Although dinner might be the main course, appetizers are the most exciting course. Small bites are the perfect combo of sweet and savory. Plus, you can evaluate multiple apps and assemble a personal plate of your faves, while avoiding appetizers that don’t appeal to you. Now that you’ve admitted that appetizers are what brings everyone to your yard, think about how you present them.
Do you just plop them out on paper plates? Or keep them in the pan you cooked them in? If you love hosting, consider investing in a set of appetizer plates. Plates can be scattered throughout the apartment or strategically placed on the table, so you can keep your friends from attacking and finishing off the bacon-wrapped dates you prepared. Your other guests will grumble about their rapid disappearing act.
In that spirit, we found the best appetizer plates for you. There’s a balance of classic designs that’ll never go out of style and one pick that stands out—in a good way. All of our picks are durable. They won’t chip and they’re glazed in a way that they won’t fade over time. Plus, they can go in the dishwasher, which saves you a lot of clean-up time.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Who else has a squad like this? Beyonce’s Black Is King celebrity cameos already have fans all up in their feels realizing just how much their Queen Bey is blessed to have such a legendary clique. When we talk about star-studded, this is it.
The 38-year-old “Formation” singer brought together a glowing cast of longtime collaborators, family members, close friends, and up-and-coming talent for her new visual album Black Is King, which is available to stream on Disney+ as of July 31. The album, which follows Beyoncé’s Lion King album, 2019’s The Lion King: The Gift for the live-action remake of the film, is a “passion project” that Bey has reportedly been working on for the past year. Originally conceived of as a companion to Lion King soundtrack, Beyoncé says the film is now “even more relevant” as the Black Lives Matter movement continues to grow across the world.
As such, her visual album enlisted Black artists, designers, choreographers, writers, and more—from British poets Yrsa Daley-Ward and Warsan Shire, to Ghanian-Dutch filmmaker, Emmanuel Adjei—behind the scenes. But the representation doesn’t stop there (nor should it; hopefully, Black Is King becomes proscriptive for this mission). We see Black talent making appearances all throughout Beyoncé’s latest feat. Some cameos are more obvious, whereas others are by artists just beginning to stake out a place in the mainstream. Here’s every Black Is King celebrity cameo we spotted so far.
Black Is King is chock-full of guest appearances by a number of artists, though some of them are more well-known than others. For the most part, Bey’s collaborators on her The Lion King: The Gift album make their return on Black Is King. That includes Ghanaian artists Lord Afrixana and Shatta Wale, Afropop all-star, Mr. Eazi, rapper Tierra Whack, and songwriter-producer extraordinaire, Pharrell Williams, among others (there are also appearances by Yemi Alade, Busiswa, Ninja, Jessie Reyez, Kelly Rowland, Salatiel, Moonchild Sanelly, Tiwa Savage, and Wizkid).
As with many of Bey’s previous music videos and visual projects, her close friends and family make an appearance. This time around, we get to see Beyoncé’s mother, Ms. Tina Knowles Lawson, and her husband Jay-Z. Bey and Jay-Z’s children—Blue Ivy, 8, Rumi Carter, 3, and Sir Carter, also 3—are all featured in Black Is King, marking a rare glimpse at Bey’s twins.
There’s a special moment on Black Is King in the form of “Brown Skin Girl,” Bey’s anthem for Black and brown feminine beauty. In the visuals for this track, audiences see none other than the Naomi Campbell, South Sudanese-Australian model Adut Akech, and South Sudanese model Aweng Chuol, along with actress Lupita Nyong’o.
Black Is King is available to stream on Disney+ now.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
It’s here! It’s here! It’s here! Beyoncé’s highly anticipated visual album Black Is King just dropped on Disney+. Her music video for “Already” is trending on YouTube and if you’re anything like us, you have it on repeat. Black Is King is a love letter to Black and African culture with epic hair and makeup looks throughout the entire film. Black Is King, a visual album interpreting last year’s record The Lion King: The Gift. The entire album includes full-length videos for tracks including “My Power,” “Brown Skin Girl,” “Mood 4 Eva” and “Already.” It’s a celebration of African culture, from the clothes to the hair to the choreography.
Because we are beauty obsessed over here and Beyoncé continually gives us truly iconic looks, we’re rounding up some of the most eye-catching from Black Is King. Check them out while you play the music video for “Already” over and over and over (no judgments).
Image: Disney+.
Wet Curls
Beyoncé lets her natural curls down.
Image: Disney+.
Crystal Eyebrow Jewels
To match her glittery earrings and headpiece.
Image: YouTube.
Bantu Knots
With knee-length microbraids.
Image: Disney+.
