We've all been applying our favorite mascaras for so long, we could do it with our eyes closed, right? Scratch that, think of all the smudges. But the point is it's an activity we've done countless times, so we don't need anyone telling us how to nail it, thank you very much. Except… we noticed a video on TikTok that's made us rethink everything we thought we knew.
For length and separation, we all learned to nestle the brush into our lashes, then stroke upwards, but one creator, @makeupbylxna, took to the platform to show her followers an even better way to boost your flutter.
The "Zick Zack" Mascara Method
@Makeupbylxna uses a method she's called the "Zick Zack" where you pull your skin taut at the outer corner of your eyes, hold your mascara wand vertically, then zig-zag the brush from side to side across your lashes to coat the tip and sides of each lash.
Next, you can return to the old faithful way of combing your lashes upward from the root all the way to the tip. Remove any smudges and boom, you've just XXL'd your natural lashes to phwoarrr levels, and majorly boosted the volume as well as the length.
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Other users have been quick to put the hack to the test. @suzi_sina's video showing her super-sizing her lashes by incorporating the side-to-side step has brought in over 75,000 likes.
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We've even seen creators customize the technique. @rachelrigler posted a video layering the coats by applying in a zig-zag, then up and down, leaving it to dry, then repeating.
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The best part is you don't need any extra products. You don't even have to add much more time with the step. It's such an easy switch to incorporate into your routine, and it makes a whopper difference.
We all get lost in the seemingly endless aisles of Target, and how could we not? Between the affordable beauty products, exclusive brands, and its recent in-store partnership with Ulta Beauty, it's clear that the retailer has become a hub for beauty lovers. The best part is that you can find the best gifts from Target in the comfort of your home — and many of its beauty offerings qualify for same-day delivery via Shipt.
Here's another reason you should make a trip to Target sooner rather than later: The holiday season is just around the corner. So don't put yourself through yet another round of frantic last-minute shopping; instead, beat the rush by checking out all of the giftable beauty products at Target stores right now.
As the year winds down, you can expect to find quite a few beauty gifts hitting Target's online shelves. To kick off your shopping early, take a look at rave-worthy picks from drugstore brands like E.L.F. Cosmetics, Burt's Bees, and Olay. Plus, the retailer's partnership with Ulta Beauty means there are also "masstige" and luxury beauty items to choose from, like NuFace.
So, while you're shopping for holiday décor and other festive goodies, cross a few names off your gift list by checking out the best beauty gifts from Target.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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E.L.F. Bite-Size Eyeshadow Palettes
You don't need an enormous palette to have lots of options with your eye shadow looks — just grab one of the $3 E.L.F. Bite-Size Eyeshadow Palettes. Each of the seven mini palettes comes with four buttery matte, satin, and shimmer shades to mix and match. With the Acai You palette (pictured here), you can swipe a wash of sky blue for the day or create a midnight-inspired smoky eye with the indigo and denim hues. Plus, it's tiny enough to tuck into your purse for midday touch-ups.
$3
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Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Kit
Give the gift of hydrated lips, fingers, and feet with the Burt's Bees Tips and Toes Kit. For $12, this box of skin-moisturizing products will tackle cold weather-induced dryness. In the set are six travel-sized essentials, including the Honey & Grapeseed Oil Hand Cream, Coconut Foot Cream, Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, Almond & Milk Hand Cream, Hand Salve, and Pomegranate Lip Balm.
$12
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Revlon Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer
Revlon's Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer is inarguably the internet's favorite hair tool. This 2019 Best of Beauty winner is a dryer-brush hybrid that creates an easy, voluminous blowout. A combination of nylon bristles and pins detangle hair while boosting shine, and the steady flow of low-heat air decreases the risk of damage. The device is also surprisingly light, so wrist cramps won't be an issue.
$60
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Pixi DetoxifEyeDepuffing Eye Patches
Undereye puffiness and dark circles are no match for Pixi's DetoxifEye Depuffing Eye Patches. Each of the 60 — yes, 60 — hydrogel eye patches are saturated with real gold because of its anti-inflammatory properties, moisturizing coconut oil, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and soothing cucumber extract to depuff and comfort tired skin.
$24
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NuFace Fix Line Smoothing Device
NuFace's Fix Line Smoothing Device is on every beauty lover's radar. This slimmed-down version of the brand's Trinity Facial Toning Device uses a gentle microcurrent to smooth the appearance of fine lines around the eyes, lips, forehead, and nasolabial folds.
$149More from Allure
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Winky Lux Flower Balm Lip Stain
This Allure-favorite lip stain looks just as amazing on your lips as it does in its tube. The Winky Lux Flower Balm Lip Stain may look as clear as glass, but it works with your skin's pH levels to change into a sheer wash of soft pink that's unique to you.
$16
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Sally Hansen Spa Collection Peel-Off Nail Mask
They've heard of face masks before, but we bet the beauty fan in your life would be extra excited to try out one for their nails. Sally Hansen's Spa Collection Peel-Off Nail Masks come in two options to nurture your nails: the glycerin-infused Revive retains moisture for damaged nails, and the rose gold-tinted Hydrate (seen here) is infused with hyaluronic acid to smooth rough, dry nails and skin. Simply apply a thin layer of the mask on each nail, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and gently peel off to reveal moisturized, glossy nails.
$8
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Kristin Ess1-inch Curling Iron
Kristin Ess 1-inch Curling Iron makes easy, breezy beach waves effortless to achieve. The titanium barrel features temperature-sensing technology for fast, even heat distribution that minimizes the risk of damage to your delicate hair. The tool also creates sleeker, shinier, more polished waves and curls in the process, thanks to moisture-locking negative ions.
$47
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Beauty Bakerie EyesCream Paint JobBakewareSet
Whip up a dazzling eye look with Beauty Bakerie's EyesCream Paint Job Bakeware Set. These five nylon-bristle brushes will make you feel like a makeup master chef as you cut your crease and sharpen your wings. The kitschy tools are wrapped in a vinyl apron for easy storage, and you can hang the apron to let your brushes dry after washing them.
$36
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Japonesque Luxe Brow Kit
Sculpted brows are just a pluck and trim away with this trio from Japonesque. The Luxe Brow Kit includes mini stainless steel eyebrow scissors to precisely trim hair, a soft-bristled spooley to gently brush brows into place, and a small slant tweezer to securely grab and pull hair from the root.
$14
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InStyler Straight Up Max Ionic Hot Brush
Having sleeker, glossier hair no longer requires straightening tiny sections at a time. The InStyler Straight Up Max Ionic Hot Brush combines the detangling and volumizing benefits of a hairbrush with the straightening power of a flatiron. This straightener-brush hybrid is powered by digital heaters and 65 ceramic, ionic bristles to deliver and maintain its temperature, requiring fewer passes and faster styling time to get hair smooth and minimize frizz for a shinier finish.
$60
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mDesign Plastic Cosmetic Storage Organizer Caddy
Give the gift of a tidier vanity with the mDesign Plastic Cosmetic Storage Organizer Caddy, which has a total of 19 spots to tuck beauty essentials in. The three drawers are the perfect size for putting away eye shadow palettes, blushes, and bronzers, while the smaller top compartments sort items like lipsticks and eyeliners.
$40
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Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub
Frank Body's Original Coffee Scrub feels (and smells) like a morning cup o' joe for your skin. This exfoliant sloughs away dirt and excess oil and is enhanced with sea salt to tackle dry and flaky skin. To keep your skin feeling supple and soft, this scrub is also infused with moisturizing almond oil.
