November 01, 2018 at 02:47PM In every group setting—friends, family, workplace—you can can see people fall into certain roles. The leaders plan, the lovers soothe, the mediators fix, and the charmers put a smile on the faces of others. (Or, as I like to think of it, the Carries bring everyone together, the Samanthas give support, the Mirandas get s**t done.) Your social function is likely determined, in part, by your Myers-Briggs personality type. Introverts are often behind-the-sciences types, whereas extroverts take center stage to execute their role. (Don’t know what your type is? Read this first!) What’s your unique space in the group? Read on. Graphic by Well+Good Creative ISFJ: Caretaker ISFJs never complain about their role making sure others feel seen, supported, and soothed. You’ll be the first to notice when a friend has disappeared from group functions for a while (and call her up), and the last to leave a party when everything is all cleaned up. While you often have a thankless job, just know you help relationships, parties, and office places run smoothly. ESFJ: Organizer ESFJs are the Team Moms for soccer, the organizers at the school fundraiser, or planners of the charity gala. Detail-oriented and full of energy, you step up for this role so frequently it’s eventually just handed to you. When it comes to organizing, the extravagant and the minor, you are a force of nature. ISTJ: Enforcer At heart, ISTJs are rule followers who know the world is more efficient if
Month: November 2018
Google searches for anti-itch lotions are up 180%—here are our faves
November 01, 2018 at 01:45PM The natural progression of winter-skin woes goes something like this: First comes dry skin, then comes itching. So if the dropping temps have you digging your nails down your appendages, never fear: You’re so not alone. Google searches for anti-itch lotions are up 180 percent, and New York City–based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, says a handful of skin-care ingredients are at your beauty-rescue disposal. “Anti–itch lotions contain ingredients that either reduce inflammation, soothe the skin barrier, or mask the itch,” he says. Look for over-the-counter products that include one percent hydrocortisone (he says most do). It’s a topical steroid that the derm deems a “fire extinguisher” that puts out inflammation rather than flames. Translation: No. More. Itching. A couple of Dr. Zeichner’s favorite anti-itch potions include Aveeno Cracked Skin Relief CICA Ointment for Dry Skin ($13), which contains colloidal oatmeal that soothes and protects the skin to combat the dryness that causes itch in the first place, and Sarna Sensitive Anti-Itch Lotion ($11), which has two cooling ingredients: camphor and menthol. And if you’re looking for even more recs, check out a few Well+Good editors’ favorite’s below. Keep reading to shop our editor-approved anti-itch lotions and potions Apothecanna Extra Strength Relieving Spray, $38 “My skin really responds dramatically to insect bites, which I was reminded of two weeks ago on a cycling trip when a spider bit me on the leg. (Long story.) The area was cherry red and itchy as hell. I couldn’t stop wanting to scratch. I used the Apothecanna
GENERATION ANXIETY
November 01, 2018 at 01:42PM Mental health, modern times, and what wellness can do about it. From always-on work environments to trigger warnings of massive scale (ahem, global warming, #MeToo, and the state of politics), it’s no secret that we’re more anxious than ever before, and it’s going to take a lot more than a spin class to fix it. The good news? The stigma is being lifted around mental health, backed by research and a new era of personal openness. And within that, we have an opportunity to connect. In our next Well+Good TALK, we’ll do just that. Hear from experts on the pre-winter coping skills, slew of new resources, and wellness practices you need to combat seasonal depression or ongoing anxiety—and head into the holiday season if not your best self, then a more balanced one. Because together, we got this. EVENT DETAILS Monday, November 19, 2018 6:30pm-8:30pm Location: The Assemblage NoMad | 114 East 25th, New York, NY 10010 THE PANEL Lo Bosworth | Founder and CEO, Love Wellness As the founder of Love Wellness, a women’s wellness company that offers honest, natural, and doctor-recommended products, Lo’s mission is to help women heal and flourish from the inside out. She also co-hosts women’s empowerment podcast Lady Lovin’ and shares her thoughts on life and entrepreneurship on TheLoDown.com. Minaa B. | Author + Licensed Social Worker Minaa is a licensed social worker, creative expressive coach, and author of the book Rivers Are Coming, a collection of essays and poems
Seeing a new hairstylist? Here’s Jonathan Van Ness’ top tip for nailing the consultation
