The highly anticipated music video for “Rain on Me” is finally out, the second song from Lady Gaga’s Chromatica ahead of the album’s May 29 release. As expected, Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga’s looks are nothing less than epic. Both take on a Dolls Kill-meets-NASA out-of-this-world vibe. I can’t stop looking at Gaga and Grande’s makeup, especially the graphic white eyeliner and futuristic hair. Expect about a million recreations on Instagram and TikTok by the time the weekend is over.

Makeup artist Michael Anthony is responsible for Grande’s makeup and stylist Josh Liu did her hair. Grande is rocking an even more futuristic take on her usual sky-high ponytail, plus white and silver graphic eyeliner. At one point, she even wears her hair down (!!!) for the first time in forever. We’re shook.

Source: Instagram

For Gaga, makeup artist Sarah Tanno used Haus Laboratories makeup, of course, with artist Cale Thomas using his FX skills for the more out-there creations. Those glitter tears? Everything. Gaga’s also wearing white graphic liner, solidifying the trend. We’re sure to see much more of it this summer. Stylist Frederic Aspiras is to thanks for her killer pink hair and wigs.

We don’t know yet what brand of white eyeliner created these super-bright eye looks, as Haus Laboratories doesn’t sell a white liner—yet at least. Is this a peek at what’s to come? For now, if you want to steal their looks for TikTok this weekend, we love Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Snow White ($22 at Amazon) and ColourPop BFF Liquid Liner in Graceland ($4.80 at Ulta). You can also play around with the white hue in Haus Laboratories’ Stupid Love palette. Have fun!

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

What is aging? Volumes have been written on the subject, but our understanding of it, while constantly growing, is still hazy.

However, if pressed to summarize the underlying process on the level of the cell, scientists would agree that many aging-related processes seem to share one underlying theme: inflammation.

One of the classic theories of aging, free radical theory, maintains that oxidative stress causes a state of ongoing inflammation, a hallmark of aging. There even is a term that combines the two together – inflammaging.

Okay, you say. Got it. Inflammaging. But what does sleep and melatonin have to do with it? As it turns out, quite a bit.

Of course, none of the following information is medical advice, but, hopefully, it will give you something to discuss on your next doctor’s visit.

Let’s Take a Closer Look at Melatonin and Aging

Melatonin has been under the microscope for a long time. A natural hormone, released in the pea-sized pineal gland sitting in the back of our head, melatonin regulates our internal clocks – both daily and annual – and our sleep-wake cycle. It also is released in the retina at the bottom of the eye and the gastrointestinal tract.

Darkness stimulates melatonin production. Exposure to light, particularly that at the blue end of the spectrum, such as fluorescent lights and TV and computer screens, inhibits production. Additionally, the levels of melatonin decrease with advanced age to such a degree that some scientists proposed using it as a marker for aging.

What else affects the production of melatonin? We all have experienced unpleasant effects of at least some of these factors: stress, jet lag, shift work or all-nighters, and are intimately familiar with the mental sluggishness and irritability that ensues. In research, higher levels of melatonin correlate with improved memory acquisition and performance.

Turns Out, Melatonin Has Significantly More Benefits

However, melatonin does more than just regulating our sleep. Several animal studies have demonstrated that it might extend life span. There are several possible mechanisms that could explain that possibility.

Melatonin is one of the most powerful antioxidant substances in our bodies. There is a reason why it is called the “scavenger of free radicals.” Other antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, protect us from most oxidative damage, but they cannot convert some radicals, like superoxide anion radical, into oxygen. Melatonin increases the production of glutathione, which in turn inactivates these bad radicals.

Oxidative stress causes gene mutations in mitochondria, responsible for the production of energy for the cells. Melatonin has a role in the protection and repair of DNA in mitochondria. Maintaining the homeostasis (a state of metabolic balance) in mitochondria is only one of the mechanisms through which melatonin can affect the process of aging.

Can Melatonin Extend the Lifespan?

So, can melatonin extend lifespan? In a word, yes, I think that it can. We now have some evidence in both animal and human studies.

