Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
dimanche 26 mars 2017
Sephora Will Be Offering Free Makeup Classes to People Living With Cancer
Sephora just announced that it would be adding an empowering and free beauty class exclusively for people living with cancer. The class is titled Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer and will join the retailer's Classes For Confidence program.
According to a press release, each 90-minute class will offer personalized skin care tips, makeup how-tos, and possible solutions to any beauty-related problems students may have stemming from their battle with cancer. Students will learn a variety of skills to apply masterful eye makeup, achieve natural-looking brows, and more. Each student will also receive their unique Color IQ to learn which products work best for their complexion. While putting together this curriculum, Sephora sought the advice of its employees who also have cancer.
Not only that, but Sephora employees nationwide will also be wearing a lavender lapel pin as a gesture of solidarity, given that lavender is the color used to symbolize awareness for all cancers.
In a statement, Sephora's Senior Director of Social Impact and Sustainability Corrie Conrad spoke about the brand's goal for the class. "We are harnessing the fun upbeat environment of our stores and attention of our experts, to create a safe place for participants to learn and play with beauty, ask questions, and connect with others going through a similar situation."
Going forward, the larger Classes For Confidence program will work with different nonprofit organizations to help support its many shoppers. Another class is aimed at helping women with workforce reentry and will give students the tips they need to create everyday looks for work.
Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer will be available in 50 locations starting April 9. Click here to locate available classes near you.
Torch 300 Calories in 30 Minutes With This Cardio Boot Camp
Maximize your sweat session by mixing cardio with strength training. This combo burns calories while building metabolism-boosting muscle, and we call that a winning combo. Try this tried-and-true workout for yourself with this 30-minute cardio boot camp. We offer modifications for every move, so no matter your fitness level, we've got you covered. Grab a towel and a set of medium weights, and get at it.
Let This Dance Video to Bruno Mars's "That's What I Like" Wash Over You Like Silk
Bruno Mars is great and all (OK, fine, he's the best), but these dancers are really giving him a run for his money. Since we can't get enough of people effortlessly moving to our favorite songs, including Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" and Alessia Cara and Zedd's "Stay," this video of dancers rocking out to Bruno's "That's What I Like" is just what the doctor ordered. The whole thing is smooth, pretty sexual, and just downright impressive. And if this isn't enough to satisfy your Bruno craving, another group of dancers equally crushed their choreography to the hit song. Lucky for us, that's what we like.
Torch 300 Calories in 30 Minutes With This Cardio Boot Camp
Maximize your sweat session by mixing cardio with strength training. This combo burns calories while building metabolism-boosting muscle, and we call that a winning combo. Try this tried-and-true workout for yourself with this 30-minute cardio boot camp. We offer modifications for every move, so no matter your fitness level, we've got you covered. Grab a towel and a set of medium weights, and get at it.
Princess Beatrice of York Hangs With Kate Middleton, but Her Style's on Another Level
You might have heard Princess Beatrice's name with ties to Uber executive Dave Clark. The longtime couple made headlines recently with news of their split, but we're here to prove the Royal Highness of York can hold her own. Not only does the princess regularly attend family events alongside her younger sister, Eugenie; her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II; and Kate Middleton, but she also participates in charity work and is developing a career in business.
From a fashion perspective, Beatrice is a natural. Her wardrobe consists of key pieces that turn heads on the red carpet, at fashion shows, and on the street, but it's the way she wears them that counts. While the princess favors Peter Pan collars, avant-garde fascinators, and all sorts of embellishments, every outfit includes an element of surprise. Read on for 73 lessons you can learn just by studying her style.
Let This Dance Video to Bruno Mars's "That's What I Like" Wash Over You Like Silk
Bruno Mars is great and all (OK, fine, he's the best), but these dancers are really giving him a run for his money. Since we can't get enough of people effortlessly moving to our favorite songs, including Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" and Alessia Cara and Zedd's "Stay," this video of dancers rocking out to Bruno's "That's What I Like" is just what the doctor ordered. The whole thing is smooth, pretty sexual, and just downright impressive. And if this isn't enough to satisfy your Bruno craving, another group of dancers equally crushed their choreography to the hit song. Lucky for us, that's what we like.
These Are the 20 Buzziest Beauty Launches For March 2017
On Monday March 20, you can ditch your heavy overnight creams and vampy lipsticks for some lighter beauty choices. The start of Spring and the month of March means it's time to clean out your vanity to get organized for new goods. We combed through all of the hottest new launches to share the makeup, skin, and hair products we're most excited about. Expect an SPF body mousse, a mascara that looks like a gorgeous jewelry box, and the ultimate holographic highlighter palette.
'Dr. Fraud' gets a lot of job offers, and songs to save a life to
Second Opinion is a vital dose of the week's news in health and medicine from reporter Kelly Crowe and CBC Health.
'Dr. Fraud' gets a lot of job offers, and songs to save a life to
Second Opinion is a vital dose of the week's news in health and medicine from reporter Kelly Crowe and CBC Health.
The Embarrassing Side Effect of Peeps Oreos
Dear people of the internet,
We're genuinely sorry for what we're about to report. We don't WANT to cover this, but so many have discussed this issue that it must be addressed.
Peeps Oreos, pictured above, are seemingly innocent. Artificial, yes, but pretty tasty - we gave them a fair review! But some people are claiming there's an unpleasant (and rather embarrassing) side effect: Peeps Oreos are turning their poop pink.
I KNOW.
So gross, and how does that even happen? Well, for starters, let's discuss another claim people are making: that the Oreos turn your saliva pink, too. As people who have in fact eaten a couple of the cookies, we can vouch for this. Eating the bright-pink frosting does indeed coat your tongue in a vibrant pink hue. Now, to achieve pink poop, you'd have to eat nearly an entire package, right? It seems the people whose bowel experiences have turned to the dark (pink) side did actually eat a whole package.
My roommate ate a whole pack of oreo Peeps and left a pink stain in the toilet.
- ElleLeven (@Barbeydahl) February 23, 2017
Guys. I ate a whole package of Peep Oreos today...and my poop is pink.
- Zach Moree (@zach_moree) March 1, 2017
Consider yourself warned. Eat Peeps Oreos at your own risk, and if you can't stop at just two Oreos, may we suggest turning to regular Oreos instead?
Sincerely,
A fellow Oreo enthusiast looking out for your health
The Touching Cartier Connection Between Princess Diana, Prince William, and Kate Middleton
Along with a laid-back lifestyle and charitable spirit, one of the things Princess Diana passed down to her son Prince William was a love for fine jewelry - especially beautiful Cartier watches. After her divorce from Prince Charles, Diana was frequently photographed wearing a gold Cartier Tank Francaise, a gift from her father, John Spencer. She bought William a similar timepiece from the famed French label, which she had engraved for one of his birthdays. After her death in August 1997, William chose to keep Diana's Cartier Tank as a memento - and in 2014, he gifted Kate Middleton with the Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch for their third wedding anniversary.
Not only was the watch on its own a beautiful way to connect his beloved mother and new wife, but William also went a step further by embedding a sapphire stone into the stainless-steel style to match Kate's engagement ring - which also belonged to Diana. William presented Kate with the Ballon Bleu de Cartier just before they embarked on their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014, and she wore it nearly every day that they were there.
The Touching Cartier Connection Between Princess Diana, Prince William, and Kate Middleton
Along with a laid-back lifestyle and charitable spirit, one of the things Princess Diana passed down to her son Prince William was a love for fine jewelry - especially beautiful Cartier watches. After her divorce from Prince Charles, Diana was frequently photographed wearing a gold Cartier Tank Francaise, a gift from her father, John Spencer. She bought William a similar timepiece from the famed French label, which she had engraved for one of his birthdays. After her death in August 1997, William chose to keep Diana's Cartier Tank as a memento - and in 2014, he gifted Kate Middleton with the Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch for their third wedding anniversary.
