Innehållsförteckning för Feb-15 från Cosmopolitan

1. TAKE A JOINT SHOWER …without rushing. V Day is on a Saturday this year (Mixture soaps, $11.50, mixtureusa.com). 2. GO OSCAR WILD He can sing, he can dance…but can host Neil Patrick Harris squeeze more A-listers into a selfie than Ellen DeGeneres did? (Feb. 22, 7 p.m. ET, ABC). 3. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL Overserve your friends on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17—the more Mardi Gras beads, the better. 4. EXPECT FIREWORKS …when Katy Perry—and possibly kittens!—rock the Super Bowl halftime show, Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m. ET, NBC. 5. DEFROST YOUR LOCKS Ocean waves in winter? Yes, you can, with John Frieda's Beach Blonde collection ($10, target.com). 6. WISH FOR SNOW It's the best excuse for indulging in the new skiwear on Net-a-Porter (Jacket, Emilio Pucci, net-a-porter.com). 7. CONSIDER…

1 "My first kiss happened on a boat that was parked on land. I stepped back from the kiss and fell into a bush! I had battle wounds. It was an ongoing joke for months." —LAURA C., 23, waitress and writer, from Rockaway Beach, NY 2 "I'm known to wander off. I lose my friends, my phone dies. I had to go into a condo building once to charge my phone. Except I had only shorts and a bikini top on! Super embarrassing." —RENESHA Y., 25, music journalist, from New York, NY 3 "I was in a show playing Cinderella. I ran toward Prince Charming and face-planted on stage. Prince Charming, who was a friend of mine, started laughing instead of helping me." —SAMANTHA B., 25, actor, from Los, Angeles,…

HERE COMES THE BRIDE FUN As seen on TV! For $2,000 a day, Downton Abbey diehards can borrow Lady Mary's wedding tiara. Castle not included. FEARLESS Food, flowers, the dress, even facials—couple barters their way to getting entire $80,000 wedding comped. FAIL You may kiss the…butt? Bridal Booty Veils, for when penis necklaces simply aren't enough for your bach party. FREE BALLIN' FUN The not-so-secret ingredient for food fair The Festicle: testicles! Chefs battle to make the tastiest (lamb) balls. FEARLESS Man diagnosed with testicular cancer rolls a 6-foot ball across the U.S. to raise cancer awareness. FAIL Truck Nutz boasts a "takes a lickin' guarantee," aka the only licking a guy with a scrotum on his car is getting, like, ever. SUPERNATURAL FUN Swinging into comic-book stores this month:…

Dress, Michael Michael Kors, $225, select Michael Kors stores. Shirt, RtA, $225, Bergdorf Goodman. Shoes, Nasty Gal, $78, nastygal.com. Earrings, $115, necklace, $275, thin bangle, $150, Scosha, scosha.com. Cuff, The 2 Bandits, $148, the2bandits.com. Gold bangle, Jhené Aiko x Luv Aj, $42, jheneaiko.com. Rings, Jhené's own ALT NATION TO REACH FASHION NIRVANA, MAKE LEATHER, PLAID, AND RIPPED JEANS YOUR NEW JAMS. Jeans, Joe's, $179, joes jeans.com Bag, Six Eleven for Aritzia, $398, aritzia.com Boots, Dr. Martens, $130, drmartens.com/us Jacket, Diesel, $698, shop.diesel.com LOVE & HIP-HOP BOUNCE TO THE BEAT OF AN IRRESISTIBLE MASH-UP OF ATHLETIC WEAR AND GLAM HEELS. Top, Milly, $450, similar styles available at milly.com. Bra, Kriss Soonik, $89, kriss-soonik.com. Jeans, Topshop, $70, topshop.com. Shoes, Missguided, $28.48, missguidedus.com. Earrings, CC Skye, $45, glamboutique.com Earrings, Jacquie Aiche, $165, shopbop.com…

STEP 1 FIRST, FIND YOUR HOTTEST HUE! Blush isn't one size fits all—use your skin tone asyour guide for finding your most flattering flush. IF YOU'RE MEDIUM Peach has the perfect mix of natural-looking tawny tones and face- brightening pink for you. 3 Rimmel London Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tint in Peach Flush, $3.29, drugstores 4 Diorblush in Peach Splendor #536, $44, dior.com IF YOU'RE FAIR Bubble-gum pink pops on you, and it's cool-toned, so it won't clash with your blue undertones. 1 By Terry Cellularose Blush Glacé in Rose Melba, $58, barneys.com 2 Revlon Powder Blush in Haute Pink, $10, revlon.com Q+A YOUR BURNING BLUSH Q'S Q How do I avoid fading? A Layering is key. First, apply cream blush, sweep trans lucent pow der over it, and…

