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Cream blush and I haven’t always been the best of friends. In my years of testing products, I’ve attended countless launch meetings and watched tons of tutorials for creamy color formulas meant to give your cheeks a “flushed and dewy” look. Still, I could never get into them. I’ve found that most cream formulas leave a shiny, greasy finish. Some of them are too sheer and melt right into my complexion, while others jack up my foundation, concealer, and anything else underneath. It’s why I steer clear of the creamy category and stick to powder blush pans and palettes.

Despite my weary history with cream formulas, I was intrigued when details about the new Bite Beauty Whipped Blush hit my inbox. For starters, the compact powder pink packaging was cute enough to make me do a double-take. The color offerings were also enticing. I was instantly drawn to the fine flecks of shimmer in each shade, so I gave them a try.

The Bite team sent me three shades of the new blush, and I twisted open Mojito, a shimmery coral, to test first. A quick squeeze of the pearly packaging pumped out a thick whipped-cream like formula. I applied three dots along my cheeks in an upwards direction and knew the real test was application. I skipped my fingers and went with a clean, damp sponge to blend it in. After a few dabs, I was genuinely impressed with the opacity and finish of the product, which woke up my face with color and a hint of shimmer. I usually always follow blush applications with a layer of highlighter, but this allowed me to forgo the step. This will come in super clutch if you’re traveling this summer, especially once that hot-girl tan settles in.

The tiny pod not only eased my doubts about cream blush but made my makeup routine much quicker. Am I going to start swapping out every power blush in my collection with a cream one? Not necessarily. But this one has definitely set the bar.

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Wende Zomnir‘s love of Prince goes back to when she was a child in the ’80s. Like millions of devoted fans, Prince was “everything” to the Urban Decay founder. “My sister and I were completely obsessed with Prince,” Zomnir tells Refinery29. “His music, the way he dresses, the way he did his makeup — we tried to copy him in every way.”

Fans and observers would concur: Prince was legendary, and the impact that artists like him leave behind stay with fans forever. A makeup collection honoring the late performer has always been on Zomnir’s wishlist. Today, that dream is a reality: The Urban Decay x Prince limited collection is here, and features two palettes, kajal eyeliner, a highlighter, powder, and a multitasker brush, all outfitted in Prince’s “love” symbol. Fans can sign up to pre-order the collection on May 21 before the full vault is available on on May 27 at UrbanDecay.com. All items in the line will be available at all online retailers on June 6.

The collection is where eclectic meets everyday wear: Each palette is decked out with pans of purple, Prince’s signature shade, and other shimmery colors so you can get funky. You’ll also get to pick from a multi-purpose illuminator that goes on smooth so that you can layer it under or over makeup. Kohl eyeliner might make it into your daily makeup routine, or you can smoke it out like Prince did on stage if you’re feeling extra. There’s room for experimenting with looks or hanging onto each item as a collectible.

In today’s world, celebrity beauty collaborations can feel like fast fashion. Zomnir knew that precise attention to detail would be critical in delivering a collection, two years in the making, in Prince’s honor. “This wasn’t a situation of slapping assets on products,” she says. “We were able to work with his friends who helped us bring something beautiful to life.” The brand got direct support from Prince’s Estate to craft and curate every detail in the collection, down to its stunning campaign imagery starting Prince’s muse Damaris Lewis as the face. “We have been talking about this with the Estate for a long time, and it became a matter of finding the right timing,” Zomnir explains. “It’s been an ongoing conversation because it always felt so right.

While Prince’s Estate remains unsettled following the star’s death five years ago, the team played a significant role in making sure he was celebrated in every facet of the collection. “The coolest part of working with the Prince Estate is that we got to tap into his artistic camp,” Zomnir says. “We got to work with his creative director Trevor Guy and his muse and dancer Demaris Lewis, and his photographer Randee Saint Nicholas shot everything for the campaign.” Prince’s legacy is also present throughout each product name, with hues named after his biggest hits like “When Doves Cry” (reflective ivory) and “Raspberry Beret” (a shimmery Bordeaux).

For Urban Decay, makeup is just one component of why this collaboration is important. Zomnir hopes that beauty enthusiasts come for the pigmented colors and blendable formulas, but stay for the gifts from Prince’s decades-long career. “People are going to go back to the music and back to the photos and appreciate how he dressed, how he did his makeup, and how he was all about owning who you are,” she says. “Back then, that was a crazy ideal, and now in 2021, it’s considered standard. Prince really opened that door for self-expression.”

