Fara Homidi  is an anti-perfectionist — a quality that often makes the New York–based makeup artist the first choice for fashion week de...

Fara Homidi is an anti-perfectionist — a quality that often makes the New York–based makeup artist the first choice for fashion week designers like Erdem, to celebrities like Bella Hadid. Flawlessness, after all, is overrated. 

You could say, then, that Homidi’s carefree approach to beauty — a heavy-handed sweep of blush here, a generous slick of gloss there — is perfectly attuned to spring, when it feels right to shake off the shackles of winter coats and, in this case, makeup ruts. 

With that in mind, let Homidi guide you this brighter season. Ahead, she shares five low-maintenance makeup trends to suit every spring mood — and exactly how to recreate each look. 

Cool tones & ’80s eyes 

Perhaps the ’90s revival has something to do with it, but Homidi thinks cool tones — shades with blue, purple, or pink undertones — will reign supreme this spring. “Cool-toned eyeshadow will be back in a major way,” predicts Homidi. 

“I’m currently — and always have been — drawn to cooler shades, like khakis, soft beiges, and even Pepto Bismol pinks,” says Homidi, “but I think we will see a lot of powder blues, grays, and cool-toned browns across lids,” delivering an icy, more muted effect compared to the warmer bronze hues that have ruled up until now. We love this subtle wash of color by makeup artist Cat Parnell and this slick of blue on Kaitlyn Emilia.

Homidi’s Essential Eyeshadow Refillable Compact boasts three cream-to-powder eyeshadows, but it’s the azure blue — reminiscent of a clear sky — that makes it special. And the application technique is meant to be a little slapdash. “There’s something about an almost ’80s eye, where the shadow goes above the brow bone, that really does it for me,” says Homidi — perfect if you’re not a dab hand with brushes. Make like Homidi and use your fingers for the initial sweep of color, then use a dense brush like Blur Cream Eyeshadow Brush up to your brow bone, diffusing the eyeshadow as you go.

Lip contouring 

“The art of lip contour will be everywhere,” says Homidi — but think of it more like drawing than makeup. In other words, one lip pencil won’t cut it. Homidi’s suggestion? “Use [two] or more lip pencils to create depth, volume, dimension, and precision all at the same time,” says Homidi, much like this lip look on Michaela. 

It’s not as complicated as it looks or sounds. Trace your lip line with your darkest pencil (Homidi recommends her Smudge & Contour Lip Pencil), then use your finger or a small domed brush to blur it slightly toward the center of the lip. Take your lightest pencil and trace just above the Cupid’s bow to create a shadow — and the illusion of plumper lips. Do the same just below the lower lip. You can leave it as is or blend with the same domed brush. Lastly, finish with a little Soft Glass Lip Plumper Gloss Oil directly in the center. 

Blonzing 

Blonzing — essentially doubling up on blush and bronzer — is about to be everywhere, says Homidi. “This is because we are ready to dial up the heat and [enhance] our faces with actual warmth,” she says. It’s all in the placement, Homidi adds: “You’re going to layer your bronzers and blushes to achieve a burnished, almost sunburnt look,” she says — all without actually baking in the sun.  

Homidi likes to plunge a fluffy brush into her Essential Bronzer Refillable Compact and apply it all over the cheeks. Think of bronzer as the base and blush as a topper; use the same brush so the two shades melt together in harmony. And product waste isn’t a thing: “We’re even going to bring the product down our necks and chests to make it look believable,” says Homidi. Don’t forget the bridge of your nose or your hairline — it should look as though you’ve caught the sun, albeit responsibly. These blonzed looks on content creator Nihel and makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes are beautiful.

Soft matte skin 

If you’re over chasing dewy skin, Homidi’s penultimate trend prediction might come as a relief. “We will always see glow in makeup, as it’s considered a sign of good skin health,” says Homidi, “but real ones know that it’s all about a sophisticated matte finish right now.” Homidi is quick to add: “It’s not the old, chalky or powdery matte, but a new, more natural, breathable, soft matte finish that looks expensive,” — like this makeup look on content creator Yasmine. 

