A healthy head of hair can boost your confidence exponentially, but how much confidence do you have in your ability to actually keep your hair healthy? In fairness, hair is pretty delicate—and once damaged, very hard to "fix." Dyeing, heat processing, and even the environment can take a toll on your tresses. But there are a lot of everyday hair care habits that can help keep your mane in top condition. There are also a lot of things you can stop doing. Here, two top New York City hairstylists, Eliut Rivera of Eliut Salon and Siobhan Quilan of Art + Autonomy Salon, share the top hair care mistakes they've seen. If you're guilty of any of these? Cut. It. Out.

1. Putting your hair in a ponytail constantly.

"This will cause breakage, especially if your hair is highlighted," Rivera told us of one hair care faux pas: keeping your hair pulled too tight, too often. "A lot of time you can see the breakage on the crown area." Too much traction from severe pulling can even damage your hair at the follicle, causing a type of gradual hair loss called 'traction alopecia.' Eventually, the hair loss can even become permanent, according to hair loss supplement brand Viviscal.

Looking for a compromise? Amazon reviewers love these "ouchless" ponytail holders.

2. Spending all your money in the salon but skimping at home.

"People spend so much time and money at the salon, but then they don’t want to invest in quality products to keep up their hair at home," says Quinlan. She notes that a lot of drugstore hair care products are cheaper because they have cheaper ingredients that can often be harsher on your hair. "People are always shocked by how much of a difference stylist-recommended products make versus just whatever happened to be on sale. There are so many products options because there are so many different hair types and environmental [factors] that can affect your hair," she told Real Simple. "Most stylists really do care about your hair; they aren’t just trying to sell you stuff."

To maintain your salon-quality locks at home without blowing your budget, try stylist-approved Olaplex products.

3. Masking your face but not your hair.

Masking is having a moment. All you have to do is scroll through your Instagram feed to find everyone from Chrissy Teigen to Drew Barrymore slathering hydrating honey, detoxifying charcoal, and soothing aloe all over their faces. Quinlan says you should be giving your tresses the same TLC—after all, hair is made of a lot of the same stuff as skin, most notably keratin. "Everybody says they don’t have time [for deep conditioning masks]," says Quinlan, so she suggests mutlitasking. Just mask your hair before any activity that lets you wear a bun for an hour and shower afterward, like a workout…

I’ve done a lot of strange things in the name of journalistic intrigue—run-commute for two weeks, become a morning person, brush my teeth with charcoal, put my Tinder profile in the hands of a sexologist. So when I recently announced to a table of 12 over sushi that I'd be taking a coed naked yoga class, the crowd was less than surprised that I'd sign up for something so, well, out there.

But the truth is, I didn’t sign up for naked yoga because an editor suggested it. I signed up for naked yoga because I wanted to be the type of person who signs up for naked yoga.

My dinnermates chirped about who they thought that type of person would be: “A bunch of hippy-dippy liberals with bushes!” said one friend. “Big dicks. Only dudes with big dicks would take naked yoga,” said another.

I pictured something a little less Woodstock and a little more empowering. I signed up anticipating free-spirited, bold urbanites who didn’t let anything hold them back–not their free-flying bits, not the wafting stank of crotch sweat, and definitely not a broken heart!

See, my confidence had taken a mega-hit after getting broken up with earlier this summer. While journaling and stacks on stacks on stacks of self-help books were serviceable, naked yoga seemed to promise immediate gratification. “Ready to open the door to self-kindness and healing?” the website of Naked in Motion asks. “We offer you the opportunity to shed your clothing, and along with it, judgments about your appearance, limiting personal beliefs, and critical self-talk.”

Um, hell yeah! I thought when I read the class description. Ready to embrace my inner so-over-my-ex goddess, I reserved my mat.

RELATED: How to Get Over a Bad Breakup, According to 6 Women Who Came Out Strong

But in the two hours leading up to the class, excitement and self-congratulations at my own daring were replaced with fear and self-annoyance: What the F had I gotten myself into?

I messaged my gym-mates and texted my nudist-beach-loving buds.

Dude… should I have gotten a wax?

I packed turquoise underwear, is that embarrassing? Should I have packed black, instead?

WTF do you wear to arrive to a naked yoga class? I’m wearing a black dress and a jean-jacket–does that sound too try-hard?

Their responses were mostly the same: “OMG, I can’t believe you’re doing this. Let me know how it goes.” At 6:50 p.m. sharp, when the doors to class would open, I got in the elevator that led me up 11 flights with a middle-aged man in khakis.

When I got into the space, I realized my expectations had been a little off. Instead of immediately stripping when I got in the door, I gave Willow, the founder of Naked in Motion, my name, and joined my classmates who sat fully clothed and crossed-legged in neat rows facing the windows…

In this age of Photoshop and FaceTune, it’s rare to see major beauty brands advertise products without altering the texture of a model’s skin. There are companies who agree how important it is to show un-retouched skin, but few actually do it. However, Urban Decay shared a series of Instagram photos featuring models with “real skin,” and beauty lovers are praising them.

