Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2017 i Cosmopolitan

I CAN’T EVEN SEND WHEN A guy you used to hook up with texts you out of the blue, Aunt Kathy casually asks if you’re seeing anyone, or you’re simply catching up on American politics. The Future Is Bright SEND WHEN A BFF scores her dream job or starts grad school. Reverse-Cowgirl SEND WHEN Bae innocently asks, “What should we do tonight?” (Trust us, this one really works!) BOY, BYE! SEND WHEN A Tinder match texts you, “What are you wearing?” or your guy deletes Scandal on the DVR to make room for a UFC fight. Rosé All Day SEND WHEN A glass of pink vino is calling your name. Can be used anytime the temps jump above 50 degrees (although we won’t judge you for sipping year-round). But First,…

when you train celebrities for a living, everyone wants to know the same thing: “What are they really like?” The truth is that most of them are just like you and me and face the same challenges when it comes to getting in shape. That said, I’ve had my share of over-thetop crazies through the years. We’ll get to that. First, let me say that I never set out to be a trainer to the stars. Years ago, I started working out and got really fit; then my friends asked me to train them. It was just my side hustle, but since I live in L.A., word got out and famous people started contacting me. It’s been my fulltime gig ever since. I’ve trained superstars in private health clubs and…

TRENCH, Calvin Klein Jeans, $168, calvinklein.com FINISH THE LOOK BAG, New York and Company, $60, nyandcompany.com MAKE LIKE GABRIELLE UNION: SUPER PROFESH IN AN EASY WRAP DRESS AND BRIEFCASESTYLE CLUTCH. SHIRT, Banana Republic, $78, bananarepublic.com DRESS, Kate Spade New York, $328, katespade.com BLAZER, J.Crew, $168, jcrew.com PANTS, Miss Me, $80, missme.com OLIVIA PALERMO ROCKS THE CHICEST OF PANTSUITS. SKIRT, Daya by Zendaya, $50, dayabyzendaya.com FINISH THE LOOK BAG, Vince Camuto, $248, vincecamuto.com…

DRESS, Forever 21, $45, forever21.com BUSTIER, 7 for All Mankind, $169, 7 for All Mankind stores DRESS, Level 99, $138, level99jeans.com FINISH THE LOOK BRACELET, & Other Stories, $55, stories.com/us SWEETEN A BUSTIER DRESS WITH A FLORAL BAG LIKE EMMA ROBERTS. ROMPER, Forever 21, $58, forever21.com A CAMEL BELT AND BOOTS BREAK UP KENDALL JENNER’S JUMPSUIT. FINISH THE LOOK EARRINGS, ASOS, $19, asos.com JUMPER, Joe’s, $298, joesjeans.com BUSTIER, Guess, $69, shop.guess.com…

Shed a Layer Wear a camisole under a blouse with a plunging neck during the day, then ditch it to flaunt deeper cleavage off the clock. Swap Shoes Barely there straps make heels look effortless. Stash a pair of simple sandals in your car or bag to step into at the last minute. Throw Shade Chic black sunnies are the perfect accessory for a polished look. Dare to wear them through sunset. Toughen Up Make a classic silhouette less corporate-Barbie, more badass by tucking a feminine top into a sleek leather pencil skirt. Suit Up Stand tall in a structured jacket, slim trousers, and pointed heels. Off duty, undo some buttons to reveal a lacy bra underneath. JACKET, Rebecca Taylor, $495, rebeccataylor.com. BUSTIER, Victoria’s Secret, $55, victoriassecret.com. PANTS, Armani Exchange, $120, armaniexchange.com. SHOES, Sam Edelman, $120, samedelman.com. BRACELET, Swarovski,…

NUDE The latest color craze (seen on Cara Delevingne, above) combines both warm and cool tones. It works on just about everyone, says Papanikolas. COOL/ASHY A color with green, blue, or violet undertones. It absorbs light rather than reflects it, so while you’ll see less red, “your hair may lack luster,” says Marko Tomassetti, colorist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon. PERMANENT This dye opens the cuticle (hair’s outer layer), pushing color deep into the cortex. It lasts indefinitely (but can fade or oxidize). The downside: Stronger chemicals make it more damaging. DEMI-PERMANENT It deposits color to the cuticle (but not the cortex) and “fades in six weeks,” says James Corbett, Clairol color director. SEMI-PERMANENT “This sits on top, staining hair,” says O’Connor. It can refresh tones or darken…

