Is it okay to culturally appropriate? I think we can all agree that not, it is not okay to do so. We run into problems when our definitions of cultural appropriation are different, unfortunately. Should white girls be able to wear black hairstyles? Well, that's a difficult question to answer.

It's no news that Kylie Jenner posted a picture of herself wearing cornrows, and that Amandla Stenberg responded, saying that Kylie should stop appropriating "black features and cultures."

As a black woman who switches between weaves, wigs, clip-ons, natural and blow-dried hair, I have had my fair share of different hairstyles. I love trying different looks, but I would never go out with long, straight hair and say, "Look how I took this bold hair to new epic levels!" Nor would I ever get photographed with captions along the lines of "Long, straight hair, the new trend for black women." If you've always had long, straight hair, you'd be offended right? Well, that's what is happening (and has been happening) to many black hairstyles.

I think it's cool that cornrows and afros are becoming more mainstream, but let's get one thing straight: it is not cool that people are "columbusing" these hairstyles. They've always existed and they will always continue to exist. The cornrow style is more than just a style to blacks, especially Africans and African-Americans, given the history behind it.

The style has been around from the existence of time, all the way from indigenous people from Africa and the Caribbeans, through the forced voyage to America—and it is still intertwined in our culture. This is why we get offended when those who do not identify with our culture try to pass off our styles as "new" or "edgy" or worse, just a trend.

And herein lies the problem: not the fact that people are wearing these styles, but rather the commentary that surrounds them.

"The comeback of cornrows"? How can something that was never out of style have a comeback? Bo Derek looked beautiful in her braids, but we got very upset when they were referred to as "Bo Braids" as opposed to what they really are: cornrows!

Kristen Stewart rocked the half-cornrow style, but we did not sit back quietly when it was described as "a new trend for white women."

Katy Perry looked cool in her baby hairs, but we were confused when they were described as "urban fabulous" as we value our baby hairs.

Kylie and Kendall Jenner have shown love for their cornrows, but we were outraged when a lifestyle site for women said that they were "new" and "epic."

I was tasked with answering the question of whether white women should ever be able to wear black hairstyles, and I struggled to answer it. My personal opinion? I don't care if white people wear black hairstyles. Just don't do so in mockery or with blackface, and don't refer to it as a novel trend. If you like afros, go for it. If you like cornrows, you wear them. If you want baby hairs, you do that too. But we should all be aware of the history associated with black hairstyles. Today, many black men and women are still being persecuted based on their hair choices, whereas white women are being celebrated for rocking a "new beauty trend"—even major publications like Allure (pictured above) are guilty of doing this.

So it truly is difficult to answer this question. Different people on all sides of the issue have different responses, which is what makes it so hard to come to a definitive conclusion. But whatever your opinions, above everything, be respectful of other cultures and their habits and practices. 

Most millennials have found themselves in a situation where the emoji that they’re just dying to use doesn’t exist. Now, there’s a chance to rectify those situations thanks to these 38 potential additions to the emoji family.

For those looking to emoji hashtag their avocado toast, well an avocado is among the new additions in the food category. Also up for consideration? Bacon, a cucumber and a croissant.

In the emoji people category, the new concept is gender pairs. There are some emojis now that don’t have a gender match such as a bride without a groom and Santa Claus without Mrs. Claus. The new emojis fix this problem with the addition of those gender mates as well as a prince for the princess and a male dancing partner for the woman dancing.

Some other cool additions include fist bump hands, a selfie arm, a pregnant woman and an owl. All these new emojis look amazing and are expected to be ready to use by mid-2016. They may not all make the cut, but here's hoping that the avocado is among those that do! So collegiettes, what are your thoughts on the new emojis?

Often times after a bad breakup, we audition for a replacement of our ex with a pint of rocky road ice cream, a Beyonce playlist or even our fluffy tear-stained pillow. But, it seems that after auditions are over (and all three contestants are picked!), we, as women, are able to move on and get over it, according to a new study.

Cosmopolitan reports that Binghamton University and University College London published a study in the journal Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences on the after-effects of a breakup. The study used 5,705 participants from 96 countries and found that women take the hardest emotional blow after a breakup (whether in an opposite-sex or same-sex relationship), however it enables them to move on more than men. There might be an evolutionary explanation; our female ancestors had more to risk when entering a relationship, so when that relaitonship ends, there is more pain. 

Where does this leave men? As men are not “supposed” to show their emotions, it results in them often bringing more baggage to their next relationship, because they have not fully dealt with the loss of their previous one. “When you move from the numbers to the actual stories, you can see that women are clearly talking about something in the past,” Craig Morris, the anthropologist who led the study told the Washington Post. “But when you read men’s responses, you never get that sense of closure — the breakup is always something that they’re just dealing with. It’s a constant wound, even if they’re now married with grandkids.”

So, it goes to show that in the emotional dance that is a breakup, it really does take two to tango.

