If you're one of actress January Jones' nearly 600,000 Instagram followers, you know that she's quite candid. So when the Last Man on Earth actress posted two images of her favorite skin and haircare products with the hashtags #notanad and #theseareproductsiuseeveryday, we were excited to be getting her honest product recommendations.

Jones explains that these products are her go-tos for summer: "It’s summer!! Here are my fav skincare and hair care products for this time of year!" she writes. "I tried to put them in order of use."

First up: iS Clinical Super Serum Advance Plus ($148; dermstore.com), which is laced with anti-aging superstars vitamin C, a copper tripeptide growth factor, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids. It can be used on any skin type and helps with hyperpigmentation, acne, and free-radical damage. She follows this serum with another iS product, the brand's Hydra-Cool Serum ($90; dermstore.com), a great pick for those who suffer from redness or irritation, since the formula taps soothing centella asiatica to calm skin. Adding another serum into the mix, Jones includes Dr. Nigma Talib Hydrating and Plumping Serum No1 ($185; net-a-porter.com), which helps to plump up skin.

No skincare regimen would be complete without sunscreen. Jones' fave: Control Corrective Oil-Free Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($48; amazon.com). This is a hydrating moisturizer paired with micro-fine zinc to provide UVA and UVB protection. For a faux golden glow, she opts for Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil ($100; sephora.com). Jones' luxe taste continues with Sisley Floral Toning Lotion ($103; nordstrom.com); made from botanical extracts, the toning lotion is alcohol-free and safe for use on sensitive skin types.

The next products seem to be for her nighttime routine. A favorite among the celeb set is aesthetician Shani Darden's line, and Jones includes yet another serum, the brand's Texture Reform Gentle Resurfacing Serum ($95; shanidarden.com) to help smooth fine lines. Ringing in at a cool $795 is Jones' next product pick: Sisley Supremÿa at Night Supreme Anti-Aging Skin Care (nordstrom.com). While you might expect it to be laced with diamonds, it's actually a powerful combination of plant-based active ingredients that hike up the price. The final product pictured is Omorovicza Refining Facial Polisher ($95; sephora.com), which offers the benefits of both mechanical and chemical exfoliation—you can feel the grittiness of its lava powder sloughing away dead skin, but it also contains fruit extracts and lactobionic acid to stimulate cell turnover.

Next up: Jones' favorite hair products. To keep her strands bright blonde, she uses Philip B Icelandic Blonde Shampoo ($44; dermstore.com). It packs natural plum extracts, botanicals, and grapeseed oil to neutralize brassiness and illuminate highlights…

If, like me, you are a dedicated viewer of Busy Philipps' Instagram Stories, you've probably spotted the actress and current Health cover star share sheet mask selfies with her followers. But Philipps doesn't always reveal the brand of the mask she's wearing, so I was pretty excited when Philipps—who is taking over Health's Instagram account today—posted a video to our feed showcasing her impressive personal face mask stash.

"I love masking, and I have a whole drawer of masks, don't judge me," Philipps says in the video. "But I'm going to show it to you and show you some of my faves."

Want to channel Busy with your own face mask drawer? Here are the nine products she mentions in the video, plus where to buy them.

• "I love the Origins sheet masks. I love this Plantscription one [$42 for 6; nordstrom.com], but then I also love their Original Skin clay mask [$27; sephora.com] when I have time for that."

• "I love the Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant [available for preorder; shoprescuespa.com], which is brown and smells kind of funny, so just keep that in mind."

• "Dr. Jart is one of my favorites. Soothing Hydra [$6; sephora.com] and Vital Hydra  [$6; sephora.com] are my two favorites."

• "I love the Charlotte Tilbury Dry Mask [$22; nordstrom.com], which is a little bit different 'cause it's dry."

• "I found this store in New York that had a ton of Korean masks that I haven't tried yet, so I'll try those." Pictured: Mediheal Foot Mask ($15 for 5; amazon.com), Jayjun Multi-Vita Tone Up Mask ($20 for 10; amazon.com) and Papa Recipe Bombee Whitening Honey Mask ($26 for 10; amazon.com).

The first thing I do in the mornings is look at my phone. That’s mainly because my phone is my alarm clock, but once my eyes are open and that screen is lit up in my hands, it’s an awfully short trip to checking emails and perusing headlines. There’s no reason for me to be doing this. My emails that early in the morning are mainly junk, and the headlines won’t change much before I’ve brushed my teeth and poured a cup of coffee, right?

My wife says I’m addicted to my phone. I disagree, but I can definitely stand to spend less time looking at it. I’m not terribly active on social media, but I do enjoy me some idle scrolling. And, wow, do these tech companies know how to keep those thumbs constantly swiping up. We’ve got a toddler, and while I think we’re pretty good about limiting her screen time, it would seem that technology has had its hooks in me from the start. So, I decided to try loosening my phone’s grasp on my attention by switching the screen to black and white.

RELATED: Why Turning Off Your Phone Can Help You Have More Sex

Changing the display to black and white is very easy. In your iPhone’s settings, choose General, then Accessibility. Next choose Display Accommodations, then Color Filters. Tap the toggle on and a list of filters appears. Choose Grayscale and you’re all set.

But no one wants to go through all this every time they want to turn color back on to check out an Instagram story. Clearly, you’re not going to always want your screen to be black and white—after all, there will inevitably be photos to view and videos to share—which is what makes setting a shortcut integral. In the Accessibility menu, tap Accessibility Shortcut and choose Color Filters. Now, pressing the home button three times will toggle your display to color, then back with another three.

It seems counterintuitive, with screens boasting higher resolutions than ever, to actively negate one of your device’s primary selling points, but when you consider the subtle neurological factors at play, it’s a small—and easy—price to pay. Technology companies are aggressively competing for our attention. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings famously told Fast Company that his company’s biggest competitor was sleep (“And we’re winning!” he added). Think about that next time Netflix autoplays the next episode of your binge.

The Center for Humane Technology, founded by Tristan Harris, who previously served as Google’s in-house design ethicist, points out a number of more subtle tactics that tech companies use to keep you coming back to your phone. “Notifications appear in RED dots because red is a trigger color that instantly draws our attention,” according to its website. The Center argues that with just a few simple changes to your phone’s settings you can take back a portion of your time…

Meredith Phillips, star of The Bachelorette‘s season 2, is claiming a female masseuse drugged and sexually assaulted her during production of the ABC show in late 2003.

Phillips made the allegations for the first time in an episode of the Reality Steve podcast, which aired on Wednesday. PEOPLE has not independently corroborated Phillips’ claim and reps for ABC and Warner Bros. told PEOPLE they had “no comment” to share regarding her accusations.

Phillips did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further comment.

Recalling feelings of fatigue during the filming of season 2, Phillips alleged she was “roofied” and “kind of accosted” by an unidentified female massage therapist, who she said was hired by the show.

“I just assumed it was an aspirin or something to loosen up my back, or Tylenol, or something. And it definitely wasn’t that, that’s for sure,” Phillips said during the podcast episode.

“The last thing I remember was she got naked and she was in the tub with me, and rubbing my back and rubbing areas probably she shouldn’t have. And then I was put in bed. I woke up naked. Don’t remember much,” said Phillips, who was on the fourth season of The Bachelor, starring Bob Guiney, and came in third place.

As for why she did not report the allegations during her time on the show, Phillips said she “wanted to protect the franchise, which is f—ed-up.”

Phillips, who opened up about her battle with alcoholism in June 2013, said she had not been drinking at the time of the incident.

She mentioned the incident to Reality Steve after being asked what was the “hardest thing” she “had to deal” with as the bachelorette.

