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How Much Are You Willing To Spend On Your Personal Upkeep?

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This article was originally posting in Better After 50.

I am getting a tad outraged by the investment I have been making in my personal upkeep. I know it's my choice -- honestly, it's my decision to augment my "natural" beauty -- so why do I feel trapped in this vicious cycle of hair and body?

Well let's just say that past 50 years of age, the tide of time has caught me in its ebb and flow and rather than look like a worn torn beached whale, I have chosen to emulate beach glass -- shiny, fresh, reflecting light, smooth and timeless. This is turning out to be a tough metaphor to maintain.

Not to mention the beach glass imagery is costing a bundle.

First of all let me define the areas of focus (like you don't know already): Hair, Skin, Nails, and Nutrition -- that's for starters. I'm not talking clothing (more on that later).

Youth for me meant EASE -- leaving the house with wet hair, walking around in my jogging clothes, diving in the ocean and collapsing on the sand under the full sun without a worry. Ease, unfortunately, has become a thing of the past. This week alone, my maintenance bill was a bundle:

Manicure -- $12 plus $3 tip

Pedicure -- $25 plus $5 tip

Hair color -- $260 (don't ask, plus parking $36) (NYC favorite salon, favorite colorist)

Waxing -- $60

Creams & Cosmetics refills -- $100

Grand Total= $465 (Obscene)

I didn't even get a haircut. Nor had I indulged in a yoga class or a round of golf.

So I thought I'd look at this battlefield and try to make peace with my outflow of time and money and take charge of the war zone.

The grays are coming -- the grays are coming! Should I welcome them in? Well I'm a dirty blond and frankly that sexy silver 50 look isn't happening for me. I have tried to let the infiltration of grays in but alas, the Brillo, SOS pad met me mid-root. So alas, I will die a blond sniffing chemicals and wedded to my salon chair writing sky-high checks for the "process." At least I only have to do this four times a year.

The mani-pedi ritual -- I gave myself two months off to see if could break this habit. I failed. Unfortunately, the way I beat nail biting was with manicures and more than two weeks without a manicure and I am back eating my cuticles for breakfast. And then there's the foot issue. I am a runner and biker. It turns out nail maintenance is super important, not just a quick clip but heels and toe calluses need to be removed. So, to be realistic (I swear I am!) and to keep up my fitness routine (even more important post-50), I need my pedi entrapment. Seriously.

Now to skin. I am embracing CVS. My Nana had the best skin ever, right up until 94 years of age. Her secret: Elizabeth Arden style do it yourself face massages using Ponds Cold Cream. And, just like Nana, I love Ponds. It also helped me cut my skin cream investment in half. Success feels good. Except that now I have to go to the dermatologist for all that "natural" beach life I have indulged in. Ka-CHING. -- Special sun blocks and regular check-in visits are de rigueur and there's no getting around it.

Waxing -- This is not an inverse relationship. Hair removal drives the cost up. My girlfriends and I just had a 24-hour overnight and a big topic as we sat poolside was bikini waxing. Turns out our generation of BA50s has been learning a thing or two from our kids. I took a poll amongst the five women and it's safe to say -- less is more. The bikini waxing investment has increased as has the surface area being removed.

Nutrition. It costs to eat well. Everyone knows it's easier to throw a steak on the grill and open a bag of chips. But fresh fruit, salads and veggie concoctions take time and energy and organic is expensive. My visits to the local farmers market and Whole Foods have increased my food bill substantially. If I can afford it, I am not ready to give this up. Plus, I feel better knowing I'm putting better quality energy into my body.

In the end -- and despite the time suck (hair care can be two hours plus!) -- I have to admit I look and feel better knowing my maintenance regime matters -- and makes a difference in my overall attitude. Do I wish it could all be done with the swift ease of a magic wand? You betcha! And do I wish it could all be a tad cheaper? Yes. But if there's one thing I know from being a BA50: There's no price tag for feeling good. Plus, now when I go outside with my hair wet from the shower and head to the beach, I know for one, my gray isn't showing, my nails look great, and my mind is clear. That is, until my next session's litany of appointments.

Read more from BetterAfter50.com:
Why You Should Never, Ever Tell The Truth In Tennis
Makeup Over 50: Tips, Tricks and Product Recommendations
Spring Fashion For The Over 50 Woman

Earlier on Huff/Post50:



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Pinterest's Colors Of The Year Are Out Of This World

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Pinterest is a bride's best friend, the crafter's capital and the design lover's dreamland. Now, thanks to its first-ever "Color of the Year" reveal, it's also a color expert.


Pinterest "took a look at the dominant color of each Pin, working with our in-house Pinsights team to surface the top hues (and top Pins!) for 2016," according to a statement. This revealed the top colors for both women and men's fashion, hair, beauty and home.  


Unsurprisingly, blush pink, which was also named Pantone's Color of the Year (thought Pantone called it "rose quartz") came out on top for women, in tandem with mint green.








For hair and beauty, dark blue, dark green and lavender were the big winners.


 











 


Home decoration, for which Pinterest is a sacred source of inspiration, saw some interesting trends, too. Gray and mauve were chosen as top hues.








But perhaps the most intriguing reveal came for men's fashion. Chambray saw a ten percent increase in pins, while astronaut blue, a shade somewhere between royal blue and cerulean, came in on top with a 100 percent increase.









