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Top Gifts & Savings Tips for All Kinds of Moms

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With Mother's Day right around the corner, you may be wondering what to get the leading lady in your life. In addition to watching your budget, it can be challenging to figure out just what Mom wants. With the average American expected to shell out over $170 on flowers, jewelry, gift cards and a meal out, it's important to mind your wallet when searching for that perfect present.

To find a gift that counts and fits in your budget, consider her hobbies and lifestyle and then follow this guide of top gifts and savings tips for all kinds of moms.

Athletic Mom
If your mom puts your workout game to shame, consider a gift inspired by her active lifestyle. A new gym bag from Activyst, for example, is a great gift that also gives back: 10% of the purchase price provides safe game transport for three girls in Nicaragua, the country from which the bag's materials are sourced. Additionally, sign up for the site's newsletter to receive 10% off. You can also find a selection of fitness gear for less at discount retailers like Marshalls and TJMaxx, including yoga mats, pilates DVDs and athletic clothing.

Foodie Mom
For mothers who love all things gastronomical, a basket brimming with unique goodies will make her drool. Mouth.com is a good source for hard-to-find treats and their Mother's Day gift guide features products for moms of every palate. To save 20% on your order, grab a Mouth promo code from CouponSherpa.com. Another gift idea is a home-cooked meal with a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant, so she can enjoy two meals with her favorite people!

Gardening Mom
Moms who enjoy getting their hands dirty should not be given a basic bouquet of flowers. Instead, take advantage of spring gardening sales at home improvement stores and put together a bucket of essentials for a fun twist on a traditional gift basket. For example, organic potting soil can be fetched for as little as $3 from Lowe's, while Home Depot shoppers can find special pricing on annuals, small fruit trees and other spring blooms.

Wonder Mom
The mom with mile-long to-do lists who still finds time to watch your kids or listen to you vent about work deserves a timeout. Channel your inner child and put together a homemade beauty recipe for a body scrub, face mask or hair treatment made with products from your pantry. Pair this item with a gift certificate from SpaFinder, which you can purchase for 20% off from Costco. For moms who prefer to decompress with a cup of tea, a pretty gift box with four delicious teas from TeaBox will hit the spot (and won't break the bank at just $25!).

All-Natural Mom
Gifts for the naturalist can range from earth-based products to a pampering session featuring all-natural treatments. Since Mother's Day is a big event for beauty providers, there are plenty of deals featuring discounts and free gifts. For example, Origins is offering the Power Anti-Agers Gift Set for $65 (valued at over $100), plus three free deluxe samples and a cosmetics bag with $45 purchase. For all-natural pampering sessions, consult Groupon or LivingSocial for daily deals from local spas and salons.

Fashion-Forward Mom
The mom whose style you emulate should receive something fashionable on Mother's Day. Since she likely has a particular taste, opt for an accessory over an apparel item, unless you know she's been eyeing a specific garment. Fossil is offering free embossing and engraving in-store and online through May 1, enabling shoppers to customize classic watches, clutches and other accessories. Another option is the Village Ways Cashmere Wool Scarf from Ann Taylor, sourced from female artisans in the Himalayas and currently on sale for 50% off.

Tech-y Mom
The gadget lover will always welcome new tech products designed to make life easier, or at the very least more fun. Gift these moms with an Olliclip 4-in-1 Lens, the iPhone camera add-on that offers fisheye, wide-angle and macro 10x and 15x capabilities to her smartphone's camera. If gadget research leaves you feeling underwhelmed, there's always the go-to gift of a new smartphone or tablet cover. Find your mom's favorite art or customize a cover with photos of her family. Receive 25% off photo gifts from Walgreens, or get a case for yourself too from SkinIt and buy one, get one 50% off.

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Harry Styles Cut Off His Hair and People Are Losing Their Minds

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For GQ by Justin Fenner.

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Wire Image

There's gotta be something in the water the universe's stylish men are drinking right now. In the first few months of 2016 alone, we've lost the locks of tonsorial greats like Robert Pattinson, Jon Snow, and, just this week, Justin Bieber. (Okay, that last one didn't really sting.) And about an hour ago, One Direction's Harry Styles joined their ranks.

Whoops. #Littleprincesstrust

A photo posted by @harrystyles on



The singer--known as much for his vocal chops as his enviable Aloha shirt wardrobe--has practically been a spokesman for the long-hair-on-men movement. His shoulder-length mane was (it hurts to write that) in lock step with the '70s vibe fashion designers have been feeling lately, wavy hair that could only belong to a louche guy who can convincingly wear floral silk neck scarves.

This very publication even anointed Styles one of the 19 mightiest hair gods of all time. And when that other famous British Harry (the Princely one) notably asked Styles when he'd last gotten a haircut when the two met in November, Styles's response was, "I'm not planning on it right now."

But plans change. And Styles's decision to lop off his locks has sent the passionate Twitter public into a downward spiral of digital tears and follicular mourning.

But Harry didn't just cut off his hair because he needed a new look for summer. Our friends at Teen Vogue report the singer is donating his locks to Britain's Little Princess Trust, a charity that makes wigs for children who lose their hair undergoing cancer treatment. A rebel with a heart. Our kind of guy.

Stay tuned for the Styles's new, uh, hairstyle.

More from GQ:

The Hottest Women of the 21st Century

Justin Bieber Finally Explains the Reason Behind "Sorry"

The Best Haircuts for Men

Amber Rose's Nude GQ Photo Shoot

Everything Kanye West Wore in 2015

Cristiano Ronaldo Has Mankind's Greatest Body


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-- 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.

How to Know Whether or Not to Tuck in Your Shirt

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For GQ by Megan Gustashaw.

