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    6 Outfit Formulas That Look Effortlessly Chic

    Sometimes, the very best outfits are the ones we didn’t plan; the ones we threw on before we left the house because we woke up late and didn’t have time to overthink it.More often than not, those looks are a combination of our most basic pieces, free from too much accessorizing or trying too hard to make it work. I rarely admit that less is more… but sometimes, it really is.
    When in doubt, minimal, chic combinations of the basics in your wardrobe can end up looking better than you’d imagine. Basics don’t have to feel underwhelming if they’re done with a little bit of strategy and knowing what shapes and silhouettes look best together.. These are some of our all-time favorite basic outfit combinations, all of which are effortless in a way that will turn heads—and are anything but boring.

    sweater / jeans / coat
    This Meghan Markle-esque combo is simple in the best possible way: a tan sweater combined with a black coat creates a contrast in basics that feels classic and intentional. Paired with light-wash, straight jeans, it’s the perfect casual look for any day.

    button-up / blazer / jeans
    A white-button up and oversized-blazer combo creates a cool-girl vibe that’s effortless in the best possible way. Top it off with simple, gold jewelry and wear it anywhere from the office to a (virtual) happy hour.

    blouse / pants / coat
    A peasant top might not be a traditional “basic,” but we say that this ruffle-detailed, floral one should be. Paired with faux-leather trousers and a neutral coat, it’s the perfect way to style it without looking overdone. 

    turtleneck / jeans / booties
    Is there anything better than an all-black moment? When in a pinch, throw on sleek black pieces together, accessorize with gold jewelry, and top it off with any coat or jacket of your choosing—it’s a winner every time.

    leather jacket / T-shirt / jeans
    You’ve likely seen hundreds of paparazzi pictures of celebrities in this exact combo before, and for good reason: it’s foolproof, cool, and is impossible not to pull off.

    leather leggings / shirt jacket / sweater
    This season, shirt jackets have quickly made it to the top of our wardrobe staples. Paired with faux-leather leggings and a plain sweater, it’s the perfect cozy look that simultaneously looks put-together. More

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    The Everygirl’s 2020 Holiday Capsule Wardrobe

    While there are a million magical things about the holiday season, there’s nothing quite like finally getting to put on those festive outfits that you only get to wear a few times a year. The deep tones, luxe fabrics, and all-around vibes that they bring only come around one time a year—and we’re here to celebrate that, no matter what.Sure, your holiday season is going to be less going to Christmas markets and more lounging on the couch, but that doesn’t mean you should skip out on holiday dressing altogether. We say that you should be making the holiday season as normal as possible for yourself, and for many of us, that includes breaking out the items in our wardrobe that love to make an appearance come December.
    Whether your holidays will consist of your immediate family, socially-distanced family parties, or just figuring out how to celebrate on your own, our 2020 holiday capsule wardrobe has pieces for every and any occasion. Mix, match, and wear these together from now through January.

    ribbed turtleneckwhite button-upburgundy sweaterChristmas sweatshirtcable knit sweaterturtleneck bodysuitblazerbouclé dresssatin dressplaid pantscorduroy pantsleather joggerssherpa shirt jacketplaid jacketwool coatpom hatquilted bagcozy slippersshearling bootsblack bootiessuede heels

    How to Style Your Holiday Capsule Wardrobe

    1. For dinner with your parents

    burgundy sweater / black booties / plaid pants / wool coat

    2. For a night of driving to see Christmas lights

    turtleneck bodysuit / plaid jacket / corduroy pants / shearling boots / pom hat

    3. For a night of holiday movies

    Christmas sweatshirt / plaid pants / pom hat / cozy slippers

    4. For a holiday brunch

    black booties / wool coat / leather joggers / cable knit sweater

    5. For a formal dinner

    blazer / satin dress / quilted bag / suede heels

    6. For baking cookies with your siblings

    corduroy pants / shearling boots / turtleneck bodysuit / sherpa shirt jacket More

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    Too Much Spiked Eggnog? Here’s How to Treat Your Skin After a Hangover

    Everyone talks about the headaches, the nausea, the “water is the best-tasting liquid on Earth” feeling at 2 a.m., the DADs, and of course, the blinding light coming in from the windows. But we don’t talk about the ways a hangover botches your face nearly enough. Redness, puffiness, inflammation, breakouts, dryness—the morning after is not kind to our faces.I’m not suggesting we all drink to excess this holiday season, but I am saying that if it were to happen that one too many spiked eggnogs, hot cocoas with peppermint schnapps, or my personal favorite, Santa Claus-mopolitans, made their way into your hands during that office holiday Zoom party, I’ve got your back when your skin inevitably misbehaves the next day. Consider this the ultimate routine to follow after your big night out in 🙂 

    First of all, drink some water. Like a lot of water. 
    Guzzle down at least 32 oz of water—especially before you drink any coffee. We also highly suggest coffee. And ibuprofen. 

