March, 2017

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Torch Calories With This Total-Body Circuit Workout + MORE

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Beauty and health are wonderful areas to dedicate one’s life. We have seen the simple addition of hair with Invisablend’s hair extensions and treatments cause an immediate increase in our client’s confidence and life enjoyment. We encourage you to do the little things that make you feel good and give you confidence. It will have a dynamic effect on your quality of life.

This Anti-Aging Serum Is Like Botox in a Bottle

– health.com

This article originally appeared on InStyle.com. 

Serums deliver results. And the result I was desperately wishing for was the disappearance of my expression lines.

While I’m thankful that I care strongly enough about things, and life in general, that raising my eyebrows and laughing formed creases in my skin in first place, I don’t love being reminded that my face isn’t as elastic as it once was. And with that, I turned to serums, which are notorious for being heavily concentrated in nutrient-rich ingredients that do work.

Already a firm believer in anti-aging eye creams and moisturizers, I went on the hunt for an anti-aging serum to compliment my already wrinkle-averting routine. The bottle I settled on? Juara Clove Flower and Turmeric Anti-Aging Serum ($65: dermstore.com).

The main reason I picked this product from the thousands of other options was because Juara is known for ditching the fragrances, colorants, and harsh chemicals for a more natural approach to beauty. But the turmeric super ingredient call-out helped catch my attention, too. Known for being not only amazing for acne, but also a powerful antioxidant powerhouse, Juara claims the ingredient in the serum will help even out your skin tone, leaving you glowy and radiant. The other ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and goji fruit, aid in reducing the appearance of fine lines.

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It’s dispenses as a brown, super lightweight gel, which I applied in a nickel-size portion to my face post-cleansing and pre-moisturizer. After it became the norm a few weeks later, I realized my fact felt super supple and firm, but not tight or dehydrated. I was so confused, continually professing my newfound discovery to my mother. It must have sounded fishy because she, all of a sudden, flat-out asked me if I had gotten Botox without telling her.

No, but I might have discovered a slightly more subtle version of that in a bottle.

The most noticeable result, though? My wish had come true, as the visibility and depth of the expression lines on my forehead were drastically reduced. Shocking.

While I’m not yet ready to jump into Botox for my wrinkle probs, and have no intention of ever pulling a Kim K.W and not smiling for photos or wearing all of my emotions on my sleeve (and face), I will gladly keep a fresh bottle of this formula on my top-shelf.

4 Upper-Body Exercises to Steal From Taraji P. Henson’s Workout

– health.com

Not only is Taraji P. Henson a powerhouse on screen as Cookie Lyon on the hit Fox series Empire, but the actress has also proven to be one in the gym too. Don’t believe us? Just check out this video her trainer, Mike T. of Force Fitness Inc., shared on Instagram the other day. While we're tired just watching Taraji get her sweat on, the 46-year-old mom seems to just breeze through this strength circuit.

Looking to boost your upper-body strength too? Try working your way through the exact moves that keep Taraji looking super toned.

Chest Press With Legs Lifted

Lie faceup on a bench, with legs up, knees bent at about 90 degrees and ankles crossed. Hold a dumbbell in each hand on either side of chest; palms face forward. Lift both weights, pushing them straight up until arms are fully extended. Pause for a second, and then lower back to start. Continue repeating.

Biceps Curl in Split Stance

Stand with feet staggered, one foot in front of the other, and knees slightly bent. Hold a dumbbell in each hand in front of body; palms face out. Lean forward slightly, bend elbows, and curl dumbbells toward shoulders. Slowly lower weights back down to start, and then repeat. Alternate stance with each set.

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Seated Chest Fly

Adjust seat height on machine so that handles are at chest height. Sit tall with feet planted on floor and middle and lower back touching the back of the seat. Maintaining a slight bend in elbows, squeeze the handles, bringing them in toward one another until hands meet. Pause, and then slowly open arms back out to start. Continue repeating. 

Single Arm American Kettlebell Swing

Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and knees bent into a half-squat. Grasp kettlebell with one hand so it hangs between (and slightly behind) calves. Come up out of squat, letting kettlebell swing until arm is extended straight up over head, and then bend at hips and knees to squat back down as the kettlebell swings back between legs. Repeat with opposite arm.

