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7 Ways to Show Intimacy Without Having Sex

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Intimacy is usually lumped together with sex, but they can easily be independent of each other. According to Merriam-Webster, intimacy is defined as “a close, familiar, and usually affectionate or loving personal relationship with another person or group.” Intimacy is such an important aspect of a relationship and it reaches so much farther than sex, because sometimes sex just isn’t right or even possible. So here are some ways to spice up your romance *outside* of the bedroom.

1. Hold hands

Holding hands with your SO is more important than it might seem. It makes you feel deeply connected to that person, even if you’re just walking down the street. “My SO and I have always been huge on holding hands,” says Amanda Goecke, a junior at Carthage College, “If we're walking somewhere unfamiliar he'll hold out his hand to me for protection and to keep me close. If we're just hanging out with each other, holding hands is a great way for us to show intimacy and indicate that we want attention.” There’s even science behind the power of holding hands. Oxytocin, also known as “the love hormone,” makes us feel happy and loved and is released when people hold hands. So next time you’re on a date or walking to class with your partner, take their hand. We’re almost 100 percent sure you’ll both smile.

2. Have deep conversations

A relationship that consists of shallow, meaningless conversations isn’t a healthy one. You should always be challenging your partner to grow intellectually, and they should be doing the same. Communication is key to this kind of growth. Discussing the things that you’re passionate about can help you discover things you didn’t know you had in common with your partner. “My boyfriend and I talk about our future together at random times,” says Kayleen Parra-Padron, a senior at Florida International University, “We'll just look at each other and list all the things we're excited for in the future; we talk about moving out and decorating our future appointment, the names of our future dogs and what after school activities our kids will be doing.” Need help thinking of good conversation starters? Psychologist Arthur Aron, along with a few partners, composed a study to see how becoming vulnerable with your SO can lead to a closer relationship. They came up with 36 questions to ask your partner, including “For what in your life do you feel most grateful?” and “What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?” Try asking a few of these questions next time you get tired of talking about your classes.

3. Touch each other non-sexually

The power of touch is amazing. It’s instinctual for humans to touch each other as a sign of protection and love. Hugging and massaging are underrated ways to show intimacy. Often we think of these things as touches that could possibly lead up to sex or at least a steamy make-out session. But even spending a few extra seconds hugging your SO can make you feel more connected. Giving your partner a back massage or touching their hair shows that you care and will create chemistry between the two of you.

Related: 6 Ways to Show Your Significant Other You Love Them

4. Try doing each other’s favorite activities

Chances are, while you and your partner have similar interests, there are probably a few things you don’t have in common. Take a day and indulge in some activities that your SO is passionate about and then have them do the same. This way, you can both understand each other’s passions, enjoy spending the time together and make lasting memories. Bonding through shared experiences is a powerful form of intimacy.

5. Get spiritual

If you and your SO share a faith, use that to your advantage. Going to each other’s religious services together and reflecting on what you learned can build intellectual intimacy. Taking a few moments out of your day to pray for/think of your partner and their goals, struggles and triumphs will also strengthen your relationship, even if your SO doesn’t know about it. “My fiance and I believe it's important to talk about our faith and do devotions together,” says Rebecca Reis, a sophomore at Temple University. “That makes us grow so close as a couple, and it becomes the framework for our entire relationship.” If you don’t share a faith or don’t identify with a specific one, try exploring different options together. It can tell you a lot about your partner’s values and how you two can fit together spiritually. However, ultimately the goal of faith is for it to be a personal connection. So while you may be sharing spiritual experiences with your partner, it’s important that you have a personal connection to your faith and you don’t believe in it just because your partner does.

6. Communicate “Dear John” style

Writing letters will never lose its charm or its sentimentality. Seeing the scrawl of your loved one automatically brings about the butterflies you get when you’re watching “The Notebook” or “Dear John” (dang you, Nicholas Sparks), and there’s just something about having written proof that someone is, in fact, in love with you. Writing out your thoughts can make it so much more meaningful, because your partner will be able to see that you poured your heart out onto the page. This is especially important if you’re in a long-distance relationship. Phone calls and FaceTimes are nice, but a handwritten letter once in a while will show your SO just how much you love them. “My boyfriend are in a long distance relationship, and we write letters so we can give them to each other when we finally reconnect in person,” says Alexis Rogers, a sophomore at Temple University, “Being able to write letters to express my feelings is so special. We both treasure each other's letters, equally and if not more than other gifts we have given each other. Not only are they special to read in the presence of each other, but they help keep us connected when we are away from each other.” And how cute will it be when you read them all over to your kids when you’re married?

7. Gaze longingly into each other’s eyes

No…really. We all know how awkward eye contact can be, even with our SOs sometimes. But it shouldn’t be! Try dropping the distractions and staring into each other’s eyes for four minutes, then talk about what you thought. It seems like a long time, but it actually goes by quickly. “I did this with my boyfriend and we were both skeptical at first,” says Sarah Johnstone, a freshman at Montgomery County Community College. “It was sort of awkward in the beginning, but then it got serious and we actually felt much more connected as a couple afterwards. Everyone should try it.” Even the smallest things, like eye contact, are actually super important and can take the intimacy in your relationship to the next level.

While sex plays a large role in many college women’s relationships, it doesn’t have to take precedence over every other aspect. Physical and emotional intimacy affect relationships deeply, and it’s important to build those connections through avenues besides sex. Even the little touches and words of encouragement to your partner can strengthen your relationship and create intimate moments.


5 Ways to Co-Manage Living Expenses in College

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One of the biggest advantages about living with roommates (besides having a live-in squad) is having other people there to help you split the costs of college living. Splitting costs means potentially getting to splurge every now and then on things that you might not be able to if you lived alone. However, while everyone in your room might be totally okay with using excessive amounts of electricity to watch a Friends marathon, there might be slightly less interest when it comes time to pay the bill.

Sharing expenses in college can be a sensitive topic, but it’s definitely an important one. When it comes to money, everyone has a different perspective. Some people are spenders and some are savers, and having to manage money jointly can be very frustrating. We have five ways to co-manage your money that will leave you (and your roommates) happy and stress-free!

1. Initiate the conversation                                                                                                              

For a lot of collegiettes, money can be tight between paying rent, buying groceries and the millions of other things that money goes toward in college. For that reason, having a conversation about money can sometimes be a bit awkward. No one wants to be that roommate who brings up the college version of “the talk,” but expenses are something that should be discussed as soon as possible to avoid future arguments and uncomfortable situations.

