Struggles of getting ready that all girls can relate to

If you are long overdue for a trip to the drugstore, or simply hit the snooze button one too many times this morning, you may find yourself struggling to get up and at 'em today. Maybe it's rusty razor blades, your chipping gel manicure snagging on your favorite black Spanx tights, or hair and makeup that just refuses to cooperate with your day's plans. What's a girl to do? With a little bit of organization, a plan B for wardrobe malfunctions, and the right attitude, you can get yourself through the most challenging of mornings.


To shave or not to shave

You may have a comfortable routine worked out for yourself when it comes to how often you shave your legs and underarms. However, there is all too often that unexpected turn of events that can force you to throw your normal shaving routine out the window. Unanticipated high temps that make you want to don a tank top? Invited to swim in your neighbor's brand new pool? Maybe Mr. Wonderful called you for a night on the town. And as we all know, altering that routine can lead to uncomfortable and unsightly razor burn and bumps that make you feel like less than the goddess that you are.

And what if you don't even have a new razor for the job? Who among us hasn't struggled with the temptation to shave with a razor that is dull, or that's gotten rusty? Board-certified dermatologist, Jeanie Chung Leddon, tells Reader's Digest that women should be aiming to replace their razor every three to four days, and should never keep it in the shower, where the moist conditions can encourage the growth of fungus, bacteria, and yeast.

Razor infections are no laughing matter — they can cause pus-filled bumps, red boils, or a crusty condition called impetigo. So stock up on those extra-value bags of razors the next time you are at the store. As for the rusty razor? It isn't worth it!

Makeup woes

From sneezing while applying mascara to dealing with seriously mismatched winged eyes, there are just too many makeup mistakes that can drive you to wash it all off and start over again from scratch. Who has time for that?

InStyle recommends utilizing a cotton swab dipped into liquid makeup remover. Dab at the area you wish to correct until the offending mess is swept away, leaving you to have another go at perfecting your look. They also recommend makeup removing pens that can quickly fix your makeup error, while also moisturizing the skin. To avoid mascara-induced raccoon eyes, try using a plastic or metal spoon to rest your lashes on while you apply. The spoon will collect the excess product, sparing your expert eyeshadow application.


Your period is cramping your style

Nothing can alter the way you look and feel in your favorite outfit like having your period. If cramps and sore breasts weren't enough, the belly bloat that affects 70 percent of women during their monthly bill is enough to make you wish that velour track suits would come back into style.

Women's Health reports that there are a number of dietary tricks that will aid in alleviating the bloat and puffiness that your period can bring. They advise consuming foods rich in potassium and protein, as well as natural diuretics like cucumber, ginger, lemon juice, and watermelon. Healthy fats are also on the de-bloating menu, as they help to lower prostaglandins, the hormones responsible for bloating and muscle contractions.

Foods to avoid include those associated with gassiness, like cabbage, broccoli, and beans, as well as caffeine and alcohol, which can exacerbate PMS symptoms. They also recommend getting your sweat on with low intensity workouts like swimming, but abstaining from high intensity workouts like CrossFit, which could cause inflammation.


Makeup or anti-perspirant on your clothes

No matter how gracefully and skillfully you adjust your body to pull your clothes on over your head, there always seems to be that one, mysterious line of anti-perspirant that finds its way onto a part of your dark colored clothing. Lipstick can be just as tricky, transferring its impossible-to-wash-out hue onto your favorite white shirt.

So what's the solution? Roll-on or clear deodorants will give you less to worry about in the antiperspirant stain department. If you do find yourself with a stain, YouBeauty suggests dabbing at it with a wet washcloth until the mark is removed. Lipstick can be a lot trickier, Robert Bell, co-owner of THREADS dry cleaners told TODAY — so do yourself a favor, and don't apply it until after you've gotten dressed. If you are already stuck with a stain, just tell yourself you really weren't meant to wear that shirt tonight after all.

For treating the stain, plan to visit a professional dry cleaner, or treat the stain with a grease fighting soap like Dawn dish soap. Just remember never to throw a lipstick stained item directly in the washing machine — the wash cycle will set the stain permanently.

Tangled accessories

How often have you bypassed the perfect accessory to match your outfit, only because it was so incredibly tangled with everything else in your jewelry box or accessory drawer that you simply didn't have the time to deal with it? It's a real struggle that all too many of us face, but with a little bit of organization, you never need to bypass that perfect necklace or set of earrings again.

