Cosmopolitan articles from July 2004

Cosmopolitan archives from July 2004

Passion polls.(Get a fun and fabulous daily dose of Cosmo by clicking on cosmopolitan.com)
July 1, 2004... Take our new passion polls to discover how you compare to other readers when it comes to dating, love, and sex. You'll find them at www.cosmopolitan.com/passionpolls.

Win $10,000.(Get a fun and fabulous daily dose of Cosmo by clicking on cosmopolitan.com)
July 1, 2004... Each month, the spine of Cosmo shows one sliver of a 2003 Guy Without His Shirt. When you stack all 12 issues together, you'll have one hot hunk. Guess who he is before we unveil his face and you could win $10,000! View what's been revealed so...

How you rated May's guy without his shirt.(Get a fun and fabulous daily dose of Cosmo by clicking on cosmopolitan.com)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 To gaze at buff boys all day, go to www .cosmopolitan.com/wallpaper and decorate your computer desktop with hot Cosmo men.

Book Club.(Get a fun and fabulous daily dose of Cosmo by clicking on cosmopolitan.com)(www.cosmopolitan.com/bookclub)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... You've been begging for a list of our Book Club recommendations. Now you can find all the titles of your favorite frisky fiction (and perfect beach-blanket reading) at www.cosmopolitan.com/bookclub. And with just a click, you can purchase...

Go-to-your-gyno reminder.(Get a fun and fabulous daily dose of Cosmo by clicking on cosmopolitan.com)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Getting a Pap smear may not be your idea of fun, but it can save your life. So sign up for Cosmo's free Pap-test prompter at www.cosmopolitan.com/ papprompt. You'll receive an annual or biannual e-mail that reminds you to see your doc.

Buzzworthy: the promos, products and hot happenings that have people talking.(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... SEX AND THE CITY ON DVD! Will it be from Russia with love for Carrie? Is Smith "The One" for Sam? Find out on Sex and the City[R]: Season Six: Part One. Now available on DVD from HBO Video[R]. HBO[R] and Sex And The City[R] are service...

Angelina's hot style.(The Cosmo Cover Look)
July 1, 2004... For a look like Angelina's, try Terra Bella Sun Powder in #002, Addict Ultra-Gloss in #123, Eyeliners Pencil in #090, and 5-Colour Eyeshadow in #030, all by Christian Dior. WIN IT! Five lucky Cosmo readers will win all the makeup shown...

Worried about buns in the oven?(From The Editor)(Editorial)
July 1, 2004... * Since Cosmo is the single girl's bible, you might be surprised to find a big article about pregnancy in this issue ("What It's Really Like to Be Pregnant," page 138). But we figured that, with "all the celebrities who've been popping out...

This month's fun fearless females: the reasons these Cosmo readers live up to the title.(Christine Dennison, Scuba diver, New York City)(Brandy Odom, Police officer, Midland, Texas)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2004... Christine Dennison, 35 Scuba diver New York City Fearless: I run my own technical-diving company. What we do is more dangerous than typical scuba-diving expeditions because we go much deeper, often beneath ice or underwater...

You tell us.(May Issue)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... "I tried the '10 hot new sex positions with my guy. 'The thigh Master' sent him straight through the roof."--Veronica Vidrios, Bakersfield, Calif. * "I was thrilled to see Jessica Simpson on your May cover. People ridicule her for her...

Guy test-drive: one man mouths off about the May issue of Cosmo.(You Tell Us)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... "How to Make Him Feel Like a Man's spoke the truth. My girlfriend is 32 and very successful and independent. But she also strokes my ego, so I know that I'm important to her too. Which brings me to my next comment: 'The Dirt on Dating a Younger...

Split decision.(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2004... RAVE "I've had trouble motivating my guy to feel confident. Thanks to 'How to Make Him Feel Like a Man,' I now understand how I can help him take more control. It's always hot when a guy is self-assured."--Sarah Avery, Ashland, Oreg. ...

10 ways not to express your love for him.(July Cosmo commandments)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... 1 Enroll in a tantric sex workshop so you can discover--together--the erotic power of intense eye contact and deep breathing. 2 Photoshop a picture of what your child might look like. 3 Say "I love you" whenever he leaves a room,...

Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.(Confessions)(Column)
July 1, 2004... Home-Court Disadvantage "The winter basketball tournament was coming up at my college. I liked one of the guys on our team, so I went to the first big game. In case we struck up a conversation afterward, I wore supertight jeans and my sexy...

