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Raise Your Hand If You’ve Been Personally Victimized By Ticketmaster
They're the problem, it's them.
11.18.2022
Updated: 1/25/23 at 2:42 PM
In quite possibly the only time in recent history, Democrats and Republicans are united, as the Ticketmaster Senate Hearing has begun. Countless Senators have taken the stand to make Taylor Swift-inspired one-liners and bring down the monopoly that Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster have over the music industry. Some are even suggesting that Live Nation and Ticketmaster should be split into separate entities.
Ticketmaster's "iron-clad" defense? Blame the bots. Those pesky scalpers and bots are purposely clogging online queues so purchasing a face-value ticket is completely impossible. Ticketmaster asserts that because the bots - run by scalpers - snatched up all the tickets, Ticketmaster is innocent.
However, it's important to note that Ticketmaster has the ability to program their website so this does not happen. Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment own 300 venues across the world, so they have control over where artists can play. Justice Department investigators claim Live Nation have threatened to pull their venues if an artist refuses to use Ticketmaster.
Generally, not the artist's fault when concert tickets cost the equivalent of a house mortgage. It's Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment ganging up on them. It's reported that Ticketmaster controls ticketing for 70-80% of American concert venues.
So, hypothetically, if an artist wants to save their fans money and use a different platform for ticket sales, they're at risk of losing Live Nation Entertainment and/or Ticketmaster venues. Let's just hope the Senate gets this one under control.
Within mere hours of this article posting, two major things happened: Taylor Swift publicly condemned Ticketmaster, who apparently promised they were equipped to handle such demand. And the Department of Justice has agreed to launch an investigation into the monopolistic website.
The downfall of Twitter and Elon...the downfall of Ticketmaster....who's next?
When Taylor Swift announced The Eras Tour, millions of fans flocked to Ticketmaster to sign up for a chance to win the Verified Fan presale code…myself included. I waited in a three-hour line just to enter my information and cross my fingers that a website randomly selects my name and provides a code so I can actually buy tickets.
I was less surprised when I didn’t receive a Verified Fan code…but no matter! In my clutches was a Capital One credit card, which guaranteed me a chance at tickets to see Taylor. I was super encouraged. Until I waited another three hours in a queue only to be informed tickets were sold out.
For a while, I’ve been an active advocate for abolishing Ticketmaster’s monopoly on the live entertainment ticket market. I’m used to waiting in an hour-long queue to fight for the chance at one face-value ticket for Harry Styles. If you don’t nab a face-value ticket, then you’re looking at paying $1,000 per. Seat. Thanks to money-grubbing resellers.
Things went from bad to worse when a reported 14 million people flooded Ticketmaster to purchase Taylor Swift tickets. Since Ticketmaster’s merger with Live Nation in 2010, the website has complete control over tickets…making it virtually impossible to access a face-value ticket.
Not only was The Eras Tour presale such a cataclysmic debacle that Capital One postponed their presale for 24-hours…the general sale has been canceled because Ticketmaster sold 2 million tickets during the presale. Swift’s previous Reputation Stadium Tour sold 2.8 million tickets in total.
Ticketmaster has drawn national attention due to this blatant robbery. Politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are calling for the Department of Justice to look into this un-checked monopoly. For now, I will stream Midnights and pretend I’m in a stadium with Taylor.
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I'll admit it – I buy most of my makeup from Sephora and have spent well over $100 for three products in a small black-and-white striped bag. That’s not to say I’m happy about it.
I just moved into a new apartment, which means I must budget. I can no longer afford my Sephora routine in which I repurchase the Kosas Concealer every few months.
@chelsea.t_ I’m pleasantly surprised! I’m shook.. #makeup#makeuptutorial#makeuphack#makeupdupes#makeupartist#makeuphacks#makeuptransformation#grwmchallenge♬ original sound - Chelsea Thompson
It’s easy to find influencers who plug Sephora’s latest releases, but have you ever noticed that every last TikTok makeup lineup costs $300 for a full face?
Knowing I need to budget and that I can’t afford the TikTok routines, I’ve regressed to my humble beginnings - drugstore makeup. From products that I’ve loved for years to TikTok’s DS recs, here are full skincare and makeup routines with products available at your local drugstore.
@rachellldaguanno Coming from a luxury makeup gal… these drugstore products are a MUST! #drugstoremakeup#drugstorebeauty#favedrugstoremakeup#favedrugstorebeautyfinds#cheapmakeup#drugstoredupe#musthavedrugstore#fullfacedrugstorebrands♬ original sound - Rach D’Aguanno
Your Drugstore Skincare Routine:
Cleanser:La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
La Roche-Posay is my favorite drugstore skincare brand. Each product has effective results at my ideal price range. This cleanser is ultra-hydrating for the winter so you can keep that skin barrier strong and healthy.
BHA Toner: Peach Slices Acne Exfoliating Toner
I’m a fan of Paula’s Choice BHA/AHA Exfoliant, but $34 may be a bit much. Peach Slices makes the perfect dupe that works just as well to clear your pores.