We all need a little guidance now and then, so whether you’re stressed about a fling gone wrong, a recently wrecked relationship or how to handle a stage-five clinger, Real Live College Guy Jon is here to help you navigate the college dating scene.

I've known this guy since I was 14 and he was 15. We met through mutual friends. Over the following years we exchanged numbers and talked a little, and I mean barely (only when we were at the same event). But when we would hang out (again barely) we would be a little friendlier than just friends. I'm pretty sure he knew I kind of liked him. Now I go to college four hours away from home and am involved on my campus. During the past year and a half my club has had events that needed a DJ (which he is). I asked if he was interested and all five times he came to the event and stayed with me. Each time he comes to my school it’s like our friendship keeps growing. Recently he's been opening up to me more.  And whenever I'm home we actually hang out and do things together (he even pays for me). I find myself falling for this guy more than ever. I'm not too sure what to do. The other day I surprised him with tickets to our favorite concert and then told him how I felt, he apparently felt the same way, but never told me. Now two weeks have gone by and nothing… no progress whatsoever. Now I'm 21 and he’s 22, I would think we could be more adult about this. Am I overthinking this? Should I continue to wait? Does he actually like me? – Cali Girl

Cali Girl,

You two definitely have some history.

It seems like you both enjoy each other’s company. The dialogue you describe is what a lot of people don’t find until they are well into a committed relationship. By divulging personal information, it is clear he trusts you. Further, by answering your call for a DJ every time you ask and by staying with you, he has showed he enjoys spending time with you. More than that, by paying when you hang out he shows that he enjoys your time together so much so that he does not want the cost to be a burden to you.

Now to address a few matters. 

Determining if he likes you as a friend or more than a friend is complicated. Without a peek into his brain we can only speculate.  His continual filling of the DJ position may on the surface appear to you as though he is interested in you. However, he may just as likely be a committed disk jockey who is slow on gigs.  Further, paying for you when you hang out may just mean he is a gentleman.  I often pay for friends of mine who are women, without any feelings beyond friendship.

Now for a big one - “he apparently felt the same way.”  By this I am guessing you mean a physical representation of love (maybe a kiss, a make out sesh or sex... it does not really matter). I regret to inform you that these acts do not require mutual feelings from both people. I am not saying you are wrong; rather, he is a guy with hormones.

To answer your questions:

“Am I overthinking this?”

You probably are overthinking it, but that’s okay. Overthinking is great to keep you from getting played. 

“Should I continue to wait?”

You seem to have a good guy who enjoys your company. More than that, you both have developed a trusting connection. A two- week hiatus over your long history is a small stretch of time. I would wait. Better yet, I suggest you don’t wait and talk to him. Ask him how he feels about you. The glory of being able to have good conversation with someone is that you can ask serious questions! 

“Does he actually like me?”

He definitely likes you as a friend. If I were to guess I would say he likes you more than a friend. But that’s just speculation. The only way to find out is to ask him.

The takeaway here is to ask him how he feels about you. We men tend not to notice a question until it is asked, even if it apparent to others.

Best of luck,

Jon

The Notebook may as well be the relationship bible. After all, we consider Allie and Noah’s love to be one of the greatest of all time. We can’t think of a better couple to represent what happens when you fall for someone. Here are the 15 stages of falling in love, as told by The Notebook.

1. The initial sighting

You lock eyes with a cutie on campus, in class or at a party.

2. Introductions

You introduce yourself, or are introduced by a mutual friend.

3. “Just friends”

The two of you start hanging out as friends, but there is a definite connection.

4. Flirtation

Mutual flirting commences.

5. The first date

You go on your first official date, probably to the movies.

6. And the second…

Multiple other dates follow.

7. Crushing hard

At this point, you can’t stop thinking about him or her.

8. It’s inevitable…

Your friends tease you about being such a cute couple, but you have yet to DTR.

9. Relationship Status: In a Relationship

Finally, one of you gets up the guts to ask.

10. The cutesy stage

You start being couple-y and you can’t keep your hands off each other, much to everyone else’s amusement/annoyance.

11. The first fight

Eventually, the honeymoon stage ends and you experience your first real argument.

12. Tough decisions

You both have to make some changes in order to move forward in your relationship.

13. Slowly, and then all at once

You realize that you’re falling in love with this person.

14. Three words, eight letters

The moment finally arrives when those words are exchanged.

15. Going strong

You’re in a long-term relationship with the person you love, and you couldn’t be happier.

No relationship is perfect, even Allie and Noah’s. All couples go through rough patches, but hopefully the tough times only make your love stronger.

Get excited, Swifties! Taylor Swift has released a music video teaser for her newest single, "Wildest Dreams." She posted the 15-second clip on her Twitter and Instagram Sunday night. The full video will premiere during the MTV Video Music Awards Pre-Show on Sunday, August 30 at 8 pm/7 pm central.

The preview includes an eye, zebras, a horse, a bird, an airplane and (most importantly) Taylor kissing a cutie in the rain. Turns out this mystery man is none other than actor/model Scott Eastwood, AKA Clint Eastwood's son. We can't wait to see the full video and get to know Taylor's latest music video hottie!