Torch Calories With This Total-Body Circuit Workout

– health.com

Torch Calories With This Total-Body Circuit Workout

This article originally appeared on DailyBurn.com.

Creating an all-encompassing workout — one that gets your heart rate up while strengthening every major muscle group — takes some fancy fit work. But it’s something Steve Uria, founder of Switch Playground in New York City (original location: South Africa), does with gusto. If you’ve never been to the playground, imagine recess for adults but with more structure and sculpting goals.

Each class at Switch includes 20 stations, with two exercises per station. You’ll work every body part — big and small — and because you only do each exercise for 30 seconds (two minutes total per station), you’ll break a serious sweat to boot. (The party vibe with a live DJ and neon lights will help you turn up the intensity, too.)

RELATED: The Fitness Trend That Could Bust Workout Boredom

“Circuit workouts promote a functional training environment to condition the whole body,” Uria explains. “You’re maximizing benefit in minimal time, and creating a cardiovascular experience within a strength training arena.” In other words, you simultaneously pump up the volume on fat burning and muscle building.

Of course, we couldn’t leave Uria’s fun and games at the playground, so we had him design a sequence you could do right at home. All you need is a set of dumbbells, a kettlebell and med ball, and a killer workout playlist (like this one). Crank the volume, and you’re ready to blast through these circuits.

RELATED: Burn Fat, Build Muscle: 3 Killer Circuit Training Workouts

4 Mini Circuit Workouts, 1 Killer Total-Body Routine

Get ready for one mini circuit for every section of the body, plus a total-body scorcher. Each circuit features just three moves — but packs plenty of targeted body benefits. Do 12 to 15 reps of each move and two to three rounds of each circuit before moving on to the next. If you still have some drive by that final exercise, push it into high gear and repeat everything from the top, Uria says. Sweaty, sculpted and oh-so-energized… here you come!

RELATED: 10 Resistance Band Exercises to Build Total-Body Strength

Lower Body Circuit Workout

Fire up some of the biggest muscles in the body: your quads, hamstrings, and even more so, your glutes. Hello, booty burn.

1. Side Step Squat
How to: With a dumbbell in each hand and your arms down by your sides, stand with feet hip-width apart (a). Step out to the left side, push your hips back and drop your butt down to sit into a squat (b). Stand up straight, then step your feet back to the starting position (c). Next, step out to the right side and sit into a squat (d). Stand up, return to the starting position, and continue alternating.

2. Back Lunge with Knee Raise
How to: Start standing with feet hip-width apart (a)…

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How I Learned to Tell the Difference Between Being Lazy and Being Safe at the Gym   + MORE

[brightcove:5192419102001 default] I once took a face-plant in the middle of a set of plyometric push-ups. One second, I was a machine, effortlessly clapping between each rep and springing into the next one. The next second, my arms gave out and I went face first into the gym floor. I was a little .... More »

A Doctor Told This Woman She Was ‘Too Fat To Run’—Here’s How She Proved Him Wrong + MORE

What would you do if you were out for a Saturday morning run, training hard for your next race, and all of a sudden a car drives by and throws a McDonald’s cup at you? What about if a group of young boys comes up behind you and smacks your butt, giggling as they run away? .... More »

The Surprising Secrets to Living Longer—And Better + MORE

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This Spray Helps My Wavy Hair Stay Straight All Day + MORE

[brightcove:4821494210001 default] This article originally appeared on SouthernLiving.com. Even though we're past the hottest days of summer, we still have awhile before those cooler winter temperatures start creeping in, bringing with them good hair days to those of us who tend to fight a lo.... More »

What's Amazon Prime Day? Everything You Need to Know About the Biggest Sale of the Year + MORE

The fourth annual Amazon Prime Day is almost here, and to say we're getting excited would be a huge understatement. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming sale—and make sure to keep an eye on this page, as we'll continue to update it with the best deals as so.... More »

