August 12, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC I may have a consistent skin-care regimen now, but it’s taken years of trial, error, and hundreds of beauty products to get to this place. And lest we not forget: I’ve interviewed dozens upon dozens of the top estheticians in the world to get intel on what to do to my skin, and more importantly what not to do. Here’s the brief: Retinol is a must-have ingredient for pretty much everyone’s skin-care routine, add an acid toner to your routine (like, now), and applying hyaluronic acid to damp skin can make it work even better for you. As for the stuff to stop, well that will take a little more airing out. Here, I’ve rounded four pieces of advice to get your skin glowing. 1. Skin misdiagnosis People all think they know whether their skin is dry, oily, acne-prone, or—the most popular—sensitive. But if you’re not sure, you can be using an entirely wrong regimen. “The biggest issue I see is misdiagnosis—people think their skin is oily but their pores are just clogged, or they think their skin is sensitive but it’s actually dry and acting up because the skin barrier has been stripped,” says Angelina Umansky, facialist and founder of Spa Radiance. “By not analyzing your skin correctly, you end up treating it with the wrong products. When you’re sick, you go to a doctor for a diagnosis, so it’s best to leave your skin analysis to the estheticians and dermatologists.” ad_intervals[‘414334_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]
Tag: Well+Good
I finally found a strapless bra that doesn’t squeeze, pinch, or shimmy down my torso
August 12, 2019 at 09:34AM by CWC In the beyond-brilliant nature documentary series Planet Earth, narrator David Attenborough occasionally says something like, “We now witness a rare sighting of the mating rituals of the rainbow sea anemone.” Or, ya know, something along those lines. For a moment, I truly feel like I’m witnessing a miracle. Like the earth is a glorious place overrun by wonder. Perhaps that’s why, when I slipped on the first cozy strapless bra I’ve ever owned in my entire life, I could have sworn I heard Attenborough voice: “Rare indeed is a strapless bra that’s legitimately comfortable.” When the Chantelle Absolute Invisible Strapless Bra ($78) arrives at my desk, I’m already expecting failure. The vast majority of intimates marketed as “soft” and “plush” are hugely disappointing. The moment I run my fingers across the cups of the Absolute Invisible bra, I know it stands apart. Straight out of the packaging, the garment feels like the the treasured sweatshirt you’ve run through the wash a million times (although, it’s definitely not raggedy or faded). It’s the texture of a warm embrace. ad_intervals[‘414512_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414512_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); For the past month, the bra has been my sidekick on many tricky outfit mission, from rocking a spaghetti strap dresses to a rainbow of different color tanks. (And even a tube top!) To be clear, the bra still contains every boob duos’ nemesis—underwire. It’s redeemed by a fluffy layer of padding that
This $15 vitamin C serum sells every 4 minutes, so I tried it to see what all the fuss is about
August 12, 2019 at 07:50AM by CWC Beneath the foundation I’ve been dutifully applying for many years lies a map of my past: acne scars from the time before my college best friend told me she’d stop hanging out with me unless I went on Accutane (yes, I did regretfully go on Accutane, and no, the friendship did not make it very far into adulthood); sun spots from the carefree days of a childhood spent under the not-so-watchful eye of a hippie mother who did not “believe” in sunscreen; and now, wrinkles that even the foundation can not cover from lots of subsequent sun, so many smiles, and a smattering of super aggressive sobs. I don’t dislike this map; however, I’m not evolved enough to display it for all the world to see on a regular basis and yet I do dislike being enslaved by foundation. So, I’ve been working hard to even out my skin tone in pursuit of the glow-y complexion mere non-model mortals like myself find it difficult to achieve. This endeavor led me to a serum which, according to the brand that makes it, sells every four minutes on Amazon. InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum (currently on sale for $15) includes hero ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, and sea buckthorn oil, alongside its star component. It promises to brighten the skin (yes, please), lighten dark spots (good luck), and reduce the appearance of fine lines (okay, show-off!). ad_intervals[‘414309_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414309_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);});
7 distinct Greek words describe different kinds of love—which have you experienced?
