Innehållsförteckning för Nov-14 från Cosmopolitan

Slept in? Each of these tricks is meant to be done in less than a minute—so in the time it takes Christina Aguilera to belt out "Dirrty" (4 minutes and 59 seconds), you'll be clean, confident, and ready to crush the day. 0:00 to 0:59 PREP AND PRIME First, plug in a flatiron (you'll need it later) and swish with mouthwash as you spray roots with dry shampoo. Throw strands into a high ponytail, and tuck it into a shower cap (hair powder needs a few minutes to absorb oil). 1:00 to 1:59 SHOWER…STRATEGICALLY Multitask with a cream-based body wash. It gets you clean like a cleanser does and lets you skip a post-shower lotion. Lather up key areas only: pits and privates—as the suds roll down, they'll refresh the…

@ErikaLavonne Cosmo, green tea with lemon and honey, tissues, and football. I'll kick this cold while the Seahawks kick the Packers' ass. #MyCosmo @Cosmopolitan @HegartyKatie Seriously impressed with this #ReproHealth piece in #MyCosmo. Their new legislative focus is seamless! @Cosmopolitan @BrittJordan22 Received my new Cosmo along with my very first foster puppy! #NeedsAHome #MyCosmo @Cosmopolitan @Arosado1396 Cosmo takes the OR. @Cosmopolitan #MyCosmo #NightShiftRelief SHOW US YOUR COSMO! How does Cosmo fit into your life? Instagram or tweet your photo to @Cosmopolitan #MyCosmo. If we feature you in the mag, we'll give you $50! COSMOtivation Inspiration with a Cosmo edge. BY ANNA BRESLAW Tweets we love @LakinFord Just read the article about feminism in the September Cosmo. Every girl needs to. Such an honest and inspiring article! #MyCosmo #RealTalk @RachC93…

Dress, Blumarine. Earrings, Vanessa Mooney. Necklace, Astley Clarke. (On left hand) Ring, Elise Dray. (On right hand) Ring, Simon G My nickname: My best friends would describe me as: I'm secretly afraid of: The best advice I ever got on love was from: Who told me: I overuse this emoji: The last text I sent was to: And it said… The movie I would most want to star in a remake of is: If you dump out my purse, you'll always find these six things: The most fabulous item in my closet is: My current celebrity crush is:…

FRIDAY 9 p.m. David Giuntoli GRIMM What's not to love about a guy who kicks Blutbad butt? SATURDAY 9 p.m. Jessie T. Usher SURVIVOR'S REMORSE Say hello to your new obsession: the fresh face of Starz's new comedy. THURSDAY 8 p.m. Ian Somerhalder & Paul Wesley VAMPIRE DIARIES Our Thursday twofer special may come to an end if Ian's Damon doesn't return. SUNDAY 9 p.m. Steven Yeun THE WALKING DEAD We get it, WD cannibals, the guy's yummy. MONDAY 8 p.m. Adam Levine THE VOICE Is it just us or does his chair have a sexier spin than the others? WEDNESDAY 8 p.m. Stephen Amell ARROW One word, three letters: abs. TUESDAY 10 p.m. Taylor Kinney CHICAGO FIRE Where there's smoke, there's Lady Gaga's blazin'-hot RL boyfriend. All times listed…

DURING EARLY screenings of Bad Judge, I was asked if the show was somehow irresponsible because my character, Judge Rebecca Wright, hooks up in her chambers. "This is first and foremost a comedy," I told the reporter. "We just want to make people laugh." We could make the argument that when Will Ferrell was running outside naked in Old School, he should have been arrested. It's not like this is the first female character who has been a little nutty. And to dismiss her as just a woman who sleeps around is overly simplistic. It's more complex than that. I've long had this idea of a woman in a position of authority who's very good at her job but lives life on the edge—one of those people who can ace…

(Model on left) Top, American Eagle Outfitters, $49.95. Shirt, Abercrombie & Fitch, $39. Skirt, Forever 21, $24.80. Shoes, GoJane, $35.40. (Model in center) Jacket, Forever 21, $29.80. Vest, Old Navy, $34.94. Top, New York & Company, $39.95. Pants, Bongo, $19.99. Shoes, Bamboo, $42. (Model on right) Sweater, AMI Clubwear, $32.99. Shirt, Croft & Barrow, $36. Skirt, Mango, $49.99. Shoes, Shop Priceless, $28.97 THANKSGIVING-EVE DRINKS Sweater, AMI Clubwear, $32.99, amiclubwear.com. Top, New York & Company, $39.95, newyorkandcompany.com. Jeans, GoJane, $38, gojane.com. Shoes, Madison, $39.95, shoedazzle.com. Bag, GoJane, $45.90, gojane.com BLACK- FRIDAY SHOPPING Jacket, Joe Fresh, $49, Joe Fresh stores. Vest, Old Navy, $34.94, oldnavy.com. Pants, Bongo, $19.99, Kmart. Shoes, GoJane, $39, gojane.com. Bag, Nila Anthony, $44, lulus.com. Scarf, Forever 21, $9.80, forever21.com FRIENDS-GIVING Shirt, Croft & Barrow, $36, Kohl's. Skirt, Missguided,…

GILT Y PLEASURE Leave it to jewelry designer Alexis Bittar to turn a staple into a statement-maker with a line of 24-karat gold-plated makeup brushes, each embellished with Swarovski crystals. The luxe brushes are limited edition (only at Sephora), so make your move! Alexis Bittar for Sephora Liquid Gold Beauty Brush and Travel Wrap (not shown), $58, Sephora IF MAKEUP'S YOUR VICE… Get your fix with Urban Decay's new Vice palette. It's packed with 20 new addictive shadows (from everyday nudes to bold jewel tones to fierce pinks). Plus, the pouch, which holds the stash, doubles as an iPad-mini case. Total score! Urban Decay, $60, Sephora SWIPE ON SOFTNESS You'd never trade in look-at-me color for blah balm during the dry season—exactly why we love this Chanel newbie. An über-hydrating…

