SlfDctr

‘Tis the season for plaid stuff, winter boots , and cry-singing “All Too Well (10 Minute Taylor’s Version).” And, of course, for making sure you don’t slip on a puddle of melted snow, thanks to not having boot trays in your home. Having recently moved from a place where winter was anything below 65 degrees to a city with actual freezing temps, I was woefully unprepared for coping with wet, soggy, muddy, snowy weather. While my cozy boots and fuzzy socks do an excellent job of protecting my  feet from the outdoors, they unfortunately tend to track a lot of said outdoors back into the house, leaving my floors dirty and slippery. Thankfully, there’s a simple solution to this cold-weather problem: a boot tray. Set your boots on one of these when you come inside to catch all the snow and water and dirt on them. Even if you live in a place with perpetually sunny weather, you can still benefit from a boot tray. While scouring Amazon reviews to discover the best boot trays, I learned tha...

I grew accustomed to calling myself crazy. It was my go-to defense mechanism whenever a friend looked at me askew, or a family member rolled their eyes, especially once I was diagnosed with bipolar II and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) .  My bipolar II causes frequent, extreme mood fluctuations, and C-PTSD can leave me feeling empty and worthless. Both conditions dramatically impact my mental health, but labeling myself “bonkers” and “insane” helped me get ahead of what other people might be thinking. Which, eventually, got me thinking: Why is it so easy to use such hurtful language when talking about myself? Why is it so ingrained in society to otherize people with disabilities? The answer, of course, is ableism , or the e xclusion and oppression of people with disabilities on a systemic scale. Ableist language isn’t seen as taboo—it is used all the time, but its origins and impact are bleak. For centuries, anything that deviated from white patriarchal norms wa...

Have you ever walked into an Ulta store and been overwhelmed by the hundreds of product options? After all, how do you choose between dozens of eyeliners, mascaras , eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks , brush sets, and more? Well, with the help of Cardi B’s makeup artist, Erika La’ Pearl , of course! Ahead, uncover the six products La’ Pearl would snag if she only had $175 to spend at Ulta. Note: While these add up to just over $175 ($187, to be exact), some items go on sale regularly, so you can easily snag all six of La’ Pearl’s faves for under $175 when the timing is right.  Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel Setter — $22.00 “I like how Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel is lightweight and does not leave a stiff feeling,” says La’ Pearl, noting that she relies heavily on the product in her kit. The colorless gel features a classic spoolie, which deposits just enough product onto the brows without weighing them down with globs or chunks, the way some other brow gels do....

Licking your lips in the dry winter air? Cut it out. According to pros, this can lead to an uncomfy condition called “lick eczema,” which is the last thing any of us want to be dealing with from now through spring. Known as eczematous dermatitis in science-speak, the condition is a type of irritant contact dermatitis that’s caused by licking your lips. It’s characterized by dryness, inflammation and redness, scarring, peeling, cracking, itching, and burning, and can affect both your lips and the area around them. Unlike standard eczema (aka atopic dermatitis ), it isn’t a chronic condition, but it is similarly common during the winter months because cold weather can dry out your lips. “It is common for people to lick their upper lip to decrease its dryness, which leads to the vicious cycle of wetting and drying and eventually, eczema,” says Alexander Zuriarrain , MD double board-certified plastic surgeon with Zuri Plastic Surgery. If you’re licking your chapped lips, the wet-dry...

Licking your lips in the dry winter air? Cut it out. According to pros, this can lead to an uncomfy condition called “lick eczema,” which is the last thing any of us want to be dealing with from now through spring. Known as eczematous dermatitis in science-speak, the condition is a type of irritant contact dermatitis that’s caused by licking your lips. It’s characterized by dryness, inflammation and redness, scarring, peeling, cracking, itching, and burning, and can affect both your lips and the area around them. Unlike standard eczema (aka atopic dermatitis ), it isn’t a chronic condition, but it is similarly common during the winter months because cold weather can dry out your lips. “It is common for people to lick their upper lip to decrease its dryness, which leads to the vicious cycle of wetting and drying and eventually, eczema,” says Alexander Zuriarrain , MD double board-certified plastic surgeon with Zuri Plastic Surgery. If you’re licking your chapped lips, the wet-dry...

The holiday season can be stressful for a whole host of reasons. There are invitations galore, work is busy, the frigid weather makes getting dressed (and undressed) a whole saga, there are gifting stressors, and sometimes the occasional family woes. Luckily, there are just as many natural herbs, tinctures, and tonics that you can whip up with zero effort (and minimal ingredients) that can help ease your nerves. On our latest episode of Plant Based , herbalist and founder of Supernatural, Rachelle Robinett , teaches us how to make a delicious honey vinegar mocktail mixer that will have your body, brain, and taste buds saying ahhhh . Who doesn’t love an elixir that both tastes deliciously tart and tangy and helps combat anxiety? According to Robinett, this particular combination of functional herbs is called an oxymel. “An oxymel is a tincture or an elixir that uses vinegar and honey as the base,” explains Robinett. “So when you make this at home, you can choose herbs that you like t...

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, and maybe you’re still on the search for that special somethin’-somethin’ for someone. Whether you’re still shopping for yourself, a partner, or a friend, why not mix up the classic fluffy robe and a pair of candy cane striped socks combo and opt for something a little saucier —*wink wink*—that you know they’ll love. Sexy stocking stuffers are all the rage this year (as they should be every year). We’re talking vibrators , oils, pajamas that make you feel sexy, and a whole host of lace and leather. The best part? Sex toys and lingerie are perfectly sized to sneak into a stocking. After a stressful year, we could all use a little extra pleasure, so scroll down to shop the sexiest stocking stuffers that are truly the gifts that keep on giving (and giving) this season. All of these presents are under $200, petite enough to pack, look amazing, and aremtotally editor approved. The holidays are a time to bring people closer together, and t...

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, and maybe you’re still on the search for that special somethin’-somethin’ for someone. Whether you’re still shopping for yourself, a partner, or a friend, why not mix up the classic fluffy robe and a pair of candy cane striped socks combo and opt for something a little saucier —*wink wink*—that you know they’ll love. Sexy stocking stuffers are all the rage this year (as they should be every year). We’re talking vibrators , oils, pajamas that make you feel sexy, and a whole host of lace and leather. The best part? Sex toys and lingerie are perfectly sized to sneak into a stocking. After a stressful year, we could all use a little extra pleasure, so scroll down to shop the sexiest stocking stuffers that are truly the gifts that keep on giving (and giving) this season. All of these presents are under $200, petite enough to pack, look amazing, and aremtotally editor approved. The holidays are a time to bring people closer together, and t...