Swifties, this one’s for you. It seems like Taylor Swift's Eras Tour has lasted eons. Yet somehow, there’s always something to talk about. Just thinking about how much she’s accomplished while on tour makes me want to buckle down, lock in, and channel my inner girlboss. But while I can’t even be bothered to cook dinner at home after a long day of work, Taylor is accomplishing milestones most musicians can only dream of. Let’s recap.
The Era’s Tour began in March 2023 with its North American leg. It’s set to go until December 2024, with dates in Europe, Australia, Asia, and South America— spanning 152 shows across five continents.
As the queen of multitasking, Swift hasn’t stopped at just selling out stadiums. Since the Eras tour began, she’s released multiple albums — both new and old — and shaken up the tour setlist with each new release. Her list of new releases started on the first day of tour with “All Of The Girls You Loved Before,” which was quickly followed up by “The Alcott,” a feature on The National’s album — reciprocity for their work on her pandemic era albums, Folklore and Evermore.
She also released Midnights: Late Night Edition (including the iconic collab with Ice Spice), as well as not one but two album re-releases — Speak Now Taylor's Version and 1989 Taylor's Version. As if that wasn’t enough, she announced her latest album, The Tortured Poet’s Department, in a GRAMMY’s acceptance speech. Talk about legendary. Since its release, she’s also been churning out deluxe versions and remixes to keep us on our toes. The Eras Tour was even made into a Blockbuster film that brought Beyonce to its premiere. Star power: confirmed.
But that’s just her work life. Her personal life is just as eventful. She ended her 7-year relationship with Joe Alwyn in April 2023. Then entered into a brief but controversial fling with 1975 frontman Matty Healy. Though it didn’t last long, the relationship was enough to inspire a whole album and catapult her into her current romance with Travis Kelce, aka Amerca’s first nepo boyfriend. Now they’re the American Royal couple — and she somehow had time to fly from tour to his Super Bowl performance.
We all have the same hours in the day as Taylor Swift, but how she uses them will always be a mystery to me. I work eight hours a day and can barely manage a social life. Meanwhile, Taylor literally has it all — though conservatives are turning on her for daring to be a woman in her 30s who’s not married with kids. If that’s not proof that women can’t do anything right, I don’t know what is.
Clearly, she’s working late because she’s a singer. No wonder Taylor Swift became a billionaire months into her tour in October 2023. Her net worth is currently around 1.3 billion dollars, making her the only female musician to become a billionaire from her music.
Other entertainment billionaires like Rihanna, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Jay-Z, and Kanye West have joined the three-comma club thanks to ventures like clothing brands, beauty products, and other entrepreneurial pursuits. Rihanna has her FENTY Empire. Kim has her award-winning SKIMS. Ye had Yeezy. But Taylor has an unbeatable catalog of publishing.
But Taylor isn’t just different from other Billionaires because of how she earned her money. She’s the Taylor we know and love because of how she spends it. Her rollercoaster Eras Tour is how she’s made much of her fortune. And she’s using it to give back in monumental degrees. From individual donations to investing in local infrastructure, Taylor is literally changing lives on a macro and micro scale. And teaching us what to expect from all billionaires in the process.
The Era’s Tour Bonuses — Talk About Workplace Benefits
First to make headlines were the Eras Tour crew bonuses. While some of us get rewarded with a pizza party or a $10 gift card to Starbucks, Taylor casually dropped $55 million in bonuses for her tour crew. The massive sum was paid out to everyone who makes the Eras Tour go around, from truck drivers to dancers and sound technicians.
In fairness, these bonuses are definitely well-deserved. Taylor’s shows are over three hours long. Imagine dancing for that long — because Swift certainly isn’t the one with the impressive moves — for hundreds of tour dates. Or remembering countless combinations of light cues to go with a setlist that changes daily. Yeah, they’re clocking in. And if my boss had millions to blow, I’d be expecting a comfortable bonus too. But $55 Million? That’s a testament to Swift’s generosity. It's like she's Oprah, but instead of cars, she's giving out life-changing amounts of cash. "You get a bonus! You get a bonus! Everybody gets a bonus!"
It’s similar to how Zendaya gave film equity to every member of the crew that worked on her controversial black-and-white drama, Malcolm & Marie. Filmed in a few days with a bare-bones crew during the peak of the pandemic, the film was Zendaya’s passion project with Sam Levinson, in which she starred alongside John David Washington. Though the film got mixed reviews, it captured the audience’s attention all the same. After all, it was Zendaya — and we’ll watch her in anything. So since the film sold to Netflix for a hefty sum, all the crew members got payouts from the deal on top of their salaries to reward their hard work.