I DREADED HIGH SCHOOL PE. It wasn't so much the physical activity but, rather, changing for it. Inside the steamy, tiled locker room, slender, sporty girls were getting into their gym gear, gossiping, and comparing their new VS bras. Meanwhile, I rustled inside an XL tee shirt—my own mini-cabana. I didn't want anyone to see my chunky thighs or grandma bra (by age 14, I was a solid D). Even as an adult, I felt anxious. After work, I loved to shop at Loeh mann's (the famed and, now, sadly shuttered designer outlet), but their communal dressing room left nothing to hide. I changed so close to the mirror, I fogged it up with my breath. It wasn't just my own naked body that made me uncomfortable. Once while vacationing…

It's tough to emerge a beauty queen after hours of boozing. Since alcohol is a fluid-sucking diuretic (cue the constant trips to the ladies'!), it dehydrates and washes out skin, says dermatologist Mona Gohara. Then there's the blotchiness, extra sweating, and puffy eyes brought on by acetaldehyde—a chemical your system produces as it metabolizes beer, wine, and liquor, says dermatologist Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas. For that, we've rounded up these fumble-proofing fixes. PRE-GAME Kegs and Eggs Stave off midday dryness with a hydrating primer (Too Faced's, left, is packed with coconut water), then top it with a redness-reducing BB cream (green-tinted ones work best). A metal-tipped concealer spiked with cucumber extract (try CoverGirl's, here) prevents puff. Breakfast of champs: Protein plus healthy fat (try eggs and avo) metabolize booze best. L'Oréal…

SO, WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER? FESSING UP MIGHT PAY OFF. "How much do you make?" the subject line asked bluntly. It was an e-mail sent to a listserv I subscribe to—fanned out to hundreds of women all over the country. "I'll start," the sender wrote. "$40,000. No benefits." She said she was working at a publishing start-up in Chicago, making the highest salary of her career. "People are often embarrassed by money questions," the woman continued. "The only people we're protecting by keeping this information secret are those who would exploit us." She had a point. And yet I was sure nobody would respond. Isn't asking about salary sort of…crass? Minutes later, a new e-mail: "$53,000. No negotiation." A public-radio job. Then another: "$4,500 a month, working on a political…

Patty and Matthew Slutsky, a Brooklyn couple in their early 30s, have a setup known as The Plan. It consists of an Excel spreadsheet, a weekly accounting meeting, and a whole lot of saving. "It makes sense that I handle the finances because I'm better at math," says Patty, "but I also feel authorized to do it because I earn as much as he does." Elizabeth Carley and Matt Brown, an engaged couple in Los Angeles, say their motto is "it all evens out in the end." Carley, 32, an occupational therapist, has the larger paycheck. But Brown had the savings that they're using for a down payment on a house. Kathryn Frazier and Andy Stone, married in Washington, D.C., have each been the primary earner at one point or…

Heading into the midterm elections, we are nervously waiting to find out if women can hold on to their historic (but still paltry) 18.5 percent of Congress. The campaign trail is tough on everyone, but women have to navigate some traps that male candidates are lucky to know nothing about. To discuss some of these obstacles, Cosmo brought together two former candidates: Christine Quinn, who ran for mayor of New York City, and Wendy Greuel, who ran for mayor of Los Angeles last year and for Congress earlier this year. Although they stumped in opposite corners of the country, the two women have a lot in common. Both were front-runners in their races at times. And both ultimately fell short. While each attributes those losses to many factors, they both…

Top, What Goes Around Comes Around NYC. Jeans, Nudie Jeans. Hat, Mr. Kim by Eugenia Kim. Bracelet (worn throughout), Melet Mercantile. Ring (worn throughout), JvdF (Clockwise from top) Top, What Goes Around Comes Around NYC. Jeans, Nudie Jeans. Necklaces (from top and worn throughout), Pamela Love, Scosha. Shirt, Louis Vuitton. Tank, shorts, Calvin Klein Underwear. Top, What Goes Around Comes Around NYC "I take the good and bad and roll with it. It's important to stay hungry and work harder than anybody else." Hanging with nick On jo-bro love "I played [my brothers] the record, and they really love it. It feels good. We were in a band for such a long time that there's always going to be a sensitivity there, but I'm thrilled to have brothers who support…

WOMEN ARE FINALLY TALKING ABOUT WANTING FORCEFUL SEX—AND WHAT IT MEANS ABOUT YOU IF YOU DO. IT FIRST HAPPENED at a party last November. I was making small talk with some girls I didn't know too well. Given the context (strangers plus relative sobriety), I was surprised when the conversation turned to something pretty risqué: One of the women mentioned wishing her boyfriend were rougher with her in bed. Another chimed in with a story about coaxing a hesitant ex into experimenting with rougher, kinkier stuff. Pretty soon, we were all gabbing about forceful sex with the same breezy air we'd use to discuss an episode of The Mindy Project. Even otherwise-decorous party guests seemed to have something to say about, say, slapping and spanking during sex. Since that party,…

Blame the start-up revolution or HBO's show Silicon Valley, but nerdy guys are suddenly cool and dateable. What's the secret to going out with these glam-dorks? As an immigrant dweeb from a math-achieving country, Russia, let me share with you my difficult romantic past. I came to the United States from Leningrad in 1979, my family's suitcase weighed down with liner notes to Schubert's Piano Sonata in A Major and advanced-trigonometry textbooks that would be taught in an American high school…or a Soviet kindergarten. Like I said, dork-o-rama. When we landed at JFK, I was immediately sentenced to eight years of a Queens Hebrew school for a crime I did not commit. Let me tell you, the intellectual wattage at this place burned less brightly than my Mini Maglite. Looks…

