Happy holidays! We're celebrating this joyful season of giving with YOU -- our fabulous readers -- with The Stir's 12 Days of Giveaways! And have we got a treat for you today!

In celebration of the premiere of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's new movie, Sisters, we're considering this giveaway a sisterly celebration -- offering you the opportunity to win TWO amazing prizes ... one for you, and one for you to give to the "sister" in your life, whether that's your best friend, your mom, your daughter, or -- yes -- your actual sister!

Today, we're giving away two bundles of swag from Sephora featuring the limited-edition Formula X Bottle Service Set (which retails for $36.50 and includes 10 mini nail polishes in bestselling bold and neutral colors), limited-edition SEPHORA COLLECTION Color Around the World: 4 Eye & Face Palettes (retails for $28), limited-edition SEPHORA COLLECTION KAREN WALKER Amber Craft: Mirror Compact (retails for $48), SEPHORA COLLECTION Ultra Shine Lip Gels in Pretty Princess and Good Fairy (retail for $14 each), and a limited-edition SEPHORA COLLECTION Holiday Phrase Makeup Bag with beautiful rose gold details (retails for $11). 

Uh, whoa, right? We KNOW!

Check out yesterday's giveaway! Giveaway: CHI Escape Cordless Curling Iron

Note: Our Amy and Tina dolls are NOT included in this giveaway. (We need them to keep us company in the office!)

To be entered in this giveaway, just answer this question in the comments:

What's the "guilty pleasure" -- from grabbing a pint of rocky road to cruising the aisles of Sephora -- that you and your sister or BFF both do when you're stressed out?

The "Giveaway: Sephora Collection Swag" starts on December 18, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. (ET) and ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on December 25, 2015 (the "Sweepstakes Period").

Enter by replying to this post with an appropriate comment* during the Sweepstakes Period. Limit one entry per day during the Sweepstakes Period. One (1) winner will be selected in a random drawing of all eligible entries on or around December 27, 2015, to receive two Sephora Collection Swag bundles.

Only entries from CafeMom members are eligible to win. Sign up for CafeMom here.

No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 18 years and older. Void where prohibited. Click here for the rest of the Official Rules.

*Your response may be included in an upcoming CafeMom feature.

Images via Anne Meadows

Remember we told you how 200 women have filed a class action lawsuit against the WEN hair care line, saying that using the products caused severe (and, honestly, pretty heartbreaking) hair loss? Well, the case just got a lot more serious, and whether you use the WEN line or not, you should still be cautious.

For starters, the allegations against WEN seem far more serious than initial reports show. Yes, only 200 women are part of the lawsuit. ("Only.")

But the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit committed to protecting human health and the environment, is investigating the claims. And according to the court documents they've seen, 17,000 women have filed complaints with Guthy-Renker, the marketing firm behind the supposedly all-natural shampoo/conditioner. (As well as the skin care juggernaut ProActiv.)

17,000!

And these women didn't just call and say, "Hey, I don't really like this shampoo." They allegedly each took the time to fill out a lengthy 25-question survey, detailing their horrific experiences.

But here's the (even more) disturbing part. Under current federal regulations, Guthy-Renker didn't have to alert the Food and Drug Administration to these complaints. (And didn't.)

In fact, the law that regulates hair care products is so woefully outdated (as in mostly unchanged since 1938), NO personal care product is required to be tested before it hits the shelves and you use it on your hair.

Are we the only ones who find that frightening?

We have no idea what chemicals -- and potential toxins or allergens -- we're lathering into our hair every day. Or what havoc it could wreak.

More from The Stir: 5 Chemical-Free Beauty Brands You Should Own Instead of Those Toxic Ones

So what the heck's in WEN products that's causing such widespread hair loss? "At this time, we don't know," says Johanna Congleton, MSPH, PhD, a senior scientists with EWG. "What's more troubling is the FDA doesn't know."

