Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2017 i Cosmopolitan

WHEN PEOPLE ASK me why I wanted to become a magazine editor, I say, “I got into it for the beauty loot.” I’m kidding, of course…but not totally. At magazines, the goodies steadily f low in until our beauty closet shelves are teetering with the latest and greatest in skin care, hair care, and cosmetics—seriously, to enter is to risk death by beauty-product avalanche. I’ll take my chances. Still, as fun as all the experimenting is, ultimately the goal is to find the best options available—ones that deliver amazing results, give you a little confidence boost, and don’t crush your budget. To that end, Cosmo editors (myself included!) have done the heavy lifting for you and come up with the ultimate haul. Turn to our annual beauty awards coverage on…

The Massachusetts senator refused to be silenced in Congress and inspired the rallying cry “Nevertheless, she persisted.” In her new book, she opens up about her personal battles and the plans she has for America’s future. OPTION B Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant explain how to deal wi th the toughest of l i fe’s curvebal ls. 1. HOW TO BE MARRIED by Jo Piazza Journalist Piazza traveled around the globe for this revealing true-life study of love and wanderlust. 2. THE H-SPOT by Jill Filipovic From the dynamite political reporter and Cosmopolitan.com contributor comes an important examination of why women’s happiness is vital to tackling the issues of our times. 3. THIS IS JUST MY FACE by Gabourey Sidibe Laugh, sigh, and cringe—this memoir by the Oscar nominee covers family drama, crazy…

LADY IN RED “I’d definitely vote for a one-piece over a bikini. The red Baywatch one-piece is iconic. And I think it looks awesome! It leaves more to the imagination. Sometimes, it’s what you can’t see that’s more intriguing.” I GOT YOU, BRO “If I’m dating someone, one of the few people I need to weigh in on the situation is my brother. We live together, and we’re different in a lot of ways, but he’s really grounded. He lived a more normal life than I did growing up, so he’s a great barometer for me. He’ll be like, ‘Are you sure you’re happy? Is this what you really want?’ Having my little brother around is a really great thing.” GETTING SERIOUS “I didn’t think much about settling down until recently. Now…

i was 27 years old when I gave up on life for the first time. “I quit,” I mumbled to my boss at the fashion magazine where I worked as a beauty editor. I spoke from my desk chair. I was slumped in it—too tired to stand and walk into my mentor’s office before I resigned after three and a half years. How did I get to that point? Well. I’d been taking prescription stimulants every day since I was 15, and a dozen years later, I was deep inside an addiction. I took speed to get out of bed in the morning, to kill my appetite so I could stay skinny, to get me through writing captions for the perfumes and foundations we featured in the magazine. I took…

Skip the Shirt Coordinate your outerwear with a bra top for a sporty look that will turn heads off the treadmill. Get a Grip Grab a carryall that’s equal parts feminine and punk— like a mini structured bag in embellished black leather with short handles. Come Undone Go for a cropped bomber in luxe velvet. Leave it unzipped (or open) to flaunt what’s underneath. Hide in Plain Sight One-up your BF’s sweats in camo cargos (just as comfy but cooler) that cinch at the ankle so your killer heels can show. Lace Up Put an exclamation point on chill, boyish bottoms with a pair of gladiator stilettos that elevate your outfit to sizzling new heights. Go Grunge Style overalls like an off-duty adult with a casual logo sweatshirt and loafers…

Best Shampoo and Conditioner for... ...Major Volume High-lather suds whisk away rootflattening dirt and oil, while the lightweight conditioner hydrates sans heaviness. 1. HERBAL ESSENCES Arabica Coffee Fruit Shampoo and Conditioner, $6 each, drugstores ...A Healthy Scalp Whether you’re dealing with dandruff or just addicted to dry shampoo, this zinc-powered system purifies hair follicles, while nixing flakes. 2. HEAD & SHOULDERS 3 Action Formula Shampoo and Conditioner, $6 each, drugstores ...Color-Treated Hair Made without stripping sulfates—and with pigment-protecting antioxidants— this duo prevents your dye job from literally going down the drain. 3. ALTERNA HAIRCARE Caviar Infinite Color Hold Shampoo and Conditioner, $34 each, Sephora ...Smooth Strands A blend of silicones flattens the cuticle and seals in moisture—key for zapping frizz. 4. JOHN FRIEDA Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner, $6 each, drugstores…

