Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mardi 5 décembre 2017
21 Ultrachic Gift Ideas For the Beauty Minimalist
Minimalism. Even just saying the word somehow momentarily declutters my mind. It's as if the simple thought alone magically sends my brain on a rapid organizational heist clearing every countertop and surface in my apartment and neatly tucking an endless buildup of "stuff" into perfectly organized drawers and cabinets. Oh, what a dream to dream!
For anyone fighting the endless battle to achieve complete minimalist living, these stunningly chic gift ideas will make even a table full of products look picture-worthy. And for the true minimalists out there, these gorgeous gifts will serve as your holiday wish list. Happy shopping!
The 18 Best Smart Home Devices of 2017
This was the year that I discovered just how glorious a smart home can be, and luckily, it was also a year in which some of the most innovative devices made their debut. From lights to music to fitness and more, ahead, I've highlighted the 18 devices that really changed my life this year. And the best part? Each and every one of these items is perfect for gifting and requires no knowledge or existing products to become the centerpiece of your loved one's smart home.
These Are the 8 Must-Buy Beauty Products of Winter, According to Experts
One of the most exciting parts of Winter (at least for us beauty-lovers) is seeing what new shades and formulas our favorite brands have to offer. That said, it can be overwhelming to decide which of the many launches are worth our hard-earned money.
To make things a wee bit easier this time around, we took to the pros, who typically have access to the latest and greatest, to help us identify the makeup, nail, and skin care products that have managed to outshine all the rest.
From the red lipstick that "will make you stand taller" to the eye shadow palette fit for a "funky makeup queen" and all the foil and gem-touched products along the way, read on for some of their must-have picks.
20 Beauty Mistakes You Need to Stop Making Right Now
While we're clearly obsessed with learning everything about beauty, we'll be the first to admit that the sheer volume of information can be daunting. And some important tips can get lost along the way. Are you using the right primer? Are you using bronzer correctly? And is powder really necessary? It's easy to make some big makeup mistakes without even realizing it. Well, that stops now. Once you see which mistakes you've been making, you'll swear to never make them again - after all, your beauty reputation is on the line. And don't think that only beauty newbies are prone to errors! So read on: even if you're a professional, you're bound to pick up a new trick or two.
4 Surprising Changes I Experienced When I Gave Up Coffee For a Week
I recently fell off the fitness wagon - hard. I honestly couldn't tell you what the catalyst was for my downfall from fairly healthy human into full-blown sloth, but I just couldn't talk myself into working out or caring much about what went into my body anymore. Instead of taking cycling classes several mornings a week and enjoying the occasional dance class, I started thinking of the walk between the fridge and my couch as an acceptable form of cardio and let buckets of coffee replace exercise as my morning jolt.
Sure, this behavior was a blast for a week or two, but before I knew it I was six weeks deep into the sedentary blob lifestyle and feeling . . . not great. It was time to face the facts: I was in a rut. Also, my pants didn't fit.
Inspired by my coworkers' seriously impressive wellness experiments, I decided that undertaking one (small) healthy experiment of my own probably wouldn't kill me, and it might even be the nudge I needed to get my general health game back on track. So in the name of zipping up my jeans and giving my couch a night off sometime in the near future, I volunteered myself for a low-key wellness project that seemed like it could get me into a healthier frame of mind again: quitting caffeine cold turkey for a week.
I should probably apologize now to anyone who interacted with me during those first two dark, caffeine-free days (withdrawal headaches are not a joke, people), but by day three, I started to notice some differences in my mindset and body that made it worthwhile. So will I be cutting out caffeine forever? Absolutely not. Did I have a small cup of coffee this morning to celebrate finishing this little project? You bet. But moving forward, I'll think of caffeine as a treat instead of a necessary component for survival in my food pyramid. And I'll keep in mind that sometimes all you need to snap out of a rut is a tiny reminder that you're capable of getting yourself back on the fitness wagon every time you fall off.
Below, I've spelled out four benefits I noticed from my caffeine-free week, from a change in my diet to a shift in my mental state. Dare you to try it next!
1. Breakfast Made a Comeback
I always thought of myself as someone who ate breakfast religiously. That's because prior to my workout slump, I had been. The only way I survived all those morning cycling classes without passing out and/or wanting to die was by fueling up beforehand. But when I was forced to skip my morning coffee, it hit me that my breakfast routine had apparently gone out the door along with my workouts. So instead of starting my day by guzzling a vat of caffeine and calling it a meal, I got back into the habit of eating a piece of fruit and toast or whipping up some oatmeal in the mornings. Another bonus from replacing morning caffeine with food: I felt like I made some better food choices at lunchtime because I wasn't completely starving by midday, too.
2. I Was Noticeably Calmer
Like many people, I've found that my anxious tendencies have definitely gotten worse with age. And even though I've known for a while that caffeine probably wasn't helping in that department, I had no idea just how much it exacerbated my symptoms until I went without it. After the first two days, I found that I fell asleep quickly (something that really isn't easy for me) and was generally less on edge throughout my day, even if everything didn't go as planned. Seriously, this perk alone made the experiment worthwhile for me!
3. I Was Way Less Bloated
Most of my beloved caffeinated drinks also have sugar in them (or artificial sweetener) which - fun fact! - causes bloat. Boo. Swapping out my regular rotation of Diet Coke, Diet Snapple, and coffee with sweetener in favor of plain seltzers and warm water with lemon made my usual case of afternoon bloat disappear almost completely. Do I actually like plain seltzer and warm water with lemon as much as Diet Coke, Diet Snapple, and coffee with sweetener? No, I'm not a monster. But sitting all day at your desk feeling uncomfortably puffy is the actual worst, and zipping up your pants without having to lay down is pretty awesome. So, there you have it.
4. My Sugar Cravings Went Away
Aside from easing bloat, the reduction of sugary-tasting drinks in my diet actually reduced my cravings for sugary foods, too. Apparently even drinking or eating artificial sweeteners (the ones I most often use) can dial up your cravings for sugary treats across the board. By the end of my caffeine-free week, I wasn't craving something sweet after eating something savory anymore, and I actually caught myself describing a snack as "too sweet," which has definitely never happened before.
If This Theory About This Is Us Is True, Beth Got to Meet Jack Before He Died
This Is Us wrapped up its trilogy about the Big Three on Tuesday night, and it was nothing short of emotional. During the Randall-centric episode, we learn more about No. 3's teen years leading up to his father's death. While Jack really wants his son to go to Harvard, Randall takes a liking to Howard, a historically black university in Washington DC. Even though it's not entirely clear which school he ends up choosing, fans have a pretty good guess based on the season two Fall finale.
After the father-son duo make a road trip to the college, Randall winds up leaving his father behind to meet up with an old friend on campus. As Randall walks off with a group of students to check out the dorms, Jack continues with their previously scheduled tour solo. While this doesn't seem like a big deal at first, if we know anything about This Is Us, it's that no detail is too small. As one Reddit user points out, there's a good chance Beth, aka Randall's future wife, is in the group of students touring the school.
Not only would this be a great plot twist, but it would also mean Beth got to meet Randall's dad before he dies. As previously revealed, Jack dies right before the Big Three's high school graduation. Since we know that Randall and Beth meet in college, it wouldn't be too far fetched for the show to bring everything full circle. Perhaps when they do start dating, Randall shows her a picture of Jack, and everything clicks.
If you needed more convincing, in the crowd of students touring the school, there is a girl with long braids talking with two other girls. While we know that Beth actually has dreadlocks when she first meets Randall, the girl's hairstyle is similar to the one Beth is doing in Deja's hair earlier this season to cover up her alopecia. Remember when she says that one of her sisters also suffers from alopecia? What if the two girls the student with long braids is talking to are actually Beth's sisters? So not only would Jack have met Randall's future wife, but also his in-laws.
Forget About the Box's Instructions; Try Cooking Your Frozen Pizza Like This
If frozen pizza turns out funky for you (burnt spots, soggy bits, general mediocre outcomes), here's a tip from the internet. Forget about the back-of-the-box instructions, and instead, cook your frozen pizza like this guy. Reddit user numbahtwelve says to fully thaw the pizza and crank your oven to the hottest temperature it will go (not the broil setting). Then, cook the pizza on the rack of the oven (unless you own a pizza stone or cast-iron skillet) for five to eight minutes or until the crust crisps and cheese bubbles.
