Everything You Should and Shouldn’t Do When Coloring Your Hair at Home

Mar 09, 2021

Wanting to save a little extra this month, but hoping to switch up your hair color? It's time to explore your local drugstore for a quick and easy at-home coloring option that looks fresh out of the salon. But before purchasing and setting your hair plan into action, brush up on all the dos and don'ts of DIY coloring first.

DO: USE A TEMPORARY COLOR BEFORE A PERMANENT ONE

As much as you may have a certain shade in mind, celebrity colorist and co-founder of dpHUE Justin Anderson recommends testing the waters first with a semi-permanent version. "It will gradually wash out after multiple shampoos," he explains. "Permanent color lasts much longer and will most likely require you to see a professional to get it fixed if something goes wrong." By starting with a semi-permanent dye, you'll be able to save yourself any hassle if it turns out you're not as big of a fan as you thought. (Photo via Charisse Kenion/Unsplash)

DON'T: LIGHTEN YOUR HAIR MORE THAN TWO SHADES AT A TIME

When you shift your hair more than two shades in a single session, it can be seriously damaging to your strands — not to mention unsightly. "Permanent color is typically formulated to lighten approximately two levels," explains David Stanko, vice president of technical design and education at Madison Reed. "If you try to bend this rule, the dyes will not be able to control the additional undertones exposed, and the result will be a color that is too warm or red, AKA brassy." If you want to lighten more than two shades, schedule multiple days (spaced a couple of weeks apart) to get the job done so your hair stays as healthy as possible. (Photo via Mathilde Langevin/Unsplash)

DO: PICK A COLOR THAT COMPLEMENTS YOUR COMPLEXION

A flattering hair color is one that neither washes you out nor makes you look older than you really are. To figure out which shade best suits your complexion, take NYC-based Eddie Arthur Salon colorist Christine Neos' advice. "Hold a silver foil up to your face (representing ash tone), followed by a gold foil (representing gold tone)," she instructs. "You'll be able to see which reflects better on your skin." (Photo via Vladimir Yelizarov/Unsplash)

From there, remember that opposites attract. "In the hair color world, this means that you should not pick a shade that matches your skin's undertones," advises Stanko. "For instance, if you have pink or warm undertones and choose a copper color, the combination of reds becomes overwhelming and your skin will look blotchy. For cool skin tones, a super-cool hair color will just wash you out to ghost land."

DON'T: CHOOSE A COLOR SOLELY BASED ON THE PICTURE ON THE BOX

Imagine having to wear a single dress every day for months at a time. Would you select it solely based on how it looks on the mannequin? Not a chance. The same goes for your hair tint. "What's pictured on the front of the box may not necessarily be the color that you are going to achieve," Anderson says. "It's important to pay attention to both the shade and the tone. Keep in mind that the color can be affected by any dye or treatments you may already have. If you are unsure about the color you should use, always lean towards something on the lighter side because you don't want to end up with a dark band in your hair."

Or, forget the front of the box altogether. Turn it to the side, which usually contains pictures showing what the result will be based on your current hair color. You could even head to Walmart, Walgreens, Wakefern, and Meijer to use Garnier's Shade Selector Tool. It allows you to virtually try on the entire range without ever touching your tresses.

DO: TOUCH-UP YOUR ROOTS WITH A ROOT PRODUCT

Selecting the right shade (and formula) for your roots is critical. "It's best to choose a product specifically designed to be a root touch up [like Revlon Root Erase ($10) or Clairol Root Touch-Up Semi Permanent Color Blending Gel ($10)]," says Revlon global master colorist Miquel Garcia. "If you use a traditional all-over permanent product, the color is likely going to be a darker, more vibrant color [since it's designed for your entire head as opposed to an in-between touch-up]. Root-specific products are designed [to be a bit lighter] to mimic your lengths and ends approximately two weeks after your last color."

That's not to say it's impossible to conceal your roots with regular hair dye, but Garcia notes that it can lead to more damage since you have to blend it down your mid-lengths and ends. To avoid any negative effects, he says the best and safest way to get your closest shade match is to apply the color allover but only leave it on for five minutes so it's less likely to wreak any havoc.

