Month: April 2020

Hilarie Burton’s ‘Silver Lining’ Roots Are a Stunning Salute to Essential Workers

When it comes to beauty routines during safer-at-home orders, really anything goes. Some feel better applying makeup and doing their hair and others are just doing the bare minimum to stay sane. There are no rules and it’s all about what makes you feel best. So when Hilarie Burton’s gray roots showed up front and center in the actress’ latest Instagram post, we weren’t totally surprised. But then we heard why she’s not touching up her roots right now, we were seriously touched.

“The ‘silver lining’ is literally growing out of my skull,” Burton wrote on Instagram. “For all of our frontline and essential workers who are too busy to fuss with things like hair color, I grow mine out in solidarity with you.” She noted that she doesn’t want to spend her spare time on “vanity” but instead wants to put herself to use helping those on the front lines. Though, she admits, it’s a small gesture. “It’s a small, silly symbol. Gray hair. Who cares, right?” she wrote. “But I hope the nurse or the vet or the store clerk who is feeling tired and overwhelmed knows that it’s a visible thing I can show that says ‘I’m with you.’”

Instagram PhotoSource: Instagram

It’s a really sweet salute to essential workers (not to mention, she looks great!), but you absolutely should not feel bad if you prefer to cover your own gray roots while at home. It’s all about what makes you feel comfortable right now and we are all finding ways to give back and help those who are working so hard to keep us safe. And hey, if you want to let your gray roots grow in, take inspo from Burton and just go for it.

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Denise Richards’ White and Gold Dress

Denise Richards’ White and Gold Dress at Kyle Richards’ Dinner Party

Season 10 Episode 3 Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Fashion

Denise Richards’ may not be feeling fine but she looks better than ever in her white and gold dress at Kyle Richards’ dinner party, especially for undergoing surgery just prior. I’ve only had one surgery in my life (appendectomy) when I was 12 and I don’t remember feeling like I could function properly for at least 2 months, let alone go to a dinner party a shortly after. Yes I was only 12 so a dinner partiers weren’t exactly in my planner, but I can still say that I wasn’t about to hit up my friends on Yahoo Messenger let alone leave my house.

As an adult I appreciate Denise’s bounce back. She certainly is strong and tough for what she had gone through. If I ever needed to have surgery again, I’d hope that I come out healthy and still have the strength to keep strutting in my cute heels and mini dress, just like Denise.

 

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Denise Richards' White and Gold Striped Ruffle Dress

Click Here To Shop Her Saloni Marissa Mini B Dress

Originally posted at: Denise Richards’ White and Gold Dress

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Something’s Gotta Change! Is it You?

Something’s Gotta Change! Is it You

The nature of my counseling practice is talking about changes clients want to make in their lives. Some of the most frequent frustrations I hear are, “I’m too old to change. It’s too hard. Why should I be the one to change when they’re the problem?” Weary voices object, “Take me or leave me as I am.”

I hear that voice in my head, too. Then I have to ask, “How’s that working?”

Change doesn’t always happen the way we hope. Sometimes it’s so slooooow. And even when we do change for the better, it is not always appreciated, much less acknowledged. Ugh! For the people pleaser, not getting approval for making positive changes is practically a deal breaker.

When we feel like our life is diminishing, remember a strong and beautiful finish is within reach. With our lifetime of experiences, now is the time to transform into our best self.

We’ve been created with incredible value. Sometimes the change we are seeking is actually a return to who we were born to be: worthy and wonderful.

Where Does Your Change Actually Begin?

Changing your behavior, as instructed in a million self-help books and YouTube videos, is not where change begins. It starts inside the most vulnerable part of your head, heart, and soul with these three questions:

Have You Accepted That You’re the One That Needs to Change?

Change starts with some honest and sometimes painful confessions in the privacy and safety of your own mind. One woman admits she’s been pushing her family away. Another cries that old friends seem to avoid her now. Jobs are lost. Opportunities are denied. Many people feel sad or angrier than ever before.

It’s hard work to admit that you’re the one that needs to change. Sometimes we can’t get to this kind of insight alone. We all need a loving friend or therapist to guide us (not tell us) toward these conclusions.

Do You Believe You’re Capable of Changing?

Look for times when you’ve successfully changed in your past. Life is not one monumental conversion that the world can point to and say, “WOW, look at her now!” It is usually the accumulation of incremental “change-steps” that are barely noticeable by themselves.

Has something like this happened to you? Someone I hadn’t heard from since 1990 sent me a Facebook message which started with the question, “Hey Chris, are you still the stubborn, ambitious woman I once knew?”

I immediately felt a little embarrassed. Thirty years ago, insecure and defensive, I was a “me-first,” do-whatever-it-took-to-get-ahead kind of woman, professionally and personally. Clearly, he thought I was still the same person.

