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martes, 1 de mayo de 2018

Jordyn Woods Trades in Her Signature Waves for Stunning Box Braids

Jordyn Woods has rocked blonde, black, short, and long hair, but we haven’t seen Kylie Jenner’s BFF in braids since October 2017. This past weekend, Woods returned to the protective style when she posted a selfie on Instagram, time displaying her hair in box braids.

Instagram PhotoSource: Instagram

MORE: The Coolest Braided Hairstyles to Copy Now

The 20-year-old model, and soon-to-be athletic designer, kept the look simple, yet stunning with no added designs or details, leaving all the emphasis on the clean work. Speaking of, the work was done by yayadidmyhair, a local stylist in Gardena, California, who also did slick braids on Jenner.

Instagram PhotoSource: Instagram

MORE: 50 Instagram-Approved Protective Hairstyles to Try Immediately

WoC are constantly facing criticism for their hair— like Tyra Banks who didn’t get a job because of her natural hair or Keke Palmer who feels like natural hair isn’t accepted in entertainment— so it’s always energizing and empowering to see women embracing classic black hairstyles without any hesitation.

We hope Woods keeps this style for longer than the five days she did in October, because we’re loving the look.

10 Pretty Celebrity Books That Would Look Good on Your Coffee Table

If the living room was a body, the coffee table would be its heart. It’s where we gather to watch television, chat with friends, sip a cup of morning (or late-evening) joe, and relax with our feet up, unwinding from a day of stress. But aside from a candle here and there and a water-circle stain or two, many rarely ever decorate one of the most central pieces of furniture in our house. Have no fear, celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Cameron Diaz, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are here to help.

MORE: 11 Beauty-Themed Coffee Table Books That Double as Decor

As many home-decor lovers know, one of the easiest ways to jazz up a coffee table is with a book. And, no, we don’t mean beaten-down paperback novels from high school. We’re talking about glamorous, glossy coffee table books with shiny covers and pages filled with professionally taken pictures. And because everyone loves a good celebrity read, we’ve rounded up 10 pretty celebrity books that would look amazing on your coffee table.

There’s something for everyone, from wellness reads to beauty books. Shop the gorgeous covers ahead.

The $8 K-Beauty Concealer Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s Makeup Artist Loves

Put down your color correctors and two-shade-lighter-concealer-sticks. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s go-to makeup artist, Katie Jane Hughes (who you’ve might’ve seen giving tutorials on Glossier’s instagram) just revealed an affordable and easy hack for brightening your skin and concealing dark circles along the way. 

The common assumption about under-eye concealer is that it should be a few shades lighter than your natural skin tone, but Hughes recently told Allure those bright pinks and stark lights can actually create “a much muddier version of what you already have under your eyes.” Instead, do like Hughes, and place your finger halfway between your nose and the apple of your cheek. That otherwise insignificant area is “the most neutral-toned part of your face,” and your new color-match spot for concealer.

Instagram PhotoSource: Instagram

MORE: 20 Under-$20 Sheer-Coverage Liquid Foundations for Spring

Now that you know your shade, it’s time to pick a concealer. One of Hughes’ top three picks is the Innisfree Matte Full Cover Concealer, which lucky for everyone, is only $8. It comes in 14 different shades and uses all natural ingredients. Fun face: Innisfree is a favorite in the K-beauty circles, due to its eco-conscious ingredients, which are exclusively and ethically sourced from the Jeju Island in Korea.

Time to say goodbye to dark under-eye circles, hello to a seamless blend, and more money in our pockets. That’ll make mornings a little easier, no?

This Plus-Size Model Is Being Called Meghan Markle’s Doppelgänger

We’re less than a month away from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s wedding, but news about what the bride will wear couldn’t come soon enough. These days, it seems like everywhere you turn on the internet, there’s an article predicting the designer and design behind the 36-year-old’s wedding dress. And though we probably won’t know what Markle will look like until she walks down the aisle on May 19, we’re at least a little bit closer thanks to Erica Lauren, a curvy wedding dress model who is being called the duchess-to-be’s doppelgänger.