DON'T: DYE DAMAGED HAIR

While the process can revive lackluster color, it won't do anything for strands not in workable conditions. "When [strands are] split, dry, and damaged, the follicle is compromised and misshaped," says Courtney Goebel, the client education lead at eSalon. "Imagine a microscopic close-up of a single strand of hair. If healthy, the follicle will appear round and smooth. If damaged, it will look frayed, twisted, and wheat-like." Applying dye to the latter can be pretty tricky since it wont be able to absorb evenly. "This will cause an uneven, spotty shade, as still-healthy parts of the follicle may take in dye, while damaged parts are left uncolored," she says. (Photo via Valeriia Kogan/Unsplash)

DO: CHOOSE PRODUCTS FROM THE SAME BRAND

It may not seem like a big deal to combine a variety of brands together, however, when it comes to your tresses, it's best to take extra precaution and stick to just one collection. According to Stanko, hair color manufacturers create their products to specifically work together in a way that's healthy for your mane. He explains that when you mix one brand of color with a different brand of developer, you risk too-thick or too-thin formulas that won't evenly distribute throughout your strands. "Whether it's balance or viscosity that's off, it can lead to unpredictable color results," he says.

DON'T: LEAVE THE DYE ON FOR TOO LONG

As with most beauty treatments, leaving hair dye on your head for longer than recommended is never a good idea. "Timing is very important," Goebel says. "If a color has not been left on long enough, there is the possibility that your roots may be lighter (or darker) than your ends, your color won't come out as imagined, or your grays won't be covered." While most permanent solutions eventually stop processing at about the 40-minute mark, Goebel points out that leaving it on past that can actually lift the shade, causing what's known as hot roots, where that area gets lighter and doesn't match the rest of your head. (Photo via Adam Winger/Unsplash)

DO: CONSIDER THE BIGGER PICTURE

Sit down and listen up, because here's the real deal when it comes to at-home hair color. "Whenever you color your hair, consider time, cost, potential damage, and maintenance/frequency of coloring," Stanko advises. "The farther you travel from your natural shade, the more time it will take, the more it'll cost, the greater the potential for damage, and the more often you'll need to [dye] your hair." At the end of the day, you can't go from blue black to icy blonde without taking all these factors into account. "Social media has fooled us into thinking drastic color changes are easy, but remember that celebrities have a whole beauty squad behind them," he says. "When you see them [switching up their strands] a few weeks apart, you don't see all the energy, effort, expertise, hair extensions, and even photo filters that go into the look. Social media pictures might tell a story, but they never tell the whole story."

Do you prefer DIY color or going to a salon? Tell us @BritandCo!

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This post has been updated.

7 Best Flat Irons For The Most Perfect, Straight Hair

We've all had those moments where our hair is simply... untamable. It seems like nothing you do, or no product you try can help it. That's me almost every morning when I wake up. My split ends are more noticeable, the breakage is showing, and I have kinks in my hair that last for days. So sometimes, the only solution is to simply use hot tools.

I try to minimize my hot tool use to strictly days like this where I know nothing else will work — and that's where flat irons will save the day. Sometimes, a flat iron is the only product that makes my hair look shiny, nice, and let's be honest: presentable. I've tried quite a few, and these are the best, most popular options that give your hair life. And some even do a better job than my Dyson Airwrap can on most days, so let's get into it!

Heat Protectant

Amazon

Chi 44 Iron Guard Heat Protectant

Before we get into the actual flat irons of it all, I want to make sure we all add this heat protectant to cart and click check out, because heat protectant is so important when using hot tools! This heat protectant is one I've been using for years, because of how well it works. It protects even the hottest of tools from your hair, and gets bonus points for being insanely affordable. Like $4 affordable... So definitely grab this one immediately and make sure to use every time you put heat on your hair.

Flat Irons

Amazon

Conair Double Ceramic Flat Iron

I'm a simple woman — I see over 29,000 good reviews on a product, and I click "purchase." It's as simple as that. This flat iron from Conair has such good reviews, that you'll definitely want to try it out for yourself. It has a longer plate than most flat irons, helping to cover more of your hair with each swipe. So, if you've got a lot of hair like I do, then this is definitely the best choice for you.

Amazon

ADOBIRD Cordless Straightener

As someone who travels a lot, an on-the-go straightener is essential. It's something I didn't even know I needed until realizing that my normal straightener was such a hassle to bring places, given the size, and annoying cords. This flat iron is the perfect carry-on size, and it still heats up in seconds, so I don't have to take too long before heading out on whatever adventures I have planned that day. And don't worry — this cordless flat iron also comes with a charging cord, so you don't have to worry about a dead battery while you're out and about!