Bonuses and equity payouts are common in many industries, but not entertainment. Even though it’s one of the most lucrative and recognizable American industries, most entertainers don’t make enough to survive. The SAG and WGA strikes last year were proof that there needs to be systemic change in the industry. LA County has even identified show businesses as risk factors for being unhoused — after all, how many stories do we hear of actors who were living in their cars before their big break? And for many, their big break never comes. For even more, they get hired on amazing gigs with giant performers … then go right back to the grind afterward. While individual actions from our favorite stars won’t fix everything, Zendaya and Taylor are providing models for how Hollywood should treat the people who make this town go round.
And in this economy, even a little bit could go a long way. Inflation and the cost of living are not a joke. Especially when, like with many creative careers, you often have to invest in lessons or equipment for your craft. With all this considered, the impact of Swirt’s donations can’t be overstated. Imagine getting a lump sum of cash for dancing to your favorite Taylor Swift tracks? Talk about a dream job.
The Economic Impact of Swift - Swiftonomics, if you will
Like Barbie and Beyonce last year, Swift is still on a tear to boost the economy of the cities she’s in just by traveling there — ad inspiring others to make the trek, too.
The Barbie movie proved that by marketing to women (instead of just making Marvel flops like Madame Web that aren’t really targeted to women at all), the entertainment industry can make giant profits. Barbie fever went beyond the theater. Thanks to a plethora of product collabs, the phenomenon rippled through retail.
Similarly, Beyonce’s Renaissance Tour tour generated an estimated $4.5 billion for the American economy. According to NPR, that’s almost as much as the entire 2008 Olympics earned for Beijing. People were taking money out of their 401ks to pay for Beyonce tickets and the glittery, silver-hues outfits to rock at her shows. Cities even started calling her effect the “Beyonce Bump.”
Swift has the same effect. She’s not just proving her generosity on a micro-scale for the people close to her, she’s having actual, tangible effects on the economy. It's like she's leaving a trail of dollar bills in her wake, and cities are scrambling to catch them like it's a country-pop, capitalist version of musical chairs.
The US Travel Association called it the Taylor Swift Impact after she generated over $5 Billion in just the first 5 months of the Eras Tour. But how does this work? It’s not like Taylor is printing more money at those shows, but it almost is. Her tour dates are pretty much economic steroid shots for local businesses. Hotels are booked solid, restaurants are packed, and let's not even get started on the surge in friendship bracelet supplies.
“Swifties averaged $1,300 of spending in local economies on travel, hotel stays, food, as well as merchandise and costumes,” say the US Travel Association. “That amount of spending is on par with the Super Bowl, but this time it happened on 53 different nights in 20 different locations over the course of five months.” That’s not to say anothing of her effect on the actual Super Bowl and the entire NFL season thanks to her ball-throwing boyfriend.
It's like she's created her own micro-economy, and everyone's invited to the party. And unlike some economic theories that rely on wealth trickling down (spoiler alert: it doesn't), Taylor's wealth is more like a t-shirt cannon or the confetti at her shows — showering everyone around.
Donations that actually do good
Taylor isn’t just stepping into cities and calling it a night. She’s also not just throwing pennies at problems - she's making significant contributions that are changing lives. And more importantly, she's using her platform to encourage her fans to do the same.
She kicked off her tour with quiet donations to food banks in Glendale, Ariz., and Las Vegas ahead of the Eras Tour. Once the tour was in full swing, she continued this practice. In Seattle, she donated to Food Lifeline, a local hunger relief organization. In Santa Clara, she showed some love to Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. And let's not forget about her $100,000 donation to the Hawkins County School Nutrition Program in Tennessee.
She’s been making similar donations overseas. Taylor Swift donated enough money to cover the food bills for an entire year across 11 food banks and & community pantries in Liverpool. Swift also covered 10,800 meals for Cardiff Foodbank and many more banks across the UK and EU. Her impact is so profound that her numbers are doing more to combat issues like hunger than the government.
Can billionaires actually be good?
One thing about me, I’m always ready and willing — knife and fork in hand — to eat the rich. Because fundamentally, can any billionaire really be good? In our late-stage capitalist horror story, the answer is usually no. Look how many of them are supporting the Trump campaign just to get some tax breaks.
But here's the thing - Taylor Swift might just be the exception that proves the rule. She's not perfect, sure. She still flies private jets and probably has a carbon footprint bigger than Bigfoot. But unlike most of the others in her tax bracket, she's not flaunting her wealth like it's a personality trait.
Take a look around. We've got billionaires trying to colonize Mars instead of, I don't know, helping people on Earth. In this context, Taylor's approach is more like Mackenzie Scott’s — Bezos’s ex-wife. She's not trying to escape to another planet - she's trying to make this one better.
And look, I'm not saying we should stop critiquing billionaires or the system that creates them. But she's just setting the bar for what we should expect from all billionaires. She's showing us that our collective power as fans can translate into real-world change. That our love for catchy choruses and bridge drops can somehow, improbably, lead to food banks getting funded and crew members getting life-changing bonuses.
