Cosmopolitan September 2013

OBSESSED! Rock the oil-spill mani (how-tos inside). NOW TRENDING THE NEW MOON Upgrade a 1930s classic (ruby nails with a nude cuticle, or moon) with an edgy color combo worn at the tips, not the base. RUNWAY INSPIRATION Mara Hoffman QUICK TIP Creamy black paint (no shimmer or glitter) balances a sparkly tip. Step 1 Apply a base coat then two coats of black polish; air-dry. Step 2 Run a silvery white polish across tips in a round, half-moon-like shape, covering the top third of the nail. Step 3 ADD A SECOND COAT IF THE BLACK ISN'T FULLY COVERED, THEN SEAL WITH A TOP COAT. NOW TRENDING THE VAMPY V Like a sexy skirt slit, a V cutout gives this oxblood mani a seductive peekaboo effect. RUNWAY INSPIRATION Roland Mouret…

FUN, FEARLESS KELLY "Fun, fearless female is an accurate description of this month's cover star, Kelly Osbourne. Not only is she beautiful, talented, and delightfully hilarious, she's also an inspiration to women like myself who struggle with self-acceptance. Thank you, Cosmo, for reminding me not to be afraid to stand out from the crowd…just like Kelly." —Alyssa L., Newark, OH NOT TOO YOUNG "I was so happy to see your article 'I'm Too Young…for a Stroke.' My best friend and college roommate had a stroke in our apartment when she was just 20 years old. People don't realize that a stroke can happen to anyone, even someone who is young and healthy. Thank you for bringing awareness to this subject!" —Brooke H., Boca Raton, FL SEEING SPOTS "I just finished…

How they GOT THEIR START… Sara Austin "My goal is to translate lawmakers' decisions into your own options for your health, career, bank account, even your love life," says deputy editor (and mom of two) Austin, who oversaw our contraception feature, "How Not to Get Pregnant" (p. 240). How I got my start. "After graduating from UNC at Chapel Hill, I worked as a secretary for an arts association. The editor of the organization's magazine commissioned a story about 20somethings and asked the junior staffers what we thought. I hated it! So I sent an e-mail explaining why. She ditched the article and asked me to write my first piece." Twitter: @SaraDAustin Christopher Griffith Renowned photographer Griffith brings his quirky sense of humor to the feature "How Not to…

Work Smart! How I wish this issue of Cosmo had been published when I was working one of my worst jobs ever. Well, the job itself—running the night desk of a big newspaper in London—was actually exciting, but the hours sucked. I started at 6 p.m. and didn't leave until 3 a.m., and I still remember the lonely drive in.…I was 23 and greeted by the depressing sight of my friends and colleagues begin ning to swing out the door to bars—their fun just begin ning as I was settling in for a long, stressful night at my desk. Even worse, I would leave wired at 3 a.m., ready for action but with nowhere to go…and no one to go with. Even tu ally, I found a 24-hour bagel place…

"We've all fallen off tables at bars." "We do not share our space with girls we don't know. We've almost gotten kicked out of clubs!" "We've definitely gotten into some trouble for our tabletop-dancing antics." SHEA M., 22, advertising account coordinator, from Vancouver, Canada JOHANNA M., 22, advertising account executive, from Toronto, Canada BRITTANY G., 23, interior-design student, from Vancouver, Canada Your confessions are our obsessions! Starting this month, Cosmo takes to the streets and asks ballsy babes (girls and guys!) to spill their wildest, most embar rass ing, and okay, yeah, sometimes ques tionable moments live and in-person. Think of it as taking your already amazing secrets to the next level. Hey, we've all got one (or three) stories to tell—what about you? No. 1 Double…

I'd been on a few dates with this guy Josh*, who was in business school in New York City. He was kinda meh, but he was also hot and I was on a mission to get over my ex. So I said yes when he invited me for cocktails at his place and then dinner out. Even though he was in his late 20s, his place was a dorm room in a building filled with undergrads. When I got there, the security guy called him to let me in. He didn't answer, so the guy kept calling. I texted him too…no response. Fifteen minutes went by and I was about to leave, when Josh called down and said he'd been on the phone but would come get me now. He…