Cosmopolitan

the PARTY issue C’est For Real: The Cast of Emily in Paris Did All Your Holiday Shopping for You Quinta Astrology Says This Is When Party Guests Also Include... You’re Gonna Fall Hard* LILY COLLINS DAN LEVY NAOMI OSAKA TATE MCRAE AND *In Love, Not, Like… YOURDREAM BOSS (YOU’RE WELCOME!) to the Ground Catfished by a Matchmaker Anyone Else? Just Me? Cool, Page 48 Brunson Raise a Glass to the New Queen of TV

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THE 2022 COLLECTION ISSUE 8 Contents Look for the t he disco ball icon at the top of P our pages for A related stories. R T Y issue Your Holiday Gift Guide about last night 6 Page 11 presents! 11 pop cult 18 OFF- GIFT GUIDE: RYAN BRABAZON. FOR SHOPPING INFORMATION, GO TO COSMOPOLITAN.COM. the look 25 love WHITE stuff 48 life Page 38 stuff 56 bites 65 astrology 72 quinta brunson 74 the new c-suite 84 party brows 94 so much joy 100 the last page 108 The GOAT: Highlighters COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY DANNY KASIRYE Page 35 COVER FASHION BY CASSIE ANDERSON On Quinta: Isabel Marant bustier top and pants. Christian Louboutin platform sandals. Greenwich St. Jewelers earrings. Boucheron bracelet and rings. Hair: Karen Miller using Oribe. Makeup: Renée Loiz using Westman Atelier. Manicure: Honey for Exposure NY. Tailoring: Susan Balcunas for Lars Nordensten. Shot on location at The Turk’s Inn. To get Quinta’s glow, try Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Revitalizing Facial Cleanser, Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Hydrating Serum, Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Hydrating Eye Gel, and Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Hydrating Moisturizer With Sunscreen, all by Olay. 2 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8



An ornament Editor-in-Chief SVP/Group Publishing Director for your next ’fit if we ever JESSICA GILES NANCY BERGER saw one. CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mallory Roynon GROUP EXECUTIVE FINANCIAL DIRECTOR Kathy Riess Valentino EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sascha de Gersdorff VP, SALES Leslie Picard clutch, $4,800, EXECUTIVE DIGITAL EDITOR Rosa Heyman Valentino EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR Maria Baugh VP, MARKETING Kristina McMahon boutiques GROUP MARKETING DIRECTORS Marnie Braverman, Marianne Civiletto FASHION DIRECTOR Cassie Anderson GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Bridget McGuire ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTOR Maxwell Losgar INTEGRATED ADVERTISING SALES DESIGN DIRECTOR Jose Fernandez EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS, EAST COAST Colleen Kollar LaRoche, FEATURES DIRECTOR Erin Quinlan Hazel Jane Lyons, Julia Whalen, Doug Zimmerman EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS, WEST COAST Jee Ahn, Margot Becker Giblin ARTICLES DIRECTOR Madeleine Frank Reeves SALES D I RECTO RS , E AST COAST Monique de Boer, Alexis Herder, Vicky Levy FAS H I O N FE ATU RES A N D LI FEST Y LE D I RECTO R Rachel Torgerson SALES DIRECTOR, MIDWEST Hope Agase DIRECT RESPONSE MANAGER Dawn Franco NEWS AND POP CULTURE DIRECTOR Alexandra Whittaker SOUTHEAST TRAVEL Erin McDonnell, McDonnell Media BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE Julee Wilson SOUTHE AST & DC METRO Sarah Wiley, Mandel Media MANAGING EDITOR Christopher Dean SALES ASSISTANTS Paulina Carrillo, Angela Martinez, Emily Stevens ADVERTISING FINANCE DIRECTOR Elizabeth Bloom F E AT U R E S RESEARCH MANAGER Emma Chapman SENIOR NEWS ANALYSIS AND OPINION EDITOR Naureen Khan INTEGRATED MARKETING SENIOR ASTROLOGY EDITOR Erika W. Smith EXECUTIVE MARKETING DIRECTORS Stephanie Block, SENIOR SHOPPING EDITOR Kim Duong Christina Cordero, Ariel Kaye FEATURES EDITOR Elizabeth Kiefer MARKETING DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROJECTS Kelly Roma BRAND STRATEGY AND STORYTELLING DIRECTOR Christie Lemley SEX AND REL ATIONSHIPS EDITOR Veronica Lopez MARKETING DIRECTOR Bonnie Blue ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Emma Baty ASSOCIATE MARKETING DIRECTORS Harley Gates, Rhyan Kelly SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER Stephanie Rubino FAS H IO N EDITO R Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien MANAGER, SPECIAL EVENTS Grace McLoughlin SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Maddie Hiatt ASSOCIATE MARKETING MANAGER Caroline Hall CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lulu Zeitouneh ASSOCIATE LIFESTYLE EDITOR Hannah Chubb SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Paula Prado AS SO C IATE ENTERTA I N M ENT ED ITO R Tamara Fuentes PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Christen A. Johnson OPER ATIONS ACCOUNT MANAGER Lynn Scaglione ASSOCIATE SHOPPING EDITORS Hanna Flanagan, C I R C U L AT I O N Jacquelyn Greenfield VP, STR ATEGY AN D B USIN ESS MANAGEM ENT Rick Day ASSOCIATE SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS EDITOR Kayla Kibbe PUBLISHED BY HEARST ASSISTANT SHOPPING EDITOR Megan Uy PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven R. Swartz ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Gretty Garcia CHAIRMAN William R. Hearst III ASSISTANT EDITOR Melanie Curry E XEC UTIVE VI C E C HAI RMAN Frank A . Bennack, Jr. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Mark E. Aldam EDITORIAL BUSINESS MANAGER Caryn Kanare ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Annabel Iwegbue HEARST MAGAZINE MEDIA, INC. EDITORIAL BUSINESS ASSISTANT Mariah Schlossmann PRESIDENT Debi Chirichella GLOBAL CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER Lisa Ryan Howard FASHION CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Kate Lewis SENIOR ACCESSORIES EDITOR Andrea Zendejas CHIEF FINANCIAL AND STRATEGY OFFICER AND TREASURER Regina Buckley SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CONSUMER REVENUE AND DEVELOPMENT Brian Madden ASSOCIATE FASHION EDITOR Danielle Flum SECRETARY Catherine A. Bostron FASHION ASSISTANT Laynie Rouch PU B LIS H I N G CO N SU LTANTS Gilbert C. Maurer, Mark F. Miller BEAUTY DEPUTY BEAUTY DIRECTORS Lauren Balsamo, Chloe Metzger HEARST MAGAZINES INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT Jonathan Wright BEAUTY EDITOR Beth Gillette SVP/EDITORIAL & BRAND DIRECTOR Kim St. Clair Bodden GLOBAL EDITORIAL & BRAND DIRECTOR Chloe O’Brien ART EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONTENT SERVICES Shelley Meeks ART DIRECTOR Mary Fama INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS DESIGNER Kara Miller BULGARIA, CHINA, CZECH REPUBLIC, FRANCE, GERMANY, HONG KONG, HUNGARY, D I G ITA L- I M AG I N G S PEC IA LI ST Jairo Corleto INDIA , INDONESIA , ITALY, JAPAN, KOREA , MEXICO, MIDDLE EAST, NETHERL ANDS, PHILIPPINES, SLOVENIA , SPAIN, TAIWAN, UKRAINE, UNITED KINGDOM COPY AND RESEARCH DEPUTY COPY CHIEF Estee Brooke Friedman CUSTOMER SERVICE CALL: 800-888-2676; EMAIL: COSCUSTSERV@CDSFULFILLMENT .COM; VISIT: COSMOPOLITAN.COM/SERVICE; WRITE: CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SENIOR RESEARCH EDITOR Lauren Dzubow COSMOPOLITAN, P.O. BOX 6000, HARL AN, IA 51593. NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS VISIT: CO PY ED ITO R Briehn Trumbauer COSMOPOLITAN.COM/JOIN. ADVERTISING VISIT: COSMOMEDIAKIT.COM; CALL: 212-649- 3303. PUBLISHED AT 300 W 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10019. COSMOPOLITAN.COM DIGITAL CREATIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Abigail Silverman ART DIRECTOR Katie Buckleitner DIGITAL DESIGNERS Khadija Horton, Margie Rischiotto HEARST VISUAL GROUP C H I EF VISUAL- CO NTENT D I RECTO R Alix Campbell EXECUTIVE VISUAL DIRECTOR Fabienne Le Roux VISUAL DIRECTOR Kristin Giametta DEPUTY VISUAL DIRECTOR Scott M. Lacey SENIOR VISUAL EDITOR Emily Adar VISUAL EDITOR Ruben Chamorro ASSISTANT VISUAL EDITOR Beth Sacca VIDEO EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Abbey Adkison SENIOR PRODUCER Liesl Lar DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Janet Upadhye POSTPRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Heather Weyrick EDITOR Sarah Ng EMERGING PLATFORMS EMERGING PLATFORMS DIRECTOR Mia Lardiere PRODUCTION MANAGER Venezia Moorer JUNIOR MOTION DESIGNER Kristiana Morell 4 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8

