From eyelet mini shirtdresses to flattering off-the-shoulder shift dresses, have you covered for the warm months with the most wearable LWD’s of the season.
How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes According to The Experts
Got acne? There’s a chance (like a big chance) that your cystic acne is caused by using dirty makeup brushes. Most of us don’t take the time and the care to clean our makeup brushes properly, and as a result, our brushes accumulate bacteria, which then gets transferred to our skin (read: major breakout).
Think about it: Dirt, germs, allergens, bacteria, dust, dead skin cells—and more all sit on your brushes. So, when you use these brushes to apply your makeup, you’re not only transferring all that bacteria to your precious products, you’re also transferring the bacteria to your skin. Worry not. Never ones to talk about a problem without providing a solution, we’re here to show you how to clean your makeup brushes the right way.
Keep scrolling to see what Sephora makeup artists, Sharon Mindanao, recommends!
FOR A BASIC CLEAN:
“Start by running your brushes under lukewarm water to rinse out the residual makeup,” says Mindanao. “Next, fill a small bowl of the water on the side, add one squirt of a gentle shampoo like Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Shampoo ($4.92), then swirl your brushes in the mix.” If you want to avoid shampoo, but still don’t want to purchase a specialized product, Mindanao recommends using an antibacterial soap like The Honest Company Antibacterial Soap ($4.67).
When using a bar of soap, she says you can simply swirl your brush on the soap, and then rinse under lukewarm water. The final step would be ringing the water out of the brush from the base up. Finally, lay your brushes on a clean towel to dry. Never ever put your brushes in a cup to dry. They should be laid flat or hung on a makeup tree holder like a Collapsible Air Drying Tower Brush Dryer ($11.99)
FOR A MORE ADVANCED CLEAN:
I like using the Éminence Organics Natural Brush Cleanser ($14.74). I also found that the makeup brush cleanser from JAPONESQUE Makeup ($14) is also great! Sprays like these are quick-drying and don’t require water. “All you have to do is spray the product directly onto the soiled brush. Once you’ve sprayed the product on the bristles, wipe the brush on a clean napkin. Continue to spray and wipe until the brush is clean,” says Mindanao. “I recommend doing this each day after use to have your brushes last longer.
FOR THE BEST CLEAN:
For the best clean possible, Mindanao recommends using a solid brush cleaner like the Japonesque Solid Brush Cleaner ($20). This is the best method to quickly dissolve makeup and impurities and deep cleanse and condition your brush bristles. “If you’re using a solid cleanser for the first time, start with moistening the brush head or sponge and swirling gently over the balm surface until a lather has lifted away makeup buildup and brush or sponge appears clean. Thoroughly rinse and gently squeeze out excess water. Dry excess moisture with a terrycloth or paper towel. Finally, reshape brush bristles and lay flat to dry on a clean paper towel or dry your brushes on a Makeup Brush Tree Holder like the QGAKAGO 28 Collapsible Air Drying Tower Brush Dryer($11.99). Using a tower dryer helps protect the shape of your brush’s bristles after washing.
Which products do you like to clean your brushes with? Tell us below!
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3 Steps to Finding Comfort in Mental Chaos
It was the day after Memorial Day, a long weekend which I spent out of town, celebrating my best friend’s wedding in San Diego. I woke up, feeling out of sorts. I was a little tired, a little flustered, and a whole lot anxious. I overslept and missed my 6:30 a.m. yoga (aka sanity) class, I had plans to meet with our contractor to check on the renovations of our house, and I had work to catch up on after being out of the office for a couple days. Waking up to these decisions on how to start my morning, and scheduling my “tasks” for the day was making me feel uncomfortable and anxious.
I laid in bed for a few minutes, feeling confused and paralyzed by all my different thoughts. Where should I start with my day!? I continued to ponder whether I should go to yoga, go straight to my meeting with my contractor, or go straight to the office and get caught up on work and emails. My thoughts became overwhelming, and it became difficult to make what was seemingly a simple decision.
As I laid there, I decided to put myself in check and regain control of my decision-making abilities. First, I asked myself a rather simple, but very important, question, “What would make Mona happy right now?” The answer was simple and straight to the point: “Mona, go to the next yoga class at 7:30 a.m..” It had been 4 days of no yoga, and I needed it. My anxious-self fought me on this for a bit, suggesting how I should do the other things instead (meet with the contractor and go to work). I stopped the thoughts as best I could, and went to yoga. It was wha I needed. I made it to my mat–and again, the same thoughts crept up on me. I immediately realized that I was STILL FEELING ANXIOUS. This time, I decided to jump into the driver’s seat of my thoughts and tell my mind to, kindly, shut-up. Here is how I did it–with grace of course (we are after all, ladies):
STEP 1: MAKE AN AFFIRMATION
First, I made a decision that everyone would be fine, and it would be a good day. By realizing I have control over my feelings and thoughts, I decided I might as well use them to advantage. So, I set the intention that however the day unfolded, it everything would be just fine. Instead of focusing on the lack of time, or all there was to be done, I shifted my energy and thoughts to that of being content and happy, and well, having a good day. A takeaway Tip: Sometimes visualizing yourself lying in bed at the end of your day, with a smile on your face, helps to fulfill the desire of having a pleasurable day.
