February 25, 2019 at 05:44AM by CWC Most people think last night’s Oscars was all about the best of the best in film. But while the Academy undoubtedly got the music from Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star Is Born stuck in your head forever, they left out a few major awards for the biggest wellness wins of the night. Sure, Lady Gaga’s acceptance speech for Best Original Song was a true tearjerker. And even though Olivia Colman winning Best Actress over Glenn Close was the biggest upset of the night, everyone quickly fell in love with her after that adorably awkward—and super-inspiring—acceptance speech. But how about Frances McDormand’s bright yellow Birks and Melissa McCarthy’s tracksuit? Movies aside, these wellness moments were more than worthy of an Oscar. The 7 best wellness moments at the Oscars. 1. Melissa McCarthy’s tracksuit Leave it to McCarthy to ditch the glam and rock a cozy Adidas tracksuit at an Oscars after-party. Even better? Her husband matched. 2. Jason Momoa’s scrunchie Jason Momoa: He’s just like us. In case he had the urge to tie back those gorgeous long strands, he kept a scrunchie on his wrist all night long—red carpet and all. 3. Frances McDormand’s custom Birks Heels, who? Instead, Frances McDormand presented an award in custom yellow Valentino Birkenstocks. 4. Marie Kondo’s red carpet appearance There was one person in particular who sparked joy above all else on the red carpet last night: none other than Marie Kondo herself. 5. Spike Lee’s custom gold Jordans Spike
Category: Fashion
Oversized blazers are spring’s easiest fashion trend—here are 5 ways to wear one
February 23, 2019 at 12:32PM by CWC What I’m about to say might sound incendiary, but what if you left your leather jacket hanging in your closet this spring and swapped it for another reliable throw-on-and-go: the oversized blazer? With a little more tailored flare, it’s a worthy alternative, especially considering some of the chic styles being released right now. Its relaxed fit will make you feel like Jane Birkin with high-waisted denim, the epitome of Parisian chic when thrown over a little white lace dress, and have you channeling your inner ‘80s working girl when styled with matching trousers or shorts for a full-blown suit. Shopbop Fashion Director Caroline Maguire sums it up best: “There’s something really classic and timeless about a blazer,” she says. “A strong statement blazer in a bold color or print screams power.” When it comes to shape, Maguire is all about those on the larger end of the spectrum. She observes, “We’re seeing a huge ‘80s movement as of late, especially with oversized plaid blazers. Shoulder pads are making a return, and I love to add them in to give tops some extra structure.” And as for styling, there’s a lot of room to play with personal style. Wear a tuxedo blazer by day with denim and by night with a satin mini skirt, use the new topper to add some unexpected color into your look, or streamline the already-bold with a more classic menswear style. Maguire suggests her own twist on tailoring: “If
8 breathable bras that won’t make your boobs feel suffocated
February 23, 2019 at 06:16AM by CWC Things that are smothering: a Pisces with a Sagittarius rising sign on a third date (yes, I am describing myself here), the patriarchy, and bras that are not breathable. While there isn’t a quick fix for the first two (therapy? friendtopia?), the third one has a simple solution, and that’s buying breathable bras. There’s arguably nothing worse than strapping your breasts into a bra (already an annoying task) that then proceeds to smother them and turn them into a sweaty, uncomfortable mess. I mean, aside from giving yourself a wedgie to avoid bodysuit-related VPL, which is an actual thing that I have done. Now, when I first thought about finding a breathable bra, that seemed like code for “not cute but comfortable.” And while I’m all about comfort, I also want to feel attractive. Praise be the lingerie goddesses because there is now no shortage of pretty undergarments that also don’t feel like they’re stifling your breasts like an infrared sauna session. The following breathable bras are made from lighter-than-air fabrics: Think cotton, bamboo, and soft lace. They range from sexy to sporty to minimalist but, most importantly, none of them will cause little pools of sweat to gather underneath your boobs. And isn’t that the dream, really? Everlane Women’s Tank Bra, $22 If you’re of the bra comes off right when you get home camp like I am, this bra from Everlane may change your ways. It’s super comfortable, breathable, and totally
Because finding sustainable activewear shouldn’t be harder than your workout—here are 7 places to start
