Here's How Gigi Hadid Makes Street Style Look Easy

April 7, 2016, 8:22 am

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Right before our very eyes, the mirror-framed wrath of Gigi Hadid descended upon our Instagram feeds, utilizing her status of model of the moment and position as one part of world-famous BFF duo KenGi to transform the way we do athleisure. You see, Hadid's style consists of taking something high and pairing it with something low, like an overcoat you'd normally wear to the ballet, except with a pair of workout leggings and some sneakers.

Or, like the slideshow ahead will show you, a minimal crêpe de chine coat and a pair of jeans so ripped she might as well just wear shorts. This isn't a new concept, per se, but Gigi Hadid takes athleisure into a new realm. And to put it simply: we're here for it. Styling tricks à la Hadid are fast, easy, and -- trust us on this one -- affordable. And if that ain't enough, there's always Bella.


Photo: James Devaney/Getty.


Versace, Versace, Versace, Versace.


Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty.

Backpacks are life.


Photo: Marc Piasecki/Getty.

You better watch out. The Gigi is coming for you.


Photo: Marc Piasecki/Getty.

Post-Fenty x Puma, Gigi gives us life with a crop top, easy denim, and some booties to die for.

For the rest of G's looks, visit Refinery29.

By: Landon Peoples

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Sweet Japanese Ad Shows How The Family Dog Bonds With The New Baby

April 7, 2016, 9:07 am

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When dog owners welcome an infant into the home, the adjustment isn't always easy, but sometimes a special bond occurs. 

This sweet Japanese ad for Amazon Prime shows a dog's struggle to connect with the new baby. But with dad's help, they figure out an adorable solution.

All the feels!

H/T Tastefully Offensive

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Powerful Ad Highlights Just How Racist Beauty Aisles Really Are

April 7, 2016, 9:46 am

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Shea Moisture released a powerful ad on Tuesday, which highlights the ways in which the beauty industry often neglects women of color. The commercial has a very simple message to black women everywhere, it's time to #BreakTheWalls of the beauty industry. 

The haircare brand, founded in 1991 in Harlem by Liberian refugees, provides a wide array of products designed to treat natural black hair. The ad, which aired during BET's "Black Girls Rock!" depicts black women being forced to find beauty products in the "Ethnic" aisle of a convenience store. 

"We just have been conditioned to go to the corner and find our spot where we've been placed," says one woman via voice over. "There's a section called 'Ethnic,' and there is an aisle called 'Beauty.'"

The video ends with the predominantly white "Beauty" aisle breaking away and falling down only to reveal Shea Moisture products in the beauty aisle, too.

"We're Shea Moisture, and now, we can be found in the beauty aisle -- where we all belong."

Finally, a black haircare brand that's unapologetically calling out the way the beauty and haircare industry neglects women of color. It's been a long time coming. 

Watch the empowering commercial in its entirety above. 

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The Best Eye Masks To Target Bags, Puffiness And Dark Circles

April 7, 2016, 10:28 am

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Dark circles and puffy under-eyes are unlucky trade-offs when you work long hours and get very little-to-no sleep. Many people have "raccoon eyes" that are hereditary, due to having extremely thin skin around the eyes, which makes purple-blue blood vessels even more prominent. However, genes and a hectic lifestyle shouldn't stop you from dealing with the kind of baggage you don't want.

Eye masks and patches can work wonders for firming and toning the under-eye area. Similar to face sheet masks that celebrities are always sporting on social media, these gel-like treatments are generally formulated with hydrating and plumping ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, caffeine and colloidal gold. 

Solely relying on eye patches isn't an excuse to skimp on sleep or go crazy with high-sodium foods. But if you're in need of a quick and temporary fix for puffiness and dark circles, you know where to turn.

Ready to pack your under-eye bags? Shop the eye masks we love below.

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I Tried Natural Deodorant for 6 Months, Here's What Happened

April 7, 2016, 11:21 am

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Nowadays, it's totally normal to incorporate green or eco-friendly products in almost all aspects of your daily life, from all natural beauty products to chemical-free household cleaners and everything in-between. Me? I'm a sucker for anything all-natural. But for me, one area that I've had trouble converting over to is deodorant. I've wanted to love natural deodorants but every time I tried one -- and I've tried a few -- I dropped it as quickly as I picked it up. The reason? It didn't work. Before getting too far into this, I have to tell you natural deodorant DEFINITELY WORKS, but there's a caveat: you have to go through a small period of detox first. Trust me: I did it.



