21 Style Struggles Men Will Never Understand

May 13, 2015, 12:16 pm

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We're all aware of some of the injustices women face on a day-to-day basis -- whether it be lack of equal pay, cat-calling or simply longer bathroom lines.

Then there are the fashion and beauty struggles that women constantly deal with while our male counterparts remain naive and clueless. Below, we've rounded up some of the most frustrating and stressful style nuisances that complicate women's everyday lives.

1. Feeling nervous when walking over a sidewalk grate when in a skirt or heels.
No one wants an unplanned Marilyn moment or to lose the heel of a shoe.



2. The struggle to conceal your bra.
If you're wearing a spaghetti strap top, there's basically no hope of hiding your bra straps.

3. Then there's a whole other demon: Chicken cutlets.
Having to apply them, keep them on and make sure they remain adhesive for multiple wears.

4. Dealing with lipstick.
Worrying about it smudging, getting on your teeth or fading in awkward places.



5. Going to the bathroom in a jumpsuit or romper.
Wearing a one-piece means having to get practically naked to pee.

6. Constantly worrying that your bathing suit could expose X-rated body parts at any moment.
Adjusting. Always adjusting.

7. Lugging around a change of comfy shoes.
Necessary for commutes or impending blisters when you're wearing heels.



8. Wearing Spanx.
No explanation necessary.

9. Applying boob tape to shirts that could reveal more than you're willing to flaunt.
Men: have you ever had to physically tape your clothing to a body part? Didn't think so.

10. Flaunting tight skinny jeans that look way better than they feel.
Constricting and unyielding do not make for a comfortable getup.



11. Long hair + lip gloss + wind.
Having hair stuck to your lips is honestly unbearable.

12. Worrying about getting makeup stains on your clothes.
We learn very quickly to always apply foundation after you get dressed.

13. Wearing a thong.
A man may have created the thong, but men have no clue how uncomfortable it is to have a piece of fabric between your cheeks.



14. Having a general lack of pockets.
And when you do have one, it's not big enough to fit any of the essentials, like your phone or wallet.

15. Learning to be ambidextrous to paint your nails.
We should seriously be able to put this on our resumes.

16. Having to carry a purse at all times -- which inevitably leads to sore shoulders.
...and always being asked to carry any guy friends' extra items.



17. Being paranoid about tripping over your own maxi dress or skirt.
Every step is a struggle.

18. Wearing white while on your period.
Men will never understand the perpetual panic and inspections.

19. Maternity clothing.
Buying clothes that are only necessary for a couple months ... lucky us.



20. Being incapable of wearing an item of clothing because you haven't shaved.
Shorts, skirts, dresses and tank tops are off-limits if your legs and armpits aren't freshly shaven.

21. Spending more money for women's versions of the same products men buy.
Enough said.

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One Illustration Shows How To Draw On The Perfect Winged Eyeliner

May 13, 2015, 1:14 pm

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Winged eyeliner is one of the most classic, yet edgy makeup looks in beauty history. The graphic line, also known as the cat-eye, is a statement style that can seamlessly translate from day to night, with no touchups required.

Amp up your summer makeup routine with a sharp touch of black (or colored!) liner. Learn how to get the perfect wing with the simple and beautiful tutorial below, illustrated by Bernadette Pascua of Bébé Requin and Decade Diary.

1. Tightly line the upper lash line and a small portion of the lower waterline with your favorite eyeliner.

2. Extend the liner from the lower lid line and draw until you reach a desired length.

3. Complete the outline of the wing, starting from the tip of the extended line and working back to the outer corner of your eye.

4. Fill in the wing and alter the liner to be as thick or thin as you want on the upper lid. The end!

http://decadediary.tumblr.com/post/15726755452/an-illustrated-tutorial-i-drew-for-the-perfect-cat

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Why Don't Christians Wear Their 'Sunday Best' to Church Anymore?

May 13, 2015, 2:18 pm

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If you're headed out the door this morning in a suit or a chic outfit, and if you're under the age of 92, I can say with absolute certainly, that it is not Sunday and that you're not going to church.

You might be headed for a job interview, a seminar or a meeting with the boss. You could be off to the art gallery, a fancy restaurant or a funeral. But you're not headed for church. Unless, as I said, you're a nonagenarian. Problem is, by the time you're in your nineties, you're willing to dress up for church, but you can't get your clothes on.

This sad state of affairs is not the way it used to be. Getting ready for church involved a Saturday night bath, the ironing of a white dress shirt (and starching the collar), scrubbing the kids' faces clean and getting out the Sunday clothes. These clothes were the best and the brightest the family had. Maybe some of them were store-bought. More likely, mom sewed the dresses on a treadle Singer machine.

When people go to church these days, they dress like bedraggled slobs. Have you looked around? Men might be in T-shirts mottled with coffee stains, or in ratty jeans, ugly shorts and flip flops -- the most ubiquitous sign in our times of the decline of civilization. Women are wearing stretch pants, sweats, halter tops, shorts and, yes, flip flops. We're wearing essentially the attire of our Neolithic ancestors: a loincloth and sandals. If our clothes are a means of self-expression, we clearly loathe ourselves.

Think about it: We're daring to approach a transcendent God dressed like Neanderthals? Really?

Seems disrespectful.

