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OLD-SCHOOL SNAPS "FOR PHOTO BUFFS, POLAROIDS MAKE GREAT PARTY FAVORS. THIS NEW ANIMAL-PRINT FILM IS THE COOLEST." —Allie Kircher, photo editor Instant film, $23.49, the-impossible-project.com PEEKABOO SHOES "Chiara Ferragni's (aka The Blonde Salad) skater flats give new meaning to peep-toes." —MAY HASSO, FASHION ASSISTANT Shoes, Chiara Ferragni, $389.87, farfetch.com COOL FEET "Drake started at the bottom; now, he's here (to put a little swagger in your step)." —SERGIO KLETNOY, MUSIC EDITOR AND EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO JOANNA COLES Socks, Cocky Socks, $10.95, cockysocks.org EYES THAT POP "For their 30th anniversary, Make Up For Ever is launching 210 (!) brand-new eye shadows. I'm dying over these brights!" —MARTA TOPRAN, SENIOR BEAUTY EDITOR Make Up For Ever Artist Shadows, $22 each, sephora.com HA! COUTURE "Fun fact: August 16 is National Tell a Joke…

GABRIELA HERMAN INSTAGRAM: @GAB Photographer Herman traveled through Oregon and Nevada to document real-life cowgirls for "The Secret World of Rodeo Queens" (p. 132). CAREER-LAUNCHING MOMENT "At 15, I saw photographer Francesca Woodman's show. Something clicked. I thought, she isn't much older than I am and has images in a gallery. I can do this too." KIM STOLZ TWITTER: @KIMMYSTOLZ In the essay "My Phone Killed My Relationship" (p. 178), Stolz, author of the new book Unfriending My Ex: And Other Things I'll Never Do, reveals how social media was the kryptonite for her tortured former relationship. WORDS I LIVE BY "There is always enough time. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone's excuse is 'I didn't have time.' From getting important work done to texting someone back,…

1 "DURING A SUMMER IN NEW YORK, I WAS HAVING FUN WITH A GUY. WE BOTH HAD ROOMMATES, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO HOOK UP, SO WE ENDED UP HAVING SEX ON THE ROOFTOP OF THE HOTEL WHERE MY MOM WAS STAYING WHILE SHE VISITED ME!"—RACHEL M., 23, MODEL, FROM SEATTLE, WA 2 "THE MORNING OF A BIG DATE, I WENT SURFING AND HIT A SAND BAR, AND MY BOARD SMACKED ME IN THE FACE. I HAD TWO BLACK EYES AND A HUGE RED GASH ON MY NOSE. MY DATE HARDLY RECOGNIZED ME, AND EVERYONE WAS LOOKING AT US AS THOUGH HE WAS RESPONSIBLE. AWKWARD!"—SHIRA S., 26, BLOGGER, FROM LOS ANGELES, CA 3 "I WAS GOING TO HOOK UP WITH A GUY I REALLY LIKED, SO TWO DAYS BEFORE,…

What's your take on being considered hot? I never expected any of this to happen. I think attractive men are quite threatening, because they know they're attractive and go in with a sort of confidence that can be very unattractive. There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance. People in pop bands usually look quite nice, but the boy next-door is going to look like a normal person. I don't think I look like a pop star. What's your current guilty pleasure? Justin Bieber's album, Journals. What he's done in the press has completely overshadowed how good that album is. Worst date ever? That's what one of the singles [on X] is about—the girl I was seeing slept with my friend at my own party while I was in the…

GIRLS ON FILM FUN The best "action" movie of the summer: Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel's outrageous Sex Tape, in theaters July 25. FEARLESS Laws against revenge porn grow. It's a crime in 10 states (a felony in 2)—27 are working to follow suit. FAIL Florida man attempts to marry his "porn-filled computer" in protest of same-sex marriages. Nice try, wise guy.…Denied. COMING UP ROSES FUN Why didn't we think of that? The genius design of this Cava bottle lets you say thanks with wine and flowers. FEARLESS Rebloomit.com picks up last night's fresh and fab event flowers and delivers them to you the next day. FAIL Because the Double Down wasn't enough, KFC develops the Chicken Corsage: the original recipe for a date-night disaster. OWN THE RUNWAY FUN First…

HAND OVER WRIST Go for gold…or silver…or bronze. The point is, commit to one metal that will keep an arm-and-finger party of statement-size pieces from looking too out of control. CHAIN OF COMMAND Layer necklaces of varying lengths so that they fall within one inch of one another. Stick to simple, geometric pendants—ornate or filigreed charms can come across as too delicate and busy. AURAL FIXATION Choose one ear to be the standout (matching is overrated). Bookend an architectural ear bar with delicate studs. For single- or nonpierced ears, cuffs and cartilage clip-ons will do the trick. Kimberly Cheung Cosmo fashion intern HAND: (Rings from left) Gabriela Artigas, $195, gabrielaartigas.com. Campbell, $175, shopbop.com. Marc by Marc Jacobs, $78, Marc Jacobs Stores. David Yurman, $595, David Yurman, New York, 212-752-4255. Maria…

I'm peeling from a sunburn. How can I speed up the healing process? —MAY WANG, 24 "Apply hydrocortisone twice a day for the first three days and a hyaluronic-acid moisturizer nightly until skin is healed." Estée Lauder Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Creme, $42, esteelauder.com; Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream, $5.60, drugstores SOURCE: ELISSA LUNDER, MD, A DERMATOLOGIST IN WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS How do I fix a self-tanner mistake? —SIERRA YOUNG, 27 "Like a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, this exfoliating sponge softens streaks and blends unevenness. Just wet it, and buff!" I love the intensity of bright lipstick, but it often leaves my lips super dry. Any tricks? —DANYELLE EVANS, 22 "Apply lip serum first. Or try this lipstick, which uses hydrating, color-intensifying esters—not traditional, yellowing oils and waxes." Fresh Sugar Lip Serum…

