Photo: Patrik Andersson

Q. I just had my bikini area "sugared" and it left skin softer than waxing does. Is there a downside to this process?

A: It sounds sweet, doesn't it—having your bikini area "sugared?" As if you relax deliciously on a table while someone in a baker's toque carefully caramelizes your privates? Actually, sugaring works the same way waxing does, by pulling hair out by the root. (Not exactly a piece of cake!) But instead of hot wax, the aesthetician smooths a heated preparation of sugar, lemon juice, water, and sometimes glycerin over the skin before pulling it off with either her fingers or a strip of cloth. Dermatologist Anne Chapas, MD, clinical assistant professor at New York University School of Medicine, says there's no evidence that sugaring causes less irritation than waxing, or that it's more effective. If you're not careful, you can have the same kinds of problems associated with waxing—ingrown hairs, skin discoloration, even a burn.

Keep in mind:Though you may have had a good experience with sugaring, you should still take precautions. Don't have it done on irritated skin, be sure the aesthetician uses a fresh pot of the sugar paste, and if you're having facial hair sugared, let her know if you're using a retinoid, which can make skin sensitive.

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Photo: Jen Rae Hein

When Dana Perino worked as President George W. Bush's press secretary, she was bombarded by invitations to coffee from young women eager for career advice. While she wanted to help, her job left little opportunity for afternoon lattes. "My schedule was packed," she recalls. "But I knew these women deserved some time."  

When she left the White House in 2009 and started her own communications firm, Perino had an idea. Why not model mentoring on speed dating, which pairs romance seekers with a new prospect every few minutes? She envisioned a recent graduate getting cover letter pointers from a speechwriter, then—after a bell signaled ten minutes had passed—quizzing a lobbyist on how to get her foot in the door, all over wine and cheese.

In November 2009, Minute Mentoring (minutementoring.com) hosted its first event. Perino invited high-profile pals like Democratic strategist Maria Cardona, former Laura Bush chief of staff Anita McBride, and CNN's Candy Crowley to spend a few hours sharing their hard-won wisdom with young women. The mentees took turns asking everything, from "What do you read in the morning?" to "How do I ask for a raise?" "The younger women had all these questions stored up, and the mentors had advice, and we all finally had an outlet," Perino says.

Says Crowley, "I'd felt so guilty that I didn't have time for everyone who asked—but this allowed me to say yes."

Perino has now expanded to New York, Houston, San Diego, and even Lincoln, Nebraska. "I wish we could host an event every week," she says.

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Every Monday, we're rounding up the things, small and big, that make us stop and think. Today, we're inspired by..

“We all—in the end—die in medias res. In the middle of a story...Steve’s final words were: OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW. “
-Novelist Mona Simpson, eulogizing her brother, Steve Jobs. 

"It didn't matter who she had once been or what she had once believed. Here was a wife and mother prepared to do anything for her family.'
-Daryle Lamont Jenkins, who runs anti-hate group One People's Project, on why he helped former white supremacists get racist tattoos removed.

“For all the people out there that have that hate in their heart, they need to let it go because people are going to be who there are.”
-A mother defending her son after he was assaulted for being gay.

“[The show] definitely showed me personally that there’s so much more to be gained from sharing.”
-Project Runway winner Anya Ayoung-Chee on competition and collaboration

"That's what Halloween is: an entire 'Wow, I'm so glad I had kids' day.'"
-Bill Simmons, "The Sports Guy," on costumes, candy, and celebrating Halloween.

Photo: Courtesy of SOS FAUNA

Biologist Juliana Machado Ferreira is working to keep bird populations aloft.            

With more than 1,800 native avian species, Brazil is home to one of the most diverse bird populations on the planet. But each year, poachers capture hundreds of thousands of birds—including red-cowled cardinals, green-winged saltators, and buffy-fronted seedeaters—to sell as pets in towns and cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Luckily, Brazilian police are able to rescue many of these birds from homes, fairs, and cargo trucks—which is where 31-year-old doctoral student Juliana Machado Ferreira comes in.             