Braided Ponytail
With deep blue lipstick.
Image: YouTube.
Crimped Pony
Her braided, crimped ponytail is sky-high.
Image: Disney+.
Braided Updo
Look at that intricate work.
Image: Disney+.
Braided Beehive
This had to take the longest of any of the detailed hair looks.
An early surprise for the Beyhive. Beyoncé’s “Already” lyrics meaning and video arrived hours before her highly anticipated visual album, Black Is King, landed on Disney Plus, giving fans a sneak peek at what they could expect from the rest of the project. And as is probably already obvious with Queen Bey, it did not disappoint. Now that they’ve all had some time to sit with “Already,” fans are beginning to share their interpretation of its stunning visuals.
As for the “Already” lyrics, listed below, members of the Beyhive are probably already familiar. The song (featuring Ghanaian artist Shatta Wale and Jamaican-America EDM masters Major Lazer) originally appeared on Beyoncé’s Lion King album, 2019’s The Lion King: The Gift, which Bey curated for the live-action remake of the film and in which she starred as the voice of Nala. What’s new, however, is that “Already” finally got its music video as part of Beyoncé’s Black Is King, a visual album that takes after 2017’s Lemonade and is available to stream via Disney+ as of July 31.
The music video itself is an inspiring display of the 38-year-old “Formation” singer’s pan-African mission on Black Is King. In just under five minutes, “Already” emphasizes rich influences from throughout the continent—from Nigerian gbese and zanku legwork by Afrobeats artist and dancer, Papi Ojo, to styling by Ivorian-American designer, Loza Maléombho. And that’s not even mentioning the major pride repped by Shatta Wale’s verse on the track. Showcasing these distinct cultures was important to Bey, who announced her purpose in a lengthy Instagram post in June.
“With this visual album, I wanted to present elements of Black history and African tradition, with a modern twist and a universal message, and what it truly means to find your self-identity and build a legacy,” Beyoncé wrote in a caption announcing Black Is King. “I spent a lot of time exploring and absorbing the lessons of past generations and the rich history of different African customs. While working on this film, there were moments where I’ve felt overwhelmed, like many others on my creative team, but it was important to create a film that instills pride and knowledge.””
She added, “I only hope that from watching, you leave feeling inspired to continue building a legacy that impacts the world in an immeasurable way. I pray that everyone sees the beauty and resilience of our people.”
And just like that, the “Already” lyrics meaning and video have accomplished that. You can find the full “Already” lyrics and video below.
Chorus (Beyoncé)
Long live the king, you a king, you know it
King already, already, you know it
Top everything, everything, you know it
King already, already, you know it
Mind, body, soul, got a king body
Body gon’ shine, bling bling, body
Callin’ all the shots, ring ring, body
Crown on your head, got a king body
Post-Chorus (Beyoncé)
Long live the king, you a king, you know it
King already, my baby, you know it
Top everything, everything, you know it
King already, already, you know it
Shine already, it’s time already
The line already, it’s time already
Shine already, it’s time already
The line already, it’s time already
Refrain (Shatta Wale & Beyoncé)
Try to stop it, me say no, no, no
Royalty, say don’t you know, know, know
Try to stop it, me say go, go, go, go
Bubble up and watch it grow, grow, grow, grow
Verse 1 (Shatta Wale)
Every king be ruler, be ruler, yeah
Every warrior, dey conquer, yeah
Every king be stronger, yeah
King, dey rule them longer, yeah (Osh)
Remember who you are, ooh (Osh)
Real king always win, oh (Osh)
You for be brave, oh (Osh)
And show your people more love (Osh)
It’s time already, I say it’s time already (Osh)
In line already, I say in line already (Osh)
Only you got the remedy, I say you got the remedy (Osh)
Shine your body, shine your body
Chorus (Beyoncé)
Long live the king, you a king, you know it
King already, already, you know it
Top everything, everything, you know it
King already, already, you know it
Mind, body, soul, got a king body
Body gon’ shine, bling bling, body
Callin’ all the shots, ring ring, body
Crown on your head, got a king body
Post-Chorus (Beyoncé & Shatta Wale)
Long live the king, you a king, you know it
King already, my baby, you know it
Top everything, everything, you know it
King already, already, you know it
Shine already (Already), it’s time already (Already)
In line already (Already), it’s time already (Already) Shine already (Already), it’s time already (Already) In line already (Already), it’s time already (Already) Shine already (Already), it’s time already (Already) In line already (Already), it’s time already (Already) Shine already (Already), it’s time already (Already) In line already (Already), it’s time already
Refrain (Shatta Wale)
Try to stop it, me say no, no, no
Royalty, say don’t you know, know, know
Try to stop it, me say go, go, go, go
Bubble up and watch it grow, grow, grow, grow
Verse 2 (Beyoncé & Shatta Wale)
