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.
mardi 15 août 2017
You Might Have Missed the Downright Amazing Hair Clip Daenerys Wore in Game of Thrones
Between Arya Stark's usual badassery and Ed Sheeran's cameo, there was a lot to take in during Game of Thrones's Season 7 premiere. But during the final few minutes of the episode, Daenerys Targaryen gave us a blink-and-you-missed it beauty moment that completely floored us. The Mother of Dragons' moment has to do with the two things GOT does best: fricking iconic hair moments and finely tuned attention to detail.
That's because Khaleesi aka Daenerys Targaryen aka #hairgoals Braid Princess wore a dragon hair clip. In the image below, you can see part of the piece, which looks like a gaping-mouthed monster that's screaming, just like we were when we processed this iconic moment.
Image Source: HBO
Since Khaleesi is back home now and ready to kick some ass, here's to hoping that she doesn't forget to accessorize. A girl's gotta look fierce while she's fighting (and wearing) dragons.
A Representative Who Doesn't Get How Sex Works Wonders Why Men Should Pay For Prenatal Care
Another day, another congressman who's "pro-life" but doesn't believe in paying for prenatal or maternity care. Representative Pete Olson of the 22nd district in Texas recently went on a radio show and pondered the question of why men should pay for "coverage [they] can't use." Not only does Olson probably need to go back to school and learn a lesson or two on biology and how reproduction works, but he's also a hypocrite when it comes to the sanctity of life.
In an interview on the Sam Malone Show on June 23, Olson spoke about the Senate's healthcare bill, The Better Care Reconciliation Act. Olson had "some problems" with the bill, including that it "still guarantee[s] coverage for 10 essential conditions." Olson's referring to one of the requirements in the Affordable Care Act, which makes insurance plans cover 10 essential conditions, including prenatal and maternity care. Olson laughed about it and said, "We have what's called an X chromosome . . . which means we can't have a baby. Why do we have to pay for that coverage we can't use?" You can listen to a clip of the moment around the 0:57 mark ahead.
NARAL Pro-Choice America tweeted about the incident and pointed out one important critical fact Olson got wrong: it's the Y chromosome that doesn't let men have children, not the X. Of course, the other contradiction in Olson's message is that he claims to be pro-life but doesn't appear to have any regard for pregnant mothers. Think that's all Olson got wrong? Nope. The new Senate healthcare bill would allow states to waive these essential benefits, anyway.
The Full Cast of Pitch Perfect 3
Pitch Perfect 3 is coming later this year, and we got a first look at footage earlier this week, reminding us about our favorite Bellas. We may only have a few details so far, but we do know much of the cast. Anna Kendrick is reprising her role as Beca, and she's not the only one who is set to return. Keep scrolling to see everyone who is signed on for the film (including the latest addition, DJ Khaled!), and check back as we update with more.
The 12 Moms You Meet on the Sidelines of Your Kids' Games
Youth athletics can be a wonderful thing. The teamwork, skill work, and sense of accomplishment all add up to learning experiences that can be used on and off the field. For parents, little league and soccer practice can mean endless hours of shuttling the kids to and from practice, packing and unpacking bags of sweaty equipment, and sitting on the sidelines getting to know your fellow sports moms. So just who are these sidelines moms you'll be spending countless hours with? We've boiled them down to 12 types. Read on to see who they are!
Source: Getty
Mom's Hilarious Photo Puts an End to Obnoxious Questions About Her Twins
"Oh, are those twins?!"
"Uh, yes, those two same-sized babies in my stroller are, in fact, twins. For the thousandth time." That's what Australian mom Annie Nolan was likely thinking when she drafted two signs answering 12 of the most-asked, most obnoxious questions she's gotten about her 2-year-old twin girls, Delphia and Cheska.
Although she didn't dare keep the signs affixed to her stroller while out and about, she did snap a photo to share on Facebook.
"As a twin mum, you get asked a series of questions [or] hear a series of statements every time you go out," she wrote on her Facebook post. "I know most people are coming from a great place and are just curious, however many can be quite intrusive and after a while it's just plain exhausting. And since I was heading into the city, I knew the questions would be coming thick and fast . . . but I chickened out on the train and took them off!"
Nonetheless, it seems people got her message. The photo has gone viral and has 23,000 "likes" and counting.
Still, we think that she should keep saying this the next time someone asks if those babies are twins:
Stop, No! 10 Ways You're Using Your Clarisonic Totally Wrong
Dermatologists, beauty editors, and celebrities alike swear by the Clarisonic cleansing brush ($199). We had a chance to talk to Clarisonic cofounder Dr. Robb Akridge and discovered something horrifying . . . we've been missing some crucial steps in our daily Clarisonic routine! Sure, we know how to clean it, but these tips will help you get the most out of your favorite skin-care device.
This Woman's Hair Colorist May Have Saved Her Life
We have a story for you to think about the next time you consider letting your ends grow out. Eileen Corey is the former Health Correspondent for WKYC in Cleveland, OH. Back in the 1980s, she was beloved not only for her helpful reports, but also for her fiery red hair, which was somewhat of a local media trademark.
Although she's moved on from the station, Corey still keeps her color fresh through monthly appointments with her stylist, Kari Phillips. Since Phillips has been doing Corey's hair for over 15 years, it's safe to say that she's an expert when it comes to her client's head. But at their last appointment, Phillips noticed a mole she hadn't seen before on Corey's hairline.
Luckily, Phillips's sister is a dermatologist who has educated her on the symptoms of skin cancer. Phillips went with her gut and urged Corey to get the mark checked out. It turned out to be melanoma.
Because Corey acted quickly, Phillips will only need surgery to remove the mole - no chemo or radiation is necessary. Now, she's urging all stylists to be on the lookout for their clients' health.
Phillips's dermatologist Dr. Pam Davis agrees, but says you don't need to wait until your next cut or color to look. According to Dr. Davis, the best time to check for suspicious spots is right after you shower, because its easier to see when you hair is wet.
If you think you may have a cancerous mole, talk to your doctor immediately.
The 50 Best Parenting Hacks You Need to Learn
It's been a while since we first started researching parenting hacks, and we simply can't get enough. From the tiny little "Why didn't I think of that!?" moments to serious game-changers (hello, marshmallows as sore-throat medicine!), we've gathered 50 of the most useful discoveries. From organizing the family minivan to making the holidays less stressful, these 50 tips are guaranteed to make life just a little bit easier - something that we could all use!
George W. Bush Opens Up About His Heartwarming Connection With Michelle Obama
At the opening ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016, Michelle Obama embraced George W. Bush in a sweet and unexpected moment. Now, the former president is opening up about their friendship and that hug which he described as a "genuine expression of affection."
In an interview with People regarding upcoming book and art exhibit, Bush explained why he and the former first lady get along so well. "She kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I immediately like," he said.
Bush then recalled other heartwarming times he's shared with the Obamas. "I can't remember where else I've sat next to her, but I probably have a few wise cracks and she seemed to like it okay," he said. Adding, "I needle her a little bit and around her, I'm fairly lighthearted. They're around serious people all the time and we just took to each other."
Moving forward, he says he hopes to work more closely with the Obamas and Bidens on their Joining Forces initiative, which offers support for veterans, military personnel, and their families.
Sephora Is Now Offering FREE Loyalty Points, So Get Those Wallets Ready
Image Source: Getty / Andreas Rentz
We nearly lost our minds last month when it was revealed that our precious Sephora Beauty Insider points expired, but the makeup gods have spoken and delivered some especially redeemable news. According to Insider, Sephora will be giving away extra loyalty points to specific Beauty Insider members between Aug. 11 and Aug. 19. The site reports that only certain member groups can receive the benefits on specific days.
Beauty Insiders can receive two times the points per online and in-store purchases Aug. 12 through Aug. 19. VIB members can receive three times the points per online and in-store purchases Aug. 12 through Aug. 19. VIB Rouge members can snag four times the points per purchase from Aug. 11 through Aug. 19. Time to get spending!
With the amazing 50 percent discount on Anastasia Beverly Hills, Stila, and Tarte palettes currently going on with the new Weekly Wow Sale, we have even more of a reason to fill up our black baskets.
