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    Blog Posts by Cosmopolitan.com

    • This Photo Can Make You Gain Weight

      Just say 'no.'Just say 'no.'

      If you're trying to stay super-fit before your upcoming beach vacay, steer clear of food porn. No, really.

      By Korin Miller

      According to a new study from the University of Southern California, photos of high-calorie foods like cupcakes, sodas, pizza-pretty much anything yummy-flip a switch in your brain that makes you crave them.

      For the study, researchers scanned the brains of women as they were shown photos of high-calorie (hamburgers, cookies, etc.) and low-calorie foods (veggies and fruits). After participants viewed the photos, they were asked to rate their hunger levels and whether they were craving sweet or savory foods on a scale of one to 10.

      Related: 8 Surprising Foods That Are Loaded With Sugar

      Halfway through the study, researchers had the women drink 50 grams of glucose and later 50 grams of fructose, which are the main components of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.

      The results: Women had greater cravings for high-calorie foods when they

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    • Reversible Fashion for the Morning After

      Crashing at your guy's place is hot, but walking home in the same outfit as the night before is, um, not so much. These pieces work double-duty, so you don't have to worry about what you're going to wear the next day. Another bonus: You'll have more time to stay in bed with your hottie.

      By Rebecca Davis

      Mini DressMini Dress




      This second-skin mini is perfect for girl's night and sleepovers, since its inner layer is solid black. Aka, you can turn it inside out so no one has to know you didn't sleep at home.

      Rip Curl Tribal Stripe Reversible Dress, $45.50, pacsun.com.







      Two-in-One HeelsTwo-in-One Heels

      Okay, these pumps are a must-have for any girl who can't stand the pain that pumps bring on after a night of dancing. They have built-in flats that slip out so you can slip them on as you're on your way home. Bonus: They can also offer up a new look if you've stayed the night at his house and need to head to work ASAP.

      Nael Coce Collection Ambi Platform, $99, naelcoce.com.





      Reversible SkinniesReversible Skinnies



      Opting for convertible bottoms is an easy way

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    • Why You Could Be Eating More Than You Think


      Scientists say our brain has trouble gauging how big something is.Scientists say our brain has trouble gauging how big something is.You already know you need to eat well and exercise regularly in order to score a killer beach body. But new research has found that your brain might be working against you.

      By Korin Miller

      A recent Harvard study found that we regularly think serving sizes are smaller than they actually are, leading us to eat and drink more than we realize. In the study, researchers asked 294 people to estimate how much liquid was in a variety of cups (starting at 12 ounces and working up to a whopping 50-ouncer). Study participants consistently guessed wrong, estimating that the bigger cups held 20 to 40 percent less liquid than they actually did. (Other studies found the same results using jelly beans, popcorn, ice cream, and booze.) What's up with that?

      Related: 8 Foods That Keep You Slim All Summer

      Scientists say our brain just has trouble accurately gauging how big something is. With foods that are packaged a certain way, like drinks that have wider tops than bottoms, it becomes even harder for

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    • 8 Easy Ways to Eat Healthy

      Sure, you know you should be eating several servings of fruits and veggies a day and snacking healthy to stay fit-but it doesn't always happen. That's why we consulted nutritionists for their tips on little ways to add healthy stuff to your diet. They're so easy and delish, you'll barely notice the difference.

      By Korin Miller

      Scoop this up for a low-cal treat.Scoop this up for a low-cal treat.


      1. Love ice cream, but want something more nutritious (with a fraction of the calories)? Freeze bananas and then blend them for a yummy banana soft serve.




      Channel your inner Popeye with this veg.Channel your inner Popeye with this veg.



      2. Add a handful of spinach to your chicken parm, sandwich, omelette…you get the idea. It's loaded with fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A, and cancer-fighting flavonoids, among other things, so you're getting a serious nutritional boost.
      Related: 9 Ways to Look Hotter Naked




      Put this on EVERYTHING.Put this on EVERYTHING.



      3. Sprinkle flax seeds in your burger meat and pancake batter. They have a delish, slightly nutty flavor, so you'll get a nice serving of fiber and heart-friendly omega-3s with a subtle flavor kick.




      Slide these into your pasta sauce.Slide these into your pasta sauce.




      4. Grate or dice veggies into any type of

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    • 8 Times You Should Say 'No'

      The word 'No' can be very powerful. Use it.The word 'No' can be very powerful. Use it.It seems every young actress in Hollywood is scrambling to land the role of Anastasia in the movie version of Fifty Shades of Grey. But not Selena Gomez. In fact, she recently told reporters that if she were offered the role, she'd likely say no. We respect her for knowing what she wants-and doesn't want. And sometimes saying no might just save you from making a huge mistake. Like these girls:

      By Amary Wiggin

      "My aunt was training to be a hairdresser and asked my cousins and me to be her guinea pigs. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, I said I'd just gotten a haircut (lie), but my cousins agreed to do it. They all ended up with these hideous little-girl bobs. Everyone, including my aunt, was in tears. So glad I dodged that bullet." -Samantha B.

