In 2016 there are seemingly endless beauty hacks you can try. Some seem normal; others are downright bizarre.

We asked 10 college women to see what crazy things they’ve tried in the name of beauty — and more importantly, if they work!

"I've always envied Kylie Jenner’s full lips, so when I heard of the Kylie Jenner lip challenge I was definitely on board with trying it. I saw videos of people failing at it, but of course I thought it would never happen to me. When I tried it, it most definitely plumped my lips. I was actually happy with the results until my sister came in the room 10 minutes later with a terrified look on her face after looking at my lips. The whole area around my mouth was blue, purple, and swollen due to bruising. I tried everything to get rid of the horrid looking bruising, but it was there to stay. I missed my classes the next day and spent the whole day getting my mouth back to normal. Thankfully between all of the many methods I tried I got the swelling to go down and my mouth back to a semi-normal color I could cover up with make-up."

-Hope, NOVA Class of 2019

RELATED: I Tried Shaving My Face & Here's What Happened

"After hearing countless YouTube beauty gurus raving about it, I went out and purchased Nivea Men's After Shave Balm to use as a foundation primer. When you rub the balm onto your face, it gets slightly tacky and your foundation sticks to it all day long. No creasing, no oil, nothing. The best thing about it is the $10 price tag for a bottle that will last months. I can't imagine what my life would be without it!"

-Kate, Fordham University Class of 2016

"The craziest thing I have done in the name of beauty, was go on a fruit and water diet. It sometime after the movie Dream Girls came out and I had read an article about Beyoncé's secret to flawless skin. Her secret was fruit and water, so I decided to give it a try. To my surprise it actually worked, my skin was more radiant and I lost 5 pounds during my trial period. Although I know it works, I don't currently follow this beauty routine. Mainly because I like food — pizza and cupcakes to be exact and I don't think it's 100 percent healthy to live off of fruit and water."

-Tamiracle, University of South Florida St. Petersburg Class of 2017

"I Nair’ed my eyebrows and it actually turned out perfectly! Just use Nair in the shape that you want your brows to be in!"

-Dunya, Kent State University Class of 2016

RELATED: I Rinsed My Hair With Coca-Cola & This is What Happened

"I wanted a perm forever, and the moment I got one, I regretted it. It was a piggyback perm done on probably 18" of hair and it was tight. I had an Afro. I was not happy. After a few months, it tamed down. But, it damaged my hair extensively. I am still growing out my hair and getting it trimmed. I probably have about 2-6 inches remaining of permed hair on my ends, and I hope once those are off I can get my hair back to it's original state. Regardless, never get a perm. Even if you get a looser perm, it still damages your hair. I have used every deep-conditioning treatment out there and it has not worked. Learn from my mistake. Invest in sea salt spray or a great set of curled hair extensions. Perms are not the answer for curly hair."

-Nicole, Winona State University Class of 2016

"I have pretty greasy hair, so I've tried pretty much everything the Internet suggested. Over the last five years I've tried washing my hair with baking soda, vinegar, tea, beer, honey, lemon juice and probably some other things that I'm not remembering. Never put honey in your hair, no matter what the Internet says. The others worked to some degree, but the only I stuck with for any amount of time was the vinegar. Turns out all I really needed to do was move somewhere with different water — now that I'm at school it fixed itself."

-Paige, Kenyon College Class of 2018

"Honestly going on Accutane was the craziest thing I've done for beauty. It's basically the cure for acne and not that uncommon, but the side effects are pretty insane. My skin was ridiculously dry and sensitive to sunlight and it peeled all of the time. My lips were so chapped that they became open wounds and got infected. I got dandruff and my hair was so dry. An absurd amount came out every time I brushed it. I don't know if I regret it, but it's definitely startling to realize what I put my body through because of acne."

-Abby, University of Notre Dame Class of 2018

RELATED: I Treated My Hair With Coconut Oil & It Was Seriously Life-Changing

"Threading — an alternative to eyebrow plucking or waxing — totally worked but was the most painful thing I've done in the name of beauty. Thanks, but I'll keep my wax and tweezers!"

-Cieara, Boise State University Class of 2018

"I tried doing this cinnamon and toothpaste facial. I got it off of a website that had no credibility at all and tried it. All it did was make my face breakout even more."

-Stephanie, NYU Class of 2017

"The craziest thing I've done was put mayonnaise and eggs in my hair (not at the same time though!). I was in my young teens and trying everything I could on Pinterest to get better hair. Unfortunately, mayonnaise is gross and eggs cook in hot water, so I was left with an awful mess. But, the best DIY beauty technique I've used is mixing olive oil and sugar as a body scrub. It'll clog your pores so it's not great for your face, but it makes arms and legs feel super smooth!"

-Caroline, St. Michael’s College Class of 2019

We short-haired girls are supposed to have it easy. With as little hair as we have occupying our heads, you’d think flawless styling is a cinch. Whether you have a pixie, lob or other short ‘do, you know these 19 struggles all too well.

1. You still can’t get those effortless waves right

You’ve tried every method, but you still can’t master the easy, everyday wave.

2. You have to style your hair in the mornings regardless of how short it is

We don’t just roll out of bed looking like this. And we don’t even have the option of putting our hair up if we’re having a bad hair day.

3. You didn’t exactly get to retire your flatiron

Your hair still needs proper TLC. It’s really like everybody else’s.

4. There are mounds of unexplained hair in your shower drain

Less hair on your head does not equal less hair in the shower drain. It’s still there, and you still have to call maintenance to dig it out of your drain. The ew factor does not disappear after a haircut.

5. Flyaways, curlicues and rogue strands threaten to destroy your careful styling

If one hair is out of place, the world will know it. It’s a risk you cannot take.

6. There’s no conceivable way to put your hair up when you’re washing your face

The hair tie. The headband. Bobby pins. Nothing will keep those loose strands out of your face when you lean your head over the sink.

7. Workout hairstyles are even harder to think up

Same issue as #6. Just imagine yourself at the gym—sweaty and fed up.

8. You require more frequent haircuts

Your hair grows so fast that even an inch of growth won’t go unnoticed. Hence your monthly trips to the salon for the ever-dreaded trim.

9. The messy bun eludes you

Oh, how we wish we’d known you.

10. You look like a little boy when you attempt to wear a hat

That 10-year-old tee-ball player look is so not what you had in mind when you put on that beanie, baseball cap, literally any hat ever.

11. Your neck gets really cold in the winter and sunburned in the summer

Your always exposed neck didn’t ask for these methods of torture. But it’s the price you have to pay.

12. Pinterest hairstyles are useless to you

Sure, you still have a #HairGoals board. But it’s really just for dreaming.

13. You never quite look like the short-haired celebs you're trying to emulate

“I’ll have a Julianne Hough/J. Law mix. Just really goddess-like, flawless hair that photographs super well, please.”

14. There’s no on-point hair flip in your future

You can’t even stand in front of a fan for that sexy, slow-mo, hair-flowing-in-the-wind moment.

15. You can really only wear your hair one way—down

It just is what it is, okay?

16. Everyone wants to know “the reason” why you cut your hair off

Does there have to be some life-changing reason behind this decision? If so, we don’t have it.

17. Or when you’re going to grow it back out

“Thanks for asking. I’m really leaning toward never.”

18. People are constantly calling your haircut “brave”

Um, why? Because men supposedly don’t like short-haired ladies. Too bad we don’t care. If a short haircut is all it takes for a man to go running, run on, dude.

19. There’s really nothing easy about it

But you wouldn’t have it any other way!

