July 16, 2019 at 09:42AM by CWC Given a choice between applying lotion every day for the rest of my life and swimming with a school of great white sharks, I kid you not: I would choose Jaws. There’s something about the grooming task that feels so tedious after I’ve already co-washed my hair, shaved, and completed another million little shower rituals. So what if I told you that there was an easier way to apply moisturizer? One that made for soft skin on a speedy timeframe? Dermatologists feel very strongly that certain products—including hyaluronic acid—are best applied to your body before you’ve toweled off every last droplet of water. “The best time to moisturize your skin is when it is damp,” says board-certified dermatologists Joshua Zeichner, MD. “Applying the moisturizer helps lock in hydration from the bath or shower.” (A study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment found that participants following this regimen had significantly more hydrated skin after just three days than those who applied it to dry skin.) Then, you can just gently pat your body dry with a towel. ad_intervals[‘408405_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408405_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Jen Kramer, a paramedical esthetician and founder of Corrective Skincare LA, previously told Well+Good that wet skin is a lot like a wet sponge—its super-absorbent. “You’re trapping the moisture on your skin and getting it to sink in rather than letting it evaporate,” she said. “If you wait until it’s dry, you’ve missed your chance
Month: July 2019
What you were like as a kid, based on your Myers-Briggs personality type
July 16, 2019 at 08:45AM by CWC As a child and a young adult, you make choices that facilitate you growing into the person you ultimately become. Character traits for kids vary, but by honing in on your specific strengths, leaning into what comes naturally to you, learning constantly, and wading out into unfamiliar territories to push yourself, you end up becoming who you’re meant to be. According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, depending on your current, adult personality, you were likely a specific way when you were younger, with key strengths that came naturally to you as you were developing preferences for new ways of self-expression. Do you remember what you were like as a child? Well, knowing your Myers-Briggs personality can help spark those memories and provide a roadmap for how you got from then to now. (Don’t know what your MBTI is? Read this first!) Check out how character traits for kids relate to your adult Myers-Briggs personality. Graphics by Well+Good Creative ISFJ A quiet, serious child, you were also generally very happy. You always followed the rules, liked to read a lot, and probably had a few close friends but got along with everyone. Teachers loved you for being a model student. ad_intervals[‘403520_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403520_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); ESFJ You were social and warm as a child and probably easily infiltrated the popular crowd. That said, you were genuinely liked by all and friendly to everyone. You worked hard
3 easy ways to make healthy ‘Lunchables’ for grown-ups
July 16, 2019 at 08:27AM by CWC Ahh—remember Lunchables? There was nothing quite like digging into those cute boxes of crackers and cheese, pizza bites, and salty deli meats for some finger-food munching. Unfortunately, while we didn’t pay much attention to the nutrition label back in the day, we surely do now as adults… and most Lunchables and other pre-packaged snack boxes don’t quite make the cut. Why, exactly? Well, they often include ingredients like soybean oil, enriched flour, sugar, and artificial flavors to preserve them, says Maggie Michalczyk, MS, RD. “I totally get that it’s seems like an easy option because they are already packaged for you to take on the go, but you can grab a container and make one of these combos yourself with the same concept but better,” she says. Basically, it’s time to give your beloved Lunchables a healthy makeover. Need some inspiration? Michalczyk shares three healthy Lunchables ideas you can DIY at home. They riff on some of the most popular classics, but offer a more nutritious bent. Come snack time, you’ll feel just like a kid again. ad_intervals[‘408419_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408419_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Photo: W+G Creative Option 1: Healthy cheese and crackers “Crackers in Lunchables are not very nutritious at all and often highly processed,” says Michalczyk. To upgrade your version, she recommends using a more nutrient-dense version like Simple Mills Original Sprouted Seed Crackers ($15 for three boxes). Then fix the cheese for a less
Everything you need to know to get ready for a marathon in 12 weeks flat
