5d6 th

FALL! FASHION!!

YES, YOU’RE GONNA BE INTO SNOODS NOW

THERE’S A MASSIVE ASTROLOGICAL SHAKE-UP HEADED YOUR WAY

PAGE 20 CO CONF

The new good hair day is...

SM

O

ESSIO

NS

“HE WAS MY NIGHT NURSE WHEN I HAD COVID-19...”

EVERY DAY? PAGE 36

BUCKLE TF UP, HOLLYWOOD

YOU+ THESE MONEY TIPS =

rıch PAGE 42

80% of search results for beautiful skin, face, woman don’t include women of color.

OLAY wants to double the number of women in STEM, Because to face coded bias, we need more women leading and coding in our beautiful ideas.

Help us increase the number of women in STEM and post using #DecodeTheBias on Instagram or Twitter to send 1000 girls to code camp.

This ad has no skin retouching. At all.

That’s our Olay Skin promise. Learn more at Olay.com

september

cover stories 20 Fall! Fashion!!

36 The new good hair day is… every day?

42 You + these $ tips = rich 58 There’s a massive astro shake-up coming your way

W h a t ? Yo u d o n’t p o s e in t h e w o o d s like t his w it h y o u r f r i e n d s?

62 Cosmo confessions 68 Awkwafina: Buckle TF up, Hollywood

inside 6 you first 10 celeb 20 fashion 28 beauty 40 life 50 food 58 astrology 62 lust 68 features

ON THE COVER

P H OTO G R A P H BY E R I C R AY DAV I D S O N . FA S H I O N BY C A S S I E A N D E R S O N .

F O R S H O P P I N G I N F O R M AT I O N , G O TO C O S M O P O L I TA N .C O M .

G u c ci ja c ke t an d p ant s. BV LGA RI e a rrin gs an d n e c k l a c e.

O N T H I S P A G E On Jonathan: Bode shirt and pants. Converse sneakers.

Gucci sunglasses. Established necklace. Legier ring. On Madison: Chloé dress and boots. New York Vintage belt. Ariana Boussard-Reifel earrings. On Rudy: Bode shirt and pants. Coach shoes. Title of Work necklaces. Peyote Bird Designs and Luis Morais rings.

cove r phot o graph by M E I T A O cove r f ashio n by C A S S I E A N D E R S O N

82

STOP FI G H T I N G I T: THE ’70S ARE BACK

Hair: Kylee Heath at A - Frame Agency using R+Co. Makeup: Kara Yoshimoto Bua at A - Frame Agency using Chanel. Manicure: Thuy Nguyen at A - Frame Agency. Fashion assistant: Kate Collins.

Production: Craw ford & Co Productions. For Awk wafina’s look, tr y Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation, Unbelieva - Brow Long wear Waterproof Brow Gel, Brilliant Eyes Shim mer Liquid Eye Shadow in Royal Ony x, Infallible Longwear Highlighter Shaping Stick, and Rouge Signature Mat te Lip Stain in Adored, all

by L’Oréal Paris.

S e p t e m b e r 2021 C o s m o p o lit a n

1

Our ıssue by the numbers What it took to make this mag.

6 ice-cream cones used for this incredibly NSFW photo on page 54.

82

exper ts

By MARIAH SCHLOSSMANN

hours sp ent talking to

9

to master

11 vocab words like “escrow ” and “de e d”

36

G L E E F U L LY S I P P E D T H E I R FAV E D R I N K ALL SZN LONG.

w hile watching 7

13 minor p anic at tacks had w hile talking to the f o o dsaf et y ex p er ts on p age 56. (Yes, you should bu y a me at thermomet er.)

43,800 soul-sucking minut es spent staring at our weak air conditioners during the summer heat wave(s), cont emplating the exist ence of Ear th, time, space, and antifriz z products that don’t work.

home-reno shows

to bring you the only first-time-homebuying guide you’ll ever ne e d (p age 76).

21 “Hey, girl!” DMs uncovered from our Instagram archives that inspired the “business” “op” data on page 6.

12 e ditors w ho had no clue w hat the hell a Saturn Return was, ce menting the ne e d f or the thorough ex plainer star ting on p age 58.

5 17 (safe) b each vacations t aken t o recharge and t ouch le sand IRL .

sob sessions one se asone d crier endure d on her se arch f or the b est no-smudge mascaras (p age 34).

2,096 pages read devoured from the juicy, jaw-dropping celeb memoirs on page 10.

2 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

D I P P E D C O N E: T E D + C H E L S E A C AVA N A U G H . TA B L E W I T H D I S H E S: T E K L A E V E L I N A S E V E R I N /@ T E K L A N . D I G I TA L F O O D T H E R M O M E T E R : Y E V G E N R O M A N E N KO/G E T T Y I M A G E S .

A S T R O LO G Y I L L U S T R AT I O N : N ATA L I A V O LG I N A . W O M A N I N T R O P I C A L WAT E R : DAV I D P R A D O/S TO C K S Y.

H OT- CO FFE E ENTHUSIASTS WHO

LIGHTWEIGHT MOISTURE

FOR FINE CURLS.

UNCAP THE LOVE™

The September issue is, as you know, kind of a big deal. It’s the moment when magazines are their magazine-iest, all shiny and excited about the season ahead. Maybe that goes double for this particular September, after everything we’ve been through. So the task of finding the perfect cover star is a daunting one. The stakes! The pressure! But I have a confession: My job was so easy this time around. Because literally who could be better than Nora Lum, aka Awkwafina, aka the woman who’s transforming herself and us along with her in the biggest and arguably most culturally significant blockbuster of the year? Her interview exposes a lot about how she thinks, and it made me curious about how she lives—hence this fun round of rapidfire questions and her characteristically flawless answers. Enjoy this teaser, and read more (a lot more) on page 68.

FULL NAME

THE LAST THING I GOOGLED

BEST ALBUM FOR A ROAD TRIP

BEST ROAD TRIP SNACKS

FAVORITE SONG TO SING IN THE SHOWER

ONE THING I’VE LEARNED ABOUT LOVE IS

J essica Pe ls Edit o r-in- Chie f @J essica _ Pe ls

FAVORITE THING TO DO WHEN I’M ALONE

FICTIONAL CHARACTER I’D MAKE OUT WITH

BECAUSE...

I’D LOVE IT IF NO ONE EVER ASKED ME THIS QUESTION AGAIN

O u r L a d y o f C o o l h e rs e l f, in a n o u t t a ke f r o m h e r c o v e r s h o o t (a n d in t h e n e w To y o t a G R 86, w hic h w a s a c t u a l l y *s o* n e w t h a t it w a s d e li v e r e d t o s e t u n d e r lit e r a l w r a p s b e c a us e no one was allowed t o s e e it y e t!).

4 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

LAST BOOK I READ

AW K WA F I N A : P H OTO G R A P H BY M E I TA O ; FA S H I O N BY C A S S I E A N D E R S O N . C H E E TO S: WA LT E R E R I C S Y/S H U T T E R S TO C K . N I C H O L A S B R E N D O N A S X A N D E R I N B U F F Y T H E VA M P I R E S L AY E R : H U LTO N A R C H I V E /G E T T Y I M A G E S . G U C C I S H I R T. N I KO S KO U L I S E A R R I N G S A N D R I N G ( R I G H T M I D D L E F I N G E R ). M I C H E L L E FA N TA C I F I N E J E W E L R Y R I N G S ( L E F T R I N G F I N G E R A N D R I G H T P I N K I E ). F E R N A N D O J O R G E R I N G ( L E F T M I D D L E F I N G E R ).

Questions from the editor

the cosmo quiz

Editor-in- Chief

SVP/Publishing Director, Chief Revenue Officer

JESSICA PELS

NANCY BERGER ASSO CI AT E PU B L ISH ER/CRO Leslie Picard ASSO CI AT E PU B L ISH ER/A DVERTISI N G Stacy Nathan E XECU TIVE FI N A N CI A L D I REC TO R Kathy Riess ASSO CI AT E PU B L ISH ER/I NT EG R AT ED M A RK E TI N G

CRE ATIVE D I REC TO R Andy Turnbull E XECU TIVE ED ITO R Sascha de Gersdorff D EPU T Y ED ITO RS Rosa Heyman, Jen Ortiz CH I EF VISUA L- CO NT ENT D I REC TO R Alix Campbell FASH I O N D I REC TO R Cassie Anderson B E AU T Y D I REC TO R Julee Wilson ENT ERTA I N M ENT D I REC TO R Maxwell Losgar D ESI G N D I REC TO R Jose Fernandez A RT I C L ES D I REC TO R Madeleine Frank Reeves L I FEST YL E D I REC TO R Ashley Oerman FASH I O N FE AT U RES D I REC TO R Rachel Torgerson N EWS A N D PO P- CU LT U RE D I REC TO R Alexandra Whittaker

Kristina McMahon G RO U P M A RK E TI N G D I REC TO RS

Marnie Braverman, Marianne Civiletto INTEGR ATED ADVERTISING SALES E XECU TIVE D I REC TO RS Jee Ahn, Andrea Foster,

Margot Becker Giblin, Marissa Perri

FEATURES SEN I O R AST RO LO GY ED ITO R Erika W. Smith FE AT U RES ED ITO R Elizabeth Kiefer FASH I O N ED ITO R Lauren Adhav SH O PPI N G ED ITO R Kim Duong ASSO CI AT E ENT ERTA I N M ENT ED ITO R Emma Baty ASSO CI AT E ED ITO RS Taylor Andrews, Sarah Weldon ASSISTA NT N EWS ED ITO R Starr Bowenbank D EPU T Y M A N AG I N G ED ITO R Christopher Dean ED ITO RI A L BUSI N ESS CO O RD I N ATO R Caryn Kanare ASSISTA NT TO TH E ED ITO R- I N - CH I EF

Annabel Iwegbue ED ITO RI A L BUSI N ESS ASSISTA NT Mariah Schlossmann

FASH I O N SEN I O R M A RK E T ED ITO R Hannah Deely SEN I O R ACCESSO RI ES ED ITO R Andrea Zendejas FASH I O N ED ITO R Ann Wang ACC ES S O R I ES E D I TO R Jaclyn Palermo A S S O C I AT E E D I TO RS Rachel Bogo, Danielle Flum ACCESSO RI ES ASSISTA NT Eunice Bruno FASH I O N ASSISTA NT Laynie Rouch BEAUTY D EPU T Y B E AU T Y D I REC TO RS

Lauren Balsamo, Chloe Metzger B E AU T Y ED ITO R Ruby Buddemeyer ART A RT D I R E C TO R Mary Fama D ESI G N ER Kara Miller D I G ITA L- I M AG I N G SPECI A L IST Jairo Corleto DIGITAL CREATIVE CRE ATIVE D I REC TO R Abigail Silverman ASSO CI AT E A RT D I REC TO R Katie Buckleitner PH OTO G R A PH ER/ASSO CI AT E CRE ATIVE PRO D U CER Ruben Chamorro HEARST VISUAL GROUP E XECU TIVE VISUA L D I REC TO R Fabienne Le Roux VISUA L D I REC TO R Kristin Giametta D EPU T Y VISUA L D I REC TO R Brenda Armendariz SEN I O R VISUA L ED ITO RS Jenna Bencea, Amy Wong CO NT RI BU TI N G VISUA L D I REC TO R Dangi McCoy CO NT RI BU TI N G VISUA L ED ITO R Marina Schoger CO NT RI BU TI N G VISUA L RESE A RCH ER Nicole Clacken

L A U R A A U S T I N /S TO C K S Y.

VIDEO SU PERVISI N G PRO D U CER Abbey Adkison PRO D U CER Liesl Lar D I REC TO R O F PH OTO G R A PHY Janet Upadhye POST PRO D U C TI O N SU PERVISO R Heather Weyrick ED ITO R Desi Sulca EMERGING PL ATFOR MS EM ERG I N G PL AT FO R MS D I REC TO R Mia Lardiere SEN I O R D ESI G N ER Rachel Johnson MOTI O N D ESI G N ER Katie Czerwinski PRO D U C TI O N M A N AG ER Venezia Moorer ASSISTA NT ED ITO R McKenzie Rankin COPY AND RESEARCH D EPU T Y CO PY CH I EF Estee Brooke Friedman SEN I O R RESE A RCH ED ITO R Lauren Dzubow CO PY ED ITO R Briehn Trumbauer

Is this what “g o i n g o f f t h e g r i d” l o o k s l i ke ?

ACCO U NT D I REC TO RS Nicole Shuldiner, Julia Whalen M I DWEST D I REC TO RS Hope Agase, Annie Molenda ACCO U NT M A N AG ER Alexis Herder D I REC T RESPO NSE ACCO U NT M A N AG ER Dawn Franco A DVERTISI N G SERVI CES D I REC TO R Peter Farrell A DVERTISI N G FI N A N CE D I REC TO R Elizabeth Bloom E XECU TIVE ASSISTA NT TO SVP/PU B L ISH I N G D I REC TO R Taylor Martin A DVERTISI N G CO O RD I N ATO R Flannery Wilson ASSISTA NTS Hannah Cianci, Jenna Herzberg, Eleanor O’Meara RESE A RCH M A N AG ER Emma Chapman CBS CO O RD I N ATO R Tyron Turner-McCullough INTEGR ATED M ARKETING E XECU TIVE D I REC TO RS, M A RK E TI N G Melissa Macaleer,

Sara Schroeter D I REC TO RS Ariel Kaye, Meaghan Marks, Courtney Turnbull ASSO CI AT E D I REC TO R Colleen D’Anna SEN I O R M A N AG ER Rhyan Kelly ASSO CI ATE M AN AG ER Kelly Zindel MARKETING AND SPECIAL PROJECTS D I R E C T O R Kelly Roma

ART CRE ATIVE D I REC TO R Lulu Zeitouneh A RT D I REC TO R Paula Prado SH O PPI N G CO O RD I N ATO R Bun Bun PRODUCTION O PER ATI O NS ACCO U NT M A N AG ER Lynn Scaglione CIRCUL ATION VP, ST R AT EGY A N D BUSI N ESS M A N AG EM ENT Rick Day PUBLISHED BY HEARST PRESI D ENT & CH I EF E XECU TIVE O FFI CER Steven R. Swartz CH A I R M A N William R. Hearst III E XECU TIVE VI CE CH A I R M A N Frank A. Bennack, Jr. CH I EF O PER ATI N G O FFI CER Mark E. Aldam HEARST MAGAZINE MEDIA, INC. PRESI D ENT A N D T RE ASU RER Debi Chirichella CH I EF CO NT ENT O FFI CER Kate Lewis CH I EF BUSI N ESS O FFI CER Kristen M. O’Hara SECRE TA RY Catherine A. Bostron PU B L ISH I N G CO NSU LTA NTS

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CUSTOM ER SERVICE CALL: 80 0 - 888 -2676; EM AI L: COSCUSTSERV@ CDSFU L FI L L M ENT.COM; VISIT: SERVI CE.COSMO PO LITAN.COM; WRITE: CUSTOM ER SERVI CE D EPA RTM ENT, COSMO PO L ITA N, P.O. BOX 60 0 0, H A RL A N, I A 51593.

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S e p t e m b e r 2021 C o s m o p o lit a n

5

Y O U F I R S T

MLM s

b u t t h e t r u t h:

i n g c o m p a ny?

72% 21% 7%

I was….

I am!

58% 31% live on.

11%

(C h e c k a l l t h a t a p p l y.)

50

%

I believe in the company’s product and vision. Really!

48%

The flexible work hours, mostly.

32%

To live out all my #GirlBoss fantasies.

Who do you ask t o join your t e am or bu y your swag? (Che ck all t hat appl y.)

75% My friends and fam.

51%

Total strangers.

46% Literally anyone I’m mutuals with on social.

6 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

r e a c h o u t t o yo u?

54%

Maybe once a month or so?

28%

Basically never!

52% of you have lost at least one friend directly because of MLM recruitment.

O ka y, b u t a r e those prizes a c t u a l l y r e a l?

18% I get a “Hey, you!” at least once a week.

A a a n d h ow d o yo u r e s p o n d?

W h a t *t y p e s* o f c o m p a n i e s a r e yo u a n d/o r yo u r f r i e n d s a p a r t o f? (C h e c k a l l t h a t a p p l y.)

72% I don’t even respond.

27% 1%

51% Supplements

Thanks, but nah.

Tell me more!

5% Baby products

26%

37%

Fashion

Essential oils

27% Housewares

77

%

Beauty

54% Fitness

Co ll a g e by A DA M H A L E, TH E DA I LY SPL I C E

A L L : G E T T Y I M A G E S . P H OTO G R A P H S A R E O F P R O F E S S I O N A L M O D E L S A N D T H E I M A G E S A R E U S E D F O R I L L U S T R AT I V E P U R P O S E S O N LY.

S o, u h, w h a t ’s t h e p a y l i ke?

I N T R O D U C I N G

Uncorked B Y

W

e

o w n k

w

h

a

t y o u

w t a n

Y O U F I R S T

A peek into your soul group chat while

planning that post-pandemic trip One truly chaotic ride from the creators of Hey Ladies!, your fave fictional internet series about a group of friends on a never-ending reply-all thread.

GRACIE

Hey guys! Love being vaxxed.

Nicole, please tell your doctor cousin I still lean out my window at 7 to clap every night! I’m not down with traveling on a plane though.…

By MICHELLE MARKOWITZ and CAROLINE MOSS

S TA

RT NICOLE

6:23

Gracie, don’t worry! I’m paying for a private jet!

A

ALI

Hey Ladies! Now that we’re all #vaxxed, we can focus on what’s truly important: my b-day!!!! Ahh! What about a long weekend in Paris, island-hopping, or Estonia??

Who’s in??

NICOLE

Hey!! I love that, Al! I was actually hoping to treat everyone to a trip to Lake Tahoe. As you know, I was very successful in my GameStop tradings….How about we celebrate your birthday in Tahoe, Ali? A long weekend is cute, but I was thinking about splurging for a full month for everyone. I feel like I owe you guys for all the years of Ubers y’all covered for me. Sorry, Ali. I don’t

KATIE

Hi all! I think flying is fine…and if you’re down to pay private, I won’t say no, Nicole!!

ALI

Oh, that’s so sweet! I’m not sure if I have enough vacation days to take off for the entire month, lol. Also, I think it would be important to experience other cultures after this year, like France or Estonia. If we go to Estonia, we can try new food and you can all meet the guy I’ve been talking to!

NICOLE

Ali, if you don’t have enough vacation days, just put up a Zoom background of your apartment!

They’ll never know!!!!

GRACIE

MESSAGE...

Cases are still going up in some spots, so I’m going to pass. :)

I just googled flights/Airbnbs/tickets to raves, and I can put everything on my card! It will come to about $3,000 each, I think! Just Venmo me!

