#kristin i hope you know you’ve ruined my life

[trans-ylvania]

um. devastating.

[peterswonderland]

Introduction

By now, we all have our opinions of The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. It has received mixed reviews from critics to fans alike.

In the Gaylor community, many have dubbed it her “straightest album,” which I am inclined to agree with. BUT.

If you do not like Gaylor or Swiftgron content, feel free to block and/or keep scrolling!

I’ve seen and read theories for years. In this post I will be referencing the Swiftgron Masterpost. I’m also an avid listener of the What I Will Say podcast. (No one affiliated with the podcast is involved with this post, and for all I know might disagree with it entirely. However, I will be referencing the masterpost at points, and it is only fair to give credit where credit is due.)

This is celebrity gossip, and everything is alleged. I do not know Taylor or Dianna. This is alleged (don't sue me, tysm!)

Peter is…Dianna?

Halfway through my first listen of “Peter,” I was fully convinced this song was about Dianna. That Peter was Dianna.

First, I will go through the lyrics that most pointedly seem Dianna-coded to me.

Forgive me, Peter My lost fearless leader In closets like cedar Preserved from when we were just kids Is it somethin' I did?

Taylor references closets in “seven” on folklore:

And I've been meaning to tell you I think your house is haunted Your dad is always mad and that must be why And I think you should come live with Me and we can be pirates Then you won't have to cry Or hide in the closet

Cedar closets are used as a "safe haven" to put valuable items in. The closet has preserved everything from when Taylor and the muse were "just kids" (likely meaning their early twenties.) Shoutout to Kristin in the WIWS Discord for mentioning this!

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Another interpretation I found on Genius mentioned that the closet line in “Peter” could also be a reference to another fantasy story, The Chronicles of Narnia, wherein stepping into a closet revealed a new fantasy world. This fantasy narrative ties in with “Peter”/Peter Pan and “Wonderland”/Alice in Wonderland, which we’ll get to in a second.

The line “And I think you should come live with/Me and we can be pirates” can also be connected to Peter Pan. Peter Pan and the Lost Boys often have to fight off Captain Hook and his pirates. There are also theories that pirates/Captain Hook are old Lost Boys. TL/DR: Old lost boys are either killed by Peter Pan or can choose to become Lost Boys…at least by these fans’ interpretations. A weak link I know, but still an interesting one. 

“We can be pirates” because you’ve been forced to grow up too quickly…? Hm.

Further connecting “seven” to “Peter” is the idea of being just kids, although in “seven” it seems to be more literal, while in “Peter” she might be referring to when she and Dianna actually met: Taylor was ~20 years old, and Dianna was ~24. 

From “Peter”:

Are you still a mind reader? A natural scene stealer? I've heard great things, Peter But life was always easier on you Than it was on me

Dianna is stunning, and has often been referred to as a scene stealer.

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“When we cast Dianna as Quinn, she ruined the part for me,” Murphy says. “She was supposed to be the Cybill Shepherd, Last Picture Show cunt, so to speak, but she humanized it. She can cry at the drop of a hat. So now her character has a conscience, a soul and great vulnerability.” Ryan Murphy, Rolling Stone. Credit

Credit (Shoutout to ellie from the WIWS Discord server for bringing the TCA nominations for "Female Scene Stealer" to my attention!)

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More from “Peter”:

And I won't confess that I waited, but I let the lamp burn As the men masqueraded, I hoped you'd return

I viewed this through a queer lens upon first listen; the definition of masqueraded (verb) is “to go about disguised/to assume the appearance of something one is not.”

When Taylor sings “as the men masqueraded, I hope you’d return,” the you is implied to not be a man. 

We’ll circle back to lamps burning/lights in Part 2.

And you said you'd come and get me, but you were twenty-five And the shelf life of those fantasies has expired Lost to the "Lost Boys" chapter of your life

Dianna was twenty-five when she and Taylor allegedly began dating.

Dianna, through multiple interviews and her old tumblr blog (that often mentioned children’s fantasies and stories), seems to cherish her inner child and not be in any rush to “grow up.”

From an interview for Galore Magazine in 2014:

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There are also Dianna’s frequent posts on Tumblr about fairytales and children’s stories - this could lend itself to the idea she was living a “Lost Boy’s life.” More on that later.

But the woman who sits by the window Has turned out the light

Again, there is a reference to light, which is a theme (amongst many) we will visit in Part 2 of this analysis.

These lyrics draw natural parallels to Disney’s animated Peter Pan film, wherein Peter Pan visits the Darling children through their window. Wendy is seen sitting by the window, yearning for something more.

In another TTPD track about windows, “I Look in People’s Windows,” there are obvious parallels to “Peter.” These parallels are so strong that I believe these songs are almost certainly about the same person.

Credit | Credit

In “cardigan” from folklore, Taylor seems to categorize herself as Wendy and an unknown muse as Peter.

I knew you Tried to change the ending Peter losing Wendy

More “cardigan” parallels will be drawn in Part 2. Part 1 is focusing on “Peter” itself as well as its tie ins to another TTPD song, “I Look in People’s Windows.”

I Peter Looks in People’s Windows

Connecting “Peter” and “I Look in People’s Windows” is almost too easy, yet I didn’t catch it on my first few listens. Let’s break it down.

The images referenced above show that windows are a central plot point to Peter Pan. Waiting by the window symbolizes yearning for something more, something magical. Wendy is waiting for something more: for Peter’s return. We can draw parallels between Wendy’s window and the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland: a portal to something whimsical and dangerous.

If you’re new here, “Wonderland” from 1989 is known to many as one of Taylor’s most blatant songs about a woman: Dianna Agron. I encourage you to read this portion of the Swiftgron masterpost if you’re new or need a refresher!

Sit and Wait, Sit and Wait

The first theme we’ll discuss is longing/yearning. Both in “Peter” and “I Look in People’s Windows,” Taylor conveys a strong sense of yearning for a person with whom a relationship has permanently died, despite her hopes.

From “Peter”:

The goddess of timing Once found us beguiling She said she was trying Peter, was she lying? My ribs get the feelin' she did And I didn't want to come down I thought it was just goodbye for now

/

Said you were gonna grow up Then you were gonna come find me Words from the mouths of babes Promises oceans deep But never to keep

/

Forgive me, Peter, please know that I tried To hold onto the days when you were mine (Hold onto the days) But the woman who sits by the window has turned out the light

The woman (Taylor) who sat by the window has given up hope (turned out the light.)

Also, fun fact about "my ribs get the feeling she did": Dianna Agron removed a Wonderland tattoo after the song "Wonderland" was released. Guess where the tattoo was?

On. Her. RIBS.

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"We're all mad here."

Also, "What will we become? We become ourselves," is a quote from poet Patti Smith. Yes, the same Patti Smith referenced in the title track for The Tortured Poets Department. (Thanks to thea from the WIWS discord for pointing out the Patti Smith connection to me!)

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(Shoutout to reddit user aztraps for pointing out the rib lyric to me!)

The themes of yearning continue on “I Look in People’s Windows” during essentially the entire song, but here are some highlights:

A feather taken by the wind blowing I'm afflicted by the not knowing so

I'd be remiss not to mention that Peter Pan, throughout many adaptations, is known for his feather in his cap. 

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The Paradise of Peter Pan by Edward Mason Eggleston, 1934

You might notice in this painting that Peter looks like...well, a woman (stereotypically and historically!) The character of Peter Pan is normally played by a woman on stage and is often depicted with female features. This makes Dianna being Peter even more...suspicious.

More from “I Look in People’s Windows”:

I look in people's windows In case you're at their table What if your eyes looked up and met mine One more time

This is a love that is ended, yet Taylor can’t help but wonder what might happen if flames rekindled. 

I know what you’re thinking – Taylor Swift isn’t walking around random neighborhoods peering into neighbor’s windows. You’d be right (hopefully.) This song is a metaphor, in my view, for “insta-stalking” or social media “stalking” an ex, constantly checking up on them to see what they’re up to, who they’re with. She checks mutual friends’ pages, looking to see if she sees her love (Dianna) “at their table” (with them.)

The real question is - why use windows as the metaphor for internet stalking your ex? Perhaps to tie it into another song about that same ex?

More "ILIPW" lyrics:

I tried searching faces on streets What are the chances you'd be Downtown, downtown, downtown Does it feel alright to not know me? I'm addicted to the "if only"

Taylor is YEARNING for this person. She also seems to be unable to believe this person has been able to seemingly move on without her (just like Peter has.)

In “Peter,” Taylor’s relationship didn’t turn out as she hoped. She hoped this person would come back, and they didn’t. (“Come Back…Be Here” anyone??? PART TWO)

“I Look in People’s Windows” highlights the fact that Taylor has not completely moved on. As she goes about her daily life, she still “peers in people’s windows” (checks instagram/twitter/etc.) for this person. IT’S THE SAME MUSE!!! (Allegedly.)

In addition, the line: “I'm addicted to the "if only"” is especially interesting given Dianna’s interesting response to rumors of dating Taylor in a May 2023 (!!!) Rolling Stone article:

The theme of waiting is also important to discuss. In “Peter,” Taylor is waiting for someone who said they would grow up and find her; she’s sitting by the window waiting for them. In “ILIPW,” Taylor is looking through windows waiting for this person’s eyes to meet “mine one more time.” Both songs have this sense of sit and wait, sit and wait, sit and wait.

Taylor looking into people's windows and obsessing over gatherings where the muse might be in attendance reflects a sense of longing and yearning, reminiscent of Wendy's yearning in Peter Pan to reconnect with Peter despite being unable to bridge the gap between their realities:

Lyrics from “Peter”:

We both did the best we could do underneath the same moon In different galaxies

Eternal Youth

More from “I Look in People’s Windows”:

I look in people's windows Transfixed by rose golden glows

To view something in rose colored glasses is to see something in “favorably disposed opinions : optimistic eyes.” 

One could compare this to the rose colored glasses Wendy takes on when visiting Neverland, or when Alice visits Wonderland. (Again, we will be reviewing Wonderland’s connection amongst many other songs in connection to “Peter”/“ILIPW” in Part 2.) Both of these fairytales cater to the inner child and youth.

The theme of eternal youth in “Peter”, based on the fairytale of Peter Pan, is self explanatory, and I don’t feel the need to go into detail in this already MASSIVE post.

For this example, we’re going with the theory that “Peter” and “ILIPW” are inspired by the same muse/relationship. “ ILIPW’s” theme of yearning can be interpreted through the lens of Wendy's relationship with Peter—a story that encapsulates the longing for eternal youth (which Taylor writes about in “22” on Red, a song that is DEDICATED TO DIANNA, the pain of growing up, and the poignant realization that some connections are meant to remain in the realm of dreams and memories.

