If you're on the pill, you might want to double check which brand you're taking - Refinery29 reports that Lupin Pharmaceuticals is recalling the Mibelas 24 Fe birth control pill due to a manufacturing error that caused the placebo pills to be packaged in the wrong place.

Apparently, during manufacturing the monthly pill packs were accidentally rotated 180 degrees - causing the placebo pills, a.k.a. the sugar pills in the pack that allow you to start your period, to be placed at the beginning of the month instead of the end like they usually are. Obviously, this is a huge problem since taking placebo pills at the beginning of the month when you've already been taking them for multiple days leaves you majorly unprotected from pregnancy.

Thankfully, if you are on Mibelas 24 Fe, you can know what to look out for in case you have a pack that was affected. The FDA has confirmed that the affected lot number is L600518, and has an expiration date of May 2018. It's also possible to differentiate the placebo pills from the active pills by checking the numbers on them: active pills feature "N81" printed on one side, while the placebos have "M22" printed on them.

According to New York Magazine, Lupin Pharmaceuticals said in a statement that anyone with an affected product should return it to their pharmacy, and users should talk to their doctor about the possibility of an unintended pregancy. So far, the company says there have been no reports of unintendend pregnancy due to the error - but if you're taking Mibelas 24 Fe to prevent pregancy or combat other hormonal symptoms, you're going to want to check the pack you're taking just to be safe. 

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It all started when Natalya Williamson noticed her energy dying out throughout the workday. She enjoyed her job, but she found herself hesitating to speak up during meetings and more comfortable sharing her ideas afterwards in a casual conversation with her manager. “Why don’t you speak up in meetings? That’s an amazing idea, why didn’t you say it out loud?” her managers would ask her.

The answer is simple. Williamson, Project Manager of Leadership and Development Management at LinkedIn, is an introvert. And being an introvert in the workplace, a traditionally extrovert-geared atmosphere, can be challenging.

We talked to Kate Earle, Chief Learning Officer of the Quiet Leadership Institute, a company that helps professionals tap into their employees’ potential and better engage them in the workplace, to get the facts on this personality type. Keep reading to learn how to be the most comfortable with your introverted characteristics and let your skills shine through whether you’ve landed your dream job or you’re still looking for the right one.

Related: A Shy Girl's Guide to Networking

1. What is it?

Introversion is not shyness or social awkwardness; it’s rooted in how your brain is wired to respond to stimulus, explains Earle. Introverts have a lower response threshold for stimulus (such as light, sound and touch) and therefore may react by being overwhelmed or may just need more time for deliberation. She further explains that extroverts, on the other end of the spectrum, seek stimulus to energize them and can make in-the-moment decisions or think out loud.

So how do you be your true self at work and perform your best?

“Be conscious of how you like to think, be, work, [and] communicate,” says Earle.

2. How to survive as an introvert during your job search

Introverts have a lot to offer. Thoughtfulness, good listening skills, the ability to work independently, calculating risk involved in a situation and moving slowly through variables instead of jumping in without thinking are a few that are seen as great assets in the eyes of an employer, according to Earle.

Apply to positions you can see yourself at

This doesn’t mean you should only stay in your comfort zone, but feeling comfortable with the position you are applying to as well as your prospective employers, is key. The thought of having your first job at a big company where it seems impossible to stand out from everyone else can be daunting. And job descriptions almost always sound intimidating. But don’t let that deter you from every opportunity. Look for positions where you think you’ll be able to grow and expand your skills, but still feel like yourself.

Know your strengths and be self-aware

When Williamson realized she wasn’t speaking up because she didn’t want to cut someone else off or wasn’t sure if her idea was strong enough, she analyzed the situation. Why do I hesitate to speak up in a group? Why am I losing energy throughout the day? Why am I the most creative and focused when I think by myself with my headphones on? She realized what energizes her may be different than that of her extroverted colleagues. Working in solitude with time to collect her thoughts before responding to a question is how she thinks best. If you are honest with yourself about how you best communicate at work, you can search for and apply to jobs that truly suit you.

Bring an extroverted buddy to networking events

The thought of walking into a room full of people you don’t know can be scary enough, but realizing you need to talk to them and—even worse—sell yourself, can be off-the-charts overwhelming for an introvert. “Bring a handler or have a buddy,” is the best advice Williamson was given about attending networking events. “Bringing someone who is more extroverted can help you navigate through the crowd.” Plus you will feel more comfortable having someone you know there and they can be helpful when trying to start or end a conversation.

Related: How to Speak Up at Work in Any Situation

3. How to shine in an interview

The best way to build interview confidence is with the right preparation. “Interviews are hard for anyone, but they can be an ideal situation for [introverts],” explains Williamson. “Introverts appreciate structure and like to plan,” which can be an asset in an interview.

Practice until you’re comfortable

Practice interview questions out loud with someone to get used to talking. Set up a mock interview with a parent or friend and tell them to ask you both generic and more thought-provoking questions so you are prepared. “[Introverts] are very good at the interview process because [they] can connect well in an interview or small group setting,” says Laura Bozarth, career coach and founder of Good Girls Health.  “Being that [introverts] are also intuitive, [they] can also pick up on when it's time to engage.”  Let your instincts guide you in an interview and you’ll know the right time to speak and what to say, especially if you’ve practiced possible answers to questions ahead of time.

Manage your energy

“I don’t believe [introverts] will be mute in an interview,” says Williamson. “They know to turn [on their energy] but they will be drained after.” Introverts can do really well in an interview but it may not be natural for them to talk about themselves. Fear of coming off too strong or wanting to use the right words when describing something takes a lot of thinking and can be mentally exhausting. Practice ahead of time but let your brain rest right before the interview.