“This is hard for me to talk about. I think I’ve put it somewhere else in my brain so when you bring this up, it’s definitely right there in the forefront as we’re speaking,” she said. “I remember everything until a certain point and when the pill kicked in I literally couldn’t even move my body, so I have no idea what the pill was at all.”

Phillips added, “All I know is that I was told that, ‘This will make you feel better.’ ”

Though she considered exiting the show after the alleged incident, Phillips admitted that she wanted to complete her season, during which she became engaged to winner Ian McKee. (They ended their engagement a year later.)

“It is a huge deal. I have worked through it and thrown it in the back of my mind. I had no control. Zero,” Phillips said. “I think that was the hardest part for me, that I couldn’t even lift my arms to say no.”

RELATED VIDEO: Will Harvey Weinstein Scandal Change Things for Women and Sexual Harassment in Hollywood?

She also claimed that another person, whom she did not identify, confided in her about a similar incident of being “roofied and in a hot tub and kind of accosted” during production…

Drew Barrymore is known for her beauty expertise, but now, she’s sharing what helps her feel her best. The actress and owner of Flower Beauty posted a mirror selfie on Instagram to talk about one insecurity in particular.

“I have really dark circles,” she wrote. “That’s my problem. I don’t have lines as much as I look [like] the crypt keeper. I love laugh lines. Can’t wait for more. But dark circles are a problem, because it looks like instead of being impossibly happy throughout my life, I look more like a ghoul who came from the graveyard!”

Lucky for her (and us), Barrymore has found the solution to her under-eye dilemma.

“The key is to find a more pigmented eye cream,” she said. “Rarely, but certainly some times, clear has worked. But I often find white tinted and ones with a light pearl or pinky tone. I have a few faves I will share, but wanted to show a regular morning.”

The 'gram is part of Barrymore’s “#beautyjunkieweek,” where she discusses her beauty routine, skincare information, and of course, the products that work best for her.

On Tuesday, she shared her five favorite products: Juara's Miracle Tea Complete Eye Creme ($53; dermstore.com); Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream ($99; sephora.com); Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix ($69; sephora.com); Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector ($42; sephora.com); and Olay Regenerist Luminous Dark Circle Correcting Hydraswirl ($13; amazon.com). 

"These work!" Barrymore wrote in the post. "I’ve tried everything and will continue to find the holy grail for dark circles."

Over the weekend, she also promoted Juara’s Radiance Enzyme Scrub ($38; dermstore.com)–and mentioned their eye cream.

“Obsessed with this brand and they sent me a sample of this scrub when [I] asked for their insanely effective tea eye cream for dark circles,” she said. “To my surprise, my pores shrank to zip. Zero. Tight.”

Barrymore says she is not paid or encouraged to post about any particular product during #beautyjunkieweek; rather, she just wants her followers to know how they can take care of their skin.

As a beauty editor, I get to test a lot of new and game-changing innovations. I'm not going to lie, while some of the futuristic, technology-driven creations are pretty sweet, sometimes it's the most under-the-radar products that are the true game-changers. I met with the baby brand Mustela not too long ago and assumed I would be walking away with things I'd never use on myself. But I was so wrong.

First off, I was blown away when I found out that the same way adults can have different skin types–like oily, combo, or dry–babies have skin types, too, and Mustela specifically formulates their products to address babies' individual needs. Right then, I was hooked. If they told me to use diaper rash cream for anti-aging, I would have done it. I didn't go that far though. Instead, I started using their No Rinse Cleansing Water ($14.50; amazon.com), and I'm here today to tell you I'm obsessed.

RELATED: These Are the 7 Best Sunscreens for Babies and Kids

I was already using a micellar water. They've become super trendy and the technology is being used in everything from face wash to shampoo now. Micelles are like little scavengers that scrounge up dirt and oil from skin without needing to use water like you would with a typical cleanser. The nice thing about not having to use water is that the process is gentler, which makes sense in baby care.

Before I even tried Mustela's micellar formula, I was drawn to the dispenser—it comes in a pump! I took it home and set it on my sink, ready to start my double-cleansing routine (I use a micellar water first, followed by a balm cleanser). I saturated a cotton round with the formula and got to work, first tackling my heavily lined, shadowed, and mascara-ed eyes. Then I moved onto my contour and foundation-coated complexion. I went back for a few extra pumps of the heavenly scented liquid—people are addicted to Mustela's fresh fragrance, by the way—and voilà, my skin was clean as can be. I didn't even need to break out my balm cleanser. Believe me, that's a seriously impressive feat.

RELATED: The Best Facial Wash for Your Skin Type

Not only did the gentle no-rinse water remove all of my makeup, it also left me feeling refreshed–and not the least bit dehydrated or tight like some cleansers do. That's kind of the whole idea behind this product for babies: It's meant for "in-between bath time and on-the-go to cleanse skin like a baby wash without stripping your baby's skin of its natural oils," according to the product's description.

I also love that it's a bit hydrating, too. Laced with avocado perseose, a patented ingredient designed for delicate baby skin, and aloe vera extract, the liquid has totally transformed my sometimes rough and scaly patches into, well, a baby-smooth texture.

While you probably won't see me using diaper rash cream any time soon, I'll never say never, because this cleanser has turned me into a loyal baby-product user for good.

Laurel versus Yanny is dividing the nation. It seems like we had barely settled down from the blue and black (or white and gold?) dress debacle, when YouTube star Cloe Feldman decided to publish a four-second video originally posted on Reddit by user RolandCamry. Within a couple days, the clip asking viewers whether they hear the word “Laurel” or the word “Yanny” has garnered over 100,000 likes on Twitter–and sparked intense debate.

Everyone from Health staffers (full disclosure: I am a Laurel) to Chrissy Teigen and Mindy Kaling can't seem to agree, so we felt it was time to call in an expert. Don Vaughn, PhD, a neuroscientist and musician, is helping us make a sound judgment on the matter.

“It’s a really interesting phenomenon,” he tells Health. The brain tries its best to create "one unified model of the world," he says–but at the end of the day, one person's individual brain is just one individual interpretation, he explains. "Your brain’s job is to construct the most likely reality, so it makes the best guess.” The result? In a split second, you hear either Laurel or Yanny.

RELATED: How to Tell If Your Earbuds Are Hurting Your Hearing

But, Vaughn argues, you can probably hear both.

“If I say, ‘I know you hear it as Yanny, but I want you to sit here and listen to Laurel, I think most people can hear it either way,” he says. “It’s a conflict between our first gut reaction and the fact that there is another interpretation, but it’s inconvenient to do that work.”

In addition to your brain's unique interpretation of the clip, whether you hear Laurel or Yanny also depends on your ability to hear high and low frequencies. Like Teigen told Kaling, “They’re saying younger, more beautiful people hear yanny!!!!!" And she might be onto something.

Inside your ears are small sensors called hair cells. They pick up on sound waves and send them to the brain, Vaughn says. "If you lose all your hair cells you can’t hear.” Noise exposure can damage these hair cells, and they don't grow back.

Vaughn speculates that people who are older and have fewer hair cells are more likely to hear Laurel because they can’t hear the higher frequencies of Yanny. “We know that other animals on the planet specialize in hearing different frequencies," he says. "Some birds only hear high frequencies, and whales hear low-frequency content. It’s not a stretch that some people pay more attention to high frequencies.” The frequencies in the viral clip are extreme, he adds: Most of us are used to hearing more mid-range frequencies, which could make it even trickier to tell if it's Laurel or Yanny.