WHAT ARE LIP FILLERS, EXACTLY? Let’s start with what they’re not: permanent. They last only about three months to a year. The kinds our derms recommend are made of hyaluronic acid— a sugar (found naturally in the body) that adds temporary volume and definition when injected into lips. Know Your Options Over the last several years, the government has green-lit various hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers for lips. The new formulas are all similar in composition (Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, a cosmetic derm in NYC, likens the choices to Coke and Pepsi), with slight variations in longevity and density, which can determine when and how they’re used. A quickie breakdown: Restylane and Restylane-L BEST FOR: Allover volume (they’re the same basic formula, but Restylane-L is mixed with pain-preventing lidocaine) Restylane Silk…

STEP 1 WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN Just like you brush your teeth to keep them plaquefree, you should also exfoliate your face. A cleansing device, like Foreo’s, helps dislodge any film. Then twice a week, use a glycolicand salicylicacid pad (unlike a scrub, it doesn’t require rinsing) to slough off dead skin cells and remove traces of makeup, dirt, cleanser, and minerals, says Christine Chin. Still seeing buildup? Visit a pro for a microdermabrasion treatment. STEP 2 REPAIR THE DAMAGE Minerals and chlorine suck moisture from your face and compromise your skin’s barrier (a healthy one is essential for radiance). Derm Joshua Zeichner, MD, suggests applying superhydrator hyaluronic acid to damp skin to draw in muchneeded moisture. STEP 3 PREVENT MORE “PLAQUE” If you live in an area with particularly…

The apps that keep her in the know: “I’m a social-media, real-time addict. I love showing my makeup looks and work on Insta, and Snapchat has the coolest filters—and it makes it easy (and fun) to creep on people’s lives and find new, cool venues!” What makes her stand out in a crowd: “My accent. People say I sound French, even though I’m Russian. Also, I have a lipstick tattoo on my inner arm, and people constantly ask about it.” The hands-down best beauty advice she’s ever gotten: “Love yourself. Confidence really is beautiful.” How her makeup lasts all night long: “A good setting spray or powder is essential. You also need to start with a full-coverage base [like the one below].” LIZA LASH @Liza_Lash Age: 29 Hometown: Moscow, Russia…

“WHEN I HAD LONG HAIR, PEOPLE DIDN’T SEE MY PERSONALITY. NOW THEY SAY MY HAIR REALLY SUITS ME. IT’S COOL AND YOUNG.” “I LOVE TO SHAKE MY HAIR AND HAVE PEOPLE LOOK AT ME AND KNOW WHAT I’M ALL ABOUT: CONFIDENCE.” Maybe it’s gradually dawned on you, or maybe it struck you suddenly— say, when you were seated at the back of a packed theater or crammed into a subway car and took the time to really look at the dozens of other women gathered before you. But by now, you’re probably aware that something big and multifarious is going on with our hair. We have entered an age where— rather than duplicating a few stock looks ad infinitum—women are breaking traditional rules of presentation and wearing an unprecedented variety…

1 “Someone cheated” Introducing: the number one deal breaker. To help prevent such a breach in trust in your own situation, have “the talk” early on about what counts as cheating to both of you, says Laura VanderDrift, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at Syracuse University. 2 “They just weren’t The One” Many of us want a partner who’s our BFF, most honest critic, and a total sex magician. Fair enough, says VanderDrift, but no one’s perfect all the time. Maintain a mind-set that you won’t dump him over one mistake or flaw. “One of us wanted to take it to the next level, and the other didn’t” Hey, it happens. But being clear about what you’re looking for from the start sure helps! Also, remember that you two…

The Case for Calling It Quits Inseparable. That’s the word people used to describe my college boyfriend, John, and me. From the moment we arrived on campus our freshman year, we shared meals, went to the same parties, and once, sledded down the steps of the state capitol together. By the end of that year, however, his constant presence felt suffocating instead of comforting. We were spooning in his dorm one day, when I found myself longing for my own friends and space. So I suggested we take a break. But John teared up, so I apologized and took it back. I’d always been told that healthy relationships take work, so I waited…and waited…for my attitude to change and to feel less restless in our superclose dynamic. Three years later,…

