T LOunge for February 6th 2024

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PinThe Sukaru Ba Restaurant – Milan, Italy

Are we all feeling glamorous and dazzling today? No worries, if not. The LOunge will do all the work of making you feel like a million bucks. Come sit un flattering lighting and talk about this and that as if none of it mattered to you. Wavc an imaginary cigarette holder around like a bitchy heiress! Be shocking! Or, as always, you could just sit in a dark corner, silently judging everyone else in the room. It’s all good here.

Natasha Rothwell Has a Vision
The actress goes in search of a spiritual spark as Belinda in the upcoming third season of ‘The White Lotus.’ But Rothwell’s already living her manifestations.
The White Lotus isn’t the only project that’s kept Rothwell busy, but it’s definitely inspired all the busyness. After years of writing (Saturday Night Live), voice acting (Archer, Bob’s Burgers), and playing smaller side characters—most notably Kelli, the boy crazy comic relief of Issa’s friend group on HBO’s Insecure—The White Lotus made Rothwell a known quantity. She popped up on the big screen over Christmas in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Rothwell also created and starred in her own show, How to Die Alone, which came out in September on Hulu. In it, she plays an airport employee who decides to take control of her life after a freak accident. The day before we met, How to Die Alone had won a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series. The news dropped while she was breaking bread with Jennifer Lawrence, Kerry Washington, and other A-listers at a Hollywood Reporter breakfast honoring Women in Entertainment.

Chappell Groan: The Misguided Rhetoric of an Instant Industry Insider (Guest Column)
The Grammy winner for best new artist gets respect and true appreciation for her creativity and gumption but is far too green and uninformed to be the agent of change she aspires to be today.
Roan gets respect and true appreciation for her artistry and gumption but is far too green and too uninformed to be the agent of change she aspires to be today. She may evolve quickly, perhaps build a confab of power-wielding playmakers, or even pass the torch to another leader-to-be, but her Grammy speech was a hackneyed and plagiarized script of an artist basking in industry love while broadcasting naïveté and taking aim at the very machine that got her there. If labels are responsible for artists’ wages, health care and overall well-being, where does it end and personal responsibility begin? Should Chris Blackwell put a mint on her pillow and tuck her in at night, too? There is no moral or ethical obligation by any standard that hold labels responsible for the allocation of additional funds beyond advances and royalties.

Barry Keoghan on New Movie ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ and Acting With a Donkey in a Super Bowl Ad
The ‘Saltburn’ star makes his big-game debut in a spot for Squarespace and teases his upcoming film with The Weeknd and Jenna Ortega.
Barry Keoghan has good luck with donkeys. He last shared the screen with one in 2022’s The Banshees of Inisherin, in which Jenny the Donkey stole hearts as Colin Farrell’s beloved pet. Banshees earned Keoghan his first Oscar nomination. Now he returns to rural Ireland with a new mule named Don Mosley for a Super Bowl ad touting the website service Squarespace.

The Real Story Behind ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’: Belle Gibson’s Wellness Scam, Explained
There are no shortage of wellness influencers on the internet today, but, as with all creators who contend with the attention economy, only a handful ever achieve global, goop-level fame. Among them? Belle Gibson, an Australian whose rise and fall is now the subject of a new (albeit fictional) Netflix show, Apple Cider Vinegar.
Based on the 2017 book The Woman Who Fooled the World, the new show Apple Cider Vinegar follows three main characters—Belle Gibson (Kaitlyn Dever), Milla Blake (Alycia Debnam-Carey), and Chanelle (Aisha Dee)—as they navigate the world of influencer wellness. Gibson quickly shoots to fame when she reveals that she once had brain cancer, however, there’s a catch: she’s lying.

Everyone is talking about dark cherry at the moment, but I can’t get enough of the super wearable plum shade
All skin tones apply
First, there was mocha, then latte, followed by strawberry and now the latest colour beauty trend sweeping across social and beyond is plum. Day to day I play it pretty safe with my make-up—nude lips and a brown liner, mascara, concealer and a pop of blush. But I’ve always loved to play with colour and luckily, plum works for all (yes, all) skin tones.
With this cold snap in the air and a need for warmth, plum is fast becoming the colour of the season and it can be worn anywhere on the face, swept over the eyes, on the cheeks or even on the lips.