Hitha Herzog, chief research officer at H Squared Research and author of Black Market Billions, recommends protecting yourself when it comes to shared expenses and not being afraid to talk to your roommates about money. “If people are acting weird about paying for stuff,” Herzog says, “let them know there are two options: they can figure out a payment plan that works for them, or they can move out. Don't put yourself in a potentially bad financial situation, like paying for someone else’s stuff, because they don't want to talk about it.”

Be upfront about expenses, but also be understanding. Everyone's financial abilities are different and in order to be able to co-exist without money-related passive aggressive texts, this is a talk that needs to happen as soon as possible.

2. Discuss a plan—and stick to it!

This is definitely not the type of plan you want to discuss in a group message. The best time to talk about shared expenses is in person, when there are few distractions. Make sure that everyone understands the payment system and is clear on what they have to pay and when they have to pay it.

In your plan, it is also a good idea to clarify how exactly you will be splitting the rent and other expenses. An example of how to do this is visually splitting costs using a Google Doc spreadsheet. If you put in an algorithm that automatically splits each expense and categorizes who paid for it, then at the end of the month it is quick and easy for everyone to see what they owe.

“Be direct, write down all the expenses and figure out who is paying what,” says Herzog.

Making sure that all your roommates have easy access to your payment system, like in a Google Doc, is a sure-fire way to keep everyone on track.

Related: How to Live With Any Roommate

3. Split common items evenly

Some roommates may choose to evenly split the cost of groceries while others opt to go through the checkout line separately. For this reason, it is sometimes tricky to determine whether or not food will fall under common items. It is a good idea to determine whether you will share your grocery expenses with roommates when coming up with your plan.

Giana Grimaldi, a senior at Boston University, created a compromise with her roommates for splitting their grocery costs. “We all buy our own groceries mostly because we are all on our own budgets and all eat differently. Right when we moved in, we each sort of claimed a cabinet or shelf for ourselves in the kitchen where we could put our own items. Then, we left all of the other cabinets and drawers for things that could be shared by everyone, including food,” says Giana.

It is easy to take shared items for granted if you are never the one who has to buy them. If you notice that you're out of an item that you and your roommates usually share, step up and chip in. Your effort will be greatly appreciated. 

4. Hold each other accountable

We all know how annoying it is to live with roommates who refuse to take out the trash or do the dishes, but sometimes it’s nothing that a quick note or text can’t fix. However, when it comes to money, lack of accountability becomes a bit more of an issue. Now, we aren’t saying that you should bang on your roommates’ doors at five in the morning to harass them about the money they owe, but you shouldn’t be passive about the situation either.

A great, efficient way to keep roommates on track as far as payments go is to utilize a money app. Herzog suggests using an app called Square.

“One way to make sure everyone is paying on time is to use a payment system like Square, where you can run people's credit cards and that money gets deposited into your account. The second is to make sure you set a date five days prior to when bills are due. This ensures if someone is having cash flow issues you have a time buffer so you don't get charged late fees,” says Herzog.

“If you need to, ask them. I don't run into this with my SO because we have open lines of communication and consider all money coming in or out for either of us 'shared finances,' but in college with roommates we did run into this,” says Alaina Leary, a first-year graduate student at Emerson College. “I'd just bring it up in casual conversation, ask them about the money and when they could get it to me by, without making it seem like a threat.”

The way that you hold your roommates accountable might differ whether they are friends, strangers or a significant other, but it is important to figure out how you will address the situation. However, it is also important that whoever you are living with doesn’t feel attacked when the conversation comes up, so make sure to adjust the way you bring up the topic if need be.

5. Make division of expenses fair

They say that you get what you pay for, but we also believe that you should pay for what you get. This means that if you got stuck with the smallest room, when it comes time to pay the rent you shouldn’t automatically be stuck with an equal portion of the bill. Typically, it is considered fair to divide the rent by room size. “I always felt if you are the lucky person who has a larger room or more space, you should pay more. If you want to get really wonky, you can figure out how much people are paying per square foot and charge accordingly,” says Herzog.

Also, if someone is guilty of always leaving the lights or air conditioning on when no one is home, make sure you take that into account as well. You shouldn’t always have to deal with unnecessary spikes in your utility bills because of a forgetful roommate. In order to avoid anyone paying more than they have to, Herzog suggests creating a rule for your roommates. “Make a rule that the last person leaving must shut off the air conditioner or heat again to mitigate extra costs,” she says. Keeping things fair will allow you to avoid unnecessary arguments, because the question of who is going to take out the trash already creates enough of those. 

6. Be flexible

As with anything in life, and college especially, it is helpful to be as flexible as possible. Roommates come and go, but the rent will always need to be paid. So don’t stress out if your best friend tells you that she is studying abroad or you split with your SO and need a new roommate. Just revamp your expenses plan and go with it. If you get involved with subleases, make sure that you and your roommates are clear on how you will be handling the money gained from them.  

“My friends at another local college sublet their apartment to several girls and they split the money they got from these girls among the four of them,” says Alaina. Splitting the money that you get from subleases among you and your roommates is a no-brainer solution. 

Living with roommates isn’t always the easiest thing in the world, but it is definitely cheaper than living alone. You don’t necessarily need to create a full blown roommate contract, but if you make a plan, keep everyone in the loop and hold them accountable, roommates can be fun and economical!

The 14 Best Outfits We've Seen On 'Pretty Little Liars'

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Can you believe Pretty Little Liars has been around for almost seven full seasons? That's a lot of episodes, and considering the fact that the Liars' closets seem to be never-ending, even more outfits. In honor of season 7B's premiere on April 18, let's take a stroll down memory lane and look at some of the show's best fashion moments.

1. Spencer's Velvet Dress

This still from the season 6A finale captures all the girls looking fabulous in their prom dresses, but Spencer is the star of the show here. Her velvet dress with its wrap detailing and elegant high neckline perfectly suits Spencer's figure, but remains true to the character's classic sense of style. Not to mention, that dress was practically born to be worn with that background and blue-toned lighting.

2. Hanna's Printed Dress

Hanna is known for her fondness of patterns and prints, and her outfit here does not disappoint. We are loving how the geometric print on her flared dress is echoed on her leather jacket.

3. Emily's Bomber Jacket & Graphic Tee

Emily is looking oh so chic in her bomber jacket and tee combo, but then she goes and elevates the whole look with a pair of leather shorts. We've seen Emily in flannels and simple t-shirts for a majority of the series, so it's especially nice to see her dressing up her signature laid-back style.

4. Aria's Winter Ballgown

Aria is looking absolutely stunning in this fancy tulle gown with silver embellishments. In fact, she's making us wish it was still December so we'd have the opportunity to copy her ensemble for our own holiday parties. At least there's always next year!

