30 Perfect Outfits To Copy This April

April 1, 2016, 4:00 am

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They say April showers bring May flowers, but we think this month is as good a time as any to let our style fully bloom. The days of excessive layers, miserably cold mornings, and constantly re-wearing worn-out gear are behind us. (No shade to your black booties or everyday wool coat, but you're probably ready to give them a break, too, right?)

Now is the moment for even the most colour-shy to embrace the patterns, prints, and shades sunny days call for. It's also the time to look to the 30 outfits ahead (one for each day of the month) to help make April dressing a breeze. Dresses, open-toed shoes, and the most out-of-the-box sunglasses ever are screaming your name: Here's how to pull them (and more) off.

Not ready to fully embrace florals? Opt for a black-based version that feels a bit edgier, and toughen it up by layering over a simple tee.
*RE/DONE T-shirt, Reformation dress, FENTY Puma by Rihanna shoes, Jess Hannah necklace.*
Photo via @alyssainthecity.

Some frocks in your arsenal may be a bit too summery for April's inconsistent weather: Make it work for breezier days by adding black tights and a closed-toe shoe into the mix.
*We11Done dress.*
Photo via @damikwon_.

You've likely tried a statement shoe, bag, or piece of jewellery. But have you thought of giving a statement *pant* a whirl?
*Zara top, A.W.A.K.E. pants, Aquazurra shoes, Mochi earrings.*
Photo via @desertmannequin.

This month, wear your button-up backwards.
*Vintage top, pants, and shoes.*
Photo via @double3xposure.

Further proof Rodarte's collaboration with & Other Stories is the capsule collection of the season.
*& Other Stories x Rodarte top and skirt, vintage jacket and bag.*
Photo via @eleonoracarisi.

Keep the length of your miniskirt strong by matching it with a just-as-long (er, short?) trench.
*Reformation skirt, Man Repeller x VEDA jacket, Dr. Martens shoes.*
Photo via @elizcardinal.

When athleisure meets the matching set. We've found our new weekend uniform.
*House of Sunny top and pants, Sandro Paris shoes.*
Photo via @emma_knight01.

Never underestimate the power of a good lightweight coat.
*CYNTHIA & XIAO top, House of Holland Skirt, Fendi coat, Alexander McQueen shoes, stephane + christian sunglasses.*
Photo via @faye_tsui.

Graphic sweatshirt + printed skirt = match made in heaven.
*Faubourg50 top.*
Photo via @freddieharrel.

Dress down a pair of wide-legged trousers by swapping out a simple button-up for a cooler T-shirt.
*FREECITY top.*
Photo via @gogoluxe.

Off-the-shoulder top, skinny neck scarf, and grandma heels. Wear three of our favorite trends together and you'll never look better.
*Mochi top, ASOS pants.*
Photo via @hannahlouisef.

That printed dress you wear to the office? Make it weekend-ready by ditching your heels for some kicks.
*Eloquii dress, Adidas shoes, Tory Burch sunglasses.*
Photo via @itsmekellieb.

Pyjama dressing: Our secret weapon for when we have no idea what to wear.
*Zara top and pants, Alaia shoes, Chanel bag.*
Photo via @julianasalazar.

On chillier days, throw on your favourite knit with a pleated skirt instead of boyfriend jeans.
*H&M sweater, Tanya Taylor skirt, Paul Andrew shoes, Rebecca Taylor bag.*
Photo via @jxxsy.

Already a fan of the matching set? Dare to be different with a bold matching *suit*.
*Emmanuel Ungaro suit.*
Photo via @kenzasmg.

Hello, frayed jeans (if you don't already own a pair, now is *definitely* the time to).
*3x1 pants, Gucci shoes.*
Photo via @lisafolawiyo.

Make Breton stripes feel less nautical with a gilded pair of danglers and Bermuda shorts.
*Celine top, Tibi shorts, Dolce & Gabbana shoes, Mercedes Salazar earrings.*
Photo via @manrepeller.

A throw-and-go dress is basically the epitome of spring (and summer, too). We love a bold option with some not-so-subtle detailing.
*March11 dress, vintage bag.*
Photo via @maria_bernad.

Nothing says you're embracing warm weather like a white off-the-shoulder top.
*Style Mafia top, Vetements top, Maryam Nassir Zadeh shoes, Celine bag.*
Photo via @marigiudicelli.

With a pair of sneakers, spring pastels can look *way* less girly.
*BIMBA Y LOLA jacket.*
Photo via @naomishimada.

Let a thinner robe coat double as a dress and wear it half-open over jeans.
*Natasha Zinko jacket and shoes.*
Photo via @natashazinko.

If you're not keen on showing too much skin, try covering up by balancing your miniskirt with some thigh-high boots.
*Eloquii top, ASOS skirt, Stuart Weitzman shoes, Kate Spade New York bag.*
Photo via @nicolettemason.

For those who swear by monochromatic outfits, let the tan ensemble help you venture outside of all-black or all-grey territory.
Photo via @oroma.elewa.

What's not to love about a piece of clothing that moves as you do?
*Gap pants, Dior coat, FENTY Puma by Rihanna shoes.*
Photo via @shionat.

Thin turtlenecks are great layering pieces for days the weather just can't make up its mind. Just look how great this white version looks underneath a denim jumpsuit.
*Rachel Comey jumpsuit, KAYU bag.*
Photo via @thefrankieshop.

A perfect printed dress can go a long way. It's our idea of an investment piece.
*KORSUN dress.*
Photo via @valentinasiragusa.

Bombers are in: Stand out from the crowd in a less-expected metallic version.
*collection PRIVEE? dress, IVANO TRIOLO jacket, Lolita Lorenzo Accessories bag.*
Photo via @veronica_giomini.

Lazy Sundays call for a put-together (but totally comfortable) uniform. A striped shirt, flared pants, and sneakers do just that.
*Marni top, Ellery pants, Celine sunglasses.*
Photo via @wethepeoplestyle.

Spaghetti sleeves. Just do it.
*Vetements top, pants, and shoes.*
Photo via @yoyokulala.

Here are the brightly coloured florals you're expecting, but in a totally awesome silhouette.
*Marimekko jacket.*
Photo via @zanitazanita.

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Your April Horoscope, Revealed

April 1, 2016, 4:00 am

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≪ Previous: 30 Perfect Outfits To Copy This April

April is Aries season, and we all feel fired up by the rambunctious Ram's influence. This is no time for sitting still and going stir-crazy. Get up, get out, and explore the new! With the sun and romantic Venus traveling together through Aries from April 5 to the 20th, spring fever 2016 will be a hella strong brew. But these flash fires of passion can sizzle and then fizzle. Don't bother booking the chapel just yet. Sometimes a kiss really is just a kiss. But if it's meant to last forever after, the full moon in sexy, intense Scorpio on the 22nd could seal the deal or reveal a soulmate.

Mars blazes a trail through Sagittarius, the sign of the global adventurer, all month. We'll be eager to explore new corners of the world and broaden our horizons. But on the 17th, Mars turns retrograde until June 29, which could derail our daring ways. Think twice before leaping into anything that hasn't been thoroughly researched — and before spouting opinions. (Trump, we're looking at you.) Since Sagittarius is the sign of the truth-teller, honesty is only the best policy when served with a dose of compassion. Being unkind under the guise of "telling it like it is" could cause some major meltdowns in the second half of April.

On the 20th, the sun rolls into Taurus for a month, bringing a more grounded groove to the world. It's no coincidence that Earth Day (April 22) corresponds with this eco-friendly sign. Find ways to make life cleaner and greener. Speaking of the green, budget-minded Taurus loves practical luxury. Start saving those pennies for long-term security and an investment piece that makes every day feel more decadent.

