Blake Lively’s Secret to Her Met Gala Textured Ponytail Is This Genius Trick

Blake Lively embodied a golden goddess on the 2017 Met Gala red carpet. While we’re pretty sure that copying her plunging Atelier Versace gown with a blue feathered train might be fairly difficult to achieve, her hairstyle isn’t.

And thanks to hairstylist Rod Ortega, who’s dishing on how he created Lively’s mega ponytail, we can get the look at home. “The dress was so beautiful, colorful, and detailed, we wanted a look that complemented it rather than competed with it,” Ortega told Brit + Co. “An edge to a classic pony with a creative approach to texture accomplished just that.”

Ortega says to begin with damp hair and blow] it out with a flat brush before straightening with an iron (he prefers the T3 SinglePass Luxe Flat Iron [$180]).

Here’s where the fun starts. “For the first (top) pony, I pulled up the top half of the hair, ending that section right above the ears and secured with an elastic,” Ortega said. “I then pulled up the rest of the hair into a second pony, directly underneath the first and secured with an elastic.”

Next, he took a small section of the hair from the ponytail, wrapped it around the elastic, and secured it with bobby pins. To create that unmistakeable (and oh-so retro) crimp for texture, Ortega used his trusty T3 SinglePass Compact Flat Iron ($89) to bend the hair. For an effect like Lively’s, start at the top of the pony and bend the iron four times in an S-shape pattern; then leave 1.5 inches and move down the hair, and add another four bends until you’ve reached the end. Spray L’Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray ($11) all over, and you’re good to go!

So, who’s going to recreate this look at home? Tweet us @BritandCo.

(Photos via John Shearer, Dia Dipasupil, Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty)

When any red carpet rolls around, there are certain couples we can pretty much always count on to show up looking cuter than ever. John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, Eddie Redmayne and his wife Hannah Bagshawe, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend… But anyone who’s ever seen a tabloid knows that celebrity couples often have a relatively short lifespan. And so when we decided to look back at the red carpet couples of the past, we rediscovered a whole bunch of duos we totally forgot ever existed. These stars are incredible on their own, but even more powerful together. Scroll on down to take a look at all the now-Hollywood exes who made us do a double take.

Juliette Lewis + Brad Pitt

Vinnie Zuffante/Archive Photos/Getty Images

We tend to think of Angelina and Jennifer as Brad’s two big loves, but before them (and Gwyneth) came Juliette Lewis. The two dated for four years when they were both on the cusp of total stardom. These two just might be tied with Johnny Depp and Kate Moss as the most ’90s couple that’s ever existed.

Michael Jackson + Brooke Shields

Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

A budding supermodel and a global pop sensation? It’s kind of a Hollywood match made in heaven, just like Brooke's curls. That dress on the other hand? We’re not so sure.

Matthew Broderick + Jennifer Grey

Vinnie Zuffante/TriStar/Getty Images

As much as we’d like to believe Sarah Jessica Parker was Matthew Broderick’s one and only, this couple makes a lot of sense. The two were both the main characters in epic teen ’80s movies – we’ll just forget about the fact that they played brother and sister in one of them…

Jake Gylenhaal + Reese Witherspoon

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Dang, why didn’t this couple work out again? Oh right, probably because that much wonderfulness packed into one couple would make the world explode. But they sure did look good together!

Drew Barrymore + Corey Feldman

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

Feldman once said that his first date with Drew was arranged by her mother when she was 10 and he was 14, because apparently Barrymore had a huge crush on him. They later dated briefly (this time for real) in 1989, when Drew was a teenager. Unfortunately, he was heavily into drugs during that time and she was trying to stay sober after multiple stints in rehab, so it didn’t last long.

Winona Ryder + Christian Slater

New World Pictures/Getty Images

Here’s to hoping this relationship ended a little more amicably than it did for their Heathers characters.

