Category: Fashion

Here’s where the “no white after Labor Day” rule came from

Ever wonder why you’re not supposed to wear white after Labor Day? The tradition goes back to the end of the Civil War, when society was ruled by the wealthy wives of old-money elites. As more new-money millionaires entered society, the jealous old regime invented a whole suite of arbitrary fashion rules that only those in the in-crowd would know. Anyone who showed up to an autumn dinner party in a white dress, for example, would be instantly outed as a nouveau riche newbie. That tradition of not wearing white past summer has since trickled down through fashion magazines and into mainstream culture… even for those of us whose ideal dinner party garb is sweatpants. The good news is most fashion experts agree that there’s no need to follow this elitist rule today.

Thanks to Brandon Specktor, Claire Nowak of Reader’s Digest for that bit of fashion history. Photo credit: Moodboard/Getty Images

Is Nail Polish the New Lipstick? It’s Kind of Looking That Way . . .

©Getty / Rosalinda Ciaravalo

There’s a theory called the “lipstick index” or “lipstick effect,” which states that in a time of economic crisis, people will cut back on expensive, big-ticket luxury items but still spend money on small indulgences, like lipstick. 

A crisis like the coronavirus pandemic may have tested this lipstick-effect theory once more, but there’s one problem: face masks. Because these cover the lower part of your face and cause makeup products to smear and transfer, it’s understandable if people aren’t too keen on buying a new lipstick during a time like this. It’s just not practical.

But if you take the theory at face value and less literally, the lipstick effect could be applied to any makeup product. During a time when lipstick doesn’t make the most sense, people might look for a small comfort to enjoy in its place – and nail polish might just be that item. 

Of course, lipstick will always have its place in the spotlight, but for now, embrace the nail-polish trend. This is the perfect time to give your bold lip a break and let your manicure shine with the best new nail colors.

Popsugar© story by Jessica Harrington

“Black Espresso” is Fall’s Moodiest Hair-Color Trend

“Black Espresso” is Fall’s Moodiest Hair-Color Trend, and We’re So into It

I don’t consider myself much of a foodie, but I have to admit that this fall’s biggest hair-color predictions – some of which boast names like “Champagne pop” and “chocolate almond” – sound nothing short of delicious. “Espresso black,” for example, is another rising hair-color trend that gets its name from a beloved beverage, only this one is just moody enough to fit your fall aesthetic.

As the name suggests, the color is a very dark brown that almost looks black, and you can see the chocolate-y tones better under sunlight. According to Karissa Schaudt, a colorist at Maxine Salon, if you’re planning on making a dark-hair shift at some point, there’ll be no better time to do it than in the next few months.” It’s smart to transition into this dramatic color during the cooler months to prevent fading due to sun exposure.”

“It’s smart to transition into this dramatic color during the cooler months to prevent fading due to sun exposure,” she previously told POPSUGAR. Colorist Rex Jimieson agreed, and also said that achieving the hue is as simple as adding “black to your medium or dark-brown base color with foils or balayage rather than going completely solid. Ask for a demipermanent so you can change it down the road and it will be super shiny.”

Article by Danielle Jackson for Popsugar©

5 Easy Outfit Formulas to Try This Week

Getting into a style rut is easy—and it’s even easier when we’re used to having worn the same loungewear for the past four months straight.

When you’re getting dressed for, you know, your daily walk or time spent on your balcony, the easiest way to not get overwhelmed—and to avoid the ‘I have nothing to wear!’ conundrum—is to think of outfits as formulas. They can be as simple as jeans + T-shirt + sneakers, but thinking of your pieces as individual items that can work together rather than attempting to process the entirety of your closet at once can make getting dressed as easy as 1 + 1 = 2. 

These are some of the tried-and-true formulas we’re following at the moment—and none of them have failed us yet. 

1. One-shoulder tank + high-rise jean shorts + cat-eye sunglasses + sneakers

shorts / tank / shoes / sunglasses

2. Linen dress + slide sandals + straw bag

dress / shoes / sunglasses / bag

3. Red dress + pink sandals + acrylic sunglasses

dress / sandals / sunglasses

4. Linen jumpsuit + espadrilles + rattan bag

jumpsuit / espadrilles / bag / sunglasses

5. Denim romper + sneakers + shoulder bag

Source: theeverygirl.com/5-easy-outfit-formulas

5 New Athleisure Brands You Should Be Adding to Your Rotation

Article by Samantha Leal for Well + Good

Athleisure has come a long, long way. From workout clothes to lounging to now even business-meets-athleisure brands, the go-to outfit for many (especially in COVID-19 times) probably includes at least one piece of athleisure. And while the category expands, it can be hard to keep up with all of them. (Plus, are they even good?) You’ve got this. Or rather, we have. Here are five newer athleisure brands you should be adding to cart.