Whether you’ve been together for years or only a few months, breakups are never easy. And in some situations, they’re not always for the better. While some temporary sadness is expected after a breakup, ending things with your SO shouldn’t leave you with long-term regret. If you find yourself stuck in one of the following scenarios, your relationship  may be one worth reconsidering:

1. You’re still trying to make them jealous

Regardless of how your breakup went down, it’s normal to feel at least a little jealous the first time you see your ex with someone new. However, if it’s been six months and you’re still going out of your way to hook up with others in front of them, then you may just be trying to distract yourself from what you’re really feeling.

“My current boyfriend and I had a really bad breakup a few months back,” says Anna*, a junior at Emerson College. “We clearly weren’t over one another, though, because we kept texting after it ended. We both tried to make the other jealous by talking about other people we had hooked up with.”

According to Dr. Carole Lieberman, a Beverly Hills psychiatrist and relationship expert, trying to make your ex jealous can be a way of masking the feelings that you still have for them. "It could mean that you do still have feelings for [your ex], though perhaps you don’t want to admit it," she says.

While going out of your way to make your ex jealous may seem cathartic in the heat of the moment, it could cause further strain in your relationship (even if you remain broken up) down the road. If you’re looking to get their attention while still taking the high road, consider getting together for lunch or coffee to talk things through. Even if you don’t end up getting back together, getting closure can making moving on from a relationship a lot easier.

Related: 6 Reasons Why Guys Pull Away In Their Relationship

2. You can’t stop comparing your new dates and hook-ups to them

If you’re fresh out of a long-term relationship, it can be hard to adapt to life without your SO. However, if you’re comparing every new date and hook-up to those you had with your ex, that could be a major red flag that you’re not ready to move on just yet.

“If you are thinking that you made a mistake in breaking up with your ex, you need to decide whether it was really a mistake or whether you’re remembering them with rose-colored glasses because the other guys you’re dating aren’t as great as you thought they would be,” says Dr. Lieberman.

Consider the reasons why you and your SO broke up in the first place. Was it over a lack of communication, a fight that seems minor now or anotherproblemthat could be easily worked through? If you find yourself answering yes to these questions, then it may be worth reconsidering the breakup.

3. You remember even the bad parts of the relationship fondly

It goes without saying that there are certain partners who should never be given a second chance—anyone who has cheated on you, abused you sexually or emotionally or caused serious harm to your health and life. However, if you and your SO broke up solely because you fought a lot (and these fights seem stupid in retrospect), then that could be a sign that you’re ready to try things with them again.

“Eventually [my boyfriend and I] had a long talk and realized that while there were definitely things we both needed to work on, we missed one another enough to give our relationship another chance,” says Anna.

Iris Goldsztajn, a senior at the University of California Los Angeles, also decided to give her relationship a second chance. "When [my ex and I] talked [our breakup] over, we decided to try to date again. We had some amazing times, but eventually I started to feel weird about us again—the same way I'd felt the first time, and we broke up again. I'm still very attracted to him and seeing him still stings, but I know we weren't good together. In other words, I shouldn't have regretted breaking up with him, because it was better for both of us in the end."

4. You bring them up in every conversation 

After a rough break-up, it's totally expected that you'll need some time to reflect on what went down between you and your ex. After spending so much time with someone, it can be hard to go through your daily routine without thinking about them one way or another. However, if you can't get through class, a phone call with your mom, or a girl's night out without bringing your ex into every aspect of the conversation, that's a red flag that you definitely haven't moved on yet.

"I broke up with a guy because I didn't see it going anywhere, but we had a really strong attraction and (I think) strong feelings that just didn't go away," says Iris. "Every time I saw him after that I would whine to my friends about how much I missed him."

Regardless of whether you're bringing your ex up in a positive or negative way, bringing them into every conversation shows that you're uncertain about the decision to break-up. "If you’re always bringing up your ex in conversations, it means you are having trouble moving on," says Dr. Lieberman. "If you bring them up in a fond way, it means that you want others to believe that you once had a great partner, and therefore, will have another one soon. If you bring them up in a negative way, however, it means that you want others to help convince you that you did the right thing in breaking up with them."

If you're struggling to get your ex off your mind, it may be a sign that your relationship is worth considering. If you do decide to give things another try with them, though, make sure it's for the right reasons.

While going through a rough patch in a relationship, it can be hard to figure out exactly how you feel. However, if your feelings for your ex are lingering and there’s no good reason why the two of you shouldn’t try things again, then maybe a break was all the two of you needed to make you realize how much you care. Keep an open mind, and make communication your number one priority whether or not you decide to try things again.

My girlfriend and I have been together for just over seven years now (we started dating in January 2009), and we haven't once celebrated Valentine's Day. We accidentally went out to eat on the 14th a couple years ago because our college roommates were out of town and we just wanted sushi, but it wasn't intentional. We started laughing the moment we saw that the restaurant was filled with couples and there were red roses on every table.

We usually spend our Valentine's Day doing absolutely nothing. We have our anniversary in January and our first kiss anniversary in February, and then in March we celebrate my birthday. February 14 never had any special meaning to us, so we didn't celebrate. It seemed like a commercial holiday that other couples were over-hyping.

This year, we decided to celebrate Valentine's Day with all the stops and find out how we felt about it.

The Experiment

When I first proposed the idea, I was half certain I'd be shot down. Typically, our February 14th is spent mocking all the cheesy parts of romance that we don't like, and we're both very sarcastic people. To my surprise, my girlfriend loved the idea and thought it was sweet of me to want to try something new. To avoid any rom-com-esque drama, I let her know immediately that I'd be writing about our experience. As much as I love watching it on screen, I didn't want to have to chase her through an airport with a flash mob and a thousand yellow daisies and any other combination of getting-you-back ploys that happen at the end of a social experiment rom-com where the partner discovers the truth. 

I warned her that if we were going to do this, we had to really do it. The day would be spent on a cheesy date where we were not allowed to mock Valentine's Day in any way, and we had to give each other the kinds of traditional gifts couples often do, like flowers, chocolates and stuffed animals. 

Related: Why We Shouldn't Base Our Lives Off Rom Coms

The Planning

Right away, we were faced with all sorts of questions. This year, Valentine's Day was on a Sunday. We had no idea if couples normally went out to dinner on the Saturday before, or still celebrated on Sunday despite early restaurant closings. So we consulted several of our friends who are in relationships, and they all confirmed: people celebrate on the Sunday. 

Planning our adorable date didn't go as smoothly as we'd hoped. We were all set to take the over-two-hour trip to Connecticut to go to Mystic Aquarium and Red Lobster, but when sub-zero temperatures were announced for New England, this changed our date idea. Mystic has a few outdoor displays, and with my poor blood circulation, we didn't want our date to end at the hospital. This also meant that taking the train anywhere was out of the question, which is a difficult task if you live next to Boston.

Driving became our best bet, so we opted for the Museum of Science and dinner at Outback Steakhouse, because we knew they had lobster tails and filet mignon, which is almost as good as a full-on lobster restaurant. 

The Gifts

Because we'd decided to exchange gifts in addition to going out, I had more pre-planning for February than I normally do. My girlfriend and I usually stick to three gift-giving occasions a year: the Christmas/holiday season, our individual birthdays, and one made-up "summer gift" that we give each other just because. I wasn't used to shopping alongside all the other sappy couples, which made it weird.

