Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2013 i Cosmopolitan

1. BINGE LISTEN to Ariana Grande's debut album Yours Truly, a '90s-inspired insta-classic. Download "Piano" and try not to hear shades of Mariah. 2. LEARN YOUR ABC'S from A-cups to zombies with The Book of Jezebel, the ultimate encyclopedia to being a girl in today's world. 3. LONG LIVE the royally out-there designs from the likes of McQueen and Gucci at "A Queen Within: Adorned Archetypes, Fashion, and Chess" opening October 19 at the World Chess Hall of Fame, in Saint Louis, Missouri. 4. BURN ONE DOWN Nest's limited-edition Passion candle (a sweet mix of roses and peonies) supports the girls in your life—10 percent of the proceeds from each candle sold goes to Evelyn Lauder's Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 5. BRUSH UP ON YOUR SEX ED Showtime's new Masters…

Cosmo Party! We got in the spirit for fall and bid good-bye to summer in typical Cosmo fashion: with a party! Just before Labor Day, we hit L.A. to toast September's cover girl, Nina Dobrev, the gorgeous and very cool star of The Vampire Diaries. She and the best of young Hollywood came out to celebrate Cosmo, what an amazing summer it's been, and all that awaits us this fall. Check out all the fun party pics. I love a photo booth! You know what else fall means? Football season. I am a Brit and don't mind admitting—like Americans with cricket—I find the game incomprehensible. But last February, I went to the Super Bowl in New Orleans and got hooked. The winning, the cheering, the team loyalty…suddenly, I understood the…

"HE TOLD ME HE FOUND IT ODD TO BE DATING SOMEONE 'a couple of rungs down the ladder from what he was used to.'" "HIS FIRST QUESTION: 'WOULD YOU RATHER BURN TO DEATH, DROWN, OR BE BURIED ALIVE?'" "BEFORE SITTING DOWN, HE ANNOUNCED, 'I'm Jon. I don't want kids or commitment,' THEN HE LEFT TO GO TO THE BATHROOM." "I ASKED HIM IF HE'D EVER BEEN ARRESTED. HE SAID, 'Yes, seven times actually—TWICE FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER.'" "I took him home.During sex, he shouted, 'I have a wifeand child!' It was a bit awkward." "TOOK A CUTE GUY HOME AND SLEPT WITH HIM. IN THE MORNING, I WENT TO SHOWER AND CAME OUT TO FIND HIM MASTURBATING INTO MY SHOE." "HE CAME TO GET ME IN HIS…

Glee won't be the same without Cory Monteith, but as every great performer knows, the show must go on. Here, star Darren Criss talks love and loss. Q What's the mood at McKinley High? A As I said on Conan, we're picking up the pieces. Cory loved life and wanted his friends to be happy, so it's only right that we try and start to smile again. That's something that he would have wanted. I am just so happy that he got to touch as many lives as he did while we were all lucky enough to have him. Q You're not gay; you just play gay on TV. Do you ever feel the need to assert your heterosexuality? A No. I know who I am. I feel bad for…

CLUB KIDS A mainstay of city chic, Club Monaco ups the attitude this month, thanks to collaborations with Mackage and CC Skye. Necklace, $69.50, and backpack, $495, Club Monaco, clubmonaco.com FRENCH KISS Catherine Malandrino for Kohl's DesigNation is full of cheeky references to the designer's native France and more than a few très chic LBDs. Dress, Catherine Malandrino for DesigNation exclusively at Kohl's, $78, kohls.com SNOW PATROL Gwen Stefani lends her rock-and-roll touch to Burton for the coolest cold-weather gear on or off the slopes. Vest, L.A.M.B. for Burton Collection, $199.95, burton.com Sex Appeal for a Steal Designed by Penélope Cruz and her sister Mónica, L'Agent by Agent Provacateur has all the fashion cred of AP's main line at a fraction of the cost. It's lust meets…

Bustiers (from left), Huit, $110, anthropologie.com; Victoria's Secret, $55, Victoria's Secret stores Q I love the way strapless tops and dresses look, but not on my C/D-cup boobs. Help? A For larger cup sizes, a bustier with fitted boning at the waist and underwires keeps the girls up without your having to tug on your top all the time. Try it! Send us a picture of your fabulous new look. Q I'm starting to think about what kind of winter coat to buy this season, but I'm torn. Is it better to go trendy and make a statement or play it safe? A I hear you. Since a coat is such a huge part of your wardrobe, you want it to look cool but also keep you warm. Good news:…

The star of Don Jon (in theaters this month!) and face of Dolce & Gabbana Beauty reveals her secrets for staying so sexy. Dolce & Gabbana Desire, $112, Saks Fifth Avenue 1 "I travel with fragrance." The bombshell stashes perfume in her purse to be sure she smells amazing 24/7. Make any scent portable with Travolo ($16, macys.com). Pull off the spray top, pop this on, and pump! 2 "Baths make me feel sexier." LAVENDER-SCENTED SOAKS (SHE LOVES THIS GEL) HELPED HER CHANNEL SULTRY BARBARA, JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT'S GF IN DON JON. 3 "I use drugstore face wash." To keep her sensitive skin flawless, she uses Cetaphil Cleanser, $8, drugstores. 4 "I break the rules." YOU KNOW HOW YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO WEAR BOLD LIPS AND LIDS? SCARLETT DOES, THANKS TO…

