If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

We wouldn’t exactly say Jennifer Lawrence is a hair chameleon but the actor has switched it up over the years. And she nails each look, whether shorter, longer, brunette or blonde. But there’s one hairstyle Lawrence regrets so much, she literally wishes the photos of it didn’t exist at all. She spilled all her feelings in Vogue‘s latest 73 Questions video. It’s safe to say, she wishes she never had a pixie cut.

“Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to do a pixie cut?” Vogue asks Lawrence in the video. “First off, that’s mean,” she says. “Obviously, my advice is don’t do it, think everything through and if I could have the internet scrubbed of those photos, or not scrubbed, just add extensions to them. If anybody knows how to do that, that’d be great.”

We couldn’t disagree more. Lawrence’s pixie phase in 2013 was truly iconic. It makes us want to watch the entire Hunger Games series all over again.

Barry King/FilmMagic.

Lawrence can’t think she looks bad with a shorter cut (because no) but we can just imagine the pain of the grow out. A pixie cut starts off so chic but can go through some awkward moments before it gets to a more manageable length. We think she pulled off each stage pretty well!

Michael Buckner/Getty Images for ELLE.

Now, the new mom has long, dirty blonde hair — longer than we’ve ever seen from the star. It fits her laid-back vibe right now.

Gotham/GC Images.

Lawrence is out and about now to promote her new Apple TV+ film Causeway. In the movie, she’s gone back to brunette to play “a US soldier who suffers a traumatic brain injury while fighting in Afghanistan and struggles to adjust to life back home.” It comes out November 4.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

Whoever said bad acne ends after high school is seriously mistaken. Speaking from personal experience, my acne-prone skin flared up at different points in college, and it has continued to stick around as I’ve entered my mid-twenties. I know plenty of other people who also have adult acne. If you’re in the same boat, you might throw up your hands and say (as the Love Islanders do), “It is what it is.” But let me stop you there, because there’s a skincare brand that has made it its mission to specifically target acne and aging—a rare find!

Let me introduce you to CLEARSTEM Skincare. Founders Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina discovered a gap in the market for anti-acne and anti-aging products that exclude hormone disruptors, toxins and pore-clogging ingredients. The brand has so many amazing formulas, like the CELLRENEW Collagen Stem Cell Serum and CLEARITY Mandelic Acid Serum, but today, I’m shining the spotlight on the BOUNCEBACK Serum—also referred to as the “No Botox Serum.”

The formula promises to renew, restore and rejuvenate your complexion with the help of three key ingredients. CLEARSTEM’s proprietary blend of stem cells promotes collagen production, which is essential to increasing skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles. Green tea and peptides are also vital inclusions since they activate the stem cells to start working their magic.

Additionally, peptides firm sagging skin and argan oil prevents free radical damage and plumps areas of concern. Calming botanicals like reishi, vitamin B5 and aloe vera join this all-star lineup of ingredients by smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, protecting your skin from environmental aggressors and fading hyperpigmentation (a.k.a. acne scars).

It’s so effective that one shopper wrote, “After just a few uses, my skin literally looked firmer and younger!”

Need I say more? Shop the BOUNCEBACK Serum and watch as your acne and visible signs of aging disappear with consistent applications. It won’t be long before you’re buying your second bottle.

RELATED: People Are Going Wild Over This ‘Blackhead Dissolver’ Serum That ‘Dramatically’ Changed Their Skin in 2 Weeks 

Photo: CLEARSTEM Skincare.

While helping your acne scars fade away, the formula also works to erase fine lines and wrinkles—talk about efficiency! Whether it’s that time of the month, you’re stressing over work or you accidentally skipped sunscreen, this serum has everything your skin needs to bounce back better than ever. Take it from the reviewers who collectively gave the serum a 4.9-star overall rating. 

“Absolutely obsessed with my BOUNCEBACK serum. I have been using it consistently for about six months. It is part of my nightly routine, and I’ll never go without it,” raved one shopper. “My skin is smoother, brighter and my fine lines have reduced.”

Pro tip from the brand: Apply the serum to your neck to prevent wrinkles there, too.

“This product makes my skin look beautiful and smooth and glow-y, I’m obsessed!” wrote another reviewer. “I’ve used it for about two months and can see an improvement in my fine lines. You only need a little so it’s lasted me a while.”

By feeding your skin the proper ingredients to repair itself and produce new collagen, you’re giving your complexion a chance to come back smoother, brighter, firmer, clearer and healthier. Toss out your anti-aging serums that haven’t been showing satisfactory results and sub them with CLEARSTEM’s BOUNCEBACK Serum.