For weeks, I scoured the Valentine's Day displays at every store. I was still determined to make this cheesy holiday perfect for us, so I immediately bought my girlfriend a new Moleskin notebook. She keeps one in her purse at all times to jot down writing ideas, which is something we were taught in our early days of journalism and creative writing. Her old one was almost out of room, so I figured this gift really said, "I know you."

I couldn't do it without chocolate, so I made two separate trips to Godiva to spoil her with two heart-shaped containers and a selection of handpicked favorites from the chocolate counter. Godiva is our go-to destination at the mall, so it was pretty easy to make a pit stop there while we were shopping.

I also felt it wasn't truly Valentine's Day unless I was scrambling to find a few add-on gifts last minute, so I got her a stuffed fox just days before the main event, and bought her a dozen white roses just the evening before Feb. 14.

It wasn't easy hiding all this from her in our small apartment, but luckily, I also have a car, so I just threw a bunch of it in my trunk and said, "Don't go in there."

The Execution

The day finally arrived, and it was colder outside than I could've imagined. I layered up in five pairs of thermal leggings and kept fur-lined Ugg gloves with me all day. 

We decided to do gifts and notes before we went out, because our plans were a daylong event. Unfortunately, my bouquet wasn't much of a surprise because I needed to put the flowers in water ASAP, but they still made my girlfriend smile.

She surprised me with plenty of my favorite Godiva chocolates, a Hermione Funko Pop bobblehead I've been dying to have, a stuffed cat from Kiki's Delivery Service, and a cheesy-but-lovely Valentine's Day card with a letter written inside. 

After we exchanged gifts, we headed out to the Museum of Science. We weren't the only older people in attendance, but there was so many kids that we spent a lot of the date laughing about how old we felt, which always makes for a great time together. We already are always talking about how simultaneously old and yet not-at-all-adult we feel and it was a great way to bond.

We couldn't get tickets to the butterfly garden because they were sold out, but we were given stamps on our admission tickets so that we can reuse them and come back for free one time in the next six months. We also sprang for tickets to a Michael Jackson laser show in the planetarium, because why not.

After several hours of learning (and reminiscing about our childhoods and why we hate math so much), we headed out for part two of our evening: dinner and drinks. Like the classy people we are, we went to Outback Steakhouse. Our logic? We actually get sushi so often that it has become not special anymore, so she got filet mignon and lobster and I got ahi tuna and lobster.  

We ended the night back at our apartment with drinks and television watching. While we've been seriously binge-watching How to Get Away with Murder for a few weeks, but it didn't feel romantic to us, so we decided to watch some classic '90s cartoons like The Magic School Bus to continue our nostalgic theme. There's nothing millennials like more than talking about how everything was better circa 1990 to 2005, so it brought us closer together and we ended our night laughing.

The Posting

Like all couples do, I needed to document my day extensively via social media. This meant using Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook for more romantic bragging than I'm usually comfortable with. I tend to save my sappy posts for one or two times a year when really necessary.

I didn't mind telling the world what we were doing through the use of photos, because I actually really love Instagram. But I did feel a little weird posting my obligatory photo of all my gifts. It reminded me that there are probably couples out there who wish they could give their significant other a nice gift, but simply can't afford to. And that's not what love is about, or what Valentine's Day is about. It's about spending time with the people you love.

The Results

I wasn't sure what to expect from forced romance, because I've always had it in my head that Valentine's Day is a commercial holiday meant to encourage people to buy things. By that logic, though, the same can be said for most holidays, but that doesn't mean I'm giving up my eternal love for Halloween.

My girlfriend also pointed out that Valentine's Day actually does have romantic history behind it, and I remember celebrating the holiday with my mom when I was growing up. Bonus points for the nostalgia factor, especially because I grew up when kids exchanged cards with their entire homeroom class on Feb. 14. I'd be lying if I said I didn't at least once give my elementary school crush a super cheesy Valentine in the hopes of blossoming romance. 

We learned a few things about Valentine's Day. We learned that just because other couples do something doesn't make it a bad idea. (It's never stopped us from wanting to plan a grand wedding, has it?) We also learned that even an over-hyped, cheesy holiday can be a personal event if you plan it in a way that'll make you happy. As one of our close friends recently said, "Valentine's Day is about the two people involved." So we made it our day. We hung out at a museum and ate lobster and watched old cartoons. Feb. 14 wasn't inherently special to us, but it gave us a reason to make it special, when we normally would have spent it like just another Sunday, grocery shopping and obsessively binge-watching the dramatic lives of law school students.

Related: The Best & Worst Valentine's Day Dates College Girls Have Had

Because we forced ourselves to look at Feb. 14 like a special day, it became one. We didn't "hold out" for a special occasion, and instead of ordering sushi yet again, we had lobster tails and a nostalgic date. I don't think there's anything wrong with turning a regular day into an occasion. Living with your significant other has its perks—Netflix and chill really returns to its literal meaning, there are many nights of eating raw cookie dough, and there's always someone to come home and complain to—but we never want it to get boring. We made a commitment to have our life together be a permanent adventure, and sometimes that means trying things you're completely unsure about. 

To be honest, I'm not sure if we'll celebrate Valentine's Day again next year. It didn't go horribly and there were very few moments where I wanted to laugh at us for being sappy. It was actually kind of nice. 

The one thing I do know for sure is that if we do, we're totally making the trip to Mystic next time. I really want to pet a stingray.

Spring break is right around the corner, and you’re determined to make this year one to remember. Instead of heading to the same overdone locations everyone has been to for years, hit the road and go on an adventure. Drop these boring spring break trips, and check out their fresh alternatives instead!

1. Over It: Miami, FL

There’s no reason to be anywhere that Girls Gone Wild frequents, and Miami is way beyond crowded with everyone else who picked this cliché for spring break.

Into It: Disney World

Other than the obvious attraction of being able to fulfill your lifelong dream of being a Disney Princess, Disney World offers several nighttime attractions for college students and adults. Downtown Disney, a boardwalk filled with shows, activities and dining and the Atlantic Dance Hall, a nightclub for people over 21, are both great nightlife options. For some at-night entertainment that gives you the opportunity to veg, watch the Main Street Electrical Parade to see intricate and exciting floats and performers put on a show.

During the day, you can explore all of the theme parks, rides, shows and other amusements that make Disney World so famous. Try the classic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or see real live elephants!

If you are looking for an affordable place to stay, try the All-Star Music Resort, which can be as low as $30.00 per person per night for a group of four. Plus, it has a guitar shaped pool!

2. Over It: South Padre Island, TX

Another typical spring break haunt, South Padre Island is crowded and there is a good chance that you’ll step in someone’s vomit. Why go to a manufactured party scene when you can explore a real city instead?

Into It: Dallas, TX

Seen as one of the most liberal cities in Texas, Dallas has a great nightlife with nightclubs such as Plush or Beamer’s Dallas which has 18+ nights. The University of Dallas is right near by, so there are plenty of opportunities to make friends with local collegiettes.

There’s also a ton of shopping at The Shops at Park Lane. This shopping district has classic department stores, small shops and the largest Whole Foods Market in North Texas.

If you are looking for something offbeat and full of women-power, go see a roller derby bout!

3. Over It: Cancun, Mexico

Spring break is a time to get away, but Cancun is such an over-popular trip that everyone you don’t like from your math class will be sharing the bar with you. Time for somewhere fresh!

Into It: Yellowstone National Park

For those collegiettes who love the outdoors, Yellowstone National Park is the place for you! Yellowstone, one of the nation’s most visited parks, is wonderful for camping, exploring and getting in touch with nature.

You can see wild bison, stay up late to see the beautiful star-filled sky or just enjoy camping.

