You’re probably like “whaaaaat?!” Internalized sexism is so not affecting my dating life. My spirit is half Beyoncé, half Tavi Gevinson, and I only date feminists or else. Well, even the best woman warriors find it hard to get through the day when your Netflix shows, classmates, guys at the gym and even parents are unknowingly reinforcing sexist ideals all around you.

Internalized sexism is involuntary and occurs on an individual level. It means you’ve been exposed to messages that tell you women are inferior, and you’re now a byproduct of a society that shames and devalues you and others who share your gender. It’s infectious, invisible as air and lets you reinforce oppression without even choosing to.

Maybe you’ve developed body image issues because you don’t look like a Victoria’s Secret Angel. Maybe you’ve spent too long trying to be the “cool girl” who fits in with men. Internalized sexism manifests in various ways for different people. From something as subtle as believing women are fussy and emotional, to outright thinking of yourself as nothing more than a sexual object, it happens. Internalized sexism can arise from multiple influences (ie. the mother f**king patriarchy andprivilege). You could have picked it up from watching your mom stay at home and be the primary caregiver, or just not seeing enough women as actresses and news anchors on TV. The commercial side of America is terrible for reinforcing gender stereotypes, and when we’re exposed to it every day, it can be hard to get back in to a Betty Friedman mindset and slay the patriarchy.

Obviously internalized sexism is dangerous for yourself, other women and society as whole, but you may not have considered how significantly sexist oppression plays a role in your dating life. The basis of our male/female relationships is backed by sexist, heteronormative gender roles, and because of that, misogyny manifests in these three sneaky ways.

1. You’re hyper focused on your femininity

Raise your hand if you loathe shaving your pubes but do it anyway because you think it makes you more beautiful. SAME. That’s internalized sexism for you! We aren’t born with the instinct to shave our body hair, but body policing make us fear that our man will mouth-vomit and call us nasty if he sees some hair down there. If you’re hyper-focused on fitting the mold of an ideal feminine woman, and feel like nobody will be sexually attracted to you if you aren’t physically perfect, then a problem is happening.

We’re talking dieting, going to the gym in full makeup and thinking of all the ways to be bae’s perfect arm candy instead of focusing on the fact that you’re smart enough to work at NASA. There is no shame in valuing the sexy, feminine parts of yourself. But if you and your partner place no value on your intellect, personality or skills, then you’re perpetuating sexism. Sexism says that a woman must be pretty, quiet and nothing else. Operating outside of sexism means you see value in yourself beyond your looks, and want your partner to see that too.

Brown University alumna, Suzannah Weiss, is a well-known writer that covers relationships and gender issues, and holds a degree in cognitive neuroscience and gender and sexuality studies. When it comes to internalized sexism and femininity, she has a lot to say. “Women strive toward feminine qualities at the expense of their wellbeing,” she says. “For example, being small is considered feminine. When we take pride in ourselves for being thin, we're conforming to the ideal of women as unimposing and ascetic and conventionally beautiful, not because that's how our body just is. We are perpetuating a standard of beauty that harms us.”

Fun fact: You don’t have to fit a societal ideal to be desirable. That’s a toxic message which will inevitably lead to low self-esteem because beauty standards are not attainable or realistic. Primping isn’t in itself internalized misogyny, but if you feel anxious not doing it then it’s problematic. If your face and body are the basis of your romantic relationships, you should do some revaluating. Love yourself more than that, and find a partner who does too.

Related:10 Things You Do For Yourself, Not Guys 

2. You always feel guilty

Do you find yourself apologizing often for the way you are? AKA feeling embarrassed when you share a controversial opinion, interrupt someone or, god forbid, eat a large meal. Shaming yourself and feeling guilty for totally reasonable behavior shows that you’ve definitely internalized sexism, and you’re not being fully authentic or free in your relationship.

Carly, a sophomore at the University of Michigan, shares her own struggle and realization at the way sexism has made her feel guilty in her relationship. “I’ve had countless men and women tell me not to speak up,” she says. “From being little in class and raising my hand, to being in college and trying to share thoughts I think are valuable, I live in a society that wants me to be quiet. For years, I internalized this and didn’t realize it. In my first serious relationship, I found I had trouble speaking up in bed or talking to my boyfriend if he did something that hurt me.”

Carly continues, “Eventually I had a breakdown and spilled the beans that I felt being honest about my feelings and speaking openly would make him mad at me. He was really sweet about it, and basically told me that being a good girlfriend doesn’t mean being a quiet girlfriend. I only realized that a lot of times female guilt is internalized sexism last semester when it was directly addressed in my gender studies class, so now it’s something I’m actively thinking about and trying to reshape.” 

You should never exert pressure on yourself to act a certain way while dating, because that is the world telling you your natural self isn’t good enough. You are not inadequate because you are a real live woman with feelings and needs. Doesn’t the “sorry, not sorry” mantra of your sisters mean anything to you?

Related:5 Feminist Dating Dilemmas (& How to Deal)

3. You unreasonably elevate your partner above yourself

When you’re battered with sexism on the daily, it’s hard not to see your male partner as supreme. This could come out as sacrificing your plans for his, being submissive to his wants, letting him win the fights and generally seeing your opinions as less valuable than his. If you're graduating soon and planning to move to be with him instead of the other way around, something is wrong sister. Relationships built on inequality can leave lasting emotional damage. We’re here to tell you that you should never minimize your own value or let a gender bias convince you that you’re worth less than someone with a penis.

Whether you’re in love or just really vibing your bae, it’s difficult to notice when sexism is creeping into your interactions, and it likely falls under your radar. It takes perception to notice when you let your partner be in control of you.

Weiss, our gender and relationships guru, has more to share. “The balance of power in your relationship becomes sexist if what you want is constantly pushed on the back burner,” she says. “If it’s subtle then it’s usually him not being invested in you and you’re making more sacrifices than he is. But if it’s harsh then it could be as severe as him not asking for your consent and belittling aspects of your gender. If the sexism in your relationship isn’t ever addressed, his power grows and yours diminishes. That’s really dehumanizing for women.” 