Start with a lightweight, gel-cream moisturizer like Farmacy Honey Cloud Lightweight Barrier Repair Moisturizer, avoiding anything too rich or oily. Apply a thin layer of your chosen base, whether that’s foundation or concealer, focusing only on where you think you need coverage. Then, it’s all about strategic powdering: keep it to areas prone to shine (like the T-zone and chin) and opt for a pressed powder, which is much easier to control than loose. Try Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Hyper Finish 24H Multi-Use Natural Matte Powder, plus a domed brush like Saie The All-Over Powder Brush. 

Brow tailoring 

Brow trends are limiting. Instead, it’s all about embracing your unique brow identity and wearing your brows exactly how you want to — like content creator Rubi. “Brows say so much about your face, which is why I love that we’re taking it upon ourselves to define our own brows, rather than follow trends,” says Homidi. “Taylor Russell, for example, shapes her brows straight and thin, and I absolutely love how they always look soft and airbrushed. Mine are completely different — thin, arched ’90s brows — and while they won’t grow back anymore, I’ve come to love them as part of my identity and history.” Not quite sure where to start? Consider getting your brows mapped, a personalized brow shaping service available in most benefit Cosmetics stores. 

Lastly, whatever your brow style, a clear brow gel will help you groom and set them in place. Try L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Brow Lamination, which keeps even the thickest brow hairs under lock and key, or Anastasia Beverly Hills Volumizing Brow Gel if you want something with a little tint. 

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April is the first full month of the new astrological year, and the universe isn’t asking if you’re ready to lead. It’s asking why you’re s...

April is the first full month of the new astrological year, and the universe isn’t asking if you’re ready to lead. It’s asking why you’re still waiting. Aries season launched the cycle. We are done with the retrograde, and now you’re being called to actually embody the authority you’ve been cultivating. You’ve got the green light to awaken the dormant power inside of you. 

The leader you came here to be isn’t a future version of yourself. It’s who you already are when you stop asking for permission and start trusting what you know. This month is about recognizing that you’ve always been ready and there is truly nothing standing in your way, unless you decide there is.

These tarotscopes will show you where your leadership is being activated and what’s still holding you from claiming it fully. Read for your sun, moon, and rising signs. Let Spirit show you where you’re ready to step up. Then do it like you’ve been here all along.
Aries (February 19 - March 20) - The Emperor

This is your astrological new year, Aries. Your season. Your energy is literally powering the collective right now, and you’re still asking if you’re qualified to lead. Quit it. The Emperor doesn’t ask for approval before they build the empire. They trust the vision they’ve received and open themselves up for the way in which the universe wants to use them. They trust their authority and command reality with conviction and Godly confidence. They know that they can’t “get it wrong,” and they take initiative by making the first move. That’s you. That’s always been you. This month is about embodying that without the performance anxiety, without the need for external validation, and without waiting for everyone else to be ready. They’re not going to be ready because you are the leader they’ve been waiting for. They’re waiting for you to show them it’s possible. Act like you’ve been doing this forever. In your soul, you have.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - King of Pentacles

You’ve been building in silence for so long that you forgot the point was to eventually enjoy your creations rather than nit-pick the process. You have the capacity to activate the baseline energy of anything and expand upon it. Generate abundance out of thin air. You must trust in your vision and ability to execute this. You are the blueprint. You don’t need to follow “steps” because they are naturally engrained in you. You must trust that you are more resourceful than you give yourself credit for. But you’re still treating your authority like it’s something you need to perfect in private before you’re allowed to share it publicly. That’s fear disguised as patience. You already have the mastery and are the mastery. You’ve already done the work. You’ve already proven to yourself that you can build something sustainable and real. Your authority doesn't come from being the loudest or the fastest. It comes from being the most grounded, the most embodied, and the one who built something that lasts while everyone else is chasing trends and doubting themselves. Stop waiting for more proof that you’re qualified. You are the proof. Believe that.
Gemini (May 21 - June 20) - The Magician

