September 09, 2019 at 11:15PM by CWC Tell me how accurate this scenario is: You’re sitting at your desk in the office, or cozied up on the couch, twirling your earring back (which is a soothing thing to do with your hands, much like twirling your hair or clicking a pen or making a friendship bracelet), only to catch a whiff of your fingers which smell like… white cheddar popcorn? Nutritional yeast? Stinky cheese? WTF? I know it’s not just me. Every single person I’ve talked to about this nods in solidarity, because it’s just a fact of having piercings that nobody happens to talk about. So, since I’m now fearful that someone in my life will think my fingers smell like yeast, I have done the important job of investigating the cheesy-behind-the-ear situation. And it all stems from oil and bacteria. Your ears are a nice, warm anatomical crevice for oil, bacteria, and the accumulation of dead skin cells. Hence why your mom always told you to wash behind your ears. “It’s so that you clean off the oil that accumulates there,” explains Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “These cause ‘ear cheese,’ aka an accumulation of rancid oil—oil that gets exposed to air—dead skin cells, as we’re constantly shedding, bacteria, and sweat. It’s more common in people who do not change their earrings much and who sweat a lot.” (Me.) Your earring backs are the perfect breeding ground for that cheesy smell, especially if
Category: Fashion
The 2-minute nail art design to steal if you hate doing your nails yourself
September 09, 2019 at 06:43PM by CWC Getting a manicure is kind of like the ultimate therapy for me. You sit there—phone stashed out of reach in your purse—and totally zen out as your manicurist transforms your nails. Doing your own nails at home, however, might not have quite the same meditative effect. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a clean, chic, effortless look on hand for whenever you don’t have time to snag an appointment. Negative-space nails are the ultimate time-saver, and the trend just got an upgrade with some nail framing. On the runway at New York Fashion week, models in the Ulla Johnson show rocked a simple yet totally eye-catching look. And it’s ridiculously easy to copy at home. “Creating a partial outline of the nail with this curvy design gives the nails a sexy edge by exposing the natural nail while slightly framing it with a rich pop of color,” said Mabelyn Martin, Paintbox creative director and the creator of the design, per a press release. Unlike most of the designs you’ll see on the runway, this one only takes a couple minutes to master at home. Here’s exactly how to copy the look, according to Martin. Photo: Paintbox How to give yourself a nail framing mani at home 1. With a striping brush, trace the perimeter of the nail to the center fingertip down to the cuticle (creating a J shape). 2. Repeat for full coverage (so two coats). 3. With a
The breakdown of the muscles you use during a spin class that you’ve been looking for
September 09, 2019 at 12:02AM by CWC There’s no burn quite like spin class burn. While I’m pedaling away on that bike against the resistance, my muscles are working in overdrive. And I have to admit: Most of the time, the only thing I’m doing during those moments is begging my legs to make it to the end—not fully thinking about what they’re doing. But knowing exactly which muscles I’m using in class—and engaging them at the right times!—is the key to getting the best workout. “The brain-muscle connection is powerful,” says Samantha Jade, senior instructor at SoulCycle and creator of BODY by SJ. “When you focus on which regions of the body to engage and what position and form you should be in, your neurological system is more awake to send improved messages for even more effective muscle firing, riding technique, and position. The mental focus in your workout increases your output capabilities. Plus, being connected to your body and performance will yield a safer more effective workout.” Before your next class, find out exactly which muscles you’re working—and should be engaging!—in and out of the saddle. Which muscles to focus on in the saddle When you’re riding in the saddle during spin class, there’s one primary muscle group you’re working: your glutes. “Our glutes tend to be ‘asleep’—especially if we spend most of our day sitting—so you have to consciously think about turning them on. That means literally squeezing each butt cheek, which creates the push/pull that you
How a minimalist bedroom helps you to declutter the rest of your life