Not only was the watch on its own a beautiful way to connect his beloved mother and new wife, but William also went a step further by embedding a sapphire stone into the stainless-steel style to match Kate's engagement ring - which also belonged to Diana. William presented Kate with the Ballon Bleu de Cartier just before they embarked on their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014, and she wore it nearly every day that they were there.
These Illustrations of Disney Princesses Going to the Doctor Without Obamacare Are Too Real
Belle, Ariel, and Elena of Avalor are all dealing with the effects of a world without Obamacare in these illustrations created by a duo of creative Latinas, illustrator Maritza Lugo and writer Danielle Sepulveres.
With the fate of the Affordable Care Act (popularly known as Obamacare) still up in the air, Maritza and Danielle decided to use everyone's favorite princesses to show off the devastating implications that the repeal will have for millions of Americans - specifically women.
"At the end of 2015, I contacted Maritza and asked if she'd be interested in drawing re-imagined Disney princesses to bring awareness for cervical cancer awareness month," Danielle told us via email. "This year, we decided to revamp that project and brainstormed how we could be most effective in showing the consequences of the repeal of ACA, looming ominously over essential healthcare for women." The results: Pocahontas being denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition, Belle having to pay for a new birth control prescription, and Elena facing protestors outside of Planned Parenthood. Scroll ahead to see the poignant illustrations and read what Maritza said about each of them on Instagram.
If You Have a Toddler, These Are the 10 Commandments of Food That You Must Follow
Image Source: Flickr user David Goehring
Food - perhaps one of the touchiest subjects to the parent of a toddler. One day you kid loves all of the foods, one day they hate certain-shaped foods, and other days they just can't get on board with their plate color, which means the entire meal is ruined. It's an ongoing battle trying to get a toddler to eat regardless of whether they're picky or not - it's just one of those things . . . it's like they make their own rules.
Read through for the food rules - or ten commandments of food, if you will - according to a toddler.
- Thou shalt not cut my sandwich into triangles preemptively, even though that's how I always like it. You never know when I'm going to go rogue and want squares.
- Thou shalt not dare poke the straw into my juice box. If you do this, I will ask you to get me a fresh one so that I can do it myself, spill it everywhere, and cry about it.
- Thou shalt not let anything green touch my other food. I will make you cook me a new meal, and I will throw the green things onto the floor.
- Thou shalt not judge my food pairings, no matter how conventionally gross they are. If I want to dip my grapes in mustard, no sensible type of rationalization is going to change my mind. (And I will not tell you that you were right when I then spit the grapes out all over the clean kitchen floor.)
- Thou shalt provide me with a snack no matter what time it is, when I've last eaten, or where in the world we are. If you do not have the exact snack that I ask for, when I ask for it, there will be hell to pay in the form of a blood-curdling scream and an on-the-floor, limbs-flying tantrum.
- Thou shalt not attempt to hide vegetables inside bites of my macaroni and cheese. I will notice, and I will develop trust issues, thus refusing to eat another bite of anything you prepare for me.
- Thou shalt not develop a false sense of security by believing I'll continue to eat my favorite food from day to day. If today's the day I hate pizza - the meal I ate my tiny body's weight in last night - deal with it.
- Thou shalt not assume that just because I ask for my milk in the red cup, that I really mean the red cup. I might actually want it in the green cup, but I'm not actually paying attention to you. Basically, read my mind.
- Thou shalt accept the fact that if I see something slightly different from usual (read: wrong) with my food - i.e. a burnt corner of my grilled cheese - that the whole meal is ruined. There's no coming back from something like that.
- Thou shalt adhere to the binding contract set forward from my birth that any food that sits upon your plate actually belongs to me in every way, shape, and form. Even if it's the exact same meal. Oh, and it doesn't work the other way around, either - my plate is mine, too.
May the odds be ever in your favor (but probably not).
Image Source: Lionsgate
The Best Designer Brands to Shop For on eBay
Frequent eBay users know you can buy and sell almost anything online. But fashion girls are concerned with one topic: designer goods. The e-commerce site offers a range of new and vintage luxury items from bags to clothes and more accessories.
We discovered a system for scouting out the best pieces. It mainly involves doing your research on the jacket or handbag you seek and stalking your item on eBay for the best quality and price before closing the deal.
To help you even further, we narrowed down the designer brands you should actually pay attention to and suggested the right pieces to shop for. Hopefully, this handy guide will make your next eBay hunt even easier.
These Are the 10 Hottest Hollywood Rainbow Hair Hues, According to Stylists
In 2017, rocking pastel pink or cobalt blue hair is fairly normal - dare we say, basic! To stay ahead of your trendiest friends, we've talked to celebrity hairstylists to get the insider scoop on what will be the hottest technicolor hues for Spring and Summer 2017. From peach sorbet to violet to denim, the world is your colorful oyster. Keep reading to learn tips for choosing the perfect shade for your complexion, as well as how to ask for it once you're sitting in that salon chair.
Princess Belle's New Outfit Comes With a Modern Piece of Jewelry
For Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast movie, costume designer Jacqueline Durran modernized Belle's iconic yellow gown to feel and look lighter. In her reimagining of the look, Jacqueline got rid of the corset to match the princess's active and individualistic personality. In addition, Jacqueline gave Belle an accessory that totally piqued our interest. While we spotted it early on, now we know the truth; it's an ear cuff.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jacqueline explained the addition of the ear cuff, which resembles a vine, as well as Belle's tree-inspired necklace:
"The thought process behind those were that everything that is worn in the castle is created in the castle, so it has to sort of partake in the magic enchantment of the castle itself. It was trying to capture this organic sense of that and the way the castle moves and evolves."
Though it's subtle, the ear cuff is also meant to resemble the dilapidated look of the castle itself. Jacqueline said, "In the production design, the stairs are twisted and in some places they're broken or still moving. We would be trying to mirror that sort of idea in these two pieces of jewelry."
In case you weren't able to spot the cuff throughout the movie or in the official poster, see it more closely below, then check out all of Emma Waston's red carpet appearances during the press tour.
How 1 Woman Stopped Yo-Yo Dieting and Lost 115 Pounds
After years of yo-yo dieting, Ashley German was tired of feeling like her weight was something she couldn't control. But it took a trip to the emergency room and a number on the hospital scale for her to decide to make a change. Now, she's lost 115 pounds, enjoys creating healthy recipes, and doesn't count calories. "My entire life has changed for the better, and I cannot imagine where I would be today had I not made up my mind to get healthy," she tells us. Read on to find out how Ashley changed her habits and dropped over 100 pounds!
Ashley: Before
POPSUGAR Fitness: What made you decide to start?
Ashley German: My entire life, I have struggled with not only my weight, but being in denial. I never wanted to believe that I was "one of those girls," the obese one, but I was. I would lose a little bit of weight, and then gain it all back plus some, over and over. It was an endless ride I desperately wanted help getting off of. I could never be happy in my skin or happy about the way I looked. This impacted everything about me, my attitude, the way I dressed and carried myself, the friends I had, the opportunities I didn't take, etc.
During one of my low-weight periods when I was a bit happier with the way I looked, I met a guy (now my amazing husband) and started our relationship! The happier I got, the more the weight continued to pack on. I knew my weight was out of control, but once again, it's like being on this never-ending ride with absolutely no off switch.