This process ended up being longer and more intense than I imagined, and then it sort of turned into the attempt to find the best of the best. So I tried a series of brands in all different mediums over the last six months. My experience seemed crazy until I spoke to esthetician Andrea Lembkey, owner of Dermaplus Skin + Body, who was able to explain a lot of what I experienced in a way that made so much sense. She mentioned, "Just like with the skin on the face, when you transition to all natural products, there can sometimes be a 'purging' stage. This is a result of all the toxins and pent-up bacteria releasing out of the skin. So you may have an initial transitional phase, but like we tell our clients trying new skin care, push through those first two weeks, the results will be worth it!" I couldn't agree more. Below, I'm outlining the natural deodorants I tried below, including all the pros, cons and -- yep -- smell factors. It's about to get real.



My first go at this little experiment was a recommendation from a guy I met on an airplane (random, I know, but whatevs). I started with Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant ($14).

Pros: I LOVED the scent, and the texture was really nice. It went on easy and dried like a powder but didn't stain my clothes.


Smell Factor: While the scent of this stick deodorant was lovely, my scent was not so lovely, if ya catch my drift -- and if you were around me during this trial, you would have smelled it too!

Cons: It didn't seem to work well. The ONLY thing that I can say in its defense is that it was the very first one I tried, so it could have been the whole "purge phase" that Andrea Lembkey mentioned. Had I thought about it I would have tried it again -- I mean flight guy swore by it, after all!

Should You Try It?: Yes! I say give it a go, but don't judge prematurely. Give yourself a good month or two.



The next product I used was a deodorant I hadn't seen yet, Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant Cream Baking Soda Free, Grapefruit ($14). It's a cream you apply with your finger. So. Weird.

Pros: Aside from the super cute, appealing packaging, the effectiveness was almost immediate! Out the gate, this one worked 100%.

Smell Factor: The scent of the product was meh, but I actually didn't mind it because it was mild and not overpowering. I didn't have any smelly issues throughout the day, so that was great!

Cons: The only thing I was not a fan of initially was having to put this on with my fingers.

Should You Try It?: YES! YES! YES! This was actually my go to throughout the whole six months of trial. When one didn't work, I reverted right back to this one.



Unfortunately, you have to buy doTerra Natural Deodorant Stick ($10) from a doTerra rep. They're easy to find (even I'm a rep because I love their oils SO much), but you can also find it on Amazon. Full disclosure: Beware the authenticity of the actual product when you go that route.

Pros: The tea tree scent is so yummy! Also, the tea tree essential oil helps soothe your skin, which helped with razor burn.


Smell Factor: Let's be real, this did not work. I smelled like I just ran a marathon wearing Old Spice. Dang it, I SO wanted to love this deodorant, because I literally love every other product I've ever used by them.

Cons: Aside from it not working for me, it was really sticky -- the whole day.

Should You Try It?: Even though I didn't love it, I have friends who love it. I'm the type to say don't knock it until you've tried it.



I had to try the Honest Company Deodorant Lavender Vanilla ($9) because I used their diapers, dishwashing soap, baby soap, dryer sheets... and I love them all.

Pros: I really loved that I could spray this one on -- no touching!


Smell Factor: After a couple hours of wearing, I did not smell so hot.

Cons: The scent of this deodorant is definitely unique. Even for a hippie dippie, essential oil-loving gal like myself, I found it to be pretty intense. Not bad, though.

Should You Try It?: This is another situation where a very good girlfriend of mine absolutely swears by this deodorant, so I have to wonder if it's just me? Def give it a go!



Next on the list is Captain Blankenship Lime + Vetiver Deodorant ($14). I was actually gifted this deodorant from a friend who owns Pretty Parlor, an all-natural salon. So, I was really excited to try it after she gave me one of the most amazing facials I've ever had!

Pros: It. Smelt. Divine. Period.


Smell Factor: This one worked alright. It wasn't my favorite, but it definitely wasn't my least favorite either.

Cons: I would have to say that there wasn't anything that stood out necessarily as a con. It worked for the most part. At this point, I was a pro at the whole use your finger thing, and it didn't phase me like the first run did.

Should You Try It?: Yes! Also, go get a facial from Sarah if you're ever in SF! Yes, I just plugged a friend's salon, but trust me -- your skin will thank me if you go see her :) You're welcome.



This Schmidt's Ylang-Ylang + Calendula Deodorant ($9) was sent to us to try out here at B+C, and I have to say it was a nice surprise and good timing during my all-natural deodorant testing.

Pros: If you haven't smelled ylang-ylang before, you're missing out! This is an essential oil that's meant to work with your natural pheromones to bring out a sensual scent. So deodorant that smells sexy = SUPER PRO!  


Smell Factor: This one got me. It's a toss up between this and Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant Cream Baking Soda Free, Grapefruit ($14) as to which actually worked the best! I smelled amazing!