"Being the Cool Girl means I am a…woman who adores football, poker, dirty jokes, and burping, who plays video games, drinks cheap beer, loves threesomes and anal sex, and jams hot dogs and hamburgers into her mouth…while somehow maintaining a size 2, because Cool Girls are, above all, hot. Hot and understanding.…Go ahead, shit on me, I don't mind, I'm the Cool Girl." IF YOU HAVEN'T READ OR SEEN GONE GIRL, DON'T WORRY—I'm not giving away spoilers; I'm just sharing one of the best passages in the book. Gillian Flynn's best-selling novel, now a film directed by David Fincher, isn't just a sharp page-turner. It's a manifesto about how conforming to the archetype of the Cool Girl (or Chill Girl) is a troubling trend among young women. Being a Chill…

PICKLES ARE THE NEW BREAD Housemade pickled veggies are the cool app at restaurants. Compared with 80 calories for a dinner roll, a pickle's 8 calories is a steal. Make your own! Put 6 garlic cloves, 1 T dill seed, and 1 dill sprig in a big jar. Slice 1 lb. of veggies (cukes, beets, carrots). Pack into jar. In a pot, combine 2 c. each water and white vinegar and 3 T kosher salt. Bring to a boil. Pour into jar; store in fridge up to 2 months. —Jessica migala SOURCE: Jesse and Katie Hancock of Unbound Pickling in Portland, Oregon So You Can't Afford a Vitamix… Nobody likes her green smoothie chunky-style. Make a better one (plus hummus, squash soup, and more) in these budget blenders. VINTAGE LOOK…

ONE SUNDAY LAST summer after a week filled with deadlines and my nights consumed by hosting an out-of-towner, I reclaimed my couch, stayed in my pj's, ordered delivery, and watched a Top Chef Masters marathon. Then I met two friends for dinner, and my happy, relaxed bubble was promptly burst. "You stayed inside all day? It was beautiful out!" said one friend who'd just run a half-marathon. "Aren't you anxious about starting the week unprepared?" said the other, who'd used her Sunday to grocery shop, clean her house, walk the dog, and get a mani. Suddenly, my day of relaxation felt like a day of sloth. It was a classic case of time shaming. We put so much pressure on ourselves to go, go, go, that a day on the…

…and the thing you never have sex without. (Right? Good!) But to get the most STI-proofing benefits, you must use them correctly. These fails, ID'd by an Indiana University study, are condom Kryptonite. YOU USED THE WRONG KIND… Words like novelty or for entertainment purposes mean it's not FDA-approved. Latex is best, or polyurethane if you're allergic. …OR THE WRONG LUBE. Oils and petroleum jelly can damage latex, so only use with water-based lubes. The word oil on the label means it's not latex-safe. P.S. Saliva is a safe, free lubricant. YOU DIDN'T EXAMINE IT. Check the expiration date. And don't use a discolored, torn, or brittle condom. YOU LET HIM PUT IT ON. "Women often assume the guy will take care of it, and we don't pay close attention…

Maria Mejia (41) Lisa Laing (43) MIAMI, FLORIDA married six months Maria: I've been HIV positive since I was 16 years old. I got it from the first guy I had sex with, back before I was comfortable with my sexuality and out. Lisa: We became friends over MySpace. The connection was just as strong when we met in person. Maria: After a while, I knew I was in love with her. I knew I had to tell her my secret. It took me a few hours over Yahoo messenger to get it out! Lisa: I told her, "I don't care. I love you." That was seven years ago, and we just got married in May. Maria: I take antiviral pills every single day, which drastically reduces the risk of…

Hard work got Amanda Luker from a trailer in Florida to her job as a top aide to vice presidential candidate Tom Davis. But no matter how focused she is on the campaign, Pax Wester brook—the working-for-daddy's-hedge-fund bad boy she'd had one disastrous date with—keeps popping up in her thoughts. And then, he pops up in person… THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION was in Boston that year, which was experiencing a heat wave, but you wouldn't know it to look at my boss. Senator Davis's family stood in their box, all dressed in the same royal blue as his tie, waving to the cameras with glowing smiles. I watched with pride as the senator introduced the world to the vision that had won me over when I first heard him speak so…

1 You're buying tampons and Midol at 3 a.m. on a Friday night, when the cashier asks, "How's it goin'?" Your response: a. Pretend you didn't hear him. b. "Never been better!" #Sarcasm c. Show him an in-depth PowerPoint presentation of your "moon cycle," complete with sound effects and funky clip art. 2 Your life motto is: a. Silence is golden. b. If you see something, say something. c. The world is my therapist. 3 Twitter is an amazing place to: a. Ignore. You don't do social media. b. Follow hilarious comedians like Amy Schumer and Chelsea Peretti. c. Voice your opinions about freeing the nipple in the workplace. 4 You're 20 minutes late to work, and your boss asks what happened. You: a. Bow your head and apologize. b.…

FEEL-GOOD FASHION "The fact that Toms teamed up with Target on a collection of accessories benefiting Feeding America makes the shoe company that much cooler." —BETSY HALSEY, ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Bracelet set, Toms for Target, $15, target.com NEW LOOK "Love the rebel makeover that Diesel's new artistic director and Gaga's former stylist Nicola Formichetti brings to his first collection. I'd expect nothing less." —STEVEN BROWN, BOOKINGS DIRECTOR Jacket, T-shirt, jeans, Diesel, diesel.com LOL CATS "Confession: I tore a page out of The Best Cat Book Ever and displayed it on my desk. It's that good." —ANGELA LEDGERWOOD, ASSISTANT EDITOR Hardcover, $12.99, wherever books are sold THE HOTTEST COLLAB "Dear Alexander Wang, why must you torture my wallet so? If anybody needs me on November 6, I'll be at H&M, fighting…