I played naïve and I played the victim. "Oh, I carry my weight well" or "I just have bad genetics" were common thoughts that were completely fabricated to make myself feel better. It wasn't until an accidental fall down some stairs, a hurt ankle, and a trip to the ER that I realized I needed to get my weight truly under control! At the emergency room, I hopped on the scale (which terrified me) as a nurse requested. It wasn't until I saw him hold up his hand and sign 2-5-5 to the other nurse that I realized what I weighed. I can't even express how devastating it was to realize I had let myself go to that point. Everything else in my life was under control, I was dating an awesome guy, I was about to graduate college, and here I was over 100 pounds overweight.
Ashley: Before
PS: What's your favorite way to work out?
AG: I've tried just about every type of workout! I love CrossFit, but after moving I am no longer a member of a CrossFit gym. My husband and I use our backyard, weights, cones, and other objects to do our own version of CrossFit a few times a week! Keeping things interesting is important!
PS: What's your weekly exercise schedule?
AG: Now that I've shed 115 pounds, my weekly exercise schedule has changed a bit. I try to work out five days a week even though it used to be seven. I try to make it to the gym on the days that I can; if schedules prevent that, we do CrossFit, go running, take the dog on the walk, go on bike rides, etc. Whatever we can do to get even minimal exercise in is crucial to stay dedicated. A crappy workout is better than no workout in my opinion.
PS: How do you keep workouts exciting?
AG: My key to keeping workouts exciting is trying new things and doing different activities. One day I may run, the next hike, the next lift weights. I also love working out with people! I like working out with my husband or if I have family or friends in town I will suggest something active.
Ashley: After
PS: How much weight have you lost?
AG: 115 pounds.
PS: What was the first big difference, other than the number on the scale, that really made you feel proud and excited?
AG: Getting stronger psychically was a huge accomplishment for me. I had never run a mile in my life so the first time I ran a mile straight through was the absolute best feeling in the world. To this day, my first 5K was one of the happiest days of my life. Seeing my body change and dropping jean sizes was also a huge thing for me!
PS: How do you track your weight loss?
AG: I am at my goal weight now so I rely less on the scale. Most people think weighing yourself every day is not a good thing, but for me it was a way to stay motivated and to avoid cheating. There were certainly weeks I didn't lose anything, however just seeing the consistency in my weight helped motivate me! I also used apps such as MyFitnessPal to track my weight and daily calories.
PS: What's a typical day of meals and snacks?
AG: One of the hardest aspects of weight loss for me was eating breakfast, but throughout time I realized how crucial it was to my overall goal! When I was trying to lose 115 pounds my diet looked different than it does now. I definitely watch what I eat and always go for nutritional options, but I can change things up for frequently now that I don't have to be as strict.
A typical day of meals looks like:
- Breakfast: one of the following: a mini bagel or oatmeal (sometimes if I am in a hurry I will grab a protein shake or protein bar and try to always keep these items around for backup).
- Midmorning snack: apple or almonds.
- Lunch: chicken and steamed veggies or a turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread with side of hummus and carrots, sometimes a salad. It really depends on what I'm in the mood for.
- Afternoon snack: Cow Pals cheese slice (less than 100 calories).
- Dinner: My favorite meal of the day, and it always differs. My husband and I try to take really unhealthy recipes and make them clean. Throughout this we have discovered some of the best foods ever! We make the most amazing chicken alfredo that is almost 100-percent clean by using spaghetti squash in lieu of noodles and creating our own healthy sauce. This is one of our favorite things to do together, and it keeps my meals fun and exciting! Getting bored with food causes me to cheat more frequently! I frequently post our recipes on my blog.
Ashley: After
PS: What's the range of calories you eat per day?
AG: I don't track every calorie I eat anymore. When I was losing, I would eat around 1200-1500 per day, and I try to maintain that even now. I have figured my body out, and I don't feel the need to count every single calorie anymore.
PS: What are the healthy staples that are always in your fridge?
AG: My husband and I grocery shop every weekend. We buy all fresh foods, so we find it necessary to frequent the grocery store. We make out a meal plan for every night of the week and do not stray from our grocery list very frequently. The healthy staples we always buy are organic chicken, turkey meat, spaghetti squash, broccoli, asparagus (my absolute fave), butternut squash, fresh garlic (makes every dish better), avocados, bananas, apples, and whatever other fruit I'm craving that week!
PS: How do you strategize for meals out?
AG: I used to stress myself out about meals out to the point it was completely miserable! However now, I try to live by the 80/20 rule. I eat clean 80 percent of the time and the other 20 percent I cut myself a little bit of slack. That does not mean that I go out and consume 18 cheeseburgers, 10 fries, a milkshake, etc. I still attempt to be healthy when we eat out, but I do so by applying the 80/20 rule. If I really want something, I don't get it right away. If it's a craving that keeps coming back over and over, I'll indulge, get it out of my system and move on! An example for how I strategize when eating out is chicken fajitas. I love fajitas, and I will order them without tortillas or sides therefore I only eat the chicken meat and veggies!
Do you have an inspiring Before & After story to share? Message us on Facebook and give us a few details of your journey. We might even profile you, like Ashley, on the site!
How 1 Woman Stopped Yo-Yo Dieting and Lost 115 Pounds
After years of yo-yo dieting, Ashley German was tired of feeling like her weight was something she couldn't control. But it took a trip to the emergency room and a number on the hospital scale for her to decide to make a change. Now, she's lost 115 pounds, enjoys creating healthy recipes, and doesn't count calories. "My entire life has changed for the better, and I cannot imagine where I would be today had I not made up my mind to get healthy," she tells us. Read on to find out how Ashley changed her habits and dropped over 100 pounds!
Ashley: Before
POPSUGAR Fitness: What made you decide to start?
Ashley German: My entire life, I have struggled with not only my weight, but being in denial. I never wanted to believe that I was "one of those girls," the obese one, but I was. I would lose a little bit of weight, and then gain it all back plus some, over and over. It was an endless ride I desperately wanted help getting off of. I could never be happy in my skin or happy about the way I looked. This impacted everything about me, my attitude, the way I dressed and carried myself, the friends I had, the opportunities I didn't take, etc.
During one of my low-weight periods when I was a bit happier with the way I looked, I met a guy (now my amazing husband) and started our relationship! The happier I got, the more the weight continued to pack on. I knew my weight was out of control, but once again, it's like being on this never-ending ride with absolutely no off switch.
I played naïve and I played the victim. "Oh, I carry my weight well" or "I just have bad genetics" were common thoughts that were completely fabricated to make myself feel better. It wasn't until an accidental fall down some stairs, a hurt ankle, and a trip to the ER that I realized I needed to get my weight truly under control! At the emergency room, I hopped on the scale (which terrified me) as a nurse requested. It wasn't until I saw him hold up his hand and sign 2-5-5 to the other nurse that I realized what I weighed. I can't even express how devastating it was to realize I had let myself go to that point. Everything else in my life was under control, I was dating an awesome guy, I was about to graduate college, and here I was over 100 pounds overweight.
Ashley: Before
PS: What's your favorite way to work out?
AG: I've tried just about every type of workout! I love CrossFit, but after moving I am no longer a member of a CrossFit gym. My husband and I use our backyard, weights, cones, and other objects to do our own version of CrossFit a few times a week! Keeping things interesting is important!
PS: What's your weekly exercise schedule?
AG: Now that I've shed 115 pounds, my weekly exercise schedule has changed a bit. I try to work out five days a week even though it used to be seven. I try to make it to the gym on the days that I can; if schedules prevent that, we do CrossFit, go running, take the dog on the walk, go on bike rides, etc. Whatever we can do to get even minimal exercise in is crucial to stay dedicated. A crappy workout is better than no workout in my opinion.
PS: How do you keep workouts exciting?
AG: My key to keeping workouts exciting is trying new things and doing different activities. One day I may run, the next hike, the next lift weights. I also love working out with people! I like working out with my husband or if I have family or friends in town I will suggest something active.