Depending on where you go to school, joining a sorority may or may not be an all-access pass to a huge group of friends, awesome parties, and an active social life. If you’re on the fence about rushing a sorority (or even just a little curious), get some insight into going Greek with these stories from collegiettes who have been through it all.

Pro-Greek

Whether they grew up knowing they’d go Greek or rushed with a friend just for fun, these girls have fallen in love with sorority life.

“I joined Kappa Kappa Gamma my freshman year and I've never been happier. Going into college, though, I was completely against Greek life. I didn’t want to deal with the competition of rush. And growing up with two older brothers, I prefer to hang with guys much more. But my experience with my sorority at Emory has been more than amazing.” - Erica Petri, Emory University  

“I'm going into my 4th year in a sorority, and I think it is a very positive experience for girls to be involved with. Not only do you meet friends with similar interests to you (most girls in sororities tend to be social, academic, and very well-rounded overall), but you realize that you meet friends who are all so different and special. Every girl in my sorority (Kappa Kappa Gamma) is so different and unique—I have friends who play lacrosse, who sing, who work for the school council program board, who are studying for the LSAT, etc.” - Elizabeth Wagmeister, UCSB 

“It might sound trite or even dramatic, but joining a sorority has been the single best decision I have ever made. I'm...the [former] Vice President of Programming for Delta Zeta, an executive board member of All Greek Council and have been active in Panhellenic [the organization that represents all Greek organizations on campus] in the past. These organizations have allowed me to acquire and hone skills essential to my chosen career in PR, like leadership, time management, teamwork, conflict management, event planning and organization skills. Above all the skills I've obtained, being in Greek life has really boosted my confidence and given me the drive to go after what I want in life.” - Amber Strazzo, Millersville University of Pennsylvania 

“I wasn't totally sure about being a ‘sorority girl’, but it totally changed my college experience in an awesome way. I was contemplating transferring, but being in Delta Gamma finally gave me a group of girls who understood me and accepted me. I really believe that there is a place for everyone in the Greek system, and I love love LOVE my sisters... Bucknell without DG would be much less fulfilling and enjoyable.” - Jenni Whalen, Bucknell University 

“I'm in a sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, and I was totally unsure what to think of it at first. I went through recruitment last year, and I ended up receiving a bid. Since then, it's been a lot of fun, and I've met some of my closest friends. There's rarely a time when I feel completely alone and don't know anyone around me, and it's all because of Greek life. All in all, I would definitely recommend it to girls who are looking for a solid network of friends, especially transfer students who are having a hard time connecting and finding a niche at school."- Bianca E. Ortega, Belmont University

“I've only been an initiated member for a couple of months, and already I've made a ton of friends, become way more involved on campus, and gained experiences that I wouldn't have otherwise. In fact, I only learned that Her Campus was joining Virginia Tech because one of my sisters brought it here. I even became her co-Campus Correspondent!” - Caitlin Fernandez, Virginia Tech 

Anti-Greek

Some collegiettes have never felt the urge to become part of the Greek system, and they swear they’re having just as much fun (if not more) as the girls in sororities.

“I never wanted to join a sorority and never did. I picked a college that was only about 30 minutes away from my high school, so I already knew a ton of people when I started college. I feel that I have a more diverse selection of friends than I may have had if I had gone Greek. I have male and female friends of all different ages, and I think that maybe I would not have some of the friends I do today had I been in a sorority.” - Lauren Conrad, University of Kentucky

“I rushed freshman and sophomore year and didn't end up joining a sorority. I got asked back to all of the houses I ranked the lowest on my list. I think the rush system is flawed because I didn't get asked back to a single one of my top 5 houses, not even for the second round out of four. I've still gone to date parties and done other fun ‘sorority’ stuff without being in a house. I don't have to dress the same as 40 other girls or go to a particular frat each weekend. I can do as I please without having to fit the stereotype of a few Greek letters.” - Erica, University of Michigan 

Mixed Feelings

Not everyone’s feelings about sororities are so black and white, and many girls are left with mixed emotions after going through the Greek process.

“I think sororities make sense at large institutions because they are a wonderful way to make friends and network. They provide a great foundation for getting to know your school, and Greek parties do have a reputation for being the best. However, one of my friends who went to a small school that had sororities was in one, and now that she has graduated she confided in me that she feels like all the friends she made were fake. They don't keep in contact, even though some of them live just a few towns over. My impression is that at smaller schools their main function is as a party house, where as at larger schools they become networking tools.” - Allison Lantero, Boston College 

“I always knew I wanted to rush! I thought the girls in sororities were so pretty and happy all the time and just lived the life of the party. I love my sisters to death, but sometimes I feel like I could have gone through college without joining. Greek people can be so stereotypical sometimes. During rush they tell you to narrow down your favorites, but I didn't get into my first OR second choice, so really it's just about them picking you. I am happy I have a group of friends who are not Greek to keep me balanced or else I feel like I would be stuck in high school forever.” - Anonymous

