Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2016 i Cosmopolitan

1. FEEL THE BUTTERFLIES with Ralph Lauren’s Tender Romance, inspired by first love (from $45, ralph lauren.com). 2. DEFINE SQUAD GOALS with the badass cast of antihero superhero flick Suicide Squad (Aug. 5). 3 LOUNGE more beautifully in Thalia Sodi’s new pj’s and intimates for Macy’s ($30, macys.com). 4 GLOW in Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra Cushion Foundation ($47, lancomeusa.com). 5. FESS UP in the Truth Booth traveling videoconfessional installation (insearchofthe truth.net). 6. SHOW some love on National Sisters Day (Aug. 7), whether your sis is the Gigi to your Bella or the Kim to your Kylie. 7 SYNC the One Light keyboard with lessons on its companion app to master the keys ($300, smartpiano.com). 8. SOAK UP every Snap of the Rio Olympics, from opening to closing ceremony (Aug. 5…

WE KNOW YOU HAVE CONFESSIONS TO SHARE....E-MAIL THE DIRTY DETAILS TO CONFESSIONS @COSMOPOLITAN.COM, OR TWEET YOUR TALES TO @COSMOPOLITAN! 1 “I’m not allowed to have my BF at my parents’ house when they’re not home, but I did. My dad came home unexpectedly, so I had to hide my boyfriend in the attic—which was 90 degrees with no AC—for six hours until I could sneak him out.” —VICTORIA H., 20, STUDENT, NASHVILLE, TN 2 CELEB CONFESSION “I was always told that if someone has something on their face, you should tell them. So when I was a teenager, I was talking to a friend’s mom, and I go, ‘You know, you should really wax your moustache.’ My mom was pissed, so I was like, ‘But Mom, you always told me…

LIKE ALL WOMEN, I started out life as a “miss.” “How can I help you, miss?” “Miss, you dropped a dollar.” “Miss, can I buy you a drink?” “Excuse me, miss, I’m interested in having sex with you.” Everyone wants to be a miss. Miss means you have more in common with Audrey Hepburn than not. Miss sounds like you’re mostly air, like your body has the magic and delicacy of a wind chime, and when you walk down the street, everyone hears little bells. I don’t remember the exact place or time I was first called ma’am. Which means, on some level, I must have blocked it out. I remember I was around 30 and it was a complete surprise. In my mind, I was still wind-chiming around town…

TIP FROM AN EDITOR “WEAR A LACY BRA OR CROP TOP UNDERNEATH OVERAL LS TO MAKE THE SLOUCHY LOOK SEXY.” —AEYUNG KIM, fashion editor | @Aeyung…

Strike Gold Make denimon-denim less ranch hand, more street-style star by layering on dainty metallic jewelry. Push the Button Look like a pro vintage shopper without trolling racks on racks in a pieced-together ’70s style, like an A-line mini or shirtdress. Do Double Booty Jeans with two sets of back pockets get your butt into #Belfie-worthy shape, no squats necessary. WIN FREE DENIM! ENTER TO WIN A $50 GIFT CARD TO MODCLOTH AT COSMOPOLITAN.COM/MODCLOTH2016.…

SO YOU HAVE SENSITIVE EYES... Think your skin can’t handle an eye cream? Dr. Waldorf swears by these two gentle formulas. IT’S TRUE. “The eye area ages 5 to 10 years faster than the rest of your face,” says Neal Schultz, MD, a Manhattan derm. Blame the lack of collagen, responsible for keeping skin plump, and the fact that its elastin, which keeps everything tight, is constantly being tested. “Every time you squint or smile, the fibers break down,” says Dr. Schultz. And with few oil glands, the skin there tends to looks older faster. WHY A SEPARATE CREAM? Eye skin is tissue-thin, dry, and folds on itself—factors that increase absorption and therefore sensitivity, says Heidi Waldorf, MD, a New York–based derm. For this reason, face creams may be too…

