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Watch This Dad Narrate His Daughter's Makeup Tutorial & Try Not to Laugh

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YouTube vlogger Megan Mitchell had one of the most inspired ideas of 2016: combining the weird makeup tutorial trend with the rising popularity of dad jokes. Megan, who is 13, had her dad narrate as she applied her makeup, and the result is nothing short of glorious. Guys, my roommates are currently asleep and I am laughing so hard at this video that they are going to come in here any minute and yell at me. See for yourself:

"First I'm going to use this e.l.f. hydrating moisturizer. It's made from the sweat of elves."

"This is called Too Faced. The Too Faced is because...just if you don't have enough face, this will give you a little bit more face."

I mean, come ON, this dad should have his own stand-up show. By the way, I'm not being dramatic—I'm actually this obsessed with dad jokes. My apologies if you can't relate.


There's A New Russian Reality Show That Will Allow Rape & Murder

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Of all the reality TV shows to ever exist, this has got to be the most disturbing and controversial one yet. Next year, a Russian reality show titled Game2: Winter is scheduled for release—and nearly anything goes. As reported by The Siberian Times, the show will allow contestants to use any tactics necessary to survive months in the wilderness, with a reward of approximately $1.65 million for the last person standing. One of the most horrific aspects of the show is the fact that the creators are allowing anything to slide, including rape and murder.

On Game2: Winter, 30 contestants (15 male and 15 female) from around the world will compete from July 2017 to April 2018. Over the course of those nine months, they'll be left in a remote, Siberian taiga forest with extreme temperatures ranging from 35 degrees Celsius (which is 95 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer to minus 40 degrees Celsius in the winter. We're cringing just thinking about these environmental factors.

In addition to fighting off bears, wolves and other taiga creatures, contestants will do whatever it takes to eliminate their competitors. Because this show is so screwed up, rape and murder are acceptable means to the end.

"We will refuse any claim of participants even if they were to be killed or raped," said Yevgeny Pyatkovsky, the creator of the show. "We will have nothing to do with this. This will be spelled out in a document to be signed by the participant before the start of the show."

Although such acts are allowed, Pyatkovsky claimed that participants who break serious laws will be disciplined. "You must understand that the police will come and take you away. We are on the territory of Russia, and obey the laws of the Russian Federation," he said.

Prospective contestants must pay a fee of approximately $165,000 (or get votes into the show through an online system) and be at least 18 years old and "mentally sane."

So basically, Pyatkovsky doesn't care one bit about these contestants' lives. He just wants a 24/7 reality show that will push the limits. We really can't imagine a logical reason why someone would want to be a contestant on this show—or watch it, for that matter.

Hillary Clinton Thinks the Russian Hacked the Election Due to a Personal Problem With Her

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We haven’t heard much from Hillary Clinton since her defeat in the 2016 election, but she’s definitely made her moments in the spotlight count, like when she gave an inspirational speech at her first public event since her concession. Now, Clinton has made headlines again by crediting her loss to the release of FBI director James B. Comey’s letter about her emails discovered right before the election and Vladimir Putin’s hacking attacks, The New York Times reports. And she thinks it's because Vladimir Putin has "personal beef" against her.

Comey’s letter to Congress only days before the election revealed that more emails tied back to Clinton’s private email scandal had surfaced through a completely different investigation involving Anthony Weiner, who’s married to Clinton’s aide Huma Abedin. The new emails didn't change the outcome of the investigation, but the media made them out to be a huge deal. This last nail in the coffin before the election didn’t go unnoticed by Clinton—the New York Times reports that only a few days after the election, she told campaign donors, “Our analysis is that Comey’s letter raising doubts that were groundless, baseless, proven to be, stopped our momentum.”

Now, Clinton’s new belief is that the Russian hacks were key to her defeat, telling more campaign donors this week that the Russians, under Putin’s rule, aimed to “undermine our democracy” by hacking into the Democratic National Committee. This isn’t the first time she’s gone head to head with Putin either – according to Business Insider, the two’s history reaches back to 2011, when Clinton debated whether Russian parliamentary elections were fair. Politico reports that Putin then blamed protests that followed the elections on Clinton, saying, “We need to safeguard ourselves from this interference in our internal affairs.”

“Putin publicly blamed me for the outpouring of outrage by his own people, and that is the direct line between what he said back then and what he did in this election,” Clinton announced this week to donors. “This is an attack against our country…This is about the integrity of our democracy and the security of our nation.”

President Barack Obama is even seeking retailation for these hacking attacks, saying in a recent interview that the country must take action after this foreign disturbance and that "we will—at a time and place of our own choosing." White House officials even labeled the Russian attack contributing to Clinton's loss as "fact." 

President-elect Donald Trump has, of course, denied that the Russian hackings played any role in his win. 

A 9-Year-Old Girl Will Be the First Trans Person Ever to Appear on the Cover of National Geographic

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This is a big deal: National Geographic will have a transgender person on its cover for the first time in the magazine’s history. Similar news occurred earlier this year when Women’s Running featured its first transgender woman on the cover, but we think it’s safe to say that Avery Jackson, a 9-year-old transgender girl, is one of the youngest people to end up on such a prominent magazine cover.

Avery’s portrait will appear on the January 2017 cover of the magazine, which was created as supplemental material for National Geographic’s upcoming documentary, Gender Revolution. Avery always knew she was a girl, saying in the cover photo’s caption, “The best thing about being a girl is, now I don’t have to be pretend to be a boy.”

