Due to my mixed Latinx-Asian ethnicity, I have naturally olive skin that tans very easily — that is, if I’m ever out in the sun, which I typically am not. (Remember: The only safe tan is a fake one!) Here’s where sometimes I phone a friend, with that friend being a self-tanner, for when I want to boost my tan sans UV exposure.

Unlike many beauty products, self-tanners are either really good or really bad with very little gray area. In my experience, faux glows either give South of France or Jersey Shore. I was cautiously optimistic when Malibu Bronze’s Glow Bundle arrived, but, as I’m always on the hunt for a new favorite beauty find, I knew I had to try it out.

Malibu Bronze 1-Hour Dark Tan, $34.99

Aside from how the product develops on your skin, a common gripe about self-tanners is the smell. Inexpensive formulas can sometimes smell chemically and generally unpleasant, which kinda ruins the whole experience IMO. From the initial pump, Malibu Bronze’s 1-Hour Dark Tan gave a great impression. The scent rivaled that of my most luxe perfume but wasn’t overpowering in the least bit. The not-too-sweet floral scent just smelled nice and expensive. I started out my home tan sesh by exfoliating my bod with the Malibu Bronze mitt, which is similar to the beloved Korean washcloths I get on Amazon. (Exfoliating is a key prep step to ensure even, streak-free application.)

Malibu Bronze’s tanner is a foam texture, which I tend to prefer over creams for their lightweight feel and spreadability. Based on my past experience, I’m more likely to miss a spot or two with tanning lotions and waters since it’s not always easy to see exactly where the product is. Anyway, after buffing my skin with the mitt, I applied a few careful pumps of the tanning foam to my arms and legs, sweeping the velvety application glove in large, circular motions to blend everything out. Using the excess product in the mitt, I swept any left over onto my chest, shoulders, and face (including ears!). I’ve had many a makeup artist tell me my face is naturally a bit darker than my body, and besides, I’d rather apply too little than too much.

The brand recommends leaving the tanner on for an hour to let the foam develop, but since I’m already tan and just wanted a hint of glow, I left it on for 30 minutes before rinsing off with a damp washcloth. (The brand also advises against showering until at least six hours post-application.) As with many DHA-based tanners, the tan continues to develop over time. The longer you leave it on, the darker your final result will be. The brand touts its formula as the first tanner to contain squalane (in addition to niacinamide and orange blossom), and I have to say the stuff felt pretty nice on my skin. There was zero irritation and unpleasant smell, and my skin felt soft and smooth after rinsing it off. After a few days, I didn’t look dramatically bronzed but rather like I’d spent a weekend at the beach. I am here for the post-vacay glow, and I love a tanner that does a solid job evening out any uneven tone on my legs, too. (Oh, and did I mention it’s 100% vegan and cruelty-free? I love to see it.)

All in all, I was pleasantly impressed by my Malibu Bronze tanning experience. The stuff is still pricey at $35 for a 7 oz. bottle (St. Tropez’s foam, in comparison, is $42 for an 8 oz.), but you can save a couple bucks by getting the bundle, which comes with the exfoliating and applicator mitts. That said, there are some products I wholeheartedly believe in splurging on, and tanners are one of them. Whether you’re a regular self-tanner or a special-occasions-only person like me, Malibu Bronze’s formula passes the endless-summer-vibe check.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Right now I’m suspended in the air, high above the ground, as if gripped in an invisible giant’s fist. Strangely I don’t feel scared at all. Leaves dance around me in a milky, impossible sky. This time yesterday I was on a deserted beach, the horizon ahead of me a calm cerulean line, the waves crashing on the shore and receding with my breath. I feel still. Like time has slowed down and the vice around my ribcage has finally loosened. To clarify: I haven’t picked up a supernatural penchant for flying, nor do I have Taylor Swift’s private jet at my disposal to escape to faraway places on a whim. Recently I feel better than I have in a long time, and it’s down to one surprising life change: virtual reality.

Nights are lost to flitting thoughts or memories, like a camera obscura forcing me to sit through every triggering event of my life. In the daytime, thundering anxiety and imposter syndrome loom large, my heart a balled-up fist pounding in my throat.