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This Anti-Aging Serum Is Like Botox in a Bottlehealth.com
4 Upper-Body Exercises to Steal From Taraji P. Henson’s Workouthealth.com
Torch Calories With This Total-Body Circuit Workouthealth.com

How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair + MORE

Hair extensions and hair treatments are just one way that Invisiblend Hair Studio helps to increase our client’s quality of life. A hair technician or hair salon specialist is more than just a stylist, they are a friend. A person to vent your week to, express your joy and life achievements, there is more than just beauty when it comes to our hair stylist.We hope the reviews and blogs and posts help your day go smother

Jenna Dewan Tatum Reveals Channing Convinced Her to Get a Lob: 'He's Wanted Me to Go Short for a Long Time'

– health.com

This article originally appeared on People.com. 

If you’re looking for short hair inspiration, there’s a strong chance Jenna Dewan Tatum‘s lob is in your camera roll. The star made the decision to go short last year, and while she still has fun experimenting with extensions, she’s pretty committed to her lob. And so is her husband, Channing Tatum.

“He wanted me to go short for a really long time,” Dewan Tatum told PeopleStyle while promoting her new Danskin campaign at Project Vegas. “He’s the opposite of most men — most men like long hair, but he thought it would be a really good idea to go short. So he was excited. He was like, ‘You finally did it!'”

RELATED: These Celebrity Couples Who Work Out Together Are #RelationshipGoals

The 36-year-old star said her shorter hair is more conducive to her “lifestyle as a mom.”

“I still to this day haven’t actually done my hair, unless I have some sort of event or meeting,” she said. “I tell everyone who cuts my hair, ‘You need to cut it in a way that I can shower and go because I will not do myself, I don’t have time.’ So it just works. It’s a lot easier to manage and it’s much more free for me.”

 

Dewan Tatum also applies that effortless approach to her everyday style, settling one of the biggest debates of our time: Are leggings pants?

“I definitely think they are — I wear leggings out all the time,” the Danskin ambassador shares. “I wear then with boots or heels and usually style them with a chunky duster sweater and T-Shirt. I think that’s completely an outfit.”

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A few of her favorite Danskin pieces include the La Vie high-waisted leggings ($32), as well as the French Terry wrap sweater (on sale for $24.50), which she loves to layer with a scarf and tennis shoes after hitting the gym.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPqDskjjtwc

While shooting the Danskin campaign, Dewan Tatum was able to show off some of her impressive dance skills (she’ll be mentoring on Jennifer Lopez’s new show World of Dance later this year!).

“I got to freestyle dance and the photographer played music and let me go,” she shared of working on set with Danskin. “He just took photos and caught incredible moments. Very rarely do you get to do that in a photo shoot. You normally are so posed. With this shoot it was like, ‘Go for it and we will capture the moments,’ and that was a blast.”

 

How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hair

– health.com

Frizz happens. It can seem unavoidable, especially now that rainy and humid days are upon us. But the condition of your mane plays a big role in how much puff you'll see: "Frizz is caused by a lack of moisture in the hair, which makes it grab water from the environment," explains Feisal Qureshi, founder and creative director of Raincry in Ontario. You may be prone to frizz if you have thicker, coarser hair or if you regularly use heat styling tools that can leave hair dry, he says. Here, three ways to get rid of frizzy hair once and for all.

Condition like a boss

To defeat frizz, start in the shower, with a shampoo and conditioner that nourish and repair hair. We like René Furterer Sublime Curl Shampoo and Conditioner ($30 and $32; renefurtererusa.com), which pack evening primrose oil and acanthus extract. Post-shower, coat hair from middle to ends with a leave-in conditioner. "A cream-based one will inject moisture into the hair shaft and help reduce the chance of frizz," says Qureshi. Try OGX Shea Soft & Smooth Creamy Hair Butter ($6; walmart.com); apply to wet hair. A little goes a long way in helping to detangle and encourage your natural wave pattern.