**Aries**
The Aries liberation front is in effect! With the sun beaming through your sign until the 20th, you have a zero tolerance policy for anyone who tries to clip your wings. But that doesn't mean you'll be performing as a solo act. With love planet Venus cruising alongside the sun from the 5th on, a mind-blowing romance could be the gift of your birthday season. The dream? Finding someone who applauds your individuality and inspires you to grow. If you've already found that person, don't be careless and let him or her slip away. The Scorpio full moon on the 22nd could be the date where this romance turns rock-steady — and that could include a gem on your finger. But if you've been in a self-love slump, you might opt for a temporary dating hiatus so you can devote time to developing your creativity and personal interests. After all, you always attract a better match when you're feeling awesome about yourself. Circle April 7, the day of the annual new moon in Aries, as your cosmic New Year. Make a wish list or a vision board — and maybe make like Adam Levine and spend the day alone, reflecting on life and eating cake in bed.
On the 17th, your ruling planet, Mars, turns retrograde (backwards) until June 29, cautioning you to look before you leap. Since Mars is in your ninth house of travel, expansion, and higher education, you may realise that your goals are outpacing your sanity. What's the rush, Ram? The end doesn't justify the means if you can't enjoy the process. Visiting another corner of the world or signing up for some training or classes may be necessary in order for you to rock this mission. You'll have to watch those fiery outbursts, too. Your truth bombs could blow up bridges that you really don't want to burn.
Birthday time wraps on the 20th when the sun heads into Taurus for a month. Back to work you go, Aries, as your focus turns to your finances again. The full moon on the 22nd could even bring a contract or an investor who wants to put dollars behind your dreams. But don't rush with the paperwork. Mercury pivots into a signal-scrambling retrograde from April 28 to May 22, which is not an ideal time to seal any deals. Since retrogrades highlight the past, reconnecting with old coworkers could be a profitable move.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Taurus**
Fantasy or reality? Lines blur beguilingly this month as the sun and your ruler, romantic Venus, slow dance through your hazy 12th house. You're not exactly in the mood to have your bubble burst, Bull, but be careful about tripping down temptation's trail. You could get bound up in some shady business if you aren't careful. It won't help matters much that impulsive Mars is in your sex zone all month, even turning retrograde from April 17 until June 29. There's nothing wrong with being turned on by a bad boy or girl as long as you don't act upon every urge! And even though it feels like a pain, deal with the clutter in your life; when the going gets tough, clean your closets. Your entire being will feel lighter with each pair of skinny jeans and wedge sneakers you bag up. The 12th house can be healing, so along with Insta-stalking your ex, book a few therapy sessions so you can figure out why these toxic situations hold an allure. Perhaps you just need to unleash your inner bad girl so you don't have to seek that energy from other people. Creativity will be cathartic, and you could dream up an epic vision near the new moon on the 7th — one that could even put your name on the singles charts or land your work on a gallery wall. Getting a yoga and meditation practice started with the new moon can do wonders too.
Everything takes a turn for the brighter on the 20th, when the sun blazes into Taurus for a month and ignites your birthday season. The boundaries you struggled to set in early April will become clear and obvious. And now it will be you who needs space from people who have hurt you. Maybe you'll be able to work it out and gain closure one day, but first, take a nice, long break. Invest in your self-development, too. Is there a class you want to sign up for, a corner of the world you want to explore?
The Scorpio full moon on the 22nd lights up your relationship house and could bring a milestone moment in love. Proposals, key exchanges, and exclusivity clauses are all up for grabs, as long as you have a qualified candidate by your side. Venus will swoop into Taurus from April 29 until May 25, making you utterly irresistible. And while hosting fashion-forward Venus can inspire a style overhaul, there is one hitch. From April 28 until May 22, Mercury turns retrograde, and in Taurus, no less. Your bold and brilliant ideas for a makeover could be a little off the mark. Put down the hair clippers and postpone that tattoo consult until late May. With Mercury back-tracking through your sign, you're more easily misunderstood. Develop your precious plans and projects behind the scenes during this three-week spell, so no one has a chance to crush your dreams.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Gemini**
Spring has sprung, Gemini, and you're in shameless social butterfly mode. With the sun and charming Venus paired up in your popularity zone until the 20th, everyone is falling in love with you. Embrace your #QueenOfTheScene status and use your powers for good by playing Superconnector for all the fabulous people in your universe. You might even host a weekly gathering or meetup at one of the many chic bars (with patios or roof decks) that you've scouted. Sprucing up your online presence is another mission to tackle. Pose for new social media pics, start a blog, or become a YouTuber if you're feeling the call to stardom. The new moon on the 7th awakens your activism; you could use these platforms to campaign for your presidential pick or raise awareness for a community-improvement mission.
Love-wise, the first half of April could be downright frenetic. Red-hot Mars is pulsing through your relationship house, and you could be feeling a strong urge to find — or lock down — your other half. Candidates for that role could even step up from the friend zone, making everything a little more intense. But on April 17, Mars slips into retrograde until June 28 and hits the breaks on those runaway romances. The fiery planet's reversal could even provoke lovers' quarrels or bring out that Gemini switch-'em-up style (where you suddenly go cold on someone who was making your temperature rise). Haste makes waste, so don't ditch a good one because you suddenly realised he or she has an irritating laugh or smells like Axe deodorant. You'll probably need equal amounts of "me time" as "we time" after the 17th. Absence *can* make the heart grow fonder. And with the sun heading into Taurus and your solitary 12th house for a month on the 20th, we suggest having the talk about space *before* your last nerve has been worked. (And before Mercury turns retrograde, scrambling communication from April 28 to May 22.)
The full moon on the 22nd could bring a career coup as your efforts of the past six months come to fruition. Don't be shy about asking for a performance review if you know you deserve a raise. Ready to move on to more profitable pastures? Circulate your CV and see if your social network has any leads to share. You'll be inspired to clean up and organise, too. No matter where your desk is, systematising helps you work smarter, not harder.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Cancer**
Game face: on! Your ambitious nature is in rare form this April as the sun blazes through Aries and your 10th house of success. But going for the gold doesn't mean mowing down the competition — quite the opposite. Charming, radiant Venus travels arm-in-arm with the sun through the 20th, making you one smooth operator. Focus on relationship-building by socialising strategically and playing the happy helper to the influencers and VIPs. When all is said and done, the girl with the best contact database always wins. Men could be the star players of April, too, since the 10th house is the masculine zone of the zodiac wheel. Whether for business or pleasure, some great guys could crop up near the new moon on the 7th — and these fellas could play an important role in your future.
Motivator Mars speeds through your daily work and healthy living sector all month. While you'll make big strides at the office, stress levels could rise as a result of heaping so much onto your plate. Don't let exercise fall off your priority list, especially when Mars turns retrograde from April 17 until June 29. Opt for more varied workouts that incorporate both strength training and stretching — and make sure you're not overdoing it at the gym. Use food as fuel, loading up on vitamin-rich options instead of sugary snacks.
Romantically, the full moon in Scorpio on the 22nd could be a high point! Chemistry that's been bubbling for the past six months could explode into an exciting and passionate *pasodoble*. Coupled Cancers could have exciting news, like a proposal or a pregnancy, to report — and the full moon helps single Crabs open up to love again. So long, dry spell!
On the 20th, the sun floats on to Taurus and your 11th house of community. Come on out of that cocoon and flutter around with the other social butterflies. Consider joining a weekly meetup, activist group, or sports team if you're looking for kindred spirits. When Mercury turns retrograde from April 28 to May 22, you could reunite with a group from the past. But there could be some drama with your existing squad; Mercury's backspin can create some complex communication breakdowns. Try to be democratic and diplomatic, but if keeping the peace seems impossible, you might just have to go AWOL for a few weeks.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Leo**
One ticket to Coachella, please! Wanderlust hits you hard this April, Leo, as the sun and Venus flow together through Aries and your adventurous, bohemian ninth house. This is the perfect month to take a romantic vacation or even a group trip (you'll probably meet someone at the swim-up bar). Mingle with different cultures close to home, too. Sparks could fly with a cutie from a different background, or you could feel the creative click. Set your sights on expansion during the new moon on the 7th. How would you like to grow over the coming six months? Invest in a horizon-broadening experience, such as a retreat, summer workshop, or teacher training. Visit old friends or beloved family members near the sentimental full moon on the 22nd.
Romantically, the first half of Mars will be all fireworks and rose petals. Enjoy the passionate whirlwind, but try to keep one toe on solid ground. On the 17th, Mars turns retrograde until June 29, creating some trouble in paradise. You could take little things personally or start stressing out and heaping pressure onto your partner. To keep serene, make sure you're tending to your own life and interests instead of making another person the centre of your universe.
After the 20th, career becomes a major focus again, as the sun blazes a trail through Taurus and your ambitious 10th house for a month. Throw yourself into your career, but make sure you're not stepping on anyone's terrain. With Mercury turning retrograde in this zone of your chart from April 28 until May 22, there could be some miscommunication with colleagues — and your eagerness to succeed could accidentally threaten the boss. We're not saying you should dim your lights or dumb yourself down — never! Just make sure you understand the power pyramid, so you're making strategic alliances instead of enemies.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Virgo**
April is a soulfully sexy month for you, Virgo, as the sun and Venus sync up in your erotic eighth house. You'll feel the urge to merge — with one special person whom you trust deeply. Keep your standards high! In April, it's better to have no one than the wrong one; you're likely to get attached once you open your heart — or, um, unbutton your high-waisted jeans. You could meet someone with soulmate potential near the new moon on the 7th. Don't judge a book by its cover: The quiet ones will surprise you. An existing relationship could grow much, much closer, too. You could even start shopping for a love nest or open a joint bank account. Sharing is caring!
Home will be a hub of activity this month as go-getter Mars blazes through your domestic fourth house. Host a dinner party or game night, or invite an old friend to stay for a long weekend. But on the 17th, Mars turns retrograde until June 29, and this could rile up tension under your roof. Deep breaths, Virgo! You may need to call a house meeting to set up new agreements with your roomies. Clashes with a female relative could heat up, too; try not to say anything in anger.
Life lightens up considerably, however, when the sun heads into Taurus and your freedom-loving ninth house for a month on the 20th. Wanderlust hits you hard, so start making your summer vacation plans. Slip off for a road trip or a short getaway near the full moon on the 22nd. Mercury turns retrograde from April 28 to May 22, which is not the ideal time to travel. If you do jet off during those dates, triple-confirm reservations and leave early for the airport; with extra precautions, your trip should go without a hitch.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Libra**
Two is your magic number this April, as planets pulse through the relationship zones of your chart. Whether for business or pleasure, tag-team efforts are the way to go. Instead of looking for someone just like you, pair up with a complementary force, and you'll crush it. The new moon on the 7th could illuminate your missing puzzle piece. Lawyer up when it comes to business, because you may have to draft a contract to spell out the roles, responsibilities, and payment terms. Better to clarify this on the front end and protect your interests, even if negotiating feels awkward. Get on the ball with this ASAP. Mars turns retrograde on the 17th, making it hard to see eye-to-eye with your peers until June 29. And from April 28 until May 22, Mercury will be retrograde, which is never an optimal time to sign on dotted lines.
Spring fever vibes will be strong this month, and you're looking for the rare breed who is both exciting *and* stable. Have faith: This person does exist. The new moon on the 7th could open up a fresh chapter for love or illuminate someone who makes your heart explode. Coupled Libras, you could upgrade your relationship to a more exclusive status, especially when the sun heads into Taurus and your intimate eighth house for a month on the 20th. Of course this means you will have to settle down and make up your mind too, but you're feeling more ready to do that now.
Mercury's backspin could bring a lover from the past. Is this person a toxic ex or "the one that got away"? Don't kid yourself, Libra. Opening the door to trouble during Mercury retrograde (April 28 to May 22) could turn into a time-sucking obsession. Watch out for the green-eyed monster, too. Your suspicious mind could whir out of control, but that doesn't give you the right to check your partner's private email. (And if trust is really that shaky, maybe you should question the relationship altogether.)
Money-wise, circle the 22nd as a day to make it rain. The full moon in Scorpio and your income zone brings your hard work of the past six months to a glowing milestone. Don't be shy about circulating your CV or setting up time for a performance review with HR to discuss an overdue raise and promotion. Ready to move on to greener pastures? A job offer could come within two weeks of the full moon.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Scorpio**
Give your body some love this April, Scorpio — and that means adoring the skin you're in. It's easy to get caught up in some ideal about how you "should" look, but that's not the point. With the sun and radiant Venus flowing together until the 20th, embracing your god-given brand of beauty is the name of the game. Don't skimp on self-care! Book the massage *and* the private yoga session. Nourish your "temple" with clean, green fuel, opting for recipes that are both healthy and delicious. Moving will feel awesome, and the new moon on the 7th inspires you to exercise regularly and get those endorphins pumping.
A new work situation could open up near this new moon, too, so keep your eye on the job boards and let friends know if you're seeking more fulfilling employment. Joining a networking group (especially one with other powerhouse women) could be your key to prosperity before the 20th. You'll need to manage your money wisely and get a grip on that retail-therapy habit. With feisty Mars blazing through your finance zone all month, you could get a little crazy with the ApplePay. From the 17th until June 29, Mars will be retrograde, making it all the more important that you budget wisely and tuck away some cash for unexpected expenses. That rainy-day fund will bring you peace of mind, even if it's sunshine all the way.
A romantic spring awakening begins on the 20th, when the sun heads into Taurus and your relationship house for a month. Have you been holding someone at arm's length again, Scorpio? Resistance is futile — you'll never know unless you take a chance! When Mercury turns retrograde from April 28 to May 22, you could even reunite with "the one that got away." But don't let any troublesome exes creep back in. Those flames do *not* need to be stoked!
Circle the 22nd as a high point of the month: The annual full moon in Scorpio lights up the skies and puts your talents on the main stage. Wage a PR campaign on your own behalf, but don't be surprised if people scout you out. All your efforts of the past six months could come to a brilliant manifestation — one that could catapult you to influencer status. Well played, Scorpio.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Sagittarius**
You're the life of the party this April, Sagittarius, as the sun and people-loving Venus join forces in your festive, fashionable, and flamboyant fifth house until the 20th. Interesting people will flock to you, and your calendar quickly fills with invitations — and even a walk down a red carpet or two. Romantically, April could be epic! Someone could sweep you off your feet, especially near the new moon on the 7th. Coupled Archers could talk seriously about marriage, babies, overseas trips, or co-created projects that bring a refreshingly adventurous dimension to your bond.
Motivator Mars is blazing a trail through Sagittarius all month, getting you pumped about personal projects, too. And while you're all fired up, make sure your outsides are a proper reflection for all that potential bubbling inside you. The new moon on the 7th may inspire you to "rebrand" yourself, perhaps restyling your wardrobe or working with a graphic designer and photographer to get your visuals up to code. Mars turns retrograde from April 17 until June 29, which cautions against anything *too* avant garde. Aim for original, but accessible. If you've been flowing along at a manic pace, Mars retrograde fires a warning shot. Slow down and streamline before you burn out. You don't have to push yourself just to succeed.
On the 20th, you pivot from hedonist to health nut as the sun drifts into Taurus and your wellness sector for a month. Kick off the statement sandals and lace up the track shoes. Spring training is officially underway! In all areas of life, you'll want to get organised and disciplined in April's final third. With Mercury dipping into a signal-jamming retrograde from April 28 to May 22, you don't want to be caught with messy files, overdue bills, and unfinished paperwork. Make a point of managing people's expectations better by setting start and finish times for your appointments. It's okay to tell your girls, "I have to be back at the office in an hour" when you meet for lunch. And if an activity is zapping too much of your time, you'll have no trouble ditching it during the full moon on the 22nd — and opening up more time to hit that spin studio!
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Capricorn**
Newsflash, Capricorn: Winter hibernation time is over. But your nesting instincts are working overtime in April, as the sun and charming Venus roll in tandem through your domestic zone until the 20th. No need to trade the yoga pants for floral-print dresses just yet — but do rise up from the sofa! Chez Capricorn could become abuzz with activity, from dinner parties to DIY nights. Female friends and relatives will be your favourite company in the first half of April, too. You could meet a new GFF near the new moon on the 7th, or have a bonding moment with a relative.
Venus stokes your creativity, making this the perfect month to redo your bedroom or choose a new colour scheme for your walls. If you're ready to pull up the stakes, the new moon on the 7th could illuminate the dream listing. Make sure it's a place worth staying at for more than a few months — and remember: location, location, location. Isolating yourself from friends or cultural activities is a recipe for the blues, so it's worth it to spend a little more for a place that stokes your social needs.
You're back onto the step-and-repeat on the 20th, when the sun heads into Taurus and your glamorous, amorous fifth house for a month. It's time to dazzle the world with your talents — and to challenge yourself to try new things. Romantically, this solar-powered month could bring a renaissance. You could meet your match through mutual friends or a fortuitous right-swipe near the full moon on the 22nd. Coupled Caps could start fantasising about the future together, and talks could even turn to proposals or setting up a nursery if you're ready to rock the cradle. Heads up: Mercury turns retrograde in your romance house from April 28 to May 22, which could intensify drama and lovers' quarrels. An ex could make an unceremonious appearance, throwing you off your game. Unless it was honestly bad timing that kept you apart, leave the past in the past.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Aquarius**
Just friends...or a little something extra? Lines can blur this April, as the sun and enchanting Venus meet up in your third house of amigos. Even if a hookup doesn't transpire, you'll be a shameless flirt this month. Use those powers judiciously, because your allure is stronger than you realize! Even platonically, your popularity is on the rise. And with Mars in your 11th house of group activities, your social calendar will be teeming with entertaining options. The new moon on the 7th could lead you to kindred spirits who become your spring-summer squad. But there could be drama with your old crew when Mars turns retrograde from April 17 until June 29. You may need to step away for a while in order to expand your social horizons; confining cliques have never been your thing. Do you need a better transportation plan for hopping around to all your activities? Test-drive a new set of wheels before the 20th, or set up a ride share if you want to lower your carbon footprint.
On the 20th, the sun decamps to Taurus and your home-loving fourth house. You may crash from early April's social whirlwind, so make sure you have a soft place to land. If you don't exactly love where you live, start checking out your options. Or, summon your decorista friend to help you brighten up Chateau Aquarius. Get rolling on this before Mercury turns retrograde from April 28 to May 22, because your intuition about things like paint colours and neighbourhoods won't be the sharpest then. Mercury's backspin could bring an important woman back into your life, but there could also be some communication breakdowns with family members or female friends. There's a time and a place for tough love, Aquarius, so be sensitive about when to dole out advice and when to just give someone a reassuring hug.
The full moon on the 22nd lights up your career zone, bringing one of your ambitions to fruition. If you've been putting in the elbow grease over the past six months, expect a major reward — like a raise, bonus, or promotion. This full moon could also illuminate a new path or a leadership position. Don't be shy about stepping up to the plate or even writing your own job description and presenting it to the powers that be.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Pisces**
"Decadence on a dime" could be your theme this April, Pisces. With the sun and extravagant Venus flowing together through your sensual second house, you'll be drawn to beauty. But this is also a budget-conscious cosmic energy: Blowing the bank on fast-fashion fixes should be out of the question. Instead of splurging, invest — in your 401K and objects that will stand the test of time.
The new moon on the 7th could present you with a profitable work opportunity. Have your CV polished up and ready! You might even see an opening for growth within your current 9-to-5. If appropriate, sit down with your boss and have a discussion about your desire to evolve with the company. Mars is speeding through your career zone all month, making you extra ambitious. Zone in on a leadership position, or even consider becoming your own boss. But don't rush ahead or bite off more than you can chew. From April 17 until June 29, Mars will be retrograde; driving yourself too hard could bring major stress meltdowns — not the way you want to spend your spring and summer.
Your social life heats up on the 20th when the sun heads into Taurus and your extroverted third house. You won't have to travel far to find fun. The local scene — or an up-and-coming neighbourhood nearby — will teem with kindred spirits. Get your name on "the list" whenever possible, scout out free shows, and organise potluck dinners. Mercury turns retrograde from April 28 to May 22, reconnecting you with friends from your past. But since this retrograde hits your communication sector, it can be a double-whammy. Watch your words, Pisces: Even a sarcastic tweet can be taken the wrong way. Play it safe and take a time-out if you start squabbling with a sibling or close friend. With Mercury in reverse, petty conflicts can spiral into world-class dramas before you know it.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

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The Crazy Connection Between The Little Mermaid & Frozen That Goes Back Over A Century

April 1, 2016, 5:30 am

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No, this is not just a fan theory from Reddit. Nor is it a Where's Waldo hunt for barely visible Easter eggs in the backgrounds of scenes. This is a literary connection between two of the most iconic animated movies of all time: The Little Mermaid and Frozen. They were both originally written by the same guy: Hans Christian Andersen. Yep, these two stories have been connected long before they ever received their Disney makeovers.

If Andersen were alive today, he would be turning 211 on April 2. In his honour, we are revisiting the original plotlines that inspired the mind-blowing (and kind of tragic) events that connect Queen Elsa and Princess Anna to their underwater counterpart, Princess Ariel.

In 1836, the Danish children's storyteller first told the tale of a brave mermaid who yearned to be on land in "The Little Mermaid." The story was published in the third volume of Fairy Tales Told for Children along with another classic you might be familiar with: "The Emperor's New Clothes."

Eight years later, in 1844, he published his longest work, about an icy snow queen set on revenge, titled, "The Snow Queen." The tale was supposedly written about a real woman in Andersen's life, Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind, who rejected his romantic pursuits a year prior to the release of the story. Her coldness toward him became the inspiration for the queen and her heart of ice.

Andersen's tales were full of death, destruction, and diabolical villains that make Ursula look like a saint. Luckily, for the sake of the kids, both Disney versions have significantly happier endings.

**"The Little Mermaid " (1836) — The Original Story**
Andersen's short story about an unnamed mermaid who would eventually become Ariel is quite dark. In his tale, the mermaid desires to become a human not just for the thing-a-ma-bobs aplenty, but because she wants an everlasting soul.
In Andersen's imagined underwater kingdom, mermaids had no souls and simply turned into sea foam the moment they died. Humans, on the other hand, had souls that were able to live on after death. This, and yes, a prince, but getting a soul was the mermaid's main wish. Spoiler alert: In the end, the mermaid neither marries a prince, nor gets a soul.
Image: via Tumblr.

The Little Mermaid (1989) — The Movie

In the Disney version of Andersen's grim children's story, Ariel has a much happier fate. But along the way, some of Andersen's original plot points stayed true: the mermaid still makes a deal with a wretched Sea Witch who gives her human legs in exchange for her intoxicatingly beautiful siren voice.

But other than that, Ariel leads a much more charmed life. Her sisters don't lure sailors to their death, and walking on dry land doesn't feel like she is walking on a knives. Oh, and she gets the prince in the end without turning into sea foam, because #truelove.

Video: via YouTube.

**"The Snow Queen" (1844)** **— The Original Story**
Five years after "The Little Mermaid," Andersen released this short story. Told in seven parts, this was one of Andersen's longest stories, and one of his most acclaimed.
The core of the tale is the struggle between good and evil, as seen by young Gerda, and her efforts to rescue her childhood boyfriend, Kay, from the cruel and villainous Snow Queen. The Snow Queen keeps Kay as her pawn (sound familiar, C.S Lewis fans — *The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe*?) In the story, Gerda does end up rescuing Kay by saving him with a kiss that melts his icy heart. Her strength comes from her innocent, warm, and childlike heart which she maintained even as an adult. The Snow Queen, who used her icy touch purely for malice, is banished, and Kay and Gerda return home just in time for summer. A far happier ending than the mermaid's.
Image: via Giphy.

Frozen (2013) — The Movie

The princess spin immediately changes the entire premise of the original Snow Queen story, but, at times, Princess Elsa does conjure up a spiteful ice princess vibe similar to the wicked Snow Queen's.

Princess Anna also seems to represent Gerda for her childlike naiveté, and warm compassion for the one she loves — in Disney's case, her sister, and in Andersen's, her childhood friend and adult love interest.

Video: via YouTube.

The Little Mermaid (1989) & Frozen (2013) — The Theory

The wrecked ship is where the two stories overlap outside of their Danish fairy-tale roots. Andersen's stories had no mention of such a boat, but the connection has some geographical legitimacy if you think about it.

Here are the logistics: In Frozen, Princess Elsa and Princess Anna's parents leave to attend a wedding. Whose? That is unclear. Some people think it could be Rapunzel's since the movie Tangled came out three years prior to Frozen, and the parents leave the kingdom when Anna is 3 years old.

But say it was Rapunzel's. The Frozen kingdom is in Arendelle, a fictional town in Scandinavia, paying homage to the region where Andersen lived. If the parents left on the ship, and were traveling to the land of Tangled, which many believe is modern-day Germany, then a shipwreck in the middle of their route would place them right outside of Denmark. Coincidentally, that is where a statue dedicated to Andersen's little mermaid stands today. In a Reddit Ask Me Anything, one filmmaker threw a wrench in that theory, implying Frozen is related to Tarzan, not The Little Mermaid.

But either way, the true connection lies in Andersen's original, albeit twisted, fairy tales.

Video: via YouTube.

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My Issue With Trump’s Anti-Abortion Comments

April 1, 2016, 6:51 am

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His racism, violent bigotry and combative approach to peaceful protest might have given his campaign a boost amongst disaffected, resentful Americans, but could Donald Trump’s overt misogyny put an end to his Presidential aspirations? “There has to be some form of punishment,” insisted the candidate when asked if women should face charges in the event of an abortion ban. The outcry following the MSNBC town hall where he made the controversial remarks prompted his campaign to issue another clockwork clarification. "If Congress were to pass legislation making abortion illegal and the federal courts upheld this legislation, or any state were permitted to ban abortion under state and federal law, the doctor or any other person performing this illegal act upon a woman would be held legally responsible, not the woman," said the Trump campaign’s statement. "The woman is a victim in this case as is the life in her womb. My position has not changed — like Ronald Reagan, I am pro-life with exceptions." Trump may have ‘walked back’ his remarks, but the latest Post/ABC news survey suggests his appeal to American women has been dealt a fatal blow: 75% of women polled said they could not imagine voting for the orange gazillionaire under any circumstances. “What Donald Trump did yesterday was to speak the truth on the Republican agenda on choice,” said Ilyse Hogue of NARAL Pro-Choice America at a March 31st press event scheduled by Hillary Clinton’s campaign. It may be an unintended consequence on his part, but the more Trump backtracks to align with historic and published Republican policies, the clearer it becomes to voters – especially women and minorities – that his positions are the logical result of almost 50 years of the GOP using divide-and-rule tactics to keep a lock on their political power.

In many ways, American women seeking abortions already experience forms of punishment, often at the hands of conservative lawmakers who’ve treated the US Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade verdict with unconcealed contempt for the past 43 years. Compared to her counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales – setting aside Northern Ireland, where abortion is still prohibited, with NHS treatment denied to women travelling to mainland Britain, who instead attend private family-planning clinics – it’s often more difficult for an American woman to arrange a termination in her home state. A staggering 87% of US counties don’t have facilities or clinics, and US pro-life organizations constantly lobby federal, state, and local governments to tighten restrictions – or create extra bureaucracy for women at an already-stressful time.

That red tape can include pharmacists who refuse to dispense birth control or abortifacient pills according to their religious beliefs; a drive hundreds of miles away to a major metropolitan area or another state; a hotel stay during the mandatory 24-hour wait between referral and procedure; mandatory counselling, often from a ‘pro-life’ script written by a right-wing, ‘family values’ think-tank coordinating its efforts across federal and state legislation; and worst of all, in 20 US states, there’s pressure to have an ultrasound scan using a vaginal probe, complete with a full description of the foetus, regardless of any previous exams or known foetal irregularities. In Texas and Louisiana, ultrasound is mandatory – and the consultant is required by law to show the live-action results of the scan to the patient.

