Category: Lifestyle

How To Get Smells Out Of Tupperware (And Other Incredible Kitchen Hacks)

Post author By Mary Sauer
Post date November 14, 2019

As a child, I loved to cook. After my parents gave me an American Girl cookbook for Christmas one year, cooking quickly became a favorite hobby of mine. By the time I was ten, I was able to cook a few favorite meals for my family—and a whole lot of baked goods.
As fun as it was for me, I think the cookbook was a gift my mom grew to regret. I may have been a good cook, but I was a messy one, too. I would leave flour scattered across the floor, stain my clothes, and always managed to break a plate or a glass.
Not a lot has changed in the time since. I’m great with food prep, but I always manage to trash my kitchen in the process. My walls are perpetually splattered with tomato sauce or bacon grease, and most of my t-shirts are littered with stains. Neatness simply isn’t my strong suit, to say the least.

I have, however, been working on this fault of mine. I eventually realized that my failure to clean as I go (and my propensity for being excessively messy) was creating extra work for me. I was spending way, way too much time trying to make up for the disasters I’d created while cooking a simple dinner. Cleaning may not be my strongest skill, but I’m learning from some fellow moms, and a few expert cleaners, that it doesn’t have to be complicated.

If the same messes and stains are continually getting to you, there might be a hack to make your life simpler. Need help, say, getting smells out of Tupperware or scraping baked-on food from the microwave? Check out these genius hacks before throwing in the towel.

First, don’t throw that GladWare away.

I have to admit, I’ve thrown away an embarrassing amount of Tupperware simply because they stunk—the stinky things were forgotten in the back of the fridge or left in a lunch bag over the weekend. But it turns out stained and smelly containers don’t have to be tossed.

“Baking soda, ammonia, vinegar, and bleach are the four things you need to pretty much clean anything,” says Judy Woodward Bates—an author, speaker, and TV personality known as the Bargainomics Lady—who struggles with stinky Tupperware no more. “Make a paste of baking soda and water and rub [it] onto stained plasticware, and let it stand for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.”

A Non-Toxic Approach to Microwave Messes

Many people opt to avoid cleaning products in their microwave because of the fumes they can create if any cleaning product is left behind. But without the help of products, cleaning a microwave can be totally tedious, especially with all that food baked on.
This trick from Jeanne Eschenberg Sager, mother and self-professed “queen of doing as little as possible,” uses natural ingredients to get stubborn messes out of the inside of her microwave.

“Fill a cup with a mixture of water and lemon juice,” she instructs. “Pop it in the microwave and let it ‘cook’ for a minute. It will loosen all the baked on gunk … in the microwave, so you don’t have to scrub at all. You can just wipe it right down!”

Don’t Despair Over Drink Spills

Nearly every time I host a dinner party or family get together, some dark beverage ends up all over my living room floor. There’s no need to rearrange furniture to cover up these stains. Home designer and creator of a machine-washable rug Lorena Canals has a few genius stain-removing hacks up her sleeve.

For fruit-based juices, she advises starting with quickly soaking up as much of the spill as you can to avoid it soaking into the fibers of the carpet. Avoid scrubbing. Then, mix ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide, ½ cup of water, and 1 teaspoon of dish soap together to create a stain-fighting solution.
“Using a clean sponge or cloth towel, gently blot this mixture onto the carpet … ,” she says. “Using a clean, dry, white cloth towel, gently blot … .”
Repeat the last two steps until the stain is completely gone.

Coffee is another drink that can cause stubborn stains when spilled on rugs and carpet. Canals recommends beginning by drying the spilled coffee with a dry, white towel. Then, mix ¼ cup of vinegar with a quart of warm water. Spritz the mixture on the stain, rinse, and repeat until the stain is gone.

Rescue Your Favorite Coffee Mug

When you have three kids in four years like I did, coffee becomes the beverage of choice. Unfortunately, I often neglect my favorite mug overnight, and I’ve even left it in the car over the weekend.

But see, I’ve found a couple different hacks that are perfect for dealing with stubborn tea or coffee stains. My first method of attack is a paste made from lemon juice and baking soda. I scrub it on, wipe it off, and rinse the cups clean.
If there is still a ring or stain in the cup, I fill the cup past the stain with undiluted vinegar, leave it overnight, and rinse it clean in the morning.

Set Yourself Free From Fingerprints

Stainless steel faucets are really hard to get—and keep—clean in most kitchens. Even after a good scrub, they start to show fingerprints after just a few uses. Fell fingerprints and water stains with this hack from Joanna Douglas, the owner of Clean Affinity, a home cleaning service in Portland, Oregon.

“For cleaning faucets and other pipes, we use waxed paper. This method gets rid of fingerprints and small stains,” she explains.

Rid Your Clothes of Cooking Stains

I’m the worst about remembering to wear my apron while I’m cooking, which means I’m regularly battling stains on my clothes. When it comes to most stains, Douglas says that a mixture of dishwashing soap and salt will easily remove the stain in less than five minutes.

For more serious stains, or stains that have been ignored for a bit too long, Lauren Haynes, supervisor at Star Domestic Cleaners, has a few tried and true hacks her company uses.
For butter stains, for instance, you should always begin by scraping, not scrubbing, as much of the butter as possible off of the clothing. Then, rub the spot with dishwashing soap, rinse, and repeat until all of the butter and soap are gone. Before washing the clothing, pretreat the stain with a stain remover and wash on the hottest setting.

“For gravy and ketchup stains, begin with removing the excess material and blot with a clean, white cloth,” she says. “Then mix 2 cups of cool water with a tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent. Apply the solution to a white cloth, and blot [the spot] until the liquid is absorbed. If necessary, repeat the process until the spot is gone. To remove the remaining cleaning solution, blot the area again with another cloth rinsed in cool water. At the end, blot dry, and you are done.”

Scrub Away Soap Scum

The tile, sinks, and faucets often become problem areas in kitchens because of soap scum and residue.
It’s a special kind of frustrating—soap is the chosen one! It was said that it would destroy the scum, not join it; bring cleanliness to the sink, not leave it in filth.

Fortunately, you don’t need a store-bought solution to get rid of soap scum. Simply create a paste from 1 cup of baking soda and a few tablespoons of vinegar. Apply this paste to areas with soap residue, and use a sponge to scrub away.

Never Dust Cabinet Tops Again

Early this year, I painted our kitchen a fresh coat of white. Climbing the counters to paint hard to reach areas, I was horrified to find a thick layer of dust settled in the space between the top of my cabinets and the ceiling. It was the biggest pain to clean up, taking several rags just to get the top layer of dust and dirt wiped away. I wish I had spoken with Woodward years ago, when we first moved into this home.

“If you have kitchen cabinets that don’t go all the way to the ceiling, cut or fold newspaper to cover the tops of the cabinets,” she suggests. “Instead of spending ages cleaning built-up gunk off your cabinets, just change out the paper from time to time.”

Stop Wiping Away Toast Crumbs

If your toaster leaves a sprinkle of toast crumbs on your counter every morning, it’s probably time for a deep clean of this kitchen appliance. I’m embarrassed to say that, until just recently, I had no clue that there was a “right” way to clean out a toaster.

As it turns out, each toaster has spring loaded trays on the bottom that can be completely removed. These trays catch most of the crumbs. Once you’ve unplugged your toaster, you can remove them, dump them, and give them a good soak in soap and water.

Oh, and before putting it back together, use a pastry brush to free crumbs trapped in other areas of the toaster, and wipe the toaster down with vinegar for good measure.

More Cleaning Hacks From The HealthyWay Staff

Ask around any office and you’ll find that lots of people have a cleaning trick or two up their sleeves. Well, the HealthyWay office is no different. When we started talking about this article, everyone wanted to contribute something.
And why not? When it comes to cleaning techniques, more is definitely better. Check out some of our colleagues’ favorite easy-cleaning hacks from around the web.

Clean That Hard-To-Reach Space Between The Stove And Counter

It’s easier not to think about it. In fact, we’re almost sorry to bring it up. But there is probably a crevice between your stove and the surrounding countertop, and it is almost certainly a filthy, crumb-infested nightmare.

Tight spaces full of crumbs aren’t just gross to think about. They also attract pests like roaches, who love the free meals and the dark, narrow pathway. So yes, this is a space we should all clean regularly. Luckily, there’s an easy way to achieve a crumb-free crevice in no time flat.
If the space is super-narrow, start with a clean butter knife. Keep the blade facing away from you and scrape out that crack. Don’t worry about the pile of debris that’ll form on the floor just yet; you can always vacuum that up later.

If you have a little more space to work with, you’re in luck. You can wrap a microfiber towel around the knife for an even more effective cleaning solution. For really thick gaps, substitute a yardstick for the knife.

Why pay for floor cleaner when you can make your own?

By the end of the week, our kitchen floors provide a detailed record of the family’s dining and social life. It isn’t pretty. There’s a splash of Monday’s spaghetti here, a splatter of juice from when the toddler had a temper tantrum during lunch…it’s all there, written in gunk.
Time to clean the slate (along with the floor). But floor-cleaning products seem to come in only two styles: Overly harsh on the one hand, ineffective on the other. That’s why we’re eternally grateful for this DIY floor-cleaner recipe from lifestyle blog One Good Thing.

It’s mild and mostly natural. At the same time, it packs serious grease-cutting power. This recipe is ideal for tile floors—and if your kitchen is floored in fine wood or, worse, carpeted, you’ve got bigger problems than finding a good cleaner.
You only need three ingredients: white vinegar, liquid dish soap, and washing soda. Oh, plus water, if you count that (in which case you need four ingredients). Combine ¼ cup of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of dish soap, ¼ cup of washing soda, and 2 gallons of hot water. Mix well, and commence mopping!

Deodorize The Garbage Disposal The Natural Way

Garbage disposals would be the perfect clean-up amenity if it weren’t for their habit of collecting foul odors like the deranged curator of an olfactory museum. The good news is that it’s not as hard as you might think. You can make your own disposal-deodorizing cubes with a little citrus fruit, vinegar, and baking soda, as we learned from YouTube cooking show Cooking with Kyler.

First off, build your cleansing cubes. Chop half of 1 lemon and half of 1 lime into small bits and spread them evenly into each cell of a standard ice cube tray. Then fill the tray with distilled white vinegar and freeze overnight. That’s right: We’re making vinegar-ice.
When the cubes are good and frozen, let the hot water run for a minute, then pour about ½ cup of baking soda down the maw of your garbage disposal. Drop in a single vinegar-citrus ice cube and run your disposal until the terrible odors are all flushed away. It’s that simple.

Clean Oven Racks With This Surprise Solution

Ugh, oven racks. They collect at least a little of everything you bake. It doesn’t take long for them to become blackened, encrusted messes. They’re almost impossible to scrub clean in place, and besides, who wants to inhale that much oven cleaner?

Well, there’s an easier solution, and it involves a common cleaning product that might surprise you. We learned about this one from the house-cleaning website Clean My Space.
The first surprise is that we’re going to use the bathtub. Throw down an old towel to prevent scratching the tub, then drop in your dirty oven racks. As you fill the tub with the hottest water your pipes can serve up (don’t worry; we won’t be reaching in any time soon), mix up a cup of laundry detergent and as much water as you can fit in a Mason jar. Shake it to dissolve the detergent, then toss it into the bathtub.

Now, for the easy part: Wait. We’d recommend soaking the oven racks overnight. The next morning, give them a scrub and watch the gunk flow away! Rinse, dry, put them back in the oven, and you’re done. Sorry about your towel.

Brighten Up Dingy Baking Sheets

Here’s another useful kitchen hint from One Good Thing. Have you ever noticed that cookie sheets tend to get…a little bit gross with repeated use? They develop brown burn streaks, bits of yesteryear’s cookies, and other pollutants, both flat and three-dimensional.
And these are not normal stains. You can scrub your baking sheets in dishwashing detergent for as long as you like without making any progress. It isn’t the elbow grease that’s the problem; it’s the cleaning product. Time to try something new.
Well, according to One Good Thing, the secret you’ve been missing just requires two pantry staples you probably have in your home already: baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. (Put that hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle; it’ll be far easier to apply.)

All you have to do is sprinkle a layer of baking soda on your stained baking sheet, follow with an even spritzing of hydrogen peroxide, and ending with a final layer of baking soda. Then, you wait.
Come back a few hours later and start scrubbing. Previously unbeatable stains will melt away before your eyes. So much for buying new baking sheets every year!

The Fastest, Easiest Way To Clean Refrigerator Shelves

Refrigerator shelving is one of those cleaning tasks we tend to avoid. You can’t just wipe the surface down with a towel, like the counter. You have to carefully remove everything and lean in to scrub at a back-breaking angle. Even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to scrape away ancient ketchup spills and juice remnants.

An anonymous Reddit user is here to save us all. This contributor, who goes by the online handle “thinkadinky,” recommends covering refrigerator shelves with plastic wrap. (Don’t use the kind that you use to preserve, say, a half-eaten sandwich. You want the kind that adheres to a flat surface.)
Think about that for a second. If your shelves are covered in an impenetrable layer of clean plastic, you only have to wash them one last time. In a few months, when the spills have coagulated, you can just peel away the plastic wrap and lay down a new layer.
Now, if only they’d make a plastic wrap that secures to the floor…

Banish Tough Grease Stains With Common Ingredients

Let’s talk splatter, and not just any old kind. We need to discuss the hot oil that splashes and steams its way onto every surface of the kitchen. Don’t think that happens on your range? Just check the oven hood.
We’re always amazed by the oil splash zone in our kitchen. Somehow, grease seems to float through the air to secure itself to surfaces and appliances across the room. We don’t know the science, but at least we know how to fix the problem.
This is a trick we learned from the decor blog Thrifty and Chic. Their writers insist it only takes two products to blast those grease stains into oblivion: Mineral oil (often called “baby oil,” frequently with a scent mixed in) and a spritzer bottle containing one part white vinegar, two parts water, and a dribble of liquid dishwashing soap.

First, wipe down your problem-surface with the mineral oil. Grease binds to grease; ironically, the best way to fight oil is with oil. You might have to scrub a bit, but this technique will be far more effective than soap and a scrub, and with less work.
Of course, now you’ve got a new problem. You’ve got a surface covered in mineral oil. Here’s where your spritzer solution comes in. Just spray down the mineral-oil-cleaned area, wipe it smooth, and repeat until your kitchen is like new.

Make Kitchen Tile Grout Like New

Whether you’ve got filth on your kitchen tile or your backsplash could use a little TLC, chances are you’ve been frustrated by the challenge of scrubbing grout clean. There’s just something about this stuff that soaks up the dirt.
Well, you might have heard of a DIY scrubbing mixture that pops up all over the internet, particularly as a shower-cleaning hack. It’s just equal parts liquid dish soap and white vinegar. The writers over at A Pretty Life in the Suburbs swear by this stuff as a grout-cleaner in the bathroom, the kitchen, and beyond.