Rediscover Your Sense of Wonder

Peter appears unexpectedly and at random to seemingly bring a sense of magic and wonder to those around him, including Wendy and her siblings. Peter visiting the Darling children through their window symbolizes the allure of escapism, especially for someone like Taylor who cannot lead a normal life, and the desire to remain forever young.

“ILIPW,” if you allow the interpretation that it is intrinsically connected to “Peter,” indicates a longing to recapture, if anything, the innocence and adventure embodied by Peter/the muse. Taylor’s fixation on windows is a search for moments of enchantment and wonder that the Peter muse gave her.

If we follow this line of thinking and allow Dianna to be the muse of “Peter” and “I Look in People’s Windows,” it’s very interesting that the song canonically dedicated to Dianna centers around the very idea of youth and wonder: “22” from Red, as seen in the Rolling Stone piece mentioned above.

From “22”:

We're happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time It's miserable and magical / It seems like one of those nights We ditch the whole scene and end up dreaming Instead of sleeping / Everything will be alright If we just keep dancing like we're 22

Tumblr / felldowntherabbithole

Dianna once had a tumblr with the url felldowntherabbithole. While I searched what archives I could find, it was quite overwhelming, and I didn’t get through many of her posts throughout the years she was active. However, I will mention posts I did find that showcased her interest in fairytales, and why Taylor might choose one (or two…“Wonderland,” anyone?) as inspiration for songs she has written about Dianna.

FIRST: This old post was found by Cam from whatiwillsay. She is not affiliated with this post and did not endorse it. However, I was unable to find this screenshot myself on the Wayback Machine, so I want to give her credit for finding this post on Dianna’s blog:

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Now, onto some screenshots I found myself of Dianna’s love of fairytales, all courtesy of the Wayback Machine:

References from bottom to top: Goodnight Moon, Dr. Suess, Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, Underland (a retelling of Alice in Wonderland)

Part Two

PART TWO is here!

If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions, I’m more than ready to hear your thoughts!

Part Two will cover "Peter" and "ILIPW's" connections to other songs associated with Dianna.

Part 3 will cover anything I missed that I didn't feel I could edit into Part 1 or 2, as well as some more reach-y theories that I still feel deserve an honorable mention!

This post will be edited for grammatical and factual errors as necessary, as well as adding more evidence I feel needs to be included in this post.

[sebastianstansqueen]

Where Do We Go from Here 4

A/N: Here the fourth part is shit is about to changer just a pinch wait for six for the big change, Next week look out for Friday for part 5 because Thanksgiving is going to be too busy for me to post, I have two dinners I need to go to so look out for Friday if you want to be Tagged, either send an ask or comment on this or click on Taglist open.

Wordcount: 1,575

Warnings:  Angst, Henry's secret is going to be slightly found out, also we get our pick up! think that is all actually

Masterlist // Series Masterlist // Taglist open// Spotify Playlist

Tags: @cherryblossomsky - - @babylooneytoonz - @wonderlandfandomkingdom - @miraclesoflove - @amelia-song-pond - @leyannrae - @avengerlex - @pineprincess - @nik2writes - @dorothea-hwldr - @rosie-posie08 - @scxrletrecsmarvel - @elizacusi-blog - @valhalla-kristin - @chloe-skywalker-@foulpersonahandsvoid-@eclecticpatrolroadlawyer

Two weeks after the party you had Winnifred Barnes at your door wanting to discuss wedding planning. “Bucky gave me your address, I’m sorry if I overstepped.” She apologized. 

“You’re alright Mrs. Barnes.” You smiled gently. 

“What’s wrong?” She asked you. 

You looked up at her. “I don’t know what you're talking about.” 

She scoffed. “Yes you do, what is wrong?” 

“Bucky, he isn’t the guy I knew, he’s cold, calculating, and a dick.” You said honestly. “I wanted to marry someone who’d at least show me love and support.” You sighed. 

“James does love you, he is just trying to defy his father, Y/n, I have a million stories of my son coming home and only being able to talk about you.” She explained. “What did that idiot say is what I am wondering.”

“He wanted me to be the mob wife like what you see in the movies.” You exaggerate. 

She scoffed. “I’ll smack him over the head, if you want and we can hope that it smacks sense into that idiot that I gave birth to.” The two of you laughed. 

“Alright let's get through this shall we?” You nodded. 

Winnifred sighed with a soft frown. “Y/n, I think you should talk to your father about why he sprung this on you spontaneously, you’ve clearly built a life of your own and you're successful, I truly think before you plan anything for this wedding you need to talk with your father.” She said honestly. “I’ll see myself out.” She stood up and left your living room and home. 

Your brows furrowed at what she said to you, so you sent your dad a text. ‘I’m coming over, I think we should talk.’ Then you grabbed your keys, and headed out. 

About thirty minutes later you arrived at your childhood home and knocked on the door, one of the many housekeepers answered the door. “Mis. Y/l/n, wonderful to see you um what are you here for?” She asked you.

“I need to talk to my dad.” You told her. 

“I’m sorry, but he’s not in at the moment he’s dealing with some business.” She explained softly. 

You huffed. “Of course he is, well I’m just going to stay around until he gets back.” 

“Okay.” She smiled and let you in. 

Meanwhile, Bucky sat with irritation written on his face and his jaw clenched, while Y/n’s father and his along with other bosses who are partners, all of them arguing and trying to talk over one another. “James.” Henry caught his attention. “You’ve been quiet, what are you thinkin’ about?”

“What i’m thinking about is that the same motherfucker who has been ruining my shipments and somehow they keep getting away.” He seethed. 

Then Henry’s phone pinged, he looked at it. “Can we hurry this up? I have something else that needs my attention.” 

“Like what?” Bucky asked. 

Henry gave the younger man a pointed look. “Your fiancé, my daughter, she wants to talk and it sounded serious.”

Little did Henry know this meeting would carry on for a few more long hours, eventually they were all allowed to leave, Henry made his way out to his car where his driver was waiting, Bucky caught up. “Do you um, think I should be going with you, I mean if something is going on with Y/n, do you think I should be there?” 

“James, no, she said she wants to talk to me, not you, not your father, nor anyone else.” Henry huffed.

“Okay, Uh will you just tell me what happens?” He asked.

“It depends, good night, James.” Henry said before getting in the large suv.

Once Henry got home, he found Y/n laying on the living room couch watching tv. “Sorry, about being late, I wasn’t expecting to be gone late, what do you want to talk about?” Henry asked his daughter. 

“Winnifred showed up at my house, and she told me I should talk to you.” Y/n explained. “Why should I and Bucky be married, he clearly doesn't care about me.”

“Y/n there are worse options to turn to.” Henry sighed. 

Y/n put her hands on her hips. “Like what? Dad, just tell me the truth please.” She begged. 

“Please just let this go.” He begged.

“All I want is an explanation.” She tried again. 

Henry stood with his hands folded across his chest. “Y/n.” He shook his head in debate of what he wanted to do. “I want you to marry James because he is the best option I know you and I can trust him he will not hurt you physically an-” She cut him off. “No he won't hurt me physically but what about mentaly he wants me to undo all of my work.” 

“I didn’t want him to do that.” He said gently. 

Y/n sighed. “Then why.” She stood up, her posture was tense. “Why do you want this for me? I wanted to put my law firm first for a hot minute before I got married.”  

“Y/n, you are in danger, you could be kidnapped, but since your engagement to James is official you’ll be safer.” He explained. 

“By who, who is trying to hurt me?” You begged. 

“Someone unimportant, now I want you to go home and get some rest, maybe at a different point and time I will tell you.” He sighed, before leading you to the door. “I love you.” He hugged Her and kissed her forehead in the fatherly way he has done since she was young. 

“I love you too.” She sighed before leaving. 

You got in your car and started playing music on your phone. You pulled out of the long driveway, and out of the gate that wrapped around the property. While  you drove and mumbled the song to yourself, and then a car that turned when you had the right away hit you, glass shards flew through the empty aire, as your car flipped and then your head hit the steering wheel and everything went black. 

Bucky got back to his home after another meeting with his father, and went up to his room to get ready to relax a little that  night, he got undressed and took a long shower. He combed his fingers through his hair, as he washed out the shampoo, he was lost in thought, thinking about Y/n and what she needed to talk about with Henry. He got out and pulled on boxers and sweats, he turned on the news as it played a story, he just looked at his phone while his cat Alpine sat next to him just waiting for him to give her attention. But then the breaking news came on, and he looked up for a brief second and saw a white tesla like Y/n’s, his brows furrowed.

 “The car was found flipped over with the driver insided, after paramedics got to the scene Y/n Y/l/n was pulled from the car.” The news reporter continued on with the report but all Bucky could hear was a ringing in his ears, along with his phone going off in the background, he stood up fast making Alpine jump up and off the bed.

Henry had the News playing in the background as he made tea to talk his nerves after the conversation with Y/n. When his phone rang it was an unnamed number his brows furrowed, and he hung up, then it rang again. He huffed and answered. “Hello?” 

“Hi, is this Mr.Y/l/n?” The person on the other end asked. 

“Yes this is him.” He answered the question as his posture became ridgid.

The woman on the other end sighed in relief.“Your daughter is here at NY-Presbyterian Hospital, and you are her emergency contact.”

“W-wait, why is she in the hospital, what happened?” He stammered in concern. 

“I can’t reveal this over the phone, we need you to come down.” She said urgently. 

“Okay i’m on my way now.” He said as he put his suit jacket on again, the call ended, and he headed out to his car. 

Henry got to the hospital and went to the waiting room, finding James in there waiting. “What are you doing here?” Henry asked.

“I pulled some strings after finding out she was in a crash.” Bucky explained. 

Henry’s eyes widened. “What, crash?” Henry rushed up to the receptionist. “Where is my daughter?” “Mr.Y/l/n?” The receptionist asked, he nodded. “She is in surgery, you are welcome to wait in her room until she gets out.”

“Alright.” He replied, he was led to her room. “Can I ask why she is in surgery?” 

“A doctor will be with you shortly. Do you want her to have visitors?” She asked. 

“Yes, there is one man out there already waiting, also I want her transferred to a medical suite.” He spoke without emotion, just in a cold and slightly demanding tone.

“Well we have other well, higher position patients.” She offered. 