RELATED: The 15 Best Products for Frizzy Hair, According to Top Hairstylists

Master the blowout

Drying hair with a terry cloth towel can rough up the cuticle and contribute to frizz. Instead, squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel, like Aquis Waffle Luxe Hair Towel ($35; dermstore.com), which is gentle and less likely to do damage. Next, use your fingers to rake a frizz fighter, such as Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel ($26; dermstore.com), through damp hair from root to tip. (A dime-size amount is ideal for medium-length hair.) It seals the cuticle so moisture from the air can't get in. When blow-drying, use a boar-bristle brush, which is the best type for distributing hair's natural oils from the scalp to the shaft. (We recommend the Varis Boar Brush in medium, $28; beautycarechoices.com.) Blow-dry in sections with the nozzle pointed down, advises Alli Webb, founder of the blowout chain Drybar. This will help boost shine and keep the cuticle flat, making hair less likely to get frizzy.

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Do damage control

Some days, despite your best efforts, strands go haywire. The pros keep a smoothing product on hand for just such emergencies. IGK Sold Out Curl Priming Basecoat ($27; sephora.com) will tame the rebels and reactivate your style. Whatever you do, avoid that age-old hack of using hand cream as a quick smoothing fix, warns Qureshi. Most are paraffin-based and therefore not water-soluble, he explains, so they won't fully rinse out of your hair, leading to damage and frizz. No product on you? Take matters into your own hands: Run fingers under water, then twirl small sections of hair away from your face. This should "tame the little guys that pop up," reassures Webb…

The $9 Micellar Water a Beauty Writer Swears By 

– health.com

This article originally appeared on InStyle.com. 

After a long day, I want to be reunited with my bed as soon as possible once I make it home to my apartment. Even though it’s tempting, reading about the horrors of what sleeping with your makeup on has permanently scared me straight so I never skip washing the day’s products off before I hit the lights—no matter how late it is.

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That being said, the quicker the cleanser can wipe all my makeup off the better. But, although I’m relatively simple when it comes to how many steps in my skincare routine, my actual complexion is high maintenance because it’s sensitive. So how do I get all of my makeup off without irritating my skin while keeping my inner lazy-girl happy? My go-to cleanser is Yes To’s Cucumber Micellar Water ($9; target.com).

Extra scrubbing to make sure every trace of foundation and concealer is gone is the biggest culprit of making my skin angry. But, what makes this micellar water great is that all my makeup comes off in a single swipe, and its soothing cucumber extract guarantees that my complexion remains calm. But, the biggest selling point is that micellar water is rinse-free, so it keeps the time down on my nighttime routine. Although no water is required, the product removes makeup while simultaneously refreshing and hydrating skin without stripping it of its essential natural oils.

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While I’m no stranger to the export French pharmacy staple, since I go through bottles quicker than I drink a cup of coffee, using luxe brands’ micellar waters is an expensive habit. So, the fact that I can grab a fresh bottle on a drugstore run that works just as well as its fancier counterparts, makes me and my wallet extra happy. What also sets Yes To’s micellar water apart is its pump dispenser. It helps me not waste any product, and since two pumps goes a long way, I don’t have to restock mine as often.

Now, you have no excuses to sleep in your makeup ever again; you’re welcome.

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This 3-in-1 Foundation Will Leave You With a Healthy Glow—Literally

We get it: You want a little of that spring-break glow, but you still need to protect your skin from the sun. And while self-tanners can go a long way towards giving you a natural-looking tan, not all formulas are intended for the delicate skin on your face. (Plus, it would be a bit of a p.... More »

Your Water Bottle Could Be Making You Sick—Here Are the Best Ways to Clean It + MORE

That trusty reusable water bottle you carry with you keeps you healthy and hydrated, but only if it’s clean. And let's face it: Most of us don’t think to clean out our water bottles. More often than not, we take that last sip, refill it, and sip some more—on repe.... More »

This Mascara Is So Good, A Tube Is Sold Every 7.4 Seconds + MORE

When it comes to mascaras, there is no gray area. They're either clumpy and smudgy, or life-changing, everyone-asks-if-you have-lash-extensions-good. Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara falls into the latter category — the five-year-old product is currently the best-selling prest.... More »

This Look-Better-Naked Workout From Tracy Anderson Will Give You Serious Body Confidence + MORE