$299 Book your CosmoTrip Today! Austin • Cancun • Cartagena • Casa de Campo • Charleston • Dubai • Dublin • Greece • Ibiza • Iceland • Las Vegas • London Maui • Miami • Munich • New York • New Orleans • Paris • Portugal • Puerto Rico • Tulum • West Hollywood

DJ KITTY CA$H LAURA HARRIER CARLACIA GRANT, AUSTIN NORTH, JONATHAN DAVISS, AND MADISON BAILEY Editor ’s Letter ALEXANDRA DAVIS BATES. COOPER About Last I live for The Debrief. The first contact you have Night with your friends after a party is, let’s be honest, sometimes better than the party itself. What good 6 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8 is a party anyway if it doesn’t give you fodder for your group chat? My thumbs nearly flew off from all the texting I did—still in bed, one eye open, as you do—the morning after the big Cosmo party we threw in West Hollywood recently. We were celebrating the launch of our travel- concierge service CosmoTrips, wherein we book your next vacation for you (and the one after that, and the one after that, because we’re saving you from all the previously required homework—we’re like travel agents but cool?), and the guest list was wild. We had Outer Banks stars Madison Bailey, Austin North, Jonathan Daviss, and Carlacia Grant; Call Her Daddy host Alexandra Cooper, with whom I cooked up something fun (stay tuned); and Travis Barker protégé jxdn (remember him from our “Dopamine Dressing” fashion story two issues ago?), who staged a surprise performance of “Angels & Demons” by the pool. Not to mention beauty guru James Charles, who shared some intriguing hints about his upcoming makeup launch with me (can’t tell you yet!); Pretty Little Liars

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Editor ’s Letter BARON SCHOENVOGEL SABRINA QUESADA, ZAHRAA BERRO AND ZOI LERMA CYNTHIA PARKER, AND NESSA BARRETT OTHRSYDE ALEXIS REN AND CIERRA RAMIREZ LEWIS TAN, SISI STRINGER, SAV JXDN NATALIE NOEL AND PALACIO, KANE LIM, DAVIS BATES. GETTY IMAGES. 8 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8 TESSA BROOKS JONETTA KAISER, AND HARLEY FOTHERGILL To check out CosmoTrips and actually go on one, scan here!

CATIE LI LEXI UNDERWOOD JAMES CHARLES MALIA PYLES, CHANDLER KINNEY, stars Chandler Kinney, Malia Pyles, Zaria, and Bailee Madison, BAILEE MADISON, AND ZARIA who is not, in fact, Madison Bailey; and then-cover-star Laura NICO GREETHAM, EMMA KENNEY, Harrier, who wore a Coperni-designed minidress made from AND CHRISTIAN WEISSMANN nothing but neckties. (“Very Cosmo,” I remarked to her on the red carpet.) We drank cosmos (duh) and danced to a set by DJ Kitty Ca$h and gossiped in the bathroom. The kind of night Debriefs were made for. There’s another reason my group chat has been blow- ing up lately, another thing worth throwing a party for: Gen Z turned out in huge numbers to vote in the 2022 midterms, prov- We drank ing that this generation of young Americans will take action on the cosmos causes they care about. I love (duh) and what 18-year-old Duke freshman danced and Rebecca Arian told Cosmo after casting her ballot: “We will inherit gossiped in the future, and it will be up to us the bathroom. to deal with the impact of today’s politics.” So Gen Z is changing those politics, starting with abor- tion access, climate change, the economy, and student debt. Their votes made a tangible differ- ence in battleground states and are reshaping our country to look more like a place young people are proud to call home. How else is Gen Z changing our world? By engaging in the act of “joyful resistance,” protesting bad things in good ways that feel genuinely optimistic in spirit. A clown march, a stripper strike—go to page 100 for what writer and activist adrienne maree brown describes as “celebratory practices aimed at making our neces- sary revolutions feel irresistible.” As always, I want in. ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 9



For Yourself For Your Boyfriend For Your Bestie For Your Boss For Your Work BFF For Your Secret Santa Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 gift guide The Cast of Emily in Paris Did All Your Holiday BY RACHEL TORGERSON PHOTOGRAPHS BY RYAN BRABAZON Shopping for You SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS How chic! Merci beaucoup. ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 11