As reported by Yahoo, Lauren, who is from Pasadena, California, reached viral internet fame when Simply Be, a British plus-size clothing brand, hired her to model the brand’s just-launched bridal line. The campaign featured Lauren in a variety of wedding outfits, from a classic A-line gown to a romantic, airy dress to a modern, all-white jumpsuit. Even Lauren’s hairstyle, loose waves half tucked behind one ear and half thrown over one shoulder, looks like something Markle could walk down the aisle in.

Instagram PhotoSource: Instagram

MORE: 15 Seriously Uncanny Celebrity Look-Alikes Who Will Blow Your Mind

According to Arieta Mujay, Simply Be’s head of communications, choosing a Markle look-alike wasn’t intentional for the campaign. But when Lauren walked in, the Simple Be knew, as a British brand, that the model was the right fit. “Being a proud British brand, we understand the buzz around a royal wedding,” Mujay told Yahoo. “The resemblance was obvious at first sight, so that was a factor in casting her for the shoot, however the main reason is that she is a real curvy girl and a fantastic model.”

There’s no question that Lauren and Markle bear a resemblance. Two have gorgeous chocolate-brown hair, high cheekbones, dark-olive skin, and smize fit for a queen. (Or should we say duchess?) Lauren has yet to address the similarity, but judging from her Instagram, a majority of her 166,000 followers agree that she and Markle look uncannily similar.

MORE: 16 Celebrities Who Have Posed Without Makeup for Magazine Covers

Still on the fence if Lauren is Markle 2.0? Check out her most doppelgänger-like selfies below and decide on her look-alike potential for yourself.

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Everything You Should Know About the Beauty Benefits of Castor Oil

I’ve been using castor oil for as long as I can remember…or whenever my mom started sending me to the beauty supply store for lip gloss and ponytail holders. My strands have been slathered in it and my precious edges have been coated in it, but that’s where my expertise begins and ends. With a thick consistency and unusual smell, I’ve never considered using it anywhere beyond my head, but surprise, surprise: people actually use this stuff on their skin, too.

Before you buy a jar of Jamaican castor oil and start wearing it like a body lotion, here’s a refresher on what exactly castor oil is, the number of variations it comes in and the benefits it carries.

MORE: The Must-Follow Celebrity Skin-Care Experts on Instagram

What is It?

Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from the castor bean that can also grow into the plant known as “ricinus communis.” The plant itself can appear in many different forms; from long, glossy green leaves to purple-reddish ones with circular, spiky lobes attached.

When oil is extracted from the bean, it either looks very pale yellow or dark brown in color, with an easy-to-detect smell.

MORE: Beyoncé’s Unusual Beauty Hack for Grease-Free Skin

The Types

According to Tropic Isle Living CEO and Co-Founder Lois Hines, what really splits castor oil into different categories is the extraction process. The two most widely-used variations are cold-pressed and Jamaican black. Cold-pressed castor oil is extracted by simply pressing the beans without heat, therefore giving the oil a clear color.

“Jamaican Black Castor Oil is a completely different process, made by first hand-picking wild organic castor beans and then allowing them to dry so that the seeds will pop out of the pods,” she says. “After the seeds are gathered, they are roasted, then pounded into mulch using a mortar. The mulch is later emptied into a large pot to which water is added. The pot and its contents are then laid on a slow burning wood fire. The contents are continuously stirred, and as the oil rises to the surface it is skimmed off.”

After the initial skim, it will  go through additional phases of this to ensure it’s completely devoid of water. A couple more stirs later will leave you with ultra-pure, light to dark brown JBCO. Additionally, if a castor oil product is labeled “virgin” or “organic,” that’s simply referring to how the beans were grown (Hines’ Tropic Isle Living uses a mixture of wild grown and organic beans).