Serums:
- Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid
- The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc
- The Ordinary Salicylic Acid
- The Ordinary Retinol
I believe that every person should have a few serums in their skincare routine. Hyaluronic acid helps with hydration, while niacinamide brightens your complexion. Then, salicylic acid for breakouts and retinol a few nights a week will work to prevent signs of aging.
Moisturizer:La Roche-Posay Cicaplast
This balm/moisturizer changed my life. It saves my dry, flaky skin and can even be used on dry areas like elbows, cuticles, and hands.
Night Cream: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
CeraVe is another great drugstore skincare brand that you can’t really go wrong with. This night cream targets dryness and aging, and I’ve used it forever and it gives me glowing skin by the AM.
@dianamelstrad#stitch with @alixearle #greenscreen All of Alix’s most used products to recreate for your very own night at UMiami #BetheReasonVisa#IntuitTouchdownDance#AEHolidayCard#alixearle#alixearlegrwm#costofbeauty#priceofmakeup#grwm♬ original sound - diana🪩
Your Drugstore Makeup Routine:
Primer:Revolution Beauty Blur Stick +
I swear by this primer. Its formula is infused with vitamins and makes your foundation look flawless. I haven’t found anything quite like it.
Foundation: wet ‘n wild Dewy Photo Focus Foundation
This foundation is comparable to the NARS Light Reflecting or Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin. It provides full coverage, a next-level glow, and looks expensive – when it only costs $5.
Concealer:L.A. Girl HD Pro Concealer
TikTok’s current princess, Alix Earle, has been an advocate for this $5 concealer, so we have to trust it. It covers up dark circles and blemishes without caking or drying out. Did I mention it was $5?
Blush: Milani Baked Blush
Makeup’s hottest must-have is blush. Milani is highly pigmented with a little glow to it. It’ll last forever on your face and in your makeup drawer.
Bronzer: wet ‘n wild Megaglow Contour
A contour stick that isn’t messy and sculpts your face? Sign me up. It’s easy to use, so beginners and makeup gurus alike will love it.
Highlight:e.l.f. cosmetics Baked Highlighter
This highlighter packs a punch. You can never go wrong with e.l.f. products, but this highlight is simply the best.
Setting Spray:NYX Cosmetics Matte Finish Setting Spray
One of the most popular setting sprays on the drugstore market, you probably recognize the NYX Matte Finish. It glues your makeup to your skin for the night, which is all you really can ask for.
Setting Powder: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Setting Powder
The Maybelline Fit Me collection is a 10/10 across the board. The concealer, foundation, and setting powder will give you a flawless base for under $30. Worth the money every time.
Mascara:L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara
I use this every. single. day. I swear by L’Oreal Telescopic and I will forever get compliments on my lashes when wear it. If you buy one product from this list, make it this one.
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Beyoncé Is Back - The Superstar Dazzles Fans During Spectacular Dubai Performance
The Renaissance singer plays her first concert since 2018
01.23.2023
Beyoncé, January 2023 (Mason Poole/Parkwood Media/Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal)
The Queen has returned!
Yes, you read that right. Beyoncé returned to the stage for the first time since her last headlining show in 2018. And, boy, did she deliver!
On Saturday, January 21, Beyoncé performed during the grand reveal of Atlantis The Royal, Dubai’s new, iconic luxury resort. The hourlong concert was attended by over 1,000 people, including celebrities and special guests. Even Lizzo was in attendance!
The 25-time Grammy Award-winning superstar was backed by Firdaus - an all-female orchestra - and the Mayyas, a Lebanese dance group that took home the $1m grand prize on America's Got Talent in September 2022.
For those who still haven’t caught the breathtaking - and leaked! - clips all over Twitter, TikTok, and IG, no, we didn’t get a live performance of ‘Break My Soul.’ Talk about #JusticeForRenaissance. Queen Bey instead opted for a ballad-heavy setlist that included tracks like "Brown Skin Girl,” "Halo," and "Spirit.”
With significantly less choreography and fanfare than we’ve all come to expect from the Queen, the night was solely about Beyoncé's vocal ability, and its commanding presence and power.
She opened with ‘At Last,’ reminding naysayers that she truly has the right to use titles like “I’m Tha Girl.” Believe me, you have got to hear the serene, siren-like ending she gave to her hit song ‘Drunk In Love.’
While I was not on the guest list - I’m sure the resort meant to send me an invite but got busy - I was one of the hungry fans rushing to an IG live to catch an earful for myself.
And no, I am not ashamed (and Lizzo wasn't either!)
\u201cI have seen Beyonc\u00e9 perform live 10 times in my lifetime\u2026 and today the 11th time was on a IG live across a body of water of a hotel and I\u2019m not ashamed.\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1674334955
Big shoutout to Paul_Ah_Ah for risking it all, just so us fans can experience the mesmerizing magic that is a Beyoncé show.
Since Mrs. Carter has yet to release any visuals for Renaissance - her landmark 2022 project - this performance is merely a first glimpse of what's to come for us die-hard stans.
This is the start of a liberating era, especially since Bey’s rumored to embark on the Renaissance World Tour this summer.
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