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.
mercredi 2 mai 2018
I Never Expected to Fall in Love With Virtual Reality - but Then I Met Oculus Go
I have always been a skeptic when it comes to anything billed as "the next big thing." Sure, I'll try anything once - but until something becomes integrated fully into the mainstream universe that is our collective digital lives, I'll generally keep an arched eyebrow and a snarky comment in my back pocket for the day that the latest "game changer" inevitably, indubitably, inescapably fails.
There have been some exceptions to this rule, of course. I'll be the first to admit that last year I ate some serious crow with regards to the world of smart-home technology. But that all pales in comparison with my most recent revelation, one that represents the biggest step-change in my 30-something years of life: I think we may finally, as a society, have gotten virtual reality to the place where it's actually ready to be the real next big thing - and it's all because of Oculus Go.
To be clear, I'm no stranger to virtual reality. I've tested my fair share of headsets and devices and rigs over the years and never really understood what it was that people enjoyed. Nor did I understand why anyone in their right mind would spend such a phenomenal amount of money to acquire a device that hurt your face, put your phone in perilous proximity to your eyeballs, and didn't do anything truly revolutionary (as far as I was concerned). As a result, when I walked in to demo Oculus Go a couple of weeks ago, I wasn't really prepared for the experience that I immediately got - in fact, I was literally speechless for a couple of hours after, contemplating just how big a deal what I had just seen truly was.
First and foremost, let me just throw this out there: the starting price for the unit (complete with accessories and the control) is $199 - and no, that's not a typo. As the most affordable model ever to enter what was once considered a prohibitively expensive space, it puts the virtual reality experience at a cheaper price point than any standard video game system (the possibilities for gaming are endless!) and, of course, far lower than a TV set itself (you can watch streaming video right on the device!). It also means that it's not the end of the world if something happens to it, transforming the headset into a portable part of your everyday life as opposed to an object that should be kept under glass.
To that end, one of the most revolutionary parts of the Oculus Go is that you can take it anywhere with you since it's a completely standalone device. You use your phone to set it up, but that's it - there's nothing inserted into the front of the goggles, no lanky cords, no computer required nearby. Being wireless, flexible, and easy to replace makes it so that you actually want to spend time with the device, with the added bonus that the developers spent a whole hell of a lot of time working to make it more comfortable - adding soft-to-the-touch eye wells, including straps that accommodate a ponytail, and developing a spacer for those who wear glasses. You can even get prescription lens inserts, if you're feeling fancy - in other words, they've covered every single imaginable base with the newest design, and boy was it worth the wait.
At this point, it should be quite clear that both my wallet and my face were feeling ecstatic about the prospects of the Oculus Go - but it took the four-day weekend I spent one on one with the headset to truly round out the trifecta - that is to say, to really show me why I needed one in my life and I needed it now. What makes the device so astoundingly glorious is what's found inside: an entire world, built and ready to explore, with the promise of so, so much more. With third-party apps popping up on the daily and 360 videos being uploaded to Facebook hourly, there's a never-ending stream of delightful content that pours into the Oculus Go. But there are two features in particular that I want to spotlight as what truly won me over: the beauty that is Oculus Spaces and the striking experience of streaming Netflix and Hulu in VR.
There have been prior iterations of Spaces in previous Oculus models, and chances are you've probably seen some form of the technology utilized on the Facebook platform itself. But the 2018 version brings our wildest Sims-based fantasies to life, placing a customized personal avatar in a personalized apartment that allows you to play games, watch TV, and have animated conversations with friends - all in a world that is your very own. This is where things get super trippy, so hold on to your hat: your avatar moves as you do, and the built-in headset sound is spatial, so if your friend is talking to you on the left side you'll only hear them in that ear. If that doesn't blow your mind enough, note that you can sit down at a table and play a board game as your favorite movie plays in the background and you chat to one another from afar.
But it doesn't have to be just any movie. Oculus Go partnered with Netflix and Hulu so you can watch any of your favorite binge-streaming shows from the comfort of your Spaces couch while sat beside your best friend - no matter where you are in real life. Which is a big freakin' deal in and of itself, but also consider this: even if you want to watch something solo, you no longer have to stress out about kicking your roommates out of the living room to watch your favorite series or about the sound being too loud when you fall asleep with your computer still on. Instead, you can lay back and watch that ending on your own time, making it a real, actual game changer, if you ask me.
While I may have just laid out the case for why Oculus Go ticks all the boxes for a virtual reality fantasy made realized and complete, just summing up my favorite features doesn't even scratch the surface of the myriad things this must-have device can do, so you can expect to hear a whole lot more from me on my continuing quest to conquer every inch of the headset's features, dear reader, over the coming days and weeks. But at this stage I can say one thing for certain, and it's something I never expected I'd say: Oculus Go made me a VR believer, and I'm pretty damn sure that if you pick one up for yourself, it'll make you a believer too.
4 Dreamers Remember the Moment They Learned They Were Undocumented
While many recipients of DACA - who are known as Dreamers - grow up in the US fully aware they are undocumented, that's not the case for everyone. In fact, some Dreamers had little to no knowledge that they came into the country illegally until one jarring moment revealed the truth. Some lived their young lives thinking their future held the same opportunities as their classmates' and friends' - only to find out later that their paths would be uncertain.
The Development, Relief, and Education For Alien Minors Act, or Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals, has been in limbo since the Trump administration announced its plans to rescind the program in September 2017. DACA was first established as an executive order by then-President Barack Obama in 2012; it allows protections for recipients under the age of 31 who were brought into the country illegally before their 16th birthday.
While the Supreme Court did buy DACA recipients some more time with its decision to not hear arguments from Congress on the program's future - therefore allowing DACA to continue - the ongoing debate over immigration still leaves many Dreamers uncertain and fearing the worst.
POPSUGAR spoke to Dreamers who still remember clearly the surprise and dread they felt when they discovered they were undocumented. Here are their stories.
This Adorable Stray Dog Is Now a Monastery's Newest Friar
A monastery in Bolivia has a new adorable friar: a stray dog who goes by Friar Bigotón. The schnauzer dog, originally a stray, was recently adopted by a Franciscan monastery in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Friar Bigotón and his story went viral after photos of him dressed in Franciscan clothing were posted to Facebook.
Posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm on Sunday, February 26, 2017
The dog, named Friar Carmelo and who also goes by the nickname Friar Bigotón (mustache in English), is seen in various photos running around the monastery, drinking water - all while dressed as a friar. The Facebook album, was posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm, on Feb. 26. It's clear that people love the dog a lot, considering the album has more than 2,000 reactions.
Posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm on Sunday, February 26, 2017
Fray Carmelo predicando a los peces
Posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm on Sunday, February 26, 2017
Friar Jorge Fernandez told the Dodo that Carmelo loves playing and running - and that they're big fans of him. "Here, all of the brothers love him very much. He is a creature of God."
Posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm on Sunday, February 26, 2017
It's thanks to local adoption agency, Proyecto Narices Frias, that Carmelo found a new home. We're so glad he did - he looks like he's having the time of his life.
Posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm on Sunday, February 26, 2017
I’m an Atheist - and No, I’m Not More Likely to Be a Serial Killer Than Anyone Else
Like 40 percent of Americans, I found myself on a Sunday morning in a place of worship; specifically, I was sitting in the pew of a church. Not just any church, but Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, GA, which former President Jimmy Carter attends and where he was scheduled to teach Sunday school that morning. After "checking in" on Facebook, I received notifications and text messages with the same question, "You're in a CHURCH?" Yes, this atheist was in church. Yes, this atheist was going to listen to a Sunday school class and participate in a full church service. But just because I don't believe in any higher power, did that mean that I couldn't reap any judicious lessons about humanity that might be taught?
There's a common misconception that atheists are untrustworthy and immoral and will burst into flames upon entrance of any religious facility. Now, there are people of all faiths or nonfaith who are untrustworthy or immoral, but I am here to tell you that none us will spontaneously combust. All jokes aside, this is a harmful and hurtful stereotype that those of nonfaith face. The New York Times recently published an article highlighting a new study by the journal Nature: Human Behaviour that showed a strong bias against atheists among those questioned in more than 13 countries, including the United States. The shared suspicion of nonbelievers as dangerous is still alive and well worldwide. The survey showed an "extreme moral prejudice against atheists," and respondents even said they believed serial killers were more likely to be atheists. (Which begs the question: what about terrorist attacks conducted by faith-based persons vs. atheists/agnostics?)
The nonbeliever portrays an unwelcome threat to the religious, when, really, we are just trying to live our lives.
Teachings from the books of various religions including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam reinforce punitive measures for those who don't obey the religious teachings as lessons to be learned - often brutal lessons. This is to, literally, put the fear of God in you. One would think that this would lead to better behavior among adults and children, a kinder mentality toward fellow humans. And yet, another study conducted by a team of developmental psychologists found that "children from religious families are less kind and more punitive than those from non-religious households." This is not to say that there aren't some good lessons to be learned from these religious books; on the contrary, commandments such as "Love thy neighbor as thyself" and not to gossip about others are exercises from which we could all do a little better in practicing. But when these teachings cease to be about genuine kindness and more about who can be the better worshiper, this is when religion starts to lose its credibility in regards to morality.
The author, right, with former president Jimmy Carter, center, and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, left, at Maranatha Baptist Church. Photo courtesy the author.
Here's the thing about atheists: when we show altruism, it's not to assuage some higher power or in the hopes that we are going to get a front-row seat in some kind of heaven or afterlife. We also don't have the fear or guilt that often comes with religious pledging. We practice acts of decency toward our fellow humans on this earth because that's just what you do. So why are atheists still judged and treated as if we're dangerous? My take on this is what plagues all of us at some point in our lives: fear of the unknown. In my experience, many who have not found their own comfort and confidence in their religious lives project their unease onto "the other." Atheists are routinely seen as "the other." The nonbeliever portrays an unwelcome threat to the religious, when, really, we are just trying to live our lives.
What the study published in The New York Times failed to explore or answer was why atheists are seen as immoral and less trustworthy. What we should now ask is why atheists and agnostics are seen as more likely to be "psychopathic serial killer(s)," when there's not any evidence proving this belief as accurate? Who gets to define "morality"? Why is the idea of morality synonymous with religion, when no one should have to be driven by gods, faith leaders, or fear to simply be charitable, decent people?
The person to my left, who was raised Baptist but turned Episcopalian, guided me through the service, as I stood unfamiliar and unsure.
I sat in the sanctuary that Sunday with a wide array of people from various states, countries, faiths, and nonfaiths, all of our differences acknowledged and welcomed. The person to my left, who was raised Baptist but turned Episcopalian, guided me through the service, as I stood unfamiliar and unsure. President Carter's lesson that morning focused on Ezekiel 37 and The Valley of the Dry Bones. While this lesson serves as a reminder to those of the Christian faith that God can make bad things in their lives better, President Carter's words and actions transcended the scripture. He himself presents as an example, as he takes the dry bones of wood and turns them into homes through his volunteerism for Habitat For Humanity. Regardless of how big or small, our gestures to humanity as a whole are how we make a difference, rather than where or who we choose to worship or not.
Atheists are your neighbors, your coworkers, your classmates. As an atheist, I awaken each day with the same hopes and fears as those who believe in a higher power. I just go about tackling those challenges a little bit differently. Rather than continuing to further the idea of atheists as "immoral" and reinforcing a falsely based fear, we need to redirect the dialogue and have the conversation. As people navigating this planet for a fairly short amount of time, we're all just trying to do the best we can, while leaving this place a little more compassionate than before, whether we believe in a god or not.
What It Means to "Dead-Name" a Transgender Person, and Why You Should Stop
Image Source: Everett Collection
In the first season of Amazon's incredible, visceral series Transparent, we meet Maura, a transgender woman who decides to come out later in her life. Maura has three kids and an ex-wife, all of whom struggle to see this new side of a person they've known for decades. During this time of struggle (and in flashbacks), we also learn what is known as Maura's "dead name" - aka the name she had prior to her transition.
In many small ways, her family shows resistance in accepting Maura's true presentation of self. It may be by using her old name or by recounting pretransition memories. Even the term "Moppa" - an amalgamation of "Momma" and "Poppa" that her kids adopt in the wake of her coming out - refuses to acknowledge that Maura wishes to be seen completely as a woman. The series shows just how crucial selecting her new name really was to Maura's transition process.
Now, in 2017, we're seeing some truly horrifying oppression against the transgender community - everything from President Trump's transgender military ban to a disturbing growing number of murders of transgender people. These are some of the more extreme examples of discrimination and mistreatment transgender people still face today, to be sure. Even so, they represent a marked ignorance about the transgender journey in general that inevitably reinforces the very behavior that breeds it. Even on the most basic level, transgender people are invalidated in ways both great and small every day. Perhaps one of the most common and easiest ways to dishonor someone's identity is to participate in what is known as "dead-naming."
"Dead-naming" is a term that involves "the practice of uttering or publishing the name that a transperson used prior to transition."
According to the Advocate, "dead-naming" is a term that involves "the practice of uttering or publishing the name that a transperson used prior to transition." Most of the time, an individual will pick a new name as soon as they begin to identify as the gender they know they are on the inside. This new name, in a way, marks the "death" of their old identity and the person they once were. With a new name, they signify a new, more truthful, and more fully realized phase of their life.
To get a better understanding of the deep significance of selecting a given name, we spoke to writer Caleb Camacho. "I think selecting a name and hearing people refer to me with that name was pretty solidifying in the transition process," Camacho, who is transgender, told POPSUGAR. "It made me feel like I was being seen as the man I was presenting myself as. When I finally got my legal documentation changed over to reflect my chosen name, it was a major deal. Yes, it's time-consuming and frustrating, but it's so worth it in the end. I no longer get strange looks when I present my ID card or license."
It's clear that choosing a new name to go with a more authentic identity is a very private and personal aspect of an individual's transition. That said, there have been several prominent and public examples of transgender people addressing how they wish to be referred to - both in pronouns and by formal names - especially in the last decade. As we already mentioned, Transparent introduces us to a transgender woman who renames herself Maura after coming out. Since Maura's dead name is Mort, her choice of name signifies a common way for an individual to self-identify after transition: to take their previous name and use a version of it that reflects their new identity.
