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This Is the Best Makeup for Acne-Prone Skin, According to Dermatologists

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By Megan Kennedy

Acne is the WORST. And the more you have, the more inclined you feel to layer on heavy foundation to cover it up. But sometimes your makeup can lead to new breakouts, and you become trapped in a vicious cycle of wanting to hide your blemishes while the product you're using creates more of them.

Before you reach for the concealer, it's worth taking a moment to understand what's going on with your skin: "The development of acne requires the presence of several contributory factors including oil production, certain bacteria, and occlusion of pores," says Arielle Nagler, MD, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. Any of these factors can make you more likely to break out when you add makeup to the mix. But, she explains, not all makeup is created equal. The trick is to choose a foundation that's right for your skin.

Avoid comedogenic products:
"The main mechanism by which cosmetic ingredients cause acne is through occlusion of pores," says Dr. Nagler, and the following are all known pore-cloggers.

Alcohols: Cetearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, and other types can trigger the development of white heads and blackheads, the first lesions in acne. Even worse, alcohols are irritants and can dry out the skin. That irritation can trigger flare-ups, which make it more difficult to use acne-fighting medications, since those too can be drying, explains Melisa Piliang, MD, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

RELATED: 15 Home Remedies to Make a Pimple Vanish

Lanolin: Used as an emollient to soften the skin, lanolin and its derivatives (like acetylated lanolin) can also lead to breakouts.

Silicones: Cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, and other forms of silicone such as dimethicone, phenyl, and trimethicone are a no-no for acne-prone skin, according to Debra Jaliman, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and author of Skin Rules ($13; amazon.com). Another substance to avoid: petrolatum, which is sometimes found in moisturizing foundations, she says.

Oils: Some foundations include oil, such as mineral oil, coconut oil, and cocoa butter. But oils are not recommended for anyone with acne, cautions Dr. Piliang. Adding extra oil to already oily skin can clog your pores even more.

Fatty acids: The ingredient ehylhexyl palmitate, a derivative of palm oil, may also be responsible for makeup-induced acne woes. "Keep in mind that 'natural ingredients' can be comedogenic as well," says Dr. Piliang.

Be wary of the claims on labels
A few companies have begun labeling their foundation and concealer as "acne-fighting." But that may not mean what you think: Acne-fighting typically indicates that a product contains over-the-counter medication like salicylic acid. While salicylic acid does have properties that can help unclog pores, it also has the potential to be drying, notes Dr. Piliang.

RELATED: 16 Adult Acne Myths, Busted

Look for these four ingredients
There are foundations out there that can actually help your skin, says Dr. Jaliman. When you're shopping, she recommends scanning labels for ingredients such as aloe and antimicrobial peptide 10. Retinols and vitamin A derivatives are plusses as well, says Dr. Nagler: Both are thought to "improve the rate of turn over of your skin to help prevent the development of those pesky zits," she explains. "In addition, retinols stimulate collagen helping to counter the effects of aging and sun.

The best makeup for acne
Dr. Jaliman has no problem recommending these noncomedogenic foundations that are free of oil and heavy moisturizers.

CoverGirl Clean foundation ($11, amazon.com)

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Physicians Formula Organic Wear ($15, amazon.com)
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Almay Pure Blends ($13, amazon.com)
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Laura Mercier Oil Free Supreme Foundation ($57, amazon.com)
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More from Health.com:
5 Foundation Hacks to Prevent Winter Skin Woes
This Is the Best Way to Treat Acne, According to Experts
You Need to Try the 'Ice Cream Cone' Method for Applying Concealer

This Is the Best Makeup for Acne-Prone Skin, According to Dermatologists originally appeared on Health.com.

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The Best New Drugstore Body Lotions That You've Got To Check Out

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Body lotion is one of those few items that is obviously an essential, yet we rarely write it down on our drugstore shopping lists. We usually toss a bottle into our basket at the very last minute before heading to checkout. And there's not much thought put into selecting the bestdrugstore lotion for our skincare needs.


After noticing a dramatic change in the way our skin feels and looks, we recently had a wake-up call to give body lotion some serious consideration. So we decided to pay closer attention to the ingredients on the labels. 


Below are five body lotions we've recently discovered on the pharmacy aisles that have done an amazing job at tackling our dry, oily, dull and itchy skin.



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How My Father Inspired Me to Found a Clothing Line Dedicated to Something Bigger

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My dad used to show up to my games wearing two left shoes. He was a lawyer, so he would spend all day at the courthouse wearing a suit, and he didn't have enough time to drive back home and change before my Little League football and baseball games. So he would keep some sweaters and a few pairs of sneakers in the back seat of his car so he could change in the parking lot.

Sometimes he would show up wearing one Nike and one brown loafer. Sometimes he would show up wearing two left shoes. He had Dad Style. He didn't mind what anybody thought. He just didn't want to miss an at-bat.

About a year ago, I was driving home after a dinner, and I got to thinking about my dad's funny style. My mind started wandering, and I thought about what it would be like if he were still here, what I would get him for Father's Day. You know how you always get your dad some khaki pants and the same old button-down for Father's Day? It's just what you do.

My dad was the definition of a good man to me. He was a person that loved his family, worked hard, was kind to everybody he met, and he also loved to give back. As my mind was drifting on the car ride home, I thought about my dad opening up the box on Father's Day and seeing a nice suit, like the ones he used to wear to court, or a nice pair of new shoes. But then I thought, You know what? A suit or a pair of shoes alone wouldn't make him happy. He was always about something bigger.

So what if that gift also helped to inspire some good in the world? That would really make him happy.

