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Business Insider
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
Bargain-hunting Gen Zers are using a back-to-school staple for lip liner. It burns.
Bexon Neyman, an Alabama-based TikTok user, has a new holy grail makeup product. Neyman said she found a red Sharpie in her brother's room and asked to borrow it. She then tried out the viral TikTok trend of using the arts and crafts tool as a lip liner. "It lasts long and doesn't rub off or smudge. I use it very often now, almost every time I do my makeup," Neyman told BI. Neyman isn't the only person who's ditching the drugstore for the stationery aisle. TikTok videos of the markers have racked up millions of views, showing how frugal Gen Zers are moving away from clean-girl makeup and veering toward a messy aesthetic. "It would appear that Gen Z is leaning away from influencer trend adoption and more into accessibility," said Alexandra Carmody, a senior vice president at Front Row, a NYC-based marketing consultancy that has worked with beauty brands like Summer Fridays and Ouai. "The era of the clean girl seems to be dwindling within the younger generations. I think the Sharpie trend is indicative of that," Carmody said. She's also a millennial who remembers using Sharpies as nail polish in middle school. Of course, the markers aren't made for nails or lips. They don't contain toxins in harmful quantities, but Sharpie's website says that they are "not intended for medical or body use." Brooke Jeffy, an Arizona-based dermatologist, posted a video of the trend on YouTube, saying people should "absolutely not" be using Sharpies as lip liners. Sharpie's parent company did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. A cheap, transfer-proof alternative to lip liner Rachel Carlisle, a Bahamas-based content creator, was one of the first to bring the trend to TikTok. In June, she posted a video in which she used a Sharpie in the shade Cabochon Coral to line her lips, finishing the look with a lip gloss. As of press time, the video had been viewed over 2 million times and had more than 130,000 likes. She's since posted several videos using her Sharpie pen in makeup looks. "I felt it was the perfect shade, and the markers said non-toxic. It worked extremely well," she told BI. She said the Sharpie lip liner works just as well as Huda Beauty's Lip Contour stains, and she now judges lip stains by how well they match the Sharpie look. I, begrudgingly, tried the hack To see what the hype was all about, I nervously decided to try out the hack. I picked up the berry pink Sharpie from a local bookstore for 2.20 Singapore dollars, or about $1.70. The moment I put it near my mouth, I knew it was a terrible idea. It burned as soon as I started lining my lips. I'm no stranger to lip-plumping products, but this was more intense than any menthol-based lip gloss I'd ever used. I topped it with a coat of pink lip gloss, but I could not blend the Sharpie's harsh line into it. The result looked more like a kid playing with mom's lipstick than lip liner, too embarrassing to photograph. I washed it off as quickly as I could. Some content creators told me they also tried the hack but found that it was not for them. Gabriela Arias, a US-based cosmetologist and beauty content creator, said she tried it because it seemed like a fun and unconventional tool. She only used the marker as a lip liner twice, worried about the long-term effects. "Even though I don't see myself using it in my routine, I do think it turned out really nice and am curious to try out brands that might carry something that performs similarly," she said. Olga Bezrukova, a beauty influencer on TikTok, said she tried the trend after seeing another influencer do it. "I would not recommend using it every day, just maybe like a substitution if you have nothing else," Bezrukova said. The era of cheap, alternative makeup Lin Dai, the CEO of Superlogic, a technology company that researches consumer trends, said the Sharpie lip liner trend appeals to Gen Zers who might be interested in alternative, low-cost ways of using products in unlikely ways. "They are skeptical of traditional brands, and attracted to indie brands and unconventional TikTok-viral products that give them a sense of identity, relatability, or belonging," he said. I felt more stinging than camaraderie, so I'm sticking with my Sephora lip liner.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Who is Viceroy Research? The short-seller targetting Vedanta Group
