It’s been four months since we’ve seen any new products from Harry Styles’ Pleasing beauty line, which seems like a lot longer than it is. But it’s Harry Styles. We can never get enough. That’s why we’re so excited Pleasing’s Hot Holiday collection is coming SO soon. Don’t worry — it’s not giving off Christmas vibes in July. This is your summer holiday on the Italian coast. Whether that’s actually the plan this summer or not, a girl can dream.

Hot Holiday features four new shades of the biodegradable, 12-free nail polish inspired by summer: Beach Ball (a deep ocean blue opaque gloss), Nonna’s Sorbet (a yellow opaque gloss), Harry’s Chair (a seaweed green opaque gloss) and Wet Bottoms (a high gloss, clear topper for a wet-look finish). We’re truly obsessed with these names. Each is meant to be worn alone or you can layer them for a more unique look.

Pleasing.

The Pleasing Polish Set retails for $65 for four shades, plus you get cute beach-y decals to adorn your nails. Beach Ball and Nonna’s Sorbet shades are also sold individually for $20.

Pleasing.

Joining the polishes are two new skin and body products and vacation-ready apparel items. You read that right — more clothes are coming! How excited are you and how cute are the campaign images from this collection?!

Pleasing.

Let’s talk skincare first. There’s the The Pleasing Spritz Probiotic Soothing Tonic ($25 at Pleasing), a calming face mist infused with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, Maris aqua, Euglena gracilis extract and bitter orange flower oil. Like the brand’s other skincare products, it’s vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores).

Pleasing.

Finally, there’s the Everybody Oil Matte Moisture Glow ($45 at Pleasing), a hydrating body oil with a matte finish. It contains ingredients such as chamomile, jojoba, evening primrose oil and buckthorn berry to
help your skin glow.

Pleasing.

The Hot Holiday collection launches July 19, with apparel coming July 26, on the Pleasing website. You can also grab the collection at one of the many IRL pop-ups happening. Check the Pleasing Twitter account for details!

Ellen hunched over the saddle like Quasimodo, hanging on,
for dear life, to the saddle horn with one hand and the back of the saddle with
the other, as Toni (her horse) trotted rapidly to keep up with the front of the
herd.

The long line of 23 pack horses and riders stretched
out over the rolling hills, the slopes full of heavy bushes reaching skyward.
Ellen’s body was jarred hard over the rocky ground. There was a lot of
trotting.

At times, a grizzly sow and her cubs would appear,
their curious gazes upon us. We were, perhaps, the first horses and humans
they’d ever seen.

A Conundrum

Ellen was miserable. As soon as she got off the plane,
she told our guide that she was “terrified of horses.” At 65, a skier and
hiker, she had decided to sign up for two full weeks in the remote Northern
Canadian wilderness – by pack horse.

No roads, no hotels, no nothing. Just hard, long days
by horse. Camping, crossing rivers, hiking.

Every single day was the same: catching, haltering,
bridling, riding, and catering to our horses, sometimes in heavy rain,
sometimes in stark cold; climbing and descending steep rocky hills on foot with
these massive animals right on our heels.

Most of these horses were Percheron mixes. For the
uninitiated, Percherons are drafts, a breed like the massive Budweiser
Clydesdale, bred to work.

They have tremendous stamina, sweet natures, and can
go forever. That’s what you want in a horse taking you and your food and tent
supplies for miles into uncharted territory.

But not if you dislike or are terrified of horses.

Not surprisingly, Ellen got herself badly injured
almost immediately. After swinging herself up behind the saddle (I am still
stumped as to how someone does this) she slid off Toni’s rear end.

Toni got blamed for bucking her off (which she hadn’t,
being a placid horse), and Ellen was placed on another sweet horse that needed
steering. Ellen did nothing of the sort.

She let the reins lie on the horse’s neck, so when
Vern faced a tree going up a steep slope, he chose to go under a branch that
gave him room, but not Ellen. Vern wasn’t being mean, but Ellen was nothing
more than weight on his back giving him no helpful instruction. 

So off she went. Not the horse’s fault, but the fall
rendered Ellen invalid for the remainder of the trip.

