I never realized how much I hold my breath. Even now, typing this, I’m doing it. But now I have something that helps snap me out of it: an alarm on my phone — three deep breaths, one time a day — to remind me to breathe. It came home with me from Velocity Black‘s Rituals of Renewal, a three-day wellness retreat at Montage Healdsburg. I learned this trick from one of the special guest, Jhenè Aiko. I was invited on this retreat, and the main reason I went is because my therapist had told me, more than once, that I needed to actually rest.

My wish for this trip:

Thanks to being an overachiever since birth, I have struggled with chronic stress for years. It has impacted my sleep, mental health, and weight. I wanted to use this trip to leave my stress behind. I never really take vacations, especially those where I am expected to just chill. Which is very odd since I am a Taurus. My wish is to actually relax, practice mindfulness, and be open to new experiences.

What I packed:

I always teeter between overpacking and packing exactly what I need. Somehow, on this trip, I did both. I managed to pack too many dinner outfits and not enough jackets.

My fave top from Kai Collective. The packing list said we would attend some very nice dinners, so I wanted to give quirky elegance. I even planned my Nuuly delivery around this trip.

Glowscreen Sunscreen. The packing list also noted to bring sunscreen. I use Supergoop Glowscreen as foundation when I want minimal makeup.

Some very soft Uniqlo socks. As a Taurus and I will pick coziness over everything.

A Therabody sleep mask. Velocity Black sent us this sleep mask about 2 weeks before the trip to prepare us for supreme relaxation.

Day 1

A private car was waiting at the airport, snacks already loaded, to drive us to Montage Healdsburg. The Velocity Black team met us once we pulled up. We got to know each other over lunch.

Welcome check-in came with a tea I made sure to ask the recipe of as I grabbed a second cup. In case you were wondering: Earl Grey, cloves, elderberry syrup, agave, and herbs. Topped with an orange slice. They had a tarot card reader named Jem, who told me to be on the lookout for fire-filled motivation in my creative endeavors. I pulled the bat card from the animal tarot, which signifies breaking through darkness. I’ll take it.

The hotel sits on a hill so steep we got around in golf carts. My room had a giant bed and a giant tub I couldn’t wait to use.

After dinner, where I met some Velocity Black members and the rest of the press group, we headed to a sound bath led by Jhené. I’ve lived in LA for eight years and never been to one. The bowls and the rain machine settled me. A clean close to the travel day. When I got to my room, I found Alo’s Magnesium spray on my pillow. Relaxation wish, granted.

Day 2

We started with a workout from Kirsty Godso on a deck overlooking the property. She led us in the ab workouts she does with Hailey Bieber and a glute workout she called the “at-home BBL.” My glutes still hurt just thinking about it.

After the workout that will haunt my dreams, I ate an omelet overlooking the mountains and the vineyard on the property. Then a fireside chat with the experts: Dr. Jonathan Leary, Kirsty Godso, Mona Sharma, Jhené, and Velocity Black executive Greg Piddington. Here is where I confess that my level of woo woo is about a 7, and I was expecting the experts’ level to be at 100. I was wrong — it was a grounded conversation about wellness and longevity. Jhené Aiko talked about setting three alarms a day — one to take three deep breaths, one to name something she’s grateful for, one to thank God.

We took a field trip to Skipstone Ranch for lunch. Olive oil tasting, honey tasting from Sonoma Bee Company, and an owl I got to hang out with. The lunch overlooked a vineyard that had to be the inspiration for the Windows 97 screensaver.

When we got back to the resort, I had to prepare for my 1:1 interview with Jhené Aiko. We chatted about both being vitamin girlies and why whimsy is so important. More gifts: olive oil from Skipstone Ranch, Made Of protein powder from Kirsty Godso. After a sunset dinner with Jhené Aiko, I finally got into the tub. After a much-needed soak, I started reflecting on my day and how the theme of being mindful was subtly threaded through the day. From the tips the experts gave about wellness to the simple act of tasting olive oil. Wow. Mindfulness wish, granted.

Day 3

We started with another workout, this time led by Dr. Justin McDaniel from Remedy Place — the social wellness club Dr. Leary founded with cold plunges, IV drips, and the like. This is where the trouble started. I have a habit of making many friends and talking a lot. So after some light bullying from my new friends, looking at you, Dr. Leary, I found the courage to do the 6-minute ice plunge that Remedy Place set up for us. I’ve done a cold plunge before — I live in LA — but 6 whole minutes?! I was scared. The Remedy Place team coached us through it.