I immediately called my friend Dean, who knows way more about business than I do, and has been in fashion for 30-plus years. "Hey, what would I have to do to start a clothing brand?"

A lot of thought has gone into that idea over the past year. Today, we're launching Good Man Brand, a clothing company that will inspire a lot of good in the world. This isn't a celebrity line. This isn't a one-off thing. You won't see me in a bunch of ads. We created this because we have a genuine interest in design, and I thought we could do something bigger than just building a regular for-profit company. Our focus is to encourage good in the world.

Whenever you buy any item from Good Man Brand, $3 will go to a charitable organization that needs it. We will pick a new cause every year. This year, the money will benefit inner-city education. Why? Well, if anybody heard my dad's name, the first thing that would come to mind is how much he valued education.

It's funny, my dad had a solid low-range game with his sweatshirts and shorts, and a solid high-range game with his suits. Like father, like son -- I'm the exact same way. I like wearing suits because it's hard to mess it up. But the mid-range game is where it's tricky for most men. My mom used to tease my dad about his mid-range game, especially his mismatched shoes.

So we created this brand with that in mind. This is for the young man who's nervous about that first big meeting. Or about going on a date with the girl who's way out of his league (like father, like son).

Hopefully we can create not just a clothing company, but also create some good in the world.

I know some people will think this is too ambitious. What does a football player know about fashion? Can a clothing company really make a difference in the world? I get it.

But when I decided to really commit to building this company, I thought back to another time with my dad. On Sundays afternoons, my whole family would pile into his car (tossing aside random shoes and sweaters) and we would drive around the really nice neighborhoods in our town. We would go to Open Houses for the really big homes. We didn't have the money to actually buy any of the houses. That wasn't the point. My dad wanted us to see what was possible. He wanted us to aspire for something more. He wanted us to believe that we could do big things in the world.

And he would make sure he was wearing his nice shoes.

For more information, visit GoodManBrand.com or follow @GoodManBrand on Instagram and Twitter.

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These Cookies Are Spot-On Copies Of The Oscars Dresses

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And the Oscar goes to ... these perfect cookie copies of red carpet gowns.


While winners partied the night away, NYC-based baker Patti Paige worked around the clock to bake a batch of Oscar-inspired treats so stunning, you'll recognize them instantly. 


Does this seafoam green confection look familiar?




Yup, that was Cate Blanchett's Armani Privé gown, in perfect icing form.


Here's Brie Larson's dress, which also looks good enough to eat:




And chances are you'll recognize Alicia Vikander's dough-lightful dress, too:




In order to turn out the treats overnight, Paige had homemade sugar cookie dough ready and waiting while stars walked the red carpet, she told HuffPost. 


After seeing their dresses, she carved the dough into shapes by hand and applied royal icing on top in picture-perfect patterns. The process took all night. 


"There was no sleeping," Paige said. "But it was a lot of fun."


Mega-fans can custom order similar cookies from Paige's bakery, Baked Ideas ... or take a shot at icing something similar on their own. Yumm

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Relying On Friendship In A World Made For Couples

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By Briallen Hopper

I've been accused of romanticizing friendship, and it's true, I do. I tell my friends I love you on a regular basis, I celebrate Galentine's Day every year, and I have a Golden Girls votive candle that I like to light at night when I'm counting my blessings. I'm not ashamed to admit that my friends are my world. They are responsible for most of my everyday joy, fun, and will to live. But that doesn't mean I think friendship is easy.

Related: 25 Famous Women on Female Friendship

Solid, lasting, intimate friendship is not effortless for anyone. But it's particularly difficult for single people. In addition to all the usual challenges friendships face (envy, crazy-busy-ness, Hillary vs. Bernie), unpartnered people have to reckon with the reality that for us the stakes are higher. When friendships are your primary relationships, friendship isn't just important: It's existential.

My friend Lucy vividly conveys the stakes when she describes her practice of getting together with friends a couple times a week as a "feral prevention plan." For people in pairs, a certain amount of socialization is automatic, but single people have to schedule frequent friend time in order to prevent what Lucy calls "the slide from solitude into loneliness," and what I tend to experience as the slide from keeping it together to falling apart. Lucy starts to feel deprived after three days without friend time; I can only make it through one or two before I start to get antsy.

It's difficult to organize your life around friendship in a world that's built for couples, and it's doubly difficult when your time with friends is seen as a fun extracurricular instead of a basic human need. As my friend Mara says: "People describe me as a social butterfly, but it's mostly because if I don't make plans with friends, I am literally all by myself staring at the wall in my apartment (or more likely at the TV)." TV can definitely take the edge off, which is how I ended up memorizing most of the dialogue from 30 Rock, but nothing can adequately replace the presence of people you love.

Related: The Secret to Staying Friends in Your 30s

Single women deal with their intense dependence on friendship in different ways. Some of us rely on a best friendship that's as complicated as a love affair, or a few close friendships that are as familiar as a family. I've tried both, with mixed results: My passionate friendships have proven to be as combustible and doomed as any other kind of passion, and the blissful chosen-family lifestyle I loved in my 20s, which I remember as a soft-focus montage of weekly gin nights and impromptu picnics in the park, has become impossible to sustain in my 30s. These days my oldest friends and I live farther apart and spend more of our time on work and caregiving. We fit each other in between deadlines and other demands, and often make do with Facebook and phone tag. Any serious fun requires child care and/or coordinated vacation time and is scheduled two to six months in advance.