He looked up at her in a glair. “I don’t give a shit about other patients, I give a shit about my daughter and unless you want some ‘trouble’ to follow you I suggest you make a suite available for my daughter.” It came out in a pointed tone. “You don’t seem to realize the Y/l/n’s you are dealing with here.” 

Then realization hit the women Henry could tell by her eyes. “I’ll get right on that Mr. Y/l/n.” He nodded, and waited.

[illneverrecover]

call you mine (M) | changkyun

➛pairing: Im Changkyun (I.M.) x reader ➛genre: friends with benefits!AU,  non Idol!AU, angst, smut, fluff. ➛word count: 2,741 ➛rating: M ➛warnings: idk this is truly some sweet soft shit, mentions of alcohol, friends with benefits, standing sex, slight rough sex, biting/marking because clearly I have a kink, unprotected sex, creampie, mentions of Mingi!!, lots of kissing, soft clown Chaingang truly.  ➛summary: Changkyun knew he ruined your friends with benefits arrangement when he let his feelings be known, and now you’ve left him on read for weeks. So he does the only thing he can to stay sane - he religiously watches your Instagram stories. ➛notes: Another first for me - my first Monsta X fic! I’ve played around with writing Changkyun for a while now, mostly because I live to torture @taetaesbaebaepsae​ (which she deserves from all the PAINFUL and RUDE Baekhyun shit she’s written for me). However, she decided to actively commission her own demise, because she stays not listening to Namjoon and refuses to love herself. I’m glad I finally got a chance to take a stab at writing her ult, and I hope I did him justice! Enjoy your tomfoolery, Kristin! 💖 ➛song: Call You Mine -  The Chainsmokers & Bebe Rexha | Horizon - I.M. & Elhae

It’s pathetic, he knows.

The way he can’t stop watching, the way he seeks your face out in an app full of millions of others. The way he can’t get you out of his bed, his head, his thoughts.

He fucked up, scared you off, and now he’s left with the aftermath of his own stupidity. Watching you through a screen to fight the withdrawals off, to keep his heart beating.

Changkyun knows you would laugh at him if you saw what he was doing. 

Watching your Instagram stories is the only reason he’s heard you laugh in over two weeks, the only way he’s been able to see your eyes light up, your lips curve into a salacious grin. Things he fucking missed, thought he would have plenty of time to indulge in - until he couldn’t keep his mouth shut and ruined it.

He had taken you back to his place after a few shots of whisky at the dingy local bar, hands and mouth unable to leave your skin - just like the hundreds of times before. It had been four months since you had started this friends with benefits relationship, and despite having freedom to see whomever he wanted, Changkyun found himself only starving for you. So hungry that he couldn’t stand another moment in that place, watching you share your smile with anyone other than him. So he had tugged you close, nipped at your ear, told you that you were so damn beautiful that he couldn’t stand there another minute without you coming undone around him. 

You had smirked, slid your hand down the front of his pants, grabbing his cock like you owned it, purring out the words “prove it” before following him outside, just like the hundreds of times before.

Pressed up against his wall, his pelvis flush with yours, Changkyun whispered filth in your ears as he ground up against you, swallowing your moans in greedy kisses. Desperate fingers had pulled at your top, freeing your breasts for him to worship as he worked your skirt up around your waist, thrusting his clothed length against your core until you were whining.

Changkyun always promised to take his time with you, to work you over until you were drunk on his touch and pleading for more - but you never let him, always knowing the right thing to say to get his gaze to go dark and lust to turn frantic, to unzip his jeans and press inside your dripping cunt right there in the hallway. 

Just like the hundreds of times before.

You had come around him, digging your nails in his back so hard it left marks, made him growl your name against your collarbone as his thrusts picked up speed to fuck you through the high. You urge him on in the way only you can manage, begging for his release, whispering how much you want his come deep in your cunt. Biting down against the skin, he had spilled inside you with a final groan, hips twitching as he pumped you full of him, forehead resting against your shoulder.

Instead of pulling away immediately, Changkyun remained collapsed against you, breathing heavy. You had smacked at his shoulder, but he just chuckled, arms adjusting to continue a firm hold of your legs as he stayed inside of you, trapping you against his body and the wall.

“What are you doing, Kyun?” scoffing, you had grasped his jaw, forcing him to look at you. “I let you fuck me dirty against the wall without even demanding you buy me food after. Least you can do is let me get cleaned up.”

He had gazed up at you then, eyes piercing as they looked through you, and your heart clenched tightly in your chest. 

He knew he shouldn’t say it. Knew it would scare you off. And yet….

“I would, you know.” Swallowing thickly, his tongue darted out to wet his lips. “Take you to go get food. If you - I mean, if you wanted. If you’d let me.” 

It was like he could see the carefully crafted defenses go up, the pain etching your brow and making your eyes go cold. Anxiety flooded his veins as you wiggled out of his grasp, sliding your clothes back into place as you moved towards his bathroom.

“You don’t mean that,” you murmured, faking a smile. “You know what this is, Kyun.”

“I do mean that!” He knew he sounded too eager, too pitiful, but he couldn’t stop himself. “I’d take you out to dinner. Or,” following you, he paused in the doorway, watching you appraise yourself in the mirror. “We could just get take-out and go somewhere private, drive to a park, bring a blanket and some booze, eat somewhere no one would know or bother us.” 

Your answering laugh had sounded wrong, like it had cost you something - like it was the last thing you had wanted to do. 

“Like a picnic? Changkyun, you’re saying you want to take me on a picnic? Like a proper date?”

Stuttering, he tried to explain himself, but you had cut him off with a single wave. 

“Listen, we both know I’m not that kind of girl, and you don’t want me to be.” Leaning forward, you had pressed a kiss against his mouth, your eyes somber when you had pulled away, moved towards the door. 

“What if I do?” His voice broke, wanting to reach out but his arms remaining stiff at his sides. “What if I want you to be that kind of girl, with me?”

Tears stung your eyes, your stomach sinking like you had been punched. You couldn’t do this, couldn’t handle the inevitable disappointment that would come when you got your hopes up.

“I’ll see you around,” you threw over your shoulder before shutting the door, and shutting him out. 

Just like the hundreds of times before.

It had been two weeks now since he last saw you in person. It wasn’t for lack of trying; texting you at all hours had proven fruitless, even when he tried to send the usual ‘you up’ message like he didn’t just lay his heart out on the line. You responded airily, non committal, and he knew what you were doing. 

You were trying to let him down easy.

So here he was, phone glued to his hand as he scrolled through to find your picture, clicking on it to see if there was any update. You didn’t post a bunch in your feed, but you had a tendency to update your stories often - filling them with silly memes and cute selfies, little videos of you going about your day. Cuddling with your cat, attempting to cook something for lunch. His favorite was when you would do tarot readings for your followers; the way your face would turn serious as you read the cards, passionate fire in your eyes as you helped deliver the message to its owner. 

Seeing you that excited and genuine did something to him, made his chest feel like it was going to explode.

He knows you can tell that he’s watching, can see the icon of his profile showing up at the bottom of the video under “seen by.” He can only imagine what you’re thinking when you see it - that he’s a loser, this friend with benefits who turned lovesick puppy, but he can’t make himself care. It’s the only way he feels close, can pretend you’re still in his life.

He never thought that he would need you, now all he wants is to see you - for you to answer him, to come back to him. 

Changkyun still sends texts, unable to stop his fingers from reaching out, despite knowing you’ll shut him down. He calls sometimes too, late at night when his blood is more whisky than plasma, though you never answer those. Instead he listens to your voicemail, eyes closed to stop the world from spinning, letting your voice lull him to sleep. 

He convinces himself he’s fine with this arrangement, that things would be alright. He can just miss you from afar, observe you live your life through the pixels of a screen. That watching your stories is enough for him, will keep him afloat.

Until he sees you with someone else.

It was another Friday night he was spending alone, half drunk and on his phone, looking for your picture. Taking a deep breath, he had felt his heart stop when he saw the rainbow ring adorning your profile photo, meaning you had updated your story. Sighing, he tapped it, hoping that it would be a few videos so he could pretend for just a moment that he was beside you instead of wasting space on his bed.

The first clip was a selfie, your heavily lidded eyes staring seductively at the camera through your lashes, making his pulse jump and pants tighten. The caption “gonna get drunk tonight!” scrolled across the image, right below the pout of your lips. The next was a small video of you making a drink, giggling about the mixture of tequila and soju you were tossing in your cup, whispering to the camera how it was going to get you ‘all the way fucked up’. But it was the third clip that had his chest heaving, his lungs forgetting how to work.

You were walking out your door, a few people cluttering your front porch as you asked if anyone had a light. Some tall red headed kid - Changkyun refused to acknowledge him as anything more than that - had shouted out, and you squealed as you ran up to him, sliding directly onto his knee before switching the camera into selfie mode to capture the two of you. The next clip was you in his lap, one of your delicate hands sliding through his hair as he gave you a big dopey grin, a cigarette perched on your lips as you cooed at him and told him just how cute he was.

Fuck. He knew that look of yours, knew those moves. Knew exactly what you were doing, what you were hoping to do with that fucking Mingi kid, and he couldn’t stand it, not anymore.

Taking a few deep pulls directly from the liquor bottle, his fingers flew over the keys of his phone, sending you text after text -  all of which were ignored. He knew calling would be pointless, that you would rather light yourself on fire than answer your phone - especially at a party - and he felt desperation creep up his throat, choking him.

Changkyun couldn’t let this happen. Couldn’t let you just forget about him.

Clicking back onto Instagram, he started sending you responses to the story video as he got dressed, throwing on the nearest pair of jeans and sliding on his boots.

<What are you doing? Why won’t you answer my texts? I fucking miss you.>

<And not just fucking you. I miss you. I miss us. If you want me to stay for the rest of my life, I will. You already got me.>

<Answer me, Y/N. Or I’m going to come over, see if you can ignore me to my face>

<Baby?>

<I’m on my way. Don’t take that kid to your bed.>

It took painfully long for the Lyft to show up, and he gritted his teeth the whole route there, knee bouncing to stop himself from demanding the driver to go faster, to just hurry the fuck up and get to you. 

When the car had pulled into your neighborhood, he tried to send another message, instead clicking a video. Too frustrated to change it back, he lets it record, his voice low and pained. 

“I’m on my way, please let me in.” 

You were alone on the deck when your phone started vibrating, the ding of an Instagram direct message making you click the app, eyes widening in surprise when you saw the number of notifications. 

Changkyun, all from him.

Awestruck, you scrolled through every line, your heart throbbing with each word he had written. 

