February 11, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC I’ve never liked doing math. But as an adult, I’ve come to appreciate doing certain kinds of equations. As in: Peanut butter plus bananas. Turmeric plus black pepper. Matcha plus oat milk. My favorite kinda math of all time, though? Skin-care equations. Some things are just better together and the same goes for your beauty products. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you’re probably already doing skin-care equations on your face each and every day, but there are very specific ones you should pay close attention to—and perhaps incorporate into the beautiful mathwork done on your skin. To help come up with the magical formulas—those that consist of two skin-care ingredients that simply work better together—I asked the skin gurus for guidance. Keep scrolling for the skin-care equations you should know about. Graphic: Well+Good Creative Turmeric + licorice Turmeric goes with black pepper for better absorption internally—but its skin-care BFF is licorice root extract. “Turmeric and licorice are superfoods that combine a powerhouse of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties with a calming, pampering, oil-balancing, and skin-brightening result,” says Michaella Bolder, celebrity facialist. So they’re particularly good if you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation. Graphic: Well+Good Creative Retinol + AHA or BHA Into strong actives? If you’re the kinda person who’s using retinol on the reg, facialist Cara Peloso from CAP Beauty says that adding an alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHA), both of which are chemical exfoliants, into your routine will give your skin a boost.
Category: 2019 Health
How to talk about mental health in a way that’s actually helpful
February 10, 2019 at 10:30AM by CWC Sometimes, when I know I’m going to have to talk about my mental health with loved ones, I prepare like I’m heading into battle. I load myself up with mantras for calm, consider the facts I need to know, and affix it all like armor to deflect from well-meaning but destructive utterances. So many people don’t have the language for how to talk about this stuff, and it often results in everyone feeling a little bit more terrible than they did before. This year, for instance, I worked through one of the worst depressions of my life—it lasted a year, and I felt as though I was drowning, constantly. Living across the country from most of the people I love means their understanding of my mental space hinges almost entirely on my ability to communicate it in a way they’ll understand—a way that doesn’t make them worry or feel as though they need to say the “right” thing. So, I consulted with my family, friends, and New York-based behavior analyst Makenzie Sandler to figure out how to avoid the seemingly innocuous conversational pitfalls that stop mental health discussions in their tracks. Photo: Getty Images/Klaus Vedfelt Don’t: Offer unsolicited advice This one can be hard, as it feels almost hard-wired into how we as people communicate. But sometimes it does more harm than good. “Most times, the person does not want your advice,” Sandler cautions. “Pause and reflect before you spew out your well-meaning
These sculptural purses are tiny works of art but still big enough to hold your wellness essentials
February 10, 2019 at 09:00AM by CWC Although the ’90s will truly never die, as the fashion seasons go by, the ’80s are making it abundantly clear that they are plotting an aesthetic takeover of their own. (Just think of the return of the scrunchie, the leisure suit, and the neons that have recently become the color scheme du jour.) Recently, I’ve noticed another ’80s design aesthetic finding new life and purpose: tiny handbags that double as decorative objects. Really, these purses are sculptural works of art that are as suitable on your arm as they would be dropped into a Memphis Design Group installation. While my searches for an authentic item from the iconic design group have turned up mildly traumatizing (I’ve recently been salivating over a very chic, yet very expensive, $15,000 shelf), these bags start at $40 and cap out at $1,000, which is much more realistic. As a person who thrives in organized chaos, this is a 2019 purse trend I can get behind because when I randomly drop it onto my table, instead of looking like the antithesis to Marie Kondo that I am, it looks like I’m a capable adult with enough design talent to have managed to curate a wabi sabi-esque scheme in my home. Although some of these bags, shapes, and materials would have you think that they are not “practical,” each and every one of them definitely is—for starters, they all pair very well with your favorite pair of leggings and they’re each big
Prepare yourself because Heather Anderson only makes these Pilates ring moves look easy
