Things About You
WAYS YOU CAN STILL HAVE AN EPIC SUMMER Just realizing that the last couple of months haven’t been as awesome as you’d planned? Here’s how to break your summer out of snoozeville before Labor Day.
PLAY HOOKY
There’s nothing quite like taking a lastminute day off from work to do something you can only do this time of year. Map out an outdoor bar/restaurant/ice cream shop crawl and drag your BFF along, sampling everything from tacos to cocktails.
HIT THE ROAD
You may not be able to afford that Costa Rica vacation, but you can probably buy gas. Grab your man and head toward the water, stopping at random crazy places. Instagram pics to make an album later.
0 r, 1
Take 5, E
Never De-Tag Again
Pro photogs suggest this twoprong approach to taking a good photo at a moment’s notice. Put Your Best Cheek Forward
A new Wake Forest University study found that the left side of your face is more photogenic than the right side because it shows a greater range of emotion.
Use Your Chin
Elevate your chin, and push it forward to avoid the dreaded double-chin optical illusion. Just don’t go overboard or you’ll end up looking like a bobblehead. SOURCES: PHOTOGRAPHER CHRIS CLINTON; GETTY IMAGES STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER JAMIE MCCARTHY; PHOTOGRAPHER ALEXA MILLER
rsity of California at Santa A new study out of the Unive break to do something Barbara found that taking a with more clever ideas for mindless helps you come up number? Ten. That’s how a creative project. The magic ’re officially you many minutes you get before Birds, anyone? gry An of procrastinating. Game
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COSMOPOLITAN | August 2012
Total profile-pic material
l Grab a cup of coffee. Stepping out for some java will clear your mind so you don’t dwell on your misstep. SOURCE: VALERIE YOUNG, AUTHOR OF THE SECRET THOUGHTS OF SUCCESSFUL WOMEN
What Is It?
SONG LYRIC OMM T
Quote Where Is It Going?
Chest REGRET: You’ll Lower Face outgrow a ’toon (or a Back Finger Neck guy’s name). And anything generic might get too popular and feel lame. Things with REGRET: You’ll hate that personal meaning, like tramp stamp or boob tat a quote or song lyric, later (trust). Likewise for have staying power. any ink on your neck, finger, or, um, face. REGRET: There will Somewhere Else come a time when bigger is not better (at least in this sense). GO FOR IT!
Yes
l Create a Pinspiration board full of quotes and images that lift your mood. Log on and check it out whenever you feel in doubt.
l Keep a pair of hot red stilet tos under your desk, and slip them on for an instant boost. It sounds silly, but tweaking your appearance in a bold way can make you feel much better.
Y
Between shirtless dudes, craft beer, and cool tunes, an outdoor concert is the perfect place to create lasting memories. Visit musicfestivaljunkies.com to find out what’s happening near you.
(Sunflower and clock) PhotoDisc/Getty Images. (Model) ERIC RAY DAVIDSON.
GET YOUR FESTIVAL ON
REGRET: Bright colors fade and have to be retouched more—plus they’re harder (and more painful) to remove.
Feeling small?
You make one mistake on the job and suddenly you’re questioning everything you do. Squash negativity in seconds with these tips.
What Color Is It? (Smurfette) Photos 12/Alamy. (Rose, butterfly, tribal tattoos, lion, and mirror) istockphoto.com. (Cat) © Image Source/Corbis. (Bags, from top) Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images; KEVIN SWEENEY/STUDIO D.
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Will You Regret That Tat?
Pink recently told us that she’s over her tattoos, and with laser removal up 32 percent, it looks like she has company. Before you get inked, answer the questions below to be extra sure you’re not making a mistake.
The Confidence Booster You Can Stash Under Your Desk
Is It Larger Than Your Compact?
No
PICK YOUR POWER BAG
According to experts, your purse says a lot about you. Here’s how to say “I’m taking over the world!”
Embrace Structure Arm candy with squared-off edges will make people view you as powerful. “It reminds people of a briefcase, and they naturally associate that with success and power,” says Jennifer Baumgartner, PsyD, author of You Are What You Wear: What Your Clothes Reveal About You.
Stay Away From Slouchy Sack-shaped bags communicate more of a carefree attitude than a confident one. “It’s called a hobo bag for a reason,” says Baumgartner. “People connect it with a free-spirited person, someone who doesn’t have a strong sense of organization.”
SOURCE: ALLAN IZIKSON, A DERM WITH THE NEW YORK DERMATOLOGY GROUP IN MANHATTAN
August 2012 | COSMOPOLITAN
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You know what ses…. they say about big no
Things About You
SOURCE: FREDERICK CONRAD, RESEARCH PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF THE PROGRAM IN SURVEY METHODOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
The Real Reason You Didn’t Get Hired
There’s nothing worse than a job coming down to you and one other person…then not getting it. What gives? We asked professional recruiters to reveal what sways them toward one candidate, and everyone we talked to said pretty much the same thing:
“Thank you for be li in my weirdnesse!”ving —Katy Perry to her fans
in Katy Perry: Part of
The 27-year-old star credits her quirkiness for making her famous, and experts say she’s on to something. “If you embrace your weirdness, people will flock to you so they can see what you’ll do next,” says psychologist Jennifer Hartstein, PsyD. So go ahead, dye your hair blue or reveal your love of anime. It’ll only make you seem that much more kick-ass.
GET INTERNET FAMOUS Issa hopes to take her show to TV.
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They prefer the person who limits their use of the word I. That’s because talking about yourself as part of a team makes you someone who really cares about the company rather than an individual who is arrogant and only concerned about her own success.
BEST NIGHT EVER
It’s a hot topic on Twitter…but how do you really make it happen? Add one awesome, unexpected thing.
Me 3-D
+ Your Work Crew
=
BEST GIRLS’ NIGHT EVER
=
BEST DATE EVER
2-for-1 Drink Specials
+ Your BFF
New Sparkly Dress
+ Your Guy
=
BEST HAPPY HOUR EVER
Meteor Shower (One is expected from August 12 to 13.)
The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl caught the eye of 500,000 viewers…and Pharrell Williams, who’s featuring the web series on his new YouTube channel. The show’s creator, Issa Rae, 27, told us how to create your own.
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FILL A VOID
Issa saw an article about the lack of smart, funny characters, like 30 Rock’s Liz Lemon, who are black and she thought, “I have to hurry up and get on this!”
COSMOPOLITAN | August 2012
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HAVE NO SHAME
No budget? No worries. Ask for help, like Issa did: “I got a friend to film for me, and all the actors are friends or friends of friends.”
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DO WHAT YOU DO
She calls her show “an extended version of my experiences and pet peeves.” Meaning: Do what you know, and it will resonate.
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BE CONSISTENT Posting regularly is important, says Issa: Viewers anticipate it, so treat it like a job, and give yourself deadlines to stay on track.
5
PROMOTE YOURSELF
When the show launched, Issa spent a lot of time spreading the word on Twitter and Facebook. You know how to use those, right?
(Pinocchio and drinks) istockphoto.com. (Illustration) ANDY FRIEDMAN. (Female models and male model) CHRIS CLINTON. (Female model) ERIC RAY DAVIDSON. (Meteor shower) © Tony Hallas/Science Faction/Corbis. (Rae) Isaac Matthew White.
The New Truth Serum
Want an honest answer from your friend or guy? Text them your question. New research shows people are more likely to tell the truth via text than on the phone. The theory is that when people won’t have to listen to your reaction, they feel more comfortable being honest.