Image Source: NBC
The Incredible Reason These Divorced Parents Carry on 1 Family Tradition
There's a major difference between the top two photos and the bottom photos in the above collage: the first two were taken when Adam and Victoria were married, while the other two were shot in the years following their divorce.
"We are not in love, we don't always agree, we're not best friends, sometimes we don't even like one another," Victoria shared on the Love What Matters Facebook page. "But you know what we are? We are forever connected because of our beautiful, smart, kind, compassionate, funny son."
During their divorce and in the time since, these parents have worked to not only respect each other, but to remember that neither of their roles as parents take precedence over the other. "Neither one of us are any more important to the life of our son. We BOTH need to be there, we BOTH deserve quality time and quality memories with him," she wrote. "Neither of us blame one another for the direction our relationship took. We do not place blame on one another, and we certainly don't place blame in the presence of our son."
Victoria acknowledges that she and Adam are not perfect coparents, but something that distinguishes them from many exes is that when they got divorced, they vowed to put their son first and value the "richness" that each parent brings to his life. "So yes, we still have a family portrait taken, and I still pay good money to have the images printed, framed, and placed in our son's bedroom; he may not grow up with parents who live in the same house . . . but he will grow up to see respect, kindness, empathy, compassion, perseverance, flexibility, and even sacrifice being modeled by both of his parents," she wrote. "He will know it is possible to fall out of love but never fall apart."
Allow Jordana Brewster to Be Your Healthy Fitness Inspiration
Brazilian beauty Jordana Brewster inspires us in many ways: she's a dedicated mom, a talented and hard-working actress, a staple among our style muses, and an avid fitness enthusiast. But it's this last part that we've been concentrating on lately, as we struggle to stick to that yearly workout resolution we've been making for years on end.
Luckily, Jordana's Instagram feed is full of healthy moments that make us want to be better and hit the gym harder - from workouts with her trainer Harley Pasternak to solo runs. Keep scrolling for just a few of those inspiring shots, and think of them every time you're tempted to make an excuse to skip a workout.
21 Modern Mysteries You Won't Be Able to Put Down
It all began with an early obsession with Nancy Drew, then I moved on to Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie, and before I knew it I was devouring any book that promised thrills, intrigue, and murder. Is there a detective in it? I'll read it. Bonus points if the protagonist is a woman. And the cherry on top is if the author is British or Scandinavian (or Irish). That said, Gone Girl is one of my favorite books of all time, so if you feel the same, you'll probably love my other picks. Obviously, this isn't an exhaustive list - I've only included books I can vouch for (aka that I've read) - but here are 21 modern mysteries guaranteed to keep you up all night, in order of tame to terrifying.
The 25 Stars Who Keep Popping Up on American Horror Story
American Horror Story switches up its spooky theme each year, but there are usually a handful of recurring actors. Series staples like Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, and Sarah Paulson have appeared every season, but creator Ryan Murphy has added more and more actors to his growing stable throughout the years. Take a look at the many faces of the American Horror Story cast, including those on season six. We included everyone who has been on multiple seasons, even if they played the same character more than once, like Matt Ross (aka Dr. Charles Montgomery) or Naomi Grossman (aka Pepper).
9 Shocking Pieces of Information That Were Left Out of Making a Murderer
It's been over a year since Making a Murderer landed on Netflix, yielding theories about the fate of Teresa Halbach and a search for updates on the Steven Avery case. One of the most contentious points about the series, though, is how much evidence was omitted from the Netflix series. The creators have addressed these concerns; not only do they admit that they couldn't possibly have fit all the evidence, but they also assert that whatever they left out wouldn't have made a big difference anyway. Even so, we did a little digging to see what had been left out. It's worth noting that we're only citing what has been reported in the media since the show's release, so take from this information what you will. Keep reading to see what we uncovered, then check out even more ways to fuel your new addiction.
The Ultimate Country Music Wedding Playlist
Hoping to bring some honky-tonk personality to your wedding? With a mix of new and classic hits by Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, and more, we're highlighting the best country songs to play for a fun, memorable reception. With dance options, father/daughter ideas, must-play dance tunes - you'll find a range of song picks to give your party some country flair. Take a look at these 175 songs for your ultimate country wedding playlist, and get more music ideas for your wedding here!
Olivia and Fitz's 9 Most Scandalous Sex Scenes
Since Scandal's inception, the main focus of the hit drama has been Olivia Pope and President Fitzgerald Grant. Though watching her team of gladiators tackle insane political cases with ease is fantastic, the will-they-or-won't-they pull of "Olitz" takes the cake. Whether you're rooting for Olivia and Fitz or prefer her with Jake, there's no denying that the president and his mistress have a way of lighting up the screen. Throughout the show's five seasons, we've seen plenty of scandalous moments, including them getting frisky in the Oval Office, sharing heated kisses with the Secret Service a few steps away, and even epic "one-minute" stare-downs that are arguably even more intimate than their sex scenes. Keep reading for nine of the steamiest moments - so far. With the show back for the new season, there will surely be plenty more to come.
8 Reasons Hiring Managers Haven't Called Back
It's one thing when you don't receive a reply from an employer after sending your resume and cover letter, but things get more personal when you don't hear back after a job interview. Waiting for a response is stressful and it's easy to let your mind run wild when coming up with reasons the employer hasn't called. Was it your hair? Should you have answered a certain question differently? Put the kabosh on your what-if thought process; usually an employer hasn't called back due to one of these eight reasons.
36 Disney World Hacks That Will Make Your Trip Even More Magical
Want to avoid the long Walt Disney World lines in the sweltering heat of a Florida Summer? We can help with that. Some of the park's biggest fans came together on two Quora threads to offer tips and tricks for making your trip to Disney World even more magical - and more economical, too. These hacks will help you navigate the parks, find the best deals, and make the most of the happiest place on the planet.
Chances Are You Used Expired Mascara This Morning
A chilly change in season is the perfect excuse to lock yourself indoors, binge-watch Netflix, eat lots of ramen, and reorganize your makeup bag. Since expired cosmetics can cause skin irritation and eye infections, it's important to replace them before they go south. A new study from Stowaway Cosmetics and Poshly found that 89 percent of women hoard old makeup "just in case." Plus, fewer than one in five of us trash mascara within the recommended three months (we're guilty, too).
Unlike food, cosmetics aren't required to have an expiration date on their packaging. Instead, you'll have to keep track of when you opened them. Most products have a jar symbol with a numeral that signifies the number of months you have until the item is no longer usable. If you have a hard time keeping track of when you've bought things, just use a Sharpie to write down the purchase date.
If you know how to take care of your cosmetics, your makeup should serve you well. But use common sense: if your gloss is gloopy, your nail polish is separating, or your lipstick has a funny smell - it's time to bid it adieu. And maybe your next life goal should be to never let crusty compacts and congealed mascara make an appearance again. See guidelines for when to replace your makeup below:
| Product | When to toss |
|---|---|
| Powders (including blushes, bronzers, and shadows) | Two years |
| Cream shadows and blushes | 12-18 months |
| Oil-free foundation | One year |
| Cream compact foundation | 18 months |
| Concealers | 12-18 months |
| Lipstick and lip liner | One year |
| Lip gloss | 18-24 months |
| Pencil eyeliner | Two years |
| Liquid or gel eyeliner | Three months |
| Mascara | Three months |
Why Millennial Women Are Embracing Atheism
Danielle Schacter never thought she would become an un-Christian. "I slowly became more and more disgusted by the way I saw people treating others," says the 32-year-old, who was raised Baptist. "I didn't want to be associated with a religion that preached so much hate."
Danielle Schacter, who identifies as agnostic, is one of a growing number of people who identify with no religion. Photo courtesy of Danielle Schacter.
Schacter, like so many millennials, has chosen a secular life, and she's not alone: according to the Pew Research Center, only four in 10 millennials say that religion is very important to them, compared with six in 10 Baby Boomers.
The numbers of religiously unaffiliated support this, too: 23 percent of the population identifies with no religion. This number is up from 2007, when it was only 16 percent. Of older millennials, 35 percent are religiously unaffiliated - and they're driving the overall growth of the nonreligiously affiliated in America.
"I didn't want to be associated with a religion that preached so much hate."
Kayley Whalen, a queer transgender Latinx woman who identifies as "a humanist and an existentialist and an atheist." Photo courtesy of Kayley Whalen.