Julia Roberts + Kiefer Sutherland

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

It was supposed to be one of the biggest Hollywood weddings ever, and then all of a sudden, Julia called it off. Tragic. At least we have this red carpet moment to remember the couple by.

Stacy Keibler + George Clooney

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Now that Amal is in the picture, it’s hard to imagine George with anyone else. But before that British vision of elegance came Stacy Keibler, the stunning professional wrestler and George’s beau for two years.

Who’s your favorite throwback red carpet couple? Share with us on Twitter @BritandCo.

This post has been updated.

“Amen,” all the Starbucks-frequenting vegans, lactose intolerants, and anti-dairy people said in unison. Starbucks is no longer charging extra for non-dairy milk customizations! Starting November 7, 2024, the coffee giant saidthey’re nixing the up-charge on alternative milks like soy, coconut, almond, and oat.

Starbucks

“At the heart of the Starbucks Experience has, and always will be, the ability to customize beverages and our baristas’ expertise in helping you find, and craft your Starbucks beverage,” a Starbucks announcement reads. “Substituting non-dairy milk in a handcrafted beverage is the second most requested customization from our customers, behind adding a shot of espresso.”

The chain reported that almost half of U.S. customers that pay for non-dairy milk could see a price reduction of more than 10%. The news comes amidst the company's recent 6% drop in sales, along with customer complaints that Starbucks is simply charging too much for their goodies – something the newly-appointed Starbucks CEO, Brian Niccol, seems to be addressing.

Starbucks

How much savings are we really talking about with this menu update? Most Starbucks stores charge $0.70 to customize your drink with soy, coconut, almond, and oat milks. Some locations in hotspots like New York City even see an up to $0.90 upcharge.

A regular Caffé Latte in my area (Denver, CO) costs $5.25, and if I were to customize it with an alternative milk, it brings the price up to $5.95 ($6.43 total with tax). That's around a 13% increase that I luckily won't be seeing anymore once the new non-dairy changes go into effect.

Starbucks also announced the pricing update on their Instagram page. Many commenters seem elated to hear the news.

“FINALLY!!!!!!” one user wrote.

“People should never have been getting charged because of allergies or dietary restrictions,” another person said. “It’s [about] time 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻”

“Good call as long as nothing else goes up,” someone else noted. “Prices are getting way [too] high even for a simple, non fancy coffee.”

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Anne Hathaway — you know, the Queen of Genovia herself — just officially joined TikTok, and it's so Mia Thermopolis-coded. We've already been lucky enough to witness her fun and flirty press tour for The Idea of You, where she stars opposite Nicholas Galitzine and says iconic things like "I'm a Scorpio; I know how I am on a Saturday night." Now, she's giving us a glimpse into the last four years of her life from her perspective. Take a look!

Anne Hathaway's First TikTok Post Is Too Perfect

www.tiktok.com

⏰⏰⏰⏰ 😳🫢🫡🤗

While many of us probably don't like to reminisce on 2020 itself (though I do sometimes miss the days of Tiger King and Tiktok being oh-so-new), Anne starts her journey right in the middle of the pandemic. Throughout the video, she gives us a sort of retrospective on her life...very similarly to Mia Thermopolis at the beginning of Princess Diaries 2. (I'll never forgive them for writing Michael out in the intro 😭) Here's what she detailed, with my own commentary on what she's referring to in parentheses. 😘

