The January/February 2016 issue of Health features the perfect skin cream, the coolest smart watches for fitness, hot new workout clothes, and a series of products that will help you get the best night of sleep of your life.
Discover where to buy all of them with this guide.
Page 22: Dry Shampoo 2.0
Page 22: How to Pack the Perfect Travel Makeup Bag
Page 22: Renew Your Glow
Page 29: Your Skin vs. Winter
Page 39: Show Your Strands Some Love
Page 55: The Upper Body Fat Blast
Page 60: Watch Out
Page 62: Ready, Set, Buff (Coming soon)
Page 73: Your Body on the Clock
Page 81: Your Best Sleep Starts Here
Page 109: Strong and Lean in 2016
Page 120: Shake Up Your Makeup (Coming soon)
Page 144: Beauty Uses for Coffee (Coming soon)
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Monday, December 21, 2015
6 Products for Strong, Shiny Hair
Bring on brilliance with these salon-level brushes, serums, and more.
Friday, November 13, 2015
12 Easy Ways to Glam Up Your Makeup for Holiday Parties
Beauty tricks that will help you get party-ready, fast!
Monday, November 9, 2015
Lindsey Vonn: "You Don't Have to Be a Size 2 to Be Beautiful"
"You guys, did you hear that somebody was murdered in the basement here?" Lindsey Vonn asks her cover shoot glam squad, who are gathered in the kitchen of California's famous Sowden House, the rumored site of the unsolved 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short, aka the Black Dahlia.
Fortunately, Lindsey—the four-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medal-winning skier—is bringing some positive energy to the alleged crime scene. She is in a good place: Her recent ankle injury (more on that later) is fully healed, she just took a much-needed girls' vacation, and she's been training her butt off—with the 2018 Winter Olympics, in South Korea, firmly in sight.
A competitive skier by the age of 10, Lindsey is used to growing up in the spotlight. But recently, the 31-year-old has had to endure a new level of public scrutiny, thanks to a nearly three-year romance with pro golfer Tiger Woods that ended in May 2015. While the tabloids speculate about her love life, she chooses to focus on her actual passion: The Lindsey Vonn Foundation, which she launched this year to help empower girls. Turns out, girl power is very much on her mind these days.
You've been spending more time on the red carpet. Do you feel comfortable out there?
At first it's kind of awkward standing there while people take pictures of you; now it's fun—although I definitely don't fit in on the red carpet.
RELATED: Check out Lindsey's intense lower-body workout
What do you mean?
I'm, like, twice the size of anyone, in both height and weight! I'm five-foot-ten, but I'm definitely quite a bit heavier than everyone else. I feel like the odd man out sometimes, but that's even more reason to be confident, to show girls that you don't have to be a size 2 to be beautiful. Any size is beautiful as long as you're confident in yourself.
You've worked hard at putting out that message, especially with your foundation.
I'm really proud of it. I've always wanted to start my own foundation, but with skiing I didn't think I had the time to do both. I don't ever want to do something and not put all my energy into it. But when I got hurt the second time, it was honestly a blessing in disguise because it gave me the opportunity. We've got scholarships, camps. The main goal is to teach young girls about self-esteem and teamwork.
Have you ever experienced body image issues?
It's kind of funny because before I was 17, I was incredibly skinny. I was made fun of and called "chicken" and "chicken wings"—I was super tall and probably weighed 30 pounds less than I do now. Then I gained weight because my metabolism slowed down, and I kind of was on the other end of the spectrum. I'm normal-size, but when I started to do well and do events and photo shoots, I felt like I was too big.
Any advice for women reading this who might be having body image issues?
The most important thing is to eat healthy. When I'm eating really clean and splurge on something really sugary, I feel like I'm gonna vomit. So eat what your body wants, and try to be as active as you can. Get into a routine, and the more you can stick to that routine, the easier it'll be to stay fit and healthy.
Do you believe in the revenge or breakup body? Because you look better than ever.
Thanks. I think it's just given me more time to spend on myself. That's what happens with most breakups: You really look at yourself and figure out what makes you happy, and you also have a lot more free time. I'm focusing on my job—my skiing—and I've been working really hard. I got a new nutritionist, and I'm just doing everything I can to be in shape for this season. And it's paying off.
Recently, there was a gossip item about a new guy you were supposedly dating. How does it feel when your personal life is splashed across the tabloids?
It's almost comical because it's not even my life. I feel like people just write whatever they want, and it's funny—even some of my friends who I haven't seen in a while are like, "Oh my God, are you dating so-and-so?" And I'm like, "No! Are you kidding? I would've called you!" Everyone assumes that it's fact, and it's not, so I just have to laugh. I mean, if you take all that stuff seriously, then you'll drive yourself crazy. So I don't take it seriously. At all.
RELATED: More about all the looks Lindsey's wearing in this story
Like Beyoncé, do you have a Sasha Fierce?
I don't—it's not that extreme. [Laughs] But I definitely have more confidence when I'm on the red carpet and in photo shoots because normally I'm a pretty low-key, shy person.
Are you? You don't seem shy.
Yeah, I'm kind of talkative, but with guys I'm shy. I'm never the person to put myself out there.
Is there anything you want to clear up, rumor-wise?
I'm single, and I probably will be for a while. I think this is just a good time for me to focus on myself. I'm not ready to have a family yet, but I will be at some point.
So you want to have kids?
I definitely do. I love kids. I love working with them. But right now I'm gonna focus on me.
You've dealt with a lot of injuries. What's your recovery process like?
I'm a planner, so when I get injured, I need a plan and a timeline. We map out the next however many months, weeks and days, figure out what needs to be done, and then I get to work right away. I need the light at the end of the tunnel. I need to say, "In this many weeks, I'm gonna be back skiing." Having goals and mini goals gets me through.
Have you always been very goal-oriented?
Always, since I was a kid. I wanted to make the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake, and I was 17 when I made it. My dad and I had made a five-year plan when I was 12.
Around that same time, your family moved from Minnesota to Vail so you could train competitively. Your siblings had to leave their friends. That's a lot of pressure.
It was a lot of pressure. The realization that your family basically gave up their lives to move to Colorado so you could follow your dreams was really intense. I always felt as though eventually I'd be in the Olympics and that I would win the Olympics. But I was a kid, so it was kind of like a childish dream. But then when it hit me that my family had given up so much, failure was not an option for me.
We know from your recent Instagram posts that even when you're on vacation with your friends, you're still hitting the workouts hard.
I was planning on taking that whole week pretty easy, but then I broke my ankle, so I couldn't take a week off because I wasn't going to be able to come back and train really hard, so I was like, "Great, I have to work out on my vacation." But if I have to work on vacation, I'm gonna at least do it by the pool!
Why are girlfriend trips so important to you?
Because I travel so much, and I never get to see my friends. All of my friends throughout my whole life come together, and we've become this awesome group of women. It's my squad. I mean, it's not like I have a huge entourage. Unfortunately, I'm not T-Swift. [Laughs] I have, like, seven friends. I don't have to wear makeup. I don't have to be someone else. We could literally not say a single word to each other all day and just listen to music and have margaritas, and we would all be perfectly content.
Fortunately, Lindsey—the four-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medal-winning skier—is bringing some positive energy to the alleged crime scene. She is in a good place: Her recent ankle injury (more on that later) is fully healed, she just took a much-needed girls' vacation, and she's been training her butt off—with the 2018 Winter Olympics, in South Korea, firmly in sight.
A competitive skier by the age of 10, Lindsey is used to growing up in the spotlight. But recently, the 31-year-old has had to endure a new level of public scrutiny, thanks to a nearly three-year romance with pro golfer Tiger Woods that ended in May 2015. While the tabloids speculate about her love life, she chooses to focus on her actual passion: The Lindsey Vonn Foundation, which she launched this year to help empower girls. Turns out, girl power is very much on her mind these days.
You've been spending more time on the red carpet. Do you feel comfortable out there?
At first it's kind of awkward standing there while people take pictures of you; now it's fun—although I definitely don't fit in on the red carpet.
RELATED: Check out Lindsey's intense lower-body workout
What do you mean?
I'm, like, twice the size of anyone, in both height and weight! I'm five-foot-ten, but I'm definitely quite a bit heavier than everyone else. I feel like the odd man out sometimes, but that's even more reason to be confident, to show girls that you don't have to be a size 2 to be beautiful. Any size is beautiful as long as you're confident in yourself.
You've worked hard at putting out that message, especially with your foundation.
I'm really proud of it. I've always wanted to start my own foundation, but with skiing I didn't think I had the time to do both. I don't ever want to do something and not put all my energy into it. But when I got hurt the second time, it was honestly a blessing in disguise because it gave me the opportunity. We've got scholarships, camps. The main goal is to teach young girls about self-esteem and teamwork.
Have you ever experienced body image issues?
It's kind of funny because before I was 17, I was incredibly skinny. I was made fun of and called "chicken" and "chicken wings"—I was super tall and probably weighed 30 pounds less than I do now. Then I gained weight because my metabolism slowed down, and I kind of was on the other end of the spectrum. I'm normal-size, but when I started to do well and do events and photo shoots, I felt like I was too big.
Any advice for women reading this who might be having body image issues?
The most important thing is to eat healthy. When I'm eating really clean and splurge on something really sugary, I feel like I'm gonna vomit. So eat what your body wants, and try to be as active as you can. Get into a routine, and the more you can stick to that routine, the easier it'll be to stay fit and healthy.
Do you believe in the revenge or breakup body? Because you look better than ever.
Thanks. I think it's just given me more time to spend on myself. That's what happens with most breakups: You really look at yourself and figure out what makes you happy, and you also have a lot more free time. I'm focusing on my job—my skiing—and I've been working really hard. I got a new nutritionist, and I'm just doing everything I can to be in shape for this season. And it's paying off.
Recently, there was a gossip item about a new guy you were supposedly dating. How does it feel when your personal life is splashed across the tabloids?
It's almost comical because it's not even my life. I feel like people just write whatever they want, and it's funny—even some of my friends who I haven't seen in a while are like, "Oh my God, are you dating so-and-so?" And I'm like, "No! Are you kidding? I would've called you!" Everyone assumes that it's fact, and it's not, so I just have to laugh. I mean, if you take all that stuff seriously, then you'll drive yourself crazy. So I don't take it seriously. At all.
RELATED: More about all the looks Lindsey's wearing in this story
Like Beyoncé, do you have a Sasha Fierce?
I don't—it's not that extreme. [Laughs] But I definitely have more confidence when I'm on the red carpet and in photo shoots because normally I'm a pretty low-key, shy person.
Are you? You don't seem shy.
Yeah, I'm kind of talkative, but with guys I'm shy. I'm never the person to put myself out there.
Is there anything you want to clear up, rumor-wise?
I'm single, and I probably will be for a while. I think this is just a good time for me to focus on myself. I'm not ready to have a family yet, but I will be at some point.
So you want to have kids?
I definitely do. I love kids. I love working with them. But right now I'm gonna focus on me.
You've dealt with a lot of injuries. What's your recovery process like?
I'm a planner, so when I get injured, I need a plan and a timeline. We map out the next however many months, weeks and days, figure out what needs to be done, and then I get to work right away. I need the light at the end of the tunnel. I need to say, "In this many weeks, I'm gonna be back skiing." Having goals and mini goals gets me through.
Have you always been very goal-oriented?
Always, since I was a kid. I wanted to make the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake, and I was 17 when I made it. My dad and I had made a five-year plan when I was 12.
Around that same time, your family moved from Minnesota to Vail so you could train competitively. Your siblings had to leave their friends. That's a lot of pressure.
It was a lot of pressure. The realization that your family basically gave up their lives to move to Colorado so you could follow your dreams was really intense. I always felt as though eventually I'd be in the Olympics and that I would win the Olympics. But I was a kid, so it was kind of like a childish dream. But then when it hit me that my family had given up so much, failure was not an option for me.
We know from your recent Instagram posts that even when you're on vacation with your friends, you're still hitting the workouts hard.
I was planning on taking that whole week pretty easy, but then I broke my ankle, so I couldn't take a week off because I wasn't going to be able to come back and train really hard, so I was like, "Great, I have to work out on my vacation." But if I have to work on vacation, I'm gonna at least do it by the pool!
Why are girlfriend trips so important to you?
Because I travel so much, and I never get to see my friends. All of my friends throughout my whole life come together, and we've become this awesome group of women. It's my squad. I mean, it's not like I have a huge entourage. Unfortunately, I'm not T-Swift. [Laughs] I have, like, seven friends. I don't have to wear makeup. I don't have to be someone else. We could literally not say a single word to each other all day and just listen to music and have margaritas, and we would all be perfectly content.
Friday, November 6, 2015
9 Glam Gifts for Beauty Addicts
Brighten any beauty-lover's day with these gorgeous holiday lip colors, eye palettes, makeup brushes, and more.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Master Mountain Style With This Ski and Snowboard Gear
Get ramp-ready with these jackets, snowpants, goggles, and more.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Jillian Michaels: "I Don't Believe in All or Nothing"
I'm guilty: I snooped around Jillian Michaels' dressing room. I was left alone for a few minutes while she filmed part of her new show, Sweat Inc., and I spied something far too tempting to ignore: her stash of snacks.
After all, the fitness entrepreneur, 41, is a powerhouse, and I wanted to know what fuel she's putting in her machine. Her snacks include organic brown rice crackers; dry roasted, salted almonds; and root vegetable chips.
And, boy, does Jillian need to keep her energy up. In addition to this show, which debuts on Spike TV this month, she's shooting an E! channel docuseries, Just Jillian, that captures her life at work and at home with her partner, Heidi Rhoades, and their two kids, Lukensia, 5, and Phoenix, 3, set to air in January. She's also busy writing a new book for mothers-to-be, Hot Mom, Healthy Baby, and has just launched a fresh-food line called Slim Soul (in select supermarkets). And that's on top of the Impact fitness wear she created for Kmart. Jillian is still in full exercise garb because she's just finished a workout on camera—but despite the name of her show, she isn't breaking a sweat. "I take better care of my body now than I did at 20," Jillian says as we walk across set to grab lunch. "I got kids. I'm like, 'I need to be around for a while!'"
