Bethenny Frankel’s Blue Tie Dye Dress on Instastories

Bethenny Frankel Instagram Fashion 2020

According to Instagram Bethenny Frankel totally looked like a Fourth of July firework this weekend in the super cute and very summery tie dye midi dress she wore while vacationing with her BF Paul in Edgartown, Massachusetts. Which lucky for us all is still in stock in every size, so needless to say things are about to get really lit that is if you’re not still too hungover.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Skinnygirl Dress in Multiple Colours

Photo & Info: @BethennyFrankel

Originally posted at: Bethenny Frankel’s Blue Tie Dye Dress

When just over 2 percent of VC funding is given to women, it’s important to shop woman-owned brands to show the market that they can sell out their goods. This goes for Black-owned brands, too. According to Faces of Founders, in 2018 only 1 percent of the founders who raised equity financing were Black and 1.8 percent were Latinx. Eek. That’s why it’s especially important to support Black-owned skin care brands when you’re stocking up on your favorite serums, cleansers and moisturizers.

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Black-owned skin care brands, though this is of course not a comprehensive list. There are many more to be tested and added. This list will get you started, especially on Blackout Day 2020 on July 7, 2020. The initiative started in the wake of protests against police brutality and the fact that everyone is finally noticing the nation’s racial wealth gap. Reshauna Striggles, a protest leader in Arizona, told the Arizona Republic that we can fight systemic racism by shopping Black- and Latinx-owned businesses on Tuesday.

Get started with plant-based face masks, vitamin C serum, skin and body oil and luxe razors.

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.

Image: Courtesy of Golde.

Golde

Brooklyn-based founder Trinity Mouzon is the youngest Black woman to launch a line in Sephora. Her supplements (such as a Tumeric Tonic) are ultra-popular but we can’t get enough of her edible face masks. With ingredients including chlorella, spirulina and mango juice, she proves natural, plant-based products can be super effective.

Image: Black Girl Sunscreen.

Black Girl Sunscreen

Shontay Lundy, the founder of Black Girl Sunscreen, is changing the game when it comes to sunscreen for people of color. She launched the line to dispel the myth that people with dark skin don’t get skin cancer or sunburn. Her ultra-sheer (meaning, no white cast ever), fragrance-free sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 is such a hit, it got picked up by Target.

Image: Oui the People.

Oui the People

Founder Karen Young launched her brand with a luxe razor for sensitive skin and since has moved on to body products. Everything down to the recyclable and reusable glass bottles and the biodegrade bikini line sheet masks is thought out to reduce waste.

Image: Mary Louise.

Mary Louise Cosmetics

Akilah Releford launched her skin care brand while in college with $200. She named it after her paternal and maternal grandmothers, who passed down their DIY beauty secrets. The vegan brand has blown up and even recently opened a store in Inglewood, CA. Shop her serums, face masks, body butters and soaps.

Image: Beneath Your Mask.

Beneath Your Mask

No, founder Dana Jackson didn’t create this natural skin care brand to help heal your skin under a face mask. (Though, it can do that, too.) Instead, it’s all about letting your guard down and removing your so-called mask. After almost dying from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Jackson created skin care to help repair her damaged skin. Her body scrub, skin and hair serum and skin lotions are a must for anyone with dry skin.

Image: Hyper Skin.

Hyper Skin

New York-based Desiree Verdejo was pregnant and dealing with hyperpigmentation and acne marks from hormonal breakouts. She recently launched this serum with 15 percent vitamin C and E, bearberry, turmeric, kojic acid and a blend of fruit enzymes to help brighten dark marks.

Image: Base Butter.

Base Butter

Founder She’Neil Johnson created this aloe vera-based moisturizer to help balance her skin while dealing with hormonal breakouts. It’s so popular, it’s on backorder for weeks but you can still order a jar!

We’re all about free over here. Free gift with purchase, buy one, get one free and especially free with no catch—it’s all good with us. Well, say hello to CVS Pharmacy’s ExtraCare Extra Thanks event. It’s a mouthful but it’s not to be missed. If you’re an ExtraCare member (and if you go to CVS ever you probably are), you just have to download the app and attach your card. Then, you head to the “Deals” section and a new surprise will pop up daily with a free deal. You don’t have to buy anything to access the freebie of the day.