I SPENT MY CHILDHOOD in the sun. Growing up in Australia, my siblings and I competed for Best Tan with my dad—his entire body glistening with coconut oil as he sat in his beach chair, angled directly at the sun. When we yelled, "Dad, you're roasting!" I now realize that we were literally correct. Back then we war-painted our faces with fluorescent zinc, more for dramatic effect than to buffer us from what might be the fiercest sun in the world. And while I'd sometimes dot sunscreen on my stepbrothers' moles or request a little cream on my back, our bodies were offered up like sacrifices to the sun. We didn't want to get lobster red—just the right shade of pink that, thanks to our natural pigmentation, would turn into…

GEL MANICURES BAD BUZZ To cure long-wearing gel polish, you stick your hands in a toasterlike box that emits UV radiation (a known carcinogen). REAL DEAL "Any UV light does pose a relative risk, but it's hard to say how much—each lamp is different," says Ranella Hirsch, MD, a Boston derm. Her advice: Keep the occasional appointment, but slather hands with SPF 30 half an hour before. BOTOX BAD BUZZ The wrinkle-smoothing injectable (aka botulinum toxin) is FDA-approved. "Some people hear Botox, the drug, and still confuse it with botulism, the disease caused by eating bacterial contaminated food," says Heidi Waldorf, MD, a derm in New York. REAL DEAL FDA-approved for cosmetic use since 2002 in the U.S., "Botox has a better safety record than aspirin," says Dr. Waldorf. The…

NAME Marjoriet Matute, 32 CITY Fairview, NJ CURRENT GIG Chef at a country club DREAM JOB To run my nonprofit, DevinTristanGiveBack.com, full-time When I was 17, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and told I'd never have kids. But I beat the cancer, and at 27, I had my first son, Devin, and two years later, Tristan. In 2012, for Devin's birthday, we held an art-supply drive to benefit kids at an area hospital. It snowballed from there into a full-fledged children's charity! I get invited to a lot of events where I can meet potential donors, but between my chef's uniform and my "mom clothes," I feel like my inner style diva has really gotten lost. HOW CAN I STAND OUT? Maybelline New York makeup artist Melissa Silver added…

CLEAN OUT YOUR WALLET Don't carry too much cash… Carry a maximum of $100 in cash. That's enough for an emergency but not so much that you'd be devastated if your wallet is lost or stolen. …or too many credit cards. Most of us need only two: one primary credit card and a backup (in case a retailer doesn't accept your go-to). Keep any additional cards in a safe place at home. It's also smart to keep photocopies of your cards tucked away at home so you can easily access the numbers if you lose a card. Keep gift cards at home. Gift cards are just like cash. Unless you know you're going shopping with the specific purpose of using one, leave it behind. If your wallet is stolen, they're…

CHRISTOPHER AGE 21 MAJOR BIOLOGY AND ENGLISH HOMETOWN ELLENWOOD, GA POSTGRAD PLANS "My dream is to attend med school. I really want to be an oncologist, so I'm pursuing a post-undergrad degree in cancer biology." Study Group (Opposite page, from left) Top, SachinBabi, $225. Pants, Marc by Marc Jacobs, $398. Sneakers, Vans, $40. Belt, Miansai, $185. Bag, LeSportsac, $118. Entire outfit, Christopher's own. (This page, from left) Top, $425, Skirt, $650, T by Alexander Wang. Shoes, gx by Gwen Stefani, $89.95. Bag, House of Holland. Vest, Express, $69.90. Sweater, Autumn Cashmere, $280. Pants, Sandro, $285. Shoes, Rebecca Minkoff, $275. Jacket, Calvin Klein, $129.50. Dress, Ground-Zero, $742. Shoes, United Colors of Benetton, $109.50 BRIELLE AGE 21 MAJOR WOMEN'S STUDIES AND PHILOSOPHY HOMETOWN LEXINGTON, KY COLLEGE ADVICE "Take every opportunity to have…

We matched on Tinder! Loved his mankini Tonight's hot date So what if he's my trainer? Like anything else in life—work, yoga, squatting above a pee-speckled toilet seat—dating requires balance. Overdo it and you risk defeating the point: fun. You don't want to date so often that first dates become as mundane as brushing your teeth. And too little? Well, that's obvious. It's not like Ryan Gosling is just going to magically apparate into your shower one morning. Here are 10 signs your dating life is in need of a revamp. 5 SIGNS YOU'RE UNDERDATING 1 Fifty percent of your daily calories are from alcohol. Because you're at home binge-drinking white wine and watching TBS reruns with your cat. (No, that does not count as "having plans.") 2 Your mom,…

Show Your Sext-y Side Corrupt your favorite emoji—and your boyfriend's mind—all without saying a single word. Graduate from standard-issue sexts to sexmoji, a genius string of emoji used to inspire boners. suggests post-work shower sex. ? Someone's getting a retro hand job! Pro tip: A smiley face masquerading as an O-face is never not funny. Make foreplay last all damn day with these sexy (and genius) tips for getting turned on…and on…and on.… Formally Invite His Penis Tonight, it's all play, no work. Let him know you're flipping the script by sending him the evening itinerary as iCal (personal e-mail, not work!) invites. Shoot him an appointment for an 8 p.m. blow-j, then a request that he return the favor at 8:15. Block off an hour for a "mind-blowing sex…

