Latest news with #TNA
Newsweek
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Former WWE Superstar May Be Returning: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Wrestling legend Gail Kim has been backstage at recent WWE NXT tapings, fueling speculation about her future. The TNA Hall of Famer is one of the industry's most sought-after free agents. According to a new report from Fightful Select, this week was not the first time she has been at the WWE Performance Center lately. Her visits have been kept very quiet. WWE's Interest In Gail Kim The Fightful report notes that when WWE sources were asked about her status, they confirmed she is not officially with the company "as of this moment." However, they did not deny her presence. The report adds that WWE has been interested in bringing Kim on board since she became available. This suggests that ongoing discussions could be taking place. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Gail Kim Becomes A Top Free Agent After TNA Departure Gail Kim became a free agent earlier this year. She was fired from her longtime backstage role as a producer and the head of the Knockouts division for TNA Wrestling. HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: Sami Zayn talks to the crowd after winning his match during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: Sami Zayn talks to the crowd after winning his match during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Alex BierensHer departure immediately made her a top name on the open market. It was widely expected that both WWE and AEW would have interest in hiring her for a similar leadership role. Kim's time in WWE is defined by two distinct, and very different, runs with the company. While she found immense success elsewhere, her WWE career was marked by a historic debut and a controversial exit. Kim's first run began on the June 30, 2003, episode of Monday Night Raw. In a rare feat, she won the WWE Women's Championship in her debut match, a seven-woman battle royal. However, her reign lasted only four weeks before she lost the title to Molly Holly, and she was released from the company in 2004. After becoming the cornerstone of the TNA/Impact Wrestling Knockouts division for several years, she returned to WWE in 2009. This second run was largely underwhelming, with Kim being underutilized and expressing frustration with the "Diva" focus of the women's division at the time. Her exit in 2011 became infamous: during a battle royal on Raw, she intentionally eliminated herself in the opening seconds and quit the company. The Legacy Of Gail Kim Gail Kim is a trailblazer in modern women's wrestling. She is a former WWE Women's Champion but is most celebrated for her legendary career in TNA. As a multi-time Knockouts Champion, she is considered by many to be the greatest competitor in the history of that division. Her experience and respected mind for wrestling make her a valuable asset for any company. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The D'Amore Drop: Why wrestling fans get what they need, rather than what they think they want
The D'Amore Drop is a weekly guest column on Uncrowned written by Scott D'Amore, the Canadian professional wrestling promoter, executive producer, trainer and former wrestler best known for his long-standing role with TNA/IMPACT Wrestling, where he served as head of creative. D'Amore is the current owner of leading Canadian promotion Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. I'm really enjoying what WWE's doing right now with Ron Killings — and not just because I've known Ronnie for well over two decades. Advertisement The dramatic, fourth-wall-breaking storyline that is unfolding right now wasn't even thought of two weeks ago. As you know, WWE decided not to renew Ronnie's contract, and the fans basically said, 'You made a mistake.' Loud and clear. To their credit, WWE listened, and now we are getting this gripping narrative that weaves reality into story. THIS is why I love professional wrestling! This business is a living, breathing beast. It's not a movie that gets written, rewritten, shot, edited, maybe reshot, maybe reedited and then released a year later. Wrestling happens in real time, every time. That instant feedback — cheers, boos, ticket sales, pay-per-view sales, merch, reactions online — you get it all as you are telling your story. You can't fall into fan-service — you have to give fans what they 'need' rather than what they think they 'want.' Otherwise, the most popular babyfaces would all be champions, fan-favorite tag teams would never break up, there'd be no real changes and the whole thing would die. Advertisement You have to trust the process and believe in your story enough to not panic and abandon it (which was the knock on Vince McMahon, especially later on), but also be humble enough to pivot. One example that comes to mind is when Eric Young went out and had an amazing performance to show the TNA powers that be that he shouldn't be let go from TNA's roster 20 years ago. To be clear — I wasn't in charge at