You’ve been downplaying your gift for so long that you forgot communication is actual sorcery. You have the capacity to take invisible concepts and make them tangible through language, to see connections others miss and articulate them in ways that shift everything. Your mind isn’t scattered; it’s designed to hold multiple truths at once and weave them into something people can actually use. This is your magic. However, you’re still treating your voice like it’s not real leadership because it doesn't look like everyone else’s version of authority or, perhaps, because you think holding that power is too simple and you have to make it complex. You’ve already shown yourself that your words move energy, open doors, and create pathways where none existed. Monitor what comes through you. Your authority doesn’t come from having a singular focus or one definitive message. It comes from your ability to translate between worlds, hold multiple perspectives that benefit you, make the mystical practical, and to speak truth in a way that lands. Your capacity to articulate is the exact form of power this moment requires.
Cancer (May 21 - June 20) - The High Priestess

You’ve been waiting for external confirmation of what you already know in your body, and it’s keeping you stuck between worlds. The High Priestess doesn’t need proof to trust what she feels, and, aside from that, what she knows with conviction. She does’'t need everyone else to validate her vision before she moves on it, because she is Source. You’re being asked to stop translating your intuition into logic so you can believe in yourself and start honoring the knowledge that comes through your body, your inner conviction, and your emotional currents. Your inner sight is more accurate than anyone’s perspective of it and how it works. It will certainly be on overdrive this month, so lean into the intention that you are the primary Source and you need no validation than that of your internal world. You read energy like other people read data. You feel the future before it arrives. You know things you have no logical way of knowing. That’s not something to second-guess or brush off. That’s your access point; that’s your magic. This month is about stepping through the veil you’ve been standing at and claiming what’s on the other side. Stop waiting for permission to honor your own psychic knowledge. The mysteries don't reveal themselves to those who need proof first.
Leo (July 23 - August 22) - Three of Wands

You’ve been standing at the edge of your vision for months, visualizing everything you desire, but now you’re second-guessing whether you’re actually ready for it to arrive — or if it will even arrive. The Three of Wands is the card of expansion that's already in motion. Everything you desire, desires you and is making its way to you right now. You are implementing the moves. You are putting the energy out there. You committed to the bigger version of what you’re building. And now that you’re starting to see the reality catch back at you in increments, you’re trying to shrink yourself back down to fit the old container. That doubt is normal because it’s showing you that you are outgrowing the old version of you. The work is working. You already set this in motion and are in this momentum, but you have to stick to the pose. Your job isn’t to question whether you’re worthy of what’s coming. It’s to expand your capacity to receive it, to be witnessed holding it, to let yourself be seen standing in the fullness of what you called in. Stop making yourself smaller so other people feel comfortable with your growth or so that you can feel comfortable internally. This month is about owning the expansion you’ve already initiated and being courageous enough to step into it. You are proof that bold vision creates bold results. Own it.
Virgo (August 23 - September 22) - 8 of Pentacles

You’ve been perfecting your craft for so long, but is that really necessary? The Eight of Pentacles is mastery through devotion, and you have it. Your passion speaks for itself when you dive into endless research and spend hours fascinated on a topic. But now it’s time to trust what you know and to apply it. Your experience along the way will be the best teacher. You’ve developed a level of skill that most people will never achieve because they’re not willing to do what you’ve done. But you have to trust that you know more than enough at this point and can still tap into your genius to make it unique to you. You are overly qualified, and sometimes you don’t believe that. So let me tell you! Perfectionism is in the trash, and you have the green light to still treat your expertise like it's enough. Not like there's one more thing you need to learn before you're qualified to build something real with it. You already possess the mastery because you are the mastery. Your precision is what makes everything you touch better. Stop using “I'm still learning” as a shield against being seen for what you actually know. This month is about applying your skills in the world instead of hoarding them in private. You are the proof that devotion to craft creates undeniable results. Build something with what you know.
Libra (September 23 - October 22) - 2 of Swords

