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Ed Sheeran Beat Kesha, Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson & Pink at the Grammy Awards & Twitter Was Not Happy

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Ed Sheeran nabbed a Grammy Award last night for Best Pop Solo Performance for his song "Shape of You." 

Though Sheeran is loved by many and the winning song was #1 on the charts for over 7 weeks, many were upset that the only male nominee just happened to win against powerful performances by women.

The other nominees in the category included Kelly Clarkson's "Love so Soft," Lady Gaga's "Million Reasons," Pink's "What About Us," and Kesha's "Praying."

People felt Kesha was particularly snubbed, as "Praying" marked her return to music after a public battle against her producer, Dr. Luke, who she accused of sexual, verbal and emotional abuse. A win for Kesha could've represented a win for women around the world, as well as the Time's Up movement. Her emotional performance of the song last night just added salt to the wound. 

The Internet, of course, was there to voice their grievances. 

Yikes.


Logic Calls for Unity & Addresses Trump’s ‘Sh*thole Countries’ Comment in ‘1-800-273-8255’ Performance

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The 60th Annual Grammy Awards had multiple inspirational performances, and Logic's was no exception.

The rapper took the stage with Alessia Cara and Khalid for their smash hit "1-800-273-8255." They were joined by suicide loss and attempt survivors for the song, which is named after the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.


Khalid's verse in the song usually ends the performance, but at the Grammys, while the background music still played, Logic took the opportunity to speak about the track's message of inclusion and standing up for those who can't do so for themselves yet. 

Here's a full transcript: 

"Black is beautiful. Hate is ugly. Women are as precious as they are stronger than any man I have ever met. And unto them, I say stand tall and crush all predators under the weight of your heart that is full of the love they will never take away from you. Be not scared to use your voice, especially in instances like these when you have the opportunity. Stand and fight for those who are not weak, but who have yet to discover the strength that the evil of this world has done its best to conceal.

To all the beautiful countries filled with culture, diversity and thousands of years of history, you are not sh*tholes. And, lastly, on behalf of those who fight for equality in a world that is not equal, not just and not ready for the change we are here to bring -- I say unto you, bring us your tired, your poor, and any immigrant who seeks refuge. For together, we can build not just a better country, but a world that is destined to be united."

The comment about "sh*thole countries" is a direct response to immigration remarks reportedly made by President Trump behind closed doors with reference to Haiti and Africa. Logic's plead to empower women is most likely related to the Time's Up movement and the sexual misconduct allegations running rampant in Hollywood.

He posted the original speech, with edits to reference President Trump, directly on his Twitter. 

Backstage, Logic explained that he was originally asked by the Recording Academy to make a speech. 

"I wanted it to come from the heart," Logic said. "I’m not Tupac, or this prophetic dude or anything like that, I just want to make music and have fun. However, I have a power that a a lot of people in this world don’t, and I've been given a stage that the one percent get. I thought if I was going to have this power, I’d use it for positivity — peace love and positivity to spread a positive message. Everyone is beautiful, and the world isn’t equal — and we need to fight towards that."

Logic is certainly using his musical platform for change. And people are listening.

10 Common Long-Term Relationship Mistakes & How to Fix Them

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Long-term relationships often require a bit of maintenance. As time wears on, you can lose the spark that made the first few weeks or months of the partnership so entrancing.

Make sure to stay positive and assess if the relationship is worth the effort (it usually is). Consult relationship experts to receive personal advice, but if you're worried about your long-term relationship, here are 10 common mistakes and how you can solve them.

1. You're tempted to snoop through your SO's phone

Snooping is a common problem that means you lack trust both in your partner and in yourself, as if you aren’t good enough for this person. You seek validation. If he or she catches you and the trust in your relationship is ruined. Bottom line, trust yourself and your partner without snooping. You both deserve some privacy.

Anna*, a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles, said she has known couples who almost broke up because one of them got caught snooping. As time wears on, you may worry that your partner is getting bored with you, but snooping (whether or not you find something) will only hurt the relationship. Have a conversation if you're really worried she or he has a wandering eye.

2. You stand each other up

Oh it’s just a few minutes until I’m home – I can push back his or her call. Oh, no I have a paper due tomorrow – can we hang out tomorrow night instead?

It’s not malicious, but you just have a busy life as a collegiette and things can get in the way.

Jane*, a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles, said that no matter what happens in a relationship, if a person is right for you it’s worth holding onto and working out any kinks. She recommends you stick to the dates you set for each other, and try not to cancel on any proposed plans.

You may want to reschedule your dates and FaceTimes, but these all add up and signal to your SO that you don’t prioritize him or her. Instead, make sure to keep your appointments and show that you value them even in your busy lifestyle.

3. You said something you didn't mean

If most of your communication occurs over text, messages could get misinterpreted as passive aggressive through hidden subtext. Definitely opt for in-person hangouts over written forms of communication to make sure your messages are being communicated correctly. Of course, hand-written cards are an exception because they’re adorable.

Clear up any miscommunications, because we all know how it’s easy to say something jokingly or sarcastically and not mean what you say. Gauge your partner’s reaction, because technology can make it easy to imply something you didn’t intend to.

4. You start to become critical of the other person

If you’ve been together a long time, you’ll start to notice more of their habits, both good and bad. Try not to critique each other or ask each other to change things beyond his or her control.

Talk through your pet peeves, like if you don’t like him leaving his socks around or she wishes you would watch a movie with her once and a while. Don’t dismiss the other person’s wants just because you no longer feel the need to impress your new beau. And – if you stop respecting your partner, that’s a surefire sign you should break up!

5. You forget to tell each other about big (or small) moments

We get it, there’s a lot going on. Not only is there more happening in college than in high school (classes, internships, jobs, parties, clubs, office hours…), but it’s also a big time in your life as you grow and change.