Because individual friendships are subject to distance and decay, friendship in my 30s has meant learning to roll deep. Sadie, a single friend of mine who has adopted four daughters, told me, "I could call 15 to 20 people in the middle of the night for anything, and they could call me" -- and as someone who is contemplating single parenthood myself, I know that is the level of support system I'm gonna need. But it takes a mountain of effort to build and maintain 20 strong friendships, and to open yourself up to 20 friends' worth of middle-of-the-night calls. I should know: In the past few months I've taken several late-night calls, and I've made some, too.

At times I've felt overwhelmed by the demands of balancing many close friendships. Once I failed to respond to a faraway friend's email about her sick partner when I was consumed by caring for a single friend with cancer, and afterward I felt too guilty about it to pick up the thread. Another time I had to defend myself to a partnered friend who told me that caring for people with life-threatening illnesses was beyond the appropriate bounds of friendship because "that's what lovers are supposed to do for each other." (He failed to explain what those of us without lovers were supposed to do.) At its best, having many close friendships can feel like having an army of guardian angels ready to mobilize within minutes. At its worst, it can feel like the world's most invisible form of emotional labor.

Related: I Feel Destined to Be Single, and That's Okay

Because single women often put friendship at the center of our lives, it can be hard for us to be friends with people who see friendship as peripheral, as many partnered people do. A close friend once told me that her priorities were her kid, her partner, her work, her friends, in that order, like suits in a deck of cards. In her life, a kid thing would always trump a partner thing; a work thing would always trump a friend thing. This was the best way she knew of trying to impose some order on life's complexity, but to me it seemed like a terribly reductive way to think about human relationships -- plus, it was no fun to know that I would always be the lowest priority in her life. Our friendship didn't last.

Even when both people make the relationship a priority, friendship across the lines of marital status takes work. One of my closest friends, Jean, married the love of her life the exact same month that I was dumped by the love of mine, and over the past decade our paths have continued to diverge. She's steadily ticked off all the socially sanctioned boxes of "adulthood" -- getting married, having kids, getting a "real job," buying a house. She even wrote a book. Meanwhile, I've done none of these things. At times our differences have stretched us both to our limit, but our friendship has lasted because of our refusal to project the stereotypes of smug married motherhood or carefree/pathetic single childlessness onto each other. We're both allowed to complain about our lives; we're both allowed to revel in them. Fourteen years in, our friendship is as stable and precious as anything in my life, but we're both aware of the ways it could become fraught. When Jean gave me Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend this Christmas, she said earnestly, "I want you to know that I'm giving this book to you because I think you'll love it and I really want to talk to you about it! Not because the friendship in the book reminds me of us!" There's often a thin layer of anxiety on top of the bedrock of our love.

I think it's this layering of love and anxiety that motivates me to celebrate my friendships with such fervor: because I know they are fragile as well as durable; because I know they can survive love and loss and remain Thelma-and-Louise strong right up to the edge of death, but they can also be shattered by work stress or political disagreements or a single text that should never have been sent. At a reading recently, the novelist Hanya Yanagihara said, "Friendship is the most underrated relationship in our lives ... It remains the one relation not bound by law, blood, or money -- but an unspoken agreement of love." She makes friendship sound awfully romantic, and it is, but the fact remains that it's hard and scary to go through life knowing that your most important relationships are chronically underrated and legally nonexistent. Which is why I light my Golden Girls candle every night and invite my friends over for Galentine's cake, and why I try not to leave my love unspoken. In a world where friendship is often difficult or invisible, I am trying to bake and write and speak and pray my friendships into the future.

More from The Cut:

Single Women Are Now Our Most Potent Political Force
25 Famous Women on the Best Advice They've Ever Given -- or Received
The Best, Worst, and Sparkliest Oscars Looks
Walking Away From My Soul Mate Was the Best Thing I've Ever Done
Winning the Breakup in the Age of Instagram

Also on HuffPost:

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Up Against The Wall Stylish People By Anka Itskovich

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Anka is a stylist, storyteller and arbiter of chic. The Line Up is an amalgamation of all these things put together while capturing NYC's most stylish people. Of course, Mrs. Sizzle was focused on the dog people so here is a small collection of Anka's fabulous photos.

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TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF...HOW DID YOU START THIS SERIES?

As a long time resident of New York City's East Village, I've documented the neighborhood's counter culture spirit since the late 90's, but the project only came into focus on Instagram. The square format is perfect for portraiture and the fluidity of digital technology has made it much easier to capture the authentically cool feel of downtown street style and share it with curious, like minded people all over the world.

DO YOU HAVE A DOG?

Nope

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WHAT FASCINATES YOU ABOUT CAPTURING THESE PEOPLE?

My images celebrate self expression, self confidence and diversity - strong, spirited people and their authentic personal style. But most importantly, I hope that the narrative of the_line_up will help create an engaged and interactive community - a style tribe.

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IS IT SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR OUTFITS THAT CATCHES YOUR IMAGINATION AT FIRST?

I don't usually seek out people to photograph, I simply walk around the city. New Yorkers tend to wear a lot of black, so it's often that a flash of color or a unique hairstyle or even an "aura" of self confidence that catch my eye. Over the years I've developed what I jokingly call 'radar vision' that instantly hones in on anyone who looks or dresses in an unconventional or unique way. I often photograph friends and couples who look and dress alike and I find that pets and their owners mirror each other as well.

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ARE YOU HOPING TO DO ANYTHING WITH THIS SERIES?

Eventually (and I'm only half kidding:) I hope to donate the thousands of the_line_up portraits to The National Portrait Gallery or The Museum Of The City Of New York or another esteemed institution as an urban anthropology archive that deeply reflects the spirit of contemporary cool.