I faced my fear of freezing cold water and lasted the full 6 minutes in the ice bath. I even dunked under to finish it off! I felt invigorated and proud of myself. My fellow press girlies cheered me on. I cheered them when their turn came. We all felt like superheroes: soft monogrammed robes, our initials stitched in.

Remedy Place set up a mini Remedy Place at the resort for us to try. Naturally, I tried everything they had. I even got my first adjustment done by Dr. Justin. Plus hand-and-foot massages at the Montage’s spa.

Before dinner, we did a Tea Ceremony led by Jennifer Ndidi Ilonzeh and Jhené. We learned to make tea slowly — how to brew it, smell it, taste it. Fun fact: both nylon and biodegradable tea bags contain plastic. So, when we heat that water, we heat up microplastics and ingest them with our tea. Wild, right? Jennifer sent us home with her tea, and Jhené sent us home with lotion from her body care line. So many things to carry home: Away bags showed up to ship them home for us.

We ended our day with an experiential dinner at Chef Douglas Keane’s Michelin star restaurant, Cyrus. An experiential dinner means we got to go into the kitchen as the chefs prepared our meals. My favorites were the lobster with savory lemon curd and a hot mushroom broth that warmed me down to my toes. There was also a bread kitchen! All of this was before the multi-course dinner that ended with a chocolate experience, where I made a wish in the chocolate fountain.

I’m not sharing my wish — that’s bad luck. But let’s just say between that and my tarot, I am looking forward to what the universe has in store for me. Honestly, after this long day of trying new things and being ready for what is ahead after making my wish, my openness wish? Granted.

I didn’t expect to build community, but I did. As Dr. Leary mentioned, “human connection is very important for longevity. Being healthy does not mean being isolated.”

What to know before you go:

If you’re going to Sonoma, fly into Santa Rosa Airport. It’s small — only serves a couple of airlines — but it’s 20 minutes from Healdsburg. SFO is at least a two-hour drive. Save yourself the car ride.

Velocity Black is a digital concierge service and app and the membership runs about $3K per year, with more retreats like this one on the way.

Sonoma is dry. Bring deep-moisturizing lotions and ask the hotel for a humidifier. I woke up most days feeling very dry.

I boarded my flight home more relaxed than I’ve ever been after a trip. Who knew I could experience a real relaxing vacation? Not me.

Oh, and three deep breaths, once a day? Highly recommend.

Dawnie Jefferson is the Production & Editorial Coordinator at Refinery29. She dabbles in creating content for R29 Entertainment and Unbothered. On her days off she can be found puppeteering in LA.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

from Refinery29 https://ift.tt/xSUaKjE
via IFTTT

Eyekons, during a top-secret, intimate fan Q&A in Sydney, Australia, KATSEYE gave away clues for their next era! They talked about doing their own version of Spice World, but KATSEYE World, obviously.

Below are some highlights from the Q&A session with KATSEYE members Sophia Laforteza, Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung.

Interviewer: How did you each find out about the KATSEYE auditions?

Sophia: Well, it all started because I became a huge fan of BTS. And then I was pretty much subscribed to their YouTube channel, and I saw the audition there… I basically auditioned for the first announcement of this project, which was really cool.

Megan: I actually don’t think I’ve ever said this, but I was training under another company, and I knew someone who worked there, and I got scouted to come onto this project.

Daniela: I don’t think I’ve ever said this either, but my mum gets a lot of emails for auditions, and she never looks at them, like ever. But she just had an inkling, like a gut feeling, and she was like, ‘I’m just gonna look at this one’. This is a true story, I swear. And she clicked it, and she was like, ‘Why don’t you just go audition?’ and I was like, okay! And now I’m living my dream.

Lara: Hybe and Geffen DM’d me. I think they found one of my singing covers that I had posted… and it was a really sketchy DM, and I was like, I’m definitely getting scammed right now. But, it’s not a scam. So now I’m here.

Yoonchae: I was in the singing academy for my high school. One of the teachers filmed me, and she kind of sent it to some companies, and one of them was Hybe and Geffen, and they called me.

You were picked from over 120,000 applicants. Did you learn anything from the process?

Megan: With all the evaluations we had to go through with the whole training process, I think there were a bunch of times where we would get stuck in our own heads, and we would kind of be too perfectionistic. So I think letting go of things that are just not that deep… really, really helped me just not overthink it, and just be the artist that you were born to be.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Refinery29 Australia (@refinery29au)

What’s the secret to success as a girl group?

Lara: Communication. You have to talk and be so honest. Even if there’s a little thing that doesn’t seem relevant, we still bring it up to each other. And we talk about everything, because that way, nobody holds any grudges, nothing is left unsaid. We really make an effort to have tough conversations with each other… and also hanging out outside work is huge.

