The stark, unsettling scenes of cult film classics like American Psycho and The Virgin Suicides were made in part by famed producers Chris and Roberta Hanley. And in partnership with architect Tomas Orsinski, the couple created a stunning desert home that mirrors their projects’ stoic, offbeat nature. 

Nestled in the desert of Joshua Tree, California, the 5,500-square-foot home is a striking rectangular structure covered entirely in mirrored windows. Its glass walls reflect the desert scenery back at the viewer, earning it the nickname “The Invisible House.” And now, Aaron Kirkman and Matt Adamo of AKG have listed the house for a cool $18 million.  

Will we be making an offer? Probably not. Will we be perusing the listing as though we ever would? Yes. And does the house of the American Psycho producers give off serious Patrick Bateman vibes? Also yes.

A Space Odyssey In The Desert

The Hanleys and Orsinski did have a film in mind when they created their multi-million dollar invisible home. But it wasn’t American Psycho. According to TopTenRealEstateDeals, the sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey inspired this futuristic house. And indeed, stepping up to this incredible structure must feel similar to approaching a spacecraft. 

The home’s listing states that the house “directly connects inhabitant with the environment through a mirrored glass exterior that seamlessly bridges the gap between indoor and outdoor space, masking itself as an indistinguishable component of the dramatic, rocky, desert landscape” Joshua Tree is famous for.

Just as the mirrored exterior allows nature to be the star of the show from the outside, the breathtaking glass walls extend this concept from the inside, bringing the desert scenery directly into the home itself.

Exploring The Interior

Thanks to its rectangular shape, the Invisible House’s 3-bedroom, 4-bathroom floor plan is fairly simple to follow. While there is plenty of privacy to enjoy in this roomy abode, each living space naturally flows into the next. Similarly, sliding glass doors throughout the home allow a seamless transition from indoors to nature. 

The Invisible House also boasts a world-class chef’s kitchen with dual ovens, separate refrigerator and freezer storage, white marble surfaces, concrete flooring, and sleek, minimalist lines. Rocky desert formations stretch up just outside the kitchen windows, making you feel like you’re cooking dinner in the desert (minus the bugs and wind).

The roomy bedrooms feature gorgeous en suites with 5-star-resort-inspired bath features. (Because if you’re building an $18 million home, it better be worthy of a 5-star resort.) The primary suite includes a bath with a soaking tub, floating vanities, a rain shower, and, of course, stunning desert views around every corner.

Keep Things Cool With An Indoor Pool

The desert is infamous for its dramatic temperature swings—frigidly cold at night and swelteringly hot during the day. But that’s nothing future Invisible Homeowners will have to worry about, thanks to a luxurious, 100-foot swimming pool. The pool area offers ambient lighting that both “illuminates the landscape and communicates with the constellations above,” the home’s listing reads. 

The pool is capped by a 224-square-foot projection wall perfect for screening films (this was the home of two film producers, after all). If anyone has a better idea for a more lavish pool and movie party, we’re all ears. 

Finally, if you somehow get the urge to leave this modern work of art, there’s plenty to do around Joshua Tree, too. The Invisible House’s 67.5-acre plot is bordered by Section 5 Federal National Park land and a Section 6 BLM, gated nature and tortoise reserve. You can truly immerse yourself in nature in every sense of the word.

A Home With Some Star Power

If this house looks vaguely familiar, you’re not going crazy. The gorgeous home has made cameos in numerous film projects and was even featured on Netflix’s The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals when it was available on Airbnb with a $2,500 per-night price tag. 

And it isn’t just the house itself that boasts serious star power—the whole desert has a long history of housing stars, rockers, and other pop culture icons. The Joshua Tree area is a well-known pilgrimage for artists of little and global fame, from working artists seeking affordable studios outside of Los Angeles to rock legends like Jim Morrison, Keith Richards, and Bono. 

There’s no doubt that the Invisible House exudes a stark sense of extravagant wealth and cool minimalism all within the backdrop of the notoriously harsh, unforgiving desert. We can’t help but compare this home’s attributes with that of American Psycho‘s leading man and murderer, Patrick Bateman. But hey, it’s just a movie, right? Maybe just double-check that there are no plastic suits hanging up in the closet before you make your final offer.

In the final days of September 1982, seven people in the Chicagoland area died suddenly after ingesting extra-strength Tylenol that, unbeknownst to them, was laced with potassium cyanide. The Tylenol Murders, as they became known, sent shockwaves through the country, forever changing our idea of safe medicine and how we consume over-the-counter drugs. 

Forty years later, the victims—who ranged in age from 12 to 35—remain unvindicated as no charges have been made against the killer or killers responsible. But recent developments suggest investigators are once again turning up the heat on this infamous cold case. 

Here’s what we know (and, more importantly, what we still don’t know) about the ongoing investigation.

1982: The Tylenol Murder Victims

The string of deaths related to the tainted Tylenol began with 12-year-old Mary Kellerman; followed by 27-year-old Adam Janus and his brother and sister-in-law, Stanley (25) and Theresa (19); 35-year-old Mary McFarland; 35-year-old Paula Prince, and 27-year-old Mary Reiner.

All otherwise healthy individuals, each victim suddenly collapsed within minutes of taking the medication. It was the Janus killings—and an insightful nurse, Helen Jensen—that tied the deaths to the OTC acetaminophen. After comparing notes of all three Janus deaths, Jensen noticed Tylenol was the one common factor.

CBS News Chicago reports that Jensen counted out pills from the Janus’ poisoned Tylenol bottle in front of police, showing six capsules missing (three adult doses for Adam, Stanley, and Theresa). Despite digging through the trash to recover Adam’s original receipt for the medicine, investigators initially disregarded Jensen’s theory. 

The following day, news outlets everywhere warned viewers of the link between the deaths and the common painkiller. As the body count continued to rise, the public grew more uneasy. Without the help of social media to communicate a warning quickly to the masses, police drove up and down Chicago streets, yelling ‘don’t take Tylenol’ through their bullhorns.

1983-2022: Hunting For The Killer

As stores and households began purging their Tylenol stock, a 15-agency task force began their work of finding the killer(s) responsible. The force found three potential leads in 1982. After ruling out the first two suspects, the investigators had only one name: James Lewis. 

Lewis was the author of a letter sent to Tylenol’s manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, in which he threatened further cyanide poisoning unless $1 million was placed in a postal box at Continental Bank in Chicago. A jury convicted Lewis of extortion, and the judge sentenced him to ten years in prison. While this seemed like a step in the right direction, it still wasn’t a serial murder charge.

Moreover, Lewis continued to deny his involvement in the actual murders. “I could send a letter to the Roman senate and say, ‘give me one million gold pieces, and I will stop the killing of Caesar,” Lewis said in a 1984 interview with CBS. “But that doesn’t mean that I killed Caesar.” 

Despite being linked to other crimes, including the 1978 murder of Raymond West, Lewis managed to slither free on technicalities. After his release from prison, Lewis settled down in a Cambridge, Massachusetts, apartment where he still lives today. In 2022, CBS reporter Brad Edwards paid him a visit. Shortly after, the cops did, too.

2020-2023: Investigators Order New DNA Tests

CBS showed their exchange with Lewis to Arlington Heights Police Sergeant Joe Murphy, who currently heads the Tylenol Murder task force. The force asked for a copy of the interview but was unable to comment on their intentions due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. 

However, in January 2023, CBS obtained AHPD investigation reports through a Freedom of Information Act request. Those documents reveal that police have been collecting new DNA samples and testing old samples with new technology in collaboration with Houston-based company, Othram. 

The new DNA includes samples from the Morgan family, another Chicago family who narrowly escaped being the next victims of the Tylenol Murders when they decided not to take the medication after “sensing something was off.” The old DNA likely includes samples from the contaminated pills and bottles, though police cannot confirm the exact evidence. 

The AHPD’s new collaborator, Othram, uses highly specialized technology to extract trace amounts of human DNA from items and analyze them. Kristen Mittelman, chief development officer at Othram, told CBS that the company “can successfully analyze DNA smaller than the top of a pin needle.” She also said that the company has returned investigative leads in thousands of cases, including identifying a murder victim from 1881.

2023: Does This Mean They’ll Solve The Case Soon?

Because the Tylenol Murder investigation is ongoing, we likely won’t know whether the AHPD has found new, more useful evidence anytime soon. Still, this is more active investigating than this case has seen in decades. 

So, one could assume there is a valid reason for the heating up of this cold case. And indeed, modern DNA technology solves decades-old cold cases all of the time. For the peace of mind of all the families involved, we hope that the new DNA testing helps investigators finally convict the Tylenol Murder killer after four decades of searching.

In 1920, the Osage Nation of Oklahoma became the richest nation of people per capita in the world when valuable oil deposits were discovered on their land. And for the six years afterward, Osage County was terrorized by a string of more than 60 mysterious or unsolved murders of Osage people who stood to benefit from these mineral lease royalties. 

The serial killings became known as the “Reign of Terror,” prompting the involvement of the precursor to the FBI, the U.S. Bureau of Investigation. Author and journalist David Grann immortalized this tragic period of unjustified crimes in his 2017 book Killers of the Flower Moon. Martin Scorsese’s film adaptation, which was filmed on location in Oklahoma, is set to release in May 2023. 

But this isn’t just a third-party depiction of the Osage Nation. It’s a collaboration between the production company and the Osage citizens, unlike many Hollywood depictions of Native American peoples that have come before it.

The Need For A Sensitive Approach

Since Scorsese and leading actor Leonardo DiCaprio first announced plans for the film in 2017, the potential for backlash has been immense. Not only does this film depict a particularly heinous moment in American history, but it also centers on a community this country has violently marginalized since its founding. 

Consequently, many were initially skeptical of a major Hollywood film production barging into Osage County, Oklahoma, to tell a sensationalized version of the story. However, reports from Osage citizens and indigenous actors involved in the film reveal that Scorsese took great care to approach the film with reverence and humility. 

The film industry has a sordid history of dehumanizing, belittling, or otherwise exploiting Native American people and their cultures, which explains why there were plenty of preconceptions stacked against Scorsese and DiCaprio’s intentions. And while we obviously can’t speak to the unreleased film’s content, its production practices paint a picture of genuine collaboration with and respect for the Osage community.

Letting The World Inform The Work

Lily Gladstone, who is of Blackfeet and Nez Perce descent, plays Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman whose family fell victim to the Reign of Terror. In a recent interview with Variety, Gladstone said Scorsese “worked closely with the real-life Osage Nation to ensure his movie would properly represent the community.” 

“The work is better when you let the world inform the work,” she said. “It’s a different movie than the one [Scorsese] walked in to make almost entirely because of what the community had to say.”

Osage News reported that this synchronicity had existed since the film’s conception. In 2019, Scorsese and his production team met with the Osage Nation’s Principal Chief, Geoffrey Standing Bear. Standing Bear served as the film’s cultural consultant, ensuring proper, historically accurate depictions of the Osage Nation. 

The film utilized Osage and other indigenous citizens in its cast, local artisans in its costume department, Osage citizens to cook food for the film’s scenes, and consultants from the Osage Language Department and Wahzhazhe Cultural Center. On the first day of filming, members of the Osage Nation and more than 100 cast and crew members gathered for a blessing led by Grayhorse Head Committeeman Archie Mason.

Leading A More Inclusive Path

The Killers production team’s decision to film on location forced the Osage Nation to once again confront an incredibly difficult time. The Reign of Terror resulted in the deaths of at least 5% of the Osage Nation, and 50% lost all their wealth. Thus, it’s unsurprising that the local community’s opinions on the film are divisive.

Still, the overwhelming response seems to be positive. “[Scorsese] struck me and most of the [Osage] people as a very sincere person who wants to get this right and do right by us,” Danette Daniels, the Osage owner of Pawhuska’s Water Bird Gallery, told The Oklahoman. “There are other Osages that are very skeptical … but at least we’ve had input into the process.”

Indeed, Killers of the Flower Moon appears to be taking a much-needed turn away from Hollywood’s traditional treatment of Native American communities. While they deserve to have their story told, indigenous people also deserve to be the ones to tell it. And hopefully, Scorsese’s example will lead Hollywood down a more inclusive path where we celebrate and uplift marginalized communities, not exploit them further for ratings.

If you’ve ever compared your ex to a cockroach, rat, or other vermin in general, the San Antonio Zoo has some news for you: Now, they actually can be. The fourth annual Cry Me A Cockroach fundraiser is back, allowing us to live out our pettiest daydreams with some harmless fun (well, except for the rats and roaches). 

Whether you’re harboring hard feelings for an ex, old boss, or former BFF, here’s how you can blow off some steam—and help out the San Antonio Zoological Society, a non-profit organization committed to securing a bright future for wildlife. 

Er, yeah … that’s the main reason we’re doing this.

Cry Me A Cockroach

The San Antonio Zoo finding a way to capitalize on our common urge to be petty is nothing short of pure, slightly-evil genius. Its Cry Me A Cockroach fundraiser took the world by storm in 2018, and it’s easy to see why. Equal parts gross and hilarious, this novel format shook up the traditional fundraising model in the best possible way.

In exchange for a $5, $10, or $25 donation, Texas’ San Antonio Zoo will symbolically name a cockroach, rat, or veggie after your not-so-special someone. Zoo workers will feed “(Insert Your Ex’s Name Here)” to one of the zoo’s animals. Then, you’ll receive two digital download cards: one showing your support of the fundraiser and another informing your honoree that an animal at the SAZ “ate” them.

If sending a card to someone informing them they were named after a bug and devoured by a wild animal isn’t petty enough, you also have the option to up your donation to $150 in exchange for a personalized video message of the vermin of your choice being fed to one of the zoo’s animals, like this owl.

(We should note that the SAZ prohibits the use of profanity in its customized videos. So, you know—prepare to edit.)

Throwing Shade And Raising Funds

The zoo’s annual fundraiser is open to participants around the world. All proceeds from the Cry Me A Cockroach fundraiser go toward helping the non-profit achieve its goal of “inspiring the community to love, engage with, act for, and protect animals and the places they live.” 

Not to discourage you from naming your ex after a cockroach, but the SAZ even takes good care of those creepy crawlers, too. The SAZ was the first zoological facility in the world to be accredited and certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Zoological Association of America, and the American Humane Conservation program. So when you participate in this fundraiser, you’re helping an institution that cares for all its critters, big and small. 

The zoo even offers additional Cry Me A Cockroach merchandise, including t-shirts and mugs—which are great for anyone who wouldn’t have a heart attack upon seeing a “cockroach” on a shirt or coffee cup out of the corner of their eye. 

The real question is, which ex gets the honor of being named first?

Life has a funny way of getting in the way of our health goals; there never seems to be enough time or motivation. Consequently, achieving our mental and physical goals can begin to seem more and more impossible.

But what if video games could help with this lapse in progress? The computer, video, and mobile gaming industry is as massive as it is varied. Even if you’ve never considered yourself a “gamer,” there’s likely an entire category of games that would cater to your specific interests and preferences. 

And while you certainly can use games simply as an entertaining way of passing the time, they also have the potential to help us reach our physical and mental wellness goals. Here’s how.

Stressed, Anxious, Or Overworked? Try Cozy Gaming

On the opposite end of the spectrum from prevailingly popular, intense, violent video games is the concept of “cozy gaming.” GamesIndustry.biz wrote that “the essential nature of cozy gaming is that of helping other people through non-violent means, often by nurture and generosity. Self-expression is core to the games’ progression goals, which tend to be open-ended.”

This genre can trace its roots all the way back to a 1985 game called “Little Computer People” and Natsume’s “Harvest Moon,” which came out a little over a decade before “Farmville” took our Facebook feeds by storm in 2009. More recently, “Animal Crossing” and “Stardew Valley” cemented their place as cozy game staples. 

By offering a non-threatening, low-stakes environment to explore and enjoy, cozy games offer a much-needed respite from the stress and anxiety of everyday life. And considering just how much of our physical health is related to our stress levels, these calming games offer dual benefits for both mental and physical wellness. 

Cozy gaming is a great way to decompress, de-stress, enjoy a feeling of community, and explore one’s curiosities in a safe, comfortable setting. As gaming writer Melissa Brinks wrote for Forbes, cozy gaming eliminates the need for gamers to meet their characters’ most basic needs (shelter, thirst, hunger, and safety), leaving them with a sense of “connectedness, self-reflection, and mastery.”

TheGamer listed some of the best cozy games as “Unpacking,” “Spiritfarer,” and, of course, the wildly popular and equally cute “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”

Want To Exercise But Hate The Gym? Try This Instead

Physical fitness goals can be particularly difficult to attain for a number of reasons—but working out doesn’t have to suck, we promise. Remember when everyone and their grandma was playing either “Wii Fit” or “Dance Dance Revolution?” Well, those types of games haven’t gone anywhere, and they’re even better now.

The rise of virtual reality gaming has brought about even more immersive exercise experiences, from the music-driven “Beat Saber” to the sci-fi obstacle courses in “Sprint Vector.” And yes, “Just Dance” is still a thing (and just as fun as ever). For some individuals, these games can be an even better option than regular exercise.

A March 2019 press release published in Lifespan covered the results of a study led by behavioral scientists from The Miriam Hospital’s Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine in Rhode Island. The study itself had sedentary individuals participate in either traditional exercise or video games that involved moderate-to-intense aerobic activity.

“People who played the physically active video games continued to do more exercise than the standard group because they got more enjoyment, better management of stress and depressive symptoms, felt more engaged in physical activity, and were more confident about their ability to exercise than people doing standard exercise,” reported Dr. Beth Bock, the study’s lead scientist.

TheGamer cited “Nintendo Switch Sports,” “Zumba Fitness: World Party,” and “Ring Fit Adventure” as some of the best fitness video games of all time. “Ring Fit Adventure” in particular was difficult to find at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the Nintendo Switch game becoming a popular way of working out during lockdown.

Get The Most Out Of Your Gaming

According to FinancesOnline, 64% of U.S. adults play video games on a regular basis. And despite common stereotypes of gamers being that of 20-something, Dorito-eating dude-bros, gaming is becoming increasingly popular with women at many stages of life.

Whether you’re a pro gamer or a total video game novice, finding ways to use games to your advantage is a fun, highly motivational way to reach your overall wellness goals. After all, you’re the main character of your own life. So what’s stopping you from taking the controls and completing your personal objectives?

Amidst the saga of royal drama, betrayal, and intrigue that has been Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from The Firm, one would assume the prince had plenty of insight to glean from his experience. However, recent comments made in an ITV interview suggest otherwise. 

While promoting his fast-selling memoir Spare, Harry sat down with journalist Tom Bradby to discuss the royal institution, his family, and accounts of racism within both. Harry’s comments revealed a glaring lack of understanding and excess of privilege in the wake of his wife’s experiences—and the world noticed. 

The vague, icky feelings Harry’s comments stirred within us were later confirmed as sociologists, activists, and writers took to the internet to collectively say: No, Harry, you’re actually wrong on this one.

The Start Of A Scandal

As a novel upset to the British monarchy’s long-held tradition of homogenous elitism, the start of Harry and Meghan’s relationship in 2016 (and their 2017 engagement) sent the first titillating ripples through an otherwise placid pond. 

While the family maintained a welcoming appearance, this didn’t stop an influx of racist rhetoric from tabloids and royal onlookers alike. And once the couple started to pull away from the family, the widespread assumptions that their romance would prove to be a royal upset started to solidify. 

In March 2021, the couple sat down with Oprah Winfrey in a jaw-dropping interview and offered an alternative cause: racism, both institutional and otherwise. From Meghan’s perspective—and with Harry at her side—she described the discrimination she felt in and outside the family. 

From hateful derogatory comments to alleged conversations concerning the skin color of Harry and Meghan’s future child, it’s clear that the entire experience disturbed the biracial, 40-year-old mother. Harry, too, was getting a secondhand understanding of what it meant to be a Black woman in the spotlight.

The Royal Mansplaining Of It All

However, his comments suggest he still doesn’t really get it. Bradby brought up the skin color conversation in his recent interview with Harry and asked the prince whether he would describe the conversation as racist. “I wouldn’t,” Harry replied. “Not having lived within that family.”

“Going back to the difference between what my understanding is because of my own experience, the difference between racism and unconscious bias, the two things are different,” Harry continued. 

“But once it’s been acknowledged, or pointed out to you as an individual, or as an institution, that you have unconscious bias, you, therefore, have an opportunity to learn and grow from that so that you are part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Otherwise, unconscious bias then moves into the category of racism.”

Harry goes on to say that “any other mixed-race couple around the world” would likely have a scenario in which the “white side of the family [has] either openly or secretly discussed, ‘what are the kids going to look like?’” However, people were quick to point out the trouble with simply brushing these comments aside.

“There’s Zero Difference”

Though Harry’s perspective might have been innocent enough in his mind, it places an undue focus on the intent of the biased. After all, if I’m unconsciously aware of it, then how guilty can I be? This ironclad copout overshadows the experience of the individuals on the receiving end of their bias.

“You’re WRONG,” lawyer and activist Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu tweeted in response. “There’s ZERO difference between racist conscious/unconscious bias and racism. Bias is the presence of racism, & the actions/words are proof therein.”

“When Harry states that members of his family hold unconscious bias, he does not situate this within the larger context of institutional racism. This is particularly concerning when we consider who, exactly, he is talking about,” wrote Meghan Tinsley, a Presidential Fellow in Ethnicity and Inequalities at the University of Manchester. 

Indeed, the trouble with Harry’s comments runs deeper than semantics. Racism and the British empire are irrevocably intertwined. The royal family is a direct byproduct of violent colonialism. All things considered, whisperings about infants’ skin color are just another extension of this age-old form of “othering.”

Unconscious Unaccountability Isn’t Good Enough

Of course, no one is perfect—not even a prince. While Harry is no stranger to tense accusations around racism, he has shown a concerted effort to stand with his wife as an ally. Does this recent interview show he has much more work to do? Certainly. 

One could argue removing the rose-colored implications of “unconscious bias” would be an excellent place to start. Terms like this sugarcoat the seedy underbelly of the monarchy. It takes away the responsibility of the discriminator and places it on the discriminated to not take it the wrong way. 

But it’s not that simple. A 2022 study published in the British Medical Journal cited racism as a leading cause of death in the United States—yes, including the kind of racism that stems from the unconscious bias Harry was haphazardly trying to defend. In times as contentious as these, being “not consciously racist” just won’t cut it. 

Even those uninterested in the monarchy can appreciate the complexity of a public family riff interlaced with centuries’ worth of ideological tradition. (Can’t we all relate to the old ‘can’t choose your family’ bit?) Still, Harry and Meghan stand to be a powerful representation of change and inclusive progress within the institution. 

Consequently, how they wield that influence—and the words they do or don’t choose—become all the more critical. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, right?

When we invest finances into our lives, external pursuits, and even other people, we often fail to appreciate the extent to which we equally invest our emotions. Despite its logical, numerical facade, money is supercharged with feelings, from joy and comfort to stress and anxiety. 

In today’s money-driven society, financial well-being is just as critical as our physical, mental, and emotional states. When significant events alter these states of being for the worse, it can result in trauma. Financial trauma is certainly no exception. 

And in many ways, Gen X women are more susceptible than most to this type of severe stress. I sat down with Seattle-based money coach Mikelann Valterra to discuss what financial trauma (FT) is and how to identify and remedy it.

The Emotion-Money Connection

As a money coach, this connection is Valterra’s bread and butter. “It’s not just numbers,” she begins. “[Money] is more emotional for women than men, and that’s not a bad thing. We are emotionally wired as women—why would that stop at the door of finance?”

However, this increased sensitivity also makes women more susceptible to financial trauma. Trauma, Valterra continues, “is usually defined as a large, negative event that causes a lot of negative consequences that go into your psyche and affect you psychologically and emotionally.”

