February 20, 2020 at 01:00AM by CWC We all know someone—or probably a lot of someones—who don’t eat gluten. In all likelihood, that someone may even be you. As of 2017, 3.1 million Americans reported actively avoiding this protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. (We’re willing to bet that by 2020, that number has likely risen even higher.) Laying aside the usual snarky discussion about who does and does not actually need to go gluten-free, there are plenty of legit reasons why people steer clear of this common protein. Maybe you’ve got an ironclad diagnosis of celiac disease, the autoimmune condition that makes eating gluten impossible (and health-threatening). Or maybe you’ve eliminated gluten for relief from bloating, abdominal pain, and gas—a constellation of symptoms known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Whatever your reason for joining the GF club, a little part of you probably sometimes wishes you could have back the pastas, breads, and cereals that used to comprise a major part of your diet. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just take a pill and make your gluten-y dreams come true? Turns out, a number of supplements now claim to offer this fix. So-called gluten digestion pills are being marketed as the ticket to smooth sailing—intestinally speaking. But can you really bring on the spaghetti and croissants with just a little pill? Here’s what you need to know. How do gluten digestion pills and supplements work? As of 2020, several brands have come out with their own versions
Month: February 2020
Derms say this kind of foundation is the best for sensitive or acne-prone skin
February 20, 2020 at 12:30AM by CWC Liquid, cream, loose powder, pressed powder, cream-to-powder—there are so many different types of foundation. With each coming in different finishes and levels of coverage, it can be hard to figure out which one works best for you. Mineral foundation is often overlooked, but according to Meghan Feely, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey and New York City, it’s perfect for people with sensitive skin who are looking for something simple. “Patients with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin may prefer mineral foundation,” says Feely, who is also a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai’s Department of Dermatology. “These products often contain less potential contact allergens such as fragrances and preservatives likes parabens. Mineral foundations are also generally non-comedogenic, meaning they do not clog your pores.” She says mineral foundations are gentle enough to use post-procedure for some cosmetic treatments performed in dermatology offices. So how exactly can you spot a mineral foundation? Merrady Wickes, makeup artist and beauty director at The Detox Market, says that technically all foundations contain some amount of minerals for pigment. “Flip over any foundation box and you’ll likely see titanium dioxide, zinc, and iron oxides listed among the ingredients,” says Wickes. “Mineral makeup is more of a marketing term, but there are brands who use only mineral pigments in loose formulations, which I think is what most people think of.” She says to be mindful of products that include “mineral” as a form of greenwashing. “Check to see
How to convince everyone you have naturally thick, full lashes in 6 easy steps
February 20, 2020 at 12:15AM by CWC From mascara and extensions to magnetic falsie strips and lifts, we’re always trying to figure out how to get thick lashes with wow factor. And here at Well+Good, our beauty editors have tried just about everything to find the fastest ways to get long, fluffy lashes. It’s taken a quite a bit of trial-and-error, but we’re pretty sure we’ve nailed down a few foolproof methods. Keep reading to uncover our favorite tips to full, striking lashes just in time for National Lash Day and beyond. How to get thick lashes, according to the pros 1. Treat yourself to a lash lift Want that fresh-faced #IWokeUpLikeThis look? You might want to invest in a lash lift—aka a perm for your eyelashes. Unlike lash extensions which can damage your lash line, lash lifts chemically curl your natural lashes so there’s no damage involved. The result is an effortless, bright-eyed look that lasts from 4-6 weeks, no mascara involved. Curious? Watch what happens when Well+Good director of creative development Ella Dove gets a lash lift herself. Spoiler alert: the results might make you envious… [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im3ejx7zOKM] 2. Get creative with your curler Curling your eyelashes before applying mascara can take your lash game to a new level, but be strategic in how you do it. One easy way to really get that doe-eyed look is by heating up your curler with a hair dryer. Like a curling iron, the warm tool will shape your lashes up
Watch out SoulCycle: Barry’s is offering spin classes now, too—and here’s what I thought when I tried it
