Tweet us about your favorite fall makeup @BritandCo!
Tweet us about your favorite fall makeup @BritandCo!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
May is here, and we're celebrating it by sharing which Sephora birthday gift you can get this month. That's right — I'm talking about all the freebies you can find! Well, not all of them — just enough to help you find new makeup, skincare, or haircare products to add to your vanity. After looking at the options Sephora has to offer this month, we're sure you'll have a hard time choosing from all the great options.
Let's jump into the 6 glamorous Sephora birthday gifts you can get this month!
How do I redeem my free birthday gift?
In order to redeem your birthday gift, you have to become a beauty insider. Signing up is completely free.
Are birthday gifts only available online?
Some of them are, but some can be picked up in-stores. You'll want to look online to see if the birthday gift you want has the "Available online only" or "Available in Store only" label.
Can I redeem more than one gift?
Wouldn't it be nice if we could have all the things? Unfortunately, you can only choose one birthday gift set.
Am I able to redeem a VIB or Rogue birthday gift if I haven't reached those tiers?
If you recently became a beauty insider, you'll be in the 'insider' tier. Here's the requirements to reach the next tiers:
- VIB: Spend $350 in one year
- Rogue: Spend $1000 in one year
You'll have to continue spending those amounts to maintain your VIB or Rogue status. At that point, you'll be able to redeem a VIB or Rogue birthday gift.
Other than that, you have free reign to choose from 7 other great options! Here's everything you can choose during your birthday month!
Kosas Lip & Brow Birthday Set
What's included:
- Wet Lip Oil Plumping Treatment Gloss in Shade 'Unbuttoned' (Soft Warm Blush)
- Air Brow Clear + Clean Lifting Eyebrow Gel with Lamination Effect
Kosas is known for their skincare-friendly makeup which makes this birthday gift so exciting. You'll get one of the best lip oils that'll gives your lips a boost of hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid and it'll make them look kissable. Additionally, you can give your eyebrows a little boost with Kosas' air brow gel!
Youth To The People Cleanse & Hydrate Skincare Birthday Set
What's included:
- Superfood Gentle Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser
- Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid
- Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Night Cream + Mask with Vitamin C
We stan a good skincare set that features different options for us to try. If you choose this birthday option, you'll get to sample Youth To The People's goodies that can easily be incorporate into your morning or nighttime regiment. From a pH-balancing cleanser to a Vitamin C-infused mask, your skin will appreciate this moisturizing birthday gift.
Moroccanoil Ultimate Hydration Birthday Set
What's included:
- Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil
- Hydrating Shampoo
- Hydrating Conditioner
- Hand Cream
Give your hair some TLC with Moroccanoil's ultimate hydrating set. Each product is infused with argan oil so you can trust that your strands will receive hydration that results in sleek hair.
Sephora Birthday Gift 250 Bonus Points
Then again, you can decide to have an extra 250 bonus points added to your account. I reached the VIB rogue tier by choosing this option one year and my total accumulated points allowed me to save $10 off my next purchase. It's a win even if it's not a gift set.
VIB
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Look Birthday Set
What's included:
- Matte Revolution Lipstick in shade Pillow Talk
- Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
- Magic Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid
If you've reached the VIB or Rogue tiers — congratulations! You'll get to take home this Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Look birthday set! If the pretty packaging doesn't catch your eye, then the gorgeous packaging and award-winning products will!
VIB
Summer Fridays On-the-Go Hydration Birthday Set
What's included:
- Jet Lag Mask
- Lip Butter Balm for Hydration & Shine in Shade 'Vanilla'
While Sephora's other birthday gifts won't change in April, there's a new Rogue VIB option to look forward to! Sephora loves surprising their amazing customers with hydrating birthday gifts and this set is right on time for all your vacation needs. The air on airplanes can be drying so you'll need Summer Friday's jet lag mask for your face and their lip butter balm for your lips!
Which of the Sephora birthday gifts will you be taking home this month?
Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post is updated each month to reflect new Sephora birthday gift deals.
