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I have to admit: I’m often pretty codependent in my relationships. Sometimes I’ll decide to not speak up about something because I’m afraid it might push my partner away, or I’ll jump to the worst-case scenario when I don’t hear from them. I’ve even had my fair share of needing constant reassurance and feeling really insecure if there’s a moment I don’t get it. It’s something I’m actively working on, but it’s easy for me to slip into these codependency patterns, especially in seasons where I feel more anxious or am struggling with self-confidence. 

While I have gotten better, I still sometimes have a hard time identifying if certain reactions and feelings are from a place of codependency or if they’re just regular emotional needs. And I know I’m not the only one who faces this question—codependency has become more and more popular over the years as mental health has become a key part of relationships. However, the term has been misused so often that it can be hard to tell if we’re really struggling with codependency or if we’re just expressing needs we expect to be met. So what is codependency, how do you know if you or your partner are dealing with it, and what do you do if you are? Read on to find out the healthiest way to get your needs met.

 

In this article

1
What is codependency?

2
What’s the difference between codependency and having healthy emotional needs?

3
So how much should you depend on a romantic partner?

4
Struggling with codependency? Here’s what to do next:

 

What is codependency?

As Vicki Botnick, a marriage and family therapist, explained to Psych Central, codependency can be defined as “any enmeshed relationship in which one person loses their sense of independence and believes they need to tend to someone else.” While codependency may sound similar to selflessness, it’s more of an unhealthy willingness to give yourself up to keep someone else. Joaquín Selva, Bc.S., explained to Positive Psychology that codependency is “a specific relationship addiction characterized by preoccupation and extreme dependence—emotional, social and sometimes physical—on another person.”

Research has found many common characteristics of codependent behavior, like lack of a strong sense of self. A study of codependency found that every single one of its participants had a hard time defining who they really are, something this study calls “The Chameleon-Self.” In other words, each participant easily adapted to every situation instead of showing up with consistent behavior as their true selves. The participants also described feeling out of control emotionally as well as feeling trapped in the passive role in their relationships in order to please the other person.

Codependency often stems from lack of self-worth, which can then lead to needing external validation. This can show up in every area of life, but it is especially detrimental in relationships. For example, do you find yourself struggling to do things without your partner or find it difficult to pursue hobbies or friendships on your own? Have you ever found yourself changing plans you already had to make sure you can hang with your partner? Or maybe you’ve diminished your own needs to please the other person? While codependent behavior can be toxic and negative, sometimes normal and healthy emotional needs get mistaken for codependent behaviors (especially in situations where our needs aren’t being met, but more on that below). 

 

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What’s the difference between codependency and having healthy emotional needs?

Since codependency has become a popular term, people often mistakenly use it to describe healthy, normal emotional needs within a relationship. For example, you might worry it’s “needy” to express that you want more regular phone communication when you’re not together or that you want to know where your partner stands. In reality, expressing your needs and communicating expectations are healthy behaviors, not codependent, needy, or high maintenance (and to everyone who thinks otherwise: thank you, next). Our society has often confused codependency with vulnerability. For example, has anyone ever called you (or have you called someone) “needy” if you ask for more time or affection? Do you think it’s “high-maintenance” to let your partner know you need help or have high expectations?

Having emotional needs within the context of a partnership is healthy, and being able to express them and get these needs met is a crucial part of a safe, thriving relationship (it’s not codependent!). The difference is the intention: Are you making requests or certain actions based on what you want out of a relationship, or is it because of your own insecurities, lack of self-worth, and fear the relationship won’t work out? You shouldn’t need your partner to feel good about yourself, but you should be vulnerable and able to depend on your partner. The opposite of codependency isn’t independence; it’s interdependence. 

 

So how much should you depend on a romantic partner?

Codependency is about losing a sense of self and looking to your partner for all of your needs, while interdependency is the balance of having a strong sense of self while allowing your partner to help and support you. Interdependent relationships are when both partners are able to depend on each other (like knowing the other will be supportive when expressing needs or that you’re able to ask for help), but you won’t forego your needs for theirs and sacrifice yourself for your relationship.

Expressing emotional needs, like asking for more communication, physical touch, or quality time, does not make you codependent (that’s just knowing your love language). These emotional needs within a relationship are normal and healthy, especially when you have honest conversations where the other person respects you and makes changes so your needs can be met. However, it can become codependent when you begin to ask for these things out of a desire to find self-worth or affirmation. 

 

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Struggling with codependency? Here’s what to do next:

1. Focus on you

If you realize you haven’t seen your friends in a while and only see your partner’s friends or mutual couple friends, ask yourself why. What makes you prioritize your partner or relationship over the life you’ve had up until this point? Same with the small things, like hobbies you might’ve stopped doing or music you stopped listening to. Often, codependency has a lot to do insecurity about not feeling enough without your significant other. To feel enough, prioritize all the things that you love, whether it’s watching more sci-fi movies (even though your partner much prefers comedies) or make plans with the friend that always makes you laugh. Fill your life with so many of the people, activities, and things that bring you joy so that your partner is not your entire life and instead just one amazing piece of an already great life.

 

2. Check in on your partner’s part in the codependency

So maybe you’ve been feeling like you’re codependent, needy, or high maintenance, but you realize you’ve been expressing healthy emotional needs that just aren’t being met. Or maybe your partner has done things in the past that made you insecure in your relationship. Sometimes it’s not that we’re naturally codependent but that other people can make us insecure or question how “normal” our needs are. Don’t be afraid to ask yourself the difficult questions like “Is your partner hearing you out?” and “Do you feel like you have a safe place to express your needs in your relationship?” Bottom line: Codependent or not, you deserve to feel heard, valued, and cared for in your relationship. 

 

3. Talk with a therapist or relationship counselor

If you’re really struggling with codependency and not having a strong sense of self (in your relationship or otherwise), find a therapist or trusted professional to help you work through these patterns and rebuild your sense of self. Working with a therapist can help you determine the healthy amount of trust, dependence, and vulnerability for you and your relationship. More importantly, working on your own self-identity and building up your interdependence can make you happier, calmer, and better in every aspect of your life.

 

Are You Being Love-Bombed? Here Are the Signs To Look Out For

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At this point, it should come as little surprise that any celebrity would launch a beauty brand. Beauty products tend to be relatively affordable, and delving into the category has proven to be extremely lucrative for so many of the rich and famous. Just ask Rihanna, whose wealth, according to Forbes, has surpassed the billion-dollar mark, thanks in large part to Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin.

Just as fragrance was the diversifying business move of choice for celebrities in the early aughts (and many are still making a killing off of it today), launching a skin-care or makeup line seems to be the ultimate celeb power play in the 2020s. And it's a move Lori Harvey is making with the launch of SKN by LH, her new skin-care brand set to launch on October 22.

"[Skin care has] always been something that's been very near and dear [to me]," Harvey tells Allure over the phone. "It's been something I've been obsessed with since I was a little girl." Up until now, Lori Harvey has best been known as a modern-day Black socialite, the daughter of Steve and the ever-couture-clad Marjorie Harvey. She's beautiful, she's famous, the clout: it's already there. Now, she's looking to channel all that into a business venture.

Harvey says that her interest in skin care started in her modeling days. "I have very sensitive skin, and I really struggled with [it] as a teenager," she explains. "Once I got into modeling, I was having really, really bad breakouts because of all the makeup being applied to my face."

At the time, Harvey had an extensive skin-care routine that included several products — at least 20, she says. It was so overwhelming that she decided she'd rather create her own collection to streamline the process. (And certainly, making a coin in the meantime isn't a bad deal either!) Harvey says she recruited a team of dermatologists and cosmetic chemists to help guide her in that pursuit, explaining that she was determined to be extremely involved in the development of her burgeoning brand. 

