Month: March 2020

The Best Beauty Organizers to Give Your Vanity The Ultimate Instagrammable Makeover

We all love the Instagrammable shelfie and vanity posts on social media, proudly showcasing the impressive (and impressively organized) beauty collection of our favorite influencers and editors. And while I too am fortunate enough to have a studio with a 1920s built-in vanity table, along with a semi-overflowing beauty closet, I find the challenge of keeping it organized (not to mention photogenic) to be quite a daunting task. I recently did a major cleanout of my beauty crowded vanity drawers, finally discarding all of the expired lipsticks and Vitamin C serums and broken compacts that I promised I would once try to revive (clearly, that never happened).

While I like to call myself a collector as opposed to a straight-up hoarder, I knew that if I wanted to dodge such a label, I had to get the accessories and storage pieces to keep all of my beloved, holy grail makeup and skincare items (along with newbies that I’m longing to give a test run) under control and easy to find when I’m getting ready. If you’re in the mood for some major beauty closet cleansing and solid way to keep your collection under control, check out these affordable makeup organizers.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

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Teddi Mellencamp’s Season 10 Cast Photo Dress

Teddi Mellencamp’s Season 10 Cast Photo Dress

Season 10 Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Fashion

For the super bright, neon-themed Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 10 cast photo Lisa Vanderpump Teddi Mellencamp brought a serious pop of pink with this cute ruched mini dress. And although you don’t need to be pregnant to wear it, we have a feeling that after eating in quarantine we’re all definitely going to be rocking it with a huge bump.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Teddi Mellencamp’s Season 10 Cast Photo Dress

Teddi Mellencamp’s Season 10 Cast Photo Dress

Click Here to Shop Her Bardot Dress on Sale in Limited Sizing

Click Here For Additional Stock

Click Here to Shop it in Black on Sale

Photos: BravoTV.com

Styling & Info: @Styled.By.Celeste

Originally posted at: Teddi Mellencamp’s Season 10 Cast Photo Dress

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Zendaya’s Best Hairstyles Because She Can Do Wrong

There’s no one who continually surprises us with their hair like Zendaya. The girl slays every carpet she walks, whether its a movie premiere, the Met Gala or fashion week. We rounded up some of Zendaya’s best hairstyles that give us all the inspiration when we’re heading to the hair salon or just playing around at home. Sure, we might not have a glam team like Z but you can still recreate the vibe of some of these looks in the comfort of your home.

Zendaya has a few hairstylists to thank for her killer styles, including Jennifer Yepez and Ursula Stephen. Someone she also works with? Well, herself, of course. She told InStyle that she sometimes does her own beauty for the red carpet. “It is true,” she said. “More so with makeup. It’s always been a kind of hobby for me. Makeup is an experimental thing. You can literally wipe it off. I’m not going to have this mullet forever — [the wig] will come off when I get home. I’ve made my mistakes. I’ve had questionable moments. But it’s always about the freedom of expression.”

To be quite honest, we’re not sure that Zendaya has made many mistakes—if any at all. When it comes to beauty, she’s all about being herself and having fun with her hair. Whether it’s a bright blonde pixie, long braids, a red bob or a sky-high topknot, she wears each look with the kind of confidence we can all take inspiration from. Peep some of our favorites, below. You might want to bookmark this.

zendaya ponytail

Shutterstock.

At the 2019 Queen and Slim film premiere

zendaya braids

Shutterstock.

At the 25th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards

zendaya bun

Shutterstock.

At the 45th Annual People’s Choice Awards

zendaya red hair

Shutterstock.

At the 2019 HBO Primetime Emmys After Party

zendaya bright red hair

Shutterstock.

At the 2019 Spider-Man: Far From Home film photocall

zendaya short bangs

Shutterstock.

At the 2018 Met Gala

zendaya bob

Shutterstock.

At the 2017 The Greatest Showman film premiere

zendaya blonde pixie

Shutterstock.

At the 2017 The British Fashion Awards

zendaya curls

Shutterstock.

At the 2017 Teen Choice Awards

zendaya 2016 met gala

Shutterstock.

At the 2016 Met Gala

zendaya braids

Shutterstock.

At the Spring Summer 2016 shows at Paris Fashion Week

 

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3 Reasons Why Freedom is the Gift of Getting Older

getting older

When I was growing up in the 1960s, we were taught to never trust anyone over 30. That works great when you are 19, 20 and 21. When you approach 31, 40, 50, 60 and beyond, you may want to modify that stance.

I have come to believe that growing older is a party to be savored. There are many reasons, but here are the top three:

I Have Freedom to Speak My Mind

When I express an opinion, I am given a modicum of respect because I am an older woman. I’m not so old as to be considered ‘doddering,’ but I do have opinions that are sometimes listened to.

Yet, I have given up the need to be right. When I don’t have to be right all the time, I can hear the heart of the other. I can accept and love without judgment. I can listen and learn and be willing to accept that the universe is so much larger than my own views.

Then there is the experience factor. I have lived through enough difficulties in life that when someone asks advice about their child – who is estranged, addicted or swinging from the ceiling – they are more likely to listen to me because I have been through ADD, LD, ADHD and ee-ii-ee-ii-oo with my own children.

I always focus on the positive possibilities of every challenge, thereby lending encouragement to others. In my relationships, idiosyncrasies are tolerated because my family says, “Oh, that’s just how mom is.” Friends who matter know I am quirky and accept it with grace and humor. This is freedom!

I Have Freedom to Follow My Passions

As a young law school graduate, there were societal expectations. In my circle, the path to take was to be a prosecutor for several years, then private practice to make lots of money, then be appointed a judge until you earned a cushy retirement.