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Sophia Loren Style

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"Everything you see I owe to spaghetti." Sophia Loren famously said. The two-time Oscar winner ( Best Actress Two Women, Lifetime Achievement) has a stunning body of work. FromBocaccio 70, The Millionairess , Yesterday Today and Tomorrow to Pret a Porter, Her famous lingerie scenes are the stuff of legend. The gran signoria of seduction is still showing us how it's done in a 2010 Pirelli calendar and a beauty collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana. Viva Sophia!


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b. Tempt'd b sultry Chemise in Black



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Chantelle Idole 2-Part bra and sexy brief in Black

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H&M Black Lace Bodysuit

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Men's Brands With Lifetime Warranties That Will Outfit You From Head To Toe

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What is a lifetime, anyway?


When a brand says its product is protected by a lifetime warranty, it's not really talking about your lifetime. Sorry. Rather, they mean the lifetime of the product (whatever that might be). Normal wear and tear? Generally not covered. But if your Canada Goose jacket falls apart, or in the case of Bogs footwear, your boots just don't feel good anymore, the odds are great that if you send it in or take it back to the shop they'll take good care of you.


For some, it's a marketing strategy but for others, such as L.L. Bean, it's "the very foundation of this brand.”


Here is a list of brands that offer either a no-strings-attached lifetime warranty, or one of those more mysterious "Limited Lifetime" deals.


Any way you spin it, this is the gear that will stick with you for a long, long time.


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The 5 Coolest 3D Engagement Rings By Stilnest

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Stilnest is one of the most unique start ups in Berlin, their talented and multi cultural team is shaping the future of the 3D jewelry industry. Below are some of my favorite 3D printed rings by Stilnest that has taken fashionistas by storm.

1. I love you ring, acoustic waves in 3D by Jeremy Burnich
Sound of the heart. The Ring I Love You is a real eye-catcher, that one becomes fond of due to its moving story. With his collection Jeremy created a soundscape. By separating each word of the phrase "I love you", he transformed the spoken waves into this design.

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Copyright @Stilnest

2. Infinity by Carolina Amado
Infinity is a timeless symbol, which impresses with its elegance. Carolina chose this form for her
gently and supple style.

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Copyright @Stilnest

3. Dreams by Melissa Ng
Dreams move the New Yorker designer Melissa Ng in most of her artworks. Also in her collection Sifting Dream, she shows her strong sense for magical forms and diffuse lines.

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Copyright @Stilnest

4. Faces by Florian Krebs
Faces is an eye catcher yet so simple and elegant.

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Copyright @Stilnest

5. Heart by Lisa Beder
Of course this motive should not be missing in the "Symbolism" collection by Lisa Bender. It stands for love, goodness, empathy, passion, emotion and - to bear in mind - keeps us alive.

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Copyright @Stilnest

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A Look At Foxy Brown's Love Affair With Italian Designers

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"Who y'all know rock Prada like Fox, pop bottles in the back of the cellar with Donatella" Inga "Foxy Brown" Marchand crowed on "Oh Yeah" featuring Spragga Benz. This song was the first single from her third full-length album Broken Silence --"one of hip-hop's most slept-on releases" according to Complex Magazine-- but, it also further confirmed another relationship Brown devoted her time to for almost seven years, one with Italian designers.

The link between the rapper and the luxury fashion houses across the pond dates back to 1995 after the Brooklyn native caught the attention of hip-hop production duo Trackmasters at a talent show. This unearthing eventually afforded Brown an opportunity to join Fat Joe, Keith Murray and Prodigy from Mobb Deep on LL Cool J's "I Shot Ya" remix where she dropped the line "Fuck it, Gucci sweaters and Armani leathers. Flossin rocks like the size of Fort Knox four carats, the ice rocks, pussy bangin like Versace locs pops." The relationship blossomed from there. Besides being "dripped in Gabbana" on her Top 40 single "I'll Be," Brown steered clear of flaunting labels on her first album Ill Na Na however, her features at the time of her debut told a different story. A Dolce and Gabbana plug found it's way on Puff Daddy's --now known as Diddy-- Remix to Total's "No One Else." On Nas' "Affirmative Action" Brown was laced in Armani sweaters and Prada was snatched on DJ Clue's "That's The Way". Later in her career, Moschino, Emilio Pucci and Fendi were touched upon, but Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci remained staple brand mentions in her lyrics. It's true that Hip-Hop as a genre has loved European brands for some time now. Biggie and Tupac were unofficial spokesmen for Versace in the 90's, and The Lox were the face for Iceberg Jeans. Even in today's music, you can't listen to an EP or LP without hearing "Alexander McQueen, Prada, Gucci, Chanel D&G, BCBG, Versace, Louie and BeBe." Foxy, however, opted to pinpoint the brands that called Milan home --except for Christian Dior, after all, she was the dark skin poster girl for the Parisian brand.

A slew of legal troubles between the year 2000 and 2007 could arguably be the cause for Foxy's decline. After Broken Silence, features with more mainstream artist slowed down and the female MC failed to release another album. But, it's safe to assume that her love for Italian made designer ready-to-wear, shoes and luxe accessories continue to exist, and who knows, maybe we'll see "Na Na rock that shit, Pra-da that shit" and "Dolce Gabba that shit" one more time.

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Bearded Icon Harnaam Kaur Stomps The Runway And Sticks It To Her Haters

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Harnaam Kaur, who is known for her distinctive beard and her body positivity, opened a show at Royal Fashion Day in the UK last week.


In an Instagram post from the Marianna Harutunian show, Kaur is seen walking the runway in chunky black boots, a navy blue dress, gold chains and her traditional Sikh turban, called a damala. In the caption, Kaur goes on to talk about her long-standing dreams to be a model.