Ask for time to think your answer through

You’ve practiced your response to every interview question imaginable, so you know you’re ready for anything. But nothing kills confidence like a question you aren’t prepared for. If you find yourself at a loss for words, try being honest. Earle suggests saying something like: “I love that question, and I want to give you my best answer. Can I have a minute to think about that?” Or perhaps you can even ask to email them later with your response or call them early the next morning to elaborate. “This takes courage but if you’re tuned into your strengths as an introvert, you can advocate for yourself,” says Earle. You will have to freestyle some of your answers on an interview, as you should to avoid sounding too rehearsed, but rather than risk saying a not-so-great response, take time to think.

4. Learn to stand out at your first job

The key to making a great professional impression is knowing yourself and being comfortable with how you communicate and work. “In the office setting, introverts need to be clear about what they need to get the job done and be vocal about it,” says Bozarth. “If they want to work with small teams instead of jumping into a huge presentation immediately [or] if they need a quiet work space, they need to address that.” Being quiet and a good listener may seem like undervalued traits but they are important. Declaring who you are and how you work will help you perform your best, which will result in a more pleasant workplace.

Explain your introversion to your employer

Having a job is just as much about what is right for you as it is for your employer and the company you are working for. Educate your employer on how to reach your full potential by explaining, “I’m an introvert and this is how I work. Don’t interpret my quietness as not being engaged,” says Earle. Williamson agrees, explaining what you need so people don’t take your actions the wrong way helps you tell your story to bosses and colleagues. Williamson suggests saying: “When I have headphones in, it’s not that I’m shutting everyone out. This is just what I need to bring my most creative self forward.” Williamson’s favorite ways to recharge throughout the day? “Listening to music is one of my favorite ways to recharge. It's a subtle signal to others that I'm in 'recharge' [mode] and helps me shut out external distracting factors.” Going for a short walk around the building or stepping outside can also have major energizing power, suggests Williamson.

Speak up in the beginning of a meeting

“Introverts analyze not only what they say but also the fact that [they] will have to speak,” says Williamson. Introverts start thinking about when the best time is to speak up and if too much time goes by, they may end up repeating something someone else already said—which can seem like they aren’t creative or don’t have ideas of their own. “With introverts there is always a lot of analyzing while extroverts tend to think out loud,” explains Williamson. “Speaking in the beginning of a meeting lets people know you are present, reducing the anxiety of having to speak, so you feel relieved knowing 'I already said what I had to say.'”

Advocate for others

Even if you don’t share one of your own ideas you can point out someone (probably a fellow introvert) who was trying to speak but may have been overpowered by a more outspoken colleague. Williamson suggests saying something like, “Hey, I think Jennifer has something to say. What was it that you wanted to share?” to let your colleague know you saw they were trying to speak and acknowledges their idea is important too.

'Just be yourself' is advice we’ve heard our whole lives. And it’s both true in theory and liberating in practice. “You don’t have to act like an extrovert to be successful,” says Earle. Bringing your more subtle and cautious introverted approach will be appreciated and admired just the same. 

No one wants a relationship that's all work and no fun. So admit it: anyone who's been in a relationship long enough to feel comfortable with their SO has done at least half of these weird (but totally normal) things. Where do you think all those inside jokes come from?

1. Using the bathroom while the other one showers.

2. Or asking the other to sit in there with you while you use the bathroom.

3. Popping each other's pimples.

4. Watching each other sleep.

5. And then taking pictures of them while they sleep.

6. Secretly filming them.

7. You pee with the door open.

8. And shamelessly fart around them.

9. You inspect each other's weird hairs and moles.

10. You smell each other.

11. Sleeping with each other's clothes because they smell like them.

12. Pretending to be animals.

13. Licking each other.

Why you should become a flexitarian. [Spoon University]

Here's what pop stars wore in 2007. [BuzzFeed]

We're not used to people thinking we are beautiful. [The New Yorker]

Drinking coffee helps you work out better. [Cosmopolitan]

What exactly does Planned Parenthood do? [Women's Health]

Why I'll never get a tattoo. [xoJane]

Storage hacks that clean people swear by. [refinery29]

What dating is like as a little person. [allure]

Senior prank gets two dozen students banned from graduation. [People]

How to take care of your skin while flying. [Vogue]

After being extremely vocal about her feud with Taylor Swift throughout the press tour of her new album Witness, Katy Perry claims that she is finally ready to forgive Swift for their years-long conflict. Us Weekly reports that in an interview with Arianna Huffington, Perry apologized to the hit singer, suggesting that an attempt at friendship between the women could be in store.

“I am ready to let it go,” Perry said on Huffington’s Thrive Global Podcast. “I forgive her and I’m sorry for anything I ever did, and I hope the same from her. I think it’s actually like, I think it’s time. There are bigger fish to fry, and there are real problems in the world.”

At this point, the Swift-Perry feud has become such a debate that no one is really sure who to believe. It’s believed that the two’s disagreements began when Perry supposedly tried to hire some of Swift’s backup dancers, but I think everyone can agree that the two’s digs at each other have gotten a little too petty in the last few years.

Luckily, Perry seems to agree. “I love her, and I want the best for her…I think that if we, both her and I, can be representatives of strong women that come together despite their differences, I think the whole world is going to go like, ‘Yeah, well we can do this.’…Maybe I don’t agree with everything she does and she doesn’t agree with everything I do, but I just really, truly want to come together in a place of love and forgiveness and understanding and compassion.”

My fingers are crossed for an equally classy and forgiving response from Swift, but if there’s anything these two have taught me, it’s that apologies can be quite drawn out. Props to Katy Perry for being the one to say that enough is enough in this feud. 

