Beauty is what you buy

I’m on a never-ending quest for shiny, healthy-looking hair. I’ll try any product or TikTok trend that promises to impart a light-catching lustre, from shampoos infused with gloss-giving glycolic acid to hair oiling, an ancient South Asian beauty ritual. So when Fable & Mane’s Shine Hair Mask, $36, made its way to my desk, I was more than a little intrigued.

Unlike other hair masks, where the star ingredients are mostly glycerin and a handful of oils, this one features a blend of black tea ferments (more on this special addition later) and moisture-boosting enzymes. The new, intensive treatment claims to inject luminosity and bounce into the hair. My ends have been extra dull and tangled lately due to the changing weather, not to mention excessive styling. Needless to say, I was ready to get my hair wet.

After a few weeks of incorporating the hair mask into my shower routine, I’m now ready to spill the tea — pun intended. Keep reading to discover my honest take on how this hair mask truly lives up to its glossy promises.

Fable & Mane Shine Hair Mask, $36

Before I dive into what makes this mask so effective, I have to compliment the scent; it won me over at first sniff. True to its star ingredient — fermented black tea extract — the product boasts a comforting chai aroma. I absolutely adore a warming cup of masala chai at any hour of the day, so this scent is right up my street.

Most hair masks I’ve tried are either runnier in texture or are more similar to a thick salve. This mask sits somewhere in between, reminding me of a lightweight body lotion. Thanks to the airy texture, it was very easy to pull this through my thick, long hair with my fingers.

What really clinched the deal was how the hair mask added an immediately noticeable gloss to my hair, which lasted for days on end. Let’s dive into the science of it all.

What is the benefit of black tea ferments on hair?

The main reason my hair started looking instantly shinier is thanks to black tea ferments, an antioxidant that improves scalp health. I asked celebrated hairstylist Tom Smith to give me a deep dive on the benefits. “Black tea ferments are rich in antioxidants like catechins and theaflavins, which can help protect the scalp and the hair strands themselves from pollution and UV exposure,” says Smith, both of which can dull the hair and contribute to color fading. As a result, antioxidants are a popular choice in hair products, he adds.

According to Eva Proudman, a consultant trichologist at UK Hair Consultants, these antioxidants have a positive impact on scalp health by improving circulation, encouraging hair growth and reducing overall shedding, giving it a shinier, healthier look in the process. “The hair becomes shiny as the antioxidants stop the hair from becoming dry and dehydrated, which causes dullness and dryness,” she adds. Clinical trial findings from Fable & Mane also support this, with 89 to 95% of respondents agreeing that the mask makes their hair look and feel shinier and silkier just after one use.

What are AHAs and what are their benefits for hair?

The mask also boasts AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, which are found in natural sources such as sugar cane, fruits, and, in the case of this mask, hibiscus flowers. They are a popular exfoliant that removes dead skin cells and product build-up from the scalp, which can otherwise make hair look dull, says Proudman. AHAs also boost shine without stripping hair or making it feel uncomfortably squeaky and dry.

But that’s not all: “They can also help to remove mineral deposits from the hair caused by using hard water, promoting a cleaner environment to improve hair texture and shine overall,” adds Proudman.

What are enzymes and what are their benefits on the hair?

Finally, enzymes complete the nourishing formula. According to Akash Meta, co-founder and CEO of Fable & Mane, the enzymes in this hair mask were created through a fermentation process that breaks down sugar into smaller compounds, making it easier to penetrate the hair cuticle for intense hydration. These are naturally derived ingredients that can enhance hydration and maintain the strong bonds in the hair to prevent damage. Smith is equally impressed by enzymes in hair care: “Enzymes are great for deep cleaning the scalp; they combat the overuse of styling products when the hair has not been washed for a few days,” he says.

Is the Fable & Mane Shine Hair Mask any good?

While my hair wasn’t overly damaged to begin with, I didn’t realize how much I needed this mask until I used it for the first time. It genuinely took my hair’s shine to the next level. So much so, I’m convinced that you’d be able to see my hair reflect light from a mile away. The “after” photo below was taken more than two days after I used this hair mask, and the mirror-like shine was still going strong. The fuss-free application is icing on the cake.

It’s usually recommended to slather a mask treatment on towel-dried hair for around 10 minutes, but Fable & Mane says it’s only necessary to squeeze out excess water before application, and you can rinse it all off after three minutes. (You can use this after shampooing, in place of a conditioner.)