What does your family think of your success?

Daniela: They’re so proud of us. Like so, so proud of us. My mum especially, she loves the attention and she’ll use it. I’m like mum, chill.

Lara: They love the internet. They’re just playing on the internet. But we’re so grateful, our parents are so amazing.

Communication. You have to talk and be so honest. Even if there’s a little thing that doesn’t seem relevant, we still bring it up to each other.

katseye’s Lara on the secret to success as a Girl group

Megan: My mom is like, begging me to introduce her to BTS, and I’m like, I wanna meet BTS.

Sophia: My dad too, he loves BTS! He loves LE SSERAFIM.

Were there any dance moves that were hard to nail?

Megan: Gnarly, it’s the dance break, it winds me every single time. Also because by the time we do it, it’s the end of our set, so we’ve already done so much choreo before that. By the time that Gnarly comes, I’m trying to catch my breath. But I think we’ve done it enough, now our stamina is built and we kind of know what it is now. But when we first learnt it we were like oh my god, we’re dying.

Who are your dream collaborators?

Sophia: Ariana Grande. I’m never gonna stop saying it until it happens.

Lara: Ariana, definitely. Petal, are you guys excited for Petal?

You’ve just announced your new EP, what was on the moodboard?

Sophia: I’d say we wanted to get a little more authentic. And by authentic, I mean a little more raw with our personalities and the way we present ourselves. We wanted to be a bit messier, and everything doesn’t have to be too polished. I think that was the whole point of Pinky Up; it’s very posh, but we wanted to add a modern and relaxed twist to it, mess it up a little bit. That’s the direction we’re headed in.

Is there a song you’re most excited for Eyekons to hear?

Sophia: It’s a secret.

Megan: You almost got us!

Lara: It’s like something you’ve been asking for.

What are your career dreams?

Daniela: A world tour, maybe Australia? We love Australia.

Sophia: We heard you guys have a really big arena somewhere…

We wanted to get a little more authentic… be a bit messier.

Sophia on katseye’s next ep

Lara: Obviously, like an album. Winning a Grammy!

Sophia: We want to headline Coachella. Headline Lollapalooza. Headline everything.

Megan: Also, go to the Met Gala!

@refinery29au But they make it look so easy 😅 #gnarly #katseye #dance ♬ original sound – Refinery29 Australia

In the future, will we ever see KATSEYE dip outside of music? Are there other careers you want to try?

Megan: Oh my god, so many. I think one for me is being like a fashion designer. It’s one of my passions. And I got to design some merch for The Beautiful Chaos tour, so if and when we go on tour again, I’ll be able to design some pieces again.

Daniela: I used to act when I was little. I was in like three furniture store commercials. I’d love to star in a movie or series. I’m not tall enough, but modelling would be great.

Lara: I would love to do fashion and my own jewellery line. I really want to do some sort of activism or something like that for my people. That would be so cool.

Sophia: I want to do musical theatre. I’m gonna do it, just give me time. I’m gonna do KATSEYE first.

Yoonchae: I would like to do acting.

Sophia: I wanna do a KATSEYE movie, you know like the Spice Girls Spice World? Have a story but still play ourselves. Write that down. This is a start of an idea.

This interview has been condensed for clarity.

This article was originally published on Refinery29 Australia.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Threads Launches Live Chats with Katseye

Katseye Are Coming To Australia

Katseye's Makeup Hacks & Go-To Glossier Picks

from Refinery29 https://ift.tt/CL4cowm
via IFTTT

Amazon Prime Video has done the unthinkable and is expanding the Elle Woods universe. The first teaser trailer for Elle, the prequel to Legally Blonde, has finally landed — but it actually looks good. Stepping back into the pink world of Elle is both trepidatious and thrilling, because so many of us hold the original films dear to our hearts. Produced by the OG Elle, Reese Witherspoon, there’s nobody else we trust more with this IP. Introducing Lexi Minetree as a younger Elle Woods, fans can expect a fleshed-out backstory of how she turns into the fierce, unapologetic character in Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2.

Below, we’ve rounded up everything we know about the Legally Blonde prequel Elle, from the release date, trailer, cast, plot details and more. We can’t wait to be reunited with our favorite Gemini vegetarian!

When will the Legally Blonde prequel Elle be released?

Elle will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on July 1, 2026. This date is also the 25th anniversary of Legally Blonde, which is absolutely wild.

What is the plot of Elle?

The Legally Blonde prequel series Elle follows a teenage Elle Woods as she navigates high school and the issues she faces in 1995. The trailer gives us more details about the plot, and it looks like Elle is another fish-out-of-water story, similar to Legally Blonde.