I started to think about this seriously after a trip to India last month. I went up to Amritsar in Punjab and stopped by the Golden Temple, the holiest site of the Sikh religion. There's no "Come As You Are" policy with this temple. I was asked to remove my shoes and my socks, and to wear a handkerchief on my head as a sort of "turban." I also had to wash my hands, and then traverse a small pool of water before stepping inside -- barefoot.



If you want to visit the Sultan Ahmed mosque (the Blue Mosque) in Istanbul, or any mosque, you will take off your shoes, and, if you are a woman, you will cover your head. For entrance into some mosques, hand- and foot-washing is required.



At the Grand Palace in Bangkok, I had to "rent" appropriate clothes to get inside. The dress restrictions there include: no tank tops, no short sleeves that show shoulders, no midriff on display, no backless clothing, no low-cut clothing on females, no pants or skirts that show ankles, and no flip-flops!

So, why don't churches demand that adherents demonstrate some modesty and respect in the manner in which they dress? There are four reasons, at least: It's about the culture, about God, about theology and about evangelism.

Culture. Sartorial standards have been in decline for decades. Grandpa used to go to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs in a suit! In those days, people dressed up to go out for ice cream. Back then, nurses looked like nurses, not sanitation workers patrolling hospital rooms looking for trash. Doctors looked like doctors. Nuns looked like nuns, not Mennonites. And, of course, we can blame the Sixties, when my generation tore down just about everything, including dress codes. Skirts went up and bras came off.

God. Most Christians don't really have a high view of God. Not sure how this happened, but God's become our buddy. A pal. And a true BFF doesn't care how we look or dress, right? Yet, Christians profess to believe in an omnipotent, ineffable God, a transcendent Being who flung the stars and planets into the universe, and anchored them in space. We believe God is the creator of the life force.

This is what we say. But do we believe it? Not if you look at the way we dress. There's a huge disconnect. It just seems odd to me that Christians (I can't speak to what's going on in synagogues and mosques) who are entering a purpose-built facility to worship this God (whom, they say, will show up for their worship and be present), would dress for the occasion as though they'd just been to a WWE wrestling match.

Theology. Christians argue that God does not look at one's outward appearance -- that is, how well one's dressed -- but at one's inward appearance. For example, the apostle James rails against church ushers who give seating priority to the rich, coiffured and well-dressed (James 2:1-13. See also 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 15:18).

Evangelism. There's a concern about evangelism, i.e., attracting people to church. Many argue that if there's a dress code, real or implied, people will opt to stay at home and watch the Home Shopping Network, or something.

These are valid concerns. The lack of dress restrictions is a distinguishing mark of Christianity. Christian houses of worship will not ask you to wash your hands, put on a scarf, take off your shoes -- any of those things -- even though many of these ideas are themselves found in the Bible (see Exodus 3, Psalm 24:3-4, 1 Corinthians 11, for example)

Dress codes will not be coming to churches anytime soon, and they shouldn't. I gotta back off. I know that. As much as I appreciate the dress restrictions found in other religions, it doesn't work for Baptist or Methodist churches. Episcopal churches, maybe. But definitely not Baptist.

After all, "Come as you are" resonates with what Jesus said, "Anyone who comes to me, I will never drive away." (John 6:37).

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Melissa Rivers On #AskHerMore: ‘No One Wants To Discuss Massive Policies On The Red Carpet'

May 13, 2015, 2:27 pm

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Melissa Rivers doesn't find celebrity interviewers' proclivity to ask about red carpet fashions to be an offensive practice, she explained in a HuffPost Live interview on Wednesday.

"This whole thing 'Ask Me More' -- I get it, but let's keep it in perspective," she told host Caitlyn Becker, referring to #AskHerMore, a Twitter campaign started around the 2014 Emmys in hopes of increasing the volume of non-sartorial questions directed toward female celebs.

The "Fashion Police" executive producer and The Book of Joan: Tales of Mirth, Mischief and Manipulation author elaborated:

So you're getting $30-40,000 dresses for free. You're supposed to say the designer's name. But, if you want to go out and buy your dress, and not have to worry about anyone asking you about it, and not having to promote anyone, fine! Let's talk about something else! ... But no one really wants to discuss massive policies on the red carpet ... And you say, ask me about more than just my dress, okay: Did you pay for it?

It's not that Rivers is opposed to starlets talking about topics other than fashion on the red carpet; rather, she just doesn't think conversation about style should be stigmatized.

"If there's something interesting going on or you want to get out a message -- absolutely," she said. "But let's not carry it so far that it's an insult to ask who you're wearing."

Watch more from Melissa Rivers' conversation with HuffPost Live.

Sign up for Live Today, HuffPost Live’s morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!

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Here's Proof That There Are Sexy Sundresses You Can Wear With A Bra

May 13, 2015, 4:25 pm

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(Photo credit: Sunday Best)

There are few things more frustrating then flipping through a rack of stunning sundresses and realizing that you can't wear any of them. If you're on the busty side, then you know exactly what we're talking about.

When wearing a bra is absolutely necessary, it's torture being taunted by dresses with spaghetti straps, backless silhouettes or sexy cutouts. And while one of the countless style lessons we learned from Carrie Bradshaw is that underwear as outerwear can be both sexy and classy, there are times when we just want to keep our underpinnings, well, undercover.