You may be thinking, "Whew! I don't use WEN -- dodged that bullet." But, well, maybe not.

Some hair care products could STILL be a bad choice for your health.

"Some of the ingredients -- particularly fragrance components -- used in shampoos and personal care products are potent sensitizers, meaning they can cause allergies in otherwise healthy people," Congleton says. "These reactions can be severe."

The FDA doesn't require companies to disclose what chemicals are in their fragrance mix, so if you see the words "fragrance" on the back of a bottle, proceed with caution.

Dark, permanent hair dyes and chemical hair straighteners should also be on your "do not buy" list. Both are chock-full of dangerous chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer.

So what is safe to use on your hair? You can check out EWG's SkinDeep cosmetic database, which rates products according to safety. Or maybe now's the time to start playing it super-safe and thinking about simply making your own shampoo.

Image via PANORAMe/Shutterstock

A 43-year-old mom of two cut her hair really short, and that mom happens to be Alyssa Milano, who debuted her pixie cut with some sassy pics on Instagram. It's an incredibly adorable look, and quite daring, since her hair before the chop was very long.

Alyssa has gone this short before, but it was way back in early 2000s.

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Short hair don't care.

A photo posted by Alyssa Milano (@milano_alyssa) on Dec 19, 2015 at 7:34am PST

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My glam squad, but most importantly, my sweet friends. I love you @scottpatric and @linhhair.

A photo posted by Alyssa Milano (@milano_alyssa) on Dec 19, 2015 at 12:40pm PST

More from The Stir: 17 Celebrities Who Were Bold Enough to Chop Off Their Hair (PHOTOS)

It's clear she can do just about anything with her locks and it works for her. I love how tousled it is, and the color is so warm and pretty -- looks like a little bit of caramel in there. Dare I say it's a little Victoria Beckham, who is always fabulous and gorgeous. 

Let's also take a moment to remember Alyssa's motto that she shared earlier this year. She said, "I just try to be kind to myself" when talking about losing pregnancy weight. And I think that's a motto she still lives by and we should all heed. Be kind to yourself, everyone. And also, take time for yourself. Get that haircut you've been wanting, splurge on a spa day or a pedicure, make time to read that book in your favorite spot, compliment yourself when you look in the mirror, take good care of yourself. 

More from The Stir: Alyssa Milano's Breastfeeding-as-Wonder-Woman Pic Is the Kind of Support All Moms Need (PHOTO)

That inner beauty shines right through Alyssa, a woman who has already shown her superhero status with that gorgeous photo of herself breastfeeding while dressed as Wonder Woman. All mothers are superheroes. And all mothers deserve to be kind to themselves. And to each other.

The new 'do is lovely, Alyssa, just like you.

Image via Johns PKI/Splash News

Everyone loves a good accessory -- but on New Year's Eve, you want those extras to be a little more glittery and shiny. And in that spirit, here is a collection of some sparkly must-haves.

Let's say you've decided to wear that little black dress, but you need something exciting to add to it. It's here. Maybe you just want a statement necklace full of shine. It's here, too. From head to toe, there is something in this collection just for you.

Images (clockwise from top left) via lulus.com; hm.com; pixiemarket.com; localeclectic.com; modcloth.com 

Happy holidays! We're celebrating this merry season of giving with YOU -- our lovely readers -- with The Stir's 12 Days of Giveaways! Check out what we're giving away today!

In celebration of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's new movie, Sisters, we're considering this giveaway a sisterly celebration -- offering you the opportunity to win TWO amazing prizes ... one for you, and one for you to give to the "sister" in your life, whether that's your best friend, your mom, your daughter, or -- yes -- your actual sister!

Today, we're giving away two Kiehl's Healthy Skin Essentials Every Night - Limited Edition Costello & Tagliapietra Sets (which each retail for $76 on kiehls.com). Each set contains: Midnight Recovery Concentrate (1.0 oz), Midnight Recovery Eye (0.5 oz), Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate (.17oz), Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream (.24 oz) in an exclusive canvas Kiehl’s travel bag.

