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I was introduced to meditation for the first time in 2015. I was in the midst of a spiritual awakening that year, and while I had of course seen the practice dramatized and parodied in entertainment, I hadn't learned much about how to actually meditate and its benefits. My first time meditating, I struggled to keep my eyes closed and mind quiet for a few minutes at a time. Over time, however, it became the best part of my days, and I would bask in the euphoric calmness and energy it would give me. I couldn't have imagined a much better feeling . . . until I discovered meditating with a vibrator. Yes, you read that correctly. I recently stumbled upon perhaps one of the most genius ideas known to anyone with a vulva: meditating with a sex toy. I was introduced to a new offering from Satisfyer (the sex tech brand behind the cult-favorite Satisfyer Pro vibrator) called High Touch Meditations. The brand merged sexual pleasure with the benefits of meditation, and boy, does it hit the spot - maybe even that spot. According to certified sexologist and Satisfyer director of education Megwyn White, sexual meditation is a great way to blend the benefits of masturbation and meditation. Connecting the mind to the body while it experiences pleasure can amplify the physical and mental benefits of each practice. "By combining mindfulness practices with the use of a sexual wellness device like Satisfyer, users can cultivate a heightened sense of awareness and connection to their own sensations, ultimately enhancing their overall sexual well-being," White says. Below, read my review of Satisfyer's new meditation feature. And if you don't happen to own a Satisfyer device, don't worry: you can still try their meditations without one. What I Liked About Meditating With the Satisfyer Vibrator This form of meditation combines the function of Satisfyer's Bluetooth-enabled sex toys with the soothing comfort of a guided audio meditation. When you log into the Satisfyer Connect app, you can connect one of their pleasure devices to your phone and fire up a recorded meditation. I chose the Air Pulse Meditation to pair with my Satisfyer Pro, and to be honest, I was quite nervous to press play. I'm personally not a huge porn viewer or audio erotica listener, so I tend to cringe at the thought of listening to a stranger's voice purring into my headphones and telling me where to put what. That said, I was relieved when I started the meditation and the feminine voice began speaking like the narrators of any other guided meditation I've listened to. The meditation began without engaging my vibrator, and instead the first two or so minutes directed me to focus on slow, deep breaths. The narrator's voice was sensual yet soothing, and they spoke positive affirmations throughout the 10-minute meditation. After a few minutes, the voice instructed me to make contact with my clitoris. It didn't have me dive right in and make things uncomfortable like I had feared, but instead seamlessly included this action into the practice. Once I had a brief moment of exploration, it was time to grab my Satisfyer Pro. Thanks to the Bluetooth connection, the app automatically began controlling the functions of my vibrator, and the narrator continued to provide direction on how to breathe and what to focus on as the air pulses and vibrations shifted and grew. Over the course of the 10-minute recording, not only did I experience an orgasm, but I also felt a sense of peace and empowerment that I think is pretty unique to this particular practice. The physical perks of experiencing pleasure combined with the mental clarity and calm of a meditation made me feel an incredible sense of contentment and balance that started my day off on a great note. As someone who writes about sex and relationships for a living, I have been pretty sex-positive for most of my adult years, but trying this kind of erotic meditation was a game changer. I grew up in the Christian Church and experienced all the shame and self-loathing that often comes with navigating puberty and purity culture simultaneously, so there's always lingering feelings of shame in the back of my mind. Experiencing a meditation that spoke kind and uplifting affirmations (like "you are worthy of all good things") while I was experiencing sexual stimulation almost felt healing to that part of my brain. It helped assure me that I deserve to feel good. Who Is the Satisfyer Vibrator Meditation Best For? While the numerous benefits of traditional meditation are well-known - like lower blood pressure and lower levels of stress or anxiety - White notes that adding sexual pleasure to the practice provides an additional layer of positive impact. "Self-pleasure offers a reset for our mind and body," she says. "By plugging into pleasure through self-touch, we can give our nervous system a much needed break while providing tangible sensual nourishment that can refresh the body and mind. Self-pleasure is an essential facet of our sexuality, but too often people experience shame or disconnect from their bodies and therefore neglect this powerful aspect of self-care." Although this particular brand offers all the bells and whistles, anyone can try meditative self-pleasure. Whether you involve a toy or opt for a more manual approach, high-touch meditation can actually look as simple as tapping into self-pleasure while listening to a positive meditation on YouTube. Quieting your mind, narrowing in on your breath, and allowing yourself to release tension in favor of pleasure is bound to make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated. Now that I've tried meditating while masturbating, my spiritual practice will probably never be the same. Where Is the Satisfyer Available? The Satisfyer Pro 2 Generation 3 ($70) with Satisfyer Connect app capability is available on the brand's website and Amazon. Additional Details About the Satisfyer The Satisfyer is made with body-safe silicone. All Satisfyer models use its Air Pulse Technology, and the Pro 2 versions offer Liquid Air Technology, which mimics the feeling of gushing water. The Satisfyer Pro 2 Generation 3 with Connect app capability allows you to control your vibrator with Bluetooth. Rating Related: Paying For Personalized Erotic Audio Helped Me Discover My Love For Kink Lexi Inks is a lifestyle journalist based in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to her contributions at POPSUGAR, she is a staff writer on Bustle's Sex & Relationships vertical and a lifestyle news writer for The List.

