Tuesday, January 13, 2015

5 Eyebrow Enhancersâ€”Explained

5 Eyebrow Enhancersâ€"Explained

The help you need to navigate the plethora of options these days

We all want perfect brows, but with the influx of new products, there's clearly more than one way to get us there. Which is the right one to use?

"There are some products that work well for almost all face shapes and complexions, whereas others do not and are more specific to skill level," says makeup artist Brittany Gay of Tenacious Glam Cosmetics at New York-based Oasis Day Spa. Below, she walks us through each type of product to help you find your perfect fit.

1. Powder
"I prefer powder to enhance a brow over most products because it gives a softer and more youthful look," says Gay. "This is probably the best product to fit every lifestyle." If you can apply eyeshadow, you can apply brow powder. The same rules apply.

Application Tip: "Use an angled brush [with short, stiff bristles] when applying. This will make for a smooth and more precise application." Use the brush tip to follow the outline of the brows, coloring between the hairs with soft, even strokes.

2. Pencil
"Eyebrow pencils are good for creating a slightly different shape for a poorly shaped brow," says Gay. "The application with a pencil is very sharp and clean." However, because the application is so sharp, it requires more skill and practice. Use with a light touch or soften with powder.

Application Tip: "Apply in soft strokes, almost like you're sketching," says Gay. "A common mistake with pencil is drawing a shape that is too strong, so be mindful."

3. Pomade
"A pomade is best to use when you want a very sleek look that keeps the brow hairs controlled while at the same time giving definition," says Gay. Because most pomades are made of wax, the finished effect is a bit more stiff. For more movement, stick to powder or pencil.

RELATED: Eyebrow Extensions Now Exist

Application Tip: "Use it sparingly. A little goes a long way." Similar to how you apply powder, use an angled brush to blend the product onto the skin and hairs. After dipping your brush into the product, swipe it across the back of your hand to remove excess. "Use a little bit of foundation to clean up underneath the brow to achieve a clean shape."

4. Gel
No matter what you're starting with, brow gel can elevate your look. "Eyebrow gel is great over powder to tame the brow hair," says Gay. "Clear gel is great to use on brows that are already dark and just need to be combed in place. And if you need to strengthen the color, this product is great for that, too." She recommends always choosing a gel one shade lighter than your hair color. "Going too dark can age the face and be too harsh."

Application Tip: "Apply lightly just on the brow—not on the skin—combing the brows up and out toward your hair line." This adds movement to the brow so it looks groomed, yet natural.

5. Tint
Although only temporary, eyebrow tints are now available as at-home solutions in pen form. "If you change your hair color and need to darken your naturally light brows, a brow tint is a life saver," says Gay. "Select a shade that is closest in tone to your hair color, and then grab one shade lighter."

Application Tip: Because tints are highly pigmented, apply softly like you would a pencil and expect to put in some practice time. "Only apply the product to the brow hairs," says Gay. "Avoid the skin around and behind the brows." Otherwise, product will be noticeable to the naked eye.

The Workout Playlist That Doubles as a Stress Reliever

The Workout Playlist That Doubles as a Stress Reliever

Peloton Cycle wants you to get lost in the music.

Every week, Your New Favorite Playlist introduces you to workout-worthy tunes from a different fitness brand. This week, Peloton Cycle shares one of its recent playlists.

While dozens of riders get sweaty on the ground-floor studio at Peloton Cycle in New York City, a video producer works in the basement, switching between camera angles to give home riders the best view possible of the instructor. "Our studio in New York is a place where we teach dance-type classes, but we also have five different cameras in the room that are live-streaming our classes to people at home," says Stephanie Nieman, head coach at Peloton Cycle. Riders who purchase the company's bike ($1,995, pelotoncycle.com) and pay the $39 per month subscription fee can stream live rides or take them on demand. They're exactly the same as the bikes used in the studio, but with a 21.5-inch high-def touch screen.

Fans of the brand who want to use a different bike—say, one at their gym—can tune in via the Peloton Cycle app (which currently doesn't charge for class streaming). "All of our instructors are great at connecting with the clients, whether it's their first time or 100th time [riding]," says Nieman. "Even if they're not in the studio, we call out their names at home and get with them on Twitter and Facebook."

The high production quality is part of what sets Peloton's videos apart from a lot of the other fitness class-streaming services out there—and a top-notch playlist is part of the Peloton experience. "Music is a huge motivator," says Nieman. "I really focus on creating a journey: I have a method where I start with a song that gets you focused, and then I'll play a song that teases you. And then the third song is always a banging party song." Here's a mix she created for a recent class:

You can download the playlist on Spotify. Not ready to sweat this second? Sample some of the songs:

Peloton Cycle is located in New York City.

5 Ways You're Being a Bad Friend Without Knowing It

5 Ways You're Being a Bad Friend Without Knowing It

And how to be friendship necklace-worthy

Would you want to be your friend? At one point or another—if we were really being honest—we’d all probably say “no.”

That’s because friendships, like any relationship, can get a bit too comfortable over time. And while a good friend will know when you’re just having a bad day, it’s easy to get into bad habits without even realizing it, says Irene S. Levine, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine and producer of TheFriendshipBlog.com.

Since your friends aren’t always the first ones to call you out on your crap, we’re here to do it. Check out the five most common ways you might be being a bad friend.

1. Being Chronically Late
We know: Your schedule is packed. And who doesn’t occasionally hit the snooze button one too many times? But if your friends have stopped counting on you to be on time, you’re being a bad friend. “When you show up late or don’t show up at all, you’re conveying that your friends’ time is less valuable than yours,” says Levine. “It devalues the other person.” Think long and hard about how you may be making your friends feel and if you need to re-examine your schedule and priorities. “Or, if you’re only late with one individual, consider whether your tardiness might reflect your ambivalence or lack of interest in the friendship,” she says.

2. Being Too Needy
Friends help each other out. But are you asking for more favors (Can you pick up my kid from school? Give me a ride? Cover my dinner just this one time?) than you’re handing out? Your pal probably feels it, and it can wear thin. Friendships need to be reciprocal—not every second, but in the long run, says Levine. “Make sure that you are as attentive to your friend as you expect her to be to you." Consider scaling back on the requests for favors and helping her out more—even when she doesn’t ask for it. The most thoughtful gestures are the ones you do on your own.

3. Expecting Your Friendship to Stay the Same
People change, and so should friendships. If you expect—or even pressure—your best friend to be the same person she was in college, you’re going to be frustrated—and possibly friendless. “Just because your friend used to join you on bar crawls, it doesn’t mean that she can do the same when she has a newborn,” says Levine. You've got to accept her as she is now rather than assuming she's going to be the person she was 10 years ago, says Levine. After all, you’ll want her to adapt to changes in your life, whether it’s a new job, city, boyfriend, or baby.