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photo: Getty Images

Like choosing black shoes over brown, knowing whether to tuck in your shirt seems like a simple proposition, when in fact it's not. On the one hand you don't want to look like an uptight nerd, and on the other, you don't want to look like a slob. You also want to be comfortable, and an arctic breeze up the back of your shirt or a whole bunch of fabric bunched up under your jeans can really get in the way of that. Here's how to navigate this tricky circumstance for optimal style and comfort, in any situation.

Look at the shirt itself, particularly the hem.
If the shirt hem is even, it lends itself to being untucked. Be careful when leaving a shirt with an uneven hem untucked. If the shirt fits you really well, it can work, but it's a risky move, particularly if the shirt is not the right length. The ideal length for an untucked shirt is something that hits the middle of your back pocket or the zipper of your pants. Kanye West ignores this rule, but you should not. Also look at the fabric of the shirt. Shirts in casual fabrics like denim and flannel feel right when worn untucked, while broadcloth or poplin shirts might feel more appropriate tucked in.

Consider where you're headed.
Have you been invited to the White House? Meeting your girlfriend's parents for the first time? Going on a job interview? Tuck in your damn shirt. If you're not wearing a shirt that looks good when it's tucked in, you're probably underdressed. The same is true on the opposite end of the spectrum. Baseball games, bachelor parties and bar crawls are times in your life when you've earned the right to wear an untucked shirt. Do it up right.

Figure out what layers you're working with.
If you're planning to wear a blazer or a sweater over your shirt and that shirt has a collar, tuck it in. If you're working with a T-shirt or a Henley, you can go both ways depending on the fit of the shirt. More than anything you want your layers to look strategic--not like you're wearing everything you own in order to stay warm. Don't tuck your sweater into your pants unless that sweater is made of a beautiful and lightweight material that makes it feel more like the world's softest T-shirt.

Observe general rules of formality.
We're pretty sure we don't have to tell you this but let's just play it safe. If you're wearing a tie, you need to tuck in your shirt. If you're wearing some type of vacation shirt or sports jersey (no judgment, but kinda judgment), do not tuck in your shirt. In both cases you've already committed yourself to certain level of formality and you should just let your outfit exist in that space.

And one last thing: Never untuck a shirt you've been wearing tucked in all day long. You will look like a guy who hates his job, which is not the message we know you're trying to send with your outfit.

More from GQ:

The Hottest Women of the 21st Century

Justin Bieber Finally Explains the Reason Behind "Sorry"

The Best Haircuts for Men

Amber Rose's Nude GQ Photo Shoot

Everything Kanye West Wore in 2015

Cristiano Ronaldo Has Mankind's Greatest Body


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-- 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.

Wear These Native Designs Instead Of Urban Outfitters

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These clothes will make you look cool -- without contributing to cultural appropriation.  


OxDx Clothing, by Navajo designer Jared Yazzie, mixes Native patterns with graffiti and punk-inspired designs to create shirts that call out issues that affect Native communities, like cultural misrepresentation and violence against women.


“I never thought about creating a statement, I just made stuff that reflects Native people,” Yazzie told The Huffington Post. “If it comes off as rebellious and angry, that’s just Native life -- because there are a lot of problems on the reservation.”



The problems Yazzie refers to are multiple, as Native reservations are notoriously underserved and underfunded, leading them to have the highest poverty rate of any race in the United States, the lowest high school graduation rate, and an alarmingly high suicide rate for Native youth, among other issues.


Yazzie’s clothes also focus on another key part of the Native experience: cultural misrepresentation. One prominent example is the Redskins team name and logo.


“I’m hoping to bring these issues to light -- and make beautiful things, because our culture and our people are beautiful,” Yazzie said. “I’d just like whoever wears them to be able to explain the story behind them.”


Here are five badass OxDx shirts, and what you'll achieve by wearing them.


1. Reverse The Narrative Around Colonization



“'Native Americans discovered Columbus.' Columbus is a funny thing to bring up among educated Native people. We joke about Columbus all the time: how we learned about him in school, and how he discovered America. He didn’t discover anything. All he brought was genocide and disease.” -- Jared Yazzie


Many cities and universities have begun to celebrate "Indigenous People's Day" rather than "Columbus Day," in a (belated) recognition of the fact that Native communities not only were already here when Columbus came to the Americas, but also were victims of genocide and marginalization thereafter.


 


2. Subvert Native Misrepresentation



“The ‘Mis-Rep’ tee is play on words: as in 'misrepresented.' The image is a combination of the Cleveland Indians logo and the logo of the punk band Misfits. I didn’t want to leave the logo as is, to have it out there for people to see and think of Native people that way. So I changed it, and now people have to ask what it means, get in conversation about it.” -- Jared Yazzie


From the Red Skins team mascot to Halloween’s annual surge of Pocahotties costumes, American pop culture regularly takes from Native culture without permission, and uses it (or misuses it, rather) for its own consumption.  


 


3. Don't Let Native Culture Fade Away



“There’s a chief on it, because in non-Native eyes, the image of a chief is how we’re perceived all the time. When I think of Native people, it’s not that. There are a ton of tribes, and we’re all so different -- in Arizona alone, there’s Hopis, Navajos, totally different tribes and traditional wear. But we’re all grouped in an image like that, of the headdress and the teepee. That’s how our culture is censored. The image is dripping because Native culture is slowly fading away.” -- Jared Yazzie


Native languages and culture have been under threat of disappearing. This is not only because of reductive stereotypes about Natives in modern culture, but also due to forced assimilation, such as sending Native children to boarding schools throughout the 1900's, where they were only allowed to speak English. Today, there are concerted efforts fighting to preserve Native languages for future generations.