November 01, 2018 at 01:00PM Hairstylist and celeb Jonathan Van Ness‘ mane is the stuff of beauty legends. (I mean, has the grooming guru with the shiniest strands had a bad hair day in his life? Ever?) Since the Queer Eye star has gained notoriety for refashioning even the most unkempt of manes into Patrick Dempsey-level hairdos, I couldn’t resist asking him about the best strategies for collaborating successfully with a new hairstylist. Because entrusting someone new with your tresses can totally elicit some feelings of stranger danger. “I’m most off put by a new client who sits down and immediately says ‘no hairdresser gets it right.’ Don’t open new relationship by explaining why the last one didn’t work,” Van Ness straight-up preaches. After all, you wouldn’t (or rather shouldn’t) start a first date by agonizing over your last S.O.’s shortcomings. So, the same logic applies here. “Don’t say ‘do whatever you want!’ You have a baseline understanding of what you’re looking for—collaboration is what you’re looking for.” —Jonathan Van Ness Once you sit down, great attitude and all, set into motion Van Ness’ next tip for making the most magic happen: Bring lots of pictures and show your new hair guru. “Don’t say ‘do whatever you want!’ You have a baseline understanding of what you’re looking for—collaboration is what you’re looking for,” he says. In other words: Own that haircut, honey! Walking out with a fresh snip that makes you feel effervescent starts with asking for exactly what you want. When you’re picking
Bored with ‘booch? Water kefir’s the new fermented drink you’ve gotta try
November 01, 2018 at 12:49PM For the past several years, kombucha‘s had the probiotic beverage market on lock. But there’s a new fermented drink on the rise that just might give your old fave a run for its money. It’s called water kefir, and it’s even being hailed as—dare we say—the new ‘booch. Chances are, you’re already familiar with “regular” kefir. “Traditionally, kefir is made from milk that is fermented, which means that it contains beneficial bacterial strains,” says functional nutritionist Brigid Titgemeier, MS, RDN, LD. (It looks and tastes like a drinkable yogurt, says Christy Brissette, RD, president of 80 Twenty Nutrition in Chicago.) Water kefir, on the other hand, is a dairy-free, vegan alternative. Granted, the bacteria in milk kefir helps break down the lactose—so people who are lactose intolerant may still be able to have it, says Brissette. But it may still contain milk proteins like casein and whey, and some people are sensitive to those, adds Titgemeier. Instead of milk, “water kefir is made by fermenting water [or coconut water] with kefir grains, a combination of lactic acid, bacteria, and yeasts,” explains Brissette. The term “kefir grains” simply comes from the way they look—they’re not actual grains. The result is a kombucha-like beverage loaded with gut-healthy bacteria, but one with lots of benefits all its own. There are a few main differences between water kefir and kombucha While water kefir is fermented with kefir grains for a day or two, “kombucha is made using black or green tea, sugar,
Here’s how to tell how much water to drink while sweating
November 01, 2018 at 12:49PM There are a whole lot of things you’ve got to take into consideration when you’re tackling a run. What should I wear? What route should I take? Am I going to do it alone, or should I hit up a friend? Something that commonly gets overlooked: How much water should I drink when running? When it comes to exercising, your hydration strategy is just as important as your training plan. And if you’re one to overlook getting in the necessary amount of H2O before, during, or after your workout—the work itself can suffer. “Our metabolism runs on a lot of different things, but we need water available to function properly,” says Heather Milton, MS, RCEP, CSCS, an exercise physiologist and clinical specialist at NYU Langone’s Sports Performance Center. “When you are dehydrated, even just a little bit, it can cause reductions in performance. In order to get the most out of your workouts, you’ll want to be on top of your water game.” Dehydration also decreases your sweat rate, which is how your body regulates temperature. When you sweat less, the effort can feel harder (an increase in what science types refer to as “rate of perceived exertion”) and you’re at a greater risk for overheating. So what’s the Goldilocks amount of hydration? Exercise aside, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest women drink 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of total water each day. To prep for effort, the American College of Sports Medicine
Why every woman should own a pair of seamless leggings—whether she works out or not
November 01, 2018 at 12:35PM From pastel colors to leopard print, certain activewear trends hold the spotlight only for a season or two. Then, there are those with staying power such as seamless. (No, I’m not talking about the delivery food app.) Whether they advertise it or not, many top workout labels like Varley, Alala, Alo, and more create leggings, bras, and tops from seamless textiles. In technical terms, that equates to a fabric that is knitted in a circular fashion before the pattern is cut and stitched together. “Seamless doesn’t mean ‘no seams’, it means fewer seams because of this production process,” explains Andrew O’Sullivan, chief marketing officer of the Swedish activewear brand, Casall. “Seamless garments are really flexible, both in the fabric and styling.” —Andrew O’Sullivan, chief marketing officer of the Swedish activewear brand, Casall “Seamless garments are really flexible, both in the fabric and styling,” O’Sullivan adds. “The fabric is figure hugging and moves in harmony with the body, providing the opportunity to style across the day from wake up, to work, to work out, to wind down.” Alissa Benishai, founder and chief executive officer of Phat Buddha, started her line seven years ago and has been a leader in the seamless space ever since. “The consumer is more educated now than ever before and has discovered the pure luxury and comfort of wearing a seamless garment.” As the boundaries between work wear, streetwear, activewear, and loungewear continue to blur, seamless pieces fit in across all categories from
