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11 Best Pillows for Side Sleepers, According to Diehard Reviews


Have you ever spent time thinking about what the best pillows for side sleepers are? Turns out the quest for a comfortable night’s sleep is quite popular in certain corners of the internet. It makes sense—we all have very specific things that help us fall asleep at night, whether it’s lavender spray, tips from a week of sleep bootcamp, or finding the perfect pillow.

Side sleeping is generally considered the healthiest position, according to Terry Cralle, RN and certified clinical sleep educator, but that doesn’t stop many of us who prefer it from waking up with all kinds of neck, back, and ear pain. That’s because, unlike stomach and back sleepers, side sleepers need extra support to keep their head and neck in a neutral position. Michael Breus, Ph.D., a Los Angeles clinical psychologist and sleep specialist, recommends a thick, firm pillow that “will fill the space between your outer shoulder to your ear, allowing your nose to be in line with the middle of your chest,” he says.

Breus also recommends replacing your bed pillows every 18 months. “If you’re using [a] pillow that’s five or six years old, you’re not getting the support you need—and you’re not sleeping as comfortably as you could,” he says. Not sure whether yours needs to be swapped out? Check for sweat stains, tears, and weird smells—all signs that your pillow (and pillowcase) has reached its final days.

Short of buying and testing rounds of pillows yourself, a useful place to start is with the people who’ve put in the hours on the top-rated pillows for side sleepers. We combed through thousands of reviews and found some strong opinions—from those who swear their decades of neck pain was gone in one night to people who claim they were lulled to bed in mere seconds. Here are the 11 best pillows for side sleepers, according to diehard reviews.

Some reviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.



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Why Did We All Have Side Bangs in the 2000s?


“As someone who (this is true) once won a giant Tweety Bird at a fair because someone guessed I was six when I was 12, I spent most of the early 2000s desperately trying to look my actual age. Somehow I hoped side bangs would help? I pinned my hopes and dreams on Miley Cyrus, whose bangs seemed to imply a certain level of maturity that I obviously lacked. Did it work? All I know is that I still get asked for ID at bars. I’m 27.” —Mattie Kahn, culture director

“I got thick side bangs because I, for some reason, was very taken with the idea of being a woman who haphazardly gives a subtle shake of her head to get them out of her eyes. I also was inundated with images of 2000s-era Mischa Barton and Jennifer Aniston, both of whom were massive superstars at the time and looked so fresh and modern with sideswept fringe.” —Perrie Samotin, digital director

Why Did We All Have Side Bangs in the 2000s

“Nicole Richie was always my girl. I was obsessed with her Rachel Zoe boho chic makeover, loved her on The Simple Life, and for a long time (once she got the makeover, obvi) she was my style icon. While I couldn’t afford her clothes, I COULD get her bangs. And boy did I ever. To very mixed results…” —Samantha Leach, assistant culture editor

Why Did We All Have Side Bangs in the 2000s

I don’t really remember why I got The Bangs. Judging by my other choices at the time, I think I wanted to seem fashion-y, but also like someone who has a lot of feelings (read: emo girl). And they gave me a great excuse to flirtatiously brush hair out of my eyes. —Sarah Olin, art director

Bella Cacciatore is the beauty associate of Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_.





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Accutane Side Effects: 9 Things to Know About the Acne Treatment


The first time I really noticed my acne, I was in the seventh grade at a sleepover with friends, and we were playing with makeup. I had just swept on baby blue eyeshadow and a hideous frosted lipstick. It was very Lizzie McGuire, and it was everything. But while checking out my masterpiece in the mirror, I noticed a small eruption of red pimples on my forehead and cheeks. I suddenly went from loving my makeup to wanting to bury my head under my pillow. Still, it wasn’t the worst; I was comforted to notice that my friends had breakouts, just like me. I figured it was a rite of passage—like bleeding through my pad or an awkward first kiss.

When high school began, my acne hadn’t gotten any better, and it wore down my already low self-esteem. I felt so self-conscious that I would wake up first at sleepovers so I could cover my pimples with concealer. I turned down after-school plans when I didn’t have makeup in my bag to touch up, and applied another layer of foundation before heading to my dance classes (which, looking back, probably contributed to the problem). After raiding the drugstore for over-the-counter treatments with little success, my mom finally took me to a dermatologist at the start of my junior year.