      "A huge cable network tried to lure me away from my company, telling me I was the only person who was right for the job. I had a bad feeling about the way the CEO spoke to me about the offer, as if my questions weren't important. I turned him

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    • 10 Couples Vacation Ideas from Men

      Guys spill what they want to do on vacation with you.Guys spill what they want to do on vacation with you.We asked guys what makes a summer trip with you a home run. Their answers were a little all over the map, but we did notice one common theme: When it comes to vacations, most guys are all about action (in more ways than one).

      By Annie Daly

      "If I'm away with just my girl, I'm hoping she will want to do something active - water sports, hiking, whatever. I love any kind of adrenaline-pumping activity." -Andrew B.

      "As much as I love vacationing with my girlfriend, sometimes it's nice to spend one day each doing our own thing. She loves shopping for souvenirs and hitting up flea markets - and I like to avoid that at all costs. So we pick one day to do go our separate ways and then meet up at night for a romantic dinner." -Hunter T.

      Related: Guys Describe The Best Kisses They Ever Had

      "I'll go to the hotel spa any day. Couples massage? Great!" -Tom S.

      "When I'm on a tropical vacation, I want to explore my surroundings, not just lie in the sun all day. Once I rented a scooter, and my

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    • How to Master the Bombshell Blowout

      Use these easy steps to get Kate Middleton's hair.Use these easy steps to get Kate Middleton's hair.The salon isn't the only place where you can get a star-worthy blowout. Make it happen at home by following these steps.

      By Cosmopolitan

      We love Kate Middleton's high-style, low-fuss look. Celeb hairstylist Guido recommends you prep first by rubbing a thickening lotion, like Redken Fabricate 3 Heat Active Texturizer, $16, amazon.com, through damp strands. It will give extra grip to your brush so you can create a smooth finish.

      Related: 8 Hairstyles That Are Perfect for the Beach





      Step 1Step 1

      1. Always work from the bottom layers up when blow-drying your mane - pinning the top portion out of your way helps you better see what you're doing.

      2. Using a medium-size round brush, grab hair at the roots and run the brush down strands, moving the blow-dryer over the brush as you go. Make sure you point the nozzle down; this flattens the cuticle to prevent frizz and keep hair looking shiny. Do this until your mane is dry.

      Related: 7 Celebs Who Shaved Their Heads

      3. Next, mist on a thermal-straightening

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    • How Money Buys You Happiness

      All the more reason to shop!All the more reason to shop!You've probably already heard that spending money on an experience like a cooking class can make you happier than dropping cash on material things (sunglasses, dresses, etc.). But new research found that the reason why you do it is even more important.

      By Korin Miller

      According to a study from San Francisco State University, it's important to spend money because you want to. Spending money on an experience to impress someone else won't make you happy at all.

      Related: 7 Secrets to Happiness

      For the study, scientists surveyed 241 people and found that people who bought experiences like concert tickets or a vacation because they wanted to felt fulfilled and happy. Those who did it because they thought it might impress someone felt more bummed out and less connected to other people afterward.

      Related: 9 Easy Ways to Boost Your Mood

      Of course, if you happen to want to check out a new band and it'll impress your crush in the process, you're all good. Just don't shell out to hear music

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    • Why Salad Dressing is Good for You

      Um, salad dressing!Um, salad dressing!Die-hard fat-free salad dressing fan? You might want to rethink that. According to a new study, dressing with a little fat is actually good for you. That is, as long as you're using the right type and amount.

      By Korin Miller

      Researchers from Perdue University discovered that people who ate salads topped with dressing that included monounsaturated fat were more likely to absorb vitamins from the salad's veggies-specifically carotenoids, which boost your immune system and protect your cells from disease-causing free radicals.

      Related: 13 Healthy Foods Than Can Make You Pack on The Pounds

      Dressings that have olive and canola oil bases are the best source for monounsaturated fats, and researchers discovered that just three grams of fat will do the trick, so no need to go wild with the dressing.

      Related: 8 Foods That Keep You Slim All Summer

      Even better: Monounsaturated fat is considered a "good fat"-namely, it can help improve your cholesterol levels when you eat it in moderation.

      Our

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    • 8 Weird Things that Happen when You Fall in Love

      Ah, to be in love...Ah, to be in love...Miley Cyrus may have recently announced her engagement, but the team that worked with her on The Last Song says they saw sparks from the very first on-set kiss that Miley shared with her now-fiance Liam Hemsworth. And turns out, sparks are a for-real phenomenon that create a whole lot of kooky changes in your brain and bod. Here are some of the biggies.

      By Anna Davies

      Your Brain Acts Like It's on Drugs
      When you're falling in love, the rush of chemicals that flood your brain-oxytocin, dopamine, adrenaline and vasopressin-are similar to the types of chemicals released by heroin.

      You May Get a Little Overshare-y
      An hour ago, you were strangers. Now you're spilling how you slept with a stuffed bunny 'til you were 10. Your brain decides in 20 minutes whether or not a person is trustworthy-so feeling safe swapping stories is a good sign you're on your way to a solid bond.

      You Get a Spine-Tingling Rush
      You know those shivers that start when you hear an awesome song like "Rollin' in the

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