I’ve always believed children have a better shot at life if they are wanted, that terminations should be available to women on request, if they so choose – and my feminism, like that of Gloria Steinem and millions of others before me, was forged in the struggle for true freedom of choice and control over my own means of (re)production. As a bolshy, punk-tinged teenager growing up in a Midwestern suburb, attending a high school straight out of a John Hughes movie, I knew girls right across the socio-economic spectrum who found themselves missing periods or pregnant when they didn’t want to be. The speccy working-class girl who hoped her GPA would leverage her out of a precarious, blue-collar lifestyle; the girl who fell pregnant at 15 and had to talk her way into a termination before a judge who’d decide whether she could proceed as a ‘mature minor’ without the consent or knowledge of her religious parents; the rich girl assaulted while passed out at a house party; the tall girl whose single-parent mother frog-marched her to the nearest clinic because the boy who’d knocked her up was a member of the town’s most dysfunctional family. My mother, serving at the till in her bureau de change, met mother-daughter pairs cashing large cheques on the way to the family-planning clinic, to stop any record of a termination payment showing up on a credit-card bill.

Every day, my school bus passed a man standing on the central reservation nearest the clinic, waving a homemade ABORTION KILLS sign at passing traffic. Another, bolder man blocked the path between our school and the bus, handing out full-colour dead-foetus leaflets reminiscent of 1984’s The Silent Scream, a graphic anti-abortion documentary that still does the rounds of extracurricular church groups all over America. I’m proud to say my friends and I confronted this man, jeering at his prurient interest in teenage girls as we turned his leaflets into spitballs and wetly lobbed them back at him through the windows of the bus. He didn’t return, but his rhetoric and presentation were typical examples of the emotional blackmail that is to this day directed at young American women. Today, those signs held by random men on centre islands are echoed by massive and bloodily graphic billboards right across America’s main streets and highways, financed by mega-churches and big-money conservative ‘right-to-life’ groups.

Speaking for myself, it’s hard not to look into the motivations of those who obstruct or threaten women’s reproductive rights and see their need to control women’s bodies as a sinister form of dominance and a reassertion of patriarchy by any means necessary, just as the resentment of white Americans who support Trump’s racist antagonism of black Americans, Latinos, and Muslims looks like a desperate, potentially violent assertion of any remaining vestiges of privilege or white supremacy. It’s impossible to read about attacks on – and murders of – US obstetricians who perform the most difficult of late-term abortions and not wonder if ‘pro-life’ activists are tacit in their approval of anti-female domestic terrorists who’ve pulled that trigger. After all, in speaking up to say women are mere victims in the abortion war who shouldn’t be legally punished, US Republicans reiterated a willingness to criminalize their doctors the second they can repeal Roe v. Wade. It’s this party line, where it’s accepted that women remain victims regardless and echoed by Donald Trump in his statement of clarification, that makes it debatable whether the party of candidate Ted Cruz (an Texan evangelical Christian who sees women as sacred vessels, coming off as especially patronising into the bargain) is really any different from the party of candidate Trump, or any less hostile to equality with women.

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This Instagram Captures The Glory Days Of L.A.'s Chicana Party Crews

April 1, 2016, 7:00 am

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Photo: Estevan Oriol/Chicana Life Foto Archive

Growing up in the East Los Angeles neighbourhood of Boyle Heights in the 1990s, Mexican-American Guadalupe Rosales joined the Aztec Nation party crew.

The "crews" were an overlooked subculture that sprang out of the Los Angeles gang scene. Though intertwined, the party scene and gang life remained separate, she says.

Rosales, now 35, has been living in New York for the past 15 years. It was nostalgia for her adolescence spent in the crew scene that pushed her to begin the Instagram feed @veteranas_and_rucas, a digital archive of southern California's party and gang scene in the 1980s and '90s.

"I think a lot of people didn't realise or didn't know that this was a really important part of history," Rosales told Refinery29. If not for her Instagram, she adds, "I feel...it would have been forgotten."

Rosales' account, which currently has more than 50,000 followers, is visually captivating. It's flooded with wrinkled, old photographs of fierce-looking women with teased hair, maroon lip liner, crop tops, plaid shirts, and baggy denim. It's an homage to the style attributes we expect from the 1990s chola persona. Chola — the feminine form of cholo — is loosely defined as a "mestizo," a person of mixed and/or indigenous race. By the mid-to-late 20th century, "cholo" morphed into the slang term for gang member, but it was also used by women in party crews who had adopted a similar style. Rosales centred her Veteranas and Rucas account around the young women — unacknowledged, but just as important, leaders in the party crew scene.

The women's masculine style of dress represented the strength and struggle of marginalised Southern California Mexican-Americans — a community sidelined by racism and classism.

Rosales acts as curator, inviting other Chicana women to send in their personal photos and videos from their time in party crews. The result is an online collective where past crew members can reminisce and outsiders can view a cultural narrative that Rosales feels the media typically misrepresents as violent. She aims to foster an understanding of how party crews gave young people a sense of belonging within a society in which they weren't accepted.

Political events such as the 1992 L.A. riots (during which about 51% of those arrested were Latino) and California's Proposition 187 (a 1994 measure that prohibited undocumented immigrants from receiving non-emergency health care and education) helped activate the party crew subculture, according to Rosales.

Ahead, Rosales talks more about the powerful female personas in party crews, and what @veteranas_and_rucas means to her.

Editor's note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

**What does "veteranas and rucas" mean? And where does the term "chola" come from?**
"I can only describe my Instagram name. A lot of people have different definitions for chola and cholo so I'll just describe 'Veteranas' and 'Rucas.' When I started @veteranas_and_rucas, I felt like I was just going to focus on the gang culture, so I named it 'Veteranas,' which means a woman who has put in a lot of work in gang culture and also who has experience in what we call the 'hood life.' 'Rucas' is a slang word that many of us used to call our female friends or girlfriends, just like saying my 'homegirl.'
"The other thing is, 'Veteranas' — the definition is different now because I feel like as women in general, we have our own struggles and our own challenges in the world, and the word has become not just 'putting in work' in gangs. It's also the work that we have done or things that we have experienced, just challenges as women. We're almost just these natural warriors. So I feel like that's what's happening with the word, like you may not be a 'Veterana' in gang culture but in the real world you could be."
Photo: **Chicana Life Foto Archive**

**Tell us more about why you decided to start this Instagram archive.**
"I had two motives. One was to reconnect with people who I lost touch with, because I was living in New York when I started the Instagram account, and the second reason was because every time I went online or did a basic Google search, I was looking for images that were very familiar to me or that I could relate to. Even at the starting point of, what do you look for when you do a Google search? I started [searching] with 'Chicana women L.A.' and there was a recreation of what existed then, but not the original images, like models dressed as cholas. Also, there weren't any [pictures] that were focusing on women or women of colour. So I guess it was out of disappointment or out of necessity."
Photo: **Chicana Life Foto Archive**

**Were you flooded with images when you started? And were people nostalgic or not interested in reliving that?**
"It was really hard. I didn't think it was going to be possible, and it just happened really slowly, and then it just blew up out of nowhere...but the majority are really excited to see these photographs resurface."
Photo: **Chicana Life Foto Archive**

**How old were you in the '90s and what were some of your experiences in party crews?**
"I'm 35 now, so I was a teenager, between 12 and 19. I grew up in Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles. I feel like back in those days, you couldn't really escape the gang violence or gang culture. And slowly, I guess through school, I got exposed to the party scene... People I went to school with...their brothers and sisters were part of the scene already so...it's kind of this generation thing going on. Then I became part of a party crew. My sister was from a party crew, my brother was from a party crew. Then I also had cousins who were in gangs."
Photo: **Chicana Life Foto Archive**

**What's the difference between being in a party crew and being in a gang? They were side by side but different?**
" Yeah, the gang culture is something that existed since the '30s. Something that was created in a way to protect the community because the government wasn't doing it. When the rave subculture came, it was all music-driven, fashion-driven, also I guess an alternative to gangs. At the same time, we had warehouse parties.
"We have to remind ourselves: There was so much going on in the '90s. There was a lot of violence, the schools were removing classes that we were really interested in, so in a way, school wasn't really made for us. So we were creating places that felt really safe to us. My Instagram is not just the rave subculture or the chola; it's that both are happening. The reason why I'm talking about both and different types of history is because I feel like in order for one to exist, the other one had to. It's not just a linear history... All these things...inspired the subculture...but it was completely different... The purpose of being in a party crew was to throw parties. So lets say my party crew was Aztec Nation and we had 'clicks' — we were clicked with this other party crew called 'The Good Life,' and then we would throw parties together and invite other party crews."
Photo: **Chicana Life Foto Archive**

**What are some of the typical style elements, brands, and music that defined party crews?**
"So in terms of the party crews or rave scene, the music was mostly house music, techno, and drum and bass... We went through that phase of Jordana, that was a brand [of cosmetics], and burgundy lip liner or just wearing a lot of mousse or hairspray. That's a look that existed outside of cholas. I feel like everyone looked like that, even if you weren't from a gang. But also the ravers, when it first started, it wasn't all colourful — it was just mostly oversized jeans and big T-shirts and Adidas Superstars. We used those or Pumas and...really baggy denim pants, which was different from what the gangsters were wearing. The gangsters liked more creased-up Dickies or [Nike] Cortez [shoes], jersey sweatshirts, and the shaved head. The girls in the rave scene were wearing more of the Selena look, like the crop tops with the decorated bras."
Photo: **Chicana Life Foto Archive**

**It's interesting because looking through your feed, it's mostly all women. So I thought it was such a specific female-driven subculture. Is that true?**
"Well, the subculture was everyone. It was men and women, not just Mexican-Americans or Chicanos... I felt like I wanted to amplify the fact that Chicanos did listen to techno music and house music — that was kind of disregarded. But when you think about the history of house music, at least from what I know...a lot of it came out of the Chicago house scene; it was Frankie Knuckles and voguing. When people think about rave, they automatically think whiteness and drugs and EDM [electronic dance music]."
Photo: **Chicana Life Foto Archive**

**Also, the women are super feminine but at the same time androgynous. Why was that the look?**
"I feel like that was the style back in the day, for many of us. I guess we just used it differently or something. I feel like when we talk about gangs, women were dressing like men. I don't really know... I don't want to represent other people's reasons. For me, I think women just looked really tough and were taken more seriously... It shows almost their true colours, like, *don't fuck with me because I'm a woman.* *I'm still as tough as any guy.* "
Photo: **Chicana Life Foto Archive**

**Was the party crew subculture isolated just in Southern California?**
"I think so. When you think about the space here, you have more space, you have backyards, you have nice weather. I think it would be completely different if it was somewhere else — in New York, for example. Maybe it would be called something different, I don't really know. And also I think the Mexican community or culture, let's say, in New York, is not as well rooted as it is in L.A. Here, we have generations and generations of Mexican-Americans or Latinos."
Photo: **Chicana Life Foto Archive**

**When you see the Chicano community represented in pop culture, what do you think?**
"A lot of movies piss me off, to be honest with you. When we talk about cholos, I feel like it's been done. People have tried making movies, people have written about it, they existed in institutions. When we talk about party crews, there's nothing we can find out there, anything that's well documented. A lot of people do get upset — people are like, 'I wasn't from a gang; I was in a party crew.' I don't want those two things to mix, because they were different. That's why I feel really sensitive — to make sure it's really clear."
Photo: **Chicana Life Foto Archive**

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Stop Doing This At Work Right Now

April 1, 2016, 8:20 am

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Jobs are like relationships: Some are wonderful, some are horrible, and some of them totally screw us (and not in a sexy Top Gun type of way). Like relationships, the jobs we’ve held can teach us valuable things about ourselves. As we work toward our larger professional objectives, no gig is too “small” or insignificant to shape the course of our careers. In the end, we’re all striving for an LTR with our dream occupation, but finding that occuBAEtion can be one of life’s biggest challenges.

I’m currently in the honeymoon phase of my own dream-job LTR. I’m fortunate enough to have a career as a writer, something I’ve worked long and hard to achieve. But the road to my dream was paved with many professional mistakes (and countless hellish day jobs). So, in an attempt to help you avoid the many career face-plants I’ve made along the way, I’ve compiled a list of (gulp) every mistake I’ve ever made...and how to avoid them.

When I first moved to New York City, I wanted to be an actor. I graduated from one of the most prestigious theatre conservatories in the country, and I expected to become America’s Next Top Ryan Reynolds — overnight, of course. But when I didn’t immediately land a lead in a Broadway show, I was forced to become the ultimate NYC cliché: the waiter/actor.
When I first took the server job, I was a bitch to my fellow coworkers: I thought I was better than them, and that this whole waiting-tables thing was a cosmic joke that would clear up soon. Unfortunately, the starring role didn’t come. I realised that all my fellow waiters were actually in the same boat — and it was time to start treating my coworkers with the respect they deserved.
Waiting tables was shitty, exhausting, and ultimately humbling, but it helped me kick my entitlement to the curb. Once I dropped the bratty attitude, I suddenly found myself making strides in my acting career — casting directors put me on their short lists, I made friends with directors, and I actually booked some work.
Takeaway: No one likes a brat. No one wants to work with a brat. And I imagine that even Mariah “Queen of Shade ” Carey was a sweetheart when she first started out (or at least she pretended to be). Divas are made, not born, so until you’ve sold over 200 million records worldwide, you might want to think about being nice to your coworkers. Being a good person will get you a lot farther in life.
Illustrated by Paola Delucca.

Early in my acting career, I was cast in a summer stock production of *Beauty and the Beast* in the unenviable role of "dancing meat fork." But though chorus cutlery was hardly a dream job, I did find my dream man that summer: Gaston. Yes, Gaston was handsome, muscular, and gay AF. We began our affair in secret, in an attempt to avoid gossip. But things blew up when Lumiere found us out and told the entire cast. Conflict soon erupted, and our affair quickly fizzled. Workplace hookups create workplace drama, and that drama is even worse when it’s set to the relentless soundtrack of “Be Our Guest.”
“Don’t Sleep With Coworkers” is a “no-no” that may seem like common sense. But sometimes the hotness of a coworker overpowers reason, and the janitor’s closet suddenly seems like a great place for the first chapter of a pregnancy scare. But trust me: It’s not worth the awkward and inevitable work-kitchen encounters. If you do decide to risk it and make the leap from coworkers to co-twerkers, just be prepared to deal with the drama like a grownup if things don’t work out (and that might even mean looking for a new job).
Illustrated by Paola Delucca.

I worked for a few seasons as a host during New York Fashion Week, interviewing celebrities and designers for a prominent makeup brand’s NYFW web content. I was sort of a gay/poor man’s Maria Menounos, infiltrating VIP areas in an attempt to interview unsuspecting Kardashians. One of the first things I learned at NYFW: Never ask permission. If you do, there will be a doorman with a bitchy frown ready to give you a firm “no.” The best way to deal with gatekeepers is to simply ignore them. Walk past the velvet rope with confidence and pretend you’re Whitney Port. At a certain point, acting like you belong translates into actually belonging.
Asking for permission gives someone the opportunity to say “no.” When it comes to making big career moves, sometimes it’s better to just do something rather than wait for someone to tell you that it’s okay to do it. If you’re feeling like your career is DOA, perhaps it’s time to find a DIY solution. Kickstart money for your indie film instead of waiting for an executive to greenlight it, self-publish your book after every editor says no, or launch your Etsy store when Barney’s won’t stock your jewellery. Bottom line: Luck certainly plays into career success, but so does sheer grit. Don’t underestimate how much you can achieve just by trying.
Illustrated by Paola Delucca.

After abandoning the whole actor thing, I found a passion for writing. I wanted to write in television, but had a hard time finding work within the scripted TV world in New York. So, I settled for what I thought was the next best thing: a job as a reality TV producer. I came to hate the brutal working conditions and manipulation that the gig required. Despite this, I remained in that job in for many years. I felt stuck; the longer I stayed, the more I felt defined by a career that I hated. I was afraid to leave, and worried I would be unable to find a new job in a different field. After a few years, though, things became unbearable, and I finally quit. It was the best decision I ever made, and a whole new path unfolded before me.
Be careful not to let a job that you hate turn into a career that crushes your soul. Sometimes we stay in the wrong gig for far too long, only to wake up years later and truly question where we’re going in life. If that happens to you, don’t panic: It's possible to change the course of your professional life. Starting over isn’t easy, but with vision, determination, and courage, it’s possible.
Illustrated by Paola Delucca.

By the time I quit my job as a reality TV producer, I’d worked my way up that ladder pretty far. When I finally left that gig, it was to take a job as a writer’s assistant to a famous novelist/screenwriter. Though I sacrificed the seniority I had earned at my prior job, I gained a position in the field I ultimately wanted to enter. I wanted to be a writer, and I learned a great many things about the industry by being an assistant to a mentor I admired deeply. The job was also part-time, and it allowed me the flexibility to put in work on my own projects. In the end, it was exactly the gig I needed to re-route my career and move toward my ultimate professional goals.
Sometimes, a step backward can actually be a step in the right direction. If you’re rebooting your career, it might mean starting at the bottom of a new field (and you might find yourself at the bottom again and again). But that's okay — especially if that field is your Field of Dreams.
Illustrated by Paola Delucca.