Freeing yourself from internalized sexism takes a lot of personal strength. Not medication, a detoxifying juice cleanse or mass amounts of chocolate can cure it. What you can do is recognize cultural practices that lead to internalized sexism, and re-channel thoughts that harm or set limits on yourself.  You can engage in dialogue with your partner about your suffering, hold them accountable to treating you as an equal and in turn, have them hold you accountable to empowering yourself. Addressing sexism in your relationship is a cause very worth your time, and it can only lead to your value, happiness and being surrounded by better people. You should also absolutely collaborate with and support other women. They’ll be the readiest to talk about male privilege and fight dominance with you. Good women sharpen each other, and we believe you can have a romantic life where you are in control of your choices and feel how truly worthwhile you are.

We're pretty sure you've met multiple biracial people in your lifetime. We're also pretty sure that you've heard or witnessed the intense amount of ignorance and backhanded compliments those people have had to deal with. When it comes to the things you say to biracial people, we know some of you mean well but sometimes people and their fascination with mixed race men and women can result in the making of some pretty borderline offensive questions and comments. Luckily for any of you who were wondering what those offensive things were, we've created a handy dandy list of things that you should probably stop saying to your biracial friends.

1. "So...what are you?"

Duh.

2. "Where are you from?"

Didn't you know?

3. "No, like...where are you from?"

So, when are we going to stop acting like all mixed-race people hail from some sort of "exotic" country?

4. "You look so exotic!"

Speaking of "exotic," that's not actually a compliment.

5. "So, which one of your parents is ___?"

Which one of your parents taught you how to mind your business? Before you take a second to think about how you sound when you ask this, think about why it even matters to you in the first place.

6. "You're so pretty. What are you mixed with?"

7. "Yeah, but you don't act ____."

It's 2017. Let's try to remember that there's no such thing as "acting" a certain race.

8. "You act more ___ than ___."

Please refer to the blurb above.

9. "Well, you don't really count."

10. "So which race do you identify with more?"

Umm...that's not exactly how it works.

11. "Did you have trouble picking sides growing up?"

Ugh.

12. "I bet your kids are going to be so pretty."

Because kids are only pretty when they're mixed, right?

13. "I want my kids to be mixed."

Okay, girl.

14. "Can I touch your hair?"

You can answer this question yourself, I'm sure.

15. "I wish I was mixed."

Bye.

It’s inevitable. The school you once called home will call you up after you’ve hung your cap and gown, and ask for donations. For those postgraduates who feel financially stable enough to give, it is a warm call to action. But for the growing number of postgraduates who feel the burden of student loans and tough job markets, it is a guilt-ridden reminder that the comforts of college are over. You are now an alumna, however aimless or surefooted, and you have a responsibility to guide younger classes through the same transition. But without a hefty paycheck, how can you give back?

Here are some concrete ways to reach out to your college and help students who are now walking in your footsteps.

1. Mentor current students

Sharing your undergrad experiences and giving advice one-on-one or within a student group is a powerful way to stay connected to your alma mater. Being a mentor keeps you grounded and in tune with the student culture on campus, which is important for helping anyone navigate through it. Rachel Cisto, a 2015 graduate of the University of Hartford, was drafted for a mentorship event as part of her college's School of Communication Featured Speaker Series. There, she was able to speak to students in her program and connect with them in person. Beyond a group setting, you can always make deeper connections by mentoring current students one-on-one. Being able to openly discuss experiences, concerns, and questions face-to-face helps build a strong support system.

2. Volunteer to speak at events

Similar to mentoring, speaking in front of students at your university is a great way to reach a wider audience and share lessons learned. Alaina Leary, a graduate student at Emerson College, had the opportunity to connect with current students this way for her school’s annual Spring Gathering. She says, “I was happy to come and talk to current students and faculty. Coming back for a college gathering like this is one way to give back because it not only shows your dedication to the college, but you can also serve as a reference point for current students.” As a recent undergraduate student, you know all the questions you wish were answered when you were in school. Now, on the other side of graduation, you can turn around and give back just by sharing those answers. “After my talk,” Alaina says, “several students approached with questions about the work I've done since graduating, as well as about graduate school, and I was happy to help.”

3. Write about your experiences

There are many outlets for writers and creatives to share their words of wisdom online (like HerCampus.com!). Magazines, blogs, social media, email newsletters and other online content are at our fingertips. Alaina regularly writes articles about her life in college. She says, “I've mentioned my alma mater in a few of these, and several have been shared by campus faculty and staff.” That means reflections of your time on campus is directly benefiting current students. If you have a way with words, let your voice be heard! Your stories can reach far more readers online than you could ever meet in person. If your college has an alumni magazine, you could apply to share your experiences through writing for that as well. It’ll keep you in the loop about new developments on campus, and you’ll be helping other alumni and potential donors stay informed about why they should support the college. Plus, it’s usually a paid gig. Win-win!

Related: Why You Should Stay Active in Your Sorority After College

4. Engage in social media

Possibly one of the most accessible ways to give back to your school is by connecting on social media. Almost every college has social media accounts. Find them, follow them and engage with comments and likes. Rachel interacts with her college’s social media to offer help to friends and current students. It’s a quick way to share pros and cons for every part of the undergraduate experience.

5. Fill out those alumni surveys

You’ll notice every few months, an alumni survey pops into your email inbox. Fill it out! Taking just a few minutes to fill in the bubbles can make a big impact on the school’s awareness of your experiences. Alaina says, “I tell the school where I work, where I'm getting my graduate degree, and how the program helped me in undergrad. I provide as much valuable feedback as possible for improving!” Your own words and thoughts are invaluable to the success of future students. Change implemented from a survey may be small, but it’s an easy way to communicate your hopes for the next batch of graduates.

6. Keep in touch with your college organizations

The communities you participate in through college create lasting friendships and memories. Stay connected even after you’ve walked across the stage and received your diploma. Those social connections can provide strong support for all involved. Shira Kipnees, a 2015 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, says, “I was very involved in my local Chabad (a Jewish group) when I was in college, and I’ve gone back to visit once, but I often stay in touch with students through Facebook to see how things are going.” Both the organization and social media keep Shira engaged with her connections, which is a great way to nurture close relationships after graduation.

