Month: January 2020

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Kevin Durant, Kendrick Perkins Exchange Twitter Jabs During Russell Westbrook’s Return to OKC

As former Thunder guard Russell Westbrook returned to OKC with the Rockets, two other former Thunder players were busy exchanging tweets.

As former Thunder guard Russell Westbrook was making his appearance as a visiting players in Oklahoma City, two other former Thunder players were busy exchanging tweets.

The thread started earlier on Thursday when Perkins, an ESPN analyst who played for the Thunder from 2010-14, tweeted that he thought Westbrook was “the best player to have ever put on a Oklahoma City Thunder jersey” and called Westbrook “Mr. Thunder.”

Celtics analyst Marc D’Amico offered his opinion on Westbrook’s Thunder legacy before Durant then chimed in.

Perkins and Durant then re-visited their respective careers in OKC. Durant called out Perkins’ production with the Thunder, while Perkins clapped back by discussing Durant’s decision to leave Oklahoma City for Golden State.

On Wednesday, Durant also got into a Twitter debate about the Brooklyn Nets’ relevancy. 

While all this was happening, Westbrook’s new team fell to his old one, 113-92. Looks like OKC got along just fine without Mr. Thunder Thursday night.

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5 Things About My Outfits I’m Always Secretly Judging

Maybe to varying degrees, but we all do it every once in a while, don’t we? You step out of the house in something you kind of just threw on in a rush, and the first glimpse you get of yourself, whether in a store window or the office bathroom mirror, is, let’s just say, not your best work. It happens to me all the time, and I pride myself on my fashion sense and quite literally make a living out of it! The occasional faux pas doesn’t mean that we’re not stylish or that we dress poorly, rather that there’s always room for improvement and that we all have our off days.

So what fashion mistakes of my own really make me tick? You’re in for a real treat because today I’m not just telling you; I’m showing you. Just keep scrolling for the five things about my outfits I’m always secretly judging and to get some inspiration from girls who got it right.

I used to be quite vigilant about tailoring all my pants before wearing them, but lately, I’ve been giving in to my inherent laziness, and it shows (as seen above). Whether I want something that is cropped at a certain place or hits just before the floor, the key to a good hem for this 5’2″ editor is monthly visits to the tailor, and I’m determined to get back on track.

This cropped suit hits at just the right spot.

I’d expect nothing less than perfectly long pants from Lauren Santo Domingo.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my collection of basic black boots and bags like they’re my children, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t switch it up every once in a while—especially when I have the inventory to do so. This year, I’m vowing to give my statement accessories more time in the spotlight. 

I’m inspired by this croc bag–and–snake boot combo.

Baby blue FTW.

Now, the only way to solve this is through trial and error. Trying various tops with different bottoms to know what looks good and what just doesn’t sit right will help you keep tabs on the best combinations in your wardrobe. However, every once in a while, even when I know the pairing isn’t perfect, I’m rushed to get out the door and step out in something I otherwise wouldn’t. Case in point: this tee, which was just too baggy for my tight jeans.

Just perfect.

Slim sweaters and loose trousers are a match made in heaven.

While pairing one-and-done basics such as a cardigan or blouse with jeans is great, the approach rarely lends itself to a truly memorable outfit. So whether it means combining more interesting and unexpected pieces or layering item after item to stay warm while looking cool(er), I think it’s time I step up my game and get more mileage out of my wardrobe. 

I love Rachael Wang’s fleece-on-fleece look so much.

More coats, belts, and unitards in 2020, please.

One of my biggest repeat offenses is my tendency to wear the same one or two cozy sweaters on repeat for most of fall and winter. As you can imagine, even if they are brand-new at the beginning of September, they hardly look it by mid-January. Not only do I need to start giving the other tops in my closet a chance, but I think I need some new sweaters as well. 

This interesting knit is fashionable and not the least bit faded.

A cozy fit that still looks stylish.