September 07, 2019 at 06:01PM by CWC Creating a minimalist bedroom is easier said than done—especially when you live in an apartment. I mean, there’s a Pilates reformer chillin’ next to my bed, a mini office set-up in the entryway, and a closet that’s overflowing with things that don’t fit anywhere else. Even though I keep things as tidy as possible, it’s always beneficial to do some rearranging, whether you live in a tiny space or a five-bedroom house. When you’re surrounded by clutter—even if that’s just piles of clothes or too tightly-packed furniture—you’re left feeling stressed overwhelmed—the opposite of what you want in a room that’s purpose is helping you unwind and rejuvenate. “Sleep is one of the most important needs for well being. It’s a necessity to ensure we stay at our prime, from our immune systems, to our mental health and day to day function,” says Becky Shea of Becky Shea Designs. “The less you have in the space to distract your mind, the more you can focus on the value of sleep.” So, what exactly should your minimalist bedroom include? “Any minimalist space includes just enough and not much more,” says Megan Hopp, creative director at The Everset. “A minimalist bedroom should have three staples no matter what: a bed, a bedside table, and a light source. The rest can be played depending on the circumstance. It should always create a place of calm, and clutter can tip those scales into chaos quite easily.” Having the
The waterproof headphones that won’t slip during my sweatiest workouts
September 07, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC In case you don’t have a Google alert for “Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson” (as I do), here’s the 411: in late May, the actor-slash-fitness-fanatic released a pair of headphones in partnership with Under Armour and JBL. The Project Rock’s True Wireless Flash earbuds come with all the trappings of sporty ear-wear you see from Apple, Beats, Jaybird, and more. The only real diff? They’re waterproof. Which, to anyone who likes to sweat reads: “will not slide out of your ear canals no matter how many burpees you do.” Upon first opening the packaging of the headphones, two words pop into my head: bad. ass. Each wireless bud displays the image of bull and the punchline “Blood. Sweat. Respect.” is stamped on the packaging like a challenge. If that’s not a slogan, I certainly don’t know what is. As I slip them into the ear, I imagine I’m physically carrying the warrior spirit of The Rock in my eardrums (you know, like a total weirdo). The actor is the closest human equivalent to The Hulk, so I feel mighty as I stride into the gym, open Instagram, and find the strength training video I’ll be relying on for my workout. Once I’ve turned on my training playlist, I wedge the buds into my ears and turn the volume all the way up. (Disclaimer: This is terrible for you eardrums! You should never do it, just sayin’.) Cardi B. sings to me and suddenly I’m
The nifty way to transform your old tanks and T-shirts into the ‘it’ workout top of the moment
September 06, 2019 at 07:21PM by CWC I like to think of my tank collection as a scrapbook of sweaty workouts past. In my closet, you’ll find a legit mountain of tops from 10Ks, high school volleyball tournaments, and—yes—mammoth athleticwear names like Lululemon, Athleta, and Adidas. Marie Kondo-ing my T-shirts isn’t an option (sorry not sorry), so to give some of the—let’s say, “shabbier”—garments a glow-up, I’ve designed a system known as the “slit and tie.” Please allow me to explain. If you, like me, enjoy window shopping some of the higher-ticket sportswear companies of today, then you know that tanks and shirts that tie off just above the waste are a thing right now (exhibits A and B). You also know that that, well, that ish ain’t cheap—and you just might end up dropping $60 on not that much fabric for the sake of #fashion. If you’re treating yourself to a fresh outfit that will re-inspire your workouts, then more power to you. (Go! Shop! Sweat!) If your athleticwear drawer is keeping you from staying within your monthly budget, however, consider the slit and tie your way to make everything that’s old in your closet new again. It goes like this: How to make your own tie front tank tops Select the tank you want to makeover and grab a pair of scissors. Cut a 5-8 inch slit in the right side, left side, front, or back of the tank top. (Note: Your slit will be longer or shorter depending
These boots were made for walking…like, a lot
September 05, 2019 at 05:35PM by CWC You’ll find plenty of shoes and sneakers you can wear all day without getting any number of miscellaneous body aches. But comfortable boots (that aren’t unintentionally hideous) are hard to come by. Such practical shoe unicorns do exist, however, if you’re willing to do a little legwork. Wondering 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 says. Despite what you may think, flat boots aren’t ideal for your foot health. Not in the slightest. “I recommend avoiding boots that are completely flat. 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,” explains Dr. Cunha. I’m definitely not interested in dealing with this combination of problems. 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 factor this into your footwear purchase,
Think you could pass the U.S. Army sit-up test?