The gifts will range from CVS branded self-care products, to snacks to beauty products. When you see something you want, you simply send the product to your ExtraCare card digitally in the app to redeem the free gift/s in-store or online while supplies last. For example, today’s gift is Gold Emblem Gummy Bears and I will be grabbing the cinnamon ones when I head over to grab paper towels and trash bags and maybe a face mask or two.

Image: Elizabeth Denton.

Now that I’ve been forced to download the app (for, you know, the free things), now I see coupons that I’ll actually use instead of dealing with those extra-long receipts. I’m definitely not mad at $2 off tampons, pads and liners, for example. The deals continue until July 18.

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.

These are turbulent times that we live in, and I am amazed at the uncontrolled and selfish conversing I see and hear lately. It’s everywhere! TV, social media, restaurants, ball fields, schools… everywhere! I believe everyone has forgotten “It’s just your opinion.”

Everyone Has a Right to Their Opinion

It’s frustrating to read the ‘baiting’ that goes on to bring people forward to argue their points of view. For what purpose? I don’t believe minds are changed with threats, name calling or angry comedic satire.

Just because you have an opinion doesn’t mean you are ‘right’ and the other person is ‘wrong.’ It’s just your personal opinion. You have a right to voice your opinion but not to insult, degrade or antagonize someone else with it.

Social Media Is Not the Place to Argue Your Points

On social media sites you’ve got hundreds or thousands of ‘friends’ you don’t really know. Communication is beyond words and includes tone of voice, body language and facial gestures that cannot be used when texting or posting. And remember, all those friends have their opinions, too.

Why alienate an environment that was built to connect you, not disconnect you? Have you been unfriended or unfollowed? Do you do that to others? I know family members who have done that with each other. I’ve even done it because certain people have not learned the skill of kind conversing.

Here are some other options for you to consider. First, take a deep breath and anchor yourself knowing that “everything’s gonna be alright!”

So, where can you go to get support for your opinion? You can certainly join online social media groups that support your opinion. There you can openly voice your beliefs and support others. You can even create your own group!

Conversing Face to Face

Did you know you can also create your own Meetup.com group? This is a platform that allows people a way to meet locally – or online – to discuss mutual passions, interests and opinions.

Unison is a software program that allows you to create a discussion hub for business, committees or other groups of people for varied purposes.

Consider the Source of Your Opinions

And here’s something else for you to consider. Where does your opinion come from? Did you inherit it from your parents? Was it fostered in you through religion? Do you know the facts behind your opinion or could you argue it if you were indeed challenged?

Why not challenge yourself occasionally to determine how deeply your opinion is rooted and if you have an open mind for discussion when you are face-to-face with someone. Opinions can be changed or modified – even yours!

Do you open yourself up to alternative options? Do you want to? How can you begin to do that?

You can do this in the privacy of your home. Read controversial articles. Turn the TV channel to one that you know is opposing your point of view and listen openly. Watch videos that declare a different option than yours.

Documentaries are great because they try to base them on facts. I know my opinion on illegal immigration is strong, so I watched an Australian documentarily titled Go Back to Where You Came From.

It made me aware of things I had not been aware of before watching that film. Now I have alternatives to my thinking instead of the typical ‘black or white,’ ‘right or wrong.’

Have you noticed that labelling tends to create division instead of cohesiveness and understanding? Why do we use terms like conservative, liberal, left wing, right wing…?

I never even liked the labelling of races… after all we are just human beings. So, be cautiously aware of the words that you choose in your communication.

The next question I know you will ask is what do you say or do when you are confronted by someone who wants to push their opinion on you? Here are a few steps.

Leave

Leaving a confrontation is not a passive choice if you are the one making it decisively and calmly.

Delay

State: “This is not the time or place for this discussion. I’d like to pick this up later when I’m more prepared to answer.”

Respond

Say, “Thanks for sharing your opinion. You have the right to yours and I have the right to mine. Your friendship is more important than our differences.” You can add, “Let’s go to dinner, watch the game, get a coffee.”

Remember that relationships are far more important than opinions. Life will be short and sad at the end of the day if you are sitting all by yourself wrapped tightly in your opinion.

Do you always preface discussions on sensitive topics with the phrase “In my opinion”? What do you think can be done to improve the art of kind conversing? Please share your thoughts and opinions below.

I worked in non-profit organizations (NGO’s) for over three decades and, for the most part, enjoyed the time spent with the volunteers that came in to help.

I believe that anyone who provides their time and intelligence to an NGO, without financial reimbursement, is a volunteer and should be treated with respect.