"I've been at this for a while now, it's is a lot of hard work. I'm 100 percent hands-on with every aspect of my business," she says. "I not only had to learn about formulas but also how to structure a business, the financial side of it. [I also had to learn about] designing packaging, shipping — every little detail that goes into building a brand. I'm still learning more and more every day, but it's so fulfilling."

SKN by LH is a five-piece offering that includes the Goji Berry Cleanser ($38), a clear gel-like face wash, the White Tea Toner ($35), a refreshing mist, the Vitamin C Serum ($50), a milky elixir, the peptide-packed Eye Complex Cream ($45), and the lightweight Niacinamide Cream ($38) moisturizer. All save for the toner contain vitamin C, which was an ingredient Harvey said was important for her to include, due to her personal issues with hyperpigmentation. "I used to get really bad dark spots," she says, also noting that her sensitive skin, which will sometimes turn red when it's irritated, drew her to including ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, to help retain moisture. 

Courtesy of Brand

Harvey says she made her line to service all skin types, so I can imagine we'll be seeing more products aimed at specific skin needs in the future that go beyond what's been put forth. Harvey is hoping to eventually expand her offerings to include face masks, exfoliators, and body products. 

For now, we're set with these first five products, of which I received lab samples ahead of the launch. There is something I find quite special about getting lab samples, dressed down in unfussy packaging. As someone who reviews beauty products for a living, it allows me to experience the product in its rawest form — no frills, no fancy packaging to cloud my judgment. It's just me, my skin, and the formula. That said, the official packaging certainly has more finesse, but still exudes a minimalist vibe. Each bottle, tube, and jar boasts light blue ombré coloring with the name of the brand written in a white, spartan font.

SKN by LH Goji Berry Cleanser

$38SKN by LHShop Now

SKN by LH Vitamin C Serum

$50SKN by LHShop Now

SKN by LH White Tea Toner

$35SKN by LHShop Now

SKN by LH Peptide Eye Complex

$45SKN by LHShop Now

I tried these products periodically over a few days to fully get a feel of how they work, not just together, but with other products I regularly use. My first try was at night. I grabbed the bottle of Goji Berry Cleanser and squeezed it into my hands. It's got a gel-like consistency and a citrusy scent (apropos with the inclusion of vitamin C in its formula). Goji berries add hydration and contain antioxidants, which help keep the production of free radicals to a minimum. When you rub it in on the back of your hand, it creates a slight lather that gets more intense if you do it on a wet face. It foamed, it bubbled, and it washed away easily without making my face feel super dry — just as a good cleanser should. I tried again a few days later to remove my makeup with it, and two cleanses with this did the trick, which sold me.

Then it was on to the White Tea Toner. This formula contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which helps your skin retain moisture and aids in smoothing skin texture, respectively, as well as (of course) white tea extract, which cosmetic chemist Ginger King says contains antioxidants. I noticed that the toner has a very faint rosy scent, thanks to the addition of rose water, which has a soothing effect on your skin. 

Courtesy of brand

After spraying my face, it was on to the Vitamin C Serum, which also happens to contain niacinamide. It is odorless and absorbs quickly into your skin when you rub it in, injecting a bit of waxy moisture. Included in its formulation is pea extract, which has a firming benefit for the skin, according to King. 

"Pea extract is full of antioxidants, contains alpha-carotene (carotenoids are known to stimulate collagen and increase skin firmness and density), and is anti-inflammatory, meaning it can reduce redness, sensitivity, and itchiness in the skin," says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Howard Sobel, M.D. "High in vitamin C, pea extract helps fight free radicals and environmental skin damage as well as brighten the skin. When used in a serum, moisturizer, or treatment formula, pea extract can help boost skin radiance and elasticity."

SKN by LH Niacinamide Cream

$38SKN by LHShop Now

Before I added the Niacinamide Cream, I squeezed a small amount of the Peptide Eye Complex onto my right ring finger and patted it in. The texture of the cream felt a little lighter than what I personally prefer (I like mine cheesy grits-thick), but keep in mind, I have almost a decade on Harvey. Needless to say, my older eyes need a little something extra. However, Harvey mentions that eye cream is one of the products she uses the most. 

"Dark circles and bags run in my family," she says. "So my mom [taught me to be] really big on prevention versus correction." The formula includes hyaluronic acid, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and vitamin E — those big-ticket ingredients you'll find in products aimed at infusing moisture into your skin. 

Once the Eye Complex was patted in, I reached for the Niacinamide Cream. It's quite runny and the texture reminds me a bit of hotel lotion. Unlike hotel lotion, though, this stuff didn't make my skin feel completely dry after a few minutes. I also got a kind of waxy feel once it dried down, but I am happy to report that there was no pilling. 

I wouldn't say this offers a super-intense punch of hydration, so it may suit folks who don't like that heavy feeling moisturizer can sometimes impart. That said, the moisturizer does include niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter — all of which, as previously mentioned, do add that moisture to the skin. In this case,  it felt a bit like it was sitting on top of my skin as opposed to penetrating the layers. Despite that, my skin didn't feel dry afterward, which is ultimately the point of such a product.

Courtesy of brand

Harvey says she likes her skin to have a dewy finish, which, same. However, I think if that is your goal, you may want to supplement with a face oil to get that shine. The times I completed the full five-step LH routine, my skin definitely looked moisturized, but I was left with more of a sheen-like finish, which, if you're someone with oily skin, may be preferable. 

If you're looking for a healthy dose of vitamin C, this range has your name all over it. Again, each of the products, save for the toner, contains the ingredient, which brightens up dark spots in your complexion. If you're worried about whether including vitamin C in all but one step of your skin routine could cause an issue, King says it's nothing to worry about. Having the ingredient in a cleanser is great, but since you're washing it off so quickly, if you want the benefits, you may want to combine it with other vitamin C products, anyway. "If anything, the only good dose of vitamin C should be in a moisturizer," King explains.

If you've got sensitive skin and are looking to maintain a brighter complexion, you may be inclined to pick up what Harvey's putting down. You can nab the collection at sknbylh.com on October 22 for $35-$50.

Source: @jahirka

When I finally succumbed to creating a TikTok account after resisting for far too long, I learned what everyone else in the world has already known for years: The app is full of fascinating, educational content. I’ve learned how to find the right beauty products for my skin type, how to change a light fixture, and, most recently, how to manage my friendships. During my routine nightly scroll, I stumbled across a TikTok from Tinx (AKA TikTok’s “big sister”) in which she explains the “Fatal Flaw Friend Theory.” After applying this rule to my friendships, all of my relationships became richer, more meaningful, and intentional. So what is the rule and why is it so important? Read on for my experience and how you can apply the rule to your own relationships. 

 

In this article

1
What is the “Fatal Flaw Friend Theory?”

2
My experience

3
How to apply the Fatal Flaw Theory to your friendships

 

What is the “Fatal Flaw Friend Theory?”

The rule (because it’s “more a rule than a theory,” as Tinx says) states that everyone has their own fatal flaw or a flaw that is going to cause you the most distress. Once you realize each friend’s fatal flaw, you either have to accept it and choose to not be bothered by it or rethink the friendship. If the fatal flaw is truly unacceptable and something you can’t look past (like constantly needing validation, telling harmful white lies, or always canceling plans at the last minute), the friendship should probably be reevaluated. Otherwise, you’ll constantly be mad at a friend for a simple factor of their personality you’re already aware of and can expect. In other words, identify what irks you the most about each friend, and then decide if it’s something you want to accept and not let bother you or if it’s something worth rethinking the friendship over. 

 

@tinx Answer to @jfeldman20 another tinx theory that has served me well #adviceforgirls #friendshipadvice #theories ♬ original sound – Tinx

 

 

My experience

I learned to appreciate my friends more

As someone who didn’t meet her best friends until college (except you, mom—love you!), I’m less experienced with friendships than those who grew up sharing halves of a bracelet from Claire’s. Because it took me so long to find friends whose personalities and values aligned with my own, I always worried that if some of their traits bothered me, it meant that we must not be good for each other. Tinx’s rule helped me realize that some flaws should be accepted. Just because a friend has a personality flaw doesn’t mean they’re not a great friend.