JESSICA BENNETT The columnist for Time.com and contributing editor for Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In foundation explores the power women get from understanding, earning, and talking about money in her two stories, "Paycheck Confessions" (p. 114) and "Bigger Salary, Better Sex?" (p. 126). PET PEEVE "Talking around an issue instead of getting to it directly. Just say what you mean!" TWITTER: @Jess7Bennett NELL SCOVELL Writer Scovell created and executive-produced ABC's Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and coau thored Lean In with Sheryl Sandberg. In "Why Do We Give Women Candidates Such a Hard Time?" (p. 134), she spoke to Christine Quinn and Wendy Greuel about their experiences running for office. HOW I UNWIND "Yoga. Recently my teacher said, 'Strengthen something…and soften something'—also great advice for life." TWITTER: @NellSco GARY SHTEYNGART The Russian-born…

"I might die from eating too much mac and cheese. Once, I ordered enough for me and a friend and ate the whole thing by myself. I feel like there should be a support group. It's a real problem." —EILEEN T., 32, tech consultant, from London, England "I came out to my mom on Mother's Day by accident. She had assumed that my new girlfriend was a boy because of her androgynous name and asked how 'he' was doing, so I corrected her—and inadvertently came out. It was her Mother's Day gift." —Page S., 19, MODEL, FROM SAN FRANCISCO, CA "I was at a party and my friend was introducing me to someone she wanted to set me up with. I saw a different guy who seemed more fun, and…

PENIS CLUB FUN Transform NSFW dong drawings into cute doodles with Penis Camouflage, the most ridickulous party game. FEARLESS Runner Claire Wyckoff uses Nike+ app to turn her routes into phallic works of art, documents it all on Tumblr. FAIL Man starts Kickstarter campaign to fund "world's biggest dick drawing"; $1 buys one inch—if only that worked IRL. GRAB A SLICE FUN Answering your hangover prayers, five guys create Push for Pizza app. One tap is all it takes to have a pie at your door. FEARLESS Katy Perry zips up in a pepperoni pizza onesie, narrowly escapes being devoured by hoards of hungry fans. FAIL From jail, shoplifting suspect orders five pizzas under a police officer's name—ends up with additional charges. Who ordered the slammer special? BUSTING OUT FUN…

You're finishing off a slice of crazy good pie with your three BFFs—one dessert, four forks—when it happens again: "God, I can't believe I ate so much. I feel so fat." No matter who says it first or how much fun you've been having, it's almost inevitable that someone else will chime in: "I haven't been to the gym all week! My thighs are rubbing together." Everyone groans in sympathy and you're off, recounting diet sins and self-deprecating stories, each upping the ante until the sweetness of the evening (never mind the chocolate) fades, and you all end up going home feeling as if Girls' Night Out was kind of a bummer. Why does this always happen? Partly, I think it's the fact that in our culture, women are taught…

SHORTY HEEL This down-to-earth statement-maker brings comfort and cool. Boots, Kat Maconie, $365, katmaconie.com LUG SOLE The platformed version of this utilitarian staple balances wider hips. Boots, Diesel, $310, shop.diesel.com HIGH AND STRETCHY An elastic back adjusts to larger calves while the neutral hue and pointy toe elongate your legs. Boots, Ivanka Trump, $199, Nordstrom SEXY STILETTO Petite women, stick to single-sole booties that won't overpower your frame. Boots, Banana Republic, $198, bananarepublic.com WEATHERPROOF Rain boots are fine on the weekends, but head to work in a polished pair of heels. Boots, Pollini by Nicholas Kirkwood, pollini.com SLOUCHY The loose ankle creates the illusion of slimmer calves. Boots, Aldo, $140, aldoshoes.com…

If creams are like skin-care cocktails, consider serums shots. "Their thin viscosity allows them to be more easily absorbed by skin, delivering high concentrations of active ingredients," says NYC derm Joshua Zeichner. Traditionally, they performed a targeted task. But the latest address multiple issues in one pump. How? Check out these new, crazy-cool innovations. SOUPED-UP DELIVERY SYSTEMS. Some serums can't handle a ton of active ingredients—certain ones go bad if they aren't absorbed quickly (like bananas in a fruit salad). New bi-lipid technology (in Radical's serum, above), however, solves that. The mole cules' outer layer mimics our skin cells' structure, allowing it to absorb rapidly. With a more lenient door policy, a wide range of potent ingredients can party down. GOOGLE-LEVEL INTELLIGENCE. Instead of flooding skin with a ton of…

Salon gel manis have ruined my nails. Are the new drugstore "gel polishes" any gentler? —TAYLOR WHITING, 21 It's not the formula that's damaging but how it's removed. Most DIY gels dissolve with acetone—ideal for chronic peelers. Is it okay to wear glittery eye shadow to work? —EMILY MCBRIDE, 24 Save the chunky specks of glitter for GNO, and go for a soft shimmer instead. It's more professional. Dior Diorshow Fusion Mono Eye Shadow in Meteore, $30, dior.com Do cleansing wipes really get you clean, or do they just spread around dirt and oil? —AMANDA CAVALIERE, 21 Textured exfoliating wipes lift dirt and makeup best. Just use more than one—when it wipes clean, you're clean. Shine serum is too heavy for my thin, dull hair. What else can I use?…

Last year, Cosmo Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles gave a speech to a group of New York women called Let's Talk About Money. "Normally, women don't shy away from personal topics," she told the crowd. "We discuss our cleanses and our IUDs. But you know what's too intimate to discuss? Our benefits package." She's right. Women still view money as too "unladylike" to talk about—or just distasteful. Many pass the buck to the men in their lives. But it's time to get personal. Women are making great progress on the financial front, but there is more to be done. The pay gap stubbornly persists. Women are less likely to negotiate compensation than men are, and when they do, they can be penalized for being too demanding. And while 95 percent of women…

