June 27, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC Summer is synonymous with backyard barbecues, wine nights on the patio, and yoga in the park. Want to know how to instantly kill the vibe in any of those scenarios? Mosquitos (literal buzzkill, am I right?). But before you hose yourself down with bug spray, you might want to consider what ingredients you’re using to keep those stage-five clingers at bay—namely, DEET. The insect-repelling chemical is one of the most common ingredients in bug sprays, but about one-third of Americans avoid using products that contain it, according to a 2018 Consumer Reports study. So what’s the deal? We teamed up with Thermacell, a spray-free mosquito repeller, to get to the bottom of what exactly this mystery ingredient is and why so many people dislike using it on their skin. ad_intervals[‘401617_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401617_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Keep reading for the deets on DEET, plus tips for having a mosquito-free summer. What is DEET? First up, what exactly is this stuff? Its chemical name is N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (which explains the need for a nickname), and it works by making it difficult for mosquitos and other biting bugs to smell humans (hence the distinctive smell of most bug sprays). Think of it like a spray-on invisibility cloak—which sounds pretty cool, but also comes with downsides. According to Kyle Adelman, senior marketing manager at Thermacell, most DEET dissenters dislike its oily, sticky texture, the necessity of reapplying so often (in order
Category: 2019 Health
How to do a full face of photo-ready clean makeup in 15 minutes
June 27, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC Stop me if this sounds familiar: You’re scrolling through Instagram, pause on a photo of a beauty blogger’s perfectly highlighted/contoured/cat-eyed face, and think, “I wish I could get my makeup to look like that, but that probably took her forever to do.” TBH, it probably did—and more power to her if makeup is her passion. But if you don’t have the patience for a drawn-out makeup routine, you don’t have to give up on your IG-worthy dreams, thanks to this simple tutorial from celebrity makeup artist Misha Shahzada. As an artist with 12 years of experience who’s worked with Emily DiDonato, Alessandra Ambrosio, and more, she knows her way around a makeup bag. One thing you’ll always find in hers? Clean products. “The benefits of using clean products are tremendous,” Shahzada says. “They are often cruelty-free (a huge factor for me), and non-toxic. Just like eating a healthy, clean diet, it’s also important to incorporate clean beauty into your routine as much as possible.” ad_intervals[‘400105_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘400105_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Below, she shows us how to use just seven products (all of which have the Clean at Sephora seal, so you know they’re free of parabens, sulfates, and a whole host of other ingredients you might not want), you can create a glowy summer look that will last all day and look great in photos. Selfie away. Scroll down for deets on the full clean makeup tutorial—and
How to decline being a bridesmaid without losing your friend in the process
June 27, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC To this day, my mom and her residual resentment like to recount how her friend Amy refused to be a bridesmaid at my parents’ wedding. My parents got married in 1987, so it’s amazing that this tidbit still gets referenced. Sure, it was a pretty bold move on Amy’s part for the time, but I contend that she was really a trailblazer of protesting the yet-to-be coined wedding industrial complex by knowing how to politely say no. Now we’re in an age where weddings seem to get more lavish and costly by the season as engaged folks scour Instagram and Pinterest and Etsy and their own friends’ actual nuptials for ideas to be original. But since it’s not just the couple and their families bearing the cost of the big fete and its surrounding events—engagement party, bridal shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties, travel, wardrobe, hair, makeup, gifts, ahhh—all the hoopla can unfairly target the wedding couple’s friends. More specifically, their friends’ time and wallets. Given all this, it makes sense that someone might to pass on being a bridesmaid, right? Sense aside hough, how does one go about that without risking the quality an important, close friendship? ad_intervals[‘394130_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘394130_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); In the moment, rejecting a bridesmaid proposal is almost as emotionally weighted as rejecting an actual proposal. Okay, maybe not, but lord help you if you’re forced to say your peace with one
This healthy blueberry pie is delicious *and* will up your gut health