Your Holiday Gift Guide 1 WHAT TO GET 2 YOURSELF You may or may not be a chic Parisian transplant, but either way, you should buy yourself something nice, non? 3 TO 4 E M I LY FROM L I LY COLLINS “As a brand ambassador for Cartier, I’ve become a big fan of their bags. I’d give Emily the Nano Double C de Cartier because she’s always carrying so many things. The crossbody strap allows her to be hands-free and très fashionable.” 5 6 8 7 1. Casetify case, $42 to $98, casetify 9 .com. 2. Cartier shoulder bag, $2,140, cartier.com. 3. Sleeper pajama set, $390, the-sleeper.com. 4. Living Proof dry shampoo, $16, sephora.com. 5. Burberry umbrella, $470, farfetch.com. 6. Pampshade lamp, $88, mociun.com. 7. Christian Louboutin sandals, $845, mytheresa.com. 8. The Attico bucket hat, $530, mytheresa.com. 9. Lancôme traveler set, $79, lancome-usa.com. 12 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8



LIFT HERE TO EXPERIENCE VERSACE BRIGHT CRYSTAL LIFT HERE TO EXPERIENCE VERSACE YELLOW DIAMOND BELK DILLARD’S MACY’S NORDSTROM LIFT HERE TO EXPERIENCE VERSACE CRYSTAL NOIR

WHAT TO GET 1 3 YOUR BOYFRIEND I meeean, if this were your boyfriend, safe to say he should be pampered. Omg, Alfie, stop smiling at me like that! 2 TO ALFIE FROM 4 LUCIEN 5 6 7 1. Viso Project blanket, 9 $600, visoproject.com. 2. Audemars Piguet 8 watch, price upon request, audemarspiguet.com. 3. D R Harris shaving set, $280, mrporter.com. 4. Miansai ring, $165, miansai.com. 5. Frame Ritz robe, $498, frame- store.com. 6. Mr P. sweater, $325, mrporter.com. 7. Globe-Trotter carry-on, $1,995, globe-trotter.com. 8. Chanel eau de parfum deodorant set, $172, chanel .com. 9. Master & Dynamic wireless headphones, $599, masterdynamic.com. ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 13

Your Holiday Gift Guide 1 2 4 WHAT TO GET YOUR BEST FRIEND Your bestie is not afraid to stand out, and that’s why you love her. Show her off with these finds. 3 6 1. Swarovski earrings, $115, swarovski.com. 5 TO 2. Mark Cross box bag, $2,590, markcross.com. 7 3. Siedres tunic, $265, siedres.com. 4. Trend Tech MINDY Brands karaoke microphone, $55, saks.com. 8 5. Maison Michel cap, $800, michel-paris.com. FROM 6. Valentino Beauty eyeshadow palette, $98, sephora.com. 7. Balmain Hair Couture limited- ASHLEY edition pouch, $220, balmainhair.us. 8. Olivia von PA R K Halle slippers, $870, oliviavonhalle.com. “I’d get Mindy this 14 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8 Valentino Beauty eyeshadow palette because it can match the mood of any soiree or stage. Smoky eye? Subtle spotlight? Bold graphic? Oui, oui, oui!”

WHAT TO GET 1 YOUR BOSS 2 3 Or anyone you don’t know super well but need to impress. (Plus some spensy picks for when you really want to wow ’em.) TO 4 S Y LV I E FROM PHILIPPINE L E R OY- BEAULIEU “I would buy Sylvie L’Iris by Santa Maria Novella. It’s earthy, flowery, and mysterious, like her, from a Florentine brand that’s 800 years old. Tradition and luxury—just what Sylvie likes.” 1. Balenciaga mules, $725, 6 mytheresa.com. 2. Santa 5 Maria Novella L’Iris eau de parfum, $245 for 100 7 mL, us.smnovella.com. 3. Swarovski earrings, $95, 9 swarovski.com. 4. Aerin 8 crystal coupe set, $225, aerin.com. 5. L.G.R Eye- wear sunglasses, $480, lgrworld.com. 6. House of Hackney Serpentis vase, $520, houseofhackney.com. 7. Gucci lipstick trio set, $97, nordstrom.com. 8. Fern Fans fan, $66, fernfans .com. 9. Gucci teacup and saucer set, $435, gucci.com. ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 15

Your Holiday Gift Guide WHAT TO GET 1 2 YOUR WORK TO HUSBAND JULIEN You two have been through a lot. Pay him back for all those venting sessions. FROM SAMUEL ARNOLD “From me, Julien would get a Gucci briefcase to keep 3 all his racks in before making it rain in the club.” 4 5 6 1. Assouline book, $95, assouline.com. 8 7 2. Gucci briefcase, $1,890, gucci.com. 9 3. Shady Villa Hotel domino set, $48, shadyvillahotelstore.com. 4. Bang & Olufsen earbuds, $399, bang-olufsen.com. 5. Dior candle set, $175, dior.com. 6. Etro pocket square, $175, etro.com. 7. Odeme flask, $32, burkedecor.com. 8. Galison x Jonathan Adler puzzle, $25, neiman marcus.com. 9. Barbara Sturm winter kit, $250, drsturm.com. 16 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8

WHAT TO GET 1 YOUR SECRET SANTA Wild-card items that pretty much anyone 2 would be excited to receive? Check. 3 4 5 1. Ami Paris beanie, $170, 7 6 TO amiparis.com. 2. LomoAppa- 10 rat camera, $99, shop 8 LUC .lomography.com. 3. J.Crew 9 gloves, $98, jcrew.com. FROM 4. Desmond & Dempsey pajama set, $275, desmond BRUNO anddempsey.com. 5. Eovolt GOUERY electric bike, $2,289, two wheelsempire.com. 6. MoMA “Cycling for Luc Design Store Man Ray chess is a way of life. board, $290, chess pieces, $490, store.moma.org. His Parisian 7. Lanshin red jasper gua sha, riding style is $65, lanshin.com. 8. Etnia just like him: Barcelona sunglasses, independent, $259, etniabarcelona.com. extravagant, 9. Vitruvi cloud humidifier, $229, vitruvi.com. 10. Thou- and often sand Chapter helmet, $145, confusing. This explorethousand.com. pricey bike I am sure will make Scan to shop for everyone on your list. him happy! BANG!” ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 17

Ooh, Pretty Colors Pls Run to Your Couch Rom-Coms? In This Economy? Page 19 Page 20 Page 22 pop cult How to Do Naomi Like Naomi Does Naomi Tennis legend and cool-girl Naomi Osaka is here to fill out your end-of-year wish list. (We’ve already thanked her for you—you’re welcome.) BY EMMA BATY

