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.
vendredi 4 mai 2018
Finally, an Answer to This Annoying iPhone Mystery
If, like me, you're someone who gets uncomfortable talking on the phone, you're probably superthankful for the iPhone's accept/decline button when you get an incoming call. But you're probably also confused as to why you only see it sometimes. Most of the time, you may have noticed the slide-to-answer feature.
Much to the relief of introverts everywhere, the reason behind these changes has finally come to light, courtesy of Business Insider. Instead of a complicated cause, such as discrepancies between iPhone and non-iPhone users' calls, the answer is simple. If your iPhone is unlocked while receiving a call, you'll see accept and decline buttons on your screen; if it's locked, you'll get the slider. Aha!
I tested it out by having a co-worker call me twice. Sure enough, it worked the way it's supposed to. Case closed, everybody.
Rudy Giuliani Just Made a Huge Mess of Trump's 2 Biggest Problems
presented without comment pic.twitter.com/ThIpQvGuHd
- chelsea adelaine hassler (@chelseaadelaine) May 3, 2018
At the end of the movie The Wizard of Oz, it's revealed that the Wizard isn't actually some big, giant, omniscient talking head - instead, he's a tiny, red-faced, white-haired madman. "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain," he yells, furiously trying to hide behind a silken emerald screen.
This may seem like a random tangent, but it's quickly becoming the best representation of the dichotomy between what President Donald Trump says to the world versus the stories those around him tell. Fiction versus the actual fact is a recurring theme, too - just ask his doctor or his lawyers, who have been subjected to the recurring pattern of "That's the truth!" before the inevitable "yeah, what had happened was . . . "
The most recent example of this playing out on a grand scale can be found in a May 2 appearance by Trump legal team member (and former New York City mayor) Rudy Giuliani, on presidential chum Sean Hannity's Fox News show, Hannity. The late-evening conversation between the adviser and pro-president voicebox seemed innocuous enough but soon revealed major lies told by Trump.
Giuliani explained that Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey because he refused to publicly state that the president "was not a target of the investigation," a fact that many are pointing out as an example of obstruction of justice. Giuliani then went on to drop a massive second bomb, admitting that Trump actually had a hand in the Stormy Daniels payoff that he has stressed to know nothing about.
"Trump didn't know about specifics," Giuliani said of the Daniels payment. "But he did know about the general arrangement." Giuliani then explained that Trump's handling of the $130,000 payment was entirely legal and didn't violate campaign finance laws because it was "funneled it through a law firm" by way of paying back Michael Cohen, the lawyer's president who orchestrated the payment.
Remarkable: Hannity tries to give Rudy opportunity to clean up comment Trump reimbursed him for Stormy payment. But Rudy insists: "I was talking about the $130K payment . . . That was money paid by his lawyer . . . and the president had reimbursed him over a period of several months"
- Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 3, 2018
Despite Hannity scrambling to cover up the many admissions by the former mayor, the damage was done. Daniels's lawyer, Michael Avenatti, spoke with MSNBC by phone that evening and was "absolutely speechless." "[Americans] deserve to be told the truth by your president," he said. "This is an outrage what has gone on here. The American people have been lied to about this agreement."
The morning after the Hannity appearance, Trump admitted he did indeed know all about the Daniels payment. "This was a private agreement," Trump tweeted. "Money from the campaign, or campaign contributions, played no roll [sic] in this transaction."
While the cleanup crew has been moving fast - Giuliani appeared on Fox & Friends and Fox Business Network the morning after - this is yet another example of our presidential wizard at work. "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain," we may be told, articulated via Twitter and by various presidential surrogates. Unfortunately for them, we see how far back the orange curtain has been pulled.
Thank you for that, presidential watchdogs.
The Academy Just Expelled Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski
On May 3, the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - the group behind the Academy Awards - expelled actor Bill Cosby and director Roman Polanski from the organization in accordance with their Standards of Conduct. In a statement, the group said that they had voted on May 1 at a scheduled board meeting to go ahead with the action and noted, "The Board continues to encourage ethical standards that require members to uphold the Academy's values of respect for human dignity."
Cosby and Polanski will join Harvey Weinstein, who was expelled from the organization based on those same ethical standards late last year, after allegations of inappropriate behavior and assault were brought against him by dozens of women - an action which effectively started the #MeToo movement.
The news comes a week after Cosby was found guilty of three counts of aggravated sexual assault as a result of charges brought against him by Andrea Constand, one of the more than 60 women who have leveled allegations against the former comedian over the years. Polanski has been estranged from the group for years; after being convicted of statutory rape in 1978, the director fled the country and has been on the run ever since.
7 Healthy Travel Destinations You Should Add to Your Bucket List
Chemicals are out and all-natural everything is in. There's a surging urge to eat, live, and play better these days. However chaotic the world may seem, there's a rising number of us who are yearning for inner peace in favor of healthier physical and spiritual living.
A wellness revolution is in motion, and with that comes the desire to not only eat and live well, but travel well, too. For those healthy globetrotters who have been bit by the travel bug, there is a cure. There is an ever-evolving list of cities to fall in love with, oceans to explore, and mountains to climb. So, what are some wellness destinations that you can add to the list (for now)? All of you yogis, spiritualists, surfers, hikers, and chillers will want to keep reading.
Does Donald Trump Have a Dog? No - and That’s Not Even the Craziest Part
Presidents tend to have a lot in common. They are married to spouses who work to carry on American values, with whom they live in the same house and with whom they assumedly sleep in the same bed. They raise largely successful children who don't work for them and who they've never mentioned wanting to sleep with. They are hardworking and smart, available at all hours to fight for America. They rarely take time off for leisure, save for brief reprieves with literature. And they have a dog - or two.
Much of the same cannot be said of our current president, Donald Trump. In fact, Trump is the first president in more than 100 years to be dogless. This gaping hole in Americanness shouldn't be that shocking given Mr. Trump's contrarian, "Drain the swamp!" style.
Several presidents have gone dogless, but the last president to be without a dog was William McKinley, who was commander in chief from 1897 to 1901. However, according to the Presidential Pet Museum, McKinley did have pets: he had a parrot, two angora kittens, and roosters. Does Trump have any pets? The Presidential Pet Museum believes not.
Also of note before McKinley is Andrew Johnson. He didn't have a dog, was impeached in 1868, and apparently "left flour out at night for a family of white mice playing in his room" amid the political drama. Pet food for thought.