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As other outlets have noted, playing with the frequencies in the video can make Laurel or Yanny suddenly appear…

Even though I'm a huge proponent for everyone wearing as much makeup as they want to, I'm personally of the skin-first philosophy: That is, I prefer to painstakingly fret over my face, lathering all kinds of creams and serums in a quest for what I suppose to be the non-existent "flawless complexion," so I don't need to wear so much makeup.

Lately, I'd noticed my skin, now at the ripe age of 32-years-old, didn't have that same Noxzema-girl luster as it did just a few years ago in my 20s. (Aging is a real thing, you guys.) And while I've enlisted a variety of anti-aging creams approved by top derms and experts alike, I wanted to find a way to get fresh-faced quickly. So when the aesthetician who turned me onto the skin-wonder phenomenon of microneedling let me know of her latest innovation, I had to learn more—and try the at-home treatment for myself. (FYI, here's Everything You Need to Know About Microneedling.)

Dermaplaning, according to Kerry Benjamin, the founder of Stacked Skincare in Santa Monica, California, "gently removes dead skin cell build-up and fine facial hair for a brighter and smoother complexion, while also allowing products to fully soak into the skin, boosting the efficacy of the serums and creams." In medical spas and aesthetic offices, the procedure can cost anywhere from $75 to $200 depending on where you live, but her at-home tool is literally a fraction of the cost, packaged with a trio of replacement blades, too.

Although the treatment has gotten a lot of buzz recently, it isn't entirely groundbreaking. "Beauty bloggers have talked about at-home dermaplaning over the years, but they've used a cheap plastic tool intended to touch up your eyebrows." Definitely do not try that at home, FYI.

"I also think a lot of women are getting over the stigma of 'shaving their face' and realizing that dermaplaning is one of the best treatments to exfoliate the dead skin, and also remove peach fuzz, leaving your skin instantly glowing and dewy," Benjamin said, to which I can't disagree. I mean, at 32, I want skin as smooth as a baby's butt. And no, I'm not at all ashamed to admit that I'll try almost anything (at least once) to get the job done.

Plus, it works on all complexions (unlike laser hair removal, which is best for an extremely specific skin tone and hair type) and takes only five to ten minutes—perfect for those who want smoother, brighter skin but are also too busy (or lazy!) to devote tons of time to beauty treatments. In addition to the Stacked Skincare tool, I also stumbled on one of Sephora's top-selling skin-care tools, the DermaFlash. Similar to the manual dermaplane, this electronically powered model is a souped-up version of the Stacked Skincare tool, except it comes with a set of six blades (you should use about one per week) in addition to an oil-removing cleanser to use beforehand, and a soothing, hydrating cream to apply after completing the at-home treatment…

You already know that a lot of the images you see on social media are posed and unrealistic. But just how easy is it to transform the shape of a woman's body or erase marks from her skin?

That question is addressed in the latest viral transformation photo to hit Instagram. Posted by fitness influencer Laysa Neto, it reveals that using certain camera angles, posing your body, and positioning your clothing can completely alter how you look.

RELATED: Real Women Are Spreading a Message About Body Positivity by Embracing Their Thighbrows

Neto, a 28-year-old from Rhode Island, put three photos of herself together and posted them on Instagram. In the first photo, she is relaxed, revealing what she looks like “99 percent” of the time, she says.

The photo on the right displays her flexing her abs. “I am literally not breathing in the photo,” she admitted in the caption. The image in the middle is her most vulnerable one, as the mother of two grabs her stomach.

“I show my wrinkles and ‘sags’ and extra loose skin from having two kids,” she explained in the caption.

Neto’s post promotes her body-positive approach to health and wellness. Her point is to show her followers that social media is not a realistic depiction of a person’s everyday appearance. 

“[I’ve] been doing a lot more showing all the angles someone can pose or what leggings can do or what [lighting] can do because I don’t do it enough," she wrote. "I still get girls who feel they need to be this picture perfect model and you don’t!”

RELATED: These 13 Women Prove Every Body Is a Bikini Body

Neto tells Health that she was motivated to help women struggling with body image issues, particularly moms, who typically have loose skin or belly flab and feel bad about it when they see selfies of other moms who don't seem to have these postpartum changes.

She wants her followers to know that in many cases, those other images aren't accurate and can do a number on your self-esteem.

“I have the cellulite, I have the stretch marks, I have the wrinkles,” she says. “It may not show in every picture but it’s there. And sometimes we get caught up on who had more stretch marks or who has less stretch marks or who is perfect … it’s not about that. It’s about accepting your body and knowing what it went through and loving your body at any stage.”

Beauty enthusiasts have long touted the staying power of cult fave Kat Von D Beauty Tattoo Liner, but a recent viral tweet of a Sephora review has solidified this liner in the hallowed halls of beauty legend. All of Kat Von D’s products are beyond fantastic — who else would think to collaborate with a rock star like Billie Joe on a new Kat Von D eyeliner? But this story about the Tattoo Liner is beyond confirmation that Kat makes a standout product.

It all started with @guadalahari’s tweet about her search for a new eyeliner. She stumbled upon a hilarious Sephora review of KVDB’s Tattoo Liner written by a woman who had survived a car accident with her eyeliner intact. The addition of a neck brace photo pushed it over the edge, and now it’s gone viral. The photo shows that the woman cried off all her other eye makeup post-accident yet her liner remained in perfect winged position. What a time to be alive!

Never has there been a clearer example of makeup doing its job than in this moment. If an eyeliner can survive a post-car accident sobfest, then it’s officially a must-have.

If you were on the fence about Kat Von D Beauty’s Tattoo Liner before, you won’t be now.

We can’t think of a better advertisement for this eyeliner than this one, TBH.

This is not the first time a Sephora review has made the news. Remember the Fenty Beauty foundation review that went viral? These have become a veritable art form.

The shock is real.

Look at that eyeliner! This is the kind of thing you really have to see to believe. This poor woman.

The car accident victim and fierce liner-wearer eventually identified herself on Twitter, making us truly grateful for police photos.

Shelby, neck brace or no, you are working that liner lewk.

In a surprising turn of events, journalist Madeleine Dunne posted her own photo to reveal that she too had survived her own car accident with her KVD eyeliner intact.

If you’re not flocking to Sephora to buy this liner for yourself, what are you even doing?

 

 

We can now confidently say this liner is worth every penny.

If you happened to find yourself at one of the 2,800 half marathons in the United States in 2016, you might have noticed something: a heck of a lot of ladies donning race bibs. In fact, according to a national survey by Running USA, women account for 60 percent of the nearly 2 million people racing 13.1 miles every year. And it’s not just crazy twenty-somethings lacing up their sneakers so they can Instagram their #racebling. The average age of female half-marathon finishers in 2016 was 36.6 years old—a number that’s only increased over the past two years. Think all these women were speed demons? Nope.

The average finisher time was two hours and 23 minutes (which translates to about 10 minutes and 55 seconds per mile). The point of loading you up with all these facts? To prove just how accessible this distance is for women of all ages and fitness abilities. “The half marathon is a great, manageable distance for anyone,” says Roberto Mandje, a former Olympic distance runner and the chief coach at New York Road Runners in New York City. It’s a challenge, but an attainable one: “Yes, it requires a committed approach to training—but that commitment won’t take over your life.” And once you cross that finish line for the first time, you’ll be hooked on that “runner’s high.” Ready, set, run!