Identifying Causes Of Financial Trauma

Valterra says that there are many examples of financial trauma, but some of the most common include:

• Divorce
• Bankruptcy
• Losing money on investments
• Gen X upbringing: sandwich generation, latchkey kids
• Early or childhood exposure to severe financial stress

Additionally, Forbes defines financial trauma as “when expenses outweigh income for an extended period of time. It is not the inability to pay that creates the trauma; it is often the string of events that follow.” 

“It really builds on itself,” Valterra adds. “People say, ‘oh, but money isn’t emotional.’ You feel like you’re crazy, like, what’s wrong with me that I feel so icky and bad and stressed about money? But I would say you’re completely normal and human to feel emotional around money.”

Financial Trauma Or Regular Stress?

Of course, not everyone who experiences one of the above situations will experience financial trauma. Moreover, not all money-related stress is traumatic. “The way that you know something is traumatic is that you can’t let it go,” Valterra explains.

She offers some additional signs that you might be suffering from financial trauma (and not plain old stress):

1. It Triggers A Fight Or Flight Response

For some financially traumatized individuals, their response to money management would be to flee or freeze. “I know I should deal with this—maybe move money around, talk to a friend about borrowing, look at financing, and I don’t,” Valterra explains.

“I completely freeze, put my head in the sand, and I disappear, and more negative things happen as a result of that. That would classify as trauma because we don’t feel resilient enough to deal with something.”

2. You’re Self-Isolating

“As women, we have a huge strength in reaching out to people and talking to people. But when you find yourself isolating, that can be a sign that, emotionally, you’re feeling very traumatized,” she continues. “Hiding it, isolation, secrecy—there are so many different examples of how people handle it.”

3. You Pretend The Problems Aren’t There

Valterra says another indicator of financial trauma is an inability or unwillingness to acknowledge financial hardships. “If I pretend it doesn’t happen, I’m going to continue my spending in other areas,” she explains.

“I have this huge financial trauma happen, and yet I still pull the trigger in buying international airplane tickets. I don’t look at changing what I’m doing with my money in light of this big event. A lot of people cope with trauma by not coping with trauma.”

How Gen X Women Can Overcome FT

As a self-described “personification of Generation X,” Valterra is acutely aware of how FT can manifest in the demographic that was constantly told ‘women can have it all.’ “We are the DIY generation—the latchkey kids,” she says.

However, “the dilemma of ‘you can have it all’ is just because you can have it all doesn’t mean you should have it all. There’s this sense that A.) we should do it all, and B.) we should be able to figure it out. You’re not going out and trying to get help.”

So, how do the self-sufficient (s)heroes of the world overcome a problem as big as FT? Valterra offers this advice to her fellow Gen-Xers.

1. Start By Talking To Someone

Valterra says the first step in conquering FT is to acknowledge it. “When people come out of secrecy and start sharing [their FT], it is one of the things that dissolves it. We know this is true from talk therapy. Every time you retell it, some of the charge comes off. It gets easier and easier.”

Talking to other people about your FT can help lead you toward the grieving process, which Valterra says is necessary for overcoming these emotional events. “You’ll move through the anger, bargaining, acceptance—but as long as you’re in silence, it’s very hard to move into the grieving process.”

2. Be Kind To Yourself

“Women, more so than men, beat themselves up,” Valterra continues. “When something happens, women blame themselves. Men blame something outside of themselves.”

“It also applies to money. Talking with people helps you go, okay, you know what? It’s not all my fault. How do we get out of beating ourselves up?” Valterra suggests the third step as a good starting point.

3. Normalize The Money-Emotion Connection

Valterra says the misconception that everyone else knows what they’re doing with their finances only exacerbates the traumatic experience. “Guess what—you all think that everybody else has it figured out, and the reality is most people don’t.”

“Everybody thinks that everyone else has the secret key,” she continues. “[It’s important to normalize] that A, money is emotional, and B, there is help that’s out there. One of the downsides of Gen X is we’re not as plugged into the resources that are available. Millennials are much better at seeking out and asking for help.”

4. Aim For Elegant Simplicity

How can you start translating this guidance to your cold, hard cash? Valterra suggests aiming for elegant simplicity around money. “People have complicated their finances so much. Just because you can open a special account online doesn’t mean you should. People have so many accounts and think they should have a dedicated account for everything, and they’re overwhelmed.”

Valterra says that while these extra accounts (savings, fun, groceries, etc.) are good-intentioned, “we have no idea how much money we need to earn because we can’t figure out where our resources are going. The more accounts you have, the more financial anxiety is just free-floating.”

5. Keep Your Money Personality In Mind

Valterra ended our conversation with a final warning regarding online research (read: panic Googling). “A lot of people writing about money are of a very particular personality type. They’re the savers—the security-, numbers-minded people.”

If you don’t feel like you can relate to these articles, it’s likely because you’re part of the other half of the population that isn’t wired that way. And Valterra says that’s okay, too. Seeking out support, talking about your problems out loud, and simplifying finances are all great ways to start overcoming your financial trauma. 

With time, patience, and practice, you can get to a point where you can use your finances to bolster your overall well-being as opposed to having it be an anchor weighing you down.

Bob Dylan has certainly cemented his place as one of the greatest and most prolific songwriters of modern music history. From folk revival classics like “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” to the 1974 rock-driven record Blood on the Tracks, the “voice of a generation” has sold over 125 million albums and earned ten Grammys.

While many are familiar with his work—or, at the very least, his name—not all may be up-to-date on Dylan’s health. His aloof demeanor, a trademark of his since the ’60s, exacerbates this mystique even further.

We take a look at Dylan’s wellness, work, and life as of this year.

The Early Days Of The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota, took the world by storm as a vanguard of the 1960’s folk revival movement. Whether your mind wanders to his classic 1963 The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan or his rock-driven work of the ’70s and ’80s, we typically associate Dylan with the mid-20th century music scene.

Dylan garnered even more international acclaim with the formation of The Band and The Rolling Thunder Revue, two outfits that toured the world and featured outstanding talents in their own right. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

In 2012, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Barack Obama, who said, “there is not a bigger giant in the history of American music. Then, in 2016, he won a Nobel Prize in Literature “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition. This was the first time a musician had earned the prestigious award. 

Dylan’s Prolific And Varied Career

Throughout his decades-long career, he has undergone countless musical transformations. From duets with Johnny Cash to Christian complications and seemingly everything in between, Dylan’s influences and style have been as turbulent and malleable as the changing times he crooned about in 1964.

However, he boasts a tremendous career in both the arts and otherwise. From 2006 to 2009, Dylan hosted a satellite radio show called Theme Time Radio Hour. He has also published books of his lyrics and art, the latter of which has been featured in many galleries. Dylan has also released literature, including his memoir Chronicles: Volume One and a collection of prose and poetry titled Tarantula.

In 2018, Dylan went into the distilling business with liquor entrepreneur Marc Bushala to create a trio of Heaven’s Door Spirits, including a Tennessee straight bourbon, double barrel whiskey, and straight rye whiskey. To avoid appearing like a vanity project, the Heaven’s Door team kept the brand name subtle and included Dylan’s signature on the bottle’s back, so it’s only visible once the bottle is empty.

Two years later, the singer-songwriter sold his songs to Universal Music Publishing Group. While Dylan still retains exclusive rights to his work, songwriter income, and copyrights, Universal will take in profits from Dylan’s work going forward. The deal included over 600 songs for over $300 million, though some estimated it was closer to $400 million.

How Is Bob Dylan’s Health Today?

Dylan has made a career of being a sullen-eyed, wild-haired vagabond. But how does that translate to the soon-to-be 82-year-old’s health? As of late last year, the songwriter was on his second leg of the Rough and Rowdy Ways World Wide Tour. While the tour is slated to last through 2024, there are currently no upcoming tour dates on his website.

We’re unsure whether this has to do with any health-related issues, although it wouldn’t be the first health scare the singer has experienced. In the 1960s, he was in a serious motorcycle accident before taking time out of the public eye in Woodstock in the ’70s.

In the late ’90s, Dylan went to the hospital for chest pain that turned out to be histoplasmosis, an infection from fungus. According to Express.co.uk, his agent, Barry Dickins, gave an update, saying “the infection is potentially fatal. He will remain at the hospital until his condition is stable and he has improved.”

After several weeks, the histoplasmosis morphed into pericarditis, which causes the tissue around the heart to swell and become painful. Doctors told him he would be better in a month or so, after which Dylan shared, “I’m just glad to be feeling better. I really thought I’d be seeing Elvis soon.

Besides these two incidents, there have been no major credible updates regarding the musician’s health.

Not all diets are created equal, but among even the zaniest of fad diets, certain nutritional ideas seem set in stone. For example: protein is good, grains should be whole, and too much saturated fat increases your risk of cardiovascular disease.

But listen up, cheese lovers: that last tidbit of advice might not be as sound as we once thought. A December 2022 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that saturated fats from cheese, milk, and other dairy products might have more benefits than downsides. 

Read on to learn about the science behind why cheese and other dairy products are so gouda for us (sorry, we had to).

Not All Saturated Fats

The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fats found in cheese, red meat, other animal-based foods, and tropical oils. “Decades of sound science has proven it can raise your ‘bad’ cholesterol and put you at higher risk for heart disease,” the AHA’s website says. 

But researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine wanted to dig into the idea that all saturated fats are bad. Their study argues that “current dietary guidance recommends limiting intakes of saturated fats. But most fail to consider that saturated fats from different food sources may have different health effects.”

The study looked at 2,391 adults over 30. Researchers evaluated the associations of saturated fats from dairy and nondairy sources with body fat, inflammatory biomarkers, and lipid particle size and concentrations.

The Big Cheddar Of Saturated Fats

Researchers compared women in the highest and lowest 20% of dairy saturated fat intake and found some unexpected differences. First, those in the highest intake group had significantly lower body fat and percentage of fat mass.

Additionally, blood tests revealed that those who ate more saturated fat from dairy had higher HDL (good cholesterol) and lower triglycerides. Researchers did not find these positive associations with nondairy saturated fats. 

The study’s findings suggest that while some saturated fats can negatively impact our cardiovascular health, saturated fats from dairy seem to be the exception. However, there are some caveats to consider with these findings. 

First, these cardiovascular benefits were seen less often in female study participants. Second, this was an observational study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition prefaces the study by saying these associations aren’t definitive proof of a causal relationship. However, the study serves as a good jumping-off point for further research.

Pass The Cheese, Please!

As with anything, saturated fats—even those from dairy—are still best consumed in moderation. But this study provides a glimmer of hope for cheese lovers by suggesting that maintaining a healthy diet doesn’t necessarily mean banishing your favorite cheddar and brie.

Move over, Paris Fashion Week: A 2022 report from Berlin’s Hot or Cool Institute is swinging the fashion world’s focus toward the Paris Agreement. The report analyzes the fashion industry’s carbon footprint when it comes to manufacturing and consumption. And unfortunately, the findings fall woefully short of the agreement’s goal to combat climate change. 

But if you love regularly updating your wardrobe, don’t despair; the report doesn’t condemn all clothes shopping. But they do have a yearly cap on how much we should be buying (plus some tips for stretching this allowance farther).

Fashion’s Role In Climate Change

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty adopted in 2015 that aims to limit global warming to “well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.” Meanwhile, the fashion sector is well on its way to doubling its carbon emissions by 2030. 

Rising carbon emissions reflect a changing fashion industry that prioritizes speed and quantity over sustainability and quality. Earth.Org reports that of the 100 billion garments produced yearly, 92 million tons end up in landfills. If this trend continues, that number could end up closer to 134 million tons by the end of the decade.

Being Satisfied With Sufficiency

Of course, consumer efforts to reduce global carbon emissions can only go so far in the wake of corporate manufacturing. But the report does present some feasible options the individual shopper can try, like following a “sufficiency lifestyle.”

The report defines this as habits and behaviors “that follow the choice out of free will to limit expenditure on consumer goods and services, and to cultivate non-materialistic sources of satisfaction and meaning.” Or to put it simply: buy less—and when you do buy, buy better. 

Assuming we implement no other solution at any stage of the garment life cycle (more on that later), the report finds that the highest-income countries would need to reduce their garment consumption by up to 75% to achieve the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree reduction target. What, exactly, does that mean for your shopping habits?

Dressing For The Paris Agreement

The magic number is five.

According to the report, limiting the purchase of new garments to five items per person per year would allow consumption levels to fall in line with the Paris Agreement’s end goal.

Don’t think you can manage only buying five new pieces of clothing a year? You’re not alone, and there are other steps you can take to offset your closet’s carbon footprint so you can feel better about buying a little more.

For example, extending the life of a garment by just nine months can reduce its carbon footprint by 25%. Washing your clothing in cold water and avoiding one out of every three washes also minimizes your carbon footprint in terms of energy, detergent, and water used. 

Additionally, the report suggests buying secondhand clothes and responsibly disposing of used garments by recycling or upcycling. However, it emphasizes that reducing clothing consumption to five items per year would have a larger impact than all the other solutions combined. 

While this type of reduction might take some getting used to, we’re planning to use this as an excuse to invest in timeless, high-quality pieces to stretch our five yearly clothing items a bit farther—care to join us?

In the vast world of skincare, there are a lot of familiar players, from retinol to hyaluronic acid to vitamin B and more. Most products available on the market use varying formulas of the same ingredients, but Revela wanted to try something different.

Revela is a skin and hair company founded by Ivy League-trained scientists. They use proprietary AI search technologies to find new solutions to old problems. Revela isn’t finding ways to dress up familiar ingredients—they’re discovering entirely new molecules for the job.

First, the team created a revolutionary hair growth molecule called ProCelinyl™. Now, they’ve moved on to another all-too-common issue: thinning, sagging skin that has lost its bounce over time.

Finding Fibroquin™ Out Of Millions

Using the same AI technology that discovered ProCelinyl™, Revela’s researchers screened five million molecules for their skin-tightening and -firming efficacy. Through continuous lab and human clinical testing, the team narrowed their search to a single solution: Fibroquin™. 

Fibroquin™ is a pro-collagen molecule that lifts and tones the skin by helping to restore firmness, fullness, and bounce to thinning, sagging skin. Moreover, the product is suitable for all sensitivity levels thanks to its gentle formula. 

The Fibroquin™ Essence

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Despite its gentleness on the skin, Revela’s Fibroquin™ Essence formula boasts a high concentration for maximum efficacy. It’s designed to absorb quickly and layers well under makeup and other skincare products.

Clinical Studies Show Promising Results

In an eight-week clinical study by Revela, Fibroquin™ Essence was compared to a top competitor’s 0.5% retinol.

The study participants showed a 21% measured improvement in skin elasticity—double that observed from participants who used the 0.5% retinol competitor. This increase in skin elasticity resulted in more plump and lifted skin, as quantified by a cytometer, a probe used in clinical studies to test the skin’s elasticity.

Additionally, 93% of participants showed a significant improvement in skin elasticity by week eight—all without any negative side effects.

What makes Revela’s Fibroquin™ better than the competitors? Fibroquin™ works to address the changes in our skin structure that contribute to outward signs of aging. By supporting the skin’s pro-collagen bio-pathway directly, Fibroquin™ aims to achieve firmer, more toned skin from the outside in.

Skincare Products Not Working Are Not Your Fault

We spoke to one of Revela’s co-founders last December about their trailblazing Hair Revival series. He said that the Revela team wanted to veer away from the same ineffective ingredients popular in the skincare market today.

“We saw every serum had retinol or vitamin C, and these are 100-year-old molecules. There’s no way that these are the best we can do,” Evan Zhao said. He added that Fibroquin™ “outsmarted” retinol by tackling its shortcomings in skin elasticity and “has none of the purging periods” commonly associated with these harsher treatments.

Zhao said that beauty brands often market their products to imply that “if these products don’t work, it’s your fault. It’s extremely toxic, and the way they push the blame onto the customers is extremely predatory.”

So, if you’ve been frustrated by the skincare products you’ve tried, perhaps a brand new molecule is exactly the thing that can revitalize your skin. With Revela’s Fibroquin™ Essence, you could see firmer, tighter, more youthful-looking skin in as little as eight weeks.

Few dilemmas have ensnared the modern labor market quite like finding the right work-life balance. The widespread transition to remote work in 2020 only served to further muddy the difference between working and non-working hours. After all, how can you avoid “bringing work home” if your workplace is your home? 

While it certainly has many perks (hello, sweatpants), remote work can make it challenging to establish boundaries between familial and professional responsibilities. And according to a December 2022 study published in Personnel Psychology, these blurred boundaries are hitting dual-earner families particularly hard. 

As it turns out, there might be more perks to being a working-from-home husband than a WFH wife. If you currently identify as the latter, there’s a good chance you already know why—but it’s nice to have science to validate us now and then.

How Does WFH Affect The H?

Researchers from Ohio State University conducted two separate experiments based out of China and South Korea. The participants in the first study included 165 married dual-earner couples with at least one child, while the second study focused on 57 dual-earner couples with and without children. 

Researchers asked participants to complete two surveys each day for 14 consecutive workdays. Participants used these surveys to report their WFH status and the amount of work and family tasks they completed. 

The surveys also included emotional and mental metrics, like how much guilt the participants felt regarding their families or employers and how psychologically withdrawn they felt from either. Researchers measured the participants’ perceived family-work and work-family conflicts based on these responses.

WFH’s Effect On Intra/Interrole Conflict

Across both studies, husbands and wives were able to complete more familial tasks while working from home versus having to work in an office. However, this also resulted in greater intra- and interrole conflict, psychological withdrawal, and guilt. 

Interrole conflict occurs when an individual has multiple roles and the obligations and expectations of one role mismatch those of the other. For example, a wife working from home on the weekends might miss out on spending time with the family—this is a work-family conflict (WFC).

Intrarole conflict, on the other hand, occurs when one’s internal beliefs about the obligations of a specific role don’t align with the role’s actual responsibilities. This could look like a husband’s inability to determine which is the better way to support his family—spending more time in the office or picking up slack around the house. This would be considered a family-work conflict (FWC). 

When the office and dining room are suddenly merged into the same space, it can be difficult to delineate the lines between work and home life. Consequently, the roles of the dual-earner household become unclear, which can raise tensions.

An Unbalanced WFH Household

It’s not super surprising that participants could complete more familial tasks at home than in the office. Switching out laundry or loading the dishwasher on your lunch break is far easier when your living spaces are mere steps away from your “office.”

However, what is surprising is that when the wives in the study worked from home, husbands reported completing fewer familial tasks than when their wives were working in the office. The same could not be said for the reverse. Even when husbands were working remotely, women reported completing more familial tasks than their husbands. 

Moreover, both studies found that working wives felt more guilt about failing to accomplish housework or spending time with family when working in the office than at home. This type of emotional response from the husbands was only reported in one of the two studies.

What Does This Mean For Your Home Office?

In summary, wives in dual-income households seem to bear the brunt of familial responsibilities on top of their professional duties. Husbands appear to get the better end of this WFH deal because, either way, wives are typically taking on more household tasks and chores.

Between weaponized incompetence and statistics that say women do 1.26 more hours of household chores per day than men, this disparity is nothing we haven’t seen before. In fact, there’s a good chance many women already knew why they were getting the fuzzy end of the WFH lollipop before they even read the study. 

And, of course, this study might not reflect your reality. This study was relatively small and focused on a particular family and relationship dynamic. However, for many wives, this serves as scientific validation that 1) they’re not crazy, 2) they are overworked, and 3) something needs to change. 

Learning how to manage individual responsibilities within a household can be a challenging, ongoing process. Hopefully, your partner is one who’s willing to pick up the slack where it’s needed, but if not, family therapist Dr. Jenn Mann has some helpful advice for communicating with “man-child” husbands.

Finding the right work-life balance for you is difficult enough as it is, and your partner should be helping, not hurting, the process.

Youth skews our perspective of age. When we’re young, our parents are inherently ancient (let’s ignore the fact that today’s kids probably feel the same way) and equally indestructible. But as we enter our 40th, 50th, and 60th decades, we’re faced with an unsettling fact: We might not live as long as our parents did. 

That’s because, according to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics, the average U.S. life expectancy has reached its lowest point in 26 years. When we account for this country’s wealth and other resource access, the problem grows even worse. 

Even more surprising is that this dip in life expectancy isn’t caused by any of the usual culprits, like cardiovascular disease or cancer. This is far more systemic.

The Root Cause Of The Drop

When the average life expectancy dropped with the introduction of COVID-19, it was disturbing but not surprising. But two years after widespread immunization decreased the number of COVID deaths per year, our average life expectancy remains at its lowest since 1996 at 76.1 years.

As independent healthcare analyst Joshua Cohen argued in an article for Forbes, the U.S. can primarily blame its low life expectancy on insufficient healthcare and political systems.

1. Maternal Mortality Is Rising

The U.S. is the only industrialized nation where maternal mortality is rising. There were 17 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births as recently as 2018. That’s more than double that of most other high-income countries.

The country’s infant mortality rate is also higher than expected for one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Infants from rich and poor socioeconomic backgrounds alike had a higher mortality rate than their European counterparts.

Meanwhile, postpartum Medicaid coverage is not a nationwide benefit. Many states offer no such medical coverage, further adding to the problem.

2. Widespread Lack Of Insurance

Speaking of a lack of coverage, a lack of health insurance is a significant public health issue in the U.S. Roughly 30 million Americans—around 8% of the population—have no access to health insurance.

An oft-cited statistic on uninsured deaths comes from the Institute of Medicine, which estimated that 18,314 Americans die annually because of a lack of health insurance. However, this data was collected nearly 20 years ago.

A 2009 study used this statistic as the basis for an analysis of death rates related to lack of insurance and found that those without insurance were 1.4% more likely to die than those with insurance.

3. Obesity With No New Solutions In Sight

Obesity affects one in three adults and one in six children in the United States. Health experts call these alarmingly high rates of obesity a national epidemic—one that leads to a slew of other health issues.

The correlations between obesity and many common diseases are well-established and include diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and cancer. Yet the government seems to be doing little to intervene.

Not only have federal budget documents revealed a stagnancy in nutrition science funding, according to POLITICO, but food deserts, long work days, poor physical wellness resources, and increased stress also contribute to the problem.

4. Increased Gun Violence

An analysis in Trauma Surgery and Acute Care Open found that the United States lost 12.6 million potential years of life between 2009 and 2018 due to firearms alone. Within that time frame, firearm deaths increased by .72% every year.

Gun violence causes an increased mortality risk in multiple ways. Researchers calculated that white males lost the most years of potential life because of suicide by gun, while Black males lost the most years by gun-related homicide.

The Gun Violence Archive recorded 648 mass shootings in 2022, and less than a month into 2023, they’ve already recorded more than 20.

5. Illicit And/Or Accidental Fentanyl Use

Provisional data from the CDC estimated that more than 107,000 people died of a drug overdose in 2021. Out of those deaths, 75% involved an opioid—illicit fentanyl being the major culprit.

Fentanyl is a type of synthetic opioid that’s 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. While it’s legally prescribed for severe pain, many illegal drug markets use fentanyl to cut other drugs, like heroin or cocaine.

Mixing fentanyl with other drugs drives addiction and attracts repeat buyers. However, it also puts hundreds of thousands of people at risk of accidentally overdosing on a drug they didn’t even realize they were taking.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Based on these contributing factors, it would appear that our best chance to increase our average life expectancy as a whole is to make a more concerted effort toward improving our public healthcare systems.

Increased access to medical resources, including mental and postpartum care, greater research into nutrition and obesity prevention, decreased gun violence, and better access to drug safety resources like fentanyl test strips and supervised consumption services are all excellent places to start.