One common mistake is forgetting to tell your SO about either big or small moments in your life. Perhaps you tell your floormates, classmates, colleagues and sorority sisters — and then you feel you’ve told the story 100 times already. Maybe by the time you actually get to talk to your SO, the big news occurred a week ago and you forget, it feels too old or doesn’t really come up.

Collegiettes can also purposefully neglect to tell their partners about news because of the differences in their situations. If your partner isn’t at a university like you are, it may feel narcissistic or awkward to tell your SO about the exciting accomplishments or worrying problems in your life, especially if he or she can’t seem to relate to your situation.

Jane said since she and her boyfriend have been dating since high school, they now attend different schools and rarely get to talk or catch each other up. One of the downsides of the long-term relationship is not sharing those special moments, she said.

Have an honest conversation with each other about how much you want to know about each other’s lives. Your partner wants to know about the good and the bad, so hearing that from him or her will give you the courage to give those oh-so-important life updates.

You can try keeping a list of things that happened to you during the day or week so you don’t forget moments you wanted to share with your SO.

Related: Should You Go the Distance? HC's Guide to Long Distance Relationships in College

6. You don’t plan quality time together

Keep the spark alive by planning spontaneous day trips or surprise Chinese take out to show you still care. Don’t let your long-term relationship become careless or something that used to be fun. It still should be. It's a common issue that after a few months, your time together tends to be watching TV, talking about school work or simply cooking a normal meal. Mix it up and follow the cliched advice of trying to have spontaneous adventures.

Set time aside for quality time together, whether it's a fancy date out or a night in, Jane said. It's how she maintains her long-term relationship – beyond online communication, in-person dates still matter. 

7. You let your SO take over your life

There’s a balance between keeping your boyfriend or girlfriend in the loop and letting them dominate your lives. Remember that your priorities include school, friendships and career development and you can’t always be talking with your SO.

Anna's friends in long-term relationships always worry that they are neglecting their friends and only spending time with their partner. Remember that your friends can be upset that you always choose your boyfriend or girlfriend over them, so there’s a need to maintain balance in all your relationships.

And don’t let them partners you too much from your school life. You can do both: study or hang out with friends during the day and still make it to an evening date.

8. You talk about your relationship too much

Rachel*, a freshman at Molloy College, said this hindered her relationship. Since both she and her boyfriend were really busy, when they finally DID get to talk to one another, they spent most of the session talking about their relationship and their communication (or lack thereof). They ended up taking a break.

Maintenance communication occurs when two people talk about how they communicate instead of discussing the topics of conversation themselves, which can be good in moderation but not when it dominates your convos.

It's crucial to have down to earth conversations with your partner about goals, scheduling, wants and needs. This way both of your expectations are in the same place. Rachel said she expected to be Snapchatting, texting and FaceTiming a lot but her boyfriend didn't realize he would be so busy during the school year.

9. You worry too much about the future

Rachel said one of her other biggest worries was the burden of wondering what the future would hold. What happens if they had to be in a LDR for a long time? What would their careers be that would mesh well together? Would they move to the same city after college? In retrospect, she said not to put too much pressure on yourself to worry about the future. It's too challenging to plan all the possible scenarios. "Overall, trust is the biggest thing," she said. “If they're right for you, it will work out and you can't worry about it."

10. You think a perfect relationship exists

One of the hardest things is comparing your relationship to others’ relationships, to your past relationships or to how you felt earlier in this relationship. Remember that relationships aren't perfect, and it’s impossible to achieve a perfect relationship where no work needs to be done.

Don’t think of your boring or rough patches in your relationship as a destination that will one day be over, because a new challenge will arise. Work through your issues, savor each other’s love and enjoy the now of the partnership.

*Name has been changed

Cher’s Rendition of an ABBA Favorite Debuted in a New ‘Mamma Mia’ Trailer & She Already Deserves a Grammy

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If you didn’t get to tune into the Grammy Awards last night, the latest trailer for the highly anticipated sequel to Mamma Mia! debuted during the broadcast. While this may not seem more exciting than any other movie trailer, this sneak peek featured not only Cher but also her spin on ABBA’s “Fernando” that we all know is going to be a hit.

Returning to the big screen after an eight-year hiatus, Cher will play the grandmother of Amanda Seyfried's character, Sophie. 

Fans were thrilled to finally receive confirmation that Cher would be joining the cast. She released a series of tweets back in October hinting at the new rendition of the ABBA classic.

And until July rolls around, we’ll definitely be blasting the trailers in the shower without shame because I’m sure we can all agree that five months is way too long to wait.

Blue Ivy Was the Most Tweeted About Celebrity During The Grammys Because Of Course She Was

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Elton John, Lady Gaga, Nick Jonas, Chrissy Teigen, Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus — there were just some of the celebrities in attendance at last night's Grammy Awards. Beyoncé and Jay-Z were also present, but it wasn't either of them that earned the night's title of "most tweeted about celebrity." 

Nope — it was their daughter, Blue Ivy. 

After Camila Cabello took the stage to give an inspirational speech about Dreamers and introduce U2, the First Family — err, the Carters — were warmly applauding when the 6-year-old gave her parents a look and slowly gestured towards each of them to stop what they were doing. 

The moment, and the fact that she's just adorable, earned her the title. Well deserved, IMO!

Chrissy Teigen & John Legend Donated $200K to Time's Up

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On Saturday, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend donated $200,000 to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund through GoFundMe on behalf of the “heroic gymnasts of the USA Gymnastics Team” who came forward with allegations of sexual abuse by their team doctor, Larry Nassar.

According to the GoFundMe page, the money donated will "provide subsidized legal support to women and men who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, or abuse in the workplace and while in pursuit of their careers."

The donation was made just after more than 160 of Nassar's victims — including Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman and more — testified against him. The former USA Gymnastics team doctor and Michigan State University physician was sentenced to up to 175 years of prison. 