8 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

DA N I E L L E DA LY.

ALI

NICOLE

I thought I was covering! Also, why Estonia??

6:57 G

GRACIE KATIE

Also, ugh, I’m booked as a wedding guest every weekend in 2021–2023 bc they were all rescheduled anyway.…

Btw, do you still need to get another gift for a couple’s in-person wedding if you already sent a gift for their Zoom wedding? And can it be cheaper??

Wait, Ali, tell us about the dude??

ALI

Sooo, Christian is so cute!! We met in a breakout room at my cousin’s roommate’s b-day Zoom, and we’ve literally been sending TikToks every day over WhatsApp (like texting but for Europe bc he’s Estonian).

NICOLE

ALI

OKAY! To accommodate everyone: We will do a trip from Tahoe to Estonia. Gracie can wear full PPE, and I’ll handle all the details and dates with Nicole!! Love you!!

Ali, can we talk off-thread about this??

KATIE

Ohhh, so he’s in Estonia and that’s why you want to go there. Fun!!

ALI

No! This is a girls’ trip! But if we all end up meeting up with him and his friends, cool. How about we do a night in Tahoe and then a couple of days in Estonia??

GRACIE

Sounds fun, but I think I’m going to sit this one out! I just don’t wanna get sick, lol. Have fun, you guys!

KATIE

Yay! Ahh, can’t wait!!

GRACIE NICOLE

Gracie, you have the vax. You’re going to have to rejoin the world someday.

Wait, okay, but I’m v serious about the wedding gift question….

S e p t e m b e r 2021 C o s m o p o lit a n

9

c e l e b 6

t a list of Jus

YOU GOT ANYTHING S T R O N G E R ?, b y Gabrielle Union

ALL THE JUICIEST CELEB

memoirs

By ELIZABETH ANN ENTENMAN

1

4

THE MEANING OF M A R I A H C A R E Y,

by Mariah Carey

U N FI N I S H E D,

by Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Lots of scandalous bits, but the best part might be when she gets super real about her short but incredibly sensual affair with Derek Jeter. Truly, a moment.

Her anecdotes about winning Miss World are fab, and you’ll LOL at the time this icon sent a security guard to spy on Nick Jonas and her mom.

2

OPEN BOOK,

by Jessica Simpson

Come for the Bring It On nostalgia; stay for the takedown of racist practices in the entertainment industry.

7

MAKE IT NICE,

by Dorinda Medley

She cooks! She decorates! She has said RHONY showed only a “slice” of her life. Now, she’s giving fans the whole thing. Kinda ominous?? (But still juicy, ofc.)

5

GREENLIGHTS,

by Matthew McConaughey

Sooo, parts of this book are about Matthew’s wet dreams. And if you want to hear him tell you all about them himself, pls know he voices the audiobook version.

Surprise: Newlyweds was kinda fake. Not a surprise: Dating John Mayer is as bad as it sounds (or at least it was in 2006). *adds to cart*

Yes, that Tyler, from The Bachelorette.

Turns out, he’s… shockingly insightful?

And full of relationship advice?

Who. Knew.

10 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

M I C H A E L C R A B T R E E / PA I M A G E S/G E T T Y I M A G E S .

3

YOU DESERVE BET TER, by Tyler Cameron

AT LAST, YOUR FAVORITE

CLASSIC MIX

ALL TOGETHER IN ONE BAG.

PEANUT MIX

SCAN ON SNAPCHAT TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING INSIDE THE BAG

ce le b

Dear Evan Hansen’s Isaac Powell made you the perfect ’90s jam list Bc you need something to listen to after watching (and rewatching) him shine in the musical’s new movie adaptation.

By ADRIANNA FREEDMAN

Stream it at Cosmopolitan .com/IsaacPowellPlaylist

Press play Fly Away

my life, I’ve felt like different Spice Girls.

Right now, I’m in a Baby Spice phase.”

B Y L E N N Y K R AV I T Z

2

The Way

6. “Whenever I’m feeling a little claustrophobic in NYC, I put this on and feel like I’m back home in North Carolina.”

B Y FA S T B A L L

3

One He adlight B Y T H E WA L L F L O W E R S

4

7. “The first concert I ever went to was No Doubt. During this song, Gwen Stefani jumped down into the pit and brushed up against me. That was, like, my first brush with a celebrity.”

Como La Flor

BY S E L E N A

5

Wannabe

BY S PI C E G I R L S

6

Cow boy Take Me Away

BY T H E C H I C KS

7

8. “You’re not a real theater kid unless you know every word.”

Don’t Spe ak

BY N O D O U BT

8

La Vie Boheme

BY T H E C A S T O F R E N T

9

The Nanny Name d Fran (The N anny t he m e s o ng)

BY A N N H A M P TO N C A L L A WAY

10

Fo r t h e r e c o r d, h e *a ls o* l o v e s the Dolly Pa r t o n v e r si o n.

US BON K C TRA

I Will Always Love You

BY W H I T N E Y H O US TO N

12 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

1. “When I hear this, I’m suddenly 4 years old, sitting in the passenger seat of my mom’s minivan.”

2. “This has one of the best swingy, fun pop melodies.”

3. “Whenever I go on a road trip, this is the first track I put on. It sets a good tone.”

4. “Ah, Selena! The Jennifer Lopez movie means so much to me, and I fell in love with this song.”

5. “Anytime I’m doing karaoke, this is what I sing. At different periods of

9. “I’m an enormous fan of The Nanny.

Without ever intending to, I’ve just always known every single lyric to this song.”

10. “Just the most impressive vocals, maybe of all time.

You hear those starting chords and you can’t help but sing along.”

A N N A F R I E M OT H .

1

©2021 Kraft Heinz

EW

IND

COSMO

R

The ever y thing-youdidn’t-know oral histor y of

How a movie that almost didn’t get made became an instant classic.

It ’s 2001, and tween you is devouring this masterpiece for the first time. You’re contemplating the merits of a foot-popping kiss and also asking yourself, Do I need one of THOSE backpacks that, if I hock it, could feed a whole country?

Based on Meg Cabot’s delightful book, The Princess Diaries launched these deep thoughts and much more: a future Oscar winner, the epic-est of makeover moments, and one Mandy Moore song that inspired thousands of friend-group dances. The movie, which follows regular San Francisco high schooler Mia Thermopolis (played by Anne Hathaway) as she learns she’s actually royalty, was surprisingly empowering too. Its whole point is that an average girl can go from “I can’t be a princess—I’m still waiting for normal body parts to arrive!” to discovering she has the grit and character to lead a nation. For its 20th anniversary, we got the film’s (equally awesome, incredibly sweet) behind-the-scenes story.

I L L U S T R AT I O N S: @ K AT I E I S D O O D L I N G

By EMMA BATY

I f y o u’r e n o t h u m min g “M ir a c l e s H a p p e n” r n, GT F O.

Illustrations

by KATIE CZERWINSKI

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wants to play her.”

And I asked, “Who’s the actress?” “It’s Julie Andrews.” And I was like, “Oh my god. Kill him. Kill the dad.”

Meg Cabot (author): I got a call at my desk at NYU, where I was an assistant residence hall director, and I was like, Sure, yeah right, Whitney Houston is going to produce a movie based on my book that no one even wants to publish. Shortly after that, we got a film deal with Disney.

After Meg Cabot gave her agent the Princess Diaries book manuscript, they couldn’t get any publishers to bite (it was rejected, “like, 25, 30 times,” she says). Then her agent had the idea to instead send it to Hollywood producers.

Whose desk did it fall on? Whitney fucking Houston’s.

Debra Martin Chase (producer): Whitney and I were partners in a company at Disney. Our agent was like, “We got this manuscript,” and apparently, it had been turned down by most of the major houses. I read the book that night and set out to try and get it made.

Debra: At the time, the general wisdom of Hollywood was that if you made a movie for boys, girls would come, but you couldn’t really make money on a movie for girls.

But a couple of years before, Disney had done a little movie called The Parent Trap. So they said, “Okay, we think this could be a nice piece of business for us.”

Debra: Julie had been in semi-retirement for, like, a decade. We gave her the book, and I spent a wonderful few hours with her talking about the role.

What really sealed the deal was the fact that Garry Marshall was doing it.

Meg: Debra called me and said, “We have to kill off the father from your book.” And I said, “Why?” And she said, “We want to have a bigger role for the grandmother because we’ve got this great actress that

Debra: I was cleaning out my garage recently and found the master list of who we auditioned for Mia. Scarlett Johansson was on the list, January Jones.

We saw everybody.

Donna Morong (casting director): We considered Kate Hudson. Anne Hathaway was not immediately available, but she was on our radar. And it was one of those kismet things. She comes in, and Garry and everyone else fell in love with her.

Anne Hathaway (actor, Mia; in a 2019 People interview): Getting the script, it just had that feeling. It was electric.

And meeting Garry Marshall…Pretty Woman was my favorite movie growing up.

I thought, I get to meet the director of that?

How extraordinary.

Meg: Debra had called me to tell me they cast Mandy Moore. I was like, “Oh my gosh, she’s gonna be so great as Mia.” And she was like, “No, no, no, she’s not Mia.” But the minute I met Anne, any fear I had was gone.

Garry Marshall signed on to direct, with a résumé that casually included Pretty Woman and Runaway Bride.

The top people at Disney wanted Julie Andrews for Queen Clarisse…if they could get her. And finding Mia Thermopolis?

“Courage is not the absence of fear,” but, well, you get it.

It was going to be a challenge.

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P. S . Y O U R FAV E S C E N E WA S K I N D OF A LIE

Once the actors were assembled, the team had to create the damn thing. To this day, people from the cast and crew say it was the best filming experience they’ve ever had.

Anne (in an on-set inter view while filming): Meeting Julie—I was meeting my idol; I was meeting someone who I’d looked up to. And she was everything I had hoped she would be and more, because in addition to being Julie Andrews, she was also just Julie.

Debra: One day, we filmed Julie’s scenes first so she could leave, and Annie was going to do the rest of the scene with Julie’s stand-in. Julie goes off, and a few minutes later, she comes back in her robe and slippers with a cup of tea and she’s like, “No, I’m going to read with Annie.

I want her to learn how to do it right.”

Mayne Berke (production designer): Julie wanted to talk to me about all the sets.

She said, “You know

I’m a rose aficionado,” so we designed the rose garden together.

Caroline Goodall (actor, Mia’s mom Helen): We all had the same makeup trailer. There’d be Anne, me, Julie, Sandra Oh. Julie would throw out jokes and chat, but she was very big on British protocol. And because I’m English, she’d say, “Darling, they have simply no idea about knives and forks. I mean, should I tell them?”

Hector Elizondo (actor, the Queen’s securit y guard Joe): Julie would be very supportive of the scenes with Annie and bring up some points on how they could be improved.

Julie loved doing that with Annie.

“Anne was so poised, so prepared.”

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When director Garry Marshall and production designer Mayne Berke came up with the idea to have Mia and her mom throw darts at paintfilled balloons in the nowfamous scene, “we didn’t test it beforehand,” says Mayne. ”We figured, what could go wrong?”

Except…the actors couldn’t get the balloons to pop. So the movie’s prop master stood offscreen and shot the balloons with a BB gun.

Caroline: Anne was so poised, so prepared, and she had great comic timing. Garry loved her. He called her a cross between Judy Garland and Groucho Marx.

Hector: We were shooting the basketball scene, and because it was slippery out, Annie lost her footing on the bleachers and fell.

And she went with it and finished the scene. That’s Annie.

Unflappable Annie.

Caroline: Garry had two joke writers on-set, and he would just yell over the camera and say, “Hey, Anne, say this joke.”

And she would catch the joke and spin it right into the middle of a conversation that we were having.

LIFT TO EXPERIENCE PERFECT

LIFT TO EXPERIENCE PERFECT INTENSE

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The finished product was, unsurprisingly to the people who have been quoting it for the past two decades and bought their first set of eyebrow tweezers in the wake of it, a huge hit. There was a sequel and, at one point, talk of a third.

Meg: Debra and I decided to see the movie before the official premiere, but every theater we

went to was sold out.

We finally got in, but every seat was full and we had to stand in the aisle. We got kicked out of our own movie. At the actual premiere, Anne came up to me and she was like, “Do you think I did a good job?” I said, “You did a great job.” And she started to cry. Little tears welled up in her eyes.

She had no idea what a star she was and was going to be.

“C a n J u li e A n d r e w s b e my g r a n d m a? ” —e v e r y g ir l, 2 0 01

Debra: Opening weekend, I was a nervous wreck. The phone rang Saturday morning, and it was my studio executive and she said, “Honey, your little movie is a huge hit. We’re gonna make $100 million.” I will always remember that.

The Princess Diaries went on to make more than $165 million worldwide and launch Anne Hatha-

way’s career. Sandra Oh’s Principal Gupta scenes are still so iconic that people are recreating them on TikTok with their cats.

Sandra Oh (actor, Principal Gupta; on Late Night With Seth Meyers in 2020): Someone sent those TikToks to me and I could not believe it.

It’s friggin’ hilarious. I really enjoy how people enjoy the movie.

ANOTHER “SHUT UP!” FACT The PD b o ok t akes place in NYC, not SF like the film.

Caroline: This girl came up to me recently and said, “The Princess Diaries is my hangover cure.

I go out on a Friday night, and then if I’m feeling rough the next morning, I put it on and I sit in bed.” I’m just so glad that when people stop me in the street, they say I’m their hangover cure.

Anne (in a 2020 ABC special): I had no idea what I was doing, and Garry really crafted that performance to be the best it possibly could be. The Princess Diaries changed my life.

Donna: It’s a real phenomenon—and it took years to really understand the cultural impact it has. People still ask me today, “What was it like working on Princess Diaries?”

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My cheek y Friday-night phone call with human Renaissance sculpture

Taylor Zakhar Perez

By EMMA BATY

When the 29-yearold appeared in The Kissing Booth 2 as (v hot) new guy Marco Peña, you may have thought, Noah Flynn whomst?

Now, The Kissing Booth 3 has solidified him as everyone’s favorite celeb crush, although he’s still out here just talking about, you know, dude stuff.

Where are you rn?

My favorite room, the kitchen. I like to cook.

I just made myself some Korean short ribs, rice, and broccoli on the grill.

And you’re also, like, really int o skincare, right?

My mom’s an aesthetician, so she ingrained that into me. But my younger brother is always asked if he’s my older brother.

He’s like, “Taylor, what do I need to put on my face?”

I say, “Sunblock, for starters.”

18

I have this big chart on the wall with hundreds of squares going from my first year of life all the way to 100.

It puts perspective on how much time you really have left.

Whoa. Does it make you fear the passing of time?

No, because I’m not past the halfway mark yet.

Kinda dark, but fair. What ’s in your drawers?

My passport, sexual things probably, dude stuff.…On top is a picture of me as

Just a f ew m ore but t o ns, ple ase and t hank you.

a kid. A friend told me you’ll be less hard on yourself if you have a picture of yourself by your bed. Like, “Would you say the things to your young self that you’re saying to yourself right now?”

If the answer’s no, don’t say them.

Amazing. How do you fall asleep?

I don’t know if I can tell you.…I mean, in California, things are legal, so…that could be the start of winding down.

Okay, yes, I’m picking up what you’re put ting down.

A N A I S & DA X /A U G U S T.

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E-WORTHY FL AVO

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MARINE SERRE ECKHAUS L AT TA

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t a list of VERY PRETTY

FALL YO U ’L L WA N N A WEAR I M M E D I AT E LY

COURRÈGES

1

LILAC Leave your all-black ’fit behind, because pastels aren’t just for spring, hellooo! And since this specific hue is having a ~moment~, you might as well don it all over.

J O N AT H A N SIMKHAI PH5

S A LVAT O R E FERR AGA MO

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MINISKIRTS

C o p t his e xa c t l o o k to channel y o u r in n e r B o n d g ir l.

SAINT L AURENT

You know that outdated school-uniform rule that says your hem should be longer than your fingertips at your sides? Burn that sh*t to the ground with any of these pieces.

H e r o n Pr est o n, $36 4, h e ro np re st o n.c o m

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L AQUAN SMITH

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Pal o m a Wo o l, $137, p a l o m a wo o l.c o m COURRÈGES

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H o lid a y t h e L ab e l, $120, h o lid a y t h e l a b e l.c o m

M aje, $295, us.m aje.c o m

G I A M BAT T I S TA VA L L I

M a g d a But r y m, $1,880, m a g d a b u t r y m.c o m

ALESSANDR A RICH

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S TAT EM E N T

TIGHTS A very chic solution if you’re cold in the aforementioned style.

MARINE SERRE

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EMILIO PUCCI

PRABAL GURUNG

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O ka y, but how *f a b u l o us* is t h a t s m o l b u t mi g h t y s p a r k l e?

4

PR ADA

Brooches D o not und e re stim at e t he p owe rs of t his it sybit sy glit t e r y t hing. I g ot t a war n you t hough: She will inst ant l y (and d e se r ve dl y) b e c o m e t he st ar of your lew k, s o you ne e d t o b e c o mf or t able giving up t he sp ot light.

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PLATFORMS Your go-to pandemic fuzzy slippers could NEVER reach these heights.

J o ann a L aur a Co nst ant in e, $187, jo ann a l a u ra c o nst ant in e.c o m

B e n-A mun, $205, b e n - amun.c o m

A l ess an dr a Ric h, $270, s h ow ro o m@ a l e s s an d ra ric h.c o m

We D r e am in Co l our, $35, we d re am in c o l o u r.c o m

Ch an e l, $525, s e l e c t Ch an e l b o u t iq u e s n a t io nwid e

L ar r ou d é, $285, l a r ro u d e.c o m

L o e f fl e r Ran d all, $ 4 50, l o e f f l e r ran d a ll.c o m

Paris Texas, $54 6, n o r rg a t an.c o m

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SNOODS Pre se nting: t he of f spring of a ho o d and a t ur t le ne ck.

Aka a c oz y dre am.

MIU MIU

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BEVZA

TOD’S

EUDON CHOI

M I U M I U S N O O D : J O H N N Y D U F O R T . B E V Z A S N O O D : A N T O N K U L A K O W S K I Y. E U D O N C H O I S N O O D : A U R I A N E D E F E R T .

NINA RICCI

L e l e S a d ou ghi, $150, l e l e s a d o u ghi.c o m

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HUISHAN ZHANG

7

QUILTING

BALMAIN

R AG & BONE

Sooo, your clothes are missing something.

And that something is puffy shapes, obv.

Get into the w-a-r-m-t-h and make Grandma proud all at the Same. Damn. Time.

MIU MIU

H U I S H A N Z H A N G : B I L L Y B A L L A R D . M I U M I U : J O H N N Y D U F O R T . E C K H A U S L A T T A : T H O M A S M C C A R T Y. L A C O S T E : S A M R O C K .