this time, but what was supposed to be his final match was a tag match with "EY" and Bobby Roode vs. America's Most Wanted. But Eric went out there and stole the damn show. (And truthfully, the other three guys knew what was at stake and worked their asses off to put "EY" in a position to shine.) Advertisement After that performance — one of the best in company history — there was no way TNA could let him go. Eric didn't just save his job, he showed TNA that he should never have been in a position where we were even considering not having him part of our show. That's why I've always loved this business. Because it's unpredictable. Because it's alive. Because Ron Killings, at age 53, can go from being cut to being the most entertaining guy on the show — just like that. Seth Rollins is so awesome that the fans don't want to boo him. And that would be a big problem, considering he is clearly being positioned as WWE's top villain, but … Seth Rollins is *so* awesome he can make the fans boo him anyway. The whole main event on this past Monday's "WWE Raw," where Jey Uso won a Fatal 4-Way to set up a King of the Ring match vs. Cody Rhodes next week, clicked so well. Everyone in the match — Jey, Sheamus, Rusev and Bronson Reed — were given big moments, but so were LA Knight, Penta and Bron Breakker, who interfered throughout. Advertisement Then Seth Rollins came out — and everyone cheered and sang his song. He was about to attack Uso, who'd wrecked his plan for teammate Reed to be in the King of the Ring, when Cody Rhodes stepped between them. Seth sold it like he was enraged. He hyperventilated. Spittle flew out both corners of his mouth. The hatred he had his eyes for Cody … and then with just one look he told us that he'd decided: 'No, not here. Not one-on-one.' And he backed down from a fight with Cody — and the fans rained down boos. A masterclass! Seth's timing — knowing exactly the right moment to back down from a fight to lose the respect of the audience — reminded me of Bret Hart's heel turn at WrestleMania 13 all those years ago. Advertisement For younger fans, Bret had just beat Steve Austin in a match that set 'Stone Cold' up as the WWF's top babyface and, at the same time, was supposed to turn Bret up as the company's top villain. Only, the fans weren't booing Bret as he continued to attack Austin even after he'd won the match. Special referee Ken Shamrock pushed Bret off of Austin … and Bret made as if he was going to fight 'The World's Most Dangerous Man' … the fans thought they were going to see it … and then Bret ducked out of the ring, prompting the fans to boo him all the way back to the locker room. I'd already filed last week's column before I saw "AEW Dynamite," but what happened on June 11 — with Don Callis setting up Okada to attack Kenny Omega — was absolutely astonishing television. It was shocking on so many levels. Casual fans know Don was Kenny's manager, then turned on him and has been a thorn in his side since. Hardcores know that Don and Kenny are basically family in real life; Don's first manager when he wrestled was Kenny's uncle, the Golden Sheik, and Don has known Kenny since he was a boy. Don Callis (left) with Kenny Omega's uncle, The Golden Sheik. Don skipped chest day even in the '70s. (Photo via Scott D'Amore) Don sticking his nose in Kenny's business — the Okada match — made perfect sense, but it was the execution of it that was next level. Omega initially being all, 'You again? I am wise to your tricks,' and Don, the mastermind, smirking back, 'Well, you didn't see this coming,' with Okada attacking him from behind — it was gripping stuff. Advertisement You don't see blood much in modern wrestling, and you sure as hell don't see someone choking on it like they're suffering horrific internal injuries. But that's what AEW showed us: Kenny Omega coughing and gasping, looking seriously, dangerously hurt. The visual alone was enough to jolt fans into silence. Don Callis is the most effective heel manager of this era. As multi-talented as Paul Heyman is, when it comes to lighting a fire of hatred in fans' guts, no one stokes that inferno quite like Don. (Of course, he has a great head start, being very, very, very unlikable in real life.) Fans were already excited for another Omega vs. Okada match. Now? There's a whole new emotional charge baked into it. It's personal, it's venomous, it's heart-wrenching — and that's exactly what wrestling should be at its best. I can't wait for their match at AEW All In next month. No one gets the reaction that Bill Goldberg got on "WWE Raw" this week without being a very special performer. I am not here to put over his work rate, but anyone who denies the man's 'it' factor doesn't understand charisma. Advertisement It's been 28 years (!) since Goldberg's legendary 'streak' in WCW … and the fans still believe in him. I worked with Bill back in 1997 at WCW's Power Plant in Atlanta. The Power Plant was a training facility decades ahead of its time and I got a nice check for going down there and basically taking bumps for Bill in the practice ring. In