Friends Forever? 8 Signs of a True BFF

There are very few friends that will come into your life that you’ll truly connect with and that will stick around for the long run. The ones that do, well, consider them your BFFs. If you’re still wondering, however, check out these 8 signs of a true best friend.

1. She Tells It Like It Is

Whether you’re seeking her opinion about a guy you like or just want to know if a particular dress looks hot on your bod, your BFF always tells it like it is. Maybe it’s not the answer you want to hear, but hey, at least she keeps it real, right?

2. She’s Always There When You Need Her

Your BFF is the one friend you can call up in the middle of the night and vent about whatever because you know she’ll listen. Even if she’s heard it a million times before, she’s always there to comfort you.

3. She Can Keep A Secret

You can trust her with your deepest, darkest secrets and never have to worry about her telling anyone. Unless, of course, someone needs to be told, then she’s your girl.

4. She Looks Out For Your Best Interest

When you’re contemplating a major life decision or are about to do something totally stupid, you can always count on your BFF to give her unbiased opinion. Why? Because she loves you and only has your best interest at heart.

5. Her Closet Is Your Closet

You don’t have to ask anymore. Her closet is your closet, and vice versa. I mean, isn’t that the best part of having a BFF?

6. She Celebrates Your Successes

When you land a new job or finally score a big raise at work, your BFF is the first one to congratulate you and let you how proud of you she is. And she genuinely means it, unlike some of your so-called “friends.”

7. She’s Got Your Back, No Matter What

Even if you’re not getting along or are arguing about something really dumb, your BFF always has your back, no matter what. You know, just like you’ll always have your annoying little bro’s back even when he drives you nuts?

8. She Has ESP

Your BFF can finish your sentences and often knows what you’re thinking before it comes out of your mouth. It’s like she can read your mind, and truth be told, you can read hers too. That’s just how besties are.

Three Friends You Need In Your Life

No woman is an island. The people you surround yourself with help you interpret the world, support or question your decisions and just make this business of existing that much better or worse. There's a lot of talk about the toxic friends you need to ditch. But who should you hold on to for dear life? You probably have a gut feeling. But this is the trifecta.

1. The friend you can tell anything

Sometimes you need to define something by what it isn't. This isn't the friend who worries about you a lot. This isn't the friend who can't handle some aspects of your personality. This isn't the friend who is going out with your boyfriend's best friend. Sometimes this person is a little removed from the rest of your circle, making it easier and safer to divulge the nitty gritty. When you say you hate your other best friend/Mom/husband, she knows you don't really hate them, but also doesn't discount your feelings in the moment. You can tell her exactly what you drank on that business trip or what you did with that bartender (where is the really shocking part, anyway) without her going all nutzo. She takes it in stride and accepts you for all your little indiscretions and foibles, what you divulge today isn't going to affect how she looks at you tomorrow.

2. The friend who's a better person than you

You know it deep down. Even if it's not really true, it's your truth — this person is just better than you. Maybe she gets along with all her relatives and in-laws and makes flawless duck confit. Or maybe she is your moral compass. Either way, you don't always feel like you can tell this person everything. But when you need to make a decision or know if you did the right thing, you know their face or voice will tell you the truth even when their words cushion the blow. You need someone who you can depend on to keep you accountable to your goals, resolutions, and your authentic self. They may question you – you may need it.

3. The friend you've known forever

It's easy to let the threads of childhood friendships unwind, which makes it all the more special when you have a playmate you've stayed tight with. There's a shorthand with someone you grew up with which makes communicating that much easier and more seamless. You don't have to explain why what that jerk said hurt your feelings, he or she knows because they know your history, your insecurities, and your sensitive spots. Because you don't have to explain a backstory or where you're coming from, your conversations are full of the more meaningful stuff. Knowing who you were then gives them insight into who you are now. Plus, it always helps to have someone around who's seen you at your best and your worst to tell you that this moment you're living is neither of those extremes.

7 Habits That Make Your Skin Age Faster

Aging is inevitable. There’s not a lot we can do about that, but we are in control of the decisions we make. They may be harming your skin and causing it to age prematurely. Your lifestyle choices affect your skin. Caring for your skin is the first step in any anti-aging/beauty regimen.

These 7 practices will age your skin:

• Cigarette Smoke: Exposure to cigarette smoke, whether you are the smoker or not, significantly increases skin wrinkles and dryness because cigarette smoke depletes your body of Vitamin C, which is a key ingredient for keeping skin plump and moist. Vitamin C is water soluble and not stored in the body.
• Exposure to the Sun: Always use a sunscreen, preferably one with SPF of 15 or higher, and use it all year-round, even on cloudy days. Clouds can’t protect your skin from sun rays. Unprotected skin that is exposed to the sun can become splotchy. Those cute freckles can turn into brown sun spots, and your skin will start looking tough and leathery. The end result is an increase in wrinkles and sagging.
• Lack of Exercise: Exercise not only makes you feel better, it makes you look better too. Inactivity contributes to aging skin, because exercise gets your blood flowing and tones your muscles. Studies have shown living a sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to memory loss and dementia.
• Exposure to Cold Weather: During the winter months our skin takes a beating indoors as well as outside in the elements. Cold winds and low temperatures have a drying effect on the skin. Heated rooms when we’re indoors also zap the moisture right out of our skin. A good moisturizer is crucial. Use it lavishly and often.
• Lack of Sleep: In addition to feeling terrible, not getting enough sleep shows on your face. Baggy, saggy, puffy red eyes make you look as bad as you feel. Adults function best when they get 8-9 hours sleep each night.
• Stress: Stress and worry cause frowning. Developing some sort of relaxation technique, and incorporating it into our daily routine is vital. I can’t emphasize enough how important overcoming stress is to our physical and mental well being. I have frequently been caught off guard with this one. Someone will ask, “What’s wrong? Why do you look so angry?”  Usually I’m simply lost in my own thoughts about this or that and have no idea I’m frowning. We have to pay attention and learn to relax those facial muscles.
• Alcohol Use: We all know or are related to someone whose face has been beaten into a puffy, splotchy mask by booze. Alcohol dilates the tiny blood vessels in the skin. This causes an increase in blood flow near the skin surface. Over time, with repeated use the blood vessels will become permanently damaged. These damaged and broken blood vessels cause that splotchy, flushed look.

In addition to avoiding these 7 practices, make it a habit to drink plenty of water, all day, every day