Have you ever wondered why you do your makeup in a certain way? There's psychology behind the way we reveal our identities—one look at a time. When I was 19, I remember painting my eyelids with bold colors to rebel against my parents, who confined me to the walls of their authority. I felt empowered, mature, and in charge of the life I was creating despite the awkward glances I ignored from people on the street. If you think makeup doesn't matter, you're wrong. I was sent ho

With consumerism on the rise, the cosmetic industry is slipping into conformity rather than artistry.    2016 was memorable because influencers focused on reviewing products instead of loving them by default. YouTube was a platform where content creators built their personal brands, not where they executed the latest viral trend. Now, in 2026, individuals are accustomed to having someone tell them what they need instead of doing their own research, and brands are taking advan

Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber are once again under public scrutiny following the September 5 launch of Rhode at Sephora. Gomez, who launched Rare Beauty 5 years earlier, solidified her presence in the beauty space by advocating for mental health and cultivating a fiercely loyal fan base. Bieber stood out as Rhode sold approximately $15 million in merchandise on its very first day. The financial success came shortly after Bieber sold half of Rhode’s shares to Elf. Bieber’s br

Top 10 Makeup picks for Fall!

Photo by Christopher Emmanuel Goueti Bound by friendship and youth, four women sit shoulder to shoulder before an audience eager to learn how they elevated themselves from entrepreneurs to girlbosses.    A discussion panel spotlighting these women's careers delves into how their culture, values, and obstacles they've overcome drive their success in competitive fields. As women of color who built their careers from the ground up, they share insights from stitching handbags, wr

When did people start caring about the chemicals in their makeup? Beauty brands are altering the formulations of their products to accommodate the client and environment. As a Sephora employee, here are 10 clean beauty brands you can purchase online or in-store! Tower 28 It started with lipgloss, as it usually does when I befriend a new makeup brand. I was hunting for something pigmented when my coworker selected a berry-colored lacquer that changed my makeup regimen indefini

I clock out of Saks at 7:08, looking forward to an evening of tequila and solitude. After discovering an American dive bar near my house, my Thursday night routine took one year to perfect. I'd revisit the bar until I became a regular and made enough friends to distract me from unsettling emotions. My parents were home all the time and often contributed to my stress, forcing me to develop an escapist mentality. I had just ended a vital friendship and found it tacky to drink a

A vodka cranberry splatters over my white shoes as I stare at a crowd of gay men in aggravation. I contemplate whether the drink was spilled purposefully, intensely shaking the alcohol off my foot. It's not my first time navigating the vastness of LGBTQ+ nightlife, but I was definitely jarred.   Gay men are very messy. The drugs, the sex, the envy, and the competitive nature of the gay community aren't thrilling to me. A part of me is eager to experience the fun that coincide

“I wonder when she’ll get here—should I make something up and cancel last minute?” I saw an old friend recently and found it extremely difficult to process how quickly things evolved. Yes, we laughed at the same jokes and enjoyed each other's company, but the distance was palpable. Upon walking into my apartment and reflecting on our brief encounter, I teared up. Losing my best friend has to be the worst heartbreak I've endured. Seeing her after so much time apart only allo

We can all agree at some point in our lives, our drinking became excessive. Whether you are struggling internally or not, it's difficult to stop yourself when you begin to spiral. You’re binge drinking 4-5 times a week to the point where your breath wrecks of liquor the following morning. You may want to forget about your problems or "have fun." However, when you start sabotaging your relationships, it's usually a sign something is wrong. I started drinking a lot when I was

you're not content with a specific area in your life, you begin to bargain. "I may not have a job, but at least I have savings." "I'm far from home but have a partner." It's often challenging to unchain yourself from the impossible standards you've set forth. You start obsessing about what needs fixing and how to move forward. The truth is, there's no timeline for ambition. Despite our hardships, I believe we are precisely where we need to be. It's easy to wither yourself awa

When a repetitive pattern occurs in your life, it's for a reason. Perhaps you lack self-control or genuinely enjoy participating in activities that work against your well-being. Nonetheless, when someone does something you don't like, and vice versa, justifying the action with the "omg, I'm so sorry. It was just this once" fixes nothing. People who lack skills in accountability will often run from the problem rather than fix it. We've all been there. This applies to friendshi

I went through elementary, middle, and high school without legitimate feelings for anyone. I focused on finding a way to live my truth rather than worrying about whether a guy liked me. It was much easier when I was younger because most of my friends were single. I had people I could relate to and never felt lonely because my girls always stuck by me. Not being in a relationship was normal because I was just a kid then. I wasn't the best-looking teenager, but I was also never

Introduction to my blog!