February 10, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC Unlike Ariana Grande, I can’t quite afford to give my six best friends rings of the bling-bling variety. I can, however, afford a Pilates ring or two. (Am I stretching right now… pun intended?) They’re cheap! And, they supercharge my new favorite thing: quick-yet-effective at-home workouts that can be squeezed into even the smallest windows of time. To find out how best to utilize them unsupervised, I asked New York Pilates founder Heather Anderson for her favorite ring-based moves. Below, she runs through a list of her MVPs step-by-step. Keeping reading for 5 Pilates ring exercises that’ll burn your bum (and beyond). GIF: New York Pilates 1. Shoulder bridges with the ring on outer thighs “First, thread both legs through the Pilates ring so that the pads rest on the outer thighs, just above the knees,” Anderson instructs. “Then, lift the pelvis up to a shoulder bridge position and press out on the ring until you feel your ‘saddlebags’ activate. Finally, lower the pelvis back down as if you’re sitting in a chair and release pressure on the ring. That’s one rep—repeat 20 times or until your bum needs a break!” GIF: New York Pilates 2. Crisscross “Lying on your back, draw bent knees into tabletop and interlace your fingers behind your head,” says Anderson. “Then, exhale to nod and curl head, neck, and shoulders off the ground. Next, place the Pilates ring so that the pads are resting between the right elbow and left
This year, fitting in a Valentine’s Day yoga class could give you extra cosmic magic
February 10, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC Who doesn’t love a long, luxurious savasana? (Oh yeah, me—when I’m feeling anxious.) According to astrologer Jennifer Racioppi, it’s extra worth it to stick it out at the end of class on Thursday, because the best (cosmic) way to boost boo time on Valentine’s Day is by taking it slow. Monday, February 11 The waxing moon, moving through luscious Taurus, asks you to keep a close on eye on what feels pleasurable to you. However, Venus, Taurus’ ruler, currently travels in the sign of practical Capricorn, meaning what might feel most pleasurable probably dovetails as responsible, too. Yes, getting things done will feel sexy today. What might feel most pleasurable probably dovetails as responsible, too. Yes, getting things done will feel sexy today. So, get out your to-do list and be sure to check things off. Trust your instincts. With Venus ruling the moon, and simultaneously making a harmonious angle to the moon, today requires you to lead with your fierce and wild feminine side. Tuesday, February 12 Today marks the halfway point between the last new moon in Aquarius and the upcoming full moon in Virgo. The waxing quarter moon, happening at 23 degrees of Taurus, squares the sun (aka makes a sharp angle) at 23 degrees of Aquarius—translation: it’s a good time to reflect on intentions set at the previous new moon. Check in. How are things progressing? Are your thoughts, words, and actions aligned with what you say you want? If
No matter how un-chill you are, it’s always possible to let go and move on
February 10, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC “Remember not to care about the things you don’t even care about.” I haven’t stopped thinking about this simple, singular piece of advice poet Cleo Wade offered me when we recently sat down to discuss her new campaign with Aerie. It popped into my brain when I was annoyed that a guy I went on one date with hadn’t texted me, then again a few days later when a friend made a snarky comment about my outfit, and again during pretty much every phone conversation I’ve had with my mom since. I’m the opposite of “chill“: I regularly sweat the small stuff, and am the queen of holding grudges for years at a time (…just ask the girl who kissed my sixth-grade boyfriend). Wade, on the other hand, epitomizes it. Her Instagram is full of artwork and poetry that redefine the inspirational-quote landscape (as in, none of it’s cheesy at all), and her work is a constant reminder that we can choose to have power over our thoughts—including the not-so-nice ones. A few weeks before we met, Wade posted a quote that read, “Just a friendly reminder: Letting sh*t go is always an available option,” and the words struck me. Because while they make *~*letting sh*t go*~* sound so, so easy, the reality (for me, at least) is that it can often feel impossibly hard in practice. So I asked her, point blank: How the eff do I do it? “One way that
How to keep a lovefest going all day long: Candice Kumai’s matcha pancakes
February 10, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Well+Good Council member Candice Kumai is the author of six books, including her latest, Kintsugi Wellness, which gives life lessons on how to cultivate inner strength and live a gracious life, through different Japanese traditions—and includes lots of yummy recipes. Here, she shares one of her faves. When I really like someone, I make them pancakes in the morning. It’s a staple in my household and a simple gesture to show someone I care. And because it’s that time of year when pink and red hearts are taking over every store window, I’m sharing my tried-and-true recipe with you, so you can spread the pancake love, too. (It’s way healthier and yummier than those little candy hearts.) Maybe you whip up a stack for your S.O., surprising him or her with breakfast in bed on Valentine’s Day morning. Or maybe you keep the lovefest going through the weekend and make them together for brunch on Saturday or Sunday. Or maybe you want to show love to your mom, best friend, or group of girlfriends, inviting them over for weekend brunch. Whoever you decide to make these very special pancakes for, they are sure to provide an energizing start to the day thanks to the not-so secret ingredient: matcha, which is what I rely on to power my day in place of coffee. That, and of course really wholesome, nourishing ingredients. And fortunately, this recipe has both. Candice Kumai’s matcha pancakes Makes 10 to 12 pancakes
