Cosmopolitan articles from November 2008

Cosmopolitan archives from November 2008

Cosmo extras.(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Can't get enough of your favorite magazine? Here's the scoop on everything really cool going on in Cosmoworld. SEX ON THE SIXES * Every night at six minutes past the hour, during Get in Bed With Brian and...

Date-night disasters.(FROM THE EDITOR)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Our article on page 116 reveals how to rock a first date. Here, readers share the mortifying ways they went the other way and totally screwed up. "I went out with a great guy in June. It was going well until I blurted out that I couldn't...

Hot bachelor bonus.(Behind the Scenes at Cosmopolitan)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Our hottest annual feature is back, and we have 20 pages of single, sexy guys (check them out on page 130!). This year, we took the opportunity to poll our bachelors on some pertinent issues. A few of our findings: * More than half of the...

Your most burning guy questions--answered.(Behind the Scenes at Cosmopolitan)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Guys often claim that they're clueless about women, but there are still plenty of male mysteries that have us baffled (um, what's with the constant readjusting down there?). That's why this month, we asked the...

Things I didn't know till this issue.(Behind the Scenes at Cosmopolitan)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A body-language move called mirroring is a way to subliminally connect with someone (page 116). Thirty-six percent of guys keep mementos from -) ex-girlfriends (page 64). Our eyelashes shed about every three...

Why don't you ...(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [check]... just let go. In her new book, Real Sex for Real Women, sex therapist Laura Berman, PhD, explains it takes us longer to get revved up than it does guys. It turns out that women's brains are better at...

Hot sheet: 6 things being buzzed about right now.(COSMO NEWS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (1) NIPPLE WATCHES Eva Mendes's sexy Calvin Klein advertisement was recently banned in the United States for allegedly being too racy. The offense: She showed just a hint of her headlights. (2) What's Sexy...

The real Lauren Conrad: it's hard to believe that California girl LC has any secrets. But here, The Hills--star-cumfashion-designer shares her most private thoughts on guys, frenemies, and living in a fishbowl.(COSMO NEWS: Interview)(Cover story)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] When Lauren Conrad pushes open the door to a chic midtown Manhattan restaurant, a dozen power-lunching corporate types crane their heads to stare. And with good mason: Wearing a body-skimming burgundy skirt, a sexy...

Times you shouldn't text a guy: firing off too many messages can kill a budding relationship. We tell you when to step away from the cell.(COSMO NEWS: Relationships)
November 1, 2008... Casual electronic notes have become a huge part of dating, and experts speculate that texts have surpassed actual phone calls between many couples. So it's no wonder why you can find yourself with an itchy text-messaging trigger finger (or...

Celebrity cat eyes.(COSMO NEWS: Beauty Stakeout)(Survey)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Cosmo asked 100 people on the street which lid look they prefer on these stars: within the borders or winged out. FERGIE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGULAR 77% CAT EYES 23% BEYONCE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] REGULAR 31%...

Dressed up or down?(COSMO NEWS: Guy Style Stakeout)(Survey)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... We asked 100 women if they like these gorgeous guys better decked out or sporting their everyday duds. USHER [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DRESSED UP 39% DRESSED DOWN 61% ADAM LEVINE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DRESSED UP...

Sexy vs. skanky.(COSMO NEWS)(Table)(Brief article)(Column)
November 1, 2008... SEXY SKANNY Needing a helping Needing to be hand out of your car carried to your car Keeping a naughty secret Having a secret love child Using a little bronzer...

Hairdoo.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)(Column)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "I had a doctor's appointment during the workday, and when it was over, I rushed back to my office to get to a meeting. When I got there, I zoomed into the conference room. I was sort of a mess since I'd been so...

Their lust will go on.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "I was pleasantly surprised when I met a cute guy on a boring family cruise. One night, while everyone was at dinner, he and I sneaked into an empty corridor and hooked up. Then we walked back to the dining hall. But on my way to the bathroom,...