I had no idea how to apply eyeshadow so I ask 3 makeup artists to teach me
November 01, 2018 at 11:56AM Sometimes I feel like I’m hiding a dirty secret. I can put together a skin-care regimen like a pro and dab on BB cream and highlighter without even thinking about it, but when I look at eyeshadow palettes, I draw a blank. I’m a beauty editor who has absolutely no clue how to apply eyeshadow. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone, though. A quick poll around the office found similar confusion regarding the feat of applying color to one’s eyelids: “I don’t know how high to take it up,” one colleague said. “One color on the whole lid is fine, anything else I have no clue,” another chimed in. (Ignoring that one coworker—hi Abbey—who does have the skills down pat, noting: “Two words: competitive dance.”) So that I (and others) can finally handle eyeshadow with dexterity—and look really cool in the process—I tapped some pro makeup artists to walk me through how to do so. First things first: Don’t go hard in the beginning. “I always suggest starting out with a small amount of product,” says Mario Dedivanovic, celebrity makeup artist who works with celebs like Kim Kardashian and reps Olly Vitamins. “It’s easier to add more eyeshadow than to take away if it’s too heavy.” Also, until you work your way up, start off using just one hue. “I say use just one color in either a cream or powder,” recommends Molly R. Stern, celebrity makeup artist. “Use it all over the lid and up to
5 beauty benefits of argan oil that make it a healthy hair must-have
November 01, 2018 at 11:28AM Having oily hair isn’t exactly the goal (just ask the thousands of bottles of shampoos bought up this very minute), but many women are utilizing oil as a haircare tool to bring on the shine, soften ends, and keep scalp health optimal. Although it’s especially great for curly hair, it’s really suitable for all hair types, and TBH that’s why we’re here. The oil, which is made from nuts native to Morroco, is full of vitamins A, C, and E and is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids like omega-6, too. “One hundred percent pure argan oil works beyond the surface by hydrating and nourishing deep down for healthier hair from the inside out,” says Josie Maran, who’s built an entire beauty line around the liquid gold. “Feeding each strand with essential nutrients keeps hair looking shinier, stronger, and all around better-looking.” While argan oil is incorporated into many products these days, Maran says you’ll still get the best results if you reach for the pure stuff, plain and simple. That doesn’t mean, however, that you shouldn’t still do your research. “While all argan oils may look the same, they can be very different because many on the market aren’t pure or they’re mixed with other ingredients, which dilute the natural goodness and effectiveness of the pure ingredient.” Beyond this, she says that the way in which the argan oil is treated is also imperative to its efficacy—cold pressing the oil will help retain all of
Don’t be scared to admit you hate dad sneakers and boyfriend jeans—Chrissy Teigen is with you
November 01, 2018 at 11:23AM Boyfriend jeans and dad sneakers are a #lewk for sure, but that doesn’t mean they’re everyone‘s look. Just ask Chrissy Teigen, who recently told Byrdie that she’s not clamoring for those cult-beloved Filas or pillaging denim racks for a loose, laid-back cut. In fact, she wouldn’t be too upset if both trends disappeared into fashion obscurity. “Those horrible sneakers are killing me,” she says, clarifying that she means the “high-fashion orthopedic” variety that have pretty much dominated 2018’s streetwear scene. “But maybe I’m just personally offended because I look so stupid in them. I walk differently. I’ve tried to wear them, and everyone’s just like, can’t you walk normally?” And while she can totally appreciate boyfriend jeans on others, she certainly wouldn’t seek out a pair for herself, she says. Cute, floral headbands—or HBOTD—that flawlessly disguise her gym hair are more her speed. “Those horrible sneakers are killing me…. I walk differently. I’ve tried to wear them, and everyone’s just like, can’t you walk normally?” —Chrissy Teigen, on dad sneakers She feels the same way about boyfriend jeans, which she says she loves on other people. The takeaway? Fashion is a take-it-or-leave-it (or take it sometimes, and leave it others) kind of thing. So just because folks line up for clunky designer kicks or spend months frequenting vintage shops on the prowl for slouchy Levi’s, it doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Speaking of trends you may (or may not) want to be part of, these are our editors’ favorite white tees,