Yellowstone has several different campsites with different levels of accommodations. Before you go, check to see when the opening date for the campsite is and what equipment you need to bring. One of the most important items to pack? A water bottle!

While it is always best to pack your own food when camping, there are several locations you can eat at, such as the Old Faithful Snow Lodge Geyser Grill.

Don’t forget Yellowstone’s must-see geysers!

4. Over It: Staycation

You don’t need a fancy, blowout vacation to take advantage of spring break! But staying home isn’t enough of an adventure. You can always watch Jimmy Fallon another time.

Into It: Volunteering Trip

Today there are many options to make spring break memorable. Instead of just going on a trip, try using your week to help others.

Some organizations that run spring break trips are Habitat For Humanity andUnited Planet. Ask your school’s community service department or any service clubs you belong to on campus to find more alternatives!

Lauren Velez, a junior at the University of Texas, spent her spring break helping orphans in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with Mission Youth Missions. “Since there are about 90 babies (ages 0 to 3) in the orphanage, the caretakers really need help with feeding, changing and getting the babies out of their cribs,” she says. “Many of them are very malnourished, and there are three-year-olds who still don't know how to walk because they have to sit in their crib for the majority of every day. Our goal is to change that for the time that we're there!”

Lauren says that she had such a great time making a difference that she is going back next spring break.

5. Over It: Myrtle Beach

Another beach town where it feels just like your childhood family vacations. Time for something different and unique!

Into It: Skiing in Vermont

If you aren’t interested in the typical idea of a sweaty spring break, try visiting Vermont to hit the slopes! Skiing can be a great way to enjoy some exercise, see the beauty of nature and rock some cute snow gear.

There are tons of ski resorts to choose from, and depending on what you are looking for, you can use Ski Vermont’s Resort Finder to pick your perfect spring break location. By answering a few questions such as what part of the state you want to visit, what type of skiing you are looking for and what amenities you want, the Resort Finder will pick the best place for you.

Depending on where you go, you can get discounts as a student or if you are going in a group. Check the deals page early and often, because they change and add new coupons all the time!

Spring break only comes once a year, so make the best of it! With one of these trips you can have a unique experience to tell everyone about when you get back to class. Good luck (and have fun) traveling! 

Taylor Swift didn't win Album of the Year for nothing, and she's making that message loud and clear. With seven Grammy nominations and two wins, the pop star has finally weighed in on the "Famous" controversy. Taking the stage to accept her award for Album of the Year, Taylor made a pretty direct jab at Kanye, whose misogynistic lyrics claim he and Taylor "might still have sex" and that he "made that bitch famous."

While not all celebrity feuds go down well, Taylor took this moment and used her platform for good. "As the first woman to win Album of the Year at the Grammys twice, I want to say to all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame, but, if you just focus on the work and you don't let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you're going you'll look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there. And that will be the greatest feeling in the world," she said, adding, "Thank you for this moment."

Yas, girl.

It’s the week before hometowns, meaning things are getting real serious on The Bachelor. Our supposedly unlovable hunk Ben is not handling the pressure well either. This week, he made a few major missteps on his journey to meet Mrs. Ben Higgins. Specifically, we questioned Ben’s judgment during these eight instances.

1. Ben calls Lauren B. his girlfriend

Wait, huh? We’re used to the women dubbing the Bachelor their boyfriend. It’s a weird tradition that we all stand by. But we’re totally not on board with Ben referring to Lauren B. as his girlfriend until he’s prepared to ditch the other women. Is that a double standard? Probably. Do we care? Nope.

2. He gives JoJo a “Mrs. Higgins” jersey

We’re not going to lie—this was the cutest moment EVER. We only take issue because we want to know where we can find a “Mrs. Higgins” jersey of our own.

3. Ben questions JoJo’s feelings

Sir, you don’t give a woman a jersey like that and then turn right around asking about her intentions. JoJo may not be the most open or vulnerable woman there, but that doesn't give Ben any right to bait her into declaring her feelings. She’ll tell you when she’s ready, okay?

4. He later joins the ladies on the most boring group date of all time

Rowing around in little boats. Flying kites. Sitting in a lovely barn that looks a lot like the one where Chris proposed to Whitney. What a drag. No wonder Caila, Amanda and Becca couldn’t shut up about how awkward this group date was.

5. He forces Amanda to eat at McDonald’s in a clumsy attempt at cross-promotion

Oh, Ben. We know you had no control over this, and we really appreciate the effort you made to convince us this McDonald’s date was fresh, cool, hip, whatever the kids are saying these days. We’re not opposed to the idea of an all-day breakfast date, but Amanda deserved better than this shameful fast food ad.

6. Ben takes Emily to meet his parents…

This was very misleading. You know Emily was super pumped; this was the reassurance she’d probably been looking for. Because why would a guy take you to meet his parents if he wasn’t into you? Sadly, that would be so his parents could give him valid excuses to break up with you. Blame Ben’s mother for bawling her eyes out. Or Emily for telling Ben’s mother she’s always wanted to be an NFL cheerleader. Either way, this was a disaster waiting to happen.

7. …then dumps her in front of the other women

Ben had an entire boat ride back to the girls’ living quarters to have the talk with Emily. Instead, he waited until he could sit on a bench visible to the ladies through a sprawling window inside their house. One long debate over whether she was happy or sad later—all the women were upset when they realized Ben was sending Emily home to rejoin her long-lost twin.

8. Ben sends Becca home after she begs him not to blindside her

Becca displayed insecurities throughout this episode, but she also voiced her concerns over being blindsided by Ben. So he went ahead and made a dream come true. Though we’re pretty sure she still saw it coming.

Heading into next week’s hometown dates, we can’t wait to see what drama unspools. We’re willing to give Ben another shot if you are, collegiettes!

For many reasons, LGBTQ+ people don’t always come out in their teen years. It can take people time to figure out their identity, and they may be scared or in denial for quite a while. Many people find that they’re already in college, or living on their own, before they come to terms with who they are and decide to come out.

This is perfectly okay. But it can be terrifying and confusing—after all, a majority of coming out resources seem directed at the younger set, who are struggling with high school and their families at the same time. That’s why we made a guide to coming out in your early twenties (although this advice is applicable to anyone in their college years and beyond). We can face this huge, nerve-wracking thing together.

Coming to terms with it yourself

You may feel a little down on yourself if you’re not only coming out to friends and family for the first time, but you also just came to terms with your sexuality or gender identity, too. In this day and age, it might seem like everyone knows who they are at birth, but the reality is that we’re all constantly figuring ourselves out.

“By the time I was 23, I was married and now had two kids, but I had no clue who I even was,” says Erin Faith Wilson, a contributing writer for AfterEllen. “Most 23-year-olds are just starting to experiment with who they are and their sense of adulthood and I simply was on a different path.” The college and early post-grad years are tumultuous times of change for everyone, and there’s nothing wrong with taking time to figure yourself out before you share your truth with those in your life.

Many people are happy that they didn’t come out until later in life. “As I got older I worried less, and had a better sense of me,” says Lucy Hallowell, another writer for AfterEllen. Because who really knows exactly who they are—and is comfortable with that person—in high school?

Depending on your circumstances, when you’re an adult, you may feel freer to come to terms with your identity because you have distance and space from your family and the community you grew up in, especially if that community isn’t fully supportive. College and the years following are also a natural time of change for people, and your queer identity may be just one of things you’re figuring out, along with your career, love life and whether you want to cook dinner or order takeout.