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Adele's Makeup Artist Has the Most Genius Hack for Your Under Eye Concealer + MORE

[brightcove:5187515756001 default]   This article originally appeared on InStyle.com. Especially in summer's ever-climbing temperatures, keeping our concealer from creasing into those fine lines underneath our eyes (we should have started with the eye cream earlier, we know). Setting sp.... More »

Continue Reading

Jenna Dewan Tatum Reveals Channing Convinced Her to Get a Lob: 'He's Wanted Me to Go Short for a Long Time'health.com
How to Get Rid of Frizzy Hairhealth.com
The $9 Micellar Water a Beauty Writer Swears By health.com

Use This Trick to Get an Amazing Memory + MORE

Hair extensions and hair treatments are just one way that Invisiblend Hair Studio helps to increase our client’s quality of life. A hair technician or hair salon specialist is more than just a stylist, they are a friend. A person to vent your week to, express your joy and life achievements, there is more than just beauty when it comes to our hair stylist.We hope the reviews and blogs and posts help your day go smother

The Internet Is Obsessed With This Intense Charcoal Face Mask, But Is It Safe?

– health.com

The Shills Acne Purifying Peel-Off Black Mask is the internet's latest beauty obsession. On YouTube and Instagram, you'll find plenty of videos documenting the super-intense masking process. Unlike other masks that simply wash or peel off without much fuss, this charcoal-based peel seriously clings to the skin—and ripping it off hurts like crazy. It's weirdly mesmerizing to watch people pull the masks off and reveal the blackheads, dead skin, and other gunk hiding in their pores.  

This video might be the funniest. It was posted on YouTube last week by YouTuber Tiff from Tee Cee Videos, and then made it to Facebook via Viral Thread. The Facebook video has already amassed 76 million views. (Warning: NSFW for swearing.) 

In the clip, Tiff slowly peels off the the mask one painful millimeter at a time. "Oh God, it's rough. It's so rough," she screeches repeatedly throughout the peeling process, tears streaming down her face and her friend laughing hysterically in the background. 

If videos like Tiff's are any indication, then this mask really does unclog pores. But considering all the pain and suffering involved, is it worth the hassle? And even more importantly, is it even safe? We reached out to two dermatologists to get their expert opinions on charcoal face masks like this one. 

The good news: They’re safe. The bad news: using one is probably going to hurt. A lot. And it might irritate your skin, too. 

“The mask 'sticks' to not just the blackheads, but also the skin and hair on the face,” says Melissa Piliang, MD, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic. “When the mask is removed, it pulls off the outermost layer of skin and associated oils which serve as a barrier to protect the skin from the environment. This, plus pulling out the small hairs would cause significant pain—just like waxing the face.”

There are a few ways to make the peel-off process less painful. Washing your face beforehand helps to pre-exfoliate the skin, and removing hair also makes the mask removal more manageable, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. Both Dr. Jaliman and Dr. Piliang suggested applying the mask to only your T-zone or areas that have blackheads. The oilier skin in the center of the face may have a bit more protection from irritation, says Dr. Piliang. Dr. Jaliman advises not putting it on your entire face, especially if you have combination skin, which could be even more irritated by it.

You can expect the masks to help unclog pores and absorb environmental pollutants, oil, and dirt from the skin. Charcoal is especially good for people with acne and blackheads as it can help reduce excess oil, says Dr. Jaliman.

Still, Dr. Piliang warns that these masks, like any beauty product, can contain chemicals that can cause allergies or irritation…

Use This Trick to Get an Amazing Memory

– www.health.com

This article originally appeared on RealSimple.com.

If you’ve ever watched someone memorize and recite back a string of numbers or a long list of words and thought, “I wish I could do that,” we’ve got good news: You totally can. A simple mnemonic device used by world-class memory athletes can be taught—and mastered—by “normal” people too, according to a new study.

The brain-training trick, known as “method of loci,” involves pairing each item to be memorized with a mental image of a landmark along a familiar route—like your walk to work or to a local store. Researchers say that making these associations, and traveling that route in your mind, can not only help you remember those items better; it can also strengthen memory-related pathways in your brain.