June 27, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A3sLsOzQ4E] Want to make a healthy blueberry pie? Watch the video. Nothing says summer quite like pie—especially when it’s filled with the best of the best of seasonal fruit. Peaches, strawberries, it’s all fair game. But honestly, blueberry pie is what truly takes the cake, er, pie slice. If you’ve been dying to get your blueberry pie game on (but are hoping to make it a bit healthier), you’re in luck. In the latest episode of Alt-Baking Bootcamp, Well+Good’s YouTube series focused on reinventing classic treats to be a bit healthier, healthy chefs Jenny Dorsey and Mia Rigden share how to make a delicious blueberry pie with gut-friendly ingredients literally baked into the crust. Get you a dessert that does the most. ad_intervals[‘404119_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404119_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); For the crust, they use a mix of coconut flour, hazelnut four, and tapioca starch—the latter of which is high in fiber, says Rigden. (The half cup of tapioca starch used in the recipe has four grams of fiber, which is eight times the amount found in all-purpose white flour.) Fiber, of course, is an important nutrient that helps reduce inflammation, lower blood cholesterol, and ensuring digestive health. They also swap regular sugar for coconut palm sugar. “What I love about coconut sugar in particular is that in addition to its sweet flavor, it has inulin, which is a prebiotic,” Ridgen says. Basically, the sugar has a
Democrats spent just 7 minutes debating the biggest public health issue in history
June 27, 2019 at 01:03PM by CWC Picture this: An asteroid is barreling toward Earth, every person on the planet knows it (even if some prefer to pretend that it’s not happening), and 10 prospective leaders of the free world take the stage to debate major issues of the day but spend just seven minutes discussing humanity’s imminent extinction. This is essentially what happened at the first Democratic debate last night, if you believe climate science. (*Emphatically raises hand*) A bevy of woke presidential hopefuls—including Washington Governor Jay Inslee, who’s running as the climate change candidate—were barely asked to acknowledge the elephant in the room that is the climate crisis. Activists and concerned citizens have been asking the Democratic National Committee for a climate change-centric debate (pro-science advocacy organization Action 314 has even offered $100,000 to host it), but Democratic leadership has so far refused in favor of promises that the issue will be adequately addressed in regular debates. To this end, however, last night was an epic fail. Only four candidates were asked to share their thoughts on the most important question facing everyone, everywhere: How will we reduce carbon emissions significantly and quickly enough to ensure Earth is still habitable in coming years? NBD. Except that yes, it is a very big deal, and one that should have if not consumed the debate at least inhabited it in some significant way. ad_intervals[‘404310_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404310_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); To be fair, the
If you like Myers-Briggs, you’ll love the personality attraction quiz 14 million people have already taken
June 27, 2019 at 12:10PM by CWC Do you ever wonder why opposites sometimes attract? And how other times it’s the similarities people share that lead them to together romantically? Biological anthropologist, sex researcher, and chief scientific advisor to Match.com Helen Fisher, PhD, has a theory about this descrepancy in attraction, specifically why some people prefer to find balance with an opposing personality while others subscribe to the notion of birds of a feather flock together. According to her her typology, which she outlines in her book Why Him? Why Her? How to Find and Keep Lasting Love, there are four broad personalities that are determined by four different neurotransmitters in the brain. (You can take the Helen Fisher personality test for free here! Estimates say more than 14 million people already have.) One of those four chemicals has a dominant footprint in each person’s basic personality and then becomes the basis for whom we’re most compatible with. ad_intervals[‘399841_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399841_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Below, find a breakdown of the four different personality types. Knowing yours may help you determine whether your best match is someone just like you or someone who’s your opposite. Explorer (dopamine): like attracts like Explorers are the doers, and they’re powered by dopamine (a neurotransmitter involved in pleasure-seeking and motivation). Explorers seek novelty and excitement, and love to learn, travel, and meet new people. They are highly curious, goal-oriented, and value their independence. They live in the moment
This is what a 105-year-old woman eats every day for breakfast
June 27, 2019 at 11:22AM by CWC Whenever I left my leafy greens on my plate as a child, my dad fell back on his signature words of wisdom: “Spinach will help you live forever!” (I remain skeptical of the immortality he promised.) As an adult, the only person I’m tapping for tips on human longevity is the 105-year-old lady who lives in one of the world’s Blue Zones—healthy hot spots across the globe where long life spans are the norm. At a recent event in New York City, Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner shared the breakfast recipe of a woman living 80 miles east of Los Angeles whose centennial celebration is very much in the rear view mirror. In general, Blue Zones lie outside of United States—places like Nicoya, Costa Rica; Sardinia, Italy; and Okinawa, Japan. However, right here in California, this centenarian credits an outstanding breakfast for her longevity. “She’s very prescriptive about her breakfast,” said Buettner, the crowd the edge of their seat. After a dramatic pause, he explained that her signature morning meal includes slow cook oatmeal, walnuts topped with soy milk, and dates followed by what she calls a “prune juice shooter.” ad_intervals[‘404269_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404269_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); The dish sounds delicious—and it’s nutritionally impressive, too. Oatmeal and dates are high in fiber to keep your bowel movements on track. Walnuts come loaded with omega 3s that support brain health and oh-so much more. And as for that