Have you heard about sirtuins? It is a family of fascinating proteins that serve as regulators of metabolic status in general and lifespan in particular. You guessed it. Melatonin stimulates expression of sirtuins.

Melatonin also has a role in maintaining telomeres. Like a plastic tip on shoelace, a telomere protects the end of chromosome. Shortening of telomeres causes cells to age and eventually triggers cell death. Melatonin prevents telomere reduction, increasing the life span of cells.

In human studies, so far the only intervention that has consistently increased longevity was caloric restriction. Does not sound attractive, now does it? However, even here, melatonin can be of service. It just may be that caloric restriction works its miracles through melatonin.

For example, the levels of melatonin in food-restricted rats were twice as high as in their counterparts with free access to food. In several studies, rats that were given melatonin in drinking water had significantly increased life span. Interestingly, the animals displayed more youthful behavior. Melatonin-fed rats not only lived longer – they seemed to have more fun while at it!

How Do We Increase Our Melatonin Levels?

First and foremost, we can increase melatonin levels by not suppressing them artificially. Start dimming the lights about two hours prior to bedtime. Avoid exposure to fluorescent lights, TV and computer screens. Yes, that includes the e-readers too (unless they have a “night shift” option under display and brightness settings). While it is easier said than done, it is perfectly doable. Remember these things called books?

Keep your bedroom as dark as possible. I can tell you from personal experience that blackout curtains make a huge difference. Try blocking all other distracting lights. Turn away bedside alarm clocks so that they don’t face you. I even went as far as duct-taping the little indicator lights on my laptop and power cords.

Some foods that contain melatonin include eggs, fish, cereals, certain mushrooms and sprouted seeds and legumes.

If you decide to take a melatonin supplement, here are a few suggestions. It often works best at low doses. Start with 1 mg 30 minutes to an hour prior to the bedtime. Even if you don’t take melatonin as a sleep supplement, you want to mimic the natural way melatonin is released in our body, with a peak level around two to three am.

If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, having a hard time going back to sleep, opt for sustained-release melatonin. And finally, many people will report experiencing more vivid dreams and may remember them better in the morning.

What are you doing to achieve healthy aging? Do you have any tips on how to improve your sleep and melatonin levels? How have you adjusted your bedtime routine for better sleep? Please share in the comments.

My 60th year has been the busiest of my life. Before it’s over, I will have moved twice, put the heat to a back-burner passion, refreshed important friendships, picked up a new musical instrument and increased my income by improving my habits.

It didn’t start off to be a year of self-improvement, but when I decided I wanted to live to be 100, I knew it was time to get busy. I think a lot of us make important decisions and go through changes on big birthdays.

I credit one new habit with having the best influence on me this year. I’ve started meditating. Here’s how it all came about for me.

Stress Attacks from the Inside Out

If selling a home of 26 years wasn’t enough, we had already started building another home and moved to a third location where we would live during construction. Perhaps most taxing: I am the realtor, and the most demanding client ever is my husband. After 90 days on the market, he was stressing us both out.

A much younger, very with-it realtor found our buyer. She sensed my stress. “You should try meditation,” she said. Sure, I thought to myself. There’s not enough time in a day as it is.

A few days later, I end up in the doctor’s office with a miserable rash on my right arm and down my right side. I fear it’s shingles.

That same morning, I’m packing to go out-of-state for a family wedding. More problematic than hiding this rash in my new sleeveless dress, is that shingles is a no-no around my pregnant niece and the adorable young children I can’t wait to see in person rather than on Instagram.

It wasn’t shingles, though I learned stress can aggravate the shingles virus. My doctor diagnosed my ugly, itchy skin as a stress reaction. She prescribed Prednisone and suggested meditation. “Meditate any way you want,” she said. “Just learn to calm your mind.”

Meditation Cures Many Ills

More than 3,000 scientific studies have proven the benefits of meditation. It lowers blood pressure, reduces anxiety, wards off depression and boosts immunity.

Some research shows meditating improves cellular structure and cures disease, speeds healing and fights some cancers. New research on aging suggests meditation helps lengthen telomeres, those protective caps on our chromosomes, which may add years to life.

Simply put, meditation is a dose of good medicine with no negative side effects, something we don’t hear about very often. Plus, it’s free.