MORE: Top-Notch Products for a Cleaner Beauty Routine

The Hair Benefits

Castor oil, regardless of how it’s extracted, contains omega-9 fatty acids (mainly ricinoleic acid), which is where most of its health and beauty benefits stem from. JBCO is particularly renowned for its emollient properties, meaning it absorbs easily into the skin; scalp included. Once there, it can improve blood circulation, reduce flaking and itch, and lock in moisture.

“We know that Jamaican Black Castor Oil has many benefits to the hair,  including the cleansing of toxins from hair and scalp, repairing dry hair, serving as a great moisture sealant for texturized hair, stimulating hair growth and thickness (like in our Tropic Isle Living Strong Roots line) and adding sheen to the hair,” says Hines.

Castor oil, Jamaican black or otherwise, can be a little heavy on fine or fragile hair, but your hair’s porosity–or its ability to retain moisture–is what will determine whether it can handle castor oil or not. In that case, you can opt for a specially-made lighter blend (like this one) or not at all.

MORE: Skin-Care Ingredients That Don’t Play Nice Together

The Skin Benefits

Hines also cites castor oil as a traditionally known all-purpose healing oil. “It is also a carrier oil, which means that it will mix well with other oils as well as help carry nutrients of these oils when mixed properly,” she says. That’s an especially important trait for sensitive skin types to remember, since using castor oil in its purest form may overwhelm and cause irritation.

In addition to serving as an intense moisturizer for people with dryer skin, it can also be utilized as a de-puffer under the eyes or within an oil-cleansing regimen to treat acne. And although Jamaicans have used the oil as a laxative, Hines recommends sticking to topical formulas. Lastly, since castor oil is derived from a bean, which is essentially a nut, people with nut allergies should stay away from the oil, too.

Ahead are 7 of the most popular castor-oil infused beauty products out today, including a pick from Tropic Isle Living.

MORE: 10 Game-Changing Skin-Care Tips for Black Women

STYLECASTER | Castor Oil Beauty Guide

bumble and bumble

Bumble and bumble Brilliantine

An oil-based styling cream made to add polish, hold and sheen to thick straight or curly hair.

$24 at Bumble and bumble

STYLECASTER | Castor Oil Beauty Guide

Caudalie

Caudalie Makeup-Removing Cleansing Oil

Even waterproof makeup is no match for this silky, smooth formula that dissolves makeup without leaving a greasy film behind.

$28 at Caudalie

STYLECASTER | Castor Oil Beauty Guide

Madam CJ Walker Beauty Culture

Madam CJ Walker Jamaican Black Castor Pure Clarifying Shampoo W/ ACV

Combined with the antiseptic properties of apple cider vinegar, this shampoo strips the strands and scalp of buildup without taking away natural oils.

$18 at Sephora

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Oyin Handmade

Oyin Handmade Nourishing Lip Balm in Honeysticks

Apply a thin layer of this honey and oil-infused formula to your kissers for moisture that’ll last from sun-up to sun-down.

$4 at Oyin Handmade

STYLECASTER | Castor Oil Beauty Guide

SheaMoisture

SheaMoisture Strengthen, Grow & Restore Treatment Masque

A Jamaican black castor oil-infused hair treatment for strands that need an intense boost of hydration outside of the normal shampoo sesh.

$11.99 at Target

STYLECASTER | Castor Oil Beauty Guide

Tropic Isle Living

Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil

JBCO, extracted from organic and wild grown castor beans in Jamaica; the best of the best!

$12.99 at Tropic Isle Living

 

STYLECASTER | Castor Oil Beauty Guide

Vernon Francois

Vernon Francois Re~Vamp Mid Length Repair Cream

An intense repair agent created by the man who regularly styles Lupita Nyong’o‘s hair.