Some transgender individuals, like Transparent producer Zackary Drucker, opt not to change their names at all. Drucker said in a 2015 interview with Dr. Drew, "[I come from] a family that always told me that I could be whomever I wanted to be, and to be proud of who I was, which is one of the reasons why I chose not to change my name." Still other individuals, like actor Colin Mochrie's daughter, Kinley, pick a new name entirely.
Image Source: Annie Leibovitz exclusively for Vanity Fair
Then there's perhaps the most high-profile transition the public has ever seen: Caitlyn Jenner's. Caitlyn came out on the cover of Vanity Fair in May 2015 and left her old identity behind. She even went so far as to explain the significance behind her choice, which is something she absolutely does not owe the public. With so many striking examples of individuals electing to go by new and powerful names, it's not difficult to understand how it's so intrinsic to their transgender identity. For Camacho, it's an important marker of honor. "For the people I've grown up with or with family members, it feels like they respect who I am when they use my preferred name," he said. "I understand that it may take some time for them to get used to it, but - to me - it's a sign of respect." On the other side of the coin, it should be easy to see how dead-naming can be harmful and even hostile.
Camacho agrees. "In my experience, dead-naming can show a lack of respect for that person's identity," he explained. "For those who have just begun their transition, especially, it can also cause pretty bad dysphoria and self-doubt and anxiety and a whole list of emotions that no one should have to deal with."
"Dead-naming can show a lack of respect for that person's identity."
Jenner's very publicized transition means she is also often dead-named, especially since she was a celebrity prior to her coming out. The common belief is that dead-naming is OK, as long as we're talking about the person in a time before their transition. The reality is, as Sam Riedel states in a crucial HuffPost article about the practice, using a transgender person's dead name at any point is an act of violence. In fact, "hearing or seeing one's old name can induce a visceral sense of terror" and, to echo Camacho's sentiment, "can be a source of profound, dysphoria-inducing anxiety."
Refusing to call someone by their new name is just the same as refusing to acknowledge their new gender identity, and it's often employed as a transphobic way to demean and deny a transgender person's true expression of self. In 2015, radio host Glenn Beck said in a rant that he would not call Caitlyn Jenner by her new name and would not call her a woman. Instead, he repeatedly used her dead name and only referred to her with masculine pronouns. It's easy to see how the two go hand in hand. The embrace of one facet of a person's identity would, logically, beget the embrace of another.
Camacho revealed that dead-naming is not so cut and dried. Oftentimes, especially at the beginning of a person's transition, it can be accidental.
"During the first couple of years of my transition, it didn't really bother me too much, especially with my family. It took a while for my family to fully accept my transition, so I was understanding of the fact that it would take time for them to get used to referring to me by my preferred name. After all, they'd spent 20-something years calling me by my dead name. Now, since I've been transitioning for [more than four] years, I get a bit annoyed if they slip up, and then I remind them that my name is Caleb. It doesn't happen too often anymore, though."
But even when dead-naming isn't intended to be malicious, it is not harmless. As Camacho notes, you can only give those around you the benefit of the doubt for so long. Furthermore, it's important to acknowledge the effect it might have in more grave situations. For instance, consider how the police often fail to use correct names and pronouns when referring to transgender murder victims, impacting the data and understanding of the violence that community faces. And in smaller moments, consider how it might deny a person the simple right and respect to live as the person they truly are. In moments like this, using a proper name and gender identity means everything.
Take 1 Look at This INSANE Photo of the Moon, and You'll See Why It's Going Viral
Every time we get a different view of space, we're simply left in awe of its mesmerizing natural beauty. One photo of the moon in particular is no exception to that, as it has just started sweeping the internet and taking our breath away in the process.
The image features a view of an almost translucent crescent moon through the top of the Earth's atmosphere, and it's absolutely stunning. We've never seen the moon look like this before! This snapshot was captured by an astronaut in the Johnson Space Center's Image & Analysis Laboratory back in 2006, and it recently found its way to Reddit, where space-lovers noted its beauty and quickly made it go viral.
Some users even observed how the photo looks noticeably similar to a specific shot of the Death Star in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Seriously, the resemblance is uncanny . . . was this the movie director's sly way of giving NASA a hat tip? The internet seems to think so!
50 of the Sexiest Latinas in Hollywood
Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Mendes - that's just a few names that come to mind as some of the sexiest women to have ever walked this planet; and, yes, they all just happen to be Latina.
These stars' level of sexy is out of this world, so you will need to be seated before you start scrolling through our list of the hottest Latinas on the spotlight. It is that intense. No, we're not exaggerating.
But before you get it all wrong. These celebrities are not all sex appeal. They work hard and have paved their way in Hollywood through major achievements in film, music, and even behind the scenes as producers and directors. You'll see what we mean.
17 Years Later, Thalia and Tommy Mottola Continue to Prove Their Love Is Strong
Thalia and Tommy Mottola have been married for almost 17 years, and after two kids and nine Thalia albums, the couple are going strong, always right by each other's side.
Fun fact: the two were actually set up by Gloria Estefan's husband, Emilio Estefan. "He kept talking to me about a guy that he knew and I should meet him because we're like two drops of water and he kept saying the same thing to Tommy. I was like, 'What am I going to do with a guy who just got divorced and has kids?' and he was like, 'What am I going to do with a singer and an actress?'" she told HuffPost in 2011. "I was in New York for just one night, so we met for drinks and the rest is history." Clearly, Thalia and Tommy fell in love at first sight, but the two work hard at their relationship, with Thalia saying respecting each other and developing memories together are keys to their success. Their love is endless, and it totally shows in these photos.
Related: You Won't Fully Appreciate the Beauty of Thalia's Wedding Dress Until You See It Up Close
Wowza - This Victoria's Secret Model's Cheeky One-Piece Isn't For the Faint of Heart
Lais Ribeiro knows what swimsuits to pack for a relaxing vacation. The Victoria's Secret Angel posted some pictures of her dreamy Miami trip, and we wished we were there. The model, who walked down the 2017 VS runway while wearing the brand's $2-million Champagne Nights Fantasy Bra, showed off her enviable curves in a daring, light pink one-piece.
Lais's blush-hued swimsuit had a strappy low back with side cutouts, but that wasn't all. The ribbed style also featured a high-leg silhouette and a thong bottom. As it turns out, Lais was actually repping her friend and fellow VS model Candice Swanepoel's swimwear line Tropic of C. (Candice was also spotted wearing the same style while vacationing in Brazil.) Read on to see all angles of Lais's scandalous swimsuit and buy the exact style, as well as similar versions, ahead.
Exclusive: There's a New CoverGirl Mascara In Town - Here's How Massy Arias Uses It
Massy Arias's résumé is so long, I have to stop to catch my breath in between saying it all. Most notably, the fitness trainer is an influencer with a following of over 2.5 million people. She's also a mother to 1-year-old daughter Indi, and a CoverGirl ambassador. POPSUGAR can exclusively reveal that Massy can add mascara campaign star to that list, as she just teamed up with the iconic drugstore brand to promote its new LashBlast Flourish Mascara ($8).