What's fascinating is that while millennials are moving away from religion, they are moving toward spirituality. This demographic considers itself just as spiritual as older demographics, even as they represent an exodus out of organized religion and into the throes of secularism. When you consider the issues facing young people today, the reasons for the exodus are easy to understand. In rejecting religion, millennials are asserting their progressive attitudes and passion for social justice. They're committed to the idea that they don't need religion to know the difference between right and wrong.
Perhaps no one represents this cultural shift better than millennial atheist women. While they may sit at the most extreme side of the nonreligious spectrum, atheist women are fueled by the same concerns plaguing millennials in general: a quest for independence and a rejection of the status quo.
The Atheism and Feminism Connection
Lauryn Seering, 27, has never been religious, but she found atheism in high school in reaction to mainstream fundamentalist Christian ideas that condemn her lesbian mother. "Millennial women want autonomy over their own bodies," says Seering, communications coordinator for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting the separation of church and state.
"They recognize that all the arguments against this autonomy (contraception, birth control, marriage) are religiously fueled," Seering continued. "Women aren't being pressured by society anymore to get married at a young age, have children right away, and tend house while their husbands work."
Lauryn Seering, an atheist who works for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Photo courtesy of Lauryn Seering.
Schacter identifies as agnostic. She's based in Kansas City, MO, where she founded a digital marketing agency called Boxer & Mutt. To her, growing secularism is a sign of independent women. "It's becoming more socially acceptable for women to think for themselves and really question why things are the way they are rather than blindly accepting them," she says.
Kayley Whalen, 31, is a queer transgender Latinx woman who identifies as "a humanist and an existentialist and an atheist." These different identities certainly influence how she approaches the world. "We have ethical values without the need for the supernatural," Whalen says. "We believe in social justice, that we can live a life with meaning, purpose, and dedication to social justice without the need for supernatural guidance." Unsurprisingly, Whalen's beliefs are tied up in her activist work: she's the digital strategy and social media manager for the National LGBT Task Force and is on the board of directors for both the Secular Student Alliance and the Trans United Fund.
As Whalen epitomizes, many young women who do not believe in God share a point of view that goes beyond just being atheist or just being a woman. The two are intertwined identities oppressed similarly in the United States.
"We have ethical values without the need for the supernatural."
Blackwolf's concerns hint at societal assumptions about atheist women, which every woman we spoke with touched on: being a woman who isn't religious breaks away from the social norms that frame femininity. Emily Greene, an artist and activist working in promotional marketing in Augusta, summed it up best. "You're probably seen as less feminine," the 32-year-old said. "You're definitely judged, looked at more harshly. It's an assumption that it's a negative thing."
Ironically, being atheist can mirror being religious, as it plays a role in many aspects of young life. "That was very important to me in choosing a partner," says Katherine, a 32-year-old HR manager in California. "I have gotten into some debate with friends before where they're like, 'If you're an atheist, why do you care if the other person is of faith?' I'm like, 'You - as, say, a Christian person - would not want to marry a non-Christian person."
Why Are Young Women Interested in Atheism?
Phil Zuckerman, professor of sociology and secular studies at Pitzer College, believes that young people are turning away from religion as a result of how closed-minded and conservative many congregations can be, particularly when they are responsible for enabling xenophobic and queerphobic mindsets. For instance, many churches reject the idea of same-sex marriage, while 71 percent of millennials support it (in comparison with only 46 percent of Baby Boomers).
"A lot of young people are being turned off of by that brand of Christianity," he explains. "They're just seeing religion as an institution and saying, 'Ah, screw it.' Even though that brand of Christianity is not the majority - most Christians are decent, kind people who aren't anti-gay and aren't racist and aren't anti-Islamic. But they don't make the headlines. They're not dominating the news."
Emily Greene, an artist, activist, and atheist. Photo courtesy of Emily Greene.
The internet is also serving as a conduit for less religion. As technology occupies more of our time, says Zuckerman, it chips away at "religion's ability to maintain a monopoly on truth . . . It's really corroding religion's ability to dominate our culture and dominate people's lives."
While there have always been religious skeptics - the farthest back is believed to be the Charvaka movement in 7th century BC - the present shift away from religion is notable because the numbers of religiously unaffiliated and atheists are way up. Although the movement is still predominately male and white, more women are stepping forward as religion reveals itself to be optional in their lives - and sometimes to stand in the way of their independence.
Zuckerman believes this has to do with traditional organized religions' male-centrism: teaching women that they're second class, must remain virginal, and must stay out of leadership positions. Pair this with the amount of women in the workplace rivaling men, and the group doesn't need to turn to a church for social or financial support that churches typically offer.
Being an Atheist Is a Political Act
Molly Hanson grew up in a Catholic household but has always been skeptical of the "invisible man in the sky" who tells people what to do. The 23-year-old Hanson, like many atheists, finds that questioning faith and religion makes people wonder if something is wrong with her womanness.
"If a woman doesn't bow down to this god and lord, she must have an issue with that god or lord," says Hanson, an editorial assistant at the Freedom For Religion Foundation. "She must have been damaged. There's a reason why she decided to leave that god. She might have been morally corrupted by another man or might have - I don't know - been wronged."
This issue isn't confined to religious communities. One woman - a 30-year-old Indian American writer in New York who declined to give her name - finds this flaw in atheist leaders, too.
"The movement itself is really alienating toward women," she says. "Leaders like Richard Dawkins are pretty sexist and condescending and talk down to women. Women have been left out in those major discussions of atheism."
The nonreligious believe that, once the church is taken out of the state, equality can be achieved.
For women who are atheists, discrimination is complicated further by the many ways their identities intersect. Gender as it relates to religious affiliation is complex, and it's even more complicated as it relates to black female atheists, as Blackwolf can attest. "A lot of black atheist men are often heard saying, 'Black women sure do love them some church!'" she says. "When we start having a discussion, there are implications about where my place in the community should be, and that's behind the man."
Atheist Women Want a Future of Equality
In speaking with young atheist and secular women, some through lines appear, among them a hope for equality that could be stymied by religion's grasp on society. There is a desire to normalize differing points of view, from LGBTQ people to atheists.
Katherine sees public events like the inauguration of President Donald Trump as a perfect example. "I was really struck by so much praying happening," she says. "I'd like to see us move kind of away from that and use logic and science and that holistic definition of freedom."
The nonreligious believe that, once the church is taken out of the state, equality can be achieved. Hanson believes these roadblocks arise as the result of unequal representation. "Women understand what it's like to be oppressed by laws that are rooted in religious ideas that oppress women and their sexuality," she explains. "To get more women in government positions is going to be a challenge, especially right now."
When women hold elected office, it inspires more women to run - and more women in government has a powerful trickle-down effect on women as a whole.
But what if these women leaders were atheists? Would they still succeed?
Surveys have shown that atheism is one of the traits in a leader that Americans are most biased against. "I cannot imagine a president who identifies as an atheist," says the Indian-American writer in New York. "I'm a woman and a person of color: a female person of color who is an atheist could never be the president of the United States. It feels like another barrier."
Others, like Whalen, see these many layers as vital to change: "I want a woman politician to run and say that she's an atheist and that she's for reproductive justice, that she's for transgender rights, and win. I want a transgender woman to be able to do that."
Ultimately, for atheist women (and atheists in general) to succeed at changing society, they need to continue on the path they are on and not settle for being silenced. Zuckerman draws parallels to the LGBT community. "Coming out does have an effect," he says. "More and more people feeling comfortable saying 'I'm not that religious' has an effect." Atheists just want to be seen as starting from the same place as any other decent American.
Greene sums it up nicely: "We want to get up, go to work, and enjoy our friends and families and our lifestyles just the same way as the person who gets up on Sunday and goes to church. We have our own ways of self-care. A lot of people find religion and that's how they take care of themselves - and that's great. We just do things a different way and that's OK."
5 Workouts That Use Mini Bands - and Burn Serious Calories
Adding resistance is the perfect way to take a workout from good to downright excellent, and with the help of travel-friendly equipment like mini bands, it's hard to find a reason to not add it, right?
