July 29, 2019 at 12:38PM by CWC A hairstylist once told me that sweat is one of nature’s very own styling products, and the sentiment has always stuck. Because when you think about it, it makes sense: Sweat’s basically just salt and water, which is what most of my favorite hair products are made out of, anyway. So over the last few months, I’ve taken to throwing my hair into a French braid before I workout, letting it get extra sweaty over the course of 50-minutes on a Megaformer, and then pulling it out to reveal the flawless beach waves that a curling iron simply could never. But even though I’ve gotten the professional stamp of approval for not washing my hair after the gym, now that it’s approximately a million degrees in New York City and my scalp gets sweaty the minute I step outside, I’ve gotta wonder: Are sweaty hair and dirty hair the same thing? And, uh, should I be washing my hair a whole lot more often in the summer? ad_intervals[‘411529_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘411529_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); “No,” says celebrity hairstylist Paul Labrecque, owner of Paul Labrecque Salon and Spa, definitively calming my panic. “Sweat is mainly water and dirt is mainly oil. Grease comes from your sebaceous glands, and sweat comes out of your pores. When mixed together they can be messy, but sweat on its own isn’t an issue with the exception of maybe causing a little frizz.” Think
Category: 2019 Health
A squeaky-clean air fryer is just one magical ingredient away
July 29, 2019 at 12:23PM by CWC “I don’t know about you, but my air fryer was crusty,” reads an all-too-relatable Reddit thread. I, too, own (and love) an air fryer. I, too, have experienced that very real struggle of trying to coax Brussels sprout bits out of all its nooks and crannies. I too have taken to the internet to ensure my most treasured kitchen appliance gets the hygiene it needs and deserves. And, courtesy of the good users of Reddit, I’ve found a trick for how to clean an air fryer that’s so good, even stubborn cauliflower gnocchi remnants don’t stand a chance. This tale of air fryer triumph is akin to the moment King Arthur pulled his mighty sword from the stone. “So, today, after cooking fried chicken, I put some apple cider vinegar in the basket (the main one, not the insert) right after making the chicken. Scrubbed it with a dish brush and it’s as clean as it’s been since the first time I’ve used. Smells good, too,” writes a Redditor. Honestly, it’s no great shock that ACV turned out to be the solve(nt) for this issue. The vinegar’s uses are unending and varied: from hair care, to breakfast hacks, to keeping your reflection happy. ad_intervals[‘409716_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409716_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Of course, there are air fryers on the market that are dishwasher safe. So definitely read the fine print on yours to see if you can save
We found out just how much exercise is *too* much exercise
July 29, 2019 at 12:07PM by CWC When it comes to exercise, many of us want to know how much we have to do in order to feel stronger (like: Do my 10,000 steps fill in for time spent at the gym…or nah?), while others love to double-up on sweat-fueled cardio classes a few times a week. It begs the question: What’s the right amount of exercise to squeeze into a day, week, month, or year—and how much exercise is too much? As it happens, you can exercise too much, and the effects result in more than just sore quads. Exercise, in its most basic form, is a regimented way of putting your body under stress. Just like any other stressor, there comes a time when your bod just can’t take any more, however according to Rondel King, MS, an exercise physiologist at NYU Langone Sports Performance Center, one’s tolerance for physical activity is very individual. “When it comes to monitoring how much exercise is too much, you should listen to your body,” he says. “Your body will definitely tell you whether it’s under stress, you’re exercising too much, or you’re just exerting too much.” ad_intervals[‘391189_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘391189_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); But your body isn’t the only thing that needs workout recovery. Having that no-days-off mentality can impact your brain’s ability to tackle a workout, too. “We’re constantly pushing, and we don’t give ourselves that mental break,” says Angela Fifer, PhD, CMPC and
Here’s how a dirty air conditioner affects your breathing
July 29, 2019 at 10:41AM by CWC Have you ever changed the filter in your air conditioner or, like, cleaned it? I haven’t (gulp), and apparently that is bad news bears for my health—especially as temperatures rise and I’m forced to keep my (dirty?) unit running 24/7 in order to, you know, survive. But really, what’s the worst that can happen if I don’t maintain my machine, which seems to be running just fine despite such gross neglect? When I looked into this myself, all I found were terrifying articles about something called “air-conditioner lung.” It’s a very rare and serious immune reaction to small airborne particles, but according to Raj Dasgupta, MD, a pulmonologist at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, it’s not the only problem caused by a dirty air conditioner. When you fail to maintain your air conditioner, it collects high concentrations of dust, pollen, and mold. At best, this could exacerbate allergies and asthma. At worst, it can cause infections. ad_intervals[‘410669_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘410669_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Dr. Dasgupta places these infections into three categories: “Number one is viruses, number two is bacteria, and number three is fungi or mold,” he explains. There’s a particular bacteria (legionella) that can cause a type of pneumonia known as Legionnaire’s disease which can easily land you in the ICU, he says. Certain populations, including those with existing respiratory disease or who have weakened immune systems, need to be especially wary of an unclean machine.
