November 22, 2018 at 09:00PM I wrote a letter that changed my life. You should, too. Continue Reading… Author Jeanette Schneider | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
Month: November 2018
“”Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”” – Mark Twain
""Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life."" – Mark Twain — AI👩🏻‍💻Sue (@iversue) November 23, 2018 To read more, click above t.co (twitter) link November 22, 2018 at 08:16PM
Avoid *this* ingredient in your lip balms if you have chapped lips
November 22, 2018 at 01:00PM When it comes to lip balm, people have pretty strong opinions. There are the die-hard Chapstick devotees, those who prefer to have tinted lip balms for a more prominent pout, and those whose fave flave is peppermint. I hate to break it to those who fall in the last camp, but minty-flavored lip moisturizers might be sabotaging your best efforts at a smooth pout. “Menthol has a cooling effect on the skin which is why many people enjoy the feel of it in their skin-care products,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. He’s right—so many people I know always opt for minty flavors on their lips or that “cooling” option, which is basically code for “this has menthol in it.” “The lips are extremely sensitive. Menthol can lead to irritation of the skin with disruption of the skin barrier, as well as inflammation,” says Dr. Zeichner. “The lips are extremely sensitive. Menthol can lead to irritation of the skin with disruption of the skin barrier, as well as inflammation,” says Dr. Zeichner. “In the end this can lead to more dryness, creating a vicious cycle where you feel the need to apply more of the product. I personally recommend that my patients avoid menthol-containing products altogether.” Although it feels like that cooling, tingling sensation is doing something beneficial—perhaps even powerful—to your lips, it’s actually sacrificing the outer layer that protects them from the outside elements. And when it comes to compromised winter
Wait, grocery store apples are HOW old?!
November 22, 2018 at 12:00PM There are some foods that seem to go bad the second you get home from the grocery store. (Looking at you, mushy brown bananas.) But others, like apples, seem to last forever. And actually—you ready for this—it turns out that apples at most supermarkets can be over a year old. What?! Considering that we’re currently at peak apple season, I decided to do some investigating not only to learn how long do apples last, but if eating supposedly year-old apples Is it true that grocery store apples are old AF? Well…yes. Your average grocery store apple is about 10 months old, according to the USDA. But they don’t naturally last that long—untreated apples only last for a few weeks. So what gives? This vampire-esque lifespan is partly because of chemicals used on apples before arriving in stores, says Alex Formuzis, the vice president of communications at the Environmental Working Group. “Unlike some other produce, insecticides and fungicides are both applied to apples,” Fourmuzis says—up to 16 different kinds of pesticides in all. The fungicides protect the apples from bad bacteria, and the pesticides protect them from insects and other pests (since, as Fourmuzis says, they naturally attract bugs). Some producers also add a food-grade wax made of fatty acids and long-chain alcohols. “There are also fungicides in the wax film applied to conventional apples that is used so those apples can stay in cold storage facilities for long periods of time, which is why they are available all year
The, ahem, irritating reason you might have itchy boobs? Your laundry habits
November 22, 2018 at 07:00AM Let’s be real—how often do you actually wash your bras? If your answer is “uhhhh…” don’t be ashamed (I mean, me, too). But know this: If your boobs have been itching like crazy lately, your laundry habits might be the culprit. Like your underwear, your bras build up a lot of sweat and grime throughout the day, and that’s why some experts recommend washing them after every wear. In reality, unless your favorite post-work hobby is hanging out in the laundry room, that’s probably not going to happen. Luckily, there’s a happy medium: For the sake of your boobs, one doc recommends never going more than a week before your undergarments get a nice scrub. “I see a few patients every month with this complaint,” Gary Goldenberg, MD, told Self. “Dirty clothes, including underclothes, often have bacteria that can infect and irritate the skin.” The build-up of bacteria isn’t the only problem, either. Your detergent and dryer sheets could also be contributing to that itchiness. If there’s something in those products that’s irritating—like fragrance—it’s not uncommon to experience contact dermatitis, caused by your bra (and the irritants on it) rubbing against your skin all day long. “I see a few patients every month with this complaint. Dirty clothes, including underclothes, often have bacteria that can infect and irritate the skin.” —Gary Goldenberg, MD So, how can you get rid of your boob-itching problems once and for all? With a three-pronged approach. According to Dr. Goldenberg, the only
Your SOS guide to getting out every kind of holiday stain
November 22, 2018 at 06:00AM The holidays are rife with delicious foods and beverages; unfortunately, many of those happen to cause stains should you accidentally get them anywhere besides your stomach. Gravy, chocolate, red wine, coffee, and cranberry sauce are some of the worst offenders you will encounter. But since accidents are bound to happen, we went to the experts to get their best DIY stain removal tips. “Fresh stains are much easier to remove than those over 24 hours old.” First off, there are three basic things to know about getting out any kind of stain, says Kelly Love, co-founder of Branch Basics (a line of non-toxic, plant-based cleaning products): Act fast, pretreat, and agitate. “Fresh stains are much easier to remove than those over 24 hours old,” she explains. If you can’t deal with your stain right away, it might require an overnight soak. Lastly, you need to agitate the stain (no, we’re not referring to the way your siblings make you feel when they gang up on you even though you’re all adults). “Agitation is the process of rubbing the stained fiber to loosen the soil, grime or dirt from the material, and bring into more direct contact with the cleaning solution so that the stain is lifted and removed,” Love says. How vigorously you can agitate the fabric depends on how durable it is—something silk will require a much gentler touch than jeans. (Pro tip: Love says toothbrushes work great for the agitation portion of stain removal.)