Check out yesterday's giveaway! Giveaway: Ultra Cozy Coyuchi Organic Chenille Throws

Note: Our Amy and Tina dolls are NOT included in this giveaway. (We need them to keep us company in the office!)

To be entered in this giveaway, just answer this question in the comments:

What's the one type of beauty product you can't live without?

The "Giveaway: Kiehl's Healthy Skin Essentials Every Night Set" starts on December 21, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. (ET) and ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on December 28, 2015 (the "Sweepstakes Period").

Enter by replying to this post with an appropriate comment* during the Sweepstakes Period. Limit one entry per day during the Sweepstakes Period. One (1) winner will be selected in a random drawing of all eligible entries on or around December 28, 2015, to receive two Kiehl's Healthy Skin Essentials Every Night Sets.

Only entries from CafeMom members are eligible to win. Sign up for CafeMom here.

No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 18 years and older. Void where prohibited. Click here for the rest of the Official Rules.

*Your response may be included in an upcoming CafeMom feature.

Image via Anne Meadows

New Year's Eve is the perfect time to dress up -- to go all out and dare to wear an unforgettable dress. Whether you love sparkling sequins or gorgeous prints, body-hugging gowns or free-flowing dresses, there's a dress to ring in 2016 here for you.

While they are all different, these dresses are all show-stoppers, head-turners, the kind of dress you'll feel incredible in. And they are all at prices that won't break the bank -- everything is under $150 ... some under $40. All breathtakingly gorgeous.

Images (clockwise from left) via lulus.com; forever21.com; freepeople.com; pixiemarket.com; asos.com; urbandoutfitters.com; lulus.com; charlotterusse.com

It's almost the start of wedding season! (Isn't it always?) As we're still knocking back eggnog and wrapping presents, it's kind of hard to care. But, one company's figured out a way to grab our attention, whether we're tying the knot in six months or not. David's Bridal's new ad campaign features a plus-sized model.

A gorgeous, curvy woman in a wedding dress shouldn't be surprising news. But it is! For all the body positivity in the world today, many designers still like their models unrealistically tall and toothpick thin.

Not David's Bridal. For the 2016 spring ad campaign, some brilliant peeps decided to showcase a model who's the same size as their average customer.

That would not be 00. Or 2. Or 4. Or 6. Or even 10. It's 14.

The lucky "bride" in the shots is Mercy Watson, a beautiful Australian model, who recently shared her thoughts on the campaign on her Facebook page:

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And she's not the only one excited about the campaign. Twitter's awash with enthusiasm. Check out the reaction on social media:

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Oooh. Yes! More of this please in 2016! Lovely to see average size women acknowledged https://t.co/RiKtihGhWM bravo @davidsbridal

— Nu Bride (@Nu_Bride) December 16, 2015

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Kudos to @davidsbridal London for using plus size Aussie model Mercy Watson in their ad campaign: https://t.co/ANjOyOuAOE

— Save Your Sole (@saveyoursole) December 21, 2015

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.@DavidsBridal cast an "average" sized bride for their latest ad campaign, and the photos are stunning: https://t.co/mQq9nIjyoX

— Glamour (@glamourmag) December 18, 2015

More from The Stir: New Plus-Sized Lingerie Campaign Isn't Really Body Positive

Check out more of the glorious pics.

Sniff. Just like weddings, ad campaigns like this one always make us cry -- with joy.

Images courtesy of David's Bridal

Gray hair isn't just for grannies anymore. While older women have long covered up their grays, young Hollywood starlets are embracing the color, making it cool to have a silver or gunmetal tint to your locks.

Click through for a peek at 14 celebrities who make gray hair look glamorous. Which is your favorite?

