Siren, a dating app that launched in the fall of 2015, has pitted itself against Tinder with its new #MoreThanMeat campaign, which enables, as well as encourages, Tinder users to make a "MeatFace" with of their profile picture, reports Mic.
"Let's turn Tinder into the meat shop that it really is," the campaign's selfie-generating website, which was created by Hello Velocity, proudly proclaims. "Dating apps should treat you like a person."
And every person is welcome to turn their likeness into a meaty profile pic. You can create your own MeatFace selfie whether or not you have a Siren account.
"Tinder feels like a crazy stupid frat party," Siren CEO and cofounder Susie Lee told Mic. "That's not honestly how you'd navigate your life most of the time." Instead, Lee and her company hope to use "technology to create a more humane space for people to meet and really solve the problem of loneliness."
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Everyone knows that there are some things that a real friendship requires you to share: secrets, junk food, and Netflix passwords.
Well, friendship might have to give one of those up. A court ruling handed down on Tuesday could make sharing passwords to subscription-based services like Netflix, HBO GO, and Amazon Prime a federal crime, The Guardian reports.
The decision, from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, rules that using a password that isn’t yours without permission from the company is a federal crime under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). The case, United States v. Nosal, technically revolved around a man who, in 2004, allegedly used a former coworker’s password to access a work computer after he had left the company. He was charged with hacking.
A dissenting judge in the case, Stephen Reinhardt, pointed out that the decision could have ramifications far beyond the case at hand— i.e., your habit of using your best friend’s aunt’s HBO GO password. “People frequently share their passwords, notwithstanding the fact that websites and employers have policies prohibiting it. In my view, the CFAA does not make the millions of people who engage in this ubiquitous, useful, and generally harmless conduct into unwitting federal criminals,” he wrote.
Don’t worry yet. It’s pretty unlikely that HBO GO or Netflix is going to come after you and demand that you and your roommate sign up for separate accounts, as the CEOs of both companies have spoken positively of password-sharing. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings called password-sharing “positive” in January, according to tech site CNET.
And the CEO of HBO, Richard Plepler, has even said that he views password-sharing as a “marketing vehicle” for more subscribers. He’s completely aware of the nature of, say, Game Of Thrones ’ status as a gateway drug for TV binging. “We’re in the business of creating addicts,” he told Buzzfeed in 2014. Oh, HBO. You know our weaknesses so well.
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Airplanes are some of the most germy places around, according to a new report from Drexel Medicine. While germs are a normal part of public transportation, airplanes are especially gross, since you're sitting in close proximity to other people and there's no way to escape the germs and bacteria.
Drexel Medicine compiled the six most germy places on a plane — and all of them are basically unavoidable. Break out the sanitizer for these.
Seat pockets are disgusting, according to the report. Some passengers use seat-back pockets as a trash bin and they can be full of everything from napkins to nail trimmings. Avoid it at all costs, including the germy in-flight magazines inside. Go to the bathroom before getting on the plane, since plane bathrooms can breed bacteria like E. Coli, according to Drexel.
Even though it may be uncomfortable to put your laptop on your lap, it's better than using the plane's tray tables. If you have to use the tray table, wipe it — and basically everything around you — down with a disinfectant wipe.
Don't accept a pillow or blanket; they're often recycled from other passengers. Worst of all, don't use the touchscreen to watch movies or TV shows. Everybody who has been in your seat before you has touched that screen, too.
Planes are nasty, so travel with caution this summer. For tips on how to avoid airplane germs, Drexel Medicine has some remedies, here.
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The gap between mass and prestige beauty products has never been so small. In fact, it seems that nearly every day a top celebrity makeup artist reveals a few more tried-and-true bargain buys, from Kerry Washington's go-to artist to the man behind some of Kim Kardashian's signature looks. (Fret not, they're all ahead.)
It makes sense. Hit up your local drugstore and you'll find long-wear matte lipstick, highlighters with subtle shimmer, and brow colors that actually look natural — which was relatively unheard of just a few years ago.
If you read R29's beauty section regularly, you know we're committed to reporting on the best of the best at the drugstore, because although there are wonderful products to find at your local CVS or Walgreens, there are still a lot of subpar ones hanging out in the aisle alongside them. Translation: You can get really good stuff, but you still need to know what you're looking for.
Don't worry, because we've tapped the top Hollywood red carpet makeup artists for the affordable products that have passed their (very discerning) tests. Ahead, we've rounded up these pro recommendations into one massive, insanely useful slideshow that highlights everything you could ever need, all available in the cosmetic aisle of your local drugstore. Let the one-stop shopping commence!
Clients: Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Chrissy Teigen
It's no secret that Mario is the artist to see when it comes to creating a Kardashian look. He told Kim's fans on her app that this is the KKW pout-approved product, "For the classic Kim Kardashian West nude lip."
Maybelline Color Sensational The Buffs Lip Color in Blushing Beige, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Clients: Jennifer Garner, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Faris
"I love, love, love this contour,” Stiles says. “It's really sheer, unlike 90% of the contour powders on the market, so it's hard to get wrong. Use a light hand and a soft brush, and you'll be shocked at the cheekbones you can sculpt!”
Nyx Contour Pro Singles in Tan, $5, available at Nyx Cosmetics.
Clients: Kerry Washington, Rashida Jones, Jaime King
“This is one of my top beauty secrets,” Gonzalez tells us. “It’s actually a balm for cracked nipples, but I use it on my clients’ chapped, dry, dehydrated lips. It heals lips very quickly and is extra-hydrating. For me, it works better than any lip balm on the market.”
Clients: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Behati Prinsloo, Megan Fox
“This is one of my go-to lip stains because it’s the perfect nude shade. I use it on Behati [Prinsloo] and Rosie [Huntington-Whiteley] all the time, and they love it because it looks so natural on the lips and stays on like a stain,” Blunder says. “The color payoff is great, and the formula is super-easy to apply.”
Revlon Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm In Ingenue, $8.99, available at Amazon.
"All the mascara junkies I know agree that this is, hands-down, the best drugstore choice," Dubroff tells us. "The brush perfectly lifts lashes at the base and fans them out, all while depositing serious volume. It’s quite an accomplishment, because often volume mascara doesn't give the lift it promises. Plus, the brush also works on bottom lashes!"
L'Oréal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, $8.49, available at Ulta.
Clients: Kerry Washington, Rashida Jones, Jaime King
“This is a great shade for every skin tone,” Gonzalez says. “I use it all the time on my clients, and it's one of my favorite blushes and bronzers. I call it the perfect blush for every occasion! The formula has shimmer, so the skin glows without any need for highlighter.”
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Custom Glow Blush & Bronzer In Raisin Glow, $11.49, available at Neutrogena.
Clients: Julianne Hough, Allison Williams, Ashley Bell
"I love the strong pigments in this," Harris tells us. "It goes on matte, but it isn't drying; it's more of a velvet texture. I love Aphrodite Kiss, a beautiful poppy-red color that looks great with just mascara or a soft, nude eyeshadow."
L'Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Gloss in Aphrodite Kiss, $9.99, available at L'Oréal.
“This is a staple in my own makeup bag,” Fabiola says. “I love this formula because it's super-black and it really separates and builds your lashes, making them look really full.”
L'Oréal Voluminous Original Mascara, $5.89, available at Target.
“I love these eyeshadow sticks for a summer smoky eye!” Inglessis says. "The colors are vibrant, easy to use, and long-wearing. Apply it onto the top and bottom lashline and smudge it with your finger or a brush, or apply on the top lid for deeper color. But the best advice is to just play around and have fun with these!"
Rimmel London Volume Flash Eye Shadow Stick, $3.99, available at Target.
Clients: Kerry Washington, Rashida Jones, Jaime King
"I'm obsessed with this shade [Copenhagen]; if you find it, buy a few, 'cause it's usually sold out!" Gonzalez says. "It complements every skin tone, and it's extra long-lasting. You can wear it with just a few coats of mascara, and it will instantly create a runway makeup look."
Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream, $14.35, available at Amazon.
Clients: Jennifer Garner, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Faris
“Most body makeup destroys clothes because the formulas tend to be a bit oily, which means it never really dries — and then your clothes get stained — but this stuff seriously stays put,” Stiles says. “Use a little to give a bit of color to the body, or you can use a lot to really cover problem areas, like bruises or varicose veins.”
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, $9.99, available at Target.
Clients: Gina Rodriguez, Bailee Madison, Carlson Young
"I love a dewy, luminous skin effect any time of year," Ferreri says. "Prep your foundation with this product to smooth away skin concerns and brighten dull complexions. It’s water-based, so it won’t clog pores, and it feels lightweight and fresh on the skin."
Maybelline Master Prime in Blur + Illuminate, $7.99, available at Drugstore.com.
Clients: Nicole Richie, Kristen Stewart, Nina Dobrev
"L'Oréal's setting spray locks makeup into place, keeping it fresh for hours,” Nelson tells us. "It's amazing for hot, humid weather and particularly useful for oilier skins. It also helps powder settle into the skin, making your makeup look more natural."
L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray, $16.99, available at Ulta.
“There are many primers on the market, but this is the one I turn to again and again,” Dubroff tells us. “It has a perfect, satiny finish and doesn't add a lot of weight on the top of the skin. It perfectly blurs out pores and fine lines.”