TIP TEASE A spring f ling with soft purple nails could turn into a new signature look. CHINA GLAZE Active Colour in Retreat Yourself, $7, sallybeauty.com THINK PINK On your lids! A soft pop is like a neutral nude, only way sweeter. CATRICE Absolute Rose Eye Shadow Palette, $7, ulta.com CONTOUR QUICKIE Dip one side in bronzer, the other in highlighter, and sweep on cheeks, bronzer-side down. ROYAL & LANGNICKEL Moda Quick Contour Brush, $8, royalbrush.com HELPING HANDS A daily dose of this shea-butter cream keeps chap in check. H2O+ BEAUTY Teak Rose On the Move Intensive Hand Cream, $10, h2oplus.com GLOW ALL OUT Microfine shimmer transforms skin from lackluster to lit. MAYBELLINE NEW YORK FaceStudio Master Strobing Liquid Illuminating Highlighter in Light/Iridescent, $10, drugstores BASE LAYER Spritz in this biotininfused primer before styling to protect your mane. TRESEMMÉ Repair & Protect…

STEP 1 LEAH Executive Beauty Director @LEAHWYAR Step One After shampooing and applying a protective leave-in spray, blow-dry hair, pulling roots upward. Then use a flatiron to create bends. Starting a few inches from the roots, clamp a section, then flick your wrist over and under, working your way to the ends. Step Two For hard-to-reach hair at the back of your head, try this hack: Create a braid (or several if your texture is thick, A), and clamp down on it with a straightener inch by inch (B). STEP 2 (A) STEP 2 (B) Step Three This style looks sexiest with volume, says Buckett, who teased Leah’s crown for extra lift. Finally, spray on a lightweight, anti-frizz dry spray to control flyaways and create a lived-in finish.…

ALL CLEAR Hold the bottle upside down and squeeze for a bubbly blend of breakoutbusting salicylic acid and hydrating glycerin. CLEAN & CLEAR Acne Triple Clear Bubble Foam Cleanser, $6.50, drugstores SO BALLER With eight skinsoftening oils, muscle-soothing Epsom salts, and an insane amount of suds, these tub treats are the bomb. FIZZ & BUBBLE Mini Bath Fizzies in Spearmint Eucalyptus, $12 for 5, fizz andbubble.com HYDRATION STATION Hyaluronic acid gives dull skin new life, as the effervescent effect creates an instant glow. GIVENCHY Hydra Sparkling Moisturizing and Embellishing Foam Mask, $56, barneys.com HIT REFRESH Forget messy color creams. This violet-toned mousse neutralizes brassiness as silk protein brings on epic shine. RITA HAZAN True Color Ultimate Shine Gloss in Breaking Brass, $26, Sephora SOFT SERVE This featherweight alternative to Dove’s iconic cream wash is…

Q / I GO OUT WITH MY FRIENDS ON THE WEEKENDS AND I LOVE MEETING NEW GUYS AT BARS, BUT NONE OF MY ENCOUNTERS HAS EVER TURNED INTO ANYTHING ROMANTIC. WHEN DUDES GO OUT, ARE THEY JUST LOOKING TO GET LAID, OR IS THERE EVER ANY REAL CHANCE FOR AN ACTUAL ROMANCE? A Yes, lots of men go to bars looking to get laid, but some don’t. And some who aren’t looking for anything serious end up finding love while sitting on a bar stool anyway. (Hey, it happened to me.) There’s no way to read someone’s mind and immediately know his intentions, so just keep meeting new people, trust your instincts, and remember that each person you hit it off with is different from the last. Q / MY…

HERS 1 Major sex organs that release hormones and eggs. 2 It unleashes period blood and cramps—but also hosts fetuses. 3 Egg, meet sperm. Fertilization action happens here. But if an embryo gets stuck in this space, it could be lifethreatening for you. 4 Your MD inspects and swabs this donut-shaped canal during a Pap smear. 5 Home to the elusive G-spot (and often tampons or the birth-control ring). 6 Your visible genitals, aka the stuff on the outside. 7 These sensitive folds produce lubrication during sex. 8 Wowza! Your body’s pleasure epicenter. Like the penis, it has foreskin and a shaft that swells when aroused. 9 The tiny opening from which you urinate. 10 Smaller flaps of skin that block irritants or germs from entering your vag. HIS 11…

“‘no means no’ puts all the responsibility on the woman, whereas ‘yes means yes’ acknowledges it’s a shared responsibility,” says Shafia Zaloom, a San Francisco–based health educator who has developed and implemented so-called affirmative consent curriculums at Bay Area schools. This is a crucial shift: “Affirmative consent may prove to be a better way to deter rape and to reduce the risks of miscommunication that leads to nonconsensual sex,” says Cynthia Godsoe, an associate professor at Brooklyn Law School. (California, New York, and Illinois now require affirmative consent to be taught at certain schools.) So now, which of these scenarios involves consent? 50 PERCENT OF ALL WOMEN WILL EXPERIENCE SOME KIND OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THEIR LIFETIME. A Astrid and Kimi meet at a party. After a few drinks, Kimi…