At first, I went on a series of topical medications (not effective enough) before moving on to an oral antibiotic, which didn’t stop my acne completely, but made enough of a difference for me to start to feel good about myself. My remaining breakouts were generally limited to my chin, but they were cystic, painful, and most irritatingly, constant. I always had at least two deep red pimples that would inevitably scar.

By the time I got to college my acne was no longer just an insecurity, but a huge factor in my worsening mental health. I felt trapped in my own skin, to the point where I refused to go out on weekends. I was constantly comparing myself to other women and feeling increasingly worthless. I had always placed value on my appearance and was preparing to enter the beauty industry. It weighed on me.

After a brief experiment with spironolactone, a blood pressure medication used to fight hormonal acne, that hit a wall, my dermatologist finally suggested I go on isotretinoin—commonly referred to as Accutane, a now discontinued brand. At the time, I was about to graduate and desperate to try anything that could clear up my skin.

Now, it’s been a year after I finished my treatment. And ultimately, I’m so glad I did it. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it life-changing, but it absolutely had an effect on my outlook and how I feel about myself. My skin today isn’t perfect, but it’s leaps and bounds better. It wasn’t an easy process, though. Going on isotretinoin is a serious undertaking that involves pregnancy tests and flaky skin. The decision to go on this medication shouldn’t be taken lightly. Read on for the nine things I wish I knew before going on isotretinoin and what you need to know about Accutane side effects.

It works like a topical, but stronger.

Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid, so it behaves in a similar way a topical retinoid would, just at a much higher strength. It regulates the way dead skin cells are shed, so there’s less build up and pore clogging. It also reduces oil gland size and production by up to 90%, which is why dry skin is such a common side effect.

You’ll need to avoid alcohol.

Most doctors recommend avoiding alcohol during treatment, which is something to consider before committing to the medication. However, the level of strictness varies; some doctors suggest not drinking at all, while others are a little more lenient depending on your family history and other factors.



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Sophie Turner Says Her Friendship With Maisie Williams Once Had a "Destructive" Side


Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams have become super close playing the Stark sisters on Game of Thrones over the last eight years. So much so that Williams once joked that the whole series was just an elaborate way to bring the two together.

They’re so tight, though, that Turner just revealed on Dr. Phil’s Phil in the Blanks podcast that their friendship had a “quite destructive” side because they didn’t really talk to anyone else on set besides each other.

The comment was part of a larger conversation Turner had with Dr. Phil about how important mental health has become to her. In her late teens, she said she began to experience depression—a result, she thinks, of the fact that she was working on the show and living at home while her friends were off at college. Williams was someone she frequently relied on because they understood each other.

“I have a friend, Maisie, who was on the show with me, she’s just a year younger than me and she and I were growing up together,” Turner told Dr. Phil. “She was my best friend, and she was the only one I really told about all of it.”

However, that the two often shut other people out as their bond grew stronger.

“Maisie and I used to [stay inside] together. I think being friends with each other was quite destructive because we were going through the same thing,” Turner said, adding, “We used to get home from set, go to a Tesco across the road, a little supermarket, and just buy food. We’d go back to our room and eat it in bed. We never socialized for a couple of years. We didn’t socialize with anyone but ourselves.”

Now they seem to have found other ways to spend their time together. In another interview, Turner shared that she and Williams had a very specific way of decompressing from the stress of the hit HBO series. “We just used to sit there and eat and watch stupid videos and smoke weed,” she said during a talk at New York Comic Con. “I don’t know if my publicist will kill me for saying this. We’d get high and then we’d sit in the bath together and we’d rub makeup brushes on our faces. It’s fun.”

All of those experiences seem to have bonded the two actresses for life. Turner has called her connection to Williams “the purest form of true, true friendship,” and it’s not likely that their Stark sisterhood will fade, even after the show comes to its highly anticipated end this year.

As for her own mental health, Turner told Dr. Phil she has prioritized and scheduled time to take time for herself. “I actually am still on my break,” she said. “I took a break off of work to focus on my mental health because I thought it was important.”