My two best friends are strong-willed, less-than-patient, leadership types (they’re fire signs—they can’t help it!). This can sometimes rub me the wrong way, but viewing our friendships through the Fatal Flaw Friend Theory, I saw that small annoyances (like being 15 minutes early to everything or asking for advice they won’t use) are just that: small annoyances. I can accept these minor flaws because when I accept them for who they are, I’m able to see that my friends add so much value to my life. I stopped feeling annoyed when they were extra early or couldn’t sit still, as those were traits I could expect. The Fatal Flaw Friend Theory reminded me to take my friends’ shortcomings less seriously. Instead of getting annoyed, I’m able to take a step back and remember that their flaws aren’t worth taking away from all the positive aspects of our relationships.

 

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…and I realized which friendships weren’t worth keeping

On the other hand, a couple of other friends are overly competitive and have a history of spewing backhanded compliments. I tried to accept these friends for who they are, thinking I would be a bad friend if I didn’t. But after realizing their fatal flaw might actually be fatal for our friendship, I realized that the cons simply outweighed the pros. Their fatal flaw was not something I could (or wanted to) accept and appreciate, so why bring myself so much negativity getting annoyed about traits that I could expect from them? It was up to me to either let their ongoing behaviors get to me every day or distance myself from them and focus on the people who bring me joy.  

Ultimately, the fatal flaw theory states that if you spend more time in a relationship feeling bad than good, then it’s probably time to walk away. But if a friendship is worth having, accept people for who they are so you’re not spending your relationships feeling annoyed or frustrated. This rule has become my new measuring stick of friendships past, present, and future: Past relationships ended because we couldn’t accept each other’s flaws, my current friendships are more fulfilling because I’m more patient and accepting, and I know to expect that future friends will also have flaws, but it’s up to me to find the flaws that are worth accepting (because I have a long list of flaws my best friends accept too!). 

 

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How to apply the Fatal Flaw Theory to your friendships

1. Check in with yourself

It’s common to get so lost in a friendship that you don’t question if you actually enjoy it. Maybe you are stuck in routine, have been friends for so long, or feel like you need this friend for affirmation or connections. You might not even realize that the friendship isn’t truly bringing you joy. Take time to reflect on how you feel when you spend time with your friend. If your friend’s flaws are so detrimental that you dread being around them, there may be a problem you just can’t overlook. 

 

2. Get clear on your goals

What are you hoping to get out of the friendship? Are you looking for a casual shopping partner, someone you can confide in, or maybe something in between? Take the time to consider what your goals are for a friendship (and you might have different goals for different friends). All friendships serve a different purpose; for example, if you’re looking for a lifelong friend who’s always there for you, but they’re someone who never picks up their phone, you’ll never feel satisfied with the relationship because your goal isn’t being met. Not everyone can be everything to you, and it’s OK to have different friends for different purposes, but make sure your needs are being met.

 

3. Set boundaries 

If you’re not totally enjoying a relationship but aren’t ready to give up on it, first try establishing some personal boundaries. Boundaries provide others with the guidelines for how you expect to be treated and what you won’t tolerate. For example, if you have a competitive friend whose behavior stresses you out (whether it’s competition over a job, a relationship, or your friend group), take responsibility for your part in the competitive dynamic and express to your friend what you want your dynamic to be instead. If someone isn’t willing or able to abide by these guidelines, they may not be worth your time. A good friend will always respect your needs and work to grow together. 

 

8 Signs You’re Outgrowing a Friendship—and What to Do About It

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Source: Getty

The U.S. Supreme Court is back in session! The nine Justices have reconvened after the summer recess and are hearing oral arguments for cases dealing with some of the most pressing issues facing our country. Oral arguments allow time for both sides of a case to present their facts and legal claims before the justices. In turn, the Justices ask questions of the attorneys and seek a better understanding of the relevant legal matters. The Court hears multiple oral arguments each day and is scheduled to hear nearly 30 arguments through mid-December. Decisions for these cases are expected to come down in early 2022. In the meantime, here’s a snapshot of three cases to keep on your radar.

 

 

Death Penalty for the Boston Marathon Bomber

In 2013, three people were killed and nearly 300 people were injured when two pressure-cooker bombs detonated near the finish line of the annual Boston Marathon. During the multi-day search for the suspects, a MIT police officer was murdered in his patrol car, and authorities linked the two incidents to brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Tamerlan Tsarnaev died while trying to flee police, but Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was arrested, convicted on 30 counts in federal district court, and sentenced to death.

The First Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Tsarnaev’s death sentence, explaining that the district court jury hadn’t been properly questioned and that evidence wasn’t allowed that connected his brother to a prior murder. The Department of Justice, under former President Trump, appealed the overturned sentence to the Supreme Court and maintained that the death penalty should be upheld. The Justices heard oral argument for this case early on in the fall session, and the conservative Justices (Roberts, Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett) expressed general support of reinstating Tsarnaev’s death sentence. The liberal Justices (Breyer, Kagan, Sotomayor) were more sympathetic to Tsarnaev’s defense that his older brother coerced and influenced him into the bombing, and that the First Circuit decision should stand.

If the Court comes down in support of Tsarnaev’s execution—as is expected by legal scholars—it will reflect discord between the executive and judicial branches on the federal death penalty, with the former seeking to limit the practice and the latter aiming to extend. Even in states that prohibit the death penalty by state law, certain crimes can still be punishable by death under the Federal Death Penalty Act. President Biden has been pushing to end capital punishment, and earlier this year, the Department of Justice issued a moratorium on federal executions while a review of the Department’s policies and protocols are reviewed.

 

 

Unrestricted Concealed Carry for Firearms

New York state law requires that applicants for unrestricted concealed carry permits show “proper cause” and “​​demonstrate a special need for self-protection distinguishable from that of the general community.” This law was enacted in 1913 in response to an uptick in homicides in New York and is defended by the state government as a necessary, effective means of reducing gun violence. In this case, two permit applicants were denied unrestricted carry permits, but they were approved to carry while traveling to and from work, in hunting and target practice settings, and for self-defense in limited areas. The applicants viewed the limitations as an infringement on their Second Amendment rights and filed suit against the current New York Superintendent of Police.

Both the district court and appellate court dismissed the applicants’ claims, citing a previously decided Supreme Court case, District of Columbia v. Heller, which indicates that the Second Amendment right isn’t unlimited and should be regulated to some degree. The gray area is that regulations are interpreted differently according to jurisdiction, and there aren’t clear guidelines from the Supreme Court on how regulations should apply across the board. Heller was decided in 2008 and is the last major Second Amendment case that the Supreme Court has decided… until now.

If the Court rules in favor of the applicants, there could be a significant broadening of firearm accessibility in the U.S. There are seven states besides New York that require a showing of “proper cause” for concealed carry permits, so deeming the measure unconstitutional in New York would also deem it unconstitutional in those seven states, as well as preempt any other state from implementing the practice in the future. Additionally, the ruling could lead to further relaxation of other firearm regulations.

Oral argument for this case is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2021. An audio recording of the oral argument will be posted here on the same day.

 

 

Determining Fetal Viability for Abortion Access

Abortion rights have been a major topic this year as 90 restrictive abortion laws were enacted in the first six months of 2021—the most since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973. The Texas legislature made headlines when it passed and implemented the most limiting abortion law in the country, SB 8, prohibiting abortion services after the first detection of fetal cardiac activity, usually around six weeks’ gestation. The Supreme Court had the option to block enforcement of SB 8 before it took effect on Sept. 1, but the Court declined.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health was already scheduled for oral argument when SB 8 was enacted, so that is likely a contributing factor as to why the Court refused to hear SB 8 at the time. The Court’s inaction on SB 8 bought them a couple of months, but the question of fetal viability—a primary point of contention—is also at issue in Dobbs, once again resting the legality of abortion access with the Supreme Court. Dobbs focuses on a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Under Roe v. Wade, abortion access cannot be denied anytime before a fetus is viable. Viability refers to the ability of a fetus to survive outside of the womb or be resuscitated after delivery. Most hospitals and medical providers consider the point of viability to be around 24 weeks.