You’ve been weighing your options for so long that you forgot making no decision is still a decision, and it's costing you everything you say you want. The Two of Swords is the card of deliberate avoidance and negating your intuition. You already know what you need to do; you don’t need a loud sign in the sky in order to take the next steps. But you keep gathering more information, seeking more perspectives, waiting for some permission slip for you to be powerful. Bank on trusting yourself and watch how everything changes. You already hold the clarity even if the next steps might be uncomfortable to take action on. Your intuition knows the answer before your mind finishes analyzing all the variables. Your gift for seeing multiple sides isn’t meant to paralyze you; it’s meant to help you make informed choices and then commit to them without looking back. The more you trust, the faster you travel. Stop treating every decision like it needs to be unanimously approved. You are not a beggar. Validate yourself. This month is about choosing your direction and trusting it enough to move, even if someone disagrees, even if it disrupts the peace, even if you can’t guarantee the outcome. Choose and witness what takes form from that path.
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) - 7 of Swords

Yo’'ve been moving in the shadows for so long that you forgot that you can come into the light for air. You don’t have to consistently work on yourself in order to have what you desire. You might be approaching yourself as a DIY project that is never ending and always has some issue that needs to be “fixed.” The Seven of Swords is the card of strategic solitude, doing the necessary work alone because all transformation starts within. You don’t trust anyone else to handle you with the depth and intensity you bring. And you’re right, for the most part. Most people can’t. But you’re also using that as an excuse to never let anyone see what you’re actually capable of, to never collaborate, to never let your work touch the world in its full power because that would require you to be seen. And you’re also approaching your Spirit like it’s broken, instead of showing yourself grace and accepting the moment as perfect as it is. You are the power you seek. You’ve proven your ability to transform, to alchemize darkness into medicine, to see what others are afraid to look at. Let’s not become addicted to perpetually treating yourself as a project that needs to be worked on. Allow your intensity and shadows to be met and embraced by others who can appreciate them. This month is about trusting that you are good as you are and that what you’ve been building in private is ready to impact beyond your own inner world.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) - Knight of Wands

Your life is about to accelerate in such a profound speed that you will not recognize the old you and the ways you have lived in the past. The Knight of Wands is perpetual motion but with fierce determination: always moving toward the horizon, seeking the next adventure, the next philosophy, and the next level of expansion. And that’s your gift — fast personal development that translates into growth in every area of your life. You don’t wait for things to happen; you feel the shift and the embodiment of what you want internally first and you let the world catch up to your inner transformation. But sometimes you can be impulsive and focused on escaping challenges and problems instead of building a better structure for yourself. You keep telling yourself you need more freedom, more space, and more time before you can commit, but, truthfully, you already have those things. You’re just restless. You might need to recognize your vision and make it bigger so that it can motivate you the right way. You’ve already proven your ability to see possibilities, to inspire movement, and to expand beyond limitations, and now it’s time to commit and build something tangible. Your philosophy is supposed to live in your body, not just your mind. Stop running from the life you’re actually in by romanticizing the one that’s always six months away. You are proof that expansion requires roots. Plant them.
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) - 10 of Pentacles

The empire you’ve been building is as clear as day and taking form in front of your eyes. The Ten of Pentacles is legacy, generational wealth, everything you’ve been grinding toward for years and you have it even if you don’t see it just yet, because the reality lives within you. But you keep moving the goalpost, telling yourself that once you hit the next milestone, then you’ll rest. Then you’ll enjoy it. Then you’ll finally feel successful. You’re punishing yourself as a form of ambition. You already created the foundation and have done the practical and spiritual work as well. You’ve already proven that your discipline, your strategy, and your willingness to play the long game when everyone else quit, that created something real. Your work ethic isn’t the problem. Your refusal to let yourself enjoy what you’ve earned is. Step into a new level of ease and receivership. Yes, you may have mastered this, but you can always expand upon it. You have always been faster than the 3D realm, always creating from the end result and letting the world catch up with your genius. Now allow yourself to rest so you can receive additional support for your next missions and expand even further in opulence, wealth, and luxury. Be present for the blessings you’ve already established for yourself and your ancestors.
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) - 7 of Cups

