Month: March 2020

Tracy Tutor’s White Cold Shoulder Sweater

Tracy Tutor’s White Cold Shoulder Sweater on MDLLA

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles Season 12 Trailer

Although we would love to be quarantining right now in one of Tracy Tutor’s million dollar listings, that unfortunately is not a possibility considering you guys don’t shop our site nearly as much as you should…jk jk. However as it turns out we can be quarantining in her cold shoulder sweater from the Season 12 trailer (the white’s sold out but it’s still available in other colours), which should definitely help make lockdown living a bit more luxurious.

Fashionably,

Faryn

P.S. MDLLA Season 12 premieres Tuesday, May 5 at 10/9c!

 Tracy Tutor's White Cold Shoulder Sweater

Click Here to See Her Sold Out RtA Sweater

Click Here to Shop it in Black

Click Here to Shop it in Silver

Click Here to Shop it in Pink on Sale

Originally posted at: Tracy Tutor’s White Cold Shoulder Sweater

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How to Relieve the Woes of Back Pain with 4 Exercises (and 3 Mistakes You Should Never Make)

How to Relieve the Woes of Back Pain with 4 Exercises

Back pain tends to be one of the most common issues people over 60 face, and it’s due to the degeneration of joints in the spine. Some of the most common causes of lower back pain include degenerative changes in your discs and joints, spondylolisthesis/slipped disc, and spinal stenosis.

While you won’t be able to reverse or completely stop
these issues from happening, you can alleviate their symptoms and decrease your
risk of developing them by exercising.

There are several different types of exercises that
can help you manage both lower and upper back pain. Depending on your mobility
and fitness and energy levels, you can choose which ones make the most sense
for you. In general, the more exercise you can fit in your day, the better you
will feel. 

Foam Rolling

If you’re dealing with back pain, one of the best ways
to manage it is by using a foam roller. Some studies have shown that the right
foam rolling exercises can reduce back pain and also increase blood flow, which
can help with overall recovery.

With that said, it could potentially lead to more
issues if you don’t use it properly. Some of the most common mistakes people
make when using foam rollers include:

Rolling Directly Where You Feel Pain

While it might feel good, rolling
directly at the painful area could actually inflame it more, leading to more
pain.

In fact, you should never
use the foam roller directly on your lower back as it will actually cause more
harm than good. Instead, roll muscles that connect to your lower back such as
the piriformis, hip flexors, and rectus femoris.

Rolling Too Fast

If you go too fast, you’re
not getting any of the benefits of the foam roller. You want to use short, slow
rolls that focus on the effects on the area in question.

Rolling Too Much

Don’t spend more than 20–30 seconds rolling a specific area. Spending too much time in one
place can lead to damaged tissues or pinched nerves.

Core Workouts

Improving your core strength can help reduce back pain
and also improve your overall posture. The stronger your back and stomach
muscles, the less stress and pressure you’ll be putting on your joints and
discs.

You’ll want to skip the crunches and sit-ups though as
these will actually inflame your back problems. Luckily, they’re not the only
way you can engage your core.

While the exercises below can help build your
abdominal muscles, if you do experience back pain during any of these
exercises, you should stop immediately.

Knee-to-Chest

Lie on your back with your
knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly bring one knee as close to your
chest as you can and hold for a few seconds. Then repeat with the other leg.

Bridges

Lie on you back with your
knees bent and feet placed hip-distance apart. Slowly lift your hips from the
ground until your hips, shoulders, and knees are in a straight line. Hold for a
few seconds and lower. Repeat 8–10 times.

Lateral Leg Lifts

Lie on one side with your
legs together; make sure to keep the lower leg slightly bent. Lift the top leg
about 18 inches making sure to keep it straight and extended. Hold for a couple
of seconds and lower. Repeat 8–10 times and then switch
sides.

Superman

You might remember this exercise
from elementary school, but it’s still a great workout even now. Lie on your
stomach and stretch both arms in front of the body. Raise your arms and feet
until there’s about a 6-inch gap between them and the floor. Hold for a few
seconds and lower. Repeat around 10 times.