St an d St u dio ja c ke t, $525, st an dst u dio.c o m

Re co b a g, $673, st u dio re c o.c o m

G anni s kir t, $375, g anni.c o m

D ail y Pap e r s c a r f, $6 6, d ail y p a p e rc l o t hin g.c o m

H o us e o f S unny c o a t, $347, h o us e o f sunny.c o.u k

Ye s, y o u c a n (a n d s h o u l d) s t il l w e a r a l l t h e l a ye r s u n d e r n e a t h.

Ru e d e To k yo ve st, $218, r u e d e t o k yo.c o m

L ACOSTE

By Far s lid e s, $510, by f a r.c o m

LONGCHA MP

ECKHAUS L AT TA

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f ashion Fo r g o t y o u r c o m p a c t ? DW, y o u r o u t f it is a lit e r a l mir r o r.

8

ETALLI

A L B ERTA FERRETTI

S A LVAT O R E FERR AGA MO

Chipotle burrito. Either way.

9

BALMAIN

Elis a J o hns o n sun gl as s e s, $150, e lis ajo hns o n.c o

CLOGS The soles may be loud, but at least everyone knows when you’ve arrived, honey!

B r u ce G l e n b a g, $695, b r u c e gl e n.c o m

St in e G oya t o p, $210, st in e g oya.c o m M iist a, $350, miist a.c o m

N eil J. Ro d g e rs l o a f e rs, $ 425, n eiljro d g e rs.c o m V ic t o r G l e m au d, $34 5, t h e re a lre a l.c o m S ass & Bid e p a r ka, $590, s as s an d bid e.c o m GUCCI

Ch ar l ot t e St o n e, $272, c h a r l o t t e - st o n e.c o m MICHAEL KO RS COLLECTION

G au g e81 d re s s, $210, revo l ve.c o m

Rot at e Bir g e r Christ e ns e n t o p, $130, s kir t, $190, n o rdst ro m.c o m

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RETRO

HEADSCARVES All you need now is a classic convertible to make it a whole thing.

ROKSANDA

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PREEN BY T H O R N TO N BREGA ZZI

VERSACE

MAX MARA

P R E E N H E A D S C A R F: I N A L E K I E W I C Z F O R P R E E N .

COPERNI

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H E A D -TO -TO E

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BRIGHTS

Pick a color, any color!

Preferably something bold. Got it? Good. Now go balls to the wall and wear it and only it.

THEBE M AGUGU

PROENZA SCHOULER

MICHAEL KO RS COLLECTION

D ail y Pap e r h o o die, $110, d ail y p a p e rc l o t hin g.c o m

Ke eyahri s an d a ls, $6 59, ke eyahri.c o m

Ra in b o w B r it e and crew w o u l d b e v in t o t his. D i b s o n y e l l o w.

Christ e ns e n ja c ke t, $280, n e t - a - p o r t e r.c o m

T H E B E M A G U G U : TAT E N DA C H I D O R A . G A N N I : L A N A O H R I M E N KO.

D e M e llie r b a g, $395, d e m e llie r l o n d o n.c o m

VERSACE

MSGM

$590, n e t - a - p o r t e r .c o m

ROKSANDA STELLA MCCARTNEY

M o uns e r rin g, $90, m o uns e r.c o m

GANNI

S e l f - Po r t r ait d re s s, $ 4 55, s e l f - p o r t rait st u dio.c o m

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12 SIMON MILLER

TOTES

The bag you can carry your keys, laptop, lunch, second pair of shoes, five lipsticks, small puppy—it fits.

Sim o n M ill e r, $395, sim o nmill e r us a.c o m

S ant os by M ó nica, $220, s ant os by m o nic a.c o m

Lit t l e Lif f n e r, $6 50, n o rdst ro m.c o m

H o us e o f Want, $98, s h o p b o p.c o m

Cl ar e V., $ 425, c l a rev.c o m

Vasic N ew Yo r k, $530, vasic - n ew yo r k.c o m

B r an d o n B l a c k wo o d NYC, $385, b ran d o n b l a c k wo o d.c o m

Vo n H o lzh aus e n, $ 495, vo n h o l z h a us e n.c o m

KHAITE

A K N VA S

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GLOVES Protective, stylish, and oh so extra. Opera tix not required but definitely a nice-to-have.

GUCCI

26 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

RODARTE

PR ADA

ACNE STUDIOS

S I M O N M I L L E R : A M A N D A C H A R C H I A N . A K N VA S : M A R C R I C H A R D T O U S I G N A N T. R O D A R T E G L O V E S : T O D D C O L E .

T h a t ’s r i g h t.

I t ’s b i g enough for a l l e g o s.

f ashion GANNI

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FRINGE Choose your fighter: old Hollywood glam or Western-inspired chic. Then channel either or both with this twirl-friendly trend.

14

VESTS

THEBE M AGUGU ETRO

G A N N I : L A N A O H R I M E N K O . T I A A D E O L A : S O P H I A W I L S O N . T H E B E M A G U G U : T A T E N D A C H I D O R A . A .W. A . K . E . M O D E : N A T A L I A A L A V E R D I A N .

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Just embrace it.

TIA ADEOLA

S A LVAT O R E FERR AGA MO

Cid e r, $28, s h o p cid e r.c o m

PH5, $235, p h5.c o m

JIL SANDER

B a si c a l l y b a n g s f o r y o u r l e g s.

Looks better than it s o u n d s, t b h.

S an dr o, $340, us.s an d ro - p a ris.c o m

N u é N ot es, $218, nu e n o t e s.c o m

SAINT L AURENT

A .W. A . K . E .

MODE

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b e a u t y list of things a th st at TELL u J M E YO U ’R E

obsessed

O h, y e a h, a n d y o u h o a r d l u xe masks the way other ppl hoard li p b a l m.

WITH SKINCARE WITHOUT TELLING ME YO U ’R E O BSESSED WITH SKINCARE

By SAMI ROBERTS

6

1

You have a separate fridge just for keeping your skincare ~fresh~.

2

You also have a dedicated face towel that shall never come into contact with toothpaste spit and that you delicately handwash each day.

28 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

Your personal brand of porn is skincare ASMR videos on TikTok. 4

You were in love once—until they used your $130 night cream. (You hope they’re happy, wherever they are.)

5

Your “Most Shown in Feed” list on IG includes celebrity derms and facialists only, and…

…you refer to your favorite skinfluencers by first name only (hi, Hyram).

7

Your bedtime routine has three acts and an intermission.

8

You can properly use L-ascorbic acid, tranexamic acid, and azelaic acid in a complete sentence.

ZO LTA N M I H A LY/ B L A U B L U T - E D I T I O N .C O M .

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b e aut y

DE

BATE

D E F I N I T E LY C O N C E A L E R

No friendships were harmed in the making of this story.

But truly, the “ right” method is whatev er work s best for y o u.

O BV I O U S LY

Think of putting on makeup like painting a wall. You wouldn’t do any fine-tuning details before applying the base layer, right?

Right. Also: Think of how annoyed you’d be to spend time meticulously blending in concealer exactly where you need it—only to have it smeared right off seconds later as you smooth on foundation.

(Actually, pls save yourself the headache because this will happen.)

And to be perfectly honest, doing it my way means you may not even *need* concealer. When I apply foundation first, half the time, it does all the heavy lifting in terms of evening out my skin tone, covering dark circles, and hiding breakouts—in one quick (and cheaper) step. Let’s hear it for efficiency, people!

L a u re n B a l s a m o DEPUTY BEAUTY DIRECTOR

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LAUREN’S FAVO R I T E COMBO

F O U N DAT I O N

Okay, yes, rubbing foundation on top of concealer will smear it around a bit, but I like that effect. It helps my concealer blend into my skin naturally without looking obvious.

And whenever I’ve tried to cover up my rosacea with foundation before concealer (hi, this beautiful red face needs ~both~), it always looks so… cakey. Like, my dry skin doesn’t have enough oils to melt the two together, and the foundation sucks up all my moisture, leaving the concealer to cling to my lines and pores. That’s why, for me, starting with concealer = smooth, even skin.

And now let me leave you with a lil pro tip: When following this order, use a damp makeup sponge—not your fingers—to smudge it all together in the best possible way.

M ake Up Fo r E ve r Wa t e r t o n e S kin Pe r f e c t in g T int, $37, s e p h o ra.c o m

Cl é d e Pe au B e aut é Concealer SPF 25, $73, cledepeau b e a u t e.c o m

CHLOE’S FAVO R ITE COMBO

S his eid o Sy n c hro S kin S e l f - Re f re s h in g Co n c e a l e r, $31, s his eid o.c o m

Ch l o e M e t z g e r DEPUTY BEAUTY DIRECTOR

St e ll ar Limit l e s s Fo un d a t io n, $30, s h o pst e ll a r b e a u t y.c o m

S A R A H S I LV E R / T R U N K A R C H I V E . I L L U S T R AT I O N S: S A R A H M A D D E N .

Foundation or concealer… which one comes first?

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b e aut y

Manicures

are

getting

a minimalist makeover Basic doesn’t always mean bad, ppl.

By SAMI ROBERTS

4 n e u t r a ls we l ove

EASY NAIL ART

M is c h o B e aut y N ail L a c q u e r in B e b e, $20, mis c h o b e a u t y.c o m

Essie N ail Po l is h in B a ll e t S lip p e rs, $9, d r u gst o re s

SOFT AND SHEER HUES

How to convince the world you have the nicest natural nails: a ridge-filling base coat, a layer of neutral color, and a glossyas-hell top coat. It’s basically a no-makeup makeup look for your fingers.

JinS o o n N ail Po lis h in N os t a l gia, $18, jins o o n.c o m

S U BT L E S PA R K L E

Don’t worry, glitter lovers, there’s still room for you in this pared-down space.

A pearlescent polish with flecks of microfine shimmer (like Chanel’s, at right) will give your mani a hint of glam while still being lowkey minimalist.

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Ch an e l L e Ve r nis in 893 G limm e r, $28, c h an e l .c o m

E A S Y N A I L A R T: M A N I C U R E BY H A N G N G U Y E N AT N A I L I N G H O L LY W O O D. S O F T A N D S H E E R H U E S: M A N I C U R E BY M I M I D; J E W E L R Y: M O O N G Y P S Y J E W E L R Y. S U B T L E S PA R K L E: M A N I C U R E BY B E T I N A G O L D S T E I N AT T H E WA L L G R O U P U S I N G C H A N E L .

The answer to your Q—But can I do the whole minimalist thing without giving up nail art?—is absolutely yes. Just use nail tape and a neutral polish in a shade similar to your skin tone to recreate this very chic negative-space, half-moon mani.

AVA I L A B L E AT D I O R . C O M U LTA

LIFT TO DISCOVER

MISS DIOR EAU DE PARFUM THE NEW FRAGRANCE

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S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y,

S I M P L I F I E D

5 brands to tr y if you’re over whelmed by recycling

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P Y T B E AU T Y

On its site, you can select a product and click the “How I’m Sustainable” tab. It’ll tell you exactly what materials make up the packaging plus how to separate and properly recycle them.

Game changers for a more eco-friendly routine.

By LAUREN BALSAMO

ooo, nearly 50 percent of Americans don’t recycle their empty beauty and personal-care products—kinda understandable, given how confusing the rules around tossing these containers can be. But also kinda scary, considering that billions of new packaging pieces are produced for the cosmetics industry every year. Luckily, recycling them is getting easier, as brands like these clarify and streamline the planet-saving process.

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One & Done Set ting S p r a y, $16, p y t b e a u t y.c o m

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I Z Z Y Z E RO WA S T E B E AU T Y

Three months after buying, you’ll be reminded to ship back your used mascara in the canvas mailer it came in. Izzy will repurpose the wand and sanitize and refill the tube for the next customer.

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Z e r o Wa s t e M a s c a r a, $ 39, y o u r i z z y.c o m

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ĀT H R B E AU T Y

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Ro s e Q u a r t z G e m s t o n e Pa l e t t e, $ 4 8, a t h r b e a u t y.c o m

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COU RTESY BR AN DS.

B U R T ’S B E E S

Burt’s empties can be recycled via TerraCycle, a company that gives plastic and waste a second (or third) life. Just request and download a shipping label, drop your used stuff in a box, and send it back to TerraCycle.

So simple—and free!

Natural Acne Solutions P u r i f y i n g G e l C l e a n s e r, $10, b u r t s b e e s .c o m

Unlike many eyeshadow palettes, theirs doesn’t use hard-torecycle pieces like mirrors or magnets. This one’s made from aluminum and paper, so you can just separate the two and toss ’em in your blue bin when done.

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L OV E B E AU T Y AND PL ANET

Nordstrom FT W

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Drop off empties at your l o c a l N o r d y a n d it ’l l r e c yc l e t h e m f o r y o u v i a it s B e a u t yc yc l e p r o g r a m.

T h e g o a l? To r e c yc l e 10 0 t o ns o f p a c ka g in g by 2025.

Its durable aluminum packaging can be recycled and reused for years. Once empty, schedule a free pickup with Loop, a circular shopping platform designed to eliminate single-use waste.

C o c o n u t Wa t e r & M i m o s a Fl o w e r S h a m p o o a n d C o n d i t i o n e r Re u s a b l e B o t t l e s, $12 e a c h, l o o p s t o r e .c o m

S e p t e m b e r 2021 C o s m o p o lit a n

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All the mascaras I’ve

successfully cried in Fun fact: Each of these cost way less than my super- expensive therapist!

By CHLOE METZGER

I t ’s f in e, I ’m f in e, y o u’r e f in e, w e’r e a l l f in e.

B e aut y B ake rie E ye l as h I cin g Wa t e rp ro o f M as c a ra, $18, b e a u t y b a ke rie.c o m

Enough to smudge an inferior mascara, my runneth-over tears (what could I do? It was The Notebook) had no impact on this lengthening formula. In fact, they somehow only intensified its doeeye effect, which, hey, I’ll take.

THE

Living through the dumpster fire that was last year (wait, do you need a reminder?

Should I make a list?) officially turned my eyeballs into unreliable leaky things, which means that I can now accurately rank the five best mascaras for every level of sob—and you can now benefit from all my research.

After 20 minutes of rage-crying while baking (bread is, like, hard), I looked in the mirror and noticed no raccoon eyes—just thickas-hell, falsielevel lashes quietly weathering the storm.

TEAR

METER

M a y b e llin e N ew Yo r k L as h S e ns a tio n al S k y High Wa t e r p ro o f M as c a ra, $11. 50, d r u gst o re s

The first *glisten*

Lashes brimming, can’t… hold…it…

The Lauren Conrad tear

Full stream ahead

My face is now made of water

34 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

S a c h a Cosm et ics M as c a ra in N a v y, $10, s a c h a c os m e t ic s.c o m

This long-wear mascara (in blue! I dare to cry in blue!) didn’t fall apart or flake during an unexpected morning meltdown—lol, what am I even doing with my life—and the conditioning formula kept my lashes defiantly soft despite the salty tantrum.

L’O r é al Paris Air Vo l um e M e g a M as c a ra in Wa t e r p ro o f, $14, d r u gst o re s

Roaming a parking lot in the rain, convinced someone stole my car = a waterlogged tearfest—one that didn’t faze this lightweight mascara.

While my sanity dissolved, my lashes stayed full, thanks to its very strong hold.

This apocalypseproof mascara withstood the ultimate of tests: a full afternoon of face-in-the-pillow crying. It should have destroyed my lashes, but the only visible damage was three black flecks under my eyes.

Damn.

M I C H E L L E B U T E A U A N D G I N A R O D R I G U E Z I N S O M E O N E G R E AT: S A R A H S H AT Z / N E T F L I X . P R O D U C T S: C O U R T E S Y B R A N D S .

B e n e f it Cosm et ics T h ey ’re Re a l! M a gn e t M as c a ra, $27, b e n e f it c os m e t ic s.c o m

What ’s in t h e cards for you?

Only The Most Amazing P r e d i c t i o n s A b o u t Yo u r L i f e !

Tap into your inner magic wit h The Cosmo Tarot .

Whether you’re a first-time tarot reader or a seasoned pro, this deck and guidebook will show you what’s really going on in your life.

Get your hands on your future at w w w.cosmopolitan.com/tarot or wherever books are sold!

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Your official fall

hair report All the trends, treatments, and tools to try now.

The most “in” styles rn

By RUBY BUDDEMEYER

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Vo l u m e à l a Farrah Fawcett “Big and fluffy continues to have a huge influence in the hair space, especially the natural body that comes from drawing your hot rollers forward and wrapping away from the face. It’s an iconic ’70s look.”

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—J U S T I N E M A R J A N , CELEBRITY HAIRSTYLIST 2

E a r l y -2 0 0 0 s revival “Expect to see lots of playful ways to dress up hair with elastics, like variations of bubble ponies and pull-through braids.” — J M 3

“Super-sleek high ponytails are phasing out for softer half-up looks with tons of texture. Bonus: They pair great with face-framing curtain bangs (which, yep, are still a thing).”

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—J O S H L I U , HAIRSTYLIST AND FOUNDER OF ÚTILES BEAUTY 4

Baby plaits

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“Baby braids are an easy element that adds a lot of impact. Prepare to see lots of variation (think: twist rope braids, bubble braids, and varying thicknesses).” — J L 5

A classic blowout “This look is timeless and always fresh. Blowouts are sticking around for fall as beach waves take a back seat.” — J L

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C LO C K W I S E F R O M TO P L E F T: @ D E S H . D E S H H W E A R I N G A W I G BY S E N S AT I O N N E L ; @ K U K U WA A S S A N S T Y L E D BY @ H A I R W I T H L I N DA ; @ PA I G E _WAT K I N S; @ S A S K I AT E J E; E D WA R D B E R T H E LOT/G E T T Y I M A G E S .

Loose and half up

Important Facts About Kyleena® (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system) 19.5 mg Read this Patient Information carefully before you decide if Kyleena is right for you. This information does not take the place of talking with your gynecologist or other healthcare professional (HCP) who specializes in women’s health. If you have any questions about Kyleena, ask your HCP. You should also learn about other birth control methods to choose the one that is best for you.

Kyleena does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

INDICATION FOR KYLEENA Kyleena is a hormone-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) that prevents pregnancy for up to 5 years.

Who might use Kyleena?