L'Oréal Revitalift Miracle Blur, $19.97, available at Amazon.
"I love to use this illuminator before foundation by applying it to the tops of the cheekbones, down the center of the nose, above the Cupid’s bow, and then any leftover product mixed into the foundation. For evening, I may do an additional layer of it after foundation to the high planes of the face, which’ll give a luminous glow under warm holiday-party lights. I like Pink Light for fair skin tones and Bronze Light for tan and darker skin tones."
Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights, $12.99, available at Revlon.
"All three shades of this stick are killer, and the formula makes it easy to create a healthy-looking glow on skin," Breuchaud says, noting that you can dab and blend this creamy formula into bare skin or over makeup. "You can brighten and highlight anywhere, from your cheekbones to your eyes, from the tip of your nose to your lips."
Flower Glisten Up Highlighter Chubby, $9.98, available at Walmart.
Clients: Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Chrissy Teigen
Fun fact: If you don't set your makeup, it might melt off throughout the day. Mario suggests using a damp Beautyblender to pat this powder under the eyes, so your undereye concealer sets — and stays all day.
Nyx Studio Finishing Powder Translucent Finish, $9.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
“I have quite a few blonde clients, so I'm always on the lookout for the perfect eyebrow pencil that doesn’t look orange and isn’t too dull or gray,” Dubroff says. “This pencil in Dark Blonde is definitely my go-to!”
Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil In Dark Blonde, $6.95, available at Maybelline.
Clients: Kristen Stewart, Kate Winslet, Milla Jovovich
"This is a great multipurpose primer for summer,” Dempsey tells us. "It has a light and glowy finish, so you can wear it on its own, or you can layer it as a highlighter for a natural, light-catching gleam. If you wear foundation, it acts as a great base, leaving your skin clean and smooth. Plus, it has SPF 15!”
Almay Smart Shade CC Primer, $10.99, available at Drugstore.com.
“I like to stick to natural products on my lips for everyday, and I like a little color,” Dubroff says. “Burt’s Bees makes just this — flattering shades with just a hint of tint and not a lot of junk.”
Burt's Bees Squeezable Beeswax Lip Balm, $4, available at Burt's Bees.
Clients: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Behati Prinsloo, Megan Fox
“This is a fantastic cream shadow that comes in so many great colors,” Blunder tells us. “I love to layer this product under powder eyeshadow for more intensity and a long-lasting effect.”
Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo Metal 24Hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow, $5.24, available at Amazon.
Clients: Lupita Nyong’o, Emma Roberts, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
“I love that one pack of these comes with three lengths — short, medium, and long — so you can use a variety of sizes to make sure they blend in perfectly with your natural lashes."
Eylure Individual Lashes Combination, $4.99, available at Ulta.
“This velvety, chubby pencil makes creating a bold lip easy with its excellent delivery and color that packs a punch,” Stern says. “But the best part is, you can get a true matte finish without dryness.”
Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm In Striking, $6.89, available at Target.
"I like to apply this product with a fluffy, dome-shaped eyeshadow brush. First, I apply at the lashline and blend up to the crease. I absolutely love this product for the holidays because it has a beautiful sparkle and it is long-wearing, so no worries about smudging or creasing. My favorite colors are #45 Bold Gold and #60 Silver Strike."
Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24Hr Eyeshadow, $5.83, available at Drugstore.com.
Clients: Emma Roberts, Rooney Mara, America Ferrera
"I love this product for summer days because of the light, glowing texture it delivers,” Broussard tells us. "It gives a soft, seamless radiance to the skin and blends effortlessly; it's great for the days when you want something quick and gorgeous."
Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15, $13.69, available at Target.
Clients: Kerry Washington, Rashida Jones, Jaime King
“There's no need to spend lots of money on mascara,” Gonzalez says. “The LashBlast formula is amazing and adds lots of volume and length to your lashes. The Very Black shade is darker than a standard black formula and will make your eyes stand out. Add a few coats, and it will look like you have fake lashes.”
CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara In Very Black, $6.99, available at Target.
Clients: Lupita Nyong’o, Emma Roberts, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
“Thick powder can turn cakey...but I love how sheer and matte this formula stays,” Barose says. "Use a small powder brush for more control over shiny spots, and focus on the forehead, between the brows, on the sides of the nose, above the lips, and on the chin."
Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder, $4.99, available at Ulta.
“This liner has a felted tip for an easy application and is super-black,” Inglessis says. “It stays on, but it’s also easy to take off with makeup remover!”
L'Oréal The Infallible Blackbuster Liner, $6.99, available at Target.
Clients: Natasha Lyonne, Kaley Cuoco, Rashida Jones
"The round brush of this brow product works the formula through your hairs so they look fuller and stay in place," Greenberg says. "Great if you want your brows to be on fleek!"
Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara, $7.99, available at Ulta.
“This formula has vibrant pigments and is long-lasting, but still very moisturizing,” Inglessis tells us. “The palette is extensive, and there are some really great colors!”
CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick, $6.39, available at Drugstore.com.
Clients: Jennifer Garner, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Faris
“This is a great product to use under the eyes, on the bridge of the nose, and along the tops of the cheekbones to add a really soft, pretty light to the face without screaming 'highlighter,'” Stiles says. “I use a little here and there to add brightness to the face.”
L'Oréal Studio Secrets Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer, $12.99, available at Ulta.
“These are essential for keeping your skin shine-free but still glowing, without having to apply a lot of powder,” Fabiola tells us. “They're a staple for my red carpet clients.”
Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, $8.78, available at Amazon.
"A great red lipstick is a perfect accessory for the holidays," says Krinsky. "One of my favorites is Maybelline Siren In Scarlet. This is a bright and vibrant, creamy, matte red, and flattering to almost all skin tones."
Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Color In Siren In Scarlet, $7.99, available at Ulta.
"[These] colors are highly pigmented and super-vibrant," says Bass. "I use them all the time on the red carpet when I want an intense lip that will last on my clients. They are truly show-stopping.”
"Liquid liner is great for a bold, but clean holiday look," says Krinsky. "I love Nyx's The Curve Liner because it's very easy to use. The shape makes it almost foolproof, and the formula is buildable. You can keep it really slim and tight along your lashline, or build on it for a more dramatic, bold liner."
"Rose gold is universally flattering, and adds an instant festive feeling to your makeup! I love Nyx Baked Shadow in Ambrosia because you can apply it lightly as a wash or layer it on for a bit more drama. It's also great layered over a darker color to add a little sparkle."
Clients: Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Schilling, Emmy Rossum
"This is the perfect holiday red lip color," says Quynh. "It's not too bright and not too dark, so it will complement many skin tones. The formula is creamy and lightweight. Pair it with black, winged liner and voluminous lashes for added drama."
Wet n Wild Fergie Centerstage Collection Lip Color Perfect Pout in Saraghina, $3.49, available at Kmart.
Clients: Kerry Washington, Rashida Jones, Jaime King
"Forever Platinum is a great shade to complement a smoky eye. You can highlight and brighten both the inner corners and the browbone, or simply use it all over the eyelid with a liquid liner."
Neutrogena Crease Proof Eye Shadow In Forever Platinum, $7.64, available at Drugstore.com.
“This long-wear gel liner glides on easily, so it’s great for a sharp cat-eye or a smudged, smoked-out line,” Stern says. “The color is more unique [than black], but still a neutral — and it’s great for all eye colors!”
L'Oréal Infallible Lacquer Liner In Slate, $9.95, available at L'Oréal.
"This palette has 12 gorgeous matte, neutral eyeshadows that are the base for every eye-makeup design," says Murphy. "They're high-quality, blendable, and well-pigmented."
Sonia Kashuk Eye Couture Eye Palette, $19.99, available at Target.
Clients: Christina Hendricks, Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera
"This is one of my favorite drugstore staples for a bold, matte lip," Scali tells us. "The cream formula goes on smooth and feels very comfortable on the lips. There is a smudger on the opposite end of the pencil that is used to blur and smudge the color for your desired effect. Use a touch for a stained, bitten lip, or go [for] full, bold color. My favorites are Cherry Cherry Bang Bang, Partner in Crimson, and Orange Ya Glad."
Maybelline Lip Studio Color Blur in Cherry Cherry Bang Bang, $8.99, available at Drugstore.com.
Clients: Keri Russell, Laura Prepon, Debra Messing
"This mascara brush is very skinny and bendable, so you can really get to the root of the lash," Turnbow says. "It’s especially nice for blending single lashes and bottom false lashes into your natural lash."
Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara, $5.59, available at Target.
Clients: Keri Russell, Laura Prepon, Debra Messing
"Napa Vineyard is gorgeous, has amazing color saturation, and is affordable," Turnbow tells us. "I love the fact that the lip crayons allow you to both line and fill in the lip. You can take a little color and apply it to the cheeks to create a rosy effect, too!"
Burt's Bees Lip Crayon in Napa Vineyard, $9, available at Burt's Bees.
Clients: Kerry Washington, Rashida Jones, Jaime King
“I suggest adding Nyx Blotting Paper to your makeup kit,” Gonzalez says. “They're [especially] ideal to have on those hot summer days when you don’t want to have to apply powder. Just blot to keep your skin looking fresh throughout the day."