RELATED: Where to Buy the Cool Clothes Jillian Michaels Is Wearing in Our October Issue
Back in her dressing room, she sits cross-legged on the floor. Diving into salad and ravioli, Jillian shatters some myths about working out and offers seriously practical advice on leaning in to get the body and life we deserve.
I notice you're not eating any of the grilled chicken.
I don't eat a ton of meat. I have grass-fed beef once a week, and farmed shrimp and ocean-caught salmon, and sometimes some sole or tuna. I'm looking at the planet and really starting to see how our food policy and food practices are destroying the world. Even grass-fed beef is so bad for the planet. And we're fishing out the oceans.
Do you cook at home?
We're terrible cooks! Well, Heidi is a good cook, but she doesn't have a ton of time. I am a terrible chef, so I hate to admit this, but one of the things we do is have a couple of restaurants that feed us—literally. The more I work out, the more carbs I need. I stopped eating sugar in December. Carbs, yes, but straight sugar, no.
Is there one food rule you think we should all follow?
I don't believe in all or nothing. I think the key contents are: Don't overeat, avoid chemicals as often as possible and...that's it.
RELATED: Transform Your Body in 4 Weeks With Jillian's 7-Move Circuit Workout
And of course people always want to know what one move is best for the whole body. Is there one move?
People think there is a simple solution. Honestly, the majority of people with fitness phenomenons build a business by giving you a magic-bullet answer: "Eat whatever you want, except this, and you'll lose weight." "Eat whatever you want, but only during these hours." "Just do one exercise." And none of it is true. In fact, [doing one exercise] would be the worst thing you could ever do for your body. One, you'd get an overuse injury. Two, your body would adapt and you would stop seeing results. And three, you would create imbalances. Would you ask a doctor, "I have to do a quadruple bypass. Pick one tool." Like, you can't. You're going to kill someone!
So what's the key?
The key to fitness is it's got to be fun, or you won't do it. Then you need variety and intensity. Variety so you're working your muscles from as many different angles as possible. And intensity based on heart rate in relation to energy output—so if you're going for a shorter period of time, the intensity level has to come up; for a longer period, bring the intensity level down.
How should women's workouts change in their 30s, 40s and 50s?
[Jillian laughs.]
What? Is that an annoying question?
[Laughing] No. I'm glad you asked because it helps me dispel myths! A lot of people think that as we age we decline rapidly, right? Think of your body like a car: If you leave a car outside and you never change the oil, you never change the spark plugs and you never wax the paint, what is going to happen? "Well, in the '80s this car ran like a gem, but now that it's the '90s..." No, no, no. It's the accumulation of damage and corrosion. At 40, I train harder now than I did when I was 20, and I can do s--t that I was never able to do: I can do pistol squats. I can do Superman push-ups. I can do one-arm pull-ups. I'm way more fit now.
So if you're 50, you can do whatever you build yourself up to do?
Here is what matters: your current level of fitness. If you're out of shape at 20, it's the same thing as being out of shape at 50. It's never too late! A 20-year-old should be training for the same reason the 50-year-old is. We want bone density. We want lean muscle mass. We want to burn intramuscular fat. We want to make sure we keep our arteries clear. We want to have cardiovascular strength. The human body is the human body.
If we could give your thoughts a microphone while you work out, what would we hear?
"God, I hate this. When is it over? How long are we in this pose?" But if you focus on the end result and it's more pleasurable than the discomfort you're feeling in the moment, you'll get through it. That's the difference between inspiration and motivation. Inspiration is external. You saw somebody do it and you thought, "Oh my God, I want that." Motivation is when you're in that moment going, "This sucks, but my why is: buns of steel, bikini on vacation, walking my daughter down the aisle, meeting my son's son." That's what's going to help me tolerate this in the moment. Inspiration is a jump-start. Motivation is the driving force—and that has to come from inside.
What is the biggest issue inside of women's minds holding us back?
Society plays to women in a way that is so patronizing. "Just take the stairs," or "Just do this one exercise," or "What are five things I can do at my desk?" I'm like, "Nothing! Are you kidding me? Go to the gym! You have to work out!"
How do we turn off those fears that we're not measuring up?
You have to shut that out! I wish I could get completely off social media. It's the comparison element that makes you feel bad—because everyone else makes themselves look perfect! Nobody's self-esteem is bulletproof. Unfollow things that make you feel less than and go to a community—fitness or otherwise—with like-minded people.
Once we get confident on the inside, how can we be bolder on the outside?
When guys say aggressive things, people go, "He really knows what he's talking about." When a woman does it, she's a bitch. I've heard people call the most successful and powerful women in the world bitches. Well, they're laughing all the way to the CEO position. You gotta get over the desire to be liked. That's the number one thing: If you are afraid people aren't going to like you, you're not going to be able to say what needs to be said. I remember when I had speech training, I noticed women make a statement like it is a question. Women go down, down, up. Men do up, down, down. I can't even do the "up" at the end anymore, because I've trained out of it. It's owning the way that you feel. Making sure that something is a statement and not a question. Unless it is a question. [Laughs]
You always seem so confident. Do you ever get nervous before you take a big leap?
I hate to fail—even though I do it so often! It sucks. Nobody likes failing. I get nervous every time we put something new out there, whether it's this show or the E! show. I was super nervous about that. I am most worried about Heidi. She thinks, like, "I got this," but I don't think you can ever really know until [you do it]. I was like, "Honey, people are going to say all kinds of horrible things." I worry that she's not used to being a public figure. But she's a really smart woman; I'm sure she'll be fine.
Are you and Heidi married?
No, we're not married yet. We were domestic partners. And then we had to co-adopt each other's kids. Then we were like, "OK, we're going to wait until everybody can get married." Now everybody can get married!
How did you and Heidi celebrate the Supreme Court marriage equality decision?
I texted her and was like, "Oh my God, babe!" And she's like, "Yay!" And then we went back to our lives. All my heterosexual friends were turning their profiles rainbow-colored. I hate to admit it, but I think sometimes it's better to let other people fight your fight for you. It's good that the heterosexual community is being supportive because, otherwise, I don't know that your point is taken as well. It's like, "Oh, well of course you want gay marriage, you're gay." I think when heterosexual people are talking to their peers and they're like, "This is an equal rights thing," it's a little bit easier. People know who I am. They know where I stand.
Your reality series will say to the world, This is normal life; this is what it looks like with two moms. Are you excited about that?
Well, we skipped right over this being revolutionary the minute Caitlyn Jenner came around! Everyone at first was like, "Is this going to be revolutionary?" Now it's all about being transgender. Dude, we're old school. We skipped right over this. I was like, "Oh my God! We're tired!"
What is your biggest fear when it comes to your health?
Honestly, cancer. Heart disease I can avoid. Osteoporosis I can avoid. Diabetes I can avoid. I can't tell you how many healthy people I know who are getting cancer. I could become Howard Hughes about, like, "What's in the water they made the juice with? What's in this frickin' hairspray? What pesticides do they put on the cotton?" But there are things you can't control.
What about your biggest life fear? Do you have one?
Before kids, I was like, "Well, if I lose everything, I don't care. I'll go back to, like, slingin' hooch. I'll be Tom Cruise in Cocktail." But after you have kids, I think your worry is you're going to make such a big mistake that you're going to become homeless and take the kids down with you. It's not rational; I'm well aware of that. And I love my work, but I definitely think there will be a time when I want to sell it all off and retire into the sunset. My heart, I think, is going to go elsewhere. I've taken a lot in life, so I'm just like, "Where's the time that I'm going to be able to stop, get off the ride and settle in?" No more competing. No more moneymaking. No more rat race. Just chilling and trying to do good things only.
The Trick to Doing What You Fear
"Here's a great lesson that helps me with fear," says Jillian. "Pick the thing that you're afraid of. For example, 'I'm afraid to start that business.' 'I'm afraid to ask out that girl or guy.' Then play out these three scenarios."
Scenario 1: Ask yourself, What if it all goes right?
"That's your why," says Jillian. "That's how you tolerate the discomfort in the moment. That's your motivation."
Scenario 2: Ask yourself, What if it goes wrong?
"Well, 99 percent of anything that occurs in your life is recoverable, other than death," she says. "But it is highly unlikely that asking out that person is going to make you die should you fail. If I fall down, I've got supportive people around me. I'll learn from my mistake. And I'll reapproach more intelligently until I get it right."
Scenario 3: Ask yourself, What if I do nothing?
"If you do nothing," Jillian points out, "you will always manifest the worst-case scenario. So you might say, 'I'm afraid this show is going to fail, and no one will ever hire me again.' But if you don't do the show, you're already not working! If you do nothing, it will always create the exact scenario that you are trying to avoid."
The bottom line? "When you play these three things out," says Jillian, "you'll find that there's nowhere to go but to take that leap of faith."
After all, the fitness entrepreneur, 41, is a powerhouse, and I wanted to know what fuel she's putting in her machine. Her snacks include organic brown rice crackers; dry roasted, salted almonds; and root vegetable chips.
And, boy, does Jillian need to keep her energy up. In addition to this show, which debuts on Spike TV this month, she's shooting an E! channel docuseries, Just Jillian, that captures her life at work and at home with her partner, Heidi Rhoades, and their two kids, Lukensia, 5, and Phoenix, 3, set to air in January. She's also busy writing a new book for mothers-to-be, Hot Mom, Healthy Baby, and has just launched a fresh-food line called Slim Soul (in select supermarkets). And that's on top of the Impact fitness wear she created for Kmart. Jillian is still in full exercise garb because she's just finished a workout on camera—but despite the name of her show, she isn't breaking a sweat. "I take better care of my body now than I did at 20," Jillian says as we walk across set to grab lunch. "I got kids. I'm like, 'I need to be around for a while!'"
RELATED: Where to Buy the Cool Clothes Jillian Michaels Is Wearing in Our October Issue
Back in her dressing room, she sits cross-legged on the floor. Diving into salad and ravioli, Jillian shatters some myths about working out and offers seriously practical advice on leaning in to get the body and life we deserve.
I notice you're not eating any of the grilled chicken.
I don't eat a ton of meat. I have grass-fed beef once a week, and farmed shrimp and ocean-caught salmon, and sometimes some sole or tuna. I'm looking at the planet and really starting to see how our food policy and food practices are destroying the world. Even grass-fed beef is so bad for the planet. And we're fishing out the oceans.
Do you cook at home?
We're terrible cooks! Well, Heidi is a good cook, but she doesn't have a ton of time. I am a terrible chef, so I hate to admit this, but one of the things we do is have a couple of restaurants that feed us—literally. The more I work out, the more carbs I need. I stopped eating sugar in December. Carbs, yes, but straight sugar, no.
Is there one food rule you think we should all follow?
I don't believe in all or nothing. I think the key contents are: Don't overeat, avoid chemicals as often as possible and...that's it.
RELATED: Transform Your Body in 4 Weeks With Jillian's 7-Move Circuit Workout
And of course people always want to know what one move is best for the whole body. Is there one move?
People think there is a simple solution. Honestly, the majority of people with fitness phenomenons build a business by giving you a magic-bullet answer: "Eat whatever you want, except this, and you'll lose weight." "Eat whatever you want, but only during these hours." "Just do one exercise." And none of it is true. In fact, [doing one exercise] would be the worst thing you could ever do for your body. One, you'd get an overuse injury. Two, your body would adapt and you would stop seeing results. And three, you would create imbalances. Would you ask a doctor, "I have to do a quadruple bypass. Pick one tool." Like, you can't. You're going to kill someone!
So what's the key?
The key to fitness is it's got to be fun, or you won't do it. Then you need variety and intensity. Variety so you're working your muscles from as many different angles as possible. And intensity based on heart rate in relation to energy output—so if you're going for a shorter period of time, the intensity level has to come up; for a longer period, bring the intensity level down.
How should women's workouts change in their 30s, 40s and 50s?
[Jillian laughs.]
What? Is that an annoying question?
[Laughing] No. I'm glad you asked because it helps me dispel myths! A lot of people think that as we age we decline rapidly, right? Think of your body like a car: If you leave a car outside and you never change the oil, you never change the spark plugs and you never wax the paint, what is going to happen? "Well, in the '80s this car ran like a gem, but now that it's the '90s..." No, no, no. It's the accumulation of damage and corrosion. At 40, I train harder now than I did when I was 20, and I can do s--t that I was never able to do: I can do pistol squats. I can do Superman push-ups. I can do one-arm pull-ups. I'm way more fit now.
So if you're 50, you can do whatever you build yourself up to do?
Here is what matters: your current level of fitness. If you're out of shape at 20, it's the same thing as being out of shape at 50. It's never too late! A 20-year-old should be training for the same reason the 50-year-old is. We want bone density. We want lean muscle mass. We want to burn intramuscular fat. We want to make sure we keep our arteries clear. We want to have cardiovascular strength. The human body is the human body.
If we could give your thoughts a microphone while you work out, what would we hear?
"God, I hate this. When is it over? How long are we in this pose?" But if you focus on the end result and it's more pleasurable than the discomfort you're feeling in the moment, you'll get through it. That's the difference between inspiration and motivation. Inspiration is external. You saw somebody do it and you thought, "Oh my God, I want that." Motivation is when you're in that moment going, "This sucks, but my why is: buns of steel, bikini on vacation, walking my daughter down the aisle, meeting my son's son." That's what's going to help me tolerate this in the moment. Inspiration is a jump-start. Motivation is the driving force—and that has to come from inside.
What is the biggest issue inside of women's minds holding us back?