SO THERE I WAS, my first day on the job as a 24-year-old VJ for MTV and I was already late for the Monday morning meeting. I stumbled in to see the prettiest girl in the room or maybe the building (we'll call her Maggie) pitching a story about an upcoming supernatural movie franchise (she nailed it). What a great job I've landed, I thought. Afterward, Maggie came by and introduced herself. I awkwardly asked if she was going to a staff event on Thursday. She noted that it was mandatory (low point) but offered to go over with me (high point). A few minutes later, I received an e-mail from her with no subject but an attachment of a Someecard that read, "I couldn't help noticing that you're mind-blowingly…

Once upon a shitty time, I was going through a rough situation at work. A new boss was brought in who seemed convinced that I wasn't the right woman for my own job. This made me super miserable at the office—at any given moment, I was about to either break down in a bathroom stall or unleash my feisty alter ego, Stabby Abby. I knew I was losing control over my job, but I was in denial. Luckily, I had a friend who sat me down and urged me to get a grip. She told me that while it might not be fair, this game of office politics wasn't going to end well for me. She urged me to walk away from the situation on my own and focus my…

SWEAT LIKE A CELEB Ashley Greene You know her best as Robert Pattinson's onscreen sister, but the Oakley ambassador is taking a turn for the dramatic this month with a role in Zach Braff's latest, Wish I Was Here. (Warning from Ashley: Bring tissues!) Here, the gym lover—she hits the treadmill, weights, and dance-cardio classes—dishes on what keeps her motivated. —ROSE WALANO Night Workouts "Some of my friends are, like, 'Oh, I love waking up at 6 a.m.' Aliens! I have to work out in the evening." The Twilight Soundtrack "I listen to Muse's 'Supermassive Black Hole' while running. It made the scene it was in so badass—it brings back good memories!" An Energizing Snack "Before I work out, I have a piece of gluten-free toast with almond butter, sliced…

KARENA DAWN Trainer, triathlete, marg lover (rocks, no salt), loves working her abs and arms Get Their Gear ON KARENA Sports bra, Splits59, $39, splits59.com. Sports bra, $140, and Shorts, $140, Lucas Hugh, lucashugh.com. Shoes, Brooks, $100, brooksrunning.com. Watch, Swatch, $120, swatch.com ON KATRINA Top, Tavik, $84, tavik.com. Shorts, Speedo, $44, speedousa.com. Shoes, Reebok, $120, reebok.com. Watch, Swatch, $120, swatch.com KATRINA HODGSON Trainer, Jane Fonda fan, wine-obsessed (sauv blanc, please), loves working her bum How the Plan Works Do three cardio and three strength sessions weekly with at least one day off. A sample week: MONDAY Strength: Do one set of each move here with 30 seconds of rest between moves. Repeat the circuit three times. TUESDAY Cardio: Pyramid intervals (see p. 211) WEDNESDAY Strength THURSDAY Rest FRIDAY Cardio: Step-It-Ups…

LAUREN BALSAMO "I have a secret ice-cream hack for a parfait," says Cosmo's freelance beauty assistant. "Put cookies-and-cream and coffee ice cream in a cup, and crumble Oreos on top. It's like a mocha frappé!" NICOLE FINEO "I'm in it for the toppings!" says Cosmo's associate accessories editor. "Gummy bears, blackberries, and Cap'n Crunch are my faves." YEAH, YOU WANT SOME This is as guilty as pleasures get. It's ice cream (your favorite food) and booze (your other favorite food). You've behaved, now it's time to be bad. This milkshake will be the cherry on top of your life. MANGO MOSCATO WINE SHAKE Thank the geniuses at Red Robin who created these grown-ass shakes. > Peel one ripe mango, cut into pieces, and put into a blender with thejuice…

I LOOKED AT MYSELF in the mirror and held on to the edges of the porcelain sink. "Ellie," I said out loud. "Today you are going to become a woman." I was ready to lose my virginity and enter into the next stage of my adult life. Britney Spears was singing "I'm not a girl, not yet a woman," and never had her words rung so true to me. My Vintage Virginity had mellowed beautifully with age and I was about to let Jack pop my cork. I was waxed to within an inch of my life. The Brazilian had miraculously managed to last—with the help of my Tweezerman and a few hours of vigorous plucking. My outfit was a masterpiece. I had finally decided to embrace myself and stop…

1 MARVEL AT THE WISDOM …THAT 20-YEAR-OLD (!) KEKE PALMER IMPARTS AS THE HOST OF BET'S NEW TALK SHOW THE KEKE PALMER PROJECT. 2 DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER Home is where the shark is! Syfy's sure-to-be-ridic Sharknado 2: The Second One (spot the Billy Ray Cyrus cameo) premieres July 30—an appeteaser to Discovery Channel's Shark Week, starting August 10. 3 BRING BATTERY BACKUP BETWEEN SETS BY EMINEM, LORDE, AND IGGY AZALEA AT CHICAGO'S LOLLAPALOOZA (AUGUST 1 TO 3), YOU'LL BE 'GRAMMING LIKE MAD. 4 GET IT, GET IT, GET IT (OH) NEW FRAGRANCE FANTASY BRITNEY SPEARS STAGE EDITION IS INSPIRED BY HER "I'M A SLAVE 4 U" PERFORMANCE AT THE 2001 MTV VMAS ($37.50, SEARS). 5 LAUGH SO HARD, YOU CRY NeNe, meet Phe Phe. Hulu's new series The…