STEP 2: PRIORITIZE HAPPINESS
Second, I made a decision to prioritize my happiness. Happiness to me, in that moment, was going to my yoga class. That was pretty simple. So, why was I making it so hard to accomplish? It wasn’t the act of taking a yoga class that was hard, it was all the distracting thoughts in my head about getting to yoga, what time I’d be home from yoga, etc. that were causing me some stress. Once I let those thoughts loose and focused on what it was I needed for my happiness (a yoga class), it became pretty easy. I just got in my car and drove to class. A takeaway tip would be to never regret a decision that is based on your happiness. Happiness wins—always!
STEP 3: JUST LET GO
Third, I made a decision to just let it be. Why was I fighting the urge to do something I wanted to do? It was taking so much effort to sift through all the thoughts on how to start my day. Laying there in bed was not helping the cause either, because I was thinking too hard about each little scenario, and making a list of “what-ifs” from each of those scenarios. Phew. It was kind of exhausting. So, I just let it all go, let it be, and like I said, just went to yoga. Work was still there after yoga, and so was my contractor. Letting go of my control of the sequence of the day was magical. A Takeaway tip: Step aside, and get out of your own way. The more we try to control things, the more we get in the way of the natural flow of life.
I went on with my day, and the rest was history. And guess what, things turned out just fine.
4 Ways To Stay Focused at Work
For us women working 8 a.m.-6 p.m., summer is the most difficult season. The sun is setting later, all your friends are constantly posting their flawless pictures frolicking about in Malibu, and all you want to do is search for cute bikinis on Pinterest! Summer time is here and your mind has begun to wander. Before you know it, keeping up with client deadlines or chipping away at your side hustle feels virtually impossible and burdensome. But, in actuality, the summer season is a great time to re-calibrate and tackle your priorities.
Here are some helpful tips on how to keep your eye on the prize, while still having plenty of fun!
1. Meditate
Powerhouse celebrities such as Gisele Bundchen and Sting all attribute meditation as the source for discovering their true purpose and understanding the meaning of their lives. Giving your mind and body the time to breathe, relax, and reflect may prove to be incredibly helpful, and may even change your life. Devoting time in your day to unplug and silence your mind can help alleviate stress and improve your mood. Much like your workout schedule, an AM mediation session is a great way to start the day off on the right foot.
2. Create a Realistic To-Do List
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It’s not uncommon for to-do lists to become a bit unruly. Instead of creating an extravagant, unattainable list of items, focus on snackable, accomplishable tasks. Once you start to feel the satisfaction of meeting your goals and begin to check things off your list, you’ll make room for more tasks. You’ll start to experience the ‘virtuoso cycle’ of reaching your objectives and gain more self-confidence. If you can’t steer away from writing lofty to-do lists, then give yourself a deadline and try to force yourself to commit to it.
3. Clean Up and Reorganize
Spring isn’t the only time cleaning should be done! Decluttering your work space will reinvigorate you on a subconscious level and you’ll feel a renewed sense of drive in getting down to business! Getting rid of all those pesky Post-It notes and, I hate to say it, all those adorable photo booth pictures of you and boyfriend from your desk will definitely stop your mind from wandering and keep you on track! Your laptop and latte feel like the only essentials needed.3. Clean Up and Reorgani
4. Get Your Beauty Sleep
The happy-hours never stop being happy during the summertime, and before you know it, you’ve stayed up way past your bedtime. But deep down, we all know the truth about the importance of a good night’s rest. Thanks to sleep evangelist, Arianna Huffington, and her Sleep Revolution, we know that a proper amount of sleep not only improves our health, it aids in accomplishing our goals. It all comes down to finding the right balance, and in order to have the energy for success and exude vitality and confidence, proper sleep is a must.
Want more? Check out Krawcheck’s book ‘Own It: The Power of Women at Work.’
