Blog Posts by Refinery29

By Vanessa Golembewski, Refinery29

Kristen Stewart has propped herself up on two rather sturdy pillars when it comes to her wardrobe: One, that she does not want to have her clothing draw any further attention from paparazzi, and two, that a girl's outfit ought to match her energy, and if she doesn't feel like dressing up, then so be it. With such a cavalier approach to everyday style, it's quite impressive that Stewart has managed to once again top Glamour U.K.'s list as Best Dressed Woman, defeating both Emma Watson and the Duchess.

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Praised for her "personal rock-chick style," this is the second year in a row Stewart has topped the list, a bit to our surprise. This isn't to say that Stewart has been without her fabulous red carpet moments, but she's also had some notable flops (shortened Erdem dress, anyone?). What do you think, though? Is KStew worthy of a two-year victory, or would you have voted for one of the runners up?

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By Vanessa Golembewski, Refinery29

Well, this is interesting: Hands up if your idea of intimacy doesn't include stirrups and latex gloves - yeah, we know. But, while we prefer to keep the word "annual" to our gardening jargon, the yearly exam is a must-discuss when it comes to gyno health. So, you can imagine our delight when we heard this: apparently, the annual pelvic exam, dubbed the "bimanual," may not be as necessary as we thought.

Annual pelvic exams are typically used to screen for possibly cancerous changes and STIs (STDs for all you '90s kids). But, according to more and more doctors, a simple pee-in-cup and swabbing exercise is as effective, and significantly less invasive. The exams also increase the cost of medical care and aren't totally medically necessary if you're not symptomatic. Besides, abnormal results often cause alarm when there isn't any real reason for concern, leading to equally unnecessary surgeries and subsequent complications.

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By Tara Rasmus, Refinery29

.You've probably heard about açaí berries, but with food trends coming and going so quickly, it's possible that the facts about the fruit have gotten muddled with myths. Wanting to give you the real deal (and debunk the, well, bunk), we did a little research on exactly what exactly the deal is with these cute fruits - and the true benefits that they can bring to your diet.

"Açaí berries are deep purple fruit, about the size of a grape, that comes from the açaí palm tree, found in Central and South America," says Amy Shapiro, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. of Real Nutrition NYC. Especially plentiful near the Amazon, these sweet-tart berries have a flavor that Shapiro describes as "a marriage between a blackberry and dark chocolate." Sounds delicious, no?

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As far as açaí being a nutritional superfood - well, you've heard right on that one. Says Shapiro: "The açaí berry is very rich in nutrients; they are a wonderful

By Rebecca Taras, Refinery29

Listen up: Just because beach weather is a few weeks away does not mean you have to go on a crazy crash diet. Instead, we suggest you take action with these expert-approved tips to get your body (and mind!) in tip-top shape - the healthy way. From inspirational eating ideas to quickie workout secrets, consider this the ultimate countdown-to-summer fitness cheat sheet. Follow this advice and swimsuit shopping will be a breeze.

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By Erin Phraner, Refinery29

Still associate gin gimlets with Granny's bridge club? Well, not anymore. We refurbished the overlooked drink - traditionally a 50-50 mix of Rose's Sweetened Lime Juice and gin - with fresh new flavors, like rhubarb, cucumber, and smoky pineapple.

Master these recipes and then invite friends over for happy hour. You'll dazzle them with these newfangled gimlets, served up or on the rocks - it's your choice...you're the bartender, after all!

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Rhubarb Gimlet -- The sweet-tart tang (and gorgeous rosy hue!) of this farm-to-highball cocktail comes from a simple DIY rhubarb syrup. Store leftover syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Better yet, double the syrup recipe and keep it on hand for homemade happy hours all month long!

Ingredients
3 stalks rhubarb, chopped, plus more for garnish (optional)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup

By Kelsey Miller, Refinery29

.It's a simple thing - limes, liquor, and salt. Yet, the margarita has the power to turn an otherwise ordinary evening into an occasion. As soon as the temperature goes up, this fresh, tart quaff is all we want, all the time. But for such a bar basic, there is endless debate over what makes a good one. Ask any bartender, and they'll deliver an epic monologue on the margarita, complete with story arc and lighting effects. People care about crafting this drink, and we get it. So with Cinco de Mayo upon us, we want you to be prepared. We reached out to international mixology pro Marshall Altier, gathered all his must-know tips, and took them in to the R29 test kitchen to do some serious research. It was a long day at work (we think?), but you can thank us later.

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Tip #1: Always use fresh lime juice. ALWAYS. If you're making a party-sized portion, a simple citrus

By Megan McIntyre, Refinery29

.Exfoliation: A crucial step to maintaining a clear, glowing, gorgeous complexion - or is it? While all of the doctors and aestheticians we've spoken to over the years agree that it's a necessary step to make your skin looks its best, they also told us that it's the number-one skin care product they see women abuse.

"Women think that if they exfoliate more frequently, they will get rid of dead skin cells," says Dr. Marko Lens, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of the skin care line Zelens. "However, they don't know that this will not give the skin time to follow a natural renewal process - the so-called natural turnover of epidermal cells - which is crucial in skin regeneration." And, depending on your skin type, that can lead to anything from more breakouts to thin skin, dryness, and premature aging. Yikes.

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According

By Tara Rasmus, Refinery29

Wake up! Winter's officially over, and your hibernating routine is so last season. The arrival of spring's skin-baring clothes can be terrifying if you, like us, haven't exactly been following your get-fit resolution. Fear not, friends: We teamed up with one of our favorite trainers, Frank Henderson (yes, he trains R29!), to give us a quick and simple workout routine that will whip legs, abs, and glutes into shape.

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According to Henderson, getting a strong core and lower body is about more than simply getting washboard abs and a perky butt. "All of the muscles from your knees to your armpits on the front, back and sides of the body form your core," says Henderson. "A strong core lowers risk of injury to your knees, hips, and lower back." For each of the following six moves, Henderson recommends working up to two or three sets of 15 reps per move