Summer was all about bright nail polish, from sunny yellow to baby blue, but fall is bringing us a toned-down color palette. This turn towards muted shades might feel unexpectedly soft, but it's the opposite of vanilla. The look is extremely nuanced, with tones like Scottish-highland moss, beige with terracotta undertones, and a minimalist spin on your classic jet black. For mid-October, brown is edging out the rest as the neutral shade. Case in point: Hailey Bieber, who just swapped her bridal lavender polish for a monochrome mahogany manicure.
Ahead, find an up-close peek of Bieber's chic chocolate nails, plus the best brown polishes ever created — from glazed expresso to khaki — to cop the budding fall trend at home.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.According to a Hailey Bieber fan account, the newlywed sported a deep brown manicure post-wedding. The chic, oval shape and fall tone came courtesy of celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik.
Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture in Marron Sulfureux
This rich brown is a dead ringer for the manicure Bachik created on Bieber.
Yves Saint Laurent Beauty YSL La Laque Couture Fall Look 2019 in Marron Sulfureux, $, available at Yves Saint Laurent
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Opulence
This polish might present as a classic brown hue, but you can expect a khalidescope of rose, green, and gold when the light hits.
Chanel Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Opulence, $, available at Chanel
As much as we live for a drugstore beauty steal, there's nothing more luxe than treating ourselves to a brand new curling iron, or an LED face mask that's begging to be Instagrammed. However, the high-tech skin and hair tools you'll see here aren't just pretty; whether at an aesthetician's fancy spa facial or backstage at fashion week, they're what the pros themselves are actually using to get the job done. (In other words, they're legit.)
With gifting season fast approaching, we've rounded up 11 devices that are actually worth the splurge. (We suggest you start dropping subtle hints now.)
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Halfway between a curling iron and an objet d'art, T3's signature white and rose gold tools don't just look cute on your vanity. They're a favorite of pro hairstylists, so you can be sure that it's an investment that'll last you a long time.
T3 SinglePass Curl 1.25 Inch Professional Curling Iron, $, available at Amazon
LED masks have skyrocketed in popularity due to their lofty claims and the fact that they also make for a fun selfie opp. However, Dr. Dennis Gross' high-tech mask has won a legion of fans due to the fact that it helps boost your skin's natural glow, keep acne at bay, and brighten your overall tone over time.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare SpectraLite™ FaceWare Pro, $, available at DermStore
Foreo's silicone cleansing brush has earned cult status several times over (maybe there's one in your shower right now!) but as we enter the holiday season, we're all about the tiny but mighty Luna Play Plus; it takes up very little precious real estate in your travel makeup bag, yet delivers the same sonic pulses and deep-cleansing action you know and love.
Certain fancy facials will round out a treatment with some red or blue (or both) LED light therapy, which helps kill bacteria and boost collagen, among other skin benefits. Get similar results at-home with a handheld device like the LightStim, which helps reduce acne-related inflammation on face and body. (Make sure you always use the included goggles for eye protection!)
LightStim LightStim for Acne, $, available at DermStore
Quite possibly the fanciest hair dryer in existence, Dyson's souped-up device creates a small-scale wind tunnel of air to smooth and blow out strands while using minimal heat. As they say, "often imitated, never duplicated."
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, $, available at Nordstrom
Yes, these are still around — and they've only gotten better since your teen years. Clarisonic's Mia Prima cleanses, exfoliates, and even applies your foundation (with a separate brush head).
Clarisonic Mia Prima 1-Speed Sonic Facial Cleansing Brush, $, available at Amazon
The soft, rounded bristles on Clarisonic's acne cleansing brush heads were made for sensitive, breakout-prone types, but are perfect for anyone who wants to rid pores of dirt and oil without irritation.
Clarisonic Acne Facial Cleansing Brush Head Replacement, $, available at Amazon
The PMD is basically what you would get if the Foreo were attached to a magic wand. In addition to treating your face to a facial massage, the Clean gently rids pores of dirt and oil, leaving skin feeling baby-soft.
Yes, $500 is a lot to spend on a tiny device that looks like a U.F.O. However, take it from someone who's experienced a facial from founder Melanie Simon herself: The ZIIP uses nano-current to address everything from hyperpigmentation to fine lines to acne, allowing you to get the benefits of high-tech facial from the comfort of your bathroom.
ZIIP Device & Golden Gel Kit, $, available at Need Supply
We know what you're thinking: How does this tiny T-bar face massager cost $200? Well, for starters, it's plated in 24-karat magic gold and is made in Japan. However, it's the micro vibrations that make this the ultimate luxe beauty tool; the targeted motions help stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage, in addition to relaxing and sculpting facial muscles, mimicking the results of an in-depth facial massage.
Jillian Dempsey Gold Sculpting Bar, $, available at Sephora
If you're comfortable with dermaplaning (and have double-checked with your dermatologist for good measure), then you might want to invest in a vibrating exfoliating device like the Dermaflash, which helps remove dead skin cells for brighter skin that more readily absorbs your skin-care products.
Dermaflash Luxe Facial Exfoliating Device, $, available at Nordstrom
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It didn’t happen when Christopher Kane tried back in 2016, and it didn’t happen when Balenciaga tried again in 2017. But three tries make a trend, and thanks to a resurrection by Maria Grazia Chiuri at Dior, where the style reappeared on the house’s runway in 2018 — for the first time since 1954 — we are officially entering the era of the clog. (Again.) If this news doesn’t get your heart racing, don’t worry. Clogs have been lumped into the category of “ugly” footwear whose appeal takes a bit longer to sink in, which is why we see fall 2019 as the shoe's big chance to finally breakthrough into the mainstream. And guess what? Clog season is officially here.
The #cloglife gained momentum at Dior, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Designers like Salvatore Ferragamo, Jacquemus, and Isabel Marant have all shown them in recent seasons. The shoes have been given a modern spin and are being paired with everything from slouchy suits to shearling jackets and knee-grazing stockings. Still, it’s not just a runway look — elsewhere, cult clog brands are still producing handmade classics in materials both unexpected and understated. Click through to see all of our favorite pairs for autumn, styled with sparkly tights to wool socks and bare toes.
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Don’t give up on a sandal just yet! There’s still time to wear these open-toe clogs — just pair them with chunky wool socks or a pair of sparkly tights.
Give your feet a dose of motorcycle-country-chic this fall — this studded black clogs pair of clogs come complete with a slingback strap and big ol' chunky heel.
Just because we've been busy dashing from one fashion capital to the next over the last month doesn't mean that we've forgotten about what's really important. That is, Target's annual fall fashion drop. The beloved retailer behind Wild Fable and Prologue is an integral part of our fall routine, whether we’re back-to-school shopping, post-summer apartment organizing, or just living our typical day-to-day life. But on top of supplying us with a lifetime supply of college-ruled notebooks and extra strong Command Strips, we're also taking advantage of the retailer's unbeatable eye for affordable andon-trend clothing.
If you haven't already noticed, Target's seriously stepped up their fashion game. Not only did they just celebrate 20 years of partnerships with notable fashion brands like Rodarte, Altuzarra, Missoni and more, Target also found time during their busiest time of year to announce the launch of over 1,800 new fashion items. Think: under-$50 animal prints and under-$40 faux leather from in-house labels, A New Day, Universal Thread, Wild Fable and more.
But that's not even the best news. Somewhere mid-flight between Charles De Gaulle and JFK, we decided to scour all 1,800+ items and hand-select the best that this drop has to offer — after all, you know how boring plane rides can be. So before you waste a day (or two) clicking through the hundreds of new items on target.com, take a look at the Sparknotes version featured in the slideshow ahead.
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Wild Fable Sleeveless Square Neck Side Button Faux Leather Pinafor, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Plus Size Long Sleeve Open Front Jacket, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Plus Size Mid-Rise Relaxed Pants, $, available at Target
Wild Fable Plus Size Animal Print Oversized Sweater, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Short Sleeve V-Neck Wrap Front A Line Midi Dress, $, available at Target
A New Day Floral Print Long Sleeve High Neck Pleated Midi Dress, $, available at Target
Prologue Plus Size Long Sleeve Open Front Ribbed Cardigan, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Puff Elbow Sleeve Scoop Neck Cropped Blouse, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Plus Size Plaid Elbow Sleeve Crewneck Pullover Sweater, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Plus Size Plaid Mid Rise A-Line Midi Skirt, $, available at Target
Prologue Wrap Tied Midi Skirt, $, available at Target
Wild Fable Sleeveless V-Neck Tie Dye Slip Midi Dress, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Floral Print Sleeveless Halter Neck A-Line Midi Dress, $, available at Target
Wild Fable Faux Leather A-Line Skirt, $, available at Target
Prologue Plus Size Printed Short Sleeve Crew Neck Midi Dress, $, available at Target
A New Day Leopard Print Short Sleeve V-Neck Blouse, $, available at Target
Prologue Long Sleeve Crewneck Wrap Tie A Line Midi Dress, $, available at Target
Prologue 3/4 Sleeve Turtleneck Pullover Sweater, $, available at Target
Wild Fable Long Sleeve Collared Zip-Front Utility Jumpsuit, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Plus Size Puff Long Sleeve Open Front Cardigan, $, available at Target
Who What Wear Floral Print Sleeveless Ruffle V-Neck A Line Midi Dress, $, available at Target
Wild Fable Leopard Print High-Rise Bike Shorts, $, available at Target
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Whether you’re jumping for joy at summer’s official passing or grasping onto these last few weeks of extreme heat for dear life, there's just no denying that the sunny season is on its way out. But, like summer, fall is equally full of lovable clichés: cooler weather, the yearly swap from iced-to-hot coffee, and exchanging those colorful slides for some chunky, often black, boots. While there's no sin in holding onto pastels and neon hues throughout autumn, lime green and soft yellow aren't quite as good at transitioning when it comes to fall footwear.