Thank God with a lot of love (and therapy) I barely resemble that unhappy woman. My transformation came slowly but continually. Now I have a constant reminder that I am able, if willing, to change, instead of waiting for my circumstances and the people around me to change.

Are You Focusing on the Wrong Side of Change?

Before we put change into action, we have to really want it. If we don’t want it, we won’t get it. We have to warm up to change until just the thought of it burns into a bright and fortifying flame. How brilliant do you want to be? Do you want to burn better and brighter? If you answer yes, then read on.

Rather than focusing on the end result or payoff of change, focus on the initial reason your heart and soul are inspiring your transformation. Sure, being 20 pounds thinner, having better relationships, and being less afraid are worthwhile pursuits.

But the brass ring itself, no matter how strong its lure, is not enough to create and sustain change. And changing behavior for the sake of better behavior is just an exhausting act of discipline and hard to maintain.

How Do You Know You Need to Change?

The real change factor is in the internal wiring of your heart and soul. You’ll know you need to rewire how you navigate life if:

  • Your need for approval and your avoidance of conflict smother your desire to change.
  • You struggle with unworthiness and believe you don’t deserve a better life.
  • You feel like a predictable – though painful – life is better than an exhausting and unpredictable fresh start.
  • You are stuck in a comfortable and ordinary life, unable or unwilling to risk it all for what’s extraordinary.

These are heavy issues to deal with. But you must begin to unwrap them, even a little, so that nothing holds you back from launching your sustainable change. This is the key to lasting transformation.

We can change a little more every day. Change, really changing forever, means opening our hearts to let go of habits that were protecting us from getting hurt. Change isn’t about protecting our self. It’s about connecting with the better self we are meant to be.

How often do you evaluate your personal strengths and weaknesses? Have you ever considered that you might need to change to move on in your life? What’s been stopping you? Please share your thoughts and let’s have a conversation!

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8 Foolproof Tips for Barely-There Makeup That Looks Effortless

Finding the right products to wear when you’re going for natural-looking makeup can be more complex than you think. You don’t want anything too cakey, too bright, or too dark. And as we all know, the “natural” look does indeed require SOME makeup application—and some skill, too. For starters, we always recommend wearing colors close to your natural skin tone, or ones that enhance it.

Below are more beginner-friendly tips and tricks along with some of our favorite beauty products for getting your “I won’t up like this” (but not really) look just right.

cerave facial moisturizing lotion

CeraVe.

Buy: CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion $13.47

Moisturize First

Creating a clean base for your makeup is very important. After washing your face, moisturizer benefits your skin by hydrating and promoting anti-aging benefits. By bathing your skin in nutrients before applying coverage, you’re creating a smoother palette that your foundation or concealer can seamlessly blend into.

Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer

Benefit Cosmetics.

Keep Your Coverage Minimal

Hide away any dark circles, fine lines, or blemishes with a concealer. This will disguise imperfections and leave your skin looking flawless, or in other words—like you found a secretly amazing Instagram filter for your selfie.

Covergirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk

Covergirl.

Buy: Covergirl Clean Fresh Skin Milk $3.41

Stick to powder or light foundation

When your goal is a barely-there finish, we recommend using a powder or an airy liquid foundation. Thick, cakey makeup doesn’t exactly support the illusion we’re going for. Be sure to apply evenly with a brush or sponge for an even, non-streaky, finish.

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush

Fenty Beauty.

Keep your blush subtle

Cream blushes work well because you can build and blend as much as you like for dramatic or subtle color payoff. Depending on your skin color, blush colors will vary, but peaches tend to look great on everyone. Apply to the natural cheekbone line where pink undertones normally show. For most of us, that’s just under the outside of the eye and going toward the temple.

NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette

NYX Cosmetics.

Buy: NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette $16.19

Opt for neutral shadows

Sweep a neutral color over your lids for a muted but beautiful eye moment. Choose a color that is just a shade or two darker than your skin tone; anything too dark will take you into dramatic territory.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Lip Gloss

Neutrogena.

Buy: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizing Lip Gloss $7.12

Find your favorite nude lip color

When choosing a lip color, go for the light pinks, peaches, and sand colors. You could also nix the lipstick and swipe on a little gloss for an even more pared-down pout.

L'Oreal Bambi Eye Mascara

L’Oreal.

Buy: L’Oreal Bambi Eye Mascara $9.97

Swipe on just a little mascara (if any).

A thin layer of mascara is all you need. You still want your eyes to stand out, so if you have light lashes, a layer of mascara may be a good idea. If you naturally have dark, full lashes you might want to skip altogether.

Step away from the liner

While eyeliner is great for a dramatic eye, it doesn’t fit with the natural makeup look. Don’t apply any eyeliner on the top or bottom. Not only will your face look naturally stunning but you’ll love how easy taking off your makeup is!

An original version of this story was published in May 2015.