Up next: three things that make cheap boots look expensive.

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The 6 Shoes You Should Own If You Live in Basic Jeans

There’s a strong chance that you live in jeans in your off-duty or 9-to-5 life (if you work in a casual office setting, of course). And given your affinity for those tried-and-true blues, there’s also a strong chance that you have a smattering of go-to items you wear with your favorite denim. When it comes to footwear specifically, there are a few specific pairs worth owning to elevate the most common, basic jean silhouettes like skinny, straight-leg, and black denim.

To highlight said shoes, we thought we’d turn to some of our favorite celebs like Jennifer Lopez and Katie Holmes who also all wear cool jeans on the regular. With that in mind, keep scrolling to check out the six footwear silhouettes that look flawless with denim, as showcased on the most fashion-forward A-listers.

While it’s especially forward to stuff straight-leg jeans into knee-high boots, skinny jeans tend to fit seamlessly inside for a streamlined look. On Chrissy Teigen: Loewe coat; Paris Texas boots

Bring extra dimension to a skinny jeans outfit with a pair of sneakers with elevated soles. On Jennifer Lopez: Alexander McQueen Sneakers ($490)

You just simply can’t go wrong with a pair of black booties for a classic vibe with straight-leg jeans. On Emily Ratajkowski: Magda Butrym blazer

Wearing cropped straight-leg jeans? Embrace pointed pumps or mules in a neutral hue to bring an elegant twist to your ensemble. On Katie Holmes: Chanel jacket; Hanes x Re/Done T-Shirt ($78); Jimmy Choo heels

A pair of classic white sneakers pop flawlessly against any sort of black-wash jeans. Who: Kaia Gerber

Give your cool outfit that effortless “downtown” spin with a pair of current moto boots. Who: Jasmine Tookes

Next, check out how celebrities are wearing the flare denim trend this year.

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Fashion Girls Keep Wearing This Super-’90s Hair Accessory, and I Have Questions

When it comes to ’90s style, there are a few quintessential pieces like tube tops, teeny handbags, and flatform footwear that make it so easy to identify a look from the era. And, not surprisingly, the same is true on the beauty front.

Considering it was a time when razor-thin eyebrows, frosty eye shadow, and tinsel hair extensions reigned supreme (woof), it’s hard to believe that any of the beauty markers from the ’90s have managed to re-emerge in the modern zeitgeist. But, surprise, claw hair clips have done just that, and I need answers as to why.

Actually, Alexander Wang’s F/W 18 New York Fashion Week show, in which custom and impossibly chic claw hair clips adorned the heads of many of the models on the runway, is widely accepted as patient zero of the recent claw hair clip resurgence. (Leave it to the fashion industry to totally shake up everything in its periphery, including the beauty space!)

But fashion girls have grabbed hold of this aggressively ’90s trend, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be letting up on it any time soon. Ahead, check out the members of the fashion set who love claw hair clips, and enjoy our edit of the chicest clips to add to your hair accessory wardrobe.

Hadid is one of the women we see most consistently snapped wearing the claw hair clip. She appears to love adding the easy piece to her signature slicked-back hairstyles.

Mrs. Bieber prefers a claw hair clip of a smaller and wider variety. It fits seamlessly with her laid-back, cool-girl style. 

As for Gerber, a more dimensional claw hair clip with a pattern and varying colors is the move.

Hadid doesn’t shy away from a statement piece, so it’s no surprise that she’s been spotted in metallic claw hair clips.

Up next, I Let Zendaya’s hairstylist cut off all my hair—here’s what happened. 

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Found: The Most-Wanted Floral Perfumes at Nordstrom and Net-a-Porter Right Now

This is for anyone who’s on the hunt for a new signature scent this year.