Cons: Absolutely no cons!



Okay, okay -- so, technically I'm cheating a little, because this is also the same brand as the last one, Schmidt's Bergamot + Lime Deodorant ($9), but I had to try the stick version as well as the cream one.

Pros: I didn't have to use my fingers -- yeah!


Smell Factor: I smelled oddly good! The lime is a scent I didn't expect to like, but it really worked. Also big bonus, the first natural deodorant stick that worked well out of the bunch.

Cons: None! In. LOVE.

Should You Try It?: Heck yes! I loved this one too!



A very special shout out to our beauty photographer Kurt Andre for being my smell tester throughout this process! That's true friendship, ya'all!

I would say the major take away is that transitioning into natural deodorant is a commitment that you sort of have to just deal with. One hack to getting through the weird smell zone is to pack your deodorant in your purse and just re-apply throughout the day. This worked for me, and I promise you it's SO worth the results -- I feel so happy that I no longer have to wear chemicals on my underarms!

Want to get even more into snooping (and routinely using) natural products? Andrea suggested using the app Think Dirty (Free), which rates the toxicity level of products from 1-10 and has a breakdown of how each ingredient works, as well as suggests healthier alternatives. New obsession? I think so.

Follow us on Pinterest for more cute + clever beauty inspo.

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

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Gucci Ad Banned In The UK For Featuring 'Unhealthily Thin' Model

April 7, 2016, 11:55 am

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The United Kingdom has banned yet another fashion ad for featuring "unhealthily thin" models. 

A complaint was filed with the country's Advertising Standards Authority over two models who appear in Gucci's Cruise 2016 campaign. The ASA, which handles complaints across all media, deemed one of the models "unhealthily thin" based on still photos that appeared at the end of a video ad online.

Taking into consideration that the model's body "appeared to be out of proportion with her head and lower body" and noting her "sombre facial expression and dark makeup," the organization stated that keeping the model in the advertisement was "irresponsible." The ASA required Gucci to remove her still image from the video, which originally appeared on The Times' website.

The label responded to the complaint by telling the ASA the ad was "aimed at an older, sophisticated audience" and that it did not believe that the models could be seen as unhealthy, but the company did remove the image from its campaign. Gucci declined to comment to The Huffington Post. 

The image is just the latest in a number the ASA have banned in the past, and the ruling comes a year after France voted to ban models under a certain body mass index. With many strides currently being made toward a healthier perception of body image in the fashion industry, here's hoping we have to see see fewer of these occurrences in the future. 

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Rita Ora Pulls Off Half A Bathing Suit And Jeans With Ease

April 7, 2016, 12:18 pm

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Rita Ora has got it, and flaunts it, both on and off camera, so the singer/actress/fashion sweetheart's latest look is far from shocking.

Still, it's an outfit very few other people would be able to pull off -- even if they were, say, at the beach.

Ora stepped out in Los Angeles on Wednesday in a backless orange bathing suit, baggy jeans, Adidas slides, a Marc Jacobs backpack, cat eye sunglasses, a body chain and bright yellow cornrows. 

The revealing suit with a teeny, tiny back, which has been identified as an Ashish x Topshop number from 2014, is unfortunately no longer available for purchase, so you couldn't exactly replicate this look even if you wanted to.

We have to hand it to Ora for her versatility... and for wearing this look so confidently on the streets of LA.  

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The Only Way Out Is Through

April 7, 2016, 1:32 pm

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The only way out of feeling badly about your body is through it.

I don't mean wallowing in your negative feelings about yourself, but rather interrogating them with the intention of disproving those beliefs that have become hard-coded into your mindset.


Photo by Elina Khachaturyan, hair by Christine Poindexter, clothing by Fabletics.

Beliefs like:

"I'm not disciplined enough"
"I'm too lazy"
"I can't be happy at this weight"
"My thighs are too big"
"Fat girls don't get to have happy relationships"
"If I work out, that means I don't love my body as it is"
"I'm too fat to do yoga"
"Change is too hard for me"
"I don't finish things"

Most of us have a never-ending track of negative thoughts that play on loop in our heads. We're not always conscious of it, but the minute we decide that we want to start transforming how we feel about ourselves, we can start to become more aware of these thoughts and where they came from.

Maybe it was a family member, or a teacher, or a friend, or a bully. Maybe it was a coach, or a teammate, or a gym teacher. Maybe it's your current boss, colleague, or judgy neighbor who looks askance at you when you're putting your empty pizza box in the recycling bin the day after a binge. Or the convenience store clerk who sighs as he's ringing up your purchase and you hear, "Should you really be buying that?".