Society plays to women in a way that is so patronizing. "Just take the stairs," or "Just do this one exercise," or "What are five things I can do at my desk?" I'm like, "Nothing! Are you kidding me? Go to the gym! You have to work out!"
How do we turn off those fears that we're not measuring up?
You have to shut that out! I wish I could get completely off social media. It's the comparison element that makes you feel bad—because everyone else makes themselves look perfect! Nobody's self-esteem is bulletproof. Unfollow things that make you feel less than and go to a community—fitness or otherwise—with like-minded people.
Once we get confident on the inside, how can we be bolder on the outside?
When guys say aggressive things, people go, "He really knows what he's talking about." When a woman does it, she's a bitch. I've heard people call the most successful and powerful women in the world bitches. Well, they're laughing all the way to the CEO position. You gotta get over the desire to be liked. That's the number one thing: If you are afraid people aren't going to like you, you're not going to be able to say what needs to be said. I remember when I had speech training, I noticed women make a statement like it is a question. Women go down, down, up. Men do up, down, down. I can't even do the "up" at the end anymore, because I've trained out of it. It's owning the way that you feel. Making sure that something is a statement and not a question. Unless it is a question. [Laughs]
You always seem so confident. Do you ever get nervous before you take a big leap?
I hate to fail—even though I do it so often! It sucks. Nobody likes failing. I get nervous every time we put something new out there, whether it's this show or the E! show. I was super nervous about that. I am most worried about Heidi. She thinks, like, "I got this," but I don't think you can ever really know until [you do it]. I was like, "Honey, people are going to say all kinds of horrible things." I worry that she's not used to being a public figure. But she's a really smart woman; I'm sure she'll be fine.
Are you and Heidi married?
No, we're not married yet. We were domestic partners. And then we had to co-adopt each other's kids. Then we were like, "OK, we're going to wait until everybody can get married." Now everybody can get married!
How did you and Heidi celebrate the Supreme Court marriage equality decision?
I texted her and was like, "Oh my God, babe!" And she's like, "Yay!" And then we went back to our lives. All my heterosexual friends were turning their profiles rainbow-colored. I hate to admit it, but I think sometimes it's better to let other people fight your fight for you. It's good that the heterosexual community is being supportive because, otherwise, I don't know that your point is taken as well. It's like, "Oh, well of course you want gay marriage, you're gay." I think when heterosexual people are talking to their peers and they're like, "This is an equal rights thing," it's a little bit easier. People know who I am. They know where I stand.
Your reality series will say to the world, This is normal life; this is what it looks like with two moms. Are you excited about that?
Well, we skipped right over this being revolutionary the minute Caitlyn Jenner came around! Everyone at first was like, "Is this going to be revolutionary?" Now it's all about being transgender. Dude, we're old school. We skipped right over this. I was like, "Oh my God! We're tired!"
What is your biggest fear when it comes to your health?
Honestly, cancer. Heart disease I can avoid. Osteoporosis I can avoid. Diabetes I can avoid. I can't tell you how many healthy people I know who are getting cancer. I could become Howard Hughes about, like, "What's in the water they made the juice with? What's in this frickin' hairspray? What pesticides do they put on the cotton?" But there are things you can't control.
What about your biggest life fear? Do you have one?
Before kids, I was like, "Well, if I lose everything, I don't care. I'll go back to, like, slingin' hooch. I'll be Tom Cruise in Cocktail." But after you have kids, I think your worry is you're going to make such a big mistake that you're going to become homeless and take the kids down with you. It's not rational; I'm well aware of that. And I love my work, but I definitely think there will be a time when I want to sell it all off and retire into the sunset. My heart, I think, is going to go elsewhere. I've taken a lot in life, so I'm just like, "Where's the time that I'm going to be able to stop, get off the ride and settle in?" No more competing. No more moneymaking. No more rat race. Just chilling and trying to do good things only.
The Trick to Doing What You Fear
"Here's a great lesson that helps me with fear," says Jillian. "Pick the thing that you're afraid of. For example, 'I'm afraid to start that business.' 'I'm afraid to ask out that girl or guy.' Then play out these three scenarios."
Scenario 1: Ask yourself, What if it all goes right?
"That's your why," says Jillian. "That's how you tolerate the discomfort in the moment. That's your motivation."
Scenario 2: Ask yourself, What if it goes wrong?
"Well, 99 percent of anything that occurs in your life is recoverable, other than death," she says. "But it is highly unlikely that asking out that person is going to make you die should you fail. If I fall down, I've got supportive people around me. I'll learn from my mistake. And I'll reapproach more intelligently until I get it right."
Scenario 3: Ask yourself, What if I do nothing?
"If you do nothing," Jillian points out, "you will always manifest the worst-case scenario. So you might say, 'I'm afraid this show is going to fail, and no one will ever hire me again.' But if you don't do the show, you're already not working! If you do nothing, it will always create the exact scenario that you are trying to avoid."
The bottom line? "When you play these three things out," says Jillian, "you'll find that there's nowhere to go but to take that leap of faith."
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
11 Ways to Make Your Hair Look 10 Years Younger
What is up with my hair?!
If it doesn't seem as healthy as it used to, blame it on…life. "Aging can make hair thinner, drier and less manageable," notes dermatologist Shani Francis, MD, director of the Hair Disorders Center of Excellence in Skokie, Ill. The trick is to restore hydration, add volume and replenish shine. Here's your total plan.
Bring Back Softness
"I love how dry and brittle my hair is!" said no one ever. There's a scientific explanation for why it's like that: “Since oil glands are mostly under hormonal control, they can become less active as your body changes over time," says Dr. Francis. Turning up the heat on your dryer or curling iron only adds to the parching problem.
TREAT IT
Restore your hair's natural lipids with a weekly fix such as Kérastase Paris Resistance Masque Therapiste ($34; amazon.com), which packs hydrating plant sap plus peptides and amino acids to strengthen abused follicles.
STYLE IT
Coat damp hair with a thermal protectant that hasceramides; they bind to hair and reduce breakage, found a study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Try Phyto Phytokeratine Repairing Thermal Protectant Spray ($32; sephora.com). The suppler your strands, the less breakage youll see.
RELATED: 6 Nutrients for Healthy Hair
Boost Fullness
Thinning often happens gradually, but for some of us, it seems to occur overnight. One day you look in the mirror and—gasp!—you can see scalp. Or you notice your ponytail isnt as full. “Hair goes through growing cycles, and at a certain age, it can slow down,” says Dr. Francis. But all is not lost: Those sluggish follicles can be awakened.
TREAT IT
OD'ing on products leaves behind buildup that can impede hair growth. ReGenesis Thickening Shampoo ($34; nordstrom.com) has willow bark to de-gunk and flax protein to plump strands. For significant thinning, the go-to ingredient is minoxidil. It's the only over-the- counter drug that's FDA-approved for stimulating hair growth in women. Find it in Women's Rogaine Hair Regrowth Treatment ($30 for a one-month supply; ulta.com). With daily use, you can expect results in as early as 12 weeks. Also FDA-approved to spur hair growth: low-level red-light laser therapy. The HairMax LaserComb Ultima 12 ($495; neimanmarcus.com) is an investment, but it can be as effective as minoxidil, says Dr. Francis, and more so if it's used in conjunction with the drug. Run the pronged wand over your scalp three times a week for eight minutes to see improvement in 12 weeks.
STYLE IT
You guessed it—use volumizing spray. Try BloPro Blow Back Time Texture Spray ($20; blowpro.com), which infuses hair with specks of bulk-boosting powder. (No worries; its invisible.) Focus on the roots of dry hair, holding up 2-inch sections and spritzing them, says Nunzio Saviano, owner of the eponymous salon in New York City. “Brush through for more oomph.”
RELATED: 10 Foods for Stronger Nails and Thicker Hair
Erase the Grays
You may blame stress, but the reality is that the production of pigment in hair follicles starts to lag with age (at what point depends on your genes).
TREAT IT
To go longer between salon visits, touch up your roots with a box color. Clairol Age Defy ($7; amazon.com ) hides silver and adds sheen.
STYLE IT
When you spot annoying grays, hide them with a temporary fix like Redken Color Rebel Naturals Hair Makeup ($20; ulta.com). It dries quickly and lasts through a couple of shampoos. For your hairline, use a Q-tip to apply. Later, roots!
RELATED: 10 Secrets of People Who Age Gracefully
Get a Whole Lot of Shine
When you want your hair to glow, “treat your scalp the same way you do your skin,” says Liz Cunnane Phillips, a trichologist at the New York Philip Kingsley Clinic. Lay off the drying products and help strands glisten with light.
TREAT IT
Cut back on shampooing—it strips hair of its natural oils and gloss—to once or twice a week. You also want to protect hair from shine-sapping UV rays. Try Rene Furterer Solaire Leave-In Moisturizing Spray ($22; amazon.com), which has jojoba wax and camelina oil along with a UV filter. For extra luster, consider a salon gloss (usually with a hint of tint) or glaze (typically clear), advises Jet Rhys, a Solana Beach, Calif., stylist to the stars. “It's like waxing your car,” she says. “You get a noticeable shine boost that lasts a couple of weeks.”
STYLE IT
Make shine serum your final styling step. Try L'Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Nutri-Gloss Mist ($10; amazon.com). “Apply a bit to the ends, which typically need the most TLC,” says Rhys. For extra de-frizzing, spritz your palms and run them over the length of your hair, avoiding roots.
RELATED: 15 Hair Products for a Shinier, Healthier Mane
3 Style Tricks for Younger Hair
1. Zigzag your part.
“It can make hair appear fuller by hiding sparse spots,” says celeb stylist Jet Rhys. Use your finger to part instead of a comb for a natural look.
2. Go halfsies.
Pull just some of your hair back. “When you sweep the sides up toward the back of your head, it visually raises the cheekbones,” explains Rhys. Instant face-lift!
3. Do a high ponytail.
For a soft, flattering look, loosely brush hair back and up with a paddle brush, says Saviano, then secure with a ribbon hair elastic."
If it doesn't seem as healthy as it used to, blame it on…life. "Aging can make hair thinner, drier and less manageable," notes dermatologist Shani Francis, MD, director of the Hair Disorders Center of Excellence in Skokie, Ill. The trick is to restore hydration, add volume and replenish shine. Here's your total plan.
Bring Back Softness
"I love how dry and brittle my hair is!" said no one ever. There's a scientific explanation for why it's like that: “Since oil glands are mostly under hormonal control, they can become less active as your body changes over time," says Dr. Francis. Turning up the heat on your dryer or curling iron only adds to the parching problem.
TREAT IT
Restore your hair's natural lipids with a weekly fix such as Kérastase Paris Resistance Masque Therapiste ($34; amazon.com), which packs hydrating plant sap plus peptides and amino acids to strengthen abused follicles.
STYLE IT
Coat damp hair with a thermal protectant that hasceramides; they bind to hair and reduce breakage, found a study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Try Phyto Phytokeratine Repairing Thermal Protectant Spray ($32; sephora.com). The suppler your strands, the less breakage youll see.
RELATED: 6 Nutrients for Healthy Hair
Boost Fullness
Thinning often happens gradually, but for some of us, it seems to occur overnight. One day you look in the mirror and—gasp!—you can see scalp. Or you notice your ponytail isnt as full. “Hair goes through growing cycles, and at a certain age, it can slow down,” says Dr. Francis. But all is not lost: Those sluggish follicles can be awakened.
TREAT IT
OD'ing on products leaves behind buildup that can impede hair growth. ReGenesis Thickening Shampoo ($34; nordstrom.com) has willow bark to de-gunk and flax protein to plump strands. For significant thinning, the go-to ingredient is minoxidil. It's the only over-the- counter drug that's FDA-approved for stimulating hair growth in women. Find it in Women's Rogaine Hair Regrowth Treatment ($30 for a one-month supply; ulta.com). With daily use, you can expect results in as early as 12 weeks. Also FDA-approved to spur hair growth: low-level red-light laser therapy. The HairMax LaserComb Ultima 12 ($495; neimanmarcus.com) is an investment, but it can be as effective as minoxidil, says Dr. Francis, and more so if it's used in conjunction with the drug. Run the pronged wand over your scalp three times a week for eight minutes to see improvement in 12 weeks.
STYLE IT
You guessed it—use volumizing spray. Try BloPro Blow Back Time Texture Spray ($20; blowpro.com), which infuses hair with specks of bulk-boosting powder. (No worries; its invisible.) Focus on the roots of dry hair, holding up 2-inch sections and spritzing them, says Nunzio Saviano, owner of the eponymous salon in New York City. “Brush through for more oomph.”
RELATED: 10 Foods for Stronger Nails and Thicker Hair
Erase the Grays
You may blame stress, but the reality is that the production of pigment in hair follicles starts to lag with age (at what point depends on your genes).
TREAT IT
To go longer between salon visits, touch up your roots with a box color. Clairol Age Defy ($7; amazon.com ) hides silver and adds sheen.
STYLE IT
When you spot annoying grays, hide them with a temporary fix like Redken Color Rebel Naturals Hair Makeup ($20; ulta.com). It dries quickly and lasts through a couple of shampoos. For your hairline, use a Q-tip to apply. Later, roots!
RELATED: 10 Secrets of People Who Age Gracefully
Get a Whole Lot of Shine
When you want your hair to glow, “treat your scalp the same way you do your skin,” says Liz Cunnane Phillips, a trichologist at the New York Philip Kingsley Clinic. Lay off the drying products and help strands glisten with light.
TREAT IT
Cut back on shampooing—it strips hair of its natural oils and gloss—to once or twice a week. You also want to protect hair from shine-sapping UV rays. Try Rene Furterer Solaire Leave-In Moisturizing Spray ($22; amazon.com), which has jojoba wax and camelina oil along with a UV filter. For extra luster, consider a salon gloss (usually with a hint of tint) or glaze (typically clear), advises Jet Rhys, a Solana Beach, Calif., stylist to the stars. “It's like waxing your car,” she says. “You get a noticeable shine boost that lasts a couple of weeks.”