Many legal scholars are considerably worried that Dobbs v. Jackson will ultimately lead to the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Upholding the law would essentially eliminate the viability condition that’s outlined in Roe and make abortions inaccessible before many childbearing people even know that they’re pregnant. Each of the six conservative Supreme Court Justices have expressed pro-life views, and a majority decision that strikes down the law would require two of the conservative Justices to depart from their political ideologies.

Oral argument for this case is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2021. An audio recording of the oral argument will be posted here on the same day.

 

Other Cases on the Docket

The Supreme Court will remain in session well into 2022, with a few breaks scattered throughout, and will hear a number of oral arguments. Some other legal matters the Court will decide include expanding Supplemental Security Income benefits to citizens of Puerto Rico (United States v. Vaello-Madero), gambling regulations on tribal land in Texas (Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo v. Texas), and disability discrimination under the Affordable Care Act (CVS Pharmacy, Inc. v. Doe), among others. Check out the Supreme Court’s website here for more info about each of this session’s cases.

 

Reconciling the Second Amendment and Gun Control in America

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Understanding Texas’ Abortion Law, SB 8

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Courtesy of Mayvenn Hair

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One quick search for "headband wigs" on YouTube will result in enough evidence to prove just how much these types of pieces have grown in popularity as a quick, low-maintenance way to style your hair. And what's not to love? They're easy to put on, they come in a variety of styles and textures, and they can help simplify your daily hair routine. 

"Headband wigs" are quite simply wigs with a headband attached to them, hairstylist Tamika Gibson explains. "They do not require any adhesive as the headband helps the wig stay in place," she shares. The main tool you'll need to finesse your unit is a brush or comb, depending on the texture, to untangle any knots. Upkeep is fairly simple — Gibson recommends washing the wigs every one to two weeks and storing them away in a satin bag to preserve their luster. 

Similar to the headband option, there are also half wigs to consider. "[Those cover] half of the head and allow for more leave out of the natural hair than a full wig [does]," explains Gibson. You can wear a half wig by itself or upgrade it to a headband unit using one of your own favorite hair accessories (like a headwrap or turban). 

There are so many styles available that it may be hard to find the one you're looking for. But as always, we've got you covered with this roundup of headband and half wigs for those times when you'd rather not deal with wig glue. 

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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  Courtesy of brand1/13

  LuvMe Hair Sugar Plum Color Deep Wave Headband Wig

  Atlanta-based hairstylist Tevin Washington loves the wig brand LuvMe for its high-quality hair. This headband wig is full of texture and color with gorgeous burgundy-colored 3B curls. It's available in 16 to 24 inches, starting at $150 and going up to $250. With each wig, you get five easily interchangeable headband options in lilac, pale pink, orange, red, and black.

  $150 at LuvMe Hair

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  Courtesy of brand2/13

  Sensationnel Dashly Headband Wig HB Unit 1

  Sensationnel's Dashly Headband Wig HB Unit 1 comes in only one length (21 inches) but is available in seven different colors. The customizable drawstring cap has combs to securely fit multiple head sizes. This silky hair can be blow-dried, curled, or heat styled as long as your hot tool stays between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit — and don't forget the heat protectant. 

  $23 at Sam's Beauty

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  Courtesy of brand3/13

  Mayvenn Malaysian Body Wave Headband Wig 

  Mayvenn's Malaysian Body Wave Headband Wig is a human hair unit that comes with two combs for a secure application and five solid-colored headbands in black, white, gray, gold, and bronze. Though it's only available in one color (a dark 1B-like hue), you can customize the length between 16 and 30 inches with the shorter wigs starting at $150 and the longest at $350. 

  $150

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  Bobbi Boss Synthetic Hair Headband Wig Serena

  Bobbi Boss is a fixture in the synthetic wig world for its high-quality units. Case in point: the Synthetic Hair Headband Wig Serena. Serena is a silky number with 24-inch 2C waves. It's available in seven shades including a brown-to-burgundy ombré that is so stunning. The unit's cap is designed with extra ventilation so that you can wear this wig any time — including during a sweaty workout. Priced at $25, it is a definite steal. 

  $25

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  HerGivenHair Kinky & Coily Multi-Textured Unit

  Afro-textured hair typically doesn't have one consistent pattern, and HerGivenHair wanted to create a wig that mimicked that with the Kinky & Coily Multi-Textured Unit. It boasts a mixture of textures from 3C to 4C for a more realistic look. This unit falls on the pricier end of things but these curls and coils, which can be purchased in lengths from 12 to 20 inches, sure are worth it. 

  $296 at HerGivenHair

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  Freetress Equal Synthetic Half Wig Angelic Girl

  The Freetress Equal Synthetic Half Wig Angelic Girl is a synthetic half wig styled in a lob with flipped-in ends that give off a '90s vibe. It doesn't come with a headband, so feel free to pair it with any hair accessory. You can also use heat on it — up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 

  $13

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  Courtesy of brand7/13

  Conscious Curls Quick Crown Peace Headband Wig

  Los Angeles-based hairstylist Kiyah Wright recommends the headband units from Conscious Curls because the brand has "different textures and a diversity of lengths and colors." The Quick Crown Peace Headband Wig is the perfect example with its loose, curly ringlets. You can choose 14 (shown above), 18, or 24 inches for this human hair unit that retails from $225 to $350.

  $275

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  Outre Quick Weave Half Wig Annie

  Outre's Quick Weave Half Wig Annie is a traditional half wig without a headband. Though it is made from synthetic fibers, you can still use heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit on the layered unit. Take your pick of eight gorgeous shades.

  $17 at Wig Types

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  Courtesy of brand9/13

  Muze Hair Kinky Straight Headband Wig

  Wright's own wig line Muze Hair has a stunning range of options, but the Kinky Straight Headband Wig is too good to pass up. The texture on this 20-inch unit is simply sublime and looks so realistic. It comes with a thick velcro black headband for easy application.

  $425 at Muze Hair

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  Courtesy of brand10/13

  Sensationnel Dashly Headband Wig HB Unit 2

  This synthetic unit is full of coils that look like a mix of 3C and 4A curls. Sensationnel Dashly Headband Wig HB Unit 2 is 15 inches long, so it will fall right around your shoulders. It's got a drawstring cap that makes the unit easy to adjust to your head shape. If you want to play around with color, there are seven shades in total, four of which have highlights. 

  $28 at Hair So Fly

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  Courtesy of brand11/13

  CurlsQueen Light Yaki Brazilian Human Hair Headband Wig

  The CurlsQueen Light Yaki Brazilian Human Hair Headband Wig comes in a natural black hue and eight different lengths from eight to 22 inches. This unit's texture is kinky-straight, perfect for those looking for a more realistic appearance. It's made with human hair, so you can style the unit with heat if you want to add any curls to it. 

  $215 at CurlsQueen

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  Courtesy of brand12/13

  Outre Quick Weave Half Wig Lyndi

  Outre is doing the damn thing with these Quick Weave Half Wigs! Lyndi is a layered synthetic unit with loose waves that's available in eight shades. This one doesn't come with a headband, but for less than $20, it should be in your collection. 

  $18 at Ebony Line

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  Courtesy of brand13/13

  Heat Free Hair For Kinks Headband Wig

  Heat Free Hair's For Kinks Headband Wig is a voluminous unit with a Z-pattern curl that resembles 4B and 4C textures. The human hair wig is available in one dark brown shade with the option to customize its length and cap size. The shortest length you can possibly get is 12 inches ($249) and the longest is 24 inches ($589).

