December 02, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC Sound baths, crystal healing, Reiki—back in 2010, spiritual healing practices like these were still way out on the fringes of the wellness scene. Maybe you’d hear about them at a particularly progressive yoga studio or from your friend who went to Burning Man, but they certainly weren’t widely embraced by mainstream audiences. Flash forward 10 years, however, and people in all corners of the country are filling their homes with rose quartz and balancing their chakras with the help of energy healers. So-called “woo-woo” modalities are now just as integral to the wellness mix as avocados and boutique fitness classes, and all signs point to the fact that they’re not just a passing fad. If you ask Reiki healer and Wellness Official founder Millana Snow, the turning point came around 2012, when meditation and yoga were just starting to take hold in a big way. “I think in 2012, there was a lot of hype around the Mayan calendar [which people inaccurately claimed predicted the end of the world], but at the same time, people became aware of a larger narrative around consciousness,” she says. Soon after, that story started to spread outside of the burgeoning wellness world. “In 2013, my company and our practitioner partners were doing angel card readings and Reiki for Alexander Wang’s corporate team the week of New York Fashion Week,” Snow recalls. “The next year, we lead Samsung’s first ever yoga class for the public. Those two things,
Category: Beauty
7 ways I’m making my tiny apartment feel like home for the holidays
December 02, 2019 at 04:30AM by CWC Real talk: I have issues making new places feel like me, so ever since I sold my car (shout out to you, Penelope) and bought a plane ticket from Florida to New York City, I’ve put little effort into my apartment—especially in December. What holiday decorating ideas could ever compare to my childhood home(s)? My first place in NYC was a tad too small for a regular-sized person to comfortably move around, so I’m off the hook on that one. But now that I’m onto my second (still tiny!) apartment, I’ve made it my goal to create a space that feels close to being home for the holidays—even though my mom’s candle collection and my dad’s gigantic hand-picked trees are hard to beat. Oh, the other thing I forgot to mention? I live with a thousand other people (just kidding, like five), so balancing a holiday theme throughout the apartment that also jives with everyone else’s tastes is another hurdle I’ve avoided… until now. In preparation, I’ve planned out my first-ever holiday shopping spree—minus the long lines, impatient New Yorkers, and back aches, because my millennial burnout is much too strong for me to shop anywhere other than from the comfort of my itty bitty apartment. Keep scrolling for some holiday decorating ideas that will finally make any small space feel like home. 3ft Flocked Pre-lit Slim Artificial Christmas Tree, $60 My apartment is a bit cluttered (remember all the roommates?), but a
I still refuse to leave home without this $7 cure-all salve I discovered at age 13
November 30, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC At age 13, going to Urban Outfitters was the highlight of my weekend. My friends and I would stuff our shopping bags with trucker hats, graphic baby T-shirts to wear on “dates” to the mall, and thongs that we had to hide from our parents until we graduated from high school. It’s been 15 years since those legendary Saturdays, and while my “Everyone Loves a Jewish Girl” T-shirt is long gone (RIP), there’s one item from my UO glory days that has remained in my permanent collection: Smith’s Rosebud Salve ($7). I discovered the iconic balm as in impulse purchase in the checkout line, it’s still the only one that I never, ever leave home without. Considering the stuff has been around since 1985, I’m clearly not the only one who’s realized how great it is. I initially bought it as a lip balm, and there’s no doubt that it’s one of the best of the best there is in that category. It’s intensely hydrating but not so thick that I don’t want to use it when it’s hot outside, and leaves behind the most perfect pink-tinted sheen that gives the subtlest glossy look you’ve ever seen. I usually have a weird thing about sticking my fingers into any sort of potted product, but am weirdly ok doing it with Rosebud Salve because the texture isn’t goopy or greasy. It comes in a squeezable tube, but I hate change so have only ever
This 5-in-1 makeup-skin-care hybrid will cut your entire routine down to a single step
November 30, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC There are three elements that any beauty pro will tell you should be a part of your post-cleanse morning skin routine: an antioxidant serum, a moisturizer, and an SPF. No matter what your skin goals are, that’s the bare minimum roster of things you should be slathering on before you leave the house every day. But we’re all busy, and some (… slash most, if you’re like me) mornings, a multi-step situation just isn’t going to happen, and the best you can do is slap on a layer of moisturizer before running out the door. But thanks to a new product from Iris and Romeo, you can get all of your “must-do” morning skin essentials in one fell swoop… and then some. The brand’s 5-in-1 skin-care product—aptly called Best Skin Days ($64)—does it all. It’s a hydrating antioxidant serum, moisturizer, SPF, and foundation, and it also protects skin from blue light and pollution. On the hydration front, it’s got hyaluronic acid to keep your skin feeling moist. As far as antioxidants go, its got Bulgarian rose damascena oil, a rare oil that’s packed with vitamin C and omega-9 fatty acids that act as an anti-inflammatory. According to the brand, this ingredient power-couple restores hydration, elasticity, and natural radiance for bouncier, firmer, and glowier skin. The product also has broad-spectrum SPF 30 (the minimum coverage that derms say you should be wearing every day), which helps fend off damage from pollution and blue light.