P O P C U LT G o o d Ta s te 1 THE NEXT TIME I 2 HELLO, YES, THIS GET TO TAKE A 3 ACCESSORY GOES VACATION, I’M WITH EVERYTHING GOING TO… 6 I OWN 1. Tokyo. Period. I love 7 5. My Louis Vuitton learning more about Twist bag is my go-to. my own heritage, and Whether I want to whenever I go back, dress up or down, it I find a new area to always makes my look explore or restaurant feel complete. I love to try. The city has an repping these bags. unexplainable energy. Louis Vuitton handbag, EVEN AT MY $4,700, select Louis BUSIEST, I STILL Vuitton stores FIND TIME TO USE THIS PRODUCT THE GIFT I BUY 2. I have melanated THE MOST FOR skin, but wearing OTHER PEOPLE SPF every day is a 6. Beats headphones. nonnegotiable. The I’m a bit biased because Golden Rays Sun- of my partnership, but I screen from my don’t leave home with- skincare line, KINLÒ, out mine, and they are protects me without perfect for anyone on leaving a white cast your holiday list. behind and gives me a natural glow. It’s 5 Beats by Dre wireless also water-resistant earbuds, $150, and sweatproof. beatsbydre.com KINLÒ sunscreen, $20, I COULD WEAR kinlo.com THESE SHOES ALL WHEN I’M NOT AT HOME, THIS 4 DAY, EVERY DAY HOTEL IS THE NEXT 7. Nike sneakers. I have BEST OPTION 3. The Ritz-Carlton in a line with Nike, and Tokyo is my favorite hotel on earth. It’s their shoes are basically the best combo of being traditionally the only ones I wear. Japanese but with a super-modern vibe. Super comfortable The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo and versatile. hotel, from about $600 per night, ritzcarlton.com Nike tennis sneakers, $150, nike.com IF YOU LEAN IN COURTESY KINLÒ. GETTY IMAGES. CLOSE, I SMELL LIKE… THE PIECE OF TECH- 4. Diptyque Eau Rose NOLOGY THAT Eau de Toilette. I love a MAKES MY DAYS SO sweet but oh-so-fresh MUCH BETTER scent, and this one is 8. The Hyperice not overpowering. Hypervolt Go has made my life so much easier Diptyque perfume, $165 for and, honestly, less pain- 100 mL, diptyqueparis.com 8 ful. That’s why I invested in the company. When I can’t fit in a post- training massage treat- ment, I use this. Hyperice portable massager, $199, hyperice.com ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 19

P O P C U LT Excuses to Stay In Party for One Wait, does your TV count as a plus-one? BY TAMARA FUENTES National Mayfair Poker Face Corsage THIS PAGE: NATIONAL TREASURE: EDGE OF HISTORY: DISNEY; MAYFAIR WITCHES: ALFONSO BRESCIANI/AMC; POKER FACE: EVANS VESTAL WARD/PEACOCK. OPPOSITE PAGE: KINDRED: TINA ROWDEN/FX; THE RECRUIT: PHILIPPE BOSSÉ/ Treasure: Edge Witches NETFLIX; PARAMORE: ZACHARY GRAY; TOKEN: COURTESY GRAYDON HOUSE BOOKS; HELL BENT: FLATIRON BOOKS; THE FRAUD SQUAD: BERKLEY BOOKS/PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE; BIG SWISS: COURTESY SCRIBNER. January 26, Peacock December 23, theaters of History January 8, AMC, AMC+ Imagine your favorite crime If you’ve found December 14, Disney+ procedural and road-trip yourself watching We’re officially declaring Netflix’s The Empress Good news: The franchise that spooky season lasts movie had a baby—it over and over again that inspired you to take through January, thanks to would look a lot like this (same), then you’ll AP U.S. History is back, this this dark, twisty fantasy murder mystery drama be equally sucked time as a series. Bad news: series starring Alexandra from Knives Out creator Nicolas Cage isn’t in it. But Rian Johnson. Natasha into this film that Catherine Zeta-Jones is, and Daddario. She plays Lyonne plays a ridiculously basically serves as an she’s even better as a villain Rowan, a neurosurgeon skillful sleuth, and the list of trying to scam Jess (Lisette who discovers she is also a guest stars (Chloë Sevigny, epilogue, following Olivera) out of her family’s witch and has been tasked Adrien Brody, Charles Elisabeth of Austria’s treasure. That might be a hot Melton...) is so long that it take, but it’s the right one. with confronting her puts CVS receipts to shame. royal midlife crisis. family’s darkest secrets. Actor Vicky Krieps is so compelling as the lead that having two different stories about one monarch in a single calendar year somehow still feels like not enough. 20 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8

Get Lit Kindred The Recruit This Is Why, TOKEN, by Beverley Kendall December 13, Hulu December 16, Netflix by Paramore January 3 [Insert the “It’s been 84 Dust off those Noah Centi- February 10 A workplace saga quickly years” GIF here.] Okay, fine, neo thirst-tweet drafts, turns into a juicy romance because 2018’s internet The band that served as when a PR professional’s it’s been only 43 since the soundtrack to your ex-boyfriend comes to her Octavia E. Butler’s famed boyfriend is continuing his angstiest teen years has with a career emergency. big comeback. In this tense been releasing underap- time-travel novel was series, he plays a hot CIA preciated music ever HELL BENT, published, and now it’s been lawyer being threatened by since. Now, with its first by Leigh Bardugo adapted into a sci-fi series. It a former asset. Highlights album outside its original follows Dana, a young Black include him singing along label, the group enters a January 10 with Taylor Swift’s “I Knew new era, with brutally Dark academia: not just writer in the 21st century honest lyrics set to mixes for TikTok! This creepy yet who keeps getting sent back You Were Trouble” and in time to the pre–Civil War stunts that are too wild to try upbeat enough for addictive sequel goes era. It might sound weirdly to explain. You heard it here dancing. (Lines like “If you even deeper into magical similar to another, um, not- have an opinion / Maybe first: Noah is on the John you should shove it” are secret societies. great film that came out Krasinski journey, and that’s recently (IYKYK), but this destined for Instagram excellent for all of us. caption glory.) All of which one is actually good. means that right about now is a very good time to revisit these emo icons. THE FRAUD SQUAD, by Kyla Zhao January 17 Delightful and unpredictable, this drama is very The Clique meets Crazy Rich Asians. BIG SWISS, by Jen Beagin February 7 A transcriber for a sex therapist falls in love with a client (and uses what she’s learned to woo her) in this hilarious novel. Is it getting hot in here ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 21 or is it these shows?