Image via LAN/Corbis

Faces are always the hardest to keep happy in terms of hydrated skin that's not shiny or oily or acne-y. In the winter the challenge becomes even greater as skin gets drier and lotions get heavier, but that doesn't mean there's not a perfect solution out there waiting for your skin. 

Everybody's face needs something different, so we picked out our favorite face creams from all across the board, sharing all the reasons to love 'em.

Images via lancome-usa.com; ulta.com; usa.paiskincare.com; kiehls.com; barneys.com; usa.loccitane.com

We loved the '90s -- well, almost all of the '90s. The decade had plenty of hits fashion-wise, but also more than its fair share of misses. After all, the '90s gave us Kris Kross' backwards jeans and mini backpack purses. They seemed cool at the time, so we felt totally awesome in our '90s gear, but looking back -- yikes!

Here's a peek at the most embarrassing trends to rule the runways, middle schools, and everywhere in between more than two decades ago.  

Image via Ethan Miller/Corbis

'Tis the season for fun, festivity, and friendship! In that spirit, we're super excited to be celebrating another day of this season with YOU -- our lovely readers. Check out what we're giving away today in The Stir's 12 Days of Giveaways!

In celebration of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's new movie, Sisters, we're considering this giveaway a sisterly celebration -- offering you the opportunity to win TWO amazing prizes ... one for you, and one for you to give to the "sister" in your life, whether that's your best friend, your mom, your daughter, or -- yes -- your actual sister!

Today, we're giving away two gorgeous cashmere wraps from T.J. Maxx (which each have an original retail value of $100!), plus two $50 gift cards that you and your bestie or sister can use at T.J. Maxx or Marshalls!

Check out our Amy and Tina dolls demonstrating how luxurious these wraps look -- they feel even better!

Ooohlala!

Check out yesterday's giveaway! Giveaway: Dot & Bo Ring Leader Wine Holder & Silvio Key Corkscrew

Note: Our Amy and Tina dolls are NOT included in this giveaway. (We need them to keep us company in the office!)

To be entered in this giveaway, just answer this question in the comments:

Who's your favorite person to bring shopping with you, and why?

The "Giveaway:Gorgeous Cashmere Wraps & Two $50 Marshalls Gift Cards" starts on December 23, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. (ET) and ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on December 30, 2015 (the "Sweepstakes Period").

Enter by replying to this post with an appropriate comment* during the Sweepstakes Period. Limit one entry per day during the Sweepstakes Period. One (1) winner will be selected in a random drawing of all eligible entries on or around December 30, 2015, to receive two Gorgeous Cashmere Wraps & Two $50 Marshalls Gift Cards.

Only entries from CafeMom members are eligible to win. Sign up for CafeMom here.

No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 18 years and older. Void where prohibited. Click here for the rest of the Official Rules.

*Your response may be included in an upcoming CafeMom feature.

Image via Anne Meadows

Ever feel like your hair looks greasier around THAT time of the month? Or that it seems to take you forever to get your locks to look (halfway) normal? You're not imagining things. The struggle is real.

Your period doesn't just make you feel bloaty, irritable, and crampy. It can also do a number on your hair. Want to know why?

Of COURSE you do.

"When your period is coming -- or happening -- your skin and scalp typically become more oily, due to the added stress and hormones," explains Carla Rivas, a hairstylist and co-founder of Hair La Vie natural hair growth vitamins.

If you neglect to consistently brush your hair, you might notice it looking shinier or flatter than usual. All that oil can also cause buildup on your scalp, which -- worst-case scenario, here --  can damage hair follicles and cause hair loss.

NOT comforting. But! There are two pretty easy steps you can take to protect your hair during this time of the month.

Use natural hair products. Remember the horror stories we've told you recently about WEN products and hair loss? And how the FDA doesn't do a very good job of regulating what goes into ANY hair products? Play it safe and look for shampoos and conditioners made from ingredients you recognize.

For instance, "lemon oil helps hydrate the scalp and prevent dandruff," Rivas says, "and marula oil is rich in vitamin C, E, and essential fatty acids which moisturize the scalp without clogging pores."