Last year, I went down to Asheville, North Carolina (famous for its hippie-style craft shops), and, just for fun, picked up a no-frills tub of shea butter. Despite my high-tech leanings, I became hooked. Nothing back home made my skin that soft. But really, this magic butter didn't come from Asheville. Almost all shea is derived from shea trees, grown in West African villages. I was recently lucky enough to explore three and discovered why nothing compares to plain, perfect shea. IT'S AN EXTREME MOISTURIZER. Used in its most raw form for centuries, shea is one of the only moisturizers that can keep skin soft during Ghana's dry season, when humidity drops for six months out of the year. "Shea has a high concentration of fatty acids, which helps retain…

COSMO: THE IOWA SUPREME COURT RECENTLY RULED THAT IT WAS LEGAL FOR A MALE DENTIST TO FIRE AN ASSISTANT BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO ATTRACTIVE AND HE WORRIED HE'D HIT ON HER. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT? HEWLETT: The case is unfortunate, but the feelings expressed by the dentist aren't surprising. Our survey found that 64 percent of male managers are afraid of working with junior women. They're afraid of the temptation, of gossip, of HR, and of getting sued. They're not willing to risk the association. COSMO: BUT WOMEN NEED TO WORK SUCCESSFULLY WITH MEN TO ADVANCE.… HEWLETT: You need what I call a sponsor, someone who not only gives you career advice but also is willing to take risks for you, such as putting you up for a promotion. And…

COSMO HOT TOPICS: THIS MONTH WE'RE TALKING ABOUT… Q & A Are You Trying Too Hard to Be a Superhero? We have opportunities our grandmothers only dreamed of…but are our expectations of having it all setting us up to fail? Barnard College president Debora L. Spar says it's time to get real. Q You are at the top of your field, are happily married, and have three children. You seem to have it all, so why say it's impossible? A It's not impossible, but it's very hard. My generation was the first to grow up believing that we could have it all, but we were blindsided. We need to be more honest about the pressures facing young women: To juggle a high-stress, 60-hour-a-week job, motherhood, and a great relationship…and look…

Stacey Bendet Founder and creative director, Alice + Olivia "Educate yourself. Power is inspiring…in a gorgeous dress and 6-inch stilettos!' Roberta Kaplan Attorney who won federal recognition of same-sex marriages in the Supreme Court case U.S. v. Windsor "Power is only valuable if it is used for the purpose of tikkun olam, or repair of the world." Karen Nyberg NASA flight engineer—who sent Cosmo her answers from the International Space Station! "Know that you can be the smart person, the one who gets dirty and fixes things. Choosing a technical job like engineering doesn't mean you're giving up being feminine." Alli Webb Founder, Drybar, with 29 shops doing 75,000 blowouts a month "Stand your ground. It took me time to feel confident. I wish I'd taken that leap…

1 Get Freaky and Festive With Halloween around the corner (the masks, the mystery!), kink is in the air. Whether you're going as a sassy cop or a vampy vampire, before heading to a costume party, spend a few breathless minutes with your criminal or prey, even if it means arriving orgasmically—we mean fashionably—late. 2 Try Some Invisible Bondage You don't need tools to bind. Have him command you to hold a position ("put your arms above your head and don't you dare move them"). Or push his arms behind his back and tell him to keep 'em there—or else. Use your dirty imaginations to decide what the consequences are for disobeying. 3 Make the Most of Your Lunch Break Meet him for a midworkday roll in the hay. First,…

Q I used to want sex all the time, but lately, I can't get excited no matter what my boyfriend does. What's up? A "Is there something going on between you that is making you anxious? Because that can make you less interested in sex," says Kristen Mark, PhD, a sex and relationships researcher. Other mojo killers: too little sleep, an evil boss, family drama, and medications like antidepressants or drugs for anxiety disorders. Also, desire often dips once the honeymoon phase (when you're boinking like bunnies) is over. This is annoying, but you can work around it. Try sex even if you'd prefer to keep watching Housewives, because it produces feel-good hormones that make you crave more sex, starting a positive cycle. If you do this and nada, if…

Q I'm attractive or at least above average. But every time I have sex with a guy, he wants to switch to a position in which I'm facing away from him. I'm starting to take it personally! What's the deal? A Don't think: I must have an ugly face! Think: I must have a great ass! (Plus, most guys love having sex doggie-style, period.) My guess is that you do have a great ass and you're also very pretty. After all, it sounds like you have no problem finding guys who are eager to sleep with you. But it also sounds like you tend to hook up casually, which is completely fine, but those guys aren't going to be into the face-to-face, lovey-dovey kind of sex. In fact, it'd be…