Weight Training

If you have access to a gym, one of the best ways to
reduce and prevent further back pain is by strength training. While the above
core exercises can definitely help you build up your muscles, to really build a
good foundation you’ll need to add in some weights.

You don’t have to lift hundreds of pounds to see the
effects of strength training. With that said, the more you work out, the
stronger you’ll get so you might be surprised to note that what you’re lifting doesn’t
strain your muscles as much after a few months.

You’ll want to avoid exercises that really strain your
back such as deadlifts and squats, at least in the beginning. Instead, focus on
exercises that build up the muscles that support your back.

If you’ve never lifted weights before, it’s always a
good idea to use the machines first as you’ll be less likely to hurt yourself.
Some good machines to start with include:

  • Leg extensions
  • Leg curls
  • Bench press
  • Lateral pull-downs
  • Leg press

Yoga

There’s some evidence that shows yoga can really help
relieve and even prevent further recurrence of back pain. If you’re currently
suffering from back pain, you should find a practitioner that has experience
working with people that have similar issues as it might mean they will need to
modify certain poses.

Yoga also has the added benefit of improving your
overall balance and flexibility. You can check your local gym to see if they
have sessions that are specifically tailored to people who are over 60 to
ensure you’re getting an instructor who understands your needs.

Back pain doesn’t have to be a constant in your life
just because you’re over 60. So long as you’re able to keep active, you can
prevent reoccurrences or, at the very least, reduce the time it takes you to
recover. 

What are some exercises you have found that help
relieve your back pain? We’d love to hear from you! Let’s continue the
conversation in the comment section below.

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Kyle Richards’ Fringe Cardigan

Kyle Richards’ Fringe Cardigan on Tik Tok

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Instagram Fashion

Kyle Richards’ popped up on Tik Tok with hubby Mauricio Umansky to play the pointing game (ICYMI someone asks questions of two people with their eyes closed and they point at the person to indicate their answer…ie “Who is the most stubborn?” etc) and it was super cute. Kyle definitely looked cozy on the couch in her printed fringe sweater while she played.

To be honest I haven’t been able to totally get on board with this brand’s designs, although I think they are appropriate for like a trip to Aspen, a cozy night in etc. However, I’ve linked to two prints below in Style Stealers that I actually really think are pretty cute if your a babe without a budget.  But if we’re comparing cuteness between them and Kyle and Mauricio, these sweaters totally don’t stand a chance.

 

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Kyle Richards' Fringe Cardigan

Click Here to Shop her Alanui Union Jack Cashmere Cardigan on Sale

Originally posted at: Kyle Richards’ Fringe Cardigan

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Tarte’s Friends & Family Sale Is Here to Brighten Up Your Weekend

This weekend is probably going to about the same as the last one. Since we’re still social-distancing, it’s all about finding ways to occupy ourselves at home. Tarte’s Friends & Family sale for spring 2020 might help keep your hands busy and save you some money at the same time. Whenever Tarte rolls out one of these sales, we’re able to stock up on foundation and concealer and even test a new product or two we haven’t seen before. All these goodies are up to 30 percent off.

As with any big beauty sale, some exclusions apply. You can’t use the Friends & Family discount on vaults, bundles, travel size, goodie grabs, Hannah Meloche x Sugar Tush Multi-Purpose Palette or the new Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara. But there’s some seriously good news. Often, Shape Tape is excluded from the sale as well because it’s such a big seller. But not this time. Stock up the cult-favorite concealer while you grab the new Maracuja Tinted Hydrator or one of a bunch of colorful eyeshadow palettes that are sure to occupy your time indoors.

The sale runs from March 27 to April 1. Use code BESTIES for 25 percent off. If you’re a Tarte Rewards member, you’ll get 30 percent off with the same code. (It’s free to sign up.) We got you started with some of our favorites, below.

tarte shape tape

Image: Tarte.

Shape Tape Concealer

The vegan, waterproof, full-coverage formula is a favorite for a reason.

tarte maneater mascara

Image: Tarte.

Maneater Mascara

Curl and coat your lashes with intense black pigment.

tarte busy gal

Image: Tarte.