You might choose Kyleena if you: • want long-term birth control that provides a low chance of getting pregnant (less than 1 in 100) • want birth control that works continuously for up to 5 years • want birth control that is reversible • want a birth control method that you do not need to take daily • are willing to use a birth control method that is placed in the uterus • want birth control that does not contain estrogen Do not use Kyleena if you: • are or might be pregnant; Kyleena cannot be used as an emergency contraceptive • have a serious pelvic infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or have had PID in the past unless you have had a normal pregnancy after the infection went away • have an untreated genital infection now • have had a serious pelvic infection in the past 3 months after a pregnancy • can get infections easily. For example, if you: - have multiple sexual partners or your partner has multiple sexual partners - have problems with your immune system - use or abuse intravenous drugs • have or suspect you might have cancer of the uterus or cervix • have bleeding from the vagina that has not been explained • have liver disease or a liver tumor • have breast cancer or any other cancer that is sensitive to progestin (a female hormone), now or in the past • have an IUD in your uterus already • have a condition of the uterus that changes the shape of the uterine cavity, such as large fibroid tumors • are allergic to these ingredients: - do not use Kyleena if you’re allergic to levonorgestrel, silicone, polyethylene, silver, silica, barium sulfate, polypropylene, or copper phthalocyanine Before having Kyleena placed, tell your HCP about all of your medical conditions including if you: • have any of the conditions listed above • have had a heart attack • have had a stroke • were born with heart disease or have problems with your heart valves • have problems with blood clotting or take medicine to reduce clotting • have high blood pressure • recently had a baby or are breastfeeding • have severe headaches or migraine headaches • have AIDS, HIV, or any other STI Tell your HCP about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Should I check that Kyleena is in place?

Yes, you should check that Kyleena is in proper position by feeling the removal threads. It is a good habit to do this 1 time a month. If you feel more than just the threads or if you cannot feel the threads, be sure to call your HCP and avoid intercourse or use non-hormonal back-up birth control, as Kyleena may not be in the right position and may not prevent pregnancy.

How soon after placement should I return to my HCP? Call your HCP if you have any questions or concerns (see “After Kyleena has been placed, when should I call my HCP?”). Otherwise, you should return to your HCP for a follow-up visit 4 to 6 weeks after Kyleena is placed to make sure that Kyleena is in the right position.

Can I use tampons or menstrual cups with Kyleena?

Yes, tampons or menstrual cups may be used with Kyleena. Change tampons or menstrual cups with care to avoid pulling the threads of Kyleena. If you think you may have pulled Kyleena out of place, avoid intercourse or use back-up birth control.

What if I become pregnant while using Kyleena?

Call your HCP right away if you think you may be pregnant. If possible, also do a urine pregnancy test.

If you get pregnant while using Kyleena, you may have an ectopic pregnancy. This means that the pregnancy is not in the uterus. Unusual vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain may be a sign of ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency that often requires surgery. Ectopic pregnancy can cause internal bleeding, infertility, and even death.

There are also risks if you get pregnant while using Kyleena and the pregnancy is in the uterus. Severe infection, miscarriage, premature delivery, and even death can occur with pregnancies that continue with an IUD. Because of this, your HCP may try to remove Kyleena, even though removing it may cause a miscarriage. If Kyleena cannot be removed, talk with your HCP about the benefits and risks of continuing the pregnancy and possible effects of the hormone on your unborn baby.

If you continue your pregnancy, see your HCP regularly.

Call your HCP right away if you get flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, cramping, pain, bleeding, vaginal discharge, or fluid leaking from your vagina. These may be signs of infection.

How will Kyleena change my periods?

For the first 3 to 6 months, your period may become irregular and the number of bleeding days may increase.

You may also have frequent spotting or light bleeding.

Some women have heavy bleeding during this time.

You may also have cramping during the first few weeks.

After you have used Kyleena for a while, the number of bleeding and spotting days is likely to lessen. For some women, periods will stop altogether. When Kyleena is removed, your menstrual periods should return.

Is it safe to breastfeed while using Kyleena?

You may use Kyleena when you are breastfeeding.

Kyleena is not likely to affect the quality or amount of your breast milk or the health of your nursing baby. However, isolated cases of decreased milk production have been reported. The risk of Kyleena going into the wall of the uterus (becoming embedded) or going through the wall of the uterus is increased if Kyleena is inserted while you are breastfeeding.

Will Kyleena interfere with sexual intercourse?

You and your partner should not feel Kyleena during intercourse. Kyleena is placed in the uterus, not in the vagina. Sometimes your partner may feel the threads.

If this occurs, or if you or your partner experience pain during sex, talk with your HCP. Can I have an MRI with Kyleena in place?

Kyleena can be safely scanned with MRI only under specific conditions. Before you have an MRI, tell your HCP that you have Kyleena, an IUD, in place.

What are the possible serious side effects of Kyleena?

• Ectopic pregnancy and intrauterine pregnancy risks. There are risks if you become pregnant while using Kyleena (see “What if I become pregnant while using Kyleena?”).

• Life-threatening infection. Life-threatening infection can occur within the first few days after Kyleena is placed. Call your HCP immediately if you develop severe pain or fever shortly after Kyleena is placed.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Some IUD users get a serious pelvic infection called PID. PID is usually sexually transmitted. You have a higher chance of getting PID if you or your partner has sex with other partners. PID can cause serious problems such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy or pelvic pain that does not go away. PID is usually treated with antibiotics.

More serious cases of PID may require surgery including removal of the uterus (hysterectomy). In rare cases, infections that start as PID can even cause death.

Tell your HCP right away if you have any of these signs of PID: long-lasting or heavy bleeding, unusual vaginal discharge, low abdominal (stomach area) pain, painful sex, chills, fever, genital lesions or sores.

• Perforation. Kyleena may go into the wall of the uterus (become embedded) or go through the wall of the uterus. This is called perforation. If this occurs, Kyleena may no longer prevent pregnancy. If perforation occurs, Kyleena may move outside the uterus and can cause internal scarring, infection, or damage to other organs, and you may need surgery to have Kyleena removed.

Excessive pain or vaginal bleeding during placement of Kyleena, pain or bleeding that gets worse after placement, or not being able to feel the threads may happen with perforation. The risk of perforation is increased if Kyleena is inserted while you are breastfeeding, or if you have recently given birth.

• Expulsion. Kyleena may come out by itself. This is called expulsion. Expulsion occurs in about 4 out of 100 women. Excessive pain or vaginal bleeding during placement of Kyleena, pain or bleeding that gets worse after placement, or not being able to feel the threads may happen with expulsion. You may become pregnant if Kyleena comes out. If you think that Kyleena has come out, avoid intercourse or use non-hormonal back-up birth control (such as condoms or spermicide) and call your HCP. The risk of expulsion is increased with insertion right after delivery or second-trimester abortion.

Common side effects of Kyleena include: • Pain, bleeding or dizziness during and after placement. If these symptoms do not stop 30 minutes after placement, Kyleena may not have been placed correctly. Your HCP will examine you to see if Kyleena needs to be removed or replaced.

• Changes in bleeding. You may have bleeding and spotting between menstrual periods, especially during the first 3-6 months. Sometimes the bleeding is heavier than usual at first. However, the bleeding usually becomes lighter than usual and may be irregular. Call your HCP if the bleeding remains heavier than usual or increases after it has been light for a while.

• Missed menstrual periods. About 12 out of 100 women stop having periods after 1 year of Kyleena use.

If you have any concerns that you may be pregnant while using Kyleena, do a urine pregnancy test and call your HCP. If you do not have a period for 6 weeks during Kyleena use, call your HCP. When Kyleena is removed, your menstrual periods should return.

• Cysts on the ovary. About 22 out of 100 women using Kyleena develop a cyst on the ovary. These cysts usually disappear on their own in 2 to 3 months. However, cysts can cause pain and sometimes cysts will need surgery.

Other common side effects for Kyleena include: • inflammation or infection of the outer part of your vagina (vulvovaginitis) • abdomen or pelvic pain • headache or migraine • acne or greasy skin • painful periods • sore or painful breasts These are not all of the possible side effects with Kyleena. For more information, ask your HCP. Call your HCP for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You may also report side effects to Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals at 1-888-842-2937.

After Kyleena has been placed, when should I call my HCP? If Kyleena is accidentally removed and you had vaginal intercourse within the preceding week, you may be at risk of pregnancy, and you should talk to an HCP. Call your HCP if you have any concerns about Kyleena.

Be sure to call if you: • think you are pregnant • have pelvic pain, abdominal pain, or pain during sex • have unusual vaginal discharge or genital sores • have unexplained fever, flu-like symptoms or chills • might be exposed to STIs • are concerned that Kyleena may have been expelled (came out) • cannot feel Kyleena's threads • develop very severe or migraine headaches • have yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.

These may be signs of liver problems.

• have had a stroke or heart attack • become HIV positive or your partner becomes HIV positive • have severe vaginal bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time or concerns you To learn more, talk about Kyleena with your HCP and see the FDA-approved Full Prescribing Information found on www.kyleena.com, or call 1-866-647-3646.

BAYER, the Bayer Cross and Kyleena are registered trademarks of Bayer. © 2021 Bayer. Whippany, NJ 07981 All rights reserved.

PP-KYL-US-0935-1 / July 2021

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Dope cuts you’ll see ever ywhere

The new wow-wor thy colors

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Mid-length “We’re seeing a resurgence of hair that falls just below the collarbones, almost like a grown-out lob. Ask your stylist to cut with a razor for extra texture.” — J M

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To n a l s t r a w b e r r y “Like Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby, saturated strawberry tones are the perfect balance between a bright red and a subtle blonde. It’s low maintenance *and* high impact.”

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Modern mullet “Celebs like Miley Cyrus have made a huge case for the mullet—short in the front and longish in the back. It’s an instant vibe that’s easy to style.” — J M

—AU R A F R I E D M A N , EXPERT COLORIST 10

Neon pops “A little color can go a long way, especially when it’s a mega-bright pop of neon layered beneath your natural hair color.” — A F

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Face-framing layers “They’re having a moment, especially on longer lengths. Plus they look great sleek and straight or blown out with lots of volume.” — J M

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Allover brights “Bright tones, like canary, orange, and aqua, are on the rise—and they look especially cool on short styles, like a pixie or buzz cut.” — A F 8

Behold, the smar test tools

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K, this does look like a very complicated contraption, but it’s about to make heat styling a hundred times easier. The three extra-large barrels create loose, naturallooking waves in seconds, and the ceramic plates keep your hair soft and shiny throughout the process.

Honestly, there are zero downsides to this gentle— but effective!—tool. Its combo of long and short teeth helps you exfoliate and massage for a circulation boost that’s key to a healthy scalp. And its handheld size means you’re in complete control of the pressure.

Bondi Boost Wa v e Wa n d, $ 58, b o n d i b o o s t.c o m

Ta n g l e Te e z e r T h e Scalp Exfoliator and M a s s a g e r, $10, u l t a .c o m

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Aquis’s cult-favorite microfiber towels just got a major upgrade.

Made with the same moisture-wicking and frizz-eliminating fabric as the OG wrap, this new bb also has antimicrobial technology to help prevent bacteria buildup. Yup, that means you can wash your towel less and bring it with you everywhere.

Aquis Copper Sure Ra p i d D r y H a i r Wr a p, $ 35, n o r d s t r o m .c o m

It’s super lightweight and compact enough to throw in your suitcase while also being equipped with a powerful motor that Gama claims dries hair 30 percent faster than traditional dryers.

Also, like, who knew blow dryers could look so damn luxe?

G a m a i Q Pe r f e t t o H a i r D r y e r, $39 9, u l t a .c o m

This cordless flat iron doesn’t require a bulky charging base—it connects with a simple USB cable so you can easily plug it into your computer, your car, wherever. It’s light as hell too, which means on-the-go straightening is actually doable.

With a full charge, you’ll get 20 minutes of styling without needing an outlet.

G H D U n p l u g g e d, $29 9, g h d h a i r.c o m

C LO C K W I S E F R O M TO P : @ VA N E S S A E V E LY N H; @ S A R A H H H B E L L ; @ S Y D E R O N I S T Y L E D BY @ S A L S A L H A I R / N O VA A R T S S A LO N .

Take your routine to t he nex t level wit h t hese new rele ases.

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And the game-changing-est products

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S even picks t hat should absolut ely b e on your radar.

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No, you aren’t imagining it: Shampoo bars are everywhere rn, thanks to their ability to gently cleanse and cut back on waste too (one bar typically lasts for at least 30 washes, which, what?!).

Davines Dede S h a m p o o B a r, $25, u s .d a v i n e s .c o m; Garnier Whole Blends Hydrating Coco & A l o e Ve r a S h a m p o o B a r, $7. 50, a m a z o n .c o m; K l o r a n e S h a m p o o B a r W i t h M a n g o, $14, k l o r a n e u s a .c o m

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C LO C K W I S E F R O M TO P L E F T: @ O H _ DA KOTA A ; K I R S T I N S I N C L A I R /G E T T Y I M A G E S; H E L E N E PA M B R U N / PA R I S M ATC H /C O N TO U R BY G E T T Y I M A G E S .

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This biodegradable braiding hair—made out of extracted banana fiber!—was designed with scalp health and the environment in mind. It’s less irritating than plastic synthetic hair and made with nontoxic, safe ingredients.

Re b u n d l e B r a i d B e t t e r i n B l o n d e, $23, r e b u n d l e.c o

Weak or fragile hair types will love the strengthening benefits of this duo, which deeply penetrates strands to repair, strengthen, and make hair more resistant to breakage.

L’O r é a l P a r i s E v e r P u r e Bond Strengthening Shampoo and Condit i o n e r, $8 e a c h, drugstores

K18 L e a v e - I n M o l e c u l a r Re p a i r H a i r M a s k , $75, k18 h a i r.c o m

This heavy-duty conditioning treatment moisturizes the driest of hair without contributing to bacne or hairline breakouts, thanks to its noncomedogenic formula.

Like a facial for your scalp, this treatment combines chemical and physical exfoliators to gently remove dead skin and product buildup.

T h e I n ke y L i s t Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp S c r u b, $15, t h e i n ke y l i s t.c o m

strands. Skip your in-shower conditioner and work this through your hair like a leave-in.

Seen Skin - Caring D e e p e r C o n d i t i o n e r, $36, u l t a .c o m 7

Turns out, you can wake up with perfect beach waves—all you’ll need is this new in-salon treatment from Goldwell.

It gives all textures woke-up-like-this waves that last for up to three months.

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This alcohol-free spray blasts your skin with tea tree oil, borage seed oil, and aloe vera so you can easily remove your wig or weave without risking irritation or damage.

SheaMoisture Wig & We a v e Te a Tr e e & Borage Seed Oil B o n d Re l e a s e S p r a y, $8, t a r g e t.c o m

G o l d w e l l N uWa v e, available at select salons nationwide

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The formula uses a patented peptide to reconnect broken keratin chains, leaving you with softer and stronger

S e p t e m b e r 2021 C o s m o p o lit a n

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l i f e Just a list of V E RY LO G I C A L J US T I FI C AT I O NS FO R U P G R A D I N G YO U R

home decor

By SARAH WELDON

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That velvet headboard will provide a chic backdrop for years of selfies to come.

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A fake fiddle-leaf fig tree will 100p convince your mother you have it together, thus fooling her into calling twice a week instead of twice a day.* 5

Getting a 40-inch wall-mounted flatscreen means freeing up your laptop to shop Dorit’s outfit dupes in real time during The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

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Speaking of, a plush wingback chair will provide a much-needed home to the (many!) discarded items of (clean!) clothing you just can’t bring yourself to hang back up.

C H R I S T I N E L U T Z F O R N C M B A E H R / B L A U B L U T - E D I T I O N .C O M .

Replacing your assorted plastic cups with vintage handblown coupes makes champagne taste like actual champagne. No more notes of stale beer and cheap vodka.

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Faux-fur throw pillows and that gold influencer mirror (you know the one) can actually earn you money via #sponcon deals.

Don’t quote me on this—but it’s true.

Yo u, t o o, a r e now a Proper t y B r o t h e r.

40 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

*This o nl y works ove r Fa ceTim e. She will abs olut e l y se e t hat it ’s plastic IRL and b e g you t o m ove ho m e.

lif e

Sneak y things to do to your

401(k)

Look at you saving up for future you!

if you want to be rich as hell

By SESALI BOWEN

For most of us, including the early 20s version of me, an introduction to retirement savings happens like this: You get your first big job, HR tells you that you’ll be enrolled in a 401(k) program, you say “Great!” and then… you never think about it again. (Okay, fine, you might, but probs not until you’re 35.)

Honestly, I do get it—there are few terms less sexy than “retirement account.” But there are few things more sexy than being able to buy nice

42 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

“ T h e s e a r e n’t my b oy f r i e n d s— t h e y ’r e m y s t a f f.”

things, travel, and just generally enjoy life after you stop working (i.e., retire). And you can’t do any of that without savings, so no matter how old you are rn, it’s time to Do More.

Let’s start with a lil background: A 401(k) is a savings account into which a nugget of each of your paychecks goes. As that adds up over time, it’s also invested into

mutual funds that, over the course of many years, turn it into even more money.

If you set it and forget it, a 401(k) will grow tax-free until you retire and start making withdrawals to pay for, say, a vacation home in Bermuda (what? This can’t be only my dream). But! There’s a lot that can happen between now and 2060 (cue existential crisis), and you can and should act now to make sure you’re fully loaded by the time you’re ready to cash out.

The percentage of each paycheck that goes into your retirement account is a really big deal, and your company’s default setting (usually somewhere around 3 percent) is probably too low, says certified financial planner Rachel Sanborn Lawrence, director of advisory services at Ellevest. Exactly how much you need to put away each month really depends on how rich you want to be and how soon you want to be that rich, says Priya Malani, cofounder at Stash Wealth, an online investment platform.

You can figure it out using an online calculator like the one at NerdWallet.

BTW, if you’re lucky enough to have an employer match program—where your company matches a portion of whatever you put into your 401(k)—make sure you’re contributing as

J U L I A N W O L K E N S T E I N /G A L L E R Y S TO C K .

Customize your paycheck input

We make bundling simple.

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much as your employer is willing to. If it will match up to 3 percent but you only put in 1 or 2 percent, you’ll be missing out on extra free money.

Of course, you may not make enough to meet your ideal percentage right now, and that’s okay. Get as close as you can, then consider setting up an automatic increase of 1 percent each year, says Malani. You likely won’t even notice it, and if you do, you can always change it back.

Make sure you’re invested in ~something~ Surprise! Some companies’ default 401(k) settings are to just keep your money chillin’ as cash (aka in a “money market account”) until you tell them what to do with it, says Malani.

Not ideal—you want this $ to be invested in mutual funds so you can earn the interest and dividends you’ll need to be a bajillionaire (or close to it) by the time you retire. Which leads us to…

This is annoying, sorry, bc not every company offers the same types of mutual funds. But in general, look for a fund that’s made for people who are retiring around a certain year (for you, again, that could be 2060ish). Funds with

J U L I A N W O L K E N S T E I N /G A L L E R Y S TO C K .