Amazon

Remington Hair Straightener

This Remington flat iron is good for so many reasons — especially how hot it can get! But another great plus to this hot tool is that it's infused with argan oil and keratin, so as you're using it you're actually helping your hair rather than hurting it. This will replace your damaging and harsh flat iron immediately after trying it. It's genuinely such a good product, boasting 14,000 reviews to prove it.

Amazon

Rozamor Professional Flat Iron

One thing that's so important to me is a flat iron with adjustable temperature settings, because I don't always want to use a lot of heat on my hair. Some days my hair requires less, and sometimes it requires more — it just depends on how unruly my hair is at the moment — so having this setting if super important! It's also titanium, which helps to prevent tugging or ripping of your hair! We love the sound of that!

Amazon

CHI Original Ceramic Flat Iron

This is the OG flat iron that I've used for so long, and there's a reason why. It is dependable, consistent, and doesn't damage my hair as much as other flat irons. The CHI original leaves my hair looking and feeling so soft. I'm telling you right now, this flat iron will last you years and years, because mine definitely did!

Amazon

Babyliss Pro Hair Straightener

All my thin hair girlies, listen up: I've got the product for you! This straightener is ideal for those with super thin hair, because of its slim size and shape. It makes it super easy to finish your hair in a rush without a lot of wrist pain, given how light it is. Sounds like a dream to me!

Amazon

Vanessa Pro Flat Iron

This straightener is amazing for getting straight, sleek hair — but also curls! It's made out of titanium which makes for a really smooth surface that can give you the best curls, because it doesn't tug too harshly on your hair or cause any weird kinks in your hair like a lot of straighteners do. Love that for a versatile styling moment!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations

Jennifer Lopez Doesn't Regret Her Painful Divorce From Ben Affleck "One Second"

There are few celebrity breakups as infamous as those of the 2000s — just looks at Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, and Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck! But when Ben and Jen (or Bennifer, as fans like to call them) got back together in 2021, it felt like a literal movie. In Jennifer Lopez' new documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told, the couple revealed why they actually broke up in the first place: "the massive amount of scrutiny around our private life." Here's everything you need to know about Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, in the 2000s and now.

Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck's Relationship Timeline

Image via Columbia Pictures

Winter 2002 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Meet On The Set Of Gigli

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck first met while filming their 2003 movie Gigli. "The first time meeting him on that film was at the read-through," Jennifer tells Variety. "I remember kind of just walking in and I think he was outside, smoking a cigarette...I don't remember a whole bunch more about it, but I remember being on the set with him every day and loving it."

Image via Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

November 2002 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Announce Their Engagement

During an interview with Diane Sawyer at the end of 2002, Jennifer Lopez showed off the engagement ring from Ben Affleck. The platinum band + pink diamond combo is absolutely beautiful, just like the proposal itself. "[It was] traditional, but also in a very spectacular way, as of course Ben would do it," Jennifer says, via ABC News.

"He is brilliantly smart, loving, charming, affectionate," she continues. "And I just admire him in every way. I respect him. I feel like he teaches me things."

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Early 2003 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Experience The Tabloids Firsthand

Before the age of iPhones and TikTok, celebs constantly dealt with the tabloids — even more than they do now. And as one of the hottest couples in the world, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez constantly faced paparazzi and tabloids. “We didn’t try to have a public relationship,” Jennifer Lopez tells PEOPLE in 2016. “We just happened to be together at the birth of the tabloids, and it was like ‘Oh my God.’ It was just a lot of pressure.”

"People were so f*cking mean about her," Ben Affleck says on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcastin 2021. "Sexist, racist. Ugly, vicious sh*t was written about her in ways that if you wrote it now you would literally be fired for saying those things you said...Now it's like, she's lionized and respected for the work she did, where she came from, what she accomplished — as well she f*cking should be!"

Image via Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

September 10, 2003 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Call Off Their Wedding

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were supposed to be married on September 14, 2003, but four days before their wedding, they postponed the ceremony. "Due to the excessive media attention surrounding our wedding, we have decided to postpone the date," the couple says in their official statement, via PEOPLE. "When we found ourselves seriously contemplating hiring three separate 'decoy brides' at three different locations, we realized that something was awry."

"It was so painful after we broke up," Jennifer tells Apple Music's Zane Lowe in 2024. "Once we called off that wedding 20 years ago, it was the biggest heartbreak of my life. I honestly felt like I was going to die. It sent me on a spiral for the next 18 years where I just couldn't get it right. But now, 20 years later, it does have a happy ending. It has the most would-never-happen-in-Hollywood ending."