Start by microwaving the vinegar. This isn’t fancy home chemistry or anything; it just helps the dish soap to dissolve fully into the liquid. Try 1 cup each of dish soap and vinegar, and get your spray bottle (at least 2 cups capacity, please) ready.
Pour the dish soap into the hot vinegar, then add the whole mixture to your spray bottle. Shake it up until it’s fully mixed. Then you’re ready to go. And remember: A little bit goes a long way.
Spray the solution onto filthy grout and let it work into the surface for a few minutes. Then scrub, scrub, scrub! A toothbrush works pretty well. Once you’ve got the grout good and clean, rinse the whole area with hot water to remove the soapy residue. You’ll be shocked by how that grout can shine, no matter how many years’ worth of gunk you had to blast through.

Welcome to your new kitchen.

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Lifestyle

These Are The Shower Habits It's Time To Ditch

Post author By Megan Senseney
Post date October 29, 2019

Showering is—and should be—a daily habit for most of us, and everyone has their own routine. Some people can’t live without washing their hair each day while others chose to skip a day or two, and the differences continue on from there.
However, did you know that some of the most common shower habits might not actually be that healthy? Believe it or not, some of the things you do every day while taking a shower could be affecting you in ways you’ve never thought of.
Check out this list to see if your shower habits are doing you more harm than good.

1. Washing Your Face

Without a doubt, it’s easier and less messy to wash your face when you’re already in the shower. However, despite the convenience, it’s actually not good for your face. The water that you shower in will typically be much hotter than what you’d wash with at the sink, and the high temperature can make your skin dry out very quickly.

Those with skin conditions such as acne or rosacea may also find that washing their face with hot water can cause excessive redness and irritation—it could even burst a blood vessel in your face if you wash too aggressively. Use a gentle cleanser and avoid washing your face in the shower, particularly if you have acne-prone skin or rosacea.

2. Not Washing Your Feet

You might be thinking that your feet make contact with plenty of water while you’re in the shower, so there’s no real reason to actually bend down and give them a proper wash. You’d be wrong, though.
Even if you’re not prone to smelly feet, think about how sweaty your feet can get throughout the day. Not only that, but if you’re known to walk around the house or outdoors without socks or shoes, you never know what you might be picking up along the way.

There’s no excuse for just letting the soap suds run down to your toes anymore—imagine what you’re bringing into your bed every night without giving those feet a good wash.

3. Not Washing or Replacing Your Loofah Regularly

Be honest, how long has the same loofah been hanging in your shower? Months? YEARS? As it turns out, that can be terrible for your health. This video demonstrates why:

Consider treating yourself to a new sponge or loofah the next time you’re out, or create a cute and convenient place to hang the one you have for air drying.

4. Using a Soap Dish

Yes, that built-in soap dish is there forever, but using it for its intended purpose actually isn’t that good of an idea. The majority of people don’t use bars of soap these days but, for those who do, be aware that leaving a bar of soap in one spot could be encouraging bacteria to grow on it—bacteria that you’re then going to spread over your entire body the next time you lather up.
Gross.

If you have reasons for resisting the switch to liquid body wash, try finding a wire soap dish or one that has holes in the bottom so any remaining water can drain away once you’re out of the shower.

5. Using Scented Soaps

Yes, those soaps that make your bathroom smell like a tropical rainforest or a freshly-made vanilla cupcake do transport you to a place of olfactory luxury while sudsing up, but those very fragrances could be doing a number on your skin at the same time.

Anyone who notices their skin seems particularly irritated after a shower should look to their soap as the first culprit. Fragrances can irritate sensitive skin very easily, so it’s best to use something unscented to keep your skin in the best shape. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the scent of your soap mixing with the scent of your perfume to create “questionable” smells.

6. Showering in Hard Water

Some people may not even know how to tell if their water is considered hard, but figuring it out and taking steps to adjust it could save your hair and skin from a lot of damage.

When you're used to soft water in Scotland, and go for your first shower down in Essex with hard water: pic.twitter.com/bxdgFLv5ft

— Sarah Mackie (@lumi_1984) April 8, 2018

Hard water is defined by its high concentration of minerals like magnesium and calcium, which can end up making your skin break out or cause a layer of buildup on your hair. Those with dyed hair may even find that hard water strips the color out of their strands, or at least causes their tint to fade a little quicker.

If you’re unable to add a water softener to your shower, try incorporating a clarifying shampoo into your routine to remove any buildup caused by those pesky minerals.

7. Avoiding Cold Showers

Most people wouldn’t even dream of standing in cold water for more than a second, let alone taking an entire shower in water that’s anything less than steaming hot.
Still, cold water showers can actually be really beneficial for your skin and hair, and you only need 30 seconds under a cold stream to see a difference. A quick blast of cold water is said to improve your immune function, [linkbuilder id=”3967″ text=”increase your metabolism”], and increase the amount of stress you can tolerate.

In addition to speeding up your metabolism, a study done in 2009 suggests that regularly taking a cold shower could even help you lose weight over time.

8. Using Old Razors

For most of us, old razors aren’t something we thoughtfully replace on a regular basis. Instead, they just sit in the shower until we finally cave and get a new one. Razors, whether you’re buying replacement heads or the kind that are entirely disposable, are surprisingly expensive—so why throw one out after a certain period of time if it still seems to work?

Well, just because a razor is shaving off your unwanted hairs doesn’t mean it’s doing so effectively. If you notice that your skin gets red and inflamed after you shave, it’s because the blades are dull and it’s time for a replacement.

9. Leaving Your Razor in the Shower

Remember how leaving your wet bar of soap in your dingy old soap dish makes it a breeding ground for bacteria? The same thing goes for your razor. There are plenty of nooks and crannies in your razor that make perfect spots for bacteria to hide, and the problem will only get worse when the razor is sitting in a warm, wet environment.

If you don’t actually want to store your razor outside of the shower, at least make sure that you hang it up when you’re done using it so it can air dry.

10. Over Exfoliating

Giving your skin a gentle scrub every now and then is a good idea, but doing so every day could actually be causing damage. For anyone who doesn’t know, your skin actually exfoliates itself by renewing every 27 days or so.

Anyone who chooses to exfoliate their skin every day is aggressively going after fresh skin cells, which can make your skin red and irritated as a result. It’s best to let some dead cells build up on the surface of your skin before reaching for your favorite scrub so that, you know, there’s actually something there worth exfoliating.

11. Washing Your Hair Daily

If you notice that your hair always looks damaged and feels dry no matter what you do, it’s likely that your shower water is too hot and you’re washing your hair way too often. Unless you’re someone who likes to work out every single day, you really only need to wash your hair a few times a week at most—and those with curly or extremely coarse hair should try to cut that down to once a week.

For anyone who says that their hair is too oily to go without a daily wash, it could be the daily washing that’s causing that greasy sheen. Washing too often dries out your scalp, which makes it produce more oil to compensate. If you want to start shampooing less often, try using dry shampoo on your roots every other day. One of our favorites is Living Proof Dry Shampoo.

12. Skipping Your Shower Post-Workout

If you like to work out late at night or in the morning before you head off to work, you may decide that you’re too tired or pressed for time to squeeze a shower in. However, working up a sweat can leave bacteria on your skin that will get trapped against you if you choose not to rinse it off afterwards.
https://twitter.com/MichaelaW1111/status/997914381294952453
This could lead to a skin infection or, at the very least, some minor irritation or redness. Not to mention that you’d be going to bed or heading to work a sweaty, stinky mess.

Remember, just because you can’t smell you doesn’t mean others can’t smell you. At very least, take some time to wipe that sweat off with a clean washcloth or hand towel, or, better yet, just change your clothes. Throw some body wipes in your gym bag for a quick refresh on-the-go.

13. Reusing Dirty Towels

The logic seems solid: If you only use your towel when your body’s clean, how could your towel possibly get dirty?
This isn’t exactly the case, though. Yes, it’s alright to use your towel two to three times before you finally give it a wash, but that’s only if you hang it up to air dry after every single use. Just like your loofah, dead skin cells can cling to your towel and, when you don’t let it dry properly, there’s a big risk for bacterial growth.

Using the same towel for a week or more at a time could mean putting yourself at risk for bacterial skin infections—plus, they can eventually start to smell pretty bad.

14. Rubbing Towels on Your Skin and Hair

We can guess with relative confidence that you reach for your towel right after getting done with your shower, but there are a couple of different ways that people towel off.
Some choose to just wrap their towel around themselves and wait to air dry while doing other things—putting in contacts, applying moisturizer, brushing their teeth—while others immediately start to wipe that water away.

As it turns out, rubbing a towel against your skin isn’t the best thing for it, and dermatologists actually recommend that you use a patting motion to dry your skin. For anyone with long hair who likes to wrap their towel around their head like a cocoon, know that doing so could be damaging your locks, as well. Instead, use a microfiber hair turban and a wet brush to protect your hair from damage.

15. Skipping the Moisturizer

It can be pretty tempting to go lounge around after you’ve gotten out of the shower, and it’s easy to get sucked into things like reading a book or watching television before you finally start to get ready. However, you’re doing your skin a disservice if you don’t apply some moisturizer right when you get out of the shower.

Moisturizer is absorbed just a little bit better when your skin is nice and warm, and you’ll also want to replenish any moisture your skin lost from being in that hot water. Also, just like you shouldn’t be rubbing a towel on your body, don’t scour your face when drying it, either.

16. Bathing in a Dirty Tub

Alright, so a bath definitely isn’t the same as a shower, but we have a reminder for those of you out there that take them.
Clean your bathtub every once in a while!
It’s a chore that few like doing, but it’s an important one. If you’re going to be sitting in a tub full of water for any period of time, you want to make sure that there’s nothing mixing in with your soak that you haven’t added intentionally.

This is especially true if you share a bathroom with other people—you might like your roommates, but you don’t really know what they could’ve tracked into the tub.

Lifestyle

Medieval Hygiene: Practices Of The Middle Ages

Post author By Anna Cherry
Post date October 8, 2019

Laughing at medieval people is fun. It’s a bit like watching a reality television show so far removed from your reality (Jersey Shore Family Vacation, anyone?) that you can’t help but feel better about your own life because, damn, look at these poor fools still gyming, tanning, and laundering! Or, in the case of medieval people, slathering a well-known toxin all over their faces in the name of beauty. (Obviously, the toxin part wasn’t well-known at the time.)
Looking at the hygiene and grooming practices of people living over half a millennium ago is a perfect distraction from your own miserable failures and existential quandaries, and everyone you’re making fun of is too far gone to care or defend themselves, so really, it’s a perfect setup. We wouldn’t try to take that away from you.

But schadenfreude isn’t particularly informative, and if you’re at all interested in historical accuracy, you should try reading something besides that “Medieval People Were Nasty As Hell” clickbait. Sure, the Middle Ages was full of gross stuff, but so is New York City. Medieval people, given the circumstances, were doing the best they could. Sometimes their ideas worked out well for them, and sometimes they really did not.

1. Sewage Management

If you were to time travel back to a major medieval city, perhaps the first thing you’d notice would be the stench. Though a disorienting succession of food and foul odors would no doubt take your attention while walking the streets of any bustling metropolis today, things were a bit funkier back in the Middle Ages.
The explanation was simple: poop. More specifically, poorly managed poop.

Medieval London’s population of approximately 100,000 people produced about 5,000 kilograms (or 11,000 pounds) of human waste every day—approximately the weight of an adult Asian elephant (first link opens a PDF). Multiply that by the number of days in a year and you can see why medieval folks were quickly up to their knees.
This wasn’t for lack of trying. It’s a common misconception that people of the Middle Ages were relieving themselves all over the place, but the reality is that they simply didn’t have the same quality of facilities available to them to get rid of their stuff.
https://twitter.com/Weilacca_/status/960501844861685760
Though Roman London did have a sewer system that emptied into the River Thames and its connected streams, it fell into disuse by the medieval period. “Without anyone to flush the old tunnels and keep them clean, old London disregarded and soon forgot about its precious subterranean Roman legacy,” wrote cultural historian Craig Taylor in a comparison of waste management (PDF) in ancient Rome and medieval London. “Instead of having passageways, which were underneath the pavement and flowed into the rivers, sewers became open and public facilities were connected directly to the streams and rivers, making a long system of tunnels and pipes unnecessary.” The Roman model, while still not an A+ in sanitation, would have done a better job of sparing the senses because it more efficiently moved water in and out of the city.
Medieval London’s approach, on the other hand, brings to mind one of those cartoon fiascos where someone keeps trying to plug a hole in a leaky boat only to have several more water spurts pop up in its place. As Taylor described:

In 1357 a proclamation was issued forbidding anyone to throw any sort of waste into the Thames or any other waterway under the penalty of imprisonment and severe punishment at the discretion of the mayor and aldermen. This was intended to force London citizens to put their waste into the carts and dung-boats meant to carry it outside the city. However, the result was that many dumped their waste elsewhere in the city. One such place was Tower Hill, which in 1371-72 was so tainted that those living nearby were disgusted by the odor of the dung and other filth. Citizens were then forbidden to dump their wastes there, which caused a renewed dumping into the Thames. Again an attempt was made to prevent people from dumping any kind of waste into the Thames as the King noted that the channel of the river had been narrowed so much that it caused a great hindrance to shipping.

See the vicious, smelly cycle?
Another option for dumping waste was cesspits. “E. Sabine [Ernest L. Sabine, author of Latrines and Cesspools of Mediaeval London] believes that after digging up the dirt, taking away the earth, finding the lime, sand and other materials, the total cost for constructing the cesspit would have amounted to about four pounds,” wrote Taylor. This was at least twice the yearly wages of an unskilled laborer. Thus: “These cesspits, even though built for the convenience of all the tenants within a tenement, must have been seen as rather ostentatious utilities.”

Still, cesspits were just another temporary solution to everybody’s endless digestive drain. Though, by law, they were to be constructed a certain distance from the property of others, they could still muck everything up. “Despite these regulations, cesspits were not designed to hold liquids and therefore leaked into the soil and nearby wells,” wrote Taylor.
Plus, he said, “the smell emanating from it could still be very obnoxious.” This was a problem beyond just sensory dissatisfaction since people of the Middle Ages subscribed to the miasma theory (PDF), which held that disease spread through bad-smelling, poisonous vapors. So if your neighbor’s cesspit was making your kitchen smell like the local summer fair’s porta-potty, even though you weren’t thinking about bacteria, you understood that this needed to be fixed. You’d likely file a complaint, which might demand that they get their…stuff…together within the next forty days.

2. Bathroom Etiquette

Suboptimal as medieval disposal methods were, the idea that cleanliness or privacy in the bathroom realm were of no importance is simply wrong. “You wouldn’t be pooping outside and burying it like an animal,” medievalist Danièle Cybulskie tells HealthyWay. “You’d have a place to go.”
“You were never that far from a place where you could,” she says. “In town, they would often have a public place to go to the washroom. Lazy people would probably just pee outside.”
Basically, medieval times were just like a typical St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The private medieval bathroom of the Master Mason in the Mason's Loft. Flushes when it rains! pic.twitter.com/rbVUfmkTuw

— Ben Morris (@BenMorris_Music) March 12, 2017

Citizens of medieval London had private and public facilities available to them. There is evidence of at least 13 public latrines, though, as Sabine noted (PDF), “there must have been many more such public conveniences.” One was at London Bridge. “As early as 1358 there were already one hundred and thirty-eight shops on the bridge,” wrote Sabine. “Along with the customers frequenting the shops, businesses would have required the facilities of the privy.” The London Bridge facilities were large and possibly spread out to accommodate the shop-goers, business people, and citizens living nearby who would have used them.
Of course, in instances where there were no public or private facilities available, people would be more likely to dump their waste in less regimented ways. For example, in 1421, during an investigation of one ward’s public housing it was “reported that all the little rents…were without privies, so that all the tenants threw their ordure and other horrible liquids before their doors, to the great nuisance of holy church and of passers-by,” wrote Sabine.