I'll admit out of the many teen dramas I've consumed, Outer Banks is one of the most ridiculous. But the insanity surrounding the plot is half the reason it's enjoyable! John B. wrestling an alligator with his bare hands? Kiara getting kidnapped then making a daring escape in her PJ's? John B. and Sarah getting married (kind of) by the power of "the sky, the stars, and the sea" after escaping the SBI?
Considering my favorite fan theory for the future is that Madelyn Cline's Sarah and Rudy Pankow's JJ learn they're secret siblings, I know the crazy train isn't slowing down anytime soon. I took to Reddit to find the wildest Outer Bankshot takes and I was not disappointed. Keep reading to see if you agree with any!
JJ and Kiara Never Should Have Happened
Image via Netflix
While JJ and Kiara is one of the most popular ships on the show, a lot of Outer Banks fans think the "no Pogue-on-Pogue macking" rule from the pilot should have stayed in effect. The individual romances between Kiara and JJ, John B., and Pope make the story really messy, and the fact the show writes Kiara to be with all three of them in the span of three years gives a lot of viewers the ick.
I'll be team #Jiara forever (and literally screamed when The Backseat Lovers' "Kilby Girl" started playing during the motorcycle ride in season 3), but I'll say it would incredibly compelling to see a friend group take care of each other as much as the Pogues do without ever crossing over into romantic territory. That's found family, after all!
Pope Should Have Ditched The Treasure Hunt
Image via Netflix
One Reddit user is convinced that "Pope should’ve focused on his future in school instead of giving everything up to search for treasure." And TBH, I totally agree.
In season 1, Pope has a breakthrough about the hidden treasure in the middle of his scholarship interview. He ditches the scholarship committee to tell the rest of the Pogues, throwing away a crazy educational opportunity. Pope beats himself up for it, and his parents definitely aren't pleased, but at least it meant he got to stay in the show instead of leaving for college, which leads me to...
Outer Banks Should Have Started With The Pogues In Their 20s
Image via Netflix
As one of the only people alive who loves the post-time jump One Tree Hill, I would have loved to see OBX start off with the characters in their 20s (although it looks like that's where Outer Banks season 4 will pick up!). This would eliminate SO MANY problems from the jump because the Pogues wouldn't have to worry about missing school, they'd be more self-sufficient, and instead of being the same old high school drama, it could have provided a commentary on figuring out life in your 20s the same way Friends did.
Rafe Shouldn't Have Any Kind Of Redemption Arc In Outer Banks Season 4
Image via Netflix
Drew Starkey the man that you are. According to one Reddit user, "Rafe should not have a love interest or a redemption arc" like we see in season 3. We spent all of season 1 and season 2 establishing that Rafe (played by Drew) would do anything it took to get what he wanted (including one successful murder and two other attempts?!). He shows next to no remorse for his actions, and exploring his literal psychopathic tendencies would take the show to a whole new level.
Big John Should Never Have Returned
Image via Netflix
John B.'s dad's disappearance is the catalyst for the Pogues' journey at the beginning of Outer Banks, and Big John's return means the story feels somewhat repetitive in the third season, and it undoes a lot of the growth we've seen from John B. Plus, Big John is just SO chaotic, selfish, and dramatic. If he had truly died in season 1, we could have seen John B. wrestle with that finality, and how to cope with loss in the face of finding the treasure and falling in love with Sarah.
And Finally, Outer Banks Should Have Ended After Season 1
Image via Netflix
Outer Banks season 1 was exactly what we needed at the height of the pandemic. It was escapist — both in terms of the beach vacation vibes, but also because the '00s aesthetic took us right back to simpler times — and it had such a wonderfully resolved finale that some fans think nothing has matched it.
Do you agree with any of these Outer Banks opinions? I'm such a romance fan, I don't know what I'd do if the show didn't have JJ and Kiara get together! Check out all the best New TV Shows coming this year for more.
