What with all the running around we do, getting a good night's sleep often feels like a foregone conclusion... though in reality, it's really something we should be prioritizing. You see, getting an adequate amount of sleep — 7 to 9 hours a night on average — is crucial to our survival and cannot be compromised, according to experts. "Sleeping well is one of the most powerful and effective ways to avoid illness, improve productivity and creativity, boost mood, reduce stress and simply enhance our quality of life," says David Brown, PhD, sleep psychologist at Children's Health and UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas.
When I posted on social media asking for people's thoughts on weighted blankets I didn't expect to get dozens of answers — but maybe I shouldn't have been surprised. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults (or 18.1% of the population), so it stands to reason that many people are open to trying out the latest fads with the hope that they might actually work.
When it comes to creating the perfect smoothie — healthy, delicious and packed with nutrients — superfood powders are definitely a boon. They help ensure you get all the vitamins and nutrients you need to stay healthy, officially taking your smoothie game to the next level.
December was quite a doozy for me... I don't think I've ever been quite as stressed as I was that month. Let me break it down for you: a) I started a new job, b) my roommate of three years suddenly decided to move out, prompting me to move in with my boyfriend, c) I had a vacation planned far, far ahead of all this madness... right after the stress of the holidays, and d) did I mention that my boyfriend had secretly been planning to propose all along and thus, is now my fiancé?
Whether or not you celebrate Chinese New Year, one thing is undeniable: All of the Year of the Pig-themed beauty products coming out right now are so good. From classy red versions of popular serums to ridiculously adorable highlighters pressed with piggies, there's just so much amazingness to choose from. So with that in mind, we've created a round up for some of the very best Lunar New Year makeup and skin care products in town — keep reading to see our favorites.
You've had too many first dates to count. Your thumb is getting sore from too much swiping. Your online dating skills are honed to perfection — you're nobody's fool, because you've been at it for years.
Put down that to-do list. Turn off your phone — or at the very least set it to silent mode. And don't even think about squeezing "just one more thing in" first. It's time to prioritize you with a relaxing self-care regimen. The proverbial chill pill doesn't come in medication form; it can come from calming beauty products.
Whether you're single or coupled up, there's one thing we can all agree on: Limited-edition Valentine's Day beauty products are on a whole new level of cuteness. And like the slaves to retail we are, we can't help but lust after all the new goodies that come out this time of year.
If one of your New Year's resolutions is to be more mindful, adopting a meditation practice may be just the ticket to help you achieve this goal. Especially if you live a busy and hectic life (and who doesn't?), it's important to find peace of mind in moments throughout your day. Not only will it better ground you and bring you closer to your feelings and emotions, but it will help relax your nervous system and aid your overall health since you'll experience less stress on a daily basis.
In winter, we're diligent about liberally applying moisturizer to our hydration-starved complexions. But are we paying the same attention to the skin under our hair to maintain a healthy scalp?
While many of us might notice a little dip in our mood during the winter months, some of us experience a mood shift that's a bit more drastic. It's called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), commonly referred to as the winter blues, and is classified as a type of major depressive disorder where episodes of depression occur around the same time each year — usually in the winter months. "SAD is more common in women than men and the prevalence rates range from 9.7 percent in New Hampshire to 1.4 percent in Florida," says A.J. Marsden, Psy.D., an assistant professor of human services and psychology at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida. "These rates support one theory as to what causes SAD, and that is the lack of sunshine and, more specifically, the lack of vitamin D that might bring about mild to moderate episodes of depression."
Confession: since I was a kid, I've had a terrible fear of the dentist. Though I always had kind, patient doctors, the mere idea of sitting in the chair, letting them dig through my mouth was enough to send me into full-on panic mode. I grew brave enough to make — and meet — appointments without my parents once I became an adult, but the anxiety always crept in. It didn't help that after doing seven months of Accutane, I found myself with a dozen cavities and needing a few root canals, thanks to extreme dry mouth. After spending far too much money (since insurance covers next-to-nothing) on dental work, I was excited for a year abroad when I wouldn't have to worry about my pearly whites. That is, until six months later, and an infection under one of those root canals spread, and I had to have a tooth pulled...in Thailand. An army of friends supported me (and one faithful friend held my hand for three hours) but the experience made my dentophobia deepen.
In the skin care world, a scary new term has been making the rounds lately: "fungal acne" — aka an unholy alliance of two of your least favorite things. It's a phrase that'll definitely have you wondering "What is that?" followed quickly by "Do I have it??"
The philosophy that beauty starts from within can be interpreted in a couple ways: that diet plays a key role in physical appearance and that true beauty comes from the inside (translation: our personalities). Many beauty aficionados like to take a holistic approach by treating skin, hair and nails topically (via serums, anti-aging products, acne creams and more) and from the inside with beauty supplements.
The new year is the perfect time for some much-needed self-improvement and to set goals for the rest of the year. No need to stress about big changes just yet — instead, focus on the little things you can do to take care of yourself.
The holidays are all about decadent indulgence. Let's be honest: By the time the ball dropped on Times Square, you'd probably consumed enough alcohol to fill up an Olympic size swimming pool. All that partying was fun, but as the confetti is swept away and you found yourself waking up from your umpteenth hangover, it might be time to rethink your choices: Could it be time to try Dry January?
Perfect for those dull-skin days, Aveeno Positively Radiant MaxGlow Infusion Drops, $17.99, is a liquid-y serum that blends kiwi and soy and works fast. Pat it directly onto your face or add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer and you'll hydrate and brighten noticeably, in no time.
This time of year tends to make us very navel-gazey. What did we do wrong over the last year? How can we improve — do more, do better? Lose weight, gain muscle, travel more, learn to tap dance. Enough! You are enough just the way you are. As a matter of fact, you are better than enough. You are f*cking amazing. Read on so you can see how to make 2019 the year you love yourself just the way you are.
It's the end of the year again, which means it's time to start thinking about those New Year's resolutions. Now, you could turn to the usual suspects — more exercise, take a vacation, a solemn promise to keep Nutella out of the house before that happens again — or you could maybe try something else. Maybe something that will help you look and feel better than you ever have.
Every year, there are different breakthroughs and trends that define the beauty world. In past years, it's been things like strobing, sheet masks and power brows — but what were the big buzzwords this year? Well, lots of natural botanical extracts took center stage and we also noticed a general shift towards increased social consciousness, with more brands showing more sensitivity to diversity, while others went decisively cruelty-free. All in all, it was a great year for beauty, so let's close out 2018 by reviewing some of the year's biggest beauty movements and trends.