Another possible reason for dumping waste in the streets was the danger of going out at night, suggested Taylor in his essay “The Disposal of Human Waste: A comparison between Ancient Rome and Medieval London.” He cited a case from 1290–91 when someone named John de Abyndon met his end while traveling from one of the common privies at London Wall.
“At night, sleeping with a chamber pot full of human waste was not too pleasing to the olfactory senses,” Taylor wrote. “Rather than taking the risk of venturing out into the streets to empty the chamber pot, it was instead quickly deposited out the window.” (He added: “There is also the possibility that some tenants were just simply lazy!”)

If you had a chamber pot, it likely meant that you were wealthy enough to have someone empty it for you. “Most people would go outside [to use their outhouse],” says Cybulskie. “Most people wouldn’t have a chamber pot.” An exception would be if you lived in the city and didn’t have your own bathroom in the yard.
Even if you were dumping your dumps into the streets, “it wouldn’t necessarily sit there forever,” notes Cybulskie. Though it would smell, the contents would be poured into a gutter running down the street where it would later be washed away by rainwater.
Inseparable from the issue of waste disposal was the concept of privacy. Evidence suggests that, even if it wasn’t uncommon, public urination wasn’t considered appropriate, not only for reasons of sanitation, but also—and perhaps especially—because of propriety. In 1307, Thomas Scott, groom of the prince, brought charges against a couple of Londoners for assaulting him, supposedly, because he was peeing on a side road. (They claimed to have told him that “it would be more decent to go to the common privies of the City to relieve himself,” after which Scott threatened them, so the assault was merely in self-defense. If you’ve ever had to wait in line for a women’s bathroom at a bar, Scott’s irritation makes a lot of sense.)

The public was even less tolerant of public defecation, according to Carole Rawcliffe, author of Urban Bodies: Communal Health in Late Medieval English Towns and Cities. “A beggar child [struck] in 1339 by a cart when squatting in a London street (‘secreta nature faciendo sedentem’) is censoriously described in the record as little more than a savage,” she wrote. (People were also apparently very classist. Good to know that some things never change!)
You may be surprised to learn that, once inside the privies, the quality of privacy probably wasn’t much worse—and was maybe better?—than that of your office bathroom (if your office is in America) where daily you try to hold onto some shred of decorum as you’re forced to poop within a couple feet of your coworkers. (Living is absurd and divine and grotesque; that’s just the mixed bag of humanity. Whatever! But seriously, why haven’t American offices gotten this one simple thing right?)
https://twitter.com/ArmpitOfNowhere/status/1015297722671337472
Though it wasn’t Rome, where, according to Taylor, “going to the toilet was not an aspect of life considered embarrassing or private,” medieval Londoners weren’t completely lacking in shame about their bathroom time, as evidenced by the dividing walls found in the privies of castle turrets and towers, monasteries, and cities. As further evidence, in 1333, records show that the tenant of a London tenement made a complaint about the removal of a party wall and roof that had been enclosing a common cesspit. With these removed, “the extremities of those sitting upon the seats [could] be seen, a thing which is abominable and altogether intolerable.”

3. Laundry

Unlike the fast fashion of today, where clothes are worn for a season before being discarded and sent to whatever landfill purgatory Forever 21 and its ilk go at the end of life, medieval threads were costly, whether in time or money, and expected to be worn for a long time. “Clothes were so expensive and highly regarded that even the queen’s exchequer accounts of Isabella, queen of Edward II, show that she had the worn-out hems of her gowns replaced, rather than pay for entirely new gowns,” wrote Toni Mount in The Medieval Housewife.

Much like a nice pair of jeans that you wouldn’t want to break down by washing with every wear, medieval clothing would have only been cleaned on an as-needed basis. “One of the reasons that they layered up was that they could wash the clothes that were underneath, and they wouldn’t necessarily have to wash the fancy clothes that were on top,” says Cybulskie. “People were wearing linen next to their skin and they would wear wool overtop, or if they were able to afford it, velvet or silk. But linen was next to the skin because it was easy to weave and it was easy to wash.”
When it came to these linen shirts, shifts, and undergarments, the more cleaning, the better. “Washing actually improved the fabric, bleaching and softening it the more it was washed,” wrote Mount. Overgarments, by contrast—and counterintuitively (to our modern ears)—were often stored near the toilets, at least for those rich enough to have garderobes, the latrines built in monasteries and castle walls.

Why? Because of the smell. “They believed that moths hated the stink as much as people did and stayed away, thus their robes were guarded,” wrote Mount. “So they had even more reason for using lavender and rose petals before wearing their Sunday best to church.” (Garments made of fine fabric were kept nice by brushing, shaking and airing out, and storage among lavender, herbs, and dried rose petals.)
Those who could afford it would send their laundry to be washed by career laundresses in the cities, says Cybulskie. This would include shirts, tunics, sheets, towels, and napkins. Cleaning agents included urine (at least they were resourceful?), used as a stain remover or to set dyes, and lye soap. (As you can imagine, laundry workers’ skin was not in great condition.)
https://twitter.com/UandMeems/status/992583859345674242
Laundry water and drinking water were expected to remain unmixed, thankfully. According to Cybulskie, many legal documents reflect this rule. But laundry workers must have had to deal with a fair amount of jerks who insisted on breaking this rule. “There were separate places where you would have water that was just for laundry, so laundresses would get really angry if you watered your animals there,” she says, presumably because feces and urine would be involved with this pit stop. “And they would get really angry if tanners were washing their stuff off there,” because—and we’re just going out on a limb here—perhaps more feces and urine?

4. Medicine

For most people, the term “medieval medicine” doesn’t evoke many good images. Pre-germ-theory medical practices didn’t always miss the mark, though. “People were doing stuff like cautery. They were doing stuff like suturing. They knew you had to keep a wound clean. They knew you had to keep it dry,” says Cybulskie. “You didn’t necessarily need to know about the actual bacteria to know that if there’s dirt in it, it will fester and you will die. This was a time where people were on the battlefield a lot. Or day-to-day injuries, they could go bad really fast, because you didn’t have antibiotics.”
https://twitter.com/erik_kwakkel/status/568545325637632000
That doesn’t mean that they didn’t accidentally tap into antibiotic properties. “They used a few things that are really, I think, fascinating. One was honey. Honey is antibacterial; this has been shown today. So they would put honey on wounds and use it to clean them out. And it’s sticky, so it keeps stuff together,” says Cybulskie. “Also, they used to pack wounds with moss because moss is absorbent. They didn’t realize that some forms of moss will grow penicillin. So that worked.”
Some of the recipes include ingredients you still might see floating around the internet today as possible homeopathic remedies, such as this one using betony and vervain, recounted in The Medieval Housewife:

For the migraine—take half a dishful of barley, one handful each of betony, vervain and other herbs good for the head and when they be well boiled together, take them up and wrap them in a cloth and lay them to the sick head and it shall be whole.

So, they got a surprising amount right, or nearly right, given the theoretical framework they were working with. Still, they got some things very, very wrong. For example, this deeply unsettling “cure:”

To cure gout. Boil a red-haired dog alive in oil until it falls apart. Then add worms, hog’s marrow and herbs. Apply the mixture to the affected parts. Or take a frog when neither sun nor moon is shining. Cut off its hind legs and wrap them in deer skin. Apply the right to the right and the left to the left foot of the gouty person and without doubt he will be healed.

Clearly, dogs and other pets were viewed a bit differently in the Middle Ages than they are by many today.
If you consider the profound trauma of the Plague, which wiped out millions of people throughout the Middle Ages, it’s hard to blame people of the time for their more superstitious tendencies. That the smell of death was literally in the air was just another reason to employ the nosegay (meaning nose ornament), a small bunch of flowers that could be held up to the nose when passing through a particularly smelly area of town—or to offer some olfactory or emotional comfort in the face of death.
“People did carry a nosegay to keep the smell off—to keep from smelling the bodies and stuff—but they also would put herbs in there that they thought would protect them,” says Cybulskie. “They were desperate to do anything that would save them.” This included “using plants in trying to keep the miasma—the vapors—away.”

Their ideas about medicine were shaped by the humoral theory of the ancient Greeks, which focused on the “balancing” of black bile, yellow bile, blood, and phlegm in the body in order to achieve health. Closely tied to this theory was the treatment of bloodletting, which involved drawing blood from a person in an attempt to balance these body fluids, otherwise known as humors. One of the ways this was done was through the use of leeches, placed on the skin to suck away like little vampires.
“In leeching, the physician attached an annelid worm of the species Hirudo medicinalis to the patient, probably on that part of the body most severely affected by the patient’s condition,” wrote historian Michael Livingston in “Misconceptions about Medieval Medicine: Humors, Leeches, Charms, and Prayers.”
“These worms were called leeches because they were used extensively by Anglo-Saxon physicians. (The word for ‘doctor’ in Old English is læce). The worms would suck off a quantity of blood before falling off.”

Interestingly, the use of leeches has stuck around in modern medicine, though not for balancing humors. “The leech can help reduce venous congestion and prevent tissue necrosis,” wrote Gerry Greenstone, MD, in the British Columbia Medical Journal. “In this way it can be used in the postoperative care of skin grafts and reimplanted fingers, ears, and toes.”

5. Makeup

Given that a person living in the Middle Ages must have been hyper tuned in to the fragileness of their own existence, it’s a wonder that any of them mustered the effort to care at all about the vainer pursuits of life, like optimizing physical appearance. Then again, you can never underestimate the drive to reproduce—and as anyone who’s ever hooked up after a funeral can attest, the threat of death sometimes heightens that drive. Carpe diem and all that.
“People did not like being gross, and they didn’t like being smelly,” says Cybulskie. “Part of that reason was because it’s unattractive….You know, there are books of manners that say, like, ‘You want to make sure you have nice-smelling breath,’ for example. Which is not something we would imagine they worried about because we figure they are used to being stinky—but they did. And they had recipes for deodorant as well. They had recipes for toothpaste, for shampoo, for makeup.”

Indeed, if you take a look through The Trotula: A Medieval Compendium of Women’s Medicine, you’ll find recipes for [linkbuilder id=”6702″ text=”haircare”], hair removal, skin whitening and rosying, blemish, wrinkle, and freckle removal, exfoliation, lip softening, lip and gum dying, tooth whitening, and eliminating bad breath. (Though, Cybulskie points out, medieval folks had better teeth than those in the Tudor period, “because they hadn’t discovered the New World and so they didn’t really use sugar a lot.”) These recipes called for local ingredients like herbs and animal products; imported substances like frankincense, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and galangal; and mineral substances including orpiment (a compound of arsenic), quicklime, quicksilver, sulfur, natron, and white lead.

One recipe for a face-whitening “ointment” advises:

Take two ounces of the very best white lead, let them be ground; afterward let them be sifted through a cloth, and that which remains in the cloth, let it be thrown out. Let it be mixed in with rainwater and let it cook until the consumption of the water, which can be recognized when we will see it almost completely dried out. Then let it be cooled. And when it is dried out and cooled, let rose water be added, and again boil it until it becomes hard and thick, so that from it very small pills can be formed. And when you wish to be anointed, take one pill and liquefy it in the hand with water and then rub it well on the face, so that the face will be dried. Then let it be washed with pure water, and this [whitened look] will last for eight days.

If rubbing lead all over your face seems like a bad idea, that’s because it is. Depending on the frequency with which this kind of toxic makeup was used, side effects might have included swelling and inflammation of the eyes, tooth enamel erosion, retexturing and blackening of the skin, and, eventually, death. That’s a pretty high price for beauty.

6. Bathing

One of the main reasons medieval citizens wanted to stay clean was the miasma theory. “They didn’t like being smelly because they were afraid that was going to make them sick,” says Cybulskie. “And they were right! But it was because of the germs that were floating around.”
Unfortunately, not wanting to stink isn’t the same as not stinking. Though people in the Middle Ages desired cleanliness, it wasn’t always possible by the standards of today, given the practical hurdles. “If you went to the bathhouse, you were going to be sharing bathwater with other people. If you had a private bath, that meant heating up gallons and gallons of water and hauling it to a bathtub, and then getting rid of it later,” says Cybulskie. “Given the chance, would they have had a bath every day? Probably. But it was just not possible.”

So were medieval people, on the whole, smellier than we are today? Sure. “But not as smelly as we think,” says Cybulskie. And, “it was probably less noticeable because you’d be used to it.”
When they did bathe, it was quite the production. That’s because tub time was kind of a big deal. “The great numbers of different references to baths throughout the medieval sources show they obviously held a special place in medieval life socially, medically, and spiritually,” wrote historian Virginia Smith in Clean: A History of Personal Hygiene and Purity. She described, for example, fifteenth-century German bath etchings featuring luxe scenes like “the town bathhouse, with a long row of bathing couples eating a meal naked in bathtubs, often several to a tub, with other couples seen smiling in beds in the mid-distance.”
Bathing as both spa treatment and party, complete with your friends, your honey, some pastries, and maybe even a bed? We don’t know about you, but that pretty much blows every bath we’ve ever had out of the water.

Tags 12/8/16, Publishupdate, social

In Season Lifestyle

38 Of Oprah’s All-Time Favorite Things You Never Knew You Needed Until Now, All Under $50

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date September 27, 2019

Thanksgiving is the unofficial beginning to the holiday season; between stuffing ourselves Joey Tribbiani–style and spending time with loved ones, it truly is a wonderful time of year. But one of the things we look forward to the most at Thanksgiving? Oprah’s annual list of her favorite products.
From the 1990s to the mid-2000s, you could find us, along with most of America, glued to our televisions at 4 p.m. during the week of Thanksgiving, waiting anxiously on Oprah to unveil her list of favorite things to a very lucky audience, who received all of the items on her list. Even after the show ended in 2011, Oprah has continued to publish her annual list of favorite products. It’s not quite the same as being in the studio audience as Oprah gleefully screams, “YOU GET A CAR,” but there are still some primo products on the list each year.

The 2018 list hasn’t yet been published, but here’s a look back at a few of Oprah’s all-time favorite things from years past. You’re going to want every single one, and at under $50 each, they won’t break the bank.

1. Never break your sunnies again with this travel case.

These padded zipper bags are a perfect way to give fragile items, like glasses and compacts, a little extra protection when traveling. In a punchy pink color with navy trim and a printed interior, this puffy, lined bag is machine-washable, super lightweight, and ultra durable.