I remember the first time I realized what I do. I was 9 years old, watching TV on the couch with my mom. She said, confused, "What are you doing to yourself?!" It took a second to figure out what she was talking about, because it was something I did without even realizing it. Raise hand, pull out a hair (pop!), look at the root, throw it down. Repeat. It escalated quickly from random yanking to hours of pulling. It felt amazing, like a release of tension in my scalp. But afterward, I would be so sad and so ashamed. A girl's hair feels like everything to her…and mine was gone. And I was responsible for this? This was before the days of Google, when we would've quickly discovered that…

INSTA-GLOW This gold-flecked highlighter gives skin a luminous photo-ready finish. HARD CANDY SHEER GLOW ALL THE WAY IN IN THE BUFF, $8, WALMART SCENT THE MOOD A berry-spiked candle makes snuggle seshes more delicious. VOLUSPA PETITE CANDLE IN COLORED JAR IN SANTIAGO HUCKLEBERRY, $10, VOLUSPA.COM SOFT SERVE Argan oil plus vitamin-E cream: The solution to all your dry winter-skin woes. JOSIE MARAN ARGAN INFINITY INTENSIVE CREAMY OIL .5 OZ., $10, SEPHORA UNDER COVER Hide last night's fun from your boss with this high-coverage yet nondrying concealer. SONIA KASHUK ALL COVERED UP CONCEALER IN SAND, $10, TARGET MINUTE MANI Built-in base and top coats make this a one-step wonder. SALLY HANSEN COMPLETE SALON MANICURE IN RAISIN THE BAR, $8, DRUGSTORES MAKE WAVES Beach hair can be yours, even in the dead…

KIT UP. It's motivating to have a fabulous sports bra that gives you good support and a pair of sneakers you love and will use regularly. Get steep discounts at PlanetGear.com (up to 70 percent off) and TheClymb.com (up to 75 percent off) on apparel, shoes, and equipment. SCORE A DISCOUNT. Ask if your company has any negotiated corporate rates at fitness centers or if your health-care provider offers gym deals. You could receive up to 60 percent off on membership fees, and some companies reimburse employees in full. GET CASH BACK. Some insurers will pay you for working out: Check to see if your plan offers a reimbursement. UnitedHealthcare will pay you $20 per month annually. Your employer might also offer a health-and-fitness allowance, which could get you up…

YOU CAN GET PREGNANT It's rare, but ovulation can be unpredictable, and sperm can live three to five days postsex. Keep up the contraception. SOME HEALTH RISKS RISE The cervix is open and there's less protective cervical mucus, so it's easier to pass infections. If you are prone to vag infections or haven't been tested for STIs, use condoms. YOU MIGHT FEEL BETTER Period sex can get rid of cramps and moodiness—the secret is in the hormone-releasing Os. So go get some! SOURCE: LINDA FAN, MD, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF OBSTETRICS, YALE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Still Paying for Birth Control? CVS Caremark issued refunds after Rep. Jackie Speier revealed that 11,000 women had been overcharged for BC. But she's had more complaints of illegal copays. If you're charged, ask your insurer…

While you were keeping up with Kourtney, Kim, and Khloé, their younger sister Kylie Jenner made a grand, blue hair/don't care entrance, smack dab at the center of the conversation. Get ready for the perfect storm—she's coming at you like a dark horse. Over It All Overalls, Rebecca Minkoff. Tube top, Kate Spade Saturday. Shoes, Derek Lam 10 Crosby. Cuff, Anndra Neen. Nail bracelet, love stack bracelets (worn throughout), Kylie's own Cartier 10:30 A.M., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Kylie Jenner is among TMZ's top stories. "There's these rumors I was trying to get in the club Greystone and they denied my entry," She tells me adding, "which I think is so lame and would never do." West Hollywood's Greystone Manor is 21-and-up, and Kylie, 17, was reportedly trying to get in…

Why Is Kink So Freaking Sexy? Fifty Shades of Grey—the book that brought kink mainstream—is back in cinematic form. Whether you love it or hate it, it's probably going to get you off all over again. Let's discuss. ANY BONA FIDE BONDAGE-LOVER will tell you (after her master gives her permission to speak): Fifty Shades of Grey didn't invent kink. It was always a whisper—for all you know, your shy neighbor has always been slinking out after-hours with a riding crop in the hatchback of her Mini Cooper. But E L James's erotic trilogy turned BDSM—bondage/discipline, domination/submission, sadism/masochism—into a roar…or more aptly, a climactic moan of ecstasy. The shy British mom who began writing the books as Twilight fanfic under the name Snowqueens Icedragon has sold 100 million copies worldwide…