It's not about digging up old conflicts or wounds, or putting rifts in your relationships. If you actually did go through the process of tracking down each person that's left a scar on your psyche and pulled the thread on that with them, you would probably find that they never meant you any harm. The damage happens in how you hear and experience things, and then how those experiences become imprinted in your beliefs about yourself.

The way to purge your mind of negative beliefs about yourself is to acknowledge how you're feeling and why you're feeling that way, and then choosing to move on and let it go. When you catch yourself thinking negatively about your body, try to pin that thought down--where did it come from? Why is it coming up now? What belief about myself does it represent, and how can I replace this with a more positive truth about myself?

The truth is that you're perfect, just as you are. The truth is that your body is an incredible thing, regardless of whatever "limitations" you might perceive, or what you have or haven't done in the past. You are alive and empowered, and you can make the choice to embrace your body as it is and start taking amazing care of it. Your body is beautiful and capable of incredible things. When you choose to take amazing care of yourself, that is the first step in ushering other amazing things into all aspects of your life. THAT is the truth!

It might not always feel like it, but you do have the power to work your way through the beliefs that are holding you back and transform your relationship with your body so that you can live at full amplitude.

Check out the #healthyatanysize community to find support and connect with other women who are working on this, too!

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6s & 8s: The Size to Fit Fashion Fuss

April 7, 2016, 1:37 pm

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The hoopla over Amy Schumer's reaction to her inclusion in Glamour Magazine's so-called Plus-size issue, brings with it a reappearance of her " 6 or an 8" defense, a quip with XXL impact for the reactions it sparks. A key component of this particular debate lies not in the brilliant Ms Schumer's size claim. It is the abysmal inconsistency of the garment - and shoe - industries' size-to-fit ratios, which wind up as media fodder and online commentary fixation, where conversations quickly go south and productive discourse is stunted.

In fashion, women's in particular, size and actual fit are relative calls. To this day, consumers have to wonder: Are they random and whim-determined? Ethnically/culturally reflective? Is it psychological manipulation as sales strategy? There are retail clothing lines that flatter as they cater to westernized height and heft, then there are retail clothing lines are the ultimate ego buzz kills, sized for adults as small and slender as pre-pubescent girls. Fashion lines not only cater to but flatter outright their target demographics - out of sheer retail logic. Woe to the consumer for whom some item does not appear to be intended, who believes he or she has a right to equal shopping opportunity across the board. The question of that fairness is it's own Pandora's box and much maligned, driven in no small part by millennial entitlement awareness. Long-term success, a retail equalizer, is ultimately determined by profit, which over time sorts all things out via the reality of sales figures. Never was everything for everyone, as utopian as this is in concept.

Size by numbers, argued and defended, is here at issue: What is a 0 or a 1 in one line is a 2 or a 4 in another, is an 8 or a 10 in another. One line's Small is another line's Large. Price points help suggest which way the fit to size ratio is skewed, as does country or even continent of origin (Where all the stuff is actually manufactured is its own albatross). From one line to the next and even within a single line, size and fit inconsistency is the muck of an industry through which we all must wade. I myself range from, say a 2 to an 8, an XS to an L. No rhyme or reason.

I think Ms. Schumer needs to let go of the 6-to-8 claims. Her gift for language and its delivery should provide her with a better response - maybe it's an opportunity to point this mess out. When I hear or read her familiar quip, I have to ask: a 6 or an 8 in what? As fashion fan, writer and consumer, I as legions of us know, the number means nada. And don't get me started on the boondoggle of the fashion industry, that ubiquitous "True to Size" quip, ...

With the utter lack of an official industry standard, which by practical necessity should be global (maybe that's the crux of this issue, as international size comps are even more disparate), "True to Size", S, M, L, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 etc remain quite meaningless. The US government once attempted standardization of women's sizing but failed, ultimately discarding the flawed system they briefly implemented. Online retailers now offer interactive sizing guides or note a fit model's height and weight, or sometimes even her measurements, but retailers still have a long way to go in disclosure relevance, if it is to be useful at all. Unless shoppers are willing to post their personal stats + the size they bought, consumer online reviews are a waste of time and page space - where one has worn the item or how much one loves the item helps not one iota. I've written on this before at HP, Trendy Wendy: Call for Relevant Online Reviews.

Ideally, there should be an industry-wide adaptation of standard sizing - not to aid vanity or shop-til-u-drop budget busting, but for the sake of earth-friendlier consumption. Repeated online and catalog shopping returns waste gas, manpower, materials (Please find ways to reuse boxes - to crush a perfectly good box is not recycling) and time. There is nothing free in all the "free" shipping and returns retailers are required to offer in order to remain competitive. If we indulge, can we find a way to do it smarter?