These looped versions of classic resistance bands usually come in sets of four with varying levels of difficulty - light, medium, heavy, x-heavy - so it's easy to gauge just how much of a challenge you're adding. If you're not sure where to start, don't worry! We've rounded up five feasible HIIT workouts you can try, courtesy of some of the most popular Latina fitness influencers on Instagram, including Puerto Rican trainer Idalis Velazquez. Whether you're working your glutes or doing a full-body circuit, keep scrolling to try them out. Then, crank up our workout playlist.
Sports hype of platelet-rich plasma 'powerful marketing tool' but distorts the science
When injured elite athletes talk about using platelet-rich plasma, the coverage rarely discusses the limitations or efficacy of the technique, a new study suggests.
How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes With Household Ingredients
We all know that it's bad for us to use dirty makeup brushes on our skin - come on, you wash your face twice a day, but how often do you actually give your tools the same kind of love? If you've been skipping because you're worried about hurting your brushes, we've got an easy DIY way to clean them all up safely. And don't forget to find the makeup brush that's right for you too!
Ingredients:
Olive oil
Antibacterial soap
Steps:
Step 1: Mix two parts antibacterial dish soap to one part of the extra-virgin olive oil on a clean plate (don't use paper plate, as the oil will seep through).
Step 2: Grab your first brush and wet it slightly with lukewarm water. Make sure the brush stays bristle-side down throughout the entire process. If water gets into the ferrule (the middle tube part that holds everything together) of the brush, it can loosen the glue, causing the bristles to fall out.
Step 3: Dip the damp brush into the soap mixture and coat it thoroughly. Next, work the mixture into the bristles using the palm of your hand and fingers. Continue until the soapy residue is makeup free.
Step 4: Rinse the brushes under lukewarm water until no soap runs from the bristles.
Step 5: Roll a dish towel like you would a yoga mat, and drape a paper towel over it so that most of the paper towel hangs off. (The paper towel should look like a slide coming down from the dish towel). Next, arrange the brush so the top of the handle sits on top of the towel, pitching the rest of the brush down onto the paper towel. This will allow your brushes to dry on a slant, while keeping moisture away from the ferrule.
Repeat with remaining brushes. Some make take two washings to get completely clean, depending on the amount of residue left behind. Allow them to dry overnight, and repeat about once a month.
25 Delicious Mexican Recipes That Are Actually Healthy - Yes, HEALTHY!
Mexican food, while unbelievably delicious, often gets a bad rep for being greasy and high-calorie. But truth be told, it's really not all that hard to lighten up some of your favorite dishes with a few simple tricks. Skip anything fried, replace meat with veggies, and, though we know it's hard, use only a sprinkle of cheese! Or simply turn to the 25 healthy recipe options ahead. They are sure to ease your cravings!
Jeffree Star Is Freaking Out Over Being the Face of This Benefit Cosmetics Product
Jeffree Star may be one of the beauty industry's most controversial figures, but there's no denying his selling power. Whether it's his own namesake collection or a review of another makeup brand, his millions of followers take his word seriously. So it was only fitting that he'd land a huge gig like being the face of a well-known beauty brand, and for one of its top products to boot. As part of Benefit Cosmetics' limited-edition Benefit Island collection exclusively at Sephora, Jeffree's face graces Benefit's Roller Lash.
"SHE. BETTER. WORK. I never imagined that I would ever be the face of my favorite mascara!! Benefit Cosmetics Rollerlash is my FAVORITE on this planet!!!" he wrote on Instagram. "THANK U ALL for making this a possibility and a reality for me!"
The collection features other top beauty influencers on the packaging of the desert island beauty product they can't live without. Iluvsarahii's is Porefressional Face Primer. Larlarlee's is Precisely, My Brow pencil; nicoleguerriero's is Gimme Brow; and mannymua733's is Hoola Matte Bronzer. There is also a survival kit featuring all the faces of the campaign together and mini versions of their essentials. Shop each of them, ahead.
Turmeric Is the Hottest Ingredient to Add Into Your DIY Skin Care Routine
If rubbing a bright orange substance on your face makes you feel like Donald Trump, don't worry - what we're about to tell you has nothing to do with politics. The formula we're referring to is the turmeric spice, and it's a buzzy term in the holistic health community right now. The spice hails from India and has traditionally been used in cooking (it's part of the ginger root family). But these days, people are adding it to everything from their smoothies to face masks. We're going to explore the latter since turmeric has many amazing beauty uses.
"Turmeric is an age-old ingredient used for its internal as well as external health-and-beauty-promoting properties," explained Sheetal Rawal, a scientist and founder of brand Apsara. "It has been used in the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years for its natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and color-balancing properties. Currently, it is also gaining quite some fame in the West for its significant antioxidant properties."
This ability to bring down inflammation translates to skin care by minimizing acne or bringing down a rosacea flare-up. You can also rely on it for antiaging benefits. "It is loaded with key vitamins that facilitate important skin renewal processes, such as the creation of collagen," added Adina Grigore, the founder of S.W. Basics.
Barbara Close, founder and CEO of Naturopathica, explained the science behind this: "Extracts from turmeric, known as tetrahydrocurcuminoids, efficiently quench free radicals on the surface of the skin due to their antioxidant properties. This protects against damage from ultraviolet radiation and environmental irritants."
In fact, it is even incorporated into prebridal Indian rituals, during which the bride and groom are massaged with a turmeric-infused, homemade herbal concoction. "Turmeric in this age-old concoction is supposed to bring out the 'hidden glow' of the skin," Rawal shared.
Those with sensitive skin should not fear turmeric just because it's spicy. "It's wonderful for anyone who has supersensitive skin, but even for normal skin types, it really makes the skin look flawless," said Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and owner of her eponymous brand. "Make sure you are using pure organic turmeric. Some generic store-bought options contain dyes that can stain your skin after application. This is one ingredient where you must go organic."
If you're still hung up on having an Oompa Loompa face, Grigore has more to add on the matter. "And no, to answer your burning question, it won't dye your skin yellow," she mused. "If you're using it in powder form, just be sure to rinse it off thoroughly!"
Keep reading to hear more from these pros and others about how to incorporate turmeric into your beauty routine - DIY recipes included!
8 Secrets From Amazon Employees, Including the Weirdest Thing Someone's Ordered
We see Amazon.com as our own fairy godmother who drops off virtually any item possible on our doorsteps, sometimes even within the hour. But the next time you make an order, you'll appreciate the person fulfilling it by the end of this post. Instant gratification is made possible by the warehouse employees who have to walk more in a day than some of us do in a week (or more) and who have to grab the weirdest items people secretly purchase. In these Reddit IAmAs from a former worker at a million-square-foot warehouse, a picker from another large warehouse, a former fulfillment center worker, and an Amazon Prime employee, see some of your most curious questions answered!
1. What are some products that we might be surprised to learn are purchased a lot? What's the strangest thing someone's ordered?
"Not sure if you'd be surprised, but lots of sex toys. I'd say one out of fifty [orders]; mainly butt plugs and dildos. The weirdest was a fake ass. Usually the sex toys are wrapped in black plastic so we can't see them but this was sitting on the shelf in the open. It was just a life-size fake ass used for obvious reasons."
2. Roughly how long after I place a Prime order is my item actually being picked?
"One-hour orders always have priority. It is usually picked within 15 minutes after the order was made and out the door not even 10 minutes later."
3. What's the largest item Amazon can ship?
"Apparently the biggest thing they ship for free is a 2,000-pound gun safe. But they can ship just about anything, including something the size of a car."
4. Is it true they don't keep similar looking items next to each other so a picker can't grab the wrong item by mistake?
"No, they employ Chaotic Storage. They mix items of different sizes in order to maximize storage volume. It's almost impossible to pick the wrong item because of the picking system they use."
5. Is employee theft from the warehouse difficult?
"Yes, metal detectors."
6. What are the worst aspects of the job?
"Ridiculous quotas. At my peak, I was picking 120-plus items per hour, and it was just good enough. As I had to sometimes walk 1/4 of a mile or more between items, it was very difficult and physically demanding."
"Security checkpoints. We had to leave everything at the door . . . cell phones, iPods, watches, anything that could be sold at Amazon was off limits (which is everything). So there was no stimulation while we walked in upwards of 30 miles per day."