The I-Just-Want-to-Finish Plan

How it works: If you’ve never run a half, this program will help you gradually lengthen your distance over 10 weeks. Don’t stress out over how fast or slow you are in the beginning, Mandje recommends. “Just run comfortably for your first few long runs,” he says. “You can always adjust your goal half-marathon pace as your fitness and familiarity with the training increases each week.” To figure out your goal half-marathon pace, think about what time you’d like to finish the race in, then divide that by 13 miles. But be realistic—if a 10-minute mile is hard for you in shorter training runs, you might not be able to maintain that speed for the entire race.

The Get-Faster Plan

How it works: Already raced 13.1 miles and want to do it faster this time? Increasing your miles more significantly over the course of 10 weeks helps you get used to running faster for longer early on in your training. “Complement your biweekly workouts and long runs with a day of cross-training, like aqua jogging, spinning, or working out on an elliptical,” says Mandje. Not only will you feel fitter and stronger in general, but that extra strength primes your body to perform better at higher speeds and for longer durations—which is what you’ll need on race day.

How to fuel for a half marathon

An often-overlooked part of training? Your eating plan. “What makes you run fast on race day is consistent training,” says Kyle Pfaffenbach, PhD, the performance nutrition consultant for the Brooks Beasts, a professional middle-distance running team, and a professor of nutrition at Eastern Oregon University…

We have good news and better news: Kate Somerville, one of our all-time favorite skincare brands, is having a huge Friends & Family sale right now, with 20% off everything sitewide. (Yes, everything.) And even better: Health readers can nab an additional 5% off (for total savings of 25%) using the exclusive code "TIMEFAM18" at checkout. With a $50 purchase, you'll also receive a free .5 oz. ExfoliKate treatment, one of the brand's bestselling products that contains lactic and salicylic acids to leave skin super-smooth and even.

The coupon is valid for a limited time (the sale ends April 30) so act fast to take advantage of these savings. Here, five must-have Kate Somerville skincare finds we're stocking up on in this sale.

EradiKate Acne Treatment

To buy: $19.50 with code (originally $26); katesomerville.com

You've probably seen this small-but-mighty acne spot treatment in the medicine cabinet of that friend with amazing skin. EradiKate has a cult following, thanks to its pink sulfur-based formula that works overtime to shrink even the most stubborn blemishes.

Somerville 360 Face and Body Self-Tanning Towelettes

To buy: $36 with code (originally $48); katesomerville.com

These little towelettes deliver a natural-looking, streak-free sunless tan with just one swipe. And unlike most self-tanners that come in a bigger tube, they're portable enough to bring with you on vacation.

Oil-Free Moisturizer

To buy: $49 with code (originally $65); katesomerville.com

Sensitive, combination complexion? This calming moisturizer (with star ingredients like red marine algae) will deliver a boost of hydration without irritating your skin.

+Retinol Firming Eye Cream

To buy: $64 (originally $85); katesomerville.com

PSA: Retinol isn't just for your cheeks and forehead. Formulated with both retinol and bio-retinols, this powerful cream will deliver noticeable improvements to fine lines and wrinkles in your under-eye area.

ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash

To buy: $45 (originally $60); katesomerville.com

Pair your brand-new ExfoliKate treatment with an exfoliating daily cleanser that helps to slough away dead skin cells with each (gentle!) wash. The formula contains a combination of glycolic and lactic acids, as well as pineapple, pumpkin, and papaya enzymes, for your smoothest, softest skin yet.

Whitney Port is a woman on the go, and she relies on a quick and easy makeup routine. With eight-month-old Sonny in tow, she has scaled back her 45-minute beauty regimen to one that takes just a few minutes.

“I rely on fewer items and things that serve a lot of purposes," she tells Health.

When it’s time to start her day, Port reaches for the Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream from IT Cosmetics ($15; sephora.com and amazon.com).

"It has SPF 50 in it and serves a tinted moisturizer that's sort of like a foundation, so it hides any kind of bags or redness or anything that tired moms have," she says.

This isn't the first time Port has raved about her go-to CC cream. In a blog post on her site, Port shared even more information about her favorite product.

"It does a million things but I’m gonna spare you all the technical jargon and let you know it makes my skin appear as flawless as it possibly could,” she wrote in May 2017. “I apply a tiny amount with my fingertips after my moisturizer and it evens out my skin like no other tinted moisturizer I’ve ever used! I use the LIGHT shade. PLEASE try it. I promise you will be obsessed.”

Port applies all of her makeup with her fingers and uses a cream blush for her eyelids, cheeks, and lips. "It takes five seconds just to swipe it on," she says. She also trusts Dove’s dry shampoo ($4; amazon.com) to “save the day” when she doesn’t have time to wash her hair.

Port probably deals with fewer bad hair days now that she has a new, shorter ‘do. "Chopping my hair off was a good thing to help me with self-care," she told us. "I don't really have to do it anymore.”

Whitney Way Thore is done with the cruel comments she gets on social media.

The star of My Big Fat Fabulous Life enjoys sharing her life with her followers on Instagram and Twitter, but feels like the rude messages she gets invade the “home” she’s created.

Thore, 33, said that she chooses not to read the comments, but that sometimes it’s unavoidable.

“Being a public figure makes you especially vulnerable to other people’s opinions — and we all know that many people feel the need to incessantly say everything on their mind, usually unsolicited,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “These opinions can range from fairly innocuous but annoying (‘That outfit is really unflattering on you.’), to rude and pointless (‘You’re ugly.’), to abusive (‘You should kill yourself.’). Seeing these ‘opinions’ is something that will always happen if I want to engage on my own social media, where people who really get me and support me are.”

Thore said that she prefers not to delete the negative comments, but on the rare occasions she does, people accuse her of violating their freedom of speech, or being too sensitive.

The dancer said that much like she wouldn’t want someone who is attacking her to be in her physical home, she doesn’t want them in her digital home either.

“My digital spaces are also my home — they’re mine. No one is stopping you from shouting your hate (or opinions) into the ether. You can have your opinions about me as a public person, and as much as you think I’m asking for it, or it comes along with the territory, I don’t have to honor your unsolicited opinions,” Thore said.

She clarified that if she deletes someone’s comment, that means she’s kicking them out of her digital home.

“When you come into my space, I can make you leave,” she said. “This doesn’t mean I can’t handle a contrary opinion. It means I take no stock in your opinion and it’s unnecessary noise.”

This is the second time in two weeks that Thore has spoken out about the rude comments she gets on Instagram. In another post, she called out the “accusatory” messages she’s getting about her body.

“Recently I’ve gotten a lot of comments and DMs with an…accusatory nature, asking me questions like, ‘If you work out so much, why don’t you lose weight? What are you eating?’ and things like…’If you’re going to post workouts and not meals, that isn’t fair; we’re not getting the full picture,’ ” she said on April 8, before detailing the medical issues — from PCOS to disordered eating — that keep her from losing weight.

“Where I am today is a woman who, just like you, is trying to be balanced, who is trying to be healthy (also mentally and emotionally), and who is just…doing her best…

Skincare and makeup are great—and while they can make a heck of a difference in your appearance, outer beauty also starts on the inside. Everything you ingest plays a role in how you look. Drink too many margaritas? Your puffy face is going to give it away in the morning. Binge on sugary snacks? You might notice a few new breakouts crop up. With this in mind, makeup artist Bobbi Brown set out to create EVOLUTION 18, a new line that embodies what she believes will help improve overall health.

If you've ever read one of Brown's eight (!) books, you know that her approach to beauty has a lot to do with this inside-to-outside correlation, and her line fittingly offers ingestibles like protein powder and supplements.

