Innehållsförteckning för Dec-14 från Cosmopolitan

GETTING PERSONAL "Best gift idea ever: your signature (or doodles) in gold!" —Angela ledgerwood, assistant editor Necklace, Brevity, $295 for necklace shown (ranges from $195 to $1,795), brevityjewelry.com SUGAR-PLUM PRETTY "The two upsides of winter, pink cheeks and The Nutcracker, come together for Clinique's new collaboration with the American Ballet Theatre." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY ASSISTANT Clinique The Nutcracker Act I Compact, $36, clinique.com SATIN TOUCH "A PRETTY ROBE MAKES FUTZING AROUND THE HOUSE FEEL A LITTLE MORE SPECIAL."—diandra barnwell, Assistant brand coordinator Lingerie set, Cosmopolitan for JCPenney, $60, jcpenney.com FITNESS TRACKING "Crushing hard on the iPhone 6 and Apple Watch—especially the body intel you get through the Health app." —LIZ PLOSSER, SENIOR EDITOR iPhone 6, from $199, watch, from $349, apple.com CUTE TOOLS "CHI-Air's adorbs flat- and curling-iron set turns…

MÉLANIE BERLIET In "I Lent My Vagina to Science" (p. 194), writer Berliet offers up her own body for experimentation in an effort to understand the elusive origins of arousal. UNEXPECTED FACT I LEARNED WHILE WRITING THIS PIECE "That behaviors and people you consider absolutely repulsive are actually capable of turning you on. A guy you loathe and find utterly unattractive can very well touch you in a specific way that kick-starts your libido." TWITTER: @MelanieBerliet PAT McGRATH McGrath, CoverGirl Global creative design director, reveals how to pull off fall's biggest beauty trend—a colorful smoky eye—in the feature "Smoke Show" (p. 162). MY FAVORITE WINTER BEAUTY ADVICE "Bright colors can be worn year-round. A bright blue hue in winter looks modern and fresh because it's unexpected. Apply it with a…

"I laughed at a mean customer on the phone, and she got upset and demanded to speak to a manager. I then pretended to be a manager, assuring the customer I would serve justice!" —Hannah A., 24, CUSTOMER-SERVICE REP, FROM NEW YORK, NY "I thought my boyfriend and I were being really quiet one night, but the next morning, as I was connecting to the internet, I discovered that my roommate—she's actually my sister—had changed the name of our wireless network to 'ICanHearYouHavingSex.' I definitely learned my lesson!" —Jennifer H., 23, MEDIA COORDINATOR, FROM FULLERTON, CA "I signed up to make a dish for a potluck but ran out of time. I ordered takeout and played it off like I had made it. Everyone was like, 'Oh, it's so good!'…

FOR YOUR FUR BABY FUN Catnip egg rolls: Because Mittens wants in on your tradition of ordering takeout and watching The Walking Dead. Cat toy, Polydactyl-Cats, $22, etsy.com FEARLESS Cat bridge: An Indiana Jones–style ropes course for adventurous felines and their people—look out below. Cat bridge, CatastrophicCreations, from $150, catastrophicreations.com FAIL Unicorn horn: Sure, it's good for one Insta post, but hell hath no fury like a cat shamed. Check your pillow for revenge. "You owe me treats, human." Inflatable unicorn horn, Archie McPhee, $5, mcphee.com FOR YOUR RIDE-OR-DIE GIRL FUN Sparkling wine that says it all: She is the party and the after-party…and the after-after-party. Always. Sparkling wine, Chandon Holiday Limited Edition bottle, $24, chandon.com FEARLESS Choice words of encouragement: Extra points for framing the print and hanging it…

1 That Gorgeous Five-Course Dinner Party You Feel Obligated to Throw You know as well as I do that freegan-Paleo diet restrictions + the judgmental stare of your Ina Garten book cover = you weeping on a ham. Give yourself the gift of takeout for Christmas. 2 Obligatory Festivewear Fear not: The world will continue spinning with one less person in a reindeer-antlers headband. 3 December Diet Stress If you deprive yourself of amazing seasonal noms, you will wind up gnawing on a gingerbread house at 3 a.m. Eat, dude. 4 Extraneous Social Activities With Relatives You Dislike You might not be able to blow off Christmas Eve dinner with your obnoxious cousin Barry. But you can certainly wiggle out of having to drive him to the mall. 5 Your…

ONE-PIECE WONDER There's no rule that says dresses and skirts are mandatory for girls' night out. Make a glam jumpsuit your new go-to look—it's as chic today as it was in the '70s. (Model on left) Jumpsuit, KCNY, $198, kennethcole.com. Shoes, Forever21, $32.80, forever21.com. Bag, Marie Turnor, $290, marie turnor.com. Necklace, Dylanlex, $710, dylanlex.com. (Model on right) Jumpsuit, Ann Taylor, $198, anntaylor.com. Shoes, ASOS Black, $96, asos.com. Bag, Furla, $248, furlausa.com. Bracelets, Alexis Bittar, $155 each, alexisbittar.com. Ring, Noir, $135, noirnyc.com NAUGHTY OR KNITS? Play with photo-ready textures. A casual chunky sweater is the perfect balancing act to a fringed mini. Sweater, Topshop, $96, topshop.com. Skirt, Express, $198, express.com. Shoes, Dolce Vita, $200, dolcevita.com. Bag, Reece Hudson, $695, intermixonline.com. Ring, Noir, $225, noirnyc.com FINISHING TOUCHES Accent a tailored tuxedo dress…

