Unless you literally live under a rock, you should know that the Video Music Awards took place in New York City Sunday night, and it's safe to say that amongst the award winners, lots of shade was thrown. And we mean LOTS.
It's also not surprising that the person who ended up throwing most of the shade was the king of shade himself, Mr. Kanye West. According to Cosmopolitan, Kanye was given a few minutes to give a speech before introducing his new music video for "Fade," and of course, he had to mention Taylor Swift, AKA his arch nemesis.
First, he started talking about how he loves Beyoncé and how he might lose to her, but then it got really juicy. When he started to discuss his music video for "Famous,"—yeah, that video—it got a little touchy.
"It was an expression of our now, our fame right now, us on the inside of the TV," he said, continuing with "the audacity to put Anna Wintour right next to Donald Trump. I mean, like, I put Ray J in there, bro. This is fame, bro!" Well, yes, you kinda are famous, Kanye.
It also wouldn't be a Kanye speech if he didn't bring up the queen of pop herself, Taylor Swift. "People come up to me like, 'Man, that's right, take Taylor down,' bro, like, I love all y'all. That's why I called her."
Whatever you say, Kanye. Whatever you say. Watch his full speech below:
At this weekend's Video Music Awards, there were some extremely touching moments. From Beyoncé taking a stand for the Black Lives Matter movement on the red carpet to Kim and Kanye looking adorable as always, it was no surprise that there were going to be some loving moments between rumored couple, Drake and Rihanna.
According to Us Weekly, Drake presented Rihanna with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, only the most coveted award in music video history, and while he did that, he basically professed his undying love for her. Okay, not basically—he literally did.
"Captivating from day one, the iconic being that is Rihanna was already at a place where most artists only dream of going. For them, that's often the peak, but for her, that was a starting point and she has kept ascending to an untouchable level ever since. When it comes to music, she relentlessly takes over the charts with every release. When it comes to performance, they swarm in masses just to be in her presence, obviously. And when it comes to fashion and style, she makes it seem so effortless until you try to do it yourself, which is when it gets a little awkward," he said.
And this is when it gets PERFECT. "We love the music, which could change styles from album to album. We love the videos, which change their artistic vision from year to year. But most of all, we love the woman who hasn't changed since day one. She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22 years old. She's one of my best friends in the world. All my adult life, I've looked up to her even though she's younger than me. She's a living breathing legend in our industry. Ladies and gentlemen, the recipient of the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award for 2016: Rihanna." Ok, brb sobbing.
Watch the whole video below and be prepared for the tears.
As if Kanye shading Taylor Swift wasn't enough for one night, her ex-beau Calvin Harris just HAD to hop on the bandwagon. Ugh, Calvin, why?!
According to Cosmopolitan, while accepting his award for Best Male Video for his single "This Is What You Came For" (you know, the one that Taylor helped write), Calvin had a long list of people that he wanted to thank for the moment. But guess what?! His ex was not one of those people.
"Wow! Wow! First of all, I'm so sorry I can't be there, I have a show tonight in the U.K., or else I would definitely be there. MTV, this is crazy. I need to thank Rihanna from the bottom of my heart. You're a superstar. Every time we work together you bring something magical to the project, so thank you. Emil Nava, the director, you're a legend, you're my favorite man on earth, thank you for everything you've done for me. And everybody who supported this song, who watched the video, I love you so much. Thank you. This is amazing. I love you. Thank you, MTV."
So basically, he thanked everyone who was involved with the song except for the one person who actually wrote it. Now even though Taylor wasn't there to give her reaction, we can assume that it would be something like this:
Come on Calvin, you are better than this. The least you could have done is thanked Nils Sjoberg…
As if lying and making up false accusations right after you particpate in the Olympics wasn't enough of an embarrassment for Ryan Lochte, Jimmy Fallon decided to push it even further at the Video Music Awards Sunday night.
According to Cosmopolitan, when Fallon presented the award for Video of the Year, he came out dressed in white hair and a track suit, and the one person in the audience who was absolutely dying over the joke was Lochte's teammate, Michael Phelps.
The second that Fallon came on stage, Phelps was on the camera game strong. Probably to send to Lochte and rub it in his face but still, it's adorable.
After a few minutes, the joke went a little stale and people just wanted to see Beyoncé win for "Formation," which she did. But nonetheless, we could watch this Vine forever.
The LGBTQ community has been victim to crimes, ignorance and hate for years. The silver lining for this however revolves around those that support the LGBTQ+ community on and especially off campus. For those that have graduated or are looking for other off campus ways to help the LGBTQ+ community, here are five ways that you can offer your support, time and money to the LGBTQ community.
1. Donate
This is an easy and quick way to support the LGBTQ community. Whether you contribute $5 or $500, every bit counts. The National LGBTQ task force, which is geared toward breaking down the barriers that the LGBTQ community face everyday, allows you to donate and get involved by becoming a change agent or member. Katherine Barton, a student at Auburn University, donated to the task force and says it was as easy as clicking a button. “I went to their website and they give you options on how much you want to donate. If you want to do an unlisted amount, all you have to do is type it in and then add your billing and payment information. It was so simple but still very rewarding.”
2. Avoid gendering
There are a number of reasons why this is a problem outside of the LGBTQ community. For starters, it’s sexist to use statements like “women are so emotional” but also hurtful when you factor in LGBTQ community. “In discussions around feminism, avoid cissexist statements and try not to make statements that contain the assumption that all/only women get periods, or that all/only men have penises,” says Jacqueline Marchioni, a student at the University of British Columbia. Steering clear of these generalizing statements also allows for an open discussion on what pronouns they would prefer. While this can also be done on campus, this is especially important off campus because when out in the real world, people may not be as forgiving on a college campus. Jessica Evans, a student at the University of Missouri says, “I have had experience with asking someone which pronoun they would prefer I use. It’s a lot easier to ask when you meet rather than messing it up and having to apologize.” Because if or This goes a long way and not only will it much appreciated that you were considerate enough to ask but it avoids an awkward situation and we already have enough of those going around.