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For their new study, scientists at Stanford University and Radboud University Medical Center in The Netherlands gave functional MRI scans to 17 memory athletes and 51 people with no special memorization skills. Then they pitted them against each other in test to memorize a list of 72 words. After 20 minutes of prep time, the memory athletes were able to recall 71 words on average, while the others averaged about 40. (One of the study authors is a World Memory Champion himself, who can memorize about 500 digits or 100 words in five minutes.)

The researchers then divided the non–memory athletes into three groups, assigning them to receive either six weeks of online training in the method of loci; six weeks of training to improve a different type of memory, called working memory; or no training at all.

RELATED: 9 Foods That May Help Save Your Memory

When they were retested six weeks later, the group that received method of loci training had improved dramatically, recalling almost as many words as the memory athletes. Even four months after completing their training, they scored similar results.

Brain scans taken after the training also showed changes in connectivity patterns, which now resembled those of the memory athletes. In fact, the degree of improvement seen in the brain’s memory networks directly predicted how well a person performed on the recall test. No significant memory gains, or MRI changes, were noted among the other two groups.

The study, published Wednesday in Neuron, suggests that you don’t need natural ability to become a world-class memory champ—just plenty of practice. And it’s practice that anyone can do: The method of training used in the study is available at memocamp.com, a website that offers several training programs, including a free trial package. (Memocamp did not sponsor the study and the authors have no financial interest in it, but participants were provided free access to its programs.) 

Unfortunately, says lead author Martin Dresler, PhD, this specific skill won’t necessarily translate into better memory in other areas of life…

13 Body-Positive Influencers You Should Follow on Instagram

– www.health.com

This article originally appeared on InStyle.com. 

It’s always important to surround yourself with a girl squad that champions you to be your authentic self and accepts you regardless of appearance. As we spend this month celebrating women’s achievements, we present 13 body-positivity advocates to follow on Instagram.

These models, bloggers, activists, and designers have started an important conversation and are getting results. They’re not only lighting up runways during fashion month—they’re taking action to disrupt the status quo in magazines, clothing ads, and beauty campaigns. Whether they are advocating for fashion for women of all sizes or just stepping out of traditional norms, they are putting their curves front and center and looking gorgeous doing so. Not only do their Instagram feeds show off head-turning portfolios, street style, and behind-the-scenes peeks at photo shoots, they also provide inspiration and much-needed laughs as the ladies showcase their wisdom and wit.

1. Denise Bidot (@denisebidot)

There Is No Wrong Way to Be a Woman: That’s a slogan that grew into a website and a movement when it was launched last year by this model and single mom to inspire women to love themselves and celebrate their individuality. The former makeup artist has also blazed a trail across the runways at New York Fashion Week over the past two years: The Chromat and Serena Williams collections were her first. On her Instagram feed you’ll find empowering statement Ts, outfits of the day, and pre-photo-shoot pics, but you can also find Bidot in the current Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in a bikini with her stretch marks unretouched, an implicit message to women to embrace their unique beauty no matter what imperfections they might believe they have.

2. Georgina Burke (@missgeoburke)

She was the first-ever official face and brand ambassador for the Torrid clothing line. The Aussie model is also featured in the documentary Straight/Curve, which focuses on the female body image and how models are helping redefine society’s beauty standards. Her most treasured posts are of her Wheaten Terrier, Auzwald, but you can also see her working out at the Dogpound in Brooklyn or hanging out with a horse from time to time (she used to compete in equestrian sports) because that’s #howGdoesit.