typical WCW fashion, though, I only worked out with Bill a few times and I got paid for two weeks of sitting around drinking coffee. Bill's athleticism — especially his raw power — was incredible. And he had that focus of a real athlete who knew he had a great opportunity in front of him. I'll echo Bret Hart, though, in saying I'm not sure Bill knew how to control his raw power. Advertisement I was supposed to be an early number opponent for Bill, maybe No. 15, I can't remember, and be part of his legendary streak. But I had to go back to Canada for business and the match didn't happen, which was too bad. As WCW began to inflate the streak, claiming it grew to 170-0 when the real number was closer to 120-0, I joked with Mike Tenay that I was one of the phantom 50 matches Goldberg was supposed to have had. Bill turns 59 later this year and all signs are his match in Atlanta against Gunther will be his last. Gunther will shoulder much of the load, but whatever they do, I know Bill will go out with a bang. Inflating the streak was a real WCW misstep. Even casual fans realized they were cooking the books. A genuine 80-0 works far better than a fake 100-0. Advertisement In TNA, Mike Tenay had the idea to replicate Goldberg's streak for Samoa Joe … and he made sure it was 100% accurate. Staying with WCW, I've heard great things about Marc Raimondi's book on the nWo. Entitled 'Say Hello To The Bad Guys,' it covers the legendary WCW faction and their massive impact on pop culture. There have been many attempts to replicate the magic of the nWo, but it is impossible. The shockwave of Hulk Hogan's 1996 heel turn is something that is never going to be replicated — just look at how much bigger it was than even John Cena's heel turn. Scott Hall and Kevin Nash were so effortlessly, uniquely cool … the nWo formula will never be replicated. And then Eric Bischoff and team were innovating at a crazy place — backstage segments, fights in the parking lot, breaking the fourth wall. Wrestling had never seen anything like it and no one will ever forget it. Advertisement As Marc mentions at the start of the book, if you wear a nWo hoodie or t-shirt, you're likely to get a complete stranger throwing up the 'Wolfpac' hand sign at you. The nWo captured the imagination of a generation — and never let go. For those fans, nWo is truly FOR LIFE! Congrats to my friends Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson — the iconic tag-team known as the Good Brothers — who signed a deal with Hulu (!) to stream their Lariato pro-wrestling promotion. Check out the Good Brothers taking on the Bullet Club War Dogs above.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE's expanded wrestling universe is already opening doors once thought impossible
So in the end it was the boys from Los Garza who did what "The Master" Chad Gable couldn't: Triumph over the luchadores and bring an AAA championship back to WWE. Anyone who missed this weekend's AAA Triplemanía (don't worry, it's currently available free on YouTube) might not have seen the "WWE SmackDown" boys leave Mexico with the luchador promotion's world tag-team titles. It's true that Los Garza's victory is hardly the biggest story in professional wrestling. But it is an interesting example of how WWE's bold strategy of working with other promotions is slowly beginning to take shape. Advertisement Who would have guessed two years ago that we'd be in a world where the notoriously territorial WWE was partnering with the likes of TNA, AAA, Pro Wrestling Noah and even GCW to create an extended universe of pro-wrestling? As unlikely outcomes go, it blows the John Cena heel turn out the water. What I wouldn't give to know what old Vinnie Mac thinks of it all. In truth, it's still far too early to pass any kind of big-picture judgment on this whole experiment. But six months since WWE surprised us all by announcing a formal partnership with TNA, we're starting to get a picture of what it might mean for the average wrestling fan. And so far? I like what I see. Just look at what we've had over the past two months. Chad Gable delivering the match of a lifetime in an unsuccessful bid to become AAA world champion. TNA's Joe Hendry getting a huge moment at WrestleMania before losing his promotion's biggest prize to NXT's Trick Williams. Nattie Neidhart getting a Rage Against the Machine ring walk at GCW Bloodsport before slapping the crap out of Miyu Yamashita. Maybe it shouldn't be a surprise these partnerships are creating some fun moments. But what's interesting from this past weekend's Triplemanía event is how they're also opening up genuine opportunities for WWE mid-carders who might otherwise suffer from the wrestling behemoth's pivot away from house shows and general squeeze on getting decent TV time. Advertisement It isn't just that there are more chances to get booked and more titles to chase. It's the fact that the WWE working with promotions like GCW and AAA hugely expands the different ways you can build a name for yourself in the promotion. Take Bloodsport, for example. How many times