We can’t speak to whether these issues will be of any major concern in the political arena this year. But for the sake of U.S. life expectancy rates and the chance to enjoy a version of the American dream like the one our parents had, we hope they will be.

To be a comfortable member of the middle class is as integral to the American dream as a house with a white picket fence and an apple pie cooling in the window.

Since the early 1900s, the middle class has served as an attainable lifestyle goal that allowed those who were not quite destitute but not quite wealthy to thrive. 

However, according to data from the Pew Research Center, the middle class has been in a steady decline over the last five decades. As the wealth gap widens between rich and poor, those on the outskirts of the middle class either rise or fall into new tax brackets.

So what does being middle class really mean? 

That answer depends on who you ask. Let’s break down the various definitions of “middle class” and use those to explore how much money you need to make to be considered a member of the middle class in major U.S. cities.

Defining The Middle Class

The Pew Research Center defines the middle class as having an annual household income that is two-thirds to double the national median income after adjusting for household size. According to 2021 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the country’s median income is around $70,784. 

By that definition, the American middle class currently sits between $47,189 and $141,568. But these numbers vary depending on which institution pulls the data.

For example, the Urban Institute defines the middle class as somewhere between 150 to 499% above the federal poverty line—that shakes out to $66,250 to $158,735 for a family of four. 

Moreover, some economists argue that middle-class status is more cultural than financial. This relates to a perceived sense of wealth and financial stability.

Who Is Considered Middle-Class By City

According to an analysis done by CNBC using the Pew Research Center’s definition of the middle class and data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the annual income range can vary greatly by where you live.

Metropolitan areas are notorious for being pricier than their rural counterparts, so we expected the definition of the middle class to vary by state and city. However, it’s more surprising to see just how significant those differences are. Sometimes there’s a difference of tens of thousands of dollars within the same state. 

Take northern and southern California. While middle class in the Bay Area clocks in at around $77K to $232K, middle class in southern California is far lower at $55K to $165K. Midwest metros like Chicago boast ranges from $52K to $156K, while smaller cities on the East Coast, like Washington, D.C. and Arlington, VA, range from $74K to $221K. 

Floridian cities seem to have the cheapest middle-class range, with northern and central cities ranging from $42K to $126K and southern cities closer to the Keys ranging from $43K to $128K. New England, the Bay Area, and the Pacific Northwest boast the largest gaps between lower- and upper-middle-class incomes.

Where Does Your Income Fall?

Gallup polling reveals around 38% of Americans think of themselves as middle class, and 14% consider themselves upper middle class. Before the Great Recession in 2008, around 9% more Americans classified themselves as middle class.

Since 2008, middle-class identification has decreased while working- and lower-class identifications have increased. The number of those who identify as upper-class has remained at 2%. Gallup stated that this data could indicate a widespread unfamiliarity with social class definitions. 

However, Gallup added, it could also mean that “many working Americans today don’t see their work efforts as yielding sufficient income for them to believe they have achieved middle-class status.” This perception could be skewed in either direction—those who believe they are middle class might not be, and vice versa. 

Generally speaking, many believe someone to be middle class if they’re not living paycheck to paycheck but can’t financially withstand an extended absence from work. But depending on where you live, that might not be the whole picture.

How do your paystubs compare to the rest of the country?

The list of substitutions for unhealthy ingredients in food is seemingly never-ending. Sugar, flour, and fat can be supplanted by monk fruit, stevia, flax seed, almond flour, coconut oil, avocado oil—the list goes on.  

But would you ever have considered banana peels? According to a study published in 2022 in ACS Food Science and Technology, not only can humble banana peels sub for flour, but they also significantly increase nutritional value.

Not Just For Sundaes And Splits

Bananas are an incredibly versatile fruit. They can be used in desserts and savory dishes (like pulled “pork” made from banana peels). And don’t forget the approximately 5,000 batches of banana bread you panic-baked in 2020. And now, banana peels are being used as a substitute for wheat flour.

For the study, researchers peeled ripe, undamaged bananas, then blanched, dried, and ground the skins into a fine powder which they proceeded to use banana peel flour (BPF) to make cookies.

Finding The BPF Sweet Spot

Researchers made five batches with varying amounts of BPF, along with butter, skimmed milk powder, powdered sugar, vegetable oil, and wheat flour.

After testing them for flavor, nutritional value, and longevity, a “trained panel” found that cookies made with a 7.5% substitution of BPF had “the best texture and highest overall acceptability compared to the other batches,” according to a press release. Upping the amount of BPF to 15% made the cookies harder and darker—likely due to the peels’ increased fiber.

The BPF cookies stayed just as fresh as the wheat-only cookies after being stored at room temperature for three months. Plus, they were rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants.

Will You Add ‘Naners To Your Next Batch?

So, what does all this sugary science mean? The scientists wrote that “because cookies can be enriched with some banana peel flour without impacting their consumer acceptance, this addition could make these baked goods more nutritious.”

In layman’s terms, adding ground banana peels to your sugar cookies might be an easy way to majorly boost the nutritional value without jeopardizing the flavor or longevity of your batch.

LiveKuna Organic Banana Flour

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Don’t feel like grinding your own peels? We don’t blame you. Luckily, as the Barefoot Contessa always says, if you don’t have homemade BPF, store-bought is fine. And since the perfect ratio seems to be a 7.5% BPF substitution, a 32-ounce bag from LiveKuna can last through plenty of batches. 

Happy baking!

If you’re unfamiliar with Dr. Mary Claire Haver, allow me to introduce you to the best friend and medical guru you’ve always wanted if you’re over 40. Haver is a board-certified OB/GYN physician who provides valuable medical and wellness information to midlife women on social media.

Haver’s new book, The Galveston Diet, will be available on January 10, so mark your calendars.

In particular, she is a big proponent of intermittent fasting, especially for perimenopausal and menopausal women.

First, A Quick Run-Down On Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting (IF) refers to a pattern of fasting and eating on a regular schedule. Haver’s conversation centers around a 16:8 pattern, which refers to a 16-hour fasting and an 8-hour eating period. Alternate-day fasting, periodic fasting, and daily-time restricted eating are other forms of IF. 

Our bodies convert what we consume into glucose, which we use as our primary energy source. Once these glucose reserves deplete in the fasting period, the body switches to burning fat for fuel. While this can aid in weight loss, Haver said this is not just a weight loss program. 

RELATED: 10 Eye-Opening Tips This OBGYN Wished She Knew Before Perimenopause

Rather, IF is a supplement to well-balanced nutrition and exercise that can increase metabolism and, yes, promote weight loss. Additionally, Haver cites several studies that show IF can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, preserve muscle mass, improve general well-being, and reduce inflammation.

Why Is It So Beneficial For Menopausal Women?

Perimenopause and menopause bring about several physical and mental changes that can feel overwhelming when piled on top of the obligations of everyday life. Intermittent fasting can fortify our bodies, building resiliency to annoying menopause symptoms and improving our quality of life.

Haver breaks down each benefit of IF and how it pertains to menopausal women.

1. Decreased Heart Disease Risk

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, even for women,” Haver said. “Not cancer.”

She cites a 2018 study published in Obesity where researchers found IF benefits including lower blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), and lower triglycerides in overweight and obese premenopausal (but still middle-aged, between 40 and 51) women.

Haver notes that these results were seen in obese women, and other women who have heart disease risk factors may need intervention beyond diet changes, such as medication.

2. Lower Diabetes Risk

A review of research published in Diabetes Spectrum in 2020 collected studies showing IF can reduce the risk of diabetes by lowering insulin levels and blood glucose and decreasing insulin resistance.

Haver mentions that obese women have achieved significant reductions in insulin resistance after six months of intermittent fasting.

3. More Muscle Mass

Compared to a calorie-restricted diet, one study published in Obesity in 2018 suggested that IF can promote lean mass retention (read: muscle mass).

Haver said the old-fashioned “less calories in than out” dieting method can result in faster loss of muscle mass, which can create a slower metabolic rate, leading to more weight gain—something Haver calls a “negative feedback cycle.”

4. Disease Resilience

Haver also references the work of Dr. Mark Mattson, a professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, on the effects of intermittent fasting on the brain and cellular function.

His research shows that IF can make us more resilient to disease by causing cells to “undergo just enough stress to start making physiological changes to make them more resilient to disease and injury—almost like working out,” Haver explained.

5. Increased Longevity

Finally, Haver explains that IF has been shown to increase longevity in animal models. Because IF is a relatively new concept, IF research in humans is limited. But animal studies do show an improvement in both longevity and quality of life.

Intermittent Fasting Might Not Be Right For You If…

This form of fasting does have a few caveats. Haver warns that those who have suffered from an eating disorder and would find restricted eating triggering should avoid intermittent fasting.

Those with type 1 diabetes, certain cases of type 2 diabetes, who are currently under a doctor’s care or on medication, or who have a history of hypoglycemia should consult with their physician before starting an IF regimen—and that’s probably a good idea for just about anyone.

RELATED: Silent Inflammation May Be The Cause Of Your Chronic Pain Or Gut Issues—Here’s How To Fix It

Great, Now, How Do I Start?

If it sounds easy, it’s because it is. Intermittent fasting is as evolutionarily natural to us as sleeping and breathing, Haver said.

“[Our bodies were] not evolutionarily developed to have access to food 24/7. Our bodies were primed not to have food available at all times. It’s more natural to fast from time to time than to have food filling your body 24/7.”

Moreover, IF is cheap, requires no extra apps or equipment, and can be adjusted to fit your schedule. There is no hard and fast rule for delineating your 16 hours of fasting and eight hours of eating. As Haver puts it, “the only program that’s going to work is the one that’s going to work.”

Haver recommended going slow—push back your fasting period after waking up by half-hour increments until your body feels adjusted. She said it took her around six weeks to become fasting-adopted.

Whatever discomfort you experience by limiting your eating windows, the mental, emotional, and physical benefits may well be worth the effort.

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Welcome to the Age of the Selfie: the perfect confluence of digital photography, social media, and rampant smartphone usage.

We take a lot of pictures of ourselves, but this inward focus isn’t always positive. If you’re a living, breathing human in 2023, chances are you’ve taken a photo of yourself and immediately scoffed in disdain at least once in your life. Because despite how much we love taking selfies, we rarely love the snapshots themselves.

Hating pictures of oneself is a widespread phenomenon, and no, it isn’t because we’re all unphotogenic. On the contrary, there are several reasons why our brains are hardwired to dislike our own photos.

I reached out to several mental health experts (and even an art historian) to get the scoop on our selfie scorn.

1. You Aren’t Use To Seeing You

One major reason why we hate our selfies so much is that we’re not used to seeing ourselves—not the real us, anyway.

“The face you see in the mirror isn’t your true face (the one that everyone else sees),” says Tyler Woodard, wellness expert and founder of Edensgate.

“It’s a mirror image,” Woodard continues. “It’s the same thing that happens when you hear your voice on a recording, and you don’t recognize it. Despite your face belonging to you, you actually aren’t familiar with your own face as you’ve only seen a reversal of it.”

“Because your face isn’t symmetrical, this can add to the confusion when looking at a non-mirrored image of yourself. This is made even more confusing when you factor in Snapchat and any image-altering apps that can leave you believing you look one way when, in reality, your face is perfect just the way it is.”

2. They’re Low Effort And Easy To Criticize

Liam Davis, an art historian at the Academy of Art History and Editor-in-Chief at Artfile Magazine, poses another idea for why it’s so easy for us to disregard selfies: they’re easy to take (and retake, and retake, and…you get the point).

“They’re low effort,” Davis explains. “We often call something we made ‘bad’ because they’re easy to do over.”

“It only takes a couple of seconds to snap a selfie, and you can take dozens of them in one go. That means you can always do another one if your previous one looks bad. This raises our standard when taking selfies, sometimes to unreasonable heights,” Davis says.

In the era of disposable (and thanks to photo editing software, unrealistic) content on social media, it can become even easier to assume you have a better selfie in you—whether that’s because you have an extra few minutes to take another ten snaps or because you’re comparing them to someone else’s selfie.

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3. They Carry A Lot Of Weight

However, as easy as it is to take selfies, these self-portraits tend to carry a lot of responsibility.

“We may be able to understand why we initially hate our selfies when we think about the concept of representation,” says Emma Loker, mental health specialist from Healthy Minded.

“Representations are symbols and signs that index, stand in for, or represent us to others. [They] become even more important when they take the form of self-representations, such as selfies. When we post them on social media, they inform others’ views of us and the reach we get on the platform.

“Self-representations form a part of our identity—the things, people, norms and conventions, and practices we identify with and collect throughout our lives serve as our identity. This makes whatever we choose to stand in for us—to represent us—incredibly important, which may explain why we notice the tiniest of imperfections in our selfies.”

4. The Power Of Perspective And Time

Finally, there are two powerful forces at play to consider: perspective and time.

“Our self-esteem, or how we view ourselves, can influence how we feel about photos of ourselves. If we have low self-esteem, we may be more critical of our appearances and less likely to view pictures of ourselves favorably,” explains Alyssa Roberts, Doctor of Psychology and senior writer at Practical Psychology.

“When we look at a photo of ourselves, we often do so from a third-person perspective, which can be disorienting and even distancing. This can make it challenging to connect with the person in the photo and may lead to a negative reaction,” Roberts continues.

“When we look back on the same images later on, however, we may have a different perspective and be more able to see the beauty and value in the person we see in the photo. We may see ourselves through the lens of nostalgia and be more able to appreciate our younger [even by a few months] selves in a way that we couldn’t when the images were first taken.”

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We mustn’t underestimate the limiting nature of our immediate perspective. As Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek put it, “one day, you will look at those photos with much kinder eyes and say, ‘dear God, I was a beautiful thing!’”

While it might be tempting to write off a lousy selfie as a personal case of un-photogenicism, there is a whole slew of reasons why you might dislike the picture—none of which have to do with the presence or absence of beauty.

So, go ahead and snap away. Even if you don’t like the selfies you took today, you might look at them more fondly tomorrow.

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So you walk past a window and notice your body’s silhouette in the reflection. Maybe your dress feels a little more form-fitting than it did last year. Or maybe you want to look good for the attractive passerby on the street. What’s your next move? If your answer is “suck in your stomach,” join the club, sister. 

Sucking in one’s stomach, or “stomach gripping,” to create a flatter, smoother-looking midsection is an almost involuntary instinct many of us know all too well. It can become an uncomfortable norm—we might even spend the whole day tensing our abdomen without realizing it.

According to Cleveland Health Clinic chiropractor Adam Browning, the practice is more than an exercise in vanity. All that sucking in could be doing far more physical harm than good.

The Side Effects Of Stomach Gripping

Browning shared his insights into stomach gripping and a resulting problem called “hourglass syndrome” in a blog post on the Cleveland Health Clinic’s website. He defined stomach gripping as chronic, repeated contractions of the abdomen and stated that this eventually alters the movement patterns of four distinct muscle areas.

Chronic stomach gripping can result in a malfunction of our “six-pack” abs, internal obliques, transversus abdominis, and diaphragm. The upper abdomen muscles remain hypertonic or tight, while the muscles in the lower abdomen become weak. 

Our core is critical to overall physical function, so it’s not surprising that incorrectly training and working this area can result in a myriad of unsavory health issues. (None of which, by the way, seem worth a slightly flatter-looking tummy.)

Signs Of Hourglass Syndrome

Hourglass syndrome refers to a varying set of symptoms, including muscle pain, pelvic floor problems, and even breathing problems. Here are a few of the adverse side effects of too much sucking in.

1. Breathing Problems

When we suck in our stomachs, the contents of our lungs and stomach are pushed higher into the rib cage via intra-abdominal pressure.

Normally, our diaphragm moves downward when we take a deep breath. This creates empty space that the lungs can fill as they expand with air. But hourglass syndrome causes the opposite effect, forcing the diaphragm to move upward. According to Browning, this can reduce your oxygen intake by as much as 30%.

2. Neck And Back Pain

Similarly, stomach gripping will affect the movements of the muscles in our neck, upper back, and lower back. Instead of these muscles supporting our upper body, they are forced to compensate for the improperly flexed abdominal muscles. This results in muscle stiffness and pain.

3. Pelvic Floor Issues

It’s fairly common knowledge that childbirth, menopause, and aging can wreak havoc on your pelvic floor. But guess what? So can sucking in your stomach. Stomach gripping weakens soft tissues by keeping them in a state of constant stretch. A weak pelvic floor can cause urine leakage, incontinence, and painful sex.

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Do You Have Hourglass Syndrome? If So, What Next?

Any of the three physical symptoms above can be an indicator of hourglass syndrome. But other clues include a slightly upturned belly button, horizontal lines around or above your belly button, and firm definition in your upper abs with a significantly softer lower ab region.

Hourglass syndrome is treated through psychotherapy and physiotherapy, which can help restrengthen muscles. Diaphragmatic breathing can also help loosen tense ab muscles and make your body more comfortable with being in a relaxed state. 

Sucking in one’s stomach, just like any other bad habit, can be hard to break—but it’s possible. Practicing self-love, working the muscles correctly, wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable, and being patient with yourself can help retrain your body to relax, not flex.

And with time, you might be able to lessen your hourglass syndrome symptoms and, most importantly, learn to feel a little more comfortable in your skin.

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A thriving, luscious garden starts with healthy soil. And thriving, luscious hair starts with a healthy scalp. Even if you currently have a favorite shampoo, conditioner, and even post-wash routine, how much thought have you given to your pre-shampoo regimen?

René Furterer’s COMPLEXE 5 is a potent blend of plant-based, detoxifying ingredients that prep, energize, and support the health of the scalp. By deeply cleansing your scalp, Complexe 5 can help restore balance and unveil stronger, healthier hair from root to tip.

Why Your Scalp Health Matters

Poor scalp health leads to clogged pores, which can interfere with your follicle health. Consequently, this can cause hair to appear thinner and duller and even start to fall out. Inflammation and infections caused by poor scalp health can also cause severe itching, rough patches, and dandruff.

Complexe 5 restores scalp health by removing these impurities without stripping the hair. Featuring citrus, lavender, caster, marjoram, soybean, and argan oils, this “warming concentrate” is designed to cleanse and soothe the scalp for results you can see and feel.

René Furterer COMPLEXE 5

$54 Shop Now at Amazon

A Cult Favorite For A Reason

In a usage test with 110 participants, Complexe 5 users saw an 88% increase in hair strength and an 89% increase in scalp balance over 28 days. René Furterer’s site also reports a study that found the product’s targeted applicator doubled microcirculation, thereby stimulating the scalp which is thought to help promote longer, stronger hair.

One user said they were “absolutely blown away” by how good Complexe 5 made their scalp feel: “This stuff is truly amazing. I figure that the products I’ve used in my hair have created pretty uncomfortable scalp issues for about 15 years, and this miracle elixir cleared it up in five days … This is totally worth the price, and I’d pay a lot more for it if I had to for my next bottle.”

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Another Complexe 5 user who has been growing out and donating her hair for the last 20 years echoed the same sentiment. “Yeah it’s a tad pricey, but you get a darn good amount!” she said. “I say SPEND THE MONEY on your hair if you want it to look as glorious as possible. Never mess around when it comes to your hair and face care. Buy the good stuff; you’ll be rewarded with healthy, shining, thick locks.”

An Easy Addition To Your Routine

Once or twice a week, apply the Complexe 5 oil using the targeted scalp massager all over a dry, unwashed scalp. (Note: You should apply this product to the scalp only, not the hair itself. Sectioning the hair can help increase application accuracy.) Next, massage the product into the scalp and let sit for five to 10 minutes. Then shampoo and condition as normal.

This pre-shampoo treatment is suitable for all hair types, but those with sensitive scalps may want to proceed with caution. Some reviewers have noted an intense tingling sensation, but also have said it does decrease in intensity with repeated use. Others have mixed the product with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or argan, to lessen its intensity.

René Furterer’s Complexe 5 can help a healthy, energized scalp for stronger, more robust hair—the high-quality topsoil for your luscious, thriving garden, so to speak. Considering the formula’s all-natural ingredients and glowing reviews, we’d say it’s well worth the price.

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Botox has had virtually no competitors since it received FDA approval as a temporary cosmetic treatment for moderate-to-severe wrinkles in 2002. However, Revance Aesthetics is here to change that. 

In September 2022, Revance announced in a news release that the FDA had officially approved DAXXIFY™ (DaxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm) to improve wrinkles temporarily. So yes, it’s very similar to Botox—but it might even be a step up.

From promising longer-lasting results to being formulated with no human or animal byproducts, here’s how Daxxify might just beat Botox at its own game.

A Neuromodulator By Any Other Name

Daxxify is in the same family of medicines as Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin called neuromodulators. Neuromodulators work by injecting a minute amount of botulinum toxin into the lower muscle, which causes the tissue on top to relax. This creates a smoother appearance in the skin (read: fewer wrinkles). 

The FDA’s approval of Daxxify was based on clinical trial data concerning more than 2,700 patients and 4,200 treatments. Around 98% of participants saw little to no wrinkles one day after injection. And for approximately 80% of these individuals, those results lasted around four months.

Moreover, 50% still had no or mild wrinkle severity after six months, and these treatment results were maintained in some patients for as long as nine months after their last Daxxify injection—about three times longer than an average Botox treatment.

What Else Sets Daxxify Apart?

Botox and other neuromodulators contain human serum albumin, which the body synthesizes in the liver. Daxxify, on the other hand, features peptides as its main formula component. Peptides, or amino acids, might be why Daxxify lasts longer than its neuromodulator counterparts.

Additionally, Daxxify doesn’t require refrigeration like Botox (this is also true of other neuromodulators like Xeomin, which has similar cosmetic uses).

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While many people would consider longer-lasting effects a good thing, this also makes Daxxify more of a risky choice for first-time treatments. The results of these types of wrinkle treatments vary, resulting in the infamous “botched Botox” looks that have been used as tabloid fodder for decades.  

If your Daxxify treatment causes adverse side effects (2% of users experienced drooping eyelids, while 1% experienced facial asymmetry), you’ll have to wait longer for those symptoms to fade. 

Where Botox Might Have An Edge

In addition to being FDA-approved for cosmetic purposes, Botox can be used as a treatment for many conditions such as chronic migraines, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, muscle spasms, and even severe underarm sweating. It’s also approved for use on all areas of the face, whereas Daxxify is only approved to smooth frown lines. 

Technically, companies can’t promote unapproved uses for their drugs. However, doctors can practice “off-label” utilization, which is prescribing a drug for purposes not yet approved by the FDA. Some scientists believe Daxxify will be no different.

Where And How Can I Get It?

The process of making Daxxify widely available hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing. Revance experienced a minor setback when an FDA inspection found issues with quality control and the working cell bank, which are the cells containing the active ingredient in a drug. 

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However, Revance clarified in a January 2022 statement that the FDA’s concerns were with the manufacturing facility, not the safety or efficacy of Daxxify itself. And based on the September press release, the company has managed to work through those kinks. It’s currently estimated that Daxxify will hit the market sometime in 2023. 

It’s unclear at the moment how much Daxxify will cost. While this longer-lasting treatment will allow people more time between trips to the dermatologist, the cost of one treatment might be higher than a typical Botox treatment. Botox currently ranges from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars depending on where you live. 

If you’re interested in trying Daxxify but you’ve never had an injectable treatment before, it’s recommended to first find a dermatologist you trust and work with them to develop a treatment routine.

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Worrywart, nervous Nellie, fretting Fran—whatever you call someone who worries excessively, I consider myself to be one. And if you’re like me, you can rest assured we’re not alone. The American Psychological Association’s Stress in America 2022 report paints a bleak picture of a country riddled with anxiety and dread. 