Image via Barbara Nitke/Courtesy of STXfilms

February 18, 2020 — Ben Affleck Supports Jennifer Lopez In Hustlers

At the beginning of 2020, in an interview with The New York Times, Ben Affleck voiced his support for Jennifer Lopez. "She should have been nominated [for Hustlers]," he says. "She's the real thing. I keep in touch periodically with her and have a lot of respect for her. How awesome is it that she had her biggest hit movie at 50? That's f*cking baller."

Image via Amy Sussman/Getty Images

May 10, 2021 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Take A Trip Together

After Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez broke up in the spring of 2021, J.Lo was seen hanging out with Ben Affleck around Los Angeles. "[Jennifer] spent several days with Ben out of town," a source tells PEOPLE. "They have a strong connection. It's all been quick and intense, but Jennifer is happy."

Image via Amy Sussman/Getty Images

July 24, 2021 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Make Their Relationship Instagram Official

Hidden at the end of an Instagram carousel, Jennifer Lopez posted a photo of her kissing Ben Affleck. "5 2 … what it do …" the caption reads.

Image via Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

September 10, 2021 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Walk The Red Carpet

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck attended the premiere of his film The Last Duel at the 2021 Venice Film Festival. They both looked amazing in old school glam!

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

April 8, 2022 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Announce Their Second Engagement

PEOPLE confirmed that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were engaged again in the spring of 2022. Jennifer also revealed the news via email and on social media. "So I have a really exciting and special story to share," she said on Twitter.

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

July 16, 2022 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Finally Get Married!

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck finally tied the knot in July of 2022. Jennifer shared the details about the "best night ever" via On The JLo newsletter (via PEOPLE) the next day. The couple later had a larger ceremony in Georgia.

"It's a beautiful outcome that this has happened in this way at this time in our lives where we can really appreciate and celebrate each other and respect each other," she says. "We always did, but we have even more of an appreciation because we know that life can take you in different directions."

"[Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck] were attentive only to each other, didn't have eyes for anything else," a PEOPLE source said after spotting the couple on their honeymoon in Lake Como, Italy.

Image via Jennifer Lopez/Instagram

February 14, 2023 — Jennifer Lopez Reveals Her Tattoo With Ben Affleck

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck showed off their coordinating tattoos on J.Lo's Instagram. The tattoos (hers of an arrow through an infinity sign on her ribcage and his of two arrows tied to one another) are super cute together!

"Commitment," Jennifer says in her Instagram post. "Happy Valentine’s Day my love."

Image via Monica Schipper/Getty Images

May 3, 2023 — Jennifer Lopez Calls Ben Affleck A "Wonderful Father"

When she was on the Today Show (via Twitter) at the beginning of May 2023, Jennifer Lopez had high praise for Ben Affleck's relationship with all their kids. Jennifer has twins, Max and Emme, with Marc Anthony, while Ben Affleck shares three kids, Samuel, Seraphina, and Violet, with Jennifer Garner.

"He's a wonderful, wonderful father," J.Lo says in the interview. "And a father figure to [Max and Emme] as well, because he has his own three beautiful children, and then there's us...They love him. And they appreciate him, and so do I."

Image via Jennifer Lopez/Instagram

August 21, 2023 — Jennifer Lopez Celebrates Her One Year Anniversary With Ben Affleck

In honor of their first wedding anniversary, Jennifer Lopez shared some photos, and some lyrics from "Dear Ben, Pt II", to Instagram. "One year ago today," she says in the caption. "Dear Ben, Sitting here alone / Looking at my ring ring / Feeling overwhelmed / It makes me wanna sing sing / How did we end up here / Without a rewind / Oh my / This is my life...Jennifer"

Image via Dunkin'

February 11, 2024 — Ben Affleck And Jennifer Lopez Star In A Super Bowl Commercial

Following Ben Affleck's iconic, viral photos with his Dunkin' coffee, the couple starred in Dunkin' Donuts' 2024 Super Bowl ad — in addition to Matt Damon, Jack Harlow, and Tom Brady. The commercial features Ben and his friends coming into the studio while Jennifer records her newest album This Is Me Now... — a move that is not well received.

