Innehållsförteckning för Issue 8 2022 från Cosmopolitan

I live for The Debrief. The first contact you have with your friends after a party is, let’s be honest, sometimes better than the party itself. What good is a party anyway if it doesn’t give you fodder for your group chat? My thumbs nearly flew off from all the texting I did—still in bed, one eye open, as you do—the morning after the big Cosmo party we threw in West Hollywood recently. We were celebrating the launch of our travel-concierge service CosmoTrips, wherein we book your next vacation for you (and the one after that, and the one after that, because we’re saving you from all the previously required homework—we’re like travel agents but cool?), and the guest list was wild. We had Outer Banks stars Madison Bailey, Austin…

Corsage December 23, theaters If you’ve found yourself watching Netflix’s The Empress over and over again (same), then you’ll be equally sucked into this film that basically serves as an epilogue, following Elisabeth of Austria’s royal midlife crisis. Actor Vicky Krieps is so compelling as the lead that having two different stories about one monarch in a single calendar year somehow still feels like not enough. National Treasure: Edge of History December 14, Disney+ Good news: The franchise that inspired you to take AP U.S. History is back, this time as a series. Bad news: Nicolas Cage isn’t in it. But Catherine Zeta-Jones is, and she’s even better as a villain trying to scam Jess (Lisette Olivera) out of her family’s treasure. That might be a hot take, but it’s…

Giving Platforms a Platform Stacked footwear is the moment, according to designers and also my credit card statement. Make sure there’s room in your closet (and/or on your pizza-strewn floor) for a pair, please. Back to Bedazzled “Best believe we’re still bejeweled. When it comes to our shoes, we can still make the whole place shimmer, okay?” I’m pretty sure those were Taylor Swift’s exact words, and who are we to argue with her? New Heights Unlocked In conclusion! Party heels are pretty for parties and also every other situation—our feet deserve to be fancy whenever they want! And because the runways have blessed us with no shortage of options, it’s time to stock your shoe shelves! Thank you and good night!…

More excellent options your face should know about.…

If you’ve opened TikTok even once in the past month, you’ve likely stumbled across the very buzzy beauty term (at press time, #Skin Cycling had a casual 163 million views). Coined by derm Whitney Bowe, MD, it describes a repeating four-night skincare regimen in which you rotate between an exfoliator, a retinol, and a moisturizer. The goal: to both plumpify and glowify your skin—without going overboard. Because too much of these active ingredients can be, well, too much. “AHAs, BHAs, retinol…they ’re all fantastic at brightening, clarifying, and smoothing skin,” says dermatologist Dan Belkin, MD. “But they can be irritating if misused.” Skin cycling’s controlled, step-by-step approach lets you incorporate the good stuff into your routine without compromising your skin barrier. And also, it’s kind of fun? (Just us type…

The Dapper Dog Classic doggy, with the receiving partner on all fours and the penetrating partner entering from behind, is bound to turn heads and have all eyes on you. Party of Three Doggy-style but with a third partner lying on their back getting oral sex under the receiving partner. Twice the Fun Double penetration, where one partner penetrates the receiving partner’s vagina and a third partner penetrates the receiving partner’s anus. If anal sex isn’t your thing, both partners can penetrate the vagina at the same time, aka DV, or double vaginal.…

Dear Minaa, My bestie and I have been super close since we were kids—we sold Girl Scout cookies together, shared the same middle school crush (he still doesn’t know!), and whispered secrets late into the night at every childhood sleepover. She truly knows me better than anyone else does. But lately, our relationship has hit a bit of a pause. I think it’s because she’s simply…not living her best life at the moment. Her career is stagnant, her mental health is in rough shape after a bad breakup, she has a lot of credit card debt, and (understandably) she’s not happy about any of it. I, however, am kind of killing it. My relationship, career, finances—they’re all in a great place. I completely understand how lucky I am, and I…

*Adds to Bar Cart* $17 watered-down drinks are so last year. Play bartender at home with these top-shelf cocktail tools and trimmings—no liquor license required. Pistachio- and Black-Sesame-Crusted Goat Cheese Crostini MAKES 18 PIECES 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries½ cup honey or maple syrup1 medium orange, zested and juiced1 baguette, cut into½-inch-thick rounds½ cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling1 large garlic clove, peeled¼ cup shelled and toasted pistachios, finely chopped2 tablespoons toasted black sesame seeds1 10-ounce log goat cheese¼ cup finely chopped chives 1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Combine the cranberries, honey, orange zest and juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and ground black pepper in a saucepan. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring until the cranberries break down, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from…