A U.S. short-seller, Viceroy Research, has flung allegations at Anil Agarwal-owned Vedanta Group, calling Vedanta Resources (VRL) a 'parasite' and a 'financial zombie' and its listed subsidiary Vedanta Ltd (VEDL) a 'dying host'. Viceroy Research, which has a short position on VRL's debt stack, said the Vedanta group structure was 'financially unsustainable, operationally compromised' and was a 'severe, under-appreciated risk to creditors'. The 87-page Viceroy Research report accused VRL of draining VEDL, forcing it to take on more debt and deplete its cash reserves, impaired creditors' ability to recover their principal, a situation that resembled a 'Ponzi scheme', it said. VEDL promoted capital-intensive projects that it could not afford to raise fresh capital, which was paid out to VRL, it alleged. Vedanta Group dismissed Viceroy Research report as 'a malicious combination of selective misinformation and baseless allegations to discredit the group'. Who is Vicereoy Research? According to its website, Viceroy Research LLC is an investigative financial research firm that is registered in Delaware, USA. The firm was founded in 2016 by Fraser John Perring and his Australian colleagues Aiden Lau and Gabriel Bernarde. The company first gained global scrutiny in 2017 with its research on South Africa's Steinhoff International. As a result of the investigation, extensive accounting errors were discovered and the company's shares fell more than 90%, wiping out billions of dollars in shareholder value. The firm also made a name for itself when it placed a bet against companies such as Elon Musk's Tesla. The short-seller has published reports on 29 businesses, according to their website. In 2018, it published a report on Advanced Micro Devices Inc and expanding on the financial impact of the CTS Labs vulnerabilities. In 2022, it targeted Truecaller for intentionally misdirecting valid criticism. In 2023, it filed a report on Tokyo-based Abalance for evading U.S. duties. The latest report on Vedanta Group is expected to have an impact on the Indian Stock Exchange. Shares of mining giant Vedanta dropped 3.38% to end at ₹440.80 on the BSE after the report. Viceroy's past controversies Medical Properties Trust, an Alabama-based real estate investment trust, filed a defamation suit against Viceroy in 2023, which was settled confidentially the next year. The South African FSCA had penalized the short-seller for making inaccurate and misleading claims on 'Capitec.'
Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Independence Benefits Helps Federal Employees Navigate Retirement Amid VSIP Offers, TSP Volatility, and FEGLI Cost Increases
Florence, United States, July 10th, 2025, FinanceWire As early retirement incentives and agency budget shifts continue across federal departments in 2025, Independence Benefits has announced expanded support for federal employees evaluating complex benefit decisions. The Alabama-based firm provides personalized retirement consultations for employees covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), with sessions focused on helping workers assess their options related to pensions, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) withdrawals, Social Security timing, and life insurance coverage. 'This year has created real uncertainty for many federal workers,' said Christopher Lee, Founder and Retirement Planner at Independence Benefits. 'From VERA and VSIP offers to adverse market conditions, employees are facing decisions they've never had to make before. We help them evaluate their options with clarity.' The firm has seen a noticeable increase in demand from agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Social Security Administration (SSA), U.S. Postal Service (USPS), and Department of Defense (DoD), where many employees are exploring early-out offers or preparing for standard retirement. Each consultation includes an individualized review of: FERS pension estimates and survivor benefit elections TSP withdrawal and rollover strategies tailored to income needs Social Security filing timelines and long-term impact FEGLI comparisons and alternative insurance options 'We break it down step-by-step, without pressure,' Lee added. 'The goal is clarity, not sales.' Unlike group-sponsored programs, Independence Benefits operates independently and is not affiliated with any specific insurance carrier or government agency. This allows for education-first support designed to help federal employees navigate benefit choices with confidence. The firm has also released a library of planning tools and content for those nearing their Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) or evaluating early-out programs such as VSIP and VERA. To learn more or request a retirement consultation, users can visit: About Independence Benefits Independence Benefits is an independent retirement services firm focused on the needs of federal employees. Based in Florence, Alabama, the firm offers one-on-one consultations that include pension reviews, insurance comparisons, TSP withdrawal strategies, and timeline planning. All services are delivered by licensed professionals and structured to provide educational, neutral guidance. Contact Christopher Lee
Hypebeast
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Inside adidas' Ode to Black Excellence