6 of the most common questions about periods, answered by OB/GYNS
July 29, 2019 at 08:47AM by CWC No matter how many times you may have read The Care and Keeping of You in middle school, periods (and how they work) are still pretty confusing. Maybe it’s because the awkward “maturation” video you had to watch in fifth grade didn’t explain anything beyond featuring a girl screaming about getting her “menses” in the library. Maybe it’s because sex education is woefully inadequate in the US; maybe it’s because society is collectively still a bit gun-shy when it comes to talking openly about period facts and myths. No matter the cause, it means that a lot of us (myself included) are still pretty confused about some of the nitty-gritty details of the menstrual cycle. To help clear up a bit of the confusion, we asked nine health experts (OB/GYNs and nurses) to share the questions they get asked all. the. time. Chances are if they hear these questions on the regular, you’re probably wondering about them yourself, too. ad_intervals[‘410063_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘410063_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); 1. “What is a ‘normal’ period?” Honestly? It depends. “It is important to know that every [person] can have differences in their cycles that are routine and normal for them,” says OB/GYN Jyoti Desai, MD, FACOG, and an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine. What’s standard operating procedure for one person (some clotting, for example, or a period that lasts for just two days) isn’t necessarily
3 signs that you’re not even a little bit boring and are just a wise, old soul
July 29, 2019 at 06:41AM by CWC One of my closest friends lives in a quaint house in Maine, decorated with antique treasures and old-timey tchotchkes. She crafts broaches laden with sentimentality from black-and-white photographs, and her vintage clothes are accessorized with huge glasses and even huger hats. She’s fascinated with the death positivity movement, and always heads to bed early (“Sorry, I’m a grandma,” she yawns on cue). And for years, I just didn’t get it. We’re the same age, but if you were to look at our lifestyle choices and general personality traits on paper, you’d probably assume otherwise. I rent a small space in New York City. I wear red lipstick and cleavage-sprouting dresses to bars I sometimes stumble out of at 4 a.m. And frankly, while the idea of living a quiet, thoughtful existence in Maine seems cute to me, it also seems dreadfully boring. Only during my last visit did I come to understand that my grasp of my friend’s life doesn’t make her a boring person. (Also, I do fully understand that I’m neither the judge nor jury on boringness.) While sipping prosecco and talking about what books stir us, it dawned on me: She’s simply an old soul. What’s the meaning of an old soul, you may wonder? Well, for one, it’s not synonymous with being boring. ad_intervals[‘409839_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409839_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); In fact, being an old soul and being boring are two very different things.