3. Volunteer for the GLBT National Help Center
The gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) National Help Center is always accepting volunteer applications. There are a variety of ways you can help from being a part of the GLBT national hotline staff to fundraising and marketing. You can find the volunteer application on their website along with a blog forum, peer chat room, booklists that deal with LGBTQ issues and social and support resources that are in your area.
This can be done when you hear someone speaking rudely toward the LGBTQ community by correcting someone when they use offensive language about the LGBTQ community (even in a joking manner) can go a long way. Or, if you wanted to advocate on a larger scale, call your local politicians or lobby for better treatment of the LGBTQ community in your neighborhood. A good start would be paying attention to LGBTQ issues in the upcoming election.
“Write to lawmakers and protest homophobic and transphobic laws, such as ‘bathroom bills’, which prevent trans people from using bathrooms safely – or sometimes even at all,” says Jacqueline Marchioni.
There is power in numbers and the more people speak up about these issues, the more people will have to listen.
5. Be respectful
This may seem like a no brainer but surprisingly, people still have trouble with being respectful toward others. When it comes to LGBTQ issues, follow the platinum rule and treat people the way they want to be treated and hold off on making any judgments before you get to know a person. You may not agree with how they choose to live their life but just because you don’t agree with it, doesn’t mean you can’t make an effort to understand it. So, if you know anyone who is a part of the LGBTQ community, make an effort to be there for him or her. Knowing they have a friend to turn to helps when not everyone is as understanding. Likewise if you yourself are a part of the LGBTQ community, know you’re not alone and that there are organizations targeted toward making the world a better place for you.
If you didn't think the Free the Nipple movement was serious before, you will now. Early Sunday, more than 60 cities worldwide participated in International GoTopless Day. Onlookers watched as hundreds of women and men paraded their assets through city streets. The GoTopless Day "BoobMap" shows that everywhere from Manhattan to Hermanus, South Africa bore their breasts in either celebration or protest of censorship laws.
According to the organization's website, GoTopless Day always falls on the Sunday closest to Women's Equality Day (Aug. 26). On Aug. 26, 1920, women earned their right to vote. The organization chose the timing of the holiday because, "the right to go topless for women is based on gender equality as their right to vote once was."
The big turnout for the parades goes to show that women around the world are sick and tired of the negative stigma surrounding female breasts. As Cosmopolitan points out, men can flaunt their shiny six-packs and muscular pecs all over social media and television, but the second a woman's nipples are displayed, the images are blurred out, censored and many times even deleted. Some think this is an act for our own safety, as a Gothamist blogger reported that most of the NYC GoTopless parade audience was comprised of grimy men with cameras, hounding everyone to get the perfect photo.
Is the visual protest of nipple censorship progressing the fight against gender inequality, or is it just promoting gross behavior from horny men? Not sure. But one thing is for sure: the participants in this parade were brave, and I'm seriously considering ripping off this underwire prison that we call a bra.
For a lot of new collegiettes, freshman year is their first time sharing a room with someone else. While dorm life and roommate bonding are wonderful experiences to have and are trademarks of college life, they can also be the source of some drama.
Roommate trouble isn’t uncommon, and there are plenty of ways to solve any issues that may arise. Lucky for you, we’ve got your go-to guide of some common roommate problems and ways to fix them, complete with advice from collegiettes!
Everyone has a different standard of cleanliness, so it’s not unlikely that you and your roommate may disagree when it comes to the state of your room. It’s safe to say that the both of you will have to make compromises and work a little harder to keep your space clean now that you’re sharing it.
Alex*, a junior at New York University, says that she’s dealt with messy roommates for a couple years. “Sloppy roommates can be a problem, but it’s one of the easier roommate problems to fix,” she says. “There are tons of ways to talk to your roommate and let her know that she needs to be a little bit cleaner. Everyone can be messy at times, so it’s an understandable problem that’s generally easy to approach if you do it right.”
If your roommate’s messiness is bothering you, it’s best to step up and talk to her about it instead of letting the issue go on.
How to deal
Make a chore schedule. No one likes forcing themselves to do chores, but trust us, you’ll be thankful you did it. A cleaning schedule is a great way to divide responsibilities and make sure that your room is clean on a regular basis. It’s best to come up with the schedule at the beginning of the year so you can stick to it – no excuses!
If cleanliness problems arise throughout the semester in spite of the chore schedule, take it up casually with your roommate. The conversation doesn’t always have to be awkward – it can be a quick, “Hey, do you mind picking up your side a bit? My parents are visiting!” or even just a short note on your whiteboard while she’s at class.
If the problem gets to be more serious, then consider approaching her about it. Remind her that it’s your space, too, and it’s her responsibility to help keep it looking nice. If the problem gets way out of hand and your roommate gets angry or aggressive about it, consider taking the problem to your resident adviser (RA) or another member of Residence Life – they’re there to help you with housing and roommate issues, so take advantage of their assistance!
Even if you and your roommate have the same sleep schedules, are both tidy and respect each other’s belongings, problems can still pop up. Some roommates simply just don’t get along.
Katherine, a senior at the University of Rochester, says that one semester she was randomly assigned a roommate who appeared to hate her for no reason. “Whenever possible, she would get up and leave when I entered a room; if we were hanging out with a group of people, she would make faces anytime I said anything and she only spoke to me if she had something mean or condescending to say,” Katherine says.
Eventually, Katherine took their problems to a mediator and began to get them sorted out.
How to deal
Communicate with your roommate and with others, if necessary. “My advice … would be to communicate about the little things early on, because they can escalate quickly and become unbearable,” Katherine says.
No matter what it is that’s bothering you, it’s best to address it sooner rather than later. If your roommate is making mean comments, ignoring you or just plain being disrespectful, try to nip the problem in the bud and address it as soon as you can. This will save you from months of frustration and an awkward, overdue conversation that would otherwise happen at the end of the year (or never!).
“Even if you're good about communicating, you might end up with a roommate who dislikes you and isn't afraid to show it,” Katherine says. “I coped with this by reaching out to other people. My mentor helped me see that the negativity my roommate had towards me said more about her than it did about me, and my friends helped me put things in perspective by finding the humor in the situation.”
If you’re having issues that even the two of you can’t figure out, consider taking the problem to an RA or counselor. He or she can act as a good mediator and help soothe the tension or even help you relocate if the problem is getting out of hand.