7. How can you be efficient in packaging items if you have to walk around between hundreds of aisles?
"Great question. I was only a picker. My only job was to grab two large, yellow plastic bins, put them on my double-decker shopping cart, and fill them with the items that my scanner told me to find. My scanner would then tell me when that particular bin was completed (sometimes it would only have one tiny item in it), at which point I'd move to the next one. When both were filled, I'd take them to a nearby conveyor belt and stick them on, where they would travel to the packagers. Rinse and repeat. Forever."
8. How many products did you pick a day? How are the products organized?
"Between 1,000 and 2,000. There are literally thousands of shelves full of little cubby holes. Each cubby hole is filled with an assortment of items . . . there might be a book, a toothbrush, a copy of a Barbie VHS tape from 1993, and a pair of moccasins. And you'll only pick one of the items."
21 Modern Mysteries You Won't Be Able to Put Down
It all began with an early obsession with Nancy Drew, then I moved on to Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie, and before I knew it I was devouring any book that promised thrills, intrigue, and murder. Is there a detective in it? I'll read it. Bonus points if the protagonist is a woman. And the cherry on top is if the author is British or Scandinavian (or Irish). That said, Gone Girl is one of my favorite books of all time, so if you feel the same, you'll probably love my other picks. Obviously, this isn't an exhaustive list - I've only included books I can vouch for (aka that I've read) - but here are 21 modern mysteries guaranteed to keep you up all night, in order of tame to terrifying.
The 25 Stars Who Keep Popping Up on American Horror Story
American Horror Story switches up its spooky theme each year, but there are usually a handful of recurring actors. Series staples like Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, and Sarah Paulson have appeared every season, but creator Ryan Murphy has added more and more actors to his growing stable throughout the years. Take a look at the many faces of the American Horror Story cast, including those on season six. We included everyone who has been on multiple seasons, even if they played the same character more than once, like Matt Ross (aka Dr. Charles Montgomery) or Naomi Grossman (aka Pepper).
9 Shocking Pieces of Information That Were Left Out of Making a Murderer
It's been over a year since Making a Murderer landed on Netflix, yielding theories about the fate of Teresa Halbach and a search for updates on the Steven Avery case. One of the most contentious points about the series, though, is how much evidence was omitted from the Netflix series. The creators have addressed these concerns; not only do they admit that they couldn't possibly have fit all the evidence, but they also assert that whatever they left out wouldn't have made a big difference anyway. Even so, we did a little digging to see what had been left out. It's worth noting that we're only citing what has been reported in the media since the show's release, so take from this information what you will. Keep reading to see what we uncovered, then check out even more ways to fuel your new addiction.
The Ultimate Country Music Wedding Playlist
Hoping to bring some honky-tonk personality to your wedding? With a mix of new and classic hits by Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, and more, we're highlighting the best country songs to play for a fun, memorable reception. With dance options, father/daughter ideas, must-play dance tunes - you'll find a range of song picks to give your party some country flair. Take a look at these 175 songs for your ultimate country wedding playlist, and get more music ideas for your wedding here!
Olivia and Fitz's 9 Most Scandalous Sex Scenes
Since Scandal's inception, the main focus of the hit drama has been Olivia Pope and President Fitzgerald Grant. Though watching her team of gladiators tackle insane political cases with ease is fantastic, the will-they-or-won't-they pull of "Olitz" takes the cake. Whether you're rooting for Olivia and Fitz or prefer her with Jake, there's no denying that the president and his mistress have a way of lighting up the screen. Throughout the show's five seasons, we've seen plenty of scandalous moments, including them getting frisky in the Oval Office, sharing heated kisses with the Secret Service a few steps away, and even epic "one-minute" stare-downs that are arguably even more intimate than their sex scenes. Keep reading for nine of the steamiest moments - so far. With the show back for the new season, there will surely be plenty more to come.
22 Behind-the-Scenes Moments on Game of Thrones That Will Change How You See Everyone
Game of Thrones might be the most intense show on TV, but it's not always so intense to make it. We imagine the show can be so wearing that you have to have fun behind the scenes, and that's exactly what it appears this close-knit cast does. If you're still reeling from this season, then you've got to see some of these hilarious and awkward behind-the-scenes moments. From blooper reels to their social media accounts, see what crazy stuff goes on on the Game of Thrones set when they yell "Cut!"
What It's Like When Your Wife Is Pregnant - at the Same Time as You
Usually, when a couple says "we're pregnant," it's a figure of speech. But for married pair Lindsay Lanciault and Toby Fleischman, they mean it quite literally.
The two sit across from each other at a busy cafe sharing tomato soup and bread on a cloudy Saturday. Lanciault, 34, is a speech-language pathologist at UCLA while Fleischman, 41, is a celebrity makeup artist with clients like Evan Rachel Wood, Ellen Page, and Gabourey Sidibe. Both women are brunette with a California-cool style and similar toothy smiles. They've been married for almost three years, live in Los Angeles with their Shih Tzu Lemon (short for Liz Lemon), and have stumbled into a unique circumstance several years in the making: they are both pregnant at the same time.
Given the tangle of legal and medical processes, there simply aren't many women who have experienced what they are going through.
"There was definitely a time in my life where I didn't think kids really fit into my plan," Fleischman says. "Then, when I met Lindsay, it was absolutely clear that she was someone that I wanted to raise children with."
A Unique Situation
Stories like New York's coverage of Kate Elazegui and Emily Kehe last year and Discovery Health specials like Quads With Two Moms illustrate how parallel pregnancies for lesbian and queer couples can be not only rare, but difficult - and oftentimes sensationalized. And, as FiveThirtyEight reported in 2015, the odds of this situation are so slim, it's hard to even gather data on it. Neither the CDC nor the Society for Artificial Reproductive Technology record comprehensive statistics on intrauterine inseminations. And because a large number of women decide to undergo insemination in the privacy of their own homes - like Lanciault and Fleischman did - or at a clinic, their successful pregnancies aren't always reflected in the data that is collected, anyway. Given the tangle of legal and medical processes that come with two women in a relationship trying to get pregnant, there simply aren't many women who have experienced what Lanciault and Fleischman are going through.
Dr. Kristin Bendikson, fertility specialist at University of Southern California Fertility, says the situation is as unlikely as it sounds. "The only time I've seen it happen is when I was a resident - and that was, like, 20 years ago," Dr. Bendikson explains. "The overwhelming majority of lesbian couples that I see are usually focused on one person getting pregnant at a time." In fact, so were Lanciault and Fleischman when they started their journey.
The process of getting pregnant seemed easy enough when Lanciault and Fleischman started to explore their options. The couple decided in August 2015 that Fleischman should try to get pregnant first, since she's the oldest of the pair and her window for motherhood seemed slimmer. Lanciault supported the decision and aided in finding a sperm donor. With a donor in place, Lanciault tried at home via the "syringe method" - more technically known as intravaginal insemination (or, as Fleischhman laughingly refers to it, the "turkey baster" method.)
Fleischman and Lanciault's insemination process was a lot simpler than you might assume; with guidance from their doctors, the two used menstrual cups (Diva Cups, specifically) as their syringe-method vehicles for inserting their donor's sample. It was as easy as that.
"First try at home, I got pregnant," she says. That pregnancy ended in miscarriage, however. Over the next year and a half, they kept trying, though complications arose. They faced the miscarriage and medical complications. It also became clear that their original donor's samples were not going to be viable moving forward, which forced them to seek out a new donor. All of this kept them from achieving their dream of motherhood.
The process took a toll on their relationship. "It was probably the most stressful thing," Lanciault says. "Not that we were going to get divorced over it, but . . . I didn't want to come home. We were at odds."
Deciding to Try Together
Due to the series of blocks standing in the way of motherhood, the two made the choice to shift focus from Fleischman to Lanciault after they successfully landed on a new donor. This brought up a lot of complicated feelings - the shift wasn't as easy as passing a natal baton from one wife to another.
She remembers thinking: "We can't be pregnant together. What are we, crazy?"
"I wasn't ready to stop," Fleischman remembers. She remembers thinking: "'We can't be pregnant together. What are we, crazy? We can't do that.'"