Clients: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Behati Prinsloo, Megan Fox
“I love this mascara because it is long-lasting, provides a lot of volume, and does not clump,” Blunder says. “Your lashes will look very healthy and natural. As a makeup artist, I have to change out my mascara quite often, so I also love the price point.”
CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara, $7.49, available at Soap.com.
Clients: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Behati Prinsloo, Megan Fox
"My clients and I love these blushes because they have just the right amount of shimmer to give a soft glow to the cheek," Blunder tells us. "This rose-berry shade looks great on most complexions. Use a fluffy brush for a sheer application."
Milani Cosmetics Baked Blush In Berry Amore, $8.49, available at Milani Cosmetics.
Clients: Gina Rodriguez, Bailee Madison, Carlson Young
"This product is amazing because it brightens undereye circles and soothes any puffiness, thanks to the metal ball," Ferreri tells us. "Apply under the eyes, from the inside corner of the eye, down to the outside of your nostril, and then back up to meet the outside of your eye (think of the letter V). Then, blend with your finger or a Beautyblender to illuminize the entire face."
Flower Daily Brightening Undereye Cover Creme, $8.98, available at Walmart.
Clients: Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Schilling, Emmy Rossum
"You can give your skin instant holiday sheen with this luminizing powder. Just brush it onto your arms, legs, décolletage, above your cheekbones, and on the center of your nose. It will make your skin look ethereal and glowing."
Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls, $13.95, available at Physicians Formula.
Clients: Lupita Nyong’o, Emma Roberts, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
“These wipes remove makeup without being greasy, but they still keep the skin hydrated,” Barose tells us. “I like the white tea because my clients are in love with the calming scent.”
Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes with White Tea Extract, $6, available at Burt's Bees.
Clients: Kate Bosworth, Zoey Deutch, Brittany Snow
"Physicians [Formula] is, hands-down, the authority on drugstore bronzers," Sarmiento says. "I love this one because it has all the benefits of a BB plus the SPF, so it's helping the skin while [it's] exposed to the elements. I tend to be a matte-bronzer loyalist, but the sheen in this bronzer is perfection.”
Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting BB Bronzer, $10.43, available at Amazon.
Clients: Kate Bosworth, Zoey Deutch, Brittany Snow
"I love this, because all you need is sunscreen and a dab of this concealer to be ready for a sunny city afternoon,” Sarmiento says. "You get great matte coverage that stands up to sweat and works under the eyes and on spots."
Revlon ColorStay Concealer, $10.49, available at Ulta.
Clients: Emma Roberts, Rooney Mara, America Ferrera
"This is my go-to daily lip balm because it’s super-moisturizing and I love all the colors,” Broussard says. "It creates a nice stain on the lips when dabbed on, and the color is buildable, so you can easily make a more dramatic evening look by adding more product.”
Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20, $8.99, available at Neutrogena.
Clients: Emma Roberts, Rooney Mara, America Ferrera
"Even though the package doesn’t mention that they are waterproof, trust me, this formula has immense staying power,” Broussard says. "I’ve worn these at the beach and in the pool, and they stay in place. Think of them as fun colors to brighten up a trip to the ocean!"
Clients: Kristen Stewart, Kate Winslet, Milla Jovovich
"I love this bronzer because it doesn’t have any shimmer, unlike so many others on the market,” Dempsey says. "Not to mention it’s waterproof... Dust it all over the face to add some warmth to the skin, or layer it for more intense color."
Rimmel Waterproof Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze, $5.49, available at Walgreens.
Clients: Kristen Stewart, Kate Winslet, Milla Jovovich
"[This stain] doesn’t fill in the cracks in your lips if they’re dry, since it moisturizes as it stains. It comes in a bunch of fun colors...but this bright, coral-y orange called Miami Fever is especially beautiful and universally flattering!"
Revlon ColorStay Moisture Stain In Miami Fever, $7.99, available at Drugstore.com.
Clients: Julianne Hough, Allison Williams, Ashley Bell
"I love to give my skin a light mist of this after cleansing and before moisturizing," Harris says. "It's also great to refresh makeup at the end of the day. Hold the bottle about 10 inches away from your face and give your skin a light spritz."
Boots Botanics Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz, $8.39, available at Target.
Clients: Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Chrissy Teigen
If you're after a structured contour, or healthy glow, this bronzer will do the trick. Its two colors multitask to give you glowing skin; you can decide whether you want a matte, highlight, or mix of both for a sun-kissed complexion.
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Blogger and YouTube star Akilah Hughes is accusing BuzzFeed of stealing an idea from her. After the site published a video called “The Perfect Weekend For An Introvert” on June 29, Hughes claimed it was based on her own video "How To Be An Introvert — According to Tumblr Ep. 1," posted in January. In a Change.org petition with nearly 6,000 signatures, she is asking advertisers to boycott BuzzFeed's videos.
I just published “Dear advertisers: It’s time to stop supporting BuzzFeed Video” https://t.co/b9tJiv6aWp
"BuzzFeed has been caught repeatedly stealing ideas, jokes, bits, gags, and therefore money from prominent YouTube creators," the petition reads. "And we’ve all had enough. It's time to #StopBuzzThieves."
Hughes lists several other videos she thinks were heavily influenced by individual YouTubers who went uncredited. She also references an incident in which BuzzFeed asked vlogger Kat Blaque for ideas without offering compensation.
BuzzFeed creator Jonah Peretti published a post on Medium Tuesday defending his company against Hughes' accusations. He had his team conduct an investigation and shared the results in his post. Peretti argued that the ideas BuzzFeed was accused of stealing actually arose before the work the site allegedly stole them from.
Peretti wrote that he doesn't believe Hughes is intentionally lying, but took issue with her tone.
Hughes still isn't buying it, though.
When @BuzzFeed's founder conducts his own investigation and decides writing about a topic means he owns all parodic scripts about topics🙄
Most people's vacation itineraries include checking out a cool restaurant, perusing a local market, or spending a day museum-hopping. My personal favorite way to take in a country? Scoping out the best local beauty wares.
As good as we have it here in the U.S., there's a whole treasure trove of makeup and skin-care finds to score abroad. And some even come from our favorite brands. For example, Maybelline often launches products specific to a region's climate, says Trisha Ayyagari, SVP of Global Marketing at Maybelline New York. This can be anything from mattifying and oil-controlling products sold in countries like Thailand to humidity-resistant mascaras found in Japan.
These products are created based on global trends and consumer research, says Ayyagari. "Our objective is to launch as quickly as possible to be on time when the trend is hot," she adds. Beauty trends can vary from country to country, so it's important that brands stay on top of the emerging categories as they arrive.
But regardless of who they were made for, many of these buys have universal appeal — which makes it unfortunate that they're only available abroad. Check out the slides ahead to find the products you should add to your shopping list (and travel bucket list), ASAP.
What: Maybelline Dream Cushion Compact
Where: Throughout Asia
Unlike L'Oréal's True Match Lumi Cushion (which was the first cushion compact to hit U.S. drugstores), this one from Maybelline offers a slightly less dewy finish and is sold only in the Asian market. "The cushion phenomenon began more than five years ago from local brands [in Asia]," says Ayyagari. "So we had to accelerate and ensure we launched there first."
What: Maybelline Lashionista Mascara
Where: Japan
Maybelline's Lashionista Mascara is another example of a product launched exclusively abroad. This mascara is humidity-resistant, yet removes easily with warm water — two qualities that are essential for the Japanese consumer.
What: Chosungah 22 Tinted Ampoule
Where: South Korea
In the past few years, we've seen an influx in products that claim to marry makeup and skin-care benefits. Chosungah 22 's tinted ampoule provides sheer coverage and a radiant finish; the fermented lotus flower and damask-rose pollen in its formula protect and hydrate the skin.
What: Chosungah 22 Bounce Up Pact Prime
Where: South Korea
This cream-to-powder foundation offers slightly more coverage than the ampoule, but never looks cakey on the skin. We've got our fingers crossed that this hits U.S. shores soon.
What: L'Oréal Infallible Matte Max
Where: U.K. and France
Given our love of super-matte lips, we flipped when we got our hands on these unique powder-to-cream lippies from L'Oréal. They start off as a powdery pigment, but transform into a chalky, retro-matte cream when they touch your lips. Unfortunately, these are only available in France and the U.K., but this should tide you over until your next Euro trip.
What: Too Cool for School Art Class by Rodin
Where: Throughout Asia and in Paris
This brownish-gray contour powder by Too Cool for School is perfect for subtly carving out cheekbones. Plus, you can use the light, mid-tone, and dark hues as a neutral eyeshadow palette. Win, win, win!
What: Too Cool for School Max In Pocket
Where: Throughout Asia and in Paris
First of all, just look at these little guys. (Squee!) But packaging aside, we're just as obsessed with the glossy creams inside. Luckily for all of us, Too Cool for School will be launching these babies for $12 in U.S. Sephora stores later this year. The exact launch date hasn't been determined, but we will be sure to update this post when we find out.
What: Nuxe Bio Beauté Vitamin-Rich Detox Mask
Where: Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Canada, Croatia, Slovenia, Denmark, Réunion Island, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland
Our beauty director swears by this vitamin-rich mask, which brightens, hydrates, and soothes tired skin on contact. It's part of Nuxe 's Bio Beauté line — sadly not available stateside. Until it launches here, the brand's cooling mask is a welcome alternative.