If you don’t feel like scrolling through the whole report, allow me to summarize: We’re all worried about something. Shocker, right? While it might be tempting to lean into more avoidant solutions, clinical psychologist and cognitive behavioral therapist Dr. Ali Mattu recommends diving headfirst into your distress with scheduled “worry time.” 

But again, if you’re anything like me, worry time is all the time. So what’s the difference? I sat down with Dr. Mattu to find out.

What Is Worry Time?

“Worry time” has no prerequisites or rules regarding subject matter; no concern is too big or too small if it’s negatively affecting your mental, emotional, or physical health. However, there are a few recommended guidelines to make the most of this time.

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“To do worry time right, pick a time of day when you’re not distracted by other demands [and you can] get a bit emotional,” Mattu said. “In other words, don’t do worry time before an important meeting or before going to sleep. Then give yourself 5-10 minutes: less time if this scares you, more time as you become comfortable with it.”

He continued, “During this time, allow yourself to write down all your thoughts about everything you dread—all your worries, everything that’s on your mind right now. Then, during the rest of the day, if your mind starts to focus on the things you dread, remind yourself that you have worry time to focus completely on these thoughts. 

“Worry time can work because it helps you get unstuck with your thoughts and focuses your attention on what really matters. As you revisit the things you wrote down, you might start to see patterns that help you gain a more accurate view of the things you dread.”

Worried About Your Worry Time?

As someone with little to no wiggle room in my daily schedule, the idea of adding time to worry (instead of worrying 24/7, which is far more efficient to my mind) is laughable. So I asked Mattu about that, too. “If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably giving your worries a LOT of your time,” he responded. 

“All I’m asking you to do is try a different way of approaching your thoughts instead of ruminating about them in your mind. Even just one minute of worry time could help. And we can all find one minute somewhere in our lives—during a commute by recording into your phone, while waiting for a kettle to go off, or while sitting on the toilet.

“Our thoughts always reflect our emotions,” he explained. “When we’re anxious, our thoughts focus on disaster; when angry, everything is an injustice, and when happy, life looks great. So your thoughts are really just this background noise of the mind. Sometimes there are good bits in there, but a lot of the time, it’s just noise.”

Mattu concluded by saying, “You can’t control what thoughts your mind produces, but you do have some control over how much focus you give them. Techniques like worry time can help you learn how to give your thoughts a bit less of your time and focus on what really matters—the stuff going on outside of your head.”

So I suppose there’s just one thing left to worry about—when will you schedule your worry time?

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An inability to get to sleep isn’t just a nighttime nuisance, it can also have disastrous consequences on our mental and physical health, from an increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure to a higher likelihood of depression. If you’re a woman, these risks become even greater. 

While there are many reasons why someone might suffer from inadequate sleep, the hormonal changes women experience during perimenopause and menopause are significant culprits. Who wouldn’t have trouble sleeping when your body suddenly feels like a furnace at 3 am? 

Considering how important proper sleep is to maintain all facets of our health, it’s essential we find adequate solutions to help us get snoozing faster. That’s where psychologist Dr. Aric Prather’s new book, The Sleep Prescription, can help.

Old School Sleep Solutions

Trouble sleeping is nothing new, and there are multiple tips, tricks, and techniques available on the market. Some people take OTC melatonin or melatonin-like supplements. The “State of Sleep in America” report by Gallup and Casper (yes, the mattress company) surveyed more than 3,000 respondents in 2022 and found that 8% of adults use a prescription sleep aid, and women are 42% more likely to have trouble falling asleep than men.

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Others prefer non-medicinal methods like using pink noise machines or choosing to sleep in separate rooms from their partner. (The latter is a technique often used by the royal family.) Still, these solutions don’t work for everyone. That’s why Prather developed a seven-day “sleep prescription” to reset your internal clock for deeper, more restorative sleep.  

Prather’s sleep solutions involve a wide range of non-medicinal practices and techniques, including rewatching your favorite comfort shows, moving in the middle of the night, and even sticking your head in the freezer.

Can’t Skip Screen Time? Choose A Comfort Show

It’s no secret that the blue light of our smartphones and other devices negatively affects our sleep cycle. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that many of us sleep better when we can fall asleep to something on our TVs or laptops. If you can’t resist a bit of late-night screen time, Prather recommends opting for a comfort show you’ve rewatched several times.

Thrillers and mysteries encourage us to stay up later as our minds and bodies react to the fear and suspense. Watching a new show we’ve never seen before can also cause us to stay up late, as we want to be able to watch what happens next. That’s why Prather recommends choosing a calming show or movie—preferably one you’ve already rewatched several times before so your brain can tune out and switch to sleep mode more easily.

Move, Even If It’s The Middle Of The Night

We often associate sleepless nights with tossing and turning in bed, staring at the ceiling. However, Prather encourages individuals to give themselves 20 minutes to try and fall asleep. If they can’t do so in that amount of time, then he recommends switching spots.

Head to the living room to do something quiet, like reading, knitting, or meditating. Ideally, you want to associate laying in bed with sleeping only—not struggling to sleep. If your body gets used to feeling restless in bed, then it will be even harder to fall asleep in this position. Once you get sleepy again, then you can return to the bedroom.

Turn The Lights And Temperature Down

As all perimenopausal women can attest, sleeping in high temperatures is next to impossible. This is because the ideal sleeping environment is dark and cool, prompting our body’s core temperature to drop as it naturally does during sleep.

Prather recommends investing in blackout curtains or a high-quality sleep mask to block out any unwanted light while you sleep. Don’t underestimate the power of a nightlight, bright electronic light, or other rogue light sources to disturb your slumber. Moreover, setting your thermostat between 60 and 68 degrees can create the cool environment you need for deep sleep.

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Stick Your Head In The Freezer

As tempting as it might be to reach for some extra caffeine during an afternoon slump, that 4 pm latte will still be in your system when you try to fall asleep later that night. Thus, Prather advises against caffeine intake and recommends finding an extra energy boost elsewhere. 

This can come in many forms: a brisk walk, focusing on a non-work task for around ten minutes, or even sticking your head in the freezer. Prather says the brief shock of cold activates the body’s arousal system, reinvigorating your brain sans Starbucks run. 

Other solutions include decluttering your bedroom, giving your brain adequate time to shut down and go into “sleep mode,” and carving out time for scheduled worry.

Finding a better sleep routine is an easy way to simultaneously improve your mental and physical well-being. And with the help of Prather’s book, a restful night of sleep is only seven steps away.

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You’ve likely already heard of your star sign, and you might have even taken your Myers-Briggs personality test to figure out your type (hi, INFP here). But how much do you know about your Enneagram type? 

The Enneagram of Personality refers to nine distinct ways of thinking, feeling, and acting in the world, which are represented by numbers one through nine. The nine enneagram types are organized around three centers: the body (Types 8, 9, and 1), heart (Types 2, 3, and 4), and mind (Types 5, 6, and 7). 

The Enneagram can help us better understand our subconscious selves, which can be especially useful when navigating midlife. However, finding your Enneagram type may be a bit more nuanced than any free online quiz might lead you to believe. 

So, I sat down with Enneagram professional Jim Gum to dive into what the Enneagram is and why finding your type can be so beneficial.

First, What Is An Enneagram?

Gum, who has been an Enneagram practitioner for over 30 years, said the Enneagram reveals our “unconscious ways—patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior.”

“At its simplest, the Enneagram is this: how people think, feel, and behave,” Gum continued. “Some people think [or feel or act] too much, some people don’t think [or feel or act] enough, and some people are out of touch with what they think [or feel or do].” 

“Imagine a lighthouse. It has a beam of light, and it rotates. If my beam of light is rotating, I can see everything. The Enneagram would teach my beam of light that it’s gotten stuck and is no longer rotating. What I pay attention to is a narrow slice of reality. The Enneagram describes nine distinct slices of reality. 

“And because we all look at a narrow slice of reality, we make two mistakes. One, we think our light’s going around, and we see everything. And secondly, we believe everybody sees things exactly as we do. It also describes why we have a shadow self because there are things that we’re blind to or we choose not to look at.”

Midlife Personality Shifts

The unrest many people feel in midlife often has to do with our battling selves, Gum explained.

“You have to develop a personality to survive the first part of your life. It got you through surviving your family, picking some direction in life—that’s the first half of life. But by your late 20s, early 30s, all that strategy [you used] to make your way through the world—your way of being—is limiting. It’s not sufficient.”

Thus, the question of midlife becomes: do I continue to be the automatic self that brought me far enough to survive childhood, find a partner, and maybe have kids? Or do I recognize that my automatic self is no longer sufficient or not as fulfilling as I once thought?

Gum quoted Carl Jung: “‘We cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning.’ That’s the two halves of life.”

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Midlife is a time for figuring out what parts of our distinct ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving are working for us and, more importantly, which ones aren’t.

“That work is really hard work. We have to be honest with the things that aren’t great,” Gum said. The Enneagram provides us with a framework for this type of self-reflection.

Learning To Embrace Light And Dark

“For every type, there are some really great things about that type. Then, there’s a whole page of crappy stuff,” Gum said. “Some people don’t like to focus on their weaknesses; some people focus on it too much—which is a function of type. I think the second half of life is [about] embracing the light and dark within myself.

“The work of midlife is to embrace the light, hug the darkness, and own it. Don’t let it control you because if you deny it, it just gets stronger.”

Gum uses Type 2 (the helper or female archetype) as an example. “What happens so often is they overhelp. That’s their strategy.

“But it can be invasive and obtrusive, and people say, ‘Hey, back off.’ But all they want to do is be seen by being helpful. That’s a huge emotional crisis. It’s not ‘do I help or not,’ which would be easy to solve. It’s, ‘when is helping coming from a healthy place—a good heart,’ and ‘when is it me needing to be needed?’ Every type has one of those dilemmas.”

Finding Your True Enneagram Type

When we are familiar with our Enneagram type, we can identify these urges and desires so we can control them accordingly, as opposed to them controlling us.

But unlike your run-of-the-mill online personality quiz, your Enneagram type delves deep into your unconscious motivations. For this reason, it can be difficult to determine your type without a deeper understanding or competent guide.

“The Enneagram is hard to figure out because there’s not a definitive test [like with the Meyers Briggs’ personality types],” Gum said. “It’s about shadow work, which is hard for everybody. How can you own the things you don’t see or want to see?”

An Enneagram practitioner helps reveal your inner shadow self more clearly. 

“As an Enneagram professional, I can make a lot of progress with someone over the core issues that keep tripping them up but they don’t know what’s behind it,” Gum explained. “It’s just hard to look at that stuff. You have to be both open to looking at it, and you have to be kind to yourself and others. But the amount of insight in a short amount of time is huge.” 

RELATED: What Is Shadow Work? How To Dig Deeper Into Your Emotional Graves

“The Enneagram is about our automatic routines. It’s how we do our life,” Gum said. “The work of consciousness or being aware of that. The Enneagram is a shortcut to understand both what motivates us and where we get stuck.” 

In addition to Enneagram coaching, Jim Gum hosts Story Enneagram, a podcast featuring stories, interviews, and reflections, and pens the Story Enneagram blog.

Each of these online resources provides valuable information on finding and understanding your enneagram type so that you can navigate midlife and beyond more thoughtfully, positively, and successfully. 

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We all know someone who, no matter how long they think things through, still can’t figure out what they want. Whether ordering at a restaurant, making a lifestyle change, or taking action in a relationship, this person will spend hours hemming and hawing. Maybe you’re that person. 

If you are, a June 2022 study from the University of Cologne and the Hochschule Döpfer University shows you might have less to worry about than you think (because let’s be honest, you’re already doing enough worrying). While indecisiveness can vary from sometimes inconvenient to full-on debilitating, research shows this wishy-washy trait could be a sign of higher intelligence. 

Read on—or don’t. The decision is yours, after all.

Just How Indecisive Are You?

One of the most common ways to measure someone’s indecisiveness is the Frost Indecisiveness Scale. The scale presents 15 declarative statements, such as “I try to put off making decisions” and “I always know exactly what I want.”

An individual then rates these statements on a scale of one to five, one meaning they strongly disagree and five meaning they strongly agree. The higher your score, the more indecisive you are.

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Research using this measurement system found that indecisiveness is often a byproduct of perfectionism. An aversion to the shame and guilt associated with an incorrect or negative choice causes these individuals to put off making a decision altogether.

It’s also a common symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, as found by the creator of the Frost Indecisiveness Scale, Randy O. Frost.

Now, How Ambivalent Are You?

Whereas Frost’s research focused on indecisiveness in general, the more recent study found a better, more accurate metric to use: trait ambivalence. This is defined as one’s ability to remain ambivalent or have mixed feelings. 

More specifically, the study observed trait ambivalence in the context of confirmation, which is the tendency to prefer information that’s in accord with our preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, regardless of the information presented. Confirmation bias, correspondence bias, and self-serving bias can color our decision-making. 

The study found that this form of biased thinking is also less accurate overall. When was the last time you regretted a hasty decision? Many of us are guilty of jumping to conclusions before weighing out all the options. This is essentially the opposite of indecisiveness and arguably just as detrimental in some instances.

The Cost Of Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias prevents us from thinking rationally, blinding us to evidence that doesn’t align with our beliefs. It can create dogmatic or overly-simplistic thinking, but it isn’t the only cognitive maladaptation we frequently use. Correspondence bias is equally as guilty of pulling the wool over our eyes. 

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Correspondence bias differs from confirmation bias in that the former involves connecting two unrelated things without considering the context. This can be something like assuming someone’s a bad driver because they got into a car accident without considering whether the road conditions were bad. 

Similarly, self-serving bias allows us to see what best serves us (and little else). All these types of cognitive dissonance cause us to think and act on misinformation. The study suggests trait ambivalence protects individuals from this way of thinking.

The Perks Of Seeing Pros And Cons

Researchers determined the relationship between trait ambivalence and confirmation through a meta-analysis of multiple studies. The researchers read brief scenarios in each study to assess participants’ biases and assumptions, if applicable. 

Researchers found that trait ambivalence “leads to increased associative breadth, higher cognitive flexibility, more accurate judgments, and more awareness and effectiveness in decision-making.” 

As long as your indecisiveness isn’t causing fearful paralysis, there’s merit to be found in mulling things over for a bit.

So go ahead and think on it a little while longer. But maybe set a rumination timer, so you don’t go too far down the rabbit hole.

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When it comes to using a washing machine, we often focus on what not to do. Don’t use this temperature, don’t mix those colors, don’t dry this or that—the list of laundry faux pas is lengthy. But did you know your humble washing machine could be doing a lot more than refreshing your clothes?

Washing machines can work their magic on many everyday household items, from leather accessories to gym equipment. Wave farewell to the stress and inconvenience of hand-washing and the arguably grosser option of skipping the wash altogether (looking at you, Uggs).

1. Car Mats And Other Small Rugs

The average washing machine can easily handle carpeted car mats and other small rugs. Use a vacuum to remove large debris, then run through a cold cycle. Set the rugs or mats somewhere safe to air dry. We do not recommend this method for washing rubber or plastic mats—some mild, soapy water and a cloth is better for those.

2. Hair Ties, Headbands, And Scarves

You wouldn’t wear the same socks every day without washing them, and if you think about it, your hair ties and other head accessories aren’t much different. Our hair and scalp transfer oil, sweat, and dirt onto our hair ties, headbands, scarves, and wraps. So, a quick rinse in a secure delicates bag will revive your adornments and fasteners. Air dry the items to prevent shrinkage or other damage.

3. Sheepskin-Lined Shoes

Whether you have sheepskin slippers, mules, or the same pair of ratty Ugg boots from 2014 like me, you might be surprised to know these cozy shoes can be machine-washed. Start by brushing off any loose dirt or debris. Then, place the boots in a mesh bag and add them to the washer.

Add a couple of towels to sop up excess moisture, then run on a cold, delicate cycle. Remove the sheepskin shoes from the washer as soon as the cycle is done, fluff the lining with your fingers, and allow them to air dry.

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4. Stuffed Toys

Speaking of years-old accessories—as cute as a child’s beloved stuffed toy can be, all that wear and tear (and no washing) can leave those cuddly companions looking more like rogue escapees from the Island of Misfit Toys than something you actually want in your home.

Most stuffed animals can handle a gentle, low-heat cycle and a good air-dry. If the stuffed animal has lots of plastic components that can’t be removed, a cold cycle is a safer bet. Smaller plastic toys can also be machine-washed in a pillow case secured with a rubber band to prevent a loud, clanking, chaotic mess.

5. Yoga Mats

Listen. I can watch all the DIY yoga mat spray videos I want, but I’m never going to actually make it. By the time I think of cleaning my yoga mat, I’m already starting my flow session for the day and not in the mood to go into cleaning mode.

Luckily, yoga mats can be safely cleaned in the washer in cold water on a delicate setting. Allow them to air dry flat or on a drying rack. Note: if your yoga mat is prone to flaking or crumbling, even a delicate wash cycle might exacerbate the problem.

6. Pet Beds

You wouldn’t want to sleep in the same bed linens for months on end. So why should your pet have to? Even if your pet bed doesn’t have a removable cover, you can still wash the whole bed much like a pillow. Start by vacuuming any hair or dirt off the surface (pet hair can do some serious damage to your washer), wash with mild soap on low heat, and then place in the dryer for up to 20 minutes before letting it air dry the rest of the way.

7. Leather Purses

While “leather” and “water” isn’t a combo I typically imagine will have a positive outcome, it turns out that you can actually machine-wash a leather purse. The key is to use a castile soap, which is made from plant-based ingredients for far gentler suds.

First, empty the bag completely (that means double-checking the pockets for any stray sticks of gum). Take out any removable liners or inserts, then throw the whole thing in the washer. Use around a quarter-cup of castile soap with cold water and run it on the gentlest wash cycle.

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8. Baseball Hats

If your classic pinstripe ball cap is starting to look a little more yellow than white, that means it’s time for a refresh in the washing machine. Most modern baseball hats have a plastic core and backing, which means they do fine in a cold, delicate cycle. Just hand it up to dry and you’re good to go.

You’ll want to exercise more caution when washing hats made before the 1980s, as their linings tend to be cardboard. Cardboard-lined hats will sound hollow when you flick the brim and should be spot-cleaned only (although one can argue that grime ads to the vintage appeal). 

9. Canvas Shoes

Stop stuffing your shoes with newspaper or foot powder to absorb odors, and just wash them already. If your kicks are seriously caked with mud and grime, use a small brush or other cleaning device to remove the bulk of the dirt.

Remove the shoelaces and insoles, then place the laces in a mesh garment bag to prevent them from tangling. Wash the shoes, insoles, and laces on a delicate cycle in cool water. Using a non-bio detergent without additional cleaning enzymes will help protect the fibers of hemp-based canvas.

10. Shower Curtain Liner

Forget awkwardly wiping down a wafer-thin, massive piece of plastic—your shower curtain liners can go in the washing machine. Machine-washing your shower liners helps remove soap scum and mildew and is considerably easier than trying to clean it while it’s on the shower rod.

Add a few bath towels to weigh down the liner and help prevent tearing. Add an additional one cup of baking soda to your usual detergent to help shake off stubborn soap grime. For an extra deep cleanse, you can also add Borax and Oxi Clean to create a “miracle block” that mimics bleach for brighter whites and a more thorough clean.

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Hair thinning or loss can affect us at any point in our lives, but it becomes especially prevalent as we age. In fact, hair loss has been directly linked to hormonal changes before and during menopause. (As if the hot flashes, brain fog, and night sweats weren’t enough.)

Unfortunately, there is still a notable stigma around hair loss—particularly in women. We want to break down the negative connotations surrounding this common phenomenon while seeking out effective, accessible solutions to help you feel more like yourself. 

Not every solution will work for everyone, so time and patience are vital in finding the right one for you. Here are some of the well-loved products, treatments, solutions, and techniques we have found this year to combat or camouflage thinning hair.

1. The One Product That Can Provide Instant Lift

Let’s start with one of the easiest solutions for fine or thinning hair: texturizing spray.

This dry finishing product gives your tresses softness and body without weighing them down while absorbing excess oil. It’s a lot like dry shampoo, except it will provide more volume to those with fine, thin hair.

We outline several high-quality options in our texturizing spray round-up, ranging from under $8 to $50.

2. Try This Celeb Favorite Volumizing Spray

Speaking of volumizing sprays, Brooke Shields attributes Serge Normant’s Dream Big Instant Volumizing Spray for her shiny, touchable, and full-bodied hair.

This dry spray has the dual benefits of adding touchable volume and strengthening hair thanks to natural minerals and proteins that work to create mega lift and texture.

It’s no wonder Shields (as well as Sarah Jessica Parker, Meghan Markle, and Julia Roberts) love this product so much.

3. Wash Your Hair Upside Down

Leave it to TikTok to come up with the zaniest (but surprisingly effective) hair volumizing solutions. One trend that took the social media platform by storm earlier this year was upside-down washing.

The name speaks for itself: rather than lathering and conditioning your hair standing upright, you do your hair care routine with your locks hanging upside-down.

Trichologists (hair and scalp specialists) say that upside-down washing stimulates hair growth by improving circulation to the scalp and alleviating the constant pressure of water directly on the crown.

4. You Might Be Using The Wrong Hairbrush

You can try all the hair products you want, but if you’re not using the right hair brush, all your experimenting (and spending) could be for naught.

Did you know that different hair brushes are designed for different uses? We break down some of the most common types, including detangler wet brushes, thermal brushes, wide-tooth combs, bristle brushes, and teasing brushes, so you can find your best tool for the job.

5. A Replumping Hair Mask Is Great For Thin Strands

René Furtere was a hairstylist and salon owner in mid-20th-century France whose ideas about hair regrowth and rejuvenation were insightful far beyond his time. His philosophy was that “beautiful hair grows from a healthy scalp, like a plant in fertile soil,” and his products embody this idea.

The René Furtere Replumping Conditioning Mask is specifically designed for thinning, aging hair. According to a consumer test, 90% of women felt their hair was “re-densified” after four weeks of use.

6. Find Your Ideal Minoxidil Dose

Until 2014, high-dose minoxidil products (a.k.a. Rogaine) were only approved by the FDA for men’s use (seriously?!). Thankfully, women now have a science-backed hair loss solution that is available in 2% and 5% concentrations.

Nioxin Hair Regrowth Treatment For Women With Minoxidil 2% is one option we discovered this year, with some shoppers saying it is “liquid gold.”

Another great option is Keranique’s 5% minoxidil topical foam that can help stop hair loss on the top of the scalp and support hair regrowth.

7. Take A Cue From Rikki Lake And Jennifer Grey

Both Rikki Lake and Jennifer Grey shared their hair loss (and regrowth) journey on social media this year, and we were blown away by the results of their Harklinikken hair regimen.

Harklinikken, which translates to “hair clinic” in Danish, creates highly specialized, paraben- and fragrance-free hair products that focus on an individual’s specific hair and scalp needs. Lake and Grey both use their shampoo, conditioner, and custom extract, and the results speak for themselves.

8. Experiment With Alyssa Milano’s Regimen

When actress Alyssa Milano’s long-haul COVID-19 caused extreme hair loss, she turned to her stylist, Lihn Nguyen, who recommended Nioxin.

Nioxin offers a wide range of formulas for particular hair types and thinning progressions, all of which are designed to help stop hair loss from breakage, promote a healthy scalp for new healthy new growth, and strengthen existing strands.

Milano also swears by Nutrafol, a daily supplement designed to target root causes of hair loss like stress, hormonal shifts, lifestyle, nutrition, and metabolism.

9. Get A Quick Fix With Scalp Foundation

Good things take time, and unfortunately, that also pertains to hair regrowth. If you’re looking for a short-term solution to hair thinning or loss, scalp foundation might be a viable option for you.