75% OFF NEWSSTAND PRICE Take our quiz–when taking the train. Share “Girls’ Night Out” beauty tips–while you’re out! Subscribe to Cosmopolitan’s digital edition and you’re never without the fun, fearless advice you crave. Plus: Get all the fab fashion, beauty, guy, sex and career talk BEFORE IT HITS NEWSSTANDS Enjoy DIGITAL-ONLY features–like shop-able pages Access TABLET-EXCLUSIVE stories, videos, and more TRY IT ON YOUR TABLET TODAY AT DEAL.COSMOPOLITAN.COM…

CURL POWER Hit reboot with this aloe-infused, textureresetting mist. COME CLEAN Blast on bangs or roots to absorb oil. Bonus: Tapioca starch adds sexy volume. SHINE ON Rocking a braid or twist? A bit of this adds luster and hold. FRIZZ FIX A blend of five different oils tame fuzz without a filmy feel. DAMAGE CONTROL Four ways to solve summer’s biggest hair issues. DRYNESS Take strands from strawlike to silky with a scoop of this hydrating mask. SPLIT ENDS A few spritzes wrap strands in a protective keratin shield, temporarily sealing frays. BRASSINESS UV rays and chlorine oxidize dyed or bleached hair. This violet-toned gloss neutralizes unwanted orange and yellow tones in minutes. FRIZZ Apply this treatment before shampoo and get smooth hair for a week. Lightweight silicone offers…

10 PERCENTAGE BY WHICH YOU SHOULD INCREASE YOUR STRIDE FREQUENCY IN ORDER TO STAVE OFF SHIN SPLINTS. DO THIS BY TAKING SMALLER STEPS. SOURCE: MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE LISTEN UP If you run quietly, you’re likely running lightly. Adversely, slappy steps are heavy steps. Take out your ear buds once every 10 minutes, listen to your footfall, and adjust. LOOK UP If, when you gaze ahead, you notice a lot of up-anddown motion, that’s an indication you’re pounding. Take shorter steps to stay closer to the ground and reduce bounce. STRAIGHTEN UP Keep your head high and your pelvis underneath you. Good posture helps lead to light running. —L.J. SOURCE: GRANT ROBISON, OLYMPIAN, RUNNING COACH, AND COFOUNDER OF GOODFORMRUNNING.COM SPORTCUT GIVE GOLF A TRY Want a weekend…

#ICECREAMGOALS With 13 unique flavors, Klondike® offers a variety of chocolaty coated and ice cream loaded treats for everyone. Unlimited deliciousness in every bite. Try them all. Learn more at klondike.com LOVE YOUR LEGS Your legs take you everywhere. Isn’t it time you start to love them back? Try Pure Silk’s rich and luxurious shave cream and show your legs some love! Learn more at pure-silk.com GLOW LIKE A GODDESS Try Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer and get that goddess summer glow! Infused with Murumuru Butter, a nutrient-rich ingredient from the Brazilian Amazon, this creamy bronzer conditions and moisturizes your skin for a smoother texture, brighter tone, and a radiant tropical glow. Learn more at physiciansformula.com LOVING THE DEMI BOOT Flash Forward: All we see is you, your skinnies, and Skechers…

SHOULD YOU GET A DIAPHRAGM? They haven’t been popular since Seinfeld was, but that may change with Caya. The new one-size-fits-most, contoured model doesn’t require a special doctor’s visit for a fitting, as previous ones did, and is comfier and easier to use. Insert Caya before sex (use spermicide too), then remove 6 to 24 hours after. It’s only 84 percent effective—slightly more than condoms but less than an IUD or the Pill. Still, it’s a nonhormonal option for women who want control over contraception, says ob-gyn Jennifer Conti, MD, clinical instructor at Stanford University. “There seems to be a hipster resurgence of the diaphragm,” she reports. —DANIELLE MCNALLY WHAT IT IS Mycoplasma genitalium— or MG, a bacterial infection first discovered in 1981—is getting buzz now, after a study found…

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, I sat in a classroom for the first time since college. It was freezing, I was yawning, and people were raising hands to ask questions. So it basically was college, except that the teacher was a psychologist and my classmates, liver transplant patients. A guy in his 50s sitting at the back raised his hand. “So, what’s life going to be like a year after the transplant?” The psychologist smiled and adjusted her glasses. “Back to normal. Kind of.” Every time I walk into my new hospital—which is pretty often, lately—I have a moment of panic. How did it come to this? Is this a nightmare within a nightmare, like a seriously twisted version of Inception? I know what you’re thinking. Aren’t I living in Paris, living on…