Lead image via Netflix
Summer is quickly approaching and you know what that means...so is wedding season! Spring and summer can tend to be jam-packed with wedding events, celebrations, and ceremonies. And if you're anything like us, you might be looking for some new makeup looks to try out for all of the seemingly endless occasions where we wanna look our best, but somehow manage to sweat off our hard work before the photographer even takes the first picture. Well, we asked the experts for their best tips for long-lasting coverage, but their favorite looks to try out — because nobody needs to look back at a wedding picture and wonder how they could have kept their mascara on better! Here's are four amazing expert tips for the best wedding guest makeup, plus a simple look to try yourself!
Tips For The Best Wedding Guest Makeup
Photo by Ron Lach/PEXELS
1. Prep Your Skin
Skin prep is the #1 key to not only getting dewy looking makeup, but long-lasting makeup that doesn't crease! We asked the experts atDr. Hauschka what they would do for long lasting makeup, and they said, "Moisturized skin is glowing skin. Always prep face and with rich emollient moisturizers (like our certified natural Rose Day Cream). Your makeup will easily glide over face and blend with your moisturizer for a glowy finish." IMO, this tip is absolute gold because you don't want your skin to dry or cake over throughout the day, and it seems like this will really help with that!
They also said, "If you want your complexion to look naturally sun-kissed, look to bronzers you can blend with your foundation or moisturizer. (Mixing a few drops our Translucent Bronzing Tint with your moisturizer provides a subtle sun-kissed glow without shimmers.)" Talk about a glow! We love this dewy tip and have PLENTY of moisturizers, both tinted and otherwise, to recommend!
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
2. Opt For Simple
Next, you definitely want to opt for a more simple look, makeup-wise! It's better to keep things minimal instead of doing too much with a bold lip and bold eye. Makeup artist and owner of The Green Room Agency, Nysa Green said, "Pick one feature to be the focus of your look, and concentrate on that. It can even be legs or shoulders. Tone down everything else." We love this trick because it's so simple to choose either a fun eye shade or lip color and have that be the focal point!
Nyssa also said, "Use a setting spray to keep everything in place through the festivities." Setting spray is the key to really lock in your makeup and ensure it lasts all day!
And Nyssa's final tip? "Avoid a red lip unless you want to stand out in all the pictures!"
Photo via Stephanie G-M
3. Don't Upstage the Bride
When doing wedding guest makeup, you want to make sure not to over-do it because you never want to appear like you're trying to upstage the bride in any way. Celebrity makeup artist, Stephanie G-M gave us a tip on this matter and said, "I suggest going for a look that elevates what your day look may already be. Starting with either a bit of color on your lips as a stain or eyes with statement jewelry (like above) means you'll be looking elegant but not out shining the bride's look."
She added, "Dewy skin and a little more blush than usual will also brighten up the look you go for. I would suggest just balancing it and not doing a full eye look and full lip look for the wedding." Duly noted!
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
4. Don't Forget Touch Ups
Stephanie G-M also gave us all the tips and tricks for how you can quickly — and effectively — touch up your wedding guest makeup throughout the day. She says, "Carry blotting paper with you for any shine that may occur instead of powdering it away when you are trying to achieve a dewy look. Always have a balm you can use to enhance highlight areas. You can always use your lip color as your cheek color too as the day goes on!" She also added, "You can always carry an eye liner with you if you choose to make it more bold for the evening." We love these tips for essentials to keep in our clutch!
Put It All Together For This Gorgeous Natural Wedding Guest Makeup
Photo via Yaz Roque/Ringmybelle.com
Makeup artist, Yaz Roque has a great look that is a must-try when it comes to the perfect wedding guest makeup look. She said, "With wedding guest makeup it’s key to keep it simple. I love to give wedding guests neutral tones, with a little bit of a shimmer on the lids. My tip would be to switch out your harsh liquid liner with a more smoked out liner, soft glam on the skin, and a pinky mauve or nude on the lips. You can even finish with my favorite lip oil at the moment byBlossom Beauty, it’s natural, smells amazing, and gives the right amount of shine for a perfect pour. Plus it’s under $7.” We love a good lip oil! I can't wait to try this look out for an upcoming wedding! This look is super natural yet still overstated enough for fancier occasions like a wedding.
