Primping and shopping by cycles

Primping cycles

Hormonal fluctuations associated with menstrual cycles could color women's shopping habits, research from Concordia University in Montreal suggests.

Fifty-nine women kept detailed diaries on their beauty routine, clothing choices, calorie consumption and shopping over 35 days. Researchers also analyzed daily surveys, including how long women spent grooming. During the fertile phase of their menstrual cycles, women focused more significantly on appearance -- and were more likely to buy clothes, the study showed.

Married men: Just as lovey-dovey as women

Think married men and women show their love in vastly different ways? Not necessarily. Although popular culture reinforces the stereotype that there's a gender gap when it comes to expressing affection, few studies have actually tested the notion. A small new study suggests, however, that men are just as likely as women to be openly affectionate. The study was published recently in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.