4. Talking Too Much
Are you having a conversation or monologuing? “If you’re the one doing all the talking, you may not even notice that your friend is rolling her eyes or looking at her watch,” says Levine. Plus, often, when women are just trying to show solidarity (think: “The same thing happened to me! This one time…”), they can inadvertently cut off friends and make them feel like they’re being one-upped. Instead, take a breath and ask her about what’s going on with her. “Make sure that you show interest in your friend by asking questions and being an active listener,” says Levine. And if you really have that much to vent about, Levine recommends seeking the helpful ear of a counselor or therapist.

5. Never Planning
Do you ask out your friends or wait for them to call you? Do you count on them to figure out what to do every time you’re together? “If you never initiate, friends may interpret it as a lack of interest in the friendship and stop asking you to do things,” says Levine. So pick a day, and pitch some ideas to your friends. A good rule of thumb: For every invite a friend extends your way, try to extend one back.

All gifs courtesy of giphy.com

Why You Shouldn't Feel Like Crap When Your Yoga Instructor Corrects You

Why You Shouldn't Feel Like Crap When Your Yoga Instructor Corrects You

We promise, that physical adjustment isn't an insult.

Once upon a time, before I became a professional yoga teacher, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing on the mat. None. I was a blundering teenager who had no concept of proper physical alignment or how doing a pose incorrectly could potentially damage my seemingly indestructible body.

I somehow survived this way for years. (I believe it's called "being a resilient teenager.") But once I decided to partake in a yoga teacher training program, everything changed. Day one of our physical practice will be seared in my memory forever. We had two teachers and roughly 10 assistants for a group of 39. We went through a vigorous practice, and the assistants were on me like white on rice—I couldn't even hold downward facing dog without them adjusting the rotation of my arms, the width of my posture, or the angle of my pelvis.

It's a miracle I survived the class with my sensitive disposition because I took each adjustment as a literal "You suck. You're doing everything wrong. Why on earth are you in a teacher training program?" Of course, not everyone's internal dialogue is as insecure, but it's more common than not for newbies to take physical adjustments from the teacher as an insult. It's easy to assume that you're being adjusted because you're wrong.

Truthfully, sometimes that is the case—but don't take it the wrong way. We all start off doing poses wrong. It's impossible to waltz into a classroom and nail every minute detail. It's the teacher's job to see the students who could potentially harm themselves and prevent that injury. These adjustments aren't coming from an "I know better than you" place. A good teacher wants to see you grow and understand the postures at a deep level. Every time a teacher changes your alignment, know it's coming from a place of concern, nurturing, and support.

Some adjustments are given as preventative medicine, while others are given as a way to deepen the practice, or enhance the posture through better alignment. There are plenty of postures you'll think you're doing correctly, but because of the nature of the poses, you can't truly tell. A teacher's hands-on assistance can illuminate these blind spots and get us back on track to feeling our best in the pose.

There are also certain poses that—even if you're a practitioner who knows her alignments well and puts in the time and dedication to constantly improving your practice—you can't go further in without the physical aid of another person. You’ll see assists like this given frequently in an Ashtanga class—a beautiful pose can soar to magnificent with a smart and beautifully executed assist.

Let's also not overlook the fact that yoga adjustments can be a beautiful way to give love. Plain and simple. A beautiful savasana adjustment, a gentle push on someone's lower back during child's pose, or even an elongating push in downward facing dog creates a blissful state of yumminess.

All of this being said, you have the right to turn down physical adjustments. Perhaps you are a seasoned practitioner with an injury and you'd prefer not to be touched. Or you're dealing with something on an emotional level that prevents you from wanting that physical contact. All you need to do is approach the teacher at the beginning of the class, tell him or her what's going on, and politely request no adjustments. This is completely normal and respectable. Remember: At the end of the day, this is your practice—listen to your body and choose what works best for you.

5 Fitness Gear Lines You Should Get Sweaty-Excited About

5 Fitness Gear Lines You Should Get Sweaty-Excited About

#OOTD

It's only January, but big things are already happening in the workout gear world for 2015. From fashion designers and huge celebrities releasing fitness apparel to awesome clothing lines getting in on exercise threads, find out which brands you should keep an eye out for this year:

Cynthia Rowley

Cynthia Rowley
These not-yet-released sporty separates, which come from designer Cynthia Rowley, are made for workout activities from surfing to cycling. You can also mix them with ready to wear. Rowley calls the pieces "functional fitness gear," and we like the sound of that!
Date available: March
Where: Cynthia Rowley stores and cynthiarowley.com
Price: $78 to $178

Zella

Zella
Nordstom, which has its own fabulous active wear brand, Zella, just opened month-log pop-up Zone Zella. Not only does Zone Zella have limited-edition apparel that is perfect for the cold weather—such as layering pieces, reflective details, and bold prints—but it also introduces shoes, a first for the brand. Definitely worth checking out this month!
Date available: Now until February 9
Where: Select Nordstom stores and on nordstrom.com
Price: $10 to $345

Free People

Free People Movement
With a focus on yoga, surf, dance, and run, FP Movement is about comfortable pieces for the free spirit. Bonus: On January 20, Free People (in partnership with us!) is hosting inspirational fitness events in six cities around the world as they launch their new collection. Get more info at freepeople.com/fpletsmove and by following #FPLetsMove!
Date available: Now
Where: freepeople.com/fp-movement/
Price: $10 to $234

Ramy Brook

Après Ramy Brook
This collection is for après—or after—your workout, meaning it will help you look good leaving your sweat session. With cute rompers, sleek jumpsuits, loose tops, and super chic sweats, you'll want to hit the gym just for the trip home in this gear!
Date available: Mid-February
Where: Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, shopbop.com, ramybrook.com, and at the new Ramy Brook boutique in New York City
Price: Under $200

Calia by Carrie Underwood

Calia by Carrie Underwood
Carrie teamed up with DICK'S Sporting Goods to make the kind of fitness wear she would actually want to have in her closet. They're high-quality, supportive garments. Oh, and they're super cute.
Date available: The beginning of March
Where: DICK'S Sporting Goods stores and dickssportinggoods.com
Price: $15 to $79

4 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE I Started Losing Weight

4 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE I Started Losing Weight

A.K.A. what NOT to do if you want to shed pounds

This article was written by Jenny Sugar and repurposed with permission from POPSUGAR Fitness.

I was no stranger to the freshman 15 in college—in fact, I experienced something closer to the freshman 30. It wasn't until I saw a photo of myself heading into my sophomore year that I realized I was carrying quite a few extra pounds and that it was time to do something about it. It took me a very long time to lose the weight (we're talking not until after graduation) all because I thought I knew what I was doing. Boy, was I wrong. Here are four things I wish I'd known at the start of my weight-loss journey.