I got into running after my dad passed away. He was an avid marathon runner and I decided it would be a cool way to honor him and get fit at the same time. What I didn't expect was how much I would enjoy it. Eleven years after I first laced up my running shoes - and with eight half-marathons, one full marathon, and more than two dozen 5Ks and 10Ks under my belt - running has become my most valued outlet when I'm feeling happy, sad, overwhelmed, or frustrated. I love the runner's high I get when my feet hit the pavement. I love the discipline it requires to train for a race. I love the community it's created for me, meeting up with other runners at expos and events. What I don't love is what running does to my 4A coils and curls. My hair does just fine when I keep my runs under four miles, but when I increase the mileage, my curl definition diminishes, the shine turns dry, and the soft touch becomes rougher. Because curls have a more elliptical S-shape, they grow in a curvy and winding pattern, which can lead to more breakage due to dryness - making them more susceptible to harm caused by wetness than other textures. "The moisture and salt in the sweat causes your hair to revert and draw up, shirk, or start to frizz," Broadway hair designer Nikiya Mathis tells PS. Because of this, I and many other Black women have specific hair for exercising - leaning into protective styles when we know it's an active season. Many of us plan our training schedule around our hair. "Pretty please don't ask me to work out this week," my sister captioned a recent selfie posted to Instagram after she had her hair styled in a silk press. Why? Braids, silk presses, wigs, weaves, and other natural styles are time-consuming and expensive - risking ruining them prematurely with exercise is not always a path we want to take. In a couple months, I'll complete my second full marathon. With my hair concerns in mind, I was determined to find a protective style that not only would stand up to the sweat of training, but doubled as a style I could wear throughout the week for work events, meetings, dates, and girl time. After much research, I decided to turn to my wig from Hairvivi. I have been wearing the Noelle style ($416) on and off for a year after seeing glowing TikTok reviews of the brand. I love how the wig complements my skin tone and how smooth the human hair is. I've worn the hair in multiple scenarios: bachelorettes, weddings, weekend brunches, date nights, sun-kissed holidays, and Zoom meetings. And with my next training schedule, I was very eager to see if I could add the gym to my list. Does the Hairvivi Wig Stand Up to Sweaty Workouts? Many naturals I know have a dedicated wig they wear during their workouts, and the friends I spoke with prior to taking my Hairvivi for a spin strongly advised me not to use the brand for my runs. They said the wig - which is made from 100 percent human hair and without glue and features a premade fake scalp and a pre-plucked hairline - is too good to get tangled up in a workout. However, the wig not only survived my sweaty workout, but streamlined my beauty routine. Prior to using the wig, I would wash and style my hair twice a week during the five to six training days - a task that would add up to two hours a week, with styling or a refresh every two days. It was extremely taxing. But with the wig, I simply plait my hair into six cornrows, pop on the brushed-out Noelle wig, and run my race. Like all protective styles, it preserves my real hair underneath so I don't have to manipulate it up to four times during the week. In order to avoid the tangles and mats my friends warned me about, I brush out the wig before and after every run and take the time to wash it once a week, letting it properly air-dry (heat should only be applied if you want to change the style's texture). According to Mathis, it's imperative that you take off glueless wigs before going to bed because the friction from sheets and pillowcases could cause shedding, breakage, and frizz - so I've been doing that as well. Since I've kept up with this routine over the last four months - as well as adding a couple drops of hair oil to add moisture back - the hair has not tangled and looks as shiny as when I first got it. My sweat doesn't disrupt the wig lace, either. An adjustable inner band and a nape comb piece keep the wig on tight when I'm in motion. I've worn the wig when training on a treadmill, pavement, beach sand, and gravel. The hair has never wavered, slipped off, or lost its way in tangles. As for my natural hair underneath, I make sure I let the roots dry properly after a workout by sitting under my hooded dryer. "When sweat dries on your