One fluffy, silver lining is that Trump has reportedly attempted to get a dog in recent months, specifically a Goldendoodle named Patton. As the New York Post reported in January, Trump was set to adopt the pup from friend Lois Pope, but Pope kept the dog after forming a connection with it herself. Pope claims Trump listed his constant traveling as a reason he'd be a poor owner. Hmm.
Further proof that Trump seems to be anticanine? He loves insulting people by saying they failed or choked "like a dog" on Twitter.
Mitt Romney had his chance to beat a failed president but he choked like a dog. Now he calls me racist-but I am least racist person there is
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2016
.@EWErickson got fired like a dog from RedState
and now he is the one leading opposition against me.- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2016
Wow was Ted Cruz disloyal to his very capable director of communication. He used him as a scape goat-fired like a dog! Ted panicked.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2016
Union Leader refuses to comment as to why they were kicked out of the ABC News debate like a dog. For starters, try getting a new publisher!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2016
.@GlennBeck got fired like a dog by #Fox. The Blaze is failing and he wanted to have me on his show. I said no - because he is irrelevant.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 17, 2015
I hear that sleepy eyes @chucktodd will be fired like a dog from ratings starved Meet The Press? I can't imagine what is taking so long!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 13, 2015
Obama called Reverend Wright his friend, counselor & great leader--then dumped him like a dog!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2012
Robert Pattinson should not take back Kristen Stewart. She cheated on him like a dog & will do it again--just watch. He can do much better!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2012
Egypt is a total mess. We should have backed Mubarak instead of dropping him like a dog.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2012
We're anxious to know what will become of Trump's presidential pet ownership, but we do know one thing: getting a dog might help solve his failing disapproval ratings. As the Washington Post observes, a presidential dog offers good publicity and bipartisan relatability. It also provides personal benefits like stress reduction and loyalty.
Might not want to let that sleeping dog lie, President Trump.
As a Biracial Woman and Former Evangelical, Trump's Racism Is All Too Familiar
I used to be an evangelical Christian. I helped lead people in worship, or "ushered them into the presence of God," as we used to say. I traveled the world crooning out the message of the gospel at conferences hosted by my church, a mostly white evangelical megachurch in the suburbs of Chicago. On the weekends I sang for as many as 16,000 people. It was a lofty thing to be part of, a "calling" I believed in wholeheartedly. During the years that I served in this congregation, before I walked away from the religion I'd grown up with and embraced even more intensely in college, racial reconciliation as a ministry focus became more prevalent in my church. This term - "racial reconciliation" - may be most familiar to those in religious communities. Back then, I understood it to be a kind of evangelical model for tackling racism in the church, one that emphasized diversity, relationships, and the need to address systemic causes fueling racism in society. However, these same ideals and goals are also embodied in more widely known terms like racial justice and social justice.
When the leadership team decided to do a series of services focused on this topic, I was drafted to tell a piece of my story. As a biracial woman - and usually the only woman of color singing on stage - it seemed my time had come. I wrote a brief account, summarizing in one minute a personal experience with racism. The memory I chose to relate involved a family in that church, though I didn't reveal that detail. I told the congregation about how a former white boyfriend's parents, particularly his mother, persuaded him to end our relationship because they were uncomfortable with my blackness. I said the fact that they were all Christians undermined my confidence in God's love for me; it made me wonder if He loved white Christians more than black ones. I sang a song about love and unity and building bridges.
People came up to me afterwards, some weeping, apologizing for random things. Looking for absolution that I could not give. Seeing in me - at least for a moment - the entire black community, because for better or worse, we are never singular, always plural. I soaked it up. In that era of my life, I wanted to believe I was like Esther and had been called "'for such a time as this' (NIV, Esther 4:14)." I was inspired and hopeful. Maybe the church could help bridge that space between black and white. Maybe because I'd come from both places, I was uniquely equipped to be part of that healing. I love my family - black and white. But there had been a rift long ago, and I'd grown up occupying the expanse between them. It was lonely and I was sick of it. I wanted healing for myself and, on a larger scale, for all of us.
That was in 2001. By the time Barack Obama was elected to his first term in 2008, I no longer wanted to be part of any church environment. Disillusionment festered over that 7 year period as I witnessed a hyper-image-conscious handling of ministries and the people in them, a theological certainty among fellow congregants I couldn't relate to, and culminated in a manipulative and misleading interview process for a ministry job in the church. Ultimately, the thread of racism running through my time there put me over the edge. Indeed, in the years that followed the experience with my ex's family, I racked up more than a few racially charged confrontations with white Christian friends and acquaintances from the church. There were comments about darker black skin looking like an ape's; there was an email I received warning me that Barack Obama was not a citizen. All these moments left me with a nagging skepticism about the efficacy of racial reconciliation as a ministry in the church. Did the white evangelicals who subscribed to it in theory really want to help? Did they really want justice? Maybe a better question is were they able to see something in themselves that needed to change to bring any of this to fruition? Or were they in denial?
The 2016 election of Donald Trump and its aftermath incited that skepticism about racial justice in me once again. In fact, on a recent Sunday, as the banal melodies of contemporary worship music wafted up through my dining room windows from a nearby nondenominational church, my thoughts began revisiting the past. I recalled that moment on stage at the megachurch, talking about my ex's family. I thought about what it had been like for me as a biracial woman in a mostly white evangelical congregation. Why white evangelicals voted for a man like Mr. Trump and why I'd experienced the racism I did while among them seemed like twin inquiries comingling in my mind as I got my daughter's breakfast ready that morning. Two spoonfuls of cottage cheese and one poached egg later, I puzzled over one simple fact: Trump spoke in the language of racists and xenophobes and it seemed to be of minimal concern at best or resonate with them at worst. It was certainly not enough to dissuade them from casting their votes in his favor.
Even now, it appears they continue to stand by him: even after Charlottesville; even after chastising black athletes for peaceful protests against police brutality, suggesting they are ungrateful, calling them disrespectful "sons of b*tches." Even after Trump's tepid response to Puerto Rico's suffering following Hurricane Maria, his "blame the victim" stance, and his thinly veiled threats to remove aid, he is rewarded with their loyalty. In fact, it seems as if the "conversation" happening now only includes them while the rest of us watch and listen on the sidelines.
It is not my intention to paint all of evangelicalism with a broad brush. I know there is a contingency within this branch of Christianity that is sincere about racial justice. They are inspired by people like Reverend Jim Wallis and Reverend Dr. William Barber. They are comprised of mostly blacks, Hispanics, and Asian and Pacific Islanders, but also a large number of whites. They did not vote for Donald Trump. (I don't personally see how anyone that truly cares about such things could.) But they were not - and seemingly are not - the majority. I can only speak to what I was exposed to while active in a predominantly white evangelical subculture. Perhaps all of these scenarios I've related were unique to the church I once attended. But I suspect it is symptomatic of a bigger problem in the church at large.