MEET THE CHEERLEADERS from left SERENA HOMETOWN Bel Air, Maryland. YEARS ON THE SQUAD five. T-shirt, '47 Brand,$37; skirt, cheerleader's own LINDSAY HOMETOWN Baltimore, Maryland. YEARS ON THE SQUAD four. T-shirt, '47 Brand, $35; shorts, Missguided, $75.28 DANA HOMETOWN Chesterfield, Virginia. YEARS ON THE SQUAD three. T-shirt, Junk Food Clothing, $30; shorts, H&M, $24.95 KORI HOMETOWN Baltimore, Maryland. YEARS ON THE SQUAD one. T-shirt, Junk Food Clothing, $32; shorts, Missguided, $38.47 WHITNEY HOMETOWN Ravenswood, West Virginia. YEARS ON THE SQUAD two.T-shirt, '47 Brand, $37; skirt, cheerleader's own. All sneakers: cheerleaders' own RAVENS N0. 26 SEXY SAFETY FIRST MATT ELAM POSITION: SAFETY AGE: 22 HOMETOWN: PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Top, $225, and shorts, $235, T by Alexander Wang; shoes, Sophia Webster; whistles, Oriental Trading, 12 for $5;…

Obvs, having sex makes you happier—thanks to a surge in the feel-good hormones called endorphins. But even thinking about how much sex you're having can put you on cloud nine, according to a new study from the University of Colorado. The key to the instant mood boost? Focusing on how much more action you're getting than your friends. Like comparing FB Likes or salaries, we feel good when we think we're ahead of our peers. SOURCE: TIM WADSWORTH, PHD, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER IS IT YEAST OR SOMETHING ELSE? If yeast infections keep showing up like a needy ex, you could have bacterial vaginosis (BV).The symptoms—itching, burning, discharge— scream yeast infection, but BV also produces a fishy odor and often flares up after…

Nigiri and sashimi-style sushi—raw fish with a little, or no, rice—are light and healthy. But most Americans eat sushi in roll form. One sushi roll can clock more calories than a Big Mac! Use these tips to keep things in check. —DIANDRA BARNWELL SOURCE: KERI GANS, RD, AUTHOR OF THE SMALL CHANGE DIET Pick a Smart Starter Miso is the way to go: People who have soup before a meal eat 20 percent fewer calories, according to researchers at Pennsylvania State University. Skip the Crazy Dragon Mega Maki Words like spider, tempura, and crunchy usually mean something in the roll is fried. Spicy rolls are often made with mayo. And crazy rolls tend to have creamy sauces. It can all add up to 500 calories per roll. Instead, choose rolls…

THE TIGRESS 1 Stand with heels almost touching, toes pointed 45 degrees. Raise arms overhead and clasp hands, so palms face ceiling. Get on tiptoes, then squat until thighs are parallel to floor. 2 Press through the balls of your feet to lift halfway up and swing out left hip, while making fists with your hands. 3 Return to center squat with arms overhead; repeat to right. Go back to center squat, then back to standing position. That's one rep; do 8 to 15. MEET YOUR TRAINER Katia Pryce Known For The creator of KP DanceBody, Katia teaches classes and private sessions that blend dance and strength moves, always with a flirty flair. SLITHER-UPS 1 Sit on floor with legs in front of you, knees bent. Slowly lower your torso…

You really like someone—enough to make him a meal. But then the nerves get to you, and the whole thing ends in disaster. We all have a story (yup, even the pros!). Let's commiserate. Had I set myself up for failure? Maybe. I'd only hyped up my not-so-shabby (actually, pretty amazing) cooking skills to my new guy. On repeat. For weeks. He'd been talking up his game too, and that made me a bigger showboater. D-day arrived. I prepared a sexy steak dinner—I know, such easy boy bait. But when I cut into the rib eye and took a bite, I knew I'd met my doom. It was disgusting. I might as well have poured an entire saltshaker into my mouth. "I can't eat this," I said after I spit…

Blurred Lines "Because parking between the lines is just too difficult." —Lauren W., 21 Slow News Day "Seriously? The newspaper was that boring?" —Emma C., 22 PDAwful "Making out in broad daylight, outside the post office? Nobody wants to see that." —Jack D., 24 Funky Footwork "If you like running barefoot, go on the street, on the beach, wherever. Just get out of the gym." —Allison M., 25 Weave It Be "I'd rather not know what happened here." —Danielle C., 19 Noise Violation "Can someone please get him a nasal strip before my ears explode?" —Caroline S., 19 ANNOYED BEYOND BELIEF? LOG ON TO COSMOPOLITAN.COM/BITCH-IT-OUT TO SHARE YOUR PET PEEVE (AND PHOTO). IF WE PRINT YOUR SHOT, WE'LL GIVE YOU $50. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 13: Versace — Versace Boutique,…

LOVE AT FIRST READ "I have always liked Demi Lovato, but after I read her story in last month's Cosmo, I fell in love with her. I too have struggled with body-image and self-harm issues, just like Demi. And to see her come back so strong from all of it and to show that she does still feel pain but pushes through it every day is so inspiring. Most people don't tell that side of the story when they share about their recovery. But I love that she showed us that recovery isn't just one and done—you deal with it every day." —Geena L., Pittsburgh, PA STRENGTH IN NUMBERS "Thanks, Cosmo, for running Carolyn Moos' story about having been engaged to Jason Collins [the NBA player who came out as…