The Seven of Cups can represent infinite possibility — every future timeline laid out in front of you and every version of what could be if you just had the right conditions, the right team, and the right moment. And you can see all of these timelines. That is one of your spiritual gifts. But you’re forgetting that embodiment is what makes these timelines present. And you can get lost in the art of drifting into alternative realities versus bringing them into the present and into your body, without needing 3D proof or validation. You are not committing to one path, perhaps because you haven’t decided on what you want. But this is so, so important. The perfect path reveals itself once you decide that you’re always walking on it. You can’t get it wrong; you’re always in alignment. You don’t need to look for the blueprint or permission to take steps because you are the blueprint, and it unlocks with you giving yourself permission and taking action now. You can see what's possible before anyone else does, imagine systems that don't exist yet, and think beyond what’s been done. But how are you going to make this practical? Lead by example. Show others that they can envision a new reality for themselves, by actually seeing it and living it. Your ideas take form once you move. Choose one cup and drink from it fully. Revolution happens in reality, not in theory. Ground it.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20) - 9 of Cups

The Nine of Cups is fulfillment, the watery emotional kind where you know that you are everything and everything flows from you, even if you can’t see it in the 3D yet. Whatever you have been dreaming about or desiring, is available to you right now. But there’s a fine line between dwelling in the waters excessively and coming up for air, onto land and building it. Take this sensual energy you are in and intend for things to be easeful, pleasurable, and joyful. Intend for the aligned resources to come to you and for you to be supported in every way. And open yourself to receive these things. Dwelling too much in fantasy, however, will bring you the opposite of your desires. You’ve already proven that your sensitivity, your ability to dream, and your connection to what’s unseen are all superpowers. They’re how you create. But creation requires you to come down from the ethers and actually live in your body, in this life, with what you’ve conjured. Stop treating embodiment like it’s less sacred than transcendence. This month is about letting yourself have what you’ve been praying for and staying present enough to feel it.

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From the moment I started working, bilingualism was a core part of every job I’ve had. At 14, I worked at a day care helping Spanish-spe...

From the moment I started working, bilingualism was a core part of every job I’ve had. At 14, I worked at a day care helping Spanish-speaking kids learn numbers and letters in English, while communicating with coworkers who only spoke Spanish. Later, in teenage lifeguarding jobs, I translated for community members because it was expected in the largely Spanish-speaking neighborhood I grew up in. At the time, I thought of it as coming with the territory. Not something I should be paid for, just a skill I was lucky to use to help others.

School, however, framed language differently. Teachers often preached, “learn more languages, and you’ll make more money.” Spanish, Italian, French, Mandarin, whatever came next. Bilingualism was sold as a direct ticket to opportunity. But while my Spanish-speaking skills have consistently benefited my workplaces, it has never translated into higher pay for me.

The fact of the matter is, speaking more than one language is a blessing that opens up new worlds. And some companies do understand that. According to Preply, nearly half of the companies in the U.S. Fortune 100 advertised jobs that require bilingual or multilingual skills in 2025. Even more, a study from FluentCap from 2019 found that about 90 % of U.S. companies rely on employees who speak another language besides English. And some people are getting paid for this language proficiency. Some estimates suggest bilingual workers can earn anywhere from 5% to 20% more than their monolingual peers. But when it comes to fairly compensating Latinas — many of whom speak Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole as a first language — for those same door-opening abilities, the promise often falls short.

“While my Spanish-speaking skills have consistently benefited my workplaces, it has never translated into higher pay for me.”

