June 30, 2019 at 04:02AM by CWC When you want to settle into a deep, rejuvenating slumber, you can reach for essential oils, some melatonin, or—quite possibly the easiest option—your trusty eye mask. Right after putting it on, you’re sent straight into relaxation-mode. But if you’re not cleaning it regularly, you’re not exactly going to get the beauty perks a good night of sleep promises. Now, let’s get one thing straight: Eye masks aren’t just a cutesy Breakfast at Tiffany’s-style accessory. They really do bring on the benefits. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the main perk of using them is that blocking out light triggers your body to produce more melatonin, making you feel extra sleepy. And because they offer total darkness, they help fight off the negative physiological and psychological effects of light, whether you live in a bright city or have a partner who reads with a bedside lamp into the wee hours of the morning. Past studies have found they can help give you more REM time, less arousal, and elevated melatonin levels, helping you pass out and stay out. ad_intervals[‘403593_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403593_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Unfortunately, wearing a sleep mask every night comes with one major downside. Since it rests on the sensitive skin of your face for hours on end, it can cause some skin irritation. Especially if it’s dirty. No matter which type of fabric you choose—whether that’s silk, cotton (the most breathable!), satin, or memory
Category: Relaxation
Hairstylists reveal how to get enviable beach waves, no matter your hair texture
June 29, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC There are certain beauty techniques that feel like they require a PhD to get right. Creating the perfect cat-eye flick, for one; applying red lipstick without getting it all over your teeth, for another. And my personal (least) favorite, curling your hair. No matter what type of hair you’ve got, creating the perfect “effortless” beach waves requires a deceptive amount of work. You need to have the right products, technique, and—let’s be honest— a little power from the universe on your side. But the good news is, it is possible to get the perfect beach waves of your California dreams… it just might take some work, and a whole lotta hair product. Read on for best practices, care of the pros. Understand what your texture means for your curl process First things first: Everyone’s hair reacts to a curling iron differently, and it all has to do with your history. “Virgin [un-dyed] hair can have a harder time curling and the temperature needs to adjusted based on how well the hair holds the curl,” explains Beachwaver founder Sarah Potempa. “Color-treated hair tends to be easier to curl, so you can start off with lower heat setting and adjust accordingly.” ad_intervals[‘402864_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402864_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Eugene Toye, senior celebrity hairstylist at Rita Hazan Salon, adds that the easiest type of hair to curl is that which has has a natural curl pattern and more moisture, while
Meet the 3-part Moroccan shower equation—aka the secret to your smoothest skin ever
June 28, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC I’ve always considered washing my body to be a fairly dull act. Lather, rinse, and…that’s it. It doesn’t even require a “repeat” step the way washing your hair does. But on a recent trip to Morocco with Around the World Beauty, I had the chance to visit a traditional Hammam, and my perception of what it means to take care of my body skin was forever changed. A quick history lesson on Hammams: The traditional baths have been an integral part of Moroccan culture for centuries, and date back to the Roman and Ottoman Empires. They began as public bathhouses where women could go to get professionally cleansed and scrubbed (keep in mind this was long before most people had baths or showers in their homes), and morphed into cultural epicenters—particularly for women. Moroccan women would go to the bathhouses to catch up and share ideas, and would leave with their skin feeling silky smooth. ad_intervals[‘394414_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘394414_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); While the cultural significance of the Hammam may have changed (case in point: you can now partake in the traditional treatments in private at luxury spas), the beauty practices have remained steadfastly the same. The treatment utilizes three ingredients indigenous to Morocco—black soap, Rhassoul clay, and argan oil—as well as a special type of exfoliating mitt to slough off every dead skin cell on your body. “The benefits of the hammam include cleansing and detoxification,
6 things a functional medicine doctor does every day to promote brain health
