The Oprah US - July/August 2020

WOMAN, INTERRUPTED

Menopause with its hair loss, weight gain, and crepey skin doesn't just hijack our beauty at midlife. As Anne Fulenwider, former editor in chief of Marie Claire and cofounder of Alloy Women's Health (myalloy.com), a digital health platform solving aging and the symptoms of menopause for women over 40, writes, the sudden loss of estrogen which explains everything from ballooning midsections and painful sex to brain fog and anxiety does a serious number on heart, brain, and bone health. Luckily, there are topical and ingestible treatments that are, in fact, a panacea.

Judy In Full Bloom

For more than 50 years, Judy Blume's books (like Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret., Blubber, and Deenie) have guided teens and young adults through some of the more taboo parts of adolescence, from periods and body hair to masturbation and first sexual relationships.

To Her, with LOVE

What makes the relationship between mother and daughter so fraught, so ferociously loving, so freighted with meaning whether you speak daily or she's been dead 20 years? Four women weigh in on the wonders of this singular bond.

What's Up, Doc?

If you're considering an in-office treatment, these are the ones dermatologists deem most effective.

GREAT SKIN AT EVERY AGE

As we're sure you've noticed, your skin changes almost as frequently as the science does. The good news: A calm, clear complexion is more achievable than ever. Today's formulas contain immensely helpful active ingredients, says New Orleans dermatologist Mary Lupo, MD. And many penetrate better because they're delivered in extended-release, encapsulated, and increasingly smaller molecules. To help you navigate this ever-evolving world, we've gathered our most enduring skincare wisdom, plus all the upgrades and updates you'll want to know about.

WHAT'S Beautiful TO YOU?

A Renaissance painting, a flawless double axel-yes, of course. But also, perhaps, a small or curious or simple thing only you can appreciate. On the pages to come, behold the proof that, if you are willing to take the time and really look, beauty is all around us.

Books for Every Mother

Celebrate the mothers, mothers-in-law, grandmothers, godmothers, and all the other motherish women in your life with a book that honors their gifts.

Spring Reading Is Here!

Now is the time to stock up on the freshest, most delectable books of the year. Read them in the backyard, read them on the back deck-or just read them under the covers instead of getting to work in your flower bed.

Introducing Hello Beautiful

This excerpt from the 100th Oprah's Book Club pick has it all: first love, nosy sisters, embarrassing dads, and a little poetry.

The Ties That Bind

Puerto Rican artist Gabriella N. Báez combines family photos and archival materials into works that strike a deep, visceral chord. Yearning, after all, is universal.