In the end, one could argue on the irrelevance/luxury of fashion as being not intended for any sort of equalization through standardization. Thanks to media saturation and the phenomenon of viralization, emperor's new clothes and celebrity influence create new highs in faux need and excess wants that come with very real ramifications, from compromised states of mind to the waste of cherished resources.

As our society continues to struggle with weight, size and numbers as fashion-founded self-worth tabulators that are continuously in flux and therefore subject to debate, it would be nice if the randomness of 6s and 8s were less of an issue. Perhaps we could then instead keep the focus on weight and size as it pertains to our lifestyles and health.

photo by kimann

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Fashion Has No Age

April 7, 2016, 1:41 pm

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Her long legs, killer curves and trademark beauty spot, Cindy Crawford's enviable figure and stunning good looks have made her one of the most successful supermodels in history.

She turned both her name and image into a million dollar 'brand' long before the advent of social media and made covers of every major magazine. But turning 50 sent some uncertainty in her beautiful world. "At times the pressure to live up to the fashion industry's expectations feels overwhelming". Fashion is a cruel world inhabited by younger and younger elves.

This is maybe true without counting on this old new generation of incredible credible fashionistas!

Iris Apfel, Jacqueline Tjah Murdock, Yayoi Kusama, Lynn Yaeger, Carmen Dell'Orefice, Bethann Hardison, Linda Rodin, Michele Lamy, Daphne Selfe...

Designers have been using these senior models and artists image to represent their brands: Jessica Lange, age 64, became the face of Marc Jacobs beauty.

Jacky O'Shaughnessy, 62, modeled for American Apparel.

Catherine Deneuve, 71, appeared in one of Jacobs' campaign for Louis Vuitton.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen used Linda Rodin, 65, in one of their lookbooks for The Row.

This past January, French fashion house Céline set the Internet abuzz with the release of its spring 2015 print campaign. The ads quickly went viral, at the center of all the attention was the face of the campaign: 80-year-old author Joan Didion.

French luxury label Saint Laurent debuted another ad featuring 71-year-old Joni Mitchell.
Charlotte Rampling, 69, posed for Nars.

L'Oréal signed 65-year-old '60s icon Twiggy as its brand ambassador, joining 69-year-old Helen Mirren.

Kate Spade and jewelry designer Alexis Bittar featured 93-year-old style legend Iris Apfel in their campaigns.

Let's talk about Iris Apfel. The New York's doyenne of eccentric style will be the subject of an exhibition at Paris department store Le Bon Marché from Feb. 27 to March 26.

The former interior designer hopes the exhibition will encourage people to branch out of their comfort zone. "I don't know why people like to dress so much alike. I don't know whether it's peer pressure, or it's the fact that they don't want to make a mistake, and clothes are so expensive that they want to feel safe," she lamented.

The nonagenarian is doing her part to change that, with upcoming collaborations including a silver and wood jewelry collection for Mexican house Tane, a capsule for Happy Socks and a small ready-to-wear collection for Home Shopping Network, which sells her Rara Avis jewelry line.

Apfel has also been racking up modeling gigs, with campaigns for carmaker Citroën and Australian fashion brand Blue Illusion.

In 2005, the Metropolitan Museum of Art staged an exhibition of Iris' closet called "Rare Bird," and it became a runaway success. Last year, Albert Maysles released a documentary about her life titled Iris.

The trend has led many to wonder whether the notoriously youth-obsessed world of fashion and beauty is finally accepting--even embracing--women of a certain age.

Economically speaking, people over 60 make up the fastest growing group of consumers in the world. Along with age comes buying power. There's a growing awareness of the influence of older women as consumers and the purchasing power that they have.

At the same time, there's been a cultural shift in how society view aging at least in Europe and USA. Even though botox still rules in certain circles and especially in the Arab world, there's a general mood about being comfortable in your own skin.

"Personal style and fearlessness are attractive regardless of age," says Mary Beech, CMO of Kate Spade. The multigenerational approach has become a trend in ads for luxury brands. You can see equally diverse mix of backgrounds and ages which makes the brand visible for a larger crowd.

This new generation of young and impatient people needs to have reliable trendy references they can look up to and relate to. Style and attitude play a major role in creating these images.

Apfel isn't a woman who wears elaborated makeup. She didn't fall for plastic surgery. Her life's joys and sorrows and fears are written on her face. Her adventures and memories are contained in her wardrobe.

Iris said "I don't see anything so wrong with a wrinkle. It's kind of a badge of courage". These words are beautiful and require a lot of courage to embrace them...