Q I was hungover and had a terrible headache—but after sex with my boyfriend, it was totally gone! Does sex = medicine? A Indeed, "some people find that sex relieves headaches," says Debby Herbenick, PhD, associate professor at Indiana University and author of The Coregasm Workout. A study at Southern Illinois University found that having an orgasm helped relieve migraines in about half of subjects. It may be because the shiny, happy endorphins that surge in your brain during a sexplosive moment can act as as a kind of all-natural ibuprofen. In some cases, an orgasm can even relieve a headache quicker than prescription migraine meds. (In other cases, sex can trigger a headache, just like other strenuous activity, like a workout, might. Be glad you're one of the lucky…

"THE TIME I TURNED INTO A STALKER" SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, HER PURSUIT OF A HOT GUY TURNED INTO UNHINGED OBSESSION. TEN YEARS LATER, LISA A. PHILLIPS EXPLORES THE SCIENCE AND PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SURPRISINGLY COMMON BEHAVIOR CALLED SOFT STALKING. I woke up before dawn, thinking of him. It had been a long time since I'd been able to think of anything else. I had to convince him to be with me. I headed to his apartment building, walking quickly at first, then breaking into a run. I stood in the lobby, acting like I lived there and had forgotten my key. Before long, someone let me in. I took the elevator to the top floor and knocked on his door. He didn't answer. I kept knocking. I knew that…

1 Always Be Exploring To be creative, you have to remain curious. Travel! Explore new places, meet new people, try new foods. Immerse yourself in culture. Go to the movies opening weekend; follow artists, fashion, and friends on Instagram; binge-watch television; visit a museum; experience live music; and read voraciously. 2 Get Out of Your Comfort Zone Try to avoid falling into a rigid schedule. Routine leads to familiarity and complacency, which leads to a lack of passion and creativity. I like to challenge my team to meet in different spaces and vary the agenda from week to week. Small changes—inviting a different colleague to coffee once a week or taking a quick walk with a coworker—can stimulate you to think in new ways. 3 Take Time to Riff Throughout…

What drew you to fighting? I played sports as a kid, but I wouldn't have called myself athletic. In college, I wanted to meet new people and challenge myself, so I went to a martial-arts gym. It was humbling getting thrown down over and over, but it fueled my desire to improve. Was it hard being virtually the only woman there? Most of the guys I trained with were supportive. I eventually married one of them, and we own a gym together. That said, it was a boys' club. Sometimes visiting fighters made comments about my body and treated me as a spectacle, or they'd dismiss me completely. What's it like to fight someone? Sometimes I get literally sick from nerves before a fight. Then there's clarity when I step…

BAD NEWS FIRST: MAKE YOUR BED Is there any way to make it painless? Yes, but you have to streamline the process. First, get rid of decorative pillows and throws. Next, abandon your top sheet in favor of a washable duvet cover. Now it's easy. Have unsightly sheet stains? You know the ones! Soak heavily soiled bedding in an oxygenated detergent, like OxiClean, or spot-treat with an enzymatic stain remover, like Zout. Then do it with the lights on. No time to put fresh sheets on the bed? Linen spray freshens sheets and removes wrinkles from duvet covers and pillowcases. Wash linens every one to two weeks (or… monthly if you just can't). Pillow mist, Bath and Body Works, $10, bathandbodyworks.com Hide Your, Um, Personal Items Keep things like sex…

For the first time in her life, Ashling Sullivan feels like her fate is in her hands. Back in New York, she's taking control and launching a styling business with her best friend while making bank shaking cocktails at her family's bar. And there are no men in her life to distract her from everything she's building…that is, until Johnny Ryan walks into Sullivan's and threatens to turn her plans—and her life—upside down. Can she resist this sexy Irish stranger when she senses he could take her for the ride of her life? I WOKE UP DISORIENTED. I wasn't in my own bed. I blinked and looked around: Johnny's apartment. Damn. I'd fallen asleep before I could leave. And then, despite what an amazing night it had been, I cringed.…

COSMOtivation Inspiration with a Cosmo edge. @Niks_Piks_xx Love this from the @Cosmopolitan December issue. #GrownWomenLikeTo Drink and I like to read #MyCosmo too! #TGIF @SamanthAnn92 First Cosmo of the new year. I'm not the only one who's excited. #CosmoCat @AngryKelsey A really great article from Gabrielle Union in Cosmo about the nude-photo scandal. @AlyLamont Solid start to my Thursday! 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! LETTER OF THE MONTH "Thank you so much for 'The Cheerleaders Make Some Noise' article in your December issue. Being a Buffalo resident and Bills fan, I was glad to get both sides of the story and gain a new perspective…