has WWE toyed with the idea of some kind of combat sports/wrestling fusion only to end with egg on their face? Now they've taken the much smarter move of partnering with someone who actually knows how to do it. From a star-making perspective that's a serious benefit for someone like Charlie Dempsey in NXT, who can go throw hands in Bloodsport (as he did back in Las Vegas in April) and come away with an amazing package video that will make him look fearsome as hell when he goes to the WWE main roster. Not least since the average WWE casual fan probably hasn't seen a single Bloodsport match. It also opens the door for wrestlers who might not fit the typical WWE mold. Look at the positive backstage reaction to TNA's Mike Santana after his NXT appearance, for example. The heavy-set brawler is exactly the sort of rough-diamond type who wouldn't have gotten near Titan Towers a few years ago. Under this new working arrangement with TNA, he can prove himself on his own terms and end up with WWE interested in signing him. The same goes for those former WWE names who have gone on to have decent runs in TNA. We've already seen Elias/Elijah and Top Dolla/AJ Francis pop up in NXT, less than two years after being let go from the company. Hopefully that will open the door for someone like Mustafa Ali, who most people think should never have been released in the first place, or Matt Cardona, who has been tipped for a WWE return for ages now. Advertisement Again, it's still too early to judge what this all means for pro-wrestling in the long run. If WWE's long game is to turn the partner promotions into glorified developmental programs and snatch up all the best talent ... well, that sounds less positive. We'll also need to see how well the whole development path works out in practice. We saw how adept Karrion Kross was in terms of turning his Bloodsport match into a massive promotional boost earlier this year. But has it gotten him more TV time now he's back to the grind in WWE? Not yet. And what about those names who WWE was glad to see the back of but who might end up making a comeback elsewhere? Already there are reports that WWE wants nothing to do with Alberto del Rio/Alberto El Patrón, who has been working with AAA and appeared on this weekend's Triplemanía. If that's the case, does that mean TNA wouldn't sign someone like Matt Riddle, who Triple H regards as a troublemaker? All questions to keep in mind. But right now things are looking good for this whole extended universe thing. If it means more shows like Worlds Collide, we're all winners, right? Well, except Chad Gable, but that's another story.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE's expanded wrestling universe is suddenly making its product much more interesting
So in the end it was the boys from Los Garza who did what "The Master" Chad Gable couldn't: Triumph over the luchadores and bring an AAA championship back to WWE. Anyone who missed this weekend's AAA Triplemanía (don't worry, it's currently available free on YouTube) might not have seen the "WWE SmackDown" boys leave Mexico with the luchador promotion's world tag-team titles. It's true that Los Garza's victory is hardly the biggest story in professional wrestling. But it is an interesting example of how WWE's bold strategy of working with other promotions is slowly beginning to take shape. Advertisement Who would have guessed two years ago that we'd be in a world where the notoriously territorial WWE was partnering with the likes of TNA, AAA, Pro Wrestling Noah and even GCW to create an extended universe of pro-wrestling? As unlikely outcomes go, it blows the John Cena heel turn out the water. What I wouldn't give to know what old Vinnie Mac thinks of it all. In truth, it's still far too early to pass any kind of big-picture judgment on this whole experiment. But six months since WWE surprised us all by announcing a formal partnership with TNA, we're starting to get a picture of what it might mean for the average wrestling fan. And so far? I like what I see. Just look at what we've had over the past two months. Chad Gable delivering the match of a lifetime in an unsuccessful bid to become AAA world champion. TNA's Joe Hendry getting a huge moment at WrestleMania before losing his promotion's biggest prize to NXT's Trick Williams. Nattie Neidhart getting a Rage Against the Machine ring walk at GCW Bloodsport before slapping the crap out of Miyu Yamashita. Maybe it shouldn't be a surprise these partnerships are creating some fun moments. But what's interesting from this past weekend's Triplemanía event is how they're also opening up genuine opportunities for WWE mid-carders who might otherwise suffer from the wrestling behemoth's pivot away from house shows and general squeeze on getting decent TV time. Advertisement It isn't just that there are more chances to get booked and more titles to chase. It's the fact that the WWE working with promotions like GCW and AAA hugely expands the different ways you can build a name for yourself in the promotion. Take Bloodsport, for example. How many times