The Workouts BOXING, BOOT CAMP, CROSSFIT Sneaky Skin Issue Breakouts Shared equipment—gloves, mats, weights— can be a hotbed for bacteria. When possible, BYO and wipe down weights (or anything else that’s shared) with an antibacterial towelette (travel-size packs were made for gym bags). Most important: “Avoid touching your face during your workout,” says Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in NYC. Wiping away sweat with a germy hand may seem harmless, but it can cause acne or, worse, spread cold sores and skin infections. The Workout RUNNING Sneaky Skin Issue Sagging Skin “I can spot a serious runner just by looking at her face,” says Elizabeth Hale, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center (and marathoner), who defines serious as logging 25 miles a week…

Floor Werk Hit the mat with your teammate, and lie facedown with him on top. (He’ll support himself with his forearms.) As you rock slowly, his weight adds pressure on your G-spot. Take your time: G-spot O’s are a marathon, not a sprint. The Horny Hurdle Start with him sitting, legs straight out. Squat over him and move up and down, balancing backward if you need to. His hands are free to play with your clit and breasts, so it’s an even playing field. Synchronized Sexing At the shallow end of a pool, wrap your legs around him. Lean back until you’re floating. While you’re weightless, you can focus on the penetration (use lube!) or try a waterproof clitoral vibe. The Carnal Clinch Kneel, facing each other. Wrap one leg…

He texts you all night but never schedules a real date. SAY THIS “You going to ask me out or can I expect a ‘How’s your night?’ for the rest of my life? ;p” WHY Boldness is sexy, especially when it’s done with a wink. Most important, it lets him know he needs to have something other than his words up his sleeve. He always cancels plans. SAY THIS “Uh-oh…you may have just officially become the flakiest person I know.” WHY He’ll want to see you again in an effort to shake off the flake identity. The next time he wants to hang, say: “Let’s have a quick coffee near my work. Nights are a little busy this week.” The more he flakes, the more you call the shots. He’s…

DECODE HIS DATING PROFILE CLICHÉ What is “looking for an adventure” even supposed to mean? One man explains. BY MATTHEW KASSEL “I Like Breakfast for Dinner” He knows how to mix it up—at the kitchen table and likely in bed…or perhaps on the kitchen table? “Looking for More Than Just a Hookup” Yes, he could be a truehearted, sensitive guy who’s looking for a girlfriend. However, ya know what else is more than just a hookup? Multiple hookups. See what he did there? “I Don’t Like Writing About Myself” Could be he’s a humble guy, but more likely, he just doesn’t know who he is…or how to articulate it. Doesn’t bode well for his communication skills in a relationship. “Looking for an Adventure” He’s really looking for a manic pixie…

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE PREGNANT (or anywhere close to it) to wonder how having kids would affect you at work. Some women worry so much, they “leave before they leave,” as Sheryl Sandberg wrote in Lean In, turning down promotions or big projects—and the bigger paychecks that come with them—for fear they won’t be able to manage later. If you’re kid-curious, here’s the real deal about the joy, pain, guilt, and glory of working mom–hood. “Having a baby made me love my work even more.” Lindsay Timlin, 34, corporate attorney, New York City “It’s the norm for me to work 60-plus-hour weeks, so I anticipated scaling back after having my son. But I cherish my career now so much more than I thought I would. I’m still the same…

What’s your go-to girls’-night flick pick? a. A new release. Nothing is worth a second viewing. b. Anything starring Ice Cube’s look-alike son. Reincarnations of ’90s icons give you life. c. Freaky Friday (the LiLo version). You own it on DVD and still have nightmares about seeing it on a Leaving Netflix Soon list. You got a lastminute invite to a decades party, so you: a. Blow off the theme and order from Rent the Runway. Your wardrobe has a weeklong shelf life. b. Wear the Drug Rug Bieber inspired you to buy but pretend you inherited it pre-Y2K. c. Deconstruct the shadowbox frames you filled with every firstday-of-school outfit. Your last #TBT was: a. Nonexistent— you’d rather not relive your rainbow braces phase, thx. b. A video you shot with…

