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Why Charlotte Tilbury Minis Are A Scam…And Minis You’ll Love More

Over the summer, I was traveling around from place to place, lugging around hoards of makeup products in a huge bag. It was disorganized. It was chaotic. And tragically, it ended with exploded products and, often, tears.


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FILM & TV

WEEKLY RUCAP | Episode 6 destroyed me.

I'm breaking form today, to just talk about what happened this episode and process this whole thing.

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Photo by Kieron McCarron-ITV (Shutterstock)


Me when all the shit hit the fan.media.giphy.com

I'm taking a step back from the typical Rucap this week, because this episode truly changed the Drag Race game. It will go down as one of the most intense and nerve wracking episodes I've ever watched, and honestly that ending had me floored. I thought I had this whole thing down. Even with Rupaul's twists - it was all derivative of the previous season. Even the odd Handmaid's Tale reference still felt like All Stars 2.

Alas, I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm still going to cover the important parts of the episode - but I'm mainly focusing on two things: The Reunion of the Queens and the Deliberation/Lip Synch. The rest of the episode was filled with the same old stuff - a lot of the remaining queens talking about how scary everything is and all that.

THE REUNION OF THE QUEENS

The episode started with RuPaul coming in and explaining that the queens are going to do a Spice Girls-inspired Maxi-challenge. The girls have to create their own personas and write their own lyrics, and then perform in front of Rupaul. But, that's not all, right before Ru releases the girls to get to work - she "remembers" that there was something else she forgot. The eliminated girls have returned, and they are going to be in their own group.

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But, it's not just the queens coming back for a chance to win. The top queen of the episode will not only get to send current queens home but will get to bring back an eliminated queen to take her place.

But honestly, as great as this challenge was, it was the least interesting part of the episode. Mostly because this reunion between the girls was one of the most intense reunions I've ever seen. Even the facecracking, Phi Phi O'Hara/Alyssa Edwards reunion was nothing compared to this.

Why? Because these queens went in! It started with Morgan coming for BenDeLa - but then Thorgy came in and immediately questioned Shangela about why she got eliminated. But, the most annoying part about this is not the Thorgy-Shangela banter, it's the return of the damned letter that Trixie hung up. Thorgy was on the side of Shangela and said that it should not have been hanging anywhere for anyone to see.

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Listen, guys, that letter needs to die. I'm tired of it. Trixie hung that letter in her area, and Shangela got nosey and started reading it. Sure, Trixie should not have hung up that letter, because it was really shady towards Shangela - but the girl didn't mean anything by it. Let. It. Go.

After the letter nonsense, Thorgy and Shangela work it through (kind of) in just enough time for Morgan to call out BenDeLa for being shady in her elimination. Morgan claims she did not have the worst critiques and she didn't deserve it. BenDeLa says that she didn't agree - but Morgan claims that Ben is a hypocrite and says that she didn't think that Morgan was part of the team. And she was correct, Morgan didn't do the worst in her episode and BenDeLa most likely got rid of her because she was worried about Morgan's "the strongest girl goes home" strategy.

BenDeLa tries to defend herself, but ends up shutting down and not owning up to anything that Morgan says. Not that she has to talk for much longer, because Aja chimes in with her frustration towards Bebe. She (fairly) claims that Bebe took credit for the outfit and didn't thank Aja for helping her. Bebe gave a weak argument, saying that it would not have changed anything, but that's not the point. Bebe wouldn't have that amazing garment without Aja - and she should acknowledged that.

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We round it out with Milk and Kennedy arguing, and Milk making it all about her. Kennedy's blunt honesty towards Milk resonated really deeply with me - she told Milk everything that she and everyone else thought. And Milk, in typical Milk fashion, really didn't respond all that well. Instead, she made it about herself and said that she couldn't believe that she came across that way. I'll admit, she seemed very upset, and that's valid. Sometimes people aren't aware of themselves, so maybe I'm being too harsh?

As the queens prepare for the Challenge, again, there's nothing that interesting going on. It's typical Drag Race fair - the eliminated queens did well in their recording with Adam Lambert (who is also guest judging with Baby Spice!), while the Queens that are still officially in the race didn't do super well.

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The challenge ended up being amazing though. The songs were both good, and the queens on both teams performed so well. In the end, the current queens ended up taking the crown - with BenDeLa and Bebe being the top queens AND EVERYONE being up for elimination.

DELIBERATION

Right off the bat, you see Kennedy getting upset because she knows she has the lowest track record compared to the other girls. She has been in the bottom twice, while the other girls have either never been in the bottom - or have only been in once. Meanwhile, BenDeLa feels very disillusioned by the whole process. Originally, I thought this was an act, but you can see the exhaustion on her face. She's genuinely very tired of doing this - she doesn't like sending girls home and now she has to do it again.

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Both Bebe and Ben are looking based on track record, and Bebe is looking for that subjective "fire," that all queens say they're looking for. Both Shangela and Trixie say that they're strong contestants, and they're pretty confident in themselves. However, Bebe has this look in her eye when talking with Trixie that really shook me - cause I just knew that she was going to pick Trixie to go home.