Glamour's Accessories Editor, Maria Duenas Jacobs, advises keeping jewelry items in separated containers, trays, and boxes. Some of her collection ultimately becomes parts of her decor, and she makes sure to separate her more prized, personal pieces from the rest of her collection. At Better Homes & Gardens, they have lots of ideas for keeping your jewelry neat and tidy. Ready-made drawer inserts, hanging wall organizers, or even a DIY corkboard covered with your favorite fabric are all great ideas for your growing collection.

But what to do if your favorite necklace seems tangled beyond repair? According to the gang at PureWow, you only need three things to save that prized piece: a sewing needle, some baby oil, and lots of patience. Carefully work out the knots with the sewing needle, while the baby oil helps to move things along.


You mani/pedi is a mess

We've all been there, ladies. You have an appointment scheduled for two days from now with your favorite nail technician, but your nails are in sorry shape. The kind of shape that has them snagging on your hair and clothes throughout the day, or toenails that catch on your stockings and socks.

Cosmopolitan offers some tips on how to get the most out of your manicure. If you have traditional polish on your nails, you can file down the tips, and apply an extra layer of topcoat to get your through until your appointment. For a gel manicure that is growing out, a heavy glitter polish applied in an ombre style just above your cuticles will fill in that blank space between your cuticle and gel polish. If it's your pedicure that needs help during sandal season, keep a spare bottle of nail polish handy for touching up the big toe until you can get to the salon.

What to wear

The eternal question — and it doesn't seem to get any easier as we get older. Agonizing on a daily basis about how many layers we will need, whether our shoes are comfy enough to last the day, if that adorable shirt is appropriate for work, how recently you've been seen in that same dress, or the devastation of realizing that your go-to outfit is still at the dry cleaner — it's enough to make a girl wish she could spend every day in a private school uniform.

In Style recommends filling your closet with simple, classic pieces that can be mixed and matched for countless looks. Think camel blazers, pencil skirts, solid colored shift dresses, and white blouses. If you want more choices every month, but don't have the time to shop, consider a monthly clothing subscription service. Urban Tastebud ranks and reviews the top 32 choices for subscription boxes that include everything from outfits, accessories, shoes, workout gear, and lingerie.

Bad hair days

Some days it really does seem like your hair is holding a grudge against you, refusing to shape itself into that cute style that you've never had any problem achieving before. Other days, it's the rainy or humid weather that can make the best of us look like we are wearing a puffy mop or a wet dog on our head.

Real Simple has nine great ideas for getting through the worst hair days. Recommendations include putting dirty locks into a braid, brushing frizzy hair with a bit of hairspray spritzed onto a brush, dry shampoo for oily hair, and alternating the part in your hair to avoid hat head.




Runs in your stockings

Whether you work for a company that still requires a woman to wear pantyhose, or simply want to don a pair of opaque black tights and boots while you run to fetch your pumpkin spice latte, there comes a day when you have to reach your hands into that part of your drawer where you keep your hosiery, and hope for the best. To play it really safe, you could stock up when your favorite brand is on sale, saving yourself forever from the frustration of every pair of tights having runs in them. But sometimes, you just don't want to say good bye forever, especially to some of those pricier tights that can run $20 or more.

Enter the old nail polish trick. A bottle of clear nail polish and a pair of scissors is all you need to stop a run right in its tracks. While you are wearing the tights, gently pull the tights away from your body, and dab a small amount of nail polish anywhere the run could continue to run vertically. For holes, make sure you dab around the entire circle. Allow the nail polish to dry completely, and then use your scissors to cut away any frayed threads. As long as the run you have repaired is not visible in your planned outfit, this trick could last you a few more wears until you can replace your tights.


Straightening and curling iron burns

Take it from a lady whose pin-straight hair will only curl when using a professional curling iron set to 450F — burns from a styling iron are no laughing matter.

Women's Health has the skinny on how to take care of those burns, along with some pretty gnarly pictures of just how bad those burns can get. They spoke to Valerie Goldburt M.D., a cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist, who recommends that you don't run the burn under water or apply ice, which could "slough off" the burnt skin.