$17More from Allure
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OPI Hollywood Collection Infinite Shine Mini Nail Lacquer Set
'Tis the season for glossy, gorgeous nails. The OPI Hollywood Collection Infinite Shine Mini Nail Lacquer Set comes with the essentials for a fresh at-home manicure. There's nail primer, two classic shades (the apple-red I'm Really An Actress and light pink Hollywood & Vibe), and a glossy topcoat for a vinyl-shine finish.
$16
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Sonia Kashuk Loaf Bag
Help your favorite beauty lover keep their entire beauty lot organized and in one place with this large Loaf Bag from Sonia Kashuk. Its boxy shape fits most glosses, compacts, and travel toiletries in one stylish place. There are six different prints and colors of the Loaf Bag to choose from, including the Pink Faux Leather option seen here.
$13
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Mix-BarScent Discovery Set
Great fragrances don't have to cost upwards of $100 — just take a sniff of these scents from Mix-Bar. The brand's Scent Discovery Set includes five of its most popular fragrances: No. 06 Tangerine Squeeze, No. 11 Glass Rose, No. 08 Coconut Palm, No. 21 Cloud Musk, and No. 09 Vanilla Bourbon. They can be worn on their own, or you can mix and match them for a customized scent.
$14
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Olay Rinse-Off Body Conditioner
Olay's Rinse-Off Body Conditioner is a winner in our book — literally. This isn't your average body wash, because it isn't a body wash at all: It's a moisturizing formula filled with hyaluronic acid for plumper, softer skin. Olay added shea butter into the mix to create a creamy body conditioner that leaves you feeling velvety-smooth after you step out of the shower.
Between winter dryness, all of the walking we do, and the painful shoes we do it in, our feet can take a beating — which can lead to concerns like calluses and dry, cracked skin. That's when we whip out the Spa Sciences Viva Deluxe Pedi Electronic Foot Smoother, an electric file that shaves down all of your roughest, flakiest areas with ease. The tool comes with two interchangeable head options, plus replacements for each. Both exfoliate, smooth, and polish your heels and soles with diamond crystals.
$30
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Holler and Glow PurrfectMani Transforming Hand Masks
Holler and Glow's Purrfect Mani Transforming Hand Masks kick dryness to the curb with moisturizing argan oil. Niacinamide in the disposable gloves acts as an anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and vitamins B5, C, and E work together to soften skin and brighten dullness.
$5
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Real Techniques Mini Miracle Complexion Sponges
Makeup sponges have become a staple for makeup application, but daily foundation wearers can easily run through them pretty fast. That's why we recommend stocking up with this four-pack of Real Techniques Mini Miracle Complexion Sponges. These little latex-free sponges blend all of your liquid and cream products with ease, and they're the perfect size for precise application on the smaller areas of your face. Each of these sponges can be used damp for a dewy glow or dry for full coverage.
$8
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Sweet Chef Kale + Vitamin B Fresh PressedSheet Masks
This five-pack of the Sweet Chef's Kale + Vitamin B Fresh Pressed Sheet Mask is the ultimate stocking stuffer for any skin-care enthusiast on your list. Each sachet contains a fresh rayon fabric sheet mask that's soaked in a mix of calming kale, moisturizing aloe, and skin barrier-strengthening vitamin B.
$15More from Allure
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Chi Spin & Curl Ceramic Rotating Curler
This nifty device is always fun to use, but most importantly, it makes styling hair a breeze. The Best of Beauty-winning Chi's Spin & Curl Ceramic Rotating Curler twirls and curls hair sections with ease through its revolving curl chamber. Ceramic technology produces infrared heat while negative ions condition for shinier, defined hair. The digital display allows you to easily adjust the temperature, or you can choose from a selection of preset temperatures based on hair texture to help cut back on heat damage.
$99
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Plum Beauty Mini LED Mirror
This mini makeup mirror is the ultimate travel companion, especially if you like to touch up your hair and makeup throughout the day. Plum Beauty's Mini LED Mirror is actually a three-in-one compact. On the opposite ends, you'll have double magnification, while the middle one is larger and decked out with LED lights for perfect lighting wherever you are.
$15
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Beloved Apple& Cinnamon Bark Hand Lotion
Celebrate the festive vibes of the season with Beloved's Apple & Cinnamon Bark Hand Lotion's delectable scent. It moisturizes and nourishes skin with glycerin, avocado, and sunflower oils, all the while making your hands smell like a warm cup of apple cider.
$6
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Olive& June The Poppy Manicure Tool
Unsteady hands, meet Olive & June's The Poppy Manicure Tool. Pop this game-changer onto the top of most nail polish bottles to provide a sturdier, comfier grip while painting. The results: precise, mess-free manicures without going to the nail salon.
As far as coffee flavors go, pumpkin spice earns the top spot for the most polarizing. Some have never hopped on the bandwagon, others were on it only to realize it wasn’t as great as the world made it seem, and then there are those of us who fall asleep at night dreaming about the pumpkin spice coffee they’re going to have in the morning—this is for those who fall into the latter.
You can call it basic or lame or even disgusting, but pumpkin spice coffee in the fall is one of the true unmitigated joys of this lifetime, and thanks to the caffeine gods, you no longer have to pay $6 at Starbucks to get the PSL taste in your coffee. Just about every company that makes creamer comes out with a pumpkin spice version for the fall, so I set out to do the impossible: decide which one is the absolute best.
You should enjoy every fall morning and every last drop of your pumpkin-spiced goodness without needing to weed through the nasty creamers first. I tried every single pumpkin spice creamer I could get my hands on (from four different grocery stores, mind you)—here they are, ranked worst to best.
#5: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice
For obvious reasons, every year, this is the pumpkin spice creamer that calls my name. But every year, I refuse to learn, so I buy it and am disappointed by it. Sweetness doesn’t bother me (and I like my coffee quite sweet), but to me, this gives me all sweetness with minimal pumpkin. It tastes like what I imagine turns a lot of people off from pumpkin spice, as it tastes overbearing to me in a way that makes me want to opt for a caffeine headache instead of finishing my drink. Every time I put this in my coffee, I noticed I was throwing half down the drain, which tells you all I need to know.
Rating: 2/5
#4: Natural Bliss Pumpkin Spice
Of all of the plant milks, I definitely prefer oat the most in my coffee, so I really expected to love this, but alas, it was extremely disappointing. If you’ve ever had Dunkin’s pumpkin spice, this tastes really similar, but with a weirder aftertaste. If you want a non-dairy option, hold out for #3.
This one is a mouthful and is doing the absolute most, but it’s much better than its dairy-derived sibling, which is saying a lot considering I usually prefer dairy-based creamers.
I generally find almond milk creamers to be watery and never give what I need, but this creamer is very good. It has a hint of an oat milk taste (which I like) and overall feels less overpowering. If you want a non-dairy option, this is definitely your best bet, and if you’re choosing between this one and the classic version, choose this one.
Rating: 3.5/5
#2: International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer
I am not a creamer elitist, which means that I am not averse to a good ole’ splash of an International Delight creamer in my coffee. This was the dark horse of the group that I didn’t expect much from, but the more I tasted it, the more I liked it. This was tied as my most-reached-for of the bunch, which was a huge test given the entire shelf of pumpkin spice creamers I have now had in my fridge for over a week.
This is everything I want a pumpkin spice creamer to be: It isn’t too spicy or too sweet, it’s right in the middle, and never feels overbearing like the Starbucks one was. It adds a lovely hint of fall flavor that keeps my coffee still tasting like coffee but with a splash of pumpkin.