@VelvetGrunge @Cosmopolitan THANK YOU for the SPF section in the June mag!! So helpful and informative GO FOR THE GOLD OLYMPIC GAMES When guys look this good in Speedos, who notices their faces? Here’s an abs challenge: Try to match these Olympians to their hot bods, then share how you did on social media with #Cosmotivation. TELL US HOW YOU REALLY FEEL E-mail Inbox @Cosmopolitan.com, visit Cosmopolitan.com to comment, or tweet us @Cosmopolitan. SHOW US YOUR COSMO How does Cosmo fit into your life? Instagram or tweet your photo to @Cosmopolitan and include #MyCosmo. If we feature you in the mag, we’ll give you $50! Reality Check Snap star Spencer Pratt posted a glowing review of our June issue to his Story. Follow him on Snapchat @PrattSpencer, and stay tuned to watch…

“His roommate barged in, screaming, accusing us of sneaking into his room and stealing his drugs. We hadn’t, but my date wound up fighting with him in the hallway while I sat there.” —KAYLEE A., 22 “He asked me to go to church and lunch for our second date. He sat up front to do the readings, so I was alone. Then, our ‘lunch date’ was with the pastor, his wife, and their three kids. I got a lecture on how to be a ‘good pastor’s wife.’” —LIZ H., 25 “En route, he told me he had a kid. Then he told me he was actually 10 years older. After dinner, he told me he was still married.” —MARIELLA N., 25 “I was at a restaurant with my sisters when…

1. YOU WILL KNOW ME by Megan Abbott The Fever author takes on the highstakes world of Olympic gymnastics hopefuls. For one mom and her prodigy daughter, going for the gold literally becomes a matter of life and death. 2. HOW TO PARTY WITH AN INFANT by Kaui Hart Hemmings Mele Bart tells her BF she’s pregnant; he drops that he’s engaged to someone else. WTH? Mommyhood gets hilariously tricky in this novel from the author of The Descendants. 3. BRIGHT, PRECIOUS DAYS by Jay McInerney The Bright Lights, Big City scribe brings us couple Corrine and Russell Calloway, enamored with NYC’s high life... and possibly dunzo when Corrine’s exlover reappears. 4. ANOTHER BROOKLYN by Jacqueline Woodson The author of the award-winning memoir Brown Girl Dreaming delves into the lives of four…

TIP FROM AN EDITOR “ TO ELONGAT E YOUR SILHOUETTE, PAIR WIDE-LEG PANTS WITH A LONG BLAZER OR JACKET.” —TIFFANY REID, senior fashion market editor | @TiffanyReid_…

You Want DRAMA Spider lashes: They’re everything RN! These cone-shape bristles clump multiple hairs together for spiky, Twiggy-esque spindles. You Want SPARKLE Like tinsel, a gold top coat gives bright-eyed new meaning. Top basic black with a single coat for a subtle sheen—two for full-blown disco eyes. You Want CURL Put down the lash crimper and pick this up! An arc-shaped spoolie and gel formula team up to defy gravity for a full 24 hours. You Want VOLUME Tiny nylon fibers latch onto lashes for thickness and length so major, your bestie will swear you’re wearing extensions. You Want COLOR Summer’s It shade, blue, has never looked bolder, thanks to this supersaturated formula from lash queen Katy Perry. Ways to Lash Out! 1. The secret to making mascara extra awesome?…

VARIETY PACK Lip kits are everything these days. This one offers six shades that stun. HIT REFRESH If you haven’t washed your hair in days, you need this, stat! TWICE AS NICE The pointy end: perf for crisp lines. The rounded one? Something smoky. FINE PRINT Even better than the boho packaging? The crisp citrus scent. VANITY FILES A trendy pattern makes shaping your nails chic. STICK SHIFT Minimize the size of pores, blur fine lines, and cover spots on the fly. WEAR WITH ALL A sexy red mani goes with everything from ripped jeans to an LBD. ROLL PLAY A ball applicator makes this perfume portable and purse-friendly. GLEAM PLAYER The same lipquenching formula, now with shimmer.…