Image via Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios

February 26, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Reveal Why They Originally Split Up

"Ben and I, we broke up three days before our wedding," J.Lo recalled in her new documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told. "We had a big wedding planned—14 ushers and bridesmaids—and three days before, we just crumbled under the pressure."

"For all those years, it was really hard because I didn't just feel like I lost the love of my life, I felt like I lost the best friend that I ever had," Jennifer continues. "I've made it through. I've made something good of my life. I'm proud of that."

Image via Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images

May 15, 2024 — Rumors Swirl About Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Alleged Divorce

Though Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have reconnected, there have rumors that their marriage may be in trouble. A source alerted InTouch Weekly that there have been obvious signs that something is wrong for a while.

"The writing is on the wall – it’s over," the source claims before saying, "They’re headed for a divorce – and for once, [Ben’s] not to blame!" The source believes the two have a lot of love for each other, but that they're jus too different to be together.

TMZ has also reported that Ben seems like he hasn't been living at home — yikes! He was photographed leaving going to and coming from a L.A. home without Jennifer. It's also being reported that he's been allegedly spending the night there.

But, TMZ also pointed out that the pair are still wearing their wedding rings so it's hard to say if there's any merit to the breakup rumors. Until Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck actually give a statement, I'm going to cross my fingers and hope for the best! And we're not the only ones — 13 Going on 30's Jennifer Garner (who was married to Ben Affleck from 2005-2015) “is encouraging Ben to work on his marriage to Jen,” according to an Us Weeklysource. “She fully supports their relationship and wants nothing more than for him to be happy.”

Also, Jennifer Lopez wants us to really mind our business. People reported than an actress was not feeling a pushy reporter's question about her marriage and didn't have a problem letting them know. She was promoting Atlas with her co-stars when said reporter asked, "Is your divorce with Ben Affleck real? These rumors?"

Though her co-star Simu Liu expressed his disdain for the questions first, Jennifer quickly said," You know better than that." This lets us know that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are well aware that people are talking about their marriage.

Image via Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for 20th Century Studios

Still, this hasn't stopped insiders from talking about what's going on behind closed doors. One even reached out to People to say, "They’re still living separately," and "She’s back in L.A. for tour rehearsals. She seems okay. She’s very focused on work." The outlet even reported that the couple are in fact living apart and have been seen on several occasions without each other.

While I know some people could care less, I remember when Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck first started dating so to see them struggling again feels a little painful. I'm trying to keep hope alive, but they ultimately know what's going on in their relationship. If they do choose to separate, that's a choice we'll all have to respect.

Image via Will Heath/NBC

May 31, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez Cancels Her "This Is Me" Tour

At the end of May, Jennifer Lopez revealed she was cancelling her summer tour to spend time with family. Her newsletter (via Variety) reveals that “Jennifer is taking time off to be with her children, family and close friends." (Refunds will be distributed through Ticketmaster automatically; third party purchase sites need to be contacted).

“I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down," Jennifer continues in the newsletter. “Please know that I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t feel that it was absolutely necessary. I promise I will make it up to you and we will all be together again. I love you all so much. Until next time…”

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

June 21, 2024 — Ben Affleck Discusses Family Life With Jennifer Lopez

In a newly released interview with Kevin Hart, Ben Affleck showed a rare vulnerability that we don't often see. The two chatted about several things during the Season 4 premiere of Hart to Heart, but it was Ben's admission that he has "resting hard face" (via Entertainment Tonight) that caught our attention.

Though there have been theories about why Ben often looks like he'd rather be somewhere else than dealing with paparazzi, he made it clear why he's not always smiling when the cameras are on him. "I also don't like a lot of attention...people see me [and] they're like, ‘Well, this dude always mad…’ Because somebody has their camera and sticking to my face.”

Ben even mentioned a time when he, Jennifer, and their kids were trying to make it to a play while walking through Times Square. Though he knows fans are going to be excited to see them, it's obvious he's not thrilled when their kids are subject to that kind of pandemonium.

"We get out with her, all the kids, through Times Square, and the s--- was like f---in’ bananas...it feels like hundreds of people and now screaming," Ben explained (via People).

Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Netflix

July 20, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez Throws A Bridgerton-Themed Birthday Party

Jennifer Lopez celebrated an upcoming birthday milestone this weekend by hosting a party the Ton would've loved to attend. She spared no expense as it's reported she had "horse-drawn carriages" on-site (via Glamour).