Carnal call.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "I'm a music instructor, and my students' parents have my cell-phone number. Before work one day, my boyfriend and I were in the middle of a not-so-quiet sex session, and my phone rang. It was on vibrate, so I ignored it until it buzzed onto...

Stretching the limits.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)(Brief article)(Column)
November 1, 2008... "While working out at my gym, I spotted a hot guy. I decided to get closer, so I went over to the stretching mat near where he was. I sat down, spread my legs, and reached toward my toes. I stayed like that for a few seconds and made some...

She couldn't pull it off.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)(Brief article)(Column)
November 1, 2008... "Hipsters are my type, especially guys in skinny jeans. During a party, I met one, and we wound up back at my place. We started making out, and it wasn't long before we were sprawled out on the sofa. He unzipped my pants, and I began doing the...

Razor burned.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)(Brief article)(Column)
November 1, 2008... "When I mentioned to my guy that his face was scratchy, he promised to shave. I thought it would be cute and sexy to help him. I stood in between his legs, applying cream and using a razor on his face. I'd never done it before, so I made it up...

Damage control.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Find a way to soothe the pain, but leave his face alone. There are hundreds of other body parts that could use your touch. If you start focusing on the other areas, he'll forget his face hurts."--Phillip, 26

What a boob.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)(Brief article)(Column)
November 1, 2008... "When the fire alarm went off in my dorm, the RAs banged on our doors and insisted that we exit the building as quickly as possible. Still groggy from being awakened abruptly, I crawled out of bed and walked down the hall and out the building....

She got nailed.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)(Brief article)(Column)
November 1, 2008... "I thought it would be fun to try out fake nails, so I picked up a packet at the drugstore. That night, I stayed in and had a pampering session. I was surprised at how easily the nails adhered. "The next day, I went with a friend to a...

Cell hell.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)(cellphone ringtones)(Brief article)(Column)
November 1, 2008... "My dad had just figured out how to add silly ring tones to his cell. I thought it was cute until one of his visits to my college. We were standing outside my dorm while the baseball team was walking by. Just then, my dad's cell phone rang....

Just shut up.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)(Brief article)(Column)
November 1, 2008... "When our company revamped its Website, we had a crew of designers come in to our office. Several of them were gorgeous, and it was great to have new eye candy. Before a meeting with them, I was in the conference room with female coworkers....

Exit laughing.(CONFESSIONS: Cosmo readers share their most shocking stories and steamiest secrets.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "I was so excited when a hotshot on campus asked me out on a date. We decided to see a movie, and I said I'd meet him at the theater. Before the film started, he went on and on about how great he was. Then only five minutes into the flick, he...

A hairy situation.(GUY CONFESSIONS: Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scares ever.)(Brief article)(Column)
November 1, 2008... "The career center at my college insists that sporting a beard during an interview is a faux pas. I thought that was bogus but shaved off mine anyway before I went to interview for my first job, which I was offered and then accepted. Since the...

Thong gone wrong.(GUY CONFESSIONS: Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scares ever.)(Brief article)(Column)
November 1, 2008... "I live in my own place, but it's near my parents' house, so I drop off my laundry there and my morn does it for me. One weekend, I swung by to visit and asked if my clothes were clean. My morn raised her eyebrows and said, 'Oh yes, they are.'...

All wet.(GUY CONFESSIONS: Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scares ever.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "My buddies and I were staying in a hotel during a boys' trip. At night, we were getting rowdy and decided to fill up some water balloons and have some fun. We were launching them from our balcony across the breezeway of the hotel and aiming...

How do you spell dirty?(GUY CONFESSIONS: Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scares ever.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "My girlfriend's family is really into Scrabble. One night after a family dinner, we all sat down to a game. Her parents and brother are excellent players, so I felt pressured to get a high score. At one point, I looked down at my letters and...

Forget it, sister.(GUY CONFESSIONS: Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scares ever.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "When one of my female friends and I got into a fight, she de-friended me on Facebook. I thought that was childish and ignored it. But then she started spreading rumors about me to other girls, and I needed to get even. I had footage I'd taken...