Diamonds on my fist, fighting demons, y’all
Come and rest your head, take your crown off, oh
Woke up in a foreign, need to take it slow, oh
He said I’m moving too fast, need to take it slow, oh
Take it slow, oh
Take it slow, oh
Tryna take my baby home, oh
Take it slow, oh (Osh)
Verse 3 (Shatta Wale)
Remember who you are, ooh (Osh)
Real king always win, oh (Osh)
You for be brave, oh (Osh)
And show your people more love (Osh)
It’s time already, I say it’s time already (Osh)
In line already, I say in line already (Osh)
Only you got the remedy, I say you got the remedy (Osh)
Shine your body, shine your body (Ah)
Outro (Shatta Wale)
Be your own king
Make nobody come rule your world (Yo, yo, yo, yo)
Be your own king
Make nobody come rule your world (Ah)
Be your own king
Make nobody come rule your world (Yo, yo, yo, yo)
Be your own king
Make nobody come rule your world
Long live the king, you a king, you know it
Top everything, everything, you know it
Show them the way, you know it
You know it, you know it
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Legal pads aren’t exciting, to say the least. They usually have aggressively yellow paper and look straight out of the ’80s, so they’re definitely not aesthetically pleasing. Compared to the muted tones Gen-Z and millennials prefer, like rose gold, lavender and pale green, the yellow is way too bright. In spite of the color, the legal pad is a great way to jot down notes and to-do lists at work. It’s easy to flip pages, and you can tear out the pages you’ve already used. Luckily, writing pads don’t only come in that yellow. They make legal pads in all sorts of shades, which is great news for our eyes and color palettes.
We rounded up the pastel writing pads for you. Our three picks have pads in colors like pale pink, orchid, green and blue, so there is some variety. You won’t confuse your work notepad with your side-hustle one, because you can differentiate them by color. They all have a sturdy backing, allowing you to take notes while standing up at meetings easily. But that’s not the only good thing about these paper pads—they’re all made out of recycled materials. You aren’t taking paper from a freshly cut-down tree.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
If you’re like me, and anxiously await the big reveal of your horoscope each month, week or even day, you probably find astrology to serve as a comforting guide on how to navigate whatever’s in store for the future, as you move through life’s inherent uncertainties (…not to mention this year’s seemingly endless series of retrogrades, ugh.) If you regard your star sign’s astrological forecasts as a kind of co-pilot that steers you away from making bad decisions, signing contracts at the wrong time, and a warning for upcoming emotional outbursts (*raising my hand*), astrology probably influences your signature style and beauty preferences as well.
As a Gemini, my sign is notoriously bad at making final decisions — or decisions of any kind, for that matter — and this inherent indecisiveness certainly makes an appearance every time I’m faced with the pressing challenge of having to pick out a nail color at the salon for my weekly manicure. So, if you need a little extra assistance in this arena as well, (or just want some celestial inspo) I decided to track down the best nail polish color for each zodiac sign this season, so you can forgo the oscillation at the salon and let the stars decide for you.
Just like your zodiac sign, your manicure also says a lot about who you are, whether you tend to stick to an infinitely versatile nude hue (or the recently resurrected aughts-inspired french manicure) or prefer a glam mani-pedi with a punchy pop of color and glitter embellishments. In fact, the nail polish shades we find ourselves continually attracted to may actually be rooted in the cosmos, according to some astrologers. Certain zodiac signs are associated with certain hues, meaning that if you find yourself reaching for a fiery red, deep burgundy, or neutral beige time and time again, the stars may just be the culprit. Just like Chromotherapy (color therapy) color astrology posits that certain colors have the ability to alter our moods and that our astrological profile and overall temperament can also be affected by certain pigments.
Many astrologers also believe that certain colors have the capacity to downplay some of our personality traits (based on our sign), while others have the power to strengthen such attributes. Rather than hassling my perpetually annoyed sister via text to help me decide between a bright cherry red or blush-tinted nude (my two usual suspects), I decided to leave it up to the stars this time. Read ahead to find out your mani-scope for the approaching holiday season.
Amazon.
Aries —
Aries are passionate, born to lead and aren’t afraid of making a statement or trying new trends. This bold orange-red shade is perfect for the trend-setting ram.
The generous and determined bull will do just about anything for someone they love, but they’re not fond of abandoning their routines and pushing out of their comfort zones. This sheer, baby pink shade is neutral enough to go with literally anything, but is slightly more polished (pun intended) than a bare nail.