STYLE IT
Make shine serum your final styling step. Try L'Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare Nutri-Gloss Mist ($10; amazon.com). “Apply a bit to the ends, which typically need the most TLC,” says Rhys. For extra de-frizzing, spritz your palms and run them over the length of your hair, avoiding roots.
RELATED: 15 Hair Products for a Shinier, Healthier Mane
3 Style Tricks for Younger Hair
1. Zigzag your part.
“It can make hair appear fuller by hiding sparse spots,” says celeb stylist Jet Rhys. Use your finger to part instead of a comb for a natural look.
2. Go halfsies.
Pull just some of your hair back. “When you sweep the sides up toward the back of your head, it visually raises the cheekbones,” explains Rhys. Instant face-lift!
3. Do a high ponytail.
For a soft, flattering look, loosely brush hair back and up with a paddle brush, says Saviano, then secure with a ribbon hair elastic."
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
15 Warm Down Jackets That Are Also Super Stylish
Brave the cold without sacrificing style with a cozy-cute down coat.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Victoria Justice: "If You Don't Feel Healthy, Nothing Else Matters"
Victoria Justice is sitting in an empty restaurant in New York City, scrolling through her phone to find her favorite workout tracks. "Ooh—this one's so good!" she says, flipping the screen my way to flash "Something Good Can Work" by Two Door Cinema Club. "Oh, of course all the Top 40 songs, like 'Lean On' by Major Lazer and 'Fun' by Pitbull. Oh my God, to me music is everything."
It's little surprise that the 22-year-old loves good music: She has been singing and acting since she was 12. Victoria has worked practically nonstop for a decade, starring in two shows for Nickelodeon (Zoey 101 and Victorious) and one for MTV (the acclaimed Eye Candy), recording music, doing two tours and landing roles in feature films. This fall, she stars in The Outskirts, about high school misfits who overthrow the popular kids, and Naomi & Ely's No Kiss List, about a girl who's in love with a boy who's in love with a boy.
When I ask how she finds time to exercise, she leans in as if to share a secret: "To be honest, I used to hate working out, but as I've gotten older, I've realized that it gives me so much more energy, and it just makes me feel so much better. I love taking classes to switch it up, so I'll do a dancing class or a twerk class—"
Wait—a twerk class?
I'm not kidding. It's actually a really great workout. After 10 minutes of twerking, your thighs and your butt feel it right away. [Laughs] But it's so much fun. You feel free. It's like, "Who cares? I'm twerking!"
Do you have a trainer?
I do, and we basically work out everything. He has me doing push-ups, squats, crunches, lifting free weights, jumping rope and all that stuff.
Any moves you dread?
Squats—especially when I'm carrying weights.
What helps you feel good about your body?
I try to meditate every day. It's important to take that time, even if it's just 10 minutes, to block everything out and get grounded again. And I love to lie on my hammock and read things that are inspirational and motivational, whether it's a self-help book or an autobiography.
What books have you loved lately?
Ones from strong, smart, positive women. Tina Fey's Bossypants, Mindy Kaling. I also have Amy Poehler's and Lena Dunham's books on my list.
Is it true you're into natural health?
I'm all about the supplements. I take fish oil every single day, as well as vitamin D, magnesium, B complex, vitamin C. I drink lots of water, and I've been trying to do daily wheatgrass shots, but they're awful and I have to plug my nose. We also have this shake in my house that we pretty much have every morning. It's made of rice milk, bananas, Udo's oil and protein powder. I've been drinking it ever since I was little.
Where did you hear about this magical shake?
My stepdad was at work, and [Olympic diver] Greg Louganis' coach came in and said something like "Greg swears by this, he drinks this." My stepdad came home and told my mom, my sister and me about it, and for, like, 15 years we've been drinking this shake.
Did you ever meet Greg Louganis?
One time at an event, my mom was like, "Oh my gosh, that's Greg Louganis." So I went up to him and said, "Hi, Greg, you probably don't know who I am, but I just wanted to let you know I drink this shake you've been drinking that your coach told my dad about, and we all love it and feel great." And he was like, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
That's wild. Have you ever tried an extreme diet?
I actually have. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's, which is a thyroid autoimmune disorder [that can interfere with thyroid function and affect metabolism]. This Korean acupuncturist put me on a super-strict diet, where I was a pescatarian [eating fish but no other meat]. I also couldn't eat any sugar, wheat or dairy. I did that for about two months, and it was so intense.
Did you feel better?
I think it made my skin clearer and glow more. They had put me on this thyroid medication, and I think the levels were too high for me because it caused my skin to break out. All my life I've always had great skin, so it was really devastating. Also, at first, I was losing a lot of weight, then I went on tour and I started gaining weight, and it was the most I'd ever gained in my life. I was, like, 115 pounds. Then when I filmed a movie last summer, I actually went under 100 pounds. It was crazy, but things have leveled out, and I'm back to normal.
How do you cope with public scrutiny of your skin or your weight?
It definitely did affect my confidence, and it made me a little bit more self-conscious. But at the end of the day, I had the support of my family and friends. I knew that the people around me had my back. Now I really empathize with people who have issues with their skin, because it can get you down.
Do you still deal with Hashimoto's?
I still have Hashimoto's. But my numbers are back to normal, and I'm not on medication. I feel good.
You have an incredible amount of social media influence. Do you have fun with posting on Instagram and the like, or does it feel like pressure?
At times it can be a bit overwhelming because there are so many different ways to use social media. But at the end of the day, it's just a great way to stay connected to the people who've supported me since the beginning. They've kind of grown up with me, and I know a lot of them by name and have relationships with a lot of these people. The best part is being able to share bits of my personality so they can see who I really am.
You never share too much; there's no dirt on you!
Thank you. And knock on wood! There isn't a lot of dirt, because what you see is what you get with me. I'm not pretending to be a different person on social media. I do it myself. I am who I am. I feel like if I was a diva or if I were doing all these crazy things on the side, people would find out. There's not much you can hide nowadays.
When are you happiest?
When I'm with the people I love and trust. I'm such a homebody. I love watching movies with my dogs by my side. I also love discovering new music and making music, and to be onstage and let loose and have fun. To have people know the words is one of the best feelings ever.
The stuff that rocks her world.
In my hair kit
"Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo and Conditioner. They are really good and sulfate-free, which is nice. I'll put in a pea-size bit of oil to smooth down the flyaways, then blow-dry."
Skin savers
"I try to use the Clarisonic every other day because it really deep-cleans. Your face feels like it's glowing. I have a gel cleanser from Avalon Organics that I get at Whole Foods. And since I live in L.A., it's so important to protect my skin from the sun, so I apply a tinted moisturizer with SPF by Revision Skincare."
Makeup musts
"Burt's Bees pomegranate lip balm is my favorite. I love this Bobbi Brown lipstick pencil in rose-brown. And, oh my God, I always have blotting sheets!"
Dream meal
"I'm a huge sushi fan. I have it every couple of days. Also Cuban food, like roasted pork and rice and beans. And tostones, when they're flattened and fried and you dip them in garlic sauce."
Favorite things in my closet
"I'm a jeans fanatic. It's ridiculous how many jeans I have. I love DL1961 because they hug my body really well. Also Joe's, Citizens of Humanity, Paige. But I recently gave a lot away to Goodwill."
It's little surprise that the 22-year-old loves good music: She has been singing and acting since she was 12. Victoria has worked practically nonstop for a decade, starring in two shows for Nickelodeon (Zoey 101 and Victorious) and one for MTV (the acclaimed Eye Candy), recording music, doing two tours and landing roles in feature films. This fall, she stars in The Outskirts, about high school misfits who overthrow the popular kids, and Naomi & Ely's No Kiss List, about a girl who's in love with a boy who's in love with a boy.
When I ask how she finds time to exercise, she leans in as if to share a secret: "To be honest, I used to hate working out, but as I've gotten older, I've realized that it gives me so much more energy, and it just makes me feel so much better. I love taking classes to switch it up, so I'll do a dancing class or a twerk class—"
Wait—a twerk class?
I'm not kidding. It's actually a really great workout. After 10 minutes of twerking, your thighs and your butt feel it right away. [Laughs] But it's so much fun. You feel free. It's like, "Who cares? I'm twerking!"
Do you have a trainer?
I do, and we basically work out everything. He has me doing push-ups, squats, crunches, lifting free weights, jumping rope and all that stuff.
Any moves you dread?
Squats—especially when I'm carrying weights.
What helps you feel good about your body?
I try to meditate every day. It's important to take that time, even if it's just 10 minutes, to block everything out and get grounded again. And I love to lie on my hammock and read things that are inspirational and motivational, whether it's a self-help book or an autobiography.
What books have you loved lately?
Ones from strong, smart, positive women. Tina Fey's Bossypants, Mindy Kaling. I also have Amy Poehler's and Lena Dunham's books on my list.
Is it true you're into natural health?
I'm all about the supplements. I take fish oil every single day, as well as vitamin D, magnesium, B complex, vitamin C. I drink lots of water, and I've been trying to do daily wheatgrass shots, but they're awful and I have to plug my nose. We also have this shake in my house that we pretty much have every morning. It's made of rice milk, bananas, Udo's oil and protein powder. I've been drinking it ever since I was little.
Where did you hear about this magical shake?
My stepdad was at work, and [Olympic diver] Greg Louganis' coach came in and said something like "Greg swears by this, he drinks this." My stepdad came home and told my mom, my sister and me about it, and for, like, 15 years we've been drinking this shake.
Did you ever meet Greg Louganis?
One time at an event, my mom was like, "Oh my gosh, that's Greg Louganis." So I went up to him and said, "Hi, Greg, you probably don't know who I am, but I just wanted to let you know I drink this shake you've been drinking that your coach told my dad about, and we all love it and feel great." And he was like, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
That's wild. Have you ever tried an extreme diet?
I actually have. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's, which is a thyroid autoimmune disorder [that can interfere with thyroid function and affect metabolism]. This Korean acupuncturist put me on a super-strict diet, where I was a pescatarian [eating fish but no other meat]. I also couldn't eat any sugar, wheat or dairy. I did that for about two months, and it was so intense.
Did you feel better?
I think it made my skin clearer and glow more. They had put me on this thyroid medication, and I think the levels were too high for me because it caused my skin to break out. All my life I've always had great skin, so it was really devastating. Also, at first, I was losing a lot of weight, then I went on tour and I started gaining weight, and it was the most I'd ever gained in my life. I was, like, 115 pounds. Then when I filmed a movie last summer, I actually went under 100 pounds. It was crazy, but things have leveled out, and I'm back to normal.
How do you cope with public scrutiny of your skin or your weight?
It definitely did affect my confidence, and it made me a little bit more self-conscious. But at the end of the day, I had the support of my family and friends. I knew that the people around me had my back. Now I really empathize with people who have issues with their skin, because it can get you down.
Do you still deal with Hashimoto's?
I still have Hashimoto's. But my numbers are back to normal, and I'm not on medication. I feel good.
You have an incredible amount of social media influence. Do you have fun with posting on Instagram and the like, or does it feel like pressure?
At times it can be a bit overwhelming because there are so many different ways to use social media. But at the end of the day, it's just a great way to stay connected to the people who've supported me since the beginning. They've kind of grown up with me, and I know a lot of them by name and have relationships with a lot of these people. The best part is being able to share bits of my personality so they can see who I really am.
You never share too much; there's no dirt on you!
Thank you. And knock on wood! There isn't a lot of dirt, because what you see is what you get with me. I'm not pretending to be a different person on social media. I do it myself. I am who I am. I feel like if I was a diva or if I were doing all these crazy things on the side, people would find out. There's not much you can hide nowadays.
When are you happiest?
When I'm with the people I love and trust. I'm such a homebody. I love watching movies with my dogs by my side. I also love discovering new music and making music, and to be onstage and let loose and have fun. To have people know the words is one of the best feelings ever.
The stuff that rocks her world.
In my hair kit
"Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo and Conditioner. They are really good and sulfate-free, which is nice. I'll put in a pea-size bit of oil to smooth down the flyaways, then blow-dry."
Skin savers
"I try to use the Clarisonic every other day because it really deep-cleans. Your face feels like it's glowing. I have a gel cleanser from Avalon Organics that I get at Whole Foods. And since I live in L.A., it's so important to protect my skin from the sun, so I apply a tinted moisturizer with SPF by Revision Skincare."
Makeup musts
"Burt's Bees pomegranate lip balm is my favorite. I love this Bobbi Brown lipstick pencil in rose-brown. And, oh my God, I always have blotting sheets!"
Dream meal
"I'm a huge sushi fan. I have it every couple of days. Also Cuban food, like roasted pork and rice and beans. And tostones, when they're flattened and fried and you dip them in garlic sauce."
Favorite things in my closet
"I'm a jeans fanatic. It's ridiculous how many jeans I have. I love DL1961 because they hug my body really well. Also Joe's, Citizens of Humanity, Paige. But I recently gave a lot away to Goodwill."
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
8 Beauty Products That Support Breast Cancer Research
Indulge in any of these beauty do-gooders and you'll support the fight against breast cancer.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Jillian Michaels: This 7-Move Circuit Will Change Your Body
Transform your body in 4 weeks with this calorie-torching exercise series.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
15 Hair Products for a Shinier, Healthier Mane
Get a salon style on your own with these particularly great potions.
Friday, August 28, 2015
15 Best Products for Flawless Skin, Gorgeous Eyes, and Lust-Worthy Lips
Health's favorite makeup products of 2015, including lipsticks, eyeshadows, foundations, and more.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
2015 Beauty Awards: 15 Best Makeup Products
Flawless skin, gorgeous eyes and lust-worthy lips-all yours!