When Elle’s father accepts a job in Seattle, the Woods family have to move there for two years, leaving Elle devastated. The new school seems a lot less pink, is filled with skater boys and barely any blondes, so Elle is sure to stand out. And of course, Bruiser is there every step of the day.

“Before she became the most famous Gemini vegetarian to graduate from Harvard Law, she was just a regular ’90s high school girl. And all of you are going to get to know her,” Reese Witherspoon wrote on Instagram.

Who is in the cast of Elle?

Lexi Minetree plays Elle Woods, and her parents are played by June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott. Other main cast members include Chandler Kinney (Kimberly), Jacob Moskovitz (Miles), Gabrielle Policano (Liz) and Zac Looker (Dustin).

Recurring cast includes Jessica Belkin (Madison), Logan Shroyer (Josh), Amy Pietz (Donna), Lisa Yamada (Amber), Chloe Wepper (Ms Burke), David Burtka (Chad), Kayla Maisonet (Tiffany) and James Van Der Beek (Dean Wilson).

What has Reese Witherspoon said about Elle?

When Witherspoon was casting for Elle, she told The Hollywood Reporter that Netflix’s Wednesday was her inspiration. “I saw that Wednesday Addams show and I was like, ‘Oh, she was in high school.’ I loved it. I watched every episode. I thought it was amazing,” the actor said. “And I was like, ‘We should do Elle Woods in high school because I wanted to see who she was before college, before law school. And I started having all these ideas and these amazing writers came up with a great pitch and now Amazon is making the show and it’s called Elle.”

The show is being made under Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine.

Is there a trailer for Elle?

Yes, and you can watch it below. Minetree certainly seems like a star on the rise, and we think she will captivate us with her version of Elle Woods.

What are Elle Woods’ most famous and iconic quotes?

While we wait for Elle to be released, here are some of Elle Woods’ most famous quotes. Perhaps we’ll see some iterations of them in the series?

“I’m Elle Woods and this is Bruiser Woods and we’re both Gemini vegetarians.”

“Whoever said orange is the new pink was seriously disturbed.”

“I feel comfortable using legal jargon in everyday life. [Whistle] I object!”

“Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.”

“When used appropriately, it has an 83% rate of return on a dinner invitation. It’s called the bend and snap.”

“What? Like it’s hard?”

“If I’m gonna be partner in a law firm by the time I’m 30, I’m going to need a boyfriend who’s not such a complete bonehead.”

“I’ll show you how valuable Elle Woods can be.”

“I once had to judge a tighty-whitey contest for Lambda Kappa Pi. Trust me, I can handle anything.”

As more information about Elle gets released, we will continue to update this article.

Elle will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video on July 1, 2026.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Holland Taylor’s Class Is Now In Session

The Female Rom Com Characters We Love Most

Everything We Know About Off Campus

from Refinery29 https://ift.tt/NcU0SfA
via IFTTT

If she sells seashells on the seashore, Instagram’s nail artists are keen collectors because my feed is awash with hyper-realistic scallop shell designs just in time for summer.

It makes sense. Shells feel like a natural continuation of last year’s coastal obsession with sardines (who could forget sardine girl summer?) and oyster-pearl nail polishes. It’s kitsch in the best way, and manicurists from LA to London are firmly in agreement.  

What are seashell nails and how do you achieve them? 

If Instagram is anything to go by, the shell of choice for nails is the humble scallop — though the designs are anything but basic. Take Kalala’s viral set by Mani Concept, which pairs a milky base with brown ridges to mimic the natural nuances of a real shell, finished with soft white contours for shape and a pearl-like gem at the cuticle for good measure.  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Annabel Maginnis (@nails_by_annabel_m)

Nail artists like Annabel Maginnis are going even further with 3D gels, creating raised contours reminiscent of a scallop shell, and when layered over neutral ridges, they’re unmistakably beachy. 

Natalia Mercedes, a nail artist and founder of Sad Girl Nails Studio in New York City, is especially a fan of this maritime-inspired design. “The sculptural effect comes from using a high-viscosity clear gel, which allows the artist to build dimension without the product flattening out,” she says. “I layer the gel strategically to mimic the natural ridges and curves you’d see on a real seashell, curing between layers to maintain that elevated, 3D structure.” Mercedes calls the technique architectural and organic. “It’s why the finished look feels so luxe.” 

Then there’s getting the natural color scheme right. Mercedes starts with a neutral or milky base, then layers soft brown tones and white highlights. “The diffused seashell effect underneath is typically created using blooming gel,” explains Mercedes. “This helps disperse the pigment in an organic way, which gives the design that soft, underwater-inspired movement before the clear sculptural gel is layered on top.” It lends a naturally blended, almost airbrushed finish, adds Mercedes.