Ashley: After
PS: How much weight have you lost?
AG: 115 pounds.
PS: What was the first big difference, other than the number on the scale, that really made you feel proud and excited?
AG: Getting stronger psychically was a huge accomplishment for me. I had never run a mile in my life so the first time I ran a mile straight through was the absolute best feeling in the world. To this day, my first 5K was one of the happiest days of my life. Seeing my body change and dropping jean sizes was also a huge thing for me!
PS: How do you track your weight loss?
AG: I am at my goal weight now so I rely less on the scale. Most people think weighing yourself every day is not a good thing, but for me it was a way to stay motivated and to avoid cheating. There were certainly weeks I didn't lose anything, however just seeing the consistency in my weight helped motivate me! I also used apps such as MyFitnessPal to track my weight and daily calories.
PS: What's a typical day of meals and snacks?
AG: One of the hardest aspects of weight loss for me was eating breakfast, but throughout time I realized how crucial it was to my overall goal! When I was trying to lose 115 pounds my diet looked different than it does now. I definitely watch what I eat and always go for nutritional options, but I can change things up for frequently now that I don't have to be as strict.
A typical day of meals looks like:
- Breakfast: one of the following: a mini bagel or oatmeal (sometimes if I am in a hurry I will grab a protein shake or protein bar and try to always keep these items around for backup).
- Midmorning snack: apple or almonds.
- Lunch: chicken and steamed veggies or a turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread with side of hummus and carrots, sometimes a salad. It really depends on what I'm in the mood for.
- Afternoon snack: Cow Pals cheese slice (less than 100 calories).
- Dinner: My favorite meal of the day, and it always differs. My husband and I try to take really unhealthy recipes and make them clean. Throughout this we have discovered some of the best foods ever! We make the most amazing chicken alfredo that is almost 100-percent clean by using spaghetti squash in lieu of noodles and creating our own healthy sauce. This is one of our favorite things to do together, and it keeps my meals fun and exciting! Getting bored with food causes me to cheat more frequently! I frequently post our recipes on my blog.
Ashley: After
PS: What's the range of calories you eat per day?
AG: I don't track every calorie I eat anymore. When I was losing, I would eat around 1200-1500 per day, and I try to maintain that even now. I have figured my body out, and I don't feel the need to count every single calorie anymore.
PS: What are the healthy staples that are always in your fridge?
AG: My husband and I grocery shop every weekend. We buy all fresh foods, so we find it necessary to frequent the grocery store. We make out a meal plan for every night of the week and do not stray from our grocery list very frequently. The healthy staples we always buy are organic chicken, turkey meat, spaghetti squash, broccoli, asparagus (my absolute fave), butternut squash, fresh garlic (makes every dish better), avocados, bananas, apples, and whatever other fruit I'm craving that week!
PS: How do you strategize for meals out?
AG: I used to stress myself out about meals out to the point it was completely miserable! However now, I try to live by the 80/20 rule. I eat clean 80 percent of the time and the other 20 percent I cut myself a little bit of slack. That does not mean that I go out and consume 18 cheeseburgers, 10 fries, a milkshake, etc. I still attempt to be healthy when we eat out, but I do so by applying the 80/20 rule. If I really want something, I don't get it right away. If it's a craving that keeps coming back over and over, I'll indulge, get it out of my system and move on! An example for how I strategize when eating out is chicken fajitas. I love fajitas, and I will order them without tortillas or sides therefore I only eat the chicken meat and veggies!
Do you have an inspiring Before & After story to share? Message us on Facebook and give us a few details of your journey. We might even profile you, like Ashley, on the site!
A Full Rundown of Nicole Richie's Not-So-Simple Dating History
Nicole Richie is undeniably a different person than she was 10 years ago, but despite a few bumps in the road, the fashion icon has managed to come out on top. The 35-year-old House of Harlow designer is happily married to Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden, and the two are parents to 9-year-old daughter Harlow and 7-year-old son Sparrow. But before the couple wed in a magical Winter wedding, Nicole had her sights set on a few other stars. Keep reading to see them all now.
A Full Rundown of Nicole Richie's Not-So-Simple Dating History
Nicole Richie is undeniably a different person than she was 10 years ago, but despite a few bumps in the road, the fashion icon has managed to come out on top. The 35-year-old House of Harlow designer is happily married to Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden, and the two are parents to 9-year-old daughter Harlow and 7-year-old son Sparrow. But before the couple wed in a magical Winter wedding, Nicole had her sights set on a few other stars. Keep reading to see them all now.
14 Spring Essentials Every Minimalist Needs in Her Wardrobe
People often get this wrong, but being a minimalist doesn't mean you've got boring taste in fashion. It just means you're a fan of clean, structured looks that require little to no fuss at all. The quote "less is more" is probably your style motto when you're choosing your outfit in the morning. A simple white button-down and a delicate gold chain are more your speed than a bold printed blouse paired with an extravagant necklace. It's true: sometimes you can make more of a statement without any extra bells or whistles.
Whether you're a minimalist through and through or you're looking for a couple of key pieces to appease that side of your personality, here are the 14 Spring essentials you need in your closet.
16 Fierce Zumba-Inspired Workouts on YouTube That You Can (and Should) Do at Home
Love to Zumba? Good news: you don't need a gym membership or a Groupon to get in on the hip-shaking (and calorie-burning!) fun. Plenty of certified Zumba instructors actually upload their choreography to YouTube for anyone to follow along. The obvious downside is not having anyone there to point out your mistakes, but if you have two left feet, you might just view that as a positive.
Either way, trying out a new workout is a great way to jumpstart your healthy 2017 goals! Keep scrolling to follow along as these professionals demonstrate superhot routines set to some of your favorite Latin songs. Then, turn up our extra-motivating playlist.
- Additional reporting by Alessandra Foresto
You'll Love These Classic Girl Names From the 1910s
Looking for a classic girl's name? Historical data from the Social Security Administration is the place to look. The agency has collected the most popular baby names for more than a century. And the top names from the 1910s include beautiful and traditional names, many that don't get much love today. That means the list is filled with familiar ideas that aren't quite overused. To inspire you, here are the top 100 girl names, in order of popularity.
- Mary
- Helen
- Dorothy
- Margaret
- Ruth
- Mildred
- Anna
- Elizabeth
- Frances
- Virginia
- Marie
- Evelyn
- Alice
- Florence
- Lillian
- Rose
- Irene
- Louise
- Edna
- Catherine
- Gladys
- Ethel
- Josephine
- Ruby
- Martha
- Grace
- Hazel
- Thelma
- Lucille
- Edith
- Eleanor
- Doris
- Annie
- Pauline
- Gertrude
- Esther
- Betty
- Beatrice
- Marjorie
- Clara
- Emma
- Bernice
- Bertha
- Ann
- Jean
- Elsie
- Julia
- Agnes
- Lois
- Sarah
- Marion
- Katherine
- Eva
- Ida
- Bessie
- Pearl
- Anne
- Viola
- Myrtle
- Nellie
- Mabel
- Laura
- Kathryn
- Stella
- Vera
- Willie
- Jessie
- Jane
- Alma
- Minnie
- Sylvia
- Ella
- Lillie
- Rita
- Leona
- Barbara
- Vivian
- Lena
- Violet
- Lucy
- Jennie
- Genevieve
- Marguerite
- Charlotte
- Mattie
- Marian
- Blanche
- Mae
- Ellen
- Wilma
- Juanita
- Opal
- June
- Geraldine
- Beulah
- Velma
- Theresa
- Carrie
- Phyllis
- Maxine
8 Toxic Ingredients You Should Never Use in Your Skin Care Routine
Last month, I had the opportunity to visit Tata Harper's farm in Vermont, and it blew my mind. It should not have been so shocking. I've been a fan of her natural-ingredient, eco-friendly skin care and makeup line for years. It's ideal for my sensitive skin, and everything smells deliciously botanical with milky, silky textures. But actually seeing the farm-to-vanity process of these products made me realize: they are the real deal.