Instead, apply a cold compress to the skin, and take some ibuprofen to minimize pain and inflammation. It's important to keep the area clean, moisturized, and covered, so apply an antibiotic ointment to the area regularly, and keep it bandaged. As the wound heals, make sure not to pick at the scab, and to continue treating the area after it has healed, to prevent excessive scarring. Goldburt says that a burn could take up to three full months to heal completely.


Sometimes, a positive attitude is your best look

If the morning routine still isn't coming together for you exactly how you planned, remember, your attitude about the situation is really what is going to make or break your day, not a missing hair tie or less than ideal outfit.

If you find yourself constantly giving in to the struggle, and letting your "getting ready" anxiety cast a negative light on the rest of your day, then it is time to take a step back, and really assess your situation. Do you need to wake up a tad earlier? Are you due for a trip to the warehouse club for a new vat of shampoo? Or would you benefit from a mindful, morning mantra that can help you to start the day with a sunnier outlook?

The Huffington Post has 21 suggestions for positive thoughts that can start your day off on the right note. Encouraging words like "I dedicate today to love and kindness," or "Thank you for this gift of a whole new day. I am grateful," can give you just the boost you need to get you sailing through that morning routine, and beyond.

From:Thelist

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The 10 Most Body-Positive Women In Hollywood

American women find these celebs to be the most inspiring when it comes to body image, according to a new survey of 2,000 women by plus-size clothing subscription service Gwynnie Bee.
Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet is not shy about speaking out about her body and the importance of loving your shape. "As a child, I never heard one woman say to me, 'I love my body.' Not my mother, my elder sister, my best friend. No one woman has ever said, 'I am so proud of my body,'" the 41-year-old actress said, according to Marie Claire. "I make sure to say it to [my daughter] Mia, because a positive physical outlook has to start at an early age.


Beyoncé

Queen Bey is about all things female empowerment—especially loving your body as it is. "We do not value ourselves enough. Especially young people, [who] don't really appreciate, how brilliant our bodies are," she preached in her short film Yours and Mine. Amen to that.

Serena Williams

We've always been big fans of Williams' brand of body positivity. The tennis champ is living proof that what your body can do is what's really beautiful. "I love me and I learned to love me and I've been like this my whole life, and I embrace me, and I love how I look," told Good Morning America last year. "I love that I'm a full woman and I am strong, and I'm powerful, and I'm beautiful at the same time, and there's nothing wrong like that."

Jennifer Lopez

J.Lo is one of those magical humans who only gets better with age. But that doesn't mean the 47-year-old doesn't deal with body image issues just like the rest of us. Earlier this year, she talked about overcoming her insecurities in an interview with HELLO! "I remember thinking I wasn't thin enough because I had curves," she said. "But I've learned that being healthy and feeling great aren't about having one specific body type; it's a completely individual thing."

Jennifer Lawrence

It's no surprise your BFF/spirit animal Jennifer Lawrence has said some pretty inspirational things about loving your bod. The queen of pre-red carpet pizza eating got real about brushing off pressure to look a certain way, according to Vogue. "You have to look past it—you look how you look, and be comfortable. What are you going to do? Be hungry every single day to make other people happy? That's just dumb," she said. (See more refreshingly honest body confessions from J.Law and other celebs here.)

Amy Schumer

Just like her BFF J. Law, Amy Schumer is not shy about talking about her body, flaws and all—and slamming body shaming trolls when needed. After appearing naked on the cover of Entertainment Weekly, she Instagrammed a photo of her cover with the caption: "I want to especially thank @EW for not airbrushing me. For real very cool. Thank you. Proud size 6 yo!"

Kelly Clarkson

The singer is no stranger to struggling with her weight—all in the public eye where she's a major target for body-shamers. "I've just never cared what people think," she told Heat magazine when asked about Twitter trolls commenting on her weight. "It's more if I'm happy and I'm confident and feeling good. That's always been my thing. And more so now, since having a family–I don't seek out any other acceptance." (See more celebs who give the middle finger to body shamers.) 

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah is also seasoned at dealing with body-shamers in the media. In an essay for O Magazine she wrote: "I think of all the years I've wasted hating myself fat, wanting myself thin. Feeling guilty about every croissant, then giving up carbs, then fasting, then dieting, then worrying when I wasn't dieting, then eating everything I wanted until the next diet. All that energy I could have spent loving what is." Pretty powerful stuff.