You didn’t think he cared, not like that. Sure, he missed the sex, but that’s what you expected. That’s what all of them wanted when they sent you late night texts, when they called your phone at three in the morning. Empty promises and broken vows were what kept you company in the dark, when they’d predictably leave you alone with an ache between your legs and in your chest.  None of them really wanted you, cared about you. After a few weeks of ghosting, they’d all disappear into thin air like expected, and your heart would harden just a bit more.

But now…

Another chime pulls you from your thoughts, eyes flicking back to the light of your phone. Instead of another direct message, it’s a notification that Changkyun had updated his story for the first time in months. 

Shaking fingers slide against the screen, your vision blurring as you take in the shadowed back seat of another person’s car, the only light  neon pink from the sign of the Lyft drivers decal. For a moment, all you can hear is the quiet chattering of a distant radio, of someone breathing heavily. 

And then his voice croaking over the speaker, raspy with need. 

“I’m on my way, please let me in.”

The video fades just as a car pulls up to your curb, a flurry of movement as Changkyun climbs out, stumbles towards you. He all but collapses into your arms, his breath dripping with liquor, eyes reddened but burning fiercely.  

“Y/N,” he mumbles, hands coming to cup your face, thumb dragging against the smooth skin of your cheek. “I want to take you on a picnic.” 

You laugh, though it comes out more like a sob. “What? What are you talking about? Did you call a Lyft and come all the way across town to tell me that, you clown?”

His finger taps against your lips once, twice. “Shh. Just let me-” he sighs, stomping a foot. “Let me talk.” 

He waits until you nod before continuing, words surging from his mouth as if he couldn’t hold back a second longer. 

“I came all the way here because I want to take you on a picnic. I want to buy you food and take you on cute little dates and do cheesy things that make you smile at me like you are right now,” he grins, pulling you until your chest rests against his own. “I’m here because I couldn’t stand you ignoring me anymore. I meant everything I said - that I miss you, that I want to be with you, if you’ll give me the chance. I want to call you mine.”

Pressing his forehead against yours, his eyes fall shut, his voice fervent and barely more than a whisper. 

“I love you, Y/N.”

Tears brim your eyes, and you fight every old wound that tells you to shove him away, to call him a liar. Instead you allow yourself to follow your gut, your heart for what feels like the first time, leaning back to give him a watery smile in return. 

“I love you too, Changkyun.” 

His mouth immediately lands on yours, tongue eagerly tracing the seam of your lips until it’s slipping inside, tasting every inch of you, ravenous and unsatisfied until your knees are shaking. He’s walking you backwards towards the door, tugging at your clothes, and you giggle at his impatience.

Pulling away, you gasp for air, palm pressing against his shoulder to hold him back for a moment. “But listen, if I give you a chance, that means you have to stop stalking my Instagram, you creep. And don’t try to deny it, I see you all over my stories, lurking around.” 

He chuckles then, nipping at your bottom lip as his eyes darken. “Please, don’t act like you don’t love the attention,” 

Pushing the door open, he guides you inside, mouth working over your neck, arms wrapped around your waist until your back is flattened against the wall. 

“Plus, there’s no need, now that I got you,” he confesses, his nose swiping against yours gently before he captures your lips between his own, hitching your legs to drape around his waist as he grinds against you, humming words of praise.

Just like the hundreds of times before, but now as his.

[writteninvisibly]

ALRIGHT HOES YOU ASKED FOR THIS

I hate this. I hate everything about this. I want to vomit, this is one of the worst things I’ve ever fucking written and I once wrote smut for something I didn’t even ship because my ex wanted me to. I used to be so fucking proud of this though. Fuck, okay.

Fair warning, this story makes almost no sense. I think there used to be context for it, but I don’t remember it. You asked for this. I’m so sorry.

"Ella- Ella! Hey!" Neal caught the girl by the arm, preventing her from storming past him,

She turned on him, blue eyes blazing with barely constrained fury. "What, Neal? What the hell do you want?!"

His jaw tensed. "Are you going to be like this the entire time you're here?"

"Be like what?! A rational person?! There was a reason I ended our relationship, Neal!"

"Yeah, what was that reason again? I don't recall receiving an explanation, and if I remember correctly, you were fine with our relationship until five days before you ended it!"

"Ohhhhhh no, you are so not pinning this on me, Neal O'Bryen! I was done with our relationship for months before I saw sense. I hadn't seen you in a damn month, Neal! And I know you were cheating. Must I spell it out for you?" Tears sprang to her eyes. She'd been hoping to avoid this conversation.

The anger left those golden-brown eyes, and the fight left his stance. "Cheating?" he whispered. "Who told you-"

"I saw you myself, dumbass!"

"What?"

"June twenty-eighth, one week before I ended everything, I texted you and asked if you wanted to see a movie with me. I was desperate. Desperate for a call, a text, anything! I hadn't heard so much as a 'hello' from you in nigh on a month. I didn't want it to be over, so I asked you to a movie. One. Little. Movie. My last chance at a plea bargain before the gavel struck down. And what was your response?! 'I'm not in the mood.' So I decided, fine. I would go see it myself. I tried to reconcile your behaviour to myself. Tried to convinced myself you weren't with someone else; that you were faithful! But when I entered the theatre, there you were. You and some Ginger bi-... girl. I walked up, thinking maybe she was a relative and you would introduce us. Then I heard you. 'How about this one, babe?' The exact movie I'd invited you to come see with me. So I ignored you, got my ticket, saw my movie. I decided then and there that we were over, I just needed to figure out the cruelest way to phrase it. So, Neal, I hope you're happy, because you've officially ruined my life." She wrenched her arm away and ran, ignoring his pleas for her to stop as well as the tears streaming down her face. She ran; mindless of where her feet carried her. She ran; vision blurred by tears, chest heaving, her body wracked by sobs. She ran. She ran until her legs were aching, she ran until her feet were sore, she ran 'til she was out of breath, she ran 'til she could run no more. When she stopped running, she found herself outside in the woods near the house. She took a deep breath and climbed the nearest tree.

---

Ella must have fallen asleep in the tree branches, because the next thing she knew, someone was crawling up to sit beside her. She tensed, ready to fight, when she heard,

"Don't worry, I'm not Neal."

Ella blew out a breath and relaxed against the tree, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.

"What did he do?" Kristin asked.

"Asked some stupid questions. I got pissed, and... Flew too close to the sun."

Kristin nodded. They sat in silence for a while, and Ella realised she could hear Neal and Will arguing below.

"I don't care, O'Bryen!" Will shouted. "You don't just let a girl like that go!"

Ella blushed.

"I didn't 'just let her go', Will! She ran and didn't look back! She changed her number, blocked me on every social media account she had- I couldn't have seen her again if I'd tried!"

"Did you try?"

"Of course I did! Ella meant the world to me- still does! I wasn't about to let that go. But she wouldn't see me. I tried her work, her dorm, her parent's place... Will, I don't know what to do."

"You have to talk to her, man."

"I'VE TRIED!"

Ella shuddered at those two roared words. Neal's voice held anger, sadness, regret.

"Don't you think I've tried?" he said quieter.

Will sighed and clapped him on the back, walking back toward the house.

Neal looked up sullenly at the tree the girls sat in and laid a hand on the trunk, wishing Ella would just talk to him.

He looked to the ground as Kristin peeked down, and didn't look up until Kristin jumped down next to him.

"Get up there. Talk to her."

"Kris-"

"Go, O'Bryen. I wanna see a smile back on your faces before you come down."

Neal looked up hesitantly.

"She's waiting. Go get 'em, tiger."

Neal took a deep breath, then began ascending the tree.

"Hey." he said upon reaching the spot where she sat. It was a little cupped platform created by the tree branches.

"Hey yourself."

"Look, I know I can't make amends for what I did, but can I at least explain? I promise, you can hate me all you want after that and I won't argue."

Ella nodded slightly and drew her legs in close to her body.

"Okay. Well... That month, I... Was in a play. I wanted it to be a surprise, so... I didn't tell you. The girl I was with that day, her name was Elizabeth Towne. She played the character my character fell for and we went to that movie as an exercise our director asked us to do. I had told her beforehand that I was in a relationship, and she respected the boundaries I'd set, even though we were in character. We did nothing more than hold hands, and I hugged her goodbye at the end of the 'date'. Baby-"

"Don't."

"Ella. I picked that movie because all I could think of was you. I felt awful, and I wanted to call you, but I couldn't. While in all reality I wasn't cheating, I felt as though I was, and the thought made feel sick. If I hadn't needed to stay in character, I would have apologised to Elizabeth and left. The next time we spoke was when I called to invite you to the play, and you broke up with me. So Elizabeth and I changed the gameplan. I was mad, I was hurt, so anything went. It messed me up so bad, Ella. After we were done with the play, I started drinking. Not heavily, but enough for me to have several scares. I'd finally moved on, cleaned up my act, got a life. Everything was looking up. Then Will tells me he wants me here to meet someone. So I come. And who should pull in the driveway but Kristin and little miss 'Hellbent' herself. I swear, I thought I was dreaming. I had thought you would be better off than I was, but I guess you weren't. Ella, I-" he knelt down in front of her, tears stinging his eyes. "Please believe me." he whispered. "After seeing you again... I can't lose you. Not again. And I know, I know, I don't exactly have you right now, but-" he grabbed her and kissed her. Hard.

Ella's eyes flew open in shock, then fluttered shut again as she melted into the kiss. It was so familiar, yet so foreign, and when they parted, she wasn't ready to let it go.

"I'm sorry." Neal whispered, pulling back. "I had to do that at least once more." then he backed away and descended the tree.

---

"Neal!" Ella called when she realised what was happening. "No, Neal, wait!" she rushed to the edge of the small platform and dropped to her knees, peering down. She saw Neal standing below, shoulders tensed, turned away from the tree. She quickly scrambled down after him, laying a tentative hand on his shoulder.

Neal flinched slightly away from the hand, and Ella winced.

"Neal.. I- I'm sorry. I just- I was hurt, I was angry, I acted without thinking. I am so, so sorry."

He rounded on her, eyes swimming. "It wasn't completely your fault. I- I should've told you. Shouldn't've-"

"No, no, Neal." she quickly pulled him into a hug. "It was a sweet gesture, really. I just- I believe you, I do. Oh, Neal. Could you ever forgive me?"

"Forgive you? Darling, you did nothing wrong."

"Yes, I did. Rather than asking you to explain, taking the problem to you; I broke us up, breaking our hearts in the process. I've always known I was insecure, I guess this just proves it. Rather than waiting for you to break up with me, reject and throw me to the side like everyone else, I broke up with you. Please, please forgive me."