When you pictured your dorm, you may have imagined you and your roomie hanging out, eating snacks and watching chick flicks every night. While that’s not a completely impossible scenario, it’s not always the case.
When collegiette Ivy first came to Keene State College, she was assigned two roommates. A few weeks later, though, it seemingly dwindled down to just one. “[One of my roommates ended up] sort of moving into someone else's room and would come back to our room only when she needed clothes or when she was drunk and got in a fight with her new ‘roommates,’” Ivy says.
Absent roommates can be tricky, as they’re usually absent for their own reasons. Some girls get invested in their new significant others, make friends in a different building or are simply too busy to hang around the room. There’s nothing wrong with a busy roommate, but it can be kind of a bummer hanging out by yourself when you come home from class!
How to deal
If your roommate’s absence bothers you, try inviting her to hang out on the off days when she does come back to the room. Ask her what she’s been up to lately. If she’s not giving much of an answer, don’t pry, but do be wary. You want to make sure she’s not getting herself into a bad situation!
If you’re truly worried about your roomie and where she might be, encourage her to talk with your RA. She could be getting into a sticky situation with a controlling boyfriend or girlfriend or staying out too late and crashing at other people’s rooms who aren’t exactly wanting her there. If you have the chance to have a chat with her, make sure she’s not getting into any unwanted situations. If she is, try to help her out or direct her to the RA or another member of Residence Life who can help her out in her situation.
While having a roommate who’s never there can be a bummer, so can having a roommate who’s constantly in the room. It’s always fun to have some roomie bonding time, but you’ll need a break from each other once in a while. It’s easy to get sick of each other when you’re sharing a small space for at least a whole school year!
How to deal
If your roommate is in your room around the clock (except for class time), you might want to have a chat with her. If it’s the case that she’s simply not involved in anything else or doesn’t have many other friends, encourage her to commit to something on campus. Perhaps even consider taking her to a meeting of a club or organization that you’re a member of. Clubs, organizations, sports or on-campus jobs can be a great way to spend your time, get involved and meet new people. You may be able to get your roommate involved while scoring yourself some alone time!
It could be the case where your roommate is more introverted and less involved on campus, so your room is her natural retreat. If this is the case, steer her toward the library or student lounges on campus, or bring her along to one of your club meetings.
If she’s not responding to your suggestions, remind her that there are plenty of other places on campus to hang out and get work done. If it’s necessary, remind her that your shared room belongs to you as well, and that you’d appreciate having the room to yourself once in a while.
In college, it’s likely that your sleeping patterns will be all over the place – until you get into a good routine, at least. There are some classes that start as early as 7 a.m. and others that end as late as 10 p.m., so it’s easy to see that students’ schedules may vary by quite a bit.
This was the case with Kira*, a third-year student at Northeastern University, and her freshman-year roommate. “I went to sleep with the lights on every night and then woke up at 7 a.m. as she was just going to sleep,” Kira says.
How to deal
If you’re not a heavy sleeper, this is something you’ll have to take care of, as you shouldn’t be compromising sleep for your roommate’s convenience. It’s understandable that based off of clubs and class schedules, your sleeping patterns will differ, but you might have to work to find common ground when it comes to bedtime.
If your roommate’s sleeping schedule becomes a problem, first try to communicate with her about it; she may not even know it’s been bothering you. Consider sitting down with her and going over your schedules, trying to figure out the best times you can have some down time – maybe even consider designating specific quiet hours or bed times if it’s necessary. If it’s something she can’t necessarily fix herself, seek out resources like the library or a student lounge during the day to give her some peace and quiet, and ask her to do the same for you at night. If you just want to stay in your room, think about the alternatives, like sleeping masks or earplugs.
For some new college students, having a roommate is like having the sister they never had growing up: double the closet space, sleepovers every night and tons of clothes to share. For others, a roommate is just a roommate, and their belongings are personal, not to be shared or borrowed. No matter how you treat your property and privacy, you should make sure your roommate is on the same page.
How to deal
As soon as you’ve settled in, you should discuss boundaries with your roommate. This could even be done while you’re crafting your roommate contract or cleaning schedule. Make sure you tell her specifically what you’re comfortable sharing and what you’d rather keep to yourself. This can range from sharing clothes to sitting on each other’s beds and chairs. Everyone treats her privacy and property differently, so make sure to remain open-minded and respectful!
If a borrowing issue arises as the semester continues on, you will have to address it. If she happens to borrow a scarf off the back of your chair for a day, simply mention that you’d rather she didn’t do it. If she repeatedly goes through your belongings to pick out her favorite things to borrow, you may want to consider having a more serious conversation about personal belongings. If the issue persists even after the conversation, take it to an RA, who may be able to help you out.
“The more the merrier” isn’t always a true phrase, especially when it comes to sharing a relatively small space. Unfortunately, some roommates don’t think about this and bring in friends and significant others to hang out – all the time.
“I live with three other girls, and we were all best friends, but [my other roommates and I] don't talk to one of them now,” says collegiette Joanna*. “She had her boyfriend move in with us for the summer without asking us, so he is at our place 24/7, [eating all our food and leaving dirty dishes].”
While the occasional visitor may be welcome, it’s not cool to let your friends in all the time, especially so often that they essentially become new roommates.
How to deal
Joanna says that communication is key, as it is with so many other roommate problems. “I let her know first semester that this wasn’t okay with me, and things were much better second semester,” she says. So, right off the bat, make sure you address the issue.
While it might feel a little awkward telling your roommate to kick her friends out, she has to realize that your room is a shared space. If you’re having trouble coming to an agreement, look at your schedules and find a way to fit in times or days where it’s acceptable to have guests. For example, let her know that she’ll have the room to herself and she’s free to have friends over if and when you go home for the weekend. The night before a huge exam, on the other hand? Probably not.
While your experience sharing a room may not always go smoothly, it will, all in all, be rewarding. As long as you’re communicating effectively with your roommate and letting her know of any issues that arise, your relationship shouldn’t suffer. Roommate bonds are like no other relationship and can last a lifetime, so don’t let silly little habits get in the way of an awesome friendship!
