12 Gender Neutral Beauty Products That Work for Your Entire Household

What is the 4B Movement?

According to The Washington Post, this is a "radical Korean feminist movement that swears off men to reclaim a sense of agency." It sounds similar to abstinence, but the trickle down effects are vastly different. Abstinence is taking a step back from anything that usually taps into your pleasure center — and that doesn't always mean sex. However, the 4B Movement is specifically rooted in 'de-centering men' completely.

CBSstates that researchers Jieun Lee and Euisol Jeong wrote a paper for Yonsei University about the movement, and deciphered that the "B" has four meanings:

1. biyeonae — "refusal of dating men"
2. bisekseu — "sexual relationships with men"
3. bihon — "heterosexual marriage"
4. bichulsan — "childbirth"

How did the 4B movement start?

In 2016, Hankyoreh reported that a man in his 30's chose to stab an unknown young woman in Seoul, Korea. When asked why he committed the crime, he gave this answer: "I did it because women have always ignored me." In response to the random attack, Hong Seong-su, a law professor at Sookmyung Women’s University, share a chilling message that the outlet recounted in the article. "The fact that [Kim] chose ‘some woman’ [as opposed to ‘some person’] as the target for his crime suggests it is not going too far to view this as a crime of hate against women."

This radical moment was an inception point for the movement overall, started in opposition to this gender-based violence, as well as gender-based discrimination as a whole. The Korean Herald noted that factors like pay inequality and a Donald Trump-like president of their own (Yoon Suk-yeol) were driving forces in 4B. Since his election in 2022, Yoon Suk-yeol has "promised to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which has been popular with his anti-feminist base," (via Korean Herald). Between all this and the global sensation of #MeToo, the 4B Movement gained major momentum throughout the last eight years.

The 4B Movement's Lasting Impact In South Korea

According to The Korean Herald, over 150 elementary schools aren't seeing first-graders walk through their doors and it has everything to do with the falling birth rate in South Korea. CNN reports that officials are so concerned, they're willing to do something to combat it. President Yoon Suk Yeol said, "We will mobilize all of the nation’s capabilities to overcome the low birth rate, which can be considered a national emergency."

But, this isn't the first time the birth rate has been addressed. Another CNN article reported that South Korea dished out $200 billion to "boost the population over the past 16 years." Still, things haven't worked in the government's favor. It's evident less women are having children and it seems to directly stem from women upholding the ideology they're not allowing their bodies to be used for motherhood anymore.

American Women's Response To The 4B Movement

After the shocking results of the 2024 presidential election, many women began to rethink how they relate to the men in their lives, finding South Korea's 4B Movement in the process. Based on the current rhetoric about women who don't have children and the restrictive anti-abortion laws with hardly any policies in place to reduce the maternal mortality rate, it's understandable why some women are fearful or fed up — and why many women are now finding parallels to what sparked 4B in the first place.

When you see people like Nicholas J. Fuentes tweeting things like "Your body, my choice. Forever," on the same day Trump won a second term as president, it can leave a sickening taste in one's mouth. One user's response to this was, "Funny how the loudest champions of 'freedom' are often the first to undermine it for everyone else."

Alongside this are men's social movements that are clearly intertwined with the current political climate, too. While obviously not all men believe in these ideologies, there's been a stark rise in their prevalence.

In 2020, ADL reported about the mindset of "Incels" and discovered that they feel emboldened by the 'manosphere.' So, what do they tend to believe? According to outlet, there's a belief "that the current sexual 'marketplace' gives women too much freedom to choose their own partners." Not only that, but the outlet says Incels tend to think women choose to ignore men unless they look a certain way or have a certain status, "leaving the remaining 80 percent of men (including incels) without a potential partner."

Nicole Prause, a UCLA Statistician and Academic, is well-versed in abstinence movements, and what they ultimately indicate based on statistics. "There are a number of similar men's movements already, especially Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW)," she says. According to her, MGTOW don't pursue marriage or relationships with women, but "seek sex when it is on their 'terms.'" She says, "They're often viewing it as a battle pitting sexes against one another. These movements tend to be separatist, often evolving into misogyny and violent speech, such as glorifying sexual coercion and rape."