Photo: Courtesy Solely Fit and ENVT / W+G Creative

Athleisure has come a long, long way. From workout clothes to lounging to now even business-meets-athleisure brands, the go-to outfit for many (especially in COVID-19 times) probably includes at least one piece of athleisure. And while the category expands, it can be hard to keep up with all of them. (Plus, are they even good?) You’ve got this. Or rather, we have. Here are five newer athleisure brands you should be adding to cart.

OFFLINE by Aerie

Photo: Courtesy OFFLINE / W+G Creative

Aerie just launched a new athleisure line called OFFLINE made for movement and comfort (aka working out or ordering takeout from your couch). Available online and with two retail store locations to come, these leggings, tanks, sports bras, and more are all super soft without being sloppy. Try the Real Me legging ($40 – $45) as a go-to for every day or the Goals legging ($50) to lift the booty and have you feeling (and looking) good.

Solely Fit

Photo: Courtesy Solely Fit / W+G Creative

Founded by ABC News reporter Stefania Okolie, this fitness apparel line launched right in the middle of COVID, and has everything to make your body stand out. As “elevated athleisure” the shapes and sillhouettes of this line are super strong and flattering for any body. The favorite: The Moremi Biker Shorts ($54).

Enavant Active (ENVT)

Photo: Courtesy ENVT / W+G Creative

Chic. Chic. Chic. I typically shy away from using that word, but this athleisure brand lives up to it. From the French phrase “en avant,” meaning “to move forward” this brand is committed to sourcing the highest standards of technical materials, which is why it spent two years perfecting its trademark fabric Enavance™. Spun from luxury Italian fibers, Enavance™ boasts revolutionary performance while feeling incredible against the body. As a premium line, the pricing can seem high, but as someone who has lived in her sets for days at a time (I mean, what? Who? Not me…) I can say they’re so comfortable and flattering. My favorite set? The Malibu Bra Top ($88) with the Sunset Leggings ($89).

WVVY

Photo: Courtesy of WVVY / W+G Creative

Wellness influencer Britney Vest joined forces with HSN to launch her own athleisure brand this summer called WVVY, with sizing up to 3X and everything under $100. (Size inclusive and budget-friendly? Yes, please.) The line was inspired by Britney’s love for California and the ocean, and features leggings, sports bras, biker shorts, jogger pants, and t-shirts. Try the cropped hoodie ($47) paired with the lace-up legging ($48).

Mind Body Love

Photo: Courtesy Mind Body Love / W+G Creative

The new workout collection from the line “Peace Love World,” by Alina Villasante is full of liveable styles in mostly black and white. It launched with QVC in June, and consists of eight key pieces for everyday workouts and post-workout style. Sizes go up to 3X, and feature designs in petite, regular, and tall. Some standouts? The performance tank ($38) with a great square neck and the biker shorts ($51) with secret pocket.

Source: wellandgood.com©

Colorful New Swimwear

OLYMPIA®

This range is perfect for the young and young at heart. In addition to swimwear, a selection of activewear is also available, but best of all a large percentage of this range is now made from an incredible new fabric developed from 100% recycled materials including old fishing nets retreived from the bottom of the ocean!

OPERA®

The discerning woman loves OPERA®! Luxurious on all levels, if you want to stand out from the crowd and feel amazing then this is the range you must try.

SUNFLAIR®

This brand has always been renowned for quality, comfort and fit. From little bikini’s to tankini’s, there is always something for everyone. Beautiful mastectomy swimsuits in the latest designs are always popular for women who want to swim with confidence.

Thanks to Doris of FASH’N SPLASH for this post.

What a difference a new hair style can make!

A hairstylist with 24 years experience has shared before and after photos to reveal just how much the right hairstyle can transform a person’s face shape and highlight their best features.

Cutting this woman’s long locks to just below the shoulder helped to accentuate her neck and cheekbones. The hairdresser said she also took into consideration her complexion and the proportions of her client’s body.

From unruly mane to gorgeous curls! Jurgita said she considers not only a person’s hair color, but their eye color, hair texture and face shape when cutting a client’s hair – and the results can take years off.

Jurgita also divides her clients into four categories – named after the four seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Winter people have dark hair colour but light eyes, while a summer person has light eyes and ashy tones in their hair, like the woman pictured here who updated her look with a new colour and shorter crop.

