Table of contents for February 2019 in InStyle

Welcome to InStyle’s second Badass Women issue. After we launched our first edition (starring Serena Williams) to great success last August, I kind of got greedy. There are too many incredible women out there for one annual special alone, so here we are (well, technically, here we are above, cover star Melissa McCarthy and I “doing prom” while gracefully modeling “Badass” T-shirts designed by Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy). Melissa is a woman who cares deeply: about her family, about her work, about seeing things in people that others ignore. Much of her power as an entertainer comes from her empathy, and I would argue that empathy is one of the greatest human qualities. Look at the divisions in this country now. In my opinion they come down to either…

FITNESS FIX Find some midwinter gym motivation in the music video–cool collaboration between Fabletics and singer-songwriter Kelly Rowland (above). Picture corset lacing and mesh panels. LOOKS CUTE WITH … … these limited-edition gym-bag beauty essentials from Maybelline New York, developed with Puma to resist smudging and prolong your post-workout glow. ISN’T IT ROMANTIC Rebel Wilson stars as Natalie, a woman who hits her head and wakes up in an alternate romcom universe, aka her worst nightmare. With clichés (and Liam Hemsworth) around every corner, she must find her “happily ever after” to return to reality (Feb. 14). GLASS This sequel to M. Night Shyamalan’s hit 2016 thriller, Split, follows superhuman security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis) as he tracks Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), a man suffering from dissociative identity disorder. Sarah…

ELLIE BAMBER: Jessica, I have to tell you, I loved The Sinner so much. And I also love your style. The gowns you choose have such grace. JESSICA BIEL: Thank you, gosh! I just try to find a balance. Some things that are super fashion don’t make a lot of sense on the red carpet. My off-duty look is usually just jean on jean with high-tops. EB: Same. When I go to the pub, it’s almost always Air Force 1s with jeans. Do you have a piece that you’re living in right now? JB: I have an oversize embroidered jean jacket that’s on 100 percent repeat. It’s by Katya Dobryakova and pretty affordable too. EB: That white strapless dress you wore to the Emmys last year [bottom, right] was so…

OUTFIT-MAKING BLAZERS STILETTOS IN EVERY SHADE BETTER-THAN-BASIC TRENCHES UP-FOR-ANYTHING BOOTS PLEATED MIDISKIRTS OVERSIZE BELT BAGS SCULPTURAL SILVER JEWELRY BOILERSUITS FOR EVERY OCCASION…

FOLLOWERS FLOCK TO HER FEED to see what Rosie Huntington-Whiteley once called “the KJH special”: a flashy pop of color set against fresh, dewy skin. “I know how to put [foundation] on a person and make it look like it’s not there at all,” says Hughes. A former editorial manicurist, she developed her makeup skills assisting industry vets on set. But it was Instagram that made her a social-media star, attracting clients like Ashley Graham and campaign work for beauty brand Glossier. “Instagram is my launchpad, my inspiration,” she says. And with near-daily posts and live tutorials featuring glossy complexions and edgy eyeliner, Hughes continues to draw a crowd. “If someone told me 10 years ago that Instagram was going to change my career, I would’ve been like, ‘ Yeah, whatever.’ ”…

What is beauty all about for you? More than anything, I think it’s feeling comfortable with yourself. It’s falling in love with what’s different about you and being happy about that. You turned 60 last year. Have you always been comfortable with yourself? No, no, no. It’s something that you grow into. I think as a young black woman coming up in the projects and wanting to go into the entertainment business, you’re looking at images on television, in film, on commercials, in magazines, that sort of thing, and they don’t feature, you know, your features—so you’re straightening your hair, perming, doing all these things to yourself to fit in with this standard of beauty. But, thankfully, it’s changed dramatically over the past two to three decades, which is freeing…

Last November more than 20,000 Google employees around the globe walked out of work in protest after a New York Times article revealed that the search giant had paid hefty exit packages to two male executives (most notably, $90 million to Android founder Andy Rubin) accused of sexual misconduct. Google otherwise did little to litigate the claims, though it would go on to review its workplace policies once the public outcry became international news. The media immediately turned to Lisa Borders, the newly minted leader of Time’s Up, to comment on this abuse of power. It was her first day on the job. “We were born out of tragedy, to be fair,” says Borders, 61, referring to the watershed moment at the start of 2018, when 300 of Hollywood’s brightest…

Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin cozies up to Abraham Lincoln so warmly, you could almost forget that he’s a man 134 years her senior, cast in bronze, and attached to the stairs outside the New-York Historical Society. “Isn’t he great?” she purrs, touching his cold, hollow cheek. If anyone has a sense of humor about her well-documented Lincoln obsession (NBD, Barack Obama apparently has one too), it’s Kearns Goodwin herself. The 16th president has been her most noteworthy relationship next to her marriage to lauded presidential adviser and speechwriter Richard Goodwin, who died last May. Kearns Goodwin spent 10 years with Abe while writing Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln and several more while advising Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis on the 2012 biopic Lincoln. She and…

For TyLynn Nguyen, good things come in threes: Mom to three children, Lotus, 6, Czar, 3, and Hunter, 1, she’s also a lingerie designer, model, and artist. “I started painting when I was young, and I taught myself,” she says. “I’m a Cancer, so I feel everything. I don’t think everyone needs to be aware of all my feelings, so I paint them instead.” The colorful canvases in her Calabasas, Calif., home were inspired by her dreams, but her creative work is tied to her femininity: “It’s all about evoking my emotional state while I’m painting, but it’s powerful for channeling my feminine energy.” Nguyen’s femininity is at the center of much of what she does. Her namesake line of underpinnings features comfortable yet sexy essentials, and she’s been open…

“Trusting myself.”KATIE MCCURDY PHOTOGRAPHER “Making History,” p. 114 “I’d rather not give details, but the most badass thing I’ve ever done is get a tattoo on my butt.”CHARLOTTE HADDEN PHOTOGRAPHER “Mover & Shaker,” p. 116 “Rescuing my first dog, Chance. As soon as I saw him, I knew he was my family.”OLIVIA MUNN ACTRESS “She’s So Money,” p. 56 “Helping to ensure that New York remains the best city in the world for women by becoming the executive director of Women. NYC.”FAYE PENN WRITER, “Making History,” p. 114 “Having children. There’s no way to anticipate the rigor and the joy. It’s not for the faint of heart.”JENNI KONNER WRITER & PRODUCER “Grown Girl,” p. 110 “By earning a doctorate degree from Harvard in 1968, I defied a male professor who…

SO HARDCORE Go all in on edgy, punk-inspired accents Bulgari ear cuff, $9,450; at Bulgari. Delfina Delettrez rings (from top), $1,925, $605, $1,320, and $605; delfinadelettrez.com. Alexander Wang sweater, $1,595; alexanderwang.com. HOLD TIGHT Balenciaga bags, $3,350 (top) and $5,550; at select Balenciaga stores. Charlotte Chesnais rings (from top), $3,535, $4,185, and $6,780; charlottechesnais.fr. Hirotaka ring (on pinkie), $565; net-a-porter.com. OFF THE CHAIN Loewe pumps, $1,650; loewe.com. Dolce & Gabbana skirt, $1,395; us.dolcegabbana.com. Model: Alice Le Paige for New York Models. Hair: Tetsuya Yamakata for Artlist. Makeup: Andrew Colvin. Manicure: Geraldine Holford for Atelier Management. Set design: Gözde Eker.…

“I used to care way too much what others thought of me. Now I don’t give a hoot.”—NAOMI WADLER 1. MICHELLE OBAMA With her memoir, Becoming (the best-selling book of 2018), still flying off the shelves and the Obama Foundation’s Global Girls Alliance supporting girls’ education, the former first lady is wielding her influence to empower us all. “My hope is that this book will inspire everyone to tap into their own journeys of becoming,” she said to a crowd on her book tour. 2. HANNAH GADSBY “There is nothing stronger than a broken woman who has rebuilt herself,” says the comedian in her Netflix special, Nanette, in which she subverts traditional stand-up by tackling traumatic events in her life while rejecting self-deprecating humor. Gadsby is a champion of everyone…

 $everal times in my life, I thought about investing. But the stock market seemed fickle and intimidating, and I never quite understood it. I considered buying into companies and products instead, but nothing ever felt right. Then, in 2012, a friend of mine who runs a hedge fund that invests heavily in technology said, “You should look into this company called Uber.” He said a limited number of people—fewer than 45—were invited to take part in the initial round of financing. I figured that if it didn’t work out, I would learn my lesson. But if it did, being an original investor in a company that could revolutionize transportation would be pretty amazing. Obviously, it was a good gut instinct. I wish I’d invested more in Uber, but it’s hard…