I fully expected that AnnaLynne McCord's essay revealing her sexual assault by a close friend and her years of private suffering would get a strong response. But I was taken aback by the incredible number of you who wrote in—and posted and tweeted—about how the actress's brave story inspired you. Maybe it's not so bad, McCord told herself on good days. That line was eerily familiar, some readers said, as a coping mechanism that made it easier to stay silent about sexual assault. McCord's story has become part of the wider constellation of shared experiences that has fueled the #YesAllWomen movement. The hashtag started in the aftermath of Elliot Rodger's shooting spree in California—a horrific act believed to have been motivated by misogynist rage. But it has become a call…

"He took me to a wedding as our first date because there was an open bar. He ended up getting trashed, making out with a bridesmaid, starting a bar fight, and getting arrested." —ASHLEY K., 22 Behavioronly Vince Vaughn can get away with. "After he bought me dinner, he asked for the correct spelling of my name. When I asked why, he said, 'I'm self-employed, so I can use this as a tax write-off.' Fail!" —VANESSA B., 28 "His first question was about my stance on abortion, then he asked what kind of birth control I used: 'Are you on the Pill or the kind you shove right up there?'" —RACHEL D., 20 "I sent him a post-date text thanking him for dinner. He responded: 'Thanks for making out with…

Am I a slut because I have a tattoo over my butt? So says popular opinion, which dictates that this area is off-limits for ink if you're a nice girl. Got lower-back artwork? You, dear lady, are a woman of questionable virtue. Where did this reputation start? I blame you, Wedding Crashers, in which Vince Vaughn gave us the oft-quoted, "Tattoo on the lower back? Might as well be a bull's-eye." I blame you, Sofia Coppola, for painting one on Emma Watson's materialistic teen in The Bling Ring. I blame people who create Facebook pages like "The bigger the stamp, the bigger the tramp." And I blame sensationalist pundits like Debbie Schlussel, who calls it code for asking men to "insert here." Of course, Americans are not alone in their…

Bra, $24, Calvin Klein underwear, Macy's. Jeans, Calvin Klein, $69.50, Macy's. (On left hand, from top) Watch, Movado Sapphire, movado.com. Pearl cuff, Chanel, available in select Chanel boutiques, 800-550-0005. Cuff, Cast of Vices, $275, castofvices.com. Stainless steel ring, Calvin Klein, $70, Hour Passion Boutique, 212-904-1002. Zigzag ring, Rue Gembon, $55, ruegembon.com. Pearl ring, Bijules, $600, bijulesnyc.com. (On right hand, from top) Thin diamond bangle, Zales Jewelers, zales.com. Gold cuff, Campbell, $115, Berdorf Goodman. Handcuff bracelet, Cast of Vices, $275, castofvices.com. Pearl cuff, Chanel, available in select Chanel boutiques, 800-550-0005. Silver cuff, Stella Valle, $350, stellavalle.com. Large pearl ring, $195, Small pearl ring, $215, Stella Valle, stellavalle.com MARKET DIRECTOR: SHIONA TURINI…

From left: Leandra Medine, Harley Viera-Newton, and Atlanta de Cadenet Taylor BEACH READ THE LATEST FROM IN HER SHOES AUTHOR JENNIFER WEINER TAKES ON SECRET ADDICTION. All Fall Down, $26.99, amazon.com 1. Romper, Boohoo, $40, boohoo.com 2. Necklace, Forever21, $11.80, forever21.com 3. Bustier, American Apparel, $42, americanapparel.com 4. Pants, MakeMeChic.com, $28 with code COSMO20, makemechic.com 5. Clutch, Aldo, $25, aldoshoes.com 6. Blazer, H&M, $24.95, hm.com 7. Shirt, Ann Taylor, $44.50, anntaylor.com 8. Shoes, Forever 21, $32.80, forever21.com 9. Sunglasses, GoJane, $5.50, gojane.com 10. Bag, New York & Company, $49.95, nyandcompany.com 11. Shoes, Toms, $48, toms.com 12. Shorts, Dollhouse, $26, dollhouse.com 13. Rings, Whitley V, $50 each, whitleyv.com 14. Bikini top, $19.99, Bikini bottom, $17.99, Mossimo, target.com…

SNEAKY SWEAT TRIGGERS Caffeine, spicy food, and nicotine set off sweat, so steer clear on hot days. HOT SPOT Scalp Pretreat your hair with dry shampoo (try Alterna Cleanse Extend, $22, Sephora)—even if it's clean. It does for the scalp what baby powder does for the body, keeping strands drier by preventively absorbing sweat. HOT SPOT Cleavage Folds of skin create lots of heat, says NYC derm Joshua Zeichner, MD. Try this hack to save your nice bras: Dust the girls with sweat-absorbing baby powder, then stick panty liners on the inside of cups to prevent any dampness from seeping through. HOT SPOT Inner Thighs If sweaty thighs rub together, a heat rash can occur. Copy runners and use an anti-chaffing stick (like Bodyglide for Her, $8, drugstore.com); waxes let…

1 HAIRSCREEN UV filters protect color, prolonging time between salon visits (saving you cash for more concert tix!). Bumble and Bumble Color Minded UV Protective Polish, $28, bumbleandbumble.com 2 WITH THE BAND Bright, fabric hair ties look equally cute on your wrist and in your hair. Dye Ties Groovy Hair Ties, $8.99 for a pack of 3, ulta.com 3 KISS CURE Like a glass of water for your lips, the vitamin E in this balm hydrates while SPF 30 protects. Nivea A Kiss of Protection Sun Protection Lip Care SPF 30, $3, drugstores 4 TANGLE TAMER With all the dancing, knots are inevitable. Stay smooth with this. Sephora Collection Beachcomber Dual Boar Brush, $15, Sephora 5 SUNNY DAZE Don't be that girl with the tank top burn. Spray on SPF…