The less sex I have, the less I seem to want it. What’s wrong with me? A Nothing! It’s normal for desire to dip when you’re not getting it on regularly, says Osmo Kontula, PhD, a professor at the Population Research Institute of the Family Federation of Finland. His research found that 54 percent of women who get it on once a month or less experience few sexual urges. But only 16 percent of women who get busy at least twice a week say their libido is dragging. That’s in part because your brain sees orgasms as rewards, says Kontula— and who wouldn’t want more of those? To give your desire a reboot, find hot ways to work sex into your schedule more frequently, like sending your guy an iCal…

Tropical Punch Give your room a bright, airy feel with tropical prints and bamboo touches. Let in plenty of natural light—a Northwestern University study says it boosts your health! No sunshine? No worries: Fake a gorge sunrise or sunset inside your pad with a MagicLight bulb that lets you scroll through 16 different hues via Bluetooth on your phone (from $29, magiclightbulbs.com). Surfer Chic Surround yourself with boho textiles and vibrant surf gear, then curl up with another ultimate beach accessory: a good book. Fuel your summerhouse fantasies with Surf Shack, by Nina Freudenberger, then lose yourself in these other juicy tomes. WHITE SAND, BLUE SEA by Anita Hughes How OOC could a family drama that’s set in sandy St. Barts get? Very. NEXT YEAR, FOR SURE by Zoey Leigh…

“IN JOB INTERVIEWS, DON’ T JUST RELY ON SHOWCASING PAST WORK. I ’M MORE IMPRESSED WHEN PEOPLE SAY, ‘ I ’VE DONE X ALREADY—AND I CAN DO Y FOR YOU. ’ ” CREATE YOUR OWN OPENINGS I went to high school with a lot of students who were eager to do volunteer work, but organizations assumed kids in our predominantly poor, black school district weren’t really interested. So I created my own nonprofit. I visited clubs at school to recruit likeminded people and pitched an idea: Organizations could partner with us to get volunteers in exchange for providing documented community-service hours for students. It helps to think of opportunities as a transaction—uncover the need, then identify how you can satisfy both sides. WIELD THE TOOLS YOU HAVE Years ago, I…

If You Have... TRY... Playing teacher CASH: $15/hour WHO: Taryn Wade, 31 Crestview, FL HUSTLE: Grading SAT essays Taryn, a school psychologist, started looking for additional work that would help her pay off student debt— with special attention to jobs that complemented her background. She discovered an SAT-essay grading job on Craigslist and vetted it with a dose of Google searching. (When applying for online jobs, do some sleuthing to ensure your personal info is going to legit contacts.) TRY. . . Shopping your way to success CASH: Between $100 to $1,000/week WHO: Mia Graffam, 26 Nashville, TN HUSTLE: Antique dealer Mia, a tattoo parlor owner and artist, has always loved shopping for vintage art and furnishings. So she and her friend Ali Arakawa turned their shared interest into a…

OPEN UP some closet space for must-have looks from Prabal Gurung’s new collection for Lane Bryant (lanebryant.com). DIVE into Vera Bradley’s debut swimwear collection ($135, vera bradley.com). PUT your fiercest foot forward in Jennifer Lopez’s designs for Giuseppe Zanotti (giuseppezanotti design.com). GET GORGEOUS. Cosmo wants to send you to Beautycon! Enter for a chance to win a trip for two to either the Beautycon New York or Beautycon Los Angeles Festival, including VIP tickets to the Beauty Academy, premium access to The Social Lounge and Gifting Suite, hotel accommodations, and a $500 airfare credit, at Cosmopolitan.com/ BeautyconFestival. GLOW all out with Lancôme’s Belle De Teint (Le Bronze and Blush) palette ($47, lancome-usa.com). THE HAIR ISSUE SPRING-CLEAN your scalp with L’Oréal Paris EverFresh Micro-Exfoliating Scrub rinse-out hair treatment ($10, drugstores). GET INFORMED on…

SPOTLIGHT BETTY WHO The Aussie who made waves last summer with ’90s cover “I Love You Always Forever” keeps us jamming with her new album The Valley. TWO OF A KIND “There are two different versions of me on this album: one who’s more in your face and wants to dance and talk about sex, and one who’s more vulnerable. One song, ‘Reunion,’ is so honest, I almost hate listening to it. It breaks my heart every time. But I also wanted to have a handful of songs that just make you want to dance and drop that ass.” FAVE TV CHARACTER “Serena van der Woodsen. I’m not as fierce as she is, but I always loved how warm she was, even though everyone else in her life was cold…

