We're constantly hearing about the latest and greatest ways improve things between the sheets, not just because sex is fun and healthy, but because it's important for the strength and closeness of long-term romantic relationships. Right?

Sure, that's the common refrain, but the reality may tell a different story. Research finds that one in five married people in America (20 percent) have not had sex in the last month, 12 percent haven't done the deed in the last three months and 6 percent haven't had sex in more than a year. ("Sexless” is defined as having intercourse 10 times or less per year.)

Are all those couples for whom sex isn't high on their priority list — or maybe on it at all — really unhappy and unhealthy? Should they not be together at all? What's really going on here?

"A sex-free marriage can work perfectly well if both partners are comfortable with the arrangement," says Laurel Steinberg, Ph.D., sexologist, relationship therapist and professor of psychology at Columbia University. "If one partner wants to be having sex or much more sex than his/her partner is comfortable with, then a possible solution could be practicing an alternative relationship style, such as polyamory, or having an open relationship that includes sex or sex play with outside partners. It's important to note that penetrative intercourse isn't required for a couple to have a great sex life, because fantastic sex happens with hands, mouths and sex toys, as well.”

We talked to real women who are in relationships in which sex plays little to no role, and yet are happy, close and even in love. Below, seven women open up about what it's like to be in a satisfying, sex-free relationship.

More: What I Learned From a Year Without Sex

(Happy) ships in the night

"I didn't realize I was in a sex-free marriage until it was five months after we last did it and my husband of 11 years brought it up. You're probably asking how one could just forget to have sex... Well, our work schedules have gotten so different — him working during the day and I, a nurse, working evenings — that when it comes to bedroom activities, all we want to do is sleep. But our marriage still feels strong despite the lack of intercourse. We support each other in our jobs, we're genuinely best friends, and we touch, kiss and cuddle as often as we can. It's been eight months since we've had sex and I still feel the same way about him as I did on our honeymoon." — Candice, 52, Naples, Florida

Sex on the side

"My sex-free marriage may be a little different than others. My marriage may be sexless, but I am not. My husband and I have an agreement where we can see others outside of our marriage — an open marriage, if you will. Because of certain circumstances, it was the best option for us. We got married young. After 20 years together, we're realizing that we may have been better off as friends, at least for now. We didn't entertain the idea of divorce because we were both unsure if that's what we really wanted. I'd say that the only good way for couples to be sexless in marriage is to make sure you're both on the same page." — Rose H., 44, Kansas City, Missouri

Evolving with age

"I haven't had sex with my husband in over two years. I blame age. He was having some issues and difficulties with performing and we found that we got along better when we weren't trying to have sex and getting frustrated with each other when it didn't work. Now, we do just about everything else, and we still love each other just the same." — Anna, 61, Annapolis, Maryland

More: What 11 Happily Married Women Wish They'd Known as Newlyweds

You'd better buckle up, because ABC is bringing the sexy back to Shakespeare. In their newest series, Still Star-Crossed, the story of Romeo & Juliet continues in a deliciously dramatic and soapy manner. The Montague and Capulet parents are still at each other's throats over the deaths of their respective children. Intriguingly, the show moves the action and story to a new protagonist: Juliet's cousin, Rosalind, who finds herself caught between these warring families and an arranged marriage she wants no part of.

SheKnows spoke over the phone with two of the up-and-coming stars of Still Star-Crossed, Medalion Rahimi and Sterling Sulieman, to discuss the inventive twists on the classic story, their characters and what makes this show so relevant and watchable to audiences in 2017.

More: Things I Yelled at My TV While Watching The Bachelorette Premiere

In the show, Rahimi plays Princess Isabella and Sulieman is playing Escalus. While Escalus is a pre-existing character from Romeo & Juliet — a lawmaker and authority figure in the city of Verona — his sister Isabella is an entirely new character to this world. Both Rahimi and Sulieman told SheKnows that the allure of Shakespeare was one of the primary reasons they signed on. "With it being such a famous story, it’s something you sort of dream of, to do Shakespeare as an actor," Rahimi explained. "This is, so far, the closest thing I can get to it. And it’s Shonda Rhimes! It’s just like the best of these two amazing household names."

Sulieman agreed with Rahimi and noted that his reasons were similar to Rahimi's, that the attractive combination of a Shakespearean story foundation combined with the producing power of Rhimes was one of the reasons he signed on. "It’s not very often that I get to do a period piece, let alone something so epic. It’s Romeo & Juliet, it’s Shonda, and for me it’s also horses and swords. But it’s something I’m very excited to jump into."

There's no doubt that Still Star-Crossed is a show steeped in and faithful to the trappings of a period piece. Viewers are transported to 16th-century Verona, where there is no shortage of gorgeous period-specific costuming, lots of sword fighting and horseback riding and eloquently scripted dialogue, all evocative of its Shakespearean predecessor. However, you'd be hasty in thinking Still Star-Crossed isn't relevant or accessible to modern audiences simply because of its period-piece details.

"I mean, there’s a lot of things going on in the show," Rahimi noted, highlighting some ways audiences can access this show in a thematic manner. "There’s people who are struggling with fulfilling expectations that other people have of them and following their heart, which I think is definitely relevant to today. There’s, you know, the [idea of] feeling included, feeling a part of a community — I think that’s really vague — but you’ll have to see, I guess."

More: The Dirty Dancing Remake Was Good, But Also Really Bad

Speaking of ways to connect with Still Star-Crossed, when Sulieman and Rahimi began speaking about their characters, it became clear that they (as well as the rest of the Still Star-Crossed cast) would be deeply relatable.

In the case of Escalus, a young man thrust into a position of great power at such a young age, Sulieman sounded as if he was thoroughly prepared and excited to bring him to life. "It’s interesting because in our [show] we kind of have my father being the prince who dies right before I get there," he noted. "So I think one of the beauties of Escalus being younger in this story is that he comes in as this fresh, young prince who’s a little unsure of how to manage the Montagues and the Capulets. And so that creates an interesting divide because he’s easily, maybe, manipulated by them. And he has his sister to help manage them and also he of course is young, so his heart is full of fire," Sulieman said, deepening his voice a little for what might be considered lighthearted emphasis.

The trailers for Still Star-Crossed indicate that this younger Escalus finds himself embroiled in the intimate goings on of the Montagues and Capulets more so than his Shakespearean counterpart; in the new ABC drama, we find that he has a romantic history with Rosalind. How deliciously complicated, indeed.

More: Using Only 9 Words, Meredith Just Destroyed Fans During the Grey's Anatomy Finale

But the updates and intrigues aren't limited to Escalus and Rosalind. Rahimi's Isabella is a delightfully progressive female character, drawn as both a cunning young politician and a woman with aspirations that break gendered stereotypes. "She’s a strong female character. She’s not so concerned about finding love or anything like that. She really just wants to make sure that the city is safe and that her family stays in power and to end the bloodshed within the city. She’s constantly talking about creating peace within," Rahimi explained.

She also detailed how she and her brother have different approaches to the problems plaguing Verona and hinted at how that might affect their relationship on the show. "[Escalus has] been outside of the city and I’ve never left the palace because a woman in that time is not, I guess, allowed to leave the house [laughs] so I have to be there to help him, but it’s hard for me to see that he gets to just rule and do almost everything that he wants and I have to just sit pretty — kind of."