Ellie Kemper The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star, author, and mom loves time-saving products that deliver immediate results. STRAIGHTENING BRUSH Kemper is already a fan of Drybar hair salons, and the brand’s new heated brush didn’t disappoint: “It’s extremely efficient,” she says. “Just one or two strokes got my hair very smooth. My husband asked if I had gotten my hair done!” HAIR MAKEUP While the bright hues of this temporary hair tint felt more appropriate “for a particularly fun party,” Kemper says using the golden shade was like getting subtle highlights. “I worked it through with my fingers, and it intensified my natural hair color,” she says. “And it came out in one wash, as promised.” Sasheer Zamata While filming or doing stand-up, the actress and comedian is subjected to…

WHEN SHE WAS 15, ROSZAK decided she wanted to drop out of high school, and one of the last things she expected was support: “I was always kind of struggling. I didn’t feel connected to the education,” she says, crediting her artist mother for being so open-minded. “There’s something [about] really seeing your kids for who they are and trying to help guide them.” After Roszak got her GED, her mom came through again, urging her to enroll in the beauty school across the street from their home in L.A.’s Laurel Canyon. “It wasn’t fancy,” she recalls. “They were kind of teaching us as if it were still 1965. It was like, ‘You’re going to do a roller set and finger wave—who cares about trying to be cool?’ I think…

FAB FIND Fueled by pore-clearing charcoal powders and resurfacing enzymes, this mask brightens, exfoliates, and leaves skin supremely soft, all in the time it takes to soft-boil an egg (i.e., just three minutes). SHINE TIME For a little extra twinkle, mist this light-reflecting liquid onto dry locks. STRAIGHTEN UP If you like a sleeker look, this shampoo strengthens hair and tames volume with shea and moringa oils. FIGHT FRIZZ You can apply a few drops of this coconut oil-infused serum to help with unruly static. MAKE WAVES Work a small dollop through damp strands to moisturize and bring long-lasting bounce to natural curls. STAY HYDRATED To smooth thicker hair or ringlets, a spritz of this dry oil (with avocado and açaï) adds moisture without weighing things down. GO BIG The…

 Reactions to Hedi Slimane’s début collection for Celine last September fell decidedly into two camps: Those who were already fans of his super-skinny cuts at Saint Laurent were ecstatic, and those who loved Phoebe Philo–era Celine, defined by her slouchy chic aesthetic, were outraged. Many women in the latter group said they felt betrayed by the brand, which they once trusted for smart, professional-looking clothes. Now it’s serving them miniskirts and biker jackets instead. While a revolt was to be expected (did anyone really think Slimane was going to design a chunky turtleneck?), the very personal responses that ensued do raise an interesting, and much bigger, question for fashion. That is, just who’s out there designing for strong, badass women today? Well, the short answer, judging by the spring runway…

Cover: Robbie Fimmano/Walter Schupfer Management; styling: Julia von Boehm; hair: Richard Marin/Cloutier Remix; makeup: Pati Dubroff/Forward Artists; manicure: Alex Jachno/Aim Artists; set design: Daniel Horowitz/Jones Mgmt; production: Kelsey Stevens Productions p. 13: Clockwise from top left: Charlotte Hadden/Together Associates; TIPS; courtesy Pat McGrath; Anthony Maule/WYO Artists p. 14: Robbie Fimmano/Walter Schupfer Management p. 16: Clockwise from top right: courtesy Jenni Konner; courtesy Doris Kearns Goodwin; courtesy Faye Penn; courtesy Charlotte Hadden; courtesy Katie McCurdy; courtesy Olivia Munn p. 18: Clockwise from top right: Graham Walzer; courtesy Atelier Swarvoski; TIPS; courtesy Marc Jacobs; courtesy Bulgari; courtesy Manolo Blahnik p. 19: Clockwise from top left: courtesy Chanel; TIPS; courtesy Aedes; Mike Prior/Getty; Stein/Mediapunch/Rex/Shutterstock; courtesy By Terry; courtesy Robert Ramos; courtesy Ted Gibson; courtesy Coverstory NYC; Don Arnold/WireImage; Getty/iStockphoto; courtesy Nike; Getty/iStockphoto; courtesy…