“I was at the mall with friends, and we were having such a good time that I waltzed right into the men’s bathroom and didn’t realize it. While I was in the stall, I started to hear several men going, ‘Ahem, ahem!’ I was so clueless that I didn’t think anything of it. It wasn’t until I’d made it to the sink to wash my hands that I realized there were five guys at the urinals, staring at me awkwardly.” KRISTA P., 25, SOCIAL-MEDIA SPECIALIST, MIAMI, FL WE KNOW YOU HAVE CONFESSIONS TO SHARE.... E-MAIL THE DIRTY DETAILS TO CONFESSIONS @COSMOPOLITAN.COM, OR TWEET YOUR TALES TO @COSMOPOLITAN! “One night, I got really drunk and decided to try a new, sexy move on my boyfriend. I somehow had the bright idea…

Fierce Cutout Cutie Fail Coochie Cutout Coffee Art Ciao, ’Brella! Beige Beauty Total Baller Coffee Porn Umbrella Hell Bag Form Ball Handler…

FINISH THE LOOK SUNGLASSES, Nine West, $78, ninewest.com A BUTTONDOWN AND BELT MAKE LILY ALDRIDGE’S RIPPED JEANS LOOK PULLED TOGETHER. TOP, Crafted by Lee, $23, target.com JACKET, Kut From the Kloth, $89, kutfromthekloth.com JEANS, Jessica Simpson Collection, $80, jessicasimpson.com CHANNEL GIGI HADID’S VIBE WITH A BAND T-SHIRT AND BOLD BOOTIES JEANS, Big Star Denim, $118, bigstardenim.com JACKET, Joie, $198, joie.com SHIRT, Lucky Brand, $80, luckybrand.com FINISH THE LOOK SUNGLASSES, Juicy Couture, $128, Juicy Couture boutiques…

FOR A NIGHT OUT Bypass a clutch and rock a low-key pouchette dressed in chains instead. ASOS, $53, asos.com FOR WORK Cast in fresh white leather, the classic top-handle satchel makes even Monday mornings a little brighter. MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS, $378, michaelkors.com FOR THE WEEKEND Treat a grayish-blue suede hobo bag as a neutral. Simply grab and go! ELIZABETH AND JAMES, $495, available at The Grove Pouchette Access your ID easily with a drawstring-closure minibag. Fun embellishments make it party-appropriate. Hobo Bag Chill so hard with a carry-all in a slick ’70s finish, like mustard yellow or beige suede. Top Handle Pick a structured lady bag in a not-so-snoozy hue (think red or metallic) to jolt your work ensemble to life.…

Peony PETAL PERK Reenergizes tired skin. OUR PICK This bridal fave is paired with LHA, a derivative of salicylic acid, to slough off dulling flakes. L’ORÉAL PARIS Age Perfect Cell Renewal Rosy Tone Moisturizer, $25, drugstores Jasmine PETAL PERK Gives a glow. OUR PICK Besides leaving behind its signature sensual scent, jasmine extract imparts a radiant, soft-focus finish. CHANEL Huile de Jasmin Revitalizing Facial Oil with Jasmine Extract, $120, chanel.com Rose PETAL PERK Moisturizes and refines pores. OUR PICK Housed in a toner (those are real petals!), this bloom hydrates and regulates oil, helping balance skin. FRESH Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner, $44, sephora.com Calendula PETAL PERK Slays acne and sensitivity. OUR PICK Crazy but true: Inflammation can cause both breakouts and redness. Calendula helps calm both. KIEHL’S Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque,…

it’s one thing to stalk Ticketmaster to get into the Formation tour. But camping out all night to experience a Kylie Cosmetics pop-up? It’s happening more and more. Coveted cosmetics lines are creating superfans willing to shell out time and money for beauty. In the $13 billion cosmetics market, female millennials are the heaviest buyers, according to TABS Analytics research. And lately, it’s limited-supply beauty loot that’s tempting you most. So why does the fear of missing out drive you to buy? You Want to Be Part of the Club Using makeup to up your social status isn’t new. In 1994, Chanel launched Vamp, a deep burgundy nail polish. It was everywhere (on Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction, in Madonna’s “Take a Bow” video) yet nowhere: For months after its…

Check the Expiration Date In general, sunscreens start to lose their efficacy after three years, even if the package has never been opened. That’s why many have an expiration date, usually stamped on the bottom of the container or on the box. (Don’t see one? Next time, use a marker to write the date you bought it.) “Most formulas have preservatives, so they’ll probably still work after that date, but they may not be as potent,” says dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD. When in doubt, toss it out— especially if you’re fair-skinned. Beware of Open Containers If you used an SPF once last summer and it hasn’t expired, it’s safe to use. But consider where it’s been. Was it left in a hot trunk for months? If so, dump it: Heat…