7. Join your alumni organization

Most colleges have a specific alumni organization that helps alumni from every department stay connected through activities and events. If you live nearby, consider joining to help plan and attend them. While some of these events do cost money, you’ll usually get food and a fun time out of it. You’re not only giving back by providing an inviting space to reconnect, you’re giving back part of your ticket price as a portion of the proceeds usually goes back to your college.

8. Talk to prospective students

What’s one of the most persuasive elements in any college search? A good review from alumni. If those who have been there and done that give the school two thumbs up, it certainly influences the decision-making process. Shira creates opportunities to talk with prospective students to share pros and cons of her college experience. For the incoming students, it’s like receiving a personalized guidebook. If those incoming students see themselves represented as successful graduates, there’s no telling where that inspiration will take them as they navigate their futures. Be the inspiration you wish you had.

During last night’s episode of The Bachelor, Jasmine spiraled WAY out of control, threatening to choke Nick for not giving her the validation and reassurance he’s given the other women. At first, I thought, “This girl is completely crazy.” But by the time the night was over, I was ready to choke Nick, too.

1. When Nick said he sent Taylor home because of where his heart was at with Corinne

Yeah right. We all know you’re keeping her around for the ratings, buddy.

2. When he sent Alexis home

Shark/dolphin girl deserves her own spinoff. Someone start a petition, and I will personally deliver it at the feet of Mike Fleiss.

3. When the women lost their minds playing volleyball

They eventually refused to compete for Nick’s attention, but not before he ogled them from the sidelines for what felt like forever.

4. When Jasmine started mock-choking him and he just awkwardly smiled

I don’t care if it does make for good television, you prob shouldn’t let this woman choke you. Defend yourself, weakling!

5. When he told us he could see himself spending his life with Whitney

Never heard her say a word before this episode. I doubt your connection is that deep.

6. When he made us sit through his boring date conversation with Danielle L.

*Talking about first date* *Talking vaguely about the kind of relationship they want* *Crickets literally chirping in the background*

7. When he took Danielle L. on the rest of the two-on-one date…and THEN dumped her

There’s 12 minutes of my life I’ll never get back.

8. When he went to the women’s hotel room to cry about his bad dates

Pull yourself together, man.

9. And then said he wasn’t sure he could do this anymore

Wait, what? You signed a contract.

10. And then just walked out!

Nick is his own cliffhanger.

When we daydream of our time studying abroad, thoughts of cool foreign friends with charming accents tend to come to mind. And while making friends abroad isn’t necessarily difficult, it proves to be more challenging than you’d think. It’s important to get out of your comfort zone and socialize with a new pool of people, but it’s even more important to stay safe in a foreign place! Here’s your go-to guide for making friends abroad—while stillstaying safe.

1. Get to know your roomies

While we’d all love a single room in a lovely apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower, chances are that’s not what you’re going to get. Many study-abroad programs house you in dorms or apartments with other international students. Take advantage of all the interesting people around and make a friend within your building.

Cassidy, a junior at Emerson College who studied abroad in London, says a great way to make friends while studying abroad is starting with your roommates. “You have to live with them for the whole semester, so you might as well start getting to know them,” she says. “Plus, you never know—you might click and then you have instant friends and travel buddies.”

Cassidy says that soon after she and her roommates moved in, they started planning a move-in dinner. “We all decided on a meal, went and bought the supplies and then all gathered in the kitchen to cook and chat,” she says. “It was a great way to get to know each other. The dinner helped us bond and also kick-started our friendship.”

Befriending a roommate/housemate/floormate is not only fun, but safe, too. The students you’re housed with went through the same (or at least similar) application process that you did in order to be accepted into the program. They most likely had to have a good personal and academic background—meaning that there likely aren’t any creeps lurking around your building.

That being said, you’re still in an unfamiliar territory, so make sure not to give out too much personal info before really getting to know your roomies! Get to know them before you go out drinking or on a big trip with them. Have dinner together or go on a grocery-shopping trip to get more familiar with them before jumping in. If you’re looking for a friend in your new home, your own residence just may be the perfect place to start!

2. Join a club

Just as we have Greek life and extracurriculars in the United States, many schools in other countries have their own clubs and organizations. Most schools in Europe have students’ unions, sports clubs and organizations based on academic interests. Do your research and figure out what your host institution has to offer, and go and check it out!

Some student unions have lounge areas or even an on-campus pub. If you have time after class and want to catch a soccer game or have a drink, consider stopping by and meeting other students. Visit the lounge or offices during your downtime to hang out between classes or catch up on what’s going on around campus.

Even if your host institution doesn’t have a union or on-campus pub, chances are there are some other places on campus to hang out! Visit the library or hang out in an academic building before class—you’re bound to run into like-minded people. Remember to consider all the opportunities available to you abroad, including the clubs and organizations that your host school may have.

To play it on the safe side, learn about your school’s options during orientation. Many programs and schools offer an orientation for all students, if not just for international students. This should give you a chance to explore the school’s organizations in a safe and inviting environment. Head to meetings with a friend and check out the different clubs your school has to offer.

3. Visit a museum

There’s no doubt that you’ll be doing some exploring abroad, so take the time to meet some people while you’re out. Museums, landmarks and other attractions can make for great social spaces and opportunities to meet new friends.

When Madison, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin, visited Paris for two weeks, she spent a good amount of time around museums. “I met so many interesting people by just sitting in a little corner within the Louvre and writing,” she says. “Many people abroad are just as curious about you as you are about them.”

Museums and similar attractions are generally safer and attract a good crowd. For the most part, they require an entrance fee and have security guards, so people won’t be entering for the wrong reasons. “[Museums are usually the kind of place] that attract smart people who would be fun to carry conversations with, and they’re often other students doing research for class!” Madison says.

There’s plenty of opportunity for conversation at a museum or similar landmark; there are constant flows of tours and students going around to discuss pieces, check out the exhibits and visit the gift shop. As long as you keep your belongings close and are aware of your surroundings, you should be safe to approach someone. If some students your age have been discussing a piece you’re interested in, don’t be afraid to join in the conversation when it feels right. If you’re itching for some more conversation, join a tour and talk with some members of your group. If you’re looking for some cultural enrichment and some like-minded friends, a local museum may be the perfect place!