“I know this is so clichéd, but I really think it depends on the school. I have friends who go to school in the South (e.g., Tulane and Vanderbilt) and are in sororities, not so much because they wanted to but because it's a major aspect of their school's social scene. At my school (Boston University), however, it's not a necessity to go Greek: there are so many other clubs and ways to meet people and get involved on campus.” - Kelsey Mulvey, Boston University

“[At] Emory Greek life is pretty big here, but I knew early on that sorority life wasn't for me, so I didn't even rush. In retrospect, I wish I had gone through the experience of rush because it's only something you experience in college and I would urge everyone to do it! I don't regret not being in a sorority, though — it hasn't hindered my social life in any way.” - Alice Chen, Emory University 

“I've always thought that I would never join a sorority, but working at Her Campus...has made me consider at least rushing to see what it's like (I'm going to be a freshman at Northwestern). I still don't think it's very likely I would actually join one, but it's interesting that the people in my life are automatically against it even if I'm not.” - Katherine Mirani, Northwestern University  

Whatever your decision…

Don’t feel pressure to rush or not rush once you’re at school. If you’re curious and want to see what it’s like, go for it! If anything it will be a new experience, which is what college is all about. And if you’ve never felt the need to go Greek then there are a ton of other ways to meet people, like clubs, sporting events, class, your dorm, and more. 

Did you rush a sorority, or are you planning to? Why or why not?  Sound off in the comments below!

No matter how the never-ending rotation of men and women arriving in Paradise each week shakes out, we can always count on certain relationship dynamics among the group. Below we’ve mapped out the 8 couples you’ll always see on Bachelor in Paradise.

1. The Ones Who Give You Major #RelationshipGoals

Were we the only ones squealing as Tanner and Jade decided to officially become boyfriend and girlfriend? Counting down the days until Neil Lane shows up with a selection of nearly identical engagement rings!

2. The Odd (But Surprisingly Cute) Couple

The unexpected duos are usually the best kind. The Mikey and Juelia pairing seemed off at first, but their date was adorbs. They may not be the most obvious couple, but we’re on board to see where it leads.

3. The Ones Waiting for Someone Better

Amber and Dan seem much more interested in getting roses than building a relationship. This—along with Dan’s out-of-the-blue interest in Samantha—hints that they’re just biding time until the next date card comes along.

4. The Drunk in Love Couple

How many times do they have to say they don’t understand Spanish, man? It turns out, a giant bottle of tequila + Ashley S. and Nick’s first date = drunken attempts to “translate” a conversation the duo only thought was in Spanish. We don’t care if there’s a love connection or not. Someone please just give them alcohol and record everything they say. 

5. The Ones You Forget Are Even There

We’re still not sure Tenley and Joshua were even in Paradise this week.

6. The Little Old Married Couple

Who knew fishing could be so darn cute? We honestly can’t remember a time when Kirk and Carly weren’t a couple. It’s basically like they’ve been together a million years and are just here to mentor these romantically challenged singles.

7. That Crummy Unrequited Love

We thought things were going well with Jared and Ashley I. after a few smooches here and there. But shocker—Jared is still hung up on Kaitlyn! We feel for Ashley I. on this one, but she and Love Man may be better off as friends.

8. The Two A-Holes

Raise your hand if you’ve had just about all you can take of Samantha and Joe. If we could vote them off this beach, we totally would.

Are there any couples we left off our list, collegiettes?

It’s pretty common knowledge that the gender wage gap is still a thing—on average, women make about 78 cents to a man’s dollar. But in Hollywood, it’s more like... actresses make $10 million to an actor’s $20 million (or more). Jennifer Lawrence topped Forbes’ List of Highest Paid Actresses this year, making $52 million—not bad, right? But let’s compare that to what Hollywood’s top earning actor, Robert Downey Jr., makes: $80 million. Both of them boast impressive resumes of both critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies, including some of the most popular franchises of all time—The Avengers for Downey Jr., and The Hunger Games and X-Men for Lawrence. Oh, and there’s also that one thing J. Law has that RDJ doesn’t—an Oscar. So the nearly $30 million gap between the two doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, does it?

The issue persists across the board—the second highest paid actress, Scarlett Johansson, earned $35.5 million, compared to the second top earning actor, Jackie Chan, who banked $50 million in the last year. Melissa McCarthy, who ranks third on Forbes’ list of actresses, made the same salary ($23 million) as the twenty-first highest paid actor, Hugh Jackman. Bingbing Fan, who is originally from China and best known for her role in X-Men: Days of Future Past, is the fourth highest paid actress, earning $21 million. That’s about half of what Bradley Cooper made ($41.5 million), who also placed fourth on his respective list. In order to be included on the list, Forbes required that actors earn at least $13 million, while actresses earn at least $6 million. 33 actors met this criteria, but only 18 actresses were qualified (even though the standard was significantly lowered for them to begin with).