I think my best feature is and I play it up by Of all the movies I've made, I still have a soft spot for: a. Selena b. Out of Sight c. The Wedding Planner d. El Cantante because The best advice I ever got on love was from My biggest turn-on is Netflix the movie that brought the booty. She's an expert at smelling irresistible! JLOVE by JLO, $49, Kohl's The thing I'm most proud of is The one clothing item I can't live without is I love being the middle sister because The woman who inspires me the most is Bustier, skirt, and belt, Michael Kors; shoes, Roberto Cavalli; earrings, Shaun Leane; cuff, Deborah Pagani; ring, Nikos Koulis Sneakers, Giuseppe Zanotti Design, giuseppezanottidesign.com…

Selfie alert! DOUBLE BOOKED Bradley Cooper two-times Jonah Hill (above) with Gerard Butler (below). MAIN SQUEEZE Paul Rudd and Bobby Cannavale implement the buddy system. SANDY BOTTOMS Neither Ed Helms nor Zach Galifianakis wears the pants in their relationship. MWAH! Johnny Depp and Jimmy Kimmel, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. SO HAPPY TOGETHER Jason Bateman and Will Arnett soar on the wings of love.…

FUN Chef Domenico Crolla creates celebrity-pizza art. It's not delivery; it's the Donald. FEARLESS Brave is the crew vying for the world's record for largest commercially available pizza. It's 88 pounds! FAIL Tips for tits? New pizza place in Switzerland tries "innovative" practice, seeks only female delivery employees "of excellent appearance." FUN Kristen Wiig impersonates Michael Jordan on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. FEARLESS Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan shocks fans at Comic-Con with her shaved head (she did it for a role). FAIL We all want ultra-shiny locks, but this is taking it too far. LEGGO MY LEGOS FUN Cutie costars Skylar Astin and Hilary Duff sport matching sweaters and take selfies on the set of Flock of Dudes. FEARLESS Wasabi-chan, a kitten who survived a crow attack, wears…

On left: Coat, skirt, $299, and purse, $299, Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy Hilfiger, 212-223-1824; boots, Diane von Furstenberg, $378, dvf.com On right: Jacket, J.Crew, $390, jcrew.com; skirt, Love Leather, $318, shopbop.com; purse, Bebe, $79, bebe.com; boot with attached socks, $399, and beanie, $99, Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy Hilfiger, 212-223-1824; bracelet, Michael Kors, $115, available at select Michael Kors Lifestyle Stores THE ARMY JACKET A little fatigue goes a long way. Military-inspired toppers toughen up girlie dresses and skirts. 1 Miss Me, $88, dillards.com 2 Hilfiger Denim, $159, Tommy Hilfiger, 212-223-1824 3 Guess, $128, guess.com Jacket, Denim and Supply Ralph Lauren, $185, denimandsupply.com; dress, Candela, $265, candelanyc.com; boots, Vince Camuto, $149, vincecamuto.com; belt, Ariat, $99.95, similar styles available at ariat.com; bracelet, The 2 Bandits, $148, the2bandits.com Blazer, Merona for Target,…

1 Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in Trafalgar, $34, dior.com 2 YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Corail Urbain, $34, yslbeautyus.com 3 Maybelline New York Color Sensational Vivids in Brazen Berry, $7.49, drugstores 4 Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy in 400, $34, giorgioarmanibeauty.com 5 BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Live Large, $18, bareminerals.com…

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Paris—Yves Saint Laurent's perfumed tribute to the City of Light—Jessica Matlin headed to the French capital to see what else gives Parisian women that je ne sais quoi…and reported a few tricks she picked up. Stop product hopping. French women commit to their skin-care faves. I think of my beauty ADD—and the acne and irritation that often comes with it—and vow to be a bit more monogamous. See your aesthetician seasonally. A facial shouldn't be something you treat yourself to when there's a Groupon going around. Make it a ritual. Dare to go naked… The secret to glowing skin isn't a product, says Emmanuelle Lannes, the (very radiant) beauty director for Cosmopolitan France. It's the lack of one. "At most, I use a…

Q My hair is really soft—which I like—but it won't hold a curl. Hair spray is too stiff. Any tips? —MAGGIE VENTI, 25 A Prep sections with styling or shaping (not finishing) spray. It molds hair in a not-stiff kind of way. Bumble and Bumble Does It All Styling Spray, $27, bumbleandbumble.com Living Proof Flex Shaping Hairspray, $24, living proof.com Q What's your favorite way to brighten or switch up your makeup look during the workweek? —MORGHAN KUSCH, 21 A I pick a feature—skin, lips, or eyes—and make it pop with one of these work-friendly finds. LIPS Rimmel London Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick #110, $5.49, drugstores EYES Maybelline New York Master Smoky Shadow Pencil in Blue Blaze, $8, drugstores SKIN Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance, $32,…

Forget "Every Man for Himself" Build relationships at the office from the very beginning. One thing I've always done is invite coworkers of all levels over for dinner. You can learn just as much from someone junior as you can from someone senior. And when you have people in your home and they get a chance to know the whole person as opposed to just the slice that they see in the office, it forges those important relationships. Out of those come mentorships, because people feel invested in one another. Listen to Other Arguments Before you can have a point of view, you need to listen to a wide range of perspectives. One of President Obama's management traits that I think is a real strength is his willingness to be…

