Blog Posts by Cosmopolitan.com

You man hates it when you say this...You may not even realize you're doing it, but saying these three little words is an instant turn-off to guys, not to mention awful for your own self-esteem. Writer Josh Aiello wants to put a stop to the pervasive phrase forever.


By Josh Aiello

If you want to turn off a guy fast, allow me to recommend three magic words. To guys, these words are the Holy Grail of annoying things girls say, the abracada bra of instantaneous mood killers, the uglier cousin to the infamous lose-lose query: "Do I look fat in this?" The three words we pray you will never say to us: "I look fat."

Imagine the worst thing a guy could say to you (thought joggers: "I'm in love with your sister," "I killed a man..."), multiply it by 10, add a full weekend of nothing but golf on TV--and you'll start to understand just how awful it is for us to hear "I look fat" coming out of a girl's mouth, especially a girl we really like or, worse, love. Take it from my

Be the best girlfriend with these moves.We know you wanna make your guy happy as much as you can, so we got experts to dish advice on how you can please your man. These tips are so simple, you'll be able to execute ASAP and soon your dude will be calling you the best girlfriend ever.

By Dara Adeeyo

1. Leave Him Alone
Not all the time. But when he first comes home from work, or when he's really stressed out about something, sometimes what a guy wants most is to be quiet and by himself for a little while. When a guy's lady recognizes this and gives him that space, he notices and is grateful.

2. Let Him Be in Charge
Let's face it. Guys like to feel like they're in control. Try letting go of your need to be right (even when you probably are). Sometimes you just need to let him pick the route, the restaurant, or the movie without interjecting your "better" idea. This will make him feel like he's in charge and that you trust him.

Related: 6 Times He Wants You to Take Control

3. Give Him A Sexy Surprise

Edith Windsor The Supreme Court is set to hear two cases on same-sex marriage this week-Hollingsworth vs. Perry on Tuesday and United States vs. Windsor on Wednesday-and at the root of these these two pivotal cases are some damn courageous women.

By Natasha Burton

The first case is between Kristin Perry, who married her partner Sandra Stier in San Francisco in 2004 only to have the nuptials reversed by the Supreme Court, and former state senator Dennis Hollingsworth, who staunchly defended Prop 8, the California measure banning gay marriage. Perry and Stier, who have been together for 10 years and have four children together, felt compelled to take action with the passing of the marriage ban in 2008, when they decided to become advocates of the cause. Now, Perry's name could end up being as recognized as "Jane Roe," the alias as the heart of Roe v. Wade.

In the second case, Edith Windsor (pictured above), is taking on the entire country, challenging how the Defense of Marriage Act banned federal

Gwyneth Paltrow and Tracy AndersonIs the Blow-Dry bar the new celebrity fragrance?

By Carly Cardellino

It would seem so. Shortly after Rachel Zoe and business partner Robin Moraetes opened Dream Dry in NYC, we caught wind that Gwyneth Paltrow and Tracy Anderson were headed down that same perfect hair path, teaming up with David Babaii to open up a gorgeous blow dry bar within Tracy's new Brentwood studio.

Not that we're complaining-the more blow dry bars, the better.

Related: Major! Rachel Zoe Opens DreamDry

"We are so excited to have partnered with David Babaii on the blow dry bar that we'll be offering to members of our flagship studio located in Brentwood, CA," Tracy Anderson tells Cosmopolitan.com. "As our members transform themselves into the women and men they want to be [in the studio], the David Babaii team will design a hairstyle customized for their face shape and lifestyle, as well as a product regime of what to use to keep them looking their best while [they're] on the go."

Prices are yet to be decided

Waiting to get married is better on your wallet.There's a new reason that women shouldn't stress about finding "The One" in their twenties: Marrying later in life can be better for your bank account, according to a new study of college-educated women by The University of Virginia.

By Carson Griffith

Ladies who walk down the aisle in their thirties earn an average of 56 percent (!) more than their counterparts who get married more than a decade prior. The average marrying age in the U.S is at an all-time high for women at 27, compared to 1990 when the average was 23, according to The National Marriage Project's study. So, child brides are on the decline.

But when it comes to guys, it's the reverse. Men who tie the knot in their twenties tend to have higher incomes overall than those who wait until after 30, no matter what education level they possess, finds the study. The average marrying age for men is also increasing, despite the apparent financial bonus: In 1990, the average was 26, while now it's 29.

Related: How Not to Marry

Miley shows off her bling.Um, earth to media: Engaged women don't wear their engagement rings 100 percent of the time, mkay?

By Natasha Burton

There's been some speculation about Miley Cyrus and her fiance Liam Hemsworth's relationship of late because (gasp!) Miley has been spotted WITHOUT HER RING ON. Seriously?! (ICYMI, Miley posted a photo on her Twitter page, as seen above, showing her brandishing her bling.)

Sure, you would think that an engaged gal would never want to take her diamond off her finger-and I certainly felt that way the moment my guy put a ring on it-but the fact is, after a couple months, I forget to wear mine all the time. And I always take it off before going to the gym now after getting a couple of ring-induced blood blisters. So, when I'm bopping around town, I'm probably only wearing my ring about half the time. Not a big deal.

I think it's a bit ridic that gossip sites determine a couple's relationship status based on whether or not a chick is wearing her

Researchers think they've figured out why women stay with abusive men.Ever wonder why women who have been abused by their man stay in the relationship? Researchers think they've figured out why.

By Dara Adeeyo

According to a Purdue University study, girls who date an abusive guy are happier than they expected when the relationship ends. This is an obvious duh, but the study noticed that the women in the study projected their happiness to be low if the relationship ended, suggesting that this is why (aside from the mental abuse) many women stay in abusive relationships.

Related: This Time, Rihanna Is in Control

So if you're dating someone that has either shoved, controlled, sworn at, or humiliated you, you need to end your relationship. There's no doubt breakups suck. It'll be sad and hard to emotionally detach from someone who has pretty much brainwashed you, but staying in an unhealthy relationship will cause you more long-term problems. And maybe this study is a sign: You'll be happier than you think to put him behind you.

You

Eat this to help fight the bloat.You went to sleep skinny. So why does it feel like you gained the entire freshman 15 overnight? "Your weight can change anywhere from one to five pounds in a day due to hormone fluctuations, what you eat, and water retention," says Melinda Jampolis, MD, a physician in L.A. If you're bloated all the time and also have stomach pain, see a doctor--it could be a medical issue. If it's just once in while...well, that's what we're here for.

By Jessica Herman

1. Use Instagram
"Pull up a favorite pic of yourself on your phone, and look at it during the day," suggests Ashley Solomon, a psychologist in Chicago. You may feel more preggo than hot chica right now, but the image reminds you how you felt in that moment. Warm fuzzies may ensue.

2. Activate Your Abs
"Rotating your core muscles helps force gas out of your intestines," says Lindsay Hallam, a Pilates instructor at The Studio (MDR), in Marina del Rey, California. Get into side-plank position, and bring your top arm