Hmm. We wonder what NASA has to say about this. 

-- 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.











Olivia Wilde Is Becoming A Big Proponent For Conscious Clothing, Naps And Baths

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When Olivia Wilde isn't busy starring on HBO's "Vinyl" or making the world's most adorable dentist visits, she's using her celebrity status to shed light on the global issue of clothing waste.



The actress, who serves as the co-founder of H&M's Conscious, has worked with the brand over the past two years on its sustainable fashion efforts. Its newest line, the Conscious Exclusive Collection, launched Monday in tandem with World Recycle Week and features garments made with sustainable materials like plastic bags and eucalyptus bark.  


The venture seems like a perfect fit for Wilde, whose commitment to sustainable living expands to her own wardrobe, grocery shopping habits and even her favorite way to destress. HuffPost Lifestyle sat down with Wilde at the launch event to learn more.


On her changing opinion of H&M:


Before I started working with them, I kind of associated H&M as part of the fast fashion problem. As I got to know them I realized they are investing a lot of time and money into changing the way the clothes are produced and changing the message to the consumer about how they purchase items. I was proven completely wrong. I said "I thought you guys were evil ... you're not evil?" 


And her changing opinion of nap time: 


I'm starting to restructure my opinion on naps, because now that I have a child who naps, I often nap when he's napping. I now realize that naps are amazing, I used to hate them. When you have a kid, you just face plant. 


On de-stressing:


I'm a big believer in baths. People always laugh at me because I encourage everyone to take a bath all the time -- I think it solves everyone's problems. And if you want to throw in a glass of wine, I'm not going to stop you. 


On being a conscious consumer:


It helps me feel like I'm a small part of the solution if I can help bring awareness to consumers to incorporate more sustainable shopping into their lives. It's bit by bit. People think, "Ugh, it's too massive, I can't possibly change the way I shop." But when you liken it to the organic food movement, it's kind of easier to understand that it's all possible. When we were growing up our parents were not shopping at Whole Foods -- it didn't exist. We didn't know about the pesticides and chemicals and antibiotics that were in our food. I am encouraged by the fact that now it has in many ways become second nature.


On her "Vinyl" style complementing her real-life style:



"Devilish Devon." • #Vinyl is new this Sunday • 9PM on @hbo

A photo posted by Vinyl on HBO (@vinyl) on




The '70s happen to be an era that I've always really admired, and it works for my body type. There are certain people who look perfect in '50s clothing ... I look terrible in '50s clothing. It's weird, some of us are built to be in a certain era. I love that the '70s seem to be all about celebrating sexiness while not sacrificing comfort. There's a fluidity to it, like they were made to dance in. 


On clothing: 


I don't shop obsessively and I don't feel the need to stay on trend at all times. I tend to shop from my own wardrobe as much as possible. I also buy a lot of vintage -- I love the Brooklyn Flea.


On expensive clothing:


You don't need to be head-to-toe. In fact, it looks gross. 


The H&M Conscious Exclusive collection hits select stores and hm.com starting Apr. 7. 


This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. 


 

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Proof That Pharrell Williams Is Aging Better Than The Rest Of Us

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Pharrell Williams is many things. He's a record producer, rapper/singer, fashion designer, husband and father. And with an entertainment career that spans over two decades, he's accomplished a whole lot without losing his boyish good looks.





Our fascination with Pharrell's seemingly ageless skin is intense. While we know those vampire rumors aren't true, we will stop at absolutely nothing to get our hands on his fountain of youth. So you can imagine how excited we were when the Chanel jacket-wearing superstar revealed to Into The Gloss his basic beauty routine -- we're talking washing his face every day and following up with a toner and moisturizer from his dermatologist. Simple, right?


To celebrate Pharrell's 43rd birthday on April 5, we decided to examine more closely how well he has aged over the years. Prepared to be stunned. 


-- 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.











Gorgeous 90-Year-Old Shows You're Never Too Old To Wear A Bikini

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Summertime is right around the corner and, for many of us, the mere thought of trying on swimwear strikes fear in our hearts. But we've found the perfect inspiration to make all your body woes go away. 


Meet Irene. Irene is 90-years-old and has some seriously awesome body confidence we could all learn from.



the gorgeous 90 year old Irene on her family cruise wearing her @seafollyaustralia spot on bikini-never too old for a bikini. Love#ladywatego #ballina#seafollyaustralia #bikini#nevertooold

Posted by Lady Watego Byron Bay on Friday, March 25, 2016


In a post shared on Australian beachwear store Lady Watego's Facebook page, Irene is pictured confidently showing off her body in a red polka-dotted bikini. We repeat, at 90. 


Lady Watego shared that Irene came in to purchase a swimsuit for a family cruise and was encouraged by friends and family to don a bikini.


Gorgeous Irene has inspired hundreds of women around the world, who have posted comments like "Inspiring, she looks fantastic. Hope I'm half as good then," and "Irene looks better at 90 than me at 56 -- you go girl!"


The Land Down Under has also promoted body confidence among both older and younger women with a totally praiseworthy ad from Target Australia featuring a 50-something model rocking a bikini. After all, confidence is sexy at any age. 


Work it, Irene. 