What if you could negotiate pay without all the butterflies and second-guessing? Claire Shipman, coauthor of The Confidence Code, tells how to be bold. strength respect fairness relax competence risk power bold confidence courage COSMO: How much of the pay gap is about us not asking for more? CLAIRE SHIPMAN: It's one part of the problem. Studies show that, on average, men initiate salary negotiations four times as often as women do and that when women do negotiate, they ask for 30 percent less than men do. COSMO: But what about employers—aren't they to blame too? SHIPMAN: Companies that employ women in large numbers outperform their competitors by every measure of profitability. So women are incredibly competent, but employers aren't compensating them accordingly. Studies show that we pay a penalty…

WHEN YOU'RE AT WORK… 1 Sign up for a commuter-reimbursement account if your employer offers one. You can avoid taxes on some of your getting-to-work costs (parking, gas, subway fare), saving you hundreds of dollars per year. WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN… 2 Check out Savored.com, which discounts your meal based on what time of day you reserve—eating at geezer o'clock could save you 40 percent. 3 Go ahead and get a bottle—it's cheaper than ordering wine by the glass if your dinner crew is in a wine mood. Expect to save at least 20 percent. 4 Drink deals are everywhere. Use the Happy Hours app to find them (free, iTunes.com and Google.Play.com). 5 It's a scientific fact that experiences bring you more happiness than stuff does. So seek out adventures…

"For some women, it's a requirement for a man to have money. I don't feel that way. I like to be able to take care of myself and prove it. I'm always the first to offer to split the bill." ONE-KNIT Wonder SWEATER, PIMA DOLL. BIKINI, KIINI. SOCKS, CORGI. NECKLACE, ASTLEY CLARKE. RING, SHEBEE GEM, SCARF, KNITTING KIT, WE ARE KNITTERS. OPPOSITE PAGE: Top, shorts, M Missoni. Bra, Negative Underwear. Shoes, Converse. Socks, Topshop. Backpack, Emily's own BEAUTY TIP The mesh-top equivalent of makeup: glossy, wet-looking lids. Just swipe on Diorshow Mono Eye Shadow in Khol, $29.50, with a damp brush. LAST SUMMER, Emily Ratajkowski —pronounced RAT-A-COW-SKI ("The J is silent. Once you get that, it's pretty easy," she says, but more on that later)—bounced, literally, into the limelight, topless…

You can gauge everything about a guy from his courtship style— from his go-to karaoke band (the Eagles? he's a dad in training) to the way he tips (a soulless 12 percent? run). With all this info, you barely need to listen to him talk! Kidding. Sorta. 1 Getting (Too) Cozy With little warning, he pulls you onto his lap in the bar's novelty photo booth and draws the curtain closed. Dude's only interested in one thing, and it's not your thoughts on contemporary photography. 2 LIT-SNOB LOSER You're in the middle of a convo at a bar when he pulls a: "Jack Kerouac used to come here. Do you know who that is [laughs and raises eyebrow]?" He's smart and bookish…but sufficiently patronizing to assume that your boobs prevent…

Q One of my labia is really long, and it's killing my sexual confidence. How safe is labiaplasty surgery? A Labiaplasty is on the rise, thanks (or no thanks) to Brazilian waxes and skinny jeans. But the cosmetic surgery to trim your labia (minora or majora, but usually minora) is controversial. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is against it, saying there isn't enough scientific data on the surgery and, essentially, that it's messed up for doctors to encourage women to strive for an ideal or designer vulva. Still, there are ob-gyns who support labiaplasty and view it as your vulva, your choice—just like a nose job or breast implants. "Some women have difficulty inserting a tampon or having sex because excess skin gets dragged inside the…

Q My boyfriend and I are planning our first vacation together over the holidays. I'm mostly excited but also a little worried that it's going to be a lot of toge ther time. What's a good way to suggest some independent activities without offending him? A Uh, if you're going on vacation alone with your boyfriend, you cannot pre-suggest activities specifically designed to keep you apart. That said, I understand your concern, and props to you for being able to admit that you need time to yourself. It's healthy for couples to do things separate from each other. As far as your trip, I suggest two strategies. First, do independent activities together. An example of that would be reading by the pool, which you can do without talking to or…

Nevermind their adorable giggles…or the way they perpetuate the circle of life. Babies have become the enemies of ambitious, adventurous women who believe that infants steal your freedom, derail your career, and mess up your relationship. In short, "They ruin your life," says Kate Thompson, 30, an account executive from Washington, D.C. "They're the most selfish beings on the planet." A baby seems like a puking, pooping menace to Thompson's sexy, new marriage. She loves spontaneous dinners and relaxing beach vacations with her husband, Will. A baby, they agree, would be the ultimate buzzkill. Cute Career Killers? Babies are taking a backseat as women become more highly educated and arguably more focused on their careers than ever before. There are fewer babies being born in the U.S., and more women…

DANCE CARDIO You want leggings that offer some support but also have a fold-over waistband, in case a routine inspires you to show off your toned tummy. Lululemon In the Flow Crop II, $78, lululemon.com YOGA, PILATES, BARRE Look for a tag-free pair that won't scratch you during downward dog. Sweat-wicking fabrics ensure you're not soggy halfway through class. Alternative Apparel Move Lean Into It Leggings, $92, alternativeapparel.com RUNNING, CYCLING, ELLIP-ING Suck-you-in compression increases circulation and keeps everything in place. Also: A hidden pocket lets you stash keys or an ID. Alala Knockout Crop Tight, $105, carbon38.com SOURCE: PERSONAL TRAINER KATIE WARNER JOHNSON, COFOUNDER/CEO OF FITNESS-FASHION SITE CARBON38.COM When You Hit a Slump at Work… Fitness may not bring world peace, but it has been found to improve problem-solving skills.…

You know what you'd say if you found out you had a sexually transmitted infection. Maybe you've said it already, given the numbers. A CDC report found rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis have steadily risen in recent years (some as much as 15 percent), with half of all new STI cases occurring in people ages 15 to 24. Not enough of us are getting vaccines or STI tests either…maybe because we're all paralyzed with fear. The freak-out stops here. STIs may be common, but they are also preventable, treatable, and not nearly as life-scarring as we tend to imagine. Cosmo compiled this guide—think of it as an extremely modern encyclopedia—to give you the details no one else will. Get informed, then go get busy.…

