Blog Posts by The Frisky

"Some women are just happier in a relationship."

As my shrink said this, my jaw dropped to the floor. Did she really just say that? The woman who had feminist literature on her bookshelf and never failed to induce a pep rally of self-empowerment at the end of each session?

We were, of course, discussing (OK fine, I was complaining) about my lack of a boyfriend, and inability to get over some of the ones I did have. For me, I surmised from my psychotherapy high horse, the issue was about loneliness and, therefore, about some childhood father complex. I thought I sounded smart; it seemed like something my psychiatrist would say herself.

But her response was both jarring and a relief. Some women are just happier in a relationship. Huh? Isn't the modern woman supposed to be totally amazing on her own? But at the same time, the tension in my heart unclenched as I considered the phrase that potentially answered all of my romantic issues.

Was I one of those women? And do

Read More »from Girl Talk: What If You DO Need A Man?

In a recent Salon article, Mary Elizabeth Williams challenges the idea that women and men can't be friends. Because, as you might know, there's been a rumor going around that straight women and straight men can never be friends, since sex always gets in the way. Supposedly, the best options ladies have for companions are among their own gender (or gay dudes). As films like "The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants" demonstrate, female bonds are some of the strongest. But does that make male/female friendships doomed and worthless? No!

Some of my best friends are males. No, not the stereotypically flamboyant (and wonderful) gay friends that appear in TV shows like "Sex and the City" or "Will & Grace," but the heterosexual, interested-in-ladies type. I don't have any desire to sleep with my male buddies, and I don't think they want to get in my pants either. I'm also not one of those girls who claims she just gets along better with men and that she finds it "hard" to have girlfriends

Read More »from Guys Can Offer Great Friendships, Too!

AMC TV
If you actually won a walk-on role on an episode of "Mad Men," wouldn't you be hyperventilating too heavily to do Sterling Cooper justice?

Probably, but apply to Banana Republic's contest anyway! Starting today, upload a photo of yourself decked out in righteous '60s style on AMC's website, using a code number from Banana Republic stores before August 11. The lucky winner will receive a $1,000 gift certificate to Banana Republic and a scene-stealing cameo on "Mad Men." So far the contest entries, available for viewing online, look like a lot of cheesy Hollywood-wannabes who uploaded head shots which aren't in authentic '60s style, so your chances look good! [Simcha, this looks like a contest for you!-Editor]

But, if upstaging Don Draper isn't your thing, whittle away the afternoon on MadMenYourself.com (Adobe Flash Player 10 required), where you can create your own "Mad Men"-style avatar and deck her out in '60s threads. A fur stole? A pencil skirt? Cat eye glasses. We're so on it.Read More »from It’s A Mad, Mad “Mad Men” Casting Call For A Walk-On Role On The Show

iStockPhoto

As rational, educated women, we know in our heads that when it comes to the often outlandish promises skincare companies make, applying a so-called wrinkle cure will not actually erase lines from our face. As people bombarded with airbrushed images of perfect, supernaturally youthful skin and famous idols who fight each skin fold with a double dose of Botox, it's safe to say that we're warily interested in aging and the lack thereof. And when it comes to beauty products in general, is it really so crazy to ask for something that does what it promises? According to a Daily Mail report, we may be getting closer to true product efficacy and real, not just promised, miracles in a jar.

By borrowing technology from genomics and the pharmaceutical industry, huge beauty companies like Proctor & Gamble and L'Oreal are spending big research and development dollars to help identify the genes that cause aging, and how they can slow the inevitable via topical lotions, creams and serums. Olay's Read More »from What Would Happen If Anti-Aging Products Really Worked?

SplashNews
Earlier this month we asked readers of The Frisky, "Do you dress for men or women?" Most of you said you dress for yourself, period, which is why we thought you'd be interested in hearing about a controversial little article that ran in the New York Post this weekend. Writer Kyle Smith is very upset about women wearing maxi-dresses (a la the type Angie has helped make extra popular), and wants the ladies of NYC to know that these "urban burqas" aren't doing them any favors. But wait, it gets better, or um, worse…

Just when we thought Smith couldn't possibly get any more offensive, he goes there:

"It is said that women dress for other women, but where is it written that women must dress for the Taliban? If there is one abiding message we have been trying to send by making things go boom in Afghanistan for the last eight years, it is this: America has a profound moral obligation to advance a society in which women have the right to vote, get an education and be smoking

Read More »from Attention Ladies: This Male Writer Thinks Your Maxi Dress Is Ugly

It's undeniable that marriage and relationships in general look nothing like they did 40 years ago. What's happened? Women's lib, skyrocketing divorce rates, the death of the nuclear family-and that's just for starters. The whole game has changed. Sometimes I think that each generation exhibits a reactionary trend to their predecessors. I am part of the "divorced parents" era. Although my parents are still married, about 60 percent of all people I meet my age come from broken homes. While this phenomenon didn't necessarily make us "anti-marriage," it has certainly made us "marriage cautious" or "marriage disillusioned." As a modern woman I know the statistics - if I ever do tie the knot, I know it ain't gonna be all sunshine and roses. And that's why I plan to be as sure as I can possibly, possibly be. Before I exchange any vows, I've made a vow to myself: I MUST live with someone before I marry them. I'm not alone in this thinking. About 70 percent of couples are cohabitating

Read More »from Girl Talk: Is It Bad To Live Together Before Marriage?

Ever since Barbie celebrated her 50th birthday, the icon has been appearing everywhere from news shows to Hollywood to basically every single international edition of Vogue to name a few venues, and fashion runways across the world have been no exception. We even caught a glimpse of her at Dior's couture show, in a way. How to get the look, after the jump!

As is her custom, makeup artist Pat McGrath created a number of amazing looks for the show, but we were especially obsessed with this version for two reasons: A) It's reminiscent of the faces of those fierce vintage Barbies our aunts used to let us play with on special occasions, (that's also before Barbie switched to an all pastel/pink palette, yuck!); and B) We would totally rock a toned-down version of this in real life. Dior's new for fall shades 1-Colour Powder Mono Eyeshadow in Crystal White #006 and Rouge Dior Lipstick in Red Icon don't launch until September, but in the meantime, you can practice your cat eye swoosh

Read More »from Fall Beauty Preview: Dior’s “New (Vintage) Look”

Few things are more entertaining than bad date stories. Who wants to hear about hearts and flowers when flatulence and festering sores are so much more fun? Which is why when my friend Sal wanted to share what she assured me were horror stories about her recent attempts at online dating, I was ecstatic - joke material!

As I slid onto the bar stool next to her, I noticed she looked a little down. I immediately felt guilty about my initial excitement. Hmm. "What happened?" I asked.

"Nothing really," she shrugged. It seems she'd met up with two different men and both were just meh. "I had nothing in common with either," she complained.

"And?" I inquired.

She shot me a look. "And what?" she answered. "They were both really boring."

Oh, Sal! While boring definitely isn't good, dullness doesn't even enter the realm of the awful. Bad is catching him rifling through your purse or making out with the waitress. Horrible is when you notice he's sexting your best friend.

My

Read More »from Dating Don’ts: It’s Time For A Dating Attitude Adjustment