Jennifer Lopez unintentionally started a viral body positivity challenge on Instagram after her latest selfie inspired women of all ages to post bikini photos with the hashtag #JLoChallenge.
On February 16, the singer and actor star posted a mirror selfie of herself in a white bikini on Instagram. She captioned the snap “relaxed and recharged,” but little did she know this was the beginning of the latest social media movement. Aside from those toned abs (which, damn), the viral challenge is about more than looking good”—it’s about the power women’s bodies have at all ages and sizes.
J. Lo’s post inspired women across the social media platform to post their own version of her selfie, as well as share why they’ve decided to step outside their comfort zones. Maria Kang, a health and fitness influencer and founder of No Excuses Mom, was one of the first to share a photo of herself in a white bikini alongside an important message to moms.
“Thank you @jlo for inspiring this spontaneous pic in a white bikini this morning,” she captioned her post. “Not a celebrity. Not getting millions to look great in a movie (hello, Hustlers! ? or dating a hot athlete (although my hubby is kinda cute!) BUT, it doesn’t matter… Own your story.”
The 39-year-old continued: “If she can do it, if I can do it, if thousands of working moms who come in all sizes, shapes, and ages can do it—then YOU CAN DO IT!!!” She then encouraged her 77,000 followers to post their own bathroom selfie in a bikini for the #jlochallenge.”
Lopez eventually caught wind of the challenge and applauded all the women who have proudly taken part in it. “Keep growing, keep pushing,” the mother-of-two wrote on her Instagram Story.
Take a look at some of the beautiful women who’ve shared their stories in honor of the #JLOChallenge, below:
The viral #JLoChallenge is a glorious reminder that beauty, health, and confidence are not exclusive to celebrities.
My fascination with Bravo runs deep. The formerly humble, semi-highbrow network was once known for re-runs of Twin Peaks and episodes of Inside the Actors’ Studio, but in the early 2000s a seed was planted. Bravo created a “reality” show that followed five gay men making over straight dudes around the country. The rest is pretty much pop culture history. From the Real Housewives franchise to Southern Charm, the network has spent the last decade or so making legitimate celebrities out of its reality talent, most of whom have millions upon millions of Instagram followers and fans who have opinions on their every move.
One such star: Stassi Schroeder, the queen bee of Vanderpump Rules, one of the crowned jewels in Bravo’s repertoire. The show—which kicks off its eighth season tonight— follows servers and bartenders at Sur, an LA restaurant owned by former Real Housewife of Beverly HillsLisa Vanderpump. During her tenture, Stassi has been called a lot of things: a mean girl, entitled, annoying, a bitch. But she’s also been praised for being relatable, funny, honest, and undeniably herself.
We talked about the show, yes, but also about her upcoming wedding to boyfriend Beau Clark, a new cast-memeber on Vanderpump (look out for her new bridal column on Glamour this week!) In typical Stassi fashion, though, she refused to tell me a single detail about her dress. She was forthcoming about her life in the public eye—she firmly said she’ll never wear a bikini on television again—and how it feels when people try to cancel her on social media. I asked her about the holiday she bought (just listen — it’ll make sense) and—something we both unapologetically agree on—how shopping can be one of the great stress relievers.
I wasn’t shocked when she asked me which VPR cast-member was the most annoying on social media, and not surprisingly, I had an answer for her.
Listen to the episode below!
Follow host Perrie Samotin on Instagram @perriesamotin, guest Stassi Schroder at @stassischroeder, and subscribe toWhat I Wore Whenon Apple Podcasts or where ever you listen to your favorite shows.
When I broke up with my high school boyfriend at age 16, he joined a group of boys in calling me a name I’d never expected people would ever think to call me. Once he learned that I’d fallen in love with my best friend, though, shots were fired; an ego likely diminished. During a group beach day in July, I was caught off guard by words that cut deep, like cross-stitch scissors snipping into the seams of the leopard bikini I was wearing. As I got up from my towel to approach a friend, I turned around to find him and a few other guys from my class snickering. “Look at her with her tatas hanging out,” one boy mocked. “Slut!” they said while laughing.