HER BEST EVER What does Thandie Newton look for in an outfit? “A sense of humor and an element of surprise,” says stylist Erin Walsh, who has been working with the Westworld star for the past two years. Lately that means a mix of modern silhouettes, bold colors, and cheeky pattern play that would make any maximalist squeal with delight. “She’s fearless in her work, her activism, everything,” Walsh says. “I like to think she’s dressing the part too.” HER BEST! “This was a winner’s dress,” says Walsh of the bubblegum pink Brandon Maxwell creation Newton wore when she picked up a best supporting actress Emmy for Westworld. “It had echoes of both Diana Ross and Jackie O. Sexy and sophisticated.”…

 For someone whose schedule is planned to a tee a year in advance, losing 18 minutes to New York City traffic can feel like an eternity. But it’ll take more than gridlock to ruffle Melinda Gates, co-chair and trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In a bright orange blazer, black pants, and pointy-toe kitten heels, she saunters into our meeting at the Four Seasons and offers a quick handshake while an aide checks her watch. Clock’s ticking. The wife of Microsoft’s founder and mother of three (to Jennifer, 22, Rory, 19, and Phoebe, 16) is the consummate multitasker, balancing parent-teacher conferences and family dinners with calls from world leaders to address issues like polio and poverty. “That’s one of the things we underestimate about women in the business…

Haute Hippie Fashion joins the fan club for rock concert–cool tie-dye. This or … ALL This? ALL DOLLED UP A wave of happy-making extras nod to Malibu Barbie’s colorful wardrobe. The Score Cheap thrills to fast-track your style. URBAN JUNGLE MODERN VINTAGE…

“There’s always a throwback with Zoey. When she pulls out reference photos for Bridget [Brager, her hairstylist] and me, they’re often from the ’50s. But she’s open to incorporating something new. For a neon effect on lips, I used a pink liner all over, then an orange lipstick on top; when they came together, [the color] really popped. You wouldn’t think to pair that with pink shadow, but the monochromatic look worked with the red tones in her hair.”…

TO THIS CHINESE ACTION STAR, swimming with sharks and doing kung fu with Jackie Chan aren’t bucket-list items—they’re part of her job description. Sure, the shark she faced in last summer’s The Meg was composited, but training for the film’s deep-sea diving sequences proved scary enough. “I’m not even that good at swimming,” Li says. “But not only did I have to master all the English dialogue in two weeks, I also had to get used to the underwater movements and high-pressure environment.” Although she’s game to take risks for her movie roles, she won’t gamble when it comes to her skin. “I bring sun-protection products with me all year round.” While shooting The Meg, Li says, “everyone was lying on the grassland in New Zealand, memorizing their lines, and…

NATASHA LYONNE: Jenni Konner, as I live and breathe. JENNI KONNER: Hello! I have to tell you that I’m on the sixth episode of your new Netflix show, Russian Doll. I love it so much. We’ll get back to that. But first, do you remember how we met? NL: I was 16, and I was with my BFF, Jake, who was also 16. Jake was a huge music fan, and I was always tagging along. Your husband at the time was Beck’s tour manager. I distinctly remember us being at the Tibetan Freedom concert, which was put together by the Beastie Boys, probably in, like, 1996. It was the most magical event of my 16 years. Suddenly we were hanging out on Beck’s tour bus. I didn’t really know what…

When Geena Davis walks into a Santa Monica restaurant in a striped sweater, jeans, and Givenchy motorcycle boots, the sun reflecting off the Pacific through the massive windows behind her, one is tempted to check for desert dust or a trace of her famed character Thelma Dickinson still lingering 28 years later. Since 1991, when she and Susan Sarandon clasped hands in the front seat of a vintage Ford Thunderbird convertible for the final scene of Thelma & Louise and immortalized their characters as badass feminist antiheroes, she has led the conversation on gender parity in Hollywood. “The press was saying, ‘This will change everything [for women],’ ” says Davis, 63, whose lithe 6-foot frame is decidedly dust-free. As soon as the Ridley Scott–directed movie was released, it was clear it…

Back in high school it seemed like everyone had Dingo boots. When I was 14, I was dying for a pair to go with all my flowy Laura Ashley skirts. The ones I wanted were around $60, which was a lot of money in 1976, so they were the only thing I asked my parents to get me for Christmas that year. When I got them, I couldn’t wait to put them on and dress just like Stevie Nicks. I loved that they were tall, with a square toe, somewhere between an old-school Frye boot and a tried-and-true cowboy boot. The threading in the front is in the shape of a steer head, which I particularly loved because we had three steers out in our front yard. I knew they…