EVEN IF YOU DON’T have a sweet tooth, know this: The average young woman eats an astonishing 57 pounds of added sugar each year. That works out to 275 calories of the sweet stuff per day, equal to nearly triple the 6-teaspoon (25 gram) daily limit the American Heart Association recommends. The potential fallout includes low energy, excess belly fat, early aging (wrinkles!), and long-term, serious issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Gulp. Swearing off candy and dessert won’t fully solve the problem; nearly 75 percent of packaged foods—like pasta sauce, ketchup, salad dressing—is loaded with added sugar. A better plan: Our guide to cutting back your sweet consumption, created with the help of Cosmo’s expert panel. Follow these tips and strategies and you’ll wean yourself off in…

SHOT ON LOCATION AT INDOCHINE FLOWER HOUR Show a whole lot of leg in flirty floral hot pants (plus a coordinated retro top and peep-toes). If a lit tle underbut t peeks out, NBD. FREE UP Undo a few buttons, push it of f your shoulders, and voilà!—a pajamastyle blouse goes from of fice hours to party time. Beauty Tip Ace your base with Dior Diorskin Forever Fluid Foundation, $50. It melts into skin for a flawless, airbrushed finish…and comes in 24 shades. CHILL ZONE Brace yourself for a big night out in a shoulder-baring bustier style with a belt you can loosen af ter a couple of cocktails. A pair of roomy, frayed flares round out the look. SATIN FINISH The next best thing to get ting between the…

We’ve been taught to think that sexual desire is something that should spontaneously spike to make you crave sex once, twice, or five times a week. But new science suggests that your libido is actually at the mercy of a series of accelerators (triggers that turn you on) and brakes (happenings that turn you off), which vary from person to person. Use this advice to cruise at your own ideal speed. Have All Systems at the Ready You may have heard that your arousal peaks in your 20s or 30s. Fake news alert! Age really is just a number—it’s actually your relationship status and mental and physical health that can make desire fluctuate throughout your life. Make sure those are in tip-top shape and you’ll continue to want crazy-passionate sex…

Q Does the curve of his penis affect the positions we can try? A Not really. Even if your guy is a bit more hooked than hung, your own parts are pretty darn flexible. “The vagina is very pliable and accommodating, especially with adequate foreplay and lubrication,” says ob-gyn Sherry Ross, MD, author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health. Period. Another thing that’s useful to know: Some kinds of peen curvature could actually mean more G-spot stimulation. To take advantage of both your physical gifts, lube up and cycle through the Kama Sutra to see what feels the most ahhhmazing (of course, if a move hurts, stop). After this little experiment, you two should be a perfect fit. Awww.… E -MAIL YOUR SEX QUESTIONS TO SEXQANDA. Q…

Ssorry, martha, but the era of weeks-long planning and fussy food prep is over. Today’s bashes are laid-back, thanks to the Danish trend hygge (pronounced hoo-guh), which prioritizes comfort and togetherness. “Hygge is meant to be a simple, hands-off thing,” says Danish anthropologist Jeppe Trolle Linnet, PhD. “It’s about being present and enjoying those around you.” Getting into the spirit can do wonders for your well-being. Case in point: The Danes consistently rank among the happiest people in the world. Borrow a bit of their mellow mojo for your next shindig. Start off with a small group to keep the intimacy intact, noise levels down, and hostess work minimal. Then follow these warm, fuzzy tips to good-time bliss. Get Lit If there’s one thing that’s okay to obsess over, it’s…

AT ONE POINT in my career, about 50 percent of my income was pure cash I made from babysitting and barista gigs to supplement my job working for a latenight talk show. I used what’s referred to as the envelope method to handle my finances. I put cash in envelopes marked for rent, savings, my fun fund, and finally, “money for Anna,” my roommate. The plan was effective but not the smartest. (I’m thankful my apartment was never robbed!) Now, I’m no longer babysitting or slinging lattes. I get paid through direct deposit, which means the cash stash no longer makes sense for me. Budgeting is a deeply personal process—and yeah, sometimes painful. But it’s the first step toward taking control of your present and future. Pick the plan that…