Busy Gal Goals Eye & Cheek Palette

With nine eyeshadow shades and two face colors.

tarte maracuja tinted hydrator

Image: Tarte.

Maracuja Tinted Hydrator

This new tinted moisturizer is ultra-lightweight and hydrating.

tarte maracuja oil

Image: Tarte.

Maracuja Oil

This vegan face oil contains maracuja seeds for a burst of vitamin C and essential fatty acids.

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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12 Beauty Bosses on How to Thrive in Male-Dominated Spaces

You and I have always known that women kick ass in leadership positions (and give the best career advice, too). And for a long time, we didn’t need more proof than looking to the CEO of our childhood households, professors, bosses and managers at work. But now the numbers are in.

According to corporate research conducted by Harvard Business Review, women are thought to be more effective than men in 84% of skill sets most frequently measured in thousands of 360-degree reviews, including taking initiative, acting with resilience, driving for results, and displaying high integrity. What’s more, “women are perceived by their managers—particularly their male managers—to be slightly more effective than men at every hierarchical level and in virtually every functional area of the organization,” according to Harvard Business Review. 

Data like that is undeniable (thanks to the force of females who have put in the work) and nowhere is it more needed than in industries that almost entirely cater to women, but are still largely run by men. That’s why we tapped some of the biggest bosses in beauty—including CEOs, scientists, investors, and entrepreneurs—to share how they lead with power, empathy, and purpose for an overdue, industry-wide sea change that’s teeing the rest of us up to rise and shine. Below, see the hacks and habits that have put beauty’s brightest women on top.

Cara Sabin, CEO of Sundial Brands and Co-Founder, 25 Black Women In Beauty

Cara Sabin

Courtesy of Cara Sabin.

Being Intentional

Don’t speak just to fill up silence; be purposeful and intentional with your words—they’ll have greater impact.

Miranda Kerr, Founder and CEO, Kora Organics 

Miranda Kerr

Courtesy of Miranda Kerr.

Negotiating a Raise

Negotiating your starting pay or asking for a raise are key factors when deciding to take a new job or feeling valued in an existing position, so you need to be prepared and confident that your accomplishments and /or performance merits a pay rise and then demonstrate that. Treat the discussion as a collaboration and don’t go in on the defense—set the tone for your request by expressing gratitude, then highlight your key accomplishments and contributions. 

Think beyond your monthly pay (dollar and cents) and look to other things that may be important to you such as workplace flexibility for example, a day working from home, or company paid training and tuition in your chosen field.

Pocket Sun, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, SoGal Ventures 

Instagram PhotoSource: Instagram

Finding Next-Level Mentorship

I don’t think we need to hold on to the idea of having a one-on-one, exclusive mentor (although if you have a good one it could be tremendous). You can get virtual mentorship from blogs, podcasts, etc., and sometimes that advice is just as helpful. You can also have a group of people with expertise and experience that you can reach out to with questions—it doesn’t need to be one person. 

Finding a sponsor for your career could be even more important, someone who would recommend you for awards, features, funding, promotions, etc. Do NOT count on a mentor within the same company; you should always have a resource that’s outside of your company. 

I highly recommend having a coach/therapist. It’s helped me a lot in gaining inner resiliency.

Deepica Mutyala, Founder and CEO, Live Tinted

Deepica Mutyala

Courtesy of Deepica Mutyala.

The Biggest Asset of Leading as a Woman

I lead with empathy, which doesn’t mean weakness. I do my best to understand the mindset of my team and help them overcome any challenges they may face. I want to ensure everyone feels empowered, healthy, and enjoys coming to work everyday. In my experience, I cannot say empathy has been a strong suit of male leadership.

Stay Focused

As an entrepreneur in the age of social media, it’s very easy to get distracted with what you’re seeing online. The best advice I’ve received is to keep blinders on and stay focused on my mission. The rest is just noise. 