0 :00–0:59 FRESHEN UP Nix sticky skin with a body wipe. SweetSpot’s are alcohol-free and pHbalanced so you can clean up everywhere without irritation. 1:00–2:30 COOL OFF Sweat and sun can seriously dehydrate skin. Fight back with this waterbased cream gel—it is not tacky and cools on contact (think of it like AC in a bottle). 2:31–3:00 GET YOUR GLOW ON Smooth skin, minimize blotchiness, and boost radiance with this perfecting serum. The ultra-sheer formula makes mirrorless application a breeze. 3:01–3:59 MASTER MINIMAL MAKEUP Forget a full face—a swipe of mascara, touch of powder bronzer (it’ll last longer than cream), and tinted lip balm are all you need to look gorge. 4:00–5:00 HANDLE YOUR HAIR Relaxed in the sun? Dove’s detoxifying dry shampoo will soak up oil and grit. Swam…

GET A+ SKIN Put your best face forward for back-to school. Neutrogena® Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes give you a complete surface clean while Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser cleans deep for clear, healthy-looking skin all semester long. Find your skincare solution in time for class—at Walgreens. Find out more at neutrogena.com BLACKBERRY BOOST! Want to look younger, longer? Try new AVEENO® Ageless™ Restorative Night Cream with our ACTIVE NATURALS® Blackberry Complex of antioxidants, vitamins, and powerful anti-aging ingredients. It helps improve elasticity and firmness for younger-looking skin in just one week! For more information, visit aveeno.com.…

THE COSMO TASTE TEST Feel good about your next grab-and-go bar: Set a limit of 250 cals and 8 grams of sugar. Cosmo staffers used the trick (and their taste buds) to pick the finest. —HELEN ZOOK KIND BAR DARK CHOCOLATE NUTS & SEA SALT This filling cluster of whole nuts has 200 calories, 5 g of sugar, and 6 g of protein. TASTING NOTES Satisfies sweet and salty cravings at once. HEALTH WARRIOR BANANA NUT CHIA BAR The 100-calorie snack is full of omega-3-rich chia seeds plus 3 g of protein and just 5 g of sugar. TASTING NOTES Yay, cinnamon spiciness! MIXED ROASTED NUT LARABAR This bite packs 230 calories and 6 g each of protein and sugar into a rectangle of five nut varieties plus dates and…

PRE-WORKOUT DEEP CONDITIONING Show your hair some TLC with this treatment. Mist on before class— your body and scalp heat will max out absorption. POWDER PLAYER This mineral-based foundation gives a hint of tint and protection that lasts through a strenuous training session. WELL-DEFINED Mascara at the gym is fine—just make sure it’s waterproof. This one creates a film on lashes that repels sweat and oil. PIT STOP Deo is a must. A mini makes toting from office to locker room easy. WIPEOUT Swipe on skin to nix poreclogging makeup and oil. PLAY DEFENSE Formulated with sweatabsorbing powder and SPF 60, it helps skin stay matte and free of sun damage. POST-WORKOUT COOL DOWN Always red after the gym? Pop on this mask. The cucumber chills stressed skin while the…

TAKE T.O. FOR KISSING Before you get going, make out like two teens in the back row of a movie theater. It reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol in both of you. (Ditto if you wind up face-to-face during sex.) INVITE HIM TO CHEER Men are visual creatures, but women often need both visual and auditory stimulation to get off. Let him know it would be super hot if he said your name during sex or even just moaned once or twice. GO BACK AND FORTH Suggest he move his fingers (or his tongue) from side to side over your clit, like a teeny-tiny windshield wiper. The new motion will bring more blood to your hot spot.…

LOVE ADVICE FROM OUR GUY GURU, LOGAN HILL Q / MY BOYFRIEND IS A HUGE CHEAPSKATE! I HAVE NO PROBLEM SAVING MONEY OR SPLITTING CHECKS, BUT IT’S GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE WE NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE BECAUSE HE DOESN’T WANT TO OPEN HIS WALLET (NEVER MIND IF I’M OPENING MINE). ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR FUN—AND FREE—DATE IDEAS? A Some guys are just naturally savers—a quality you may find yourself appreciating in the long run. But if you’re going to be saving cash, you might as well be doubly virtuous and get healthy. Go ride bikes, paddle kayaks, or hit some tennis balls. Better yet, take a camping trip and enjoy all of nature’s free pleasure in the great outdoors (and inside your tent too). Q/ I’ve started fantasizing about having…

