December 16, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC As more and more makeup products straddle both the makeup and skin-care categories, it’s becoming easier to add pigment while nourishing your skin in one fell swoop. Now, with CoverGirl’s Clean Fresh line, the trend is coming to a drugstore near you. Launching today, CoverGirl—one of the most iconic makeup brands in the United States—introduces a four-product collection of easy-to-use, clean makeup essentials that function as the “jeans and T-shirt”of your makeup bag. As with all CoverGirl products, Clean Fresh is cruelty-free, plus the line is vegan and formulated without parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, sulfates, fragrance, or mineral oil to give consumers cleaner options for their skin. CoverGirl’s four-product Clean Fresh collection functions as the “jeans and T-shirt”of your makeup bag. In the line are the Skin Milk ($10), a super sheer foundation spiked with aloe vera and coconut milk (real talk: I can’t put it down); the Cooling Glow Stick ($9), which functions as a highlighter or shimmery bronzer depending on the shade you go with; the Lip Oil ($11), a non-sticky lip treatment with pigment; and the Cream Blush ($9), a high-pigment punch to your cheeks (though can work on your lids and lips if you want) that contains hyaluronic acid for moisture. The foundation comes in 14 shades, but according to the brand it matches 99 percent of all skin tones and undertones because of its shade adaptability—aka since the formula is so sheer, it melts into your skin so that
Year: 2019
All you need for a stronger back and core is a kettlebell and a chair
December 16, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ-_QFYgBDw] The best workouts are the ones that give you the most bang for your buck in the shortest amount of time. It’s why people have begun flocking to megaformer workouts, which offer cardio, strength training, and flexibility at the same time, and why we’re so excited about this week’s Trainer of the Month workout, which works your forearms, back, and core in only four easy moves. Trainer Roxie Jones has put together a simple seven-minute series that will fire up all three major muscle groups with nothing more than some kettlebells and a chair. The workout utilizes unilateral movements that work both sides of your body evenly for some serious all-over strength, and will leave you sore for a full 24 hours. Jones suggests grabbing a light kettlebell, anywhere from 10 to 25 pounds. To make sure you’ve got the right weight, rack the kettlebell and see if you’re able to lift it properly in one hand—without swinging it or relying on the other hand for support. Once you’ve got that done, cycle through these four moves. Repeat the entire series for a total of three rounds, which you will definitely be feeling tomorrow. 1. Assisted single arm bent over row: Place one hand on a chair with a kettlebell in your other hand. Keep your hips back and your back flat, tightening your core, and plant your feet hips width apart. Pull the kettlebell up as if you’re trying to tuck
I’m due to give birth on December 25, and these are the essentials keeping me sane
December 16, 2019 at 04:30AM by CWC The first thing I did when I found out I was pregnant—after telling my husband, my mom, and my BFF who had predicted I was knocked up (accurately, it turns out)—was calculate the due date. The big day? December 25, 2019. Beyond hoping it didn’t happen exactly then—give the kid a chance at their own special day!—I didn’t think much about it as the months passed. And suddenly, I was in my third trimester. One benefit of pregnancy is you have a built-in reason to lean into JOMO (joy of missing out, for the uninitiated). If I’m too tired to make it to that holiday party, boom: I simply don’t have to go, no questions asked. It’s a beautiful, albeit Prosecco-free, thing. The one celebration I can’t skip, though? The one with my own family. And because I could be in labor on Christmas day, that means both sides are coming to me. But because the exhaustion and the swollen feet are real, I refuse to let hostess duties stress me out. Instead, I’m outsourcing the heavy lifting to these handy essentials, which, with one simple “add to cart” mean I don’t even have to waddle my way to the store. Pregnant? Not pregnant? Either way, these must-haves will save you from a hostess meltdown. Slip into your maternity (or non-maternity) leggings and cozy up: We’ve got shopping to do. Scroll down for the stress-free holiday hosting essentials you need—whether you’re in your
What to expect, cosmically, from the last winter solstice of the decade