We’re all guilty of speculating about how dream dad Jack Pearson dies on the NBC tearjerker This Is Us, but now we can feel a little bit better about our crazy guesses and hypothesizing. Cosmopolitan reports that Jack himself, aka Milo Ventimiglia, revealed his favorite fan theory about Jack’s death, and we have to agree with him—this prediction is pretty out there.

“Miguel killed him,” Ventimiglia said of the theory at an ATX television festival panel. “I enjoyed that one just because it feels so far-fetched and a bit ridiculous—because Miguel is Jack’s best friend!”

Okay, true, but that best friend also marries Jack’s wife. Just saying.

At the same panel, members of the show’s creative team revealed that none of the fan theories have actually included the truth of Jack’s demise. “They may be onto something,” said executive producer Ken Olin. “The truth is, [Jack’s fate] was one of those things that got away from us. It’s one of the many emotional layers in the story…it’s become this thing that we obviously need to address at some point, and we will.”

Of course, it’s impossible for the This Is Us cast to speak at an event without making us cry, and this panel was no exception. Ventimiglia also revealed that one of his favorite scenes of the show is that heartbreaking blowup between Jack and Rebecca in the Season 1 finale. According to Refinery29, Ventimiglia said, “That big argument that Mandy [Moore] and I had in the very end—that had to be one of the most satisfying things on set.” He called the powerful scene “one of the best moments, one of the highlights of my 22 years of my career as an actor.”

Although time is ticking down until we learn the likely devastating truth about Jack’s death, it’s great to know that Ventimiglia is satisfied with his incredible portrayal of this character. 

No matter how many times you eat salad for lunch, you just can’t shake carbs, dairy and meat from your mind. Why should you? Eating clean doesn’t mean you have to compromise your favorite foods and snacks, but tweaking them by substituting some not-so-healthy ingredients with healthy options allows you to have the best of both worlds. Without further ado, here are the foods you should try substituting the next time a craving rolls around.

1. Kale chips for potato chips

Potato chips may be your default snack food when you’re planning a heavy study session or feeling down, but we all know they’re anything but healthy. Kale on the other hand, is jam packed with vitamin K, which regulates your body’s inflammatory process. In fact, kale contains about twice as much vitamin K as its fellow cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, collard greens, etc). It also is considered a remedy to high cholesterol (steamed kale is almost half as powerful as cholestyramine, a cholesterol lowering drug!).

Compared to potatoes, kale is extremely high in antioxidants. It contains the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol, both of which are considered to have powerful anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. 

What are you waiting for? Next time you’re reaching for a pack of Doritos at the grocery store, grab a pack of kale instead. Making kale chips is also incredibly easy and quick.

1. Rip the leaves into chip-sized pieces
2. Sprinkle olive oil and whatever seasoning suits your fancy.
3. Pop them into the oven at 350 degrees until they are brown and crispy at the rims.

Related: 6 Healthy Swaps for the Foods You Crave the Most

2. Honey for sugar

Honey technically also contains sugar, but between the two, you will need less honey to achieve the same level of sweetness in your tea, baked goods, etc. While sugar is 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose, honey is only 30 percent glucose and 40 percent fructose. Since the make-up of honey involves more complex sugars, your body will spend more energy trying to break it all down into glucose – meaning honey gives you less calories. 

3. Avocado for butter/mayonnaise

The buttery consistency of avocados has so many more applications than for toast – so why not directly substitute them into your cooking? Per quarter cup serving, mashed avocado has 300 fewer calories than butter. Additionally, avocados contain monounsaturated fat (the good kind of fat), which actually reduces bad cholesterol and leads to less belly fat. So the next time you’re baking some guilty-pleasure muffins or trying to sneak some more veggies into your diet, mix in some gooey avocado goodness to get the nutrition you deserve without compromising the foods you adore. The best part is, avocado can substitute butter at a 1:1 ratio. 

4. Cottage cheese for cream cheese

Cottage cheese, cream cheese’s lumpier cousin, turns out to be a much healthier choice when it comes to your next dip or baking endeavor. In fact, cottage cheese has about one-third the calories per serving.

5. Greek yogurt for sour cream

Greek yogurt may not sound super appetizing on its own, but when you think of using it as a substitute for sour cream, it kind of makes perfect sense. It comes fat-free and has way less sodium and carbohydrates than regular cream or yogurt. We suggest you mix it into soups or dips for an extra kick in your dishes.

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Cooking is all about experimenting, and college is exactly the time to try new dishes and figure out what you enjoy. We dare you to try swapping out some of your cooking staples like butter and sugar for healthier alternatives – you won’t look back!

After being criticized for his controversial response to the London terror attacks earlier this month, President Donald Trump may postpone or completely cancel a scheduled trip to Britain later this year, The New York Timesreports. Two administration officials revealed Trump’s skepticism of visiting Britain after verbally targeting London mayor Sadiq Khan on Twitter following attacks in central London.

When Khan made a statement telling London residents not to feel alarmed at increased police presence in the city, Trump took his words out of context, tweeting that the remark was a “pathetic excuse.”

This past week, Khan appeared on a British news outlet saying that he did not approve of Trump going through with his upcoming visit, The Guardianreports. “I don’t think we should roll out the red carpet to the president of the USA in the circumstances where his policies go against everything we stand for,” he said. “When you have a special relationship it is no different from when you have got a close mate. You stand with them in times of adversity but you call them out when they are wrong. There are many things about which Donald Trump is wrong.”

While National Security Council and State Department officials have yet to take a “preadvance” trip to Britain to finalize logistics, reports claim that Trump has said he wants to avoid an “overly long” international trip. Sources point out that he also prefers other leaders to visit him in the States, but the British response to Trump’s earlier actions could be the defining factor in the trip’s future. According to the Times, poll results show that over half of the British public see Trump as a “threat to global stability.”