3. Clémentine Desseaux (@bonjourclem)

A commercial may have made the freckled beauty what she calls "the first plus girl on TV in France," but Desseaux’s making strides in other ways too. She co-founded the body-positive advocacy campaign @allwomanproject to show the industry that a group of women from different ethnicities, ages, and sizes can be successfully represented in the same ad campaign. She also runs a brand-strategy agency that helps fashion clients with art direction, production, and brand identity. The highlight of her news feeds? A special #IceCreamDance…

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1-Year-Old Boy Has the Sweetest Reaction to Meeting a Woman Missing the Same Limb as Him + MORE

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Miss Washington USA Contestant Hopes Her Disability Will Empower Others + MORE

This article originally appeared on People.com. When Madeline Irwin steps onstage to compete for the Miss Washington USA title, she won’t just be standing up for herself. The 22-year-old college student was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (known as AMC), which is a congenit.... More »

These Women Are Posing in Nothing but Glitter for a Surprisingly Powerful Reason + MORE

Your body is uniquely yours, and that’s what makes it beautiful. One Instagram account, Positively Glittered (@positivelyglittered), has found a creative (and sparkly) way to showcase that. The page features naked women of all shapes and sizes covered in the colors of the rainbow with glit.... More »

Lili Reinhart Opened Up About Her Struggle With Body Dysmorphia After Fans Criticized Her Recent 'Harper's Bazaar' Comments + MORE

Body dysmorphia affects people of every shape, age, and size, which is why we’re so glad Riverdale actress Lili Reinhart is speaking out about her experiences with the disorder and taking internet trolls to task. In a recent old Hollywood-inspired video shoot for Harpar’s Bazaar, .... More »

5 Olympians Share Their Advice for Overcoming Setbacks + MORE

[brightcove:5720340376001 default] Setbacks. We all have them. But how you choose to handle those stumbling blocks is what sets you apart from the pack. If anyone can attest to this, it's Olympians. After all, they push themselves to the limit day in and day out, just for the opportu.... More »

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The Internet Is Obsessed With This Intense Charcoal Face Mask, But Is It Safe?health.com
Use This Trick to Get an Amazing Memorywww.health.com
13 Body-Positive Influencers You Should Follow on Instagramwww.health.com

9 Bottles of This Dreamy Face Serum Sell Every Minute Around the World + MORE

Beauty and health are wonderful areas to dedicate one’s life. We have seen the simple addition of hair with Invisablend’s hair extensions and treatments cause an immediate increase in our client’s confidence and life enjoyment. We encourage you to do the little things that make you feel good and give you confidence. It will have a dynamic effect on your quality of life.

9 Bottles of This Dreamy Face Serum Sell Every Minute Around the World

– health.com

This article originally appeared on Instyle.com. 

You’ve got the silk pillowcase and you stashed your phone in your bedside table 30 minutes before bed, but if you’re really trying to establish a transformative nighttime beauty routine, you’ll need to get your hands on a revitalizing and repairing serum. Not only do serums penetrate the skin deeper, but they’re often super-packed with concentrated ingredients that address your problems rapidly and head on. And if you’re in the market, you’ll probably want to know about the little brown bottle of serum from Estée Lauder that’s a massive hit around the world.

So much of a hit, by the way, that nine bottles of the Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex ($65; nordstrom.com) sells every minute. But that's nearly not the only impressive stat on its side. It's the brand's top repair serum and in one year alone, 4.5 million bottles were sold globally. Top that off with the fact that it's revolutionary formula is patented until 2021, and the brand reports it was the first "repair" product to ever hit the market.

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The word "repair" is key for a few reasons. First, that's exactly what your skin does when you finally fall asleep at night, going into overdrive to reverse and mend any damage your complexion came into contact with and renew itself. This oil-free and fragrance-free product seeks to be the sidekick to that beautiful process, maximizing its potential using what they call ChronoluxCB technology.

First and foremost, it's an anti-aging product. Over time, the gel-like serum works to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging, while creating a hydrated, evenly toned canvas. 

RELATED: The 9 Anti-Aging Products Our Editors Can’t Live Without

Google it and you'll find that most of the reviews are pretty damn impressive. We found the product to be fast-absorbing, light, hydrating, and helpful in evening out skin tone.

Has it been nine minutes yet? Maybe now's your chance to give it a go. 

People Are Obsessed With This Korean Skin-Peeling Gel, But Is It Safe?