What: Lano 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm
Where: Australia
If you're heading to Australia anytime soon, snag a tube of Lano's deliciously scented strawberry balm, which contains lanolin, a waxy substance with moisturizing properties (it is also somewhat controversial). Not about to make a trip Down Under? Fret not, the brand is launching this very tube at Ulta Beauty on August 1.
What: DHC Revitalizing Booster Serum
Where: Japan
DHC, a Japanese skin-care and makeup brand known for its best-selling cleansing oil, offers a plethora of products — in Japan. Its Revitalizing Booster Serum is one of our favorites because it's packed full of hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil, squalane, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.
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Update: President Obama delivered a message of unity and empathy across opposing lines during his remarks at a memorial service for the families of the police officers killed last Thursday in Dallas.
"I'm here to insist that we're not as divided as we seem. And I know that because I know America. I know how far we've come against impossible odds," he said.
The president recognized the bravery of the slain officers and their families, saying they shared "a commitment to something larger than themselves." He insisted that the overwhelming majority of police officers deserve "our respect and not our scorn."
However, in the wake of last week's events, Obama also asked the nation to stop ignoring the urgent problem of race relations, and also stressed the importance of addressing how the system affects minority communities disproportionally.
Most importantly, he called for unity above all.
“I see people who mourn for the five officers we lost but also weep for the families of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile,” he said.
Adding, "We do not want the unity of grief nor do we want the unity of fear. We want the unity of hope, affection, and high purpose."
Update: July 8, 11 p.m.: Two more names of officers killed in the shooting have been released.
Michael Smith was a Dallas police officer for 25 years. Smith was a former Army Ranger who joined who had two daughters, ages 14 and 10, with his wife of 17 years, Heidi. Smith’s pastor described him as a “friend and faithful servant” who “understood the power of love” to The Washington Post.
Former football player Lorne Ahrens was married to a Dallas police detective and had two children, one 10-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy, according to The Washington Post. Ahrens died post-surgery after "something went wrong."
Update 3:50 p.m.: The names of three of the five victims of Thursday night’s mass shooting in Dallas have been released by local authorities. We will continue to update as the other victims' names are released.
Brent Thompson, an officer for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has been identified as one of the first victims of the shooting on Thursday night. The 43-year old, who was gunned down when shooters ambushed police manning a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest, had married a fellow transit officer just two weeks ago.
Thompson trained police in Iraq and Afghanistan and had worked for a private military contractor, according to his LinkedIn profile. He was interviewed by The New York Times ten years ago, while based in Afghanistan.
Patrick Zamarripa was a dad, a stepdad, and a husband. He was shot dead while on duty in Dallas on Thursday night. The 32-year-old had survived three tours of Iraq, his father told The Washington Post.
His stepbrother, Dylan Martinez, wrote on Twitter: "Everyone say a prayer for my stepbrother, Patrick, and his family. He was one of the young Dallas police officers killed this evening." He added, "Family man and military veteran. Just not right."
Michael Krol was originally from Michigan and had moved to Dallas to become a police officer. The 40-year-old worked in the Wayne County jail system from 2003 to 2007 and was passionate about helping people, his uncle, Jim Elke, told reporters.
He got into law enforcement and worked really hard to be a police officer,” Ehlke said. “He worked pretty hard to find a job and got one in Dallas. He was all in, he was all in," he said.
Update: 2:00 p.m.: Attorney General Loretta Lynch has called for calm in the wake of the killings, telling America, "The answer must not be violence. The answer is never violence." At a press conference, Lynch said that the Department of Justice was "on the scene" helping with the investigation, but also there "to heal a community."
Update: July 8, 2016, 9:40 a.m.: President Obama condemned Thursday's deadly ambush targeting Dallas police officers as a "vicious, calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement," saying the entire country is "horrified" by the shootings.
"There's no possible justification for these kinds of attacks or any violence against law enforcement," the president said from Poland early Friday, according to The Associated Press.
At least five officers were killed and seven more injured when shots broke out at a demonstration calling attention to the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, Black men who were killed by police in Louisiana and Minnesota, respectively, this week. Two civilians were also injured in the Dallas attacks.
Update: According to The Dallas Morning News, a fourth suspect held in the El Centro parking lot has killed himself, and special units continue to sweep the city for bombs.
Update:A fifth officer has died, according to the DPD. Meanwhile, Brent Thompson has been identified as the DART officer who was killed.
The standoff continues near the El Centro parking garage. The college reports that all students and staff have been evacuated from the building.
Update: In an early morning press conference, Dallas police Chief David Brown reported that police have been negotiating and trading fire with a suspect in the El Centro garage for 45 minutes. "The end is coming," the suspect reportedly said, alluding to bombs placed "all over the place."
A female suspect is in custody, as well as two suspects who sped away in a Mercedes. The suspects are being uncooperative. Brown said, "We're leaving every motive on the table."
They also urged caution to citizens returning to the downtown area, saying that, "We don't have a complete comfort level that we have all the suspects," and that it is still an "active crime scene."
The mayor noted that he has been in contact with the White House and the Texas governor's office. Gov. Greg Abbott had been on an out-of-state trip and is returning to the state.
Brown confirmed that three of the officers killed were DPD and one was DART.
Update: The person of interest sought by the DPD has turned himself in, according to a statement by the police. Another suspect who was involved in a shootout with police is now in custody. A suspicious package was found nearby that is suspect, and it is currently being examined by the bomb squad.
Update: A fourth officer has been killed, according to the Dallas Police Department.
With heavy hearts, we are devastated to report a fourth officer has been killed.
Update: An additional officer was reported as being shot during a press conference given by Dallas police Chief David Brown and Mayor Mike Rawlings at 11 p.m. local time.
About 800 demonstrators and 100 officers were in the area of the rally when shots rang out at 8:50 p.m. The two shooters took up elevated positions in a parking garage in order to carry out the attack.
The police report that they are in negotiations with one of the shooters, who they have cornered.
The individual below is being sought for questioning. Police ask that anyone with any information call 214-671-3485.
The statement reads: "Tonight it appears that two snipers shot ten police officers from elevated positions during the protest/rally. Three officers are deceased, two are in surgery and three are in critical condition. An intensive search for suspects is currently underway. No suspects are in custody at this time. We ask that any citizen with information regarding the shootings tonight call 214-671-3482. We will provide more information once it is available. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers tonight."
This story was originally published on July 8, 2016 at 3:15 a.m.
The shooting took place in Dallas, where a crowd of hundreds gathered to march from Belo Garden Park to Old Red Courthouse. The rally ended near Main and Market streets in downtown Dallas. Shots began going off around 9 p.m. local time.
No word has been released yet on the extent of the officers' injuries, the possibility that there could be other victims, or the shooters' identities.
DART, the local public transit, has been closed downtown as police investigate.
Social media users have captured video from the scene that can only be described as terrifying.
The moon revealed a different side of itself last week, a sight we haven't glimpsed for about a year.
Last week, the moon passed between Earth and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite, allowing the latter to snap a unique shot of the "dark side" of our cratered friend.
NASA’s Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC), situated aboard the DSCOVR satellite, took these unique images over a period of about four hours. According to NASA, these images are rare because they show the far side of the moon, which cannot be seen from the Earth's surface. (This isn't because the moon doesn't rotate, though — the moon has a synchronous rotation with its orbit around the Earth, so, to us, it only looks like the moon isn't rotating.)
EPIC normally records images for NASA and NOAA that inspect the earth's ozone levels, solar winds, vegetation, and cloud height, among other features of the Earth’s atmosphere. Because of the location of DSCOVR’s orbit path, the moon is only captured by EPIC like this once or twice a year.
These most recent images of the moon’s backside were captured between July 4 at 11:50 p.m. EDT and July 5 at 3:18 a.m. EDT. Here you can see it traveling over the Indian and Pacific oceans. The last time the moon photobombed EPIC’s pictures of Earth was about a year ago, on July 16, 2015.
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Game of Thrones season 6 left us with many questions. Fate-altering questions of power, destiny, and war. But there's one little mystery that's been nagging at us for far too long now, and it needs to be talked about. BuzzFeed reported that an incredibly observant redditor by the username ThreeOfTwelve noticed that Tyrion Lannister has been telling the same joke for quite a while now. Well, he's told it twice as far as we know — six whole seasons apart. The problem is that we still don't know the punchline. What we do know? It has to do with a brothel, and given Tyrion's admittedly wicked sense of humor, it's probably as funny as it is lewd.
Tyrion first told the joke in the sixth episode of the first season, "A Golden Crown" (the one where Khal Drogo smokes Viserys Targaryen with a pot of molten gold).
Image: Via Reddit.
Then in the eighth episode of this season, "No One," he starts telling the same joke...but doesn't get to finish.
Image: Via Reddit.
We're putting our money on the highest-rated comment in the chat, from redditor Rockranger: "He was trying to negotiate one sweet ass for another."