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Birth Control Side Effects You Should Never Put up With—And When to Switch


The birth control pill is an an imperfect—though still awesome—invention. Even though it’s been one of the most popular birth control methods for decades, many women have a love-hate relationship with their pill. On top of the fact that the basic idea hasn’t changed since it first became a contraceptive option in the 1960s (three weeks of daily pills followed by an unnecessary placebo week—really?), side effects of the birth control pill range from annoying to truly problematic.

But not all versions of the pill affect women the same way. There are two main categories of birth control pills—combined hormonal pills, which contain doses of estrogen and progestin, and “mini pills,” or progestin-only pills—and the type you’re using matters. “Everyone’s body is different and can react differently to the pill depending on many factors—a big one being their own health history,” says Janell Sanford, Pharm.D, pharmacist in charge at The Pill Club. in other words, you might simply tolerate one form of the pill better than another.

So, how do you know when you need to switch? We asked the experts what’s normal, which side effects of the pill you should never put up with, and when it’s time to switch.

Anytime you tinker with your body’s hormonal balance, there are bound to be side effects. But the good news is, most of these are temporary, and will go away after your body has a couple of months to adjust, says Sanford. “For example, although weight gain is not a confirmed side effect of birth control, some pills can cause temporary water retention which feels like weight gain, and usually resolves after one, two, or even three cycles,” she says. Some of the most common side effects women report: spotting, mood changes and breast tenderness.

Other side effects are more serious. “The major health consequence of estrogen containing birth control pills is a slight increased risk of blood clots,” says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale University School of Medicine. If you notice chest or leg pains, swelling or redness in your legs, shortness of breath, eye problems or blurry vision, call your doctor ASAP. Severe headaches or abdominal pain can also be a sign something more serious is going on, says Sanford. If you have a severe headache that doesn’t go away with over the counter painkillers or abdominal pain that doesn’t feel like your average cramp (and especially occurs on the upper right side of your stomach) let your doctor know.

If you notice any of the serious side effects above, talk to your doctor ASAP. For the more common—but still annoying—ills, here’s how to talk to your doctor about finding a better fit.

If you’re still spotting after a couple of months…Breakthrough bleeding is more likely to happen on lower-dose birth control pills. “Some women will develop spotting when they shouldn’t be bleeding,” says Dr. Minkin. “Switching it up to a slightly stronger pill [with a higher dose of hormones] might just be helpful.”

If your libido is tanking…The pill also has the potential to affect your sex drive. If you’ve noticed your libido feels lower since starting a new brand of birth control, Dr. Minkin recommends talking to your doctor about switching to a progestin levonorgestrel pill, which might be a better fit for your body.

If you’re getting headaches…If you’re getting low-grade headaches since starting a new pill, talk to your doctor about switching to pill with a lower dose of estrogen, says Dr. Minkin.

“I always encourage women to keep notes about what side effects you experience on which pill,” says Dr. Minkin. If your doc prescribes a new brand and you suddenly notice a change in your mood that wasn’t present with your last pill, for example tell her. Even if you’ve tried a few different pills and still don’t feel like you’ve found the right fit, these notes can be especially helpful to help your doctor help you figure out the right type of birth control for you. “For someone who has never taken a pill before, and is in good health, I would suggest starting with a pill with 20 micrograms of estrogen,” says Dr. Minkin. “And always discuss any concerns about side effects with your provider-who can guide you.”



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'Bachelor in Paradise' Season 4 Episodes 2A and 2B Recap: DeMario's Side


Before we begin, an explanation: After last Tuesday’s episode, which left a pretty bad taste in my mouth (that discussion on consent was terrible), I looked at ABC’s schedule and saw there wouldn’t be an episode during its usual time on Monday night. Instead, there was one airing at 1 A.M. on Tuesday and then another tonight. I assumed the 1 A.M. airing was a re-run, but it wasn’t—some people actually watched a new episode last night because some NFL thing had to air live across time zones but not others and…even now, I’m still not totally sure what all went down. I get the same feeling every time I look at an electoral map, but that’s a different discussion. The point is, Anna Moeslein gamely watched episode 2A and provided this recap for everyone’s edification:

“Dean and Kristina are fighting for like, unknown reasons? Then Adam
(the guy with the creepy doll) shows up. He comes with a date card and
is interested in Kristina and Raven. Ben Z and Robbie are mad because
apparently they’re into her. Kristina goes to talk with Dean about
stuff, but he acts like a kid. Then it’s the rose ceremony, so people are freaking
out. Robby tries to kiss Amanda, but she turns him down.