"I approached this line the same way I did my makeup line," Brown says. "I didn’t sit there and look at the trends or go with what the lab suggested, instead I started thinking of what was missing. These are supplements to give you a beauty boost from within. Using the purest (and most delicious) ingredients, EVOLUTION 18 was created for creating gorgeous skin and hair, strong bones and an overall glow."

The line includes four different products: a whey protein powder called Afternoon Chocolate ($66; qvc.com); a Vanilla Collagen Shake ($53; qvc.com) intended to be an evening snack; probiotics packaged in a convenient stick ($39; qvc.com); and a hair and nail growth supplement called Strength ($40; qvc.com).

If these products are anything like her makeup line, we expect them to fly off the shelves in no time.

Strength training plays a key role in your development as a runner, helping to build muscle so that your body can handle the repetitive stress of all that pavement pounding. And the stronger you are, the faster you’ll go. "Running is all about creating force," explains Tamara Pridgett, a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified trainer and All-American sprinter, who also recommends sneaking in some core work during your training. "The more force you can generate, when done with proper technique, the faster you’ll run—and to improve the max force we apply to the ground, one must lift weights." Here, her favorite run-strong moves.

1. Barbell Squat

These help build strength in your legs and contribute to overall power when running. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, core engaged, and a loaded barbell or a heavy body bar on your back just below your neck (A). Push hips back to lower down into a squat, keeping chest up (B). Drive heels into ground to rise back up to standing. Do 3 or 4 sets of 10 reps.

2. Box jump

It increases power, which in turn improves your speed. Stand facing box, about 6 to 12 inches away. Bend knees, lowering down into a quarter squat, and swing arms back behind you; keep natural bend in elbows (A). As you drive arms forward, push through feet to jump up onto box, landing softly (B). Stand up, squeezing glutes to come to full hip extension (C). Step back down to start. Do 3 or 4 sets of 10 reps.

3. Dumbbell Power Clean

This is a holy grail exercise that focuses on both strength and power. Start in a squat with a dumbbell in right hand, arm hanging in front of body, back flat, and core tight (A). Pull right arm up, leading with elbow as the dumbbell scales the body, to come to standing (B). Flip wrist so palm is facing head as you drop back into a squat (C). Do 3 sets of 8 to 10 reps per side.

4. Kettlebell Suitcase Deadlift

The muscles used in a deadlift—glutes, core, hamstrings, quadriceps, trapezius—are the same ones used when running. Plus, this lift helps generate power and force, which is crucial. Stand with feet hip-width apart, kettlebells on outsides of both feet. Squat down to grip kettlebells (A). Maintaining a neutral spine, stand up, squeezing glutes at the top (B). Slowly and with control, lower back down to start. Do 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps.

5. Walking Lunge

Lunges simulate ideal running mechanics; if you can master proper form during this exercise, your running form will also improve. Start standing; drive right knee up to 90 degrees, keeping body long and in a straight line, with foot flexed (A). Step forward with right foot, lowering down into a lunge with each leg as close to 90 degrees as possible (B). Squeeze glutes as you step up and past the right leg with the left foot, lowering down into a lunge on the left side (C). Do 3 or 4 sets for 50 meters. Walk back to start for rest, and repeat.

6…

Beauty lovers, we have a very important PSA for you: Dermstore just launched a secret sale with markdowns on many of our go-to brands, including Dermalogica, Perricone MD, Avene, and Peter Thomas Roth.

From now until April 17, use the code DSBEAUTY15 to get an additional 15% off already-reduced sale items for total savings up to 50% off. Many of these brands are rarely discounted, meaning this is kind of a big deal–and an unusual opportunity to stock up on pricey skincare, haircare, and makeup faves for a fraction of the original price. Note: The code isn't displayed anywhere on Dermstore's site, but we confirmed that it does work at checkout. Here, nine items we're adding to our carts ASAP.

Peter Thomas Roth Power K Eye Rescue

To buy: $68 after code (originally $100); dermstore.com

Vitamins K and C and kojic acid work to reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines in this powerful, antioxidant-rich eye cream.

Dermalogica Daily Defenders

To buy: $41 after code (originally $69); dermstore.com

If you've been wanting to try Dermalogica, this is a great introduction to the brand. The three-piece kit includes their Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50, Antioxidant Hydramist, and Skin Resurfacing Cleanser.

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen

To buy: $26 after code (originally $37); dermstore.com

This beloved Aussie brand is ideal for those with sensitive skin (derms rave about the baby formula, too), and now is the perfect time to stock up before summer hits.

Perricone MD Neuropeptide Firming Moisturizer

To buy: $197 after code (originally $290); dermstore.com

Saving this much on Perricone MD is almost unheard of. Feeling splurge-y? Pair the brand's ultra-powerful anti-aging moisturizer with their Neuropeptide Instant Serum, which is also seriously discounted. What's more, when we added the moisturizer to our cart, we got two bonus gifts with purchase: Perricone MD's Hypoallergenic Firming Eye Cream and TULA Skincare's Purifying Face Cleanser.

Foreo Issa Toothbrush in Lavender or Mint

To buy: $101 after code (originally $149); dermstore.com

Yes, the newly released Foreo Issa 2 is amazing. But we're still in love with the OG model, and it would be silly not to buy it at this price. While you're at it, stock up on replacement brush heads.

Batiste Dry Shampoo

To buy: $3.40 for 2 after code (originally $4); dermstore.com

You can never have too many bottles of this cult-favorite dry shampoo. And the fact that you get a free gift with purchase—TULA Skincare's Purifying Face Cleanser, a $28 value—makes dropping the $3.40 a no-brainer.

WEI Millet Sprout Instant Smoothing Nourishing Mask

To buy: $40 after code (originally $60); dermstore.com

I'm in love with WEI sheet masks, but they're not cheap. So you can bet I'll be stocking up on this six-pack of their Millet Sprout masks, a soothing formula that helps fade discoloration and plump fine lines…

From her perfectly highlighted hair down to her SJP shoes, Sarah Jessica Parker has been a constant source of fashion and beauty inspiration. And lucky for us the Divorce actress and shoe designer, revealed some of her secrets on Wednesday night’s after show for Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. And the truth is, one of her most major beauty tricks is simpler than you’d think.

Aside from her waves and a pair of glittery pumps, there’s one thing SJP is rarely seen without: eye liner smudged around her eyes in the most effortless-yet-perfect way possible. Sure, it might always look like the work of a makeup artist, but the star says it’s thanks to one go-to makeup item, the Caviar Eyeliner from Laura Mercier in Jungle. “I always have it,” she gushed about the olive green shade, which doubles as an eye shadow. “Because I don’t basically wear anything else. I don’t wear a base or anything.”

RELATED PHOTOS: The Best Beauty Product Launches of 2018

And when it comes to fashion, Parker says despite playing one of the most fashion-forward characters on TV history (Carrie Bradshaw) she doesn’t know anything about trends — and she didn’t love Bradshaw’s iconic wardrobe.

“I don’t but I don’t care. When you’re working with someone like Pat Fields, you do anything. That’s the beauty of playing a character who has absolutely no concern about what other people think about the way she chooses to present herself. It’s like total liberation. So there’s like no arrow that hurt.”

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Old age demands to be taken very seriously–and it usually gets its way. It’s hard to be cavalier about a time of life defined by loss of vigor, increasing frailty, rising disease risk and falling cognitive faculties. Then there’s the unavoidable matter of the end of consciousness and the self–death, in other words–that’s drawing closer and closer. It’s the rare person who can confront the final decline with flippancy or ease. That, as it turns out, might be our first mistake.