In a move that shows how vital it is for parents to support their LGBTQ children, Avery’s parents Debi and Tim Jackson have been outspoken about their love for their daughter. Debi, a conservative Christian, has used her YouTube channel to share Avery’s story, while Tim wrote an essay for The New York Times about the reality of raising a transgender child. “I love my daughter for who she is without preconditions, and I promise to help nurture her into a becoming a happy, healthy, and productive member of society,” he wrote. “After all, isn’t that our job as parents?”

Teen Voguepoints out that violence against transgender people is at an all-time high in the United States, so the importance of this cover is needed now more than ever. Congrats to Avery and her family!

I Have Shed So Many Tears Over Lady Gaga's New Music Video

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This week, Lady Gaga unleashed her video for "Million Reasons" on us—and to say that it's an emotional roller coaster would be an understatement.

The video is a follow-up to "Perfect Illusion," the raw, adrenaline-fueled break-up anthem every girl needs. "Million Reasons" picks up with Gaga lying on the ground in the middle of the desert, where she was at the end of "Perfect Illusion." It cuts between scenes of her backstage as she's getting ready—clearly emotional—to her performing "Million Reasons" in that now-iconic pink pantsuit and hat from her Joanne album cover. In a natural progression of the emotions you process during a difficult breakup, you see the unbridled anger in "Perfect Illusion," and what it takes to process all those feelings in "Million Reasons." 

It's possibly Gaga's deepest video yet—the song itself is enough to make any heart hurt, but watching the singer make her way through the stages of post-breakup grief makes it that much more powerful. And the best part is, her video shows that picking yourself up after losing love isn't something you have to do on your own. Throughout the video, there are small gestures from others that do a huge part in lifting her up, literally and figuratively. As she's backstage, she opens a gift who we later learn is a small token from her sister, and towards the end of the video, Gaga's friends race to her side as she's on the ground, picking her up, holding her as they cry with her. 

Heartbreak is never easy to deal with, no matter how it comes about—and losing the one person you'd always relied on and thought you would be able to rely on forever might feel like you have a hundred million reasons to walk away. But Gaga is right—all it takes is that one good reason from the people who actually care about you. And, uh, I'm not crying, you are.

These Photos from the Night of Christina Grimmie's Murder Are Chilling

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Just six months after the death of singer-songwriter Christina Grimmie, the Orlando Police Department released new photos that will seriously give you chills. In the first photo below, you'll see that 27-year-old Kevin James Loibl was watching the former Voice contestant's show from the back of the crowd, just minutes before he opened fire. So creepy.

After her performance on June 10, 2016, Grimmie was signing autographs when Loibl began shooting. While Grimmie's brother attacked the shooter, he broke free and ran away from the scene, killing himself moments later. As seen below, the Orlando Police Department released additional photos from the crime scene, which show Loibl's concert ticket, a bullet hole and the supplies Loibl used that night.


Christina Grimmie was one of the most talented artists we've seen in a long time. These photos are incredibly uncomfortable, but hopefully they'll give fans and friends the answers they need.

Princeton's Men’s Swimming and Diving Season Has Been Suspended After the Discovery of Offensive Team Emails

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Thursday night in an announcement on the school’s website, Princeton University officials notified the community that the men’s swimming and diving team and its related activities have been suspended “pending a decision about the remainder of the team’s schedule.” The suspension was due to the discovery of racist and misogynistic messages on the team’s listserv, as well as “several materials” that were also objectionable. The messages have not been made public.

This news comes after the men’s soccer team at Harvard had its season canceled in November after a debasing, misogynistic “scouting report” on female soccer recruits was exposed. Last month, in a similar case, the Columbia men’s wrestling team was faced with an investigation for a group chat for the senior members of the team that was filled with sexist, racist and homophobic texts.

According to The New York Times, the fate of the rest of the team’s season will be determined over deliberations “in the next few days.” The team has two meets left in the new year, one against the Naval Academy team and one against Harvard and Yale. The Ivy League Championships are also to be held in late February.

Along with further investigation, Princeton has stated that penalties for the team will include efforts to teach the members of the swimming and diving team, presumably about the severity of their words and action. The team will also have to do some "positive culture building," whatever that means.

It seems as if the University administration has acted quickly, but it remains unclear whether that's because they want to save face, or because they genuinely care about the insidious cultural problems in collegiate athletics. “The behavior that awe have learned about is simply unacceptable,” said Director of Athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan in the Princeton University statement. “It is antithetical to the values of our athletic program and of the University, and will not be tolerated.”

Samaan said, in addition, that programs exist at Princeton for athletics in particular to combat such behaviors and encourage a community of respect and integrity. “This program uses the bond between coaches and players to foster interactive dialogue and develop skills that promote healthy interpersonal relationships.”

While this is an admirable initiative, it’s likely that something more significant has to be put in place to end the patently offensive behavior from men's sports teams. This has got to stop. 

Baruch Student Who Claimed She Was Harassed on Subway by Trump Supporters Says She Made Up Story

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In early December, Baruch College student Yasmin Seweid filed a report with the New York City police stating that she had been harassed by three men on the subway, USA Today reports. Seweid, who is 18 years old and Muslim, told officers that “three drunk white men” shouted “Donald Trump” at her, attempted to take off her hijab and called her a terrorist.