Throw the CORROON Women’s Sungkay Puffy Kit into your suitcase when traveling, and you’ll never have to worry about airlines breaking your expensive bronzer or favorite sunglasses again.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075TF93NW”]CORROON Women’s Sungkay Puffy Kit, $35 on Amazon[/link-button]

2. You had me at Zendaya.

The Greatest Showman, featuring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and our girl Zendaya, wasn’t a box office smash when it opened in theaters last year, but it’s quickly become a favorite among musical lovers, and for good reason. The catchy lyrics of tunes like “A Million Dreams” will stay in your head for days.

Get the original motion picture soundtrack on Amazon and relive the true story of P.T. Barnum, the man who invented show business, through song. After all, there’s no business like show business, especially when you’re belting out show tunes in the shower.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07629RLTC”]The Greatest Showman Soundtrack, $11.88 on Amazon[/link-button]

3. Look like a lumberjack with these cozy socks—no wood-chopping required.

Winter is coming, people! Cozy up in style with these Pudus Classic Slipper Socks that come in sizes for the whole family.

Lined with soft sherpa fleece and non-slip grippers on the sole, these socks are the perfect accessory for cold days spent in front of the fireplace with a good book and a mug of hot cocoa in hand. And, if you’re not into the lumberjack look, there are multiple style options from which to choose.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B541VIY”]Pudus Classic Slipper Socks, Lumberjack Red, from $10.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

4. Treat your pupper to some gourmet snacks this holiday season.

It’s no secret that Oprah loves her dog, Luke—just check out her Instagram feed. Oprah regularly treats her pupper to gourmet snacks and toys from Harry Barker, which has been a regular on her favorite things list for several years.

This Harry Barker Gift Set features a durable gingham rope chew toy and a box of country bacon dog treats, all in a cute-as-a-button decorative tin that can be used to store more treats in later.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075TS9T51″]Harry Barker Gift Set, $35 on Amazon[/link-button]

5. Relax like Oprah with this bath-time treat.

Okay, Oprah is probably not trying to take a bath in an apartment-sized tub, but you can still relax like a queen with this LoLLIA Dream Bubble Bath. Not only does it come in a gorgeous, totally display-worth bottle, but the white tea and honeysuckle scent is divine.

This bubble bath is best enjoyed with a good book (may we suggest Oprah’s own The Wisdom of Sundays: Life-Changing Insights From Super Soul Conversations?), scented candles, and a cup of hot tea to set the mood.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5M2PRT”]LoLLIA Dream Bubble Bath, $43.33 on Amazon[/link-button]

6. Say bye-bye to chilly fingers with this tech-friendly product.

Every year, winter gloves seem to disappear to the same mysterious place where lost socks and hair ties end up, never to be heard from again. But with Verloop Trio gloves, you’ll never have to worry about finding a spare, because each set comes with a pair of gloves and a spare, just in case—pure genius.

Plus, each set of Verloop gloves is touchscreen capable, meaning no more chilly hands every time you need to check a text or hail a ride share.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Verloop-Touchscreen-Gloves-Texting-Knitted/dp/B01M0DV4R8″]Verloop Trio Touchscreen Gloves, $11.49 on Amazon[/link-button]

7. This handy gadget always knows where to find your keys, even if you don’t.

You hit snooze one too many times in the morning and barely have time to grab a cup of coffee before running out the door, much less take 20 minutes to find your keys, which you could have sworn were hanging on their special hook by the door. Never lose your keys again with the Orbit Bluetooth key tracker; simply attach the tracker to your keyring and download the app.

With just one tap, the Orbit tracker will play a loud tune until you locate your keys. If you’re not sure where you lost your keys, the app can also tell you the tracker’s last known GPS location. You’ll never be late because you were looking for your keys again. The only downside to the Orbit Bluetooth Key Finder? It can’t stop you from hitting snooze (again).

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Orbit-Bluetooth-Finder-Azure-Blue/dp/B01LKBK3U4/”]Orbit Bluetooth Key Finder, Azure Blue, $24.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

8. Oprah, how does your garden grow?

Eating veggies you grew yourself is extra delicious, but if you live in a city, garden spots are hard to come by. Featured on Oprah’s favorite hings in 2016, the Urban Agriculture Vegetable Garden Grow Kit has everything you need—a container, soil, and seeds—to grow your own lettuce year round.

For delicious salad greens all year long, all you need to provide is a sunny window and water to watch your garden grow.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Urban-Agriculture-Vegetable-Garden-Grow/dp/B01G96AWTM/”]Vegetable Garden Grow Kit – Lettuce, $18.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

9. Take selfies that rival Kylie Jenner’s.

Kylie might be the queen of selfies, but you don’t need your own specially lit selfie station to take glam photos; all you need is this Oprah-approved LuMee Selfie Case. Designed to fit most iPhones, this pretty rose gold case features warm LED lights that highlight your face for the perfect selfie every time.

Each case is durable, with shock-absorbing corners for when you inevitably drop your phone looking for the perfect angle. The lights have up to 30 minutes of battery life, and this product includes a charging cable for selfies on the go.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/LuMee-Selfie-Lighting-Variable-Absorption/dp/B01M04AV4H”]LuMee Phone Case with LED Lighting, $24.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

10. Faux furs for your dog? Why not?

Featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2015, this totally adorable, totally over-the-top faux fur jacket is just what your pup needs for cold-weather outings.

Sized to fit even the smallest of pooches, this eye-catching faux-mink garment will ensure you have the best-dressed dog on the block, even though you may still be schlepping around in the snow in your trusty old puffer coat.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Frontgate-Faux-Jacket-Channeled-Large/dp/B016DVNVP0/”]FRONTGATE Faux Fur Pet Jacket, $33 on Amazon[/link-button]

11. You’ll want to stock up on these ultra-soft baby basics.

Organic baby clothes are good for the environment, and these come in oh-so-sweet colors and sizes for little ones. Burt’s Bees organic clothing has been a favorite of Oprah’s for years, and way back in 2013, she featured the Bee Essentials Bibs as must-haves for every mom.

They’re snap- and velcro-free, and they slide gently over baby’s head for no-fuss drool protection. We also love the terry cloth backing, which can easily be swiped over baby’s mouth and hands for post-meal cleanup.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Burts-Bees-Baby-Essentials-Shoulder/dp/B00N4PMNH6″]Burt’s Bees Baby Shoulder Bibs, $19.95 on Amazon[/link-button]

12. This stuff is better than butter.

You know, $25 seems like a lot to spend on butter—but this is no ordinary breakfast spread. Back in 2012, Oprah raved about Urbani Truffle Butter, saying, “How do I love truffle butter? Let me count the ways. On a baked potato, on grilled steak, on a sourdough baguette.”

According to Amazon reviewers, the trick to using Urbani White Truffle Butter is adding a small sliver of the butter to dishes right before serving to ensure the rich, velvety truffle flavor comes through.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Urbani-White-Truffle-Butter-8oz/dp/B00A4FQE38″]Urbani White Truffle Butter, 8 ounces, $25.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

13. Sip on a cup of chai, just like Oprah.

Oprah loves chai tea so much that Teavana and Starbucks teamed up to name a special blend of chai after her. Masala chai makes Oprah’s list of favorite things year after year.

With milk, this sweetened, spicy tea is delicious to enjoy on cool fall mornings, or really any time you need a quick pick-me-up. Use this loose leaf blend with your favorite diffuser, or learn how to make masala chai the Oprah way.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Rishi-Masala-Tea-Organic-Loose/dp/B007PY1BM0″]Rishi Masala Chai Tea, Loose Leaf Black Tea Blend, $29.93 on Amazon[/link-button]

14. La petite cocotte, s’il vous plaît.

Oprah loves to serve mashed potatoes and other casserole-type dishes in mini cast iron cocottes so much that she listed them as one of her favorite things in 2011, 2014, and 2017.

While she favors Le Creuset and Staub for her cocottes, those brands aren’t so budget-friendly. Instead, serve individual casseroles just like Oprah with these affordable Nordic Ware Mini Cocottes. Made of cast aluminum with a nonstick surface inside, these cocottes ensure even cooking and easy cleanup, making them an ideal choice for your next dinner party.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Traditions-Cocottes-Cranberry/dp/B008XGXWKI”]Nordic Ware Mini Cocottes, Set of 2, $34.34 on Amazon[/link-button]

15. We hate to tell you this, but 2004 called, and it wants its boots back.

If there’s one thing Oprah absolutely loves, it’s Josh Groban Christmas albums—but Ugg boots are a close second. Both have been featured on her lists throughout the years, proving that they’re perennial favorites.

Love them or hate them, you can’t deny that Ugg boots are warm, cozy, and downright comfortable. Whether you’re lounging around the house or glamming it up at a ski resort in Tahoe, you’ll be right at home in the Alida Slouch Boot, an Ugg classic that comes in either black or chestnut with Ugg’s trademarked Treadlite outsole for cushiony comfort all day long.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/UGG-Womens-Alida-Slouch-Chestnut/dp/B01MZ9AVW2″]Ugg Women’s Alida Slouch Boot, select styles from $49 on Amazon[/link-button]

16. Yes, this is the best facial moisturizer of all time.

Put down the coconut oil you were about to dab all over your face, and back away slowly. Instead of a product that’s sure to leave you disappointed (and covered in zits), try Oprah’s (and our) favorite facial moisturizer, Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar.

Beloved for years, this lightweight, award-winning moisturizer delivers on its promise to hydrate and improve overall skin texture. And, as an added bonus, it smells absolutely heavenly.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-1-qty-Hope-Moisturizer/dp/B000Z5Y2XQ”]Philosophy Hope in a Jar Moisturizer, $32.57 on Amazon[/link-button]

17. Here’s the secret to making the best brownies ever.

Everyone knows that the best brownies are the corner pieces; warm and gooey, with crispy, delicious edges on two sides. With a regular brownie pan, you really have to duke it out over who gets the coveted four corners. But with the Baker’s Edge Brownie Pan, everyone gets an edge piece.

This unique pan features a design that guarantees every piece has two crispy edges. It’s the perfect size for convenient box brownie mixes, and features one continuous chamber for easier filling.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Edge-Nonstick-Brownie-Pan/dp/B000MMK448″]Baker’s Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan, $35.95 on Amazon[/link-button]

18. It’s a triple word score for the win!

Okay, so technically Oprah’s favorite thing is Hasbro’s Scrabble Premier Wood Edition, which is, with its wooden cabinet, rotating game board, and brass toned tile racks, pretty amazing. Not so amazing? The hefty $199 price tag. Yikes.

If you love the tactile dynamic of playing Scrabble with your friends rather than cheating on Words with Friends (you know you do), then pick up a regular version of Oprah’s favorite game instead. The board may not rotate, but the game is still just as fun.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-A8166-Scrabble-Crossword-Game/dp/B00IL5XY9K”]Hasbro Scrabble Crossword Game, $15.78 on Amazon[/link-button]

19. This is so much better than your average holiday popcorn tin.

After filming her show in Chicago for 25 years, it makes sense that Oprah would include Chicago’s own world-famous Garrett Popcorn on her list of favorite things. And she’s absolutely right; Garrett’s special blend of cheddar and caramel popcorn is delicious, and tastes freshly made right out of the tin.

If, for some reason, you don’t love the cheddar and caramel blend, Garrett’s has several other tasty options from which to choose, including Almond and Pecan Caramel Crisp.

[link-button href=”https://www.garrettpopcorn.com/Catalog/Recipes/cheddar-and-caramel-popcorn”]Garrett Popcorn Shops, Garrett Mix, $33 from Garrett Popcorn[/link-button]

20. Guests will love every variety of this scented soap.

Step it up a notch in your spare bathroom—offer guests the luxurious experience of using LAFCO House and Home Bar Soap in scents like Sea and Dune, Sage and Walnut, and Redwood.

Each creamy soap is handmade in Italy and features an ultra-moisturizing blend of olive oil, almond oil, and rice protein. Not just for washing hands, this soap can also be used as a shaving bar and is suitable for sensitive skin.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/LAFCO-House-Home-Soap-Dune/dp/B00NPIXJHK”]LAFCO House and Home Bar Soap, $11 on Amazon[/link-button]

21. Come on baby, light my fire (with these scented lovelies).

The holidays are just around the corner, and there’s no better way to get into a festive mood than with a fire crackling on a chilly night. Not exactly a Boy Scout? No need to worry, because these scented fire starters make starting a blaze easy.

Simply place a fire starter beneath the logs in your fireplace or grate and light the wick. In a few moments, you’ll have a merry, crackling fire going with a pleasant pine scent. They’re also perfect for getting charcoal grills started and outdoor firepits. Technically these don’t meet our $50 limit, but they’re close enough, so we’re including them.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Christophe-Pourny-Studio-Fire-Starters/dp/B01JH3DNFE/”]Christophe Pourney Studio Scented Fire Starters, $50.58 on Amazon[/link-button]

22. Just roll with it.

There are few things as maddening as painstakingly wrapping your power cords for travel, only to have them unravel and become a tangled mess in your carry-on.

Brouk and Co. solves this problem brilliantly with their travel cord roll, designed to keep up to eight cords firmly in place. Each roll is made of vegan leather and features interior button closures to secure cords and an outer strap to keep the roll tightly closed.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Brouk-Co-Travel-Cord-Roll/dp/B01M1A0CMB”]Brouk & Co. Travel Cord Roll, from $16 on Amazon[/link-button]

23. Take care of your hair with this must-have brush.

These gorgeous green brushes made Oprah’s list of favorite things back in 2016. This versatile detangling brush can be used on wet or dry hair, and works for almost every hair type. (Read this if you’re not sure what type of hair you have.)

The soft bristles ensure damage-free detangling, and the ball tip at the end of each bristle gives your scalp an invigorating massage with each brush stroke. It’s like a trip to the salon every time you use this brush.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Josh174-Tools-Detangling-Brush/dp/B07CLDGZJ4″]Harry Josh Detangling Hair Brush, $42.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

24. This little crossbody is perfect for on-the-go.

Finally! K.Carroll Accessories has created a functional, stylish, and perfectly sized crossbody bag, just big enough to fit most iPhones and a couple of credit cards. With its gray and black design, this little crossbody can be worn anywhere you need to be hands-free, from your neighborhood block party or the airport to a grocery store run with the kiddos.

Plus, you can feel secure knowing your important credit card information is safe with the bag’s RFID-blocking technology.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/K-Carroll-Secure-Protective-Shimmer/dp/B071DNL3TB”]K.Carroll Crossbody, $39.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

25. Spaghetti night just got so much easier.

Oprah raved about the Bialetti Pasta Pot on her 2016 list, saying, “I took a look at this aluminum cookware with a lock-on lid and built-in strainer and had just one question: Where have you been all my life?” And we have to say, we agree with her.

This pasta pot is a must-have for any home chef who’s been dangerously close to hot steam while straining pasta in a regular colander. The Bialetti comes in a variety of colors, and features stay-cool handles and a locking lid to safely drain pasta every time.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Bialetti-07265-Quart-Strainer-Charcoal/dp/B005PPP7MQ”]Bialetti Oval 5 Quart Pasta Pot with Strainer Lid, $29.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

26. Get a load of those peepers!

Swipe on some red lipstick, throw on these shades, and channel your inner Elizabeth Taylor. Peepers’ sunnies and reading glasses have made the list of Oprah’s Favorite Things for the past four years.