Not all bumps, odors, and itches signify an STI (phew). When in doubt, visit your gyno. The Tests KNOW YOUR STATUS Insurance has to cover screenings for free—thanks, Affordable Care Act! If you're uninsured or your provider pushes back, Planned Parenthood has gratis testing. FOR YOU…Pap test: A cell sample, which your doctor takes from your cervix with a Q-tip-like tool, is tested for precancerous cells linked to HPV. How often? Every five years once you're 21, say U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines; yearly if you've tested positive for HPV or have multiple partners. Swab or urine test: A vaginal sample or urine sample is tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trich. How often? Yearly, even if you're monogamous. (Some boyfriends cheat.) Every six months if you have…

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN EACH OTHER IN A WHILE… You used to know everything about your girls. Now it's #AwkwardSilences. Here are fun ways to get reacquainted. 1. GRAB A CUP of frozen yogurt. It's quick and casual, and you'll have time to catch up without any awkward pauses. 2. CHECK OUT THE new Hunger Games flick. Talk before previews and after the movie ends. Perfect for catching up with an old friend. 3. ESCAPE THE cold and grab a pumpkin spice latte. A casual sit-down alleviates pressure, and you won't have to stay for more than half an hour. 4. GET THE OLD gang together, and go out for teppanyaki (like at Benihana). The fun, interactive atmos phere and acrobatic-chef moves make for good vibes all around. 5. MAKE…

SCORPIO / 10.23–11.21 STELLAR GIFTS You have a talent for reading people. BLIND SPOTS Your cool exterior can hide your other wise passionate nature. FASHION FAVES Nobody makes an all-black outfit look chic and alluring, rather than goth, better than a Scorp. INDULGENCE Always eager to learn new things, you devour psychology books and newsy blogs. SEDUCTION STYLE You know just when to walk away and leave him wanting more. THIS MONTH The October 23rd solar eclipse occurs in your sign. It will help you embrace change. Look for love during the Full Moon on the 6th. And you will be able to win over everyone at work after articulate Mercury moves into your sign on the 8th. YEAR AHEAD You are a master at envisioning the future. If you…

1. PRE-ORDER TIX …For The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 to be sure the odds are ever in your favor when it opens November 21. 2. POWER UP Tommy Hilfiger's new limited-edition jacket has removable solar panels that can power up two devices at a time ($599, tommy.com). 3. SAY #THXBIRTHCONTROL …On Insta and Twitter for national Thanks, Birth Control Day, November 12. If the ability to choose when you have kids isn't worth celebrating, we don't know what is. 4. CHEER HER ON How many of Miranda Lambert's nine (!) Country Music Award nominations will she actually win? Find out November 5, 8 p.m. ET on ABC. 5. INTERSTELLAR Matthew McConaughey-hey-hey gets so high—like sky-high—with Anne Hathaway in this space odyssey. 6. FOXCATCHER A twisted wrestling tale based on…

Confession Asking for the pay you deserve is tough—I once totally blew it. Cosmopolitan on Campus Prepare for a fun, sexy fall by…being prepared! Cosmo is giving out thousands of free condoms in November on campuses across the country as part of a stay-STI-free initiative with Planned Parenthood. Fun Fearless Weekends! Life should be easier and more fun, right? Cosmo's Fun Fearless Life Weekends are two-day crash courses in feeling more creative and inspired to attain your goals and dreams. Celebs like Chrissy Teigen and Nick Jonas, execs like Spanx founder Sara Blakely, and inspiring authors like Gabrielle Bernstein (see p. 64) will be there to share their success stories and tips with you. Grab your posse and GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY at FunFearlessLife.com—before they sell out! I STILL CRINGE…

"He took me to a movie and then drove me to a Sears parking lot, which he seemed to think would be the perfect venue for a hook up in his car. Yuck." —NICOLE G., 20 "He called his parents and put them on SPEAKER for 10 minutes while we waited for a movie to start." —KATIE B., 25 "He wanted to take me to a club with private rooms because he said we needed a place for me to go down on him." —NATALYA Z., 21 "He ran a RED LIGHT. After the cop pulled him aside for questioning, my date said, 'He was just making sure I was behaving myself, because I just got out of jail!'" —CAITLIN H., 24 "He said after he 'made me his girlfriend,'…

"I love The Notebook. I cried—of course I cried! If any guy tells you he didn't, then he's full of all sorts of shit." HOLLYWOOD IDOL "Duh, my dad." Clint Eastwood, 1956 First-date deal breaker! Bad conversation. A lot of girls—and guys too—try to show you who they are by presenting their representative. People can see right through that. They present themselves all nicely and neat like it's Christmas, but it's like no, come on, we're all flawed, just be honest! WHAT MY MOM WOULD TELL YOU ABOUT ME MY HOBBIES * In Solana Beach, CA; Scott's a co-owner "Can you have him call me?"…

(Model on left) All items, Salvatore Ferragamo. (Model on right) All items, Vanessa Bruno Kate Spade, $78, piperlime.com Joie, $295, joie.com Ann Taylor, $109, anntaylor.com Garance Dore, $12, riflepaperco.com Whistles, $240, whistles.com Abercrombie and Fitch, $160, abercrombie.com Bebe, $79, bebe.com Class act TAILORED PREP-SCHOOL BASICS GRADUATE TO THE BIG LEAGUES WHEN PAIRED WITH LADYLIKE BAGS AND FLATS. (Model on left) All items, Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane. (Model on right) All items, Miu Miu Zara, $35.90, zara.com Equipment, $248, equipmentfr.com Furla, $148, furlausa.com Smythe, $595, Nordstrom.com Club Monaco, $169.50, clubmonaco.com Michele, $615, michele.com Good sport KICK OFF YOUR HEELS. SNEAKERS AND A MOTO JACKET GIVE CONSERVATIVE SKIRTS A BADASS EDGE. Necklace, Cartier. All other items, Marc by Marc Jacobs Kaelen, kaelennyc.com Juicy Couture, $39, kohls.com Valentino Garavani, Valentino boutiques BaubleBar,…