Yesterday, however, news broke that Seweid herself was arrested on charges of “obstructing government administration and reporting a false incident.” According to police statements to the news, “Seweid has been in a dispute with her parents regarding a romantic relationship that did not meet the parents [sic] approval.” Hopefully at some point we will hear from Seweid firsthand about her case.

Seweid’s older sister, Sara, has become the subject of recent news reports, as she has come out to criticize NYPD’s conduct in the investigation. In a post on her Facebook page that has since been deleted, Sara Seweid stated “The NYPD leaked private information that my sister has disclosed to them which has now been aired publicly and is a topic of discussion among everyone.” This wouldn’t be surprising, given that the police have a demonstrated history of bias against people of color and other marginalized groups.

In her post, Sara Seweid commented on the mental health of Muslim women who have to take drastic measures to ensure their own safety, which might explain her sister’s actions. She went on to ask “You don’t think calling for an 18 year old girl to be jailed for lying to be violent and abhorrent?”

A number of other cases of individuals reporting hate crimes have also been exposed to be fabricated, according to USA Today. These include other reports of Islamophobic harassment and racist intimidation.  

The fact that Seweid’s case was so believable shouldn’t be ignored. As stated in the USA Today article, in the immediate days following the election of Donald Trump to the presidency, the Southern Poverty Law Center“collected 437 reports of ‘hateful intimidation and harassment.’” The vast majority of these instances were anti-immigrant in nature, followed closely by anti-black, anti-LGBT and anti-Muslim.

This unfortunate mistake will likely keep others who deal with Islamophobic harassment from coming forward with their stories for fear of shame or being told they’re making things up. It will also likely prompt even more Islamophobia as people inhumanely attack Seweid for her actions without considering that the circumstances that may have prompted them are the real problem.


Felicity Jones Was Paid More for 'Rogue One' Than Her Male Costars

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Attention feminists, get ready to scream at the top of your lungs! According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, actress Felicity Jones was the highest-paid actor in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. 

Makes sense—she is the film's star. But this is totally unheard of since it's very common for male actors to get paid more than women actors in Hollywood. Sources say that Jones was able to negotiate a seven-figure salary, while male cast members were only paid six figures. The fact that Jones negotiated this type of salary means that she definitely knows her worth and talent. Boss lady, much?

The fact that Felicity Jones was able to accomplish this action is sure to be a step in the right direction. Let's all give hard-working actresses equal pay from now on, because they definitely deserve it—okay Hollywood? 

Football Players Boycott Because They're Upset Team Members Were Suspended Over Assault Allegations

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In September, a woman came forward with sexual assault allegations against members of the University of Minnesota football team. Though those involved maintain the sex was consensual, ten players were suspended in connection with the investigation.

On Thursday, the football team pledged to boycott anything related to football—including a bowl game—in response to the suspensions. 

“Their names are destroyed,” quarterback Mitch Leidner told The Associated Press. “It’s extremely difficult to get back, and it’s very unfair for them, and that’s why we’re sticking together through this thing.” The coach, Tracy Claeys, echoed his statements on Twitter:

In a statement read by senior wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky, the declaration stated that"the boycott will remain effective until due process is followed and suspensions for all 10 players involved are lifted."

(Photo of Drew Wolitarsky / courtesy of santaclaritafree.com)

Wolitarsky is referring to the Title IX investigation, in which the burden of proof is much lower than that in a criminal investigation. Under Title IX, the school needs to be at least 51 percent sure of sexual assault in order for the school board to take action. 

According to University of Minnesota’s 2016 Clery Report, there were nine reported rape cases connected with the university, which is down from 10 in 2014. However, the cases of “fondling” went up from 10 in 2014 to 14 in 2016, increasing the total number of all sexual-related crimes on campus to 23 in 2016.

(Photo by Matthew O'Haren / courtesy of usatoday.com)

One possible motive the school has for suspending the players is that the school is scared of what will happen if they don’t. Florida State University was ordered to pay $950,000 to the woman who spoke up about her sexual assault, according to NPR. Baylor is predicted to pay out over $223 million, according to an Austin Law Firm. According to The Washington Post, a former Vanderbilt football player is likely facing jail time as a result of his rape of an unconscious student, following a retrial (he was found guilty, but a mistrial was declared).  And of course, who could forget about Brock Turner and all the bad publicity Stanford received.

Another possible motive is less dubious; perhaps the university genuinely believes this woman was assaulted, and is, for once, trying to protect her. 

How to Deal With Street Harassment Safely

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It is an unfortunate reality that most women have experienced street harassment at least once in their lives. In a 2014 survey, Stop Street Harassment found that 65 percent of all women had experienced street harassment. What is even more appalling, however, is the fact that many women encounter street harassment on a regular basis. 86 percent of the women who reported being harassed said they had been harassed more than once. Whether you are unsure of what street harassment entails, you want to find out how to combat it safely or you wish to take action against street harassment on your campus, this article can help.

What is street harassment?

We talked to Holly Kearl, founder of the nonprofit organization Stop Street Harassment, published author and consultant for organizations like the United Nations and the U.S. State Department. She defines gender-based street harassment as “unwanted comments, gestures and actions forced on a stranger in a public place without their consent, directed at them because of their actual or perceived sex, gender, gender expression or sexual orientation.”

Gender-based street harassment can range from “mild acts like whistling, kissing noises and ‘hey baby’-type comments, to persistent demands for your name and number or sexually explicit remarks, and even to illegal acts like flashing, following and groping,” says Kearl. If someone says or does something without your consent that makes you feel uncomfortable, that is harassment.