His logic? Restaurants and pizza chains cook the 'za on pizza stones in commercial ovens that are set to 700°F-1000°F. This little hack emulates the professional method without the use of fancy equipment. Now, if you want to be truly fancy, brush the crust with olive oil and sprinkle crushed garlic or garlic powder on it, before baking. Mmm . . . seems like a simple yet reliable hack to try for the next frozen pizza night.
40+ Life-Changing Books to Read This Year
Knowledge is king. The first step to creating change in your life is to know what you're doing wrong or why you need to change. We've picked out 41 books that will better your life in a dramatic way. Whether it's figuring out how to get out of debt, learning how to be happier, or trying to find ways to get a job, reading just one of these books this year is guaranteed to change your life for good.
70+ Gifts Every Little Animal-Lover Wants ASAP
There are two types of animal-lovers you might be shopping for: those who are absolutely obsessed with all creatures and those who are absolutely obsessed with all creatures and desperately want a pet. If buying them a living animal isn't an option, wrap them up something that encourages their passion without getting in trouble with Mom or Dad. From animal toys for little ones to chic critter-inspired accessories for teens, these are the gifts that will make every little animal fan go wild!
The 9 Travel Gifts Perfect For Anyone Who's F*cking Terrified of Flying
There is so much about the holiday season that I look forward to each year: eggnog, time with loved ones, presents, and of course, more eggnog. But getting on a plane to reach my holiday destination? That is my worst f*cking nightmare. Thanks to an irrational fear of even the lightest turbulence and severe anxiety about heights, airplanes are my personal version of hell.
But despite being completely petrified at the thought of getting on a plane, I'm still able to continue traveling by air thanks to a small arsenal of products that keep me from screaming in sheer terror relatively calm. If someone on your shopping list also happens to deal with flight-related anxiety, I highly recommend picking up a few of the comforting products ahead (some of which I personally swear by) this holiday season. And if all else fails, feel free to order them a strong drink or two during your next journey through the skies together.
24 Bobs That Will Convince You It's Finally Time to Make the Chop
We're big fans of the transformative powers of a short hairstyle, and if you still haven't been convinced to chop your hair short (or maybe just invest in a bob wig), let these Instagram looks be your inspiration.
Whether you like the sharp lines of an asymmetric bob with bangs, or the more mussed-up look of a layered, shoulder-skimming style, there are looks to bookmark for your next salon appointment.
Decorate Your Coffee Table With These Gorgeous Beauty Books
If you're looking for the perfect way to inspire a book-lover in your life, these beauty volumes should be on your shopping list. They're good for so much more than keeping glass stains off the coffee table. Each page is packed with hair, makeup, and nail tips from celebrities and industry insiders. Whether you like a good self-help book, prefer a historical drama, or salivate over amazing photography, there is an option in this roundup. Keep reading to kick-start your friend's romance with all things beauty.
Sculpt Your Booty With These 5 At-Home, No-Equipment Barre Moves
Let's get physical! You're going to have buns of steel after you get through this booty barre workout. Elaine Hayes, owner and founder of MNT Studio, created this backside-busting workout you can do at home with no equipment. That's right, y'all - no excuses! In only five moves, you'll tone up, build strength, and sculpt a really powerful rear end. Let's do this.
10 Tips to Snag a First-Class Ticket Upgrade
The majority of airline passengers fly coach, but a small percentage of the population regularly enjoys first-class accommodations on airplanes. While these passengers may be loaded and able to afford the costly tickets, the price is still beyond the bucket for a majority of flyers. So, how are those who may not be swimming in wealth able to snag the luxurious upgrade? Alex Matjanec, CEO of MyBankTracker, has compiled a list of 10 tips to secure a first-class airline ticket upgrade.
1. Be Loyal to One Airline
Loyalty always counts. Most people who join frequent flier programs don't actually fly very frequently. The typical thought process is to sign up for every frequent flier or loyalty program in hopes of saving money across the board. Frequent flier programs don't work like grocery frequent shopper cards, however.
So instead of being a frequent flier member who only racks up a handful of miles on any individual airline, focus all of your efforts on being loyal to one airline. The tickets may cost a little more every so often, but the long-term benefits of stockpiling miles for one company can upgrade your travel to first class.
2. Arrive Late/Early
Airlines recommend arriving at the airport and checking in at least 30-60 minutes before a flight (longer for larger international airports). This is because it takes time to check baggage, pass through security, and arrive at the departure gate.
However, showing up early allows you time to have a casual chat with the gate agent without a large crowd. This is the time where you can build a rapport and ask about an upgrade to first class without other people around whom the airline risks upsetting.
Flights are often overbooked, and by arriving late (though don't arrive too late), you'll probably be bumped to a later flight, at which time you can ask for a first-class upgrade to make up for the inconvenience.
3. Travel During Slow Times
Instead of flying near the holidays and weekends with everyone else, book your flights at the right time - such as in the middle of the week. FareCompare, an airline tracking website, points out the most unpopular days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, while dawn, dusk, and red-eye flights are the least popular.
These are the flights that are most likely to have empty seats, meaning there's availability in first class.
Also, look throughout the year for times people don't typically fly. For example, a flight on Thanksgiving Day is much more likely to have availability than flights on the Wednesday prior or Friday after. This, of course, assumes overbooked passengers from previous flights haven't already filled up the plane.
4. Complain About Something
At the end of the day, airlines are customer-serving businesses like any other. This means they'll go out of their way to please a customer and ensure you continue coming back to use their service. Complaining to the airline about any shortcomings is a first step to first-class accommodations.
Politely pointing out these problems and simply asking to be moved will get you an opportunity at a new seat. If the flight is completely booked, there's a good chance there's still an open seat in first class that you can sit in to make up for the problems.
5. Book Through Airline Websites
Travel booking sites like Kayak, Travelocity, Hotwire, and Expedia seek out the lowest possible rates, which has thinned profit margins for airlines and hotels. While these sites make searching for flights and comparing prices easy, don't use them for the final booking.
Instead, after determining which flight is the cheapest bet, log in to that airline's official website and book the flight directly through them. This shows up on their system when checking in, and you'll be treated as a loyal customer who appreciated the airline's marketing as opposed to just another value shopper booking through a discount digital travel agent.
6. Check Emails After Booking
After booking your flight, keep an eye on your emails. The airline will know ahead of time whether the flight is overbooked and will offer more and more aggressive discounts to those wishing to upgrade to first class via email.
Of course, the airline is unable to email customers who used a third-party travel booking site, so you'll be one of a small minority of people receiving these emails for your specific flight. Regardless of who sits where, the airline has to take off on a set schedule, so the closer an overbooked flight gets to departure time, the more drastic discounts are applied to first-class upgrades.
7. Use a Travel Rewards Card
Travel rewards credit cards are a great way to stockpile frequent flier miles without necessarily having to travel. Here are a few of the best travel rewards cards on the market:
With Capital One Venture Rewards Card, you earn two miles for any airline per dollar spent on any purchase, with a $35 annual fee, and with Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you earn two miles per dollar spent on travel and restaurants, with a $95 annual fee. Points are worth 25 percent more if booked through Chase.
Discover It Miles Card users earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent, which are doubled at the end of the first year for no annual fee. In addition, they receive an annual $30 in-flight WiFi credit and enjoy no blackout dates as points are tracked in-house by Discover, not any particular airline.
8. Phone a Friend
Employees of airlines receive great perks, including the ability to fly standby for free throughout the year and access to the airline's passenger systems. If you don't know someone who works for an airline, it's time to make that friend.
Many airlines have done away with (or severely restricted) these buddy passes in recent years, but working in the airline industry (or knowing someone who does) is still more likely to get you an upgrade to first class, regardless of which airline it is.
9. Fly Solo
Upgrading a single ticket is much easier than upgrading tickets for a family of four. If you're traveling with your family, your best bet is to work together to decide who should be upgraded to first class on each trip, rotating who gets the seat on each trip like a nonviolent Game of Thrones.
10. Fly on Your Birthday
Always remember that pilots, flight attendants, and the gate agent are all people just like you and I. A friendly conversation goes a long way, especially when mentioning special occasions like your birthday being today.
