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      25 Pieces of Breathable Workout Gear Because We Can’t With This Heat

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      Whether you’re generally an outdoor workout person or not, the past few months have probably forced you to be one. Gone are the days of freezing-cold gyms and cool towels being placed on our foreheads by a yoga instructor after a brutal yoga class—these days, our exercise options are limited, and usually, that means taking them outside.Lately in Chicago, it’s been 90-something degrees every day (with a typically high dose of humidity), which means we’re sweating through everything on our bodies quicker than we can complain about it being hot out. Thick leggings and workout tanks are no longer an option—we want our workouts to be as enjoyable as possible, and that means wearing lightweight, breathable clothes.
      Ditch the days of finishing your workout with dripping wet clothes stuck to your body—these pieces are made for the heat.

        More

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      The Simple Summer Fashion Staple You Didn’t Know You Needed

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      I was mindlessly clicking through Instagram stories a couple of months ago, when suddenly one slide got my attention. I clicked backwards to watch it again and turn my sound on (a true honor, if you ask me). A small fashion blogger that I follow was talking about the shirt she was wearing. It was everything you could ask for in a top: fitted but flattering, comfy but stylish, and most importantly, it was $8! Needless to say, I ordered two right away—and my obsession with this wardrobe staple was born. Allow me to introduce you to the perfect basic for summer 2020: the fitted ribbed tank. Not only is it my most-worn (by far) item of the season, I’m seeing them popping up everywhere from Instagram to Pinterest—and the ladies wearing them are always looking chic as hell. While it might seem like an obvious choice, trust me, the right basic tank is truly an outfit game-changer. 
      If you want to look chic while staying home and staying comfy this summer, this option is perfect. Dress it up with trendy jeans or denim shorts, or keep it casual with sweat shorts or leggings. A basic like this is so versatile, you’ll need one in every color.
      Here are a few of our absolute favorite ribbed tanks (that you’ll want to add to your cart immediately):

      Slim Fit Tank Top

      This is the tank that started it all. I have three, and I need many more. The cut is extremely flattering, and the material is comfortable and super high-quality. It comes in 10 colors and is only $8!

      View this post on Instagram

      …hello?
      A post shared by ✿ Erica ✿ (@nrdy.grl) on Jun 25, 2020 at 3:18pm PDT

      What is your favorite wardrobe staple this summer? Share it with us in the comments! More

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      5 Easy Outfit Formulas to Try This Week

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      Getting into a style rut is easy—and it’s even easier when we’re used to having worn the same loungewear for the past four months straight.When you’re getting dressed for, you know, your daily walk or time spent on your balcony, the easiest way to not get overwhelmed—and to avoid the ‘I have nothing to wear!’ conundrum—is to think of outfits as formulas. They can be as simple as jeans + T-shirt + sneakers, but thinking of your pieces as individual items that can work together rather than attempting to process the entirety of your closet at once can make getting dressed as easy as 1 + 1 = 2. 
      These are some of the tried-and-true formulas we’re following at the moment—and none of them have failed us yet. 

      1. One-shoulder tank + high-rise jean shorts + cat-eye sunglasses + sneakers

      shorts / tank / shoes / sunglasses

      2. Linen dress + slide sandals + straw bag

      dress / shoes / sunglasses / bag

      3. Red dress + pink sandals + acrylic sunglasses

      dress / sandals / sunglasses

      4. Linen jumpsuit + espadrilles + rattan bag

      jumpsuit / espadrilles / bag / sunglasses

      5. Denim romper + sneakers + shoulder bag

      jumpsuit / sneakers / bag / sunglasses More

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      I Bought 11 Products From This Skincare Brand—Here Are the 5 I Actually Use