"An hour into our first date, he put on music and proceeded to show me his purple silk thong." —LISA B., 27 "When we went to have sex for the first time and I asked him if he had a condom, he informed me that 'CONDOMS ARE FOR HOOKERS, not nice, pretty girls like you.' I got out of there." —SAMANTHA B., 25 "On our first date, he took me to an outdoor concert and insisted the whole night that he knew I wanted to hook up in the family-size porta-potty." —HANNAH V., 20 "He started telling me a story about how his cat once bit his penis while he was sleeping and he ended up with a serious infection. TMI!" —SIMONE T., 19 "He told me I must be…

I love being black; that's not a problem. The problem is that I don't want to always talk about it, because honestly, talking about being black is extremely tiring. I don't know how Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson do it. People who talk, think, and breathe race every single day—how? Aren't they exhausted? The pressure to contribute to these conversations now that we have a black president is even more infuriating. "What do you think about what's going on in the world and how our black president is handling it?" asks a race baiter. "It's all good, I guess," I want to answer with a Kanye shrug. "I'm over it." But am I? Could I be, even if I wanted to? Even now, I feel obligated to write about race.…

SEXY VS. SPORTY Afraid of the sweat factor? Stick to looser fits or thin skinnies that are leather- paneled in the front, stretchy fabric in the back. Pants, Banana Republic, $110, bananarepublic.com Clutch, Cache, $138, cache.com Jacket, Bebe, $159, bebe.com Shoes, Kenneth Cole, $130, kennethcole.com Top, Kempner, $425, shopbop.com Balance the hard-rocker edge of leather with sporty separates and ultrafeminine heels. Pants, Helmut Lang, helmutlang.com Jacket, L.A.M.B., $395, shoplamb.com Tee, Levi's, $48, levi.com Shoes, Call It Spring, $49.99, callitspring.com…

A Hotter Heidi A sexy new spin on the milkmaid braid, this hybrid combines the best of two worlds: beachy waves and a face-framing plait. Prep strands with a few spritzes of salt spray (like Tresemmé Perfectly (un)Done Sea Salt Spray, $7, drugstores), and scrunch to lock in the texture. Next, create a center part and French braid a two-inch section down along your hairline on both sides. Stop braiding below your ears, and pin with a bobby pin. A Fiercer Faux Hawk Braids just got badass thanks to this faux-hawk style. To rock it, create three rows of small French braids (they're easier to do than cornrows) on both sides of your head, leaving the top section loose and unbraided. For height, lightly tease the roots at your crown…

It Gives You a Rosy Glow Just like any other form of physical exercise, having sex boosts your circulation. To deal with this increased blood flow, the small capillaries in your face expand, giving you a pretty, healthy flush—like you've just run a really fun 5K. It Staves Off Signs of Aging Consider sex a sup plement to your anti-wrinkle cream. Balanced estrogen levels don't just keep skin soft, they also keep it plump. In addition, sex can help boost your immune system, says Julie Karen, MD, which minimizes inflammation, a process that, over time, breaks down collagen and elastin. It Banishes Breakouts Who knew? Doing the dirty actually helps clean out your pores. During sex, your body releases mood-boosting hormones called beta-endorphins, which have an anti-inflammatory effect. Your levels…

EYE MAKEUP WORST-CASE SCENARIO Conjunctivitis Why? The damp mucous membrane of your eye is like a VIP entrance for bacteria. It just doesn't have the same layers of protection that the skin does, making transmission easy for infections like pinkeye. RAZORS WORST-CASE SCENARIO Staph or blood-borne viruses (like HIV) Why? Razors can draw blood or fluids, which leave bacteria on the blade after rinsing, says Deborah Sarnoff, MD, a derm in NYC. Via nicks or abrasions, you're vulnerable to a staph infection, hepatitis, and even—although highly unlikely—HIV. Makeup Brushes WORST-CASE SCENARIO A skin infection WHY? Bacteria love burrowing themselves in makeup brushes. They're often damp from products (like foundation) or the environment (like humid bathrooms). Borrow someone's brush and you're dusting their germs onto your face and contaminating your…

A BETTER SQUAT 1 Standing, swing arms to the right and jump laterally, landing on your right foot, bending the left knee and raising the left foot. 2 Reverse the move to your left side, jumping at a 45-degree angle. Repeat alternate jumps for one minute, constantly moving forward. WHY IT'S BETTER Jumping not only targets your butt and legs but also gets your heart rate up. The diagonal movement zaps your inner and outer thighs and obliques. LET ASTRID TRAIN YOU! We drop new video workouts (butt, abs, arms!) with Astrid and seven other star trainers every week on our fitness channel. Get a free 10-day trial at CosmoBody.com, then stick around for $9.95 a month. A STEPPED-UP LUNGE 1 Stand with feet hip-width apart facing a chair…