1. Eating Peanut Butter Out of the Jar Isn't Healthy
While peanut butter is full of heart-healthy fats, it's not void of calories. I found myself spooning it straight out of the jar, wondering why my jeans weren't any looser. This is important to remember with all healthy foods: Just because they aren't considered junky doesn't mean you can eat as much as you want. Be aware of portion sizes when it comes to whole grains, nuts, seeds, and health food store snacks.

2. Being Vegan Doesn't Automatically Cause Weight Loss
My two roommates in college were tall, skinny, and vegan, so I thought eating a plant-based diet was the key to dropping pounds. I may have ditched animal products, but I ended up eating tons of pasta, bread, french fries, dairy-free ice cream, and vegan chocolate cupcakes instead. Had I focused on fresh fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole grains, a vegan diet might have helped me reach my weight-loss goal, but my junk-food vegan diet actually caused me to gain weight.

3. Walking Isn't Enough
Walking is definitely a better workout than just sitting on the couch, so I thought strolling through the mall and walking to class would do the trick. But walking isn't a major calorie-burner like running. When it comes to losing weight, you need to burn or cut out 3,500 calories a week to lose a pound. A 30-minute walk only burns around 122 calories, which is well under the 500 it takes to affect a weekly weigh-in. If you want to lose weight, you'll need to kick up the intensity and the length of your workouts.

4. Working Out Doesn't Mean You Can Eat Everything
After hitting a Step class with my college roommate, we'd go to the dining hall and fuel up. We worked out, so we deserved it, right? Little did I know I was undoing all the good I had done and actually eating way more than I had burned, which was making the scale numbers go even higher. If you need a little workout reward, don't do it with food. Download some new songs on iTunes, pick up a new book, or buy yourself a new top to motivate you to get to the gym.

Why Do Women SUCK At Being Friends with Benefits?

Why Do Women SUCK At Being Friends with Benefits?

One lady who’s tried the no-strings-attached thing—unsuccessfully—gives us the straight talk.

FWB is such a good idea in theory: You both get sex, and neither of you has to deal with the commitment (and let's be honest: sometimes stress) that comes along with being in a relationship. You tell yourself that he's attractive enough for a couple of rolls in the hay, but you know he’s not worth losing sleep over...at least at first. Soon enough, though, you find yourself waiting on pins and needles for him to text you back—or worse, waiting on some decrepit couch at his friend's house while he finishes band practice. Why does this happen time and time again? How is it that women are so monumentally bad at being friends with benefits?

Our Hormones Do Us Dirty
I once hooked up with this guy who I knew was a total d-bag from the first time we made out: He actually stopped mid-kiss to ask me what my SAT score was (and this was a good 10 years after I'd graduated high school). I knew I had no intention of dating him but was going through a breakup and needed a distraction. As soon as we’d slept together, though, I found myself waiting around for calls from him and putting up with a litany of horrendous behaviors: from asking me to pay for my iced tea at a lunch when I wasn’t eating to taking me on a “date” at 24 Hour Fitness. I believe I have the hormone oxytocin to thank for that one. It’s released after we have sex, and it makes us feel bonded to our partner and causes us to evaluate them more favorably than they probably deserve to be viewed.

A photo posted by Andrea Roa Sanchez (@urbayb) on Jan 9, 2015 at 5:34pm PST

We Ignore Obvious Red Flags
Often, it’s clear that we should just part ways with a guy, but good sex and inexplicable emotional attachment can be blinders when it comes to signs that it’s time to say sayonara. One friend told me that while she was hooking up with a guy, he called out the name of his ex, for whom he had made it clear that he still had feelings. She knew that this was his twisted way of making sure she didn’t get the wrong idea about what they were doing. So she made sure to punish him for this offensive behavior by...err...talking to him about his ex for hours later that night.

We Pick Guys We Don't Even Feel Good About Sleeping With
The catch-22 of finding a suitable FWB is that you have to choose someone you don’t like enough to actually want to date...but if you wouldn’t date them, you'll probably regret sleeping with them. Another friend of mine who got married young and then was going through a divorce decided that she needed a dude to distract her while she made it through a real rough patch. She ended up sleeping with a fellow student in one of her college classes (she had also gone back to school around this time). He was, if nothing else, well-endowed (she referred to him by his penis size, “Nine”).

A photo posted by @holster2707 on Jun 10, 2014 at 12:35am PDT

One afternoon, Nine asked for some help with his English paper, and my friend told him to pull some quotes from an article while she took a shower. She got out of the shower, and he had the article in his hand and told her that he had “read the article twice” and that there were none of those, “Whaddyacallem, quote thingies. Like the two lines up top.” Horrified that she had been sleeping with a man with whom she could never hold a conversation, she took one last ride on Nine before ending things. A few months later, he came into her work and asked if she never went out with him because he was really stupid and she was really smart. After she told him yes (as politely as possible), his next Facebook post was “I need to go to Oz and get me a brain.” Perhaps while he’s there, he can ask the great and powerful Oz to bestow the wisdom upon all women to know that more often than not, friends with benefits just turn into liabilities with baggage.

...But Sometimes to Justify Our Decisions, We Actually Let Them be Our Boyfriends!
The whole purpose of a friend with benefits is that we can have our sexual needs met without worrying about introducing somebody to our parents who identifies as a “freegan”—but sometimes, probably just to prove that we haven't "wasted" our time on the guy in question, we manage to convince ourselves that real pieces of work are actual boyfriend material. I have an actress friend who hooked up with a guy, only to learn that he had cast her in his short film—but not as his love interest (he'd picked another girl for that part). Put off by this, she ended things with him. But a week later, he got drunk and asked her to be his girlfriend. They dated for six years. His name still shows up on her car registration.

The Crazy Stuff That Happens to Your Boobs When You Have a Baby

The Crazy Stuff That Happens to Your Boobs When You Have a Baby

From small to big to hella droopy, an in-depth look at breasts' post-pregnancy identity crisis

Let's get real: Your boobs basically go through a war when you have a baby. They can grow up to several cup sizes, change shape, and start spouting milk like crazy—sometimes at completely inappropriate times. That's a lot for your girls to handle in a short span of time.

So it's not a completely crazy notion that they might be a little...different post-baby. I would know—mine went through Extreme Makeover: Boob Edition.

Before I got pregnant, I was a solid A-cup (on a good day). I'd always dreamed of having larger boobs, and pregnancy was my big chance. When I popped out to a full C-cup while carrying my son, I was beyond psyched. I showed those babies off as often as I could: low-cut tank tops, shirts with major cleave, you name it. They were all in heavy rotation in my maternity wardrobe. After my son was born and I started nursing, I surpassed the D-cup mark. My dreams had come true. I had a healthy baby, happy marriage, and big boobs—life was perfect.