This year, we're predicting a return to comfort — Chelsea boots, sporty hiker boots, lace-up boots, and, of course, the holy grail of autumn: the chunky heeled boot. Sure, a few outliers will always make an appearance each year (a fanciful croc-effect or an actual Croc), but for the most part, these traditional favorites are the name of the game. So start dreaming about a cool, crisp breeze because these 15 new fall boot options are already hitting the digital shelves of some of our favorites retailers. Now, all we need is for these heatwaves to take a hint...and a hike.
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Circus by Sam Edelman Hiltin Knee High Boot, $, available at Nordstrom
Everlane The Square Toe Chelsea Boot, $, available at Everlane
SOREL Harlow Lace Up Booties, $, available at Shopbop
Cool Lulu Patent Leather Lace Up Ankle Boots , $, available at Amazon
Seychelles Depth Faux Leather Bootie, $, available at ModCloth
Kelsi Dagger Brooklyn Woodland, $, available at Zappos
Zara Flat Leather Moto Ankle Boots, $, available at Zara
Charles & Keith Kitten Cone Heel Leather Ankle Boots, $, available at Charles & Keith
Dr. Martens Jadon Platform 8-Eye Boot, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Right now, you may still be salvaging the last of your summer nail polish, draining the final dregs at the bottom of your bottle of Bikini So Teeny. But for your next manicure, you're definitely thinking something more seasonal...
With October in full swing, we've already started to tap into those fall nail-polish trends — and luckily, the colors coming into focus are fresher than ever. According to the pros, we'll be seeing new takes on neutrals — like warm brown, creamy gray, sparkly champagne, and gold glitter shades — plus deeper red-wine and teal tones for those still in the transitional period.
Ahead, all the fall polishes to add to your collection ASAP.
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Warm Brown
According to nail pro and Jin Soon brand founder Jin Soon Choi, deep nudes will be as popular as ever this fall. "I'm seeing a trend towards full-coverage warm neutrals, like a toffee beige," says Choi. "It's restrained and elegant, made even more intriguing when topped with a matte finish." Fun fact: It's also what Hailey Bieber's wearing right now.
Jin Soon Nail Polish in Dulcet, $, available at Jin Soon
Red Wine
You've probably already traded your rosé for Merlot or Cabernet, and your fingertips are prepped for a similar color swap. "A vivid wine red with purple undertones is a sophisticated take on a bright red polish, and is a tried-and-true fall classic," says Choi.
Essie Nail Polish in Knee-High Life, $, available at Essie
Terracotta
Editorial nail artist Betina Goldstein told us that she loves an orange manicure for fall 2019. "I think rust orange and terracotta tones are always a chic pick for fall," she says. This neutral orange from Essie's fall collection, called Sweater Weather, is one of the prettiest ones we've seen.
Essie Essie Nail Polish in On The Bright Cider, $, available at Essie
Dark Teal
Selena Gomez recently rocked a glossy deep-teal manicure, and proved that the ocean-y hue is the perfect shade for the summer-to-fall transition. This classic Essie shade, Go Overboard, is the ideal blend of dark blue and rich emerald green.
Essie Nail Polish, Glossy Shine Finish, Go Overboard, $, available at Amazon
Sheer Champagne
Imagine your opaque summer white diluted, then topped with a shimmer finish, and you have fall's sheer champagne tone — already endorsed by Margot Robbie. "If white was your go-to for summer, then this soft pearl is ideal for the shift to fall," says Choi.
Choi says that glitter nail polish will be a versatile staple this fall. "Glitter polish is great because it can be worn alone, over a base color, or as part of a sparkly nail-art look," she says. We're partial to this just-launched gold holographic tone from Paintbox.
Paintbox Nail Lacquer in Like Magic, $, available at Paintbox
Cream Gray
At the intersection of blue and white, a creamy gray polish is the bright neutral to ease you out of summer shades. "I love the moody, smoky undertones of this cool gray," says Choi of Butter London's Sterling shade. "And because it's soft, it will pair well with every fall outfit."
Butter London Sterling Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer, $, available at Butter London
Ink Black
Black - When you want to evoke power, black fits the bill, especially with a high gloss finish. I predict growing popularity of black shades this fall, bolstered by it being the ultimate gender-free nail polish shade. It's very hip and high fashion so it works in any context in which you feel bold, confident, and in control. — Jin Soon Choi
- JINsoon Absolute Black - Rich, shiny black with lustrous cream finish
JINsoon Nail Polish in Absolute Black, $, available at Jin Soon
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If the last year or so has taught us anything about Generation Z – the age group born post-1996 – it’s that they’re environmentally woke. While millennials’ memories of adolescence might consist of MySpace and MSN, for today’s teens and early twentysomethings, school strikes and climate marches to protest the state of the Earth are just another Friday. Then there’s 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, an emblem of Gen Z climate-consciousness, who in the past month has dominated headlines for her carbon-neutral yacht expedition across the Atlantic to speak at the UN’s climate conference. Millennials may have been the first group to grow up with an awareness of the climate crisis, but it’s their successors who are collectively taking action.
And yet when it comes to fashion – one of the most polluting industries on the planet – Gen Z presents something of a paradox. As the first cohort of digital natives, their coming-of-age has coincided with the height of social media and, subsequently, the advent of ultra-fast fashion brands that target young people online with enticing discounts and influencer partnerships. If sales are anything to go by, the strategy works: Boohoo PLC (which owns Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing and Nasty Gal, among others) is expected to hit $2.3 billion in revenue by the end of this year. Environmentally engaged yet seduced by what’s new and ‘now’, it’s tricky to tell whether fashion in the hands of the youngest generation is moving towards a more sustainable model – or if it’s bound to be faster than ever.
Journalist and author, Lauren Bravo, whose forthcoming book How To Break Up With Fast Fashion tackles the adverse impact of our shopping addiction, has been encouraged by the greater conversation around sustainability; Oxfam’s #SecondHandSeptember campaign generated significant media coverage, and fast fashion giant Zara has pledged to make its processes more eco-friendly. However, while Lauren is optimistic about the future of sustainable fashion, she understands why fast fashion is still so attractive to young people. “The cost of living has rocketed so much over recent years and everything feels so uncertain; it’s hardly surprising that today’s teens and twentysomethings are buying cheap clothes as small pick-me-ups,” she says. “When expensive holidays, home ownership and other experiences are off the table, what do you do? You buy a $20 dress.”
Lauren’s friend and “slow fashion frugalista”, Caroline Jones, certainly has clarity on whether sustainable fashion appeals to Generation Z. The 51-year-old mom of three attracted press coverage back in 2015 when she committed to wearing only charity shop outfits for a year, later sharing the story of her quest in the book Knickers Model’s Own. She has two teenage daughters, 16-year-old Mary and 14-year-old Connie, and can relate to that youthful frenzy when you’re discovering new trends for the first time and developing your own style identity. “For me, in my 50s, I’ve seen all of these trends, they’ve been around the block,” she says, “but when you’re young, you don’t know that, so everything’s shiny, new and exciting.”
While Mary and Connie occasionally accompany their mom on her thrifting trips, they’re not quite as charmed by charity shops, preferring the usual fast fashion haunts which, come Saturday, are packed with teenagers. Connie is a fan of Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters, although their slightly higher price point compared to, say, Primark, means she’s more considered in her purchases. Mary’s keen on Topshop, particularly its pants, which are sized by waist and length – something that’s rare to come by in secondhand stores – and admits she’s “a sucker” for Pretty Little Thing and Boohoo, both of which sell clothing that costs as little as a Pret a Manger lunch and boast social media followings most brands would kill for. “You see it all the time on Instagram and you see what these influencers are styling up and they’re tagging [these brands],” she says. “Every 10 swipes or so you scroll down and it’s a Pretty Little Thing advert.”
Fast fashion certainly isn’t a recent phenomenon, but it’s these online-only retailers that are giving new meaning to the term, churning out low-priced dresses, bikinis and bodysuits at breakneck speed. And unlike traditional fast fashion stores, their digital-first business model translates to much lower overheads, allowing them to slash prices and dedicate budgets to targeted marketing campaigns. Mary watches Love Island, which this year was sponsored by Insta-led fast fashion brand I Saw It First, and follows contestants such as Molly-Mae Hague, who recently launched a collection with Pretty Little Thing. She’s also a fan of Kylie Jenner – perhaps the ultimate Gen Z pin-up – who has over 145m Instagram followers. Kylie’s billion-dollar fortune means her stream of brand-new outfits often come from the likes of Balmain and Fendi, but stores such as Boohoo and Missguided are attuned to the tastes of their shared audience, and whip up imitations of her and her sisters’ looks for a fraction of the cost.
A post shared by MOLLY-MAE (@mollymaehague) on Sep 8, 2019 at 11:39am PDT
Even more so than millennials, Gen Z are not only constant consumers of social media but also the curators of their own feeds. Dubbed “the most photographed generation in history” by Gen Z expert Jason Dorsey, there’s an unwritten rule of not being seen in the same dress over and over again, especially once it’s been immortalized online. Connie says she often swaps clothes with schoolmates to avoid this, but with the staggeringly low cost of items from certain outlets, it’s increasingly viable to purchase a new outfit for every event, should you desire. For festivals, there’s the temptation to stock up on new looks exclusively for those two or three days; Mary recently attended Reading festival and checked out “My Reading Look” hauls on YouTube beforehand for outfit inspiration.