With the help of Danica Thornberry, acupuncturist and author of Stick It To Me Baby!, the two were able to physically and emotionally anchor the process by focusing on fertility. "Women who identify as being infertile deal with a lot of jealousy and negativity as they see friends and sister-in-laws, family members, getting pregnant and they're not," Thornberry shared by phone. "To have 'the enemy' - a pregnant woman - in your house, when you're not able to get pregnant and that's your wife, that's what made this case so unique."
Fleischman can speak directly to this: "During that time, Danica was really helpful in emotionally dealing with some of these issues and trying to think about the process in an emotionally healthy and positive way, and not trying to control it, and not trying to be crazy about it, and not trying to be negative."
"While [Lindsay]'s saying, 'I think that I should start - you should stop,' another birthday was nearing and there was kind of this mental block of that birthday," Flesichman says. "I had to let go."
Fleischman followed Thornberry's The SEED Fertility program, a diet Thornberry says "optimizes fertilization," and credits it with helping make her insemination after two years of struggles a success. "After a month and a half on this diet, I had this perfect, beautiful, normal ovulation - and that's the month I got pregnant. I'm very lucky I got pregnant 'naturally' at home by syringe method."
"Is This the Right Thing to Do?"
The two found out Fleischman was pregnant the same week Lanciault was starting her efforts in November 2016. Instead of abandoning the work she had put into her own attempt to become pregnant, Lanciault attempted to get pregnant, too, via the same donor and method - and it worked. Quickly. She, too, was pregnant by December.
The two have just a three-week difference between their due dates - Lanciault is four months along; Fleischman is five - and found out about Lanciault's pregnancy the week following the election of Donald Trump, which placed a shadow over the news.
"There was this level of 'Is this the right thing to do? Bring children into this world?'" Lanciault says. "We were so fearful."
These fears aren't entirely unwarranted. Emily Hecht-McGowan, chief policy officer at the Family Equality Council, says the process of non-traditional parenting is complicated to begin with, and that the Trump administration's stances on LGBTQ issues could further hinder the process. That potential future aside, she finds that this all has to do with a handful of roadblocks that LGBTQ persons face in trying to start a family.
"Information is probably the first barrier," she says. "Lots of same-sex couples (or prospective single parents or LGBTQ people) generally don't know the host of options that are available to them. The other piece is financial. All of these processes cost money, whether it's adoption through foster care or hiring a surrogate to help you create a family. Nothing is free." That cost, according to Dr. Bendickson, can range from hundreds of dollars for a sperm sample to tens of thousands for more advanced treatments like in vitro fertilization.
Policies and practices on a state and national level also stand in the way of LGBTQ persons becoming parents since laws do not exist to protect them. This leaves queer parents and their children vulnerable and can make starting a family impossible for some.
Beyond this, Emily sees actions like a reported religious freedom executive order as validating for anti-LGBTQ attitudes - especially as they relate to potential queer parents. She advises all potential queer parents to talk to an expert who understands the laws in their state - and warns that simply being married might not resolve all the issues that LGBTQ families can face in their day-to-day lives.
While Lanciault and Fleischman are concerned, they're confident in their state's policies and legal protections and feel very fortunate to be where they are in America. "We're really lucky that we live in Los Angeles," Lanciault says. "Hopefully, our kids won't feel like they're different because they have two moms."
But being Californians hasn't meant there has been any relaxing regarding LGBTQ parenting rights. As Lambda Legal advises, all same-sex and queer parents today must take the proper steps toward adoption as soon as possible, particularly second-parent adoptions.
Lanciault and Fleischman aren't taking such advice lightly. "We're very eager to adopt each other's children as soon as legally possible just to solidify that aspect of it . . . just in case!" Fleischman says. "You just don't know. We live in this lovely world of California but you just don't know."
Rising to the Challenge
Still, Fleischman sees starting a family as a welcome challenge - especially considering that the couple will be birthing a set of boys. The couple were very confident with the idea of raising strong women, because they themselves are strong women. But men? This is a challenge they admit they didn't initially think through. "We have this huge responsibility to raise respectful, compassionate, feminist men," Fleischman says.
As far as her advice for other lesbians who want to start a family? Fleischman believes women should figure out their fertility standing as soon as possible. "The top headlines of advice have been to go to a fertility specialist early, no matter how old you are or how regular you are or how healthy you think you are," she says.
Lanciault also takes the opportunity to remind people to be aware that many women - straight or gay - face fertility challenges. "People think it's okay to ask a woman who is maybe of childbearing years or who just got married, 'Are you going to start trying soon?' But you don't know if they actually have been trying. You don't know what their situation is. We've gotten that 'When are you going to start?' question and it's like . . . we've been trying for six months. You don't know what somebody's going through."
"If she's feeling something that I've gone through, I can validate it and say that that's normal."
Lanciault concurs. "As a lesbian couple we have that extra, added 'How do we do this?'," she says.
While they look forward to being mothers, Lanciault says they're "a little nervous" about the potential for dueling labors, and Fleischman knows caring for two children while they're both recovering from birth will require some assistance; "We're going to have to get a nurse for the first month."
Overall, though, sharing the experience of pregnancy has brought the pair even closer together.
"If she's feeling something that I've gone through, I can validate it and say that that's normal," Fleischman says. "But, like I said, there are a lot of hormones in the house and we go through waves - in one day - of being obsessed and in love with each other and so euphoric, to 'I don't want to be next to you. Please don't talk to me.'"
This Dad's "Silly" Potato Trick Miraculously Stopped a Toddler Temper Tantrum
Did you know that when you're cooking a soup or a stew and it tastes a bit too salty, you can add a potato to absorb the extra sodium?
It was this bit of culinary expertise that saved a clever dad from an epic toddler temper tantrum.
"Today my three-year-old is just whining and complaining about everything," a dad posted to Reddit. "From his lunch to having to clean the floor to the show his brother wanted to watch. So I told him that he needs to stop being so salty . . . and then it clicked."
Thanks to his "sarcastic dad-brain," he found the biggest potato in the pantry and gave it to his son: "I told him that he needs to hold onto this until he changes his attitude. He's too salty and when he's calm and ready to say nice things he can put down the potato and join us again."
And, just like that, it worked.
"He thought it was so silly and his mood changed," he wrote. "At first he was confused and wanted to put it down, but I told him that he will absolutely under no circumstances put the potato down until he's in a better mood to compose himself."
It sounds a bit ridiculous, sure, but we've all been desperate enough to at least give this potato trick a try, right?
If You Want to Raise Good Kids, Harvard Researchers Suggest These 7 Tips
Every parent wants to raise a good kid - someone who is caring, understanding, polite, ethical - but your little ones can't do it alone; they need help and guidance from the adults in their lives. According to human development researchers at Harvard, there are some guidelines supported by research studies that parents can look to for help raising a caring child, as well as seven tips to help put it all into action.
What Happened When 1 Mom Missed Class Because She "Couldn't Find Childcare"
When Morgan King had to miss class one day because she couldn't find a babysitter, she emailed her professor to explain her absence - and the teacher's response will make you shed a few tears of joy.
A single mom attending the University of Tennessee, Morgan tweeted a picture of the email from Sally Hunter, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies at the university. Not only did the understanding professor excuse Morgan's absence, but she also encouraged her to bring her baby, Korbyn, along to class in the future if a similar situation arises.
Told my professor I missed class yesterday bc I couldn't find childcare & this was her response. I'm literally crying. So blessed/thankful😩😭 http://pic.twitter.com/3QaThJRXdo
- Morgan King (@morgantking) June 16, 2017
"In the future, if you are having trouble finding someone to watch Korbyn, please feel free to just bring her with you to class," Hunter wrote. She also mentioned how she'd be "absolutely delighted" to hold the baby while teaching the class so that Morgan could pay attention in class. How sweet! "I work for the Department of Child and Family studies, so how terrible would it be if I was unwilling to have a child visit our class? I'm very serious with this offer, just bring Korbyn with you!" she added.
When Morgan arrived a tad late to class the following day, her teacher had a similarly adorable response.
Update: I walked into class a couple minutes late this morning & my professor said "awe dang, I thought you were gonna bring Korbyn today😞"
- Morgan King (@morgantking) June 16, 2017
The single mom's initial tweet quickly went viral, garnering more than 26,000 favorites. Hunter's reaction to the Twitter fame will warm your heart and restore your faith in humanity.