Do We Know Ourselves, Really?

This isn’t a slam on Ellen, but it does beg the
question: why would anyone knowingly sign on to a grueling trip that they will
likely not enjoy?

In Ellen’s case, she signed up for a non-forgiving
adventure in the remote wilderness knowing she had to deal with horses each day
– and she didn’t even like them. She ended the trip not
liking them any better. If anything, she seemed to resent them even more.

Ellen had some experience camping, but over the course
of the two weeks we spent together during my month in the Muskwa-Kechika
wilderness area, I learned that in all her travels, her husband had been the
true athlete and adventurer.

Without the safety he provided, Ellen was getting some
harsh feedback about her abilities. Or lack thereof.

This is no way to have fun. Nor would I wish this kind
of experience on anyone. I am the first to encourage people to go forth and
adventure but there are some common-sense guidelines that you and I need to
take into account before we plan a trip. 

The Guidelines Are There for a Reason

What are your real abilities and limitations? Do you know what you can’t do? Has anything changed about your physical competence, i.e., injuries, or disability?

Have You Read the Small Print About the Adventure?

For this trip, we were admonished to learn how to
ride.

I train on horses nine months out of the year or else
I’m on an extended ride like this one. This is what I do well. I can’t ski
worth a piddly which is why I would never in a million years sign up to
heli-ski down some remote mountain.

I don’t belong there, and I would be a liability – if not a danger – to the entire group.

Do You Have an
Overblown Notion of Your Physical Capacity?

The ego is a tender thing, and it’s hard to admit that
we may have lost a step.

However, to sign on to a trip that has significant physical demands, which are beyond your current capacity (and you aren’t willing to own to that), or you aren’t willing to put in the time to get in shape to be able to do that trip, is to put the group and the guides at risk.

“I don’t go to the gym,” Ellen said with great pride
early on. Unfortunately, that was obvious. 

What Is Your Real
Motivation for Taking on This Adventure?

Did a friend talk you into it despite your
reservations? Are you trying to prove something – to yourself or others? No
matter what the motivation, at some point it makes a great deal of sense to
reveal your why. Sometimes you find out your why makes no sense and could possibly
lead to trouble.

Can Others Rely on
You –
or Are You a Burden?

Finally, you and I have a responsibility to the others
in the group, the guides and crew. To knowingly go on an adventure for which we
are not prepared emotionally or physically is not only dangerous, it dishonors
the hard work others put in to be on that trip.

The other riders in our group had either been on a
previous trip with the same guide, taken riding lessons, or both. They were
ready. Ellen wasn’t.

Her conduct wasn’t fair or respectful to the group. It
also sucked valuable resources out of the crew’s time when they had a huge line
of pack horses to manage, other people to watch, and constant repairs to make.

Know Your
Limitations

Knowing when to stand down is as important as having
the courage to say yes to a challenge. In fact, in some ways, it takes even
more courage.

At some point, you and I have to admit that we may not
be able to do X anymore. Just because we have the time and money doesn’t mean
that any given adventure is a good idea. We also need to respect our
limitations. 

Most folks who adventure are in the 50 to 70 range.
But not all adventures are equal. Many are gentler, with a soft bed and warm
bath waiting at the end of each day. If that’s more your speed, eschew the
wilderness and enjoy the journey.

How do you evaluate your current physical abilities?
Would you go on an adventure that seems to be a larger bite than you can chew?
How would you handle a situation that takes you beyond your limitations? What
advice might you have for those who want to try something daring, but are not
sure where to begin? Please share your thoughts below.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

There’s nothing more important than having multi-tasking products in your skincare cabinet. Though having a 10-step or more skincare routine is in vogue, versatile formulas save you both time and money, and isn’t that always the end goal? You might be wondering where the heck to start, but to keep it short and sweet, you really only need to find yourself a solid vitamin C serum. 

How could a single product be able to do so much? It’s simple: Vitamin C is known to promote collagen production, protect against free radical damage and smooth skin texture. All of that manifests itself in a radiant, even, youthful-looking complexion. That’s why Dermalogica’s Biolumin-C Serum needs to be in your shopping cart right this second. It’s a lightweight serum that taps on vitamin C, lactic acid and chia seed oil. Together, they brighten, exfoliate, protect and firm your skin so well that you’ll be shocked by the results. 