And a year later...I stopped breastfeeding. I glanced in the mirror one day after stepping out of the shower and saw that my big, gorgeous melons had morphed into lemons. Okay, limes. Teeny limes. They were even smaller than they'd been pre-baby. If negative boobs are a thing, that’s what I had. What. The. Hell.

My friends had similar issues. "I can't even talk about it," one told me. "I have droopy nipples. I look like I should be on a National Geographic special." Most ended up with smaller-than-before boobs, but a token few actually had bigger boobs after having a baby.

What's up with that? Mother freaking Nature. According to women's health specialist Jennifer Wider, M.D., it's completely normal for both breastfeeding and the body's process of preparing to nurse to temporarily and/or permanently affect the shape and size of a woman's breasts.

The blame lies squarely with hormones. These hormones—progesterone, estrogen, and oxytocin, to name a few—stimulate the breasts' milk glands and ducts to grow in order to allow you to eventually breastfeed after your baby is born. "Because the breast can grow, the skin surrounding the breast can get stretched," says Wider. "After a woman stops nursing—or chooses not to in the first place—the milk glands and ducts shrink to their pre-pregnancy size." Or at least they do for some women.

Wider said it's not uncommon for women to end up with smaller-than-before boobs after they have a baby—or larger-than-before ones. Why? For some women, breastfeeding can make the tissues in your boobs denser, she says, and then the fat and connective tissue inside your boobs can move from one place to another. As a result, the shape and size of your breasts can morph.

Your nipples aren't immune to change, either. Pregnancy hormones can make them stand out more when you're nursing, says Wider, and they can appear droopy when you stop breastfeeding altogether. Luckily, the droopiness is temporary: Your nipples should go back to their old shape and size with time.

Unfortunately, Wider says there's not a ton you can do to prevent your boobs from having an identity crisis post-baby, other than staying in shape. "Extra fat can add to the problem," she says.

Well...thank goodness for underwire.

How to Make Canned Fish Fancy

How to Make Canned Fish Fancy

Yes, sardines can taste gourmet.

It's time to stop avoiding fish that are bad for the environment and stock up on sustainably caught sources instead. Worried you might not have the time or resources to prepare a delicious and environmentally responsible dish? Try hitting the cans. Pantry staples are convenient—and with these tips, satisfyingly tasty. Check out the ideas below for some easy mealtime inspiration.

Elizabeth Natoli

Tuna
Stick with skipjack and albacore. Wild Planet brand is sustainably pole-and-line-caught.
More Can-Do's: Mix it into a salad of chard and white beans; use it for fish tacos; stuff it in tomatoes.

Salmon
Look for sockeye or the milder pink variety. The small pin bones are often cooked with the fish, adding extra calcium.
More Can-Do's: Make burgers or fish cakes; put it in a creamy chowder; try it smoked—Patagonia sells pouches that are perfect for hiking and camping.

Sardines
These tiny fish have a big, bold taste and are dense with omega-3 oils. Bela brand offers them smoked in different flavors.
More Can-Do's: Add to your next antipasto platter; top crostini; grill and eat them whole.

Anchovies
Small and salty, they're not just for Caesar dressing—they're also distilled into Asian fish sauce.
More Can-Do's: Toss on puttanesca; stir into beef stew; wrap around olives.

For more information on sustainable ways to consume fish, check out the January/February issue of Women's Health, on newsstands now.

Shaved Fennel and Beet Salad

Shaved Fennel and Beet Salad

Healthy Recipes

Shaved Fennel and Beet Salad

Here's how to turn seasonal veggies into delicious wintry salads

Johnny Miller

recipes

1. Place beets in a small pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Cover pot, reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until tender (a toothpick should slide in easily). Drain beets and slip off their skins under cold running water. Halve and thinly slice beets. Place in a salad bowl; add fennel, apple cider vinegar, white balsamic vinegar and salt. Set aside for 10 minutes, or refrigerate up to 1 day to marinate.

2. Add blood orange segments and radicchio to beets and fennel; toss to combine. Add olive oil, cheese and hazelnuts; toss gently again. Taste for seasoning and serve immediately.

Note: You can use pecorino or anothe r hard, nutty cheese in place of aged goat cheese.

Roasted Winter Vegetables and Arugula Salad

Roasted Winter Vegetables and Arugula Salad

Healthy Recipes

Roasted Winter Vegetables and Arugula Salad

These cooked seasonal veggies add texture and flavor to a hearty winter salad

Johnny Miller

recipes

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, toss vegetables with olive oil, salt and a pinch of black pepper. Divide between trays, spreading vegetables out in a single layer, and roast for 20 minutes. Stir, rotate trays and roast for another 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.

3. Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar and shake; set aside.

4. Place chickpeas, walnuts, roasted vegetables and arugula in a large salad bowl and toss to combine. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss again. Serve immediately.

3 Stick-to-Your Ribs Salads

3 Stick-to-Your Ribs Salads

Healthy Eating

3 Stick-to-Your Ribs Salads

Use seasonal winter veggies for these hearty salads that are filling enough to be meals on their own

Roasted Acorn and Delicata Squash Salad

Roasted Acorn and Delicata Squash Salad

Healthy Recipes

Roasted Acorn and Delicata Squash Salad

This hearty winter salad also uses wheat berries and bitter greens

Johnny Miller

recipes

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Place acorn squash on 1 tray and delicata on the other. Drizzle each tray with 1 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ teaspoon sea salt and a pinch of black pepper; toss to combine. Roast for 30 minutes. Turn each slice of squash over, rotate the trays and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool.

2. Lower oven to 300°F. Toss pumpkin seeds, lime or lemon juice, cayenne and remaining ¼ teaspoon sea salt, then spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Toast seeds in middle rack of oven for 12 minutes. Remove tray, toss seeds lightly and toast for another 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool. Set aside ¼ cup seeds for this salad; extras can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

3. Whisk dressing ingredients in a small bowl and stir in cooked wheat berries.

4. Spread half the greens over a serving platter, then add half of each of the following: acorn and delicata squash, pearl onions, goat cheese and pumpkin seeds. Drizzle with half the dressing and repeat with remaining ingredients. Toss lightly then serve immediately.

Live Longer With This Healthy Eating Change

Live Longer With This Healthy Eating Change

Healthy Eating

Live Longer With This Healthy Eating Change

It’s official: You are what you eat. According to findings published by JAMA Internal Medicine in a study backed by Harvard researchers, eating whole grains is so beneficial for good health, your chances of living longer increase with every serving eaten.

In fact, the research indicated that for every ounce of whole grains downed, a person’s risk of death decreases by five percent and the risk of death by heart disease drops by nine percent. However, whole grains didn’t seem to impact a person’s risk of cancer.

