Month: August 2021

Presented by DN News Desk

Learning how to lead often happens through trial and error, discovering that what you thought was a path to success was actually a dead-end. And these lessons can be especially excruciating when you have to turn back and explain to those that followed you that you chose the wrong route. 

Is there a way to develop the skills of a leader without having to make mistakes? We reached out to two prominent entrepreneurs, Jose Pena and Camilo Doumat, who have extensive experience with leadership within their respective industries. 

Record executive and music producer Pena has led the way for new voices to emerge and find success within the music industry. With his ecommerce business, Doumat has led countless small businesses straight to the top of their industry. 

Here, Pena and Doumat break down five essential qualities that every leader should have.

Self-confidence

According to Pena, though it may sound redundant to say that a leader needs confidence, it needs to be mentioned. Because without self-confidence, no one would even consider following a path that you have paved. Doumat agrees, but he also advises against confusing arrogance for self-belief and recommends remaining humble.

Humility

Expanding on his previous point, Doumat asserts that humility is an essential trait in order for a leader to remain grounded and empathic to those he is leading. Pena also shares this view, explaining that staying humble means that you remain grateful for all that is done for you to help you on your way to success.

Honesty

The insidious fake-it-till-you-make-it culture of social media can easily cause us to exaggerate our wins and conceal our losses, but both Pena and Doumat insist that transparency is essential in a leader. If those who follow you start to suspect that you are being untruthful about the direction you are leading them in, they will likely abandon the journey.

Dedication

Doumat shares that success is inevitable when failure is not enough to deter someone from their goal. This belief is the reason why he classes determination as being one of the most important qualities that a leader can have. Pena is in agreement, sharing that dedication is a vital tool in helping others realize you are worth following.

Strong Communication Skills

Pena explains that an incredible battle plan for success means nothing if you can’t communicate your plans to those you are trying to lead. According to Doumat, a good understanding of the key principles of communication equips you perfectly to share your ideas and inspire others.

Putting your hand up and taking the lead can feel daunting, and sometimes, it feels easier to step back and blend in with the flock. However, Pena and Doumat believe that we need to reject that impulse and remember that anyone can become a great leader as long as they inculcate the above-mentioned qualities.

As an Atlanta native, I’m partial to a late-summer peach. (It’s one of the only things I can claim to have in common with Justin Bieber, actually.) And no offense to the fruit itself, but this year, my interest lies mostly in the lip-color form. From juicy, sheer shades to bright mattes, a peach lip is surprisingly versatile and undoubtedly summery—although, the color can absolutely be worn year-round, too.

One thing you may notice as you scroll, however, is that brands have wide-ranging perceptions about what color, exactly, a peach is—a conflict that actually works in our favor. Because some shades veer more on the pink side, others are more coral, and others are a bit more orange, you have your pick of the bushel. So no matter which version of “peach” you’re looking for, it can be found in this roundup of the 17 lip colors worth wearing during peak season and beyond.

Looking for bold lip colors, too? Our editors are freaking out over these bright lipsticks.

When it comes to my hair, I tend to fluctuate between two lengths: just above my shoulder or just above my boobs (both technical terms). Yet there always comes a time with both lengths when I start to feel like I want to either chop it all off and start again or indulge my inner Rapunzel and grow it out super long.

Right about now, I’m at the “chopping it all off” stage, mainly down to the fact that I’m seeing cool, short hairstyles pretty much everywhere I look and the fact that I can’t get a haircut right now. Yes, short hair is definitely trending, and I want in. However, before I sprint to the salon, I think it’s best I start to garner some expert advice on potential styles.

“Short hairstyles are on-trend at the moment,” confirmed Neil Barton, Goldwell ambassador and owner of Neil Barton Hairdressing. “Other than the bob and the pixie cut, there are a few other short hairstyles, and this includes the lob—perfect for those who can’t decide whether to keep their length or go shorter. Another short hairstyle that I love is the buzz cut.”

If you’re also toying with the idea of going for the chop, I’ve rounded up some of the best short-hair inspiration around for you to feast your eyes on. Whether you’re dreaming of a brunette blunt bob or a soft blonde bob, there’s a style out there for you. Similarly, if you have hit a certain age and feel fed up with managing long lengths, a short cut could be the perfect option.