Big-Budget I t’s been more than 10 years since Holly- Rom-Coms wood killed the rom-com. Since Crazy, Are Back Stupid, Love served as the last gasp of and Honestly a Great American Movie Genre. Those Thank God beautiful, glossy films may have been fluff, but they were more than just fluff— It’s like everyone finally they were made unapologetically for a realized they’re exactly female audience and often called out what we need. With class and gender disparities while also some tweaks. being rich with the eye-candy-est eye BY EMMA BATY candy of our time. But who am I kidding... why do we need that when we have a million iterations of the same movie in which caped men bash one another’s heads in for reasons so simultaneously confusing and important that they deserve sequel upon sequel, right? Like...I’m grateful to the Marvels and Top Guns of the world for propping up the film industry, sure, but can you honestly tell me you remember the plot of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? (I don’t HEARTS: GETTY IMAGES. even have to ask if you can quote How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.) The problem with having the majority of big-budget, entertain- ment-as-escapism movies in theaters being about (1) superheroes or (2) Tom Cruise—aside from the fact that they are largely made by, for, and about men—is that they take up all the budget. The 22 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8

P O P C U LT Critical Thinking films made by, for, and about women in she wanted to give audiences a “holiday the past 10 years haven’t gotten anywhere from life” after the past few years, to close to the same blockbuster treatment which I say, “Yes, please.” Lindsay Lohan from the studios behind them. told Cosmopolitan about her new movie Falling for Christmas: “It’s always fun to It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what work on something that makes people happened here beyond, you know, happy and provides a bit of an escape.” systemic sexism. But I’m going to try, Sandra Bullock is back. So is J.Lo. Meg starting with some insider-y industry Ryan is about to direct her first movie took off, a nearly extinct thing called the Will this be just another mid-budget film existed. These movies, way to capitalize on our including most rom-coms, provided more variety for what you could see at emotions? Maybe, the theater and helped studios make a but you know what? lot of money. But I’ll admit it: The rom- coms of the 2010s weren’t doing anything Take my money! particularly innovative. Some of them felt straight-up regressive. (I give you Friends ever and it’s a rom-com. Nancy Meyers, With Benefits and No Strings Attached, who wrote and directed iconic entries to which pretended to be about sexual the genre like It’s Complicated and The liberation but *checks notes* ultimately Holiday, is making her first movie in seven reinforced outdated relationship norms.) years. We’ve also already gotten The Lost Audiences, perhaps also bored of watch- City, Marry Me, Bros, Shotgun Wedding, ing so many straight, white people fall in and Fire Island. Movies in which there’s love, started to lose interest. So the studios just as much love and lust as before but started to lose money and began divert- with characters who are diverse, empow- ing their funds into either $300 million ered, and capable of choosing their own blockbusters or $10 million prestige plays, happiness instead of just lucking into it. says Scott Meslow, who wrote the literal It’s about fucking time. book—From Hollywood With Love: The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of the So far, Ticket to Paradise and The Romantic Comedy—on the topic. Lost City have each made more than $100 million at the box office, no doubt But people still crave movies that make prompting Hollywood to fire up its rom- them feel good. Honestly, we’ve been kind com machine even more. Will this be just of desperate for them, during a stretch another way to capitalize on women’s emotions and take advantage of our bank attacks on our reproductive rights. accounts? Maybe, but you know what? Take my money! I’m ready to ugly-cry like “Netflix figured out that there was a huge Meg in that one When Harry Met Sally... underserved audience there.” The stream- scene again! ing platform took the success of movies like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Because watching movie stars who (2018) and The Kissing Booth (2018), both are having a blast making sure we have a based on YA books, and began spinning blast? Finally getting smart, funny, highly out wave after wave of similar projects, reinventing stale romantic narratives and ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 23 proving that even younger audiences once thought to be anti-rom-com were also eager for their return. And now, A-list actors, the very ones who made rom-coms so great in the first place, want back in. On her 2022 Ticket to Paradise press tour, Julia Roberts said Scan for a list of my fave rom-coms of the year.



See You at the Function The Only Bebe on Our Brains It’s the Cheekbones for Us Living That Soft Life Mini Is Actually Better, Thanks Because TikTok Said So Page 26 Page 30 Page 35 Page 36 Page 38 Page 47 the look Party Heels! You’re invited to be very, very tall and very, very chic at the same time. BY TAR AH - LYN N SAI NT- E LI E N AN D ANDREA ZENDEJAS PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHELSEA KYLE Jimmy Choo Truth: These’ll make pumps, $995, you the belle of the jimmychoo.com. Yi Collection ball...or brunch. tennis bracelet, $3,795, yicollection .com. Mateo ring, $2,760, mateo newyork.com. David Yurman ring, $5,500, davidyurman.com. ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 25

THE LOOK Big Accessory Energy Giving Platforms a Platform Stacked footwear is the moment, according to designers and also my credit card statement. Make sure there’s room in your closet (and/or on your pizza-strewn floor) for a pair, please. From right: Giuseppe Zanotti platform sandals, $895, giuseppezanotti.com. Dirty Hands Jewelry bracelet, $280, dirtyhandsjewelry.com. Simon Miller platform sandals, $570, simonmillerusa.com. Do not spill wine on them—they’re too fab. 26 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8

Back to Bedazzled “Best believe we’re still bejeweled. When it comes to our shoes, we can still make the whole place shim- mer, okay?” I’m pretty sure those were Taylor Swift’s exact words, and who are we to argue with her? Giuseppe Zanotti platforms, $1,350, giuseppezanotti.com

THE LOOK Big Accessory Energy New Heights Unlocked In conclusion! Party heels are pretty for parties and also every other situa- tion—our feet deserve to be fancy whenever they want! And because the runways have blessed us with no shortage of options, it’s time to stock your shoe shelves! Thank you and good night! Giuseppe Paris Texas Zanotti boots, wedges, $735, $1,095, giuseppe net-a-porter zanotti.com .com Versace FASHION STYLIST: ANDREA ZENDEJAS. PROP STYLIST: CATHERINE CAMPBELL PEARSON. MANICURE: YUKIE MIYAKAWA. MODEL: KASSANDRA CRUZ. pumps, $1,725, versace.com Nodaleto pumps, $925, nodaleto.com Jimmy Choo By far the most sandals, gorgeous mess I’ve $1,050, jimmy ever seen. choo.com Jimmy Alexandre Choo boots, Birman platform $1,395, sandals, $795, jimmychoo alexandre birman.com .com 28 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8

Let's Make Things Exclusive access to all Cosmopolitan.com Cosmopolitan Unlocked content, plus exclusive bonus stories Consider this your formal invitation to join our membership program. We know what you’re thinking—you already have a gazillion a members-only newsletter in your subscriptions and your group chat is constantly blowing up, do you inbox every week really need another thing? Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Also yes. another year’s worth of your favorite magazine just-for-you discounts on lots of pretty things early intel on events, merch, and other perks JOIN FOR LESS THAN $2/MONTH Head to cosmopolitan.com/go/joinnow or scan right here:

THE LOOK Perspective Things are finally COURTESY L’ORÉAL PARIS. changing—for the The Beauty more inclusive, for the Industry better—and I’m proud Needs More to be a part of it. Faces BY BEBE VIO GRANDIS Like Mine AS TOLD TO LAUREN BALSAMO 30 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8 I was born in Venice, Italy, on March 4, 1997, as an able-bodied person. In 2008, I was reborn with a disability—and became the unluckiest person in the world. But also, it turns out, the luckiest person in the world. When I was 11 years old, I contracted acute meningitis, a rare but deadly bacterial infection. It left me with severe scarring on my face and body; to save my life, doctors had to amputate my limbs past the knees and elbows. I spent what felt like an eternity alone in a hospital, afraid of what my life would be like with- out arms and legs. Afraid of being differ- ent from everyone else. Afraid of never again being able to fence—a sport I had loved and practiced since the age of 5. But after a year of intense rehab and then getting special prosthetics for my arms and legs, I was able to go back to fencing. A few months later, I won my first wheelchair fencing competition as a part of the Italian Paralympic team. My triumph was largely because of my family. They are the ones who taught me to view my disability as a rebirth, as something that makes me uniquely me. With their help, I gained an entire new appreciation for my sport, my body. And if I could come back after something tragic, I thought, others should have the same chance. In September 2009, we started Art4Sport, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities make sense of their