TUNE IN to catch new episodes of So Cosmo on E!, Wednesdays at 9 p.m. STEP 1 THE FINAL LOOK DIANDRA Brand Coordinator @DIANDRABARNWELL Step One For defined, touchable curls, apply equal parts conditioning cream and sculpting gel to damp hair. (Work in small sections to saturate strands evenly.) Let hair totally air-dry, then polish unruly pieces with a chopstick—the width is ideal for tightening spirals. Wind a small section around it (check out Buckett’s technique, above). Step Two Press the flatiron down the length of the chopstick to seal in the curl pattern. Repeat this on other sections that need some TLC. Step Three Moisture fights frizz and helps curls retain their shape, says Buckett, so finish the look with a few spritzes of a hydrating spray (like Sleek…

1.Say What You Think The ability to talk about your needs calmly and effectively (and listen to those of your partner) is the best predictor of whether you’ll make a great girlfriend, according to Epstein’s research. If you hesitate to speak up or disagree with others, then it’s worth working on your communication skills. You want to get to a point where “there’s a fluid back-andforth and you feel comfortable bringing up a serious topic,” says clinical psychologist Jill P. Weber, PhD, author of Building Self- Esteem 5 Steps. Try this: Write a script for any convos that may make you lose it, like confronting your friend who flaked or the manager who passed you up for a project. Make sure what you write is calm and nondefensive (“With a…

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN an A student, which is why it was totally deflating when I got a D (a D!) on the most basic of assignments: breathing. After monitoring my inhalations and exhalations, clinical psychologist Belisa Vranich, PsyD, author of Breathe, gave me my near-failing grade on this most basic of bodily functions, with just one small consolation: 9 out of 10 people are just as bad at it as I am. It turns out that most adults are shoulder breathers; when we inhale, our shoulders rise, engaging the upper back muscles. This type of vertical breathing only makes space for air in the narrowest, tippy-top part of the lungs, says Vranich. It’s the exact opposite of how the body was designed to breathe…and such shallow breaths actually send danger…

1 THE SECRET TO OMG SEX IS: a. Penis size. b. Experience. c. Love. d. None of the above. 2 YOUR SEXUAL CHEMISTRY SUCKS IF: a. You can’t get wet. b. He can’t get it up. c. You or he can’t orgasm. d. None of the above. 3 HOW MANY WOMEN REGULARLY ORGASM DURI NG INTERCOURSE? a. 15 percent b. 50 percent c. 85 percent d. 100 percent 4 LUBRICATION MAKES BETTER. a. Digital penetration b. Blow jobs c. Anal sex d. Any action 5 YOUR LUBE STASH SHOULD INCLUDE SOME: a. Petroleum jelly. b. Coconut oil. c. Baby oil. d. Body lotion. e. None of the above. 6 FANTASIES INVOLVING RAPE AND S&M ARE: a. Unusual. b. Common. c. Perverted. ANSWER KEY 1. D Nope, sex isn’t just for…

HOW TO POP IT There are two ways you can go if you’re feeling corny. AIR POP Fill the bottom of this silicone basin with up to 5 tablespoons of kernels. Fold in the container’s edges, and microwave for 2 minutes—no oil or butter needed! POPTOP, $20, chefn.com STOVE TOP Coat the bottom of the pan with oil, and add a layer of kernels. Keep the stove on medium heat as you rotate the handle. WHIRLEY-POP, $23, whirleypopshop.com 3 FEET, AKA HOW HIGH A POPPING KERNEL CAN JUMP. (KEEP A LID ON THAT POT! ) SOURCE: THE POPCORN BOARD No Time? It’s in the Bag We won’t judge you for grabbing these readymade tasty picks. CARAMEL & CHEDDAR, $4.50, boom chickapop.com PINK HIMALAYAN SALT, $3.50, thelittle kernel.com JALAPEÑO & HONEY, $10.50 for 3 bags, lesserevil.com…

BINGE Netflix’s Girlboss with Britt Robertson as Sophia, who’s based on Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso (Apr. 21). READY YOUR FEEDS for a fresh batch of instant classic quotes after Amy Schumer drops her brand-new stand-up special on Netflix (March 7). LISTEN IN as an emotional mystery unfolds one tape at a time in Thirteen Reasons Why, Netflix’s new drama coproduced by Selena Gomez (March 31). with BFFs Jo Franco and Damon Dominique, who define #Travel Goals on their web series Shut Up and Go. MOVIES 1. THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS Rev up: The eighth Fast and Furious film brings more action, more drama, and more stars—oh, hello, Charlize Theron and Scott Eastwood (Apr. 14)! 2. THE CIRCLE Emma Watson lands a dream job at a cutting-edge tech company—…