5. Ali's Pink Knit

Even in this casual girl-next-door look (although Ali's anything but the girl-next-door type), Ali looks extra polished thanks to her bejeweled flats, form-fitting pink knit, and the detailing on her distressed jeans.

6. Aria's Colorful Scarf

This is one of those looks that would probably look crazy in concept, but somehow comes together perfectly. In other words, classic Aria. We are especially digging the leopard accents on her scarf and Aria's shearling-accented jacket.

7. Hanna's Old Hollywood Look

Remember that one episode ("Shadow Play") when Spencer hallucinated in black and white? In Spencer's imagination, Hanna wore this glamorous "Old Hollywood" outfit featuring a short-sleeved polka dot blouse and pencil skirt.

8. Spencer's Cropped Trench Cape

Yeah, you read that right: Spencer is wearing a cropped trench coat cape, and absolutely killing it. The rest of her outfit is equally amazing, and we are glad she kept to the neutral color scheme with a pair of faded jeans and a striped top (bonus points for suspenders).

9. Emily's Jersey Dress

Simple and sporty. The sleeve detailing on Emily's dress sets it apart from your typical LBD and suits Emily's style.

10. Aria's Comic Print Dress

Undeniably, this is one of Aria's boldest outfits. We absolutely adore how colorful yet cohesive this outfit is, including Aria's bright yellow bag (of course, studded with pins).

11. Spencer's Cream & White Combo

We have to applaud Spencer for flawlessly pulling off cream and white in one outfit. Not to mention, her French braid adds the right amount of elegance to this classy look.

12. Mona's Scalloped Bag

Mona's feminine yet preppy look would make Blair Waldorf proud. The focal point of this outfit is undoubtedly Mona's bag—where can we get our hands on one?

13. Aria's Pleats & Stripes

Layering a striped crop top underneath a sheer, modest dress spices it up enough to suit Aria. Plus, who knew stripes and pleats went together so well?

14. Hanna's Two-Toned Jacket

Hanna's graphic tee works so well with her two-toned leather jacket for a fierce and sophisticated look. She adds a touch of sweetness with a pink, almost iridescent satchel.

While Pretty Little Liars has always been about plot twists and turns, it has also managed to be a series that defines fashion for ladies everywhere, from Emily's cool, relaxed style to Aria's fashion-forward outfits. Count that as another reason why we will be tuning in on April 18 to catch another season of this show.

Yara Shahidi Got Into Every College She Applied To, With a Little Help from Michelle Obama

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Yara Shahidi is about to become even more of a badass than she already is, in part thanks to a recommendation letter from former first lady Michelle Obama.

Mrs. Obama wrote a letter of recommendation to accompany Yara’s college apps, and as I’m sure you can assume, it did the trick. Shahidi was accepted to all the colleges she applied to and plans to make a choice about which college she'll attend within the next month, she told Seventeen.

 

TFW Ya girl got into college(s)

A post shared by Yara (يارا‎) Shahidi (@yarashahidi) on

How exactly did Yara get Michelle to write that recommendation? Shahidi says Obama is a supporter of hers—they met in D.C. last year at an International Day of the Girl event hosted by Glamour, according to Us Weekly.

No matter which college she chooses, the young actress, who has a more-than-perfect 4.6 GPA, wants to major in both sociology and African American studies.

In light of Yara's exciting college news, there's been talk of a Blackish spinoff starring Shahidi’s character Zoey, who also happens to be going to college soon. Shahidi told Seventeen the spinoff is up in the air, but she feels it would be a great way to talk about issues that are relevant on a college campus.

“On a college campus—given the socio-political landscape of our society at the moment—we're not only dealing with race policy that we got from Blackish, [but also] the intersectionality of race, gender, sexuality and political views and ideals. And so [filming on] a college campus and having Zoey experience life as an independent would a perfect place to discuss that,” she said.

I sure hope this idea becomes a reality. In the meantime, I’ll be cheering on Yara and wishing I could call up Michelle Obama for help with job applications.

Move Over Flower Crowns, Crystal Crowns Are Here in Time for Coachella

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After Snapchat debuted the flower crown filter, the novelty of the real thing started to wear off (if it hadn't already).

While flower crowns used to be a symbol of Coachella, now you can buy them almost anywhere, and you see them everywhere (ahem, Snapchat!) The last thing you want is to be basic for the festival; however Coachella is as much about the fashion as it is about the music, so TBH you would feel a bit naked without some sort of hair accessory. Etsy store owner and designer Sarah Cosper is here to help with your dressing dilemma. She has created the crystal crown: an adorable hair accessory that features a stunning array of crystals.

Cosper credits her father with this unique creation: “My dad is a rock guy. He’s always looking for hunks of quartz and cool rocks, and he used to take me panning for gold. So, I’m a rock guy, too lol. Geodes, agate, spheres, just pretty ones, we’re always scanning the ground.”

With just a quick scan of Cosper’s Etsy store, its easy to see that she really does love rocks. She also designs crystal hair combs, necklaces, rings, barrettes and even hats! No matter what your style is, she’s sure to have something that will either complete your festival look, or just show off your love of rocks in a fashionable way.



With the diversity in colors, sizes and styles that Cosper offers, these crystal crowns can upgrade any outfit. I can imagine them adding an unexpected twist to a super casual look, or being the crowning glory to something a bit more formal (I can imagine you giving off some serious Queen Elsa vibes!).

Most of Cosper’s items retail for under $100 on her Etsy store, so scoop yours up just in time to make a shining statement at Coachella.

This Teen's Nails Are Naturally 6 Inches Long

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German teenager Simone Christina has been growing her nails for three years straight, and now they're six inches long. As such, she was recently named 2016's Most Voted Hand Model of the Year and the winner of Nailslong.com. I am shook!

Speaking of some of the realities of living with such long nails, Simone told Cosmopolitan, "I always know it's time to wash my hair when I scratch my head and get a load of dry shampoo residue stuck under my nails. Grim but true."

Grim is an understatement, but I can't say I blame her for using dry shampoo regularly. She probably hates washing her hair. Ugh, I have so many questions. 

To keep her nails long and healthy, Simone follows a strict nail upkeep routine. "I use two coats of nail hardener," she says. "For the first coat I use XXL Nail Thickener by Essence [$2.79] and for the second coat I use Ultra Strong Nail Hardener [$2.50] also by Essence. It's also helpful to apply cuticle oil, like, every second day."

One thing is for sure, Simone beats all the Disney villain characters in the long nails game, as Cosmo points out. If you thought Maleficent won the badass nail contest, you are wrong!