By Erin Ikeuchi Under the roof of a former perfumery along Atlanta's Westside Beltline, adidas gathered hundreds of artists, athletes, musicians, writers, designers and leaders for the final act of its Honoring Black Excellence (HBE) capstone – an ode to the cultural architects at the helm Black creativity, innovation and brilliance. The iconic three stripes have long understood the transformative power of teamwork and sportsmanship, and in recent years its taken its steadfast commitment to community and social impact off the pitch and into the wider cultural bloodstream. Launched in 2019, HBE initiative has become a pivtal platofrm platform for the brand, honoring Black voices shaping today's creative and social landscapes. A cross between experience and exhibition, this year's edition unfolded as an embodiment of memory and momentum. Centered around the theme of 'Pathways & Pipelines,' the event spotlighted those who not only preserve legacy, but voices who are pave the way forward. To curate the event, adidas tapped Rog & Bee Walker, the duo behind Paper Monday, to transform the sprawling, industrial space with their sublime visual language, bringing their love for narrative and storytelling into a new, experiential dimension. The night featured a tender short film directed by the Walkers, alongside a series of immersive installations — a mosaic of the honorees' iridescent worlds: A willow shades over the belles of Gee's Bend Quilters, the Alabama-based collective whose quilted odes to Black Southern life sit at the heart of American art history; testimonials from mothers who have been impacted by Jaycina Almond's Tender Foundation, a grassroots rewriting narratives around single Black motherhoods, sing from the cozy, corner nursery. Elsewhere, framed jerseys's from Sekou Thornell's label Kitboys Club sits beside a stack of lockers. Fueled by his love of the game, Thornell blends streetwear and soccer to empower the new wave of Black creatives, both on and off the field. Peppered throughout the space are portraits taken by the Walker's — tender captures screen-printed on sheer veils of fabric, catching the light as if exhaling with the room itself. The images serve as a visual throughline, threading each installation with a dignity that doesn't just captures its subjects, but holds them tight. Ahead of the HBE Capstone Experience, we caught up with Rog & Bee to discuss their practice and the vision that brought it all together. 1 of 9 2 of 9 3 of 9 4 of 9 5 of 9 6 of 9 7 of 9 8 of 9 9 of 9 'It's definitely a balancing act, and what we do together is greater than the sum of our parts.' How would you describe your practice in your own words? Rog Walker: Visual storytelling sums it up. We use photography, film and pretty much any medium to capture identity, which is at the core of our work. It's about exploring our stories and the stories of people around us. Bee Walker: Through working we've discovered other dimensions of our practice that maybe weren't initially intended, but are so beautiful to see. This whole HBE event has turned into 100's of people coming out to Atlanta to screen the film and see the photographs and meet the featured honorees – that element of our work has been really surprising. It's amplified really beautiful messages and it's become a really important part of it all. What are you respective backgrounds and how have those paths led you to where you are today? RW: Bee's been taking photos since she was like 13, whereas I started kind of late. I come from a standard, working-class family, and photography was not a choice that was even allowed. There was a lot of backlash, but it only made me want to pursue it even more – to tell my story and explore this path. BW: To be honest, I wouldn't call my background a creative one either. I did start taking pictures young because my father bought me a camera, but when I met Rog, it coalesced into something that we both loved doing and we just grew from there. It's been such an amazing journey. 1 of 8 2 of 8 3 of 8 4 of 8 5 of 8 6 of 8 7 of 8 8 of 8 'True collaboration starts with the trust that someone believes in your vision, even if you've never done it before.' As both creative and life partners, how do you strike a balance when approaching a new project? RW: Just taking a step back, our personalities are so different: Bee is really outgoing and I don't like talking to people, whereas I'm really technical and she just doesn't like to fuss with that stuff. Our personalities just mesh well. But, also we fell in love with each other and with photography at a time when there was a lot of excitement. I remember running around on the street with our friends, and so many things were happening at that time, and we just loved it. We were exploring culture and having fun, which made it easy to collaborate. BW: It's definitely a balancing act, and what we do together is greater than the sum of our parts. It helps me stay focused and when I drop off a little bit, I always remember that none of this would be possible if it weren't for both of us or our whole family now being a part of it. 1 of 8 2 of 8 3 of 8 4 of 8 5 of 8 6 of 8 7 of 8 8 of 8 How has your experience running Paper Monday inform your curatorial vision for this event, and the immersive installations within them? RW: The adidas Purpose team reached to see if we wanted to curate the event, and though we'd never done this before, we saw how these stories are more than pictures, they're real narratives. It was a matter of research, we were looking at Carrie Mae Weems, Tyler Mitchell and grasping onto different elements. True collaboration starts with the trust that someone believes in your vision, even if you've never done it before. Courtesy of adidas. Event photography by Yvette Glasco. Portraits by Rog & Bee Walker.