My Skin and Makeup Picks In no particular order, three of my current favorites. lives through sports. Seeing how our I use this under my foundation has aided so many, physi- eyes to look brighter cally and psychologically, has allowed me to make peace with my own disabil- and more awake. ity—and to come to terms with a life that can be completely normal one day and L’Oréal Paris Infallible anything but the next. It’s helped me feel more confident and comfortable in my own skin. Which is, in the end, what really counts, you know? But that’s not the end of my story. As it happens, it was just another begin- ning. Last summer, I was focused on spreading aware- ness through fencing when If people like me can’t see L’Oréal Paris approached me themselves in big places, to be one of its new global ambassadors. how can they dream big? I won’t lie, I was a little shocked. I mean, it’s no secret that until recently, the beauty industry was not a place where I know this type of change takes time, physical differences were celebrated. but I’m going to keep pushing for it by And it definitely wasn’t a place where showing my face on billboards, continu- This mascara gives me power. I want people to people who look like me had a seat at ing to win Paralympic medals, and being look me in the eyes when they talk to me and not be the table. I thought L’Oréal was going to a part of things larger than myself. distracted by my scars. ask me to use its products to cover my I’ve recently been lucky enough to L’Oréal Paris Air Volume Mega Mascara, scarring or to further perpetuate unre- also collaborate with the people who $15, drugstores alistic beauty standards. But that wasn’t created Barbie. I designed a doll that the case: They said they wanted me to be looks just like me—with the wheelchair, unapologetically me, to help show the short blonde hair, and all. My hope is that world that beauty comes in all forms. one day, little girls will look at that doll A big part of my work with L’Oréal is and say, “Wow! Look at her pixie cut!” I to use my platform to reach and empower want disabilities to be so normalized that women from all types of communi- people won’t even comment on them. ties and backgrounds. My mission is to And I hope that work comes from many help bring to life the brand’s tagline— people, many places. “because you’re worth it”—wherever Because what I love most is being I go, from fashion shows to advocacy part of a team that accomplishes events to fencing competitions. things a single person alone cannot. Being a face of a massive beauty Because creating space for people like brand like this is an honor, yes, but if I’m me by making disabilities part of the Taking care of my scars is important to me, so I love being honest...it’s also long overdue. If we norm, not the exception? It’s simply not a that this tinted serum has want to normalize disabilities, we need one-woman job. skincare benefits. to see them. My scars and prosthetic BEATRICE MARIA “BEBE” VIO GRANDIS is a 25-year- L’Oréal Paris True Match limbs are visual reminders of who I am old Italian wheelchair fencer and Paralympic athlete Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum, and why I matter. If people like me can’t with more than 60 gold and silver medals. She is the see themselves in big places, how can author of two books and one of the youngest-ever global $20, drugstores they dream big? spokespeople for L’Oréal Paris. You should definitely be ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 31 following all things Bebe.

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THE LOOK The G OAT The Greatest Let it glow, let it Highlighters of All Time glow, let it glow.... BY BETH GILLETTE TRUNK ARCHIVE. The most versatile of the bunch A subtle, streak-free Literally every Blushlighter (n.): Q: What’s not to The glossy, glazed- (love you, RiRi), this copper- powder for those makeup artist a rosy blush- love about this doughnut skin flecked cream adds next-level times when you’re ever swears by this dewy, plumping, aesthetic starts luminosity to your cheekbones, pretending you’re lightweight, hint-of- highlighter hybrid hydrating icy- eyelids, the bridge of your nose— actually low-key. sheen liquid. that makes you shimmery formula? right here, friends. basically anywhere. And it’s easy look instantly to blend with your fingers quickly. Hourglass Ambient Chanel Les Beiges wide-awake. A: Nothing. Danessa Myricks Lighting Powder Sheer Healthy Glow Beauty Dew Wet Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer in Luminous Light, Highlighting Fluid Wet N Wild Mega- Saie Dew Balm Bouncy Balm in Morning Dew, Skinstick in Crown’d, $28, sephora.com $50 for 0.35 oz., in Pearly Glow, $48, Glo Highlighting Marshmallow High- $22, sephora.com sephora.com Powder in Bloom lighter in Saie Lilac, chanel.com $18, sephora.com Time, $6.50, ulta.com More excellent options your ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 35 face should know about.

THE LOOK Yours. Mine. Ours. 2 1 3 4 Your “Soft Life” 5 Era Is Calling 6 In her new column, beauty editor- 7 at-large Julee Wilson explores Black culture and beauty through 8 her own dope lens. I’VE GOT A SOFT SPOT FOR... Bouncy curls, bathtubs, baby You know that “strong Black woman” trope? snuggles, and (obviously) The one that implies we can and should shoulder beauty products. the weight of the world? It’s complicated and 36 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8 heavy. We are strong. But we shouldn’t have to always be. Take work, for example: While I have every intention of being a badass at my job, lately I’ve been wondering why I’m not allowed to detach my self-worth from this can’t-stop-won’t- stop culture. I find myself asking more and more often: Can’t I also be valuable when I’m vulner- able? Aren’t I also deserving of peace? That’s why, like a lot of Black women (see #SoftLife on TikTok), I’m now in relentless pursuit of ease, rest, and unapolo- getic joy. It may sound lofty In search or even lazy, but trust me when I say this isn’t just of: ease, COURTESY JULEE WILSON. PHOTOGRAPH ON WALL: SAVANNAH BAKER. about lying around and rest, and doing nothing (although, unapolo- I mean, that’s important too). It’s about reaping the getic joy. fruits of my labor. About intentional happiness in the form of girlfriend getaways, Sunday-scaries- free weekends, and plenty of calming self-care by way of the products you see here. Will they banish that weighty burden? Of course not. But damn if they’re not a great place to start. 1. Mara Sea Silk Lip Balm in Soft Coral, $26, credobeauty.com. 2. Oui the People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss, $65, ouithepeople.com. 3. Namesake Skincare The Daily Mois- turizer, $60, namesakeskincare.com. 4. LaTèla Jacque silk scarf, $140 for 36\" x 36\", latelany.com. 5. Mutha The Nud- ist Body Scrub, $68, mutha.com. 6. Sienna Naturals Dream Curl Cream, $28, siennanaturals.com. 7. Eadem Dew Dream Hydrating Cleansing Balm, $30, eadem.co. 8. Flamingo Estate Adriatic Muscatel Sage Candle, $50, flamingoestate.com.