I’ve found it difficult to go by this opinion at times, but it is still ingrained in me. As I continue with my own volunteer path, respect is something I naturally expect in return.

Before deciding to volunteer, it is important to ask yourself some questions to ensure this is the right NGO for you and that the work it does fits with your values and beliefs.

Who Do I Want to Work with?

Think about who you want to volunteer with. What are the causes or issues that are important to you?

Look for organizations which deal with issues that resonate with you. Maybe you already support one financially and would like to do more. Research them online and ensure that their mission and values line up with your own.

Also, consider why you want to volunteer and invest your precious time. Maybe you feel it is time to give back to society and make a difference. Maybe someone you know has used the services of the organization, and this is your chance to say thank you.

There are all sorts of reasons why people volunteer, so make sure you are aware of yours.

How Do I Find NGOs That Meet My Interests and Needs?

Talk to volunteering family, friends and peers. Ask them about the organization they work with and whether they enjoy the work. Check if your city has a volunteer centre, or search the internet. There are many organizations out there looking for the right people to help them move forward in their work.

How Much Time Do I Have Available?

How much time do you have to give an NGO? Do you have a couple of hours each week, each month? Be realistic and, at first, under commit. You can always offer more time once you have ‘tried’ the organization.

Don’t try to fit into their schedule, but do something that fits into your own. Otherwise you could end up trying to juggle other commitments or worse, resenting the NGO and the time you spend there.

If you are unsure of your availability, see if the organization can offer you limited-time, project-based work until you feel sure that this is where you want to volunteer. Ensure that you can get to and from the organization without difficulty and add this time into your calculations.

What Skills Do I Have to Offer?

If you are great at organising, maybe you could sit on an event planning committee. Or, if you are good with computers or data programs, you could offer to do data entry.

One organization I worked with had an annual need to do a great deal of data entry in a limited time. We had great volunteers who only wanted to do this work.

Another option is learning something new that will help your volunteering work. A lot of NGO’s are constantly looking for individuals who don’t mind learning or developing a new skill. Just make sure you are willing to commit both the time to learn and to engage in the role once your learning is complete.

There is nothing more frustrating – and costly – to an NGO than a volunteer who has received training but doesn’t want to take on the required role.

It’s always helpful to consider your personality. If you hate talking to strangers, then volunteering to sit at a large gala and sell raffle tickets may not be the place for you. Equally important is to be clear about what you don’t want to do, so that the NGO will not offer you a role that you will hate from the start!

What Questions Do I Have for Them, What Questions Will They Have for Me?

Just because you feel it is time to volunteer does not mean an NGO will welcome you immediately with open arms! These days, NGOs must do due diligence when accepting volunteers, particularly those working with vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly and disabled individuals.

When you contact an organization offering to volunteer, they will most certainly invite you in for an interview, which will also allow you to interview them at the same time.

Most organizations require a volunteer application, and others, like those mentioned above, may ask you to have a criminal record check. NGOs often need to ensure that your interests and theirs are aligned and that you are able and committed to doing the work for which you are volunteering.

This is also your time to ask your questions, so prepare as if you were interviewing for a job. Think about what you want to know about the NGO that wasn’t available in the research you did.

What are the benefits they offer to volunteers? What happens if there isn’t a fit or the role you’ve been given doesn’t meet what was described to you? This time allows both you and the NGO to ensure there is a right fit for you and your skills.

Do I Always Have to Be On-Site to Volunteer?

In our digital world, it should be no surprise that there are organizations who welcome virtual volunteers. With a computer, there are many roles that can be done virtually, such as providing support and advice in the legal, business or other expertise.

There are tutoring or mentor roles, editing or writing proposals, typing up papers for disabled persons – the possibilities are endless. If you are unsure about the time you have available or you need flexibility, virtual volunteering may be a great way to begin your volunteer career.

Don’t give up if the fit doesn’t quite feel right. Think about what could make it better and talk to your organizational contact person about the changes that could improve the situation.

Organizations will have different volunteer opportunities, so think about the experience you want to have, make sure it meets your needs and that you enjoy the work you have been given.

Take the time to do your research before you dive in. This is your free time, and you want to have fun as well as doing good and feeling fulfilled!

Have you considered being a volunteer? What kind of work are you interested in? If you already volunteer, what group do you work with? Please share your thoughts and experiences with volunteering below.