November 01, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC The search for a good hand cream is like the search for a lover (can’t even type that without smirking). It’s not always so easy to find one good enough to keep around. Hand creams are either too thick, or don’t absorb well enough. They can be too greasy and just feel like slime on your fingers (yuck). I guess in my case, finding the perfect hand cream is even harder than finding a boyfriend…because I’ve found the latter but not the former. What’s a gal to do? Call a dermatologist of course. “All hand creams seem great when you first put them on,” notes Gretchen Frieling, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “After one wash, or an hour or two, hands seem to revert back to their dry or scaly state, or some make your hands so greasy that buttoning your shirt in the morning or typing is an exercise in futility.” #Truth. Finding a feel-good, effective hand cream is all about knowing what key ingredients to look for. “When looking for a hand cream, look for glycolic acid to help prevent the loss of elasticity,” says Dr. Frieling. Also beneficial, according to her: vitamin C, vitamin B, peptides, shea butter, lanolin, and hyaluronic acid. “No single hand cream will have all of these ingredients, but try to find one that has at least three of these,” she says, noting that these all work to help prevent moisture loss and protect the skin so
Tag: Well+Good
The most unexpected, surprising quality of each Myers-Briggs personality type
November 01, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can be a great tool to help you understand yourself and others. That said, if you’ve ever poked around the internet, you’re probably aware of just how easy it is to pigeonhole the types, which can, in effect, hinder your deeper understanding of personality. (Meaning, just because someone’s an ISFP doesn’t mean she’s flighty. And just because he’s an ENFP doesn’t mean he’s an overly emotional human-interrogator). That’s because we’re all nuanced and have an array of personal qualities that make us who we are. So, while typing can be great for the purpose of helping you to understand someone’s behaviors and motivations, make sure you don’t fall into the trap of stereotyping that person based on their four-letter MBTI profile. Ready to flip some common misperceptions? Rounded up below is the most unexpected personal qualities of each type. (Don’t know what your MBTI is? Read this first!) Read on to learn the most surprising personal qualities common to each Myers-Briggs type. Graphic by Well+Good Creative ISFJ: fierce protectors ISFJs are commonly painted as soft-spoken and shy, but they have strong values and a very protective streak (so don’t press their buttons or hurt their loved ones). They won’t stand for anyone trying to do hard and are the first to jump in and offer comfort to someone in need. Having an ISFJ in your life means always having a fierce protector—even if they’ll happily let you speak for
7 waterproof fitness trackers so good you’ll be singing their praises (in the rain)
November 01, 2019 at 11:00AM by CWC I’ve dropped enough iPhones into water (read: the toilet) to know that H2O resistance is an incredibly important everyday feature of technology. Though they’re less likely to slip into the sewage system than your cell, water resistance is an especially important feature in wearable world, given the sweat one hopes to be drenched in. Most modern trackers meet this very requirement, offering a high resistance that is essentially billed as waterproofing despite there being (reasonable) limits to the amount of liquid they can take in. So while they won’t withstand a substantial submerging, they will allow you to track laps at your gym’s pool, sweat through a hot yoga session without fear of malfunction, and/or continue your outdoor training through rain, sleet, and snow this winter. Below, some of the best moisture-resistant fitness tracking tech on the market. Photo: Fitbit 1. Fitbit Versa 2, $200 Fitbit’s newest smartwatch is water resistant up to 50 meters, or five ATM, which is pretty much as good as it gets. In addition to its fitness—including swim—tracking abilities, the Versa 2 offers Fitbit’s excellent sleep tracking technology, 24/7 heart monitoring, and Alexa capabilities, among other features. You can also make use of Fitbit Premium, a monthly subscription service which ups the device’s fitness offerings by offering you personalized coaching and goal guidance. Photo: Fitbit 2. Fitbit Inspire HR Heart Rate and Fitness Tracker, $100 For those on more of a budget who still want
This type of exercise engages 86% of your muscles—here’s how to work it into your fitness routine
November 01, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC I always feel bad for the rowing machine. The treadmills are always packed, the ellipticals are never lonely, and the stair climber stopped counting flights. Yet the rowing ergometer always seems to collect dust. But that’s just because not everyone has experienced its true potential. In a study from the English Institute of Sport, researchers found that the rowing machine engages 86 percent of the muscles in your body—not just your legs, as many people believe. (Take that, treadmill.) Aside from toning your legs, arms, core, and more, it’s low-impact and great for all fitness levels. I mean, even astronauts are doing it; research has found that rowing for just 30 minutes a day is as effective as 90 minutes of cycling when it comes to keeping hearts healthy in space. And on Earth, incorporating the benefits of a rowing machine into your workout routine is easy. How to incorporate rowing into your workout routine 1. Do it as a warm-up If you like to get in a little cardio before your workout as a warm-up but don’t like the treadmill, hop on the rowing machine instead. Even five minutes will get your heart rate up. 2. Use it as your workout Instead of using the rowing machine as a warm-up, spend a little extra time on it to get in a full workout. Libby Peters, the former associate head coach of the University of Pennsylvania women’s rowing team, says you can get