Rose ceremony: Taylor gives to Derek, Jasmine gives to Matt, Raven
gives to Adam, Alexis gives to Jack Stone, Lacey gives to Diggy,
Danielle gives to Ben, Kristina gives to Dean, and Amanda gives her
final rose to Robby.

Going home: Vinny, Alex, Iggy, and Nick. Byeee.

The next day, Danielle L (D.Lo) joins and all of the guys FREAK OUT
about how hot she is. Their eyes bug out of their heads, it’s
weird. She asks Dean out. Naturally, Kristina is upset.

Alexis and Jaz are weirdo BFFs together, I enjoy it. Dean talks to
Kristina before his date with D.Lo and it’s awkward. He says that thing
all guys who are being dicks say: “Don’t hate me.” Dean and Danielle
kiss on their date. When he gets back, he makes up with Kristina.

BUT THEN: Dean brings a cake out with candles to celebrate Danielle’s half
birthday because of a convo they had on their date. I don’t know what happens after that because my
DVR cut it off.”

So now that we’re all caught up, let’s see what fresh shenanigans this week brings. Dean is caught between two beautiful women who are both into him. Poor, poor Dean. Kristina cries to Matt, and he gives her some good advice so now I like Matt. Raven flirts with Adam to try and secure a rose, but now some girl named Sarah shows up. (Apparently she was on Nick’s season.) I’m sorry, but half these women look exactly alike because they all do their makeup the same. Anyway, Sarah has a date card.

Raven tells the story of how, during the shutdown, Sarah and Raven both spent the night in Dallas at Adam’s; in the morning, she saw Sarah and Adam “cuddling.” When Raven started telling the story I thought she was recounting a menage a trois, and now I’m disappointed. Raven craftily tells Sarah that suuuuuure she can have Adam if she wants but Beeeeeeen is just sooooooo cool and he’d be an amaaaaaazing dad.

Ben tells Sarah his life revolves around his dog, his dog is the best dog, he loves his dog. I am paraphrasing, but I am not exaggerating: This guy is obsessed with his goddamn dog. A dog he left for weeks to film this show! Unimpressed, Sarah uses her date card to take Adam out. Adam, who is 27 years old, says he has “never been on like, a date?” He and Sarah sip margaritas and talk about…dating…and Sarah makes good on her promise to do whatever it takes to let Adam know she’s interested.

“All in, all in fast, I wanna go now…I’m very attracted to you. I
feel like I have chemistry with you.” – Sarah

Sarah describes BiP as “A Nicolas Sparks book in real life” which is a pretty terrible thing to say, considering someone always dies in a Nicholas Sparks book. Who will it be this time? My money’s on Robby.

Bach on the beach, Danielle M and her bestie Wells are like, “Well, we’re both in our early thirties, so five years from now if we’re both still single, let’s get together,” but I bet it’s more like five episodes from now.

Lacey is still complaining that no one is interested in her and she can’t get a one-on-one. Then she gets a date card and starts interviewing guys to see whom she wants to take. She asks Diggy, and he accepts! I appreciate that Lacey is upfront about being a needy mess.

For their date, Jorge takes Lacey and Jorge horseback riding to a pristine beach where they drink champagne and get to know each other. Jorge tells them this beach is special because it is where his parents conceived him. Aww. Lacey and Diggy by land and by sea, light every lantern for them!

When Wells Met Danielle M is still unfolding back at the cabana. Is it worth it to risk their friendship for love? Oh, and Danielle is going to leave to do aid work in Africa.

A woman I don’t recognize, who is apparently named Dominique, shows up and is immediately embraced by many of the girls. Sadly for Lacey, Diggy is smitten. I’m now hearing word that she was on Nick’s season, but I literally don’t remember her at all. She has a nose ring, though, so she’s automatically the coolest person on the beach.

We now repeat the bizarre ritual of the girls who are already on the beach choosing a man for the new girl; Taylor chooses Diggy for Dominique. Maybe the best strategy here is to make a lot of female friends so they set you up with the best guys? Oh, it’s all so complex.

