June 04, 2019 at 09:59AM by CWC Listen: We’ve all seen the memes, and we all know it’s legitimately impossible to walk into Target and not walk out with like, 25 things you don’t need—I once hit the store for quick re-up of toilet paper and La Croix, and walked out with four new pairs of earrings and an entirely new set of bedding. But now that summer is here, I’d go so far as to argue that we all need (or at least, deserve?) to treat ourselves to a new bathing suit—especially when they cost under $40. My first real foray into Target’s incredible swimwear collection was in 2009, shortly before spring break my senior year of college (what up, Puerto Vallarta?!). My friends and I, dying for new bathing suits to wear on our trip, hauled out to the suburbs 45 minutes outside of our college town and went totally ham on everything the big box store had to offer. I wound up taking home three new bikinis for less than $100, and 10 years later I still wear two of them on the reg. So not only are Target’s bathing suits cute and wildly affordable, but they’re also durable as hell. In honor of the fact that beach-pool-rooftop season is here, we rounded up the best picks from Target’s swimwear selection—each of which you can get for under 430. Photo: Target Xhilaration Animal Print Women’s Lace-Up Back Bralette Bikini Top ($15) and Bottom ($15) The bathing suit equivalent
Month: June 2019
We’ve lost individuality in our beauty routines, and it’s time to reclaim it
June 04, 2019 at 09:26AM by CWC “This is what my face looks like.” It’s a phrase that had been spinning around in my head for the better part of the past year as I ponder the true job of beauty in our lives. It’s the opinion of this website, for example, that beauty is something that should inspire confidence via creative expression, that it should call you to try, test, play, and that whatever you swipe on should be in the spirit of feeling even more like yourself. But it shouldn’t make you feel bad. It shouldn’t be a chore. It shouldn’t feel as though you’re shedding natural-born signatures to become the ideal. And yet with an expanding empire of Instagram aesthetics (no longer confined to makeup alone, the wonder now extends to fitness, skin care, infinity), beauty inspiration can feel frozen in a FaceTuned, filtered lens that caters more to mass appeal than individual quirks. As we know, other cultures have actively lauded the latter for their ability to evoke emotion, like the French insouciance that seems so elusive on this side of the Atlantic. In Korea, the “escape the corset” movement has women risking their careers by rejecting restrictive beauty standards. In America, we laud foundation launches in dazzling 40-shade ranges and skin care with cleaner ingredients while the demand for Lolita-esque youth and robotic perfection has become such a streaming constant that it sneaks beneath the radar like white noise—until you’re hit with that fog horn
This abortion transportation service makes choice possible for hundreds of women
June 04, 2019 at 08:37AM by CWC A slew of state-level laws limiting access to reproductive health care have prompted devastating headlines in recent weeks. It’s 2019, and yet the concept of reproductive freedom is under attack. At the same time, organizations large and small have stepped forward with a counter punch. Together, they form a network with a unified agenda: To make sure everyone—no matter location, socio-economic status, race, or gender identity—can take ownership of their own reproductive health. Since August 2018, the New York-based staff at The Brigid Alliance has been working with organizations throughout the U.S. to provide travel support to anyone seeking abortions after the first trimester. Through a referral program, The Brigid Alliance provides transportation to those seeking treatment from providers who specialize in later abortion care in Washington, D.C.; Bethesda, Maryland; Boulder, Colorado; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Brigid Alliance shows solidarity and allegiance to its own mission, but the core of its strategy relies on collaboration with every reproductive health care organization in the United States. Odile Schalit, LMSW, serves as director of the nonprofit organization. I spoke with her on Friday to discuss the the gaps it seeks to fill in reproductive health care, and why abortion is—and always will be—a “necessary, life-saving, inextricable” human right. What is The Brigid Alliance? “The Brigid Alliance is a nonprofit organization that provides travel and logistical support to individuals who have to go long distances to access later abortion care. We provide this service to
This completely free facial reduces puffiness with nothing but an ice cube
June 04, 2019 at 07:56AM by CWC Whether your face is looking a little puffy due to a lack of sleep, eating too much salt, or seasonal allergies that refuse to away (guilty on all charges!), it can be tricky to calm the swelling down. While booking an appointment with an esthetician is one way to deal with a swollen under-eye area that concealer can’t hide, but you don’t have to spend big bucks to get relief. All you need to do is reach into the freezer and give yourself an ice cube facial. It’s hard to believe something as simple as an ice cube could melt away all your puffiness, but it works in seconds. “Using an ice cube will dilate the underlying blood vessels of the skin. It’s an instant de-puffing effect,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a dermatologist based in New York. “The rubbing or massaging motion will gently distribute lymphatic build-up, which can also alleviate puffiness.” You don’t have to be a beauty pro to master the technique. Just take the ice cube in your hand and gently rub or massage it over your skin. There’s really no wrong way to go about it. If it’s too cold for your fingers or face, Dr. Engelman recommends covering the ice cube with gauze or a cloth—something celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge swears by. She puts an ice cube in a tea towel and holds it against her skin to alleviate puffiness and sculpt her features at the same time.