We love that the retro, oversized style is flattering on any face, and is perfect for days when your concealer just isn’t cutting it. While Peepers look like expensive designer sunglasses, the price point makes them affordable in almost any budget.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Peepers-Womens-Bifocal-Sunglasses-Tortoise/dp/B078RQJPCF”]Peepers Center Stage Sunglasses, select styles from $22 on Amazon[/link-button]

27. Keep the tissues handy.

The Letters to Open series has the perfect gift for every occasion. We love this edition because it can be gifted to anyone: a parent, a child, or your bestie. Write a letter for a range of emotions the recipient might be feeling, tuck it into the corresponding envelope in the book, and seal it up.

When your loved one is feeling blue, there’s a letter for that. If they’re celebrating a milestone, there’s a letter for that too. When you can’t be there for life’s big moments, the Letters to Open series is the next best thing to show someone how much you care.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Open-When-Treasure-Forever/dp/1452148724/”]Letters to Open When…, Letters to Open Series, $11.77 on Amazon[/link-button]

28. Stay positive with this sweet gift.

Whether you use this journal to write down your own daily affirmations or simply to jot out a grocery list, you’ll love reading the inspirational quote at the top of each page. They’re designed to inspire, encourage, and uplift, no matter what your notes and doodles entail.

This neat journal features 365 bound, lined pages with a flexible spine for easy opening, and comes in pretty colors, like seafoam, ombre, and marble for a chic addition to any desk.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014QY6VDK”]Eccolo World Traveler A Thought A Day Notepad, $15.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

29. Get a precise measurement in the kitchen every time.

Anyone who’s ever seen a Weight Watchers commercial knows it’s no secret that Oprah is very precise about her food, which is why the Taylor Digital Kitchen Scale made the 2017 favorite things list.

If you’re trying to eat healthy, but you’re not sure what a four-ounce serving of chicken really looks like, then you’ll love the digital scale. The bowl can be removed from the scale for easier weighing, and its compact size means it won’t take up a ton of valuable counter space.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075HNYBMQ”]Taylor Digital Kitchen Scale, $49.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

30. No need to have a green thumb with these indoor herbs.

Technically, this Modern Sprout herb kit comes in a little over our $50 limit, but it’s just so cute and functional, we had to include it. Featuring mint, parsley, and basil, this kitchen grow kit comes with everything you need to grow your own fresh herbs in your windowsill—no garden required.

If your track record of keeping plants alive isn’t great, you’ll love that the containers are self-watering, so herbs will thrive, even if you forget to water them before you go on vacay. Plus, the kit contains reusable containers as well as instructions for replanting so you can enjoy fresh herbs for years to come!

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Herb-Kit-Self-watering-Planters/dp/B016IX1736″]Modern Sprout Kitchen Herb Kit, $54 on Amazon[/link-button]

31. This luxe hand cream is perfect as a gift…or to keep for yourself.

Keep a stash of these four-ounce luxury hand creams on hand for when you need a last-minute, inexpensive gift for Teacher Appreciation Day or your coworker’s birthday.

With a light citrus scent and ultra-moisturizing shea extracts, this hand cream will leave hands silky-soft all day long without feeling greasy. This size is perfect for throwing into a purse or leaving in a desk drawer for easy access.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DD32X6K”]TOCCA Bianca Crema de Mano Luxe, from $20 on Amazon[/link-button]

32. Keep drinks cold as ice, literally.

Oprah loves the Corkcicle Stemless Glass, and we do too. With triple-insulated stainless steel technology, the Corkcicle keeps cold beverages cold for up to nine hours, and hot beverages warm up to three.

A silicone bottom and non-slip sides ensure that you’ll be able to easily keep your glass in your grasp no matter where you’re sipping. In fun color schemes like sparkle pixie dust, the Corkcicle Stemless Glass is the ultimate accessory for gameday tailgates, poolside parties, or just lounging at home.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075RFZBB8″]Corkcicle Stemless Glass, $24.95 on Amazon[/link-button]

33. Stay golden with these cute studs.

Apparently, Oprah didn’t get her ears pierced until she was 51 years old! Now that her ears are pierced, she loves earrings, and this affordable gift set of gold-plated studs was featured in last year’s favorite things gift guide.

These dainty studs come in a velvet pouch for safekeeping and easy storage. With crystal and faux pearl, these feminine earrings are the perfect way to add a little sparkle to an otherwise ho-hum weekday outfit.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0764LLF9F”]Violet & Brooks Sparkling Earring Quint Gift Set, $23.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

34. Two scoops, please.

Not sure what you get your bestie for her upcoming baby shower? Look no further than these oh-so-cute baby bodysuits from Rock Scissor Paper.

Made of super-soft cotton in bright, confection-inspired colors, these little bodysuits come packaged in pint-sized ice cream cartons! Simply add a ribbon on top for a finishing touch—no wrapping required. Pair with a box of diapers for a gift that’s both darling and functional.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0764HK7ZM”]Rock Scissor Paper Pint-Sized Cuties Baby Bodysuit, $25 on Amazon[/link-button]

35. Add something special to your breakfast rotation.

Hands down, the best thing about Amazon is being able to order gourmet food items and have them delivered fresh right to your door.

Featuring 12 hand-griddled English muffins in original and organic spelt, and tied with a jaunty ribbon that’s perfect for gifting (or keeping all to yourself), you can have a Model Bakery English Muffin with your morning chai, just like Oprah.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075TL9LM3″]The Model Bakery English Muffin Set, $35 on Amazon[/link-button]

36. Who’s the fairest of them all?

These little mirrors in bold, punchy colors will have you daydreaming of Havana nights! While you may not have time for a Cuban vacation, a folding mirror is a must-have item to keep stashed in your desk drawer or purse for post-lunch makeup touch-ups or checking to see if you have food in your teeth before a big meeting.

This mirror props upright when needed, but folds flat for easy, on-the-go storage, and the shimmery exterior adds a pop of glam wherever you go.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VWPDZ5D”]Stephanie Johnson Havana Folding Mirror, $28.71 on Amazon[/link-button]

37. Maple syrup is one of the four food groups.

Most people go gaga over pumpkin spice in the fall, but we’ll follow Oprah’s lead and indulge in the goodness that is pure Vermont maple syrup. Shipped directly from a farm in Vermont to your table, Mount Mansfield syrup is the perfect topping for pancakes, waffles, and as the secret ingredient in this maple walnut muffin recipe.

We recommend purchasing one for yourself and one to gift, because maple syrup this yummy should be shared.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Mount-Mansfield-Maple-Products-Old-Fashioned/dp/B075RFBMGM”]Mount Mansfield Organic Pure Vermont Maple Syrup, $35.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

38. Treat your feet with this gift set.

If you don’t have time for weekly spa treatments, treat yourself and your guests to this Footnanny gift set in a heavenly fresh linen scent instead. Featuring a hand soap, shower gel, and body lotion, this unisex set is perfect for adding a little luxury to your guest room.

As an added bonus, Footnanny products are paraben and cruelty-free, so you can feel extra-good about pampering yourself and your guests with this gift set.

[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075TL8MQJ”]Footnanny Gift Set in Fresh Linen, $50 on Amazon[/link-button]

Tags 9/27/18, Commerce, Publishupdate, social

Lifestyle

These Are The Shower Habits That You Need To Ditch

Post author By Megan Senseney
Post date September 9, 2019

1. Washing Your Face

2. Not Washing Your Feet

There’s no excuse for just letting the soap suds run down to your toes anymore—imagine what you’re bringing into your bed every night without giving those feet a good wash.

3. Not Washing or Replacing Your Loofah Regularly

Be honest, how long has the same loofah been hanging in your shower? Months? YEARS? As it turns out, that can be terrible for your health. This video demonstrates why:

Consider treating yourself to a new sponge or loofah the next time you’re out, or create a cute and convenient place to hang the one you have for air drying.

4. Using a Soap Dish

5. Using Scented Soaps

6. Showering in Hard Water

Some people may not even know how to tell if their water is considered hard, but figuring it out and taking steps to adjust it could save your hair and skin from a lot of damage.

When you're used to soft water in Scotland, and go for your first shower down in Essex with hard water: pic.twitter.com/bxdgFLv5ft

— Sarah Mackie (@lumi_1984) April 8, 2018

If you’re unable to add a water softener to your shower, try incorporating a clarifying shampoo into your routine to remove any buildup caused by those pesky minerals.

7. Avoiding Cold Showers

In addition to speeding up your metabolism, a study done in 2009 suggests that regularly taking a cold shower could even help you lose weight over time.

8. Using Old Razors

9. Leaving Your Razor in the Shower

If you don’t actually want to store your razor outside of the shower, at least make sure that you hang it up when you’re done using it so it can air dry.

10. Over Exfoliating

11. Washing Your Hair Daily

12. Skipping Your Shower Post-Workout

13. Reusing Dirty Towels

Using the same towel for a week or more at a time could mean putting yourself at risk for bacterial skin infections—plus, they can eventually start to smell pretty bad.

14. Rubbing Towels on Your Skin and Hair

15. Skipping the Moisturizer

16. Bathing in a Dirty Tub

This is especially true if you share a bathroom with other people—you might like your roommates, but you don’t really know what they could’ve tracked into the tub.

Tags 12/9/16, 50006579, Commerce, HD, hemingway, Publishupdate

Lifestyle Wellbeing

Don't Butter Your Burns (And 7 Other Medical Misconceptions)

Post author By Mark Kosin
Post date September 1, 2019

In the practice of bloodletting, doctors drained patients’ blood in hopes that it would help them stave off illness. It was a dubious practice that was used to treat everyone from medieval peasants to George Washington, and suffice it to say, usually did little to help affected patients.
Thankfully, bloodletting has gone out of style, and most doctors and citizens are as well-informed about proper medical care as they’ve been at any point in history.
However, a number of misconceptions about what to do in medical emergencies or first aid situations still swirl around in the American consciousness. Put grease on a burn? Peroxide on an open cut? If someone has a seizure, should you be reaching for your wallet?
HealthyWay spoke to some experts who specialize in training professionals and average citizens in first aid and emergency medical services (EMS). They offered up some advice on what to do, what not to do, and a few hard and fast rules about facing medical emergencies.

1. Butter is for bread. Toothpaste is for teeth. Neither are for burns.

Robb Rehberg is the director of first aid training and program development at the National Safety Council (NSC), an organization that eliminates preventable death through education and advocacy. He meets with a wide range of Americans to train them about proper emergency medical procedures and is very familiar with the inaccurate treatments that are still rattling around out there.

Rehberg asserts that one of the most common misconceptions he’s encountered involve treatment of burns. Over time, some folks have believed that a bit of butter can help sooth a burn, but that’s just not true. Explains Rehberg on treating burned skin with some Land O’ Lakes: “We’re not trying to cook people. Not quite sure where butter came from, but I’ve heard it before. We certainly don’t want to put butter on a burn.”
The truth is this: Not only is butter not an effective burn treatment, but it can actually make the situation worse.
The first thing that must happen after a burn is cooling of the skin, but Rehberg says butter—or other home treatments—will not be helpful: “The skin has been burned and it needs to cool itself. Butter or any ointment is clogging up pores where heat dissipation occurs. We are hindering the body’s ability to cool itself.”
[pullquote align=”center”]“Most minor burns will heal on their own and can [be] treated by running cool water over them.”
—Andrew Berger[/pullquote]
First aid expert Andrew Berger, who is the owner and training site coordinator at Healthline First Aid, also warns against butter or other believed fixes for a burn, saying that it “can actually make the burn worse by slowing the release of heat from the skin.” Indeed, if butter is a no-go, why do some think that burns need to be treated like a piece of toast?
Berger calls butter an “old folk remedy.” An Australian medical report makes mention of an 18th century document from the Prussian Surgeon General that reads more like a recipe than an emergency procedure, saying that burns should be “painted over with grease or butter, or powdered with flour, starch or powdered charcoal to alleviate the pain.”
Rehberg also says that toothpaste is a common household burn remedy, mostly because it usually feels cool to the skin, but that the “cooling” is just a chemical reaction that is actually irritating the skin, the last thing you want to do to a sensitive burn area.
The best burn fix? A simple running of cool water for about 20 minutes. Berger explains: “Keeping in mind that there are several types of burns and several degrees of burns. Most minor burns will heal on their own and can [be] treated by running cool water over them.”

According to Rehberg, you could also treat the affected area with a burn-specific ointment or aloe vera gel. These substances will actually help cool the burn rather than gunk it up like a stack of pancakes at IHOP.

2. If you’re cleaning a wound, keep the peroxide away.

Another common misconception Rehberg hears from students he teaches at the NSC is the use of peroxide on a wound.

“Every medicine cabinet has peroxide. It’s not the best thing for an open wound,” states Rehberg about the all-too-familiar brown bottle of searing pain. While it may help sterilize a cut, the age-old favorite of teachers and moms could do plenty of damage as well. “You might be killing bacteria, but you’re also killing healthy skin cells,” explains Rehberg. Such an act could hamper the wound’s ability to heal or leave a more noticeable scar.
The best remedy for cuts and wounds of a manageable size is a simple one: soap and water. Berger claims you don’t need to get too complicated when treating a wound: “People always think you need ointments … for cuts and scrapes. Just wash it with antibacterial soap, it’s the best thing to clean a wound.” A deliberate wash in the sink followed by an appropriately-sized bandage will be more than enough medical attention to allow your body to do what it does best: heal itself.

This is all assuming, of course, that the cut is of a manageable size and won’t need stitches. In every true medical emergency, you should dial 911 for assistance. Or, if your injury isn’t quite so perilous, call your primary care physician for tips on how to handle a less severe medical situation

3. Don’t tip your head back for a bloody nose.

Nosebleeds are one of the most common minor injuries. Sometimes, they are a side effect of another injury, and other times, they just spontaneously show up. Because they happen frequently, nearly everyone seems to know the treatment. However, as you will see in the video below, the traditional nosebleed remedy is also one of the most common medical misconceptions.

4. The truth about frostbite and hot water.

There’s a belief that if any skin or limbs fall victim to frostbite, the affected area should be heated up as quickly as possible with hot water. However, this isn’t exactly what medical professionals recommend.
[pullquote align=”center”]“You may actually be causing more damage.”
—Robb Rehberg[/pullquote]
First of all, cold limbs don’t necessarily mean frostbite. Berger reveals that the term “is often used too broadly for skin exposed to cold. The first stage of frostbite is frostnip, which doesn’t cause permanent skin damage and should not be treated with hot water.”
There’s no need to get the tea kettle whistling for a case of frostnip. Instead, says Berger, “it can be treated by gently rewarming the area with mild to warm water.”

When it comes to true frostbite, Rehberg says there is no better treatment than contacting the professionals: “If we’re in a situation where we have frostbite and we are close to medical help, we just want to make sure we activate the EMS system.” In certain frostbite cases, a form of reheating the body will include the use of very warm water—“about 110 degrees”—but that this practice is reserved for those with proper training to avoid further injury.
One of the dangers of treating frostbite on your own in the wild is the risk of the affected parts refreezing if subjected to the elements again: “You may actually be causing more damage,” warns Rehberg. For emergencies, there is a practice called wet-rapid rewarming that Rehberg states is “reserved for controlled environments like in a medical facility or advanced courses like wilderness first aid.”