Scan to shop for everyone on your list.…

TOKEN, by Beverley Kendall January 3 A workplace saga quickly turns into a juicy romance when a PR professional’s ex-boyfriend comes to her with a career emergency. HELL BENT, by Leigh Bardugo January 10 Dark academia: not just for TikTok! This creepy yet addictive sequel goes even deeper into magical secret societies. THE FRAUD SQUAD, by Kyla Zhao January 17 Delightful and unpredictable, this drama is very The Clique meets Crazy Rich Asians. BIG SWISS, by Jen Beagin February 7 A transcriber for a sex therapist falls in love with a client (and uses what she’s learned to woo her) in this hilarious novel.…

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You know that “strong Black woman” trope? The one that implies we can and should shoulder the weight of the world? It’s complicated and heavy. We are strong. But we shouldn’t have to always be. Take work, for example: While I have every intention of being a badass at my job, lately I’ve been wondering why I’m not allowed to detach my self-worth from this can’t-stop-won’t-stop culture. I find myself asking more and more often: Can’t I also be valuable when I’m vulnerable? Aren’t I also deserving of peace? That’s why, like a lot of Black women (see #SoftLife on TikTok), I’m now in relentless pursuit of ease, rest, and unapologetic joy. It may sound lofty or even lazy, but trust me when I say this isn’t just about lying…

MONDAY, 9 P.M. I’m on the phone with Melissa, a matchmaker who found me through a mutual friend. She’s not the first who’s tried to add me to her database after scoping out my LinkedIn and personal socials. Matchmakers love my résumé. And men love my tits. So there’s that. Melissa’s interview is so thorough, you’d think I were applying for national security clearance. How long was my last relationship? Where do I see my career going? Where have I traveled? Damn, do I at least get TSA PreCheck after this? “You are such a treat!” she says. “How is someone like you still single?” And there it is. Validation served with a cold side of pity. Look, I get it, how Melissa sees me: Despite the fact that I…

The Goods Or you could just go straight for the big questions:…

Milk Bar Cookie Cake MAKES ONE 8-INCH COOKIE CAKE Corn Cookie Dough Base 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened¾ cup + 2 tablespoons sugar1 large egg¾ cup flour½ cup corn powder3 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons corn flour1 teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon baking powder⅛ teaspoon baking soda 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar on medium-high for 7 minutes. (No stand mixer? Elbow grease and a spoon work just fine.) Scrape down the sides of the bowl. 2. Add the egg and mix until smooth, about 1 minute. 3. Add the flour, corn powder, corn flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and paddle on low speed just until the dough comes together, no longer than 1 minute.…

Are you a big holiday-party person? 53% Hell yes to all of them! 36% They can get overwhelming, but I oblige. 11% Nah, not my thing. Which of these are you celebrating? (Check all that apply.) 85% My birthday 76% An engagement 63% A big move 48% Fridays 45% A new job 13% A new relationship Team House Party or Team Event Venue? 52% Either/or, depending on the theme. 40% House parties always. They’re more intimate, with better conversations. 8% I like to step out at a club or venue. What about weddings? 65% I’ll pull up to (and enjoy) the important ones. 30% I am basically a professional guest at this point. 5% I stay sending that respectful “No” RSVP. Anything else? “My dog’s birthday” “Friendsgiving” “Diwali” “Juneteenth” “Summer…

THE NEXT TIME I GET TO TAKE A VACATION, I’M GOING TO… 1. Tokyo. Period. I love learning more about my own heritage, and whenever I go back, I find a new area to explore or restaurant to try. The city has an unexplainable energy. EVEN AT MY BUSIEST, I STILL FIND TIME TO USE THIS PRODUCT 2. I have melanated skin, but wearing SPF every day is a nonnegotiable. The Golden Rays Sun-screen from my skincare line, KINLÒ, protects me without leaving a white cast behind and gives me a natural glow. It’s also water-resistant and sweatproof. KINLÒ sunscreen, $20, kinlo.com WHEN I’M NOT AT HOME, THIS HOTEL IS THE NEXT BEST OPTION 3. The Ritz-Carlton in Tokyo is my favorite hotel on earth. It’s the best combo of…