  • Made a movie about a lockdown in a lockdown (Locked Down)
  • Tapped into my Scorpio energy and became a witch (The Witches)
  • (We)Crashed (starring alongside Jared Leto)
  • (We)Met Again (running into Jared Leto at the Met Gala)
  • Wore pink in Rome (yes, THAT outfit)
  • Wore white in Cannes (the film festival)
  • Emerged from the Venice Canals dripping in Bulgari (yes, that OTHER outfit)
  • Tasted the rainbow (another fab 'fit)
  • CALMA, CALMA, CALMA (all the times she told paps to chill out)
  • Not calma (iconic dancing YAS)
  • Definitely nor calma (more The Witches realness)
  • Met Monique Eastwood (come on, exercise!)
  • Chopped my hair off (french girl bob goodness)
  • JK no I didn't (ok long hair slay)
  • Cried a lot (that's a water sign if I ever saw one)
  • Became besties with Donatella (oh, casual)
  • Gave cupcake eating lessons (this is the only way to actually eat a cupcake, TBH)
  • Got the world to primal scream (it's giving Claire Danes in Fleishman is in Trouble)
  • Went skiing with Moncler (I can barely walk in snow, let alone look good)
  • Kept being this person (HERSELF 🥹)
  • Had a Devil Wears Prada reunion (oh, we KNOW!)
  • Produced The Idea of You — and acted in it (everyone say, "Thank you, Annie!")
  • Went to SXSW (the outfits, again!!!)
  • Premiered The Idea of You in NY (cue 1989)
The video ends with her saying she forgot to join Tiktok — clearly because she was so dang busy with everything else! Needless to say, if this is the kind of content she's serving, I'm so in! (Especially if it ever entails showing off Princess Diaries 3updates!!!!!)

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Header image by Cindy Ord/Getty Images

NYT bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid is officially back from her hiatus, and she's announced her brand new book! While we continue to dish about her book-turned-TV-series Daisy Jones & The Six, Reid's written so many other incredible, page-turning books. And now that she's back with something new for eager readers, we're sure this title will easily become a bestseller too! Here are all the exciting details we know about Reid's new read!

TL;DR

  • Taylor Jenkins Reid announced her new book, Atmosphere, on Instagram October 30, 2024.
  • The book follows a physics and astronomy professor who joins the NASA Space Shuttle program — only to find love, potentially change her whole life, and juggle a massive mission.
  • Atmosphere comes out on June 3, 2025

When did Taylor Jenkins Reid announce her new book?

Instagram/tjenkinsreid

On October 30, 2024, Taylor Jenkins Reid announced her upcoming book on Instagram! The post reads:

"Taylor is so excited to announce her next book ATMOSPHERE, releasing June 3, 2025. Huge, huge thanks to Vogue US and British Vogue for helping us celebrate today."

The caption continues, "From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program and the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits."

After digging into the plot — more on that soon! — Taylor's team shares, "Fast-paced, thrilling, and emotional, Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting readers to iconic times and places, with complex protagonists, telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love, this time among the stars."

What is 'Atmosphere' about?

Amazon

Per Taylor Jenkins Reid's official website, Atmoshpere is set in the 80s and tells the tale of one woman's journey through space.

Joan Goodwin's love for space has led her to a lovely role as a physics and astronomy professor at Rice University. She splits her time between teaching and bonding with her niece Frances — two things that bring her great joy. But her interested is piqued when she discovers she can possibly join NASA's Space Shuttle program.

Somehow Joan is selected to join and begins building relationships with the other chosen candidates at Houston's Johnson Space Center. Though mostly everyone is kind, mission specialist Lydia Danes isn't interested in rolling out the welcome mat to anyone. Still, this doesn't cause too much friction as they continue training in the program. Joan even finds love in an unlikely place and wonders if she can go back to the life she had before.

Just when the trainees think they've found a nice rhythm, mission STS-LR9 provides the biggest shock no one saw coming.

When does 'Atmosphere' by Taylor Jenkins Reid come out?

Readers will have to revisit Reid's other titles because Atmosphere won't hit shelves until June 3, 2025!

How many books has Taylor Jenkins Reid written?

Amazon

She's written a total of 9 books, including Atmosphere. Here's every Taylor Jenkins Reid book, in order:

What are Taylor's most popular books?

Amazon

While we flipped through each Taylor Jenkins Reid book faster than the next, her most popular reads are:

Pre-Order 'Atmosphere' By Taylor Jenkins Reid Here!