It’s not surprising that the product has earned a 4.6-star overall rating, with one shopper saying, “This serum makes my skin look clean and dewy. I’m obsessed. A must for anyone starting to see fine lines.”

If you’re trying to fade hyperpigmentation, get rid of tiny bumps on your skin and lessen the appearance of wrinkles, you’re in the right place. Dermalogica’s vitamin C Serum is ready to instantly transform your skin into an even brighter, dewier masterpiece. 

RELATED: Hailey Bieber Swears This TikTok-Viral Vitamin C Serum ‘Changed’ Her Skin 

Photo: Dermalogica.

A trio of key ingredients gives this serum its magical, skin-altering powers. The vitamin C complex is made up of two stable forms of vitamin C that work together to brighten and smooth your complexion. Additionally, lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, sloughs off dead skin cells to reveal a stunningly clear and glowy layer of skin. On top of all that, chia seed oil protects skin from environmental aggressors, which is always a must. With an ingredient list that good, we’re more than certain your skin’s about to serve.

“I could tell a difference in the brightness and feel of my face within the first five days,” wrote one reviewer. “As time went on I started to have a radiant glow. I had a few dark spots that are getting lighter by the day.”

To apply, use a full dropper of product and rub it all over your face and neck in both the morning and night. Be sure to do this after toning but before moisturizing to see the best results. 

“This serum works incredibly well in brightening dull, aging skin. I am very happy with the results in just the first few weeks,” wrote another shopper. 

Don’t put up with hyperpigmentation, uneven texture or damaged skin any longer; Dermalogica’s Biolumin-C Serum is here to bring all of the radiance, protection and clarity you deserve.

How do we really know when it’s time to retire? What images do you have of the term “retirement?” To some it means enjoying life and golfing every day. For others, it means moving to a warm climate.

Some people have a foreboding vision of cotton-head hell and early-bird dinners. Many more experience a crippling fear of reduced income, getting old and being left behind.

There’s a lot riding on making that big leap into the next stage of our lives. Big life changes are scary things to think about. They can often paralyse us with fear of the unknown. We look in the mirror and ask, “Am I ready to do this?”

Nagging Questions for a Retirement Life

Here are some of the questions that may stress you at night.

• Who will I be without my business card?
• Can I survive without the big pay cheque and perks?
• Will I lose the friendship of my colleagues if I leave my job?
• Will I get old and fat in my sweat pants?
• How will I spend my days?
• What else am I good at doing?

These are all legitimate concerns we need to come to terms with. The first step is to be brutally honest with ourselves. We have to admit just how much our ego is fighting against our inner voice. Then we need to make a plan. Without one, things will surely all fall apart.

Way Back in the Olden Days

The word ‘retirement’ may have been the appropriate term for the men who ruled the ranks for generations. After years of loyal service, they simply disappeared with their gold watches into that great abyss of black knee socks, white shoes, and polyester pants. But the woman of today is a new breed of corporate citizen.

So perhaps it’s time for us to lead the charge and find a different word for this important life transition and leave the old definition behind.

Changing the Narrative

The dictionary defines the word “retirement” as “withdrawal into privacy or seclusion.” Are you kidding me? With so many vibrant boomers making the leap into the golden years, the term “retirement” itself needs to be retired.

We need to re-imagine a more modern term that reflects our arrival at a well-earned destination. So with this in mind, why not create a new word and call it our “arrivement” instead?

Survival of the Fittest

I was a woman executive in the corporate ranks. My career was often fraught with the usual debilitating impacts of stress and political agendas. Many of us were pioneers in making significant cracks in those glass ceilings. This was especially true in industries where men were traditionally kings. Good for us, ladies!

But even today, many women in the workforce find that staying alive can be an effort in tough survival. Women working at senior levels continue to be covertly punished by disconnects in gender communication. We have always been at a disadvantage, disabled by our inability to manipulate casual deal making at the urinal.

