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

When you have hyperpigmentation (those pesky dark spots), acne marks, dark circles and the like, sometimes concealer isn’t enough. To really hide imperfections — if you so choose — you need to color correct. That’s where Tarte’s new Shape Tape Color Correctors come in. You’ve got the creamy, ultra-pigmented formula you know and love from Shape Tape, with the shades you need to color-correct any spot. Here’s how you use ’em.

Before you apply your regular concealer, choose the color corrector that’ll work for your imperfection. This is an important step. If you know how to apply concealer, the rest is easy. There’s Pink to brighten dark spots (for all skin tones), Yellow to brighten and neutralize mild redness (all skin tones), Green to neutralize redness, hyperpigmentation and pimples (all skin tones), Peach to neutralize dark under eyes and discoloration (fair-to-medium skin tones), Orange to do the same on medium-to-deep skin tones and Red for the same darkness on deep skin tones.

Tarte also added White as a base or to add to a shade to customize your own and Black to add depth to any color.

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. QVC is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Tarte.

Once you’ve got the color (or colors) that’ll work for you, apply a little to your under eye circles or dark spot and let it sit for a minute. Apply your regular concealer on top and you’ll be shocked at how well the area just disappears. And you don’t have to worry about the concealer getting cakey with all the layering. Shape Tape Color Corrector has hyaluronic acid and nourishing shea and mango butters to keep the area well hydrated. Grab yours at QVC now before they launch on Tarte’s website.

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

When you have hyperpigmentation (those pesky dark spots), acne marks, dark circles and the like, sometimes concealer isn’t enough. To really hide imperfections — if you so choose — you need to color correct. That’s where Tarte’s new Shape Tape Color Correctors come in. You’ve got the creamy, ultra-pigmented formula you know and love from Shape Tape, with the shades you need to color-correct any spot. Here’s how you use ’em.

Before you apply your regular concealer, choose the color corrector that’ll work for your imperfection. This is an important step. If you know how to apply concealer, the rest is easy. There’s Pink to brighten dark spots (for all skin tones), Yellow to brighten and neutralize mild redness (all skin tones), Green to neutralize redness, hyperpigmentation and pimples (all skin tones), Peach to neutralize dark under eyes and discoloration (fair-to-medium skin tones), Orange to do the same on medium-to-deep skin tones and Red for the same darkness on deep skin tones.

Tarte also added White as a base or to add to a shade to customize your own and Black to add depth to any color.

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. QVC is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Tarte.

Once you’ve got the color (or colors) that’ll work for you, apply a little to your under eye circles or dark spot and let it sit for a minute. Apply your regular concealer on top and you’ll be shocked at how well the area just disappears. And you don’t have to worry about the concealer getting cakey with all the layering. Shape Tape Color Corrector has hyaluronic acid and nourishing shea and mango butters to keep the area well hydrated. Grab yours at QVC now before they launch on Tarte’s website.

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

Finding the right blush can sometimes feel like the most difficult part of building up your beauty regimen. There are so many options —where do you even start? When we’re feeling lost, we ask for guidance from the TikTok goddesses, and this time, they seriously delivered. Everyone from Alix Earle to Mikayla Nogueria (and basically every other beauty TikTok creator) has been obsessing over this liquid blush for months, and it’s quickly selling out at Sephora.  

Rare Beauty’s Pinch Liquid Blush comes in a variety of shades, so there’s no doubt you’ll find your perfect match among these choices. But you’ll have to hurry. On Sephora, shades like Believe and Love are already out of stock! Don’t worry, though, you still have some options, a few of which have been given a coveted TikTok shoutout.  

@yazdior

i should’ve tried this sooner #rarebeauty #rarebeautysoftpinchliquidblush #rarebeautyhope #rarebeautyliquidluminizer #rarebeautyhighlight #makeupgrwm #rarebeautyenchant

♬ original sound – xxtristanxo

TikTokers tested out some of the new shades including Happy, which features a dewy cool pink finish. TikToker @yazdior said they “should’ve tried this sooner” after seeing the final results, while TikToker @makeupbyalissiac showed some love for the “underrated” matte nude pink blush Bliss. Of course, these TikTokers aren’t the only ones who adore Rare Beauty’s Pinch Liquid Blush.  