Scalp foundation, also called hair or scalp concealer, is a temporary topical product that provides pigment to the scalp to give the appearance of fuller, thicker hair, evens out hairlines, and can even cover roots between color applications. How’s that for a win-win-win product?

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Your brain is a glucose-hungry organ containing nearly 86 billion cells called neurons. The brain compartmentalizes these neurons into different regions and sub-regions that perform a specific function. Neurons communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals delivered over junctions called synapses. 

These specialized areas are responsible for our growth and development from birth to old age. And according to a review published in Psychophysiology, the way the brain links and communicates undergoes a significant “rewiring” starting in midlife. The changes in connections have an impact on our cognitive abilities and may be the brain’s solution to function as efficiently as possible with aging “hardware.”

A Systematic Review: 1986-2021

Australian researchers from Monash University examined scientific literature on the brain to better understand what contributes to cognitive decline with old age. They looked at 144 studies including tens of thousands of brain scans. 

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The brain scans revealed which parts of the brain “light up” or activate in response to certain stimuli. The data illustrated the brain’s interconnectivity, and the researchers could determine how these connections changed with age. 

They found that in our younger years, the brain appears to have many separate regions with robust inner connectivity, which make specialized processes—like learning a sport or a language—easier. Around the mid-40s, the brain shows fewer connections between these separate regions and rather broader connectivity as a whole.

This would explain what researchers noted in how we think about and view the world as we age.

“Older adults tend to show less flexible thinking, such as forming new concepts and abstract thinking, response inhibition, as well as verbal and numeric reasoning,” researchers noted. “These findings are also consistent with a decline in executive functions but maintenance of primary information processing in ‘normal’ aging, which implies an underlying compensation mechanism in aging to support higher-level cognitive functioning.”

Working With Dwindling Resources

So, why does the brain decide to reroute its connections in midlife? The simple answer is a simple sugar: glucose. Glucose is the brain’s primary energy source, using 20% of the body’s overall glucose supply while only accounting for 2% of the total body weight. 

As we age, our brains become less efficient when metabolizing glucose. The less glucose our brains can “eat,” the less efficiently it can supply enough energy to maintain highly-specialized, internally-connected brain regions. Thus, the connections become broader, more generalized, and less specifically functional. 

RELATED: The Brain Drain Is Real: How Women Over 40 Can Fight Brain Fog Caused By Perimenopause

Imagine a piece of woven cloth. The tighter and more plentiful the strands, the sturdier and less prone to wear and tear the material becomes—but creating this weave is labor-intensive. Alternatively, the same fabric can be woven more quickly and with less effort by using longer, looser strands. But this type of fabric is also flimsier and more prone to damage. 

How To Keep Your Mind Sharp

The brain certainly changes in many ways as we age, but they aren’t all negative. For example, researchers found that tasks relying on “predominantly automatic or well-practiced processes are less impacted by age or may even increase slightly across the lifespan.” This includes areas of brain function responsible for vocabulary and general knowledge. 

Speech and language processing tend to be relatively stable with age, the study said, although a generalized reduction in processing speed may make response times slower in older adults. And generally speaking, there are several things you can do to keep your mind sharp well past your 40th birthday. 

A proper diet (nutrients are vital for proper brain function), regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices can prevent the severity of cognitive decline with age. The scientists who worked on this review said further research is needed to better understand the inner workings of the brain’s rewiring phase and, in turn, how to avoid its more adverse side effects. 

So, before dogging yourself for your third “senior moment” or “menopausal brain fog” incident of the day, remember that your brain is rerouting its entire roadmap. Give yourself grace while you experience and respond to these changes.

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Between home life, work, chores, and (if you’re lucky) sleep, there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything we’d like. This is especially true when it comes to maintaining friendships, old and new. 

Schedules never seem to align; something always distracts you from reaching out when you think of it—it’s a lot, and it can conjure up a lot of guilt. Days can slip into weeks and months in the blink of an eye. And before you know it, years have passed. 

Suddenly, the idea of reaching out to someone you once spoke to every day seems awkward. Will they even want to hear from me? Have they secretly resented me for not reaching out earlier? Maybe they’ve moved on. 

Before you go down that anxious rabbit hole, consider a study published earlier this year in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The research found that not only should you reach out, but the other person will likely appreciate it far more than you think.

Should I Call? 

Dr. Peggy Liu of the University of Pittsburgh led the study, titled “The Surprise of Reaching Out: Appreciated More Than You Think.” Liu and her team of researchers conducted 13 experiments with 5,900 participants. The participants included men and women ranging from young to mature adults. 

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First, researchers measured how much people assumed friends or acquaintances would appreciate them reaching out. Then, they measured how much those on the receiving end actually appreciated it. The team compared the data to determine whether the first group’s assumptions were correct. 

Across the 13 experiments, the researchers used various methods of connection and strengths of relationships. Some participants called, while others texted or sent a small gift. The study included both weak (acquaintances) and strong (lifelong friends) relationships.

Small Moments Make A Big Difference

The study found that across all types of friendships and methods of communication, those reaching out significantly underestimated how much those on the receiving end would appreciate the gesture. And that underestimation is often what leaves us swirling around in those anxious, “what if I shouldn’t?” rabbit holes.

One potential reason for this cognitive dissonance is that those contemplating initiating contact don’t appreciate the power of surprise. The researchers outlined previous data that found surprise intensifies emotions, both good and bad.

In this study, they found that when the relationship had been positive, even if they hadn’t spoken in a long time, the person answering the phone or receiving the small gift had a positive response that was made even more positive by the surprise of hearing from an old friend or relative.

But those reaching out are usually more focused on their own nervous feelings about how their gesture will be received. The researchers write that if we better understood the positive effect of surprise, we’d be less hesitant to reach out.

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The Liking Gap

Unsurprising to anyone who suffers from social anxiety, we often navigate relationships through an invisible—yet emotionally tangible—phenomenon called the “liking gap.”

A “liking gap” refers to the idea that we often underestimate how much someone else likes us. “[Individuals] often focus on their own internal monologues, which can be self-critical and negative after social interactions. However, others do not perceive them with such a critical or negative lens,” the researchers wrote. 

This phenomenon prevents us from appreciating that others like and value our presence more than we think. And this goes beyond friendships. Our negative internal monologues can even lead us to underestimate the power of small acts of kindness, which other studies have proven to have enormous positive impacts. 

So, that feeling you have that surely that old friend wouldn’t care if they heard from you or not? Science says you’re wrong. Not only is it not true, but the friend you’re considering reaching out to is likely feeling the same way.

Reach Out And Touch Someone

It turns out the old Bell commercial had it right: “Wherever you are, you’re never too far, they’re waiting to share your day! Reach out and touch someone.” The people in your life (whether past or present) want to hear from you more than you think. 

“For those treading back into the social milieu with caution and trepidation, feeling woefully out of practice and unsure, our work provides robust evidence and an encouraging green light to go ahead and surprise someone by reaching out,” the study concluded. “Such reach-outs are likely to be appreciated more than one thinks.”

Even a quick text or Facebook message can make an impact. And with the new year just around the corner, what better time to celebrate both silver and gold friends than right now?

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Historically, humans have had limited options regarding what we can do with bodies post-death: burial, cremation, or donation to research facilities. With every option, the time loved ones get with the body is relatively short. And each one leaves a hefty carbon footprint in its wake. 

Over the past several years, newer alternatives have emerged, though most still start with cremation. Cremated remains can be turned into diamonds, glass sculptures, and even vinyl records. Biodegradable options have been growing in popularity, too. 

A conceptual art installation by Italian designers Francesco D’Angelo and Adriano Del Ferro inspired the idea of human burial in tree pods, but the pods are still a work in progress. Until recently, the only other “green” option was placing cremated remains in a biodegradable urn. 

Human composting facilities like Return Home are here to change that.

How Human Composting Works

Eleanor Cummins describes Return Home’s human composting process in a recent article in The Verge. Human composting, or natural organic reduction (NOR), essentially mimics what would happen if a human body was buried without a coffin. 

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At Return Home’s facility in Washington, the body is washed and dressed in biodegradable clothing. Then, the remains are placed in a large vessel filled with organic materials like alfalfa, straw, and sawdust. After that, nature does what it does best (warning: it’s a little gross). 

The enzymes in our body that help us digest food will later digest us when we die. As they do their thing, the enzymes release byproducts rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Human composting facilities catalyze the process with oxygen and heat and use biofilters to eliminate the signature smell of decomposition. After aerobic digestion, the only solid material left is medical devices and bones. 

First, medical devices are picked out of the compost. Then, the bones and soil are broken down into smaller fragments in a machine similar to a cremulator. The material is returned to the composting vessels, where microbes can continue breaking down the smaller, more porous bone fragments. Similar to garden compost, the material is occasionally rotated.

The entire process takes about two months from start to finish. In the end, each family receives about 400 pounds of nutrient-enriched, fertile soil.

The Benefits Of Human Composting

Human composting might seem a little creepy compared to the sterility of a traditional coffin-and-vault burial or cremation. But it offers many benefits, from emotional to environmental. Human composting takes time, and that time can help loved ones process their grief in a slower, gentler way. 

In facilities like Return Home, family and friends can visit their loved ones at any point in the composting process. Funeral ceremonies are still a viable option, too. Return Home even invites loved ones to add flowers and notes written in biodegradable ink to the composting vessels for the deceased. 

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Additionally, human composting is eco-friendly in more ways than one. Not only are human remains turned into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to nourish a garden, houseplant, or grow a tree, but NOR also avoids the toxic chemicals, tons of steel and concrete, and several hundred pounds of crematory carbon emissions required for traditional burial methods. 

It’s more cost-effective, too. At Return Home, NOR costs about $5,500 with a laying-in ceremony. According to Cummins’ reporting, that’s about twice as much as the average cremation but half the cost of a funeral and vault burial.

Is Human Composting A Viable Option For You And Yours?

Compared to the $18 billion traditional funeral industry, human composting is still relatively small. NOR is currently only legal in Washington, California, Oregon, Colorado, and Vermont, with New York possibly coming soon. Religious beliefs and general distaste have stunted the NOR industry’s growth thus far, but it’s clear that interest in the human composting method is growing. 

Because frankly, it doesn’t get more “full circle of life.” It’s an excellent option for people for whom nature was an important part of their lives, particularly if the surviving loved ones shared that love of the outdoors.

As separated from nature as society and daily life can make us feel, human beings are organic material, just like any other flora or fauna on the planet. Aside from donating one’s body to medical or scientific research, NOR is one of the best ways to ensure you or your loved ones’ remains can offer something of use to the earth one final time. 

Death is a sensitive topic, and everyone is entitled to grieve and process it in a way they deem fit. However, if the traditional methods of handling human remains don’t feel quite right, human composting might be the gentle, eco-friendly alternative you’ve been looking for.

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Getting hit with a major craving for takeout when you can’t have it is bad enough. But it’s a whole other level of torture when the cuisine you crave is only available at a restaurant hundreds of miles away. 

Whether you didn’t get to travel for the holidays and are feeling homesick for local cuisine or you’re craving non-local flavors at home, Goldbelly can help. This food-delivery service brings region- and restaurant-specific meals from across the country straight to your doorstep. 

Want classic Kansas City BBQ while stuck in Arizona? Maybe you’re craving real New York bagels while living in the Midwest? Either way, Goldbelly can help.

How Goldbelly Works

Essentially, Goldbelly is an online middleman between you and your favorite restaurants from all over the U.S. Goldbelly doesn’t make or ship the meals to you. On the contrary, food makers will pack and ship their entrees, desserts, and more at their own shops to send them straight to you. Goldbelly is simply the marketplace that facilitates the sale. 

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You can scroll through Goldbelly’s vast catalog of cuisine, which you can filter by region, restaurant, or dish. In addition to one-off deliveries, Goldbelly offers subscription services that regularly deliver food-specific packages like a bacon subscription, cookie subscription, or “best-of” dishes from a particular region or city.

Satisfy Your Savory Cravings

If you’re in the mood for something savory, Joe’s KC BBQ (named “America’s Best BBQ” by USA Today) offers classic Kansas City barbecue flavors with meal kits, whole briskets, ribs, and more.

Travel further north to Philly and try the world-famous Philly Cheesesteak from Pat’s King of Steaks (because you know your Subway isn’t cutting it).

Centerville Pie Company, based out of Centerville, Massachusetts, is the home of Oprah’s favorite chicken pot pie, which you can order straight to your door.

Or, head to the Pacific Northwest coast for authentic seafood straight from Seattle’s legendary Pike Place Fish Market.

Craving STL pizza while outside of Cardinals country? Don’t worry—thanks to Goldbelly, you can get Imo’s delivered no matter how far away from the Midwest you are.

Or Cater To Your Sweet Tooth

Goldbelly also offers a wide range of delectable sweet treats, including selections from Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey. (Yes, as in Cake Boss’ Carlo’s Bakery.)

If you’re not a big Cake Boss fan, consider crossing the Hudson and heading to New York’s famous Little Italy district for an authentic cannoli from the Ferrara Bakery.

In the mood for something tropical? Try a key lime pie that’s actually from the keys with Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe’s selection of mouthwateringly tart pies, fudge, and taffy.

You can also try pillowy soft marshmallows or ginger chews from Food Network Champion Chef Maeve Rochford’s La Jolla, California-based bakery, Sugar and Scribe.

I recently gifted my husband’s aunt one of Houston’s most iconic pecan pies from Goode Co. Barbecue, and she absolutely loved it. She’s originally from Texas but now lives further west—not only did the flavors bring back nostalgic feelings of home, but the pie was also delivered in an adorable, Texas-themed wooden box.

Famous Pecan Pie & Wooden Gift Box

$74.95 Shop Now at Goldbelly

Satisfy Your Goldbelly Cravings Today

While a Goldbelly delivery might cost more than your average Doordash or meal delivery service, these unique treats are worth paying extra. Goldbelly delivers fresh, local flavors from across the United States straight to your doorstep.

And hey, ordering from Goldbelly is cheaper than traveling to your favorite local eatery’s flagship store. Plus, you get to enjoy these delicious foods from the comfort of your own home. 

Don’t let your tastebuds go homesick any longer. With Goldbelly, you can satisfy food cravings from near and far—and find a perfect last-minute gift for friends and family, too.

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Winter is here, which means it’s officially scarf season. Months of cold weather provide the perfect opportunity to cycle through your scarf collection, whether it’s stocked with chunky knits or classic cashmere. But of course, this season does present one tangled dilemma: how to tie the scarf. 

You might scoff at the simplicity of the question, but I’ve wrestled with my fair share of bunched-up, twisted, or loosey-goosey scarves, and it’s an even bigger drag in a bulky, arm-mobility-reducing winter coat. Luckily, the good ol’ internet has offered a solution to my tricky scarf situation, and it might help you, too. 

After discovering this elegant way to tie a winter scarf, I don’t think I’ll ever return to my former ways again. Prepare to level up your outerwear game for good.

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To make the most of this scarf-tying hack, it’s best to use a scarf with a bit of extra length. If you can fold the scarf in half, drape it on your neck, and have equal lengths across either shoulder, reaching near or below the armpit, the scarf is long enough. Additionally, this will only work with traditional two-ended scarves (sorry, infinity scarf lovers). 

Now on to the fun part.

To recreate this look at home, drape the scarf (unfolded) across your neck. Leave one side short, around chest-level, and let the rest of the length fall to the other side. Then, tuck the hand on the shorter side over the longer scarf tail, palm side down. 

Using the hand on the longer side, hold the end of the longer scarf tail while the hand you just tucked pulls the scarf toward the shorter side. At this point, you’ll have a portion of the longer scarf tail in front of you. Pull that part of the scarf behind your neck.

This should create a loop around the hand on the shorter side. Next, grab both tails of the scarf with your free hand and raise them to the one with the loop. Using your looped hand, grab the scarf tails and pull them through the loop. 

The result is an elegant, double-tied scarf that lays wider across the chest for a fuller, more luxurious look. And because it’s actually draped around the neck twice, it’s cozier and more secure than a traditional one-loop tie. 

And there you have it: an easy way to revamp your scarves and stay snug through scarf season—er, winter.

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When Revela founders Dr. Evan Zhao, Dr. David Zhang, and Avi Boppana noticed their friends and family growing frustrated navigating the current world of hair loss solutions, they decided to start looking for their own. 

Commonly used ingredients for hair regrowth, like minoxidil and finasteride, were not initially intended for hair growth. Rather, this was an observed side effect of using these molecules for other purposes. And while they work for some, they aren’t as effective for others. 

Before starting Revela, the three founders worked at Harvard researching cancer therapies. Using the same technology they used in the lab, they began searching for the perfect molecule that promotes follicle health. 

In their search, they found ProCelinyl™—an entirely new molecule unlike anything on the market, which they say is precisely what makes it so effective.

Revela’s Revolutionary Hair Revival Series

One of the things we love most about Revela is that this isn’t a large or elaborate hair care system you need to adopt—just one product is all you need. Their Hair Revival Series features two easy-to-use products, either of which is a cinch to add to your routine.

First is their Hair Revival Serum, which is a light, water-based product that can be used daily on all hair types. 

Revela Hair Revival Serum

Shop Now at Revela

Second is their Hair Growth Concentrate, which is a nourishing, oil-based product. This versatile product can fit into any routine—from normal to dry scalp types. It can be applied daily or used 2-3 times a week as a more intensive scalp mask to strengthen your routine. 

Revela The Growth Concentrate

Shop Now at Revela

To figure out which product is best for you, Revela offers a short online quiz to point you in the right direction.

Both products feature ProCelinyl™, Revela’s revolutionary, man-made molecule. But first: how did the Revela team find ProCelinyl™, and why do they claim it’s so effective?

Finding The Best Molecule For The Job

The team at Revela used proprietary AI and machine learning methods to narrow down a pool of 7 million molecules by how well they stimulated hair follicle health. What they found was ProCelinyl™.

The next step was rigorous testing for safety and efficacy. First, they observed ProCelinyl™’s effects on human scalp cells. They reported that ProCelinyl™ was found to increase proliferation, or cell growth. The Revela team also observed these cells for signs of damage, of which there were none.

In a clinical trial reported by Revela, a total of 32 women between the ages of 27 and 65 tested Revela for six weeks. Revela reported that 97% saw improvements in their hair, and 87% saw a decrease in hair shedding.

You can read more about the team’s research process in their extensive and highly fascinating white paper.

What Reviewers Are Saying

While Revela’s research and reported findings are exciting, the website’s customer testimonials seem pretty amazing.

Take it from Isabella T., a 54-year-old woman experiencing age- and hormone-related hair thinning, who uses Revela daily. 

“I am so impressed by my results, so much so that I’ve tapered to using Revela once a week because I have too much baby hair—which I’m not complaining about! Application is easy, and the products don’t leave a greasy feeling. Very lightweight—I can’t recommend this enough to anyone experiencing thinning hair.”

Or from Bethany M., a 55-year-old woman who has suffered from stress-related hair loss for close to 30 years. “Viviscal was no longer effective for me, and minoxidil was out of the question due to my beloved cat that sleeps on my head (it’s toxic for cats).”

Bethany took a chance on Revela’s hypoallergenic, non-toxic formula (that’s also safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding). She says she is, “definitely glad I gave Revela a shot. Based on these amazing early results, I am already planning to give Revela at least a full year to work its magic. If this trend continues, I will be a customer for life.”

What Sets Revela Apart

The Revela team created ProCelinyl™ in response to what Zhao calls a “toxic wellness industry” that “makes you feel like if these products don’t work, it’s your fault. These are 100-year-old ingredients; it’s not your fault they don’t work on you. It’s extremely predatory.”

“A lot of different brands will not even do their own experiments,” Zhao continues. “They’ll say it’s proven and backed, but they’re using the claims that the ingredients themselves have. Nobody knows if it’s going to work or not.”

Thus, Zhao says, “it’s not your fault if it doesn’t work. I can guarantee we put in the most effort out of everybody [to determine] a high possibility that it will work. We do a lot of public testing to make sure we’re very confident it works. We think it’s something really worthwhile and something everybody should have access to.”

Start Your Revela Journey Today 

Consistency is key with these products. That’s why Revela offers a 20% subscription discount when you sign up for regular Revela deliveries. The team believes in its products so much that they offer a money-back guarantee if you don’t see visible results after 60 days. 

If you’ve been disappointed by the same old ingredients packaged into different products, then maybe it’s time to consider something different. Revela’s proprietary formula was created by biochemists to fill a clear need in a hair regrowth industry surrounded by buzzwords and 100-year-old ingredients. Zhao says his own mother is a regular user of Revela and loves it—and you just might, too.

Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves; I tend to wear them on my face. No matter what my emotion is—indifference, joy, or sadness—it’s practically plastered all over my expression. And this is especially true when it comes to crying. 

I’ve learned the hard way that my eyes are particularly sensitive to the side effects of crying. (You know the whole ‘cute while crying’ trend? This isn’t it.) When I cry, my entire eye area is affected—my eyelids, under eyes, and lash lines swell and redden to near-anaphylaxis-proportions and stay that way for as long as 24 hours. 

A consequence of being highly sensitive, emotional, and a bit dramatic lends itself to my fair share of crying seshes, both good and bad. Luckily, this means I’ve put multiple eye creams to the test, and one drugstore pick has come out on top every time.

Bawl On A Budget With This Drugstore Gem

Post-crying swelling requires an eye cream formula that not only brightens but also reduces inflammation and redness. Any irritating ingredients will only cause more tears and exacerbate the problem. (Can you tell I’ve had a few rounds of trial and error?) 

So far, the best product I’ve found for the job is No7 Radiance+ Roll & Glow Eye Cream. No7 has been around for decades, offering high-quality skincare at affordable prices.

No7 Radiance+ Roll & Glow Eye Cream

$12.58 Shop Now at Amazon

No7’s Radiance+ eye cream is a roll-on formula with a cooling tri-ball applicator that helps soothe the skin as the ingredients work their magic. Vitamin C and caffeine reduce puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. Meanwhile, color-correcting pigments offer an added layer of coverage to brighten the skin.

The Power Of Vitamin C And Caffeine

I typically use the eye cream after my regular cleanser-moisturizer-sunscreen routine. The tri-ball applicator is like a miniature eye socket massage. And while I don’t typically store my eye creams in a fridge (although I have been eyeing these countertop cosmetic fridges because look at them), I’m sure doing so would make applying this product even more refreshing. 

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After applying in short strokes to my under eyes and eyelids, I lightly blend the product into my skin with my fingertips. The eye cream’s tint doesn’t color the skin very noticeably—I’m usually around a medium in a foundation shade, and all it does for my skin is gently brighten the dark, purplish undertones in my eye bags. Overall, the product dries matte with no sticky or oily finish.

It takes around 30-45 minutes for the eye cream to fully reduce the swelling around my eyes, but when it does, it feels nothing short of magical. I’ve revived my eyes in under an hour after a late-night cry sesh left me looking like my face had been stung by bees. And my go-to eye makeup (a dab of concealer, gel eyeliner, and mascara) goes on smoothly with no running, blending, or fading. 

I have no shame in my crying game, but I don’t love not being able to open my eyes the next day. And thanks to No7’s Radiance+ Roll & Glow eye cream, that’s no longer a problem. So, go ahead and let it all out. This eye cream will help keep it under wraps.

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After years of buying (or making) my loved ones presents, I’m running painfully low on new, thoughtful gift ideas. For family members like my parents and grandparents, it can seem even harder to find the perfect present. What do you give the person who already has everything, anyway? 

I didn’t want to add clutter to my family’s homes, rely on impersonal gift cards, or give them baked goods for the third year in a row. BloomsyBox poses a perfect solution to this type of dilemma—and it might solve yours, too. 