Friday, August 14, 2015
2015 Beauty Awards: Best Hair Products
Get a salon style on your own with these particularly great potions.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Sophia Bush Seizes the Day
Sophia Bush was born an old soul. "I was a tiny adult," she says of her childhood in Los Angeles (her mom and dad were both in the photography business). "I always wanted to save the world. My parents thought it was sweet and that I'd outgrow it—and I never did!"
Now the actress and activist, 33, is saving it in all sorts of ways. This month, she's back for a third season as crime-solving detective Erin Lindsay on the NBC drama Chicago P.D. Off camera, she works with organizations like Pencils of Promise to help children gain access to education, and I Am That Girl, which builds support networks for girls. And she recently partnered with I Smell Great, a beauty line that creates fragrances aimed at inspiring female confidence and uses new technology that makes her "little nerd-heart get excited."
She is also a longtime believer in the impact that healthy habits can have on your life—not just physically but emotionally, too. Over green tea, she opens up to Health about the morning routine that has had a profound effect on her life and shares how anyone can learn to live in the moment.
What is different about you now compared with when you were a kid?
I don't think I just trust every single person anymore. I'm really coming into myself. There's something about 33. You know, it's one of those sort of sacred years. Thirty was amazing. And 33 is really only getting better. I feel much more rooted. I've learned how to listen to my intuition. My heart still feels open and I'm still madly in love with the world, but I understand very quickly how to read a person's energy and how to better protect my own.
RELATED: 10 Secrets of People Who Age Gracefully
How do you keep your intuition strong?
I've gotten better at slowing down and sticking to my meditation practice. A lot of us seem to be on the same track: We crush it at work and we crush it with our physical health, but we haven't been attending to that mind-body connection—and that's the sweet spot. So I'm getting up at 7:30 a.m., I'm meditating for 20 minutes and then I'm going for a two-mile run. It's only been a couple of weeks, and I feel so different. And I'm not a morning person! My theme of this year is "narrow and deep." Less stuff, more depth. You just have to try to actively change your habits for one week: Get up 30 minutes earlier. Download the Headspace app and do a 10-minute meditation every day. It's great.
Your Chicago P.D. character, Erin, is a fan favorite because of how badass she is. Was she always that way?
I'm never going to pick a role that is a person who I wouldn't want to hang out with. I want to hang out with an interesting, layered, multifaceted woman who is unapologetic about her strength and her vulnerability.
Are you that type of person in real life?
Totally. I mean, I'm gushy. But I jump out of airplanes for fun and like to race cars and own three giant pit bulls. So I'm practicing allowing for my femininity more. One of my friends challenged me: "Let the man who offers to put your bag in the overhead on the plane put your bag in the overhead." I was like, "But I packed it. I can carry it!" She said, "It's not the point." So, now, every time a guy asks me if he can lift my bag up, I go, "Sure! Thank you." And I bask in the fact that someone wants to do something nice for me. It's all being just a little more open. Because saying no to someone who is offering to help you is closing a door.
Do you think it's hard to maintain body confidence in Hollywood?
I think it's hard for everyone. Do I think that there has historically been more pressure [in Hollywood than elsewhere]? Yes. Do I think that because of media and airbrushing and social media and Instagram and Facebook and Twitter, that it's now the same for everyone? I think it's crazy. We are so conditioned as women to hate on ourselves all the time, but look at what we can do.
How do you keep perspective?
This is me, whether I like it or not. I will never be as tall as Gisele. I will never have bone structure like Hilary Rhoda. I will never have Penelope Cruz's hair. So who cares?
Speaking of beauty, you have the most amazing skin.
[She points to a barely-there blemish on her left cheek.] I'm laughing because I just had a breakout.
This makes me think of that Amy Schumer skit [Compliments] about women not being able to accept a compliment.
Yeah, and they kill themselves? It's my favorite video! We've been taught that being validated by a man is something to strive for. But when we get validated by women, we brush it off, we act like it's stupid and we immediately insult ourselves. What if we took validation from our female friends and let that fill us? I would wager women wouldn't compete over men's attention the way that they do.
RELATED: The Best Cleanser for Your Skin
Your Instagram posts are often thought-provoking, like a recent one about doing what you fear because a seed needs to crack open to grow.
It was based on a quote from this woman Cynthia Occelli. We are so afraid to change careers, to end relationships, to outgrow people or places—and that's just growth. To me, choosing to go toward the cracking in order to keep expanding is the only way. The only way to get out of pain is to go through it. Pain is information—which I think is one of the most profound things anyone has ever said to me. It is literally a piece of information.
What have been the most profound cracks that have changed your life?
When I was 20, my mom was really sick. I watched her go through chemo, and that cracked me. My mother, my everything, the strongest woman I know, was literally on her knees unable to stand, and that shattered me. Losing one of my best friends a few months ago [Google executive Dan Fredinburg] shattered me. There were days I felt like my body had been turned inside out. I felt like my heart was on the outside of my body and everyone who came near me was stabbing me. And the crazy thing is that since Dan died, the lessons have come like Mack trucks. There is no next time. There is no excuse to wait a day to do what you want to do and to change the way that you want to change.
What is your greatest fear?
The word enough is a monster for me. I don't know how anyone ever feels that they are enough: successful enough, smart enough, pretty enough, healthy enough. I got so scared the first time I decided to say, "I am terrified of not being enough." And what came back tenfold—women who identify, women who sympathize and women who experience all of that—was mind-boggling to me. We are so in this together. And that helps. A friend said to me, "Let it be enough, whatever you did today. You went on a two-mile run and you didn't do a circuit-training workout? Who cares? Let it be enough."
Do you have a smallest fear?
I am irrationally afraid of spiders. I kill them. All of them. People are like, "Let them live!" And I'm like, "Never! You came in my house. You are an intruder. Get out!" [Laughs]
Finish this sentence for us: I am my absolute happiest when...
Twenty of our friends are over, we have a great band at my house and we're having long conversations around a fire pit.
What is your go-to way to de-stress?
I can't believe it took me 32 years to feel like I deserve to get massages, but a super deep tissue. Game changer.
RELATED: Hidden Stress Triggers
Sophia's Hit List
Orphan Black and nine other things that rock her world.
Favorite social media account: Tiny Atlas Quarterly magazine on Instagram. "They make me want to travel everywhere."
Herb she loves to cook with: "It's a tie between basil and thyme. I put them on everything."
Book worth returning to: "I am rereading Cheryl Strayed's book of essays, Tiny Beautiful Things, for the fourth time. She's my hero."
Binge-worthy show: "Orphan Black. You need it in your life."
Podcast: "Tara Brach's on mindfulness. I've sent the episode 'Attend and Befriend: Healing the Fear Body' to 20 people, who have all called me and said, 'From the bottom of my heart, thank you.'"
App she's addicted to: "Meerkat, the live-streaming app. My roommate and I will do Meerkat chats after we watch Orphan Black."
Skin-care products: "There's a really great line, S.W. Basics out of Brooklyn, and they're so clean. Sometimes I'll take my makeup off with their oil makeup remover and just leave that oil on my face because it's so hydrating."
Surprising thing she collects: "Vintage cameras. I grew up working with them in my dad's studio. I love what they look like, and I have them all over my house."
Natural-beauty trick: "Neem honey is really good for your hair. You do a 20-minute hair mask. But don't go anywhere—it's disgusting. It's so gooey! And then, pro tip: You have to get shampoo in your hair before you get the honey wet. Because if you try to rinse [the honey], it's a disaster."
Now the actress and activist, 33, is saving it in all sorts of ways. This month, she's back for a third season as crime-solving detective Erin Lindsay on the NBC drama Chicago P.D. Off camera, she works with organizations like Pencils of Promise to help children gain access to education, and I Am That Girl, which builds support networks for girls. And she recently partnered with I Smell Great, a beauty line that creates fragrances aimed at inspiring female confidence and uses new technology that makes her "little nerd-heart get excited."
She is also a longtime believer in the impact that healthy habits can have on your life—not just physically but emotionally, too. Over green tea, she opens up to Health about the morning routine that has had a profound effect on her life and shares how anyone can learn to live in the moment.
What is different about you now compared with when you were a kid?
I don't think I just trust every single person anymore. I'm really coming into myself. There's something about 33. You know, it's one of those sort of sacred years. Thirty was amazing. And 33 is really only getting better. I feel much more rooted. I've learned how to listen to my intuition. My heart still feels open and I'm still madly in love with the world, but I understand very quickly how to read a person's energy and how to better protect my own.
RELATED: 10 Secrets of People Who Age Gracefully
How do you keep your intuition strong?
I've gotten better at slowing down and sticking to my meditation practice. A lot of us seem to be on the same track: We crush it at work and we crush it with our physical health, but we haven't been attending to that mind-body connection—and that's the sweet spot. So I'm getting up at 7:30 a.m., I'm meditating for 20 minutes and then I'm going for a two-mile run. It's only been a couple of weeks, and I feel so different. And I'm not a morning person! My theme of this year is "narrow and deep." Less stuff, more depth. You just have to try to actively change your habits for one week: Get up 30 minutes earlier. Download the Headspace app and do a 10-minute meditation every day. It's great.
Your Chicago P.D. character, Erin, is a fan favorite because of how badass she is. Was she always that way?
I'm never going to pick a role that is a person who I wouldn't want to hang out with. I want to hang out with an interesting, layered, multifaceted woman who is unapologetic about her strength and her vulnerability.
Are you that type of person in real life?
Totally. I mean, I'm gushy. But I jump out of airplanes for fun and like to race cars and own three giant pit bulls. So I'm practicing allowing for my femininity more. One of my friends challenged me: "Let the man who offers to put your bag in the overhead on the plane put your bag in the overhead." I was like, "But I packed it. I can carry it!" She said, "It's not the point." So, now, every time a guy asks me if he can lift my bag up, I go, "Sure! Thank you." And I bask in the fact that someone wants to do something nice for me. It's all being just a little more open. Because saying no to someone who is offering to help you is closing a door.
Do you think it's hard to maintain body confidence in Hollywood?
I think it's hard for everyone. Do I think that there has historically been more pressure [in Hollywood than elsewhere]? Yes. Do I think that because of media and airbrushing and social media and Instagram and Facebook and Twitter, that it's now the same for everyone? I think it's crazy. We are so conditioned as women to hate on ourselves all the time, but look at what we can do.
How do you keep perspective?
This is me, whether I like it or not. I will never be as tall as Gisele. I will never have bone structure like Hilary Rhoda. I will never have Penelope Cruz's hair. So who cares?
Speaking of beauty, you have the most amazing skin.
[She points to a barely-there blemish on her left cheek.] I'm laughing because I just had a breakout.
This makes me think of that Amy Schumer skit [Compliments] about women not being able to accept a compliment.
Yeah, and they kill themselves? It's my favorite video! We've been taught that being validated by a man is something to strive for. But when we get validated by women, we brush it off, we act like it's stupid and we immediately insult ourselves. What if we took validation from our female friends and let that fill us? I would wager women wouldn't compete over men's attention the way that they do.
RELATED: The Best Cleanser for Your Skin
Your Instagram posts are often thought-provoking, like a recent one about doing what you fear because a seed needs to crack open to grow.
It was based on a quote from this woman Cynthia Occelli. We are so afraid to change careers, to end relationships, to outgrow people or places—and that's just growth. To me, choosing to go toward the cracking in order to keep expanding is the only way. The only way to get out of pain is to go through it. Pain is information—which I think is one of the most profound things anyone has ever said to me. It is literally a piece of information.
What have been the most profound cracks that have changed your life?
When I was 20, my mom was really sick. I watched her go through chemo, and that cracked me. My mother, my everything, the strongest woman I know, was literally on her knees unable to stand, and that shattered me. Losing one of my best friends a few months ago [Google executive Dan Fredinburg] shattered me. There were days I felt like my body had been turned inside out. I felt like my heart was on the outside of my body and everyone who came near me was stabbing me. And the crazy thing is that since Dan died, the lessons have come like Mack trucks. There is no next time. There is no excuse to wait a day to do what you want to do and to change the way that you want to change.
What is your greatest fear?
The word enough is a monster for me. I don't know how anyone ever feels that they are enough: successful enough, smart enough, pretty enough, healthy enough. I got so scared the first time I decided to say, "I am terrified of not being enough." And what came back tenfold—women who identify, women who sympathize and women who experience all of that—was mind-boggling to me. We are so in this together. And that helps. A friend said to me, "Let it be enough, whatever you did today. You went on a two-mile run and you didn't do a circuit-training workout? Who cares? Let it be enough."
Do you have a smallest fear?
I am irrationally afraid of spiders. I kill them. All of them. People are like, "Let them live!" And I'm like, "Never! You came in my house. You are an intruder. Get out!" [Laughs]
Finish this sentence for us: I am my absolute happiest when...
Twenty of our friends are over, we have a great band at my house and we're having long conversations around a fire pit.
What is your go-to way to de-stress?
I can't believe it took me 32 years to feel like I deserve to get massages, but a super deep tissue. Game changer.
RELATED: Hidden Stress Triggers
Sophia's Hit List
Orphan Black and nine other things that rock her world.
Favorite social media account: Tiny Atlas Quarterly magazine on Instagram. "They make me want to travel everywhere."
Herb she loves to cook with: "It's a tie between basil and thyme. I put them on everything."
Book worth returning to: "I am rereading Cheryl Strayed's book of essays, Tiny Beautiful Things, for the fourth time. She's my hero."
Binge-worthy show: "Orphan Black. You need it in your life."
Podcast: "Tara Brach's on mindfulness. I've sent the episode 'Attend and Befriend: Healing the Fear Body' to 20 people, who have all called me and said, 'From the bottom of my heart, thank you.'"
App she's addicted to: "Meerkat, the live-streaming app. My roommate and I will do Meerkat chats after we watch Orphan Black."