Geminis have a tough time narrowing down their options and they get bored like, super fast. A multi-faceted opal polish that changes colors in different light settings is a great choice for the indecisive twins.
The sensitive and highly imaginative crab’s sentimental nature leads her to make choices based on their ability to evoke emotion and beauty — and this carries over to color as well. This subtle yet nuanced mint green hue reflects is calming and chic, making it an apt polish choice for the cancer homebody.
Leos signature trait is their unwavering sense of pride and self-confidence. The fire sign isn’t afraid of the possibility of coming off flamboyant when it comes to their personal style. This dazzling metallic and glitter-infused polished would make a lovely holiday shade for the sign.
Virgos may be slight perfectionists and critical thinkers, but they also tend to have an artistic flare. This cool blue-green color feels sophisticated and versatile, but stands out more than your average black or classic dark red.
Libras are natural-born tastemakers that like to have fun and have an appreciation for the finer things in life. They love to show off their femininity (and designer handbags), which makes this hot pink hue a natural choice for the fun-loving sign.
The zodiac says that scorpios have endless sense of curiosity and manage to maintain a sense of mystery, despite their passionate demeanor and investigative nature. This sultry dark red shade evokes all three of these traits and looks killer on just about any skin tone.
This fire sign has a knack for adventure and highly adaptable to whatever comes their way, making them the most well-travelled sign in the zodiac. This spunky blue-periwinkle hue is versatile enough to match with endless outfits, but is much more exciting than a neutral-toned nude.
Capricorns possess a no-nonsense approach to life, and are guided by logical and order rather than emotional impulses. This light grey hue is an excellent alternative to a practical pale pink or nude that the sign would likely reach for.
Aquarians are unapologetically independent and often times, fiercely analytical. While their admirable self-motivation is undoubtedly virtuous, the sign also appreciate order and disdains anything overtly flash. This milky cream shade is ultra flattering and will look polished and refined, regardless of the season or occasion at hand.
As true chameleons who love to shake things up, this water sign is also known for their compassion and emotional intelligence. Pastel blues and lilacs reflect the sign’s balanced approach to adapting to their surroundings without the drama and their go-with-the-flow attitude.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Whether you’ve personally watched prized possessions plunge into the glittering bath-bomb water or just had nightmares about it, it’s time to take the fear out of bath time. Stop stressing over your wine glass, which is precariously placed on the edge of your tub. You can take bath time to a whole new relaxing level with bamboo tray caddies. This must-have is one of the best designed accessories ever. The makers know you’re watching Netflix, sipping wine, enjoying your newest candle and texting in the bath. So, they went ahead and made bathtub trays that can handle all of those activities.
We found the best bamboo bathtubs trays for you. And we made sure they checked all of the boxes. They’re easy to assemble and set-up in your bath. Plus, they probably aren’t going to fall in. Not only are these trays super practical, they’re stylish. When you’re setting up your tray, you’ll feel glamorous, like you’ve brought the spa to you. There’s even enough room to put some cooling eye patches or a sheet mask on your tray. Self-care never felt so good. You’ll never want to get out of the bath. Might as well make it a weekly ritual.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Though I would definitely consider myself a creative person (You should see all the crafting supplies I manage to store under my bed.), the Walmart George Jeans trend on TikTok has made me realize I need to step up my DIY game. Plenty of dances and activities go viral on TikTok, sure, but the latest trend—featuring a pair of men’s jeans from Walmart—is far beyond any I’ve seen. And while I’m not necessarily an avid TikTok watcher, I can attest to the fact that this trend is totally unexpected—but actually very cool. Never underestimate the power of teenagers on a clothing budget.
If you haven’t yet seen any of the videos from #WalmartJeans on TikTok, allow me to explain before you dive in. Basically, people on the app are taking the $10.44 (!!!) George Men’s Regular Fit Jeans from Walmart and altering them in different ways to make them look like expensive ’90s-inspired denim. There are DIY TikTok videos with instructions on how to take in the waist of these jeans (We love an at-home tailoring moment!) and others that show you how to customize the jeans with embroidery or by adding your own distressed details.
For those who are curious as to exactly how this DIY situation works, you can peep @Ruby.Alise on TikTok to see how she altered the jeans, get some outfit inspo from @tayy_nicolee_’s TikTok video or watch @tanisssssss on TikTok distress hers to perfection. It’s all seriously creative, and I can’t help but want to snag a pair and try it out for myself—while attempting to follow all the instructions these TikToks give me.