A strapless bra might seem like the obvious solution but it will only solve the issue of wearing dresses with thin straps, so you can kiss those super-cute plunging necklines and back-baring numbers goodbye. Plus, who wants to spend the day tugging on that thing to keep it in place? Answer: no one.

To put it simply, the struggle is real. But there’s no need to resort to matronly designs while everyone else is catching rays in their flirty frocks. We’ve rounded up five bra-friendly sundresses that will allow you to show some skin and keep your bra under wraps.

Struggle: Can't find a cutout design that conceals every inch of your bra.
Solution: Look for cutout details in places that aren't so obvious. Not only does this dress have an amazing midriff cutout, but it also boasts a criss-cross bodice. Score!
Cece By Cynthia Steffe Stripe Dress, $128.

Struggle: Can't wear off-the-shoulder sundresses.
Solution: This off-the-shoulder dress gives the illusion that you threw it on without a care in the world. Meanwhile, the just-wide-enough straps are secretly concealing your supportive bra. Shhhh! We won’t tell if you don’t.
ASOS Premium Sundress, $81.

Struggle: Never able to show some cleavage without also showing your bra.
Solution: Well, it doesn’t get much easier than a dress with a built-in bra or bustier. But, if that still doesn’t keep everything in place, you can wear a bra underneath this pick for some extra reinforcement.
Nadia Tarr "Little Ticking" Dress, $288.

Struggle: Back-baring dresses are nearly impossible to wear with a bra.
Solution: Focus on your lower back -- find a dress that has a cutout beneath your bra line.
Sunday Best "Rand" Dress, $80.

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These Gorgeous Photos Prove That There Are Far Worse Things Than Rain On Your Wedding Day

May 13, 2015, 4:40 pm

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Denver couple Michael and Tami Mantia were supposed to have an outdoor wedding on Saturday, but Mother Nature had other plans.

The weather that May morning was beautiful, but by the afternoon, fog started rolling in. Then the rain came. By 8 p.m., it was snowing. The bride and groom had no choice but to move the festivities inside and embrace the change of plans.


Credit: Daylene Wilson Photographic

"As stressed as I was about the weather, plan B turned out to be better than we could have imagined and we would not change anything about the day!" the bride told The Huffington Post.

The newlyweds and their bridal party made the best of the less-than-optimal conditions and took their photos outside anyway. Photographer Daylene Wilson was behind the lens to capture the love and laughs.


Credit: Daylene Wilson Photographic


Credit: Daylene Wilson Photographic

The pair -- who met three years ago on a mountain biking trip -- had their ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Denver and held the reception at Dorchester Social Eatery.

"They both went to huge [lengths] to make sure our night was unforgettable -- even with the weather," Tami said.


Credit: Daylene Wilson Photographic


Credit: Daylene Wilson Photographic


Credit: Daylene Wilson Photographic

"Only in Denver does something like this happen. It's just kind of crazy where you expect sun, but you see snow," Michael told Denver NBC affiliate KUSA.

H/T 9 News/KUSA

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Amy Schumer's 'I'm Sorry' Skewers A Culture That Makes Women Apologize Constantly

May 14, 2015, 8:33 am

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"Sorry, did you want that?"

"Sorry, can I scoot by you?"

"Sorry, I'm just grabbing something."

"You wanted to talk first? Oh, sorry."

For many women, "sorry" is a filler word that just won't quit. You're sorry you're a minute late, sorry for interjecting, sorry for not looking put together enough, sorry for passing someone on the subway platform, sorry for sending back a dinner order gone wrong, sorry for making demands at all.

It's this culture of over-apologizing that Amy Schumer tackles in her sketch "I'm Sorry," which aired on Wednesday night's episode of "Inside Amy Schumer."

The scene is set at a "Females In Innovation conference" during a panel of "the top innovators in their [respective] fields," which includes Schumer as a scientist who studies neuropeptides. The other women on the panel boast similarly impressive resumes -- a Nobel Prize winner, a Pulitzer Prize winner, a woman who invented a solar panel water filtration system and a woman who built a school for child soldiers. What begins with the female panelists apologizing for correcting the male moderator's errors in introducing them, soon devolves into a constant succession of increasingly absurd "sorries."

"Sorry, I hated that. Sorry, I wish I hadn't said that."

"Sorry, is this coffee? Sorry, this is my fault."

Eventually, a male stagehand brings one of the women a coffee -- after she asked for water because she's allergic to caffeine -- and spills it on one of the other panelists. Even as she is dying from horrific coffee burns, she is apologizing, as are the women around her. The two men stand by looking perplexed.




The sketch, which is not available online in full yet, is funny -- this is national treasure Amy Schumer we're talking about -- but "I'm Sorry" is more sobering commentary on the ways in which women are taught to constantly apologize than it is laugh-out-loud comedy. It's slightly uncomfortable to watch, because it feels too familiar. For many women, our default is to apologize without even realizing it.

"I'm Sorry" feels similar to two sketches from "Inside Amy Schumer" seasons one and two: "Compliments," which takes on women's tendencies to resist accepting praise, and "I'm So Bad," which skewers the idea that we should always scold ourselves for eating food. All three of the skits address a culture that encourages women to feel ashamed for taking up space -- socially, physically and professionally.

Amy Schumer's sketches remind us to say F**k. That. Sorry, but I'm trying not to be sorry.

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Lupita Nyong'o Slays In A Plunging Green Dress At The Cannes Film Festival

May 14, 2015, 8:35 am

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Everyone stop what you're doing and look at what Lupita Nyong'o wore to the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday.