These are not products that claim to have organic ingredients but are still packed with "processed" stuff. In fact, most Tata Harper formulas have the shelf life of just a few months. She pointed out: why would you want to put something on your face with enough preservatives to make it last for years? Gross. (I immediately went home after the trip and threw away a ton of expired formulas.)
"I started Tata Harper Skincare after my stepfather was diagnosed with cancer," she told me via email. "Through all of the doctor's appointments I learned so much about lifestyle and how little decisions affect health and wellbeing. That's when I started really researching ingredients, and discovered that a lot of the ingredients with the most potential health risks aren't even there to give results; they're just fillers like preservatives, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and thickeners designed to keep the formula stable and give the product its texture. I only use natural ingredients because I believe that no woman should have to compromise her health for her beauty, especially if those ingredients aren't even making her beautiful!"
The more I learned about natural ingredients, the more I only wanted to use them. Every time I wash my face with Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser, I envision the apricot seed powder exfoliating my skin and the French pink clay detoxifying it. Or when I nourish my face with the Rejuvenating Serum, I know rosehip seed oil is rejuvenating my under-eye area, while Spanish lavender extract is relaxing fine lines.
If you are eager to get informed about the harmful ingredients in your skin care products, as well as natural ones to look for instead, keep reading. Tata Harper herself breaks down what to ditch, what to use, and why.
13 Sweet, Heartbreaking Things William and Harry Have Said About Princess Diana
Princess Diana and Harry with William on his first day at Eton in September 1995.
It's been nearly 20 years since Princess Diana's tragic death, and the anniversary has brought a renewed interest in her extraordinary (and sometimes scandalous) life as a royal. When Diana passed away in a car accident in August 1997, she left behind her two sons, William and Harry, who were 15 and 12, respectively, at the time. The princes have begun opening up about their mother's death in recent years and have admitted that it took time for them to feel comfortable talking about the huge loss. William told a young boy at a charity event that he was "very angry" about Diana's death and "found it very difficult to talk about."
In addition to speaking about their mother in interviews, William and Harry have taken on a number of her charities and both consider her legacy as one of the driving forces behind their philanthropic efforts. Recently, William bonded with young children who have lost their own parents, telling a little girl, "I lost my mummy when I was young, too. It's very important to talk about it." He and Harry are also erecting a memorial statue in the public gardens of Kensington Palace this year to commemorate her death and her positive impact in the UK and around the world. See more of the sweet, heartbreaking things that Harry and William have said about their late mum.
William and Harry at their mother's funeral in September 1997.
Prince William
- "Time makes it easier. I still miss my mother every day - and it's 20 years after she died."
- "Twenty-one years ago, my mother attended the launch of the Child Bereavement charity. Fifteen years later, I was honored to be invited to become patron of Child Bereavement UK to continue my mother's commitment to a charity which is very dear to me. What my mother recognized back then, and what I understand now, is that grief is the most painful experience that any child or parent can endure."
- "I never realized quite how much of an impact she had. I applaud her for all her dedication and drive, and I think the infectious enthusiasm and all the energy she had really rubbed off on me for causes such as [AIDS research in Africa]."
- "Initially, there is a sense of profound shock and disbelief that this could ever happen to you. Real grief often does not hit home until much later. For many it is a grief never entirely lost. Life is altered as you know it, and not a day goes past without you thinking about the one you have lost. I know that over time it is possible to learn to live with what has happened and, with the passing of years, to retain or rediscover cherished memories."
- "Losing a close family member is one of the hardest experiences that anyone can ever endure. Never being able to say the word 'Mummy' again in your life sounds like a small thing. I too have felt - and still feel - the emptiness on such a day as Mother's Day."
Prince Harry
- "I never really dealt with what had actually happened. So there was a lot of buried emotion, and I still didn't even want to think about it."
- "I really regret not talking about it. It is OK to suffer, but as long as you talk about it. It is not a weakness. Weakness is having a problem and not recognizing it and not solving that problem."
- "It's a huge shame she's not here. But I hope she'd be incredibly proud of what we managed to achieve."
- "I first came [to Africa] in 1997, straight after my mum died. My dad told my brother and me to pack our bags - we were going to Africa to get away from it all."
- "We will do everything we can to make sure she's never forgotten, and carry on all of the special gifts and such that she had and that she portrayed when she was alive. I hope that a lot of my mother's talents are shown in the work that I do."
- "I hope she's looking down [at our family] with tears in her eyes being incredibly proud of what we've established. I'm sure she's longing for me to have kids so she can be a grandmother again . . . but I hope that everything we do privately and officially, that it makes her proud."
- "Losing your mother at such a young age does end up shaping your life massively, of course it does. And now I find myself trying to be there and give advice to other people who are in similar positions."
- "Every day, depending on what I'm doing, I wonder what it would be like if she was here, and what she would say, and how she would be making everybody else laugh. Who knows what the situation would be, what the world would be like, if she were still around."
13 Sweet, Heartbreaking Things William and Harry Have Said About Princess Diana
Princess Diana and Harry with William on his first day at Eton in September 1995.
It's been nearly 20 years since Princess Diana's tragic death, and the anniversary has brought a renewed interest in her extraordinary (and sometimes scandalous) life as a royal. When Diana passed away in a car accident in August 1997, she left behind her two sons, William and Harry, who were 15 and 12, respectively, at the time. The princes have begun opening up about their mother's death in recent years and have admitted that it took time for them to feel comfortable talking about the huge loss. William told a young boy at a charity event that he was "very angry" about Diana's death and "found it very difficult to talk about."
In addition to speaking about their mother in interviews, William and Harry have taken on a number of her charities and both consider her legacy as one of the driving forces behind their philanthropic efforts. Recently, William bonded with young children who have lost their own parents, telling a little girl, "I lost my mummy when I was young, too. It's very important to talk about it." He and Harry are also erecting a memorial statue in the public gardens of Kensington Palace this year to commemorate her death and her positive impact in the UK and around the world. See more of the sweet, heartbreaking things that Harry and William have said about their late mum.
William and Harry at their mother's funeral in September 1997.
Prince William
- "Time makes it easier. I still miss my mother every day - and it's 20 years after she died."
- "Twenty-one years ago, my mother attended the launch of the Child Bereavement charity. Fifteen years later, I was honored to be invited to become patron of Child Bereavement UK to continue my mother's commitment to a charity which is very dear to me. What my mother recognized back then, and what I understand now, is that grief is the most painful experience that any child or parent can endure."
- "I never realized quite how much of an impact she had. I applaud her for all her dedication and drive, and I think the infectious enthusiasm and all the energy she had really rubbed off on me for causes such as [AIDS research in Africa]."
- "Initially, there is a sense of profound shock and disbelief that this could ever happen to you. Real grief often does not hit home until much later. For many it is a grief never entirely lost. Life is altered as you know it, and not a day goes past without you thinking about the one you have lost. I know that over time it is possible to learn to live with what has happened and, with the passing of years, to retain or rediscover cherished memories."
- "Losing a close family member is one of the hardest experiences that anyone can ever endure. Never being able to say the word 'Mummy' again in your life sounds like a small thing. I too have felt - and still feel - the emptiness on such a day as Mother's Day."
Prince Harry
- "I never really dealt with what had actually happened. So there was a lot of buried emotion, and I still didn't even want to think about it."
- "I really regret not talking about it. It is OK to suffer, but as long as you talk about it. It is not a weakness. Weakness is having a problem and not recognizing it and not solving that problem."