Massy's CoverGirl campaign celebrates unapologetic self-care, because you truly shouldn't have to think twice about taking a moment out of your day to do something that makes you happy. Since a good mascara makes most makeup-lovers very happy indeed, this partnership seems like a match made by the beauty gods.
Flourish Mascara is made of papaya, avocado, and coconut oils, and it provides creamy, buildable coverage that both enhances and conditions lashes. It comes in four hues: Black, Very Black, Brown, and Black Brown.
Massy told POPSUGAR that Flourish is one of the only makeup products she'll wear to the gym - but sometimes she makes exceptions. "I usually only apply mascara when I'm working out," she said. "But there are days when I apply a thin layer of foundation if I'm really tired due to late nights with my baby girl, Indi."
CoverGirl
Pro tip: you won't get Massy's lush lashes by just swiping mascara on with no technique. "I start at the bottom of my lashes, wiggle the applicator, and then brush up," she said. "I also like to define my bottom lashes by individually coating each lash so my eyes look doll-like." That might sound like a lot of work, and that's the point. Massy told us her decision to pamper herself with makeup is a radical one.
"I take a few moments to myself throughout the day to do things that make me feel at my best," she said. Obviously, putting on mascara is part of that routine. In her words, "I wear it to draw more attention to my eyes, which makes me feel more beautiful and feminine - especially since my big hair chop."
Massy said she feels "honored and empowered" by her new gig. "As a little girl, I used to see all these iconic women who represented this brand. To be a CoverGirl is inexplicably humbling," she said. Her all-time favorite CoverGirls include Queen Latifah, Issa Rae, and Ayesha Curry. According to Massy, "All of these powerful women have such amazing style and are so genuine that it helps to inspire me to accomplish more."
Congratulations, Massy! (And congratulations to future me, who will have amazingly voluminous lashes after testing out this new tube.)
The Evolution of Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander's Love
There's no denying it: Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands are not only the happiest royal couple out there but also the chillest. It's been that way since they first announced their engagement to the public in 2001, after meeting in 1999 at the Seville Spring Fair in Spain. Even their wedding was a laid-back affair in comparison to other royal weddings, with Argentina-born Máxima in a simple but still stunning Valentino gown and smiling wide for the cameras.
From that moment on, the cuteness has only increased. There are endless photos of the royal couple happily walking arm in arm, laughing so hard it's contagious, and enjoying sweet and silly moments with their three daughters, Princesses Catharina-Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane. Scroll ahead to see Máxima and Willem-Alexander's love grow deeper and more fun as the years go by.
Related: Let's Take a Look Back at Queen Máxima's Fairy-Tale Royal Wedding
A Cannabis Facial Turned the Most Stressful Day of My Life Into No Big Deal
Image Source: Unsplash / Rick Proctor
The heavy subway doors closed on my 110-pound frame as "Vienna," Billy Joel's ode to young adult FOMO, played through my headphones. If you are unfortunate enough to get crushed by New York City's faulty MTA infrastructure, I hope it happens while that song is playing. There's a lovely sense of justice that goes along with taking abuse from the city while listening to a song telling you to slow down and chill out.
Chill was something my anxious ass was in desperate need of, which is why I subjected myself to a crowded D train heading all the way up to Harlem at rush hour on a Monday morning. To make matters worse, it was raining hard, and though I had a (broken) umbrella to take shelter under, I was criminally underdressed, wearing a too-short miniskirt as a protest against the cold. My hair was frizzy and my mind was unsettled, and it wasn't just because of Billy's haunting piano riff.
I took the time to stop into Harlem Skin & Laser Clinic for a CBD facial because, well, I really like pot.
The day before, I'd put in an application for a studio apartment. The process was cutthroat, and I was at the head of a long waiting list. I'd lose my spot if I didn't have the required documents in by 5 p.m. sharp. If you're not from New York, that might sound easy enough, but New York landlords are sticklers when it comes to paperwork. It seemed as if along with my standard proof of employment and W-4s, they also needed the blood of virgin triplets, a human sacrifice, and $3 trillion in bank-certified checks.
Despite the long day I had in front of me gathering all my materials, I took the time to stop into Harlem Skin & Laser Clinic for a CBD facial because, well, I really like pot. I also wanted to see if a buzzy skincare ingredient could actually turn around my fatigued, acne-prone, hormonal complexion. But due to a scheduling snafu, my appointment was for 9 a.m. - an hour before the clinic opened.
As I trudged through the rain to the storefront, I wasn't sure if there would be anyone there to answer. Luckily, the clinic's founder, Seven Brown, was waiting for me - and unlike the New Yorkers I'd just spent a wet commute with, she was actually smiling.
The Clinic's founder Seven Brown was waiting for me - and unlike the New Yorkers I'd just spent a wet commute with, she was actually smiling.
After getting me nice and dry (bless her heart), Seven began her 20-minute facial . . . on my feet! According to Seven, a lot of energy starts at your root chakra, so she likes to start down there to neutralize stress from walking, commuting, apartment hunting, rain boot wearing, etc. She used a mix of essential oils to massage my pressure points.
After the foot massage, Seven began my facial. She customizes each one to her clients' needs - I wanted a good exfoliating treatment. She began with a cleanser, which is the only inedible portion of the routine. Everything else is made from food-grade ingredients, including the digestive enzyme peel that came next, which was a hodgepodge of papaya and pineapple.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Alaina Demopoulos
Then it was time for the mask - and therefore the cannabis. The mask was made with CBD oil and the antioxidant manuka honey, which has antibacterial properties and also fights against inflammation while softening and soothing skin.
It's easy to feel relaxed when you're in a darkened salon getting an amazing facial and listening to Amy Winehouse. However, Seven reminded me that to reap the rewards of a cannabis facial, I'd have to channel such zen as I stepped outside to the torrential downpour. "Harvest this feeling," she told me and sent me on my way with a mineral water, which, according to Seven, contains potassium to refuel your senses and make you feel more alert. According to me, it sort of tastes like bathwater, but it did a good job getting me back to "work" mode after reaching peak relaxation.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Alaina Demopoulos
When I got back to the office, I noticed that my acne cysts were starting to bubble up or purge, which meant I'd have clearer skin by the weekend. My office mate Sarah, who is in general a very lovely and complimentary human, could not stop commenting on my "glow." She was right - the parts of my face that weren't springing up pimples looked super dewy, if I do say so myself. You can see what I mean in the unfiltered, no-makeup selfie below (OK, I admit - I'm wearing a bit of lipstick, but honestly, when you've got a power red like that, it should be illegal not to wear it).
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Alaina Demopoulos
My narcissistic postprocedure selfie sesh was interrupted by bad news bears: a very generous donation to the Alaina Apartment Fund courtesy of my parents (thanks, Mom and Dad!) wasn't going through to my bank account. I needed the money in order to get my dream sixth-floor walk-up. I was going to have to put on my "I have to speak to the manager" hat, go down to the bank, and sort things out - in between, you know, doing my job at POPSUGAR.