HAVE A BALL Carved from terra-cotta, this scented sphere continuously diffuses the soft, powdery scent of amber, no match required. L'Artisan Parfumeur Amber Ball, $90, artisanparfumeur.com INTO THE WOODS This balsam-infused tassel (hang it from any doorknob) smells like the hottest ski weekend ever. Agraria Balsam TasselAire, $35, agrariahome.com CATCHING FIRE Think of this amber-scented candle like a Sia track. Its sensual aroma and ambient lighting gets you both in the mood, stat. Voluspa Ambre Lumiere Candle, $29, voluspa.com Meet the O.G. NYC's Gramercy Park Hotel started the smoky trend in '06 with its house candle—it evokes a crackling fire. Le Labo Cade 26 Candle, $80, lelabofragrances.com TOP-SHELF SPRITZ Pink pepper, leather, Japanese incense— it's not room spray…it's olfactory erotica! Aedes de Venustas Room Spray, $70, aedes.com SKIN-TOXICATING Don't…

BLACK SOAP Authentic versions (those that aren't just dyed) are made with the ashes of exotic leaves, even volcanos—detoxifiers that are an oily girl's dream. Shea Terra Organics African Black Soap, $8, sheaterraorganics.com HARD- OR FRENCH-MILLED "The more a soap is milled—processed so its base is smooth and consistent, similar to rolling dough—the creamier its lather and more even its scent," says Jon Bresler, founder of specialty bath and body company Lafco. Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge Bath Soap, $35, tomford.com OIL-BASED You know how luxe a cleansing oil feels as it's lathered? These soaps are a solid equivalent. Just look for ones chock-full of fatty acids such as coconut, argan, shea, and olive. Lafco New York Champagne Bath Bar, $17, lafco.com GLYCERIN A total moisture magnet, glycerin is gentle enough…

Learn From the Little Mistakes Expect to Be Wrong When I was weighing leaving a job that I loved to work with Snapchat, my husband told me, "People who don't take risks work for people who do." Which is so true! And you can't take risks and avoid mistakes. That is completely incongruent. Our education system tends to train kids to be right rather than to learn. But as long as you're learning, I don't care if you're wrong. It means you are trying new things. Own Up Quickly Solving a problem is great, but don't let that mean you sit around for a week or two before you surface it. I love team members who say, "Just so you know, no one was looking and I messed up." I…

NAME Jwala Gandhi, 25 CITY New York City CURRENT GIG Social-media community manager at 360i, an advertising agency DREAM JOB CEO of a digital ad company "I don't want to be overlooked because of my small stature or because I look young for my age. I've been dressing casually, but I want to step up my game and look more mature. It's never too early to project being in control!" HOW CAN I STAND OUT? After enhancing Jwala'a skin with warm-toned powder, Maybelline New York makeup artist Melissa Silver added a bold, burgundy lip. "A rich lip color looks impactful in a work-appropriate way," says Silver. Topped off with a power brow and bouncy blowout, Jwala's look says leader. AND WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? Pairing a classic floral dress with…

Jacket, Wes Gordon. Bralet, pants, Di$count Univer$e. Earrings, Nora Kogan. Necklace, Monica Rich Kosann. (On left arm) Bracelet, Lauren X Khoo. Small ring, Nora Kogan. Large ring, M.C.L Design by Matthew Campbell Laurenza. (On right arm) Bracelets, M.C.L Design by Matthew Campbell Laurenza. Ring, Holly Dyment…

GRAPHIC green You don't need to be an artist to master this precise, squared shape. Use pencil liner to create the box (keep cotton swabs handy for wobbly-line cleanups), then fill it in with shadow, says McGrath. Blend away harsh edges with your finger. Coat, Daks. Dress, Simone Rocha. Earrings (on left ear), Dominic Jones; (on right ear) IAM by Ileana Makri. (On left arm) Bracelet, Jagga Jewellery; rings (from left), Kismet by Milka; Rosa de la Cruz. (On right arm) Bracelet, Yossi Harari; ring, Genevieve Jones Sweater, skirt, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi. Earrings (safety pin), Rosa de la Cruz; (other earrings) model's own. Rings (top to bottom, left to right), Ileana Makri; Jagga Jewellery; Rosa de la Cruz cobalt CAT EYE You know how blues can look so rad…

Pinot Noir Perfumed and elegant, with a fruity and even rose-petal quality. Cabernet Sauvignon Powerful and polished, with lots of body. Merlot Lush, velvety, and rich, with dark fruit and chocolate notes. Zinfandel Easygoing and uncomplicated. It's jammy and yummy. Rosé Refreshing and relaxed. Don't think too much about it. HOW TO FIND A WINE YOU'LL LIKE Start with what you know you enjoy already. Say, "These are some other wines I've liked. What would you recommend that's similar?" Don't try to describe flavors or characteristics ("I like an unoaked white wine") because that might put the sommelier or wine clerk on the wrong path. If you're feeling adventurous, ask what the wine expert has been excited to drink lately. Somebody Call WINE-1-1! Handle a crisis like sommelier and winemaker…