OVER IT Top a black crop top and basic jean jacket with a graphic moto vest for a sum total of major impact. Vest, Marna Ro, $575, marnaro.com. Jacket, Old Navy, $34.94, Old Navy. Bralet, Curriculum Vitae, $425, cv-newyork.com. Skirt, Mango, $69.99, mango.com. Shoes, Circus by Sam Edelman, $100, circusbysamedelman.com. Clutch, United Colors of Benetton, $69.50, United Colors of Benetton New York, 212-223-6250 GO LONG Not quite cold enough for a coat? Hit a glam slam with a knee-length vest that keeps your core warm. Vest, Milly, $625, similar styles available at millyny.com. Sweater, Topshop, $50, topshop.com. Pants, J Brand, select Saks Fifth Avenue stores. Shoes, DV by Dolce Vita, $130, dolcevita.com. Bag, ASOS, $45, asos.com. Cuff, Ann Taylor, $49.50, anntaylor.com…

SO FLY Designer Rachel Roy adorned this balm with wings, her signature logo. EOS + Rachel Roy Lip Balm in Wildberry, $3.50, Target FLASH FRINGE Sweep on one coat and poof—bombshell lashes! Tarte Deluxe Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara, $10, tarte.com FINE PRINT As pretty as the box: this soap's floral scent. Pacifica Natural Soap in Lotus Garden, $6, Ulta ROLL-PLAY Patchouli and vanilla notes create a sexy after-hours scent. Flower Rollerball Fragrance in Sultry, $10, walmart.com POWER POUT These fierce hues will rule GNO. Iman Cosmetics Luxury Moisturizing Lipsticks in Taboo and Flirtacious, $10 each, Walgreens WINE TIME A buzzworthy polish that'll take you from work to weekend. Essie Nail Lacquer in Bahama Mama, $8.50, essie.com PICK-UP STICKS Coolest. File. Ever! Buff nails with this end; push back cuticles…

Step 1 Apply a thin, even layer of satin-finish foundation. The texture (part glow-y, part matte) looks the most natural. To prevent shine, tap your T-zone with a bit of powder. Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide in Crème, $48; Smooth Finish Foundation Powder in 03, $45, lauramercier.com Step 2 Dust bronzer all over (including your neck and décolletage) to warm up your skin, then sweep a second layer along the hollows of your cheeks for subtle contour. Comb brows, and fill in sparse spots with a pencil, using short dashes. Shiseido Bronzer in Dawn Light, $35, shiseido.com. Lancôme Le Crayon Poudre Brow Powder Pencil in Chataigne, $24.50, lancome.com Step 3 Balance a bold lip with Mercier's signature: the tight line, which subtly defines eyes by placing color directly on…

1. Your pay depends on who you are… When a white, non-Hispanic man earns $1… An Asian-American woman earns 87 cents. A white woman earns 78 cents. A black woman earns 64 cents. A Hispanic woman earns 53 cents. 2. How much you study… Median weekly earnings for full-time American workers ages 25 and older: 3. What job you take… The college majors and jobs that men prefer tend to pay more than the ones women choose. Because they earn less, women have more student debt. Fifty-three percent of women carry a high student-loan debt burden versus 39 percent of men. 4. How fast you move up in your field… The glass escalator: When men take jobs perceived as "female," they still earn more and rise more quickly than women…

YOU'RE APPLYING FOR A NEW JOB START HERE Do your research Get a sense of the average salary range for your position on free websites like Salary.com or Payscale.com and by talking to folks in the industry—just make sure to talk to some men for a full picture, since they tend to be paid more. Reach out to mentors, LinkedIn contacts, professors, your school's career center, and even coworkers. "I want to talk about that soon." Followed immediately by "I'm confident we can arrive at a number that works for both of us if you decide I'm the right one for this job." (If an application requests salary history, say "market value" or "negotiable.") You have more negotiating power later, after you've convinced them you're so great that they can't…

NAME Laramie Glen, 29 CITY New York City LAST GIG Makeup artist NEW ENDEAVOR CEO of Book Your Look, an online beauty booking service "When I'm on-set doing makeup, I dress for comfort and practical ity. Now that I'm also the face of my own company, I need a look for meetings that reflects how business-minded I am. My hair already signals my creativity, so I need my 'boss look' to be more sophisticated and put together." HOW CAN I STAND OUT? Maybelline New York makeup artist Melissa Silver enhanced Laramie's eyes with creamy black liner and mascara. "The neutral black tone tempers her vibrant hair," says Silver. Textured waves give her look a punch of personality while still looking professional. AND WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? "A tailored jacket gives…

I knew I wanted CK One before I even knew what it smelled like. It was 1994, and the black-and-white magazine ad was amazing. Models who looked like art-school dropouts lolling next to those who could pass for Lollapalooza headliners, and slouching near the center: Kate Moss. With her cutoff skirt and crossed arms, she didn't look angry, she looked indifferent. Like she would walk right out of that perfume ad,if only she could be bothered. I wanted in. So did a lot of girls my age. The unisex gimmick seemed impossibly sophisticated. The scent was bright and clear—what I imagine a shooting star would smell like, cut with a twist of lemon. I tossed my gardenias and made space on my dresser. I was suddenly part of the cool-girls…

We asked Cosmo readers to reveal your sweatiest, naughtiest, most orgasmic moments and sex tips. You really delivered. Celebrities and rock stars? Check. Forbidden professors and kinky bosses? Oh, you went there. Use these confessions as sin-spiration for your sexual Pinterest board. Warning: These tales are utterly NSFW! WOW POSITION "REVERSE-COWGIRL. I LOVE GETTING A VIEW OF HER BUTT IN ACTION."—GUY, 35 EPIC SEX CELEBRISEX "I was the front-desk girl at a fancy gym when a cute 40something guy who looked kind of familiar asked me out for margaritas. I realized when I got home that night that he was a pretty famous celebrity who had just divorced his wife…but I pretended I didn't know who he was. After drinks, we went back to his place and he went down…

