Women's Health April 2014

It’s easy to reduce prettifying endeavors to pure vanity or vapidity. But that would be a mistake. There’s a reason the beauty industry is a multibillion-dollar one: Research actually proves that grooming rituals raise confidence—and that, in turn, helps women gain control of the image they want to project to the world. And these days, women are taking more control than ever. The proliferation of beauty videos on YouTube (they number in the millions) shows just how much how-tos are in demand. Seemingly complex feats of makeup application—such as the smoky eye—are no longer the domain of professional artists. Any beauty vlogger worth her charcoal eye pencil can demonstrate how you, too, can pull of that sophisticated look. Companies such as Birchbox (read more about them on page 118) are…

IF YOU HAVE... 30 SECONDS Think of a word that best expresses how you would want a friend to describe your fashion persona. Then turn to “Define Your Style,” page 46, for stylist Rachel Zoe’s advice on building a wardrobe that embodies it. 60 SECONDS Rub sunscreen into your hairline and jawline, which are both vulnerable to wrinkles. For more tweetsize beauty tips, flip to “Shortcuts to Gorgeous,” Beauty Bonus, page 26 2 MINUTES Grab a 30-pound dumbbell and do as many goblet squats as you can. If you can do 15 (with perfect form!), you’re ready to use a barbell instead—which can help you better activate your glutes and build a killer rear end even quicker. “The Workout You Should Get Behind!” page 144 5 MINUTES Combine warm vanilla…

THE INDOOR-CYCLING QUEEN Laurie Cole is a senior master instructor at SoulCycle. In “It’s Gettin’ Hot in Here,” page 112, she ofers tips on taking a guy to your cycling class. 1 HOWI STAY MOTIVATED: ADVANCE COMMITMENT "At SoulCycle, you sign up for a week’s worth of classes every Monday. Doing so is sort of like making a contract with yourself that’s tough to break. Sign up for classes at your gym ahead of time, or pencil workouts into your cal.” 2 HOW I CUT CALORIES: BOOZE-FREE WEEKDAYS "I’ve found that by the weekend, I don’t even really want to indulge." WH ADVISORY BOARD ANTHROPOLOGY HELEN FISHER, PH.D. Research professor and member of the Center for Human Evolutionary Studies, Rutgers University; author, Why Him? Why Her? Finding Real Love by…

Can’t Miss Cook-Off Who’s king—or queen—of the healthy kitchen? That’s what the chefs on Cook Your Ass Of compete to find out each week. Don’t miss the season finale, when WH editor-in-chief Michele Promaulayko (above) appears as a guest judge to help crown one chef the grand-prize winner. Airs Sunday, March 16, at 8 p.m. on upwave on HLN. For more details, head to upwave.com/cyao. ACTION-PACKED When you want to blow each other’s minds between the sheets, head to WomensHealthMag.com/Sex, our one-stop spot for all of the best sex positions, orgasm how-tos, and advice you need to pump up your pleasure. Rock It Out Tag @Womens HealthMag on Instagram or Twitter in a #ConcertSelfie that showcases your awesome concert style, and your photo could appear on WomensHealthMag.com! THESE WOMEN DID…

In case you missed a moment ofWH digital happenings, here’s a recap of the most buzz-worthy likes, tweets, and other posts! Instagrams You Heart Brown-bag upgrade: Over 1,900 of you love this way of assembling a to-go salad to keep it from getting soggy. You cheered on WH senior fashion editor Thea Palad as she aced Ballet Bungee. Here’s to trying something new! Hey, it’s OK to have a rest day after a week full of workouts. Reward yourself with yummy eats and laughs with your girls. More than 1,300 of you dig this cute Tasc Performance tank. Buy it at rawthreads.org/bestronganddothework.aspx. WH senior fitness editor Jen Ator and friends crushed six workout videos! Watch ’em at WomensHealthMag.com/QuickWorkouts. Over 1,300 readers can’t seem to forgo a cup of joe. (No…

Q/Will sleeping with a humidifier help with my allergies?—Taylor, Bowling Green, KY Definitely. Dry indoor air can exacerbate congestion, inflammation of the nasal and sinus passages, and coughing. Adding moisture with a humidifier will keep your respiratory tract lubricated, thus improving and preventing those yucky symptoms, says Neeta Ogden, M.D., fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Just know: Dust and other indoor allergens thrive in overly moist environments. So keep your humidifier on its low setting, and invest in a monitor to make sure your room stays below 50 percent humidity. When I do a forearm plank, I feel it most in my arms and shoulders. Is my form off?—Julia, Chicago, IL Sounds like it—although you should feel it in your upper body, the burn should…