July 16, 2019 at 08:21AM by CWC No matter how seasoned of a runner you may be, getting ready for a marathon takes some work—most people can’t wake up on the morning of race day and clock in a cool 26.2 (although I actually did once have a boyfriend who did that, and it was one of the more impressive things I’ve ever seen in my life). Even if you are one of those people who can run a marathon like it ain’t no thang, your body—and the potential injuries you could wind up with—could certainly benefit from an appropriate amount of prep, so the pros recommend a 12-week marathon training plan to help get your body into tip-top shape. “Twelve weeks is the magic number; it’s neither too long or too short,” explains Jon Ackland, co-founder and chief science officer of Performance Lab, the company behind running and coaching app Podium. “Your body needs at least six weeks to develop a base level of fitness, and you need a longer timeframe to increase training volumes gradually, without massive jumps in the duration of your long workout. If you make that jump too quickly, you’re more at risk of injury or illness.” ad_intervals[‘407645_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘407645_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); The problem with attempting a program that’s longer than 14 weeks, is that you may wind up with cumulative fatigue or losing motivation before you actually reach race day. “The thing I love about a
Newsflash: The Outdoor Voices exercise dress is 40% off right now
July 16, 2019 at 08:13AM by CWC Love at first sight is totally a real thing. And if you don’t believe me, just stare deep into the spandex soul of an exercise dress. It’s hard to find a clothing item that hits the mark with comfort, versatility, and style. But a creation from Outdoor Voices checks all the boxes, and it just so happens to be on sale. The brand’s Exercise Dress normally costs $90, but right now you can pick one up for just $54. I get it: It might feel weird spending money on a dress meant for fitness-related activities. But Well+Good editors have been rocking it all summer long for good reason: It’s basically everything you love about your favorite pair of leggings in a stylish little dress. Not only is it cute, but it was made with movement and sweat in mind—meaning whether you’re working out, getting groceries, or grabbing drinks with friends, you won’t be left feeling gross and sticky on hot and humid summer days. That’s because unlike other dresses, it has a breathable (and silky-smooth!) leotard liner that’s sweat-wicking, super lightweight, and stretchy, allowing you to move around comfortably all day long. Basically the only bad thing about it is that you’re not going to want to take it off. ad_intervals[‘408394_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408394_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Shop OV’s Exercise Dress Buy Now The Exercise Dress in Apricot $54 Buy Now The Exercise Dress in Dahlia $54
This 5-star product gets rid of bikini line razor bumps like magic
July 16, 2019 at 07:28AM by CWC I think most women would agree that razor bumps are the worst part of summer. The sunshine and warm weather? Amazing. But the instant you experience irritation after shaving and are left with angry red bumps on your bikini line, that mood-boost disappears. But I’m here to tell you that after trying what feels like a billion different products, there’s one that can stop the problem before it even starts. A couple years ago, I stumbled across a Reddit thread where women were going on and on about their love of Tend Skin for razor bumps. As someone with incredibly sensitive skin, I had been perusing for advice—and I was instantly intrigued. Unlike many products on the market, this one doesn’t come in fancy packaging. It was first developed in the ’80s, and—by the looks of it—the bottle hasn’t changed much since then. Even though I had my doubts, once I saw the five-star rating and thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, I ordered a bottle and gave it a shot. And I’m so glad I did. ad_intervals[‘408368_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408368_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Originally meant for men to use as aftershave, this stuff works like magic on the bikini line, armpits, legs—basically anywhere and everywhere you get razor bumps. When you apply a thin coat right after shaving or waxing, you wind up with silky-smooth skin—no irritation, no bumps, no nothing. Aside from preventing razor bumps,
7 free at-home abs workouts that are better than a personal training sesh
July 16, 2019 at 07:17AM by CWC This morning, I slept through my workout. My alarm went off, I pressed snooze, and then fell back asleep, assuming that it would, as per usual, re-awaken me from my slumber in exactly eight minutes so that I could head to my morning class. But nope! Forty-five minutes later, I jolted awake to realize that I had completely missed it. So in order to get my workout in before I went to work, I had to get creative. Enter Instagram—an unexpected destination for some of the best abs workouts on the internet. Not only are the videos completely free, but you can string a few of them together to create a full-blown, equipment-less workout that you can do on your bedroom floor. Let me tell you, it was awesome. A few tips for using the ‘gram as your very own at-home personal trainer, care of our resident Insta-fitness guru Kells McPhillips: Follow trainers who you love who regularly post full workouts (a few of her favorites are Meg Takacs, Amanda Bisk, Maillard Howell, Charlee Atkins, and Natacha Oceane), and save photos in different folders depending on what you want to work out—like “arms,” “abs,” “lower body.” ad_intervals[‘401794_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401794_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); To make things even easier for you (and to help keep your thumbs from getting sore from scrolling before you begin), we rounded up seven of the best core workouts on Instagram —which might just