"On a recent trip to Hong Kong, we were upgraded to first class thanks to our charm," said John Heaton, managing director at The Heaton Group. "This can also work if it's your birthday, honeymoon, or anniversary. You won't be upgraded for no reason so make sure you let them know you have a genuine reason to be upgraded and with a bit of luck, they'll be listening."
If This Is Where Claire Is Headed, Outlander Is About to Get Dark
If you think Outlander heroine Claire Fraser has been through a lot in three seasons, well, you're right. She works as a military nurse in World War II, gets married, travels through time, gets married again, gets pregnant twice, loses a child, gives birth to a child, loses a husband, travels through time again, and is now off on a high seas adventure to the West Indies.
For a preview of what's in store for Claire in what's left of season three, check out our guide to Diana Gabaldon's Voyager. But to find out what might befall Claire in seasons four, five, and beyond, read on below for a guide to Gabaldon's other novels in the Outlander series.
Be warned of spoilers from books four through eight below.
Drums of Autumn
On their way to the plantation owned by Jamie's Aunt Jocasta, Jamie, Claire, Ian, and Fergus are robbed by Stephen Bonnet, a man they had previously helped escape the gallows in Charleston. He makes off with the rest of their money, treasure, and Claire's gold wedding band from her marriage to Frank.
Upon establishing that they don't want to take over Jocasta's plantation, the Frasers settle Fraser's Ridge in North Carolina, making it a place for ex Ardsmuir prisoners to call home. This is where we suspect we'll see Murtagh again after he survived Culloden on the show (he perished there in the books).
After establishing their settlement, word of Claire's skills as a medic spreads far and wide, and she begins traveling the nearby countryside to tend to the sick.
She is reunited with Brianna when her daughter arrives at Fraser's Ridge, having traveled through time to warn her parents because she found a record of their death notice in an old newspaper (though that printing turned out to be incorrect). When Claire learns that Brianna is pregnant, she agrees to keep her daughter's secret that she was raped by Bonnet and he may be the father of her baby.
After Jamie's misunderstanding about who raped Brianna, Claire must travel with Jamie and Ian to rescue Roger Wakefield from a local Native American tribe that is holding him prisoner. They manage to get Roger back when Ian agrees to take Roger's place; Ian is adopted into the Mohawk tribe and stays with them for a long while.
Claire helps Brianna deliver her son, and Roger says he's the baby's father, the paternity notwithstanding.
The Fiery Cross
The Frasers attend Jocasta's wedding where a slave ends up dead and Claire suspects foul play. Upon investigating, they figure out it was one of Jocasta's would-be suitors whose advances she rebuffed. He also attacked Jocasta and her husband-to-be, Duncan. But he was not connected to the men looking for "the Frenchman's gold," a reference to money sent by Louis XV of France to help in Charles Stuart's rebellion.
Back at Fraser's Ridge, Claire starts improving her medical supplies by cultivating her own penicillan from moldy bread. It saves Jamie's life when he is bitten by a snake while hunting.
Much of The Fiery Cross is actually focused on those around Claire, while she works to be the best 18th-century doctor she can be. But at the end of the book, she, Brianna, and Roger all confess to Ian that they're from the future.
A Breath of Snow and Ashes
Claire holds down the homestead while Jamie must go off to act as an "Indian agent" for the government, which culminates in him helping start a Committee of Safety (one of the first forms of local government in the United States). On a trip to the malting shed (where they are making their own whiskey), Claire is attacked and kidnapped by a group of criminals that includes a fellow time-traveler named Wendigo Donner from 1968.
While captive, Claire is assaulted and raped. She manages to escape and Jamie, Ian, Fergus, and Co. slaughter most of the men who kidnapped her.
As she continues her medical practice, Claire manages to make her own ether and eventually uses it to perform a successful appendectomy on a sick young boy. She also treats people for a devastating plague, saving as many as she can.
Eventually Claire's medical prowess begins to be seen as a kind of witchcraft. When a young pregnant girl named Malva is found dead, Claire tries to save the unborn baby, which lands her in jail on trial for murder. The only thing that saves Claire is the governor's need for a midwife for his wife. Due to rising political tensions in New Bern (the Revolutionary War is less than a year away at this point), Claire poses as the governor's wife so that his real wife may be smuggled out in the middle of the night.
Eventually Malva's father confesses to her murder, and Claire is exonerated and allowed to return to Fraser's Ridge. A few months pass, and Brianna gives birth to a daughter, Amanda, whom Claire says has a heart murmur that will require surgery - surgery she cannot perform safely in 1776. So Brianna, Roger, and their two children travel back through the stones to the 20th century.
Claire and Jamie continue their lives at Fraser's Ridge until Donner and his companions loot their house looking for gemstones (which aid in traveling through the stones). In the riot, Ian sets the house on fire, trapping all the criminals inside. With their house gone, Jamie says they need to return to Scotland to retrieve his printing press.
An Echo in the Bone
Of course, you know what they say about the best-laid plans of mice and men - they often go awry.
Claire, Jamie, and Ian try to set sail for Scotland, but their ship is stopped by a British naval vessel that presses Jamie and Ian into service. When a second ship attacks the British ship, Jamie is forced to join a militia for a while. During the Battle of Saratoga, Claire works as a medic for the militia and must amputate one of Jamie's fingers. At the second Battle of Saratoga, Jamie's cousin, Simon Fraser, is killed. Simon's general asks Jamie to take Simon's body back to Scotland for a proper burial, so Jamie, Claire, and Ian finally set sail for home.
They arrive at Lallybroch to find that young Ian's father, Ian Sr., is dying, but Claire soon receives a letter from Marsali back in Philadelphia, asking her to come perform life-saving surgery on Marsali and Fergus's youngest, a boy named Henri-Christian. Claire and young Ian return to America, while Jamie stays behind to be with Ian and Jenny while Ian passes.
After Ian's death, Jenny decides to go to America with Jamie, but they miss the boat they initially were meant to be on and must take another one. When the first boat sinks, everyone in America (Claire, Ian, Lord John) think that Jenny and Jamie have perished at sea because they haven't gotten word of the travel plans changing. A British captain wants to then arrest Claire as a spy, so she marries Lord John for protection. The two eventually become intimate - not because they love each other, but out of their shared grief for Jamie.
Written in My Own Heart's Blood
Jamie and Claire are finally reunited (again) and reconcile, even though Jamie has a lot of feelings to work through about Claire and Lord John. But as the country is in the throes of the Revolutionary War, Claire and Jamie don't have much choice but to join the fight.
They join General Washington's army, but within a month Claire is shot, and Jamie resigns his post to stay with her as she recovers. They eventually decide to return to Fraser's Ridge, but are waylaid by the death of Henri-Christian, who dies in a fire in Fergus's print shop. The grieving Frasers and Murrays move to Savannah, GA, to start again, but when the British invade the city, Jamie takes Claire, Ian, Ian's wife Rachel, Jenny, and Fergus's eldest son, Germain, back to Fraser's Ridge. Fergus, Marsali, and their two daughters remain in Savannah.
Back at Fraser's Ridge, the man who raped Claire those many years ago when she was captive appears. Jamie leaves to find him and kill him, while Brianna, Roger, and their two children show back up at Fraser's Ridge.
While Claire has been embroiled in the Revolutionary War, Brianna and Roger have been having a time-traveling adventure of their own that involves Jemmy being kidnapped and all of them ending up decades farther back in time than they meant to go, 1739. But they are eventually able to find each other and get back to Claire and Jamie. And that's where the latest book ends.
If Outlander manages to go eight seasons, suffice to say that there is still plenty of action and adventure in store for the characters.
The Tarte Palette of Your Dreams + 23 More Holiday 2017 Beauty Launches
September and October are when the key players in the beauty industry start breaking out some of their biggest, baddest, and quickest-to-sell-out products, and because we quite literally couldn't contain ourselves, we've convinced some of our favorite brands to give us a sneak peek at all the glory that's to come. From that Tarte palette we foreshadowed (yes, it's that wonderful) to the Jo Malone set representing all of your beauty #housegoals, and plenty of snowflake and snowman-clad, limited-edition goodies in between, read on for 24 items we'll be adding to our holiday lists. The good news: some of it's already hitting stores. Merry Autumn!