True or false.(ruses . . . and one of them really happened)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2004... [T][F] When police flashed down a Florida man for speeding, he failed to pull over because his naked girlfriend was on top of him. After. a half-mile chase, he claimed he couldn't stop because his girl's breasts were in his face. [T][F] An...

Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scams ever.(Guy Confessions)(Column)
July 1, 2004... Double D-ception "I was walking to my apartment one day when i ran into Lindsay, this girl from work who has a huge rack. I had a crush on her, so when she told me that she had missed her bus and her cell was dead, I said she could come to...

Angelina Jolie: what you never knew ... until now! When it comes to certain aspects of her life, Angelina is an open book, but other parts remain an enigma. Cosmo dug deep into this ever-intriguing actress's world to find answers to the stuff you've been curious about.(Star Story)(Interview)
July 1, 2004... Over the years, Angelina Jolie has fascinated us with her every move. Stories of taking knives to bed, that lingering kiss with her brother at the 2000 Oscars, and over-the-top displays of affection toward her former husband Billy Bob Thornton...

Q: where did Paris Hilton's cleavage come from? She used to be flat as a board.(informer)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A: Paris's agent says Miss Hilton has not bad a boob job. A friend of the star socialite confirms this. She told Cosmo that even through Paris has recently become totally obsessed with having big boobs and is likely using pushup bras and...

Q: is it true Luke and Owen Wilson have another brother?(informer)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A: Yes, they have an older bro, Andrew, 39, who is also an actor. Andrew's had small roles in many of his brothers' films, including The Big Bounce and both Charlie's Angels flicks, and he and Luke are directing The Wendell Baker Story, which...

Q is Danny Moder's career on the fast track now that he's hitched to Julia?(informer)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A According to John Amman, a business representative at the International Cinematographers Guild, a successful camera operator works on at least two or three films a year. Danny does only one movie a year, but since marrying Julia, he's been...

Q: does Jessica play dumb on Newlyweds?(Informer)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A: Jessica Simpson admits to putting on a ditzy front, but she swears it's not just for the camera. "I've played dumb my entire life. It's just a role, and guys love it," she says. "Ever since I was young, I've exaggerated it."

Perfect matches: some celeb couples are so in sync, they start coordinating their outfits.(Informer)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... At least Nick isn't copying Paris on a day when she's wearing a tube top and miniskirt. More proof these two are "Crazy in Love": They've started dressing like each other. Wonder if Sheryl and Lance are about to go on a tandem bike...

Celebs ... minus their makeup: these stars are gorgeous, but it's comforting to know they aren't completely flawless without a stitch of makeup.(informer)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... DEBRA MESSING Will never would have allowed Grace to leave the house like this. KATE HUDSON Kate gave birth months ago, but she still has that pregnancy glow. PAM ANDERSON "It's me... Pam! Pam Anderson! What do you mean...

Off-the-cuff style: having run out of body parts to expose, stars are starting to bare their ankles.(informer)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... ANGIE HARMON Law and Order alum Angie sports another kind of cuff. KYLIE MINOGUE Kylie probably got flooded with compliments for this sophisticated look. ELLE MACPHERSON Elle makes her jeans into clam diggers to fit in at...

Fun fearless female: Kathryn Hahn.(informer)(Brief Article)(Interview)
July 1, 2004... UP NEXT Playing office go-to girl Helen Harken in the '70s-set Will Ferrell flick Anchorman, out July 9th. "lf the boys need their Scotch freshened up before they go on the air, I'm their girl." BABE BIO Current gig: Crossing...

Hunk of the month: JC Chasez.(informer)(Brief Article)(Interview)
July 1, 2004... * Anyone who thinks JC Chasez is just another goody-goody boy bander needs to listen to his sexy new solo album, Schizophrenic. The 'N Sync heartthrob sings about one-night stands, girl-on-girl kisses, and dreaming about sex all day long. Not...

Party pix.(informer)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Big Boi, Cameron, and Andre 3000 agree her romance gets more play than OutKast's "Hey Ya!" Charlize Theron may be the Monster, but Stuart Townsend is the one attacking. Jessica Alba and Amy Smart: Amy's dress looks like it might have...

What his licking style says about him: Cosmo got the sexy scoop on what your man's cone-eating habit reveals about his inner cravings. Get ready to melt.(Man Manual)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Swirler This stud eats his ice cream methodically, licking around the cone in perfect circles. "A swirler thrives on having order in his life," says London-based psychotherapist Christine Webber, author of Get the Happiness Habit. He...

