Year: 2018

December 18, 2018 at 10:20AM A lot of terms are thrown around to describe your skin. Your complexion can be “temperamental” (read: sensitive), “glowy” (i.e. nourished and hydrated), or “inflamed” (as in broken out or red). Another somewhat *~*mysterious*~* term that you’ve probably stumbled upon in the beauty aisle? The “skin barrier.” You’ve likely heard that you should look for skin-care products that help restore your skin’s barrier, and been advised to avoid certain harsh ingredients that can make said barrier mad. But what the heck is it, exactly, and how can you tell what you’re dealing with? “The skin has its own microbiome—the natural levels of bacteria which work with the oils and natural hydrators of your skin to keep the barrier strong from the outside environment and to keep it at the ideal pH level (around 5.5),” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist with New York’s Schweiger Dermatology Group. “All of this contributes to a healthy skin barrier.” Essentially, your skin barrier is kind of like an uber-thin puffy jacket for your face. So when it gets compromised or damaged, it’s bad news. All sorts of factors can raise issues, and the confusing part is that damage to your skin barrier can show up in a variety of different forms. “When harsh cleansers are used, harsh products, extreme temperatures (like from hot water) or certain medications are taken, the pH balance of your skin can be disrupted—the natural bacteria can shift so that good bacteria decreases and

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December 18, 2018 at 09:37AM Does this scenario sound familiar? You schedule a full day that includes a workout, a vampire facial (or, like, a less extreme facial), a salt bath, and a handful of other appointments in the name of “self-care.” By EOD, you’re beyond tired, stressed, and wondering why you didn’t just hygge it up in your Lovesac. You’ve fallen into the performative wellness trap, my friend. But worry not: 2019 will be the year of getting back to basics. On Monday, Mari Andrew, a writer and illustrator with a gorgeous Instagram account, shared a doodle that’s really more of a set of guidelines for streamlined wellbeing throughout the coming year. If you’re anything like me, you’re already breaking out your felt tip pens to replicate the practice. “‘Self-care’ means everything and nothing these days,” Andrew writes in the illustration. “I’ve found it helpful to narrow it down a bit.” She continues to suggest touchstones for living your best life. At once straightforward and a bit revolutionary, Andrew seeks to create time to heal old wounds and rediscover the value of time in general, among other objectives. View this post on Instagram Fewer cancellations/more dance parties in 2019 A post shared by Mari Andrew (@bymariandrew) on Dec 16, 2018 at 8:33am PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js Don’t get me wrong: If your boiled-down definition of self-care leaves room for a weekly trip to an infrared sauna, break out a pink pen and add it to your manifesto. What’s cool is that everyone’s list should

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December 18, 2018 at 09:33AM As cliche as it sounds, I do actually have a bit more fun when I’m blonde. Last summer, I was feeling a bit blah about my look and decided to spice it up with a platinum hue. And boy was I hooked—I tried everything from girly rosé to icy, platinum blonde, until recently returning to my natural shade of brownish black. Admittedly, the itch returned after researching for a story. I booked an appointment with Cassie Cohen, a colorist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon right before my 10-year college reunion at Hampton University. The color was a hit with my former classmates and I was back on the blonde train. During my color session, Cohen used Shu Uemura Color Luster Cool Blonde Conditioner ($58), which helped hydrate my strands post-bleach. “I love that it leaves your hair feeling hydrated and brass free, which is a hard combination to achieve,” she explains. “This product is great for both blondes and brunettes, and once rinsed clean, the hair is left without any funky color residue.” Presumably, the one thing I had to switch up (other than my newfound confidence) was my wash day routine. Blonde shades notoriously start to turn dull, brassy or less than vibrant if your products aren’t up to par—to help, here’s a brief recap on what makes purple-based products stand out, plus, what to avoid when using them according to experts. How purple shampoos work It all goes back to art

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December 18, 2018 at 08:44AM I’m not a confrontational person by nature. But if someone comes at me with a false accusation, I’m ready to fight (with words) to the (figurative) death to prove I’m right. Lately, though, I’ve been employing a craftier method for diffusing this particular variety of verbal warfare. Recently, I turned to my wise uncle (who’s really more of my BFF-slash-mentor) to vent some frustration after an avoidable argument with a friend. “One of the best ways to deal with an angry person,” he said, “is to ask, ‘What do you need from me?’” He went on to explain that the question prompts the other person to search their feelings while acknowledging that you’re willing to meet them halfway. So smart, right? And according to a psychologist, the technique is totally legit. “The most important thing to remember in this situation is not to act impulsively,” says Erika Groban, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Rye, NY. “Once you’re able to deescalate the emotional intensity of the situation, you’ll be able to address the content of what is being discussed.” If you’re thinking this advice is easier said than done (fair), Dr. Groban recommends keeping a script at the ready: 1. “I’m feeling a little bit uncomfortable about how you’re speaking to me right now. I understand you’re angry/hurt/sad but I think it would be more productive if we come back to the issue later, once we’ve both had some time to calm down.” 2. “It’s difficult for

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December 18, 2018 at 08:30AM When Sharon R.* was about ten years old, she was in a swimming pool with her family and suddenly couldn’t feel the water around her. “I was surrounded by dozens of other kids and their parents,” she recalls. “But even with my head above water, their voices weren’t entering my ears and my brain wasn’t comprehending them. I just observed people in the pool without feeling the sensation of ‘wet’ around me.” She didn’t realize it at the time, but Sharon, now 30, was having one of her first experiences of dissociation: a psychological phenomenon in which someone feels detached from themselves or from reality. Her dissociative episodes persist today, and although they usually only last for a few seconds at a time, that doesn’t make them any less scary. “Physically, I feel floaty. My skin tingles and I feel outside myself—like someone observing myself observing what I’m in front of,” she says. “I don’t feel solid, but as if I’m above or next to what is happening. I’ve been told that my face goes blank and I don’t blink very often, and I sometimes get a distant look in my eye.” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—in fact, dissociation is a lot more common than you’d think. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), nearly half of adults will experience at least one dissociative episode in their lives. According to NAMI, dissociation most often develops as a way for people to deal with

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December 18, 2018 at 07:49AM If cleaning out your underwear drawer is at the top of your resolutions list for 2019—you know, somewhere between finding glasses that actually fit your face and being better about washing your bras properly, here’s something you should know: It’s easier to accomplish than it sounds (overhaul, ugh). More so, crossing it off will feel *so* good, both literally and figuratively. So how do you know when it’s time to get rid of the old? To figure it out, I spoke with Erin Fujimoto, co-founder of the casual intimates brand Tommy John, who agreed that “other than the obvious signs like holes, discoloration, or pilling, it’s time to toss your old underwear when you find yourself putting the same pair back in search for another, more comfortable pair.” The payoff for putting your intimates drawer through a spark-joy test is that there are so many fun brands, styles, and colors to shop from right now, and at the top of the pile are women’s underwear styles happen to be pairs that are made for living that active life. When you’re looking for new undies, Fujimoto says to invest in underwear with more performance functionality. “There are so many innovative options on the market today for women to choose over chunky laces or heavy synthetics,” she adds. In particular, look for panty-line free, wicking, seamless, and no-dig women’s underwear styles that deliver in function and innovation. But above all else,  you wear your undies for like 24 hours

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