FRIENDS FIRST “Back when I was single, I never chatted up women I didn’t know or did the online-dating thing. My relationships usually blossomed out of friendship. It’s the best way for me to know if it’ll work. I’m not a risk taker in that sense. I want to be sure that I won’t get hurt before I get into something serious.” OPEN YOUR HEART “When it comes to women, I’m more clumsy than smooth! I’ve never had moves the way some guys do. But I will say, I’m quite open and honest. I don’t keep my cards close to my chest. I’m not ashamed of what I have to give.” COME AS YOU ARE “I like someone who’s quirky. I don’t like sheep. I prefer a shepherd...or make that…

So Cosmo Edition! “A Tinder match asked me to grab a happy-hour drink at a bar. When I arrived, he was sitting with three of his friends and barely spoke to me. In need of hard liquor, I hit the bar with his best girlfriend. She offered to buy me a shot, then confessed that my date just broke up with his fiancé after catching him cheating. One shot led to multiple rounds, and I had some good laughs. He seemed annoyed that I stole the attention, but I had to make the best of happy hour!” —ADAM MANSUROGLU “A dude invited me to dinner at his place. We were watching TV when, all of a sudden, there was a knock on his door. He opened it and let a…

when i tell guys I’ve written a book about the future of men, lots of them say, “Wait, you mean we have a future?” Their responses are meant as a joke, but they offer insight into how marginalized many guys in their 20s and 30s feel these days. I know that seems surprising— maybe even offensive—given the current climate, but hear me out: Even though a woman has yet to shatter that highest and hardest glass ceiling, research shows that males are losing ground to females in arenas outside the Oval Office. Check out these stats: In most urban areas of the U.S., single, childless females under 30 are outearning young men by almost 10 percent, a figure that has nearly doubled in some large cities. Plus, women are now…

SKIRT, AG, $168, agjeans.com A LAID-BACK JEAN JACKET DRESSES DOWN JOSEPHINE SKRIVER’S SLINKY SLIP. TOP, Nanette Lepore, $348, nanettelepore.com SKIRT, American Eagle Outiftters, $45, ae.com FINISH THE LOOK SHOES, Katy Perry, $119, katyperry collections.com SHOES, Botkier New York, $128, nordstrom.com DRESS, Express Factory Outlet at Tanger Outlets, $50, Tanger Outlets STYLE STAR PATRICIA MANFIELD AMPS UP A CUTOFF SKIRT WITH ELECTRIC HEELS. JACKET, Buffalo, David Bitton, $99, buffalo jeans.com…

SPRING BRE AK! PRO TIP “REPLACE YOUR FLIPFLOPS WITH SLIDES FOR ’90S THROWBACK V IBES .” Sarah Conly, Cosmo’s fashion market director @SarConly…

EXPERT COLOR TIPS Do TOUCH UP ROOTS ONLY. Meaning the fresh, untouched regrowth. Repeatedly dyeing midlengths and ends (the oldest, most damaged areas) will leave hair dry, brittle, and too dark from color buildup. Use conditioner to shield those areas. WORK IN SECTIONS. Clip up one in front of each ear and two in the back, then let one down at a time for an even application. BUY TWO BOXES FOR LONG OR THICK HAIR. You can’t go to the drugstore if you run out mid-app. Don’t START WITH UNWASHED HAIR. Product residue can reduce absorption. Shampoo before. TRY TO GO TOO LIGHT. Any more than three to five shades needs a professional, says George Papanikolas, a Matrix colorist. SKIP THE PATCH TEST. “Dye a few strands to check the…

GOLDEN STATE True to the brand’s San Francisco roots, Benefit’s new bronzer-meets-blush gives off cool, Cali-girl vibes. (Use the retro Haight-Ashbury box to store…whatever!) BENEFIT COSMETICS GALifornia, $29, benefitcosmetics.com DEW IT ALL Meet the skin-care superhero from newbie brand NIA (code for Not Into Aging). A lightweight lotion, it treats skin to the line-fighting force of a serum coupled with the plumping powers of a luxe cream. NIA Fully Charged Serum x Moisturizer, $39, select Ulta stores, ulta.com LIGHT SWITCH A strobing essential: this illuminating pen. With a click, it deposits the perfect dose of luminizer on cheekbones. LANCÔME Click & Glow Highlighting Skin Fluid in Lumières Rosées, $23, sephora.com PRETTY SWEET All the flowery goodness of the original Live Irrésistible fragrance, now with mouthwatering notes of French madeleines and vanilla that’ll leave…