THE SUPPORT GROUP Jennifer Finkelstein, 40; Dana Holwitt, MD, 39; Dominique Frio, 29; Jaime Frio, 31; Carrie Christensen, 38; breast-cancer activists Each of these women has had her own run-in with breast cancer, and together, they founded 5 Under 40, a nonprofit organization in New York City that serves young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer or a BRCA gene mutation. "No one talks about the aesthetic changes your body goes through," says Finkelstein. "We wanted to tell women what health-care professionals wouldn't." The organization gives advice and grants to help women get the right wig and beauty products, mental-health services, genetic counseling, and medical opinions. "Life throws you curveballs," says Dr. Holwitt, "but the biggest gift to us is giving back." (Follow them @5Under40.) THE SELF-TAUGHT PHENOM Karen…

Five years ago, Sara Smith, now 32, met the man she would marry while standing in line for tomato soup at a Chicago Au Bon Pain during a busy lunch hour. Smith worked for an investor-relations company and was about to start a graduate program in marketing, and the guy who got her number seemed just as ambitious. Jacob* was an attorney at a prestigious firm and had also clerked for a future Supreme Court Justice. By the end of the day, they'd set up their first date. By the end of a year, they were engaged. Jacob seemed like the whole package: "Attractive, brilliant, and driven," Smith remembers thinking. Just before their wedding, though, he got laid off. At first, they saw a silver lining—they could go on a…

The first time Scott and I slept in the same bed, I snuggled him so hard, his arm fell asleep. I spoon like a boa constrictor. Scott learned to be more touchy too, but after six years of marriage, we get distracted by work, stress, and the Yankees' season (him). Touching isn't just sweet; it sets off the release of the bonding hormone oxytocin, says Helen Fisher, PhD, who researches the chemistry of sex and love. Oxytocin also triggers a cascade of physical and emotional reactions, like a lower heart rate, slower breathing, and a surge in feelings associated with love. Even when sex isn't the goal, regular touching acts as Krazy Glue for a couple, according to a Kinsey Institute study. And surprisingly, it's guys who rated themselves happier…

When I went wedding dress shopping for the first time, one of the accessories they had for sale was a crown. Literally. A fake gold one with fake diamonds. There was not a single trace of irony anywhere else in the store, so I'm assuming the crown wasn't an exception. Why any bride would want to look like a member of the Burger King royal family is beyond me, but the fact that such items are offered just underscores that—according to The Knot, Brides magazine, Style Me Pretty, and most movies starring Kate Hudson—the best day of my life will be November 23, 2013, the day I am getting married. Now that I am planning my wedding, I encounter this platitude pretty much constantly. And it irks me. I mean,…

My sister and I were born to the exact same woman, but we have entirely different mothers. Most newborns have small imperfections that do little to lessen their mom's love. But I wonder if my unfocused gaze made my mother self-conscious of her own lazy eye. Or if my tufts of black hair embarrassed her, especially when her own mother called me an ugly duckling. When my sister was born five years later, my mother rarely put her down and certainly not anywhere near me. I was likely to give her the sniffles or play too rough, Mom would say as she shooed me away. The irony was that she said she'd had another baby for me. "So you'd have a playmate," she told me. "You had no friends." Home…

59% of you say your opinion matters most when it comes to your look—not a guy's, friend's, boss's, or anyone else's! Shirt, Michael Michael Kors, $69.50; bra, Cosabella, $9; jeans, JCP, $44 Shirt, Cut25 by Yigal Azrouël, $250; jeans, J Brand, $189 Dress, Moschino Cheap and Chic; camera, Lomography, $99; camera strap, Bryan Boy for Adrienne Landau, $295 Sweater, Kate Spade New York, $198; skirt, Kenneth Cole New York, $98 Jacket, ICB, $595; shirt, Joe Fresh, $29; skirt, Kate Spade New York, $168 Sweater, ICB, $395; jeans, Gap, $49.95. See page 240 for shopping information. YOUR MUST-HAVES You'd never leave home without mascara or lipstick. Also in your bag: gloss, perfume, and powder. New ones to tote.… Lipstick Maybelline New York Color Sensational Vivids, $7.50 (1) Get a…

Do I really need insurance? The Affordable Care Act didn't make it illegal to go without it, but as of January, the uninsured may be fined on their taxes—$95 this year and at least $695 by 2016. You may have seen the campaign urging you just to pay the penalty, but that's crazy talk. It might be cheaper now, but it could be waaay more expensive in the long-term. Your cost for treating a broken arm without insurance could run you around $10,000. That's gonna hurt more than your bum arm. What will it cost me? Thanks to the health-care law, you can comparison shop starting this month. Estimates say it'll take about 45 minutes to enroll. Go to HealthCare.gov to find your state's marketplace, then plug your details into…

Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak gets clients like Ashley Greene, Maria Menounos, and Amanda Seyfried into starlet shape with this surprising—and totally free—piece of equipment. Get benched! TRICEPS PUSH-UP Get in plank position with your hands positioned shoulder-width apart on the edge of the bench. Bend your elbows to lower your chest toward the bench while keeping your arms close to your sides, so that your elbows point straight back. Push back up to start. Do 3 sets of 20 reps. TOE-TOUCH LUNGE Stand 3 feet from the bench, facing away from it. Place your right toe on the bench; left leg stays put. Bend your left knee to lower yourself until your knee makes a 90-degree angle (right knee dips toward the ground too). Straighten left leg to return to…