It’s a full-circle moment for Urban Decay, a brand that has been championing self-expression through makeup since the mid-’90s. “When we [Urban Decay] came on the scene, it was no longer about aspiring to look like this perfect blonde-haired, blue-eyed white woman,” Zomnir says. “We helped people aspire to be like themselves, and Prince did that for me and generations of people.”

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In 2019, California became the first state to pass The CROWN Act to make natural hair discrimination illegal. Since then, the bill has gained much-needed momentum, and numerous state legislations are following suit. Now, Tennessee is the latest state to put The CROWN Act in motion. 

State senators unanimously passed the bill, which stands for Creating an Open and Respectful World with No Racism, with a vote of 28-0. The bill will now go to the Tennessee House of Representatives for a vote. Under the proposed law, employers and schools will be prohibited from discriminating against Black people who choose to wear their hair naturally or in protective styles.

Senator Raumesh Akbari led the charge and celebrated the vote on Instagram. “My mom is known as ‘The Hair Doctor,’ and growing up, I saw so many people find dignity & self-respect in being able to wear their hair naturally,” Senator Akbari shared. “No one should be shamed or denied opportunities because of their natural hair, and that’s what the #CROWNAct is all about.”

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Tennessee isn’t the only Southern state making strides to end hair-based discrimination. In July 2020, Virginia became the first Southern state to make The CROWN Act law. Louisiana State Senate also passed The CROWN Act on May 3, moving the bill to the House for deliberation. Louisiana Senator Troy Carter, who championed the bill, shared that he hopes the House passes it “quickly.” According to local news, the bill will go into effect if passed by the House on August 1.

The CROWN Act should be up for very little debate: Black people have been subject to discrimination, bias, harassment, and even death — far too many times — on the basis of physical appearance. Implementing The CROWN Act across the United States is a step in the right direction to creating a safer, more equitable world for Black people, and we’re looking forward to seeing more states get on board.

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There’s been no shortage of celebrity beauty lines lately. Pharrell, Jennifer Lopez, and Priyanka Chopra (to name a few) have all tapped the skin and haircare categories for their significant forays into the beauty space. Rihanna and Selena Gomez have created their lanes in the makeup aisle as well. Like it or not — Hollywood’s elite are fulfilling their dreams as beauty entrepreneurs, and a popular rapper is the latest to join the beauty founder club.

Lil Yachty, née Miles Parks McCollum, took to the ‘gram to show off his latest venture: Crete, a gender-neutral line of “nail paints.” In the announcement, Yatchy showed off his new collection, outfitted in sleek matte black bottles. “I’d like to introduce my new nail paint line @crete__co …. FIRST COLOR DROP MAY 21,” he wrote in the caption. “ALL GENDERS. FOR YOU, NOT THEM.” A few slides over, Yatchy showed off a gray and black tonal manicure with a spade design, hinting at the colors in his first drop.

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The Michigan Boy Boat rapper isn’t new to rocking nail polish and is one of many male artists giving a fine-painted middle finger to society’s traditional gender norms. Bad Bunny, Lil Nas X, Jaden Smith, Harry Styles have all openly embraced nail art, proving that painted tips — whether clear or decked out in smiley faces — are for anyone. 

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Yachty’s Crete line got a ton of support from eager fans and celebrities alike. “Packaging is mean,” rapper A$AP Ferg commented (and we concur.) “GO OFF,” Justine Skye wrote. Comedian Zoie Fenty also commended Yachty for staying true to himself. “NAIL POLISH IS FOR ANYBODY WITH NAILS. (Congrats Yachty) keep being you,” Fenty wrote. We couldn’t agree more. So now that we’ve got that out of the way, the only questions that remain are: What colors will he launch? And will it chip? Our tips will be ready when Crete drops.

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Like any other physical transformation, the natural hair journey is a deeply personal, revealing, and rewarding one for most people — even your favorite celebrity who has probably tried every hairstyle under the sun. Take Megan Thee Stallion, for example, who recently shared an update on her curly hair journey. Cardi B also revealed that she plans on starting a hair-care line inspired by her DIY hair recipes. Sza is the latest performer to let us in on her natural hair routine.