SEXY FREE SPIRIT NEW DO To enhance Laura's brown eyes, colorist Nicole Chick tinted her hair chestnut brown. Then off came eight inches! Stylist Frederique Carme trimmed her über-long locks to the collarbone, loaded them with texture spray (try Josie Maran's, left), and blow-dried without a brush for a tousled, beachy style. MAKEUP SHAKE-UP Smoky bronze shadow and plum-stained lips are so boho. Smudge a bronze shadow crayon (we love Clinique's, left) along upper and lower lash lines. Then press in two layers of lip stain (Dior's, here, is a perfect match). Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint in Lots O' Latte, $17, clinique.com Josie Maran Bohemian Waves Argan Mist, $22, Sephora Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Trompe L'Oeil, $35, dior.com RULE-BREAKING BOMBSHELL NEW DO Stylist Glenn Ellis created a face-framing…

THIS MONTH, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT… "I GREW UP IN THE WILDERNESS" Think your family is weird? Cea Sunrise Person slept in a tepee in the Canadian Rockies for most of her childhood, then by age 15 was modeling in Paris. Her memoir, North of Normal, retraces her unique path. Q How did your family end up living in the woods? A During the Vietnam War, my uncle was at risk of being drafted even though he was mentally ill, and my mother got pregnant with me at 16 and my father left her six months later. My grandfather moved the family from California to Canada for a fresh start. He'd been preparing his whole life, learning how to hunt and forage for food. My grandmother sewed a tepee out of…

Nicole Schrock, Miss Rodeo Oregon 2013, grew up on her family farm going to rodeos. The Moment of Truth It's the first week in December, and Las Vegas is swarming with cowboys, cowgirls, and rodeo fans. They're here for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo—the Super Bowl of rodeo. Everywhere you go, country music is playing, cute cowboys are shooting whiskey, and older couples are two-stepping. But at least 27 people at the MGM Grand hotel are too nervous to relax. Nicole Schrock, 24, the reigning Miss Rodeo Oregon, is one of them (in green, below). In the next 10 minutes, she will either be crowned Miss Rodeo America 2014, the highest title a rodeo queen can hold…or be done with her rodeo-queen career forever. As a child, Nicole was painfully…

Jacket, bikini top, $159.50, bikini bottom, $120, Michael Kors. Circle necklace, Stefano Canturi. Key necklace, $329, bracelet, Zales Jewelers. Hand piece, Yeprem Brian Austin Green has a baby on his hip as he greets me at the door of the Los Angeles home he shares with his wife, Megan Fox. Balancing 20-month-old Noah, he leads me downstairs through a complex series of baby gates, where the sexiest woman in the world greets me barefoot and wearing…gray sweatpants and a loose black tee shirt? Yep, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles star is still in the throes of new motherhood—she gave birth to the couple's second son, Bodhi, a mere two months before our interview. Curled up on a cushy sectional sofa in the couple's game room, a pleasure den filled with…

Q My guy loves calling me "babe" and "honey," but it secretly makes me want to vom. How do I ask him to stop without hurting his feelings? A I actually have a similar response whenever I'm called "babe"—take note, ladies—so I know how you feel. Luckily, it'll be an easy problem for you to correct, because as long as you focus on your dislike of the words rather than on the guy's behavior, you won't hurt his feelings. (After all, it's not like he invented the pet name "babe" specifically for you.) Tell him something like, "You know, I'm not a big fan of pet names. All I can think about is how tons of other couples call each other the same thing. Besides, I love hearing you say…

This bed hasn't seen action for weeks. #EpicFail. "That guy was way too hairy. Why did you say yes?" My friend Megan complained one night after I matched her with someone I assumed was Sasquatch's metrosexual cousin. "What do you mean?" I asked, confused. "Look at how many guys like us. We're winning!" Behind my misplaced eagerness to mate my friend with a human gorilla was a more challenging question. Why was I trying to wade back into the murky waters of the digital dating scene right at a time in my life when I should be getting out of the pool for adult swim? Some might say it's cold feet. The Rise of FOMA You know what FOMO is, besides a terrible acronym, right? It's the Fear of Missing…

DECODE HIS: EMOJI You can't take a at face value when it's coming from a . If he's obsessed with the , you may not want to wait around on a . As for that 2 a.m. ? It has nothing to do with rollatini. FLAME This is our way of signaling that you look hot right now, in hopes of eliciting photographic evidence in return. It might also be used to emphasize a sick burn. SMILEY FACE The gigolo of emoji, this guy gets around our text chains, popping up to convey joy or sarcasm or to test your limits. Nothing comes across as too heavy when punctuated with . ("Are you sure you don't want to sleep over tonight ?") SMILING POO This one's a Rorschach test. It…

H20 Makes You Even Brainier Students who sipped water during an exam scored better than those who didn't, a study found. Dehydration can elevate levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Plus, drinking water improves concentration. It Helps You Exercise Harder Drinking ice-cold water before a workout can help you last longer, according to a review of studies. Pre-cooling your body wards off heat-induced fatigue and increases tolerance for steamy conditions. It Makes Your Metabolism Whir People who drink only 32 ounces of water a day burn fewer calories than folks who drink the right amount, according to a University of Utah study. Hydrated cells function more efficiently. It Keeps Your Skin Looking Gorge Hydrated cells are better at balancing oil production, says Howard Murad, MD, author of The Water Secret.…