10 Elf on the Shelf Parodies That Are Even Better Than the Real Thing
If it feels like the holiday season seems to start earlier every year, here's more proof: people have been talking about Elf on the Shelf for months - but not in a way you'd ever imagine.
If you love (or hate) Elf on the Shelf, it's easy to create your own parody like the rest of the internet. Just come up with two random objects that rhyme and you're set to go. We're not sure these parodies embody the Elf on the Shelf spirit of encouraging good behavior in kids, but hey, it might work. Check out some of our favorite parodies ahead.
25 Awesome Costco Shopping Secrets That Go Way Beyond Free Samples
If you're a savvy shopper, you probably have a Costco membership. The warehouse store offers massive discounts on bulk foods, household goods, and even gasoline - but the savings don't stop there! Prepare to save more money than ever before by getting educated about the inner workings of Costco's price schemes, in-store deals, and policies . . . it might just change your life.
lundi 4 décembre 2017
What Fenty Beauty's Universal Lip Gloss Actually Looks Like on Different Skin Tones
Pink and gold. It's not a novel makeup idea. In fact, Francois Nars made this perfect combo of girlie and glittery a phenomenon when he created Orgasm blush. And in 2017, the pairing is still relevant thanks to the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer.
While Rihanna created a 40-shade foundation range for her just-debuted Fenty to cater to all skin tones, she did the opposite with her lip category. Instead, she created just one shade in just a single finish. That, friends, is the pearly pink-and-gilded gloss we've been discussing. It's meant to look good on diverse skin tones. And yes, it's absolutely gorgeous and glassy, and you need it.
The actual gloss color is a soft rose with just the tiniest shimmery particles. It's a bit tacky like a traditional gloss, but it doesn't feel sticky, and it definitely has hydrating benefits. According to a rep for the brand, it's loaded with shea butter. The doe-foot applicator is cozy and curved slightly to hug your pout. The scent is peachy-vanilla, similar to what Rihanna smells like herself! Basically, this formula is sexy as all hell. (Apparently Rihanna said, "I made it because I wanted the girls to get kissed more.")
To find out if Gloss Bomb lives up to the hype, we tested it on POPSUGAR editors. Keep reading to see what it looks like and then snag it at Sephora ($18).
Taylor Swift Has Been Owning the Beauty Game Since 1989
Since entering the public eye in 2006 (feel old yet?), Taylor Swift has evolved into a true beauty star. It first began when she ditched her signature curly hair for a straight, shaggy lob.
Just when we thought her go-to winged liner and red lip (which remained a rare consistency in this ever-changing world) was here to stay, she shocked us all by going goth.
Now her strands are straight and her rouge is dark, but we still find inspiration from her past looks. Take a trip down memory lane with us by remembering her best beauty moments!
21 of the Best Red Lipsticks Ever, According to Our Instagram Followers
For beauty junkies, finding the perfect red lipstick is like finding true love: you just know when you've found "the one." From finish and pigment to undertones, there's a lot that goes into picking the quintessential red. To help those still looking for theirs (or for those just looking to hoard more lipsticks), we've rounded up the best rouge lip colors according to our makeup-obsessed Instagram followers. Keep reading to see what they're loving, and tell us your favorite red lipstick in the comments here!
This Genius Video Game Is For Every Black Women Who's Tired of People Touching Her Hair
It's never OK to touch a black woman's hair without her permission. Unfortunately, that simple concept is still hard for many people to understand. That's why one Oregon-based woman has developed a video game to drive home the point, and the result is absolutely genius. Go ahead and get ready to cancel all of your plans today, because after playing Hair Nah, you're going to be addicted to this hilariously executed - and important - website.
Momo Pixel created, designed, and wrote the music for Hair Nah, which looks a lot like an '80s arcade game. Pixel is an art director for the Portland ad agency Wieden + Kennedy. Serita Wesley is a publishing producer for the same company and interviewed Pixel for the W+K-affiliated website On She Goes. According to Pixel, Hair Nah was born out of a common problem.
"I'll be walking, and a woman will reach her hands into my head," Pixel said. "I'm talking to a teammate, and a co-worker I just met is holding my hair in his hand. I'm in the checkout line, and the cashier will reach across to caress my braids." Yeah . . . not cool, people.
If you, too, constantly have to fend off would-be strand-caressers, then you will absolutely cheer while playing Hair Nah. Here's how it works.
What's the Real Deal With Hydroquinone?
Hydroquinone has become pretty controversial in the beauty world. One minute, it's the miracle ingredient for clearing up dark spots, and the next, it's supposedly carcinogenic. It's hard for anything to be deemed trustworthy and effective once labeled as a cancer causer. Yet, through all the fuss, experts have maintained that hydroquinone remains the gold standard for erasing hyperpigmentation and age spots. So in all that toxic talk, what's the truth? We asked three experts to weigh in.
Why all the fuss?
"Much of this controversy stems from its ban in South Africa due to side effects," explained Sejal Shah, NYC cosmetic dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology. "Subsequently, other countries banned hydroquinone. It turns out that the questionable products in South Africa contained mercury and other contaminants, which more likely account for side effects being seen."
Dr. Shah further explained that there have been reports of hydroquinone causing cancer in mice when administered in high doses orally, but there are no studies to date showing that this happens in humans and with a topical application. "When properly formulated and used, hydroquinone can be extremely safe and effective, and we have numerous studies confirming this," Shah added.
Does it bleach skin?
Rachel Roff, a medical esthetician and founder of Urban Skin Rx, quickly squashed this myth. "When used within a safe strength, hydroquinone doesn't bleach someone's natural skin tone. It evens out the skin," Roff said. While it may not be proven to cause cancer, if used incorrectly, it can leave skin vulnerable to excessive sun exposure, which could mean a higher risk of skin cancer and sunburn.
"As a general known fact, side effects of skin bleaching, regardless of product or ingredient, include skin irritation and sun sensitivity," dermatologist Dendy Engelman said. There's also a condition called ochronosis, where the skin darkens. This reaction is mainly associated with high concentrations of hydroquinone that has been used for prolonged periods of time.
When do you need hydroquinone?
The main purpose of hydroquinone in skin care is as a lightening agent. "Skin lightening is performed for a variety of reasons, including sun damage. Melanin (aka pigment) is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, and various topical creams are used to reduce the amount of pigment that is produced to brighten the skin," Engelman said. These include hydroquinone, which is the most common, botanical extracts, and antioxidants.
How do you use it safely?
A hydroquinone regimen should be used for no more than three to four months at a time, followed by a minimum of two months off. After the two months, if hyperpigmentation is still an issue, you can return to using hydroquinone for another three- to four-month period.
What if you just can't get behind hydroquinone?
While the experts agree that nothing works on dark spots quite as fast as hydroquinone does, there are ingredients that are just as effective. It may take longer to see results, but natural solutions like kojic acid, alpha arbutin, niacinamide, and vitamin C can help even out your skin. Something like SkinMedica Lytera 2.0, a pigment-correcting serum that is retinol- and hydroquinone-free, balances the skin's melanin production and resists triggers that cause discoloration.
Experts Agree: These Are the 9 Best Hair Colors For Darker Skin
Choosing the right hair color is almost as tricky as finding the perfect foundation shade. Undertones, seasonal shifts, and lighting are all key factors in getting it just right. Much like with nailing foundation, the nuances of darker skin make hair color equally difficult to perfect. That's why we asked hair color experts to share exactly which shades look best on warm brown skin.
The search for finding your perfect hair color starts by looking at your skin's undertones. Hairstylist Noel Reid-Killings told POPSUGAR that as a general rule, ashy, cool brown, chestnut, and chocolate tones work well on darker skin.
While you can still rock blonde or even vibrant rainbow shades, dark colors are always a safe choice to make hair look thick and healthy.
If you want to roll with a new color trend, shades like turquoise, emerald, and hunter greens are on the rise and also happen to be winning options for darker complexions.
Read on to see how nine celebs with deeper skin, nailed a spectrum of strands shades.
Glitter Eyeliner Is the Prettiest Way to Wear Sparkle For the Holidays
So, you've mastered the smoky eye, the winged liner, and a seductive red lip . . . unfortunately, by holiday party season, so has everyone else. If you're looking for a way to stand out this year, you're going to need a secret weapon. And for 2016, the technique you should have in your arsenal is glitter eyeliner.