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When NARS sends us previews of its new collections, the beauty department crowds around the products to coo appreciatively over the new hues, textures, and products. Its fall collection — coming at you in mid-July — is no exception. Three new Dual-Intenstity Eyeshadows, two new Velvet Matte Lip Pencils, two new Contour Blushes, and a whopping nine new Velvet Eyeliners: We can just hear François Nars saying, “You’re welcome.”
In addition to all of the pretty things comes our favorite NARS ad campaign, ever (save for the one for 2010 Pro-Prime collection featuring Nars’ dearly departed pooch, Marcel).
The photos feature model Aya Jones in full Pam Grier mode: reverse cat-eye, caramel-nude lips, dewy skin, contoured cheeks, and an Afro of which Foxy Brown herself would have been proud. Grier was, in fact, the inspiration for the look. “The characters [Grier] played in those ['70s] movies were strong and assertive, and her look was tough, but at the same time never hard,” says Nars. “Instead of a lot of color, her makeup was more natural. The campaign references those characters and that time period with the contouring on the cheeks and the more natural palette.”
Who better to bring to life that strong image than Jones? For Nars, it was love at first sight. “The moment I first saw Aya, I thought, This girl is incredible. I knew right away I wanted to use her for a campaign,” he says. “She captures an international spirit — born in one country, raised in another, working all over. I love that sense of multiculturalism and adventure, the idea of being a citizen of the world.”
Check out the full collection ahead. The rose-gold Rigel eyeshadow, indigo Blue Lotus eyeliner, and limited-edition Garnet lip color are particularly stunning.
Girl, slay.
NARS Rigel Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Shimmering Rose Gold, $29, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Arcturus Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Shimmering Deep Indigo, $29, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Antares Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Iridescent White Gold, $29, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Infatuated Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Garnet, $26, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Consuming Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bordeaux, $26, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Melina Contour Blush, Left Side: Café au Lait; Right Side: Espresso, $42, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Talia Contour Blush, Left Side: Light Caramel; Right Side: Nutmeg, $42, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Velvet Eyeliner in Black Moon, $24, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Velvet Eyeliner in Mambo, $24, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Velvet Eyeliner in Curaçao, $24, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Velvet Eyeliner in Kalisté, $24, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Velvet Eyeliner in London, $24, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Velvet Eyeliner in Blue Lotus, $24, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Velvet Eyeliner in Last Frontier, $24, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Velvet Eyeliner in Las Pozas, $24, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
NARS Velvet Eyeliner in Darklight, $24, available July 15, 2016, at NARS.
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The miracle and the curse of Netflix are one and the same: There is so much damn stuff to watch.
In fact, if you're not sure exactly what you're looking for, you can end up wasting an hour shoveling through the plenitude of stream-able crap in search of the worthy gems. How are you supposed to Netflix and chill if you spend all your free time scrolling instead of chilling (in whichever sense of the word you please)?
Well, that's where we come in. We've sifted through Netflix Instant's many offerings to find the best films currently available. We've got something for your every mood — no, like, every mood. And we'll keep you updated week by week, adding new movies and getting rid of any no longer streaming. So click through our picks, stock up your queue, and fire up the 'flix. Happy viewing!
If you're in the mood to get excited for the upcoming Tina Fey-penned musical based on the best teen comedy of all time, watch...
Mean Girls (2004)
A sharp script from Fey, the best performance of Lindsay Lohan's career, and a hilarious supporting cast come together perfectly in this movie, the best thing that happened in the year 2004. Rachel McAdams is the perfect villain as queen bee Regina George, and Cady's (Lohan) transformation from fish-out-of-water nerd to certified mean girl is actually a fascinating character arc. And in practically every scene, there's a now-classic quote. So fetch!
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
If you want to see the only other recent musical dramedy that's actually on par with 2007's Once, watch...
Begin Again (2014)
Keira Knightley plays talented New York singer-songwriter Gretta, who is discovered by a just-fired record exec (Mark Ruffalo) after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend and songwriting partner (Adam Levine). This sweet little movie watches the bond between the two lost souls blossom — but it's really more of a tribute to New York City and the power of music than any one romance. Co-stars Hailee Steinfeld, James Corden, and CeeLo Green.
Photo: Courtesy of the Weinstein Company.
If you want to see the prehistoric but powerful ancestor of 2015's Jurassic World, watch...
Jurassic Park (1993)
The original movie is based on the book by Michael Crichton. It stars Sam Neill and Laura Dern as paleontologists/lovers, and Jeff Goldbum as a wacky chaos-theorist. Oh, and then there's those scary-smart Velociraptors. The movie holds up remarkably well more than 20 years later. If you're already a fan, it's fun to revisit. And if the first Jurassic Park movie you saw was last summer's Jurassic World? We bet you'll appreciate recognizing the homages that the blockbuster followup made to the original (e.g. Blythe Danner's character's white skirt-suit is a little tribute to park founder John Hammond's all-white getup).
Photo: Courtesy of Universal Pictures.
If you want to see how racism shaped America throughout the 20th century through the eyes of a Black man in the White House, watch...
The Butler (2013)
Forest Whitaker stars as Cecil Gaines in this drama based on the life of Eugene Allen, who worked as a butler in the White House for an astounding 34 years. Gaines experiences the historic sociopolitical upheaval the U.S. undergoes over the span of four decades from his unique position of privilege and oppression. The all-star supporting cast includes Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Jane Fonda, Lenny Kravitz, Robin Williams, David Oyelowo, James Marsden and Alan Rickman.
Photo: Courtesy of the Weinstein Company.
If you want a fictional take on the perils of pop stardom that is probably closer to reality than we'd like to believe, watch...
Beyond the Lights(2014)
Gugu Mbatha-Raw delivers a powerful, vulnerable performance in this slightly formulaic and melodramatic but raptly entertaining drama. Mbatha-Raw plays Noni, a troubled young pop artist whose overnight success is enjoyed by everyone but herself. Watching the outwardly confident but inwardly insecure Noni crumble under the pressure of instant fame, her critical and cold mother (Minnie Driver), and mounting identity crisis is riveting.
Photo: Courtesy of Relativity Media.
If you're in the mood to see one of Leo's many Oscar-nominated performances 12 years before he actually won one, watch...
The Aviator(2004)
Martin Scorsese's sweeping biopic of troubled aviation pioneer Howard Hughes is grandly cinematic and stunningly acted — and not just by Leo. The incredible supporting cast includes Cate Blanchett in a marvelous turn as Katherine Hepburn — as well as Kate Beckinsale, Jude Law, Alec Baldwin, Gwen Stefani, Ian Holm and John C. Reilly playing the many individuals who fell in and out of Hughes' life. The ambitious eccentric battled increasingly severe OCD, paranoia, and self-isolation throughout his adventurous but at times tragic life.
Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures/Miramax Films.
If you're in the mood to feel better about the time you totally embarrassed yourself in front of your in-laws, watch...
Meet the Parents(2000)
Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro go head to head in this modern-day classic about a male nurse named Greg (Stiller) meeting his fiancée Pam's (Teri Polo) parents Jack and Dina (De Niro and Blythe Danner) for the first time. Quite literally everything goes wrong. Greg talks about milking the family cat at the dinner table, leads Jack to believe he's a pothead, shatters an urn full of Jack's mom's ashes, floods the yard with sewage, gives Pam's sister a bloody nose during water volleyball, and more. Just as hilarious every time.
Photo: Courtesy of Universal Pictures.
If you're in the mood to see the inspiring real-life story of one bold woman holding a corrupt corporation accountable, watch...
Erin Brockovich (2000)
In this biopic, Julia Roberts plays the real-life titular badass who took on Pacific Gas & Energy — and, spoiler alert, won. In the early-'90s, the single mom — who had no formal law education — played a key role in bringing a landmark class-action lawsuit against the company. She took up the cause after discovering that PG&E was knowingly contaminating the drinking water of a California town — causing cancer, miscarriages, serious health disorders, and deaths. Roberts won an Oscar for the role.
Photo: Courtesy of Universal Pictures.
If you're in the mood to see a truly great Cameron Crowe movie that puts his subpar Elizabethtown and Aloha to shame, watch...
Almost Famous(2000)
The '70s-set dramedy is the coming-of-age story of William (Patrick Fugit), a 15-year-old aspiring music journalist who worships Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd. He lands a Rolling Stone cover story on fictional rock band Stillwater and befriends a groupie named Penny Lane (Kate Hudson). But his backstage tour pass reveals that rock gods aren't all they're cracked up to be.
Photo: Snap Stills/REX/Shutterstock.
If you're in the mood to (vicariously) embark on an intense spiritual and physical journey while grappling with the futility of man against nature and the meaninglessness of human civilization, watch...
Into the Wild (2007)
Emile Hirsch stars as Christopher McCandless, the real-life subject of Jon Krakauer's 1996 book of the same name. This beautiful Sean Penn-directed adaptation jumps between two crucial times in McCandless' life: the two years he spent traversing the Southwestern U.S., California and Mexico, and the following period of stark solitude he spent in the Alaskan wilderness. And the Eddie Vedder-composed score is a work of art in itself.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Vantage.
If you're in the mood to unleash that inner paranoia lurking just below the surface of your consciousness, watch...