When I was offered a job as an executive at a prominent television network, I put my dreams of becoming a writer on hold. I was initially reluctant, until I saw the number of zeros my yearly salary would contain. My lifestyle shifted significantly, and I began earning a considerable amount of money. But I felt, once again, that I was trapped in a career that wasn’t quite right. I worked with a lot of wonderful people and made some excellent contacts, and I don’t regret taking the gig at all. But soon, I got used to all that money, and I stayed at the job longer than I should have (there might be a pattern in my career path). When I was ultimately let go due to corporate downsizing, it was actually a blessing in disguise. Although I spent liberally during my time at that particular job, I also saved a significant chunk of change. I had no excuse to put off my dream of being a writer once I had a nice amount of savings to fall back on.
Money can’t solve all your problems, but it certainly can solve *some* of them (and also enable you to shop at Opening Ceremony). Bottom line: Sometimes it’s smart to take a gig just for the money. Money can pay for a delicious dinner, end some credit card debt, and shut up Sallie Mae. But money can become a trap when all that cash comes from a job that’s destroying your spirit. If you’re making a ton of dough, make sure to save some for that rainy day when you bail on your soul-sucking job and go for your dream.
Illustrated by Paola Delucca.

After I was downsized from the television network, it was time for my Career Reboot Round Two. This meant confronting a frightening reality: If I was going to make the leap to become a TV writer, I needed to move from New York to Los Angeles. Starting a new career in a new city was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. I knew few people and came with few contacts. But over the course of the year and a half I’ve been here, I’ve signed with a major management company and agency, and I've pushed three separate television projects into development. By moving to L.A., I boarded the scariest professional roller coaster I’ve ever been on. But it’s also the most rewarding.
In my career thus far, I’ve found that most equations for success have an unexpected common denominator: fear. The periods of life in which I’ve made the most professional progress have also been the scariest. But courage doesn’t mean ignoring the fear we feel when taking risks. It means embracing it. In my own career journey, I’ve found that the moments when I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and embraced the struggle are also the moments when I made the most advancement. If you have a big dream, it’s going to mean taking big chances.
Illustrated by Paola Delucca.

In addition to writing for TV, I also write extensively for many online outlets. Being a freelance writer means constantly pitching ideas to publications and often coming up against rejection. It has gotten easier, as I’ve developed relationships with outlets and editors who believe in my work. But starting out was definitely a challenge. My first published essay took considerable time to find a home. I pitched it to approximately five different publications, all of which came back with a firm “no.” Refinery29 was the first “yes” I got. They published that essay, which ultimately went viral. This was my first step toward a career as a freelance writer, and one that only came because of my persistence.
There can be a lot of rejection along the way to success, but I’ve learned to use that rejection as fuel for my ambition. The “nos” will come from every angle. But racking up tons of rejection is actually a good thing — it means you’re really putting yourself out there. All it takes is one “yes,” and that “yes” will likely come after a stream of steady “nos.” That doesn't make that final "yes" any less legitimate.
Illustrated by Paola Delucca.

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This Slow-Motion Video Of Laser Hair Removal Will Wow & Disgust You

April 1, 2016, 8:20 am

≫ Next: Taylor Swift Eats Sh*t While Running & Rapping On The Treadmill

≪ Previous: Stop Doing This At Work Right Now

In life, there are certain processes we don't necessarily want to see up close (i.e.: how the sausage gets made). While the science is undeniably interesting, it can also be...well, pretty gross. This new video from the science nerds over at Veritasium is a perfect example. It unpacks what actually happens when you get laser hair removal — in slow-motion frames that are almost as painful to watch as the treatment itself.

Spoiler alert: This shit ain't pretty.

The team at Veritasium enlisted a few macro-lens cameras to catch the hair-obliteration process (on a shoulder, and thankfully not a bikini line) in all its glory. If you can get over the fact that you're watching detailed shots of hair shrivelling up from the inside-out, the science behind the hair removal is actually really interesting. What we see as one short burst of a laser is actually six pulses — each one lasting about 1.5 milliseconds.

"As the melanin [in the hair] absorbs laser energy, the hair heats up to over 100 degrees Celsius, causing it to burn and vaporising the water it contains," explains the narrator. "This puffs the hair up a little bit, like a Cheeto... The objective is not to destroy the hair; it's to actually use the hair to destroy the germ cells in the follicle that produce the hairs in the first place. It’s using the hair to kill the hair." Mind. Blown.

Watch the video above to get the rest of the hairy details — just make sure you aren't eating while you do it. And if this freaks you out, but you're still looking for a hair-removal option that will leave you smooth, here are a bunch of products that work — Cheeto-like shriveling not included.

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Taylor Swift Eats Sh*t While Running & Rapping On The Treadmill

April 1, 2016, 8:30 am

≫ Next: New Ebola Death Confirmed In Liberia

≪ Previous: This Slow-Motion Video Of Laser Hair Removal Will Wow & Disgust You

We want to make a "Shake It Off" joke. But frankly, this looks like it hurt.

Taylor Swift debuted a collaborative video with Apple Music today on her personal Instagram account. In the video, the singer is getting geared up to work out (apparently, she's not into cardio, which we actually find a little surprising?). And, of course, she's looking for a jam to get her going. She settles on a track and takes off.

But not for long. She starts rapping along to the music, and...well, what happens next is the treadmill fail of our nightmares.

Based on true events. #TAYLORvsTREADMILL @applemusic @champagnepapi @future

A video posted by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Apr 1, 2016 at 5:36am PDT

Ouch, right? We hope Tay's okay, because from the looks of this single-camera shot, it seems like she might have actually performed this stunt IRL.

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New Ebola Death Confirmed In Liberia

April 1, 2016, 8:45 am

≫ Next: What The City Is Doing To Your Skin

≪ Previous: Taylor Swift Eats Sh*t While Running & Rapping On The Treadmill

A new Ebola case has been confirmed in Liberia, several months after the outbreak of the deadly virus was believed to be contained, Reuters reported. The victim, who died on Thursday, was a woman in her early 30s.

It’s the first confirmed case of the virus in Liberia since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the country Ebola-free in mid-January. The country had been declared free of Ebola twice before, in May and September of 2015, only to have new cases crop up.

News of the latest death comes three days after WHO said the Ebola crisis was no longer a public health emergency of international concern, due to dropping rates of transmission.

Despite the easing of the crisis, clusters of the virus were reported in West Africa as late as mid-March. On March 22, Liberia closed its border with neighbouring Guinea after several Ebola cases were discovered there. Guinea, which was declared free of Ebola in late December before new cases were found, has vaccinated nearly 800 people against the virus over the past week, according to CNN.

More than 11,000 people, mostly from the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, have died in the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

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What The City Is Doing To Your Skin

April 1, 2016, 10:29 pm

≫ Next: Sofia Coppola's Indie Heroines And Their Finest Fashion Moments

≪ Previous: New Ebola Death Confirmed In Liberia

Anyone who lives in a city knows that, well, it’s a bit dirty. We choose to ignore it, as a bit of public transport grime and persistent traffic fumes are the trade off we make to live in a place that has decent nightclubs and Uber. But the effects that daily dirt has on the skin are not to be underestimated.

A recent study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (one of the main pollutants from traffic fumes) in the air were linked to an increase in liver spots (those hyper pigmented lesions) on the face. These findings are just the latest in a long and steady stream of research into the impact that pollution has on our skin.

“The way that pollution works on the skin is that unfortunately it just causes the increased and faster degradation of collagen and elastin,” explains Dr Maryam Zamani, an aesthetic doctor and consultant at London’s Cadogan Clinic with a specialty in ophthalmology.

“Those are the building blocks of skin, so if you’re damaging the new versions of those coming up, then you’re going to have more fragile skin going forward. You’ll have more red vessels, more lines and wrinkles, you’ll have less hydration because you’re skin won’t be able to hold on to moisture as well as it did before. So all of these things, they seem very small, but they build up.”

The main problem with pollution is, obviously, there’s no getting away from it. Your skin is the largest organ of your body and, as Dr Zamani explains, it absorbs everything you’re exposed to. Which, if you live in London, is a huge amount of nitrogen dioxide, among the highest levels in the world, in fact. To give some idea of context, in 2015 Oxford Street had broken the EU’s annual NO2 limit by 4th January, according to a report by King’s College London.

“Pollution is a chronic problem, and tends to be worse on sunny days when there is plenty of UV penetration to fuel chemical reactions, and on windless days when there is no inflow of fresh air to dilute the accumulated pollution,” explains Dr Howard Murad, dermatologist and founder of Murad skincare brand.

When it comes to talking about skin health, pollution is bundled up with that other pervasive dermatological poison: sun exposure. “All the bad things in the pollution, whether it’s oil, dirt, UV radiation, all these things cause damage and premature ageing in our skin,” says Dr Zamani.

She explains that the first signs to look out for are dryness or flakiness to your skin. “You can tell the equilibrium of your skin is a little bit off because it looks a little bit thinner, you can see those lines and wrinkles a bit more, and it doesn’t have that dewy look to it anymore,” she says. That could be down to pollution, or it could be down to you just not taking good enough care of your skin. Either way, it’s time to step up your regime.

So what should we be doing to protect our skin from the ravages of pollution? Well, basically by following the sage advice that skincare experts have been harping on about for years. If you need a gentle reminder, we’ve put together five skincare commandments to stay city skin pollutant free.

– Always, ALWAYS remove your make-up

“It’s imperative to remove make-up every evening,” explains expert facialist Kate Kerr. “Pollution sticks to foundation and causes oxidative damage while our skin should be repairing.”

– Cleanse properly, twice a day

“Not using a soap but a nice cleanser that’s pH balanced and will not strip your skin of essential oils that it needs to protect it and keep it hydrated,” says Dr Zamani.

– And exfoliate at least twice a week

For this, Kerr says, look out for alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic, lactic and salicylic, “to thoroughly remove impurities and toxins, and to speed up cell turnover.”

– Wear an SPF all year round

“To provide the skin with its first line of defence,” says Dr Murad. Add make sure it protects against UVA rays as well as UVB (look for the words “Broad Spectrum” on the packaging.)

– Load up on anti-oxidants

“Anything that has a stabilised form of vitamin C in it is really important to help combat any free radicals that sit on the skin,” says Dr Zamani. Kerr also recommends looking out for vitamin E, resveratrol, and glutathione.

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Sofia Coppola's Indie Heroines And Their Finest Fashion Moments

April 1, 2016, 11:29 pm

≫ Next: Is It Time We Banished The Flaky Friend?

≪ Previous: What The City Is Doing To Your Skin

That scene, you know, in Lost In Translation, when, stood in the creamy marbled bathroom of Scarlett Johanssen's suite, Bill Murray puts his very tight orange camo t-shirt on inside out. It's such a moment, isn't it? But that's just what Sofia Coppola does - she makes the most mundane sartorial moments appear, well, cult; the application of some cheap lipstick, the tearing of some tights. She makes a cheesy dance leotard look better than Saint Laurent, and a vintage prom dress look cooler than Vetements. That Sofia touch.

Primarily this is because her bored, listless characters, leading insanely priveleged and meandering lifestyles are achingly, like hand on hip, fag in mouth, failed acting career, rich parents, cool. This week it was announced that Sofia would be reuniting with her long-term muse Kirsten Dunst (AKA Marie Antoinette) along with Somewhere ’s Elle Fanning, and according to Vanity Fair, potentially Nicole Kidman on set for a remake Clint Eastwood’s The Beguiled. Before we start speculating over the costume - the 1970s original is set in confedrate America at an all-girls school (yeah, yeah, we know) let's revisit those Coppola characters whose outfits changed our wardrobes forever...

***The Virgin Suicides***
For her directorial feature debut, Sofia chose Jeffrey Eugenides’ story of the young, mysterious Lisbon sisters and the local boys who are obsessed with them. There are two factors affecting the outfit choices here. Firstly, it’s set in the 70s, meaning the girls sport some brilliantly colourful bandeau tops and over-the-knee socks, and secondly, the girls go to a strict religious school resulting in some v Catholic chic uniforms.
Photo: **Press**

***The Virgin Suicides***
So disturbed is their strict mother at the idea of the girls going to the school prom, she makes all their dresses incredibly dowdy, or “four identical sacks”, as they are called. Lux (Kirsten Dunst) is even forced to sex up her floral prairie-style dress by writing her date’s name on her underwear. Still, the Lisbon sisters had the last laugh. The “sacks” were the inspiration for a Rodarte collection.
Photo: **Press**

**Lost In Translation**
For the film's iconic opening credits, Scarlett's kind of visible bum in some highly-visible big pink knickers made the cut. Apparently Coppola was inspired by painter John Kacere, who frequently depicts lingerie clad women. Only Sofia could make granny pants look jaw-droppingly hot.
Photo: **Press**

**Lost In Translation**
Scarlett plays the newlywed Charlotte, who while lost and lonely in Tokyo befriends older, just as jaded, actor, Bill Murray (Bob Harris) and they quickly form an undeniable bond. The karaoke scene in which Bill gives the definitive rendition of Roxy Music's *More Than This*, sees a pink-wigged Scarlett giving us the sexiest karaoke choice of all time - "Brass In Pocket" by The Pretenders. Pink hair never looked this good.
Photo: **Press**

**Marie Antoinette**
The 2006 indie-meets-18th Century romp fast became our favourite coming-of-age flick ever. The corseted period costumes juxtaposed with the new-wave 80's soundtrack? Heavenly. Lush, rebellious and girly, Kirst's outfits are as lavish as Marie's lifestyle. From her head-to-toe pitch black masquerade ball look to her godly white gowns that were so embellished, detailed and fussy the film demanded watching twice. Costume designer Milena Canonero won an Academy Award for her designs.
Photo: **Press**

***Marie Antoinette***
When Marie finally takes her lover Axel Von Fersen, to the beat of some raucous drums, she sports nothing but over-the-knee white socks, a single feather, and a deftly placed fan.
Photo: **Press**

**Somewhere**
For the story of a rubbish father (played by Stephen Dorff) and his relationship with his estranged daughter (Elle Fanning), Sofia put Elle in plenty of girlish sundresses. We're supposed to be appalled at his treatment of his cute-as-a-button daughter, so she is dressed the part.
Photo: **Press**

**Somewhere**
Here's Elle Fanning being adorable and looking the picture of innocence ice skating in a sparkly blue one-piece to the sound of Gwen Stefani's "Cool".
Photo: **Press**

***Somewhere***
We're pretty sure it was wearing these geeky glasses that got Elle Fanning the Miu Miu eyewear campaign.
Photo: **Press**

***Bling Ring***
What do you get if you mix a gaggle of dissatisfied youths with loads of cash and greed? Sofia Coppola's *Bling Ring* and Emma Watson's fiercest on-screen look ever (see intense lipgloss application). Based on the true story of a theiving teenage collective -Hollywood Hills Burglar Bunch - costume designer Stacey Battat took full advantage of the noughties backdrop and name-dropped all our favourite brands from the era: Dior, Juicy, Supra...
Photo: **Press**

Case in point: Emma Watson's pink Juicy Couture tracksuit, cropped Uggs and small dog. Game. Set. Match. Lindsay Lohan who?
Photo: **Press**

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Is It Time We Banished The Flaky Friend?

April 1, 2016, 11:42 pm

≫ Next: Meet Halsey, Pop Music's New Beauty Icon

≪ Previous: Sofia Coppola's Indie Heroines And Their Finest Fashion Moments

9.15am, Saturday morning and I was sitting blurry-eyed in a cafe miles away from my house with a lukewarm mint tea so bored that I had clicked on LinkedIn.

I was meeting a friend who I would have preferred to see over a long Sunday roast dinner or Friday night cocktails but no other time in the next month had worked for her so I had hauled myself out of bed to fit in with her one available hour-long time slot. A time slot usually preferred only by people with children under two or those with pyjamas on under their coats picking up takeaway breaded goods, which they will sensibly transport back to their own beds.

I sat there wondering if I should order one of those Portuguese custard tart things and because she was now 30-minutes late, despite the decreed time slot, I also rehearsed a po-faced speech about how my time mattered too.

I never delivered it, because when she arrived, apologetic, it was nice to see her, and I didn't want to ruin our precious time together.

This is life with the flaky friend; the one who neglects us over and over, and makes it clear by their behaviour that they are far busier and more important than us. And yet, we stick with them. Because every now and again they throw us a morsel: the kind of night out which is still being talked about a year later, a supportive chat when things are rubbish, or a genuinely thoughtful present. Something which reminds us why we are friends with them in the first place, which is usually because we love hanging out with them above almost anyone else. Which only makes their flakiness more annoying.

The flake is Jessa from Girls, going off radar for weeks at a time. She’s Rachel from Friends when she turns up in the wedding dress and expects Monica to have the spare room ready for her even though they haven’t spoken in about five years. She’s probably Victoria Beckham, replying to one message in every 200 on the Spice Girls' WhatsApp group, though, to be fair, that last one is a guess.

Irene S. Levine, Ph.D., a psychologist and friendship expert, says that part of the reason for the current prevalence of the flaky friend is that our view of friendship is skewed in 2016.

“Many people are more flippant about friendships because we can ‘unfriend’ someone with a touch of the keyboard,” she says. “It feels like there are so many friends and they are so replaceable that we have forgotten the value of a proper friendship.”

It’s the friendship equivalent of Tinder – making dating easy but commitment seemingly impossible. The flaky friend is the bad boy, if the bad boy had a long bob and Mac lipstick and brought you a scented candle to say sorry for being rubbish, instead of make up sex.

But in the long run, the flaky friend may actually cause more harm than good. Because while most of us eventually grow out of the bad boy, his friendship-based equivalent can stick around in our lives forever.

“With our friends there’s a certain comfort level like the one you have in your family which means you can be snappy, turn up late, do whatever you want – to an extent – and know you’ll still be loved,” says Levine. “Plus friendships rarely end so definitely as romantic relationships, so the consequences if someone does get annoyed with us are not so extreme. All of which means that with our friends, we often don’t demonstrate our best behaviour.”