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      I’m an all-or-nothing kind of gal.Why drink two glasses of wine when you can drink the whole bottle? Why order a four-piece chicken nugget meal when you can get six more for just an additional two bucks? Why give 50 percent when you can give 100? I’m either as dehydrated as a dry sponge, or I am carrying 10 pounds in water weight, peeing pristinely clear urine every 16 minutes, hydrated as hell. There is no in-between. Others (i.e., my mom and my lovely therapist) may suggest that I need to seek some consistency. To that, I say: go big or go home, baby.
      So when I woke up hungover on a Sunday morning and had a fuzzy flashback to ordering $102.81 of products from The Ordinary on Ulta.com, I wasn’t the least bit surprised. I had already owned their Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum (if you know it, you love it) and knew that, at some point, I’d cave and expand my collection to fit my skincare needs. After reviewing the receipt of my adventurous late-night purchase, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my $100 purchase scored me 11 products (most of the products in their line are under $10, which is music to my ears), and I simply couldn’t decide on any products worth canceling. Naturally, at that time, I was motivated to finally have a comprehensive skincare routine outside of my traditional five go-to products which included a micellar cleanser, witch hazel toner, vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid, and moisturizer. 
      While I have the occasional need to blot my face by the end of the day, I’ve noticed that, over the past few years, my skin has mainly been dry and dull. So, in addition to staying nice and hydrated (or at least trying to), I always reach for products that will help hydrate my skin and leave me feeling restored and radiant. I find that when I put my skincare energy into moisturizing, I tend to have less breakouts.
      Name a better feeling than forgetting you ordered a package and being surprised by it a week later… I’ll wait. When my package arrived I was, again, stunned at how many products $100 allotted me. I purchased the AHA/BHA Peeling Solution, the Niacinamide + Zinc, Glycolic Acid Toning Solution, “Buffet” Serum, Moisturizer, Caffeine Solution, Rosehip Seed Oil, Alpha Arbutin Serum, Salicylic Acid Masque, Vitamin C Suspension, and Lactic Acid Serum.  I pulled out each of the 11 products, reoriented myself on how/when to use them, and got to work. 
      A month has passed since my tipsy skincare purchase and to no one’s surprise, I gravitate to some of the products more than I do others. Do I hate any of them? Absolutely not. Let’s just call it “playing favorites.” Note: I’ve heard the squalane cleanser is incredible, but unfortunately, it was sold out at the time of my purchase. Additionally, I already have their hyaluronic acid serum and use it daily!
      Out of the 11 products that I ordered, these are the five I actually use:

      The Ordinary
      AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

      I heard SO many great things about this at-home chemical peel before buying, and I must say… I was not disappointed. I use it once a week in the evening after cleansing, let it sit for 10 minutes, rinse off, and continue with the rest of my skincare routine. This product targets irregularities, exfoliates my pores, fights signs of aging, leaves my skin glowy as hell, and makes my skin the perfect canvas for makeup. It’s the cheapest at-home chemical peel on the market, works impressively well, and is by far my favorite product in the entire line. I only use this peeling solution once a week as recommended (part of the reason why I don’t dread Mondays so much anymore), but when I do, I feel like I can do anything. Finally address the 56 unread emails in my mailbox? Done. Taxes? No problem. Conquer the world? Absolutely.

      The Ordinary
      Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

      After I cleanse/use the occasional chemical peel, I reach for my toner. The second I used this toner is the same second I decided that I’ll never to back to using a scented witch hazel as a toner ever again (please don’t tell my dermatologist that I even used that, please and thank you). I use this morning and night after cleansing to restore my skin’s pH, and it leaves me feeling moisturized even before I go in with serums/moisturizers. Pulling out my foam finger for this one because I am a TRUE FAN.

      The Ordinary
      Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

      After using toner, I go in with my serums. I’m happy to report that this Niacinamide+Zinc Serum has secured a forever spot in my routine. This little guy is great for balancing sebum activity, reducing facial congestion, and helping to brighten my complexion. Since I started using this morning and night, I’ve noticed that my skin texture is much more even and I break out less. Boom and boom.

      The Ordinary
      Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

      Are her eyes chronically puffy due to her affinity for crying, lack of sleep, or the fact that she had salt with a side of fries last night? We’ll never know. I’ve always struggled with under eye bags in the AM, and this is the first serum I’ve used that actually provides results in minutes. After I use my serums in the morning, I massage a small amount of this solution into my eye contour. It’s nice and gentle and helps my under eyes to appear tighter and more moisturized which results in me using less concealer come makeup time. So when I eat an entire large fry, cry over the series finale of “The Office” for the eleventh time, and stay up too late watching TikToks, no one will suspect a thing.

      The Ordinary
      Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

      My skin is like my humor: dry AF. And though I don’t see a need to switch up my personality (not today, anyways), dry skin is just not something I strive for. Luckily, this moisturizer has my back and keeps me feeling/appearing well-hydrated without being greasy, which makes me oh, so happy. I use this bad boy last to lock all of my products in and to help restore my skin’s barrier. It’s like the perfect mic drop at the end of my skincare routine and I am absolutely in love with it.