Size up who you meet first.(guy spy)
July 1, 2004... When your new man decides it's time to show you off, here's what it means when your first intro is to... * His buddies. Many guys need the thumbs-up from their crew before they'll officially agree to be your boyfriend. These are the people...

Sex secrets he'll never share: no wonder guys keep these scandalous topics under tight wraps!(his point of view)
July 1, 2004... * Your guy may be open enough to admit he pees in the shower or that the profiles on ESPN's SportsCentury choke him up a little, but he knows better than to volunteer info about his covert longings and actions. The problem is, you girls...

"I wish she didn't share ...".(guys speak out)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2004... "After disappearing to the restroom several times, my date told me she had to cut the night short because dinner had given her the runs."--Ben Cavallaro "During a discussion of our sexual pasts, the girl I was dating admitted she had lost...

Guy without his shirt: check out this month's half-naked hunk.(Man Manual)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Name: Nicholas Ulfsberger Age: 29 Height: 6 feet 1 inch Weight: 150 pounds Sign: Taurus Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden Favorite thing: "Eating. It's really ...

Cosmo for your guy: avoid these mood-killing mistakes.(Man Manual)
July 1, 2004... * Have you ever encountered this scenario? Your girl is primed for passion and then, all of a sudden, she's climbing back into her clothes? Read on to learn about the moves that could lead to coitus interruptus, so you can prevent it from...

When a girl gets a beau, she lets herself go.(Myth of the Month)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... "I think a lot of women take even better care of themselves when they have a guy. If you lose what drew a man to you in the first place, he might end up pursuing some other woman." --Lily, 27 "When I'm not getting any action, I'll go...

It's all in the details: embellishments give the following items a unique handmade feel ... as if they were found on an exotic getaway.(Cosmo Shopping)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Silk skirt, Fork, $142, www.fork clothing.com Bag, Ipanima at Supplements NY, $148 Printed cotton dress, Tocca, $200 Slides, Aldo, $60, www.aldo shoes.com Wooden bead necklace, R.J. Graziano, $95 Printed cotton tunic,...

The best summer.(Outfit Advice)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... WEEKEND THE CLASSIC DENIM MINI: A dark shade of denim is more versatile than a faded wash because it looks polished by day and dressy at night. Choose a skirt that hits at midthigh, so it's short enough to be sexy but not too tiny for the...

Basics: a simple denim mini and white tank top provide endless outfit options. Here, we show you three trendy ways to wear each one.(Outfit advice)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... WEEKEND THE PERFECT WHITE TANK: Look for a lightweight fabric that will cling to your body but isn't too sheer. The right length is also key. Find one that covers the waistband of your pants or skirt to avoid baring your belly (that look...

Surfer chic: you don't have to hail from the O.C. to cop Cali surfer style. Scoop up pieces in Hawaiian prints, bright hues, and sporty cuts for an excellent look.(Trend Tip Sheet)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Duffle bag, Lilly Pulitzer, $125, www.lillypulitzer.com Board shorts, H & M, $14.90 H&M, Cotton hibiscus-print halter, Split, $28 Stretch-nylon baseball T-shirt, Material, 375 Canvas and leather floral-print sandals, Billy Bag,...

The great panty debate: seems like nobody wears bikini undies--the thong is still hot and boy shorts are gaining speed. We had to get to the bottom of which style guys prefer....(Lingerie Buzz)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2004... BOY SHORTS VS. THONGS Boy shorts have ... but our Web poll lots of devoted found men prefer thongs fans... ...

How Scarlett sizzles.(beauty gossip)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... This It Girl knows how to work a glamorous makeup look: "The key to a sophisticated effect like Scarlett Johansson's is to play up your lips with a bold hue, then use sheer tones on your eyes," says L.A. makeup artist Matthew VanLeeuwen, who...

TV skin trick.(beauty gossip)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... TRY THIS On the new high-definition TV screens, viewers can see every tinny flaw on a star's face. As a result, makeup artists have started topping off foundation with a lavender face powder, since the purple hue softens features for a...

Molly's snapshot strategies.(beauty gossip)(Molly Sims)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Here, supermodel and Las Vegas star Molly Sims spills her secrets for looking perfect in pictures. "Tilt your head down while looking at the photographer to prevent the appearance of a double chin." "Angle your shoulders and hips...