The 5 best foods for fighting inflammation, according to a dietitian
November 29, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0jXdgL6nGs] Looking for some easy things you can do every day to combat inflammation? Watch this video. When it comes to wellness buzzwords, inflammation is one of the big ones that people can’t stop talking about. But like lots of things that get over-hyped, its true meaning has kind of gotten lost in all of the noise. Thankfully, that’s why we have experts like registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, to help us set the record straight. As Beckerman explains in the latest episode of You Versus Food, inflammation is the body’s natural process of fighting against harmful bacteria and toxins that lead to illness and infection. “When your cells are damaged, the body releases chemicals, triggering a response from the immune system causing tissues to swell,” says Beckerman. This isolates infected tissues from the body, which allows them to heal without spreading the infection elsewhere. However, sometimes the immune system gets confused and stays active long after the threat is gone (or without any threat to begin with), causing chronic inflammation—and a whole host of potential health problems. There are a few things people can do to combat the effects of chronic inflammation, like managing stress and addressing unhealthy sleep habits. But diet can also play a huge role—which is why Beckerman is all about eating anti-inflammatory foods like berries. “Berries are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals and polyphenols, which are antioxidants that have the ability to reduce the risk of heart
The best deals our beauty editor will be scoring this Black Friday
November 28, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC While we all well know you don’t have to drop a whole lot of coin for beauty products that work (case in point: a dermatologist’s go-to cleanser literally costs $1), we’ve all got those pricey picks we just can’t resist. For me, it’s a $38 face wash that makes me feel like I’m getting a pro-grade facial every time I lather it on, and a $160 bottle of vitamin C serum that I simply can’t imagine living without. Thankfully, for those of us whose list of vices include “expensive beauty products,” there are plenty of Black Friday beauty sales that have us covered. Per usual, beauty meccas like Sephora, Nordstrom, and Ulta will be offering day-after-Thanksgiving discount deals on some of the best products they’ve got to offer—including hair care, skin care, and makeup. There ‘s everything from classics to cult faves to new launches… and then some. Whether you’re lookin to re-stock on your trusty go-to’s, add something totally new to your arsenal, or treat someone on your gifting list to some beauty newness, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find it at one of these shops. Scroll through for some of the best of the best from this year’s offerings, and get ready for your most beautiful(…ly priced) holiday season yet. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser, $10 ($20 Value) Turn washing your face into a luxury experience—for only $10—with this OG cleansing fave. It’s made with apricot and avocado oils, plus squalene, to help nourish
How a dermatologist shops Black Friday beauty deals
November 27, 2019 at 10:47PM by CWC When Black Friday rolls around, it can be tempting to throw your entire paycheck at the trendy (and now discounted!) skin products you’ve been eyeing all year. But skin pros have a message for you: Please, don’t do that. Instead, board-certified dermatologist Melissa Levin, MD, wants you to take a step back and figure out what you really need in your routine, instead of buying the things Instagram has been telling you to. “People want to play around, but a full skin cycle is six weeks, so I like people to stick to a routine instead of wasting money and buying multiple products, she says. “And, I only like people to introduce one or two products at a time.” So if you do want to try something new and exciting, just be sure to stick to one “new and exciting” product and spend the rest of your Black Friday beauty dollars on trusted faves. “If you want to have an effective Black Friday from a skin-care standpoint, go for the basics instead of trendy products,” says Dr. Levin. These “basics” may not be the sexiest members of your skin-care team, but they are the ones you need to keep in stock all year round, so she suggests going all-in on things like cleanser, moisturizer, soap and deodorant. Or rather, use the deals as an excuse to get a year’s supply of the products you use every day (keeping an eye on the expiration
