Get excited Swifties – our favorite singer-songwriter just accepted iHeartRadio’s Innovator Award, and her speech was *chef’s kiss*.
Every year, the award is given to artists who have “impacted global pop culture throughout their career,” and Taylor Swift has certainly done that. A bejeweled Swift accepted the award onstage at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre alongside a tribute video filled with some of our favorite celebs – Dolly Parton, Selena Gomez, Simu Liu, Simone Biles, and Ed Sheeran, just to name a few.
“I never woke up, a single time, and thought to myself, ‘I’m gonna go innovate some stuff today,’” Swift jokingly said. “I really want everyone to know, especially young people, that the hundreds or thousands of dumb ideas that I’ve had have led me to my good ideas… You have to give yourself permission to fail.”
Swift received the award from Phoebe Bridgers, the four time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter and Swift’s soon-to-be opening act on her Eras Tour, which started March 17 and runs until August 9.
In her introduction, Bridgers talked about her childhood dreams of songwriting, and discovering Swift while listening to country radio with her mom. “I heard a girl not much older than me singing a song about her own life, and that song was really good,” she said. “Taylor has always told the truth. She’s written songs from exactly where she is. Her music shifted genre in the same way life does—in the same way being 16 is totally incomparable to being 18, 22, 25, 28. I’m grateful that I’ve grown up in a world with Taylor Swift in it. Or, ‘The World (Taylor’s Version).’”
Image via Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for FOX
Taylor Swift receiving the iHeartRadio Song of the Year Award for "Anti-Hero" from fellow artists Ice Spice and PinkPantheress.
Swift won six(!) other awards, including Song of the Year for “Anti-Hero” and “Best Pop Album.” These wins *officially* crowned her the most awarded artist in iHeartRadio Music Award history, with a total of 19 awards over her career.
The 12 time Grammy winner and honorary doctorate was nominated in several additional categories, including Artist of the Year, Best Lyrics (“Anti-Hero”) and Best Music Video (“Anti-Hero”).
Past recipients of the Innovator Award include Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, and Justin Timberlake, ranks in which Swift definitely deserved to join.
Our Swiftie hearts are so full right now, and we cannot wait to see what she wins next.
For now, we’re excitedly awaiting the day when we can finally see Swift IRL, taking the Eras Tour by storm.
Keep up with your fave celebrity news with Brit + Co.
Image via Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for FOX
College and high school graduations are just around the corner, and you may be wondering what to get your favorite Gen Z grads. Luckily for you, we compiled a list of 15 fabulous graduation gifts for every price range that are guaranteed to put a smile on your graduate’s face!
Set of 4 Meal Prep Containers
Who doesn’t love pretty Tupperware? Whether your 2024 grad is a gym rat or a library lover, they will definitely find a good use for these air-tight, leak-proof containers.
Benevolence LA New Beginnings Scented Soy Candle
Send them off with this sweet-scented candle that celebrates their achievements, as well as the next steps ahead of them!
A Hundred Other Girlsby Iman Hariri-Kia
This book is like a modern day Devil Wears Prada, and would make the perfect gift for any grad going into journalism, media, or PR — especially if they’re moving to a big city.
Stanley Quencher H2.0
Hydration is key for anyone, especially a new college student that's running between classes, club meetings, and friend hangs! This tumbler will also keep their liquids cold overnight so they don't have to go down the dorm hall in the middle of the night for a fresh refill.
Dagne Dover Mila Repreve® Recycled Polyester Large Toiletry Organizer Bag
If you're sending off a high school grad to communal dorms, they'll definitely benefit from having a compact toiletry bag like this one. This style is particularly nice since it's made from recycled polyester that resists water and debris.
2024 Daily Planner
Using a planner is such an underrated way to stay organized, whether it's prepping for college coursework or adulting stuff like work events, grocery shopping, and plans with friends. This all-in-one daily planner will help your grad keep their ducks in a row with fields for all of life's details.
Honeywell Mini Cool Mist Humidifier
This humidifier, made especially for small rooms and personal spaces (ahem, dorm rooms!) helps maintain humidity levels between 40-60%, which can help relieve congestion and keep the throat and nasal passages hydrated to prevent sickness. This is crucial for soon-to-be college students who may hang around a lot of different people.
Fresh Sends Flower Bouquet
Flowers are a staple for any major life event, especially a graduation! Fresh Sends is perfect for sending beautiful bouquets for those who live far away, since they ship directly to the recipient's door.
The Beast Mini Blender
This super-effective, high-power portable blender is the perfect size for a dorm room or small apartment, plus it's very aesthetically-pleasing even if it's just sitting on the shelf. It comes equipped with a screw-on lid and straw, too, so your grad can take it on walks and in the car.