CRAZY SITUATION WORKING YOUR LAST NERVE? VENT HERE! “We no longer place carry-ons on the floor. Instead, we place them on top of a food-court table where people eat! ! Grrr ” —EVELYN B., VIA INBOX “I’m always running late but… come on, folks. Can someone get this woman some travel etiquette?”—@ MSBALEXA, VIA INSTAGRAM “Don’t think strip searches are supposed to happen in public.…” —GRACE B., VIA INBOX “The morning after #YouHad OneJob #ValentinesDayMassacre #StuffedAnimalsHaveFeelingsToo” —BRIDGETTE C., @BRIDGETTECLARNO, VIA INSTAGRAM Why do people talk on the phone in the restroom? Do you think people on the other end wanna hear that? Gross.” —KIMBERLY G., @MSKIMGIAMBRONE, VIA TWITTER When driving on the highway... if you are being passed on both sides, YOU ARE IN THE WRONG LANE! #JustSaying #LearnHowTo Drive” —LUANNE…

1. Generally, you sleep like a: a. Li’l pup, dreaming happy, carefree dreams. b. Hibernating bear, thanks to melatonin and your iPhone’s Do Not Disturb option. c. Bat. You’re practically nocturnal, remembering right at bedtime that one thing you forgot to do. 2. Bzzt. You just got a news alert about yet another political dustup. You: a. Dismiss it—don’t want to ruin your awesome mood! b. Glance at it, then bookmark the story to read during lunch. c. Dive in, clicking every article, sharing the panic on social. 3. Surprise! Your roommate neglected to take out the trash before she left for work…again. Do you confront her? a. Nah, it can just keep piling up—as long as it doesn’t smell too bad, it’s all good. b. You handle it yourself,…

QUIT FB- stalking your ex for good with help f rom the Mend Breakup Trainer app ( f rom $5 per month).…

SPOTLIGHT MICHELLE BRANCH It’s been nearly 14 years since her last album, but the “Everywhere” singer-songwriter slays just as hard on Hopeless Romantic. OWNING IT “When I started this album, I asked [The Black Keys’] Patrick Carney to produce. We turned in a few songs, and the then-label president said, ‘This doesn’t sound like Michelle Branch.’ It’s so weird to have a man who’s not a musician tell you that you don’t sound like yourself Patrick said, ‘I believe in this record. I’ll finance it.’ By the time we finished it, a new president had come in, who said, ‘I love it.’ We’d made the album we wanted to make. It was very empowering for me.” MOST-LOVED LOVE SONG “Nina Simone’s ‘I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl.’ She…

Cosmo readers reveal their most embarrassing, ridiculous, what-was-Ithinking moments. “I was at the beach recently with friends, and I was wearing a bathing suit top that was a little too big. We were in the ocean, tossing a football back and forth, and when I jumped up to grab the ball, a wave crashed into me and knocked my top off. I flashed everybody, even the little kid who was swimming nearby.” —DIANNE R., 30, BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANALYST, SILVER SPRING, MD WE KNOW YOU HAVE CONFESSIONS TO SHARE.... E-MAIL THE DIRTY DETAILS TO CONFESSIONS, OR TWEET YOUR TALES TO @COSMOPOLITAN! “My sister and I once ‘borrowed’ our parents’ car and drove to Disney World. We were convinced we got away with it, but stupidly, I’d gone through all the electronic…

BUG OUT Ditch your tired canvas tote for a glittery clutch. Fun! ZARA, $30, zara.com LOOK ALIVE Bejeweled oversize sunglasses give good face without a stitch of makeup. MIU MIU, $500, sunglasshut.com HAPPY FEET Gem-studded mules outshine flip-flops for Sunday latte runs. LFL, $90, lf lofficial.com…