4. Use the buddy system

The buddy system is an old trick that totally works. Being in a foreign place, you’re going to want to do some exploring. Landmarks, pubs, clubs, parks—they’re all important to check out when you get the chance, but some are unsafe, especially for tourists and foreigners. To ensure that you can get to know your area (and other people!) safely, have another friend tag along. This way you can bond with the friend you brought and you won’t be worried about putting yourself in danger. Chat with people at the bar or take a stroll around the city—just as long as you and your go-to friend know where each other are!

5. Participate in program activities

For those of you studying through a U.S. institution, consider checking out what your study abroad program has to offer. Many program providers have specific offices in the host country with a staff that caters to your interests. They often offer small gatherings and bigger get-togethers.

Alex, a junior at New York University, went through a separate institution to study abroad in London. She explains that both her host school and her program provider offered different trips for international students.

“I went on a weekend trip to Wales with my program,” she says. “It was awesome to be able to travel while also catching up with people I met during my program’s orientation at the beginning of the semester.”

While organizing trips and gatherings on your own can be fun, make sure you check out the opportunities that your school and/or program have to offer. These activities can be cheaper, safer and a great way to meet new friends!

Foreign places can be intimidating at times, but that doesn’t mean you should hold yourself back! You can still explore places and meet new people while staying safe in your new environment. Consider some of our tips when looking to make new friends during your time studying abroad!

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a...meat dress? Let's be honest, Lady Gaga has had some pretty major fashion moments over the years. From arriving on the red carpet in a giant egg to wearing dozens of enormous silver cones on a night out, Mother Monster has definitely made a name for herself in the world of fashion.

Whether you love Gaga's ever-evolving style or love to hate it, you can't deny that she's changed the fashion industry for years to come. Besides being an incredible human being and an activist, Lady Gaga is a true artist–on and off the stage.

Take a look at some of our favorite Monster's weirdest, wildest, and most beautiful outfits from all throughout her career:

1. Kermits, Kermits Everywhere 

It's not easy being green.

2. Red Lace

Am I the only one who can see a resemblance between Gaga's head piece and a shrimp head?

3. THE Meat Dress

Let's just say PETA wasn't so excited about this particular look, and neither were the people sitting next to her. Rumor has it, the meat dress didn't exactly smell like roses. 

4. The Polka Dot... Octopus?

Is it weird that I kind of love this in a modern art exhibit kind of way?

5. Glitter, Stars & Hoops

Honestly, props to Gaga for being so dedicated to her look that she wore these sky-high heels and carried that star around for the entire red carpet show.

6. Bubble Boy

Even the piano and piano bench match Gaga's unique outfit.

7. The Egg (!!!)

Say what you want about Lady Gaga, but you can't deny the star knows how to make a memorable entrance.

8. Unicorn Princess

Me going to class on any given day. Make way.

9. Channeling Cher

This campy outfit was inspired by another musical icon—the one and only Cher:

10. ???

Where can I cop those booties though?

11. Inflated Everything

Walking around town like this takes some serious dedication.

12. Red & Blue Layers

While I wish I could see Gaga's stunning features, I kind of love this totally out-there look.

13. Ice Queen

Elsa who?

14. Real Life Painting

This look is pretty genius and I love how even her hair matches her shirt and makeup.

15. Neon Everything

Don't get me wrong—I adore Gaga, but those leg warmers and rainbow dreads definitely make for a bad romance.

16. Roses are Red...

With some more of those gorgeous roses, this look would be perfection. 

17. Hair Everywhere

I hope she didn't get too hot under all that hair. 

18. Silver Cones

Everyone make sure to keep your distance, otherwise you might lose an eye!

19. Superbowl LI

Because I can't get over Gaga's show-stopping half-time performance at this year's Super Bowl!

President Trump's administration has taken another blow—Secretary of Labor nominee Andrew Puzder disclosed on Tuesday that he had employed an undocumented immigrant as a housekeeper, according to The New York Times. But while this might seem bad, it probably isn't enough to tank Puzder's nomination.

Claiming he was unaware of the woman’s status, Puzder said he attempted to amend the situation after finding out by immediately ending her employment and paying all due back taxes to the state of California and to the IRS. Historically, using undocumented immigrants for labor has immediately stopped the confirmation process for any nominee. However, according to the Huffington Post, Trump transition officials told the nominee the old standards "no longer applied" (as evidenced by Trump's very election).

This is not the only obstacle standing in his way of his confirmation. Puzder is currently the chief executive of CKE restaurants, the parent company of Carl’s Jr and Hardee’s, and has been since 2000. Restaurants he owned were found guilty of labor violations, leading many to wonder how he can serve the Department of Labor when he's disregarded it in the past. Many Senate Democrats also take issue with his stance on not raising minimum wage. JoAnn Wise, a woman who worked as a cashier at Hardee's, wrote an opinion piece for The Washington Post on Tuesday describing her low wages at Hardee's meant she was left with no savings and no ability to retire even after 21 years of full-time work.

Puzder’s personal life is also filled with eyebrow-raising allegations. His ex wife, Lisa Henning, accused him of domestic abuse during their 1987 divorce proceedings. She then repeated these claims on an episode of Oprah in disguise. But when these claims came out because of his nomination, she contactedThe Cut to say, “Andy is one of the finest men I have ever known… Andy is a wonderful father, a great person and was a good husband.”

Puzder has not yet had a hearing, as he first needs to remove himself from his business interests.

Gotta love The New York Times. In a recent article, this journalism institution wrote, "When Mr. Trump is not watching television in his bathrobe or on his phone reaching out to old campaign hands and advisers, he will sometimes set off to explore the unfamiliar surroundings of his new home." Not only is this a sick burn, but it also seemed to upset the volatile Sean Spicer, who retorted that the NYT was making things up about Trump: "I don't think the President owns a bathrobe," Spicer said. In true Internet fashion, the Twittersphere set off to fact-check the Press Secretary, digging up these gems:

While #bathrobegate is raging on political Twitter, we've concocted the perfect list of lovely loungeables that you won't be ashamed to admit you spend way too much time in.

1. Satin Kimono ($29.99 at H&M)

The lace detailing adds a sexy touch to this blush pink robe.

2. The Cozy Hooded Short Robe ($58 at Victoria's Secret)

This deep plum bathrobe looks so luxuriously soft that you might fall asleep in it.