The Mexican-born Kenyan actress slayed in a plunging green Gucci dress that stole the show at the premiere of the film "La Tete Haute." She styled her look with a pair of green satin open-toe heels, vibrant pink lipstick and a stunning gold head piece. While the jade hue and floral embroidered crystal detail on her shoulders were gorgeous, it was the movement in her dress as she twirled down the red carpet that made it a look to remember.





As we saw the chiffon plissé gown on Nyong'o, we couldn't help but have flashbacks to the low-cut light blue Prada dress she wore to 2014 Oscars. Get it, girl.

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Macy's Turned Small Cash Register Donations Into $5 Million For Veterans

May 14, 2015, 8:49 am

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WASHINGTON (AP) — It turns out small $3 donations at Macy's cash registers leading up to Memorial Day can raise big bucks for veterans.

Over the past two years, Cincinnati-based Macy's has raised $5 million for the national veteran campaign "Got Your 6." In exchange for each $3 donation, Macy's gives customers discounts of 15 to 25 percent off their purchases. About 1.7 million people have made donations.

The fundraising effort begins again Saturday and runs through Memorial Day as part of Macy's "American Icons" promotion.

Chris Marvin, director of the Washington-based "Got Your 6" campaign, says $3.9 million has been distributed to charities focused on empowering veterans with jobs, college programs and other support.

"Got Your 6" is the military term for "I've got your back." The campaign is run by the Boston-based charity Be the Change Inc.

___

http://www.gotyour6.org

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9 Of The Most Memorable TV Sitcom Weddings

May 14, 2015, 10:12 am

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Some of the most unforgettable weddings are the ones you watch from your couch.

After falling in love with TV characters over the course of a series, it's totally satisfying to see your favorite twosomes tie the knot. Below, we've rounded up photos from some of TV's most memorable sitcom weddings. Did we leave out your favorite? Let us know in the comments!




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13 Shopping Struggles That Only Short Men Would Understand

May 14, 2015, 10:50 am

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It's no secret that men 5'8" and under get the short end of the stick -- especially when it comes to buying clothes. Pants always pool on the ground, sleeves are way too long and shoes are far too big.

Although there are a few stores that are starting to cater to shorter guys, many retailers haven't made the necessary strides. To really get to the root of the problem, we asked our Facebook community: What are your biggest pet peeves as short male shoppers?

We collected some of our favorite answers that perfectly illustrate the 13 most frustrating things men 5'8" and under experience while shopping.

1. "Sports apparel -- apparently the standard-sized football jersey is meant to be worn as a muumuu." -- Facebook user Marc Ki

2. "I feel like all pants look like parachute pants. I found a perfect-fitting suit in the boys' section at Kohl's last year. I'm 5'5" with my ego in the morning." -- Facebook user Trevor McGuire



3. "My husband has an awful time finding pants that fit. They are always too long and too baggy. Why don't they have short, average, and long pants like they do for women's sizing?" -- Facebook user Melissa Missi Quon Huber

4. "5'3" checking in. It's almost impossible to get shorts that fit in length. Shorts come way past my knees." -- Facebook user Timothy Camus, Jr.

5. "'One size fits all' socks -- that's BS! I wear size 8 shoes and 99 percent of dress socks are too big. How can you label socks 'shoe size 6-12'?????" -- Facebook user Paul Barras

6. "Finding shirts without cartoon characters or childish designs." -- Facebook user Raymond D. Drayer III

7. "Pants are difficult to find. I have to pay more for the tailored slimmer fits since I am short and thin. A generic 30x30 at a department store makes me look like MC Hammer." -- Facebook user Carl Andrew

8. "I know a guy from India who has all his clothes sent to him from home, because in order to find stuff that fits him here, he has to go to the 'boys' section of most department stores." -- Facebook user Bruce Alan Wilson

9. "Every store is sold out of small shirts. Always." -- Facebook user Zach Snow

10. "No store anywhere stocks pants that will fit someone 5'6" or shorter, who is not also stout." -- Facebook user Warren Buckingham

11. "Having jeans hemmed is an expense and the hem never looks quite right." -- Facebook user David Wheeler



12. "Some store employees treat you like one size fits all." -- Facebook user Douglas Dockey

13. "Being that 5'8" is the mean/average and [the] most common height in the world, clothing stores always stock 3 times as many clothes for guys who are 6'4" and 300 lbs." -- Facebook user John Bryant

Illustrations by: Jason St. Angelo and Digitalized by: Tiara Chiaramonte

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Attorney Jay Clothier's Crude Domestic Violence Joke On T-Shirt Sparks Uproar

May 14, 2015, 10:52 am

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Michigan attorney Jay Clothier is under fire for creating a T-shirt with the name and URL of his law firm on one side and a crude joke about domestic violence on the back.

"You say domestic violence I say spousal discipline," the lawyer's shirt proclaims.

"It's a deliberate attack on women," Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell told reporters during a Tuesday press conference.

"It is the marketing of violence, plain and simple," Pickell said.



The sheriff had initially posted a photo of the shirt to his Facebook page on Monday and said it is "actively used as an advertisement" by Flint attorney Clothier.

ROBERT PICKELL'S FACEBOOK POST (Story Continues Below)

I want your opinion!The t-shirt below is being actively used as an advertisement by a local attorney. I have fought...