How should you deal with street harassment?

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee of a safe or unsafe way to react to street harassment. You never know how the harasser may respond. That being said, there are some kinds of statements that are safer to use than others. “The types of responses that seem to be the least likely to prompt an escalated response are ones that surprise the harasser,” says Kearl. She suggests a few of these responses, including:

  • Call out the actions as harassment
  • Depending on the situation and your comfort level, say: “That’s harassment,” “Back off,” “No,” That’s not okay,” “Stop it” or “Show some respect”
  • Ask the harasser to repeat him or herself
  • If there are other people around to hear you, loudly announce what the harasser just said or did
  • Ask the harasser if that’s how s/he wants a loved one treated

On the flip side, the types of responses that are most likely to escalate a situation are using profanity, flipping the person off and throwing insults at the harasser. Although it may be tempting to react in anger, these actions could only make the situation worse.

If it does escalate, don’t engage further. The attention may only encourage their behavior. Once you’ve responded, keep moving. You can report the harasser to the police or another person of authority, such as a transit worker if you are on a bus or subway.

What actions can be taken to combat street harassment?

There are multiple resources available if you are looking for support. The National Street Harassment Hotline provides free, 24/7 help in English and Spanish. The number is 855-897-5910. “First and foremost it’s important to take care of yourself,” says Kearl. “Harassment can be really upsetting so talking to someone to get support and/or doing something that can help you vent, heal and feel better is important.”

If you feel comfortable doing so, Kearl believes that it can be powerful to share your stories on or offline. Talking about what happened to you can help other harassed individuals feel less alone. Additionally, it can raise awareness for people who might not see harassment happening—like most men. “It may also help men who engage in mild harassment (such as whistling or ‘catcalls’) realize most women don’t like that kind of attention,” says Kearl.

Another suggestion is to practice responses to street harassment. Role-playing with a friend may feel cheesy, but when harassment happens, you only have a split second to decide what to do. If you’ve acted out a few different scenarios beforehand, you’ll be more likely to respond in a way that feels empowering to you.

Related:I Was Sexually Harassed by My Boss

What if you witness street harassment happening to someone else?

You will need to quickly assess the situation before you decide what to do. If you feel unsafe acting alone, you can enlist other bystanders to help you out. You may also want to call the police or someone else for assistance. If you do feel safe taking action, Kearl suggests the “fake friend” tactic. This non-confrontational strategy involves pretending to know the person being harassed and engaging them in conversation. Other options include creating a distraction or interruption, physically placing yourself between the harasser and the harassed person and directly telling the harasser to “cut it out,” “back off” or leave the person alone.

How can you help prevent street harassment on campus?

If you are interested in preventing street harassment on and around your college campus, Kearl suggests organizing a forum or discussion group, and/or surveying students to find out about their experiences. “Once you have collected information through one of these methods, you can look for patterns,” says Kearl. “Are there hotspots for harassment? Are there certain times of day when it’s worse? What kinds of harassment are people experiencing?” You can then lead a more targeted response based on what you have learned. You can do sidewalk chalking and hang or pass out fliers in hotspots. If harassment is occurring repeatedly near certain bars, clubs or other establishments, you can enlist the owners and staff in organizing campaigns with you to address the problem.

The 7th annual International Anti-Street Harassment Week is from April 2-8 in 2017. “People can organize events on their campus, like sidewalk chalking, flyering, discussions or art projects,” says Kearl, who is overseeing the initiative.

If you experience street harassment, be prepared and know how to respond as effectively as possible. Call the hotline or reach out to a friend for support if you find yourself struggling after the incident. As Kearl says,Street harassment is a human rights violation. It’s not okay, it’s not funny and it needs to end.” Take the initiative and work toward preventing street harassment on your campus—and beyond.

15 Tiny Wins That You Consider Major Accomplishments

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If there is one thing that rings true to all college students, it's that being limited in basically every aspect of life and taking failure on a daily basis teach you to appreciate the little things.Things that the average person would normally take for granted are seen as huge accomplishments to students who are just barely getting by in life. In college, every day is basically a countdown to the next time you get to sleep. Somehow amidst the constant struggle, we manage to find a beam of light. Here are 15 tiny wins that you consider major accomplishments. 

1. Putting on pants

2. Getting a buy one, get one free at Chipotle

3. Putting $10 worth of gas in your tank

4. Successfully rapping a verse from the latest party hit

5. Learning the "JuJu on that Beat" dance 

6. Completing an assignment before the due date with time to spare

7. Finding time to take a nap

8. Waking up after your first alarm goes off

9. Making it to all of your classes 

10. Not blinking during the mannequin challenge

11. Not doing well but not doing terrible on your exam

12. Watching an entire season of Shameless in one day

13. Doing the load of laundry you've been procrastinating on

14. Eating real food

15. Finding out you actually have more than 78 cents on your debit card

15 Pictures of Cuddling Puppies to Get You Through Finals

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As winter inches closer and closer, and the holiday spirit begins to take over our bodies (which already left us stuffed from Thanksgiving), exams and papers become more and more anguishing to us and make us want to hide out in our beds for hibernation before going home.  But, never fear, collegiettes, somehow we find that force and will to live (for the next two weeks) and crank out that paper, even when it doesn't make too much sense and go over what seems to be endless notes for that exam; but, that force can only be exerted through continual visions of distraction, namely puppies! Seeing the cuddling faces of such innocent little beings softens us so much that we are motivated to push through finals so that we can adopt the little furry animals for ourselves!