Toss the brow pencil, these growth serums will give you the arches of your dreams
July 29, 2019 at 06:38AM by CWC I’ve been diligently applying eyelash serums for some time now, taking my average-length fringe to va-va-voom to lengths. And while I’ve been spreading the good word about the fluttery effects to anyone who’ll listen, I’ve been sleeping on the fact that growth serums are also purported to help stimulate growth on brows. When it comes to my arches, my personal opinion is: the bushier the better. Every morning, I swipe on some brow gel, but would love if I even had more strands to brush up (and I’m not quite ready for microblading… yet). This is where brow serums come in—they work to bestow you with even fuller, bushier brows, thanks to nourishing ingredients that boost the hair above your eyeballs. “Brow serums are great for helping to achieve fuller-looking brows,” says Ywe Kvist, senior brand manager for Skin Research Laboratories. “Whether you over-plucked or have naturally sparse-looking brows, brow serums offer the thicker-looking appearance we’re all after.” ad_intervals[‘410852_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘410852_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Besides that, Joey Healy, celebrity stylist and eyebrow specialist, says serums are great for adding volume density. “Brow serums are for people who have overworked their brows, people who are not satisfied with their brows as they age, or people who feel their brows aren’t living up to their full potential,” he says. You just have to look for serums with the right hair-boosting ingredients. “Peptides are the active ingredient you should look
2 relationship pros say seeing out your revenge fantasy on an ex won’t make you feel better
July 29, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC You can send someone actual shit in the mail. Cow dung, elephant crap, and gorilla poop can all be purchased and shipped overnight for less than $20. (Or, for high rollers, there’s also a combo pack featuring “one big nasty mess” of all three on offer.) I know this because the last time a guy wronged me (…you know who you are), my coworkers and I gathered around my computer and tried to decide which type of poop would be the most horrible for him to have to open in his brand new apartment. I didn’t go through with my revenge fantasy, but I did take the time to name a cockroach in the Bronx Zoo after him. Seemed innocent enough. Having watched The First Wives Club after every breakup I’ve ever been through (because, no, Horrible Dave, you don’t own me), enacting a well-thought-out revenge plot has always been an enticing temptation. The idea of making someone suffer who had thoughtlessly made me suffer first—whether by sending them gorilla poop, egging their house, or doing something more extreme, like sleeping with their best friend, gets me downright giddy. But while dreaming about these things has helped me get through some of the worst heartbreaks of my life, I’ve never gone so far as to actually act on any revenge fantasy. And according to the experts, that’s probably for the best. ad_intervals[‘409086_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409086_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } },
CBD is *technically* legal, but the industry still operates in some major grey areas
July 29, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC December 20, 2018 was a day for the wellness history books: The 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law. Among other things, this long-awaited document removed industrial hemp from the Schedule 1 controlled substances list, allowing licensed farmers to grow the plant more freely and removing restrictions around selling, possessing, and transporting hemp-based products. Experts (and Well+Good!) predicted a potentially unprecedented boom in the budding CBD industry. In a lot of ways, that’s exactly what’s played out over the past seven months. The market’s been flooded with a deluge of new products containing CBD—a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis sativa plants, including hemp, that’s credited with numerous potential health benefits. Specialty CBD retailers such as Standard Dose and Fleur Marché have debuted both online and IRL storefronts, providing stylishly curated assortments of CBD skin-care products, food, and supplements. Drugstores including CVS are bringing CBD topicals to hundreds of stores nationwide, while big food brands such as Ben & Jerry’s have stated their intentions to feature the ingredient in future products. ad_intervals[‘409522_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409522_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Joel Stanley, co-founder and chairman of long-established CBD brand Charlotte’s Web, confirms that this is a high time (no pun intended) for the industry. “When you consider the obstacles we’ve faced, the Farm Bill was a celebration that allows us to scale our agricultural operations in new ways,” he says. “More and more people are looking to hemp as a safe,
These no-salt texture sprays will give you flawless beach waves in 2 minutes flat
July 28, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Unless you’re one of the lucky few who can dive into the ocean and then let your hair air dry into Blue Crush-worthy waves, the amount of effort that usually goes into creating “effortless” beachy curls is unconscionable. Enter: texture spray. “Salt spray works to enhance your natural waves and texture,” says Nicole Casamassima, a stylist at the Nexxus Salon in New York City. “The salt in the spray opens up the cuticle of the hair and plumps up your strands, giving hair more texture and volume.” But salt sprays can be drying because the salt molecules pull moisture out of your hair, and this can exacerbate damage. Because of this, brands are turning to other ingredients—like sugar and silica—to get the wave-making job done. ad_intervals[‘405586_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405586_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Scroll through for some of our favorite tried-and-tested salt-free wave sprays on the market right now, which are almost as satisfying a way to get that surfer-girl hair as an actual jump in the ocean. Photo: Sugarwave Together Beauty Sugar Wave Texturizing Spray ($27) Is sugar the new salt when it comes to creating waves? In this Together Beauty’s case, all signs point to yes. Sugar—here in the form of papamiel nectar extract—has smaller granules than salt, which means it won’t weigh your hair down. Bonus points for smelling like a beach vacation in a bottle. Photo: IGK IGK Beach Club Texture Spray ($29) Whether you’re