February 20, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC In November of last year, Barry’s quietly dropped the word “Bootcamp” from its name. It came by way of a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Instagram post, declaring that from here on out, they were “officially on a first name basis.” And now, we know why: The “best workout in the world” is no longer just a bootcamp—it’s a spin studio, too. On February 18th, the brand launched two Barry’s Ride “pop up experiences” at studios in New York and Los Angeles. In a move that’s sure to give SoulCycle and Peloton a run (or rather, a spin) for their money, the new iteration of the iconic workout swaps treadmills for spin bikes. “Barry’s Ride, which replaces the treadmill with a bike, is a natural extension for us,” the brand’s CEO, Joey Gonzalez, tells Well+Good. “It’s a high-intensity, lower-impact, workout [that’s] ideal for anyone who can’t—or prefers not to—run, but still wants that perfect HIIT cardio [and] strength training combination.” To which I say, “it me.” Barry’s has always scared the hell out of me, because I am simply not a runner. I am, however, a devoted spinner and strength trainer. That being the case, when I got news about Barry’s Ride, I decided to try my luck in the “Red Room” (the name they give their studios for their signature color) for the first time since 2018 (…when I puked after getting off the treadmill). At 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, I clipped my Shimano cross-training
Thermal wellness is about to become the next must-know metric
February 19, 2020 at 09:00PM by CWC Way before we turned to Megaformers and Theraguns in an attempt to achieve wellbeing, cultures around the world relied on far more simplistic measures to keep them feeling good—things like heat and cold, for instance. Sweating it out in saunas and dipping into ice baths are just two of the long-standing practices that endure today, thanks to their resulting physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. “Temperature has always been used a therapy,” says Elizabeth Gazda, CEO of wearable tech company Embr Labs. “The human body is built to absorb those therapies and use temperature stimulation for wellbeing.” So perhaps it’s not surprising that, in an everything-old-is-new-again twist, thermal manipulation is once again a hot topic in the wellness space—this time with modern scientific research and leading-edge technology driving the trend. In general, our bodies stay within a tight core temperature range as we go about our days. “The body does try to stay at the same temperature—around 98.6℉—but it will cycle between a normal range of 97 to 99℉ depending on what may be going on, such as digesting food or entering the ovulation cycle in women,” says One Medical provider Michael Richardson, MD. (Actually, a recent study shows that the average body temperature is now closer to 97.5℉, which could be due to a decrease in infectious diseases since the Civil War era, when the 98.6℉ benchmark was established.) Strategic exposure to higher and lower temperatures, however, is thought to impact the body
The 12 most common sex mistakes keeping you from your orgasm
February 19, 2020 at 08:01PM by CWC This is super embarrassing to admit, but once upon a time I was known for bragging about my “abilities” to orgasm easily. Then, poof! My superpower disappeared. Now, just like many other vulva-owners I know, I’ve started having trouble orgasming on command. It’s tempting to blame partners, and there are some who need a hand-drawn map in order to find certain erogenous zones, but given we’ve basically just learned the difference between a vagina and a vulva ourselves, it might be that we could use a little more education, too. After all, it’s complicated! To that end, I asked sexperts and psychologists to enlighten us as to the myriad ways by which we’re sabotaging our own orgasm. Below, they share tips for getting out of your own way in order to get yours. Here’s what to do when you’re having trouble orgasming 1. You’re ‘Spectatoring’ Spectatoring refers to looking in on your experience from the outside instead of enjoying the physical sensations of the experience itself, says Jess O’Reilly, PhD, host of the Sex With Dr. Jess podcast. “If you’re worried about how you look or you’re focused on what your partner is thinking, you may be less likely to orgasm,” she says. “Some research suggests that you have to ‘let go’ in order to allow your body to release and relax into the moment; instead of thinking about what the experience looks like from the outside, focus in on one sensation—physical touch,
Why Italian skin care is like the Mediterranean diet for your complexion
February 19, 2020 at 05:00PM by CWC If you’ve ever been to Italy, you understand how beautiful it is—it’s verdant, markets are filled with fresh fruit (like lemon, the country’s staple), and rich scents of rosemary and tomatoes waft through the air. Given that Italy plays host to such varied, fresh ingredients, it’s no wonder that the country’s skin care reaps the benefits. Italian elixirs, serums, and creams are packed with vitamins and good-for-skin oils that are a direct product of the rolling Italian countryside. “In Italy, we’re all about using high-quality ingredients, eating the right things, and putting good oils and fats on skin,” says Irene Forte, a native Italian and founder of her eponymous skin-care line. “We’re not about quick fixes [in beauty], but about a relaxed way of life with balance.” Italian skin care takes a minimalistic approach—it’s more about using fewer, nourishing products than a 10-step routine. “The few [beauty products] we use are packed with super botanical ingredients,” says Italian beauty pro Gabriel Balestra, founder and president of Skin&Co Roma. “Beauty for Italians is a ritual of wellness that starts every morning when we wake up by choosing the nutrients we put in and on our bodies.” “In Italy, we’re all about using high-quality ingredients, eating the right things, and putting good oils and fats on skin.” —Irene Forte A lot of these ingredients happen to be the same ones that make up the Mediterranean diet, like healthy fats and oils. “The ethos of my
