Nothing appeals to me more than the thought of encasing my loin fruits in a denim suction cup that fastens just below the ribcage. I slowly pull the 11-inch zipper up, savoring the lightweight delight of two halves of this delicious Levi’s sandwich merging into one, forming a perfectly sized love lock around my torso. I examine myself in the mirror. “Hey lady, did you swap butts with a young Brooke Shields or are you just wearing your favorite high-waist jeans?” a hologram of Ryan Gosling writes on the mirror, dipping his finger in the blood of my enemies.

I dress in chunky-heeled boots and a suede trench coat, and I’m around six feet tall. My thighs resemble two parallel infinity pools at a Tulum five-star spa. When I step out the door, I have the distinct impression that my lower half has taken on a new persona. They say we only use 10% of our brains, but I believe we only use 10% of our pelvic swagger as well. I’m pretty sure that covering yourself in stiff denim from head to toe is the secret to unlocking the remaining 90%. You are free to use my words.

I walk into the workplace. Someone tells me I’m glowing and asks if I got a facial (probably Yvonne, because she’s still looking at me). I give a sly smile and let my coat fall to the floor. When I walk over to my desk, my hips sway softly inside the boundaries of their sweet, sweet denim cocoon, the room falls silent.

I grab a break.

ANGER

No, no, and no. My solar plexus has been stabbed in the stomach. My uterus has disintegrated. The metal button on the top of my jeans is digging into my Pillsbury Doughboy tummy, causing a balloon-like semicircle of flesh to appear between my navel and freshly cleaved camel toe — right where young Brooke Shield used to be! What happened to that?

I take a step forward. It has returned!!!

I take another seat. DOUBLE FUDGE.

I consider how I’ll consume the contents of the large bowl of oatmeal I prepared for breakfast. Oatmeal isn’t going to fit in these pants. There’s barely enough space for me, a human child.

BARGAINING

I nervously scan the office, then unzip my high-waist jeans when I’m sure no one is looking. You know how you feel after a long day when you take a drink of red wine, jump into a hot shower after a workout, or dip your hand into a deep bag of uncooked rice? Yes, this is preferable to the sum of all those emotions.

I eat my oatmeal while slouching in my chair. It’s the best oatmeal I’ve ever had, possibly because my tastebuds and guts are in sync, and the feeling of liberation is infectious. How long before human resources (hi Matt!!!) arrests me for indecent exposure if I leave my pants unzipped? I look at the employee handbook at Man Repeller. It’s surprisingly ineffective.

I continue to revel in my abdominal bacchanalia for another hour before needing to use the restroom, which necessitates getting up and walking across the room. I might try to flee (unzipped), but that seems dangerous. My head is bowed, and my zipper is pinched.

My parents had to put a tent over my sister’s crib when she was a toddler because she kept escaping. She would scream “Nooooooooo” every night as they zipped up the tent. As I re-zipped my pants, my stomach did just that.

DEEP, UNWAVERING SORROW

For the next few hours, I’ll be in back-to-back meetings, which means more sitting and less chances to unzip. My waistband, aka the Circle Of Doom, is digging into me so deeply that I fear it’ll leave a permanent indentation — perfect for collecting cookie crumbs, bad for anything else. When I eventually get back to my desk, I look at my chair and try to laugh, but instead I break out in hives (classic mixup). I’m not able to stay in these jeans any longer.

I’m itching to get out of my skin. Instead, I take my laptop and lie down on the office sofa, which may or may not be fitting given that this is a workplace and not my personal high-waist jeans rehab boudoir, but the night is dark and full of terrors, and the prospect of staying perpendicular for one more bleeping second is terrifying.

I take over the couch for the rest of the day, brooding in silence except for a low, primitive moan of remorse every now and then.

ACCEPTANCE

I’ve never been more eager to get home and change. I can already see myself lighting a few candles, lying in bed naked from the waist down, and texting my roommate to bring me a sleeve of saltines like I’m some sort of invalid as I turn my key in the lock.

But, as my fingers approach the zipper.

I hesitate when I catch a glimpse of my lower half in my bedroom mirror.

I can’t help but think, “Is the unavoidable pain of soaking your waist in denim concrete worth the addictive gratification of feeling like your wardrobe and your birthday suit have never been better complemented?” in the words of Carrie Bradshaw.

“Wanna get drinks?” I text some friends.

These jeans are deserving of a few more hours in the spotlight. Flattery will get you a long way.

The post Wearing High-Waist Jeans – The Thought Process appeared first on Stain In Style.