 

December 30, 2016#throwback

A post shared by Simone Christina(@simone_christina_) on

Keeping her nails this long is definitely a struggle. Simone says that her hands really hurt after an hour of writing and adds, "On the computer, I have to type using my knuckles."

She also can't participate in PE. “Luckily, German schools don’t have dress codes, so they don’t cause any issues there," Simone says. "PE is a huge problem, though. I can’t play volleyball, basketball or anything similar. My PE teachers are always trying to convince me to cut my nails. They’ll never succeed in convincing me—but that makes my grades in PE really bad.”

Her toenails, though not as long, are also getting there.

Obviously Simone can choose to do what she wants with her own nails, but I mean is it really worth it?

These Emoji Face Masks Will Scare the Shit Out of You

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It was only a matter of time till someone came up with emoji face masks. Now that they're here, they really don't look as cute as you think. According to Allure, Taiwan-based brand Petite Amie Skincare came out with new emoji sheets masks which will work wonders on your skin. They have fun emoji masks such as the love, scream, happy, chillin', blushing ones, and more. The best part is that each emoji represents the benefits of its mask. The scream face has lifting properties for example, and the angry face is cooling.

Though it sounds cool, it looks kind of horrifying.

 

This is what it looks like sooooooo funny and scary. Lol. #beautymask #emojimask #beauty #beautyday

A post shared by Cutie-desu (@xxgamerlolitaxx) on

OMG!

LOLOLOL

These sheet masks probably work well, and are at least a little more interesting than your boring plain masks. They are available on Petite Amie Skincare's website for $10!

Kelly Clarkson Was Accused of Child Abuse Because She Let Her Daughter Eat Nutella

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Kelly Clarkson has been accused of the highest form of child abuse: letting her kid eat Nutella. After the singer posted an Instagram video of her two-year-old daughter eating the most delicious spread on the face of the planet, internet trolls claimed Clarkson was going to give her child cancer, among other cruel comments.

Cosmopolitan spoke to Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Director Jaclyn London about false reports that Nutella could cause cancer. London confirmed, “No single food product can increase your risk of chronic disease in isolation!”

However, facts didn’t stop the angry monsters from attacking Clarkson and her adorable daughter River Rose. The video Kelly shared shows River eating a piece of toast with Nutella on it. The post has almost 1,000 comments, and many are downright mean. One said, "Stop eating Nutella. It's been confirmed to give cancer." 

Another commented, "Don't make your kids blow up." And then there's this beauty: "Giving food like this to a child is child abuse."

I hardly think so. What abuse is Kelly really committing here? Serving a minor excessive deliciousness? Get a grip already.


How to Get Rid of Whiteheads

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This article has been syndicated to Her Campus from Fashion Food Fotos, an InfluenceHer Collective member. Read the full post here.

If you’re a regular reader/follower of my blog, then you already know that I’ve spent a lot of time, energy, and money on finding the best ways to cure my acne. I’ve written about it before, but back then I was really only scratching the surface of all the changes I needed to make in both my diet and my skincare regime to get me face to clear up the way it has. Since then, I’ve learned a lot more about skincare and even wrote about the products I use to get rid of blackheads, so I figured a corresponding post on how to get rid of whiteheads was in order.

Whiteheads, like pretty much any form of acne, are clogged pores. The thing that makes them whiteheads is that the dirt/sebum/whatever in your pore is actually sealed in. That’s right, your pore opening is being blocked by too many cells on the surface of your skin. Which is why the first step to getting rid of whiteheads is to (other than, you know, wash your face) exfoliate. You can use physical exfoliation (a scrub, washcloth, Clarisonic), but these methods are actually losing their prevalence in the beauty community. Chemical exfoliants do the same work without all the irritation of extra rubbing and scrubbing.

AHAs

I currently use a glycolic moisture mask from Credentials on a weekly basis. It’s great and everything, but once it’s done I’m looking forward to upgrading to the stronger version by Drunk Elephant. AHAs like glycolic or lactic acid help keep dead skin cells from building up on the surface of your face, which means the gunk inside your pores can actually, you know, come out of your pores. A weekly mask is what works for me, but if you have super sensitive skin, you can also find a cleanser or serum to use twice a week or so that provides the same benefits at a lower concentration.

A Hot Cloth

This one is pretty easy (and free!), but it comes highly recommended from my facialist. She says that if you wet a washcloth with hot water and press it onto the whitehead (no rubbing!) to heat it up, eventually it will come to the surface and “release”. You can repeat this step as many times as it takes to keep the cloth hot, and to get the whitehead to come to the surface. Once it pops, she recommends putting a dab of honey on the spot for a few minutes, since honey is a natural anti-bacterial agent. Manuka honey is actually the best kind of honey to use for skincare, since it is made using Manuka flowers, which result in a more potent anti-bacterial element. How cool is that?

Clay Mask

A clay mask is a great way to draw impurities out of your skin, and it can be especially useful as a spot treatment on whiteheads, both pre and post popping. Opt for masks that are actual pure clay and not some crazy concoction that just so happens to have clay in it. Aztec Healing Clay is the cult classic, but you can also find french green clay at places like Whole Foods. The powder may be slightly messy, but at least you know exactly what is going on your face, and that it has no potentially irritating ingredients.

Read the full post here.

United Airlines Responded to This Woman's Sexual Assault Complaint by Giving Her 4 Travel Vouchers

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As they say, when it rains, it pours. United Airlines is facing another allegation of mishandling a contentious situation—this time involving a woman who alleges she was groped by another passenger. United’s response? To keep serving the perpetrator more alcohol and offer the woman four $100 vouchers for free flights as an apology.

Jennifer Rafieyan was traveling with her 12-year-old daughter on a flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Phoenix, Arizona, last month when a man who was already visibly drunk took the seats next to her. The 47-year-old mother of three says this is when her ordeal began. The man began to grope and harass her. The incident lasted around an hour with the passenger rubbing her legs, grabbing her knee and writing "PASIONAT NITE XX" on her notepad, Rafieyan told theHuffington Post. It wasn’t until her daughter went to the bathroom that Rafieyan was able to get up and notify a flight attendant. According to the Huffington Post, “She said, ‘I’m so sorry. We felt really bad putting him next to you, but there was nothing we could do.'” However, even after she reported the incident, the flight attendants continued to serve the inebriated man drinks.

As many sexual assault victims will tell you, during uncomfortable situations, their minds freeze. Rafieyan reported the same feeling, which is why she didn’t respond by yelling or screaming. “I don’t react well. I freeze…. I felt trapped. I couldn’t leave the seat because I didn’t trust him near my daughter."