"Ella, you were forgiven long ago. But, if it makes you feel better, Ella Denise Havelock, I forgive you. For this, past, and all future mistakes."

She choked out a laugh, tears slipping down her cheeks.

Neal brought up a hand to wipe the tears away, and she closed her eyes and leaned into the touch, prompting him to kiss her, which he did. Once on each eyelid and once on the tip of her nose before he reached her mouth. He slowly leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips, and she melted into it once again, savouring in the feel of well-known lips against her own.

Ella tilted her head to deepen the kiss, and Neal obliged, tilting his head, his lips moving against hers. Ella's lips parted, prompting Neal's to, and for a bit they just stood there, breathing the same air.

"I missed you." Ella murmured against Neal's lips, the three words she wanted to say getting caught in her throat.

"I love you too." Neal whispered back. He pulled her into another tight hug, pressing a kiss to her temple.

Her arms wrapped around him, and squeezed as if she would never let go, burying her face in the crook of his neck, partially worried if she let go, this would all be a dream.

Anyway, this is a hot mess and I’d like to apologise that you had to read that.

@crypticsx @guesswhosgotaguitar

[identybeautynet]

How to Use Bobby Pins for Every Hair Type and Texture in 2021

How to Use Bobby Pins for Every Hair Type and Texture in 2021 A bobby pin might have been one of the very first hair accessories you owned (tbt to pinning your bangs back for soccer/dance/gymnastics/etc.)—but did you ever actually learn how to use it? Or did you, like me, just slide it in and hope for the best? Although bobby pins don't exactly come with instruction manuals (how complicated could a tiny piece of wire be?), they honestly should. Because, surprise surprise, you actually shouldn't have to redo your bobby pin hairstyles every hour because they're slipping out. Wha?! Yep, it's true. So, because it's never too late to learn, I went ahead and made you this ultimate guide for how to use bobby pins. Below, you'll learn all the stuff that someone should've told you back in the day, like the difference between every type of bobby pin, which direction they should really face, and how to make bobby pins work for your hair type, length, and texture. But I'm not only giving you advice for how to use them, but also how to wear them as part of your overall ~lewk~. Keep scrolling for your long-overdue, bobby-pin crash course. This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Why do they call them bobby pins? Get access to *all* of Cosmo ~Legend has it~ that the bobby pin was named after the bob hairstyle. Apparently, cosmetics manufacturer named Luis Marcis is said to have invented them back in the flapper days. And if you've ever tried to fake shorter hair or a faux lob, you know just how essential a sleeve of bobby pins is to pulling it off. If you haven't, well, we've got a video tutorial below on exactly how to fake a bob with bobby pins, because it's basically required learning. What is the difference between a hairpin and a bobby pin? Bobby pin: A bobby pin is stiff and hard to bend, with two arms clamped tight together to hold small sections of hair in place. If your pin has been pried open too many times and doesn't clamp together anymore, go ahead and toss it—it’s no longer useful for your hair.   Hairpin: A hairpin is bendable, flexible, and has a U-shape that makes it the perfect choice for holding a whole lotta hair, or just a few, small pieces of hair in an updo, like if you wanted to gently pin a curl to your bun hairstyle without having to smash and press a bobby pin into it. The best bobby pins and hair pins to stock up on Bobby pins MetaGrip Black Premium Bobby Pins Black U-shaped pins Kitsch Brown Pro U Pins Curly-hair pins Conair Curl Collective Wavy Hair Bobby Pins Jumbo pins Kleravitex 2.75" Jumbo Bobby Hair Pins What are curved bobby pins used for? This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Not all pins will fit the two descriptions above. Some bobby pins don't actually have any ridges. Some are two or three times the size of a regular bobby pin (ideal for coarse or thick hair). Some pins are coated in silicone for better grip, or have rubber ends to prevent damage and tension. The fact is, a hairpin can look a lot of different ways, and the best one for you depends on your hair type, texture, and the look you're going for. Most of the time, you'll find that bobby pins and hairpins are flat, but curved pins are good to have on hand if you want the pin to sit snuggly to your scalp, like if you're working with a half-up hairstyle where pins are more visible. Most U-pins are malleable enough that you can customize them by bending them or molding them to the shape you want without ruining the integrity of the pin. Which way should bobby pins face? This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Ah, yes. The Great Debate. On a classic bobby pin, you have one side that's flat, and the opposite side that has wavy ridges. For the first half of my life, I wore my bobby pins ridges-side up (didn't everyone?!), but apparently, that was completely wrong—ridges need to face your scalp for the best hold. Watch the demo above for a visual of why this works, but here's the gist: When the bent end is placed near the head, it'll catch the hair and stop the pin from sliding out as long as you don't shove too much hair inside. How do you know if you have the right amount of hair in the pin? However many strands fit inside the bobby pin without you prying it open is the right amount. Easy. How do you make a bobby pin stay? If you did all the things I said above, and your bobby pins still aren't holding, I've got a few more pro tips that I've personally tried and loved: This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. - Spray your pins for added grip. If you have fine hair or slippery strands that can't hold anything, you'll need to add some grip to both your hair and pins before using. Apply some texture spray, salt spray, or volume powder to your hair, then lay your bobby pins on a paper towel and apply the texturizer to your pins too, just before using them. - Lock your pins in place. It honestly makes sense why a pin would fall out: You push it into an updo, aaand it slowly just slides right back out again. Why wouldn't it? So a trick the pros use is to "lock" the pin by inserting it from the opposite angle (so instead of pushing it up into a bun, they'd stick it down through the bun), then hooking some hair, flipping the bobby pin, and re-inserting it at the correct angle. A visual is a must here, s0 just watch the video below for more details. - Cross two pins. If the locking technique seems too confusing—and you're cool with your pins showing—trying the crisscross method to reinforce them. Slide in your first pin, then slide the second one in the opposite direction so they cross in the middle and interlock like an X.   This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. What is the correct way to use bobby pins? There is no "correct" way, per se. Wear 'em how you want! Use them to discreetly secure a messy bun, or to clip your bangs down, or to smooth stray hairs and bumps in an updo. And since it's 2021, you can (and should) just straight-up use them as an accessory to your hairstyle. Need some inspo? I gotchu, starting with... 4 ridiculously cute bobby pins worth showing off Lelet NY Dash Dot Pearl Bobbi Kristin Ess Celestial Bobby Pins Fibs and Fables 'OYA' Hair Pin Set Jennifer Behr Pippa Bobby Pins Bobby-pin hairstyles: Whether you want your bobby pins to do some behind-the-scenes work, or you just want to show them off, here are a bunch of bobby-pin hairstyles and tutorials to copy asap. How to pin long hair up This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The trick to making your faux bob look real? Pull your shortest layers aside and let some fringe pieces hang around your face while you pin the rest of it. Then, let your pieces down to hide the tucked ends. How to use bobby pins for curly hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. If you feel like your usual twist out or braid out needs a little somethin' extra, try accessorizing with some ~intentional~ bobby pins. Here are more than enough ideas for you to switch it up every day of the week. How to use bobby pins for an updo This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Half-ponytail hairstyles, half-buns, full buns—this video demonstrates a ton of ways to use bobby pins in all kinds of updos, and every single one is worth trying. How to wear decorative bobby pins in short hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. I've said it once, and I'll say it again a bajillion times until you believe me: Hairstyles for short hair are not limited! This video right here shows 10 different ways to style shorter strands with help from a few bobby pins and elastics. How to put pins in short hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. This video shows you both how to use bobby pins to style your hair, and how to wear them as part of your look. If you have curly hair and you want to add a little more volume at the roots, try root-clipping with bobby pins around your hair part to lift and encourage the shape you want. Remove the pins once your curls have dried, then use them as an accessory to accentuate your part. How to use bobby pins for thick hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. If you have thick hair, or just a lot of it, this video is full of advice on how to make grippy bobby pins, hairspray, and jumbo pins your new BFF. Brooke Shunatona Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io beauty tips: How to Use Bobby Pins for Every Hair Type and Texture in 2021 Read the full article

[a-beautifulday2savelives]

It started feeling like October... *Jacks Mannequin

For someone who loves pumpkin spice and hoodies as much as I do, the universe really did play quite the cruel joke.  It’s now been an entire decade since October didn’t feel more like darkness than it did light.  This year is no exception.  If anything... in true 2020 fashion... this year has set itself up to be worse. 

I'm running out of colors to tie in my hair.  Everyone keeps dying.  I can’t believe you’ve been gone a whole 10 years.  I’ve been carrying this yellow bow around with me now longer than I knew you.  I won’t say you ruined Halloween.  I never really loved it to begin with, but I can’t pretend like since that year I've ever felt like celebrating.  This year, The Maine is doing a virtual Forever Halloween show.  Something about that on such a big anniversary feels fitting.  “You be brave, and I'll still be 18.”  I’m trying to be brave.  I promise.  It’s just really hard sometimes.  

My grandma died nearly a month ago.  Her 90th birthday would have been yesterday.  Carol made some side comment yesterday about how I never act upset when people are gone.  I'm not sure what bothers me more... the fact that she accused me of not caring... or the fact that I’ve become so accustomed to losing people that a majority of the time I’m over it within a day. 

My brother’s birthday is on Tuesday.  10 years ago we would have celebrated together.  Tuesday, I probably won’t even talk to him. 

I fight myself all the time when feeling nostalgic about a certain person.  October 29th used to be an important day in my world.  When they turned out to be nothing like their initial impressions, I started hating myself for missing those memories.  How could I simultaneously have such positive and negative feelings mixed inside of me?  I don’t think I was ever really sad that I lost him.  I think I was sad that I lost this life I had envisioned for myself.  Sure... It was probably a horrid life, but I had convinced myself at the time that someone loved me.  Nobody has loved me since.  And that’s okay.  Really... it is.  But I'm going to remind myself should I feel nostalgic and blue that while it’s okay to feel that way, maybe I lost someone who “loved” me... but in doing so, I learned to love myself. 

But this year... this year will be a particularly difficult October... and it’s all because of you... 

Monday you’d be 26 years old.  You’d probably be sitting somewhere with Kristin with a fishing pole in hand... a beer on the pier... and a cigarette in your mouth.  The last time I saw you was just after your birthday... October (of course) 2017.  I regret so many things about our story, but nothing as much as I regret not saying goodbye.  I loved you on day 2.  I loved you then, and I love you now.  I wish more than anything you were here celebrating one more trip around the sun, even if I wouldn’t be there to see it.  Wherever you are, I hope you celebrate.  I hope you’re happy.  I hope you’re laughing.  You had my favorite laugh.  I carry you with me always... everywhere I go.  But I know you’ll be just a little closer to my heart on Monday... just beneath your green shirt.  Maybe I'll even make cupcakes.  And then wherever you are you can look down on me and laugh... with that goofy grin on your face that used to mean in your head you were making fun of me.  I'd accept being embarrassed forever just to hear you call me goon one more time.  