      What are your favorite products from The Ordinary?!  More

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      The Best Affordable Home Decor at Target

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      If I were to honestly pick a single place to forever spend the rest of my days, it would be a Target store—no questions asked. It’s got what I want. It’s got what I need. As my eyes travel around this big-box retail haven, I know I’m home. From lounging on its lush mid-century modern accent chairs to piling up my cart with all of the Hearth & Hand™ dinnerware and candles, Target is essentially a meditative retreat for this home decor-obsessed gal.
      Given the amount of time we have spent at home over the past several months, many of us have gone through the same thought process of what it would be like to upgrade our abodes’ aesthetics without having to splurge on thousands of dollars worth of total revamping. If staring at the same decades-old ornamental vase has become tiresome for you, too, perhaps it’s finally time to add some new eye candy to your living room, kitchen, bedroom, and more, without having to break the bank. 
      If you’re ready to up your home decor game, scroll through our favorite Target finds that you’ll want to add to your cart immediately to give your home that budget-friendly sprucing it deserves.

      Lamps

      Rugs

      Furniture More

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      6 Versatile Ways to Wear Your Bike Shorts

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      Just about two years ago, I remember seeing my first photo of bike shorts as a fashion statement, just as vividly as if it were yesterday. I was innocently scrolling through Instagram, when an article popped up featuring none other than Hailey Baldwin (now Bieber), all about the genius new fashion trend the was wearing: a blazer with bike shorts. I was appalled by the mere audacity of someone wearing such a thing, but getting praised for it? I was beside myself.Fast forward to this very moment, as I am wearing a pair as I write this very article. After two years of watching everyone and their mother try their hand at an original take on the trend nobody could get away from, I was finally ready. And you know what? Now I can’t live without them. Despite what my innocent self hoped for two years ago, they’re here to stay—so if you haven’t hopped on the bandwagon, I’m here to tell you that now is the time.
      If bike shorts are one thing, they’re versatile. It’s been proven time and time again that they can be dressed up for a night out or just worn on your run, or hell, even the bike ride they were made for. Feeling stumped on styling them? Try one of these six formulas:

      1. With an oversized graphic tee + sneakers

      bike shorts / tee / sneakers / sunglasses

      2. With a bright, oversized blazer + crop top

      blazer / crop top / sandals / bag / bike shorts

      3. With a white tee + denim jacket

      tee / sneakers / denim jacket / sunglasses / bike shorts

      4. With all black

      hoodie / sneakers / sunglasses / bike shorts

      5. As a matching set with + a baseball cap

      bike shorts / top / sneakers / hat

      6. With a halter top + fun sandals

      top / bike shorts / sandals / bag / sunglasses

      More bike shorts we love

        More

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      8 Black Influencers Share Their Favorite Summer Beauty Products

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      You know those people you follow on Instagram, but you don’t just follow them. You watch all of their stories; you like, comment, and share all of their pictures; you study their favorite products and buy basically all of their recommendations. The algorithm is good to you, showing you their pictures first. As a beauty lover, I feel this way about a lot of influencers, but as I’ve diversified my feed and followed more Black makeup artists, influencers, and bloggers, it’s happening pretty dang often, y’all. As much as having a diverse feed as important, it’s also good to have an arsenal of products that work for all skin tones, types, and preferences. Obviously, the first place I’m looking is the favorites of those same influencers I’ve grown to love (er, be obsessed with). 
      So whether you’re just looking for some good products (I’m about to place at least 10 orders) or searching for brands and products that specifically cater to those with dark or deep skin tones, you’ve come to the right place.

      Source: @enigivensunday

      Beauty Bakerie
      Face Flour Baking Powder

      When it comes to setting powders, it’s still difficult to find one that’s lightweight enough not to give you a cakey look, but effective enough to lock your makeup in place. Beauty Bakerie has nailed it with their setting powder, which does an excellent job of blurring my skin without weighing my makeup down.

      Pat McGrath Lab
      Sublime Perfection Foundation

      I thought I had seen all there is to “holy grail” foundations before this one from Pat McGrath launched, but I was wrong. The finish of this foundation gives such an effortless and skin-like look that looks superb in photographs and feels super lightweight on skin.