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 14 MILLION TIMES. IT’S NOT NECESSARILY a bad thing to fight. There are plenty of strong yet volatile couples. But certain lines should not be crossed, and it’s important to repair. To do that, you need to validate the other person’s feelings and appreciate that he or she experiences things differently than you do. What most people don’t realize is that you’re not actually fighting about money or commitment or who does the housework. What you’re really fighting about is feeling a lack of love, respect, power…or some combination of the three. The…

EVEN THE TERM made me squirm. Lactation room. A windowless room on the second floor of my office, six chairs arranged as if for a book club, on which women sit with their boobs hooked up to machines that are a cross between a sci-fi torture mechanism and a device meant for a farm animal. I am someone who had to quit the gym (with a pool! and a sauna! and a company rate!) for fear of ending up in the locker room next to a seminude coworker. So I was not okay with the idea of sitting, nipples out, in the lactation room. Newly back at work after a blissful three-month maternity leave, it felt wrong to be apart from my baby just as she was growing more sparkly…

@AURORAASTRO Beauty entrepreneur Kylie Jenner stands out on every red carpet (and Insta photo). August 10, 1997 VIRGO 08.23—09.22 Think of the next few weeks as a b-day pregame! Inspiration abounds when Mercury opposes Neptune near the 7th. Keep your brain engaged and your mind motivated as the Sun moves into your sign on the 22nd and Jupiter unites with Venus on the 27th. YOU NEED: To rest and relax. VIRGO GUY: He gets lost in his own thoughts. Show interest in his inner world and share yours, and you’ll be at the top of his mind and body. LIBRA 09.23—10.22 You and your pals are linked as tight as daisy chains now! Let them lead after Venus moves into your zone of privacy and intuition on the 2nd. When…

Feeling a bit like the BFG on the set of our shoot with Misty Copeland. Highlight of the day: Misty dancing to an impromptu performance by The Color Purple Tony winner Cynthia Erivo. THIS COSMO BEAUTY AWARD WINNER GAVE ME LIFE DURING MY TRIP TO BEIJING. CAN’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT NOW. NEUTROGENA Hydro Boost Water Gel With Broad Spectrum SPF 15, $19, neutrogena.com THE CHIC-NESS My assistant Heather Passaro’s subscription to Rent the Runway Unlimited makes every day a fashion show. So fun! ($139 a month, renttherunway.com) Monday Shift dress, Marni, retail $1,500 Tuesday Cherry blossom jumpsuit, Corey, retail $257 Wednesday Navy jumpsuit, Slate & Willow, retail $245 Thursday Shift dress, Tory Burch, retail $450 Friday Floral dress, Suno, retail $695 Feeling a bit like the BFG on the set of our…

POTTERMANIA FUN Gas up the Nimbus: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child hits shelves and the stage this month. FEARLESS Artist Louise Reimer puts feminist spins on Hogwartsisms because the muggle is real. FAIL Tumblr trend swaps every wand in HP text for penis. Avada Kedavra, your innocence. CHEW, WHAT, WHERE FUN Texas Ranger Hanser Alberto blows most epic bubble, makes play for pop stardom. FEARLESS #WadGoals: Pro gum removers the GumBusters won’t stop until our streets are sticky-free. FAIL Dicklick’s penis-shaped gum: the only instance when using your teeth is a good thing. JUICY FRUIT FUN Japanese designer wraps TP in fruit prints, turns your pee break into a tropical vacay. FEARLESS Sustainable Piñatex pineapple “leather”: best use of the fruit since the piña colada. FAIL How else do…

“OKAY,” MY WIFE, Sam, says to me, “here’s a recording of donor number 4662.” She clicks the volume button up to max. A male voice begins, “I’m really into meditation, mindfulness, and focusing my consciousness.” I roll my eyes so hard, they ache. Donor number 4662 sounds like a Buddhist surfer, and the guy before him sounded like a teen in a high school marching band. These aren’t necessarily bad things, but I know nothing of his temperament or sense of humor. I am meeting him only through the web page of his donor profile. It never occurred to me that once I married a woman, I’d still have to find a man. “You have to pick one by the weekend!” Sam declares. I look over at her Excel spreadsheet,…