It is prohibited by the FAA to let intoxicated passengers board any flight, but the alleged assaulter was clearly already drunk prior to boarding, according to Patch. Rafieyan reports that the passenger was led onto the plane by his hips, because he wasn't stable enough on his own. In fact, the passenger did not even begin his lecherous acts with Rafieyan. According to Rafieyan, a flight attendant was a victim of the man's behavior well before takeoff. With all the drinks in his system, he steadily became more belligerent, at which point a flight attendant had to threaten to divert the plane.

Rafieyan filed a formal complaint with the company on March 29, to which United’s customer service team responded with four $100 vouchers without so much as acknowledging the groping incident. Angered, Rafieyan has now filed a complaint with the Department of Transportation and the FAA. A United Airlines spokesman responded to Huffington Post, apologizing for the situation and the subsequent response. “We sincerely apologize to Ms. Rafieyan and her family for their experience," he said. "We are reviewing the way that this situation was handled on board, and how our customer care team responded. We will follow up with Ms. Rafieyan to apologize again, and discuss how we could have handled this situation better.”

United has been facing considerable backlash lately, following the release of the now viral video of a doctor being pulled from a plane to make room for United employees, which itself followed ANOTHER scandal involving the airline, whereby two underage girls were told they could not board a plane due to “inappropriate attire,” aka leggings. Something tells me this isn’t the last we’ll be hearing of United’s policy issues.

This Pioneering New York Judge Was Found Dead on the Hudson River Bank

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The body of Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam was found on the banks of the Hudson River in New York City Wednesday. Abdus-Salaam was the first female Muslim judge in the United States and was the first black woman to sit on the New York Court of Appeals.

The NYPD told BuzzFeed cause of death has yet to be determined, but did reveal that there were no obvious signs of injury or trauma. Sources such as CNN, however, are reporting it as a possible suicide, a theory which many people, including Laurence Tribe, a Harvard Law Professor, are disputing.

Judge Abdus-Salaam was reported missing from her Harlem home by her husband Tuesday. He later identified her body after it was found. According to CNN, sources said Abdus-Salaam was feeling stressed lately, which could be a possible impetus for the suicide theory.

The 65-year-old judge was born in Washington D.C. and moved to New York to pursue her education. After graduating from Barnard College, she went onto Columbia Law where she earned her law degree. She became a judge in 1991. In 1994, she was appointed to the New York Supreme Court, until her appointment to the New York Court of Appeals in 2009.

Her judicial record was highly liberal, according to the New York Times, as she often ruled in favor of the working class, immigrants and other marginalized communities. Last summer, in fact, Vox reports that she helped alter the legal definition of parenthood, expanding it to include non-blood relatives, thereby making it easier for same-sex parents to seek custody. In addition to this decision, her record also includes a case in which she ruled it unlawful to exclude jurors based on skin tone (a milestone).

There seems to be a great sense of loss among colleagues who are reacting to the loss of Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam. New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio called her a humble pioneer and Governor Cuomo called her a "trailblazing jurist and a force for good."

This 'Survivor' Contestant Is Being Applauded After a Fellow Competitor Outed Him as Transgender

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It’s a pretty widely held belief that desperate times call for desperate measures, but in Survivor contestant Jeff Varner’s case, this cliché is completely irrelevant. On Wednesday’s dramatic episode, Varner was on the chopping block for elimination and in a last-ditch attempt to save his reality show career, made an egregious error: outing fellow castaway Zeke Smith as transgender.

Refinery29 reports that Varner questioned Smith in front of the Tribal Council, asking why he hadn’t revealed his trans identity to anyone on the show. Deeming the highly personal detail something that wouldn’t affect elimination choice, the Council booted Varner off the show to the joy of Smith’s fans.  

In a frenzy of tweets, supporters praised Smith as everything from a “shining star of a human being” to the “strongest Survivor.” Many also condemned the situation as “the ugliest part of humanity followed by the most beautiful part,” and “horrifying and moving and beautiful all in one.”  

While fans were scrambling to express their opinions on social media, Smith crafted a gorgeous response in The Hollywood Reporter describing the minutes that followed the incident between him and Varner. “The lights magnified in brightness. The cameras, though 30 feet away, suddenly felt inches from my face. All sound faded. Something primal deep inside me screamed: run. I lost control of my body, my legs bounced up and down uncontrollably, willing me to flee, but the rest of me sat dead as stone,” he wrote.  

The most surprising tidbit of the entire night? Jeff Varner is openly gay. While defending his actions to the other Survivor contestants, he said, “I argue for the rights of transgender people every day in the state of North Carolina. I would never say or do anything to hurt anyone here.”   

On his Twitter profile, Varner describes himself as, “Accepting of all. Tolerant of most.” From his actions last night, most people would probably agree that he should change the blurb to, “Accepting of most. Tolerant of most.” It’s sadly more fitting, don’t you think?

Our President Apparently Didn't Know That the Situation in North Korea 'Isn't So Easy'

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President Donald Trump is only just beginning to figure out what a complex and thorny task dealing with North Korea is, according to a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal. It took a conversation with Chinese president Xi Jinping for Trump to come to the conclusion that “it’s not so easy.”

The United States have been at odds with North Korea since the U.S. supported the South in the Korean War, and the North has been working towards nuclear capabilities for decades. And yet, Trump believed that he had the know-how to finally solve the problem. Until, of course, he got a ten-minute crash course in regional politics from the Chinese president. “I felt pretty strongly that [China] had a tremendous power [over] North Korea. But it’s not what you would think,” Trump told the Journal. "The magnitude of everything is so big, and also the decisions are so big. You know, you're talking about life and death."

While it’s slightly heartening that he’s beginning to figure this out, Trump’s revelation is still extremely concerning. Up until this conversation with Xi Jinping, our president clearly believed that he could simply push around other countries until they fell in line with his plans. It also demonstrates that Trump hadn’t been briefed on North Korea by any regional experts—or hadn’t bothered to pay attention when he was.

Trump’s tough talk on North Korea has inflamed tensions even further. He recently sent the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier to the region and has made more than one statement that has sent the South Korean government scurrying to reassure its citizens that the United States will definitely not take any pre-emptive action without consulting them first. “The United States makes it clear that it will not take a new policy or measure without consultations with us,” Cho June-hyuck, a spokesman for the South Korean Foreign Ministry said. But Trump’s decision to fire missiles at a Syrian air base last week has only fueled fears that he might take ill-advised action.

We can only hope that Trump’s recent eye-opening conversation means that he might take some time to learn about long-standing conflicts before wading into them. Maybe.

10 Healthy & Insta-Worthy Buddha Bowls You Need In Your Life

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If you’ve scrolled through Pinterest or Instagram at all lately, you’ve undoubtedly come across the vibrant-hued. no-filter-needed food trend known as Buddha bowls. And don’t lie, we know you’ve also stopped mid-scroll to admire at how pretty and yummy they look.