Irish Examiner
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Rookie Anna Foster finding form ahead of Irish Open
Anna Foster always felt she could compete at the level required to be a Ladies European Tour player. That ability was evident over the weekend as she tied for fourth at the German Masters, the best finish so far of her professional career. Foster shot four-under at The Golf and Country Club Seddiner See, five shots behind winner Shannon Tan. 'The golf course we played in Germany was quite tough,' Pinergy ambassador Foster, ranked 436th in the world, explained on Monday morning. 'I just allowed myself to make mistakes and just kind of move on straight away, stay really patient throughout the week. My main goal is to try and hang around, just kind of be there or thereabouts. The Sunday was tough, so I was really happy with how I managed to kind of stick in and climb a good bit up the leaderboard.' The Dublin golfer took the step up from amateur level before last year's Women's Irish Open and is now 10 months into her professional career. She earned a tour card at Q School in December at the same time as fellow Irish golfers Sara Byrne and Annabel Wilson. 'We've got to travel to some really cool places and it's a great way to see the world,' she said about her rookie season on tour. 'I was lucky enough to get through Q School and get my full card, which has given me the freedom to plan my year up to a certain point and affords me to take weeks off here and there, which is definitely needed.' The transition from college golf - she played at the Alabama-based Auburn University - has been relatively easy for Foster. It's the off-course factors, like getting the right team around her, which have required adjustment. 'This is now my business and career compared to it being a hobby, even though amateur golf is now basically semi-professional at this point anyway,' she said. 'Golf-wise, there wasn't a huge step up or transition. 'The first half of the year was quite travel heavy, being outside of Europe, in Australia and South Africa and Korea. Now that we're back in Europe, it feels so much easier.' The presence of plenty of familiar faces like Byrne and Wilson, along with Olivia Mehaffey, Lauren Walsh, and Canice Screene has also made the transition easier. 'There's a nice group of Irish girls out on tour as well, so that makes a huge difference in the small things throughout the week, like sharing accommodation and just always having a smiling face in the players' lounge,' said Foster. 'We've known each other almost 10 years. To be able to come up through the amateur and college system and come out the other end, we all get each other. There's also a healthy level of competition as well between us. We want each other to do well. We also want to beat each other as well.' At this week's Women's Irish Open, which like last year is being played at Carton House, there will be a record 16 Irish competitors - seven professional and nine amateur. Earlier this year, Foster's home club Elm Park held a fundraiser to ease her into the professional ranks. It took off some pressure to perform in those early months. Now she's also easing that pressure. "I have a bit more freedom finishing fourth last week, Order of Merit wise," she said. "I'm comfortable now for the next while so I can go out and just try and do my best for the next few weeks. It's exciting. 'It's a good place to be in. If someone had said it to me at the start of the year that I'd be in this position now, I would have definitely taken it.'
