September 09, 2019 at 07:28PM by CWC Shortly after Sahra Sajasi met her boyfriend, they went to a festival together. Since getting separated from your date in a crowd is categorically the worst, the pair wisely decided to add each other on Find My Friends—a mobile tracker app that comes preloaded on iPhone—just in case. Fast forward two years, and they still haven’t turned it off. Now, Sajasi says they occasionally use Find My Friends to check in on each other’s location for practical reasons. “We’re long-distance—[he’s in] London and [I’m in] Los Angeles—and if he doesn’t let me know he got home safely after a night out with friends, I might go into the app and just check that he made it,” she says. “We’ve also used it to see how far away we are from each other when one of us is driving or using public transportation. It’s sometimes easier just to check the app instead of waiting for a reply… and it’s also exciting to see our little icons get closer to each other when we’re used to being 5,000-plus miles away.” Sajasi and her S.O. certainly aren’t the only couple who are tracking each other’s moves via GPS technology—chances are you know someone who does the same, even if they don’t talk about it. Valerie Beesley and her husband use Find My Friends to streamline school pick-ups and drop-offs for their son, while cutting down on incessant text volleys. “The app actually helps reduce messages about
Category: You and your body
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
Skin-care ampoules are like the harder-working sister of serums
September 09, 2019 at 06:06PM by CWC These days, beauty counters are piled high with stacks and stacks of the latest creams, serums, and SPFs that all promise to whisk skin concerns and prevent new ones from coming on. In no surprise to anyone, super-concentrated active ingredients are highly covetable, and that’s why ampoules, a Korean beauty staple, are now making their way to the United States. Ampoules are highly concentrated active serums that are specifically designed for one-time use. “The amount and container size are strategically for preserving the pureness of the product,” explains Julie E. Russak, MD, a New York City dermatologist. “There are no added fillers, the product often features one main star ingredient, and, because of the way it’s packaged—it’s usually for one single use—so it isn’t compromised by the effects of being exposed to the environment.” This is especially important for ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, which David Lortscher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and CEO of Curology, says are unstable and easily degrade when exposed to light and air. Howard Sobel, MD, a New York dermatologist adds that ampoules, such as Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Ampoules ($145) and Natura Bisse Diamond Instant Glow ($90), are of particularly high quality given not only their small, air-tight vials or capsules, but also the fact that they ensure that you’re applying the right amount of product to your face. What do ampoules do? Beyond the ingenious packaging, let’s talk about the benefits of actually adding them into
This $265 moisturizer is destined to be the next La Mer—and it’s worth every penny
September 09, 2019 at 04:07PM by CWC Every once in a while, a skin-care product comes along that completely changes the game. As of late, that product has been Augustinus Bader Cream ($265), a namesake moisturizer created by German professor Augustinus Bader, who reinterpreted his medical-grade, wound-healing hydrogel into a skin-care product for the masses…or at least for those willing to shell out upwards of two hundred bucks. At its advent, the hydrogel was created to help with burns and scarring; according to him, it greatly reduced the need for skin grafts and other scar revision therapies amongst patients. However, upon seeing how effective it was, Bader decided to use the cream to help with the skin’s four-week regeneration cycle. “It’s not about adding stem cells to the body or cultivating cells outside the body—it’s a totally innovative approach that works with the body’s own physiological communication systems to trigger healing for sustainable health and wellbeing,” explains Bader. Essentially, it stimulates your body to create its own new cells by giving it the building blocks of amino acids, vitamins, and nutrients in “the right location at the right time.” In addition to helping with scars, the technology can also be applied to other skin concerns, too, including acne and fine lines. “The formula was reported by clients to normalize oil secretion, while working to improve the appearance of dark spots that often remain after a breakout,” says Bader. “The creams were also reported to help to minimize the appearance of
How to make something less salty, because cooking fails happen to the best of us
September 09, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC I learned how to cook from my mom, which is to say I never formally learned at all. What I absorbed via osmosis involved a complete lack of any type of measuring device, meaning that I still tend to eyeball things. Where this becomes particularly problematic is in the salt department, as there’s something so satisfying in dumping artisanal pink Himalayan sea salt into a pot of fresh vegetables or pasta. Not so satisfying? The taste of overly salted food, which is *thumbs down emoji.* “Salt helps to bring out the natural flavors in food, but if you go overboard it can be jarring,” agrees celebrity chef and holistic nutritionist Shauna Faulisi. Once I’ve been liberal with the sodium chloride, I’ve always assumed it’s too late to salvage a palatable meal; however, kitchen experts tell me this isn’t true. “It happens to the best of us—that sprinkle of salt can sometimes turn into one too many,” says Faulisi. Thankfully with the right tricks up your sleeve, you can still salvage your dinner in no time. How to make something less salty, according to pro chefs There are a few ways to go about de-salting your dish. Faulisi says that generally speaking, the best thing to do is round out the flavors using fat. “Full-fat canned coconut milk is staple in my kitchen because it does wonders for flavor and for saving dishes,” Faulisi explains. “I love it because it’s not super heavy on
A psychologist’s take on why re-creating your first date feels like the epitome of romance