For context, mindfulness has always eluded me. I’ve never been someone who can easily calm the static or compartmentalize my thoughts. I’m often told by my partner — in a gentle way — that I’m not present. And it’s true. I struggle to be in the moment because the recesses of my mind clang loud and far. But post-lockdown, for whatever reason, it has become pervasive. Nights are lost to flitting thoughts or memories, like a camera obscura forcing me to sit through every triggering event of my life. In the daytime, thundering anxiety and imposter syndrome loom large, my heart a balled-up fist pounding in my throat.

Coming from Asian heritage, it’s standard practice not to prioritize mental health because of ingrained cultural beliefs. Therapy means you’re “crazy.” Attending sessions is a waste of money, and telling a stranger your secrets will bring shame on your family. For transparency, I’ve started therapy now, but I know that mindfulness — the acceptance, tolerance, awareness, and presence in the moment that it can foster — can be a powerful accompaniment. Trouble is, my attention span is short and I have a wandering brain. I’m ashamed to say I’ve downloaded a slew of meditation apps and later, in the space of a day, deleted them to free up memory on my phone.

Initially, when I was sent a Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset to try out, I floated through space stations, killed zombies, and chopped vegetables in hyper-realistic kitchens. I was impressed. It all felt so real. It never occurred to me to try the headset for something like mindfulness; I always assumed that if the practice was about switching off, then any form of technology would surely be a hindrance. But one day, out of curiosity, I downloaded the meditation app TRIPP. 

The app has a calming user interface with tranquil music and clear-cut prompts for intentions such as “Focus,” “Calm,” and other popular guided meditation courses. Because the headset completely obstructs your vision, you have no choice but to give what you’re doing your full, unadulterated attention. It’s the equivalent of choosing to have your eyes pried open and watching something, Clockwork Orange-style. You would have to remove the headset entirely in order to be distracted by something else.

The first day, I choose “Daily Calm” and am transported to a dark forest illuminated with lanterns, impossibly huge mushrooms towering above me, shrinking and expanding like a cosy cocoon. It feels like a safe space. Prompted by the headset, I do a box breathing exercise. On every inhale it asks me to summon up feelings of compassion for myself and on every exhale to breathe them back into the world (on the headset I see tiny clouds of sparks flying from what looked like my mouth).

You deserve peace and happiness. I feel my eyes welling up under the headset.

Next, a gentle voice explains to me that not feeling good enough is a universal human feeling, normal and natural, but that I deserve not to let it take up too much space in my mind. You deserve peace and happiness. I feel my eyes welling up under the headset. It asks me to focus on the last time I felt panicked and then recall the voice of someone I find powerful and authoritative. Honestly, I have zero explanation for this — you could quiz me in 50 years under torture-based duress and I still would not know why — but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pops into my mind. I imagine her voice firmly dismissing the negative thought, telling it to go away. After a few times, I suddenly feel much lighter. 

“If we think of mindfulness as a muscle and as a skill, it’s something that we need to practice in order to get better at it, and there is a body of research that supports the idea that VR can aid the development of mindfulness practice as well as increasing positive emotions,” explains Kirsty Leah, a positive psychologist and wellbeing coach. “The use of VR allows the user to enter a virtual environment of their own choice, providing a sense of control and autonomy, rather than feeling pressured to adapt to a context that they don’t fully feel able to connect or engage with. Ultimately, the use of virtual reality may be a fantastic stepping stone for those who struggle to build a mindful practice in the ‘real’ world. It removes possible distractions that an individual might let their mind wander to. Once the skill is practiced and that ‘mindfulness muscle’ is more substantial, it’s a skill that we can then transfer to other contexts and situations.”

Since then, I’ve tried guided meditation on the headset for anxiety, gratitude, acceptance, grief and finding happiness, in settings such as golden beaches, bamboo-laden forests and peaceful lake vistas. The anxiety is still there, humming away, but every day I have a tiny bit more of a handle on how I feel.

Later, when I read the reviews on the app, I realize that there are a multitude of reasons why VR may work for various people. One reviewer explains: “I am a wheelchair user and my life has changed a lot since my injury, especially my mental health. Since being on this app I have noticed a huge difference…I feel a lot more focused, my anxiety has lowered a lot, and [I am] much calmer… I love all the different worlds and the awesome feeling I am floating.” Another user adds: “First off let me say that as someone who practiced meditation for 23 yrs, I wasn’t expecting much, I mean come on it’s VR. I was so wrong. I am able to achieve an entirely different and deeper level of meditation with this app shutting out the [world] and focusing is so much easier for me, at least…the way you can see your breath is amazing. The visuals are simply stunning, this app really does reduce my stress.”