You’ll go starry-eyed for this woo-woo wedding trend spotted by Etsy’s experts
February 10, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC With the recent surge in popularity of astrology, many find it hard not to get a little woo-woo. More people than ever are diving deep into their sun signs, planning their lives around whether Mercury is in retrograde or not. And there’s no shortage of hilarious memes on the subject. Some are so good that they’re bound to make even the skeptics in your friend group burst with laughter. Even the celebration for one of life’s biggest decisions is getting a little astrological inspiration. Yes, you’re about to get invited to a lot more celestial weddings. It’s not too surprising that the celestial world and “I do” industry have intertwined, especially with everyone becoming completely moonstruck last year. Etsy’s wedding trends for 2019 are further proof of the obsession. Night sky nuptials, weddings decked out with anything and everything related to astrology, are on the rise. If you’re looking for invitations imprinted with constellations, sparkly jewelry made of stars, or wedding favors nodding to the night sky, Etsy’s got you covered. When you’re planning a wedding around a love for the night sky, you’ll find plenty of different products to add a celestial touch. Here are some of the most popular celestial items on Etsy: 9 ways to get in on the night sky nuptials trend Buy Now Celestial Guestbook $15 Buy Now Starry Night Zodiac Wedding Invitations $50 Buy Now Custom Night Sky Print $40 Buy Now Night Sky Wedding Candles $60 for 12 Buy Now Written
Jameela Jamil brilliantly explains why you’re having bad sex
February 09, 2019 at 11:00AM by CWC Jameela Jamil is continuing her streak of saying amazing things—and not just the words that are scripted for her on The Good Place. Over the past couple of years, the TV star (and self-described feminist-in-progress) has called out everything from shady celeb diets to insane Photoshopping. (And PS…do yourself a favor and listen to her episode on comedian Nicole Byer’s podcast Why Won’t You Date Me? Two hilarious, no-BS, funny ladies at their best.) And now, she’s blowing up Instagram, thanks to her Tell Him essay, which she read at The Makers Conference in Orange County, California, this week. In it, she argues that “so many women have the power to infiltrate misogyny from their own homes” and lists all the ways we can protect little boys from being “infiltrated by our insecure and pathetic patriarchy.” View this post on Instagram Always proud of the homie @jameelajamilofficial for how she uses her platform. Funny with a message. Love ya, boo boo! A post shared by Phoebe Robinson (@dopequeenpheebs) on Feb 9, 2019 at 8:08am PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js And in the process, she may have hit on a (long-term) solution to the sex issue many hetero women whisper about with each other: porn-y techniques that are showy but, unfortunately, not effective. “Tell him about sex. Not just reproduction, but sex: the fun, pleasurable part of it. The joy of equal pleasure and enthusiastic consent. Do not shy away from this. Do not make it an awkward topic
I tried what has to be the most extra facial in NYC
February 09, 2019 at 09:30AM by CWC How much is too much when it comes to a facial treatment? Even putting aside medical-miracle stuff you would seek out in a plastic surgeon’s office, there are a head-spinning number of choices on spa menus: from the traditional steam-extraction combo to more exotic pairings like radio frequency treatments (delivered with a dose of reiki) or, say, microneedling topped off with vitamin shots. But acupuncturist-slash-aesthetician Stefanie DiLibero’s signature treatment at Gotham Wellness has got to be the most extra facial in New York City. Using a number of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques from the ancient world—like acupuncture, cupping, and gua sha—along with modern tools like microcurrent treatments and LED light therapy, DiLibero also adds mindful touches throughout, thanks to her previous life as a yoga teacher. That’s what she was (as well as an acupuncturist, with a master’s in from the New England School of Acupuncture) when we met back in 2010 on a Costa Rica retreat. And it shows in her bedside manner—her soothing presence makes the two and a half hours fly by. (Yep, you’ll need to block out two-plus hours on your calendar for the first session, which will set you back $390.) The reason for the time and money investment? She treats the whole body, not just your face. “It brings physiological and emotional balance, so that your internal health radiates externally,” DiLibero says. “For instance, if you are often angry, you may have lines that show up between