Posted by Robert J. Pickell on Monday, May 11, 2015

"This t-shirt is not in poor taste, it is down-right dangerous," Pickell said on Facebook. "It markets violence. It says it is OK to hit a woman and if you get arrested in the process ... this attorney has your back."

According to Abc12.com, the shirt has angered the YWCA and the Mid-Michigan women's advocacy group.

"It's not only an off-color bit of humor, but we see it as an attack on women and the pain that has been inflicted on them," YWCA Director Heidi McAra told the news station.

Pickell said he plans to lodge a complaint against Clothier with the Michigan Bar Association.

Clothier acknowledges designing the shirt, but said he did so years ago and never distributed it or used it for advertising purposes.

"A defendant of mine had made that comment," Clothier told The Huffington Post of the T-shirt's slogan. "Obviously, it was perverse and sick, but I figured it was his perspective and somewhat provocative, which could get people talking about the issue of domestic violence."

JAY CLOTHIER: (Story Continues Below)


Clothier said he "never intended to hurt anyone" and ultimately decided not to distribute the shirt.

"I showed it to my friends and they said, 'Dude, you'll get crucified,'" he said. "So I opted against using it."

Clothier said he understands how the intended message of the shirt could be misconstrued. However, he said he is also concerned about the timing of the sheriff's press conference, which was held nearly 10 years after the shirt was made.

"I think it is retaliation," Clothier said.

Pickell, according to Mlive.com, held the press conference just days after a preliminary hearing in the case of former Genesee County Sheriff Deputy Gerald Parks, who Clothier represents.

Parks, according to the media outlet, is charged in connection with the 2012 assault of an inmate at the Genesee County Jail. The former deputy is also reportedly involved in a lawsuit against the sheriff's department, in which he alleges he was retaliated against for testimony he gave during a union collective bargaining-related arbitration hearing that was critical of the sheriff's department administrators.

"I believe the sheriff is attacking this shirt now because I am representing Parks," Clothier said. "He is retaliating and attempting to smear me and hurt me economically."

Pickell did not respond to a request for comment from HuffPost. In an interview with Minbcnews.com, he denied his actions are in retaliation.

ONE OF CLOTHIER'S OTHER SHIRTS: (Story Continues Below)


Clothier said he regrets making the shirt, which he calls a "stupid idea." He also said it is one of many he has made over the years. Others include:

"Take the fifth we'll bring the tonic."

"I went to court with Clothier and it was a riot." (Printed after a courtroom brawl)

"Reasonable doubt lives here." (Attributed to Casey Anthony's former attorney, Jose Baez)

"I make lawyers needles twitch." (Printed for a polygraph examiner)

"Steve worked on my hard drive." (Printed for a computer forensics specialist)

"If there are certain things that are happening in the law, I'll make one for social commentary -- to create dialog," Clothier said.

The attorney said he is considering a civil suit against the sheriff.

"My last name is Clothier," he said. "I used to work in retail and I'm now a lawyer. The sheriff wants to talk about shirts and I want to talk about suits. You can't make this stuff up."



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Redefining Beauty Sleep

May 14, 2015, 11:25 am

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If you skim through any of the glossies or browse beauty websites, chances are you'll find an article or two on "beauty sleep." The reason? All-nighter-induced puffy, bloodshot eyes, dark circles and lackluster skin provide a good reason to reach for the arsenal of serums, lotions and potions that serve as a quick fix. But by focusing on sleep's role on "beauty," this information dismisses the critical role that sleep plays on the function of our largest organ -- the skin.

Our skin acts as the interface between our bodies and the environment. It has to be expertly equipped to deal with nature's patterns, fine-tuning itself to changes in temperature, UV, light and humidity, while preventing pathogens from entering and moisture from evaporating. It can only do this if it has a sense of "time," however, and this is the key to the skin's own rhythmic patterns. But does the skin really keep time?

Tick tock, tick tock

Biological clocks that sync an organism with the earth's rotation around its axis are pretty universal; you can find a time-keeping system in organisms from cyanobacteria to to fungi to vertebrates like us. You might have heard that we have a "master clock" in the brain that controls our circadian rhythms. This master clock is actually a group of nerve cells located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, an area of the brain just above where the optic nerves cross. But this is where it gets wild -- recent scientific discoveries have uncovered peripheral clocks in the body, including a separate clock mechanism in skin cells.

The oscillators found in various skin cells, as in the pigment-producing melanocytes, the collagen-producing fibroblasts and even skin stem cells, coordinate with each other and the brain's central clock to drive rhythmic functions in the skin. Circadian variations affect virtually all skin functions, from barrier recovery and sebum secretion to hydration levels and cell renewal.

Night and day

During the day, your skin is is busy warding off intruders and protecting the body from UV damage and oxidation (pollution). At night, while you sleep, the skin (just like the brain) goes into repair-mode, growing new skin cells, deleting damaged ones, and bringing fresh blood to the surface for cycling oxygen and nutrients (this is likely the best time to apply those collagen-enhancing retinoids). Sebum (oil) production peaks in the afternoon -- take a look at your T-Zone right after lunch and you may see anything from an extra sheen to a downright oil spill. Trans-epidermal water loss (think: dehydration) peaks at night, so it's best to layer on an extra level of protection to keep your skin from drying out while you sleep, especially in low humidity climates and during the fall/winter. Then there's melatonin: Apart from making you sleepy, it is also a powerful antioxidant, especially effective at preventing UV-induced damage. A recent study demonstrated that mice exposed to UV radiation in the morning showed an increased incidence of skin cancer, as opposed to mice exposed in the afternoon. Since we humans have the opposite circadian cycle as the nocturnal mice, these results suggest our skin is most susceptible to the afternoon UV radiation -- so be sure to wear sunscreen in the afternoon, when our skin's DNA-protecting defenses are down.