has WWE toyed with the idea of some kind of combat sports/wrestling fusion only to end with egg on their face? Now they've taken the much smarter move of partnering with someone who actually knows how to do it. From a star-making perspective that's a serious benefit for someone like Charlie Dempsey in NXT, who can go throw hands in Bloodsport (as he did back in Las Vegas in April) and come away with an amazing package video that will make him look fearsome as hell when he goes to the WWE main roster. Not least since the average WWE casual fan probably hasn't seen a single Bloodsport match. It also opens the door for wrestlers who might not fit the typical WWE mold. Look at the positive backstage reaction to TNA's Mike Santana after his NXT appearance, for example. The heavy-set brawler is exactly the sort of rough-diamond type who wouldn't have gotten near Titan Towers a few years ago. Under this new working arrangement with TNA, he can prove himself on his own terms and end up with WWE interested in signing him. The same goes for those former WWE names who have gone on to have decent runs in TNA. We've already seen Elias/Elijah and Top Dolla/AJ Francis pop up in NXT, less than two years after being let go from the company. Hopefully that will open the door for someone like Mustafa Ali, who most people think should never have been released in the first place, or Matt Cardona, who has been tipped for a WWE return for ages now. Advertisement Again, it's still too early to judge what this all means for pro-wrestling in the long run. If WWE's long game is to turn the partner promotions into glorified developmental programs and snatch up all the best talent ... well, that sounds less positive. We'll also need to see how well the whole development path works out in practice. We saw how adept Karrion Kross was in terms of turning his Bloodsport match into a massive promotional boost earlier this year. But has it gotten him more TV time now he's back to the grind in WWE? Not yet. And what about those names who WWE was glad to see the back of but who might end up making a comeback elsewhere? Already there are reports that WWE wants nothing to do with Alberto del Rio/Alberto El Patrón, who has been working with AAA and appeared on this weekend's Triplemanía. If that's the case, does that mean TNA wouldn't sign someone like Matt Riddle, who Triple H regards as a troublemaker? All questions to keep in mind. But right now things are looking good for this whole extended universe thing. If it means more shows like Worlds Collide, we're all winners, right? Well, except Chad Gable, but that's another story.
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
47 Cheap Product Swaps That You'll Wish You Made A Long Time Ago
Nortiv 8 walking shoes with the pillowy comfort and bold color combos of Hokas on the cheap, so you can splurge a little bit on that boutique boxing class this week instead of shelling out more to replace the name-brand shoes. Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream to *gently* hydrate, exfoliate, and tighten the skin that's more sensitive than the rest of your body but less sensitive than the skin on your face. This makes for a lovely, quite effective in-between formula packed with aloe, salicylic acid, and jojoba oil in a formula that reviewers say works just as well as much pricier creams. Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder made with natural rice starches and pineapple, kiwi, and papaya extracts that'll foam up and *gently* polish skin, giving you similar results to the $68 Dermalogica version. You can use it up to four times a week to see (and feel) the benefits without harsh scrubs or panicking a little bit at your Ulta total. Plus, Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel. Reviewers swear that this works just as well as $$$ eye creams at minimizing puffiness and swelling thanks to a powerhouse duo of caffeine and hyaluronic acid. A set of seamless "invisible" underwear that are an awful lot like pricier versions from Victoria's Secret you always wait 'til a sale to stock up on. Now you won't have to do math to figure out how much longer you can put off laundry based on what undies are clean. Hanes Ultimate ankle socks that'll pass the comfort test for fans of Aritzia's TNA line. Yes, we're at that age where socks can be luxurious. An Elizavecca hair treatment to give you "rich girl hair" thanks to its collagen and ceramide 3 formula. And it'll take just a few minutes of your time, like as little as five minutes post-shampoo. Because time is money, money is power, and power is pizza. (In case you were curious, lots of reviewers say they prefer it over $$$ Olaplex.) E.l.f. Lash Xtndr Tubing Mascara if you've tried pricier versions but have shied away from rebuying because of $$$. Seriously, just try this! It's so good that I'm currently on my THIRD tube. A Lululemon-inspired tennis skirt with built-in shorts and a secret inner pocket because are you even living your best summer life if you're not claw-handing your iced coffee and phone in one hand