-- 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.











Amy Schumer Featured In Glamour's Plus-Size Issue, And She's Not Happy About It

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Last week, Glamour magazine announced the release of its first plus-size focused special edition, in partnership with Lane Bryant. Cover star Ashley Graham took to social media to showcase the stunning cover ... but not all celebrities featured in the magazine were as pleased. 




Amy Schumer's name is included on the cover alongside other A-listers like Melissa McCarthy and Adele. Here's the problem with that, according to a post from Schumer's Instagram account on Tuesday morning:



"I think there's nothing wrong with being plus size. Beautiful healthy women. Plus size is considered size 16 in America. I go between a size 6 and an 8. @glamourmag put me in their plus size only issue without asking or letting me know and it doesn't feel right to me. Young girls seeing my body type thinking that is plus size? What are your thoughts? Mine are not cool glamour not glamourous"



Inside the issue, a letter from Glamour editor-in-chief Cindi Leive states that the issue is "96 pages of super-chic ideas to help you hit it out of the fashion ballpark, morning and night -- all courtesy of fashion experts, editors, and stylish women sizes 12 to 22." So Schumer does have a strong point -- why would the magazine have chosen her to represent that size range?




In fairness to Glamour, the issue never outright labels Schumer as plus-size and does profile other A-listers of all shapes and sizes, including Nicole Richie and Christina Hendricks. 


We reached out to Glamour for comment and here's what they had to say:



"First off, we love Amy, and our readers do too -- which is why we featured her on the cover of Glamour last year. The cover line on this special edition -- which is aimed at women size 12 and up -- simply says 'Women Who Inspire Us,' since we believe her passionate and vocal message of body positivity IS inspiring, as is the message of the many other women, of all sizes, featured. The edition did not describe her as plus-size. We are sorry if we offended her in any way.” 



While it seems like the glossy didn't mean to offend the comedian, the bigger question here is, why do women size 12 and up need a separate issue in the first place? If the industry is really trying to be more inclusive, why can't plus-size fashion be featured alongside every other size? Now that would be progress. 






-- 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.











18 Hilariously Real Bra Struggles Every Girl Knows All Too Well

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Dear bras, we appreciate all of your support, but sometimes you can be a real (literal) pain. For women of all shapes and cup sizes, the bra struggle is too real.


Here are 18 things any woman who has worn a breast jail... er... bra will understand: 



 


Basically, what we're trying to say is...



-- 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.











Women Recreate Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Covers In Powerful Photo Shoot

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The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is one of the most highly anticipated magazine releases. This year, the brand made history and took a huge step toward promoting body positivity when plus-size model Ashley Graham was revealed as one of three cover stars alongside American model Hailey Clauson and UFC fighter Ronda Rousey. 


While we shared Graham's excitement as she represented for "every woman who felt like she wasn't beautiful enough because of her size," we couldn't help but feel like these groundbreaking covers -- which featured three different, beautiful body types -- were long overdue. And we're not the only ones.


BuzzFeed tapped six women to slip into itty bitty bikinis (and some one-pieces) and recreate famous Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covers. The powerful photo and video project pushes the conversation further on why diversity in body image, as well as ethnicity and disability, is crucial in mainstream media.



"For once, someone around my size was not the funny, sassy sidekick to the leading woman. We were the star of the show -- and we were sexy," said Buzzfeed associate editor Sheridan Watson about Graham's SI Swimsuit Issue cover. 


Yet, there are women like Susan who feel left out from the magazine's ideal of "gorgeous women with athletic and sexy bodies looking great on a tropical beach." She explained, "As a paraplegic woman I definitely don't see my myself represented on a Sports Illustrated cover, but then I don't see myself represented on any covers."



Posing in her wheelchair dressed in a sultry one-piece was a liberating experience for Susan. "When I saw my picture for the first time, I felt empowered. It's a strong image, my disability is front and center," she said.


Editorial assistant Susan Cheng couldn't help but feel proud of herself, too. She said, "When I saw my final picture for the first time, my first thought was, 'Let me send this to my ex real quick.' I dunno. It felt nice. I look good." 


The common learning experience among these six women is that we all deserve to be celebrated and recognized in magazines. Why? Because it sends a strong message that we matter. And as Buzzfeed senior editor Kristin Chirico eloquently put it: "When the sun eventually explodes and devours the earth, I don't think we want to go out as a species who made each other feel bad about bikini photos -- so let's not be that way to each other."


Amen to that.


Head over to BuzzFeed to see all six Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover recreations and to read each woman's testimonial on what posing in a bikini really felt like. 

-- 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.












Beyoncé Has The Perfect Response To 'Formation' Critics

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Two months after the video release and Super Bowl halftime performance of "Formation," Beyoncé is finally responding to the critics who deemed the singer’s message in the song as "divisive" and an attack on police officers.


In a new interview with Elle magazine, the Grammy Award-winner said those who perceive the song’s message as anti-police are "completely mistaken."


"I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let's be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice," she said to Elle. "Those are two separate things. If celebrating my roots and culture during Black History Month made anyone uncomfortable, those feelings were there long before a video and long before me. I'm proud of what we created and I'm proud to be a part of a conversation that is pushing things forward in a positive way."