These sex toys are on sale for Black Friday, in case you’re in a *really* giving spirit
November 27, 2019 at 06:00PM by CWC As a bright-eyed, dollfaced child, I experienced no greater joy than waking up on Christmas morning, and finally being allowed to unwrap presents under the tree. As a grown woman, same vibe, especially if what I come to find is a literal vibe. No matter the holidays you celebrate, it’s always lovely to gift yourself an orgasm. With that in mind, it’s key to be aware of the best sex toy sales happening over Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and/or those surrounding days when retailers seem to have a “f–k it” ethos of and slash their prices just because. This year, it turns out, there are many sex toy sales worthy of your attention—for yourself and the share with your loved ones. That may include your partner who wants to try something new, your sexually frustrated and recently single best friend, a particularly liberated Grandma or really anyone hankering to have an orgasmic transition into 2020. Below, find 9 great Black Friday sex toy sales so your holiday vibe can be orgasmic. Photo: LELO 1. LELO Ina Wave, $155 Your eyes are not deceiving you—LELO’s rabbit-y Ina Wave vibrator is all about upward, come hither motions that may result in the powerful and much-sought-after blended orgasm. The brand is offering between 20 and 50 percent off select vibrators, such as the SONA Cruise, SORAYA, ORA 2, TOR 2, and HUGO. Sale length: November 28 through December 4 2. Womanizer Premium, $160 Just in time
The winter skin-care hacks necessary for glowing through tundra-like weather
November 26, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC If you deal with dry, oily, combination, irritated, or hyper-pigmented skin (re: any and every skin type), winter is the season with a singular mission to steal your glow. Tips for winter skin care so you don’t turn into a zombie person? File under “desperately needed.” Luckily, holistic esthetician Shani Hillian came through with the goods at our latest Wellness Collective event with Athleta, sharing some much-needed (and appreciated!) seasonal advice so you can proudly take close-up selfies of your face year-round. One of the biggest misconceptions is that you shouldn’t exfoliate in winter—which is flat out not true, says Hillian. “A lot of people think they have dry skin, but it’s just dead,” she says. “It’s a matter of what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.” In other words, be gentler with your method so you don’t irritate delicate spots—but still buff so you’re getting rid of the dead stuff. Next, keep a moisturizer close at all times so you can lock in hydration all day and night. If you’re not sure what to look for, Hillian recommends oils low on the comedogenic scale (ones that won’t clog your pores), with hemp seed oil being her ultimate fave. To add even more hydration to your life, try adding humidifiers to your bedroom, living room, or anywhere else you spend a lot of time. Lastly, if you use retinol, Hillian suggests decreasing the amount you slather it on to two times a
These are the 7 Black Friday deals a registered dietitian plans to nab for her kitchen
November 25, 2019 at 08:30PM by CWC Even though Black Friday shopping no longer requires throwing elbows and it can all be done (safely!) in your PJs at home, it still helps to have a game plan. While many shoppers focus on big ticket electronics, Black Friday deals are also a chance to stock your kitchen with the gadgets you’ve been wanting but haven’t been able to shell out for, or replacing and upgrading the beloved tools that you use every single day. Want some inspo? Here, Jackie Newgent, RDN, culinary nutritionist and author of The Clean & Simple Diabetes Cookbook, shares the items that are on her Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping list. Use her picks to help craft your own wishlist—or get in on the deals she’s sharing here. Check out how a dietitian shops the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday kitchen deals: Photo: Oster 1. Air Fryer Toaster Oven, $80 Normally $180, Best Buy is knocking $100 off the price of this buzzy cooking tool, which happens to be on Newgent’s wish list. “I’m so excited about the new toaster ovens that have air fryer functions,” she says. She thinks this one could be an excellent replacement slash upgrade for her current “ancient” toaster oven that needs to be replaced. Air fried eggplant parm, anyone? Photo: OXO 2. OXO Kitchen Supplies, $9-$15 each “Since I’m in my kitchen all the time, personally and professionally, at least once a year I replenish any overly-used cooking utensils