“I definitely saw a connection between mortality and whole wheat intake,” says Dr. Qi Sun, study author and assistant professor of medicine at the Brigham and Women’s Ho spital and Harvard School of Public Health. “Whole grains contain many beneficial nutritional factors, including magnesium, vitamins, lignans, phenolic acids and alkylresorcinols, which may jointly lead to lower risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.”

Another way in which wheat trumps white: When grains are refined and processed, all that’s left of the seed is the endosperm, which is swelling with calories—and not much else. The Whole Grains Council, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, also estimated that about 25 percent of the grain’s proteins, in addition to 17 nutrients, are lost in the process.

The findings are planted in data from two separate studies—one looked at over 74,000 women and the other analyzed over 43,000 men. The set of research began in the 1980s and continue d until 2010. During that time, participants filled out a food and diet questionnaire every two to four years, which included specific questions about their whole-grain consumption. The study also adjusted for factors that may have an impact on a person’s mortality, including smoking habits, age and weight. Over the course of the trial, over 27,000 people died, but one-third fewer people died among the group that ate the most whole grains per day.

So how can you take advantage of this field of youth? The good news: It’s probably already in your kitchen cabinet. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans advises that at least half of the grains you consume should be whole. Jackie Newgent, a registered dietician nutritionist and author of The With or Without Meat Cookbook, also suggests using Harvard’s “Healthy Eating Plate” as a goal, where one-fourth of your plate is whole grains. Here are a few of her other tricks for sneaking in more whole-grain goodies.

Look for whole wheat. Before you start sifting through the aisles of your grocery store, make sure that what you’re buying says “whole wheat” and not just “wheat,” Newgent says.

Reinvent oatmeal. Think of oatmeal beyond the breakfast hour. Make your bowl of hot cereal—which is chock-full of good grains—savory by preparing it with vegetable broth, asparagus tips and a sprinkle of herbs and Parmesan cheese.

Build a better burger. Roll oats, fresh parsley and mushrooms into the ground meat and s erving it on a whole-grain bun.

Snack smart. When snack time rolls around, reach for the GMO-free popcorn—it’s a whole grain.

Get creative with sides. When it comes to your daily dinner routine, freekah, spelt, farro and sorghum get the whole-grain gold star, so serve them up just like you would rice. Sneak tabbouleh in your salad. And opt for whole-grain pizza crust, pasta and brown rice. If you're gluten-free, stick with whole-grains like amaranth, buckwheat, corn, millet, oat, quinoa, wild rice, sorghum and teff.

Rethink recipes. If you’re baking, substitute whole-wheat flour or oat flour for at least half of the flour your favorite recipe calls for, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

4 Best Leafy Green-Based Recipes Ever

4 Best Leafy Green-Based Recipes Ever

Healthy Recipes

4 Best Leafy Green-Based Recipes Ever

Make these antioxidant-rich recipes as sides, snacks, or the base for main meals

broccolini, cherry tomato, and kale skillet recipe

Is It Harder to Get Pregnant the Second Time Around?

Is It Harder to Get Pregnant the Second Time Around?

We consulted with an expert about Kim Kardashian’s recent conception concerns.

Kim Kardashian and husband Kanye West have been working on adding a baby to the family (South West?), but Kim is finding it much harder to get pregnant this time around, she told the DailyMail.com at the E! International Press Junket this past Friday. It begs the question: Is Kimye just having some bad luck, or are sophomore pregnancies really more difficult?

According to ob-gyn Alyssa Dweck, M.D., Kim's problem is one plenty of women face. Secondary infertility—a.k.a. trouble conceiving the second time around when you had no issues with the first pregnancy—is more common than primary infertility in women, she says. Here are a few reasons why Kim (and you) might be seeing the delay and what to do to speed things along.

Age
Obviously, time will have passed between trying to get pregnant the first and second time, and Dweck says that when it comes to trying to conceive, time is on none of our sides. "Starting from age 32, fertility begins to decline slightly, then more rapidly by 35," she says. "At 40, it takes a plunge." Additionally, with age come certain chronic illnesses that may have gone unnoticed in the previous pregnancy, such as diabetes or thyroid issues, both of which decrease chances of pregnancy.

Weight Fluctuations
Whether you packed on the pounds after your first pregnancy or overworked yourself to drop the baby weight and more, drastic weight gain or loss may mess with your hormones—and your pregnancy attempts. Now more than ever, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial to your chances of conceiving.

Bedroom Behavior Changes
You may feel like you're having a ton of sex when you're actively trying to get pregnant, but there's a good chance you're still having less than you did before your first pregnancy. Between having a child at home, time constraints, and fatigue, the numbers might not stack up the way they did when you had an active, child-free sex life. Dweck's solution? Make having more sex a priority, even if you think you're having enough.

Stress
Kim Kardashian expressed her frustration that a second pregnancy was proving so difficult despite the fact that she and Kanye are actively trying, whereas North wasn't the product of a strict plan. Turns out, trying too hard to get pregnant can kill your chances, due to the mental stress that comes with putting pressure on yourself. "When your stress level is high, your body goes on high alert to prevent you from getting pregnant under stressful circumstances," says Dweck, noting that meditation and relaxation exercises have been shown to increase fertility.

First Pregnancy Complications
For example, if you had a C-section delivery with your first child, there's a chance that some fertility-interfering scar tissue could have developed inside the uterus or outside in the pelvis, says Dweck.

When to See Your Doctor: So your diet and exercise, sex life, and stress levels are all in check, and you're still not seeing that little plus sign? If it's been more than six months, especially if you're over 35, don't be afraid to ask for help, says Dweck. "You won't be the first person to go see their gynecologist to get some assistance in getting pregnant a second time."

12 Men Reveal What They Look for in a Girlfriend

12 Men Reveal What They Look for in a Girlfriend

Proof that no two guys have the exact same dream woman

Smart, funny, sexy—it’s men’s standard Mrs. Right wish list. We’ve heard it way too many times, and if you ask us, it feels a little…generic.

So we asked 12 guys what they really look for in a woman (or, for the ones who are already paired up, what about their S.O.s hooked them). Because, while we aren’t into changing for any man, we are totally up for indulging our curiosity about that enigma that is the male mind. Here’s what they had to say:

“My ideal woman is unique. She doesn't stand out from a crowd, but her humor, smile, and interests separate her from everyone else. Someone who’s not afraid to be a complete goof around me. She enjoys being sociable, while still staying in sometimes. Lastly, she understands when to give me some room but has no issues removing all personal space.” —Jayson S.

“My dream woman is a woman who is beautiful, independent, and not afraid to challenge me. A woman who is straightforward and honest is a definite because we have to be able to communicate with each other. I'm looking for a woman who is willing to try new things and join me on my adventures. Someone who’s willing to get me out of my comfort zone and challenge me to do new things. If she’s all that and enjoys being active, eating, and traveling, she would be my ideal partner.” —Bryan V.