5. Don’t heat up that sprained ankle.

Sprains and small fractures can run the gamut from inconvenience to serious hinderance. How they are treated can have a major influence on how quickly they heal.

One misconception is to add heat to a sprained area. That’s the wrong move, according to Rehberg, who gives an easy rhyme for sprain treatment: “Ice is nice, hot is not.”
Also, patients should follow the proper protocol when it comes to icing: just about 10 minutes at a time. Rehberg advises that people with a sprain should “not ice continuously,” adding that folks should avoid the inclination to “go big or go home.” When it comes to ice on a sprain, more is not always better.

RICE—rest, ice, compression, elevation—is usually the go-to guideline for muscle soreness and injury. However, the doctor that coined RICE, Gabe Mirkin, actually rescinded this acronym, writing that after years of recommendation by coaches, “now it appears that both Ice and complete Rest may delay healing, instead of helping.”
Mirkin, as well as a few studies, realized that while ice does keep inflammation down and numbs a bit of the pain, it also prevents that inflammation from fulfilling its original intent: healing. Long-term icing can be detrimental to the healing process by limiting the amount of muscle repairing cells that can access the site of the injury. Mirkin recommends something similar to Rehberg’s suggestion: It’s okay to ice an injury for 10 minutes once or twice with a waiting period between applications. However, icing should be avoided after this. Mirkin points out that there’s no benefit to applying ice six hours after the injury occurs.

6. If you witness someone faint or have a seizure, don’t worry about their tongue.

There’s an old belief that someone could “swallow their tongue” while passed out. Even Rehberg is familiar with this unique concern, saying he remembers being a kid and hearing rumors of someone passing away because they swallowed their tongue.

“That’s not what happens” asserts Rehberg, “what happens is that the soft tissue in our airway can close off if we’re not responsive.” In the event of an unresponsive individual, Rehberg says the first thing he teaches his students is “how to open the airway very easily by tilting their head and lifting their chin.” By positioning the head in this way, you can prevent the threat of suffocation.
Similarly, it was a long-held belief that someone experiencing a seizure could bite their tongue off, so people were advised to give those in a seizure state a wooden spoon or even a wallet to bite down on.

You might see where this is going: Rehberg advice is to “never put anything in the mouth of someone having a seizure.” The best protocol is to let the seizure pass, then assist with any injuries—putting your hands near the mouth of a seizure victim could be harmful to them, or as Berger says, “it’s a really good way to lose a finger.”

7. Don’t throw up poison until you’ve talked to the pros.

The swallowing of poison is an absolute emergency situation. And though many think that inducing vomiting will expunge the poison from the body, there are certain situations where that might not be the right move.

Bergen states: “Inducing vomiting is not recommended for certain substances which can cause more damage on the way back up. The most important steps to take are call 911 and contact the Poison Control Center.”
Rehberg points out that poison control—which is a hotline that can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222—may advise you to take other action depending on what kind of substance was swallowed. In the case of acidic toxins, explains Rehberg, “it may better to ingest something like milk to absorb some of it,” though he mentions that isn’t the only remedy that Poison Control recommends. Contacting Poison Control is critical in these situations because every substance could involve dramatically different symptoms and treatments.

8. “Grandpa’s Cough Medicine” has little application in emergency situations.

Over the course of human history, there have been a number of remedies or medical treatments that include drinking beverages that today are only found behind the bar.
A Johnson’s First Aid Manual from 1909 suggests that a sip of brandy could help “encourage circulation” in the case of a victim who has recently recovered from artificial respiration. It was long believed that such substances were stimulants, and, as a result, were recommended for a variety of medical professionals for use in certain situations.

Such usage has declined significantly over time.
Berger says he’s heard of stories of a little brandy to ease various pains, but in general it’s “not something I could recommend to anyone.” He says many people have the image of a dashing doctor taking a bottle of hooch from the bar to clean a wound, but dismisses such things as “very Hollywood.”

The biggest takeaway is that when it comes to any medical situation, you should first and foremost defer to the professionals.

That means, say, your primary care doctor or poison control—and 911 in emergency situations.
It is also extremely useful to get trained by professionals: CPR and first aid training classes are available in big cities and small towns from coast to coast. Large organizations like the NSC will often offer classes; you can find classes at local offices like Healthline First Aid, too. Berger stresses that while knowing what do with burns and sprains is beneficial, “learning proper CPR and how to use an AED [automated external defibrillator] is even more important, considering most cardiac emergencies happen at home.”

Tags 11/1/17, 50036771, care, hemingway, Publishupdate

Fresh Fashion Lifestyle

30 Outfit Mistakes That Make You Look Messy And How To Fix Them

Post author By HealthyWay Staff Writer
Post date August 29, 2019

When you absolutely need to look your best, you have to pay attention to the little things.
It’s always the little things—not dramatic changes—that really make all the difference. No matter your body type, profession, personal taste, or preference, it is possible to look and feel good without having to change your entire style, much less who you are at your core.
With that said, certain types of faux pas can be especially damaging. Avoid becoming a victim of these sneaky saboteurs by following these tips.

1. Leaving Bits of Lint and Animal Fur on Your Clothes

People notice details, and a single piece of lint can stand out, especially if it doesn’t match your clothing.

Rather than color-coordinating your lint, we’d recommend getting rid of it entirely. Lint rollers are amazing, but if you don’t have one handy, some tape will do just fine.
Better yet, a more eco-friendly option is this self-cleaning fur and lint remover brush. Remove lint and hair from your clothes with the brush, then put the brush back into the case to remove the hair.

It eliminates paper waste, and it’s affordable enough that you can buy several: one for your home, one for your car, and one for your desk at work.

2. See-through Fabrics

To be clear: Thin, gauzy skirts can be a great addition to your wardrobe. Do yourself a favor, though, and make sure that they don’t go totally transparent when you end up backlit.
Some fabrics will do their best to trick you. They look totally opaque in the dim light of morning. By the time you’re headed out for lunch, though, the light shines right through them, treating all of your coworkers to a glimpse of what’s underneath.
If you’re totally in love with a thin skirt, be sure to wear leggings underneath. You want to preserve a little mystery. And if you’ve got a sheer shirt you really love, just wear a tank top underneath.

These affordable Hanes tanks come in an array of colors, making them a comfy and versatile undershirt option for any see-through blouse you just can’t put back in the closet. Be sure to wash them carefully, though, as they are 100 percent cotton.

3. Wearing Clothes With Tiny Rips, Frays, and Other Minor Damage

These types of issues sneak up on you. You’ll wear the same jeans every day, and you won’t notice as they start to fray. Or you’ll ignore the missing button on your favorite shirt simply because you’ve worn it so many times.

Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, and that includes clothes. While most rips, holes, or missing buttons can be easily repaired with a needle and thread (consider making a small investment in a sewing kit if you don’t have one already), they can also go from a minor flaw to a deal-breaker quickly. A small tear becomes a gaping hole fast!

A tailor may be able to help you with the trickier hems and holes. Cute patches are another option for covering holes beyond your sewing capabilities. Eventually, however, clothes do just become too worn out to wear—and although it may be hard to let go, just think of the new items you can replace these with.

4. Not Breaking out the Iron

Ironing clothes takes a lot of time, and in busy schedules, that step often gets left out. Still, wrinkled clothes can throw off your entire image. Make sure you have a good iron and ironing board for when you need to make a good, smooth impression.

It’s also a good idea to invest in some wrinkle-removing spray like the Downy Wrinkle Release Spray—which multi-tasks as a static remover and odor eliminator, too. It’s not exactly an ironing replacement, as tougher fabrics will still require some heat, but it’s perfect for last-minute touch-ups or travel. Just spray it on, shake it out, and go confidently in the direction of your wrinkle-free dreams.

5. Rolling up Your Sleeves Incorrectly

When the seasons change, you might find yourself rolling up your sleeves to stay cool. It’s actually quite a fashionable look, provided that you take the time to do a double-roll.

That technique uses two simple folds, leaving your cuffs looking clean and precise. For a simple yet polished business-casual look, pair a white button-up shirt, cuffs nicely folded, with dark jeans and boots—it’s a classic look, regardless of gender.
Just make sure to pay attention to those cuffs. A good sleeve fold adds class, but the common method of rolling them up all willy-nilly leaves you looking messy and unkempt.

6. Too Many Accessories

Accessories are essential to your look. A single, simple necklace can make a great statement piece, for instance, or a scarf can pull your entire outfit together.

The ideal accessory will be eye catching and (this is important) appropriate for the occasion. Where you’ll get into trouble is if you start piling on the gaudy accessories to cover up a simple outfit. Don’t worry about being too plain; that’s a much better option than going overboard and risking looking tacky.

7. Worn-out Clothing

A great way to make an awful first impression is to wear a shirt that was white in a former life but is now a weird shade of gray-yellow. It’s inevitable that the whitest of whites start to discolor, and once they do, it’s time to either put them in the discard pile or do something about them.
Prevent your whites from becoming former versions of themselves by making whites a separate load. Mixing them with colors can cause them to become dingy and gray.

And if you’ve just got pesky stains on your favorite white tee, try out this natural stain remover that promises to show results—or your money back!

8. Wearing Hair Ties as Bracelets

You’re not a teenager anymore (well, actually, we don’t know—you might be, in which case, disregard that sentence). While you’ve been wearing hair ties on your wrists for years, it’s never really been okay.

Hair tie bracelets look tacky, but there is hope for those of you with a habit of wearing hair ties on your wrist. These hair tie bracelets offer a sleek-looking design that your hair tie fits around, making it seem like an intentional cute accessory—that just happens to hold your hair tie.

9. Pants That Are Too Long

There are many things in life that would classify as being a drag, but your pants shouldn’t be one of them. Hemlines that flirt with the floor are just fine, but you’ve gone too far when they make contact. Along with carrying around dirt and other grime, long pants can become damaged from their trip.
Prevent this fashion faux pas by visiting the tailor. Bring the shoes you like to wear with them the most along so the tailor has an idea of how much length to remove.

If you’re really attached to some long pants, though, and you don’t want to change them, consider wearing taller shoes. These affordable heels come in every color so you can get a pair to match any outfit; this way, even your longest pants won’t drag on the ground.

10. Wearing Athletic Shoes in Non-athletic Situations

Sure, your tennis shoes are comfortable, but unless you’re on a tennis court, they look out of place. Athletic shoes stick out like a sore thumb and can make you look like a teenager (and not in a good way).

This isn’t a hard and fast rule, however. There is grey area between what is an athletic shoe and what is a cute shoe. Tennis shoes often look messy unless you’re working out in them, but certain sneakers have an air of class and style.

If you’re attached to wearing athletic shoes but don’t want to look like you just left the gym, Adidas sneakers are a classic.

11. While We’re At It: Not Cleaning Your Shoes

You wouldn’t leave the house in mud-covered clothing, so why would you walk outside with dirty shoes? A pair of less-than-clean kicks can ruin your outfit faster than you can click your heels together.
A quick swipe when you walk through the door can prevent buildup on heels and boots, but your sneakers are often a different story. Their material can make stains difficult to erase. Fortunately, you can usually rid shoes of unsightly marks by tossing them in the washer.

According to USAToday.com, you’ll need to sprinkle the insides of each sneaker with 3 tablespoons of baking soda and leave them overnight. Shake the soda out in the morning.
Remove the laces from your sneakers and place them in a pillowcase to stop them from getting tangled in the wash. Wipe as much dirt and debris from your shoes as you can with a scrubbing brush, then toss the laces and the shoes in the washer. Protect your shoes and your washer by throwing four to six towels in, as well. This will keep your shoes protected and stop them from banging against the washing machine.
Use liquid detergent and wash the shoes in a cold, delicate cycle. Allow the shoes to air-dry once they are clean. Avoid putting them in the dryer, as its heat can damage your sneakers.

If you’re constantly getting your shoes dirty, it might be a good idea to invest in a shoe cleaning kit as well—this one includes cleaner, a brush, and a towel.

12. Wearing Clothes That Don’t Fit Correctly

Nothing can kill your style quite as quickly as an oversized shirt or too-tight pants. Even if the clothes feel comfortable, if they don’t fit, don’t wear them.
However, falling in love with a piece of clothing that doesn’t exactly fit is a common tragedy. You can likely fix it, however, by taking the garment to a tailor.

Do remember that different clothing manufacturers size their garments quite differently. If you’re a size 2 at one store, you might be a size 6 somewhere else, so trust the fit, not the tag. Always take the time to try on clothes before you buy them.

If you have a dress or blouse that is too big but just so cute, you could accessorize it with a fashion belt around the waist for a more fitted, put-together look.

13. That Applies to the Shoes, Too

Shoes that are too large or too tight create an interesting effect, and not in a good way. Oversized shoes make you look like you’ve got a bit role in the upcoming IT remake, whereas small shoes can make your feet look like they’re planning a prison break.

Again, try shoes on before you buy them, and if you’re not sure if you’re wearing the right size, get a second opinion before you head somewhere important.
Raw, red skin on the heels and feet from too big or too small shoes isn’t comfortable or cute, either, so if you’ve got shoes that rub and blister, try these heel cushion adhesive inserts.

14. Wearing White Clothing That Isn’t White Anymore

Alas, even the whitest whites will eventually start to turn a pale yellow color. The good news is that you can usually restore your whites with a simple bleach bath, and if you’ve got an aversion to bleach, baking soda or hydrogen peroxide can work wonders.

Whatever you use to whiten your clothes, use it consistently. A t-shirt with a vaguely straw-colored hue doesn’t have the same look as a crisp white top.

15. Not Taking Care of Your Nails

A manicure can turn nails from cute to cringe-worthy in a matter of minutes and all it takes is a single chip in the polish. Although keeping a perfect manicure for more than a week or two is just about impossible, you can increase its lifespan by following these simple steps.
First, apply an even and thin base coat. Allow the layer to completely dry, which usually takes at least two minutes before you put on another coat. Use a gel-finish top coat or an at-home LED lamp to help your nails dry.
If you want a professional manicure, ask them to skip the top coat and apply the gel finishing coat when you get home.

And don’t forget to keep your cuticles and fingers looking healthy—dry, cracked skin is as unsightly as it is uncomfortable. We like Burt’s Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream, and this cute little jar is perfect to stick in your bag or keep at your desk.

16. Carrying a Massive Bag

Sure, it’s great to have a bag that can carry your laptop, makeup kit, car keys, and body cream while still leaving enough room for a full-grown chihuahua, but a big bag can easily throw off the rest of your outfit. After all, a bag is an accessory.

Opt for a smaller bag for job interviews and other important events, and if you need a big bag to hold your laptop when you’re headed to the office, there are plenty of affordable (and adorable!) computer bag options that aren’t too bulky.

This floral print one from DACHEE is a perfectly sleek and subtle pop of color.

17. Missing a Belt Loop (and Other Minor Mistakes)

Pay attention to the little things. You can have a perfectly put together outfit, only to sabotage yourself by missing a belt loop or leaving a visible zipper.
We’re not saying that every inch of your outfit has to be absolutely perfect, but do a quick ocular pat down of yourself before you leave the house; if you don’t have a decent-sized mirror, now’s the time to get one.