In reality, we’ve become so accustomed to seeing perfect skin on advertisements, in magazines, and on Instagram that people are cheering the a brand for showing models with skin texture, freckles, and—wait for it—pores. By letting the makeup shine on its own without the aid of filters, you can see how incredible the products really are.

Even if Urban Decay didn’t realize they would get this kind of response, it’s clear that people want to see more of this. And while they can still improve their Instagram feed, we’re glad the brand is taking steps to highlight people who aren’t naturally flawless.

People are happy to see “real skin” on Urban Decay’s Instagram, and we don’t blame them.

Hopefully, this will help people think twice when they reach for the FaceTune app, because these models look stunning without it.

Scars, peach fuzz, freckles, sun spots, lines—this is part of what makes us unique.

We hope that more brands take note. The praise people are giving Urban Decay for these photos are proof that people want to see more of this on their Instagram feeds.

This story is part of Health’s #RealLifeStrong series, where we are celebrating women who represent strength, resilience, and grace.

On the streets of industrial Brooklyn, it's not unusual to see construction workers wielding blowtorches. But refreshingly, behind one of those welder's masks is painter-sculptor Kennedy Yanko.

Seven years ago, Yanko was living in the dressing room of a basement apartment and working as a personal trainer, as she tried to make her mark on the competitive New York art scene. “[Fitness] was informative to the work that I was doing as a painter,” she says. Training taught her the discipline and endurance she needed to continue refining her artistic process, she explains.

Today Yanko runs her own art studio in Bushwick, where she reshapes found industrial materials into striking painted sculptures. Her work has been featured in the contemporary art fair VOLTA NY, and in Mashonda Tifrere’s Art Lead Her, a platform that celebrates and promotes female artists around the world.

RELATED: This Instagram Artist’s Illustrations About Life and Mental Health Will Help You Feel 'Normal'

With success has come pressure, of course.  “Every day is an adventure and is constantly changing. However, when I make work that feels powerful to me, it’s a driving force that dissolves any lingering anxiety,” she says. Also helpful: meditation. Yanko relies on her meditation practice to relieve stress, and hone her artistic intuition. “I feel like I have more clarity in my life, and my decision-making is quicker,” she says.

Then there are the physical demands of her job. Once she’s found her materials, Yanko will torch them, pound them with a sledgehammer, and do whatever else it takes to get the look she wants. She then incorporates her flowing signature paint skins, to contrast the enduring quality of the reshaped industrial artifacts.

Whether it’s learning how to weld or working with demolition teams, Yanko seems to thrive when subverting gender stereotypes. “I think if you’re trying to make your way in a male-dominated field the best thing to do is, not to separate yourself,” she says. Though she feels that when it comes to her art, being a woman is actually an advantage in this day and age. “People are interested in what females are doing. They want to see what’s happening on the other side—and they need to.”

Yanko currently has an installation on display at BRIC called “Feel For,” which combines moss with the ceilings of old tenement buildings.

For more of her inspiring story, check out the video above.

We want to hear more amazing stories about #RealLifeStrong women. Nominate yourself—or a friend or family member—here…

As much as we love over-the-counter retinol and prescription retinoids—the powerhouse ingredient is often hailed by dermatologists as a holy grail anti-ager—we know that these products aren't easy to add to your routine.

They don't always play well with others, for one; you shouldn't use retinoids when also using exfoliants, drying agents, or benzoyl peroxide, since the combination can cause irritation. Retinols and retinoids are also not safe to use during pregnancy. And they can trigger some frustrating side effects (like red, peeling skin) when you first start using them, particularly if you have sensitive skin or conditions like eczema and rosacea.

If you've been hesitant to jump on the retinol bandwagon for any of these reasons, take note. One of our favorite skincare brands just launched an alternative to retinol that's perfect for anyone with sensitive skin or any other disqualifier who still wants to fight signs of aging.

Ole Henriksen's Glow Cycle Retin-ALT Power Serum ($58; sephora.com) just launched a few days ago, but it's already amassed an impressive five-star rating on Sephora.com. And for good reason: The serum is packed with potent anti-agers, including AHAs to exfoliate, red algae to firm, edelweiss stem cell to soften fine lines, and the brand's new star ingredient, bakuchiol—a natural retinol alternative derived from the babchi plant. Bakuchiol helps tackle a host of complexion concerns, including uneven skin tone and wrinkles, but without some of retinol's more irritating side effects.