How long do seashell nails take? 

Mercedes says that for an experienced nail artist, the art itself usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes per set. “This depends on how intricate the sculptural details are,” she adds. While it might take a little longer than most designs, it’s worth it. “One reason clients love this look is that it grows out beautifully, especially when paired with nude or neutral base tones,” says Mercedes. “The softer color palette keeps the regrowth subtle and intentional-looking for longer.” 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kalala (@kalalastrzelbicka)

The best shell nail designs for spring and summer 2026 

Ahead, find our roundup of the cutest shell-inspired manicures, whatever your nail shape. 

Seashell Frenchies

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Glitterbels (@glitterbels)

These long almond nails posted to Instagram by @glitterbells offer more surface area to play with shell-like ribs, but the design works just as beautifully as a French tip, offset with 3D clear gel contours. 

Kaleidoscope Seashells

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Emilie Leopard | Nail Artist (@emsnails_)

These prismatic nails by nail artist Emilie Leopard are reminiscent of the holographic rainbow sheen found inside seashells. We love that the ridges are painted on an angle for an imperfectly sculpted look, as though the shell has been eroded by the waves. 

Iridescent Seashells

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jules 🌸 Yorkville Nail Tech 🤍 (@nailsbyjuless.s)

Nail technician Jules has mixed and matched chrome powder and pearly gel pigments to create this dreamy set, which features 3D French tips, not to mention tiny gilt shells and starfish. Truly stunning. 

Short Seashells

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vanity Projects (@vanityprojects)

Vanity Projects proves that even intricate seashell designs can work on shorter nails. If you’re not keen on 3D gel, ask your nail artist for thin white stripes to create the shell’s contours for a more realistic feel. 

Subtle Seashells

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Beautifino (@beautifino)

You don’t have to opt for a full-on seashell set. Make like Beautifino on Instagram and layer 3D gel over a neutral chrome base for that oceanic feel. The teeny tiny pearls and gem accents are the cherry on top. 

3D Seashells

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Laurel \\ Style, Nails, Lifestyle (@bylaurelchloedarlene)

The large 3D gel stripes over the white grooves make this seashell set — dreamed up by Laurel on Instagram — look as though it’s fresh out of the ocean.  

Oyster Seashells

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by bri 🌿 | nail tech • miramar fl (@nailtherapybybri)

The silver chrome on this set by nail artist Bri is akin to the inside of a pearly oyster shell. We love that you can see the free edge of the nail through the polish, giving it a more natural, gauzy finish. 

Pearly Seashells

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Annabel Maginnis (@nails_by_annabel_m)

Annabel Maginnis perfectly captures the nuances of a shell’s grooves by alternating white, taupe, and darker brown stripes, finished with clear 3D lines and a pretty pearl. 

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Chrome Croc Nails Are Spring’s Coolest Manicure

Everything You Need To Know About BIAB Nails

Optical-Illusion French Tips Are Spring Nail Hit

from Refinery29 https://ift.tt/hzMLGg4
via IFTTT

A few years ago, I experienced a period unlike any before it. Heavy, sharp aches pierced through my lower abdomen. The pain was so severe that I feared something was going terribly wrong inside of me. I was paranoid, convincing myself that my appendix had somehow bursted. As someone who has needed life-saving surgery in the past, I didn’t want to risk it. So I made the decision to go to the emergency room. A few hours later, I was diagnosed with ovarian cysts. Since then, I’ve never gone back for a follow-up, and I’ve never made another trip to that hospital, even when that agonizing pain returns. I can’t afford to. That visit to an emergency room in New Jersey to rule out that I was dying cost me $2,800. Meanwhile, that surgery that saved my life in Colombia cost just $12, the price for a tube my doctor had to order from another hospital.

Since then, I’ve chosen to do all my medical tests and appointments in Colombia, where my father was born. This year alone, I’ve gone there for dental care, routine checkups, and gynecological visits. Part of the reason I can even make this choice is because I have family there, a place to stay, and people I trust who can help me navigate the country’s healthcare system. But a bigger part is, simply, because even with the cost of flying to South America, medical care there is just more affordable for me.

“I’ve chosen to do all my medical tests and appointments in Colombia, where my father was born.”

natasha lópez

About 17% of immigrants in the U.S. receive medical care abroad, often returning to their home country for routine check-ups and necessary procedures. And Latines, specifically, are the most likely to take a trip back home for care. It makes sense. Latines are the most uninsured racial or ethnic group in the U.S., with a 2024 CDC report finding that Latine adults are roughly 2-to-3 times more likely to be uninsured than non-Latine white adults.