 


4. Speak Out Against Environmental Injustice On Native Land



“He’s dressed as our elder men would dress, with the bandana, the necklace, rocking a chief blanket -- but he’s also wearing a respirator mask. He’s a Navajo specifically, because we have environmental problems on the res. Coal mining. My grandparents lived Black Mesa, and when we buried my grandma by the mine, we buried her in concrete, in case she got dug up from the mining. There’s also uranium mining on the res -- and it gets into the water system, and people are getting cancer. It’s kind of crazy to think that that’s home for us.” -- Jared Yazzie


Companies have been extracting uranium from Navajo land since the 1900's, leaving families with radioactive waste in their backyards. Millions of tons of uranium ore were extracted on Navajo land in the mid-20th century, causing health problems for generations, from birth defects to lung cancer.


 


5. Protest Native Women's Mistreatment



“It’s a woman protester. In Canada, there are missing and murdered indigenous women. There’s a road with hundreds of missing women, just on that one road -- and who are not accounted for. The police don’t look into it. We’re looked at as non-human, which is why these issues aren’t taken care of.” -- Jared Yazzie


Violence against women disproportionately affects Native women and girls: One in three Native women reports being raped in her lifetime -- making them 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual assault than any other race in the U.S. In Canada, the government is investigating the murders and disappearances of an estimated 4,000 indigenous women over 30 years. While indigenous women represent 4 percent of the Canadian population, they make up 24 percent of those murdered.


 


To check out more of OxDx’s clothing line, visit the website.

-- 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.

Please Do Not Try This New DIY Beauty Hack

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GET RID OF DANDRUFF FAST!❄️ All you need is ORIGINAL Listerine! Yes the mouthwash ❣In a spray bottle, fill it half with Listerine and half with water. Shake it up! ❣AFTER you shampoo and condition your hair, spray the mixture onto your SCALP only! ❣let it sit on ur scalp for a few mins ❣wash out with water (do not shampoo) Your scalp will feel tingly, cool and refreshed and it will be dandruff free!! #sofreshandsoclean #fresherthanyou listerine has menthol, thymol, eucalyptol and methyl salicylate - all which make it an anti-fungal, anti-septic and and anti-inflammitory and PERFECT for getting rid of dandruff. #diy #hudabeauty #vegas_nay #wakeupandmakeup #brian_champagne #makegirlzvid #laurag_143 #hairmakeupdiary #makegirlz #liveglam #makeupvideos #makeupclips #makeupcoach #hairmakeupdiary #diytop

A video posted by Farah D (@farahdhukai) on





Who doesn't love a good beauty hack? Gigi Hadid uses the age-old toothpaste-as-pimple-cream trick, Lauren Conrad de-puffs her eyes with raw potato slices, and we have a few favorites of our own, too.

So when we heard that blogger Farah Dhukai recently posted a wallet-friendly trick to banish dandruff, we were, err...itching to learn more. Her weapon of choice? Original Listerine. That's right, mouthwash.

Dhukai claims that the antiseptics we use to de-yuck our teeth and gums can also banish dandruff in an instant. After diluting mouthwash with water and spraying it on her scalp, the blogger allows the solution to seep in for a few minutes before rinsing. "Listerine has menthol, thymol, eucalyptol, and methyl salicylate -- all [of] which make it an antifungal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, and PERFECT for getting rid of dandruff," she wrote on her Instagram video.

Hold up. You mean we've been sleeping on a dandruff solution that's been plentifully stocked in our bathrooms this whole time? Naturally, we were equal parts dumbfounded and apprehensive. It sounds too good to be true, right? To get to the bottom of this hack, we checked in with Manhattan dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD.

Dr. Fusco says that the concept of using mouthwash on hair isn't new -- she's even seen people use the stuff in an effort to spur hair growth. She understands the logic that drives these DIYs. "I guess they think that mouthwash would 'kill' any germs that colonize the scalp," she says. But that isn't exactly what happens.

"There is no scientific data to support this. Dandruff is caused by an overgrowth of yeast, and is often accompanied by a compromised skin barrier," Dr. Fusco says. "I'd worry that use of a strong alcohol-based mouthwash could further disrupt the skin barrier on the scalp and exacerbate the dandruff." She adds that the alcohol-rich solution could also have an adverse effect on color-treated hair.

Instead of turning to the methyl salicylate and essential oils in mouthwash to de-flake our hair, we should turn to another active altogether: "The most effective way to combat dandruff is with a clinically proven shampoo-and-conditioner regimen with zinc pyrithione," says the derm. Moral of the story? Stick to actual anti-dandruff products.

So while we may not be trying the mouthwash-on-the-scalp trick anytime soon, that doesn't mean all hacks should be cast aside. Neosporin as a zit zapper? That trick, we're keeping.


By: Erika Stalder

-- 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 Denise Bidot Shares An Inspiring Open Letter To Her Daughter

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Model Denise Bidot has some touching words to share with her daughter this Mother's Day. 


In a new HuffPost Originals video, Bidot recites a letter she wrote to her daughter, Joselyn, about the importance of self love. She discusses growing up watching her own mother struggle with body image issues, which negatively affected her view of herself. Now that Bidot, a plus-size Puerto Rican and Kuwaiti beauty, is a mom, she's determined to make sure her daughter recognizes her own worth.


"You are perfect. From your curly hair to your beautiful brown skin and your mixed heritage -- you are perfect," she says in the letter. 


Bidot, who has modeled for brands like Target and has walked at New York Fashion Week, addresses the pressures women face to meet unrealistic and often conflicting beauty standards. But as a body-positive advocate herself, Bidot is passing on her message of self love to her daughter to show that one size doesn't fit all. 