    Use an ice roller
    There’s a reason rolling cold spoons or ice rollers (or plain old ice cubes when you’re in a pinch—we’ve all done it) feels amazing: alcohol dilates your blood vessels, and a cold compress can help regulate that, reducing redness and depuffing skin. 
    If you can’t ice roll or want to take it to the next level, put your skin care products in the fridge. Think of it like taking your skincare on the rocks. 

    1. Oil-Cleanse
    Oil cleansers are magic. Not only do they lightly moisturize your skin in the first step of your routine, but they remove dirt, oil, and any extra makeup that could be leftover (because we all know we’re a little less than diligent about removing our makeup when we’ve had a glass too many). Make sure to emulsify the cleanser with water to remove everything easily.

    2. Second Cleanse
    When your skin is fragile, the first thing you should do is opt for a gentler cleanser. Some estheticians and dermatologists argue that your cleanser is the most important step in your routine; it’s what sets you up for success later in your regimen. When your skin is properly cleansed and not left feeling stripped or dry, you’re ready to get a little deeper. 

    3. Chemical Exfoliator
    A chemical exfoliator is a really great way to give your skin a boost, especially if you’re dreaming of glowing skin. You can try a toner, a mask, or a peel—as long as it has exfoliating acids like mandelic (the most gentle), glycolic, salicylic, lactic, and malic acid. Get rid of all those dead, alcohol-damaged skin cells to reveal skin that looks like before you ever took your first sip! 

    4. Clay Mask
    A good detoxifying mask not only helps heal and treat any breakouts that may have already started, but it’ll stop others in their tracks. Opt for something that won’t dry out your skin further, like these:

    5. Moisturizing Mask 
    Alcohol deprives the skin of water, so a lot of it usually leaves us pretty dehydrated (hence thinking “water is so good” every time you wake up hungover), and that includes our skin. My favorite way to get your skin ultra-hydrated is applying layers of moisturizing products; unless you’re really oily, it usually isn’t enough to slap on a moisturizer to make up for dehydrated skin. Rehydrating your skin will make it look bright, even, clear, and help to start healing any breakouts, redness, and dry patches—AKA it’s everything you could ever need and want after a hangover. 
    A sheet mask is my go-to to get this done, especially because you don’t have to wash it off. To make your sheet mask ultra-relaxing, follow this Reddit-approved tip and keep your mask in the fridge. It’ll be really refreshing and keep up those themes of putting cold stuff on your face! 

    6. Moisturizer
    Now’s the time to go in with the big guns. None of those “gel creams” or “light moisturizers with SPF.” No, what you need is a thick, rich, DaddyTM moisturizer that’s going to lock in everything you’ve done above, atone you for your sins, and buy you diamonds for Christmas. Your skin is the largest organ in the body, and we know alcohol basically wreaks havoc on every vital organ (how rude for something that feels so good), so you’re giving it the R+R it deserves right now.
    If you’re dealing with oilier skin than normal (not uncommon when you’re combining drinks with late-night pizza and tacos—the best kinds of nights, amirite?), you can try a moisturizing toner, like my current favorite from Laneige. It’s a toner/moisturizer hybrid, and for oily skin types, it’s likely enough to stand alone as your moisturizer. And for dry skin, it’s a great added step to really hydrate your skin.
    And while you’re at it, don’t forget eye cream. Those puffy eyes are calling out to you in sheer agony over the night you just made them endure—treat them extra well. 

    7. Do a facial massage
    Boost circulation and blood flow by doing a lymphatic drainage facial massage. You can use a tool like a gua sha or your fingers—either works as long as you prep the skin with an oil that won’t tug on your skin as you do the massage. Keep a major focus on the lower parts of the face and the under eyes, as those are the key areas where excess alcohol puffs up your face. The way your McDonald’s hash brown tastes is exactly the way a facial massage feels for your skin. Behold: my current favorite massage tutorial and routine to follow. 

    8. Follow with SPF
    If you’ve used an AHA or BHA, you need to use an SPF to protect your skin from the sun as these acids make your skin even more susceptible to sun damage. Make sure to apply your SPF once any oils have settled into your skin, or use a powder SPF over your makeup. More

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    Why Doesn’t My Hair Hold a Curl?

    Everyone’s seen the Instagram and Pinterest pictures of women with gorgeous, long curled locks. You spend an hour (or more) in front of the mirror, twirling a scalding hot iron around your head, creating the perfect curls that will hopefully brush out to the messy waves of your dreams. Then, after all that time, your hair falls flat before you even walk into the restaurant. Womp womp.I’ve always had very fine hair that refuses to hold a curl. I did beauty pageants as a child (#nbd), and my grandma used to have to curl my hair and put it in sponge rollers for them to stay long enough to last the duration of the pageant. No one has time for that, but I also know that my lifeless curls need some revision stat.
    So, why exactly does our hair lose shape so quickly? I went on a mission to figure out what I was doing wrong (self-awareness is key), and yeah, it was a lot. This is what I’ve learned from my mistakes!

