Indholdsfortegnelse for September/October 2023 i Cosmopolitan

Change is coming for more than just your weather app—the fashion industry is getting a shake-up too, its notoriously narrow doors thrown open by social media for young talent to charge through. Which means your outfit options are getting an exciting upgrade from a slew of new designers (see page 24 for our favorites) just in time for that pivotal moment every year when the air chills and the mood shifts from easy sundress whatever to the world feeling like your own street style shoot every time you step out your front door. “People are tearing down the elitist walls fashion is known for, and the inclusive vibe is contagious,” Cosmo’s fashion features and lifestyle director Rachel Torgerson says of the evolution underway. “Fashion is so fun right now.” What…

What Happens Before You Meet a Star? Extensive research. I google and scroll for hours to get a feel for their aesthetic. I also consider any clothing campaigns they’re currently under contract for. Next, I pore through runway photos and call design houses to borrow looks that go with our overall style concept. And then the clothes roll in. What Are the Biggest Misconceptions About Your Job? There are perks and lots of glamour, but there is also a lot of manual labor and very long hours. You’re schlepping, you’re problem-solving, you’re constantly on call. It’s not your red carpet moment—it’s the celeb’s. But it *is* your vision, and that’s amazing to bring to life. Can You Share a Wild Story From One of Your Photo Shoots? A designer dress…

Lessons in Chemistry October 13, Apple TV+ Book clubs everywhere will be thrilled to see this 2022 bestseller become a series. Brie Larson plays a scientist in the ’50s and ’60s who has to host a cooking show instead of following her dreams. The Oscar winner’s performance is so good—prepare to laugh and cry. One Piece Now streaming, Netflix Fun fact: The manga series this is based on outsold Harry Potter last year, so expectations are high. The show delivers with a pirate crew, led by captain Monkey D. Luffy, on the journey to find the One Piece, a treasure that will grant Luffy the title King of the Pirates. The fast-paced vibe is, simply put, “adventures.” Tension, by Kylie Minogue September 22 Everyone’s heart went “Padam Padam” when the…

Is it just us, or is the foundational text that is Freaky Friday—and more importantly, Pink Slip, the pop-rock band at its center—suddenly everywhere again? TikTok is just one big Pink Slip mood board: the plaid pants, the grommet belts, the chunky hair highlights. Major artists like Olivia Rodrigo blatantly channel Pink Slip’s angst; indie musicians MUNA even covered a Pink Slip song last year. Honestly, it’s not hard to see why. The songs, moody but upbeat numbers like “Take Me Away” and “Ultimate” (actually sung and recorded by Lindsay and fellow actors Christina Vidal and Haley Hudson), perfectly captured what it felt like to be a teenager with a lot of feelings in the early aughts. They also still feel shockingly relevant today, especially for a generation that’s long…

Join me in this nontoxic zone. Like any good journalist, I often find myself down rabbit holes. I’ve been known to relish deep dives into stuff like K-beauty trends, hair growth supplement studies, and LED light therapy. But the research spiral I’m currently stuck in is a little more confusing—and a lot more frustrating. Despite clean beauty being the buzziest thing in our industry, there’s no standard definition of or regulation around what “clean” even means (or “natural” or “green,” for that matter). And while I’m here for the promise of healthier personal care, it seems that promise is not here for me. The truth is that, so far, the clean beauty movement seems to have largely left out Black and brown consumers. This is a big problem because certain…

1 Bows and Buns Your hair bows should be small and pale pink or classic black. How many you choose is entirely up to you, although an extra moment (like the one from Sandy Liang, above) is never a bad idea. Buns should be sleek, so pin back any layers with a barrette. 2 Low-Key Manis Start with a simple base (think soft pink or creamy white) and add delicate details. Two stunning options: dainty pearl accents or a shimmery top coat that subtly catches the light as you move. 3 Flushed Cheeks And now for the opposite of low-key: Use a brush with densely packed bristles to swirl a hefty layer of powder blush on the apples of your cheeks, then sweep the color up along your cheekbones toward your…

THE PISCES: A NOVEL by Melissa Broder BEST LINE: “He was beautiful and, yes, I loved him, in one of infinite ways a person could love. I knew that I would wish a thousand times that things could have ended differently. But I also knew, somewhere in me, that there was no soft ending.” THREE WOMEN by Lisa Taddeo BEST LINE: “Throughout history, men have broken women’s hearts in a particular way. They love them or half-love them and then grow weary and spend weeks and months extricating themselves soundlessly, pulling their tails back into their door-ways, drying themselves off, and never calling again.” I CAPTURE THE CASTLE by Dodie Smith BEST LINE: “Just to be in love seemed the most blissful luxury I had ever known. The thought came to me that perhaps it…