Various takes on sparkly and sophisticated glitter eyeliner are sweeping across social media, dazzling Instagram beauty gurus. Even the experts are taking notice. According to Make Up For Ever's Executive Director of Education and Artistry Patrick Eichler, it's a must-try style for Winter. "The holiday season is all about shimmer, so there's no better time to turn up the sparkle in your makeup."
One of the best things about this technique is the various ways it can be customized, making it a pretty pick for less experienced gals and makeup maestros alike. For a more dramatic finish, layer the glitter liner just above a black base, add it to a smoky eye, or show off your skills with a wing worthy of Cleopatra herself.
For those seeking a more subdued style, Eichler recommends Make Up For Ever's Aqua Liners ($23), especially those with diamond finishes: "[These products] give a beautiful metallic sparkle, require no mixing, and are easy to apply. Perfect for the glitter 'newbie.'"
The finished effect can also vary due to the product chosen. Those who want a bit more sparkle can mix a glitter shadow or powder - Eichler suggests Make Up For Ever Diamond Powder ($25) - with a liquid liner or adhesive like Make Up For Ever's Aqua Seal ($21). If you really want to gleam, try the same method with loose glitter, which comes in a variety of sizes. Eichler notes that depending on whether you choose small flecks or larger chunks, "the looks [will be] different, from fairy-dust sparkle to disco-ball reflective."
Before you run to the store to snatch up some glitter, check out our favorite sparkly eyeliner looks from Instagram for inspiration.
Find Your Perfect Curling Iron, No Matter What Style You Want
We get it: sometimes shopping for the perfect curling iron can be a chore. Between the different barrel lengths, the hot curlers, and that rumor that you can get beach waves with a flat iron, how are you supposed to make heads or tails? Quit scratching your head. We've broken down what each size curling iron does (with pictures to match!) to help you find your new iron BFF.
Urban Decay Is Releasing a Kaleidoscope Palette With Kristen Leanne, and JUST LOOK!
Beauty influencer Kristen Leanne is known to her nearly 800,000 followers for many things: her "arctic fox hair"; badass seagreen, mermaid-scale-esque neck tattoo; and fierce, colorful smoky eye tutorials. Now, she can add Urban Decay collaborator to her résumé, because the brand just announced that it has teamed up with Kristen for a brand-new palette.
The hot little number in question is called Kaleidoscope Dream, so you best believe it's colorful AF. The news broke on Nov. 15, when Urban Decay posted a rather cryptic announcement that something big was going down on Instagram Stories.
Cat Ladies, You'll Want to Get Your Paws on This Purr-fect Makeup Collection ASAP
Paul & Joe just released its newest line of holiday goodies, and each item is exactly as adorable as we expected. The limited-edition Champagne Soiree collection includes three shimmery products - rosy blush, champagne-gold eye gloss, and glittery lipstick - along with a circular makeup bag. All of the incredibly Instagrammable products feature the cutest cat-themed packaging, which has come to be a signature for the cult brand.
Though the entire holiday-ready range of products is downright adorable as a whole, the lipstick is undoubtedly the star of the show, as it features a hidden red cat encased in sparkly gold lipstick. I'm honestly not even much of a cat person, but I can barely handle how genius the lip product is.
Ahead, catch a glimpse at what the purr-fect feline-inspired items look like IRL, and then keep reading to shop the Champagne Soiree collection for yourself.
20 Luxury Beauty Gifts For the Fanciest Person on Your List
If money is no object for you - or if you're just feeling extra generous this year - then an over-the-top beauty gift is the ultimate way to show someone you love them. The world of fancy, upscale beauty products is a wonderland, and there's no better excuse for indulging in fantasy than the holiday season. From a flatiron bedazzled with actual crystals to a magnetic clay mask backed by a music icon, these gifts ahead are sure to impress even the most #blessed among us.
Rainbangs May Not Be For Everyone, But They're Damn Sure Cool to Look At
Admit it: you were pretty shook when Selena Gomez posted a selfie rocking rainbow bangs on Instagram. We definitely were! But for those hoping Selena Gomez was officially crossing over to #TeamUnicorn, the bangs were just a tease attached to a fun headband.
But just because Selena didn't permanently color her fringe doesn't mean there aren't beauty-lovers out their with their love for rainbow front and center. In fact, we spotted a few beauties rocking "rainbangs" on Insta, and it's definitely a "look."
Some ladies have rocked a colorful fringe and left the vast majority of their hair in one single shade. Others have gone all out and coordinated their entire head with their bangs for maximum rainbow effect. For those unwilling to rock full-on rainbangs, there are more subtle ways to give your hair a sprinkle of color (like secret rainbow hair or hidden rainbow roots).
Whether you're down to color your fringe or not, you can't deny that these are just really cool to look at. See what we're talking about ahead.
Essie's Latest Nail Polish Collection Was Made For Practicing Your Princess Wave
A fresh manicure can take your mood from zero to 100, but the latest nail polish colors from Essie will make you feel like a straight-up princess.
The brand is releasing six new Gel Couture shades ($12), all inspired by romance and royalty. Its enchanted new lineup features creamy, opaque hues that deliver salon-quality results at home. Just apply two coats of polish, finish with the Gel Couture top coat, and - voilà! - you'll have a magical, long-lasting mani.
While we love the longevity of Gel Couture polishes, the stunning colors are what have us hyped as hell. You can take a cue from Kate Middleton, Queen Elizabeth II, and Duchess-to-Be Meghan Markle and opt for a classic pink, like Matter of Fiction. But if you're fond of Cinderella's ballgown blue, metallics, and vampy hues, you'll also find a color in the new range that fits you like a crown.
Rita Remark, Essie's global lead educator, told us via email that she's personally smitten with Good Knight (blackened plum) and Princess Charming (neutral mauve-pink). "With another royal wedding around the corner, the timing [of this new collection] couldn't be more charmed!" she added. And Rita's right - we could totally see Meghan rocking a shade similar to Princess Charming down the aisle next Spring.
Luckily, you don't have to be an actual princess to get in on the magic. The entire collection is available to snag now on Amazon. Ahead, you can get a better look at each shade and see them swatched on different complexions. In the meantime, we'll be here practicing our royal waves before our next manicures.
This Dog Ate a Kat Von D Palette, and Now My Soul Hurts
Finally bought this palette, but my dog got to the parcel before I did :( from MakeupAddiction
There's an old showbiz saying that warns, "Never work with children or animals." After this week such logic might extend to makeup, too.
We recently reported on how one rowdy kid allegedly destroyed over $1000 of Make Up For Ever eye shadow singles at Sephora. If you are still feeling things over that tragic story, you should maybe stop reading this because it involves even more beauty carnage, this time perpetrated by a pup.
According to Reddit, one user named Pyokkimassu was excited to open their shipment of Kat Von D's Shade + Light Contour Palette ($48) - but apparently not as excited as a dog.
"My dog got to the parcel before I did," Pyokkimassu mournfully captured the above picture of a chewed-up palette. It looks like the pooch really went to town on this almost $50 item, destroying both the compact mirror and quite a few pans.
Reddit predictably cringed. As one person put it: "I literally just yelled 'Noo!' out loud. I am so sorry." Another jokester quipped, "That's pretty ruff."
While this situation is a big old bummer, many suggested that Pyokkimassu might be able to finagle a new palette out of it. One wrote, "I would email the store and explain what happened. Maybe they can help you with finding a solution (maybe refund or discount)."
Hopefully this story will have a happy ending. Until then, let me go wipe a single tear from my cheek while I appreciate that my landlord doesn't allow pets.
36 Close-ups of the Sexiest Beauty Looks at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
Victoria's Secret is no longer about long hair extensions and bombshell waves. For its 2017 fashion show in Shanghai, the beauty looks were as diverse as the models themselves. From sleek bobs, to afros, to shaved heads, it felt like every hair texture was represented this year. The look was more relaxed, as lead hairstylist told us backstage, "She's been to a party, and she met a boy . . . this is her day-after hair."
Meanwhile, the makeup ditched the usual neutral, fresh-faced finish to look a little more "naughty," as lead makeup artist Tom Pecheaux put it. It's more makeup, with everything from smoky smudged eyeliner to winged eyes.
Fawn over all the Angel beauty inspiration, ahead.
What ALL 40 Shades of Rihanna's Fenty Beauty Foundation Really Look Like
Of all the praise that has come Rihanna's way for Fenty Beauty, the most significant has been about how inclusive her collection is. Launching with a whopping 40 shades of foundation from the get-go, Rihanna impressed everyone with her dedication to celebrating diverse beauty and making sure everyone feels represented.
As Rihanna herself said at her press preview in NYC, "That was really important, for me, for every product. I kept saying, 'There needs to be something for a dark-skinned girl, there needs to be something for a pale girl, there needs to be something for everyone in between.'" And by countless beauty bloggers' first impressions, she did not disappoint.
Since the collection launched Sept. 8, YouTube and Instagram have flooded with reviews, especially of the matte, full-coverage Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Foundation ($34). With so many options, it can be overwhelming to figure out exactly which shade will match you. It's best to go in stores to really figure that out, but it helps to see references (for the record, Rihanna is shade 340!). That's why we rounded up what every single shade in Fenty Beauty's foundation collection looks like on men and women in real life. Behold the beauty of just how gorgeously diverse Rihanna's collection really is, ahead.
Let Us Now Praise Meghan Markle's Natural, Curly Hair
Image Source: Getty / Chris Jackson
While we await the royal wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in May 2018, beauty girls are left dreaming of all the ways the actress could wear her always-gorgeous hair. While Meghan's go-to is a soft, straight blowout (much like her future sister-in-law, Kate Middleton), the Daily Mail dug up some old high school yearbook photos of Meghan that are making us hope that the soon-to-be royal will wear her naturally curly hair down the aisle.
Yup, back in 1998, the (likely) future duchess was known as Rachel Markle, a 17-year-old student at LA's (all-girls!) Immaculate Heart High. While the thought of the entire world seeing your junior year class picture might make you break out in hives, our girl was predictably working it with a fresh face and voluminous natural curls. And Twitter is LIVING FOR IT.
"We got curls in the royal palace y'all!!!" Twitter user Kamie Crawford wrote. "Starting a petition to get Meghan to wear a fresh wash & go around the palace." Where do we sign?
SOLVED MY OWN CASE! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 We got curls in the royal palace y'all!!! ➰➰➰➰😩😩😩🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 Starting a petition to get Meghan to wear a fresh wash & go around the palace. #MeghanMarkle http://pic.twitter.com/5QyRed0VDJ
- Kamie Crawford (@TheRealKamie) November 27, 2017
Safe to say, we're f*cking thrilled that the royal family will soon include a woman with beautiful, natural curls. We're crossing our fingers that Meghan reps them next Spring while walking down the aisle of St. George's Chapel, even if she's pretty much always seen in public with straight hair. Perhaps it's a long shot, but hey, so is marrying a prince.
This New BH Cosmetics Unicorn Palette Is All Sorts of Magical
BH Cosmetics is once again making our makeup dreams come true with the new Marvycorn by Marvyn Macnificent 13 Color Shadow & Highlighter Palette. The rainbow-hued product is a collaboration with German beauty blogger Marvyn Macnificent, who has become a top beauty influencer in Germany for his entertaining makeup videos on YouTube.
The palette features 10 eye shadows and three highlighters. The packaging itself is ultracute, covered with rainbows, clouds, and hearts. A purple and pink unicorn prances above the shadows with tongue-in-cheek names like "spray tan" and "k bye." The hues include both shimmery and matte shades with a few bright hues to round out this otherwise neutral palette.
If you happen to be traveling to Germany this December, you'll be available to pick up the palette at the end of this year. Unfortunately, us States-bound makeup-lovers won't be able to own the palette until the Spring of 2018 when it becomes available on BH Cosmetics's website.
Your '90s-Loving Heart Won't Be Able to Handle These Cute Hello Kitty Beauty Products
You may want to delay sending your holiday wish list to the North Pole because we just found some adorable products you'll want to add to the very top. DHC, a skincare company with roots in Japan, recently launched the cutest collaboration featuring none other than the '90s queen herself, Hello Kitty. The two-item DHC x Hello Kitty line includes a hydrating Lip Cream for banishing those chapped lips and an Eyelash Tonic that helps your lashes look fuller on their own - bye-bye, falsies! The packaging for each of these products is simply to die for, featuring the adorable bow-wearing Sanrio character in all her nostalgic glory.
The DHC x Hello Kitty duo is here for a good time, not a long time, so you may want to act fast if you're interested in getting your hands (and lips and lashes) on these cute-as-can-be products. The limited-edition goodies are now available for purchase on DHC's website, either separately or as a set. Read on to see more photos of the picture-perfect stocking stuffers and shop them for yourself or a fellow Hello Kitty-lover.
10 of the Most Life-Changing Products We've Used in the Kitchen
It takes a lot of trial and error to find the perfect kitchen tools. Thankfully, we food editors have tested our way through plenty of pots, pans, and gadgets, and we finally have a handful that we swear by and that we'll never live without. If you're in the market for a new (and affordable) set of knives, a nonstick skillet that lives up to its name, or a time-saving tool you maybe never knew you needed, take a look at 10 of our absolute favorite picks that won't ever gather dust in our own kitchens.
Chrissy Teigen and 20 More Celebs Who'll Convince You to Get Bangs
If you're one of those people who constantly question whether you should get bangs or not, you've come to the right place. Yes, they can be a commitment (hello, awkward growing-out phase), but they can also totally refresh your look. Just a few snips and, bam, you're a new person. To prove just how versatile fringes can be on different hair types, we rounded up 21 celebrities who've tried bangs and looked incredible. Trust us, after scrolling through these, you'll be booking your next salon appointment stat.
Rihanna Explains Why She Won't Use Transgender Models as a "Convenient Marketing Tool"
Much has been said about the way Fenty Beauty celebrates diversity. One fan, however, questioned Rihanna about one type of representation that seemed to be missing from the brand.
Brazil-based Twitter user @ibertootero messaged the singer to tell her, "Fenty Beauty campaign is awesome, next time you should invite a trans girl to the group." In her response, she brilliantly shed light on a major problem with the beauty industry's idea of diverse casting.
"I've had the pleasure of working with many gifted trans women throughout the years, but I don't go around doing trans castings! Just like I don't do straight non trans women castings! I respect all women, and whether they're trans or not is none of my business!" she said.
"It's personal and some trans women are more comfortable being open about it than others, so I have to respect that as a woman myself!" she continued. "I don't think it's fair that a trans woman, or man, be used as a convenient marketing tool! Too often do I see companies doing this to trans and black women alike! There's always just that one spot in the campaign for the token 'we look mad diverse' girl/guy! It's sad!"
When I thought she couldn't teach me more... @rihanna ❤ http://pic.twitter.com/iAX3kJBAr1
- savage (@lbertootero) November 29, 2017
"I don't think it's fair that a trans woman, or man, be used as a convenient marketing tool."
While neither Rihanna nor Fenty Beauty has confirmed or reposted the exchange, there's reason to believe her response was real. Rihanna has a strong relationship with her fans (better known as her "navy"), and she's been known to comment and direct-message back.
If this is true, we have even more reason to praise Rihanna. While representation in all forms of media always matters, she's right about beauty companies jumping on casting black, Muslim, male, and transgender models and making their existence a marketing tool under the guise of empowerment. Diversity isn't a trend. It's a necessity - and it should be the standard.
The fact that Rihanna refuses to participate in being self-congratulatory about casting any one type of person is a testament to her mission of creating a new normal, where people aren't reduced to tokens. Consider it reason number 10,000 we love Fenty Beauty.
McDonald's Japan Has Cheesy Potato Bites That Are Basically Balls of Joy
OK, we'll say it - why does Japan get the coolest junk food? From Instagrammable doughnuts and ice cream floats to wacky potato chip flavors and special fast-food menus, it seems like every new food release that makes our tummies grumble is centered in Japan! And the latest addition to the McDonald's Japan menu is no different, even though it's supposedly American-inspired: the new American Cheddar Potato Bites, which are chicken-nugget-size cheesy potato balls available as a side.
The bites are only available for a limited time, because nothing this pure and perfect can last forever. But don't cry because it's (almost) over - smile because it happened! And, of course, drool over these amazing photos.