From honey blond to platinum: Jurgita said she pays particular attention to a person’s eye color to make sure their hair pops. This lady’s shorter, slicked back look shaved years off her.

A client went from straight and tired to shorter, wavy and chic. Jurgita, who said she thinks of herself as a kind of hair architect, explained: ‘It’s like creating a painting. You first analyze what colors you’ll “paint” with. And only after you have all of your colors ready, after you know your client’s type and look at the shape of their face and hair texture, only then do you start “painting”.’

Jurgita said cutting hair was not just about trimming but bringing her client’s personality to the forefront. She transformed a client’s hair from mousy brown to pale pink and gave her a much shorter crop.

The hairdresser said she believes it’s her calling to bring out people’s inner beauty and help them feel confident enough to experiment with their looks, enabling them to find what works best for them. This woman’s new ash blonde style accentuates her hazelnut eyes.

Making women happy and connect with their femininity is at the core of what Jurgita does. This woman’s new style and highlights give her a younger, more edgy look.

While every person’s hair is different, Jurgita said she always had a knack at seeing which cut would best suit a client. She mellowed this woman’s blonde hue with honey highlights and gave her a chic bob.

Jurgita said she likes to see her client’s make-up free to see their natural features, so that she knows how best to accentuate them. This woman looks younger thanks to a darker shade of strawberry blonde.

Jurgita is not afraid of trying bold styles, like adding these purple highlights for a more fun, individual look.

Her haircuts bring structure to the face by faming her client’s features. This woman’s jawline and cheekbones are more accentuated after cutting her hair at the shoulders.

Jurgita said she wanted to help women find confidence in their own femininity by picking the right color for them. When you take a seat, get ready to discover yourself. She checks your face shape, natural features, and body type. It’s not just about copying the latest trends; it’s about finding what’s uniquely YOU.

Source: ruoox.com

Embrace your Gray Hair

Bangstyle

Brunette, black, red, blonde. Your hair gets its vibrant color from a pigment produced by the hair follicles called melanin. As you age, those hair follicles make less and less melanin, and your hair loses its color. 

The most obvious sign of that decreased amount of melanin: gray hairs. Graying the hair is a natural, typical sign of aging. What’s more, that process may begin earlier in some people than others. Your genetic makeup also partly determines when your hair turns gray, so it’s completely normal to notice a couple of gray hairs before your 20s or 30s.

Gray-hair journey: I let my hair naturally go gray when I was 45. I’d been dyeing it for years and hated the time and expense of maintaining the color. It felt like losing the battle against nature because I always had roots. Now I never have to think about color and the chemicals I’m adding to my hair, which suits my low-maintenance lifestyle perfectly.

Transitioning tips: It’s an incredibly humbling experience. The stark contrast made me feel like I was airing all of my dirty laundry. I would put it up in a bun or ponytail to hide the line where the color changed. But if I were to transition today, I’d dye my hair a fun color, like pink, so it’ll be a look when it grows out. 

Why I love it: The comfort of knowing I am being true to my natural self is a huge bonus. I am the youngest I will ever be in my life right now, so why not count my blessings, do what I want, and not be afraid to tackle challenges?

Advice: One thing that did surprise me once I went natural is how many compliments I receive, especially from women. They all say the same thing: how much they love my gray—on me. They’d love to go gray too, but they work in such an ageist field that it’d hurt their career if they stopped coloring their hair. I know we live in an ageist society. Still, instead of going along with it, I always encourage people to challenge norms and let their natural color come through.

Beauty tip: Defined eyebrows are really important. I like using Glossier Boy Brow and a little gold eyeshadow. Wearing heather gray clothes makes me feel washed out, so I wear pinkish-mauve colors—it adds a nice glow.

Source: health.com

Stylish and Flattering Summer Hats You Can Buy on Amazon

When packing for the beach, hats are crucial, both for your look and to protect you from the sun. If you still haven’t found a hat to your liking or in your price range, however, let’s try another option: Amazon. After all, you can find some amazing white t-shirts on there, not to mention work totes. So, there’s hope that the perfect hat awaits you. I perused a ton of hats on the marketplace, and I selected the best ones, ahead, based on style, function, price, and reviews. Since the only other thing you have to go on are photos, other people’s testaments are super important when deciding between two or three styles. Before you even think about laying out in the sun this season, make sure you’re armed with one of the hat options below. Don’t forget about the sunscreen, too.