Related:Your Complete Guide to Coming Out in College

Telling your friends

You've decided you want to come out to your friends. You feel it’s tricky, even if your friends aren't normally closed-minded. You’re still a little worried they might wonder why you’ve waited so long to tell them, or if you’ve been hiding this the whole time you’ve known each other.

Laneia Jones, the executive editor of Autostraddle, explains that it can be hard for LGBTQ+ people to navigate this situation. They may feel guilty for not having said something earlier, even if they had inklings about their identity. “It can come as a huge shock to the people you know, because they've only known you this one way, and 180 degree pivots in adulthood can be alarming,” she says. “Definitely don't apologize upfront like being queer is something you're sorry about—you're not.”

If you’re planning to tell your friends, you might want to preface it by explaining how long you’ve known and why you chose to tell them. Focus on the reasons why your friends matter to you and why you want to tell them.

You can also try coming out to someone who you think is likely to be a strong ally, especially if you have another LGBTQ+ friend.“Nearly everyone has a gay friend or relative now, so find those people and [talk to them first] so you at least know you have a soft place to land when you open yourself up,” says Dana Piccoli, an entertainment and pop culture critic for AfterEllen. “This will also help you gather courage to come out to people you fear will be less accepting.”

Rally your most supportive friends first, so you at least have people to fall back on if you run into trouble with others who are less understanding. Then, you can try bringing up your sexuality in a casual conversation instead of making it into a whole “coming out party.”

“If there's a cute girl you like and you want to talk about it with your friends, try bringing it up that way,” suggests Hallowell. “Or if there's a conversation about dates you can slide the information in that way.”

That way, you give your friends a moment to comment on learning this about you, especially if they’re new friends. If they’ve known you for a while, this might come out of nowhere, or they might just say, “Hey, we kind of had a feeling. Glad you’re finally letting us know!”

Marcie Bianco, a contributing editor at Curve Magazine, suggests people think about what they’re hoping to get out of coming out. “The question one should always ask is, ‘Why am I telling these particular people?’” she says. “Also, ‘What do I hope to get out of it?’ Is it for approval? Love and recognition? Acceptance?”

It’s important to remember that you can’t guarantee approval, love or acceptance, but if your friends are good friends, they will love you unconditionally, even if they’re surprised at first.

Telling your family

Coming out to family can be a difficult process, especially if you still live with them, if you depend on them financially, or if you’re unsure of their support. There are different approaches you can take towards coming out as an adult, especially if you’re living on campus, in your own apartment or otherwise away from your family.

If you’re truly unsure of how they’ll react or you think it may be negative, you could share the information with them online, over the phone or in a letter rather than in a face-to-face setting. “I wrote an email to the close family members that I felt should know,” explains Sam Dylan Finch, the founder of Let’s Queer Things Up. “I liked the distance and time that an email gave us all.”

If this is going to be an awkward subject to breach, a letter or an email could clear that up. You can also talk to family members over the phone if you want to have a more intimate conversation in real time, but you live too far away to visit just to share the news.

“If you feel safe physically, then secondly, I would say don't wait too long,” Wilson says, stressing that if you’re the one coming out, you need to prioritize your own needs over the fear of causing family drama.

Sarah Jo Enloe, a senior at Westfield State University, says that she recently came out to her young sister. “She told me one of her friends was [bisexual], and I said I was too,” she says. “We both were like, ‘cool’ and then continued the conversation. To her it was the norm, which I loved.”

If you see your family often and you feel like they’ll support you, you can sit them down for the discussion, or you can try bringing it up as conversation allows, using some of the same tactics we suggested for talking to your friends.

Telling your employers or college faculty

One of the struggles that queer people coming out later in life face is that they may lack a built-in LGBTQ+ community, and may be wondering if it’s a good idea to come out in the community they already have, whether that’s a college campus or a professional workplace. If you’re coming out in college, you may not have had the forethought to plan to go to a specifically queer-friendly school.

Always take the time to weigh the pros and cons of coming out in each setting. It may come up in a classroom context or in the workplace in casual conversation, and you have the choice of whether or not to make your identity known.

Finch says that if you want to come out at work, you can try to find someone who will act as an ally in case it goes south. You might find this person in HR, or it might be a colleague who works in the same department. “Having a supporter who can help navigate things with you is critical,” he says.

Jones suggests the casual conversation route if you feel that your academic or workplace culture is accepting and that you’ll be safe—that you’re not in danger of being kicked out of college, discriminated against or fired due to your sexual or gender identity. “One super chill technique is to just drop blatantly obvious clues into your daily conversations," Jones says. "If a co-worker asks how your weekend was, tell them about the day trip you and your girlfriend went on.”

Hallowell agrees completely. “Saying ‘my wife and I went out to eat at this great restaurant’ or something equally innocuous makes it hard for people to be weird,” she points out.

There are times when your gender or sexuality may come up in class or in the office, or even in a professor’s office hours—but it’s ultimately up to you how much you want other people to know, and when.

There’s no one easy way to come out, and no matter what your age, it’s always going to be a tricky, case-by-case situation. In some groups, you may feel that everyone just knows and is already completely fine with it, while you may struggle to tell other people. The most important thing is knowing yourself and what makes you feel comfortable. If you want to come out to someone or to a group, it’s your call when and how to do it. As hard as it may be, you need to prioritize your safety and comfort above all else.

As a great lover of Starbucks and a lifelong fan of butterscotch Dum-Dums, I knew I had to try the new Smoked Butterscotch Latte as soon as I saw it was coming to stores. I was traumatized into waking up early this morning (I discovered a bug in my sink during a 6 a.m. bathroom run), so I was exhausted on my way to work—the perfect excuse for buying fancy coffee. I headed straight to Sbux from the train to order what some have called the "butterbeer" of lattes.

Here is my cup (note the "SBL" acronym), hanging out at the Her Campus national office:

While the latte was delicious, it didn't really evoke butterbeer for me (I imagine butterbeer wouldn't have coffee in it). It reminded me of the Caramel Brulee Latte, which Starbucks releases around Christmas time every year, and which has a similar melted-sugar taste. I did taste the smoky/buttery difference in this latte, especially when I got to the concentrated syrup at the bottom of the cup. It's that flavor that makes the drink taste like butterscotch instead of just plain caramel.

The Smoked Butterscotch may be way too sweet for some—A tall has 32 grams of sugar, as opposed to 27 grams in my beloved vanilla latte, and just 13 grams in a regular latte. But it's definitely tasty, and if you get in the right frame of mind before you order, it might even make you feel like you're drinking coffee at Hogwarts instead of regular muggle college.

In the beginning, God created Valentine’s Day…and me.  

The first time I vividly remember starting to despise Valentine’s Day was in the fourth grade, back when everything revolved around paper valentines and fun size candy — not romance. Flash backwards in time to little fourth grade me waking up to chocolate hearts and a new bright blue dress from mom, and happily going to school, eagerly awaiting the inevitable candy mania that would be ensue during class. But life was cruel to this tiny me.

Naïve, optimistic Gina pre-Valentine’s Day disaster, in all her wire-rimmed glasses glory.

During my usual heated game of morning Four Square, I was suddenly hit with sharp pain all throughout my neck, and I naturally started screaming until someone took me to the school nurse. It turns out a rogue bee had stung me in the neck. I also happened to be allergic to bees, so my neck swelled to the size of a small goat, and elementary school me didn’t get any valentines that day.

Little did that bee know, it had forever changed my outlook on Valentine’s Day. It would be a time of white-hot rage directed towards all Valentine’s activities.