The throwaway attitude of the younger generation is both baffling and disheartening to Caroline, who grew up pre-online shopping, when it was “a real treat” to head to the mall with her mom. “It worries me on a wider level, this disposing of clothes, because it’s a lazy option, it’s like buying a coffee, isn’t it? [You think] I’ll spend three dollars or five dollars [on a dress], I’ve got it, I’ll wear it [and then] it doesn’t owe me anymore.” According to Oxfam, the carbon footprint of new clothes bought each month in the UK is greater than flying a plane around the world 900 times, while a recent article in The Guardian pointed out that simply doubling the length of time we keep our clothes would cut emissions by 44%.
Among Gen Z, an awareness of fast fashion’s environmental impact is certainly there. “I remember watching this show by Stacey Dooley all about fast fashion and how cotton is drying up areas of the world, and then just feeling really guilty any time I ordered clothes online,” says Connie. Yet it’s not quite enough to totally transform their spending habits. “I do love fashion, so for the environment, I’d much rather make sure I’d turned off all my lights, not buy plastic water bottles…” Connie admits. “I wouldn’t say I buy loads of clothes, but I feel like that’d be the one thing I’d most want to cling onto.”
With endless encouragement to shop from all corners of the internet, giving up fast fashion can require considerable willpower. “It took me a few years until I was completely free of the chains of fast fashion and reached the point where I am now, shopping almost entirely secondhand,” says Tolmeia “Tolly” Gregory, a 19-year-old sustainable fashion blogger and activist. It was the Rana Plaza tragedy that really sparked her interest, and she’s since become an active member of Extinction Rebellion, while also sharing snaps of her stylish outfits on Instagram. While Tolly’s commitment to the cause would be impressive to most, she doesn’t see herself as the exception. “I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised by the Gen Zers around me that shop secondhand or even upcycle and make their own clothes,” she says. “I think it’s becoming normalized now.”
What’s more, where thrifting once meant heading to the local Goodwill, secondhand shopping has been given a digital refresh by apps such as Depop. According to the company, 90% of users are under 26, while it’s estimated that a third of 16 to 24 year-olds are registered on the site. Like Instagram, the platform allows its users to express themselves by curating their own profiles – but more importantly, it’s a quick and easy way to earn cash. “Resale sites like Depop have grown to mammoth proportions because of this generation’s interest in streetwear and ‘drop’ culture,” says Rhiannon Mills, a foresight writer at The Future Laboratory. “Even at a young age, they’re business savvy and are approaching the resale market not only as a means to access the latest coveted item but increasingly so that they can become curators and independent retailers in their own right.” Caroline worries that selling clothes on Depop simply fuels the appetite to buy more – but the fact that Gen Z is at least open to buying pre-worn is promising.
A post shared by Depop (@depop) on Sep 9, 2019 at 6:01am PDT
Rental fashion is on the rise too: US-based startup, Rent the Runway, which allows members to rent high-end pieces, recently earned a billion-dollar valuation. But is Gen Z on board? “I feel like it’s a little far-fetched for some people for it to catch on in the mainstream,” says Tolly, “but I’m obviously not against it and I think in the occasion-wear and luxury sector, there’s a real market for it.” Mary considered the option for her junior prom (where, in a perfect embodiment of the Gen Z paradox, one classmate showed up in a bin bag to protest throwaway fashion, while another spent hundreds on a dress unlikely ever to be worn again). Although she eventually opted for a dress she found for $55, she admits she probably won’t rewear it and would “100%” consider renting in the future.
Despite these promising strides, social media is still king among this age group and right now the fast fashion brands are dominating those platforms, offering pieces that are affordable, on trend and influencer-endorsed. “Gen Zers do care about sustainable fashion, but they need brands to step up and offer them support to ensure that they can purchase sustainably without having to compromise on the look, feel and functionality of products,” says Rhiannon.
Eco-friendly fashion brand, Reformation has nailed that Insta-friendly aesthetic and personable tone of voice; it’s a lot more expensive than Boohoo but its highly covetable items, worn by the likes of Kaia Gerber and Bella Hadid, are perfect candidates for “co-sharing”. Meanwhile, emerging YouTubers whose niche is sustainable fashion or streamlined capsule wardrobes are an antidote to the endless hauls, and Connie and Mary admit that if eco-friendly brands and secondhand sellers partnered with their favorite influencers, their interest would be piqued.
For those advocating a slower approach to shopping, there’s an exciting opportunity to find fresh ways to tap into Gen Z’s interest in sustainability, taking to the online platforms they live on and learning to speak their language. But as scientists warn that we have only a few years to halt irreversible environmental damage – and fashion continues to be a key contributor – it’s a matter of getting it right, fast.
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SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – SEPTEMBER 17: Rihanna attends an event for ‘FENTY BEAUTY’ artistry beauty talk with Rihanna at Lotte World Tower on September 17, 2019 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/WireImage)
Ugh, Rihanna. At this point we’re not even surprised by her vision, her mind, or her team’s flawless execution. That Rihanna reign just will not let up. Between the boundary-breaking makeup shades and her history-making luxury line backed by LVMH, Rihanna still found time to kill the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show at New York Fashion Week last month. Now, our gracious queen saw fit to bless us with a coffee table book of all her most iconic looks.
“Over 5 years in the making… happy to finally share this collection of incredible memories,” Rihanna wrote on Instagram. “Thank you to all of the photographers and artists that contributed and to @phaidonsnaps for working with me to publish my first piece of art in a new industry! Make sure you pre-order the book now on therihannabook.com.”
If the clip she shared on Instagram is any indication, Rihanna’s fans are in for a treat in the form of never-before-seen outfit photos. We spotted her turquoise feathered Cropover look from Barbados’ annual festival, her 2015 Met Gala look designed by Chinese couturier Guo Pei, and her Dior Haute Couture gown (and matching sunglasses) from the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. The book also includes never before seen photos of fashion’s elite including Anna Wintour, Cara Delevingne, Edward Enninful, Karl Lagerfeld, Donatella Versace, and more. Quite obviously the Internet rejoiced. “I need the Rihanna coffee table book. I don’t have a coffee table to put it on but I’ll go buy one. Just for that,” one user tweeted. “I’m really about to text this white man back so I can finesse Rihanna’s coffee table book out his wallet…yall I’m getting that damn book idc,” shared another.
You can pre-order a few different versions of the tome now, though at the time this story was published, the “Rihanna: Ultra Luxury Supreme” version, was already sold out. The “Rihanna: Luxury Supreme” version is still available $5500 and includes a custom cast-resin tabletop bookstand. Finally, there is a “Rihanna: Fenty x Phaidon version that includes “This Sh*t Is Heavy,” a custom steel tabletop bookstand and retails for $175.
No, you haven't time traveled to 1989: Neon nails are just making a huge comeback. Earlier this year, bright and bold nails emerged for a renaissance on Instagram, with retro Memphis Milano designs taking over our feeds. Soon enough, popular brands like Essie, Le Chat, and Smith & Cult made the look easy to DIY by launching whole collections of neon nail polish. Now, one color is standing out among the rest: lime green.
Green has been one of those unexpected color trends to hit almost every beauty category this year. Celebrities love green hair almost as much as they like dyeing their hair pink, and green eyeshadow is still one of the most popular makeup trends on the red carpet.
Naturally, neon-green nails are next, and they're a lot more wearable than you'd think — even Taylor Swift thinks so. The "Lover" singer was spotted this weekend attending an after-party for Saturday Night Live, not just with her actual lover Joe Alwyn in tow, but a set of lime-green nails, too.
Want to try the lime-green manicure for yourself? Get some inspiration ahead.Somehow, Swift and Alwyn holding hands in public isn't the most exciting part of this picture: For us, it's all about Swift's lime nails. The bold color is begging for attention next to the couple's matching all-black ensembles after making an appearance during her performances of "Lover" and "False God" on SNL (the color even matched the stage design for the former).Photo: JosiahWPhotos / BACKGRID.Rihanna gets slime-green fingertips, and now all we can think about is getting neon-green nails before our next vacation.The best part about this slimy color is that neon green comes in a variety of shades — and levels of brightness. You can go with something a bit more fluorescent, like this...Or ask for a polish that's reminiscent of a Shamrock Shake.Even better, this look doesn't require intricate nail art to be cool. An opaque wash of polish does the trick.It's also one of the rare colors that looks cool in both glossy and matte finishes.Double up on the '80s callback by painting your slime-green polish in Saved By The Bell-inspired squiggles and lines.Ease into the neon nail look by combining bright green with a softer pastel, like this manicure from New York salon Paintbox.Try two trends at once by layering two green polishes to create an animal-print design.Regular French tips feel outdated? Swap out the milky-white polish for lime green.This is also the perfect time to revive last summer's jelly-nail trend.
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MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 24: Lisa Hahnbueck is seen wearing Burberry trench coat, Sportmax dress, Furla bag on Day 5 Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2019/20 on February 24, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)
During London Fashion Week, Burberry introduced its idea of evolution, going carbon neutral to help the Amazon rain forest. With the climate crisis at the forefront of everyone’s minds right now, Burberry’s carbon-neutral pledge is just one of many signs that the brand is committed to reflecting our current culture — both on and off the catwalk. On Monday, Burberry announced its next chapter: an official partnership with TheRealReal, encouraging customers to cosign pieces with the resale company.