I knew from the age of 5 that I was born in the wrong body. I grew up as a boy named Andrew in a conservative family in Thailand. I was a shy kid, spending nearly all my waking hours at my parents’ video store in Bangkok, teaching myself English and dreaming of visiting the countries I saw on film. At school, I was bullied relentlessly for being different and was even sexually assaulted by a male teacher. At home, my family was adamant that I suppress any hint of femininity I felt inside. They—like the rest of the adults in my life—made it clear they would not accept me if I was queer. I felt so much shame, I was afraid to be myself. Still, womanhood meant (and still…

As Britney Spears once said, there are two types of people in this world: the ones who’re down with artificial intelligence and the ones who are not. In fashion, the dawn of ChatGPT has signaled a new step ahead, with some designers inspired to create out-there silhouettes (ahem, look at the items to your left). But because the fear of the unknown has always made some people squeamish, for every forward-looking statement piece, we’re also seeing the opposite in retrodriven aesthetics. Honestly, it makes sense because for many, reaching way back to childhood = the emotional security of simpler times. This explains why certain recent styles have felt decidedly…cartoonish. And why we’re getting mixed trend signals, sometimes all at once. See: the very Jetsons-esque Loewe look pictured above, giving both…

Chances are, if you’re flipping through this Style Issue (hi, thanks for being here), you’re interested in fashion trends. And maybe kinda overwhelmed by their sheer magnitude and volume. Fair, because it has felt like a lot lately, even for me, Cosmo’s fashion features and lifestyle director. This is mostly because the way trends happen is shifting, becoming a lot more democratic. Allow me to set the scene: Historically, the topdown system has dominated. By this, I mean designers create new looks and show their collections during official fashion weeks around the world. Then people like me analyze and interpret them so you can decide if you want to try them for yourself. In this model, the fashion industry does the trendsetting. (Pls refer to Miranda Priestly’s cerulean monologue from…

It’s possible (probable) that Caleb McLaughlin has been on your mind for a while now. Ever since 2016, to be exact, when he debuted as 12-year-old Lucas Sinclair on Stranger Things. But now he wants you to know that he’s a capital-G grown-up, tackling big adult roles—like the kind that involve growing a full-on beard—in the upcoming film The Book of Clarence…and posing shirtless in Cosmo. Welcome to Caleb’s new era. Based on these pics, you’re going to like it here. “I’m adventurous. Like, if it’s 2 a.m., I’ll be like, ‘Hey, want to go jump in the lake?’”…

Julio Torres is many, many fabulous things: a writer (formerly of SNL), a show cocreator (his comedy Los Espookys aired for two seasons on HBO Max), and an actor/director (we are literally counting down until his upcoming movie Problemista gets a release date). Technically speaking, those are the reasons we picked him for this column, in which we conduct a cheeky after-hours interview with a celebrity. But the actual reason is that he’s a really fucking hilarious person, and we suspected he’d answer our Qs with borderline-shocking honesty. Friends, we’re elated to report he did just that when we spoke a few weeks before the SAG-AFTRA strike. Let’s start with something intimate: What are you wearing right now? Some black shorts and a T-shirt. If the shirt was made for…

I love beauty. I love filming. I love entertaining people. It’s who I am. And who my fans have come to expect. They’ve been tuning in to my beauty reviews and transformation videos since 2020. They’ve watched me meet Selena Gomez (!) and Rihanna (!!), collaborate with beauty brands like Glow Recipe, and even create a lip kit with e.l.f. What they haven’t seen is my mental health rapidly deteriorate, to the point where I had to seriously rethink my entire career. Of course, I always knew there were dangers to working in social media. When I was a teenager, I used Instagram to fuel an eating disorder and body dysmorphia. As an adult, I thought TikTok—with its emphasis on real people doing real things—would be different. I used the…

If everything you know about this brand of kink comes from what you’ve seen onscreen (thanks, Fifty Shades and your toxic power dynamics), it’s time for a reset. The truth is, there’s a lot more to it, and you might just find that it’s exactly the super-hot thing you’ve been looking for. An actual BDSM interaction has three parts: the initial conversation, where you lay out the terms of what you’ll be doing; the sex-having “scene” itself; and the after-care, or “cooldown” portion, when you’re all done or after a safe word has been said. If you want to really do it right, psycho-therapist Rachel Wright, host of The Wright Conversations podcast, suggests taking a workshop, following a reputable Instagram account, or reading a legitimately helpful how-to book. (Try Jay Wiseman’s…