Victoria Sun Hat

Solid Color Bucket Hat 

Cotton Boonie Sun Hats

Sound of the Ocean Straw Sun Hat

Wide Brim Hat Roll-up Straw Sun Visor Hat

Wide Brim Sun Hat With Wind Lanyard

Panama Sun Hat

Elegant Wide Brim Hat

There they are. So many hats, so little time.

Haircuts That Take Years Off Your Face

Instead of charging to the dermatologists and demanding fillers at the first sign of wrinkles or investing a small fortune on miracle creams, maybe give your hairdresser a call instead. Tell them your issues (the hair ones) about what you think is making you look older, and then let them get scissor-happy.

To reveal just what could be aging you in terms of your hair, we asked two super-knowledgeable hairdressers, Marc Trinder, and Sam Burnett, to reveal the most anti-aging cuts on the circuit.

A Universally-Flattering Cut

The universally-flattering shoulder-length cut is a celebrity favorite. It’s also super customizable, meaning your hairstylist can work with you to create the perfect layers or face-framing look.

“Shoulder-skimming styles are super flattering, as they graze the décolletage and gently frame the face,” says Sam Burnett, owner of Hare & Bone salon. “It’s also worth flagging that thinning hair, especially in younger women, is on the rise, and lobs are one of the best ways to create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair, which is incredibly youth-boosting. Fewer layers and breaking up the blunt outline with some freehand cutting keeps it fresh and modern.”

The Right Bangs

Bangs are a phenomenal way to take years off your appearance. But, bangs that are too short can actually draw more attention to fine lines than you may want.

“A full, blunt fringe can be dramatic, but it will hide lines and can completely frame your face and draw attention to your eyes,” reveals Marc Trinder, owner of Trinder Hair Studios. A foreword on fringes, though. Unless you have a long or oval face shape, go for a softer gradient, says Trinder. “Fringes that curve around and frame the cheekbones will give contour and lift.” So you can pack away that highlighting and bronzing kit right now.

A tip on drying, though: you need the right hairbrush. Don’t wrap your bangs with a round brush or you will have the very dated “bubble bangs.”

Instead, use a boar’s hair paddle brush when blow-drying bangs. Brush bangs to the left than to the right, aiming the blow dryer down onto bangs.

Keep It Natural

Put away your irons and skip the professional straightening treatment and let your natural curls go. Moisturizing products with oils like argan will help keep frizz at bay while making sure your natural texture isn’t weighed down. Moisturized hair is the key to keeping curls defined.

Try a Center Part

The key to the center part is to not make it exactly center, which can look too perfect and unnatural. Instead, aim for just a bit off to the left or right—wherever your natural part lies.

“If you’ve had your parting in the same place for a long time, it can make your hair sit extremely flat,” flags up Trinder. “If you normally wear it straight, try combing your hair back at a diagonal angle, and allow the hair to fall down in a new position.” Use the power of your nozzle to push and direct it into place if you need to.

Opt for a Bob

“Going shorter will automatically give you a more confident and youthful look,” says Burnett. “The modern bob has a defined outline that sits around the jawline framing your face and directing the eyes towards your best features. Textured layers and a choppy fringe just above your eyebrows create even more of a playful feeling.”

Try Out a Pixie

Funky short cuts are great on women no matter their age, but beware — you do have to have some confidence to pull off such an attention-grabbing style. For pixie styles, a decent molding paste or wax can mean the difference between awesome hair and “meh” hair. Without it, your hairstyle could fall flat to your head like a helmet or billow from your head in puffs of frizz.

Be Gentle with Color-Treated Hair

While natural color may fade or become duller over time, you can always color your hair whatever hue you like. Dyeing your hair can take a toll on it, so it’s always a good idea to use products that will help your new color stay in your hair, like a color-protecting shampoo. If you’re not into going for a full-on color, maybe try some highlights or lowlights first. If color maintenance is too much trouble, skip it altogether and let your natural color fly.

Just the Right Amount of Layers

Layered hair is controversial. Too much can leave you with a dated look. But the right kind of layers can add body and fullness to otherwise limp locks. This is a great layered look. Note the texture and the gorgeous color.

“Layers that are too short can instantly make a haircut look old-fashioned due to the roundness in shape that it creates,” explains Trinder. “If you feel you need layers due to thickness or you like the texture they create, keep them long, and have the weight removed using slicing or razoring techniques that will create a more, natural graduated effect.”

written by Julyne Derrick & Becci Valis

Photo credit: MICHAEL LOCCISANO; GREGG DEGUIRE AND ROB KIM; KEVORK DJANSEZIAN; JESSE GRANT; FREDERICK M. BROWN; DAVE KOTINSKY; CINDY ORD; BARRY KING/GETTY IMAGES