For a good portion of my life, I have been timid when faced with racist comments or behaviors demonstrated by white people. I default to the social survival instincts born out of a childhood spent in racial isolation. Giving the "benefit of the doubt" has typically been my modus operandi. It often translates to silence or the most palatable, watered-down version of what I really want to express. On those infrequent occasions when I've called out a white friend or family member's propensity for racial bias and/or racist thinking, they are not able to own it for long, if at all. The deflection and defensiveness that often follows comes in various forms of "you should be grateful," "what aboutisms," and other false equivalences or excuses.
This was the way with my ex-boyfriend's mother. Not long after I spoke during the racial-reconciliation-themed services at my old church, she called to apologize "for the way we treated you," she said. There had been a pang of conscience. Maybe she'd heard me speak or someone close to her had. I could hear anxiety in her voice, a rushing through sentences and marginal regret. She couldn't commit to it, though, and quickly began defending her actions. She objected to us as a couple "out of concern for what her son would face." She had students who were biracial and saw "how hard it was for them, caught in the middle." It's a twisted logic that masquerades as caring but seems to suggest I, and others like me, would be be better off not existing. She lectured me, a biracial woman, as if I had no clue what my hypothetical children would face. I wanted to say, "It's people who think like you that make it difficult." Instead, I listened and thanked her for calling. She was afraid and embraced a response to that fear which she knew was inappropriate. Nevertheless, her discomfort with interracial marriage and biracial children rated above doing the right thing. In the end, she let herself off the hook. And to my regret, so did I.
While I was part of the megachurch, I often observed this same troubling attitude around race, typically in moments when I did not strive to be palatable but was more straightforward, less "sugar coated." It articulates itself with an air of kindly smugness, in which the righteousness of an evangelical Christian is sacrosanct. It can not be challenged with charges of racism. They have, after all, been remade in Christ's image and imbued with the power of the Holy Spirit. How can they be guilty of racism? They don't use the "N" word and they may even have black friends. They don't engage in lynchings or burn crosses or march with neo Nazis and white supremacists. They denounce these things publicly, so isn't that proof they are blameless? They are good, Christian people. And yet, they have empowered and continue to support a man who repeatedly demonstrates that he does not value the lives of black and brown people as much as white ones. He has put me and my family in harm's way with his inability or unwillingness to definitively and authentically disavow white supremacy. Like my ex-boyfriend's mother, white evangelicals are so thoroughly convinced by and invested in a sense of their own righteousness and moral high ground, they have undone the work of reconciliation.
That Sunday morning in church all those years ago, I did not share what were, for me, profoundly more intense details of the relationship with my ex-boyfriend's family. Granted, I was one of many people on the stage that day. I had to be brief. But I often wish I hadn't tried so hard to make what I needed to say easier for the church to hear. I still remember the shame and bewildered frustration in my ex's voice as he repeated his mother's words to me over the phone: "If the two of you date, that's fine . . . but if you got married and had children . . . I'm not sure I could love them as much as I love your sister's kids." Such words took my breath away then and still have the power to suffocate, especially now that I do have a child who is biracial. I wish I'd told the congregation about those remarks and that they'd been made by a woman among their own ranks. As long as white evangelicals believe this mindset is only wreaking havoc in other places, they are absolved from having to address it among themselves.
Even though I no longer see myself as a part of that community, I still carry a certain amount of love for it and residual pain from it. There is some piece of me that still hopes the church has something valuable to contribute to the cause of racial justice. It's probably why I feel the need to, in my own way, hold white evangelicals accountable. I want them to do better.
But when I consider the very real danger of war as Trump threatens North Korea, angers our allies, and alarms even those close to him enough to speak out about it, I can see that opposing ideologies and differences aside, we are all of us bound together in our shared vulnerability against a true existential crisis. This awakens my compassion, my desire to find common ground, and a willingness to have those hard conversations. My past with the evangelical church is akin to being wounded, soul-deep, by a family member or close friend: you may want to make peace with them somehow, but you do so with the knowledge that you might never be as close as you once were. A price has to be paid, and truth is the currency.
Zoe Saldana's 3 Adorable Sons Make Their Red Carpet Debut on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Zoe Saldana's adorable family was front and center for her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in LA on Thursday. The 39-year-old Infinity War actress was honored by Avatar director James Cameron and Mila Kunis, who she starred with in the 2007 film After Sex, and also had the support of her family; husband Marco Perego and their three sons, 3-year-old twins Bowie and Cy and 1-year-old Zen, proudly posed for photos with Zoe as she received her star. How cute are they?!
With nearly 20 years in Hollywood under her belt, Zoe looks better than ever. She glistened in a sleek off-white dress and was positively glowing while laying next to her shiny new star. She's also busy: Zoe's got four Avatar sequels coming up, and also recently executive produced POPSUGAR Films and Lionsgate's first feature film, The Honor List.
10 Things to Know About 13 Reasons Why's Christian Navarro, aka Tony
Christian Navarro is the actor that stole our hearts and tugged at our mystery-loving souls. The 26-year-old plays the part of Tony in Netflix's hit 13 Reasons Why, and we are in love with him just as much as you are.
After devouring the first season of the Selena Gomez-produced show, we are hoping Tony is going to have a bigger and more developed role in season two of the series. Though we don't know much about Tony so far, we dug deep to find out more about the man who plays him - here's everything you need to know about your new crush.
Christina Aguilera Is Back With Her First Music Video in 6 Years, and DAMN It's Sexy!
Christina Aguilera is liberated and ready to show the world her new music. The 37-year-old singer just dropped the first song and music video off her new album, Liberation, called "Accelerate" featuring Ty Dolla $ign and 2 Chainz. This marks the first album and single that Christina has dropped in six years. Both the song and the video are going hard on sex appeal, with lyrics like "Pick up your speed," "Stamina, fill me up," and a shot of Aguilera slowly dipping her tongue into a glass of milk. Liberation will be released on June 15, so while you wait, enjoy the very sexy video above.
Selena Gomez Has Something Important on Her Mind, and the World Can Read It on Her T-Shirt
Rule number one for fashion girls: always dress for the event you're attending. Selena Gomez did just that when she went rollerskating with some friends. The singer wore a yellow t-shirt with denim cutoffs and red striped socks that peeked out from her white sneakers. A denim jacket casually hung off one shoulder. Her entire look was full of retro colors, and Selena even amped up that vibe with a red lip, dark eyeshadow, and Jennifer Fisher gold hoop earrings.