It’s been more than 10 years since Hollywood killed the rom-com. Since Crazy, Stupid, Love served as the last gasp of a Great American Movie Genre. Those beautiful, glossy films may have been fluff, but they were more than just fluff—they were made unapologetically for a female audience and often called out class and gender disparities while also being rich with the eye-candy-est eye candy of our time. But who am I kidding… why do we need that when we have a million iterations of the same movie in which caped men bash one another’s heads in for reasons so simultaneously confusing and important that they deserve sequel upon sequel, right? Like…I’m grateful to the Marvels and Top Guns of the world for propping up the film industry, sure, but…

I was born in Venice, Italy, on March 4, 1997, as an able-bodied person. In 2008, I was reborn with a disability—and became the unluckiest person in the world. But also, it turns out, the luckiest person in the world. When I was 11 years old, I contracted acute meningitis, a rare but deadly bacterial infection. It left me with severe scarring on my face and body; to save my life, doctors had to amputate my limbs past the knees and elbows. I spent what felt like an eternity alone in a hospital, afraid of what my life would be like without arms and legs. Afraid of being different from everyone else. Afraid of never again being able to fence—a sport I had loved and practiced since the age of…

MINI Skirts The sophisticated trend is all about options: Wear one with a coordinating top for a posh situation or with separates for a more casual feel. Pair one with long boots or pointed-toe pumps. No matter what, though, you’ll be serving a side of delicious leg. MINI Tops Yes, we’re still in the crop- and bra-top era. And even though they tend to have small silhouettes, boy do these pieces—from teensy corsets to major balloon-sleeve styles—make a statement. Throw on an oversized blazer or bomber jacket for some added dimension. MINI Dresses An oldie but goodie is experiencing a rebirth, and it’s even more fabulous this time around. Think as bold and glitzy as your home-coming dress from back in the day but with a high-fashion twist and sans…

Maybe you’re a lucky newbie who’s already scored a coveted spot on the guest list of your choice. Or maybe you’re pretty sure your invite is in the mail and you’re feeling some, uh, anxiety. Or, hey, maybe you’re just curious and you have a few questions about what really goes down at a sex party. The first thing you should know is this: Not all sex parties are alike, says Zachary Zane, an expert for Momentum Intimacy and the author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto. Just like regular shindigs, they come in all forms, from laid-back get-togethers among intimate groups of like-minded folks to upscale, Eyes Wide Shut–style masquerades. The one thing most have in common is the fact that they are, first and foremost, parties, says Robert…

LAS VEGAS For the Late-Night Lovers If you and your permanent plus-one aren’t afraid to embrace your kitschy side, the walk-in wedding capital of the world should absolutely be on your post-reception radar. Sure, the city may be synonymous with shenanigans, but first, what’s wrong with that, and second, it’s also an A+ destination to indulge and bliss TF out after a job well done in the “I do” department. Where to Stay If you wanna be in the middle of the action, opt for a spot right on the Strip, like the hella-luxe Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace (yes, like the Nobu the Kardashians are always tagging) or the Four Seasons Las Vegas, where you should definitely call ahead for the Saturday afternoon tea. If you’d rather escape the lights…

Marissa’s Tips for Charcuterie Domination 1. Make your masterpiece on a solid foundation. Use plates or boards with a small lip around the edge so items don’t roll off in transit. 2. Use her Cheese by Numbers method to build your board. The steps are as follows: (1) cheese, (2) meat, (3) produce, (4) crunch, (5) dips, and (6) garnish. 3. Pick 3 to 5 cheeses. Aim for a variety of milks (cow, sheep, goat) and textures (hard, soft, bloomy). Keep the cheeses out for 45 minutes before serving—this will make all the difference with texture and flavor. 4. Use a cookie cutter to display semisoft cheeses in fun shapes, like the star-shaped dill Havarti here. 5. To make this fire-emoji-worthy Brie brûlée, cut off the top of a round…

The Winter White Cosmo 0.75 ounces Cointreau2 ounces vodka0.75 ounces fresh lime juice0.25 ounces white cranberry juice 1. Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled. 2. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. 3. Garnish with a cranberry (or three!).…