7 p.m. Everything looks sparkly. You're loosening up. You're feeling like you can ask for his number. Hold off on ordering another round. 10 p.m. Is it just you, or is the doorknob to the bathroom moving? Have you had any water yet? 12 a.m. People are shushing you for some reason, to which you're like, "Ugh! Okay! I'll thhut up!" Give your phone to a friend to babysit. 2 a.m. You're slow-dancing with the bouncer. Oh, now you're sitting on the sidewalk and flashing people as they walk by. Eat something, sober up a bit, and hail a cab. THE ART OF NOT DRINKING What happens when a girl can't drink? AMY STEWART charts dry land. I love a good drink. So it was a very sad day a…

Q It's engagement season, and I want to cry every time someone else gets engaged. I want to be, but my boyfriend isn't ready yet. How should I handle this with him without ruining our relationship? A If you've been dating for 27 years and he hasn't popped the question, dump his ass. If it's been 27 days, keep your Gollum-like ring lust to yourself. But if you've been together 27 months, it's not so simple. Make sure you know how long you're willing to wait and when you'll need to walk away. Then have an honest conversation about your expectations. If he says he's not ready, ask him, "Are you not ready because of the timing or because you're not sure about me?" It's fair to ask hard questions…

What 3 o'clock craving? When you're miles away from your desk, the vending machine has no power over you. And when you get back, you may find the call of the Cheetos easier to resist. Take a break from takeout. With time to prep, you can work on your cooking game. Try a seasonal dessert, like cinnamon-dusted baked apples topped with low-fat Greek yogurt and walnuts. Escape to the gym. You need a refuge from another family game of Settlers of Catan. Many gyms run end-of-year specials (Gold's Gym is free for nonmembers the day after Thanksgiving). Try new foods. Maybe there's a new-to-you veggie that's in season where you're vacationing. The more varied your diet, the more nutritious it is. Now add that stuff to your fridge back at…

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies Use your favorite recipe, but swap in one banana for half the sugar and half the butter or shortening that's called for. Sugar Cookies Use your favorite recipe, but swap in ½cup sweet-potato puree for half the sugar plus half the butter or shortening that's called for. No-Bake Date Bars 2 c. dried, pitted dates ½ c. raw walnuts ¼ c. unsweetened shredded coconut + ¼ c. for topping 1 t. vanilla extract 1. Pulse dates in blender. 2. Add remaining ingredients, and pulse to create a thick paste. 3. Using a spatula, move paste to a medium bowl. 4. Using 2 T of paste at a time, pat into 2- by 1-inch rectangular bars. Put remaining coconut in a shallow bowl; press onto bars until…

REMI CLOSED HER EYES AND FOUND herself thinking about the December night she met Julien. She had needed to summon all her courage just to walk across the room to talk to him. They'd chatted about everything and nothing, and before she knew it, they were kissing under the mistletoe. He had gently taken her hand and led her into a guest room—hadn't they locked the door behind them? He'd seemed a little nervous, but he slipped her dress off her shoulders, and she unbuttoned his shirt…and his pants.…Only then did it dawn on her that he might be very young. The question flew out of her mouth, "How old are you?" "Seventeen!" he'd replied. She was 26—and half-naked on the bed with the virginal son of one of the…

1. HAVE A MEME X-MAS Grumpy Cat (voiced by Aubrey Plaza) spreads holiday jeers in her Worst Christmas Ever (November 29, 8 p.m. ET on Lifetime). 2 STEP UP YOUR PAJAMA GAME …With Shopbop's exclusive collection of designer pj sets just for the holidays. Pajama set, A.L.C., $425, shopbop.com 3. WORKSHOP YOUR SEX LIFE Grab a pen and your partner. The exercises in I Love What You Do to Me will take your bedroom seshes to the next level. 4. SEE ANOTHER SIDE OF B. COOPS Bradley Cooper as we know him disappears into the deformed and tragically misunderstood Elephant Man, opening on Broadway December 7. 5. GET TESTED …On World AIDS Day, December 1—there's no better gift to yourself. LOAD UP ON HOLIDAY FILMS OSCAR SHOO-INS MUSICALS BROMANCES GIRLS'…

Amy Cuddy and me at SXSW talking tech over cocktails. A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I was at Harvard to address an auditorium full of women business students. I was early, so they asked if I'd like to listen to the speaker before me. Sure, I said, thinking, Oh, good. I'll find a quiet corner and get some work done while the speaker rattles on about whatever. Instead, I sat spellbound for the next 30 minutes. The speaker turned out to be Amy Cuddy, the social psychologist and Harvard Business School professor, who explained how in work meetings, women physically shrink their bodies. Men widen their legs and absorb more space. Women do pretzel legs and tuck into ourselves. Ugh, a little depressing. But her message was positive. She referenced…