February 21, 2019 at 01:18PM by CWC In a world that’s (happily) gaining more socially responsible clothing brands—from fashion labels to sneaker companies to accessories makers—there are seven activewear lines in particular that are totally changing the game when it comes to sustainable workout clothes. Each has pledged to focus on organic materials, eco-friendly production cycles, and ethical working conditions. For some, that means transforming plastic bottles into nylon. Others have set out to use less water in their manufacturing processes—and others still have opted to open up warehouses in the U.S. to reduce their carbon footprints and shorten the supply chain between themselves and their customers. Together, they’re proving that you don’t have to sacrifice performance, fit (or a sense of style) in order to be eco-conscious. From bright, color-blocked leggings at Outdoor Voices to cool, cropped sports bras at Girlfriend Collective, here are our top seven sustainable activewear brands. 1. Alternative Apparel Whether you’re on the hunt for performance wear or loungewear, Alternative Apparel has your back. With a vintage feel, these classics are eco-friendly, organic, and made of recycled materials. Our picks Buy Now Alternative Apparel Cotton Modal Legging $48 Buy Now Alternative Apparel Printed Eco-Fleece Jogger Pants $58 Buy Now Alternative Apparel Athletics Eco-Teddy Hoodie $64 2. Adidas Huge sportswear brand it might be, but Adidas has set forth an initiative to keep itself on track when it comes to sustainability. It’s a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, as well as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, which helps maintain
CBD lube is a thing, and it will, um, “make your vagina feel high”
February 21, 2019 at 12:46PM by CWC In 2019, there is seemingly little that CBD can’t solve. Feeling anxious? Sip a CBD latte. Need to wear an uncomfy pair of high heels? Slather the stuff on your feet in balm form. Want to ramp up your romps in the hay? Slap some CBD lube on your lady bits. Yup, you read that last part right. Just when we thought we’d found every possible use for CBD, we discovered that CBD lube is a thing. And—surprise surprise—it might just be the best use of the stuff yet. “CBD lube can lead to increased sensitivity for some, and most experience relaxation which creates more willingness to receive pleasurable touch which in turn may lead to better and stronger orgasms,” says Tammy Nelson, PhD, a board certified sexologist and the author of Getting the Sex You Want. “Using CBD lube can help with vaginal pain, with penetration, and can decrease and even prevent irritation.” She notes that some manufacturers claim that CBD lube can moisturize and regenerate skin, but says that hasn’t seen any studies that can confirm that. Research has, however, shown that there are some other sexy potential benefits associated with getting herbal in your intimate activities. CBD, and cannabis’s other standout element, THC, work with the endocannibinoid system in your body, which controls homeostasis and “can effect everything from your mood to your appetite to your sex drive and your body’s response during sex,” Dosist CMO Derek McCarty told Well+Good last year. In case you want a
How to use love languages to be the best possible friend to all the VIPs in your life
February 21, 2019 at 08:21AM by CWC The concept of love languages isn’t quite new, but I sincerely wish my school offered a course in it. I just recently learned mine (quality time, specifically quality activities), and it’s revolutionized how I approach relationships—most surprisingly, my platonic ones. In his 1992 book The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman offers the framework as a method for keeping love alive within marriage. Spin-off edition tackle other ways to purpose the love-languages, like The 5 Love Languages: Military Edition and The 5 Love Languages Singles Edition. But, based on my experience, it seems Chapman is sitting on yet another best-seller waiting to be written: the friendship edition. The gist of the concept is that people don’t receive love the same way, but rather via one or several love languages: quality time (conversations, activities, undivided attention); acts of service (folding laundry, making dinner, arranging a group birthday gift); receiving gifts (cards, treats, anything that communicates the other person wants to make you happy); words of affirmation (positive feedback, gassing, saying “I love you”); and physical touch (hugs, handshakes, pats on the back). Basically, what makes you feel loved might not do the trick for you loved ones. “Knowing your own love language is a bit like knowing a chapter in your own owner’s manual,” says Rebecca Hendrix, LMFT, an integrative holistic psychotherapist. It can help you identify patterns that reveal what gives you emotional boosts—and the knowledge is theoretically applicable to all of your relationships. “The
Acne can happen at any age. Here’s what to do about it in your 40s
February 21, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC Listen up, everyone: We need to stop thinking about acne as a puberty problem. As any full-fledged adult who’s had a pimple pop up out of nowhere knows all too well, it’s something that can follow you into your 20s, 30s, and beyond. In fact, acne at 40 is a common problem (so no, you’re not alone), but if you’ve had clear skin for your entire life, it can be confusing to deal with. “We don’t totally understand why, but new onset acne is a growing problem in adult women,” explains New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “It is thought to be due to a combination of hormonal fluctuations, environmental stress, and diet.” Virginia-based derm Lily Talakoub, MD highlights the “hormonal fluctuations” part of the problem, noting that women tend to start menopause at some point during their 40s. “When we are young our estrogen is high and protects our skin against acne, but the older we get, especially around menopausal years, the progesterone is higher than the estrogen, and that causes painful cystic adult acne,” she explains. “It’s awful, and hard to get rid of. Most topical medications don’t help.” There’s no “one size fits” all answer as to what acne looks like, and that extends into acne at 40. But what sorts of symptoms can you look out for? “It can appear mostly along the jawline, as large red or pink inflammatory bumps on the cheeks, small fine whitish bumps on