September 09, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC The basic anatomy of my first date in my most recent relationship includes two basic components: The dress (black lace, long-sleeved, scoop-necked) and the restaurant (Mediterranean, with an inexpensive wine list, mood lighting, and a location a block and a half from my apartment). The reason I remember these details so crisply? Because in times when many are left scratching their heads wondering how to spice up a relationship, my partner and I leaned on history by re-creating that very first date. And based on the fact that at least two of my co-workers have done the same for their respective anniversaries, I’m left believing this nostalgic, old-is-new practice of happy-memory re-creation is a promising one for preserving and also perpetuating some romantic intimacy. But, why do so many harvest nostalgia for milestones, be it that first-year anniversary, a proposal, or even a random Tuesday night? According to licensed clinical psychologist and relationship therapist Alexandra Solomon, PhD, the research of prolific relationship therapist John Gottman, PhD, of the Gottman Institute, is helpful for understanding why couples tend to glamorize their landmark memories. Dr. Gottman’s research on divorce points to happy couples deriving a sense of meaning through rituals of connection. Whether the couple realizes it or not, these traditions of sorts can help to strengthen a relationship because they can add in meaning or significance. “So that ritual—that kind of intentional marking of the passage of time—helps couples feel connected to each other
You don’t even need to stand up to do this full-body Pilates workout
September 09, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vyRsb0lRzg] Welcome to Trainer of the Month Club, our brand-new fitness series, where we tap the coolest, most in-the-know fitness leaders to create a month-long fitness challenge. On Mondays, we have our “sweat drops” where you’ll get access to the week’s workout that you can follow along at home. This week, Kimmy Kellum from East River Pilates is taking us through a full-body Pilates workout. Oftentimes, I’ll joke that I wish I could crawl through my workouts. But that doesn’t really work. The next best thing (besides seated yoga or exercising while lying down)? A Pilates workout that you can do on all fours. I’m not kidding. Our Trainer of the Month, Kimmy Kellum—fitness goddess and founder of East River Pilates—is here to prove that, to reap the perks of Pilates, you don’t even need to stand up. So you can do this week’s Pilates workout while staying on your hands and knees. That’s not to say it’s going to be easy, though. “What I love about this workout is that it is deceivingly difficult,” says Kellum. “It looks really simple, but it’s really hard if it’s done well.” Oh, and another thing? It’ll help you out if you deal with lower back pain on the reg (read: me). All it takes is 13 moves, about nine minutes, and you’re going to feel a true burn without ever having to be on your feet. Keep scrolling to try it for yourself. Try Kellum’s
Here’s why the phrase ‘mutable square’ is on all your astro-savvy friends’ lips right now
September 09, 2019 at 02:33AM by CWC Last week, I broke down the influence of Pluto and Saturn’s proximity to one another in Capricorn. Given the fact that both Pluto and Saturn make a trine to the sun, Mercury, Mars, and Venus this month, it’s essential to know how to leverage this opportunity to stabilize your momentum as you continue to move in the direction of your dreams. Doing so will help you make the most of this year’s Virgo season. Yet, this month brings another defining astrological event of 2019: the mutable square between Neptune and Jupiter. We experienced this square throughout the year; however, it perfected on January 13, 2019, June 16, 2019, and will for the third time, again, on September 21, 2019. We feel it building now. Everything you need to know about this week’s mutable square Neptune in Pisces—a transit that spans from Neptune’s initial entrance into Pisces in April of 2011 until it reaches Aries in March of 2025—brings with it an expanded focus on spiritual development. While traveling in its domain, Neptune beckons the exploration of what it means to be emotionally healthy and spiritually aligned, and in sync with your creative expression and intuitive prowess. This month brings another defining astrological event of 2019: the mutable square between Neptune and Jupiter. Jupiter, on the other hand, is a much quicker-moving planet. Jupiter has traveled in Sagittarius (a sign it also rules) since November 8, 2018. It will continue to travel in the
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
15 gifts for every plant lover in your life, from your work wife to your woo-woo BFF
September 09, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC We all know someone who’s, like, the ultimate plant lady. Her home features gorgeous greenery in every room. Her desk at work has the cutest mini succulent next to her monitor. When other people whip out their phones showing people pictures of their kids or cats, she shares shots of the magical greenhouse she visited upstate filled with exotic snake plants and fiddle-leaf figs. Hunting for the perfect gift for a bonafide plant lady can be tricky. The last thing she needs is more flora or fauna. Fortunately, there’s still tons of botanical-themed presents beyond the obvious potted succulent from Whole Foods. Rounded up here are 15 picks for plant people of all types. Keep reading to find one that will make her heart bloom. Scroll down for 15 fun gifts for plant lovers. Photo: Seeutek 1. For the person who takes succulents in like stray cats: Seeutek plant stack rack, $37.95 So many succulents, nowhere to put them. It’s a conundrum many a plant lady has found herself facing. Instead of giving her one more plant baby to mother, give them a podium to stand upon, with this handy-yet-chic plant stack rack. Photo: The Sill 2. For the person who loves surprises: The Sill plant subscription, $35 Getting a new plant every month will give your plant-loving friend something to continuously look forward to. Choose between a subscription of plants for beginners, pet-friendly plants, or low-light plants. They can be shipped anywhere