About 20 years ago, when I discovered the first signs of “Arthur-itis,” I wrote this:

“For years I’ve watched myself become my mother (occasionally a good thing), but last week I was playing around with my rings, minding my own business, when I realized that my knuckles are beginning to resemble Mom’s – knobby! The fingers on my right hand might soon qualify as gnarled.”

Well, nearly 22 years later, good old “Arthur” is a part of my life, and not a particular favorite.

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis literally means joint inflammation, and it refers to a group of more than a hundred rheumatic diseases that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.

There are two major types of arthritis: osteoarthritis (more common) is the result of mechanical wear and tear on joints, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the joints.

More than 40 million Americans suffer from arthritis (one in seven), over 250 million worldwide. Many have chronic pain that limits their daily activity.

How Do I Combat Arthritis?

Time to Exercise

Physicians used to discourage activity for arthritis sufferers, but exercise is helpful. It offers both physical and psychological benefits, including improved health, overall fitness, and better sleep. Now physicians recommend range-of motion and strengthening exercises for arthritis relief.

It is important, though, not to overtax stressed joints, especially during flare-ups. Low impact exercise and stretches are the easiest on arthritic joints: yoga, swimming, or water aerobics. And of course, there’s the added bonus of a jacuzzi or hot bath afterward.

I’m particularly bothered with arthritis in my hands, which is disturbing to a woman who spends hours each day typing and knitting. A friend introduced me to a series of yoga exercises that help alleviate the aching I often experience.

The first one has me spreading my fingers wide, then clenching my fists, with 20 repetitions.

The second exercise is lifting my hand, fingers close but straight, as far up as my wrists will allow, then bending my hand down in the opposite direction. Again, 20 repetitions.

The third is clenched-fist hand circles from the wrist, 20 in each direction. They help. I found a video of a similar set of exercises by Kim McNeil, Yoga for Arthritis.

Try Heat and Cold

Depending on the type of arthritis you deal with, either dry or moist heat or cold packs can offer relief from a flare-up, too. You might start your day with a hot shower and finish it with a warm bath to soothe away the aches, while an ice pack can ease inflammation after exercise.

I’ve noticed that as I get older, I become stiff after sitting or sleeping, and it hurts. Doctors at Johns Hopkins recommend using heat to combat painful stiffness.

Keep an electric blanket on your bed to heat up as you wake in the morning. You may see a significant difference with 10 to 15 minutes of heat. I also like to start my day with a series of stretches and exercises to “get out the kinks.”

Another thing I do daily is take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in water. Though there’s little medical evidence of its effectiveness, I swear by it. It certainly can’t hurt, and I’m a firm believer in “whatever works.”

Follow a Healthy Diet

According to Healthline, a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods can help boost your immune system.

A plant-based diet provides antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation, while diets rich in red meats, processed foods, saturated fat, and added sugar and salt may aggravate inflammation, a painful feature of arthritis.

Lose Weight

Weight is a big factor in arthritis of the knees, hips, and ankles. If you’re obese, losing weight will reduce the stress on your weight-bearing joints, hopefully improving your mobility and limiting future joint injury.

How Do I Cope with Arthritis Pain?

If you’ve made these lifestyle changes to combat arthritis and still experience pain, you may need to consider medications or surgery.

Take Something for It

Many people in the beginning stages of arthritis manage their illness with an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug like aspirin or ibuprofen. Research has shown that turmeric has a mitigating effect on inflammation, easing arthritis pain.

Another effective treatment is an ointment including capsaicin, a compound from chili peppers, and it will provide warmth to soothe joint pain. A number of prescription drugs have been found successful for arthritis. If you are bothered by chronic joint pain, it’s probably time to check with your physician.

Try Acupuncture

Many people find that acupuncture treatments ease the pain of arthritis by rerouting energies and restoring balance in the body. The American Arthritis foundation recommends it as a pain-relief measure.

Consider Surgery

If you’re plagued with an arthritic joint, you might need surgery. I soldiered through knee pain until it was so excruciating I cried when skiing uphill.

That was it – time for the knee replacement that changed my life. Six years later, my knee supports me without any pain. Sadly, my other knee is starting to complain. This time I won’t postpone surgery quite so long.

I hope these measures help you cope with our less-than-wonderful companion, Arthur-itis.