Spaghetti squash is the high-fiber, nutrient-rich pasta alternative we deserve
November 01, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC There are few things as comforting as a big bowl of spaghetti with marinara sauce and meatballs. Traditional white wheat pasta, tasty as it is, isn’t necessarily the healthiest option, especially for gluten-intolerant folks. Enter spaghetti squash. It might not look super appealing on the outside, but on the inside, it transforms into thin strands that resemble—you guessed it—spaghetti. The winter vegetable is a trusted ally whenever you’re looking for a lower-carb, more nutrient-dense version of pasta. But as with any other trendy food, it’s easy to wonder if it’s truly healthy or just an overhyped ingredient (giving you some side-eye, activated charcoal). We tapped a few nutrition experts to find out the full deets. Spaghetti squash nutrition: Does it have any benefits? 1. It’s good for gut health Spaghetti squash is rich in fiber, offering up around two grams per cup—just under 10 percent of your daily recommended intake. And as you surely know at this point, fiber is crucial for digestive health. “Fiber acts as a prebiotic by feeding the good bacteria in your intestines which form a vital part of your digestive and immune systems,” says Lisa Richards, CNC, a nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet. “This fiber also improves digestion by moving slowly through your gastrointestinal tract and improving regularity.” Nutrition expert Cynthia Thurlow, NP, adds that, “A healthy gut promotes excellent immunity.” Looking for more foods good for gut health? Check out these dietitian-approved picks: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpAjl3cFn6A]
The ultimate tropical spirit animal is here—why toucan medicine will transform your gray days
October 31, 2019 at 11:15PM by CWC If you’re woo-woo-curious (and hey, there are a lot of us), you’ve probably heard this advice from an astrologer/shaman/life coach before: “It’s a good time to let go of things that no longer serve you.” Which, honestly, is really hard to do! When does all this work pay off? Right now, according to “RockStar Shaman” Alyson Charles, who predicts that in November you could even see “lifelong dreams actualizing and coming true.” Finally! Here’s what you need to know, plus the spirit animal to support you through it all. Wow, October was not playing when it came to excavating and clearing some of the most ancient aspects of ourselves that are no longer serving us—and opening up new space for new-paradigm energies to now enter in. There were a lot of great, deep changes and purging-type activities, along with themes of unshackling our hearts more, to experience greater love for ourselves and others. Very, very alchemizing and amplifying times for sure! As all these major shifts were happening, I was seeing something else as well: new golden energy grids, energy codes, and frequencies that are now making their way in. These will support us moving forward as we begin to truly live and be witness to huge outward changes for the good in our lives. Many who walk the spiritual path and do this brave inner work have been wondering lately—due to the sometimes-exhausting nature of clearing and going so deep—if it will
The one skin-care tool a dermatologist can’t live without (and the one to ditch ASAP)
October 31, 2019 at 11:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL4fkeHmC6c] From fancy lasers to injectables, dermatologists have no shortage of beauty tools in their offices (none of which should ever be used by an untrained hand, BTW). But when board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD gets home for the night, there’s one at-home device in particular that she can’t live without—and that you should be swearing by, too. In the latest episode of Dear Derm, Dr. Gohara calls out the microneedling device as her favorite at-home tool on the market. Her fandom comes thanks to the prickly roller’s effective, triple-whammy of skin-boosting benefits. Microneedling devices are teeny, tiny needles— don’t worry, they don’t hurt—that create microscopic puncture wounds in your skin, which kicks collagen production into gear, increases product absorption, and gets your blood pumping. The result of the whole process is a radiant complexion that products on their own just can’t compete with. Though they may sound fancy—and you certainly can drop a few hundred dollars on a top of the line one—you can grab a microneedler on Amazon for under $20, and it will do the job just fine. As for the tool that she’d ditch ASAP? While she sings the praises of gua sha to lift and sculpt the face and loves a bit of microcurrent here and there to de-puff and get the lymphatic drainage going, we were stunned to find out that Dr. Gohara could live without one of most common tools around. Wonder which one she’s talking about?