September 05, 2019 at 12:01PM by CWC If you thought you knew what the perfect sit-up looked like, you’re probably wrong—at least according to the military. The general technique for the U.S. Army sit-up standards are familiar—knees bent, feet on the floor, and a continual up-and-down motion—but a few adjustments make this the move of a soldier. The U.S. Army sit-up is slightly different in that with the military-approved technique the only part of your foot in contact with the ground is your heels and your feet should be 12 inches apart. The standards also require a very specific position body position at the top of the sit-up—or it doesn’t count. The changes might seem small, but once you perform the exercise like a soldier, the difference is very clear. How to perform proper U.S. Army sit-ups Lie down with your legs bent at a 90-degree angle and only your heels touching the floor. Keep your feet 12 inches apart. Lock your fingers behind your head and keep your elbows down. Raise your body up into a sit-up, hovering your elbows above your knees. Don’t allow them to touch. Make sure the base of your neck passes the base of your spine. Lower back down until the bottom of your shoulder blades touch the ground. Keeping your form—and without cheating!—see how many sit-ups you can perform in two minutes. To meet U.S. Army sit-up standards, you must score at least 50 points (as part of the Army Physical Fitness Test
You can buy every fall wardrobe essential you could possibly want on Amazon, and we’ve got the proof right here
September 05, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC Before you start jumping on the trends of the season (hiya, fall!), it’s important to make sure you’ve got a solid fashion foundation to build on. Not only will it help give your wardrobe longevity—because, let’s be honest, nothing says “forever” like a good leather jacket—but it will also give you few go-tos that will make getting dressed a far easier endeavor… especially on those late-in-the-year mornings when you need to do so before the sun is fully up. What’s more, while you might add or subtract layers as seasons come and go, the essentials are totally season-less and can be worn with ease all 365 days of the year. While building your ultimate wardrobe from the ground-up might seem like a daunting task, we are happy to report that you can one-stop-shop everything on your must-have personal style list on Amazon. The company has upped its game on shoes, apparel, and accessories of late and—might we add—it shows. Not to mention that most of the items below can be ordered through Amazon Prime, which means that you could have a little black dress on your doorstep practically as fast as your take-out sushi order. Below, find your eight ultimate wardrobe essentials, and the pieces of each we’re currently snatching up on Amazon. Leather Jacket Buy Now Mackage Baya Leather Jacket $950 Buy Now Cupcakes and Cashmere Vivica Vegan Leather Moto Jacket $118 Buy Now BlankNYC Moto Jacket, $113 A leather jacket is
Self care is a lifeline for many women—but it’s not enough
September 04, 2019 at 11:17PM by CWC Take a five-minute scroll through your Instagram feed, and you’re bound to find snapshots of women’s toes peeking out from their bathwater, selfies modeling their latest face mask purchase, or a mini-altar decked out with enchanted crystals, candles, and incense—each image stamped with the #selfcare hashtag that’s been used over 18 million times and counting. The term “self care,” defined as taking care of one’s own health and needs, hit a five-year high of Google search interest in November 2016 after the presidential election, and has been steadily climbing ever since. (At Well+Good, we’ve been talking about it since at least 2016.) But the phenomenon has roots in something bigger than just one election. “Our current culture is so focused on productivity that we over-schedule ourselves from the morning till the night,” explains Jessie Borelli, PhD, associate professor of psychological sciences at the University of California, Irvine. “If left to our own devices, we probably won’t just naturally build opportunities for enjoyment or pleasure into our daily lives.” So we create self care moments and calendar appointments to force us to do these necessary actions. “Emotional self care is key in my psychotherapy practice—acknowledging, labeling, and experiencing emotions is a big component to self care,” explains Julie de Azevedo Hanks, PhD, LCSW, therapist and author of The Burnout Cure and The Assertiveness Guide for Women. “It’s simply taking care of and attending to the different aspects of life—social, emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual,” she