What's your go-to makeup hack? Follow us on Pinterest for more inspo!
Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Lead image via Stephanie G-M
Mariska Hargitay is the woman of the hour anywhere she goes, with her iconic Law & Order: SVUrole as Olivia Benson under her belt for the last 25 years. The character is an absolute advocate to women — and assault victims of any gender — through her words, actions, and powerful convictions of each perpetrator on the show. She takes great care with her victims and pursues perpetrators with fervor, and slowly as you watch the show..the line blurs between Olivia and Mariska.
This isn't anything new — just recently Mariska literally stopped production on the show to help a child (who mistook her for an actual police officer) find her mom. It's just who Mariska is. She walks the walk and talks the talk — including during her speech at Variety's Power of Women's Power of Women event.
Image via NBC Universal
As a Power of Women honoree, Mariska was recognized in regards to her work as an advocate for sexual assault survivors. She took the stage and used her platform to discuss rape and assault conviction reversals, shining a light on the recent overturned ruling in Harvey Weinstein's landmark NYC case. Here's what she said:
Today I want to talk about reversing convictions, and more specifically I want to talk to you about how impossible it is to reverse mine. It’s impossible to reverse my conviction that survivors matter. It is impossible to reverse my conviction that what happens to us matters, and that our society must respond to survivors with a more a compassionate, holistically, deeper, and more nuanced understanding of what healing means.
It is impossible to reverse my conviction that after a trauma, survivors can reclaim lives of hope, of possibility, of audacious risk, beautiful intimacy, and glorious, glorious abundant joy. And I stand before you as evidence of that statement.
It is impossible to reverse my conviction that we must listen to survivors as experts on what justice means. It is extraordinary how little their voices are consulted, let alone incorporated, in the process of deciding how to repair harm. Justice is not a one-size-fits-all journey.
It is impossible to reverse my conviction that patriarchal impunity has to end. Patriarchal impunity is when a male-dominated system exempts perpetrators from punishment. Studies show that only 20% of all rape cases in the U.S. are reported to the police, and that between 5 and 0% of all rapes result in a guilty plea or a conviction. So why do 80% of victims not report? Because they're met with a system that grants impunity to perpetrators; a system that blames victims; a system that accepts only those victims who are experienced as "real" rape; a system that completely misunderstands the neurobiology of trauma, which causes behavior in women that doesn't fit the picture of how a "real victim" would act.
Is that change needed that victims should just pull themselves together? Just buck up and report anyway? No. No, it's the system that receives them that needs to change
It is impossible to reverse my conviction — and the conviction of my extraordinary team, The Joyful Heart — that the backlog of untested rape kits can be brought to zero; that the testing of all new kits must be mandated; that we need a statewide kit tracking system; and that survivors have the right to access the status of their kits.
It is impossible to reverse my conviction that grammar — yes, grammar — that we use when we speak about rape must change. In the sentence, "A woman is raped," there's a crime and there's a victim, but there's no perpetrator. Where's the perpetrator? Where is he? Statistically, as we know, most likely he's walking free. He's so free that he doesn't even appear in the language about the crime that he committed. Is that not extraordinary? It's extraordinary that in the very grammar, the perpetrator goes free. Reintroducing perpetrators in the language of rape will make some very unwieldy grammar, but that's the nature of change. It's unwieldy, it's messy, it's uncomfortable, but it's necessary.
Image via NBC Universal
Hargitay continued on in her prolific speech to describe that rape shouldn't be considered a "crime of passion" because it's "not simply the next step in the trajectory of his passion" when a man takes a consensual hookup too far and assaults a woman against her will. She stated that it's "an exercise of power," doubling down that the language we use is important.