But I remembered what Seven had said and harvested the feeling of my blissed-out CBD facial as I marched into a customer service hell. And you know what? Call me a hippie, but when you take the time to chill, sometimes life works out. I got the apartment - oh, and I got superclear skin, too, in just a few days.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Alaina Demopoulos
See All the Smoldering Beauty Looks From the 2017 Met Gala
The Costume Institute Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art has the most creative, unexpected, and outstanding assortment of celebrity hair and makeup looks every year, and 2017 was no exception. Last year, the evening honored Comme des Garcons's Rei Kawakubo, which translated into avant-garde-style beauty from models, actresses, and fashion icons alike. Keep reading to see some of the most jaw-dropping creations, from Katy Perry's moody veiled headpiece to Lily Collins's crisp gothic lip.
This Teenage Makeup Artist Lit Up His Prom With Fenty Beauty
i wanted everyone to glow so i went around with @fentybeauty highlight and did my thing 🤑✨ I AM THE GENEROUS QUEEN ASK MISS ELLEN pic.twitter.com/POhtWjxFvX
- billy🥀 (@feminineking) April 29, 2018
Luckily for anyone who enjoys following the lives and loves of cool teens as much as I do, Fenty Beauty launched back in September, which was just in time for homecoming season. The sparkling Trophy Wife luminizer was incorporated into a few homecoming proposals and reminded us all that love is not dead and some boys can be nice. Now it's time for prom, and Fenty fans are back at it.
One budding makeup artist named Billy Huynh showed that prom season is also a season of giving, as the guru made sure to apply some preceremony highlight touch-ups on fellow attendees. Billy tweeted, "i wanted everyone to glow so i went around with @fentybeauty highlight and did my thing." Billy, you have an open invitation to all of my boring adult wine and cheese parties from now on.
The brand itself took note and responded with, "UM this is amazing!!! We love a generous queen!! Send us a DM, we'd love to send you some more KILLAWATT to bless everyone with, boo." And thus, Billy also schooled us in the art of a subtle network.
UM this is amazing!!! We love a generous queen!! Send us a DM, we'd love to send you some more KILLAWATT to bless everyone with, boo 💖
- Fenty Beauty (@fentybeauty) May 1, 2018
As Billy told POPSUGAR, the spur-of-the-moment glam sessions took place just before guests attended prom. "I was running around seeing if anyone wanted to be blessed with Fenty!" the makeup artist said. "I wanted everyone to feel as snatched as I did." (Mission accomplished!)
Billy applied the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo in Hu$la Baby/Mean Money ($34) with a BH Cosmetics brush.
"The response was amazing because people loved the pigment," Billy said. "I was blinding people a mile away. I was glowing on the dance floor!" A teenage dream, indeed.
9 Eyebrow Gels That Will Give You the Best Arches Ever
I take pride in perfecting my eyebrows every day. Whether I'm drawing them on with a pencil or applying powder, the one thing that always pulls them together is using a setting gel. This finishing makeup comes in both clear or tinted choices that you can find to match your hair color. It helps hold and form your shape, keeping brows in place throughout the day. We rounded up a list of popular picks from brands like E.L.F., Glossier, and MAC. Find yours ahead.
5 Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoos That Will Clarify Your Hair in 1 Use
Achieving and keeping clean hair (as in the lightweight and bouncy kind you can't stop running your hands through) isn't always an easy feat, but experts say the secret to gunk-free (add to that nourished and strong) strands could be right in your kitchen cabinet.
"Apple cider vinegar can act as a natural clarifier for buildup or an oily scalp. It's great to use an alternative to harsh shampoos that can strip your hair from natural oils. It also leaves hair with incredible shine," says Liana Zingarino, a hairstylist at the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in New York.
This is especially true in the days of dry shampoo and lived-in hair. "The cider works to remove residue from all of those styling products and impurities to make your hair feel squeaky clean," explains Giovanni Vaccaro, creative director at Glamsquad.
Read on for five shampoos and rinses that will bring your hair back to its natural - and perhaps shiniest - state.
I'm Completely Obsessed With This Low-Maintenance Lip Color
As a beauty editor, I've tried hundreds of products and have become exceptionally picky about the ones I welcome into my routine - and on my lips. I want them to be moisturizing, pigmented, easy to use, and sun protecting. When I found out that the Beauty by POPSUGAR Be Sweet Tinted Lip Balm ($20) would have all of the qualities I search for in a balm, I couldn't wait to try it.
To my delight, I have fallen in love with these tinted lip balms for one simple reason: I am a busy gal. I want to apply makeup easily, quickly, and without a lot of fuss. I also have zero tolerance for anything that feels uncomfortable (sorry, drying liquid lipsticks) and have turned to tinted lip balms to look put-together with less effort.
The Be Sweet Tinted Lip Balms contain moisturizing candelilla wax and have an SPF of 15 to prevent my lips from premature aging from the sun. Another plus? It smells like crème brulée, which makes me want to reapply it all day long. As an avid animal-lover, I can apply it guilt-free knowing that this baby is 100 percent cruelty-free. It's also free of bad-for-you ingredients like parabens, mineral oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
The colors of the tinted balms are perfect as well. They come in one clear and six sheer hues, all of which are buildable for a saturated lip look. My current favorite is Pucker Up, a berry-pink hue. With one swipe, I get a wash of color; two gives me a pretty stain; and three creates a truly pigmented deeper shade. I've been keeping different colors in my purse, desk, and home so I never have to go without my favorite balm. Read on to see the buildable color in action.
13 Drugstore Facial Moisturizers Your Skin Will Love
Whether your skin care regimen fills an entire medicine cabinet with steps one through 23 or it's practically nonexistent, there is one product that just about everyone on Planet Earth can get behind - a daily facial moisturizer. We challenge you to find a face that hasn't benefited from a little extra hydration every now and then . . . or every day, twice a day, if that's more your style. And you don't need a lavish cream with a mini marble spatula to get the job done, either! These drugstore favorites are moisturizers even Ms. Fancy Pants can slather on with a smile. Read on to see our picks.
These Are the 10 Best Foundations, According to Celebrity Makeup Artists
If you want to improve your makeup game, the key is to start with a good foundation. For many, that's easier said than done. Shade matching and finding that unicorn formula - the one that looks like a better version of your skin instead of a cakey mask - can seem impossible. To help make the search for Mr. Right Foundation easier, we took these challenges to the pros in hopes of separating the flaky from the flawless. Read on for some of the ones they and their celebrity clients have come to love.
If You're a True Makeup Junkie, You'll Want One of These 11 Tattoo Ideas
Whether you love playing around with beauty products or you're a makeup artist, getting a tattoo is a genius way to make your passion permanent. We rounded up some gorgeous ink ideas that include lipstick, eye shadow brushes, and much more. Check them out and feel inspired!
Make Waves With These 22 Tattoo Ideas For Anyone Who Loves the Ocean
Whether you love the ocean, water, or just an amazing adventure, make your passion permanent. Getting a wave tattoo is a cool idea if you're looking for new ink inspiration. We rounded up our favorite ideas, so check them out and consider one for yourself.