It started feeling like October... 

[buffystylez-blog]

Welcome to the Hellmouth

Original Australian air date: 3 December 1997

Directed by: Charles Martin Smith

Written by: Joss Whedon

Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Anthony Head, Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon, Julie Benz, Kristine Sutherland, and David Boreanaz

Welcome to What Buffy Wore season one, episode 1, In which we meet our hero Buffy Anne Summers and are introduced to the Scooby Gang, Cordelia Chase, and season 1′s Big Bad - The Master.

A brief recap for the unfamiliar and let’s face it, if you’ve stumbled onto here you’ll be well-versed in the language of Buffy. But anyway, here goes. Buffy and her mother Joyce move to Sunnydale after Buffy is expelled from her previous school, Hemery High School in Los Angeles. The reasons for her expulsion are presumably related to the events of the 1992 film of the same name. Determined to make a fresh start, she’s horrified when she encounters new librarian Giles, who reminds of her destiny as the vampire slayer.

I was going to quote stuff here, but I can’t be bothered. Y’all know all of them, right? In this episode we have two main Buffy ensembles. I’m not counting her pyjamas - I’ll get into their cuteness later. The two main ensembles are her first day of school, and her first night at the Bronze. I believe I coveted one outfit more than the other at the time, but history is written by the winners. Or the older, wiser, more fashion-conscious.

So let’s do this!

Outfit 1 - First Day at school

Forgive the quality. I’m new to screen caps or whatever you kids call them. Let us marvel at a time when 4:3 was the only aspect ratio in town.

Buffy’s outfit is a white t-shirt and a-line miniskirt with knee high boots. She’s wearing a light blue short-sleeved cardigan over the t-shirt, prompting me to wonder throughout the episode whether the t-shirt was not in fact a singlet. And was the cardigan light blue or mint? I’m pretty sure it’s light blue.

I’d always assumed the skirt was a mulberry or burgundy colour but tonight’s viewing lead me to wonder if it wasn’t dark brown like her boots all this time? But I’m 97% it’s the berry colour I assumed as a 15 year old. I mean, 5 year old! ahem. In a later scene Buffy asks Willow to help her with school and it’s decidedly purple in tone. I always applauded this colour combination. I still do. The costume designer at the time was Cynthia Bergstrom and I salute her. She had me searching high and low for those white v-neck t-shirts she had SMG in all of the time.

The plastic rings were already a crucial part of the wardrobe along with varying shades of nail polish. I believe Buffy went with a pastel blue to match the cardigan and her second outfit. Makeup is a smoky eye with pinks and blues. And were we in a glossy brown/nude phase lipstick-wise? I can’t remember. It’s taken a good twenty years for me to actually wear lipstick on the regular and it’s always matte.

Buffy’s first outfit was a triumph for me. It still is. What may not be a triumph is the hair. Before SMG got this gig she had really long brown hair. For this role she went for a dark blonde shade with a shorter length and more layers. The bangs were wispy. I hate wispy bangs. I believe a terrible, life-ruining hairdresser may have tried to convince me its the only kind I could have. But I’m not bitter! The hair clip featured in Buffy’s hair above was one already in high rotation at my place.

I remember twin sets (knit top and matching cardigan) being the height of fashion at the time. I may have asked mum to purchase me a few. Being chubby and afraid of short skirts I probably went for a knee length version of the above. So when Buffy also moved to knee length skirts I was the praise emoji before I even had a mobile phone. Or the Internet. 

But twin sets. I had a purple one I loved so much. The top was sleeveless and the cardigan long sleeved. There may have been some floral embroidery as well. I may have also paired it with a checked or charcoal bootcut pant. Are pants technically bootcut? Or is it just jeans? Either way, this was the land before the skinny jean or slim leg pant. That wouldn’t get to us until the mid-2000s. I know what you’re thinking: a land before internet, mobile phones and a skinny legged pant? How did you survive? Well, it was all we knew. We couldn’t know then what we know now and if we had, then perhaps things would have been different. Better, even.

Perfect segue to Buffy’s second outfit!

I’m still not quite sure what the above is. PVC little black dress? Some sort of corset? One of Julia Roberts’ prostitute dress from Pretty Woman? Don’t slut shame yourself, B. Wear whatever you like, because you’re a strong woman who shouldn’t be bound by cultural and societal notions of purity and femininity. But also, the dress is a no from me.

What has always fascinated me is her next option. Done with the whore, she tries the virgin and finds she doesn’t like that either.

Photo credit

I’ve always wanted to know exactly what that floral dress looks like. Is it a maxi dress? High neck? There’s a tie - is it worn around the waist? Is it a pussy bow neckline? I MUST KNOW AND THE INTERVENING YEARS HAVE NOT REDUCED MY YEARNING.

So after apparently agonising over something that was second nature in her pre-slaying days, Buffy goes with the below.

Photo credit

I mean, deal with that shirt for a moment. Much like the dude’s outfit she will use to identify him as a vampire, this outfit is not just dated, it’s carbon dated. I might have preferred whatever the black unknown was.

Eschewing dresses altogether for her first night out with the living - er, lively people, Buffy goes with a white singlet, blue shirt with one button done up like a jacket, black pants, and black boots. The boots are undoubtedly knee high. It was just a thing, guys. This was also before we had pants slim enough to tuck into said boots, remember? Dark days. What’s darker is that the pants, not satisfied to just be a type of bootcut monstrosity, are ankle length. Society will tell you that this makes a short girl look short, as though being short were the worst thing in the world. It’s not. I’m 5″2′ and I’m fine with looking every of inch of that. But these are... look, it’s not my favourite, ok? But what did I think of it then?

I remember loving her school outfit more. But does that mean I didn’t wear button up shirts as jackets over t-shirts and singlets? No it does not. Because I did it all the time. Because not only is it the perfect item for a balmy evening that may turn cold, it’s also great for girls too fat for most button up shirt offerings from Jay Jays, Kmart or Target. So, me. I think she also deserved snaps for her courageous decision to wear pants instead of a slinky dress, as a Cordelia Chase might. Or did.

From a logistical perspective it also makes perfect sense. Buffy will battle some members of the undead in this number later in the episode, so range of movement is essential. She can lose the shirt if required but it can also hide any potential bloodstains. The pants seem comfortable and the boot heel low enough that running isn’t out of the question. Her hair is up in a french roll so no need to worry about flyways or accidental self-scalping, a constant worry for me when people fight evil with their hair down.

Photo credit

See?

With 90s fashion making a resurgence, the reappearance of ensembles like these seem almost inevitable. Just the other day I saw a young girl wearing a shirt I wore in the late 90s. This was not a new version or knock-off. No: this shirt had the unmistakable wear and tear of an original. Someone had, gulp, bought this secondhand. It may have even been marked ‘vintage.’ My only hope is that it was a low/reasonable price at Savers.

But would I wear any of this stuff now? Possibly. I’ll return to the boots later, much like Buffy does. And the pants. I would definitely wear the burgundy(?) miniskirt. But what about the others in the Buffyverse? Whose wardrobe might influence me today?

Darla’s ambiguous school uniform should seem out of place. There’s no mention of private schools in Sunnydale anywhere. Also she looks at least 26. Perhaps her cover is an adult entertainment venue and I’ve been thinking about this all wrong for 20 years.

At school Cordelia wears a sheer black shirt with lime pants in a fabric that surely must be the most evil to escape the Hellmouth. So that’s a no.

I think the guys were wearing cargo pants. Also no. David Boreanaz’s performance as Angel was too distracting. He too was fond of button up shirts and black pants. Why would you wanna wrestle with the undead dressed like you’re going to a job interview at Coles?

No, the wardrobe modern day me would most covet actually belongs to... Willow. Lose the white tights and chunky shoes and her tweed dress with white button up shirt worn underneath is a revelation. Mindy Lahiri would wear the heck out of that. And her floral dress and cardigan at the Bronze is cute as hell. Willow would go on to carve out a sense of style befitting her wonderful personality in later seasons but we can clearly see elements of it from the beginning. We were just too blind to see.

Up next will be The Harvest, technically part two of Welcome to the Hellmouth. I hope you’re as desperate for the next post as I was for the next episode. You’re probably not. But I’ll still do it.

Until next time, slayerettes.

[kevinmoyer]

BEST REAL WEDDINGS OF 2017 :: The Love Story of Fabi & Josh

This is the most unforgettable wedding I’ve seen come across Snippet & Ink in recent memory, so grab a tissue, you just might need it…

Photography by Kristin Sweeting.

On November 12 2016, Fabi & Josh married in a sunset ceremony in Nashville. One month and one day later, Josh’s life was taken by cancer.

I am honored to bring you their story today. Fabi has been so open in letting me ask all of the difficult questions, and answering them with such grace. Would you marry your person, knowing they were dying? It’s something most of us don’t even want to think about, but these two had a characteristically wonderful attitude: “there wasn’t even a question whether or not we would go through with our wedding. We both had plans for a future together and that included a wedding, a marriage, a family and lots of adventures. You don’t put those things on hold and wait and see if the man upstairs is going to give you more time. You live.”

How sweet is it seeing a bride do her mom’s makeup on her own wedding day!

Did you include any traditions in your wedding? As my ‘something old’, I wore my mom’s diamond bracelet that my dad had given her, as well as a gold bracelet that Josh had given me. The bracelet from Josh has the coordinates of our favorite spot in Laguna Beach, where Josh proposed to me. My ‘something new’ was a pair of diamond stud earrings that Josh gave me on our wedding day. One of my bridesmaids let me wear a gold angel pin that her mom had pinned on her wedding dress when she got married as my ‘something borrowed’. And I had a blue decal with ‘Mrs. Powell’ and our wedding date for the bottom of my shoes as my ‘something blue’.

How did you meet? Josh and I met at a bar on Broadway in downtown Nashville in September 2014. There are some aspects in life that you just can’t control; one of those is timing. It was clear from day one that we were placed in each others lives for a reason. It was only two short months after we met that Josh was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer – Synovial Sarcoma of the lower abdomen. He had no idea why I wasn’t running as fast as I could in the opposite direction after hearing his diagnosis. The truth is, I knew what I had found and I wasn’t going to let it go that easily.