You'll notice Selena also had something else on her mind that night. In silver letters, the phrase "Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman" was written across her t-shirt. Although this could allude to several things that have happened over the year (the #MeToo movement or her relationship with Justin Bieber), the top is an ever-empowering reminder that women are intelligent, badass creatures. So, in other words, don't f*cking mess with Selena. Read on for a look at her top, then shop similar graphic tees ahead.
The 5 Steps to Mastering Alessandra Ambrosio's Festival Style
If you've followed Alessandra Ambrosio off the Victoria's Secret runway (she retired her wings in 2017), then you know she's the ultimate boho babe, showing off her carefree street style year round. So when it comes to festival season, you can bet she's way more prepared than the next girl.
It's not just her everyday outfits that Alessandra infuses with her signature touch. The supermodel has launched multiple lines under her namesake swimwear label, Ále by Alessandra, which includes breezy separates. If that isn't enough to inspire your music festival packing list, read on for Alessandra's must haves, from body chains to crochet bags, along with her personal styling tips that'll pave the way for your sun-kissed look in no time.
Related: 16 Times Alessandra Ambrosio's 1-Piece Swimsuits Looked Just as Good as Her Bikinis
Christina Aguilera Admits She's Been Putting Herself on "the Back Burner" For Her Kids' Sake
The moment fans have been waiting for has finally arrived: Christina Aguilera is finally dropping a new album after 10 long years. And while she admitted she's excited to take a step back from her role as a judge on The Voice and immerse herself in a new project, she admits there's one problem - she's really going to miss her 10-year-old son Max and her 3-year-old daughter Summer Rain while touring.
"Touring is so frightening to me because I am a mom first," she said in a recent interview with Billboard. "It's part of why I stayed in the position I was [in at The Voice]. It's easy to get comfortable and cushy in the same place and not have to worry about uprooting your kids. I've been putting myself on the back burner."
Despite feeling guilty, she explained that she needs to go on tour to be a role model for her kiddos. "I'm looking forward to getting back out and actually showing my kids what Mommy really does!"
Jennifer Lopez Wears Her Leopard Trench With a Blinged-Out Water Bottle, Because Glamour
Whether it's a cutout crochet swimsuit, a groundbreaking performance look, or a sexy red carpet gown, Jennifer Lopez stamps her signature on every outfit. When she stepped out in New York City wearing a leopard trench coat, it was confirmed: this style quirk will never change. Jennifer carried a crystal-studded water bottle and a "JL" monogrammed Valentino My Rockstud tote, which Angelina Jolie and Beyoncé own too, and she walked tall in mirrored platforms.
Jennifer's prized piece was obviously her leopard outerwear, which featured contrast leather panels. Though it was left open, J Lo still appeared boss-lady fabulous and not at all casual, working a sleek foundation of trousers and a turtleneck. She accessorized with dark aviators and kept her personalized purse on display. You could make out her metallic manicure, too, because J Lo doesn't make chic look stuffy, she makes it look glamorous with a capital G. Read on for another glimpse, then shop her chosen animal print.
From Her Engagement to 2018, This Is Queen Letizia of Spain's Style Evolution
There's a clear difference in Queen Letizia of Spain's style from the moment it was first announced that the TV reporter (then known as Letizia Ortiz) was engaged to Prince Felipe, back in 2003, to today. During her first years as princess of Spain, Letizia kept a conservative look, wearing pantsuits, high necklines, and demure gowns, much like she did during her journalist days. But in the past couple of years, the queen has taken more risks, giving her style a modern turn in body-hugging dresses, printed skirts and pants, and Disney-worthy gowns. See the royal's transformation ahead, then check out her best moments with the king.
- Additional reporting by Celia Fernandez
Want a Glow Like Meghan Markle? This Is the Foundation She Uses
Meghan Markle's beauty routine is a hot topic. There's no denying that many of us want to know exactly what products she uses on the daily, her signature wedding scent, and how her look has evolved since becoming a royal-to-be. And there's one aspect of her beauty routine that is always naturally flawless: her skin.
Meghan's former makeup artist Lydia Sellers taught us a thing or two about the royal-to-be's makeup regimen, and her main request was always to have her "freckles peeking through." She likes to have a very natural, glowing base but still have something long lasting, to see her through long royal engagements and events. Her favored foundation would be Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($64), which is lightweight, to keep her stunning freckles on display but has buildable coverage to blur any imperfections.
BRB while we run out and match our Luminous Silk Foundation shade.
10 Brilliant Makeup Products From Sephora That Deserve Their High Ratings
When it comes to investing in makeup, you hope it ends up working better than you expected, of course. Nobody wants to be disappointed by something that's applied to their face. Thankfully, there's a select group of products that have grown in popularity due to their effective formulas. We call these gems cult classics. Sephora is filled with must-have cosmetics that will change your beauty routine for the better. We curated a list of our favorite products with ridiculously high ratings from the retailer. We have no doubt you'll be just as obsessed as us after you try these items.
The Doctor-Approved Secret to Clearing Your Hormonal Acne That Actually Works
Image Source: Adriano Russo
When I tell you how I finally cleared up my hormonal acne, it is going to sound so painstakingly obvious that it might even seem . . . annoying. To make a long story short: I met with a doctor who helped me balance my hormones and improve my gut health, and my skin has never looked better.
At the start of Spring, I booked an appointment with Dr. Keith Berkowitz, an MD (internist) located in NYC who worked with Dr. Robert C. Atkins (as in the Atkins diet) for six years and now specializes in how eating affects health. He gave me a glucose test, took my blood, analyzed the lab results, and diagnosed me with reactive hypoglycemia. The latter means I process sugar unusually quickly, so I can't eat much of it (even fruit!). I learned I had high testosterone levels and was iodine deficient.
According to the American Thyroid Association, iodine is an element (not made by the body) needed for the production of the thyroid hormone. You get iodine from your diet and various foods, and if you do not have enough of it, you can't make the thyroid hormone, which regulates your metabolism as well as heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development, and bone maintenance.
I have not changed my skin care routine or received any new spa treatments.
"Women today are struggling with increased hormonal imbalance causing estrogen dominance, low levels of progesterone, and high levels of testosterone and DHEA [an endogenous steroid hormone]," Dr. Berkowitz told me via email. "This is complicated by the overall decrease in hormone levels as we age. It leads to women having dull, dry skin; a rush of wrinkles; increased pigmentation; and increased acne."