Rating: 4/5
#1: Chobani Pumpkin Spice
A few weeks ago, my fellow editor Beth told me that this was the best pumpkin creamer she’d ever had, and after testing it for a few weeks, I knew this was the one to beat.
Out of all of the creamers I tried, this one tastes the most like a real pumpkin drink you’d pay for at a coffee shop. It doesn’t have any of the weird aftertaste or spiciness—it is simply perfect. It turns my homemade Americano into one that I can trick myself into thinking I paid $6 for—and honestly, I might even prefer it to actually getting a pumpkin drink at Starbucks.
Rating: 5/5
Bonus: Silk Maple Brown Sugar Oat Creamer
This one doesn’t get to be a part of the official ranking, but since it’s still a fall creamer, I knew I needed to try it. Honestly, this is one of the best creamers I have ever tried. If you’re familiar, it tastes almost identical to the Starbucks Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso but encapsulated in a perfect, non-dairy creamer that you only need a splash of. If you find this, definitely pick it up.
Rating: 5/5
We Tried All of The Starbucks Fall Drinks—Here They Are, Ranked
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
At this point, it should come as little surprise that any celebrity would launch a beauty brand. Beauty products tend to be relatively affordable, and delving into the category has proven to be extremely lucrative for so many of the rich and famous. Just ask Rihanna, whose wealth, according to Forbes, has surpassed the billion-dollar mark, thanks in large part to Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin.
Just as fragrance was the diversifying business move of choice for celebrities in the early aughts (and many are still making a killing off of it today), launching a skin-care or makeup line seems to be the ultimate celeb power play in the 2020s. And it's a move Lori Harvey is making with the launch of SKN by LH, her new skin-care brand set to launch on October 22.
"[Skin care has] always been something that's been very near and dear [to me]," Harvey tells Allure over the phone. "It's been something I've been obsessed with since I was a little girl." Up until now, Lori Harvey has best been known as a modern-day Black socialite, the daughter of Steve and the ever-couture-clad Marjorie Harvey. She's beautiful, she's famous, the clout: it's already there. Now, she's looking to channel all that into a business venture.
Harvey says that her interest in skin care started in her modeling days. "I have very sensitive skin, and I really struggled with [it] as a teenager," she explains. "Once I got into modeling, I was having really, really bad breakouts because of all the makeup being applied to my face."
At the time, Harvey had an extensive skin-care routine that included several products — at least 20, she says. It was so overwhelming that she decided she'd rather create her own collection to streamline the process. (And certainly, making a coin in the meantime isn't a bad deal either!) Harvey says she recruited a team of dermatologists and cosmetic chemists to help guide her in that pursuit, explaining that she was determined to be extremely involved in the development of her burgeoning brand.
"I've been at this for a while now, it's is a lot of hard work. I'm 100 percent hands-on with every aspect of my business," she says. "I not only had to learn about formulas but also how to structure a business, the financial side of it. [I also had to learn about] designing packaging, shipping — every little detail that goes into building a brand. I'm still learning more and more every day, but it's so fulfilling."
SKN by LH is a five-piece offering that includes the Goji Berry Cleanser ($38), a clear gel-like face wash, the White Tea Toner ($35), a refreshing mist, the Vitamin C Serum ($50), a milky elixir, the peptide-packed Eye Complex Cream ($45), and the lightweight Niacinamide Cream ($38) moisturizer. All save for the toner contain vitamin C, which was an ingredient Harvey said was important for her to include, due to her personal issues with hyperpigmentation. "I used to get really bad dark spots," she says, also noting that her sensitive skin, which will sometimes turn red when it's irritated, drew her to including ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, to help retain moisture.
Courtesy of Brand
Harvey says she made her line to service all skin types, so I can imagine we'll be seeing more products aimed at specific skin needs in the future that go beyond what's been put forth. Harvey is hoping to eventually expand her offerings to include face masks, exfoliators, and body products.
For now, we're set with these first five products, of which I received lab samples ahead of the launch. There is something I find quite special about getting lab samples, dressed down in unfussy packaging. As someone who reviews beauty products for a living, it allows me to experience the product in its rawest form — no frills, no fancy packaging to cloud my judgment. It's just me, my skin, and the formula. That said, the official packaging certainly has more finesse, but still exudes a minimalist vibe. Each bottle, tube, and jar boasts light blue ombré coloring with the name of the brand written in a white, spartan font.
SKN by LH Goji Berry Cleanser
$38SKN by LHShop Now
SKN by LH Vitamin C Serum
$50SKN by LHShop Now
SKN by LH White Tea Toner
$35SKN by LHShop Now
SKN by LH Peptide Eye Complex
$45SKN by LHShop Now
I tried these products periodically over a few days to fully get a feel of how they work, not just together, but with other products I regularly use. My first try was at night. I grabbed the bottle of Goji Berry Cleanser and squeezed it into my hands. It's got a gel-like consistency and a citrusy scent (apropos with the inclusion of vitamin C in its formula). Goji berries add hydration and contain antioxidants, which help keep the production of free radicals to a minimum. When you rub it in on the back of your hand, it creates a slight lather that gets more intense if you do it on a wet face. It foamed, it bubbled, and it washed away easily without making my face feel super dry — just as a good cleanser should. I tried again a few days later to remove my makeup with it, and two cleanses with this did the trick, which sold me.
Then it was on to the White Tea Toner. This formula contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which helps your skin retain moisture and aids in smoothing skin texture, respectively, as well as (of course) white tea extract, which cosmetic chemist Ginger King says contains antioxidants. I noticed that the toner has a very faint rosy scent, thanks to the addition of rose water, which has a soothing effect on your skin.
Courtesy of brand
After spraying my face, it was on to the Vitamin C Serum, which also happens to contain niacinamide. It is odorless and absorbs quickly into your skin when you rub it in, injecting a bit of waxy moisture. Included in its formulation is pea extract, which has a firming benefit for the skin, according to King.
"Pea extract is full of antioxidants, contains alpha-carotene (carotenoids are known to stimulate collagen and increase skin firmness and density), and is anti-inflammatory, meaning it can reduce redness, sensitivity, and itchiness in the skin," says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Howard Sobel, M.D. "High in vitamin C, pea extract helps fight free radicals and environmental skin damage as well as brighten the skin. When used in a serum, moisturizer, or treatment formula, pea extract can help boost skin radiance and elasticity."
SKN by LH Niacinamide Cream
$38SKN by LHShop Now
Before I added the Niacinamide Cream, I squeezed a small amount of the Peptide Eye Complex onto my right ring finger and patted it in. The texture of the cream felt a little lighter than what I personally prefer (I like mine cheesy grits-thick), but keep in mind, I have almost a decade on Harvey. Needless to say, my older eyes need a little something extra. However, Harvey mentions that eye cream is one of the products she uses the most.
"Dark circles and bags run in my family," she says. "So my mom [taught me to be] really big on prevention versus correction." The formula includes hyaluronic acid, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and vitamin E — those big-ticket ingredients you'll find in products aimed at infusing moisture into your skin.
Once the Eye Complex was patted in, I reached for the Niacinamide Cream. It's quite runny and the texture reminds me a bit of hotel lotion. Unlike hotel lotion, though, this stuff didn't make my skin feel completely dry after a few minutes. I also got a kind of waxy feel once it dried down, but I am happy to report that there was no pilling.
I wouldn't say this offers a super-intense punch of hydration, so it may suit folks who don't like that heavy feeling moisturizer can sometimes impart. That said, the moisturizer does include niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter — all of which, as previously mentioned, do add that moisture to the skin. In this case, it felt a bit like it was sitting on top of my skin as opposed to penetrating the layers. Despite that, my skin didn't feel dry afterward, which is ultimately the point of such a product.