In the fall of 2008, I was 28 years old and felt like things were really coming together for me. I'd scored a VP job at a public-relations firm. Then without even trying, I went down two dress sizes and got bigger boobs, from a small B to the C cup I'd always dreamed of. While my new job was achieved by hard work and a little luck, my slimmer figure and bigger boobs were not. Because I went through puberty later than most women—I grew several inches in my late teens and was super slim before putting on weight in college—I figured the new cup size and weight loss were just my body continuing to settle down. Who was I to complain? Then one night in October, I woke…

@AuroraAstro Libra (SEPT. 23–OCT. 22) BIRTHDAY GIRLS Avril Lavigne September 27, 1984 Freida Pinto October 18, 1984 Anna Camp September 27, 1982 Kim Kardashian October 21, 1980 STELLAR GIFTS You are charming, sociable, and impressively diplomatic. BLIND SPOTS You can be indecisive and aloof. FASHION FAVES Ladylike styles bring out your femininity and highlight your hidden sultry side. INDULGENCE You love to bring your playful personality to the party! SEDUCTION STYLE Your charisma lures in admirers that become friends and lovers. THIS MONTH Be smart with money. Get creative and entertain your friends at home. Opening up the invitation to some newer acquaintances may bring a guy into your orbit who is not your usual type. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone. You may have more in common…

1 How do you feel about your job? a. It gives me extreme angst, but I suck it up because of the economy. b. I'm ready for more, so I'm updating my LinkedIn profile and reaching out to my contacts. c. It's not rainbows and unicorns, but it buys me shoes. 2 When is the last time your parents gave you any kind of financial help? a. Not counting the occasional latte, it's been a while. b. When they cut me off. That was a hoot. c. Um, my mom took me shopping last week. 3 How satisfied are you with your love life? a. The guy I'm dating is meh. But it's better than being single. b. It's amazing. This guy actually gets me. c. Very. There's hot gym…

Jancee Dunn In "Jennifer Lopez: All-Access" (p. 132), Dunn writes about her insider experience with our powerhouse cover girl. How I got my start. "After college, I worked at a crappy ad agency, fact-checking heart-medicine copy. One night, I was at a party and met a girl who worked at Rolling Stone. I had one shot and I wasn't going to blow it, so I said, 'Can I please give you my résumé?' I got an interview, and I researched Rolling Stone like it was the Dead Sea Scrolls. I was so intimidated, but I really did know my stuff and I got the job." Gardner Edmunds Hairstylist Edmunds was part of the on-set team who gave four real girls beauty transformations in "Are You Ready for a Change?" (p.…

"I was on a date with a guy who asked to come up, but my place was a total mess. My bed wasn't made. I had hair extensions hanging off my dresser. He was like, 'You said it wasn't tidy…and you weren't lying.' We didn't go out again!" No. 1 GUY CONFESSION Thieves in the Night "My friend Jake's family had an end-of-summer bash at their lake house. Jake brought his hot coworker, Jessie, and I went after her right away. We ended up hooking up in the guest cabin, then falling asleep next to each other. The next thing we knew, it was morning, and Jake was waking us up. Turns out, we'd stolen the cabin from another couple—they were supposed to sleep there, but when they saw us…

1 Jessica Biel makes a play for hubby Justin Timberlake's suit (sans tie). 2 Irish lass Saoirse Ronan reps her roots in emerald green. 3 Allison Williams stars in Love Lace. 4 Princess Kate is the mother of royal modesty. 5 Just try to keep up with a buttoned-up Khloé Kardashian. 6 Lily Collins' Mortal Instrument: a badass jacket. Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams. LOL Cats Gone are the days of black cats owning October. Meet the A-list kitties of Instagram, and hope they cross your path. Lil Bub (with Jack McBrayer) (@IamLilBub) Dwarfism plus a perma-kitten face landed Bub a book and movie deal. Sam @SamHasEyebrows Don't you dare wax those bad boys. Venus @VenusTwoFaceCat Want to go halfsies? Tardar Sauce, aka Grumpy Cat (with Ian Somerhalder) @RealGrumpyCat The…

A lot of people compare horror movies to pornography. Well, porn works only if you get turned on, and horror works only if you get scared—either way, the pleasure is carnal. Stephen King wrote a book called Danse Macabre, in which he gives a great analysis of why we love horror and go to see it. "I recognize terror as the finest emotion," he wrote. "And so I will try to terrorize the reader. But if I find that I cannot terrify…I will try to horrify, and if I find that I cannot horrify, I'll go for the gross-out." In my experience, women aren't so much fans of gross-out films as they are of psychological and paranormal thrillers. Classic movies like Rosemary's Baby, The Omen, The Exorcist, Misery, and The…

Up or down, zipper details are the ultimate tools of seduction. Blazer, Bebe, $129, bebe.com Blazer of Glory Hardware ups the edge of an office-friendly jacket. Bracelet, Karen Egren Jewelry, $35, karenegren.com Clutch, Mango, $49.99, shop.mango.com Jeans, 7 for All Mankind, $215, 7forallmankind.com Bralette, Blackwell, $70, gabby applegate.com Skirt, Parker, $253, parkerny.com Hide-and-Peek Show as much or as little thigh as you want. Skirt, Rag and Bone, $495, available in other colors at Saks Fifth Avenue WHY WE LOVE HER LOOK In a zippy dress and cut-out boots, Selena Gomez oozes sex appeal without baring it all. Boot, Sam Edelman, $225, amazon.com COSMO TESTED ASSISTANT EDITOR ROSE WALANO Look for drape-back dresses with a high front neckline, since too much of a good thing is, well…too much. Dress, Marciano, $198,…