Keep scrolling to see all of the ways women are wearing bobs, lobs, pixie cuts, and buzz cuts right now. Plus, I caught up with some hairstylists for expert tips on how to decide which style is best for you, what to ask your hairdresser, and how to care for and style your shorter strands.

Probably the most classic short hairstyle, a bob is a one-length cut that typically sits around jaw level. Although, it can be as short as ear length and as long as just above the shoulder. It’s a great place to start if you’re venturing into short hair for the first time. “There are so many bob variations with a style to suit everyone’s face shape,” said Barton. “Round faces should try to opt for a long bob that goes past the chin, [which is] also great for heart-shaped faces as well as heavy, chin-length bobs, which can balance out the face and look particularly great when worn tapered or with a side fringe. For long and oval face shapes, precise and blunt bobs are fantastic and enhance a strong jaw.”

“As well as face shape, it’s also important to speak to your hairdresser about the right short haircut for your lifestyle,” explained Carly Price, partner at Muse of London. “If you don’t have a lot of time to style your hair, you should opt for something a bit more low-maintenance that will not need to be styled every day with styling tools (or that won’t require as regular trims if you’re always busy and on the go).”

“Texture is another thing to consider when going shorter. If you have fine hair, what works for you may not work for those with thick or curly hair, and it’s important for your hairdresser to find a cut that will work for your hair’s texture,” she added. “Those with curls may find that their curls will go springier and will pop out and not be as loose as they were before being cut.”

Shorter than a bob, a pixie cut is when hair is cut short at the back and sides of the head and tends to be longer on the top. Its most popular incarnation is when a sweeping side fringe is cut into the style, similar to Cara’s, but it also looks amazing with a microfringe. “Pixie cuts can make a round face shape appear rounder,” advised Barton. “I always recommend teaming them with a side fringe to avoid this. Heart-shaped faces suit pixie cuts well and can go pretty short at the back, [while] long face shapes should pair this look with a side-parting or some waves to give the look width and balance or should try adding layers for softness.”

Effectively a long bob (hence its name), a lob typically sits just above the shoulders or at shoulder level and is the same length all the way around. A safe bet if you’re thinking about going shorter, the lob looks good on just about everyone. “When Kim Kardashian decided to get her hair cut into a super-sleek lob, this [style] went crazy,” said Price. “In spring, shorter hairstyles become more popular, as clients start to think of hairstyles that will be a bit more low-maintenance for them in the warmer weather and allow them to get rid of excess weight in their hair.”

“Short haircuts are great for those who like a low-maintenance look that requires minimal effort and styling,” said Suzie Mcgill, Rainbow Room international artistic director and Schwarzkopf UK ambassador. “You can simply add some texture spray to your hair, such as a salt spray, and you’re good to go. However, you’ll need to be aware that your hair may not be able to fit into a ponytail or a bun. Another thing to consider is your hairdresser.” There’s no scraping up your hair to disguise greasy roots, so you might find that you need to wash your hair more regularly. 

Traditionally speaking, a buzz cut is definitely the most extreme style of the short-hair world. However, cool girls are taking the plunge in droves, and there’s something about this closely cropped style that looks so chic. “This hairstyle is definitely not one for the faint-hearted and is best suited to those with oval face shapes,” said Barton. “This hairstyle is very cool and edgy, and I love how it’s now more feminine than ever before. More and more women are embracing this statement look.”

Next up, This Low-Maintenance Haircut Is Set to Be Huge in 2021

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

If you’re one of Hailey Bieber‘s 35 million Instagram followers, you know that she’s been on vacation in Hawaii visiting her surfer pal Kelia Moniz and serving up some prime tropical content. Aside from her açaí bowls on the beach, the most enviable part of her photo album is her extensive swimsuit collection.

In one photo, Bieber lounges in a pool wearing Frankies Bikinis Tia Terry Triangle Bikini Top in Peace Terry ($80) and Enzo Terry Cheeky Bikini Bottom in Peace Terry ($90). The terry-cloth swimsuit is so popular with the brand’s shoppers that one reviewer even named the bikini top her holy grail. “I am a 36E and this is the perfect triangle bikini top,” the review says. “It’s the perfect balance between coverage and cleavage.” It also boasts over 100 other glowing reviews that point to the quality, fit, softness, and comfort. Scroll down to shop Hailey Bieber’s cute swimsuit. 

Next, I broke my number one shopping rule for these 23 fantastic new arrivals.