1. I mean, can you EVEN 

2. Awwww!

3. Not the eyes!! It's too much!

4. The one arm over the shoulder during sleep is a true testament to friendship.

5. Cuddling like there's no tomorrow.

6. Sometimes a good bed is all you need (and it's what we will all be dreaming of these next couple of weeks).

7. Stuffed animals make us all fall asleep faster, so don't bring one to your exam.

8. Keep giving face! Work it!

9. Not the sad faces!

10. Heart-shaped hugs do the most romantic naps make.

11. A smile is worth a thousand barks.

12. *Stop fidgeting*

13. Kisses and smooches!

14. Air hugs!

15. Now pose for the camera...click...click

So, collegiettes... Look at cute puppies, and keep calm during the finals season!

What to Know About Dating a More Experienced SO

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So, you've met the girl or guy of your dreams, and one of you got up the nerve to make it official. You go, girl! Now, there's just one problem: this new SO feels light-years ahead of you when it comes to experience, and your heart’s racing at the possibilities. What will this mismatch mean for your relationship? Will your partner be disappointed when they find out? Will sex be super awk? Halp.

Fear not, collegiette, we've got you covered. Whether you're a relationship newbie or a sexual novice, there's nothing to fear. Here's what you can expect upon entering your new relationship, straight from the lips of those who've been there, done that.

Be prepared for your partner to ask (potentially awkward) questions.

Whether we like it or not, inexperience can come with a stigma. Anyone who's gone through middle school has heard the word "prude" thrown around as a taunt, and unfortunately, some partners may make judgments based on your lack of relationships or sexual encounters.

If you've never been in a relationship before, don't assume your partner thinks something is wrong with you—if they did, why would they be dating you? They may, however, think you have unusually high standards, which could or could not be the case. If it is, comfort them by letting them know that your standards don't mean you're constantly waiting for them to mess up! And if that's not the reason behind your relationship virginity, stand up for yourself and let them know what's really going on. Whatever your reason, state it with confidence and make it clear that you aren't ashamed and shouldn't be shamed. A good match will validate your experience, whatever the reason behind it is—a lack of time to date, a subpar dating pool to choose from or just not feeling ready.

As for sexual inexperience, the same advice stands. Religion, upbringing, personal values or just a lack of opportunity can all contribute to holding off on sex (or even just first, second or third base). Be open and honest, and ask to be understood.

Rose*, a senior at Siena College, is confident that virginity is "a total social construct aimed to make men think that their penis is important enough to change who a woman fundamentally is." Preach, girl! But that didn't stop her from worrying about dating her much-older boyfriend Evan*. "Because Evan* had nearly double the life experience I had, I was afraid that me being sexually inexperienced would be a huge turn off for him and send him running. Conversely, if he was too turned on by my being a virgin, I thought that would be a red flag for me because of my awareness of the misogynistic concept of 'deflowering' women." But lo and behold, "what really happened was neither of those things," she says."The truth is, if your SO isn't willing to handle your sexual inexperience delicately and respectfully, they are probably not the right SO for you." 

Relationships aren't a competitive sport.

Why keep score if there's no competition? When it comes to a mismatch in experience, comparing stats may do more harm than good. Think of it this way: bragging leads to bitterness, and comparison can cause feelings of inadequacy—two emotions no relationship needs. If your significant other demands a detailed description of your past, they probably aren't the one. And if they take to comparing you to past conquests, they definitely aren't the one—yuck.

"When I first started dating my SO, I felt self-conscious about being the less experienced one in the relationship," says Rachel*, a sophomore at Indiana University. "However, I quickly learned that if the person is right for you, they won't care about your number, how much experience you've had in the past, or anything like that." But for her, putting everything on the table from the get-go was a relief. "While a lot of couples are afraid to talk about sex and experience at the beginning, I [find] it better to just get those conversations out of the way [so that] everyone is on the same page—it makes things so much easier in the long term, and you'll have a much stronger foundation to build off of." The take-away? Don't make it a game of who's done what with who, and never feel a need to dish out your number unless you’re comfortable—you do you, girl. 

Relationships are a give and take.

The good news about being less experienced? You can give up the sexual reigns until you feel confident enough to take charge. 

"When I got involved with my first college hookup, I immediately knew that he had more experience," says Ana*, a junior at Vassar College. "Honestly, it made the experience weirdly thrilling, and never once was I expected to lead, which, as a (lazy) girl trying to learn the ropes, didn't bother me in the slightest." 

That being said, not everyone enjoys playing the passive role, and who can blame them? If you're feeling overpowered by your partner's extra experience, speak up. In most cases, the extra effort on their end is probably out of courtesy, and chances are they'll be more than willing to step back and let you give it a go. If not, you may need to reevaluate the relationship. Unless an unequal power dynamic is what you've consented to, a dominating partner personality could be a warning sign of disrespect. 

Feeling uneasy about your uneven histories is normal. 

Feeling awkward at the start of a new relationship is completely normal, no matter the circumstances. Throw in the nerves associated with being inexperienced, and stomach butterflies are basically a given. "My first boyfriend was much more experienced than me, and it caused a bunch of mixed feelings," says Hannah*, a sophomore at the University of Alabama. "I couldn't help but think about his past relationships and how I measured up," she says, and she's not alone. But it's perfectly okay to be open about these emotions with your SO. Holding tension in can lead to misunderstandings later on, so airing out concerns immediately may improve the prospects of your relationship.