Béis The Sport Backpack
Perfect for grads on the go, this bag can hold their water bottle, phone, wallet and so much more when they're trekking across campus.
Loop Quiet Equinox Earplugs
These design-forward earplugs are multipurpose – they block out extra noise for study sessions and sleep time, or even loud parties and concerts! Your grad will appreciate that they come with an easy-to-carry case for keeping them on-hand in unforeseen, noisy situations.
Crush Your Goals Inner Truth Affirmations Deck
For an extra dose of motivation, this 40-count deck of cards will keep them going when times get tough!
Keurig K-Mini Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
Coffee will always be a part of any new grad's life. Keep 'em caffeinated with this convenient coffee maker that's compatible with K-Cups for everyday ease.
Hoka Clifton 9 Sneakers
Hokas are undoubtedly the cool girl of running shoes, and they will definitely make your grad hit the pavement smiling, no matter if they're stepping foot on their college campus for the first time or making big moves in a new city.
Great Jones The Starting Lineup
This trio of cookware is such a stylish way to give your recipient's post-grad kitchen an upgrade. All three pieces are oven-safe and dishwasher-friendly to make cleanup a breeze.
Find all of the greatest gifts with Brit + Co!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.
Michelle Obama stole the show with her surprise appearance at the 2019 Grammy Awards, and while the audience cheered so loudly that the former first lady could barely speak, her mom, for one, wasn’t that impressed.
The Becoming author took to Instagram on Tuesday, February 12, to share screenshots of a hilarious post-Grammys text message conversation with her mother, Marian Robinson. “When your mom doesn’t think you’re a ‘real’ celebrity,” Obama captioned the exchange. “Tonight in Phoenix, I shared this text thread from my mom from #Grammys night, and I just had to share it with all of you. #TextsFromMom.”
As seen in the screenshots, Robinson began by writing, “I guess you were a hit at the Grammys,” with a smiling, tongue-sticking-out emoji. Obama replied that the text “is so typically you,” then asked her mom if she watched the show.
“I saw it because Gracie called me,” Robinson responded, before subtly shading her famous daughter. “Did you meet any of the real stars or did you run right after you were done?”
After insisting (despite Robinson’s claims to the contrary) that she told her mom she was going to be on the Grammys, Obama ended the conversation by writing, “I am a real star… by the way…” to which Robinson simply replied, “Yeah.”
Obama appeared alongside host Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Jennifer Lopez at the 61st annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 10, to speak about the impact music has had on their individual lives as well as its universal appeal. Obama’s presence in particular inspired a surprised and uproarious reaction from the star-studded audience, who gave a standing ovation and cheered over her when she began to speak.
“All right, you guys, we got a show to do!” she joked to the crowd to settle them. She then spoke about the importance of perspective and storytelling in music — a topic that also came up with regular frequency in her recent hit memoir, Becoming.
“Whether we like country or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves, our dignity and sorrows, our hopes and joys,” she said. “It allows us to hear one another, to invite each other in. Music shows us that all of it matters — every story within every voice, every note within every song.”
What do you think of Michelle Obama’s mom’s texts? Let us know @BritandCo!
(Photos via Win McNamee/Getty Images + Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
I have such a love/hate relationship with haircuts. While I love the feeling of a fresh look as much as the next girl, I hate having to spend $100+ for a simple cut and blow dry session. During my recent trim, I talked with my hairdresser, Jack Rehak of Jack’s Hair Design in Hinsdale, Illinois, about ways to keep a haircut looking new and best practices for keeping hair healthy. Here's what he had to say!
Here's How Often You Should Cut Your Hair, According To Professionals
Photo by cottonbro studio/PEXELS
I’ll admit it — it had been eight months since my last haircut. My hair had lost its shape, my layers were nowhere to be found, and my ends were begging for mercy. Life got busy over the last few months and I was neglecting my haircare like never before.
My hairdresser could immediately see that I was beyond due for a cut and said I needed to get more taken off than I was hoping. I was definitely disappointed — I'd been working on growing out my hair for a while now, and it just felt like my hard work had completely gone to waste. He explained that getting consistent haircuts is the key to growing out healthy and strong hair, rather than letting it grow and grow until it eventually breaks. So let's dig into the top three things you can do to avoid this scenario!
1. Just Get The Dang Haircut
Photo by RDNE Stock project/PEXELS
Also avoiding a haircut like I was? You might want to schedule one at your nearest salon. Like my stylist said, when you wait too long between trims like I did, you risk your hair becoming heavy, dull, and lifeless. When the hair is dry or even dead, it’s nearly impossible for it to hold a curl or style, essentially collapsing on you and taking on more and more heat damage all the while. I know the pain of spending time on a blowout only for it to fall minutes later — it’s the worst.