Adele

Queen of all things graceful, Adele doesn't let critics get to her. In a 2015 interview on Sirius XM, the powerhouse singer said: "I do have body image problems, but I don't let them rule my life, at all. And there's bigger issues going on in the world than how I might feel about myself and stuff like that." Right on with the perspective, Adele. (She also knows how to keep it really real and shows that working out sometimes sucks.)

Melissa McCarthy

Clinching the survey's title of most influential woman when it comes to body positivity is actress and everyone's favorite funny girl, Melissa McCarthy. The plus-size designer pretty much sums it up in an interview with Redbook earlier this year. "With women, there's this constant weird cultural thing where we're always supposed to be comparing ourselves with one another. Who wore it best? Whose butt's better?" she says. "Instead, how about if everyone wins? How intensely boring would it be if we were all the same?" Mic drop.

source:shape

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Celebrities who completely transformed their look by changing their eyebrows

Having good eyebrows is important to many women, but eyebrows in general — whether shaped or not — are actually a quite practical addition to your face. Eyebrows serve two main purposes, according to experts. One is to help keep things out of your eyes — from sweat to rain to foreign matter, your eyebrows act as a buffer to protect your eyes. They also help filter light, which also serves as eye protection.

Eyebrows also play a significant role in communication. We all recognize a furrowed brow to indicate displeasure or raised brows to signify surprise. But, beyond just helping us demonstrate and understand emotion, eyebrows are useful for facial recognition. A scientific study performed in 2003 found a "very large and significant disruption in recognition performance" when participants were shown photos of familiar faces, but altered to remove their eyebrows. Brows can literally change how we see people.


It's no wonder, then, that celebrities who have changed their eyebrows have also dramatically transformed their entire look. Here are some of the most noteworthy transformations to date.


Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore has been acting since she was just a little kid, so fans have gotten a peek at her many transformations over the years. Nevertheless, her eyebrows may have had the most impact. When Barrymore attended the Los Angeles premiere of Reservoir Dogs in 1992, her previously full brows were took a turn to follow the trend of the decade, which was to be seriously tiny. By the time Tom Boy premiered in 1995, the actress' brows were pencil-thin.

Just as Barrymore's rebellious years are long behind her, her itty-bitty brows are also a thing of the past. Although she hasn't embraced the super thick brow look that's on trend these days, she has taken to a much more natural and neutral appearance — both in how she shapes her brows and applies her makeup. Barrymore's style has also evolved since the aughts, making for a very well-rounded and incredible transformation.


Lucy Hale

When Katelyn Tarver posted a throwback photo of herself with Chantel Brunnert and Lucy Hale from the 2003 Teen Choice Awards, fans were struck by Hale's high-arched eyebrows. "The eyebrows tho," wrote one commenter. Another questioned why the girls would pluck their brows at that age. The early 2000s were a different time — that's for sure — but Hale does agree with naysayers.

"I overplucked mine and they just looked crazy," she said in an interview with People. That's certainly not the case anymore. The Lucy Hale of 2018 looks vastly different than her former self, and much of that has to do with her big, bold brows. She admitted to People that, despite all the plucking, she's always had very full eyebrows. Surprisingly, she still does her brows herself. "I just get a little nervous when people try to touch them," she explained. Well, whatever she's doing, it's working!

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian has gone through many transformations over the years. It may be hard to imagine that eyebrows could have such a drastic effect on her appearance, but it's true. In the late '90s, Kardashian embraced much smaller and tightly shaped eyebrows. In a throwback Instagram photo shared by Kris Jenner, Kardashian is hardly recognizable with her former arches. Kardashian herself commented on the photo writing, "I look horrendous! I was obsessed with Drew Barrymore and her thin eyebrows!"

Both women are likely thankful that they've come to embrace fuller brows. That's not to say it's easy to go from thin to thick brows. In fact, Kardashian's routine is quite complicated.

Kardashian detailed the process on her app (via InStyle). She revealed that Anastasia Soare, a famous brow artist and inventor of the Brow Powder Duo, is the expert in charge of her brows. Soare gets to work by waxing and trimming, applies both eye cream and foundation around the brows for definition, fills in any hairless areas with a brow pencil and, last but not least, sets them in place using brow gel. Whew.

