“Get clear about your own motives for starting the conversation,” couples’ therapist Alicia Muñoz, LPC, explains to mbg. “Are you motivated by pure curiosity? A desire to get to know someone better? A desire to build a stronger friendship? Do you have a specific goal in mind […] like a job interview?” When you’re clear on your motive, she says, you can be open about it. People will naturally wonder why you’re striking up a conversation, “and being clear about it from the start creates trust,” she says....

The first step, then, is to generate awareness of one’s unique conception of essential qualities. As an individual becomes more self-aware, a personal “list” of essential qualities can be used both to form and to guide relationships. A firm understanding of one’s essential qualities allows for the open and honest communication of these essential needs to others. The more important the relationship is, the more critical it is to have a meeting of the minds and spirits on the necessary qualities for that relationship; when a relationship is more peripheral or less significant, there is often greater leeway....

The aesthetic wasn’t flashy, however—in fact, it’s surprisingly understated. For me at least, the holiday sparkle of 2023 is about less megawatt and more candlelit—less dazzling, and more dashing. Certainly, I have a hunch that the revival of moody makeup (freshly dubbed “indie sleaze” by the TikTok crowd) has influenced me. As someone who spent her 20s in the era of full-faced YouTube tutorials and pristine, bright Instagram aesthetics, seeing makeup that feels undone is a much-needed breath of fresh air....

To help you and your family get more of those delicious, restorative Zzz’s, we spoke to Purple’s sleep expert, certified pediatric sleep professional and founder of Tiny Transitions Courtney Zentz, to find out why exactly kids resist sleep and how we can set them up for sleep success. One of the most common reasons younger kids resist sleep is overtiredness. To prevent this, parents need to get a hold on the right awake windows for the baby, infant, or toddler....

For some clean-curious beauty fans, breaking up with fake nails may seem like an impossible task, but with a few easy tips and tricks, you can get your nails to look glorious, naturally. “Not only are acrylic and dip powder nails full of potentially nail-harming ingredients, but the process and wear can be very damaging to your nail beds, and if done improperly can even lead to infection,” advises organic manicurist Eunice Montes-Hamaguchi....

The prostate has earned the name “the male G-spot” because of its potential for pleasure. When stimulated externally or internally, the prostate can create immensely pleasing feelings, which can produce or heighten orgasms. “Externally, it cannot be directly palpated, but pressure can be applied to the surrounding area by pressing against the perineum, which is the area between the genitals and anus,” explains urologist Joshua R. Gonzalez, M.D. The reason that the prostate is able to generate so much pleasurable sensation is a little bit of a mystery, but there are two main hypotheses, according to a 2017 study on prostate-induced orgasms....

Sure, your nails might not feel dry, or brittle, but that doesn’t mean you’re completely off the hook. You wouldn’t shrug off your daily skin care routine just because you don’t see any blemishes or areas of concern, would you? Same goes for nail care: The best offense, after all, is a good defense. Add a cuticle oil to your daily routine: Many options include fatty acids and vitamins that nourish the nails and fill in any micro-cracks in the skin....