– health.com

Last week, I was scrolling through my Facebook News Feed when a video caught my eye. It was from Hello Giggles, and showed a young woman rubbing a Korean skin-peeling gel onto her face. As she rubbed, her skin balled up into little clumps and shed into her hands. Watching her skin peel away made me feel a little queasy—but I could not look away. See for yourself:

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Hello Giggles (which shares a parent company with Health) claims the featured product, Dr. G Beauty Brightening Peeling Gel, "balls up with dead skin cells and feels like your skin is shedding," and that the active ingredient is cellulose, a chemical exfoliant.

Korean women are known for their impeccable complexions and their super-involved, multi-step skin care routines. Plus, it turns out that people all over the internet are obsessed with this Dr. G gel; Buzzfeed staffers, countless YouTubers, and members of Reddit's Asian Beauty subreddit are fans. But it's one thing to apply a nourishing face mask or serum, and it's another to purposely slough off the top layer of your skin like a molting snake. So I asked our editorial assistant, Kelly, to reach out to a dermatologists to get their take.

So is this gel safe? The verdict: "It's safe to use," says Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City-based derm. "It has aloe, which is soothing for the skin, licorice for brightening, and glycerin, which is moisturizing. I'd recommend it for removing the dead skin cells from the face."

Mona Gohara, MD, a Danbury, Conn.-based dermatologist, agrees that using the Dr. G gel will probably do you no harm, and may be great for evening out complexion and skin tone. But she does advise checking in with your doc before you slather it on your face, especially if you have rosacea, eczema, or acne. "Stay on the safe side and check in with someone you can guide you through your routine," she says. 

So there you have it. For $28 at Nordstrom, this is a moderately priced way to experiment with Korean beauty. Now go get glowing. 

Why Thousands of Women Are Getting Plastic Surgery Down There

– www.health.com

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect the latest statistics.

It’s shocking but true: One of the hot trends in plastic surgery right now is labiaplasty, a procedure to trim the vulva's inner lips, aka the labia minora. (Add this to the list of things you shouldn’t do to your vagina.) According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), labiaplasty procedures spiked 39% in 2016, with more than 12,000 procedures.

“I am asked about labiaplasty at least once a month,” says ob-gyn Jennifer Gunter, MD, who runs a specialty clinic for vulvar conditions at Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco. “Five years ago, I was probably asked one to two times a year.”

What’s behind this (crazy?) craze? Here’s a look at the facts.

RELATED: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Your Vagina

Why the rise?

Michael Edwards, MD, a former president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, told Time that some women with more pronounced labia are “devastated.” Another plastic surgeon, Richard Swift, MD, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, told the New York Post, that women “whose labia are enlarged” feel uncomfortable in yoga pants.

But “normal” labia minora come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from 2 to 10 cm in length and 0.7 to 5 cm in width, per a study published in the journal BJOG (images NSFW). And it’s quite common for the labia minora to stick out past the outer lips of the vagina, according to Dr. Gunter, without any discomfort.

In a blog post about labiaplasty (also NSFW), she noted that smaller labia seem to have become the cultural norm, perhaps because many female performers in the adult film industry have small labia. “Whether this is a self-selecting feature or the result of surgery is hard to know,” Dr. Gunter wrote. But “if you see a lot of images of small labia minora you are more likely to come to view that as … desirable.”

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How pubic hair trends also play a role

“There is an expression for men, ‘The shorter the bush, the taller the tree,’” and a similar visual effect happens with female genitalia, says Dr. Gunter. “If you remove your pubic hair or trim it significantly, you may start to notice your labia minora.”

In fact, the rise in labiaplasty has been linked to the popularity of the Brazilian wax. As Barbara Levy, MD, the VP of Health Policy at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, put it to NBC News, the hairless trend made women more aware of their genital appearance, and plastic surgeons saw dollar signs.

Do larger labia really cause any symptoms?

The vagina’s smaller, inner folds of skin have an important job: They protect the vaginal opening—called the vestibule—which is made up of delicate mucosa tissue, filled with highly-sensitive nerve endings…

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9 Bottles of This Dreamy Face Serum Sell Every Minute Around the Worldhealth.com
People Are Obsessed With This Korean Skin-Peeling Gel, But Is It Safe?health.com
Why Thousands of Women Are Getting Plastic Surgery Down Therewww.health.com