BloomsyBox is a floral subscription service that delivers fresh, high-quality bouquets to your giftee as often as once a week. These breathtaking bouquets are simple gifts that make a big impact, brightening your loved ones’ homes and offices for months to come.

The Basics Of BloomsyBox

Generally speaking, BloomsyBox operates like most other floral delivery services. You can opt to send a single bouquet in whatever size and floral combination you prefer. But BloomsyBox’s bread and butter is its unique, hand-picked subscription service. 

Subscription services are separated into weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly plans. BloomsyBox offers three versions of its monthly bouquets: Original, Deluxe, and Premium (each version larger and more elaborate than the last), in addition to its weekly and bi-weekly plans. 

Bloomsy Original Monthly Subscription

Per Month: $44.99 Shop Now at BloomsyBox

• A fresh-cut, unique arrangement delivered monthly.
• Includes 22-24 stems per bouquet.

It also offers unique subscriptions like The NYBG Subscription (inspired by the New York Botanical Garden), a rose-only package, houseplants, eucalyptus, and pet-friendly flowers—something I particularly loved as a cat mom whose fur children love to get into the bouquets on the counter. 

Shipping is as quick as two days, and BloomsyBox schedules all following deliveries according to your initial delivery date. You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time. You can also pay month-to-month or in three, six, and 12-month increments.

What Makes BloomsyBox Better

I’ve ordered flowers from countless websites before, but none had a selection like BloomsyBox. The variety in stems blew me away, from classic roses, lilies, and tulips to more unique picks like Scottish thistle, stunning Heliconias, and rustic red fern. Plus, BloomsyBox designs a new hand-cut bouquet each week or month of your delivery. 

BloomsyBox’s prices range from around $40 to $120, which is comparable to most major (and reliable) floral retailers. Except with BloomsyBox, these flowers are shipped from the farms where they’re picked. Only two to five days after the stems are cut, the blooms will arrive on your doorstep in a stunning arrangement.

Moreover, BloomsyBox delivers many of its flowers in bud form, allowing you (or your giftee) to watch them bloom before your eyes. Watching the red roses of my selected bouquet open their petals surrounded by long-lasting calla lilies made for such a lovely experience. Plus, this bouquet lasted longer than any previous grocery store or other major retailer’s bouquet I’ve had on my counter. 

On top of this, BloomsyBox’s bouquets are sourced primarily from Rainforest Alliance-certified farms, making it one of the only direct-to-consumer florists so deeply dedicated to sustainability.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

BloomsyBox takes the guesswork out of gift-giving entirely. Its florists create stunning arrangements for your loved ones so that your only job is to set up the subscription. After that, BloomsyBox does the rest.

There’s a reason the floral industry is worth billions of dollars—as simple as these gifts may seem, we love them. We love lighting our living spaces with vibrant blooms or (not so) subtly showing off a new bouquet at the office. And with BloomsyBox, you get to deliver that joyful feeling year-round. 

A BloomsyBox subscription service is a fantastic way to give your loved ones a sentimental, thoughtful present without repeating any DIY projects or baked goods bundles. Because BloomsyBox never sends the same bouquet twice, this long-lasting present will never get stale. As the seasons change, so will your giftee’s blooms. 

The only thing that won’t change is the excitement they feel with each new BloomsyBox delivery. Don’t settle for the best gift of the holiday season. Choose a gift that your loved ones will appreciate all year with BloomsyBox’s unique, gorgeous bouquets.

Stacy London has always been in the business of making women feel their best. From her decade as a co-host of What Not To Wear to becoming CEO of State of Menopause, an online marketplace and community celebrating women in midlife and beyond, London has sought to empower and inspire. 

But now, the 53-year-old entrepreneur is changing how she makes that happen. While her goals to positively influence the way people feel about themselves remain the same (she called it being a “self-esteemist” in our October interview with London), her approach will be different.

‘My Interest Lies In Connecting Us’

London shared the news on a recent Instagram post, writing in the caption that “it has been my honor and privilege to be the CEO of this company for two years, and I believe together we have truly changed the narrative around menopause.”

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“The truth is that my interest lies in connecting us, in collaborating, in amplifying all the voices in this space,” London continued. “Product has not held the same interest for me personally. I love being brand agnostic! I feel confident there are companies that will easily fill the void of [State of Menopause] products.”

London was vague about why she was giving up her CEO gig and what was next. But in our aforementioned interview, London described unsuccessfully trying to sell a reality show about midlife transitions that would be similar in some ways to What Not To Wear. Let’s hope the networks are finally wising up.

The State Of Menopause Going Forward

Whether it’s a show, another brand, or something else, London was clear that she’ll continue to be in the trenches working on menopause awareness.

“[Menopause] is still a very stigmatized topic, very problematic, whether it’s a medical issue or a life transition,” London said in her video. “There’s a lot of complication and confusion around it that I really think can be solved with more communication and bigger communities and, certainly, most importantly, education.”

As for the State of Menopause brand? London says that the marketplace would honor all orders made through November 30th, but after that, the products will no longer be available. While London doesn’t reveal exactly what her plans are, it sounds like she’ll be improving the future state of menopause in one way or another.

View this post on Instagram

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“I will be out there advocating for everyone in terms of this issue, in terms of service available to you, in terms of products available to you. This is not an ending. Well, it is an ending,” London smiles. “It’s like menopause. It’s an evolution…a transformation. And it is the next thing that is coming for me.”

London ends her video with another round of thanks and a plea to investors to continue supporting companies around menopause and midlife. “We need you,” she implores. “This is a huge population of people with real questions that need to be answered both through clinical research and lots and lots of education.”

Knowing London’s track record, we can’t wait to find out what’s in store for her, and in turn for the midlife community.

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The holidays are fast approaching, which means many of us will be catching up on appointments, obligations, and (hopefully) some much-needed rest in the next few weeks. If non-invasive cosmetic work like laser or light therapy is on your docket this holiday break, then you need to check out SkinCeuticals’ comprehensive Post-Procedure Set. 

Even minimally invasive procedures can leave the skin tender and more prone to external damage. SkinCeuticals, a brand known for its focus on skin science, designed this high-quality skincare set specifically to help aid skin recovery using potent blends of antioxidants, botanical extracts, and mineral barrier protection. 

SkinCeuticals’ Post-Procedure Set includes their antioxidant serum, calming face mask, and broad-spectrum sunscreen which offer extra protection as your skin rejuvenates and heals. You can purchase each item separately or save $40 when buying all three as part of the set.

Step 1: Antioxidant-Rich Serum

The first step of SkinCeuticals’ Post-Procedure regimen is its C E Ferulic Serum. The name comes from its powerful trio of antioxidants: 15% pure vitamin C, 1% Vitamin E, and 0.5% ferulic acid. 

C E Ferulic® with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid

$169 Shop Now at SkinCeuticals

This combination protects against environmental damage caused by free radicals that can contribute to premature lines, wrinkles, sagging, and discoloration. The serum defends the skin against UVA/UVB rays, ozone pollution, and diesel engine exhaust by up to 41%. This protection is particularly helpful for vulnerable post-procedure skin. 

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The C E Ferulic Serum stays active on your skin for up to 72 hours, which means your dollars go even further with this heavy-hitting product. It’s also paraben-free and suitable for all skin types.

Step 2: Mineral Barrier Protection

No skincare regimen is complete without sunscreen, but not all brands are as kind to post-procedure skin as this one. The Physical UV Defense SPF 30 sunscreen was formulated for highly sensitive or very dry skin, combining barrier repair and broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection into one high-quality product. 

Physical UV Defense SPF 30

$36 Shop Now at SkinCeuticals

Physical UV Defense SPF 30 contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, providing all-day hydration. The formula also contains artemia salina, a plankton extract for extra photoprotection, plus UV and heat stress resistance. This paraben- and fragrance-free sunscreen is ideal for daily use.

Step 3: Botanicals And Moisturizers

Finally, SkinCeuticals’ Phyto Corrective Masque contains a highly concentrated blend of botanical extracts (cucumber, thyme, and olive), dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid. The ultra-moisturizing formula soothes the skin, cooling on contact and restoring natural radiance and smoothness. 

Phyto Corrective Masque

$60 Shop Now at SkinCeuticals

The Phyto Corrective Masque has been tested post-procedure to reduce visual redness and discomfort. But its intense moisturizing power makes this mask a great addition to your skincare routine year-round, particularly after workouts, sun exposure, or other exposure to high temperatures. 

In the evening, generously apply the Phyto Corrective Masque to the face, chest, or neck. The mask can be used as either a leave-on or rinse-off treatment. Alternatively, you can use the Phyto Corrective Masque as an ultra-soothing overnight facial treatment.

Post-Procedure Or Preventative Upkeep

While the SkinCeuticals set was designed for sensitive, post-procedure skin, these products can be used anytime you want extra protection for your skin. This could be after a sunburn (looking at you, over-eager-beach-days over the holiday break), an increase in inflammation, or exposure to other environmental stressors. 

One happy SkinCeuticals reviewer wrote that after using the products for years, they’ve found “it really does work wonders. I use on my face, neck, and chest several times a week. It heals and prevents scarring from occasional breakouts. Keeps skin tone even, and I thought I’d have more wrinkles at 57.”

Skinceuticals Post-Procedure Set

$225 Shop Now at Skinceuticals

(A $265 value)

Another user commented on the Phyto Masque specifically, stating, “I put it on before bed and wake up, and my frown line between my brows magically irons away. I’m so happy with the results of this product I just purchased my second jar.”

SkinCeuticals provides dermatologist-approved skincare with high-quality, clinically tested formulas. Whether you’re recovering from a holiday laser treatment, a winter vacation sunburn, or have naturally sensitive skin, the SkinCeuticals Post-Procedure Set can speed healing and restore your skin’s natural glow, moisture, and radiance.

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When it comes to holiday gift-giving, I’m a huge fan of all things sentimental. If I can get my giftees to cry a happy tear or two, I’d consider my job well done.

Plus, not only are sentimental gifts something your loved one can cherish for years ahead, but it also lets them know how much time and effort you put into planning their present. 

With so much of our lives uploaded and saved solely to the digital world, printed photographs have become somewhat of a rarity in our daily lives. A beautiful, high-quality print that your loved one can display in their home is a nostalgic, thoughtful gift that is sure to bring a smile to their face day after day.

Fracture lets you gift your loved ones stunning photographs using a sleek, modern technique: glass printing. And thanks to its exclusive discount for Suggest readers, SUGGEST20, you can get 20% off your first order.

How Fracture Works

Fracture takes your most beloved photographs and turns them into beautiful glass prints, which it can even arrange into a gallery wall (more on that later).

Each Fracture print starts as a piece of durable, blank glass cut and hand-prepared to order. Color and white ink are sprayed directly onto the glass. Then, Fracture uses a special UV curing process to bring your photograph to life.

Ordering a Fracture print is incredibly simple. You choose the shape and size of your print. Keep it small and compact with Fracture’s 5” x 5” small print, or make a massive statement with its 28.8” x 21.6” extra-large print. Additionally, you can opt for an original reflective finish or a matte, non-glare finish.

Fracture Glass Print

Starting At $25 Create Your Fracture Print

Enter promo code SUGGEST20 to receive 20% off your first order.

After you upload your photograph, Fracture does the rest. Its small prints start at an affordable $25, and its largest, most expensive print doesn’t pass the $180 mark.

The entire creation process takes about 15 minutes tops. And because Fracture makes each print to order in the US, shipping is incredibly fast. It took about one week for my custom print to arrive at my house after I ordered it online. 

Speaking of shipping, the secure packaging Fracture sends its prints in was highly impressive. A UPS mix-up sent my print to the vacant house next door, and I watched the box sit in the elements all weekend (the wind even knocked it over).

Once I finally realized it was mine, I was sure my glass print would be shattered. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that, despite its weekend in the cold rain and wind, my print was in pristine condition.

What Sets Fracture Apart

Unlike traditional prints, Fracture’s prints are ready to mount straight out of the box. These prints don’t need any bulky frames or matting.

It’s as if you printed and taped a photo directly to the wall, except that with Fracture, the print is a thick, durable plane of glass—around ¼” thick with Fracture’s lightweight, protective backing.

Fracture also offers unique, custom-made photo walls that let you turn any room of your house into a high-quality gallery.

Simply choose a gallery wall layout, upload your photos, and Fracture will deliver a ready-to-hang photo wall for as little as $120. That means no more scouring the internet for coordinating frames or uncommon print sizes.

Kingsman Photo Wall

Starting At $120 Create Your Custom Gallery Wall

Enter promo code SUGGEST20 to receive 20% off your first order.

But most importantly, Fracture’s prints are distinctly beautiful. The vibrant, edge-to-edge color makes your memories pop out of their glass panes. From family portraits to stunning vacay shots and everything in between, Fracture prints bring unmatched color, love, and life to your home.

The Perfect Holiday Gift

My first Fracture order was a “treat yourself” purchase.

I ordered a 10.8” x 14.4” print (the classic size) of one of my favorite wedding photographs. It’s a shot of my husband and I beaming under a tunnel of sparklers held up by our closest friends and family, and the way the twinkling lights of the nighttime shot sparkle on the glass blew me away. 

However, you don’t just have to treat yourself to Fracture (although I highly recommend it). These gorgeous glass prints make the perfect holiday gift for parents, siblings, partners, best friends—you name it.

Because Fracture uses digital uploads, finding the perfect image can be as simple as scrolling through your camera roll or your giftee’s Facebook page. 

A Fracture glass print is more unique and modern than a traditional framed photo, and it’s more put-together and durable than a loose film print.

Don’t settle for second best this holiday season. Gift your loved ones something they’ll enjoy year-round for many, many years to come.

And while causing your loved ones to cry a happy tear or two is technically priceless, Fracture wants to make sure your dollar goes further by offering Suggest readers an exclusive discount code. Use SUGGEST20 to get 20% off your first Fracture purchase, and sit back and enjoy your loved ones’ reactions to their thoughtful, timeless gift.

When it comes to the Rolls-Royce of skincare, Augustinus Bader is hard to beat. Found on the vanities of just about every A-list celebrity out there (including Jennifer Aniston, Victoria Beckham, and Naomi Campbell, to name a few), this luxury skincare brand has earned a reputation for essentially being magic in a bottle.

Thanks to the incredible research conducted by Professor Augustinus Bader, a biomedical scientist with a focus on stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, AB’s flagship products feature their patented TFC8® (aka Trigger Factor Complex) technology. This key combination of ingredients helps to guide the cells in our skin and hair for optimal renewal. From wrinkles to hyperpigmentation to brittle strands, Augustinus Bader’s products are designed to heal, nourish, and protect.

Sometimes you really get what you pay for, and luckily there hasn’t been a better time to try (or gift) these revolutionary products. Just in time for the holiday season, Augustinus Bader has curated their best-selling products in both trial and full-sized gift sets. Cheaper than buying a la carte, these fan-favorite collections are sure to become a new favorite for you or a loved one.

The AB Trial Edit

Shop Now at Augustinus Bader

The Augustinus Bader Trial Edit is the perfect collection for those new to the world of AB products. And if you don’t know your giftee’s preferred beauty routine, this set is also a wonderful way to give them multiple skincare options without a huge commitment. 

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The AB Trial Edit contains the Cream Cleansing Gel, a hard-working (but gentle) cleanser that removes dirt and impurities without stripping the skin. The Essence is AB’s toner, which purifies, exfoliates, and shrinks the appearance of pores to reveal smoother, softer, and more vibrant skin.

The AB Trial Edit also features The Eye Cream, a potent formula that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, under-eye puffiness, and dark circles. But the real star of this set is The Rich Cream, AB’s cult-favorite product that is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. 

The AB Trial Edit costs $270 but is a $442 value, which means you can get one for both you and your loved one for close to the retail price of one.

The Hand & Lip Kit

Shop Now at Augustinus Bader

The Hand & Lip Kit is a fantastic option for giftees who are already pretty set in their skincare routine but would enjoy trying a few luxury products on top of it. Plus, what better time to moisturize our hands and lips than in the wintertime, a.k.a. chapped lips and dry hand season?

The Hand & Lip Kit features a deeply moisturizing Hand Treatment that leaves hands feeling soft, supple, and hydrated. It’s the perfect protective barrier against cold, pollution, and other environmental stressors. The Lip Balm provides the same intense moisture, leaving lips appearing plumper, smoother, and more supple.

RELATED: Jennifer Aniston And Sandra Oh Swear By This Moisturizer That Shoppers Say Created ‘Permanent Changes’ To Their Skin

This kit also features both The Cream and The Rich Cream, so your giftees (or you) can decide which level of moisture you prefer. Both creams come in a sachet, which is the perfect trial size to find your ideal AB moisturizer. And, of course, the whole kit is wrapped up in a sleek, royal blue Augustinus Bader zip bag.

Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum Sample Set

Shop Now at Augustinus Bader

Finally, give the gift that keeps on giving with Victoria Beckham by Augustinus Bader’s Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum Sample Set. The Power Serum is a potent 360º treatment that addresses the appearance of past skin damage and strengthens the skin’s barrier to prevent future damage.

It also defends against the effects of digital blue light damage (hi, phone, computer, and tablet screens), indoor and outdoor pollution, and environmental stress. The serum reduces the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles and provides a vibrant, healthy glow. And thanks to the convenient set of six sample sizes, you can either gift someone the whole set or split it up amongst multiple friends—and yourself.

One hundred percent of Power Serum users analyzed saw a significant improvement in their skin’s barrier function after just one use. The holidays can be stressful, but with this heavy-hitting serum, you can at least look like you’re cool, calm, and collected. 

Augustinus Bader’s gift set collection also includes hair treatments, full-size products, and more. So, this year, treat yourself—and your loved ones—to rich, luxurious beauty products that make you feel like royalty without spending like one.

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Despite many skincare brands touting positivity and inclusivity, navigating the skincare world can often feel like you’re on a bumpy, nameless road without a map. Those with directions are either too elusive or expensive to offer any real directional help. So you remain stuck in the dark, trying to find what works best for your skin and your budget. 

Fig.1 Beauty wants to change that. Made up of board-certified dermatologists, cosmetic chemists, estheticians, and entrepreneurs, the Fig.1 Beauty community seeks to demystify and democratize skincare, making skin health achievable for everyone. (And they do mean everyone—not just A-list celebs and the wealthy.)

From free consultations to eco-friendly, refillable products, Fig.1 Beauty is working hard to change the skincare world for the better.

First Up: Free Consultations

One of the first things that caught our eye about Fig.1 Beauty was its free consultation offering. Unlike other in-office consultations that can cost upwards of $150, Fig.1 Beauty’s consultation is completely free and online, making it easy to figure out the best products for your regimen without ever leaving your home. 

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Simply answer a few basic questions about your age, skin concerns, and current skincare routine. A Fig.1 esthetician will then use this data to create a custom routine that preserves as many of your current products as possible in an effort to reduce waste—because sometimes you only need a few new products, not an entirely new routine.

Online consultations are a great way to learn more about your skin and Fig.1’s products. But you can also navigate their inventory via categories that focus on specific skin traits such as acne-prone, balanced, dry, mature, oily, pregnant, and sensitive. Here are some of our favorite Fig.1 products for mature skin.

Niacinamide Treatment

$34 Shop Now at Fig.1 Beauty

Fig.1’s powerful niacinamide treatment is like a spa-day in a bottle. The formula, packed with restorative ions and B vitamins, is designed to soothe stressed, red skin and brighten the complexion, aiding in a more even skin tone.

Other notable ingredients include postbiotic ferments, which nourish skin and support a balanced microbiome that is important for keeping skin glowing and youthful. The combination of copper, magnesium, and zinc all help the skin heal, helping cell turnover and skin renewal for a fresh complexion.

Glycolic Glow Treatment

$34 Shop Now at Fig.1 Beauty

While niacinamide revitalizes the skin from the inside out, glycolic acid does the same from the outside in. Glycolic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane. It gently exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells to reveal a happy, glowing complexion.

In addition to 4% glycolic acid, Fig.1’s Glycolic Glow Treatment contains PHAs and ultra-hydrating squalane to prevent the redness or irritation that can often occur with exfoliation. The formula is a milky emulsion that has been dermatologist- and allergy-tested on all skin tones and types. This is an excellent option for those with sensitive skin who still want to exfoliate or for exfoliating pros looking for a new, gentler alternative.

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Retinol Night Cream No. 1

$42 Shop Now at Fig.1 Beauty

The rejuvenating effects of retinol have long been praised and for good reason. However, retinol can also be abrasive if used incorrectly or on sensitive skin. Fig.1’s Retinol Night Cream No. 1 utilizes the restorative power of retinol and bioactive peptides to support collagen production, thereby reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

To avoid any negative side effects, Fig.1 prides itself on being totally transparent about the slow-release encapsulation process, their clinical trials, and the amount of retinol in its products (this one contains 0.15%). Fig.1 also has two other retinol products, each with higher levels of retinol, so you can find the one that suits you best without facing the irritated, red-faced consequences.

Fig.1’s Eco-Friendly Promise

The end result is important, but so is the packaging and manufacturing process. Fig.1 has dedicated itself to creating skincare that’s good for us and the planet. One such effort involves offering refillable cartridges you can use with your original glass bottle packaging. 

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We’ve never seen a beauty brand like Fig.1 before—specifically, one dedicated to making skincare more accessible rather than exclusive. Every product is clinically tested to be highly effective, yet Fig.1 keeps their prices reasonably affordable. As stated on its website, Fig.1 makes “high-performance skincare at value pricing.”

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When the iconic ‘Rachel’ haircut worn by Jennifer Aniston first debuted on Friends in 1994, no one knew what to do with themselves. The choppy, layered ‘do effectively took over the world—at least, the haircare world. Celebs and TV fans all flocked to their hairdressers, looking to achieve the same bouncy, girl-next-door-chic hairstyle. 

But Jennifer Aniston? Well, she was far less of a fan. The actress has told numerous news outlets that she found the iconic cut “cringey,” “horrible,” and “high maintenance.” When asked on the Kyle and Jackie O Show if she would rather wear the Rachel for the rest of her life or shave her head once, the star quickly opted for the latter. 

And unless you have a hairstylist like Chris McMillan (who Aniston said she needed “attached to the hip” just to achieve the look herself), a high-maintenance cut like the Rachel probably isn’t a feasible option. 

Luckily, we can keep the Rachel back in 1994 because its cousin, the” butterfly cut,” is here to stay—and she’s more versatile, wearable, and chic.

Meet The Butterfly Cut

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A post shared by Ashlee Norman (@ashleenormanhair)

According to L’Oreal’s Hair.com, the butterfly cut was first coined by celebrity stylist Sunnie Brook. The butterfly cut features lots of feathery layers, with the shortest falling about two to three inches below the chin. The longer layers, on the other hand, typically fall just below the shoulder. 

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Brook told Hair.com that the varied layers allow its wearer to switch between long and short hairstyles. That way, Brook says, you can experiment with shorter styles like bobs and shags without fully committing to chopping all your hair off. These layers typically look best on wavy or curly hair because the hair’s pattern naturally disguises the edges of the layers. 

That’s part of what made the Rachel such a headache, explained McMillan to The Telegraph in 2016. “It was an easy cut, but it needed regular trims to keep the layers looking sharp.” With the butterfly cut, the layers have room to grow out without changing the overall look.

Is The Butterfly Cut Right For You?

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A post shared by TORONTO & OAKVILLE RAZOR HAIRCUTS, SHAGS (@linadoeshair)

It’s important to remember that the butterfly cut is low maintenance, not no maintenance. Ideally, the 1970s-esque feathered look would add movement, shape, and body to most hair types. But the look might not translate well with tightly coiled or very fine hair. Cowlicks could also pose a problem with the way the layers settle. 