December 15, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC By the end of the week, on Saturday, December 21, 11:19 p.m., EST, the sun moves from bold and blunt Sagittarius into stern and stoic Capricorn, heralding the official change of seasons. The northern hemisphere’s winter solstice of 2019 happens when the sun’s most direct light reaches the Tropic of Capricorn. This isn’t because the sun itself is moving, but rather we, on planet Earth, are hurling through space and traveling in a new quadrant of the sky in a new season, relating differently to the sun. In the north, this night marks the longest of the year. And with temperatures dropping, calls increase to get cozy indoors, making winter the ideal time to restore what Traditional Chinese Medicine would refer to as our yin energy. Yin energy is vital to our well being, and nourishing it provides many benefits—it specifically helps to combat the challenges of aging, helping the body to feel supple, restored, and bright. Soon, the length of day will gradually expand as the sun enters a cycle of rebirth. But it’s so important to linger in this moment of darkness while it lasts. Getting quiet and nurturing yourself provides way more long-term energy than another shot of espresso will land you. In fact, more than any other time of year, staying mindful of caffeine consumption now will deeply impact your well-being. This week, specifically, provides the perfect conditions for sleep, so take advantage. Since this cosmic event marks not
8 delicious, gut-friendly snacks that registered dietitians love
December 15, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC Sorry, high-protein everything—we’re all about fiber right now. Why? The nutrient found in foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains, has been linked a whole slew of health benefits from more regular digestion to promoting the health of your gut microbiome. Hell, it can even improve your skin. And unlike protein, most of us aren’t getting enough of it in our diets. That’s where high-fiber snacks come in. They can help you more easily meet your daily fiber quota without feeling like you have to load up all at one meal and risk gastrointestinal distress. Speaking of gut health, here’s the 101 on the topic straight from a dietitian: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpAjl3cFn6A] “Since the standard recommendation of 25 grams for women and 30 grams for men is just an average, it’s helpful to know that the real recommendation is a minimum 14 grams for every 1000 calories consumed,” says Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN. Adding in fiber to snacks—at least four grams per serving, she says—is an easy way to make sure you’re getting enough each day. But instead of scouring labels all day at the grocery store, we asked a few dietitians to share some of their favorite high-fiber snacks. These picks are sure to keep you and your gut happy. Keep reading for the best high-fiber snacks for optimal gut health. Photo: Courtesy of brand 1. Enlightened Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Broad Beans ($22 for 24) Fiber: 5 grams per serving
A derm says this post-shower mistake could be what’s making your skin so dry
December 15, 2019 at 06:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTuLmx0JslY] Your skin-care routine starts in the shower. Everything from the temperature of the water to the ingredients in your body wash make a significant difference in how your skin feels when you step out. But according to board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, there’s a critical—and common—mistake that people are making after they turn off the water that could be making their skin dry. In the latest episode of Dear Derm, Dr. Gohara delivers a deep dive into everything you need to know about dry skin—from what could be causing it to exactly the products you should be using to get it to go away. A few of the common culprits are hardly surprising: a dry environment, harsh ingredients, and physiological factors could all be coming into play. But according to Dr. Gohara, the way you, well, dry off your face after you wash it could be what’s making it feel dehydrated throughout the day. Bath towels aren’t exactly the smoothest thing to rub all over your skin, and drying off too intensely could compromise your barrier. “We all know that over-exfoliating is a problem. People scrub left and right trying to get rid of pimples, trying to get rid of wrinkles, trying to get rid of this and that. I tell my patients every day, ‘exfoliating is for toilets, not for skin,’” says Dr. Gohara. “Be gentle to your skin.” Her suggestion? Pat your face dry instead of wiping it, then slather on your favorite moisturizer.
