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16 Best At-Home Hair Color & Hair Dye Boxes in 2020


If social media has anything to say about it, we’re all starting to wonder what the best at-home hair color is. Call it self-care or feeling stir crazy, but with hair salons closed for the time being because of the coronavirus pandemic, learning how to dye your hair at home is suddenly sounding better by the minute.

Luckily, it’s easier than ever, as both salon and drugstore hair dye brands have stepped up their game, and there are tons of options for tinting, dyeing, and refreshing your hair in the comfort of your own bathroom. To really get it right, colorist Lauren Grummel says the first thing you should do is reach out to your stylist, since they can help recommend a touch-up option (thank them by Venmo’ing a consultation fee or buying a gift card to use for your next appointment). Some stylists are also offering video consultations, or they can help you over the phone or email.

If you want something drastic, your best bet is waiting until you can make it to the salon. When coloring your hair at home, it’s best to stay close to your natural shade, and Grummel recommends only going either two or three shades lighter or darker. She also says to consider the tone of your hair (cool, warm, neutral) and stick with dye in the same shade family. Another thing to consider? “It’s typically easier to go darker at home, as long as your only going about two to three shades darker,” says Grummel. “You can’t go from platinum to dark brown—it will look very flat and murky.”

She also recommends sticking to glosses and tints at home, since it will be much easier (and cheaper) for your salon to fix if something goes wrong. Another way to avoid a costly fix is only touching up the color around your hairline, and one inch on either side of your part. Two things you should either leave to the pros or attempt with serious caution? Doing your own highlights or going platinum. “Whether its breakage or brassiness, so much can go wrong here,” Grummel strongly warns. If you’re considering it, just keep in mind how much it will cost to fix if things go south.

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, read on for the best at-home hair color, from full-on dyes to tinted shampoos, and check out our full guide to dyeing your hair at home for more tips and tricks.

All products featured on Glamour 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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13 Best Retinol Creams & Serums 2020 – Reviews


Ask anyone with glowing skin, and they’ll likely tell you it’s thanks to the best retinol creams (and, OK, maybe genetics). The ingredient is often hailed as the gold standard for both reducing wrinkles and fighting acne. But while retinol is extremely effective, it’s also notoriously tricky to get right.

First things first, it helps to know what is retinol exactly? It’s often used as a catchall term for topical products containing a vitamin A derivative, but technically retinol is a type of retinoid, of which there are several variations that work at different levels in your skin care. “Retinoids work by increasing collagen production as well as increasing the rate of skin cell turnover,” says New York dermatologist Shari Marchbein, M.D. “They also help treat acne, blackheads, and clogged pores by reducing the stickiness of the cells that clog pores, as well as speeding up the rate at which the skin turns over and regenerates.” Because of this, retinol creams and serums are ideal for improving your skin’s overall texture, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, evening out skin tone, and decreasing pore size.

But all this turnover can also lead to irritation, including redness, peeling, and increased breakouts (known as “purging”). Most derms recommend easing yourself into retinol, starting with one or two applications a week to build up your tolerance. You can also try buffering—i.e., sandwiching retinol between two layers of moisturizer—to keep irritation at bay.

If used correctly and carefully, though, a good retinol product can truly revolutionize your skin care routine—something our editors can say with certainty. We polled Glamour staffers (and a few experts) and asked them to share the retinols that deliver results without the irritation. Read on for the best retinol creams, serums, and oils they swear by.

All products featured on Glamour 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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15 Best Slippers for Women in 2020: Fleece, Shearling, Faux Fur, & More


It’s been a few weeks of our new WFH life, and if you’re like me and have decided to take the pledge to #stayhome, you may be looking for ways to feel more put together—without going so far as to throw on a pair of jeans. My solution was to find the best slippers for women because I wanted to keep my toes toasty while also providing a slip barrier between the floor surface and my feet. Not to mention, I’ve been on the hunt for slippers to match the cashmere joggers I’ve been living in for the last two weeks.

As a part of my effort to keep a daily routine in place, I’m swapping out the flats I would normally put on before leaving the house with chic slippers that I can finally sink into and wear for 8+ hours a day. It’s an easy way for me to get into an office mindset right from the comfort of my living room, dining room, or bedroom. Whether you want shearling-lined, faux fur or a cozy fleece option, there are so many pairs begging to be worn right now. Ahead, find 15 of the plushiest, coziest, and best slippers to indulge in. Oh, and don’t be ashamed to rest your feet on the table—these picks are all cute enough to show off during your next Zoom meeting.

All products featured on Glamour 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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How to Clean Makeup Brushes & How Often to Do It


How to clean makeup brushes the right way might seem obvious, but it’s a little more complicated than just wash, rinse, and repeat. Yes, it can be a bit of a pain, but washing your brushes regularly makes a world of difference. Considering they’re an essential part of your makeup routine—what good is the perfect foundation if you have nothing to apply it with?—it’s worth taking the time to learn to treat them right.

In addition to looking better on your vanity, clean brushes actually perform better. Dirt, oil, and makeup buildup can weigh down brush hairs, making them harder to work with—which can mean streaky foundation and patchy blush down the line. Dirty brushes can also harm your skin as well. “We know that makeup brushes grow bacteria and fungus,” says Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skin care. That bacteria paired with the aforementioned dirt and oil can lead to breakouts and even dermatitis in some cases.

In order to avoid that, we asked Ciraldo and makeup artist Kasey Spickard to share their best tips for keeping brushes squeaky clean. Read on to have all your questions answered, including how often to wash your brushes, how to do it, and the best cleansers for the job.