Star t with a “target date” fund

lif e

far-off target dates carry a bit more risk than those with nearer target dates, but they’re still solid investments for people who aren’t retiring for a LONG time (again, you!)—mostly because higher risk can = higher reward over the long term.

for the words “expense ratio”) to maintain— yes, you pay that fee— probably isn’t worth it, adds Kiersten Saunders, cofounder of the personal-finance blog Rich & Regular. She looks for funds with fees around 0.1 percent.

Then read the rest of the menu

Get a Roth 401(k)

While an age-focused fund is a great place to begin, you could make even more with other investment options, says

This sorta new way to invest in your retirement lets you pay taxes on the money you put in now versus when you

IF YOU PUT

$100 a month into a Roth IR A from the time you’re 25 until you retire, YO U CO U L D H AV E HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS (IF NOT M I L L I O N S!!) T O P L AY WITH IN YOUR 70S.

Sanborn Lawrence.

The overall goal is to put your money across many industries and types of investments (peep the “portfolio analysis” section of your fund’s profile, if it has one). This way, even if the stock market tanks, your account won’t be wiped out.

Oh, and any fund that charges more than 1 percent (look

retire. And that’s awesome, since you don’t know what income tax bracket you’ll be in (and taxed on) 30 or 40 years from now, says money coach and former stockbroker Charly Stoever.

If your company offers this option, a smart thing to do is put

half of your retirement savings into a traditional 401(k) and half into a Roth 401(k). This’ll allow you to strategically pull money from either account later, depending on how much you’re making that year.

If your company doesn’t offer a Roth 401(k), reach out to an investment firm like Fidelity to see if you can set up an individual Roth retirement account (they’re typically called Roth IRAs).

Even putting $100 into one every month from the time you’re 25 until you retire could add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, according to financial expert Suze Orman.

Don’t leave old 401(k)s behind These accounts can live on long past your last day at a job. So before you head out, talk to HR or the investment firm that manages your account. They can help you roll the money into your new employer’s 401(k) program or your own solo retirement savings account.

If you think you’ve already accidentally abandoned a 401(k), call your old company or use a site like Unclaimed.org to bring it home safe and sound where it belongs. Because remember: Only you can help it grow big and strong, bb.

lif e

TR

AVEL

Hey, so…it might? be time? to talk about

Here’s what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what that means for you.

By CARINA HSIEH

Yeah, this beats a hose in your front yard.

46 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

ure, booking a cabin in the woods is technically a vacay (and still one of the safest moves for you and the ppl in the place you’re visiting, says William Li, MD, a vascular biologist leading research into COVID-19). But…it just hits so different than the blow-all-your-PTO, book-a-six-hour-flight, stay-out-till-5-a.m.with-a-cute-local trip we’re all craving by now. And that, friends, is why we’ve gathered here today: to discuss the ~big~ travel plans you’ve been thinking about.

Before we get into it though, here’s your friendly reminder that—to protect yourself and those around you—you’ve gotta be fully vaxxed to partake in any of this. K? Cool. Now listen up.

R AYM O N D F O R B E S P H OTO G R A P H Y/S TO C K S Y U N I T E D.

s

Going abroad takes extra prep First, some real talk: Even experts are divided on whether they’d travel internationally right now.

That said, if you’re fully vaccinated, evidence suggests it’s safe, says Erica Johnson, MD, chair of the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Infectious Disease Board. Just remember that your health isn’t the only thing at stake, as there’s still a chance that vaccinated people can get and spread COVID-19, according to the CDC. If you do wanna use that passport, choose a destination where 5 percent or less of people are testing positive and more than half of the population has been vaxxed. (Peep our sidebar for how to get this info.)

Reviews are super important It’s crucial that you check the interwebs before booking anything to find out if the place you wanna visit takes COVID-19 safety seriously (like by requiring proof of vaccination or limiting guest capacity), says Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights and author of Take More Vacations. If spicy reviewers say a spot is lax, take heed.

Te s t i n g r u l e s a r e no freaking joke Before finalizing anything, find out exactly what tests or documents your destination requires (again, move your eyes to the right for help). Some might need proof of vaccination. Others might ask for a PCR test within 72 hours of your arrival or a rapid test within 48 hours.

Oh, and if you’re leaving the U.S., you’ll need to test negative no more than three days before getting on the plane back home. And since the rules change often, stay on top of your research.

Tr a v e l i n s u r a n c e i s ESSENTIAL Even that $200 flight deal to Japan might be a big waste if COVID-19 ramps up again (and as we’ve all learned, situations can change real quick). Keyes recommends Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. It’ll likely make your plans more expensive (sorry), but you’ll be able to hit cancel for, uh, any reason and get up to 75 percent of your money back, which is a *lot* better than nada. After you book a flight, sift through travel insurance comparison sites like SquareMouth and filter for CFAR policies.

Don’t forget to read the fine print, boo.

WHERE THEY KEEP THE ANSWERS THE CDC

Your top-line source for U.S. COVID-19 restrictions and travel guidelines.

CDC.gov/ coronavirus/ 2019-ncov/ travelers/ index.html JOHNS HOPKINS CORONAVIRUS RESOURCE CENTER

For daily positivity and vax rates in each state and internationally. coronavirus .JHU.edu/ region and coronavirus .JHU.edu/ testing/ internationalcomparison U.S. STATE D E PA R TMENT

Click on “COVID-19 Country Information,” select your destination, and you’ll find everything required to get there and back. travel.state .gov/content/ travel/en/ internationaltravel.html

Cruises might not be so bad?

If you’re determined to take a cruise in Covid Times, triplecheck that everyone in your group is vaccinated (generally, the CDC requires 95 percent of cruise ship passengers to be vaxxed) and book a boat with strict vaccination and testing policies (honestly, the stricter, the better).

Doing so will make your risk of getting COVID-19 on your trip relatively low, says Jaimie Meyer, MD, associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at Yale School of Medicine.

Masks are still a thing You’ll need one to fly anywhere on any airline or to visit a country/city/town, hotel, public space, or even souvenir shop that mandates them.

Be prepared to have a mask with you at all times—and pack extras.

Yo u r v a c c i n e c a r d might be helpful This lil piece of paper is the easiest way to prove you’re vaxxed.

In the U.S., some public places (like, say, a maskless bar) might ask to see it.

Outside the States, not all countries accept it or require you to have it. The best thing to do is make a copy, treat it with as much loving care as your passport, and bring it along just in case. It can’t hurt!

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lif e

LE

VEL UP

QQ: Are you reusing your candle votives?

Because you should be….

STEP

1

STEP

2

STEP

3

And honestly, what better way to preserve that Diptyque investment? (No better way, as this photo right here proves.)

Yvw in advance for this trick that lets you clean and keep posh candle containers once their flames have too little wick left to flicker.

STEP

4

STEP

5

I t ’s n o t “g o o d by e.”

I t ’s “s e e y o u l a t e r.”

48 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

STEP

6

Peel any stickers you want to remove off your votive while gently boiling an inch or two of water in a saucepan.

Place the candle jar in its personal hot tub and turn down the heat a smidgen.

Wait patiently for all the wax to melt as you enjoy your bb’s last scents.

Layer a few sheets of paper towel over your sink drain.

When ze wax is liquid-y, pour it over the towels, then pour a lil of the hot water into the votive (oven mitts on, people!).

Swish it around and dump out that waxy water over the paper towels.

Wipe down the now-empty inside of your container with some glass cleaner and more paper towels (or leftover fast-food napkins, if you’ve got ’em). Once they’re cool, toss all the sink towels/ napkins in the trash.

Fill your jar with pretty things like the living Pinterest board you are.

COVE TEU R/ TRU N K A RCH IVE.

By ASHLEY OERMAN

LIFT HERE TO EXPERIENCE VERSACE BRIGHT CRYSTAL

LIFT HERE TO EXPERIENCE VERSACE YELLOW DIAMOND

LIFT HERE TO EXPERIENCE VERSACE POUR FEMME DYLAN BLUE

BELK DILLARD’S MACY’S

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Tip #3

H O W T H E

T O

G E T

GET PERSONAL ON YOUR RÉSUMÉ

A T T E N T I O N O F

A

hiring manager without being a weirdo

By SARAH WELDON

Tip #1 BECOME A LINKEDINFLUENCER

Recruiters hang out on the site, so you should too. You don’t have to drop $$ for a premium membership or have a 500+ person network— but per our v expert sources*, you do need to treat LinkedIn like the social networking platform it is. That means posting status updates about projects you’re working on, linking to buzzy industry news stories, and, of course, making smart connections. Use it like you do Twitter (without the drunk scrolling).

Tip #2

S T E P H A N I E G O N OT.

BE CORPOR ATE P E N PA L S

N G L, t his r o u t e is v e r y t e m p t in g.

This is going to blow your sweet little job-seeking mind, but literally (probably) no one is reading your cover letter. So unless you’re straight-up switching industries, channel that energy into starting a convo with your potential boss instead. After submitting your application, drop an email or LinkedIn DM to the hiring manager to ask about their career path, compliment their past projects, or express admiration for their company’s culture. Then slyly, naturally, casually work in that you recently applied for a gig there.

Don’t be shy—their DMs are open if they chat about work on their socials, especially if they’ve mentioned this open role.

Look, if no one is reading your cover letter, you’ve gotta make sure your one-sheet résumé really sells you (beyond, you know, where you went to school and what your last job was). This is super helpful to The Powers That Be for two reasons.

First, they’ll get a sense of whether or not you’ll vibe well with their team.

(Example: Mentioning your Depop store on the résumé you send to an eco-friendly fashion start-up shows them you’re interested in both style and sustainability.)

Second, it shows off your skill sets. Like, you organized a trivia night for COVID-19 relief? Great!

You’d probs also be good at project management, event planning, and community activism. In short, go ahead and shamelessly plug yourself! (Just don’t attach a pic like our friend Lionel over here did.)

Tip #4 USE ALL YOUR SOCIAL SKILLS

Those “job application” TikToks you see going viral can truly make you stand out! (Your college counselor Could. Never.)

Take a beat to analyze the industry you are in or want to be in and ask yourself if a well-crafted social media post would be appropriate and/or helpful. Recruiters in creative or techy fields like fashion, art, advertising, marketing, and social media itself (duh) might just be very into it.

*A M B E R G R AC E, S E N I O R A DV I S E R , D I V E RS I T Y R E C R U I T I N G & PA R T N E R S H I P S AT R AYM O N D J A M ES; TA N YA LU D DY, E A R LY C A R E E R TA L E N T & P R O G R A M S M A N AG E R AT B R OA D R I D G E

S e p t e m b e r 2021 C o s m o p o lit a n

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f o o d l Just a ist of 1

S WA P YO U R TOPPINGS

Reduce that factory farming footprint by trading ye olde mayo for vegan mayo on your sammie or fries.

Get bonus points for recycling the bottle. ;)

WAY S T O E AT L I K E A

sustainable QUEEN By SARAH WELDON

4

TRY NEW SUSHI

Some of your fave ocean dwellers are currently overfished (looking at you, spicy tuns). By mixing it up, you’ll take the strain off popular species.

Related: Is it time to try avocado sushi?

Yes. Yes, it is.

2

5

GO FOR FROZEN GREENS

DRINK LOOSELEAF TEAS

Sprinkle ~organic~ frozen spinach in your smoothies or pasta and never let a fresh bag wilt again.

Less food waste = a v, v good thing.

Many tea bags aren’t compostable!

(And were you really composting them anyway?) Snag a chic diffuser and live package-free.

If you e at an e t hical sala d and d o n’t p ost it o n t he f e e d, did it eve n exist?

6 3

I mean, have you tried veggie nuggets or a meatless burg before? They’re even more delish when you think about how you’re helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

50

Buying from local farms means reducing carbon dioxide emissions that stem from transporting food over long distances (it also, ahem, means another excellent IG op).

M I CHAEL HEDGE.

EAT MORE FAUX M E AT

VISIT LE FA R M E RS MARKET

O

KE

BRU

N H

R

C

B

f o o d

Cancel your plans and make this

Molly Baz, food genius and author of Cook This Book (out now!), shows you the way.

N eve r m e t a m e al m ore wor t hy of d oing dishe s.

T HE INGREDIENT S (makes 2: one for now; one for… also now)

¼ cup mayo hot sauce (sriracha, Cholula, Red Clay, etc.) ½ white onion, sliced into paper-thin rings Kosher salt 2 English muffins (or kaiser or brioche rolls) 2 large eggs Freshly ground black pepper 6 ounces breakfast sausage (loose or links) 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 slices American cheese 1 tablespoon butter 2 handfuls arugula

G e t m ore w he re t his sc r umptiousne ss cam e f ro m by subscribing t o B az ’s Re cip e Club at Pat re o n.co m/M oll y B az.

52 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

1. Mix your mayo and hot sauce together till it tastes just right.

2. Toss half your onion slices in a bowl with a pinch of salt and a few dashes of straight hot sauce. Stir and let pickle.

3. Lightly spread some of the mayo mixture on both sides of the English muffins.

4. Beat the eggs, then season ’em with salt and pepper.

5. Place your sausage on parchment paper (if using links, remove the casings first) and smash it into two ¼-inch-thick rounds.

6. Heat a skillet over medium heat and toast the muffins, cut sides down, until golden.

Transfer to a plate.

7. Turn up the heat, add the veggie oil and sausage, then top with your remaining raw onions, season with salt, and cook until the patties are browned and crisp (about 3 to 5 minutes). Flip the patties over, turn off the heat, and place a slice of cheese on each one. Cover with a lid or baking sheet.

8. Add butter to a skillet over medium heat and scramble the eggs for about 30 seconds.

9. Slather more spicy mayo on each muffin half, then top with sausage, cooked onions, eggs, hot sauce, pickled onions, and arugula.

Phot ograph by TED + CHEL SEA CAVANAUGH

F O O D S T Y L I S T: S U E L I / H E L LO A R T I S T S .

sexy breakfast sando

THE RECIPE

Peace by piece.

© 2020 Kraft Foods

f o o d

1

Make contact with the bag of chocolate chips that’s been loitering in your pantry for a rainy day.

Today is that day.

2

Dump about half the bag into a microwave-safe bowl and zap it for 20 seconds at a time, stirring in between. If it looks chunky, mix in a bloop or two of oil (coconut, avocado, or vegetable oils are all welcome).

3

Once your chocolate is Smoothy McSmootherson, grab a cone by its tip and dunk it into that goodness.

Shake the cone over the bowl till it’s sufficiently covered, then let it rest on a piece of wax paper (or a paper plate or a sheet pan).

Homemade

dipped cones

are your love language now Show how much you care… about yourself.

By ASHLEY OERMAN

54 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

4

Fill another bowl with fancy sprinkles, cereal, or candy crumbs (smash up a Butterfinger! Do it!). Hold your still-wet cone over said bowl and use your hands or a spoon to coat on the toppings before popping it into the fridge to chill.

Aaaaaaand repeat.

5

Once they’re cool (as in, temp and personality), fill with ice cream and pretend it’s June 1 again.

Phot ograph by TED + CHEL SEA CAVANAUGH

F O O D S T Y L I S T: S U E L I / H E L LO A R T I S T S .

We should d o t his eve r y we e ke nd!

†

f o o d

How to

never ever give yourself food poisoning ever

Take a deep breath—but stay guarded.

(Yes, it’s confusing.)

By SARAH WELDON

“I can e i t h e r be y ou r f r i e n d or y ou r e n e m y — i t ’ s y ou r c h o i c e.”

your hands. Before serving, use a food thermometer to make sure your chicky is cooked to bac-free perfection.

Let mold win Any kind of mold on your food means it’s contaminated deep down where you can’t even see. Stay on the safe side and just chuck the item. Yes, including that $37 block of bougie Parm.

(My condolences.)

Afterward, clean its former home in the fridge and anything it touched, and inspect nearby products. A tip: Eat your leftovers within four days to get ahead of the fuzz.

Keep stuff dr y

Be extra with chicken Foodborne-illnesscausing bacteria love her, so she’s

56 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

considered high-risk to cook (but also, IMO, high-reward!).

Designate a chickenonly cutting board and knife and be sure to wash your hands for 20 seconds (u kno) after prepping. Then, while your oven is hard at work, wash e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g your raw bird touched— even the faucet via

COOKED MEAT SHOULD BE… CHICKEN:

165 degrees STEAK:

145 degrees GROUND BEEF:

160 degrees FISH:

145 degrees L I T E R A L LY A N Y LEFTOVERS:

165 degrees

And also chill Shop with ice packs and cooler bags to keep your new goods safe before storing them in your fridge at a niiice 40 degrees or lower, and avoid stashing your milk in the refrigerator door because it’s the warmest (read: most germ-friendly) locale.

I’ll look away while you move it.

O U R E X P E R T S: M E LO DY G E, V P O F G OV E R N A N C E, I N T E L L I G E N C E, A N D A N A LY T I C S AT CO RV I U M , A F O O D - S A FE T Y I N T E L L I G E N C E CO M PA N Y; M A RY C H OAT E, F O O D - S A FE T Y FI E L D S P E C I A L I S T AT T H E U N I V E RS I T Y O F N E W H A M P S H I R E CO O P E R AT I V E E X T E N S I O N

TO M S C H I E R L I T Z / T R U N K A R C H I V E . I L L U S T R AT I O N : TO BY T R I U M P H .

JFYI: Meat goes in the bot tom fridge drawer to keep rogue juices from dripping on your beloved ranch.

Ya know what ’s so dumb? Food nourishes our bodies but can also ruin our lives for 24 to 48 hours. Where is the logic—nay, justice—in that? Fine, there is none, but at least you’re about to know what all the foodsafety experts need you to know. Go forth.

Um, bacteria can be sucked up by water droplets and ~travel~ from contaminated products to…anywhere. Thus, always prep foods with dry hands, on a dry cutting board, and away from the sink— especially if yours is the teeniest of kitchens.

n e e d . i t . n o w.

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R E ON I T I ED

a s t r o Just

a list of

THE WILDEST

Saturn Return CONFESSIONS EVER

Your late 20s—aka your cosmic comingof-age—are EVENTFUL.

1

“I quit my fancy job as a digital media executive and moved to Paris to get my PhD. And no, I was definitely *not* fluent in French.”

—A N A

2

“I was married with a newborn when a tarot reader I saw in January told me that

by June, I’d have many children and more love in my life than I could imagine. In April, my marriage ended abruptly and I reconnected with my childhood love, who brought two beautiful stepkids into my life.”

—AU B RY

3

“I got divorced, came out as trans, legally changed my name, broke up with my family (because boundaries), started T, and had top surgery.”

—DESI

4

“I stopped drinking, met my husband-to-be, and made big mental health strides, all within six months.”