I turned around, half-expecting there to be another girl standing there. My face grew hot, and embarrassment permeated my body, a body that I was told long ago to keep sacred. Because I came from a tight-knit religious community, my reputation, above anything else, meant everything. Before I started high school, my mother sat me down and told me that my name should never be passed from the lips of gossipers and my body shouldn’t be passed around in the hands of teenage boys. After hearing the word I was called on the beach that day, I felt cheated because I thought I’d played by the rules my mother laid out. Still, I shoved that leopard bathing suit to the back of my drawer.
Not long after, those boys doubled down: They took to Twitter to declare their opinion of me with a derogative hashtag coined on my behalf. When our senior year began, they gathered like sheep in the hallways.
Because I was lucky enough to have female friends and even some strangers in my corner at the time—some tried clearing my name on Twitter and sent me private messages condemning the injustices of slut shaming—I felt confident enough to continue wearing what I wanted. It also helped tremendously having a boyfriend who stood up for me when trolls tried tearing me down.
I tried a tough-girl approach when I faced the boys in the hallway by flipping my middle finger here and there, but sometimes I couldn’t even make it into a bathroom stall before the tears came. One time a teacher checked in while in the elevator because he said he kept hearing my name whispered in one of his classrooms. I even went to great lengths to apologize to my ex because I thought the way in which he was handling our breakup and my new relationship was my fault.
A part of me thought I deserved to be called names; I deserved to feel guilty for moving on so quickly with someone I’d known almost all my life—especially given the backlash pop culture bestows upon women who move frequently from one relationship to the next (see: Taylor Swift).
But another part of me felt that the only reason they thought it was OK to belittle me was because I was wearing a leopard bikini. That somehow a stereotypically “slutty” item gave them permission. Although it’s come full circle and is often used in even modest clothing, leopard or cheetah print, historically, tends to carry a stigma that casts women wearing it in a promiscuous light, much like the color red or fishnet tights. Not that its definition is particularly scholarly, but even Urban Dictionary—in 2019!—describes cheetah print as what’s “most often worn by women who provide certain services to a man for pay.” (The “dictionary” entry only gets more offensive from there, FYI.)
If you choose to get a bikini wax, by now you probably have an idea of what to expect during the process. Thank god we live in a time where we can swap waxing horror stories with our friends, so we all know what we’re getting ourselves into. But what about what happens after? While most of us know how to prep, no one really talks about how to ease any lingering pain or extend the life of your freshly-waxed bikini line. We went out to experts for the the best after wax care tips, and what not to do the first two days following your appointment.
1. Stay Out of the Sun
The first 48 hours after waxing, your already delicate skin down there is even more vulnerable. So while you may be dying to throw on your bikini the second you leave your wax, keep in mind that sensitive skin is more susceptible to UV rays. “This can lead to permanent sun damage and/or hyperpigmentation,” says esthetician Marta Grochowska of Haven Spa in NYC.
2. Avoid Swimming
This kind of goes hand in hand with the above, but it goes for indoor pools too—an especially large bodies of water (like an ocean, lake, or river) that could contain bacteria. “Avoid public water like swimming pools for a few days,” says dermatologist Kally Papantoniou, M.D., in New York City. If you don’t, you could have an increased risk of getting an infection, and no one wants that.
3. Be Careful Not to Over-Exfoliate
“Waxing removes the topmost layer of dead skin (along with the hair) so any kind of additional scrubbing can lead to skin damage,” says Grochowska. However, after the first few days, it’s important to remove dead skin cells with a light scrub or exfoliating serum to prevent ingrown hairs. (We love the Fur Silk Scrub).