      Full-On™: Plumping Lip Cream Gloss in “White Russian”

      My all-time favorite nude lipgloss, which says a lot because lip gloss is a product that I do not play around with. I’ve been using this lip gloss for years, and every time I use it, my lips look fuller and smoother. Chances are if you see me with nude lip gloss on, it’s this one!

      Source: @tyra_fisher

      Cloud Paint

      Glossier’s Cloud Paint in shade “Dusk” is my go-to for a natural, dewy look. A little goes a long way, and it is one of my new favorites!

      Fenty Beauty
      Match Stix Trio

      Fenty Beauty’s Match Sticks are so good for a quick glam look. I have the trio in shade tan 300, and they are always in my purse and are so easy to apply.

      AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

      Cerave is my go-to for skincare—I’ve been using their products since high school, and my skin has been loving it ever since. The daily lightweight moisturizer with SPF keeps my combination skin hydrated and protected, 10/10 recommend!

      Source: @neonmua

      Laura Mercier
      Translucent Loose Setting Powder in “Translucent Medium Deep”

      A lot of Black artists and makeup wearers will tell you that our biggest fear is to look dead or ashy, and that can happen when we wear certain “translucent” powders that are too light for us (or are straight-up white). The Laura Marcier powder does a great job of melting into the skin while also preserving the color of the products under it, giving those of us with deeper complexions that healthy color we want and need.

      Fenty Beauty
      Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation

      I think it’s safe to say that Fenty Beauty changed the makeup industry for the better. Upon its initial launch, it was unheard of for a brand to release 40-50 foundation shades that catered to people of all shades and undertones. Now it’s the new norm, and Rihanna has helped to not only change the way we see makeup as a whole, but also help give us a space to feel accepted and beautiful no matter our complexion. That Rihanna region just won’t let up.
      Oily skin? Darius loves her matte foundation too!

      Pat McGrath Labs
      Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette – Bronze Seduction

      I know the price point of PMG is off-putting at first, but it’s so worth it. As a makeup artist herself, Pat McGrath understands how important it is for eyeshadows to be rich and pigmented enough to work on even the deepest of skin tones. I love all of the Mothership palettes, but Bronze Seduction is a personal favorite of mine because it has a lot of easy-to-use neutral shades, but also introduces some blinding and breathtaking metallics, shimmers, and duochromes.

      Source: thebeverlyadams

      The Lip Bar
      Fast Face Kit

      Lately, my go-to has been The Lip Bar’s Fast Face Kits. I love them because they are no-fuss, and I don’t have to think about what products to use to make myself feel pulled together for Zoom meetings throughout the day.

      5. Jenee (@highlowluxxe on Instagram and YouTube)

      Source: @highlowluxxe

      Anastasia Beverly Hills
      Jackie Aina Palette

      I can use every shade in this palette (which typically doesn’t happen for someone with my complexion), and I love the shade options. You can go bold or understated!

      Source: @marfarlane

      Multi-Use Skincare Oil

      When it comes to having a smooth and even skin tone, my favorite go-to is using Bio-Oil from Ulta Beauty. This has done wonders for the skin and has really helped to clear up the hyperpigmentation on parts of my skin.

      Vanity Planet
      Ultimate Skin Spa Facial Cleansing System

      I’ve been using this spin brush for about three months now, and I don’t know how I ever lived without it before! This spin brush is perfect because it’s really helped get out all the extra gunk out of my face when I’m doing my daily face cleansing routine.

      Source: @astoldbymika

      Skin Silk Loose Setting Powder

      I can be a bit of a snob when it comes to loose powder, but Mented’s Skin Silk Powder never disappoints. It instantly blurs my skin, making it look flawless. 404 error: no pores found.

      Source: @minnieknows

      Urban Decay
      All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

      No makeup is complete without using a setting spray. My go-to one is the All-Nighter Setting Spray by Urban Decay. I love that you don’t even notice it because it sets the makeup so effortlessly. It’s not sticky like other sprays I’ve used in the past. And the best thing about it? It comes in a mini version. So even while traveling, I never have to go without my favorite setting spray. An absolute must-have, gals!

      Fenty Beauty
      Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

      The Pro Filt’r Matte Foundation is my all-time favorite foundation. Apart from Fenty Beauty being super inclusive, meaning I finally found a makeup brand (thanks Riri) that has my exact shade, this products delivers what it promises. From the dreamy coverage despite being lightweight to the longevity, this foundation truly is an A+!