"He brought HIS BROTHER AND HIS MOTHER along on our first date." —LOUISE L., 30 "He pulled out a handkerchief full of pennies, dimes, and nickels to pay for our movie tickets." —HOLLY M., 22 "On a second date, we were in bed. Half asleep, he said, 'I love you.' Ten seconds later, he realized what he said and goes, 'No, wait, I mean, I don't—I DON'T LOVE YOU!' Okay, dude, I get it." —JULIA P., 26 "He told me his dream job was porn star."—BAILEY M., 21 "He tried to sell weed to someone while we were on a date so he would have enough money to take me out." —EMMA M., 22 "On our first date, we sat in his car, where he proceeded to SCREAM AT ME…

WHO 28-year-old actor best known for his role as Ezra Fitz, Pretty Little Liars' smokin' English teacher with a few dirty secrets of his own WHERE TO CATCH HIM On the PLL Christmas special, December 9, 9 p.m. ET, on ABC Family ADORKABLE ALERT "As a kid, I was really into bird-watching. It cooled off in high school, when I realized it wouldn't get me laid. But as an adult, I've really gotten back into it. I work with the Humane Society, and it's a great way to go to amazing places, like Sweden and Hawaii." ADORKABLE ALERT "As a kid, I was really into bird-watching. It cooled off in high school, when I realized it wouldn't get me laid. But as an adult, I've really gotten back into it.…

SWEET TREATS Pretty picks for hostesses and homebodies who dress to frill. 1 Pillow, JCPenney, $58, jcpenney.com 2 Sweater, Elle, $50, kohls.com 3 Book, Letters to the Men I Have Loved, by Mirtha Michelle Castro Mármol, $15.30, amazon.com 4 Blanket, Lands' End, $49, landsend.com 5 Champagne, Luc Belaire Rose, $30 to $35 per 750 ml bottle, premierchampagne.com 6 Slippers, J.Crew, $45, jcrew.com 7 Earrings, Tacori, tacori.com 8 Bra, $35, briefs, $20, Stella McCartney Lingerie, theoutnet.com 9 Hand cream, Paul and Joe Limited Edition Hand Cream in Relax, $15, b-glowing.com 10 Bath-soap set, Tory Burch, $48, Bloomingdale's 11 Notebooks, Sugar Paper, $10 to $26 each, sugarpaper.com 12 Eye mask, Morgan Lane, $98, morgan-lane.com 13 Single-bud vases, UncommonGoods, $20, uncommongoods.com 14 Shorts, Banana Republic, $59.50, bananarepublic.com 15 Treats, Treat House, $2.25…

ARMS CONTROL Bebe, $129, Bebe, bebe.com Misha Collection, $199, mishacollection.com.au Halston Heritage, $525, halston.com WAIST MANAGEMENT ModCloth, $84.99, modcloth.com Kate Spade Saturday, $215, saturday.com ML Monique Lhuillier, $448, Neiman Marcus, neimanmarcus.com BUST MUSTS Bebe, $129, Bebe, bebe.com Misha Collection, $199, mishacollection.com.au City Chic, $139.95, citychiconline.com 3 SHOES TO TRY! Stuart Weitzman, $420, 212-750-2555 Ivanka Trump, $130, zappos.com Shoe Cult by Nasty Gal, $78, nastygal.com…

By age 11, I knew breasts meant power. It was the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, and I, along with the rest of the world, sat entranced as Britney Spears snake-charmed her way through "I'm a Slave 4 U," breasts propped up in a green bralet. I obsessed about the day I'd (hopefully) have my own. Sometime between sixth and seventh grade, my dream came true. My flat chest inflated like two balloons, skipping from a Limited Too training bra to a 32C to a 34D in mere months. By 13, I was busting out of a 34DD. I was ecstatic. Never the thinnest, prettiest, or most athletic girl, I now had something—a pair of somethings—that guys wanted. I had the power…or so I thought. My first date with a…

FAUX SHORN Test-drive a half-shaved head(à la Natalie Dormer) by crisply parting hair above the brow arch, then French-braiding the side. A touch of pomade adds shine. It's Crazy Simple! All you need to rock any of these styles: one product (texture spray for tousled dos, pomade for definition), plus pins, bands, or barrettes to secure it all. Garnier Fructis Style De-Constructed Texture Tease, $4.29, drugstores Kérastase Baume Double Je, $37, kerastase-usa.com Goody Colour Collection Bobby Pins, $4.29, Target POMPED UP Mastering the tousled pompadour is hella easy with our faux-hawk hack. Instead of complex teasing and pinning, simply blast roots with texturizing spray. Section hair from temple to temple, and loosely braid it. Twist everything (tail of the braid, included) into a messy bun, pinned at the crown (let…