“I’ve always appreciated the willingness to compromise, especially since that's the foundation for a good relationship. But I also wanted someone who shared my basic, fundamental moral values. That's kind of where the line is drawn with regard to compromise; it's very difficult to compromise when it comes to your moral values and standards.” —Eric A.

“I was looking for someone who shared my top interests but not necessarily all my interests. I wasn't looking for a female version of myself, but rather someone that I could share my favorite activities with and at the same time could expose me to new things. As cliché as it might sound, I was looking for someone I could be stuck on a desert island with because ultimately, getting married would be similar to that.” —Ernesto M.

“The key is to find a woman who is surrounded by sweetness. You’ll never get sick of that.” —Jason S.

“I had no idea what I was looking for when I started dating my wife, but before I knew it, I was in love! She showed up to my activities and immediately jumped in with my group of friends. This was amazing because my friends and I can be very closed off and difficult to deal with. She supported the things I like to do, as well. This amazed me, and for the first time I felt like if she could do this, we might be together forever. Her personality was great for the long term. While everyone can use help from time-to-time, I could tell she could take care of herself. I wanted an equal partner to share with, not another child to take care of. She not only can take care of herself, but takes care of me, too, from time to time.” —Sean D.

“Something that attracts me is a girl that's very ambitious and has goals set. Someone who is driven and is a hard worker. She doesn't just sit at home and depend on her man. She's constantly hustling and is very supportive. A girl like this deserves everything.” —Jay R.

“When I was hunting/trapping for a mate, I was looking for someone who was loyal, cute, fun to be with, and had big boobs. (I’m three for four so far.) And I wanted someone who was going to be a good mother, someone whose schedule would allow for family life, and someone who enjoyed my family as much as I enjoyed hers. (four for four there!)” —Al H.

“I’m looking for: (1) A girl who is logical and rational in her thinking and doesn't jump to conclusions in a given situation. (2) A girl who embraces her culture and traditions. (3) A girl who relates to a guy's sense of humor and doesn't get offended. (4) A girl who is a romantic and a daydreamer and believes that true love still exists. (5) A girl who has a kind heart toward everyone. (6) A girl who is intellectual and can carry a sophisticated conversation.” —Dave G.

“I love my girlfriend because I can be myself around her, making jokes, pulling antics, and just goofing around. I love that she’s caring, lovable, considerate, passionate, sporty, and so much more. Four years ago, the first time I saw her, even without speaking to her I knew she was special and that I had to get to know her. Today, I’m glad I made that choice to talk to her, show her my love, and be in her presence. One of the main reasons I love her, though, is that she supports me in whatever decisions I make and helps me to make them grow into something much bigger than I thought they could to be. —Dave S.

6 Reasons Your Hair Is Dry and Brittle

6 Reasons Your Hair Is Dry and Brittle

Plus, simple treatments to undo the damage

Don't let your shampoo bottle fool you: Dry hair is not a hair type—it's a condition that can be treated. Your first step: Find out what's stripping strands of their natural oils. We asked experts in the field to nail down some culprits, as well as simple treatments to nix dry, damaged hair for good.

1. The Weather
“Summer includes overexposure to the sun, swimming, and products with alcohol, which can all dehydrate hair,” says Remington celebrity stylist Richard Marin. "And with winter comes extreme cold followed by overheated indoors, which can make hair parched and dry."

2. Smoothing Treatments
Too many smoothing treatments done close together can leave your locks super thirsty. “These treatments work effectively to smooth out hair and make it luscious and dreamy, but if they are done too frequently, the buildup of protein on the hair causes it to become brittle,” says hairstylist Sylvia Vaught, who's also the founder of L.A.-based home blowout service Blow Me.

3. Hormone Changes
“Birth control pills, pregnancy, and menopause are all times of physiological shifts within the body that can have an adverse effect on the hair, including dryness and brittleness,” says Vaught. She recommends seeing your doctor to discuss treatment options.

4. Using the Wrong Shampoo
Not all shampoos are created equal: Vaught warns against using your man’s drying shampoo when yours runs out. “You would be better off rinsing your hair a few times with just water to remove some of the oil, rather than risk the stripping effects of a shampoo that is not right for you,” she says.

5. Brushing Hair When Wet
“Remember that hair is most susceptible to breakage when it is wet,” says Vaught. This won’t necessarily dry the hair, but it will leave the ends brittle and lead to breakage down the entire strand. Instead of brushing wet hair, use a comb with a bit of leave-in conditioner on it.

6. Daily Heat Styling
Whether it’s the dryer or flat iron, daily heat to the hair will strip the hair of moisture. “This causes quite a bit of unnecessary damage that can be avoided,” says Vaught. If heat is imperative, aim to keep the temperature below 400 degrees.

How to Fix Damage That's Already Been Done

1. Go Thicker in the Winter
“Dry and brittle hair is a common problem year round, but these dry winter months leave many searching for a magic moisturizing solution,” says Vaught. A simple fix: Go heavier on the conditioner. “Just as you may use a heavier face cream, your hair also needs a heavier dose of moisture. Try Kevin Murphy Hydrate Me ($27, kevinmurphy.com)—it packs a great moisture punch.”

2. Use an Ion Blow Dryer
“Ions dry the hair from the outside, versus a traditional dryer, which dries from within the hair shaft to the outer layer,” says Marin. “This makes a huge impact on the health of your hair and is a huge time saver, as ions dry hair faster.”

3. Straighten Hair When Wet
“One of my favorite quick-conditioning treatments is to use a wet/dry straight iron, the Remington Wet 2 Straight Iron ($22.99, target.com),” says Marin. “Apply argan oil onto damp hair, and run the iron over it for a quick heat conditioning treatment. You will notice a dramatic difference in just one application.”

4. ...Or Skip the Straightener All Together
If hair won’t stay completely straight, go for a different look. “How about using a salt texturized to create a bit of movement instead?” says Vaught. “R+Co has a great one called Rockaway Salt Spray ($25, randco.com).”

5. Deep Condition Once a Week
Mark one day on your calendar for a conditioning mask reminder. “Simply wash your hair, put on a deep conditioning mask, wrap your hair in a hot towel for 30 minutes, and voila,” says Vaught. Your hair will be silkier and smoother.

6. Use Sulfate-Free Formulas
These formulas are most commonly recommended for those with color-treated hair because sulfates fade color. However, they also remove moisture. “Make sure to wash and condition hair every time with sulfate-free formulas,” says Marin.

What His Favorite Sex Position Says About Him

What His Favorite Sex Position Says About Him

A guy spills all the dirty (and hilarious) details.

You can tell a lot about a guy from his shoes or his car or the way he treats people in general. But if you want real insight into his weird brain, check out his preferred sexual position.