"We live in a world saturated with images of what women should look like. Skinny, curvy, white, black, made up, not made up. It will never stop," she says. "But you have to silence the noise because there's no wrong way to be a woman."


Watch the video above.

-- 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.

Katy Perry's DIY Beauty Secret Is Already In Your Kitchen Cabinet

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Find out the secret that she's been using since she was a little girl.
For SELF, by Alexis Bennett

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Photo: Jaime McCarthy / Getty

Picture the scene at Katy Perry's launch event for her new makeup line Katy Kat with Covergirl. The waiters are walking around with cat-ear headbands, and the garden is filled with bushes shaped like adorable kitties. Once Perry made her entrance, she too was the cat's meow, wearing a Stella McCartney outfit with floral-lined ears. Perry might be known for her killer vocals, but her unique take on style and beauty has also helped to shape her successful career.

Perry loves to experiment with her look. One moment she's wearing green hair, and the next she's rocking bleached eyebrows. Experimenting is always fun, but Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar has been a part of her beauty regimen since she was a little girl. "My mom is a very health-oriented person," Perry explained to SELF. "She swore by apple cider vinegar." Instead of soda, Perry grew up drinking the vinegar, which is an unpasteurized version that contains the 'mother' (stringy strands in the liquid where nutrients like probiotics are found). While studies haven't proven any direct beauty benefits from drinking ACV, probiotics are a good bacteria that helps to keep your gut and digestive system healthy. So, it's totally Ok to drink a tablespoon or two each day.

"I was drinking strange green juices and apple cider vinegar my whole childhood," Perry continued. "My mom made sure that whatever was put into my body was good for my body. I really am glad for that even though it was disgusting," Perry joked.

"Looking back, my mom was making the right decisions." Perry says that those healthy habits have helped to keep her immune system in great shape, so that she doesn't have to cancel any shows.

The "you are what you eat" lesson isn't the only thing her mother passed down. Perry's mom also let the singer play in bold lipsticks at a young age. "I started experimenting with makeup really early on," she said. "My mother wouldn't let me wear thongs, but she would let me wear red lipstick." That explains why the Covergirl spokesperson has a natural knack for statement-making colors.

Her new collection includes highly-pigmented lipsticks at an affordable price. There's beautiful everyday options like the mauve Kitty Purry shade, and there's even a gorgeous black hue called Perry Panther ($7; walmart.com). The demi-matte lipsticks have the staying power of the typical matte tubes, but they won't leave lips feeling dry.

Perry also shared with reporters her secret for keeping her lipstick in place all day. After applying the color, put a tissue over your lips, and then dust setting powder through the thin paper. She swears the lipstick won't budge, and she's right. This is a trick that I use all the time, and it really does work.

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7 Completely Doable Tips for Your Best At-Home Blowout Ever

20 Emojis Youve Been Using Wrong

7 Sex Positions That Will Make You Feel Drunk In Love

13 Times Carrie Bradshaw Was Actually Right About Love

7 Steps to Eliminating Your Dark Undereye Circles For Good

18 Ways You May Be Sabotaging Your Sleep Without Realizing It

-- 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.

Zendaya Declares Her Love For Beyoncé On Our Cheap Celeb Finds List

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It turns out, we aren't the only ones who are going nuts for Beyonce's new activewear line "Ivy Park" -- Zendaya Coleman is also a fan. 


The 19-year-old was spotted at LAX earlier this week rocking her gray sweater (which we are promptly going out to buy).


And other stars also stepped out in affordable looks over the past few weeks. Eva Longoria looked chic as ever in a Zara dress, Khloe Kardashian found a $40 camo bodysuit that we are coveting and Hailey Baldwin found the perfect workout zip-up. 


Check 'em out below:


Zendaya's sweater




Oversized Logo Hoodie by Ivy Park, $52


Hailey Baldwin's zip-up




 


Alo Yoga Shell Mesh-Sleeve Cropped Sport Bomber Jacket, $103


Khloe Kardashian's bodysuit



A photo posted by Khloé (@khloekardashian) on





Love Labels Army Bodysuit, $40


Ashanti's dress



A photo posted by Ashanti (@ashanti) on





Jessica Rich Belize Dress, $135


Eva Longoria's dress



A photo posted by Eva Longoria (@evalongoria) on





Zara Tube Dress, $99 

-- 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 Poses Topless For The Cover Of Her First Book

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Amy Schumer posted the cover image for her soon-to-be-released first book, The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo, on Twitter Saturday -- and it's everything we could've hoped for.


The 34-year-old "Inside Amy Schumer" star poses topless in the pic, as she looks over her shoulder with the slightest smile on her face. Her blond tresses are blown out Victoria's Secret-style, cascading down her back where, fittingly, the title is printed. 






If we were judging this book by its cover, we think it's safe to say we already like it. 


Plus, thanks to a statement on the comedian's website, we know that the book “will feature personal and observational stories from Schumer that range from the raunchy to the romantic, the heartfelt to the harrowing," and we are here for that.


It'll also be available as an audiobook, which Schumer herself reads. We’re already laughing just thinking about the “Trainwreck” star reciting the trials and tribulations of her life. 



The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo is set to hit bookstores on August 16, but is currently available for pre-order online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. You'll probably want to add it to your cart ASAP. 


-- 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.

Bath & Body Works Brings Back Iconic Scents To Make You Feel Like A ’90s Queen

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Slap on some Lip Smackers and adjust your stretchy choker, because Bath & Body Works is bringing back some classic fragrances from the 1990s.


The chain is reissuing eight throwback ’90s scents for a limited time from May 27, Glamour reports. They’ll announce which ones they’re releasing on Monday.


This is the second year of the #FlashbackFragrance campaign for Bath & Body Works. Last year, they released six scents for about a month, including classics like Cucumber Melon and Country Apple.