“The RealReal shares our ambition to promote the circular economy and keep clothing in use for longer. We know that the enduring quality of Burberry pieces means their appeal and value is long-lasting,” Pam Batty, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Burberry, said in a release. “Through this new partnership we hope to not only champion a more circular future but encourage consumers to consider all the options available to them when they’re looking to refresh their wardrobes.”
While Burberry isn’t opening its archives or selling any of its stock pieces, according to WWD, it will give customers the chance to “shop the brand via an exclusive personal shopping experience in one of its 18 stores across the U.S.” as a reward for their part in making fashion more circular.
Burberry is following in Stella McCartney’s footsteps, as she was the first designer to collaborate with TheRealReal in 2018 when McCartney’s U.S. boutiques offering information and programs to facilitate consigning. This shift signals a growing trend in the fashion industry where brands are committing to a more sustainable and truly circular business model via resale. In this case, it helps that online resale sites like The RealReal, Depop, and Poshmark, all of which launched in 2011, have made buying used clothing as simple and appealing as ordering groceries on FreshDirect.
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Inthe self-described chaotic life of chef Tara Thomas, there’s no such thing as “stopping for an outfit change.” During the day, she might go from the office to a community farm to source ingredients for a pop-up event or food installation. At night, she might start out julienning and plating in a sweltering kitchen, then end up hobnobbing with patrons at a formal dinner. These are the unpredictable situations the Portland native has learned to dress for — with plenty of style.
“My work isn’t just in the kitchen,” Thomas says. “It’s running around the city, having lots of tasks, maybe sitting in the office for a few hours of the day, then last-minute having to run and cook something or put together an event. So it’s really important for me to be versatile.”
Earlier this month, Thomas helped open Che, a desert-inspired restaurant in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood with a seasonal, plant-based menu rooted in African and West Indian cuisine. On the eve of the space’s introduction to the world, we tagged along as Thomas made her pre-launch rounds, wearing SOREL, the maker of stylish footwear for women on the go.
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While her quietly elegant aesthetic has to adapt to a variety of environments, both rugged and refined, Thomas’ main objective when getting dressed — and the building blocks used to achieve it — remain consistent. “The key factors in chefs’ clothing are comfort and protection of your body from any conditions in the kitchen,” she says. At work, she relies on staples like painless shoes she can spend hours on her feet in (like the SOREL boots pictured here), wide-leg trousers, bodysuits, and other layerable pieces that let her easily move from the back to the front of the house at Che or from her desk to a vegetable patch — sometimes all in a matter of hours.
Equally crucial to Thomas is challenging the idea of what a chef looks like, beyond the classical white-coat-and-toque uniform. “There’s still so much masculinity in chefs’ clothes,” she says. “With [clothing marketing] that’s like, ‘This is a sporty material, it’s going to resist all this stuff,’ it’s so targeted towards men, and there’s nothing gentle.” To bring a sense of softness and individuality to the kitchen, Thomas chooses natural textiles “that grow with you,” splashes of color with a well-placed sock or scarf, and thrifted pants not of the industry-standard chalk-striped variety. “Women really identify with expressive style, so it’s nice for those of us in the kitchen to [show] our femininity.”
There’s still so much masculinity in chefs’ clothes.
Wherever her ever-changing career takes her, Thomas says preemptive dressing is “crucial to your success,” as a form of mental and creative readiness. “I want to feel inspired when I’m looking at a piece, but it should also be a reflection of me, because your closet is a repertoire for how you’re going to prepare for the day. Having an option for every situation means I’m capable of doing anything.”
And as she grows and diversifies her business, Thomas’ portfolio of ready-for-it-all looks will also likely expand. But for now, as this restaurant project comes to fruition,Thomas says she’s content to take a rare pause to bask in the moment.
“I’m such a motivator, and I’m always trying to push positivity and good energy,” she says. “It’s not unusual to have fear along with [the restaurant opening], because, wow, this thing is really happening, it’s really here. The mood is to have a positive experience and be happy with how far we’ve come… It’s so easy for me to get caught up in everything I have [going on], so it’s really important to be thankful.”
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Searching for a fresh trend before it catches fire (and subsequently sells out) is, as Cher Horowitz put it, like searching for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie...aka impossible. While we can't always predict the next big thing to buy, we can catalog the best big things that are actually shoppable now. With a little help from our weekly column, The Sell-Out, we pulled together the top-selling products from the past year that are no longer sold out.
Instead of suggesting purchase alternatives, ahead we're delivering the real-deal trends that you can finally get your hands on — no restocks or waitlists necessary. Scroll on to shop the fire-catching finds from the most fall-essential bucket bags and tunic dresses to viral rainbow-flecked rings, Cardi B's lipstick shade, the comfiest pair of French-girl heels, Meghan Markle's favorite ballet flats, commuter backpacks, and more — along with the reasons why they sold out in the first place.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
This dreamy tunic dress flew off the shelves as a fast Anthropologie fall favorite — and now it's back in three different autumn-essential prints and standard to petite or plus sizes.
Maeve Anthropologie Amber Tiered Tunic, $, available at Anthropologie
Summer may be over, but sun protection is a year-round priority — and this little miracle bottle covers that base for your scalp while also providing a dry shampoo styling boost to boot. And lucky for us, since the summer hype has died down, we can now get our hands on its previously sold-out stock.
Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part and Scalp Powder SPF 45, $, available at Sephora
Workout-wear or loungewear? The two are no longer mutually exclusive, and this stylish faux-leather pair with 2,000+ gleaming reviews and a prior sell-out history proves it.
SPANX Faux Leather Leggings, $, available at Nordstrom
After quietly launching rollerballs in 2017 (which sold out), followed by a collection of full-size perfumes (which sold out, again, after just three days), Ouai’s signature eau de parfum is finally back — for good. We’ll take two, please!
These elegant hoops (at a sweet under $100 price point) are infamous customer favorites — crafted from brass with 14K-gold plating and toting the hype of once selling out a whopping three times.
The beautifully-designed vitamins you’ve been seeing all over Instagram? Ritual. While the brand’s Essential for Women multivitamin remains a top seller, the prenatal formula amassed a waitlist of reportedly 10,000 people after selling out upon launch. To many people’s delight, it returned to stock this September.
The utility of a bucket bag meets the style-ability of a wristlet in this sleek black number from Charles & Keith that once generated an over a 2,000+ person waitlist — and now it's back in stock for fall.
Charles & Keith Wristlet Handle Bucket Bag, $, available at Charles & Keith
Something we would be willing to withstand a waitlist for, but no longer need to? This luminous, rose-gold container filled with magical depuffing AND brightening formula for our tired under eyes.
GlamGlow, write a review BRIGHTEYES, $, available at GlamGlow
This under-$30 pair of 70s-style jeans by the vivacious Sofia Vergara was and still is a true Walmart hidden gem — the fringed denim was so coveted by customers (garnering over 2,000 rave reviews) that it sold out within a month of its initial drop.
Sofia by Sofia Vergara Rosa Curvy High Waist Fringed Hem Ankle Jean, $, available at Walmart
For beauty-fanatics who handle their hair with professional care, Dyson's most hyped product drop over the last year is back in stock (after selling out and accumulating a 133,000-person waitlist). The ever-popular Airwrap puts Dyson's legendary digital power a multi-range of styling abilities — including everything from standard blowouts to curling wands and smoothing brushes.
Dyson Airwrap™ Complete Styler, $, available at Nordstrom
If you — like 25,000+ other people — are looking to radiate royal style this season, then look no further than this (currently restocked) pair of Meghan Markle's go-to, leather ballet flats.
Sarah Flint Natalie Flats, $, available at Sarah Flint
Hyaluronic acid is a complicated term that essentially means a naturally-occurring compound that attracts moisture to dry, winter-weary skin — and beauty brand The Ordinary crafted an under $7 serum blended with B5 that understandably sold out liquidity-quick, but has finally returned to digital-shelves.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum, $, available at Sephora
This best-selling rainbow ring is a stackable statement piece with bright accessorizing power — and with hundreds of purchase approvals across Instagram and the brand's site, it's no wonder the piece originally sold out in three days time.
The hunt for the perfect mascara can end here, because Smith & Cult's iconic Lash Dance — with its hourglass-shaped brush, fluffy bristles, and promise of full-feathered lashes that won't flake — is back in stock, baby.
Smith & Cult Lash Dance Mascara - Radio Silence (0.5 fl oz.), $, available at DermStore
Lifestyle brand Ban.do not only delivers on affirmational planners, but it also brilliantly touches mental health support too — its nameplate-necklace (that originally sold out in 12 hours flat) is a Jen Gotch x Iconery collab, with 100% of its proceeds going to Bring Change to Mind, a non-profit organization that serves to end mental illness stigmas and discrimination. Gotch hopes that the piece will serve as a conversation starter and as a step towards normalizing the dialogue around asking for and receiving help.
A face-mask that sells out in minutes must work complexion miracles — and that's exactly what Peach & Lily's back-in-stock resurfacing product is reported to do with its soothing, lightweight jelly-like formula that smoothes, brightens, and rids skin of clogged pores after one use.
Peach and Lily Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask, $, available at Ulta Beauty
The answer to your in-between season styling conundrums is now shoppable with Wildfang's universally-flattering and chic coveralls that once generated a 300-plus waitlist.