She also posted a few selfies on Instagram to share her excitement about the special day. "Today is gonna be a great day 🤍🙏🏼 Happy Saturday everybody ☀️," she wrote as her caption.

Though other guests — including Jennifer's mom — attended the Bridgerton-themed soirée, a source made special note of Ben Affleck's absence (via People).

They've yet to confirm the status of their relationship, but it seems they're giving each other space.

Matt Winkelmeyer / Staff

August 20, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez Files For Divorce With No Prenup

After months of rumored separation between the two, it seems that Jennifer Lopez has finally filed for divorce from her husband, Ben Affleck, after 2 years of marriage. Many speculated their separation this year, but since Lopez was spotted multiple times with Affleck’s kids, it seemingly put those rumors to rest. But after this filing citing their separation date as April 26, 2024, it seems like any outing was due to those close relationship over the years, and because of Lopez and Affleck’s kids being friends.

TMZ reported about Lopez’s filing, stating that there is “indeed no prenuptial agreement.” This means that they split everything 50/50 from their 2 years of marriage. While TMZ says that the two are not on speaking terms, hopefully the two can seek some peace in this situation in the future!

August 31, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez Is Moving On

She may be heartbroken, but Jennifer Lopez knows the key to getting over an ex is moving on. She cryptically acknowledged her eventful summer with the largest picture carousel I've seen on Instagram in years and looked great in most of her candid shots.

She kept her caption lighthearted by writing, "Oh, it was a summer" and was essentially met with rounds of applause from fans. One person even called her, "AN UNBOTHERED Queen!"

Even if that only scratches the surface of her emotions, it's clear Jennifer believes "Everything is unfolding in divine order" per the second picture in her carousel.

September 16, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Seen Together After Time Apart

We were sure that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were in the 'no contact' zone, but it appears they briefly changed their mind long enough for their kids to spend time together. A source said, "They are still moving forward with the divorce" but went out just "so the kids could hang out," (via People).

They almost had us fooled as they seen enjoying a nice meal at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills, but it really seems like it's over for these two. As long as things are amicable between them, that's all that matters.

Hector Vivas/Getty Images

October 9, 2024 — Jennifer Lopez Isn't Worried About Falling In Love Again

The thing about being a hopeless romantic is you often keep hope alive even when you probably shouldn't give your ex a second chance. However, it seems like Jennifer Lopez has learned her lesson after filing for divorce from Ben Affleck. She recently sat down and chatted with her friend Nikki Glaser to talk about how life seemed to course correct for her, plus she detailed how she feels about dating.

"I understand that now in a much deeper way, which doesn’t mean that I won’t make mistakes in the future, but again, when your whole house blows up, you’re standing there in the rubble going, 'How do I not ever let that happen again,'" she said (via Interview Magazine). She went on to say she's "not looking for anybody" after experiencing a very public second breakup from Ben Affleck.

When Nikki Glaser asked her if she regretted the hardship she just went through, Jennifer Lopez said this: "Not one second." It was quite painful for the entertainer, but she feels it was another lesson she was finally able to learn.

What's your favorite Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck moment? Check out The Latest On Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce's Relationship and The Latest News On Blake Lively And Ryan Reynold's Kids for more of your favorite celebrity couples!

This post has been updated.

relationship pop culture celebrity jennifer lopez ben affleck lifestyle

7 Low Maintenance And Effortless Haircuts For Medium Length Hair

It's getting to be that time of year where everyone's looking to switch up their hairroutine just a bit — it's the perfect time to try someone slightly new to welcome the new season. But if you're anything like me, then you're portably looking for something that is fun and new but still super low maintenance. I just want to be able to get a haircut that makes styling my hair much easier, not harder — is that too much to ask?

We've all gotten those haircuts that ended up being way too much work in the end, so we asked the experts to get some low maintenance hair inspo for those of us that have medium length hair. We talked toWilliam Whatley(celebrity hairstylist), Katelyn Ellsworth(The Roslyn salon), Bryce Scarlett (celebrity hairstylist), Nickie Alton (Master Stylist), Rachel Eggie (Salon owner), and Terri Rehkopf (Ippodaro Salon) for their hot takes and opinions. Keep scrolling to read their best tips!

Textured Curtain Bangs

Instagram/@brycescarlett

This textured curtain bang — where your bangs are parted down the middle and styled with soft, feathered layers that frame the face — is a super versatile haircut, as shown on Daisy Edgar Jones. These are definitely an upgrade from the classic curtain bangs you may be used to seeing all over the internet lately!