- "It's a huge shame she's not here. But I hope she'd be incredibly proud of what we managed to achieve."
- "I first came [to Africa] in 1997, straight after my mum died. My dad told my brother and me to pack our bags - we were going to Africa to get away from it all."
- "We will do everything we can to make sure she's never forgotten, and carry on all of the special gifts and such that she had and that she portrayed when she was alive. I hope that a lot of my mother's talents are shown in the work that I do."
- "I hope she's looking down [at our family] with tears in her eyes being incredibly proud of what we've established. I'm sure she's longing for me to have kids so she can be a grandmother again . . . but I hope that everything we do privately and officially, that it makes her proud."
- "Losing your mother at such a young age does end up shaping your life massively, of course it does. And now I find myself trying to be there and give advice to other people who are in similar positions."
- "Every day, depending on what I'm doing, I wonder what it would be like if she was here, and what she would say, and how she would be making everybody else laugh. Who knows what the situation would be, what the world would be like, if she were still around."
10 Fiery Shades of Red to Dye Your Hair For Summer 2017
If you've been toying with the idea of casting your hair a new shade of ruby, you're exactly where you need to be. For the DL on all things red, we hit up several celebrity colorists to help you determine your perfect shade. From sun-kissed apricot to rich bordeaux, we've got the scoop on the trendiest reds for Spring and Summer, how to make it work for your strands, and advice on choosing the right red for your skin tone. Keep reading! Jessica Rabbit, here you become.
I Stopped Shaving My Arms After Nearly a Decade, and Here's What Happened
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Glen Giffen
I've never liked arm hair. I don't know a lot of women who do feel strong positive feelings toward the peach fuzz on their arms, but I especially despised mine. It's not that it was dark or thick even - it just seemed . . . noticeable. When I looked at the arms of my peers, it appeared normal, not at all like guys would see it and think you were a large chimpanzee. Mine, on the other hand, seemed like translucent, caramel-colored sleeves.
It never actually occurred to me to do anything about it until I got to college. While routinely analyzing a fellow student's arms, I realized that she had no hair - like absolutely not even a wisp. It was shocking to me; what was her secret? She happily told me that she shaves her arms, and I was aghast. This is an option? It's a thing people do? The answer is yes, and though she warned me that she wished she had never started, I promptly shaved my arms in the dorm showers later that day. I was so impressed by my silky-smooth skin that I made my roommate stroke my arms. I proudly sported tank tops, free of the worry that someone may be as disgusted by my arm hair as I was. I was hooked.
Related: I Am a Woman, and I Shave My Face
The first thing you should know about shaving your arms is that it's a commitment. For the next several years, it became habitual. I shaved them more often than I shaved my legs. After all, if someone brushes against your unshaved legs, it's pretty normal. If someone accidentally touches your prickly arms, well, that's pretty weird. You also have to be very prudent about moisturizing. You'll find that if you don't shave them, wearing long-sleeved shirts can be a very itchy affair. You'll find that your concern over people noticing your unusually hairy arms may be replaced by anxiety that they'll notice your strangely hairless arms.
Image Source: Universal Pictures
Around year five, I started wondering if I would shave my arms for the rest of my life. Growing out the hair seemed like an uncomfortable process, but what would happen when I had kids and I didn't have an extra five minutes in the shower to spend on superficial primping? What would I do then? I decided to get a jump on it.
Related: Lasering Off My Mustache Was Worth Every Penny
I stopped shaving my arms two months ago, nine years after I started. While it was nerve-racking, it was also unexpectedly freeing. My showers felt shorter; it was really just one less thing to do. I stared at my arms intently each day, waiting for my hair to return to the way it used to be, but here's the weird part: it didn't. I can't say for sure if it's my body that changed or my perspective, but my arm hair is shockingly normal. It's not longer or the freakish coat of fur that I remember. It's just plain-old arm hair. Not only do I not regret quitting shaving, I'm so, so happy I did.
The bottom line is that no woman (or man) should feel weird about their arm hair. But if you do and you're considering shaving your arms, take this experience into consideration before you take the plunge.
This post was originally published on March 22, 2016.
How Did Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Meet? They Were Dating Other People
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are one of country's most iconic couples, so it's pretty fitting that their love story started at a musical festival. The two first met at the New Faces Show in Nashville sometime in late 1994. Faith had just divorced Daniel Hill and Tim was dating Kristine Donahue. Even though their interaction backstage was brief, they got to know each other a little better when they went on a joint tour in the Spring of 1996, fittingly titled Spontaneous Combustion.
While Tim was newly single after calling off his engagement to Kristine, Faith was engaged to record producer Scott Hendricks. After singing together every night on stage, however, they just couldn't deny the sparks between them. One night after a show, Tim invited her into his dressing room and they shared their first kiss. Shortly after, Faith called off her engagement and the two began dating. By the end of the year, they were married and expecting their first child. Fast-forward 20 years and the country couple is still going strong with three beautiful daughters.
You'll Love Seeing Princess Diana and Kate Middleton With Their Kids, Side by Side
Though Princess Diana died tragically in August 1997, her spirit lives on through her two sons, Princes William and Harry. In addition to carrying on her legacy with their philanthropic efforts - Harry has said that his late mother is the "motivation" for his charity work - William is already keeping many of Diana's parenting traditions alive with his own children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Most recently, during William and Kate Middleton's royal tour of Canada, we saw the couple engaging with their little ones in ways that would make Diana so proud. Scroll through to see photos of William and Harry with their mom as kids along with William and Kate's cutest moments with Charlotte and George.
50+ Tiny Crown Tattoos That Will Make You Feel Like a Damn Princess
If you're still waiting for your grandma to tell you that you're the princess of Genovia, we're right there with you. Your princess personality is anything but teeny tiny, but these dainty crown tattoos are the perfect way to make sure everyone you meet knows that you are royalty. From minimal line work to lifelike detail, there's a little something for every aspiring princess. So, adjust your tiara and read on to find some inspo for your next ink.
Please Stop Asking For Organic and Gluten-Free Makeup
First of all, before you get angry about your celiac disease and tell me about all of the horrible things that happen to you due to your gluten sensitivity, let's get something straight. Unless you intend to drink your foundation, you do not have to worry. Gluten that is found in makeup is usually used as a binder, and it is used in trace amounts. That fact coupled with the fact that you are not ingesting the gluten means that you are safe.
Many of you will argue with me, I know. To be sure, I spoke to a representative from Beyond Celiac, an organization dedicated to helping people navigate their life with celiac disease and/or gluten sensitivities.
The expert told me that "current research indicates that gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin. People with celiac disease need to be careful with cosmetics that may be accidentally ingested, such as lipstick or if they have open skin legions. If a person with celiac disease develops a skin reaction to a product, it is likely due to a separate, unrelated reaction to an ingredient in the product."
This was music to my ears and it should be to yours, too! One less thing to worry about.
Now on to the whole organic obsession everyone has. I am not quite sure what people are trying to prove by switching over to organic makeup and skin care. As a makeup artist at a beauty counter, I get a lot of requests for natural products. And if one more person - who is wearing leather boots and drinking a Diet Coke out of a styrofoam cup from McDonalds - asks me for organic makeup, I am going to scream.
I really want to know what you hope to achieve by this new mission besides not looking as gorgeous as modern technology would allow you to. All I know is, since this craze began, women's skin has never been drier. Somewhere along the way, people started spreading a rumor that you can just throw away your Chanel Sublimage Night Cream and replace it with coconut oil.
Coconut oil is not a night cream. Sorry.
The person who started this rumor was very misinformed. Now we are all misinformed, and our skin feels and looks like sandpaper. (Well, some of us. These are just my opinions and observations.)