These 8 Short Styles Are Ideal For Fine-Haired Beauties
We all grumble about one thing or another when it comes to our physical traits, and that definitely includes the texture and thickness of our hair. Thick-haired people lament the hours spent just trying to blow-dry, and curly-haired folks are forever trying to figure out a way to tame frizz. And then there are those with fine hair whose primary objective is to determine the best way to boost volume and texture. We're focusing on the latter category today.
"Fine hair can achieve just as many versatile looks as thick, dense hair given a few essential styling aids and insights," noted Amanda Elaine Killen, Amika's Pro Educator. "First, fine hair like any other hair, needs to be hydrated properly to maintain health, so don't throw out your conditioners in defeat just yet. Try a lightweight yet nourishing conditioner - like Normcore Signature Conditioner ($9) - which is free of the parabens found in many conditioners that cause buildup and weigh hair down."
She also suggested using a matte texturing spray and/or volumizer to create additional texture and absorb the excess oil that causes too much slip in your style. Once you've got those basics down, the salon chair is your oyster. We've rounded up eight short hairstyles that are especially great for thinner hair since they better allow you to volumize and accentuate what you're already rocking.
Join Our Exclusive Facebook Group - Real Reviews With POPSUGAR
If we meet at a party, we might get into a 20-minute conversation about face masks. This often happens to me! As a beauty editor, people love to pick my brain about the serums that are worth your money, bold lipsticks that don't smudge, and hair products that fix frizz. It truly brings me joy to share my wisdom and advice about these topics!
We all feel like that on the beauty team at POPSUGAR; we love to talk about brands, products, and how to solve beauty dilemmas. To prove our devotion to solving your foundation crisis - one day at a time - we created a new Facebook group, where you can ask us your problems in real time. Yes, we work weekends.
Presenting Real Reviews by POPSUGAR Beauty! We hope you'll join the beauty party and get in on the daily conversations. What is so cool about this community is that we are not the only ones asking and answering questions. Women from all over the world are sharing their own tips, tricks, and favorite products.
Don't waste another second missing out on all of the fun, and join here now! See you on Facebook, beauty junkies!
May I Interest You in a $32 Light-Up Rose Gold Tweezer?
I love beauty enough to make a living writing about it, but sometimes, it can be exhausting. I can't just shave - I need to shave with a 24-karat gold razor. I can swipe on plebeian $1 discount nail polish - or I can show how bougie I am via a pricey Louboutin option.
Thankfully, the brand-new Latweez Rose Gold Plated Illuminating Tweezers ($32) look luxurious without the scary price tag. This new device will bring unprecedented chicness to your brow-removing ritual. It's stainless steel and comes in a trendy rose-gold hue, plus it has an LED light that will brighten up your bathroom.
How do you turn on this light? Glad you asked: you can illuminate your face via the Swarovski crystal on/off button. Oh you fancy, huh?
This Is What It's Like to Live With Birth Marks Covering Your Face and Body
"Ugh, what happened to you?" "You're not pretty like the other girls." "No one likes you. You look like you're covered in dirt." "No one is ever going to like you."
These remarks were the norm for me when I was growing up. Every comment hurt a little bit more than the last. I subconsciously hoarded them until they started to become the very things I was telling myself. I have a rare epidermal nevus condition called Phacomatosis pigmentokeratotica, which affects about 1 in 2,000 people. A nevus is the scientific term for birthmark or mole. My case is caused by a genetic mutation, although the specific gene remains unknown. It isn't something you'd see everyday, which was why I garnered this kind of attention.
I might've only been 7 or 8 years old, but I could still understand the magnitude of disgust behind every mean comment. I was constantly bullied in school by my peers. They would make fun of me for looking different. During sixth grade lunch hour, a boy threw food at me and crumpled notes with mean things written on them such as, "You're ugly." The harassment didn't stop with my classmates.
Parents of these kids would tell my mom and dad that I should have surgery to remove them, because I wasn't attractive. Adults walking past me would sneer at the sight of me and take pictures to laugh at. My sixth grade Spanish teacher even publically bullied me in front of class and said, "Why don't you go and connect the dots on your face?" You could imagine the amount of emotional trauma this caused to my self-esteem. I received positive comments here and there, but it was always the negative ones that held more weight to me.
My mom would take many measures to cover me up as best as she could to protect me from the world. I was always outfitted in turtlenecks and long pants. When it got hot, my mom would slather on foundation that was five times too light and too sheer for my skin. I was always running around so the makeup melted off anyway. It was not ideal.
I was taught was to hide and to cover my skin so people wouldn't say anything. But no matter how hard I tried, every negative comment and experience felt like the weight of the world. I hated what I looked like and soon I embodied everything that hurt. I believed that I wasn't beautiful and that I never could be. I briefly contemplated suicide around the end of middle school. If I just stopped everything, I wouldn't have to hurt anymore. I could stop my parents from tirelessly trying to find the best medical care for me, since at the time, most dermatologists didn't know what to do with my case. "Maybe I could stop my parents from having to take the emotional abuse. It would be so easy to end my emotional suffering," I thought to myself. [Editor's note: if you or a loved one feels suicidal, find help here.]
I am now 24 years old, and all I can say is that I am grateful I chose otherwise. It was a painfully slow but steady journey to attain self-acceptance. To this day, I feel like I still have a lot to work on. There are days when I'll cry, but I'm only human, and I need to allow myself to feel emotion. Regardless of those bad days, I know that I will always pick myself up and continue on with my life.
Today, I can't help but tell you how much I love my life and how much I am appreciative for my birthmarks. Not only have they given me confidence in my appearance, but they have also given me the strength and drive to pursue my dreams. I grew up with a lot of negativity, but slowly, I learned to stand up against it. I kept telling myself that they were wrong and that what they said meant nothing to me. I began to apply the mindset of "never taking no for an answer" to all aspects of my life.
Being bullied when I was young made me sensitive. I used to hate that I didn't have tough skin but now, I feel fortunate that I don't. My sensitivity allows me to be compassionate towards people who are hurting and it allows me to pick up on subtle hints that they are in pain. My birthmarks also taught me to be positive for myself and for other people around me. There is enough hate in this world and enough people telling us that we can't do something.
I didn't want to add to that, and instead, I chose to have a positive outlook on my life and to lift up the people around me. When I see the people around me reach success, it's a chain reaction for more great things to come. So I can't help but continue to be positive. I can't express the amount of emotional suffering I went through to get to the confidence level I am at now. I came up with things to remind myself when things were especially difficult, and I hope these tips empower you to believe in your worth and your beauty. You have so much to offer in this world! Without further ado:
1. You have to love you.
This was the most difficult, but most important idea to grasp in my journey to accepting myself. My family and friends were always encouraging about my appearance and say that it's what they love about me. It is what makes me different. What I came to realize was that although the support was strong, I could not accept it until I came to accept myself. Strength at its paramount comes from within. People can be strong for you, but it is meaningless until you truly believe you are beautiful. Once you are confident that you are strong, no one can take that away from you.