@makeupbyalissiac

This shade of Rare Beauty liquid blush is so underrated!! Shade “Bliss” #BeautyReview #BeautyHacks #makeuptutorial

♬ original sound – ALISSIA

Along with TikTokers’ adoration for this Rare Beauty product, shoppers have been spreading the love in their glowing reviews.

“This blush is just *chefs kiss* so pigmented,” one shopper said. “Everyone told me I was glowing all night. Just get it. Best addition to my makeup routine.” Another satisfied shopper said they are “definitely buying more” after trying this blush out. “So pigmented and feels very good quality. I love that there’s so many shade options for warm or cool toned skin. I love the way they blend and the dewy finish.” 

Photo: Rare Beauty.

Rare Beauty Liquid Blush

We’ve always admired how Rare Beauty’s products are designed specifically with its users in mind. These blushes won’t just make your skin glow and feel all kinds of loved up, you’ll also feel incredible as this blush brings out your own rare beauty. (See what we did there?) Get your own shade(s) of Rare Beauty Pinch Liquid Blush before it’s gone! 

Do you dream of taking singing lessons, or singing in a choir? If so, consider this…

I was recently talking with a friend in her 60s who told me that she was considering auditioning to join a choir. She explained to me, “My voice is getting weak. I just don’t have the power I used to have. Do you think that singing in a choir will help me with that?”

I answered with a bit of hesitation, “Yes… maybe.”My friend, who knows I am careful when I answer questions regarding health and music, responded with a laugh, “Only ‘maybe’? But singing in a choir is supposed to be so good for us!”

Choir Singing Can Improve Your Health

She is right about that. There is strong evidence from good studies that singing in a choir brings with it huge benefits, especially for those of us who are over 60. One well-regarded study from 2021 notes that: “In older adults, regular participation in community-level choirs can reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness; improve self-evaluated quality of life, physical health, and interest in life; and increase general activity.”

That’s a pretty impressive list of possible improvements to an older adult’s life. Add to that the deep joy of creating beautiful, meaningful music with others, while breathing in sync with them. How could this activity not enhance your life?

But if you are looking for very specific changes in your voice, or if you have a need for unique musical expression, then singing lessons may be more beneficial to you than joining a choir, at least as your first step. Let me tell you why.

Singing Lessons Are About You

When you take a singing lesson with a good teacher, you enter a magical world that is quite different from that of the choir. Choir experience is about the group in harmonious action together. A singing lesson is about you, and only you.

For instance, my friend who has found that her voice has lost power may find that certain vocal exercises will gradually increase the power in her voice. A voice coach will listen to her singing through various exercises (or songs) to see if there is an imbalance in how she is using her voice.

Is it a problem with the vocal cords themselves? This is something that is tricky to address. If there is damage to her vocal cords, she may need to see a throat doctor and/or commit to a period of vocal rest.

Or is the lack of vocal power a misunderstanding about the muscle co-ordination required to sing? Is she breathing well? Perhaps she will need a good explanation about how at least some of her power can come from using the ring or twang aspect of resonance in her face.

What Is Your Specific Need?

As you can see, each of these issues is very personal and individual. My friend may find that once she has solved at least some of her power issues, she will feel more confident about going to a choir audition.

Lacking that vocal understanding, my concern for her is that she may “push” hard on her throat and strain her voice in order to get the kind of power that her conductor may require.

But singing is a mysterious act in many ways. While we know quite a lot about the mechanics of the voice, there is clearly a deep boost of wellbeing that comes from making music together. And we cannot measure that. Some of my friend’s vocal troubles may well be solved just through the sheer joy of musical camaraderie.

Finally, there are those singers who have a need for very personal expression through songs.

Is Self-Expression Your Goal?

One of my students who is now in her 50s, dreamed as a child of singing songs from music theatre like, Cats, Les Miserables and Cabaret. But her young voice was not able to produce the powerful belting sounds that some of these musicals require.