I know that you all watched an episode of Dr. Oz about parabens and chemicals, and now you are determined to only use organic products. But there are some things to consider about this decision. The wearability of most organic makeups isn't great. You might find that the makeup doesn't sit well on your skin, doesn't last through the day, smudges off around your eyes, and doesn't last long in your drawer. This is the trade-off when you rid yourself of modern technology.
I, personally, am not a fan of much in the organic makeup department. The thought of wearing makeup made out of beets and almond oil doesn't appeal to me. I am far too vain for that. I need my makeup to be its best and I need it to last the day, because I don't want to reapply.
I am confused by those of you who choose to wear natural makeup - with mascara made from wheat-grass and coal running down your face - all in the name of being "organic." I know there are several convincing reasons for your choice. Apparently, some of the ingredients used in nonorganic makeup are hurting the rainforests. I am sorry to say, I am not going to walk around looking bad for the rainforests, sorry.
Another concern is that many brands of makeup utilize animal-testing to achieve their perfect formulas. This, I can understand, may be disturbing to consumers.
Also, a few years back, the news alerted us that parabens, used as preservatives in makeup and skin care, were found to be "endocrine-disruptors" that could cause hormone-driven cancers in women.
So - paraben-free makeup that 500 bunnies didn't die for and is made up of mostly natural ingredients - makes sense. Yet we have to choose wisely and not get too carried away. We have a lot to worry about as we are inundated with news articles and social media posts denouncing chemicals and parabens and talc. We want to look beautiful, and yet we don't want to die. It's a real dilemma.
I have found a few great products that are cruelty-free, paraben-free, and made from mostly natural ingredients that actually work! We can use some of these products and feel like we are doing our part for the rainforests, the lab rats, and ourselves.
Maybe we won't be dedicating ourselves to a life of organic hemp and charcoal makeup, but we can sleep soundly at night knowing that we are wearing some pretty safe stuff.
Here are my top five picks:
- Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream ($45)
Years ago, Jennifer Aniston announced that she was using this cream and we all scrambled to find it. She was the first celebrity that I can recall who was using organic skin care. Well before it was cool and well before Goop was telling us to live a "clean" life, Dr. Hauschka created this luxurious cream using rose oil and shea butter to hydrate, strengthen, and soothe the skin. - Shea Moisture African Black Soap ($4)
This is an amazing product for a mere $4! I recently discovered this little gem and now my entire family - who are riddled with acne, eczema, and other weird skin ailments - claim to no be able to live without it. It says right on the label that it will help calm and clear "problem skin." It is for face and body and it is completely certified organic. - Too Faced Hangover Primer ($32)
This makeup primer is vegan and cruelty- and paraben-free. It is infused with coconut water and probiotics - two ingredients that "organic people" love! The formula will hydrate the skin while simultaneously smoothing and priming the skin for makeup. - IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Compact ($38)
This is brand-spanking-new and it is absolutely groundbreaking. This is the first-ever solid serum foundation that is also infused with antiaging skin care ingredients. The coverage is superb, and it protects the skin with SPF 50+ physical sunscreen. The formula will hydrate, make the skin look radiant, and reduce the look of pores and fine lines. It Cosmetics is paraben-free, cruelty-free, and infused with natural ingredients - so it is a win-win! - Chantecaille 3 Mermaid Eye Matte ($95)
OK, this is everything you could ever want in a "feel-good" product. These three eye shadows are gorgeous, water-resistant, and crease-proof. Not only are they cruelty-free - they feature endangered animals like elephants, bees, and lions. Five percent of the proceeds are donated across the three African-based charities supporting the featured animals! Wear these shadows and know that you are looking like a bombshell while simultaneously saving the world.
At the end of the day, we have to find a way to look like Gwyneth Paltrow, not kill animals or rainforests, and not ingest or absorb harmful chemicals and ingredients. It's a hard battle to win. Use these products, and it's a solid start.
I Tried 13 Mascaras to See Which One Works Best on Asian Lashes
When a quick Google search informed me that CoverGirl's Lashblast Length mascara had been discontinued (#RIP), I was devastated. Like most Asian women, I have naturally thin and short lashes, and that particular CoverGirl formula was the most effective at making them seem longer and fuller. An eyelash-extension expert once told me my lashes were about 8mm long (less than an inch!), and since then I have vowed to have lashes 10mm or longer. But getting lash extensions every two weeks for the rest of my life wasn't really practical.
The next best solution: finding a new mascara I can be 100 percent committed to. I sourced friends, co-workers, and the internet to research which mascaras work best, specifically for Asian lashes. I was on the hunt for a mascara that would deliver both volume and length in one easy-to-use tube, and I realized: isn't that what most people want? Just more so if you have fine eyelashes. After trying 13 different mascaras, I can safely say I found some formulas that make saying goodbye to my old CoverGirl standby a lot easier.
How Did Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Meet? They Were Dating Other People
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are one of country's most iconic couples, so it's pretty fitting that their love story started at a musical festival. The two first met at the New Faces Show in Nashville sometime in late 1994. Faith had just divorced Daniel Hill and Tim was dating Kristine Donahue. Even though their interaction backstage was brief, they got to know each other a little better when they went on a joint tour in the Spring of 1996, fittingly titled Spontaneous Combustion.
While Tim was newly single after calling off his engagement to Kristine, Faith was engaged to record producer Scott Hendricks. After singing together every night on stage, however, they just couldn't deny the sparks between them. One night after a show, Tim invited her into his dressing room and they shared their first kiss. Shortly after, Faith called off her engagement and the two began dating. By the end of the year, they were married and expecting their first child. Fast-forward 20 years and the country couple is still going strong with three beautiful daughters.
The Devastation of Having a Miscarriage While Your Friend Has a Baby
The grief of a miscarriage is immense on its own, but alongside a best friend's healthy pregnancy, it can make such a loss that much more difficult. Our friends at YourTango share the personal essay of a woman's experience with miscarriage and friendship.
There are some things that are just more fun when you have your best friend around. Dancing? Better with your friend. Binge-watching Gilmore Girls? Also more fun when you have someone next to you to ask why Lorelai and Luke don't just chill and admit they love each other.
Best friends also make life-changing events easier to handle. So when my best friend and I were pregnant at the same time, I was beyond excited. I envisioned we would share countless laughs trying to figure out how to stuff our growing bellies into clearly wrong-sized maternity clothes options.
We'd get together and eat the weirdest food combos we could think of and there was no doubt we would eventually become tired-as-hell parents together. It was perfect and it made transitioning to being a parent less scary.
One morning, while I was trying to pull my too-tight jeans up, I started cramping. I called my friend who told me she was feeling the same thing: weird cramps that felt exactly like the few days before your period comes. Totally normal, we concluded.
But when I started bleeding and the cramps got so bad that I couldn't stand, I knew what was happening: I had a miscarriage. And I was devastated.
I didn't realize a pregnancy that was only a handful of weeks in could cause so much pain and sadness when it was taken away. I was mourning the loss of what could've been and grieving took a lot out of me.
Everything changed from there.
Instead of leaning on my best friend, telling her right away what happened so we could sit together and eat ice cream, I ignored her calls. I didn't want to break her "innocent pregnant" bubble because just a few days prior, I, too ,was blissfully unaware of how quickly it could all be taken away.
I didn't want my sadness to make her fear her pregnancy. I didn't know how to be happy for her and mourn for me at the same time.
I was thankful she wasn't going through what I was but truth be told, I was also angry and jealous.
When you have a miscarriage it can be hard not to focus on the "What did I do?" or "Why did this happen to me?" questions that bounce through your head. I wanted to be pregnant for a long time; I tried for for months . . . while my friend was surprised by her pregnancy test results.
It got awkward.