Will Chris Brown ever land in the news for doing something positive? At 3 a.m. this morning, LAPD and SWAT responded to the rapper's Tarzana home, where a woman called claiming Brown had pulled a gun on her.
While police waited for a warrant, Brown refused to exit his home, instead taking to Instagram to rant about the experience.
In another video, he explained, "I'm not coming out for my house, for what? I ain't did shit, I ain't gonna do shit ... You guys got me fucked up though." He took a third video to use this opportunity to promote his new projects, and say, "I don't give a f**k about personal opinion. But what I do care about is y'all defacing my name as a person, and my character and integrity. I am a father. I am one of the best entertainers out here."
According to Baylee Curran, who called 911, the dispute was over a piece of jewelry. She spoke to TMZ and revealed she'd been in the home when a man brought over diamond watches and jewelry—Curran touched a necklace to admire it, and a friend of Brown's started "cussing me out, calling me names." He allegedly called a whore and told her to "put it down, you don't touch that, go back outside." Brown joined in, pulled out his gun and told her to "get the fuck out." He then had the audacity to ask her to sign a non-disclosure agreement. What?!
Though Brown's Instagram rant claims total innocence, when the search warrant arrived and police entered the home, they found at least one gun, other weapons and drugs. Apparently, he taunted the police, shouting "come and get me" as he threw a duffel bag filled with drugs and weapons out the window.
Around 12:30 p.m. local time, police told TMZ that Brown was about to be arrested.
If you though the dust had settled on the T.Swift-Kanye controversy, you were oh so wrong. Last night Kanye, being his Kanye self, posted a tweet of a fan wearing a t-shirt that combined Swift’s 1984 album and his My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album. Even more unexpected was the rapper’s apparent approval of the shirt, with his accompanying comment, “unity love.”
So what are we supposed to think? Is the rapper shutting the feud down with his comment? It’s hard to know, especially considering his VMA statement last night: "You know, like, people come up to me like man, that's right take Taylor down—bro, I love all of y'all," he said in a very interesting speech—keeping true to Kanye fashion.
Swift was unable to attend the VMAs due to jury duty requirements, but she was recently dismissed from the Nashville jury panel she was serving on. There’s no news of whether she’s heard the newest antics from her favorite foe, so keep refreshing Twitter.
The Princeton Review’s list of Top Party School’s for 2017 is up! Is your school one of these work-hard-play-hard (or maybe just play-hard) paradises? This year's No. 1 is the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Every year, The Princeton Review publishes 62 different lists of top 20 colleges, based on results from student surveys distributed to hundreds of colleges, which ask 80 questions about campus life, academics and the student body. According to the Huffington Post, the questions measure students' opinions, so the lists are based on how students feel, not any super objective data.
The top Party Schools, which has been published since 1993, is based on a combination of “low personal daily study hours (outside of class), high usages of alcohol and drugs on campus and high popularity on campus for frats/sororities,” according to The Princeton Review. Essentially, the students at these schools live to party—studying is not much of a priority. There's also a Stone Cold-Sober list, and that list looks at opposite trends.
Here are the top 10 schools:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
West Virginia University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Lehigh University
Bucknell University
University of Iowa
University of Mississippi
Syracuse University
Tulane University
Colgate University
Head over to the Huffington Post for the rest of the top 20!
If you haven’t already heard, the MTV Video Music Awards took place this weekend. Among many highlights from the evening was Rihanna’s on-air receival of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. The honor is bestowed upon artists in the music industry for their influential contributions to the industry in the form of music videos. Previous winners include David Bowie, Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé.Because MTV knows how to play the ratings cards just right, they had Drake present Rihanna with the award, capitalizing on the allure of pop culture’s latest are-they-or-aren’t-they duo. As usual, Drake and Rihanna stirred up their fair share of sparks and drama, but this time it wasn’t exactly because the two had heart eyes for each other. On the contrary, it was because Rih did not seem as excited about Drake as he was about her.
On social media, people have been freaking out about Rihanna's curving of her rumoured beau. Naturally, as a result, we’ve compiled a list of all the times Rihanna has hit Drake with the friend zone. Read on to get your fill of #SadDrake.
1. When she literally laughed and said they were just friends when asked about Drake
This could very well be a case of her just not wanting to kiss him in public...but she reaaally dodges it.
But maybe there’s still hope for Aubrih. Rihanna has always been about being professional (over milking her celebrity relationships for media attention), so maybe she just doesn’t want to put it all out there the way Drake does! For now, though, Rihanna seems to have relegated Drake firmly to the friend zone. Only time will tell!
Not shave my pubic hair—isn’t that gross? If that’s what you’re thinking, you’re not alone! A lot of people believe that hair down there is dirty, gross or unattractive. If you’ve been thinking of putting down the razor and have wondered more than once, “Who am I really doing this for?” then you’re in luck, because most of what you’ve heard is probably either myth or personal opinion.
The fact is, like anything else from how you wear your hair to the style of your clothes, whether or not you shave (or wax or trim) your pubic hair is completely up to you. It’s an individual choice, despite the way it’s been historically gendered (when’s the last time you heard a bunch of guys wondering whether they could get away with not waxing before vacation?). We’re here to tell you that there are at least nine great reasons to let your pubes grow wild and natural.
1.You don’t need to listen to the patriarchy
Isn’t that reason enough? For real, though—who cares what anyone thinks? Whether or not your pubic hair is shaved, trimmed or completely waxed has no bearing on you as a person.
Making your own decisions about your pubic hair is a totally feminist thing to do, whether you decide to shave or not.
Also, “If it is acceptable for men to not shave there at all, it should be for women as well,” says Ariana*, a recent graduate of Marianopolis College.
Would you date someone who didn’t want to date you because you had short hair, or dyed it purple? If someone can’t get with who you are—and what choices you want to make about your own body—then they don’t deserve you, anyway.
As Robin*, a freshman at Emerson College, says, “If my partner doesn’t like it, well then, don’t put your face down there!” And if someone doesn't want to give you oral sex just because you've got pubic hair, then you may want to reconsider dating them, anyway.