It might seem trivial to compare such large sums of money—$52 million is $52 million, after all. Jennifer Lawrence made more money last year than most people dream of making in their lifetimes. But that’s not the point. Hollywood is a glaring example of a problem that spans across all fields, professions and social classes, and one that makes it even harder to dismiss the gap solely as a result of women choosing to stay at home or to pick careers that traditionally pay less anyway. If the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson and Angelina Jolie can’t get equal pay, how is there any hope for the rest of us?

We all know that Hailee Steinfeld has multiple talents, ranging from her natural singing ability to her acting chops, as showcased in Pitch Perfect 2—but did also you know that she can dance? And quite well, we must add!

In the music video for “Love Myself,” we were able to get a peek at her awesome dancing skills for the first time.

But that's not where her skills end. In an interview this past week, Hailee was asked to do her best interpretive dance to Taylor Swift's “Bad Blood,” which she also had a cameo in as Trinity. What she did next is something you MUST see. Check out the clip below!

We all know that sinking feeling when Mother Nature stops by with a present once a month. For five to seven days, our lives are filled with cramps, Midol and excessive amounts of chocolate. From the beginning of time, women have had to deal with their periods. While we worry about risking our favorite pair of white jeans, women back then had a couple of bigger issues during that time of the month. Here’s a brief rundown of how women throughout the ages dealt with their periods.

Ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Romans

Even Cleopatra had to deal with her mood swings and bloating once a month. During the ancient times when tampons and pads didn’t exist, women got creative in dealing with their periods. Using what they had, they crafted tampons out of soft papyrus around wood or made pads out of wool, paper, moss, animal skins or grass. Generally that time of the month was considered a “cleansing time” for women, and some believed that menstrual blood had healing powers.  

Biblical times

However, not all ancient cultures were as accepting as the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Romans. In the Jewish culture, women were considered “impure” while they were on their periods. They were even physically separated from men and their husbands! During that time, if you were on your period and you touched something, that object was also considered impure and a rabbi had to bless it before anyone else could use it. Talk about harsh.

The 1800s

That time of the month wasn’t much easier for women in 19^th century Europe. While some women were lucky enough to wear pads, most could not afford them and just bled into their clothing. (We’ve all bled through our pants. It’s not fun.) In France, some girls weren’t allowed to work while they were on their periods, especially in food factories because their employers thought they would spoil the products.

1870s

Eventually, pads became more popular and girls stopped worrying about ruining their clothes. The only catch? The pads were attached to suspenders, aka the trendiest fashion statement of all time. As time went on, the suspenders were replaced by menstrual belts, which were as pleasant as they sound.

Post WWI

During World War I, French nurses found that cellulose bandages absorbed blood well when treating soldiers’ wounds. So they ditched the cotton makeshift pads they had been wearing and used the bandages instead! Around the same time, Kotex launched its first products, saving women with disposable pads. 

1930s-1980s

Tampax was created during the 1930s giving women another option besides pads with belts. The first tampons were sewn and compressed in-house; however, they didn’t gain much popularity until the 1940s. In the 1970s, the modern pad was born with the adhesive strip, which finally replaced the menstrual belts. Companies continued to improve their feminine products throughout the 70s and 80s, thank goodness.

Today

Today when we have to deal with our periods, we have a variety of products that come in different sizes, colors and scents to choose from! While most guys still don’t want to hear about our PMS, at least we’re not being exiled or shunned during our times of the month. Sure we might feel a little gross for a couple days, but we just deal with it and move on. Oh the joys of being a girl!

From crafty contraptions from the ancient Egyptians to the creation of the tampon, women have had to deal with their periods. Luckily times have changed and we’re not seen as “impure” during our times of the month, and we have modern feminine products to ease the pain of our periods.

Hey collegiettes!

We know you love reading HC on your laptops, your smartphones, and your tablets... but now you can truly curl up with HC because our first-ever book, The Her Campus Guide to College Life, just hit stores!

Order your copy online here or head to your local Barnes & Noble! And be sure to check out our upcoming schedule of book signing events and see if we're coming to your area!

The Her Campus Guide to College Life: How to Manage Relationships, Stay Safe and Healthy, Handle Stress, and Have the Best Years of Your Life covers everything you need to know to rock college, from how to get along with your roommates to how to avoid the 'freshman 15', deal with tough professors, snag internships, decide whether to study abroad, and much, much more.

Whether you're already an upperclassman or are just getting ready to go off to college next fall, this book has everything you need to survive and thrive on campus when it comes to all aspects of your life. Our book also includes handy resources like a template roommate contract, dorm room grocery list, and more.

Want a sneak preview? Read an excerpt from our book here then order your copy!

I can't wait to hear what you think!

HC Love,
Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, Co-founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief of Her Campus

College is typically the place where we discover ourselves and the kind of person we want to be. It's a time of experimentation, soul searching and personal change. For most people, this experimentation might lead to an abrupt change in sexual orientation, or maybe just affirm which way they lean one way or another. But a new survey from YouGov shows that for good percentage of our generation, sexuality isn't as defined or rigid.