Instead of my friend and I talking on the phone about the weird fruit our unborn child resembled that week, we danced around the updates. She didn't want to hurt me and I didn't communicate my feelings very well with her.
She tried to support me the best she could but it was complicated. We were supposed to be mothers together. Instead, I watched from the sidelines as she grew, felt those kicks, and eventually welcomed her gorgeous child into the world.
Our friendship took a hit.
It was neither of our faults, just a chapter in our lives that no handbook covered. She had a baby and I had a miscarriage, and now that years have gone by, I see her daughter growing up and wonder what could've been.
It took a while to get back on track after that. I had to allow my heart the space to grieve and not project that emotion onto her or her daughter, who was the same age my child would have been. I felt guilty that my feelings and pain overshadowed her very happy pregnancy and I assume she also felt some anger toward me as well, though she never made outwardly expressed it.
When I met her daughter a month after she was born, my friend was patient, kind and welcomed me with open arms. Holding her perfect child in my arms healed a piece of me that was aching to be the mother I wanted to be. I didn't expect that to happen but it was exactly what I needed.
I went on to have more children and more miscarriages and each time my patient friend held my hand, knowing exactly what I needed. Watching her daughter grow up no longer hits me hard in the heart. Instead, I'm thankful I can see the magic in her eyes as she experiences the world and get to know another beautiful soul.
I realize now how important it is to communicate your emotional needs with your friends and when it comes to miscarriage and grief, those emotions can be complicated and messy, but caring for your heart is an important and necessary step.
Over the years, I've had time to reflect on this challenging period of life and it's made me appreciate what a true friend is: Someone who doesn't push you when you need your space. Someone who does their best to help you, even when it hurts them. Someone who will sit with you in silence when that's all you need in that moment.
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I Tried Color-Correcting Toothpaste - Here's What Happened
Though it isn't a new technique, color-correcting makeup has surged in popularity over the past few years. The concept is simple: it plays upon the color wheel from your elementary school art class. Shades that are direct opposites cancel each other out. For example, if you use a green concealer formula on a red blemish or a peachy tone on blueish circles, those imperfections instantly become less glaringly obvious. Add a foundation on top and you'll appear like you have naturally flawless skin.
I've been pretty faithful to the concept for a while now, so I was immediately intrigued by the launch of Popwhite, a dental care system that relies on color correcting to make your teeth look brighter and whiter. Instead of traditional peroxide, which can be irritating and damaging, the products are formulated with gentle xylitol and coconut in a deep violet shade. Purple cancels out yellow tones, so the logic is pretty sound. The Popwhite team says that the results are cumulative, and teeth can be brightened up to four shades when the system is used twice daily for two weeks.
Because I was both impatient and excited to see the efficiency of dental color correcting, I tested the two products just once and I was pleasantly surprised. Keep reading for before and after photos (they have not been edited at all, so you can get a true look at the color-correcting results!) and to shop the Popwhite products.
7 Foods to Absolutely Avoid If You Want Clear, Glowing Skin
Two weeks ago, I went to Whole Foods and stocked up on coconut milk, almond butter, frozen veggies, fresh berries, organic meats, wild salmon, and quinoa. My boyfriend could interpret what this meant: Lauren is back on another food detox.
It started last Summer when I completed Dr. Frank Lipman's two-week Be Well Cleanse. This is a 14-day program in which you eliminate the food groups that most people are sensitive to, including gluten, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, nightshade vegetables, and eggs, among other things, replacing them with a plant-based diet that includes select organic lean meats and fish. You also drink three shakes a day incorporating Dr. Lipman's special blend of powders and take supplements. I learned a ton about myself, my habits, and my skin.
Though I have yet to return to the official cleanse, I do repeat some of the guidelines from it when I feel off-balance, seem bloated, or have less-than-desirable skin (blochy, broken out, puffy under-eyes). Typically, I try to eliminate gluten, dairy, and sugar for about a week or two until I feel and look better. Within three days of sticking to this diet plan, my skin brightens, I fall asleep easier and earlier, and my jeans fit better. It's not about dieting or losing weight; it's about creating harmony within my body. A healthy gut undeniably yields more gorgeous skin.
According to Dr. Lipman, "Your skin is your largest organ and a window into what's going on inside your body. Poor food choices that cause inflammation can lead to numerous skin issues."
If a cleanse is a bit dramatic for you, no worries. You can still reap some of the benefits by making these seven food swaps. Dr. Lipman outlined which foods to avoid, why they are toxic for your skin, and what to replace them with.
These Are the Top 10 Trending Haircuts For Spring, According to Stylists
It's around this time that the "new year, new you" chants have exhausted themselves. If, like us, you're feeling a little burnt out at work or at trying to keep up with your fitness resolutions and clean-eating regimen, then you're probably also looking for something to look forward to.
Spring is in so many ways symbolic of a reawakening. It's this seasonal rebirth that affords us our own personal renaissance, one that we're intensely happy for, especially if - and, let's be honest, when - those resolutions have become a little worse for wear. With the upcoming change in seasons, we're most excited for what's trending in hair.
Hairstylist Tracy Rasmussen from Brooklyn-based salon Bull in the Heather believes (and we can't disagree) that a haircut can define your entire look. "It can boost your confidence and be the finishing touch that pulls your style together," she said.
Expect natural texture to be back in full force, for next season's cuts to feature modern twists on past favorites, and an abundance of streamlined bobs-to-lobs. Keep reading to learn more about the styles you'll be requesting when the leaves return to the trees.
You'll Love Seeing Princess Diana and Kate Middleton With Their Kids, Side by Side
Though Princess Diana died tragically in August 1997, her spirit lives on through her two sons, Princes William and Harry. In addition to carrying on her legacy with their philanthropic efforts - Harry has said that his late mother is the "motivation" for his charity work - William is already keeping many of Diana's parenting traditions alive with his own children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Most recently, during William and Kate Middleton's royal tour of Canada, we saw the couple engaging with their little ones in ways that would make Diana so proud. Scroll through to see photos of William and Harry with their mom as kids along with William and Kate's cutest moments with Charlotte and George.
This Vlogger's Kylie Jenner Transformation Will Make You Do a Double Take
There are many women who have tried to emulate Kylie Jenner's mauve pout, bronze smoky eyes and flawless complexion, but few have come as close as Korean beauty blogger PONY Makeup.
You may recognize PONY from her previous and equally impressive Taylor Swift transformation that made us all do a double take. In her latest video, PONY shows us step by step how she transforms herself into the reality TV star and makeup entrepreneur. Her attention to detail is impressive: she makes sure to duplicate not just Kylie's infamous lips, but even her baby hairs. If you want to re-create her look, the beauty blogger includes every product she uses, so that you too can look like the Jenner sister. Get ready to be dumbfounded by this incredible transformation.
Each and Every Star Baring It All on Instagram This Year
If there's one thing stars love more than dressing up, it's stripping down. There's no doubt that last year had its fair share of steamy moments, but this year is already looking a whole lot hotter thanks to a select number of celebrities. Lea Michele kicked off the new year by baring it all, while Chrissy Teigen unabashedly ditched her bikini to pose nude during her Sports Illustrated press day. And who could forget Ashley Graham's supersexy topless photo? Be sure to have a cool drink nearby, because it's going to get hot in here.
Each and Every Star Baring It All on Instagram This Year
If there's one thing stars love more than dressing up, it's stripping down. There's no doubt that last year had its fair share of steamy moments, but this year is already looking a whole lot hotter thanks to a select number of celebrities. Lea Michele kicked off the new year by baring it all, while Chrissy Teigen unabashedly ditched her bikini to pose nude during her Sports Illustrated press day. And who could forget Ashley Graham's supersexy topless photo? Be sure to have a cool drink nearby, because it's going to get hot in here.
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