$33 at Vernon Francois

Kourtney Kardashian Reveals the Healthy Meals She Eats on Her Summer Meal Plan

If you’re looking for a healthy, refreshing diet, Kourtney Kardashian‘s house is where you go. The 39-year-old reality star is known for her organic, mostly natural diet, and just because summer is approaching, doesn’t mean that she’s slacking off. This week, the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star took to her website and app to reveal the healthy-yet-delicious meals she’s eating on her summer meal plan.

Though she hasn’t revealed her full week of meals, we have the scoop on what she eats on the first two days, and if you’re a fan of keeping cool this summer, Kourt’s meals might be for you. Find out what the E! personality eats in a day ahead.

Day 1 Breakfast: Smoothie Bowl

Kourtney kicks off her week with a smoothie bowl chock-full of vitamins and minerals. For the base, Kourtney blends two cups of pineapple, two ripe bananas, one cup of kale with the stems removed, one cup of spinach, and half of an avocado. She tops it with one teaspoon of bee pollen, one teaspoon of chia seeds, some shredded coconut, and some thinly sliced strawberries, banana, and kiwis. The meal, which takes about 15 minutes to prepare, serves two, so eat with a buddy.

Instructions:

1. Add pineapple, bananas, kale and avocado to blender and blend until completely smooth.

2. Pour mixture into 2 bowls.

3. Slice fruit for toppings and divide between the 2 servings.

4. Sprinkle with bee pollen, chia seeds, and coconut shreds.

Day 1 Lunch: Citrus Salad

Kourtney continues her day by refreshing herself with a citrus salad. For her homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing, Kourtney combines 3/4 of a cup of extra-virgin olive oil, a 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar, one clove of finely chopped garlic, one teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of dijon mustard, 1/2 a teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 a teaspoon of pepper.

She drizzles the mix over her salad which is made of two blood oranges, one navel orange, one grapefruit, pumpkin seeds, a handful of pomegranate seeds, and mixed greens. Kourtney estimates the meal, which feeds two people, to take 20 minutes.

Instructions:

For Dressing:

1. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar with a lid.

2. Place the lid on the jar and shake vigorously until the dressing has emulsified.

For Salad:

1. Peel citrus, remove any pits or seeds, and slice into wheels.

2. Place on a serving dish, sprinkle with mixed greens, pomegranate and pumpkin seeds.

3. Drizzle with dressing and enjoy!

Day 1 Dinner: Salmon with Broccoli Rice

To end her day, Kourtney eats a hearty dish of salmon and broccoli rice. The meal, which serves four and takes around 40 minutes to prepare, consists of four salmon fillets. For the marinade, Kourtney uses 1/4 cup of olive oil, two tablespoons of soy sauce, two tablespoons of rice vinegar, two tablespoons of sesame oil, two tablespoons of brown sugar, two cloves of pressed garlic, one tablespoon of grated ginger, one tablespoon of sesame seeds, and four onions thinly sliced.

For the salmon’s glaze, she combines two tablespoons of honey, one teaspoon of soy sauce, one teaspoon of sesame oil, 1/2 a teaspoon of grated ginger, and 1/2 a teaspoon of sesame seeds.

Instructions:

1. Combine all glaze ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

2. Combine all marinade ingredients and whisk until well combined.

3. Place fillets in a large Zip-loc bag with the marinade let marinate for at least 30 minutes.

4. Preheat oven to 400° F and lightly coat a baking dish with nonstick spray.

5. Place the salmon fillets and marinade onto the prepared baking dish and bake for about 20 minutes.

6. Serve salmon with honey ginger glaze.

MORE: These Energizing Smoothie Bowls Are the Perfect Light Spring Meal

Day 2 Breakfast: Coconut Parfait

Kourtney keeps the week going with a post-workout coconut parfait that is entirely dairy-free. The meal, which takes 25 minutes to make and serves two, uses dairy-free coconut yogurt, mango or any fruit of your choice, and organic honey or agave syrup.