Sleep deprivation, skin deprivation

A lack of sleep is linked to a host of issues throughout the mind and body. On the skin, it's reflected as an impaired barrier, more inflammation and, yes, premature aging. Stress, jet lag and other factors that reduce sleep can result in a suppressed immune response and altered inflammatory molecules, which can then trigger or worsen acne and other inflammatory conditions.

Several studies have determined that travel across times zones alters hormonal patterns linked to circadian rhythm, such as diurnal rhythms of melatonin and cortisol, even resulting in deficits in learning and memory -- no wonder we don't perform up to par after a long restless flight! For any frequent traveler, the takeaway is: Get enough sleep on the ground, wear sunscreen to protect skin from UV radiation (window-seat lovers and pilots, beware), and stay hydrated.

And remember, the skin's time-keeping machinery is synced with daylight and your sleep/wake cycle. When you mess with the circadian rhythm, you mess with all the cellular functions of the body -- and that could have devastating effects on our bodies. With all the new science regarding the impact of sleep on skin function, I think it's safe to say that the term "beauty sleep" is far more important that it implies.

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For more on the brain-skin connection, stay tuned for Dr. Claudia's upcoming TED talk at TEDxUCLA. If you have trouble sleeping then practising mindfulness meditation can help. Download the Headspace app for free and try our Take10 series today.

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If You're Not Applying Face Moisturizer Like This, You're Doing It Wrong

May 14, 2015, 12:14 pm

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If you think that slapping on face lotion each morning is enough to properly moisturize your skin, you're wrong.

According to Elizabeth Tanzi, co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, failing to apply moisturizer correctly means you miss out on hydration that protects skin from outside irritants.

Celebrity facialist and skincare creator Joanna Vargas says that face moisturizer should be applied gently and upwards, like this:

This technique helps to stimulate circulation and bring nutrients to dull, dehydrated skin. Vargas suggests applying a dime-sized amount of moisturizer to damp skin within three minutes of washing your face so it absorbs quickly. She also recommends using it after serum and before sunscreen or tinted moisturizer.

"Periodic application throughout the day is helpful too, but the most important application is after cleansing," adds Tanzi. "Also, in the winter, use a humidifier in your bedroom at night to hydrate the air and skin, which allows the moisturizer to lock in more hydration."

It's important to make sure you are using the best moisturizer for your skin type. People with dry skin should use a thick, cream moisturizer to soften and soothe, whereas individuals with normal skin should use a lighter lotion that's loaded with essential oils. Those with combination skin or acne would benefit from a non-comedogenic formula that hydrates without clogging pores.

Regardless of skin type, using a daily moisturizer with SPF is crucial for protecting your skin against signs of aging and harmful UV rays. Since summertime is around the corner, check out our picks for the best moisturizers with SPF.

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Photography Student Photographs Gorgeous Women Who Aren't Afraid To Take Up Space

May 14, 2015, 12:47 pm

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"By the time I was five, I was a little diva," glorious queen Stevie Nicks once said. The word diva, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is defined as "a famous and successful woman who is very attractive and fashionable." Mix that understanding with Beyoncé's wise words, "a diva is a female version of a hustler," and you have an idea of a diva's power; a confident woman who is not afraid to show it.

Photographer Gabrielle Meit, a student at New York's School of Visual Arts, was inspired by the many divas in her life, even the strangers walking down the street, when brainstorming topics for her photography thesis project. Particularly, she was stirred by stunning, confident women who didn't conform to the body types often propagated as "beautiful" by the mainstream media. Unfortunately, the artistic canon isn't all that more open-minded.



"What inspired me to create this project was the understanding that the people and things that I considered beautiful were not necessarily what the general population considers to be beautiful," Meit explained to The Huffington Post. "Through viewing some works of artists who inspire me I realized that full-figured women were rarely shown at all, especially in a positive light. I immediately wanted to take my camera and shoot these women the way that I see them, as beautiful, inspirational and complex."

Meit's series -- through fierce poses, striking style and bewitching auras that are impossible to look away from -- captures the many shapes of beauty, at least in NYC today. "These are women who understand the complexities of weight, and all that those complexities might bring and yet are confident and comfortable in their skin. They embrace who they are and are not afraid to take up space in a world that has certain beauty standards and set expectations for them."

As performance artist Orlan once told us: "We have all eternity to be skeletal." Behold, the dazzling divas who prove you don't have to render yourself invisible to look damn good.

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IRIS , A Fabulous Film About A 90+ Fashionista

May 14, 2015, 1:03 pm

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I've always adored the style-maven Iris Apfel. I've followed her flamboyant fashions and over-sized iconic eyewear since I was in college in the '70s. As a student of textile and clothing design, it was a treat to see what avant-garde outfit and costume jewelry Iris was wearing on the fashion pages or around the streets of New York City.