As a beauty editor, these are the 8 best foundations that I recommend for everyday wear
Lightweight with decent coverage = the everyday dream
With lives getting busier and time more precious than ever, I don’t want to be spending hours on my everyday make-up. For special occasions and the odd weekday, sure, I’ll play around with the Stila Glitter and Go Liquid Eyeshadow or test long-lasting lipsticks. But most of the time, I like to keep it lowkey and simple.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to wear any make-up. I am a beauty editor after all. That’s where I turn to these eight everyday foundations. They’re lightweight, help even out my skin tone, knock out any redness and, in general, make my skin appear healthier.
Being a beauty editor means that I’ve tested almost every foundation formula out there, so I know what works. Here are the everyday foundations that I rate the most, for every skin type.

How to remove acrylic nails without damaging your nail bed
An at-home friendly trick.
Acrylic nails lay down a smooth base for nail art and add length. Time for a change? If you want to remove acrylic nails safely, we’d always recommend a trained professional. But if you must do it from home, it pays to be gentle. Above all, resist the urge to peel them off.
Whether you opt for a classic glaze or coffin-shaped nail extensions, acrylics take the form of a paste that is bonded to the natural nail, which hardens to create a ‘faux’ nail over the top that lasts up to eight weeks.
This toughness means you need to be careful to avoid weakening the nail bed or over-filing your natural nail when you remove acrylic nails at home.

Zana Bayne on Designing Chappell Roan’s Rodeo Grammys Look
Zana Bayne is every pop girl’s secret weapon. The LA-based designer has long been a decades-plus go-to for custom performance looks, consistently dressing everyone from Lady Gaga to Beyoncé and well beyond. This past year, Bayne has closely followed the rise of Grammy Award-winner Chappell Roan, creating on-stage leather outfits for tours, festivals and special appearances like Coachella, the VMAs and Saturday Night Live — all developed alongside Roan’s stylist Genesis Webb.
The 2025 Grammys saw this creative team join forces once again, bringing the “Pink Pony Club” to life on an oversized horse and surrounded by dancing rodeo clowns. Roan wore a western-inspired Zana Bayne original, complete with five different jewel-toned metallic leathers, crystal studding, cowgirl buckles and cascading fringe. Styled with big, wavy hair by Dom Forletta, Victorian-inspired glam by Andrew Dahling and gemstone nails by Juan Alvear, Roan’s appearance as this year’s Best New Artist was instantly iconic.

The 32 Best True-Crime Documentaries to Binge Right Now
From murders to cults to miscarriages of justice, the best true-crime documentaries have it all. Your next watch is waiting.
Everywhere you look, there’s more of it. True crime has taken over Hollywood, with networks and streaming services pumping out nonfiction accounts of scandalous misdeeds, wrongful convictions, and sordid scams at a rate that even the genre’s diehards struggle to keep up with. (See, for instance, this year’s massively gripping Netflix doc American Nightmare, or HBO’s absorbing continuation of The Jinx.)
The best true-crime documentaries bring principled reportage to the intrigue they chronicle, giving equal or greater weight to the victims as to the perpetrators whose psychology seizes our collective imagination. This list attempts to encapsulate the format’s varying modes, from serious digests to seedy diversions; although one person’s true-crime trash is another’s treasure, these recommendations steer clear of the genre’s tawdriest impulses. All of our picks are available to stream or rent somewhere, and when you’re done, you can find dozens more at the ready.

41 best thriller movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat
You’ll be guessing ’til the end…
Thriller movies are best served up under the covers with a glass of wine in hand. I mean, what better way to spend our nights piecing together the puzzle of a nail-biting movie, all while feeling all the feels of suspense, surprise, anticipation and excitement?
Luckily for us, thriller films fall under plenty of subgenres. Whether it’s a tense whodunnit, a psychological mind-bender or even a dark comedy, there’s plenty of viewing material out there that can keep us entertained and terrified for hours.

