First for Women
June 28, 2021First for Women is a women's interest magazine that gives its readers the tools and inspiration they need to feel great, look beautiful and love every dimension of their life. Published every three weeks, First delivers positive information on everything from health and nutrition, to beauty and fitness, to home and family.
in this issue
7 things making us happy
Bliss in every bite Festive fruit salad “Our July 4th cookout wouldn’t be complete without a fresh and fruity dessert,” says Charles Grayauskie, FIRST Associate Food Editor. “And this year, I’m surprising loved ones with this mint-infused watermelon salad. First, I add 1⁄4 cup of water, 1⁄4 cup of sugar and 2 mint sprigs to a pot and cook over medium heat until the flavors blend, then I strain and cool the syrup. Next, I cut 1 seedless watermelon into 1"-thick slices and, using a 21⁄2" star cutter, cut out shapes. Then I combine the stars with 1 cup each of fresh blueberries and raspberries, divide the fruit among bowls, pour the mint syrup over and garnish with mint. It’s cool, festive and oh-so delicious.” Crafting up smiles Seaside settings “Sun, sea, sand…my family and…
smart you solutions
READER TIP Mess-free way to a perfect pedicure “I like to save time and money painting my toenails at home, but hunching over with shaky, unsteady hands often results in more polish on my toes than on my nails! I told my sister, and she recommended using a cotton swab to dab a bit of coconut oil all around my toenail cuticles before painting them. The slick texture ensures any slipups wipe right off, and my at-home pedicure looks professional. Nice!” —Connie Hayes, Fort Lauderdale, FL QUICK POLL How do you soothe painful ‘chub rub’? Ouch! We love shorts season, but not so much the friction and rashes between our thighs! Here’s how FIRST readers get quick relief 59% ♥ this idea! Dab cold oat milk onto it, says Meg Ford. Its chill and anti-inflammatory properties ease pain…
trendy shorts
3 style secrets ✓Minimizes the hips The waist-defining design of paperbag shorts helps whittle the middle, but when coupled with pleats, the baggy legs bunch awkwardly so hips appear bulkier. The fix: A more flat-front style pulls the eye vertically, so both the hips and waist appear trimmer. ✕Adds width By sitting at the hips, low-rise cutoffs emphasize the widest part of the body, widening the torso and shortening legs for a squat, boxy appearance. ✓Looks long and lean The combination of a high-waisted style that hits right at the belly button and cascading studs visually “stretch” the torso and the legs so they appear much longer. ✓Trims the thighs Because Bermuda shorts scan from waist to knee, an oversize pair causes thighs to appear inches thicker. But a tailored pair hugs legs, for a sleeker, more streamlined…
stun in sunglasses
Redhead? Pick peach frames Pinky-orange Lucite frames complement the warmth of fiery locks without competing with them. Bonus: A pair that also has brown gradient lenses pulls focus vertically to visually slim the face. One to try: TOMS, $40 (Sierra.com, TOMS Aaryn Sunglasses) Blond? Go for mirrored lenses The reflective nature of mirrored lenses bounces shine-inducing light and depth-creating environmental colors onto the lighter locks so they appear full and lustrous. One to try: Hohens, $12 (Amazon.com, Hohens Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses) Brunette? Choose black lenses and frames Classic black-on-black shades enhance the richness and depth of darker-hued tresses. Even better? Sunnies with a slight cat-eye flick visually lift features to shed optical years. One to try: Prive Revaux, $30 (Kohls.com, Privé Revaux The Hepburn in Black) SHUTTERSTOCK (2); GETTY (2). TEXT: LEANN GAROFOLO…
your most beautiful summer hair
Weddings! Graduations! Baby showers! We’re so happy to finally fill our calendars with the joyous celebrations of friends and loved ones. The only downside? With most gatherings being held outdoors, summer’s heat, humidity and wind can turn us and our pretty, party-ready hair into a sweaty mess within seconds of arriving. So we tapped top celebrity hairstylists for the summer’s most gorgeous cuts and updos that not only flatter any face shape and elevate any soiree style but can withstand the season’s elements so you’re cool and confident all night long! Best for heart faces STRIKING with a cool crop A crop that hits above the nape of the neck in back and above the ears in front allows the breeze to blow on the face and neck and keeps sweaty strands from…
sea-crets to gorgeous hair
Limp, fall-flat hair? Oil on the scalp’s surface tends to weigh down hair so it looks thin and flat, but a sea salt scrub can help. Sulfur in the mineral absorbs excess oil, while its gritty texture “props” hair up on the scalp so it appears fuller once hair is dry. FIND IT IN: Davines SOLU Sea Salt Scrub (Davines.com) Lackluster locks? No matter how you style your hair, if it lacks shine, the entire ’do loses its pizzazz. All it takes to restore luster is a serum made with crushed pearls! Luminescent particles from the sea’s gemstone coat strands, giving them a light-reflecting sheen for instant shine. FIND IT IN:OGX Liquid Pearl Luminescent Serum (Walgreens.com) Excessive shedding? If you notice more hair clogging the drain than usual, reach for a kelp-infused shampoo. The brown algae’s magnesium…