Okay, a bee sting isn't actually the reason I hate Valentine's Day, it's just an excuse. The truth is that as I've grown older and wiser, I've continually resented everything Valentine's Day stands for. Even when I’ve been in relationships on Valentine’s Day, I still hate it and forbid my boyfriend from celebrating or else. I disagree with the universal rule that we can designate a day for people to love each other more. Pink doesn’t look good on anyone. PDA gives me anxiety. I can’t get a reservation anywhere decent. Enough said.

How to alter a mindset and stop being a Valentine’s troll.

After years of being that person that endlessly complains about Valentine’s Day, I finally got tired of listening to myself being a total troll. I spent a lot of time ranting or bringing others down, and decided I needed to change or be forever trapped in my hateful bubble.

RELATED: I Followed My Mom's Dating Advice for a Week & Here's What Happened

While I still had issues with spending the day loving people more — since should just be an all the time thing, I chose to instead spend the day loving myself, seeing as it’s something I do less frequently.

My mind was made up. This Valentine’s Day I would celebrate me.

Treat yo-self.

In order to celebrate myself, I set out time to participate in the activities I truly love. The first of these activities is eating.

What better way to start out a morning than with cupcakes for breakfast?

Thank you, Trader Joes!

And gravy covered French fries for a romantic lunch with myself?

Yes, this exists. 

No, my choices were not the healthiest, but living the life of a collegiette female can be hard nutritionally. I gravitate towards a ridiculously healthy diet despite my cheeseburger craving personality, and to truly celebrate myself involved partaking in my go-to treat foods. Food can honestly make a whole day better, and so a huge part of celebrating me meant celebrating the snacks I most love.

Another favorite activity of mine is being by the ocean, thus a large portion of my day was spent exploring California’s central coast, and celebrating the nature all around me. Don’t worry; I didn’t get stung by a bee this time.

The beauty of Montana de Oro state park. 

I think a huge part of overcoming my Valentine’s Day troll demeanor was to actually leave my house. I usually spend the whole day inside wearing black and ironically watching horror movies, but forcing myself to leave and join society changed that perspective. My mindless rage and restless energy could be converted into a beautiful time of hiking and sightseeing. Also, I now have a brilliant product idea to bottle endorphins and sell them to other Valentine’s Day trolls like myself, in an attempt to get rich quick and put an end to the suffering pervading singles on February 14.  

RELATED: My Girlfriend & I Celebrated Valentine's Day Like a Normal Couple for the First Time

Dealing with couples and other rage triggering people.

Forcing myself to leave the house and exist in the outside world meant actually confronting Valentine’s Day — in other words, the hundreds of couples holding hands. My current relationship status is single potato, and while I don’t necessarily have a problem with couples on a day-to-day basis, I definitely have issues with them on Valentine’s Day because they’re literally everywhere. No place is safe. They crawl from the woodworks like they’re coming from some demented anthill, and poison my perfect little picnic of singleness.

However, to celebrate myself meant honoring my mind with positive thoughts. Thus I had to suffocate all negative emotions and hateful rants that filled my head, and actually *throws up in mouth* be happy for the plethora of young lovers around me.

Mindless bitterness is not conducive to self-love. I needed to take a big step back, and stop comparing my current life situation to those of people who are blissfully dating. Celebrating myself means celebrating everything about me, and be fulfilled by where I am now instead of focusing on the destination ahead of me.

When I started to feel bad about the day, I practiced mindfulness and instead mentally celebrated one thing that I was proud of in my life at the moment. This greatly increased my capacity for joy, and throughout the day all the white-hot disgust I usually feel dissipated from my vision.  

If Valentine's Day is about love, then let's make it about love.

As mentioned frequently above, I fundamentally disagree with the designation of a day for loving. Honestly, it’s something that should just happen all the time, in every circumstance, everywhere. Valentine’s Day usually has the opposite effect on me, and instead of loving people, I build up a lot of resentment for them on February 14, spending my time fantasizing about mass destruction. This is a huge contrast to my usual optimistic and friendly demeanor.

Instead of shooting laser beams from my eyes at every passing citizen, I did something I never do, which is spend time with people on Valentine’s Day, specifically with people that love me a lot. This meant having a Valentine’s Day dinner with one of my greatest friends, my mom and her best friend.

Even though I'm smiling like I'm dead inside, I'm actually really happy. I promise. 

All of us are single women, treading the nauseating waters of a day that favors couples. The thing about us is that we all love really hard, all the time. Having a lovely dinner together made it feel like just any other day, when we celebrate each other’s existences without reason or pressure to do so.

RELATED:15 Reasons Why Your Galentine is Better than a Valentine

In celebrating each other, it also became easier to celebrate myself. It helped me to see that with a change of heart, I could remove myself from the constraints of Valentine’s Day and truly make it a day to celebrate me, and as an extension the things and people that I love.

Fellow Valentine’s Day trolls, it doesn’t have to be as bad as we make it. This does not need to be a day of complaints, moping and negativity. Love doesn’t require a partner or gifts to be spread, and instead of acutely feeling the absences in our lives, we should take the time to celebrate the consistency of ourselves. I look forward to seeing how this day turns out next year, and will definitely continue the tradition of celebrating me. 

Blake Lively, we love your husband. 

Ryan Reynolds has been all over the headlines lately as he's been circling the globe to promote his new film, Deadpool. While we already knew Reynolds was a phenomenal human being, he continues to blow us away. 

Deadpool, which is quite obviously a superhero movie, has already killed it at the box office since its debut. It made a whopping $135 million over the course of three days. Reynolds is unapologetically proud of this film—aside from starring in the movie, he also produced it. So when our dream guy was asked this tired question—"How did you make this movie appealing to women?"—he delivered the perfect comeback. 

"I think it's funny that the studios go…'You know, we have to market the romantic angle,'" Reynolds said. "It's sort of like—well, no. Women love f**king superhero movies! Clearly they go to these movies. It's sort of funny that the studios are sometimes the last to know that."

This isn't the first time that Reynolds has stood up against gender norms. Just weeks ago, he jumped to defend the decision to give his daughter a gender neutral name. 

And while Deadpool revolves around Reynolds' character, there's no lack of strong women in the movie, a concept he was totally on board with. According to Ryan, strong female characters display a more accurate depiction of what society is like today. 

We couldn't agree more, Ryan. Which is why you'll always be our hero.

Shaving down there can be a great option—it’s cheap, painless, private and no appointment required. But if done incorrectly, shaving can result in all kinds of nasty razor burns, ingrown hairs, bumps and irritated skin. Here are HC’s essential steps for a quality shave:

1. It’s best to invest in a razor with changeable blades, rather than using the cheap disposable razors that come in packs of five to ten. You might even consider buying a man’s razor, which have the same moisturizing/soothing strips built in but are constructed for coarser hair. Make sure it has moisturizing strips and "micro-fins" or cushions. We recommend the Schick Quattro For Women.

2. Before you even get in the shower, if the hair you’re planning to shave is longer than a ¼-inch, trim it down with small manicuring scissors (we suggest a smaller pair of scissors because it will be easier to maneuver—you do NOT want to accidentally nick yourself). 

3. When you get into your warm bath or shower, don’t shave right away. The warm water will soften the remaining hair in 5-10 minutes and make it easier to shave (if you’re not shaving in the shower, covering the area for a few minutes with a warm, damp washcloth will have the same effect). If you want to soften the hair even further, try a dollop of hair conditioner.

4. To reduce the possibility of getting ingrown hairs, exfoliate the area. You can simply scrub the skin gently with a washcloth or loofah.