The three things a derm *always* does to her skin take one minute each
June 27, 2019 at 09:00AM by CWC The idea that your skin-care regimen has to take up a lot of your time is a myth. As we recently learned, the 10-step Korean beauty routine isn’t *actually* supposed to have 10 steps (whoops!), and there are now so many double-duty products on the market (SPF moisturizer, ILY) that you can basically do things in half the time. Don’t believe me? Well, I asked board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD the three things she always does to her skin, every day, and not a single one of them takes more than a minute—which means you can get the bulk of your routine out of the way by the last note of a Miley Cyrus song (highly recommend BTW). Add in a cleansing and moisturizing step, which take approximately 30 seconds each, and you’ve got your entire regimen down to five minutes flat. Here, Dr. Henry shares the three, one-minute routine steps she swears by, proving that having great skin doesn’t mean you need to dedicate an entire day to the cause. ad_intervals[‘399156_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399156_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); The quick-and-easy dermatologist-approved skin-care routine 1. Exfoliate: No matter what type of skin you’ve got, exfoliation is an important part of any routine. And though scrubbing the hell out of your face can be #oddlysatisfying, most derms agree that it’s actually not the best way to get rid of dead skin cells. Instead, many prefer chemical exfoliations by way of
Beat-based workouts have moved beyond the spin studio—and we’re here for it
June 27, 2019 at 08:13AM by CWC Beat-based workouts aren’t anything new. Any time you go to SoulCycle or 305 Fitness, you’re grooving along to the music, whether you’re doing tap-backs on the bike or twerking under flashing disco lights. There’s a new trend on the horizon, though: Performing choreographed exercises to the beats of top tracks that keep you entertained throughout your entire sweat workout. If there’s any way to sum up this trend, it’s what any Blogilates fan knows Cassey Ho has been doing since the very beginning of her career. (She has a “What Makes You Bootyful” One Direction butt challenge that dates back to 2012.) Like all trends, this one is reemerging in the best way years later with more and more videos popping up of trainers choreographing their squats and push-ups to upbeat, mood-boosting tracks. Maddie of MadFit has built up an entire playlist of song-based workouts that include mountain climbers and plank taps to the beats of Ariana Grande, Post Malone, and Ed Sheeran. Even Amanda Bisk, exercise psychologist and yoga teacher, has started releasing beat-based workouts on her Instagram. To get in on the fun—because, seriously, they are actually fun—start with these six videos. ad_intervals[‘404258_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404258_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); 6 beat-based song workouts to try at home [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OAvN941PHw] 1. Full-body workout (“If I Can’t Have You” by Shawn Mendes) You barely stop moving for a second during this song that works your body from
This five-minute, spa-worthy hair treatment tamed my frizz better than any product ever has
June 27, 2019 at 08:12AM by CWC This time of year, frizz is my sworn enemy number one. It is the Joker to my Batman, the Heidi Montag to my Lauren Conrad, the Kristin Cavallari to my Lauren Conrad, the Spencer Pratt to my… anyway, you get the picture. Unlike sweat, which I can wipe-and-deodorize away, if frizz sets in midday there is literally nothing I can do about it until I get home and am reunited with my straightener. Since the only way to really deal with frizz is to prevent it, I have dedicated a lot more hours than I would like to admit trying to figure out the best ways to do this (thankfully, as a beauty editor, this is technically considered “work.”). I’ve tried using special conditioners, anti-humidity sprays, and more serums than most people would need to sample in a lifetime, all to varying degrees of success. ad_intervals[‘404265_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404265_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); But then this morning, I went to an event announcing the launch of “Together Beauty,” a clean haircare brand that’s launching at Sephora later this month, and the team introduced me to a frizz-fighting method that really, really worked. As in, I walked 20 New York City blocks in 92-degree heat (gotta get those steps in!) and my blowout still looked perfect when I got to the office. According to brand founder Sam Brocato, using a hair mask and letting it sit for five minutes under