Since the video's release in February, several police unions across the country have threatened to boycott Bey's upcoming "Formation World Tour."


Despite the massive backlash, many fans have also celebrated the singer's decision to incorporate messages relating to black culture into her music. Moving forward, the 34-year-old said she hopes her art will continue to help people heal and feel proud.  


"Everyone experiences pain, but sometimes you need to be uncomfortable to transform," she added.


Get in “Formation” ladies and gentleman, Queen Bey is on a clear path to heal the masses!


Read more of Beyoncé’s Elle magazine interview here.

-- 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.











Mom Remembers Her 11 Miscarriages With Heartbreaking Photos

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Between 1993 and 2005, photographer Dianne Yudelson had 11 miscarriages. Her powerful photo series, "Lost," explores the emotional pain of miscarriage while providing comfort to other mothers who've been through the same struggle.


The photos in "Lost" depict mementos honoring the 11 babies Yudelson lost -- from sonograms to baby clothes and toys. Each image is named after the baby the items represent. 



"Hopefully, in sharing the images I can touch the lives of numerous women who have experienced or are in the midst of experiencing the painful loss of a baby," Yudelson told The Huffington Post. "They are not alone in their journey."


The photographer was inspired to take these photos after helping a friend cope with a painful loss and in turn reflecting on her own grief. 


"These thoughts propelled me to take down the big white box in my closet which safeguards the mementos of my lost babies," she explained. "It had been quite a while since I last took each item out, and as I laid them out on my bed I felt their story needed to be documented."



Recalling her first miscarriage, Yudelson said she and her husband had been overjoyed to hear a heartbeat and see their baby at their 12-week ultrasound. After receiving gifts and discussing names, everything changed at their 16-week checkup when the doctor was unable to detect a heartbeat. They lost the baby.


"In the weeks following our lives stood still -- we were stunned," the photographer said. Then came the grief.  


"The loss of a baby naturally carries grief," she explained. "This grief is accompanied by the added residual physical pain of the miscarriage and hormonal transitions associated with pregnancy which add to the emotional toll. Miscarriage is heartbreaking; miscarriage is exhausting; miscarriage is isolating."



Yudelson believes there is a burdensome silence surrounding miscarriage today, which adds to the isolation. 


"I believe everyone knows someone who has miscarried, be it mother, wife, sister, friend or coworker -- they simply have never spoken of it," she said, adding, "When experiencing this type of loss, other people can -- in the hopes of being helpful -- make insensitive comments inferring your grief is unreasonable, so you keep it private and locked away."


"Never hearing a conversation about miscarriage sets up a social, cultural taboo," the photographer continued. "What I hope evolves from the creation of my images is a broadening in the conversation and understanding of miscarriage, both physically and emotionally."



According to the photographer, the "Lost" series has received positive feedback, as many parents reached out to say the images comforted them and encouraged them to speak out about their own experiences and break down the silence. 


Though Yudelson and her husband have raised two children, the pain of losing 11 babies will never fully subside. But sharing "Lost" has helped ease the burden.


"They say in giving you receive. I have found this to be true, especially when you give from the heart," she said. "In helping to heal others emotional pain from pregnancy loss, I have lessened my own."


Keep scrolling and visit Yudelson's website to see the heartbreaking photos of "Lost."



H/T Slate

-- 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.











From Online Dating to the Alter

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We have all heard a few horror stories about online dating. Stories about how a young woman shows up on the first date and the guy is old enough to be her grandfather. Or how about the man who expressed in his profile that he is specifically is looking for someone with an athletic build and a 350-pound woman shows up? There are some success stories that happen also. According to Pewresearch.com , as of February 2016, 15 percent of all Americans reported that they have tried online dating. Twenty-three percent of all Americans agree with the statement "people who use online dating sites are desperate" - but, in general, it is much more culturally acceptable than it was a decade ago. Five percent of Americans who are in a marriage or committed relationship say they met their significant other online.

Today we are going to speak with a couple who are down with the five percent. In my last post, Tips to Help Honest People Navigate Online Dating, I introduced David Gershaw and his beautiful wife Lida Ajami. David and Lida met online and he asked her father for her hand in marriage on day 31 and they were married on day 46. To some this might seem rushed, but I must say, after speaking to this couple, they are really soul mates. I have known David since elementary school, and I can say he's no slouch, not desperate, and was NOT looking for a bride. After speaking with Lida and hearing the beauty, kindness, and love in her voice, I understood why my home boy's heart chose her.

L.A. Dawson, author of Waiting Online for Love and the online Fairy Godmother for my story, had this to say about getting married quickly after online dating:

"When it works out it is usually a great love. I try to advise people to stay long enough in a relationship before they commit to marriage, to see how your partner responds when something goes wrong. I ask them to assess their communication skills and to grade themselves on how they handled the situations. When you share this information with your partner, in a loving way ... it often brings couples to a deeper understanding and intimacy. That is always a positive."