Wildfang Workwear Coverall, $, available at Wildfang
The secret to a sun-kissed glow sans actual sun-damage? This best-selling sunset glow oil that sold out within an astonishing eight hours of its pre-sale — Sol de Janeiro's popular product delivers a tropical shimmer with a hint of fig, pomelo, and Brazilian gardenia fragrance.
Sol de Janeiro Glow Oil - Copacabana Bronze (2.5 fl oz.), $, available at DermStore
Having sold out twice since its initial debut on the luxury bedding and home site, Snowe's ultra-plush bathrobe is not only back in stock but also available in additional spa-vibe-y colors.
Emulsifying balms are the beauty world's caviar — and Pestle & Mortar's formerly sold-out cleansing balm infused with rich grape seed, prickly pear, and pumpkin seed oils is the big Beluga.
Pestle & Mortar Pestle & Mortar Erase Balm Cleanser, $, available at Anthropologie
We imagine that these are the heels a French girl would wear: effortlessly chic and comfy at the same damn time — and because of that, these almond-shaped 2.5-inch beauties well a sell-out success that have gloriously returned to stock.
The iconic collab between lipstick legend Tom Ford and musical master Cardi B brought us this cool-blue, custom shade that originally sold out within three hours time — but, lucky for us fans, the sleek shade is now back in stock.
Tom Ford Boys & Girls Lip Color - The Girls (Cardi/Sheer), $, available at Sephora
Looking for a pair of underwear you can (and actually want) to live in? Look no further than Richer Poorer's Femme Boxers and Bralette — the super-soft 100% cotton blend set originally sold out in just ten days' time, reportedly tripling the site's average weekly sales.
Richer Poorer Bralette & Boxer Set, $, available at Nordstrom
Riding the cream-based makeup train, Hourglass's former Sephora sell-out shadow has a crease-resistant and micro-fine glitter finish that comes in five separate potted shades perfect for fall.
Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eye Shadow, $, available at Sephora
Whether you're sporting it for work, weekend, or vacation, the newest version of Everlane's ever-popular commuter backpack for under $100 has you covered on both fashion and functions fronts.
Everlane The Nylon Commuter Backpack, $, available at Everlane
Combat unexpected humidity fronts with an anti-frizz shampoo that went down in Sephora sell-out history — Amika's Velveteen Dream is formulated to protect your strands from breakage and split ends while also smoothing fly-away frizzes.
Amika Velveteen Dream Smoothing Shampoo, $, available at Birchbox
End your search for the classic white button-down here and now with ADAY's back-in-stock, Something Borrowed shirt — since its initial brand launch, the stretchy, sweat-wicking, and wrinkle-resistant good sold out a total of 12 times.
ADAY Something Borrowed Shirt, $, available at ADAY
Sensing a trend? Oil-based beauty goods make for fire-fast sell-outs — and Milk Makeup's once elusive oil-based lip stain with its sheer color and vitamin-rich formula proves it.
Milk Makeup Oil Lip Stain, $, available at Birchbox
Let's all just admit it: strapless bras suck. Unless, of course, it's Harper Wilde's 6,000 person waitlist and rave-reviewed Flex-model that offers a wide range of cushy support.
Harper Wilde The Flex, $, available at Harper Wilde
This makeup selling-sensation was once completely wiped clean from drugstore shelves for two major reasons: it's a luminous highlighter and it's under $5.
Essence Pure Nude Cosmolighter, $, available at Ulta Beauty
Jeans are polarizing, period — so the fact that this cropped, flared, and ruffled Eloquii pair caused a multi-sell-out frenzy means one thing and one thing only: they're magic pants.
Eloquii Drama Ruffle Jean, $, available at Eloquii
Just in time for welcoming the warm weather, this hit cream-based blush with its dreamy marshmallow-like texture is fully stocked and ready for the taking after completely selling out last summer.
By Terry Cellularose® Blush Glacé - Frozen Petal 3, $, available at Net-A-Porter
With spring comes summer and then sun, which means we need to stock up on the 'screen — thankfully, Supergoop!'s travel-friendly glow stick with its unique non-greasy dry oil formula in SPF 50 is no longer sold out across the world-wide-web.
Supergoop! Glow Stick Sunscreen SPF 50 (1.23 oz.), $, available at DermStore
Leave it to Bauble Bar to drop not one, but two sell-out accessories — these perfect for spring and summer super-light resin drop earrings have sold out a total of four times since their initial debut.
BaubleBar Faidra Resin Drop Earrings, $, available at BaubleBar
And speaking of warmer weather, Summersalt's famously figure-flattering suit that once boasted an over 7,000-person waitlist is now shoppable in a wide variety of vibrant spring to summer shades.
Summersalt The Sidestroke, $, available at Summersalt
The viral drop on these star-studded workout leggings made from 8-way stretch, silky-soft compression fabric initially caused an over 500-person waitlist ruckus.
UltraCor Ultra High Lux Knockout Leggings, $, available at Shopbop
Another celeb and makeup brand collab that the shop-fans just couldn't resist — Ashley Graham's cherry-red Revlon lip kit went out of stock in 3 hours flat, but now it's back.
Revlon Ashley Graham Never Enough Lip Lip Kit in Worship, $, available at Amazon
Summer's bag mascot is a simple but painfully chic gingham tote that Trademark couldn't seem to keep in stock last season — but lucky for us and our sundresses, this machine-washable and picnic-friendly bag is back for last hurrah. If you fancy this one, you better scoop it up fast — Trademark designers Pookie and Louisa Burch have decided this season would be their last.
Trademark Small Gingham Grocery Tote, $, available at Need Supply Co
Never underestimate the timeless style-power of a classic pair of Italian-leather shoes — especially when Everlane is involved. The brand's wildly popular Modern Oxford's once boasted a waitlist of 6,500 people. And since a smart, well-made Oxford will never go out of style, good on you for finding them now.
Everlane The Modern Oxford - Cognac, $, available at Everlane
It's hard to believe a body scrub could generate a buzz big enough to motivate 5,000 beauty-hungry shoppers to wait in line (or online) to purchase — but Frank Body did just that with its limited-edition Green Tease scrub made from caffeine and antioxidant-infused green tea, honey, avocado oil, ginger, licorice root, and energizing coffee-seed oil.
Frank Body Green Tease Body Scrub, $, available at Ulta Beauty
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Today, Hulu announced that it’s introducing Downloads, a new feature on its iOS app that lets you download shows and movies for offline viewing. Which means, friends, that your flights will never again be the same. You heard me. No more relying on Gogo Inflight or [insert airline name here]’s shoddy on-flight entertainment service to keep you occupied while airborne.
Here’s how it works: If you have the Hulu plan with no ads, which costs either $11.99/month or $50.99/year, you’ll now have access to a Downloads tab within the iOS app (available on the iPhone and iPad). From here, you can click “See What’s Downloadable,” where there are thousands of titles available to be downloaded to your device for offline watch, free of additional charge. It’s worth noting that the entire Hulu catalog isn’t available for download, though favorites like The Handmaid’s Tale, Shrill, and How I Met Your Mother are. You can download up to 25 shows or movies across five devices, though after 30 days, your download will expire (but you can always renew it). This new feature will also be coming to Android soon, according to the press release.
But Hulu isn’t the only one that offers downloadable content. Netflix released its own Downloads feature in 2016, and has since taken it a step further with Smart Downloads, a feature that automatically deletes an episode once you’ve finished watching it and downloads the next one (only when your device is connected to wifi). Netflix’s downloads work just like Hulu’s — in the Downloads tab, you can click Find More To Download and go to town. All you need is an internet connection at the time of downloading (as you do with Hulu) as well as a Netflix account, and you can store up to 100 titles at a time. As far as what’s available to download, almost all the good stuff is — including all Netflix Originals — but according to Netflix’s website, sometimes Netflix doesn’t have the rights to offer another studio’s content for download, which explains the few gaps.
And there’s yet another streaming giant whose content was recently made available for offline viewing. HBO, which joins basically every other streaming service and channel (besides Netflix) on Apple’s new Apple TV Channels, has also made offline downloads available for the first time ever. The new Channels offering on Apple’s redesigned TV app (available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV) is basically like a home base for all of your subscriptions — including HBO, Starz, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX, Tastemade, CBS All-Access, and MTV Hits — except you don’t need separate log-in credentials for each one. And all of the content is available for offline download — including HBO’s entire catalog. Which means you can watch Kendall Roy rap on Succession over and over again, regardless of whether you have wifi or a cellular connection. And also, once Apple TV+, Apple’s original content streaming service, comes out on November 1 (for $4.99/month or free for a year with purchase of a new iPhone, Mac, or Apple TV), you can download all those shows and movies as well for offline viewing — including The Morning Show, which I honestly cannot wait for.
But if you’d like to opt into the new Apple TV Channels service and already subscribe to any of its included streaming services or channels, you’ll have to end your subscriptions and re-subscribe through Apple TV Channels. Sounds like a pain, I know, but ultimately it’s worth it for ability to sign in with just your Apple ID.
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Every minute in the United States, almost 20 people are physically abused by a partner. According to data from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), about one in four women and one in nine men have experienced intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking. That’s more than 10 million people each year.