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THE LOOK Love This for You Fashion’s JONATHAN MINI Having a SIMKHAI Skirts The sophisticated trend is all about options: Wear one with a coor- dinating top for a posh situation or with separates for a more casual feel. Pair one with long boots or pointed-toe pumps. No mat- ter what, though, you’ll be serving a side of delicious leg. 1 2 3 BOGDAR 4 CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: COURTESY BOGDAR; COURTESY JONATHAN SIMKHAI; GETTY IMAGES. 5 Mini 16ARLINGTON Moment 1. Courrèges, $550, courreges.com. The itty-bittier, the better. 2. Jonathan Simkhai, $545, jonathan BY MEGAN UY AND ANDREA ZENDEJAS simkhai.com. 3. H&M, $29, hm.com. 4. Sandy Liang, $298, sandyliang.info. 5. Coperni, $1,000, coperniparis.com. 38 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8

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THE LOOK Love This for You FENDI OFF- 1 WHITE 2 3 4 MINI 5 Tops bra-top era. they tend to Say it with CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES (3); COURTESY ANNA OCTOBER. me now: This layer- ing job is spot-on! on an over- 6 dimension. DEL CORE 3. Mango, $100, mango.com. ANNA 7 6. Ganni, $345, ganni.com. OCTOBER 40 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8



15 2 6 37 LAQUAN Legs have 4 THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM: GETTY IMAGES (2); IMAXTREE.COM. SMITH entered OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: NATALIA ALAVERDIAN; GETTY IMAGES (2). the chat 8 MINI and they’re Dresses refusing to An oldie but goodie leave. is experiencing a EMILIA rebirth, and it’s even WICKSTEAD more fabulous this time around. Think ALSO TRY! as bold and glitzy as your homecom- Mini Makeup ing dress from back in the day but with Tiny stuff for touch-ups that will fit in one of your a high-fashion twist and sans the new micro-bags. cringey, awkward teenage energy. I’m talking big embellishments, edgy patterns, cool cutouts, and tons of shine. 42 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8

THE LOOK Love This for You CHANEL 4 A.W.A.K.E. MODE MINI 5 1 Bags 6 2 7 I know it’s hard Mama and to believe, but baby bags! they are actu- Why is that so ally functional. As in, they’ll hold cute? your essentials (phone, wallet, 3 keys, lip gloss) just fine. Go FENDI funky with a knit design or stay classic with a sleek boxy style. Pro tip: Get one with a strap so you don’t have to stress about holding anything at all. 1. Little Liffner, $475, littleliffner.com. 8 2. Diesel, $295, diesel.com. 3. Altuzarra, $995, altuzarra.com. 4. Brandon Blackwood, $400, brandonblackwood.com. 5. Themoirè, $391, the-moire.com. 6. Self-Portrait, $495, us.self- portrait.com. 7. Khaite, $2,500, khaite.com. 8. Staud, $195, staud.clothing. Tarte Travel- Urban Decay All Uoma Beauty Badass Laura Mercier Cav- Benefit Cosmetics Lawless Forget the Size Shape Tape Nighter Makeup Setting Icon Matte Lipstick iar Stick Eye Color Roller Lash Super- Filler Lip Plumping Line Concealer, $14, Spray Travel Size, $15, Mini in Sade, $15, Curling and Lifting Smoothing Gloss Mini uomabeauty.com Mini in Amethyst, $17, Mascara Mini, $14, ulta.com sephora.com ulta.com in Rosy Outlook, $15, sephora.com sephora.com ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 43

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THE LOOK Breakdown Exfoliate With Acids N Apply a leave-on serum or use I a peel pad with AHAs, BHAs, It’ll look this G good on your H and/or PHAs to dissolve dulling T dead skin cells, unclog pores, face too. Promise. and improve your skin texture. 1 TRY: PCA Skin Resurfacing Serum, $99, pcaskin.com; Kinship Self Smooth 10% Glycolic Resurfacing Serum, $28, ulta.com; BeautyStat Universal Triple Action Daily Peel, $29 for 10, ulta.com Go In With a Retinol N Exfoliating preps your skin for I this main event on night two. G H The collagen-boosting super- T hero is every dermatologist’s favorite ingredient for firming 2 skin and smoothing fine lines. Let’s Unpack This Whole TRY: Kristina Holey + Marie Skin Cycling Thing Veronique Multi-Retinol Night Emulsion, $135, marieveronique Hint: It’s a clever name for a genuinely good approach. .com; Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Serum, $30, drugstores; BY LAUREN BALSAMO Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum, $72, biossance.com Take Time to Recover N Your face needs to rest and I regroup after two nights of G H actives. Slather on a gentle T barrier-repair cream that S includes hydrators, fatty acids, If you’ve opened TikTok even retinol...they’re all fantastic at 3 and/or ceramides. once in the past month, you’ve likely brightening, clarifying, and smooth- EMMA TRIM. MODEL: SASHA ANASTASIA HRONIS/MARILYN NY. stumbled across the very buzzy ing skin,” says dermatologist Dan & beauty term (at press time, #Skin Belkin, MD. “But they can be irritat- Cycling had a casual 163 million ing if misused.” 4 views). Coined by derm Whitney Bowe, MD, it describes a repeat- Skin cycling’s controlled, step- TRY: Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty ing four-night skincare regimen in by-step approach lets you incorpo- Bowe Glowe Microbiome Nourishing which you rotate between an exfo- rate the good stuff into your routine Cream, $95, drwhitneybowebeauty liator, a retinol, and a moisturizer. without compromising your skin .com; Matter of Fact Minimalist barrier. And also, it’s kind of fun? Hydrating Cream, $50 for 30 mL, The goal: to both plumpify and (Just us type As?) matteroffact.com; Allies of Skin glowify your skin—without going Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream overboard. Because too much So anyway, yeah, it’s official: The Balm, $94, dermstore.com of these active ingredients can internet is onto something with this be, well, too much. “AHAs, BHAs, one. Direct your attention to the right to get started. Just in case you don’t already ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 47 follow skin-cycling queen Dr. Bowe.