August 12, 2019 at 07:46AM by CWC Consider the word “love” and the many contexts for which we use it: You can love your mom for always protecting you and being on your side. You can love your best friend for laughing with you and being the first to answer your texts. You can also love your romantic partner in a far more intense, intimate, and passionate way than your other relationships. Though all of these forms of love are driven by affection and attachment, they’re all distinct. And while we may be catching up just now, the ancient Greeks seemed to understand the concept well—in fact Greek words for love abound. There are seven words in the language that describe love in all its nuanced forms, rather than just applying one word to several contexts. Below, learn about all seven Greek words for love. With any luck, you’ll be able to experience each form in your lifetime—if you haven’t already. ad_intervals[‘414626_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414626_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Check the 7 Greek words for love—and identify which speaks to you most. 1. Eros: romantic, passionate love Eros is passion, lust, pleasure. It’s an appreciation for one’s physical being or beauty, and is driven by attraction and sexual longing. It describes desire and obsession and is most similar to what we think of as romantic, passionate love between life partners. At least in the earlier stages of courtship, when everything is crazy-hot and you can’t
The common reason your feet hurt from the second you wake up
August 12, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC There are those days where you start off on the wrong foot, then there are days where you literally start out with this horrible pain in your foot as soon as you step out of your bed—and it’s way worse. Because that’s called plantar fasciitis, and it’s a foot pain problem that’s the pits. “Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the fascia—AKA connective tissue—within the base of the foot becomes inflamed and often times uncomfortable,” says Jeff Brannigan, program director at New York’s Stretch*d. “Most noticeable in the morning, this makes it hard to take those first few steps out of bed due to a sharp painful sensation at the bottom of the foot.” My colleague’s been there (hi, Ali!) and says it’s absolutely awful. A major cause of the issue is from pronation issues: “Plantar fasciitis can occur with hyperpronation—especially if the foot remains pronated or rolled inwards at push off. This happens because the pronated foot stretches the plantar fascia both longitudinally and laterally, which leads to a connective tissue strain,” says Lara Heimann, physical therapist, yogi, and founder of Movement by Lara. So the condition is essentially a strain of the tissue in the bottom part of your foot. ad_intervals[‘401474_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401474_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Typically, you’ll also have less cushion: “People with hyperpronated feet also happen to have less bony stability in the foot, and weak intrinsic feet muscles, which usually absorbs
Checks+Balanced: How going back to school for a career shift affects a 29-year-old’s wellness budget
August 12, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Even in a world where questions about menstrual cups and the ins and outs of sex are completely (and blessedly) normal, somehow the ever-ubiquitous use of money remains a touchy subject for many. People want to live their healthiest life ever, but—#realtalk—it can add up. Have you ever wondered how your colleague who makes less than you do (or so you think) can afford to buy a $5 matcha and a $12 chopped salad every day? Or how your friend’s budget allows her to hit up $34 fitness classes three times a week? It’s enough to make anyone want to ask, “Ummm, excuse me. How do you afford that?!?” That’s where Well+Good’s monthly series Checks+Balanced comes in. By lifting the thick, tightly drawn curtain to expose how much women of varying income brackets spend on wellness, we’re spreading transparency and hopefully providing some inspo that’s possible to copy. Because no matter how much you make, it’s possible to cultivate healthy habits that work within your budget. ad_intervals[‘401626_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401626_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); This month, meet Madelana, a 29-year-old living in New Jersey who’s in the midst of a career change from media to becoming a chef. Scaling back her full-time client services job to part-time in order to attend culinary school led her to cut back on expenses, but living healthy remains a priority even while she’s budgeting for school. In fact, her whole Instagram account, @itscalledbalance, is devoted to her wellness philosophy. Keep reading to
Is it possible to socialize with just a few work friends without seeming cliquey?