The Truman Show (1998)
Jim Carrey is superb as Truman, a man living a perfectly happy, perfectly average life (with a Stepford wife played by Laura Linney). But that contented monotony turns to curiosity — and then debilitating paranoia — as he realizes that something larger is behind the bizarre coincidences of his daily routine. His life is a little too orchestrated, his world too insulated. Entertaining yet extremely unsettling.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
If you're in the mood to watch an innovative film that successfully dared to buck the stale Hollywood formula, watch...
Pulp Fiction(1994)
Quentin Tarantino's neo-noir crime comedy (yes, that's a genre) is dark, humorous, original, and yes, very violent. The script is considered one of the most well-written of all time, while the highly stylized look of the film has become iconic. But it's John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Samuel L. Jackson's career-making performances that will keep you glued to the screen.
Photo: Courtesy of Miramax Films.
If you're in the mood for an atypical, whimsical rom-com, watch...
Amélie (2001)
This understated French charmer is the story of a lonely, shy Parisian woman who makes it her mission to bring joy into the lives of the people around her — a coworker, a neighbor, a blind stranger, her father. Audrey Tautou is quietly charming in the titular role.
Photo: Courtesy of UGC-Fox Distribution.
If you’re in the mood to find your one true Netflix love in a smart and hilarious fairy tale for grownups, watch…
The Princess Bride(1987)
Robin Wright delivers the polar opposite of the icy Claire Underwood as Princess Buttercup, the true love of honorable pirate Westley (Cary Elwes). The film is rife with charisma, thanks in large part to the charming Elwes, a clever screenplay, and averyyoung Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya — an alcoholic Spanish swordsman set on avenging his father. Billy Crystal also makes a great cameo.
Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
If you're in the mood to question the meaning of love, beauty, success, and, um, America, watch...
American Beauty(1999)
As an utterly average American in the midst of a mid-life crisis, Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) is no Francis Underwood, but he's got a questionable conscience — not to mention, a thing for inappropriate relations with an attractive young woman. This dark, twisted drama — an unsettling satire of and meditation on the pitfalls of middle-class suburbia — is as fucked up as anything we've seen thus far on House of Cards. The Oscar winning film co-stars Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari.
Photo: Courtesy of DreamWorks.
If you're in the mood to see Salma Hayek rock a unibrow, watch...
Frida(2002)
Hayek is fantastic as the titular artist, famed Mexican surrealist painter Frida Kahlo. The biopic zooms in on Kahlo's bisexuality (a radical identity back in the '30s and '40s when she rose to fame), creative process, alcoholism, and, most intimately, her dysfunctional relationship with her husband (Alfred Molina) — a fellow artist and a very complicated man.
Photo: Courtesy of Miramax.
If you’re in the mood to experience the impossible: revulsion at the sight of Jake Gyllenhaal — watch…
Nightcrawler(2014)
Gyllenhaal plays the gaunt-faced, empty-eyed loner Louis Bloom in this creepy neo-noir crime thriller. Desperate for work, Bloom becomes a stringer, a freelance cameraman catching nauseating, up-close footage of grisly crime and accident scenes in Los Angeles — and selling it to news channels at a hefty price. Watching him nudge the ethical boundaries further and further to get the perfect shot is disturbingly entertaining.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX Shutterstock.
If you’re in the mood to celebrate Leo’s big win by seeing his very first Oscar-nominated performance, watch...
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape(1993)
Gilbert (Johnny Depp) is feeling the pressure of caring for his morbidly obese mother (Darlene Cates) and developmentally disabled little brother, Arnie (DiCaprio). When a fresh face and free spirit (Juliette Lewis) rolls into town, she becomes a romantic interest to Gilbert and a surrogate big sister to Arnie. The movie is full of heart — and Leo's heart-wrenching performance is on par with The Revenant.
Photo: SNAP/REX Shutterstock.
If you're in the mood to get riled up about the #OscarsSoWhite debacle again, watch...
Beasts of No Nation(2015)
Idris Elba delivers a terrifying — and indubitably Oscar-worthy — performance as the brutal leader of a West African rebel faction. He takes a young boy separated from his family under his wing while the country is ravaged by civil war.
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
If you're in the mood to piss your pants in a classy, Sundance sort of way, watch...
The Babadook (2014)
This Australian-Canadian psychological horror film is about a single mom, her 6-year-old son, and the scariest pop-up book of all time. Do not save this for one of those late-night, insomnia-fueled solo viewings.
Photo: Courtesy of IFC Films.
If you're in the mood to see Pride and Prejudice and Zombies minus the zombies, watch...
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Keira Knightley slays — alas, only metaphorically — as the corseted, sharp-tongued heroine Elizabeth Bennet in this unapologetically romantic interpretation of the Jane Austen favorite. A modern classic as far as literary adaptations and period pieces go.
Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features.
If you're in the mood to see Pride and Prejudice re-imagined as a 21st-century rom-com, watch...
Bridget Jones's Diary(2001)
Renée Zellweger shines as the insecure, embarrassment-prone, bumbling Brit Bridget Jones. Hugh Grant plays the charming asshole, while Colin Firth is so stubbornly cute as Darcy, you'll forgive him for calling our heroine "a verbally incontinent spinster who smokes like a chimney, drinks like a fish, and dresses like her mother."
Photo: Courtesy of Miramax Films.
If you're in the mood to remember that Stacey Dash was a decent actress before she became a rando who says ignorantshit, watch...
Clueless (1995)
Did you know this '90s classic is based on another Jane Austen novel, Emma? Alicia Silverstone's Valley Girl Cher is a bubbly, well-intentioned matchmaker — but her meddling backfires when she falls for her step-brother (Paul Rudd). Co-stars Brittany Murphy.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
If you're in the mood to see Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo remake Big, watch...
13 Going on 30(2004)
This perfectly charming rom-com stars Garner as an angsty, boy-crazy teenager whose wish to be "30, flirty, and thriving" is magically answered. Her childlike wonderment and the '80s-heavy soundtrack are tons of fun — plus, like any rom-com worth its salt, it co-stars Judy Greer.
Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
If you're in the mood to salivate over oodles of chocolate and/or Johnny Depp in his prime, watch...
Chocolat (2000)
Juliette Binoche plays young single mom and kindred chocolatier Vianne, who moves to a small French town with her daughter to open up a chocolate shop. Her nom-noms and liberal attitudes shake up the traditional townspeople's lives, and Johnny Depp rocks a braid.
Photo: Courtesy of Miramax Films.
If you're in the mood to see a presidential election even more laughable than the one currently brewing, watch...
Election (1999)
Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) is a high school junior with lots of ambition and questionable morals. Her face-off with her dumb jock opponent (Chris Klein) is a hilarious satire of both high school and politics.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
If you're in the mood to see Jamie Foxx kicking ass and Leonardo DiCaprio being deliciously evil, watch...
Django Unchained(2012)
Quentin Tarantino's version of a Spaghetti Western is set in the antebellum Deep South and centers on a slave turned bounty hunter trying to get back to his wife (Kerry Washington). It boasts a killer soundtrack — and one of the most outrageously satisfying revenge scenes in movie history.
Photo: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company.
If you're in the mood to see multidimensional trans characters played by actual trans women, watch...
Tangerine (2015)
One of last year's best films is a day in the life of a trans sex worker named Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) who, having just been released from prison, recruits her BFF to exact revenge on her pimp/ex. It's impossible not to fall in love with Sin-Dee, and the movie will surprise you with both its heart and its humor.
Photo: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
If you're in the mood to revisit the even-better original after seeing the live musical, watch...
Grease (1978)
Even if you hate musicals, you love Grease. Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta are smokin' as unlikely lovers Sandy and Danny, and literally every musical number is a classic — "Greased Lightnin," "Beauty School Dropout," "Summer Nights," and "You're the One That I Want," for starters.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
If you're in the mood to see Gwynnie pre-Goop and Joseph Fiennes before he became that white guyplaying Michael Jackson, watch...
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
The witty Best Picture-winner poses itself as the untold origin story behind Shakespeare's greatest romance — and the film itself is a Romeo and Juliet story, complete with feuding (play)houses and star-crossed lovers. Paltrow and Fiennes sparkle as the leads, but Judi Dench steals the show with her Oscar-winning turn as a shrewd Queen Elizabeth.
Photo: Courtesy of Miramax Films.
If you're in the mood for a less pretentious, slightly more realistic version of Girls, watch...
Frances Ha (2012)
The fabulously talented Greta Gerwig co-wrote and co-stars in this refreshing black-and-white comedy about a twentysomething Brooklynite looking for a career, love, and a general sense of purpose. Sound familiar? Adam Driver even shows up.
Photo: Courtesy of IFC Films.
If you're in the mood for a pink-coated punch of girl power, watch...
Legally Blonde (2001)
Reese Witherspoon was born to play Elle Woods, the sorority girl turned Harvard Law student with a Barbie wardrobe and Annalise Keating's courtroom sensibilities. The unexpected supporting cast is a delight; it includes Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Jennifer Coolidge, Victor Garber, Ali Larter, and a permed-out Linda Cardellini.
Photo: Courtesy of MGM.
If you're in the mood for a film succinctly reviewed by its own title, watch...
Dope (2015)
Three '90s hip-hop-obsessed geeks (Shameik Moore, Kiersey Clemons, and Tony Revolori) get mixed up with gangsters and embark on some wild misadventures. It's a very 2015 coming-of-age story, told from a fresh perspective. Oh, and the soundtrack is da bomb.