If you didn't read my last post on this subject, here is what the groom had to say about meeting his new bride online:

"I knew from the first phone call by her voice, vocabulary, and expressiveness. She spoke of her father as being the best male role model in her life. She spoke lovingly of her mother and family. She described each of her brothers/sisters and their spouses, which made me realize what she valued. She spoke of her three children as the best things that have happened to her and about enjoying being pregnant and the birth of each. She then spoke of her transformation into the person she aspired to be, which involves career, family, and personal matters. She was the only one to ask me about goals for the future and didn't dwell on the past. We spoke for a period of three days before meeting. This amounted to about 10 hours of talk time. She felt like someone I already knew. She was someone who I already understood and was comfortable with interacting, being open, and sharing personal details of me. I already knew during these lengthy talks that she would be the one. The only question was whether she would feel the same, but of course I hadn't even met her yet."


2016-04-05-1459830213-2983126-IMG_3279.JPG




The bride, Lida, has an interesting story. Lida is Lebanese living in Portland, Oregon and was raised in a loving and supportive traditional Muslim family. Her family, being very conservative arranged her marriage at 19.

Here is what she had to say about her first marriage:



"I was 19 years old and he was 34. I was going with the flow even though I had no clue what I was getting myself into. My wedding night was the first time alone with that person. I lived 11 years of that marriage being a traditional wife, mother, and fitting into the cookie cutter way of traditional Arab female life. It was rewarding in many ways, and in other ways extremely limiting and torturous. I had many dark nights, and I lived with a lot of shame, guilt, and pain for not feeling good about my marriage. I can go on and on because it is a long story. But in summary, my past made me who I am, and I am very proud of me. It took me five years to leave my ex and to be completely independent, supporting three children on my own with my head up high, becoming the woman of my dreams and having the highest standards, and now with David living a DREAM LIFE. It feels great because I worked hard to earn the freedom to choose my own destiny and mate. It takes a lot more than average work, experience, challenges, and failures, sadly, for a woman from my background to develop confidence and strength."


Final wishes and blessings from the Godmother:


2016-04-05-1459831223-3805772-Lindsay2180.jpg




"I challenge David and Lida to continue dating and learning openly about each other. With that comes the understanding that they may discover something surprising or an annoying trait that they didn't see. Those are some of the inherent problems of jumping too soon. However, I am ever hopeful that they will pursue the peace of compromise and have a loving and successful marriage. If their communication skills constantly improve, there is every reason to believe in a positive result."


Lida and David, we wish you the best!


2016-04-05-1459828779-6637231-IMG_6947.JPG

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New Natural Hair Magazine Sets A New Standard For Black Women's Beauty

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One new magazine seeks to celebrate all the amazing qualities of every natural, curly-haired black queen. 


CRWNMAG is a quarterly, print-first publication that honors the transformative power and beauty of black women's hair. The magazine released its first print edition in August 2015 and shares supplemental digital content through its website and social platforms.


Co-founders Lindsey Day, who serves as editor-in-chief, and Nkrumah Farrar, who is its creative director, collaborated to create a platform that documents the experiences of natural-haired black women, sets a new standard of beauty and encourages women everywhere to embrace their own hair journey.


We spoke with Day about bringing the magazine to life, and how they hope to shift the narrative around black beauty and black hair. 


What is the purpose behind CRWNMAG? 


CRWNMAG exists to create a progressive dialogue around what it really means to “go natural” in America. Through beautiful content, thoughtful commentary, hair inspiration and resources, we’re telling the world the truth about black women by showcasing a new standard of beauty — and documenting our story in tangible, print form. 



What unique content does it offer that can't be found elsewhere online or in print?  


There was a void when it came to publications that were really celebrating and edifying black women, not to mention doing so with high creative and aesthetic quality. So many publications seem to tell us we need to straighten our hair, lighten our skin and contour our noses to make them seem thinner. We are celebrating the diversity, the uniqueness and the beauty that black women naturally embody. We really want to reclaim the narrative, one that has existed online but hasn’t really been reflected and immortalized in a print publication. We’re creating something we can all be proud to situate on our coffee tables or at our desks. We’re creating something we’ll want to share with each other.


What do you think is the most compelling part of the magazine?


Black women are often portrayed as being “strong,” but very rarely are they celebrated as “beautiful.” Nkrumah’s vision for creative direction is to truly showcase the inherent beauty of black women. Most of our early subjects are not models, they are simply hard-working women who saw our vision and wanted to be a part of bringing CRWN to life – and who happen to be naturally gorgeous!  




We seek to immortalize in print a conversation that already exists online. We are creating a print platform for the culture."
Lindsey Day


How many issues have you published so far? 


So far, we’ve published our Zero Issue, which was released in August at AfroPunk; as well as our first Zine – both leading up to Issue One’s release this spring. They are both folded print pieces that offer a glimpse of the type of content that will appear in the full issue. We are a quarterly, print-first publication. 



What sort of digital content do you offer? 


We have a ton of digital content in the works, including video projects and brand collaborations. Currently, the best place to keep up with us is on our blog and social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter). Current customers have access to behind-the-scenes photos from Issue One and they’re the first to be notified about upcoming events and promotions via email. Our broader email list also receives insider updates.


When is the next issue expected to release and what will it focus on? 


Issue One is slated for release this spring and will be our Manifesto. In CRWN, hair is the starting point of the conversation, but we are addressing the whole woman: how she lives, how she hustles, where she travels, what keeps her up at night and what wakes her up in the morning. CRWN features lifestyle content, technique, styling, thought pieces, entertainment and more. 