#getreadyforsummer

A photo posted by Bath & Body Works (@bathandbodyworks) on




Twitter users are employing the hashtag to weigh in on which scents they’d like to see this year -- Gingham and Sun-Ripened Raspberry appear to be popular requests -- but given that the company is announcing the scents in two days, they’ve probably already decided on which ones they’re using.

-- 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.

5 Research-Backed Reasons To Do Leg Exercises

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There's a reason hardcore fitness geeks call squats the "king of exercises." When done correctly, they're fantastic for your body. Squats -- as well as other weight-bearing moves like lunges -- strengthen your glutes, quads, hamstrings and core. They can also do wonders for your balance and coordination. (Here's a guide to doing a squat properly.)


Want even more incentive to up your strength training game? Check out these unexpected reasons to incorporate leg exercises into your workout routine:


1. They're good for your knees



It's a myth that doing squats damages your knees. When executed correctly, squats actually strengthen the leg muscles in the front and back of the thigh that support the knee. 


"Building up the muscle around the joints and, more specifically your ligaments, prevents you from strains, torn or twisted ligaments," Joe Ardito, founder of FitCrush personal training in New York City, told The Huffington Post.


2. You'll run faster 



Want to improve your speed? Try adding leg exercises to your cross-training routine.


"Squats increase your power and help you start strong, attack hills and uneven terrain and lengthen your stride," Ardito explained, noting that squats can also help runners to sprint faster and finish stronger. 


"Squats develop body awareness posture, core strength and body alignment, which are all paramount to good, safe running," he said.


3. To jumpstart your metabolism



Because muscle burns more calories than fat, increasing your body's muscle content can go a long way toward reaching your overall fitness gals.


Two great ways to build muscle: squats and lunges. “If you’re looking to lose fat, go with strength training,” trainer Nick Tumminello, author of Strength Training for Fat Loss told Business Insider. 


"Watch your diet to reveal your shape, and strength train to improve that shape." 


4. To build a stronger core 



While ab exercises like sit-ups and crunches might seem like the pathway to a stronger core, those moves only work the abdominal muscles, and can aggravate your back. Leg exercises like lunges and squats are actually a better bet for a strong core, because they work various core muscles at the same time, without putting a strain on your back. (Planks are another great core-strengthening move.)


Why focus on your core? A strong core is the cornerstone of a strong body, and developing one can protect you from injury, improve your posture and give you strength and power for your day-to-day activites.  


5. To help manage diabetes and recover after a stroke



The American Heart Association recommends that Americans incorporate strength-training exercises like squats and lunges into their exercise routines twice a week.


Strength training isn't necessarily off-limits for patients who've had a heart attack or stroke, either. Physical activity can actually reduce your risk of having additional heart problems, by improving cardiovascular fitness, walking ability and strength.


For diabetics, strength training can help manage insulin resistance. Several small studies have found that resistance training can help combat metabolic dysfunction in patients who have type 2 diabetes. 


Want to learn more? Here's a guide to doing proper squats and another for lunges. As always, anyone looking to start a new exercise regimen should talk to a doctor before starting.


We want to help you feel stronger, happier and more empowered. Sign up for our newsletter and join our 30-Day Move More, Feel Better challenge. We’ll deliver tips, challenges and advice to your inbox every day.  


Use our challenge calendar below to stay on track — it can even sync to your own schedule and send reminders to your phone:




-- 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.

Michelle Obama Goes On A Hugging Spree At The Invictus Games

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Michelle Obama and Prince Harry put their "differences" aside in Orlando Sunday to kick off the Invictus Games, a five-day sporting event for wounded servicemen and women that Harry launched in the U.K. in 2014. 


It was a joyous occasion, complete with an appearance from world's most lovable narrator, Morgan Freeman. So, what happens when you put Michelle Obama in a happy, inspiring, and touching situation? Hugging. A lot of hugging. 


Yes, the first lady has a penchant for embrace. Just ask her daughters, any child she has ever met, and even the seemingly un-huggable Queen Elizabeth II. 


She loved up Freeman at the event:



And some adorable kids, too:



But no hug was as charming as the one she gave her dear friend, Prince Harry. 



So many hugs for Prince Harry. 



Praise these BHFFs (best hugging friends forever).



Never change, FLOTUS. Never change. 







Watch the Invictus Games through Sunday on ESPN

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Dannielynn Birkhead Looks More Like Late Mother Anna Nicole Smith Than Ever

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It's been more than nine years since model, actress and reality star Anna Nicole Smith died of a prescription drug overdose, but the best part of her lives on in her lookalike daughter Dannielynn Birkhead. 


The 9-year-old made her annual appearance at the Kentucky Derby with father Larry Birkhead on Saturday. The father-daughter duo looked dapper and adorable as they matched in mint-green attire. 




While Birkhead has mostly kept Dannielynn out of the spotlight since her mother's death, the Derby has become a family tradition for the two, since Birkhead and Smith met at a Kentucky Derby party in 2004. 



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The Real Difference Between Hair Dyes, From Permanent Dye To Highlights

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We certainly got folks talking when we decided to explore what hair dye is really doing to our hair. The reality of how certain chemicals break down natural hair pigments and lift the hair cuticle is shocking, but we haven't given up our standing hair color appointment at the salon just yet. And we'd bet that you haven't either.



So if you are going to dye, which kind should you choose? To better understand the different types of hair dyes, we had Philip Kingsley's trichological expert Elizabeth Cuannane Phillips educate us on how the different types work and how to care for our color-treated hair.


Hair dye choices include ...