CHECK PLEASE The classic lip quencher gets a graphic makeover. Carmex Moisture Plus, $3, drugstores EAU SO HOT Vanilla rum packs a lot of sexy into this little bottle.Bath and Body Works Forever Red, $10, bathandbodyworks.com BOMB QUAD Mix and match to score subtle to sultry lids. Fergie for Wet n Wild in Metropolitan Nights, $5, drugstores SHOWER TREAT A sugar-scented body wash that exfoliates too? Sweet! Caress Exfoliating Body Wash, $4, drugstores PRIME TIME LIKE A MAGNET, THIS GRIPS ONTO EYE MAKEUP, SO THERE'S NO MIDDAY FADE. RIMMEL EXAGGERATE UNDERCOVER SHADOW PRIMER, $5, DRUGSTORES TIP TEASE SEX UP A CLASSIC MANI WITH A FISHNET DECAL OR TWO. SALLY HANSEN COMPLETE SALON MANICURE IN PERFECTLY POPPY, $8, TARGET SOLE MATE Menthol and glycerin keep feet fresh and silky. Neutrogena Norwegian…

Totally Waterproof A sweat-drenching boot-camp class, pre-date downpour, or even just Notebook night with the girls requires streak-proof strength. Water-resistant mascara is crucial; a transparent sealant is the game changer. STEP 1 Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Waterproof Mascara, $26, esteelauder.com STEP 2 Clarins Double Fix' Mascara, $23, clarinsusa.com Natural—and Then Some To nail the hot-without-trying vibe, apply a single coat of lengthening mascara (make sure it has a molded brush—the rubber, flex-tip kind), then separate and declump with a lash comb. STEP 1 Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Endless, $9, drugstores STEP 2 Real Techniques Lash/Brow Groomer, $6, ulta.com Color Me Gorgeous Colored mascara doesn't guarantee a technicolor effect. The secret to maximizing the look: Coat your lashes with white primer to cancel out your natural lash…

Why the Change? "Every girl I know has the same style—long brown hair. I'm ready to break out of the comfort zone and be my own person," says Colleen, who was inspired by Ashlee Simpson's icy blonde, chin-length bob. Game Plan Going platinum can be risky (dryness, brassiness, and breakage are common). So Amy Huson of the Marie Robinson Salon, in NYC, bleached Colleen's hair in several stages—a process that took seven hours! For extra insurance, she used oil-based bleach. It's healthier and less irritating to the scalp. To complement the edgy new hue, NYC stylist Gardner Edmunds cut Colleen's hair with a razor—key to those cool, jagged edges. "Now she has a major style identity," says Edmunds. "You get an immediate sense of who she is before even speaking…

A $2.50 fee to take out $20? Not. Cool. "Minor" fees are more than annoying—they can cost you major dollars. But the small steps here could help you pocket that money instead. And if you're still getting dinged with unfair charges? Use Bankrate.com to find a less greedy credit-card company, bank, or insurance provider, then switch. Just make sure you won't get stuck with a termination fee in the process. Cosmo's financial guru and CEO of LearnVest, Alexa von Tobel $2.50 AT THE ATM Say you take out cash once a week from the out-of-network ATM right by your office because, hey, it's convenient. It'll add up to $10 a month or $130 per year. SAVE IT It's worth it to choose a bank with ATM locations in the…

A LARGE CROWD is packed into an airy Manhattan loft, waiting for Jennifer Lopez. They are tense, excited, fidgety. Beefy security guys talk into discreet mikes. TV crews in dad jeans mill around. Lopez, currently stuck in traffic, is due to preview her fall clothing line for Kohl's. Everything on the silver racks glitters: draped shirts with sparkly paillettes, handbags with major hardware; even the bedspreads from her home line have a cool, metallic shimmer. Suddenly, the group surges forward. Jennifer! She's wearing an inky, slinky black halter jumpsuit (Kohl's, of course), black platform stilettos, and bright pink lipstick. A bystander compliments her outfit, and she grins. "I love a onesie," she says. "From childhood on, I never let it go!" She is friendly and funny but also utterly serene…

"I make it a point to stop thinking about boys and have fun with my friends. So when I meet a great guy, it's because I'm already having a blast." —Shannon P., 21 "I work out like a fiend. When I'm confident, I always get approached by better guys." —Mary M., 24 "I'll take control and say, 'Let's go mini golfing or take a trapeze lesson instead of dinner and drinks.' It keeps dates interesting." —Amanda M., 23 "I think of dates as opportunities to get dressed up or try a new bar. That way, I feel productive if it doesn't work out with the guy." —DANA D., 23 —LAUREN PANARIELLO…