The poll, which surveyed 1,000 Americans between the age of 18-29, found that a whopping 31 percent of respondents neither identified as purely heterosexual or homosexual. The survey asked them to rank their sexuality on the Kinsey Scale, which ranges from 0 (completely straight) to 6 (completely gay). 64 percent ranked themselves as totally straight, while only 2 percent ranked themselves totally homosexual. 

As you can see, compared with all adults in the U.S., young adults tend to identify less as straight and more so on a spectrum. This might reflect the rapidly changing perception in our country of sexuality as a strict one-way policy. It is become more and more common for people to be open to various forms of love. And if you think this only applies to the US, check out the UK survey which found that some 50 percent of 18-24 year olds did not identity as fully straight. 

Of course the Kinsey Scale, which was invented in the 1940s, isn't a highly accurate or current model, this survey reflects a growing trend of sexual fluidity for people our age. For the first time in history it seems, youth isn't tied down by traditional culture which dictates ideal love is between a man and woman. Just look at popular celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Kristen Stewart, who openly admit to not being 100 percent straight. 

In the end, love is love no matter how it manifests, an idea which has led to groundbreaking LGBTQ legislation as of recent both in the U.S. and abroad. With such a wide variety of sexual orientation among us collegiettes, let's hope we can be the generation to rid the world of homophobic thinking once and for all! 

It’s about that time again—time to pack up all of your stuff and head back to school. As sad as you are to see your summer end, there’s a bright side: you get to be back on campus with all of your friends again! You’ll want to remember every moment of your school year, and we’ve got just the thing to help you document it in style.

The Lomo’Instant Kyoto evokes the spirit of Kyoto, Japan with its floral peach design, and it’s the perfectly sized instant camera to bring with you everywhere you go. 

Enter now to win this adorable camera so you can remember every amazing moment of your school year!

Lomo’Instant Kyoto Camera

We’ve all been there: It’s 8:45 a.m. and you have no time to waste before running to your 9 a.m. history lecture—yet, for the life of you, you can’t find anything in your closet to wear. You’re a busy collegiette, and between clubs, sports and class, you don’t have time to spend hours curating a day’s ensemble. That’s why we teamed up with SOREL, the premium boot brand, to help you with five foolproof formulas for outfits that will take you from day to night.

1. Shorts + Tights

Allow us to introduce you to your new autumn go-to. Bright tights with neutral-colored shorts and a sweater are easy, cozy and effortlessly chic.  You can dress this up or down depending on fabric (wool shorts are more dressy; a slouchy sweater is more casual). The highlight of the look though? SOREL’s military-inspired booties. With their rugged zipper and leather-wrapped heels, you can bet heads will turn on your way to class.

The Combo

• SOREL Major Low Premium Print Bootie 
• Neutral shorts
• Opaque tights 
• Cashmere sweater
• Leather tote 

2. Boyfriend cardigan + Skinny jeans

Cozy, always in-style and incredibly effortless—talk about the perfect library outfit. You definitely already have the components of this look, but with some lux details like a soft leather backpack and SOREL’s bold full-grain leather and canvas boots, you’re sure to be best-dressed while hitting the books or the bars.

The Combo

• SOREL Major Carly Leather Boot
• Leather backpack 
• Cable knit leg warmers 
• Striped tee 
• Boyfriend cardigan 
• Skinny jeans 

3. Crop top + Boyfriend jeans

If you like a sportier style, this one’s for you. Take your crop top from night to day by pairing with slim boyfriend jeans and SOREL’s leather boots that are as good for rainy days as they are for exam days.

The Combo

• SOREL Out N About Leather Boot 
• Water-resistant backpack 
• Boyfriend jeans 
• Crop top 

4. Colored denim + Chambray shirt

This look is anything but dull. Pairing neutrals like a chambray shirt with a pop of color is the oldest rule in the book. We love the combo with a bright sweater and neutral, but bold and refined SOREL booties.

The Combo

• SOREL Major Low Premium Print Bootie 
• Colored skinny jeans 
• Fitted sweater 
• Chambray shirt 
• Backpack 

5. Printed dress + Boots

Keep a floral dress from becoming too prim and girly by toughening it up with these elegant and iconic SOREL boots. Accessorize with a convenient cross-body bag and a ring, and you’re sure to be a showstopper in both English class and the college town bar.

The Combo

• SOREL Major Carly Leather Boot
• Floral dress 
• Cross-body bag 
• Ring 

The next time you feel like you have absolutely nothing to wear, be sure to check out our guide! All you need are some clever basics and some beautiful, elegant SOREL boots, and you’re sure to turn heads.

Disney princesses have always been considered a standard of beauty for young girls. We all grew up watching the likes of Ariel, Snow White and Belle gracefully sashay their way into a prince's heart with their legendary beauty and good hearts. Yet part of the allure of Disney princesses for girls around the world is the fact that they are usually ordinary women put into extraordinary circumstances (i.e. a lowly maid who marries a prince, or a tomboy who saves her entire country by posing as a guy). Furthermore, these women are often heralded as having inherent, natural beauty. But how natural is that beauty, really? With heavy eyeshadow, bold lipstick and, yes, even contouring, what we're really seeing is women made up for the camera. So BuzzFeed took it upon themselves to reveal the princesses'real natural beauty.

The video, called "Disney Princesses Without Makeup," hypothetically displays what some of the most popular Disney heroines would look like without makeup. The results can range from subtle:

to completely game-changing:

The video also featured comments throughout pointing out how these women don't really need the extra glam factor to be princess material—they're all stunning enough au naturale. But this video, while meant to be an entertaining look at these characters we so dearly admire, also brings up a sobering reality about Disney films and their treatment of women. 

For young girls around the world, these animated fictitious characters are actual role models. Girls dress up as them for Halloween, watch the movies on repeat, and thus grow up believing that these princesses are what they should strive to be. For the most part, this is a good thing—these women are largely strong, independent and fearless: traits we all hope to embody. Yet by revealing that these women, despite not actively trying to look beautiful, are in essence wearing makeup, BuzzFeed has unearthed a worrying double standard. The princesses are admired for a natural beauty... which isn't actually shown in the movies, giving the impression that those made up faces are, in fact, what we should consider to be natural beauty.

In a world where females are so relentlessly pressured by the media to achieve an unrealistic standard of perfection, Disney movies are supposed to be a positive and empowering voice for impressionable youth. If they too have fallen prey to the idea that a woman cannot be accepted by society or a significant other unless she wears makeup or fits into a specific definition of what women should look like, then what is left to show girls that real beauty comes from within?

We can only hope that with this realization, Disney cartoonists might think twice before giving Moana eyeshadow!

When you’re waiting for your bangs to grow out, the time passes as slowly as Orange is the New Black fans waiting for season four to be released on Netflix.

Before your crazy eyes come out from stressing about how your bangs aren’t where you want them to be, check out these tips and avoid the hassle.

Pick your favorite part

When you decide that you want to grow out your bangs, it’s best to pick one side of your hair that you’d like to part, and try to stick to that side. Your bangs will be easier to smooth to the side with your favorite hair product, and any awkward length issues will be easier to disguise.

Trim your bangs, but avoid a major chop

Just like getting regular trims helps the rest of your hair stay healthy, scheduling in a trim for your bangs every six weeks will have them looking fabulous. They will be easier to manage and they will blend into the rest of your look, too.

Get your braid game on point

For a fun and girly look, learn how to braid your bangs along your hairline to add some variety to your look and to prevent the ends of your hair from getting into your eyes as they start to grow out. Cute, dainty braids are super cute, but they can still look professional while you’re at your internship this semester.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

Make sure your bangs stay soft with a bi-weekly hair mask, and use daily styling products that have buzzwords such as “hydrating” on the packaging. When your strands have the nourishment they need, they are less prone to breakage, which will allow your bangs to grow even more quickly.

Use your hair accessories to your advantage

When all else fails and you’re getting frustrated with your bangs, push them back with an adorable headband for the day and unleash your inner Blair Waldorf. For the days or situations where it’s not appropriate to wear a regular headband, use a handful of bobby pins to twist and pin sections of your hair accordingly to keep your bangs out of your face.

Orientation is overwhelming and exciting at the same time.  You’re meeting so many people and learning so much that you may find your head spinning by the end of it.  Making friends at orientation is a great way to feel comfortable and make the most of what you’re doing, but how do you keep in touch with them afterwards?

Luckily, we have some tips to avoid losing contact with your awesome new friends!

1. Friend each other on Facebook

It sounds clichéd, but adding your orientation friends on Facebook allows you to keep in contact with them better than just texting. You can see if you have classes together through messaging, make plans to meet up or simply know what’s going on in each other’s lives. 

Adrian Thompson, a senior at the University of Iowa, became Facebook friends with a girl she got along with at orientation and managed to stay in touch with.  “When school started I messaged her and asked her what classes she was taking,” she says. “Turned out that she had three of the same gen ed classes as me!” They sat together on the first day of class and became great friends.

2. Make lunch plans

During your first few weeks of classes, you may not have a clue whom to get lunch with.  If you schedule a lunch date with someone you met at orientation, you’ll feel a lot better.  The two (or more) of you will be able to meet up and talk about your dorms, classes and weekend plans. 

Having lunch will open many doors for hanging out in the future. “Getting lunch with people you meet at orientation is a great way to stay in touch,” says Allison Zeppuhar, a sophomore at James Madison University. “I still occasionally grab lunch or dinner with some of the kids I met.”

Bonus: If each of you brings another friend, you can ease your way into conversation and it won’t be as awkward or intimidating.

3. Go out together

Going out together is a fun way to bond and learn more about each other.  Find out what your friend is into and plan your activity accordingly. You can get dinner off campus, go to a movie or go to a party together.

“I went to a party with a girl I met during orientation, and we had such a good time,” says Brooke Pearson, a sophomore at James Madison University. “We were able to really let loose and get to know each other more.  She is currently my best friend and roommate!”

Round up a group of people you got along well with during orientation through a group text, and see what the night brings!  You never know who could end up being a great friend.

4. Become workout buddies

If someone you meet at orientation isn’t in your dorm or your classes, a good way to stay in touch is by going to the gym together.  The gym is a central place where anyone can meet, and you’ll be able to catch up every time you go together. 

Having a workout buddy also gives you motivation to stay healthy, so you’ll be more likely to go on a regular basis (no thank you, freshman 15!).  If your fitness buddy is into the same type of workouts as you, it will be even easier to plan times to go together and bond; try meeting up for a group fitness class you both enjoy. Working out together will help you build a friendship you can take places other than the gym!

Staying in touch with your orientation friends will make transitioning to college a lot easier. If you put in the effort, you won’t lose contact with the people you met.  Good luck, collegiettes!

As Chipotle continues to become one of the most important food staples of our generation with every taco and burrito sold, not only are they are expanding their business across the country, but jobs as well.

According to Refinery29, Chipotle plans to hire 4,000 employees in September, all of whom will work at 1,900 of Chipotle’s already established locations and its 200 new locations that will be launched by the end of 2015. On September 9, Chipotle will open all US locations three hours early to conduct their interviews between 8 am and 11 am. A part-time or full-time Chipotle worker makes $10 an hour, receives paid time off and sick leave, tuition reimbursement (where employers may pay for some of an employee’s education), 401(k) and health insurance, reports the Wall Street Journal. While previous fast-food experience is not required for applicants, managers look for 13 characteristics that promote hospitality and happiness when serving customers.

"Working here isn’t just a job, but a career where employees learn how to make others better, run a successful business, master culinary skills, and most importantly, lead teams of top performers," said Monty Moran, Chipotle's co-chief executive officer, in a press release. Managing positions can result in average salary of $67,000 and more advanced roles can receive six-figure salaries. And, working one’s way up seems to be the way to go since 95% of the managers are promoted from within the Chipotle family.

With this new expansion, this family doesn’t seem like it will stop growing! 

Katie Maloney may be known for her reality starlet turn on Vanderpump Rules, but with a newly released jewelry collection, she’s determined to make her mark on the fashion industry, too. We had the pleasure of talking with Katie about the pieces she curated for Sterling Forever. And while we were chatting, we couldn’t help but get the dirt on her recent engagement and the just-renewed Bravo show that made her famous. 

Her Campus: What was the inspiration behind your jewelry collection with Sterling Forever?

Katie Maloney: Sterling Forever really is a brand that offers luxury that's affordable while maintaining quality. I wanted to curate a line that represents my own personal style and taste, and Sterling Forever was the perfect partnership [in which] to do just that!

HC: What type of girl did you have in mind when you curated this collection?

KM: Because these pieces can be layered or worn alone it really suits every girl from the style glamazon to the understated type of lady. 

HC: How important do you think jewelry is to a woman’s sense of style? 

KM: Jewelry is like the little cherry on top of an outfit. It can make a statement by layering and adding a little sparkle or just pulling an everyday look together with a bangle and pendant necklace. It's that little something extra. 

HC: In what way can collegiettes incorporate jewelry into their on campus ensembles?

KM: I understand the stresses of school can take a toll on style, but style shouldn’t have to be compromised. On a tired morning you can still put on a great pair of earrings that will surely give you compliments to motivate you through the day. I also say throw a couple pieces in your bag that you can put on throughout the day if you are rushed.

HC: We have to wish you congratulations on your engagement to longtime boyfriend Tom Schwartz. With your recent foray into all things bling, we’re sure you had ideas about what kind of ring you wanted. So, how’d he do?

KM: Well thank you! I would be lying if I hadn't dropped a million hints or texted inspiration photos. Tom practically had it burned into his brain. It's funny because I never doubted Tom because he does have great taste in jewelry. Our dear friend Kyle Chan is an incredibly talented jewelry designer and he completely understood both our tastes, so I believe he was able to help guide my bub a little too.

HC: You also have your own beauty blog, Pucker & Pout. What do you want readers to take away from your site? 

KM:Pucker & Pout is for every and anyone. I don't fit into a box and I believe that's been my best approach to my blog. I want anyone that goes onto the site to find a post that they can share with their best friend, their mom, their boyfriend, or any male or female companion. I love having a range of diverse content because I myself have so much range in my own life, it keeps me connected.

HC: How has working for Lisa Vanderpump influenced your inner girl boss? 

KM: She is the ultimate girl power influencer. I still find her intimidating only because I admire her and her accomplishments. And she does it looking flawless.  

HC: Vanderpump Rules was just renewed for a fourth season! What can we expect to see when the show returns?

KM: Unfortunately I can't reveal anything but I promise you will be as entertained as ever!