HOW TO EAT WHEN… you hate to cook So you have three sushi takeout spots saved in your phone, but you can barely scramble an egg? Master a few simple recipes to get started. These are from Los Angeles chef Brooke Williamson, whose experience competing on Top Chef made her a pro at magicking random cupboard contents into dinner. White Flat Bread Pizza With Zucchini, Goat Cheese, and Mushrooms Cut down zucchini prep time by using an affordable hand-held mandoline slicer from Oxo ($15)—new gadgets inspire more cooking. ½ c. goat cheese ½ c. low-fat cottage cheese ½ c. low-fat sour cream 1 T minced garlic 1 large store-bought pre-baked pizza crust 3 T shaved Parmesan 1 large zucchini, sliced into rounds 1 c. fresh sliced mushrooms, such as button…

OPPOSITE PAGE: Dress, Marc Jacobs. Clutch, Elena Ghisellini. Shoes, Jimmy Choo. Cuffs, Arme de L'Amour. Bracelets (left arm, worn throughout), Bella's own Tiffany & Co., (right arm, thin bracelet, worn throughout) Bella's own Cartier THIS PAGE: Crop top, Clover Canyon. Skirt, Christian Siriano. Shoes, Alexandre Birman. Clutch, Mark Cross. Necklaces, Hearts on Fire. Rings, Maria Francesca Pepe ciao, bella! Do you feel pressure to look and act perfect 24/7? I think a lot of girls do, and it's unfair because guys don't. Guys can have acne scars and be overweight or rude. If a girl is the least bit sarcastic or she speaks out about something, she's a bitch. It's completely messed up. How do you deal with haters on social media? If a girl wears a bathing suit, she…

1 KEEP IT "CLASSY" If you're not into hella foofy love stuff, snuggle in the back row of intelligent art-house film RoboCop. 2 GO BIG OR GO HOME But if foofy is your middle name, embrace V-Day tradition. It's the one night you won't give a crap about being judged for PDAs. 3 STAY IN Rather than trying to get a last-minute res at Chez Fancyface, hit up the little Mexican takeout joint around the corner. Burritos in bed = Brontë-level romance. 4 GET COOKING Join forces with bae to conquer that complicated quinoa-kale soup recipe from your "Yeah, okay, Gwyneth" Pinterest board. 5 SWEAT HARD Splurge on a trendy workout class you'd normally roll your eyes at. You'll fall in love! With your emerging six-pack. 6 BOND WITH A…

Your Guide to the Male Brain "Pretending I gave a shit about religion. Turns out, she really did, and it ended up biting me in the ass. Every. Freaking. Sunday." —CHRIS H., 26 "I wrote her a love poem almost every day.…It was too much, too fast. No wonder she dumped me!" —BEN C., 26 "I regret buying her a gym membership for her birthday. That didn't go over well." —HARRISON B., 27 "I went home with a pretty girl, and we just lay next to each other in bed and passed out. I was too scared of rejection to make a move." —GREG F., 25 "Leaving porn up on her computer. Then not being able to get it up after. Oops." —GRAHAM S., 26 THE MALE GAZE Decode His…

"I FOUND A COMPANY I BELIEVE IN." —Cara Bondi, R&D manager at Seventh Generation As a scientist and researcher for consumer-product companies, Bondi felt like she lived a double life. While her "true self" strived to live in a healthy, sustainable way, her "work self" kept quiet even when she had questions about how company practices might harm the planet. That changed after Bondi's husband relocated to Vermont for his job and she began consulting at Seventh Generation, a maker of environmentally friendly household products in Burlington. Suddenly, Bondi could be her whole self all the time, and it was transformative. She has helped launch a line of botanical cleaners and the first diaper with an unbleached cotton backsheet. "I no longer have to ask, Did I do the right…

Who You Are This is about me, but it could be about anyone. You move to New York from the Midwest with nothing but an art degree and a sense of possibility. You couldn't say who you are definitively—a performer, writer type, artist? You want to be famous. When your one-person show gets into a festival, you think you've hit the big time. You haven't. The theater is on the fourth floor of a walk-up building in Chinatown. Upstairs is a dance company. They stomp and stomp and stomp through your performance. Your father was right. Dreams do not pay the rent. The Interview Someone you know who knows someone calls to say Hollywood Actor is doing a stint on Broadway. He needs a New York assistant—what do you think?…