With the trip to Britain initially included in a July trip to Europe, it is uncertain when the visit will occur if it happens as planned. If Trump does make it to the UK before the end of the year, it’s safe to say that it would quite the interesting journey to follow. 

Sexting—the bow chicka wow wow of texting. The electronic hickey. The one time it’s appropriate to use an eggplant emoji.

For our millennial generation, sexting is pretty common what with our high definition iPhone cameras and the sheer existence of Tinder. By now, it falls into the standard order of operations of texting back and forth with some cutie only to end up sending a picture of your digital boobs through thin air.

In all seriousness, while sexting is a great way to practice a safe form of sex, there are a lot of things about it that aren’t safe at all. Since casual sexting is about as common as the casual hook-up, it means that you won’t always be sexting with someone who you know that well. You quickly give your physical privacy and security into the hands of someone else, and that being said, there are some definite dos and don’ts in order to sext the right way—and the safe way. 

Dos

Take your time

Just like foreplay, sexting is all about the buildup. The longer it takes, the better. The prolonged anticipation will keep both you and your partner wanting more, and the two of you can keep going at it until you’re satisfied (wink wink).

Taking your time sending messages also gives you a time buffer in which you can begin to trust your partner more. Like we’ve said, sexting is a vulnerable position to be in, and as you draw out the sexual buildup, you can also decipher the limits of just how far you feel comfortable going with the person.

“When I sext someone for the first time, especially if I don’t know them well, I always play it pretty safe at first just because I don’t know if they’re screenshotting everything I say,” says Hunter, a senior at the University of Louisville. “The more the conversation continues, I get a feel for if our sexual interests align and what kind of person they are. If they seem to check out, I immediately start to turn up the heat on my messages.”

Overall, your privacy is of the most utmost importance here, and you shouldn’t sext someone who would put that at risk. Take your time working up to a messaging climax so that you’re secure enough to let go and show your wild side in the messages.

Keep messages short and sweet

Try to find that sweet spot between a single sentence and a full paragraph. Writing “Ohhhhh” doesn’t really add anything to the conversation, but your partner having to endlessly scroll through your messages about all the dirty things you want to do to them is overwhelming. When sexts are too long, the details get lost, and that might even be a turn off.

“I had this one girl text me what probably translated to a full page,” says Lorenzo, a junior at the University of California, Santa Barbara. “It was mildly terrifying. I felt like I was reading a romance novel she had secretly been harboring in her soul but never got to write until she sexted me. Ladies! I encourage you to live your fantasy, but maybe just say it in two sentences.”

Remember that sexting should be a dialogue between two people. The perfect formula would be to acknowledge what your partner last said and also add something new to that each time by building on top of the idea or action that was offered to you.

Related: HC’s Guide to Safe Sexting

Be polite

We don’t mean saying please and thank you, but keep in mind that you’re still talking to a real person with feelings. Sexting is definitely not a situation where you should ever mock someone or make them feel insecure about what they’re saying.

Department Chair of Psychology at Cal Poly and licensed psychologist Jasna Jovanovic studies the socialization of gender, and has found that males tend be just as insecure about sexual response as women are. “Nobody wants to feel bad about their self, but oftentimes males are cast as initiators, and take the brunt of sexual criticism. In the case of sexual messaging, it’s easier for a female to be turned off and be vocal about the sexual fantasy the male has initiated as compared to a real life situation where she might be polite because of the in-person circumstance.”  

Be respectful of their boundaries even if it’s not real sex. As the old saying goes, treat others the way you would like to be treated. Starting with kindness will lead to a more pleasurable experience for both of you.

Cover your tracks

No matter how badly you want to save last night’s kinky conversations, just trust us and delete those messages right away, girlfriend. We all have those snoopy friends (or moms) who occasionally scroll through our phones and invade our privacy, and it’s better to be safe rather than have your friend (or mom) take a peek at your recent texts only to find some sub-par porn. There’s also a kick-butt app available called Couple, which is a password protected messaging service that lets you send photos and won’t sync to clouds. It’s all about keeping your moments private, and is a fantastic alternative to deleting your late night sexts!

“I had a bunch of saved sexts between my boyfriend and I that I never deleted,” says Morgan, a junior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “Long story short, my phone synced to my friend’s cloud and she still tells everyone about what hilarious and racy things we were saying. Now I always delete my messages the next morning to save myself from further embarrassment.”

As we’ve seen from celebrity photo scandals and private messaging hacks, the digital world is a really dangerous place where your private life can be exposed before you even know what’s happening. Take precaution and always cover your tracks before your sexy time messages are on display for all to see.

Sext soberly

Alcoholic sexting lubricant might not be such a great idea when you wake up in the morning and find out that you’ve been texting your partner like E.L. James all night. We already know the dangers of sending the drunk text, but imagine drunk sexting?! That’s a literal nightmare situation.

“I view drunk sexting the way I view having sex drunk,” says Leah, a junior at the University of Washington. “Alcohol increases your chance of making a mistake. When you’re drunk you would give consent to having sex with someone at a party without really meaning it, and the same goes for sexting. You’re not always in control enough to do what honors you.”

Psychologist Jasno Jovanovic heartily agrees. “A female under the influence is just as likely to be taken advantage of digitally as she may be in a physical social circumstance. The same rules of safety and consent should still apply to sexting.”

The danger of sexting drunk is that you lack complete control of yourself and aren’t present in the situation. In doing this, you risk sending something that you wouldn’t normally, which might risk your digital safety while also being completely embarrassing.