So I began on a journey to balance out what was going on internally by changing my diet and taking supplements. When it came to eating, I had previously spent a year living off of morning smoothies and eliminating gluten and dairy. Though it was technically "healthy," I was eating way too much fruit and spiking my blood sugar.
Dr. Berkowitz tweaked my diet so that I was eating more balanced, portion-controlled meals and snacks that include carbohydrates (including vegetables and fruits) with high-fiber foods and lean protein or healthy fats (like avocado). "It is important that you eat three meals and one snack every day," he explained of his general diet philosophy. "Eating balanced meals will minimize fluctuations in blood sugar and increases in insulin levels."
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Jae Payne
He immediately added bread back into my regime, but only low-carb (Alvarado Street Bakery Sprouted Flax Seed Bread), and I can have just one piece at a time to ensure I am not carb-loading. I was permitted low-lactose dairy, such as goat cheese, since it is a great source of protein. In addition, I eat a lot of organic chicken and salmon, eggs, salads dressed with olive oil and lemon (rather than sugary dressing), and low-carb Wasa crackers topped with hummus and avocado. My smoothies were tweaked: instead of blending in four fruits, I can have one (usually low-sugar, antioxidant-rich berries). Any time I do eat fruit, I can have half the amount (such as half a pear) and mix it with protein, such as a spoon of almond butter. Eating this way has stabilized my blood sugar (I no longer get 3 p.m. sugar cravings), and I feel less restless overall.
I expected to debloat (I did!) and lose a few pounds (check!), but what I did not see coming was how these tweaks would significantly affect my skin. Pre-Dr. Berkowitz, I had combination skin, meaning I would occasionally get pimples in places I am greasier (usually my cheeks and chin). And every month a few days before my period, I got a few "lurkers" (below-the-skin pimples) around my chin. These are typically caused by hormones and can't be cured by creams - they have to go away on their own.
After a Summer spent traveling as far as Greece and Prague, wearing tons of gooey sunscreen, and straight-up sweating, I expected to see my usual cluster of whiteheads on my cheeks. I have also waited each month for the arrival of those chin lurkers. But for the past three months, my skin has been completely and totally clear. I have no dryness and no oiliness. The lines on my forehead are naturally smoothing out and the redness around my nose fading. I have not changed my skin care routine or received any new spa treatments.
What had changed was my gut health. "Tiny bacteria in the gut are one of the major control systems in the body," Dr. Berkowitz explained. "These bacteria have a direct role in helping maintain the health of the skin. They help your absorb nutrients needed to protect and repair itself. They protect the integrity of the gut lining. The gut lining helps protect against inflammation (which ages skin), and it protects the skin environmental toxin damage."
He also told me that gut in the bacteria can cause acne, because that area produces something called substance P. This affects sebum production (the cause of oily skin).
My gut bacteria wasn't all that had been regulated after three months of sticking to Dr. Berkowitz's plan: my hormones tested more balanced, my iodine levels were better, and my glucose more stable.
"The gut lining helps protect against inflammation (which ages skin), and it protects the skin environmental toxin damage."
"Your eating plan led to your hormones being better balanced - lowering DHEA and testosterone - and having better balance with progesterone and estrogen," Dr. Berkowitz told me when I asked how this could have affected my skin. "The lifestyle also leads to lower levels of cortisol [a hormone that regulates stress, metabolism, and inflammation] and insulin [the hormone that regulates metabolism and gives your cells energy]." He noted that when these hormones are high, it can cause drier skin and premature aging. This is because there is a connection between stress and the deterioration of cells, and skin is made up of cells.
A hormone imbalance can also cause discoloration of the skin. "Estrogen and progesterone can trigger the melasma, which are brown or light gray patches of pigmentation that most commonly appear on the face," he said. "It usually appears between the ages of 20-50 and is most common in pregnant women or those on an oral contraceptive pill."
In addition, he shared that low estrogen can lead to decreased collagen production and more wrinkling of the skin. Low levels of progesterone are associated with decreased skin elasticity. And a deficiency in DHEA is problematic, because it helps control oil production. DHEA also increases collagen production, which you want for youthful-looking skin.
When it comes to testosterone, having too much can lead to acne through an increased sebum production. So that explains why decreasing my testosterone levels eliminated my breakouts.
Though my situation was very specific, others can benefit from getting their blood tested and tweaking in specific ways that make sense for them (as instructed by a professional MD). While we are in no way telling you to run out and try a bunch of supplements to balance all of this out (please talk to your doctor first!), regulating your hormones and improving your gut health can directly give you clearer skin with better tone and texture. It happened to me!
If you get the OK from your doctor, here is a list of supplements (from Dr. Berkowitz) and what they do:
- Alpha lipoic acid: helps stop the stiffening of collagen fibers.
- Antioxidants: stop free radical production. For example, vitamins A, C, and E help to better hydrate the skin.
- Hydrolyzed collagen: reduces wrinkles.
- Hyaluronic acid: hydrates skin. (Yes, you can take the popular skin care ingredient as a supplement, as well!)
- Astaxanthin: fights free radicals and prevents damage from the sun and other environmental toxins.
Here are specific supplements for acne:
- Zinc: helps accelerate the development of new clear skin cells and reduce the inflammatory response to bacteria.
- Probiotic: promotes healthy or good bacteria and thus decreases the inflammatory response that damages skin.
- Coconut oil: helps replace the protective acid layer that keeps skin healthy and reduces inflammation.
He also shared an anti-inflammatory eating plan:
- Avoid refined carbohydrates, which increase insulin and inflammation.
- Avoid gluten, cow's milk dairy, processed foods, and excessive amounts of omega-6, which are all pro-inflammatory.
- Increase use of spices: turmeric, cinnamon, garlic, and parsley all have anti-inflammatory effects to help keep the skin healthy and slow down the aging process.
12 Hydrating Masks to Keep Your Hair Healthy All Summer Long
It's always important to keep your hair strong and healthy, but it especially matters in the Summertime. Sun rays, pool chlorine, high temperatures, and humidity can all damage your hair, so pay attention, people! One of the best ways to keep your strands in tip-top shape is by using a hair mask two or three times per week.
To use a mask, massage the product into your head while in the shower, put on a plastic hair cap, and turn up the heat so the steam will activate the conditioning ingredients. Rinse it out well and your hair will feel incredible. I use a mask regularly and have noticed a significant difference in the health of my strands. They are smoother and easier to style. Take a look at some of our favorite choices and grab one for yourself. It's the smartest beauty decision you could make this season.