But I’ve learned recently that it’s not just us. A few weeks ago, while I was on vacation in the Dominican Republic, driving to my hotel, I saw a billboard that made me purse my lips and raise my eyebrows: “World-class medical care for U.S. veterans.” While I knew countless Latine friends and relatives who traveled to their homelands, or their parents’ origin countries, for medical attention, it didn’t occur to me that other Americans, including those without ties to Latin America or the Caribbean, and even those who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the U.S., would have to leave their home for medical care, too.

“I think about how many of us are forced to become casual about symptoms because panic is too expensive. I’ve seen what happens when people wait too long, not because they want to, but because our healthcare system makes waiting feel like the only option.”

NATASHA lópez

I mean, I know medical tourism is nothing new. I, for one, will never skip a video of a girl traveling to Medellín to get all her aesthetic procedures done, or a bald guy going to Turkey and showing his months-later hair transplant results, or someone documenting one of those international hospital wings designed specifically for foreigners who come to get a whole medical workup abroad. But this wasn’t cosmetic; it was basic healthcare.

According to the CDC, millions of U.S. residents travel internationally for medical care each year, with many going to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Mexico alone attracts roughly 1.2 million American medical travelers annually, with one study showing that 9% of the people who cross the border into Mexico do so specifically for healthcare. These are Americans without health insurance as well as those who are insured but still can’t afford astronomical copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket medical costs. In the U.S., even routine care can cost hundreds of dollars, with emergency room visits running into the thousands before insurance fully kicks in. And these traveling patients often save 40% to 80% on tests and procedures.

“Healthcare should be a universal right, but in the U.S. too many of us learn to measure pain against cost before we ever measure it against risk.”

natasha lópez

Health is wealth, sure, but so often that phrase sounds like a threat. Americans shouldn’t have to leave our country just to be seen by a doctor. Preventive care shouldn’t feel like something we do only when we can afford to be responsible. When I feel sick, or when the possibility of being truly seen by a doctor feels far away, I think about what waiting does to people. I think about how many of us are forced to become casual about symptoms because panic is too expensive. I’ve seen what happens when people wait too long, not because they want to, but because our healthcare system makes waiting feel like the only option. Healthcare should be a universal right, but in the U.S. too many of us learn to measure pain against cost before we ever measure it against risk.

The only regret I have about getting my medical care in Colombia this year is that I didn’t stay longer to have every lingering concern in my body checked. Traveling to Latin America has been more affordable for me, and the care I received there was also better. I am, of course, not the only Latina doing this. Below, five Latinas share their experiences traveling to Latin America and the Caribbean for healthcare, what pushed them out of the U.S. system, and what it means to feel cared for somewhere else. 

Gracie, 27, Southern California 🇲🇽

I’m originally from Southern California’s Imperial Valley, which is right on the Mexico-California border. Growing up, crossing into Mexico for medical care was very normal. I would go for physical exams, if I was sick, if I needed medication, dental cleanings, or even glasses. I would go four or five times a year just for medical care, and I know people who went more frequently.

Now that I’m living in New York, access to healthcare feels very different. In Mexico, sometimes you don’t even need a referral. You can just go in, tell them what the problem is, and they will help you. Here, you need referrals, insurance approval, appointments, and so many calls. I’m a student, and I don’t know how to do all these processes. It’s tedious. It’s taxing. I’m not used to it. There’s also the difference in cost. In Mexico, you pay $20, $30, $40, or maybe $100, if it’s specialized. Here, my partner just paid $350 for a physical. Flexibility is an issue, too. There, some places are open late or even 24 hours on weekends. Here, it takes weeks to get an appointment, and they’re only open during certain hours. If I’m at work, I have to call out, and I need that money. If I have class, I have to decide between class, work, or getting treatment.

I haven’t gone back to Mexico for care since moving because, on a good weekend, it’s maybe $400 to $600 to fly, and I’m on a limited income. Being away from the border has changed my security around healthcare. I can’t just walk or drive across and know I’m going to be seen by someone. I’ve always known healthcare in the U.S. was an issue, but now that I’m disconnected from the border, I feel it. Accessibility is so important to any social system, any human right. Healthcare in the U.S. isn’t treated like that. 

Mariana Carolina, 27, New York 🇻🇪

I’ve always gone back home for my annual checkups, things like endocrinology, gynecology, dermatology, and internal medicine. It’s become part of how I take care of myself, not just physically but mentally, too. Venezuela has a reputation for producing incredibly skilled doctors, people who are not only well-trained but deeply committed to their patients, and I’ve felt that firsthand. There’s a level of care and attention that feels very human. In the U.S., my experience has been the opposite. Appointments feel rushed, even transactional. Back home, I feel like my doctors are actually invested in my health.