Rahimi and Sulieman ended our interview with some great teases about what to expect on the first season of Still Star-Crossed. For those that still remain unconvinced that this delightful, suspenseful and yes, seriously sexy-in-a-soapy-way Shakespearean update isn't for you, listen up.

"We do take the show out of Verona sometimes, so there’s a bunch of treats that are coming," Sulieman teased with Rahimi adding that "for Isabella [...] she loves her brother and she loves her city, but she also does get a taste for power. I think that she gets herself into some situations that later on in the show (which you have to stay tuned for) that are, uh, a little bit sticky."

Swords, horses, Shakespearean-influenced dialogue, forbidden romance, political plotting and plenty of period-specific details to keep you enthralled: What more could you ask for in a TV show?

Still Star-Crossed airs on ABC every Monday starting May 29 at 10/9c.

We were pretty excited for Mariah Carey to be single for basically the first time in her life, but apparently, she wasn't.

More: Mariah Carey Is Clearly Living Her Best Life With Her New BF

Carey reportedly broke up with her post-engagement rebound guy-slash-backup dancer, Bryan Tanaka, last month. But did they actually break up? Because they don't look too broken up right now, TBH.

They were spotted not only together this week, but together at one of LA's biggest celeb hotspots, Catch. And not only were they together at Catch, but they were holding hands! Meanwhile, Mimi was grinning her face off, so they were clearly happy to be together and were showing some casual PDA after their supposed breakup.

More: Mariah Carey Writhes Around in Leather & Lace Atop a Car in New Video

This happened after Carey posted a Flashback Friday pic to Instagram, showing her and Tanaka sweetly sharing some kind of fancy dessert. That was the first time he had appeared on her social media since March, back when they were still smitten and letting the whole world know it with all of the PDA.

So excuse us for being skeptical about those breakup reports. Though, it's entirely possible that Carey and Tanaka did actually break up, but almost immediately got back together, because she's terrible at being single. Either way, they just don't look all that broken up right now. Just saying.

More: Nick Cannon Is Getting All Up in Mariah Carey's Relationship Business

This is big news for Tanaka, who we were sure was just a rebound considering Carey started dating him, like, seconds after she and James Packer called off their engagement. Either way, if Mimi's happy, we're happy.

Does anyone know exactly when Carly Rae Jepsen became the voice of the summer? Because every single year this chick comes out with an absolute banger, and this year, she does NOT disappoint. Carly Rae has saved pop music once again with her new single, Cut to the Feeling.

More: SheKnows Hangout: Live video Q&A with Carly Rae Jepsen

We all know Jepsen’s original claim to fame comes from the summer of 2012 with Call Me, Maybe, which was not only a banger but a chart-topping single that year. Since then, the pop star has hit the charts almost every year according to Billboard. But can anything really, actually, truly ever live up to that first-time charm and catchy nature of Call Me, Maybe? Let’s discuss.

More: Disney teamed up with with Carly Rae Jepsen for The Little Mermaid

Music wise, the chorus is scream-worthy in every club across the world. And honestly, that’s about all I need to know for a Carly Rae Jepsen song. Can I yell as loud as possible with my girlfriends when that catchy chorus drops as hard as all her singles? Yes? Then Cut to the Feeling easily has Call Me, Maybe potential.

And I’m not the only one who thinks so. Twitter is going wild over the Princess of Pop’s new song:

All that’s left is to wait with baited breath for the music video, and if that’s on par with Call Me, Maybe’s cute cat-and-mouse storyline, then we’ve got a real contender on our hands. Carly Rae Jepsen’s new single, Cut to the Feeling, has just about everyone feeling the most positive of vibes. And with that, a happy summer to all, and to all a goodnight.

Cast comings and goings are par for the course in the soap opera world, but it’s always interesting when a rumor goes around while a character is in the middle of a storyline. The Daytime Confidential podcast has been dropping major hints that Michael Easton is departing from General Hospital.

More: General Hospital Is Being Majorly Criticized by Real-Life Doctors

While Daytime Confidential host Jamey Giddens confirmed that Roger Howarth has signed a new contract, he revealed that “there is another one, though, another big get that might be on the way out.”

He also teased, “I ain’t gonna tell you who.”

Fans took to Twitter and bombarded Giddens with guesses, but it took a Homer Simpson clue for everyone to narrow it down to Easton, who plays drug addict Hamilton Finn.

More: DOOL's Camila Banus Teases One 'Mystery Character's' Return to Salem

While the exit seems to be in limbo, Giddens alluded to the fact that this is all Easton’s doing. He wants to get the heck out of Port Charles.

Easton returned to GH in March 2016 as a new character after his former GH character, Dr. Silas Clay, was killed off in the summer of 2015. Since he’s only been back for 15 months, it is an unusual move since he’s involved in a pregnancy storyline.

More: Young and the Restless Finally Makes a Decision on Adam Newman

Another plot twist to the mystery is the possibility that former GH head writer Ron Carlivati, who is now at Days of Our Lives, is the one stirring the pot. Could he be bringing Easton's Tanner Scofield back to Salem?

Easton last played the role in 1992, but DOOL has been going on a casting revival with the return of Alison Sweeney and Chandler Massey. However, Easton’s possible return is one rumor that has very little substance behind it.

There are so many delicious soap mysteries to ponder over the long weekend. Will Easton stay or go from Port Charles and does his bus ticket send him over to Salem?

The beach soap opera bursting with busty blondes and muscle-clad dudes premiered in 1989 on NBC and was cancelled after the first season. Finding new life in syndication, the show ran for 11 seasons and became wildly popular around the world, making David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson international superstars. And the butt of many jokes, some self-induced (like Hasselhoff's infamous drunken hamburger video), making it the perfect show to snarkily reboot in 2017...

If the reboot was funny.

Unfortunately, the film strays so far from the boob-bouncing camp for which the show was famous, it's nearly unrecognizable to fans of the original show. Here's what's different.

1. Recycling Ryan Lochte's baggage

Zac Efron plays Matt Brody, a former Olympic medalist who’s currently fallen from grace due to personal scandal, à la Ryan Lochte. Brody hopes to restore his reputation by saving lives on a Florida beach with the Baywatch crew. This sounds like a good set up for a new character, but even with all those abs, Brody (like Lochte) never transcends his douche bag status.

2. Where's the Hasselhoff?

To be fair, Hasselhoff does make a cameo appearance in a fantasy sequence, but why not have him be a central character in the story? Fans would eat it up! The filmmakers made a mistake not fully utilizing him.

3. Pamela, Pamela, Pamela!

Yes, the beach goddess Pamela Anderson makes a cameo of her own at the end of the film, but we would have loved to see more of the buxom beauty. Why not give her some dialogue? Again, she’s a shiny asset that gets under utilized.

4. Florida not Cali

Most likely shot in Florida and Georgia for the big tax breaks, there's a different vibe on these southern beaches, specifically the fictional "Emerald Bay." The iconic California surfer dude and girl are revered around the world for their easy-going lifestyle and hot bods. While we're sure there are some hot, easy-going lifeguards in Florida, it's just not the same landscape or culture Baywatch fans are yearning for.