Related: How to Spice Up Your Sex Life in a Long-Term Relationship

Don’ts

Show your face if you send any photos

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT—WE CAN’T EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH. Don’t do it, period. Ever. Unless you’re just begging to be blackmailed.

“Exchanging nude pictures is something I really enjoy doing in my relationships, especially if my boyfriend and I have to spend time apart,” says Naba, a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “It hasn’t happened to me yet, but I’m always terrified that one day I’ll see nude photos of my body on the internet or being passed around my group of friends. I never take pictures with my face in them specifically for that reason.”

While we generally want you to be able to trust people in this world, there are a few bad apples out there. By including your face in photos with your naked body, you give your sexting partner a dangerous power to potentially hold those photos over you. Women’s Health has great advice on what to do if you partner leaks your photos on the internet.

There’s also the risk that other people may be able to get into your partner’s phone, and the last thing you want a random stranger to find is a picture of your smiling face accompanied by your breasts. You want to be completely unidentifiable. Let this be rule number one of safe sexting.

FaceTime

This goes hand in hand with not including your face in any nude photos you send. Sexually FaceTiming your partner gives them the power to take screenshots without you being aware of the situation. This is a great time to stick with good old fashioned sexting and stay away from our advanced iPhone technology.

“My boyfriend and I were doing long distance, so we would FaceTime each other fairly often as opposed to sexting, just because then we could still see each other and it felt more real,” says Marley, a sophomore at New York University. “I had been with him for nearly two years so I completely trusted him, and it never even occurred to me that he would screenshot anything I was doing. One time he came to visit I was looking at the pictures on his phone and saw a bunch of graphic ones of me. I didn’t get mad because I had never explicitly not asked him to not take pictures, but I still felt like the privacy of my body had been violated. It was definitely an awakening to just how scary that situation can be, especially if don’t know your sexual partner very well—or at least can’t get your hands on their phone to delete pictures of you.”

We trust that you are all smart women who have a strong sense of self-preservation and are capable of making intelligent decisions, so just remember that nakedly FaceTiming bae is not a decision you should ever make.

Use emojis or weird anatomical language

This just isn’t tasteful. Nobody wants to see an eggplant with water droplets coming out of it. Enough said.

Also, calling certain body parts by their scientifically correct names makes them sound like a disease. Saying labia over pussy is completely fine–it’s whatever works for you. However, there is a fine line where maybe you should use slang terms, or consider not saying the anatomically correct name at all. If your partner starts to sound like a medical textbook and insists on using the words “fallopian tube,” please rethink your life choices.

Related: 9 College Women Share Their Tinder Nightmares

Sext if you haven’t had sex

This is not the time or place to discover what sex is or how it happens. Some people say that the general rule of thumb should be not sext anything you haven’t done in real life. This may be limiting, especially if you wanted to explore something kinkier to sext about. So, let’s change the general rule to don’t talk about anything unless you’ve covered the sexual basics (penetrative sex, oral, etc.).

“There was this one time in my first year of college where I was trying to sext with some older guy and come off as really cool,” says Gabrielle, a senior at Northeastern University. “Jokes on me though because I was still a virgin, and so my sexting was a terrible mixture of being really vanilla, completely absurd or just flat out wrong.”

You have more of a chance to turn your partner off rather than on by making up a sexual fantasy if you haven’t had sex in real life. You have no idea what your partner is actually into or even what you’re into. Try not to skip the important first step of intercourse here.

“Digital sex is more often a method of sexual exploration for women than it is for sexual pleasure,” says psychologist Jasna Jovanovic. “This is a contained experience where you can openly entertain your fantasy, but it should not be used to explore what it would be like to have sex for the first time. In my opinion, it will take away from the authenticity of losing your virginity, and just like porn build up false expectations of what sex actually is.”

Oh, sexting. Our ancestors would be so appalled if they knew what we were using our advanced technology for. Regardless, sexting is a regularity now, and we hope that our official dos and don’ts can help you out the next time you want to engage in some textual flirtation. 

Does just the thought of sex get you hot and bothered? Of course it does—there’s nothing like being intimate with someone that raises your body temperature before you even hit the sheets! Here are some other things you’ll relate to if you're filled with lust and live for pleasure.

1. You’ll easily cancel plans to go out if you’ve got someone sexy to stay in with.

Why go hottie fishing at the bar when you’ve already got a great catch to enjoy at home?

2. You’re as giving and adventurous in the sheets as you are in any relationship.

Bring on the chocolate covered strawberries and strip poker!

3. But if you’re single, you love the freedom of being able to date—and sleep with—whomever you please.

The world is more or less a giant candy store filled with delicious possibilities.

4. You don’t see booty calls as a bad thing. They’re a perfect chance for you to get some late-night TLC.

Nothing wrong with getting that late-night text.

5. But just because you love getting it on doesn’t mean that you’ll have sex with just anyone.

Requirements include: smelling nice, having an actual personality, willingness to share an entire pizza before or after sex, etc.

6. In fact, the entire notion of “being easy” makes you want to roll your eyes to the back of your skull.

You’d rather be sexually liberated than pay attention to any misogynistic ideals that condemn women for living their best lives.

7. You feel so great in lingerie that you make it a point to treat yourself to new sets every once in a while.

Lacy bras, pretty thongs, dainty garters—oh my!

8. But you don’t put too much thought into how you look before sleeping with someone.

You could wear a Winnie the Pooh costume, and it wouldn’t matter. Once those clothes come off, they're staying off.

9. You sometimes wish there was an app that predicted when you’d be having sex again.

Forecast of rising temperatures throughout the day, with a high chance of a rendezvous later on in the evening.

10. But in any case, you’re always prepared to get down and dirty.

You never travel anywhere without condoms, lotion or a pack of breath mints.