When it comes to fragrance, many of us know what we like and, even more vehemently, what we don’t. Within all the perfume categories—woody, fruity, fresh, spicy, floral—the latter might be the most controversial and misunderstood. After all, flashbacks to grandma’s lace-trimmed sacks of potpourri or powdery bottles of rose or gardenia are hard to erase from a scarred memory.  However, if done right, nothing is chicer or more sophisticated than a truly exquisite floral fragrance, and certain flowery blends have become top-selling favorites at beloved retailers like Nordstrom and Net-a-Porter. Curious to see what your fellow fragrance enthusiasts are loving within the floral perfume pool? We rounded up 16 of the most covetable bottles you can buy at the aforementioned stores. From classics like Chanel Nº5 to newer debuts from brands like Byredo, this crop of best-of-the-best floral scents is bound to turn you into a blossom lover through and through (if you weren’t one already). Keep scrolling! 

We don’t typically think of floral perfumes as particularly unisex, but this fan-favorite scent from Diptyque is lauded by the brand as the perfect compromise. Geranium is the main power player here (as the name would suggest), but the additions of cardamom, tonka bean, and vetiver keep it down to earth and far from fussy. 

Fun fact: This classic floral perfume was the first fragrance debuted by the American designer. Unlike so many of its designer counterparts, this scent has withstood the test of time and is still one of the highest-rated bottles among Nordstrom shoppers. The flowery scents of peony and tuberose pair with crisper notes from citrusy grapefruit and neroli plus a hit of vetiver and sandalwood for some earthiness. 

Described by the brand as “luminous, delicate, and vibrant, this floral fragrance belongs to Armani’s newish Privé Collection and is said to be a tribute and celebration of Russian culture. For Vert Malachite, think delicate white lily accord plus accents of sambac jasmine and ylang-ylang. 

Regardless of whether you’re looking for one of the best floral perfumes with the most cult of followings or simply want to embody Charlize Theron 24/7 (the actress has been the face of the scent since its launch in 1999), Dior’s classic perfume, J’Adore, fits the bill. In Joy is a slightly more delicate iteration of the original eau de parfum but no less breathtaking and lovely. It’s less intense with a base of ylang-ylang sourced from Madagascar and lighter notes of fleur de sel and juicy peach to anchor. 

Yes, this floral fragrance is an investment, but it’s also one of the most luxurious of scents that will last throughout the rest of the season and right into spring. Steeped in the stunning scent of jasmine (the fragrance requires over 10,000 flowers!), this beloved scent also features flowery notes from Bulgarian rose (28 dozen buds per ounce is required, by the way!) plus tuberose, ylang-ylang, may rose, civet, and musk. 

“I wanted to express the essence of femininity with flowers, nothing but flowers,” explains longtime Hermès perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. So which flowers exactly does Jour d’Hermès house? Gardenia, rose, tuberose, and jasmine.

If you typically favor fruity scents but are curious to dip your toe into the world of florals, consider this best-selling perfume from Diptyque. It’s a daydream-worthy mix of rose, black currant berries, and petitgrain. Put simply, it’s pretty but not precious. 

Fact: No floral perfume roundup (or any perfume roundup for that matter) would be complete without Chanel Nº5. Even though the covetable scent has been around since 1921, it hasn’t lost an ounce of its luster. Since perfumer Jacques Polge revamped Ernest Beaux’s blend in 1986, Nº5 blooms with a robust blend of may rose, jasmine, and a touch of bourbon vanilla to keep it from veering overly flowery.

A floral confection from the hands of renowned French editor and fashion consultant Carine Roitfeld comes this best-selling floral number shoppers on Net-a-Porter seem to hoard. Inspired and named after a fictional lover from Paris, this perfume boasts a sweet yet sophisticated blend of citrus and davana oil offset by the spiciness of myrrh. 