Hot-guy blooper of the month.(GUY CONFESSIONS: Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scares ever.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "When a girl at a bar told me she was a dancer, I tried to impress her by talking about random facts I had heard about ballet. She nodded politely while I babbled. Finally she said, 'I'm actually an exotic dancer,...

Boiling point.(GUY CONFESSIONS: Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scares ever.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "My girlfriend and I, along with some friends, hit up a hot new underground bar. When no one was looking, my girl and I snuck into the boiler room. We were deep into some one-on-one action when the door burst open. A uniformed man stood there,...

Ill-suited affair.(GUY CONFESSIONS: Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scares ever.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "I was invited to a commitment ceremony for two of my friends. They both had wild personalities, and when they started planning it, they told me it would be a crazy, flashy affair. So I decked myself out in a bright yellow suit that was totally...

Strange bedfellows.(GUY CONFESSIONS: Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scares ever.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "I spent a weekend visiting a female friend at her college. One evening, we went out and got tipsy. When we got back to her dorm, I fell asleep on her couch. In the middle of the night, I got up to go to the communal bathroom down the hall....

The whiz kid.(GUY CONFESSIONS: Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scares ever.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "For my birthday, my girlfriend was really sweet and threw me a barbecue in my backyard. My friends and I had been drinking all day, and there was a long line for the bathroom. Since it was getting dark, I figured I could take a pee in the...

What a snake.(GUY CONFESSIONS: Men admit to their dirtiest deeds and most shameless scares ever.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "I was driving to an engagement party with my girl and a couple who were friends of hers but whom I didn't know well. I mentioned that my dad is a herpetologist: someone who studies reptiles and amphibians. The other guy asked if, as a result,...

The man report.(MAN MANUAL)
November 1, 2008... Guys' heads are hard to crack. So Cosmo editor Ky Henderson offers up some insight into his confusing gender [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Preposterous Overpacking Four pairs of shoes for an overnight trip. Two sweaters for a long...

Sneaky signs he's dating other chicks.(MAN MANUAL: guy spy)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Before the exclusivity talk, it's tough to tell if a guy is seeing only you. Some tip-offs that he's playing the field: * He always stays at your place. A dude who is falling for you will want to welcome you into...

"Why don't men ask for help?".(the stuff he won't reveal)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many men are raised to act macho, so the last thing they want to do is admit they can't work through an issue on their own. "To guys, it's about pride," says William Pollack, PhD, director of the Center for Men at...

Read between his lines.(MAN MANUAL: guy spy)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HE SAYS: "My buddies are difficult to get to know at first." HE MEANS: "They're not sure if they like you yet." SOURCE: DAVID WEXLER, PHD, AUTHOR OF WHEN GOOD MEN BEHAVE BADLY

Here's what he's hiding from you: there are facts even honest dudes hate to reveal. Cosmo thought you should know.(MAN MANUAL: his point of view)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Your man may give you TMI about his biological functions, but there are some areas of his life that he keeps under wraps because he's ashamed, shy, or just plain afraid of how you'll react. Here are four of them....

"I wish she'd tell me ...".(guys speak out)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "I'd love to know more about what she wants in bed-like crazy positions she wants to try. If she were more open, sex would be better and more exciting."--Flamur Kastrati [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "It would be...

How to keep her gaga.(SHOW THIS TO YOUR MAN)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * At the beginning, you pulled out all the stops to impress her. But now that you've been together for a while, you are in a comfort zone and probably don't try as hard. If you don't want her to go looking elsewhere...

She wants to know your nooky number.(Myth of the Month)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "No way. I know I would drive myself insane and start imagining all these crazy sexcapades--like his having hot threesomes on the ceiling or something." --Liz, 34 "Chances are, I've slept with more people...

What's overrated ... and what's underrated.(MAN MANUAL: guys on romance)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Men enjoy doing coupley stuff to cement your bond. It's just that their ideas don't always align with yours OVERRATED UNDERRATED Elaborate anniversary Giving gifts for no celebrations ...