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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Plastic-Free Conditioner Bars That Will Save Your Strands & Shower Space

It takes me less than a week to finish one bottle of conditioner, but the amount of half-used shampoos sitting in my shower is embarrassing, to say the least. Liquid cleansers are the status quo, but they also make it easy to go overboard with the amount of product you’re using each time. Shower space aside, the amount of plastic waste isn’t great for the environment either, hence the popularity of top-notch conditioner bars and other waste-free beauty products.

The pros of bar shampoo and conditioner far outweigh the cons. While I won’t deny the waxy consistency of a bar can lead to buildup if you’re not careful about using properly, most are travel-friendly and made without the potentially harmful ingredients found in liquid formulas. And because a lot of bar cleansers are also soap- or detergent-free, it’s almost impossible to ignore the heightened feel of soft hair after rinsing.

Finally, and perhaps my favorite part of a bar cleansing routine, is the number of washes you can get out of just one. Whereas you may need to invest in a $10 bottle of conditioner a couple times a month, a bar conditioner with the same price tag will last beyond at least one month, even if you’re using it every day. If you don’t need any more convincing to save yourself some cash and waste, here are some of the best affordable conditioner bars to browse and shop now.

Ethique The Guardian Solid Conditioner Bar

Ethique.

Ethique The Guardian Solid Conditioner Bar

Infused with lots of cocoa butter, coconut oil, vitamin B5 and lime oil to moisturize and smooth frayed hair strands.

Buy: Ethique The Guardian Solid Conditioner Bar $17.99

Aspen Kay Naturals Solid Conditioner Bar

Aspen Kay Naturals.

Aspen Kay Naturals Solid Conditioner Bar

A lemongrass and sweet orange-scented hair softener made with the repairing benefits of organic nettle, hibiscus, horsetail, and chamomile.

Buy: Aspen Kay Naturals Solid Conditioner Bar $17.99

Clever Yoga Conditioner Bar

Clever Yoga.

Clever Yoga Conditioner Bar

A coconut oil-based conditioner safe for color-treated hair.

Buy: Clever Yoga Conditioner Bar $10.99

Reef Repair Conditioner Bar

Reef Repair.

Reef Repair Conditioner Bar 

A tangerine-scented, eco-friendly vegan bar made without bee’s wax, palm oil, and any animal derivative products.

Buy: Reef Repair Conditioner Bar $9.95

Love Beauty And Planet Volume and Bounty 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner Bar

Love Beauty And Planet.

Love Beauty And Planet Volume and Bounty 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner Bar

A two-in-one hair cleanser and conditioner formulated to target thinning hair.

Buy: Love Beauty And Planet Volume and Bounty 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner Bar $3.96

Friendly Soap Conditioner Bar

Friendly Soap.

Friendly Soap Conditioner Bar

A lavender and tea tree-infused conditioner bar for nixing scalp buildup and irritation.

Buy: Friendly Soap Conditioner Bar $9.72

Bamboo Earth Solid Shampoo Bar With Conditioner Effect

Bamboo Earth.

Bamboo Earth Solid Shampoo Bar With Conditioner Effect

Lemon, thyme and other plant essences are included in this 100 percent organic hair conditioner for softening the hair and overall scalp health.

Buy: Bamboo Earth Solid Shampoo Bar With Conditioner Effect $9.87

HiBAR Plastic-Free Shampoo Bar & Conditioner Bar

HiBAR.

HiBAR Plastic-Free Shampoo Bar & Conditioner Bar

Suitable for all hair types and safe for color-treated hair, this cleansing set also adds shine and volume.

Buy: HiBAR Plastic-Free Shampoo Bar & Conditioner Bar $26.50

Colorful LaVie Solid Conditioner Bar

Colorful LaVie.

Colorful LaVie Solid Conditioner Bar

A gentle, green tea-infused hair softener and strengthener.

Buy: Colorful LaVie Solid Conditioner Bar $9.99

Package Free Round Conditioner Bar

Package Free.

Package Free Round Conditioner Bar

The “hydrator” version of this hair conditioner is made with colloidal oatmeal and amla oil to target scalp ailments and damage.

Brite Organix Bar None Hydrating Conditioner Bar

Brite Organix.

Brite Organix Bar None Hydrating Conditioner Bar

A vegan conditioner formulated with moisture and growth-promoting ingredients including coconut oil, castor oil and shea butter.

Zero Waste Store Cobalt Conditioner Bar

Zero Waste Store.

Zero Waste Store Cobalt Conditioner Bar

Get 50 or more washes out of this color-safe and palm oil-free conditioning bar.

Lush American Cream Conditioner Bar

Lush.

Lush American Cream Conditioner Bar

You’ll love the calming and moisturizing effects (and scent!) of vanilla, clary sage and lavender in this luxurious bar.

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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