Humans are not alone in facing the ultimate reckoning, but we’re the only species–as far as we know–who spends its whole life knowing death is coming. A clam dredged from the ocean off Iceland in 2006–and inadvertently killed by the scientists who discovered it–carried growth lines on its shell indicating it had been around since 1499. That was enough time for 185,055 generations of mayfly–which live as little as a day–to come and go. Neither clam nor fly gave a thought to that mortal math.

Humans fall somewhere between those two extremes. Globally, the average life span is 71.4 years; for a few lucky people, it may exceed 100 years. It has never, to science’s knowledge, exceeded the 122 years, 164 days lived by Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who was born when Ulysses S. Grant was in the White House and died when Bill Clinton lived there.

Most of us would like a little bit of that Calment magic, and we’ve made at least some progress. Life expectancy in the U.S. exceeds the global average, clocking in at just under 79 years. In 1900, it was just over 47 years. The extra decades came courtesy of just the things you’d expect: vaccines, antibiotics, sanitation and improved detection and treatment of a range of diseases. Advances in genetics and in our understanding of dementia are helping to extend our factory warranties still further.

None of that, however, changes the way we contemplate the end of life–often with anxiety and asceticism, practicing a sort of existential bartering. We can narrow our experiences and give up indulgences in exchange for a more guardedly lived life that might run a little longer.

But what if we could take off some of that bubble wrap? What about living longer and actually having some fun? A Yale University study just this month found that in a group of 4,765 people with an average age of 72, those who carried a gene variant linked to dementia–but also had positive attitudes about aging–were 50% less likely to develop the disorder than people who carried the gene but faced aging with more pessimism or fear.

There may be something to be said then for aging less timidly–as a sort of happy contrarian, arguing when you feel like arguing, playing when you feel like playing. Maybe you want to pass up the quiet of the country for the churn of a city. Maybe you want to drink a little, eat a rich meal, have some sex…

What an Olympics it’s been for 17-year-old American athletes. 

Snowboarders Chloe Kim and Red Gerard took home gold in their events earlier this week. Now, teen figure skater Vincent Zhou has made Olympic history by landing a quadruple Lutz. 

Zhou is the first skater to ever land the jump at the Olympics. 

No skater has successfully landed a quad Axel in competition, making the Lutz the most difficult quad jump you’ll see at the Olympics

Fellow American Nathan Chen, who is just 18, also has a quad Lutz in his routine and landed two of them during his free skate at Skate America earlier this season.

Long hair is often portrayed as romantic, dreamy, and feminine. Short hair can be fun, edgy, and unique. But if you think there’s anything boring about middle length hair, think again—it’s actually the most versatile length of all. Short enough to play up texture but long enough to weave a braid or two, there are tons of options for those with medium-length hair to make a statement with their strands.

Still not convinced? Check out the shots below for some hairstyle inspo, and don’t be afraid to give one or two try. Pin the rest for later, or challenge yourself to a new look every day!

Fishtail braids

Photo: Hairbyjul.pl/Instagram

Haven’t worn pigtail braids since pre-K? Consider this a personal challenge to give them another go. Sexy, messy fishtail braids update the old classic, and using thin, clear elastics like these to finish them off keeps things from looking too immature.

Space buns

Photo: Nealmhair/Instagram

You don’t need to be at Coachella to rock this trendy look—space buns are an awesome and easy way to make your hair stand out. Gather up two buns at the top of your head and let the rest of your hair flow as shown above, or gather all hair into two low space buns at the nape of the neck for a more subtle take.

Flirty low pony

Photo: Airhairandmakeup and Annett_ka26/Instagram

Tease it, curl it, crimp it, you name it. When it comes to customizing a ponytail, the world is your oyster. Soft waves and a teased crown are the ultimate dreamy date-night combo, but a quick low pony is an easy go-to for errands, gym days, and more.

Beachy waves

Photo: Michlgon/Instagram

Short hair often makes waves appear short and curly, while long hair can sometimes weigh texture down. That’s why medium hair is the perfect length for easy, carefree beach waves that look gorgeous. Whether you use a curling wand or a texture spray, the result is effortless cool.

Upside-down braided bun

Photo: Camillestyles/Instagram

Business in the front, party in the back. Experienced braiders can whip up this style in minutes, and the result is a stunning surprise that will literally turn heads.

Pull-through braid

Photo: Isijaytot/Instagram

Once you’ve mastered fishtails and French braids, a pull-through braid should be next on your list of styles to tackle. Pull front strands into the braid and leave the rest down like above, or gather the finished product into a pony or bun for an updo version. Once you know the braiding technique, the possibilities are endless.

Ballerina bun

Photo: Beautyby_loulou/Instagram

Messy buns are undoubtedly cool, but a perfectly coiffed high bun? So stylish. Use the sock bun method to roll your hair to perfection, or trust your bobby pinning skills to create a topknot flawless enough that real ballerinas will envy you.

Sleek ponytail

Photo: Crystal Blanchard/Pinterest

Nothing says polished like a shiny, smooth pony—plus, throwing one up takes just seconds…

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Maybe you got a fitness tracker for the holidays and are feeling inspired to log a few extra miles a week. Or maybe you enjoy walking as a form of regular exercise, but are curious as to how you can slim down doing it. Whatever your reason, it's easier than you think to torch serious calories by simply moving your right foot in front of your left.

So here's how you take your walking routine to the next level: “Set mini goals for yourself during your walk. For example, if you’re taking your workout outdoors, try pacing as quickly as you can to the next stop sign. If you’re on a treadmill, do the same by setting a time goal that you can look forward to achieving," advises Christine DiBugnara, National Director of Group Fitness and Programming, UFC GYM. "Not only will this feel great to achieve, but it will make your workout go by much quicker.”

If you're walking with a friend or loved one, test each other to fun mini challenges along the way like walking as quickly as you can to your favorite workout tune while the other does walking lunges and then switching roles. As you set and break your mini goals, you'll likely begin to burn more calories with every workout and build your endurance, too.

To steal a line from Hippocrates, "walking is man's best medicine." See, even the 5th century BC Greek physician knew it sure ain't running.

Long waves, a lavender lob, a red top knot, bangs, braids, you name it—a quick scroll through YouTube star Vanessa Martinez’s Instagram page, and it’s clear she’s not afraid to take style risks when it comes to her hair, and the results are always chic and cool.

Even with her constantly-changing appearance, Martinez’s 585,000 Instagram followers and 2.1 million YouTube subscribers were shocked when she unveiled a totally new look recently: a completely bald head. And Martinez didn’t just break the news with a selfie; she posted an eleven minute video of her shaving her head, complete with an explanation for her desire to "start over" with her hair.

At the start of the video, Martinez has long extensions, which she cites as the main culprit for inspiring her to make the change. She claims that as a result of adding on more and more extensions and making drastic hair changes, her natural hair had become damaged and sparse.

"I’m just making myself balder and balder, so why don’t I just cut all my hair off and start over?" she says in the video.

According to Jeanine Downie, MD, a dermatologist from Montclair, New Jersey, hair breakage, damage, and loss can all be common side effects when wearing heavy extensions. "My experience is that many people sew in their weaves too tight and they break hair and can cause bald patches," she tells Health. "Other people use glue and the glue is a chemical irritant to the scalp and that can also call small or large bald patches."

During the video, Martinez and a friend are all smiles as they snip and shave her hair away. It's not every day you see a young girl shave her head in an eleven-minute video montage, but it’s clear that Martinez is confident in her decision.

"You guys, hair grows back," she declares, at once reassuring both her viewers and herself. When the shave is complete, she's unable to stop touching and rubbing her newly bare head. In a pinned comment, she goes on to further dismiss any negative stereotypes about bald women: "Being bald is not ugly. [Its] not disgusting. [Its] not weird. If you are going bald due to illness, stress whatever the case, you are still beautiful."