I made a good start on that path, then decided to take a mommy sabbatical for 20 years.

Upon my return to practicing law, I have had the freedom to make it look any way I want it to look. I’ve been working on my own terms in a way that makes sense in my very complicated life. It has been rewarding to face off with fresh-faced opponents and encourage them in their craft.

With grown kids, I am freer to pick up some other interests, too. I have made a couple of quilts. I am an apprentice basket weaver. My sister and I make jewelry together for our own enjoyment as well as for sale. I never had the time of the undisturbed space or undivided mind to do this before.

I am freer to give my time to causes I believe in. When I volunteered while the kids were little, there was a constant tension between the desire to volunteer and the guilt over taking time from the children. Now, the kids are grown, I’m busy, they are busy, and we’re all happy.

I Have the Freedom to Forgive

As I get older, I realize I don’t have time to hold grudges. If I have many years left or only a few, I won’t waste those years holding grudges that were silly in their inception. I also don’t have time to nurse grievances. I would rather spend my energy accepting and loving other people.

Finally, I can forgive myself for all the stupid things I did in my youth, and there were many. I can look back in love at that young person and be grateful for the growth I have stumbled through.

I have a deep appreciation for what I have encountered and survived. It is a blessing to encourage others in their difficulties, pointing them to the peace that can lie ahead for them.

So, don’t dread getting older. Go there gracefully. There is tremendous freedom ahead to be enjoyed. The way I see it, from here on it’s all a party – and I’ve never been one to miss a good party. Won’t you come along?

Why do you think that getting older is awesome? What do you do differently now that you are in your 60s and beyond? Please share the many ways you’ve learned to enjoy your freedom!

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Approaching Retirement Alone? 3 Strategies to Stay Social, Happy and Healthy

retiring alone

Financial matters are the top concern for most women 60 and over. Recently, a research project by the National Council on Aging announced “unsurprising” data.

What Were the Study Results?

I’m not downplaying the study; however, members of my community more often than any other issue, say money and outliving their finances is their main worry.

The study names other worrisome
factors like health care and prescription drug costs. The other two are being a
burden to family and losing independence. Which is your biggest concern? Mine
are money and health.

The 2019 Ipsos survey included 1227 U.S. adults aged 60 and older and was conducted on behalf of the National Council on Aging. It shows that seniors are especially concerned by health and finance-related matters.

The survey also highlights how much
female and lower-income seniors are particularly prone to worry about financial
security.

Why Are Women Most Affected by Financial Difficulties?

While caregiving, most women who help
a loved one will risk losing their financial security because they quit or cut
back on their work hours. By doing so, they forfeit contributing to their
retirement funds and savings accounts. That happened to me but there are
thousands of us in the same situation.

What can be more stressful than coming
up close and personal to growing older with no one to help and worrying if you
have any money to pay for life as a senior citizen?

In 2016, nearly 15 percent of women ages 40–44 hadn’t given
birth and were childless. That’s a 5 percent increase from 1976, according to
the U.S. Census Bureau. A 2013 report from AARP projects that by 2040, about 21
percent of the older, disabled population will be childless.

The number of childless older people in the UK is expected
to double by 2030, putting huge pressure on a health and social care system
that is already struggling to support the vulnerable, warned Kirsty Woodard,
founder of Ageing Well Without Children.

Where to Find Support

If you’re in this situation, have you
thought about how you will find help and support in the years ahead? The
members in my group talk about it a lot.

But it’s not just the child-free
individuals who think about it; so do the women with adult children due to
estrangement or living hundreds and even thousands of miles apart.

It’s a sore reminder but one that we
must think about.

A study conducted in my Facebook group
by an academic professor revealed other factors for individuals to think about
and even plan for:

  • To identify a caregiver who would help if you become ill or disabled;
  • To find a trusted person to help you cope with life’s challenges, like medical and financial decisions;
  • To have access to someone in case there’s a crisis;
  • To find people to socialize with to avoid loneliness;
  • To mitigate your chances of developing chronic conditions.

When you create a plan to tackle these
issues, then you’re less confused and uncertain about handling them in the
coming years.

Here are three strategies I use to
help me, and hopefully, they will get you moving in the right direction. You
can use this strategy no matter the concern or issue.

Prioritize

First, identify and select one top
concern you are now struggling with or have deep concerns about.

Why Change?

Secondly, list the reasons why you
want to change. For me, it was health. After giving care to Mom and Dad, I knew
if I was unhealthy later on, dealing with multiple chronic illnesses, I would
be in a world of hurt since I have no one to rely on for help like my parents
had.

Identify What Intensifies the Issue

Then, assess the factors of the issue
or concern – here’s where you’ll go deeper. If you want to avoid chronic
illness, like I did, then the factors that affect health conditions are tobacco
use, harmful use of alcohol, blood pressure, physical inactivity, cholesterol,
unhealthy diet, and blood glucose – a few of the factors I addressed when
planning for a better health.

Or if you want a larger support system
– what are you willing to do to increase that system of support? Are you
willing to leave your house, join a Meetup group? What are you willing to
invest to make this happen? You see, no one will do it for you. It’s up to you
to get going in the right direction.

Above all, shift your mindset from problem solving to a possibility focus. That can be done by asking questions that open your thinking to possibilities. The favorite ones that I use are: “Why does this issue exist?” and, “What might be an interesting new way to come at this challenge?”

How are you planning to age alone? Do
you have a support system? What are your major concerns and how do you plan to
cope with the issues that will come your way? Please share your thoughts with
our community!

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