Beauty
Pop Culture
It’s You, Perfected! The Power of Photoshop

There are many reasons not to read women’s magazines. One of the biggies? All the retouched photos. The genetic mutants we call models and celebrities can beat the shit out your average Jane’s self image, but Photoshop can chop it up with chainsaw. This before and after cover of Red Book from a few years ago thanks to Jezebel.com […]

What's Up Doc?
Dear Dr. Vanessa: Can Being Overweight Affect Your Ability to Orgasm?

Every few weeks, Dr. Vanessa Cullins, a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and vice president for medical affairs at Planned Parenthood® Federation of America, will be answering your questions on EMandLO.com. To ask her your own question, click here. Dear Dr. Vanessa, Can obesity affect a woman’s ability to orgasm? — California Queen Dear CQ, The science on […]

What's Up Doc?
Dear Dr. Vanessa, What Can I Do About Hairy Areolas?

photo via Flickr Every few weeks, Dr. Vanessa Cullins, a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and vice president for medical affairs at Planned Parenthood® Federation of America, will be answering your questions here. To ask her your own question, click here. Dear Dr. Vanessa, My areolas are hairy — what can I do?! — Sasquatch Dear S, In […]

Personal Essays
Confession: Top 10 Reasons I Don’t Own a Razor

Our contributor Abby Spector, who is majoring in Feminine/Gender/Sexuality Studies at Wesleyan University, confesses her love for body hair: I am not going to judge silky-smooth-shaved ladies. But here are ten reasons I do NOT own a razor And yes, this means legs, pubic, and — gasp — armpit hair. I let myself run wild […]

Wise Guys
Wise Guys: Is Manscaping Required These Days?

photo by Vladimir Istomin Advice from three of our guy friends. This week they answer the following: “Is manscaping automatically required these days for men under a certain age? And if so, what does this entail exactly?” Straight Committed Guy (Johnny): Without knowing exactly what age you mean, or whether I fall into this age […]

Wise Guys
Wise Guys: Tomboy vs. Girly Girl — Who Wins?

photo by Americanistadechiapas Advice from three of our guy friends. This week they answer the following: “Regarding the “guy’s girl”: Is a woman who’ll shoot pool and pound a few brews automatically sexier than a girly girl?” Straight Single Guy (Chris): Let’s get this one straight once and for all. There is nothing sexier than […]

Wise Guys
Wise Guys: How Do Men Feel About Tan Lines?

photo by Evil Erin Advice from three of our guy friends. This week they answer the following: “Do guys have an opinion on tan lines? Sexy? Cheesy? Unhealthy?” Straight Committed Guy (Johnny): Ha… tan lines. They remind me of VHS porn from the ’90’s — at which time I actually did find them hot. Now […]

Dear Em & Lo
Dear Em & Lo: Can You Explain Pubic Topiary Terminology?

Dear Em & Lo, A friend and I disagree on pubic topiary terminology and I’m hoping you can settle this for us. I say the mohawk and the landing strip are the same thing, and the Hollywood is when you go totally bald. I also say both styles are types of Brazilians. My friend says […]

Pop Culture
Should You Shave Your Legs?

There are idiots out there (not unlike creationists and climate change deniers) who have been sold a bill of goods and believe that the female of the species is naturally hairless, but those with their feet on the ground know that ladies can hold their own in the fur department — it’s what happens when […]

Confessions
Comments of the Week: How to Convince Your GF You Love Her Body

photo by strokeskills It is going to take a very long time. It is going to take you repeatedly saying (more times than you think is necessary or reasonable, and this will only work if you are 100% genuine every single time), ‘I think you are sexy. I love you. You are so beautiful. I […]

Toys
The Body Deli

Out in Palm Desert, California, there’s a body-product shop called the Body Deli that’s set up like a real deli. Refrigerated cases hold many the fresh scrubs, masques, and hair products. The “cosmetic chef” mixes all the products in the store in small batches — using lots of local, organic ingredients like fresh fruits, veggies, […]

Confessions
Comment of the Week: Real Women Don't Have Airbrushed Labia

photo by robbie_jim We were surprised by how many of our readers took offense at our Wise Guys’ response to the recent question, “Do Men Care What Labia Look Like?” To our mind, the guys were basically saying, “Love what you got, most men already do, porn ideals be damned.” But apparently that message didn’t […]

How To
Don't Be a Beauty Fascist When It Comes to Dating

Let’s imagine that you’re in a relationship with someone you really dig: they’re witty, wise beyond their years, and well versed in the ways of amore. Plus, their table manners are impeccable. And yet, you find yourself in the midst of what might be termed a moral conundrum. Your dilemma? This special someone is severely […]

Confessions
Comment of the Week – Only Petty People Overlook Inner Beauty

photo by sergeant killjoy Beauty is most definitely in the eye of the beholder! I had a birth accident that left me with a partially paralyzed face, but was raised by parents who treated me like anybody else with the potential for social success. Result? Exuberant, unselfconscious, happy me got real friends and boyfriends; the […]

Pop Culture
To Be Young, Gifted and Black…

…apparently means to be Photoshopped by Elle magazine. Or at least, that’s the theory that’s got ladies mag readers all abuzz. For their 25th anniversary issue, Elle just released 4 different covers featuring 4 different 25-year olds, “young women changing the world” they said, though they forgot to add “in Hollywood.” Let’s be clear, these […]

Wise Guys
Wise Guys: How Can I Stop Men from Ogling Me?

Advice from three of our guy friends. This week they answer the following: “By nature, I’m very curvaceous: big boobs, thin waist, round butt. Aside from wearing a tent, I can’t really hide this fact. So, how do I get men to treat me like a human being and not a sex object?” To ask […]