Skin-care products: "There's a really great line, S.W. Basics out of Brooklyn, and they're so clean. Sometimes I'll take my makeup off with their oil makeup remover and just leave that oil on my face because it's so hydrating."
Surprising thing she collects: "Vintage cameras. I grew up working with them in my dad's studio. I love what they look like, and I have them all over my house."
Natural-beauty trick: "Neem honey is really good for your hair. You do a 20-minute hair mask. But don't go anywhere—it's disgusting. It's so gooey! And then, pro tip: You have to get shampoo in your hair before you get the honey wet. Because if you try to rinse [the honey], it's a disaster."
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
The Skin Problem You Won't Have This Summer
During my 20s, I saved a lot of money on makeup: I never needed blush, because I had a perma-rosy flush. But a few weeks after I turned 30, I noticed a squiggle on my left cheek that looked like a red pen mark yet turned out, upon closer inspection, to be a capillary. Soon, more joined it. I visited a dermatologist. That flushing wasn't a gift from nature; it was rosacea.
RELATED: What Your Looks Say About Your Health
An estimated 16 million Americans have this condition, though they may not know it. "Rosacea is one of the most undiagnosed medical disorders—people mistake it for acne, eczema or sensitive skin," notes Whitney Bowe, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn school of medicine at mount Sinai in New York City. It typically starts in your 30s, is more common among women and is peskiest now; in a poll of 852 rosacea patients by the national Rosacea society, 58 percent said their symptoms are at their worst during the summer. Here's the scoop on those flare-ups.
What rosacea looks like
Redness that won't go away
It usually appears on your cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. Sometimes rosy patches also show up on the neck, chest, scalp and ears.
Visible blood vessels
They tend to crop up on the cheeks, chin and nose.
Dry skin
"One of the main issues with rosacea is a breakdown in skin barrier function," Dr. Bowe says. "Skin may no longer be able to trap moisture, leading to dryness and itchiness."
RELATED: Fix Your Top Skin Complexion Problems
Bumps
Along with redness, pus-filled pimples and little red bumps are an issue for folks with papulopustular rosacea—the second most common kind. "With acne, breakouts occur on the jaw and hairline, but rosacea occurs in the middle third of the face," says Anne Chapas, MD, a dermatological surgeon in New York City. Plus, there are usually no accompanying blackheads or whiteheads.
Why you're caught red-faced
Light-skinned ladies, like me, of Eastern or Northern European descent are most at risk of rosacea. There's also a genetic link, concludes a new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
RELATED: The Best Cleanser for Your Skin
Sufferers tend to have blood vessels that dilate easily, increasing the rush of blood to the skin's surface—particularly when spicy foods, red wine, exercise, stress, warm temperatures and sun are involved. The one-two whammy: You're more prone to rosacea if you blush easily—and having the condition can make you even redder.
Not only can sun exposure trigger redness, but sunburns from your teens and early 20s (before you knew better, of course) can haunt you, making capillaries rear their heads. "Over time, sun damage breaks down healthy tissue that acts as a barrier between your blood vessels and the surface of the skin, and they become more visible," Dr. Bowe says.
RELATED: 14 Foods That Age You
Scientists have pinpointed one icky culprit for papulopustular rosacea: Demodex, a microscopic mite that lives on all our faces but can be found in 10 times greater number on those with rosacea. "When they die, they release bacteria, leading to skin inflammation and pustules," says Kevin Kavanagh, PhD, a microbiologist at Maynooth university in Ireland, who researches Demodex. The little buggers proliferate on weathered skin, according to a review of studies published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology—thanks again, sun!
Your best treatment plan
While none of these solutions can erase the mental image of critters crawling over your face, they are proven to fight rosacea.
Rx gels and creams
In 2013, Mirvaso became the first prescription medication approved by the FDA to ease redness from rosacea. Brand new: Soolantra (ivermectin), used to reduce bumps, has both anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic properties, so it's a Demodex foe. Finacea (azaelic acid) is another common prescription for papulopustular rosacea. A dermatologist might recommend a combination of meds to address different symptoms; insurance typically pays. People with severe rosacea could additionally need an antibacterial and antimicrobial antibiotic, such as doxycycline.
Lasers
Derms zap visible blood vessels with intense pulsed light and KTP lasers, heating and disintegrating them, Dr. Chapas explains. No worries; the procedure feels like the snap of a rubber band, and swelling and redness should resolve in a day. Patients typically need one to three sessions, with more as other squiggly lines appear. Most painful of all: sessions can run $250-plus a pop, and insurance won't cover them.
RELATED: The Best Cleanser for Your Skin
Probiotics
Growing evidence suggests that creams with probiotics can keep out "bad" bacteria and help contain inflammation. Pill versions may come in handy, too. A study in the journal Beneficial Microbes found that oral probiotic supplements can strengthen the skin barrier. And ingesting more kefir, miso soup, kombucha tea, sauerkraut and yogurt with active cultures—all high in probiotics—could help.
Control triggers
Sure, you can avoid red wine, exercise, sun and stress—if you're a hermit or a monk. As Dr. Bowe says, "You can't stop living!" I spritz my face with water during workouts and at the beach to tamp down flushing. Some swear by rubbing on ice cubes made of green tea (which has anti-inflammatory properties) to reduce redness. "Work with a doctor to come up with a regimen that keeps symptoms under control," Dr. Bowe urges. "And if you have a big event, lay off triggers the day before."
RELATED: What Your Looks Say About Your Health
An estimated 16 million Americans have this condition, though they may not know it. "Rosacea is one of the most undiagnosed medical disorders—people mistake it for acne, eczema or sensitive skin," notes Whitney Bowe, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn school of medicine at mount Sinai in New York City. It typically starts in your 30s, is more common among women and is peskiest now; in a poll of 852 rosacea patients by the national Rosacea society, 58 percent said their symptoms are at their worst during the summer. Here's the scoop on those flare-ups.
What rosacea looks like
Redness that won't go away
It usually appears on your cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. Sometimes rosy patches also show up on the neck, chest, scalp and ears.
Visible blood vessels
They tend to crop up on the cheeks, chin and nose.
Dry skin
"One of the main issues with rosacea is a breakdown in skin barrier function," Dr. Bowe says. "Skin may no longer be able to trap moisture, leading to dryness and itchiness."
RELATED: Fix Your Top Skin Complexion Problems
Bumps
Along with redness, pus-filled pimples and little red bumps are an issue for folks with papulopustular rosacea—the second most common kind. "With acne, breakouts occur on the jaw and hairline, but rosacea occurs in the middle third of the face," says Anne Chapas, MD, a dermatological surgeon in New York City. Plus, there are usually no accompanying blackheads or whiteheads.
Why you're caught red-faced
Light-skinned ladies, like me, of Eastern or Northern European descent are most at risk of rosacea. There's also a genetic link, concludes a new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
RELATED: The Best Cleanser for Your Skin
Sufferers tend to have blood vessels that dilate easily, increasing the rush of blood to the skin's surface—particularly when spicy foods, red wine, exercise, stress, warm temperatures and sun are involved. The one-two whammy: You're more prone to rosacea if you blush easily—and having the condition can make you even redder.
Not only can sun exposure trigger redness, but sunburns from your teens and early 20s (before you knew better, of course) can haunt you, making capillaries rear their heads. "Over time, sun damage breaks down healthy tissue that acts as a barrier between your blood vessels and the surface of the skin, and they become more visible," Dr. Bowe says.
RELATED: 14 Foods That Age You
Scientists have pinpointed one icky culprit for papulopustular rosacea: Demodex, a microscopic mite that lives on all our faces but can be found in 10 times greater number on those with rosacea. "When they die, they release bacteria, leading to skin inflammation and pustules," says Kevin Kavanagh, PhD, a microbiologist at Maynooth university in Ireland, who researches Demodex. The little buggers proliferate on weathered skin, according to a review of studies published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology—thanks again, sun!
Your best treatment plan
While none of these solutions can erase the mental image of critters crawling over your face, they are proven to fight rosacea.
Rx gels and creams
In 2013, Mirvaso became the first prescription medication approved by the FDA to ease redness from rosacea. Brand new: Soolantra (ivermectin), used to reduce bumps, has both anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic properties, so it's a Demodex foe. Finacea (azaelic acid) is another common prescription for papulopustular rosacea. A dermatologist might recommend a combination of meds to address different symptoms; insurance typically pays. People with severe rosacea could additionally need an antibacterial and antimicrobial antibiotic, such as doxycycline.
Lasers
Derms zap visible blood vessels with intense pulsed light and KTP lasers, heating and disintegrating them, Dr. Chapas explains. No worries; the procedure feels like the snap of a rubber band, and swelling and redness should resolve in a day. Patients typically need one to three sessions, with more as other squiggly lines appear. Most painful of all: sessions can run $250-plus a pop, and insurance won't cover them.
RELATED: The Best Cleanser for Your Skin
Probiotics
Growing evidence suggests that creams with probiotics can keep out "bad" bacteria and help contain inflammation. Pill versions may come in handy, too. A study in the journal Beneficial Microbes found that oral probiotic supplements can strengthen the skin barrier. And ingesting more kefir, miso soup, kombucha tea, sauerkraut and yogurt with active cultures—all high in probiotics—could help.
Control triggers
Sure, you can avoid red wine, exercise, sun and stress—if you're a hermit or a monk. As Dr. Bowe says, "You can't stop living!" I spritz my face with water during workouts and at the beach to tamp down flushing. Some swear by rubbing on ice cubes made of green tea (which has anti-inflammatory properties) to reduce redness. "Work with a doctor to come up with a regimen that keeps symptoms under control," Dr. Bowe urges. "And if you have a big event, lay off triggers the day before."
Friday, July 3, 2015
10 Foods That Make You Look Younger
Beauty is only skin-deep? Don't you believe it. Learn to feed your face and hair the foods they're starving for.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
10 Secrets of People Who Age Gracefully
Experts reveal tricks to keeping your youthful glow with each passing year.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
16 Tips to Prevent Makeup from Melting Off in Hot Weather
Beach weekends, backyard BBQs, brunch at sidewalk cafés: You want to be outside enjoying the long, sunny days—and look great doing it. "Summer makeup should feel as comfortable as your favorite T-shirt," says Troy Surratt, founder of Surratt Beauty. But unless you're in some sort of perfect-climate dome, you know the havoc steamy temps can wreak. Happily, these strategies and beauty finds stand the test of time—and humidity.
A Fresher Face
Rethink your lotion: A rich moisturizer—paired with all that humidity—can cause makeup to slide off. "I tell my clients to use their heavy-duty creams at night, so skin is soft and smooth for foundation come morning," says Mally Roncal, founder of Mally Beauty.
Remember that it's all about that base: Switch to a long-wearing foundation, like MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation ($32; nordstrom.com). It tends to have less slip. Blend with a damp makeup sponge: "When wet, the sponge will bounce over skin, depositing the perfect amount of coverage for a dewy finish," Surratt says. Then gently press a tissue over your face to lift off any excess oil.
Banish grease: As the day goes on and your face gets moist, powder will settle in all the wrong places (those lines and creases). So use a mattifying balm to nix the slick instead. Try Revlon PhotoReady Prime + Anti Shine Balm ($12; target.com).
Related: 16 Adult Acne Myths, Busted
Budgeproof Blush
Fight the fade: "Creamy formulas melt into skin, imparting a natural glow," Roncal says. We like Charlotte Tilbury Colour of Youth Lip & Cheek Glow ($58; charlottetilbury.com). Dust a similar shade of powder blush right on top to keep color intact.
All-day radiance: "Everyone looks better with some warmth in their skin," Surratt says. He suggests sweeping bronzer over the places where you overheat first—across the hairline, down the nose and up the cheeks. Our pick: Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion ($36; sephora.com).
Related: 29 Beauty Tips You Need to Know
Pretty Eyes Now
Start with a clean slate: "Remove every stitch of oil before you put on shadow so it won't slide," says New York City celebrity makeup artist Suzy Gerstein. She swipes a remover-soaked cotton pad over lids before dabbing on a layer of primer to create a base.
Lighten up: Stick to pale, shimmery shadows, which have a brightening effect in the sun, Surratt says. He likes champagne, warm gold and crystal blue. Opt for creamier versions of your fave summer shade, since they have less fallout. Try Guerlain Summer Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow in Ocean Blue and White Sand ($32 each; guerlain.com).
Layer your liner: Dip a liner brush in gel eyeliner and push it right against the lash line for subtle definition. "Then trace with powder shadow to set it," Roncal says.
Seal the deal: No need to give up your go-to mascara just because it isn't waterproof. After you put it on, apply a water-resistant topcoat, like the new Clarins Double Fix' Mascara ($22; nordstrom.com). Says Surratt, "I love that these formulas keep you from rocking a pair of raccoon eyes but don't feel like tar on your lashes."
Related: The Golden Rules for Wide, Bright Eyes
Lasting Lip Color
Add a hint of tint: Gloss may be light, but it has a habit of slip-sliding away. Instead, Gerstein says, fill in your entire mouth with a pencil the shade of your lips, then top with a tinted balm. A good combo: It Cosmetics YLBB Waterproof Lip Liner Stain in Blushing Nude ($20; ulta.com) and Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Hydrating Lip Balm in N.10 ($36; neimanmarcus.com).
Boost staying power: To keep color from feathering and weathering, trace the rim of your mouth with concealer, Roncal recommends, using a thin lip brush for precision.
Sunscreen that looks good on you
The latest formulas are light and sheer—anything but goopy and ghostlike.
Mighty mist: Coola SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray ($36; sephora.com). Shield your skin as you set your makeup with this invisible spray; infused with green tea and aloe, it feels wonderfully cooling on hot days.
Safety tint: Skinceuticals Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50 ($25; amazon.com). The cream is perfect for summer: It provides just enough coverage (no foundation needed), mattifies oily skin and, of course, protects against sun damage.