In Defence Of Pharmacy Lip Balms
The most glamorous bags are home to the most basic lip salves, and for good reasons, says one beauty editor
From squishy, tapered tubes attached to phone cases to rosy pots of unctuous balms so expensive you’d think they contained actual diamond dust (and some actually do), it’s clear that lip balms are the new status symbol – along with perfectly manicured hands and designer bag charms.
And the numbers don’t lie. The global lip care market was valued at $2.47 billion in 2024 and is expected to expand at a growth rate of 5.9% from 2025 to 2030, according to Grand View Research. At SpaceNK, where IT balms such as the Sofia Richie-approved Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm and Tatcha’s gold-flecked lip moisturiser are stocked, sales of lip treatments are up 179% last year. That’s a lot of buttery formulas flying off the shelves.

The Full Fringe Has Returned — Here’s How To Style It For 2025
Full fringes are re-emerging as the hairstyle du jour. This is your 2025 guide if you’re considering following suit.
That the full fringe is having a revival might come as surprising news to you. As soft, wispy curtain bangs and subtle side-partings have trickled onto our feeds, and more of us have felt the sudden urge to experiment with our lengths (see the bob takeover of 2024), fuller, thicker fringes have remained somewhat in the archives.
For 2025, however, they’re making their big return. Seen on the runway during the SS25 Haute Couture shows (notably at Elie Saab and Schiaparelli), and re-emerging during Copenhagen Fashion Week, the full fringe is now making waves once again.

Smoothest Bourbons on the Market, Tested and Ranked
I’ve tried hundreds of whiskeys over two decades. Here are my top 10 smoothest picks.
Some whiskey drinkers might find the term “smooth” rather played out. That’s okay. You’re entitled to your opinion. There are other phrases like nuanced, mellow, creamy, velvety, or even sophisticated that seem slightly less cliché.
But none of these phrases conjure up the images that smooth does. When someone describes a bourbon as smooth, you know exactly what they mean. Or at least you feel like you do. But what exactly is a smooth bourbon?

Billie Eilish Finally Released A New Perfume, Inspired By ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’
Your Turn is quite different from the original Eilish, if that’s the scent you’re familiar with. It was inspired by Billie’s memories creating her Grammy-nominated album Hit Me Hard and Soft—think playful softness mixed with edge. At first sniff, there’s bright bergamot peel, cardamom, and ginger, then blooms into a juicy blend of peach skin, coconut water, and night-blooming jasmine (which, FYI, is a much more sultry, rich, musky type of jasmine). At its core, though, are smooth sandalwood, musk, and an upcycled warm amber note. Together, you get a spicy citrus that’s bold and fresh at the same time. Ya know, not unlike Billie.

The day Elizabeth II became The Queen: all the secrets of accession day
73 years ago, on Sunday, a princess climbed a ladder into a Kenyan treehouse, and came back down as Queen Elizabeth II
For Queen Elizabeth II, the death of her father was on the horizon for some time, but when it came, it was still a great shock. King George VI had been suffering from lung cancer for several years before his premature death, aged just 56, but he was clearly not expected to pass away soon, as his heir and daughter was abroad at the time of his death: she was in Kenya, at the beginning of a Commonwealth Tour alongside her husband of almost five years, Prince Philip.