What is even more important is that once you love yourself, the negative comments you receive become so irrelevant to you that you barely even notice they exist. You can create your reality. If you bottle up those negative comments and make them a part of you, then they will overcome you. But, if you believe that you are strong and beautiful, then that will in and of itself become your reality.
Something I do to feel strong inside and out is that I go to the gym! I love lifting weights and circuit training. I make sure to work out each muscle group throughout the week. I also rarely eat out, because I love to cook healthy. The combinations of both working out and eating clean make me feel great both physically and mentally.
2. When times get tough, get tougher.
There were many situations in which I found myself behind closed doors by myself, crying because I didn't know what I did to garner such negative attention. I would just sit there and feel so bad for myself. It came to a point when I would be sitting in an ocean of used tissues, dizzy from hyperventilating and unable to squeeze any more tears out of my eyes. I realized that life goes on. It's not going to sit and wait for you to feel bad for yourself. There are things out there to be done. Goals to be reached. Empowerment to be gained. Success to be earned. I bit my bottom lip and redirected my energy into the things I felt made my life worth living.
I channeled this energy into becoming a doctor. I had been exposed to dermatology my entire life and have been fortunate to meet some incredible and inspirational physicians who changed me forever. I also have had over 60 major and minor surgeries, so I have also been exposed to the field of plastic surgery. It's something I want to dedicate my life to because I want to help people through what I am currently going through. Because of my birthmarks and the arduous journey with having them, I feel I am able to relate to my patients and lead them to a physically and mentally healthy life.
So, my lesson for you is that you need to take life by the balls and own it. Find something worth being tough about and run with it. The world is yours. You have to choose to take it.
3. Stop trying to hide it - own it!
My mom insisted that I use makeup to cover my skin when I was younger, but now, all I want to do is show the world that I am proud to be me. I tried to use foundation once, but I looked so silly. The coverage was too sheer and the amount I had to use was ridiculous. I honestly didn't feel authentic. If people look, I say let them look! Let them admire your beauty. In a world where people are dying to stand out, we are lucky to already have that trait.
Though I decided to forgo cosmetics for coverage, I still have products to protect my skin from damaging UV rays. My beauty secret is to use a broad-spectrum SPF moisturizer and body lotion. It'll also prevent premature aging, an added bonus. My favorites include: Jergens Natural Glow SPF 20 ($11) for the face and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock ($7 each), SPF 45 and SPF 100 for my body. I encourage everyone, even to those who do not have birthmarks, to use SPF. I love Jergens Natural Glow for its smell and its self-tanning product. Since I can't go out and tan, this my way of getting some color. Neutrogena's Dry Touch line is amazing because it doesn't feel heavy. I've gone through too many greasy sunblocks and am glad to say that this product line definitely does not disappoint.
4. Be compassionate.
The comments that people make must never define you. Sometimes, people will say mean things that will hurt you to the very core. It's an uncomfortable situation, especially if the topic of your appearance is an extremely sensitive subject. It's important to keep in mind that people are curious. Sometimes they are ignorant. If they are mean to you, it is because they still have more to learn about life. They just don't understand how to process your beauty. Continue to be kind, for they are simply naive.
As I get older, less mean things are said to me, but I still get asked about them. I realize that the questions come from curiosity. It's harder to understand this when it's a sensitive topic, but it's important to be compassionate and to not be defensive to those who question. I get asked all the time if I wanted to get them removed and my answer was, is, and will continue to be: no. My birthmarks made me the person I am today. They gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams in more ways than one. They have given me the confidence and grit to continue my goals of being a doctor. They made me compassionate and optimistic.
I want people out there who are going through what I went through to understand that it's OK to be a little insecure sometimes. I want you to know that you are beautiful and that you are loved, even if you can't see it. You don't have to prove your worth to anyone but yourself. You are already great. You have the potential to be even greater and you have it within you to never stop until you reach success. Believe that your differences make you unique. Be confident that they can change your life once you accept them and love them for what they are and who you can be.
Jenna Lee is currently workong on completing a Masters Degree in biomedical sciences; follow her on Instagram here!
Attention: This Makeup Brush Cleaning Hack Will Change Your Life
Every now and then there comes a beauty hack that stops you in your tracks and makes you think, "Wow that's incredible!" and "Who in the world thought to even use it that way?" That's what I thought when I heard about using an art supply store staple to clean makeup brushes.
I was introduced to this non-beauty beauty tool, the Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver ($7), by celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles, who features the product on her online store, Reed Clarke. Her store is a curated collection of her most beloved beauty finds, which she's picked during her travels around the world. According to her site, she says this is the only brush cleaner she's used since discovering it. "It gets every shade and hue out of every brush I own," she writes.
The Masters Brush Cleaner, which was created in 1979, is actually formulated to dissolve wet or dry paints - like acrylic, oil, metallic, and watercolor - from paintbrushes, and return them to their original shape and luster. According to one Amazon reviewer, "I trust all of my brushes to this brush cleaner, as does every other painter that I know. Art supplies are expensive, and preserving them properly protects and extends that investment. This cleaner has pulled some of my formerly 'ruined' brushes back from the edge." So, if you apply that same principle to makeup brushes, it makes complete sense it should translate from the art easel to your bathroom vanity.
The cleaner inside the jar is actually a solid compound, which has a faint lemon scent. It reminds me of raw coconut oil - when you push your fingers down inside it, the product melts and mushes a little bit. That firmness is what makes the cleaner so easy to use.
Here are the steps to cleaning your makeup brushes using the Masters Brush Cleaner:
- Wet the brush hairs so they are just damp enough to be able to loosen the grit off of them.
- Swirl the brush directly into the compound and work into a lather.
- Using the palm of your hand or a silicone makeup cleaning mat/mit, massage the brush hairs to work the makeup out fully.
- Rinse the brush under cold water, reshape the hairs, and lay it flat to dry on a towel.
- Dump out any excess liquid that's pooled inside the jar. And don't worry about accidentally dumping out the compound itself because it will remain in solid form, looking as clean as when you first opened the jar!
- Repeat all steps above as many times as needed for heavily soiled brushes (though I've found even my most-used foundation brush looked sparkling after only two cycles).
In total, this process takes me maybe two minutes max per brush. Typically, I look at cleaning my brushes as a dreaded chore, which means I usually put it off for way longer than I should (because who wants to spend time cleaning?). With this new method, however, I can clean any of my brushes as soon as I need to, and I've even had success cleaning my Beautyblender and other makeup sponges this way. Knowing how gentle the formula is, I'm confident using it on even my fanciest (read: expensive) brush, an Artis Oval 7. Oh, and the other good news: there's no scent left behind when the brush is fully dry. It will feel soft and restored.
The Master's Cleaner is available in four sizes: .25 oz, 1 oz, 2.5 oz, and 24 oz. I purchased the 1 oz size and thought it had just the right mouth opening for a majority of my brushes (for the fluffier ones, I simply pinched the hairs together and then dipped them inside the jar). It's tiny and lightweight enough that you can even consider throwing it in your travel makeup bag. Now if only I could figure out a way to make my entire brush collection portable, too!