How often to clean makeup brushes

No offense, but you’re probably not washing your brushes often enough. “Clean brushes are essential,” says Spickard, who says that ideally you should be disinfecting your brushes after every use with a liquid cleanser (this is non-negotiable if you’re a makeup artist). But he gets that’s not exactly realistic for must of us and says a deep clean once a week is fine. Ciraldo recommends giving them a good scrub at least once every two weeks, more if there’s visible makeup buildup, and to be extra diligent about cleaning your makeup sponges, like Beautyblenders, since they’re more prone to bacteria.

What to use to clean makeup brushes

Katie Friedman

You have a few options when it comes to what to use to wash your brushes. Spickard prefers to use a liquid brush cleanser like Cinema Secrets between uses since it’s “able to penetrate the bristles and really get in and break up the makeup.” However, he warns that the liquid cleanser can leave a bit of a residue, so he likes to use the Beautyblender Solid Blendercleanser for his weekly deep-clean. “I also always have 70% rubbing alcohol with me,” he says. “It’s great at removing things like waterproof mascara that even the best brush cleaners struggle with. It’s also the best disinfectant and cleaner to truly sanitize your brushes.”

But you don’t have to buy a separate soap for your brushes if you prefer not to—the shampoo hanging out in your shower will likely do the trick. Just make sure it’s sulfate-free, says Ciraldo. “While you want to rinse the brushes out thoroughly, it’s good to avoid sulfates that may possibly leave a residue on the brush and lead to some irritation or pore clogging.” Some pros also recommend gentle dishwashing liquid for a thorough clean.





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Now's the Time To Learn How to Sext: 23 Sexting Examples & Tips


Sexting example: “Tell me how the sound of my voice makes you feel.”

12. Make up a scenario.

Although creativity does score points when it comes to sexting, making up a scenario doesn’t have to be complicated, according to Stubbs. Even tossing out there the possibility of you just showing up at their house as a surprise can feel exciting.

Sexting example: “What would you do if I showed up at your house in nothing but a trench coat right now?”

13. Realize this could be practice for the real deal.

If you’re sexting with someone you’ve recently met on an app but haven’t been able to meet IRL, you could be practicing for the real deal—if you do want to meet after all this. This practice allows you to know each other intimately before that first, potentially awkward date.

Sexting example: “I guess if dinner and drinks feels awkward, we already know what we want in bed. Tell me again what you’ll do to me first?”

14. Take turns being the narrator.

“At its most basic, there are two central roles that you can take while talking dirty: the director and the narrator,” says Corrado. “The director is someone who is doing the telling, while the narrator is describing what is happening around them.” One role might feel more comfortable to you and to your partner, so you just might fall into them naturally. But this doesn’t mean you can’t switch it up.

Example of director: “I want you to use your vibrator on your clit, but you can’t come until I say so.”

Example of narrator: “I love it when you tease me that way.”

15. Get creative with language.

Honestly, there’s only so many times you can say “pussy” or “cock” before it wears thin. That’s why, according to O’Reilly, creative language is a must. “Consider crafting your messages with broad and vivid vocabulary,” she says.

Sexting example: “I wish you were here to feel how wet my treasure trove is.”

16. Keep the conversation going.

There’s nothing worse than getting all hot and bothered and then there’s a lull. Like, WTF. “Engage and try not to be unresponsive during moments when the sexting is consistent,” Saynt says. “There’s nothing worse than someone losing interest or getting distracted on either side, so try to be there for your partner and be sure to call them out when they seem to not be there for you.” 

Sexting example: “I’m not sure where you went, but if you haven’t come yet, let’s work on that together.”

17. Get all five senses involved.

“Your sexting partner isn’t there with you, so they only have your words (and their imagination) to figure out what’s going on,” Corrado says. “If you’re describing to them the ways that you’re touching yourself, make it a sensory experience.” According to Corrado, you want the person you’re sexting to feel like they’re right there, seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling, and tasting it all.

Sexting example: “The leather chair I’m sitting in feels so good on my skin right now.”

18. Role-play.

It’s exhausting always being the same person, isn’t it? Stubbs suggests setting up a role-play situation. This is another place where you can let your mind run wild. Did you just receive a text from a stranger that must orgasm ASAP to save the planet?! It’s totally okay to be silly while sexting!

Sexting example: “You don’t know me, but I’m from Venus and I’ve been given your number to make you wetter than you’ve ever been before.”

19. Communicate what you want.

Unless your sexting partner is a mind reader—or you’ve been together that long, you’re going to have to communicate and maybe even steer the direction of the sexting. “Want your partner to engage in a little fantasy play? Looking to have them say dirty things to you? Communicate what you want and ask for all the naughty things you know you deserve,” Saynt says. “Most likely your partner will be down to comply with giving you exactly what you’re looking for.”



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Nordstrom Spring Sale 2020: Best Style Deals from Ugg, Levi's, & Zella


A few weeks ago, we were prepping our wardrobes and skin care routines for sunny, picnic-in-the-park days. Instead, we’re at home, idling between our couch and bed as we try to find a sense of normalcy while also trying to do work. Our current mood is anything with an elastic waist, so the Nordstrom Spring Sale could not have come soon enough.

Through April 13, you can get 40% off with free shipping and returns—sale items included(!!). We’re stocking up on everything that’ll make our WFH situation comfier—think ribbed knits, super soft leggings, and fluffy slippers. It’s also a great place to find gifts if you’re missing a friend, since the next best thing to giving someone a hug IRL is surprising them with a cozy care package.

To help you ease into your new normal, we picked the coziest Nordstrom Spring Sale items available. Whether you plan on living in a sweatsuit circa 2009, or just want cheer yourself up with a pretty new cardigan, here’s our list of what to buy from Nordstrom’s 2020 Spring Sale before everyone else does.

All products featured on Glamour 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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