while you wildly gesticulate as you tell your friend a story on a neighborhood walk? No need to worry about a strong breeze. A tinted lip balm you'd SWEAR is Clinique's $25 "Almost Lipstick" Black Honey for the lovely, sophisticated hue it'll turn your lips. This is great for people who 1) always want a little lip color, 2) hate a sticky feel, and 3) love a bargain. A pair of wireless over-the-ear headphones you might mistake for AirPods Max if you weren't paying close attention thanks to the similar shape and shade options. These beauts are at a small fraction of the price (I swear, that math is easy) with good noise-blocking, 10 hours of play per charge, a built-in mic for calls, and cushy padding so you can put those extra HUNDREDS you're not spending on AirPods Max for a flight to your college roommate's wedding. Essence's Drop of Sunshine Bronzing Drops will help you fake that you spent the weekend taking in the sunshine instead of sick and holed up on your couch catching up on all the horror movies you've been meaning to watch. And at $33 cheaper than the Drunk Elephant version, you might just go ahead and invest in a second or third bottle now. Reviewers say it's super hydrating and buildable! A CZ tennis bracelet with tons of reviewers who say it can pass as actual diamonds. Listen, you want a glamorous stack but you don't have to choose between that and a long weekend at a beach resort. A set of wrist and ankle weights will feel like an extra fun accessory after you look up how the pricing ($22-ish) compares to similar Bala Bangles ($50-ish). Slip on these before you take a stroll with a pal to get in your steps. Just be prepared for the onslaught of compliments by passersby. A pair booty-highlighting biker shorts people say are dead ringers for $48 Buffy Bunny ones in case warmer weather has you looking for workout shorts that'll stay put through runs, squats, and more. An elegant set of square wineglasses that reviewers point out are VERY similar to the pricier ones sold at Crate & Barrel. Whether you're just drinking some water out of them or some actual Prosecco, they'll certainly elevate the moment. (Now you won't have to be SO precious about your wineglasses!) Sliick Ingrown Rescue Solution to halt painful (and unsightly) ingrown hairs before you realize they've rudely shown up on your first beach day of the year, no matter how you're DIY-ing hair removal. AND it's half the price of holy grail Tend Skin! Self-Tanner for some super-easy-to-apply color that'll develop in an hour. No need to book a (costly) spray tan appointment. (Psst, reviewers who've previously sworn by St. Tropez products have made the switch!) A trendy tote bag that'll give Longchamp Le Pliage vibes for about a sixth of the price. This bag silhouette is SO handy and practical but looks sophisticated, even if you've got some Flamin' Hot Cheetos in there that's your only potluck contribution to your pal's bday picnic. A long-sleeve bodysuit will wrap you up in an incredibly soft fabric that reviews oft compare to Skims. AND it's supportive enough so you can wear it without a bra, which is always a great thing! Plus, a stretchy bodycon pencil dress with heaps of Skims comparisons for the shape and stretch. I'm guessing this is what Morticia Addams would wear to an all-inclusive beach resort. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener can be a quick, easy fix for concealing and brightening your under-eye dark circles because you don't wanna have to do a full face every single day. This "invisible" coverage oft gets compared to the $33 Becca version. A cutesy juice glass that'll run you $6 less a pop than the iconic Anthro icon juice glasses. Once you start collecting 'em, you may not want to stop! E.l.f. Soft Glam Foundation has buildable full coverage without *looking* like you put on a layer or two (I should know, it's become my go-to!). Its satiny finish leaves you looking all dewy and has garnered some compliments from friends who see me often enough to tell the difference! After all, finding your holy-grail foundation is a JOURNEY. Might as well try the affordable, effective ones first! E.l.f. Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm in case your lip balm habit (and losing-your-lip-balm habit) is start to eat into your fun money. Fans of Laneige, Rhode, *and* Summer Fridays are in the reviews singing this stuff's praises. A baroque-inspired mirror to instantly dress up an entry or hallway. The gilded frame looks equally great hung on a wall or atop a console. And every time you gaze upon your reflection in it, you can think about the dough you saved by opting for this one over the more expensive Anthro version. Now you can FINALLY replace that mirror from your college dorm. E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter that'll free up a bit of coin if you've been eyeing Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter as a glow-getter on a budget. This stuff has hyaluronic acid and squalane to give you that lit-from-within for less than the cost of a pricey chopped salad from that