I grew up watching America's next top model, and i admired @tyrabanks whole heartedly. I always wanted to be like the pretty models, so i remember copying the way they posed and walked. I grew up being told i was to fat, ugly, and disgusting to even model. I was told i'd never walk the runway. I used to look at models and tell myself that i will never ever be able to do what they are doing. I am not pretty enough or beautiful enough and i dont have the 'right' body type. I was laughed at when i said i wanted to model. Jokes on my bullies. I was lucky enough to walk for @mariannaharutunian as the first bearded lady to walk for a celebrity jewellery designer. I was humbled to be the first model to walk and open the show for #royalfashionday with the portrait of the legendary #davidbowie looking down on me! Every path is my runway! Walk with your head up high and ooze confidence always! Xx (my lifes quote) Dreams to come true! A huge thank you to @usfashionsource and @mariannaharutunian for scouting me and allowing me to walk for the jewellery brand. - @jamesalexanderlyon thank you James for capturing a precious moment. Jewellery by @mariannaharutunian Shoes- @jeffreycampbell spiked lita boots Makeup - @loribeemua Dress- @angeshowroom #harnaamkaur #mariannaharutunian #lorrainerobledo #londonfashionweek #lfw #royalfashiondaylondon #royalfashionday #beardedlady #bearderwoman #harnaamkaurdoesrunway #harnaamkaurdoesfashion

A photo posted by the official harnaam kaur page (@harnaamkaur) on




"I grew up watching America's next top model, and I admired Tyra Banks whole heartedly," Kaur wrote. "I always wanted to be like the pretty models, so I remember copying the way they posed and walked. I grew up being told I was to [sic] fat, ugly, and disgusting to even model... I used to look at models and tell myself that I will never ever be able to do what they are doing. I am not pretty enough or beautiful enough and I don't have the 'right' body type."


"I was laughed at when I said I wanted to model. Jokes on my bullies," she continued.




Kaur grew her beard when she was 11 after she developed polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder, and it used to be a source of shame for her. After years of self-harming, Kaur began to embrace her beard.


"I love my beard, my stretch marks and my scars. These elements make me who I am, they make me whole, they make me complete. My beard has 100 percent become a part of my body," Kaur told the wedding blog Rock 'N Roll Bride. "It is the source of my strength and confidence. People just see the beard as hair, but my beard for me is much more than that. I keep my hair to show the world a different, confident, diverse and strong image of a woman ... I love my lady beard and I will forever cherish it.” 


Kaur has been a vocal proponent of body positivity and self-love. In November of last year she became a representative for fellow model Tess Holiday's social media campaign #EffYourBeautyStandards, where users are encouraged to love themselves regardless of what society deems to be beautiful.


"I joined the #Effyourbeautystandards team because I strive to raise awareness on Bullying and Body shaming that happens in society," Kaur wrote on Instagram. "I am passionate about helping both men and women find self love and body confidence with in themselves. As a Bearded Lady, I love portraying a diverse image in the media and society, to show that being different is OK."




Kaur was also recently a model for the London-based Urban Bridesmaid Photography. The photos from the shoot saw her proudly wearing flowers in her beard, and the series went viral.

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21 Photos That Prove Lips Of All Shapes And Sizes Are Beautiful

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There's been a lot of talk about lips in the media lately. And for once, Kylie Jenner isn't at the center of it all.


The conversation recently shifted when MAC Cosmetics posted this Instagram photo of Ugandan-born beauty Aamito Lagum wearing purple lipstick. For many individuals, it was a "gorgeous" backstage beauty snapshot at New York Fashion Week. However, there were countless others who made racist and offensive remarks about the black model's lips.


Lagum initially proved that she was unfazed by the haters with a concise and classy response. She eventually joined the #PrettyLipsPeriod social media campaign, which was championed by North Carolina Central University Dan Blue Endowed Chair in Political Science Yaba Blay's Pretty Period transmedia project, to turn those negative responses into a positive movement that celebrates the beauty of all lips. 


Inspired by Lagum and Blay, we challenged a group of HuffPost editors to step outside of their comfort zones, swipe on some of the boldest lipstick colors and proudly show off their lips.



Check out their beautiful portraits below, read their lip love stories and then profess your fondness for this physical feature in the comments section. 




Alanna




I love my lips so much. I love how big and plump they are. They make me feel sexy. You think my lips aren't beautiful? Good thing I don't give a shit about what you think.



Lilly




I've always been told I've had small lips, but I've never let comments like that phase me. I love my lips and make sure to treat them right -- whether that's with proper, daily moisturizing or dressing them up with a little color to make them pop. My lipgloss is always poppin'.



Julia




As part of a beauty experiment at my old job, I once attempted to plump them up Kylie Jenner style (not as drastic, mind you). Even though they only looked a little bigger, it felt so strange to me. I hated it. Anything other than the lips I have just aren't me, and I'm totally OK with that.



Riley




When I was about 12, I had an accident. I fell and busted my lip open. My mom offered to take me to the hospital, but told me I'd have a scar if I got stitches. So I waited until the following day when it was clear stitches were needed. The doctor scolded me and told me the scarring wouldn't have been as pronounced if I'd come after the accident. I blamed myself for the accident and for the scar. It was a particularly difficult time for me. I grew up a minority and was bullied a lot so I didn't want another reason to stand out. For years, the first thing I saw when I looked in the mirror was the scar, and it still is today -- although now its with acceptance. I've had this scar on my lip for more years than not, it will outlive me.



Chanel




I love the fullness and shape of them. It's always fun to fill them in with lipstick. I also love how they contribute to my shining smile.