Don’t Read This in Public Group Sex and Whatnot Us Saving Your Relationship Page 49 Page 52 Page 54 love stuff 48 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8

LOVE STUFF Zara Field Chapter 7: SATURDAY, 6 P.M. The Real Reason I’m from Florida, so I do love a good I’m Single early-bird special, but a 6 p.m. dinner in NYC might as well be brunch. I’m one It’s not because I was catfished by a matchmaker, glass of red deep waiting for Winston although that certainly didn’t help. Hi, I’m Zara Field*, and to arrive. this is the seventh installment in my admittedly “Zara?” A man approaches my wild dating diary, which is often surprising even to me. table. ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE SCISSORHANDS No fucking way. Where is the long, flowing hair? The hinted-at impressive MONDAY, 9 P.M. Anyway, while trying not to sound stature? This man is Dr. Phil bald. With like an asshole, I let Melissa know that my three-inch heels, I tower over him I’m on the phone with Melissa, a finding men generally isn’t my issue. (which, at 5'2\", has never happened matchmaker who found me through a And I have had some opportunities to me before). He almost immediately mutual friend. She’s not the first who’s to settle down over the past decade... announces that he’s shy and intro- tried to add me to her database after but the operative word is “settle.” I’m verted. Oh my god. It seems that all scoping out my LinkedIn and personal looking for a very specific puzzle that’s on the menu tonight is catfish?? socials. Matchmakers love my résumé. piece, a true partner and best friend, And men love my tits. So there’s that. to complement my life. As a child of But I’m not a total dick, and Melissa divorce, I’m hypersensitive to spot- did say he was fun, so maybe this date Melissa’s interview is so thorough, ting fundamental value differences is salvageable. And then: Winston you’d think I were applying for national that signal long-term compatibility starts talking through his résumé in security clearance. How long was my issues. And those are more important painstaking detail. Beginning with his last relationship? Where do I see my signals than a résumé, net worth, or first internship. At age 19. At one point, career going? Where have I traveled? abs. I’d rather be happily single than I ask a question about the company Damn, do I at least get TSA PreCheck unhappily married (although looking he manages. “Oh, I’m not there yet,” after this? “You are such a treat!” she at my bank account, sometimes I wish he waves, silencing me while he takes says. “How is someone like you still I hadn’t turned down more than one a piece of bread, slops it in his food, single?” And there it is. Validation trust-fund baby). So unless Melissa has and slurps it up, only to continue his served with a cold side of pity. someone truly remarkable, I don’t need chronological monologue of career to be set up. highlights. Lovely. Now he’s telling me Look, I get it, how Melissa sees me: about a show he performs in...as a Despite the fact that I have advanced “I think I have the perfect person for magician’s assistant. degrees, the most supportive friends, you,” she says. She sends me photos and a career I’m killing it in and that while we’re still on the call. They’re a An hour in, he pauses: “Wow! I’ve I am genuinely happy, there must be little blurry, but I’m digging this guy’s been monopolizing the conversa- something fundamentally wrong with well-conditioned shoulder-length tion!” At least he’s self-aware? “So...” me if I haven’t found my forever person hair under his olive beanie. “Winston he shrugs. “What else do you want to at an age when my grandmother is wildly successful, very social, a family know about me?” already had four kids. man, and extroverted. I’ve been wait- ing to find the right girl to set him up I want to know when you lost all And I’ll be honest. There was a with. He’s the ultimate New York catch.” your hair, Winston. I want to know why time in my early 20s when getting Okay, fine—why not? Maybe her catch you’re treating this date like an infor- engaged felt like the only achieve- of the day will have potential for my mational interview. I want to scream. ment that mattered, and every year long-term menu. that passed without hitting that mile- SATURDAY, 7:30 P.M. stone made me internalize deeper Okay, I’m sorry, but… and deeper shame at my failure. But I’ve been keeping I get a text: “Hey! I’m visiting next somewhere down the line, I stopped a little secret from week!” Thank god. tying my self-worth to my marital you all. status and redefined my mindset. Do Okay, I’m sorry, but...I’ve been keep- I want to get married? Absolutely. Am ing a little secret from you all. Remem- I in a rush? No. My person will come ber my much younger Marine, Steve, when they’re meant to, and in the who pinned my arms above my head meantime, how lucky am I to get to for the hottest make-out and with fool around, friend-zone, or fuck to my whom I had a near-perfect date in heart’s content? D.C.? I’ve...actually been seeing him quite a bit since then. (Hey, I can’t fit everything into my column!) Steve comes through town every few weeks, and it’s like cashing in on a rent-a-boyfriend subscription. We sleep completely entwined, walk hand in hand through the city, have *As always, all names have been changed. ISSUE 8 Cosmopolitan 49

LOVE STUFF Zara Field from his thigh to his crotch while biting my lower lip. “Um, check,” he signals to the bartender. We’ve barely walked a couple of blocks when I push him against a store window. I’m stealing Steve’s moves from our first meeting and using them back on him. I pull down my top, fully exposing myself as I press my body against his. “You’re wild, Zara,” he laughs. We have sex on my couch. On my table again. In my kitchen. The shower. And finally, the bed, where I Somewhere down the line, I stopped tying my self-worth to my marital status. fall asleep in his arms, wondering if what I’m feeling is real or just a side effect of the fantasy. amazing conversations, and have even here....” I motion to the table. He cracks SATURDAY, 11 A.M. more amazing sex. With his job and a wry smile as he gently lays me on age and the distance, he’s sort of the my back and leans in to kiss me while “I got us a Revel,” Steve tells me as we opposite of the “good on paper” guys dexterously removing my lace thong leave a cozy brunch spot. I take the who can’t seem to keep my attention. with his free arm. He leans down and spare helmet and slide onto the back slowly kisses my neck, running his of his rented electric moped, living my FRIDAY, 8 P.M. tongue from my nipple down my body. best Lizzie McGuire life. He winds his He pushes my legs apart and flicks his way back to my place and steps off Steve knocks on my door and stands tongue against my clit. “Oh my god.” I the bike. there, shocked, as I open it in nothing can barely muster words. His free hand but lingerie and hand him a glass of is caressing my left breast, which, to be “Is this the last time I’ll see you?” whiskey. And here’s the thing, btw: I’m honest, is my better boob, and I savor I try not to show how sad I am that not doing this for him. I’m doing it for every wave of the orgasm I’ve been he’s leaving. “I’m sure I’ll find my way me. Because watching a man who looking forward to since I last saw him. back to you.” He kisses me one last looks like a young Channing Tatum time before fading—on moped—into stand like a cartoon character in my A super-quick shower together oblivion. doorway absolutely incapacitated and I’m ready for celebratory drinks. while ogling my body makes me feel, He has big news: He’s graduating from Steve has been my relationship duh, great. Quantico and about to get stationed crutch for months—the hot, emotion- across the country, even farther than ally connected sex that’s just a train “Leave your clothes at the door,” I he already is and with even less free ride away. I acknowledge that. And instruct as I pull him into my apartment. time. Which is so exciting for his career maybe having this situationship offi- “Yes, ma’am,” he says as he quickly but kinda devastating for me. I guess cially off the table is the right way to hangs his coat and even more quickly I’ll just have to maximize what might close out what’s been an absolutely unbuttons his shirt and pants. be our last night together. When we wild year: moving back to the city, get to the bar, I’m already horny again. trying to “find myself” in singledom Steve picks me up, kisses me, and I start surreptitiously running my hand instead of jumping right back into starts taking me to my bedroom. “No, a relationship, working through rejec- tion, feeling every possible feel. All 50 Cosmopolitan I S S U E 8 in all, it’s been kind of wonderful? So whatever 2023 has in store, I’m ready. And I promise not to keep any more secrets from you all...probably. Catch up on all things Zara: