September 02, 2019 at 02:01PM by CWC Before ditching dairy, I was nothing short of a yogurt hoarder. I’d go to Costco, grab a huge box of Greek yogurt, and have a solid supply in my fridge at all times. I’ve found that most non-dairy yogurt leaves something to be desired, so I went on the hunt to find the very best one. It wasn’t easy, and let’s just says I ate a lot of yogurt in my exhaustive research, but somebody had to do it. With cow’s milk taking a backseat, you’re able to choose from a wide variety of options made with oat, almond, cashew, soy, and more. Also cool? With all the probiotics added in, you’re still getting the same gut-friendly strains of bacteria found in the real deal, all without the inflammation often caused by dairy products. “You don’t have to give up yogurt if you’re giving up dairy,” says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in the New York City area. “I always recommend opting for ones with as little added sugar as possible—so an unsweetened yogurt, when possible. As with any yogurt, you can add your own sweetness with fruit and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.” ad_intervals[‘413525_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413525_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); I tried out some of the most popular varieties of non-dairy yogurt and ranked them by taste and texture. Here’s exactly which ones came out on top. Some of the most popular non-dairy yogurts, ranked Photo:
Category: City
This science-y new skin-care subscription can predict what your skin needs
September 02, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC In the world of skin care, it often feels like we’re playing catch-up. We only hydrate our skin after it starts to feel dry, or treat our pimples after they’ve popped their pesky little heads above the surface. In other words, we wait for our skin to tell us what it needs, and then we find a product to fix it. But a new line of subscription, customized serums, called Atolla, is about to flip that idea on its head. The brand—which launched on August 13th—uses data about your skin health, history, and lifestyle to develop a custom serum to keep you glowing… and predict any sorts of issues that might pop up before they happen. “Think of fitting your skin as being fitted for a couture gown—you can buy some lovely things off the rack, but for the ultimate fit, something that is made just for you cannot be beat,” says the brand’s co-founder dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD. “The current strategy to look for products made for the masses can be quite successful, but there is nothing better than understanding the specific issues and concerns that are your own, and then addressing with something tailored to fit.” And Atolla’s doing it in a whole new way. ad_intervals[‘414956_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414956_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); What serum customization looks like The concept of customized skin care is hardly new—over the last few years, dozens of brands have popped
Why Saturn and Pluto’s dance right now could be game-changing for your life
September 01, 2019 at 11:22PM by CWC With a potent new moon at your back, (the new moon in Virgo happened at 6 degrees on August 30), September opens up on a productive note. The majority of planets continue to travel through earth signs, as the cosmos serve us a whopping dose of grounded energy. When the elemental emphasis sways so profoundly in the direction of the element earth, as it has now, conditions become perfect for productivity. So, set your sights on exactly what you wish to accomplish and think through what you need to succeed. You can and will get so much done, if you apply some heart-driven strategy to what you are going after. When the elemental emphasis sways so profoundly in the direction of the element earth, as it has now, conditions become perfect for productivity. On the topic of the earth element, I want to explain something significant. We are currently living in an astrological moment defined by two slow-moving planets that find themselves in very close proximity to one another in Capricorn. These two planets, Saturn and Pluto, command transformation. ad_intervals[‘420008_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘420008_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Saturn and Pluto ask for hard work, tenacity, and determination. While they travel close to one another in nose-to-the-grindstone Capricorn, their presence is hard to ignore. This combination of Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn has a massive crescendo in 2020. However, we’ve felt the combination of these two titans throughout all
Makeup artists reveal which cosmetics you should splurge vs save your bucks on