    1. You’re not using the right tools
    There’s more to curling your hair than the old curling iron your mom gave you freshman year of high school for the homecoming dance. Upgrade your iron to something higher quality with ceramic plates that heat equally all the way through — this way your curls are the same size all the way through. A lot of people think that their irons need to get super hot to get the best curls. If you have very thick hair, you’ll want a higher heat than someone with finer or thinner hair; however, you shouldn’t need an iron with anything over 300 degrees, and make sure your iron is never set above 400 degrees.
    Pay attention to the size of the barrel. Short hair would benefit from a thinner barrel because you can wrap your hair around the barrel more times and forces you to use smaller sections. People often think you need a large wand to do tousled waves. I’m not telling you what to do, but using a smaller barrel will make the curls tighter from the start so they fall throughout the day.
    Also, don’t discriminate against curling irons! You can use a wand, an iron with a clip, or even a flat iron to create waves.

    Shop some of our favorites:

    Source: @mollyclutts

    2. You’re not prepping your hair
    The prep is almost as important as the actual work of curling your hair! One trick to getting your curls to last is using a product with hold before you put the iron on your hair. Whether it’s a moose, a heat protectant, a hair spray, or a dry texture spray, your hair will already be ready to hold onto the curl.  I love dry texture spray instead of hair spray because it gives your hair some grit which allows it to stick to the iron rather than sliding off and adds a nice messy texture. 
    If you have the money and are trying to get curls for a big event, consider adding extensions! Not only does this add length and tons of volume, but it also adds a different hair texture to the mix. This gives your curl more bounce.

    Source: @minnieknows

    3. You’re not sectioning your hair
    If you have a lot of hair, you need to section. Not sectioning makes it easy to miss pieces, which makes your hair look flat even when it’s not. Don’t be afraid to go all in with your sectioning.
    Especially if you’re using a small barrel, large sections of hair won’t get the same amount of heat across the iron, so make sure your sections are no larger than an inch.

    4. You’re curling from the bottom to the top
    When you curl from the bottom to the top, the bottom of your hair is getting most of the heat. This means your curls are the tightest at the bottom, which weighs down the hair closest to the scalp and makes the curls fall faster. This trick is especially important if you’re using a curling iron with a clamp.
    This technique also comes in handy if you’re using a curling wand that tapers at the bottom. If the bottom of the barrel is thinner than the top, your ends are getting a tighter curl than the hair at the root. This creates a beautiful wave; however, it also tends to fall faster than a curling iron that is all the same size. You could opt to purchase a different curling iron or make do with what you have and place the entire section of hair onto the bottom of the barrel.

    5. You aren’t holding the curls in place
    Curls aren’t set until they cool, so while they’re still hot, pin them to your head. You can use bobby pins or clips. If you really need them to stay, spray your hair while they’re setting!

    Source: The Golden Girl Blog

    6. Your hair is too clean
    Clean hair just doesn’t have the grit and hold of hair with a little oil in it. Curls work best on second or even third-day hair. If you need to be clean, you can add dry shampoo to your hair before you curl to give it some texture and volume.

    7. You’re brushing out your curls
    Of course, no one’s walking out of the house in pageant curls; however, you don’t need to use a brush to get the bounciness out of your curls! A brush pulls the curl down too much, whereas using a wide-tooth comb or just your fingers pulls them apart without overdoing it. I also recommend flipping your head over just after you finish curling and shaking the curls out at the root of your hair. Not only does this add serious volume, but it gives your curls some piecyness. My favorite trick for messy, undone curls!
    Make sure to spray them with hairspray or dry texture spray before you brush them out so the hold stays.

    We want to know — what hacks do you use to keep your curls in place all day?! More

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    6 Monochromatic Looks to Wear This Winter

    In the wide world of creating outfits, one of the most seamless, chic choices has been opting for something monochrome; a look layered with pieces that are all the same (or similar) colors—but unfortunately, it’s often easier said than done.Trying to put together a look that’s monochrome can come with a lot of questions: do all the pieces need to have the same undertone? What do you do when it comes to shoes? How do you layer similar (but not identical) tones on top of each other? They go on and on—but once you nail it, you have a go-to outfit option that you’ll turn to time and time again.
    Today, we’re sharing six different monochrome outfit ideas to gather inspiration from, along with tips on how to layer different tones and textures to make it work every single time. Say hello to your holiday outfits for each and every occasion you have coming up (even if it’s just Zooming on your couch).

    1. Camel

    pants / sweater / boots / coat

    2. White and cream

    pants / sweater / coat / sneakers

    3. Black

    jeans / sweater vest / long-sleeve top / booties / necklace

    4. Grey

    skirt / bodysuit / coat / boots

    5. Burgundy

    pants / sweater / booties / necklace

    6. Olive and khaki

    pants / coat / sweater / loafers More