Make sure that you’re not making any obvious mistakes.

18. Making Too Many Adjustments to Your Outfit

On the other hand, once you leave the house, try to stop worrying. Don’t constantly pick at your clothes or mess with your sleeves; guys, leave the tie alone. Fidgeting with your clothing is a sure way to look messy, even if there’s nothing actually wrong with your look.

If you really can’t stop fidgeting, recognize that you’re a little stressed out. Take a moment to collect yourself, squeeze a tennis ball, or do whatever else you have to do to stop picking your outfit apart.

If you can’t stop stressing about the way you look, a compact mirror you can carry in your bag or keep at your desk at work might settle your nerves a bit—but beware, the magnifying ones might get a little too up-close and personal. These small mirrors from Amazon come it several chic patterns.

19. Clothes That Are Pilling

It happens to the best of ‘em. A few times into wearing, you notice that certain spots on your garment are a little rougher than others. The next thing you know, a bunch of tiny little balls join the party and take up space on those rough patches, which are most likely in the armpit or thigh areas. These clothing-crashers are called pills and are formed when fabric rubs together.
Blended fabrics are usually the most susceptible to becoming pilling victims, says Good Housekeeping magazine. Fiber blends that contain three or more fabrics have a higher incidence of pilling, especially those that contain both natural and synthetic fibers.

To prevent damage, turn your garment inside out before washing. Doing so prevents the fabric from rubbing against other clothes in the wash, stopping the pills before they wreak havoc.
The gold standard for pill-prone garments is hand-washing. Placing your washer on the gentle or delicate setting is second best. Air-drying your clothing can also help to keep it safe. Once everything is washed and dried, store or hang your garments inside out.

If you’ve got a favorite sweater that’s already pilling, however, you can remove most of the fuzz with a simple trick. First, rub a pumice stone over the fabric to loosen up the little fuzz balls, then run a lint roller over the fabric to remove them.

20. Not Getting Your Favorite Pair of Shoes Repaired

We get it; you love your shoes, even if the soles are fading away and the leather is scuffed. The good news is that a talented cobbler can perform those much-needed repairs, restoring your favorite kicks to their former glory.

The bad news is that the longer you wait, the more you’ll pay—and the worse you’ll look. If you’re going to keep that old pair of shoes, take care of them.

If you’ve got a favorite pair of shoes that are coming unattached to the sole, you may not need to go to a cobbler just yet—invest in a good bottle of shoe glue to keep on hand for minor fixes.

21. For Guys: Unkempt Facial Hair

The beard is back, folks. Facial hair hasn’t been this fashionable since the Old West. With a great beard comes great responsibility, though, and too many of us are forgetting that beard maintenance takes work. A neat, masculine face-mane is one thing. Grizzly Adams is another.

To keep from looking sloppy, make sure that you keep your beard neat and trimmed. That means shaving your neck, and probably your cheeks as well. And don’t underestimate the power of a good beard oil—moisturizing facial hair and the skin underneath is essential for a healthy-looking beard. This beard care kit comes with 100 percent natural and organic beard oil, beard wax, a brush, and scissors for trimming.

When trimming and shaving, remember: There should be clear lines demarcating “beard” and “non-beard.” Otherwise, you’re not just Brooklyn hip. You’re mountain-man messy.

22. For Women: Visible Bra Straps

There’s a war going down in our culture today, and internet comments threads are the battlefields. That war is over the appropriateness of visible bra straps.
“Adult women wear bras, and people should deal with it,” say the pro-bra-strap ladies who just don’t care.

“Bra straps are never, ever appropriate in a professional setting,” say the human resource managers.
Given the controversy, it’s safest to keep your straps covered up. You might not look like you’re making a point; you might just look like you got dressed in the dark. This is not to take a side in the debate.

We’re just saying that the smart money is always on covering undergarments. These clips and straps work great, or go with a strapless bra.

23. Wearing Oversized Clothes to Hide Your Figure

Oversized clothing is “in” right now, but don’t play into the trend just to hide your figure when you’re feeling bloated or self-conscious. Tuck in those oversized tops or add a belt; make sure that your figure’s visible.

You rock, and there’s no reason to sink into your clothing. If you want to go a few sizes up, have a plan and make an effort to balance your outfit’s proportions.

24. Excessively Long Sleeves

Long sleeves can easily make you look like a little kid. Unfortunately, if you’ve got short arms, a shirt might flatter the rest of your figure perfectly but leave your arms looking like flopping noodles.

If you don’t want to roll up, go ahead and give your tailor a call—and if you don’t have a tailor, get one. For a few bucks, you can get a perfectly crafted look, provided that you’re on a tailor’s good side, and you’ll never go back to straight off-the-rack clothes again. That applies to both men and women (and guys, having a tailor will instantly put you way ahead of your competition).

But if you’ve got short arms and don’t want to cough up the extra money for a tailor, you’ve still got options. A three-fourth sleeve shirt does wonders to make the arms appear longer. Pair this one with leggings or jeggings.

25. Going Really Retro (Without Any Sort of Twist)

We’re fine with retro looks, to be absolutely clear. You just need to have some sort of a modern update, or you’ll end up looking like you got stranded in a 1980s (or earlier!) department store.
Modern accessories can provide a great, easy update. Your shoes and bottoms can also be modernized to complement a vintage top.

Just take it easy on the nostalgic items, and you’ll be fine; otherwise, you’ll look like you didn’t spend enough time thinking this through.

26. Taking the Term “Boyfriend Blazer” Too Literally

There are some great boyfriend blazers in the boutiques these days, but you can’t literally lift a boyfriend’s jacket and expect to look chic. What the designers call a “boyfriend blazer” is actually cut to strike a very feminine figure. Blazers designed for men, meanwhile, will make you look like David Byrne during his big-suit era.

No matter how romantic you think it is to snuggle in your boyfriend’s clothes, doing so likely gives you a sloppy appearance. If you like the idea of donning garments that have that boyfriend-type style, look for boyfriend-cut clothes. Despite the name, this type of clothing is cut for feminine figures, and looks amazing.

27. Showing up With Wet Hair

Nothing says “I overslept” like going out with wet hair. You get a pass if it’s raining, but otherwise, put that blow dryer to work. You want your look to be complete before you show up at an important work function or, God forbid, a hot date.

Wet hair sends the message that you were rushing to get out of the house, which suggests general sloppiness. We get it, though—you totally were rushing out of the house.

28. Leggings as Pants

This fashion faux pas has taken the nation by storm. We blame the rise of the yoga pant.

Leggings can be a key ingredient in a super cute outfit, but don’t mistake them for fully formed bottoms in themselves. Throw on a short skirt or wear a dress if your shirt is belly-grazing; the key is to keep your backside from hitting people in the face. That’s just sloppy (even if it’s incredibly comfortable).

Leggings can be paired with longer shirts or tunics for a more polished look if you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to the comfort factor of wearing leggings as pants. Just make sure your bum is covered.

29. Day-old Eye Makeup

It can be tempting to leave yesterday’s mascara and eyeliner on rather than going through the arduous process of removing and re-applying. Don’t give into temptation; people can totally tell, and you’re really not saving that much time in the long run.

On day two, mascara gets clumpy. Old eyeliner fades unevenly, leaving you looking like a Picasso painting. There’s only one way to keep your eye-makeup game going strong, and that’s to clean and re-apply daily. Sorry to break the bad news.

To make it easy on yourself, keep a pack of makeup removing wipes in your nightstand, so you never have an excuse to sleep in your eye makeup. That way, you won’t even be tempted to go to work the next morning in your day-old liner and mascara.

30. Smudges on Your Glasses

A cute pair of frames is great, but you’ll spoil the effect if you let lenses get smudged and greasy.

Keep a microfiber cloth handy at all times, and be sure to rub down your glasses before an important encounter. You definitely want to look your best if you’re getting close enough for someone to see your glasses in such detail.
Also, consider investing in a lens cleaning kit with spray and a cloth to get off tougher smudges—plus, it can be used on your phone and laptop screens, too.

Tags 8/29/18, Commerce, Publishupdate, social

Lifestyle

Hairstyle Mistakes That Age You

Post author By Amber Petty
Post date August 10, 2019

We’ve all met the nice lady with the hairstyle that hasn’t changed since 1985. Though perhaps it was cute for its time, it’s not exactly a youthful look.
Turns out dated hairstyles aren’t the only way to add a couple years to your appearance. Whether you’re trying to cover emerging grays, experimenting with home coloring, or testing out a trendy style, read on to see if it’s keeping you young or adding a decade to your look.

To figure out the most flattering hair tips for any age, we spoke to Glennis McCarthy, a regular jill-of-all-trades. Seriously, she’s a comedian, voice over artist, licensed manicurist, hairstylist, and is now pursuing an advanced degree on all things hair. Also, she’s really cool and nice. Just an additional fun fact.
McCarthy spills all the beans about how to keep your look as young as possible while still being daring with your hair.

Using the Wrong Color for Gray Hair

Grays can happen at almost any age. And if you want them covered, McCarthy recommends choosing a hair color carefully. For a home coloring session, make sure your product of choice says it’s “formulated for grays.” If it’s not meant for grays, you won’t get the color saturation you’re looking for, according to McCarthy.

Why does [linkbuilder id=”3983″ text=”gray hair”] need special hair color? Well, the hair is typically more coarse than the rest of your hair. Plus it’s much lighter, so the product needs to be extra strong to penetrate the grays and give you the coverage you want, according to Real Simple. The magazine even recommends using two types of hair color—your regular color and one that’s a shade darker. This ensures that the stubborn grays suck up all the color and give you the natural look you’re after.

If you have a lot of grays, you may want to go to a pro for the best results. In a salon, your hair will be pre-treated with a peroxide solution. This softens up the hair and makes it more susceptible to the coloring product, according to Real Simple. Then the stylist can use a customized concoction to give you the perfect color.

Not Matching Your Hair Color to Your Skin Tone

Maybe you saw a picture of Christina Hendricks in a magazine and thought, “That’s the exact red I’ve always wanted!” But before you run out to get copper locks, make sure your ideal hair color matches your skin tone.

Sure, that red looks lovely on Hendricks, but if you have a different skin tone, it might be a poor fit. Having a hair color that doesn’t match your skin tone can be unflattering and actually make you look a little older.
McCarthy says you can figure out your skin tone by looking at the veins in your hands. “If they’re a blueish tint, [your skin tone is] cool. If it’s a greenish tint, that’s warm,” she says. Then, pick a hair color that compliments your tone.

“For warm, try strawberry blonde, red, brown, or black. For cool, try ash blonde, brown, or black with blue or violet undertones.” You can have any hair color you like, just make sure it works with the warmth or coolness of your complexion.

Not Knowing Your Hair Type

If you’re thinking about coloring your hair at home, you need to get familiar with your natural tresses. That means you should learn a little about hair levels and tones before you pull out the coloring kit.
The “level” of your hair refers to how light or dark it is. Level one is pitch black, and level 10 is platinum blonde. The “tone” of your hair refers to the amount of underlying pigment in the hair. Tones have letters (or numbers) assigned to them that vary by company. Tones usually range from a very cool ash-violet to a very warm gold-beige.
It’s important to remember that people can have the the same level with vastly different tones. It’s good to know your natural level and tone so you can figure out the best way to get your ideal color.

“If you think you’re a level one when really you’re a level four, the color is going to come out wrong,” McCarthy says. Also, if you’re a level one and you want to go to level 10, McCarthy recommends leaving that to the professionals.
“I don’t recommend bleaching your hair at home,” she says. Home bleach often leads to weird colors, drying, and sometimes chunks of your hair falling out.

Know your natural level so you’ll have a more realistic idea of a hair color you can achieve. And when your hair color looks good, you look younger.

Keeping the Wrong Part

When’s the last time you parted your hair differently? It’s probably been a while. And though the part in your hair is one of the easiest hairstyle changes to make, it’s the one we make the least often.

InStyle recommended keeping a side or off-center part for the most flattering look. They find a center part to be harsh, and though celebs like Kim Kardashian can pull it off, it might not look so good on someone who didn’t spend hours perfectly contouring their face. Any style that feels overly strict or harsh tends to be aging.
Now, if you love your center part, you probably have a great face for it. But, if you haven’t experimented with a new part for a while, it might be time to switch it up.

Being Scared of Bangs

If you’re worried about lines on your forehead, the easiest way to instantly erase a few years is to get bangs! Bangs always look youthful, and, though they can be a little annoying to maintain, they’ll hide lots of wrinkles.

Now, feel free to leave your forehead lines out for the world to see (we all have them!), but if you’re insecure about your brow lines, bangs are a super easy solution. There are lots of bang options out there, so for the most flattering look, pick bangs that best fit the shape of your face.

InStyle recommends thick, gently arched bangs for round faces and side swept bangs for a heart-shaped face. If you’ve got an oval face, the magazine said to get whatever bangs you want—all styles work for the oval shape.

Keeping a Hair Style That Hasn’t Changed

Remember the lady with the 1985 hairstyle? Well, nothing ages you more than keeping your hairstyle the same for years on end. It automatically makes you look like you’ve lived through a bygone decade, and people will start doing the math on your actual age.

Now, if you’re into any kind of retro look and you want that Farrah Fawcett style, go for it! But if your hair hasn’t changed in the time that four Presidents have come and gone, then it’s time to try something new.

A new look doesn’t have to be drastic. Even just a trim, parting your hair differently, or wearing it curly instead of straight will freshen up your overall appearance. Plus, it’s exciting to try something new. And remember, if you don’t like the change, you can return to your classic style whenever you want.

Trying to Look Too Young

Desperately trying to look super young is a surefire way to look older. That doesn’t mean you can’t try youthful looks, but you don’t need to go overboard. Basically, if you’re over 30, don’t feel obligated to make yourself look like an 18-year-old Instagram star.

Remember butterfly hair clips? For those of you that don’t remember that trend, butterfly clips were popular with middle school and high school students for about six months in the late ‘90s. Anyway, I vividly remember watching a soap opera during that time and seeing an over 40-year-old woman wearing a full head of butterfly clips. The woman was gorgeous, but by trying to look 15, she looked like a desperate 50.

If hair wraps and butterfly clips weren’t the coolest thing for you growing up then you did it all wrong

— KELLY PALENCHAR (@kpalll_) January 4, 2018

McCarthy insists that this doesn’t mean you have to go with “mom appropriate” hairstyles as soon as you’re over 25. Just make sure that you choose a hairstyle because you love it, not because you think it’s “what the kids are into these days.”

Lacking Confidence

This is really the biggest mistake of all, because you can do whatever you want with your hair as long as you have the courage to rock it out. “Confidence and joy go a long way in making you appear more youthful than any hair color or style ever will,” says McCarthy.

So if you’re 80 and you want hot pink hair—do it! I definitely don’t want anyone to think that there are rules once you become a “woman of a certain age.” If you want to break all the rules laid out in this article—go right ahead! Confidence makes any hairstyle look amazing.
And just like we’ve all met the lady who’s hair hasn’t changed since ‘85, we’ve also met the grandma rocking a platinum bob who looks better than anyone 40 years younger. So there really aren’t any rules. Just have fun with your hair, and you’ll look beautiful.