So sorry to my neighbors who hear me belting “Cruel Summer” and “right where you left me” at the top of my lungs (and range). Just know it’s for the greater good.
Everything You Need To Know About Thrive Causemetics
Concerned by beauty industry scandals lately? We got you.
Whether it's big beauty brands still including harmful ingredients, or overpromising and under-delivering, we're tired of trying to cut through the noise.
We've finally found a brand we're throwing our support behind 100%: Thrive Causemetics. They're an inclusive makeup and skincare brand that strives to create the highest quality beauty products, and use their status as a reputable brand to give back!
Founded in 2015, they've already manufactured an award-winning mascara and given millions of products and dollars to different communities who could use the support.
Here's everything you need to know.
What is Thrive Causemetics?
They're a company that delivers iconic, high-performance products that are 100% vegan, cruelty-free and don't include any harmful ingredients, like parabens or sulfates
What products do they sell?
You can find anything for your beauty and skincare needs!
If you need a new mascara, get the Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara™ immediately. It lifts, lengthens, and provides incredible volume, thanks to a blend of castor seed oil, shea butter, Orchid Stem Cell Complex™, and Youth B5 Complex™ that help build healthy lashes over time. It's also so good, it looks like you're wearing falsies, and it never clumps or flakes (but still comes off with just warm water and a washcloth). Not to mention, it comes in a unique Brown Black shade which we love, as well as Rich Black.
There's the Brilliant Eye Brightener™ that instantly brightens your eye area with a universally flattering glow. It's easy to use, hydrating, waterproof and is the perfect accessory for any Zoom call.
We also love the Buildable Blur CC Cream™ with SPF 35 in 18 shades, the Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner™ in 7 colors, and their Liquid Light Therapy All-in-One Face Serum™ that mimics red and blue light therapy for a glowing complexion.
How much do they cost?
Prices are super affordable considering the high-quality and clinically-proven ingredients used. The Mascara is $24, and the whole line ranges from $16 to $62. The key here is incredible quality and efficacy at an affordable cost (for the beauty world).
How does the subscription work?
It's always optional, but if you want to guarantee free shipping, you can opt in to get certain products delivered every 1, 2, 3, or 4 months, so you never run out.
How do they choose ingredients?
First off, they're always 100% vegan and cruelty-free. They also work to source ingredients that replenish your skin, your lashes, your face, so they won't dry you out or cause harm.
What are people saying?
Not only has the brand grabbed an Allure Beauty award, but their products are beloved, with the Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara™ and theBrilliant Eye Brightener™ ascending to cult must-have status. Their colors are approachable and inclusive, they serve a wide range of skin tones, and the products have silky non-flaky textures.
How is Thrive Causemetics different from other organizations that give back?
They're extremely transparent about where your money is going, so you know it's going to actual causes. For every product purchased, they donate to help a woman thrive; they've already given $500,000 worth of Thrive Causemetics products to frontline workers battling Covid-19.
In 2020, they spread their donations across multiple organizations that support first responders, women experiencing homelessness, women fighting cancer, families facing food insecurity, racial justice advocacy, grocery + restaurant workers, women surviving domestic abuse, underserved marginalized youth, healthcare professionals, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, and women veterans.
Also, 100% of the profits of their Moisture-Enriched Hand Sanitizer is donated to the Black Women's Health Imperative, "the first nonprofit organization created by Black women to help protect and advance the health and wellness of Black women and girls."
We're tired of two shade offerings from brands that don't seem to care about what ingredients they use. Thrive Causemetics is the real deal when it comes to amazing products and using your brand as more than just a brand, but a way to support communities of women.
THIS WEEK ONLY: GET FREE SHIPPING On All Thrive Causemetics Orders & a up to 3 FREE FULL-SIZE GIFTS With Code GIFT4YOU! Follow this link to shop!
Why I Love MILLI ROSE Makeup
Since I became a mom, I've stopped doing some of the things I used to love.
Like most moms, I rarely get time to dress up and do nice makeup anymore. I realized recently that I hadn't put eye makeup on in almost a month! I was in a serious rut and wasn't feeling great about myself, so I decided it was time to get back into makeup again.
I was having a virtual coffee with a fellow mom on Facetime, who somehow always has the nicest makeup - this day she had the nicest nude lipstick and smudged liner. I asked her what her secret was and she said she was wearing a brand called MILLI ROSE- she said the liner was actually eyeshadow from the MILLI ROSE Natural Modern Nudes Palette.
She said she ordered it online and couldn't recommend it enough. I was a bit apprehensive about ordering makeup online, but I could tell by looking at my friend it was great quality.