IS HE MESSING WITH YOUR BIRTH CONTROL? Sixteen percent of women report having experienced some form of reproductive coercion—a partner threatening to leave if you don't get pregnant, pressuring you not to take birth control, poking holes in a condom or taking it off during sex—according to a new study. It's a way for guys to control women…and it's a form of abuse. If you've experienced it, know that you're not alone and you did nothing wrong. Talk to your MD, who can offer concealable forms of birth control (like an IUD) and give advice on safely leaving the relationship. —JESSICA GIRDWAIN ASK DR. ASHTON Q My clit ring is infected. Help! A Shower with warm water and soap, but don't use alcohol or a topical OTC antibacterial, which can…

"COMING OUT as bisexual my junior year of college felt as if a huge weight was off my shoulders," remembers A.J. Walkley, 29, of Phoenix, author of Queer Greer. But her announcement to her campus's LGBT group fell flat. "There was a lot of bi phobia within the group," Walkley says. "There's this idea that bisexuals have control over their emotions and enter into relationships with one gender or another when it suits them. As a group, we get thrown by the wayside and forgotten about." Of the 3.5 percent of adults in the U.S. who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, more than half of them are bi. Yet many say they feel misunderstood or judged. The belief that bisexuality is "just a phase" is only one of the…

This must be why water was invented. Hit the pool, the lake, the ocean, or whatever else you have nearby, and jump right in. Dry off, lie out, repeat. And don't forget to take these goodies with you. HAVE A BALL. SERIOUSLY. Look how cute it is! Just throw it around already! Beach Ball, $2.99, target.com Toast to Your Sunny Day With a Breezy Cocktail Try this twist on a Pimm's Cup from Michael Mina 74 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. PIMM'S 74 Combine ¾ ounce lime juice, ½ ounce Velvet Falernum, ½ ounce pomegranate juice, 2 ounces Patrón Silver tequila, and ½ ounce Thai basil syrup (boil 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar, add one bunch Thai basil, simmer until sugar is dissolved; let cool) in a cocktail…

HAIRY SITUATION "BECAUSE A DELAYED FLIGHT TO EUROPE ISN'T STRESSFUL ENOUGH!" —LAURA C., 22 BUTT REALLY? "What happened to wearing your pants? Butt cheeks in the children's aisle are not appropriate." —JANE D., 28 SLEEPER CAR "Oh no, it's fine. Take a nap across three seats on a crowded subway car. You need your beauty rest." —LAUREN M., 26 LOVE GLOVE "I went to a new gyno, and there were oven mitts on the stirrups! I guess they're really serious about taking buns out of ovens. Gross!" —DIANA A., 26 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! Shopping Information TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 13: Tavik—tavik.com. Speedo—speedousa.com. Reebok—reebok.com. Swatch—swatch.com. Page 20: Moschino Cheap and…

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MEGAN DENISE FOX My nickname: Momma My guilty pleasure is: Bravo TV My favorite TV show is: Flipping Out Because: Jeff Makes Me Laugh My go-to snack is: Coconut oil Popcorn My idea of a perfect date is: Sushi, Sake, Third Base One thing leads to another.… After Ninja Turtles, the other '80s film I want to remake is: Lost Boys! My favorite place to visit is: Kona Hawaii The sexiest thing in my closet is: La Perla Bra + Undies Bra, $194, Thong, $128, La Perla My spirit Ninja Turtle is: Mikey! Because: He's a Sangline Temperament, Fun + Carefree COWABUNGA! Dress, Julien Macdonald. Necklace, Zales Jewelers. (On right arm) Bangle, Stefano Canturi. (On left arm) Cuff, Stephen Webster. Ring, Crow's Nest…

When it comes to badassness, the Haim girls hit the genetic jackpot. Think it hurt when Elle and Dakota Fanning fell from heaven? #Cherubs If there's one place where Beyoncé and Solange will always stand united, it's the "big hair, don't care" front. Copycat! Vanessa Hudgens and li'l sis Stella do the walk of same. Kate to Pippa: Talk to the (royal) hand. Prime-time hits seem to run in Zooey and Emily Deschanel's family. Serena and Venus Williams: When in doubt, high-five it out. MARY-KATE AND ASHLEY OLSEN FROM CUTESY TO COUTURE…

Living in a future Chicago where she must choose to live as part of one of five different factions, Tris (Shailene Woodley's character in Divergent, the film) has picked the full-of-life but frightening Dauntless. During her training as an initiate, she's attacked by a fellow trainee, Al, who ends up killing himself. As her trainer, it's up to the enigmatic and handsome Four (played by Theo James) to make her understand why her life is in peril. "Tris," I say. "What are you doing here?" she says bitterly. "Shouldn't you be paying your respects?" "Shouldn't you?" I move toward her. "Can't pay respect when you don't have any." I'm surprised, for a moment, that she can manage to be so cold—Tris isn't always nice, but she's rarely cavalier about anything.…

Lauren Finizio Beauty manager, advertising Tchesmeni Leonard Fashion assistant Diandra Barnwell Editorial assistant Jaclyn Steinberg Design director Hannah Bibb Fashion assistant 1. Tank, C&C California, $58, candccalifornia.com. Jeans, AG, $210, agjeans.com. Shoes, Schutz, $220, Schutz, New York, 212-257-4366. Cuff, Gabriela Artigas, $340, deskohan.com. Watch, Tag Heuer, tagheuer.com. All other jewelry, Lauren's own 2. Top, Calvin Klein Underwear, $28, calvinklein.com. Jeans, Stella McCartney, $325, Stella McCartney New York, 212-255-1556 3. Tank, Enza Costa, $95, Blue & Cream, 212-533-3088. Jeans, 3x1, $235, 3x1, 212-391-6969. Shoes, Zara, $79.90, zara.com 4. T-shirt, T by Alexander Wang, $80, alexanderwang.com. Jeans, Frame, $199, singer22.com. Shoes, Bionda Castana, $698.51, biondacastana.com 5. T-Shirt, Nic + Zoe, $78, nicandzoe.com. Jeans, Levi's, $98, levi.com. Shoes, Alberto Guardiani, $645, albertoguardiani.com DENIM DEMAND "I want to show off a small but perky…