In Venezuela, I pay everything out of pocket, but one consultation with my gynecologist is around $100, and that includes an ultrasound, pap smear, and STD testing, pretty much all the basics. In the U.S., even with insurance, something as basic as an ultrasound might not be covered unless you already have symptoms. And that’s always been confusing to me. How are you supposed to catch something early if you’re only tested once something is wrong? 

But beyond the cost, it’s the feeling of actually being thoroughly examined and taken seriously that makes the biggest difference. Back home, I feel seen from start to finish. There’s no rushing, no cutting corners. They ask questions. They take their time. It feels like real care. For instance, last year, when I went to my gynecologist in Venezuela, she told me my ovaries were very swollen and that I likely had PCOS-related problems, which could affect my fertility if left untreated. That was the first time anyone had ever told me that, and I had been going to a gynecologist in the U.S. for years. So I was frustrated but also relieved. Like finally someone took the time to really look. Thankfully, I don’t have any severe illnesses, but that’s also what scares me because I genuinely don’t know if something would’ve been caught early if I had stayed within this system. At some point, choosing to leave for care stopped feeling like an option and started feeling like the only way to really take care of myself.

I’ve made peace with the fact that I’ll continue flying home once a year for my checkups. Even if it means paying for flights and planning around it, the peace of mind is worth it. Honestly, it feels like something I have to do. I’ve been in the U.S. for nine years, and I really tried to trust the system. But over time, I realized that unless you’re in pain or something is already wrong, it’s hard to be taken seriously. I don’t think it’s about individual doctors. I think a lot of them want to help. But the system, especially insurance, limits what they can actually do, and that’s where it breaks.

Maria, 36, New York 🇩🇴

When I was living in New York, I would travel back to the Dominican Republic for any specialist, dentist, and imaging that I needed, whether it was X-rays or MRIs. What made me decide to seek treatment there was the cost. One time, I had to get an MRI of my knee in New York. Yes, I had insurance in the U.S., but my deductible was $1,600. They told me I hadn’t met it, so I would have to pay $1,600 for the MRI. A few months later, during a trip to DR, I decided to do it there. I got a doctor who ordered the MRI and we communicated via WhatsApp. Once there, I got an MRI of both knees, and it cost me $200. 

Still, the main difference between care in the U.S. and the Dominican Republic is the way you are treated. In the U.S., you can be seen by two or three people before you see the specialist you came to see, and then that specialist sees you for a total of three minutes. Whereas in the Dominican Republic, you go to a doctor and you can spend a whole hour with them. They listen to you. They pay attention to what you’re telling them. And they try to reassure you that you’re going to get the care that you deserve. That, to me, is priceless.

I understand there is nuance, though. I was working in the U.S., earning money in U.S. dollars, and I was able to exchange those dollars for Dominican pesos. I know there is privilege in that. For Americans, $100 to see a specialist might feel like nothing, but for Dominicans working day to day to make ends meet, it is a lot of money. So I also have to look at it from that perspective. But that’s also what’s happening for people in the U.S., hardworking people who are trying to make ends meet are being forced to pay exorbitant amounts of money for basic medical care. The U.S. system is broken.

Amanda Wright Perez, 27, Brooklyn, NY 🇨🇺🇯🇲

I have traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, for dental care, specifically gum contouring, a dental filling, and teeth whitening. The main reason I chose to do it in Latin America instead of the U.S. was cost and quality. In the U.S., gum contouring would’ve cost me anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. In Colombia, I paid $250, and the results were amazing. While there, I also had a filling done. I had done it in the U.S., but it wasn’t done properly. Even after going back a second time, I was still in pain, and I felt like the issue wasn’t really being resolved. Since I was already in Colombia, I had it redone there for $120, and I haven’t had any pain or sensitivity since. Overall, I spent about $820 total for everything. In the U.S., that could’ve easily been several thousand dollars. I planned everything about four months in advance, so I knew what I needed to save, and even including my flight and hotel, it was still more affordable than doing it all in the U.S.

The quality of care in Bogotá was incredible. The dentists were extremely attentive, kind, and detail-oriented. They explained things clearly, took their time, and even gave me a full goodie bag with dental products after. In the U.S., my experience has often felt more rushed, like once they’re done, you’re out the door. In Colombia, I genuinely felt cared for, and that made a big difference. It’s honestly changed my perspective a lot. I’ve even started planning to go to Colombia once or twice a year for care because the experience is better, more affordable, and feels more personal.