They bonded over March Madness. Christina Gambaro was a new coach at a Catholic high school in St. Louis, and Olivia Reichert was a long-time teacher and coach at the same school. Both fans of college basketball, the women started watching games together at a local bar, becoming fast friends. But there was a spark too. One weekend, Gambaro got "butterflies," she says, when Reichert sent her a funny text about a tough game: "It's not looking too good for your boys." A romance was born. A couple of years later, in fall 2013, Reichert started planning the marriage proposal. She found a jeweler to help her design an engagement ring—white gold with diamonds and aquamarines. Then she created a treasure hunt, scribbling clues on puzzle pieces. "We do lots…

It's chilly out and your feet are cold, so you need a place to snuggle. "Create warmth by adding texture," says interior designer Vern Yip. Toasty and inviting: It's just what you want home to feel like. BOXWOOD Mist leaves once a month. It's easy enough, even if you have a black thumb. Preserved boxwood, Ballard Designs, from $49, ballarddesigns.com Throw Stretch over the foot of your bed, or drape on the back of a sofa for easy access. Wool throw, Dwell Studio, $150, store.dwell.com VASE If you're so over winter, plop a pretty stem into a vase. "It reminds you that spring is around the corner," Yip says. Askew vase, CB2, $24.95, cb2.com Lighting Make sure you can see all that nubby texture. Change bulbs to a warmer tone…

SOLE MATES "Apparently, I have to fight a foot for my arm rest." — Katrina H., 26 WHATAMIAPILLOW? "Really? And if you could only hear the mouth-snore coming from this stranger.…Middle seats are freaking awesome." — Shelley C., 35 Where's a magic marker when you need one? UNITED HAIRLINES "This girl in the seat in front of me decided her hair would be the perfect addition to my in-flight movie. Negative!" — Alla M., 27 SPREAD EAGLE "Public transit at 8 in the morning! Even worse, his buddy was opposite him doing the same thing!" — Tanya H., 24 Please, take up the entire row. ANNOYED BEYOND BELIEF? E-MAIL INBOX@COSMOPOLITAN.COM (SUBJECT: BITCH IT OUT) TO SHARE YOUR PET PEEVE (AND PHOTO). IF WE PRINT YOUR SHOT, WE'LL GIVE YOU $50!…

FOR ME, THE MOST THRILLING PART of our Fun Fearless Life Weekend at Lincoln Center was getting to talk to so many of you during lunch breaks and at the party. Many of you explained how you already felt you were in a rut and not going where you want to go fast enough. Others of you expressed anxiety that you haven't found the right career. I know many of you assumed that I knew from the start what I wanted to do for a career. Not true. I too felt stuck or off course at times. In fact, it was only when I was interviewed recently and the questions turned to my childhood that I realized my early years held clues to my later career. At age 9, I…

WHO The 27-year-old star of Step Up All In WHERE TO CATCH HIM Sexing up (and freaking out) J.Lo as the titular character in the thriller The Boy Next Door and bro-ing down as roadie Rio in the upcoming Jem and the Holograms. JUST DO IT "Who makes the first move shouldn't be gender specific. If you like someone, just go up to them and start a conversation—have fun with it. So many guys are waiting for the girl to make the first move, and so many girls are waiting for the guy to make the first move. Then you just end up by yourself, watching New Girl with popcorn." ON HIS SIGNATURE MOVE "I was never really accepted by the cool kids, but I never had a hard time…

ANIMAL STYLE Lizards and dragonflies give this full-coverage lace bustier a playful vibe. Bustier, Azede Jean-Pierre, azedejean-pierre.com VINTAGE VIXEN Pull a Yoncé in a pinup-style halter bra and sheer high-waisted briefs. Bra, $318, briefs, $134, La Perla, laperla.com PEEK PERFORMANCE Girl-ify an over-size men's tank with a glimpse of a stretch-lace bralet. Bra, $52, panty, $38, Valentine, valentinenyc.com BUST BOOSTER Underwire cups with three-fabric panels provide support for larger chests. Bra, $222, brief, $176, Edge o' Beyond, Journelle, edgeobeyond.com…

I only buy long-wear lipstick, but after eating or drinking, it looks like I'm just wearing lip liner. How can I make the color last?—JESSICA BETSY, 21 "Try a lip stain underneath your favorite lipstick—it will give you double staying power (and fade evenly!)." SOURCE: SARAH LUCERO, STILA GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND ARTISTRY Stila Crush Lip and Cheek Stain in Raspberry Crush, $24, stilacosmetics.com How can I remove gel polish at home?—KARA BLAKESLEE, 22 "File nails—breaking the seal—then apply acetone-soaked cotton balls (secured with these clips) for 15 to 30 minutes." Pro Tip Clips Salon Quality Manicure Removal Kit, $39, protipclips.com; Red Carpet Manicure Ooo La Liscious Gel Polish, $10, ulta.com I'm desperate for a product that will define my curls and fight frizz without leaving my hair crunchy…