Now at 93 (the same age my mom would have been if she was alive), she is the subject of a new documentary called IRIS. If you are a fashionista or creative spirit like me, you won't want to miss this fabulous film directed by the legendary documentarian Albert Maysles (who sadly passed away in March).

Who Is Iris Apfel?

For those of you who don't know Iris, let me tell you about her. "While Iris Apfel has been an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades, her life is more than just about glamour," as the press release states. "She continues to embrace the values and work ethic established during a middle-class Queens upbringing during the Great Depression. Her enthusiasm for fashion, art and people, reminds us that dressing, and indeed life, is nothing but an experiment." Her fun-loving attitude, abundant creativity, and tireless energy are what make Iris so inspiring and the film IRIS so endearing.

During her earlier career, Iris ran a large textiles and decorating business with her husband Carl (who celebrates his 100th birthday in the film). She described how her bi-annual trips to Europe helped her curate furnishings and fabrics for her clients (and collect trinkets and treasures for her own collections). She even restored fabrics in the White House -- when Truman and Kennedy were Presidents.

Never earning the title of 'mom," she has no misgivings about not having children. "You can't have everything," said Iris. "I never wanted to have children. I didn't want to have my child raised by a nanny. I wanted to work and I wanted to travel."

Today she continues to mentor many young students and designers. With an abundance of clothes, accessories and more, she also continues to donate her garments to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute, where her renowned collection of costume jewelry was once showcased.

Iris on Fashion and Style

Whether Iris is shopping at The Paris Flea Market or New York's prestigious Bergdorf Goodman, she combines everything to make her own individual style. One of her other favorite stores (and one of mine while I was growing up, which is likely why I am a big Iris fan) was designer discount Loehmann's. (I was so sad the day Loehmann's closed its doors.)

"Mrs. Loehmann told me, Iris you're not pretty, you'll never be pretty, but you have style," said Iris. (I so enjoyed hearing Iris reminisce about her excursions to Loehmann's, perhaps because her stories brought back fond memories of my mom and our Saturday shopping trips to the big Bronx multi-leveled Loehmann's.)

Iris has words of wisdom about fashion and style. Here are a few gems:

♥ "I like individuality. Everything is homogenized today."

♥ "The best thing was getting dressed for the party. I didn't care about going to the party."

♥ "My mother said: 'Buy a little black dress and you'll always have something to wear. You can dress it up and dress it down.'"

♥ "Accessories can transform an outfit."

Iris on Aging

Iris is equally engaging about aging. Here's what she said:

♥ On illness: "If I don't feel well, I go shopping and I get a fix." (Great advice Iris. Me too. Me too.)

♥ On plastic surgery: "It could come out looking like Picasso. Everybody knows how old you are."

♥ On happiness: "It's better to be happy, than well dressed."

♥ On friendship: "I could never be friends with anyone who isn't curious or doesn't have a sense of humor."

♥ On matters of health: "As my mom's friend used to say as you get older, 'I have two of everything and one hurts.' You can't do what you did. Now I get tired."

♥ On the difference between women and men: "In the words of my grandpa, 'A woman is as old as she looks. But a man is never old until he stops looking.'"

And for sure, Carl as he turns 100 is 'still looking.' Why not, he has the legendary tastemaker and geriatric starlet to look at every day. Who wouldn't want to look at Iris? She is so interesting.

Go See IRIS

The IRIS documentary previewed in New York and Los Angeles and will be rolling out to other cities across the country throughout the spring and summer. It was a joy to watch. The only thing that would have made it better was if my mom was around to watch it with me. I think she would have loved IRIS as much as I did.

This post was originally published on aboomerslifeafter50.com.

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Commandments of Style

May 14, 2015, 1:08 pm

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1. Sweat the small stuff. We're talking fine details. Shave or wax your legs if you'll be wearing a skirt. Take a hard look in the mirror and if your upper lip needs waxing, by all means. Even better, have a professional do the honours. Make sure your eyebrows are shaped, waxed or plucked so they open your eyes. You want to look polished. People don't necessarily noticed if you're groomed, but they definitely notice when you're not.

2. Restrain yourself. Never let your accessories wear you. Throw away the headbands, banana clips and scrunchies - or save them for your Friday night mud mask. Big, chunky jewellery can look fantastic, but limit you to one key piece. Wear one or two rings, max. And choose jewellery that you really love. It's a great way to develop your signature style and express your personality. Jewellery with a story - your grandmother's earrings, the bracelet you bought to celebrate a milestone, your engagement ring - is beautiful and often becomes a conversation starter.

3. Know your body. Recognize that every style trend is not designed for you. This isn't a limitation - its just reality. One of the most important pieces, you'll purchase is a suit. It's a big investment, so you want to make sure it looks amazing. Learn which styles, jacket lengths and silhouettes flatter your shape and work from there. If you're not sure what works for you, go shopping with a very honest friend or book an appointment Sales Associate or stylist.

4. Black is your friend. Black staples - pants, 3/4-length jackets, and skirts - are clean, classic and they always look Wildly Sophisticated. Not to mention they're flattering, and they'll work with everything else in your closet. Basic black pieces can also stretch your clothing budget because they endure through changing seasons and trends. When you're dressing for a full day of work and cocktails to follow, you can use black basics to take you from day to night. Swap your button-down shirt for something a little more bare and colourful. Add great earrings, strappy shoes and go hit happy hour.