11. You strongly believe that foreplay is like seasoning a chicken before cooking it—you need it to make the chicken cook well.

Otherwise things can go from zero to WTF real quick.

12. That’s not to say that you don’t have horror stories that would put Stephen King to shame.

The one hookup that was so bad, you refer to them as “it” instead of their actual name.

13. Of course, you share every detail of every hookup with your BFFs.

If your girls want the scoop, you can’t not dish and tell.

14. You see your gyno so often that they’re practically family at this point.

Even the receptionist recognizes your voice when you call to make an appointment.

15. And you’re not shy at all about being naked.

You’d run through the streets in your birthday suit if you could.

16. Honestly, you get more exercise having sex than you do going to the gym.

You’re moving so fast and shifting into so many positions, it’s like doing yoga and cardio simultaneously.

17. You get horny at the most inappropriate times.

Is it normal to have fantasies about your Caribbean Studies professor from senior year while waiting in line at Chipotle?

18. You wonder about crazy things, like what face you make when you orgasm.

It’s not like you can request a mirror in the moment.

19. And you have so many fantasies that when you finally get your chance to do it, you completely unleash.

Like that one time you channeled your inner Harry Potter geek and screamed “WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA” while climaxing.

20. Also, you either adore Fifty Shades of Grey or despise it.

Read the book, watch the movie—either way, you’ll end up getting hot and bothered, or just seriously…bothered.

21. Overall, sex is something that makes you feel great—about your body and about yourself.

And there’s no better, sexier kind of self-love than that.

Love quick and easy DIY projects? If you answered "yes," then you're definitely going to want to check out these seven monogram DIYs. From revamping your old Chuck Taylors to making your own personalized stickers, DIY-ing has never seemed so worthwhile!

1. Clipboard

All you need is a clear clipboard and a monogrammed decal in the color of your choice. That's DIY-ing made easy! 

2. Converse Sneakers

It's time to revamp those old Chuck Taylors with a small personal touch.

3. Blooming Initial

This floral initial is a pretty and chic addition to any girl's room. 

4. Baseball Hat

For those hot summer days when your hair wants nothing more than to be frizzy. 

5. Stickers

Who would've thought? Now, this will lead to major savings. Customized stickers don't come cheap! 

6. Coasters

The perfect tabletop accessory—it makes for a great gift, too!

7. Ring Dish

Never lose your rings, earrings, bracelets or other jewelry pieces again! 

Name: Cynthia Summers
Job: Costume Designer - Film & TV
College Name: Helen LeFeaux School of Fashion
Website:http://www.cynthiasummers.biz/
Twitter Handle: @cynthiaasummers
Instagram Handle:@cynthiasummers

What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?

Cynthia Summers: No typical day in filmmaking! I am currently working on a TV Series, which means 7 days to prepare the entire wardrobe and 7 days to shoot it then repeat for 12 episodes. This involves breaking down the script, meetings with Producers/Directors and other departments to make sure we are collaborating and on the same page. Then, shopping or building costumes, then fittings with the actors. After all of the cast costumes/looks have been approved by Producers/Director/Cast, then we plot each look with the corresponding script days, scenes and directional notes. When that is all done we load up the Costume Truck and start on the next episode!

What is the best part of your job?

CS: Helping an actor embody their character through their wardrobe. Collaborating and helping "paint" the Directors vision.

What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

CS: I entered at the top. (I never seem to do anything the easy way lol) After I finished Fashion Design school, I basically stalked a Production Designer for about a year. When he had an indie film, he offered it to me to design. It was frightening, exhilarating and one of the most creative collaborations of my life so far. That was 1994 and I have held the same position, on many productions, ever since.

What words of wisdom (well-known quotes, an anecdote from your boss) do you find most valuable?

CS: Surprise me. Think outside the box, and make it work. Those are words from my boss. From me, say yes to everything you feel passionate about. Even if you haven't done it before, as long as you think there is even the smallest possibility you can pull it off, just say yes. And then work your ass off to prove yourself right!

What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?

CS: In this business: taking time off, and thinking I could just swing back into it. Like most businesses these days, the film industry changes daily. I know now that as this industry evolves, so must I. You've just gotta keep up!

What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?

CS: About 10 years ago, I met Diane Keaton at a film event. She was sitting a few tables over from me. Someone at my table knew her and dragged me over to meet her. I was mortified. She was gracious and amazing. I went back to my table, excused myself, went to the washroom, and burst into tears and had a little cry. I was totally unprepared to be so star struck. Hasn't happened before or since. And although I've been a long time fan, I was absolutely not prepared for the emotional response. Kinda crazy!

What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

CS: Confidence! And obviously talent. But I always have been more inspired by someone new who can bring in a fresh perspective, than someone with miles and miles of experience, and maybe a little too stuck in their ways. Then, equally as important, someone who is good at taking constructive criticism, and working within a team. I may be the head of my department, but I am only as good as the team supporting me! Filmmaking is without a doubt, a team effort!

What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

CS: Be tenacious, believe in yourself, be humble, never settle, and keep learning! Learn all that you can, jump in, and keep learning. Just believe in yourself and that will inspire those around you. And be prepared to work harder than you ever thought you would. Nothing about this industry is ordinary, and that's why most of us are in it. 12 - 14 hour days are no joke. If you are a Designer, be prepared to be on call 24/7. People skills are so, so important. People in this industry always talk about the ones that "have it". Meaning they have what it takes to work and thrive in the film industry. It’s a hard arena, but so gratifying!

What's the one thing that's stood out to you the most in a resume?

CS: Format. Nothing worse than a resume that is too wordy and/or too long. And job experience. And if you don't have the job experience, I need to see all the courses you are taking to make me believe you want this job badly and that you are doing everything you can to make sure you have more credentials than anyone else. And that can include volunteering or interning, even if it is not in the Costume Department.