As a result of these growing men's movements and the incoming 47th President of the United States — a convicted felon with multiple allegations of sexual assault — there have been growing calls from women on social media to consider the 4B Movement for themselves. X user @jungsooyawning wrote, "american women it's time to learn from the koreans and adopt the 4b movement as a matter of fact women from all over the world should adopt the 4b movement i'm so serious," on the platform.

Freelance writer Daria Yasmiene also wrote about about why she's taking part in the movement for POPSUGAR. She said, "As a Black woman who has lived through three back-to-back elections with Trump as a focal point, I'm so far beyond tired that I need a lifestyle change." Ultimately, she wants to continue having the freedom to choose to live her life in a way that's not solely governed by men.

"With the little autonomy that I have left, I would rather be alone and safe from the consequences of male influence in my life than lie next to someone who doesn't see me as an equal. We deserve so much more than that."

Meanwhile, Sex and Relationships Coach, Leah Carey says that 4B "makes sense as a response to realizing that a majority of men valued the economy over a woman's right to self-determination." Depending on where you stand, she also says that it can be "seen as 'punishment' for men" or "as a choice of self-determination and self-protection for women." Somatic Trauma Therapist, Blessing Uchendu shares Carey's sentiments in that the movement is "a response to patriarchy and the centering of men and conversely the objectification of women, with the expectation that they fulfill roles as wives and mothers."

Potential Benefits Of The 4B Movement

So with all that in mind, is a movement like 4B beneficial? And is it even sustainable? I'm not going to tell you that you should or shouldn't join the 4B Movement because it's a personal decision. It's always wise to examine where you are in life instead of relying on social media, news outlets, or even the government to determine what you're going to believe. Still, there may be some benefits to the 4B Movement that outweigh any potential fallouts.

Carey says that "not being refused care for reproductive matters" is a potential benefit of 4B, while also highlighting that "the mental health benefits can also be huge for people who deal with anxiety, depression, or anything else that might cause emotional hardship in the current climate."

This could also lead to women identifying and honoring their true desires instead of following society's scripts about who they should be. Somatic Trauma Therapist, Blessing Uchendu believes that 4B is about women de-centering men and re-centering themselves — about "being the 'stars of their own stories,' rather than supporting characters in a malde-dominated narrative." Uchendu says. "It can be incredibly empowering to step away from systems that have felt compulsory in order to reflect on whether you are making decisions centered on yourself and your desires or whether these decisions are centered on the expectations of the society around you."

The most important thing Carey wants to note is that women aren't unable to find love and joy ever again by participating in the 4B movement. "Just because a woman chooses not to date, have sex, get married, or have kids with a man doesn't mean she can't do those things: with other women. it's more and more common for adult women to explore their same-sex attractions after divorce or widowhood," she notes. "With a generation of young women growing up with the understanding that heterosexuality is not the only option, we may see a wave of younger women also exploring in this arena (in addition to all the younger women who already know themselves to be queer)."

I would also say that you can always go back to dating and engaging with men whenever you want — this movement doesn't have to be a permanent choice if you don't want it to be. The whole point is to take charge and embrace your own sense of agency.

Yet, Prause does pause to mention the downside to "separatist movements." She explains that without support from men, women could struggle financially given pay disparities and other gender-based work inequities. Still, she says this doesn't really affect much if women have been figuring things out for themselves with little help from men.

Ultimately Uchendu says women having the freedom to exist without the weight of society's patriarchal standards on their shoulders is the "ultimate freedom." She says, "In the words of Audre Lorde 'If I did not define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and be eaten alive."

No woman should have to live in fear of having violence committed against her, but history continues repeating itself in terms of how society treats our bodies. "When a woman's right to make choices about her own body and health care are removed, she may decide to not put herself in a position where pregnancy can become an option," Carey says.