Courtesy of brand
Harvey says she likes her skin to have a dewy finish, which, same. However, I think if that is your goal, you may want to supplement with a face oil to get that shine. The times I completed the full five-step LH routine, my skin definitely looked moisturized, but I was left with more of a sheen-like finish, which, if you're someone with oily skin, may be preferable.
If you're looking for a healthy dose of vitamin C, this range has your name all over it. Again, each of the products, save for the toner, contains the ingredient, which brightens up dark spots in your complexion. If you're worried about whether including vitamin C in all but one step of your skin routine could cause an issue, King says it's nothing to worry about. Having the ingredient in a cleanser is great, but since you're washing it off so quickly, if you want the benefits, you may want to combine it with other vitamin C products, anyway. "If anything, the only good dose of vitamin C should be in a moisturizer," King explains.
If you've got sensitive skin and are looking to maintain a brighter complexion, you may be inclined to pick up what Harvey's putting down. You can nab the collection at sknbylh.com on October 22 for $35-$50.
One quick search for "headband wigs" on YouTube will result in enough evidence to prove just how much these types of pieces have grown in popularity as a quick, low-maintenance way to style your hair. And what's not to love? They're easy to put on, they come in a variety of styles and textures, and they can help simplify your daily hair routine.
"Headband wigs" are quite simply wigs with a headband attached to them, hairstylist Tamika Gibson explains. "They do not require any adhesive as the headband helps the wig stay in place," she shares. The main tool you'll need to finesse your unit is a brush or comb, depending on the texture, to untangle any knots. Upkeep is fairly simple — Gibson recommends washing the wigs every one to two weeks and storing them away in a satin bag to preserve their luster.
Similar to the headband option, there are also half wigs to consider. "[Those cover] half of the head and allow for more leave out of the natural hair than a full wig [does]," explains Gibson. You can wear a half wig by itself or upgrade it to a headband unit using one of your own favorite hair accessories (like a headwrap or turban).
There are so many styles available that it may be hard to find the one you're looking for. But as always, we've got you covered with this roundup of headband and half wigs for those times when you'd rather not deal with wig glue.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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LuvMe Hair Sugar Plum Color Deep Wave Headband Wig
Atlanta-based hairstylist Tevin Washington loves the wig brand LuvMe for its high-quality hair. This headband wig is full of texture and color with gorgeous burgundy-colored 3B curls. It's available in 16 to 24 inches, starting at $150 and going up to $250. With each wig, you get five easily interchangeable headband options in lilac, pale pink, orange, red, and black.
$150 at LuvMe Hair
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Sensationnel Dashly Headband Wig HB Unit 1
Sensationnel's Dashly Headband Wig HB Unit 1 comes in only one length (21 inches) but is available in seven different colors. The customizable drawstring cap has combs to securely fit multiple head sizes. This silky hair can be blow-dried, curled, or heat styled as long as your hot tool stays between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit — and don't forget the heat protectant.
$23 at Sam's Beauty
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Mayvenn Malaysian Body Wave Headband Wig
Mayvenn's Malaysian Body Wave Headband Wig is a human hair unit that comes with two combs for a secure application and five solid-colored headbands in black, white, gray, gold, and bronze. Though it's only available in one color (a dark 1B-like hue), you can customize the length between 16 and 30 inches with the shorter wigs starting at $150 and the longest at $350.
$150
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Bobbi Boss Synthetic Hair Headband Wig Serena
Bobbi Boss is a fixture in the synthetic wig world for its high-quality units. Case in point: the Synthetic Hair Headband Wig Serena. Serena is a silky number with 24-inch 2C waves. It's available in seven shades including a brown-to-burgundy ombré that is so stunning. The unit's cap is designed with extra ventilation so that you can wear this wig any time — including during a sweaty workout. Priced at $25, it is a definite steal.
$25
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Courtesy of brand5/13
HerGivenHair Kinky & Coily Multi-Textured Unit
Afro-textured hair typically doesn't have one consistent pattern, and HerGivenHair wanted to create a wig that mimicked that with the Kinky & Coily Multi-Textured Unit. It boasts a mixture of textures from 3C to 4C for a more realistic look. This unit falls on the pricier end of things but these curls and coils, which can be purchased in lengths from 12 to 20 inches, sure are worth it.
$296 at HerGivenHair
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Courtesy of brand6/13
Freetress Equal Synthetic Half Wig Angelic Girl
The Freetress Equal Synthetic Half Wig Angelic Girl is a synthetic half wig styled in a lob with flipped-in ends that give off a '90s vibe. It doesn't come with a headband, so feel free to pair it with any hair accessory. You can also use heat on it — up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
$13
Pinterest
Courtesy of brand7/13
Conscious Curls Quick Crown Peace Headband Wig
Los Angeles-based hairstylist Kiyah Wright recommends the headband units from Conscious Curls because the brand has "different textures and a diversity of lengths and colors." The Quick Crown Peace Headband Wig is the perfect example with its loose, curly ringlets. You can choose 14 (shown above), 18, or 24 inches for this human hair unit that retails from $225 to $350.
$275
Pinterest
Courtesy of brand8/13
Outre Quick Weave Half Wig Annie
Outre's Quick Weave Half Wig Annie is a traditional half wig without a headband. Though it is made from synthetic fibers, you can still use heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit on the layered unit. Take your pick of eight gorgeous shades.
$17 at Wig Types
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Courtesy of brand9/13
Muze Hair Kinky Straight Headband Wig
Wright's own wig line Muze Hair has a stunning range of options, but the Kinky Straight Headband Wig is too good to pass up. The texture on this 20-inch unit is simply sublime and looks so realistic. It comes with a thick velcro black headband for easy application.
$425 at Muze Hair
Pinterest
Courtesy of brand10/13
Sensationnel Dashly Headband Wig HB Unit 2
This synthetic unit is full of coils that look like a mix of 3C and 4A curls. Sensationnel Dashly Headband Wig HB Unit 2 is 15 inches long, so it will fall right around your shoulders. It's got a drawstring cap that makes the unit easy to adjust to your head shape. If you want to play around with color, there are seven shades in total, four of which have highlights.
$28 at Hair So Fly
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Courtesy of brand11/13
CurlsQueen Light Yaki Brazilian Human Hair Headband Wig
The CurlsQueen Light Yaki Brazilian Human Hair Headband Wig comes in a natural black hue and eight different lengths from eight to 22 inches. This unit's texture is kinky-straight, perfect for those looking for a more realistic appearance. It's made with human hair, so you can style the unit with heat if you want to add any curls to it.
$215 at CurlsQueen
Pinterest
Courtesy of brand12/13
Outre Quick Weave Half Wig Lyndi
Outre is doing the damn thing with these Quick Weave Half Wigs! Lyndi is a layered synthetic unit with loose waves that's available in eight shades. This one doesn't come with a headband, but for less than $20, it should be in your collection.
$18 at Ebony Line
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Courtesy of brand13/13
Heat Free Hair For Kinks Headband Wig
Heat Free Hair's For Kinks Headband Wig is a voluminous unit with a Z-pattern curl that resembles 4B and 4C textures. The human hair wig is available in one dark brown shade with the option to customize its length and cap size. The shortest length you can possibly get is 12 inches ($249) and the longest is 24 inches ($589).