—K ATE

5

“My boyfriend dumped me and got with my best friend/ roommate…which worked out because it ended that shitty relationship and friendship, I made actually good friends, and I even got a better apartment!”

—CAITLIN

58

Illustrations by NATALIA VOLGINA

Did my Saturn Return turn me into

an

I, um, asked some astrologers about it.

By ERI K A W. SM ITH

Back in ancient times, otherwise known as February 2020, I went to a party after starting a new job (this job, actually; hello, I am Cosmo’s senior astrology editor).

A friend of a friend said, “I had no idea that your dream was to work in astrology.”

I had to admit it hadn’t been. This was all Saturn’s fault.

See, my career took a sharp turn during my Saturn Return—a pretty major astrological event that first happens to people when they’re between the ages of 27ish and 30ish. It’s a time of growth and change as Saturn (the planet of discipline, rules, and structure) levels up your life— although how it does so varies a lot from person to person.

“It’s only natural for your career or life path to be up for review, but it also depends on your chart,” says astrologer Adama Sesay, founder of Lilith Astrology. For

example, she explains, “if Saturn is in your 10th house of career, generally your career will be more of the focus.” But if it’s in, say, your 7th house of relationships, you might see more change in your love life.

In my case, I was born in mid-November in the early ’90s, making me a creative Scorpio Sun with an ambitious Saturn in Capricorn. So it makes sense that growing up, I’d always wanted to write for magazines— and later, le internet.

I spent the majority of my 20s writing about everything from fashion to politics to entertainment to sex.

But sometime after Saturn returned to Capricorn a few Decembers ago, my then-boss at a small feminist magazine asked me to edit my first astrology piece.

Turns out, I liked it, and even better: I was good at it.

O h, l o o k, it ’s y o u r n e w f a v o r it e p l a n e t.

(S r y, P l u t o.)

Within a year and a half (plus another job change), I’d gone from knowing only my Sun sign to writing multiple astrology stories a week. Then, the day before my 29th birthday, a recruiter emailed me about a newly created astrology position at Cosmo.

Less than a month after Saturn crossed over the exact degree it was in when I was born, I accepted this job.

“Astrology is very literal sometimes,” explains astrologer Lisa Stardust, author of Saturn Return Survival

“It ’s only natural for your life path to be up for review.”

Guide, as she looks at my birth chart. Saturn is in my chart’s 5th house of creativity; nearby are Uranus, ruler of astrology, and Neptune, planet of dreams. All of which means that, yeah, clearly, the answer to the question at the top of this page is a big old “duh!!”

up your birth chart and find Saturn. The house it’s in and the planets it’s making connections to will describe the vibe of your Saturn Return. No matter what that is, know that it’ll all work out in the end, I promise—and you can trust me, I’m an astrology editor.

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ast rolo g y

H E L L O, T H I S IS A PSA TO ’90S KIDS

DO:

Say no to things once in a while All this change means you might find yourself committing to a lot—new hobbies, jobs, dates, friendships, causes. Remember that downtime is just as important as mastering the violin or starting your own company.

Here, take my weighted blanket.

DON’ T:

Get overconfident Feeling sooo much more accomplished than your younger friends with Saturn in Pisces? Even if you get promoted three times in a year, make sure to stay kind—you’ll need to lean on said friends while you’re stressing out over your new responsibilities (and you need someone to tell you to switch to a middle part, y’know?).

DON’ T:

Stuff you should definitely do/not do during your Saturn Return

By LISA STARDUST

Attention, ppl born at the start of the 1990s: As it does about every 27 to 30 years, Saturn is returning to where it was in the sky when you were born. *wipes away a tear* Forgive me for getting emotional, but I’m the astrologer who literally wrote the book on Saturn Returns (it’s

called Saturn Return Survival Guide, tysm for asking). I truly love this period of growth—and I am now here to help!

So: Saturn is currently in Aquarius, where it’ll stay until March 7, 2023. Until then, it will usher those born between

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February 6, 1991, and May 21, 1993—and also those born between June 30, 1993, and January 28, 1994—into cosmic adulthood.

If that’s you, prepare to ~evolve~. This is a make-it-or-break-it time that can def seem intense, but afterward, you will be like, “Wow, I’ve changed so much and for the better!!!”

Try to “win” Your close peers are probs also experiencing big changes. Like, you just had an amazing first date… but your best friend just got engaged. Repeat after me: This! Is! Not! A! Contest! You can both shine at the same time, and your Saturn Return is about personal growth.

Compare yourself to where you were three years ago, not to where your bestie is now.

DO:

Keep track of all your goals (and I mean ALL) Grab your scissors and glue, open an IG saved folder or a brand-new Google Doc, and lay out all the goals you want to achieve…ever.

This sort of astro weather happens only a few times in your life, and the momentum can power your 5-, 10-, or 15-year plans better than just about any other time. Don’t let Saturn’s vibes go to waste!

Y O U R S E P T E M B E R H O R O S C O P E

By JAKE REGISTER

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

( 0 3. 21– 0 4 .19)

( 0 4 . 20 – 0 5. 20 )

( 0 5. 21– 0 6. 20 )

Congrats! You’re basically the Bachelorette now, since Libra season = cuffing season for you. But just a lil PSA: Watch out for surprise ex drama at the end of the month.

Your job’s kicking your ass, but bright side: Venus enters your chart’s relationship zone on the 10th, and this month’s Virgo energy is making you horny as hell. Try to have fun. *wink*

Treat yourself to fluffy new pillows bc Virgo season is one looong nap—and when Libra season begins on the 22nd, your schedule will be full of friend dates and date dates.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

( 0 6. 21– 07. 2 2)

( 07. 23 – 0 8. 2 2)

( 0 8. 23 – 0 9. 2 2)

Your sex drive? Through the roof.

Your DMs? Full of hotties. Yet you’re hiding in your crab shell! Now’s the time to text your crush first or send your S.O. a link to a sex toy.

As a fixed sign, you’re v, v stubborn, but you’re being pushed to leave old vibes behind. Bring some new stuff into your life. And yes, that includes asking your Twitter crush to meet IRL.

HBD!! Virgo season ends on the 22nd, but the good vibes keep going with Venus helping you make new ~connections~ and Mars helping you get shit done at work. Free tip: Save some $$$.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

( 0 9. 23 –10. 2 2)

(10. 23 –11. 21)

Things are bleh rn, but Libra season— ahem, the very best time of the year—starts on the 22nd. Thanks to the Sun and Mars in your sign, you + your libido will be hotter than ever.

All these Libra vibes are bringing your past into the present. It’s time to keep the old friends worth saving and take out the trash (i.e., your worst ex) for good.

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

(11. 2 2–12. 21)

(12. 2 2– 01.19)

Oof, Virgo season is giving you an ass-kicking, Sag. Plan a belated summer vacay with all your besties for after Libra season begins on the 22nd. Bring a big hat.

Ppl stereotype Caps as workaholics, and, uh, this month, they’re right. As in, your boss is blowing up your inbox right this sec. But if you bust your butt now, you can expect a promotion!

AQUARIUS

PISCES

( 01. 20 – 0 2.18 )

( 0 2.19 – 0 3. 20 )

What’s that? Your first plane ticket since March 2020??? There are opportunities coming up to travel and/or learn something new. It’ll probs be for work, but try to think of it as a vacay.

Reality check: This month, the universe is asking you some hard Qs, like “Is your best friend actually a good friend?” Time to take all your relationships to the Red Table.

October 12!

(tarot) card

By KERRY WARD

FOUR OF PENTACLES Virgo, you’re naturally cautious, but it’s time to just do it— whatever “it” is. The Four of Pentacles is bringing you fresh energy and asking you to keep that going for the whole year. So stop rewatching America’s Next Top Model and do something, anything new. Throw your fears to the side and apply for your dream job! Kiss a stranger! Get your nose pierced! You got this.

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l us t

1

Just

“We were on a Peloton challenge team that connected over social media. He got my number and asked me to be his date to our team’s virtual ‘prom.’ A little while later, he flew to California to see me, and the rest is history.

We’re engaged now, and onethird of the guests invited to our wedding are from the Peloton team.

The funny thing is, I have yet to meet the rest of them IRL!”

a list of

unexpected places P E O P L E H AV E F O U N D ~LOVE~ IN THESE TIMES BRB, pit c hing t he se glo b al p and e mic m e e t-cut e s f or a Lif e tim e m ovie.

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—J E N

4

2

“My TikTok vids popped up on his For You page, and he would leave a bunch of comments, hoping I’d see them. (I did.)

I followed him back, and we later collaborated on some trends. Four months later, we’re engaged!”

—S A R A

3

“On a Zoom venue tour for my sister’s wedding, I became more interested in the man coordinating the whole thing than the venue itself. I went with her to visit in person because hi, yes, maid-ofhonor duties but also because I wanted to see if he would be there.

Thankfully, he was. I flirted with him while my sis looked at reception rooms, and he asked for my number.”

—REBECCA

6

“I met my nowgirlfriend when she filled an empty room in my apartment. We got to know each other during peak quarantine, and I was attracted to how friendly, open, and inviting she was. One night, I leaned in to kiss her, and we’ve been living totally enmeshed lives ever since.

She eats my food, and I take care of her dog like it’s mine.”

—T A L Y A H

U L A S & M E R V E /S TO C K S Y.

“Like pretty much every other person in quarantine, I wanted to learn a new language, so I downloaded Italki, an online languageexchange app.

My now-boyfriend reached out to me about partnering for HungarianEnglish practice.

We had our first Skype and then texted practically every day after that, eventually sharing videos from our everyday lives. After numerous canceled and rescheduled flights, I was able to fly to Budapest.

I completed a mandatory quarantine and moved into his apartment right after.”

—A L I

“He was my night nurse when I had COVID-19.”

5

“I’m a hulahooping cirque performer, and I was quarantining in a hotel for a TV competition show. After the initial isolation, I was allowed to socialize with other talent and met my first-round opponent, a BMX rider. I caught alllll the feels, and we developed amazing chemistry. When it was time to perform, he advanced and I didn’t. But! We kept talking afterward, and he asked me to be his girlfriend on New Year’s Eve.” —GR ACE

7

“He was my night nurse when I had COVID-19. The first time I met him, he was in full PPE and I literally couldn’t see his face. I couldn’t even tell if he smelled nice! Our interactions seemed flirtatious though, and I asked him if he was this way around all his patients. (I didn’t

have to see his face to know that he was blushing.)

When it was time for me to leave, I left my number on a notepad, and he hit me up the same night I was discharged.”

—EM M A

8

“A pizzaiolo (yes, that’s a pizza maker) from Italy slid into my email because he loved my blog about Italian food and pizza. We exchanged a few messages, then one thing led to another and he bought me a ticket to fly from South Dakota to Italy. Because I was bored and doing the same things day after day, I went, and I’m now still staying in Naples with him!”

—J E S S I C A

All hail the

greatest sex position you don’t know enough about

Hello, and welcome to the venus butterfly, quite possibly the most effective, mind-blowing way to engage in sexual relations. Yes, that sounds like a big promise—but you can trust us and also these experts: Intimacy coach Zoë Kors says the venus butterfly delivers “an unprecedented degree of

But you will. Oh, you will.

By TAY LO R A N D R E WS

64 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

Illustration by @REGARDSCOUPLES

lust

pleasure for the recipient.” Sex therapist Tatyana Dyachenko describes that pleasure as “hundreds, if not thousands, of orgasmic contractions that continue one after another after another.”

Have we built this up enough yet? Good.

On a basic level, the position is an upgraded version of your regular ol’ cunnilingus—it’s oral sex *plus* penetration.

Simultaneously. The anything-but-basic part is that it significantly ups your odds of climaxing. See, only 18 percent of women can orgasm from penetration alone, according to the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy.

And that leaves a lot of women perhaps a little frustrated with, say, straight fingering or P-in-V sex. Sound familiar? Then the venus butterfly, with its added clitoral stimulation, is for you.

Pausing here for a sec to say that obviously orgasms aren’t the be-all and end-all

when it comes to sex.

Like, sure, it’s great if you have one, but it’s also great if sex just feels really, really good. And the venus butterfly absolutely feels incredible no matter what it leads

H OW TO MASTER THE V E N US B U T T E R FLY

TRY IT LIKE THIS

Cunnilingus on the clitoris plus some finger banging

1

OR THIS

Cunnilingus again, but this time paired with a vibrator or penetrative toy

2

Give attention to the key areas.

Also known as the clitoris, labia, entire vulva, and the inside of the vagina, says Winnick.

3

Practice the “come hither” motion.

Whether using fingers or a vibrator for the penetration part, this move, which involves moving your fingers or vibe back toward yourself, will stimulate v sensitive areas of the vagina.

4

Make sure your wrist is in a comfortable position. Because, well, you’ll be doing this for longer than 30 seconds. But if you do get Tired Wrist Syndrome (totes a thing), ditch the manual fingering and use a finger vibrator instead, says Dyachenko.

T H I S WAY TO O

A vibrator on the clitoris while adding some fingering action

A N D FI N A L LY

A vibrator on the clitoris and simultaneously licking in and around the vulva and vaginal opening

Start slow. You’ll both want to feel comfortable and relaxed, whatever that looks like for you, says sex coach Katherin Winnick.

Pillows? Blankets?

Lingerie? Do it all.

to (that’s another promise from us).

More good news: This move is majorly versatile. It can be done lying down, standing up, in a chair, on the beach in Tulum, honestly wherever. And there are a bunch of different setups for getting that oral + penetrative bliss. Just peep the boxes at left and then maybe “accidentally” leave this checklist where your partner may see it. Welcome to the venus butterfly club, bb. You’re gonna love it here.

This move delivers “an unprecedented degree of pleasure for the recipient ” with “hundreds, if not thousands, of orgasmic contractions.”

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lust

15

sex toys that are ver y, ver y cool And very, very effective.

By JILL HAMILTON

We are extremely here for this nextgen wave of playthings created to bring a new level of satisfaction to ev-er-y-one during solo or partnered play. We’re talking about nongendered toys, accessories built thoughtfully to work for people of all body types and mobilities, even entire companies dedicated to defying old norms in their product designs and marketing.

Getting off and exploring new sensations are suddenly more comfortable and more possible than ever. Here’s what to look for right now.

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TFW you know your toy collection is *chef ’s kiss*.

H a n ds- f r e e v ib r a t io n There are endless ways to use these— getting creative is highly encouraged.

S ex s w in gs a n d c h airs

For getting into juuust the right pose to try that bucket-list position.

We d g es, r am ps, a n d h o l d e rs

Clandestine Devices C o m p a n i o n We a r a b l e Re m o t e C o n t r o l l e d V i b r a t o r, $159, c l a n d e s t in e d ev i c e s.c o m

Can’t get your whatever wherever you need it? This sex swing can help.

Adam & Eve Naught y C o u p l e s D o o r S w i n g, $ 50, a d a m e v e.c o m

This does-it-all ramp and wedge in one helps get you in the most lickable, kissable, bangable position.

Designed to help you hit all the right angles, comfortably.

L i b e r a t o r We d g e Ra m p C o m b o, $2 75, a d a m e v e .c o m

N o n g e ndered gadgets

The ergonomically designed handle and amorphous shape of this finger vibe make it a must.

So you can focus on what works for you, period.

K I S S I N G C O U P L E: J E S S E L I ZOT T E / T R U N K A R C H I V E .

This wearable, remote-controlled bb lets you or a partner control the vibrations from afar.

Toys t h a t su c k (in t h e b est wa y)

Work these in for an added sensation whenever ya need one.

L o v e l i f e Re v, $ 69, l o v e l i f e t o y s .c o m

If nipple play is the thing that puts you over the edge, these are your new BFFs. L o v e h o n e y Pe r f e c t Pa i r S i l i c o n e N i p p l e S u c ke r s, $13, l o v e h o n e y.c o m

No, it’s not a bike seat. It’s a rechargeable vibe designed for hands-free humping and grinding (or however you want to use it).

This rabbit-style toy buzzes on the clit and rumbles and curls up internally, leaving you free to just lie back and be ravished.

W i l d Fl o w e r E n b y 2, $75, w i l d f l o w e r s e x .c o m

Doc Johnson iVibe S e l e c t i Ro c k , $162. 50, s h o p d o c j o h n s o n.c o m

The stool has extra support plus a slot in the seat for where sexy things (a penis, a strap-on, toys, hands…) go.

A little spendy, but this chair legit does the thrusting for you, with minimal upper-torso movement needed.

Bondage Boutique S e x Po s i t i o n E n h a n c e r C h a i r, $10 0, l o v e h o n e y.c o m

IntimateRider Sex C h a i r, $3 49, l i v i n g s p i n a l .c o m

A toy holder holds your batteryoperated lover in place (and keeps it there).

A wedge and a wand holder? Now that’s some fine-ass multitasking.

Lovehoney Hands Fr e e S e x To y H o l d e r, $2 5, l o v e h o n e y.c o m

Thanks to the curves and texture of this easy-grip toy, it’s super-duper versatile for any body part.

C u t e L i t t l e Fu c ke r s Starsi Vibrating S i l i c o n e To y, $79, c u t e l i t t l e f u c ke r s .c o m

Turn it on for amazing oral sex on demand at 12 (!) different levels of intensity.

Wo m a n i z e r P r e m i u m Ec o, $19 9, g o o d v i b e s .c o m

L i b e r a t o r Wa n d a M a g i c Wa n d To y M o u n t, $10 5, l i b e r a t o r.c o m

A vibrating silicone butt plug in basic black will buzz away while you get after it.

P l a y t i m e b y N e w Yo r k To y C o l l e c t i v e S a d d l e V i b r a t i n g A n a l P l u g, $35, n e w y o r k t o y c o l l e c t i v e .c o m

A suction vibe from the geniuses behind the longtime best-selling Sona, it has an even wider mouth so you can play with whatever angle works best.

L e l o S i l a, $2 2 4, e l l a p a r a d i s .c o m

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Loewe top and skirt. Ana Khouri earrings. Michelle Fantaci Fine Jewelry necklace.

Tom Wood ring.

Photographs by Fashion by

MEI TAO

CASSIE ANDERSON

THE MAGIC— NO, LIKE, ACTUAL REAL-LIFE MAGIC— OF

Nora Lum, the multi-named, multi-talented, multi-hyphenate star of the groundbreaking Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, has some (literal) tricks up her sleeves.

Words by

LANE MOORE

Awk wafina taught me a magic trick, and no, I’m not going to tell you how it works.

Mostly because I can’t tell you how it works, because this interview took place this spring, when the world was on the brink of maybe, possibly, kind of reopening, when we still couldn’t be in the same room together, and honestly, it is damn impossible to learn magic over Zoom.