That night when I got home I went on the MILLI ROSE website. The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous palettes. It had been so long since I had bought myself a new eyeshadow, I never go out and shop for myself anymore. A new palette was well overdue, and having it delivered straight to my doorstep would be super convenient. I kept browsing and saw that there were so many nice shades of lipsticks and glosses, too
I was pleasantly surprised by how affordable all of their products are. I read that all their products are tested by dermatologists so they suit all skin types, plus they're not tested on animals. With that, I decided I'd bite the bullet and get the Natural Modern Nudes kit.
The kit was only $68 for 12 eyeshadows and 3 nude lipsticks -I love that they were going to be already matched for me because I never knew what lip colors to match with eye colors. With this kit, I knew everything would look good together. I also got the Lash Play Multi-tasking Mascara - it has 4 different brush heads in one! I was so excited to try it all.
When my delivery arrived I felt like a kid on Christmas day. I opened up the box and the first thing I noticed was how pretty the packaging is. The palette had a stunning floral design - it'll look great on my vanity table.
The next day I decided to do a nude smokey-eye look. I kept it simple, I blended the shade 'Sahara' all over my lid and put the shade 'Chestnut' in my crease and blended. I applied some of the Multitasking mascara in the first mode for a subtle look.
I was so happy with how the look came out - it was a great daytime natural look. The following evening I experimented with some of the darker shades from the palette, and used the fourth mode on the mascara to create a classy smokey eye. I applied the Modern Nudes Yoyo Lipstick for a nude lip. My husband complimented my look when he saw me, and he never usually notices anything like that.
The thing I love most about MILLI ROSE makeup is the versatility of it. There are so many looks that can be created from just 12 shades. And I've never had a mascara with four modes before, it's great for any occasion.
I loved it so much, I decided to order the Modern Glam Palette too, which has some more striking colors. I'm feeling more confident to try more colors after practicing and seeing how easy the Modern Nudes Palette is to use. I'm looking forward to the next special occasion, so I can showcase a glam eye look.
I'd recommend MILLI ROSE to anyone who needs to get out of a funk like I did or is looking for some inspiration for some new looks.
Exclusive Liberty Offer: Get 15% OFF Your Entire MILLI ROSE Purchase For A Limited Time With The Code "SAVE15"!"
Offer Expires In
Thinking About Trying IPSY? Read This First.
I only do basic looks, but my sister is an expert with makeup. It's all the YouTube tutorials. So when our aunt gifted IPSY subscriptions to both of us, I just figured I'd give her mine.
However, when we went to sign up, we got to customize what comes in the bag. I like doing my nails, so I was able to pick a nail polish I wanted along with some other products I'd never tried before. My sister was thrilled when she saw she could input her favorite brands and choose more niche products for advanced makeup artists.
IPSY is seriously for anyone who wants to try out new beauty products and brands -- makeup newbies or pros.
If you're thinking about signing up for IPSY, here's what you need to know.
What exactly is IPSY?
IPSY is a personalized monthly beauty membership. For $12 a month, you get 5 deluxe samples to try along with a seasonally themed makeup bag. When we say "samples," these aren't some tiny products that'll dry up after one use. They're good-sized premium samples that should easily last you until your next bag.
What kinds of beauty products?
There's hair, body, skincare, makeup, fragrance, and even popular brushes and applicators (don't worry, they tell you what they're for!) that could come in your bag.
Will I like the stuff?
You take an extensive quiz when you sign up, so you can specify if you don't wear eyeliner, love floral perfume, or only want your liquid lipsticks in matte neutral shades (like my sister). When you sign up, you also input your skin tone, eye color, and hair color, along with your hair and skin concerns, so products like foundation should match you!
Are these from legit brands?
Yup - they're from major brands at all price points, so you know they look for the best products. Past brands include benefit, Colourpop, Farmacy, GlamGlow, Glossier, Kiehl's, Nars, NYX, Origins, Tarte, Tom Ford, Too Faced, and Urban Decay.
Are they bottom-of-the-barrel leftovers?
Nope - you'll get iconic beauty blogger favorites like Huda beauty liquid lipsticks, Ouai's leave-in conditioner, and Smashbox Cosmetics' PhotoFinish Primer along with new finds.
So...what's the catch?
None! Brands know it can be a commitment to buy a full-size product, so they love working with IPSY to offer products to members who might otherwise be skeptical. You can cancel at any time, and if you do want to buy full-sized versions of your faves, you can get up to 30% cashback with the IPSY shopper.
It's the only personalized beauty subscription that delivers stuff you'll definitely use. Also, you can sample the "it" products to find out if they're really worth the hype instead of dropping a ton of money on a gamble at a specialty beauty store.
Update: IPSY just released its newest GlamBag, and it is AMAZING. Take the 5 minute beauty quiz to get your personalized makeup mix!