One of the accusers, gold medal winner McKayla Maroney, initially faced a $100,000 fine if she was to break a non-disclosure agreement to not speak out on Nassar’s actions, as part of a settlement she reached with USA gymnastics in 2016. Teigen saw the news and offered to cover the cost on Maroney’s behalf. 

In the end, Maroney was allowed to testify without a fine, but Teigen still wanted to contribute, and with her husband, doubled her initial offer. 

Why I'm Still Anything But Pleased Following Ulyanna Sergeenko & Miroslava Duma's Racist Comments

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With the month of January coming to an end, to say I’ve already run into some bad social insensitivity in the fashion world would be a huge understatement. Just within the past few months, we’ve dealt with an astonishing number of demeaning occurrences, from the H&M “Coolest Monkey” sweatshirt ad to the “Slavery” apparel vendor. Just when you think we’ve learned our lesson, another slew of influential names strikes the headlines. This week it's Russian fashion designer, Ulyana Sergeenko and street-wear connoisseur and co-founder of Buro 24/7, Miroslava Duma.

You’d think by now it’d be common knowledge that you can’t say the N-word...right? But Sergeenko and Duma seemed to be A-OK with communicating the N-word anyway. Last week, Sergeenko sent a personalized fashion show invitation and flowers to Duma. Duma found the invitation so sweet that she shared a pic of it on her Instagram story. The invitation reads “To my n*ggas in Paris” (uncensored), a line from a Kanye West song

That’s right, two influential white women were using a racial slur, endearingly. The internet was furious with Sergeenko, letting her know how unacceptable and offensive the term was to use in the invitation. The word carries one of the darkest parts of American history, being used by white people as a stinging slur to black people since the days of slavery. So even if the word was used to quote a song, that still doesn’t excuse the fact that Sergeenko, a very privileged white woman, used it without a second thought about its connotations. Sergeenko using the term in the invitation was deplorable enough, but the public was extra upset that Duma found the word so harmless (and even sentimental) that she would actually post a picture of the invitation.

To make it worse, once word broke out about Sergeenko and Duma’s use of that language, a style blogger known as BryanBoy posted a video of Duma from 2012, where she made transphobic comments about male models in feminine clothing. In the video, Duma says that little boys who saw the male models in feminine clothing would not be able to understand it “correctly,” implying that boys wearing boys’ clothes was the only “correct” way of dressing. She even “thanked God” that there weren’t too many men who were dressing femininely. After the all social media uproar toward the offensive images and comments, Sergeenko and Duma posted their apologies. Sergeenko's has since been deleted, but it originally read:  “Kanye West is one of my favorite musicians, and NP is one of my most favorite songs. And yes, we call each other the N-word sometimes when we want to believe that we are just as cool as these guys who sing it.” Duma's reads: 

 

 

A post shared by Miroslava Duma (@miraduma) on

After reading Sergeenko’s apology letter, the public grew even more aggravated. I think Sergeenko’s apology did very little in letting us know she truly understood the fault in her actions. She tended to blame Duma for “naively” sharing the invitation and she never really let the public know why she shouldn’t say the word in the first place. When you say you wanted to use a racial slur to feel as “cool” as the Black singers who sing it and leave it there, then you’re clearly missing the point. Still, Sergeenko claimed she’s all for diversity, then apologized and requested that the public stop spreading hate towards her. With a confusing apology like that, it’s hard to say how genuine Sergeenko’s remorse is.

As for Duma, it’s possible that her transphobic attitude could be changed within the span of six years. Still, posting that racist term so nonchalantly says a lot about where she is in terms of understanding racial sensitivity.

It’s true that these two white women, privileged by their color and their high status, wouldn’t immediately understand the plight of minorities. However, who you are doesn't excuse you from trying to understand how your words and actions can damage people. The N-word is not just a word––it's heavy with the centuries-long suffering of a group of people. Therefore, Sergeenko and Duma should have had the basic knowledge of why the N-word can never be said from their own mouths or even written by their own hands.

As international fashion entrepreneurs looking to expand their brands to clients all over the globe, how can Duma and Sergeenko reach everyone when they don’t know (or care to know) their story and history? If Duma really cares about “diversity” and “inclusion,” then Duma herself should have already had that basic understanding of the heinousness of the N-word. As people in the top tiers of the fashion industry with the power and influence to change our social rhetoric, Duma and Sergeenko should educate themselves socially and learn at least the basics of what is and isn’t socially sensitive.

Fashion is all about the expression of self, so fashion designers should get to know and understand every "self" they serve: black, white, cis, trans and everyone in between. So, as we start to realize what it means to support diversity and equality for everyone, we will run into unsettling situations like these. But let’s hope these two style stars actually learn from their mistakes and use that knowledge to better the fashion world through their own brands.

Header Image: Miroslava Duma / Business of Fashion

7 Palettes Perfect for Creating a Cute Valentine's Day Makeup Look

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Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and gals around the globe are preparing themselves for whatever the #HolidayofLove2k18 has in store. Whether you're going out with your besties or having a romantic date with your SO, we found the prettiest palettes to craft the perfect V-Day makeup look (plus, we even added some tutorials for the newbies). Prepare your wallets, because you're going to want all of these.

1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance

This is one of the most unintentionally Valentine's Day themed palettes ever. With all the pink, red and shimmery hues, the variety of looks are endless. One great way to use this palette is to set a base all over your lid and crease with the top left color, Tempera. Then, swipe Buon Fresco in the crease, blend Love Letter into the outer corner of the lid, Venetian Red on top of Love Letter, and finish with either Primavera or Vermeer in your inner corner. You'll end up with a romantic eye look with the perfect amount of shimmer. For even more shine, swipe Vermeer over your brow bone.

2. Lime Crime Venus

This palette has so many rich hues and the look is super easy to recreate.

3. Naked Heat

You know V-Day is going to have some heat with this palette.

4. HudaBeauty Warm Brown Obsessions

Huda knows we're obsessed with her makeup. These warm plum and cranberry colors will give you a yummy, lowkey V-Day look.