Buddha bowls (appropriately named because they resemble the round tummy of a Buddha) are loaded with healthy grains like quinoa and brown rice; vegetables from all over the color spectrum; protein, like tofu, chickpeas or chicken; and nuts, seeds and/or dressing. The great thing about these masterpieces is that they’re overflowing with macronutrients that will keep you energized throughout the day (take that, afternoon slump), and they can be customized to fit your dietary lifestyle, covering everyone from vegans to gluten-free peeps.

We’ve compiled some of the most delectable, satisfying recipes for you to try out. Whether you’re craving Mediterranean, Thai, Indian or Mexican, we’ve got you covered.

And we’re rooting you on as you get mentally prepared to go hard at your local produce aisle.

1. Falafel, Cauliflower and Carrot Bowl

Falafel: a protein-packed ball of goodness that will change your life for the better. Get the recipe for this bowl here.

2. Masala Chickpea Bowl

This bowl is perfect for your spicy, creamy food-cravings. Get the recipe here.

3. Superfood Taco Bowl

It’s like Chipotle, but more clean-eating-friendly. Get the recipe here.

4. “The Hippie Bowl” With Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut may not be your go-to Buddha-bowl filler, but we recommend you give it a try! It has amazing health benefits for digestion, heart health and your immune system. Get the recipe for this bowl here.

5. Sweet and Spicy Bowl

This is for all you Sriracha fans out there. Get the recipe here.

6. Coconut Jasmine Rice and Sesame Tofu Bowl

For a lighter meal with an Asian, tropical flair, check this out! Get the recipe here.

7. Roasted Chickpea Bowl with Avocado Dressing

…Because you can never go wrong with avocado. Get the recipe here.

8. Stir Fry Bowl

This is for those times when you want Chinese takeout, but you don’t want the regrets. Get the recipe here.

9. Roasted Rainbow Vegetable Bowl

Taste the rainbow. Get the recipe here.

10. Peanut Tofu Bowl

Thai food is always bae, and so is this bowl. Get the recipe here.

If you have difficulty finding the ingredients for these recipes, or if you’re feelin’ your cooking skills and want to make the recipes your own, feel free to use these bowls simply as inspiration.
Happy (clean) eating, ladies!

In Unfair (But Unsurprising) News, Gigi Hadid Looks Super Hot in Sweats

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Believe it or not, sweatpants are most definitely the new thing. From Selena Gomez to Kendall Jenner, celebs have been styling casual loungewear in the cutest ways.

Sweats are super comfy and come in a multitude of colors, making them super easy to style. Who knew blazers and sweatpants could actually go together?

As we all know by now, Gigi Hadid has just about the best street style. She may have outdone herself just last Wednesday when she stepped out in sweatpants that have stolen my heart. What's not so basic about this pair of gray sweats is that they're embellished and cut so beautifully they could literally pass as party wear, as Vogue points out.

The catch? The sweat suit combo costs $4,100. El oh el, that's, what, like 7 months of rent? Luckily, there are plenty of chic sweats you can rock (and most importantly afford)—here are a few of our favorites:

Olive Jogger Pants ($44 at Lulu's)

Nude Velour Loungewear Set ($90 at TopShop)

Lace-Up Sweat & Jogger Set ($33.07 per separate piece at ASOS)


This Is How People Really Feel About THAT Pepsi Ad

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A new survey indicates that people actually liked that controversial Kendall Jenner Pepsi ad a lot more than you might think. According to this survey by research company Morning Consult, 44 percent of the 2,202 respondents said that the ad gave them a more favorable or somewhat more favorable impression of Pepsi as a company.

The original ad, which depicted Kendall Jenner leaving a photoshoot to join a protest and then resolving tensions by giving a police officer a Pepsi, aired on April 5 and was immediately criticized on social media as being tone deaf and offensive, as well as for appropriating imagery from the Black Lives Matter movement. The commercial was quickly pulled and Pepsi released a statement saying, “Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding. Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologize. We did not intend to make light of any serious issue. We are removing the content and halting any further rollout. We also apologize for putting Kendall Jenner in this position."

According to BuzzFeed News, numerous advertising professionals agreed with the social media backlash, painting the ad as a PR disaster for Pepsi. JeWayne Thomas, a vice-president at Burrell Communications, told Buzzfeed that "the story just doesn’t resonate. There are some complex issues that we have to deal with as a country, race being one of them. And for sure Pepsi is not going to help solve issues." Allen Adamson, founder of BrandSimple Consulting, agreed, saying “They missed the mark on connecting to the hearts of people protesting and dramatically underestimated the sensitivity of the problem with protesters and BLM with soda pop. In a market where social media is looking, they got the attention they wanted for the wrong reasons.”

But the commercial may not have been as much of a misstep as Pepsi originally feared. In addition to the 44 percent overall who liked the ad, 75 percent of Hispanic respondents had a favorable view of the commercial, as did 51 percent of African-Americans. Men were slightly more inclined to feel more favorable or somewhat more favorable about Pepsi after watching, and Democrats were more likely to feel negatively about the ad when Kendall Jenner was shown, while Republicans were more likely to feel negatively about the ad when the hijabi woman was shown. Unfortunately for Kendall and Pepsi, however, most respondents said that their view of her was not improved after watching the ad. Whether Pepsi will attempt any other "socially conscious" ads after this, though, remains to be seen.

I Went Five Days Without Complaining & Here's What Happened

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By Krisztina Hogye

I’m not afraid to admit that when I get in a bad mood, I go off on a complaining tangent. I make a fuss about something and then all of a sudden I’m whining about all my other problems and throughout all of this, I sound like the most ungrateful human on Earth. 

My friend and I came up with a challenge to entirely stop complaining for five days straight.

“Wait. I need to complain about how I won’t complain for five days before we start!”

Once we stopped complaining about the challenge itself, we committed to not complaining for five days. Here’s what I learned from it.

I complain a lot more than I thought.

I used to think that I never internalized problems. I’d always tell someone about every little problem I had. My feelings were always out there in the open. The first day of the challenge, I realized that I am very petty and complain a lot internally. I wasn’t so aware of this before. I caught myself complaining mentally at least five times before breakfast. I know I complain a lot to other people, but I complain so much more in my head!

I need self-reflection and self-control.

I decided to analyze before taking control over my thoughts. I find that it’s important to look within yourself and acknowledge what your complaints are about. It’s best to catch yourself in the act of complain-thinking and see whether you are merely petty, or if there is something underlying it. If you can change the circumstance then that’s great, but if you can’t, then you have to find a way to let it go. If you cannot change a situation, then you have to change yourself. Let go, and go on with your day with glee.