START IN THE SHOWER The right shampoo sets the scene for your dream texture. BEST FOR WAVES Hydrating cactus extract adds softness and bounce. BEST FOR CURLS A sulfate-free formula is key for cleansing curls without stripping natural oils. BEST FOR STRAIGHT Nourishing marula oil helps ground flyaways and enhances shine. GARNIER FRUCTIS Moisture Lock Shampoo, Curl Nourish Shampoo, and Sleek & Shine Zero Shampoo, $4.99 each, drugstores…

Poor cuddling.…It’s typically relegated to a postsex, lazy Sunday ritual—but it has so much more to offer. Studies show snuggling with your S.O. can boost your bond, make you happier, and supply health benefits that you’ll feel long after you’ve left the couch. And get this: Mid-cuddle, your breathing and heart rates actually sync up, which helps you feel deeper levels of empathy for each other. So get closer with these six poses. The Short Stack If your partner is taller than you,have him or her lie back while you lie on top, chest down. Align your head to rest sideways on his or her chest (you’ll kinda look like stacked pancakes…yum!). The Reach-Around Lie on your side, facing your cuddle date who’s lying on his or her back. Arch…

We get it—exercising is your me-time. But here’s why making it your we-time rocks: You’ll do it more often and, in turn, tone up faster. When one-half of a duo becomes active, the other person tends to get in gear too, according to a recent study. “You’ll likely push yourself harder,” says Evan Betts, Cosmo’s fitness contributor and a certified personal trainer at Tone House in New York City. “Adding a partner creates a counterbalance that taps stabilizing muscles in your arms, legs, and abs. Also, it’s more fun!” Here, Betts models his plan with Cosmo’s brand coordinator, Diandra Barnwell. (Catch them on So Cosmo on E! Wednesdays at 9 p.m.) Having a better time and ending up with a better body? We’re texting our BFF right now. 1PISTOL SQUAT…

YOUR PERIOD ISN’T just a pain (in the lower back, abdomen, breasts…), it’s now also considered a legit vital sign by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)—just as important as your temperature and pulse. “It’s a window into a woman’s health,” explains Alyssa Dweck, MD, a gynecologist in New York and assistant clinical professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Meaning: A persistent change in your monthly visitor could signal there’s something haywire elsewhere in your bod. “If your cycle is off, it may be a symptom of other medical conditions,” says Marcelle Cedars, MD, director of reproductive endocrinology at the University of California at San Francisco. For example, “too” periods (too light, too heavy, too painful) can indicate anything from an eating disorder to a blood-clotting issue…

before you answer, consider this: Nearly 50 percent of Cosmo staffers failed—and this stuff is our job! Plus, your official sexual education probably sucked (and most definitely didn’t mention anything about intimacy actually feeling good). Even more alarming, under a new government administration, sex ed might get worse or vanish altogether, leading to ever higher rates of STIs, unintended pregnancies, and sexual assault. Not on our watch! Cosmo and the nonprofit Advocates for Youth teamed up to bring you everything you need to know backward and forward (or in whatever position you enjoy most). You already know sex isn’t shameful. Duh. But millions of American students are still being taught that it is. “Or that sexuality is immoral or dangerous,” says Nora Gelperin, director of sexuality education for Advocates for…

1 YOU’D KNOW IF YOU HAD AN STI. True or False 2 SHOWERING POST-SEX CAN WASH OFF ANY NASTIES. True or False 3 SOMEONE WITH A COLD SORE COULD GIVE YOU GENITAL HERPES. True or False 4 EVEN WITH CONDOMS, YOU COULD STILL CATCH SOMETHING. True or False 5 ONCE INFECTED, ALWAYS INFECTED. True or False 6 ROUGH SEX IS DANGEROUS. True or False ANSWER KEY 1. FALSE. Many of the most common ones often produce zero symptoms. Always use protection, and ask your doctor at every annual checkup which conditions you should be screened for. 2. FALSE. Your effort could have the opposite effect. Washing too aggressively or douching can alter your protective vaginal flora, opening the door to infections. 3. TRUE. If, that is, your partner has a…

I want this to feel like a slumber party,” Ariana Grande says, offering me a bowl of popcorn. We’re in the Beverly Hills studio where she’s been working on her fourth studio album, and before our faux sleepover gets under way, she introduces me to her small entourage, which includes a shy, capclad rapper in the corner. “This is Malcolm,” she says, her eyes lighting up. You might know him by his stage name, Mac Miller. He’s a longtime friend and featured artist on her first hit single “The Way,” and he and Ariana recently upgraded their relationship from platonic to official. But while they’ve become practically inseparable, even boyfriends can’t crash this chat session. “We’re not allowed to have an audience, right?” she asks, sending Mac and her friends…