“FOR A FEMININE STYLE THAT’S NOT TOO PRECIOUS, LOOK FOR PEARLESCENT FACES SET ON CHUNKY SILVER STRAPS.” —KATHY LEE, senior accessories editor | @KathyGLee…

RED ALERT The inspo for Chanel’s fall collection? All red everything. Think brick-colored blush, copper-tinged shadow, even maroon eyeliner. Our fave: these red-hot matte lipsticks. WHAT’S THE ANGLE? 35 degrees, to be exact! The magic number behind Lancôme’s tilted liquid liner makes any eye look—a classic cat, graphic stripes, you name it—totally goof-proof. POWER POLISH Olivia Pope glam meets DC drama in OPI’s Kerry Washington collection. Of the 15 shades, our vote goes to this girl boss– approved berry. MASTER CLEANSE Balm is the new oil when it comes to face wash. Überluxe, it melts away oil and makeup as it decadently hydrates. SO SCENTSUAL Turn up the heat with these summer scent stars. Let the emoji be your guide! SEXY Crisp and fruity, this flirty fragrance is a day-date…

My cat eye is completely crooked. FIX Even out your line with a pointy cotton swab (we heart Q-tips Precision Tips) dipped in oil-free remover, which won’t smudge the rest of your makeup. Gigi’s secret weapon: this micellar water by Bioderma. 1. Q-TIPS Precision Tips, $3, drugstores 2. BIODERMA Sensibio H2O, $7, beautylish.com I overfilled my brows. Now, they’re more freaky than fleeky. FIX Brush hairs upward with a clean spoolie to diffuse, says Gigi. The bristles grip onto and remove excess product. You can also use a small, angled brush, dipped in creamy concealer (peep her fave by MAC) to polish the edges. Anastasia’s dual-ended tool offers both brushes. 3. MAC COSMETICS Studio Finish SPF35 Concealer, $19, maccosmetics.com 4. ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Duo Brush #7, $18, sephora.com I have…

YOU SEE Dark Spots or Patches Hanging out in the sun triggers your melanocytes, the pigmentproducing cells. These cells can manufacture even color all over or they can go haywire, sputtering out more melanin or increasing in number to create freckly or dark spots. Lattecolored blotches on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, and jaw—called melasma—are often caused by hormones and aggravated by UV light. YOUR F I X : First, stop things from getting worse, says Annie Chiu, MD, a dermatologist in Redondo Beach, California. A daily application of an SPF 30 or higher helps prevent new pigments from forming and spots from deepening. Next, block the formation of fresh pigments. “The gold standard is a hydroquinone cream,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. The ingredient…

NIKE BANDIT Subtle ventilation holes help keep your face cool and the lenses from fogging up. $166, store.nike.com OAKLEY MOONLIGHTER Sweat away! These shades have comfy nose pads that ensure a no-slip grip… and a fun, retro fit. $140, oakley.com SMITH BRIDGETOWN These impact-resistant lenses won’t crack—no matter how often you bump into your beach volleyball teammates. $99, smithoptics.com ROKA PHANTOM The sleek titanium frame feels weightless yet has nearly double the strength of your average metal sunnies for extra durability. $275, rokasports.com 3 SPORTS TO TRY SURFING! Learn from women among women in the waters off Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with Las Olas Surf Safaris. (6-day, 5-night packages from $2,695; surflasolas.com) TENNIS! Immerse yourself in the game at the base of the Rocky Mountains at The Broadmoor’s Adult Tennis Camps.…

1 CHEST STRETCH Lie on your right side, arms extended at shoulder height, right leg straight, left leg bent and resting on a towel so knee and hip are level [A]. Keeping right arm down, rotate torso and left arm to the left [B]. Return to start. Do 5 reps; switch sides. STRONG START Chest and back muscles can be very tight in gals with big boobs (or desk jobs). This move enhances mobility, explains Rosante. Start your day with it—whether you’re doing the full regimen or not. 2 HIP TAP Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with arms straight down. Keeping back flat, hinge forward at hips. Bend elbows, drawing weights to touch hips [shown]. Squeezing shoulder blades, hold as long as you can.…