For her homemade granola, Kourtney combines two cups of whole rolled oats, 1/2 a cup of chopped raw nuts, 1/2 a cup of your choice of raw seeds (she likes pumpkin seeds), two tablespoons of organic maple syrup, two tablespoons of coconut oil, and 1/2 a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Instructions:

For Granola:

1. Preheat oven to 300ºF.

2. Combine all granola ingredients in a bowl and mix well, using your hands.

3. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes.

4. Cool before serving.

For Parfait:

1. In a small bowl or jar, layer yogurt and homemade granola and top with organic honey or agave syrup.

Day 2 Lunch: Avocado Toast with Eggs

For a mid-day pick-me-up, Kourtney eats avocado toast with an egg for lunch. The dish, which takes 10 minutes to make and serves one person, uses one egg, one avocado, gluten-free bread of your choice, radishes, mixed greens, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions:

1. Mash the avocado and season with salt and pepper.

2. Heat a small skillet on medium heat and cook 1-2 eggs however you like (over easy, scrambled, etc.).

3. Toast a slice of bread and spread the mashed avocado over the top.

4. Finish with fresh greens and radish slices.

MORE: Take a Break from Bland Meals with These 25 Spicy Recipes

Day 2 Dinner: Sushi Sandwich

For dinner, Kourtney eats her own “sushi sandwich” made with vegetables and her homemade teriyaki sauce. For the sandwich, Kourtney uses two nori sheets, one cup of cooked brown rice, a 3-ounce package of super-firm organic tofu, one sliced avocado, one sliced cucumber, a handful of spinach sleeves, a sprinkle of black and white sesame seeds for garnish, and salt and pepper to taste.

The teriyaki sauce consists of one cup of water, five tablespoons of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, one to two tablespoons of honey, one large finely minced clove of garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of ginger, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and 1/4 cup of cold water. For the dipping sauce, Kourtney combines two tablespoons of Vegenaise and a tablespoons of Sriracha.

Instructions:

For Sandwich:

1. Slice the tofu in half and wrap it in a paper towel. Place it on a plate and weigh it down with something heavy (like a pan). Once the paper towel becomes wet, change it for a new one. Repeat a few times until the paper towel stays almost dry.

2. Combine the teriyaki sauce ingredients and mix until well combined. Set aside.

3. Set the oven to 390°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Coat tofu in teriyaki sauce. Brush a bit of oil on the parchment paper underneath the tofu and bake for about 30 minutes (until crisp and dry), flipping the pieces to the other side halfway through.

4. Place your nori sheet down in the center of your workspace. Wet your hands and grab a handful of rice. Place it in the middle of the sheet and form it into a compacted square.

5. Put a layer of tofu, cucumber, avocado and spinach on the rice and cover all the ingredients with another layer of compacted rice.

6. Seal all 4 corners of the nori sheet on the top of the filling (like an envelope).

7. Cut in half with a sharp knife and enjoy!

For Dipping Sauce:

1. Mix Vegenaise and Sriracha until smooth.

 

 

Just in: Your May 2018 Horoscope

The most exciting cosmic event of the year is upon us! Astrology’s maverick, planet Uranus changes sign on the 15th, switching from Aries to Taurus—just after the new moon in Taurus (at 7:48 am EST) the same day. This will be groundbreaking; a radical shake-up is promised, playing out in different ways for each of us. There’s great potential for a highly invigorated fresh start at this mid-month marker, and yet there’s tension too.

MORE: Fashion Advice and Insights for Every Single Zodiac Sign

Hotheaded Mars brings trouble to the table, poised to challenge new beginnings with his own brand of mischief. Nevertheless, it’s possible to navigate the combative tone using patience. The 20th pours oil on, and from the 21st we’re better connected.

The month draws to a close with the moon full (May 29, 10:20 pm EST) in Sagittarius, bringing our attention to growth, expansion, and stories that have been unfolding over time….