NATASHA LÓPEZ

Sarah*, 29, who works in nonprofit legal aid-adjacent work in New York, describes it bluntly: “I think there is ultimately a difference. My dominant language is Spanish. I’ve been the default person before because there was an awareness that I was a bit more comfortable and flexible with translation work. And now, if I ever leave this role, it’ll just be expected of the next person to be bilingual, with no bonus or special recognition.”

When asked if she was ever compensated for it, she says, “Technically yes, but it’s one thing to be compensated differently, and another to actually be compensated properly for the amount of work that is added on when you’re bilingual.” For Sarah, being bilingual added hundreds of hours of client-facing work, ad hoc translation, and emotional labor, but the salary bump amounted to only about $1,000 more than a non-Spanish-speaking colleague. 

The numbers back up her experience. Based on the U.S. Census, Latinas earn roughly 58 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men, even before considering bilingual labor. Even among college-educated workers, Latinas can still earn 31% less than white men with the same education, and over a lifetime, these pay gaps translate to losses of more than $1 million in earnings. Being bilingual, it seems, does little to close the Latina pay gap if the added labor is expected of your identity but not formally recognized.

“Being bilingual, it seems, does little to close the Latina pay gap if the added labor is expected of your identity but not formally recognized.”

NATASHA LÓPEZ

While bilingual workers are often told their skills come with financial benefits, those gains aren’t distributed evenly. Language premiums are more likely to appear in higher-paying, white-dominated industries or when the language itself is considered “specialized.” Meanwhile, Latinas are overrepresented in lower-paying fields like nonprofit and public sector work. Even more, Spanish is often treated as a baseline expectation for Latine workers rather than a professional skill. While white workers are often rewarded for acquiring a second language, Latinas are expected to already have it. The result is a gap where bilingualism adds value to organizations, but not to the Latina workers themselves. 

Camila, 27, a public health worker in county government, tells a similar story. Her job requires translating documents, running community health events, and providing education, often in Spanish. “I am the default translator for my team,” she explains. “They equate it to Google Translate. I have to step away from my own work to translate for others. It benefits the organization more than it benefits me. I’m one of the people who gets paid the least on my team, even though I fill in gaps for higher-paid positions.” Like Sarah, she was hired because of Spanish fluency, except there was no extra pay. “When I was hired, it was discussed as something they were looking for, not something that was going to be compensated higher.”

The pattern holds across industries. Camila, 36, a product designer in tech who grew up in Colombia, speaks Spanish, English, Hebrew, and French. She’s used her multilingual skills to open markets in Latin America and navigate multicultural workplaces, including at the United Nations. “I’ve never been compensated differently because I speak languages,” she says. “People are impressed, but it’s never meant any monetary addition.” 

“Whenever it’s someone who isn’t Latino, it’s considered a professional skill. But if you come from a culture where that language is spoken, it’s just assumed you should’ve been there in the first place.”

Sarah

It’s hard to imagine that the devaluing of Latina bilingualism isn’t directly connected to racism or xenophobia. Accents, cultural fluency, and language from Latin America are still treated as lesser, while the same skills in white or U.S.-born speakers are rewarded. In practice, that means the same skill can be rewarded, ignored, or expected depending on who is speaking and where they’re speaking it. Sarah notes, “Whenever it’s someone who isn’t Latino, it’s considered a professional skill. But if you come from a culture where that language is spoken, it’s just assumed you should’ve been there in the first place.” 

While Latinas — who often occupy the roles that require bilingual skills the most, from client-facing work to translating documents to bridging cultural gaps — rarely see that labor reflected in their salary or promotions, the benefits flow overwhelmingly to organizations: broader client bases, stronger community trust, expanded markets, and increased funding opportunities. Meanwhile, the workers themselves absorb the emotional impacts, added responsibilities, and time.

What would fair compensation look like? Camila, 27, suggests a clear path: “Putting in a differential for bilingual pay would make it equal for everyone who has a second language. It would set a standard so that everyone coming into a company with that skill can be compensated properly.” Sarah adds that formal recognition, even tagging bilingual skills onto job titles, would prevent the expectation that bilingual work is just part of the baseline.