Update: I just went to email my professor to let her know I posted her email and it went viral but she beat me to it! Hahaha #twitterfamous http://pic.twitter.com/4n8EEc0zux
- Morgan King (@morgantking) June 19, 2017
55 of Jennifer Lopez's Most Jaw-Dropping Outfits Through the Years
Grab a fan and a cold beverage because you're about to see a lot of Jennifer Lopez's crazy-strong abs, toned legs, and, ahem, cleavage. The singer, actress, and producer's name is basically synonymous with the word hot, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that she's given us a fair share of revealing and sexy outfits through the past 20 years in the spotlight. Of course, there are the naked dresses (including that original Versace down-to-here Grammys dress) and '90s crop tops and low-rise pants, but there are plenty of miniskirts and backless looks as well. Keep reading to see them all.
I Look and Sound Like Selena - and Use My Talents to Honor Her Legacy
Tejano music was the soundtrack of my childhood. Growing up around Houston, in Texas City, as part of a Mexican family from Piedras Negras, I was introduced to Tejano music pretty early on. My parents were always playing the upbeat and catchy music, and whether we were hosting a cookout or family gathering or just chilling at home, Grupo Mazz, Intocable, and Ramón Ayala were always in the background.
A few years after losing my parents, I saw Selena Quintanilla on TV and was taken aback. Her resemblance to my mother was shocking. What she was wearing, the way she moved, her features - she looked so much like her. I knew right then I wanted to be a singer.
It was her 1994 Acapulco, Mexico, performance. I remember my family reacting to her outfit. She was wearing leather shorts, cowboy boots, and a white fitted tee with her hair down. I remember my tios and my tias going on and on about how beautiful she looked and my tias trying to dance like her.
I wanted to become someone great, humble, but ambitious. Just like Selena, I wanted to be a woman who owned her curves, was proud of her Latina roots, and oozed confidence. Right in front of me, Selena was achieving the American dream by becoming an icon who reached all races and backgrounds and influenced with her charisma.
My career as a Selena tribute artist began by accident when I was 23. Strangers were always telling me how much I resembled the queen of Tejano music, and a friend pushed me to enter a Selena karaoke bar contest in Kemah, TX.
The karaoke contest was open to the public, and we knew the DJ of the event. Around 40 people entered the contest, and I was included in the top 10 and went on to compete for the final three. The competition continued the following weekend, and we each submitted one additional Selena song. Each contestant had two songs total: mine were "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" and "Que Creias." I made it to the top three, which gave me the courage to enter another karaoke contest during Cinco De Mayo in Houston. Wearing one of my mom's Selena-inspired outfits, this time I won first place.
I've been paying tribute to Selena since that day four years ago. I use my voice to carry the legacy of her music by performing at music festivals, birthday parties, and concerts all over Texas and the US. To represent this Latina icon and give fans the experience of having one more onstage Selena moment makes me emotional. I feel the love her fans had for her every time I step on stage in a bustier and high-waisted pants.
I especially value meeting the fans who met Selena while she was alive. I feel blessed to leave such an impression on them that they start crying during my performance, because I remind them so much of her. When families can share their memories of her with me, it makes what I do that more special, and I take it as such a compliment that I can help keep her memory alive in person. But Selena's memory isn't the only one I'm keeping alive, because ultimately, my tribute to Selena is also a tribute to my mother.
Sephora Points Now Expire, Which Is a Good Excuse to Spend Them All Right Now
Eagle-eyed beauty junkies have discovered something that impacts probably just about everyone reading this: the Sephora Beauty Insider points you've been hoarding for years now have an expiration date. And the internet has a lot of feelings about this news. In fact, many Sephora shoppers look like this right now:
Image Source: Fox
As soon as we heard this fact, we began poring over Sephora's Terms & Conditions document as if we were researching for the new season of Serial. Here's the updated policy: to keep your Beauty Insider status, you must spend $350 per year. VIB Rouge Members must spend $1,000 in the same amount of time. Your points will only only expire if you have absolutely no activity on your account. If you pick up a Birthday Gift (best part of the year!), cash in any Beauty Insider reward, or simply just make a purchase on your Beauty Insider account, your points are safe.
Look at it this way: you now have an excuse to buy more makeup.
Image Source: Paramount Pictures
18 Secrets From Sephora Employees, Including When to Buy Top-Selling Products
Sure, you shop there all the time (heck, you might as well live there), but how much do you really know about the beauty megastore you call your home away from home? We interviewed a handful of Sephora staffers (who alo prefer to keep their last names anonymous) to find out what it's like to work "the stage" - as we learned the main floor is called.
From getting paid (gratis) to attend pro makeup lessons concerns to wearing face uniforms (at least three eye shadow shades!) to helping women with a wide range of beauty (er, and sometimes relationship) concerns, read on as they let us in on the best, worst and weirdest parts of the gig.
1. They get gratis
Some women pay for pro beauty lessons. Sephora employees get rewarded to attend them.
"Each month, we have an hour-long learning session with a Sephora educator to learn about new products and brands coming to the store," says Kasey. "Once completed, we get sign-off to take home our gratis bag for that month. There are times when we receive the products we learned about in the session and others where it's just a bunch of random stuff."
When it comes to the gift of gratis, it especially pays to be a seasonal employee.
"I was originally hired during the holiday season (October through December)," she explains. "We don't have education sessions during that time so we end up getting four gratis bags after our January session. It's like Christmas for us!"
Another staffer Sarah adds: "One of our girls once told me 'I will never have to buy another piece of makeup again because Sephora not only pays for my bills, but feeds my addictions!"
2. Discounts are par for the course
If they don't manage to score what they want in their gratis bags, they can at least do so with a sweet discount.
"We get 20 percent off regular store items and 40 percent off the Sephora collection," says Chioma "Sometimes, we are even able to use our discounts on top of already-discounted items, but only for a limited time."
Discounts can range depending on the brand being purchased and the store in which you work.
Kelsey, who works at Sephora JCPenney, a pop-up Sephora located inside the department store, explains: "Our discount is 20 to 25 percent off almost the entire JCPenney store, including Sephora products, depending on method of payment. SiJCP employees cannot use our discount in freestanding Sephoras, and freestanding employees cannot use their discount at SiJCP."
3. There are exclusive sales
As for Sephora's sales, there are more than meets the consumer eye.
"A couple of months ago, the Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette was on sale for $27, and all of the Sephora employees got it for only $18!," says Chioma.
"We have a once-a-year promotion where you get an extra 35 percent off plus your already existing discount!," adds Sarah.
4. There's a pecking order
As with any job, there's a ranking that determines what you do and where you can go (literally).
"We have our top manager and then our assistant managers, whom are called CELs," says Chioma. "CELs are usually the ones who make sure everything is running smoothly on the black tile (Sephora grounds), while the manager is taking care of things in the office. Managers also have access to certain areas that other Sephora employees are restricted from, such as the stock room and the trash bin room."
5. It's a stage
At some stores, managers are referred to by their staff as directors and assistant managers are labeled cast members.
"It feels like we are performing in a play and acting for our clients. You do get a new name once you get promoted and there are many, many variations for what you could be called!," says Sarah.
6. They're only as good as their last sale
At Sephora, the only thing next to a promotion is bragging rights.
"Our manager gives us an opportunity to shine when it comes to sales, says Chioma. "If we get a $300+ sale from a client that we personally helped, we are featured in the board room with a copy of that sales receipt next to our picture! It's the manager's way of saying 'you're bringing in heavy sales; keep it up!"
In case you were wondering, they're also reading those surveys.
"We are evaluated as a store on our sales and service, so we individually strive to each reach personal goals in sales and service," notes Kasey. "Earning great survey comments from clients that we work with at the beauty studio and making big skin care sales in my particular store, are the top two ways to get recognized by our team leaders for doing a great job."
7. They work in different worlds
If working at a freestanding store, you better be prepared to know your zone.
"In freestanding stores, employees are separated by world (skin care, hair care, makeup, fragrance, and cashier) but, at SiJCP, we get to do a little of everything!," says Kasey.
8. They don't need makeup experience
Good news! According to the pros we spoke to, you don't need to be a former makeup artist to get the gig.