The 411 on Julia's style.(beauty gossip)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... After seeing Julia Stiles' sexy hair effect on our March cover, a ton of readers asked us how to get it. "Julia's bob has long layers in the front but is choppier in the back," says Ivy Lappin, co-owner of the Lappin Paoli Tribeca salon in NYC,...

Concealer pro trick.(cosmetiques)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... If you use only one shade of concealer, listen up. Dark circles are best eliminated with a cover-up that's one hue lighter than your skin tone, but using that same shade on your blemishes can make spots stand out more. So when hiding zits,...

Ways to save money in the shower.(body scrub)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Get the most bang for your buck out of your body scrub by applying it before your turn on the shower, says Tara Oolie, owner of NYC's Just Calm Down day spa. This way it won't get diluted by water, so you'll need less product and you won't have...

Cool beauty loot (literally).(cosmetiques)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Is the heat getting to you? Check out these neat prettifiers that feel refreshingly cool when you put them on your skin: * Chanel Eye Tonic Dark Circle Corrector, $50, has a metal roller ball that'll help boost under-eye circulation. *...

Skinsimple get started! kit, $10.(cosmetiques)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... BARGAIN BUY If you don't follow a proper skincare regimen, jump-start good face habits with this five-item kit (available at Wal-Mart). It contains a cleanser/toner, moisturizer, eye cream, night cream, and pore-refining mask that are...

Mousse is the new must-have.(buying guide)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The foam that was used to craft to-the-ceiling coifs in the '80s is back in a big way. But unlike their predecessors, these new mousses won't create crunchy results or weigh down your hair. Check out our chart to find the best one for you. ...

Trends fashion.(Profile)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... PROFILE Tired of salads with oh-so mundane flavors and textures? Aren't we all! Then get ready to spice up your lunch hour this summer with the new BURGER KING[R] pouch. It comes full of tantalizingly hot and delicious chicken or shrimp,...

Foxy new look to cop.(beauty lessons)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Penny-hued eye shadow and milky pink lip lacquer are the main ingredients of this summery look. Here's how to pull it off: Give yourself a flawless dewy complexion by using a tinted moisturizer. We love Biotherm Aquasource Tint, $21.50. ...

Supersize your eyes instantly.(Rachel's Tip)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... To make your eyes look bigger, use two shades of liner in the same color family. Apply the darker one along your upper lashes and the lighter one under your lower lashes. This enhances the shape of your eye without making it look smaller, like...

At-home facial secret.(beauty lessons)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Steaming your face before applying a mask helps relax your skin, making it more able to absorb the ingredients in the mask, explains NYC facialist Cornelia Zicu. "I add chamomile to the steam because it is soothing and antibacterial," she says....

Where your glow should go.(beauty lessons)(Beauty.com)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Guest makeup artist: Troy Surratt, makeup artist for Beauty.com Who he primps: Charlize Theron and Amy Smart Beauty scoop: Blush, bronzer, and shimmer are all excellent beauty tools, but it's key to use them the right way. Follow...

3 ways to fight frizz.(hair how-to)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... There are several tricks for taming frizz-prone strands in even the hottest weather. Your sleekening options: BEDTIME BRAIDS Wash and condition your hair, let it air-dry, put it in two braids, and sleep on it. You'll wake up to waves...

Halo effect.(Hot Hair Tip)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... When highlighting your hair, add some extra blond streaks around your face. Making all those baby hairs along your hairline a shade lighter than all of your other highlights creates a halo-like look that brightens up your entire face, says Cara...

Mischa's pretty ripples.(hair how-to)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... This trendsetter loves to sport kinky waves, says Daniel Curet, the stylist for The O.C. He styled this effect using a triple-barreled wave iron, which is like an old-school '80s crimper only it creates a much softer look. Here's the lock...

Pump up your locks.(How To ...)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The secret for creating voluptuous high-volume hair is to absolutely saturate all of your roots with a volumizer before styling. A strategy that ensures you hit all the right places: 1 Starting with damp locks, make a very deep side part...

Dried-out Mane mystery.(q&a)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2004... Q: Could my deep conditioner be drying out my hair? I use it three times a week, and my hair feels like straw. A: Your hair probably isn't suffering from a lack of moisture but rather a buildup of the proteins that are found in many deep...

Makeup that stays put.(q&a)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2004... Q: How can I make my makeup last throughout the entire day? A: It's frustrating to work hard perfecting your makeup in the a.m., only to have it fade away by lunchtime. One reason for the disappearing act could be that you're constantly...