The video currently boasts 782,000 views and counting, with an impressive 55,000 "thumbs up" from Martinez’s supportive following. The comments section below the video is a mix of fans praising her bravery and beauty and others offering advice for Martinez’s new healthy hair journey.

"I feel very liberated," Martinez writes. "New trend, new bald, 2018!"

We think the vlogger looks gorgeous both with and without her strands, and we admire her for taking her hair health into her own hands. For those interested in keeping up with Martinez and her new look, she mentions that she might start a hair-growing series on her YouTube channel to continue documenting her fresh start.

At first glance, the Stealth Core Trainer might remind you of a piece of workout gear from a late-night infomercial. (Anyone else remember the Ab Dolly?) But unlike the as-seen-on-TV equipment now gathering dust under countless beds around the country, the Stealth gadget involves an addictive video game that might just help you stick to a regular core workout. The device and its app actually make planks fun.

Skeptical? Here’s how it works: The Stealth is like a balance board. The platform sits on an unstable base, and you rest your forearms on top, in plank position. Between your arms, there is a slot for your phone.

Once you hit start on the video game, you play by changing your plank position ever so slightly to explode colorful targets. Each round consists of isometric plank holds, subtle forward and backward tilts, and twists and dips to work your obliques.

There are two models, the Personal ($199, amazon.com), which is a little smaller, a bit cheaper, and meant for at-home use; and the Professional ($299, amazon.com), which is designed for use in gyms.

Fresh off a recent plank challenge of my own, I was psyched when the folks at Stealth offered to send me a trainer to try. It took just a few attempts for me to get the hang of it. I learned quickly that the faster I shifted around in plank position, the more points I could rack up in the game before my core started trembling and I had to call it quits. Surprisingly, time flew by–and before I knew it, a minute was up. After two weeks, I could hold a plank for 90 seconds–and I had nearly tripled my score from 41 to 111.

RELATED: 27 Fat-Burning Ab Exercises (No Crunches!)

More than a little competitive, I felt a twinge of pride every time I hit a new record time, or a new high score. If I didn't beat my score the following day, what was even the point of trying?! (Okay maybe I'm too competitive.) But seriously, knowing you can probably eke out a few more points each day may be enough to keep you coming back for more, too. 

I made an account so I could log onto the app and see how my scores compared to other Stealth plankers. I tinkered with the filters on the leaderboard, and found that sorting by age, sex, and location revealed some impressive stats: Other women my age in the U.S. were racking up hundreds and hundreds of points; some were holding planks for longer than five minutes. With some diligence, I figured I could crack the top 20–a new competitive drive to keep me hooked!

But there was one downside I discovered: While becoming hyper-focused on my score was 100% helpful in terms of distracting me from the slow tick-tock of the clock, I began sacrificing good plank form to score additional points in the game. On certain days, my arms and shoulders felt like they got a better workout than my core–and I knew I needed to refocus on dominating the game from my abs…

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One clever Reddit user has uncovered which lipsticks offer the best value ounce-for-ounce.

Whether you buy your lipstick from the makeup aisle at Duane Reade or splurge at Sephora, if you’re comparing lipstick prices tube-for-tube, you may not be getting the best value. In an effort to beat the beauty pricing system, one Redditor has created a handy chart that compares lipstick brands by price per ounce. It may seem simple, but while most consumers have been caught in a cycle of comparing the price per tube, Redditor armidalowe’s chart points out that different tubes can hold very different amounts of product. To get the best bang for your buck, you really have to look at ounces.

RELATED: These Are Our Editors’ All-Time Favorite Lipsticks

While the chart is just a clever way of comparing the value of various lipsticks by weight, what really has the internet in an uproar is the huge price differential that’s revealed when you compare products ounce-for-ounce. Topping the chart is the classic 99-cent Wet N’ Wild lipstick containing 0.130 ounces of product, which comes out to $7.62 per ounce. And at the bottom of the chart, a 0.100-ounce Tom Ford lipstick for $54 costs a whopping $540 per ounce. Curious to see how your go-to brand stacks up? Consult the chart, above, or do the math yourself. If the tube is less than one ounce (most are), divide 1 by the ounces in the tube, then multiply that number by the price per tube.

RELATED: The Red Lipstick That Truly Flatters Every Skin Tone

Keep in mind that although this comparison is helpful for spotting the best deals, it doesn’t take important factors like pigmentation or formula into consideration. A lipstick that has the lowest price per ounce doesn't necessarily have the highest pigmentation per ounce, and it may not be the longest-lasting formula. It doesn’t matter if you buy the cheapest lipstick in the store, if you end up having to apply it twice as often and replace it twice as frequently, right? The takeaway: when calculating the best value, you want to balance the formula that works best for you with the price you pay per ounce (not tube). Thank you, Reddit, for once again making us question everything.

h/t New Beauty

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Still pounding sports drinks after a tough workout? You’re behind the science times, according to a small new study. Milk and milk alternatives—thanks to their natural balance of sodium, carbohydrate and protein—help the body retain fluid, researchers report in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, making it an effective recovery drink for exercisers.

The researchers wanted to see how the sports drink Powerade stacked up against different kinds of milk, so they subjected 15 men to four rounds of cycling on separate days. Each workout was followed by a different beverage: cow’s milk, soy milk, a milk-based meal supplement or Powerade. Researchers then measured their blood and urine to determine hydration and nutrient levels.

Drinking a milk-based meal supplement after exercise led to better fluid retention than the other drinks, but all of the milk-based products were superior to Powerade in terms of rehydrating the body post-exercise. None of the beverages made the cyclers thirstier than any other.

That said, Powerade had an edge in one regard: The men reported that the sports juice was the most pleasant (soy milk, unsurprisingly, was the least). Those who drank milk reported being more bloated and feeling more full—probably due to the protein content in milk—but they were more rehydrated compared to sports drinks.

And as for water? Drinking plain water after exercise actually causes a drop in sodium levels, potentially leading to even more dehydration, the study authors note. Consider chasing your next workout with milk—just be sure to wear your roomiest pair of yoga pants.

 

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The fitness fanatics out there probably know the feeling of pushing yourself to the max in a workout. But a holistic approach to health and wellness involves movement, nutrition, and regeneration, says Alicia Agostinelli, a personal trainer and yoga instructor at Equinox Seaport Square in Boston. And while many avid gym-goers tend to be up to date when it comes to the latest HIIT craze or health food trends, most people falter when it comes to the recovery component, both for the body and the mind.

Practicing self-care strategies during your workouts and in your free time can help you come back stronger, and in a more peaceful headspace—not to mention they make exercise that much more enjoyable. Steal some tips from these top trainers who manage to sweat it out hardcore and still make self-care priority.