"My hiring experience was based off of how well I interacted with a group of people, how much energy I brought into the room, and how warm, inviting and helpful I came off," says Chioma. "The hiring manager wasn't focused on how much I knew about makeup or how skilled I was at it - that spoke for itself on my face during the interview process. I was actually surprised that I didn't have to put makeup on a model in order to be hired!"
Of course, retail experience and a love of makeup can't hurt.
"Most of us are completely self-taught and come into the job with basic retail experience," adds Kasey. "Some of the girls have gone to hair school and/or work in a salon and therefore have some experience in the industry, but most of us start out as makeup-lovers who want to grow and expand our artistry and knowledge."
9. They have a beauty uniform
While no prior experience is required (it's learned on the job), employees are expected to put their best faces forward.
"When it comes to makeup, the rules are: you must wear some kind of complexion base (such as foundation or face powder), at least three eye shadow shades, a cheek color and a lip color," Chioma explains. "Hair has to be secured so it's not being messed with or in the way, and nails must be manicured and well groomed, but can't be extremely long so they aren't poking clients when we give them makeovers!"
Unlike some other uniforms, this one still allows for some creativity.
"Funky colors and tattoos are encouraged, as we love to have individuals expressing themselves!," says Sarah.
10. They leave the drama for the makeup
There are employees who tend to form closer bonds, but there aren't cliques per se, at least when it comes to Chioma's store.
"Our staff is fairly small since I work in a small town, so we usually have outings and events that we all do together, like go out for pizza and drinks and have holiday parties," says Chioma. "Our staff members get along with one another. If something rather scandalous happens, we discuss it in a mature way so there's no conflict in the future."
That said, you can kiss any secrets goodbye.
"Since our staff is so small, if one person gets super wasted at a college party, everyone finds out about it! It's usually something we laugh about at work the next day," Chioma explains.
11. Weekends and holidays are insane
If you're looking for some one-on-one time, you'll want to stop by on a weekday.
"Working in a mall on a Friday night is always interesting," says Kasey. "Weekends are when we do the most custom makeup appointments for special events, so sometimes it's tough to get walk-ins sat down at the beauty studio for assistance with other concerns. Holiday is so different from the rest of the year for obvious reasons!"
12. There's a list of hot-ticket products
With popular times come in-demand items.
"If you're coming in looking for the newest Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit ($40) or Too Faced Eye Shadow Palette, there's a very high chance that it's sold out. You might not be lucky trying to find Kat Von D's 'Lolita' Lipstick ($21) or Becca's 'Champagne Pop' Highlighter ($38), either," says Chioma.
And that mask that went viral? Forget about it.
"Everyone wants the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask ($34) right now!" notes Kasey. "It flies off the shelves and we get nonstop phone calls asking if we have it in stock. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eye Shadow Palette ($42) and the Kat Von D Alchemist Holographic Palette ($32) have also been super popular and sell out quickly."
13. They stock up regularly
When it comes to nabbing the latest, the early bird gets the worm.
"The days that we get new shipments in are random, but we usually do restocks before the store opens," explains Chioma. "If you're looking to get first dibs on a new or sold-out product, I would recommend coming in during the morning time."
If you can't swing by in the morning, Kasey suggests giving your local store a ring.
"If you're looking for a specific item, our store can put it on hold or add you to a list so we can call you when we restock something," she says.
14. They get first dibs
Of course, this is one of those instances when it helps to be or know a Sephora employee.
"We get first dibs on all of the newest products and having the inside scoop on the upcoming collaborations and collections that are coming to the store in the future," says Chioma. "There's a special release coming in the Fall that I'm not allowed to say anything about yet, but it's going to be phenomenal!"
Sometimes, they luck out and get items before anyone is supposed to.
"We get early access to products if they're delivered early, and we're allowed to put products on hold for ourselves to make sure hot-ticket items don't sell out," adds Kasey, noting there are sometimes restrictions.
15. Their clientele ranges significantly
If you're looking for consistency, you might want to look elsewhere because, as Kasey puts it, no day at Sephora is the same.
"I have put lip gloss on a 4-year-old, helped a 95-year-old woman find the perfect retinol serum, built a first makeup collection for an upcoming drag queen, helped YouTube beauty gurus find the next products for their videos, and everything in between," explains Kasey.
16. They know you better than you think
Even though there's a wide range of clients and interests, there are some requests that come up over and over again.
"Some questions I get asked frequently are 'Can you help me find a foundation that won't make me look cakey?' or the classic 'I know nothing about makeup and I have an event this weekend - can you teach me everything?," says Chioma.
This includes regularly playing matchmaker.
"Our top request is probably to help clients match foundations," notes Kasey. "We also have people who come in and ask for online-only brands (like Kylie Cosmetics, Morphe and Jeffree Star)."
17. They're expected to get personal
Then again, there are always surprises.
"I once helped a woman who'd developed facial hair from a medication she was on color-correct and conceal her 5 o'clock shadow," says Kasey. "She was so embarrassed, but we are a judgment-free zone and I was so happy to help her to move past her insecurities."
Some customers hold nothing back.
"I think the weirdest thing that I've been asked at work is 'what's a good lipstick that won't smudge or rub off when I get intimate with my boyfriend?' In case you're wondering, I recommended Kat Von D's Liquid Lipsticks," Chioma offers.
18. They absolutely love what they do
All in all, they wouldn't have it any other way.
"The best part of the job is making women feel as loved and special as they can. The love you give out is only a fraction of the love you get back from your clients!" says Sarah.
After all, they're making a difference.
"It sounds corny, but we literally change lives! Making clients feel beautiful and getting to know them and seeing them come back is such a rewarding feeling! It makes it all worthwhile," adds Kasey.
22 Behind-the-Scenes Moments on Game of Thrones That Will Change How You See Everyone
Game of Thrones might be the most intense show on TV, but it's not always so intense to make it. We imagine the show can be so wearing that you have to have fun behind the scenes, and that's exactly what it appears this close-knit cast does. If you're still reeling from this season, then you've got to see some of these hilarious and awkward behind-the-scenes moments. From blooper reels to their social media accounts, see what crazy stuff goes on on the Game of Thrones set when they yell "Cut!"
Husband Says "Time Is Drawing Near" For His Terminally Ill and Pregnant Wife on Life Support
After Carrie DeKlyen was diagnosed with terminal cancer in April 2017, she enrolled in a clinical trial at the University of Michigan to fight the incurable disease. However, the mom of five was informed she wouldn't be able to receive treatment unless she terminated a pregnancy she wasn't even aware of up until that very appointment. As soon as she found out about the pregnancy, she decided to forgo treatment to give her baby a shot at life. Since this decision was made, Carrie's condition has deteriorated rapidly, and at 21 weeks pregnant she is running out of time as she lies in a vegetative state on life support.
Carrie's husband, Nick, said that his wife's diagnosis was "his worst nightmare." After tons of severe headaches, Nick knew something was wrong when Carrie woke up vomiting one morning. His suspicions were unfortunately correct, and doctors diagnosed Carrie with glioblastoma, an aggressive malignant tumor that can affect the brain and spinal cord, and gave the mom about five years to live. Since then, Carrie has undergone four major brain surgeries and her health has quickly declined.
Doctors told Carrie she would die if she decided to move forward with her pregnancy, but the mom didn't care. "It was Carrie's decision and I said 'What do you want to do?' She said, 'We're keeping it,'" Nick told People. "She's going to miss us, but she knows this life is so quick and we'll see each other again in Heaven. Knowing that gives her hope and, I know it's crazy, but I support her decision."
Carrie and Nick are parents to five other children - Elijah, 18, Isaiah, 16, Nevaeh, 11, Leila, 4, and Jez, 1 - in addition to their unborn daughter, who they've named Life. Doctors hope that Carrie can make it at least seven more weeks to give Life the best chance at a safe delivery and survival. However, Carrie suffered a stroke two weeks ago and hasn't yet gained consciousness back. "I don't know if she hears me, but I tell her I love her every day. . . ." Nick said. "I look at her face and know this is what she wants and it gives me comfort. But right now, it's a race against time."
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help eliminate some of the financial burden the family has faced since Nick quit his job to be with Carrie full time. The devoted husband said he "couldn't be more proud" of his wife, adding, "She made the decision to give Life a chance at life."
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