We seek to immortalize in print a conversation that already exists online. We are creating a print platform for the culture – somewhere the amazing bloggers, vloggers, professionals and creatives in the space can share their stories in print. We want to tell our hair story.


What have the responses to the magazine been like so far? 


Responses so far have been overwhelmingly positive. Since launching at AfroPunk Brooklyn last August, we’ve gotten some great coverage by Essence Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Saint Heron, Ms. Magazine and more. We’ve pre-sold over 1,000 magazines in six months and reached over 8,000 followers on Instagram. Our team has been invited to speak at events with the US Department of State’s Women & Entrepreneurship program, ColorComm and more. We are excited to see our venture validated more and more each day. Bigger than that, we know that we are representing voices that are often written out of the mainstream conversation. There is nothing more motivating to us than that!


What has been the most rewarding part of the experience? 


The most rewarding part of the experience, by far, is seeing women interact with our product. Watching their eyes light up as they see themselves in CRWN and listening to their hair stories makes any struggle worthwhile. Every black woman has several hair stories – both good and bad. The more we share them with each other, the more we can grow as sisters, and as people. Seeing our in-person, grassroots interactions and conversations extend online via social media, and get picked up by various press outlets is great validation that we’re on the right track. 

-- 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.











Gigi Hadid And Zayn Malik Are A Perfect Pair In Vogue

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Separately, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik are two exceptionally beautiful people. Together, the pair look like a piece of artwork. Wearing designer duds and making out all over the place with a backdrop of Naples, Italy, they are almost too perfect to handle. 



The drop-dead gorgeous duo posed for a major spread featured in Vogue's May 2016 issue. The photos feature them kissing, laughing, kissing some more, riding motorcycles and just looking plain dreamy. The whole thing has an amazing "Roman Holiday" vibe to it. 



Both Malik and Hadid took to social media to share images from the spread. For Malik's part, he left the three images without captions, but paid homage to his supermodel girlfriend with a sweet solo shot: 



A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on




Rumors started circulating Monday night that the couple would grace the pages of Vogue together, and we're pretty thankful to the Internet gods that the rumor came true. 



❤️ @voguemagazine by @mariotestino on stands in May!! xx

A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on





A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on




Head to Vogue to see the entire steamy spread, and be sure to pick up your copy when it hits newsstands April 26. 


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56-Year-Old Model Stuns In Steamy Lingerie Shoot

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Things are really heating up for 56-year-old model Nicola Griffin. 


The world first started buzzing about Griffin when she became the oldest woman to ever be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, wearing a bikini in an ad for Swimsuits for All. Now, she's continuing on her scantily clad path to success in a sexy lingerie shoot for U.K.-based Slink magazine



The nine-photo spread features Griffin in a variety of looks and poses, and she seems comfortable in front of the camera. But she explained to the magazine her new-found fame came a bit unexpected.



"I didn't know the advert would go into Sports Illustrated and I didn't realize it [Sports Illustrated] was such a massive magazine as we don't have it here in the U.K. It all happened so quickly. I kind of stumbled along with all the excitement but no, I can't say I knew or expected anything like that," she said. 



Griffin and her signature flowing gray hair, which she told the magazine is what launched her career in the first place, are now signed with Milk Model Management, the same agency that represents Tess Holliday.



Her plans to "take this all the way," as she told the mag, stem from a newly found confident attitude.



"This seems to be my moment and I’m really happy. Life definitely begins over 50... Nowadays I just think to hell with it. I am going to wear what I like; I am going to wear my hair long. The key is not listening to what other people tell you," she said.



Preach.


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This Is Jennifer Aniston's Biggest Beauty Regret

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By MONICA KIM

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Photo: Courtesy of Justin Theroux / @justintheroux

Two decades have passed since Jennifer Aniston burst onto the scene and became a reigning '90s beauty icon, thanks to that shining blonde hair and sun-kissed skin captured weekly on Friends. Since then, the 47-year-old actress has kept the preternatural glow and easygoing charm that made her a star, but more recently, has seen her life head in a new direction. There was her quiet marriage last summer to director Justin Theroux, coming on the heels of her Golden Globe-nominated turn in Cake, which let Aniston flex her acting and producing chops. With another dramatic role and production credit in American war film The Yellow Birds planned for later this year, plus her status as a burgeoning beauty powerhouse--as co-owner of Living Proof and the longtime face of Aveeno--that momentum is only growing. Here, she takes a moment to discuss her skin-care secrets, her biggest beauty regret, and why she's thrilled that the '90s are back.

How has your philosophy about beauty changed over the years?

Emotionally and mentally, I would say it's just about loving yourself and loving what you've been given--to really appreciate it and take care of it. Because this is the only body we're given, we need to be really good and mindful of what we eat and how we take care of our skin--getting a good night's sleep is extremely important, as is hydrating with water, water, water. It's so important to getting that extra glow.

You have such a signature look. Did you go through any memorable hair or makeup phases along the way to finding it?

Sometimes you learn the hard way. Sometimes what's in fashion isn't always your best friend. There was a phase in the '80s where I don't think anyone was sporting good hair and makeup. The amount of makeup I piled onto my skin and the wonderful hair colors and cuts that my hair went through--I don't look back fondly on some of those choices. But I do laugh at them!

What do you regret most from that period?