  $379 at HeatFree Hair

KeywordsHairwigswigwig stylinghair accessoriesshoppingafro wigheadbandsservice

Nicola Dall'Asen/Allure

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All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

When a beauty product causes hordes of people on your TikTok For You page to break out in wide-eyed bewilderment, you know it just has to be good — and that's the exact wave of reactions Revlon's Oil-Absorbing Volcanic Face Roller has caused in recent weeks. I can't count, off the top of my head, how many looks of pleasant surprise I've witnessed as this rollerball has transformed skin from shiny to matte in a matter of seconds with the flick of a wrist. Naturally, I had to have it. Immediately. And I was not disappointed. 

Here's the basic low-down on the Oil-Absorbing Face Roller: it's pretty much just a rollerball made of volcanic stone. There's no powder stowed away inside; all its oil-absorbing properties come from the tiny ball alone — and that's not a marketing gimmick, if you can believe it. 

"Volcanic stones have little pockets of porous holes to trap oils," cosmetic chemist Ginger King confirms. Does that mean the product actually works, though? Much to my surprise, yes. 

Here’s my skin pre-rollerball. As you can see, my forehead, nose, and cheekbones are most shine-prone. 

Nicola Dall'Asen/Allure

Just like all those TikTok users I watched roll their oiliest patches into smooth, matte ones, I witnessed my own oily spots (mostly located on the center of my forehead and in the crevices around my nose) disappear after passing the rollerball back and forth over them a couple of times. Like any oil-absorbing product, how long that mattifying effect lasts depends on your specific skin type and how much oil it produces. I'm not very oily, so I can go a few hours before needing the rollerball after using it once — it's a throw-in-my-bag-just-in-case product for nights out and special occasions.  

Despite its convenient portability and seemingly magic ability to keep base makeup intact, there is one important downside to consider with the Oil-Absorbing Volcanic Face Roller. As King points out, "even if you can wash it, if it traps oils, it will be harder to clean," she explains. You can wash the Face Roller by unscrewing the very top of it, removing the ball, giving it some soap and warm water, then leaving it out to dry. The more you use it, the more frequently you should wash it. 

It’s hard to capture just how much with indirect lighting, but the Volcanic Face Roller does, indeed, soak up oil for a matte finish. 

Nicola Dall'Asen/Allure

Even so, King recommends oil-blotting sheets as an alternative (anything single-use is automatically more sanitary, after all), but you could also just keep an eye on how oily your stone gets and, worst-case scenario, buy another one when you think yours has reached its oil-absorption limit — I mean, at $14 a pop, why not?

Revlon Oil-Absorbing Volcanic Face Roller

$14RevlonShop Now

The Revlon Oil-Absorbing Volcanic Face Roller retails for $14 and is available from ulta.com. 

Source: @younetflix

Warning: there are major spoilers for season three of You ahead!

In the first two seasons of You, a Netflix hit show and Penn Badgley’s creepy debut post-Dan Humphries fame, we saw charismatic and creepy Joe becoming obsessed with women, endlessly stalking them, and somehow still playing it cool (that is, until he got them into his freezer/basement/see-through room and committed a few murders). We ended season two with the belief that Joe had finally met his match in Love, who might be just as terrifying as he is. 

When he was (maybe?) going to kill her at the end (he is not a good example for how to show your love, FYI), Love announced she was pregnant, and we were left on a major cliff-hanger to learn what their life would be like as new parents in a new suburban life. If that’s the last you’ve seen, stop right now, pull up Netflix, and start bingeing (trust me, you won’t be able to just watch one episode). Whatever you do, stop reading now because spoilers ahead! 

For those of you who have already watched or are too scared to watch and just want to know what happens (usually me), the much-anticipated third season was as shocking as it was binge-worthy. It was so good, in fact, that many people are calling it better than the seasons before it and multiple editors on The Everygirl team binged it in one weekend. So was it really worth the hype? Here’s everything we thought about the much-anticipated season:

 

 

What Happened This Season

Season three finds pop culture’s favorite creepy couple, Love and Joe, relocated to a Californian suburb in an effort to give their newborn son, Henry (I mean Forty?) a “normal” life. Given the 10 episodes of absolute insanity, you can bet they did not achieve said normal life. Before you believe that a season about a married couple wouldn’t have the same signature creep-factor from the first two seasons, it wouldn’t be You without some stalking and (spoiler alert) it’s still Joe (when will he learn?). Their relationship dynamic changes with the lack of thrill (AKA murder/obsession/violence) so Joe repeats his cycle of obsession with a new love interest: next-door neighbor, Natalie (cliche, but whatever). When Natalie “mysteriously” disappears (looking at you, Love), the entire town is sent into a media frenzy trying to find her before Joe and Love concoct a perfect plan to conceal the murder and get them off the hook.

To absolutely no one’s surprise, Joe finds a new object of desire in his boss, Marienne, who seems unbelievably cool besides the fact that she’s into him too (why do girls keep falling for him?). Throw in a douchebag ex-husband, a custody battle, and a desperate attempt to spice up a marriage’s sex life and you basically have the premise of an amazing soap opera until you remember that the main characters are murderers. You’ll hold your breath as Love finds out about Joe’s adoration for Marienne and invites her over, pretending to be Joe (this can only end badly).

Love has a change of heart (phew), directs her attention to a paralyzed Joe (long story), who then kills her, frames her for all the crimes, and cuts off his own toes before setting the house on fire to make it seem like he died as well. Claaassic Joe. If you’re worried about Henry (aren’t we all?), he stayed with Dante (Joe’s coworker) who always wanted a child, so at least it was a Happily Ever After for someone? Anyway, the season ends with Joe in Paris (Emily in Paris could never) assuming a new identity, AKA another day, another dollar for ol’ Dan Humphries–I mean Joe. Killer premise for season four (pun intended)!

 

What We Thought

Joe and Love as parents

As soon as we knew Love was pregnant at the end of season two, I think it’s safe to say we all had our doubts, as one does when two murderers are responsible for a child. Love seemed to more seamlessly fit into the “mom” title, while Joe worried endlessly that the baby didn’t like him or that he would fail the baby (I mean, yeah). While it was touching to see how much Love and Joe loved Henry and wanted to be better for him, it was devastating to see Henry tossed off to a babysitter/willing coworker/drunk grandmother when the couple had to conceal some crimes. Even worse? The fact that they buried a dead body with Henry two feet away. Do better, Love and Joe. 

“The best thing Joe could have done for baby Henry was to give him up to Dante. We can only pray that the character of baby Henry will not remember anything from his toxic beginning.” -Kirra, Graphic Designer

 

Baby Henry In The Background While Joe & Love Are Digging a Grave #YouNetflix pic.twitter.com/F5egsY6H0S

— KHipHopHarlot™ (@KHipHopWorld2) September 17, 2021

 

The affairs

I could’ve guessed Joe would find new women to obsess over, but I truly did not think he would act on it since he has this white-knight complex where he really wants to be a good father and husband. Call me naive, but I wasn’t surprised when he turned down Natalie (but not without the usual stalking, fantasizing, and stealing “momentos”). I was, however, surprised when Love had her own affair, and with a 19-year-old, nonetheless. The neighbor’s stepson, Theo, pursues Love, and the audience is left to wonder if she is truly trying to shut him down or if she has mutual feelings. Finally, Joe’s worst affair is with Marienne who he not only sleeps with while the mother of his child conceals the latest murder du jour, but concocts a plan to leave Love and run away with Marienne. All I can say is run, Marienne, run! And not with Joe. 