Celeb hairstylist, Bryce Scarlett, let us know that the texture adds movement and a natural, effortless vibe to the overall look — making it super easy to style! The effortless look matches the vibe of the season this fall.

Long Bob

Claire Craig

Celebrity Hair Stylist William Whatley said that transitioning to a medium length bob is going to give you so many options, whether it’s layered or all one length. And since it's not too short, Whatley mentioned that you'll be able to wear it up or pull it back, freeing your face on those days when you just can't deal with it in your face. Whether you have a fringe with the bob or you don’t have a fringe with the bob, it allows you to create some fun options with this particular hairstyle

As one of William's signature cuts, he particularly loves doing a very layered bob to create a lot more movement with just a blow dryer and a toss of the head. You get a nice style with volume by styling it that way! However, with a bob that's all one length, you can just let it dry and go. We love the sounds of that!

Long Layers

Nickie Alton

Another amazing style for our girls with medium length hair? Some long layers. Hair stylist, Nickie Alton recommends these because of how they make your hair flow when styling. According to Alton, these long layers will help to add some “movement” in your every day style.

Long layers also tend to grow out seamlessly, giving a more effortless lived in look. This style is one of my personal go-tos because of the endless styling options — you can wear it messy and lived in, straight, or curled. The world is your styling oyster!

Textured Short-Medium Length Cut

Nickie Alton

Alton also recommends this short and sweet hairstyle! It's on the shorter side of medium length hair, and we're fully obsessed with it! This haircut will really help to frame your face, and define your features. Plus, with the texture from the layers, it will be so easy to style! Easy maintenance = big win for us lazy girls!

Soft Layers

Rachel Eggie

Rachel Eggie Gibbs, Owner of EGGIE Salon Studio, recommends these beautiful soft layers and long bangs to help enhance your natural hair texture. This means that you can embrace your natural wave or curl pattern without extensive styling, making it easy to manage. So this is curly-haired girl approved, which we love to hear! This also require less trims, because the more it grows out, the easier it is to maintain!

Light, Layered Strands

Katelyn Ellsworth

Katelyn Ellsworth, of The Roslyn salon, also gave us some great tips for medium length of hair. She let us know that you want to cut for the texture of their hair specifically. If you consider yourself low maintenance, then you're most likely not doing a lot of heat styling on a regular basis, so you want to cut your hair keeping that in mind, too. (AKA get a hair cut that is great for air drying!)

Given the unique texture needs, these layers will differ from person to person! Face framing layers are good that fall naturally and create some style without daily effort. Lightly layered strands are also a great call as these don't require a lot of styling. Whatever you go for, this easy look is A+ for sure!

Blunt Cut

Katelyn Ellsworth

Lastly, Ellsworth recommended this blunt cut for low maintenance gals! She says that this cut is also a great option because it makes your hair look healthy and thick without having to style! I, personally, love getting a blunt cut because it makes my hair look so much more luscious and full!

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7 Best Eye Creams For Brightening, Refreshed Under Eyes

One thing about me: I have extremely pale skin — like I'm talking almost translucent. That means the second I get even less than 7 hours of sleep, you can see every blue vein and eye bag showing underneath my eyes. So one of my most important steps in my skincare routine is a good eye cream to brighten and liven my under-eyes. As a self-appointed expert in this area, I thought I'd share with you some of my most used eye creams to give you that "I just had 5 shots of espresso and got 10 hours of sleep" look!

Amazon

CeraVe Eye Cream

This CeraVe eye cream is one of the best bangs you can get for your buck in the beauty world. It's under $15, dermatologist-approved, and really does work. It's honestly a go-to of mine because it's so affordable and easy to stock up on. Not to mention how the gentle and mild formula works wonders on my sensitive skin! I love this one for brightening and depuffing on the daily!

Amazon

First Aid Beauty Brightening Eye Cream

What drew me to this eye cream — besides the fact that it was First Aid Beauty and I'm obsessed with them — was the Niacinimide in it. This is a hydrating ingredient that I'm always looking for in my skincare because of how nourishing it is. My skin truly drinks it up, so I knew it would work incredibly under my eyes. This cream has an almost iridescent glow to it that looks amazing when you first wake up and need a pick-me-up. It looks like a highlighter for your under-eyes!