Prause chimes in with, "On average, women are more likely to experience mental health declines with marriage to a man (the opposite is true for men). While men also can experience domestic violence and sexual assault, the risks are exceptionally higher for women." Not only that, but she also points out that "women risk unwanted pregnancy, from which they now have fewer healthcare rights to address" and "are at much higher risk for sexually transmitted infections, even from their regular romantic partner."

As if that weren't a slap in the fact, Prause mentions that "childcare continues to fall disproportionately on women and does cause less income for women over time."

Locked Kiss Ink (Teaser)

This toasted warm nude has everyone's name written all over it because it's literally perfect for fall? Why? Well, it's more of a peachy color that won't make you look washed out if you use a contrasting brown lip liner. How dark you want to go is up to you, but gorgeous ombré effect will make others wonder how you achieve the perfect pout.

Frost Lipstick ("O")

No, I haven't lost my mind because one of the MAC lipsticks I'm thinking about buying is frosted. It's a purplish red that has golden pearl flecks that literally reminds of me a shiny copper penny. I'm sure I'm not completely deviating from my signature '90s lip look, but I'll be adding this in the center of lips instead of a nude matte lipstick! Once it's topped off with gloss, I'm sure it's going to mimic a beautiful fall sunset.

Locked Kiss 24-Hour Lipstick (Ruby True)

Okay, I'm giving in because I know someone is looking for red lipstick that won't budge. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm the someone who can't stay away from this sexy shade. I don't care what season it is, it goes with everything you can think of. Plain t-shirt and jeans combo? Sure! Cute midi sweater dress and boots? Of course! That one date night outfit you've been saving for a special occasion? You bet!

Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour (Carnivorous)

The name of this shade is fitting because it is spooky spooky season. I don't suggest you pretend like you're a hungry beast waiting for its next victim, but you could certainly pull this off when you're in a spicy mood. It'll take you from the boardroom to the bedroom (if you want) which will no doubt make someone say, "Wow, I love it here."

P.S. This theory may or may not have already been tested, but you didn't hear that from me!

Lustreglass Lipstick (Spice It Up)

I'm a firm believer that not all fall looks require bold MAC lipsticks. Sometimes you need a touch of color that's soft and airy like this Lustreglass shade. Unlike matte or creamy formulas, this will keep your lips moisturized once you apply it. The color is also buildable so you can apply as much as you want, but I think a little goes a long way.

MACximal Sleek Satin Lipstick (Film Noir)

Get away from this red completely and go for this deep cool brown shade if you dare. IMO, you can even save this for your scary Halloween costumesbecause it's the literal definition of BOLD. While I usually don't deeper brown lipsticks, I will use them as a lip liner because I'm not always a fan of using pencils, so this could be a neat trick you use in your routine!

MACximal Sleek Satin Lipstick (Guessing Game)

Skip the bright red lipstick in favor of something deeper like this gorgeous shade. This is one of my go-to colors whenever I get tired of wearing a nude lipstick look because it's effortlessly sultry. Not only that, but it looks good on all skin tones which is important to me as a brown skinned woman!

1. Get a good board.

Throughout the years, I’ve learned that your charcuterie is only as good as the board you use to craft it. I’ve had moments where I tried to use a single dinner plate or even a plastic cutting board for my creations, and, well, they just didn’t cut it.

The perfect charcuterie board is durable, easy to transport, and easy to clean once all the snacks are gone. Of course, the size of your board matters, too, but that really all depends on the amount of people you plan to serve.

I was lucky enough to be gifted this wonderful foldable charcuterie board ($87) from Uncommon Goods (thanks, mom!), and it’s my go-to for small gatherings (more typical than large parties, per my lifestyle).

I also really enjoy it because it’s easy to travel with if I’m setting up a snack spread at someone else’s place. The foldability also makes it a breeze to stow away in my kitchen cupboards between uses.

My only (very minor) complaint about it is that the nooks and crannies between the folding mechanisms can be hard to fully clean.