We worked damn hard to get where we are in life. So the concept of leaving it all behind can be both intriguing and unnerving. We deserve everything we want to do with our lives, so let’s get on with it.

Here Are 7 Steps to Reaching Your Own Personal “Arrivement”

• Follow your instincts and be true to your inner voice.
• Ignore the doubts of others around you and be your own role model.
• Make a list of the big and little things you still want to do with your life.
• Prepare for the next step by taking courses or volunteering in your areas of interest, while you are still working.
• Talk to your financial advisor about your plans and find ways to live within your future income.
• Be gentle with yourself and don’t wait until you’re burned out.
• Make the break and enjoy the rest of your life doing what you love.

An important thing to note is that “arriving” at this stage of your life doesn’t mean you need to stop working. It might mean staying where you are if you love your job. It could mean reducing your hours to pursue other interests. The important thing is that you follow your bliss and shift gears into something close to your heart.

You might want to choose a quiet life of good books and family. Perhaps you’d prefer working at a job at an art gallery, volunteering at a hospice, becoming an actor, going back to school, or joining the circus. It’s all good because your life belongs to you. And you deserve the joy that will come when you find the ways and means to go for it!

On a Personal Note…

I am now a whopping 20 years into my “arrivement,” and I have never looked back. I followed my writing dreams. I have enjoyed many travels with my husband, and feel blessed to have time to spend with my daughter and granddaughter.

In a word… life is beautiful when you enjoy every moment, regardless of aging issues or physical limitations. The important lesson I have learned is to say YES to the things I want to do and a big fat NO to the things I don’t. And with each passing year, I’m thankful for this remarkable gift of new beginnings.

Are you ready to take the leap into your “arrivement” or are you already there? What is your favorite word for retirement? Share your story in the comments below. Let’s start a conversation.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

We can’t pretend like our skin is ready for summer, because it simply isn’t. The gloomy weather isn’t giving us the natural sun-kissed glow that we deserve, so faux tanning is all we’ve got. However, we don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars on spray tan appointments. Thankfully, a celeb-loved tanning product known and loved for its stellar results just so happens to be on sale at the moment.

St. Tropez’s Jumbo Self Tan Express Mousse is one of Kim Kardashian’s all-time favorite self-tanners, she previously revealed on her KKW blog. It’s a lightweight, fast-absorbing tanning mousse that doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky after application. The product is just $49 during Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. It usually costs $88, making its $39 markdown a must-buy.

“I’ve used St. Tropez self-tan express for a couple of years and I love it. I’ve tried other brands but always come back to this,” raved one Nordstrom reviewer. “Goes on beautifully, no streaking, gorgeous color, one application lasts a week and it gradually fades just like a real tan. Dries fast and doesn’t stain.”

In no time, you’ll be glowing like Kim K thanks to this tanning mousse. It’s the perfect way to make it feel like summer all day every day.

RELATED: Shoppers Say This $22 Self-Tanner Makes Them Look Like They ‘Got a Full Face of Filler’

Photo: St. Tropez.

The best part about this airy mousse is that you can control the depth of your tan. Apply and wait one hour before showering for a light tan or sit still for two hours for a medium golden tan. You can even leave it on for up to three hours for a darker bronze. But regardless, you’ll have a natural-looking tan that stays for days.

It doesn’t streak, stick or transfer, which ticks off all our boxes. The mousse also dries quickly and is super hydrating. Basically, it’s foolproof. Anyone can use this self-tanner, even first-timers and beginners.

To make sure your self-tan lasts, remember to exfoliate and moisturize drier areas, like your hands, feet, ankles and wrists. Next, put one pump of mousse on your mitt and smear the product in sweeping motions. It’s okay to overlap each layer because it’ll prevent missed patches and an uneven tan. Then, shower after one, two or three hours, depending on how deep you want your tan to come out.

Soon as you know it, your tan will be developed after four to eight hours. And you won’t have that off-putting fake tan smell, either, since this formula has a new mood-boosting fragrance.

St. Tropez’s bronzing mousse has everything you could possibly want in such a product. And when Kim Kardashian swears by it, you know it’s going to be fabulous.