Best Fragrance Dust on this woody powdered perfume for seriously sexy vibes (and touch up anytime, anywhere). 1. BYREDO Kabuki Perfume in Bal d’Afrique, $65, byredo.com Best Gloss Rock the shimmering top coat alone, or layer it over the lip color for a look that sparkles. 2. COVERGIRL Outlast All-Day Color and Gloss in Precious Ruby, $9, drugstores Best Lengthening Mascara Epic lashes, meet your maker: an inky, oil-infused formula that coats every hair. 3. AVON True Color Super Extend Nourishing Mascara in Black, $8, avon.com Best Semi-Matte Foundation Oil-encapsulated pigments create a flawless finish. 4. GIORGIO ARMANI BEAUTY Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation SPF 25, $64, giorgio armanibeauty-usa.com Best Under-Eye Concealer Light-reflecting mica: the secret to faking a full eight hours. 5. MAYBELLINE NEW YORK Dream Brightening Creamy Concealer, $8, drugstores Best Spot…

Best Acne Device It may look like something from Star Wars, but the science behind this mask is totally legit. The inside is lined with blue and red LED bulbs—technology that derms have been using in-office for years—to eliminate P.acnes (the bacteria that’s linked to pimples) and inflammation, respectively. Testers who wore it 10 minutes a day noticed fewer breakouts and smoother skin in just 12 weeks. 1. NEUTROGENA Light Therapy Acne Mask, $40, drugstores Best Firming Treatment While we haven’t yet found a product that can help skin defy gravity, Clarisonic’s facial massager comes pretty damn close. The vibrating beveled head treats skin to high-frequency micro massages (27,000 per threeminute session, to be exact) to stimulate your skin’s natural collagen and elastin production—key for lift and smoothness. Use it for…

GO FROM BANGS... TO NONE STAY TRIMMED. Keep fringe in ideal grow-out shape (and out of your eyes) by shaping it shorter in the center than at the edges. Bonus: Over time, you can tuck the sides behind your ears, says celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh. 3 Ways to Hide ’Em 1. PUSH THEM BACK. Work a high-hold gel, like this one from R+Co, through damp hair, then blow-dry it straight back into any style (ponytails, buns, even down). 2. BLEND THEM IN. Once they’ve grown out a little, switch to a styling cream (try Tresemmé’s, below), and dry bangs toward your ears with a round brush so they mix in with the rest of your hair. 3. DRESS THEM UP. Fun bobbies, French braids, and headbands hide them, says Matt…

JESSI MALAY @JessiMalay Age: 30 Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Her style muse: ”Bianca Jagger” Her dream festival: “This month’s Fyre Fest, in the Bahamas. It sounds like it’s going to be the sickest music and a tropical vacay in one!” You won’t catch her at a show without: “Great sunglasses (I love Dita and LeSpecs), a portable charger, and good sunscreen.” In her beauty arsenal: “I’m in love with the Infallible Paints Blush Kit. I also can’t live without RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Dual Overnight Moisturizer. It gives skin a vital surge of hydration.” Her top secret beauty hack: “Ice your face before applying your makeup. To me, it’s the best way to tighten your pores temporarily and make under-eye circles look less severe.”…

The first step is the deepest: Throw out all preconceptions about what your hair should be. “Anything is possible thanks to all the modern innovations: The darkest hair can go blond, the shortest hair can be instantly long, and the curliest hair can be straight if you want it. But only spend the time changing your color, changing your shape, if it brings you joy,” says Romina Manenti, our hairstylist for this shoot. “Power hair can be wash-and-go, or it can be highmaintenance. But bottom line, your hair should celebrate who you are or be a bridge for who you want to be.” YOUR NEW ECONOMY Apply the same high/low approach that you use with your wardrobe. However, your currency is not just money, but also time. The Chanel bag…

It’s one of the laziest and most savage dating moves. Anytime someone vanishes into the ether from a newbie relationship without the courtesy of a convo, it leaves the other person totally confused. So what gives? According to experts, ghosters often stop responding so they don’t have to deal with messy feelings or tough talks. It’s the effortless way to avoid self-reflection or admissions of guilt, says clinical psychologist Kim Chronister. If you find yourself the victim of a disappearing act, first determine that the person is, in fact, blowing you off. Instead of texting “WTF, dude?!” send a “How was your weekend?” text Monday morning, suggests Laurie Davis Edwards, founder of eFlirt and author of Love @ First Click. “It’s important not to go in trying to find out…