One simple act that can be done in countless ways means whatever choice he makes says a lot about who he is as a man. So here's what each means about your guy, along with his yearbook superlative and what I'm guessing his favorite dirty talk phrase is.

If you're too busy to read them all, here's a cheat sheet: Every sex position means he is a weird pervert and you should run away immediately.

Favorite Position: Missionary
What It Means: He failed art class in kindergarten for lack of creativity. He learned all his sex moves from PG-13 movies and thinks lighting a candle is the height of romance. He is a patent lawyer or accountant.
Voted Most Likely To: Have The Same Haircut Until He Dies; Describe A Sunset As "Pretty Good"
Favorite Dirty Talk: "Do you like that? Do you like that? Do you like that? Do you...oh, you're asleep."

Favorite Position: Doggy Style
What It Means: He wishes you looked more like Nicki Minaj and less like Keira Knightly. His Internet search history is 29 different variations on the word "butt." He watches a lot of Animal Planet.
Voted Most Likely To: Drop The Hottest Mixtape In The Streets; Get Arrested At The Dog Park
Favorite Dirty Talk: "MY ANACONDA DON'T!"

Favorite Position: Standing
What It Means: He is a NASA advanced mathematician with an innate understanding of angles, degrees, and torque. Or he is roughly your same height.
Voted Most Likely To: Win The Claw Machine At The Fair
Favorite Dirty Talk: "Oh, yeah baby, now raise your left leg four inches and rotate your hips 75 degrees to the right. Prepare for entry."

Favorite position: 69
What it means: He's the type of guy who thinks two B's equals one A. He likes to text while driving and uses his laptop on the toilet. He thinks he is a great multi-tasker, but he really just has ADD.
Voted most likely to: Eat A Sandwich While Exchanging Wedding Vows; Listen To Two iPods At Once
Favorite Dirty Talk: [muffled noises]

Favorite Position: Cowgirl
What It Means: He has a bad back or is very lazy—or both. He orders in both lunch and dinner every day and occasionally breakfast. He has never once helped do the dishes.
Voted Most Likely To: Order An Uber To Take Him To The Mailbox And Back
Favorite Dirty Talk: "Yeah, uh huh. Just like that. Do that. Okay, now do that. Just keep doing that, I'll let you know you when I'm good."

Favorite Position: Reverse Cowgirl
What It Means: He wants you to have an orgasm, but he's worried about getting bored while he waits.
Voted Most Likely To: Wear A Go-Pro Camera On His Head
Favorite Dirty Talk: N/A; he is silent, as if he were admiring a beautiful painting at a museum.

Favorite Position: Spooning
What It Means: He's tired. So very tired. Also, he props his laptop on its side when he lies in bed so he catch up on his Netflix.
Voted Most Likely To: Get A Severe Sunburn On One Side Only; Slowly Fuse To A Couch Like On Some Awful TLC Show
Favorite Dirty Talk: Does snoring count?

Favorite Position: Lotus
What It Means: He has way too much self-confidence, none of it warranted. He listens to a lot of Sting, but never Sting & The Police. He biggest turn-on is breaking a hip.
Voted Most Likely To: Grow A Man Bun; Own A Poncho; Die From Autoerotic Asphyxiation
Favorite Dirty Talk: "Listen to these Buddhist chants I learned from my guru, Chad."

Favorite Position: On The Floor
What It Means: He just moved into a new apartment and has no furniture yet. He just bought a brand-new rug and wants to ruin it. You are currently on Jupiter and gravitational forces are pulling you toward the ground.
Voted Most Likely To: Have Carpet Burns; Induce Carpet Burns
Favorite Dirty Talk: "Oh cool, the remote was under the sofa the whole time."

7 Things That Make Your Vagina Sad

7 Things That Make Your Vagina Sad

Are your lady parts depressed?

Think about how much your hoo-ha does for you. This super sensitive body part treats you to tons of pleasure during sex, cleans itself by producing daily discharge, and stands ready to expand to the size of a watermelon if you decide one day to deliver a baby. With all of these amazing things in mind, isn’t it time you made sure it’s on the receiving end of some much-deserved TLC? If you’re even considering doing any of the things on this list, show your lady parts some love by nixing the idea—or remedying any damage already done with the expert-backed advice below.

1. Sitting on a Bike Seat Without Padding
Ever have your labia go numb—or even start to hurt—during a SoulCycle session? That’s your vagina making it loud and clear that the way you’re sitting on the cycle seat is compressing nerves and blood vessels in your crotch, which over time can reduce genital sensation. A 2012 study from Yale University looked into this more closely, finding that women who rode stationary bikes with the handlebars lower than the seat experienced the most discomfort. If it happens a lot, check your positioning on the bike, or follow these strategies so you and your vagina can continue killing it at your indoor-cycling class.

2. Not Taking off Your Gym Clothes After a Workout
As you lounge around in your sweaty yoga pants, bacteria are breeding like crazy, thanks to all that perspiration your below-the-belt region produces (your vaginal area is packed with sweat glands, you know). If bacteria get into your vaginal canal, they can upset the balance of the microbes that normally live there and cause a yeast infection, says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical associate professor of ob-gyn at Yale School of Medicine. Change out of your sweaty, stinky gear as soon as you can, and take a quick shower to wash away the sweat that allows infection-causing bugs to thrive.

3. Drizzling it With Whipped Cream or Chocolate Syrup
If your ultimate fantasy is to cover your naked body in ice cream sundae toppings and serve yourself up to your partner, just make sure you keep the sticky, syrupy stuff far away from your crotch area. That’s because if sugar manages to get into your vagina, it can mess with pH levels and lead to a yeast or other type of infection, says Minkin.

4. Lathering Up With Too Much Soap
“Even a soap that calls itself gentle can be irritating to your labia,” says Minkin. “The less you use, the better.” Her advice: Once a day or after a gym session, work up a small lather from a soap made with no dyes or fragrances, which can itch or burn. And if you were one of the millions of women who received bath salts as a holiday gift, keep them wrapped in the box. Says Minkin: “I always see a slight increase in patients complaining of vaginal irritation after Christmas because they use those salts during their bath without realizing how harsh the chemicals that give them their scent and color can be.” (Find out which hygiene products that can help your vagina—and the ones to keep away from it.)

5. Putting Fruits or Vegetables Inside It
We’re always encouraging women to up their intake of plant food. But experimenting with grapes, carrots, or any other fresh fruit or veggie normally found in the produce aisle is not what we had in mind. Even the organic kind still contains bacteria, says Minkin, and that can upset your vagina and result in infection.