A volunteer with wildlife organization SOS FAUNA, which aids law enforcement in their efforts against poachers and rehabilitates seized creatures, Ferreira is studying ways for science to ensure these rescued birds are returned to their home forests. Releasing the birds in the wrong place—and mixing animals from separate genetic populations—could lead to outbreeding depression, a phenomenon that can result in offspring that are poorly adapted to their environment. "By constructing a bird's genetic profile through DNA extraction and comparing it to the genetic populations within a species, I hope to determine its likely origin," Ferreira says. "That's the first step in reintegrating it."             

It's Friday! This week we're oh-so-grateful for...

Life in a Day, a documentary film of videos taken from people around the world on a single day, is now available to watch on YouTube.

On October 31st, there will be 7 billion people in the world. This tool from the BBC shows where you fit in the scheme of things.

Stop what you're doing and listen to the ocean for 2 minutes.

Listen to Mindy Kaling read from her new book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns).

Just in time for Halloween: these pumpkin sculptures are intricate works of art.

My inner dialogue usually sounds something like this in the morning:

"Ugh. Is it really only Wednesday?" "I'm never buying button-downs that need to be ironed ever again." "Why can't men put a dish in the dishwasher correctly?" "My manicure survived a whole six hours before chipping." "Man wearing the giant backpack and standing in the doorway, please take it off so that other people can actually fit on the bus."

And that's just before 10 a.m.

But what if all my angst was set to music instead of bottled up in my mind? While it would probably give everyone around me something else to complain about (seeing as I can't carry a tune), all that whining might sound good en masse. At least that's what two Finnish artists, Tellervo Kalleinen and Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen, thought when they came up with the genius idea to turn everyday grievances into lyrics for "complaint choirs." Complaints, according to the founders, have the power to generate change and create bonds between people [as reported by BrainPickings.com]. And no matter what language or culture you come from, griping is inevitably a part of it—choirs are popping up all over the globe from Tokyo to Philadelphia. It seems that singing about stress not only relieves it, but it helps both those that take part (and those that just listen) feel a little less alone when dealing with the challenges (a crappy job market, annoying neighbors, rain without an umbrella) that life throws our way on a daily basis.

There are many reasons to rant, but joining a choir (like the Chicago-based one above) might be the best one yet. Click here to listen to more choirs (and complaints).

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Photo: Michael Lovitt

Crystal Cook (right) and Sandy Pollock (left) started dressing in '50s-era ensembles--full skirts, pearls and heels--long before the throwback style made a resurgence. The Joan Harris look made total sense for the two friends, who live in Austin, since they run a home delivery casserole business and wouldn't dare come to your door bearing a pot pie without wearing hose. The Casserole Queens, as they're called, serve dishes that are as retro as their outfits--meatball pie, corn dog casserole, tuna noodle casserole--which is one reason to love them. And if you don't live near Austin, there are many more reasons to make your own casseroles: They're easy; generally don't cost much; and can be made months ahead of time and frozen--then heated and served when you're ready. Cook and Pollock's new book, Recipes from The Casserole Queens Cookbook: Put Some Lovin’ in Your Oven with 100 Easy One-Dish Recipes, has recipes for the aforementioned dishes, plus advice on everything from the perfect casserole dish to how to a frozen one in time for company. For 21 more one-pot wonders--including five from the Queens--check out our slideshow of Casseroles for Every Taste.

Photo: Courtesy of Ann Taylor

Join the fight against breast cancer while treating yourself (or your mother, aunt, or a friend) to something special.While it's not exactly the 12-carat sapphire and diamond number that Catherine Middleton received from Prince William, we think this rose-colored Ann Taylor ANN Cares ring is just as stunning. And the matching glittery necklace reminds us of something you'd find amongst the Crown Jewels. Both will help you sparkle at your next cocktail party and save women's lives by funding research and raising public awareness about the importance of early detection.
 
$58 each, AnnTaylor.com for stores; 70 percent of proceeds goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

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