The entire decade! I would have to say, there was a period where I cut my hair really, really short. It was long on top, short on the sides. I think right above the ears--about an inch above--I shaved my head, and that was kind of a really bad look. It was like a faux kind of chicken shit mohawk [laughs].

Still, the '90s are coming back in a big way and--

The '90s are coming back!? Why are they coming back, that's mean. I'm just kidding. That's really good because I have certain things I have yet to throw away from my days on Friends. My red squared-toe loafers might actually be making a comeback, that's awesome. See, it's coming back--I knew it. I also have those nice high-waisted jeans. I'm so glad I didn't throw any of those out. I loved the '90s.

Looking back at what you've learned over the years, what lessons have you applied to your routine now?
I think over the years, everything's just continued to get simpler. Less is more, less makeup, less fuss, and just more natural, which I kind of prefer. My skin-care treatment is very simple. I've found that anytime I try to do some kind of fancy hair or makeup routine or skin-care routine, it gets more complicated. I love simple Aveeno products--they just came out with a new Absolutely Ageless night time cream and a new night time serum, which are wonderful. It's important to find something that's simple and affordable--and easy.

More from Vogue:

10 Places Every 20-Something Should Travel To Before Turning 30

The Best Celebrity Engagement Rings

Beyoncé's Best Moves 17 Body Sculpting GIFS from Her Top Music Videos

Why Marcia Brady Is Our Spirit Animal for Back-to-School Style

Celebrity Looks from the Red Carpet at People's Choice Awards 2016


Why We Love the Showstopping Style of Afropunk's Leading Ladies

-- 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.












8 Secrets of Women Who Never Have Frizzy Hair

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While it's entirely possible that they're just blessed with an amazing head of hair, it's also likely that they have a few tricks up her sleeve. Here, eight secrets of women who never seem to look frazzled.

Related: 8 Secrets of Women Who Always Look Put Together

They use a different kind of shampoo. Learn more.

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They choose the right styling products. Learn more.

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They apply less heat. Learn more.

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They seal all those products in. Learn more.

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They might even dabble in additional treatments. Learn more.

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They ditch their old towels. Learn more.

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They sleep on silk. Learn more.

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They eat a lot of fat. Learn more.

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Related:

The Best Ways to Air-Dry Your Hair (and Not Look Like a Poodle)
The Surprising Dry Shampoo Trick for Mega Volume
A Smart (and Speedy) Way to Curl Your Hair on the Go

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How to Apply Lotion to Your Back Without Anyone's Help

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You could ask a friend or significant other for help but probably don't want to rely on them every single day... for the rest of your life. Here, a quick trick that quite literally has your back.

Related: 7 Foods You Can Slap on Your Eyes to Get Rid of Dark Circles

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What you need: Your arms and a bottle of lotion.

What you do: After showering, apply a strip of lotion to the backs of your forearms. Starting at your lower back, crisscross your arms in a windshield wiper motion to distribute the lotion evenly across the middle of your back (which is typically the spot that's most difficult to reach). Moisturize the tops of your shoulders and upper back as you normally would.

Why it works: While your hands can only reach so far, your forearms are much longer and cover more surface area in a few swipes.

Pro tip: Don't forget to show your neck and décolleté some love as well. The skin there is prone to aging because it's super thin and is almost always exposed to the sun. Just make sure to use gentle, upward stroking motions so as not to pull or tug on the delicate area.

Related:


The Surprising Dry Shampoo Trick for Mega Volume
17 of the Most Gorgeous New Braids for Spring
The Brilliant Eyeliner Trick You Haven't Heard Before

-- 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.











Model Has A+ Response To A Hater Who Called Her A 'Fat Cow'

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Attention, haters. Iskra Lawrence has no time for you.


On April 1, the model, who has appeared in American Eagle's unretouched Aerie Real campaign, shut down an Instagram user who called her a "fat cow" with two perfect Instagram posts. In the caption of her first post, Lawrence wrote that a commenter had called her a "fat cow," suggesting she ate "too many bags of crisps" (also known as potato chips). Lawrence responded in a truly badass way -- giving all body-shamers a big f**k you, surrounded by bags of chips.


"This is for anyone who has ever been called FAT," she wrote in the caption. 




To top it off, Lawrence posted a video that shows her eating chips in slow motion and giving her critics the middle finger.




As Aerie's "Role Model," Lawrence has made it her mission to promote the idea that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.


“I spent so many years being repeatedly rejected and told I wasn’t good enough,” Lawrence told The Huffington Post in February. “It took a huge toll on my self-esteem until I realized I am more than my body and that actually our beauty comes from diversity.”




Keep spreading that body positivity, Iskra.


H/T Cosmopolitan

-- 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.











These Genius Commuter Makeup Hacks Will Save You Serious Time + Embarrassment

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In a world where public transportation has never been easier or more accessible and our schedules just won't slow down, you may have found yourself in a dreaded moment of needing to do your makeup on the go during your morning commute. It's never an ideal situation, but most definitely necessary on those mornings you hit snooze one too many times. I've observed many people executing this task, the most impressive of which was a woman applying mascara in a crowded train -- while standing. Mind. Blown. This is not a task I'd advise the average, unrehearsed gal to attempt, but there are a few morning routine tips and tricks of the trade that I find extremely helpful for moments when you're in a commuter-beauty bind. I even took a day to travel throughout SF with our beauty photographer Kurt Andre to make sure this routine was possible on every form of public transportation. Read on for three game-changing hacks and some words of advice for doing your makeup on the go.