In Case You Needed Further Proof, J Lo Is Not Afraid to Show Too Much Skin
Well, hello there, Jennifer Lopez's toned legs! The actress and singer wore the highest slits we have ever seen in a dress to perform her new song "Ni Tu Ni Yo" at the Macy's Fourth of July celebration with Gente de Zona. The long-sleeved Fausto Puglisi black dress with a high neckline, gold appliqués, and two waist-high slits looks like a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen, but if there's anyone that could make this work on stage, it's J Lo.
Jennifer got down to her new music, embracing the revealing details of her dress. But we know how she made it work: Jennifer wore a black leotard underneath, so even when she moved to the side, you couldn't see anything but her insane thigh muscles.
Later in the pre-recorded performance, Jennifer changed into another leotard, this time a sparkly one featuring an eagle and worn under a checkered dress that honored her boyfriend Alex Rodriguez's past as a baseball player. Matching her New York Yankees cap, J Lo's shirt featured a 13 in the back, in a nod to ARod's number with the team. Keep reading to see more photos of Jennifer's outfits at the Independence Day celebration.
20 Songs From the 2000s That You'll Never Get Over
Music and food are two things that don't fail at bringing together all Latinos. If there's a plate of ceviche or tostones around, we all gather around the table. If there's music pumping through speakers, we all flock to dance, bop our heads, or even fist pump. There's no way a song like Enrique Iglesias's "Heroe" or any Aventura tune will come on the radio without everyone loudly singing every lyric. And though plenty of current songs have this effect on us all, there's no time like the 2000s. See our list of songs from that decade that you can't help but sing along to, then check out these TV shows that bring on all the nostalgia.
Why People Are Comparing Netflix's Latest Series to Stranger Things
Looking for a thrilling new binge? Netflix's latest eerie series, Dark, will leave you at the edge of your seat. With similar themes, storylines, and concepts, a lot of people are comparing the German supernatural thriller to our beloved Stranger Things. Some are even suggesting that this series is far better and that it will soon be replacing the dramatic sci-fi altogether - but are the two Netflix originals really all that similar? We're here to break it down, detail by detail:
Yes, the shows share similar plot points.
One of the most prominent elements that the two shows share is the general concept. Not delving too deep into either plot, both feature kids riding their bikes through small towns ridden with missing children and government conspiracies, causing secrets and mysteries to unfold at their feet.
Stranger Things has more rounded entertainment value.
Stranger Things does have a ton of downright bizarre occurrences, government experiences that are supposed to be top-secret, and forces of the supernatural, but it also has a lot of camp. There's a balance of interesting, dramatic storylines and admirable characters that we end up loving and emotionally invested in. On the other hand, Dark is more serious, focused on the supernatural and the thickening plot of the show with little to no emphasis comedy.
Dark is a bit more sophisticated.
Stranger Things is told from the point of view of a gang of adorkable, wide-eyed middle schoolers, which is a solid half of the reason we love them. Once again, there is a strong element of the supernatural, but we get a lot more than that with more lighthearted themes. Dark is told from the perspective of older teenagers, and for this reason, the thriller carries more mature themes than Stranger Things. (There's also more gore and swearing.) None of the adult content is over the top, nor is it a main premise of the show, but it is part of what differentiates the two otherwise similar plots.
Stranger Things embraces the '80s more.
Stranger Things and Dark (partially, at least) are both set in the '80s, but only Stranger Things has fun with that. Going back to the entertainment value, Dark is clear-cut, straight-to-the-point drama that focuses a lot on the content and not the camp or the characters. Stranger Things does the exact opposite. Goonies star Sean Astin becomes a regular character in the second season, and Billy Hargrove is a tribute to the classic bully archetype.
For those who have binge-watched the second season of Stranger Things four times now and are in need of something new, Dark is a bit more focused on the supernatural than the characters, but still right up that alley. While Dark might hold similar themes, there is more than enough room in our hearts for both without sacrificing one.
The Insane True Story Behind The Room, the Best Bad Movie Ever
The Room's Tommy Wiseau, left, and Greg Sestero with Hollywood producer Katherine Kramer in 2004.
In 2003, a true contender for the greatest bad movie of all time premiered in Los Angeles. That movie was The Room, directed by Tommy Wiseau, a man with a thick Eastern European accent who insists he's from New Orleans on the rare occasions he's willing to talk about his life. He's also the man who wrote, produced, and starred in the masterpiece of awfulness. The making of The Room is a story that's almost as bizarre as the movie itself, but it's one that inspired James Franco to immortalize the film in his new movie The Disaster Artist, based on the book of the same name by Wiseau's friend and The Room costar Greg Sestero.
There's no better place to begin than with the film's plot, even though explaining it is almost impossible. It all boils down to a love triangle between Johnny (Wiseau); his girlfriend, Lisa (Juliette Danielle); and his best friend, Mark (Sestero). Just know that there's much, much more going on, and very little of it makes sense. Perhaps that's because the film reportedly began life as a 600-page novel that Wiseau hoped to turn into a play before he decided that not enough Americans watched plays anymore. At that point, Wiseau realized that The Room needed to be a movie, and he enlisted his friend and former acting classmate, Sestero, to help him make it happen.
Sestero would not only be Wiseau's costar, but he was also perhaps the only person on the set who could talk to Wiseau as the auteur began his journey toward making his infamous masterpiece. Wiseau funded The Room himself, but the answer as to where he got $6 million for his pet project remains a mystery. In a 2008 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Wiseau said the money came from his Korean leather jacket export business. His claim has never been verified.
However he came about the money, Wiseau had more than enough to pour into The Room. In Sestero's book, the actor writes that Wiseau was determined to film the movie with two different cameras - one a 35mm and the other HD. Sestero writes:
Probably the most wasteful and pointless aspect of The Room's production was Tommy's decision to simultaneously shoot his movie with both a 35mm film camera and a high-definition (HD) camera. In 2002, an HD and 35mm film camera cost around $250,000 combined; the lenses ran from $20,000 to $40,000 apiece. And, of course, you had to hire an entirely different crew to operate this stuff. Tommy had a mount constructed that was able to accommodate both the 35mm camera and HD camera at the same time, meaning Tommy needed two different crews and two different lighting systems on set at all times.
This was only the beginning of Wiseau's eccentricities. The Disaster Artist goes on to detail the director's many pet peeves, which included anyone daring to speak any language other than English, farting on set, and people leaving the set while shooting. In fact, Wiseau wanted all of the actors to be on set even when they weren't shooting their scenes in case he decided to add them into the background at the last minute. Even the film's long and uncomfortable sex scene was filmed in front of everyone, foregoing the Hollywood tradition of having a closed set for intimate scenes.
Now that the film has gained a cult following, Wiseau seems to have embraced The Room's description as a dark comedy, but according to the cast, he was always serious about it being a drama. In 2008, Wiseau told Entertainment Weekly that two of his biggest inspirations are Tennessee Williams and Orson Welles, and the movie reflects his claims in the most hilarious way possible. He went into each one of his scenes with a seriousness that the cast didn't always share.
Sestero admits in his book that he phoned in much of his performance, and Danielle claims that during the filming of a scene where Wiseau's Tommy says "In a few minutes, b*tch," no one on set could contain their laughter. Wiseau wasn't amused and demanded to know what was so funny. To get around Wiseau's rule, the director of photography reportedly had an outdoor tent that he would use when he had no choice but to laugh at the increasingly strange film.
Ultimately, it took six months to shoot The Room, and during that time, the production cycled through two crews. Famously, Kyle Vogt, one of the film's actors, had to leave before the film was finished due to a prior acting commitment, and Wiseau simply included an entirely new, never-before-seen character in the final scene of the movie and gave him all of the lines intended for Vogt's character, Peter, with no explanation.
Still, as hard as it is to believe, The Room could have been much worse. Much of the script was unusable. A script supervisor cut multiple monologues and lines of dialogue that were too nonsensical to make it into the final film even by The Room's standards. It's also rumored that Wiseau wanted to include a subplot that revealed Johnny was a vampire, but the budget couldn't be stretched to include the technology needed to give the character a flying car.
Despite the many, many obstacles standing in the way of The Room becoming a hit, the film attracted a cult audience after Wiseau insisted on keeping it in a theater for two weeks during its initial run. His hope was that the Oscars would take notice, but instead, a generation of fans who loved the so-bad-it's-almost-good movie found it instead. In a strange but fitting turn of events, Wiseau may finally get an invite to the Academy Awards now that The Disaster Artist is gaining critical acclaim, proving that American dreams do come true.