“Bilingualism pays, just not for us.”

NATASHA LÓPEZ

Being bilingual has opened doors for many Latinas, but it has also opened a conversation about what is truly valued in the workplace. It’s not enough to teach students in school that speaking multiple languages will make them more marketable. Without structural change, workplace recognition, and equitable pay, bilingual Latinas continue to face a system that profits from their labor and skillset far more than they do. And until that changes, speaking more than one language remains a skill that society expects for free. 

If bilingualism is truly valuable, then it needs to be valued consistently, not just when it benefits employers, but when it comes time to pay the workers who make that access possible. Because right now, bilingualism pays, just not for us.

Only first names are used in this story to protect the identities of sources.

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On a breezy week in March, I had the opportunity to touch down in Georgia for the Crown Royal x Realtree Kickback Experience to celebrate...

On a breezy week in March, I had the opportunity to touch down in Georgia for the Crown Royal x Realtree Kickback Experience to celebrate a new collaboration that truthfully may not have stood out from my inbox… until finding out that Love Island alumna and The Traitors winner Rob Rausch was the face of it!

Yes, the snake-wrangling, denim overall-wearing, reality TV heartthrob that the internet is obsessed with is the face of the camouflage and whiskey brands’ new capsule collection. “A perfect fit,” Rausch says to me. Even more kismet, Crown Royal and Realtree tapped Rausch before knowing the outcome of season four of The Traitors. His laidback nature and outdoor lifestyle were simply a match for the brands, which both value heritage, connection, and kicking back.

Like Rausch (and his recent endeavors with MAC Cosmetics, DoorDash, Quinn, Celsius, Sonic, and more), clothing and gear brand Realtree is no stranger to notable collaborations, adding its iconic camouflage prints to the likes of Nike, Supreme, and even Skims (modeled by Post Malone) throughout the years.

“When we looked at what Crown Royal has built around their brand – the tradition and the heritage — it was clear this wasn’t just a run-of-the-mill brand collab,” said Tyler Jordan, VP of strategic partnerships at Realtree in a press release.

Meanwhile, this is Crown Royal’s first time creating a co-branded Crown Royal Fine Deluxe whiskey bottle pouch design (which I’ve since learned are deemed collectibles).

“We always hear stories about what people do with their Crown Royal bags. For our first nationally distributed collaboration, it was important that we made something with the right partners that would be cool and collectible,” said Hadley Schafer, vice president at alcohol leader Diageo. “The result is a collection that reflects not only style, but also our shared appreciation for craftsmanship, time spent outdoors, and, of course, generosity.”

In addition to the Crown Royal bag, the capsule collection includes a Crown Royal x Realtree T-shirt, hoodie, baseball cap, and 45-quart cooler. Crown Royal will also be donating at least $20,000 to the Purple Hearts Foundation tied to this collection.

And Rausch, while extremely humble — he was shocked that the likes of Olympian Alysa Liu and actor Daniel Radcliffe have introduced themselves since his Traitors fame — seemed happy to talk about the collab and to actually kick back (and escape from his press cycle) at Realtree Farms in Georgia.

“Crown Royal is something I always tend to go to when I’m back at home, chilling with friends. Crown Royal lemonade,” Rausch told me. “Realtree being part of it is massive. And I love everything they’re about — being outdoors with wildlife is what it’s all about. What more do you need?”

On a sunny day full of cornhole, fishing, tractor rides, campfires, Traitors talk, and an impromptu game of mafia (basically Traitors, which Rausch, as the gamer he is, prompted us to play), we celebrated and tested the new camo styles and whiskey cocktails.

Rausch specifically called out Crown Royal lemonades as one of his favorite concoctions to drink. (And in case you’re wondering, he prefers his drinks neat, in red solo cups.) He also shared that he was excited to hand deliver the new coolers to his friends and family, and that he’s most likely to wear the new camo hat to go snake wrangling.