Bleach and highlights remove color from your hair by the process of oxidation. "Oxidation decolorizes the pigment in your hair shaft, which is why bleach will turn your hair almost white if it's left on for too long. Very bleached hair often gains a yellow tint, because keratin (the protein your hair is made of) is naturally a pale yellow," says Cuannane Phillips. "Hair needs to be tinted as well as bleached for the platinum blond look. It's impossible to make your hair a lighter shade without the help of a bleaching agent -- all of which are called 'oxidizing agents.'"



Semi-permanent or temporary hair color gives you a more natural color and is also easier to use. You can use semi-permanent dyes straight from the applicator as they don't have to be pre-mixed. Cuannane Phillips adds, "They last for about six weeks and tend to fade progressively. As temporary colors don’t contain bleach, they can't lighten your natural shade. Temporary dyes fade with shampooing and exposure to air. This means they need to be frequently reapplied, which can be damaging."




Permanent hair dyes are also known as "oxidation," according to Cuannane Phillips. This is because an oxidizer (such as hydrogen peroxide) and ammonia are mixed with the coloring agent before application. Permanent dyes don't have to be applied as often as semi-permanent or temporary colors. The formulation of permanent dyes is very complicated, and manufacturers go to great lengths to attain long-lasting color that does minimal damage to the strength and elasticity of your hair. There is a wider range of permanent color, and these color shades are often more natural-looking. However, permanent dyes can be more damaging to your hair. The chemicals used are stronger and the mixture usually has to be left on for a longer period of time.






Ammonia-free hair dyes are composed of monoethanolamine (MEA), an organic chemical compound that is a primary amine and primary alcohol. It is used as a replacement pH adjuster in hair color and used at lower percentages and coupled with emollient oils, making it less volatile and less damaging than ammonia. That being said, just like any other ingredient, the more it is used, the higher the pH and the greater the damage.



No matter how you color your hair, you need to take care of it.



All chemical processes reduce the elasticity (stretchability) of your hairs and increase their chances of breakage. Therefore, any hair that has been dyed or colored is vulnerable to damage. Cuannane Phillips adds, "While this is true, we're not suggesting you don't do it, but rather to be aware of how to take the proper steps to hydrate and care for your hair afterwards."




The best way to combat dryness, brittleness and breakage is to use a pre-shampoo deep conditioning treatment like the Philip Kingsley Elasticizer three days before and after bleaching or highlighting, and then weekly thereafter. "This plumps your hair with moisture, making it more elastic and less likely to snap. The correct pre-shampoo treatments also add shine, manageability and bounce," she says.






Colored Hair Treatments




Bleaching raises your hair cuticle, causing hairs to interlock and tangle easily, so it’s also important to condition after every shampoo to flatten the cuticle, seal in moisture, reduce knots and add shine. Lastly, use a smoothing product to help close and smooth your hair cuticle. This will help reduce moisture evaporation and also give your hair a glossier and healthier appearance. We suggest Olaplex Hair Perfector No.3, ColorWow One-Minute Transformation or Leonor Greyl Eclat Styling Cream.



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A Toned-Down Kim Kardashian Stuns On The Cover Of Vogue Australia

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The Kardashians aren't usually touted for their natural appearances. So when queen bee Kim strips down to a less made-up look, especially for something like a Vogue cover, it's always a beautiful surprise. 


Mrs. West is the glossy's June cover star in Australia. Her typically well-coiffed hair was perfectly undone and she kicked contour to the curb for the stunning shot, for which she wore a white boxy top and corset by Yeezy. 



@VogueAustralia June Cover wearing Yeezy

A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on




Celebrity makeup artist Romy Soleimani, whose work can be spotted on beauties like Kate Hudson and Brie Larson and on the runways of Kate Spade and Lela Rose, gave Kardashian her signature "Romy glow," using highlighter and foundation to mimic sun-kissed skin.  


We're having major deja vu to Kardashian's spread in Vogue España back in July 2015, where the reality mogul appeared mostly makeup-free and looked so, so beautiful. 




Is this a sign that Kardashian is fully embracing the barely-there makeup trend? Only time will tell. 

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When Your Clothes Do the Talking...

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Your outfit may alter how you approach and interact with the world. Your outfit is a social armor. What we wear has power over our mood and of course, others.

You may throw on an outfit without much thought in the morning, but your choice is strongly affected by your mood. Usually the item of casual wear in almost everyone's wardrobe -denim jeans - is what most people wear when depressed. In a low mood a woman is also much more likely to wear a baggy top.

What a woman chooses to wear is heavily dependent upon her emotional state.

Psychologists see a strong link between clothing and mood state and suggest we should put on clothes that we associate with happiness, even when feeling low.

If your brain links Miuccia Prada's or Phoebe Philo's collections with powerful, intelligent women, you're likely to take on those attributes when you wear that Prada pleated skirt or Céline jacket.

So your closet isn't frivolous after all, it contains so many options to boost your energy, it helps you show the best versions of yourself.

People make their assessments in the first few seconds of seeing another. Your clothes give impressions about your social aptitude, confidence, flexibility...

My advice for you when you're getting dressed for work, take a few seconds to consider the psychological impact of what you're wearing, how it fits with where you're going, and who you're with.

If you're ready to go out of comfort zone and make changes on your image, subtle changes are the easiest and safest to make. I suggest playing with colors and accessories: Layering colorful tops under your usual jacket, sunglasses can create a trendy look, belts can add a difference to a look and accentuate the body in certain ways, shoes are also another great accessory to add some punch to a new look. I personally love the oxford flats. No need to buy a complete new wardrobe, little adds-on make a difference. The key word to all these changes is consistency. If you consistently look put together, polished and sophisticated, you will feel systematically confident, act accordingly and people around you will perceive you in that way.

