If you don’t know Tayla Parx‘s name yet, you know her work. The ultra-talented singer-songwriter played Little Inez in the 2007 musical movie Hairspray, had reoccurring roles in Gilmore Girls and True Jackson, VP and wrote or co-wrote hit songs for Fifth Harmony, Ariana Grande (such as “Thank U, Next”) and even BTS. We told you she was talented. Now, she’s sticking her toe into beauty. What can’t she do?

Parx is one of Bed Head by TIGI’s brand ambassadors featured in the recent Your Vibe Our Tribe Campaign. The campaign celebrates some of the world’s most renowned, diverse creatives across multiple industries to empower individuals to be their authentic selves. Parx, who identifies as sexually fluid, is speaking out about LGBTQ+ Pride and embracing her individuality. Her new hit single, “Dance Alone,” embodies the emotion of wanting to dance with a special someone.

“Pride to me means having the confidence to be me unapologetically. There’s a special power in loving yourself for all that you are and it’s easier said than done. That’s to be expected, you know the best and worst parts of yourself better than anyone,” says Parx. “I use my fashion and music to express inclusivity and to lead by example in my everyday living. I love being my authentic self and allow others to do the same without judgment. I believe everybody has a message that at least one person needs to hear. If we supported more people by encouraging their expression of self we would have a lot more innovative ideas see the light of day.”

Source: Instagram

Part of becoming her authentic self is shedding her colorful weaves and embracing her natural texture. “The biggest reason I wanted to wear my hair natural now was because I wanted the freedom,” Parx tells STYLECASTER. “It gave me even more confidence to be fearless and more natural than ever. It was a transition to wearing less makeup and living that truth and now my lifestyle, hairstyles and everything in between have been transforming, as well.”

Parx uses Tigi Bed Head Foxy Curls Contour Cream ($21.99 at Ulta), Tigi Bed Head Calma Sutra Cleansing Conditioner ($21.99 at Ulta) and Tigi Bed Head Headrush ($9.99 at Ulta) to get her curls on point.

“The freedom of wearing my natural hair means solidifying that love I have for myself whether I’m natural or made up,” she continues. “We all have insecurities, and the power that lies behind stripping yourself down to the most natural state of you is beautiful.”

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.

How have you managed with food shopping and cooking during lockdown? Have you resorted to churning out the same old comfort food, or have you been slightly more adventurous?

Many like the idea of emerging from lockdown with different cooking habits. Bread baking and better use of leftovers are just part of the story.

With more time on our hands, many of us have also relished the chance to spend more time cooking and try out recipes that we’ve never previously had the time or patience for.

But, inevitably, thinking what to cook night after night can still become tedious, and while restaurants are gradually re-opening in some countries, you may still feel wary about eating out.

Cuisine from Around the World

We have several friends who have introduced a ‘travel round the world’ night, dedicating one dinner a week to food from another country – from tagine to tagliatelle and paella to poppadoms – which we think is a great idea.

While non-essential travel and holidays have been off the menu, we’ve tried to recreate some of our holiday memories through food, reliving favourite trips by cooking meals that remind us of particular places.

It’s not quite as good as the real thing, but conjuring up memories of vineyards and olive groves, vibrant markets, al fresco picnics, and mouth-watering dinners easily comes to a close second.

Our food nostalgia has taken us as far afield as Italy, the UK, and Australia, with some meals more elaborate than others. What makes them most effective is evoking as many of the five senses as possible.

For example, for us, a simple home-made pesto brings back dreamy views over the pastel-coloured buildings of Italy’s Ligurian coast, the smell of sea air, and the sound of gently lapping waves.

Cook from Fresh

Unfortunately, a microwave lasagne won’t bring back memories of a holiday in Italy, nor will a takeaway Indian evoke the spice-packed fragrances of Indian street food.

Do cook from fresh, substituting ingredients if you find that some are tricky to source. Planting your own herb garden is a great way to ensure that your favourite herbs are steps away when you need them.

For most of us, holiday scents take us straight back to a happy place. Who isn’t consumed by nostalgic beach memories when presented with a platter of calamari? Or by recollections of childhood Christmases at the scent of roasted chestnuts?

As smells are known to trigger memories, cooking your meal from scratch can evoke your own holiday memories before the food even reaches the table.

Use Authentic Tableware

Presenting the food on authentic dishes is a great way to transport you to your favourite place. Rummage in your cupboards for serving dishes and platters that reflect the location you’re replicating, making use of ceramic dishes, pottery, and colourful tea glasses.

Pairing Drinks

Did you discover a favourite wine while on holiday? If so, check to see if you can buy it – or the next best equivalent – locally to enjoy with your meal.

Start your evening with the drink that reminds you most of your holiday. For us, the mere sight of an Aperol spritz with a bowl of olives is enough to bring back summertime in Italy, and a glass of chilled manzanilla with some freshly toasted almonds, or a cloudy pastis, will take us back to Spain or France in a flash. The perfect prelude to any evening!