Byredo has yet to debut a fragrance that hasn’t become an instant hit. One such scent? This stunning rosy blend called Rose of No Man’s Land. Of course, that namesake flower is at the heart of the perfume’s olfactory magic, but the name also has another unique meaning. According to the brand, Rose of No Man’s Land is the nickname given by soldiers to the nurses who saved thousands of lives during WWI. (Thus, they say the scent is a tribute to selflessness and compassion.) . Alongside the lush smell of Turkish rose petals, you’ll also get whiffs of pink pepper, raspberry blossom, papyrus, and white amber. So divine. 

Evocative of those in-between moments of sunset and evening, Bikini Questa Sera is a rich perfume brimming with notes of luxe tuberose and jasmine. Leave it to Louboutin to give us one of the best perfect floral fragrances we’ve ever laid nose on.

How’s this for an amazing floral lineup? Bergamot from Italy, blue chamomile from Morocco, rose from Bulgaria, oud from Laos, and papyrus from India. This bottle from Maison Francis Kurkdjian is the perfect compromise between sweet, elegant, and earthy woods.

Remember what we said about Byredo’s consistent scent magic? Flowerhead is another no-brainer home run if you love a perfume rich in florals. That said, this isn’t your grandma’s powdery mix of rose or gardenia. Instead, a spritz of this massive hit invites the scent of Angelica seeds, lingonberry, Sicilian lemon, tuberose, rose petals, wild jasmine sambac, and fresh amber and suede to round out the fuller base. 

Jo Malone has a very loyal following, and the brand’s roster of scents is impressive. Like Byredo, it’s pretty hard to smell a miss within the collection, but in terms of flowery numbers, Peony & Blush Suede is a consistent favorite among the Net-a-Porter shopping set. Obviously, there are peonies involved first and foremost, but this fragrance fills out with additions from juicy red apple, jasmine, rose, and gillyflower. The brand calls it “seductive,” but we’ll let you decide for yourself! 

Yes, apparently Net-a-Porter shoppers really love their Louboutin fragrances, but if you smelled this vixen-y scent, you wouldn’t have any trouble understanding why. Enter: the designer’s compelling mix of patchouli, tonka absolut, and iris. 

Last but certainly not least comes this chic polka-dot bottle of floral magic from Comme des Garçons. More fresh-cut and green-smelling than any of the above options, this perfume yields notes of leafy greenness, bitter orange, pepper, osmanthus absolute, olibanum, and white amber woods.  Up next: 11 Perfumes Every Fashion Girl Will Be Wearing This Winter

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I’ve Always Loved My Virgin, Almost Black Hair—This Is Why I Decided to Dye It

New year, new hair.

Welcome to Month of Me, where every day in January we’ll be publishing a new fashion, beauty, or wellness article featuring a first-person account of shaking up an old habit, pushing beyond a comfort zone, or simply trying something new. Follow along for 31 days of storytelling, including what it’s like to quit alcohol for 80 days, try Beyoncé’s very strict diet, or completely overhaul your closet.

Name: Paulina Galoostian, Senior Influencer Marketing Manager, Who What Wear. What did you try? Dyeing my virgin, almost black hair. Why did you try it? I wanted to elevate my everyday look. I felt changing my hair would be an exciting way to change things up, so I went to hairstylist Cheryl Roberts at Nine Zero One salon in West Hollywood.  Cheryl is well known for helping brunettes transition from brown to blonde, but since I didn’t want anything super drastic, we went for a lived-in chocolate-hued balayage look to add subtle dimension to my dark brown (almost black) hair.  To be honest, I’ve always taken pride in my virgin hair. I’ve always loved getting compliments on the color and texture, but I noticed it lacked dimension—especially in photos. Naturally, since I am in digital marketing and social media, I constantly noticed my dark hair made me look a little paler and more washed out than I would have liked. I looked to my favorite influencers, Negin Mirsalehi and Gabrielle Caunesil, and noticed they both had highlights, which inspired my transformation.