SPLURGE ON… YOUR HAIRCUT For something you're in 24-7-365, like your hair, spending a lot is worth it. Think of it in terms of cost per wear…ditto for eyeglasses and jeans. HEALTH INSURANCE Budget insurance may seem like a good deal because of low monthly premiums, but you'll pay a higher deductible before insurance chips in. Don't buy a bronze plan if you can afford a gold one. PHONE CHARGERS Best-case scenario with a cheapo phone charger is that it takes forever to power up your phone. Worst-case: It damages or fries it—they tend to be poorly made. YOUR MATTRESS You sleep on it every single night. Enough said! SAVE ON… TRENDY STUFF Speaking of cost per wear, crunch the numbers before you shell out for psychedelic print pants and…

From the time she was 10 years old, Maria P. loved the Buffalo Bills. "I grew up going to the games," she says, flipping through an album with photos of herself as a kid in a Bills hat, standing outside the stadium. After graduating from high school, she tried out for the Buffalo Jills, as the NFL team calls its cheerleaders. Competing with roughly 200 other women for a spot on the 36-member squad, she danced before hundreds of community members. "I was so nervous," she says. "I must have looked so young." She didn't get past the first round, but the dream persisted. After earning a degree from the University at Buffalo, she decided to try out again, hitting the gym every day for a year to prepare. When…

RITA ORA IS FLEXING HER right tricep. On it, a ballerina balances en pointe. "She's my friend," Ora says of her new tattoo. But the dancer is also a reminder of a promise: "My best friend and I have always said, 'If we make it to 102, we'll dress up in ballerina outfits,' which sounds unrealistic but it's good to dream." I've met Ora for lunch at Manhattan's Hudson Hotel. It's a clear July afternoon, the day after the first Fifty Shades of Grey trailer was released, and Ora, who plays Christian Grey's sister in the movie adaptation of E.L. James's hit novel, is reeling from the response. "My Twitter is insane!" she says. By week's end, it will be the most-watched film preview of 2014. Although "no one recognizes…

HERE'S YOUR GAME PLAN 1. You Do You Want a hot toddy in 90-degree weather? Order up. Who cares what other people think? 2. Be Curious You'll hate some things, but you won't know until you give them a (literal) shot! 3. Remember: The Night Is Long Space out your drinks. Push water on yourself and on your people so you can keep the fun going. 4. Be a Good Friend If your girl has a few too many and maybe leaves without paying her tab, cover for her (Venmo her for the money later), and make sure she gets home. Jessimae Peluso is a stand-up comic and TV personality. Catch her onstage Nov. 8 at the New York Comedy Festival.…

Home-Bar Starter Kit You can get quality basics without spending a lot, says Pamela Wiznitzer, bartender at NYC's Dead Rabbit. Each bottle makes at least a dozen drinks, which saves you cash long-term. Go legit with a few bar tools too (a great resource is CocktailKingdom.com). RUM: Ron Abuelo Añejo 7 Años VODKA: Tito's Handmade GIN: Beefeater London Dry TEQUILA: Espolón Blanco BOURBON: Bulleit Cocktail Shaker BITTERS: Angostura TRIPLE SEC: Cointreau Strainer Choose Your Base Spirit Is it a whiskey or gin kind of night? Decide How Hard You're Going Would you prefer to be sipping something strong, or do you want something light and refreshing? Cocktails can be broadly divided into those two categories. Once You Have Your Spirit and Your Strength, You Can: ABOUT THOSE CALORIES… The body…

6 Positions to Sex the Halls and Get Your Jollies Whoever wrote "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" was obviously engaging in the Snowboart regularly. THE SNOWBOART The wintry equivalent of Beyoncé's surfboart: In the tub, you loll in his arms while he's behind you. Since water makes you weightless, he can do you till next Christmas! THE DIRTY DREIDEL Start on top, then swing your right leg over his torso and swivel around to reverse-cowgirl. Just make sure you're (not) dry and ready, and dreidel you will play. THE HOT TODDY Bracing yourself against a wall, he enters you from behind (with help from warming lube). He can touch your breasts or your clit…or make rock-star horns, in which case, consider dumping him. ESKIMO SEX Spoon in…

A fit blonde woman disrobes feverishly and then leans back on a wooden bench lining the perimeter of a roof deck. A ripped, dark-haired man approaches. She mouths, "Lick my pussy." He obliges. Moments later, she returns the oral favor. After the erotic video clip concludes, through my headphones I hear the voice of Erick Janssen, PhD, a wisecracking, bespectacled Dutch researcher whose notable work in the field of arousal has earned him the moniker Dr. Feel Good. Janssen tells me to follow the instructions on the computer screen before me. Seated in a comfy leather chair in a living room–esque lab in Indiana University's Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, I try to follow the computer prompts without thinking about Janssen in the adjacent room, where…

Try to think of a movie or TV show where a woman has a heart attack. It's tough. That's because Hollywood, like many of the rest of us, thinks heart attacks happen only to guys. But heart disease kills more women than men each year and six times as many women as breast cancer. "We've been slow to recognize heart disease as an epidemic in women. If this had anything to do with the prostate, we'd know a whole lot more about it," says C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, director of the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute. She's part of the team behind the new Fight the Ladykiller campaign, which agitates for women-centric research and highlights women's risk. That risk is rising for women ages…