The Good Days singer shared a now-viral clip of her strands sans extensions captioned: “One time for the 4c Gorls.” In it, Sza showed off her silked-pressed hair in a sleek ponytail by celebrity stylist Whitney Eaddy, who has been guiding the singer on her hair journey. “Her NATURAL hair is thriving,” Eaddy wrote on Instagram. “Getting to know you & your crown has been a pleasure.”

Eaddy, who met Sza in 2019, revealed that she and the singer went through a series of length checks and trims before getting to her current style. “She really wanted to focus the HEALTH & fullness of her natural hair,” Eaddy wrote. “I’m literally so proud of our progress.” According to the stylist, Sza also used Juices And Botanics products on her hair throughout her journey. Eaddy also revealed to Ming Lee Simmons that she used the Black-owned brand EapHeat to straighten Sza’s ponytail.

SZA is making me want to straighten my hair for the first time in 7 years … Mhm, maybe in the colder months. SZA’s hair looks so nice.

— Agu Nwanyi (@ichizoba) April 27, 2021

sza and this natural hair, i love it

— ble🤎 (@cx_asia) April 27, 2021

Devoted fans immediately pressed the songstress for more details on her hair care regimen and raved about her style. “SZA is making me want to straighten my hair for the first time in 7 years,” one Twitter user wrote. “Sza looks GREAT with any hairstyle & color,” said another, emphasizing the versatility of Black hair. While we’re fans of Sza however she styles her hair, we’re pumped to see her glowing and thriving on her natural hair journey.

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Even in the pandemic, the Oscars remain one of the most significant events where Hollywood’s elite brings their Sunday best. Regina King is no stranger to stunning on the red carpet, but her look at this year’s Academy Awards was one for the books. The actress, who has been serving looks virtually all season long, made it to multiple best-dressed lists with her statement butterfly sleeve gown.

King, who has been rocking a variety of protective styles for award shows this year, opted for a razor-sharp bob chopped by Larry Sims. King’s makeup artist Latrice Johnson created a deep gray smokey eye using Clinique products to coordinate with the tones of her metallic gown.

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Fans of King’s Oscars glam took to social media to praise the star, and some were even inspired to copy her hair. “It’s so stunning and sharp,” one Twitter user — who knows a good bob when they see one — wrote. If you’ve been debating a dramatic pandemic haircut, King’s Oscars look might be the push you didn’t know you needed.

Regina King is killing it—the dress, the hair, the makeup, everything. #Oscars

— Dr. Sara Webb-Sunderhaus (@webbsusa) April 26, 2021

My head is too enormous for it and I haven’t had straight hair in a decade but I need Regina King’s bob

— Malice Walker (@humblecore) April 26, 2021

EVERYTHINGGGGGGGG about Regina King’s vibe is PERFECTION. The fit! The color! The hair! The styling! We don’t deserve her. #Oscars

— KT Lindemann (@KTLindemannMN) April 25, 2021

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Even in the pandemic, the Oscars remain one of the most significant events where Hollywood’s elite brings their Sunday best. Regina King is no stranger to stunning on the red carpet, but her look at this year’s Academy Awards was one for the books. The actress, who has been serving looks virtually all season long, made it to multiple best-dressed lists with her statement butterfly sleeve gown.

King, who has been rocking a variety of protective styles for award shows this year, opted for a razor-sharp bob chopped by Larry Sims. King’s makeup artist Latrice Johnson created a deep gray smokey eye using Clinique products to coordinate with the tones of her metallic gown.

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A post shared by Latrice Johnson (@makeupbylatrice)

Fans of King’s Oscars glam took to social media to praise the star, and some were even inspired to copy her hair. “It’s so stunning and sharp,” one Twitter user — who knows a good bob when they see one — wrote. If you’ve been debating a dramatic pandemic haircut, King’s Oscars look might be the push you didn’t know you needed.