Neutrogena Fans - See What Reviewers Are Saying About These 5 Bestselling Products
As someone who suffers from combination and acne-prone skin, I can say there is one skincare name I always turn to: Neutrogena. The cult-classic brand is filled with an array of products for almost every skin issue out there. From its superpopular Hydro Boost moisturizer line to amazing makeup removers and fun tools, we can't get enough. If you're looking to try a new product or two, we made it easy and rounded up a list of the brand's bestselling items from Ulta. We included some review highlights too, so you can see what other customers are experiencing. Keep scrolling to find your next must have.
7 Cute Makeup Brush Holders Every Beauty Junkie Needs From Etsy - All Under $16
It's time to get your makeup collection organized! A great way to start is with brush holders, and luckily, Etsy has tons of options. These cool, handmade picks will keep you sorted out and make your space look cute. It's the best of both worlds! Shop through our affordable favorites, and buy a set for yourself.
Does Oral Sunscreen Actually Work? Here's What the Experts Say
If there's one thing every skincare expert can agree on, it's the importance of slapping on some SPF before you head outside (or even walk by a window). Now, it's easier than ever to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays thanks to a relatively new product: oral sunscreen. Oral sunscreens, which typically come in pill form, aren't meant to be a complete substitute for the topical version, but they do make a nice addition to your routine. We repeat: DO NOT USE THESE INSTEAD OF TOPICAL SUNSCREEN.
"Oral sunscreen agents are typically antioxidants called polypodium leucotomos," said board-certified dermatologist and ethnic skin expert Dr. William Kwan. "They may be helpful by increasing the time it takes for a person to burn when exposed to ultraviolet rays."
Dr. Carolyn Jacob, of Chicago Dermatology, is in complete agreement with Dr. Kwan, telling us, "Studies have shown that they can reduce sunburn cells (or the capacity for the sun to damage the skin cells)."
Curious? We've rounded up a few options to try in addition to your regular SPF.
I've Tried Every Face Powder Under the Sun, but This One Reigns Supreme
One of my first makeup experiences as a teenager was heading to my local department store, walking up to the first sales lady I saw, and asking, "What is the best powder foundation I can buy?" Without hesitation, she pointed me in the direction of MAC Cosmetics. A few minutes later, I was the owner of my very first MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation ($30).
Over 10 years later, I still use this product daily, but the journey wasn't as simple as it sounds. Several times I thought to myself, "Is it really the best?," and I let friends, ads, and salespeople constantly convince me to try something else. From drugstore brands to high-end names, I've tested it it all. Because I have problematic, acne-prone, oily skin (lucky me!), all these other options made those issues worse or just were never right on my face. Like clockwork, every single time I experienced a failed attempt at switching products, I headed right back to my holy grail trusty foundation.
My favorite thing about it: the coverage! I'm not a huge fan of heavy liquid foundations. I prefer lighter BB-cream-like textures, but they aren't enough when covering my flaws. I strictly rely on powder for coverage, and this one does the job! I even use tiny brushes for spot treatments if I have a breakout. The consistency and finish are simply unbeatable.
It comes in a variety of shades ranging in neutral, cool, and warm tones. The brand also suggests that you can use it in combination with other heavier liquid foundations or setting powders, or just as is. If you haven't already, give this cult classic a try.
I Didn't Know I Needed a Lip Scrub, Until I Tried This One
Having dry lips is one of my beauty pet peeves. I won't leave the house without some kind of moisturizing lip gloss or balm, and I try to stay away from matte liquid lipsticks because I hate the way they feel on my mouth. Looking to take my beauty game to the next level, I recently started exploring lip scrubs. After a DIY disaster (don't ask), I knew I wanted something portable that wouldn't get messy. Whenever I talk to fellow POPSUGAR staffers about their favorite Beauty by POPSUGAR products, everyone seems to come back to the Beauty by POPSUGAR Be Smooth Sugar Lip Scrub ($22), so I gave it a whirl, and let me tell you, this is the real deal.
At first, I was excited about this scrub for the sole reason that I could throw it in my bag, swipe on the clear formula, and stay moisturized forever. It also smells great and adds a nice touch to my morning and nighttime skincare ritual. The chubby stick is large enough to ensure no surface area of your lips goes untouched - if that's not smart and beautiful, I don't know what is.
You might be thinking that all sounds too good to be true, but I have to tell you, this stuff WORKS. It starts off feeling like a cross between a balm and a scrub, and it gets more granular as you continue to use it. The lip scrub relies on natural sugar (obviously) as its exfoliator, so the grains are fine enough to be used on sensitive skin like mine. Within a few weeks of consistent use, my lips really were softer, and it made applying lipstick so much easier. The product is formulated with vitamin C + E extract, which hydrates and brightens, and olive oil to keep the lips nourished. So basically, it's a dream!
Every Time I Wear This Eye Shadow, Someone Compliments It
"You know, the girl with the silver eyes," is a phrase my boyfriend has used to refer to me in the past. My brother's nickname for me is "robot eyes". This is all because of a silver eye shadow I've been wearing in the inner corner of my eyes for some years now. Along with a pair of metallic pink ankle boots, it's been my most eye-catching accessory to date, and it's become my makeup trademark.
The eye shadow in question is H&M Eye Shadow in Over the Moon ($7), and it boasts a bold metallic pop like no other. No, really, as good as H&M's other eye shadows may be, not one of them can compete with this find. I use it with the Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in The Dolce Vita ($53) and the colors pair and blend together surprisingly well. Though this robotic look is something that has fallen into place purely in my quest to make myself look more "me" (perhaps I was an android in a past life?), it's by far the most commented-on beauty item in my arsenal. These aren't just comments from the bemused males in my life either. Strangers have made a point to address me on the street, it's awarded me priority treatment in lines, and it's even acted as a conversation-buffer in awkward situations.
I'd provide current picture evidence of said eye shadow but I recently got trigger-happy with a blackhead sucker and am now the not-so-proud owner of a selection of chin hickeys. Instead, a picture of me riding a camel will have to suffice, because I assure you, it lasted the whole ride!
30+ Makeup Products Every Beauty-Obsessed Girl Should Try in 2018 - All Under $15
Amazing makeup doesn't need to cost a ton of money. There are tons of buzzy products that beauty influencers, bloggers, and artists swear by. We rounded up some of our own editor-approved must haves you should consider trying. We included lipstick, highlighter, foundation, eyeliner, brow gel, and so much more. These are the staples you'll keep on your vanity for years to come. Check them all out and consider them for yourself. They're all under $15, so you don't have to go broke over experimenting with new formulas. No more waiting! It's time to put your best face forward. Let's shop.