I mean, I could attempt to describe it (and tell you that it involved some tape and a pair of scissors and tarot cards), but we’d all be better off imagining an alternate reality instead: that I was hanging out at a party with Nora Lum, the 33-year-old comedian, actor, rapper, and writer from Queens, New York, who, as the story goes, gave herself the stage name Awkwafina to channel a more confident version of herself and also because it was funny (but you can still call her Nora). And at

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Louis Vuitton parka and skirt.

Giuseppe Zanotti heels. Ana Khouri earrings. Anita Ko necklaces. Fernando Jorge ring.

said imaginary party, she whipped out some cards and was like, “Wanna see a magic trick?” and I was like, “Um, extremely yes, person-I-was-notexpecting-to-suddenly-do-magic-atthis-party-with-me.”

NORA:

Alright—I don’t know if I’m going

to get sued by the magicians’ union for doing this. There’s an unspoken code.

LANE: NORA:

I don’t know the code?

You’re not supposed to! You

know those jokes where the point of the joke is that it took an hour to get to a punch line? That’s what magic is.

The origin story of a lot of comedians takes a sudden detour at some point, usually childhood, to magic. For Nora, it happened as an adult in a very weird year. Like the rest of us, grasping for something sublime to distract from the grim reality, Nora got seriously into magic tricks—not the “tigers for no reason” or “women in bikinis needlessly getting sawed in half by some guy named Dave” kind, but just straight-up card tricks, including the one she’s currently trying to teach me at this “party.”

We first met pre-magic, more than seven years ago, as two NYC comedians at a podcast festival. As is so often the

“ U l t i m a t e l y, c o m e d y is really long

PERIODS OF SOLITUDE and really crazy c o n t e m p l a t i o n .”

“ Yo u h a v e t o r e a l l y hit a kind of

ROCK BOTTOM to really want it, t o f i g h t f o r i t .”

case with women, we liked each other but worried the other person didn’t feel the same way. Still, we ended up talking for hours about I-don’t-remember-what on a city stoop that, in hindsight, was probably covered in dog urine (and also human urine). I do remember that she was just someone who got it. Someone who was hustling just as much as I was to get to the same dream. Who already knew with everything she had that this is what she was meant to do, that there was really no choice because it’s this or it’s nothing.

She came by that knowledge honestly, starting at the ultra-competitive Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City (the movie Fame— google it—is based on it; Nicki Minaj is also an alum). Nora trained in classical and jazz music (she played the trumpet) while experimenting with hip-hop, writing, and producing. She’d been raised in Queens by her grandmother and father after her mother died when she was just 4 years old, and Nora felt like she was fueled by her history, even at a young age. “When I was growing up, I knew how I was socioeconomically classified,” Nora says now. “I knew that my grandma was a working-class immigrant and my dad was a single dad. I knew that I would have to get through in my own way. That taught me a lot of lessons, like you really have to humble yourself, doing waitress jobs and applying to really hip stores and not getting the job and feeling like,

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Gucci jacket and pants. BVLGARI earrings, necklace, and rings.

What is even out there? You have to really hit a kind of rock bottom to really want it, to fight for it.”

LANE:

Oh my god, I just realized

something. You got rejected for a job

by Beacon’s Closet [the aforementioned hip store, a Brooklyn-based consignment chain] the same way so many of my clothes have gotten rejected there.

They’re like, “Ew, no, we won’t be taking this.”

NORA:

Much respect to Beacon’s Closet,

but I would bring hauls of clothes there.

I remember taking them back home and pulling out the rejects and giving the clothes a pep talk, like, “You were really cute.”

Nora’s first job job was at a book publishing house, where she was hired and promptly fired after going viral with her first big trick: the music video for a rap song she’d written called “My Vag.” In the video, which now has more than 6.3 million views on YouTube, she deadpans lyrics like, “My vag like a operatic ballad / Yo vag like Grandpa’s cabbage” and “It’s time that we let the world know / Bitch, ya vag look like Janet Reno / Awkwafina’s a genius / and her vagina is fifty times better than a penis,” between lo-fi scenes of her getting her nails painted by a gun-wielding tough guy and playing pretend gynecologist, wearing a doctor’s head mirror and pulling chips out of a pair of open legs. As one commenter noted: “This song was totally worth you getting fired.”

Of course, not everyone thought “My Vag” was a fireable offense. MTV called and gave Nora a years-long stint as a panelist and cohost on its riff-filled talking-head commentary franchise Girl Code. Next came an acting role in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising. By 2018, Awkwafina and her brand of streetsmart-meets-proudly-messy humor was “suddenly” everywhere: stealing

scenes from Hollywood A-listers like Sandra Bullock in Ocean’s 8 and Constance Wu in Crazy Rich Asians; hosting Saturday Night Live. In 2020, she received a Golden Globe (not to mention a ton of Oscar buzz) for her performance in the indie dramedy The Farewell.

All this landed Nora her very own series, Comedy Central’s Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens, which debuted in January 2020 and is loosely based on her life—except that the TV version of Nora is still in her late 20s, still living in Queens, still working and hustling and failing her way toward adulthood.

The series was picked up for a second season before the first episode even ran (season 2, airing now, premiered August 18). Good thing, because Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens was the network’s highest-rated prime-time series launch in more than three years.

Somehow, someway, writing and starring in her very own television show hasn’t slowed down Nora’s film career. Earlier this spring, she voiced Sisu, the glowing, wisecracking dragon in the Disney animated hit Raya and the Last Dragon. And this month, I give you eight words: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. A full-blown Marvel superhero movie—and the highly anticipated origin story for the comic book character of the same name, about a martial artist/trained assassin confronting his past—with Nora as one of its stars. And yes, she’s doing her own stunts.

NORA:

Dangling off of things and

flying, falling backward…it’s really different from, say, an indie rom-com.

It’s really cool.

LANE:

That sounds, while I can’t relate

at all, f*cking awesome.

NORA:

It’s so weird to switch from

“friend mode.”

She means playing the role of The Funny Sidekick (see: Crazy Rich

“When the AAPI community is seen as

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NOT ANCILLARY CHARACTERS, then people will know t h a t w e ’r e h e r e , you know?”

a lot of comedy is grounded in really long periods of solitude and really crazy contemplation.”

That’s the thing about “being funny”: It actually, often, comes from struggle and trauma—from being doubted, being told you’re too much, being told you’re too little. It comes from people assuming that because you’re funny, you can take a punch that really didn’t need to be thrown.

NORA:

There’s something that

happens when you’re criticized or someone calls you ugly…

LANE: NORA:

Yeah— You don’t listen to them,

whatever, and you come home and you look in the mirror and you’re like, Am I ugly?

Sure, yes, success can be a good—a very good—thing. Nora now has a bigger fan base. More people are listening to what she has to say. She can pay her bills on time. But it’s come with a side of intense criticism and aggressive focus on Awkwafina, the person Nora presents to the world. It’s a complicated duality, really, and one she’s intent on continuing to navigate. (“The sacrifices I make,” she says, “I make because I love it so much. And I want it so much.”)

But she’s stopped looking for validation in tweets or YouTube comments or reviews, turning instead to “actual

F O R S H O P P I N G I N F O R M AT I O N , G O TO C O S M O P O L I TA N .C O M .

Asians). Or maybe she means The Funny Dragon Sidekick (Raya and the Last Dragon). Or The Funny SlackerWith-Big-Dreams-Who-You-WishWere-Your-Real-Life-Sidekick (Nora From Queens). And breaking out of that pigeonhole has been like pulling off a complicated trick unto itself— but that’s all part of Nora’s magic, of course: The work is there, very much so, but you can barely see it because you’re so distracted by her charm. By how she appears so effortlessly human and warm while also, yes, driving a speeding sideways bus in a Marvel movie.

And then there’s her impact. That Golden Globe? Nora is the first Asian American performer to win in the lead actress category for a film. And it’s hard to overstate the cultural significance of Shang-Chi, the first Marvel film to star an Asian superhero. To have that—and the thrill of celebrating Asian cultures and peoples—happen now, this year, after the absolutely brutal wrongs the AAPI community has faced…“these movies make me so proud, just as a watcher, because they contribute to visibility, which I do think has real-life effects,” says Nora. “When the AAPI community is seen as not ancillary characters, it’s almost like, then people will know that we’re here, you know?”

That said, it’s all a lot of pressure— especially when, despite your newfound Marvel status, you’re still known for being that hilarious person everyone wants to be friends with. And when the more well known you become, the more it can feel like, Wait, you expect me to be funny all the time?! But sometimes I am napping?? I wonder out loud about the message so many comedians get, that they’re valuable only when making people laugh. “Yeah,” says Nora. “There’s always going to be the immediate want that is, ‘Okay, well, I’m going to do this because I want you to feel joy right now.’ But ultimately,

people I love and respect, to myself and my own achievements.” Maybe it’s maturity, she muses, or maybe it’s just the natural armor you grow when you’re a celebrity who’s had her breakthrough moment and survived to tell the tale.

Not that she’s done trying hard or stressing hard. “I don’t think I’ll ever get to that point,” she says. “Before, I’d do anything because I was waiting, being lost, knowing that things could change tomorrow or they might never.

I didn’t know that it would work, and when it started to, I realized this is something that could actually happen.

It’s like when you step into Oz and you start to see one magical thing and you’re like, How does that even exist?

But then it numbs you to crazier, more magical things.”

Which is maybe why, at this point, it seems like second nature for Nora to surprise us with something we never saw coming.

NORA:

I’m going to get absolutely

f*cking— LANE: NORA:

…railed by the magic communit y.

But it’s literally a game of

improvisation and red herrings and thinking on your feet and misdirection and…can I show you one more?

3.1 Phillip Lim shirt and pants. Manolo Blahnik heels. Anita Ko necklaces and rings.

Hair: Kylee Heath at A-Frame Agency using R+Co. Makeup: Kara Yoshimoto Bua at A-Frame Agency using Chanel.

Manicure: Thuy Nguyen at A-Frame Agency. Fashion assistant: Kate Collins.

Production: Crawford & Co Productions.

S e p t e m b e r 2021 C o s m o p o lit a n

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Fo r t o o l o n g, t h e m a r ke t h a s b e e n a m a n’s g a m e. N o m o r e.

CO

O’S

GUI

DE TO

SM

Buying your first-ever home Real estate is on fire rn. And it’s time for young women to get in on it.

Words by ELIZABETH KIEFER Photographs by TEKLA EVELINA SEVERIN

Last year, while you were babysitting your sourdough starter, the U.S. real estate market was having itself a time. After the pandemic untethered millions from their offices, people who could afford to snapped up houses in the suburbs or peaced out to cabins in the woods. Those who couldn’t fantasized about it via late-night Zillow porn. “A lot of people were rethinking where and how they wanted to live,”

says Zillow’s home trends expert Amanda Pendleton. And what they landed on was… anywhere but here.

As yards became hot luxury items and virtual showings the norm, a housebuying fever sent prices through the roof: The median cost of an American home surged 24 percent from the year before to a record high of $350,000+. But that’s going to change. As the wheels of normal life start turning again, experts predict that new listings and con-

struction will ultimately lead to more options and less competition.

Also, “interest rates are almost as low as they’ve been in this lifetime, so the ‘cost’ of borrowing money is really low,” says Priya Malani, cofounder of Stash Wealth. Translation: This may be your moment to pounce.

We know. You have student loans.

You’re overdue for a raise. You’re super single atm. But you’re probably in better shape than you think.

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In recent years, the number of female renters who could afford to buy grew in 37 of the top 50 metro areas. And during the last quarter of 2020, the increase in home purchases by single women was twice that of single men.

Meanwhile, nearly 2 million city renters could have bought a typical U.S. starter home somewhere else,

and thanks to the rise in telecommuting, Black renters in major cities are 29 percent more likely than others to be able to move and buy a first home, according to Zillow.

So yes. Buy for the smart investment opportunity and highly Instagrammable openkitchen shelving. But also because white men have always owned way more

property than women have—and especially more than women of color, who’ve been penalized by racist housing practices targeting Black buyers.

To this day, housing disparities account for almost 40 percent of the Black-white wealth gap.

It’s time to tip the scales. Claim your piece of that pie—and all the closet space.

O n a v e r a g e, mil l e n ni a ls s a w nin e h o us e s l a s t year before f in d in g T h e O n e.

HOW TO ACTUALLY AFFORD IT You probably can’t on your own—and that’s totally normal. Like most people, chances are you don’t have untold thousands chilling in your bank account, so “buying a home” really means that a bank buys it for you—and you pay them back ver y slowly, over decades, with interest. That’s what a mortgage is.

To qualif y for one, you need three things:

1

2

A GOOD CREDIT SCORE

A LOW D E B T-T O - I N C O M E R AT I O

Most lenders are looking for 620 or higher. (Not there yet? Start paying down your debt—ideally, you want to be using less than 30 percent of the total credit available to you. So if your credit card limit is $15K, keep your bill under $4,500 and pay it off every month.) Credit Karma, LendingTree, and NerdWallet are good, free ways to check your credit score sitch.

This is your monthly debt (student loans, etc. plus what your mortgage would be) divided by your pretax monthly income.

A loan officer will want this number to be under 36 percent, although they might go slightly higher if you’ve got four to six months’ worth of cold hard cash on hand.

If you want help getting your finances in shape, we’ll hook you up with t wo months of free membership at investment and money coaching platform Ellevest. Just go to Ellevest.com and put in promo code “COSMO.”

3 P R E A P P R O VA L A D O W N PAYM E N T

Aka a chunk of money you’re able to pay up front with cash you already have. Twenty percent or more of your future home’s price is preferred, but in 2020, the median down payment for first-time buyers was 7 percent (so $14,000 on a $200,000 home). “With interest rates so low, putting more than 10 percent down doesn’t help decrease your monthly mortgage payment by much,” says Malani.

Voilà, you have now unlocked the final step (of this part, any way). Preapproval is a letter from a bank confirming that they’ll lend you an amount they have determined you can afford, based on piles of paper work. Now you can make an official offer on your dream house. Most preapprovals last 60 to 90 days, but if yours expires, NBD. Re -upping is usually a cinch.

5 S I G N S YO U ’R E R E A DY F O R H O M E OW N E R S H I P Moroccan tile shower, come to mama.

1

You know where you want to live for at least the next few years. In addition to paying for the, uh, actual home, buying a property entails shelling out for “closing costs” that can be up to 5 percent of the home’s price plus other fees and taxes when you sell. So unless you think the value of your place will spike quickly, it might not be worth it if you don’t plan to stay for a while.

2

You’ve thought about what matters to you. Commute? Space? Already renovated kitchen? Make a list of your nonnegotiables and discuss them with your agent, who can prescreen places that meet your needs.

3

You’re not doing it just for the money. True, real estate is a solid investment, but if you have other ones (like stocks or mutual funds) that are already killing it and you’re super happy in your current place, you don’t need to buy a home.

4

You’ve paid off your high-interest debt. Mortgage rates are mega low right now. But if the APR on your credit card is high (like, above 10 percent), you should pay it off before applying for a home loan, since that debt will balloon faster than the value of your new place will.

5

You won’t need to use your 401(k) for the down payment. This may technically be allowed, but don’t do it. The money in a retirement account will most likely grow faster than the value of a home. (If you take this route anyway, make sure you fully understand the terms of cashing out early.)

MEET YOUR TEAM To buy a home, you need a *staff*. These are the people who will help you get the deal done.

R E A L E S TAT E AG E N T

Your ride-or-die on this journey, so pick one you vibe with.

(Btw, although many people use the terms interchangeably, a Realtor is an agent who’s a member of the National Association of Realtors.)

They’ll find homes in your price range and hold your hand through the process.

Google brokerages and Insta-creep on agents; chat with a few before committing.

They’ll make a cut of the sale price (typically about 3 percent)—paid by the sellers, not you.

I N S TA G R A M : @ T E K L A N

$$:

INSPECTOR

LOAN O FFI CER

This is the person at the lending bank you choose who helps you get your mortgage application in order. Or you can start with a mortgage broker—an expert who doesn’t work for a single bank but can help you shop around for different terms and interest rates. Either way, ask a local Realtor for a rec.

A loan officer won’t cost you anything, but a mortgage broker typically gets a small fee (usually 1 to 2 percent of the loan amount) at closing, paid by you or the bank. $$:

Offer accepted? Now you need an expert who is kind of like your personal investigator—the one who’ll discover that the roof leaks and the septic tank is busted before you sign your money away (at this stage, you can still back out if major problems are uncovered). Ask your Realtor for a rec, then do some vetting via Yelp reviews.

Expect to pay around $400 (a bargain, tbh, considering how important this service is).

$$:

APPR AISER

L AW Y E R

This is who tells you what a place is *really* worth, regardless of what you’ve agreed to pay for it (if the order here seems backward, well…it is). Their evaluation informs the precise amount the bank will ultimately loan you. Meaning: If an appraisal comes in low, you’ll need to get the seller to drop their asking price or (eep) make up the difference yourself in cash.

Again, ask your Realtor for a rec.

Before finalizing the deal, you’ll put down a deposit for the home (typically between 1 and 5 percent of its total cost). Your lawyer will put these funds in escrow—aka a secure bank account—and also manage more mountains of paperwork. One more time: Get a rec from your Realtor! $$: You

should budget around $150/hour.

$$: You’ll

spend about $500, depending on location and the property.

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HOUSE HUNTING, BUT MAKE IT SMARTER

ROOF

Cottagecore vibes are great and all, but there’s a *lot* more to look for.

DOORS

“Lightweight hollow-core doors can make a whole house feel flimsy,” says real estate agent M J Collum. They’re easy to upgrade—but if the builder cheaped out there, who knows where else they skimped? Get the full details about the materials used in any previous renos.

Depending on the material (typically asphalt, wood, stone, or metal), a roof can last 15 to 75+ years. But if you need a new one, you’re on the hook for up to $45,000. Ask the listing agent to confirm when it was last fixed or replaced.

WINDOWS

H VA C

As in, the heating, ventilation, and airconditioning systems.

New ones are more efficient and can lower your monthly utility costs, and if an old one breaks, it might cost you up to $10,000 to repair or replace.

EXTR A PICS

What *isn’t* shown in that cheery listing is telling. If you have to make an offer without seeing the place IRL—like 63 percent of home buyers last year did—make sure you get satisfying photos (or better yet, video) of every space before bidding, cautions Austin real estate agent Caroline Bell.

D E CO D E T H E L I ST I N G L A N G UAG E Real estate descriptions can make ever y shack sound like a palace. Here’s what the slick copy writing can actually mean.

“Cozy” Teensy with low ceilings “Rustic” A wee bit tacky or a little rough around the edges “Charming” Grandma (or dare we say grandmillennial?) vibes “Starter home” Small, utilitarian, no schmancy extras “Investment opportunit y” So. Much. Work.