Erica Douglas (aka Sister Scientist), Cosmetic Chemist

Instagram PhotoSource: Instagram

What to Do When Someone Takes Credit For Your Work

First, address the person directly and let them know that they have overlooked your contribution. In many cases it is unintentional and they will correct their mistake. But if they do not take the opportunity to self-correct, then go around them and find a professional and graceful (some may say petty but I prefer informative) way to show ‘receipts’ of your contribution. It could be as simple as an email to the team after a group project like ‘I just want to take the time to thank the entire team for your contributions to this project. I would have never been able to pull together the last edits of this presentation without the data you shared with me.’  Never let somebody take your shine! You deserve it!

Saying No

As an entrepreneur, the power of ‘NO’ and delegation are some of the most valuable things I’ve learned.  I am very candid with people about the value of my time and the need to prioritize. I will say ‘Unfortunately, I don’t have the capacity at this moment to handle this.’ Then I will suggest an alternative person they can look to or another potential solution. This shows that my inability to help is not a result of me not caring about them or their needs.

Melissa Butler, Founder and CEO, The Lip Bar

Melissa Butler

Courtesy of Melissa Butler.

Shutting Down and Rerouting Conversations That Don’t Serve

This happens to me all the time. The best way to go about it is to remind whoever you are speaking with of your purpose. For example, I am a beauty founder. I sell makeup and I know a lot about it, but that’s not my purpose. My purpose is to remind people that they are enough, that they are already beautiful and to empower and educate. I go to so many industry or networking events and people hear about I do so they will try to talk to me about lipstick. I know more than that; I have opinions on the stock market, politics and business affairs. I bring a lot of value outside of lipstick knowledge.

Keeping Good Company

The best piece of business advice I’ve received is not to be the smartest person in the room. I practice this in everything from hiring to networking. I am forever a student and am always trying to learn. If I can learn from my team that is awesome or from my partner that is beautiful. I’m better for it. And taking that one step further, don’t learn just for the sake of learning. Apply the knowledge, practice and grow.

Kadi Lee, Celebrity Colorist and Co-Founder, Highbrow Hippie Salon 

Kadi Lee

Courtesy of Kadi Lee.

Grace Under Pressure

I have had two mentors in my career, and they both gave me two pieces of indispensable advice.  My first mentor, the legendary Constance Hartnett, was the color director of Frederic Fekkai in NYC for many years before she retired in her 80s.  As one of her last assistants, I would help navigate her day that would sometimes consist of 25-30 clients. Not only did this woman never complain, she always remained calm and zen.  

One day I started to visibly panic when my second assistant went missing and we started getting backed up.  Timers were going off left and right. In the middle of my meltdown Constance sternly took me aside and told me to get it together and keep a poker face,  She said that most likely the clients had no idea which timer was for what person, so my panic was unnecessary and not solving anything. She said calmly, ‘be like a duck Kadi,’ and she walked away. She meant, it’s OK to be paddling like hell underneath the surface, but above water, appear calm and just float and glide along. To this day, the first thing clients comment on when they are in my chair is how calm I am, and it always makes me giggle inside and think of her.

Claiming the Space You Deserve

My second mentor, the incredible Serge Normant, has been selfless in giving advice over the years.  One day I was feeling very low about a client questioning whether I was capable of doing her hair because I was black and therefore had different hair than she did, and he told me to always be proud that I was different, and that one day the very thing that made me different, is what would set me apart from the rest.  That one piece of advice changed my career, and my outlook on life, and I now proudly enter every space like I not only belong but deserve to be there.

Tia Mowry, Actor and Founder, Anser

Tia Mowry

Courtesy of Tia Mowry.

Build a Professional Sisterhood

When women come together, we’re unstoppable. It’s so important to find your tribe or community because that support can lift you up so high. 

My best tip for doing this is never be afraid to give a compliment and communicate the good things people are doing. I feel like people focus too much on the negative, but it’s just as powerful, if not stronger, to focus on what people are doing right versus what they are doing wrong. Support gives a foundation to whatever you’re trying to achieve and build, which is how I was able to launch my own brand.

Gabriela Hernandez, Beauty Historian and Co-Founder, Bésame Cosmetics

Gabriela Hernandez

Courtesy of Gabriela Hernandez.