Kelly*, a senior at University of British Columbia, says that in the LGBTQ+ community, it tends to mean even less whether or not you shave ‘down there.’ “I'm a lesbian and there isn't as much judgment around pubic hair, or body hair in general, among lesbians and bisexual women as there is among straight people, in my experience,” she says.
3. Ingrown hairs down there really suck
If you’ve ever had an ingrown hair—which, if you shave parts of your body regularly, you probably have—you know how much they suck. Now imagine that in your pubic region. Yikes, right? No, thank you.
Lynsey G, a professional sex writer, says, “When I shave, especially my pubic hair, I get itchy, raised bumps that refuse to go away for days or sometimes up to a week, and sometimes ingrown hairs. Not sexy, and uncomfortable, too.”
4. The growing-back period can be so excruciating
A lot of people experience itching and discomfort when the hair is growing back, which can prompt them to shave it again hastily—leading to ingrown hairs. It’s not a fun cycle.
“Every time I shaved it just got incredibly itchy,” says Robin.
Thought razor burn was impossible in the pubic region? It’s absolutely not.
Ashley*, a recent graduate of Westfield State University, only trims and shaves some of her pubic hair for this reason. “I hate razor burn. I don’t get it as bad in the places I do shave,” she says.
6. It keeps you comfortable.
Your pubic hair is designed to protect you from infections and bacteria, but also just from regular run-of-the-mill uncomfortable scenarios. Think of like a protective shield against the world! Your pubic hair is basically a superhero.
“I feel protected when I leave all my hairs as is,” says Ariana.
Kelly agrees completely. “To be honest, I love my pubic hair. It's nice and comforting to have. I think without it I would feel very exposed.”
And if you’re going commando? It’ll keep you warm in the winter!
7. You like the way it looks naturally.
Maybe you’ve heard the awful myth that, as someone with a vagina, you’re not supposed to enjoy your pubic hair, and you’re supposed to think it’s gross instead. Well, that’s just what it is—a myth!
Plenty of individuals like their pubic hair. Why not? It’s just another place on your body where hair naturally grows.
“I like the way it looks,” says Katie*, a recent graduate of Sarah Lawrence College. “It makes me feel sexy and real.”
Sam*, a recent graduate of University of Washington, agrees. “For me, I feel much more powerful with a full bush,” she says. “I think it’s sexier. On me, and on others.”
8. You can save time and money.
Think of all the time you’ll save not hunkering down for a regular shave. You’ll also save money, especially if you were thinking of waxing instead of shaving.
“It's easier and more comfortable,” says Katie. “I don't feel comfortable getting it waxed—nor do I have the money to.”
Use all that extra money on a rainy day fund instead, and do something for yourself. You can get a manicure, a massage or a nice lunch from your favorite local café.
9. You don’t run the risk of getting a painful cut.
We don’t even want to imagine what this would be like. It’s scary enough to be reason enough all on its own.
“I can't even imagine how horrible it would be to accidentally cut myself in my pubic region,” says Kelly.
If the idea of nursing a wound down there fills you with dread, it might be better to play it safe. After all, even careful shaving and following proper safety precautions isn’t foolproof.
And if you’re going to shave some or all? Be safe about it.
If you want to shave some or all of your pubic hair, you can still be as careful and as safe as possible while doing so, to decrease your chances of ingrown hairs, cuts and discomfort.
Jen*, a recent graduate of Whitworth University, says, “When I shave the bikini line, I go over with a razor in one direction and apply Neosporin to the area afterwards to heal. I learned from experience that shaving the hairs in the middle will always and immediately lead to itch!”
Honestly, there are so many reasons to let your pubic hair grow naturally that we could almost keep going forever. Love yourself, and love your body the way it is—and the way you want it to be. Don’t feel pressured to make a decision that doesn’t fit in with what feels comfortable to you. It’s your body, and yours alone, so you should be the one making all the calls.
On Wednesday, August 24, 2016, the University of Chicago gave every one of their incoming freshman a letter saying that the institution does not support trigger warnings nor does it condone the creation of intellectual safe spaces. I say that the institution gave each freshman a letter rather than sent, because the letters weren’t exactly mailed to the students before they got to U of Chicago. No, the students received them on their first day of school. Maybe because the institution knew that they would be losing potential students, and therefore lots of money if they made students aware about this new policy while students still had the chance to choose another school.
The letter claims that the University of Chicago will not bow down to censorship. But the very definition of censorship is the practice of officially examining books, movies and other media in order to suppress unacceptable parts. Censorship is when the people in charge decide that they do not want you to hear or talk about something. A trigger warning is not the same thing as censorship. A trigger warning is a very simple statement at the beginning of an article, film, comic or other media that lets the audience know that something potentially distressing will happen in said content. Examples of trigger warnings include rape, war, suicide, incest and murder.
The content is not going to be subverted, it is still going to be presented as is, but the viewer has the option to leave. For example, maybe a girl just got raped the day before or maybe there is a veteran suffering from PTSD sitting in class. Not having trigger warnings on extremely graphic materials is basically saying, “Oh we don’t care about PTSD, mental illnesses, or rape, we don’t care if you have to schedule extra appointments with your therapist because that just means you aren’t ‘strong’ enough.” It is not as if there are going to be trigger warnings on everything, there are only going to be trigger warning on the truly graphic material. I took a History of Horror class once, and there was only one time where we had the option to not watch something. It was no big deal. It was not as if we had trigger warnings all day, every day.
Because really, is one person leaving a room really going to affect the strength of an intellectual debate or conversation?
When the letter goes on to say that it forbids the creation of intellectual safe spaces, it makes me think of how Professor Umbridge banned the Defense against the Dark Arts class and Harry and his friends made the super-secret Dumbledore’s Army because they didn’t have a safe space. A safe space can be a room or an office. It does not necessarily mean that the class is going to be a safe space. It just means that there exists a place where people can go to escape, or talk or bond. It is almost like a group confessional. The classroom itself is not a safe space, thus why does it matter if some students and even faculty go somewhere to talk and escape?
Finally, let me ask you this question: isn’t banning trigger words and safe spaces a kind of censorship in and of itself?