When describing his ideal kickback, Rausch says: “One of the ways I like to relax — I love playing poker with friends back home. Pour myself a little Crown Royal and lemonade. Have a good time with the boys. And being home on the farm at the creek by myself. That’s when I feel most like myself.”

In a press release, Rausch also added: “This partnership brings together the things I care about most, like being in nature, spending time with my people and enjoying great whisky. I’ve always been into camo, and everything in the collection fits both how I live and my personal style.”

And by the end of the kickback experience, I truly couldn’t think of a more perfect or down-to-earth celebrity to represent Crown Royal and Realtree.

Rausch says he wants to spend time back home in Alabama, settle down, and seemingly doesn’t want a chaotic celebrity lifestyle. He even explains that he probably wouldn’t join an all-stars version of The Traitors because he already has a “perfect record” and that, regarding the fan theories that he’ll join the next season of Dancing With The Stars, he doesn’t think he’d do it: “But never say never, you know?”

Shop the full Crown Royal x Realtree collaboration

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I never need an excuse to visit the salon for a fresh manicure , but if you’re looking for one, then the upcoming Easter weekend is as go...

I never need an excuse to visit the salon for a fresh manicure, but if you’re looking for one, then the upcoming Easter weekend is as good as any. Perfectly aligned with the arrival of spring, I’ve been saving colorful French tips, minimalist florals, and playful scrapbook designs. They’re fresh and undeniably cute, but without overloading on pastels or kitsch Easter bunnies.

Ahead, find 12 nail designs that prove that Easter manicures can be sophisticated and fun.

Baby Blooms

If you like your nail art subtle, then digital creator Mateja Novakovic’s baby blue micro floral set will certainly appeal to you. The vibrant pastel shades are perfect for spring.

Chocolate Cherry

Dark colors can work for spring, too, and this chocolate-cherry shade makes a sweet option for Easter. I love how nail artist Daisy Marsden contrasts the bold color-block nails with subtle French tips and floral nail art.

Daisy Chain

Nail artist Heather Errington’s painterly florals are beautiful enough in their own right, but the gold leaf detailing at the heart of each bloom adds an extra special touch. (And it reminds me of an Easter egg wrapper!)

Pastel French

Minimalists will adore this fresh take on a classic French manicure created by manicurist Lois Samantha. You can use any color combination, but this milky base with sky-blue tips is so dreamy.

Spring Scrapbook

If you want something that’s guaranteed to turn heads over the bank holiday, then take inspiration from manicurist Olivia Muyskens’ (aka @nailstolivin) spring scrapbook set. It’s a floral fever dream — in the best way.

Stained Glass Florals

I’m in awe of this stained glass set created by nail artist Samantha (aka @samrosenails), which feels suitably celebratory for the Easter weekend.

Mini Eggs

Forgive me, but this list wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the best Easter treat in existence — the humble mini egg. Nail artist Kate (aka @kessernails) pairs soft pastels with monochromatic speckles for the perfect homage.

Rainbow Ribbons

Bows were everywhere for Christmas last year, but nail tech Ashlyn Zentner (aka @nailsbyashlyn_) proves they can work for every occasion by updating the color palette accordingly. This rainbow set is so joyful.

Mix & Match

Can’t decide on one design? Make like nail artist Phoebe Cascarina and go for five instead. Stick with a couple of key colors (I love this white and egg yolk-orange combination) and have fun experimenting.

Butter Yellow

Set to be one of the most popular nail colors for spring, butter yellow makes an excellent choice for a sophisticated Easter manicure. Nail artist Stacey Machin uses the shade on the tips of the nails to create some dainty tulip detailing.

Floral Shine

Nail artist Anna (aka @melanated.mani) uses a bright white base and a sparkling floral top coat for a fresh and modern take on the pixie dust manicure that we’ve been seeing everywhere.

Spots & Stripes

In my opinion, a great Easter manicure should have all the variety of an incredible box of chocolates — and that’s exactly what this vibrant set from nail artist Tamami Page provides. 

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