4. Avoid the Sauna and Hot Yoga
“Steam opens your pores, which helps to push hair out,” warns Noemi Grupenmager, founder and CEO of Uni K Wax Center. Because it could cause premature stubble, “it might make you think the wax service wasn’t done correctly,” she says. Plus, bacteria likes warm, wet places, and you want to keep your fresh wax as clean as possible. For these reasons it’s worth it to take a break from hot yoga as well.
5. Wait a Little Before Getting a Spray Tan
“The chemicals may irritate your skin,” says Grochowska. Another reason to reschedule? “The color will look uneven between waxed and unwaxed areas.”
6. Be Selective With Your Skin Care
Stick with gentle, fragrance-free body products following for the first few days after your bikini wax. “Avoid any lotion, soap, or other toiletry items with artificial fragrance or color,” says Grochowska. “These ingredients are very irritating to freshly waxed skin.” Instead, wash up with something like Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Body Wash, which is formulated specifically for irritated skin.
7. Take Showers Instead of Baths
“It’s better to take showers for the week after,” says Dr. Papantoniou. “Running water from the shower will be cleaner than sitting in bath water.” Why? See reason #2 again. It makes you more prone to infection.
8. Sorry, No Sexy Time
This one is a pretty standard rule most waxers will warn you about, but it’s easy to forget. Any kind of action down there—sex in particular—can lead to discomfort. “It can cause excessive chaffing from friction on extra-delicate skin,” says Grochowska. Consider turning the first two days into official cuddle time.
9. Opt for Loose Clothing
One thing to keep in mind both before you head into your appointment and after: Anything tight-fitting can rub raw spots and irritate, says Dr. Papantoniou. You’ll want to give your leggings a break for a few days and stick with maxi dresses, flowy pants, and breathable cotton fabrics.
Let’s get this straight: there’s no wrong way to choose how to remove your pubes or not. From Barbie-doll hairless to full bush (as celebrities have candidly begun talking about), how you groom down there is a purely personal decision. But if totally bare is what you’re after, there’s no denying that a brazilian wax is the fastest, least bump-inducing way to smooth things out below the waist.
That said, it doesn’t matter how advanced you are in the Brazilian arts, we get that it can be a nerve-racking experience. Here, our favorite bikini-waxing specialists share what they wish they could tell you before you lie down on the table. (Hint: You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Unless you show up drunk. Don’t do that.)
1. No one is judging your vagina.
First thing’s first, “don’t be nervous about the way your vagina looks,” says Spruce & Bond specialist Krystal Cordova. “We see all sizes and colors on a daily basis. Our job is to make you look and feel better about it.” It’s a bikini wax, not an audition to be a pubic hair model.
2. It’s not really as bad as you’re expecting it to be.
If you’re a newbie and anticipating pain levels that revel that of Steve Carell’s character in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, know that a bikini wax certainly isn’t a paid vacation, but it’s likely going go better than you think. “For first-time waxers especially, the buildup of anticipation before you get in the room is the worst part,” says Shobha Tummala, Founder and CEO of Shobha. “If you’re seeing a pro, the ‘act’ itself will be much faster and less painful.”
3. Don’t come straight from spin class.
“Come in tidy, like brushing your teeth before a dental exam, but more along the lines of prepping for your annual exam at the gynecologist,” says Tummala. “At Shobha, we have rosewater freshening clothes in the room just in case.” She notes that the drier the area is, the better the wax will adhere and the better the results will be. “If you know you’re a sweater when it comes to physical activity, most likely you’ll sweat in your bikini area as well,” she explains. Wiping the area of other natural—and completely normal—bodily fluids like discharge is appreciated as well.