Anyone Can Meditate Any Way, Anywhere

There are no rules about meditating, and here’s how I go about it.

I meditate first thing every morning for just 10 minutes. While some people find music distracting, I listen to classical music if I’m inside or just the sounds of nature if I’m outside. I sit in a straight back chair and set a countdown timer. I close my eyes and start with 4-7-8 breathing popularized by Dr. Andrew Weil.

After concentrating on my breath, I spend a couple minutes on gratitude. Then I move on to awe, feeling deeply that the universe is so big and mysterious, yet I’m an important piece of the puzzle.

I may ponder how perfectly the solar system works so there’s life here on Earth. I may contemplate the human body, a miracle computer like none other. The subject matter for awe is endless, and I almost always get tingles during this part of my meditation.

When my timer goes off, I smile, stretch and try to carry all that with me for the day.

The Benefits are Subtle Yet Substantial

I’m frustrated when I talk to friends about meditating and they say, “I don’t sit still that long” or “I just can’t get into it.” A year ago, I was a skeptic too. Now I’m a believer that meditation makes a difference and hope it’s adding years to my life. It has become a treat, not a chore at all.

I still rush to get everything done, but sometimes I feel like I’m floating through the stressful parts of the day. I’m much more likely to hold my tongue and keep a negative thought to myself. I may just slough it off, like less-than-positive thoughts aren’t part of me at all.

My cholesterol has dropped about 40 points to under 200 for the first time ever. Could that be related to meditation? It’ hard to say because I’ve made other lifestyle changes, too. I’m willing to bet meditating plays at least a small part. But I’m not taking any chances. I’m sticking with it, and I am a cheerleader for everyone who gives it a try… any way you want.

How do you meditate? What does it make you feel? How do you talk about it with friends who think meditation is a waste of time? Please join the conversation to share your thoughts.

The highly anticipated music video for “Rain on Me” is finally out, the second song from Lady Gaga’s Chromatica ahead of the album’s May 29 release. As expected, Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga’s looks are nothing less than epic. Both take on a Dolls Kill-meets-NASA out-of-this-world vibe. I can’t stop looking at Gaga and Grande’s makeup, especially the graphic white eyeliner and futuristic hair. Expect about a million recreations on Instagram and TikTok by the time the weekend is over.

Makeup artist Michael Anthony is responsible for Grande’s makeup and stylist Josh Liu did her hair. Grande is rocking an even more futuristic take on her usual sky-high ponytail, plus white and silver graphic eyeliner. At one point, she even wears her hair down (!!!) for the first time in forever. We’re shook.

Source: Instagram

For Gaga, makeup artist Sarah Tanno used Haus Laboratories makeup, of course, with artist Cale Thomas using his FX skills for the more out-there creations. Those glitter tears? Everything. Gaga’s also wearing white graphic liner, solidifying the trend. We’re sure to see much more of it this summer. Stylist Frederic Aspiras is to thanks for her killer pink hair and wigs.

We don’t know yet what brand of white eyeliner created these super-bright eye looks, as Haus Laboratories doesn’t sell a white liner—yet at least. Is this a peek at what’s to come? For now, if you want to steal their looks for TikTok this weekend, we love Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Snow White ($22 at Amazon) and ColourPop BFF Liquid Liner in Graceland ($4.80 at Ulta). You can also play around with the white hue in Haus Laboratories’ Stupid Love palette. Have fun!

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Dorinda Medley’s Burgundy Velvet Asymmetrical Top at Ramona’s Cocktail Party

Real Housewives of New York Season 12 Episode 8 Fashion

Dorinda Medley’s outfit that she wears to Ramona’s cocktail party on tonight’s episode of RHONY is so chic that it even garners a compliment from the hostess herself — that is before Ramona kicks her out lol. However we’re thinking that maybe it was all just a strategic move so that she could get a better view of the back detailing on this burgundy velvet top.

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Roland Mouret Top For Less

Click Here to Shop Her The Row Bag

Click Here to Shop it in Turquoise on Sale

Originally posted at: Dorinda Medley’s Burgundy Velvet Asymmetrical Top