scalp, it leaves a residue that can clog your hair follicles with damaging bacteria," says Hairvivi founder Claire Bao. Because my hair is in neat cornrows, I don't have to re-braid them after each run. Instead, I spritz them with a hair oil (current fave: Gisou's Honey Infused Hair Oil) to make sure my natural hair stays hydrated. It can be tough to maintain great textured hair with a physically active lifestyle. As a Black woman, I don't want to have to choose between fitness and my appearance - thankfully, Hairvivi helps me achieve the perfect happy medium. Natasha Marsh is a freelance writer who writes about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Prior to freelancing, she held styling staff positions at The Wall Street Journal, Burberry, Cosmopolitan Magazine, British GQ, and Harpers Bazaar.

There comes a day when you glance at your bathroom cabinet or vanity and realize that you have an overwhelming amount of skin-care products. And trust us, we understand completely - our own cabinets are brimming with buzzy new serums, moisturizers, and face masks. But a little bit of spring cleaning could bring new life to your beauty routine. Ready to embrace minimalism? Start by following these tips from dermatologists and an aesthetician for stripping your skin-care regimen down to its basics and using your products to the last drop - before they gather dust on your shelf. Skin-Care Decluttering Tip 1: Assess What Your Skin Needs According to Edyta Jarosz, a licensed aesthetician at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City, the first step in decluttering your skin-care collection is deciding which products are keepers. "Assess what your skin needs and what you want to achieve with your skin-care routine. Consider your skin type, concerns, and any specific issues you want to address," Jarosz tells PS. According to cosmetic surgeon and board-certified dermatologist Bertha Baum, DO, your skin-care capsule wardrobe should always include three core products: "No matter what type of skin you have, you should always have a basic cleanser, a quality moisturizer, and sunscreen as part of your skin-care regimen." Beyond that, keep the products that best suit your skin or your most persistent needs (such as acne or fine lines), and consider tossing the rest. Skin-Care Decluttering Tip 2: Check the Expiration Dates "Skin-care products have a shelf life, and using expired products can be ineffective or even harmful to your skin," Jarosz says. "Dispose of any products that are past their expiration date." Some products' expiration dates are on their outer packaging, which gets trashed as soon as you get home from Sephora. So aesthetician Elizabeth Grace Hand, the founder of Ställe Studios, says she writes the date she starts using a new product right on the label with a Sharpie. "This way, I know when something has been open for too long and should be replaced," she says. The expiration date is particularly important for natural products, which tend to be formulated without preservatives and thus expire quicker, Hand says. Skin-Care Decluttering Tip 3: Try the Rule of Threes Feeling like all your products spark joy? Hand limits herself to three products per category: three cleansers, serums, moisturizers, SPFs, exfoliants, lip products, toners, acne treatments, and masks. "Practically, I save space in my bathroom, and I'm also hyper-focused and ruthless about what products I keep as one of the three." Skin-Care Decluttering Tip 4: Store Everything Properly Dr. Baum emphasizes that storing skin-care products properly is essential for maintaining their efficacy, which will help you get the most of your product. (Be honest: how many half-full but neglected products are sitting on your vanity right now?) "Store your products in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight," she says. Dr. Baum recommends avoiding storage in humid environments to prevent bacterial growth and emphasizes the importance of keeping product lids tightly closed to prevent air from getting inside. "It's essential to seal containers tightly, refrain from using dirty fingers to apply products to your skin, and avoid diluting products with water, as these practices can potentially contaminate your skin-care products," adds Elizabeth Callahan, MD, a dermatologist at SkinSmart Dermatology in Sarasota, FL. Skin-Care Decluttering Tip 5: Play Favorites Now's the time for a little tough love. Dr. Baum recommends you identify a brand or specific products that suit your needs and use them consistently. "But this bottle is so pretty" is not a good enough reason to keep it sitting on your shelf if you're not using it on a regular basis. Happy decluttering!