4 signs you need a haircut that *aren’t* split ends, according to a stylist
July 16, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC It’s one of the most basic beauty rules around: If you’ve got split ends, you go and get a haircut. Even if you’re trying to grow your strands to Rapunzel lengths, once that telltale sign of dead-ness kicks in, it’s time for a trim. But as I recently learned at the hands of famed stylist Jon Reyman, owner of Spoke & Weal Salon, split ends actually aren’t the only sign that you should be hitting up your hairstylist. When you think about your hair, there are three things to consider: length, which is (obviously) how long your hair is; density, which is the amount of hair that you have and its weight; and texture, which is your hair pattern and how it moves. “So when somebody gets their hair cut because their ends are are damaged, they’re really just trying to cut length,” explains Reyman, adding that you should be taking the other factors into consideration come cut time, too. ad_intervals[‘403978_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403978_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to how often you should get your haircut. Ahead, here are four signs you may want to call the salon and book an appointment. 1. Your hair is too thick “A lot of people confuse density with length, but it’s not that your hair is too long, it’s that it’s too thick or too dense,” explains Reyman. This could be because it wasn’t
How crying cathartic tears of joy in an Australian koala sanctuary set me free
July 16, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC I spent my first public crying session surrounded by strangers in Australia—but also by adorable marsupials in at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Last year, I went through a bad breakup, followed by a friends-with-benefits situation that got emotionally out of hand for me, followed by a string of bad dates and disappointments. (Lots of disappointments.) Needless to say, my romantic life was kind of a dumpster fire, which, coupled with my all-time-high anxiety levels, led me to make some bad decisions. Though I managed to outwardly appear “with it,” on the inside? Not so much. So when I had the opportunity to escape the country and go down under to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, I could not have met the situation with a more enthusiastic yes. I needed a break. My most enduring goal for the trip was to see a koala bear, and I was in luck: 12 kilometers from Brisbane is a place called the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. It was founded in 1927 to help injured, sick, and orphaned koalas and is now is home to about 130 of these cute marsupials, plus other native Australian animals, like kangaroos. The spot is accredited by Eco Tourism Australia and the Zoo Aquarium Association, which basically means it’s independently audited to ensure the welfare of the animals and ecologically sustainable practices. There’s also a science and research facility on the property that assists with conservation efforts. ad_intervals[‘407317_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready)
Taking fish oil? Here’s how to make it more effective (and less burp-inducing)
July 16, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE-pPrlowHE] Want to learn why fish oil is a swimming addition to your diet? Watch the video. Taking a daily fish oil supplement is a lot like ordering a salad topped with raw onion and garlic: you (and anyone within spitting/kissing/talking distance to you) has to live with with smelly consequences of your choices for the rest of the day. If you’re physically burping the exhaust of the healthy fat-loaded supplement all day, every day, however, Tracy Lockwood-Beckerman, RD, host of Well+Good’s You Versus Food series, has some sage advice for keeping your friends around and making the most of your omega-3s. “Take the fish oil with a meal that has fats, like nuts, seeds, or avocado—my fave!—to help increase and promote better absorption,” the dietitian says in the most recent episode of the show. (Research published in the Journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found as much back in 2006.) When you wash the pill down with other things, your body better soaks up the benefits of the omega-3s, as well as DHA and EPA—the combination of fats that makes up the remaining 60 percent of the pill. If the fish-flavored belching persists despite your efforts, Beckerman says to stop fishing for success with your current brand of supplement and try another instead. Before you get hooked on fish oil supplements, it’s important to note that they should be an addition—not a replacement—to all the healthy fats in your life. “It’s