June is Pride Month, and with that comes thousands of Pride Festivals where you can celebrate your identity or show support for the LGBTQ+ community as an ally. Whether you're attending a parade or you're improvising your own, these makeup tutorials are sure to fill you with pride.

1. Soft Unicorn

2. Rainbow Kisses

3. Glitter in the Air

4. Color Me Beautiful

5. Bicolor Beauty

6. Edgy Hues

7. Ace of Hearts

8. Glitter Overload

Can we just talk about how Avery McCain is all of us getting ready?

The Kardashian-Jenners are always making headlines for their business ventures or their infamous style, and I never can keep up (couldn't pass on a KUWTK joke, not sorry). Last week, Kim K. stepped out in a half-grunge, half-chic outfit when she paired a sweats with some high heels. Even though she's a proven trendsetter, I don't think I want this particular one to catch on.

It looks like it might be too late, considering her younger sister, Kendall Jenner, was recently spotted in a very similar outfit. The Jenner sister rocked a pair of vintage-style Adidas sweats with her patent and velvet stiletto boots, and she even pulled it off! I don't know about you, but when I put on sweats, I'm ready to lounge around the house, not grab a pair of heels and hit the town! I guess I'll be saving this trend for the Kardashian-Jenner sisters.

Confidence is key when it comes to wearing a daring outfit, and Selena Gomez definitely had some when she stepped out in a v revealing outfit last week. She wore a white wide-shoulder top and gray high-waisted cropped bottoms, paired with a classic pair of white pumps. Totally trendy, but pretty basic, right? Wrong. From the front, this outfit looked like your typical fashion-forward ensemble, but the side view brought an entirely different view. The white top was completely open on the sides, which left much of her body exposed.

Even though she clearly looked flawless (as always) in this outfit, she unfortunately had a little wardrobe malfunction that made her free the nip—literally. Unless this was intentional, in which case, you go Selena.

During an interview with Fox News, Ivanka Trump said that there is a "level of viciousness" toward her father she wasn't expecting from the media amid the ongoing investigation into Russia's role in the presidential election.

"I was not expecting the intensity of this experience, but this isn't supposed to be easy," Ivanka said during the interview. "At the end of the day, if you want to think about difficult, it's the factory worker who's been laid off. Difficult is the mother who lost a child to opioid abuse. So these are the real challenges and I think that does put it in perspective."

She added, however, that President Trump felt "vindicated" by the testimony of former FBI director James Comey, who said that Trump was never personally under investigation during Comey's tenure. The right and the left have drawn very different conclusions from Comey's statements—the left believes Comey's testimony shows Trump obstructed justice by trying to stop an investigation into his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

Seeing as though the POTUS himself has been part of some pretty "vicious"Twitter wars, should Ivanka really have been so "blindsided," as she said?

Let's all take a moment of silence for Ivanka and her hurt feelings.

Asymmetrical skirts, dresses and tops are a must-have in every fashion-forward woman's closet. From Kim Kardashian to Lupita Nyong'o, we've seen the hottest celebrities rocking the off-balance look, and we're all officially obsessed with it too! Here are some inexpensive asymmetrical pieces you need to add to your wardrobe immediately.

1. FOXIEDOX Faux Leather Asymmetrical Mini Skirt ($54.99 at Forever 21)

2. Silence + Noise Cutout Tie-Side Tank Top ($34 at Urban Outfitters)

3. Deep in Thought Mauve Shift Dress ($39 at Lulus)

4. Frayed Denim Halter Dress ($24.90 at Forever 21) 

5. Positive Perspective Olive Green Midi Wrap Dress ($46 at Lulus)

 6. Silver Glitz Halter Dress ($9.99 at A'GACI)

7. Plus Size Asymmetrical Skort ($28 at Forever 21)

8. Nightwalker Gather Me Ribbed Asymmetrical Skirt ($34.99 at PacSun)

9. Asymmetrical Wrap Skirt ($14.99 at A'GACI)

Is sex for the first time really that different for guys than it is for girls? There are a lot of myths and stereotypes attached to sex, depending on gender—but they’re not all true. From movies and TV, it may seem like sex is completely different for guys than it is for girls, but we talked to several guys to find out what it’s really like, behind-the-scenes.

1. Guys can regret their first time

Just like girls can regret having sex, guys can, too. A guy may have sex earlier than he expected or with a partner that he’s no longer with. It’s perfectly normal for either gender to feel a sense of uncertainty about whether or not they made the right decision.

“My ex and I broke up shortly after we started having sex,” says Colin*, a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. “She started cheating on me. I didn’t regret having sex at the time, but now I kind of do. I didn’t know what type of person she was.”

It’s not the end of the world to end up regretting your first time, for a variety of reasons. All those things you heard about virginity and how sacred it is? They’re not necessarily true. Your sex life is what you make of it, and there’s nothing shameful about not being 100 percent pleased with how your first time turned out. Don’t forget: practice makes perfect!

2. Guys could be having their first time even if their partner is not

There’s a stereotype attached to the idea that guys have more sex—and start having sex earlier—than women. The fact is that this isn’t true. Plenty of guys have sex later than girls, and even if it’s his first time, that doesn’t mean it’s hers. 

Just because one partner has had sex, however, doesn’t mean the other partner should feel insecure. “I didn’t know if I’d be living up to expectations,” says Adam*, a freshman at Boston College. “My girlfriend assured me that she really wanted to have sex with me, and that there was nothing I could do wrong.”