place beside your office. Some sharp-looking pointed-toe flats with similar comfy, machine-washable features to pricier Rothy's or Vivaia flats. You'll be glad you packed these to get you from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Towel on a long but gorgeous scenic view! And when you get home, you can toss 'em in the wash to look like new for your next adventure! A pair of retro-style oval sunglasses your nemesis will mistake for the $400+ Miu Miu ones, which is fine. Let 'em think that and put that extra cash toward whatever else you want. Or some oversize square sunnies if you've been admiring the Bottega Veneta version but have such a horrible track record with keeping sunglasses in fighting shape that you can't in good conscience spend hundreds on a pair. Slip-on mules because you're not allowed to wear sneakers to the office (I'm emailing HR on your behalf) but don't do heels. You'll get all kinds of use out of these comfy alts to the pricier Madewell Gemma mules without having to MAKE yourself wear them enough times just to make yourself feel better about dropping serious dough on them. Platform slippers you've eyed on so many other people in public (or, well, the similar but more expensive Ugg Tazz) and want in on the cozy style. Once you slip your feet into the faux-fur shoes, you'll find every which way to wear — even in the sweaty pits of summer. A multipurpose blush stick you can try out to create the lovely watercolor blush trend. Y'know what's even lovelier? Paying $7 for this instead of the $18 Pixi Beauty version so you can build and blend color to your heart's content. Cushionaire slides to help satisfy your old dogs' yearning for comfy Birks (there are 1k+ reviews comparing them) for significantly less. A "Soft" perfume rollerball that's definitely made an appearance or five in your FYP scroll. It's only $5 and smells totally delightful (it gets compared to sweet treats like waffle cones). BUT! That's not the only reason to love it. It reminds reviewers of the $65 bottle of Pink Sugar 👀 and layers like a dream. Or a Creamy Coconut fragrance rollerball to have everyone assuming you paid full price for the $25 Sol de Janeiro fragrance. Even if your immediate plans don't entail sitting on a beach and drinking out of an actual coconut, you can still catch a whiff of the island vibe with this sweet scent. A longline sports bra you can (and tbh, SHOULD) just wear as a crop top. It's too hot out for shirts that cover your belly button and regular bras. E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops made to help plump up (hydrating hibiscus complex and hyaluronic acid) and brighten (niacinamide) your complexion for similar results to the $35 Glow Recipe Watermelon Dew Drops. Reviewers say it works great alone *or* mixed in with foundation. Dossier's "Ambery Vanilla" perfume because you thought about shelling out for YSL's Black Opium but your budget said no despite all your other perfume bottles being on empty. Etude's delightfully multipurpose Dear Darling Water Tint, which a lot of reviewers compare to Benefit's Lip Tint. This smudgeproof formula is designed primarily to be a natural-looking, weightless lip stain, but reviewers use it as a blush as well! A Briotech spray can help soothe rosacea, eczema, rashes, sunburns, and other skin irritations for when your skin is just not cooperating thanks to hypochlorous acid (it's in your white blood cells and helps soothe inflammation). Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray is also what some call a miracle in a bottle. But Briotech is in a cheaper bottle. Some mid-weight sweatpants in case you wanna bring some luxe feel to your couch-rotting. Folks on TikTok compare these to Aritzia's for a fraction of the price. Everyone wear sweats but they don't have to be expensive sweats. A half-zip pullover sweatshirt that'll run you far less than Lulu's $118 scuba hoodies. Mise En Scene Perfect Serum, a K-beauty product that's probably come across your radar for its stunning before-and-after results *and* lower price tag than a comparable $46 Gisou hair oil. Locking down a cheap but transformative hair oil will soften the blow of putting off having your split ends snipped off for a few more months. Catrice's Magic Shaper Face Cream Palette to help you build out and highlight your face's gorgeous assets for a mere $8 instead of $88 with a similar Makeup Forever palette. Listen, you don't have to spend a bunch of money to LOOK it. And a palette like this is gonna last you a while. A set of satin pillowcases that are MUCH cheaper than other brands' but they're so legit that I own five pairs of them. I even pack them for travel! Once you start sleeping on one of these (they're cooling and keep your hair and skin more moisturized), you won't want to go back to a cotton pillowcase. A slightly compressive layering T-shirt that comes in different colors and at a very budget-friendly price, so you can stock up on them to help fill wardrobe gaps. Oh, and the kicker? Reviewers say it feels like Skims shirts but, obviously, for cheaper.