102 Drugstore Beauty Products That Are Absolutely Worth the Hype
Every true beauty junkie knows that there are certain drugstore products that are incredible. There are so many affordable brands out there that deliver high-quality cosmetics. I am always on the hunt for the very best formulas that are easily accessible, so I test items on the regular. If you want to know which products are truly worth the hype, we have rounded up the top-rated options. Prepare to see an array of mascaras, lipsticks, foundations, highlighters, blushes, and much more. As editors, we have tried plenty of these releases ourselves, so you can trust us. Shop through these popular picks and buy yourself a few essentials.
7 Reasons Your Makeup Doesn't Look as Good as You Want It To
If you spend hours scrolling through Instagram and watching YouTube videos wondering why you can never re-create the amazing makeup you see on others, there may be a few simple things you're forgetting. Unless you have the time to research and learn from professionals, learning all the tricks is virtually impossible. But we have identified a few things that'll instantly improve your day-to-day look or allow you to go bold for a big occasion. This one's for makeup newbies or anyone who's struggled to work out what they're doing wrong. It's time to take things up a notch!
Don't Travel Overseas With the Wrong Hair Dryer - Shop These 7 Dual-Voltage Picks
If you're traveling abroad, there are so many important things to think about, from finding the perfect camera to making sure you have the right converter for power outlets. One thing we often overlook is our hair tools. In America, we use about 110 or 120 volts for our electricity, and in Europe, the volts used are twice as high, from 220 to 240. So if you try to use your US-made dryer overseas, it will most likely result in you blowing a fuse and often ruining your dryer.
To prevent this, many brands are now making travel-friendly dryers that come with dual-voltage options. These choices feature a button on them that you can simply switch back and fourth to change the amount of electricity they need. Take a look at our top picks.
35 Honest and Funny Reasons Being Married Is the Freakin' Best
There are plenty of reasons marriage gets a bad rap. It's easy to slip into bad habits and take your partner for granted, especially if you've been together a long time. But for so many people, marriage is actually the freaking best. You married your best friend - how cool is that? Whether it's acknowledging the little things or doing grand gestures, having a partner for life gives you millions of opportunities to laugh and be silly together, even through the hard times. Keep reading for 35 funny reasons being married is the best.
6 Fun Pairs of Water Wings Your Kids Will Love to Wear in the Pool
When your kids are just getting comfortable swimming, water wings can be a useful way to help them along and keep them afloat in the water. We rounded up our six favorite pairs - check them out for your children!
How 1 Couple Built the Dreamiest Tiny Cabin For Just $700 - Yes, You Read That Correctly
Our undying obsession with tiny homes has officially been taken to the next level, thanks to one crafty couple in Montana. Photographer Alla Ponomareva and her husband, Garret, recently constructed their own teeny-tiny cabin in the woods, and it only cost them about $700 and took three weeks, from start to finish. Yes, you read that correctly - we're just as impressed as you are!
Designed by tiny-home expert Derek Diedricksen, the A-frame dwelling only takes up 80 square feet and is packed with gorgeous features. Situated on top of a wooden deck with added room for chairs and plants, the triangular cabin has one wall that's both transparent (for ample natural light) and retractable (so it lifts up to open the indoor space a bit more). Plus, the roof has a solar panel attached, in case cabin visitors need to charge their phone at night.
The interior is decorated with a mint and coral motif and includes two beds that can be either separate or pushed together. By the window, there's shelf space for plenty of belongings like plates, utensils, and a portable burner. As the bite-size abode was only intended to be a guest house for Alla and Garret's actual home nearby, it doesn't have running water or a toilet, though those amenities are available in the woods nearby.
So how on earth did this dreamy masterpiece only cost $700 to put together? Alla explained on her blog that she and her husband had tons of leftover materials from past projects, such as nails, windows, and boards, which they upcycled when constructing the cabin. Sounds like it totally pays off to have a "junk" pile of old materials lying around if you're a DIY addict like this couple!
Ready to be mesmerized by the cutest tiny cabin ever? Read on for more pictures of this mini slice of secluded paradise, and be sure to visit Alla's blog for more details on how they got the impressive job done.
Kristen Bell Shares Powerful Video About Anxiety and Depression: "Everyone's Human"
Kristen Bell opened up about the realities of anxiety and depression in a candid video shared on Tuesday. The mom and actress is working with the Child Mild Institute for a campaign called "my younger self," which asks people what they would tell their younger self about their mental health or learning disorders. Kristen revealed that she's been "struggling with depression and/or anxiety" since she was 18 and wants everyone - including children - to know it's OK to feel that way and that they're never alone.
"Don't be fooled by this game of perfection that humans play," she said in a supportive tone. "Instagram and magazines and TV shows strive for a certain aesthetic, and everything looks so beautiful. People seem like they don't have any problems, but everyone's human. Everyone has problems - everyone feels yucky on the inside sometimes." Truth.
One of the most most powerful parts of her statement was her encouragement for kids to not feel ashamed to ask for help, no matter their age. "Never feel embarrassed or ashamed about who you are," she said. Her sentiment was followed by an adorable little boy who also shared a resource for other struggling kids. Consider this yet another reason we love the relatable Kristen Bell, who always keeps it real. Watch the full video above, and embrace her helpful words.
Getting Kids Ready For School Is a Total Sh*tshow, and I Would Like Your Support
Ah, morning routines. Before kids, they were filled with snooze buttons, long sips of hot coffee, and watching the news while eating a breakfast that you actually wanted to eat. After kids, mornings are filled with crack-of-dawn wake-up calls, short sips of cold coffee, bites of your kids' leftover food, and begging them to get out of bed (and then chasing them around to get ready). Even if your kids love school, making them look like presentable humans for the day is no easy task. You basically feel like you've fought (and usually lost) a major battle . . . and it isn't even 9 a.m. Keep reading for 10 stages moms can relate to while getting little ones ready for school.
How (and When) to Intervene When You See a Mom Struggling in Public
Every mom has been there. You're out in public, maybe getting groceries, mailing a package, or waiting to board your plane at the airport, when your child decides to flip the f*ck out. You start by trying to sweetly soothe the beast, praying that the tantrum will be short-lived. When it keeps going, you do your best quiet-yell voice (also known as the extremely firm whisper) combined with the hard stare, letting your kid know you mean business.