Emma




I love my lips because I speak with them and kiss with them -- two of the most powerful things humans can do.



Lindsay




I have a tiny freckle on my bottom lip that I adore. I think it's a cute feature that makes my lips more unique.



Julee




I've always loved my lips. I'm very outspoken so they have obviously been very important in delivering my ideas and energy. But mostly, I love that they allow me to kiss my husband and baby every morning and every night.



Damon




This was my first time trying on lipstick and it definitely made me feel sexy albeit a little awkward!



Shonitria




My bottom lip is a bit bigger than my top and that makes them look imperfect which I love. I think that the unique shape of my lips is just something that makes my pout look even more beautiful with lipstick on. When I wear lipstick I feel empowered and so damn sexy. A dope lippie transforms me into ... Beyoncé!



Gabby




I love that they are naturally pinkish so I never feel the need to add color. I usually just stick with Chapstick or a little clear gloss.



Lexi




I love my lips for their expressiveness. They tell a story about how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking. They're a signal of what's going on in my life, which I think is pretty cool.



Lauren




Wearing lipstick makes me feel like a badass bitch who commands attention. If I'm wearing a hot pink shade I feel feminine and confident like Elle Woods.



Taryn




I didn't struggle with loving my lips until sixth grade when kids started telling me they looked like a smoker's because they were so dark. I heard this often throughout high school, too. Little did I know, half of the knuckle-headed boys making this comment had a crush on me. I don't know what the rest of the negative Nancys' problems were but I eventually charged it to the game and tuned the haters out. I've grown to love every part of my lips. They're perfectly made for me.



Jenna




There's nothing sexier than a woman in red lipstick so it definitely makes me feel more confident. Though, full disclosure, I'm also super paranoid when I have bright lipstick on because I love to eat and... lipstick + food/alcohol = a busted lip sitch. But, ya know, a little reapplication never hurt nobody.



James




I've always thought my lips were basic, never really loved them or hated them. My girlfriend tells me they're soft, but maybe it just means I need to work them out more.



Michelle




To the full lip (or slender lip) haters, I say... haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate.



Carolina




I've struggled with loving a lot of different parts of my face and body in my life. My lips were never part of that struggle. Perhaps that's why I like them.



Choyce




My lips allow me to express the bold side of my personality and they're always on trend.



Dana




I love how my lips play a prominent part in how I express my innermost feelings. Whether they're turned up in a smile or turned down in a frown, these lips never lie.



Marcos




I love that my lips are smooth, soft, and full.



Do you want to be more mindful about eating healthy foods that'll keep your mind and body at their best? Sign up for our newsletter and join our EatWell, Feel Great challenge to learn how to fuel your body in the healthiest way possible. We'll deliver tips, challenges and advice to your inbox every day. 


 

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5 Things That Might Happen If You Stop Wearing Heels

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A good pair of heels can make an outfit. Unfortunately, they also hurt like hell after ten minutes--and ten years. Here, a few interesting things that might happen if you give them up for good.

Related: 7 High-Heel Hacks Every Woman Should Know

Your feet will hurt less, but your heels might hurt more.Here's why.

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Your back pain might go away. Here's why.

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Your bare feet will look better. Here's why.

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Your balance will improve. Here's how.

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Your legs might look shorter. Here's why.

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The Verdict?
Imagine if we told you to throw out all your Choos? God, no. Enjoy wearing those babies--in moderation. If an outfit looks just as good with a chic little flat, go for the flat. Then wait to bring out the stiletto big guns for special occasions (of course, keeping some spare slip-ons in the car for later).

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Related:


How to Wear Heels in NYC Without Falling, Getting Blisters or Crying
Here's How to Walk Better in Heels
The Best Way to Break In Heels So You Don't Get Heinous Blisters


Also on HuffPost:

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Scientists Might Just Have Discovered How To Prevent Gray Hair

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Scientists have long known that genes determine our hair color -- and when that hair turns gray, it's believed that it's partly due to genetics and partly because our cells produce less and less of the pigment, melanin, as we age. But in a breakthrough new study, scientists have identified the specific gene that determines graying hair -- and this might just help them figure out how to prevent it. 


"We already know several genes involved in balding and hair color but this is the first time a gene for graying has been identified in humans, as well as other genes influencing hair shape and density," the study's lead author Kaustubh Adhikari of the University College London said in a statement. 


While factors like smoking and some vitamin deficiencies could lead to premature graying, researchers now know that genetics play a big part. 


The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, looked at a diverse sample of over 6,000 Latin American men and women, with European, Native American and African ancestry. Genome analysis helped identify the graying hair gene, IRF4, which has previously been associated with hair color, but is now believed to control graying. It's thought that the gene plays a role in regulating melanin, which gives color to your hair, skin and eyes. 


If you're struggling with embracing your grays and running through hair dye, this could be good news. Pinpointing the gene, they say, could potentially help scientists discover ways to prevent or slow graying hair in the future. 


"These findings have potential forensic and cosmetic applications as we increase our knowledge on how genes influence the way we look," Adhikari said.


Genes for hair texture -- straight, curly, etc. -- as well as genes for beard thickness and eyebrow thickness were also found. 


If you're already gray, it's important to take steps to care for your less-pigmented hair. As we age, the texture of our hair can become dry and brittle so it's vital not to slack on the hair care. And if you're graying prematurely, you might want to take a look at your health to make sure a thyroid problem or certain vitamin deficiencies aren't the cause. 

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.











Britney Spears Poses In Sexy Sheer Bodysuit For V Magazine's 100th Issue

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Britney Spears looks fierce as ever on the latest cover of V magazine. 