I haven’t worn pants all winter, thanks to these under-$100 faux leather leggings
February 19, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC Putting on real pants is never a particularly appealing task, but during the hibernation that takes place from January to March, it often feels downright impossible. Thankfully, it’s become socially acceptable to wear athleisure almost everywhere, but there are still a handful of instances that—sighhh—call for a button and a zipper. Except… maybe not. Because, I found a pair of faux-leather leggings that are as at home in my everyday leggings rotation as they are for nights spent out with friends. Commando Faux Leather Leggings ($98) are damn near the most comfortable thing I’ve ever put on my body, and yet, they also look like legit leather pants. They fit like a regular high-wasted legging, so they can be a little hard to get into, but as the website declares, they’re “worth the wiggle.” Once on, they don’t stretch out and sag, which means that laundry days can come as few and far between as you want them to. However, unlike real leather pants, which can be a serious headache to wash, you just toss these in the load with your other Spandex. If you’re ready to procure a pair for yourself, you have choices ahead of you: These cruelty-free leggings come in navy, black, and white, as well as four different shades of faux patent leather, and four different animal prints. I’m the proud owner of a black patent leather pair and haven’t wanted to take them off since I got them.
The key to enjoying a plant-based diet is embracing food inclusion, not restriction
February 19, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC Back in the late 2000s—way before everyone was obsessed with oat milk and Beyond burgers—a facialist recommended that I cut back on my dairy and meat consumption for the sake of my skin. At the time, I felt like she was sentencing me to foodie prison. How could life be worth living without mac and cheese? Wouldn’t I wither away on a diet of sad, chicken-less salads? Still, I slowly (!) started phasing out animal products and have been happily vegan for about two months now. In the decade since I first bid adieu to Brie, I’ve come to realize that plant-based meals are far from restrictive—in fact, I’m eating a wider variety of foods than ever before. (And not just because there are now vegan dupes for just about every animal product imaginable.) Think about it: In the average grocery store, the produce section is a lot bigger and more diverse than the deli counter. “There are hundreds of different varieties of fruits and veggies and things that we often skip over at the store,” says Catherine Perez, MS, RD. She says that many of her clients fill up on the same handful of animal proteins over and over—chicken, beef, and pork on repeat, for instance—whereas there are dozens of readily-available, affordable plant-based proteins to experiment with, from tofu and beans to lentils, seitan, tempeh, and beyond. “You can make your meals different every single night if you want to,” she says.
3 self-love tips for accepting who you are right now—not who you wish you could be
February 19, 2020 at 03:00PM by CWC The critical mass of messaging about self-love that’s circulating right now has conditioned a number of us to believe that it’s a state of being waiting to be achieved. That, maybe, if we just try really hard and do the right workout and commit to a daily meditation and eat well and force ourselves to love the parts of our body we sometimes wish were different, we’ll arrive at the destination of self-love. And once we get there, we’ll finally be happy and feel at ease with who we really are. While I am absolutely a proponent of committing to any practice or ritual that facilitates feeling good and thriving, I can’t help but remain skeptical of an approach that’s so…intentional. Might we be missing key component of the entire concept when we believe tips for self-love are lead us to a concluding point of something to be gained or earned rather than remembered or practiced? And, furthermore, is there a danger to only recognizing the presence of self-love through the lens of joy and bliss? I, myself, have struggled with these questions over the years. I’ve also experimented a lot—testing all kinds of tips for self-love to see which strategies cultivate authentic compassion for my authentic identity, not my aspirational one. The strategies that have ultimately been the most effective and have invited the most ease and steadiness into my life are also the strategies I consider to be the least intuitive.