These relationships don’t often start out abusive. According to Psychology Today, during the early stages of a relationship, abusers tend to “mask their abusive tendencies,” so “by the time many people notice the obvious red flags, they’re already attached to an abuser, which makes it much harder for them to leave the relationship.” Or as one anonymous survivor of domestic violence wrote for Refinery29, “Domestic abuse isn’t something of which the participants are necessarily aware [of] until it’s been pointed out by someone else.”
If you think that your relationship, or a loved one’s, may be heading towards domestic violence, here are some potential early warning signs of abuse. Remember, not all abusive relationships look the same, and a relationship doesn’t have to include every warning sign listed here to be abusive.
Extreme jealousy and possessiveness
NCDAV lists extreme jealousy and possessiveness as two early warning signs of domestic violence. In a viral Imgur post, one abuse survivor described how her husband became convinced that she was having an affair with a coworker she barely knew. The husband monitored both his wife and the coworker’s work schedules, sent her near-constant text messages while she was at work, and when she wasn’t with him, demanded that she send photos or call to prove where she was. Eventually, this jealousy escalated to physical and sexual abuse.
Controlling what their partner wears and what they do
Another early warning sign is exerting control over what their partner wears, where they go, and how they act. The woman whose husband was convinced she was having an affair also describes how he wouldn’t let her wear clothes that fit her because they “showed off her body.”
Monitoring phone, texts, emails, and social media
According to Break the Cycle, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people ages 12 – 24 create a culture without abuse, a partner checking your phone without your permission is a common early sign of abuse: “The simple act of crossing someone’s boundaries by looking at their personal property without permission is what causes these actions to slip into unhealthy relationship territory.”
Cruelty to animals, children, or other family members
If your partner is sweet to you but cruel to their pets or family members, they may soon change how they treat you, too. The woman behind the viral Imgur post writes that she left the relationship after her partner harmed her dog and kitten.
Isolating their partner from friends and family
Abusers often slowly cut their partners off from access to their loved ones, according to Break the Cycle. This may start subtly, such as asking a partner to check in frequently, or telling the partner to quit hobbies because they should want to focus on the relationship. When the partner is more isolated, the abuser can escalate the abuse, and the partner will have limited access to their support system.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224 for confidential support.
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We're not trying to rush the calendar, but we simply want to remind you that everyone's favorite fall holiday will be here in just three weeks. If you can't bring yourself to step into your local Spirit Halloween just yet, you can subtly ease into the season by adding shades of orange and black to your fingernails.
For some suggestions on how to do that in the least cheesy way possible, we've amassed a few Halloween nail-art looks that will be big this season. From glossy black with dripping accents to minimalist pumpkin-orange French tips, scroll through to find your chic Halloween-ish manicure — the kind you'll want to wear now and for the entirety of October.If you're partial to the traditional French tip, just make your go-to nail design orange for October.That's festive enough, right?Think black bubbling cauldron, but make it chic.The orbit nail is edgy on its own, and a jet-black polish makes it ideal for the spooky season.We're calling it: A gold crescent-moon decal in the middle of a black French mani is the cool-girl way to do seasonal nail art.Just when you thought candy corn was tacky...Essie'sglobal nail artist, Rita Remark, calls this look the "Harvest Moon mani." The copper-orange polish, called Rust Worthy, comes from the brand's fall collection.Any way you slice it, there are three polishes you'll want to use in tandem for Halloween-inspired designs: black, orange, and something shimmery.Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and inspiration on the Refinery29 Pinterest page — we'll see you there! A straight French tip with bright-orange polish is festive, but even cooler with a curved glitter accent.stars
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In October 2012, Lauren Wasser woke up with an off-feeling, like she had a cold. After countless doctor visits and consultations, she was officially diagnosed with Toxic Shock Syndrome — a rarely-discussed but often fatal condition — which ultimately led to two amputation surgeries.
Often associated with staph, or as the medical textbooks call it, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, Toxic Shock is a rare, but life-threatening condition that first made headlines in the late 1970s, around the same time that super absorbent and scented tampons became popular.
Not-so-coincidentally, your bathroom stash of tampons is probably where you recognize the term from, as the high dose of chemicals used in feminine hygiene products create an ideal breeding ground for staph bacteria.
Lauren Wasser’s Vice interview in 2015 marked a sea change for the way we collectively speak about TSS. It was no longer a cautionary tale or a distant threat discussed in hushed tones. Lauren used her platform to bring awareness to TSS in a way that felt wholly unprecedented. “A fire lit inside of my heart that didn’t exist before,” she says of her drive to educate people and especially young women about the condition.
On an ivy-covered balcony overlooking Times Square, Wasser sat down with Refinery29 to talk about her road to recovery, her passion for spreading awareness, her latest beauty obsessions (she stars in the new Origins campaign as they re-release their Ginzing Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer), and that one time she walked in the Savage X Fenty Show.
Refinery29: You’ve been modeling for nearly your entire life. Can you start off by telling us how you got involved with the industry in the first place?
Lauren Wasser: “Well it wasn’t my choice. My mom and dad are both models. I was probably four months old when my mom shot with Patrick Demarchelier for Italian Vogue and I was thrown in the mix. Ever since then, I was doing Gap campaigns with her and traveling the world. So I grew up like London, Paris and New York — all over.”
You’re a Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) survivor and you said the experience inspired you to spread awareness. What should women know about TSS?
LW: “I almost lost my life in 2012. I lost my legs. Toxic Shock Syndrome has been an epidemic for over 30 years, killing and injuring women. I’m just the messenger, though. I’m now just trying to get as many women informed and educated about what they’re placing inside of their bodies and giving them a voice to fight for change because it’s imperative. Otherwise we’re just losing little girls. And these companies are continuously, you know —”
Hiding it from the public.
LW: “Hiding it and not being transparent about what they’re putting inside of these products that we place in the most vulnerable part of our bodies at a very sensitive time. And especially with all the hormones in food nowadays, these girls are getting their periods at such a young age — 8, 9, 10 years-old. They don’t even have the antibodies to fight the toxins that are in these tampons, so they’re the ones who are most susceptive to getting it. I’m working closely with Carolyn Maloney, a congresswoman here in New York to help where I can.”
“There’s a bill that’s been trying to be passed for literally 10 years. It’s called the Robin Danielson Act. It’s based on a woman who lost her life in 1999 and it’s just for us as women to know what’s going into our feminine hygiene products. It’ll answer questions like, if we use the product for five days, five years, five months, what is it doing internally? We should have that information, but somehow, it’s been shot down by Congress 10 times.”
It doesn’t seem like the bill is asking that much.
LW: “It’s not. All it would do is make us more alert. [Carolyn] said herself that had that bill been passed, I probably wouldn’t have lost my legs. There was another little girl that just passed away two years ago in New Jersey, and I had Carolyn actually speak to her mother. It was really hard, but it was also so important because she needed to realize that this is still a huge epidemic that’s not talked about and other than my story, no one else has spoken up. It’s really important that we as women wake up and realize that we have to demand change.”
It’s hard because you’re asking for change from a Congress that’s majority —
LW: “Male. And they have no idea what this is like. They’re always telling us what to do with our bodies. That’s why I think it’s so important to get as many women aware of this issue — and the fact that it’s not something that has gone away or that is only going to happen to a small percentage of people. This can happen to anyone at any time.”
“Feminine hygiene products are so toxic. I mean they have chlorine, bleach, dioxin, all these synthetic fibers that we’re placing in the most absorbent part of our body.”
“It’s really important that we as women wake up and realize that we have to demand change.”
– Lauren Wasser
The worst part is that when you go into a store, there really aren’t any other options.
“Exactly, and then you have Thinx and other startup brands — they’re great — but they’re also not available to everyone. They’re not available to that young girl who doesn’t want to use a tampon, or doesn’t want to ask her father how to use it, or whatever. Who knows? They might not even have access to the Internet to get a pair of Thinx or to do the research. It seems obvious, but why doesn’t everyone have options?”
Right.Who did you turn to to help cope with your diagnosis? What helped you get through it?
LW: “My support system, my family, God — my faith, definitely. But also just trying to find the real beauty. I think the real beauty is within us. It’s not on the outside. It’s who we are as individuals, what we can leave behind, what we can do on this planet, and how it can affect others and change other people’s lives. And I think that’s what I really learned after losing something physical that I could not hide. I had to accept it. It was very tough and it was hard, but I did it. I’m so grateful that I’m even alive and breathing, let alone having this opportunity to speak with you.”
What happened next? When did you decide to return to the modeling industry and use your platform to spread awareness?
LW: “Once I really knew about TSS and I realized that this has been killing women, affecting them even before I was born, a fire lit inside of my heart that didn’t exist before and I knew that someone needed to do something about this, someone needed to say something.”
“That’s when I chose to share my story with Vice. I was sharing myself for the first time, my shorts that I had previously never shared before, and kind of unveiling myself. Seeing myself in pictures and videos, I finally realized that I don’t look messed up or different from anyone else. I just look like I went through some really crazy stuff and I came out on top. I’m using the way that I look and my connections to truly elevate this change.”
“Now, because I have my new golden legs, I’m able to bring something that’s never been seen before to a world that’s been one dimensional for so long. Also, I love being able to share my story, fight for a new side of beauty, and try to open people’s minds and eyes.”
Would you say that the modeling industry has become more inclusive over the years?
LW: “I definitely think so. Ten years ago, had this happened, I wouldn’t have been accepted. There’s no way. I think the timing is everything. Changes are coming. We’re not there yet, but I think it’s definitely moving in a direction that it’s never been in before. It’s not going to happen overnight — nothing happens overnight. But doors that were nailed shut are finally opening.”