All right, beauty-lovers, let's be real. We know you have cosmetics piling up everywhere. Whether it's your favorite skin-care items, the hair products you can't live without, or the mountain of lipsticks you swore you needed, it's time to get organized. While decluttering your ever-growing collection might seem like a daunting task, the key is starting small. Instead of attempting to get everything situated all in one go, divide everything into categories. Our favorite place to begin? With our makeup. After all, mascara takes up way less space than, say, hairspray, which makes for an easier starting point. And what better way to get organized and up the visual appeal than with a cute makeup organizer? Not only will these items make your collection look pretty, but it will also make everything much easier to find. You won't have an issue locating your favorite foundation brush or the blush that you've been recently obsessed with. So, let's get to it. Ahead, we curated a list of our favorite makeup-organizing products that will help you get your collection in order. Some even double as home decor, which is honestly the best of both worlds. Check out our favorite options, and buy a few for your beauty battle station. - Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez Related: Sephora's Got a Ton of New Makeup - and Here's What We Can't Wait to Test First

A short list of things I learned this weekend: my nails are not infallible, and I suck at basketball. While on vacation in Arizona last weekend, I badly broke one of my beloved fingernails. I know, I know: first-world problems. But getting my natural nails to a good place has been a long and arduous process, and breaking one felt like a major setback. Last year, I was having trouble growing out my nails after too many months of back-to-back gel manicures. My nails were brittle, and even once I took the gel off, I couldn't get them to stop breaking. I tried nail cycling, which helped, but it wasn't until I was introduced to builder gel that I was able to get my nails back on track. Since trying it for the first time last year, I've had great results. I've been able to grow out my nails longer than ever before, and I've even been able to try out new shapes that accentuated my length. When I broke my right pointer fingernail during a heated game of "HORSE," I thought it was the end. Not only did it break all the way through my builder gel, but the break location was past my fingertip, which meant it was extremely painful. I couldn't get a good look at what was going on because part of the gel was still intact underneath the crack, so I booked an emergency appointment for the next day at my go-to nail salon in Los Angeles, My Little Boutique. At my appointment with nail artist Sherese the following morning, I was sure we were going to have to completely cut my fingernails down, and I figured my pointer finger would need to go in a bandaid for the foreseeable future. Once we filed down most of the gel, we realized that the break went all the way through the fingernail on one side, but on the other side, things were still intact. Since I had builder gel on, we left a thin layer of gel on top of the nail, so the break was never fully exposed. After taking a closer look, Sherese suggested we use a silk wrap to hold everything together. I had never tried one before, so I did a little Googling to make sure I was comfortable with what she was proposing. "A silk wrap manicure is given to a client when they need strength and durability added to their natural nails," manicurist and LeChat Nails educator Syreeta Aaron previously told PS. "This method of using silk fabric is excellent for repairing a chip or breakage to a natural nail for a client that does not want enhancements such as acrylic powders." After Sherese showed me the silk wrap and explained how it would work, I told her I was game to try it - and I'm so thankful I did. We ended up cutting down my natural nails to a more manageable length, and once everything was even, we started the process. Sherese manicured all of my other nails first, and then she focused on my pointer fingernail. She placed the silk wrap on my natural nail and then applied gel on top. Once it cured, she was able to go in on all of my nails with the color of my choosing. The silk wrap made my broken nail a bit thicker than the rest of my nails, but it was barely noticeable. I opted for a sheer color because I wanted to make sure I could monitor what was going on underneath the gel, and although you can see where it was broken (and bleeding), if you look really closely, overall, my nails look uniform. The pain has completely disappeared since getting the silk wrap and gel put on, and I'm able to go about my normal activities without any issues. Sherese did note that I should get my nails checked out after two weeks (rather than waiting for my usual three), but other than that, things are business as usual. I'm so happy I opted to get a silk wrap and that it worked to fix my first-world nail problem. Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for POPSUGAR. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for POPSUGAR's TikTok and Instagram accounts.