6. Getting a Tattoo On or Near It
Tempted to get inked below the belt? Consider how it might affect your lady parts. Having a tattoo done anywhere on your anatomy can trigger redness and inflammation, but your vaginal area has the most sensitive skin of your entire body, says Minkin. So you’re practically asking for a rash and itchy irritation. Even the cheap dye from a temporary tattoo can have the same effect, she says, so get body art on your ankle, arm, or back instead.

7. Lubricating It With Baby Oil
So you’re ready for a roll in the hay, and to get things going quick, you rub on some baby oil or another petroleum jelly product. You’re hoo-ha isn’t going to be happy. Oil-based lubricants are thicker and don’t wash out very easily, so they can get stuck in your vaginal canal and eventually trap bacteria along with it, resulting in infection, says Minkin. Stick with silicone- or water-based lube instead. Because they wash out easily, they make your vagina smile.

Gina Rodriguez's Stylist Shares How to Steal Her #Winning Golden Globes Hair

Gina Rodriguez's Stylist Shares How to Steal Her #Winning Golden Globes Hair

...Even if you're a klutz with a blow-dryer.

We said that Gina Rodriquez was someone we wanted to see more of in 2015, and the Jane the Virgin actress already granted our wish, winning Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical, or Comedy at last night's Golden Globe Awards. And she may still be a fresh young ingénue, but she looked every bit a seasoned star with her Old Hollywood-inspired style. If you're dying to steal her look—and we know you are—Gina's celeb hairstylist Paul Norton shares the step-by-step, must-steal tips, and what it was like to work with the star. And yep, she is every bit as lovable as you'd expect her to be.

How to Recreate the Look
Norton prepped Gina's hair for a soft, all-night hold by applying Joico Power Whip ($16.99, loxabeauty.com) from root to tip before blowing out her hair with a boar bristle brush. Next, he spritzed her locks with Joico IronClad Thermal Protectant Spray ($16.99, loxabeauty.com) and curled two-inch sections, maintaining a deep side part and securing the curls in alligator pins for about 15 minutes in order to let them cool and set (don't skip the cooling step, Norton warns, or else your curls will fall fl at). Check out Norton's adorable behind-the-scenes Insta for reference:

A photo posted by paulnortonhair (@paulnortonhair) on Jan 11, 2015 at 2:45pm PST

Once the curls cooled, he released them from bottom to top and vigorously ran his fingers through Gina's hair to break up each curl. After, he applied Joico Crème Wax Texture and Shine ($15.99, loxabeauty.com) from root to tip, combing it away from the face. Once everything was in place, he secured the shape with large black bobby pins and sealed the look with Joico Flip Turn Volumizing Finishing Spray ($16.99; loxabeauty.com) and Joico K-PAK Color Therapy Dry Oil Spray ($18; loxabeauty.com).

Must-Steal Tips
If Gina's look seems daunting to you, Norton says not to be afraid to add a little red carpet flair—A.K.A., the power of illusion—to your routine. "Don't just think you're going to achieve the style you want just on your natural, raw hair," he says. "Sometimes it's about the product, sometimes it's about the hair extensions, sometimes it's about understanding the proper execution."

As for what you can steal from Gina's look, minimal effort required, Norton has two suggestions for you: the deep part and the volume. "The deeper the side part, the more drama," he says. "It's a great way to add instant mystery and sexiness to your look. It's a game-changer."

To achieve Gina-like volume, Norton is a big advocate of a good back-comb for teasing—as long as you don't overdo it. "Wherever you decide you want your volume, go an inch further back than you normally would so you force yourself to be conservative."

Working with the Star
We know that Gina is a well-spoken and charming rising star, but what was she like to work with? Unsurprisingly, a dream client. "The reason we do such a good job is because she allows us to," says Norton. "She says, 'You guys are the artists, do it.' And then we have a great time and have a blast together because there's no micromanaging, there's no nitpicking. She trusts in our abilities." Oh, and there's no question among her team that she definitely deserved her win: "She's such a classy, honest, respectful person," says Norton. "This is her good karma being paid back."

As if we needed another reason to love her.

Watch 11 Grooms Get Emotional at the Sight of Their Beautiful Brides

Watch 11 Grooms Get Emotional at the Sight of Their Beautiful Brides

#HotGuysCrying

Besides coffee, there are very few things that make you feel happy on a Monday. But before you make your second Starbucks run of the day, you should know that a new ridiculously cute video montage of grooms getting their happy cry on is going viral—and it might be your new Monday afternoon addiction.

The video, created by the Canadian filmmaking company Mitchell Reilly Pictures, shows grooms as they get the first glimpse of their future wives on their wedding day. It gets emotional in the best possible way. Watch the video below, and see why you won't be able to get enough of these adorable grooms.

You've got to be feeling the love right now. Want more hot-groom action? Check out what got these infamous bachelors to finally settle down.

Are You Strengthening Your Abs the Right Way? Watch This Video

Are You Strengthening Your Abs the Right Way? Watch This Video

Fix your form to score a more sculpted bod.

You know what would be awesome? If we could all work out with a personal trainer every single time we hit the gym. Yeah, not going to happen. Of course, that doesn’t mean you don’t always want to get the most out of your workout—burn-wise, confidence-wise, and safety-wise. In each of our Fix Your Form videos, certified strength and conditioning specialist Holly Perkins breaks down the right way to do one of your favorite exercises.

Next up in our series: wood chops, a standing move that's great for your core.

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Holly Perkins is a certified strength and conditioning specialist who holds a degree in exercise physiology. She is on a mission to match the number of women to the number of men in weight rooms around the world. Holly created the Women’s Strength Nation movement to help women uncover their personal strength through the development of their physical strength.

About Health

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

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Why You Shouldn't Feel Like Crap When Your Yoga Instructor Corrects You

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The Crazy Stuff That Happens to Your Boobs When You Have a Baby

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Shaved Fennel and Beet Salad

Shaved Fennel and Beet Salad

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Roasted Winter Vegetables and Arugula Salad

Roasted Winter Vegetables and Arugula Salad

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3 Stick-to-Your Ribs Salads

3 Stick-to-Your Ribs Salads

Roasted Acorn and Delicata Squash Salad

Roasted Acorn and Delicata Squash Salad

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Live Longer With This Healthy Eating Change

Live Longer With This Healthy Eating Change

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4 Best Leafy Green-Based Recipes Ever

4 Best Leafy Green-Based Recipes Ever

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Is It Harder to Get Pregnant the Second Time Around?

12 Men Reveal What They Look for in a Girlfriend

6 Reasons Your Hair Is Dry and Brittle

What His Favorite Sex Position Says About Him

7 Things That Make Your Vagina Sad

Gina Rodriguez's Stylist Shares How to Steal Her #Winning Golden Globes Hair

Watch 11 Grooms Get Emotional at the Sight of Their Beautiful Brides

Are You Strengthening Your Abs the Right Way? Watch This Video