5. Apply loads of shaving cream (check out Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel). Make sure that you’re using female shaving cream, and one that includes moisturizing elements like aloe vera, but no heavy added scents, which might make it more likely to irritate your skin. Don’t use soap! Let the shaving cream sit for a bit; this will further soften the hair.

6. Alright, ready? This is just like shaving any other part of your body, just take it slow because the skin is sensitive and the area is a little more convoluted than a shin or thigh. Pull the skin tight with your free hand, and shave without applying pressure (if you need to apply pressure, your razor blades are too dull).

7. Supposedly if you shave in the direction of hair growth it decreases the risk of ingrown hairs. If you want a closer shave, however, you’ll want to shave against the grain, so to speak. If you’re shaving against the grain, use a lot of shaving cream. You might also try first going over the area in the direction of hair growth, and then swiping off what’s left by going the other way. Just avoid going over the same skin too many times.

8. Pause often to rinse out your razor. This is important if you want to avoid nicks and keep your razor effective.

9. After shaving, rinse the area generously with warm water and pat dry. Do NOT use male aftershave of any kind, and have a pair of tweezers ready to grab any stray or hard-to-reach hairs that you missed. Apply baby oil or moisturizer, and maybe a little aloe vera if you have sensitive skin. Ooh la la!

What do Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande all have in common? Yes, crazy celebrity status and 50m+ Instagram followings, but they also share an obsession with Onepiece jumpsuits.

Onepiece is the ultimate expert in slackerwear and has manufactured their signature, versatile onesies since 2007. They specialize in chilling-out, having conceptualized and captured the essence of a carefree day filled with beautiful nothingness (into one wearable item!). Their “art of slacking” design approach redefines jumpsuits with the most innovative and premium leisurewear ever. Onepiece has garnered well over one million fans worldwide— check out their Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for some seriously impressive followings!

CEO and Co-Founder, Thomas Martin Adams, explains that Onepiece was founded on the premise of being fed up with fashion’s association with perfection. “We offered a single product with a single cut. We had no interest in gender appropriation, in vogue fits or seasonal colors. We had nothing to do with the fashion industry, and we wanted to be as far from it as possible.”

Their rebellion took the world by storm and their jumpsuits grew from an underground slacker movement to a worldwide phenomenon. Inspired by confident, strong, independent personalities, Onepiece lives outside the norm and recognizes that comfort breeds confidence.

For your chance to chill out in style like Kylie Jenner or T-Swift, enter below now! We’re giving away $300 in credit towards Onepiece’s online shop– so prepare yourself to live like a Kardashian with onesies galore.

Looking for more from Onepiece? The inspiration for their newest collection, SS16 Capsules, stems from cocoons and capsules – both forms of encasement acting as catalysts for improvement. This collection is filled with natural elements, textures and contrasts, mirroring nature’s ability to secure and fuel change. Look out for its release on February 23!

Want to shop Onepiece in stores? Check out their store locations here! Onepiece is carried by over 10 concept stores and 1000 retailers in over 100 countries.

Onepiece

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who helped usher in a conservative renaissance and dramatically changed the way the Supreme Court operates in American politics, was found dead last Saturday in a Texas ranch. He was 79.

Immediately, the Internet exploded.

Political pundits pounced on his death, some celebrating, most speculating. What does this mean for the Supreme Court? Can they still function? How will he be replaced? With whom? The implications of his death—in an election year, no less—raise the stakes in an already hotly contested race.

How The Supreme Court Functions

Let’s back up a bit to your hazy memories of high school civics or government classes. The American government operates in a balance of powers, otherwise known as the system of checks and balances. The founding fathers (incidentally, Scalia’s often-cited favorites) built this system specifically to combat the tyranny of the monarchy, so that no office could have more power than another. The Supreme Court's website does a great job of explaining the basics.

The Court consists of 8 associate justices and 1 chief justice (currently, Chief Justice John Roberts). The President has the power to appoint justices to the court, with confirmation from the Senate. Generally, that translates to Democratic presidents choosing liberal candidates and Republican presidents choosing conservative candidates. The current political climate of the court splits it nearly always 5-4, conservative. With Scalia’s passing, that leaves the court even, 4-4, on most issues. The New York Times breaks it down this way:

What’s Left On the Table

When a Justice passes, any votes not decided publicly become void, unless Scalia’s vote was not necessary to the outcome (meaning, if he was in dissent, or if the majority made up more than 5 justices of the court). Otherwise, a divided 4-4 court means the ruling from the lower court stands.

The short answer to what Scalia's death will affect? Everything. This year was already a big one, tackling issues from climate change to unions and more:

• Immigration: United States v. Texas, which would reverse Obama’s executive order allowing nearly 5 million undocumented immigrants to remain in the country, the majority of whom came here as children.
• Abortion: Whole Woman’s Health v. Cole, otherwise known as the greatest challenge to Roe v. Wade yet. It could set a precedent that would allow states to shut down abortion clinics all over the country. In Texas, where the case originates, it would uphold the state laws dropping open clinics from 42 to just 19.
• Affirmative Action: Fisher v. University of Texas, which could destroy affirmative action as we know it. Check out the Her Campus recap for more on this particuarly divisive issue.
• Birth Control: Zubik v. Burwell, arguing that employers have the right to deny employees health care, including birth control, if providing the care violates their religious views—they claim it violates their religious freedom. This would effectively deny women access to contraceptives.

These articles from Think Progress and Politico break down the remaining issues for you to think through. According to the SCOTUS Blog, because of the importance and politically charged nature of these issues, they may be reargued, rather than left to the lower court’s ruling. At this point, it’s all speculation, but certainly an option that would eliminate confusion and allow for decisions to be made, once Scalia is replaced.

The Upcoming Confirmation Battle

The cases aren't the only parts of this that are politically charged. Less than an hour after Scalia passed, politicians drew battle lines. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) decreed that the vacancy should not be filled until a new President is in office, citing that the American people needed to choose.

That’s outrageous.

Just to be clear: Americans did have a voice, when they elected President Obama. When a President is in office, he or she has the power to appoint a justice, no matter at what point in their term. The Senate then has an obligation to vote to confirm or reject said nominee. What McConnell is basically saying is that he won’t even let it come to a vote, let alone a confirmation. The absurd arguments Senate Republicans are making mock our Constitution, and completely defeat the purpose of the balance of powers.

Related: Remember That Time Only Female Senators Came To Work In A Blizzard?  

The reason they’re making all the fuss? It’s an election year, and if a Republican wins, they can continue the conservative renaissance seen on the court for decades, since Justices generally serve for life. If a Democrat wins (or if for some crazy reason, the Senate can confirm Obama’s nominee), it flips the court, 5-4 liberal, which has the potential to overturn many of the conservative gains of the past decade. 

This is why the stakes couldn’t be higher. Obama will nominate a replacement for Scalia, but the likelihood of the confirmation occurring is slim to none, if history in this do-nothing Congress holds true. Even though there is little to no historical precedent for a court to remain a year or more without its full complement of justices, the outlook is bleak that anything but that will occur.

Here’s the thing: the Republicans are playing with fire.

Blocking an Obama nomination pleases hardline right-wingers, because it buys conservatives time to win the general election and nominate a conservative in Scalia’s place. But it could completely backfire with moderates and energize Democrats. Blocking Obama’s nomination only proves to them how little they get done and shows the American people the worst of partisan politics. In an election dominated by political outsiders, mavericks, and revolutionaries, Americans have proven they’re tired of it. 