I’m glad that you think so as someone on the inside. You mentioned your gold legs. What made you decide to paint them gold?
LW: “Well, I love gold and I was trying to figure out how I was going to make these prosthetics mine. Honestly I love them — they’re my jewelry piece. They’re so cool.”
“It’s funny, I often forget, like I’ll have them and sometimes people are staring and I’m like, ‘What are they looking at?’ I’m actually going to get them chrome-dipped gold soon. And I just got my high-heeled feet, as well. So I’m going to start being able to wear heels again, which will be sick, some gold legs with heels. It’s going to be a game changer.”
Has your experience changed your sense of style? How would you describe your style?
LW: “I’m an athlete first and foremost. So I’ve always been that sneakers, kick-back vibe kind of girl anyway. But yeah, I think that my experiences have kind of made me more tomboyish. But now that I’m getting to have the heels back, I think that’s going to bring more femininity to the game. I’m excited about that.”
It’ll look great. What fashion brands are you loving right now?
LW: “I just did [Savage X] Fenty, which was amazing.”
What was it like to work with Rihanna?
LW: “It was literally a dream. Like I just remember walking on the set and just being blown away by even the set-up, let alone like the environment, the lights, the dancers, the vibe. The energy from the whole room—”
LW: “Even the run-through was so crazy. Sadly, I didn’t get to meet her, but I saw her at the rehearsal for the finale. I was standing there next to Bella [Hadid] and then all of a sudden the lights went off and she walked through and immediately, I was in shock, I literally just stood there. She’s the most perfect, beautiful human I’ve ever seen. I was just like, ‘Wow. I can’t even believe this.’ It was unreal.”
“And she’s so cool. She just seems like such a good person and I really love that about her. I love that she’s using her platform for good, which is why I love Origins so much too, people and brands that are using their platforms to bring good to this industry — an industry that’s been one-sided for so long — and break down those barriers and those taboos and say, ‘Hey, it’s not cool anymore to not make a difference.'”
Speaking of Origins, how did you get involved with this campaign?
LW: “I love the fact that they’re natural. I’m very minimal and I love the moisturizer because I work out so much, I usually have to reapply, so the [fact that it stays on for] 72 hours is pretty amazing. And also the fact that they’re giving back to the environment and planting trees with the 72 Hour Challenge: 72 hours, 72,000 trees. Just the fact that they’re actually doing something is why I’m so excited to [partner with] this brand.”
It’s frustrating that so many massive brands don’t use their platforms to promote worthy causes, it’s more just to promote —
LW: “Themselves.”
Right, and with so many causes that need —
LW: “Attention. But it’s great that big brands like Fenty and Origins, are getting with it and saying like, ‘Look, this is so boring.’ You know? This is so plain, this is not what I want women to feel. I want to make women feel beautiful because they are beautiful. I think that’s really such an important message.”
A post shared by Lauren Wasser (@theimpossiblemuse) on Jul 25, 2019 at 12:48pm PDT
When it comes to balancing everything, how do you find a little bit of calm in the midst of your chaotic schedule?
LW: “I love taking breaks from social — I think that’s really important. Everyone should give themselves a break and allow themselves to be in the moment and be around the people that they love.”
“It’s easy to forget that we need to be connected — really, truly connected. That means getting off your phone. Running really helped me because it’s just me, myself and my thoughts and it allowed me to process things on my own. That’s been key for me.”
What advice do you have for young women facing similar circumstances?
LW: “I would just say to believe in yourself. You know? I think believing in yourself and having faith that it’s not the end is super important. The hardest moments of our lives are preparing us for better ones to come. Just realizing that this moment won’t last forever and that there will be others. I think for me, it was always just literally surviving in the moment, getting through that single day. Had I given up in those moments, I definitely wouldn’t be in this position. We all want to give up on so many different things every day. I mean, sure, it could be the smallest thing possible or the biggest challenge ahead, but it’s just about how you approach it, how you deal with it and how you don’t let it define you.”
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We can't be the only ones who saw Solange on the cover of When I Get Home and thought, I want her hair. The soft waves falling down her back ignited our celebrity hair envy, and it wasn't the first time. For years, we've lusted after all kinds of styles, from floor-grazing braids to mid-length lobs. But recently, we realized it's easy to get all the looks we love IRL, because the celebrity secret to amazing hair — which is not so secret, really — is weave. We're talking bundles and bundles of extensions.
Whether it's clip-in bangs or a full lace-front wig, celebrities aren't the ones going to the beauty supply store to buy hair. No, their trusted stylists do it for them. Lucky for us, those pros — including Kendall Dorsey, the man behind the hairstyles in Solange's visual album — told us exactly where they go to buy the best hair in the game.
Ready to do some shopping? Click ahead for the pros' favorite places to shop wigs and hair extensions.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.The pro:Kendall Dorsey
"I use wigs and extensions on a lot of my clients, especially my celebrities that like to change their look up often," Dorsey tells Refinery29. His favorite: True Indian Hair. "Because it's 100% virgin hair, it can be chemically treated and styled just as you would clients' real hair. It's my go-to in every situation."The pro:Takisha Sturdivant-Drew
Finding a wig that looks natural isn't as easy as you'd think, especially when it curly and coily hair textures are involved. That's why Sturdivant-Drew created TSD Hair. Okay, her favorite hair brand may be her own, but it's legit. Not only is it 100% human hair — that means zero shedding — but it's soft as hell, manageable, and lasts forever (you can reuse it for up to two years with proper care).The pro:Chris Appleton
Appleton has been a long-time fan of Glam Seamless' quality of hair and color selection, and he recently became the artistic director and stylist for the brand. In other words, you can expect him to use this hair on his clients a lot.The pro:Larry Sims
Whenever Sims is in search of hair for custom wig pieces and extensions, he goes to one place: His & Her — and we get why. The brand sources high-quality hair from dozens of companies. So you can get everything you need for an install, including lace fronts, human-hair ponytails, and even the bonding glue you need to make your own wig at home.The pro:Yusef Williams
Like Dorsey, Williams goes to True Indian Hair when he needs reliable, quality hair and supplies. In case hair sourcing is something you're especially concerned about, TIH has you covered with hair that's from donors in East India and Brazil.The pro:Violet Teriti
The client(s): Jasmine Tookes, Kylie Jenner, Ashley Benson
Naturally, Teriti is a fan of her own line of extensions that utilizes virgin human hair. Bias aside, the collection offers every kind of extension a client could dream of, including tape- and clip-ins, keratin bonds, and even wigs. "We carry 14-inch to 32-inch hair in straight, wavy, and deep wavy textures," Teriti tells us. She adds that her hair can be lifted up to seven shades, meaning you can get as close to platinum blonde as possible without any sign of damage. The pro:Josué Perez
"I never want to let the amount of natural hair my clients have determine what we can or cannot do," says Perez. He adds that the multi-dimensional colors of the Beyond Extensions help him match his clients' natural hair perfectly. "It creates a beautiful highlight and lowlight effect that looks great on camera and the red carpet," he explains, noting that the silicone-tipped clip-ins make it easy for his clients to hit their mark in front of those red-carpet wind machines without an ounce of anxiety.
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We learned back in June that iTunes as we know it would soon be but a distant memory. And yesterday, iTunes officially met its end with the public launch of macOS Catalina, Mac’s latest software.
The new software brings with it a ton of impressive features across the board — and the biggest win? Continuity across devices. Now, the Music, Podcasts, and TV apps appear the same way they already do on your iPhone, and we also now have Find My and Screen Time on Mac as well. Plus, this software has more robust accessibility features than ever. Ahead, the lowdown on all things Catalina.
Music, Podcasts & TV
Oh, iTunes. As a lone surviving vestige of Apple’s early aughts glory days, you did us well with your a la carte music offerings. (TBT to those iTunes colorful psychedelic visualizers that I used to spend hours watching. Who else remembers?) But in the age of streaming, you needed to catch up — and thusly, you have been replaced by three separate apps: Music, Podcasts, and TV.
Music looks nearly identical to Apple Music on iOS — with a Browse tab comprised of Daily Top 100s from over 100 countries, music organized by mood, and tons of Apple-curated playlists full of music you can stream and/or download. Of course, for iTunes loyalists not ready to part with Apple’s OG music platform, you can still enable the iTunes Store by going to Music > Preferences > Show iTunes Store. Here, you can buy a la carte songs the old-fashioned way.
Podcasts works the same way — instead of living in the iTunes Store like it used to, it’s a standalone app that mirrors the iOS one, with over 700,000 shows available to be streamed and/or downloaded. The most impressive feature is its new search capability, which searches through episode transcriptions. Which means you can simply type “Amy Schumer” into the search bar and automatically see not only every podcast episode she’s been a guest on, but also every episode where her name has been uttered. (Super handy for when you’re looking for a podcast but you can’t recall its name.)
And then there’s TV. The redesigned Apple TV app has finally made it to Mac. With over 150 video apps and streaming services on the platform and a streamlined interface that makes it really easy to discover new content, it’s an ideal home base for when you either don’t know what to watch or have too much to keep track of on your queue. There’s also a designated kids tab that lets kids and parents choose content to watch by character (it’s honestly adorable) or age range — though, unlike the general content on the TV app, the kids content is not personalized.