So it’s important to talk to your hairdresser before committing to a chop. If they respond to your request for a butterfly cut with a quizzical expression (not everyone’s on TikTok, okay?), you can also tell them you’d like short, wispy layers at the crown and around your face. A good hairdresser should be able to layer the rest of your locks from there. 

And luckily, if your hair turns out to be a good candidate for this type of cut, styling can be as simple as adding texturizing spray (Julia Roberts and lots of Suggest readers love this volumizing spray from Serge Norman), tousling your locks, and voila. You’ll have bouncy, voluminous hair with feathery wisps that almost look like butterfly wings. It’s no Rachel, but after hearing Jen’s take on that, maybe that’s a good thing.

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Bloodshot eyes, puffy lips, glistening cheeks—crying gives us a distinct look that, for most of us, would not be one we want to show off to the general public. But according to the wellspring of information that is TikTok, “crying makeup” is one of the latest, hottest makeup trends. 

The name essentially speaks for itself; this makeup look is all about achieving that fresh-from-a-cry-sesh face. While straightforward in theory, the trend poses a few underlying concerns that are far more complex. Does this look romanticize poor mental health? Is it deceitful? Or is this all just one big overreaction?

We got our tissues and dove deeper into the issue, breaking down the origins of this trend and its possible benefits and pitfalls.

Breaking Down The Teary-Eyed Trend

“This one is for the unstable girlies,” began @ZoeKimKenealy on TikTok. “If you’re not in the mood to cry, here’s how to get the look with makeup.” Kenealy outlined how she achieved her perfectly pouty look, including puffy soft lips, pink eyes and cheeks, glistening lash lines, and wet Cupid’s bow.

While this look is certainly distinct, it’s not quite as original as Gen Z might like to think. But we’ll forgive them, of course, because they also thought skorts were invented last year. However, we’ve seen this heavy-eyed look before.

Fiona Apple, Mazzy Star, and even nihilistic cartoons like Daria—these pop culture icons of the late ’90s made it cool to be crabby. This look, which i-D writer Rayne Fisher-Quann aptly dubbed the “dissociative pout,” has been around for decades.

Just think back to the exaggerated “sad” eyebrows of the 1920s or the dead-eyed gaze of 1960s couture. So what makes this so particularly concerning to some and empowering to others in 2022?

Performative Cosmetics?

As Kenealy explained to The Guardian, the reactions to this makeup trend have been divisive. While some commenters eagerly asked about products and shades to replicate the look, other spectators weren’t as impressed.

“People—mostly men—have been commenting ‘Amber Heard’ on my video,” Kenealy said. Those commenters are referring to a widespread belief, held mostly by Johnny Depp fans online, that his ex-wife, Amber Heard, was fake-crying on the stand about Depp’s alleged abuse. They, in turn, are accusing Kenealy of doing the same.

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Moreover, there’s the argument that makeup looks like these only serve to romanticize poor mental health. Dissociation, anxiety, and depression have all been co-opted by the greater online community as being trendy. “We’re all traumatized,” these trends seem to shout, “and you have to be, too, to fit in with us.”

Of course, that argument could be countered with the benefits of erasing stigma. By bringing these mental health topics into the collective zeitgeist, it can (ideally) be easier for those suffering from these issues to seek help. It provides a sense of community, turning the messaging into, “We’re all traumatized, and there’s nothing to be ashamed about.”

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A post shared by k h a r (@kharisma.ptrr)

A Pushback On The Patriarchy?

Indeed, some writers are quick to point out that this type of communal acknowledgment is a fundamental pillar of these “emotional” makeup trends. Fredrika Thelandersson, author of 21st Century Media and Female Mental Health, studies online cultures and communities, particularly through the lens of the female experience.

Thelandersson argued that while the makeup might be performative, it’s still serving the purpose of connecting others through similar experiences. “That’s a sort of belonging,” she told The Guardian. “You can make fun of that as much as you want, but it’s still kind of hopeful in a way.”

And as stated earlier, this really isn’t a groundbreaking trend. It conjures up lyrics from Fiona Apple (“Me and everybody’s on the sad, same team, and you can hear our sad brains screaming”) and Garbage (“I’m only happy when it rains, pour your misery down on me”). And according to artist Audrey Wollen, a woman marinating in her own sadness can actually be a form of protest. 

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Wollen, who coined the term “Sad Girl Theory,” argued to Nylon that “the sadness of girls should be witnessed and re-historicized as an act of resistance, of political protest … Girls’ sadness isn’t quiet, weak, shameful, or dumb: It is active, autonomous, and articulate. It’s a way of fighting back.”

It’s Your Party, You Can Cry If You Want To

While some might call this look performative, isn’t that all makeup to a degree? We use makeup to outwardly express our personalities and attitudes. We use white eyeliner and mascara to look (read: perform) like we’re more awake even if we’re dead tired. 

@ecemcelenli Credit @zoekimkenealy 🥀 Crying Makeup aka Pretty when You Cry Makeup 🥲 #makeuptutorial #StemDrop001 #makeup #easymakeup #beginnermakeuptutorial ♬ Pretty When You Cry – Lana Del Rey

And if sadness is the attitude you want to lean into, then who’s to say you shouldn’t? All beauty trends, from simple no-makeup looks to full-on glam and everything in between, are superfluous in nature. We don’t need any of them, period. But we choose to use and wear what we like—and most of the time, those choices are cyclical and predictable. 

And furthermore, in a society where women are vilified for showing negative emotions and constantly told to smile, leaning into the exact opposite is kind of punk rock. Misogynistic naysayers, the likes of whom compared Kenealy to Amber Heard, would likely find any reason to condemn their female counterparts. Crying makeup is just the latest object of derision. 

To cry or not cry: That’s the million-dollar question. Whether you want to give a teary-eyed middle finger to the patriarchy or you like how you look rosy-nosed and glistening, the look seems harmless enough to us. Is it understandable? Er, kinda, though we won’t be rocking the look ourselves anytime soon.

Still, the trend is benign just the same. If you disagree, you could always cry about it.

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Two years ago, when we were deep in the throes of a global lockdown, the kitchen was my happy place. I made countless loaves of banana bread (seriously, why so much?!) and created unique, nutritious meals for my husband and me every night. 

Now? I’m lucky if I make it to the grocery store to replace the stale produce and bread wasting away in our fridge. Life is way too hectic to spend four hours experimenting in the kitchen, so we’re back to takeout and cheap, quick meals most nights. 

It wasn’t until I noticed I was getting frustrated at myself for my lack of meal variety—or bandwidth to cook at all—that I realized how much my diet benefitted from all that free lockdown time. I missed that variety of flavors, veggies, and cuisines.

Still, wistful thinking won’t create more free time for cooking (and grocery shopping). So, I started looking for solutions. And along the way, I found MagicKitchen.com.

How MagicKitchen.Com Differs From Other Delivery Services

Unlike other meal subscription services, MagicKitchen.com’s meals are made fully assembled and frozen fresh for maximum convenience and flavor. MagicKitchen.com’s owner, Greg Miller, and his partner and dietitian, Michelle Tayler, sought to bring restaurant-quality meals to even the busiest families, and that’s exactly what this tasty meal service does.

The service has a wide variety of delicious, convenient meals to choose from and uses organic fruits and vegetables, hormone-free chicken, and grass-fed beef whenever possible. It offers an auto-ship meal program that delivers your meals weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. You can either select your meals or let MagicKitchen.com curate your cuisine for you.

Alternatively, you can order a la carte if you know you’ll only need a handful of meals. Or, you can buy in bulk with MagicKitchen.com’s meal bundles, which include eight servings with or without dessert.

Prices vary depending on the meals you select, with most complete meals (entree and one to two sides) ranging from $13 to $20. A la carte options and gourmet meal bundles can get a little pricier, but the meal quality matches the price hike—beef wellington, for example, is $60 for two servings. You can save even more money by utilizing MagicKitchen.com’s flex discount program. 

Moreover, MagicKitchen.com’s ability to cater to a vast array of diets sets it apart from the competition. You can opt for senior, portion-controlled, diabetic-friendly, dairy-free, low sodium, low carb, low fat, renal diet, dialysis-friendly, gluten-free, and vegetarian meals. Whatever your tastes are, MagicKitchen.com can find a way to satisfy them.

I Was Impressed With MagicKitchen.Com’s Meal Variety

As I started to look through MagicKitchen.com’s menu, I was thrilled to find so many vegetarian options. (Usually, we’re relegated to tomato-based pasta and maybe one other entree if we’re lucky.) From vegetable caponata to pizza to pesto tortellini, MagicKitchen.com’s veggie-based options were some of the most varied I’ve seen in meal subscription services.

(For you non-veg-heads, they also have an amazing array of meat-based dishes too. Some include beef brisket, chicken cordon bleu, crab cakes, flame-broiled cheeseburgers, and more.)

I selected two meals: the vegetable caponata and the protein pasta a la vodka with zucchini. My meals arrived quickly, still frozen, thanks to a few packages of dry ice. The slim packaging made it easy to organize my meals in the freezer without taking up a bunch of space (looking at you, grocery store box dinners).

Not Your Ordinary Frozen Dinners

MagicKitchen.com offers instructions for cooking its meals in the microwave and a conventional oven, and I chose the latter since I don’t have a microwave. The instructions stated I didn’t need to puncture or remove the plastic film over the food, which left me a little skeptical, but I did it anyway. 

Surprisingly, the plastic didn’t get droopy or fall onto the food while it was cooking. It took my oven a few minutes longer to get the meals to the right internal temperature, but once the meals were good and hot, I was happy to find the film lifted easily off the package, so there was no awkward wrestling with a still-hot food tray.

As a fan of very spicy and salty foods, I must say I added a few of my own seasonings to my otherwise tasty meals. But even without the additions from my spice rack, the meals were true to their description, generously portioned, and an absolute breeze to make. Plus, the neutral flavor is a great starting point for those who prefer things less bold.

The caponata with orzo was full of tasty veggies and firm pasta, and the portion was so big that I ended up saving some for later. My favorite of the two was the protein pasta—who knew I would like pea pasta so much? Certainly not me. It was cheesy, creamy, and the spiral noodles were just the right texture.

The Benefits Of MagicKitchen.Com Go Beyond Easy, Delicious Meals

My work day doesn’t finish until around 6 pm, and my husband and I usually eat dinner around 7 or 8 pm. So, for me, the biggest benefit of MagicKitchen.com was the time I saved to relax, decompress, and socialize without having to go straight into food prep mode from the office.

But MagicKitchen.com saves more than just time. This meal service is a fantastic option for seniors who might not have the same mobility around the kitchen as they once did. It’s also a great way for dialysis or other medical patients to follow a new diet without the headache of buying (and learning how to prepare) all new foods.

Additionally, a MagicKitchen.com meal bundle is a great gift for college students, new homeowners, or someone in your life who is always on the go (including yourself). You can select bundles by theme, including meat lovers, kid-friendly, comfort foods, customer favorites, and more. 

There are plenty of reasons to prioritize convenience, nutrition, and flavor in your life. But there aren’t a lot of meal services that can actually deliver. MagicKitchen.com goes above and beyond to get restaurant-grade foods sent right to your door.

Because, frankly, we all have enough things to worry about. MagicKitchen.com ensures that your next meal or trip to the grocery store won’t be one of them.

There are many ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month (and day!) this November. It can be as simple as finding out what Native land you’re currently on to something more involved like donating to or taking action for indigenous rights organizations. 

You can spend time educating yourself and your loved ones, attend a local powwow, or take a class to learn a traditional skill.

And there’s another really easy and fun way you can support the indigenous community without ever leaving home: shopping. 

This Native American Heritage Month, consider celebrating the Native community near and far by supporting these incredible indigenous, female-owned businesses.

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1. Kiyani

First on our list is the newly launched Kiyani, founded by Miranda Mullett, a member of the Navajo nation. Her Navajo upbringing influenced her creation of products that are as good for the body as they are for the planet. 

Kiyani’s first product, a luscious body wash features soap berries, wild mint, eucalyptus, tea plant, and aloe, combined to create a refreshing, botanical scent.

Kiyani Body Soap Starter Kit

$30.60 Shop Now at Kiyani

While most commercial soaps are 90% water, Kiyani soaps are concentrated—you add the water, and the suds do the rest. Kiyani also uses recyclable aluminum refills and glass dispensers so that you can enjoy your soap without the extra plastic waste.

From the ingredients to the utility, Kiyani is definitely making a statement, and we’re excited for more products to follow.

2. Biulu Artisan Boutique

Biulu Artisan Boutique is based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was founded by Lydia Morales, who is Huichol and Zapotec Indian. The boutique’s goal is to create sustainable economic opportunities for and sell the work of isolated, displaced, and marginalized indigenous tribes throughout the Americas.

Products include embossed leather bags and stunning, shoulder-skimming beaded earrings in a variety of shapes and colors, from fringe to butterflies to gingerbreads (hello, holiday wear). The boutique also features eye-catching lanyards, scarves and shawls, bags, and home decor. Each piece boasts vibrant colors, unique designs, and expert craftsmanship.

3. Naokah Designs

For a slightly more casual shopping experience, look no further than Northern Lights Designs’ shop on Etsy. The shop’s name, Naokah Lights, refers to the word for the Aurora Borealis in Sahtuót’įnę Gokedé, the language of a Northwestern indigenous territory in Canada.

Community Is Resistance T-Shirt

$22.83 Shop Now at Etsy

The shop offers a wide range of tees and hoodies, from powerful messages supporting indigenous communities to seasonal and holiday designs. Whether you’re boasting your indigenous pride or your commitment to being an ally, this small shop of Sahtú, Tłı̨chǫ, and English Dene has something for everyone.

4. Sage And Oats

Sage and Oats is a Native-owned, multicultural shopping experience in Helena, Montana. But luckily, you don’t need a ticket to big sky country to enjoy the fantastic wares Sage and Oats has to offer. Owners Major and Michelle run a comprehensive Etsy shop featuring houseware, food, games, and more.

What better way to celebrate Native American Heritage Month than with an authentic indigenous feast? Sage & Oats offers a wide range of authentic meal mixings, including corn pinole, fry-bread mix, and authentic Native coffee. Additionally, the shop features toys for kids, wooden flutes, games, books, and more.

5. Shawl Lady

As her shop name implies, Minneapolis-based Chholing Taha, a member of the Cree nation, is a whiz when it comes to making shawls and knits. From a breathtaking Spirit Pony ceremonial shawl to cozy knits for the winter, ShawlLadyDotCom Etsy shop features high-quality items made with love from home.

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That includes a stunning collection of fine art prints with botanical themes. She offers both original and economy prints as well as greeting cards to send to loved ones (or to collect for yourself). All artwork featured in her shop is designed and created start to finish by Taha with no imported goods.

6. Bella Coola Candle Co

And finally, the chilly winter months are the perfect time to enjoy the cozy scents of Bella Coola Candle Company’s artisanal soy candles. The Bella Coola, a Canada-based company, is Secwépemc and Euro-Canadian-owned and offers a vast array of candles.

From seasonal Mulled Wine and Bayberry + Fir candles to whimsical varieties like Flower Child and Unicorn Farts, Bella Coola Candle Co. has something to suit everyone’s tastes. These high-quality candles make excellent gifts for your loved ones—or yourself for a much-needed self-care moment.

So, no matter which Native land you find yourself on this Native American Heritage Month (I’m on Osage, Chickasaw, Yuchi, and Shawnee), you can celebrate, uplift, and empower members of the indigenous community with your spending power.

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I love coffee—I’m talking multiple cups a day, every day—but coffee doesn’t always love me back. Every so often, my much-needed caffeine boost in the morning turns into jittery anxiety and stomach pain by the afternoon. Ironically, this only makes it harder to focus and maintain my energy. 

Still, I’m hooked on my morning routine. I prefer the cozy depth of coffee to watery tea, and frankly, no one in my household wants to deal with me quitting caffeine cold turkey, myself included. So, I started looking for solutions that would provide me the energy, flavor, and warmth I craved without java’s not-so-savory side effects. 

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In my search, I found Mocha SuperLatte, a new super-charged mix of coffee, cocoa, spices, and wellness-boosting adaptogens from the Oprah-approved brand Clevr Blends. A customer review on Clevr Blend’s website reads, “it tastes like god created it themselves,” which I thought was a bit dramatic at first glance. But now that I’ve tried it myself, I’m starting to understand their sacred sentiments.

Plus, there hasn’t been a better time to shop. In addition to incredible savings of up to 40% off for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can enjoy The Holiday Starter Kit (frother, scoop, two Latte mixes, and Latte Dust) for only $62 with promo code OPRAH.

The Makings Of The Mocha Superlatte

Clevr Blend’s Mocha SuperLatte is a dissolvable blend of fair trade coffee, cacao, adaptogens from mushrooms and other veggies, spices, MCT oil (healthy fats), and a super creamer combo of coconut and oat milk. Simply add hot water water, stir, and enjoy.

Mocha SuperLatte

Shop Now at Clevr Blends

The Mocha SuperLatte contains about 35 mg of caffeine per serving, around a third of a regular cup of coffee. And as it turns out, this is a Goldilocks-worthy energy level—not so weak that you get sluggish, but not so strong that you get jittery. As the Clevr Blends website describes, it’s a “stable form of energy,” and I have to agree (more on that later). 

Regenerative cacao enhances mood, while powerful adaptogens offer long-term stress support. Finally, lion’s mane mushrooms deliver neuroprotection so that you can be at the top of your game all day long. Let’s see your cup of black coffee try to do that.

The Most Important Part: The Flavor

Nutrition aside, the most important part is obviously the flavor. I’m not typically picky—I’ll drink gas station coffee in a pinch and am fine with taking it black. However, the Mocha SuperLatte surpassed my expectations by a mile.

Don’t let its comprehensive ingredient list fool you. There is no mushroom or veggie taste, just a warm, cozy, and silky-smooth blend of coffee and chocolate flavors. For all intents and purposes, it tasted like a freshly made mocha latte without the cloying sweetness (the blend contains erythritol and monk fruit extract for a subtle sweetness). For someone who loves their coffee more strong than sweet, it was perfect.

I decided to try my Mocha SuperLatte in place of my morning coffee. (I know, I was scared, too.) And much to my delight, I didn’t notice any midmorning slumps, shaky caffeine jitters, or random bouts of anxiety. Considering all the extra nutrition the SuperLatte delivers, the whole package almost seemed too good to be true. 

However, just like the reviewer who said Mocha SuperLatte tasted like it came from the divine, it is actually that good. Does it taste like a sugary sweet frappe? Well, no—but it doesn’t claim to, either. It tastes natural, warm, lightly spiced, chocolatey, and significantly better than my go-to cup(s) of Folgers. 

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The Perfect Gift This Holiday Season

Like I mentioned earlier, if you’re curious to try the Mocha SuperLatte or any of Clevr Blend’s latte mixes, there hasn’t been a better to shop for you or a loved one.

You can score a great deal on The Holiday Starter Kit, which earned a spot in Oprah’s Favorite Things list for two years running.

This bundle includes two latte flavors of your choice, a handy frother, a perfect-portion wooden scoop, and a bottle of Latte Dust, which is a new delicious blend of organic coconut sugar, Himalayan pink salt, fair trade vanilla bean, and direct trade cinnamon.

Use Promo Code OPRAH

The Holiday Starter Kit

Shop Now at Clevr Blends

• Your choice of two lattes: Mocha, Chai, Sleeptime, Golden, Coffee, or Matcha.
• Latte Dust—a spicy sweet latte topper.
• Frother—the easiest way to blend into a creamy treat.
• Scoop—for the perfect portion every time.
• Includes free shipping!

After trying the new Mocha blend, I’m excited to explore Clevr Blend’s other latte options.

The award-winning Chai SuperLatte is described as “a hug in a mug” with a slightly sweet, slightly spicy blend of Masala chai, stress-reducing ashwagandha, and immunity-supporting reishi. Oprah’s personal favorite, the Golden SuperLatte, features a warm, earthy blend of fair trade Turmeric to get its signature color and flavor.

If your morning coffee routine is sacred like mine is for me, then let Clevr Blends’ Mocha SuperLatte elevate it one step further. Enjoy a satisfying blending process, stable energy, and, most importantly, great flavor when you buy your first bag of SuperLatte today.

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We use technology to advance our lives every day—from daily tasks to work to maintaining physical fitness, tech helps us grow and progress. Skincare should certainly be no exception, which is why Swedish brand FOREO has dedicated itself to creating revolutionary, spa-quality skin care tech for at-home use. 

After trying this celeb-loved brand ourselves, we can see why it’s gained such a devoted following. From deep cleansing to rejuvenating microcurrent therapy, FOREO brings the spa to your bathroom for a fraction of the cost. 

There has never been a better time to treat yourself or cross a name off your holiday gift lists with these incredible products. 

LUNA™ 3: An Unparalleled Cleansing Experience

Washcloths—and our hands, for that matter—are covered in thousands of germs, which can spread over our faces when we cleanse. The FOREO LUNA™ 3 eradicates this problem. The velvety soft silicone facial cleansing device is bacteria-resistant and 35x more hygienic than nylon brushes.

But it doesn’t just remove 99.5% of dirt and oil from your skin. It also relaxes facial muscles with low-frequency pulsations, smoothing the appearance of fine lines for a firmer complexion. Additionally, the LUNA™ 3’s silicone touchpoints gently exfoliate dead skin cells while remaining non-abrasive on the skin.

FOREO LUNA 3

Shop Now at FOREO

The LUNA™ 3 offers ultra-deep facial cleansing for acne prevention, exfoliation for brighter skin, and pulsating therapy to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Try to see a plain old washcloth do that.

Bear™: Effortless Facial Fitness

While “facial fitness” might bring flashbacks of ridiculous face exercise VHSes of yore, the FOREO BEAR™ microcurrent facial device is something else entirely. This small, handheld device uses microcurrent technology to energize and firm all 69 muscles of the face and neck. This helps promote smooth, glowy skin and reduce wrinkles.

Just like exercising our bodies can firm and tone our physique, the BEAR’s™ microcurrents kickstart a full-on face workout. (Except this time, there’s no need to make absurd faces at your TV for 45 minutes.) A safe and effective Anti-Shock System™ automatically adjusts the microcurrent intensity to your skin, ensuring just the right amount of microcurrent—and nothing more. 

FOREO BEAR

Shop Now at FOREO

Suggest editor Kristen Phillipkoski recently tried the BEAR™ and saw instant results. “My left eyebrow has been alarmingly higher than my right,” she wrote in her review. “When I used the BEAR™ on my forehead, I strategically did one swipe above my left eyebrow and about four above my right. And by George, I swear my brows look more even.”

UFO™ 2: 5-In-1 Spa Facial

In a perfect world, going to the spa would be affordable, quick, and convenient. But a perfect world, this is not, and that’s where FOREO’s UFO™ 2 comes in. This revolutionary device delivers five high-quality facial treatments in one: thermo-therapy, cryo-therapy, LED light therapy, T-Sonic™ pulsations, and moisture renewal. 

The FOREO UFO™ 2 is a supercharged facial device that offers countless benefits. First, the UFO™ 2 increases skin moisture levels by 126% in just two minutes. T-Sonic™ massage increases microcirculation for glowy skin, while cool cryo-therapy reduces puffiness and fine lines. 

FOREO UFO 2

Shop Now at FOREO

You can create a customized routine or use pre-programmed FOREO treatments to achieve firmer, smoother, brighter-looking skin after just one use—just like our editor Kristen did when she tried out this powerful device herself. “My face felt and looked lifted, and my skin was super soft,” she wrote. “My makeup went on beautifully afterward.”

ISSA™ 3: Complete Oral Care

FOREO isn’t just about skincare—the premium beauty and wellness brand also makes eye and oral care products. One such product is the ISSA™ 3, the world’s first silicone sonic toothbrush (the most significant advance in oral care in 70 years). The unique toothbrush features medical-grade silicone and PBT polymer bristles and a distinct hybrid brush head.