3. Hooded Mouse Robe ($27.90 at Forever 21)

Anything with a hood and mouse ears is A-okay with me.

4. Women's Polka Dot Kimono Robe ($24.99 at Target) 

Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn with this polka-dotted number.

5. Jersey Robe ($38 at Nordstrom) 

Perfect for a low-key movie night. Finding Dory, anyone?

6. Washed Linen Bathrobe ($49.99 at H&M)

This muted mint green is perfect for spring.

7. Aerie Softest Sweet Graphic Robe ($27.96 at Aerie) 

If you're not a morning person, say it with a robe instead.

Happy lounging, collegiettes!

After facing some tough criticism from the Senate in Washington and constituents around the country, Betsy DeVos has finally been confirmed as education secretary, The New York Times reports. She needed 51 votes to get the position, and the only way she got there was from a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President Mike Pence. One more Republican vote against her would have ended her chances.

DeVos is an education activist, but has never actually worked in education. As a wealthy donor from Michigan, she's been a big supporter of parents being able to choose the rights school for their children, but she has no experience whatsoever with public schools (neither she nor her children even attended one). She strongly believes that the government should financially support parents who wish to send their children to private schools, Cosmopolitan reports. This was a problem for many senators, including two Republicans who voted against her nomination.

The Times says that these two Republicans, Senator Susan Collins and Senator Lisa Murkowski, gave speeches on the floor last week to share why they don't support DeVos. They both feel she's not knowledgeable enough about the public school system and the laws in place to protect students. Their opposition also shows that there are members of the Republican party who aren't fully on board with Trump's decisions, meaning some of his policies might have a hard time gaining support—but perhaps not that hard of a time, given that not even one more Republican could be convinced to go against the nominee, despite vehement attempts by constituents, activists and other senators.

When the vote was tied at 50-50, Vice President Mike Pence was called in to give the tie-breaking vote. This was the first time a vice president has ever been called in to do this for a cabinet nomination.

The kings of YouTube have outdone themselves. Rhett and Link, most known for their daily web series Good Mythical Morning, took a little break from asking the difficult questions like, "Will it corndog?" and "What happens when you drink 300 cups of coffee?" and crossed over into the beauty realm in one of their latest uploads, entitled, "Which Lipstick Lasts Longest?" Given the recent rise of "boy beauty" and the new-found stardom of MUAs like Manny Gutierrez and James Charles, it's not surprising that Rhett and Link decided to chime in in their unique and hilarious way.

The actual test was named, in typical Rhett and Link fashion, "Let's Find the Lip-Stickage With the Least Lip-Slippage," and consisted of four rigorous stages. Donning the drugstore option, Link tested Maybelline's New York SuperStay 24 Lip Color ($10.49 at Maybelline), while Rhett opted for Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick ($24 at Stila) on the high-end side. Each stage of the test was modeled after a "real-life" date situation, i.e, The Dinner Date, which consisted of eating a plate of BBQ ribs, macking on a mannequin, wallowing around on pillows, and...dunking their faces into buckets of water? Either way, the guys didn't pull any punches. As for which lipstick won out between the two, you'll just have to watch and see! I hope you're wearing waterproof mascara, because you will probably cry laughing.

It's no secret that athleisure has become an absolute fashion phenomenon—from Michelle Obama embracing the trend, to Merriam-Webster actually adding it to their dictionary, it seems no one has been able to escape the comfortably chic clutches of yoga pants and ponytails. Now more than ever, people are embracing the sporty lifestyle, and that means brands have to keep up with what consumers want. Thankfully, the beauty industry has been listening, and brands like Tarte and Birchbox are launching what they call "gym bag beauty."

Tarte Cosmetics' new athleisure line, called Hustle and Glow, has partnered with social media "fitfluencers" to promote new products like their sweatproof mascara and highlighting moisturizer. The campaign aims to help women "find their confidence–not enslave them with beauty products." Along the same lines, Birchbox's Arrow Line is targeted towards an "on-the-go, active life," with products such as cooling cheek tints and tinted brow gel, which respond to the need for more low-key products that can last through a busy day.

One company, Sweat Cosmetics, embraced the idea of athleisure from the start. Former professional soccer player and current CEO Courtney Jones noticed that she played better when she felt more confident in her skin and wanted to create a beauty line specifically made to withstand high-intensity workouts and not clog pores. After 18 months of testing, the brand was launched, and two months later beauty giant Sephora picked it up for online retail, cementing the brand's place in the beauty sphere. Following that major stepping stone, Jones remarked, "We're not done with Sephora yet...this is just the start."

Thanks to the efforts of Jones and others like her, more and more brands are starting to fill the gap of gym-friendly products. After all, athleisure isn't just a trend–it's a lifestyle.

If Sansa Stark had Twitter, would you expect anything less than savage behavior on her feed? Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner really delivered when she responded to this tweet about Donald and Melania Trump.

Wait for it…

Of course, the shade-loving Twitter masses applauded her takedown. Even the person who crafted the original tweet could appreciate the humor in her response.

I guess Sophie left no question about her true feelings for the POTUS and FLOTUS.

In his continued condemnation of the American media (and arguably the First Amendment itself), Donald Trump told an audience of U.S. troops in Florida on Monday that “the very, very dishonest press doesn’t want to report” on terrorist attacks that take place around the world, BuzzFeed News reports.

While this is clearly a simple matter of Trump’s personal beef with the news media, the White House released a list of terrorist attacks that have occurred since September of 2014 that “did not receive adequate attention from Western media sources.”

This list doesn't make a lot of sense. As BuzzFeed itself demonstrates by linking to its own articles covering the majority of these attacks, as well as those by other news sources, the claim that the media doesn't cover these attacks is simply not true. Trump seems to be using arbitrary standards to claim the media coverage of terror is inadequate—ridiculousness along the same lines as him firing Sally Yates for disagreeing with him.

Attacks on the list include the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris, the San Bernardino attack, the truck crash and shooting in Nice, and the suicide bomber in Istanbul, all of which Her Campus has reported on in one or multiple articles, by the way. And we're not a daily newspaper or cable station with tons of resources.

BuzzFeed themselves sorts the list of attacks into two categories: “high-profile attacks that received massive amounts of media coverage” and “smaller attacks—that also received coverage.” So...is the White House just spouting more alternative facts? It's hard to know anymore.