Personally I would rather sit there for three hours drinking that vaguely mint-flavoured lukewarm water and getting pity looks from the waitress than ever speak to my friend about her morsel-feeding and I think that’s how a lot of people feel about confrontation, especially with friends.

We may have arguments about the dishwasher with our partners and sulk with our families but friends are supposed to be the glossy part of life - who wants to be the one stropping in for an epic discussion on our relationship just as everyone’s on their third glass of Prosecco? If the flaky friend is Jessa, the one who wants to analyse her behaviour is Marnie: AKA far, far worse.

Unfortunately though, if we don’t pull her up on it, the flaky friend will receive a subliminal message that her behaviour is OK.

“If you accept it, it gets to be a habit because she believes there are no consequences,” says Levine. “That’s when it becomes a pattern and the longer that goes on, the more difficult it is to break.”

And while the flaky friend is developing her bad habits, those on the receiving end can become angry, passive-aggressive, and start to feel stupid and worthless too. It can also affect our health: a study in the Annals of Behavioural Medicine in 2007 found that unpredictable and ambivalent friendships raise our blood pressure because they don’t help us deal with stress and are themselves a source of it.

“There may be characteristics which are offset by others,” says Levine. “Someone that’s flaky can also be exciting to be with for example and unlike a romantic partner you don’t need a friend to fulfil all of your needs, you can surround yourself with multiple friends who all give you something different. But in the end, you need to weigh up how much her behaviour negatively affects you - and how much it detracts from the relationship.”

We could, as Levine suggests, ‘dilute’ the friendship; spend less time with our flaky friends, see them only in a group - and that might be one way to keep them in our lives. But in the end we need to decide whether the relationship is doing us any real favours. Or whether the flakiest thing we can cope with at the weekend is a takeaway bag filled to the brim with those delicious Portuguese pastries.

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Meet Halsey, Pop Music's New Beauty Icon

April 2, 2016, 9:00 am

≫ Next: The Top 5 Spring Hair Trends To Take L.A.

≪ Previous: Is It Time We Banished The Flaky Friend?

In an era when wigs have lost their taboo and neon hair colour is worn by even the most unexpected stars, there's no denying that it's tough to stand out. However, this rainbow of options makes the journey to "find your look" a captivating one, especially when the person happens to work in pop music.

Enter Halsey, the 21-year-old American pop singer-songwriter who has arrived on the scene just in time to throw the industry a (beauty) curveball. In her short career, she's tried more hair colours and lengths than most of us could dream of, only to shave her head for reasons you may not expect (but more on that later).

Not that she needed the attention: Her debut album, Badlands, has already hit gold. She has millions of devoted fans, and she's in the middle of her U.S. tour (Oh, and there have been Justin Bieber moments along the way, too.)

Her beauty transformation, which you'll see ahead, is punctuated by an even-more-unusual collaboration with MAC: a limited-edition grey (yes, grey) lipstick that just launched this week as part of their Future Forward collection. Not surprisingly, she mixed the shade herself, but not in the lab. "I did it with acrylic paints, and I sent them a swatch board of all the colours," she told us. "I don’t think they were expecting me to be that involved. They were like, 'Oh wow, you were really excited about this.'" And that she is: "I fucking love makeup," she says, which is why this project had to bring more than just a pretty colour to the table.

"I wanted to do something that's an easy step to trying something daring," Halsey told us. "And something androgynous, because makeup has become such a broad thing that is appreciated by all genders. It’s not a gay thing, it’s not a straight thing, it’s not a girl thing, it’s not a boy thing." But it's even more than that: "The way we present ourselves and the way we look really does have a big effect on our state of mind and our personality. That’s why I change my hair so much," she explains. "I definitely have different personalities with different hairstyles, so I hope that whatever personality this lipstick gives people is a really confident, badass one."

Ahead, we documented more than a dozen of the star's best beauty moments, narrated by the musician herself.

Warning: The sudden urge to take a risk may occur.

**SiriusXM Studios, May 2014**
"This was from my first radio visit, ever. I think I was 18 years old in this picture. Everything is just bad! I think I got this dress at Marshalls. I was super broke; that was the one leather jacket I owned. I was really nervous — it was my first time being on the radio, on the first radio station that ever played my music."
Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images.

**Selfie, August 2014**
"This was during the four days I had purple hair. I only kept it for a few days because it was such a pain in the ass — purple fades so quickly. This is the first time my last boyfriend, who produced my album, ever talked to me. I posted this picture and he tweeted me and said, ‘You look really pretty,’ or something like that. We ended up dating for, like, two years."
Photo: Via @Iamhalsey.

**Selfie, September 2014**
"This is all my real hair! It was a very different time in my life! This was when I shot the *first '*Ghost' video [ed. note: second, and totally different version, here], right when I signed my first record deal. This was inspired by Chloe Sevigny in *Gummo,* when she wears the tiger bathing suit with the white shorts — we drew a lot of inspiration from that."
Photo: Via @Iamhalsey.

**Selfie, November 2014**
"Oh my gosh, this was the bubblegum-pink hair. I had this one for a while. These are really big lashes — I miss those. I used to wear *really* big lashes, and in this picture, I’m wearing circle lenses. I wore them a whole three times in my life. They’re Japanese contact lenses that make your eyes look anime, [because] they make your [irises look] bigger."
Photo: Via @Iamhalsey.

**Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta, May 2015**
"This is one of my favourite hairstyles I’ve ever had. It was a blue shoulder-length bob that was yellow on the side, from shooting my album cover. But nobody could know that is what my hair was going to look like, so I had to buy blue eyeshadow and colour on the side of my hair myself. You just kind of brush it in."
Photo: Chris McKay/Getty Images.

**Boston Calling Music Festival, May 2015**
"This was a wig, and when I started wearing blue lipstick — this is what inspired the [MAC shade]. This was a cool day. I had a septum piercing — I look like a punk rock Marilyn Monroe."
Photo: Mike Lawrie/FilmMagic.

**Billboard Hot 100 Festival, August 2015**
"This is a wig, and I hadn't been wearing wigs for a while. Then I just randomly decided to wear this one. I cut it myself, the bangs and the length! This was a scary day because I forgot I was wearing a wig and I did a lot of backbends, but it stayed on and looked so cool in the pictures — I got really lucky [it didn't fly off]!"
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.

**MTV Video Music Awards, August 2015**
"This is when I had the sides of my head shaved tight, and my dye job was awful. My roots are really bad, it’s growing out [here]. This is also the first red carpet that I ever did — ever! I was so nervous, there were so many flashing cameras in my face. I was panicking. I didn’t know how to pose, I didn’t know what to do, everyone is screaming [on the red carpet], and I didn’t think anyone was going to know who I was. As I’m walking out, I’m thinking they’re going to be like, ‘Who the hell is this girl?’ Then I walk out and all of a sudden, like 40 [photographers] start going 'Halsey! Halsey!' I was panicked, but I think I kept my cool."
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images.

**KOKO Music Festival in London, September 2015**
"This is one of the coolest hairstyles I’ve ever had — this is my *Badlands* hair. I got this done at Bleach, which is this really cool salon in London — I think this is Lou Teasdale’s company. She’s famous for being One Direction’s stylist. We did the pastel pink and the blue on top — it’s ombré, and it looks like my album cover. This was my first London show, too, so having this kind of iconic hair for me was a moment."
Photo: Lorne Thomson/Redferns.

**Museum Of Modern Art Film Benefit, November 2015**
"Every time I see this picture I want to go back to blonde — every. single. time…This is my favourite look from the past year. The stylists gave me these Daisy Buchanan finger waves from the '20s, this really bright pink lip, and they brought my eyes out a lot with this bold brow. That necklace had its own security guard. He followed me around to make sure I didn’t break it, or leave!"
Photo: Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images.

**NBC's *Today* Show Performance, November 2015**
"This was a bad day in hair history — this was the day that Justin Bieber and I looked like twins, which is a time in my life I don’t want to relive [laughs]. He had to wear a hat, or it would have looked like Justin Bieber was trying to make out with Justin Bieber on the *Today* show. This was right before I shaved my head because it was so dead from bleaching it. This was a very cold day. Also, a last minute day. We didn’t rehearse at all — we had never sung the song together before. We got on stage on live television like, ‘Let’s go!’ It was really scary."
Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic.

**Selfie, December 2015**
"When I shaved my head, one of the reasons I did it was because of all the reasons I *didn’t* want to do it. They were really shitty reasons, things like, ‘Will this boy still think I’m pretty?’ One day I was like, ‘All of the reasons that I don’t want to shave my head are not for me. I want to shave my head, so I should do it.' It was a scary moment for me. I could have walked around like a girl who knew her head was shaved, wondering if people were looking at me *because* my head was shaved, or dressing *because* everyone is looking at my head, [but I didn't]. A lot of people say, ‘You can have any hair color,’ or, ‘You can wear anything,’ but it’s because I carry myself like I can. I never let anything wear me…Look in the mirror, *know* that you look good, and go."
Photo: Via @Iamhalsey.

**Chanel Show During Paris Fashion Week, March 2016**
"This is one of my least favourite hairstyles I have ever had…I was feeling a little helmet-y. I like the retro vibe, though. This is a graphic look that was inspired by the '70s, kind of a Twiggy-inspired look, an Edie look. I have never done something like this before. I change my hair a lot, but I’m pretty boring with my makeup. I normally do lashes and a brown/nude lip. I am trying to branch out this year. I’ve been buying dresses, which is weird for me!"
Photo: Rindoff/Le Segretain/Getty Images.

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↧

The Top 5 Spring Hair Trends To Take L.A.

April 2, 2016, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Hotels That Famous People Made Famous

≪ Previous: Meet Halsey, Pop Music's New Beauty Icon

Spring is the perfect time for transformation. We'll spare you the caterpillar-to-butterfly analogy, although there is something to be said for casting off your old look (or 'do) and trying something new as the season changes. Given L.A.'s lack of seasons, it's no surprise the city got a head start.

In fact, over the past few months, more and more of L.A.'s top stylists and raddest locals have been trading in their sun-kissed lobs for a few fresh, new styles. Translation: Spring trends have officially arrived.

First, let's talk about the top two cuts. Bangs are encroaching upon lob-status popularity, but the best part is that they come in all lengths and styles, making them just as easy to wear. (Think: every version imaginable, from baby bangs to cheekbone-grazing fringe to curly face-framers.) Short, choppy cuts (both shag and bob versions) are also en vogue, but heed the advice ahead to ensure you come out with something modern that works for your texture.

And color? Icy-blond tones, ranging from a platinum bleach-and-tone to cool, nearly white babylights, are taking hold, while shades of red are being updated with copper highlights and deep, one-colour tones. Fret not if you aren't ready for commitment, because a softer version of babylights is also popping up, and it's everything you want: universally flattering and super-easy to grow out.

Alright, let's get into it. The top five L.A. hair trends to consider for spring, plus all the tips and tricks to get them at your local salon, ahead.

**Bangs**
Stylist: Liz Sustaita
**Salon:** Ramirez|Tran
**What To Ask For:** A classic bob with long layers and bangs
Sustaita knows what hair trends are coming next. Take one peek at her Instagram and it's clear she has something big on the brain: bangs. For this look, she married a bob with long layers with blunt, medium-weight bangs, which she calls a "futuristic silhouette with contemporary texture."
Luckily, this is a cut that any stylist should be able to pull off; just be sure the layers are kept long and tailored to your texture, or you'll end up with a shag. Heed Sustaita's advice for styling: Curl, define, or flatten (depending on your texture) random pieces with a 1.25-inch iron to create a bend-y look, but avoid the ends, then flip your head over and spray with texture spray suited for your hair type. To finish, flip your head back over and "piece it back down to a more sensible shape."
**Upkeep:** Plan for a cut every two to three months, Sustaita says, and trim the bangs whenever they need it.
Photo: Courtesy of Liz Sustaita.

**Bangs**
Stylist: Shai Amiel
**Salon:** Capella Salon
**What To Ask For:** A square shag with short bangs
Another option that taps into two of L.A.'s biggest trends — a shaggy bob *and* bangs. Amiel describes this cut as a curly shag and notes that the shorter layers are the key to getting a voluminous look. "We added extra short pieces on the crown to maximise volume and the feel of randomness," he tells us, then added in short bangs for "added drama."
To style the look, he suggests drying hair upside-down and angled forward, which will promote body and keep the bangs and shorter pieces going in a forward direction. "Once dry, use fingers to separate random curls and stretch out a few pieces," he says. (Obviously, if you have straight or wavy hair you'll get a different result, although drying upside-down will add volume to any texture.)
**Upkeep:** Amiel believes that all curly hair should be cut every 100 days to maintain the health of the ends, and this cut is no exception.
Photo: Courtesy of Shai Amiel.

**Bangs**
Stylist:Anh Co Tran
**Salon:** Ramirez|Tran
**What To Ask For:** Baby bangs and an A-line lob
To be totally transparent, we did *not* see the baby-bangs trend being resurrected, but it's versions like this that are so undeniably fresh and cool you can see why it's taking off in a big way in L.A. Tran — who proves again and again that he's one of the most influential stylists in L.A. — is the man behind this cut, which you can get by asking for baby bangs and his signature soft lob.
**Upkeep:** Trim the bangs every few weeks if you want to keep the length, or let them (beautifully) grow through every bang type and only trim them with the rest of your hair (about every three months).
Photo: Courtesy of Margaux Brooke.

**Bangs**
Stylist: Mateo Lara
**Salon:** Hairroin Salon
**What To Ask For:** A long, textured cut with side-swept bangs
"I would describe this look as a foxy, long, layered texture haircut with a sassy fringe," Lara says. It's also one of the easiest ways to dip your toes into the bangs trend, as this version is light and long enough to push to the side. However, Lara makes a good point when he instructs anyone who wants this cut to bring in a photo, or the bangs you ask for might not be the ones you get. "Having a photo to reference is my ideal way of knowing exactly what my client is asking for," he says.
This cut can be easily styled a variety of ways, but the tricky part are the bangs. "Blowdry your fringe in every direction, besides up, of course, and you neutralize the root," Lara tells us. "Then finish it off with a texture spray at the roots only to add body and separation."
**Upkeep:** You should trim the bangs monthly.
Photo: Courtesy of Maria Margarita.

**The Choppy Bob**
**Stylist:** Sal Salcedo
**Salon:** Ramirez|Tran
**What To Ask For:** Soft fringe and an A-line shag that hits your collarbone
Does going shoulder-length leave you feeling uneasy? You can cheat this trend a bit and go a tad longer. Salcedo has become a breakout star in the L.A. hair world thanks to modern cuts like this. He calls this an "angled, modern shag." To get the look, be sure to ask for an A-line shape (longer in the front than back), to keep the shag cut modern; and textured layers and soft bangs, to keep it looking cool, but don't get crazy with layers. "Less is more," he says. "You can always add more texture if you wish to, but start with a little."
Wrap-dry the bangs (push left against the scalp and dry a little, then pull right and dry a little more; repeat), and create waves or define your natural texture with an iron on the rest.
**Upkeep:** "The grow-out on this haircut is very natural; you shouldn't have to see your stylist unless you want to keep the length," Salcedo says, but notes that you should trim the fringe monthly.
Photo: Courtesy of Sal Salcedo.

**The Choppy Bob**
Stylist: Shai Amiel
**Salon:** Capella Salon
**What To Ask For:** Rounded layers with side-swept bangs
"Nathalie loves her big, round-curly look," Amiel says. "She plays a slave on *Game of Thrones*, so we had to maintain her look [so it was] consistent [for filming]." Her character's continuity is inspiration to our ears; to get a similar style, ask for a round shape that hits the jawline when dry and has light layering. "There are lots of random bits all over to give her volume and movement," Amiel says. To style the cut, Amiel suggests you "shake hair as hard as possible to create movement *before* you dry it," then stretch out the dry curls to create even more bounce.
**Upkeep:** A trim every 100 days will keep curls bouncy and healthy, Amiel says.
Photo: Courtesy of Shai Amiel.

**The Choppy Bob**
**Stylist:** Buddy Porter
**Salon:** Ramirez|Tran
**What To Ask For:** A classic bob with softly cut layers
Porter gave actress Sophia Bush this chop, which he calls a textured bob. "[It] maintains the classic bob shape, but is point-cut and softly layered," he tells us. This gives the look built-in body. To score the loose, tousled waves he created here, start with straight to wavy hair, whether achieved naturally or by heat-styling. Use a 1.25-inch iron to create or define bends in alternating directions, spray a texture or dry-shampoo spray through hair from roots to mid-shaft (Porter recommends L'Oréal Professionel's Next Day Hair), smooth ends with a styling cream (Porter used Leonor Greyl's Éclat Naturel), and finger-comb into place.
**Upkeep:** Trimming every two months is best, Porter says.
Photo: Courtesy of Buddy Porter.

**The Choppy Bob**
Stylist:Colleen Duffy
**Salon:**Sally Hershberger
**What To Ask For:** A slight A-line with light layering and texturized ends
Choppy need not mean shaggy; simply follow Duffy's direction and keep the layers long, but still textured. Which, as she describes, results in a look that's "edgy, but still polished." To get the look, ask for "very minimal layering, slightly longer in the front, and texturizing only on the ends with thinning shears or [a] razor," she tells us.
To style it similarly to what you see here, Duffy suggests blowdrying the hair straight with a round brush, directing the nozzle away from the face, then defining the ends with pomade (Duffy recommends Sally Hershberger 24K) to "piece out the cut and show texture."
**Upkeep:** The cut will grow out nicely, but trims every two to three months will keep the shape.
Photo: Courtesy of Colleen Duffy.