After the Bottom Three pleaded their cases, it was time for the eliminated queens to plead there's. It was all pretty standard, "I still have fight," and "I just really want to be here." The best thing of the night comes from Chi Chi who literally said that bringing her back would be like beating a dead horse and she doesn't want to be the Roxxxie of the season - which is so true, and good for Chi Chi to recognize that she wasn't ready for the competition yet.

After this, we have one of the most important moment in Drag Race herstory.

THE LIP SYNCH

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The lip synch was admittedly pretty dull. There wasn't a lot of movement, and honestly, it felt like they were both not giving it their all. However, I will say that BenDeLa drained the regal energy from Bebe. When she walked out in her all-black ensemble - I was so for it. She looked beautiful, and her face was painted for the gods. In the end, BenDeLa won.

Of course, she brought back Morgan, whom she had felt she wronged by the end of the episode. But, instead of sending one of the other current queens home, BenDeLa pulled out a lipstick and, in white-out, she wrote her own name. In that moment, my whole existence stopped for a second. The camera flashed to Rupaul, and everyone was shook beyond belief. BenDeLa took herself out of the competition - not because her feelings were hurt, but because she couldn't take it anymore.

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She was tired of RuPaul's game - and removed herself from it for her own mental health, and that's crazy. And you can see the pain flash on Rupaul's face. She was gagged - I have never seen Rupaul so surprised. Even when Adore left, she wasn't this caught off guard. After all, BenDeLa was going to win - she had one most of the challenges at this point, and if she stayed on a few more weeks - she was going to be in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.

But, in the words of Aja, she was the "drag jesus" who sacrificed herself for the other queens. And like Aja, I too will tear up every time I think about that moment. BenDeLa put the whole All-Stars system on trial - and goddamn, it was beautiful.

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FILM & TV

WEEKLY RUCAP | Episode 2: Divas Lip Synch Live...

The claws are out honey, and it doesn't look like anybody is safe.

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This was probably one of the most up and down episodes of Drag Race herstory. With a lackluster challenge, and an even more lackluster performance from some of these queens - I am left wondering just how this is all going to shake out. Unlike it's previous season, these queens definitely seem to be out for each other's necks - and it doesn't seem like they're afraid to go for the jugular.

THE POST-CHALLENGE MEET UP

We start off the episode with the typical post-previous episode challenge reactions from the queens. It was a lot of BenDeLa being emotional and the other queens not really having it - which is fair. Not even I could stomach her tears for WINNING the previous challenge, but I could just be heartless.

Some highlights were Aja revealing that she wanted to send Chi Chi home (which is what should've happened, tbh), and Chi Chi getting really upset about. It goes to show just how different these queens are - because it felt like last season they didn't take it nearly as personally as these girls do. Everyone wants to win, sure, but this batch of queens has a certain ruthless edge that adds so much more tension to every scene.

Another highlight was Chi Chi (rightfully) being shady towards Milk's performance, which was really boring. Like, she literally just Velcro-ed dresses to a body suit! Come on! And Milk - who seems to think she's much better than she is - got very upset. She thought her talent was both unique and fun (even though Velcro isn't a talent).

THE ASSIGNMENTS

The challenge this week SHOULD HAVE BEEN a good one. The queens were all assigned a different, iconic diva and tasked to perform in a VH1 Diva's Live: Salute to Mama Ru Lip Synch Extravaganza!

Cast List:

Milk: Celine Dion

Kennedy: Janet Jackson

Aja: Amy Winehouse

Chi Chi: Patti LaBelle

Trixie: Dolly Parton

Shangela: Mariah Carey

Thorgy: Stevie Nicks

BenDeLa: Julie Andrews

Bebe: Diana Ross

Everyone seemed pretty happy with their assignments, except for Thorgy, who seems to be pulling a Nina Bo'Nina and calling it a conspiracy. After all, Stevie Nicks isn't realty the same as someone like Mariah Carey and Diana Ross. So that must mean that RuPaul is gunning for her to fail. Right? RIGHT? Of course not. But hey, this is just Thorgy being Thorgy.

Other highlights include Milk getting read for her decision to do literally the least iconic Celine Dion look. And I feel like this is Milk's problem, she's trying to make these really different decisions, but completely forgetting what the challenge is about. Much like in the previous challenge, she is assuming her knowledge of fashion and its conventions are going to get lauded by the judges - but come on, I don't think Celine is known for being this huge fashion icon. Unless I'm wrong?

As for the runway, the queens are given the task of redeeming themselves from the worst looks of their season. And honestly, this is probably one of my favorite runway prompts - because it's really going to show how these queens have grown and if they've learned from their mistakes.

THE REHEARSALS

Todrick Hall is back to choreograph - and it seems like no one is really getting it. Even Kennedy, the dancing diva of the season seems to have trouble getting the steps. Todrick lays into her and makes sure she knows how important her part is - which only seems to rattle Kennedy even more. Kennedy claims it's because she's not a choreography-oriented dancer, but a freestyle one, but come on girl, this is Drag Race. You knew there'd be choreography!