The pop icon is featured in the magazine's 100th issue, photographed by Mario Testino. To make things better, the glossy hit us, baby, one two more times for a total of three different covers featuring the legendary Ms. Spears. 


"When looking for cover worthy subjects for our 100th issue, we had to ask ourselves, Who do pop stars and musicians -- who have become an integral part of what V represents -- look up to and admire?" V's editor-in-chief wrote in a post on the magazine's website. "There was only one answer: Britney! She has entered icon status, and who in our world did not grow up listening to her music?"


On one cover, the "Hold It Against Me" singer poses in a sheer black bodysuit and thigh-high stockings. Her blond hair is pulled up in a messy ponytail and she's sporting some serious cat-eye makeup. 


In the other two images, the Las Vegas performer seems to be lying on the laps of two underwear-clad men. Her smize skills would make Tyra Banks proud. 


See all three below: 





She knows how to work, b**ch

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45 Awesome Beatles-Themed Baby Products

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If you're a Beatles fan and a parent (or parent-to-be), you may want to introduce your kids to the magic of the Fab Four early on ... like, from birth.


From nursery decor to onesies to lullaby cover albums, there are countless ways to share the Beatles love with your baby. We've scoured the Internet for the cutest infant-sized tributes to John, Paul, George and Ringo.


Without further ado, here are 45 adorable baby and toddler products for growing families that love the Fab Four.


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Actress Tasha Smith Shares Her Hair Journey In Powerful New Series

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Black women have a unique relationship with their hair that can sometimes be an emotional roller coaster.


Cultural critic Michaela Angela Davis is highlighting black women and their hair stories with her new series on Refinery29 called, "The Hair Tales."


In the premiere video for the series below, actress Tasha Smith talks about how she found what worked for her hair after being "traumatized" from the breakage and heat damage her hair experienced from getting her hair pressed. She said she learned how to braid her hair with extensions and turned it into a neighborhood business. She also shared how she was able to find strength in her natural tresses and was able to ultimately feel empowered by it.  





"One thing about black girl hair that I don't think we always appreciate is that it is strong," Smith said in the video. "I used to think that coarse hair was a negative thing like, 'It's nappy. My hair's nappy.' But no, I've grown to really love my hair and the strength within what I used to think was nappy hair when really, it's just strong hair that can endure anything."


This weekly hair series will explore the hair journeys of influencers like Kim Coles, Regina King, Patrisse Cullors, Mara Brock Akil and more.


Davis told Refinery29 that she hopes this project will shine a positive light on black women's hair and bring a better understanding of the culture of black hair to the forefront.


"I've been obsessed with hair my whole life, partly because people were obsessed with my hair my whole life -- the 'otherness' of it. It was kinky, yet it was blond; it caused both admiration and confusion," she said. "Doing 'The Hair Tales' was mostly about love. I love black hair, and I love our stories."


Amen to that!

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Burn Survivor Bares Her Scars Without Makeup To Remind Us To Love Ourselves

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In an awesome "Power of Makeup" tutorial, a beauty vlogger demonstrates how important self-love is, whether you find it through wearing makeup or not.


Shalom Nchom, also known as Shalom Blac, grew up with burn scars after suffering an accident with hot oil when she was 9. She was left with scars on her hands, face, shoulders and she lost much of her hair. 


Nchom has been showing her YouTube channel subscribers and Instagram followers how to use makeup to hide scars and acne. For her, it's about being comfortable in your own skin, through makeup, self-love or a combination of both.


In the video tutorial, Nchom puts makeup on half her face, leaving the other half, and her burns, exposed. She invites viewers to see the difference but not to assume one is better than the other.


"[The power of makeup challenge] is where you do half your face and then half your face you don't do anything to it," Nchom explains in the beginning of the video. "So you can see how makeup can actually make a difference. And the other thing is showing you can love yourself either way, makeup or no makeup."




She goes on to talk about how she wore makeup often in middle school to hide her scars but, she found, it didn't make her happy.


"Makeup shouldn't make you happy," she says. "It's something that you should just love doing. Now I love myself for who I am. Makeup doesn't make me happy."


After finishing her makeup, Nchom shows both sides of her face to the camera in turn. 


"I love both sides equally," she says.

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Why Beauty Writing?

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For a bit longer than a year now I have been composing all the important thoughts I have had about clothes, hair, makeup etc. into neat(ish) bits of writing that sometimes people actually read. And so far, I have done so without any single material benefit for me. Don't panic, fans, this isn't me announcing my retirement, heaven forbid. But it is interesting to reflect on why I am doing this - and even if it's not interesting, I have been doing it a lot.

I am blessed or cursed with a special kind of brain. It is a brain that takes in the whole world and then skews my view of it with a slant towards the aesthetic. Every single thing I see or do, I can somehow relate back to style, makeup, clothes, etc. And that doesn't mean that I look around judging everyone's appearance all day (let he who is without sin cast the first stone, and let it be known, my aesthetic "sins" are many). But I will watch the news and have at least one thought about the color of someone's tie or something. I don't know why I'm like this, but I always have been. I like visual things, even what other people would probably think are the boring ones.

This type of brain means it's sometimes hard to focus on the world. That's a bit annoying. On the other hand, though, it also means I am constantly having ideas. And although these ideas are for the most part quite stupid, it does mean I am usually at least a bit inspired about something aesthetic. I can look at a hairstyle and create a whole narrative and philosophy behind it. I can make a nail varnish color stand as a symbol of a female's place in society today. Unfortunately, I'm not joking.