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Tags 1/10/18, 50037236, care, Commerce, hemingway, Publishupdate

Lifestyle

11 Ways To Be More Attractive, According To Science

Post author By Staff Writer
Post date March 1, 2019

Research has shown that attractive people can earn up to 14 percent more money annually than their less attractive peers. While some of this is based on appearance alone, attraction also relies on the way you carry yourself, how you treat people, and the kind of people to associate with.
Here are a few ways to be more attractive, according to science.
(Editorial note: Since we’re talking about body types here, we wanted to make this clear: Every body type is perfectly fine, and different people have different preferences. These studies look at averages, so take them with a big grain of salt.)

1. Keep your chin up.

People often see a large jawbone as a masculine feature, per the wonderfully named “Facial Attractiveness: Evolutionary Based Research,” a review piece published in 2011.
The authors note that secondary sex characteristics (such as defined cheekbones and large jawbones) may show genetic strength.

Why? Well, one theory is parasitic resistance. Stay with us: Hormones like testosterone drive the development of secondary sex characteristics, and since those hormones also promote a healthy immune system, strong jawbones can show your potential mate that you’re fairly resistant to parasites. That’s also a great bit of info to drop to make a decent first impression (well, not really; save the parasite talk for the second date).
Apart from that, men who keep their chin up come off psychologically as more assertive and confident—even if they’re secretly self-conscious. It’s also a more appealing position for the face because it helps define the jawline and create a slimming effect for the neck region, so try to keep your chin up when possible.

2. Consider wearing sunglasses.

Vanessa Brown, lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, designed a study to determine why sunglasses look so awesome. Granted, she put it in more scientific terms, but at the end of the day, she was researching why a pair of Ray-Bans can turn a dork into Brad Pitt.
In any case, she found a few possible explanations. Sunglasses obscure the eyes (duh), which Brown believes creates an air of mystery around the wearer.

“The eyes are such a tremendous source of information—and vulnerability—for the human being,” she told The Cut. If you’re trying to get romantic, it always pays to cultivate a sense of mystery.
Sunglasses also improve facial symmetry by obscuring any slight anomalies around your eyes. For instance, you might notice that one of your eyes sits higher on your face, or one pupil might be slightly larger than the other; that’s perfectly normal and natural, but people generally prefer symmetrical faces when choosing mates.
Finally, celebrities and models frequently wear sunglasses, so Brown believes that there’s probably some social factors at play. Never doubt the power of advertising when it comes to shaping our cultural ideas of what is (and isn’t) attractive.

3. Boost your adrenaline levels.

Let’s say that you finally landed a date with that hottie down the street. Should you hit up the local coffeeshop, or get tickets to the symphony?
If you’re really trying to make an impression, consider something more exciting. Studies show that adrenaline works as a natural aphrodisiac, and it may even help calm your nerves in a weird sort of way (you won’t be focused on whether you’re likable if your attention is elsewhere).

You might even consider an extreme sport. A 2014 study from the University of Alaska found that women were more attracted to men who take “hunter-gatherer risks,” which include activities such as deep-sea scuba diving, extreme rollerblading, and mountain biking. We’re not sure whether ancient hunter-gatherers really donned scuba tanks, but we’ll take these researchers at their word.

4. Think androgyny.

Women want a big, burly, manly man, right?
Not always.
A 1983 study showed that people who have a blend of masculine and feminine qualities tend to rank as attractive. The effect goes both ways—men tend to appreciate tomboys, although they still generally prefer feminine faces.

If you’ve got somewhat androgynous features, don’t hide them. By sporting that pink shirt you actually love and showing your sensitive side you usually keep to yourself, you’re being more honest with your potential mate (and you’ll probably benefit from a moderate confidence boost, since you won’t be pretending to be someone you aren’t).
If you’re an ultra-masculine dude, don’t worry—we’re just talking about averages here, so your big beard isn’t going to disqualify you. The body spray, however, might…

5. Don’t overdo the perfume or cologne.

Body spray, colognes, and perfumes all have the power to make a person more (or less) alluring. Take a look at our video below to get a better understanding of how cologne interacts with your natural scent.
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6. Stop smiling (or smile a lot).

Don’t go all goth, but don’t smile, either. A study from the University of British Columbia showed that happy guys finish last.

Participants rated photos of men who were visibly displaying emotion; guys who seemed happy ranked behind men who showed visible pride (somewhat expectedly) and shame (somewhat unexpectedly). Granted, the study was intended to assess “gut reactions on…attraction,” so happiness might be a more endearing trait in a long-term partner.
In contrast, men found happy women more attractive. There’s probably a host of sociological reasons for this strange phenomenon, but the takeaway is clear: If you’re a man, you’d better start practicing your serious face.

7. Consider your facial hair carefully.

Although some women may prefer a bearded man, the majority do not, according to a study in the Oxford Journal of Behavioral Ecology.
Researchers found that most women didn’t find men with beards to be more attractive, although they did assume that the bearded guys had a higher social status than their non-bearded brethren.

However, another study published in Behavioral Ecology found that women’s facial hair preferences varied depending on their age. Postmenopausal women gave “higher scores for all degrees of facial hair, including full beards, than premenopausal and pregnant women.”
That doesn’t mean you should shave it all off; that second study found that women at “high fertility phases” gave higher scores to men with heavy stubble.
If you decide to keep your facial hair, keep it maintained. Nobody likes a neck beard (and shaving a neckline is pretty easy, once you get the hang of it).

8. Stick with a group.

People are more likely to be perceived as attractive when they’re part of a group. That’s commonly known as the “cheerleader effect,” for obvious (if slightly sexist) reasons.
Why? Well, humans tend to process faces in groups, so we form an average of all the faces we see. One study from the University of California at San Diego asked participants to rate the attractiveness of people in solo pictures, versus pictures of the same person in a group of people. Participants gave higher ratings to both men and women when looking at groups of people.

If you’re surrounded by attractive people, you will look more attractive. (That’s why we always hang out with our army of Brad Pitt clones.) Of course, this method won’t work all the time, because you’re eventually going to want to have some alone time with potential dates.
Still, if you’re hoping to take a great picture or impress some people you’ll never see again, groups are the way to go.

9. Arch your back (or work on your dad bod).

Body shape plays a role in attraction, and while genetic factors certainly play a role, you’ve got some control.
[pullquote align=”center”]As long as you’re healthy, you do you.[/pullquote]
For starters, the “dad bod” appeals to many women, and it actually seems to directly result from fatherhood according to a study in the American Journal of Men’s Health. Researchers found that new fathers typically picked up around three extra pounds of body fat, probably because it’s hard to hit the gym and eat healthy when you’re battling sleep deprivation (hooray, newborns!).
With that said, guys, feel free to maintain a higher level of physical fitness; women are less obsessed with body mass than men when evaluating potential partners, so as long as you’re healthy, you do you.

Women, you might want to arch your backs. Sounds weird, but there’s actually an interesting explanation for this one: A study from the University of Texas showed that men strongly prefer curvy backsides, potentially because a “45.5 degree curve from back to buttocks [allowed] ancestral women to better support, provide for, and carry out multiple pregnancies.”

10. Get a dog.

When in doubt, use your puppy as a pickup line.

Four independent studies researched whether men with dogs were more likely to attract others than men who didn’t have dogs. The participants asked for money, dropped money “accidentally,” or asked for phone numbers both with and without dogs.
The results were most significant when men asked for women’s numbers: Men with dogs were three times more likely to get a number than men who were dog-less.

Researchers believe this is the case because owning a dog shows that you are nurturing and capable of making long-term commitments. It also makes you seem approachable, loving, and happy. Plus, who doesn’t love dogs?

11. Wear red (or don’t).

For many animals, red is an important color. Humans certainly fall into this category, according to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology.

Through a series of seven experiments, researchers showed that women found men more attractive when those men stood against a red background and in red clothing. Interestingly, the color didn’t influence the men’s perception of women or of other men, although a separate 2008 study showed that men also prefer a splash of red (potentially due to social factors).
That doesn’t mean that you need to throw away all of your blue shirts, but if you’ve got a hot date, a red button-down might give you a subconscious edge.

Tags 3/1/17, 50006889, care, Commerce, hemingway, Publishupdate

Life x Culture Lifestyle

Why “Find Your Passion” Isn’t The Career Advice You Really Need To Hear

Post author By Wendy Rose Gould
Post date October 23, 2018

There are a number of popular quotes floating around about finding the perfect career. For example, one says, “It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together,” and another states, “You’ll never work a day in your life if you’re doing something you love.” The philosophy behind these quotes is wholly ingrained in our society.
From early adolescence and deep into adulthood, many people earnestly scribble these sorts of sayings into their journals or recite them as mantras while thinking about and pursuing their professional goals. To be fair, spending time figuring out what you love to do and then actually doing it sounds idyllic. However, researchers are urging people to press pause on this approach before ramming full speed toward a “passionate career”—and slamming into a wall of disappointment.

Surprising New Research Says…

A 2018 study conducted jointly by Stanford and Yale-NUS College in Singapore challenged the well-meaning advice of “find your passion” through a study that included 126 undergraduate university students.
Paul O’Keefe, co-author of the study, said researchers focused on this demographic because undergrads are “at a time in their life when they’re being bombarded with the idea that you have to go out and find your passion.” Over the course of five different experiments conducted with the same sample participants, researchers examined each of the students’ “implicit theories of interest” and how those interests might affect their career pursuits.

The study results were surprising, but they also make a lot of sense. Researchers point out that the notion of channeling all your energy toward finding “a passion” assumes we all have a passion to find in the first place. This can be exhausting and discouraging if you never actually “find” said passion.
Furthermore, they argue that seeking out a career that is directly related to your passion is akin to putting on blinders that prevent you from pursuing a range of interests. In doing so, you might miss out on finding a career that you’re either A) really good at or B) could enjoy equally (if not more so) than to your “passion.”

Finding the Path Toward a Meaningful, Fulfilling Career

It’s important to note that the study’s conclusion wasn’t that you should do something that you hate or are dispassionate about. Rather, it argues that you shouldn’t get caught up in “finding a passion” that might not exist or forcing a passion that may not yield a viable career. It also stresses the importance of not limiting yourself as you explore potential career paths.
Barbara Cox, PhD, a psychologist who specializes in executive stress and professional burnout says this resonates with her:

I do see some clients who already know what their passion is but are afraid to go for it out of underlying fear. However, a large majority of people need to explore many options to discover what they excel at. They may even be surprised to find out they enjoy things that they may not have tried if they only did things they were used to doing.

In that sense, she reiterates how crucial it is to be open to new experiences before charging down one specific path. She also says that the journey toward finding a meaningful career varies depending on the person.

“One of the best ways [to test different career paths] nowadays is to complete a variety of internships both in high school and college. This allows you to try on different experiences and to weed out what you don’t like early on rather than [having to] figure it out when you have a midlife crisis,” she explains.
Donna Lorraine Schilder, a career coach with the International Coach Federation, has over 20 years of experience helping executives and entrepreneurs determine what they should be doing with their lives and in their professions. She says that while some people may not have a true passion, she believes that most people can ultimately identify a career that they’re excited about and that aligns with their personality, strengths, and desired lifestyle.

In addition to exploring a variety of paths, she also stresses the importance of determining what your strengths are.
“Martin Seligman, in his book Authentic Happiness, put forth his research that showed that if people use their ‘Values in Action’ in their work, they feel more fulfilled and therefore happier,” says Schilder. “So, if a coaching client comes to us seeking meaningful work, we are sure to include the VIA Strengths Inventory [developed by Seligman] in their career exploration actions. Then, we put all of the possible careers into a matrix and help the client rate each one to determine which possibilities match them the most closely.”

Services like this offer another way for people to expand their horizons and explore their interests and strengths. This may be more realistic for someone who’s already out of the high school or college age range.
Lastly, it’s important to acknowledge that “non-glamorous” jobs are vital to our communities. These run the gamut, but examples include plumbing, janitorial work, and highly demanding and stressful technical and medical work.

While many people are turned off by such career paths, that’s not necessarily the case for everyone, says Schilder. She says that many people actually do feel rewarded and fulfilled by jobs that aren’t considered glamorous by society at large. Also, the personal fulfillment factor may be outweighed by other (arguably equally important) factors, such as connecting with other people (e.g. medical and maintenance work) or high pay (e.g. plumbing and tech).

Waning happiness at work? Try this.

We’re not here to blow sunshine up anyone’s skirt. Work is hard, and even if you’re incredibly passionate about your field, you can still experience bouts of frustration, burnout, or general unhappiness. If your situation begins to feel unbearable, try utilizing the following expert advice:

Grab coffee with your co-workers.

“If you’re struggling to find joy in your current line of work, ask a co-worker who loves the work what they enjoy about it and model that,” advises Cox. Doing this offers you a fresh perspective and can reignite the passion that led you to accept the job offer to begin with.

Make some lists.

Schilder says you should try writing down the things you like doing in your job as well as the things you don’t. “Come up with ways you could do more of what brings you joy, and ways to do less of what you don’t like doing.

Delegate with permission from your boss, automate mundane tasks, find someone that likes doing what you don’t like to do and see if they can take on some of the work,” she says.

Address issues with your boss.

On that note, communicate with your boss about issues you feel can be addressed and improved over time. “If it’s appropriate and your boss would be open to it, talk about how your job could be redesigned to give you more of what you like and less of what you don’t like,” says Schilder.

Remember, you’re a valuable asset to your employer and your happiness is vital to their success. Also, a problem cannot be resolved if nobody knows there’s an issue in the first place.

Practice gratefulness.

Another good list to make, says Schilder, is one that includes all the things you love about your job. Read it over every morning before work.

Take a vacation.

Burnout is completely normal and is something that even the most dedicated and passionate employees experience. In fact, those who are hyper-invested in their careers run a particular risk of burnout since they may be less likely to step away from the office.

Interestingly, a 2017 study found that people who don’t use their vacation time are less likely to receive a promotion, raise, or bonus compared to those who did take their earned PTO. Stepping away allows you to regenerate and reconnect with yourself, thereby improving your creativity, energy levels, and general gusto.

Invest in a hobby.

“If your 9 to 5 job doesn’t hold any passion for you, I would suggest you find volunteer work or a hobby that does hold some passion for you so that you feel a sense of gratification in your life,” says Cox. This can also apply if you’re experiencing burnout or are feeling stuck in your career.

In the same way taking a vacation can help you recharge, so can spending time on a hobby. Consider signing up for a painting class, starting an at-home project, throwing yourself into a fitness routine, joining a chorus, or signing up for a weekly trivia night.

Consult with an expert.

Cox says that if you’re truly miserable in your job, it’s time to consult a pro. “I suggest going to a career coach and discussing what brings you happiness and get some concrete ways to implement a plan,” she says.

As is the case with most things, finding a fulfilling career is not a “one size fits all” mold. Our goal isn’t to espouse one thing or another, but rather to encourage you to think critically about your approach to finding a fulfilling and sustainable career.

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