5. The pudgy, nerdy lifeguard

Comic actor Jon Bass plays Ronnie Greenbaum, the boy who longs to bounce on the beach with all the beautiful gals and reap the glory of saving lives…if only he had the skills and the confidence. Somehow, Greenbaum makes the cut for the new group of lifeguards and offers several comedic bits dealing with the injury of his own penis, then with the penis of a dead man. These were the funniest moments of the film, but his character felt very out of place.

6. Dwayne Johnson as the straight man

Johnson has the body of a refrigerator and all the charm of any leading man, making him a good choice for the franchise. However, his reinvention of Mitch Buchannan, played by Hasselhoff in the TV show, is incredibly dull. He's the father figure, rule follower, and generic nice guy in the film, making his screen time the best time to grab some popcorn. At least Hasselhoff brought some attitude and cockiness to the role.

7. Romantic daydreams to cheesy music?

The original TV show was full of soapy fantasies and romance. From broken engagements to sibling rivalry and montages of bikini-clad models, the show was famous for its vapid schmaltz and egregious display of butts and boobs. While there's plenty of abs and cleavage in the film, it never seems to have fun with the ridiculous trope. The filmmakers seem to be scared as coming off as sexist or exploitative, but that's exactly what we're expecting from the movie as long as its equal opportunity exploitation.

Baywatch is currently playing in theaters.

There’s no hair enemy as fierce and unyielding as the much-dreaded split end — so when experts offer up advice on how to get rid of split ends without cutting, you know we’re listening.

“Split ends occur when the protective outer layer of the hair cuticle wears away because of external stressors such as heat styling and salon chemical services,” explains Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon. “Once the internal structure of the hair is exposed, it becomes weakened, dehydrated and damaged, causing split ends.”

More: The Kardashians’ Hairstylist Says This Will Be 2017’s Most Popular Haircut

The only proven split end treatment method is to have them snipped off, but we asked around and found several things you can do between salon appointments to improve the look of damage and prevent more splits from occurring.

Use a wide-tooth comb

After you apply conditioner in the shower, slowly run a wide-tooth comb through hair until all the tangles are out. This prevents the snaps and breakage you can incur when you try to brush out hair that is roughed up from a towel-dry, advises Jessie James, stylist at New York’s Marie Robinson salon.

Mind your heat tools

That bargain-bin blow-dryer may be a tempting purchase, but inexpensive tools tend to dangerously overheat over time and burn ends into splits, warns James. Instead, use a top-rated economical brand like Conair Infiniti Pro 259Y (Walmart, $24.94), or invest in a professional-grade dryer like BaBylissPro Volare V1 Dryer with Ferrari Designed Engine (Ulta, $179.95).

Go gentle

“Imagine wearing a silk blouse every single day. It would get pretty beat up. Treat your hair like an expensive fabric, and it will last longer and look better,” says Natasha Sunshine, owner of Santa Monica’s Byu-Ti Salon. Use only covered elastics with no metal piece, like those made by Goody, to tie hair into a ponytail. If you’re looking for a sleek look, rely on products like a gel, like Nexxus Exxtra Hold Defining Gel (Target, $9.99) and a finishing spray like Rene Furterer Vegetal Styling Finishing Spray (Rene Furterer, $29) to create a smooth finish instead of pulling hair too tightly to achieve it alone.

Take folic acid and biotin

There’s a reason they say you are what you eat. Nutrients literally build the proteins that make up your hair strands. Two B vitamins in particular — folic acid and biotin — have been shown to supplement hair health, length and thickness, says Sunshine.

Folic acid helps the production of red blood cells, which powers the growth of hair. Foods rich in folic acid include green leafy veggies, oranges, soybeans and wheat. Biotin strengthens both hair and nails through its metabolism of fats, carbs and proteins. Brown rice, lentils, peas, sunflower seeds, walnuts and soybeans are all rich in biotin.

Use leave-in conditioner

Conditioners that you rinse out in the shower will do little to nothing for split ends, but a leave-in conditioner will add extra protection that stays on strands as you heat-style and go about your day. Try Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Fresh Cut Split End Mender (Sephora, $24), which can be applied to wet or dry hair for anytime use.

Blow-dry the right way

Always use a nozzle on your dryer to control and direct the flow of air and dry hair in a downward direction before sectioning off and drying completely with a round brush. This way, you spend far less time with intense heat straight on the hair. “If possible, air-drying 90 percent before picking up the blow-dryer is even better,” says Sunshine. And of course, if you can naturally dry all the way, that’s always your best option.

Limit damaging services

There’s unfortunately no way around it — treatments like hair color, highlights, straightening and perms all cause trauma that can result in a bevy of split ends, says Abramite. Try to limit service to just one major hair concern and refrain from washing strands for at least 48 hours afterward, when they’re most porous and likely to break and split. Not only will hair health improve after you go on a chemical-service diet, but your wallet will thank you.

Get regular cuts

Although a haircut is the only way to get rid of split ends, regular trims are your best protection against them. The longer you wait to trim, the greater the chance you have of split ends worsening and traveling up the shaft. It may sound counterintuitive, but this is why it’s actually best to get frequent trims if you’re trying to grow longer, healthier hair. Whatever your hair type or style, our experts recommend you get a cut or trim at least every six to eight weeks.

More: 17 of the Coolest, Cutest Korean Beauty Products Inspired by Food

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

At first, you’re startled. Then you’re annoyed. You were deep into your REM sleep and your cat is working on cutting time off his mile run. Or maybe your cat has dedicated tonight’s workout to couch jumping. Whatever it is — and no matter how much you love your cat — the 2 a.m. exercise routine can put a strain on the best relationship.

But before you let resentment set in, it’s important to know that your cat’s strange little quirk of burning the midnight oil doesn’t have to be a given for living with cats. Causes for this nighttime hyperactivity are plenty. Today, we’re going to explore some of them — and some ways to manage it so you and kitty can get the shut-eye you need.

More: 9 of Your Most Pressing Cat Health Questions Answered

Naturally nocturnal… or crepuscular?

The relatives of our domesticated house cats are those big, wild cats — who are mostly nocturnal hunters. However, there’s a good amount of disagreement as to whether house cats are actually nocturnal (most active at night) or crepuscular (most active around morning/evening twilight).

Either way, some studies suggest that basic lifestyle factors, like the size of your house and whether or not your cat goes outside, can be a bigger influence on your cat’s active hours than you might guess. (Check out other reasons why indoor life is better for your cat.) In fact, authors of a 2013 article from the Journal of Veterinary Behavior note “the high influence of human presence and care on the amount of activity and daily rhythm in cats.”

In other words, there’s hope for us cat moms who want to put an end to the 2 a.m. track runs and toy deadlifting competitions at 3 a.m.

Understanding the causes of the midnight cat madness

A number of factors can lead to increased or decreased kitty crazies at night, but the first step to understanding them should always be a checkup. “Howling and hyperactivity at night could be hyperthyroidism, a common endocrine disease which makes your cat feel restless and ravenously hungry,” writes PetCoach veterinarian Dana Koch. For more common cat behaviors explained, read Dr. Koch’s full article here.