5. Too Faced Natural Eyes

With eyeshadow names like Silk Teddy, Sexspresso and Nudie, you know this palette was made for the sexy holiday.

6. Huda Beauty Rose Gold

This rose gold palette will give you a classic V-Day look that's cute, romantic and pretty easy to create. Also, can we talk about that glitter? Amazing.

7. Too Faced Chocolate Gold

This video starts with Christmas music and the girl speaks French the entire time (which is kind of mesmerizing, tbh) but we're loving this creative eye look. She combines the gold and the pink from this palette and it creates the perfect artsy glam look.

If you're not feeling the gold, this tutorial shows you a glittery pink smokey eye with the Chocolate Gold palette (it's gorg, too!).

Happy Valentine's Day beauties!


15 Styles That Stole the Show at the 2018 Grammys

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The Grammys this year proved to be one of the most iconic events yet. Even with Kesha’s tear jerking performance, Janelle Monae’s inspiring speech, and Rihanna slaying her "Wild Thoughts" performance, there were just as many epic moments on the red carpet as there were onstage. Here are a few of the eye-catching looks we were absolutely obsessed with!

1. Cardi B

Making money moves in her stunning white gown.

2. Lady Gaga

 

A post shared by Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) on

Look at that train!

3. Camila Cabello

 

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Her low-cut red gown was classy and stunning.

4. Zayn Malik

 

A post shared by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on

OK...but can we just...*swoons*

5. Heidi Klum

 

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How can something so edgy and sheer also be so beautiful and classy?

6. Rita Ora

 

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Rita shows some leg in this gorgeous black dress.

7. Chrissy Teigen

 

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The world's favorite couple cleans up pretty dang nicely!

8. Beyoncé

 

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Beyonce serving looks. (But what else is new?)

9. Alessia Cara

 

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Alessia looks good in anything, but seriously, is there anyone who could pull off a pantsuit better?

10. Andra Day

 

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Andra rocked those vintage vibes and we're HERE FOR IT.

11. Ashanti

 

A post shared by Ashanti (@ashanti) on

Ohmygoodness...could this sparkly gold dress be any more of a dream? 

12. Anna Kendrick

 

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If only we could raid Anna's closet for our next ~risky business~ party.

13. Bebe Rehxa

 

A post shared by Bebe Rexha (@beberexha) on

A soft pink dress with silver studs. You're speaking to our soul, Bebe.

14. Lana Del Rey

 

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We're convinced Lana will always be young and beautiful.

15. Janelle Monae

 

A post shared by Janelle Monáe (@janellemonae) on

Janelle makes a bold choice in a black suit with bright flowers––and it looks fantastic!

Header Image: Cardi B / Instagram

If Reality Steve's Latest Spoiler is Right, The Rest of This Season's 'The Bachelor' is Going to be Crazy

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If you're a member of Bachelor nation, you probably know about Reality Steve. Every year, he releases information about each season of The Bachelor or The Bachelorette ahead of its airing, and typically reveals the correct winner (he has been wrong before though).

But no one could've predicted his latest post. Last week, Reality Steve posted a blog titled, "(EXCLUSIVE SPOILER) What is Going On?" and sh*t really hit the fan. 

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. Stop here if you don't want to read!

Before we get into the ~big reveal~ which I'm sure Chris Harrison would dub "the most dramatic ever," let's back up a bit.

Up until last week's blog post, Reality Steve had predicted that this year's Bachelor, Arie Luyendyk Jr., proposed to Becca in the finale. 

According to the post, he technically wasn't wrong — he still is under the impression Becca was the last girl standing. However, he's now reporting that Arie has not only dumped her, but is now dating the FIRST RUNNER-UP, Lauren B

Reality Steve supposedly has sources everywhere, but one he specifically mentions is a private Facebook group which he said posted a photo of ABC production vans recently outside of Lauren B.'s house. The photo confirmed what he had been hearing elsewhere.

Reality Steve also pointed out that Arie has said in multiple interviews that he fell in love with two women. 

TBH, I don't know what to think. I hope we get answers soon because this is too much to handle right now.

The Arctic Monkeys are Playing Several Festivals This Year After Not Performing Live Since 2014 & Fans are Shook

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After nearly four years of not performing live, the indie rock band Arctic Monkeys is back! They announced a series of festival tour dates on Monday and fans are freaking out. The band also revealed a new logo.

The festival tour looks like this:

June 2 - Primavera Sound, Barcelona

June 8 - Best Kept Secret, Netherlands

June 14-17 - Firefly Festival, US

June 22-24 - Southside Festival, Germany

June 22-24 - Hurricane Festival, Germany

July 1 - TRNSMT Festival, Glasgow

July 4 - Open’er Festival, Poland

July 6 - Rockwave Festival, Athens

July 8 - Rock Werchter, Belgium

July 12 - NOS Alive, Lisbon

July 13 - Mad Cool, Madrid

August 8 - Oya, Norway

August 9-11 - Way Out West Festival, Sweden

August 11 - Flow Festival, Finland

August 14 - Sziget Festival, Hungary

That's a lot of opportunities to catch them since they're not techincally going on tour. Naturally, fans turned to Twitter to express their excitement.

All that we need now is a new album from the band and I'd say 2018 is set. There is truly nothing better than a comeback from a band you missed so dearly.

BRB, booking my flights to Europe RN.

5 New Beauty Products You’re Going to Want This Valentine’s Day

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Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and even if you’re celebrating it on your own, you can still reap the benefits of the ~season of love~. February is peak time for beauty product releases, so treat yourself, your BFF, or your bae to these five new beauty products launching just in time for February 14. 

1. Lush’s Vegan Valentine’s Day Collection ($5-$35, Lush)

 

On January 19 Lush dropped its Valentine’s Day collection. All 23 products are made with ethically sourced ingredients. We’re most excited for the Rose Bombshell in an XXL size. With this bath bomb you can soak in real rose petals, sea salt and a lemon rose perfume.

2. Too Faced’s Life’s a Festival Collection ($19-$42, Too Faced)

With Coachella, The Governor’s Ball and Boston Calling all releasing killer festival lineups for 2018, we bet there’ll be lots of concert dates in the making (your date can even be Eminem— he’s headlining all three shows). Get festival ready with this unicorn-inspired collection from Too Faced, featuring holographic highlighters, glittery lip glosses and a rainbow palette. The collection drops February 15.

3. Kat Von D Beauty x Divine palette (Kat Von D)

 

 

A post shared by Kat Von D (@thekatvond) on

Kat Von D is releasing tons of stunning products in 2018, but we’re buzzing about the Divine Palette, a vibrant palette inspired by the iconic 70s drag queen Divine. If you’re planning to go out on the town for Valentine’s Day, these shocking blues and greens paired with shimmering metallics will make for a bold look. February can’t come soon enough!

Related: 5 Valentine’s Day Makeup Looks You’ll Fall In Love With 

4. Diptyque’s Valentine’s Day Perfume Collection  ($35-130, Diptyque Paris)

This Rosa Mundi rose-scented collection of perfume and candles both looks and smells luxurious— the packaging is almost as exciting as the products themselves. The products are already available online, but they’re selling out fast!

5. MAC x Jeremy Scott (MAC Cosmetics)

Moschino creative director, Jeremy Scott, already impressed us with his Sephora collaboration. Now he’s stepping his game up with a new collaboration with MAC Cosmetics, this time inspired by 90s music. With these palettes, the packaging is everything. The collection drops on February 8.

Valentine’s Day isn’t supposed to be all about the gifts, but there are definitely a few things on this list that we’re eyeing up. Time to start dropping “subtle” hints to your SO (or your best friend, your roommate, your parents...whoever you can probably bribe). We can’t wait for February.
 

This Woman's Face After Seeing Beyoncé at the Grammys Is All of Us

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As it would turn out, one of the best moments from last night's Grammy Awards was one you wouldn't have caught if you watched the award show on television. Allow me to explain: if you're anything like me, you're in awe of pretty much everything Beyoncé does — and her appearance at the 2018 Grammys in a gorgeous, sculptural black dress, beret and fishnet tights was absolutely no exception. (And it actually turned out to be one of *three* outfits she wore throughout the night.)

With all this in mind, it's basically no surprise that Queen Bey's Instagram followers found an amazing detail in one of the photos she posted from the evening. In the photo, as she and Jay-Z strut ~flawlessly~ by on their way to the awards show, a woman in the background can be seen visibly literally gasping at the sight of Beyoncé.

Of course, because this unknown woman is all of us re: any and every Beyoncé sighting ever, the Internet didn't take long to transform the photo into a meme that properly describes all of our feelings about the Queen.

Seriously, there's no way Bey didn't know what she was doing when she was posting this now-iconic photo:

No word yet on who this anonymous hero is, but I'd just like to personally thank her for providing us with what is already probably one of the best memes of 2018.

Twitter Is Dragging Kim Kardashian After She Referred to Her Cornrows as 'Bo Derek Braids'

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It's pretty well-known that the Kardashians don't exactly have the best track record when it comes to cultural appropriation. Kylie Jenner's cornrows once got her into a feud with a less than thrilled Amandla Sternberg, and Khloe Kardashian has repeatedly worn a Native American headdress in Instagram photos. Unfortunately, it would also appear that Kim didn't exactly get the memo based on these previous incidents.

On Monday, the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star took to Instagram to share a few shots from a recent sexy photoshoot, in which she can be seen wearing brand new cornrows — and things took a turn for the worse when she captioned one of the photos "BO WEST," a reference to white actress and model Bo Derek, who wore the hairstyle in the 1979 film 10, and was credited by the media at the time for starting a "cross-cultural craze and beauty-salon bonanza nationwide."

 

BO WEST

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Considering "Bo Derek braids," which are actually called cornrows or Fulani braids, have been worn by black women for centuries (a.k.a. much earlier than 1979), many of Kardashian West's black fans were not happy about the fact that she not only culturally appropriated the hairstyle, but she didn't even bother to give credit where it's due.

The main problem with Kim appropriating styles like Fulani braids and cornrows is that these styles have been worn by indigenous people from Africa and the Caribbean since ancient times — and yet, when white women wear them, they usually do so to be "edgy" or as part of a trend, all while refusing to use their platforms to speak up on behalf of the communities they're appropriating from.

As much as we love them, we hope 2018 will finally be the year the Kardashian fam gets the message: cultural appropriation is never okay — especially when you wield influence over millions of fans.

6 Ways To Have Better Sex This Valentine’s Day

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Valentine’s Day sex is notoriously, well, sexy. But that magical headboard-shaking V-Day sex doesn’t happen naturally (at least not for everyone).

Whether you and your V-Day date are casual FWBs, in an uncommitted situation-ship, a throuple or you’ve been dating for eons, exceptional Valentine’s Day sex doesn’t just happen—especially if you’re doing the same routine. After all, you can’t go through the same motions and expect different results.
While you could don your overpriced Victoria’s Secret lace lingerie and hope that you and your SO can magically recreate that notorious car sex scene in Titanic, that probably won’t happen— mostly because you and your bae aren’t Kate Winslet and Leo DiCarpio. However, you can stop fantasizing about the top ten movie sex scenes and spice up your sex routine this Valentine’s Day.

So before you go all 50 shades of terrible BDSM stereotypes, try incorporating some these tips into your Valentine’s Day sex marathon—because you deserve to have some spicy sex this February 14.

Related: The Ultimate Sex Playlist for All Your Hookup Needs

1. Make a game out of it

Traditional board games might not make their way into your V-Day evening plans, but making a game or a scavenger hunt out of what happens after your Valentine’s Day dinner can actually help build anticipation—which will make whatever goes down in the bedroom (or kitchen) even sexier.

If generic strip poker games or an X-rated version of Truth of Dare aren’t your thing, then you can always create your own sexy game.

An anonymous student at Iowa State University reveals that she and her SO organize a sexy scavenger hunt on special occasions, including Valentine’s Day. “Sometimes we hide clues around the bedroom and those clues are linked to certain clothing items we’re wearing or certain body parts. We try to be creative and personal with it, so the clues can sometimes say ‘your girlfriend’s favorite physical attribute herself’ and then another clue or a task could be written on my shoulder,” she explains.

While the sexy scavenger hunt might take a decent amount of planning and collaboration with your other half, it’s a creative way to make your V-Day sex better than your typical Tuesday night sex.

Plus, playing a sex-positive game can help ease you both into some tantalizing foreplay (you’re welcome).

2. Watch porn together

While you might not want to start your evening by scouring the internet for porn, watching porn can help get you and your V-Day cutie in the mood. Or the porn could replace your sex soundtrack as some background noise.

A graduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Sara*, explains that she occasionally watches porn with her SO as a way to heat up their sex life. "Sometimes we don't actually have sex after watching some porn. We just use it as background noise lengthy makeout session." After all, the porn moans and sounds will surely amplify even the mundane tongue tango. 

Regardless of your taste, you and your V-Day date may want to find some ethical porn, because you can still be a feminist and enjoy porn.

3. Change up the location

If you and your SO typically do the deed from the comfort of your own bed, then you might want to change up that vapid routine and opt for the couch or a chair. Granted, if you have roommates you might not want to do some hanky panky in the common area of your apartment.

Even if your roomies swear that they’ll be out of town on Valentine’s Day or that they’ll call you when they head back to the apartment, it’s always best to anticipate an abrupt interruption.

After all, you might not want your roommate to barge in while you’re mid-climax, up against the living room bookcase (a la Atonement)—unless of course you, your beau and your roommates all consent to that arrangement.

Regardless, we’re pretty sure you don’t want to risk 15 minutes of bliss on your futon just so your roommates can find out that you keep your socks on during sex.

While you and your bae could scuttle off to the bathroom to cap your evening (or start it), bathroom sex is riddled with safety hazards and impending sex-related injuries. After all, successful shower sex is basically a myth.

Instead of shifting your horizontal tango to a different area of your apartment, you can always find an inexpensive and classy Airbnb to finish your V-Day with a bang (or five).

4. Tell your V-Day bae what you want to do to in the bedroom

Talking about sex is potentially sexier than sex itself (don’t @ me). After all, talking about sex and everything you want from sex is extremely intimate, even if you and your date have been seeing each other for years.

We all change and so do our passions—including our sexual desires—and while your V-Day babe may have consented to sleep with you, that doesn’t mean they’ve consented to every single sexual act you have planned. Therefore, communicating with your SO about what you find sexy and what you want to do to them (and vice versa) is a great way to make sure everyone is on the same page, and it can help you two lust-birds get in the mood.

If you can’t talk to your partner about your sexual itinerary, hopefully, because it would just lead sex midsentence and not because you’re embarrassed to talk the act with your beau, then you can always try some sexting sessions.

Not only is talking about shagging necessary in a healthy relationship (and yes, that extends to FWBs and one night stands too), it can help you and your SO ease some of your sex anxiety.

5. Get some new toys

Whether you have a cabinet full of sex toys or none at all, getting a new toy or two can help intensify your V-Day sex.

Though you could browse for a new blindfold or bullet vibrator online, going to a physical sex store can help you learn about sex stores you never thought existed, but would totally use.

Most sex toy store employees are eager to help you find the perfect toy for your Valentine’s festivities. If you aren’t a sex toy shop regular, then you might be too timid to ask the cashier for nipple arousal cream suggestions—but you shouldn’t feel ashamed for asking questions.

Sex toy shops are a judgment-free zone. Every customer is there to invest in a toy for themselves or a gag gift for their next bachelorette party (or both), so you shouldn’t hesitate to ask questions.

6. Try some flavored lube (or flavored protection)

Lubrication is essential to healthy and happy sex. You could opt for your generic water-based lube or even try a more advanced lube with a tingly sensation, but even that can get dull at times.

It’s not news that Valentine’s Day is known for its abundance of aphrodisiacs (mostly chocolate). While most people use these sweet libido aids as a warm-up to the grand finale, covering your partner with chocolate syrup is trite—and your V-Day sex-scades should be anything less than corny. (And food-play isn’t for everyone, because it can be messy.)

Flavored lubes are an amazing alternative to the overplayed whipped cream and chocolate. Even if you have a finicky palate, you shouldn’t be timid when it comes to flavored lubes or edible sex paint.

John Remus, a senior at Iowa State University, explains that certain sex-toy shops actually let you taste test the lube at their stores. “They’ll help you find a lube that actually tastes good, so you don’t spend money on something you hate,” John says. After all, it might dull the mood a bit if you start puking because the new flavored lube you bought tastes like Pepto Bismol and crushed aspirin’s offspring, not like that’s ever happened to me before.

If you still can’t quite swallow the idea of using flavored lube, there are plenty of flavored condoms as well as flavored dental dams. Unfortunately, most sex shops won’t give you a free flavored condom to sample; however, most public university offer free condoms and dental dams to their students (including flavored ones).

Regardless of your bedroom plans, using protection is the best way to spice up your evening plans on Valentine’s Day. After all, knowing that you’re protected and relatively worry-free automatically helps your libido.


Ruth Bader Ginsburg Will Be Skipping Trump's State of the Union Address

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Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a.k.a. the Notorious RBG, has made it pretty clear in the past that she's not exactly President Trump's biggest fan — though despite the fact that she won't be in attendance at the president's State of the Union address tomorrow, it's probably not because of their very public beef with one another.

Instead of attending Trump's speech to congress on Tuesday, the 84-year-old justice will instead be holding an event at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island as part of her speaking tour, CNN reports. Is she using the move to throw shade? Probably not. Her event at the university's law school was announced in August, while Trump's SOTU date wasn't even set until November.

However, it doesn't exactly make her decision surprising either. As many have pointed out Ginsburg did attend all eight of President Obama's SOTU addresses yet decided to forego Trump's first speech to congress last year as well. It's also not as uncommon for SCOTUS justices to skip the State of the Union as you may think — Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas also passed on Trump's first address last year and Antonin Scalia was known for not attending a single one in the 20 years before his death.

No matter how deliberate Ginsburg's alternate plans were, it's worth noting that she and Trump have a well-documented feud. In 2016, Ginsburg said of a potential Trump presidency, "for the country, it could be four years. For the court, it could be — I don’t even want to contemplate that." In the same interview, she also called the now-POTUS a faker — to which, as you may remember, he responded on Twitter, "Justice Ginsburg of the U.S. Supreme Court has embarrassed all by making very dumb political statements about me. Her mind is shot - resign!"

While she may not have done it on purpose or meant it as a *Ginsburn*, we're just going to go ahead and say the scheduling of her speaking tour does seem pretty...strategic. And I can't say I blame her.

19 Things You'd Rather Do on Valentine's Day Than Go on a Date

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Valentine’s Day is coming up and you don’t have a date, but who cares? This Hallmark holiday is pretty overrated anyway. You’d much rather do something more useful (and less painful) with your time. Here are 19 better things to do than go on a date for Valentine’s Day.

1. Shave your legs

Then you can cuddle under your freshly dried sheets all by your damn self because who needs a valentine?

2. Get your period

You can lay in bed crying while eating all the Valentine’s Day-themed chocolate your hormonal self desires.

3. Have your wisdom teeth removed

You’d much rather be confused from laughing gas than from a date who sends mixed signals.

4. Retake your most difficult class

You’ll come across less obstacles with this than with trying to figure out a person.

5. Drink straight out of a handle 

Better chance of getting drunk = better chance of forgetting Valentine’s Day.

6. Listen to Kidz Bop on repeat

This hurts less than getting your heart broken.

7. Play 16 squares

You’d rather get hooked on this than a crush.

8. Go to the gym

There’s a better chance of you fulfilling your New Year’s resolution of getting fit than actually getting a date.

9. Eat cereal without milk

This is just about how dry your phone is.

10. Run a race without practicing

You don’t need a crappy date to prove that you’re a failure.

11. Relive Election Day 2016

Watch the country slowly crash and burn, just like your love life.

12. Get lost without GPS

You have a better chance finding your way back on the right path than finding your way out of a horrible date.

13. Rub your eyes after doing your makeup

Better to have your makeup ruined than your dignity.

14. Wear heels for the rest of your life

This will be less painful than an awkward date.

15. Wear a bra

This is less annoying than Valentine’s Day.

16. Ruin your nails after a manicure

At least you can fix this, unlike the douchebag who asked you to be their Valentine at the last minute because they had no one else left.

17. Buy a faulty curling iron

This can be taken back, unlike a day wasted on a Valentine’s Day date.

18. Have cramps

This is more bearable than someone confessing their love to you.

19. Hang with your girl gang

Galentine’s Day > Valentine’s Day

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HC Wake-Up Call: Trump Administration Lifts Refugee Ban, Fitbit App Spills Top Secret Military Info & Starbucks Has Pink Lattes, but There's a Catch

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Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.

But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)

The Trump Administration Has Lifted Its Ban on Refugees From 11 Countries

On Monday, the Trump administration announced its plans to lift a ban on admitting refugees from 11 predominantly Muslim countries including Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, BuzzFeed News reports. Despite the lift on the (extremely) controversial plan, the White House did say that additional screening and vetting measures would be taken for "high risk" immigrants and refugees coming from these countries moving forward. Officials say new security procedures would likely take effect by June of this year.

This Fitbit App Accidentally Revealed Top-Secret Military Information

Um, yikes. A Fitbit app called Strava, which allows users to time and map their workouts for their friends to see, has come under fire after security analysts found it was accidentally revealing the locations of multiple U.S. military bases in sensitive areas such as Syria and Afghanistan, and mapping the habits of American forces there, the New York Times reports. In November, the app added a "global heat map" which shows worldwide the workouts of every single user on the app — which is all fine and good, except for the fact that experts say squiggles and lines on the map can easily be tracked to show the locations of American military bases, where few locals would own fitness devices and therefore wouldn't be tracked on the app. While the news is pretty terrifying, the company has released a statement saying that privacy settings can be used to turn off this feature moving forward.

Starbucks Now Has Millennial Pink Lattes — but There's a Catch

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Starbucks has officially taken the one thing missing from our millennial pink lives and made it our favorite color: Lattes. Called the Pink Medley Tea Latte, the drink uses a blend of pink teas to achieve its Instagrammable color. Except, sorry guys, because it turns out that the company has only made the drink available in Japan — and I'm bummed to say the least. Starbucks, if you can hear me, Americans like pink lattes too, just FYI. I guess we'll just have to settle for the OG pink drink for now.

 

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What to look out for...

Trump's first State of the Union speech is tonight at 9 p.m. EST. And while anyone's guess as to what we could possibly expect is as good as mine, it's clearly off to a great start, what with the typos on the official tickets to the speech and all.

5 Unsung Heroes of This Week's 'Bachelor' Episode

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This week's episode of The Bachelor finally delivered the drama that we all look forward to watching, but it also focused a bit too much on a scheming Krystal for my taste. You know the show has narrowed in on the same person for too long when, as former Bachelorette contestant Diggy Moreland said, it's almost as if everyone is having one-on-one dates with Krystal rather than Arie. 

