Month: October 2019

October 02, 2019 at 07:40PM by CWC Remember the days when one could simply drive a Prius, carry a reusable cup, and consider themselves a decent ally to the environment? How quickly times have changed. Ever since last October, when scientists proclaimed that the world needs to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 or be faced with climate catastrophe, it’s become clear that we all need to do a lot more to reduce our footprints. This is why carbon offsets have been getting so much buzz in recent months. Essentially, they’re a way for governments, businesses, and individuals to further neutralize their greenhouse gas-producing activities by investing in projects that reduce or eliminate those gasses in the environment. If you think you aren’t personally responsible for a significant amount of carbon emissions, think again. “All the things we do as the result of being humans alive on the planet today result in carbon emissions,” says Peter Miller, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council‘s Climate and Clean Energy Program, Western Region. “Carbon emissions” is a blanket term for greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane, and these emissions are produced whenever we drive, fly, or use gas and electricity to power our homes. Just about every product we buy also contributes to the world’s emissions load—livestock farming and the apparel industry are two particularly egregious offenders. According to the World Economic Forum, the average American is responsible for 14.95 metric tons of carbon per year. (That’s the most, per

Read More

October 02, 2019 at 07:00PM by CWC My brows are what you’d call…sparse. They’re there—I’m not the product of ’90s over-tweezing, and I haven’t got blonde hair that makes them impossible to spot on my face. Rather, the two brows that perch above my eyes are kind of like couch potatoes—they’re lazy and definitely have some holes in their sweat pants (read: so. many. patches.). As such, I’ve spent the better part of my life in pursuit of solutions that will give my arches some oomph, leading me to try and test every brow procedure and product out there. While there are plenty of ways to fill in brows, whether at a salon or in your morning makeup routine, I’ve found that consistency is key to overall brow success. When you have sparse or patchy brows, it can be tempting to put off brow appointments because the hairs that you have are so precious; however, consistently grooming them can help you accentuate what you’ve got. With that, I have the definitive ranking of the tried-and-tested services and products that turn sparsity into a problem of excess. The very best procedure you can get: microblading I’ll be honest with you: I’d intentionally skipped out on microblading for the better part of my beauty editor career because I didn’t want those token stenciled-on brows that have become so popular on Instagram. Then, I met Shen Beauty’s Josh Beeler, to whom those in the New York City area should run (not walk!) for

Read More

October 02, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC Almost every skin expert-backed tip about our beauty routines involves making sure products are “non-comedogenic.” FWIW: “Products that are non-comedogenic contain ingredients that will not clog pores and cause a backup of oil and dead skin cells,” says Sarah Akram, a master esthetician based in D.C. This is especially important if your’e prone to getting breakouts (*raises hand*). But since not all of the stuff you see on beauty shelves actually says that it’s non-comedogenic, what can ya do when the evidence isn’t smack-dab on the label? “Solving the mystery of skin-care ingredients, especially in products that don’t brag on their non-comedogenicity is a problem that most people with acne-prone skin have to solve,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. A product’s comedogenic level is measured on a scale of one to five, with the lower numbers meaning it’s non-comedogenic, and five being the most pore-clogging. That said, just because something’s non-comedogenic doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not going to clog your pores—the category isn’t regulated by anyone, much like the marketing terms “clean” and “natural.” “The trouble with figuring out what products won’t break you out is that the term non-comedogenic has no official legal definition and is not a term regulated in any way by the Federal Trade Commission or the FDA,” says Jessica Krant, MD, a cosmetic and medical dermatologist. “Even when it’s on the label, a product may still cause breakouts for some people, and

Read More

October 02, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC There’s no one “right way” to start your day. Whether it’s 20 minutes of meditation, a sweat-inducing workout, or setting intentions by way of journaling, “whatever works for you” is really the best mantra to live by when it comes to morning routines. But if you struggle with choosing just one of these options for how to prep your body and mind for what’s ahead, there’s good news: Yogis have somehow managed cover all three with a series of 12 moves by way of sun salutation A. Surya Namaskar, which is sanskrit for “sun salutation,” translates to “greeting the sun” and should be practiced in the morning. “Mornings are the best time of day to set intentions,” says Kajuan Douglas, yoga instructor and founder of Merge New York. In addition to being beneficial to the mind and soul, though, the series is also great for your body. Think of sun salutation A as the yoga class equivalent of a cardio burst. It will get your heart pumping and your blood flowing, all while stretching and strengthening your muscles at the same time. “The mechanics of the Surya Namaskar A series are designed for stretching the back and shoulders, lengthening the waist, strengthening the arms, lower abs, and pelvic floor,” says Douglas. Think of this series as a way to set rhythm in a vinyasa class—it gets your breath and body moving as one, and sets the stage for what’s to come on the

Read More

October 02, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC In a world where we’re getting more and more in touch with ourselves and our sexual identity every day—what with masturbating our way to better skin and better relationships, and going out of our way to learn about female desire—learning more is the name of the game. And in that spirit, I was thrilled when I recently learned a shortcut for boosting my pleasure and deepening my understanding of my body: a compact. Or, really, any kind of mirror. That’s because according to Shannon Chavez, PsyD, licensed sex therapist, being clear on the answer to what does a vagina look like is so important. “Knowing your sexual anatomy and physiology can improve your sexual responsiveness and interest in sex,” says Dr. Chavez. “You are more likely to communicate with a partner about what feels good if you know your body and where and how you enjoy stimulation.” Using the mirror is a way to slowly and thoughtfully explore your anatomy (and ensure you never have to ask what does a vagina look like). Furthermore, vulva-owners essentially need a mirror to get a close look and better understanding of what works for them in the bedroom since the equipment is basically indoor plumbing, you know? (External genitals, on the other hand, are easier to see and—ahem—explore without extra accessories). “You are more likely to communicate with a partner about what feels good if you know your body and where and how you enjoy stimulation.” —sex

Read More