Pretty Little Liars just wouldn't be the same without all of the relationship drama the girls constantly find themselves in. Whether you're a fan of Emily and Paige, have a ~weird~ ship like Hanna and Mike or love one of the classic couples like Aria and Ezra, you're borderline obsessed. Don't think so? We can prove it, with these warning signs:
1. You frequently search hashtags of your couple's name
2. You even have merchandise with said hashtag…
3. You actively root for the girls' relationships more than your own
4. Regardless of which side you're on, you have very strong feelings about Caleb and Spencer
5. You hate the PLL writers for always screwing Emily over
6. You were in complete agony when Ezra and Toby were suspected to be A
7. You actively hate any other girls who are involved with the Liars' boys
8. Nobody understands how badly you want your ships to be (and stay!) together
9. You even want the actors to date IRL
10. Your stress levels are the highest every Tuesday night
For the last 10 years of my life, I’ve never left my house without a bra on. I’m a big-boned woman with 38C-sized boobs, but I’ve always envied my flat-chested friends who could say "screw it" and go for a night out braless and looking totally fashionable. I’ve held back from letting my chest hang free because my boobs are too big and not perky enough. I’ve been terrified that people would shun me for being indecent. I’ve thought up dozens of reasons not to do it, but my mind was attracted to it anyway. Don’t blame me for wanting to wear a crop top without having my bra poking out of the bottom!
My curiosity about the braless life finally got the best of me, though. I wondered, "Why not free my chest balloons and say goodbye to underwire?" So then it happened. I went braless for an entire week because summer 2016 is lit AF.
Day One: Is Everyone Looking at Me?
Real talk—the first day going braless was definitely weird. When I put on clothes and stepped outside without shapewear to strap me in, I felt like I was doing something criminal. I acted ridiculously paranoid, like at any moment a random citizen on the street would catch me in the act and send me home to change, scolding me for my wildly inappropriate behavior.
I spent the first half of the day walking with my arms and purse slightly obscuring my chest until my roommate called me out on having zero chill about this. “They’re just boobs. You’re not John Hurt with an alien coming out of your stomach,” she reminded me.
The thing was it I felt like everyone I passed was looking at me. Even though that wasn’t true because this is Boston and nobody has the time to care about anything except food and baseball, my self-awareness was at an all-time high. I’ve never struggled too badly with insecurity about my body, but suddenly I was. Being aware of my chest made me concerned with how my thighs, my hair, my stomach and so many other features looked to all these people that didn’t give a shit whether I was wearing a bra or not.
Honestly, though, on day one I probably would have rather had an alien coming out of stomach than had to have kept being braless in public.
Day Two: Nips
On day two I woke up strangely empowered from going braless the day before. I decided not to restrict my outfit choice but instead to wear something normal. The shame I felt had dissipated and was replaced with determination. I had done a complete 180.
Who cares if I don’t wear a bra? Who cares if I’m bouncy? I am Beyoncé. I am unstoppable.
The thing about me is that after a day of being riddled with insecurity, I usually transform that into general fierceness. I did my Sunday morning grocery shopping with pride, making purposeful contact with strangers, daring them to challenge me. I strolled through Boston Commons in my flesh balloon glory. I focused on body positivity. I went through the day feeling pretty okay with myself…until the nips came out to play.
“Honey, I think you can kind of see your nipples in that top,” my mom said while we were FaceTiming in the afternoon. I looked down and, horrified, realized she was right. It’s one thing to go braless, but to have my nipples slightly visible through my shirt plagued me with the same sort of insecurity and body awareness as the day before.
Suddenly, I was Cersie Lannister walking the streets of King’s Landing with Septa Unella trailing behind me chanting “shame” and ringing her bell. I felt like I had been publicly indecent and needed to apologize to everyone.
But then I thought about inspiring ladies who advocate for going braless. Women like Lena Dunham, Savannah Brown and Cynthia Summers wouldn’t hide their nipples. They would feel empowered by their bodies, not embarrassed by them. I needed to get in that mindset. I wasn’t oversharing information about my body; I was just being me.
Not feeling as risqué as the day before (and also considering I had to work in an office for nine hours), I went with a conservative dress choice. The last thing I needed was my boobs traumatizing my coworkers.
I told my co-interns right away that I was going braless, and they were supportive and vaguely intrigued. That’s what you get when you work in an all-female office.
Honestly, working without a bra on felt amazing. I’m stationed at my computer throughout the day to write and edit, so not having to wear a bra made it feel more like I was sitting on the couch at home in pajamas instead of at a desk. I was reminded that when it comes down to it, bras really aren’t comfortable at all. They offer support and make the female figure more flattering, but they also suck. The wires poke me, the straps dig into my shoulders and even the most well-fitted bras still feel too tight around my ribs.
This is the first time I felt genuinely supportive towards the braless lifestyle. No amount of body insecurity could take away the fact that I was comfy AF.
Day Four: Tone It Up Tuesday
On Tuesdays in the Her Campus office, we celebrate Tone It Up Tuesday, meaning that instead of having to look like a professional young woman you can pretty much come in as the creature of the black lagoon in your workout clothes. The problem is that athletic tops are really not made to accommodate going braless.
Wearing a workout top without a sports bra made my free-hanging chest look frankly graphic and inappropriate because you could see it all. I eventually found a shirt that was vaguely modest, but nonetheless I went to work far too booby for my liking.
I think that this is the first day I actively noticed people looking at my chest instead of just imagining it because, honestly, I was pretty booby. Not in a way of, “Gross, she really needs to put a bra on,” but more like, “Oh, hey…cleavage. I’m cool with that.” Men and women I passed on the street gave my boobs some lingering glances, but I didn’t feel ashamed or like I needed to hide my body.
Day Five: Nips Part Two
Like my weekly bad hair day, I was having my first bad boob day. Not only were the nips out to play, but everything was saggy and misshapen. I was a potato—but a potato that didn’t care if other people noticed my bad boob day. I had gotten used to being braless. Lopsidedness was my new normal, and I felt pretty unapologetic about it. This could easily turn into more than a week-long experiment.
Day Six: 10 Braless Observations
When I spill crumbs down my shirt, they just keep going with no bra to catch them.
Going braless means no underboob sweat.
It’s not weird if your nipple occasionally gets caught below your waistband.