MY MOM IS HOTTER THAN I AM. HER NOSE IS MORE UPTURNED, HER EYES TWIN KLIER, HER THIGHS LITHER. (FULL DISCLOSURE, I HAVE BETTER HAIR. THANKS, DAD!) As a kid, I was blithely unaware of this. I only knew her looks were important to her from the way her slick, lotioned skin smelled before bed and, in the mornings, by the warm cloud of hair spray and Lancôme Magie Noire that hung in her bathroom. Then, at 15, a guy friend—i.e., a handsome, uninterested upperclassman—came to pick me up. As he shook my mom's hand, I noticed his cheeks flush and his posture loosen. Backing out of my driveway in his dad's navy Volvo, he turned to me and confided, "Your mom is a total MILF!" At the time, I…

What do Lauren Conrad and Kim Kardashian West have in common? Both have been building their brands using their ambition, charisma, and one very subtle strategy: a signature beauty look. Don't think of it as just hair and makeup—think of it as your professional PR. 1. It Says You're Trustworthy "Consistency—even in your look—makes people trust you. It sends an unspoken message that you can be counted on," says Laurin Sydney, who coaches people for public appearances. "If you go to work with a bare face on Monday and aqua shadow the next, it creates the perception you're spending too much time experimenting with your look, not focusing on work," she says. Sydney admits it's unfair, often inaccurate, but "at work, perception is reality." 2. It's a Visual Promotion Keeping…

1 MAKE A BUCKET LIST If you reframe goals as fun, can't-miss activities, you're going to want to cross them off. Instead of "Exercise more," write down, "Do the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Wear a bikini while celebrating at the pool." 2 DO ONE THING EACH MONTH A yearlong project is daunting. Just fix some part of your diet every 30 days—cook at home more in February, eat slower in March, nosh on extra greens in April. That's 12 opportunities not just to "lose weight" but to get healthier too. 3 TRY A YOGI TRICK Rather than goals, set one- or two-word intentions. To get more sleep, you could focus on a calm mind (not "go to bed earlier every night"). Then take the steps—sip tea, listen to soft tunes,…

CHECK OUT THE OMBRÉ SHOES Shoes, Brooks Running, $170, brooksrunning.com You're Using the Treadmill Wrong Instead of going faster, go higher. "Increasing the slope is the most efficient way to maximize calorie burn in a short time," says trainer David Siik, who created the Precision Running Program at Equinox. You'll work more muscles in your butt and legs too—and it'll show. Siik designed this 12-minute program just for Cosmo. WEIRD WEIGHT-LOSS TRICK Thinking of activity as fun (not work) makes you less likely to reward yourself with food. Next time you go out, call it a scenic walk or a fun run—you might trick your brain. Get Out of Gym FREE! Most days, exercise makes you feel more energetic, clear-headed, and happy. But sometimes it's better to sit it out.…

A GROWING NUMBER OF WOULD-BE PARENTS ARE ASKING FRIENDS AND STRANGERS TO HELP PAY FOR ADOPTIONS, IN-VITRO PROCEDURES, AND SURROGATE PREGNANCIES. LILIT MARCUS EXPLORES THE NEW ETHICAL DILEMMAS AND SOMETIMES UGLY CRITICISMS THAT ARISE WHEN EVERYONE CHIPS IN FOR A CHILD. JESSICA HALEY HAD A SECRET that was gnawing away at her—after years of trying, she and her husband, Sean, her high school sweetheart, were told they had a less than 1 percent chance of conceiving a baby naturally. In another time, that might have ended any hope the Melbourne, Florida, couple had of parenthood. But this is the 21st century, a time of innovation both for fertility treatments like IVF and for the internet's power of spreading the word. Jessica would utilize both of those innovations in her quest…

YOUR SITCH Looking to Score This season's smudgy, glossy eye is hot and hookup-ready. Use a chubby black pencil (for all product picks, flip to page 139) to rim inner and outer lash lines. Then use your finger to smudge the black up into the crease. Finally, dab clear lip balm onto the center of your lids. Jacket, Michael Michael Kors. Bra, Fleur du Mal. Jeans, Emporio Armani. Earrings, Pamela Love. Necklace, Jennifer Fisher. Cuff, Robert Lee Morris. Ring, Shaun Leane V-Day Ever Valentine's is on a Saturday this year. That means no matter your relationship sitch, you're going out. Whether you're looking to finally DTR, spice up an LTR, or just have fun with your crew, Maybelline New York global makeup artist Yadim has the hottest new ways to…