Glow Cycle Retin-ALT Power Serum can be applied day or night. For an extra dose of moisture at nighttime, though, you can follow with the brand's Transform Plus Goodnight Glow Retin-ALT Sleeping Crème ($55; sephora.com). This is a heavier night cream packed with nourishing ingredients (bakuchiol, along with red algae, glycolic and lactic acids, and extract of hibiscus flower, lemon, sugarcane, and chamomile) to help you wake up to softer, brighter-looking skin.

"Bakuchiol has recently been known as an ingredient that has similar effects as retinol," says New York City–based dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD. "Studies have shown that [it] helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles, helps with pigmentation, elasticity, and firmness." 

As for the gorgeous lavender hue of both products? The color actually helps counteract redness and impart an instantly noticeable glow. Also good: Unlike retinol, both formulas are safe to use during pregnancy, and like all Ole Henriksen products, they smell completely amazing.

The Declaration of Independence guaranteed Americans the right to pursue happiness, and we haven’t stopped looking for it since. But despite the college courses, research labs and countless self-help books dedicated to that search, only 33% of Americans actually said they were happy in a 2017 survey.

A new paper may help explain why: We’re trying too hard.

The research, published in the journal Emotion, found that overemphasizing happiness can make people more likely to obsess over failure and negative emotions when they inevitably do happen, bringing them more stress in the long run.

“Happiness is a good thing, but setting it up as something to be achieved tends to fail,” explains co-author Brock Bastian, a social psychologist at the University of Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences in Australia, in an email to TIME. “Our work shows that it changes how people respond to their negative emotions and experiences, leading them to feel worse about these and to ruminate on them more.”

The study involved two separate experiments. In the first, a group of Australian psychology students were asked to solve 35 anagrams in three minutes — but, unbeknownst to them, 15 couldn’t be solved. Thirty-nine of the students completed this task in a room decorated with motivational posters, notes and books. The proctor in this room was also told by the experimenters to speak cheerfully, and to off-handedly mentioned the importance of happiness. Meanwhile, another 39 students completed the same test in a neutral room, with a neutral proctor. A third group of 38 students completed a solvable task in a room that emphasized happiness similarly to the first room.

Afterward, the researchers asked all students to do a breathing exercise, during which they were periodically asked about their thoughts. Compared to the other two groups, students who performed the impossible task in the “happiness room” were more likely to think back to their failure and get stuck on these negative thoughts, which was in turn associated with feeling more negative emotions. Those who completed the impossible task in the neutral room and those who completed the solvable task in the happiness room did not differ significantly in how much they thought back to the exercise.

In a second experiment, the researchers asked about 200 American adults how often they experienced and thought about negative emotions, as well as their views on how society perceives those emotions. Participants who said they felt like society expects them to be happy, or looks down on emotions such as anxiety and depression, were more likely than other respondents to stress about feeling negative emotions, and to experience reductions in well-being and life satisfaction as a result.

“When people place a great deal of pressure on themselves to feel happy, or think that others around them do, they are more likely to see their negative emotions and experiences as signals of failure,” Bastian says…

The 41 piece collection—called Performance—drops today, and includes tops, bras, leggings, hoodies, jackets, and jumpsuits in a mix of black and white fabrics with glossy and matte finishes. All pieces are designed for sizes XS to 4X (they refer to them as size 0-7, respectively). The line also features next-level features such as four-way stretch, antiperspirant and anti-pilling materials, UV protection, and cooling properties. And as if the clothes themselves weren't enough to win you over, the campaign features confident fitness pros from a variety of backgrounds including fitness trainer Emily Skye, MMA champion Mackenzie Dern, and model Candice Huffine.

For its launch, the brand held a workout class with New York City-based trainer Akin Akman, who is known for his butt-busting boot camp workouts—and this one didn't disappoint. Upon pulling on the GA Icon Biker Shorts ($65; goodamerican.com) in preparation for class—a style I wouldn't ordinarily choose—I felt totally comfortable. The compression fabric and high waisted design held everything in place, and the extra-long length didn't make me feel self-conscious, or as if I was trying too hard to follow a trend. I typically exercise in full-length tights, but the GA shorts now have me sold on the above-knee length. 

I felt great doing all the moves, from burpees to leg lifts, and I was impressed that the fabric didn't feel like it was riding up. Best of all, my legs weren't chafing as they sometimes can in shorts that are cut higher. Another selling point: The fabrics are thick enough that you don't have to worry about anything being see-through, but they're also not so thick that they're restricting. While I'm into the shorts, there are also leggings in cropped or full length varieties—some have mesh cutouts and others say 'Good American' down the leg.