The Everygirl’s product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
Back in February, I fell head over heels with Madison Beer’s viral Vogue makeup routine. Before I got sucked into the frenzy like everyone else, I was pretty disinterested in makeup. It’s not like I had a personal vendetta against it or anything, but the achievable, natural, yet noticeable look demonstrated by Beer’s technique truly got me excited about makeup again.
So much so that I went straight to Michigan Avenue (in the pouring rain sans umbrella, might I add), to get my hands on two products that literally made my jaw drop when she used them: the Charlotte Tilbury contour wand and blush wand. Reviews called them pigmented yet natural, lightweight, and a one-stop shop to sculpted perfection. Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t the only one who had the idea, and I was a bit tardy to the party—the cons of viral videos that reach me but also reach the rest of the population.
I busted through the doors at Sephora and slid on over to the Charlotte Tilbury stand to get my hands on the contour and blush wands, only to find that they were completely out of stock. I was a bit salty and very much soggy from the rain, but I said aloud, “No matter, I’ll check online.” And that’s when I realized that the two products I thought I needed to achieve the Madison Beer glow were completely out of stock. I signed up for restock lists, Charlotte Tilbury texts that I’m too lazy to turn off, and refreshed their website twice a day, waiting for the drop.
Charlotte Tilbury
Hollywood Contour Wand
2 colors available
Shop it now
Charlotte Tilbury
Beauty Light Wand
6 colors available
Shop it now
But in the wise words of our girl H. Duff, waiting for the restock was like waiting for rain in a drought: useless and disappointing. After months of (im)patience, I decided that it was time to settle for the next best thing. Nothing was going to stop me from Madison’s signature glow. And where do I go when I need equal parts moral support and solution? Ulta.
The dupes
If I was going to try and find a dupe for the popular contour wand and cream blush, my one rule was that I wasn’t going to spend an arm and a leg doing it. After a quick search on TikTok, I found that a lot of users were wearing the Revolution Eye Bright Concealer as a contour wand so that seemed like a decent place to start. I couldn’t find any popular dupes for the Pinkgasm highlight stick so my plan was to wing it. At the Revolution kiosk, I found a concealer in a much-darker-than-my-skin-tone shade that had a similar applicator to the Charlotte Tilbury Contour Wand and, at a neighboring stand, settled on a cream blush with a doe-foot applicator that had pretty decent reviews online. And the best part? They were both under $10—my idea of a good time.
Revolution
Eye Bright Concealer
8 colors available
Shop it now
Nyx
Sweet Cheeks Tint Blush
6 colors available
Shop it now
I can’t lie, I didn’t expect too much from either of these products. After all, they were just a replacement until I got the real deal. So imagine my surprise when I tried Madison Beer’s makeup routine for the first time with my dupes and actually loved it. It was a makeup look that I got compliments on (coming from someone who never gets compliments on makeup) and one that truly lasted me all day (note: at the time of first use, I was out of any sort of setting spray).
It took me two tries to get the Revolution Eye Bright Concealer right because it dries pretty quickly. But on my second attempt of working swiftly to put three dots under each cheekbone and buff it in with a beauty blender, I was hooked. It made me look snatched and stayed exactly where I wanted it for hours on end.
And, in the pattern of love at second sight, NYX Sweet Cheeks cream blush blew me away too. On my first attempt, I put on way too much. This stuff packs a punch. But after a quick swipe of a makeup wipe and some experience under my belt I can honestly say—it’s probably the most pigmented, long-wearing blush I’ve ever used. It’s also worth mentioning that, while the packaging may not be as pretty as its high-end counterpart, it allowed for a clean application and features a simple screw top that kept me (a person prone to mess-making) from making a mess.
The high-end options—worth the hype?
After two months of loving my makeshift Madison Beer makeup routine, my phone buzzed with a text. You guessed it—Charlotte Tilbury herself (er, her text service, if you will) alerting me of the long-awaited beauty wand restock. If I had gotten the same text two months prior, I would have yeeted to the website with record-breaking speed. But, for a moment, I paused. My makeup routine was complete. I was happy with my dupes. But as all classic grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side stories go, I bought both a $38 contour wand and the same-priced blush stick, mostly out of curiosity.
After they arrived to my apartment building and I unboxed them like a wannabe makeup influencer, I opened them with care. The packaging was beautiful. And after months and months of waiting, they were finally in my hands. I had absolutely nothing to do that day (not even a Zoom meeting to show off my face), but you already know—I did full glam solely so that I could try them out.
I prepped my face in the exact same way that I had for months. I washed my face, used toner, and went in with a vitamin C serum and a moisturizer. I prepped with a primer and then used my usual foundation. All was well in paradise, so I reached for my brand-spanking-new and long-awaited products.
Up first was the contour wand. I applied it the same way that Madison did: a stroke underneath each cheekbone and blended with a beauty sponge. This formula traveled a lot more than my drugstore dupe and was a lot sheerer. It had a dewy finish that left me glowing, which I appreciated. I looked warm but not contoured, if that makes sense.
Next up was the widely loved Pinkgasm blush stick that I had been wanting to try even before Madison Beer made it viral. The color was absolutely stunning on her, and watching her beat it from her cheeks to the tip of her nose was truly a magical experience that I watched an embarrassing number of times. This highlighter blush was exactly that. Highlighter + blush. Personally, I love blush but I prefer to keep my highlight on the high points on my cheekbones. This two-in-one product doesn’t necessarily let you achieve that, especially if you’re someone who likes to add blush to the apples of your cheeks (i.e. me). Besides that, I found that the initially gorgeous pigmentation didn’t last all day like the Nyx Sweet Cheeks formula did.
I definitely looked warmer and more done up after I used the Charlotte Tilbury options, but I can’t lie: I didn’t love them. Both products spread a lot during application, which left me less contoured than I would like, and the sheer, dewy nature of each product didn’t really stand the test of time. Not to mention that, over the course of having each for a few months, I’ve 1) forgotten to close them both at some point, which resulted in a huge mess in my makeup bag, and 2) watched helplessly as the sponge applicator slowly peeled away and ultimately departed from the contour wand’s original packaging.
The final verdict
After a few months of having both the high-end products and their dupes, I have to say that the dupes reign supreme this time around. The Charlotte Tilbury wands aren’t bad. The packaging is pretty, the formula is creamy and satisfying to put on, and they make you look super glowy, which I can appreciate. But for $38 a pop and for them to 1) look almost entirely the same as products that are almost a quarter of the price or 2) not last the entire day, I can’t say that I’ll be repurchasing.
I still will give credit where credit is due. If it weren’t for these higher-end, cream-based contour and blush products, I’d still be kicking it with powder products. The viral, more expensive products led me to my long-lost loves—their dupes. For that, I am forever grateful. I’ll definitely use them up until they’re gone, but when it comes to replacing, I’ll reach for the dupes time and time again until something better comes along—or at least until Madison Beer x Vogue releases an updated part two in the future.
Revolution
Eye Bright Concealer
8 colors available
Shop it now
Nyx
Sweet Cheeks Tint Blush
6 colors available
Shop it now
I Tried Madison Beer’s Viral Makeup Routine—Here’s How It Went
READ MORE
I Tried Drugstore Dupes for My Favorite High-End Beauty Products—Here’s How They Worked
Get ready to indulge in hot sex, intense love poems, and the transformative power of beauty because Scorpio season is upon us. Saturday, October 23, through Sunday, November 21, is about to be the sexiest, spookiest time of year — mark my words.
No matter what your sign is, the tortured artist in us all will be brought front and center. However, Scorpios and those with the sign heavily in their charts will feel most empowered during Scorpio season. You may want to check in with your placements to see just how intense this time will be for you.