How accurate is Miss Austen? All the real-life romances, scandals and locations behind the new BBC drama
This four-part series may embellish in parts, but its essential elements are based in facts – that are almost as fascinating as fiction
Like the rest of Britain, you may well have spent the last few days on the sofa, glued to Miss Austen: the BBC’s new drama, released to celebrate the 250th anniversary since Jane Austen’s birth. The programme doesn’t focus on the famous novelist, however – but her lesser-known sister, Cassandra, who lies at the heart of a particularly intriguing story.
The show ‘takes a literary mystery – Cassandra Austen notoriously burning her famous sister Jane’s letters – and reimagines it as a fascinating, witty and heart-breaking story of sisterly love, while creating in Cassandra a character as captivating as any Austen heroine,’ reads one synopsis. Keeley Hawes, who has become a household name for her star turns in other BBC big-hitters like Bodyguard and Line of Duty, is magnetic in the starring role, while Olivier-winning actress Patsy Ferran plays a young Jane opposite Synnøve Karlsen as Cassy in her youth. With other appearances from the likes of Max Irons, Phyllis Logan and Rose Leslie, it’s undoubtedly one of the broadcaster’s major releases for 2025.

KitchenAid Just Announced Its 2025 Color of the Year—a Beautiful Shade You’ll Want in Your Kitchen
This nostalgic shade was inspired by a vintage butter knife.
If you enjoy cooking or baking at home, you know that KitchenAid’s high-end appliances are highly sought after. But perhaps even more popular than the appliances are the beautiful shades they come in, from iconic bright red to a milky sky blue. For 2025, the brand has chosen Butter as its Color of the Year, a delicate yellow that is both nostalgic and modern.
Butter is a soft, energizing yellow with a creamy, satin finish. KitchenAid hopes the shade will evoke comforting memories and create a sense of delight in the kitchen. Now available for one of KitchenAid’s most popular appliances—the Artisan Stand Mixer—this shade will inspire you to do more home cooking and baking in 2025.

12 Things Martha Says You Should Always Do Before Starting Laundry
These pre-wash must-dos will benefit your clothes and make laundry day a little bit brighter.
No matter how many loads you do each week, laundry can still feel like a daunting chore. Properly laundering your clothing requires much more than just a push of a button. If you’re tired of unearthing shrunken, faded, or ripped clothing from the dryer, there could be a few steps you’re forgetting to take beforehand.
We’ve gathered these 12 simple pre-washing must-dos from Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook. Follow her advice, and laundry day will become much more manageable.

7 Best Corn Syrup Substitutes That Will Elevate Your Sweet Treats
Whether you’re out of the sweetener or simply want to avoid it, try these easy, accessible substitutes.
Corn syrup is a common sweetener in many recipes, including cookies, fudge, glazes, and jams. But sometimes, you might find yourself looking for a corn syrup substitute. Perhaps you’re out of the ingredient or simply looking for a less processed option—or maybe you’re preparing a recipe for someone with a corn allergy (which is rare, but possible). Luckily, there are plenty of corn syrup substitutes to choose from, each with its own unique flavors and features.

15 Romantic Dinner Ideas for Valentine’s Day, From Coq Au Vin to Creamy Pasta
Cooking is a love language on its own.
Spending Valentine’s Day making a home-cooked meal with your special someone is the most ideal way to celebrate. Nothing says “I love you” quite like serving up a perfectly cooked steak, creamy mashed potatoes, and a glass of red wine. Celebrating Valentine’s Day with dinner at home lets you enjoy quality time while creating something delicious together without interruptions. Whether you’re looking for a fun cooking challenge to take on with your partner or just some inspiration for your date night meal, we’ve got you covered. So, light the candles, set the table, and get ready for 15 of our favorite romantic dinner recipes that are sure to delight both you and your valentine.

This Underrated Destination in France Is Known As the ‘Pink City’ — and It’s Like a Mini Paris
Live la vie en rose in France’s La Ville Rose.
As I walked along the riverfront walkway from Pont Neuf at sunset, I basked in the delight of another successful French getaway. During my five-night trip, I had ticked off all the checkboxes of a well-spent French vacation. I found a favorite bakery, made (numerous) trips to Monoprix, visited airy cathedrals with sunshine-illuminated stained glass windows, sampled produce and cheese at a local market, and embarked on multiple museum outings to view works produced by master artists like Claude Monet and Auguste Rodin. But there’s a catch: I wasn’t in Paris.

[Photo Credit: sukaruba.com, andrealanghi.it]

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