Some look at the beauty counter and see glittering possibilities. Others see an eye infection waiting to happen. Whether you buy your products at a department store, Sephora, or a drugstore, there are a few rules to follow to keep the cosmetics counter safe for all.
I love to camp. And I am, for the most part, pretty OK with whatever the wilderness throws at me. Not the case with everyone — including a few friends of mine who sometimes join me in the outdoor fun. I've learned from them that newbie campers have the most trouble with sleeping outside and abandoning their normal beauty and hygiene regimen. If you know someone like this — or if this is you! — here are a few essentials to make sure that you get a good night's rest and also look your absolute best (without seeming like a princess).
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New research from some London scientists is causing a stink about the truth of cell phone hygiene, reports Time. Scientists from the University of London swabbed 390 cell phones and found that one in six phones has E. coli, a bacteria that has poop origins. The cause of this is attributed to people not washing their hands after they use the bathroom.
Although 95 percent of people surveyed claim they wash their hands after going to the restroom, the co-author of the study, Dr. Ron Cutler, says "science shows otherwise." Here are some quick ways to be bacteria-free:
Two things that always manage to keep me from going to the gym: hairy legs and hairy armpits. Like most people who say that time (or lack thereof) is the primary reason they can't make it to the gym as often as they'd like, I too, will often use the "time" excuse. It's often used when I take one look at my hairy legs and say — "nope, not enough time to shave, which unfortunately means I won't be able to go to the gym today."
I know, this is a lame excuse on my part, which is why I've come up with ways to make sure my legs are prepped for the gym, and/or my armpits are hair-free for yoga, and b) get my butt to the gym even if I'm not smooth shaven. Without further ado, here are some tips for never having to use the "hair-removal time excuse" again.
At this year's Yoga Journal Conference I received a free bottle of Nama Hand and Yoga Mat Sanitizer ($6). The timing couldn't have been better: I had a class with Ana Forrest scheduled for later that day and forgot to bring my DIY mat cleaner from home. I've since used the entire bottle of Nama sanitizer up, and while I'm still partial to my homemade tea tree mat sanitizer, Nama is a great option for people who aren't into DIY cleaners.
What I like best about the Nama sanitizer mist is that it's natural and safe to use on my mat. There's nothing artificial about it; instead it's made up of things like green tea extract, peppermint oil, water, and alcohol (to really get rid of the germs). Since chemical-filled cleaners are one of the reasons I started making my own mat cleaner at home, it's nice to have a retail option for times when I might be in a bind. Like any mist sanitizer, it's also easy to use — just spray and wipe dry. But, what's really great about this spray is how good it smells. The scent of peppermint is completely invigorating and fresh, and it ensures that I am never caring around a smelly mat.
I'm a germaphobe — at least when it comes to yoga. I don't like loaning out my mat and won't borrow one unless I know that it's clean. Something about another person's sweat makes me squeamish. Recently, I found myself in a predicament: new yoga studio, no mat of my own, and community mats were not cleaned. Seeing the uncomfortable look on my face, a fellow student handed me a Jo-Sha yoga mat wipe ($13 for 50 wipes).
Jo-Sha wipes are packed in the same way that disposable makeup wipes are, which makes them really easy to travel with. I've used wipes in the past to clean my mat, but they always left a sticky film behind — not Jo-Sha wipes though. What is left behind is the faint smell of lavender that brings a little bit of aromatherapy to my practice.
A quick dip in the tub for a rub a dub dub! Some parents have their children take a bath on a nightly basis and others let the grime build until washing it off is the only option. So come clean, how often do your kiddos soak?
I don't shower at my gym. My routine goes a little like this: change into my gym clothes at home, head to the gym for a workout, and return home to shower. I don't like having to carry a bag full of bath products around, and using a public shower makes me squeamish — I've obviously heard too many stories about catching foot fungus! Most of my friends don't mind showering at the gym, except for a few who don't want to strip down in front of strangers. And while having to go back home to shower and change can be a bit of a hassle, it's something that I don't mind. Tell me . . .
Sneezes, cyclists, and dangerous dips — there's a lot happening in the health and fitness world these days. Have you been keeping on top of the latest headlines? Take my quiz to test your knowledge! If you don't know, we'll explain all of the latest happenings to you in the end!
My bike ride to work today was uncomfortably hot, and since there aren't any showers in my office, I was left feeling a sweaty mess. The same goes for my friend who works down the street and runs to work at least three times a week. But, between the two of us, we've collected a few tips that help us feel shower fresh before getting back to the office.