Should you be washing your gloves? Here’s the germy truth—and exactly how to clean them
December 15, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC When’s the last time you washed your gloves? If the answer is “never,” you’re in the majority. Every winter, you wear them daily, touching germy surfaces like door handles and—let’s be honest—using them as a tissue for your runny nose. As expected, that makes them nothing short of a hot bed for bacteria. In a 2015 study conducted by Good Morning America, gloves of all different materials were swabbed for bacteria and viruses. While some samples tested positive for coronavirus, which is commonly behind winter colds and infections, there were also more serious discoveries. Nine came back with potentially harmful bacteria, including staph and MRSA. And, keep in mind, this was with a very small sample size. Never washing your gloves isn’t the best idea for your health. (It also makes them smell.) The good news is it’s incredibly easy to clean them, and these are the best tactics to use this season. How to wash your gloves, according to the material 1. Cotton Cotton gloves might not be the warmest option, but they’re certainly the easiest to clean. Put them in the washing machine just like you would your other clothes. Either wash them separately, or toss them in with lights or darks, depending on the color. Then lay them out flat to dry, as they will shrink in the dryer (unless you’re not using heat). 2. Wool Wool is more delicate, so you have to be gentle. Instead of using the
This lymphatic drainage-boosting face roller doubles as a piece of art
December 15, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC In between a full-time grad program, an internship, and hours of weekly freelance work, my skin has not been thriving. The end result of zero time for self care has resulted in quite visible signs of stress, and so dark circles and dullness have gotten quite comfortable on my face—which doesn’t leave me holly or jolly this holiday season. This is why the only present that I want this year is a stunning face massage tool that’s fit for an empress. I want (need, really) to be pampered, and this Kindred Black Huizache Wood and Obsidian Face Massage Tool ($95) looks like something Cleopatra herself would have kept on her vanity. You may be thinking, “What’s the fuss? Rollers are everywhere.” I hear you, but this roller is different. Yes, lymphatic drainage is the beauty industry’s hot ticket treatment these days, and I could pick up a jade roller or a gua sha stone from just about any store I walk into. But this massage tool is a piece of art. Kindred Black’s facial massager has a hand-carved handle made from gorgeous huizache wood, which makes it look like an ancient beauty relic unearthed from an archeological dig. Then there’s the black obsidian stone that not only looks lavish, but is a crystal known for deep healing powers on the psyche. Sourced from Mexico and hand-crafted in a workshop “near the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacán,” according to the brand, the roller lets
The key to lower body strength is the ‘foldability of your legs’
December 15, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC Toddlers are natural-born yogis. They stretch their backs out in cobra pose and cat-cow like there’s no tomorrow. And according to Will Torres, founder of NYC-based movement studio, Willspace, the squat babies pop into naturally while they’re playing with toys serves a leg strength exercise that grown-ups should be doing, too. “The legs are made up of two parts: the lower leg, which is between the knee and ankle, and the upper leg, which is between the hip and knee. If you bend the knees, flex the hips, and dorsiflex the ankles, both parts of the leg come together with the upper leg resting on the lower leg,” says Torres. The ability to hang out in this position is called leg “foldability” and it can increase your range of motion, help with digestion, and keep the spine, hips, knees, ankles healthy. “It’s also incredible for the tendons and ligaments and is beneficial for blood flow and removal of toxins and waste within the body. It is the ultimate equalizer,” says Torres. Training your squat doesn’t require complex moves or stretches. Instead, you just have to (literally) pop a squat and work your way up to longer and longer holds. “After every two hours of working at a desk, you can step away and lower yourself into a squat and just hold it for time. After driving to work or home from work, sit in a squat. While you watch TV or play with
I’m a dermatologist, and this is what you should consider when buying bras and undies
December 14, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC The only thing most people care about when buying bras and undies is the size. And, well, how cute they are. But before you make your next big purchase, you might want to add some other items to your checklist. While bras and undies seem harmless, Sapna Palep, MD, board-certified dermatologist and the CEO of the online lingerie retailer Journelle, sees her patients dealing with the same issues over and over again in her daily practice. And some of them are caused by seemingly innocent factors, like the material and fit. From underwear causing persistent fungal infections to bras causing pressure cysts, these are the things you should pay attention to when buying lingerie. The top 4 things to think about when buying bras and undies 1. Underwires While underwire bras are great at giving your girls a boost, you shouldn’t be wearing them all the time. Dr. Palep says it’s important to make sure you have non-underwire options in your drawer, too, in order to protect your body. “There are certain activities and times of the day and year where wireless bras and bralettes are a better solution,” she says. “Sweating, for example, can cause increased irritation with a wired bra. Rapid and repetitive movements during busy schedules and exercise are also a frequent cause of pressure cysts, abrasions, infections, and contact or irritant dermatitis.” If you’re sleeping in a bra, it’s also important to make sure it’s wireless. You’ll still have