The speech went on to address that rape is both about power and control, as a "construct" that was "built, and assembled, and reinforced over time." She noted that there are people with these positions of power — and she specifically called out those in the entertainment industry — that could make a difference and aligned themselves to victims and survivors.
After this and some other remarks, Hargitay specifically called out the Weinstein conviction reversal. She said:
I do want to say something about the Harvey Weinstein conviction, specifically about the reason that it was overturned: too many women's voices. Too many women's voices were allowed to speak. Hallelujah! Amen! I can't imagine anything more beautiful than that. The Daily podcast episode talked about how it was so risky for the prosecution to have that many women testify. Risky to let women speak? You're damn right it is!
Too many women speaking brings change. Too many women speaking shakes the establishment. Too many women means we get listened to more, and people might actually hear what we have to say. Look what happened when women started saying just two words, right? Me too — just as an example — a tidal wave of change. Me too.
And then of course, there was the response: the Me Too Movement. The backlash. The examination of whether the changes that have come are lasting, or are even positive. Of course there's a backlash! What did they expect? For women to speak repeatedly, loudly, together, with a purpose — for there to be no backlash? The backlash is evidence of how powerful those voices were, how powerful those voices ARE.
Watch Mariska Hargitay's Full Speech Here
Turns out that your TV heroes really can be your IRL heroes after all. Long live Olivia Benson! Long live Mariska Hargitay!
Follow us on Facebook for more celebrity and pop culture news.
Header image via NBC Universal
After Emily in Paris season 3 dropped on Netflix in December of 2022, we were hoping to get the fourth installment of the hit show in 2023. But production halted when the WGA writers' strike, then the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike went to affect, and our beloved cast and crew campaigned for better wages and industry protection. But with the end of the writers' strike, and new SAG negotiations, Emily in Paris season 4 finally began production in February 2024 — and I can already tell you there's sure to be plenty of drama and French fashion this time around.
Not only will we see Emily in Paris (see what I did there?!) but she's also pulling an Audrey Hepburn and taking a little Roman Holiday. That's right — our favorite Parisians are heading to Italy! If that doesn't sound like a dreamy comfort show then I don't know what does. Here's everything we know about the upcoming season of your favorite TV brain candy!!
Is Emily in Paris season 4 coming soon?
Image via Lily Collins/Instagram
Via Variety, Emily in Paris season 4 began production in Paris the week of January 15! "Did someone say Saison Quatre?!" Lily Collins says in her Instagram post announcing production. "Finally reunited with my @emilyinparis fam back in Paris and it feels so good. Although, I may need to brush up on my selfie skills for Emily’s sake…"
Now the wait is over! According to the official announcementfor Emily in Paris, we know part one drops on Netflix August 15, followed by part 2 on September 12. I've been impatiently waiting for this considering we didn't know how filming would be impacted by things like the WGA writers strike!
Is Emily in Paris filmed in Paris?
Image via Lily Collins/Instagram
Yes, Emily in Paris is filmed on location in Paris! We got our first look at Emily in Paris season 4 when Lily Collins and Ashley Park were seen filming in the City of Love (via Daily Mail). The costumes for the series are still as bold and bright as ever, with Ashley's Mindy wearing cobalt and metallic boots, and Lily's Emily dressed head-to-toe in lemon yellow. I can't wait to see what these best friends get up to this season! Check out our Paris travel recommendations to live out your own Emily in Paris dreams ;).
On April 27, Lily Collins confirmed Emily in Paris season 4 had wrapped its France shoot and that the cast & crew have swapped the City of Love for the Eternal City! "When you’re the first ones on the dance floor at the Paris wrap party. Next stop: Rome!" she says on Instagram. Late spring is literally the perfect time to film in Italy and I just know this season is going to give me more wanderlust than ever before. I need gelato!
What's Emily In Paris season 4 about?
Image via Netflix
Season 3 left us with a huge cliffhanger: Alfie breaks up with Emily, Camille learns she's pregnant with Gabriel's baby, Benoit's "Mon Soleil" has been chosen for the Eurovision Song Contest, and Emily and Gabriel realize they've been in love with each other the whole time. Whew.
