First for Women February 14, 2022

Bliss in every bite Fudgy brownie mmm “I love my mom’s brownies—they’re as delicious three days old as they are fresh,” says Emily Boyette, FIRST Associate Food Editor. “The secret? Chocolate milk! The added sugars keep this treat moist longer. First, I combine 3 ⁄4 cup of flour, 11 ⁄ 2 cups of sugar,3 ⁄4 cup of cocoa powder,1 ⁄ 2 tsp. of baking powder and1 ⁄ 2 tsp. of salt. Next, I microwave 1 cup of chocolate chips with1 ⁄ 3 cup of chocolate milk, 6 Tbs. of butter and 1 tsp. of vanilla until melted. I then fold it into the dry mixture with 2 beaten eggs and1 ⁄ 2 cup of chopped walnuts, transfer the batter to an 8" square baking dish and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.…

Spa secret to relieve congestion fast For a pampering way to ease the stuffy, heavy-headed feeling of a cold, make your own aromatherapy shower vapor: Just add 15 drops of eucalyptus essential oil onto a damp washcloth, place it in a corner of your shower where the water won’t directly drench it, then jump in and suds up. The steamy temperature of the shower releases eucalyptus oil’s potent vapors, which are proven to help open up nasal passages so you can breathe easily. Much better! QUICK POLL How do you nix hair dye from scalp skin? FIRST readers share their simple tips for removing a color oops. 51% ❤ this idea! Rub petroleum jelly onto the dye and rinse after 5 minutes, says Jane Ruiz. The jelly loosens up dye molecules. 49% ❤ this idea! Once hair has…

Dress Fitted works best ✓ Balances the body A sweaterdress that’s baggy on top and fitted on bottom “broadens” the upper body for a disproportionate look. But a dress that’s snug from head to toe helps streamline the silhouette while emphasizing its natural curves. ✓ Adds 10 pounds When an oversize sweater falls down below the hips, it erases any shape, leaving the belly looking bumpy and the body looking bulky. Top Choose cropped ✓ Whittles the middle A sweater that hits right at the navel directs focus up and inward to help define the waist and slim the upper half. Bonus: Wearing it with coordinating bottoms helps the figure appear statuesque. Cardigan Opt for a thin knit ✓ Looks long and lean A chunky knit cardigan with even chunkier sleeves pulls the eye from side to side, optically wideningng and shortening the…

A trapper hat: Hides fine lines One to try: Solyinne, $19 (Amazon.com, Faux Fur Button Trapper Hat) A Cossack hat: Slims the face One to try: Dikoaina, $17 (Amazon.com, Faux Fur Cossack Russian Hat) Tossing on a faux fur–adorned hat will not only trap the heat in, keeping you toasty from head to toe, but, depending on the strategic placement of the fur, the luxelooking toppers can also erase years! For example, one that encircles the head makes the face look longer in comparison, one that covers the brow and cheeks distracts from facial flaws and one with fur at the top lifts features! Find the style that will flatter you! A pom-pom hat: Lifts cheeks One to try: Shein, $4 (Shein.com, Pom Pom Decor Beanie) BACKGRID; GETTY (3). TEXT: VICTORIA CONN…

Not only does a fresh cut rejuvenate our look, it also works wonders to boost our confidence and raise our spirits! So we polled top hairstylists for the 3 most age-defying cuts that can be tailored to complement anyone. Simply check the guide at bottom right to determine your face shape, then discover the style that will bring you the most joy The power pixie “Mega movement and texture created from varying lengths of layers and bangs give shorter hair tons of volume, ensuring today’s pixie looks modern, not matronly,” says Jackson Simmonds, hairstylist at the Julien Farrel Salon in New York City, who’s worked with Carol Burnett and Jill Zarin. Plus, a pixie requires little styling time—just work a small amount of mousse or pomade into damp hair and air-dry or…

Add shine to damaged hair with avocado The fruit’s vitamin E seals hair’s cuticle so it lies flat, allowing more light to reflect off of it for a beautiful sheen that creates added depth and dimension to boot. To do: Combine 1 mashed avocado with 2 Tbs. of olive oil (its oleic acid further boosts shine). Apply to damp hair evenly from roots to ends, then rinse after 20 minutes. End dryness and breakage with honey Humectant properties in honey attract and lock moisture into dry hair, which also fortifies strands at the root and improves elasticity to prevent split ends and flyaways. To do: Mix1 ⁄ 2 cup of honey and 1 Tbs. of coconut oil (its lauric acid hydrates). Apply to damp hair from the ears down; rinse after 15 minutes. Cure a flaky…