NO, THE HPV VACCINE DOESN'T CAUSE BLOOD CLOTS. Contrary to internet rumors, the vaccination is not linked to an increased risk for blood clots, a new study of more than 500,000 women finds. The shot is safe for you and your guy. NO, BIRTH-CONTROL PILLS WON'T GIVE YOU BREAST CANCER. A new study says they raise your risk by 50 percent. But that's only for high-dosage, uncommonly prescribed Pills—and the risk goes back to average within a year of going off them. If a 30-year-old woman's risk rose that much, she'd still only have a 0.04 percent chance of getting breast cancer in the next year. And don't forget, the Pill lowers your risk for ovarian and endometrial cancers. AND NO, FERTILITY DRUGS WON'T EITHER. Women who use fertility treatments…

BUN-BELIEVABLE "I didn't realize that the bakery was letting customers put their buns on display. Gross!" — JESSICA L., 23 BOOTY…SHORTS? "She literally looked like she just forgot to put pants on. I have panties cut just like that, and they are most certainly meant to be worn as underwear." — LIZ S., 25 BARING IT ALL "Does he not know or does he not care that he's hanging out for the world to see?" — LYNN L., 23 Just ass backwards. SECURITY ALERT "Last time I checked, you couldn't get through airport security with crack." — MONICA P., 30 It might be time to invest in a belt. ANNOYED BEYOND BELIEF? E-MAIL INBOX@COSMOPOLITAN.COM (SUBJECT: BITCH IT OUT) TO SHARE YOUR PET PEEVE (AND PHOTO). IF WE PRINT YOUR SHOT,…

@Maggistivers Came home to my new Cosmo mag! The whole day just got a little bit better! @RebeccaRNewton Even superheroes (my guy friends) can't resist. #MyCosmo @LibertyBella Math and Cosmo, my two loves combined. #MyCosmo @GabrilaGarcia You get rewarded as the year starts coming to an end.… #MyCosmo 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! NEVER FORGET Your ex was a mouth breather. French presses are for people with time. Bonus: Swedish meatballs. Tweets we love @KimDillinger @Cosmopolitan Cosmo Career "You Deserve a Raise!" is such a great read. Pick up your November copy now, ladies. @JamieLehrmann How to survive a road trip: reading…

Rita Ora My nickname: One book every girl needs to read is: Catch her in the movie, February 13! The song lyric that represents my life is: The most magical place on earth to me is: The last person I texted was: and it said… My doodles look like this: The best advice I ever got on love was from: who told me: I am afraid of: The movie I would most want to star in a remake of is: To my Cosmo readers: Vest, The Blonds. Bra, Leka. Skirt, Jonathan Simkhai. Bracelet, Shaun Leane. (On left hand) Ring, M.C.L. Design by Matthew Campbell Laurenza. (On right hand) Gold bar ring, Shaun Leane. Gold and onyx ring, Melinda Maria…

MESSALLA AKA Evan Ross Mockingjay marks the HG debut for Diana Ross's son, Ashlee Simpson's hubs, and perhaps the only guy who can pull off a polka-dot scarf. PEETA AKA JoshHutcherson What the Hutch lacks in height he makes up for in his enormous…heart. We'll ditch our heels for this champion of LGBT rights any day. FINNICK AKA Sam Claflin His character may offer Katniss sugar—but it's the Brit who's the real (eye) candy. GALE AKA Liam Hemsworth Grab a life raft—you're gonna need it when you get lost in those sea blue eyes.…

WE'VE ALL HEARD WHAT TECHNO-alarmists say about sexting: That it's shameful, deviant, exploitative, and just stupid. But in many ways, it's a new genre of personalized erotica. Now, everyone is her own author and illustrator with the ability to create provocative, graphic stories for herself and her object of desire. Think of sexting as the latest chapter in a long history of lovers living out their relationships through written correspondence. In the '40s, feminist Simone de Beauvoir wrote how she could actually feel her romantic scribblings physically: "Writing to you is like kissing you," she wrote to her long-distance love, Nelson Algren. She went on: "I'll be there.…In the sad streets of Chicago…in the lonely room, I'll be with you." By putting pen to paper, she inserted herself into Algren's…

$24 Sugar Paper, note set, sugarpaper.com $25 Aldo, wristlet, aldoshoes.com $49.99 (with promo code CSTP50) Triple C, speakers, gotriplec.com $35 Stephanie Johnson, eye mask, stephaniejohnson.com $44.45 (for the set) Aerie, bralet and boy shorts, aerie.com $6.80 Forever 21, phone case, forever21.com $32 Jonathan Adler, dish, jonathanadler.com $49 Minnie and Emma for Veuve Clicquot Collection, champagne, minnieandemma.com $50 Swatch, watch, Swatch stores $6 (each) Haute Papier Collections, notebooks, hautepapier.com $42 One Kings Lane, exclusive set of 4 plates, onekingslane.com/giftguide $30 Prabal Gurung Lipglass in Ultramarine Pink, $30, maccosmetics.com $49.99 R.J. Graziano, necklace, rjgraziano.com $50 Kate Spade New York, corkscrew and bottle stopper set, macys.com $25 HomArt, urchin box, One Kings Lane, boutiques $27 (each) Dior Vernis, nail polish in Shock, Mirror, and Gold Equinoxe, dior.com $48 Minnie and Emma for Veuve…