These boots were made for walking…like, a lot
February 20, 2019 at 02:05PM by CWC You can find a ton of shoes and sneakers that you can wear all day without getting a number of miscellaneous body aches. For some reason, though, comfortable boots—that aren’t (unintentionally) ugly or orthopedic looking—are harder to come by. Such practical shoe unicorns do exist, however—it just requires, pardon the pun, a little legwork to find them. How to spot a pair? There a few features to keep in mind while shopping for comfortable boots, according to Miguel Cunha, DPM, founder of Gotham Footcare. The first is shock absorption. Some products and brands will let you know whether their boot has this feature. If not, look for things like rubber soles and try bending the shoe—if it bends in the middle of the sole this mean it doesn’t have shock absorption and is generally not great for foot support, he tells me. Dr. Cunha also says that despite what you (I) may think, a completely flat boot is not ideal for your foot health. “I recommend avoiding boots that are completely flat as they will contribute to pronation and collapse of the arch which may contribute to planter and posterior heel pain, shin splints, knee pain, and back pain,” he explains. Something else to keep in mind, according to Marion Parke, DPM, a podiatrist turned shoe designer is that “our feet tend to swell throughout the day and you want to provide some room for that. When it comes to shoes millimeters count.” To
All you need to upgrade your strength training workout is to slow the eff down
February 20, 2019 at 01:29PM by CWC When you think of a typical strength training routine, you probably envision a long list of exercises to get through—and a time-consuming one at that. But what if I told you there’s a method that only requires a couple 20-minute sessions a week? The only catch: Everything is done at a snail-like speed. Lifting weights—or doing bodyweight exercises—in slow motion might seem odd, but the technique is a fitness go-to for actress Jane Seymour (who you probably remember from Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, or her more recent guest appearances on Jane the Virgin). “It’s very, very slow weight lifting,” she said in a recent interview with Closer Weekly. “You only do 20 minutes twice a week. I notice a huge difference when I do it. Each exercise you do, you do it to fatigue so your whole body starts shaking,” she added, per Fox News. This form of training isn’t anything new. It’s actually been around since the early ’80s when it was developed by researcher Ken Hutchins. What started as something safe and effective for women with osteoporosis quickly turned into a more mindful way of working out everyone can enjoy: Since you’re moving at a slower speed, you’re able to put more focus on your form and control. In turn, all that extra tension in the muscles could be an effective method of toning and building strength. Don’t be fooled, though: Just because you’re moving slower and exercising for a shorter period of time doesn’t mean
If you’ve got DD+ boobs, these are the best sports bras for running, Pilates, CrossFit, HIIT, and more
February 20, 2019 at 01:14PM by CWC Shopping for a sports bra for big boobs can often feel, in the wise words of my queen Hilary Duff, like waiting for rain in a drought: useless and disappointing. Just when you feel like you’ve found something supportive enough to carry you through a trampoline class or a long run, you realize it makes you look like you’ve either got a uniboob—or it’s so low cut that it leaves you feeling like you’re flashing everyone in the room. And say you’ve got one that makes your girls feel good, often that comfort comes at the price of finding something that’s also actually cute. It’s not all bad news, though. As clothing becomes more inclusive and brands offer more and more options for women of all different body types, the hunt for the perfect sports bras for big boobs can be rewarding. To make things slightly easier, we asked our most active Well and Good staffers from the DD+ set to share their picks for the best sports bras for big boobs. All eight of these selects have been tried, tested, and approved by the Well and Good team, who swear by ’em for keeping the ladies in place—no matter what workout they’re testing. Best for boxing: Reebok Hero Power Bra, $55 Photo: Reebok “If every scientist put their heads together and figured out how to make a sports bra that made your boobs freeze in space and time, it would be this.” —Ali Finney, senior