Yet another reason not to pop your pimples: It can result in a black eye
November 22, 2018 at 05:00AM The next time you have a pimple, don’t you dare even think about touching it. While it’s incredibly hard to resist rupturing the volcanic mound growing on your face, your best bet is to leave it alone. Aside from the fact that all that squeezing only makes it worse, pushing the bacteria deeper into the skin and possibly leading to an infection, you might be left with some really unfortunate side effects that can make it look like something was punched—not just popped. The name for it is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH for short. And depending on your skin type, PIH can look like just a little redness—or it can be as black and blue as a bruise. Depending on your skin type, PIH can look like just a little redness—or it can be as black and blue as a bruise. “Everyone’s skin responds to inflammation differently. Some people are more prone to inflammation, which is the redness that comes along with acne lesions, as well as the hyperpigmentation that comes when the lesions are popped,” Lana Pinchasov, a dermatology-certified physician’s assistant in New York City, says. “When you pop a pimple, you’re aggravating the acne cyst and causing inflammation. Then once the acne cyst clears, just the pigmentation remains. The more sensitive a person’s skin is, the more likely they are to get a dark mark or bruise. They can be dark red, brown, and even purple.” While that pigmentation is temporary, it definitely isn’t pretty and can
5 ways picking up a journaling habit is basically a gift to your mental health
November 22, 2018 at 04:00AM Sure, these days I write about myself on the internet for trade, but the form of self-analysis wasn’t always my go-to. Growing up, I was never someone who journaled. I kept the occasional diary as a little girl and infrequently published LiveJournal entires as a young teen. But those habits never stuck for long. I’d be gung ho for a few weeks, pouring every emotion out onto the page. But then I’d eventually lose interest and move onto the next thing. About a year ago, though, an astrologer friend suggested I start writing as a form of self care. “It’ll help you work out the thoughts that swirl around in your head,” he said. The advice wasn’t bad—I am prone to overthinking things, after all. But at the time, picking up a journaling habit seemed like just another thing to add to my already full plate. But then two weeks later, I was laid off from my full-time job. I quickly began displaying symptoms of depression. Given that I had no money and no way to support myself, I was unable to stew. I threw myself into work and brushed my emotional turmoil under the rug. This, obviously, was a terrible idea. The sadness didn’t dissipate. Instead, I’d have random outbursts of stress and sadness at extremely inconvenient times. Five months after my layoff, I took a two-week solo trip to Paris. When I landed, all the sadness I’d hoped to leave in New York
Right now is the best time to restock your shower with these discounted drugstore beauty buys
November 22, 2018 at 03:00AM Come Black Friday (see you tomorrow, shoppers!), retailers like Amazon and Ulta will get all the cred for rolling out just-can’t-miss bargains. And while yes, they totally deserve the hype, overlooking your neighborhood CVS sales would be a *big* mistake for you, your beauty cabinet, and your complexion. As of yesterday, however, CVS.com is offering 30 percent off everything. Like, seriously—everything with code “SAVE30”. Razors, headphones, vitamins, etc. are all fair game, and will arrive at your doorstep for no extra cost. But naturally, the skincare section might be the most exciting part of the promo (IMO). Because, here’s a rhetorical question for you: What’s better than starting 2019 sans-empties and with a shower stocked with *all* the creamy conditioners, gels, and lotions? Just about nothing. So without further adieu, here’s how to seriously stock up your shower with some editor-approved shower faves. Keep scrolling to find drugstore shower products at seriously discounted prices. Shop Black Friday’s Best Drugstore Beauty Buys Buy Now Burt’s Bees Brightening Daily Facial Cleanser $10 Buy Now Ultra Moisture Olay Ultra Moisture Shea Butter Body Wash $9 Buy Now Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel $9 Buy Now alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion Maximum $21 Buy Now Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Strength Vitamin E & Cocoa Butter Conditioner $7 Buy Now EO Products Revitalizing Shower Gel Grapefruit and Mint $13 Buy Now CVS Health Epsom Salt $6 Read what happened when one writer swapped all her skincare for drugstore finds. (Spoiler: It was epic.) And if
The $8 trick to making any necklace the perfect length
November 22, 2018 at 02:30AM Layering season has officially begun. But it’s not just your skin care, your clothes (or even your sneakers) that are better worn together this time of year. The same holds true for the dainty necklaces you never take off. With so many covetable pieces of tiny jewelry to choose from right now, it’s hard to pick favorites. This could be why so many women who wear it don’t—choosing instead to wear several delicate chains at once. On their own, each is so subtle, it might go unnoticed. Together, though, they create a statement. The only catch is that most necklaces sold today come in the same lengths—typically a 16- or 18-inch chain. So, how do you create the right amount of distance between more than one worn at a time? The easiest (and cheapest) answer is to buy necklace extenders. (This hack is great for layering necklaces, but it’s also a quick fix when you find one you love that doesn’t hit you in the right place and getting a longer chain isn’t an option.) You can get extenders online at sites like Etsy, Amazon, Bloomingdale’s, and Shopbop. They come in different materials to match the metal of your necklace. My personal recommendation, especially for anyone with allergies, is to stick to either sterling silver or gold fill. Each costs about $8 and is hypoallergenic. And for those of you who put your dainty pieces back in your jewelry box in favor of channeling this