If you plan to take your charcuterie skills to a larger get-together, I recommend looking for a long board, like these ones from Amazon ($65) or Crate & Barrel (above, $70).

2. Variety is key.

Now that the board’s out of the way, it’s time to get into the fun stuff – the food!

My personal preference when it comes to charcuterie boards is that they have a ton of variety. Not just variety in flavors, but color, texture, and layout.

Having a wide range of different snacks will please the palette and the eyes, which is the number one key in impressing those people that hover around the snack table, leaving them with a lasting memory about your amazing charcuterie work.

As a quick guide, I always strive to have at least one item from each of these categories on my charcuterie board: meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, olives, fruits, and chocolates (because who doesn’t like chocolate?!).

Bonus points for fancy picks like veggies, dips, breads, honeys, baked bries, cookies, pastries, and dipping oils.

Now, all of that is just for a regular-schmegular charcuterie moment. When it comes to a Christmas charcuterie board, you may want to stick to seasonal foods (like Christmas cookies, cheese balls, and rosemary crackers) and flavors (like cranberry, gingerbread, and peppermint) to really nail the theme. Using red and green foods is also welcome!

It’s no secret that I love to shop at Trader Joe’s for all of my charcuterie needs. They carry a ton of items in each of the aforementioned categories, and the best part is their products typically favor the more-elevated culinary palette (not to sound pretentious AF!).

Plus, their aisles change according to the seasons, so you’re bound to find the perfect items for your Christmas charcuterie board in a single trip. I can’t recommend TJ’s more!

3. Get creative with presentation.

The presentation of your charcuterie is the part that people will remember the most, which is why I fully lean into my creativity to create an eye-catching snack spread.

My best advice is to simply be patient and don’t rush this step! It should be pure fun – sometimes it’s even more fun for me than actually eating the charcuterie!

You really can’t mess up the presentation, and if you do, everything is easily rearrangeable.

Meat roses – it sounds so silly, but making meat roses was the first thing that really leveled up my boards’ presentations. You can create them by layering slices of cured meats (like salami) around the rim of a glass. I watched a quick TikTok tutorial to learn how (thank you, internet!). This YouTube video also has some really helpful and clear tips!

I also enjoy employing methods like alternating and layering different cheeses, stylishly folding meats onto toothpicks, stuffing olives, creatively cutting berries, and more.

The next tip kind of goes hand-in-hand with my notes about using a good board, but it definitely plays into presentation: using small bowls to section out things like olives, baked bries (my fave), jellies, and dips. Tiny bowls like this set of 6 from Amazon ($23) not only look cute, but they help in separating charcuterie items that shouldn’t touch other things (AKA oily olives or piping-hot baked cheeses).

You’ll learn more and more about your charcuterie presentation preferences through practice. Plus, no two boards are the same, so you really have free reign on each one!

4. Scale your charcuterie appropriately for the occasion.

If you’re going to serve a big Christmas party, you’ll want to up the ante with the size of your charcuterie spread. As I noted with the size of your board, you’ll want to have enough snacks to fill the blank space on it.

The real key with this is just being prepared – make sure you get a solid head count ahead of your charcuterie shopping trip, and you’ll know exactly how much to buy!

If you’re only feeding a few mouths, it’s okay to keep it small! For reference, between two people, I only need to grab one of each item. For larger gatherings above 10 people, I might be extra cautious and grab 3 or 4 of each.

I’ve found that meats, cheeses, and crackers are typically what’s gone from my boards first, so I’d recommend focusing on having enough options there for your own creation.

Another important thing to take into consideration is if your guests have any special dietary needs like allergies. That way, you can know what to avoid (or set out separately from the main charcuterie board if you’re up to making a couple of options).

If you’ve committed to the charcuterie for a function at someone else’s house, make sure you arrive in advance with all the components packaged. Building the board beforehand opens up the possibility of it getting messed up during travel.

I’d tow along my board, a bag full of the snacks, and some necessary prep items like knives and bowls. Bringing your own paper plates to coordinate could also be helpful to the host!