“Up-and-coming area” A possible gentrification situation— educate yourself

Illustration by SABINA ADDIS

KITCHEN

If the bones are good, fresh paint and new appliances can perk it up. But full renos can gobble up your savings, says interior designer Leanne Ford. The average cost runs from $13K to $37K, per HomeAdvisor. So if your funds are limited, look for a kitchen you can mostly live with.

MAKE SURE YO U W I N There are ways to sweeten your offer even if you’re not a millionaire.

Agent MJ Collum, who is based in Kingston, New York—which saw the fastest-rising home prices in the U.S. last year— tells you how.

Natural light is major, but it’s not the only thing to think about. Low-quality windows mean poor insulation and higher heating and cooling bills.

Replacing them can get spensy (an average of $650 for each one), so take the time to open and close them. If they’re sticky or bumping, they may need work.

P R O P E R T Y TA X E S

These may be bundled into your mortgage and can vary widely depending on where you’ll live and how much land you’ll have.

They also could affect your monthly payments, so find out up front.

H E D G E YO U R B E T S . Search for properties $50,000 under your actual budget—that way, if you find something you really want, you can afford to go over asking price. FYI, the median price buyers paid in 2020 was 99 percent of asking price.

D O N ’ T B L U FF. Right now, properties are moving fast and there’s so much competition that a lowball offer will probably get dismissed. If you’re serious about the house, your bid should reflect that.

S H OW E M O T I O N . When a seller has a bunch of offers on the table, a personal touch can help tip their decision in your favor. Write them a letter about why you should be the new owner and your heartfelt plans for the place.

G O A L L I N . Put down as much cash as possible: 10 percent on the contract and 20 percent on the mortgage, if you can manage. With multiple offers being the new norm, showing you have cash on hand tells sellers you’re a sure thing.

5 GOOD CITIES FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS 1

B U FFA L O, N Y Growing tech scene + outdoorsy vibes

S H * T T H AT CA N F * C K U P YO U R C LO S I N G

YO U C H A N G E D J O B S but forgot to tell your lender, which means your eligibility might be affected and your loan paperwork needs to be redone.

Just because you’ve signed a contract doesn’t mean you’re good to go. Beware these common mistakes.

YO U R S E L L E R AG R E E D to fix that busted window and then…did not…so

AV E R AG E H O M E P R I C E :

YO U A P P L I E D for a new credit card, kicking off a hard inquiry into your

credit and making you look *risky* to the bank. your lawyers have to first hash it out (for, like, weeks).

YO U R N E W H O U S E A P P R A I S E S for way less than the price you agreed to pay, causing the bank to reduce the amount it’ll loan you, but the seller won’t budge on price.

YO U FL A K E on getting homeowner’s insurance, which needs to be in

place before the title gets transferred.

$197K

YO U B R I N G A P E RS O N A L C H E C K to your closing (nope, cashier’s check

2

or wire transfer only, pls).

C I N C I N N AT I, O H Cool museums + gorge architecture + fun food scene AV E R AG E H O M E P R I C E :

$230K 3

N E W O R L E A N S, L A Bumpin’ nightlife + amaze walkability AV E R AG E H O M E P R I C E :

$349K 4

39 percent of millennials surveyed by Zillow would be totally comfortable buying a home online.

I N D I A N A P O L I S, I N

Cute neighborhoods + biker’s paradise AV E R AG E H O M E P R I C E :

$216K 5

M E M P H I S, T N Big tech and music scenes + great weather year-round AV E R AG E H O M E P R I C E :

$202K

SO, UM,NOW WHAT? Expert advice on how—and when—to start making your house a home.

“I always tell my clients not to do any major renovations for at least a year—that’s enough time to really think about what would make the space more functional for you and to make choices you won’t regret.”

—L E A H R I N G, INTERIOR DESIGNER, ANOTHER HUMAN

“Immediately buy new toilet seats— they’re cheap, you can install them yourself, and it makes a major difference.”

—M J COLLUM, RE AL ESTATE AGENT

“Ask contractors about the worstcase scenarios for your project.

They can’t price out every possible surprise, but the conversation can help you figure out if you’ve got a partner who will problem-solve.”

—J E A N B R O W N H I L L , ARCHITECT AND FOUNDER, SWEETEN

“PPG Timeless Pure White paint is perfection.”

(Find it at Home Depot and independent retailers.)

—L E A N N E F O R D, INTERIOR DESIGNER

“Swapping light fixtures makes a big impact and will take an electrician only a few hours. Also, install dimmers for anything overhead—it feels luxe and gives you more control over the mood in your space.”

—EMM A BERYL, INTERIOR DESIGNER

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STOP FIGHTING IT:

The

’70s are

back Once you see the cast of O u t e r B a n k s g o a l l r e t r o, y o u w o n ’t b e a b l e t o r e s i s t a n y w a y.

82 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

Photographs

Fashion

by

by

Wo r ds by

ERIC R AY

CASSIE

R ACHEL

DAVIDSON

ANDERSON

TORGERSON

GET INTO THE GROOVE

You know what they say: “You have to look back to look forward.” And while that’s most likely some kind of geopolitical statement, it still applies here because style statements like flares, embroidery, and fringe are *absolutely* chic enough to last a while.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT On Chase: Bode shirt. Coach pants. Lucchese Bootmaker boots. On Jonathan: Todd Snyder shirt. Levi’s jeans. Clarks Originals shoes. Pamela Love necklace. On Rudy: What Goes Around Comes Around vintage shirt. Levi’s jeans. Clarks Originals shoes. Mejuri ring (left). John Hardy ring (right).

On Madison: R13 jacket. Pretties tank. Frame pants. Ancient Greek Sandals shoes. Gas Bijoux earrings.

Alltribes belt. On Madelyn: Dior shirt. Nili Lotan jeans. Pamela Love earrings. Legier rings.

“A l e xa, p l a y Fl e e t w o o d M a c o n r e p e a t.”

TA K E U P S PAC E

Yes, 10x that presence with bigger sleeves, shoes, and pant legs. No need to blend in when you’re dressed this good.

On Madelyn: Sea New York sweater. Mother jeans. Clergerie shoes. Syna Jewels ring. On Madison: Gucci vest and shirt. Nili Lotan pants. Ugg + Eckhaus Latta shoes. Ben-Amun earrings.

Mark Davis bracelet. Legier ring.

HOT TEST C O S TA R S …

EVER? In the months since the first season of beachy teen drama Outer Banks dropped last year, it’s been tough to say whether we’re more obsessed with the show itself or its truly next-level cast. (Pls see: every photo in this story of Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Rudy Pankow, and actual real-life couple Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes. Yeaaah.) By the time you read this, you’ve probably already started bingeing (or honestly, already finished) the entire wild, twisty second season—and if you haven’t, we need a word with your Netflix queue.

On Rudy: Alex Mill sweater. Bode pants. Coach shoes.

Roxanne Assoulin and Title of Work bracelets.

On Chase: Alanui cardigan. Lee Jeans jeans. Foundrae necklace. John Hardy ring. Vintage belt.

On Jonathan: Bode shirt. Legier ring.

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On Jonathan: Chaser shirt. Levi’s jeans.

On Madison: 3.1 Phillip Lim shirt. Billabong x Wrangler pants. Jia Jia necklace. Mark Davis bracelet.

On Madelyn: She Made Me bikini top. Gucci jeans.

On Chase: Todd Snyder shirt. Coach pants.

On Rudy: Bode shirt. Levi’s jeans.

Got ta appreciate t h e d e d ic a t i o n t o b o t h f a s hi o n and fun h a p p e nin g h e r e.

SUIT UP

Bras and bralettes have had their moments, but a new age is dawning. Rise, bikinis as tops! And shine like the low-key, effortless lewk you are!

86 C o s m o p o lit a n S e p t e m b e r 2021

C a n n o t. L o o k .

Aw a y. Fr o m. T his.

S m o l d e r. I t s p o w e r is t o o s t r o n g!!

C R O C H E T, B A B AY Y Y

Summer knits are here and they’re going particularly hard as a hot trend of 2021. CLEARLY not as hot as Madelyn and Chase though….

On Madelyn: Miu Miu dress. Cathy Waterman earrings.

On Chase: Alanui cardigan. Foundrae necklace.

P-p -p -p o ke r f a c e, p -p -p o ke r f a c e.

M u m-m u m-m u mm a a a h!

P I C K U P O N T H E PAT T E R N

Yes, fellas!! Get into the prints and you’ll also get the compliments. For anyone who isn’t quite ready to go full paisley or logomania, dip your toes in yonder fashion water with a flashy graphic tee.

On Chase: MadeWorn shirt. Lee Jeans jeans. Lucchese Bootmaker boots.

Mejuri necklace. On Jonathan: Gucci jacket, vest, tank, and pants.

Title of Work ring. On Rudy: Billy Reid jacket. Bode shirt. Levi’s jeans.

Luis Morais necklace. Fossil bracelet. Title of Work ring (index).

C H EC K M ATE

When in doubt about how to bring the ’70s into your modern wardrobe, just add these two patterns. And ideally, wear ’em at the same time or—even better—coordinate with a ~special someone~.

On Jonathan: Bode shirt and pants. Established necklace. Legier ring.

On Madison: Chloé dress. Ariana Boussard-Reifel earrings.

New York Vintage belt. Pamela Love ring.

F O R S H O P P I N G I N F O R M AT I O N , G O TO C O S M O P O L I TA N .C O M .

J us t t h e t h r e e o f us c h e e sin’, a mir it e, g u y s?

Hair: Andre Gunn at Art Department. Groomer: Christine Nelli at The Wall Group.

Makeup: Lilly Keys at A-Frame Agency. Manicure: Carla Kay at Cloutier Remix. Props: Cate Geiger Kalus. Tailor: Vita Gavrylyuk. Production: Crawford & Co Productions.

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90

L e t ’s talk about

hyper

pigmen

P H OTO I L L U S T R AT I O N S O U R C E I M A G E: S T U D I O F I R M A /S TO C K S Y.

tation,

Y O U K N O W I T A S the

dark spots that creep up out of nowhere to camp out on your face.

They’re ver y common and totally normal (hi, I’ve personally been dealing with them for years), but they can also

shall w e?

be extremely stubborn— and frustrating. Which is why, if you’d like to treat yours, you need this comprehensive guide,

Words by

LAUREN BALSAMO

perfectly timed (if I may say so myself) for the postsummer months, when

Illustrations by

those spots are most

KHADIJA HORTON

likely to settle in and stay a while. Here’s how to kick ’em out for good.

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THE THREE MOST COMMON FORMS, EXPLAINED B e c a u s e y o u c a n’t t r e a t d i s c o l o r a t i o n u n t i l y o u k n o w e x a c t l y w h i c h t y p e y o u h a v e .

Melasma

1 W H AT I T LO O KS L I K E

Big brownish patches most often on your cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or the area above your upper lip, says dermatologist Uchenna Okereke, MD. WHY IT HAPPENS

Sun exposure and hormones, mostly— hence why you may hear melasma called a “sunstache” or a “pregnancy mask.”

Other culprits include birth control pills, inflammation, excessive heat, and genetics.

WHO GETS IT

About 90 percent of people with melasma are women, mostly in their 20s to 40s, says Dr. Okereke. And “people with darker skin tones have more-active melaninproducing cells in their skin, making them more prone to melasma.” (Melanin, FYI, is the thing that gives color to your skin and hair.)

92

23% O F YO U A RE CU RRENTLY D E A LI N G WITH M EL ASM A .

YOUR DIY GAME PLAN

S h ani D ar d e n S k in Car e

Postinflammator y hyperpigmentation (PIH)

“It’s all about building a routine for your skin t ype and the kind of hyperpigmenta tion you have and then being consistent with that routine,” says dermatolo gist Shari M archbein, M D. That star ts with being religious about these four steps.

1 Sun spots

2 3 W H AT I T LO O KS L I K E

W H AT I T LO O KS L I K E

Dark spots, streaks, or scars in areas where skin has been irritated, inflamed, or injured, says dermatologist Jason Emer, MD.

Smallish (typically the size of a pencil eraser) tan or brown spots in areas that get chronic sun exposure, like your face, chest, and hands, says Dr. David.

First A id B e aut y

2

CLEANSE

T R E AT

Ditch the harsh scrubs and stripping washes (reminder: inflammation can trigger hyperpigmentation) for a gentle, sulfate-free option like Shani Darden’s.

This is where your serums with active ingredients (like vitamin C, retinol, and niacinamide) come into play. Use this lil chart to figure out the best one for your skin.

TRY S h ani D ar d e n S k in Car e Cl e ansin g S e r um, $38

What kind of hyperpigmentation do you have?

P H OTO I L L U S T R AT I O N S O U R C E I M A G E: J I M L A F F E R T Y/ T H E L I C E N S I N G P R O J E C T. F O R S H O P P I N G I N F O R M AT I O N , G O TO C O S M O P O L I TA N .C O M .

WHY IT HAPPENS

The name kinda says it all: Inflammation, which happens after your skin experiences any type of trauma (from things like acne, zit picking, rashes, or eczema), leads to an overproduction or irregular dispersion of melanin—and that process can leave a visible mark behind, says dermatologist Jennifer David, DO.

WHY IT HAPPENS

Both prolonged UV exposure sans SPF (from, say, a beach weekend) and incidental exposure (from, say, driving in the car or going for a walk) can cause these marks, especially as sun exposure adds up over time. The marks can start appearing as early as in your 20s.

S k inb et t e r S cie n ce

PIH is more common in people of color, says Dr. David, especially those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, but can definitely afflict anyone.

77%

Lighter skin tones are at higher risk, but anyone who skimps on regular SPF can get sun spots.

Mostly PIH and sun spots

How sensitive is your skin?

Are you dealing with active acne?

Um, it’s bothered by everything.

TRY First A id B e aut y Fa cia l Ra dian c e Nia cin amid e Dark Spot S e r um, $ 42

WHO GETS IT WHO GETS IT

Melasma

Ea d e m

It can handle *some* intensity.

TRY S k inCe ut icals Dis c o l o ra t io n D e f e ns e, $98

Yep!

No.

TRY S k inb et t e r S cie n ce A lp h a Re t Cl e a rin g S e r um, $125

Do you focus on your skincare routine in the a.m. or p.m.?

The a.m.

The p.m.

TRY

TRY

Ea d e m M ilk M a r ve l D a r k S p o t S e r um, $68

N e ut r o g e n a Stubborn M a r ks PM Tre a t m e nt, $18

O F YO U A RE CU RRENTLY D E A LI N G WITH PI H.

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YOUR DIY GAME PLAN

3 MOISTURIZE

Ce r aVe D ail y M oist u rizin g L o t io n, $14 f o r 12 oz.

Hydrated skin is happier and healthier and has a stronger skin barrier, all of which are key for minimizing hyperpigmentation.

Keep things simple—and effective—with a lightweight lotion that has hyaluronic acid and ceramides. They’ll draw moisture to your skin and lock it in for hours, respectively.

4 PROTECT

El t a M D U V G l ow B ro a d S p e c t r um S PF 36, $36. 50

94

Daily SPF is an absolute MUST. If you’re not committed to it, whatever else you’re doing to treat your melasma, PIH, and/or sun spots is pointless, since UV is one of the main reasons hyperpigmentation happens in the first place.

“Find a formula you like that’s got SPF 30 or more and stick to it,” says Dr. David.

AND HOW (AND WHEN) TO ENLIST PROFESSIONAL HELP Bad news first: At - home skincare rou tines take time—as in, a solid four to six months—to yield visible results. Good news nex t: If you want your hyperpig mentation gone quickly (like for a sp e cial event) and are ready to drop some $, you can head to a dermatolo gist for a...

BEFORE YOU GO THO...

“Pe e ls and l as e rs are p owe r f ul and sho ul d b e us e d c autio usl y, p ar ticul arl y on p a tie nt s wit h d ar ke r skin t y p e s, P H OTO I L L U S T R AT I O N S O U R C E I M A G E: O H L A M O U R S T U D I O/S TO C K S Y.

t o a void ir rit a tion and f ur t he r dis co l o ra tion,” sa ys J e nnif e r D a vid, D O. S o onl y eve r b o o k a t re a t me nt wit h a b o ard - c e r tifie d d e rm o r p l astic surg e on, and b e sure t o ask t o s e e b ef o re - and - af t e r pics of p a tie nt s wit h yo ur skin t one.

Chemical peel

Laser treatment

Chemical peels can successfully treat all kinds of hyperpigmentation, says Dr. David. [Editor’s note: In treating my own recurring melasma, I’ve gotten the most visible results from chemical peels.] Your derm will assess your skin and then cook up a blend of acids (like mandelic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and/or trichloroacetic acid) and skin brighteners (like vitamin C and hydroquinone) to exfoliate the top layer of your skin and, in the case of stronger peels, target irregular pigment in the deeper layers.

Prices vary from practice to practice, but expect to shell out $300+ per peel— and know that you may need more than one to get your ideal results.

There are various lasers that help brighten and even out skin, but the kind you need to know about is called nonablative fractional.

“This type of laser— when combined with a good skincare routine—is really the move for treating dark marks and melasma,” says Dr. Emer. It uses heat to help reduce pigment in the upper and deeper layers of the skin (and also stimulate collagen production, which is why it’s also commonly used for skin smoothing and tightening).

There are a bunch of these lasers out there, including Fraxel and Clear and Brilliant, but Dr. Emer recommends the Sciton Moxi (expect to spend around $800 for a treatment).

It is safe for all skin types, can be done year-round, and involves little to no healing time.

S e p t e m b e r 2021 C o s m o p o lit a n

95

t he last p age

IN MY

nightstand

Sweet Girl’s Isabela Merced knows her bedside is a beautiful sort of chaos. She likes it that way.

By MADELEINE FRANK REEVES

Current bedtime reading The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking, by Oliver Burkeman.

My overall nightst and vibe It looks organized, but don’t be fooled. Once you open the drawers, it’s like a disaster movie.

What ’s on top Candles, crystals, a cowboyhat incense holder, my phone charger, my glasses, and a turtle made of malachite.

I t ’s c a l l e d f in d in g y o u r *li g h t*.

L o o k it u p.

What I fall asleep to Reality TV. Specifically Bad Girls Club or Flavor of Love for the millionth time.

When it comes to alarms, I… Set three, eight minutes apart.

They’re labeled “lsadkjflsd,” “Feed Dogs,” and “Tacos.”

Always inside A ticket stub from when I took my mom to see a Hello Kitty exhibit when she was battling cancer.

JUST SO YO U K N OW

The action-y thriller that is Sweet Girl is now out on Netflix.

SA MI DR ASIN.

My snack sitch I hide food away from my brothers in there: gum, Girl Scout cookies, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and See’s Butterscotch Lollypops.

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