According to Jack, getting a haircut every 10-12 weeks is the best time frame or your ends will pay the price. Between blow-drying, curling, straightening, sun, and weather, our ends get dry and start to break without the proper care. Getting consistent haircuts allows hair to bounce back, shine, and perform the way we want in a healthy way.
2. Leave-In Conditioners Are Your Friend
Photo by cottonbro studio/PEXELS
His top piece of advice to keep your hair looking and feeling hydrated between trims? Invest in conditioning treatments. Jack swears by the Olaplex conditioning system, specifically the No 3 Hair Perfector. Made with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™, this conditioning treatment repairs and prevents damage in as little as three minutes. No 3 promises to reduce breakage and visibly strengthen hair, so it’s the perfect assistance to keep ends fresh between cuts. Another conditioning treatments I’ve used and loved for years is the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, which is designed to restore moisture, elasticity, and shine to dry hair.
3. Switch Up Your Shampoos
Photo by Karolina Grabowska/PEXELS
Switching shampoos frequently is a pretty hot tip that I honestly hadn't thought of. Our hair gets used to the same products and grows tired of them, resulting in lackluster locks. Jack’s advice is to switch brands after finishing every bottle of shampoo to bring life back to your hair. Have two brands that you’re loyal to? Even switching back and forth between them after every bottle should make a big difference in your hair. I’m a huge fan of the R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo, which makes my hair look thick and full, as well as the Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo, which is so hydrating and gives so much shine.
Photo by cottonbro studio/PEXELS
In the end, navigating your back-and-forth relationship with haircuts often feels like a rollercoaster ride between wanting that fresh look and cringing at the receipt. Luckily, by using conditioning treatments and switching up your products,, you can keep your locks healthy, shiny, and full of life between trims. But take a newly learned lesson out of my book: don't let your ends pay the price for procrastination and just book the haircut.
If you need some more hair inspo and advice, be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Header image via Nataliya Vaitkevich/PEXELS
With Mother's Day around the corner, it's time to celebrate moms of all kinds, and step moms deserve some special recognition, too! If you're grappling with finding the perfect gift that expresses your love and gratitude for your step mom, these 20 gifts are the way to go. This curated list of thoughtful step mom gifts for Mother's Day will get you going on a gifting kick and make any step mom's heart swell with joy and appreciation. 💓
Rinna Beauty Larger Than Life Lip Plumping Oil
The glossiness of this lip oil alone will feel like a total gift! One swipe using the soft, sizable wand delivers a sheer tint of color, all while encouraging plumpness and moisture with its peptide formulation.
The Larger Than Life Lip Plumping Oil from Rinna Beauty comes in 5 other shades for $24 on Amazon.
Anthropologie Faye Planter
For the step mom with an undeniable green thumb, this decorative purple planter from Anthropologie makes repotting process super fun! Dotted in adorable outdoor creature and plant motifs, the pot is not only practical, but looks good, too. It measures about 8 inches in diameter to fit a variety of small house plants.
The Faye Planter is currently on sale for $31 (was $44) for a limited time.
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Cotton Checkered Throw
She's gonna want to live in this cozy throw blanket 24/7. It's crafted from a blend of Barefoot Dreams' CozyChic material and a light cotton for added breathability. The light, neutral checkered pattern makes it the perfect match for any space!
This stylish throw, made to last a lifetime, goes for $148 from Barefoot Dreams.
DedCool Room & Linen Spray
Think of this spray as an instant refresh for any bedroom, bathroom, or living room, supplying a saturated scent of bergamot, vanilla, and amber. It's also compatible to spritz on sheets, blankets, and pillows to create a soothing atmosphere every time your step mom comes home!
The DedCool Room & Linen Spray comes in two other scents for $40.
Compartés Mother's Day Chocolate Flowers 20-Piece Truffle Gift Box
When all your other gift ideas fail, there's nothing wrong with chocolate! This truffle box is perfectly elevated to give as a standalone gift – it's impressively decorated and seamlessly packaged for a memorable Mother's Day treat. Some of the spring-inspired flavors included are: raspberry rose, lavender, poppy seed, and passionfruit.
The Mother's Day Chocolate Flowers gift box is $60 and comes with 20 gourmet truffles.
Fig.1 Ceramide Moisturizer
This moisturizer delivers 24-hour hydration with a dense formula of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerin. It has a lightweight yet creamy feel, perfect for slathering on under SPF and makeup. Your step mom's skin will absolutely soak this clinically-proven cream up, and she'll be feeling like a new woman every single time she puts it on!