Ouch-free wax hints.(q&a)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2004... Q: I love the results of waxing, but I absolutely can't stand the pain. Is there anything I can do to make it hurt less? A: There are a few things you can do to soften the sting. First, never schedule an appointment on the three days before...

Couple conundrum.(q&a)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2004... No matter how many times a day my guy shaves, he always seems to have stubble. What is he doing wrong? The first thing he should do is start using a hair-minimizing face cream, which will slow his stubble growth. Give him Biore Beyond...

What's sexy this second ...(love and semisheer skirts)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Semisheer Skirts Designers are chiffon-obsessed this season, and the tiered, slightly see-through skirts they sent down the runways are very flirty. Plus these threads are so versatile that you can pair them with anything from a white tank...

How to ... tell he loves you.(Love And Lust)
July 1, 2004... Your guy may not shout it from the rooftop, but he communicates in other ways that he's totally obsessed with you. He fixes stuff. When he's smitten, a guy will try to solve your problems--like a sagging shelf or leaking taps. "These...

What men crave the most in bed: ready to become a legendary lover? We cribbed tons of passion pointers from real guys and sexperts that will help you move up the randy ranks.(Love And Lust)(Column)
July 1, 2004... You often hear guys talking about a chick who was great in bed, but what exactly does it take to be such a sexual superstar? Relax, the magic mattress formula is a lot simpler than you'd think. "I've interviewed thousands of men about their sex...

8 big love truths every Cosmo girl must know: love--and men--can be sooo agonizingly hard to figure out. The following straight-shootin', non-sugarcoated facts do away with the guesswork and cryptic messages. Finally.(Love And Lust)
July 1, 2004... * Think of all the kazillions of hours you've spent dissecting your dating dilemmas with friends ("It's Tuesday... why hasn't he called?!"), assuming things ("If I'm attracted to this hot guy at work, I'm not meant to be with my man,...

When he doesn't love you back: sense that your guy isn't that into you? This advice will help you cut the cord with your dignity intact.(Love And Lust)
July 1, 2004... Even before the wedding was canceled, it was clear that the Bennifer romance was O-V-E-R. While Ben ran around with strippers (hello, cold feet!), Jen put on a brave face. And the question on everyone's mind was "Why hasn't she dumped his ass?"...

Going on vacay with your guy? Snags, frustrations, and fights can turn paradise found into holiday hell. Use these tips to stay mellow and so into each other.(Love And Lust)
July 1, 2004... * You're taking a trip together. Get ready for a weeklong fantasy for two, right? Well, maybe. "Yes, vacations are like mini utopias in that there's no daily grind, but that doesn't mean you're going to agree magically on everything," says sex...

Scary down-there discoveries: men are full of surprises, and so are their members. Learn how to deal with a potentially prickly situation.(Love And Lust)
July 1, 2004... * You meet a hot guy and things are damn fiery. In fact, you're convinced the two of you are about to hit the fast lane to lust. But all that passion pauses when he drops trou and--yikes!--unveils a member unlike anything you've seen before....

"Our sweet story of love at first sight": think insta-amour doesn't exist? These girls fell for a dude the moment their eyes met.(Heart Copy)(Column)
July 1, 2004... "I was waiting to go in for a job interview and this gorgeous guy came to get me. The second our eyes met, my stomach started doing flip-flops. After introducing me to the head honcho, the hottie wished me luck and walked away. When the...

How a sweet girl fell for a killer: twenty-four-year-old MaryAlice Olmstead-Stephens had recently split from her longtime love when she met a smooth-talking con man who swept her off her feet. Cosmo explores how heartbreak can hamper your defenses and put you in harm's way.(Real-Life Reads)
July 1, 2004... * At the age of 24, MaryAlice Olmstead-Stephens was soon to be a divorcee. Six months earlier, her marriage to Dan Stephens had collapsed, and she was trying to get on with her life in Albuquerque, New Mexico, by making new friends and taking...

What it's like to be pregnant: maybe you're not thinking of having a kid now. But the Hollywood baby boom must've sparked curiosity. Here, the nitty-gritty on mood swings, body mutations, and the dreaded delivery.(What You're Dying To Know About)
July 1, 2004... * Kate Hudson did it in January. Gwyneth and Courtency are doing it now. Yep, Tinseltown is in the throes of baby fever--so much so that you can't switch on the TV without seeing another bulging celebrity belly. And though you may not be ready...