I feel compelled to tell people when I’m going braless, the same way I feel compelled to say “I’m sorry” for no reason.
Going braless means throwing good posture out the window.
People have a lot more important things to care about than my nipples.
Saggy boobs resemble the face of a basset hound.
Your mom will text you every morning insisting that you wear a bra today.
Working out while braless is probably something Satan makes you do in hell.
There is nothing remotely sexual about not wearing a bra. Men, you need to calm your tits.
Reflecting back on why I was always scared to go braless, it was out of fear that other women would talk shit about me. Men leering towards my chest is pretty much standard order these days, but I’d been deeply worried that other women would think badly of me. I thought they would be the ones to shame my body, they were the ones who would make me feel guilty. I was so wrong about that.
During this week, I was surrounded by dozens of women who supported my personal experiment. Nobody pointed at me or shouted or did whatever people do when they see a braless woman. All of my insecurities had been in my head.
Honestly, even though this was a pretty empowering learning experience, I don’t plan on converting and going braless for the rest of my life. There are days when I might wear a sheer shirt and just really need one, and bras are still good for a lot. I can’t burn them in a protest just yet. However, now I know that certain outfits look better braless. I know that my boobs can maintain their shape by the mysterious grace of God himself and that nobody can ever make me feel shameful about my boobs.
Now that I’m one of those crazy “you need to go braless” people, I would honestly recommend that all women try this. You gain insight into your own body mentality, learn to appreciate the respect of your fellow ladies and love your boobs no matter what shape or size. Boobs are great, people. Let them hang free.
My confusion knows no bounds in this moment. This is one of those nights I’ll remember with amazing clarity for years to come, folks.
On tonight’s episode of After Paradise, the new Bachelor was announced, and it is not at all who I (or literally anyone in Bachelor Nation) expected it to be.
That’s right—perennial runner-up, wooer of both Bachelorette Andi Dorfman and Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe, and current contestant on Bachelor in Paradise Nick Viall is your next Bachelor. So for all you suckers who thought Luke was a lock (myself included!), go cry yourself to sleep tonight!
Does this make sense? Absolutely not! Sure, Nick has been much more likeable during his tenure on Paradise. He’s also been chatting with any press outlet that would have him, talking up the franchise. There is even a—I thought rather small—faction of Bachelor Nation that has been rooting for Nick to be the Bachelor for ~years~ bc that’s how long we’ve known him.
Whether you like it or not, come January, Nick will make his fourth franchise appearance, and we will have all forgotten who Luke even is. Sad, I know.
Here you go, Nick. You got what you’ve always wanted. Now try not to screw it up!
No amount of theorizing, spoiler-avoiding or alcohol could have prepared us for the Pretty Little Liars summer finale. There were shocks at every twist and turn. To be honest, we are still processing it all. Below are 61 times we literally could not even with this episode.
When the Liars called the police to report Hanna missing
When Hanna tied Noel up and tried to make him confess
When she looked at her reflection in that knife like a total badass
When Noel wouldn’t wake up to answer Hanna’s questions
So she cut him in the leg to take a sample of his blood
When Toby quit the police force
Every time Mona and Caleb worked together
When Spencer kissed Detective Fury on the cheek in the middle of her living room in front of everyone
When Hanna had Noel’s blood tested to see if he’s Mary’s kid
When Aria FaceTimed Ezra and you thought everything was going to be okay
When Hanna called Mona for help
When Hanna wasn’t satisfied with busting Noel for the dollhouse
When seeing Paige disgusted Ali
When Hanna practiced her lie even though she’s a pro
When Hanna and Caleb saw each other and it was straight FIRE
When Jenna applied her lipstick so flawlessly that you forgot she’s blind
When Mona tried to bargain with Jenna
When Caleb admitted how much Hanna annoys him
And said they’re meant to spend the rest. of. their. lives. together!
And then they kissed and all was right with the world again
When you were all, “#HalebForever”
When Ali confessed that she’s PREGNANT
And it is Elliott’s
And Emily comforted her
And they kissed
And you realized Emison ~is~ endgame
When Fury brought Spencer food and for a second you questioned Spoby bc FOOD
When Hanna and Caleb’s thirst for each other was finally quenched
And it was the hottest hookup this show has ever seen!
When Aria saw Nicole and Ezra embracing on TV and that’s how she found out Nicole is alive
EVEN. THOUGH. Ezra swore she was dead
When Spencer went to tell Toby goodbye
And she asked if she could kiss him one last time
And you were like, “YES! YES! YES!”
And they kissed and your heart melted but also you cried big crocodile tears
When the lab told Hanna that Noel Kahn is not Mary’s son
And Hanna’s whole theory was ruined
When the Liars went back to get Noel and he was gone
And he led them right into the #PLLDeathTrap
When Caleb and Mona fixed each other’s coffee bc stakeout buddies KNOW those things about each other
When Toby tried to text Spencer before he left but he just couldn’t
When the Liars willingly went to the site of the death trap
When they just had to go investigate and got trapped inside
WHEN. EMILY. LEFT. HER. PHONE. UPSTAIRS.
AND. WENT. BACK. TO. GET. IT.
When Noel was threatening Hanna and Emily
And Jenna (who, mind you, is BLIND) started waving a gun around
When Hanna and Emily CUT FREAKING NOEL KAHN’S HEAD OFF
And Jenna casually stepped on it!
And you were like, “How does Ali not have morning sickness right now?!”
When Jenna (or A.D.?) SHOT SPENCER!!!!!!!
And Mary Drake
(Who is SPENCER’S MOTHER!!!)
Knocked the gun out of Jenna’s hand
When A.D. dragged Jenna off to safety
When Spencer’s eyes rolled back in her head
And you thought she might ACTUALLY. BE. DEAD.
And just when you thought the horror of this episode couldn’t get any worse
You saw Toby (and Yvonne, who you not-so-secretly hope *is* dead) was in a car wreck
And MIGHT. BE. DEAD. TOO.
And you realized you have to wait until APRIL to see what happens!
High school may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but there are some key decisions you’ll have to make along the way. Who you spend time with, what teachers you stay in touch with and how you go about applying to colleges are all choices you’ll be faced with during your high school years.