As a lazy person, I can vouch for how this streamlined routine has made my life infinitely easier since I don’t have to climb in and out of the shower to dry my ends and kill time before I can wash it off. For that reason, I’ve used this hair mask a lot more compared to the other, more cumbersome ones in my collection

The hair mask is arguably the star product in Fable & Mane’s burgeoning hair collection, but I also wholeheartedly recommend the Volumizing Shampoo, $30, which makes my hair look fuller with strand-plumping fenugreek extract. As a relaxing bedtime ritual, I’ve also been using the HoliRoots Hair Oil, $56, from roots to ends; it’s infused with ashwagandha, a type of herb often used to promote hair growth. To keep my goals of having a big, enviable head of hair alive, I’ll be incorporating all three of these products into my haircare routine for the summer and beyond.

Shop our favorite Fable & Mane products

This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.

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While we love slinky slip dresses and trendy bubble hem skirts, we’re also fans of throw-on-and-go jumpsuits. Not only does it eliminate outfit guesswork, but the pants element makes it ideal for striding in style (without risking any accidental flashes along the way). Plus, there’s an ease that comes with pulling on a onesie — a feeling we fully embrace as the weather warms up.

This wardrobe hero is built for just about anything — bike rides, travel days, spontaneous dance sessions, or sprawling out at home. Whether you’re searching for a casual athleisure jumpsuit, a sleek white jumpsuit for summer, or a red jumpsuit that turns heads, there’s a version for every vibe, including petite jumpsuits and plus-size jumpsuits, that don’t compromise on fit or style.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up 26 of the best jumpsuits — including on-trend silhouettes and fresh updates in denim, linen, and statement-making colors. Whether you’re shopping for a tailored black jumpsuit you can dress up for a wedding or just want a breezy one-and-done piece to wear on repeat, these picks are the ones worth jumping on.

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.

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The Tony Awards Nominating Committee announced this year’s Tony Award nominations on Thursday morning and we’re looking at the list wondering where for art thou Denzel?

Fans are upset with the committee for snubbing Denzel Washington’s stellar Broadway performance in Othello. This highly-anticipated return to Broadway was his first performance since The Iceman Cometh in 2018. Washington first starred as Othello at age 22 as a college student on campus. Fans were also eager to flock to the theater after Washington, who previously won a Tony for Fences in 2010, expressed that retirement was on his mind. This may be why tickets came at a hefty price, with some orchestra seats costing $900 and up. Still, that hasn’t prevented each show from selling out since the beginning of the show’s 15-week run.

As of this week, Othello is the highest-grossing play revival in Broadway history, Variety reported. But the play didn’t receive a single Tony nomination.

Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon’s Othello reimagines the story in a more modern setting. Admittedly, the dialogue takes some getting used to for those not steeped in Shakespearean language, but Washington makes it his own, adding his signature vocal cadence with emotion and depth. It’s in the second act where the 70-year-old actor shines and steals the show, so his snub is especially surprising. Jake Gyllenhaal, who stars opposite Washington as Iago, wasn’t nominated either.

Kandi Burruss, the Othello producer and Real Housewives of Atlanta alum who’s been vocal about wanting an EGOT, took to Instagram to express her disappointment.

“Well y’all…’Othello’ didn’t get the Tony nomination. Of course I’m disappointed, but I’m still beyond proud,” she wrote. “Every time I watch our cast, I’m blown away and inspired.” Kandi Burruss praised the stars: “#DenzelWashington @jakegyllenhaal — you both are delivering a masterclass.” She added, “To anyone chasing a dream — don’t let a ‘no’ stop your yes.”

Taraji P. Henson commented on Burruss’ post, “That is crazy to me but CONGRATS on winning anyway.”

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A post shared by Danielle Brooks (@thedaniellebrooks)

Danielle Brooks posted some general encouragement for Broadway actors on Instagram, sharing a clip when she didn’t get Tony-nominated in 2023 for The Piano Lesson. She referred to Tony nomination day as “the theater kids’ Super Bowl” and went on to congratulate those who were nominated and offer some positivity to those who weren’t.

“I felt a little defeated in 2023 because I was nominated for everything you could be nominated for as a theater person but the Tonys… but then a year later, I was Oscar-nominated. You never know what life is going to bring you. Keep freakin’ going.” She encouraged folks to keep doing “undeniable work,” not just for the awards but for themselves.

There’s at least one thing the committee got very right this year: Audra McDonald received her 11th award nomination, making her the most Tony-nominated performer in history. She’s nominated for Lead Actress in a Musical for her role playing Rose Hovick in the revival of Gypsy. McDonald has six previous Tony wins for acting.

Another theater standout who received nominations include Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s Purpose, the Phylica Rashad-directed play about a prominent Black political family, received five acting nods and one for Best New Play. Buena Vista Social Club, a show about musicians and dancers in Havana, leads the pack with 10 nominations.

Take a look at the full list of nominees here.
Tony winner Cynthia Erivo will host this year’s Tony Awards which will air live on CBS and Paramount+ on June 8 at 8 p.m.

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