The most intimate relationship you’ll have in life is with yourself. So, doesn’t it make sense to spend some quality time with, well, you? If you haven’t tried it, heading out on a solo date might sound a little weird. But research shows there are mind, body, and hottie-meeting benefits to going it alone. Behold, some ideas for treating numero uno to a good time. Read and Sip at a Wine Bar This combines two things you probably already love: a glass of buttery chardonnay and a funny-AF or gripping-as-hell novel. Step one: Pop into your local bookstore (or grab your Kindle), then take your pick. (In the LOL category, we suggest Sarah Dunn’s The Arrangement, about a couple who experiment with open marriage.) Step two: Head to a local…

IT’S CALLED the Great Imitator for a reason. Lyme disease can hijack nerves and tissues all over your body, causing aches and pains nearly identical to a slew of other ailments—everything from migraines to the flu to arthritis. And as the infection rampages across the country— cases have shot up 115 percent since 2000—it’s also mimicking something else: life-altering mental illnesses. It’s hard to believe that a tiny bug bite can incite panic attacks, déjà vu, disorientation, dizziness, and memory loss—a collection of symptoms experts now term neurolyme. For unknown reasons, neurolyme hits more women than men, with patients often suffering for years. Many times they’re misdiagnosed and treated for psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar, and schizophrenia, when, in reality, an early course of antibiotics could have been the…

MOVIES 1. SNATCHED Give the gift of LOL this Mother’s Day (May 14). Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn’s raucous comedy drops May 12. 2. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 Brace yourself for another wild ride through the cosmos with the intergalactic A-Team (May 5). 3. EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING In this tearjerker, Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson give you feels you haven’t experienced since The Fault in Our Stars (May 19). 4. BAYWATCH Dwayne Johnson, Priyanka Chopra, and our very own Cosmo Guy Zac Efron (see p. 28) bring the splashy TV series to the big screen (May 26). BUCKLE up as A-l isters belt out their hits in Apple Music’s spinoff of James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke.…

BEAT THE BLOAT Eat foods with a high H2O content (cucumbers, watermelon, celery), and drink nine 8-ounce glasses of water a day to flush out extra fluids. GET A POWER GLOW! The quickest way to powerfully pretty skin: vitamin C. But since the nutrient weakens over time, you need to make sure you always get a new, potent dose. This seven-day booster is the solution— use it a.m. and p.m., and get ready to unveil a fiercely flawless complexion. PRESENTED BY CLINIQUE SHINE ON No time for fresh hair color? Gleam like a diamond with this homemade mask: Massage a mashed avocado through damp hair, then shampoo and condition after 20 minutes. TIGHTEN UP Celeb trainer Adam Rosante recommends taking 12,000 steps a day and strength-training a different body part…

“I met this insanely hot guy and went back to his insanely filthy apartment. I’m talking pizza boxes and dirty dishes everywhere. The entire time we were doing it, I could feel crumbs from his bed sticking to my back! Then I looked over and spotted a dead mouse in a glue trap in the corner. After, he scooped his dirty underwear off the floor and handed it to me to wipe myself off. Seriously, dude?!” —ANN M., 24 “We got to his place and watched The Office on Netflix—well, like five minutes of it—before we began making out. Everything was fine, until we started having sex and he busted out these strange, animalistic grunts with every thrust. It was so uncomfortable, and I didn’t know whether to ignore it or leave.…

PROTIP “GO BEYOND THE BANDANA WITH A PAISLEY VERSION OF YOUR FAVE SUMMER SILHOUETTE.” Alysia De Maio, Cosmo’s assistant fashion editor, @Alysia_DeMaio…