4. Go easy on the booze.
A glass of wine to temper your nerves before is one thing. But showing up plastered is a different story. “Don’t come into your appointment drunk, it will only make your blood thinner and more sensitive to pain,” says Cordova. There’s also the fact that it’s just kind of rude. For example, Los Angeles-based owner of Pink Cheeks Salon, Cindy Thorin, once had a client arrive so drunk, she didn’t know what to do. “I told her we had to take off her pants, not her underwear if she didn’t want to,” Thorin recalls. When the woman couldn’t get them down on her own, Thorin had to help her. (Don’t worry she came in to apologize for it—along with some other embarrassing things that happened—a few days later.)
5. Pee before your appointment.
If you’re nervous, pre-wax jitters can lead to a nervous bladder. “Make a pit stop in the powder room first because undressing and then re-dressing once you realize you have to ‘go’ slows things down and adds more hassle for you,” notes Tummala. She says this is a common occurrence: “Oftentimes, after disrobing from the waist down for a bikini treatment, you might feel a little colder, which can intensify the need to pee. Also, during certain parts of the treatment your skin is pulled taut, so even a light press on a full bladder can be uncomfortable.”
6. Don’t shave.
“Hair needs to be ¼-inch long to be pulled by wax from the hair root,” says Exhale Spa aesthetician Angela Marinescu. She says that after shaving, it takes three or four weeks for hair to be the best length to be waxed. “On those with blond hair, it takes about two to three weeks, dark hair takes longer because the roots are stronger,” she says.
7. Seriously. There’s no such thing as being too hairy.
“A lot of clients get embarrassed about their growth if it’s been awhile,” Cordova says. “I’d rather wax overgrown hair than a two-week-old shave. It’s easier for the specialist and less painful for you.”
8. Timing matters.
Don’t schedule a wax five days before your menstrual cycle, during, or immediately after. “Your body is especially sensitive during this time period,” says Marinescu. If you’re sensitive or it’s your first time getting waxed, she adds that taking Advil half an hour prior to your appointment will help. Or you could try these other reader-approved painkillers.
9. Don’t workout after your wax either.
“The friction in tight yoga pants can cause irritation,” says Marinescu. Additionally, “you should avoid any physical activity 12 to 24 hours after your wax,” Cordova says. “The less heat you bring to the area, the better.” Steering clear of another—more private—athletic endeavor can be beneficial as well. Aesthetician Elana De Damian of Elana De Damian Skin Care suggests holding off on getting busy post-wax for at least 24 hours. And while we’re at it, cross these other things off your to-do list too.
10. Wear comfortable clothes into your appointment.
It’s not just yoga pants you might want to avoid. Anything tight-fitting can rub raw spots and make matters worse, says dermatologist Kally Papantoniou, M.D., in New York City. So think maxi dresses and harem pants and breathable cotton fabrics.
11. Be vocal.
“If you have a specific idea of how you want your bikini line to look like, speak up,” Cordova says. “Transparency is welcome.” Cordova says she and her team can create clean edges “like a tapestry” or just clean up what’s visible outside of your bikini.
12. Resist the urge to do recon work postwax job.
“If ingrown hairs appear after your wax, don’t pluck them,” advises Cordova. “Let us handle it.” If you pick at your ingrowns with your nails, you risk scarring and infection. “We have tons of bacteria underneath our nail beds,” she says. If you can’t make it back into your waxer, an ingrown hair treatment (like Anthony or Fur) can help safely address the issue, as well as gentle exfoliation of the area three days after your wax.
When it comes to styling your swimsuit, you might think it stops at wearing your one-piece as a bodysuit. But really, there’s a lot you can do with your beach-going lewk—and it can be as easy as mixing and matching your bikini separates. Want to dabble in the crochet trend? Buy a top to wear with black bottoms you already own—or, get a whole set, and pair it with pieces already in your swim drawer. This is a great opportunity to let your creativity shine and get twice as much out of this summer purchase. Whether you pair a pattern with a solid, throw two outrageous prints together, or favor mixing textures and accent trims, these interchangeable separates let you have some fun with your beach-going style.
Check out 30 bikini sets to get those creative juices flowing, ahead.
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