The most hydrating foundation money can buy, according to makeup artists
October 31, 2019 at 09:24PM by CWC To me, the thought of plastering goopy foundation onto dry skin evokes the same response as the thought of nails on a chalkboard. The resulting cakey-ness of slicking one dry thing against another is downright unappealing, and leaves behind a complexion that is the complete opposite of the natural, dewy radiance that I’m trying to achieve. In order to avoid all of that drama, it’s really necessary to find formulas that will work with your skin—to hydrate it—instead of drying it out even more. While the general rule is that cream and liquid formulas tend to be more hydrating than powder foundation, that doesn’t always hold true 100 percent of the time. “A liquid foundation could have drying alcohols that might dehydrate the skin more than a powder foundation with nourishing ingredients,” cautions makeup artist Jeannie Vincent. And while labels might tout words like “hydrating,” “nourishing,” and “moisturizing,” the real story, says Vincent, is in the ingredients. Look for formulas with ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, and good-for-skin oils like sweet almond and jojoba. Makeup artist Chauntal Lewis, from 901 Salon, adds that hyaluronic acid is the number one most hydrating ingredient to have in a foundation. If you’ve got a formula that you love but find a bit drying (or if it worked all summer and suddenly rebelled against you once cold weather came in), there are a few things you can do to amp up its hydration. First up, always
This $30 ‘desert sweatshirt’ is the only companion your leggings need now and forever
October 31, 2019 at 09:00PM by CWC As soon as the temperature drops below 60 degrees here in New York City, I commence a lifestyle I like to call “cocooning.” There’s really only one rule: I have to be cozy at least 98 percent of the time to protect my spirit from Jack Frost’s bitter grip. Needless to say that this involves purchasing many sweaters. On an impromptu trip to Aerie, I stumbled upon the Oversized Desert Sweatshirt ($31). And, well, its cotton material makes me feel like I’m wondering the Sahara on nippy days. The silhouette of the crew neck sweatshirt practically begs you wear it with your favorite black or printed leggings. It comes in sizes range of XXS to XXL, and falls just under the butt with slits that run up the right and left side for a fashion-forward accent. Because a Pantone closet is a happy closet, the garment comes in 12 different hues and patterns to support you on your cheetah print days, when you’re vibing gray, and every Big Mood in between. Personally, I’m a fan of wearing my cobalt blue desert sweatshirt atop my sports bra and leggings on my trek to hot yoga, then I’ll change back into it once I’ve showered. Add a scarf and some cute sneakers, and what you end up with is a lounge outfit going undercover as a majorly chic athleisure play. To dress it up, you could go up a size and wear it with tights
Opening a ‘Fun and BS’ bank account is the best thing you can do for your weekend plans
October 31, 2019 at 08:36PM by CWC Budgeting sounds a like a sexy, stressful way to cut yourself off from having fun, right? No matter how many apps you’ve downloaded in order to make it simple, it’s so easy to throw caution to the wind with your credit card. But we want to be financially confident and intelligent— honest! That’s why everyone was fully elephant eared at the latest Well+Good TALK on how to have a healthy relationship with money, especially when Paco de Leon, founder of The Hell Yeah Group, shared her easy budgeting tip to open a separate checking account for the frivolous but joyous spending in your life. To get a handle on your finances, de Leon suggesting breaking everything down into three categories: Bills and Life, Future and Goals, and Fun and Bullsh*t. “I literally have a debit card on me right now that’s linked to a ‘Fun and BS’ account. When somebody’s like, ‘Hey, do you want to go out and have pizza and tequila shots?’ I’m like, ‘Okay, let me check my allowance. No, no. You can come over though, because there’s no money,’” says de Leon. “This is what I do to protect myself from myself. And I recommend bifurcating your spending to all my friends.’” “This is what I do to protect myself from myself.” —Paco de Leon, founder of The Hell Yeah Group Even if spreadsheets make you want to climb up the wall, you can definitely figure out the sum of your bills with