How should I apply sparkly nail polish? The brush always wipes off the glitter. —HAYDEN FIELD, 21 "Instead of swiping the second coat upward, drip it on the center, then swirl to spread shimmer." Is it still cool to highlight the inner corners of my eyes? —MAGGIE DAVIS, 21 "The look—huge a decade ago—is trending again, especially as a smoky-eye accent." What's a cute hairstyle to wear with a winter hat? —JESSICA GIOVANNIELLO, 21 "I'm all about tousled waves. The hat keeps roots dry and smooth, and snow or humidity enhances the messy texture." GOT A BEAUTY Q? TWEET @LEAHWYAR #ASKLEAH, OR E-MAIL ASKLEAH@COSMOPOLITAN.COM. I get horrible acne around my mouth before my period. Is there a way to prevent it? —LAUREN DASSOW, 24 "Some Pills (like Yaz) can balance…

SWEET CHEEKS Swirl then tap on these hues for thatjust-got-some flush. E.l.f. Studio collection blush palette, $6, eyeslipsface.com WING IT Like a lash curler and mascara in one, this wand stretches lashes to their limits. L'oréal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Intenza Mascara, $9, Drugstores TINSEL TIPS The platinum mani is a must this month. Opi Nail Lacquer In Unfrost My Heart, $9.50, Ulta.Com RIGHT ON RED Surrounded by balm, this classic shade gets a hydrating upgrade. Makeup Academy Color Infused Balm In Red, $9, Cvs.Com WHEEL DEAL Six washable wedges blend base to an airbrushed finish. Sephora Collection Cosmetic Sponge Wheel, $7, Sephora.Com BOMB QUAD Earthy hues make shimmery shadows totally wearable from desk to dinner. Hard Candy Mod Quad In Brownie Points, $6, Walmart HAIR NECESSITIES Inside this python pouch:…

I worked at a magazine (not Cosmo!), and something was always wrong—with me. My hobbies were odd (hot yoga). I was too quiet in meetings (I think before I speak). I didn't gossip enough (what?!). I became so beaten down with negative boss feedback and paranoia that my work slipped…which made things worse. Clashing with a supervisor is a top reason for quitting a job, says career coach Jenny Blake, author of Life After College. Not surprising when bosses control your paycheck, promotions, and vacation days—and you spend most waking hours together. So how can you smooth over friction? And when is it time to bail? STEP 1 DEEP BREATHS, IT MAY NOT BE YOU Maybe he's brief on e-mails or she sighs on calls, but don't jump to conclusions.…

CRASHING THE CONVERSATION The two people in the cubicle next to you are very quietly working through an issue—doesn't matter if it's personal or work-related—and you are sure you know the answer to their problem. Resist the urge to jump in just because you can hear them. They didn't ask for your help saving the day, and there's a good chance they'll be annoyed that you interrupted their private conversation. DRESSING LIKE A MINI-ME I had an assistant who copied everything I wore. She bought the same watch I had, styled her hair the same way I wore mine, and even got the same running shoes. It made me so nervous. Yes, you should take style cues from your boss (if she wears suits, don't wear jeans) to show you…

A DAY AFTER I GOT MARRIED THIS PAST AUGUST, rumors spread on the internet that my name was on a list of more than 100 women whose private photos had been stolen off Apple's iCloud. I had been so happy that week, thinking about my wedding and honeymoon with my new husband, Miami Heat basketball player Dwyane Wade. But suddenly, I felt paralyzed. Nude photos of dozens of stars like Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton were flying around the internet. The shots had appeared on a website called 4Chan, where people can post anonymous comments and pictures. The site said more photos were to come, including mine. And so it began. It felt like The Hunger Games: You're waiting to be attacked. Friends are assuring you that this will pass…

Dress, Roberto Cavalli. Bag, Miu Miu. Mini-beret, Piers Atkinson. (On opposite page) Headpiece, Harvy Santos London Dress, Cushnie et Ochs. Sunglasses, Fendi. Bracelets, Maison 203 Jacket, pants, Chanel. Bodysuit, Faith Connexion Paris. Earcuff, Psych Jewelry. Cuff, Robert Lee Morris. (On right hand) Ring, Alexis Bittar. (On left hand) White ring, Alexis Bittar. Gold ring, Maison 203 Jacket, Mugler. Booties, Gianvito Rossi. Earrings, AEA. Necklace, Alexis Bittar. Cuffs, Michelle Campbell Jacket, Mugler. Booties, Gianvito Rossi. Earrings, AEA. Necklace, Alexis Bittar. Cuffs, Michelle Campbell Jacket, Mugler. Booties, Gianvito Rossi. Earrings, AEA. Necklace, Alexis Bittar. Cuffs, Michelle Campbell BEAUTY TIP It's a mod, mod mani! Layer Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Get Mod and Blacky-O, $10 each, and use the tip of a bobby pin to create cool lines and curves. "COURAGE ISN'T…