When that still doesn't work, you start to sweat and weigh your options: attempt to physically restrain your flailing child, knowing that will only escalate the situation; abandon your task and tend to your kid in a less public space, even though you really need those groceries; or just sit down and cry. Somehow, you survive, finding the alchemy that defuses the meltdown, deciding you'll return to the post office another day or relying on the kindness of strangers who help get your kid on that plane. But from that day on, you know your child has the potential to torpedo any public outing, and you just pray it never happens again.
Every mom has also been on the other end, watching a mom struggle with a child who's decided to save their worst behavior for a time when they could show it off to an audience. You probably felt that mom's pain and wanted to do something to help. But what? And is getting involved even appropriate? Here are the dos and don'ts for helping a mom who's struggling with her kid in public.
Dos
- Do evaluate the situation to see if your involvement would actually be helpful or just add to their stress. If you're not sure, ask. Extra points if you ask if you can do something specific instead of just asking if you can help in general. Even if she says no, she'll still appreciate the offer.
- Do engage in small kindnesses like opening doors or returning her grocery cart as much as possible.
- Do give her as many sympathetic looks and short words of encouragement and reassurance as you'd like. Compassion is never appreciated more than in moments of struggle.
- Do feel free to buy her coffee when you see how hard it's been for her to get through the line. She really needs that coffee.
- Do identify yourself as a grandma, mom of three, or uncle of 12 if you're trying to help. She wants to know that you're experienced and not just a weirdo who wants to engage with her kid.
- Do intervene if her child is putting themselves in danger (i.e., running into the street).
Don'ts
- Don't attempt to approach or touch a child without the parent's permission. You have little information about what's really going on. Don't assume you know how to handle the meltdown better than the parent does.
- Don't offer advice about how mom could be better dealing with the situation. She's doing her best.
- Don't start unloading grocery bags or approach a car without asking first. Stranger danger is a thing for adults, too.
- Don't offer the child candy or any other kind of treat. Just don't do it. You're only making Mom's life more difficult.
- Don't stand and stare. No one wants spectators for their child's worst moments. Tantrums happen, so if you can't help, offer a sympathetic smile and move on.
Inside Nap York, a 24-Hour Oasis That's Bringing Slumber to the City That Never Sleeps
Tucked inside New York City's Herald Square, just feet from Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building, lies a secret oasis of sorts. It's Sleeping Beauty's best dream and your kindergarten self's worst nightmare: a napping club.
Nap York sits on the corner of West 36th Street and 7th Avenue. The wellness club took the place of an old deli, trading out slabs of honey-glazed ham for personal napping pods and yoga classes. On the first floor, you'll find a cafe and workspace - New Yorkers and their MacBooks sit at wooden tables that resemble picnic benches while utilizing the free Wi-Fi.
The cafe was designed to minimize noise, with customers placing their orders on one of several iPads to avoid disrupting the nappers on the floors above. After an unseen chef in a hidden kitchen prepares each order, the meals are delivered with a name tag via conveyer belt to the patrons patiently waiting for their masterpieces to arrive.
Unsurprisingly, New Yorkers seem to love the contrast that the studio provides to the city's everyday madness.
One napper, Angelica Castillo, says she read about the club in Time Out. She recalls being "so excited" to try the napping pods that she wasn't sure she'd even be able to sleep.
"Nap York is a godsend. Besides getting a break from work, I think it's a great way to recharge if you're touring around in the city or planning to meet friends for a late night of partying," she said.
Tony Yan, a 34-year-old Manhattanite, loves the convenience of a napping club in the city. While he described the alarm that Nap York provides its nappers as an "Applebee's type of buzzer," he thinks the idea behind the club is great. "I live in Manhattan, but if I have an event to attend after work, it just doesn't make sense for me to rush home first."
"It's also great for those hangover days," he added.
The Nap York cafe serves the most millennial-inspired items, like matcha cocoa lattes, clean green smoothies, various salad renditions, and, of course, avocado toast. As recent Nap York visitor Sylvia Chu says, "I feel healthier just hanging out there."
A grab-and-go station in the corner of the cafe features Pellegrino, special Nap York-labeled bottled water, and whole pineapples. The menu is displayed on three flat-screen monitors hanging above a 30-foot live-plant wall.
Nap York is home to 300 plants of over 10 different species; they surround the entranceway, encircle the receptionist, and line the staircase. The entire building seems to be made out of essential oils. It somehow smells calm - like an Upper East Side yoga studio you can't afford.
Upstairs, a 24/7 security guard watches on, hidden in yet another jungle of live plants housed in copper pots. Seven napping pods sit side by side. And for just $10 per 30 minutes, you can enjoy a 28-square-foot room of complete tranquility.
Underneath the bed is storage space for your belongings. To the left, a shelf containing a relatively small plant, noise-canceling headphones, and controls to both the temperature of the pod and the illumination of the star-lit ceiling lying above you.
Perched on top of the seven pods: more plants.
Each napper is given a fresh pillowcase and blanket, a hot towel, and a vibrating alarm (not from Applebee's, thankfully) to gently return him or her to the real world, where the streets smell of urine and the stars are washed out by the Manhattan skyline.
While you rest, your shoes can be shined. Your shirt steamed. Your luggage stored. A Tesla shuttle is available at all times for airport transportation. Every detail of Nap York has been so meticulously thought through - the laborious brainchild of a founder who wishes to remain nameless.
While some potential nappers - like 24-year-old New Jersey resident Nikki Miller, who has only utilized Nap York for its luxurious cafe - may be wary of the cleanliness, the Airweave mattresses and pillows used by Nap York eliminate the possibility of bedbugs or unwanted lingering scents. There are no springs or foam, just plastic, spaghetti-like fibers beckoning you to rest.
The studio took inspiration for its napping pods from companies in Silicon Valley that have utilized similar resting areas for their employees, according to Director of Marketing Stacy Veloric.
"But we did it in a way with New Yorkers in mind," she explained. "So that's why it's 24 hours, seven days a week. Whenever they need it."
While Nap York is the first napping studio in New York City, it follows a few others across the United States - like Recharj, a power-napping and meditation studio in Washington DC, and Peace Power Napping, a Chicago studio dedicated solely to napping.
But back in New York, due to increased demand for its napping pods since opening its doors in February, Nap York has renovated its four-story location to increase the number of pods from seven to 30. The studio also unveiled a new layout at an event in April featuring the 2.0 version of its napping pods, with soundproof material that is 80 percent recycled tire.
Veloric says that Nap York has plans for expansion, bringing its brand to a second location on the east side of Manhattan. For now, we'll settle for whatever it's willing to offer up to us in order to reach more like-minded New Yorkers in desperate need of a little sleep.
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