Her goal now is not to become a solo artist, but to find out if she can, at this point, learn to use her voice in this way. This kind of vocal ambition requires the quiet concentration of private lessons. It’s a one-on-one kind of process.

Still, as a person who relishes community activities, this student also finds joy in singing with a big, glorious choir.

So, singing lessons or singing in a choir. Or both? What is right for you, at this time?

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you have a strong desire to sing? Is the choir experience right for you? Or are you more drawn to singing lessons? Or would you consider doing both?

Do you expect to be the beneficiary of an IRA or retirement plan? Maybe you are in the process of a review of your IRA or retirement plan beneficiaries and want to make good decisions based on current legislation. The rules changed with both the 2019 SECURE Act and the SECURE 2.0 ACT of 2022 so it is a good time to pull out your records and see if you need to make any changes.

Before we look at the rules for inheriting, let’s review who can be a beneficiary.

Beneficiary Designations

A beneficiary can be any person or entity – such as a trust or charity – you choose to receive the benefits of a retirement account or IRA or other asset after you die. You can name multiple beneficiaries for one account but then must specify percentage allocations to each beneficiary.

If you are married and participate in your employer’s ERISA covered retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or pension plan, your spouse must generally be the beneficiary of that company plan unless the spouse signs a waiver or consent form to allow a different beneficiary.

Assets other than retirement accounts may also carry a beneficiary designation if so desired, and that might make sense, for example, if you are a single person and own assets titled in your name only. A “transfer on death (TOD) or payable on death (POD)” beneficiary designation may be added to bank accounts or taxable brokerage accounts.

Check with the firm that handles your banking and/or investments and make sure that it is appropriate for your situation. Real property, such as your home, may also carry a beneficiary designation in the form of a beneficiary deed; however; every state has its own rules and process.

It is wise to consult a legal, tax, or financial advisor so that you understand all the pros and cons before you make beneficiary designations or changes. For example, assets with TOD or POD beneficiary designations do not go through probate but they may be subject to creditor claims during your lifetime, or during probate if there aren’t enough assets to pay debts of the estate.

Inherited IRAs

Let’s imagine that your father recently passed away. He had both a Traditional and a Roth IRA. Your mother is the only beneficiary of the Traditional IRA, and you are the only beneficiary of the Roth IRA. You and your mother have different choices and rules to follow as beneficiaries.

Your mother, the spouse of the deceased and an eligible designated beneficiary, has one set of options, and you, a non-spouse designated beneficiary, have another set of options.

The rules for if/when you must begin taking required minimum distributions and/or distribute all the account assets depend on your beneficiary classification:

• Eligible Designated Beneficiary (spouse or minor child of the original account holder, or an individual that is disabled, chronically ill or no less than 10 years younger than the original account holder)
• Designated Beneficiary (most other individuals)
• Non-Designated Beneficiary (trusts and organizations)

The SECURE Act, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, came with several changes for inherited IRAs. If the IRA account holder died on or after January 1, 2020, and you inherit their IRA, you’ll now generally have 10 years after the account holder’s death to withdraw all the money. Otherwise, you’ll face a penalty on any money remaining in the account. However, this rule does not apply to those listed above as eligible designated beneficiaries. They have other options.

There are additional nuances based on your exact relationship to the deceased, when they died, and their age at the time of their death. If the deceased died before January 1, 2020, there are still different rules. The best thing either one of you can do is to talk to both your tax and your financial advisor before you do anything. You do not want to create undesired tax consequences with decisions made too quickly.

By the way, make sure your father took his required minimum distribution for the year of his death, if it was required. If not, it must be taken before any distribution of assets to beneficiaries otherwise penalties could apply.

Beneficiary designations and inherited IRAs can be complicated. Please take your time and ask questions so that you fully understand your choices and their tax ramifications so you make informed decisions that will benefit both you and your heirs.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What surprises have you encountered with inheriting assets? How recently have you and your spouse/partner reviewed your asset beneficiaries? Have you had a conversation with your beneficiaries so they are aware of their inheritance?