Another cool thing about my brain is that I absolutely must overthink everything. I simultaneously live five hours in the past and five years in the future. Of course, this overthinking extends to all of my many thoughts about beauty stuff. The aesthetic decisions I make are not undertaken lightly. Not in the usual terms of "does this make me look like Billy Idol?" - which is of surprisingly little concern to me. My 'overthoughts' are all about the implications. I worry I have been tricked into liking something by a malevolent outside force. I follow every beauty decision I make with a why? I wonder what the things I wear and like and recommend mean for me as a middle class, privileged, young white woman. Are my thoughts and ideas good things for my own brain? For society? For the world??

I sort of know it is ridiculous to be like this, but at the same time I do think it's good to try to be cognizant. I want to keep my head above water, as it were, and be able to look at all of these things from the outside. I don't want to be offensive or stupid or wrong just because I haven't thought things through enough. I don't want my beauty writing to make anyone feel bad in the slightest. This should only be a positive thing.

And without sounding too much like a Miss World contestant, I do really like helping people. Because I don't know anything or understand the world at all, this is pretty much the one field where I can actually be useful to others. I know a lot about eyeshadow and moisturizer. Not the most essential life-knowledge, I'll admit, but still sometimes helpful. If you're having a beauty related problem, I will have a really good go of solving it. I want to turn the anguish of whether things suit you into blasé self-assurance that anything suiting anyone is just a concept, man.

So, to conclude, being me is very hard. No, not really. But I am constantly producing thoughts and having ideas about makeup and clothes and stuff like that, and these thoughts need to be released. Imagine having all of the stuff I've written about in the last year constantly living in your brain. It would be a nightmare! I'd never get anything done. I'm glad I can create fully formed thoughts and philosophies out of what is, essentially, a lipstick collection gone wild. So as long as I have my brain, I think this beauty writing catharsis is the cross I have to bear. And that could definitely be worse.

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6 Splendid Ways To Make A Fashionable First Impression

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It's quite interesting how few people are conscious of how they look. The casual shirt on pants is quite safe but not enough to stand you out of the crowd. Fashion is speaking loudly these days. She refuses to be kept idly on the sidelines.

She has a voice and screams to be heard every waking second of a man's life. Good thing is we can use that voice and the content of her speech to leave indelible marks in the minds of those lucky enough to stare.

First impression is everything. Arguably, a contract can be awarded or denied on the basis of that. Jobs are offered or withdrawn because a person's first impression went well or wrong. Many times it's birthed first with the eyes. You most likely will be seen before you're heard.
It behoves us then to be careful to make the finest first impression we can afford. Making a smart fashionable first impression doesn't have to be expensive. I believe it just has to be clean and smart. Throwing in a little more expense is purely optional. It begs the question, how then can one make a fashionable first impression?

Let's look at 6 ways that can happen:

1. Stay Groomed-
The eye will make its judgement, most often, before the ears. It's important to appeal to the eyes of your audience and make them feel comfortable in your presence.
The luxury they say is in the little details, yet it's surprising how people take staying groomed for granted. If you're one to always rock a beard, then be sure it's properly trimmed and shaved.
If you prefer wearing your natural hair to using extensions, be sure to keep it neat and tidy. Get a manicure and pedicure as soon as you need one. You'll be amazed the difference this will make on your look.
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(Mai Atafo Inspired)

2.Stay Fitted up-
Back in the day, it was OK to wear over-sized clothes. In fact, it was trendy in some parts of the world. In this day, it's not particularly trendy to wear an over-sized suit or an undersized shoe. It speaks of uncertainty and lack. Know your size and stay comfortable within your limits. Depending on your environment and culture, you should be sure to wear outfits that show confidence.
Staying within your size of outfit, in its own way, exudes confidence. You can throw in some accessories, if you wish. You want that job interviewer to like what he sees, when you walk in smartly dressed.

3. Stay Fresh-
The luxury in a fresh exotic scent is simply divine. You can't underrate the impression that comes with a freshly scented individual. It brings an almost immaculate feeling to the room. Don't forget to use your deodorant and perfume before you walk out the door, it saves you a few more hours of feeling clean, smart and confident. A decent conversation could even start off from the scent you wear. It's 2016 friends, time to pay attention to the details.
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(Huntoon of stylepantry.com)

4. Stay Fluent-
Now you have been seen, you will be heard. Make it worth their time. Speak well. Having an accent is no crime. It speaks of identity. However muddling your words and stumbling on your attempts to communicate could cost you more than you can afford. There's an increased sense of attraction that comes with a person who speaks smartly and well. You may not give an opinion on every matter, but when you do, make a sublime impression with the way you dish your words. Believe me, they will lick every word off your plate.

5. Stay Smiling-
Who doesn't love a comely person? I've been drawn to start a conversation with someone who thought me deserving of a welcoming smile.
Believe it or not, it soothes your audience in a secure kind of way. Of course this is no licence to go around smiling to everybody, but a gentle reminder to offer a handshake with a warm smile just because it's fashionable.
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(Ursula of ursulasebastine.com )

6. Stay Confident-
Confidence is attractive. Too attractive for words. The difference between two smartly dressed people is in the confidence they exude.
It doesn't matter how expensive your Armani is or how bling your Rolex is, if you don't carry yourself with confidence, the $100-suit-wearing-confident-walking gentleman may just steal your shine.
Stand out of the pack with a confident demeanour and be assured, you will nail a million-dollar first impression, with the right audience.

Making a smart and fashionable first impression is huge business to people who value the effect it leaves. It can win you a second date with that gorgeous damsel, or a golf game with that potential client.
Know your audience and be confident enough in yourself to believe you're the Obama of your own world. Make a statement, and let the world love you for it, even if it's for a precious second.

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