Pssst: We Found The Most Flattering One-Piece Swimsuits Out There
I’m Pregnant—4 Truths About Getting a Doula
I have long known I wanted to give natural, unmedicated birth a go. Yes, I’m crazy for not wanting to take advantage of all the wonders of modern technology. Yes, I’m especially crazy for not wanting to get the epidural the second I get to the hospital. And, yes, I may be forced to have a c-section because of the baby’s position or my own health. But, I still want to at least plan to try it. For the record, I do not fault anyone who takes (or, because of medical intervention, is forced to take) an alternative birth plan. Who am I to judge? I’ve never given birth! I haven’t had a complicated pregnancy! My philosophy is the same as the contributors and founders of the Birth Without Fear blog; they support all birth stories and believe all births are beautiful and worth celebrating. That said, I’ve pondered the idea of hiring a doula to help make labor and delivery easier. Some people say doulas are “like angels in an unknown land,” but they are so much more. With so much noise around what to do (and what not to do), when I’m pregnant, I decided to set the record straight. So I did my own research to see if a doula would be right for me. Here are four truths about getting a doula that I wish someone told me before I got to 6 months.
1. WHAT IS A DOULA?
I wondered how I would get through what could be a long labor and painful delivery without drugs. Then, I learned about doulas. What is a doula, you say? A doula serves and supports expectant women, their partners and families with the emotional and physical aspects of childbirth. A doula will not deliver your child or make health care decisions for you, but she (usually a “she”) will inform you about your birth choices, suggest comfortable laboring positions and breathing tactics, massage your back, set up aromatherapy, and, most importantly, be with you from the time you go into labor until a couple hours after the baby is born. She will be there the WHOLE TIME. Your doctor won’t; your obstetrician will check up on your periodically and show up to deliver the child. You may have a nurse present at all times, but the nurse will not be helping you labor; he or she will be monitoring you regularly and also treating other patients.
2. WHAT WILL THE DOULA DO BEFORE LABOR?
A doula will meet with you a couple times before your due date to get to know you and your partner and to help you devise a birth plan. If you’re type A like me, you’ll be excited about getting help with a plan to do one of the most mysterious and yet commonplace actions of all time – giving birth! It eased my nerves a bit to know I could at least research my birth options and put together a tentative plan to share with my care providers. My beef with our medical system is that, too often, birth is something that happens to a woman instead of the woman being an active participant in her birth. Doulas are only currently involved in about 10% of American births. They are generally not covered by insurance (obvs, they should be). Anyone can be a doula in the loosest sense of the word and, in fact, you may even ask your mom or spouse to be your doula. But, if you’re like me and know you won’t listen to your spouse or mom when they are trying to calm you down, you may choose to hire a doula who is experienced in the labor room and can manage your emotions while you navigate the beautiful, painful process of birth. Also, ironically, it may be easier to take directions from someone you don’t know that well.
3. HOW DO I FIND A DOULA?
I didn’t really know where to start to find a doula. No one in my network of local friends had used one. I checked Yelp! (I know, so weird) and found a few, but quickly learned that only the most expensive/fancy doulas get enough reviews to pop up on Yelp!. Then I found out about Doula Match (doulamatch.net), a website where you can find listings of doulas, their credentials, number of births attended, pricing, photos – everything an obsessive researcher like me would like to know! After doing a little more research, I also learned that you can interview various doulas so you can see which one is the best fit. Ummm, what do I ask a doula? Google knows! I researched a couple interview questions and started sifting through profiles. I picked a few candidates based on price (I don’t have a big budget; average fees range $800-$1,200) and experience. I interviewed a few ladies and got more comfortable with the questions. It was especially important for me to know whether the doula had had experience with my obstetrician and at the hospital at which I was going to deliver. I also wanted to know whether the doula would do placenta encapsulation (more on that in another article coming soon).
4. WHAT DOES THE DOULA’S PRESENCE MEAN FOR MY SPOUSE/PARTNER?
I could sense my husband was a little uneasy with my whirlwind tailspin into doula researching. He’s an M.D. I think he sees birth as a means to an end (healthy baby, healthy mom) as opposed to a means within itself (rite of passage for a woman). We talked a lot about what his role would be vis-à-vis the doula, and whether he would feel/be obsolete in the birthing room if the doula were there. Based on my research, the doula would only help the labor process and make both parents comfortable. After all, my husband and I are both new to this labor thing. And, just because he understands the mechanics of birth doesn’t mean he won’t freak out to see his wife in pain, or that he won’t need to take a break. The doula can help with both of those situations.
Anyway, I found my doula at last! I connected with Bree quickly when she called me while walking her dog. I asked her a million questions and she answered them quickly, with humor and comfort. She was available for my due date (doulas only take 1-3 patients per month), had reasonable rates, and was easy to get along with. That last point is key because you need someone you know is a good communicator because you’ll need a good rapport during the trials and tribulations of birth. She agreed to meet with me and my husband in-person the following week. Again, she was easy to talk to, answered my husband’s questions, and was prompt after our meeting to send me a contract and to answer any questions. She’s even sent me pediatrician recommendations already! I’ll keep you posted on how my doula and how I do in the actual birthing process. In the meantime, scroll down to take a look at some of the items my friends have suggested I get to help facilitate pregnancy and my time at the hospital.