Why do you think you didn’t run then, or even later, when Josh proposed? If anyone believes in love, it’s me. When Josh learned about his diagnosis I already knew I loved him. The word cancer wasn’t going to change my feelings for him, or my desire to take a chance on a future together. The thing about life is there are no guarantees. None of us are promised tomorrow so I wasn’t going to let a little “bump in the road”, as Josh called it, scare me away from the love I knew we had for each other. Instead of letting this devastating news ruin the start of something extremely rare and beautiful, we decided to take a chance. I left everything I knew in Southern California to follow my heart, and Josh trusted me with his. By making the decision not to run from the things that scared us, we were fortunate to have an opportunity to experience something that many go a lifetime never knowing.

Most people thought I was crazy for signing up for a relationship that I knew was going to be hard and potentially heartbreaking, but I’m not most people. The truth is, without taking that risk I would’ve never experienced our extraordinary love. It wasn’t always easy, but boy was it worth it. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Josh was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

Once you had decided to marry, what prompted you to have a wedding, knowing what lay ahead? You never know what lies ahead! I can say for sure that we never lost hope. Josh had written this down in his journal (and I found it after he passed away): “we just have to find a way. Even if there are more surgeries. I just need to be strong physically, obviously mentally, and have everyone on the same page as far as beating this. I think I’m starting to turn everyone around in the meaning of getting everyone positive and excited to take on this challenge. I feel so good about all of this and it may just be me being overly positive and somewhat unrealistic but why not? Why not me?” He inspired me everyday while he was here on earth and continues to do so while he is gone. He is one of the most exceptional human beings I have ever met. He was a West Point graduate, played football for Army, and carried his tumor all the way through Ranger school. He was the toughest guy around and wasn’t ever going to let anything get in his way. I am honored to be his wife and blessed to have known him.

So it was important for us to share this love with the other people that we loved. These people were on this journey with us too and wanted nothing but to love and support us. It was only fair to share our wedding day with them. You could feel the love at our wedding like something I had never experienced before. Every single guest there wanted the best for us, and that’s how it should be at every wedding.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your relationship? For the past two years Josh fought for his life against this awful disease, with me by his side every step of the way. And in all honesty, I would give anything just to get one of our worst days back.

The Ceremony

Why did you choose this location for your ceremony? We met on the third story of Honky Tonk Central on Broadway in downtown Nashville, so it only made sense to bring our wedding right back where it all started!

How did you go about planning your ceremony? Our situation was pretty unique as we only had two months to completely change our wedding plans. We had planned our California wedding for May of 2017. In August 2016 we were told to move our date up because the odds weren’t looking good. Immediately after hearing that news Josh turned to me and said we should use our engagement party date, planned for November 2016, as our wedding date, and thats exactly what we did.

Your ceremony in three words. Intimate, magical, unforgettable.

What was your ceremony music? I Won’t Give Up, Jason Mraz / Marry You, Bruno Mars / Good Life, Onerepublic / Die A Happy Man, Thomas Rhett.

Who officiated your ceremony? How did you choose him/her? Danny Rhodes officiated our ceremony. We asked our wedding planner for a recommendation and she thought he would be a great fit. Josh and I met Danny for coffee and we knew right away that he was the guy for the job. If you can find someone who makes you feel like that, you’ve hit the jackpot!

What were your vows like? Short and sweet, traditional, and personal. We didn’t want a ceremony that dragged on but one that was powerful and meaningful. Danny Rhodes did an amazing job personalizing traditional vows.

What was your favorite thing about your wedding ceremony? I think we would both agree that our favorite part was how much love everyone could feel between us. A wedding is so much more than an opportunity to dress up and party. Our ceremony was absolutely magical. I have never seen my husband smile so big in my entire life. It was a vision of true and unconditional love. The mere fact that he was able to show up that night to marry me was a miracle. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. For me, that’s what a wedding ceremony should be like.

How did you feel about marrying Josh knowing he didn’t have much time left? Josh is and always will be my one true love. We experienced things in our short time together that most will never be able to comprehend. Our relationship was a marriage from the very beginning. Moving from California to Tennessee after knowing each other for only five months was a huge commitment. So was loving him unconditionally through sickness and in health. Josh asking me to officially be his wife was the happiest day of my life. He had recently recovered from his tumor removal surgery, the cancer was removed with clear margins, and we were ready to enjoy the next chapter of our lives without cancer. After receiving the bad news in August that the cancer had returned, we immediately started looking for other options. I found a clinical trial for him in California and as soon as he was accepted into the trial we got our hope back. We fought this thing until the very end and always stayed optimistic. Josh actually sent me this text in October just a month before our wedding day, “I couldn’t be more happy to be with anyone else. This new chapter is going to be so fun. We have so much positive upside that is owed to us in life and I think this is where we get it. Full of great surprises and fun. I can’t imagine what life has in store for us but as long as we are together nothing can bring us down. Love you.” Even after being told that he had six months or less to live, he never gave up.

The Reception

How would you describe your reception? Meaningful. Josh was able to sit and have a bite to eat with me, smash some cake in my face, and share some extremely meaningful words with our guests and myself. That was more than anyone expected given his condition. Josh would’ve gone through any amount of pain in order to share that moment with everyone.

What inspired you when you were planning your wedding? I wanted it to be simple and chic. I also wanted it to be as easy as possible, so I looked for venues that were all inclusive so I didn’t have to mess around finding individual vendors on my own. Luckily my husband wanted to be involved too, so he was a big help when it came to narrowing things down. Josh and I both have very similar tastes.

What was the best advice you received as a bride? Make sure to get a videographer. The speeches are the best part of every wedding in my opinion (aside from the dancing!) It’s incredible hearing about a couple’s love for each other and where it all started. For me, hearing my husband talk about our love was the very best part of our wedding day. To have your husband open up to the most important people in your lives and tell them he loves you is the most romantic thing in the world. I watch our wedding video weekly just to remember what his voice sounds like and to never forget our love for one another.

What other advice do you have for other couples in the midst of planning a wedding? Make it about you. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of trying to please everyone, but at the end of the day it’s your wedding. It goes by so fast and you want it to be your dream and not anyone else’s. Investing in a great photographer and videographer was important to us. We cut back on flowers and fluff just so we could spend the extra money on those two things because they were the most important. Our situation was unique because I knew Josh and I probably didn’t have a lot of time left and I wanted to remember our wedding day forever. Our pictures and our wedding video are treasures that I cherish so deeply. They are intimate moments captured in time that I will never get back but always remember. Watching that video and looking at those photos bring tears of joy and sorrow to my eyes. They are constant reminders of how happy we both were on the day and that’s something I never want to forget.

If you had it to do over again, is there anything you would do differently? Absolutely nothing. We experienced the most selfless, extraordinary love. A love that was deeper and more unconditional than anything we had ever known. Having a constant reminder that life is short allowed us to never take our love for granted, and that was such a gift. For me, a love like that only happens once and that is why I am grateful for every minute we spent together; that time will forever be burned into my memory. I will never forget a single moment shared and I will miss him every day until the day that we meet again.

Josh was laid to rest with Full Military Honors on April 7, 2017 at Arlington National Cemetery. To get updates on how to contribute to the Josh Powell Foundation that Fabi is starting in Josh’s honor, follow @LiveLikeJP on Facebook and Instagram. 

The post BEST REAL WEDDINGS OF 2017 :: The Love Story of Fabi & Josh appeared first on Snippet & Ink.

[identybeautynet]