On top, I wore the Making Moves Tank ($49; goodamerican.com), which is a bit of an oversized sleeveless shirt made of a lightweight fabric that's breathable and kept me cool despite all of the sweat-inducing moves we were making in class. There are also zip-ups and hoodies, all of which are fitting for any type of workout. For example, there's a wrap top that could be perfect for barre class, while the Electric Feel Crop Top ($95; goodamerican.com), a long sleeve crop top that I also tried, is perfect to pair with high-waist leggings if you want to show off your midriff…

Push-ups are a classic, zero-equipment exercise with a whole lot of perks like serious chest, shoulder, triceps, and core gains–not to mention a visibly toned upper-body. Strengthening those muscles can help decrease symptoms like back pain, poor posture, and even not-so-perky breasts. But doing the same mighty, multi-tasking exercise over and over again can get a little boring.

Luckily, push-up variations abound. “Once you’ve mastered the basic push-up, incorporating different push-up variations will help engage and strengthen different parts of your body,” says certified strength and conditioning specialist Laura Miranda, also a doctor of physical therapy and the creator of PURSUIT. Some will work your biceps or triceps more, while others will work your core and quads. “Adding variation means you’re strengthening your entire body in new ways” she says.

Below, Miranda demos five push-up variations that go way beyond the classic (and that means they’ll help sculpt your arms even faster). Whether you’re sick of standard push-ups or are just looking for new, creative ways to work your chest, triceps, shoulders, back, and core, try these moves below.

And don't be intimidated if they look challenging at first: If you’re not quite ready for these next-level moves, Miranda offers easier variations that’ll get you rocking the real thing in no time.

RELATED: 5 CrossFit Moves That Are Actually Easier to Master Than You Think

Narrow Grip Ball Push-Up

How to do it: Grip a medicine ball in front of your body in push-up position with your hands directly under your shoulders. Keeping your body in one long line and your elbows by your sides, squeeze your core and lower your body until your chest touches the medicine ball. Then, exhale as you push back to start. That’s one rep. Aim for five to 10 reps.

To make it easier: Place the ball on an incline–like on top of a bench–so that your grip is the same, but the angle of your body is different. "Doing push-ups on an incline reduces strain on your body while keeping the integrity of the movement and prepping your body for the more advanced move,” Miranda says. You can also grab a larger medicine ball. "The bigger the ball and the wider your feet, the easier this movement will be," she says.

Why it works: "This push-up variation is similar to the Chaturanga push-up that you do in yoga because you're keeping your elbows and triceps as close to your body as possible,” Miranda says. This placement puts a greater emphasis on the triceps muscles. Plus, using a medicine ball, which is less stable than a flat surface, requires you to engage your core and improves overall stability and balance.

RELATED: This 50 Push-Up Challenge Will Transform Your Body in 30 Days

The Cricket

How to do it: Start in a high plank position with your hands flat on the floor about shoulder-width apart, wrists stacked under shoulders…

The craze — which incorporates a choreographed dance to Drake’s hit song, “In My Feelings” — has gone viral since late June as celebrities like Ciara popularized it over social media.

But the innocent challenge soon turned dangerous when thousands of people began to record themselves hopping outside of moving cars and performing the dance as the vehicles travel down the road.

Videos of the risky dance have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Instagram and YouTube.

Worden told WQAD that she decided to participate in the trend as she drove around with friends near her home in Bettendorf, Iowa, on July 23.

“We were over by the round-about, and I thought it would be a fun idea to do the ‘Kiki Challenge,’ ” she told the news station.

But Worden, a lifelong dancer, was quickly knocked unconscious after stepping outside of the car.

“I tried, and the last thing I remember was opening the door,” she told WQAD. “So apparently I got out and tripped and fell and hit my head.”

Emergency personnel transported Worden to a nearby hospital, where she was then airlifted to the intensive care unit in Iowa City. Doctors determined that the young woman had fractured her skull, and was experiencing blood clots in her ear and bleeding in her brain, WQAD reported.

“I had five minutes to give her a kiss and not know what was going to happen,” Worden’s father, Mike Worden, told the outlet. “I will always remember that.”

After regaining consciousness in the ICU, Worden reflected on what led her to the hospital.

“That’s when it hit me like ‘Wow, I’m actually in the University of Iowa hospitals because I tried to do some little challenge everyone’s doing now,’ ” she said, “and I’m the one that got majorly hurt.”

Of the thousands of Kiki Challenge videos that have been posted, there is a growing subset of videos that show failed attempts at the dance, which include cars crashing into poles and being hit by other vehicles. In short, many things can go wrong in those few seconds that it takes to do the dance, and police around the country have warned against participating in the challenge as injuries continue to mount.

“We have some thoughts about the #InMyFeelings challenge. #Distraction in any mode is dangerous & can be deadly. Whether you are a #driver, #pilot, or #operator, focus on safely operating your vehicle,” the National Transportation Safety Board tweeted.

Worden is re-learning how to walk, and is now warning others about the risks they take when jumping outside of a slowly moving car.

“Be more careful about the challenges and fads that are going around,” she told WQAD…