It's the nightmare scenario that you hope will never happen: The person you're dating—the one you love—cheats on you. The good news is that while thinking about hooking up with someone else is pretty common—about two-thirds of women and 90 percent of men admit to fantasizing about sex with other people, according to research by sociologist Pepper Schwartz, PhD, coauthor of The Normal Bar—actually acting on the impulse isn't. In fact, only 19 percent of women and 23 percent of men in committed relationships have cheated, reports a recent study in Archives of Sexual Behavior. But whether it's a one-night stand or a long-term affair, there's a twisted curiosity about how people pull it off…and why they do it in the first place. Take a deep breath, then listen to…

THE TRUTH ABOUT GUYS & PORN * We polled 1,000 straight guys ages 18 to 34 about their porn habits (anonymously, so they'd have no reason to lie). Scope their secrets! In this fall's indie film Don Jon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a porn-addicted dude who prefers his laptop to his lady. Luckily, though, JGL's skeezy character is actually a small minority: Most men use porn as a pastime completely unrelated to their real-life relationships and say no porn star can replace sexy, in-the-flesh you. Good to know, right? Now, check out the details for yourself. 2. Why do you watch porn? 51% I just feel like getting off sometimes, and porn helps me do that. 24% The novelty—I like seeing new women and new sexual scenarios. 8% Because my sex…

Dress and shoes, Gucci; sunglasses, Emporio Armani available at Sunglass Hut; bracelets, Chanel; necklace, Venessa Arizaga. All men's apparel, Thomas Pink; all men's shoes, Del Toro Shoes. (On Matt, at left) Sunglasses, Dolce & Gabbana available at Sunglass Hut. (On Justin, at right) Sunglasses, Lacoste Live; Super Bowl XLVII ring, Justin's own FALL MEANS FOOTBALL! Get ready to rumble (with the Baltimore Ravens!) in serious game-changing style & OUR INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY AWARDS! Check out the best new beauty loot plus what's on the minds of 11,000 girls around the world.…

Take care of your Healthy Breasts The pink-ribbon crowd tells you to cop a feel in the shower and sign up for mammos, but most women under 40 can skip that stuff. Instead, make these moves to protect your breasts (and keep the rest of you fit and happy). Order Eggs at Brunch Women who regularly consume the nutrient choline, which eggs are rich in, decrease their risk of breast cancer by up to 24 percent, according to a National Institutes of Health study. Experts are exploring the link. Eat Plenty of Fiber Fatty tissues produce estrogen, which can fuel breast-cancer cell growth. Eating filling fiber can help keep your weight in check, plus soluble sources, like berries and beans, could reduce breast-cancer risk. Sweat on the Reg Exercising for…

Dana Richert woke up with a monster hangover, her head pounding. No surprise: The night before, the 26-year-old Chicagoan had stayed out with friends until 3 a.m., chasing Mexican food with mojitos, vodka drinks, shots, and beer. "Normally, I'd have to lie on the couch all day or go get another drink at brunch to get over it," Richert says. This time, she headed to a luxe hydration spa called IVme, where she was hooked up to a bag of fluids. An hour later, she says, "I felt alive again." IV clinic Hangover Heaven has treated 10,000 people. The Party-Girl Drip Even though IV spa treatments like Richert's run $100 or more, IVme clocks more than 200 visits a month. Hangover Heaven, a traveling IV clinic on a bus in…

I was a fitness zombie. Uniform: Oversize tee shirt, faded yoga pants, ponytail. Activity: Spinning some days; the treadmill others. The gym had become another annoying to-do, like a sink full of dishes. Everything changed the day I looked through a studio window at a Zumba class. I knew that a lot of my friends were hooked—um, my mom had been doing it—yet I'd never had any interest. But these people were smiling. My gaze fixated on the instructor's perfectly toned tush, and all I could think was Must learn to shakey shakey. I went into the studio, positioning myself as close to the door—and as far from the mirror—as possible. I was a fumbling fool, stutter-stepping through a fusion of dance styles. Still, something clicked: I was having fun…

COSMO READER ERIN LEBLANC, from Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada COSMO READER MADELEINE JENNEX, from New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada …MORE COSMO READER COSTUMES Danielle Trejo, from Bartlett, IL Jaki Ellis, Jessie Niles, and Krista Zubick, all from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada America Gallegos, from Los Lunas, NM DON'T FEEL LIKE PUTTING A COSTUME TOGETHER? Throw on a wig! These amazing pieces worn by Cosmo staffers are from Chris March's exclusive collection at Target. Get endless costume inspiration at Cosmopolitan.com/Halloween. Treats! Take a walk on the wild side tonight. Show everyone your edge with this cocktail from Colin Maxwell, the lead bartender at NYC's celeb fave The General. Garnish with plastic swords skewering a gummy heart. Delicious and dangerous. Mix It Yourself OR Cheat a Little LADY WITH A DAGGER INGREDIENTS…

Lily Hayes' semester abroad takes a fatal turn when her roommate is found murdered. Lily is the prime suspect, and her life is changed forever. Ripped from the headlines of the Amanda Knox trial, we go into the interrogation room as the investigator searches for answers. EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT FROM CARTWHEEL Later, people would ask Eduardo when he knew. Be honest with us, they'd say. We won't tell. We knew when we heard about her Facebook page. We knew when we heard about her cartwheel. We knew when we saw the security footage—that cold, seductive look she gave the boy, and only hours after that poor other girl was knifed to death. That's when we knew Lily Hayes was guilty. When did you know? And Eduardo would always say…