Best Cleanser for... ...Dry Skin A hydrating blend of jojoba oil and aloe vera means your face won’t feel tight post-wash. 1. SKINFIX Foaming Oil Cleanser, $15, CVS ...Oily Skin Like a vacuum, charcoal sucks gunk from pores, as salicylic acid zaps zits. 2. BIORÉ Charcoal Acne Clearing Cleanser, $6.50, drugstores Best Eye Treatment for... ...A.M. Peptides plump thin under-eye skin for a wide-awake look, no matter what you did last night. 3. SK-II R.N.A. Power Eye Cream, $135, sk-ii.com ...P.M. Pop on these patches for 10 minutes before bed and wake up to less puff and fewer shadows. 4. ESTÉE LAUDER Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask, $11, esteelauder.com Best Makeup Remover Smoky eyes, smudgeproof lipstick: Nothing stands a chance against this oilin- water hybrid. 5. SIMPLE SKINCARE Dual Effect Eye Make-Up Remover,…

Best-Smelling Body Wash Treat yo’self (and your skin) to this intoxicating mix of tuberose and sandalwood. 1. CARESS Hypnotic Aura Body Wash, $3.50, drugstores Best Polish Give dry, brittle nails new life with a lacquer infused with argan oil. 2. SALLY HANSEN Color Therapy Nail Polish in Rosy Glow, $9, drugstores Best Lip Balm All the goodness of the original formula, now with tasty fruit crystals. 3. BURT’S BEES Flavor Crystals Lip Balm in Sweet Orange, $4, drugstores Best Anti-Frizz Shampoo Fuzz and flyaways are no match for these superhydrating suds. 4. NOT YOUR MOTHER’S NATURALS Tahitian Gardenia Flower and Mango Butter Curl Defining Shampoo, $9, ulta.com Best Face Wipes Made from recycled T-shirt scraps, these are safe for the environment and sensitive skin. 5. YES TO Cotton Comforting Facial Wipes, $6, ulta.com Best Volumizing…

When Michael’s profile popped up on my Tinder feed, my thumb moved instinctively to swipe left. Far from my usual artsy type, his frat-boy good looks and photos featuring beer and the requisite puppy made me assume he’d be—how do I put this lightly?—a total douchebag. And since my bio touts my love of writing and punk music (unashamed hipster here), I figured he probably wouldn’t be into me either. But I was dating undercover, with a profile pic of me wearing way more makeup than I normally would, so I thought, why not? Maybe Michael would be into this alternate version of me. I swiped right. Boom— we were a match! The Experiment According to Tinder statistics, women wearing heavy makeup on the app are 55 percent more likely…

Her romantic getaway recs: “Visit a hole-in-the-wall restaurant for the first time, a cabin in the mountains, or—if you’re feeling super adventurous—Oia, Greece.” The food she can’t get enough of: “I have a slight obsession with avocado toast. I hunt for it wherever I go.” She never travels without: “Hydrating masks and lotions—air travel is incredibly drying—plus a paperback book and some headphones.” The one item in her closet that she always packs: “My favorite leather jacket with fringe [like the one above]. I take it to every city to give my outfits a bit more zest.” Next on her list: “Thailand. I’d kill to experience the culture for even just one day.”…

Wwouldn’t it be easier if we could just send a “boy, bye” Beyoncé meme to break up with every boyfriend? Or if guys could find some clear (and kind!) way to communicate when they want to ditch? Unfortunately, in the current dating landscape, where so many f lings or long-term things never even get a real label, figuring out how to say so long and move on has become harder than perfecting a cheek contour. The process can be murky, drawn out, and—thanks to seeing your former f lame all over your feeds—a freaking mess. That said, so much about calling it quits has always been the same: A broken heart can feel like The Rock punched you in the chest (seriously, research shows that an unwanted split activates similar…

Step 1 Be Very Clear “People try to be nice by making a breakup sound less definite, but it should be definite,” says Gary Lewandowski, PhD, a professor of psychology at Monmouth University. Say, “It’s done.” Step 2 Take Ownership Your soon-to-be ex is sure to ask why you want to split. Own your decision, and focus your response on you. Admit your role in things—it’s not one-sided—and you’ll both gain useful insight. Step 3 Get Back to Doing You “You probably loved this person, so you’re not going to get off feeling totally clean,” says Lewandowski. Beat guilt or remorse by recalling the legit reason you made this choice.…