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Hack 1: Strategically Pack Your Travel Beauty Bag


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- stick foundation
- stick concealer
- stick bronzer
- stick blush
- stick shadow
- dual-ended brow pencil
- mini mascara
- eyeliner
- lipstick/lipgloss
- compact powder (with mirror)

For my travel makeup bag, I used the trèStiQue Essential 8 Set ($175), which you can custom build with your colors. This particular kit is my go-to because each product comes in stick form, which is ideal to use while traveling. Not to mention, it's a major space saver. I ended up using a different makeup bag than the one it came with because I added more products to my travel kit. You'll want a travel-size mascara because it's easier to hold while in motion. I love my Benefit Roller Lash Mascara Deluxe Mini ($12). Finally, get a two-for-one by packing a powder compact with a mirror and brush built in. I'm using Benefit Cosmetics "Hello Flawless!" Powder Foundation ($34).

Hack 2: Be Prepared


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Real talk -- public transportation is fantastically convenient for the most part, but atrociously unsanitary if you're planning on touching your face. Make sure you have a hand sanitizer at the ready before diving into your routine. You'll also want to have tissues to wipe your fingers between each makeup product, since you're probably not using brushes and you don't want to accidentally smudge the wrong hue in the wrong place.

Hack 3: Nail Your 5-Minute Commuter Face from Start to Finish


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Step 1: After you've sanitized your hands, apply your foundation, followed by concealer and then bronzer. Blend in gently with your fingers. The trèStiQue set I have actually has built-in brushes on the other end of each product to help blend, which is super clutch!

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Step 2: Next, smile and get that sun-kissed glow by adding blush to the apples of your cheeks. I literally saw three different women on the train doing their makeup while shooting this tutorial. The struggle is real!

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Step 3: Don't skip your brows just because you're on the go! Instead, choose a moment when you're waiting for your ride.

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Step 4: Eyeliner can be a SCARY thing when you're moving, but you can get it done. Same rules apply as above -- make sure you're at a standstill or in very slow motion before getting to this move. Listen: If I can do this on a bus, you can too!

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Step 5: Apply mascara with caution! Having the travel size really does help you control the wand for this part of your routine.

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Final Moves: Wait for your walk from the train/bus/curb to apply the face powder that will set your makeup. The lighting is often insane on public transportation, so you'll want that final step done in natural light where you can make sure everything is blended and in place. Finally, add your lips, and voilà! You're fresh faced, glowing and ready to tackle your day!

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See ya out there!

Do your five-minute hairstyle, grab your commuter beauty kit and get gorgeous on the go! This routine is so easy and under the radar, you may end up making this your go-to beauty regimen whether you're en route or at home and actually have five minutes to spare.

Follow us on Pinterest for more beauty hacks!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Hair/Makeup/Art Direction/Model: Misty Spinney
Photography: Kurt Andre

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Photographer Captures The Breathtaking Beauty Of Mexico’s Indigenous Communities

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"Oaxaca was something that had to happen, it was something that I didn’t look for. It simply occurred." 


That's how photographer Diego Huerta describes his work in the southern Mexican state, where he has diligently traveled to for the past four years to document its indigenous communities with breathtaking portraits. 


The 30-year-old Mexican photographer began working on this project, titled "Inside Oaxaca," after traveling to Oaxaca and inadvertently witnessing the Guelaguetza, its biggest annual celebration and parade that features traditional dances and customs from the States' eight regions.


"I was struck by all the colors and by the faces of the various delegations, and I wanted to know where they came from," Huerta told The Huffington Post via e-mail. "It was at that moment that I knew I had to go to their place of origin to know more about their traditions and customs and document them via my portraits."



About 15 percent of the Mexican population identifies as indigenous, according to the United Nations Human Rights Council. That number jumps to 56 percent in Oaxaca, where there are 16 different indigenous groups


"In Oaxaca something very interesting happens: there is a mix of the modern and the traditional, of the indigenous people and the mestizo people, that fight to conserve that indigenous part that they inherited," Huerta told HuffPost. "The portraits that I’ve done are from four of the eight regions that exist in Oaxaca (after four years I’m only halfway through the project) and they are people that I’ve met directly in the villages or small towns that I’ve visited. Some of those people I can now call my friends." 


As part of his project, Huerta travels to remote parts of the State and has photographed women and men from the Zapotec, Mixtecos, Mixes and Chontales communities. His project in Oaxaca will feed into a larger photo endeavor he has planned called "Native Nation," which consists of documenting Mexico's more than 50 indigenous groups.  


The Austin-based photographer shares many of his portraits on his Instagram account. In the long run, Huerta hopes that his photo projects create "an empathy for indigenous people, and that that empathy be a trigger to respect them and value them," he said. "Discrimination doesn't only exist in the United States. In Mexico there's a high degree of discrimination against native people. And there's a lot of ignorance from modern society towards them."


Check out some of Huerta's photos from "Inside Oaxaca" below, and more on his Instagram account.


-- 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.











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