August 31, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC I remember the very first time I waltzed into a Sephora on a mission: to buy my first lipstick. The gold and lacquer-black tubes sparkled in my eyes as I swiped and tested and blotted to my heart’s content until I landed on the perfect hue. All I know is that my spirits sank when I saw the price tag, which was just out of my then-teenager budget. Which all goes to say that the world of makeup is dazzling, sure, but like skin care, the prices range from drugstore diamond-level to extravagant. And as I learned during that first Sephora shop, it’s easy to fill your cart in a frenzy only to realize it might be financially wiser to shop with more of a strategy in mind. Guess what? I’ve got the insider tips on exactly how to put together said strategy. I asked a handful of pro makeup artists to tell me exactly which cosmetics products are worth the splurge, and which you can save your bucks on with more budget buys. ad_intervals[‘416244_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘416244_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); A general rule of thumb? “The bigger the surface area you’re tackling, the more likely a splurge will pay off,” says Jeannie Vincent, makeup artist, explaining that an affordable eye or lip product will look more expensive when paired with the perfect foundation. Now for more MUA-approved intel on shopping makeup like a pro. Save Mascara:
6 Aries personality traits that sum up what it means to live life horns-first
August 31, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC My most iconic friend is the lead singer of a glam-grunge band, and I contend that she propelled herself to the top by virtue of being an Aries. If you’re also a ram (or simply just familiar with their fiery traits)—born between March 21 and April 19—you can probably intuit what I’m getting at. My friend is perpetually covered in glitter, posting outtakes from her busy life of Instagram, actually socializing when she’s not posting, playing shows, creating, and creating, and creating. That’s because the true signifier of Big Aries Energy is being a Scene Queen, and all of those traits are evidence. “The sun is exalted in Aries, meaning these people are blessed with certain qualities necessary to be leaders and innovators,” says astrologer Emma Toynbee. “They represent all that is newly born, are movers and shakers, lead-role actors, agents of change, individual and unique, pioneers, inventors, innovators, strong competitors, and fierce warriors.” Granted, they also tend exhibit some strong “me-first” energy, which can be exhausting, but in general, they’re people to look to for leading the charge. ad_intervals[‘416614_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘416614_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); And whether you’re an Aries warrior yourself, or you’re simply curious about how Aries personality traits may factor into cultivating the fiery, highly successful profiles common to the first sign of the zodiac, it’s worth knowing more. Below, Toynbee outlines the specific characteristics true to this fire sign. Read on for
A nostalgia expert explains why reminiscing in groups is such a great unifier—at work and otherwise
August 31, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC Which Baby-Sitters Club member do you think best describes you? Well, I’m blonde, wear all black, and feel a constant need to remind people I’m from New York…I’m, ugh, probably Stacey. The other day at the Well+Good office, staffers were feeling nostalgic about BSC since—fun fact—the series is seeing a big revival in the form of a Netflix series. Within minutes, we were discussing the traits of each character and identifying with them, like a more wholesome take on that Sex and the City game. Between this and our recent team-wide debate over the best Disney character, I’m convinced that nostalgia is an excellent unifier. It puts everyone back on the playground where they can be friends again. ad_intervals[‘398339_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘398339_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); And according to a real professional who specializes in the psychology of nostalgia, it totally makes sense that throwback energy may lead to team bonding and maybe even friendship. Discussing things like BSC taps into nostalgia’s ability to deal with the tension of needing to belong while still upholding our independent identity. “Each of us has our own life history that has contributed to our becoming the special person we are,” says licensed psychologist Krystine I. Batcho, PhD. “But we need to feel the common bond that prevents loneliness and alienation. Sharing nostalgic memories about trends during our childhood or youth brings back both the happiness we felt then and the feelings of
Financial experts reveal the 10 items that are truly worth buying in bulk
August 30, 2019 at 05:15PM by CWC I’ve been working my way through the same Costco-sized box of Q-tips since 2010. (True story!) The bulk-buying movement has saved many people a large chunk of their annual salary. But the experts at The Financial Gym—a budget-planning service in New York City—warn against buying every last staple in the largest quantity possible. We could all stand to be a little bit pickier about our Costco, Sam’s Club, and Amazon shopping lists. “When deciding to buy in bulk, you should always compare apples to apples or unit cost to unit cost,” says Shannon McLay, CEO and founder of The Financial Gym. Every store includes the unit price of each item, but they won’t always be measured the same way. For example, one store may price per quart while another may price per pound. Thus, sigh, scoring a deal isn’t as straightforward as it seems. But with a little help from Google’s conversion tools, you can hack the system and save on your TP. ad_intervals[‘419678_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘419678_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); The second thing to consider, according to McLay, is whether or not your tribe will be able to eat bulk, perishable items before they expire. “Many families aren’t not going to go through perishable items quickly, and if you end up throwing things out, you didn’t save money buying in bulk. Also, you don’t want to waste money bulking up on items that will stay in your pantry