THE SHIRTDRESS The most versatile piece in your closet, a shirtdress commands attention from boardroom to bar. Dress, Thakoon, modaoperandi.com DAY Hit a 9-to-5 high with profesh pumps that elevate the loose-flowing frock. Add a blazer for extra executive presence. Shoes, Banana Republic, $168, bananarepublic.com. Clutch, Old Navy, $19.94, oldnavy.com. Cuff, Inez, $125, byboe.com. Rectangle ring, Forever 21, $4.80, forever21.com. Black spike ring, Katie Diamond, $155, katiediamondjewelry.com. STARRING MIA MAESTRO In FX's new thriller The Strain, the Argentine actress battles a deadly vampire virus. Here, she kills in style. NIGHT A moto jacket downplays the look's corporate vibe, making it ideal for happy-hour flirting. Jacket, American Eagle Outfitters, $99.95, ae.com THE FLORAL PANT The real flower power of a petal print is dual season appeal—these bottoms are always in bloom.…

READY, SET, GLOW Ditch the Rise filter for this just-as-flattering bronzing powder. Rimmel London Sunshimmer Maxi Bronzer, $6, drugstores TIE ONE ON Upgrade a lazy-day pony with bright bands. Karina Elastic Thin Neon, $3 for 24, ulta.com TRES CHEAP Three amazing razors under $10: smooth! Schick Quattro for Women Disposables, $7.39 for 3, drugstores ORANGE TWIST Tangerine tips: an end-of-summer must. OPI Nail Lacquer in Toucan Do It If You Try, $9, ulta.com LIQUID GOLD Quench parched skin (and hair!) with this summery-scented dry oil. Caudalie Divine Oil, $9, us.caudalie.com IT'S ELECTRIC A flick of neon green eyeliner steals the, ah, limelight. CoverGirl LiquiLineBlast Eyeliner in Green Glow, $8, drugstores SOS STRANDS A hair mask on steroids, this has six different oils (like argan and rose). L'Oréal Paris OleoTherapy Deep…

IF YOU'RE… The Dance-Floor Diva You can't resist twerking up a sweat—even if Aunt Bea looks on aghast. PARTY PREP Bring an oversize clutch and pack it with sweat-soaking essentials. The two most important: a translucent powder (to nix shiny skin) and dry shampoo (to refresh damp strands). IF YOU'RE… The Aggressive Bouquet Catcher Sure, they say whoever catches the bride's blooms is the next to have a ring put on it—but mainly, you've got a mad competitive streak. PARTY PREP Rock one of summer's sexiest off-the-face styles—a milkmaid braid or low chignon—to keep strands in check no matter how much jumping or diving you do. Bonus: No loose tendrils to block your eyes from the prize. IF YOU'RE… The Hottie Looking For a Hookup All this lovey-dovey talk has…

In my first performance review at a new job, my supervisor spent 20 minutes tearing apart a project I'd just turned in. My underarms were drenched, my face was burning, and my lips were trembling. If only I'd kept my composure, I could've reminded her of all my projects she loved. But I've never been one of those cool-as-a-cucumber types. I'm not wired that way. "The more connective tissue you have between the analytical and feeling sides of the brain, the more your emotions and thoughts tend to be intertwined," says management consultant Katherine Crowley, coauthor of Working With You Is Killing Me. While I don't strive to be as cold-blooded as Claire Underwood, I also don't want my body betrayals making me look unprofessional. So I asked the experts…

Harmony @HarmonyWho77 . 15m Thought you'd both get away w/it #MyBFFSleptWithMyBoyfriend Let's break it down: Facebook is like drinking at a bar in the town where you went to high school. Twitter is like wandering through Times Square listening to strangers mumble and shout. And Tumblr is like a slightly indiscriminate slumber party, all nail art and confessions. But put aside those crucial tonal and social differences and one thing is constant: somewhere, someone is suddenly, awkwardly expressing a lot of emotion, right there in front of you and everyone else online. It might be a celebrity or someone you can't even remember how you know. Or it might be you. Everywhere you look, the carefully groomed images of the famous are giving way to uncomfortably raw ramblings, whether it's…

THE CYBER-CRUSADER Carrie Goldberg, 36, lawyer Goldberg began her law career advocating for Holocaust survivors and people wrongly facing eviction. Then last year, she went through a breakup that turned ugly. "He threatened to release images of me," she says. "I experienced firsthand that there is little protection for victims of revenge porn." While several states have recently passed laws to help, in most places it is still not a crime to distribute sexual images of another person without their consent. So Goldberg set up a practice that specializes in revenge porn, cyberbullying, identity theft, and other online abuse. "No one should be presented on a platter, naked for the scum of the internet to prey on," she says. "I want to be the person with the skills to…

HAWK STAR Create six mini ponytails from forehead to nape, says hair guru Rolando Beauchamp, who created these looks. Tease the base of each before twisting and pinning it into a bun. Let the ends stick out for this cool-girl vibe. Coat, Dress, Dior TOP DOG Bigger is definitely better! Sweep hair into a high pony, then—for the fattest knot possible—slide a bun maker (Claire's Mega Hair Donut, $9, is perfect) to the very end of the tail, rolling it down and tucking hair under as you go. Top, Tanya Taylor, $425. Shorts, Marciano, $138. Shoes, Pierre Hardy. Scarf, What Goes Around Comes Around, $128. Leashes, Kong, $29.99 each. (On left arm) String bracelets, Shashi, $28 each. Star ring, $125, (on right arm) Cuff, $425, Elizabeth and James. Silver ring,…