Rising Above Imposter’s Syndrome

I’ve suffered imposter’s syndrome many times—it is part of being a creative to always doubt yourself or think that your work is just not good enough. I just have to remind myself of the things I have accomplished and the customers who love our products, and forge ahead. At a certain point, being a perfectionist will stifle growth, because you can always make something better.

Working Smarter, Not Harder 

I set my priorities for the day early in the morning so I can tackle the most important things as I get into the office. I have learned to make that list as short as possible so the chances of actually finishing those tasks is really high. Trying to do too much makes me too scattered to get anything done.

I also pick my battles. You don’t have to win all arguments or engage in conflicts as they come up in operating your business. Sometimes it takes more effort and resources to fight something than it is worth, so letting things go is positive in those instances.

Dr. Lisa Cassileth, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Founder Cassileth Plastic Surgery and Skin Care

Dr. Lisa Cassileth

Courtesy of Dr. Lisa Cassileth.

Parsing Bad Advice

Whenever a man says, ‘this is what I would tell my daughter,’ or ‘this is just too hard for a woman,’ then you know you are on the right track… do the opposite of what he says. When I was deciding on Beverly Hills as my practice locale, I was told all those things and more. ‘There’s a reason, Lisa, why there are no women here. It’s just way too competitive.’ The question is, competitive for whom? I came into town and got busy fast.

Being Your Own Hype Woman

Many female surgeons just don’t come out of the gate believing in themselves and they aren’t aggressive enough. Meanwhile, a not very successful male grad a few years back declared himself “the best butt surgeon in the world” and was busy in a month. Sometimes, you talk the talk before you walk the walk, and that’s harder for women to do, as I find they are more humble and self-deprecating.

Matching With a Mentee

I think the main reason people fail is that they need to keep the end goal in mind at all times. The end goal is about your own success and fulfillment and the gratitude that comes with it. On a daily basis, drama will try to pull you from your vision. So when I work with a mentee, I like people that have a strong vision for themselves, and can be turned back to the path with my support. If they are caught up in drama easily, are insecure, doubt themselves, or worst, undermine themselves and me with jealously and paranoia, then I’m not able to truly help them.

Belinda Smith, Founder and Creative Director, St. Rose Artisan Fragrances

Belinda Smith

Courtesy of Belinda Smith.

Bossing Up

A decade ago at the beginning of my career as a post-grad in the fashion industry, I would have quoted; “females in a male-dominated field often have to be twice as good as the men to be considered equal. Consider it motivation.” However, thankfully in the last ten years, I think we’ve come a long way. There is definitely a lot of progress to go but I think we are in the midst of not just a gender revolution but a diversity revolution. 

I love a conversation I overheard at a coffee shop where two college kids were arguing over whether you should put ‘girl’ in front of ‘boss’. The conversation was basically like, drop the label, just be a boss. So that’s my advice: be a boss.

Charlotte Cho, Esthetician and Co-Founder, Soko Glam and Then I Met You

Charlotte Cho

Courtesy of Charlotte Cho.

Becoming an Expert

Put in the time and effort to become the subject matter expert. Sometimes I believe we falsely think that success happens overnight and without much preparation. I started Soko Glam in 2012 without any previous experience in ecommerce, beauty and skin care. It was completely fueled by my passion and desire to learn as much as I can. While starting Soko Glam, I attended esthetician school at night for a year. This not only helped me be a better curator, but a better skin expert and it also helped me write my book to share my tips with the world! 

When it came to business and there was something I wasn’t sure about, I reached out to my network and tried to ask as many questions and asked for help. When I launched Then I Met You in 2018, I didn’t rush into it. I experienced several product collaborations with our top brands (Neogen, Cosrx, etc) before diving into product formulation for Then I Met You. It’s only been a year and a half since I launched my own line, but we’ve already won seven industry awards. That couldn’t have happened without some sweat and tears behind it.

Getting and Giving Help

I think there’s an element of vulnerability in asking for help and sharing what your struggles are. I also try to be as helpful as possible in return. Kindness goes a long way, no matter what industry you are in.

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