1. At the next party you attend with your man, destroy any chance of his thinking about anything besides you by confessing that you’ve arrived sans underwear. Wait to share your secret until he can’t do anything about it (e.g., right before you start mingling, whisper, “You know, I’m going commando tonight”). The effect: stunned lust. 2. Try this sexy a.m. move: Lightly rake your nails up and down his inner thighs, then along the bottom edge of his boxers. Rise and shine, fella. 3 TO 6 4 Blush-Worthy Pleasure Tools Who knew these beauty items doubled as genius pleasure devices? Us, duh! PERFUME Always spritz on the same special scent before sex. The smell will create an intense sensory memory for him that he’ll associate with ravaging you. BLUSH…

Iced Mimosa Freeze juices (cranberry, orange, and grapefruit are great) into cubes, then pour champagne on top. Watch it melt into a mimosa! #BrunchGoals Lime Sublime Mix 2 oz. Leopold Bros. Three Pins Alpine Herbal liqueur, ½ oz. lime juice, 2 to 3 dashes celery bitters*, and leaves from a rosemary sprig in an ice-filled shaker. Shake, and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with seltzer. Garnish with lemongrass and rosemary. Adapted from The Thinking Girl’s Guide to Drinking, by Ariane Resnick Ruby Slippers Add ice, 1½ oz. citrus vodka, ¾ oz. St. Elder liqueur, ¾ oz. lime juice, ½ oz. simple syrup, and 1 oz. strawberry purée to a shaker. Shake, and strain into a coupe glass. Top with champagne, and garnish with a lime wheel.…

it’s 8 a.m. and you’re still trying out hairstyles before racing to work. Or it’s 8 p.m. and you burst into the restaurant where your friends are waiting, wailing, “I knooow. I’m the worst.” Sound familiar? You might be that girl—the late one— among your friends, your coworkers, your family. In a 2014 YouGov poll, 22 percent of millennials admitted to being late to work at least once a week. One of their top reasons was “I don’t get penalized.” That’s not exactly true. Lateness can breed resentment in all your relationships and eversimmering anxiety in you. “One of the most predominant issues people have with time is that they constantly lie about it,” says Lauren Handel Zander, author of Maybe It’s You and chairwoman of the Handel Group, an…

TAURUS 04.20–05.21 If you’re feeling adrift lately, ask yourself if the effort you expend on certain people in your career— and in bed—is worth it. When the Sun enters your sign on the 19th, you’ll be ready to devote yourself only to people who matter most. YOU NEED: To honestly assess, not idealize, your relationships. TAURUS GUY: If he’s a bit testy, resist the urge to snap back. Give him space and discuss what’s eating him when the time is right. GEMINI 05. 22–06. 20 A pack of planets in your zone of friendship and work is stirring up trouble. Since Mercury goes retrograde on the 9th, wait to make a move on that colleague who has caught your eye. Stick to fantasies until the New Moon rises on the…

UNDER LOCKS “Playing on a cross-country flight near you…Hair! #SleepDeprivationHumor” —ANASTASIA T., @ANASTASIARDH, VIA TWITTER SHEER FORCE “Forcing me to do fewer sit-ups, because this is the view I get every time I do one. #NewLeggings Pls” —MARIAH W., VIA INBOX CHEESE LOUISE “Teach your drivers not to carry a pizza sideways. #PizzaFai l #DeliveryFai l #YouOweMeMoney” —JESSICA L., @JESSICALAUCK, VIA TWITTER WHAT THE PUCK? “Please, make yourself comfortable. Disregard the fact that you’re at an NHL game. #Pantyhose&Leggings Huh? —TERI M., @PTERIDACTYL012, VIA TWITTER Why do people call and ask for directions when they have GPS and Google on their phone? #PetPeeve” —DESIREÉ A., @DEZZABRTI, VIA TWITTER A grown man sitting next to his wife belches loudly & unapologetically. I look at him, he looks at me. No ‘excuse…

1. That delivery man I love is due to drop off my boxes any minute, so I: a. Grease the entryway beforehand so he slips and I can lay a helping hand on his bicep. b. Mention that time Pharrell wore a similar brown shorts suit out in public and wound up on the worstdressed list. *Hair flip* c. Tape a note on the door, asking him to stack the boxes outside, then hold my breath as I swoon through the peephole, Disturbia-style. 2. I’m most likely to tag my crush in the comments below an Instagram of: a. Literally any fruit resembling genitalia. b. One of those skinny, hairless dogs with an overbite, along with the hashtag #BitchStoleYourLook. c. A hilarious meme at 3 a.m. while tipsy but tagging…