In the end, “BuzzFeed News researched all 78 incidents on the list and found Western news coverage for all but seven of them.” As for the remaining seven, those “were likely covered as well, but the White House provided too little information to narrow them down.” This makes sense, as the list provided by the White House only included cities, months and years for attacks—not specific dates or number of victims, which would make it much easier to find coverage.

Someone let me know when this nightmare is over. Until then, I’ll be over here, proudly representing “dishonest” media and reporting on alternative facts and all their truth!

If you’re not an SNL fan or if you are, like me, currently #suffering under a pile of academic and other obligations, you should still check out Melissa McCarthy’s zinger of a SNL sketch from this past Saturday’s episode. It’s one for the books.

In the bit, McCarthy plays White House press secretary Sean Spicer. Y’know, the guy who claimed Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration was the most watched ever? Yeah, that guy. The guy who has been subtly threatening and undermining news media since he assumed the position.

In the clip, McCarthy comes out dressed and made up as Spicer, and begins a tirade against the press corps. “I’d like to begin today by apologizing on behalf of you, to me, for how you have treated me these last two weeks, and that apology is not accepted,” McCarthy says as Spicer.

After ingesting more pieces of gum than should ever be allowed in a person’s mouth, then proceeding to place the chewed up mess directly on the podium, McCarthy proceeds to play on the repetition of falsehoods and attacks on the press that have characterized Spicer's first few weeks in the position.

But wait—here's the best part. “More than being lampooned as a press secretary makes up facts, it was Spicer’s portrayal by a woman that was most problematic in the president’s eyes, according to sources close to him,” Politico reports. Honestly, Trump is just so beyond predictable at this point.

Naturally, his biggest concern would be anything that might reveal that Gender Is A Social Construct (calling into question his “machismo” and most of the tactics and rhetoric he used to denigrate Hillary Clinton, any anyone else on earth who identifies as female), rather than the reality that some members of his own staff are, well, very ripe for comedy.

“Trump’s uncharacteristic Twitter silence over the weekend...was seen internally as a sign of how uncomfortable [the sketch] made the White House feel," Politico reports. Aw. Poor White House!

In interviews with Spicer since the episode aired, he has been reluctant to share his personal feelings about the portrayal or the content of the sketch. “I would much rather have the focus be on the president’s agenda and the success he’s having...It doesn’t really matter what I think,” Spicer said in a phone interview with Politico.

Well, Mr. Spicer, that’s not going to stop everyone else from having a take on it.

Bravo is usually our go-to place for Real Housewives guilty pleasure-watching, but its latest scripted drama, Imposters, may just become our new favorite show to dive into this winter. Premiering tonight at 10 p.m. ET, Imposters introduces happy newlyweds Ezra and Ava, but it turns out that Ava (Inbar Lavi) isn’t who she says she is. Actually named Maddie, she successfully cons Ezra and runs away with all of his money to take on another mark…not exactly the happily ever after you were expecting.

“It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen,” says star Rob Heaps, who plays Ezra. “It’s basically a dark comedy. [Ezra and other con victims] club together to track her down and find her…but they’re not very good at it, which is quite hilarious.”

We had the chance to talk with Rob about what viewers can expect from this hot new show, what A-list star will be showing up later this season and what he loves about the story’s depiction of relationships. 

What can you tell us about your character, Ezra?

Rob Heaps: Ezra is a great character. He’s someone who’s excited, very idealistic, romantic. He’s somebody who maybe has a few frustrated ambitions—he lives in Indianapolis and never really got out of town, didn’t travel anywhere. He always wanted to, so he’s kind of at a stage where he’s wandering. Then he meets this woman…and she’s this light and you’re really happy for him and it’s wonderful, but she’s a con artist, so it was all a complete farce. Because he’s so propelled into this—he basically ends up going on an adventure, but it’s not what he actually wanted. He ends up being propelled into this very different kind of adventure which starts on his own…[and ends up] with other victims of hers. He kind of changes a lot through the series; he starts a lot less idealistic and a bit more hardened, and debates about the way things really are and the way romance really is, and he’s going to start enjoying himself a bit more than he thought he would have. I think in the start it’s very black-and-white, and then it definitely gets more blurred by the end and he develops a bit of a relish for the kind of things that, at the start, he finds kind of horrified. He changes a lot.

He's also someone who when we meet him is quite passive, easygoing and trusting. He's an observer, someone who before he met this woman was almost watching life as it passed him by. What I really love about his journey is that in picking up the pieces of his broken heart and setting out on the road to find Maddie, he starts taking charge and becomes a lot more proactive. He develops a bit of an edge and finds he's actually pretty smart in ways he didn't expect, which is a really fun journey to play.  

What elements of the show and the role of Ezra attracted you to this part?

RH: Even when I read [the script], I just thought it was so funny, and it’s quite dark and a bit unexpected. I think it has a lot of everything. I think if you’re watching someone’s life get ripped apart, it should be funny! So that was ideal to me, and Ezra’s also Jewish, which is not anything I know about, so I get to know a bit about that culture, the Jewish culture, and there’s a lot of dark humor and a lot of laughing at things that are pretty horrible. And it’s about ordinary people, you know…these are all ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, which is always my favorite kind of hero—people like Ezra when they just didn’t expect the adventure there that they’re embarking on and acting like it’s sink or swim. Whereas Maddie’s kind of just been a hero—she’s gone on a more glamourous [path], but there’s this kind of “who is she” and an aspirational thing, where you’re like, “Who are you, how can anybody relate to you?” Whereas we’re kind of like the entry-level suspects.

What I really love about [Ezra and his team] is that we've all had moments of wondering, "How did this become my life...?!", and these are three ordinary people, not superheroes in spandex, who are forced to leave their old lives behind and take a mad leap into the unknown and take genuine risks and above all to really start living in the world, and that was an inspiring story to play and I think will be inspiring to watch, too.

A lot of TV relationships show women getting hurt by men. How do you feel about the tables being turned in Imposters and Ezra being the one with hurt feelings?