It's also okay to not want to hear about every single detail of your partner's previous sex or love life—when you're really digging someone, you probably don't want to imagine their hand holding someone else's! Again, it's important to let your partner know if a conversation about their past is making you feel uncomfortable. Just explain to them why, and ask if they would mind cutting back on similar conversations in the future.

Okay, okay, but what about nerves in the bedroom? Chill out, girl! As it turns out, almost everyone has an awkward sex story to share, whether they were a newbie at the time or not. Sex in itself is an awkward process, and nothing like the movies (trust us). If you make a mistake (or just don't know what to do), let out a giggle and ask for help or try again—we promise, it's cute. If your SO laughs with you, they're adorbs. If they laugh at you, send them out the door!

Related: Guy's Take On: Girls Who Are Still Virgins

But bite jealously in the butt before it consumes you. 

Being butterfly-filled with new-relationship nerves is one thing. But if a healthy discussion of your partner's past stirs up a strong sense of jealousy or judgment, you might need to reevaluate how you're approaching the relationship. A new partner can't reverse the relationship decisions they made in the past, and honestly, they shouldn't feel the need to. Chances are, they aren't too happy about their exes either—otherwise, they wouldn't be exes! And even if things with previous hook-ups or dates ended amicably, they're with you now, which is all that matters. You should never judge your partner's experience, just as you expect them to not judge your lack of experience.

"As for jealousy, you have to come to terms with the fact that you can't control your SO's past relationships and know that each of your past experiences has brought you to the point where you are together," says Rachel*. "With acceptance, communication, and an open mind, it's pretty easy to overcome any jealous or uneasy feelings you may have about being the less experienced one in the relationship."

Setting boundaries is a must for a healthy love and sex life.

Humans learn from experience, so an SO might unintentionally make generalizations about all relationships based on their specific experiences in past relationships. Who can blame them? These expectations can exist in all aspects of a relationship, sexual or otherwise. Let's say Sarah and Sasha are dating, and Sasha's old girlfriend was a huge proponent of hanging out together all the time. Sasha may expect Sarah to be just as social, while Sarah may require more personal space than Sasha's ex. Is their relationship destined to fail? As if. Expectations aren't synonymous with wants, and any experienced SO is going to have to adapt to different types of partners—that's what dating is all about. Laying out what each party needs in an SO from the onset is a surefire way to set boundaries, but we understand that serious talks aren't always practical in new or un-defined relationships. In that case, just drop (clear) hints as you go along—don't expect to be dating a mind-reader!

Sexual boundaries are immensely important. For a happy and healthy sex life, both parties should always be consenting and never pressured into anything they're uncomfortable with. There's no need to feel guilty about saying no to sex (or oral, or even excessive cuddling) if you aren't feeling into it, and don't let your partner convince you otherwise. If they're mean to you about "missing out," they can go back to their ex! Of course, going back to the give-and-take, validate how your partner's feeling and work on coming to an un-coerced compromise.

Still not convinced? Take it from Carly*, a junior at the University of New Haven. "I've been open with [my boyfriend] from the start about everything. He's my first boyfriend, and [the] first guy I've done anything with, so I told him that I wanted to take it slow, and he's done just that." Knowing that he'll never push boundaries or ignore her set pace makes Carly* incredibly comfortable, which is something every collegiette should strive for. 

But having experience isn't a must.

Your new relationship is about you and your partner, and no amount of previous experience can automatically generate chemistry between you two! So all in all, don't sweat it if you're feeling inexperienced. There's nothing more rewarding than learning together in a relationship, and as long as neither of you get muddled up in the past, it probably won't have any effect on your success at all!

Diana,* a sophomore at the University of Michigan, was more experienced than her boyfriend when they started hooking up. "When we started sleeping together, neither of us knew about the other's ‘number’ and it was fabulous sex," she says, adding that she "would've never known his lack of experience" if he hadn't opened up about it. To her, it was a revelation. "It shocked me more than anything only because I'd had the idea you had to ‘work’ to become that good."

New relationships are tricky territory, regardless of the circumstances. So hold your head high, and flaunt your experience (or lack-thereof) with pride. Being inexperienced is a-okay, and besides, you have more important things to worry about (like where to go for your next adorable date). 

*Names have been changed.

Ariana Grande Doing Her Makeup in the Sink is Literally You

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So it's a Friday night and you are with your girls getting ready to go out. There are three people hogging the hanging mirror behind your door, two in the hallway, and four shoved into the bathroom. But what happens if you are the smallest one? Well, if you are like Ariana Grande or just any small person in the world, you obviously climb in the sink. 

According to Seventeen, Grande's rapper boyfriend, Mac Miller, shared an adorable pic of Grande doing her makeup in the morning because he misses her so much. He captioned it "A few more days til my mornings look like this again." Hold on, have a small tear dripping down my face. All good. 

 

A few more days til my mornings look like this again

A photo posted by Mac Miller (@larryfisherman) on

So this really does prove two things. One, that Grande is just like you in every single way possible. And two, that she and Miller are the cutest couple in the entire world. 


People Are Willing to Pay More Than $70K For Coffee With Ivanka Trump

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On Tuesday, Dec. 6, Eric Trump, son of President-elect Donald Trump, announced that his charitable foundation would be auctioning off coffee with his sister, Ivanka Trump. According to BuzzFeed News, the 30- to 45-minute conversation was valued at a mind-boggling $50,000. By early that Friday morning, bidding had risen to $72,888.