ESTHER PEREL IS A SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS THERAPIST, THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF MATING IN CAPTIVITY, AND A CONSULTANT FOR THE HIT SHOWTIME SERIES THE AFFAIR. HER TED TALKS ON DESIRE AND INFIDELITY HAVE BEEN VIEWED MORE THAN 16 MILLION TIMES. American couples tend to think that transparency is the golden rule—that each partner should know all of the other’s feelings and thoughts, from his or her opinion of your new highlights to your take on your mate’s new phone. But sharing absolutely every part of your life can be problematic. It robs your bond of an exciting curiosity factor. This may be why other cultures, like the French, take the opposite extreme. Many lovers in Paris believe withholding most personal info keeps things intriguing. That may work to ignite desire,…

Trainer Kirra Michel is about to bust a big myth. Namely: You can’t get killer arms without lengthy weight-training sessions or a zillion weekly push-ups. “Who has time for that?” asks Michel, founder of the Wellness Rebellion Technique, a fitness program that blends nutrition, movement, and mindfulness. Her method is much faster— and takes just seven moves that you can do anywhere, no equipment needed. You’ll tone your arms, shoulders, core, and back. Not to mention: “These exercises create intensity that burns more calories than a strength workout and more body fat than if you were maintaining a steady pace,” says the former competitive gymnast. All you need? “Just eight minutes and your beautiful self.” HOW-TO Engage your core and lengthen your torso. Keep shoulder blades down and flattened against…

MOST OF US WHO lived through the aughts remember (with ire) the term beef curtains, which Spencer Pratt accused Lauren Conrad of having on The Hills. Fast-forward to 2017 and Issa Rae is freestyling about her BFF’s “broken pussy” on HBO’s Insecure. Can’t a vagina get some respect? Not if it isn’t perfectly symmetrical and vanilla-scented. From a young age, our most private parts are held to ridiculous standards, and not just by pop culture. “Women get the sense early on that their bodies are too embarrassing to talk about,” says sex researcher Debra Herbenick, PhD, associate professor at Indiana University and author of Read My Lips: A Complete Guide to the Vagina and Vulva. That shame can also be traced back to disparaging comments (one young woman we know still…

Balance the Booze The first time you hop into bed together can be anxiety inducing, so sometimes it’s nice to have a drink. But after three bevs, I don’t know about you, but it feels like my vagina literally turns off and it’s much more difficult to feel satisfied. Being cautious about my drinking—or alternating cocktails with seltzer—helps me focus clearly on having a great experience. Revel in Dressing Up I feel the most confident when I spend time on myself to get ready for a date. That’s why I indulge in things like picking out my outfit, getting a manicure, or even just wearing matching underwear. This pre-hookup prep helps put me in a sexual mind-set, and it totally turns me on to be looking my best before I…

LEAVE IT TO country music star Carrie Underwood to combine the two best damn things that go down in the bedroom—sex and napping—into the latest pleasure-seeking trend: the Snap! (At least, that’s what she coined it in a recent interview with E!) Not only does this back-to-back lazy Sunday (or any day) activity sound ideal, but science proves it has some mindbody benefits. When you’re connecting with your partner, your cortisol (or stress hormone) levels decrease and feel-good chemicals, like oxytocin and dopamine, increase—all of which relaxes your mind and sets you up for a snooze, says women’s health specialist Saralyn Mark, MD. The sex/sleep relationship doesn’t stop there. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan found that the longer women snoozed, the higher their sexual desire…

GEMINI 05. 22–06. 20 With Mercury in retrograde until the 3rd, nothing you say seems to come out right. Stop the word vom and get out of your head on the 12th, an extra-romantic day for Gems. Don’t hem and haw on the 20th—but look for obstacles on the 29th. YOU NEED: To pace yourself. GEMINI GUY: He needs home to be a refuge. Turn his place into a spa escape with a steamy shower, an oil massage, and a very happy ending for two.… CANCER 06.21–07.22 That straitjacket feeling you have now? Blame your own high expectations. Discuss your career dreams with people you trust near the 10th, and try not to force a vision that is incomplete. Get some quiet time when the Sun enters Gemini on the…