Style after all has never been about obeying fashion rules, but listening to your inner compass about where your creativity should go -- where you should put your focus.

Up to you...

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Netflix for Fashion: My Experience With Subscription Clothing

April 7, 2016, 1:48 pm

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There are so many things in this world I would rather do than laundry. I will happily roll my used clothes up, put them in a UPS package and ship them off for someone else to deal with.

Luckily for me, Rent the Runway recently announced a subscription service for clothes. For $139 a month, customers can choose from a selection of designer dresses, rompers, purses, and jewelry. You can rent three items at a time and there's no limit to how long you can keep them. So you could wear a different designer outfit almost every day for about the cost of a month's worth of subway rides.

This service is great news for young women in fashion or PR who face the same discerning eyes on a daily basis. Or those who forget stuff at the dry cleaners.

Needless to say, I signed up right away.



The first item I chose was a Halston Heritage jumpsuit with a retail value of $525. Even if it weren't half a grand, I probably would not buy a jumpsuit with sequins on it. It's too memorable to wear frequently and the onesie trend might not last. Like a match made on Tinder, I loved it for the day and then happily sent it back. Lesson 1: Rent The Runway Unlimited is great for experimental trends you might not want to commit to.

The second item I rented was a white, spring jacket by Rebecca Taylor with a market value of $550. That jacket will be great for two months. I'll wear it every day until May. I'll gladly send it back for the ten months it would have sat in my closet had I purchased it for $361 more. Lesson 2: Rent The Runway Unlimited is smart for seasonal items.

The third item I rented was a little disappointing. My expectations were too high. I picked out a blue dress that I figured would be a safe bet. The fabric felt cheap. On the bright side, it was more than fine for a Wednesday at the office. Lesson 3: Unlimited has more variation in quality than regular Rent the Runway, and that makes sense for daily use.



The quality discrepancy between the items made me realize that the new service is about to open the door for tier-based membership. Consumers will pay varying prices per month depending on what quality they want. If that works, why wouldn't other clothing brands start their own membership service? You may not like Rent the Runway, but might consider a membership to Prada, Nasty Gal or Kate Spade. Lesson 4: Rent the Runway Unlimited is about to change how retail works. Customers will now subscribe to their favorite brands instead of going to stores.

You've probably figured it out by now: I'm a millennial. Guilty as charged. I don't use hotels - I Airbnb. I don't have a driver's license - I Lyft. Handy cleans my apartment. I stream Netflix because I don't have a TV and jog to Spotify. The last time I bought a full album was "SpiceWorld." So millennial I actually made a video about this service and posted it to YouTube before it occurred to me to write it down. I am connected to a world of personal services that did not exist way back in the 20th century. One thing that hasn't changed is the need to buy appropriate clothes for different circumstances and keep them washed and dry-cleaned. Until now.

The same way that Airbnb is changing the hotel business and Uber, Lyft and Zipcar are making it less appealing for my generation to own cars, subscription clothing will change how clothing brands operate. The sharing economy is real, and I am all about it.

Rent the Runway Unlimited may sound too good to be true - but so did Spotify, Lyft, Handy and Netflix.

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Khloe Kardashian's Latest Throwback Photo Is Absolutely Purr-fect

April 7, 2016, 2:26 pm

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Khloe Kardashian just shared the throwback photo to end all throwback photos. 

Behold:

Just look at all the leopard print going on. And the matching hats! Kendall Jenner is basically just a tiny baby. She's so cute! 

"Um, how come no one told me braces + all-over animal print wasn't a good look?!" she wrote alongside the photo. "Leopard overload!!! But, how cute is Kendall?" 

Kendall shared her own #TBT, coming in a close second for the top spot with this amazing shot of her and Kylie: 

whyyyyy mom?!

A photo posted by Kendall Jenner (@kendalljenner) on Apr 7, 2016 at 12:50pm PDT

Yes. 

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J.C. Penney Responds To People Freaking Out Over So-Called 'Period Skirt'

April 7, 2016, 2:40 pm

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J.C. Penney has been getting a lot of attention lately, thanks to a viral photo that interpreted the floral print on one of the retailer's skirts as a period stain.

But Penney's is getting the final word in with a mic-dropping Twitter post.

The skirt in question is a Worthington Side Slit Pencil Skirt, selling on the company's website for $23.99. 

The ad copy says, "Our side slit pencil skirt lets you set the day's agenda whether you are in the office or at another important function."

The photo clearly shows the flower is placed on the wearer's right side, but things change when movement is involved, as this photo posted on Imgur shows.

View post on imgur.com

Several outlets like WKYC,Mic and the Houston Chronicle all picked up on this unpleasant coincidence.