HAVE YOU HEARD? BEER IS NO LONGER JUST FOR KNUCKLEHEADS AT HOCKEY GAMES. IT'S ART. BONE UP BY ORDERING A FLIGHT OF CRAFT BREWS, AND THEN SEE WHAT GRABS YOU. Pilsner Crisp, dry, clean, refreshing, grassy, herbal. Belgian Witbier Zesty and juicy, with notes of spicy herbs and tropical fruit. Hefeweizen Fruity and light, with notes of banana, clove, and apple. IPA Big, bitter, versatile, with grapefruit, pine, and floral notes. Sour Beer Unique and complex—sours range from light to mouth-puckering. Fruit Beer Sweet and fruity (think peach, cherry, and even pineapple). Belgian Dubbel Low in bitterness, with caramel, fig, and cherry flavors. Belgian Tripel Light fruit, a bready sweetness, and high carbonation. Brown Ale Rich, sweet, nutty, woody, and chocolate-y. Stout/Porter Espresso, chocolate, molasses: Works for dessert! SOURCE: ANNE…

DO YOU TRY TO MAKE OUT WITH EVERYONE? JUMP ON A TABLE AND TWERK? CRY IN A CAB? OR ALL OF THEM, IN THAT ORDER? Catatonic Drunk Most often seen passed out over a pile of coats, you maybe sorta drank a bottle of wine while you were doing your makeup at home. Time to get those pre-game skills on point. Suddenly-a-Lesbian Drunk Aside from the fact that you and your best friend are both straight and she has a boyfriend, why have you waited this long to make out?! Super-Loud Drunk Thanks to your decibel level, everyone at the bar now knows your favorite sex position, social security number, and real feelings on Shailene Woodley. Also, I'm now deaf. Thanks! Aggro Drunk A pacifist when sober, you look like…

Q Uh, my boyfriend is insatiable. How can I satisfy him without constantly having sex? A "Meet in the middle," suggests Kristen Mark, PhD, director of the Sexual Health Promotion Lab at the University of Kentucky. Don't feel like P in the V? Consider going downtown. Other times, he'll have to play his own skin flute in the shower. You should never force yourself to have sex. But if you find yourself choosing Kardashian marathons over sex on a regular basis, think about tuning out and getting turned on. Make out with your man and see if you might want to take it to Sexville after all. Studies show that "the more sex you have, the more desire for sex you're going to have," says Mark. Yes, sex is like…

MIND OF MAN This Is His Brain on Winter Does his libido plummet along with the temperature? Here's what the impending polar vortex does to the male sex drive. Dating-site enrollments jump as much as 30 percent during the cold months. Look—Santa brought you a bunch of mediocre first dates! Men find women's bodies hottest during winter.See, puffer coats aren't just warm and comfy—they create a sense of mystery! 14% of guys date girls in the winter to have someone to spend the holidays with. Are you just a human Snuggie? Condom sales nearly double the week before Christmas. Hence, a white Christmas! Gross, gross, sorry. DUDE DATA swiffer as erotica Couples have more and better sex when the man does half the household chores. GIFT GUYDE 5 Gifts You…

YOUR BEST BODY STARTS HERE Find dozens more workouts on our fitness and lifestyle video platform, CosmoBody. We drop a new fitness video every weekday. Try it free for 10 days, then score a monthly membership for $9.95 a month. MORNING STRETCH 1 Sit on the bed with legs crossed, back straight, hands resting on your knees. 2 Raise arms overhead. Grasp right wrist with left fingers; gently lean to the left. Hold for five breaths; repeat to right. HOW NOT TO PRESS SNOOZE Work out in your pj's! (Or set out workout clothes the night before.) Also, try putting your alarm clock across the room so you have to walk to it. Because once you're up, you're up. TOP OF THE WORLD 1 Stand on bed with feet hip-width…

SAGITTARIUS/ 11.22–12.21 STELLAR GIFTS You have an infectious lust for life. BLIND SPOTS Your optimistic attitude can lead you into less-than-ideal situations. FASHION FAVES Your whimsical style enhances your fun and flirty personality. INDULGENCE You love learning about and exploring exotic places and cultures. SEDUCTION STYLE You aren't shy when it comes to making the first move. THIS MONTH With Venus, the planet of love, in your sign, your charm is through the roof. The 4th is an especially social day, when you could reconnect with old friends and even former flames. People are eager to help you now, so simply ask for what you want! YEAR AHEAD It is all about brand-new beginnings. Get ready to switch jobs or homes or invest in new relationships, and give it all…

1. There's an open bar at your office holiday shindig, so clearly you: a. Double-fist margs till you can't feel your face. b. Nurse a dirty martini (or two) over the course of the evening. c. Order a single glass of pinot noir to carry around but stay completely sober so you can be laser sharp. 2. Appropriate dinner-party topics include: a. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict. b. Wes Anderson movies. c. The perfect soufflé recipe. 3. It's 3 a.m., and the only people left standing at the soirée are you and the exhausted hosts in their pajamas. Clearly, it's time to: a. Pump up the dubstep and take off your top! b. Find your purse and head home. c. Tuck the hosts into bed and then Swiffer the entire apartment. 4.…