5. Focus on your feet. You don't have to buy stock in Manolo Blahnik, but a great pair of shoes can make all the difference in your look. From a fabulous stiletto to a gorgeous pair of boots, your footwear is the finishing touch. Let's face it - there's nothing like killer heels to make you feel confident and powerful. Oh, and make sure your footwear is polished and clean. This is another one of those details that people really do notice.

6. Welcome, the three-way. Is your blouse bursting at the seams? Is your bra digging into your back? Not only do ill-fitting clothes look unprofessional, you're not doing your boobs any favours. Forget about sizes and numbers and go by fit. Sizes can vary wildly by designer anyway, so look for pieces that hug your curves without strangling them. On the flip side, you don't want to swim in your clothes. A great fit shows (but doesn't overexpose) your shape.

7. Work it. Style is really a synonym for self-expression. Women like Diane von Furstenberg, Katharine Hepburn and Gwyneth Paltrow are style icons because they've followed their own vision - not a roller coaster of changing trends. You'll feel incredible when your clothes reflect your personality. You can work in the most conservative environment and still add splashes of individuality to your wardrobe. From a printed blouse under a tailored suit to crimson polish in open-toed shoes, think about how to express yourself in ways that are still industry-appropriate.

8. Consider quality. We've all faced this dilemma: You're shopping for a new coat and it's down to two contenders. Both charcoal grey, both warm, both perfect for a range of outfits. But one is cashmere and the other is acrylic. One is at the top end of your price range and the other is a major steal. Which coat? Well, when the cheap acrylic disintegrates and starts looking like a stuffed animal on your back, you'll know you should have splurged for the cashmere. In the long run, quality clothes will actually save you money.

9. Invest in accessories. Think about it this way. You're not going to wear the same pair of pants all week (one would hope), but your bag or briefcase is a constant companion. Clients, employers and colleagues will all notice what's draped on your arm. Invest in a quality piece that reflects your style. And in this age of laptops, cell phones and PDAs, a bag that will carry both your purse and your hardware is a lifesaver.

10. Relax. Bottom line? It's just fashion. No one's going to fire you for wearing last season's Burberry coat. Give it your best shot; know that style matters and that looking groomed and professional are important for your career. Have fun. But if you're spending more time reading Vogue than actually working, it's time to re-assess your priorities.

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The Faces of Makeup

May 14, 2015, 1:13 pm

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Photo: Nadav Vee Havakook:

The Makeup Show is the Met Gala of makeup artistry. This is the event where makeup artists come once a year to see who and what's hot. The following slide show is a collaboration between Karim Orange and Jazz Girard, (mother and daughter blog team). We hope you enjoy!

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Melissa Rivers Says Kathy Griffin 'Sh-t All Over' Joan Rivers' Legacy

May 14, 2015, 2:09 pm

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Melissa Rivers has been making the publicity rounds this week, promoting her new book, "The Book of Joan," and in an interview with the "Today" show's Hoda Kotb at the 92nd Street Y in New York, Rivers spoke about Kathy Griffin's departure from "Fashion Police."

"My biggest complaint was the feeling that she kind of shit all over my mother's legacy in her statement on leaving," Rivers said. "And I know that that was not an intentional reading of it, but that's how I felt ...That was my takeaway, by [her] calling the comedy and the style of it old-fashioned. It's like, I understand what you're doing, you're trying to save yourself, but don't crap all over my mother to do it."

Griffin had joined the show after Joan Rivers died, but left in March after just seven episodes. At the time, she tweeted, "I have discovered my style does not fit with the creative direction of the show and now it’s time to move on." Rivers serves as one of the show's executive producers.

The comedian's exit followed that of Kelly Osbourne, who left "Fashion Police" after co-host Giuliana Rancic was slammed for her offensive comments about Zendaya's dreadlocks during an Oscars-related telecast.

During her interview with Kotb, Rivers said she took Griffin's comments very personally. "But as a professional, that was her choice, that's what she did. No harm, no foul, moving on." When asked about what Rancic said in regards to Zendaya's hair, Rivers responded, "If something like that had happened and my mother had been alive, her reaction immediately would have been, 'Oh, please, all this over a wig?' Literally, it was a wig! Let's just all relax."

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Trisha Paytas' Fierce Body-Positive Anthem Reclaims The Term 'Fat Chicks'

May 14, 2015, 3:01 pm

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"All my fat chicks where you at?"

That's what author and body-positive vlogger Trisha Paytas asks in her new song and music video "Fat Chicks." The video shows just how empowering life can be as a fat woman.

"All my fat chicks where you at? Now drop it low and shake that fat," Paytas sings in the catchy chorus.

The 27-year-old preaches body-positivity throughout the entire song. Towards the middle of the video, Paytas slows the tempo and talks about why she embraces the label "fat."

"Now I know, I know. Fat is a word used to negatively bring down the girls with a little extra junk in the trunk," she says. "But being called 'fat' is just a label. A label put on to us by others who can't handle all this wow, wow, wow. So I'll take that label and wear it because it does not define me. You want to call me fat? Well, you'd be right. I am F-A-T: Fabulous and tasty."

Paytas has received positive feedback about her fat-positive anthem from fans and media outlets. There's nothing better than a catchy tune paired with some body love.

Go on with your bad, beautiful and fat self, Trisha.

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