Both sides have made their choice. If the fate of this election rides not just on the next president but also the next Supreme Court justice nominee…things are about to get crazy.

Keep checking here for more about how Scalia’s death affects this election, because it’s not over yet.

When you’re in college, rolling out of bed in the morning feels nearly impossible—and choosing an outfit for the day ahead can make it even worse. Trust us, we’ve been there.

Go-to shopping spot, Aritzia, wants to make your life—and getting dressed—easier. That why’s they’re opening a Boston location at the Prudential Center on February 18th. In celebration of the new store opening,  Aritzia is giving one lucky collegiette a $500 gift card. 

Sound like an opportunity you can’t pass up? Enter to win a $500 Aritzia gift card below!

Aritzia prides itself on being a deeply effortless brand that allows your ease and natural beauty to shine through in your clothing. Their high-quality garments, which come at a price that is truly accessible, are achieved through a precise attention to detail that you can find in every piece.

Aritzia

Aritzia

Most people think going to college is worth it. After all, you learn something, and you're going to get a much better job with that degree than without it, right? Maybe wrong, if you're not a white dude.

A study released by Georgetown University’s Center for Education and the Workforce revealed that African American students are overrepresented in majors that lead to low-paying jobs, such as social work and community organizing, and underrepresented in some of the fastest-growing and high-paying fields, such as engineering and computer science. According to the study, African American students represent only 7 percent of STEM majors. While social workers and community organizers are hugely important to making the world a better place, they're also some of the worst jobs for making bank.

 "The American higher education system is really quite segregated by race,” Anthony Carnevale, one of the authors of the report, told Marketwatch.

Carnevale told The Wall Street Journal that even if African American students pick a high-paying major, they may still end up with a lower-paying job, because so much of getting a job today can come down to using connections and knowing the right people. 

Marketwatch points out as well that it also takes women and minorities longer to pay off their student debt. According to an analysis of data released in 2012 by the American Association of University Women, three years after graduating women overall had only paid off 33 percent of their student debt on average, with men having paid 44 percent overall. That’s a pretty big difference. And the gap is significantly worse for women of color: 9 percent for African American women and 3 percent for Hispanic women.

This doesn't even account for all the pure discrimination that exists in the workplace, even the elite workplace. There's a huge pay gap even between men and women who graduated from Ivy League schools, for example. We still have a quite a ways to go before going to college will be advantageous for everyone, no matter what.

We all know that Justin Bieber has a lot of tattoos. In fact, this may be why so many collegiettes are crushing on him. If you're a true Belieber, you've probably already obsessed over the fact that one of his tattoos is of former flame, Selena Gomez. But it seems that could be changing.

Related: Justin Bieber Got Flirty With Ariana Grande on Instagram

In a video for GQ, Bieber explains the backstory of his most meaningful tattoos. Although he remains coy when referring to the tattoo above his wrist, we were shocked by his admitted attempts to disguise its inspiration: "This is my ex-girlfriend. I kinda tried to cover her face up with some shading, but people still know."

While Bieber still won't exactly confirm that particular tat is an homage to Selena, we think it's pretty clear. Does the fact that he's tried to cover it mean he has finally moved on?

The long awaited Grammy Awards Show has come and gone and it was not a disappointment. Although the extravagant performances and quick-witted celeb monologues are always an event to be seen, we can’t deny that half the excitement—especially at the Grammys, where celebs are known to get edgy—is seeing what amazing outfits grace our favorite women. And this year's most sought after trend: leg slits. We just couldn’t resist showing the most envy-inducing masterpieces:

1. Beyoncé

This needs NO explanation.

2. Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga dedicated her entire night to David Bowie, from this custom Marc Jacobs outfit to her outstanding performance.

3. Anna Kendrick

Opting for elegant over edgy, Anna Kendrick is a vision on the red carpet.

4. Ciara

This up-to-there dress gives new meaning to the phrase "leg slit." Ciara, we want to know your workout routine!

5. Alessandra Ambrosio

Alessandra is rocking just about every top trend—the matching choker, the cutouts... it's all there.

6. Bella Hadid

Sure, Bella's boyfriend rocked the Grammys with his amazing performance, but when it comes to the red carpet, Bella kills it.

7. Serayah

The fabric on this number drapes in all the right places.

8. Taylor Swift

This leg-baring number was MADE for Taylor—we just can't see it on anybody else.

9. Carrie Underwood

Though Carrie's dress takes on a classic sillhouette, it's got unexpected details like the texture in the bust and ruching at the top of her leg.

10. Demi Lovato

We love the way Demi merges menswear-inspired pieces with the oh-so-feminine reveal of her leg.

11. Vanessa Simons

There's nothing bolder on the red carpet than yellow, and this structured beauty is a total head-turner in all the right ways.

12. Meghan Trainor

This sequined stunner hugs Meghan's curves just perfectly!

13. Jane Seymour

This drapey piece would be so flattering on just about every body type.

14. Kaya Jones

Beyoncé's not the only one who can pull off a white gown on the red carpet!

It looked like Iranian women were finally going to have the chance to watch their national volleyball team play at the Kish Island Open Tuesday, after years of being prohibited from watching the sport. Many human rights groups were advocating for the event to be open to women, according to Refinery29. However, the Associated Press reported Tuesday that women were not allowed into the event due to "misunderstandings" and "cultural issues."

Rules limiting Iranian women’s access to stadiums have been enacted since Iran’s 1979 revolution, but the ban extended to volleyball matches in 2012. Since then, Iranian women have been arrested for attending volleyball matches, despite the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball’s (FIVB) clear anti-discrimination policy.

But organizers were working to change that.

“The FIVB has been working tirelessly with the relevant authorities to ensure the Kish Island Open is accessible to all and the necessary steps have been taken to achieve this,” Richard Baker, the FIVB Press Department Director, told Refinery29 last week. “The FIVB is committed to becoming the world’s number one family sport entertainment; our events are enjoyed by fans of all ages and gender and we are grateful for the support of the relevant Iranian authorities in helping us to achieve this at the Kish Island Open.”

Human Rights Watch’s #Watch4Women campaign and @OpenStadiums also played a vital role in advocating for these womens' rights.

“Iran's national volleyball team has become one of the world's best, and the sport has spiked in popularity in the country,” Minky Worden, Director of Global Initiatives at Human Rights Watch wrote in a statement. “The upcoming men's beach volleyball tournament could be a celebratory occasion not just on the volleyball courts but also for equality in Iran — if authorities reverse the discriminatory ban keeping women out of matches.”

Richard Baker, an FIVB spokesman, told the AP that "there have been misunderstandings throughout the day, and we have had to seek clarification." Women were apparently allowed to watch the game from a café that had a view of the court.

When Kate Winslet accepted her BAFTA award for Steve Jobs this weekend, we expected her to encourage the other actresses who were nominated in her category. After all, she made a similar gesture at the Golden Globes earlier this year.

It was later, while talking to the press, that Winslet shocked us: “When I was 14, I was told by a drama teacher that I might do OK if I was happy to settle for the fat girl parts." Um, what?!

She continued, “So what I always feel in these moments is that any young woman who has ever been put down by a teacher, by a friend, by even parents, just don’t listen to any of it, because that’s what I did. I kept on going and I overcame my fears and got over my insecurities.”

Winslet continues to prove how amazing she is, and we're so glad that she didn't listen to her haters. If she had, she wouldn't be empowering countless women today. We can't wait to hear her sure-to-be fierce acceptance speech should she take home the Oscar this year.