Regina King is killing it—the dress, the hair, the makeup, everything. #Oscars

— Dr. Sara Webb-Sunderhaus (@webbsusa) April 26, 2021

My head is too enormous for it and I haven’t had straight hair in a decade but I need Regina King’s bob

— Malice Walker (@humblecore) April 26, 2021

EVERYTHINGGGGGGGG about Regina King’s vibe is PERFECTION. The fit! The color! The hair! The styling! We don’t deserve her. #Oscars

— KT Lindemann (@KTLindemannMN) April 25, 2021

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Andra Day has been open about the fact that she almost turned down the leading role in The United States vs. Billie Holiday, the very role that landed her an Oscars nomination for Best Actress. On the red carpet, the singer and actress told Giuliana Rancic that she initially doubted her ability to take on the job because she didn’t begin her career as an actress. Judging by her on-screen performance, and her impeccable red carpet looks — including her stint at tonight’s Academy Awards — it’s safe to say that Day was the best woman for the job.

The star walked the red carpet in a head-to-toe look with “winner” written all over it. Celebrity makeup artist Porsche Cooper created bronzed, sun-kissed skin for Day using Chanel products, which she revealed on her Instagram. “Only rolling out the crème de la crème for this shining star!” Cooper wrote. Day’s hairstylist, Tony Medina, used the Schwarzkopf Osis range to define and style her natural curls into a side-swept updo. 

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While it was hard to ignore Day’s gilded gown and skin to match, the subtle details on her nails were the icing on the cake. Manicurist Jolene Brodeur gave her client a “classic with a twist” nail set for her red carpet. “Andra loves a good ’90s vibe for her nails,” Brodeur says. “The cutouts with the dramatic French ‘V’ works with the cutouts in her dress.”

Brodeur used OPI Infinite Shine in Movie Buff (a milky nude) as the base of Day’s look and Alpine Snow to paint a geometric V-shaped accent on the tips. She finished the Oscar-worthy manicure with a subtle gold decal on her ring finger to top off her *chef’s kiss* look. Zoom in on it below.

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Keke Palmer has been nothing short of an open book on social media, especially when it comes to her beauty experiences. In December, the actress opened up to her 10.4 million Instagram followers about having polycystic ovarian syndrome, and the effects the condition has had on her skin. “Polycystic ovarian syndrome has been attacking me from the inside out my entire life, and I had no idea,” Palmer wrote. “My acne has been so bad that people in my field offered to pay for me to get it fixed.”

Palmer revealed that she tried various solutions for her acne, including Accutane and changing her diet, and she even recalled the painful moment a doctor suggested a measles vaccine. Since her candid post, the star has continued to take her supporters on her skin-care journey, posting an acne-coverage makeup tutorial and providing an encouraging update on her Instagram this morning. “It’s taken me quite some time to get here,” Palmer wrote next to a side-by-side photo showing a recent image of her skin. “In my Virgo eyes there is still much more to be done, but I can’t tell you how much this progress has meant to me.” 

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Palmer, who became the first-ever creative advisor for Refinery29 Unbothered this week, shared that the biggest lesson she’s learned thus far is that only you get to decide what’s best for you. “No one can do that for us! Not a doctor, not a pastor, not anybody,” she wrote. “It wasn’t until I started taking what I heard and paying attention to how it affected me that I started to see progress.”

Palmer’s sound advice got love from her friends and supporters alike, who complimented her journey and, of course, asked her to drop her secrets. “LOOKING GOOD! Can’t wait to hear what you’ve been doing!” celebrity makeup artist AJ Crimson said. “Look at that progress! Whatever you are doing is working! You have gorgeous skin!!!! Always have. Even when it’s misbehaving. Thank you for sharing your journey… I relate, and I love you!” actress Logan Browning commented.

Palmer’s photos are proof of the power of trusting your body’s process, and it’s even more evidence of how refreshing transparency is — no matter where you are on your skin-care journey.

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A few moments into my Zoom call with Jennifer Hudson, I felt like she was the missing member of my girlfriends group chat. Hudson was radiant in a white gown, with her box braids tied up in a bun, while I sat clad in matching sweats cornered in my New York City apartment. We gathered virtually to discuss her latest project: an endorsement of Olay’s best-selling Regenerist moisturizer with SPF. The subject was familiar. Too often, Black women are left disappointed — even feeling betrayed — by a sunscreen that looks chalky or doesn’t blend well on our complexions.

