SHOPPING

The ‘morning shed’: a brief history of the sometimes dangerous lengths women have gone to look beautiful. In TikTok’s latest viral beauty trend “the morning shed,” beauty influencers “shed” hair and skin products that have been worn overnight. These include hair styling items, skin masks and creams, and physical products such as chin straps and mouth tape, which are intended to help with breathing through the night and keep away the drooping of the jaw that happens with age. While this trend has come under fire for alleged unsustainability and over-consumerism, it is only the latest beauty fad in a long line of time and money consuming “hacks” that women have been undertaking for centuries. From tapeworms to tuberculosis, women have taken part in a laundry list of beauty hacks in order...

Mae Reeves used showstopping hats to fuel voter engagement and Black entrepreneurship. Mae Reeves and her husband, Joel, pose with her hats at Mae’s Millinery in Philadelphia, circa 1953. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture/Gift from Mae Reeves and her children Donna Limerick and William Mincey Jr. Lula “Mae” Reeves, one of the first Black women in Philly to own her own business, created one-of-a-kind and custom hats for celebrities, socialites, professionals and churchgoing women in downtown Philadelphia for over 50 years. She made hats for everyday wear, hats for special occasions, and magnificent “showstoppers,” as she called them. Her celebrity clients included Eartha Kitt, Marian Anderson, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald and mem...

Congo’s stylish sapeur movement goes beyond fashion – 5 deeper insights.   In the two Congos, there’s a cultural movement by the Society of Ambience-Makers and Elegant People (Sape), known as “sapeurs”, who blend fashion, culture and social resistance. Though it was rooted primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo, the movement is now spreading worldwide, through Congolese migration. As a researcher, I have studied Sape in its cultural, social and symbolic dimensions. Sape is far more than a fashion trend. Here are five key things to know about this movement. 1. The history of Sape Sape emerged during the colonial era, first in Brazzaville and later in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa), when young Congolese began adopting and reinterpreting ...

If you’re a fan of  Victoria’s Secret, you’re likely familiar with their much-anticipated Semi-Annual Sales. These events are prime opportunities to snag your favorite  lingerie, lounge wear, and beauty products at significant discounts. Let’s delve into the details of these sales, including their typical timing, what to expect, and how to make the most of them. What is the Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale? The Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale is a bi-annual event where the retailer offers substantial discounts on a wide range of products. Shoppers can find deals on bras, panties, sleepwear, active wear, beauty products, and more. It’s an excellent opportunity to stock up on essentials or indulge in new styles at reduced prices. When Does the Semi-Annual Sale Occur? Victoria’s Sec...