The auction was being held through CharityBuzz, an online auction site that describes itself as bringing “together hundreds of the world's most acclaimed celebrities, inspiring luminaries and beloved brands to give you unforgettable access to your passions.” According to both the listing and the Eric Trump Foundation’s original tweet, any money raised would go to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The New York Times put together a comprehensive list of the rules of the auction: The meeting would take place either at Trump Tower in New York City or at the Trump International Hotel, and while the winner would be allowed one photograph with Ivanka, they would not be allowed to bring anything to be signed. They would also have to undergo a background check, and the Secret Service would be present at all times. And of course, “All winning bidders and their guests to conduct themselves appropriately. Polite manners and respect for the generous donor and adherence to any rules or parameters are a must.”

Curing children’s cancer is definitely a worthy cause, but obviously there’s more than a few problems with auctioning off a meeting with one of the president-elect’s most trusted advisors and a valuable member of his transition team. It's particularly worrisome when you realize that most of the people participating in the auction are hoping to get an inside scoop into President-Elect Trump’s future business or immigration policies because it's in their own self-interest. For example: Ozan M. Ozkural, an investment manager from London who told the Times that he hopes to get “a better sense of what the modus operandi will be,” particularly in regards to Trump’s future dealings with Turkey. 

Understandably, the auction has stirred up more than a little anger. As Fred Wertheimer, president of the nonprofit organization Democracy 21, told the Times, “The president’s family should not be out raising money for whatever cause, in exchange for a potential influence buyer who wants to get his views to the president.” Not to mention the fact that bidders probably aren’t even that interested in helping sick children.

By Thursday, Dec. 15, Eric Trump was feeling the heat about the auction. By the following morning, the listing had been taken down. But this probably won’t be the last time we see Trump or his children brushing up against the limits of ethics.

The Truth About How Often Women in Their 20s Are Having Sex

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Sex is everywhere. It's written about in songs, discussed in books and seen in movies. But how much sex are women in their twenties actually having? We had some recent grads weigh in.

1. Personal choice comes into play

Everyone has their own stand on when they want to have sex. Some people wait until they're married or in a committed relationship, while others take a more relaxed approach and are okay with occasional hook-ups. Your own personal choice has a lot to do with how often young women in general are having sex.

"When I was single and out of college, it was very rare because I used the 'I'm not having sex with you unless we're in a relationship' rule to weed out the guys who wouldn't give me the emotional fulfillment I wanted," says Nicole Echeverria, a 2015 graduate of the University of Michigan. "Now I have an amazing boyfriend, and it's probably around three times a week."

Same goes for Rachel Lytle, a graduate from Penn State. "I was single all through college and had less sex than desired," she says. "Sometimes, while single, I went months and months without any action at all because I didn't want to hook up with just anybody."

Remember, it's your choice when you want to start having sex, and how often you do it.

Related: 32 College Students Get Real About Sex on Campus

2. Other aspects of your personal life might take priority

A demanding career, a full course-load, a graduate degree—these are all huge reasons why sex might take a backseat in your life. You simply might not have the time to be intimate with someone. Lauren Paylor, a Duke University graduate who is currently studying at Fordham University School of Law, understands completely. When asked how much sex she thinks women in their twenties are having, Lauren replied, "ZERO. Law school = no time for boys!"

Those who've moved in with their SOs have found that just because you're together day in and day out doesn't necessarily mean there's time for sex.

"Right after graduation, my boyfriend and I moved in with each other," says Erica*, a recent graduate now living in New York City. "I thought the sex would be regular—but after a 10 to 12 hour work day, it's the last thing on your mind. We're trying to make more time for intimacy, but at most, it's once a week."

And it's the same for those who aren't living together.

"After college, the amounts increased with a steady hook-up, but decreased without one," says Rachel. "I would say this had to do with going out less (especially during the week) and 'adulting' more. As of six months ago, I'm in a committed relationship. I usually only get to see my boyfriend on the weekends, and most times we have sex at least once a day [on the weekend], if not more."

3. Birth control plays a role

There are a ton of different birth control options available, and while most young women are acquainted with "the pill," intrauterine devices—or IUDs—are becoming more and more popular. Regardless of your preferred method, nearly all hormonal birth control options come with a list of side effects; potentially having an effect on your libido and how often you actually want to have sex.

"I [have] been on various forms of birth control since I was 16, and just recently switched to an IUD," says Haley C, who chose not to give her last name. "The IUD may not have any exact correlation to my increased sex drive, but for the first time in my life, I feel like I want to have a lot of sex."

4. Women in their twenties are looking to experiment

Experimentation is an important part of a healthy (and fun!) sex life, and your twenties are a great time to figure out who you are as a sexual being. Experimenting in the bedroom also helps you figure out what you like and what you don't like.

"While I will continue to be very smart and safe in the bedroom, I want to spend my twenties figuring out what I like and what I want from a sexual partner," says Haley. "My sex life the past six months has been exponentially more satisfying than my sex life in the last six years. Not because of the quantity of partners, but because of the quality of sex."

Related: Take Her Campus's Sex Survey!

5. Intercourse isn't the only form of intimacy in a relationship

There are other ways to satisfy your sexual cravings without having intercourse! Oral sex can be way more than just foreplayit can become the main event!