“What you seek is seeking you” is Rumi’s way of saying your life has purpose—here’s how to find it
June 04, 2019 at 07:36AM by CWC At this point, it’s tough to go a day without seeing at least half a dozen inspirational quotes pop up on your Instagram feed. Most are fun and encouraging, and some may even provide you with the boost you need to slay your day. But every once in a while, you’ll scroll past a profound quote that leads you to actually pause, think, reflect, and maybe even shift your perspective on life. An example that distinctly falls in this camp is “what you seek is seeking you.” It’s simple yet undeniably mystical; it’s also oddly comforting to understand that the things you most want also want you. Just like any other art form, the quote, written by 13th-century Persian poet Rumi (yes, the one Beyonce and Jay-Z named one of their twins after), can be interpreted in many different ways. Some relate it to the law of attraction and calling in your desires. Others say the wisdom lies in the notion that the things we want to achieve, have, or be are not meant to be difficult. And another group, like Toronto-based life coach and meditation teacher Sabine Buhlmann, believes the meaning behind the quote is all about following your life’s purpose. “Everybody has a life purpose. Whatever is seeking you, that’s what you seek. That’s what’s calling you. That’s your life purpose.” —Sabine Buhlmann, life coach “We are all here for a reason,” Buhlmann says. “Everybody has a life purpose. Whatever is
The Genius Natural Ways This Chef Cuts Down On Sugar
June 03, 2019 at 10:00PM Sugar overload led to restless sleep, brutal afternoon exhaustion, and an overall sense of ickiness. Continue Reading… Author Laura Lea Bryant | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
The Genius Natural Ways This Chef Cuts Down On Sugar
June 03, 2019 at 10:00PM Sugar overload led to restless sleep, brutal afternoon exhaustion, and an overall sense of ickiness. Continue Reading… Author Laura Lea Bryant | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
If you’re struggling with knee pain, pay attention to your treadmill incline
June 04, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC As much as I love running, I know a number of people who refuse to do it for a number of reasons. Some people say that they simply don’t like it, others prefer lower-impact workouts like yoga and Pilates, and then there are those who don’t run because they have knee pain. I get it, it’s not for everyone. But since running and walking are pretty foundational movements in fitness, I bring good news: If the high-impact motions make your knees hurt, Precision Running—the new running studio in New York, based off of the Equinox class—instructor and founder David Siik says that you can use your incline to help lessen the impact on your knees. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience,” says Siik. “The other bonus is a little extra work on your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, and really improving strength.” And it’s not like you have to hike Everest (bless up for that) to reap the benefits on your treadmill. “While there’s no perfect incline for every body type, the one to three percent incline range is a great place to run for those with knee issues or recovering from a knee injury,” says Siik. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience for those with knee issues.” —David Siik Corinne Croce, physical therapist and co-founder of Body Evolved, pretty much
If you’re struggling with knee pain, pay attention to your treadmill incline
June 04, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC As much as I love running, I know a number of people who refuse to do it for a number of reasons. Some people say that they simply don’t like it, others prefer lower-impact workouts like yoga and Pilates, and then there are those who don’t run because they have knee pain. I get it, it’s not for everyone. But since running and walking are pretty foundational movements in fitness, I bring good news: If the high-impact motions make your knees hurt, Precision Running—the new running studio in New York, based off of the Equinox class—instructor and founder David Siik says that you can use your incline to help lessen the impact on your knees. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience,” says Siik. “The other bonus is a little extra work on your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, and really improving strength.” And it’s not like you have to hike Everest (bless up for that) to reap the benefits on your treadmill. “While there’s no perfect incline for every body type, the one to three percent incline range is a great place to run for those with knee issues or recovering from a knee injury,” says Siik. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience for those with knee issues.” —David Siik Corinne Croce, physical therapist and co-founder of Body Evolved, pretty much
Before you slather ACV on your breakouts, hear what these derms have to say
June 04, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Apple cider vinegar is the darling of holistic health remedies. It can help you curb sugar cravings, revive dull strands, and even help you poach the perfect egg. Rumor has it that you can also use it to treat acne, but is that, like, actually safe? And effective? The dermatologists’ consensus? Kinda. Jeffrey Fromowitz, MD, FAAD, a Florida-based dermatologist, says there’s some science behind ACV’s acne-fighting claims. “Apple cider vinegar contains organic acids—lactic, succinic, and citric acids—that may kill P. acnes, a skin bacteria that is one of many contributing factors to acne breakouts.” And Shirley Chi, MD, a California-based dermatologist, explains that because vinegar is a mild acid, and your skin is somewhat acidic, “putting a little bit of apple cider vinegar [on your skin] as like a toner, for instance, would kind of balance your pH.” But the problem is that it’s super strong (as you would know if you’ve ever smelled the stuff). “Applying ACV directly to the skin may cause irritant burns if not properly diluted,” says Dr. Fromowitz. “I think there are safer, more effective and predictable choices to treat acne.” If you really want to try it, he advises that you should dilute it three-to-four parts water to one part vinegar, apply it to acne spots only, and then rinse it off completely after 10 to 20 seconds. “Do not apply it undiluted or leave it on without rinsing it off,” he says. Dr. Chi adds that