My biggest gripe of course is the price of the headset, which clocks in at a whopping $399.99. It certainly isn’t an affordable option for everyone. But all signs point to VR eventually becoming mainstream so it’s likely that prices will dip in the coming years to correspond with demand or to make it more accessible. And more and more medical professionals are starting to back VR therapy to treat things like depression, PTSD, and mental health traumas. And some studies exploring whether VR could be used as therapy for individuals with chronic pain. It’s already used in hospitals to ease pain after surgery or during labor or cancer treatment.

Understanding of how VR can help or hinder different individuals is still limited but so far, for me personally, it’s doing wonders. My boyfriend laughs when he comes into the living room and I’m all strapped up like RoboCop but I would trade looking silly for 15 minutes a day to have that sensation of peace wash over me every single time.

Kirsty concludes: “Overall, VR is an exciting and interesting way to use the advances of modern technology to aid our wellness. When used in a thoughtful and conscious way, we’re able to create a tailored environment to help us develop a key ingredient to our wellbeing, with that ingredient being mindfulness.”

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We have Megan Thee Stallion to thank for that unforgettable hot girl summer of 2019. And then COVID-19 had us getting a shot for hot vax summer (‘cause it was time to be OUTSIDE outside in Tulum or wherever your vaccination status took you). But in 2022, after doing the most in our professional and personal lives, it’s time for soft girl summer — or better yet, living that soft girl life. 

On this episode of Unbothered’s Go Off, Sis podcast, the hosts rock the mic with a special, intimate conversation with just the UB fam. They take a beat to dig a grave for the strong Black woman trope and bury the expectations that come with it. That cliché has been giving relentless stress and anxiety — with a side order of exhaustion — to Black women ever since someone foolishly thought “strong” was a coveted identifier. 

But when it comes time to examine the hosts’ individual definitions of soft girl summer, and the ingredients that make up a soft life, that’s when the conversation gets a bit spicy. Is softness about yachting? Is it owning the latest Fendi bag? Is it securing the lead designer position at work? 

Co-host and VP of Unbothered, Chelsea Sanders, asks the ladies to go beyond what’s dominating their TikTok and Instagram timelines. “How are we vibrating higher and making the best choices for us?” Sanders asks. “Regardless of what we decide this soft life summer means?”

While Kathleen Newman-Bremang, co-host and Unbothered Global Deputy Director, doesn’t believe a soft life should be connected to work at all, and yet somehow, she finds herself automatically thinking about her 9-to-5. “My gut reaction was to say money, of course, creative freedom, and sleep.” She adds, “A soft life is about doing away with some of the structural systemic expectations that have been put on us.”

Co-host and Associate Social Media Strategist Maiya Carmichael just wants to be happy like Mary J. Blige. “I just want to feel like I’m on a natural high. I want to feel like, ‘Wow, like I’m floating.’ I want to be in an emotionally good place. I want to be in a financially good place — and that doesn’t mean I’m balling out of control like Beyoncé. It means the bills are paid. I can go out and eat and drink with my friends, and I can buy what I want to buy.”

But everyone isn’t happy that the soft life is “accessible to Black women,” says co-host and Culture Critic Ineye Komonibo. The backlash to Black women wanting to live a soft life proves that some people feel a way about Black women daring to abandon the proverbial cotton and tattered strong Black woman robe for a sexy fabric that’s not associated with struggle and suffering. “Outside of the Black community, people are like, ‘Black women [don’t want] to be tough? That doesn’t sound right.’”

To hear more about the soft life in relationships and how it relates to privilege, listen to the full episode, below.

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Date: Friday, August 5th-Monday, August 22nd.What: Callahan, an all season knitwear brand is having a huge online sample sale. Save up to 80% on styles starting at just $19. Includes cute knit halters, tanks, matching sets, sweaters and more!Link to the sale: ...

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Winnie Liu, DMT.NEWS, DMT BeautySpot,

Much like the temperature outside, libido can fluctuate. Your sex drive can be impacted by everything from the weather, to your your mood, to what you ate for breakfast. And when summertime hits — rife with extreme heat, wet bathing suits, noisy air conditioners, and visiting family — your sex life can certainly take a hit.  