And then there’s Apple TV channels, Apple’s new a la carte-style subscription aggregating service that lets users select third-party channels like Showtime, Starz, HBO, CBS All Access, Bravo, and more without having to sign up for more expensive bundle deals (and even more excitingly, without having to use multiple log-in credentials, since you can just use your Apple ID for all of it). There’s also Apple TV+, Apple’s forthcoming original content service coming out November 1, which you can also access on the TV app. And my favorite part: You can download any of the Apple TV channels and Apple TV+ content for offline viewing. So instead of having to rely on the subpar entertainment options that the airline offers next time you fly, you can just binge Succession over and over again. Basically, if you don’t have an IRL Apple TV, now you have one on your computer with the TV app.
And in other entertainment news: Apple Arcade has finally arrived in the App Store for $4.99 per month (which supports up to six users via Family Sharing), with over 100 new games that you can also access on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
Accessibility
The most important part of Catalina is the new Voice Control, which gives users the ability to access anything onscreen without physically clicking. Once you enable it, if you’re shopping online and want to click on particular products, all you have to do is tell your computer to “show numbers,” which will then put a numbered flag on anything that’s clickable on the webpage. From here, you can direct it to a particular number in order to get a closer look at the product page.
And if there isn’t anything clickable on your screen, you can tell Voice Control to overlay a numbered grid on your display, and then to zoom in on certain numbers to look more closely at different places on the screen (for instance, if you’re looking at Maps). You can also use Voice Control to transcribe and edit text. To enable Voice Control, go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Voice Control.
Sidecar
If you like using an extra display at your desk (as is the case for most people at my office), listen up — you’ll probably want to use Sidecar, stat. It’s a new feature of Catalina that lets you use your iPad as a second display for your Mac — so you can use it for additional space, whether you want to look at two apps at the same time or you want more room to draw with your Apple Pencil. You can also use it as a mirrored desktop, if, for example, you’re delivering a presentation. To enable it, go to System Preferences > Sidecar, and then choose the device you’d like to connect to.
How To Download
Software updates now live in System Preferences, so if you go to System Preferences > Software Updates, you can get Catalina there. Or, if you opt for automatic updates on your Mac (which you can enable in this same place), your computer should update on its own.
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If you, like me, awoke this morning to find your Instagram feed ensconced in shadow, welcome to the new Instagram Dark Mode. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri tweeted last night that the new display theme is now available on Instagram if you have iOS 13 or Android 10, and to use it, all you have to do is enable dark mode on your phone.
Dark mode is new to iOS 13, iPhone’s latest software, and I’m kind of obsessed with it. It’s much easier on my eyes than its white background predecessor, and it just makes my phone look sleeker. To enable it on your iPhone (if you’ve updated to iOS 13), go to Settings > Display & Brightness and select Dark instead of Light in the Appearance menu. Once you turn this on, your Instagram feed will automatically take on a black background instead of a white one.
And to get dark mode on Android (if you have Android 10), go to Settings > Display > Advanced and then choose Dark in the device theme menu. It’s worth noting, though, that you can’t use dark mode on your iPhone or Android and then opt out of dark mode on Instagram — it’s a package deal. So if you don’t like the way dark mode looks on Instagram, you’ll have to do without it on the rest of your phone.
Instagram joins several other apps on the dark mode train — including Twitter, Facebook Messenger, and YouTube. And IG dark mode’s reception on Twitter has been pretty positive — with tons of users commenting on its sleek look. That is, except for those of us with white borders on their grid photos. Those people might have some editing to do.
Welcome to Hype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star & up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.
Weighted blankets are designed for everything from simulating a hug to reducing stress and improving sleep — but, as an anxiety-management solution, they aren't for everyone. At most, the heavy good can serve as a mechanism that provides feelings of support and calm by replicating deep pressure touch; At least, it can be used as an extra snuggly couch coverup or bed throw. Ahead, we've rounded up the top-reviewed weighted blankets on the market according to customers who are soothed by them IRL — from handwoven velvety knits to glass bead-filled quilted styles and more.
If you are experiencing anxiety and are in need of crisis support, please call the Crisis Call Center’s 24-hour hotline at 1-775-784-8090.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Organic cooling cotton and a premium glass-bead filling come together in this weighted style that currently ranks as a #1 Best Seller on Amazon — designed in the U.S., this breathable blanket can be ordered in five all the way up to to 25 lbs of weight.
The hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 2,225 reviews on Amazon
What they're saying: "After reading other reviews on weighted blankets, I decided to go with Luna. (I have bought two now, one as a gift.) I love that the material is organic cotton, and the beads are not made of plastic. The material is cotton so it is light but strong. I have used this blanket for 3 or so months now. Having battled insomnia, restless legs, joint pain, and muscle pain, I had read that a weighted blanket could help. Honestly, I hardly have sleepless nights now. The blanket isn't too heavy but just heavy enough. Now, usually within a half-hour of winding down, I am asleep! The blanket is sturdy and holding up well. Totally worth the money." – Sunshine, Amazon reviewer
LUNA Weighted Blanket, 15 lbs, 60x80, $, available at Amazon
This beautiful napper is handwoven in a chunky, layered weave of silky velvet and comes with customizable weights of 15, 20, or 25 lbs.
The hype: 5 out of 5 stars and 142 reviews on Bearaby
What they're saying: "Perfect for cooler sleeping! I really like weighted blankets but get very easily hot under them. This knitted style has worked perfectly at night, with a flat sheet under it. I am sleeping much more soundly now, compared to a light blanket." – Melissa B, Bearaby reviewer
A #1 Best Seller on Amazon, YnM's weighted blanket is crafted from a 100%-cotton cover that's filled with hypoallergenic and non-toxic glass beads. The available weights range from the lightest at five lbs. all the way up to the heaviest at 25 lbs.
The hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars and 4,268 reviews on Amazon
What they're saying: "Best blanket I've ever owned! I’d read the great reviews for this and was hopeful it would help increase sleep time and comfort, and wow! Before I received this weighted blanket, according to my Fitbit, I was averaging about 4.5 hours of sleep per night due to pain. My first night with this blanket and I slept over 7 hours!! Same for my second night. This is so comfortable and comforting. I’m recommending this to everyone I know!" – Jamie Eubanks, Amazon reviewer
YnM Weighted Blanket, 20 lbs, 48''x72'', $, available at Amazon
Crafted from a 100%-cotton cover with a glass-bead filling cushioned on either side by layered padding, this premium-grade blanket offers 20 lbs. of weighted comfort.
The hype: 5 out of 5 stars and 24 reviews on Walmart
What they're saying: "This blanket is fantastic! For someone who struggles with anxiety, this blanket is like a giant hug that instantly calms my body. It's also nice that it is big enough to cover my entire body. The quality of the blanket is great as well and I love that it is machine washable!" – Alvin, Walmart reviewer
Comforday Weighted Blanket, 60"x80", 20 lbs, $, available at Walmart
Layla's weighted blanket combines a 300 thread-count 100%-cotton cover, soft fleecy top layer, and padded glass-bead filling with all-encompassing sizing options that run from twin to queen and king.
The hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 212 reviews on Layla Sleep
What they're saying: "A weight off my mind!🤓 I love, love, love my new weighted blanket! The first night I slipped under it, I felt the day’s problems lift from my mind. I immediately felt relaxed and secure. I’ve been sleeping very soundly and wake up feeling relaxed. I love it so much, I bought a twin size to keep on the couch so I can use it when I watch TV or read. This is a great invention and this particular blanket is very well made. The soft side is SO soft. I’m very happy with it." – Bonnie S, Layla Sleep reviewer
212 review(s), Layla Sleep Weighted Blanket, $, available at Layla Sleep
Available in six weights ranging from five to 25 lbs., this top-rated cotton blanket is filled with glass beads that are sewn into individual pockets padded with a soft microfiber fill.
The hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 266 reviews on Wayfair
What they're saying: "I don't know why I waited so long to get a weighted blanket. I love this! It has definitely helped with my sleep. I am a believer in using these to get a better night's rest. Good Quality and easy to care for." – Megan, Wayfair reviewer
Alcott Hill Zackery Weighted Cotton Throw, $, available at Wayfair
This eco-friendly, soft-cotton style is double quilted and filled with lead-free glass beads. — the Amazon's Choice buy is available in 12 to 15 and 20 lb. weights.
The hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 133 reviews on Amazon
What they're saying: "This is an outstanding quality weighted blanket. I did TONS of research before settling on this one. I found out who the owner of the company is and was impressed with her company mission and production process. Initially, I only wanted a blanket but got to support an amazing company as well. Win-win. FYI: There are multiple features that make this blanket superior. The blanket can be washed! The glass filling is evenly distributed and silent. The weight doesn’t shift at all. The material is the same as organic. The material breathes and I don’t get hot." – KC Garneau, Amazon reviewer
baloo Weighted Blanket, 15 lbs, 60x80 inches, $, available at Amazon
This under-$50, glass bead-filled style boasts a box-quilt design and 12 lbs. of comforting DTP (Deep Touch Pressure) meant to simulate 8% to 12% body weight.
The hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 1,166 reviews on Target
What they're saying: "I can't believe I waited so long to buy this! Wonderfully affordable alternative to other (very expensive) weighted blankets out there. I've been them all for a while, but I was worried about them being too heavy (I'm ~155 - 160) or too hot (I live in a HOT humid city on the Gulf Coast). Not the case! The 15lb blanket is a perfect soothing, but not restricting weight. According to my sleep tracker app, I've been falling asleep much faster! And despite the August heat, I've been comfortable under the blanket all night." – Sarah T, Target reviewer
Tranquility 12lbs Weighted Throw Blanket, $, available at Target
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