While it’s true that you get better at sex with practice, the same is true for every partner. Just because someone’s had sex with other partners doesn’t mean they’ll be better at sex—because they still have to learn what it’s like with a new partner. Sex is about exploring what two people like as individuals as well as together, and it’s a learning process no matter how many previous partners you’ve had (or haven’t had).

Related:12 College Guys Get REAL About Their First Time

3. The first time may be different depending on his sexuality or gender identity

There’s no across-the-board answer for what it’s like to have sex for the first time as a guy, especially when you take into account the variety of sexual orientations and gender identities.

Nathan*, a senior at the University of Connecticut, says that he was hesitant to have sex for the first time because he wasn’t interested in anal sex, and many gay and bisexual men are. “By not liking anal sex, I felt like there must have been something wrong,” he says. “My partner was really understanding, but I was worried I was not making him happy.”

Nathan also made sure his partner, who’d had sex before, got tested for STIs. He recommends that even if your partner seems certain that they’re clean, it’s a good safety precaution to be absolutely sure. Nathan offered to get tested as well, even though it was his first time having sex. “Even though I was never sexually active, it just showed we cared about each other’s well being and comfort before committing sexually,” he says. 

For transgender and genderqueer guys, sex can also be a time of self-discovery and mutual trust with a partner. Jack*, a sophomore at Emerson College, knew he needed to feel completely at ease with a partner before having sex, because he’s transgender.

“Trans people are open to a lot of discrimination—which sometimes leads to violence,” Jack says. He also had worries that a female partner wouldn’t find him attractive and wanted to be absolutely certain there was a level of trust before having sex.

4. He’s probably nervous too

This is another one of those completely false stereotypes: that women are nervous about their first time, but guys aren't. It’s a myth that, to be honest, doesn’t make a lot of sense. If you were doing something you’ve never done before, why wouldn’t you be at least a little nervous?

Steven*, a junior at California State University, says that he was nervous the first time around. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” he says. “Neither of us did—but that didn’t stop me from feeling worried. I didn’t want to mess it up, do something she didn’t like or do anything to hurt her.”

Nathan also felt awkward and uncomfortable during his first time—which he attributes to the fact that he wasn’t sure about anal sex. “I understand most people feel awkward before, but I felt like I should have been more excited,” he says. He also realized that he and his partner have different sexual preferences, but it’s okay and they can find ways to compromise. “My partner and I are still together and learning something new about each other as time goes on.”

If a guy’s nerves seem to be getting in the way, stop and make sure that both partners are consenting and really want to have sex. If they do, but are just nervous, ease the tension by reminding them that you’re not perfect either—you’re just human. Level the playing field, and don’t make sex into something that has to be achieved perfectly from day one.

There are so many stereotypes out there, but truth be told, sex is different for every person, regardless of gender. Sex, especially for the first time, really varies depending on the partners involved, their level of trust and mutual respect, enthusiastic consent and many other factors.

Filming for the fourth season of Bachelor in Paradise has been suspended due to misconduct allegations. The new season was set to premiere Aug. 8, but with an investigation underway surrounding possible sexual misconduct, it's unclear if the show will go on.

The cast was just announced last week and included recent Bachelorette castoff DeMario Jackson. Following news that the entire BIP cast was being sent home Sunday, reports claimed Jackson and a female contestant—whose name will not be reported because she may be the victim of sexual misconduct—were at the center of the controversy.

A source told TMZ that Jackson and the female contestant hooking up was supposed to be a major storyline in Season 4. Though the hookup may have been planned, questions arose about whether it was consensual after a producer filed a complaint. According to PEOPLE, a source says the female contestant Jackson had a sexual encounter with appeared to be too intoxicated to give consent. Other contestants on the show were reportedly "upset that crew members did not do more to stop the incident."

Speaking with TMZ, Jackson claimed the encounter was not only consensual but was also instigated by his female costar. Meanwhile, the female contestant is reportedly furious with producers for allowing something to happen that she says she did not consent to.

With so much conflicting information out there, PEOPLE reports that a source within the show says they value consent and are looking for answers. “The show absolutely values the primacy of consent, and this instance it appears as though conduct allegedly occurred without the proper consent having been given. There are still a lot of unanswered questions, and a lot of people who need a chance to tell their stories fully, and the producers and the authorities will make sure they are given every opportunity to do so. Most of all, everyone wants to ensure the safety and well-being, both mentally and physically, of all parties involved.”

In a statement following their decision to suspend production, Warner Bros. said, "We have suspended production and we are conducting a thorough investigation of these allegations. Once the investigation is complete, we will take appropriate responsive action.”

As of right now, the official production status of Bachelor in Paradise is unknown. Reality Steve tweeted that at least this season has been canceled, though this has not been confirmed. 

This story is developing.

Kylie Cosmetics product drops are like holidays: there’s always ultimate excitement and the possibility of presents, but the new Vacation Edition line is the most glamorous drop ever. It contains the sparkliest, most colorful, brightest items Kylie has ever released. The Vacation set includes a new lip kit, an eye shadow palette, four nude liquid lip colors, two shiny glosses, loose-powder highlighters, a set of four highlighters, and a bronzer-highlighter duo.

This lip color is awesome–it’s so bright and summery. This is at the top of my wishlist.

So many perfect summer colors.

I’ll take my nudes in sets of four, please.

The glosses are appropriately named Glamour, for the copper-toned gloss with flecks of gold, and Glitz, for the rose gold gloss.

The Ultra Glow highlighters come in three shades, named Tahiti, Santorini and Fiji.

Can you ever have enough highlight?

Summer is definitely the time to be bronzed and golden, so even if you’re not traveling anywhere too exotic, you can do some contouring and glowing with this duo!

The Kylie Vacation line will drop on June 15 at 3 p.m. PST. I’ve made my wish list and am starting a countdown!