But J.C. Penney didn't skirt the issue at all, instead choosing to address it head-on with this tweet:

We think it's a fab skirt for any time of the month. Period. https://t.co/rCAjNiEw5Zhttps://t.co/0Zdzo1aWbs

— JCPenney (@jcpenney) April 7, 2016

Related on HuffPost:

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Trent Harmon Is The 15th And Final 'American Idol'

April 7, 2016, 7:12 pm

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After 15 seasons, "American Idol"  has come to an end. 

But the series finale was nothing short of spectacular as previous winners, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Fantasia Barrino, David Cook, Phillip Phillips, Jordin Sparks and more, returned to perform one last time on the "Idol" stage. The original judges, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, also made a memorable appearance alongside host Ryan Seacrest with Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban looking on as they all said farewell. (Former co-host Brian Dunkleman even showed up!) 

Most importantly, though, the singing competition show crowned its final winner. Seacrest named Trent Harmon as the 2016 "American Idol," with La'Porsha Renae coming in second place. Third-place finisher Dalton Rapattoni was eliminated during Wednesday night's show.

via GIPHY

It seemed like the viewers' choice was somewhat surprising for the judges, as Connick Jr. turned to J.Lo and Urban to say, "Wow." Still, both Trent and La'Porsha were well deserving of the title. 

via GIPHY

The finale reunited some of the best and brightest "Idol" contestants of yesteryear, including fan favorites from every season like Jennifer Hudson, Bo Bice, Lauren Alaina, Constantine Maroulis, Chris Daughtry and, of course, Justin Guarini. The cameos and fun group performances made us yearn for the days of the early aughts. Sigh.

This show was one that touched many people over the last 14 years. Cheers to "Idol" and its decision to go out on a high note.

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An Evolution of Self-Love, as Seen By My Shoes

April 8, 2016, 5:35 am

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I love high heels. I think they're beautiful works of art and I remember my first pair. They were light pink kitten heels, and I wore them on Easter Sunday with a white satin dress that had a matching pink ribbon. I loved those shoes. They made me feel good, and special and grown-up. They made me feel confident.

I was always a heavy kid, and like most kids, I got picked on. When I wore those pink kitten heels, I felt beautiful.

Fast forward into my 20s, when I got my first grown-up job. I was a heavy adult and I didn't have to worry about getting picked last in gym class, but I was still trying to figure out how to feel good, and special and grown-up. Enter high heels. I wore a lot of high heels. By the time I hit my 30s, I had a closet full of them. I wore heels every day. It didn't matter if I was taking planes, trains & automobiles to work in NYC for the day, I'd do it in heels.

I also have scoliosis, so all of this heel-wearing did not agree with my body, but that was secondary.

I wore the heels as part of a costume -- the grown-up, confident businesswoman costume. Maybe you know it? They really did help. When I would wear flats, I felt less confident. The costume had become my armor, and without it I was vulnerable. Body pain be damned.

By my mid-30s, even the heels couldn't protect me from feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. I'd lost and gained and lost and gained weight, gotten an MBA, found a career that I was good at and had a husband... but something was still off. I started reading more personal development blogs and self-help books. I started looking for a new job, but nothing felt right. When one of the coaches I'd read for years started a training program, I jumped before I could talk myself out of it.

What came next was a year-long journey that forever changed my relationship with myself. The changes were subtle. Sure, I was calmer and more balanced, but those things didn't really jump out. The most noticeable change was my shoes. As I started to love myself, I was able to let go of the costume. I didn't need the high heels as much anymore. I chose shoes that made my body feel good, because that's a loving choice. I chose shoes that didn't cause pain, because I deserve better... and I finally believed that. I was able to show up as me... vulnerable discomfort and all.

These days, I couldn't tell you the last time I wore a high heel. There are still a few pairs in my closet that I cannot bear to part with, but they may come out once or twice a year. My journey of loving myself is ongoing, because we all take two steps forward and one step back... and that's still progress.

I know that it's OK to show up as me. I know that my value is not determined by my weight, my mood and certainly not by my shoes. I determine my worth, and no pair of shoes can ever change that.

How do you show the world that you love yourself?

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Michelle Obama Has A New Favorite Color

April 8, 2016, 5:57 am

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Drop everything: Michelle Obama, wearer of all things stylish and enviable, has a new favorite color. 

Whether intentionally or not, the first lady has a habit of picking a certain pattern or color and riding its wave for some time. Royal blue had its turn, and most recently, florals took the front seat. Now, it appears she's going back to an old favorite -- and we're green with envy. 