Photo: Courtesy of Open Road Films.
If you're in the mood to see on-screen evidence that non-hetero women over 50 do indeed have interesting stories, watch...
The Kids Are All Right (2010)
The phenomenal Annette Bening and Julianne Moore play a refreshingly realistic Los Angeles couple. Their relationship is tested when their children (a baby Josh Hutcherson and Mia Wasikowska) bring their anonymous sperm donor — a sexy, bohemian Mark Ruffalo — into the fold.
Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features.
If you're in the mood to see Mean Girls on crack, but really dark, watch...
Heathers(1988)
Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, and Shannen Doherty star in this black comedy cult hit. There's cliquey gossip, alcohol, sex, cheerleading, manipulation, murder, and a cover-up (or two) in this unapologetically dark, hugely entertaining take on high school drama. Strip croquet, anyone?
Photo: Courtesy of New World Pictures.
If you're in the mood to see where Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence's insane chemistry began, watch...
Silver Linings Playbook(2012)
When Tiffany and Pat (Lawrence and Cooper) meet, she's mourning the death of her husband, while he's still in denial about the loss of his wife after she cheated on him. It's a messy, emotional, and at times darkly funny rom-com about beautiful, flawed people falling in love.
Photo: Courtesy of The Weinstein Company.
If you're in the mood to make yourself feel a little better about a recent poor decision you made under the influence, watch...
Drinking Buddies (2013)
Two couples — Olivia Wilde and Ron Livingston, and Anna Kendrick and Jake Johnson — spend the weekend at a cabin together and things get, well, a little incestuous. A flirty but bittersweet (open-ended) answer to the age-old question: Can men and women just be friends?
Photo: Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
If you're in the mood for the sadder, feature-length version of Girls, watch...
Tiny Furniture(2010)
Meet Aura, a prototype of Hannah Horvath who spends the summer after graduation crashing at her family's Tribeca loft, getting over her recent breakup, looking for work, and generally having a quarter-life crisis. Girls ' Jemima Kirke and Alex Karpovsky co-star, while Dunham's real-life mother and sister play Aura's mom and sis.
Photo: Courtesy of IFC Films.
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We don't know about you, but when we go to Trader Joe's, we tend to fill a cart (or two) to the brim with a whole lot more than frozen pizzas and cookie butter. In fact, there's a whole land of overlooked potential in the store's health and beauty section — it's just taken us a while to tap into it.
But, we're majorly glad we did. You may think that groceries and beauty don't mix, but Trader Joe's proves otherwise, lining its shelves with high-quality beauty and skin-care goodies. It's a very welcome discovery, too, because we'd rather grab our makeup remover and microwaveable samosas in the same trip instead of schlepping all over town with heavy bags.
If you cannot contain your excitement for the good ol' TJ, click through for products to add to your shopping list now. And, feel free to share your personal favorites in the comments.
Great for those with curly and/or coarse hair, this conditioner has beneficial ingredients like vitamin E and argan oil that add to its moisturizing capabilities.
These wipes contain a hefty dose of micellar water, which means that they will remove makeup while also cleansing. It's basically a lazy girl's dream come true.
Trader Joe's Micellar Cleanser & Makeup Remover, $3.99, available at Trader Joe's locations.
Finding spray sunscreens that don’t leave a residue is a tough challenge — but this one is up for the task. With an SPF of 50+ and an oh-so-beachy scent, you’ll want it in your beach tote all summer long.
Trader Joe’s Spray Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, $5.99, available at Trader Joe's locations.
Coconut oil knows no bounds — you can use it as a body moisturizer, hair mask, face lotion, and, yes, for cooking. That’s why we love this product: We get bang for our buck with the jar, and we find countless uses for the stuff.
This heavenly, scented salt scrub works double-duty to exfoliate and condition. Plus, at $6 a pop, we know we'll be having a lot more at-home spa days.
We know armpit care isn't the most exciting thing in the world, but we're absolutely loving this aluminum-free deodorant, which controls odor without getting in the way of our perfume.
This oil removes every last trace of makeup while nourishing the skin. The key is to let it sit on top of the eyes for 15 seconds before you start to rub it in — your stubborn makeup will melt away.
This surprisingly effective cleanser contains glycolic acid to lightly exfoliate, which can help with everything from stubborn breakouts to fine lines.
This moisturizing lotion is an editor favorite — with good reason. The no-frills formula gently hydrates, while its SPF 15 offers a light veil of protection.
Trader Joe's Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion, $3.99, available at Trader Joe's locations.
Image: Courtesy of Trader Joe's.
We don't know about you, but we dread shaving and would do anything to liven up the process. That's why we love this moisturizing concoction, which smells incredible and provides a pain-free and luxurious shave.
Trader Joe's Moisturizing Cream Shave Honey Mango, $3.49, available at Trader Joe's locations.
Image: Courtesy of Trader Joe's.
We'd do anything to be on a tropical vacation right now, and this coconut-scented body butter comes close to making that a reality — while providing soft, supple skin.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
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Those complaining that the all-female Ghostbusters destroyed the franchise need to choose their battles. Long before the most recent movie came along, Ghostbusters 2 pretty much took care of that. A new, long-overdue Honest Trailer is calling out the superfluous sequel for what it is.
"It’s exactly the same as the first movie, but bad," the narrator of the made-up trailer says. "If you love the first Ghostbusters movie, then you should definitely go watch that one instead. But if you insist on seeing part two, prepare for the exact same plot."
If that movie earned a place in the franchise, the all-female version most certainly belongs in it as well. Actually, pretty much anything else does.
Watch the hilariously accurate trailer, below.
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Oh, baby! If you're a new parent (or expecting an addition to your family in the near future), these Amazon Prime Day deals are too good to pass up. Today's bonkers one-day sale is still is going on. And there are plenty of products for infants and toddlers on offer.
After all, we know how expensive it can be to keep your kiddies happy and healthy. Ahead, we've compiled some of our favorite natural, organic, and safe baby products. These essentials will help bulk up your nursery without deflating your wallet.
So, get ready to find your new favorite baby staples to soothe, feed, and treat your little one — from the bath to the kitchen. Why not stock up? Baby will thank you.
Keep your baby's skin protected with pediatrician- and dermatologist-tested products from Babyganics. On Prime Day, you can get a wide range of soaps, wipes, and creams for up to 50% off.
Get 35% off this organic craft baby food (which is a thing). Each package comes with 16 pouches, and you can choose from three different healthy and delicious flavors.
Naturally hydrating Milk & Co products include soothing scents like lavender to calm your baby and keep him or her feeling fresh. Get them now for 35% off.
Photo: Courtesy Of Amazon.
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Children, we've found ourselves in a strange time. It's the summer of Hiddleswift, Lemonade, and Kylie, Tyga, Blac Chyna, and Rob. Kanye West just featured the mother of his children lying naked next to the guy she made a sex tape with. Demi and Wilmer have split up, Gwake is still a thing, and John Mayer is looking for love. Where do we go from here?
We got you. There are still plenty of celebrity couples to stalk on social media for some genuine #RelationshipGoals. The powerful pairs featured within just seem to have a knack for keeping it real, sans drama and constant paparazzi feeding-frenzies. How refreshing!
Let's celebrate these lovebirds — and, you know, cross our fingers that we didn't just totally jinx their relationships.
Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds
The way Ryan looks at Blake is so, so much greater than the way he looks at Hiddleswift. Married since 2012, this charming pair and parents to daughter James are currently expecting their second child. Even Ryan's fish-out-of-water face didn't stop them from packing on the PDA at Taylor Swift's 4th of July beach bash.
Photo: Matt Baron/BEI/REX/Shutterstock.
Chrissy Teigen & John Legend
Whether they're fawning over baby Luna or napping together on a pool float, Teigen and Legend continue to take love to the next level. But can you really top writing "All of Me" for your wife?
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Anna Faris & Chris Pratt
Faris was the first to tap into Pratt's leading man potential, and the rest of us are just trying to keep up. Funny equals sexy when it comes to this playful pair, who married in 2009 and welcomed son Jack in 2012.
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
Channing Tatum & Jenna Dewan Tatum
See? Step Up wasn't a total wash. The former co-stars just celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary, and continue to share the most loved-up Instagrams of themselves and daughter Everly.
Photo: Jim Smeal/REX/Shutterstock.
Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi
Despite the talk-show host's pranks on her actress wife, this couple is still going strong after eight years of marriage. Side note: How did these two manage to dodge the couple nickname Dede? Too late to make that a thing?
Photo: Can Nguyen/REX/Shutterstock.
Emily Blunt & John Krasinski
Married since 2010, the actors just welcomed daughter Violet, who joins big sister Hazel. They pull pranks on Jimmy Kimmel, they get invited to every A-list wedding, and yet they still seem low-key.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock.
Russell Wilson & Ciara
The newlyweds tied the knot this month, capping a long, celibate courtship. Here's to indulging in some old-fashioned romance.
Photo: Jim Smeal/Rex/Shutterstock.
Adam Levine & Behati Prinsloo
Baby will soon make three for this fun-loving pair, who are expecting a daughter. Hopefully that won't put a kibosh on their double dates with Gwen and Blake.