If everything checks out well medically, then the kitty crazy causes are probably behavioral and could be kicked off by:

• Changes to the environment: A recent move or a new addition to the household may contribute.
• How accustomed your cat is to your schedule: Do you have a new job or are you going to bed earlier?
• Whether your cat is allowed outside: The study above found that cats allowed outside were more likely to be active at night.
• Boredom: Your cat could be finding her own ways to entertain herself if there’s not enough to keep her busy.
• Hunger: More common at the early hours of the day, kitty might not have had enough dinner the night before to keep her sated until morning.

Understanding the reason for your cat’s hyperactivity will help you determine the best solution. So make sure to carefully observe your kitty and check with your vet to determine if it’s health-related or behavioral in nature.

More: How Much Does It Actually Cost to Own a Cat?

5 ways to deal with 2 a.m. exercising

1. Tire out your cat. Deterring nighttime exercising can often be solved by simply playing with your cat in the evening and throughout the day. Try adding several 15-minute play sessions to your morning, afternoon and evening routine. Laser pointers, scratching posts and toys can help your cat burn off their extra energy, helping them to just go to sleep. Plus the interaction will help you two bond.

2. Feed the biggest meal before bed, and for cases of anxiety, ask your veterinarian about a calming diet. A pre-bedtime meal can help your cat relax and digest at night (think about how you feel on Thanksgiving). It can also have the added benefit of helping stave off begging for food until a bit later in the morning. Pet nutrition companies now offer calming diets and treats — something to consider if you and your vet believe the activity might be caused by anxiety.

3. Make the bedroom a cat-free zone at night. Shut your bedroom door and let kitty reign in the living room. That way he can play while you still get your sleep.

4. Designate a nighttime play-safe area. Having a special location away from potential harm and damage to your belongings (and your cat, of course!) can have a good impact on your sleep. This can be a special area that your cat only has access to in the evening and is filled with exciting, fun things to keep him entertained. My cat’s favorite? A self-use treat ball that they play with in the other room — far away from my bed.

5. Motion-censored water or odor sprayer to keep cats out of the bedroom. If you’ve gone the way of keeping your cat out of the bedroom at night, be aware that some cats will take this poorly. (They want to be with you!) However, if you find it important to have the cat-free zone at night and kitty objects, consider installing a motion-censored sprayer that will keep your cat away from your bedroom door at night. PetCoach veterinarian Destini Holloway reminds us, “Once you deter the habit, [it] typically takes 2 to 3 months of training, sometimes less, then the device is no longer needed because you have officially trained your cat!” These few months of training could save you hours of rest.

Have a question about your cat’s nighttime shenanigans? Ask the experts at PetCoach below.

By: David Ludden

Since the 1970s, “self-esteem” has been a buzzword among parents, teachers and psychologists. Parents hear that they need to instill self-esteem in children if they want them to grow up to be happy and productive adults. Educators believe self-esteem is a key to academic success, so they twist criticism into praise lest they bruise little ones' budding senses of self-worth. Further, therapists and life coaches advise clients with low self-esteem to just "fake it 'til you make it," as if a sense of self-worth comes from within rather than from without.

Plenty of research shows that there is a relationship between self-esteem and subjective well-being or a general sense of happiness in life. Hence, we understand the drive to build self-esteem in the next generation.

While conceding that the intentions are good, however, Dutch psychologists Eddie Brummelman, Sander Thomaes, and Constantine Sedikides argue that the methods we often use to raise self-esteem may be creating a generation of monsters.

Among personality psychologists, there’s a longstanding debate about whether personality is stable or whether it changes over time. Some psychologists claim that personality traits are genetic and hence present at birth. We can call this the “solid” model — your personality may get nicks and dents as you go through life, but it keeps its overall shape. Other psychologists claim that your experiences shape your personality. We can call this the “fluid” model since your personality molds itself to varying circumstances throughout the lifespan.

A third group of psychologists take a middle position. They maintain that personality is fluid in childhood but sets by adolescence or early adulthood. We can call this the “Jell-O” model of personality. If you believe that the way people behave as adults depends on how they were raised as children, then you subscribe to the Jell-O model. (Otherwise, you’d blame behavior on either genes or the current situation.)

Brummelman and his colleagues concede that there is some evidence for a genetic component to both self-esteem and narcissism. However, they also argue that the most important factor lies in childhood interactions with parents, teachers and other significant adults.

Although self-esteem and narcissism have some similar features, the researchers argue that they’re fundamentally different. Hence, in trying to instill self-esteem in our children, we may be encouraging narcissistic tendencies instead.

The received wisdom is that narcissism is just exaggerated self-esteem, but the researchers argue that the difference is far more than one of degree. Both self-esteem and narcissism are based on people’s perceptions of how others evaluate them. However, narcissists and those with high self-esteem view their social world differently, and this greatly colors the way they think about themselves and others.

Narcissists view their social world as vertical. There’s a pecking order, and everyone else is either above or below them. There are no equals. Thus, the goal of the narcissist is to get ahead — by hook or by crook — and he or she will use relationships to climb to the top.

Those with high self-esteem, however, view their social world as horizontal, where all members of the group are on an equal footing. They seek to get along, not get ahead. They build deep and intimate connections with other people. In other words, they view relationships as ends in themselves, not as a means to achieving supremacy or bolstering their fragile sense of self-worth.

In sum, narcissists view themselves as superior, whereas people with high self-esteem view themselves as worthy.

Signs of both self-esteem and narcissism begin to appear at around age 7. This is a time when children begin developing a global sense of self as well as the social perception skills to judge how they compare with others and how others view them. By adolescence, the Jell-O of personality sets into either a self-esteem or narcissism mold. And there are ways to learn how not to raise a narcissist.

To test this theory, the researchers conducted a long-term study in which they measured children’s personality and observed the ways their parents interacted with them. They found that children who developed high self-esteem also had parents who expressed fondness and affection for them — but did not overly praise them. However, children who developed narcissistic tendencies had parents who showered them with praise and constantly compared them to other children who had accomplished less than they did. In a nutshell, parental warmth led to self-esteem, whereas parental overvaluation led to narcissism.

Brummelman and his colleagues propose several interventions to help children develop high self-esteem while avoiding narcissistic tendencies and offer parents methods for how not to raise a narcissist.

First, they suggest that parents and teachers praise children for their accomplishments without comparing them to peers. The difference between “Great job!” and “You’re the best!” may be subtle, yet the first conveys worthiness — the core of self-esteem — while the second conveys superiority — the core of narcissism. Second, parents should nudge children away from narcissistic thinking by encouraging them to think about ways that they are similar to peers rather than superior to them.

A third intervention the researchers propose is aimed at children showing signs of low self-esteem. These children need the significant adults in their lives to help them properly interpret the remarks others make about them. People with low self-esteem, whether children or adults, tend to dismiss praise and dwell on criticisms. Elders need to reassure these children that they are worthy of the positive comments they receive and that they should take criticism as constructive feedback.

Proper care and feeding of children’s emerging senses of self put them on the path toward healthy self-esteem — before the Jell-O of personality sets.

Originally published on YourTango.

A new research study out of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, found a possible connection between hormones and hearing loss among menopausal women.

The study, which will be published in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society, focused on data collected from 80,972 postmenopausal women. The self-reported study indicated that menopausal women who undergo hormone therapy for extended periods of time are at a greater risk for hearing loss.

More: Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Right for You?

Previously, it was believed that hormone therapy would actually improve hearing loss in menopausal women.