Have any questions about pregnancy and childbirth? Tell us in the comments below and we’ll answer them next!
5 Things You Should Do Post-Workout to Maximize Results
So you’ve finished your workout? That’s awesome! But, wait — are you really finished? The truth is that in order to get the best results from your gym time, you have to have a post-workout routine as well, physically and mentally. As you already know, pre-workout stretches are essential in warming up your muscles and making sure you’re ready to tackle the workout ahead. Similarly, you need a post-workout checklist to ensure you get the results you want. Most of us, however, are in such a hurry always that as soon as out workout is over, we’re ready to get to the next thing we have to do on our busy calendar. So many of us in our mid- to late-20s and 30s are navigating a career, a social calendar, and a family — and finding the motivation to breathe and engage in a meaningful post-workout regimen can be tough. But, the truth is our winding down time is perhaps the most important part of our workout practice.
Ahead, here’s 5 fitness habits to maximize recovery, and ensure you truly get all the rewards of your sweat session.
1. STRETCH USING A FOAM ROLLER
A foam roller is a nifty tool to aid with flexibility. Using a foam roller effectively can improve blood circulation and alleviate any knots in soft tissue. In fact, it’s something you can do before and after working out.
The Shapes Bundle from Outdoor Voices is a family of fitness accessories inspired by sculpture. Made in collaboration with Visibility studio, the shapes — a Roller, a Block, and a Triangle — can be used together or individually across different fields of exercise and activity. With a playful nod to tactility and material interaction, the shapes elevate the traditional fitness kit and encourage users to find new ways to stretch, bend, and play.
2. CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES
After a workout session, it’s always best to change out of your sweaty clothes A.S.A.P — even if you don’t have the time to shower.
Neil Schultz, MD and dermatologist based in New York City, told Shape Magazine that sweaty workout clothes trap moisture that encourages the growth of germs, bacteria fungus and yeast, which could invite a skin infection or cause breakouts.
3. REFUEL
It’s always a good idea to take some food within 30 minutes of your workout session. Mitzi Dulan, author of The Pinterest Diet: How to Pin Your Thin, claims that a 30-minute window is the peak time for muscles to replenish and rebuild so pack some snacks in your gym bag and refuel.
4. DRINK WATER
While working hard in the gym, your body responds by sweating to cool itself down. In this process, however, you’re losing a significant amount of liquids, which is why it’s important to replenish. Make sure to drink copious amounts of water after working out so as to avoid dehydration.
5. ENJOY SOME R&R
After an intense workout, it’s always best to take some time to unwind and rest. Whatever your preferred method, whether that’s sleeping, meditating or taking a relaxing bath, your body will love you for it.
For more tips on how to live to live a more positive, healthier and happier life, head to Positive Health and Wellness.
Plus-Size Workwear Dresses We’re Obsessing Over This Season
From gingham dresses to cap sleeve wraps, we’ve rounded up the season’s best plus-size workwear dresses that are perfect for those desk to dinner nights. Scroll down to shop our favorite picks.
No Joke: This Lip Gloss Is The Answer To Your Perfect Summer Pout
Every skincare lover has experienced her share of lip glosses — all that promise a bigger pout, softer lips, and hydration. Of course, some work better than others, and it’s hard to know which work best, especially when you’re looking for a gloss that moisturizes, feels great, tastes good (it’s important ) and has sunscreen protection.
Instead of spending the rest of your days sifting through lipglosses at the market or wearing Carmex (the smell tho), I’m going to make it easy for you because on a recent Amazon browse, I discover the holy grail of glosses, and I’m never going back. Supergoop! Fusion Lip Balm ($9.50) is a moisture-rich lip balm that protects against UV induced photoaging, while soothing dry, chapped lips. Unlike other lip glosses with UV protection, Supergoop doesn’t have that horrible sunscreen taste. Women who have bought the gloss swear that it’s “life changing” and “amazing.” Amazon user Alice sings its praises,”Love this lip balm! I’ve been looking for a lip balm with sunscreen protection that doesn’t feel waxy, sticky, heavy, or taste bad and this fits the bill. This balm is hydrating and isn’t sticky, thankfully. I like it so much that I ordered another to add to a friend’s birthday gift because she is addicted to lip balms and Chapstick and I know she’ll like how this feels. The added antioxidant benefits from the Acai are an added bonus to keep lips looking young and protected from free-radicals. You can’t go wrong with this. WORTH EVERY PENNY!”
Keep scrolling to shop the intriguing new super berry acai lip gloss that we are loving at Style Salute HQ.
Want more tricks on a bigger pout? Check out these expert tips for getting fuller lips with lipliner.
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