest of your life.


Good luck ever being impressed again.




As you can see, Hawaii is terrible and you should never get married there. Trust us.


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Justin Bieber Shows How He Tried To Cover Up His Selena Gomez Tattoo

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Justin Bieber is just a regular guy when it comes to his many tattoos. A few of them are for his mom, there's some ink of Jesus and, of course, there's a tat dedicated to his famous ex-girlfriend, Selena Gomez. 


The "Love Yourself" singer broke down the significance of his tattoos for GQ magazine, probably after they pointed at a few and said "What do you these mean?"


Biebs happily explained all of his ink, but things got a little awkward when he pointed out a tattoo dedicated to Gomez. 


"Uh, this is my ex-girlfriend," Bieber said, while pointing to an angelic, cleavage-baring Gomez lookalike. "So I kinda tried to cover her face up with some shading, but people still know." 


That shade is gonna get even more awkward when Biebs and Gomez eventually get back together in, eh, let's say 2019. 


Watch the whole video below: 





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Photos Show What It Looks Like To Dress For School Around The World

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Whether you loved them or hated them when growing up, school uniforms have long been a subtle but important way to show membership of a community and pride of education. We recently teamed up with photo community EyeEm and asked photographers around the world to capture the beauty and cultural pride each uniform displays. 


Check out the photos below and head to EyeEm if you would like to contribute to their next mission. 


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The Zen Pony, Plus More Hairstyles From Fashion Week That Lazy Girls Will Love

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During the fall season of New York Fashion Week, we look forward to the more polished beauty looks that complement the luxe fabrics and furs found in the collections. But this time around, we noticed a string of carefree hairstyles. 


From the "Zen pony" at Charles Youssef to the stocking cap-wrapped hairdos at Kanye West, there was undeniable beauty in the "effortless" techniques. 


Scroll down to see these lazy hairstyles from New York Fashion Week, along with insider tips to recreate the runway looks yourself at home. 



 


Are you ready to start taking better care of yourself? Sign up for our newsletter and join our LookGood, Feel Good challenge to supercharge your beauty and grooming routine and develop healthy habits. We’ll deliver tips, challenges and advice to your inbox every day.  


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