How to Use Bobby Pins for Every Hair Type and Texture in 2021

How to Use Bobby Pins for Every Hair Type and Texture in 2021 A bobby pin might have been one of the very first hair accessories you owned (tbt to pinning your bangs back for soccer/dance/gymnastics/etc.)—but did you ever actually learn how to use it? Or did you, like me, just slide it in and hope for the best? Although bobby pins don't exactly come with instruction manuals (how complicated could a tiny piece of wire be?), they honestly should. Because, surprise surprise, you actually shouldn't have to redo your bobby pin hairstyles every hour because they're slipping out. Wha?! Yep, it's true. So, because it's never too late to learn, I went ahead and made you this ultimate guide for how to use bobby pins. Below, you'll learn all the stuff that someone should've told you back in the day, like the difference between every type of bobby pin, which direction they should really face, and how to make bobby pins work for your hair type, length, and texture. But I'm not only giving you advice for how to use them, but also how to wear them as part of your overall ~lewk~. Keep scrolling for your long-overdue, bobby-pin crash course. This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Why do they call them bobby pins? Get access to *all* of Cosmo ~Legend has it~ that the bobby pin was named after the bob hairstyle. Apparently, cosmetics manufacturer named Luis Marcis is said to have invented them back in the flapper days. And if you've ever tried to fake shorter hair or a faux lob, you know just how essential a sleeve of bobby pins is to pulling it off. If you haven't, well, we've got a video tutorial below on exactly how to fake a bob with bobby pins, because it's basically required learning. What is the difference between a hairpin and a bobby pin? Bobby pin: A bobby pin is stiff and hard to bend, with two arms clamped tight together to hold small sections of hair in place. If your pin has been pried open too many times and doesn't clamp together anymore, go ahead and toss it—it’s no longer useful for your hair.   Hairpin: A hairpin is bendable, flexible, and has a U-shape that makes it the perfect choice for holding a whole lotta hair, or just a few, small pieces of hair in an updo, like if you wanted to gently pin a curl to your bun hairstyle without having to smash and press a bobby pin into it. The best bobby pins and hair pins to stock up on Bobby pins MetaGrip Black Premium Bobby Pins Black U-shaped pins Kitsch Brown Pro U Pins Curly-hair pins Conair Curl Collective Wavy Hair Bobby Pins Jumbo pins Kleravitex 2.75" Jumbo Bobby Hair Pins What are curved bobby pins used for? This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Not all pins will fit the two descriptions above. Some bobby pins don't actually have any ridges. Some are two or three times the size of a regular bobby pin (ideal for coarse or thick hair). Some pins are coated in silicone for better grip, or have rubber ends to prevent damage and tension. The fact is, a hairpin can look a lot of different ways, and the best one for you depends on your hair type, texture, and the look you're going for. Most of the time, you'll find that bobby pins and hairpins are flat, but curved pins are good to have on hand if you want the pin to sit snuggly to your scalp, like if you're working with a half-up hairstyle where pins are more visible. Most U-pins are malleable enough that you can customize them by bending them or molding them to the shape you want without ruining the integrity of the pin. Which way should bobby pins face? This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Ah, yes. The Great Debate. On a classic bobby pin, you have one side that's flat, and the opposite side that has wavy ridges. For the first half of my life, I wore my bobby pins ridges-side up (didn't everyone?!), but apparently, that was completely wrong—ridges need to face your scalp for the best hold. Watch the demo above for a visual of why this works, but here's the gist: When the bent end is placed near the head, it'll catch the hair and stop the pin from sliding out as long as you don't shove too much hair inside. How do you know if you have the right amount of hair in the pin? However many strands fit inside the bobby pin without you prying it open is the right amount. Easy. How do you make a bobby pin stay? If you did all the things I said above, and your bobby pins still aren't holding, I've got a few more pro tips that I've personally tried and loved: This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. - Spray your pins for added grip. If you have fine hair or slippery strands that can't hold anything, you'll need to add some grip to both your hair and pins before using. Apply some texture spray, salt spray, or volume powder to your hair, then lay your bobby pins on a paper towel and apply the texturizer to your pins too, just before using them. - Lock your pins in place. It honestly makes sense why a pin would fall out: You push it into an updo, aaand it slowly just slides right back out again. Why wouldn't it? So a trick the pros use is to "lock" the pin by inserting it from the opposite angle (so instead of pushing it up into a bun, they'd stick it down through the bun), then hooking some hair, flipping the bobby pin, and re-inserting it at the correct angle. A visual is a must here, s0 just watch the video below for more details. - Cross two pins. If the locking technique seems too confusing—and you're cool with your pins showing—trying the crisscross method to reinforce them. Slide in your first pin, then slide the second one in the opposite direction so they cross in the middle and interlock like an X.   This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. What is the correct way to use bobby pins? There is no "correct" way, per se. Wear 'em how you want! Use them to discreetly secure a messy bun, or to clip your bangs down, or to smooth stray hairs and bumps in an updo. And since it's 2021, you can (and should) just straight-up use them as an accessory to your hairstyle. Need some inspo? I gotchu, starting with... 4 ridiculously cute bobby pins worth showing off Lelet NY Dash Dot Pearl Bobbi Kristin Ess Celestial Bobby Pins Fibs and Fables 'OYA' Hair Pin Set Jennifer Behr Pippa Bobby Pins Bobby-pin hairstyles: Whether you want your bobby pins to do some behind-the-scenes work, or you just want to show them off, here are a bunch of bobby-pin hairstyles and tutorials to copy asap. How to pin long hair up This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The trick to making your faux bob look real? Pull your shortest layers aside and let some fringe pieces hang around your face while you pin the rest of it. Then, let your pieces down to hide the tucked ends. How to use bobby pins for curly hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. If you feel like your usual twist out or braid out needs a little somethin' extra, try accessorizing with some ~intentional~ bobby pins. Here are more than enough ideas for you to switch it up every day of the week. How to use bobby pins for an updo This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Half-ponytail hairstyles, half-buns, full buns—this video demonstrates a ton of ways to use bobby pins in all kinds of updos, and every single one is worth trying. How to wear decorative bobby pins in short hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. I've said it once, and I'll say it again a bajillion times until you believe me: Hairstyles for short hair are not limited! This video right here shows 10 different ways to style shorter strands with help from a few bobby pins and elastics. How to put pins in short hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. This video shows you both how to use bobby pins to style your hair, and how to wear them as part of your look. If you have curly hair and you want to add a little more volume at the roots, try root-clipping with bobby pins around your hair part to lift and encourage the shape you want. Remove the pins once your curls have dried, then use them as an accessory to accentuate your part. How to use bobby pins for thick hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. If you have thick hair, or just a lot of it, this video is full of advice on how to make grippy bobby pins, hairspray, and jumbo pins your new BFF. Brooke Shunatona Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io beauty tips: How to Use Bobby Pins for Every Hair Type and Texture in 2021 Read the full article

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How to Use Bobby Pins for Every Hair Type and Texture in 2021

How to Use Bobby Pins for Every Hair Type and Texture in 2021 A bobby pin might have been one of the very first hair accessories you owned (tbt to pinning your bangs back for soccer/dance/gymnastics/etc.)—but did you ever actually learn how to use it? Or did you, like me, just slide it in and hope for the best? Although bobby pins don't exactly come with instruction manuals (how complicated could a tiny piece of wire be?), they honestly should. Because, surprise surprise, you actually shouldn't have to redo your bobby pin hairstyles every hour because they're slipping out. Wha?! Yep, it's true. So, because it's never too late to learn, I went ahead and made you this ultimate guide for how to use bobby pins. Below, you'll learn all the stuff that someone should've told you back in the day, like the difference between every type of bobby pin, which direction they should really face, and how to make bobby pins work for your hair type, length, and texture. But I'm not only giving you advice for how to use them, but also how to wear them as part of your overall ~lewk~. Keep scrolling for your long-overdue, bobby-pin crash course. This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Why do they call them bobby pins? Get access to *all* of Cosmo ~Legend has it~ that the bobby pin was named after the bob hairstyle. Apparently, cosmetics manufacturer named Luis Marcis is said to have invented them back in the flapper days. And if you've ever tried to fake shorter hair or a faux lob, you know just how essential a sleeve of bobby pins is to pulling it off. If you haven't, well, we've got a video tutorial below on exactly how to fake a bob with bobby pins, because it's basically required learning. What is the difference between a hairpin and a bobby pin? Bobby pin: A bobby pin is stiff and hard to bend, with two arms clamped tight together to hold small sections of hair in place. If your pin has been pried open too many times and doesn't clamp together anymore, go ahead and toss it—it’s no longer useful for your hair.   Hairpin: A hairpin is bendable, flexible, and has a U-shape that makes it the perfect choice for holding a whole lotta hair, or just a few, small pieces of hair in an updo, like if you wanted to gently pin a curl to your bun hairstyle without having to smash and press a bobby pin into it. The best bobby pins and hair pins to stock up on Bobby pins MetaGrip Black Premium Bobby Pins Black U-shaped pins Kitsch Brown Pro U Pins Curly-hair pins Conair Curl Collective Wavy Hair Bobby Pins Jumbo pins Kleravitex 2.75" Jumbo Bobby Hair Pins What are curved bobby pins used for? This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Not all pins will fit the two descriptions above. Some bobby pins don't actually have any ridges. Some are two or three times the size of a regular bobby pin (ideal for coarse or thick hair). Some pins are coated in silicone for better grip, or have rubber ends to prevent damage and tension. The fact is, a hairpin can look a lot of different ways, and the best one for you depends on your hair type, texture, and the look you're going for. Most of the time, you'll find that bobby pins and hairpins are flat, but curved pins are good to have on hand if you want the pin to sit snuggly to your scalp, like if you're working with a half-up hairstyle where pins are more visible. Most U-pins are malleable enough that you can customize them by bending them or molding them to the shape you want without ruining the integrity of the pin. Which way should bobby pins face? This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Ah, yes. The Great Debate. On a classic bobby pin, you have one side that's flat, and the opposite side that has wavy ridges. For the first half of my life, I wore my bobby pins ridges-side up (didn't everyone?!), but apparently, that was completely wrong—ridges need to face your scalp for the best hold. Watch the demo above for a visual of why this works, but here's the gist: When the bent end is placed near the head, it'll catch the hair and stop the pin from sliding out as long as you don't shove too much hair inside. How do you know if you have the right amount of hair in the pin? However many strands fit inside the bobby pin without you prying it open is the right amount. Easy. How do you make a bobby pin stay? If you did all the things I said above, and your bobby pins still aren't holding, I've got a few more pro tips that I've personally tried and loved: This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. - Spray your pins for added grip. If you have fine hair or slippery strands that can't hold anything, you'll need to add some grip to both your hair and pins before using. Apply some texture spray, salt spray, or volume powder to your hair, then lay your bobby pins on a paper towel and apply the texturizer to your pins too, just before using them. - Lock your pins in place. It honestly makes sense why a pin would fall out: You push it into an updo, aaand it slowly just slides right back out again. Why wouldn't it? So a trick the pros use is to "lock" the pin by inserting it from the opposite angle (so instead of pushing it up into a bun, they'd stick it down through the bun), then hooking some hair, flipping the bobby pin, and re-inserting it at the correct angle. A visual is a must here, s0 just watch the video below for more details. - Cross two pins. If the locking technique seems too confusing—and you're cool with your pins showing—trying the crisscross method to reinforce them. Slide in your first pin, then slide the second one in the opposite direction so they cross in the middle and interlock like an X.   This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. What is the correct way to use bobby pins? There is no "correct" way, per se. Wear 'em how you want! Use them to discreetly secure a messy bun, or to clip your bangs down, or to smooth stray hairs and bumps in an updo. And since it's 2021, you can (and should) just straight-up use them as an accessory to your hairstyle. Need some inspo? I gotchu, starting with... 4 ridiculously cute bobby pins worth showing off Lelet NY Dash Dot Pearl Bobbi Kristin Ess Celestial Bobby Pins Fibs and Fables 'OYA' Hair Pin Set Jennifer Behr Pippa Bobby Pins Bobby-pin hairstyles: Whether you want your bobby pins to do some behind-the-scenes work, or you just want to show them off, here are a bunch of bobby-pin hairstyles and tutorials to copy asap. How to pin long hair up This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The trick to making your faux bob look real? Pull your shortest layers aside and let some fringe pieces hang around your face while you pin the rest of it. Then, let your pieces down to hide the tucked ends. How to use bobby pins for curly hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. If you feel like your usual twist out or braid out needs a little somethin' extra, try accessorizing with some ~intentional~ bobby pins. Here are more than enough ideas for you to switch it up every day of the week. How to use bobby pins for an updo This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Half-ponytail hairstyles, half-buns, full buns—this video demonstrates a ton of ways to use bobby pins in all kinds of updos, and every single one is worth trying. How to wear decorative bobby pins in short hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. I've said it once, and I'll say it again a bajillion times until you believe me: Hairstyles for short hair are not limited! This video right here shows 10 different ways to style shorter strands with help from a few bobby pins and elastics. How to put pins in short hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. This video shows you both how to use bobby pins to style your hair, and how to wear them as part of your look. If you have curly hair and you want to add a little more volume at the roots, try root-clipping with bobby pins around your hair part to lift and encourage the shape you want. Remove the pins once your curls have dried, then use them as an accessory to accentuate your part. How to use bobby pins for thick hair This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. If you have thick hair, or just a lot of it, this video is full of advice on how to make grippy bobby pins, hairspray, and jumbo pins your new BFF. Brooke Shunatona Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io beauty tips: How to Use Bobby Pins for Every Hair Type and Texture in 2021 Read the full article