Cohabitation is the new getting engaged. Almost 50 percent of young women in the U.S. live with a lovah before saying "I do." When should you do it, what does your boyfriend really think about it—and how can a giant cardboard box double as a sex prop? Read on, then pack your bags and change your address to 6969 Love Boulevard. 4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Shacking Up If one of you got a job across the country, would you move there with the other? If you'd live anywhere with this person—because youtruly want to take things to the #NextLevel—you should feel good about apartment hunting. But if moving in is about saving rent or ditching lame roommates, think twice. "Cohabiting for convenience may lock you into a relationship…

I just started seeing this guy whose Insta feed is filled with pics of him partying with girls hanging all over him—but he's being awesome to me. Should I say anything about his feed? A I don't know why everyone is supposed to pretend they don't see each other's social-media feeds. The idea that any of us—man or woman—isn't Google-stalking a partner is crazy. We see you. You see us. Every time you pretend to be the chill girl (and aren't) or act like nothing is bothering you (when you can't stop thinking of that Instagram picture), it adds a little bullshit to your relationship. The thing is, pics—and tweets—can be deceiving. He probably has the same anxieties about your feed. Rather than stew, let him know you can see…

Yasmin Elgibali, 24 New York City CURRENT GIG Advertising account director DREAM JOB Cooking-show host "I would love to do a show where I visit real people in their kitchens and cook meals that work for their lifestyles. I want to look effortlessly chic." What should I wear? Elgibali needs to roll up her sleeves to make her meals, so her look can't be precious. We kept the shapes simple and practical while playing with textured materials and pops of color to add personality. Neutral Nude A soft, creamy lip color complements bright fashion picks. Maybelline New York, Color Sensational Creamy Mattes in Daringly Nude, $7.50, drugstores Leather Goods Pair a nubby knit with a shiny fabric to give comfort a formal edge. Skirt, C/Meo Collective, $150, Dresscode,…

Follow your dreams. Everyone—even contestants on The Bachelor—says it's the key to happiness. But what if your dream is hazy? While women and millennials have more career options than previous generations, the possibilities can be vast to the point of being paralyzing. "People often feel that their 20s don't really matter," says Meg Jay, PhD, author of The Defining Decade. "But they end up having no career established by their 30s or having one that doesn't match what they want to do." The key to navigating the angst, says Jay, is in identity capital—the things you've done that make you who you are. You're already earning identity capital by living your life: doing a semester abroad, volunteering at the animal shelter.…The challenge is to become more involved in things that…

YOU LOOKED GREAT NAKED Now it's time to eat. You don't need much: Eggs, toast, coffee. Or hit the wow factor with pancakes. It's a win either way. MAKE IT EXTRA SEXY A luscious chocolate caramel wouldn't be so wrong after breakfast in bed. The Aphrodisiac Heart Bonbon Collection, Chuao Chocolatier, $12.95, chuaochocolatier.com Blueberry and Buckwheat Buttermilk Pancakes The second these pancakes start melting in your mouth, you'll never go back to the box mix again (and this is just as easy). Thank Marco Canora, chef at NYC's Hearth and author of the new cookbook A Good Food Day, for this better-for-you recipe. 1 cup whole- wheat flour ½ cup buckwheat flour ½ cup corn flour* 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon fine sea salt 2…

AQUARIUS / 01.20–02.18 STELLAR GIFTS You're independent, forward thinking, and compassionate. BLIND SPOTS Sometimes you have trouble seeing others' points of view and can emotionally shut off if things aren't going your way. FASHION FAVES Crisp blues and metallics boost your boss ways. INDULGENCE Throwing over-the-top parties for your friends is one of your many specialties. SEDUCTION STYLE Love is as much about the mental connection for you as it is about the physical, so you need a man who can rock your mind and your body. THIS MONTH Mercury will move into retrograde on the 2nd, making it an ideal time to rewrite your own rules. Changes you make will be for the best and prepare you for Venus and Mars moving into Aries after the 20th. You like…

1. You never leave the house without: a. Sunscreen, a Windbreaker, Taser, and $40 in a hidden money belt. b. Spanx and Altoids. c. Black lipstick, a pentagram necklace, and your hairless cat. 2. Your current boyfriend is: a. A real estate lawyer with a comb-over and a passion for puns, just like your old man! b. Out there somewhere. Come to mama! c. A juggalo with neck tats and a chin braid. 3. Nothing makes you feel more alive than: a. Haggling a Nordstrom saleswoman down to 15 percent off an "as is" DVF wrap dress. b. Bragging about a one-night stand at brunch. Still got it! c. Twerking onstage at a Snoop Lion concert. 4. When your best friend announces she's backpacking alone through Eastern Europe, you: a.…