      Fenty Beauty
      Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter

      Along the lines of best beauty brand ever, I added the Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter Duo to my Fenty Beauty product collection. What can I say, I couldn’t resist. With its creamy texture and metallic finish, [this is] an all-rounder I use daily. More

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      My Top 10: Corey Rae Shares Her Must-Have Beauty and Fashion Picks

      by

      Who doesn’t open the medicine cabinet of every persons’ bathroom they go into? We can’t be the only ones who absolutely love to know what beauty, fashion, and wellness products other people are using. (Don’t even get us started on peeking behind a closet door to see neatly-lined rows of denim, dresses, and shoes.) Some call it being nosy, but we call it being ~inquisitive~. Luckily, we don’t have to pretend to be drying our hands for an extra five minutes any longer, because our favorite influencers are sharing their top 10 products right here, without all the snooping. We asked them everything they love, from the best moisturizer for their skin type to their favorite pair of black leggings to the wellness essentials they use daily.

      One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer

      This hair tool has been a recent savior of mine! Not only has it cut my blow-dry time in half, but my hair is softer, I don’t have any breakage, and it’s sooooo easy to use! It’s perfect for voluminous straight hair or smooth beach waves. Very thankful for this product!

      Hair Oil

      This hair oil is my go-to! I typically use it after I blow out my hair to lock in a smooth finish and fight frizz. Even on days when I don’t do my hair, I apply this oil to wet hair to ensure a shiny, natural, air-dried beachy wave look. It smells AMAZING, and I believe this product is vegan and cruelty-free, as well as paraben- and phthalate-free!

      Watermelon Energizing Aqua Balm

      I’m obsessed with the smell of this product; I could smell it all day long! This is something I actually look forward to using on my skin. It’s lightweight, so I use it day and night on top of serums to lock in and amplify moisture. It’s natural, vegan, and cruelty-free!

      Bite Beauty
      Agave+ Daytime Vegan Lip Balm

      [This] is my absolute favorite lip balm. It’s clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and smells (and tastes) incredible! Soft, plump, pouty lips are an absolute must for me, and this keeps my lips soft for hours. I always have this on me!

      HAUS LABORATORIES By Lady Gaga
      Le Riot Lip Gloss in “Ethereal”

      This is a brand new favorite of mine. It leaves a gorgeous soft shine on your lips. Not only is Lady Gaga an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, but her entire line is vegan and cruelty-free, which is obviously very important to me!

      Pixi Beauty
      Large Lash Mascara

      The #1 question I’m always asked is what mascara I use. Recently, I’ve been using a combination of two incredible vegan and cruelty-free companies. I use one layer of Pixi Large Lash Mascara and one layer of Tarte Lash Paint Mascara.
      Pixi Large Lash Mascara is cruelty-free, vegan, and paraben- and fragrance-free! It has vitamin E to nourish the lashes, panthenol to strengthen, and bamboo extract to fortify, and helps retain moisture in the lashes. It’s perfect for separating, lengthening, and plumping my lashes without the clumps.

      Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara

      Tarte Lash Paint Mascara is vegan, cruelty-free, safe for contact lens wearers (which I am), and is perfect for making sure every lash is coated and separated. It’s made with natural wax that lengthens the lashes and ensures smooth application. It’s also made without parabens, mineral oils, phthalates, triclosan, gluten, and sodium lauryl sulfate!

      Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne

      It’s my signature scent! I’ve been wearing this for the past five years, and I’m as in love with it as I was the first time I smelled it. I usually layer it on top of the lotion to heighten the scent and make it last all day long.

      Alana High-Rise Cropped Skinny

      [These have] become my favorite pair of jeans I’ve ever owned. They are so comfortable and extremely flattering. Sustainability within the fashion industry is something I pay close attention to, and I love that. These are free of harmful chemicals, [and] the wash process utilizes 90 percent less water and reduces waste output to almost zero. Overall, J BRAND’s eco-friendly jeans minimize the negative impact on both the planet and the artisans who make our clothes.

      eddy+ 20oz Insulated Tritan Water Bottle

      I never go anywhere without this water bottle: errands, walks in the park, and even music festivals! I drink a minimum of 2L of water a day, and it helps me keep track of how much I’m drinking and keeps it at the perfect temperature. More