Sephora

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Mask

Hi, my name is Kayla and I have a serious addiction to Summer Fridays. I can't get enough, and I truly wish I could (or at least my bank account does). This eye mask is just as good as the face mask, and that's saying a lot. It's very nourishing, and super hydrating. This makes my under-eyes look awake, bright, and de-puffed as soon as I wake up!

Amazon

Kiehl's Avocado Eye Treatment

Kiehl's has a lot of great products — and you truly can't go wrong with any of them — but this eye cream specifically is amazing. It's made with avocado and caffeine, so you'll be looking like you got 10 hours of sleep in no time (even if you didn't). If you have dry skin like me, then you'll really love its hyper-hydrating formula.

Amazon

Farmacy Brightening Eye Treatment

Did you know honey is actually a great way to brighten up your under-eyes and help them look more awake? Well, this Farmacy eye cream is full of it, and caffeine, as well. It also features Vitamin C and Cranberry Peptides, which are great if you have older, or more mature skin. So tackle your wrinkles and your dark circles simultaneously — we love a multi-purpose product!

Amazon

Biossance Squalane Eye Cream

This eye cream is a bit on the pricier side, but it's a product where you start to see results almost immediately. It really is that good. You'll definitely start to notice immediate brightness, but this also increases overall brightness over time as well with frequent use. Definitely a fave I keep going back to!

Amazon

Mario Badescu Eye Cream

Another brand that's sensitive-skin approved! Mario Badescu has such great products for people that are sensitive to perfumes and certain ingredients. I love this eye cream, in particular, given the helpful caffeine in it! After using it for a while, I've noticed that the blueness and bags under my eyes aren't as visible, and that my undereyes are way more bright overall. I love to see those kind of results!

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Rory Gilmore's 40th Birthday Makes Us Feel Old AF — Here's A Throwback To Her 16th

Happy birthday Rory Gilmore! Like the true Gilmore Girls fall gal she is, Rory's birthday is in the best autumn month: October. The bookworm would turn 40 on October 8 this year, and this milestone birthday had me thinking about Rory's 16th birthday. On a recent rewatch, I noticed one thing about the scene I'd never seen before: when Alexis leans over to blow out the candles on Rory's birthday cake, her boa almost catches on fire until Keiko Agena (who played Lane Kim on the series) saves it at the last moment!

What episode is Rory's 16th birthday?

Warner Bros. TV

In "Rory's Birthday Parties" (Gilmore Girls season 1, episode 6), Rory's turning 16 and both Lorelai and Emily have very different ideas of how they can celebrate. Emily and Richard throw Rory a posh get together, complete with all the Chilton students who don't actually like her, while Lor gathers the residents of Stars Hollow for a laidback party.

Sookie makes a delicious cake with Rory's face on it, and when Rory leans over the blow out the candles, there's a moment when her feather boa (and a bit of Alexis Bledel's hair) get a little too close to the fire. Good thing Keiko Agena swoops in to save the day!

Warner Bros. TV

This is one of my favorite Gilmore Girls episodes because it perfectly balances the zaniness of Stars Hollow (seen in Sookie's hilarious birthday cake) with something everyone can take part in, even if we can't visit Lorelai and Rory ;).

When is Rory Gilmore's birthday?

Warner Bros. TV

Rory Gilmore's birthday is October 8, 1984! That technically makes her a part of Gen X, but you know she's still our millennial queen!

What's Rory Gilmore's zodiac sign?

Warner Bros. TV

Rory Gilmore is a Libra, which makes SO much sense! She craves peace and harmony, but sometimes her inability to choose sides really gets her into trouble. Rory could honestly pro/con list her life until the end of time, but thankfully she has folks in her corner to eventually get her out of her own head.

How old was Lorelai when Rory was 16?

Warner Bros. TV

Lorelai had Rory when she was 16 years old, so on Rory's 16th birthday, Lorelai is 32.

In what episode does Rory turn 17?

Warner Bros. TV

Since Rory's 16th birthday party is in season 1, her 17th birthday would be in season 2. We know that Lorelai and Max were supposed to get married at the end of summer, which means season 2, episode 3, "Red Light on the Wedding Night," in which Lorelai calls off the wedding, would take probably place around the end of August, while episode 10, "The Bracebridge Dinner," is around Christmastime. My guess is Rory's 17th birthday is around episode 6 or 7.

Warner Bros. TV

Did you catch this moment from Rory's 16th birthday? Check out why TikTok’s Viral 'Demure Fall' Trend Is SO Rory Gilmore.

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