Editor’s Note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice. Please consult with your doctor to get specific medical advice for your situation.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you suffer from arthritis? Which of your joints are the most painful? What do you do about the pain and inflammation? Where do you find pain relief? Have you thought about surgery? Please share your thoughts and concerns and let’s have a discussion.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

Whoever said bad acne ends after high school is seriously mistaken. Speaking from personal experience, my acne-prone skin flared up at different points in college, and it has continued to stick around as I’ve entered my mid-twenties. I know plenty of other people who also have adult acne. If you’re in the same boat, you might throw up your hands and say (as the Love Islanders do), “It is what it is.” But let me stop you there, because there’s a skincare brand that has made it its mission to specifically target acne and aging—a rare find!

Let me introduce you to CLEARSTEM Skincare. Founders Danielle Gronich and Kayleigh Christina discovered a gap in the market for anti-acne and anti-aging products that exclude hormone disruptors, toxins and pore-clogging ingredients. The brand has so many amazing formulas, like the CELLRENEW Collagen Stem Cell Serum and CLEARITY Mandelic Acid Serum, but today, I’m shining the spotlight on the BOUNCEBACK Serum—also referred to as the “No Botox Serum.”

The formula promises to renew, restore and rejuvenate your complexion with the help of three key ingredients. CLEARSTEM’s proprietary blend of stem cells promotes collagen production, which is essential to increasing skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles. Green tea and peptides are also vital inclusions since they activate the stem cells to start working their magic.

Additionally, peptides firm sagging skin and argan oil prevents free radical damage and plumps areas of concern. Calming botanicals like reishi, vitamin B5 and aloe vera join this all-star lineup of ingredients by smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, protecting your skin from environmental aggressors and fading hyperpigmentation (a.k.a. acne scars).

It’s so effective that one shopper wrote, “After just a few uses, my skin literally looked firmer and younger!”

Need I say more? Shop the BOUNCEBACK Serum and watch as your acne and visible signs of aging disappear with consistent applications. It won’t be long before you’re buying your second bottle.

RELATED: People Are Going Wild Over This ‘Blackhead Dissolver’ Serum That ‘Dramatically’ Changed Their Skin in 2 Weeks 

Photo: CLEARSTEM Skincare.

While helping your acne scars fade away, the formula also works to erase fine lines and wrinkles—talk about efficiency! Whether it’s that time of the month, you’re stressing over work or you accidentally skipped sunscreen, this serum has everything your skin needs to bounce back better than ever. Take it from the reviewers who collectively gave the serum a 4.9-star overall rating. 

“Absolutely obsessed with my BOUNCEBACK serum. I have been using it consistently for about six months. It is part of my nightly routine, and I’ll never go without it,” raved one shopper. “My skin is smoother, brighter and my fine lines have reduced.”

Pro tip from the brand: Apply the serum to your neck to prevent wrinkles there, too.

“This product makes my skin look beautiful and smooth and glow-y, I’m obsessed!” wrote another reviewer. “I’ve used it for about two months and can see an improvement in my fine lines. You only need a little so it’s lasted me a while.”

By feeding your skin the proper ingredients to repair itself and produce new collagen, you’re giving your complexion a chance to come back smoother, brighter, firmer, clearer and healthier. Toss out your anti-aging serums that haven’t been showing satisfactory results and sub them with CLEARSTEM’s BOUNCEBACK Serum.

Many kitchen spices have warming properties that can enhance your health as the weather turns colder. While they are available in supplement form, use them in recipes whenever possible.

Weight for weight, spices provide more antioxidant polyphenols than any other types of food. This gives them their intense flavour, so you only need small amounts to add enticing aromas and tastes.

Even so, these teaspoon amounts and even tiny sprinkles, can provide significant health benefits, just like small doses of medicine!

Black Pepper

Known as the King of Spices, black pepper is so revered for its flavour that its health benefits are often overlooked. Black peppercorns contain a high level of antioxidant polyphenols which contribute to its sharp flavour and pleasant tingling on the tongue.

It is also a source of piperine – an alkaloid that boosts the absorption of some substances (such as the curcumin found in turmeric) but blocks the absorption of others, such as cholesterol.

Research shows that black pepper can lower cholesterol levels and is currently under investigation for possible effects in protecting against bowel cancer.

While mainly used in savoury dishes, black pepper goes particularly well with fresh strawberries, enhancing their taste. Black pepper is my favourite spice – I add it to everything, and even grind it onto bread rolls and butter in restaurants which attracts some funny looks!

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper has a distinctive burning heat due to the presence of capsaicin, an irritant alkaloid that burns the mouth. This ‘heat’ effect also stimulates circulation and increases your metabolic rate.