That said, even with all the sweat and the sand, summer is still an objectively sexy season ( days are long, spirits are high, and drinks are cold). So if you’re looking to spice up your sex life this summer, the secret to success (or sex-cess) may have something to do with addressing all the seasonal factors at play. That’s why we partnered with urinary health and vaginal health brand AZOⓇ to build you an expert-led guide to ~heating things up~ this summer — without falling prey to UTIs, heat rashes, or weather-related libido concerns. 

Ahead, hear from Laura Purdy, MD, medical director at wisp — a telehealth company with an emphasis on sexual and reproductive healthcare —  for tips on how to boost your physical and sexual wellness as your navigate your Hot Girl Summer. 

Protect yourself against vaginal infections

“There’s always a definite uptick in UTI, yeast infection, and bacterial vaginosis (BV) medications during the summer months,” says Dr. Purdy. As she explains it, sweating heavily or sporting a wet swimsuit — as one does in the summertime — can trap moisture in the vulva, making it easy for bacteria or fungi-like yeast to grow (these things thrive in warm, moist environments).

In order to keep discomfort at bay, Dr. Purdy recommends bringing a change of clothes to the beach to minimize time spent in a wet bathing suit, skipping sandy beach sex (which can cause plenty of bacteria to enter the vagina), and carrying around a pair of spare underwear for particularly sweaty days or a post work-out refresh.

That said, especially in extreme heat, infections can still happen — and they’re nothing to be embarrassed about. That’s why Dr. Purdy says you should always keep over-the-counter items like AZOⓇ products on hand to relieve pain, burning, itching, and other symptoms when you feel an infection brewing while you wait for a diagnosis from your doctor. 

Take precautions with your summer fling

Whether you’re single, partnered, or DTF, safe sex is always a must. But in the summer, when vacation flings abound and beach parties are in full swing, many of us are upping our casual dating games. “If you have new sexual encounters, it’s important to continue to use protection so that you decrease your risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancy,” says Dr. Purdy.

Year-round, you should be thinking about contraceptives. Regardless of the season, it may be a smart idea to keep birth control pills or emergency contraception on hand — or talk to your doctor about other methods of birth control. But for the sake of keeping things clean and healthy down there and protecting against STIs, condoms are always your best bet. And in the summer in particular, with added sweat, sand, and bacteria thrown into the mix, risk of infection can be higher than ever — so an extra layer of protection will certainly work to your benefit. Make sure you’ve got a few condoms on deck, whether you’re going out, sleeping out, or traveling. 

And last but least (and we cannot stress this enough): Pee! After! Sex!

Install your A/C ASAP

“The heat index is well over 100 degrees in many parts of the country and air conditioning units struggle to keep up,” says Dr. Purdy. “This weather is not conducive to a great sex life. Who wants to get physical in hot, humid conditions? Heat can really lower libido quite a bit.”

To beat the heat (and the fatigue that comes with it), she recommends having your air-conditioning units installed and serviced before the season starts. And if you’re coming in from a particularly sweaty situation, be patient and give yourself time to cool off before you, ya know, heat things up again. 

Stay hydrated

“In the summer, we have a higher need for water intake because we’re sweating constantly, and our bodies are working hard to stay cool and hydrated in the heat,” explains Dr. Purdy. “And on top of that, sex is a physical activity — so in order to have the energy to partake, you’ll want to be adequately hydrated, as if you were playing a sport.”

You definitely don’t want to run the risk of losing steam or feeling woozy when you’re in the throes of having hot, sweaty sex just because you’re dehydrated. Drink as much water as possible (eight glasses a day are recommended) to stay cool, hydrated, and ready to go.

Speak with a doctor if something feels off

Feeling funky down there after a pool party or hooking up with a hot stranger at the beach bar? Dr. Purdy recommends checking in with a doctor at the first sign of infection or irritation.

“Vaginal and urinary infections aren’t something you want to put off taking care of,” she says. “Thankfully, with virtual health, doctors are available at all hours of the day and night, all across the country to help you with your sexual health needs.” And, once again, over-the-counter urinary health options, like AZOⓇ products, are always there for you at your local pharmacy.