“I actually felt so sorry for Love because her desperation to make her relationship with Joe work had a lot to do with her upbringing and trauma. Obviously, this show is as dramatic as it gets, but we could really learn a thing or two on how not to be in a relationship.” -Andi, Social Media Coordinator

“I can’t say I was shocked when Joe almost immediately gets fixated on a new woman. However, I did not expect Love’s impulsive reaction to finding Joe’s creepy box. Murdering Natalie in the first episode!? You’re kidding right…?” -Kirra, Graphic Designer

“At the end of season two, I really thought Love and Joe would be perfect together because of how similar they are, but in season three, we learn they’re so different. Love is far more impulsive when she kills, while Joe is more calculated. Seeing how different they are created a divide between them.” -Caitlyn, Editorial Intern

 

The Quinns’ family turmoil

One of the sadder parts of the show (besides, you know, all the innocent deaths) is the turmoil of the Quinn family. Love’s mom Dottie, recently divorced from her husband, follows Love to Madre Linda, and continuously calls Henry “Forty,” seemingly making him into her late son (AKA Love’s twin) who died in season two. Besides the mother-and-daughter tension that lasted basically the entire season, Love is dealing with her own battles as she struggles with letting go of Forty. I’m going to be honest–the bathtub scene was kinda gross, but I did cry. The turmoil amongst the family implodes when Dottie gets drunk, steals Henry, goes through a Drive-Thru, and then lights the vineyard that her husband stole in the divorce on fire (rich people problems?). Luckily, Henry is safe and we last see Dottie on her way to rehab, but I can’t help but think about how Dottie will be when she finds out her only other child is now also dead (I know it’s fiction, but I am so invested). 

“Every single time Love or her mom referred to Henry as Forty, a part of my soul died over and over again. Also, can we talk about the fact that Love’s mom knew she was a murderer and warned Joe!? The amount of toxic ego-centered self-preservation had me shaking my head.” -Kirra, Graphic Designer

 

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Our breakout star, Marienne

I would be remiss if I did not dedicate an entire section to stalker-crime TV’s newest sweetheart, Tati Gabrielle, who plays Joe’s most recent obsession. Her first main scene was schooling Joe on Missing White Woman Syndrome, so you can bet she brought a way different perspective for Joe than Beck or Love did. For example, she’s worried that the murder Joe commits “in the name of love” could be pinned on her because “everyone likes to play the story of the crazy Black woman.” While Marienne cautiously has feelings for Joe throughout the season, she leaves as soon as she learns the truth, prioritizing her daughter and escaping to safety. Marienne was a powerful character beyond being likable, smart, and relatable. Basically, I rooted for Marienne more than any other character on the show and she was the breakout star we never knew we needed.

“If there is one character I’m happy freed themselves from Joe’s rusty shackles it’s Marienne! All of Joe’s conquests were murdered by the end of each season, so I’m glad Marienne broke the mold. I hope if she makes an appearance in the next season, she’ll be the one to finally take down Joe.” -Andi, Social Media Coordinator

“Ah, our girl Marienne! Can I preface this by saying no murder is justified, but I am slightly happy her horrible ex is gone. Here’s to hoping Joe never finds her and she can continue to be the badass she is.” -Kirra, Graphic Designer

 

When Joe starts stalking again

So we thought that maybe that basic baseball cap Joe put on whenever he was stalking would be a thing of the past now that he’s married and settled down (just like the box of love letters we keep from exes, right?). But Joe starts to feel complacent, or maybe he’s less into Love when he knows she is just as terrifying as he is, so he starts to fantasize and stalk Natalie, and then Marienne. BTW, Joe didn’t show much interest in Marienne until his first object of desire was killed and he didn’t feel excited about Love because–IDK–she just had a baby, is opening a business, and dealing with the anxiety of killing a couple of people. It’s like they say: Once a cheater, always a cheater. Or in this case, once a stalker/killer/psychopath… you get the rest. 

“I think Joe really tried to change and be ‘happy’ with Love, but it’s like he can’t escape his instincts to start obsessing over new women.” -Caitlyn, Editorial Intern

“*Pours more wine…* WHY!?” -Kirra, Graphic Designer

 

What everyone else sees vs what Joe Goldberg sees #YOUSEASON3 pic.twitter.com/gBA6gzgwCV

— Dilan K (@Dkoovarjee) October 15, 2021

 

The new setting

Madre Linda was basically a character itself. As “the safest suburb in California,” Love and Joe move to the tiny town for a fresh start. But the town itself is almost what sparks their downfall because Joe feels complacent and bored in this new suburban life (although living in NYC or LA didn’t seem to stop him from seeking out women to stalk, so sounds like he’s just deflecting). The people of the town are interesting because they’re full of mom bloggers and health nuts who won’t give their kids sugar (or vaccines). Between the “manly camping retreats” (raise your hand if you eye-rolled more than 10 times during that scene) and swinger culture (no judgment on the latter!), the suburbs prove to be a little more than what meets the eye.  

“The fact that they found a town more toxic than how Los Angeles was portrayed on the show has me applauding the writers. I’m super curious how they seemed to turn every tragedy into a PR opportunity for the town.” -Kirra, Graphic Designer

 

The shocking twist

It’s always the husband. Or at least, that was the sentiment echoed by neighbors and Love’s mom throughout the entire series that was intended to be in reference to Natalie, but it ended up foreshadowing how Joe killed Love and then framed her for basically everything. Love was definitely not innocent (I mean, she was responsible for the majority of deaths this season), but Joe ended up being the final villain, leaving behind Henry and killing Love before framing the perfect crime scene that puts Love right at the center of it all (she kinda was but he was right in the center with her).

“Just when I think I have a grasp on how this show is going to end, the finale throws me for a loop! Just as I will never know peace with this show, Joe will never be able to stop killing his significant others.” -Andi, Social Media Coordinator

“I have so many thoughts–this season finale will take me months to process. First of all, thank the powers that be that Theo is OK. Even though I spent the majority of the season not enjoying Sharry and Carry, they turned a corner for me when we saw a more realistic glimpse into their relationship in the glass box (and when Sharry found the key? I gasped!). Overall good vibes here, minus the fact that Joe is now free and in Paris. We love a good French moment, but the thought of Joe ruining the most romantic city in the world turns my stomach.” -Kirra, Graphic Designer

 

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Final Thoughts

I audibly gasped when Joe killed Beck in the first season (after an entire season of saying “he wouldn’t kill her, right??”), and remained at the edge of my seat through the entire season two, but the third season is arguably the most shocking and haunting of them all. With two unpredictable killers and a newborn baby that makes you more invested, there were so many more eerie layers than a man with a glass box in the basement (although I still have nightmares of that alone). Besides the shock value and fear factor, I enjoyed this season because there was an interesting complexity to Joe and Love’s relationship that obviously wasn’t there when Joe was obsessed with these women from “afar.” 

I was initially interested in the series because it takes off the rose-colored lenses of a typical boy-meets-girl love story to show the damage, and even danger, behind the white-knight fairy tale. AKA men who come to a woman’s “rescue,” as Joe convinced himself he was so many times. Season three portrayed so much more about love, marriage, and commitment, but it also made statements about race and socioeconomic inequality that was extremely powerful when you look past all the creepy deaths and plot twists.

All in all, consider season three of You an Everygirl team favorite. Shocking twists, characters you love (I’ll be honest: I disliked Sherry at the beginning but was obsessed by the end), and storylines you won’t be able to expect make it a must-watch. Even with a newborn and a suburban setting, You is certainly not the bad-guy-finally-sees-the-light storyline you might’ve optimistically expected when a baby and wife entered the plot. But don’t worry: it’s a lot more interesting than your average murder thriller.

 

What You Should Watch Next, Based on Your Zodiac Sign

READ NOW

 

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Body scrubs are like the dessert of the skin-care world. Hear me out: They shouldn't replace your go-to body wash, but you're missing out on a major treat if you skip a body scrub in your showering routine altogether. For the sake of this cheeky analogy, may we point out that many of the best body scrubs feature the same ingredients as your favorite baked goods, including, but not limited to, brown sugar and coconut oil.

Not only do physical body exfoliators feel — and often smell — like an indulgent treat, but they're a vital part of taking care of your skin, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Howard Sobel, M.D., previously told Allure. Scrubs "rid the skin of buildup and dead skin cells, leaving your skin looking brighter, smoother, and healthier." 

The only catch? Figure out the frequency that works best for your skin — and don't go overboard. Board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., told Allure that she advises patients to exfoliate regularly, anywhere "from once a week for everyone to once or twice a day if you have issues such as acne, rough elbows, and dry skin."

Keep scrolling to check out 17 of the best body scrubs to add to your tub (or shower) time from brands such as Herbivore Botanicals, Dove, and Kopari. Some of them are so coveted they even won Best of Beauty Awards and Readers' Choice Awards.

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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  Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub

  Ouai's Scalp & Body Scrub is great at sloughing away dead skin cells on limbs but also gentle enough to use on your scalp. The luxe exfoliator, created by hairstylist Jen Atkin, is made with sugar crystals to remove product buildup, excess sebum, and dry patches of skin (including flakes on your scalp) without drying your hair out. It's also formulated with probiotics for balancing your skin's natural bacteria levels — as in, the good bacteria — and moisturizing coconut oil.

  $38 at Sephora

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  Courtesy of brand2/17

  Beneath Your Mask Detoxifying Body Scrub

  Dead Sea salts in Allure's Best of Beauty 2020-winning Beneath Your Mask Detoxifying Body Scrub really get in there to pull grime out of clogged pores. To balance things out, aloe vera puts moisture back into skin and avocado softens, so that skin doesn't feel dry and tight after you scrub.

  $70

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  Courtesy of brand3/17

  Dove Exfoliating Body Polish Crushed Macadamia & Rice Milk

  This baby blue pot of macadamia-scented deliciousness is the goldilocks of body scrubs: The exfoliators are not too harsh, but they're certainly not measly, either. Unlike some sugar-based body scrubs, which dissolve within a few moments of use, this one relies on hydrated silica to clear dead skin and provide everlasting exfoliation. 

  In true Dove fashion, the Exfoliating Body Polish Crushed Macadamia & Rice Milk also deeply hydrates, thanks to its composition of 25 percent moisturizing cream. These are just some of the reasons this affordable product won a 2021 Allure Readers' Choice Award.

  $7 at Amazon

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  Courtesy of brand4/17

  100% Pure Body Scrub

  The scents of 100% Pure Body Scrub come in delicious-smelling honey almond, blood orange, coconut, and lavender varieties for an aromatherapy-fueled shower session. Crystalized sea salt at its base is suspended in a hydrating blend of sunflower and apricot oils that replenishes moisture while it sloughs away dead skin. Add this Best of Beauty 2020 winner to your shower, stat.

  $36

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  Alba Botanica Acnedote Face & Body Scrub

  The Alba Botanica Acnedote Face & Body Scrub just earned a Best of Beauty Award for the second year in a row. Ground walnut shells slough away dead skin while salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant, penetrates deep into pores to clean out dirt, oil, and whatever else is sitting under the skin's surface. The under-$10 exfoliator is gentle enough to use on your face, but still tackles concerns like body acne with ease.

  $7 at TargetMore from Allure

  • 22 Best Cleansing Oils for Melting Away Makeup
  • 15 Best Keratosis Pilaris Treatments for Your Smoothest Skin Yet
  • The Best Face Serum for Every Skin Type
  • 17 Best Salicylic Acid Products to Banish Breakouts
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  Courtesy of brand6/17

  The Seaweed Bath Co. Exfoliating Detox Scrub

  This 2019 Best of Beauty winner relies on an array of natural ingredients to polish away rough patches: French clay to coax impurities out of the skin, finely ground walnut shells for a gentle exfoliation, and green coffee beans to revitalize the skin. All are wrapped up in a refreshing, rosemary minty scent and housed in The Seaweed Bath Co. Exfoliating Detox Scrub's sleek black tube.

  $15

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  Courtesy of brand7/17

  Herbivore Crushed Amethyst Exfoliating Body Polish

  Just this once, we give you permission to judge a product by its packaging. The Instagram-ready Herbivore Crushed Amethyst Exfoliating Body Polish happens to be as effective as it is gorgeous. The pale lavender paste is brimming with Epsom salt and virgin coconut oil, as well as ground and tumbled amethyst gemstones for instantly boosting skin's luminosity and smoothness, making it an easy choice for a 2019 Best of Beauty Award.

  $44

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  Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief Eucalyptus + Spearmint Sugar Scrub

  Slough away dulling dead skin with Bath & Body Works' Aromatherapy Stress Relief Eucalyptus + Spearmint Sugar Scrub, which contains skin-loving jojoba, sunflower, and almond oils to nourish skin as it exfoliates. The 2020 Readers' Choice Award winner also smells incredible and will turn your shower or bath time into a bona fide spa experience.

  $17 at Bath & Body Works

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  Courtesy of brand9/17

  This Works Perfect Leg Scrub

  This buttery balm is spiked with Himalayan pink salt crystals to delicately buff away dead skin cells, so its blend of blackcurrant, sweet almond, and crambie oils can penetrate deeply to deliver a smoothing burst of moisture. The This Works Perfect Leg Scrub also happens to be a Best of Beauty Award winner from 2019, so it comes highly recommended.

  $38

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  Courtesy of brand10/17

  Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub

  In the same way you'd use an acne cleanser for breakouts on your face, the Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub's lathering formula is laced with blemish-busting salicylic acid and tiny exfoliating beads to thwart body blemishes and keep new ones at bay. Plus, it's gentle enough to use on the reg.

  $10

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  Courtesy of brand11/17

  Dermadoctor KP Duty Body Scrub

  This scrub helps treat keratosis pilaris (tiny bumps caused by keratin overproduction) with some serious physical and chemical exfoliators, including glycolic and lactic acids. Because this stuff is so potent, you'll want to use it as a weekly treatment rather than as a daily body buff.

  $50

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  Courtesy of brand12/17

  Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish

  The Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish launched almost two decades ago, but unlike frosty eye shadow, it's just as popular today as it was in the early aughts — and arguably the inspiration for every brown sugar body scrub since. This fan-favorite harnesses the exfoliating power of scrumptious brown sugar crystals, yet it smells more like a spa than a bakery, thanks to an unexpected hit of ginseng and peppermint essential oils. A blend of skin-loving evening primrose, jojoba, sweet almond, and apricot kernel oils leave skin feeling supple — not greasy.

  $67 at Amazon

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  Courtesy of brand13/17

  Jo Malone London Geranium & Walnut Body Scrub

  We're not exactly the linger-in-the-shower type; we're more of the hurry-and-rinse-and-get-on-with-the-day type. But this cocktail of walnut shells and sunflower oil in the Jo Malone London Geranium & Walnut Body Scrub buffs away roughness — and our impatience, which is why this luxurious exfoliator from Jo Malone won Allure's 2018 Best of Beauty Award for best body scrub worth the splurge.

  $55More from Allure

  • 22 Best Cleansing Oils for Melting Away Makeup
  • The Best Face Serum for Every Skin Type
  • 15 Best Keratosis Pilaris Treatments for Your Smoothest Skin Yet
  • 17 Best Salicylic Acid Products to Banish Breakouts
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  Courtesy of brand14/17

  SheaMoisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Body Scrub

  Charcoal has taken the face-mask game by storm, and the Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Body Scrub allows your body to get in on the action, too. Pore-purging charcoal and zit-zapping tea tree oil simultaneously buff away dead skin cells and draw dirt to the surface (and down the drain).

  $12

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  Courtesy of brand15/17

  Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash

  This Allure Best of Beauty winner costs less than a latte, but the Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash smells like a million bucks (read: toasty vanilla that lingers ever-so-slightly as you go about your day). The exfoliators in this gel are small and gentle enough for daily use — which is good, because you'll want to bask in this delicious lather every. single. time. you shower.

  $4

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  Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub

  This Australian-made body scrub looks like ground coffee and smells like ground coffee, but don't expect it to make a good cup of joe. Although it does contain coffee grounds (which act as exfoliators), the Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub is also infused with almond oil, sea salt, and vitamin E to nourish skin. This stuff is loosely packed, so it does get pretty messy. That said, sometimes you've gotta get dirty to get clean, right?

  $17

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  Courtesy of brand17/17

  Kopari Coconut Crush Scrub

  This Allure Best of Beauty winner is the ultimate body scrub for coconut oil fanatics. Merely digging into the luscious oil and brown sugar formula of the Kopari Coconut Crush Scrub is a treat, but the real wow factor comes from how ridiculously glow-y your skin will look after a single use.

  $39

Keywordsbody scrubbody exfoliatorbody treatmentexfoliatorscrubdry skinwinter skinreaders choice 2020bath and body worksthe seaweed bath companyHerbivore BotanicalsdovesheamoistureJo Malonekoparithis worksCaudaliealba botanica100% pureBest of Beauty 2020shoppingBest of Beauty 2021Allure Best of Beautyshopping guide

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All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

People are always surprised when I tell them I'm not good at certain beauty practices. They assume that because I'm a beauty editor, surely I must be at least passably adept at things like painting my nails or creating an updo. On more than one occasion, however, I've had to explain the difference between someone who performs beauty tasks for a living and someone who writes about them — totally different skill set. I put my self-tanner on one blotchy streak at a time, just like everyone else. 

In fact, self-tanner is probably the skill in which I'd score lowest in a bizarre nightmare where I'm in the Olympics but all the events are parts of a beauty routine. No matter what's been promised to me about foolproof even coverage, I make liars of marketing copywriters by coming up with laughably unnatural-looking, splotchy results every time. Needless to say, I rarely use the stuff largely for this reason.

I tan easily and darkly when given the opportunity, but I never take that opportunity because I'm in a neverending skin-tight cocoon of sunscreen even when I'm indoors, which is usually. I do miss the look sometimes, though, and I'd much rather attempt to achieve it in a non-damaging way, so when a self-tanner seems especially promising, I force myself to forget how bad I am at applying it and give it another shot. Recently, the St. Tropez Ultimate Glow Kit looked like it had low screw-up potential, so I found myself alone with it in my bathroom.

There are only two items in the kit: Self Tan Luxe Whipped Crème Mousse, a limited-edition formula created in collaboration with St. Tropez brand ambassador Ashley Graham, and a super soft application mitt. I had never applied self-tanner with anything other than my hands, so I was looking forward to seeing if this simple tool made a difference. 

St. Tropez Ultimate Glow Kit

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But before I could do that, I had to prep, which meant showering with a thorough exfoliating session using a non-oil-based scrub. "Exfoliating before the application is extremely important to ensure even application," board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein previously told Allure, adding that oils "could interfere with the binding of DHA to the stratum corneum." The DHA of which she speaks is dihydroxyacetone, the ingredient all self-tanners rely on to create a darkening effect.

Once out of the shower, I applied a lightweight moisturizer to the areas that always sabotage me with their self-tanner thirst: my elbows, knees, ankles, and heels of my hands. From there, it was time to apply.

Taking the advice of St. Tropez's resident self-tanning expert, Sophie Evans, I started with my legs and immediately let out a "whoa" when I saw how the light brown mousse looked as I spread it down my shins. It's really nice to have an unmistakable guide regarding where I'm applying the product, where I've failed to apply the product, and where it's not very well-blended, but it's also a little jarring to see one's legs instantly become the color of a cardboard box when you're starting out as pale as I've become in my years of sun avoidance. It's also an absolute delight to apply the creamy yet lightweight formula with the included mitt, which definitely helped with even strokes (and avoiding palm stains).

Although Graham applies the formula to her back all by herself in a genuinely helpful how-to video, I admit, I asked my boyfriend to help me with that. I know — what better way to ensure I get yet another uneven self-tan than to ask someone who's never done this before to apply it when I can't really see how he's doing. But he actually did great, and he didn't comment on any unpleasant self-tanner smell. (The product allegedly smells amazing, but I had just come through a breakthrough COVID case and didn't quite have my sense of smell back. But if he, a self-tanning novice, didn't complain of that typical DHA stink, it's gotta be pretty decent.)

There's nothing in the instructions about applying the mousse to one's face, but there's also nothing in the instructions about not applying the mousse to one's face, so for the sake of uniformity, I went for it. However, I used a smaller amount and kept it on for less time. "Faces have a tendency to go darker than the body," Evans has told Allure, adding that as long as your skin isn't prone to breakouts, using body self-tanner on the face is fine. Specifically, I rinsed it off after two hours, whereas I actually slept in the self-tanner (it dries down fast) from the neck down because it can be worn for up to eight hours for more noticeable results.

In the morning, I hopped back in the shower and made sure my skin was rinsed clean of any color that wasn't the result of the Maillard reaction. (That's what it's called when the DHA mixes with skin's amino acids to generate a pigment called a melanoidin, according to board-certified dermatologist Michele Green.)

I decided to go with a full-blown magician's-assistant "ta-dah!" pose to show you the before and after on my arm. These were taken at the same time in the same spot in my apartment one day apart.Allure

I was genuinely surprised to see that I had done a damn good job of applying this self-tanner in an even way — but I can't really take all the credit, and neither can my boyfriend. Most of the credit goes to St. Tropez for creating a formula in a tinted, easily spreadable, and blendable format that makes it easy for application-inept beauty editors like myself to actually do said good job — especially when equipped with a truly difference-making mitt. 

Look how happy I am about the results! Allure

The only areas that needed a little correction were the ones I moisturized. I actually ended up applying too much moisturizer, or perhaps too little mouse, on the back of my hands. That said, it wasn't very noticeable, and after a little exfoliating, it blended into a bit of an ombré effect that was even less noticeable.

I'm genuinely impressed with the outcome, and I know I'll only get even better at getting even results. Now if someone could just come out with nail polish in easy-to-apply mousse, I'll be all set.

Ready to try it for yourself? If so, pick up a kit for yourself for $55 at sephora.com or ulta.com and see what all of the hype is about. And after you're done here, check out all of our 2021 Allure Best of Beauty Award winners. (The entire list is well worth the read.)

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I think we can universally agree that Zendaya can do no wrong. She's an extremely talented actress, can sing a note or two, and has already cemented herself as an experimental beauty and style icon who constantly takes our breaths away with every look — and she's done it all by the age of 25. Her most recent eye-catching moment that we can't ignore is the set of blunt bangs she wore at a photo-call for her upcoming film Dune on October 17.

The Euphoria star shared a few photos of her whole look from the London Film Festival on Instagram. In them, she wears a chained crop top and brown checkered skirt from Vivienne Westwood, styled by the amazing Luxury Law. Although this outfit is too good to ignore, we have to talk about her expertly tousled hair by New York-based hairstylist Antoinette. The caramel brown hair cascades past her shoulders and back in loose curls that have the ideal amount of texture. Her blunt bangs complement the tousled look well, as they fall right over her thick brows.

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These bangs look amazing, but would you expect less from Zendaya? The hairstyle complements the gorgeous outfit and her neutral glam makeup. This is far from her first time experimenting with a fringe. In fact, on September 7 at the Dune premiere, she stunned in a set of voluminous curly bangs.

Truthfully, this entire press tour for the Dune movie has been chock full of spectacular beauty and fashion moments from Zendaya. She hasn't given us a second to rest, and we're not going to lie, we kind of love it. It's just like her to completely throw us off guard with each and every new look, so we just know the next look will be to die for, too.