How I got him to ...(MAN MANUAL)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ... move in with me "My boyfriend and I were in a long-distance relationship. We mat while on vacation in 'Miami and made it work for almost four years, but I was tired of having limited access to him and wanted...

7 date looks to crave right now.(Fun Fearless Fashion)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... This fresh crop of sexy pieces will do the flirting for you. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 Dark Skinny DKNY Jeans DKNY Jeans Jrs, $59, dknyjeans.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 Sleek Clutch Amici Accessories, $48, amiciaccessories.com...

Day-to-night looks.(Fun Fearless Fashion)(Buyers guide)
November 1, 2008... Check out how these three pieces (in fall's hottest textures) lead double lives--they work in both the a.m. and p.m. LACE * Day A tweed jacket and faux riding pants dress down a lace top. Leather bracelets and oxfords complete the lax...

Flattering frocks.(Fun Fearless Fashion)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... In honor of cocktail-party season, we gathered the best dress styles for your body type. Cheers! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Petite Minis elongate the legs, while a high neckline visually stretches the body. Plastic Island, $145,...

Steep or cheap?(Fun Fearless Fashion)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... The items on this page look pricey, but one per pair is a major bargain. See if you can guess the deals, then find the correct answers below. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 Top-Handle Satchels [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 Jewel...

Two-timers.(Fun Fearless Fashion)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... These celebs repeated an item (gasp!)... but created totally different vibes. Striped Bolero [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sienna uses the bolero to add interest to a black dress... and also to tie together her edgy red-and-black...

Steamy skin fact.(Beauty News: The hot trends, tips, and stuff you've gotta try this month)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Having sex can soften skin! "It releases hydrating oils, which give dry skin an extra glisten in winter," explains NYC derm Amy Wechsler.

3 surprising zit culprits.(Beauty News: The hot trends, tips, and stuff you've gotta try this month)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Do you treat your complexion right but still break out? Take our quiz to see what could be causing the trouble. 1. Do you scrub with a washcloth? You shouldn't. Bacteria can accumulate on the cloth and clog pores. Use clean hands to lather...

How to get pretty brows.(Beauty News: The hot trends, tips, and stuff you've gotta try this month)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... (a) Place a pencil at your inner eye corner. Pluck any hairs that sprout beyond this base point. (b) Find your arch. It's above the outer edge of your iris. Tweeze to create a straight line from base to arch. (c) Fine-tune your ends. Taper off...

Winter bronze.(CELEB LOOK)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the summer, you can get away with a healthy dose of bronzer, but come fall, it looks fake, says celeb makeup artist Molly Stern. Tone down your bronzer by mixing in a pinch of loose blush and dusting lightly over...

How to tame your tresses.(Cosmo Hair)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... If you've been having a lot of bad-hair days lately, the problem might be that you're choosing the wrong products (or applying them the wrong way) for your type of locks, says celeb stylist Ashley Javier. Some goofs to avoid: [ILLUSTRATION...

Healthy hair secret.(Cosmo Hair)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Taking an immune booster with zinc (like Emergen-C) not only helps ward off winter colds but also keeps strands strong. SOURCE: TRICHOLOGIST DAVID H. KINGSLEY, PHD [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Max your blowout.(Cosmo Hair)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... No matter how great your blow-dry, strands can look greasy after a few days. To revive them, pour two or three drops of witch hazel (a cheap astringent found in your drugstore) onto a cotton ball, and dab on roots to lift ball, and dab on roots...

Megawatt shine.(STAR STYLE)(make-up tip)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Want that "hair commercial" sheen? Dip your makeup brush in a shimmery face powder, and dust it over your strands for an instant highlighting effect. The sparkles catch the light; the powder fluffs up your roots.

Sexy after sundown.(Beauty Loot)(make-ups)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Now is the time to flirt with a bold new look for fall. Go for it with these sultry nighttime finds. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Foolproof Palette Layer these shades from dark to light on your lid up to your brow bone. Chanel Quadra...