These features make the ISSA™ 3 up to 10,000x more hygienic than regular nylon toothbrushes. It’s powered by Sonic Pulse technology to break up plaque—around 30% more than manual toothbrushes—and gently massage the gums. Sixteen customizable settings ensure you’re getting the best brushing experience possible. 

FOREO ISSA 3

Shop Now at FOREO

Moreover, the ISSA™ 3 lasts a whopping 365 days on one charge—yeah, the whole year. The brush head also lasts up to six months before it needs to be replaced, about twice as long as other toothbrushes. The ISSA™ 3 offers a complete oral care experience, with 95% of users reporting smoother, more polished teeth after the first use.

Find Your Perfect FOREO Treatment

When it comes to skin, eye, and oral care, you get what you pay for. And while you shouldn’t have to settle for low-grade, ineffective products, you shouldn’t have to break the bank with multiple trips to the spa or aesthetician every year either. With FOREO, you’re making a one-time investment for at-home spa treatments that will last you years.

Whether you’re looking to treat hormonal acne, reduce wrinkles, depuff and revive tired eyes, or achieve optimal oral health, FOREO has the perfect solution for your needs.

After one use, you’ll likely be a FOREO convert just like us.

When the pandemic hit, Julie Gordon White, who had been an entrepreneur, author, and business coach for more than 20 years, began spending her time baking sweet treats for her sons. She helped herself to her creations, too … cookies, along with chips, candy, and other members of the junk food group she’s dubbed “The Killer C’s.” White noticed her sugar and salt cravings becoming more intense and insatiable. 

Paired with menopause-related hormone changes, White knew something had to change. And where better to start than where she was already spending so much time—the kitchen. She began experimenting to find the perfect snack: sweet, salty, and if it could mitigate pesky menopause symptoms, all the better. 

That’s how Bossa Bars were born.

Pandemic Pounds Turned To Profit

When it rains, it pours, and that’s how life was feeling for White two years ago. Menopause brought on hot flashes, brain fog, discomfort, food cravings, and weight gain—the last two of which were only exacerbated by, well, everything that was 2020.

“I needed to make a better choice to be healthy,” White told me as we chatted about her new company. 

“I started researching natural ingredients that can help with menopause-like symptoms,” White continued. “That’s when I discovered maca, which is a really amazing natural root. It’s been around for a long time and comes from Peru. It helps balance hormones and blood sugar.”

White knew her perfect snack would need more than maca, which has a nutty, butterscotch-like flavor. So, she added chocolate, plant-based (pea) protein, flaxseed, MCT oil, and almond butter. While not all of her experimental batches were winners at first, she knew she had created something special when her husband and sons started sneaking bars behind her back. 

That’s when she knew she had to share Bossa Bars with her friends—and, with a bit of extra elbow grease, the world.

Bringing Out The Best In Bossa

In addition to providing a tasty, satisfying snack for her and her family, White noticed the extra weight around her middle started to shrink. Her menopause symptoms were not nearly as bad as they once were, and she was beginning to feel more like herself. Using her decades of corporate experience, White assembled a team of friends, coworkers, former students, and mentors to bring Bossa to us (and thank goodness they did). 

Bossa Bars

Shop Now at AmazonShop Now At Bossa Bars

• Amazon: 12-pack Toasted Vanilla Almond.
• Bossa Bars: 4-pack, 12-pack, or 24-pack Double Decadent Chocolate or Toasted Vanilla Almond.
• Use Promo Code SUGGEST10 at bossabars.com to receive 10% off your order.

The heavy-hitting Bossa Bars team took White’s tasty, homemade snack to the next level with organic cacao nibs and mouthwatering Himalayan salt. Chemists and scientists ensured every ingredient worked symbiotically in terms of flavor, texture, sustainability, and shelf life. All the while, White oversaw the manufacturing process to make sure Bossa Bars stayed true to her at-home creations. 

“It was just an idea two years ago,” White said. “And then, seven months later, we were in production and shipping out the first batches.” Because you know who can get things done better than anyone? An uncomfortable, unhappy menopausal woman bound and determined to feel normal again.

The Bossa Trifecta

Bossa Bars currently has two delectable flavors, with more on the horizon. Double Decadent Chocolate and Toasted Vanilla Almond are available right now, with Double Chocolate Brownie available for pre-order now. The company plans on rolling out Blueberry Lemon and Peanut Butter Chocolate in the next year. Every bar is 160 calories, all-natural, and gluten-free. 

But the real magic, White explained, is in its trifecta formula. Bossa Bars contain “the power of maca to help balance blood sugar and hormones and plant-based protein because we need to maintain our muscles because that’s what keeps our metabolism strong and helps with belly fat.”

RELATED: 10 Eye-Opening Tips This OBGYN Wished She Knew Before Perimenopause

“Fiber, because it keeps us full and things moving,” White said. “And that’s what helps us get through these hard sugar cravings and excess weight around [the] middle. While looking good is great, longevity is what it’s all about. That’s why those ingredients are so important. I was really thoughtful [in choosing ingredients] for myself, so I needed to be thoughtful for my friends, too.”

Bring Bossa To You

“That’s how I was able to manage my cravings so much better. I had this choice that was available to me, and I didn’t have to think about it. I just went to it. And it felt great because I knew I was making a choice that was going to make me feel better because it was designed for the stage that I was in. I still eat them every day,” White said.

Midlife is hard enough as it is without decision fatigue, managing cravings, and getting adequate nutrition making it even harder. White wanted to celebrate this stage of life by “honoring the experience and not minimizing the challenges.”

RELATED: No, You Won’t Be Sweaty Forever: Debunking 10 Common Menopause Myths

“I choose to see the positive in this time. We have a new sense of self, wisdom, and a desire to actually be who we authentically are. You actually start to trust yourself. When we listen to our bodies, to ourselves, there’s an empowering message there. That’s our time; you have earned it.” 

Manage your menopausal symptoms, satiate your salt and sugar cravings, and feel better overall with Bossa Bars. You can buy your next batch on Bossa’s website and receive 10% off your order with promo code SUGGEST10 or via Amazon (currently only Toasted Vanilla Almond is available via Amazon).

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Despite the many amazing medical advances in the last century, women’s health is still shrouded in mystery, misogyny, and misinformation. From sexuality to anatomy, information about women’s bodies (not to mention knowledgeable doctors) falls woefully short. 

The historically male-dominated healthcare system, along with religious and social stigmas against women, plus patriarchal values make it all the more difficult to achieve medical (and social) equity. These factors have resulted in disastrous consequences for women and uterus-owning individuals across the globe. 

Half the world’s population has a clitoris. Still, it remains largely ignored by the medical community. Doctors like Brooklyn-based Dr. Amir Marashi, Founder of Cerē, are hoping to change that. I sat down with Dr. Marashi to learn more about his work and what that change might look like for women moving forward.

Risking His Life For Hymens

Marashi began his medical career while he was still in his teens, working for his father, a prominent surgeon in Iran. Throughout his career, he has seen women’s rights being violated, their sexuality stigmatized, and the doctors who supported them vilified. Women’s health was receiving plenty of attention—just the wrong kind.

In Iran, where women could be murdered for not being a virgin on her wedding night, hymenoplasties (hymen reconstruction surgeries) were a popular procedure to ensure bleeding upon consummation of the marriage. Iranian society widely considered the procedure taboo, so Marashi began performing these surgeries in secret. He witnessed doctors being executed for doing the same. 

“It was a hush-hush procedure,” Marashi said. “It had to be done underground. This and abortion back then were at the same level.”

When Marashi later started caring for African and Haitian patients, he saw the devastating effects of genital mutilation and medical inequity. “To lose part of the clitoris is such a big deal,” Marashi said. “It’s taking their identity away from them. You become a baby-making factory.”  

In the States, he’s witnessed women’s symptoms being ignored by doctors, resulting in worsening mental and physical health. Marashi has met patients whose sexual health was destroyed during routine hip and pelvis surgeries because doctors were utterly unfamiliar with the physical attributes of the clitoris, which was not mapped out anatomically until 2005.

RELATED: ‘I’ve Been A Monster:’ Women Share The Unexpected Emotional Impacts Of Menopause

Un-censoring The Clitoris

“Women’s sexuality is like a second-class citizen,” Marashi continues. “They haven’t researched women’s sexuality as much as they have for men. Look at the clitoris—how many years they blocked and censored the clitoris from every single anatomy book over the last 100 years.”

This censorship of women’s physiology has resulted in an expectation for women to suffer through their symptoms silently—and, if we’re being honest, shamefully. Even the medical term for female genitals is called the pudendal area, coming from the Latin pudendum, or “parts to be ashamed of.” As a result, women deal with heavy bleeding and clotting, pain during childbirth, and sexual disorders with little to no solace.

For menopausal women, it can be even worse. Menopausal research is even scarcer than reproductive research, leaving a significant portion of the population in the dark, unheard and unseen. 

“If it was a man going through any of these things,” Marashi poses, “[think of] erectile dysfunction. How quickly was Viagara approved? (In just two years) Something that wasn’t a medical emergency, they approve it that fast? That’s the problem. We don’t have medical equity.”

So, Marashi and other doctors like him are working to destigmatize and demystify women’s health once and for all.

‘Orgasms Are Good For You’

Marashi described various techniques he has used to restore vaginal and sexual health, including PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections, sound devices, lasers, and micro-needling. And while Marashi is helping his local communities in New York, this type of healthcare isn’t easily accessible nationwide. 

For people with a uterus who are struggling with a lack of medical therapies, Marashi said it’s critical to take matters into one’s own hands. The most effective way to do it? Orgasm. “When you don’t use it, you lose it. The less the clitoris gets stimulated, [the less it gets] engorged.”

By regularly orgasming, the clitoris remains active and maintains functionality, he said. “If you’re going through menopause, this is something you do for yourself. You have to do your Kegels. Do your masturbation. You don’t like your partner? Forget about them; stimulate yourself. Orgasms are very good for you.” 

And for many of Marashi’s patients, that’s what he recommends—plus a healthy moisturizer. He suggests using organic, food-grade coconut oil in and around the vagina before engaging in sexual activity and for general, everyday moisturizing.

“We always talk about lubricants, but nobody talks about moisturizing. Moisturizing the vagina, especially in menopausal women, is very important,” Marashi advises.

RELATED: Use It Or Lose It: The Device That Will Help Maintain Your Sexual Health In Midlife And Beyond

‘Call Out Doctors’

Reacquainting yourself with your body through masturbation and physical touch can help you reclaim the sexuality and anatomy that the medical community has ignored for so long. He used this philosophy to create a line of sexual wellness devices and products called Cerē. 

The company’s first product, the Lalalena, is a vibrator in the shape of a clitoris (as opposed to the shape of the phallus, which is pretty much ubiquitous when it comes to sex toys).

Lalalena

$97 Shop Now At Cerē

But, Marashi adds, it’s also essential to know when to advocate for yourself in the examination room. “Menopausal women need to speak up. Back in the day, nobody cared about breast cancer,” Marashi said. “But there’s so much voice now about breast cancer, which is amazing.”

“We have to do the same thing [with menopause]. They need to be their own advocate,” Marashi continued. “Get a second and third opinion. You need to call out doctors. It’s the era of social media. Insurance tells you to take so many minutes with a patient. Patients need to call them out on that.” 

The more we continue discussing women’s health, from menopause to sexuality to vaginal wellness, the less stigmatized it will become. But that will take persistence, dedication, and time. It’s up to us to continue fighting for medical equity by holding doctors accountable and advocating for our rights to autonomy, happiness, and health.

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Fiona Apple has always been a stalwart for the alternative and radical, imbuing her music with powerful vulnerability and a skeptical gaze. For the past two years, she’s focused this energy on the Prince George’s County court system of Maryland as a virtual court watcher. 

She has used this role to help individuals who are jailed while awaiting trial to receive medical care, file civil rights lawsuits, and more. But now, Apple said the court system is trying to strip her—and other court watchers like her—of their constitutional right to observe the courtroom. 

The Importance Of Online Court Watchers

The right of access to courtroom proceedings and records is implicit and has been upheld by the Supreme Court First Amendment of the Constitution. Court watchers act as the voice for arrested and jailed individuals, observing court proceedings to maintain accountability. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down courtrooms, this access was maintained via Zoom live streams.

RELATED: ‘Shadow Dockets’ Show How Our Highest Court Is Failing Us

As an online court watcher, Apple has observed prosecutors mocking defendants for not having enough money for their bond. “I’m me, and I’m not that out of touch to think that you should sh*t on somebody for not having 50 bucks. Welcome to the f*cking world, lady,” she said in a Twitter thread posted by civil rights attorney Scott Hechinger (Apple is not on social media).

pic.twitter.com/iCUCMduIez

— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022

She has also witnessed many individuals being jailed indefinitely on pretrial. Pretrial services, Apple explained, can override a judge’s order of release, meaning that even if a judge releases a detainee before trial, they still have to stay in jail until their trial date.

Despite the office’s significant power, Apple said, “they have no transparency. We don’t even know what they’re made up of. Who are their employees? How are their employees qualified?”

Court watchers can help those detained pretrial file civil lawsuits, receive life-saving medication, address legal costs, and more. This support helps detainees stay afloat because, as Apple said, “it’s not just an inconvenience.”

The System Sticks To You

“If you get held pretrial,” Apple said, “you’re traumatized. And it’s not just you.” She described the cyclical nature of being detained, including its effects on children or elderly relatives under a detainee’s care. It can result in job and housing loss.

pic.twitter.com/nTeiAOTRSu

— Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) October 24, 2022

“The next time you have a court date, you don’t get the notice. Then, they tell you your failure to appear makes you a flight risk, and they keep you in jail another time. Every time you touch the system, it sticks to you,” Apple said. 

The affidavits and declarations written by court watchers help fight against indefinite detention. “We said what we saw to support the plaintiffs,” she explained. “These plaintiffs have sued pretrial services and some judges in Prince George’s County. What do you think happened when that lawsuit dropped? They took our Zoom access away.”

We Can’t Hold Them Accountable

Apple went on to explain how the Prince George’s County court system has hindered or altogether rescinded courtroom access. While an audio feed is available, it’s largely unintelligible. The public and press also no longer have access to the contact information of the lawyers in court. 

October 24, 2022

“Why would they take this access away right when we try to hold them accountable?” Apple said. “What would you think if a cop walked towards you and took off their body camera? What do you think it makes us feel like when they take away our Zoom access? We can’t observe.” 

“It really seems like they’re retaliating against us,” she continued. “And if they’re retaliating against us, what stupid asshole babies, huh?”

Apple’s Call To Action

“What we can do as court watchers is we can be the squeaky wheel,” Apple said. “I’m just hoping that the audience that receives this will care and maybe have some ideas, but at least not get kept in the dark about this because that’s what they want. I don’t know exactly what to do except to keep court watching and spread information.”

“I think about all those people; there are thousands of people in there, having their lives upended because pretrial is not on their sh*t. Because the loved one can’t afford to get out. Because they got forgotten.”

October 24, 2022

“Anytime you are experiencing any discomfort, just imagine what that would be like. If you didn’t have the luxury of being sick or sad outside of a cage with no help, being treated like you’re not even human. Please care. Please care about this.”

You can join the court watchers’ fight, too. Court watch programs vary by state, so you’ll need to search for programs in your specific area. If there are none available, you can attend a CourtWatch Volunteer Orientation held weekly on Wednesdays to learn how to start a CW program of your own. The orientation is led by the program Fiona Apple is a part of, Courtwatch PG.

“There is an entity trying to keep you all unaware of what’s going on behind closed, barred doors,” Apple warned. But court watchers devoted to fairness, transparency, and equality are fighting every day to keep those doors open.

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Over the years, I’ve dealt with mild and occasional digestive discomforts like gas, bloating, and diarrhea. And for the most part, I’ve passed off these sporadic episodes as unavoidable. The idea of a gut microbiome (or how to support it) wasn’t even on my radar.*

But recently, I started taking a more active role in maintaining my overall health, which included my gut health. As I’ve gotten older, this has become more out of necessity than interest. I started experimenting with various gummies and drugstore probiotics to see if I could find the right fit.

So, when Ritual reached out to see if I’d consider trying Synbiotic+, a dietary supplement for maintaining gut health, I was excited to give it a go.

Maintaining The Microbiome*

If you haven’t spent hours Googling how the gut works like I have, allow me to enlighten you. The human body contains good and bad bacteria. Most of it lives in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines or gastrointestinal tract.

When the balance between good and bad bacteria gets out of whack, the microbiome gets unhappy. This can result in mild and occasional digestive comforts. (Did you know the microbiome is also involved in our immune response? It’s estimated that a whopping 70% of the immune system is located in the gut.*)

That’s where Ritual comes in. Synbiotic+ is a 3-in-1 daily dietary supplement. It contains clinically studied prebiotics, probiotics, and a postbiotic to support a balanced gut microflora.*

Ritual Synbiotic+

$54 Shop Now at Ritual

Ritual’s Unique Triple Threat

I tried several different probiotic strains before, but I had never tried a 3-in-1 formula like Ritual’s. Each element of Synbiotic+ serves a distinct role in maintaining gut health. First, 15 mg of prebiotics target unwanted bacteria in the gut, supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria.*

Next, 120 mg (11 billion CFUs) or probiotics serve as the live microorganisms (read: good bacteria) that contribute to digestive health and help with mild and occasional digestive discomforts like bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Finally, 300 mg of a postbiotic serves as a major energy source for cells that line the gut, and it also helps support gut barrier function.

I was particularly impressed with Ritual’s transparency with its labeled ingredients. Ritual is Made Traceable™, meaning they show you what you’re putting into your body and its final place of manufacture. The company lists the labeled ingredient’s name, source, and supplier, something I had never seen before in other brands I’ve tried.

My Ritual Experience

Ritual’s Synbiotic+ supplement impressed me from the jump. The 3-in-1 nested capsule is not only striking to look at. But it also has a soft, minty scent that makes taking the medium-sized pill more enjoyable. I find it leaves a subtly minty smell in my mouth, which is particularly nice when I take it after a meal.

I’ve been taking Synbiotic+ for several weeks now. And honestly, it’s easier to describe what I don’t notice versus what I do. I didn’t notice much of an adjustment period, although Ritual’s website states that this is possible and can produce minor gas, bloating, or stomach rumbling.

Overall, I’ve noticed relief from mild and occasional bloating. I’m happy with the notable lack of not-so-fun stomach moments since taking Ritual regularly.

The Synbiotic+ Secret

Ritual Synbiotic+

$54 Shop Now at Ritual

As I’ve mentioned earlier, I’ve tried other gut health supplements in the past. And out of them all, I’m the happiest with Ritual. There are a few factors that I believe set Ritual’s supplement apart from the rest. The first is its vegan, delayed-release capsule design.

Probiotics work most of their magic in the colon, but they’ll never make it there if they’re too delicate to bypass harsh conditions such as stomach acid and bile of the stomach and small intestine. Ritual’s delayed-release capsule design helps ensure probiotics will make it to the colon, an ideal place for probiotics to grow and thrive.

CoreBiome® Tributyrin, Ritual’s postbiotic, is another distinguishing factor. Butyrate (as Tributyrin) is a significant energy source for cells that line the gut. Postbiotics are still relatively new in the gut health world, making Ritual a leading brand for including this compound in its formula.

Lastly, Ritual is clearly committed to science and compliance with regulations for heavy metals, microbes, and major allergens. The company conducted a human gastrointestinal model study with ProDigest in Belgium, one of the leading experts in GI tract simulation. Ritual tests Synbiotic+ supplements to ensure its ingredients’ identity, purity, quality, and composition.

Start Your Synbiotic+ Journey Today

Synbiotic+ is designed for adults over 18 years old. However, if you’re pregnant or nursing, using medications, or have a medical condition, Ritual recommends consulting with your personal healthcare practitioner before starting Synbiotic+.

Otherwise, starting your Synbiotic+ journey is easy. Ritual offers a monthly subscription service with free shipping that you can stop or delay at any time. It can take 2-4 weeks to notice the benefits of Synbiotic+. But if you’re still unconvinced of its benefits by then, Ritual offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.*

Start supporting your gut and digestive health with Ritual’s Synbiotic+, a 3-in-1 supplement for maintaining a happy and balanced gut microflora.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Countless products and treatments promise to turn back the clock on our skin, diminishing normal—but nonetheless irksome—signs of aging. They promise to reduce wrinkles and discoloration, add firmness, and reverse sun damage. But most of them only deliver on half their promises, if that. 

Our skin ages in two ways: internally and externally. Thus, the most effective skincare treatment needs to target both. Most products on the market focus on external signs alone. LYMA is here to change that.

Using proprietary laser technology, LYMA has developed a way to treat both internal and external signs of aging simultaneously. It might not be able to send yo

u back in time 15 years, but your skin will look as though it did.

The LYMA Approach To Aging

The LYMA Laser is a small, handheld device that uses near-infrared invisible low-level laser light. Medical professionals use this therapy for cellular regeneration, such as rebuilding cartilage or healing tendons. The LYMA Laser operates at 500mW power at a wavelength of 808nm, enabling it to penetrate down to the muscle tissue.

While powerful, the LYMA Laser is completely safe to use at home. You also don’t need to wear goggles like in other medical treatments, thanks to two patented internal diffusers that fragment the near-infrared light into 25,000 smaller beams. This makes the LYMA Laser cold and painless to the touch. You can even use it safely on your eyelids.

The LYMA Laser is 100x more effective than LED therapy because it can address all causes of aging at once. Internally, the laser reaches deep into the base layer of the dermis. There, light energy signals the cells to recharge, regenerate, and repair.

LYMA Laser Starter Kit

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Externally, that same light energy tells existing skin cells on the outer dermis to produce more proteins to fight free radicals. With fewer free radicals destroying healthy skin cells, the skin can replenish its collagen and elastin.

How To Use The LYMA Laser

Using the LYMA Laser is incredibly simple—so simple, in fact, you can use this highly effective skin treatment while watching TV, reading a book, or even lying in bed. The small device is about the shape and size of a medium-sized flashlight and emits no heat or noise.

To use the laser, start by gently cleansing the face. Then place the device directly over the area you want to target—around the eyes, jawline, forehead, décolletage, or on different areas of the body. You don’t need to apply pressure with the LYMA Laser; it just needs to be directly touching the skin during treatment. 

LYMA’s website recommends holding the device over each section of targeted skin for a minimum of three minutes a day. It also suggests using an oxygenating LYMA Active Mist and LYMA Priming Serum, though these two products are optional.

LYMA Active Mist And Priming Serum

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Unlike other skin treatments, the LYMA Laser doesn’t work by damaging the skin to kickstart cellular regeneration. That means there’s no sensitivity or downtime to consider while using this gentle, non-abrasive treatment.

Turn Back The Clock With LYMA

Because the LYMA Laser works at the cellular level, it takes some time to notice visible results. Improvements in wrinkles, discoloration, and sun damage can be seen in as little as 12 weeks, with results improving over continued use. 

The picture above is a testimonial on LYMA’s site from a customer who used the LYMA Laser for 45 minutes daily over a period of three months.

Professional laser treatments can be abrasive, which can damage thinner menopausal skin. Moreover, they can cost upwards of $3,000—not including repeat visits. With the LYMA laser, a one-time payment gets you years of at-home treatments. And LYMA backs up its products with a two-year warranty.

Stop wasting your time (and money) with products that don’t target the root causes of aging. LYMA’s laser technology works at the cellular level to promote regeneration, rejuvenation, and all-around brighter, firmer, and more radiant skin. It’s no time machine, but it’s pretty close.

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