Emily in Paris season 4 will have a ton of cliffhangers to bring full circle, and a bunch of damage that all the characters need to heal. We know from the Netflix TUDUM fan event that we might also see Emily have to deal with an ultimatum head-on, as well as an unexpected twist. Plus, it looks like she's heading on a "Roman holiday," according to lead actress Lily Collins. We'll take any nod to an Audrey Hepburn movie, please and thank you!
Is Alfie coming back in season 4 of Emily in Paris?
Image via Netflix
We don't have OFFICIAL word on whether Alfie (played by Lucien Laviscount) will return for Emily in Paris season 4, but we're hoping for his sake that he gets some closure. Lucien wants to come back as well! "[The dream is] to keep this gravy train going and just to kind of really live in this world a little bit longer," he says in an interview with Elle. " The writers on the show and the creators behind it and everyone that comes into contact with it is so amazing and fantastic. Their minds [have] way, way, way, way surpassed mine. So, yeah. I’ll let them do their thing.”
Who else is in the Emily in Paris season 4 cast?
Image via Netflix
We can expect the rest of the cast — Lily Collins as Emily, Lucas Bravo as Gabriel, Ashley Park as Mindy, Camille Razat as Camille, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie, Samuel Arnold as Julian, and Bruno Gouery as Luc — to return.
Will there be a season 5 of Emily in Paris?
Image via Marie Etchegoyen/Netflix
It looks like Emily in Paris season 4 will not be the final season, according to creator Darren Star. “There’s a lot more story to tell here and we’re not wrapping things up anytime soon,” Star tells Elle. “And also hopefully season four isn’t the end either. I feel like we’re all creatively feeling like we’re in the middle of something not heading towards the end.”
Darren also told Deadline season 4 is "not necessarily conceived as a final chapter. I think like every other show, it’s a rich ensemble. There’s no end in sight until everybody feels like it’s time to end. And I don’t think this show is limited by a number of seasons, I think it’s limited by everybody’s enthusiasm and excitement about doing it and telling stories about these characters."
We'll take as many seasons of Emily in Paris as they'll give us!!
What has the cast said about Emily in Paris season 4?
Image via Marie Etchegoyen/Netflix
Lucas Bravo told People he's excited for a coming-of-age for Gabriel. "When you start a character, then there's a year where you experience the world and you mature, you become another person and you come back and it's exactly the day you left off," he says. "I'm happy that in season four I'll be able to bring more of what I became and what I've experienced in the past four years."
Even though Lily Collins is now an executive producer, she doesn't want to know TOO much about the future of the show. “Darren and I speak, on occasion, about where he’s thinking of going, but he also doesn’t wanna spoil too much for me because there is a fine line,” she tells Collider. “I don’t wanna know everything because I want to be led with the writing, but I am also curious because, as a producer wanting to celebrate the other characters, I’m very curious to see what their trajectories are."
What happened at the end of Emily in Paris season 3?
Image via Netflix
To be fully prepared for Emily in Paris season 4, it's important to remember just what happened during season 3! The junior season was a bumpy ride for Emily, and it ends with the craziest finale yet. After Camille and Gabriel decide to get married, Camille stops the wedding, saying she knows Gabriel is in love with Emily instead of her. This declaration leads Alfie to break up with our leading lady because he refuses to be her second choice (and honestly, I respect it). That's not the only shocker because Camille also reveals that she's pregnant with Gabriel's child, which comes as a surprise to everyone. Meanwhile, Mindy learns Benoit has submitted a song (specifically "Mon Soleil") to the Eurovision Song Contest and Laurent has his heart set on opening a club in Paris.
Are you excited for Emily in Paris Season 4? Give us your craziest theory in the comments, and check out our Facebook for more pop culture news. Read up on how This Emily In Paris Theory Could Be Why Emily And Gabriel Aren’t Together (Yet).
Lead image via Netflix.
This post has been updated.