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I could go my whole life without seeing the adjective “healthy” describe a bagel. Same goes for “superfood,” “gluten-free,” or, well, any of the descriptors given to Queen St. Bakery’s “Bagels With Benefits.” Much like the rest of its inventory, the pro-transparency online bakery’s new goods are also vegan, non-GMO, nut-free, and comprised of all-natural ingredients — chia, flax, and oat flour, to name a few. Quite frankly, after taking on this review and reading the slew of buzz words, I was more than little hesitant.

Not to make this about me, but bagels are occasionally the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning — sinking my teeth into a fluffy everything bagel with butter, whew. Alas, Queen St. Bakery’s healthy snacks found their way to my doorstep, and soon into my toaster. Follow along below as I — plus my gluten-free expert co-worker Kate Spencer whom I coaxed into taking a bite — give America’s first superfood bagel a try, below. Oh, did we mention we scored you the Refinery29 exclusive discount code REFINE20 for 20% off your purchase?

Superfood Bagels (Box Of 5 Bags), $34.95

The Ingredients

These bagels currently come in two flavors: Cinnamon Raisin and Chia & Flax Seed. When I gabbed to another co-worker about these healthy gems, they immediately inquired, “So if it’s not bread…what is it?” I can’t confirm whether or not they fit under the umbrella term of bread, but I can inform you of their ingredient list. Instead of the standard wheat flour, yeast, and gluten, Queen St. Bakery subs in chia, flax, beans, millet, and sorghum. This grants you nine grams of fiber per bage. And, according to the brand, it created “the only bread made with chia as the first ingredient (after water).”

Both flavors of bagels are excellent! They toast great, are filling, and best of all I feel great after eating them!

Cheryl w., verified buyer & reviewer

The Taste

First, the texture. The outside is more reminiscent of a soft Sarah Lee bagel and not the smooth fresh-baked buns you get at a deli. Both bagels could give the crusts of Dave’s Crazy Bread loaf a run for its money. The interior is somewhat bagel-like — it’s comparable to the inside of a raisin bran muffin but could easily be mistaken for wheat bread. The ruggedness of the pastry didn’t turn me off. It felt like the brand was basically admitting “there’s no point in trying to perfectly emulate a classic, gluten-filled bagel,” and I respect that. I also admire the fact the bagels came pre-sliced. After the inspection, I popped them into the toaster, and voila! Two crisp and toasty bagels that looked quite delicious stared back at me.

The very very best best GF bagels ever. And I’ve been searching for 35 years!

jill b., verified buyer & reviewer

A sweet, grainy aroma steamed from the two slices, and I truly was excited to take a bite. One quick slather of butter later, and the experience was…good? There’s definitely a sad reality where diet culture forces people to pretend blueberries are dessert and lettuce can replace a burger bun. Once upon a time, I was one of those people, and that version of me would be over the moon to discover these bagels. Surprisingly though, the present me actually enjoyed them enough to clean my plate.

Rather than a lighter, fluffier bagel, the mouthfeel was a bit gummy and dense. The flavor was spot on and had an organic (not artificial) sweetness that harmonized with the earthy grains. After a bite of the Chia & Flax flavor, my co-worker Kate Spencer (remember the gluten-free expert from the intro?) concurred. “It doesn’t have that bagel-feel,” Kate notes. She does, however, deem it “totally acceptable for a gluten-free food.” Her one bite transported her back to the “old-school gluten-free bread days.” She then took it one step further and mentioned, “If you were in Malibu Canyon and got a veggie sandwich with sprouts, I would imagine this would be the bread.” Her sentiment caused us both to fantasize about how good the Chia & Flax flavor would be when topped with avocado and dashes of salt and pepper.

The Verdict

Queen St. Bakery’s honest and transparent approach to food completely checks out. Not once does the brand promise customers a dupe to the classic yeasty bagel. Instead, the bakery created its own version of this renowned baked good that is the perfect addition to the pantry of anyone looking to eat more whole grains, fiber, and protein. If a carb enthusiast like myself can look forward to these gluten-free AND vegan snacks in the morning, then they’re truly worth the cash. Plus, our exclusive discount code makes them all the more appetizing. The choice is yours, but I can attest that America’s first superfood bagel is an impressive debut.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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