“The finding from this observational study that women who underwent menopause at a later age and used oral hormone therapy had greater hearing loss was unexpected but should lead to more testing in a randomized, clinical trial,” says Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, executive director of NAMS.

Menopause usually occurs in women over the age of 45 and brings with it symptoms like vaginal dryness, hot flashes and mood swings.

While the Brigham and Women’s Hospital-led study does present a comprehensive set of facts supporting hearing loss among women who use HRT, the overall benefits and risks of undergoing hormone replacement therapy should be discussed with a physician.

More: It's Super-Common to Miss These Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

In an effort to make the conversation about menopause a more exhaustive one, the JAMA network published a one-sheet that can help women when speaking to their physicians.

By Vivian Nunez

Originally published on HelloFlo

Wedding season is in full swing, and preparations for the big day can go beyond the venue, the flowers or the dress. If you have to give a toast on the big day or need a powerful quote to go into the program, we’ve selected a few that are evocative without being too cheesy.

How can you determine what words to say? "A great quote can set the tone for a wedding ceremony, especially if it truly speaks to the couple's relationship and love,” said Kylie Carlson, who owns the International Academy of Wedding & Event Planning. “In addition to providing a meaningful passage for guests to relate to, it also gives the couple a passage that will always hold a special place in their hearts."

Fabrice Orlando, a luxury wedding planner with Cocoon Events based in Morocco, advises couples to look for quotes that are significant based on their relationship together. “For example, don’t be afraid to pull a passage from the first movie you saw together or the book that you connected over, or even the favorite television show that you always curl up to in the evenings,” he says. “It will be that much more sentimental if the two of you can relate to the quote instead of [looking] for the most romantic one you can find on the internet.”

Looking for the perfect sentiment? Here are 15 quotes that express love and romance without going overboard or into tacky territory.

“Love is friendship caught fire; it is quiet, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection, and makes allowances for human weaknesses. Love is content with the present, hopes for the future, and does not brood over the past. It is the day-in and day-out chronicles of irritations, problems, compromises, small disappointments, big victories, and working toward common goals. If you have love in your life, it can make up for a great many things you lack. If you do not have it, no matter what else there is, it is not enough.” — Ann Landers

“There are no happy endings. Endings are sad, so let's have a happy beginning and a happy middle.” — Shel Silverstein, A Light in the Attic

"Oh, what a love it was, utterly free, unique, like nothing else on earth! Their thoughts were like other people's songs. They loved each other, not driven by necessity, by the 'blaze of passion' often falsely ascribed to love. They loved each other because everything around them willed it, the trees and the clouds and the sky over their heads and the earth under their feet. Perhaps their surrounding world, the strangers they met in the street, the wide expanses they saw on their walks, the rooms in which they lived or met, took more delight in their love than they themselves did." — Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

"I no longer believed in the idea of soul mates, or love at first sight. But I was beginning to believe that a very few times in your life, if you were lucky, you might meet someone who was exactly right for you. Not because he was perfect, or because you were, but because your combined flaws were arranged in a way that allowed two separate beings to hinge together." — Lisa Kleypas, Blue-Eyed Devil

"A soul mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we're pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person, we're safe in our own paradise. Our soul mate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we're two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we've found the right person. Our soul mate is the one who makes life come to life." — Richard Bach, The Bridge Across Forever

"Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours." — Beethoven

"I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough." — Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

"People are like cities: We all have alleys and gardens and secret rooftops and places where daisies sprout between the sidewalk cracks, but most of the time all we let each other see is a postcard glimpse of a skyline or a polished square. Love lets you find those hidden places in another person, even the ones they didn't know were there, even the ones they wouldn't have thought to call beautiful themselves." — Hilary T. Smith, Wild Awake

More: 8 Reasons Why Sex Gets Better With Age

"This is what love does: It makes you want to rewrite the world. It makes you want to choose the characters, build the scenery, guide the plot. The person you love sits across from you, and you want to do everything in your power to make it possible, endlessly possible. And when it’s just the two of you, alone in a room, you can pretend that this is how it is, this is how it will be." — David Levithan, Every Day

"Within this blessed union of souls, where two hearts intertwine to become one, there lies a promise. Perfectly born, divinely created, and intimately shared, it is a place where the hope and majesty of beginnings reside. Where all things are made possible by the astounding love shared by two spirits. As you hold each other’s hands in this promise, and eagerly look into the future in each other’s eyes, may your unconditional love and devotion take you to places where you’ve both only dreamed. Where you’ll dwell for a lifetime of happiness, sheltered in the warmth of each other’s arms." — Heather Berry, The Promise

"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where, I love you directly without problems or pride: I love you like this because I don’t know any other way to love, except in this form in which I am not nor are you, so close that your hand upon my chest is mine, so close that your eyes close with my dreams." — Pablo Neruda

"No relationship is perfect, ever. There are always some ways you have to bend, to compromise, to give something up in order to gain something greater … The love we have for each other is bigger than these small differences. And that’s the key. It’s like a big pie chart, and the love in a relationship has to be the biggest piece. Love can make up for a lot." — Sarah Dessen, This Lullaby

"If you do not believe that hearts can bloom suddenly bigger, and that love can open like a flower out of even the hardest places, then I am afraid that for you the road will be long and brown and barren, and you will have trouble finding the light. But if you do believe, then you already know all about magic." — Lauren Oliver, Liesl and Po

And another one bites the dust.

Breaking up in Hollywood feels about as trendy as poke right now. There's one around every corner.

More: Zoolander 2's Derek and Hansel Are Ridiculously Good Looking in New Photos

Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor are just the next celebrity power couple breaking our hearts... as if Zoolander 2 wasn't enough.

The two announced their split on Friday with a statement explaining, "With tremendous love and respect for each other, and the 18 years we spent together as a couple, we have made the decision to separate. Our priority will continue to be raising our children as devoted parents and the closest of friends. We kindly ask that the media respect our privacy at this time."

The two were married back in 2000 and have two children together, Ella Olivia, 15, and Quinlin Dempsey, 11. They have also appeared in many a movie together including Zoolander, Tropic Thunder and Arrested Development.

I'll be holding out for these two to reunite even after the divorce papers are signed. They just always seemed like such a great match for one another, I'm shocked to hear of the split.

More: Zoolander 2: 8 Most Insane, Ridiculous Moments in the Trailer (VIDEO)

Especially considering Taylor's recent comments in February to Entertainment Tonight about how she and Stiller make their relationship work with humor.

"I have to say, sense of humor is the greatest thing," she explained. "It's the best. I mean, I think that, you know, the reality is there's such an unspoken connection. I feel like for us, when we first met, it was on set... He's amazing."

Stiller echoed her statements at the time, "I say that's the secret to a happy marriage anywhere in any city, not just Hollywood. I think you got to laugh, because after a while, you know, life is life. We all have to deal with what life throws at us, so you got to have a sense of humor about it. If you can share that, at the end, it makes a huge difference."

More: Ben Stiller Didn't Want to Talk About His Prostate Cancer Until He Beat It

I suppose no one is safe in la la land.

A wedding and an engagement for the Duggars. Not only did Joy-Anna Duggar say "I do" this weekend, but People reports that during the ceremony Joseph Duggar proposed to his girlfriend Kendra Caldwell.