As Allure's resident astrologer and a Scorpio myself, I know a thing or two about making the most out of this epic time of year. Let's do this.
What's Scorpio all about, anyway?
Just like the other fixed signs — Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius — Scorpios tend to be creatures of habit. Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn), on the other hand, tend to be leaders, and mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) are flexible and down with change. The fixation most near and dear to Scorpios, in particular, is dark glamour. Although every sign gets to enjoy a bit of black lipstick and passionate sex during this time, Scorpios live in the shadows all year long.
As a water sign (along with Cancer and Pisces), Scorpio is also all about emotions. They feel them — from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows — deeply, passionately, and boundlessly. Feelings they're experiencing for a partner are often expressed in extravagant ways. They're the ones who think sending a former lover a vial of their blood made into a necklace or get matching tattoos after the third date is a good idea. Intense is the word most commonly associated with Scorpios, and they tend to live up to the hype.
Scorpio is ruled by Mars, the passionate warrior who loves fucking and fighting. As a result, the zodiac's scorpions tend to be incredibly interested in sex. Unlike air signs, who are fantastic at flings, Scorpios prefer to fall in love hard and fast before rolling around in the sheets. And once things heat up, they're typically loyal for the long run.
Another ruling planet for Scorpio is Pluto. As the god of the Underworld, Pluto allows us to explore our shadow side through self-care techniques, such as therapy, meditation, and sex. The influence of this planet also helps us confront death, and as a result, make the most out of life, which could explain Scorpio's intensity and devotion to constant transformation.
Unsurprisingly, the tarot card associated with this sign is the Death card. This startling name may help with their goth cred, but this major arcana also centers on renewal and self-discovery after a time of change. Scorpios often live dozens of lives in one lifetime, starting over again and again to learn more about themselves. They are constantly evolving, but when they do settle down, it's usually for the long haul. Although a breakup with a Scorpio may involve a morbid touch, these creepy critters always come out on top — with new hair and a healthier attitude about life.
How can I use the power of Scorpio season to my advantage?
During Scorpio season, everyone gets a chance to tap into the high-octane energy of having a metaphorical stinger. As this is an intense time, you'll probably want to focus on experiencing life-changing orgasms, not heartbreak. To avoid the latter, beware of jealousy. Not only are Scorpios prone to it, but they are also the detectives of the zodiac, making them excellent private eyes and journalists. If a Scorpio becomes interested in something — or someone — they uncover every single fact about that thing or person on the internet and beyond.
This inquisitive energy can help you reach perfection in your latest hobbies or even executing your dream Halloween costume. However, if you use this power for evil, you'll find yourself doom scrolling through your partner's ex's Instagram and starting a fight over something that happened five years ago. Avoid deep dives into your lover's past or any suspicions you may have during this time and take their words at face value. Put this hungry energy into learning a new skill or changing up your look before the holiday-filled Sagittarius season begins.
As the sign of the transformation, no one does makeovers better than a Scorpio. This season is an ideal time to change your hair color, get a new tattoo, add another piercing to one (or both) of your ears, or experiment with eye makeup outside of your typical comfort zone. Fellow emotional water signs, Cancer and Pisces, would be wise to lean into beauty rituals as an act of self-care during Scorpio season. You may find yourself feeling extra vulnerable during this time. Scorpios may have a stinger, but it's usually used to sting people before scuttling off into their caves after a moment of vulnerability. Meanwhile, air signs, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, should practice grounding exercises, such as tapping or meditation, during Scorpio season. Usually, you can live life safely detached from emotions, but Scorpio season tends to bring up all of the feels.
Although everyone feels seductive during this time, fire signs, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, will feel their sexuality in full force. Remind yourself that sex is healthy and natural and explore kinks without any silly shame holding you down. As Scorpio season does fall around Halloween, and fire signs understand the power of costume, slip on a wig or play around with new makeup to help you step into your most fantastic fantasies.
If you're satisfied with your current look, your skin-care routine can undergo a refresh. Test out a toner or change up your cleanser selection with a formula that better removes all your signature sultry makeup with one step. Also, take advantage of Halloween to play dress-up. You don't have to even go out, especially if you're concerned about COVID-19, but, for the love of infamous Scorpio Marie Antoinette, at least put on something fancy and frivolous for the selfies.
As Allure's resident astrologer, Sophie Saint Thomas believes in the power of glamour and embracing one's sexuality — all the while, looking to astrology to navigate the intricacies of modern life. She is also the author of Sex Witch: Sex Witch: Magickal Spells for Love, Lust, and Self-Protection and the upcoming Glamour Witch: An Empowering Sex-Positive Guide with Spells and Witchy Beauty Tips for all Budgets and Body Types.
The U.S. Supreme Court is back in session! The nine Justices have reconvened after the summer recess and are hearing oral arguments for cases dealing with some of the most pressing issues facing our country. Oral arguments allow time for both sides of a case to present their facts and legal claims before the justices. In turn, the Justices ask questions of the attorneys and seek a better understanding of the relevant legal matters. The Court hears multiple oral arguments each day and is scheduled to hear nearly 30 arguments through mid-December. Decisions for these cases are expected to come down in early 2022. In the meantime, here’s a snapshot of three cases to keep on your radar.
Death Penalty for the Boston Marathon Bomber
In 2013, three people were killed and nearly 300 people were injured when two pressure-cooker bombs detonated near the finish line of the annual Boston Marathon. During the multi-day search for the suspects, a MIT police officer was murdered in his patrol car, and authorities linked the two incidents to brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Tamerlan Tsarnaev died while trying to flee police, but Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was arrested, convicted on 30 counts in federal district court, and sentenced to death.
The First Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Tsarnaev’s death sentence, explaining that the district court jury hadn’t been properly questioned and that evidence wasn’t allowed that connected his brother to a prior murder. The Department of Justice, under former President Trump, appealed the overturned sentence to the Supreme Court and maintained that the death penalty should be upheld. The Justices heard oral argument for this case early on in the fall session, and the conservative Justices (Roberts, Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett) expressed general support of reinstating Tsarnaev’s death sentence. The liberal Justices (Breyer, Kagan, Sotomayor) were more sympathetic to Tsarnaev’s defense that his older brother coerced and influenced him into the bombing, and that the First Circuit decision should stand.
If the Court comes down in support of Tsarnaev’s execution—as is expected by legal scholars—it will reflect discord between the executive and judicial branches on the federal death penalty, with the former seeking to limit the practice and the latter aiming to extend. Even in states that prohibit the death penalty by state law, certain crimes can still be punishable by death under the Federal Death Penalty Act. President Biden has been pushing to end capital punishment, and earlier this year, the Department of Justice issued a moratorium on federal executions while a review of the Department’s policies and protocols are reviewed.
Unrestricted Concealed Carry for Firearms
New York state law requires that applicants for unrestricted concealed carry permits show “proper cause” and “demonstrate a special need for self-protection distinguishable from that of the general community.” This law was enacted in 1913 in response to an uptick in homicides in New York and is defended by the state government as a necessary, effective means of reducing gun violence. In this case, two permit applicants were denied unrestricted carry permits, but they were approved to carry while traveling to and from work, in hunting and target practice settings, and for self-defense in limited areas. The applicants viewed the limitations as an infringement on their Second Amendment rights and filed suit against the current New York Superintendent of Police.
Both the district court and appellate court dismissed the applicants’ claims, citing a previously decided Supreme Court case, District of Columbia v. Heller, which indicates that the Second Amendment right isn’t unlimited and should be regulated to some degree. The gray area is that regulations are interpreted differently according to jurisdiction, and there aren’t clear guidelines from the Supreme Court on how regulations should apply across the board. Heller was decided in 2008 and is the last major Second Amendment case that the Supreme Court has decided… until now.