How did you prepare? First, it was about finding the right stylist. I was able to connect with one of the best salons in Los Angeles, Nine Zero One, and they paired me with Cheryl. Cheryl knew it was the first time I’d ever dyed my hair, and she was kind enough to email me before the appointment. I knew she was the right stylist for me because she sent me the most amazing email saying: “I know you are nervous, but I promise we are going for a natural look for you. I was thinking a light brown balayage but just sunkissed pieces. I don’t want to do anything that you have to maintain if you don’t want to or do anything that would compromise the integrity of your hair. I will look for some pictures but would love if you could find a few too so we can be on the same page and ease your worries!!! I look forward to meeting you, and I am excited to do your hair!!!” That was it—I knew I had found a stylist who understood the emotionally nerve-wracking journey of dyeing your hair! From there, Cheryl and I sent each other photos on Instagram with the inspiration for what I was looking for.

What happened during the whole process? I took my sister with me because I was nervous. When we got to the salon, I got to meet Cheryl and her assistant, and we quickly got started. She walked me through the entire process to make sure I felt comfortable. Our goal was to go for a sunkissed look, which meant she didn’t want it to look like there was a lot of lift. I kept emphasizing that I wanted the hair color to look natural.

She explained to me that she doesn’t like to hand paint color when the hair is dark. She also made sure that the quality of my hair would not change because of the dye. To keep it healthy, she included a B3 additive and started with a lower developer to give me a more subtle look. She explained her method as a “tap and tone,” where she would add the toner then tap in the color to my roots so it looks natural. She also wanted to make sure the hair color complemented my eye color. Though I have very dark features, my eyes have a slight honey tone. She said she wanted the new highlights to complement my eyes to make them more bright and youthful.

After the dye was added, Cheryl also did the salon’s Cashmere Fusion Restorative Treatment, which was my favorite part of the experience. Cashmere Fusion is a professional, in-salon treatment that instantly strengthens and reconstructs extremely damaged hair from the inside out. This restorative treatment works to repair previous damage and restore elasticity and strength, leaving it like cashmere to the touch, and it’s infused with amino acids, bio enzymes, jojoba oil, bamboo cane extract, aloe vera, and the salon’s C3 custom care complex. (I left the salon with my hair feeling and looking silkier and healthier than when I walked in!) Finally, it was time to blow dry my hair, and I absolutely loved the results. Cheryl touched up some of my layers so that the hair would shape my face nicely. Once she was done, I instantly saw a change in my skin tone and saw how she was able to successfully match the highlights to my eye color.

Any challenges? The only challenge was having the confidence to make this change! Additionally, I did not know it would take five hours, so I felt bad bringing my sister and having her wait for so long. 

Any surprises? To me, it was a big change, but a lot of people have not noticed I dyed my hair. I recently went on a trip to Cabo and was surprised to see my hair get even lighter. Now I am obsessed, and I can’t wait to go back to Cheryl and ask her to take me to a lighter tone.

How did you feel afterward? What kinds of changes did you notice? I LOVE my hair in photos now. I feel so much more confident. In-person, sometimes I’m scared my hair looks a little red, but it depends on the lighting, and I’ve been curling my hair more often to help bring depth to the color. I am also beyond impressed with the texture and shine of my hair after the Cashmere Fusion Restorative Treatment. What did you like about it? I tried something new outside my comfort zone and LOVED the results. This has inspired me to continue trying new things. Would you try it again? Definitely. Any advice for anyone who’s thinking about trying it? Do your research, and think about what color you want. In hindsight, I actually wish I had gone a little lighter, but I was too scared I wouldn’t like it. Also, do your research on your stylist! You want to make sure they respect your ultimate goal and that they care about what you care about. It was so important to me that Cheryl was on the same page as me as far as making sure that my hair looked natural and that it stayed healthy and trued to the texture of my virgin hair. This kind of transformation can be hard on the hair, and if you don’t have the right products, your strands can end up damaged. Below are the products Cheryl recommended for me to use regularly to maintain my results: 

Up next, I Let Zendaya’s Hairstylist Cut Off All My Hair—Here’s What Happened