**The Choppy Bob**
Stylist:Anh Co Tran
**Salon:** Ramirez|Tran
**What To Ask For:** An A-line bob with texture
While the words "short and choppy" would seem like all you need to reference when scoring this cut at your own salon, there's more to this 'do than meets the eye. Tran suggests asking for a classic bob with an A-line (about an inch shorter in back is ideal), with textured layers throughout. Just be sure your stylist takes into account the weight and texture of *your* hair when adding the layers. (Too few on thick or curly hair and you'll get a mushroom shape; too many on fine hair and you'll get a short shag.)
**Upkeep:** "The cut should generally last you eight to 10 weeks," Tran says, "depending on how quick your hair grows."
Photo: Courtesy of Anh Co Tran.

**Icy Blond**
Stylist: Aura Friedman
**Salon:**Sally Hershberger
**What To Ask For:** Platinum with a Champagne-pink tone
"The process is the same as you would use for a platinum hair color, so it's a bleach-and-tone," Friedman says. Two steps? Technically, yes, but don't take this process lightly: Friedman bleaches strategically (roots last) to avoid damage, and reminds everyone that they should always go in for a consultation first. "A bleach-and-tone is so damaging that you should always go in for a consultation to see if your hair can handle it," she tells us. Then, never jump around from colourist to colourist for root touch-ups (that's when damage happens, since they're not communicating about what they're using and where), and always "treat your hair like a princess" (it's going to be fragile!).
Keep the tone in check by coming in for a colour gloss every few weeks and using a purple conditioner (Friedman recommends Davines Silver Conditioner).
**Upkeep:** Every four to six weeks — or your roots will be harder to colour, since bleach lightens quicker at the root (due to body heat) and will leave you with a line between the original bleach job and the roots. Translation: You have to be vigilant.
Photo: Courtesy of Aura Friedman.

**Icy Blond**
Stylist:Cassondra Kaeding
**Salon:**Sally Hershberger
**What To Ask For:** Ashy-blond platinum
"I call this colour an icy-blond," Kaeding tells us. It requires a trick known by all the best colourists. "To get your hair icy-blond, add in ashy and silver tones, staying on the cooler side," she says. A photo is important if you want to score this look, and Kaeding notes that you should stress the word "ashy" — otherwise, you may end up with a light golden-blond or Champagne color.
To care for this hue at home (not easy, mind you), regularly apply a hair oil or natural oil (like coconut) to freshly washed hair and let it soak in overnight, Kaeding says. "Additionally, avoid tight hair ties because they can cause breakage," and "invest in a silk pillowcase because it is much more gentle on your hair."
**Upkeep:** Every four to six weeks for your roots, but Kaeding also notes: "With ashy tones, you also have the option of coming back in two weeks after your colour for a five-minute colour gloss to freshen up your hair."
Photo: Courtesy of Cassondra Kaeding.

**Icy Blond**
Stylist: Marcia Hamilton
**Salon:** Hamilton Hair
**What To Ask For:** Platinum color with shadowed roots
Hamilton actually first created this look on herself. She describes it as "platinum-blond with a dark gray-brown root." The roots, which can be done with toner or color, are key to creating a low-maintenance look. "When you ask for this look, describe it as platinum-blond with a shadowed root," she says. "This will let the colourist know you would like a soft and slightly outgrown root look."
To keep it looking fresh at home, Hamilton uses Clairol Shimmering Lights Shampoo and Conditioner. Tip: Start with just the conditioner as needed for brassiness, as the shampoo can be tricky to use since it's deeply pigmented.
**Upkeep:** Every six to eight weeks.
Photo: Courtesy of Deborah Anderson.

**Icy Blond**
Stylist:Liz Jung
**Salon:** Mèche Salon
**What To Ask For:** Pale babylights
Jung calls the look she created here "buttercream babylights." (That is, baby-fine, foiled highlights in an icy shade *just* richer than platinum.) For those who want the exact look: She used Redken Flash Lift to lift the hair and Shades EQ in Irish Cream to tone it to the right shade. It's also an on-trend combination for those who want to keep a bit of dimension — or avoid a full-on bleach-and-tone — although the process may need a base color first for those with naturally dark locks.
**Upkeep:** You'll need to get this colour touched up every two to three months, Jung says, and use a shampoo formulated for blondes (she recommends Redken Blonde Idol) and a rich conditioner to maintain the colour and health of the hair.
Photo: Courtesy of Liz Jung.

**Shades Of Red**
**Stylist:** Buddy Porter (cut) and KC Carhart (color)
**Salon:** Ramirez|Tran
**What To Ask For:** A long and layered cut with bangs that graze the eyebrows; highlights and a copper or red gloss
For those who feel that two (trends) is better than one. Porter describes this as "a long, layered, shaggy cut with long, messy bangs" and notes it's great for anyone who wants to wash and go; just be sure you ask for long layers that suit your texture. He suggests rough-drying to bring out your texture and keeping a can of Oribe Apres Beach on hand, which will add definition and a bit of shine to any hair type.
Carhart describes this colour as "a very bold copper-red with dimension," which she achieved by adding a copper colour glaze over subtle highlights. (If your hair already has dimension, you can opt for a glaze, she says, but if your hair is dark it must be bleached down first.) Opt for a colour-depositing mask to keep it fresh (red fades *fast*): Carhart recommends Davines Alchemic Conditioner in Copper. "It will keep your colour from fading too much between appointments," she says.
**Upkeep:** "This haircut will last you up to four months if cut properly, and maintaining the bangs will require quick bang trims every four to five weeks," Porter says. The color will need a gloss every two months.
Photo: Courtesy of Buddy Porter.

**Shades Of Red**
**Stylist:**Chris Greene
**Salon:** Mèche Salon
**What To Ask For:** A rich, all-over mahogany color
"This all-over colour is a mix of burgundy and copper," Greene tells us, noting that a little dimension is required, or you may get a result that looks flat. If your hair already has lighter pieces, you're all set — or have your colourist add some highlights first. Since red fades fast, use a shampoo and conditioner for colour-treated hair, but "try not to wash your hair *too* often, and when you do, avoid hot water," Greene says.
**Upkeep:** Plan on getting a gloss to refresh the colour every four to six weeks, Greene says.
Photo: Courtesy of Chris Greene.

**Barely There Babylights**
Stylist:Chris Greene
**Salon:** Mèche Salon
**What To Ask For:** A medium-brown base with dark-blond babylights
Highlighted hair will always be all the rage in Los Angeles, if not worldwide, but soft versions that mimic grown-out colour are gaining more traction among chic locals. Greene describes this colour as "soft, sexy, and sun-kissed," which he achieved with a medium-brown all-over base and baby-fine, *dark-* blond highlights.
"This look is all about the blended highlights and subtle contrast," he says. "The highlights are throughout the whole head and concentrated more around her face and the tips of her layers. The roots of the highlights are then blended with a similar colour to the base, so the highlights don’t look too obvious."
**Upkeep:** The babylights don't need to be done every visit, Greene says, so your visits will be dictated by how you feel about your roots. (Six weeks if you want to cover them; up to six months to refresh the entire look.)
Photo: Courtesy of Chris Greene.

**Barely There Babylights**
**Stylist:** Johnny Ramirez
**Salon:** Ramirez|Tran
**What To Ask For:** Sun-kissed, golden copper
Ramirez says this is his signature lived-in colour, but in red, calling it a "little bit sun-kissed, with gold copper." His oft-copied process is based around lightening the ends, weaving in dimension, and then toning the roots to a shade that will grow out without a line of demarcation. Even so, red is a tricky hue to maintain, so he suggests using a color-safe shampoo. (He likes L'Oréal's Vitamino, as it "helps to retain colour and is fade-resistant.") He also notes that "red is extremely hard to remove, so make sure you are committed."
**Upkeep:** Ramirez's signature method lasts six months, with one exception. "Red is very high-maintenance," he says. "You may want to come in for highlights to bump up the color every two to three months, depending on if you see fading."
Photo: Courtesy of Johnny Ramirez.

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↧

Hotels That Famous People Made Famous

April 2, 2016, 11:01 pm

≫ Next: Your New Instagram Stalk: Leaf Greener

≪ Previous: The Top 5 Spring Hair Trends To Take L.A.

Airbnb may have revolutionised travelling but it will never replace the romance of a hotel: the fluttering feeling roused simply by walking into a lobby. "Checking in" is a chance to retrace the steps of storied guests, those one-time legendary lodgers, celebrities past and present, who’ve slept in the same beds and partied in the same bedrooms as us. Booking into a hotel lets us normal folk live vicariously through the names who have come and gone – if just for one night.

We might not be able to stay in the Chelsea Hotel, but we can certainly relive the drama and frivolities of some of the most infamous guests at other hotels around the world. Take a look at our slideshow for a list of the best.

**Chateau Marmont – LA**
Experiencing its fair share of triumphs and tragedies, the castle-like hotspot is most recently known for actor John Belushi’s tragic drug overdose. Fashion photographer Helmet Newton also died here after crashing his car into a wall of the hotel’s driveway. Using up “the eighth of his nine lives,” rockstar Jim Morrison hurt his back after he tried to swing from a pipe on the roof into his hotel room. But it’s not all sad and bad behaviour, Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ frontman Anthony Kiedis recorded the lyrics for "By The Way" in his hotel room, and trace back decades and you’ll find Hollywood tales of James Dean and Natalie Wood’s blossoming relationship.
Photo: **Rex Features**

**Dorchester Hotel – London**
Nicki Minaj has been with her fans through thick and thin - and vice versa. In 2011, after discovering her whereabouts, hundreds of fans crammed into the hotel in search of the singer. Chaos quickly ensued: fights broke out and walls were defaced with graffiti. Unable to control the situation, the hotel staff promptly asked Minaj to leave, to which she responded by tweeting, “We've officially been kicked out of the hotel! Lmaoooooooo.”
Photo: **Rex Features**

**Relais Hotel Du Vieux – Paris**
Once known as the Beat Hotel, this was the run-down haunt of artists like Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs and Alan Ginsberg. During the ‘50s and ‘60s, Beat Generation figures flocked to Paris in search of inexpensive accommodation. As the defining characteristic of the Latin Quarter residence, there were forty tiny rooms and one shared ‘Toilette Turque’ - or squat toilet - and shower. Initially anything but glamorous, this now 4-star hotel has certainly banked off its past.
Photo: Press

**Browns Hotel – London**
Before pop culture took over the world, one of the most important events happened in London’s Brown’s Hotel in 1876. That year, Alexander Graham Bell made the first ever phone call with his revolutionary invention – the telephone.
Photo: **Rex Features**

**Raffles, Singapore**
The birthplace of the delicious Singapore Sling cocktail, the opulent Asian hotel lays claim to more than just famed mixology. Originally a tiny 10-room bungalow built in 1887, the national monument has since hosted literati like Hemingway, Alfred Hitchcock and Rudyard Kipling. Kipling is famed for penning children’s classic *The Jungle Book* while living in one of the Raffles suites.
Photo: **Rex Features**

**Pera Palace Hotel – Istanbul**
Built in 1892, this mysterious landmark was the first hotel in Istanbul to have electricity. A harbinger of modernism, it soon after unveiled the electric elevator, complete with a lift boy. The first hotel in Turkey to own one, the cage-style contraption drew in a long list of famous friends, including Ernest Hemmingway, Josephine Baker, Alfred Hitchcock and film star Greta Garbo. Agatha Christie’s favourite room, 411, is now the Agatha Christie Suite: a bedroom finished in rich crimson and Burgundy.
Photo: **Rex Features**

**The Savoy – London**
At the ripe old age of 70, Irish veteran actor Richard Harris, better know as *Harry Potter* ’s Dumbledore, set up home in the daringly decadent London hotel. At the ring of a bell, his domestic responsibilities were someone else’s; whether they were putting away his clothes or bringing his dinner, it was a luxurious life that cost him £6,000 ($9,981) a week. He is one of many celebrities who lived and finally died in a hotel.
Photo: **Rex Features**

**The Beverley Hills Hotel, LA**
The year 2012 wasn’t a great year for John Travolta. It was here at the LA hotel, where a masseuse claims he allegedly exposed himself during a spa appointment. But long before Travlota’s scandals, the gossip rags were spotlighting the iconic hotel for completely different reasons. Opened in 1912, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy shacked up in his bungalow for the best part of the ‘40s and ‘50s, even though Tracy never divorced his wife.
Photo: **Press**

**Hotel Elysée – New York**
So good he never left, playwright Tennessee Williams lived in Manhattan's Hotel Elysée for 15 years. While many stories have come out of the rumour mill, the most famous one tells of disgruntled guests sick of the constant ‘tap tap tap’ of a typewriter. Not daring enough to pass on the message, the hotel would simply move guests to another room. Williams died in the Sunset Suite in 1983.
Photo: **Press**

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↧

Your New Instagram Stalk: Leaf Greener

April 2, 2016, 11:40 pm

≫ Next: Your Horoscope This Week — Apr 03 2016

≪ Previous: Hotels That Famous People Made Famous

Born in Beijing to a photographer father and a luxury PR mother, it was only a matter of time before Leaf Greener would carve out a career in fashion herself. And, yes, that's her real name. After studying fashion at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Greener graduated and turned her well-trained eye to styling, before taking up the position of senior fashion editor at Elle China from 2008-2014. In 2015, she founded LEAF WeChat magazine, a self-published mobile magazine where she counts Chanel, Chloé and Loewe as clients and fashion icons like Yasmin Sewell as contributors. She's Tommy Ton's favourite subject to snap during the fashion weeks and our favourite vanguard of Chinese style to stalk. With her other 100K followers on the 'gram, it would seem that we're not alone.

We find out just what it is that has the fashion world so enthralled. Welcome to the life of Leaf Greener...

**Age, location, occupation:**
33, Shanghai, Creative Consultant, Fashion Stylist, Columnist, Founder of LEAF WeChat magazine.
**If you were an item of clothing, what would you be and why?**
Pyjamas. To me they mean comfort, but they're chic and I like the idea of them; they're free and unpolished.
**Favourite item of clothing you’re currently wearing?**
Hoodies.
**What item of clothing best sums you up?**
Actually, I sum up the clothing, not the way around.
Photo: **Instagram/Leaf Greener**

**If you had to wear one designer for the rest of your life, who would it be?**
There is no such thing anymore. Designers come and go... Brands stay forever or at least exist for longer now. The problem is a great designer will reshape a brand and a bad one can destroy a brand. If I *had* to choose to wear one designer for the rest of my life, it would be vintage: Mr. Helmut Lang's original designs.
**What do you love about the city you live in?**
Shanghai is so full of surprises and it's a vibrant international city. She is very spontaneous!
**How does it impact your style?**
Life experience. My style is a long-term experimental project.
Photo: **Instagram/Leaf Greener**

**How would you sum your style up in three words?**
Follow my mood.
**What’s your favourite pair of shoes?**
I love to wear a pair of simple black pumps and I always adore a pair of plain pump high heels.
**What’s your most important beauty rule?**
Drink a lot of water, sleep well, eat well and wear less makeup.
**What's your favourite picture you've posted?**
One of my recent pictures. I was wearing this really cool off-white leather jacket and a hoodie on my way to Virgil Abloh's fashion show during PFW.
Photo: **Instagram/Leaf Greener**

**Where’s your favourite place to shop?**
Céline.
**What item of clothing are you still hunting out?**
A well-made simple coat and a beautiful black long cape for this winter. I might get one from Dries Van Noten (look 16 from Vogue Runway) and one from The Row (look 7 from Vogue Runway).
**Where are we most likely to find you on a Friday night/ Sunday morning?**
In Shanghai: Friday night is in my study room, Sunday morning is in my bed. In Paris: Friday night is at Le Dauphin, Sunday morning is at Intercontinental Le Grand. In London: Friday night is at Scott's, Sunday morning is at The Connaught. In New York: Friday night is at Sant Ambroeus Soho, Sunday morning is at The Carlyle.
**What’s your favourite thing to cook?**
Eggs and brownies.
Photo: **Instagram/Leaf Greener**

**Who’s your best buddy?**
My business partner.
**Where’s your happy place?**
Rome and Tuscany. But I think happiness travels with you.
**Your motto?**
Life is a road trip.
**Your biggest fear?**
Forgetting who I am.
**What do you want from your career?**
To keep experimenting.
**Where will you be in ten years?**
The future is not ours to see...
Photo: **Instagram/Leaf Greener**

**Who makes you laugh?**
Mr...
**What quality do you most admire in other people?**
Enthusiasm and courage.
**What’s next?**
Continuing with LEAF and WeChat magazine. Our mission is to produce intellectual fashion editorials and features, catering to China's growing affluent readership. I am also working on a few different projects right now; a new social media strategy company (It's called *Brand Fan Girl*) and a new brand called CREAM. When the time is right, you'll see them!
Photo: **Instagram/Leaf Greener**

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↧

Your Horoscope This Week — Apr 03 2016

April 3, 2016, 5:30 am

≫ Next: 7 Snack Hacks Everyone Should Know

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Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.

Bring on the practical magic! This Wednesday, messenger Mercury hunkers down in Taurus, a sign that is both diligent and decadent. Hard work deserves rewards, right? With Mercury here, careful planning and budgeting can leave room for the rent check and that gorgeous wrap skirt. Normally, Mercury spends three weeks in a sign, but from April 28 until May 22, we'll experience a retrograde (you've been warned), so the planet of communication will hover in Taurus until June 12. This earthy energy prompts us to plan more social time outdoors. Bring on the picnics, beach volleyball tournaments, and campouts under the stars!

Venus is also on the move this Wednesday, heating things up in Aries until April 29. When it comes to love, we won't have the longest attention spans. The competition could get fierce in the dating world, too. While it's fine and important to "be ourselves," we can also put our best selves forward, and like, try a little. Shared adventures keep the magic going, so get creative and plan outside the box! Try a new type if you're single, because Venus in Aries inspires us to stretch out of our comfort zones and give someone new a go.