Jennifer Aniston

When Jennifer Aniston was busy starring in Friends as Rachel in the 2000s, her haircut gained major attention. Despite nearly everyone becoming obsessed with "the Rachel," as it became known, Aniston wasn't a fan. "That was kind of cringe-y for me," she admitted to Glamour. But the iconic haircut isn't the only thing Aniston regrets from that time.

In an interview with Elle, Aniston said she will never again "bleach out [her] eyebrows." She further explained, "It was a real look in the 90s." At the time, Aniston got her brows bleached for her very first Cosmopolitan cover shoot. "I was so new and naïve in the business, I didn't know that I could say 'no,'" she told Elle, "I had to paint in my eyebrows for three months with brown shadow." Eek! Thankfully, Aniston's eyebrows have recovered from their days of being over-plucked and lightened.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox and #browgoals are essentially synonymous. This wasn't always the case, however. In the 2001 film Holiday in the Sun, Fox can be seen rocking the sleek arches that were typical of the time. They may have been easier to groom in the aughties, but Fox's current brows seem to be a great fit for her face. Just as Kim Kardashian seeks out expert brow help, Fox relies on eyebrow artist Tonya Crooks, AKA "BrowGal."

Shaping brows is not a one-fits-all solution, Crooks explained to Refinery29. "Brows for me fall into one of three categories: arch, arc, or straight. Megan Fox has a classic arch," she said. If Fox were to have her brows shaped in a straight direction, Crooks said Fox wouldn't look like herself. Something would be off. Brow trends will likely change in the future, but with an expert like Crooks on your side, we're sure Fox will continue to slay in the brow department.

Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani has always had an epic sense of style. She seems to be one who is much more likely to set trends than follow them. Yet and still, she became victim to the tiny brow. In 1998, she attended the MTV Video Music Awards with her hair dyed cotton candy blue and some jewels donning her face. With a bindi and studs framing her eyes, her thin arched painted-on eyebrows were on full display. In 1999, Stefani's brows seemed to get even thinner.

In an interview with Refinery29, Stefani said she agreed to having her brows bleached in order to have "really skinny eyebrows." Once they started growing in, she decided to have it done again, but this time she ended up in the emergency room. "I had chemical burns," she said, "But I survived! I do have a scar, though." Scars and all, Stefani achieved brow-goal status in 2015 and has been rocking thick brows ever since.

Paris Hilton

Can you even think about the early 2000s without remembering Paris Hilton? There were no limits to the heiress' style in those days. From tracksuits to tiaras, Hilton was obviously not afraid of trying, and creating, new trends. While her outfits may have varied greatly, her brows remained mostly unchanged, which meant they were thin and blonde for a very long time. Hilton discussed her beauty woe of yesteryear with InStyle and explained the rationale behind the brow, saying, "Back in the day, everybody plucked their eyebrows sooo thin." It's true. "It was the style back then," she added.

Although Hilton said hers weren't "beyond thin," she admitted to loving a "thicker brow" in current day. She also admitted that she now gets her eyebrows dyed. "Otherwise they look sparse," she told the magazine. Her thicker, darker brows are definitely on point, which means we can't help but say, that's hot.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is living proof that you can recover from both a really regrettable tattoo and super tiny eyebrows. Jolie's full brows are so amazing, it's hard to imagine she once dove into the thin eyebrow trend headfirst. In fact, Jolie has managed to capture such perfect arches that her brows were in the top 15 most googled celebrity eyebrows of 2017, according to Harper's Bazaar.

While Jolie's eyebrows are not the super-thick variety that's become quite popular in 2018, her brows are shaped in a way that looks natural, while not looking untamed. Of course, that's not necessarily surprisingly for Jolie as her style and beauty regimen are of the same vein. With her goal to remain "as natural as possible," it definitely makes sense that she's given up her small, heavily plucked arches in favor of less manicured "I woke up like this" brows.

Kylie Jenner

For most of her teen years, Kylie Jenner favored thin brows. Although they were never quite as twiggy as the '90s style, they were a far cry from her modern day arches. In 2014, however, Jenner hosted the MuchMusic Video Awards and her brows quite literally began to take shape. With long lashes and expertly defined brows, Jenner was starting her evolution to Brow Queen. By the time she attended the Met Gala in May 2017, Jenner's brows had officially reached the peak of perfection.