Where to Stream 34 of Your Favorite Holiday Movies in December
Now that it's December, you officially have the green light to start marathoning your favorite holiday movies without shame. There are plenty of options on Netflix (like, tons), but just in case you blaze through them, we've rounded up all of the ways you can stream some festive classics while curling up by the fire, from Amazon to Hulu and more.
The Walking Dead: What Is Eugene Up to in the Comic Books?
The midseason finale is quickly approaching for The Walking Dead, and Eugene has cinched himself as one of the most hated characters on the show. In tonight's episode, "Time For After," he secures his place in Negan's good graces after offering him a solution to the walker invasion problem. He also made it clear to a very ill Gabriel that they are not friends and will not be working together to help bring the Saviors down.
The disgust for Eugene is real, and you're probably looking forward to his demise, but Eugene may not be going anywhere - at least, not yet. In the comics, Eugene is still alive and well, but his storyline is vastly different.
Believe it or not, in the comics, Rosita and Eugene are actually married and Rosita ends up pregnant with another man's baby. The Whisperers end up killing her and her unborn child, leaving Eugene devastated. Eugene then pours all of his energy into helping create bullets to defend Alexandria against their new enemy.
He also starts communicating with a woman named Stephanie via CB radio and despite never meeting, they get into a relationship. He begins to entrust her with sensitive information and even gives up the group's location to her. Stephanie's intentions seem questionable when she tells Eugene he shouldn't have done that. Despite the risk, Eugene keeps his relationship with her a secret from Rick. For now, that's all we've seen of him in the comics.
Since his comic book character is vastly different than his storyline on the show, we're not sure when the demise of Eugene will go down. Eugene is stacking his enemies against him, though, and it's only a matter of time before his continuous betrayals bite him in the butt. As we saw in tonight's episode, he almost died by the hand of Dwight. It's anyone's bet which one of Eugene's enemies will take him down, but with Rick's group closing in, it might happen soon.
We'll just have to wait and see how it plays out!
In Case You Missed It, Here's What The Walking Dead: Red Machete Is All About
Fans of The Walking Dead have just as voracious an appetite for more as any zombie we've yet to see on the show - except maybe the well-dwelling walker from season two, because that thing was hangry. So, to satisfy all the crowd cravings for more undead drama, AMC has not only launched a prequel series in Fear the Walking Dead, but they also like to throw in some mini episodes that loosely or even directly connect to events of the full series in fun little ways.
The latest is The Walking Dead: Red Machete, a new series of short videos that centers on the origin and history (read: kill count) of the savage red machete that Rick Grimes uses to kill Terminus tyrant Gareth in season five.
What starts out as an innocuous piece of garden equipment left on a rack at an infested store called Gerald's Hardware becomes the centerpiece of a lot of terrible scenes - from one young, innocent little girl being scooped up and devoured by zeds to a man getting too comfortable with his new weapon and becoming lunch as a result of it.
Red Machete will consist of five short segments in all, which is a similar episodic length as most of its predecessors.
The very first series of shorts was launched by producer Greg Nicotero in 2011 and was called Torn Apart. The micro series features the untold tale of Hannah (aka "The Bicycle Girl" from the pilot). She's the very first zombie Rick encounters who, it turns out, has a much more interesting story than just being some half-decayed biter.
The second, Cold Storage, dropped a year later and features a survivor who happens to stumble into Sheriff Rick's old storage unit with photos of much simpler times for all the Grimeses (RIP Lori). Third up is an absolutely awful scene about the first walker wave of the same hospital that bore the infamous "DON'T OPEN, DEAD INSIDE" warning line painted on the doors.
The other two, titled Flight 462 and Passage, are significantly longer and cross over into the timeline of Fear the Walking Dead with establishment stories of the initial reactions to the zombie outbreak in the sky and the desert terrain, respectively.
With Red Machete, we still haven't learned how and why the title weapon will find its way into the Terminus station's most vile villain, but, judging by the ghastly transfer tactics we've seen already, it isn't going to be a pleasant inheritance in the least.
But then again, what do you possibly expect from a pseudo show completely devoted to Michael Myers's slasher weapon of choice? They don't call it the red machete just for its handle hue, guys.
Are We Getting a Second Season of Dark? Here's Exactly What We Know
Something sinister is at work when children go missing in a small, woodsy town in a new series from Netflix. That premise may sound familiar, but we're not talking about the wildly popular show Stranger Things - we're referring to Dark, an eerie German show that premiered on the streaming platform on Dec. 1.
For the first German series order for Netflix, Swiss filmmaker Baran bo Odar teamed up with German screenwriter Jantje Fries for the supernatural thriller, which follows the lives of four families as the town of Winden tries to make sense of what happened to Mikkel while also uncovering unsettling mysteries and unanswered questions that span generations.
Dark is visually, conceptually, and thematically just that, establishing a bleak tone that reflects the characters and the show's conflicts while manipulating time to tell the story in a way that makes the show addictive to watch. While it was inevitable that comparisons to Strangers Things would arise, Dark exerts its own identity over the course of 10 ambitious episodes, but fans will have to wait for word on whether there will be a season two. Netflix has yet to announce plans for a second season, but that hasn't stopped fans from taking to Twitter to all but demand another installment of the creepy series.
Just finished @DarkNetflix Wasn't that hooked on a TV show for a long time. Great job @baranboodar @jantjefriese @NetflixDE I hope we'll see Season 2 sooner than later.
- Jonas (@JonasA1x) December 2, 2017
@netflix I WANT DARK SEASON 2 RIGHT NOW
- mermaid (@luckymatilda) December 3, 2017
Netflix has a history of supporting genre shows, and the platform is eager to use original content as a way to unite and celebrate both international creators and the platform's global audience. Italy's Suburra: Blood of Rome, Brazil's 3%, and Spain's Cable Girls (which received the green light for a third season) are just a few of the series to lead the charge for international programming at Netflix, so if Dark finds a way to spook American and global audiences alike, it's not a question of if there will be a season two, but when.
Meghan Markle Was Actually Written Out of Suits Before She Got Engaged to Prince Harry
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are in the midst of enjoying the early days of their exciting engagement, but for fans of Suits, a few questions about Markle's departure from the show still linger. How will the USA legal drama wrap up her character, Rachel? Will the long-awaited wedding between her and Mike (Patrick J. Adams) really happen?
In a recent interview with Radio 4's Today, Suits creator Aaron Korsh shed some light on the situation. Apparently the writers have been anticipating Markle's exit from Suits for quite a while now, which hopefully means they've had more than enough time to end her story on the perfect note. According to Korsh, he and the writing team realized that the relationship between their lead actress and Prince Harry was "burgeoning" and that she probably wasn't going to stick around for long.
"I sort of had a decision to make because I didn't want to intrude and ask her, 'Hey, what's going on? What are you going to do?' So . . . collectively the writers, we decided to take a gamble that these two people are in love and it's going to work out," he explained.
"What we decided to do was as the season progresses say, 'Look, I would rather have good things happen to Meghan in her life' - which would likely mean her leaving the show," Korsh added. "So let's plan on that and it's much easier to undo that, if it came to it, than to just plan on her staying forever and then finding out she's going to go. And the only way to write a character out like that would be if they got hit by a bus or something."
Us Weekly shared in November that a wedding scene featuring Markle and Adams was reportedly filmed inside a Toronto hotel, which definitely makes us think the end to their lengthy runs on Suits will be satisfying for fans. Not only that, but Markle definitely appears to have left on good terms. After news of her engagement went public, Korsh reached out on Twitter to share his congratulations:
Congratulations to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on their engagement. Wonderful news, I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. Love, Aaron
- Aaron Korsh (@akorsh9) November 27, 2017
USA also released a heartfelt statement honoring her time on the show, writing, "Fans have long admired Markle's character Rachel Zane for her tenacity and integrity, rising in the ranks at Pearson Specter Litt from a promising paralegal to a full-fledged lawyer who was part of Harvey's core team. Through the toughest of times -- whether professional or personal -- Rachel has proven to Suitors around the world that it's always worth it to fight for what you believe in and never lose faith in yourself."
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