Try a breathing exercise

“In session, I connect to my breath. I try to practice 4-7-8 breathing [breathe in for four seconds, hold your breath for seven, then exhale for eight] a couple of times every hour to help me reduce stress and regulate my parasympathetic nervous system.” —Matt Delaney, CSCS, innovation coordinator and a Tier X coach at Equinox

Be your own biggest fan

“It took years, but I genuinely view fitness as an opportunity to be a better version of myself, to build myself up, and let my strengths guide me, while looking at weaknesses with a sense of compassion. When I need to rest during a tough core series, it's okay. I'm stronger than I was a year ago, and isn't that the point? It's so much more satisfying to push yourself to the tune of ‘yes I can’ than to be afraid of failing or feeling like you're somehow not good enough if you don't perform the way you wanted to. Your mental game affects how you feel emotionally and how you perform physically, so I always make sure my inner voice is pumped up, ready to rise up to a challenge, but is ready to celebrate every moment of the work I put in.” —Emily Walsh, a Boston-based instructor at SLT

Warm up, cool down, and hydrate

“I practice self-care while exercising by including a dynamic warm-up before any workout and a good stretch after. I also have water with me at all times to stay hydrated.” —Michelle Lovitt, a California-based trainer and author of Exercise For Your Muscle Type: the Smart Way to Get Fit

Get off Instagram at the gym

“The most important self-care action I can take during my workouts is to let my mind be in my workout 100%. I’ve had to create a rule so that I am not responding to emails, checking social media, or replying to texts when I workout. If I can escape and truly enjoy my workout, my life is fantastic.” —Holly Perkins, CSCS, author of Lift To Get Lean and founder of the online health and fitness platform Women’s Strength Nation

RELATED: How to Break Your Smartphone Addiction in 21 Days

Keep an eye on the 'why'

“I am all about the whys behind the workout: why am I doing it, what will it achieve, and how will it make me feel…

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Dark under eye circles are among the top beauty concerns many women have—and one of the hardest to treat. No matter how many hours of sleep you may have gotten, those pesky dark hollows can make it appear like you haven't gotten a wink in weeks. Even celebs struggle with them! In a recent interview with Refinery29, Katy Perry opened up about rumors circulating regarding her getting plastic surgery. While she denies having any surgical work done, she happily admits to getting under eye filler injections to treat her dark circles. "I've done lasers and got [filler] injections under my eyes for the hollowing—which I'd recommend for everyone who wants a solution for their dark circles," she told the website.

We got the scoop from a dermatologist and plastic surgeon on whether this is a viable option for everyone.

"Filler under the eyes can do wonders for patients who have a hollow," says Dara Liotta, MD, a plastic surgeon based in New York City. It can help smooth out the under eye and plump up the skin where it's concave, she explains. That hollowness is the real problem because it creates shadow that can’t be covered with concealer. If you suffer from genetic dark circles, but lack that depth, it's easier to hide with cosmetics.

Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, agrees, adding that "by subtly lifting the skin and plumping it, it reduces the darker discoloration."

So, yes, in theory fillers are a great option for those who have struggled with dark circles because of a trough under their eyes, but they're not a cure-all. Before you run out and heed Perry's advice, it's important to note that not everyone is a candidate for this treatment. "Under eye filler won't help patients with darkened, pigmented areas under the eyes, or eye puffiness alone," cautions Dr. Liotta. "in fact, it can make puffiness look worse." She recommends getting a consultation with a board-certified physician before making any decisions.

It's also important to keep in mind that this area is one of the most dangerous to get injectied. "You need to go to someone who understands the anatomy of the face," warns Dr. Gohara, such as a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. "The result of a shoddy injector who accidentally hits a vessel can lead to blindness, so proceed with caution."

Not ready to make the leap like Perry did? Dr. Gohara recommends SkinMedica TNS Illuminating Eye Cream ($92; dermstore.com) "because it contains antioxidants and growth factors that can help to prevent further discoloration." It's one of my favorites, too. I'm also a fan of Sunday Riley's newest eye cream, Auto Correct ($65; sephora.com). A good under eye cream can do wonders for dark circles, as well as fine lines and dry skin, no needles necessary.

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Growing up in a society that values thinness as the ideal standard of beauty is challenging for young girls. Model and body positivity advocate Iskra Lawrence is all too familiar with this, and she's on a mission to change the way women think and feel about their bodies.

The 27-year-old model has become well-known for using her social media platform—she has 3.9 million followers on Instagram alone—to share messages of body positivity and slam unrealistic beauty standards for women. In a recent post, Lawrence shared a powerful before-and-after to talk about her experience recovering from disordered eating and how she finally found peace by embracing self-love.

By trying to look like the thin models she saw represented in magazines and on TV, Lawrence says all she found was "failure, emptiness and unhappiness" because she was trying to change who she was and living a restrictive, unhealthy lifestyle.

"I remember being proud of how skinny I looked during this shoot," Lawrence writes in the caption of the post. "And how now people call me fat when I’m just happy to be alive and grateful for this body I call my home. I used to seek approval from the fashion industry and tried to be 'perfect.'"

Lawrence credits her current happiness with her decision to focus on looking after herself by embracing self-care and nourishing her body and mind "without guilt."

"Because of what I went through [m]y dream has always been to get self-care (mental, emotional and physical wellness) education into schools," she writes. "And I’ve started that, but I also wanted to create something for adults that still needed a safe space that’s judgment free to go on a positive journey of self love and that’s why I created everyBODY with Iskra."

This new website is Lawrence's response to the many other lifestyle guides out there that tend to be geared towards losing weight. Instead, the body positive advocate wanted to create a safe, welcoming space that wouldn't be triggering for girls and women who have struggled with eating disorders.

The website includes healthy recipes (created with help from nutritionists) that avoid any mention of calories, as well as exercise tips (including workouts Lawrence herself enjoys, such as boxing, yoga, and HIIT) that emphasize getting strong and feeling good over slimming down.

"I don’t have all the answers and I’m not ever trying to change anyone or tell people to do this and that," Lawrence writes about her decision to launch the platform. "But I felt the need to create this as I wish I could have had this when I was struggling and if I’m able to use that to help even one person even better."

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There’s something undeniably satisfying about leaving a fitness class dripping in sweat. When it comes to yoga, though, new research suggests there’s little reason to crank up the heat.

Bikram yoga has attracted a loyal following due to its steamy classes, which involve 26 specific postures and breathing exercises, typically performed in a room heated to about 105 degrees. Proponents swear by the style’s ability to work up a sweat and promote flexibility, and past research has shown that it’s good for your vascular health — but a small study published Thursday in Experimental Physiology suggests it’s the physical practice of Bikram, not the sweltering heat, that’s good for you.

“It’s definitely showing benefits to the 26-posture sequence,” says study author Stacy Hunter, an assistant professor in the department of health and human performance at Texas State University. “It just doesn’t seem like the heat is necessary in terms of improving heart health.”

Hunter, who is also the research director for Pure Action, a nonprofit that provides grant funding for yoga research and financed this study, says that conclusion doesn’t mean traditional Bikram isn’t healthy. Both hot and room-temperature yoga were found in the study to boost vascular health and possibly delay the progression of risk factors for heart disease and stroke. But the heat may not be responsible for those benefits.

In the study, 52 healthy but previously sedentary adults were assigned to a group: 19 people went to three hot Bikram yoga classes per week, while 14 took the exact same classes in a 73-degree room. A control group of 19 people didn’t do any yoga at all. After 12 weeks, the researchers assessed everyone’s vascular health by looking at changes in endothelial function, or the ability of blood vessels to dilate in response to increased blood flow. Both yoga groups saw changes that indicated a lower risk of heart disease, while the control group did not.

Hunter notes that the hot yoga group did see a small but statistically significant reduction in body fat percentage, compared to the room-temperature group — a surprising finding, given that past studies have shown that Bikram isn’t a particularly effective workout for weight loss. (Other research has even suggested that the high heat and humidity may raise the body’s internal temperature and heart rate to unsafe levels.)

All in all, the results should be encouraging to would-be yogis who may be intimidated by Bikram’s typically scorching temperatures, Hunter says.

“This is good news for people who might want to do it but can’t tolerate the heat or maybe want to do it at home, or for people who don’t even live near a yoga studio,” Hunter says.