Much like her half-sister, Kim Kardashian, Jenner has a brow artist to help her out. In an interview with StyleCaster, Jenner's brow guru, Erin Bryant, explained her task, saying, "When I first did Kylie's brows, they weren't bad, but I couldn't wait to get my hands on them because they were a little too thinned out." Bryant explained that fuller brows give off a youthful appearance. "Thinned out brows age women," she added. Of course, at 20, Jenner may not be too worried about looking old, but her brows look phenomenal nonetheless.

This article originally appeared on " thelist "

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Places That Have Completely Banned the Kardashians

You can have all of the money in the world, and still not be allowed to visit all of it. If you've been born into the Kardashian clan, chances are that your reputation precedes you, and you just might not be welcome in some places. There are a surprising number of locations, businesses, people, and even towns that have just said no to getting swept up into the bombastic Kardashian way of life. While they cry into their billfolds, here are a few places you can go if you don't actually want to run into the family that took over television.


The Hamptons

Keeping Up with the Kardashians spin-offs are like when you get a gremlin wet and it just starts spawning eggs and multiplies. Kourtney and Khloe Take The Hamptons was one such egg, though much of the Hamptons wanted absolutely nothing to do with the sisters. While many celebrities spend time in the swanky eastern Long Island town, most visitors are just there for the low-key privacy that it offers. So, when the sisters rolled in with TV crews in tow, many locals were seen shouting at them to go home. The ladies were outright banned from certain restaurants and forced to film in Hampton Bays, which is nowhere near as prestigious or celebrity vacation-worthy.

Parties at the Oscars

According to Hollywood Life, Kris Jenner's inebriated behavior at past Raleigh Studios' Oscar parties has caused the entire family to be banned from showing up there ever again. While much of the Kardashian clan maintain that they're not much into drinking, their TV shows and many spin-offs feature a few moments that completely disagree with this assertion. Either way, they're going to have to find other ways to hobnob with celebrities before they're ejected from Hollywood completely, once people realize that they're not really actresses or something.

Anderson Cooper 360

Because Anderson Cooper is generally a pensive journalist devoted to covering serious topics in the news, he's definitively stated that he would never allow anyone associated with the Kardashians on his program. The admission came during an episode of Plead the Fifth, only moments after Khloe had professed her love to him in an unrelated tweet. It's not as though Cooper has a prejudice against wealthy families, as he's part of the mighty Vanderbilt lineage himself, it's just that he would rather report on global issues rather than some new luxury item Kim bought.

The Met Gala

For a long time, Vogue Editor-in-chief Anna "Nuclear" Wintour seemed to view the Kardashians as the antithesis of fashion and class. She even forbade them from ever attending the Met Gala, a party held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where Wintour is a trustee and financial contributor. Everything changed when Kim began her relationship with Kanye, who is apparently a favorite of the ever-trendy Wintour. While the clan was only recently welcomed into the Gala, Kim already broke the show's primary rule of no photography, and might be banned once again. Smooth move, Kim.

Vogue Magazine

Wintour's campaign against the Kardashians doesn't just end at blocking them from attending parties. According to OK Magazine, insiders at Vogue were told that Kim was not to be pictured or even mentioned within the pages of the high fashion magazine until further notice. EIC Wintour was already upset about the negative reaction that the publication received for featuring Kanye and Kim on a Vogue cover in 2014, but Kim's behavior at the Met Gala cemented Wintour's discontent. After Kim's Paper cover, we have a feeling it'll be a while before she's on the front of Vogue again.

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How to Drink Beer, 1725

J. Nothnagel, Man with Beer (1772), Wellcome Library

“I have not known Thirst since I have used hot Beer: Let the Weather be never so hot, and my work great, yet have I not felt Thirst as formerly... But some will say, Cold Beer is very pleasant to one that is Thirsty: I answer it is true: But pleasant things for the most part are very Dangerous. Cold Beer is pleasant when extream Thirst is in the Stomach, but what’s more dangerous to the Health? How many have you known and heard of, who by drinking a cup of Cold Beer in extream Thirst, have taken a surfeit and killed themselves? ...Therefore we must not drink cold Beer because it is pleasant, but hot beer because it is Profitable.”  

A Treatise of Warm Drink

Reminder: cold beer is pleasant but like most pleasant things it brings death. Cheers!