The Fig.1 Ceramide Moisturizer goes for $32 and is also refillable once it's fully used up.
Little Secret Round Sunglasses
Keep her lookin' so cool with a pair of trendy sunnies! This timeless style from Free People channels the 90's and makes for chic everyday eyewear with any outfit.
The Little Secret Round Sunglasses are shoppable in 5 other colors for $30.
The Pioneer Woman 3-Piece Floral Check Ceramic Lidded Bowl Set
Your step mom's serving, baking, and cooking projects just got such a stylish upgrade! This trio of checkered ceramic bowls designed by The Pioneer Woman make every dish look stunning, plus each one comes equipped with a decorative wooden lid for convenient storage.
This 3-piece bowl set goes for $33 at Walmart.
Sand + Fog Pistachio Dream Eau De Parfum Oil
This perfume oil can be used sparingly – meaning it'll last a long time – and delivers delicious notes of pistachio, vanilla, brown sugar, and cream to make step mom smell like a total treat. She won't want to go a day without putting some on!
This perfume is $13 at Marshall's.
Versed Total Package SPF 30 Body Lotion
This body lotion is really a 2-in-1 deal: hydrating and protective against the sun. It's packed with SPF 30 to give the skin a light shield against harmful UV rays, all while replenishing moisture with a delightfully-smelling mix of cupuaçu butter and grapeseed oil. It's not sticky or oily at all!
The Versed Total Package body lotion is $20 at Target.
Maeve Buckle Slide Sandals
These trendy slip-on sandals from Maeve are the epitome of cool girl style for summertime. Your step mom will be stepping out looking so good with these as a gift! The upper is made from durable leather, while the sole is a comfortable rubber material to withstand walking.
The Maeve Buckle Slide Sandals are shoppable in 4 other colors and are on sale for $104 (was $130) for a limited time.
Chamberlain Coffee Strawberry Matcha Latte Mix
Switch up her morning routine with this deliciously sweet matcha mix from Chamberlain Coffee! It's earthy, fruity, and made with oat milk for otherworldly creaminess. All it requires is some hot water, a good froth, and from there, your step mom can customize her sip with more milk or creamer.
This drink mix goes for $19 at Target.
L.L. Bean Open-Top Boat and Tote
This classic tote bag from L.L. Bean is the perfect vehicle for carrying work essentials, groceries, clothing, and more! It can be ordered in small, medium, large, or extra-large sizes, with the option for short or long straps.
This bag comes in 11 other colors. The small size is $30 and the extra-large is $45.
Ban.do Oven Mitt Pot Holder Set
For the step mom that loves all things colorful, this oven mitt + pot holder set will bring some joy into her kitchen set-up. Both are crafted from cotton with quilted stitching and feature small loops for easy hanging.
The duo is shoppable for $30 from Ban.do.
Auburn Home 3-Piece Glass Taper Candle Holders
These funky candle holders can go together as a set, or spread out around the house for a unique touch. Bundle them with some taper candles to complete the gift!
This colorful trio goes for $25 at Marshall's.
Verloop Raffia Phone Sling
Any on-the-go step mom will appreciate this convenient phone sling for its carrying capabilities, but it's also supremely stylish! The bright colorway is summertime's perfect match, so she can take it along for vacations and outdoor outings alike. The thin shoulder strap is adjustable in length so she can find the best fit for her needs.
The Verloop Raffia Phone Sling is shoppable in three other colors for $38.
Osea Bestsellers Bodycare Set
Gift sets are always a good bet if you're stuck on what to get your step mom for Mother's Day. This luxe 4-piece set from Osea comes complete with body butter, body oil, body balm, and body scrub (all inside a cute zip bag) so she can treat herself to a full-on spa day right at home!
The Osea Bestsellers Bodycare Set is $52 (a $78 value).
UrbanStems The Parade Bouquet
Flowers are welcome any time of year, but a gorgeous bouquet like this one is so fitting for Mother's Day. With UrbanStems, you can select a specific delivery date, and your step mom will receive a fresh grouping, ready to display at home!
The Parade Bouquet is $60, with the option to add a vase for $15+.
Material Kitchen The Cloud Pitcher
Whether it's used for a batched cocktail or a big serving of iced coffee, this stylish glass pitcher from Material Kitchen is a statement piece to be reckoned with. The glass is surprisingly light for transport, and it's dishwasher-safe for added convenience after the fact!
The Cloud Pitcher comes in three other colors for $95.
Ban.do Meal Planner
This meal planner pad is *the* way to keep track of what she'll make and when she's gonna eat it. It has three lines for each day of the week, plus a roomy list for ingredients she may be missing.
This meal planner is $15 from Ban.do and has 50 sheets.
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Image via brands.