During our quest for the best high-rise jeans, we kept hearing about one pair in particular: Levi’s Wedgie Straight Jeans. Bird creator Jennifer Mankins, Joyce Lee, the head of Madewell’s design team, and Dianna Cohen, the founder of hair-care line Crown Affair, all love them. The jeans, despite their name, don’t really give you a wedgie (at least not in a bad way) — 

When it comes to high-rise jeans, strategist writer Chloe Anello says she’s “really gotten into the straight-leg trend.” Specifically, this pair from DL1961, a sustainable denim brand. She describes them as “very comfortable” and “mold to your body after a few wears.” “They’re a little more streamlined than wide-leg or boyfriend jeans, so they look a little more polished, but they still have a lot of give and flexibility.” The jeans have a retro-inspired wash and a button fly to stick with the vintage vibe.

Men’s Wranglers Classic Cowboy straight leg jeans will “do the trick,” according to illustrator Pauline de Roussy de Sales, if you’re looking for a pair of stiff jeans that will finally break-in and become perfectly vintage-looking. Former-Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchen’s favorite slim-cut Wranglers have the same ‘70s deadstock denim style as the jeans.

If you’re looking for a high-rise jean with a slimmer leg, try this pair, which designer Mary Young describes as “a match made in heaven” when she tried them on. “The high rise sits perfectly without any gapping at the back and comes in various inseams, which is a big blessing for me, who stands my tallest at 5’2,” Young, who is on the petite side, says of the suit. Despite the fact that they’re more expensive, Young insists they’re worth it: “I’ve been wearing them nonstop for three years and they don’t show it,” she says.

“I’ve been wearing high-waisted pants since high school, and they’re difficult to find,” says Diana McCorry, a journalist. “Every brand seems to suit differently, and some are absolutely abominable, so once I find a good fit, I like to stock up. Levi’s 720s are my personal favourites. There’s just enough stretch to prevent tummy compression but just enough shape to 

The post High-Waisted Jeans – Stylish Women’s Picks appeared first on Stain In Style.

Consultation with a board-certified dermatologist is important before selecting a product or combination of products to cure hair loss (from supplements to topical treatments).

Rose Dermatology’s founder and medical director, Lilly-Rose Paraskevas, told HuffPost, “Hair loss is what we prepare for and treat all the time.” “While not all of us are qualified to perform hair transplant surgery, we all see, diagnose, and treat all forms of hair loss.”

Pattern hair loss, also known as male or female pattern hair loss, is the most common form of hair loss, according to Paraskevas. If you have stress-related hair thinning, this isn’t likely what you’re feeling.

“Pattern hair loss is characterized by the transition from thick terminal hair to fine vellus hair,” she explained. “Hair loss is most often seen on the frontal and vertex sides of the scalp.”

Telogen effluvium is a transient and stress-related form of hair loss that varies from pattern hair loss.

“While it’s common for 10% of hairs to shed during the shedding phase of the hair cycle, more than 10% of hairs shed in telogen effluvium, resulting in the increased shedding that patients notice,” Paraskevas explained. “We are seeing an outbreak of telogen effluvium with the pandemic, which is a temporary type of hair loss that occurs after a traumatic incident, such as a COVID infection or the complete shutdown of business as usual with social isolation that we’ve all been experiencing.”

Working with a specialist from the beginning will help you avoid spending money and time on unsuccessful products or products that don’t address the root causes of your hair loss.

Women’s Nutrafol

Marine collagen, sensoril ashwagandha, saw palmetto, curcumin, tocotrienol complex, horsetail, resveratrol, and kelp are among the active ingredients.

Expert opinion: It’s successful.

The nutraceuticals in Nutrafol are anti-inflammatory, anti-androgen, and help provide building blocks for hair growth, according to Paraskevas, who also mentioned that saw palmetto inhibits dihydrotestosterone (DHT). “[DHT] is a powerful androgen that has been linked to pattern hair loss.”

“The adaptogen ashwagandha in Nutrafol promotes homeostasis and improves the system’s ability to withstand stress,” Paraskevas added. Vitamins A, C, and D, as well as zinc and selenium, are all present in Nutrafol.
Scientific studies back up Nutrafol’s efficacy.

According to Rina Allawh, a board-certified dermatologist at Montgomery Dermatology LLC, “Nutrafol has been studied in many multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, which have shown clinical progress and were correlated with a high degree of patient satisfaction.” “Studies have also shown that the product has a good safety profile.”

Rogaine 5 percent Minoxidil Foam for Women

Minoxidil is the active ingredient.

Expert opinion: It’s successful.

“I can confidently suggest Rogaine because the active ingredient, minoxidil, has been shown to be effective in hair regrowth and maintenance for decades,” Paraskevas said. “It’s so successful that the only side effect is excessive hair growth in other parts of the body!”