If the Court rules in favor of the applicants, there could be a significant broadening of firearm accessibility in the U.S. There are seven states besides New York that require a showing of “proper cause” for concealed carry permits, so deeming the measure unconstitutional in New York would also deem it unconstitutional in those seven states, as well as preempt any other state from implementing the practice in the future. Additionally, the ruling could lead to further relaxation of other firearm regulations.
Oral argument for this case is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2021. An audio recording of the oral argument will be posted here on the same day.
Determining Fetal Viability for Abortion Access
Abortion rights have been a major topic this year as 90 restrictive abortion laws were enacted in the first six months of 2021—the most since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. The Texas legislature made headlines when it passed and implemented the most limiting abortion law in the country, SB 8, prohibiting abortion services after the first detection of fetal cardiac activity, usually around six weeks’ gestation. The Supreme Court had the option to block enforcement of SB 8 before it took effect on Sept. 1, but the Court declined.
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health was already scheduled for oral argument when SB 8 was enacted, so that is likely a contributing factor as to why the Court refused to hear SB 8 at the time. The Court’s inaction on SB 8 bought them a couple of months, but the question of fetal viability—a primary point of contention—is also at issue in Dobbs, once again resting the legality of abortion access with the Supreme Court. Dobbs focuses on a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Under Roe v. Wade, abortion access cannot be denied anytime before a fetus is viable. Viability refers to the ability of a fetus to survive outside of the womb or be resuscitated after delivery. Most hospitals and medical providers consider the point of viability to be around 24 weeks.
Many legal scholars are considerably worried that Dobbs v. Jackson will ultimately lead to the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Upholding the law would essentially eliminate the viability condition that’s outlined in Roe and make abortions inaccessible before many childbearing people even know that they’re pregnant. Each of the six conservative Supreme Court Justices have expressed pro-life views, and a majority decision that strikes down the law would require two of the conservative Justices to depart from their political ideologies.
Oral argument for this case is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2021. An audio recording of the oral argument will be posted here on the same day.
Other Cases on the Docket
The Supreme Court will remain in session well into 2022, with a few breaks scattered throughout, and will hear a number of oral arguments. Some other legal matters the Court will decide include expanding Supplemental Security Income benefits to citizens of Puerto Rico (United States v. Vaello-Madero), gambling regulations on tribal land in Texas (Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo v. Texas), and disability discrimination under the Affordable Care Act (CVS Pharmacy, Inc. v. Doe), among others. Check out the Supreme Court’s website here for more info about each of this session’s cases.
Reconciling the Second Amendment and Gun Control in America
When I finally succumbed to creating a TikTok account after resisting for far too long, I learned what everyone else in the world has already known for years: The app is full of fascinating, educational content. I’ve learned how to find the right beauty products for my skin type, how to change a light fixture, and, most recently, how to manage my friendships. During my routine nightly scroll, I stumbled across a TikTok from Tinx (AKA TikTok’s “big sister”) in which she explains the “Fatal Flaw Friend Theory.” After applying this rule to my friendships, all of my relationships became richer, more meaningful, and intentional. So what is the rule and why is it so important? Read on for my experience and how you can apply the rule to your own relationships.
In this article
1 What is the “Fatal Flaw Friend Theory?”
2 My experience
3 How to apply the Fatal Flaw Theory to your friendships
What is the “Fatal Flaw Friend Theory?”
The rule (because it’s “more a rule than a theory,” as Tinx says) states that everyone has their own fatal flaw or a flaw that is going to cause you the most distress. Once you realize each friend’s fatal flaw, you either have to accept it and choose to not be bothered by it or rethink the friendship. If the fatal flaw is truly unacceptable and something you can’t look past (like constantly needing validation, telling harmful white lies, or always canceling plans at the last minute), the friendship should probably be reevaluated. Otherwise, you’ll constantly be mad at a friend for a simple factor of their personality you’re already aware of and can expect. In other words, identify what irks you the most about each friend, and then decide if it’s something you want to accept and not let bother you or if it’s something worth rethinking the friendship over.
@tinx Answer to @jfeldman20 another tinx theory that has served me well #adviceforgirls #friendshipadvice #theories ♬ original sound – Tinx
My experience
I learned to appreciate my friends more
As someone who didn’t meet her best friends until college (except you, mom—love you!), I’m less experienced with friendships than those who grew up sharing halves of a bracelet from Claire’s. Because it took me so long to find friends whose personalities and values aligned with my own, I always worried that if some of their traits bothered me, it meant that we must not be good for each other. Tinx’s rule helped me realize that some flaws should be accepted. Just because a friend has a personality flaw doesn’t mean they’re not a great friend.
My two best friends are strong-willed, less-than-patient, leadership types (they’re fire signs—they can’t help it!). This can sometimes rub me the wrong way, but viewing our friendships through the Fatal Flaw Friend Theory, I saw that small annoyances (like being 15 minutes early to everything or asking for advice they won’t use) are just that: small annoyances. I can accept these minor flaws because when I accept them for who they are, I’m able to see that my friends add so much value to my life. I stopped feeling annoyed when they were extra early or couldn’t sit still, as those were traits I could expect.The Fatal Flaw Friend Theory reminded me to take my friends’ shortcomings less seriously. Instead of getting annoyed, I’m able to take a step back and remember that their flaws aren’t worth taking away from all the positive aspects of our relationships.
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…and I realized which friendships weren’t worth keeping
On the other hand, a couple of other friends are overly competitive and have a history of spewing backhanded compliments. I tried to accept these friends for who they are, thinking I would be a bad friend if I didn’t. But after realizing their fatal flaw might actually be fatal for our friendship, I realized that the cons simply outweighed the pros. Their fatal flaw was not something I could (or wanted to) accept and appreciate, so why bring myself so much negativity getting annoyed about traits that I could expect from them? It was up to me to either let their ongoing behaviors get to me every day or distance myself from them and focus on the people who bring me joy.
Ultimately, the fatal flaw theory states that if you spend more time in a relationship feeling bad than good, then it’s probably time to walk away. But if a friendship is worth having, accept people for who they are so you’re not spending your relationships feeling annoyed or frustrated. This rule has become my new measuring stick of friendships past, present, and future: Past relationships ended because we couldn’t accept each other’s flaws, my current friendships are more fulfilling because I’m more patient and accepting, and I know to expect that future friends will also have flaws, but it’s up to me to find the flaws that are worth accepting (because I have a long list of flaws my best friends accept too!).
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How to apply the Fatal Flaw Theory to your friendships
1. Check in with yourself
It’s common to get so lost in a friendship that you don’t question if you actually enjoy it. Maybe you are stuck in routine, have been friends for so long, or feel like you need this friend for affirmation or connections. You might not even realize that the friendship isn’t truly bringing you joy. Take time to reflect on how you feel when you spend time with your friend. If your friend’s flaws are so detrimental that you dread being around them, there may be a problem you just can’t overlook.
2. Get clear on your goals
What are you hoping to get out of the friendship? Are you looking for a casual shopping partner, someone you can confide in, or maybe something in between? Take the time to consider what your goals are for a friendship (and you might have different goals for different friends). All friendships serve a different purpose; for example, if you’re looking for a lifelong friend who’s always there for you, but they’re someone who never picks up their phone, you’ll never feel satisfied with the relationship because your goal isn’t being met. Not everyone can be everything to you, and it’s OK to have different friends for different purposes, but make sure your needs are being met.