Splash the patriarchy: Why the it-swimsuits of hot girl summer are sleek, sexy, and subversive
August 30, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC Think back to the year 2004. Everyone was quoting Napoleon Dynamite, signing up for this new thing called Facebook (with their .edu email addresses), and working out in ratty shorts and t-shirts. Athleisure was, and I cannot emphasize this enough, not a thing. In the decade and a half since then, the activewear industry has made huge strides in creating functional performance wear that also looks on point, but one category has been left behind: the swimsuit. A scroll through Instagram is all the evidence you need to see that this year, swimwear designers finally figured it out. Thanks to female-founded brands like Left on Friday, Knix, Andie, and Summersalt, one-pieces haven’t been this hot since Pamela Anderson made her slow-mo run down the beach. But in a serious upgrade to Anderson’s revealing red maillot, the styles that dominated your feed—and likely your closet—this summer are sexy and supportive. ad_intervals[‘389298_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘389298_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); “Nothing was solving for what we wanted, which was super-high-end, comfortable, beautiful swimwear you could wear while surfing, swimming laps, or lounging at the Four Seasons,” Left on Friday co-founder Laura Low Ah Kee says of the inspiration for her brand. Melanie Travis, the founder and CEO of Andie, agrees: “Women lead active lives and need swimsuits that can seamlessly work with them, not against them.” The notion that women would want a bathing suit that works as well in motion
9 things you never thought to ask a dermatologist about your hair
August 30, 2019 at 04:28PM by CWC Every so often, I’ll notice apocalyptic-level hair loss in the shower—as in, major clumps released in the rinse process. Alarm bells ring, Google searches ensue, and neglected biotin supplement consumption resumes. Instead of freaking out, however, I could just go to my dermatologist to be evaluated because, as it turns out, hair thinning/loss is one of the most common conversations they have with their patients. If you’re like me and only see your derm for mole checks every few years, it might be awhile before you get in to interrogate them around your mane-centric concerns. My panics most often come and go by the time I finally get in for an appointment, after which point the issue mysteriously resurfaces in time to wait another three years for evaluation. Stylists and colorists, who you may see more often, can be great resources to fill this void, but some questions are best posed to doctors. I reached out to a MDs to find out what questions they get asked most frequently with respect to their patients’ hair in the hopes of either saving you a co-pay or motivating you to get a date with the doc on your books. After all, hair may not be the window to your soul, but it can be a thermometer of sorts for your overall health (or, at the very least, a cry for help around your styling practices). ad_intervals[‘418959_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418959_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);});
How I undressed the remarkable power of burlesque
August 30, 2019 at 03:01PM by CWC An average day for me is not particularly glamorous. My muggle job is at a cupcake bakery in New York City, so basically I’m an indie movie cliché. I was an assistant manager at the bakery for a while, but I moved to New York to pursue acting and the arts. Waking up at 3 a.m. stressing out about wedding cakes was not part of the dream. I stepped down from being an assistant manager and now hold a part-time position there. The bakery is where I first came in contact with burlesque. I used to work with a performer who goes by the name of Pearls Daily, who’s been on the scene for years and currently holds the title of Miss Coney Island. She’s fantastic! I went to see her Harry Potter burlesque show, and it struck me that… I could do this. Around the same time, I saw another performer—Rosie Cheeks—who was just phenomenal. She’s classically beautiful—this leggy, fantastic looking woman—but that’s not why she’s good. She’s able to set someone on fire with a look. She’s so precise and choreographed. I remember watching her unlace something with one little finger in one swift move. She didn’t even have her clothes off yet! The specificity with which she was able to do each move made me think, “Oh, I want to be able to do that!” ad_intervals[‘418974_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418974_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); What’s really nice