Raise your hand if you’ve ever fantasized about doing it somewhere totally unexpected. And by totally unexpected we mean in-plain-sight spots that might raise “How exactly did you pull that off?” eyebrows among even the most sexually daring. Dreaming up these scenarios is totally normal—and an absolute thrill, thanks to the chemical cocktail of dopamine and adrenaline your brain gets when you take risks, explains sex therapist Jenni Skyler, PhD. Actually following through on them, well…you can imagine what that feels like. Or you can just hear about it straight from the source: your fellow Cosmo readers who are here to share their horniest adventures. Can we just say that (1) y’all are a very creative bunch and (2) anyone planning to mimic these not exactly legal scenarios should proceed…

Dear Minaa, It’s taken me a while to put a name to what I’m going through, but after a lot of googling and scrolling TikTok (I know…but it’s helpful?), I’m pretty convinced I’m suffering from intrusive thoughts. I’ll get this voice in my mind—to be clear, it’s my own voice, not a hallucination or delusion—telling me to do things that I would never actually do. Like, when I’m out to eat, it imagines me knocking over my water glass…just because. Or a more serious and scary example: Recently, the voice hinted that the next time I have a depressive episode, I might get to such a low that I decide to hurt myself. I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression in the past, but it’s never gotten to that point; I’ve…

Remember those bananas you put in your freezer weeks ago? To “make” “banana” “bread”? Ha. Here’s a much faster and tastier way to use them: Break out your blender and churn up a batch of this stuff, courtesy of registered dietitian nutritionist Patricia Bannan. It’s a matcha frappuccino lover’s thick-and-creamy dream come true. Perhaps the best part? You won’t even have to pop a Lactaid. Green Tea Soft Serve SERVES 2 3 large ripe peeled bananas, sliced into 1-inch pieces and frozen1 tablespoon culinary matcha green tea powder 1. Remove the sliced frozen bananas from the freezer and let stand for 3 minutes to thaw slightly. 2. Place the bananas and matcha powder (feel free to sprinkle in a lil more if you like it strong!) in a blender and…

Aries Flying solo is not the move right now, Aries. It’s your season for building up all your relationships (romantic, platonic, professional), so focus. Over the next few months, you’ll find yourself getting closer to your partner, turning buddies into besties, and making new business connections too. Leo You have tons to say, as always, but your mission this fall is to learn how to be a better listener. As in, really listen, not just wait for your turn to talk. A slower pace of life during Scorpio season, starting in late October, will help. Look at it as a chance to recharge your batteries before Sagittarius season. Sagittarius Mark your cal: If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your relationship, late September or early October is the best time. If…

THE X FACTOR The whole vibe is ‘90s/early aughts Carrie Bradshaw, with emphasis on eclectic little details—ahem, nipple flowers—that make a look stand out. David Koma dress. Manolo Blahnik sandals. Lizzie Mandler earrings. Stylist’s own clutch. OLD MEETS NEW To really sync up with this style, you want to hit that vintage/modern mix but with a spicy twist. Bustier bodices for dayyyyys. Wiederhoeft dress. Christian Louboutin sandals. Susan Alexandra collar. PERFECT CASTING Some important things about Nailea Devora: She’s a wildly successful YouTuber and TikTok star (but you knew that), she’s a fashion and beauty girlie (like, Yves Saint Laurent shows, a partnership with Revlon, the whole deal), she’s hot as hell (please see: all these pictures), and she loves Halloween (direct quote: “Halloween is for the girls”). Her style…

In a TikTok video uploaded this March, an Ontario doula—let’s call her Ashley—stares intently at the camera. She has a warning for her fellow birth workers: A serial pregnancy faker is on the loose, pulling unsuspecting doulas into a string of ever-changing nightmarish scenarios. Without naming names, Ashley imparts her message: “This person was not and has not ever been pregnant.” The community had to protect itself. The post quickly went viral as others stitched videos corroborating Ashley’s claims. A troubling pattern soon emerged, as did the identity of the accused: Kaitlyn Braun, a 24-year-old social worker from Brantford, Ontario, who had reportedly been DMing doulas on Instagram with myriad versions of a shattering scenario. In many cases, the details mirrored the lived experiences of the doulas themselves, and all shared…

Let’s start with a simple visual: Think of your ideal wardrobe as the suitcase you’d pack for a trip where the itinerary is “grab chic pics at every destination.” You’d likely take your favorite new dress, the jeans that fit you like a glove, and your wear-everywhere sneakers—not the clothes that’ve been squished to the sides of your closet for two years. The lesson here? Personal style is about curation, editing out pieces that don’t feel right and investing in ones that feel great every day. Now, let’s… 1. Shop Your Closet Before You Shop the Shops Empty your dresser drawers and put only your best stuff back. Donate the rest. What remains is your foundation and a blueprint for the things you are drawn to and should get more…