The Biggest and Boldest Met Gala Hair Accessories of All Time
The Met Gala is nigh; prepare yourself for some epic headpieces. The annual event, which is cochaired by legendary Vogue editor Anna Wintour, is an ever-changing spectacle (the first one was held way back in 1946), but it usually features two things.
The first thing is celebrities - lots and lots of celebrities. The second, which is most important for beauty lovers, is that said celebrities often wear extravagant headpieces. The first Monday in May is quite a time to be alive, as you can see the likes of Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, and more all turn out in their finest headbands, hair clips, and the occasional bedazzled beret (looking at you, Karolina Kurkova).
We'll leave it up to you to decide whether these styles are hits or misses. Read on to see the biggest and boldest in recent memory.
Sculpt Your Butt and Legs With This 30-Minute Victoria's Secret Toning Workout
Stephen Pasterino is a trainer for many Victoria's Secret models, and he's here to help you tighten and tone your butt and legs. This workout, which focuses on building long, lean muscles, requires no equipment. Get ready to work your backside in a whole new way. Want Victoria's Secret model workouts on the regular? Click here to subscribe to P.Volve for unlimited streaming workouts you can easily access on any device. Press play and get ready to feel the burn.
Credits: On Anna: good hYOUman top, K-Deer tights, and Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) shoes. On Brittany: Lorna Jane top, Just Fab tights, and Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) shoes. On Stephen: Alo Yoga outfit and Nike shoes. Stephen's mat: Manduka; Anna and Brittany's mats: Vagabond Goods Yoga. Corkcicle water bottles.
The 7 Words My Kids Hear Every Night Before Bed
My kids mess up. We apologize, forgive, and together decide what to do differently the next time. But then, we move on. I made a conscious choice a few years ago not to belabor their shortcomings.
Here's why.
Our kids have so many masters. Add to that a child who is incredibly eager to please, and even I am exhausted thinking about a goal of daily perfection with countless peers, teachers, coaches, parents, grandparents, and more. My eldest daughter is that kid; a capital P pleaser. (It takes one to know one.)
I wish I could fast forward her to where I am now - with a very small handful of people whose opinions matter to me - beyond one that's divine and those living under my roof. It is my and my husband's job to help her get there, but realistically, the urge to impress is likely to increase before it wanes.
When she was 7 years old, I started to notice a recurring theme at bedtime, one of worry, a fear of failing and falling short of expectations. She suddenly used the words "overwhelmed" and "scared" a lot and seemed to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. My heart sank at the familiar feeling.
First, I was angry that she had such an intense need to please at such a young age. But then, I was the same way, especially with my parents. I remember falling asleep on nights after I had disappointed them or we'd exchanged harsh words, wondering if they'd be proud to call me their own.
Every night, I tell her in seven simple words: I am proud to be your mom.
Funny that unconditional love, which was never in question, alone was not enough. I wanted their approval too. This flashback inspired a habit I hoped would help my daughter turn off and truly rest. Every night, I tell her in seven simple words: I am proud to be your mom.
Behind the words is a silent mantra. It varies but generally includes these musings: The day is done. Flaws are expected. Mistakes teach us. The score is settled. The details don't matter. You are forgiven. You are loved. You are mine. And every single night, despite hard stuff, my head hits the pillow with immeasurable gratitude that I get to be yours.
I say the seven words to all three of my kids, but it was my eldest who made me realize it was necessary.
If I'm honest, 17 years into a career, 12 into a marriage, and nine into parenting my own children, there are still few things that give me the same zing of encouragement or punch of deflation than my parents' response to me or my choices. I don't know if one ever outgrows that. As a teenager, I occasionally heard my grandmother criticize my mom and imagined how much it must've hurt.
I'd like my kids to care less what others think, and we talk about it a lot in our house. But while we navigate that together, I never want them to question where they stand with me. My hope is that our routine bedtime exchange will remind them, no matter how many not-so-awesome choices they made or how harshly I reacted when they poorly handled a situation with a friend, disrespected an adult, or even lost an article of clothing (AGAIN), they have my unconditional love and no-strings-attached approval. Maybe, just maybe, it will make them less likely to overdo it when it comes to seeking approval from others.
One night, about a year after I started using the seven words, I heard a "Hey Mom!" in the darkness and paused pulling the door shut just in time to catch a sweet third-grade voice saying, "I'm proud to be your daughter, too!"
"Thanks, honey!" was all I could muster before I feared she would detect the ugly, happy cry brewing.
Now, on days when I feel like I am failing at this parenting thing, that memory reassures me. And I can rest better too.
100 Unusual Boy Names
Are you on the hunt for an unusual baby boy name? We've looked at the United States Social Security Administration's list of the most popular names and rounded up an A-to-Z of 100 rare boy names. Using a ranking system where 1 is the most common name, these unique boy names all have a rank of 901 or greater! But before we reveal the names, here are a few interesting trends we noted among them.
Unusual and Trendy Boy Names
Although they're less commonly used, some of the names on this list still follow recent trends. Agustin and Thaddeus fit into the Roman and Greek trend, while Houston is part of the place-name trend. Biblical names are here as well (Jeremiah and Enoch), as are creative spellings in the form of Brice, Donte, Trystan, and Zackery.
Unusual Celebrity Boy Names
Just as famous figures may drive a name up the charts, they may also keep a name relatively uncommon. Looking at some of the names in the list, not many parents are giving their boys the names Clinton, Nixon, Elvis, Hendrix, Franco, Hugh, Quinten, and Coen, all of which are associated with famous figures in the political and entertainment realms.
Unusual Boy Names Starting With S?
As you look at the A to Z, you'll notice that a few letters are missing. We looked at the names ranked 901 to 1,000 by the Social Security Administration (they don't publish name rankings beyond 1,000), and surprisingly, there wasn't an S name to be found! Other letters that escaped the bunch are U, W, and X.
Unusual Boy Names Starting With . . .
A
Agustin, Alfred, Arlo, Arian, Anders
B
Brysen, Braylin, Blaise, Brice, Benton, Bodhi, Bridger, Brecken, Broderick
C
Coleman, Clinton, Crew, Coen, Cristiano, Corban, Cayson, Camilo, Cortez
D
Demarcus, Darryl, Donte, Devan, Damari, Davon, Deon, Dimitri, Dangelo
E
Elvis, Enoch, Elian, Eliseo, Ethen
F
Freddy, Flynn, Franco
G
Gaige, Gibson, Graysen
H
Houston, Hugh, Howard, Haiden, Hendrix
I
Ignacio
J
Jaylon, Jabari, Jakobe, Johann, Jaycob, Jean, Jaydan, Joziah, Jaron, Jaydin, Jeramiah
K
Keon, Kael, Kyan, Kingsley, Kamren, Kohen, Keyon
L
Leighton, Legend, Lathan
M
Miller, Mustafa, Maxton, Mariano, Maxx, Maksim, Major, Malaki
N
Nixon
O
Otto
P
Princeton, Pierre
Q
Quinten
R
Roderick, Ross, Rey, Reuben, Ralph
T
Tyrell, Thaddeus, Turner, Trystan, Tyree, Tyrese
V
Vaughn, Vihaan, Valentin
Y
Yehuda
Z
Zaire, Zackery, Zeke
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