Memories and Photos

While you sip your aperitivo or round off your meal with a coffee or sweet dessert wine, make those memories even more vivid by flicking through your holiday photos on your iPad.

We love using this time to look back over photos of our own holidays and of our group walking trips, re-living memorable hikes, and remembering people we’ve met along the way.

Have you been more adventurous with your cooking during lockdown? Let us know of any dishes that remind you of past holidays! Are you thinking ahead to holidays in 2021? Please join the conversation in the comments section below!

Bethenny Frankel’s Camo Jumpsuit and Cardigan on Instastories

Bethenny Frankel 2020 Instagram Fashion

While Bethenny Frankel is probably my fave Real Housewife of all time (watch out thou, Leah McSweeney is rapidly picking up momentum) TBH I don’t often see her Instagram stories through because there are SO many dashes. So many. It’s like a full time job to watch them all even if I do love what I see and hear. Thankfully BBH Staff Writer Faryn, who has far more patience than me, spotted Bethenny’s super comfy camo jumpsuit, cardigan and sandals on her stories and found the deets for us. And I think I just might need the jumpsuit, because even though the print was made to blend in it totally stands out, just like Bethenny.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here To Shop Her Skinnygirl French Terry Camo Jumpsuit

Click Here To Shop Her Skinnygirl Mouj Waterfall Cardigan

Click Here To Shop Her Louis Vuitton Monogram Slides on eBay

Photo Credit: @bethennyfrankel

Originally posted at: Bethenny Frankel’s Camo Jumpsuit

Self-tanner season is every season. I’ve used it in the dead of winter (when it makes the most sense) and in the heat of summer (to amplify my natural tan). When used correctly and in moderation, it’s the most time-efficient way to get glowy because unlike bronzer or blush, you don’t have to apply it every day. And if you’re already using glow-boosting skincare products like vitamin C, it only elevates the results you want. Still, a lot of the most buzzworthy self-tanners are expensive but thankfully, the best cheap self-tanner doesn’t sacrifice quality.

There are plenty of budget-friendly skin illuminators out there, so it really just comes down to your personal preferences. For instance, some of you may need botanical-based self-tanner for sensitive skin that’s prone to inflammation. Others may want specific texture, such as foam or mist. And then there are those like me who simply need an effective option under a specific price point. With that being said, here are some of my favorite cheap self-tanner products under $20.

Jergens.

Jergens Natural Glow +FIRMING Daily Moisturizer

This drugstore classic combines skincare benefits with tanning properties to both bronze and hydrate the body during application. The firming version is made ingredients said to improve elasticity in as little as seven days.

Buy: Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer $8.28

Jergens.

SOL by Jergens Water Mousse

Jergens’s newest range of self-tanner products includes this lightweight water mousse made with tanning actives derived from natural sugars.

Neutrogena.

Neutrogena Micromist Airbrush Sunless Tanning Spray

No rubbing required to get results from this at-home tanner whose applicator mimics the even, lightweight feel of a professional spray tanning tool.

Buy: Neutrogena Micromist Airbrush Sunless Tanning Spray $8.97

b.tan.

b.tan Fake It Till You Make It Self Tan Mousse

If your skin is sensitive to traditional tanning chemicals, this one-hour mousse is mostly vegan and made with all-natural DHA.

Buy: b.tan Fake It Till You Make It Self Tan Mousse $14.79

Alba Botanica.

Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner Lotion

This quick-absorbing, botanical-based tanning lotion also nourishes the skin with shea butter, sweet almond oil, and safflower oil.

Buy: Alba Botanica Sunless Tanner Lotion $9.99

St. Moriz.

St. Moriz Instant Self-Tanning Mousse

This take-home formula has been tested in salons for efficacy, ease of application, and overall effectiveness (all of which are amazing, BTW).

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.

Erika Schaefer’s White Ribbed Crop Top on Her Instastories

Million Dollar Listing LA 2020 Instagram Fashion

As the quarantine is slightly lifted in some areas we are starting to see outfits that aren’t just pjs. For example Erika Schaefer’s white ribbed crop top on her Instastories last week! Though I hate to say goodbye to all the lounge looks we were getting it is nice to see some “real clothes”. What I will like saying goodbye to is all the toilet paper hoarding. We can all agree that was a bit much. But even on Erika’s Instastory she still couldn’t resist stocking up more TP by stealing some of her friend’s stock pile. And since the stock of this cut crop top is limited there’s always more toilet paper styles to steal below.

Sincerely Stylish,

Jess

Click Here To Shop Her Zara White Ribbed Crop Top

Photo Credit: @erikaschaefer_

Originally posted at: Erika Shaefer’s White Ribbed Crop Top