3. Set boundaries
If you’re not totally enjoying a relationship but aren’t ready to give up on it, first try establishing some personal boundaries. Boundaries provide others with the guidelines for how you expect to be treated and what you won’t tolerate. For example, if you have a competitive friend whose behavior stresses you out (whether it’s competition over a job, a relationship, or your friend group), take responsibility for your part in the competitive dynamic and express to your friend what you want your dynamic to be instead. If someone isn’t willing or able to abide by these guidelines, they may not be worth your time. A good friend will always respect your needs and work to grow together.
8 Signs You’re Outgrowing a Friendship—and What to Do About It
The Everygirl’s product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
I’m sitting in the office reapplying my lipstick after lunch, or I join a Zoom call with a full face of makeup on before the clock strikes 10 a.m. Sometimes it’s when I walk into a beauty store mainlining it to exactly what I need and not sneaking a peek at anything else. Without fail, once a week, someone asks me, “Can you just take me to Sephora and tell me what to buy?”
The questions only increased since I started writing about beauty products for a living, so I figured it was necessary to finally answer it. Listen, I get it: Sephora is a minefield of products, and unless you know what to look for, it’s hard to weed out what’s good and what isn’t. But once you get the products that work best for you, your makeup routine will be forever changed.
After a lot of firsthand testing, I compiled the complete list of what to grab for a full makeup routine. So the next time you’re in Sephora, consider this your beginner’s guide to shopping for makeup.
Laura Mercier
Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30
If you’re new to makeup, put down the full coverage foundation and say hi to something natural instead. A
lightweight foundation like this one is easy to blend, won’t require a ton of fussing to make it look good, and doesn’t get cakey if you need to layer it for more coverage.
I personally love this when my skin is on the drier side because it adds that extra dew and life back to my skin and never clings to dry patches.
Shop it now
Fenty Beauty
Blurring Skin Tint
This unicorn tint truly works on all skin types (our editors with very different skin types agreed in their review). It’s a natural finish with a bit less coverage than the Laura Mercier.
On my oily skin, it leaves me feeling like I can take on the day—even sans powder. I also love how easy the application is—Rihanna even suggests using it with your fingers.
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Armani Beauty
Power Fabric Concealer
When someone asks me for a concealer rec, I don’t have to do much thinking. It’s always this. Armani Beauty somehow mastered the art of a concealer that is medium coverage, lightweight, blendable, and natural—all in one fell swoop. On days I don’t want to wear foundation, I pop this under my eyes and on any blemishes, and it blends seamlessly into my skin. Heck, sometimes I even like how this looks all over my face more than foundation.
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MERIT Beauty
Foundation and Concealer Stick
If you’re sitting there reading this and thinking, 1. I don’t have time for all of that, and 2. the thought of all that dew on my face is making me sweat (same), let me introduce you to Merit’s Complexion Stick. It’s both a foundation and a concealer but also somehow neither. It’s really in a category of its own. I use it under my eyes and over blemishes when I need to run out the door because it blends in about 20 seconds flat. For someone on the go who doesn’t want to fuss with makeup but likes a bit of coverage, this will start living rent-free in your bag in no time.
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Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
Regardless of skin type, powder is necessary. It blurs your pores, prolongs your makeup, and gets rid of that tacky foundation feeling we all hate. But it’s gotten a bad rap for being cakey and drying—until this one stepped in. There’s a reason you’ll find this in makeup bags all over the world. It’s a silky smooth, fine powder that glides right over skin and does everything you want a powder to do without doing what you don’t. No dry and crusty skin here.
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Fenty Beauty
Instant Warmth Bronzer
For a beginner, I’d recommend forgoing cream bronzers for now and heading straight to a powder. When used with a fluffy brush, bronzer can give you an all-over glow that’s pretty foolproof (unless you’re using a very wrong shade, but we love Fenty’s line because none of the shades are orange). For a more targeted application, focus on the 3E method: around the temples, under the cheekbones, and under the jawline.
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MAKEUP BY MARIO
Soft Pop Blush Stick
The first time I tried this blush, I thought to myself, “This would be incredible for a makeup beginner.” For one, it is so creamy and emollient that it blends with the lightest touch without compromising on pigment. Speaking of, it’s the perfect middle ground: pigmented enough to show up but not too pigmented to give you clown cheeks. The best part is that in the bottom of the product is an attached brush—which I’d normally roast—but it’s actually so soft and makes blending out the product a total dream.
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MERIT
Day Glow Highlighting Balm
I will sing this from the rooftops: If you’re new to highlighter, buy a cream or liquid. Powder highlights seem easier to apply and control, but if the powder is too metallic, it can look like a stripe across your face, and if it has too much glitter, well, you know what happens. Cream illuminators have a more natural look, as they often just make your skin appear really dewy or sweaty. Something like this from Merit has a mostly clear base with a hint of color and shimmer to make you look like you’re glowing from within.
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Natasha Denona
Mini Nude Eyeshadow Palette
If you’re new to eyeshadow, skip the giant palette and try something like this instead. I love big palettes as a makeup lover because it offers a lot of variety, but when I’m in a hurry, there are too many options and I end up staring at the palette for 10 minutes, trying to figure out what to do. With a palette like this, coming up with your go-to look (and others) is practically guaranteed. Not to mention, the mattes in this palette are so easy to blend and shade your looks, and the shimmers are glitzy and shiny.
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Benefit Cosmetics
Magnet Extreme Lengthening Mascara
Truth be told, I’d probably recommend drugstore mascara for beginners because there are so many high-quality options to try while you figure out what your preference is. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t point you in the direction of my absolute favorite mascara on the market. It’s so good, I wrote a review the second I tried it for the first time. It lengthens, volumizes, separates, and curls. It’s everything you could ever ask for in a mascara.
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Shiseido
Eyelash Curler
On the other hand, the one thing I’d recommend you splurge on is a good eyelash curler. Finding an eyelash curler that properly fits your eyes is a bit of a challenge, and Shiseido’s is a favorite in makeup artists’ kits because it molds around a lot of different eye shapes (almond included). Plus, these last for a long time because it’s easy to pick up new pads whenever you place a Sephora order.
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Kosas
Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel
Don’t fuss with pencils, pomades, and pens as a beginner. Instead, try a tinted gel that will add volume and color to your brows while shaping them in place. This one comes in tons of shades and really makes your brows look thicker without the giant mess that pomades or pencils might cause.
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Make Up For Ever
Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil
Using a lip liner is one of the quickest ways to look put together, and I’ll admit that I’m a bit of a snob and like to keep a really nice one in my bag. “Wherever Walnut” has been my favorite liner for years, and I’ve used it down to a nub at this point. It stays all day and is a perfect pinky brown, but they have tons of other great shades (I also love Endless Cacao and Up and Down Tan).
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Tower 28 Beauty
Milky Lip Jelly Gloss
And of course, you’ll want a gloss to top your liner. Tower 28’s glosses are literally the best I’ve ever tried in my life—no hyperbole. They’re not sticky at all, have a bit of longevity, and actually make my lips feel softer. These milky, neutral shades pair perfectly with a neutral liner for that ’90s supermodel lip.
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MAKEUP BY MARIO
F2 Makeup Brush
I wouldn’t recommend splurging on a huge brush set as a beginner (I personally love e.l.f. brushes). Instead, pick up several high-quality brushes that have a few uses. This double-ended brush can be used for blush, bronzer, highlighter, powder, contour—pretty much for any powder products on the face.
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New to Eye Makeup? Here’s the Ultimate Guide to Everything Eyeshadow, Eyeliner, and More
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