Researchers have found that your metabolic rate increases by up to 50% so you burn fat faster for three hours after eating a spicy meal – enough to burn approximately 50 kcals extra per day.

Cayenne pepper also suppresses appetite by increasing sensations of fullness and decrease the desire for carbohydrate-rich foods. Cayenne also stimulates production of natural painkillers (endorphins) in the brain to lift your mood.

Other health benefits, which are not fully understood, also appear to promote longevity. Data from over 16,000 adults who ate the hottest red chili peppers were 13% less likely to die from any medical cause over a 19-year follow-up period than those who did not eat chili peppers. What an excellent reason to spice up your diet!

Ginger

Ginger is one of the oldest known medicinal spices. It contains a variety of unique chemicals such as gingerol and zingerone which can improve diabetes control, cholesterol balance and relieve nausea.

Ginger is also used to relieve indigestion, flatulence, poor circulation – especially Raynaud’s disease – and migrainous headaches. It is increasingly used to reduce the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis.

Ginger is delicious in soups, sauces, salad dressings, marinades, fresh juices, infusions and desserts. Crystallised ginger is a popular festive treat – select versions coated in dark chocolate for maximum benefits. Who said medicine couldn’t taste good?

Black Cumin

Black cumin seeds have a warm, spicy-sweet aroma and a flavour that’s described as a cross between black pepper, onions and oregano. Black cumin seeds are one of the most effective natural remedies for high blood pressure.

Research published in the Journal of Hypertension assessed the results from 11 clinical trials involving 860 people and concluded that black cumin seed supplements could reduce blood pressure by 7.66/4.89 mmHg within just eight weeks of treatment – better than many prescribed drugs.

Like most spices, it’s important to use freshly-ground black cumin to retain its pungency. Add black cumin to curries, soups, stews, chilli and other savoury dishes.

Turmeric

Turmeric has seen a tremendous rise in popularity over the last year. Turmeric is the source of curcumin, a yellow-orange, medicinal polyphenol that can regulate cell growth cycles, boost metabolism (to aid weight loss) and reduce inflammation.

It can improve inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and osteoarthritis, lower cholesterol levels and has beneficial effects on the way liver cells process fats. Turmeric is currently under investigation for a possible protective effect against both depression and dementia.

Turmeric is wonderful combined with lentils, meat, fish, rice and vegetable dishes. It is also popular in tea and latte. The absorption of curcumin is improved by adding black pepper.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is derived from the inner bark of a small tree. True cinnamon comes from Cinnamomum verum, but most commercial cinnamon comes from cassia bark which has a less over-powering flavour.

Cinnamon is especially helpful for people with type 2 diabetes. It reduces insulin resistance in muscle and fat cells, so they can absorb more glucose from the circulation.

As well as improving glucose control, cinnamon also helps to lower blood pressure through a mild diuretic effect and improves cholesterol balance by inhibiting the same liver enzyme (HMG-CoA) that is targeted by statin drugs.

Cinnamon is used in sweet recipes such as cakes, puddings, chocolates and apple pie, as well as in stews, tagines and curries. It adds a natural sweetness to dishes so you need less sugar or honey in smoothies, porridge and drinks. I love cinnamon tea, too.

Top Tips for Spicing Up Your Diet

Herbs and spices vary in flavour from pungent to aromatic and can be sweet, peppery or even bitter. When heated, they release their volatile, aromatic oils and their flavour can soften as their polyphenol content reduces.

If you add more to recipes at the end of the cooking process, the flavour and health benefits are retained, e.g., with garam masala, a blend of spices that typically includes black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, mace/nutmeg, cardamom and cumin which is used in many Indian dishes.

• Buy herbs and spices little-and-often so they are always fresh.
• Buy them whole and grind them when needed, rather than buying ready-ground powders – the difference in aroma, flavour and polyphenol content is immense.
• Create spice rubs to marinate meats, fish and vegetables before cooking.
• Add herbs and spices to soups, stews, casseroles, sauces and gravy – any dish can benefit from the addition of a well-chosen herb and spice blend.
• Turn leftovers into a spicy dish by adding a spice blend such as Moroccan Ras el hanout or Indian garam masala.
• Whenever a recipe calls for salt, experiment with obtaining flavour from spices instead.
• Once you get a feel for which flavours blend well, experiment by creating infusions to drink such as turmeric, ginger and mint tea.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Which is your favourite spice? How do you use it? Do you grow your own or do you buy? Chilli and cayenne are usually at the top of everyone’s list but mine has to be black pepper for its versatility and addictiveness! Please share your preferences below!