RH: Ooh, yeah, I love it, I’m a masochist, so I love it! Honestly, it’s great, it’s absolutely great…What I love about the show, again, is—what’s it called, the Bechdel test? The Bechdel test is when you have two women on screen talking about something that is not a man, which I think this show passes with flying colors, so it’s wonderful. There’s still so much TV and film in which women—there’s still the “Madonna whore” thing where there’s a sexual fascination. Maddie is such a great character because at the start, you kind of hate [her] and then realize that she’s very much on her own journey in the show and she becomes very much a human being and someone that I think you’ll feel sorry for. She’ll find herself in some pretty uncomfortable situations, but she’s doing her job, she’s a professional. I think [Inbar Lavi] does a really good job humanizing that and getting you behind her perspective. It makes the female perspective very relatable, and that’s important now more than ever.

I think it's true that we still live in a culture that arguably treats female infidelity more harshly than male infidelity. There is still an element of "Oh, all guys cheat," which can sometimes let men off the hook—whereas if a woman cheats, she's often seen as somehow morally deficient, rather than just an idiot (and plenty of worse words, too). There's still this weird mixture of fascination and judgment towards female sexuality and women who show sexual independence. And I think one of the great things about this show is that it takes a female protagonist whose actual job involves sexual and romantic infidelity and humanizes her, shows us the vulnerable person behind all these masks. The show is also wise about the mistakes men make in relationships—Ezra is someone who puts his wife on a pedestal, worships her, smothers her in love and affection and gifts, and treats her as the answer to all his problems! I've definitely done [this] in the past and have learned the hard way that it rarely ends well.

I think also we're living in an age where dating and relationships are trickier and stranger than ever, with the rise of online dating. There's a lot being said about how the millennial generation is having a harder time connecting with each other and finding true emotional intimacy, and I think this is a show that could resonate with a younger audience as it really asks the question of how well can you ever know someone you're with? And how often are you really only seeing what you want to see in someone, rather than who they really are? I think those questions are more important than ever.  

What makes Imposters different from other shows like it?

RH: Yeah, I’m not from [the United States], so I haven’t seen any of those shows myself, but I’d imagine it’s what I said about it being relatable. Our side of the story at the start is very unglamorous, very uncool and very unsexy because we keep doing it really badly and having to run away. I generally feel like a lot of TV at the moment is very dark, kind of sexy, which is great, and there’s definitely a time and place for that, but I think it’s great that [the show] takes us a bit less seriously. I don’t know about too much of that stuff, but to me, I think it’s really refreshing. It knows itself very well, this show, and has got a very cheeky sense of humor.

Throughout the course of this season, what can fans expect Ezra to learn about the people who conned him?

RH: He obviously begins feeling the worst because these are people who’ve destroyed him. They’re the enemy, they’re evil, and they’re people who don’t say or do what they’re going to do. There will be times when he gets more embroiled in this new world of conning and grifting, and he’s pretending to be someone he’s not. He’s going to find it a lot more enjoyable than he thought it would be because he’s realized that the world maybe really works in a way he never really believed in. I think he’s going to find that eventually, possibly, they’re not as clear-cut bad guys as he thought they were, and he’s not who he thought he was.

What can you tease about the chase for Maddie?

RH: Well, I can’t say. It would be great if I did. We’re definitely getting closer—I can’t say what’s going to happen, but she’s going to find herself in situations she’s never had before. She finds herself attracted to someone for real, a person she usually bumps into at a coffee shop who she has real feelings for, and her problem is that her next target is somebody who’s not attractive, someone she’s not very excited about conning. Things have been getting a little ugly for her as well. We’re almost going in opposite directions—she’s living her bit, and we’re kind of just entering this world of deceiving.

Are there any special guest stars we can expect to see this season?

RH: Ooh, yes, possibly Uma Thurman! Possibly. We’re so excited about her. She saw the pilot before we were even picked up, and she saw it and just went crazy for it, and I think really wanted to be in it, which is so exciting. I think it was really hard for her to be there; she’s obviously very busy and it was a tough thing to schedule, but we got her and we were just so excited. She really just brought energy to the set the day she was there. She’s so brilliant…and completely invested. It’s just great that she gave us her caliber and her quality. She was so motivated. That’s when I first started getting really excited about where [the show] may be going because to see someone on her level bringing everything she had to the table really meant a lot.

Catch Imposters on Bravo tonight at 10/9c!

By Lauren Wigren

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Dear Mr. Briles,

Firstly, I cannot refer to you as “Coach Briles.” Not only because you were fired, but because frankly, you are not deserving of such a title anyway.

You see, Mr. Briles, the quality of your football team is certainly important; but students’ safety and quality of life should come before football. The character of your players, integrity, and justice all should come before football, whether you’re a coach, professor, parent or student.

I am angry, Mr. Briles. I am disgusted, disillusioned and frustrated, to say the least, but unfortunately, your cowardice and immorality do not surprise me.

As a college-aged woman in 2017, I came to the morose and frightening conclusion that athletics are more important than a woman’s well-being long ago. I realized it when Heisman Trophy winner and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was able to continue his thriving college (and later professional) football career without facing the slightest consequence from either the Tallahassee police department or Florida State University, even though he allegedly assaulted Erica Kinsman. In a cruelly ironic turn of events, it was Kinsman who faced hostility and eventually chose to leave Florida State.

I came to a similar conclusion when Brock Turner received a mere six-month sentence (of which he only served three months) for raping an unconscious woman, because, of course, he was a talented swimmer and it would be a real shame to ruin his life and reputation over “twenty minutes of action.” Turner’s “mistake” taught me that, as a woman, I should not drink at parties because if anything were to happen to me, it would be my fault, and certainly not worth ruining the reputation of such an honorable athlete.

I understand perfectly. The reputation of a college sports team or even of an individual collegiate athlete is more important than my rights and my safety. If all it takes is the silencing of a few rape allegations to make it to the championships, then why shouldn’t you have done it? If a woman drinks too much, wears revealing clothing, flirts, smiles, or agrees to host football recruits, isn’t she asking for it?

You said it yourself, Mr. Briles. Women should know better than to hang around with “bad dudes” like the players on your team.

I certainly hope you can read sarcasm, Mr. Briles.