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Skincare mistakes that make you look older

When I was in my teens and early twenties, makeup was about the only thing I put on my face. Whether it was covering up a pimple with my mom's department store foundation, or creating the perfect smokey eye for a night out dancing with friends, I thought more about jet black eyeliner than moisturizer — let alone developing a longterm skin routine. If my makeup looked good, I looked good. Period.


These days, I'm all about keeping my skin looking younger and healthier. That's why I went to the experts to get their advice on what we should all be doing (and avoiding!) on our journey to more beautiful skin. And as it turns out, there are some things many of us do every day that could actually be sabotaging our faces.

Here are several common skin care mistakes that make you look older.


Going to bed with makeup on

I'll admit that when I was in college, I was notorious for coming home after a late night out and jumping into bed with a face full of makeup. Not only did this result in my constant need to do laundry (mascara, meet my white pillowcase), but it made removing my dry, caked-on makeup a total nightmare. It was also a terrible way to treat my skin.

"Whether you are a religious make up wearer or not, washing your face twice daily is imperative for healthy skin," licensed esthetician Michaela Bailey of Refresh at Mosaic Hair Studio in Orlando, FL, told me via email. "Sweat, makeup, pollutants in the air, and bacteria from our hands are all sitting on our skin and need to be cleansed off daily."

Joy Chen, CEO of H20 Beauty, says that even if we don't wear makeup, we're constantly exposed to pollutants that can damage our skin. "Air pollution is widespread — it's not just confined to urban areas. Plus, pollution particles are 20 times smaller than pores, which means our skin easily absorbs these toxins," she told me. "Though you may not notice it immediately, leaving your skin unprotected and exposed to pollution takes an even greater toll over time — it's one of the main factors contributing to inflammation and visible signs of aging."


 Skipping out on moisturizer

For many women with oily skin, the thought of lathering up on moisturizer seems counterintuitive. Adding more moisture to already oily skin will only make things worse, won't it? Well, not according to Bailey.

"Everyone needs a moisturizer whether you are a dry skin type or extremely oily," she explained to me. "This keeps the skin hydrated throughout the day and will help keep wrinkles and fine lines at bay. Heavier moisturizers can be used at night and lighter moisturizers with SPF 15 or higher can be used during the day."

Wearing SPF only during the summer

It's easy to remember to apply SPF when we're headed to the beach, but the truth is, we should really be applying it every day before stepping outside. "Sun protection is key to keeping your skin and body healthy," Dr. Ben Johnson, MD, founder of Osmosis Pur Medical Skincare, told me. "The sun is the most powerful energy source, why would you want it beating against the only thing protecting your body?" He added, "Anytime your skin is overexposed to the sun it has to work overtime to try to protect itself which can cause it to weaken and therefore, create sun spots, aging skin, and wrinkles."

Hillary Kline, a makeup artist and beauty blogger in Minneapolis, is also a huge proponent of sunscreen. "Being exposed to UVA rays — I cringe at tanning beds — will make your skin age quicker," she told me. Kline also suggests using a sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF 40 daily. "Not only does it help guard against sun damage, it will also assist in keeping the skin looking younger [and] more youthful."

Not drinking enough water

Wearing moisturizer is only one part of keeping our skin hydrated. Another super important practice we often forget about? H20.

"Water helps keep our systems running smoothly. This, in turn, keeps the skin properly functioning, as well," said Roberta Perry, founder and president of ScrubzBody Natural Skin Care. "Whatever your weight, you should be drinking half that amount in ounces of water, daily. It helps flush the body and the skin, and keeps it dewy."

Not a huge fan of water? Perry suggests trying decaffeinated tea with lemon.

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How to Picnic, 1387

Getty MS 27, f. 60v (1430-1440)

"The place where the assembly will be held should be a beautiful green meadow, with beautiful trees all around, well separated from one another, and a clear fountain or some running water... And they should spread out towels and cloths everywhere on the green grass, and put out various meats in great abundance according to the power of the lord. And some people should eat sitting, some standing, some resting on their elbows; and some people should drink, some should laugh, perform and tell stories and play, and in short all the festivities and delights." 

Gaston Phoebus, Livre de chasse

Picnic success checklist:
well separated trees
abundant meats
elbow resters
designated drinkers

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