When faced with nothing to do— standing in line, waiting for a friend—our reflex is to do something, even if that’s scrolling through Instagram…again. Many people would even prefer electric shocks to being alone with their thoughts, according to a study in the journal Science. But doing zero, zilch, nada can be good for you. Studies have found that letting your mind wander can enhance creativity. Plus, when you direct thoughts to feel-good places, it can add to your happiness and subtract from stress, says Timothy D. Wilson, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Virginia. He suggests taking time now to jot down stuff you enjoy: your pet, happy memories, dream vacations. When you get a free moment, think about those things instead of reaching for your phone.…

WATCH BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FROM MISTY’S SHOOT ON THE DIGITAL EDITION: MY.COSMOPOLITAN.COM.…

ASHLEY GRAHAM walks into a rooftop bar in midtown Manhattan with a request. Please don’t ask her what she thinks of the term plus size. The short answer: She thinks it’s outdated and unhelpful. In the modeling industry, it refers to anyone size 8 and up—so, pretty much everyone. It also refers to that unsexy clothing section in the “back dark corner next to the food court,” she says. If you have to label her, she’ll take “curvy sexylicious” thankyou verymuch. Really, she’s more about self-love than size matters. And the plus thing? Like, can we not? But the model who teeters between a size 14 and 16 owes her fame, at least in part, to the problematic term. Fashion blogs heralded her as the “first plussize model” to grace…

WHAT THE WORLD CALLS AN EMOTIONAL VAMPIRE, I CALL AN IDEAL FRIEND. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a really dramatic girlfriend who sees her world as spinning out of control all the time or who has regular spats with close friends or boyfriends that she’s willing to recap for maximum entertainment value? That’s like befriending the Jennifer Lawrence character in a David O. Russell film or having one of the Real Housewives on speed dial! I savor a phone call from a friend who feels persecuted by her coworkers and is positive she’ll never get the attention or recognition she deserves. I like people who are brutally honest. I like feeling needed. And as shameful as it is to admit, friends like these remind me that no matter how tough…

Don’t Go Solo I wanted to become a biochemist even in high school. But I could never have imagined that this career would give me the opportunity to travel and work with scientists all over the world. The CRISPR project started about 10 years ago when my colleague Jillian Banfield told me about an observation that her lab and a few others had made: that bacteria might have a way to detect and destroy viruses. I eventually collaborated with researcher Emmanuelle Charpentier to harness this system as a technology and apply it to problems like curing genetic diseases. Science is very much a collaborative job, which is a great thing. Find a Win Outside Work When I was a grad student, I had to fight through selfdoubt. If I did…

TWEET OR ’GRAM YOUR GRIPE AND PHOTO (HASHTAG: #BITCHITOUT) OR E -MAIL INBOX@COSMOPOLITAN.com (SUBJECT: BITCH IT OUT). IF WE PRINT IT, YOU GET $50! QUITE A SPREAD “Enjoy allll the room you want! ” —SAMANTHA F. STOCKING STUFFER “Panty-hose feet = bare feet. Gross. Gonna be a long flight.” —AMANDA G. CRACK DOWN “His body is too bootylicious for me.” —LISA L. LOUNGE L IZARD “Sure, make yourself at home! ” —CASEY S. SHOPPING INFORMATION COVER CREDITS ASHLEY STEWART, ashleystewart.com. CAMILLE K, camillek.com. CLINIQUE, clinique.com. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 7: MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION, michaelkors.com. PEARL COLLECTIVE, pearlcollective.com. IN HER OWN WORDS PAGE 22: PARFAIT, kohls.com. SARAH MAGID JEWELRY, sarahmagid.com. WHAT’S SEXY FOR AUGUST PAGE 129: ÉGAL DANCE, egaldance.com. LEE DREAM JEAN, Macy’s. BECK JEWELS, beckjewels.com. TAKE FLIGHT PAGE 131: DELPOZO,…