The 2023 Oscars Are The Ultimate Spring Beauty Moodboard

Princess Leia's Double Braids from "​Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi​" –> Casual Rope Braids

Tight, leather-threaded braids get a casual update with these pigtails, perfect for those days you want an easy, lazy girl style.

Step 1: Section + Twist

Take a tiny strand of hair near your temple and separate it into two equal sections. Taking one strand in each hand, twisting each section around your fingers in a counterclockwise direction. Then cross the pieces over one another in a clockwise motion and keep on going.

Step 2: Secure + Repeat

When you reach the end of the strand, secure the rope braid with a clear elastic.

Then repeat on the other side.

You can also curl the ends of your hair if you want to dress this look up a bit!

Princess Leia's Milkmaid Braid from ​"Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back​" –> Messy Fishtail Crown Braid

We’re putting a more romantic twist on Princess Leia’s chunky milkmaid braid with a messy fishtail-Dutch plaitand loose, long tendrils to frame your face.

Step 1: Section

Start by sectioning your hair in half. Pin the right section in place so that it will be easier to work with the left one.

Step 2: Fishtail Dutch Braid

Now take a small strand from the top of your head and start fishtail braiding with two alterations: Braid underneath instead of over the top (this gives the braid a cool 3D effect) and incorporate tiny strands as you go.

Step 3: Secure + Repeat

Once you’ve incorporated all the hair, keep on braiding normally, then tie with an elastic. Then, braid the other section with one twist: Braid this section upwards.

Step 4: Pancake

Gently separate your plaits — what’s called pancaking — to give your braids a fuller, messier look.

Step 5: Pin + Final Touches

Lastly, use a couple of bobby pins to secure the braids in place and get the perfect crown result. And don't worry if some tiny pieces are sticking out: It's all part of the look!

Date-night ready like that.

Princess Leia Space Buns from "Episode IV: A New Hope" –> Half-Up Half-Down Double Buns

While this is hands down Princess Leia's most iconic hair look, it's one of the hardest to wear outside of Halloween. This half-up, half-down update featuring a pair of mini buns makes it feel both more attainable and of the moment.

Step 1: Section

Use a fine-tooth comb to make a section from the ear to the top of your head.

Step 2: Cheerleader Pigtails

Then make a high ponytail and secure it with an elastic. Once you’re done, repeat on the other side.

Step 3: Create the Buns

Finger comb your hair to add a bit of volume, then start twisting your ponytail to create a bun. Bobby pin it in place, then repeat on the left side.

Polish your next athleisure outfit with this so-cute style.

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

Moroccanoil Ultimate Hydration Birthday Set

What's included:

• Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil
• Hydrating Shampoo
• Hydrating Conditioner
• Hand Cream

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

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!

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.

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!