Sofia Bukele, 38, Miami 🇸🇻

Since I moved to the U.S. in 2018, I’ve been going back to my doctors in El Salvador. I go back to visit my gynecologist, dentist, and every regular checkup that I need to do. I go back because they know me, they know my history, they know everything. It’s easier, it’s faster, and I don’t have to wait several months just to get an appointment. Obviously, it’s cheaper, too. I usually pay around $40 to $60 per appointment there. Here, it’s basically whatever the out-of-pocket cost is depending on the insurance that I have, and even with insurance, it can still feel expensive and confusing.

I’ve never really liked the experience of healthcare here in the U.S. There have been times when I’ve gone with my sister to appointments, and she gets a QR code, and then a nurse comes in three or four times just to scan it before we even see the doctor. Then we still have to wait until the doctor comes. It feels very impersonal. Like you’re being processed through a system instead of being cared for by someone who knows you or is actually taking the time to listen. That’s why I try not to do any appointments here unless I really have to.

Honestly, it sucks. It’s really sad because the U.S. is such a great country with so much potential, and yet the health system feels like such a failure.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

from Refinery29 https://ift.tt/psQ8ZVj
via IFTTT

Twenty years after Stella McCartney partnered with H&M on its second-ever designer collaboration (which has since become the retailer's signature shopping event every year), the English icon is back for round two.

"I get asked to do things like this quite often, and I, on the whole, say no because it’s not normally the right partner with the right set of belief systems or standards. But 20 years ago, I was interested in doing this," McCartney explained in a press junket. "I stipulated a very clear list of requirements all around sustainability. They managed, to their credit, to deliver on [those] sustainability [goals], and it sold out in seconds."

Today's collection, which features modern takes on archival styles and "icons," like the brand's studded "Rock Royalty" tee and Falabella chains, keeps sustainable materials at the forefront, featuring organic cotton, recycled crystals, and RWS Standard-certified wool.

"I really wanted to make it quite gender-fluid. Because I wear men’s suits all the time, so anyone can wear it," McCartney said, adding: "I want a younger, wider audience to have access to myself [and] to impact people’s wardrobe in a positive way."

From sharp tailoring, oversized shirting, chic shoulder bags, and trench coats (for more workwear-inspired pieces) to bejeweled prints, sparkling tops, mixed-metal jewelry, and mesh dresses (perfect for parties), the cross-seasonal collection is equally nostalgic and modern, especially when modeled by today's It girls like Reneé Rapp, Adwoa Aboah, and Angelina Kendall.

Ahead, preview and plan your purchase from the much-anticipated H&M x Stella McCartney collaboration. Then come back prepared on May 7th at 10am EST to shop your favorite limited-edition pieces before they inevitably sell out.

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

For more can't-miss shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our Most Wanted newsletter.

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Printed Cotton Hoodie, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Embellished Lace Leggings, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Bodysuit with Printed Motif, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Oversized Trench Coat, $, available at H&M

H&M Pointed Slingbacks, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Oversized Paneled Poplin Shirt, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Large Canvas Tote Bag, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Small Coated Canvas Tote Bag, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Paneled Poplin Pants, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Lace-Up Studded Top, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Crystal-Star Straight-Leg Jeans, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Oversized Embellished Shirt, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Embellished Barrel-Leg Pants, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Belt, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Lace-Trimmed T-Shirt Dress, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Large Mesh Tote Bag, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Stella Bag Charm, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Crystal-Embellished Mesh Bodysuit, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Wool Car Coat, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Double-Breasted Wool Blazer, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Barrel-Leg Wool Pants, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Wool Car Coat, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Large Mesh Tote Bag, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Crystal-Embellished Bra Top, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Oversized Trench Coat, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Large Canvas Tote Bag, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Cotton Poplin Shirt Dress, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Draped One-Shoulder Dress, $, available at Both&

Stella McCartney x H&M Mesh Clutch Bag, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Stella Bag Charm, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Silk-Blend Blouse with Ruffled Bib, $, available at H&M

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Embellished Lace Mini Dress, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Chain-Detail Shoulder Bag, $, available at Both&

H&M x Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney x H&M Wool Vest, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Tailored Wool Pants, $, available at H&M

Stella McCartney x H&M Single-Breasted Wool Blazer, $, available at H&M

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Victoria Beckham x Gap = Instant Sellout

Old Navy's Designer Collab: Everything's Under $90

Zara’s Spring Drop Does It All

from Refinery29 https://ift.tt/XNrkOLY
via IFTTT