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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‘Tis the season for cold temperatures, so if you’ve gotta bundle up, you might as well do it in style. Of course, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice warmth for the look – which is exactly where these trusty wintercoats come in! The winter coat trends on schedule for 2024 truly have range – they vary widely in length, material, and texture, but all look so chic no matter what layers you throw on. These are the winter coat trends you need to know to guide your next cold-weather shopping spree. Betweenbarn jackets and shaggy faux furs, you’re sure to find a style that speaks to you.

Trench + Longline Coats

Reformation

Reformation Matteo Trench

Trench coats definitely give you the most coverage, which is perfect for those extra-cold days. More than anything, they supply major main character energy to any look you plan to wear this season. The longline cut brings the drama!

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Classic Long Trench Coat

This green trench hosts all the classic details: a double-breasted collar, side pockets, and a tie waist. It's timeless as can be, so you can wear it year after year in endless ways.

J.Crew

J.Crew Wrap Trench Coat

If you dare to make a statement, this bold red trench coat is the piece for you. The thick wool-blend fabric will also keep you super snug.

Barn Coats

Free People

We The Free Denim Barn Coat

Also called barn jackets or chore coats, barn coats bring a sense of utility to your outfits. They're definitely very trendy at the moment, but I think they're worth wearing past this season alone since you can easily layer up or down depending on the weather.

Reformation

Reformation Harrison Utility Jacket

Snag a barn coat in a neutral colorway like this, and you've got yourself an absolute wardrobe staple that wears well with any of the colors in your closet. I'd layer this piece up with a sweater, wide leg jeans, and cowboy boots for a chic tomboy-ish look.

Nordstrom

1.STATE Oversize Cotton Twill Barn Jacket

This barn coat is intentionally oversized, so it'll be perfect for topping off the multiple layers you've gotta rock for those colder-than-cold days. The sleek buttons and contrasting collar spice this clean-cut style up the perfect amount.

Exaggerated Puffers

Urban Outfitters

The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket

When it comes to puffer coats, try taking them a step further by finding styles like this that really emphasize the puffiness. The stitching adds eye-catching textures and patterns that'll supply your outfits with extra oomph. This puffer in particular expertly insulates your body heat with 700 down fill – even snow days are no match for its comfort.

Gap

Gap Oversized Denim Puffer Jacket

I've never seen a denim puffer coat before, but now that I've stumbled upon this style from Gap, I need one ASAP. The boxy fit is ideal for piling more layers on, but the silhouette won't entirely drown your figure out.

Free People

Free People Solid Cotton Candy Puffer

This "puffy to the max" coat makes a statement with dramatic balloon sleeves and a stand collar that's perfect for cozying up to when the wind chill is just too much.

Leather Bomber Jackets

Target

Wild Fable Faux Leather Oversized Bomber Jacket

Bomber jackets made in a leather (or in this case, faux leather) fabrication feel much more polished and mature than the polyester ones of days past. They toe the line between dressed-up and casual, which is perfect for when you don't want to think too hard about your winter 'fits.

Free People

We The Free Buckle Up Vegan Leather Jacket

This pick is perfectly oversized to accomodate more warming garments like sweaters, long sleeve tees, and flannels. Layer up!

Anthropologie

Pilcro Oversized Washed Faux-Leather Jacket

This is an undeniable statement coat you can wear on repeat with dresses, skirts, jeans, trousers, and more!

Shaggy + Sherpa Jackets

Mango

Mango Jacket with Shearling-Effect Lining

For a fun play on texture, sherpa-lined and shaggy coats are the way to go. This one is also weighted heavy enough that you won't need many extra layers to keep warm while you're out and about!

Nordstrom

Sam Edelman Faux Shearling Short Jacket

You'll fall in love with just how soft this coat is. It pairs well with more formal party 'fits as well as casual errand get-ups.

Gap

Gap Recycled Faux Fur Coat

No matter what you're wearing underneath, this longline faux fur coat will turn heads. I think it'd look simply iconic with some leather pants and chunky black boots!

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