Amnesia: is it for real? Recent movies like 50 First Dates probably have you wondering about memory loss. Forget most of what you have seen.(What You're Dying To Know About)
July 1, 2004... * Memory loss seems to be the hot topic onscreen, with Drew Barrymore putting Adam Sandier through 50 First Dates (in the flick, she suffers from a rare condition in which she wakes up every morning with amnesia) and Jim Carrey blotting out...

"I was a struggling actress ... struggling to lose weight": Brandy Flores is kicking butt after losing 21 pounds in 15 weeks with the help of HYDROXYCUT[R] in her diet and exercise plan.(Advertisement)
July 1, 2004... * Acting can be a tough business. Going on countless auditions, memorizing lines, and making sure you look good all the time are just part of it. And if you put on weight, you could miss out on some great roles. Brandy Flores is one...

Your summer sex horoscope: from bronzed babes to friskiness alfresco, our saucy astrology guide will reveal what's in store for your sex life in the hot days and nights ahead.(Bonus Section)
July 1, 2004... ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19 Your man match FAB FLING Libra BEST BUD Gemini LONG-TERM THING Leo Your sexual MO: The warm weather kicks your Aries competitive streak into high gear, and you won't be able to...

A virtual vacay.(Pleasures)(vacation)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Nothing is more inspiring than the thought of flying off to a gorgeous country and indulging in delicious food, mind-blowing views, posh hotels, and native music. But you can't travel every day of your life. The next-best thing? Keep pretty...

Take a refreshing time-out.(Pleasures)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
July 1, 2004... Slipping out of the social scene (even for a day) has pleasurable effects. See why going solo rocks: YOU CALL As the master of your domain, you can spend the whole day THE SHOTS doing exactly as you please. Blow an afternoon...

Spritz yourself.(Quick Lift)(www.elemis.com)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Like running through a sprinkler, a lightly scented mist can erase the sticky film that humidity leaves on your face, says Barbara Close, owner of the Naturopathica Spa in East Hampton, New York. Fill a travel-size spray bottle with distilled...

Food mistakes all women make: ordering "just a salad" and other diet tricks can make you gain weight. That's why you need our crash course in eat-right rehab.(You)
July 1, 2004... Like most women, you probably keep excess pounds from piling on by relying on a bunch of stay-skinny shortcuts culled from friends, celebrity interviews, and your own vast diet experience. Well. surprise--those seemingly harmless tricks you've...

Seize summer Cosmo-style: from shagging under the stars to banishing your bra, now's the season to OD on indulgences.(You)
July 1, 2004... ** Ever wonder why summer puts you in such a sexy, party-lovin' state of mind? Okay, getting to ogle buff; bare-chested hunks is pretty great. But we're also biologically hardwired to get amped up during these warm-weather months. "It's the...

Are you a hot challenge? Some chicks just ooze "I'm available!" to guys. Others make men slave for TLC. Which describes you?(Cosmo Quiz)
July 1, 2004... (1) You meet a dude who asks you out for Saturday night, saying "Let's talk Saturday afternoon," but he doesn't call. You: a. Give him a ring at 6 but make a backup plan to go out with friends. b. Turn off your cell so it goes...

Nasty nicknames: be glad you're not stuck with a brutal label like one of these.(Your Work Life)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... * "Laura's nose practically took up her whole face, and it ended in a point that was constantly red. We would have sympathized with her if she hadn't acted like she was better than the rest of us, so instead we called her Toucan Sam behind her...

"My boss is getting married. Should I buy her a really nice gift?".(Your Work Life)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... You don't have to give her a present unless you've been invited to the wedding. But if you want to acknowledge the occasion, give her something like a $20 bottle of champagne, or if you know she'll be honeymooning in Hawaii, buy her a cute...

Save your hide: quick, do this when you've screwed up big-time.(Trick Of The Month)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Say you're sorry. Schedule a meeting with your boss to apologize and explain. "It shows that you're taking responsibility for your mistake," says Cy Charney, author of The Portable Mentor. Offer solutions. Before you meet, come up with a...

Find your stress spot: anxiety usually affects your body in the same area.(Stress SOS)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... "Every woman seems to have a specific part of her body where she repeatedly feels the effects of stress," says Donnica Moore, MD, president of Sapphire Women's Health Group in Far Hills, New Jersey. * The most common stress-related...