Peppermint oil's another good ingredient to use, since it increases circulation in your scalp.

More from The Stir: 8 All-Natural Ways to Feel Better Before & During Your Period (PHOTOS)

Keep a closer eye on your diet. Yes, what you put into your mouth CAN affect how well your hair behaves. (Or doesn't.)

While you might feel like burying your head in a party-sized bag of chips right before your period starts, "consuming a lot of salty meals and snacks will dry out your hair and leave it lifeless and breaking," Rivas notes.

And stay away from greasy foods, too. Not only do they cause more oil on your scalp, says Rivas, but "a lot of times after eating greasy food, people touch their ... hair without washing their hands ... You need a clean, debris-free scalp or your hair will not grow healthy and your follicle could be damaged."

And sorry, cupcake. Sugary foods are a no-no, too. They cause your blood sugar to rise, which in turn "causes an increase in androgen, a male hormone in your body," explains Rivas. "It's known for causing hair follicles to shrink or become irritated, which leads to hair thinning and hair loss."

Image via Valentin Agapov/Shutterstock

Whether or not the weather agrees, we're officially in winter again. So snuggle down with your knits and nail polish because this year's mani trend is killer: icicle nails. 

We've seen icicles on nails before, but we're on a whole new level this year. I mean:

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A photo posted by Andrea (@sezjeuric) on Dec 14, 2015 at 2:14pm PST

Stunning, right? You could also do the simple, clean version:

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A photo posted by Carly � (@carlysisoka) on Dec 6, 2013 at 6:35pm PST

Or even the kind of crazy, amazingly cool embellished version:

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A photo posted by Laura Merino (@lauramerino12) on Dec 10, 2013 at 8:12am PST

You're thinking that these look so absurdly beautiful that you could never do them yourself, right? Well, we have NEWS for you. It turns out that even though icicle nails look professional-level awesome, they're not that hard to do. 

All you really need are some blues, whites, and glitter (of course) to create a winter wonderland on your finger nails. If you have mini detailing brushes, that's awesome. If not, here's PixyPolish's tutorial on how to recreate the look by painting with a bobby pin:

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If you're looking for something a little more complex, Lucy's Stash gets pretty serious with shading in her tutorial (we promise, it's easier than it sounds!).

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Lenysea has the how-to on creating extra glittery, extra glam icicle nails. We looove the black background!

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And finally, if you're up for a real challenge, PiggieLuv's transparent, snowflake-studded icicles are nothing short of jaw-dropping. Check out her tutorial:

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Image via iStock.com/DevMarya

Since the birth of the red carpet, stars have been pushing the boundaries of what they can get away with, and the following 16 celebrities are no strangers to getting tongues wagging. They each made fashion statements that seemed to have one thing in common: Less is more. 

Sneak a peek at the barely there looks that made jaws drop when they hit the red carpet. Which is your favorite, and which star do you think went too far?

Image via Splash News

We're almost to the end of The Stir's 12 Days of Giveaways! This has been so much fun -- we love celebrating this season of giving with YOU, our wonderful and lovely readers! We have a really awesome, celebtastic pair of prizes today...

In celebration of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's new movie, Sisters, we're considering this giveaway a sisterly celebration -- offering you the opportunity to win TWO amazing prizes ... one for you, and one for you to give to the "sister" in your life, whether that's your best friend, your mom, your daughter, or -- yes -- your actual sister!

Today, we're giving away two pairs of HONNS "Selina" Leather Gloves in Wine (each of which retails for $128 on honns.com). These luxurious and super stylish lambskin gloves feature touch screen-conductive tips on the thumb and index finger so you can type, text, and tweet your BFF without exposing your hands to the freezing cold. Cool, right?!