We’ve talked to collegiettes who have been there to let you in on five important decisions you’ll make throughout high school. When you’re prepared, making them will be a breeze!
1. Will you stay true to yourself?
Although this may sound cheesy, staying true to yourself is significant when you’re surrounded by people trying to fit in. High school is the perfect time to explore your interests and figure out what you like, not follow what everyone else is doing.
Micki Wagner, a junior at the University of Missouri-Columbia, says, “I was a theatre kid, which is not necessarily super cool but who cares because I love it. I walked away from my religion at a Catholic high school when I realized it didn't fit me, I created an a capella club at my school with one of my good friends.” When Micki chose to follow her path, she made friends she’s still close with and learned a lot about herself. Staying true to you will prepare you for college life.
2. Who will you hang out with?
Who you spend time with on a day-to-day basis during high school will have a big impact on how you feel and what you spend your time doing. Christine Burney, a senior at Savannah College of Art and Design, says to find “good friends that challenge you.” When your friends support you and push your limits, you’ll grow together—and that’s what high school is all about. If you choose to hang out with people who aren’t there for you or are into things you aren’t, you’re not going to enjoy your high school years as much. If you get in with the “wrong crowd,” there’s potential for you to not be able to live to your fullest.
3. What teachers will you stay in touch with?
It may be tempting to drop your books and run after graduation. However, staying in touch with your teachers who can offer you mentorship in the future can help you in the long run.
Ashley Ortiz, a sophomore at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, did just that! “I stayed in touch with the teachers that basically taught me all the skills (essay writing, public speaking, quick reading, etc.) that I needed for my basic college classes!” she says. When you keep your teachers in the loop about what you’re doing in college, you’ll be in the back of their mind—and you never know when that may come in handy!
If you have a connection with a teacher who was also your coach or wrote you a letter of recommendation, send them an email every once in a while. It only takes a few minutes and it will help later on when you need an internship recommendation or are looking for your first job.
4. What will your passion be?
This may seem like a big decision —but don’t worry, your passion can change over time! High school is the perfect time to try different things to find out what you like.
Christine tried a few different activities during high school to see what was for her. “Try things, like sports, music, languages, try more things; then, in college narrow it down to what you are passionate about,” she says. This is great advice! There's no better way to find out what you want to stick with. Experiment while you can and you’ll find out what you really love.
5. How will you deal with possible college rejection?
There’s no denying it —getting rejected by the college of your dreams is the worst feeling. But, how you deal with possible rejection is up to you.
Ashley turned her rejection into a positive experience. “I got rejected by one university and I felt bad, but at the same time I focused on the ones I did get accepted to and chose the best one for my professional and academic growth,” she says. If you take things to heart, you’re not going to feel any better.
Realizing that you’ll find the right college for you and moving forward will be the best choice you can make. Keep slaying!
Although you shouldn’t stress about every little thing during high school (enjoy it while you can!), there are some key decisions that will come along the way. Staying true to yourself, trying your best and finding out what you’re interested in will all help prepare you for the future. You’ve got this pre-collegiettes —college doesn’t know what’s coming!
As a collegiette, you understand the struggle of walking down endless sets of stairs, busy sidewalks and packed hallways on a daily basis. This becomes even more difficult if you live on a big campus and have long walks from your dorm to class. While you want to stroll through campus looking stylish, the wedges that you splurged on this summer just aren’t going to work this semester. But you’re not alone in this struggle: we talked to collegiettes just like you, and made a list of their recommendations for the cutest (and comfiest) shoes for walking on campus.
1. Converse
An overwhelming number of collegiettes agree that there’s nothing better than a classic pair of Converse. “They look cute with pretty much any outfit I would wear to class on a typical day, and are so comfortable to walk around campus in,” says Emma Koch, a junior at the State University of New York at New Paltz. White, gray and black styles are versatile and will go with almost anything.
2. Birkenstocks
There's nothing as comfortable as a pair of these classic sandals. “Birkenstocks are easy and quick to slip on, plus they’re super comfortable for walking around campus,” says Allison Crist, a sophomore at the University of Kansas. “I have a pair in black so they match everything.” While Birks haven't always been considered super stylish, fashion girls everywhere are embracing the look.
It's no secret that the menswear-inspired trend is everywhere. If you're looking to work this vibe into an everyday outfit, look no further than a pair of oxfords or loafers, like these ones from Forever 21. Not only are these shoes stylish, but they're comfortable enough to walk around campus in. Complete the menswear look with a button-up white blouse and a pair of dark jeans or black pants.
As fall sets in and you make the transition to jeans, leggings and chunky knit sweaters, you'll definitely want to have a pair of mid-calf boots from Macy's on hand. Not only are they great for long walks on campus, but they'll last you well into the winter months as well (extra important if you live on a cold and snowy campus!).
There’s no better way to make a statement this fall than with a pair of combat boots from Century 21. “When I’m walking around campus in the fall, my go-to pair of shoes are my Steve Madden combat boots,” says Malone Ryan, a junior at John Carroll University. “They go with any outfit, whether it’s a dress with tights and a cardigan or skinny jeans and an oversized sweater. Plus, you can wear them laced up or buckled down for two completely different looks.” Both black and brown styles of boots add a touch of edginess to any look.
What are you waiting for, collegiettes? There’s no better time than a new school year to invest in a go-to pair of shoes that will carry you across campus—and through the semester.
In what was probably the easiest decision ~ever~ made, Netflix announced this morning that Stranger Things has been renewed for season two. Say it with us now, "DUH!"
There's good news and bad news, though. The good news? The show's second season will consist of a whopping nine episodes, a slight increase from the first season's eight episodes. But sadly, we'll have to wait until some time in 2017 to get the justice for Barb we've been promised.
According to a teaser trailer released by Netflix, season two will take place roughly a year after the events of season one—more specifically in fall 1984. Details are scarce surrounding the new batch of episodes, but the Duffer brothers teased to EW.com that all your favorite major players will be returning, with the exception of Eleven, whose fate they would not reveal. There will also be a trip back to the Upside Down and a setting outside of Hawkins, Indiana.
This teaser trailer is feeding our obsession for now, but we're going to need more scoop *fast*.