Thursday's new moon in Aries resets the cosmic clock. Since Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, we could consider this an astrological lunar new year. Time to refresh our feeds and say goodbye to any painful or unrewarding emotional situations. This is a stellar day for making lists of our wishes and desires, with an Aries-ruled focus on personal development and independent growth. The universe is listening and results could manifest by the corresponding full moon on October 16.

**Aries**
Supersonic speed is your default setting, Aries, but for the next nine-and-a-half weeks, you'd be smart to slow it down a little. Mercury, the planet that governs data, thought processes, and strategy takes an extended tour through Taurus and your practical planning zone. Through June 12, you'll get to the finish line faster — and with fewer expensive mistakes — in #TortoiseMode than you will as the hare. Keep your mind on your money, too. This fiscally savvy Mercury circuit could help you map out a smart budget so you can splurge on those Gov Ball tickets without falling behind on rent. Socialise with people from your professional industry, too. With the communication planet parked here, you could talk your way right into a raise or an exciting job offer.
Thursday is your astrological new year, as 2016's only new moon in Aries rocks the skies and refreshes your feed. Take time to make a wish list: What would you like to manifest by the corresponding full moon in Aries on October 16? Romance or a full-on "rebranding" may be on that list since radiant Venus beams into Aries from Tuesday until April 29. How you present yourself to the world has a lot to do with the people who you attract. If you're not representing true to form, start making upgrades. Need help? Summon the stylists, graphic designers, and even a mentor to advise on polishing things up (even in a punk rock kind of way). This could take a little investing, so save up, or work the barter system if you have a skill to swap.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Taurus**
Use your words! Messenger Mercury zips into Taurus this Wednesday, blessing you with the gift of gab. You'll have them before hello, so initiate conversations with people who intrigue you. Bonus: You'll host Mercury for an extra long spell, until June 12, giving you over nine weeks to sharpen your pitches and develop strategic plans to forward your personal ambitions. One hitch: Mercury will be retrograde in Taurus from April 28 until May 22, when you'll need to temporarily zip it and develop plans quietly behind the scenes. This week, however, break some of those rigid rules you've placed on yourself — not just with your style, but also by making a strong statement in words and action. Stay true to your beliefs and vocalise them, even if that means standing firm on an issue in the face of critics. (This is where being a "stubborn bull" comes in handy.)
Also on Wednesday, Venus, your ruling planet, switches signs, dipping into Aries and your fantasy-fuelled 12th house until April 29. When it comes to love, you'll rock the rose-coloured glasses, but screening out red flags could be a struggle. Keep levelheaded wingwomen close by to help you assess your spring flings. On Thursday, the new moon in Aries could very well attract someone with soulmate qualities — or make it obvious that you need to move on from a bad romance. Coupled Bulls, stop sweeping issues under the rug. Dealing means healing, even if initiating these talks is insanely awkward. Creativity will be cathartic so keep the guitar, poetry notebook, or art supplies handy.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Gemini**
Spirit guides on line one! With your ruling planet Mercury drifting into Taurus, your soulfully esoteric 12th house until June 12, you're like a one-person psychic hotline. This extended Mercury voyage will sharpen your intuition — IF you are willing to listen. Don't brush off those gut feelings. Investigate, because there's a thread worth pulling here. Quieting your mind (and the chorus of voices within #GeminiProblems) helps you make better decisions now. Even if you've tried unsuccessfully before, give a meditation or yoga practice a go. The muse is your best mate now and you'll be quite the nocturnal creature until June. Schedule disco naps so you can stay up late writing song lyrics or swaying to a DJ's beat. Dancing is therapy with Mercury here. Socially, focus on quality friends who also understand your occasional need for solitude and comfortable silence.
Not that you'll be a total loner! Romantic Venus rolls into Aries from Wednesday until April 29, spurring a round of adventure dating and experimentation. You'll be attracted to offbeat intellectuals, activists, and people who live by their own rules. Creatively, you could find your tribe and start a band, writers' group, or theatre troupe, if so inspired. Thursday's new moon in Aries could lead you straight to these people, so check out new scenes and pay attention to the strangers who cross your path then. A laid-back approach to love makes April lovin' fun and even edgy. Figure out that safe word before you start exploring so you can pace yourself properly. You could meet your match through mutual friends or, if coupled, socialise frequently with your sweetie.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Cancer**
Come on out of that shell, Cancer. Social Mercury swoops into Taurus, your "the more, the merrier" 11th house from Wednesday until June 12. Banish thoughts of Coachella claustrophobia and let the festival-hopping begin. Close to home, wander around and explore some new scenes because you'll make tons of new friends this month — and reconnect with pals from the past while Mercury is retrograde from April 28 to May 22. Polish up your social media profiles, too. With Mercury trekking through your tech sector during this nine-week spell, you could leave your mark on the virtual landscape. Now's the time to start the blog, set up shop on Etsy, or give YouTubing a go. When you set that shy streak aside, you can be a compelling public figure, both as a performer or a leader with conviction, like Cancerian Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards.
Socialising has benefits for your career this week, too, because charming Venus heads into Aries and your 10th house of success from Wednesday until April 29. Mingle with the movers and shakers. Since Venus governs romance, you could even find love at an industry networking night or pair up with bae on a profitable project. One day later, on the 7th, the new moon in Aries kickstarts an energising six-month cycle for your career. Map out a couple epic goals you'd like to achieve by the corresponding full moon on October 16. Whether it's a corner office, overseas assignment, or the courage to start your own consulting business, consider a few sessions with a coach to help you fast-track your dreams.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Leo**
Power lunches, conference calls, and planning meetings, oh my! You're in full-on mogul mode as messenger Mercury cruises into Taurus and your 10th house of success from Wednesday until June 12. The pencil-skirt-cami-blazer combo could become your uniform now as you pitch, propose, and present like a pro. Mercury is a super-connector, so it really is "all about who you know." Use this nine-week phase for networking and forming strategic alliances with people who can hook you up. Men may be the star players of this Mercury cycle, so be brash and barrel on in to the so-called boys' club. The (glass) ceiling can't hold you now, Leo! P.S. Due to a retrograde from April 28 to May 22, this Mercury phase lasts three times its usual length. Get rolling on your goals before Mercury's backspin and plan on working behind the scenes during the retrograde spell.
Although the office is abuzz with activity, plan some vacation time, too. On Wednesday, pleasure-hound Venus takes an enchanted voyage through Aries and your ninth house of travel until the 29th. As the planet governing amour, this could very well be a romantic getaway — or a long weekend trip that brings the surprise bonus of a love connection. With a new moon in Aries on Thursday, you could be hitting the "confirm reservation" button and taking off right away. Ready to take a more metaphoric journey? This new moon could spur some Leos to go back to school for a special certification, teacher training, or graduate-level degree. Dreaming of business ownership or having a book published? Get rolling on the paperwork for Leo, Inc. or the first chapters of that tome. You could have something impressive to show by the corresponding full moon on October 16.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Virgo**
Speak your truth, Virgo! Expressive Mercury, your ruling planet, rolls into Taurus and your candid, philosophical ninth house from Wednesday through June 12. This extended, nine-week cycle will help you clarify your beliefs and get your thoughts down on paper. If you've developed some expertise, you could teach people what you know or start your own site to spout off advice. Your curiosity about other cultures intensifies, so plan some traveling this spring. (Just book with extra care if your jaunt collides with Mercury's retrograde from April 28 to May 22.) You'll feel a strong drive to broaden your horizons now, which could lead you down a totally new path; one that could involve relocating, studying, or starting your own side biz! Stay open to the possibilities and know that calculated risks will be rewarded.
And while Mercury stokes your independent spirit, Venus intensifies your urge to merge. From Wednesday until April 29, the charmed planet makes magic in Aries and your seductive, security-seeking eighth house. Pillow talk gets ultra-spicy and you could take a casual connection to a more committed status, even mingling money or co-signing a lease. Looking for your missing puzzle piece? The new moon in Aries could reveal a mind-body-soul connection this Thursday. No matter how deep you dive in to the dating game, your mojo will register at peak levels this month. Thou givest spring fever! Business alliances are also favoured by this Venus-new moon phase and a powerful woman could put money, time, or resources behind your stellar visions.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Libra**
Move over, Jessica Jones. Your investigative powers — and your straight-up intuition — will be razor sharp for the next nine weeks as Mercury flows through Taurus and your eighth house of mystery. Read people's body language, because it will say more than their words. Speaking of which, the eighth house is the erotic realm of the zodiac, so the signals you're sending out yourself will be particularly potent. With all that magnetism, you could break hearts, so beam those charms selectively and you might just attract a soulmate. Involved? Talks could turn to shared finances, co-signed leases and other mergers. Business collabs heat up, too. Just spell everything out to the letter, especially before Mercury turns retrograde from April 28 to May 22.
Your romantic resurgence gets another boost from Venus, who moves into Aries and your committed relationship zone from Wednesday until April 29. Do a clean sweep of the players and thinly veiled commitment-phobes who keep blaming their jobs or childhood issues for a failure to deliver a straight answer about "the two of us." The new moon in Aries on Thursday could bring a fateful click with someone who can go the distance. Though the relationship could take a while to unfold, trust those knowing feelings and pursue. For coupled Libras, the new moon and Venus help with negotiating compromises, so your relationship feels more fair and balanced. Remember: there are lots of ways to do 50/50 besides dividing everything down the middle.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Scorpio**
Let's talk twosomes, Scorpio. This Wednesday, expressive Mercury zips into Taurus and your partnership house until June 12, setting the stage for dynamic duos. Don't just settle for the default buddies when considering a tag-team effort. A complementary force could be a much better balance, whether you're pairing up for pleasure, business, or a creative collab. Mercury will be retrograde from April 28 until May 22, which could even revive a partnership from your past. Don’t be too laid back about agreements, though. Put deals in writing to keep everything clear and avoid conflicts cropping up later on. If money is changing hands, lawyer up. An attorney might even negotiate better payment and terms than what is originally offered.
Venus changes signs on Wednesday, too, grapevining into Aries and your sixth house of healthy living until April 29. Invest in a stylish pair of sneakers and weave more activity into your socialising. Getting healthy with bae could be another motivator; single Scorpios could meet your match at the CrossFit studio or on the outdoor track. You could be pounding the pavement for work this week, too, as Thursday's new moon in Aries brings some bright developments for your career. Polish up your CV to circulate or set up a performance review to talk about your growth within the company you work for. Don't stay glued to your desk during team-bonding moments at the office. Stepping out to have pizza with your coworkers could spark an important synergy that helps you rise through the ranks.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Sagittarius**
You're a big-picture person, Sagittarius, but it's time to radar in on the details. From Wednesday until June 12, messenger Mercury hunkers down in Taurus and your sensible-yet-savvy sixth house. It's not that you should sweat the small stuff, but don't brush it off either. Crunch numbers, map out timelines, and run every idea through a reality filter. You might see the need to simplify a plan or downsize a bit so you can tuck away funds for a rainy day. Spend more time in the fresh air, whether you’re chilling under the stars at a music festival, planting kale starts in a container garden, or taking your workouts to the park.
When you're not poring over Excel spreadsheets, the week could erupt in a romantic renaissance! From Wednesday until April 29, Venus swirls through Aries and your amorous, glamorous fifth house. A sexy lead-singer type could sweep you off your Stan Smiths — and with your performance powers fuelled by Venus, you might just rock the mic (or podium) yourself before April is through. Looking for love? Thursday's new moon in Aries brings a bumper crop of fresh prospects. If you're in a relationship, put more effort into planning fun adventures. Some Archers could have big news to report this week, or by the 29th, as in proposals, pregnancies, or a glowing moment in the press. Don't wait to be discovered. Refresh that Tinder profile or set up the camera for some dedicated YouTubing.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Capricorn**
Let your inner fashion girl take the wheel this week, Capricorn. Expressive Mercury sashays into Taurus and your flamboyant fifth house for an extra-long runway walk, which lasts until June 12. Though denim, white tees, and muted cardigans may be your sign's uniform, punch it up with statement earrings, chokers, and a maximalist print here and there. This Mercury cycle wants you to get noticed — and beyond the style blogger's gaze. Recognition for your talents could come this spring, too, so do your part and start promoting and publicising all of your gifts. Cupid's hovering in the wings as well, since this Mercury spell may arouse a spring awakening. Real talk: You can be a bit intimidating to approach, so wipe off any trace of RBF and smile at the intriguing "strangers" who you secretly fancy. Already attached? Plan more dress-up dates and general playtime between now and June 12, as these intrepid adventures will cement your bond.
Your stylish leanings could extend to your apartment this week. Venus does a sign-switch on Wednesday, too, nesting in Aries and your domestic quarters until April 29. Maybe you'll feel comfortable wearing bold patterns, but that Anthropologie bedspread is another story. Pay special attention to your bedroom when sprucing up Chateau Capricorn, because you could be playing house with bae this April, even exchanging keys or co-signing a lease. Thursday's new moon in Aries will bless your nest further. If you're in the market for a move, this new moon beams on a dream listing or could bring the perfect roomie if you want someone to help you cover the rent. Hanging with the girls will be especially uplifting for the rest of April, too.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Aquarius**
Feelings, nothing more than feelings? Don’t underestimate the wisdom of your heart, Aquarius, even if it IS making things more intense than your coolheaded sign would prefer. From Wednesday until June 12, Mercury floats through your emo fourth house, heightening your sensitivities. Tune in: Maybe you sense someone could use an ear or a shoulder to lean on. If so, offer yours up. If you feel like crying, have a bawl. You'll feel better once you do. Entertaining at home or making your apartment a more practical space could be another obsession. Start pinning layouts before you move furniture or invest impulsively in shelves.
Also this week: Summon your Marnie, Jessa, and Shosh. From Wednesday until April 29, feminine Venus cruises through Aries and your friendship sector, drawing amazing ladies into your orbit. The sister network is on your side this April. Collaborate with the power babes for a profitable hit. You could reunite with great friends from your past while Mercury is retrograde from April 28 to May 22. And with Thursday's new moon in your house of BFFs, you could meet your future running mate, festival buddy, and morale booster. This new moon governs transportation and digital devices. Shop around for a cute cruiser bike or a hybrid SUV; bite the bullet and update your cell phone to a swankier model.
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

**Pisces**
FOMO alert! Quicksilver Mercury zips into your curious third house until June 12, turning you into a hardcore social butterfly. Go ahead and double-book: Better you should make brief cameos than risk missing a must-see exhibit or a friend who is opening for a major band. You could reconnect with a BFF from your past while Mercury is retrograde from April 28 until May 22. If an old pal crosses your mind, look them up on social media already. You could discover surprising synergies since the *Gossip Girl* days. Some Pisces might give bi-city living a go, too. As frenetic as this can feel, you won't mind bouncing around. You might even update your transportation method, switching it up to the subway if you never use your car or test driving more reliable rides — even an electric model if you only make local commutes.
Venus also switches signs on Wednesday, moving into Aries and your house of practical luxury until April 29. Give the aesthetic aspect of your life a sophisticated upgrade. A great piece — like shoulder-skimming statement earrings or perfectly flared jeans — can make every outfit shine. Curate with care, choosing a sleek sans-serif font for your blog, sending peonies instead of roses for a thank you gift, or opting for the organic kale instead of the potentially pesticide-drizzled head of lettuce. Work from a budget, though. If you splurge on a designer piece, mix with affordable basics. A cash-positive new moon rocks the skies on Thursday, helping you get your finances in a better flow. Word about a job prospect could arrive. Keep your eyes open for postings. Tired of the 9-to-5 grind? Start developing your own cottage industry. You might just be signing your own paycheques by the corresponding full moon in Aries this October 16!
Illustrated by John Lisle.
Photographed by Christine Hahn.

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7 Snack Hacks Everyone Should Know

April 3, 2016, 8:20 am

≫ Next: What It's Like To Be An Adult Virgin, According To Science

≪ Previous: Your Horoscope This Week — Apr 03 2016

We love a good food hack. Whether it's a quick fix for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or a random way to use up an almost-empty jar of peanut butter, we're always game to learn tricks that will make our lives just a little easier. So we rounded up eight hacks that will take your weekday snacking game to the next level. Forget the office vending machines, we've got the tips you need to become a midday munching pro.

**Prep In Advance**
If you like to snack during the week, don't just pack a main dish for yourself to eat for lunch. Prep baggies filled with different snacks, like pretzels, fruit, and trail mix, on Sunday. Then, simply take what you want on weekday mornings, and you'll never be without a grab-and-go fix when you need it.
Designed by Mallory Heyer.

**Store Your PB Upside Down**
We always like to keep a jar of peanut butter on hand to make a last-minute PB&J, spread on celery sticks, or even eat straight from the jar. But if you use natural peanut butter, there's always a gross layer of oil waiting there every time the jar is opened, and nobody's got time for that in the middle of a busy day. The quick fix? Store your jar upside down, that way the oil will be at the bottom when you flip it back over for a spoonful or two, or three.
Designed by Mallory Heyer.

**Keep A Snack Drawer At Work**
If you've got an extra drawer or space at work, turn it into a snack drawer! That way you'll always have something that you actually *want* to eat if you're in a bind, or running between meetings and need a handful of almonds to tide you over. Plus, you'll save money if you're buying in bulk instead of always running out to grab food during the day or constantly returning to the vending machine.
Designed by Mallory Heyer.

**Pack Yourself A Mason Jar Snack**
You can make yourself a frozen smoothie or a layered fruit and yogurt parfait to bring to work, too. Just layer wisely. Wet ingredients like yogurt at the bottom, nuts or granola as a buffer in the middle, and fruit on top.
Designed by Mallory Heyer.