There’s so much beauty around me.

As soon as I let go of the things that were bothering me, I began seeing the beauty in things that I complained about. It’s harder to look at the good side of things but it's so much better. You feel like a better person when giving gratitude and realizing the little things around that make you happy. This is how you become a more positive person.

I complain about things that aren’t my business.

I realized that I complain so much that I even complain about other people’s business. These complaints are judgments and are maybe even out of jealousy of the people around me. I caught myself a couple times talking negatively about other people’s lives. At one point, I realized that saying negative things about others’ circumstances counted as complaining, too, and that the person listening to me was probably not happy about my negative energy. People don’t like listening to you complaining. And they dislike it even more when they have to listen to you complaining about things that have nothing to do with you.

Complaining is destructive to our species.

When complaining, we give off negative energy. And this negative energy is contagious. When you are in a happy mood, the people you are hanging with become happy too. A smile makes another person smile. Unfortunately this is also the case with complaining. When I complain, my negative mood affects another person’s mood and they too begin complaining. It’s just like the dominos analogy. One person infects another person with the negative energy, then the person goes off to infect another person and in little to no time, everybody is thinking negative thoughts. I think this is why we all complain so much. We are used to it. And now it’s become a habit we need to break.

Complaining is a waste of time.

The more I caught myself complaining, the more I realized how unnecessary these complaints were. There is so much more to experience everyday than just these negative thoughts. Complaining is the biggest time-wasting activity. Let go of the ‘problems’ and you’ll create space and time for thoughts and words of love. Once I caught myself making a fuss about something totally irrelevant, I let go and realized I now had the time to think about good things. This is when I thought to myself, “Why didn’t I let go of this sooner, this is a much better feeling.”

There's a power in getting friends involved.

Finally, I learned that challenges are a lot more fun (and successful) when others are doing it with you, and if you are both serious, then you end up pushing yourselves more. I was doing the challenge with a friend and at the end of each day we shared our thoughts and any challenges we faced. Even this was hard, because we weren’t allowed to complain while all we wanted to do was complain about how hard this challenge was. I pushed myself more because it was motivating that my friend was going through the same journey.

My experience with this challenge is that it's not completely possible to shut off the complaining when the decision is made to do so. Truth be told, I complained a lot throughout the no-complaining-challenge. What the challenge really was about for me—as it turns out—was becoming aware of my complaining patterns. By becoming aware of my whining and criticizing, I was able to complain less. If you are a complainer like me, it is pretty unrealistic to stop complaining once and for all in just one day. Like most bad habits, you can’t break it overnight. It is a process and a learning experience about you and your limits.

Every time I opened my whiny mouth, I tried to catch myself before completely going off on a tantrum and word vomiting it all out, and this did get easier throughout the days. I tried to revert my attention to something positive and proactive. I tried to see my options, focused on what I could have changed in the now and if I couldn’t change the situation, I took a deep breath, let go of the thoughts and converted my thinking to fresh ideas.

I’d now like to challenge you to try going five days without complaining to see how aware you can become of your thinking and speaking patterns. Sorry, yesterday was the deadline for all complaints. It’s time for the #NoComplainingChallenge.

15 Things Only Girls with Cool Moms Understand

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Your mom's the one who always has unhealthy snacks and alcohol in the house. She knows more about your life than most of your friends, and she's an honorary member of your friend group. That's when you know you've got a COOL MOM! 

1. Your friends feel just as comfortable around your mom as they do around you. 

Your mom probably knows who slept where this weekend, and she probably gave your friends advice about the situation. 

2. Your mom is sometimes a bad influence.

She may or may not have encouraged you to engage in risky behavior in the past, but that's all part of her cool mom vibe. 

3. Your mom listens to Top 40 radio stations. 

If your mom made you listen to NPR, she is definitely NOT a cool mom, and you're probably not very cool either…just kidding. There is something so carefree about a middle-aged woman who doesn't flinch at the lyrics to "Side to Side."  

4. Your mom can dance like a teenager. 

Apologies to Jimmy and Michelle, but their dance moves are dead giveaways that they are not Cool Moms™. 

5. Your mom spills tea like it's nobody's business. 

She's as well-versed in the word on the cul-de-sac as she is in what's happening in the halls of the local high school. And she's got an opinion on ALL of it. 

6. Your dad has had to drag your mom home from graduation parties, neighborhood get-togethers, baptisms…

Your parents are #RelationshipGoals…if your #RelationshipGoal is to always have a designated driver who ushers you home before you can say something really embarrassing to anyone other than him. 

7. You could easily go on spring break with your mom and have more fun than if you'd gone with your friends. 

Much like the Real Housewives, trips with your mom usually include top-shelf liquor and shocking confessions. 

8. Your mom is always down for fast food or takeout. 

If you ask your mom, "Can we get McDonald's on the way home?" and her response is, "We have food at home," then you do not have a Cool Mom. 

9. While watching Gilmore Girls, Lorelai reminds you of your mom. 

It takes a true Cool Mom to give off Lorelai Gilmore vibes. Congratulations, you found a good one. 

10. She usually uses slang correctly.

Maybe "bae" or "shook" gave her some trouble, but for the most part, her vocab is pretty woke. 

11. She's sex-positive, to say the least. 

She supports all your ~conquests~ but always makes sure you're safe by scheduling your appointments with your gynecologists or renewing your birth control prescription for you. 

12. She looooooves to take selfies. 

Doesn't matter if you're in them or not, the selfie is happening either way. And it will be posted on Facebook. 

13. Your mom's still got game.

She's aged like a fine wine and insists on letting every waiter, bartender and store clerk know that. 

14. She totally nails sarcastic sass. 

Even though dry humor is more of a millennial thing, your mom is adapting well to shade culture. 

15. She's loyal AF.

You know she will always have your back, and she's the first and most important member in your girl gang. 

When to Save & When to Splurge On Skincare

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Every beauty addict knows that when it comes to finding the right skincare products, the struggle is SO. Real. Many of the cult-favorite, tried-and-true skincare products out there that we’re dying to try also come with a hefty price tag—which doesn’t exactly work so well with your college girl's budget. Luckily, we got the inside scoop from experts about which products are the real deal and totally worth the splurge—and which steps in your skincare routine just aren’t worth the big bucks.

Related: What to Eat to Beautify Your Hair, Skin & Nails

Splurge

Moisturizer

Since moisturizer is a product that stays on your skin all day, all night and underneath makeup, it makes sense a high-quality hydrator should be at the top of your splurge list, regardless of your skin type. Heather Wilson, an esthetician and the director of brand development for InstaNatural, says that moisturizer should be a priority when it comes to your skincare routine.