Now there's a new concept called the "enclothed cognition." It is defined as "the systematic influence that clothes have on the wearer's psychological processes"; meaning what your clothes are saying to you, not about you and how they make you feel.

Enclothed cognition gives scientific proof to the idea that you should dress not how you feel, but how you want to feel. Which clothes make you feel powerful? Sexy? In control? Wealthy? The clothes you choose are sending a message to those around you, but also to you, yourself.

Outfit choices are made to match mood and as a form of self-expression, but also clothing is used to control or mask emotions. And that's exactly what I personally do! And here are my tips for you to create a "happy wardrobe":

• Wear clothes that fit beautifully and feel physically good.
• Remove things from your wardrobe with negative associations.
• Donate clothes that no longer fit.
• Stop buying eclectic items when shopping. Focus on outfit shopping so that you have clothes that co-ordinate.
• Detox your wardrobe twice annually - once per season.
• Buy only colors that flatter you.
• Don't buy outfits that are out of your comfort zone, you won't wear them.
• Focus on your assets and hide your weak points.

Not only we are what we wear, but we become what we wear.
Think of that!

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This Teen Was Kicked Out Of Her Prom For Wearing A Tuxedo

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This is not how prom is supposed to go. 


Aniya Wolf, a student at Catholic high school Bishop McDevitt in Harrisburg, PA, was kicked out of her own prom this past weekend for wearing a tuxedo. The junior told ABC27 News that she received a last-minute email before prom telling her that her suit went against the school's dress code, which specified that girls "must wear formal dresses." 


Wolf's mom, Carolyn Wolf, immediately called the school. “I told them that I had read the dress code that was given to the students and I didn’t think that it precluded her from wearing a suit.  I said that this was very unfair, particularly at the last minute," she told ABC27 News. "We had gone out and bought a new suit. I think my daughter is beautiful in a suit."


Since Wolf had already bought her suit and invited a date, she decided to go to prom despite the school's email. When she arrived at prom Wolf said the principal grabbed her arm and threatened to call the cops if she didn't leave.





“I think my experience shouldn’t be any different than anyone else’s because of something I was born with,” Wolf said, standing outside of prom after she was kicked out of the venue.  


Wolf is a lesbian who has always worn more masculine clothing, so her choice to wear a tuxedo should not come as a surprise to her high school. “I’ve just always been like this, ever since I was little,” Wolf told ABC27 News. “I was always more masculine. You wouldn’t catch me playing with any Barbie dolls, I’ll tell you that right now.”


“The dress code for the prom specified girls must wear formal dresses,” the school said in a statement posted to Facebook the night after the prom on May 7. “It also stated that students who failed to follow the dress code would not be admitted.” 





Wolf was not the only one who was upset about the dress code. A few of Wolf's peers and even some celebrities tweeted their support for the teen. 


























Two Bishop McDevitt students even came up with the genius idea for all of the female students to wear pants on Monday as a sign of solidarity with Wolf. 














On Friday night, Wolf posted a photo of her and her prom date with a perfect caption: "They can't take my pride." 





Keep being you, Aniya.

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Update Your Spring Wardrobe with Neutral Fashion Finds

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As the weather gets warmer, we all like to start shopping for some new things to freshen up our look. This season, it's all about neutrals. Here are ten spring fashion finds that will spruce up your wardrobe with a neutral or basic color palette. These items are super wearable and many can be mixed and matched.

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1. IRO Flared Sleeveless Dress
A new spring dress like this one from IRO will take you from day to night. The dress reminds me of a fab classic Victoria Beckham dress so if you like her designs and want the look for less, it's a great option. I am planning on wearing this one to the FARE luncheon next week in NYC.

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2. M. Gemi laced up heels
I am in LOVE with these lace up heels by M. Gemi. Not only are they hot for spring, but priced under $300 and super comfortable! They come packaged so nicely too. 

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Wearing "all neutrals" is chic and on-trend this season. The Proenza Schouler bag and gold link bracelet by Jennifer Miller are all existing pieces I already had in my collection. 

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3. Veronica Beard flared jeans
These high-waisted flared jeans by Veronica Beard are extremely flattering and make your legs look inches longer and thinner. Wear them with high heels or wedges. 

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4. Ramy Brook Valentina top
This white top by Ramy Brook is perfect to wear to lunch or out to dinner--it goes with just about every pair of pants in your wardrobe.

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5. AG grey distressed jeans
A new pair of skinny jeans are always a great purchase and these by AG jeans look fresh with the grey wash. Worn here with a boho white top from A World Curated. 

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6. Dolce Vita lace-up wedges
These new low wedge lace-up shoes by Dolce Vita are as comfy as bedroom slippers and look chic for running around town (you can see I am obsessed with lace-ups). Have you seen the ones by Chloe for over $1,000? For trends like these, I recommend ordering the Dolce Vita ones for $130 and saving your money for a splurge bag!

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7. Givenchy Pandora Small Messenger Bag
Ok...so this was my splurge this season! I have been eyeing the Givenchy pandora bag in the small size for months and finally decided to go for it! I bought mine in classic black, but love all the great colors it comes in for spring.

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8. Kacey K gold knot choker
Chokers are back so check your stash for some oldies but goodies. I am a huge fan of gold jewelry so this one by Kacey K fits the bill.

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9. Boho tops by A World Curated (pictured above) and Love Sam
In this photo, I'm wearing a boho shirt by Love Sam, distressed black AG skinny jeans and Joie suede booties.

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10. Joie suede booties

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People Have VERY Strong Feelings About Men Wearing Shorts

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What do you think about men wearing shorts?


It's a complicated question, as it turns out. We sent an e-mail out to our office to gauge opinions, and it set off a debate.


"It is never acceptable for men to wear shorts," Zach Carter, a senior reporter on our politics team said.