Weatheroof your body.(Beauty Loot)(hair and body care)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Even if temps dip to only sweater (not parka) level, winter is on the way. Fend off the dry skin, unruly hair, and other changes ahead. Moisturizing Mousse This foaming cleanser removes dirt and makeup without stripping away your...

Beauty Q&A: every month, we answer a bunch of your burning beauty questions.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Q I heard that speed-dry topcoats can change the color of or dull your nail polish. Is that true? A Sunlight can turn topcoats yellow, so it seems to change the hue underneath, says Donna Perillo, owner of Sweet Lily Natural Nail Spa, in...

Perfect party hair: take a cue from these on-the-scene celebs and work a hairstyle that's big on drama but insanely simple to pull off.(COSMO BEAUTY BOOK)
November 1, 2008... Down & Flirty "Loose hair with tons of movement is such a hot look," says Tresemme stylist Nathaniel Hawkins. The secret is to play up whatever texture you choose (sleek and straight or wild and wavy) and let some pieces fall around your...

Ashley Tisdale.(CELEB SPOTLIGHT: FUN FEARLESS FEMALE)(Interview)
November 1, 2008... * She plays spoiled Sharpay Evans in the High School Musical movies, but in real life, Ashley Tisdale is no diva. She spent her own teen years working at the mall between acting jobs. Listen in on our candid chat. Are you like your...

"His anxiety is contagious!".(SPAT OF THE MONTH)(relationship questions)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... "The fact that he gets wigged when he's with you means he's comfortable showing his true feelings, and he may even wish you could help him deal with them," explains Elizabeth Carll, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Long Island, New York. Try to...

Tighten your connection.(ROMANCE BOOSTER)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When you have an insanely busy schedule, your bond needs extra attention. Here's how to carve out some together time, Speed-Date Each Other Meet for a quick drink before heading out with separate groups of...

Pay him a carnal compliment.(BLOW-HIS-MIND TIP)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... After your next sack session, when you're recovering from how intense things felt, say something flattering about how awesome his sex skills are--e.g., "It's amazing how you always know exactly where to touch me." He'll feel like a stud hearing...

75 Crazy-hot sex moves: here's a brilliant idea for saving on energy bills as temperatures cool: make your own damn heat. With these scorching bedroom tricks, you may have to put the fire department on speed dial.(LOVE AND LUST)
November 1, 2008... Pop quiz: When is your body best primed to get busy? If you're thinking Um, right now? you're our kind of girl... and you're totally correct. Contrary to the idea of spring fever, the hormone testosterone--which is linked to sexual activity...

Male body secrets: learn them instantly!(FROM THE EDITORS OF MEN'S HEALTH)
November 1, 2008... No matter how well you know your way around your guy's body, there are probably aspects of the male physique that still baffle you. Cosmo turned to the editors of Men's Health, who offered up these surprising revelations. [ILLUSTRATION...

How to totally rock a first date: first, forget about all the clueless advice you've ever heard before. Next, get ready to blow him away ... and actually enjoy yourself while you're at it.(LOVE AND LUST)
November 1, 2008... Nothing invites bad advice like a first date--wear this, say that, and don't under any circumstances say that--all with the aim of captivating a guy you're not even sure you like... yet. Not only are those so-called rules the opposite of...

"Am I tight enough?" and 6 other secret sex worries: don't know where to turn to address some of your most intimate--and off-the-wall--sexual concerns? Well, you've come to the right place.(LOVE AND LUST)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Even if you're comfortable talking about your sex life with friends, there are likely some topics--such as weird carnal concerns--that are too embarrassing to bring up, even to your best girls. But, hey, that's why...

The sex habit you should break--now: has your lust life as a couple tone from OMFG to WTF? Here's advice for keeping bedtime superhot.(LOVE AND LUST)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * In the first breathless weeks and months of a relationship, having fun in bed is usually not a problem (well, unless you consider getting very little sleep a problem). But, say many sex therapists, if you were to...