"I've been in a relationship with my boyfriend for almost two years," says Margaret*. "If we're talking actual sex, I'd probably tally us at once every two weeks, but if we're talking sexual acts, that's closer to once or twice a week. I couldn't tell you exactly what the reasoning behind it is beyond the fact that we're both so busy and so tired all the time."

Whether you're having sex once a week, once a month or not at all, Margaret reminds us of one important thing: "amount of sex doesn't determine a relationship's value." Agreed!

*Name has been changed.

Idina Menzel Thinks Donald Trump Should Sing at his Own Inauguration

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In the latest drama involving Donald Trump and the infamous election of 2016, it appears that the President-elect is having some trouble finding a singer for his inauguration. Although no one is really surprised that this is the case, Idina Menzel offers a bit of insight from a musical perspective. 

“I think it’s karma, baby, I mean, look: All the artists in the world got up and tried to get our girl [Hillary Clinton] elected, and it still didn’t happen, so we’re all still trying to recover from that,” Menzel told Vanity Fair at Sting and Trudie Styler’s biannual benefit Christmas concert. 

When asked what Mr. Trump can do about this, the star suggested that Trump should just do it himself, as one should. “Maybe he’ll just have to sing something himself. He probably thinks he has a great voice; he thinks he does everything great.” Amen, sister, amen. 

Now, if that were to happen then maybe, just maybe, I would watch Trump get sworn into the most powerful office in the world. 

Beyoncé Performed at her Own Christmas Party

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If you thought your office holiday party was fun with your photo booth and open bar, think again. 

According to Cosmopolitan and E! Online, Beyoncé performed at her record companies Christmas party, as one does, and apparently it was fantastic. Based on the social posts of plenty of people in attendance, the queen of pop did a private performance of "All Night" and showcased all of the costumes from Lemonade.

 

 

 

Today was a good day. #

A photo posted by Steven Chew (@chewchronicles) on

 

The party, which producer Quincy Jones hosted at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, was obviously a hit and it's safe to say that no party will ever beat a party where Bey is present.

18 Times Meredith & Cristina Were Friendship Goals

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There is no bond that can compare to a girl and her best friend, especially Meredith and Cristina. Whether it be the bad decisions, constant support or brutal honesty that these two share, one thing is always for sure: they are each other's number one fans. You can throw any obstacle at these two, and they will tackle it together. They are basically joined at the hip and constantly thriving off of each other. There are so many memorable moments between these two that Grey's Anatomy has blessed us with and hopefully many more to come! Here are 18 of the times when Meredith and Cristina were SO goals!  

1. When they danced it off

One of the many things that this dynamic duo is notorious for. Sometimes you just have to pretend that your troubles don't exist for a second; and what better way to do that than to dance like nobody's watching? 

2. When they helped each other through heartbreak

There comes a point in every friendship when you need to prove to your friend that she is better than the person who hurt her. Giving reassurance becomes so much easier when it's for the sake of your "person." 

3. When they pictured themselves growing old together

Are you really best friends if you haven't joked about having wheelchair races in your nursing home someday? A true friendship isn't meant to be temporary but last a lifetime.

4. When they survived a plane crash together

Though you and your bestie may not experience something quite as dramatic together, this surely represents all of the ups and downs that occur within a friendship. In the end, you always realize how much you love and appreicate them. You truly couldn't survive without each other. 

5. When they just chilled and enjoyed nature together

Because what better feeling is there than being carefree and enjoying the fresh air while sharing a good laugh with your partner in crime?

6. When Meredith helped out Cristina even though she shaved her eyebrows off

True friends still love you even when your eyebrows aren't on fleek. Then they help cut you out of your wedding dress after you get left at the alter. (Again, maybe a little dramatic).  

7. When wine was the deal breaker

Are you really best friends if you don't support each other's wine addictions?

8. When they were bums together

Because who actually enjoys getting ready and going out into the real world? You know you're best friends if you are perfectly content with sitting under piles of blankets, turning into living Chipotle burritos and doing absolutely nothing together for hours on end.  

9. When they snuck a flask onto the baseball field

Baseball…Bseball…Bsebl…GtDrk…Get Dn…Get Drunk. Basically the same thing, right? Best friends might not always make the most smart team but definitely the most fun!

10. When Derek and Meredith basically added Cristina to their marriage

True best friends never let a boy get between them…in some cases, literally.  

11.  When they agreed on the most accurate statement

True friends share the same thoughts…or both just share the gift of common sense.

12.  When they combined work and play

Because whoever said you can't take some shots while studying the anatomy of a brain was so wrong, and these two proved it.  

13. When they vent to each other. All the time. About everything.

Because when she's your best friend you don't even have to pretend that you're listening to her. You two can go back and forth complaining and completely disregarding each other but it's 100 percent acceptable.  

14. When they stole grapes from the nurses' lounge

You aren't truly best friends if you don't go to extreme lengths for food. Being bad never felt so good. 

15. When they were each other's person

Being someone's person isn't just being their friend; it's a commitment…it's a lifestyle.  

16. When they saved a life together…no big deal.

You haven't truly shared a special moment with your friend until you two actually created a heartbeat and brought a person back to life.

17.  When they partied like it was the weekend

Best friends are down to cause trouble with you any day of the week.  

18. When they crafted together even though they both suck at crafting

You simply can't deny the fact that no matter how bad you are at crafting, you and your best friend always end up resorting to it when you're bored. On the bright side, you can feed off of each other's terrible crafting skills and maybe make something decent!  

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