August 12, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Having friends at work is good; cliques at work are bad. But when you’re only inviting a select few of your coworkers to grab a drink after you clock out, it can feel impossible to avoid a Mean Girls situation. In this week’s Good@Work column, career expert Amy Odell—whom you may know as the former editor of Cosmopolitan.com and founding blogger of New York magazine’s The Cut—explains how to keep your water cooler banter from making the office feel like the high school cafeteria. Question: Is it possible to go to lunch—or get drinks or do anything after work—with just one or two coworkers without coming across as cliquey? I often feel like kindergarten-birthday-party etiquette of “invite the whole class” applies, but in this case, doing so can make hanging out socially feel like a business meeting. ad_intervals[‘414612_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414612_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Answer: Jobs are hard. Jobs are emotionally taxing. This is why we need to make friends with colleagues, the people who understand the precise ways in which our souls are sucked from our hardening heart centers every time we step foot into the office and spend excruciating precious hours in meetings that could have been an email. (I know this sounds grim, but show me a person who has loved their job for four full years and I’ll show you a Whole Foods with soft toilet paper.) Going to drinks with work friends after
Here’s what a healthy, balanced plate looks like when you’re vegan
August 12, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC We called it: 2019 is truly the year of plant-based eating. The products have never been better, and given people’s growing awareness of the food industry’s outsized impact on climate change, many are finding that the time is right to make the switch (or gradually transition into) a vegan diet. However, the restrictions inherent to a vegan way of eating can make it daunting for some. “Veganism excludes all animal products—meat, dairy, eggs, fish, seafood and even honey,” says Seattle-based Ginger Hultin, RD, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But there are proven benefits, says Natalie Rizzo, MS, RD. “Vegan diets seem to offer protection for obesity, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and death by heart disease,” she says. To it off pull off in a healthy way, Rizzo says people need to be smart about eating a well-balanced diet filled with fruit, vegetables, beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. And it requires being smart about the right vegan macros intake to ensure you’re getting enough protein, iron, B vitamins, and good fats, which typically are more easily available in animal foods. ad_intervals[‘414205_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414205_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Not sure how to build that vegan plate? Here’s what a well-balanced meal looks like on a plant-based vegan diet that eliminates meat, dairy, and eggs. Photo: W+G Creative Start with at least half of a plate’s worth of veggies Obviously, a vegan diet involves a lot of
The 7-minute, plank-centric yoga flow will fire up every part of your core
August 12, 2019 at 02:01AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YInYh05-4tE] 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, Val Verdier is teaching us a yoga sequence that’s all about the core. When I think of yoga, I tend to think of it as an all-over workout—rather than a butt-sculpting, arm toning, or leg strengthening exercise specifically. Yoga pro Val Verdier, who’s our Trainer of the Month this August, has proved me wrong. This week? Verdier’s taking us through a core-activating yoga flow, and while it obviously works your entire body from head to toe, it gives your abs and obliques a little extra kick. “This is a little core sequence—it’s more about isolating the muscles so you can really feel engaged throughout the whole practice,” she says. “We’re not going to focus on repetition and all the sit-ups, but we’re going to engage [the core] the whole time and get the body moving.” You’ll definitely feel your abs quaking by the time you hit savasana. ad_intervals[‘414427_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414427_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Try this 7-minute yoga for core-focused flow, courtesy of Verdier 1. Bridge pose: Lie down onto your back, feet hip-distance apart and arms by your side. Reach for your heels to
3 ways to trick yourself into becoming a mindful snacker
August 11, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC Have you ever started a movie with an overflowing bowl of popcorn, then looked down just minutes later to see an empty bowl and tons of crumbs on your shirt? (Guilty.) Mindless snacking happens to the best of us, but the secret to overcoming it (and enjoying that popcorn instead of just shoveling it into your mouth) lies in identifying the motivation for your munchies. “Mindless snacking can be caused by boredom, loneliness, stress, or being unprepared for hunger (reaching for an option we don’t really want because it’s easy and there),” says nutritionist and food blogger Alexandra Dawson. “Mindful eating is awareness of how the food we choose to eat—how we eat, how much we eat, and why we feel like eating—affects our whole beings.” Who else can relate to the I’m-bored-so-I-guess-I’ll-eat mentality? The way to beat this mindset is… well, by doing the opposite of snacking mindlessly. “Mindful eating is awareness of how food—how we eat, how much we eat, and why we feel like eating—affects our whole beings,” Dawson adds. ad_intervals[‘408082_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408082_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Before you say ‘easier said than done,’ Dawson has some great tips on how to actually incorporate the practice into your daily relationship with food. Tip number one: Dawson keeps her pantry stocked with options that don’t require effort, but still leave her feeling satisfied, like JUSTIN’S® nut butters. “I love adding JUSTIN’S® Peanut Butter to smoothies