In dramatic episodes like these, some of the best parts are often overshadowed by the villain's escapades, so I think we need to applaud those behind these somewhat subtle moments. In case Krystal distracted you from everyone else this week, here are the five unsung heroes of the episode who should get the recognition they deserve. 

1) Becca K. trying to ride her bike with no hands


It's not often that producers let the women run wild without Arie there, so Becca K. was in the mood to celebrate when the women were allowed a bike ride in Fort Lauderdale. She pulled off riding handless for about a second before reality hit her and she went into a bit of a panic. Same, girl, same.

2) The elderly ladies showing Arie what he's missing by not going for an older woman


Did anyone else get major camp counselor vibes from Arie during the bowling date? He told the women that they could pick who was on their bowling team and then invited everyone to the night portion of the date, just as if he was promising a group of 10-year-olds, "Everybody gets ice cream today!"

Something about the situation just gave him a weird, authoritarian, "I'm-getting-minimum-wage-to-look-after-you" essence. It doesn't help that literally anyone who has gone to day camp has had a field trip to the bowling alley. The credits' bonus footage of old ladies hitting on Arie was perfectly suited for those of us who can't help but notice that anyone over 30 years old is no longer in the running for Arie's heart. 

3) Maquel making a stellar entrance


Given her Night One arrival, it was no surprise that Maquel knew just how to glide into that hotel room and announce her return this week. It still may have taken you a second to remember who she was, but she gets points for enthusiasm. Although she was cut later on, here's hoping for a Bachelor in Paradise entrance for the record books. 

4) Gerald living his best life in the depths of the bayou

Tia quickly became my favorite contestant after her one-on-one with Arie (the girl's got a doctorate degree!), but their host Gerald nearly stole the show. Not only did he welcome them to his beautiful cabin in the Everglades, he cooked a genuine southern meal for them. Fingers crossed that this week's eliminated girls got sent to Gerald's afterwards for some comfort food.

5) The producer who convinced Arie to lick a bowling ball


If ABC is trying to convince us that Arie isn't Zach Braff's character on Scrubs, the network is seriously failing. The internet has poked fun at Arie's physical resemblance to the actor all season, but his intimate moment with a bowling ball was the best proof I have of them quite possibly being the same person. 


Although Krystal may take up most of the camera's attention again next week, don't forget that we always have these subtle acts of heroism to watch out for. As much as Krystal may disagree, not all heroes have glitter.

The Unexpected Acid That's Totally Transforming My Acne-Prone Skin

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If you've read Face Mask & Chill before (or watched on our weekly Instagram Story), you know that I've struggled with acne for a long, long time. It started in elementary school with tiny whiteheads that would pop up around my hairline, turned into giant pimples that appeared every time I got my period, and has currently found a sort of peace as really deep, really embarrassing acne scars. Like most teenagers in the early 2000s, I turned to skincare that burned the hell out of my face. I'm talking those three-step-kits that were loaded with powerful acids that burned, exfoliant that left my skin raw, and bleaching products that turned my towels white.

I was convinced that to get clear skin, I just needed to scrub all of the bad out and scare it away and cause it enough pain for the acne to run screaming.

Luckily, I realized that wasn't the right approach.

The early 2000s came and left (TG, honestly), and soon I started seeing articles popping up about how maybe the solution to getting happier, glowier skin was just being nicer to it. It seems so weird that I never came to that conclusion on my own (like... duh), but it took a lot of research and a lot of proof from my fellow internet skincare obsessives for me to put down the super intense zit murderers and try a newer technique: kindness.

One of the main parts of this transition was me making the switch from harsh, drying products to soft, soothing products. I became the queen of moisturizers, slathering them on morning and night, and even sometimes in the middle of the day just to be sure that I'd made my skin as happy as possible. 

But only recently did I realize that moisturizing and hydrating your skin are two different things. Apparently, moisturizers help lock moisture into skin, while hydrating products actually straight up increase the water content in your skin to begin with. So while I was moisturizing TF out of my skin, I was missing the crucial step of hydrating.

And that's when I learned about the great acid love of my life: hyaluronic acid. 

So what was it about this magical hyaluronic acid thing that rocked my world so much? The fact that it can attract up to 1000 times its weight in water, hydrating the hell out of your skin and making your moisturizing efforts way more effective. After all, what was the point of all that slathering if I wasn't doing it right? 

Here are some of my fave hyaluronic acid products, because yes, I really do use it EVERY SECOND OF EVERY DAY:

1. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($6.80)

This is pretty much your essential intro to hyaluronic acid. It's super simple, it's paired with B5 (another yum from the skin), and it's easy to apply. Just press into cleansed skin, and you're good to go. Also, this is very, very affordable compared to a lot of products and yet still so very high quality, making it a genius intro to hyaluronic acid. 

2. patchology Restoring Night CloudMasque ($40)

For when I'm exhausted or I ate too much chocolate or I've just generally been treating my body like crap, this has quickly become a go-to. Slather, sleep, wake up a little bit prettier. Also, it makes me feel like a fancy lady.

3. Trilogy Replenishing Night Cream ($57)

This stuff is THICK, in the best way. Winter makes my skin peel in weird and unexpected ways and this helps with that. I like to layer it over The Ordinary's acids to really treat my skin, and to also just keep it around during the day for when no one's going to see me so it's cool if I'm a little shinier than usual. Pricey? Yes. I tend to use it 3x a week or as needed, because I'd like it to last as looong as possible.

So those are some of my fave hyaluronic acid products. Am I totally acne free? Honestly, no. But I do feel more comfortable in my skin, and there's also just something nice about paying attention to yourself and your body and what it needs. For me, it's hyaluronic acid, and also just being kinder to my body. I'm sure my skin appreciates being soothed instead of scorched day in and day out. Sorry, younger me. 

Want more skincare wisdom? Follow @HerCampusBeauty on Facebook, and tune into @HerCampus on Instagram every week for Face Mask & Chill! 

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