Ask him anything: advice from our guy guru, Jonathan Small.(LOVE AND LUST)(Column)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [Q] The other night, my guy called me by the name another woman while we were in bed. When I got mad, he swore he didn't even know anyone by that name. My friends, all have different opinions, so tell me--how big a...

The Cosmo couple quiz: gain some subtle--but revealing--insight into how well you and your guy's personalities mesh by taking this simple visual test.(LOVE AND LUST)
November 1, 2008... * Projective tests present a set of objects and ask people to choose the one they find most appealing--a choice that subliminally reveals hidden aspects of their personalizes. So pick your favorite tree, and have your guy do the same. Then see...

Cosmo manhunt: the hot bachelors of 2008.
November 1, 2008... Once again, we've scoured the country to bring you awesome single guys from every state. The result? Twenty pages of sexy, engaging, datable men, all hoping you'll drop them a line. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PERSONALITY PROFILE: "I'm...

"I got an STD the first time I had sex".(THE COSMO POST)(Kellany Fink)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When Kellany Fink was diagnosed with herpes as a young teen, she thought her life was over. On a single day when I was 14, I had my first kiss, I lost my virginity... and I got herpes. I'd known Will * for...

Lost in the Alaskan wilderness: for two experienced hikers, an overnight camping trip in a remote forest turned into a weeklong struggle for survival.(THE COSMO POST)(Erica Nelson and Abby Flantz)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This past June, Erica Nelson, 23, and Abby Flantz, 25, made a last-minute decision to go on a two-day hike in Alaska's remote Denali National Park and Preserve... without telling any of their family or friends of...

How she did it.(THE COSMO POST)(Angela Jia Kim of Om Aroma and Co.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Angela Jia Kim, 35, launched her own skin care--product line, Om Aroma and Co., with little money, experience, or connections... and it took off. Based on what she learned, she then launched savor thesuccess.com, a...

When love turns lethal: some guys--even seemingly nice ones--have a violent reaction when you try to leave them. This article explains that scary truth and tells how to get out safely.(REAL-LIFE READS)
November 1, 2008... When Katharine Wood, 24, broke up with 28-year-old Zachariah Marcyniuk, some of his friends later told reporters that he seemed to be dealing with it well. But Katharine, a senior 'art mad English major at the University of Arkansas, didn't...

"A cougar stole my man": sexy older women lured away these chicks' boyfriends. Reading their stories may make you want to sharpen your own claws.(REAL-LIFE READS)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Seasoned Predator "When I first met Jared, 28, I thought he might be The One because he was such a family guy. We spent a lot of time with his parents and even their friends. One of them, a 46-year-old permatan...

How the candidates stand on women's rights.(THE ELECTION)(Table)
November 1, 2008... These topics of particular interest to young women were rarely addressed during the campaign. We've outlined where Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama stand. McMCAIN OBAMA THE ISSUES...

Shameless money-saving trick.(YOUR FABULOUS LIFE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Just because you're on a budget, it does not mean you can't have a new TV or stereo. Electronic manufacturers often sell refurbished models at discounted rates. They aren't brand-new, but they're tuned up so they...

Secret to being a confident chick: brainstorming.(YOU YOU YOU)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... As the founder of the Grapevine Agency, Rachel Zaslansky Sheer helps find personal assistants for lots of celebs. Here's how she keeps her edge: "I have a digital recorder in my car. When I'm sitting in traffic, I brainstorm. I record whatever...

Score a perk.(YOU YOU YOU)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... The key to looking good is having clothes that fit perfectly. But for God's sake, don't pay for a tailor. Many department stores offer free tailoring. So look for a great bargain on a skirt or pants, then have them altered to hug you perfectly....

Live-big-right-now advice.(YOU YOU YOU)(Brief article)
November 1, 2008... Even when people piss you off, try not to express your anger. Staying calm is much more effective if you want others to hear what you have to say. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]