“Splurging on your moisturizer ensures you are getting a concentrated product that uses high quality ingredients, while eliminating the risk of ingredients like synthetic fragrances, mineral oil, and alcohol,” Wilson says. “Since your moisturizer is left on your skin all day, you’ll want something that is full of powerful and healthy ingredients.”

Super moisturizing ingredients to look out for? Hydraulic acid, ceramides and glycerin, which all help to give skin that plump, freshly moisturized glow we’re all after. We recommend Philosophy’s Renewed Hope in a Jar ($47), which contains two of the three.

Serum

Always heard about serums, but were never quite sure why you needed one? You’re not alone. While there’s a multitude of different serums that are designed to do everything from fighting aging, to clearing blemishes, to hiding wrinkles, they’re all products that contain potent, highly concentrated ingredients—meaning you’ll want the best of the best.

Spencer Barnes, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with the likes of Vanessa Hudgens and Olivia Wilde, says that serums can be simplified as long as you know which quality ingredients to look for.

“Serums have highly concentrated ingredients that target specific needs,” Barnes says. “I like to look for serums with a green tea extract for tightening, olive or a citrus extract to help repair or fight off free radicals.”

While your serum of choice could change depending on your skin’s unique needs, look for items like First Aid Beauty’s Anti-Redness Serum ($36) or Ole Henrikson’s Truth Serum ($48). While both are designed to do very different things, they both contain antioxidant ingredients that fight free radicals and will majorly save your skin down the road. 

Eye Cream

Lack of sleep isn’t exactly a collegiette’s most uncommon problem—which makes investing in an amazing eye cream totally worth it in the long run. Plus, according to Barnes, splurging on an eye cream means you’ll be getting ingredients that actually work.

“I normally recommend eye creams for at night because when you are sleeping your body is working to regenerate, heal and sooth, especially when you’re lying still,” Barnes says. “You’ll want to find products that contain vitamin E and C to help hydrate and brighten the skin. By splurging on these products you are certain that you will be applying quality products on your skin for the best results.”

When you’ve been pulling all-nighters during finals week, you’ll want something that will de-puff and brighten your eye area in a flash. With ingredients like coffee (seriously!) and ginseng, we recommend Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream ($30) to get that well-rested effect.

Exfoliator

While it may seem like any old exfoliator will slough away those dead skin cells, Lindsey Blondin, the lead esthetician at George the Salon, in Chicago, says that using the wrong scrub can actually be detrimental to your skin.

“Scrubs that are too harsh can actually cause microscopic cuts, scrapes, tears to the skin causing fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, and broken capillaries,” Blondin says. “Also if you are prone to acneic skin, it can spread bacteria.”

Those issues definitely don’t sound like our idea of a good time. To avoid some major skin struggles, try a product like Philosophy’s Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash ($28), a tried-and-true fan favorite. Or, to skip the scrub entirely, but still get all the exfoliating benefits, try Boscia’s Exfoliating Peel Gel ($34).

Save

Cleanser

While cleansing is one of the most vital steps to your skincare routine, Wilson says it’s also one of the best steps to buy at a budget-friendly price.

“Regardless of your budget, great quality cleansers are quite easy to find,” Wilson says. “We tend to go through cleansers faster than other products, which means they can make a big impact on your budget. Skip cleansers that feature active ingredients and save that money for your treatment products. Instead, look for gentle, multitasking cleansers that remove makeup and cleanse the skin. These cleansers allow you to skip the cost of a makeup remover and since they don’t contain expensive actives, they tend to be more cost effective.”

When a cleanser is only on your face for about 30 seconds each day, there’s no real reason to splurge on special ingredients that are probably already in your toner, serum or moisturizer. Wilson recommends InstaNatural’s Facial Oil Cleanser ($15.95), which gently cleans and removes makeup for an all-in-one way to get a fresh face at the end of the day—and if it allows us to skip buying makeup remover, we’re all in!

Toner

Toners always seem to be at the center of a huge debate among beauty lovers everywhere—do you actually need one or not? What do they even do? Good news: Wilson says that a toner can be a great, inexpensive addition to a skincare routine—so there’s not exactly a ton of financial risk involved if you’re curious about trying one for yourself.

“Toners are a simple product that offer tremendous benefits, so don’t let price scare you away,” Wilson says. “Toner varieties can range from complex treatments to basic hydration, and while both options are fine, the simpler toners are best for college-aged skin and wallets.”

The bottom line? Look for a toner that suits your skins needs—it doesn’t need to be super fancy either. We like Mario Badescu’s range of toners, which all ring up at a budget-friendly $15. There’s a formula for every skin type, too!

Masks

It turns out that the fancy mask you bought at Sephora last week probably has a lot of the same ingredients as one you can find in the aisle of the drugstore.

Blondin says that when it comes to masks, it’s the ingredients that count—and most of them are the same across pricey and budget products. For oily or acne-prone skin, she recommends looking for a clay-based mask. For dry-skinned ladies, she says to look out for products containing aloe.

If you need something to keep you blemish free, we recommend Garnier’s Active Pore Purifying Clay Cleanser Mask ($8.99), which contains both charcoal and clay to keep you clear. (It multitasks as a cleanser too!) To keep flaky, dry patches at bay, try an aloe sheet mask like Tony Moly Aloe Mask Sheet ($3.75) for some major moisture.

It turns out that it’s easy to #TreatYourself to fancy skincare products on a budget—as long as you’re willing to pick and choose where you splurge and where you save. With a little bit of high-low mixing, your wallet (and your skin!) will thank you.

11 Ways You & Your Squad Are Just Like the 'Pretty Little Liars'

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Spencer, Aria, Hanna and Emily have been giving us major #SquadGoals for seven seasons of Pretty Little Liars now. Let's be honest, though—aside from the occasional murder or being kidnapped multiple times, you and your group of friends aren't too different from the Liars. At the end of the day, you've got each other's backs; it's the same with them. In fact, there are quite a few similarities between your squad and theirs, including the following: 

1. You all get really into dances and formals 

2. You've made some enemies over the years...

3. You ALWAYS stand up for each other 

hanna marin animated GIF

4. You know how to keep each other's secrets

5. Though you're all friends, you each have a unique friendship

6. You've had your fair share of fights over the years

7. Even though you always make up

8. Your moms have gradually become friends since you're always together

9. You've found yourselves in a few sticky situations...

10. You encourage each other to go after what you want, even if it means you're going to miss them

11. Because at the end of the day, you'll always come back together

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