The George Men’s Regular Fit Jeans are available on Walmart.com in three different colors, so you can rock this DIY project so many ways. And for under $11, who wouldn’t want to try out this fun TikTok trend? You can scoop all three pairs below, then get started on your journey into TikTok arts and crafts. What a world, y’all.
A good light wash jean works great for the summer, but also transitions seamlessly into fall—especially when you pair it with autumnal hues like mustard and sage green.
When the temperatures drop, you’ll want to have a pair of cool black jeans in your wardrobe, too, so go ahead and snag this pair while they’re still available. I have a feeling this TikTok trend will only get bigger.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
If you’ve been watching your friends cultivate their indoor (or real) garden with envy, stop the green monster in its track. Work on your own green thumb instead. You too can create your own magnificent garden, even if it’s in your apartment. And all of your plants are in pots. For brand new plant owners or former accidental plant killers, you should start off with the equivalent of a baby step. That baby is a succulent. They’re easy to care for. Plus, they’re colorful, and you can display them in cool ways.
You can order a batch of succulent plants online and get them sent straight to your door. The best succulent plant services send a batch of a minimum of five succulents, and they make sure they’re healthy before they’re packed up. You don’t want to open the box to find a dead succulent. And don’t worry, you won’t get five identical Black Prince succulents. Each seller makes sure you get a variety of succulents.
After you pick your succulent service, the fun part starts. You can display these little guys in a geometric vase or go a little more artsy and hang them from the ceiling in a glass case. Who said plant-owning couldn’t be fun?
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
You already know how important it is to protect your skin from the sun’s age-accelerating (and cancer-causing) UV rays with an SPF. Sunspots, fine lines, and enlarged pores are just a few of the myriad of skin woes courtesy of the sun, but now the skin is facing a new enemy: High Energy Visible Light (HEV Light). As if it wasn’t a hassle enough to protect your complexion from the sun when outdoors and even indoors where natural light is abundant, now you have to be concerned when you’re at the office typing away or scrolling through your Instagram feed too. Hence the onslaught of blue light beauty products on the scene.
Recent research suggests that the blue light emitted from our cell phones, computer screens, and certain light bulbs is also damaging to the health of our skin, prompting the beauty sphere to launch a slew of blue light skincare with HEV defense. There are plenty of commonalities amongst HEV, UVB, and UVA rays when it comes to the harm they incite. All three are associated with causing oxidative stress, which causes our skin to release free radicals, which disrupt and slow down our skin’s natural elastin and collagen production. This is detrimental because collagen and elastin are the key components of youthful-looking skin, influencing firmness, hydration levels, and tone.
Hence, just like outdoor light rays, blue light is also responsible for premature aging (photoaging), and unprotected light exposure can also lead to dark spots and hyperpigmentation. However, HEV rays actually affect (and damage) our skin in different ways than UVB rays, because they’re capable of penetrating into the deeper layers of the skin rather than just the outermost layer. What this means, is that they’re capable of tampering with collagen production and our skin’s natural ability to exfoliate with the help of retinoids and acids.
Now, we’re not suggesting that you quit your phone cold turkey or put in your two weeks notice in the name of avoiding free radical damage from screens, but making sure to keep your skin protected when you’re indoors is evidently, equally as paramount of a consideration when it comes to your skincare routine. Fortunately, brands are catching on to skin’s latest villain, offering plenty of defensive products to help you prevent and reverse existing damage so you can maintain your weekend Netflix binge-watching routine, shameless scroll through the apps, and your career without compromising your pursuit of flawless skin.
Paula’s Choice.
This illuminating moisturizer gives the skin an instant dew effect while protecting your skin from your computer screen and the sun. With a solid SPF 50, along with the addition of 12 different antioxidants, including niacinamide and Vitamin C to reverse the visible aftermath of free radical damage.
Infused with protective antioxidants to defense your skin against pollution from the elements and our screens, this daily serum prevents as well as corrects existing signs of damage, including hyperpigmentation and dull tone.
This skincare-foundation hybrid is generating a lot of buzz among makeup artists as of late, thanks to not only its gorgeous satin finish but its powerhouse of skin-enhancing and pollution-blocking ingredients.
This multi-tasking daily moisturizer is infused with a slew of protective and damage-reversing actives, including vitamin C to protect your skin from environmental aggressors and blue light damage and illuminating peptides. This unique formula is also specifically designed to work in unison with our skin’s own 24-hour circadian rhythm (because yes, our skin has one too).
This “all-in-one” formula is armed with SPF 30 to defend your skin against blue light damage as well as the sun’s UV rays. The luminous, hydrating formula also sits beautifully under your favorite complexion products doubling as a primer.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Source: Instagram
Source: Instagram