DECODE HIS Wild Animal Tinder Pic Swipe Left = Release Him Into the Wild Swipe Right = Keep Him TIGER He is Vegas-obsessed and dreams of being Siegfried and/or Roy. SWIPE LEFT: Unless you like to be mauled in bed. SEA TURTLE He's a high-end beach bum accustomed to 5-star Caribbean vacays. SWIPE RIGHT: Hello, bottomless daiquiris! CAMEL After his spiritual trip abroad, he wants a serious girlfriend (and a hump). SWIPE RIGHT: Your parents will love him. LARGE FISH He's a simple bro who enjoys the thrill of the catch. SWIPE LEFT: Fish smell on your sheets? Hell, no. OWL He wants to do it in Hagrid's Hut at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. SWIPE RIGHT: Fall under his nerdy spell. ELEPHANT Amodern-day, up-for-anything explorer. SWIPE RIGHT: This…

Believe Your Mom's Compliments JODI: There are so many negative messages being thrust on young women today: You're not pretty enough; you're not smart enough. And as far as I'm concerned, she's the prettiest, smartest girl out there, so I'm gonna tell her that, and hopefully if I say it often enough, she might start to believe it. SAMMY: Obviously, I'm going to roll my eyes and be like, "You have to say that; you're my mom." But still, it's one less person saying something negative. I've managed to surround myself with the skinniest, most beautiful friends. So maybe on that day when I look in the mirror and I'm like, "Great, going to the beach with my friends," I hear my mom's voice going, "You look so great!"—and it…

HAVE A SECOND BREAKFAST Go for an apple—it contains a fiber called pectin that helps activate your energy hormones. Sprinkle it with cinnamon, which stabilizes blood sugar to keep you focused. SING IN THE CAR Belting out a tune energizes you more than just listening, according to a study in the Journal of Music Therapy. Yes, you do sound like Demi Lovato. SIT UP STRAIGHTER Gazing upward and pushing your shoulders back is proven to be energizing. Hang photos just above eye level at your desk to nudge you into this power posture. Sources: Erik Peper, PhD, professor of health education and holistic health, department of health educa tion at San Francisco State university; registered well ness consultant and nutritional counselor Haylie Pomroy, author of The Fast Metabolism Diet…

OVER THE MOON 1 Get on floor in plank position, balancing on forearms and toes. Pulling toes toward you, raise your butt as high as you can toward ceiling, so your body makes an upside-down V shape. 2 Use your abs to dip your left hip toward the floor, without changing foot position. Pause, then lift your hips back up to V shape, then dip hips to the right. That's one rep. Do 12 reps. Rest; repeat until song ends. SUGGESTED SONG "Wiggle," by Jason Derulo GODDESS ROLL Kneel on the floor, balancing on your shins, with torso straight. Raise arms overhead and clasp hands so arms make a circle shape. Use your abs to roll your pelvis slowly and sensually in a big circle, as though you're cleaning out…

Having an STI will not ruin your life. Most can be cured, and chronic, incurable forms can be managed when caught early. The key is to know your stuff. TRICHOMONIASIS (aka trich) This tiny parasite can cause irritation and inflammation of the genitals. Left untreated, chronic inflammation can increase your risk for other STIs. WHO HAS IT: 1 million new diagnoses in the United States each year.* HOW YOU GET IT: Sexual intercourse and vulva-to-vulva contact. RX: A single antibiotic dose cures you. HPV Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infects the skin, causing abnormal cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer. WHO HAS IT: 14 million HOW YOU GET IT: Oral, vaginal, and anal sex. RX: There's no cure, but the immune system clears most cases within a…

The summer I turned 25, I met a guy with young Mick Jagger levels of sex appeal. He was irresistible—one of those troubled man-boys who make your brain shout No! and your body scream Yes! Eventually, one night, I found myself sitting on his face, naked, per his request. Oral sex was all we had that night. But a few days later, I noticed things were amiss. It felt like I had a cut on my clitoris, it hurt to pee, I felt a burning sensation, and I had a discharge. Then I found 8 or 10 sores near my labia. They looked like ingrown hairs but couldn't be popped , and they had a red, irritated ring around a white center. I panicked. I Googled. I spiraled quickly. I…

Drop-Dead Easy Cookie (Makes about a dozen) 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 1 egg 1 t. vanilla extract 1 c. granulated sugar ⅔ c. light brown sugar 1 ¼ c. all-purpose flour ½ t. baking powder ½ t. baking soda 1 t. kosher salt 1 ¼ c. chocolate chips or candy ¾ c. dry mix-ins (graham-cracker crumbs, oats, coffee grounds) 2 c. large textural mix- ins (pretzels, dried fruit) 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter, egg, vanilla, and sugars in a large bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon until ingredients are fully incorporated, sugar granules dissolve, and mixture is light and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes. 2. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until dough just comes together, no longer than 1 minute.…

PINTEREST PERV "At the public library, this guy was on Pinterest, but not to find DIY crafts or recipes—he was looking up nude models. Please invest in a laptop, and take your creepy porn home." —AKSANA C., 19 FOOT FAIL "Seriously? It's rush hour on a train into Manhattan, and you think it's cool to put your bare feet on one of the only empty seats left." —MEREDITH K., 22 DIGGING DEEP "At least try to be subtle about it." —LIZBET S., 22 FEBREZE, PLEASE "My boss brought in an old shoe and left it on my desk, claiming he was going to look up the style number later. I'm sorry, but playing host to your smelly shoe is not part of my job description!" —LORI E., 26 ANNOYED BEYOND…