June 26, 2019 at 12:07PM by CWC When we talk about the concept of “health,” we sometimes forget that our brains are part of the holistic wellness equation. Ancient modalities like yoga and meditation call upon the power of the organ between our ears to change our perspectives, and by extension, our lives. And functional medicine doctor Mark Hyman, MD, has a few other ideas for keeping the lights on upstairs. “In order to keep up with my busy life, maintaining optimal health and an optimal brain becomes a top priority,” wrote the doctor in an Instagram caption. “When your brain is functioning well, you have more energy and life just gets better.” Can I get a praise hands emoji for that? Dr. Hyman shared the six daily well-being practices he uses to foster a healthy brain. Keep scrolling for a healthy brain checklist straight from a functional medicine doctor View this post on Instagram In order to keep up with my busy life, maintaining optimal health and an optimal brain becomes a top priority. When your brain is functioning well, you have more energy and life just gets better.⠀ ⠀ 1. Eat plenty of healthy fat. My brain worked pretty well before but embracing fat (even good saturated fats like coconut oil and MCT oil) pushed my mental clarity through the roof. ⠀ ⠀ 2. We need about 30 grams of protein per meal to build muscle. When you lose muscle, you age faster and your brain
The hardest jumping jack you will ever do involves a resistance band and *all* of your muscles
June 26, 2019 at 08:30AM by CWC I never, ever thought that jumping jacks—of all the fitness moves that exist—would be the hardest thing I’d ever do in a workout. Usually, they’re the innocent cardio burst you turn to mid-sweat sesh, or the thing you do as an active recovery… but this morning, I did a form of jumping jacks that fired up my body from head to toe and left me barely able to walk afterwards. Let me explain: I woke up early this AM to workout with celebrity trainer Don-A-Matrix, AKA the guy you’ve definitely seen on Keeping Up with the Kardashians making Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe sweat. I thought I knew what I was in for… but things quickly got revved up and my body somehow made it through a scorcher of a 45-minute workout. The said jumping jacks were not your everyday, hands clap over head, feet jump outwards kinda move. These suckers involved a resistance band with handles. You step your feet onto the band itself in the center on the floor, and take the handles with your hands. Then you jump into “jack,” by pushing your hands upwards and your legs outwards. It’s no joke. ad_intervals[‘403556_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403556_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Photo: Matt Watson/Moorehart Photography “Jumping jacks are a great way to activate several muscle groups when working out, and they’re perfect to use for warm-ups or in any sort of high-intensity workout,” says Don, who’s also trained professional athletes and
The 5-minute Ayurvedic shower ritual to do for better ZZZs
June 26, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC I’m willing to try pretty much anything to get some quality sleep (well, just short of plugging up my boyfriend’s snoring nostrils with some corks). I’ve ingested CBD oil to hit the hay harder, stuck a rose quartz underneath my pillow, and invested in black-out curtains, all in the name of slumber. And I’m willing to try more, because beauty sleep is really, really important to me. So when I heard that Abhyanga can influence your restful night in a positive way—along with beautifying your skin—my skin-care obsessed (and moisturized!!) ears perked up. Abhyanga is an ancient Ayurvedic technique that involves body oil and self massage. I had always imagined that it was a very extra ritual done in spas, but Shel Pink, beauty guru and founder of SpaRitual, says that’s not the case—you can DIY the whole thing in your own shower… and it’ll help you sleep better. “Abhyanga is a traditional massage technique from the Ayurvedic tradition that’s performed by either a trained massage therapist or you can do this massage daily as a self-massage,” Pink tells me. “This massage technique is excellent for overall health and wellbeing, helps to reduce anxiety and calm the nerves, improves and deepens sleep, helps increase circulation, improves mental alertness, nourishes the skin and tissues, and allows toxins to be released from the body. A healthy oil used in the massage lubricates the joints, tones skin, and makes it really soft and nourished.” Sounds like a
Want to feel stronger during workouts? A trainer shares her knockout tips
June 25, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC How frustrating is it to finally commit to a long-term relationship with working out (so dedicated you’re on a first name basis with all the trainers at your gym), but still feel like you’re at a fitness stand-still? Answer: very. The fitness plateau struggle is real, so to gain some intel on how to break through it, we tapped Ariane Hundt, fitness expert and clinical nutritionist, who has worked to develop plateau-busting workout plans that specifically cater to her always-evolving fitness goals. Her first bit of fitness wisdom? Less is more. “Too much of a good thing will backfire and you’ll compensate, not just with more carbs, but metabolically because the metabolism and thyroid smarten up in a matter of two weeks of being pushed,” Hundt says. ad_intervals[‘401407_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401407_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); In simpler terms, your metabolism will adjust to whatever you throw at it, so resorting to two-a-days in hopes of seeing continued results is probably not the way to go. Here’s what to try instead. Keep reading for 5 trainer-approved fitness tips that’ll take your workout routine to the next level. 1. Follow your interests While your best friend might be hitting up the local barre studio every morning and your Instagram is full of CrossFit queens, those workouts might not be for you—and that’s totally okay. “Too many women choose to push themselves into workouts that make them feel more exhausted or