**Make Your Own Bars**
It's smart to always have a bar in your bag in case of a snack emergency. But the packaged kind can be expensive. At two to five bucks a pop, unless you're buying them in bulk, it's probably not worth the cost. But they're easy make at home, and you can whip up a bunch at once. Try a few different recipes, until you find the one you love.
Designed by Mallory Heyer.

**Use Your Freezer**
Do you have a freezer at work? Use it! You can easily turn an otherwise boring snack into a healthy sweet treat just by popping it into the freezer. If you brought grapes to work, a couple of hours in the cold will turn them into the ultimate healthy dessert. The same goes for yogurt. Pop your container into the freezer for a few hours, and you'll have froyo on your hands — and be the envy of all your coworkers.
Designed by Mallory Heyer.

**Snack Like A 5-Year-Old**
Nostalgia isn't the only reason we love the snacks of yesteryear. Foods targeted at kids are always extremely convenient and perfect for eating on the go. Plus, they're always individually packaged. Go ahead, stock up on yogurt tubes, carrot and dip containers, and string cheese. Your stomach will thank you later.
Designed by Mallory Heyer.

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What It's Like To Be An Adult Virgin, According To Science

April 3, 2016, 8:30 am

≫ Next: 30 Kitchen Hacks Every Adult Should Know

≪ Previous: 7 Snack Hacks Everyone Should Know

New research published in The Journal of Sex Research has some disappointing news for a specific, sexual minority among us. Researchers found that most people don't find adult virgins sexually desirable — including adult virgins themselves.

For the paper, the researchers conducted a total of three studies, each based on a questionnaire of different groups of heterosexual men and women. The first study's questionnaire asked 560 men and women when they first had vaginal intercourse and whether they believe a stigma exists around people who lack sexual experience. The second study (which consisted of 4,934 people) asked if the participants would consider dating a virgin, and the third, with 353 participants, specifically looked into how young (between 18 and 26 years old) people view sexual inexperience.

The first study's findings backed up what we assumed to be true anyway — there aren't a ton of adult virgins out there: 90% of participants between the ages of 22 and 24 were sexually experienced. Then, in the second study, the researchers found that most people reported a low likelihood that they'd date a virgin. Interestingly, those who were sexually inexperienced were even less likely to consider dating someone who was also a virgin. However, the third study's findings, luckily, were less disappointing for virgins — among young people, the sexually inexperienced were more likely to find equally inexperienced people more attractive.

One important thing to note about these studies is that the researchers did not look into why people were waiting to have sex, or even why they felt they couldn't date someone with zero experience with this particular form of sexual activity. Certainly, there's more to sex in general than just vaginal intercourse, and there are plenty of reasons to abstain or wait, even among heterosexuals.

So, as hard as it is not to wonder if you're "normal" when it comes to sex, what really matters is that you make your own choices with your health, comfort, and pleasure in mind.

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30 Kitchen Hacks Every Adult Should Know

April 3, 2016, 10:20 am

≫ Next: Kesha Says She Was Offered "Freedom" If She Retracted Rape Allegations

≪ Previous: What It's Like To Be An Adult Virgin, According To Science

Photographed by Danny Kim; Prop Styling by Ali Nardi; Hand Modeling by Jessica Chou.

This story was originally published on August 5, 2015.

Congratulations! You've made dinner — only to face a mess of a kitchen, a sink full of dishes, and another hour spent cleaning when you could've been watching Netflix. Such is the reason takeout exists, right?

Of course, you end up paying for that convenience factor. Who can afford a £15-£20 minimum every single night of the week? So, we've come up with 30 genius tricks to make cooking insanely easy, vetting tips from the International Culinary Centre, pastry chefs, line cooks, and yes, our own parents. Our goal? Saving you time, money, and perhaps a nicked finger or two.

**The Problem: You want to heat up leftovers**
The Solution: This infographic
The microwave might've been your best friend in college, but certain foods take a little more finesse. You wouldn't want to ruin your perfectly good steak or waste a good amount of fries. So the best way to reheat is to deal with the main issue — either too much moisture, or too little. Save this infographic (see a larger version here) for when you need to reheat muffins, steak, pastas, and even pizza (though with that last one, you can most likely eat it cold and it will be delicious).
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

**The Problem: Your cutting board keeps slipping**
The Solution: Place a damp paper towel underneath it
This is the oldest trick in the (pro) book — always lay a damp paper towel or a thin cotton towel under your cutting board. The resulting friction will keep that cutting board in place, which is all the better when you're dicing tomatoes, chopping onions, or otherwise putting your fingers at risk.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

**The Problem: Your knives are never sharp**
The Solution: A ceramic mug (or bowl)
Typically the problem with knives isn't that they're not sharp — it's that they're not straight. You can easily straighten your knife with the bottom of a ceramic bowl or cup, running the blade against the rough portion to straighten it. Take care of your knives, too — straighten regularly, bring to a sharpener every six months or so, and don't store them directly in a drawer (use a knife block or magnetic strip, or buy knife guards).
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

**The Problem: Your pots keep boiling over**
The Solution: A wooden spoon
This old grandma's trick has saved many a stove from overflowing with starchy water. Anytime you're boiling pasta or beans, place a wooden spoon over the top of the pot.
The science behind it? Well, bubbles are unstable forms, so a spoon will destabilize the bubbles because of its hydrophobic surface. Plus, since bubbles are filled with steam, if they touch something that's below boiling temperature, the steam will condense back to liquid and break the surface tension (which is causing the bubbles to foam up).
Naturally, once the wooden spoon soaks in more steam and heats up, it won't be as repellent and effective. Your next step, if you really must boil pasta for that long, would be adding a drop or two of olive oil, which would help break the surface tension as well.
Photographed by Danny Kim; Prop Styling by Ali Nardi.

**The Problem: Your lovely loaf of bread has gone stale**
The Solution: Add water
If you have a partially eaten loaf of bread, turn it cut-side down under water, and let the water run through it, as seen in this Rachael Ray clip. Then, wrap it in tin foil, and warm at 200 degrees to your liking. Voila! As good as fresh bread.
If you have bread slices, this might be a bit trickier. You can't revive the bread, per se, but you can incorporate the crustiness into your next meal. Place the slices under chicken while roasting (to soak up all the gorgeous flavors), toss a slice atop French onion soup (before the cheese), or make gourmet croutons by toasting bread pieces mixed with olive oil and spices. If you don't want to even bother with cooking, make bread crumbs by grating the bread or putting it into a food processor. Freeze and use when ready.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

**The Problem: Onions make you cry**
The Solution: A slice of bread
The ultimate fix to this annoying kitchen problem might be contacts or onion goggles (or having someone else slice them for you), but if those are out of the question, you can try slicing an onion with a slice of bread in your mouth. Onions contain amino acid sulfoxides, which react when cut to produce a sulfur gas — which wafts up, meets the water in your eyes, and forms sulfuric acid. Ouch. Tears and sniffling ensue.
Having a slice of bread in your mouth helps stop the sulfur gas from reaching your eyes in the first place, as the gas dissipates through the bread and is breathed into your mouth. But if you're extra worried, try chilling your onions before cutting them, as the enzymes are less reactive when cold. Some folks recommend putting your onions in an ice water bath two hours before slicing, and peeling them under cold water before slicing them with a sharp knife. Clean cuts will cause less of a reaction, meaning less sulfur gas, and less pain.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

**The Problem: Your hands smell like garlic**
The Solution: Stainless steel
Grab a stainless steel pot or spoon (or even this stainless steel bar) and rub your hands against the metal under cold water. The theory behind this trick is that the sulfuric compounds in garlic bind to the ions on stainless steel surfaces, lifting away the tiny particles of garlic from your hands. The cold water helps by shrinking your pores to keep the garlic oils out.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

**The Problem: Mincing takes forever**
The Solution: Make the microplane your best friend
A handy microplane is the ultimate multitasker in the kitchen. It's the perfect zester for citrus and the fastest cheese grater, and quickly churns out freshly grated spices and condiments (like nutmeg, cinnamon, or horseradish). You can grate fresh chiles into pasta, ginger into soups and stir-fry, and best of all, garlic. That's right, no more mincing garlic — with a microplane, you can easily make garlic purée to add into mayonnaise, sauces, and more. Of course, be careful with the stuff. Grated garlic is notoriously more pungent than minced.
Photographed by Danny Kim; Prop Styling by Ali Nardi; Hand Modeling by Jessica Chou

**The Problem: You put too much salt in your soup**
The Solution: Toss a whole potato in there
If you need a quick fix for too salty soups, peel a whole potato and toss it in. It'll soak up the extra salt — and if you need it, add starch for a thicker texture. Fish it out once boiled.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

**The Problem: Cutting multiple tomatoes at once**
The Solution: A serrated knife and two deli container lids
Place your cherry tomatoes between two lids, and carefully hold them in place with your non-dominant hand. Using your dominant hand, guide a serrated knife between the lids, slicing through the tomatoes. You won't smush all the juice out, and you'll get nicely halved results.
Photographed by Danny Kim; Prop Styling by Ali Nardi; Hand Modeling by Jessica Chou.

**The Problem: Mashed potatoes, tired arms**
The Solution: A mesh sieve
For an incredibly smooth purée, simply boil your potatoes (or yams or celery root) and push them through a sieve with the back of a spoon or spatula. No need to mash with a fork, toss in a blender, or spend money on a potato masher. Steak and potatoes just got way easier.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

**The Problem: Dry roast chicken**
The Solution: Water
Getting the perfect, juicy roast chicken is definitely a process, but one way to ensure juicy meat is to roast the chicken with some water. When roasting the bird, put a quart of water into a separate pan and place in the oven, as the teachers at the ICC will do. Not only will the extra water keep the meat from drying out, it will also prevent chicken fat from splattering. If you want to baste the chicken with some white wine without rinsing off the aromatic herbs, we recommend placing some wine and lemon in a spray bottle and misting the bird.
Finally, once the chicken is done, try not to cover it. If covered, the meat will steam up and taste reheated, letting all your hard work go to waste.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

The Problem: Separating egg yolks is a pain

The Solution: A water bottle

Pros might just use the egg shells to separate egg yolks from egg whites, but if you're not careful, you'll break at least one. Luckily, this trick just requires a single plastic water bottle and a few bowls. Crack open your eggs, grab the water bottle, and use the suction to easily (and gently!) grab those egg yolks out of there. Then squeeze the yolks out into a separate bowl.

**The Problem: Are your eggs still fresh?**
The Solution: Water
Grab a pot and fill it halfway with water, then drop your egg in. If it sinks, it's still good. If it floats, toss it. Turns out, eggshells are porous, meaning that over time, air will pass through the shell into the egg. If the egg floats, that means there's too much air inside.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

The Problem: Peeling an egg takes time

The Solution: Blow it out

Hard-boiled eggs are ridiculously easy to make, but peeling them can slow you up. This trick makes it fun — just peel away the shell at the top and bottom of the egg, place one end to your mouth, and blow. It'll just pop right out (as seen in the video). To make it even easier, use a pin to prick a tiny hole at the bottom of the egg right before boiling — the water will seep in and help separate the egg from the shell.

**The Problem: Your vegetables get soggy**
The Solution: Paper towels
Keeping produce fresh requires a delicate balance of moisture — too much moisture will often make your precious kale rot. So the best solution is to wrap your celery, broccoli, cucumbers and other greens with a paper towel before storing them in a plastic bag. They won't last forever, but they'll last longer than usual.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

**The Problem: You have too many extra herbs**
The Solution: Olive oil and an ice tray
You may have seen this trick around on Pinterest, and there's a reason why — it's the easiest way to save that beautiful seasonal basil (other than pesto, obviously). It's also works for a number of other herbs, such as thyme, chives and rosemary. Simply chop up your herbs, divide them in an ice cube tray, and cover with olive oil. Wrap in plastic wrap, freeze, and pop out individual cubes when you need a little touch of green in your meal. They'll dissolve easily into sauces and on a pan, and retain the fresh flavors of summer, all year long.
Photographed by Danny Kim; Prop Styling by Ali Nardi.

**The Problem: Your avocado is turning brown**
The Solution: Olive oil
The trick here is to address the problem: Avocados turn brown because of oxidization, so to limit that people tend to use plastic wrap or some lemon. The best seal, however, is actually olive oil — rub some over the cut side, store in a plastic bag, and your avocado will stay green longer.
Photographed by Danny Kim; Prop Styling by Ali Nardi.

**The Problem: Your white wine is still warm**
The Solution: Freeze some fruit
No one wants a super watered-down or warm drink — two of the worst things you can do to alcohol. Luckily, there's a whole wide world of ice cube substitutes out there — frozen grapes for white wine, frozen pickle juice for your Bloody Mary, and frozen raspberries to toss into champagne.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

What's more, fancy ice cubes aren't just for alcoholic drinks — lemon juice is great in iced tea, leftover coffee in iced coffee. For the whiskey drinkers in your family, simply freeze a water balloon, cut away the rubber, rinse, and you've got a giant sphere to slowly dissolve in your drink, leaving your whiskey barely diluted. For gorgeous, clear ice cubes, boil your water first before freezing.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

**The Problem: You spilled red wine...on a white shirt**
The Solution: Salt
Who knew? This tableside staple is great at getting rid of red wine stains. Pour a pile of salt onto the stain immediately, then watch as the salt absorbs the liquid. Leave it overnight, then take your shirt to the cleaners in the morning. Fun fact: Salt is also a great way to clean up raw eggs if you drop them, as it soaks up all the sticky, gooey egg whites.
Photographed by Danny Kim; Prop Styling by Ali Nardi.

**The Problem: You always break wine glasses**
The Solution: Don't hand dry
Sure, the pros know how to polish a wine glass spotlessly — but in the real world, nobody's got time for that. So don't even try drying them by hand; instead, clean the glasses in hot water, then place them upside down on a cooling rack or oven rack. Don't have one? Elevate the glasses by placing them upside down on two chopsticks. Once dry, just polish up the edge of the glasses with a clean towel.
Photographed by Danny Kim; Prop Styling by Ali Nardi.

**The Problem: Your sponges are gross**
The Solution: The microwave
The microwave isn't just for heating up food — the heat also helps disinfect household cleaning supplies like dish rags and sponges. Simply wet your sponge and zap it for a few seconds; the heat will kill the germs, and the moisture from the sponge will help soften all the crusty grime in your microwave, making it easier to clean. Bonus: After washing dishes, use a binder clip to store your sponge upright, allowing all the water to evaporate quickly.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

**The Problem: The smell of food lingers**
The Solution: White vinegar
In tiny places, the smell of food will definitely stick around. Sure, you can burn a candle or simmer some cinnamon in water — but that will just cover up the smell, not eliminate it. Instead, put out a jar of white vinegar overnight (baking soda and coffee grounds will also work, but won't be as strong). Bacon smell, begone!
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

The Problem: You need softened butter, fast

The Solution: A warm mug and a microwave

No one really has time to set out a stick of butter to soften to room temperature. If you want spreadable butter for bread (or to bake cookies), simply cut up the butter into pieces and set them on a plate. Warm a cup in the microwave, turn it upside down over the butter, and let the heat do the trick.

**The Problem: How do you butter a pan?**
The Solution: Save butter wrappers
Instead of using a stick of butter, or even Pam, save butter wrappers. When you need to butter a pan, just take our the wrapper and rub the buttered side around. It's incredibly easy — especially when it comes to muffin tins. Of course, you could also spend some money on parchment paper, as the pros at the ICC do. It's equally effective, especially for cookies, and saves cleanup time.
Photographed by Danny Kim; Prop Styling by Ali Nardi; Hand Modeling by Jessica Chou

**The Problem: Your brown sugar is rock solid**
The Solution: Bread
Let's deal with the cause of the problem first: You're not storing your brown sugar correctly. First, since moisture evaporation is the culprit, make sure that the seal is airtight. Second, toss a slice of bread into the bag before sealing — the sugar should draw moisture out of the bread and stay soft. If you really want to spend some moolah, put some clean terra cotta into the bag (like these brown sugar bears) and call it a day.
Need some sugar immediately? Put the brown sugar in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high with a glass of water next to it. Alternatively, cover the bowl with a wet paper towel before microwaving; the moisture should seep into the sugar and loosen it up.
Illustrated by Elliot Salazar.

The Problem: Hand-held mixers make a mess

The Solution: A paper plate

Cut a few key incisions into a paper plate, fit the egg beaters through, and you've got a nifty cover for your mixing bowl. Who knows? Maybe you can even forgo an apron.

**The Problem: You want the perfect cut**
The Solution: Dental floss
For beautiful slices of cake, the ICC recommends warming your knife in hot water and drying it with a towel before making each slice. But if you're slicing a whole cake — or a soft round of Brie, or a log of cookie dough — unflavored dental floss will do the trick. Tighten the floss around your fingers and slowly move it through the cookie dough or cake.
Photographed by Danny Kim; Prop Styling by Ali Nardi.

The Problem: You need to decorate a cake — without icing

The Solution: Stencils

This is the easiest way to create gorgeous patterns on cakes. Simply cut out whatever patterns you like on paper, place the stencil over the cake, and sift powdered sugar or colored sugar on top. Even better, use lace doilies for even more intricate designs with half the work.

**The Problem: You have to measure sticky substances**
The Solution: Butter spray
Honey and molasses are delicious — but measuring them out is a pain and typically ends up making a mess. Luckily, cooking spray and other butter sprays are here to help. Briefly coat the measuring cups in a light layer of butter spray, pour in your honey, and watch as it slides right out.
Photographed by Danny Kim; Prop Styling by Ali Nardi; Hand Modeling by Jessica Chou.

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