Ducking in the shower can be totally hot. Q Real talk: How can I enjoy shower sex more? To me, it's just a lot of awkward positions and hot water in my face. Not really as "romantic" and "steamy" as they make it in the movies. A Okay, so shower sex is obviously not your thing. Don't force it! Instead, think of it as foreplay plus H2O, and use the time to massage and wash each other, saving the actual sex for once you're out. If you're determined to make shower sex work, Megan Andelloux, a clinical sexologist in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, recommends Sex in the Shower, a brand of sex toys with suction handles and footrests that are specially designed to make getting it on in the tub or…

Maybe it happened the first time he peed with the door open. Maybe it was when you finally felt comfortable introducing him to your "eating blanket" (hey—how else can you protect that beautiful duvet from nacho crumbs?). The relationship apathy line has officially been crossed, and it feels like the honeymoon is over. Short of the tragic memory loss or casual time travel often seen in Rachel McAdams movies, you can't get those first-few-weeks feelings back. And that's for the best! After all, part of the reason things are so exciting when you first get together is that there's so much uncertainty. You wonder nonstop whether he likes you as much as you like him, and you jump when your phone dings and then feel either elated or depressed, depending…

When I met Ben, I knew immediately that he was the one. We had both studied literature, felt culturally connected to Judaism, and loved to travel. And perhaps it was because I felt so comfortable around him, so immediately at home, that I told him on our second date that we could keep seeing each other only if he wasn't interested in having kids. I've known since I was a teenager that I never wanted to be a mother. While this is an intensely personal decision, I've been quite open about sharing my story. In fact, since I was part of a Today show segment about women choosing not to have children, the Google autofill suggestions for my name are childfree and I don't want kids. Ben (not his real…

MASON JARS ARE THE NEW LUNCH BOX Sog-proof your salad by stacking it: Trap dressing on the bottom with hard veggies. Try this fun create-your-own primer. THE 5-SECOND RULE IS LEGIT Quickly picking up and eating food you dropped on the floor won't make you sick, according to a new study that tested E. coli levels. Germs weren't an issue for dry stuff, and moist food picked up a negligible amount of bacteria in five seconds. —J.G. GREENS Arugula, spinach, kale, romaine EXTRAS A couple of slices of avocado, chopped; 1 t. sunflower seeds PROTEIN 2 T. crumbled cheese (like blue or goat cheese); ⅓ c. diced cooked meat (like chicken or turkey) CARBS ¼ c. garbanzo beans or cooked whole-wheat pasta VEGGIES ½ c. chopped carrots, cucumbers, or red…

It happened. Artie—the gorgeous guy who knows just what to say when I'm stressed, plans killer road trips, and joins in when I sing out loud in public—got on one knee and promised to stick by me forever. That week felt like my birthday, a trip to Disney World, and the sexiest love scene ever, all at once. My phone nearly exploded with texts and calls. Champagne flowed. I flashed my bling around and told our story over and over. I felt happy and hot. But a month later, once the planning began and I signed up at a wedding website, e-mails cluttered my in-box and ads filled my web browser: Wedding-Arm Lipo, Bride-Only Juice Fast, Start Shedding for the Wedding. It planted a seed in my head that maybe…

JOGGING SLOWLY, ANGEL PALACIOS felt every step like a hammer to the brain. Bam! Bam! Her stomach lurched, like she might throw up right on the soccer field at Ouachita Baptist University, in Arkansas. She felt the sunshine piercing into her head. She felt dizzy. Mostly, Palacios felt angry. She knew she shouldn't be running at all. At soccer practice a few days earlier, in September 2011, a teammate had slammed her head into Palacios' left eye. Palacios fell to her knees, swooning, as her eye swelled shut. The sophomore midfielder had suffered two concussions in high school, so she recognized the symptoms: headache, neck ache, nausea, disorientation, sensitivity to light. What happened next and in the days that followed is the basis for a lawsuit against the National Collegiate…

LEO JULY 23–August 22 STELLAR GIFTS You make whomever you're with feel like the most important person in your world. BLIND SPOTS You can have high expectations of others…but you hold yourself to those standards too. FASHION FAVES Shimmery fabrics and fabulous accessories that make you stand out in a crowd. INDULGENCE Splurging on others, even when it's a stretch financially. SEDUCTION STYLE You love to pounce on your partner, but you'll also purr when he starts the seduction. THIS MONTH Romantic Venus enters your sign on the 12th, making you extra magnetic to those around you. Now's the time to vocalize what you want—whether it's from your partner or at work. Mars is in your home zone, so you may feel like moving or renovating your pad. Do a…

Pick a feminist, any feminist. Love you, Mindy, Hannah, Peggy, Dany, Olivia, Leslie, and Liz! 1. Your vagina is: a. The name of your slam-poetry album. b. Capable of great things. c. Shameful and disgusting. 2. Your male boss calls you "sweetie" and winks at you, so clearly, you: a. Jump on his desk, kick his papers around, and scream "Down with the oppressor!" b. Firmly tell him that it's not acceptable and demand an apology. c. Wink, squeeze your jugs, and respond in your best baby voice. 3. The guy you're dating doesn't love to go down on women. Your response is: a. "Goodbye forever, woman-hater!" b. "Are you sure you're not just really bad at it?" c. "I'll still give you head for days. Lucky for you, I…