The aesthetic failures of countless sunscreens on the market steer many people with deep skin tones away from SPF altogether, leading to serious health risks. Studies indicate that Black women are significantly less likely to use sunscreen on the face and other exposed skin regularly compared to other racial groups, and research also shows that late-stage melanoma is more prevalent in Black patients. That’s why experts stress prevention measures, like regular skin checks, and committing to diligent sunscreen uses as the best precautions for early detection.

Emphasizing the importance of representation in sunscreen, a famously unsexy category, might seem silly, but its impact can’t be overstated. “I learned how critical sun protection is for our overall health,” Hudson says. “It’s one part of life we can’t escape.” Having Black women like Hudson vouch for a sunscreen that isn’t only flattering on her complexion, but accessible to millions of people, could literally mean the difference between life and death.

The Olay formula in discussion, which retails for $38.99 at drugstores nationwide, features all the fast-absorbing hydrating properties and nourishing ingredients of the OG whipped lotion, with SPF 25 for added protection. “I love it because it has everything that’s good for your skin built in,” Hudson says. “It’s lightweight and works well under makeup which is a bonus.”

Hudson, an award-winning performer, is no stranger to being pampered in the finest skin care and painted in the best makeup, but she says that having access to easy, effective products has made life at home much easier. “When I’m at home on mommy duty, I need to make sure I have solutions that provide the nutrients I need and simplify my routine,” she says. “When you’re super busy, you don’t have time to be selective and pick through multiple steps.”

For Hudson, this past year has required learning how to do nothing at all, a feeling she admits is occasionally met with discomfort as a person who was once always on the move. “I get frustrated sometimes, like what am I supposed to do with this small window of time when I have nothing to do?” she says. “But I think the pandemic has given many of us a sense of stillness where we have to allow ourselves just to be.”

Hudson says the biggest life lesson she’s learned thus far is the power of being honest to herself and those around her. “There are some days when I feel like I don’t want to get up, and others where I’m ready to take on the world,” she says. “I’ve learned that we can’t control everything, but we can permit ourselves to feel. There’s beauty in embracing that.”

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Anyone with platinum blonde hair will tell you: The color is a commitment. So, if a day of double-process dyeing at the salon isn’t in the cards for you, a wig is an easy way to try out the look. Yaya Ogun, the star of Hair Me Out’s latest episode, opted for a platinum blonde wig to change up her style without spending hours in the chair with foils on her head.

“I’ve never done real color before,” Ogun says, explaining that she’s only ever experimented with shades of brown. Bright blonde was a far cry from what she’s used to, but it didn’t stop her from taking the plunge. Millicent Reid, a wig expert based in Los Angeles, helped Ogun with her transformation, installing an icy blonde wig (think Saweetie) on her client. To start, she braided Ogun’s hair down into straight-back cornrows. “I used the hot comb because I want the braids to lay very flat,” Reid explains.

Once Ogun’s hair was braided down, Reid used makeup on the wig’s lace to help it blend into her client’s complexion, then secured it using Bold Hold Glue. “This is an adhesive glue that is going to stick the lace to her skin,” Reid explains. To ensure a safe hold, Reid bonded the glue to Ogun’s skin using a blowdryer. After the wig installation was complete, Reid styled Ogun’s baby hairs and created soft curls. “This is probably the biggest physical change I’ve ever done,” Ogun says. “It’s boosted my confidence. I feel super leveled up.” Click play to see her transformation in full.

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Every Sunday before school, my mother would sit me down and braid my hair in cornrows. I would wear the simple, straight-back braids for a full week, until the next wash day rolled around. My story is similar to many young Black girls, but even though cornrows have been around for centuries — way before hair color fads and over-the-top Instagram styles became a thing — the classic braided look continues to evolve.

Cornrows are frequently misconstrued, misrepresented, and appropriated on runways, in magazines, and IRL, but when done right, the style is both fashion-forward and culturally significant. And thanks to tons of talented hair braiders and stylists, there are endless iterations with intricate patterns, bright colors, and fun accessories.

The great thing about cornrows is that they're super practical, no matter how you style them. You can wear your braids for weeks with minimal styling, protecting the hair from damage and maximizing growth. If you want your next protective style to involve cornrows, there are many different designs to consider. Ahead, we've rounded up some of our favorites to take to your stylist or DIY.

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How To Make Your Box Braids Look Even Cooler

Cornrows Were All Over Fashion Month

21 Styles Great For Transitioning To Natural Hair

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