The truth is, you, and every other coach, player, student, parent, etc. with a similar mindset to yours absolutely disgust me. I will not sit down idly with my mouth shut while one in three women has experienced sexual violence. I don’t care if your career would have suffered from these sexual assault allegations. I don’t care if the reputations of your players would have been tarnished, and I definitely don’t care if they would have been expelled or criminalized.

You see, the welfare of Baylor University’s football team was far from my top concern when the news of this scandal broke. My heart aches for Elizabeth Doe and anyone else who has suffered due to your negligence and your players’ sense of entitlement.

Despite what you may believe, Mr. Briles, a woman is not an object whose only purpose is to sexually gratify men who feel they are above everyone else. The women you tried to silence were actual people: human beings who wanted to feel safe, get an education, be a part of their school community and above all receive respect and basic human rights such as the right to say “no” to sex.

You and your players ought to be ashamed of yourselves. You valued winning and glory over the safety and quality of life of your fellow human beings. That is despicable. That is unforgivable. And until our society wakes up and realizes the sickening violence being perpetrated in the name of college sports, I’ll continue to call you and your type out on it.

Signed,
A woman who’s fed up with coming second to another trophy

First Lady Melania Trump has filed a lawsuit this week against Mail Media, the owner of the Daily Mail, saying that an article published by Daily Mail, which falsely claimed Melania was once an escort, ruined her ability to create "multimillion dollar business relationships" as FLOTUS.

The suit claims that the false article cause Melania to lose "significant value" and "major business opportunities that were otherwise available to her." It went on to say it ruined her "unique, once in a lifetime opportunity" to create these business relationships, The Washington Post reports. Apparently, Melania would have created products in the areas of "apparel, accessories, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, hair care, skin care and fragrance."

According to the Post, the lawsuit said Melania was about to enter a "multi-year term" of high publicity (yup...that's how I would describe the office of FLOTUS, too). It also says the article "impugned her fitness to perform her duties as First Lady of the United States," althought it's not clear how that would be the case. The suit is asking for $150 million to make up for the emotional and economic damage done to the new first lady.

The suit was filed by Charles Harder, the California attorney who represented Hulk Hogan in his case against Gawker Media—a case that ended with a $140 million verdict.

Daily Mail retracted the article and released a statement in its place, saying they did not "intend to state or suggest that Mrs. Trump ever worked as an ‘escort’ or in the sex business."

But the weird thing about this lawsuit is that Melania seems to be saying she was denied the chance to make a lot of money off her public service role. Previous White House ethics counsel Richard Painter told the Post, "There has never been a first lady of the United States who insinuated that she intended to make a lot of money because of the ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity of being first lady."Time points to a quote from the lawsuit that refers to the opportunity of being first lady as allowing her to be "one of the most photographed women in the world," making it seem that the whole point of the lawsuit is to profit from her new role as a national figure.

In a historic move, San Francisco will be the first city to offer free community college tuition to residents. The plan was announced Monday by San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. According to ABC 7 San Francisco, around 30,000 students are expected to benefit from this program, though The San Francisco Chronicle reports that with the allocated funding, only 3,750 students would be able to take a full course load in the first year.

The program will cost the city around $5.4 million and is expected to come from an increase in real estate transfer fee for properties valued over $5 million (so essentially, it's a tax on the rich). The tax was approved by San Francisco voters by ballot in November and is projected to raise over $44 million in a year.

To qualify for the plan, students must live in San Francisco for a year and one day by the time of enrollment. Both full time and part time students are eligible. While the program will cover tuition, it will not cover books, technology or transportation fees. However, full time students will receive an extra $500, split between the two semesters, in financial aid. Part time students will only receive an additional $100 a semester.

San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim hopes this move will help improve incomes for many San Francisco families, noting that most jobs in the future will likely require secondary education. Kim told ABC7, "Making City College free is going to provide opportunities for more San Franciscans to enter into the middle class and for more San Franciscans to stay in the middle class if they already are there." Additionally, this is expected to increase enrollment as San Francisco community colleges enrollment was dropping due to accreditation issues. The accreditation problem was solved earlier this year but enrollment has been in a steady decline. According to The San Francisco Chronicle, many officials hope it will attract students back to the college and help restore state funding.

The funding will go into effect this fall.

There are life hacks... and then there are crazy AF life hacks that make you reevaluate your entire life. 

Until today, I didn't think anyone in the history of ever had looked at a condom and thought "wow, I wonder what else I could do with this." But somehow, somebody somewhere thought that instead of purchasing a silicone beauty blender, they could fashion one out of things they already had: a sponge foundation blender and a condom.

I'll admit, this is a way cheaper option: beauty blenders can cost over $20, and as a college girl, I do happen to have plenty of condoms laying around. This just makes sense. However, considering what I normally use condoms for, I'm not sure that I would ever want to put one on my face.

To help out the skeptics such as myself, beauty vloggers everywhere are making their own tutorials for this crazy beauty hack. Their biggest tip? Make sure to wash off any lubrication—that is definitely not something you want smeared in with your makeup (unless you're into that sort of thing).

People who have tried this hack have said it's just as good, if not better, than a silicone blender, because it helps get all the hard-to-reach areas (no comment).

Jeffree Star apparently filmed his own tutorial with Manny MUA testing out the condom method. The video is coming at us this weekend, so you better believe I'll be watching that!

If you've never tried any of Jeffree Star's products, then get your life together and do it. He is most known for his amazing liquid lipsticks and highlighters, and his last eye palette, "Beauty Killer," all in super bold colors. But his new eyeshadow palette, Androgyny, promises us 10 jaw-dropping shades that are perfect for day or night, and in an all-new formula that improves the pigmentation and texture! He calls this a "'neutral palette' but with a twist..."

While nude palettes are great (I have four of them), sometimes you just need to switch it up. This palette appears to feature colors like rust, ruby red, and gold, and includes both mega-sparkly and super matte shades to fulfill any eyeshadow need you might have. While I'm not one to be super adventurous with color, even the darker blues and greens in the palette look like they would be wearable for daytime makeup as well as super-fierce night looks.

Jeffrree also relased a full reveal video on his Youtube channel that goes over all the colors and inspiration for this palette:

This has been in the works for nine months and finally hits the WWW on March 4! So keep an eye out and make sure you snag yours for the perfect update to your makeup bag!