You see, it all started at the Easter Egg Roll in Washington, D.C. on March 28. FLOTUS donned a grassy green top to kick off the festivities with the dad jeans-wearing president.

Shortly thereafter, on Tuesday, the first lady was spotted in green yet again, this time using her green thumb to plant fruits and vegetables in the White House kitchen garden. Perhaps the color of the super on-trend 3.1 Phillip Lim silk bomber, which retails for $850, was a mere coincidence. Perhaps.

Things start to take a real turn for the "is-this-her-new-favorite-color-or-what?" the next day on Wednesday, when she was spotted yet again in a mossy shade of green to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, at the White House.  

By the time another stop on her garden tour came along Thursday, not even Al Roker could deny it: Green is officially FLOTUS' new florals. 

Sigh. She makes it look so easy being green. 

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Mariah Carey Reportedly Insures Vocal Cords And Legs For $70 Million

April 8, 2016, 6:08 am

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They don't call her a diva for nothing. 

Mariah Carey has reportedly insured her "vocal cords and hamstrings" for $35 million each, according to TMZ. The media outlet reports that the singer insured her legs and voice because she's extending her current tour to South America, meaning there's even more money on the line. But considering Carey's engaged to billionaire James Packer, we're wondering if she really needs the extra insurance. 

Plenty of people in Hollywood -- like Rihanna, Heidi Klum, Julia Roberts and Bruce Springsteen -- have allegedly insured body parts that are vital to their careers. Jennifer Lopez reportedly even insured her backside for up to $27 million, but she recently shut that rumor down during a "Carpool Karaoke" special with James Corden. 

"There is no such thing as that!" Lopez said, getting somewhat heated in her conversation with Corden. "Let's not talk about it." 

What do you lambs think? 

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Jennifer Lawrence Wore This Dress Because She Had Her Period

April 8, 2016, 6:14 am

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Not every person with a uterus is presented with her pick of multiple thousand-dollar dresses to wear on a special evening out.

But nearly every person with a uterus does face the dread of picking an outfit when Aunt Flo is in town and feeling extra determined to make your body feel like an inflated version of The Chokey. 

Not even mega superstar and uterus-bearing Jennifer Lawrence is excluded. In the cover story for the May issue of Harper's Bazaar, the actress explained how she had to swap out her original choice of Golden Globes dresses for something more comfortable because she was on her period. 

"Plan A was a dress that I couldn't wear because awards season is synced with my menstrual cycle, and it has been for years," she said. As for her plan B dress -- an unforgettable red Dior gown with subtle cut-outs that exposed her abs -- Lawrence said she liked it because the front was loose.  

"And I didn't have to worry about sucking anything in," she told the magazine. "The other dress was really tight, and I'm not going to suck in my uterus. I don't have to do that."

No, J. Law, you do not have to suck in your uterus. We'd never ask anyone to do such a thing. Thanks for always proving that stars can be just like us (again, minus that whole Dior wardrobe thing).

Here's to your shiny award and that pint of Ben & Jerry's we hope you demolished when you got home after the show. Keep tellin' it like it is. 

H/T Refinery29

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North West And Penelope Disick Prove You're Never Too Young For Hair Extensions

April 8, 2016, 6:30 am

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If you're a member of the Kardashian family, you know there's nothing more important than a good glam team. 

North West, 2, and Penelope Disick, 3, clearly already have a better hair and makeup crew than most, as the two little gals have been rocking what look like extensions for a little while.  

It appears Khloe Kardashian might have something to do with P's hair, since she Instagrammed a photo of the two twinning a few days ago with the caption, "I made her my mini me!!" 

I made her my mini me!!

A photo posted by Khloé (@khloekardashian) on Apr 5, 2016 at 11:31am PDT

In a shot from Kim Kardashian's Snapchat, it seems North got the same makeover. 

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian Snapchats (@kimmysnapchats) on Apr 6, 2016 at 2:48pm PDT

Point proven -- we'll never look as cute as North or Penelope, no matter how old (or young) they are. 

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Ashley Greene's Red Lipstick Heats Up Our Best Beauty List

April 8, 2016, 7:27 am

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We have yet to meet a red lipstick that we don't love, and now we have another one to covet thanks to Ashley Greene.

The 29-year-old attended The Hollywood Reporter's 2016 35 Most Powerful People in Media celebration wearing a red-orange Narciso Rodriguez midi dress with matching lipstick. Not only was this vibrant hue a refreshing departure from all the dark ensembles we're used to seeing on the streets of New York City, but it accentuated Greene's bronze makeup and tortoiseshell hair color. 

Check out Greene's red lipstick beauty look below, and see which other celebs made our best beauty list this week.  

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