Happy, relaxed Dominique is the definition of a Chill Girl compared to uptight Lacey, who is going head-to-head with equally rigid Taylor, who empathizes but clearly doesn’t care.

“So now I’m left with no one.” -Lacey

“I know.” – Taylor

While Dominique and Diggy make out in a hot tub, Danielle M packs to leave, certain that her soulmate is not on this particular Mexican playa. But first, a farewell to Wells, who kisses her by the light of the car’s taillights. Has he never seen even one romantic comedy? RUN TO THE AIRPORT, WELLS. RUN TO THE GODDAMN AIRPORT. Wells is, Danielle M says, a good kisser, lending further credence to the fan theory that the show is setting Wells up to lead The Bachelor next season.

Now, before we continue: The next part of this article contains a recap of a discussion of an alleged sexual assault; please skip it if that’s the best decision for your mental health. If you are struggling in the aftermath of a sexual assault, call The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

PHOTO: Paul Hebert, ABC

Chris and DeMario

In that big hangar where they host live events, Chris Harrison tells a cheering crowd that he’s going to “give [us] some answers” about what caused the shutdown; DeMario will appear tonight and Corinne next week. I’m already skeptical of the cheery tone here. The set is decorated with candles and flowers and some of the contestants—two girls, three guys—are smiling wide as they talk about how much fun they were having before the shutdown. Why is that at all important? The question is whether the producers were irresponsible and whether contestants crossed the line. Who cares if it was fun before?

The contestants talk about how it seemed like Corinne and DeMario were getting along great and Corinne didn’t seem upset, but the fact that they’re still laughing about this is just…I don’t want to blame people for having an inappropriate reaction because maybe they’re just uncomfortable, but this whole segment is disappointing. Why can’t we hear from the producers?

Both Raven and Jasmine recount how “right is right and wrong is wrong,” and they didn’t like what the media said about DeMario. They basically present themselves as objective witnesses—but if we’re all being upfront and honest and setting the record straight, then why hasn’t anyone said the words “drunk” or “consent” or “sex” yet? Chris Harrison mumbled something about misconduct and may have even said sexual assault, but this is not a frank discussion of the facts; this is an effort meant to paint “the media” as the villains to avoid blaming Corinne, DeMario, or, especially, the show.

And if you need any more proof that this is all about the show, we’re now watching a montage of all of the happily married couples that met on Paradise. Why on Earth are Carly and Evan coming out in the middle of this supposedly serious segment about a sexual assault allegation? They shoehorn in a segment to talk about how Carly and Evan are still cute and in love, and Carly announces that she’s pregnant before they do a live ultrasound of the fetus.

Finally, DeMario comes out, to thunderous applause. As the audience laughs, DeMario tells the following story: He met Corinne, they both got drunk, she suggests they go into the pool, he obliges, the pool gets “intense,” and he didn’t see or experience anything amiss. He even says he had a positive conversation with Corinne the next day.

But then, DeMario says the executive producer told him a “third party filed a complaint” about him and Corinne and the show was shutting down. He cried in his hotel room after hearing the news. He reiterates that their interaction was filmed and witnessed and that neither he nor Corinne initiated the complaint (by all accounts, true), so how could something be wrong?

The fact that DeMario had no idea of the gravity of the situation until he saw it on the news, in my opinion, speaks to a failing by the producers. I don’t know how the confidentiality of the complaint worked, but didn’t the show have a responsibility to tell DeMario why he was leaving? Did they not care about Corinne or DeMario?

We then get a recap of all the media coverage, and DeMario specifically cites an article about him allegedly having sex with “a limp Corinne” (what he’s describing is rape of an unconscious woman). He quotes Michelle Obama’s “go high” line, a sort of denial by omission, and cries. Next week, we’ll hear from Corinne.

Even with her side of the story, it’s likely we’ll never know for certain what happened between them. It’s not really our business, anyway. I know I don’t want to see the tape. What I do need is some reassurance that the show took the situation seriously, still takes the topic seriously, and is making its absolute best effort to ensure all contestants’ safety in the future. So far, I haven’t seen any of that seriousness of purpose. Instead of just having a one-night special to dispense with the Corinne/DeMario PR and then moving on to the frothy fun, the show is dragging out the scandal even longer for ratings. It’s disappointing, and it’s really frustrating. Please do better, Bachelor in Paradise.



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