Everyday essential: Tarteguard 30 Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($32; sephora.com). Made with maracuja oil and red algae, this nonsticky physicial block softens skin. Wear it alone or apply before primer.
Powder protection: ColoreScience Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen Brush SPF 30 ($42; amazon.com). This powder provides a soft-focus finish and a broad-spectrum UV block; the self-dispensing brush makes it a no-brainer to apply.
Watch the video: 3 Tips for Applying Sunscreen
A Fresher Face
Rethink your lotion: A rich moisturizer—paired with all that humidity—can cause makeup to slide off. "I tell my clients to use their heavy-duty creams at night, so skin is soft and smooth for foundation come morning," says Mally Roncal, founder of Mally Beauty.
Remember that it's all about that base: Switch to a long-wearing foundation, like MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation ($32; nordstrom.com). It tends to have less slip. Blend with a damp makeup sponge: "When wet, the sponge will bounce over skin, depositing the perfect amount of coverage for a dewy finish," Surratt says. Then gently press a tissue over your face to lift off any excess oil.
Banish grease: As the day goes on and your face gets moist, powder will settle in all the wrong places (those lines and creases). So use a mattifying balm to nix the slick instead. Try Revlon PhotoReady Prime + Anti Shine Balm ($12; target.com).
Related: 16 Adult Acne Myths, Busted
Budgeproof Blush
Fight the fade: "Creamy formulas melt into skin, imparting a natural glow," Roncal says. We like Charlotte Tilbury Colour of Youth Lip & Cheek Glow ($58; charlottetilbury.com). Dust a similar shade of powder blush right on top to keep color intact.
All-day radiance: "Everyone looks better with some warmth in their skin," Surratt says. He suggests sweeping bronzer over the places where you overheat first—across the hairline, down the nose and up the cheeks. Our pick: Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion ($36; sephora.com).
Related: 29 Beauty Tips You Need to Know
Pretty Eyes Now
Start with a clean slate: "Remove every stitch of oil before you put on shadow so it won't slide," says New York City celebrity makeup artist Suzy Gerstein. She swipes a remover-soaked cotton pad over lids before dabbing on a layer of primer to create a base.
Lighten up: Stick to pale, shimmery shadows, which have a brightening effect in the sun, Surratt says. He likes champagne, warm gold and crystal blue. Opt for creamier versions of your fave summer shade, since they have less fallout. Try Guerlain Summer Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow in Ocean Blue and White Sand ($32 each; guerlain.com).
Layer your liner: Dip a liner brush in gel eyeliner and push it right against the lash line for subtle definition. "Then trace with powder shadow to set it," Roncal says.
Seal the deal: No need to give up your go-to mascara just because it isn't waterproof. After you put it on, apply a water-resistant topcoat, like the new Clarins Double Fix' Mascara ($22; nordstrom.com). Says Surratt, "I love that these formulas keep you from rocking a pair of raccoon eyes but don't feel like tar on your lashes."
Related: The Golden Rules for Wide, Bright Eyes
Lasting Lip Color
Add a hint of tint: Gloss may be light, but it has a habit of slip-sliding away. Instead, Gerstein says, fill in your entire mouth with a pencil the shade of your lips, then top with a tinted balm. A good combo: It Cosmetics YLBB Waterproof Lip Liner Stain in Blushing Nude ($20; ulta.com) and Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Hydrating Lip Balm in N.10 ($36; neimanmarcus.com).
Boost staying power: To keep color from feathering and weathering, trace the rim of your mouth with concealer, Roncal recommends, using a thin lip brush for precision.
Sunscreen that looks good on you
The latest formulas are light and sheer—anything but goopy and ghostlike.
Mighty mist: Coola SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray ($36; sephora.com). Shield your skin as you set your makeup with this invisible spray; infused with green tea and aloe, it feels wonderfully cooling on hot days.
Safety tint: Skinceuticals Physical Matte UV Defense SPF 50 ($25; amazon.com). The cream is perfect for summer: It provides just enough coverage (no foundation needed), mattifies oily skin and, of course, protects against sun damage.
Everyday essential: Tarteguard 30 Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($32; sephora.com). Made with maracuja oil and red algae, this nonsticky physicial block softens skin. Wear it alone or apply before primer.
Powder protection: ColoreScience Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen Brush SPF 30 ($42; amazon.com). This powder provides a soft-focus finish and a broad-spectrum UV block; the self-dispensing brush makes it a no-brainer to apply.
Watch the video: 3 Tips for Applying Sunscreen
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
How to Get Beachy Waves for Every Hair Type
The Universal Prep Step
There's one nonnegotiable when it comes to creating waves sans hot tools: starting with damp strands. "Hair is like wax; it's only malleable when wet," explains Riawna Capri, celebrity stylist for Clear Scalp & Hair. "It will set in whatever shape it dries in." The techniques here work best on clean, towel-dried hair and should be left to set overnight.
If your hair is... fine & straight
Thinner strands can go limp and lifeless in humid temps, so focus on creating both waves and va-va-voom volume.
To plump strands without weighing them down, mist a thickening spray from roots to tips, explains San Diego celebrity stylist Jet Rhys. We like Pantene Pro-V Powerful Body Booster Spray ($5; drugstore.com). Before bed, divide damp hair into four sections and tightly braid each one, starting 1 to 2 inches away from your scalp. "On straight hair, waves look the most natural when they begin slightly farther down," says celebrity stylist and Dove Hair Curl Expert Cynthia Alvarez. Pin the end of each plait to the opposite side of your head to secure the style overnight. In the a.m., remove pins and unravel braids. Flip your head over and spritz on a generous dose of dry texturizing spray: "This adds fullness and roughs up strands so they look less polished," Alvarez says. Try Shu Uemura Art of Hair Texture Waves ($38; shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com).
Related: Fight Frizzy Hair All Summer
If your hair is... curly & frizzy
Stretch out your curls correctly and they'll relax into loose, luscious waves.
Prep wet hair with a combo of gel and mousse; the former gives hold, the latter keeps strands touchable. Mix equal parts in your hands and apply throughout your hair. Our picks: Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel ($26; ulta.com) and Oribe Surfcomber Tousled Texture Mousse ($37; neimanmarcus.com). Split hair into five sections, one on top and two on either side of your head. Twist each piece, starting at the scalp. "It's essential to twist from the root so the wave is consistent throughout the length of the hair," Alvarez says. Pin the twists back at your crown—leaving them hanging increases the chance of frizz. Unwind in the morning, but lay off the product. Oversaturating hair will bring back your natural curl pattern. A spritz of hairspray, like Suave Professionals Luxe Style Infusion Anti-Humidity Hairspray ($5; walmart.com), is all you need.
Related: How to Look Great This Summer
If your hair is... short
Don't stress if you have cropped strands—as long as your hair is at least chin-length, you, too, can make waves.
Take a 1/2-inch piece of hair and fold the ends halfway up, forming a loop. Roll the loop up until you reach the root, securing it with bobby pins flat against your head, Rhys says. Repeat with remaining hair. Once you remove the pins in the morning, define your waves with a molding paste, such as Kevin Murphy Hair Resort ($25; go to kevinmurphy.com.au for salons). "It's important to play up the piecey-ness so the finished style doesn't look like a 1920s wave," Capri explains. Flip your head over and rake a dime-size dollop through the undersides and along the ends of your strands.
if your hair is... thick & wavy
Lucky you: All you need to do is accentuate your natural texture.
Section towel-dried strands into four equal pieces, then work a nickel-size drop of curling cream through each to enhance the existing bend in your hair. Try Redken Curvaceous Full Swirl Cream Serum ($19; ulta.com). Split each section in half and tie the two pieces together in an overhand knot, as if you were starting to tie shoelaces; continue all the way down and secure with an elastic. Says Rhys, "This kind of crisscrossing brings out the natural wave, without it looking like an overly defined ringlet." Undo the next morning and tousle, then finish with a few shots of salt spray to create that edgy post-swim texture. A pro fave: Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion ($29; sephora.com).
Related: Tricks for Beautiful, Low Maintenance Hair
DIY salt spray
When there's no beach day on the horizon, you can re-create the effect of salt water and ocean breezes at home with Capri's simple salt spray hack. In a spray bottle, combine 8 ounces warm water, 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt or Epsom salts, 1 teaspoon gel (for hold) and 4 or 5 drops of moisturizing coconut oil (which will also provide a yummy tropical scent). Shake well, then spritz liberally onto towel-dried hair.
Second-day style alert!
Day two? Try an updo: "Waves are the perfect foundation for a messy topknot, which works best when there's lots of texture and grip to the hair," Capri says. Spritz a dry shampoo along roots and massage with your fingers; this both absorbs excess oil and adds volume. Pull all your hair straight up from the crown, then twist and wrap it around itself until it forms a loose bun. Secure with bobby pins, but don't worry if a few pieces fall out—untidy is better. If your hair is on the shorter side, twist only the top half (the section from ear to ear) into a knot, leaving the rest down and loose.
There's one nonnegotiable when it comes to creating waves sans hot tools: starting with damp strands. "Hair is like wax; it's only malleable when wet," explains Riawna Capri, celebrity stylist for Clear Scalp & Hair. "It will set in whatever shape it dries in." The techniques here work best on clean, towel-dried hair and should be left to set overnight.
If your hair is... fine & straight
Thinner strands can go limp and lifeless in humid temps, so focus on creating both waves and va-va-voom volume.
To plump strands without weighing them down, mist a thickening spray from roots to tips, explains San Diego celebrity stylist Jet Rhys. We like Pantene Pro-V Powerful Body Booster Spray ($5; drugstore.com). Before bed, divide damp hair into four sections and tightly braid each one, starting 1 to 2 inches away from your scalp. "On straight hair, waves look the most natural when they begin slightly farther down," says celebrity stylist and Dove Hair Curl Expert Cynthia Alvarez. Pin the end of each plait to the opposite side of your head to secure the style overnight. In the a.m., remove pins and unravel braids. Flip your head over and spritz on a generous dose of dry texturizing spray: "This adds fullness and roughs up strands so they look less polished," Alvarez says. Try Shu Uemura Art of Hair Texture Waves ($38; shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com).
Related: Fight Frizzy Hair All Summer
If your hair is... curly & frizzy
Stretch out your curls correctly and they'll relax into loose, luscious waves.
Prep wet hair with a combo of gel and mousse; the former gives hold, the latter keeps strands touchable. Mix equal parts in your hands and apply throughout your hair. Our picks: Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel ($26; ulta.com) and Oribe Surfcomber Tousled Texture Mousse ($37; neimanmarcus.com). Split hair into five sections, one on top and two on either side of your head. Twist each piece, starting at the scalp. "It's essential to twist from the root so the wave is consistent throughout the length of the hair," Alvarez says. Pin the twists back at your crown—leaving them hanging increases the chance of frizz. Unwind in the morning, but lay off the product. Oversaturating hair will bring back your natural curl pattern. A spritz of hairspray, like Suave Professionals Luxe Style Infusion Anti-Humidity Hairspray ($5; walmart.com), is all you need.
Related: How to Look Great This Summer
If your hair is... short
Don't stress if you have cropped strands—as long as your hair is at least chin-length, you, too, can make waves.
Take a 1/2-inch piece of hair and fold the ends halfway up, forming a loop. Roll the loop up until you reach the root, securing it with bobby pins flat against your head, Rhys says. Repeat with remaining hair. Once you remove the pins in the morning, define your waves with a molding paste, such as Kevin Murphy Hair Resort ($25; go to kevinmurphy.com.au for salons). "It's important to play up the piecey-ness so the finished style doesn't look like a 1920s wave," Capri explains. Flip your head over and rake a dime-size dollop through the undersides and along the ends of your strands.
if your hair is... thick & wavy
Lucky you: All you need to do is accentuate your natural texture.
Section towel-dried strands into four equal pieces, then work a nickel-size drop of curling cream through each to enhance the existing bend in your hair. Try Redken Curvaceous Full Swirl Cream Serum ($19; ulta.com). Split each section in half and tie the two pieces together in an overhand knot, as if you were starting to tie shoelaces; continue all the way down and secure with an elastic. Says Rhys, "This kind of crisscrossing brings out the natural wave, without it looking like an overly defined ringlet." Undo the next morning and tousle, then finish with a few shots of salt spray to create that edgy post-swim texture. A pro fave: Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion ($29; sephora.com).
Related: Tricks for Beautiful, Low Maintenance Hair
DIY salt spray
When there's no beach day on the horizon, you can re-create the effect of salt water and ocean breezes at home with Capri's simple salt spray hack. In a spray bottle, combine 8 ounces warm water, 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt or Epsom salts, 1 teaspoon gel (for hold) and 4 or 5 drops of moisturizing coconut oil (which will also provide a yummy tropical scent). Shake well, then spritz liberally onto towel-dried hair.
Second-day style alert!
Day two? Try an updo: "Waves are the perfect foundation for a messy topknot, which works best when there's lots of texture and grip to the hair," Capri says. Spritz a dry shampoo along roots and massage with your fingers; this both absorbs excess oil and adds volume. Pull all your hair straight up from the crown, then twist and wrap it around itself until it forms a loose bun. Secure with bobby pins, but don't worry if a few pieces fall out—untidy is better. If your hair is on the shorter side, twist only the top half (the section from ear to ear) into a knot, leaving the rest down and loose.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Ashley Greene Is One of Us
"This is the part I was telling you about," Ashley Greene says, pointing down at the canyon below. We're hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains, high above the fast-paced world of Hollywood, and the views at the top are stunning: clusters of lavish homes, lush trees and a blue sky that looks like it came straight out of a Crayola box.
It doesn't hurt that it's a perfect, 84-degrees-and-sunny California day, and that up here, it's just us, a dusty trail and a few random hikers who don't seem to recognize that there's a movie star in their midst. There are also no paparazzi—only a guy and his big, fluffy dog, which Ashley (who has four dogs of her own) stops to pet. "Hey, cutie," she says, scratching the dog's head before heading back uphill.
