Blog Posts by Refinery29

By Gina Marinelli, Refinery29

Never has the phrase "beauty is pain" been more true than after a day in a pair of to-die-for shoes that leave you rubbing your arches and reaching for the epsom salt. And, while achy soles could lead you to sit out a few dances, there are also some serious, life-long risks at stake when we over abuse our feet.

We are not in any position to rain on your shoe parade (nor would we ever want to!). And if we said we'd ditch our pumps and platforms upon learning the not-so-pretty reality about our favorite footwear, well, that be a gross exaggeration. But nonetheless, knowledge, like the right pair of shoes, is power. Therefore, we turned to two of our trusted sources Dr. Thomas Novella, D.P.M., and Jim Wharton, musculoskeletal therapist, for answers.

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These experts broke down the six basic styles we all love to wear and filled us in on what exactly our shoes are doing to our bodies - the immediate effects as well as

By Holly E. Thomas, Refinery29

Sometimes, the reality of living in a tiny studio can be a little overwhelming - so, we've called in the big guns to help all you small-space dwellers outsmart your square footage and actually love where you live. Our team of experts includes local interiors pros and design bloggers, and they all know a thing or two about making the most of mini abodes. Excuse our hyperbole, but their so-smart tips (and decor finds!) might just change your life.

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By Megan McIntyre, Refinery29

We have a love/hate relationship with at-home manicures. On the one hand, they're awesome because they are cheap, we can do them while sitting on our couch in PJ pants, and they allow us to play around with the billion polishes we currently have in our collection. On the other hand, it seems like they just never last, smudging and chipping mere days (or in some of our cases, minutes) after completion. Topcoats promise to keep them in place, but outside of Seche Vite, we've never been able to find one that can make our polish paint jobs last longer than a few days.

Enter gel topcoats. Unlike those weird, at-home kits that have been all the rage lately, these new toppers do not involve any sort of at-home UV light. They're just a simple topcoat, infused with polymers or an epoxy resin, that you brush on over your polish and they claim to keep your digit decor in place for double the time of a regular topcoat. It's the Holy Grail of manicures, people.

By Lauren Caruso, Refinery29

Here at R29, there's no such thing as premature spring shopping. In fact, we're convinced temperatures that don't require two pairs of socks, three cardigans, and a wool beanie are right on the horizon. Even if it's just wishful thinking, we're anything but hesitant to stow away those cold-weather boots we've been donning all along in exchange for something a little more sharp: flats.

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Both practical and chic, the right warm-weather stepper can breathe some much-needed fresh air into any tired, winter wardrobe. So, from a studded, lace-up oxford to an unabashedly ladylike, polka-dot skimmer, we rounded up 10 pairs of flats that'll you'll be happy to march in all spring (and summer!) long.

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By Annie Tomlin, Refinery29

.Phthalates, parabens, SLS, BPA, coal tar, 1,4-dioxane...these are just a handful of the controversial cosmetic ingredients whose safety is being called into question by some scientists, researchers, and health-conscious consumers. There's no shortage of unresolved arguments around the safety of these ingredients, but here's what we do know for sure: The United States regulates chemicals in cosmetics far less than you might think. For instance, the European Union has banned more than 1,300 ingredients from cosmetics, and the United States has banned just 11.

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Sobering facts such as that one prompted entrepreneur Gregg Renfrew to start Beautycounter, a new line of nontoxic skin and body care. Beautycounter's formulas are free of all 1,300 ingredients banned by the EU, those restricted in the States, and a list of other chemicals - dubbed the Never List - that may be carcinogenic,

By Kelly P. Hernandez, Designed by Ammiel Mendoza, Refinery29

Lazy girls, rejoice: We've found the simplest-ever ways to save money - and the brilliant part is, it happens without you even feeling like you're saving. We're not talking about packing lunches, clipping coupons, or going out less, either. (Call us crazy, but we're not sacrificing our morning latte to save two bucks.)

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Nope, these are the seriously sneaky, why-didn't-I-think-of-that ways to build your wealth - and you'll save like crazy without changing your lifestyle or habits. They're straight from the money-minded Kelly P. Hernandez, the founder and CEO of Financechic.com, an independent, unbiased personal finance site for women. Hernandez spent years working on Wall Street and in Silicon Valley, managing equity mutual funds and working with big-name clients. Now, she's sharing her know-how on saving without feeling like you're saving. Prepare to be amazed by how

By Diana Nguyen, Refinery29

From antioxidant-laden botanicals to anti-aging serums, from mud masks to motorized cleansing systems, skin care has come a long way from the homemade butter soaps of yore. Thanks to technology and science, we can engineer formulas to a T(-zone). But, after centuries of medical advancements and beauty fads, we're left wondering if our ancestors deserve more credit than we've given them. After all, many cosmetic ingredients and techniques used a thousand years ago are still just as effective today.

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Not ones to let our thirst for beauty knowledge be left unquenched, we tapped two experts to share their insights on traditional skin care regimens and how - and why - they would work (or not) for the modern-day lady or lad.

With the help of Annet King, director of global education at The International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica, and Marjorie T. Poole, registered nurse and makeup artist

By Diana Nguyen, Refinery29

Iced or hot, with milk or honey - the power of tea knows no bounds...in theory. For centuries, civilizations across the world have consumed tea for its healing properties. More recently, case studies have shown tea's positive effects on cardiovascular diseases and tumors. So, why haven't more institutions and the FDA given it the official healthy thumbs-up?

It comes down to the numbers, says Dr. Rui Hai Liu, a professor in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University. "There's just not enough data to recommend any direct health benefits for humans," he explains. For instance, tea does contain chemical compounds called polyphenols - antioxidants that have been found to block enzymes that cause cancer. However, these results have been apparent only in animals, Liu adds, not yet in humans.

Even if the benefits of the brew aren't 100% conclusive, hardcore tea-lievers are quick to list the drink's health benefits. That's why we asked San Francisco's