Also? Celebs totally love these babies. Check out Taylor Swift, Kourtney Kardashian, and Katie Holmes in theirs:

Don't miss out on yesterday's giveaway! Giveaway: Gorgeous Cashmere Wraps & Two $50 Marshalls Gift Cards

How about a close-up of our lovely Tina and Amy doll models with those gloves?

Thanks, ladies!

Note: Our Amy and Tina dolls are NOT included in this giveaway. (We need them to keep us company in the office!)

To be entered in this giveaway, just answer this question in the comments:

Who's the person you text most often? Have any funny texting stories to share?

The "Giveaway: The Honns Leather Gloves That Celebs Love" starts on December 24, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. (ET) and ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on December 31, 2015 (the "Sweepstakes Period").

Enter by replying to this post with an appropriate comment* during the Sweepstakes Period. Limit one entry per day during the Sweepstakes Period. One (1) winner will be selected in a random drawing of all eligible entries on or around January 4, 2016, to receive two pairs of HONNS "Selina" Leather Gloves in Wine .

Only entries from CafeMom members are eligible to win. Sign up for CafeMom here.

No Purchase Necessary. Open to US residents 18 years and older. Void where prohibited. Click here for the rest of the Official Rules.

*Your response may be included in an upcoming CafeMom feature.

Images via Anne Meadows; HONNS.com

Do you ever get that itch for a new tattoo? And you know exactly where it should go but not exactly what it should look like? We feel you. Since the hip is forever one of our fave spots for tattoos, we picked out some of the most intricate, interesting, or otherwise inspiring hip tattoos.

All these designs look so awesome on or around the hip bone that you'll want to steal them all immediately. Promise.

Image via s11dragonfly/Instagram

You'll hear people swear that the secret to good skin is good exfoliation, and that the secret to good exfoliation is microbeads. You may not know them by name, but you've seen them: They're those teeny tiny plastic balls that tend to crop up in your body washes, face soaps, and toothpastes. But it's time to say so long, because the Senate just passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, which bans those little buggers from beauty products.

It was actually kind of a no-brainer for Congress because microbeads are terrible for the environment and, by extension, terrible for you. They're made out of plastic, which means that they don't degrade when you wash them down the sink. Instead, they suck up toxins and get dumped into the ocean, where fish think they're little fishy food snacks and eat them up. Then you and your soft, exfoliated skin eat the fish and it's your body that gets slowly poisoned by toxins. Ick. 

The bad news is that microbeads are being phased out, so we won’t be totally rid of them until 2017 (and many products are still stuffed full of them). But the good news is that, in the mean time, there are tons of awesome products out there to replace the ones you're using now.

Here are 10 of our favorite face and body scrubs that are microbead-free. Better for you, better for the fishies.

Image via Blend Images/Shutterstock

After so many red carpet experiences and events, many stars adopt a signature hairstyle, so when they diverge from that, they can be practically unrecognizable. Others like to mix it up all the time, trying new hairstyles and switching from curly to straight to wavy and back again, always leaving fans guessing. But no matter what their style philosophy, there are plenty of stars that just look seriously different when they switch their hairstyle between curly and straight.

These 20 celebrities look gorgeous no matter what—but they look totally different with curly and straight hair. Which hairstyle do you prefer?

Images via Xavier Collin/Celebrity Monitor/Splash News/Corbis, 2004 Phil Ramey /R/RameyPix/Corbis

All that glitters may not be gold, but it sure is pretty! What better way to add some sparkle to your new year than with a glam mani designed to catch the light?

Whether you want to go all out with the glitz and sparkle, or you want an understated, cool girl glimmer, these are some of best glitter nail polishes around.

Image via sephora.com; deborahlippmann.com; opi.com; mineralfusion.com; essie.com

We do some crazy things to ourselves in the name of beauty -- so crazy, in fact, that some of them can even be downright dangerous! It's true: Some of the simple things we do to look our best every single day could be hazardous to our health.

Here, 10 beauty trends you may be surprised to find are the worst offenders!

Image via iStock.com/Cesar Okada