This hiking trail, located less than 10 minutes from her home, is a regular part of the 28-year-old's fitness regimen and a place she comes to clear her head. "Part of working out for me is having the ability to break away from all the stresses of the day," she says. "Up here, it's so pretty—you feel like you're not in L.A. at all." Then she adds with a laugh, "Don't give away the location!"
It makes sense that sporty Ashley—who, fittingly, is the face of Oakley women's eyewear—needs a private escape from the daily pressures of her acting career. In 2005, when she was just 17, she left her mom, dad and brother in Jacksonville, Fla., and moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. In 2007, she hit the jackpot by landing her best-known role to date: Alice Cullen in the Twilight saga, a part she went on to play in five blockbuster movies released over five years. In her latest film, Burying the Ex, she plays Evelyn, a girlfriend from hell "who also happens to be a zombie. Evelyn just takes it to the extreme," she says—and when it comes to her workouts, so does Ashley, considering that an hour and a half into our hike, she has barely broken a sweat.
RELATED: Burn More Calories with Hiking
Besides hiking, what are your favorite workouts?
I try to be active every day. I work with my trainer, doing metabolic circuit training, three times a week, and I do kickboxing, which I really love. It's one of the most intense things because at a certain point you just stop thinking and react. It's a great way to get out aggression. I also do a VersaClimber class that's great because it's so much cardio, and you just sweat everything out.
You have an older brother. Were you a tomboy as a kid?
Yeah, and we were super close and still are. He lives with me. I have a lot of boy cousins, and for the longest time I was the only girl. I played football with them and climbed trees and did martial arts. My mom tried to put me into dance, and I was like, "No thanks, Mom. I'm gonna go fight people."
Did you ever get injured?
I broke my femur. I was on a trampoline—so, kids, listen to your parents! I was just standing there, and my brother's friend and my best friend were jumping. He double-bounced me, and his knee connected with my femur and snapped it. I knew it was broken. The sound was unmistakable.
Oh no, how awful.
I have a high pain tolerance, and they put pins in, and when they took them out later it rebroke the same day. I had to wear half a body cast up to my waist. My biggest concern was that it was summer and I wasn't going to be able to go into the pool. But I definitely got really close to my parents because I had to rely on them for everything.
Did your upbringing help you when you moved to L.A.?
Because I was so young, I didn't grasp the insanity this world has to offer, and how difficult it is to break into this industry. My dad was a Marine, and we were taught we could do anything we put our minds to, and that mediocrity wasn't an option. I got a C once, and I was like, "C is average." And they were like, "You're not average, and you're never gonna be average." I feel lucky to have my family, and friends who will call me on my sh-t. To hear yes all the time is just not healthy. That's a hard thing to realize coming out here: Every single day, no matter how successful you are, there's always gonna be failure.
Do you ever feel like you're only as good as your last role?
Unfortunately, yeah. That's the thing: You can have an amazing performance and a great role, but the second you don't get the next one, the feelings of rejection and not being good enough kind of come back to you. Thankfully, I have a good support system. But the struggle is real.
RELATED: How to be Assertive and Love it!
Is there pressure in Hollywood to always look good?
Yeah, there's always going to be pressure. Anyone who doesn't feel pressure is a really good liar. You're always going to be too skinny or too fat or too muscular, and I've gotten every single one of those.
You've been called too fat?
Yeah, and listen, everyone has a different perception of what they think perfect is, and you're never gonna be able to please everyone. It's so tough, but once you come to terms with that, it's a little easier to deal with. At this point, I care more about what people are saying about my acting ability than what I look like. When I started and got Twilight, I think I was 20, and I was more impressionable. Now I'm 28, and if people are unhappy with the way I look, then they can be unhappy. But I feel strong and healthy and happy. Some people, like Gisele Bundchen, have crazy genes, and that's just what she looks like. But most of us are not 5'11" and don't look like that naturally.
Have you tried any weird fad diet where you later thought, What was I thinking?
I lasted a day on that cayenne pepper diet. It gave me a headache and I was really grumpy. It was like, "This cannot be healthy." I've done juicing and then quickly realized that I couldn't just do juices if I was gonna continue to work out the way I do. Right now, I feel the strongest I've ever been. I lift things and my guy friends are just like, "What?!"
Is bulking up a concern?
I was hesitant to start training the way my trainer trains because it is a lot of weight. But the way he does it, your heart rate is up the entire time, so you actually get very strong but stay lean. That's important because on film, you don't want to be bigger than the male actors, which does happen.
Really, the guys are small?
A lot of male actors are so tiny. Unless they're from Australia, and then you get, like, the Hemsworths and Hugh Jackman.
What's a typical meal for you?
Even though there are meals on set, I generally pack stuff. I have a lot of willpower, but once you get to craft services, it's doughnuts and Cheetos and it's more difficult to say no. There's a reason I don't keep Cheez-Its in the house.
Is that your weakness?
I like Cheez-Its a lot, which goes against everything I stand for. I like sodium so much, but that's difficult when you're on-screen because it makes you retain water. At the end of the day, you have to allow yourself those things, as long as they're not a staple. You don't want to be the girl who's looking at the back label of everything!
Do you cook?
I do, a little bit. My boyfriend, Paul Khoury, grew up cooking, so we cook at home a lot. That way you can control what's going into your body.
Would you like to have kids?
Oh, yeah. No more than three. Probably two. I'm the opposite of my mom—she had us really young, and now she and my dad are able to have fun. I want to get married, enjoy that, and then when I'm ready to completely give myself to my kids, I will. But I'm a little too selfish still.
Have you ever gotten a paycheck and gone wild?
Once, after one of my bigger paychecks, I bought a Burberry bag and a Marc Jacobs bag. You have to allow yourself to splurge once in a while. Although I've definitely had to learn restraint. It's hard when you grow up relatively poor; I watched my dad work for everything we had. So being able to buy things you only dreamed of, you have to check yourself. Because if you do that too much, you're gonna be broke—but with a bunch of really nice bags!
Ashley's Favorite Things
Indulgence: "McDonald's Vanilla Cone."
Beauty products: "Charlotte Tilbury mascara, Eos lip balm, Guerlain bronzer and Anastasia brow pencil."
Instagram accounts: "@bestvacations and @livelokai. The photos are always breathtaking and inspirational. Or anything with animals."
Fitness apps: "Lumosity and Fitbit, for mind and body."
Jeans: "Ripped J Brand blue jeans and Mother blue jeans."
Summer must-haves: "Oakley Kickback sunglasses and HydroPeptide Solar Defense sunscreen."
Hair finds: "Davines shampoo and conditioner, and anything Oribe for styling."
Drink: "Blue Moon beer with an orange slice."
TV shows: "Orphan Black, House of Cards, and The Royals (guilty pleasure!)."
It doesn't hurt that it's a perfect, 84-degrees-and-sunny California day, and that up here, it's just us, a dusty trail and a few random hikers who don't seem to recognize that there's a movie star in their midst. There are also no paparazzi—only a guy and his big, fluffy dog, which Ashley (who has four dogs of her own) stops to pet. "Hey, cutie," she says, scratching the dog's head before heading back uphill.
This hiking trail, located less than 10 minutes from her home, is a regular part of the 28-year-old's fitness regimen and a place she comes to clear her head. "Part of working out for me is having the ability to break away from all the stresses of the day," she says. "Up here, it's so pretty—you feel like you're not in L.A. at all." Then she adds with a laugh, "Don't give away the location!"
It makes sense that sporty Ashley—who, fittingly, is the face of Oakley women's eyewear—needs a private escape from the daily pressures of her acting career. In 2005, when she was just 17, she left her mom, dad and brother in Jacksonville, Fla., and moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. In 2007, she hit the jackpot by landing her best-known role to date: Alice Cullen in the Twilight saga, a part she went on to play in five blockbuster movies released over five years. In her latest film, Burying the Ex, she plays Evelyn, a girlfriend from hell "who also happens to be a zombie. Evelyn just takes it to the extreme," she says—and when it comes to her workouts, so does Ashley, considering that an hour and a half into our hike, she has barely broken a sweat.
RELATED: Burn More Calories with Hiking
Besides hiking, what are your favorite workouts?
I try to be active every day. I work with my trainer, doing metabolic circuit training, three times a week, and I do kickboxing, which I really love. It's one of the most intense things because at a certain point you just stop thinking and react. It's a great way to get out aggression. I also do a VersaClimber class that's great because it's so much cardio, and you just sweat everything out.
You have an older brother. Were you a tomboy as a kid?
Yeah, and we were super close and still are. He lives with me. I have a lot of boy cousins, and for the longest time I was the only girl. I played football with them and climbed trees and did martial arts. My mom tried to put me into dance, and I was like, "No thanks, Mom. I'm gonna go fight people."
Did you ever get injured?
I broke my femur. I was on a trampoline—so, kids, listen to your parents! I was just standing there, and my brother's friend and my best friend were jumping. He double-bounced me, and his knee connected with my femur and snapped it. I knew it was broken. The sound was unmistakable.
Oh no, how awful.
I have a high pain tolerance, and they put pins in, and when they took them out later it rebroke the same day. I had to wear half a body cast up to my waist. My biggest concern was that it was summer and I wasn't going to be able to go into the pool. But I definitely got really close to my parents because I had to rely on them for everything.
Did your upbringing help you when you moved to L.A.?
Because I was so young, I didn't grasp the insanity this world has to offer, and how difficult it is to break into this industry. My dad was a Marine, and we were taught we could do anything we put our minds to, and that mediocrity wasn't an option. I got a C once, and I was like, "C is average." And they were like, "You're not average, and you're never gonna be average." I feel lucky to have my family, and friends who will call me on my sh-t. To hear yes all the time is just not healthy. That's a hard thing to realize coming out here: Every single day, no matter how successful you are, there's always gonna be failure.
Do you ever feel like you're only as good as your last role?
Unfortunately, yeah. That's the thing: You can have an amazing performance and a great role, but the second you don't get the next one, the feelings of rejection and not being good enough kind of come back to you. Thankfully, I have a good support system. But the struggle is real.
RELATED: How to be Assertive and Love it!
Is there pressure in Hollywood to always look good?
Yeah, there's always going to be pressure. Anyone who doesn't feel pressure is a really good liar. You're always going to be too skinny or too fat or too muscular, and I've gotten every single one of those.
You've been called too fat?
Yeah, and listen, everyone has a different perception of what they think perfect is, and you're never gonna be able to please everyone. It's so tough, but once you come to terms with that, it's a little easier to deal with. At this point, I care more about what people are saying about my acting ability than what I look like. When I started and got Twilight, I think I was 20, and I was more impressionable. Now I'm 28, and if people are unhappy with the way I look, then they can be unhappy. But I feel strong and healthy and happy. Some people, like Gisele Bundchen, have crazy genes, and that's just what she looks like. But most of us are not 5'11" and don't look like that naturally.
Have you tried any weird fad diet where you later thought, What was I thinking?
I lasted a day on that cayenne pepper diet. It gave me a headache and I was really grumpy. It was like, "This cannot be healthy." I've done juicing and then quickly realized that I couldn't just do juices if I was gonna continue to work out the way I do. Right now, I feel the strongest I've ever been. I lift things and my guy friends are just like, "What?!"
Is bulking up a concern?
I was hesitant to start training the way my trainer trains because it is a lot of weight. But the way he does it, your heart rate is up the entire time, so you actually get very strong but stay lean. That's important because on film, you don't want to be bigger than the male actors, which does happen.
Really, the guys are small?
A lot of male actors are so tiny. Unless they're from Australia, and then you get, like, the Hemsworths and Hugh Jackman.
What's a typical meal for you?
Even though there are meals on set, I generally pack stuff. I have a lot of willpower, but once you get to craft services, it's doughnuts and Cheetos and it's more difficult to say no. There's a reason I don't keep Cheez-Its in the house.
Is that your weakness?
I like Cheez-Its a lot, which goes against everything I stand for. I like sodium so much, but that's difficult when you're on-screen because it makes you retain water. At the end of the day, you have to allow yourself those things, as long as they're not a staple. You don't want to be the girl who's looking at the back label of everything!
Do you cook?
I do, a little bit. My boyfriend, Paul Khoury, grew up cooking, so we cook at home a lot. That way you can control what's going into your body.
Would you like to have kids?
Oh, yeah. No more than three. Probably two. I'm the opposite of my mom—she had us really young, and now she and my dad are able to have fun. I want to get married, enjoy that, and then when I'm ready to completely give myself to my kids, I will. But I'm a little too selfish still.
Have you ever gotten a paycheck and gone wild?
Once, after one of my bigger paychecks, I bought a Burberry bag and a Marc Jacobs bag. You have to allow yourself to splurge once in a while. Although I've definitely had to learn restraint. It's hard when you grow up relatively poor; I watched my dad work for everything we had. So being able to buy things you only dreamed of, you have to check yourself. Because if you do that too much, you're gonna be broke—but with a bunch of really nice bags!
Ashley's Favorite Things
Indulgence: "McDonald's Vanilla Cone."
Beauty products: "Charlotte Tilbury mascara, Eos lip balm, Guerlain bronzer and Anastasia brow pencil."
Instagram accounts: "@bestvacations and @livelokai. The photos are always breathtaking and inspirational. Or anything with animals."
Fitness apps: "Lumosity and Fitbit, for mind and body."
Jeans: "Ripped J Brand blue jeans and Mother blue jeans."
Summer must-haves: "Oakley Kickback sunglasses and HydroPeptide Solar Defense sunscreen."
Hair finds: "Davines shampoo and conditioner, and anything Oribe for styling."
Drink: "Blue Moon beer with an orange slice."
TV shows: "Orphan Black, House of Cards, and The Royals (guilty pleasure!)."
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