Colin LoCascio @ColinLoCascio The gown he made Iris Apatow for the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party went viral, but before that, LoCascio was one of the first designers to dress Cardi B. You can count on the Queens-based creative for wild prints, flower details, and textures that say “come touch me” (with permission, obvi). anOnlyChild @AnOnlyChild If it’s mesh and netting you want, you’ll find both in Maxwell Osborne’s pieces. His anOnlyChild menswear and womens-wear lines are all about creativity and freedom, playful vibes with grown-up taste. The items are made with scraps and deadstock fabrics, proving that it is truly possible to make something chic out of nothing. Elena Velez @ElenaVelez Elena Velez is a master of metalwork, ragged hems, and intentional nip slips—all elements that put her designs…

THE LIST by Yomi Adegoke October 3 This novel asks: What if your fiancé was called out as an abuser online? SWORD CATCHER by Cassandra Clare October 10 Another riveting fantasy by the Shadowhunters series writer that transports you to a dazzling (and dangerous) new world. LIES AND OTHER LOVE LANGUAGES by Sonali Dev September 26 A book that will have readers rethinking what they know about family, friends, and, yes, love. BLACK FRIEND: ESSAYS by Ziwe October 17 The acclaimed comedian fills the void left by her canceled-too-soon talk show with personal stories and pop-culture commentary.…

BEST CURL DEFINER Your must-have for curls with bounce, shine, and definition. Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Cream, $28 for 8.4 oz., sephora.com BEST HYDRATING SHAMPOO A winning choice for nearly all hair types and textures, from fine and straight to thick and curly. ”It is affordable yet high quality and smells delicious,” gushed one of you. TRESemmé Rich Moisture Shampoo, $6 for 28 oz., drugstores BEST HYDRATING CONDITIONER Your Olaplex obsession is very real: “Anything from Olaplex I love—it saved and transformed my hair” and “it makes my hair so soft and silky” are only two of many, many notes we got. Olaplex Nº.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, $30 for 8.5 oz., sephora.com BEST COLOR-SAFE SHAMPOO You spend time and money at the salon, so why wouldn’t you preserve your dye job…

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Listen, we know what you’re thinking. But cruising has Come! So! Far! since the days of icky buffets, tiny cabins, and cheesy formal nights. Don’t believe us yet? Read on for the perfect solve to every one of your (now outdated) cruising complaints. 1. “THESE SHIPS ARE SO BIG AND CROWDED.” Actually, Aqua Expeditions’ ships are small—like, 7 to 20 cabins total—and operate only in exciting remote locations, like the Galápagos Islands, where you can get off the boat daily to explore. Excursions are also complimentary, which is great, because who would want to miss swimming with whale sharks in Indonesia?! 2. “I DON’T HAVE 12 DAYS TO BLOW ON A BOAT.” Duh, it’s 2023—we’ve all got shit to do. Princess Cruises offers quick trips that make the most of…

Whenever you hear people stress the importance of sustainable or ethical shopping, their side-eye is likely going straight to the fashion industry. Which, fair. But any retail product can be problematic behind the scenes, and if your goal is to be a mindful consumer, you should probably stop to evaluate all the stuff you buy—and not just for yourself. Honestly, if you have a pet, you’re already halfway there. Animal parents (hi) are often obsessed with keeping their critters safe, reading the fine print under treat ingredients and ordering booties to protect paws from harsh weather. My mini goldendoodle, Waffes, doesn’t ride in any car without being strapped into her doggy seat belt. So why would I get her toys that could harm her… or the planet? Let’s all shop…

Everyone has their favorite food obsession, and mine is crab rangoon. I first discovered the pillowy, crispy bundles of joy at a now-closed buffet in my hometown of Binghamton, New York. When my middle school friends and I would meet up at the movie theater, we would first hit the buffet, slyly sliding rangoons into ziptop bags to snack on during showings of A Walk to Remember. They were, dare I say, rangoons to remember. In the two decades since, I’ve eaten a lot of different versions. Honestly, it was usually love at first bite, so in order to create this particular recipe, I combined all the best parts of all the best rangoons I’ve ever tasted. I went with a triangle shape because they’re the easiest to fold and…

HEAVY HOLOGRAPHICS Subtlety has officially left the chat, so know that you’re onto something when your look starts to look extra… extra. Start by dabbing on and blending in a liquid highlighter on the high points of your face, then use a pair of tweezers to place different size rhinestones on your cheeks and across the bridge of your nose. Next, layer on a bluish-purple metallic lip color and top it off with a swipe of thick clear gloss for extra sheen. Laura Mercier RoseGlow Liquid Highlighter in Champagne Pink, $40; Byredo Colour Stick in Ultramagnetic, $38; Half Magic Face Gems in Iridescent Sparkle, $12 for 72. GOTH-Y GLAM There are no rules here, just some advice from us: First, use a liner brush to paint your eye area with…