The Caribbean island of Nevis celebrates its 44 varieties of mango with a fruity food festival
June 25, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC Mangoes have completely stolen my heart. They’re the perfect combination of sweet and juicy, and taste as good plain as mixed into a smoothies or sorbets. Basically, they’re a shining star of the produce aisle. I’ve been totally satisfied with the one type of mango my grocery store carries, but little did I know there’s a whole world of variety out there. And one tiny Caribbean island is home to 44 different types to choose from. The island Nevis has officially been moved to the top of my bucket list. Aside from blue skies, long empty beaches, rain forests, and all the relaxing vibes, we learned during a meeting with Park Hyatt St. Kitts—which is accessible via a quick ferry ride—that each of the island’s mangoes have a distinct flavor and texture. They also have their own names, including Amory Polly, Julie, and Graham. You can pick and eat them right off the tree. If that’s not heaven, I don’t know what is. ad_intervals[‘403541_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403541_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’);}); } }, 100); View this post on Instagram Tuesday’s Mood: 𝕄𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕠𝕖𝕤 How many can you eat in one sitting?😋😋🥭🥭🥭 #foodforkash A post shared by Kash | NYC & Beyondddd (@foodforkash) on May 28, 2019 at 5:33am PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js The wide variety of mangoes is such a big deal that it’s celebrated every year at the Nevis Mango & Food Festival when the mangoes are the ripest. So if you happen
How to actually have good posture when you’re zipping around on a bike this summer
June 25, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC I’ve recently morphed from a public transportation devotee into a bonafide bicyclist. If you’re walking around in the East Village, at any given moment, there’s a (very) high chance I’ll come close to running into you on a CitiBike. There’s also a pretty high chance that I’ll be riding around with a curved back, resembling the stoop kids in Hey! Arnold (seriously—Google that show and you’ll discover that everyone on it had horrible posture). My new hobby has quickly made me realize that it’s actually pretty of difficult to get comfortable on a bike—I’m always alternating between sitting up in an awkwardly too-straight manner and slouching like I’m driving a convertible in a music video. There’s really no in between, and I just know I’m messing with my spine. On a bicycle, you’re in a kind of weird position, so “shoulders back” and “chin up” and “stand up straight”—aka the commands that apply to proper posture everywhere else in your life—don’t really apply when you’re on a bike. “Because everyone’s built differently, what may work for one person may not work for someone else,” says Steven Struhl, MD, orthopedic surgeon. “But first and foremost, it’s important to try to remain as stress-free and relaxed as possible while cycling since it’ll keep you comfortable, increase efficiency, prevent injury, and promote easier breathing, among other benefits.” ad_intervals[‘403398_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403398_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); One thing you should do is
Never spend another vacation sick thanks to these 6 health-boosting lifestyle tips
June 24, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC You’re ready for the perfect getaway: You’ve booked your flight (and are prepared to snag a first-class upgrade on the cheap), secured your Airbnb, and you’ve even researched the running trails and fitness studios within walking distance of your stay. The only things separating you from the relaxing vacation of your dreams are…the heaps of work you still need to plow through, a yet-to-be-packed suitcase, and a schedule filled with all things social. Simply put, you’re busy AF. And then it happens. A day before your big getaway, you feel a scratch in your throat or maybe a little stuffiness. All that pre-trip hustle has left you worn down—or worse: You’ve caught a cold or the flu. Ugh, you think. Why now? Obvious alert: No one wants to start a vacation feeling less than 100 percent. Less obvious, though, is the idea that no one really has to. Below learn how to prevent getting sick with six tips you can put to use now. ad_intervals[‘391499_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘391499_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’);}); } }, 100); Learn how to prevent getting sick before a trip with the 6 tips below. 1. Respect your sleep before the trip While a primary goal of your getaway might be maximizing relaxation, that doesn’t mean you should wait till you check in at your destination to start catching up zzz’s. “Many people deprive themselves of sleep before a trip with the intention to catch up during