"I wouldn't reply-all to a thread like this," senior reporter Arthur Delaney wrote back, "but Zach is so wrong that I have to speak out. Shorts on men are a social necessity."


Guys "should only wear shorts in the shower," said Kate Sheppard, another senior reporter, who added a GIF of Tobias Funke "never nuding."





"There's a huge line between wearing what is comfortable and wearing what is a godawful eyesore," said associate editor Igor Bobic, adding caveats: "Never wear shorts at work. If you do wear shorts, never wear salmon, jean or cargo shorts. Nine-inch or 7-inch inseams if you are feeling bold."


Curtis M. Wong, a senior editor, is all about the shorts life: "If I could be at the beach year-round, I would be, so I'm always in favor of shorts of the slim cut variety," he said. "Pair 'em with a nice blazer and some topsiders and PRESTO! You've got a Kennedy family compound throwback look that's formal enough for a business engagement or a cocktail party."


This has been the seasonal debate for years in offices, where people have to look professional but need to stay comfortable.


But for every hairy leg liberated by a pair of cargo shorts, vocal anti-shorters abound, including Tom Ford and Fran Lebowitz, who said men in shorts are "disgusting" and "repulsive," and they look "ridiculous, like children" in them. And you could say The Awl loves shorts like Marie Kondo loves a cluttered house.


What's interesting is that when looking at polls over the past 80 years (the '40s and '50s were a particularly tumultuous time in our culture for shorts-loving people), this who-should-wear-shorts and where-is-the-decency and for-the-love-of-god-hide-your-legs controversy has merely switched genders.


In 1939, Gallup asked about 1,500 people a question that we would get slammed if we asked today: "Do you think it is all right for women to wear shorts on the street?" Sixty-eight percent of responders said no.



In 1951, Gallup asked 1,500 people an even more egregious question: "Speaking in terms of their day to day activities, do you approve or disapprove of women in this community wearing shorts (in hot weather) in eating places?" Eighty-six percent said no, that they were not fine with women wearing shorts in the same place where food goes into their mouths.



We have come a long way.


There are male shorts icons out there, if you know where to look.


Daniel Craig (accidentally, he says) influenced how men think about the length of their shorts when he sauntered onto the beach in boy shorts in "Casino Royale."


Leo DiCaprio frolics in them. Thom Browne attends red carpets in them. And who can forget Al Gore and Bill Clinton jogging without inhibition?



But today, judging by our office poll, guys' legs are the ones we might not want to see on display -- which is odd, considering men get to run shirtless in parks.


Our colleagues in the HuffPost newsroom seem to be pro man shorts -- even to the office -- as long as guys obey these rules: You're fine wearing shorts in the summer; never cargo; never too short. But then again, we also have someone who wears a penguin costume at random times, so our standards should be graded on a curve.


Speaking of standards, our standards editor, Victor Brand, drops some wisdom: "Frankly I'm already disappointed in everyone who isn't wearing a tie every day, so do whatever, follow your heart, you've already let me down."




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The Eyes Have It: 9 Noteworthy Products You Need

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Clockwise Top Left:
Avène PhysioLift for Eyes smooths wrinkles and firms the delicate skin around the eye area while helping to diminish puffiness and dark circles. It has a unique texture that ensures excellent absorption of active ingredients all night long. This product is a lifesaver. ($45)

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara creates ultimate mascara drama, volume and curl with extreme carbon black finish for full bodied lashes. The formula is enriched with conditioning keratin and shea butter botanical blend for long-term lash care and superior staying-power. I love this mascara for bottom lashes. Just a few sweeps give eyelashes perfect coverage. ($25)

M·A·C Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer is an emollient, lightweight, creamy concealer that provides discreet and opaque coverage. Its antioxidant-rich formula is so concentrated that a small amount can conceal and correct a number of imperfections while helping to absorb excess oil and feed the skin with vitamins A and E. ($19)

Stila Eye Shadow in Dune is a great neutral base that looks good with just about any eye shadow color. Loved by both beauty editors and makeup artists, Stila's long-lasting, high-intensity formula delivers rich, smooth color that can be worn wet or dry. ($18)

Mirabella Prime for Face and Eyes utilizes a smooth antioxidant-rich formula to lengthen the wear of your eye makeup and protect your skin. Formulated with vitamin E, this primer shields your complexion from free radical damage and premature aging. Silica provides for a mattifying base that spreads easily with a just a pea-size amount. Your eye makeup is left looking crease-free and flawless all day long. ($29)

Too Cool For School Glam Rock Extreme Color Eyes
If you want Adele eyes, you need this eyeliner...scout's honor! The bold eyeliner is designed with a tapered brush and click applicator to disperse the perfect amount of liquid liner for flawless, precise application. The Glam Rock Collection is launching at Sephora in just a few weeks. ($24)

RMS Beauty Volumizing Mascara will give you lush lashes without harsh, drying chemicals. A combination of organic plant waxes and select raw minerals lets this emollient mascara to shape lashes and intensify fullness. Created with rich mineral pigments and certified organic butters, waxes and oils. Hands down, this is my favorite mascara to date. ($28)

Kimko Super Fine Eyebrow Pencil Automatique
The super fine point on this twist-up eyebrow pencil allows you to create the ideal brow shape by drawing strokes as fine as individual hairs themselves. This stay-sharp pencil includes a covered brush to blend and soften, for the most natural looking brows. ($25)

Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Escalator Mascara is very cool indeed. This mascara's smart personalized brush allows you to easily control the brush size, resulting in voluminous, perfectly-curled lashes. It lengthens, curls, and volumizes for dramatic lashes. The dial on the mascara wand lets you achieve abundant volume or perfect curling. ($25)

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