More: Josh Duggar's Scandals Have Had a Huge Impact on His Younger Brothers (VIDEO)

It's raining Duggar marriages!

Which, I mean, I guess when you have 19 children, you should expect at least a marriage or two a year for about a decade.

As for Joy-Anna and her now husband Austin Forsyth, the two announced their courtship back in November and were engaged just three months ago. But they've known each other for 15 years.

"It’s really special that I got to grow up with him and my family knows him really well," Joy-Anna told People prior to their wedding.

The couple tied the knot on Friday.

More: Jinger Duggar Confesses She Isn't Following Courting Rules on Counting On

Joseph took the chance at his sister's nuptials to start the journey to his own wedding and marriage.

After meeting in church, Joseph and Caldwell began courting in March, but they already had their eyes on marriage.

"I was definitely nervous going into it," Joseph explained to People, "but I wasn’t afraid that she was going to say no, because she has said, ‘I’m just waiting on you!'"

Kendra echoed her now-fiancé's sentiments, "I’m so happy and so shocked. There’s so many words I want to say, but just shocked."

No word yet when Joseph and Caldwell plan on getting married, but you can bet that in true Duggar fashion, it won't be a very long engagement.

More: 30 Times the Duggars Enraged Everyone on Instagram

In the meantime, you can watch Joy-Anna's wedding on the premiere of Counting On, which returns June 12 on TLC.

It’s true that most people think “blond” when they think about summer hair ideas, but if you’ve been paying attention lately, you might notice that it’s dark hair that has been making headlines. Whether you’re eyeballing Kim K’s inky shade or the more subtle "bronde," dark hair is a gorgeous, dramatic statement to make for summer.

But becoming a bottle brunette is not without its challenges. Here are 10 things you need to know before you go over to the dark side.

1. You’ll need to think about your brows

If you’re making a significant color change (going from blond to black, for example), you’ll either need to dye your brows to go along with your new hair or find a fabulous new product to fill them in with. Brow-dyeing should never be attempted at home (all those chemicals so close to your eyes!), so make sure you see a professional if you go the permanent route.

If you decide to fill them in, picking a product that matches your new color is imperative. As a general rule, you’ll always want your brows to be one to two shades lighter than your hair for the most natural look. Anastasia Brow Wiz ($21) and Brow Powder Duo ($23) are both brilliant options that come in a wide range of amazing colors and are practically mistake-proof.

2. You’ll discover that “dark” is never just “dark”

Ask any colorist or bottle brunette what shade she uses, and you’ll probably get a confusing answer: most dark shades are a mixture of multiple colors that address different color concerns. For example, someone whose hair gets brassy may want a base color that’s more ashy or violet-based to counter the unwanted gold tones, while someone with a lot of grays may need a splash of gold to effectively cover up their silver strands. You’ll need to do some research before deciding on a color. Make sure you talk to your colorist or do your online homework before you take the plunge!

3. The dye can be rough on your skin

Dark dyes contain a molecule called p-phenylenediamine. Despite being found in most dark-colored cosmetics and tattoo inks, it can cause a nasty skin reaction: swelling, itching, burning and redness. Though full-on allergic reactions are rare, they do happen — and when the cause is permanent dark dye, they happen dramatically.

There’s no way to know in advance if p-phenylenediamine is going to irritate you, and allergies can develop over time. The smartest thing to do is to make sure that you (or your colorist) always does a patch test before covering your head in dye. If you feel any undue burning or itching or if your face swells or gets red, rinse your head immediately and contact a doctor. Allergic reactions are nothing to sneeze at!

4. You’ll learn the pains of upkeep

If you’re just going slightly darker than your natural color, maintenance will likely be really easy. If it’s a more dramatic change, prepare yourself for visible roots. You’ll need to re-up your color every three to four weeks to keep your color fresh and your roots concealed; in between, you can add some color with a gorgeous glaze.

5. Going light again isn’t impossible, but it’s unlikely

Dark dye is a commitment, if not for life, then at least for the foreseeable future. Going from dyed dark to light again is very hard. Not only is it technically difficult (skipping over the dreaded brassy stage is nigh impossible), it’s incredibly rough on your hair. If you’re someone who likes to change up their hair color a lot, consider a small change. Add some lowlights two to three shades deeper than your hair, rather than going for one solid dark color.

6. You’ll find that box dye might be out

As wonderful as home hair colors have become, they do have certain limitations. If your dream brunette shade is one to two shades darker than your natural color, pick up a box and go for it. But if you’re going darker than that, you’ll need to see a professional.

Why? Home hair color kits come with a 20-volume developer, which means that it's only strong enough to change the hair two shades darker or lighter than it is naturally. If you want to go very dark, you’ll need to mess with different strengths of developer, which is very difficult and best left to professionals. A good colorist is a dyed brunette’s best friend.

7. You’ll need to change your makeup routine

The makeup that looked good with lighter hair may look too severe (or not severe enough) with darker dyed locks. If your pink blush is making you look a little too much like Snow White, trade it in for a subtle bronzer instead. Be open to experimentation, and remember: When in doubt, a sharp cat-eye always looks good.

8. You’ll need a minute to adjust

Any major hair change triggers what we here at Daily Makeover like to call “brain problems,” which is when your mind is so used to seeing you one way that any major deviation brings on an "OH MY GOD I LOOK SO DIFFERENT THIS IS TERRIBLE" hysterical reaction. There’s nothing wrong with the actual look; it’s your brain that has the problem.

9. Prepare to buy new basics

Hair basics, that is. Think bobby pins, hair ties, combs, clips and headbands — they should all be in a shade that matches your hair. And that means you’ll need to go shopping for your new hair shade. The things we do for beauty!

10. It’s the best thing you’ll ever do

Seriously. Dark hair makes your eyes pop, your skin look more luminous and creates a beautifully dramatic frame for your face. Once you’ve gone over to the dark side, you’ll never want to come back.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

About a year ago, we were coming home from a family vacation, and while waiting in line for customs and immigration at the airport, my son, Jasper had a meltdown the likes of which we hadn't seen in a long time. He was overtired from traveling, and he literally just could not take the long lines. My husband and I are accustomed to the nervous stomach we have traveling with Jasper and the fact that a day that seems to be progressing pretty smoothly can turn on a dime.

I looked over at my then-8-year-old daughter and saw the look of horror on her face. When we arrived home, she told me she felt so embarrassed in the airport and hated the way people were looking at us. It was the first time she had ever expressed feeling embarrassed of her brother, and I knew immediately that the tag line we had always taken, something along the lines of "we are family and we support each other" was not addressing her needs and fears. I asked if she wanted to talk about it, but she didn't want to talk to me or my husband or her school counselor or a private psychologist. But when I mentioned the idea of putting together a group of girls her age who all had brothers with autism and to have that group facilitated by a psychologist, she jumped at the idea. She was desperate to know she wasn't alone with these feelings and this group (they named it SIS — Sisters in Support) has been life-changing for her. This is something she wrote based on a conversation with that group...

— Gena Mann

The following was written by 9-year-old Lulu Mann. It originally appeared on WOLF + FRIENDS, and is reprinted here with permission.

The look

The look is something that all people like me see all the time. The look is not pleasant, not at all. People with autism are... different. People with sensory issues are different. Everybody knows that. They are different. Not weird, not awkward, different. No one, not even me, could say they are normal, and that’s the truth, but we can’t look at them like they are weird or awkward because that can hurt people, and I'm going to tell you why and also the different types of looks.

One type of look that people do is the look that people make when they try to look sorry for you. This look hurts people because it makes people feel bad. This look is mostly towards the family, and often seen at an airport, a zoo, a beach or other public places. People feel bad when they see this look because they feel like people are feeling sorry for them because they are a weird family when they are not. Their family is different, yes, but so is yours. But people don’t feel sorry for you because your family is different, do they? This is why you shouldn’t feel sorry for people with special needs family members.

Another type of look is where people look to see what’s happening, and then look away, thinking that they weren’t seen. The thing is, this look is very noticeable. People often make this look without realizing it, because it is kind of a reflex to look over if you hear a noise. You should definitely avoid making this look, even though it is hard because it is hurtful to people because they realize they are causing a commotion. This look is mostly found in public places with lots of people, such as the mall, the airport or the grocery store.

Another type of look is the snobby look. When people make this look, it’s showing that they think because someone has special needs, or is in a family with someone with special needs, that they are above them and cooler. This look can be very hurtful because it can make people feel odd and out of place compared to other people when really, there is nothing odd about them, they are just different. According to my dad, people in families with special needs people are the chosen ones, and I think that really, there are benefits of being in a family with someone that has special needs because you get excuses, special treatments and sometimes even lower prices! Take that, snob!

Another type of look is the grossed-out look. The people that make this look don’t think before they do things. They only think of themselves and making themselves look good. People make this look when they are close to someone with special needs, at somewhere like a playground or a public pool. They usually move away when they do this look. This can make siblings of the person with special needs that are around their sister or brother feel like the person that made that look moved away because of them, and sometimes people (including me) feel like they’re weird too just because their siblings are different.

This isn’t a look, but it’s something that can make people really sad. Sometimes you lose a friend because they think your sibling is weird, which makes them think you’re weird. This makes people unimaginably sad, and sometimes people misunderstand autism and other special needs, thinking that because you're related to someone different, you are someone like that. People often make the look without knowing, so after reading this, you should remember not to do the look, to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and to think before you do things. And always remember, people with special needs are not awkward. They're not weird, not gross, uncool. People with special needs are different.

WOLF + FRIENDS is a new lifestyle platform for design-minded families to make informed buying decisions for children of all abilities in a space that is inclusive, empowering and fun! Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more.

Research conducted by a team at the University of Washington examined a number of smartphone apps used to track the menstrual cycle — including Clue, Eve, Glow, Period Tracker and Pink Pad — and found that many apps were not as accurate or user-friendly as they could be.

Data were gathered from 2,000 reviews of popular period-tracking apps on the Android Market and the Apple App Store. Also, 687 people were surveyed and over a dozen interviews were conducted to gain a better understanding of why people track their periods. Participants were asked about their preferences regarding specific characteristics of various period tracking apps, and with every single app, there was found to be room for improvement.

More: 7 Tools That Make Tracking Your Period Way Too Fun

Women reported that some apps are not accurate in regards to predicting their menstrual cycles, especially women with irregular periods. Many of these apps don’t allow for users to make any sort of corrections or input an explanation for why their period may have arrived late, such as a change in birth control.

This lack of accuracy is alarming as many women turn to the apps for fertility predictions, and many teenagers use the apps to flag the days in the month when they are least likely to become pregnant.

“That’s pretty disconcerting because accuracy can be a problem with these apps,” co-author Julie Kientz told STAT, adding that there are serious implications that come with not knowing the limitations of each app.

Another big complaint from participants was the use of stereotypical designs by many apps that suggest obsolete assumptions about sexual identity and preference. Many of the apps feature a flowery pink design with large pink dots marking dates on the calendar. People interviewed by the researchers indicated that this design scheme made it uncomfortable and awkward to open up the app in public. Furthermore, the iconography and wording of the apps usually refer to the users as female and their sexual partners as male, which excludes users in same-sex relationships, transgender users or users with nonbinary gender identities.

More: Best Apps for Reproductive Health Now That We're Basically On Our Own

The research team hopes that app developers will use their findings to improve their products: allowing users to provide feedback to improve accuracy, using gender-neutral interfaces and taking into account that a user’s menstrual tracking need may change over time.

By Shaye DiPasquale

Originally published on HelloFlo

No offense, but if you haven’t seen John Legend and Chrissy Teigen’s baby yet, you live under a rock. Not only did these two superstars — famous musician and model-turned-host of Lip Sync Battle — have a baby, they happened to have one of the most beautiful babies of all time, Luna Simone. Besides being cute, Luna seems like the happiest baby too, and Teigen has been open enough to share videos of her daughter on Instagram. But who wouldn’t be happy when you get to go on tour with Mom and Dad?

Just look at this aggressively cute video of the 1-year-old watching her cool dad perform this past Friday.

Hollywood’s most relationship-goals couple leveled up with that video, and Luna leveled up with that face.

Legend’s Darkness and Light tour started earlier this May and continues across the country for 35 dates in North America. The couple decided to bring their daughter on tour to expose her to a whole new environment, according to People. “I’m in a position where we can make things happen to make sure she’s around us as much as possible,” said Legend.

More: 12 times Chrissy Teigen was #MomGoals

What a lucky gal Luna is to have such well-rounded and open-minded parents, and how lucky we are that social media exists so that we can see the cuteness continue. The family of three continues their tour of adorable love in California, and there’s sure to be more videos of Luna growing and observing the amazing world around her.

More: 18 pics of Chrissy Teigen, John Legend and baby Luna so cute we can hardly stand it

Miranda Kerr is married! The model tied the knot this Memorial Day weekend in a very intimate ceremony with co-founder of Snapchat, Evan Spiegel, according to inside sources who spoke with E! News.

The two were married in Brentwood, California, with fewer than 50 guests — friends and family. After getting engaged July 2016 and dating for a year before that, the couple married today in an emotional ceremony that left the bride and groom in tears throughout.

More: 8 things you should know about Miranda Kerr's rumored fiancé, Evan Spiegel

No official photos have been released from the wedding yet or posted to Kerr’s or Spiegel’s Instagram or Snapchat, but we can expect something cute like this decorated photo from her engagement:

According to the same wedding-goer who spoke with E!, the decor was rustic-chic and very tasteful, and “everything was done elegantly.” Another source, who talked to People, said, “For a small wedding, it has been a huge production. The wedding and reception are intimate, but lavish and classy. Miranda has been very involved. She has great taste and knew exactly what she wanted. She is ecstatic to marry Evan.”

More: Miranda Kerr got creative when it was time to announce her engagement

The wedding is very fitting for their lifestyle together. Kerr told The Edit magazine in January, “[Evan] acts like he’s 50. He’s not out partying. He goes to work in Venice. He comes home. We don’t go out.” Even more, she spoke about their intimate relationship with The Times of London, saying, “My partner is very traditional… We’re just waiting.”

More: Newly single Miranda Kerr wants to explore — with women

The couple seems very grounded in their relationship. While it’s Spiegel’s first marriage, this is Kerr’s second after a three-year marriage to Orlando Bloom. Between the intimate wedding and fairly private lifestyle, these two have already crafted a beautiful life together, and we can’t wait to finally see those photos.

It’s the age-old question: How often should you wash your hair, really? Back in the day, we wouldn’t dream of going a whole 24 hours without some shampoo, but then we started hearing that it is bad to wash your hair every day — and there are even people out there who can make their blow-out last a whole week. So what’s the deal?

We’ve always known we need to wash our hair regularly, but it’s so hard to decipher what “regularly” actually means. We consulted hair experts for the ultimate hair-washing intel.

Hair type matters

Is there a good rule of thumb for the magic number of days you can go without washing your hair? Really, it depends on your hair type. Hair that’s thicker and curlier can go without a wash for longer than hair that is fine. How processed your hair is will also come into play, because the oils in your scalp don’t travel down the hair shaft as quickly in hair that’s coarse, curly or processed as it does for gals with fine hair, says Marlene Montanez of Latest-Hairstyles.

More: Khloé Kardashian Cut Her Hair Into the Easiest Style You Can Copy at Home

For this reason, curly hair types should especially be careful not to wash hair too frequently — and avoid shampoos with harsh sulfates, which strip the hair of the natural oils. You can consider a co-wash (using a conditioner instead of shampoo) or use a sulfate-free shampoo if washing more than twice a week, says Jane Nyachiro of hair brand Jirano.

Lifestyle also plays a part. For example, if you workout daily, you’re going to need to wash your hair more often to feel clean after sweating. If you have an oily scalp and thin, fine hair, your hair will start to look flat and dirty after 24 hours. If your hair is pin-straight, an oily scalp will show more easily too. The flip side is with thick, curly hair, you may be able to go three days without needing a shampoo.

There can be too much of a good thing

It’s pretty simple: Washing hair every day removes our natural oils and proteins, causing our hair to dry out quicker. Shampoo strips the oils from the hair, and we need those oils to help our scalp and hair to be healthy, says Emily Woodstrom of Hairitage ‘Hous outside St. Paul, Minnesota.

Some people shampoo so frequently and strip the natural oil in their hair so much that it becomes very frizzy — and there day-after hair actually looks better when oil has accumulated on the scalp to tame these wild hair shafts, says Dr. Scott Rackett, a dermatologist and hair care expert. Often, we apply product to calm the hair, when really just shampooing less frequently would improve the look of the hair and lessen the need for hair products.

More: Beauty Hack: Add Sugar to Your Shampoo for Perfect Hair

Find your perfect cocktail

The trick is to find a shampoo, conditioner and a cocktail of products that balances your scalp and hair so you can wash every third or fifth day. “If one has hair on the finer side, I’ll recommend a volumizing shampoo so it remains light and won’t get greasy too fast. Transversely, if a client comes to me with coarse, dry, thick hair, I’ll recommend something that will moisturize and balance the scalp and hair. It’s a bit of a trial and error thing.

Work with your stylist to make sure you get what will work for you,” says Max Gierl, senior stylist at Mizu New York salon. “The No. 1 thing I tell all my clients is to keep conditioner off the scalp completely. Conditioner can make the scalp oily, which only makes your roots seem greasy faster. The scalp should produce enough sebum to properly maintain scalp health.”

The final verdict

At most, try washing your hair every other day. Every two days is even better, and if you can make it an entire week, go for it! If your hair gets oily after only a day, try using some hair powder or dry shampoo on your roots to soak up some of that excess oil. There are also tons of products on the market for in-between wash days that will help your hair get some extra lift and smell fresh. After the gym, try spritzing a refreshing mist or do a rinse sans shampoo. If you must wash and shampoo each time after a workout, try a shampoo that’s made for daily cleansing — they’re usually less harsh on your hair.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

At the time, the reasons given for the early termination were increased risks of breast cancer and heart disease. This news had an immediate impact as millions of women stopped taking hormones abruptly and millions more never started. Now, 15 years later, it continues to be the primary influence on both women and their health care providers on the decision whether or not to start hormone therapy.

More: 14 Emotional Phases of Menopause

In a review published in March 2017 in Climacteric, Dr. Robert Langer, who was one of the principal investigators for the WHI, states that “the ‘facts’ that most women and clinicians consider in making the decision to use, or not use, HRT are frequently wrong or incorrectly applied.”

Langer says that in the 1980s and '90s, numerous smaller observational studies showed a risk reduction in cardiovascular disease, sometimes by as much as 50 percent for women taking estrogen alone. Cardiovascular disease is more common for women in their 60s; yet, all of the earlier studies were in younger women who were recently (within 10 years) in menopause. The WHI was designed specifically to look at risk reduction in older women — women who were well beyond menopause but who were, based on their age, at higher risk for CV disease.

Did starting hormone therapy well after menopause lead to a reduction in CV disease? Was it cardio-protective to start closer to the age when cardiovascular disease is most common? The answer is now a well-known no. The data from the earlier trials that supported a benefit for younger women were entirely disregarded.

Langer states, “The WHI HRT trial was well designed to assess the questions it set out to answer, i.e., the effects of regimens being used in 1993 on the incidence of major chronic diseases in older menopausal women. It was not designed to test the effects of HRT in recently menopausal women and did not have the statistical power to do that. A major failing of the study has been the generalization of the results in older menopausal women to younger menopausal women.”

More: 9 Things Every Menopausal Woman Should Definitely Have on Hand

He goes on to discuss the unusual way the results, which precipitated the early termination, were written and published: “The investigators most capable of correcting the critical misinterpretations of the data were actively excluded from the writing and dissemination activities. The initial results paper was written by a small group from the coordinating center and program office and submitted to the journal without informing or consulting the clinical site principal investigators.” The investigators were not allowed to contribute, comment on or change any of the language in the paper as it had already been printed for publication.

So, the single study that has informed millions of decisions about hormone therapy likely doesn’t apply to the women who would most likely benefit from hormone therapy: younger women within 10 years of menopause. The reach of the WHI even extends to much younger premenopausal women who are considering taking birth control pills and are concerned about the risk of breast cancer.

Long-term follow-up on the women in the WHI trial, who were taking just estrogen, was published in JAMA in April 2011. This study considered age-specific outcomes. In the women who were within 10 years of menopause, the researchers found “12 fewer acute myocardial infarctions, 13 fewer deaths and net 18 fewer adverse events in the global index, per 10,000 women, compared to women receiving placebo.” In other words, younger menopausal women taking just estrogen did better overall than the women on placebo.

According to Philip M. Sarrel, the lead author on a paper published in September 2013 in the American Journal of Public Health, when the WHI results came out in 2002, “almost no one emphasized or even seemed to recognize the fact that the worst findings might not apply to hormones other than Prempro or might not apply to all age groups.” In fact, the authors estimate that as many as 91,610 women have died prematurely over a 10-year period because they did not use estrogen.

More: These Two Life Events Could Predict Early Menopause

After all these years, the flawed and misrepresented results from the WHI are still impacting women. The WHI made clear that hormone therapy should not be used for disease prevention, but in younger women with symptoms of menopause, hormone therapy can be safe and possibly even beneficial. Not all women want or need to take hormone therapy. It is a decision to consider carefully, but for those women whose quality of life is affected by menopausal symptoms, it is an option well worth considering.

By Katie Killoran

Originally published on HelloFlo