Shangela, the star of the episode in my opinion, came to rehearsals completely in character. She really captured Mariah's diva-ness, so much so that it really got on everybody else's nerves. I lived for it, because I knew that she'd be able to turn it out, and it's nice to see a queen really prove that they have the character down. I just loved it. I love Shangela - she's really killing it this season.

Poor Thorgy is getting really rattled about everything. She doesn't have a lot of choreo and seems to be too into being the real Stevie Nicks to do any kind of funny and campy drag version of her - much to the chagrin of Todrick. And it's very disappointing to watch, because you can see her crashing and burning just like she did in season eight - and I just want to shake her! Because I know she's so good!

The other queens seemed fine - Shangela and Milk are shaping up to be the enemies of the season. And honestly, I have to side with Shangela. Milk has an almost delusional confidence in her abilities, and I think it limits her, because I feel like if she ever gets critiqued... it won't end well. But that's just me.

The rest of the rehearsals felt like typical Drag Race fare - except for this odd moment where Todrick felt the need to pressure the hell out Bebe by reminding her that Diana is Ru's favorite artist of all time. Bebe handled it though - even if she looked a little shook after the conversation.

THE CHALLENGE

This. Challenge. Sucked. The music was bad, and a lot of the performances weren't good. Milk was terribly basic, and she didn't look like Celine Dion. Kennedy just didn't lip synch and looked very nervous. Thorgy also didn't do a good job - it was just boring and unfortunate, because I know she could have done better.

The other queens did a great job with what they were given. Shangela KILLED IT as Mariah, and honestly, she was my favorite part of the night. Chi Chi also did a pretty spot-on Patti LaBelle, and redeemed herself from last episode. BenDeLa did an AMAZING JOB as a rapping Julie Andrews - and was just hilarious, even though she kind of stumbled on her choreography. And Trixie delivered a spot-on Dolly Parton that deserved a lot more recognition than it got.

And I just want to say that this challenge was bad. Not the queens. The challenge sucked, and was a big let down compared to the Herstory challenge of the previous season. Even though a few these girls sucked - I think the challenge as a whole fell flat. What do you think? Am I wrong?

THE RUNWAY

So, I'm just going to list them and give you a score:

Milk: Attempted Glamour, didn't do it very well. 3/10.

Aja: Redid her Princess look from season 9. AND LOOKED AMAZING. 8/10.

Chi Chi: Redid her Neon look and redid it well. 7/10

Trixie: Redid her Ugliest Dress challenge. And it was UGLY. 7/10

Kennedy: The only thing I have written in my notes is "SHE CRYSTALLIZED BITCH" and "SHE. DID. THAT." 10/10

Thorgy: Redid her neon look. Looked better, but really weird. 5/10.

BenDeLa: Attempted to do her Dripping with Jewels dress, and failed. I hated it. 3/10.

Bebe: I don't remember what her old challenge was. But she looked like a strong-ass business woman. I loved it. 10/10

SHANGELA: CAME OUT IN A FULL ON PLASTIC BUBBLE DRESSED IN A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS COLORED SUIT. AND IT WAS AMAZING. 20/10. LOVED IT.

This runway definitely made up for the horrible challenge. It was both nostalgic and very telling of these queens' skill level and taste evolution.

TOPS/BOTTOMS

The TOPS were obviously: Shangela, Bebe, and BenDeLa.

The BOTTOMS were surprisingly: Chi Chi, Thorgy, and Kennedy.

And the safe queens were: Milk, Aja, and Trixie.

I also want to point out that Milk got VERBALLY upset about being safe and talked about it in front of Ru. And man, I cannot see that helping her as the competition progresses.

WINNERS/BOTTOM TWO/LIP-SYNCH

Shangela and BenDeLa won, which is great, but part of me wonders if BenDeLa is going to be the Alaska of the season? But also, she does deserve all of the wins - maybe I'm just not used to so much talent.

Meanwhile, Kennedy and Thorgy wound up being the Bottom Two.

During the deliberation, the had their usual interviews. But most of the attention was given to Milk, who seems to be really upset that the judges aren't falling in love with her? Like, this girl CRIED because she was SAFE - and none of the other girls were having it. And frankly, neither was I. I really do think that Milk is edging on delusional - and it's crazy. I hope she comes back down to planet earth so I can start liking her again.

The Lip Synch was surprisingly basic. BenDeLa did a funny schtick, but Shangela used her typical Haus of Edwards flare to secure a win and send Thorgy home.

Thorgy was upset - and as she lamented on how upset she was and how she wasn't ready to go home, Ru showed up on the screen. And after delivering yet another Handmaid's Tale themed call-back - informed Thorgy she had her back.

I really want to know what kind of challenge is going to bring these queens back - and how they could POSSIBLY drag up Handmaid's Tale.

Here's to another episode of a very weird season.

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