According to Allawh, an ideal hair growth product should not only extend the hair growth process but also increase hair density by gradually enlarging miniaturized hair follicles to mature thicker terminal hairs.

“Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) is useful for both male and female pattern hair loss, as well as encouraging faster hair regrowth after chemotherapy,” she said.

Rogaine is available in both 2% and 5% topical solutions, with the latter being more effective, according to Allawh.

“Despite the initial shedding, long-term usage of Rogaine has been shown to produce positive results,” she said.

When taken orally, minoxidil is used to treat high blood pressure, although it shouldn’t have the same effect when applied topically (though definitely consult with your doctor before using products with minoxidil, especially if you have other skin issues, heart disease or hypertension). To see results, you must continue to use minoxidil-containing products, because if you stop using it, hair loss will return within a few months.

Dietary Supplement Viviscal Extra Strength

AminoMar C marine complex, biotin are the active ingredients.

Expert opinion: It’s successful.

A trademarked AminoMar C marine complex, which includes a patented mix of shark and mollusk powder, is the main ingredient in Viviscal.

“There is evidence that the proprietary marine complex in Viviscal promotes hair growth and thickens hair,” Paraskevas said, citing a six-month placebo-controlled study from 2016 that looked at Viviscal’s efficacy in promoting hair growth in men with thinning hair.

Viviscal’s AminoMar marine complex and apple extract (procyanidin B-2) have also been shown to increase hair density, according to Allawh. Viviscal also includes biotin, a vitamin that aids in the growth of healthy hair, as well as vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps to prevent hair damage.

Keranique Hair Regrowth System is a hair regrowth system developed by Keranique.

Minoxidil is the active ingredient.

Expert opinion: It’s successful.

Keranique’s Hair Regrowth Treatment, one of four items in the company’s Hair Regrowth System, contains 2% minoxidil, the same active ingredient in Rogaine that has been proven in clinical trials.

According to Allawh, “this ingredient has been scientifically shown to stimulate hair growth in both men and women.” “This spray formulation makes this substance easy to apply to the scalp.”

If you want Keranique’s Hair Regrowth Treatment, you must use it on a regular basis to keep the effects.

Gummies for Hair, Skin, and Nails from Nature’s Bounty

Biotin, vitamin E, and vitamin C are the active ingredients.

Expert opinion: It could work.

“This product can aid in hair regrowth, strengthening the hair shaft, and preventing hair loss and thinning,” Allawh explained.

Clinical trials are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of these gummies. Experts say that just because a product contains ingredients that have been proven to affect hair growth doesn’t mean it will be safe.

GRO Hair Serum by Vegamour

Red clover, mung bean, curcuma longa, nicotiana benthamiana, caffeine are the active ingredients.

Expert opinion: It could work.

Although Vegamour is made up of plant-based active ingredients that have shown promise in clinical trials, there is no clinical evidence to back up the exact formula.

“This product contains red clover, which has been shown to inhibit the development of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that has been shown to inhibit hair growth, resulting in crown thinning and receding hairline,” Allawh explained. “This hair serum is generally favorable and can encourage hair regrowth.”

A board-certified dermatologist, Dhaval G. Bhanusali, has concerns about this $52 hair regrowth product.

“While I like the turmeric and caffeine, both of which have been shown to help with hair loss,” he said, “I’m not sure I’d recommend this as an alternative, particularly at the price point.”

Hair Vitamins by SugarBearHair

Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B-6, folic acid, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, iodine, zinc, choline, and inositol are all active ingredients.

Expert opinion: It could work.

SugarBearHair Hair Vitamins has a cult following and has been lauded by social media influencers, but the product’s formulation lacks the clinical trial evidence required to back up its efficacy.

“While it may be a good vitamin,” Bhanusali said, “countless patients have come in using it and had no results.”

Hair Growth Starter Bundle by Shedavi

Vitamin (bamboo extract, amla, kamut, MSM sulfur, kelp, moringa seed, manjistha, saw palmetto, biotin), elixir (bamboo extract, amla, kamut, MSM sulfur, kelp, moringa seed, manjistha, saw palmetto, biotin) (grapeseed oil, castor seed oil, argan oil, olive oil, sunflower seed oil, macadamia nut oil, clary sage oil, MSM sulfur)

Expert opinion: It could work.

Although this product contains some trendy ingredients, it does not guarantee that it will be safe.

“Amla is a fantastic antioxidant, and saw palmetto and castor oil for hair loss are getting a lot of buzz,” Bhanusali said. “Having said that, I’m not sure there’s enough here for hair growth.”

The post Do Hair Growth Treatments Actually Work For Stress-Related Hair Loss? appeared first on Stain In Style.