Photo: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock.
Liev Schreiber & Naomi Watts
Are they married? Does it matter? These longtime lovers keep it real, taking bike rides with their two boys and living a refreshingly anti-Hollywood lifestyle. Do yourself a favor and Google their Sesame Street cameo.
Photo: Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock.
Rose Leslie & Kit Harington
Ygritte and Jon Snow are in love in real life, and we can't deal. May they stay together longer than their Game of Thrones characters do.
Photo: Dan Wooller/Rex/Shutterstock.
Leslie Mann & Judd Apatow
As far as Hollywood relationships go, this hilarious couple has pretty much been together for a millennium (or, say, 19 years). If Knocked Up and This Is 40, which co-starred their two daughters, are anything to go by, their household is the right mix of crazy, smart, and cool.
Photo: Erik Pendzich/REX/Shutterstock.
Jason Momoa & Lisa Bonet
As much as we still 'ship Khal Drogo and Daenerys, it doesn't get much hotter than Momoa and his real-life leading lady, Lisa Bonet. Married since 2007, the couple have two children in addition to Bonet's older daughter, Zoë Kravitz.
Photo: Matt Baron/Rex/Shutterstock.
Dax Shepard & Kristen Bell
They're goofy, they're hilarious, they're honest, and they seem to have a blast. Whether they're joking about vasectomies or fighting the paparazzi, these two make a killer team.
Photo: Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock.
Harrison Ford & Calista Flockhart
Have you seen their Halloween costumes? Credit Ally McBeal with getting Han Solo to let his secret freak flag fly.
Photo: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock.
Chris Hemsworth & Elsa Pataky
If you don't gush over this gorgeous pair's respective Instagrams, you're dead inside. The only thing sexier than Thor is Thor with three kids.
Photo: Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock.
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For decades, the right handbag has been widely considered a status symbol, an accessory certain women wouldn't hesitate to spend thousands of dollars on. That idea, of course, is great for those who can afford to splurge every season on the latest Chanel or Balenciaga purse, but for the rest of us, well, our best bet is taking the Zara route. And while there's nothing wrong with that (we're huge proponents of finding steals), it's impossible to deny that these fast fashion bags (the ones everyone will inevitably have) just don't seem to have the same It factor as, say, that luxury number you've seen all over Instagram.
So, when our global editor-in-chief Christene Barberich came over to our desks lusting over this glorious Gucci bag featuring a big bow, our gears were turning on how we could make our own handbags look just as good. Fortunately, we were quick to realize that it doesn't actually take a monetary sum higher than your monthly rent to give any purse an extra dose of "wow." In fact, with the right amount of creativity and styling, many elements of today's trendiest options can be easily replicated.
That's when we tapped one of our favorite instagrammers, Reese Blustein of @double3xposure, to take on the challenge. Reese has a way of making one-of-a-kind vintage treasures and thrift-store finds look like a million bucks, so we knew she could school us in the art of giving any handbag that Gucci je ne sais quoi. And that's exactly what she did. Click on to see how she transformed a simple crossbody five different ways, and then grab your closest scarf and try them out for yourself.
Your best bet for a blank canvas is a neutral bag. Reese found this vintage number in great condition for $140 on a trip to Milan.
The key to making your bag look more natural and less DIY is not overthinking it. As Gucci proves, sometimes a simple, single bow is all it really takes. To get the look, tie a bandana (or a similarly sized scarf) around the strap of your bag.
Stick with a coordinating pop of color, rather than something that clashes. It'll help keep your purse front-and-center, without overwhelming (or taking attention away) from the rest of your look.
This is where you can play around with different patterns or shades. Reese pairs her blue-and-white striped option with a simple white dress, so the strap stands out.
Feeling sick and tired of your bag altogether? (It happens!) Give it new live by folding a scarf or bandana in half diagonally and tying it around the width of the purse for a completely revamped look.
Wristlets are back, y'all — especially those of the DIY variety. Another easy way to refresh a bag with a removable strap is to replace it with a small ribbon or scarf just long enough to stick your hand through. It's great for evenings or slightly dressier looks, in addition to your denim cutoff summer uniform, of course.
As the superhero saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. No one can deny that this isn't the case for Pokémon Go. The insanely popular mobile game has over 7.5 million users, but currently has many people questioning their safety after a close-up look at the game's privacy policy.
In a Tumblr post yesterday, developer Adam Reeve drew attention to the app's unusual access to your Google account. According to Reeve, Pokémon Go's full access granted the game's developer, Niantic, Inc., permission to see your email, send email from your name, view your search history, and more. Reeve sounded the alarm, and the internet, unsurprisingly, freaked out.
Niantic, Inc. swiftly issued a statement addressing the issue and took steps to ensure that the app can only access basic profile information from your Google account. Now, a new update is available for iOS users that fixes the account settings altogether. Basically, Niantic said, it all came down to a wording issue: While the app's account creation process asked you to grant it full permission to your Google account, it was never actually able to do that.
When one security engineer tested the game to see if he could access personal information, such as a Google Calendar and individual emails, he was unable to. This suggests that, as Niantic said in their statement, the app could only access standard, biographical data such as your phone number and email address. Reeve has also backtracked on his original posting, telling Gizmodo that he was mistaken in his analysis.
But, since Pokémon Go does insert itself into your personal, real life more than other apps, your security qualms aren't entirely unwarranted. Experts from tech company Enjoy recommend doing one of three things if you're still concerned: Create a new Google account to sign into the game that is unconnected to your personal or work accounts; check your account security on Google to see which apps are accessing your information and change permissions; and, finally, keep looking for updates from Pokémon Go so that when a change has been made, your game reflects that. If you still feel nervous about how the app uses and tracks your data (a potentially valid concern), use an old phone for the game, instead of the "real" phone you use for your general day-to-day activities, so it's less tied to your online identity.
At least this way, you can throw Poké Balls without worrying about your personal safety.
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ABC's How to Get Away With Murder is currently on hiatus and set to return in September, but the Shonda Rhimes series is still making headlines.
It all started on July 8 when an Italian television network, Rai Due, aired a censored version of an episode of the show, deleting a love scene featuring two of the male leads, Connor (played by Jack Falahee) and Oliver (Conrad Ricamora), having sex.
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that sexting can be great for your relationship. Whether you’ve been in a relationship for a while or you’re just starting something new, sending flirty, dirty messages is a great way to spice things up and keep them fresh — especially if you and your partner are long-distance.
If you’re not sure how to start (or continue) a sexting session, though, it can be difficult to overcome the initial awkwardness. That’s why we turned to sex therapist Vanessa Marin for tips on how to bite the bullet and get started.
“People might think, ‘I don’t know what to say’ or ‘I’m not creative,’ but you don’t have to dive in with all these kinky, dirty things,” Marin tells Refinery29. It's true that sexting can make people uneasy, but it doesn’t have to be daunting: It can be playful and silly. “Find a specific language you feel comfortable with,” Marin says. "If you’re not comfortable with being too explicit from the get-go, that’s okay — just start slow. I think the best way to get started is just by looking at examples.” In that spirit, Marin shares her favorite sexts to get you going. Click through to view them; then, send your favorite to a very lucky recipient indeed.
“Your body looks incredible.”
Why it works: A big part of sex is making your partner feel good, so if you’re not physically there, it pays to kick things off by paying him or her a compliment.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“I'm getting so antsy just thinking about seeing you later.”
Why it works: If you’re looking for a sexting ice-breaker, this is it. It’s simple, yet effective in building anticipation, making it a great starter.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“I’ve got a surprise waiting for you.”
Why it works: It almost certainly provokes a response to get the session going — who doesn’t want to find out what the “surprise” is?
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“It’s too bad you’re not here right now.”
Why it works: It’s the perfect segue into describing (in as much detail as you like) what would be happening if your partner were there right now.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“I want you / I need you.”
Why it works: It’s straightforward and direct without being explicit, leaving room for you to elaborate on exactly why you want/need your partner.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“Get over here right now.”
Why it works: It conveys all of your “need-you-now” passion in just five words.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“That feels so good.”
Why it works: It lets your partner know what works for you.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“I can’t get enough of you.”
Why it works: This text tells your partner just how much you want him or her, without getting too specific (great if you’re shy).
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“What else will you do to me?”
Why it works: It’s playful, it’s teasing, and it encourages your partner to keep going.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“I can’t get last night out of my mind.”
Why it works: Invoking steamy memories is a foolproof way to get the fire going again.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“Tell me more.”
Why it works: If you’ve gotten a sext that leaves you a little tongue-tied, this is a great way to keep the conversation flowing.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“Your clothes are coming off the second you get through the door.”
Why it works: It's clear and direct, but not explicit — in case you're not ready to go there yet. Although, feel free to go into detail about what happens next.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“I’m going to let you do anything you want to me.”
Why it works: The implications alone will get you both revved up.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“I’m too busy tonight. You can’t have me until tomorrow.”
Why it works: Is there anything hotter than a good tease?
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
“I want you to boss me around tonight.”
Why it works: If you don’t know how to get started, this one is a great way to set the tone.
Illustrated by: Abbie Winters
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Jennifer Aniston is one of our most thoughtful and grounded celebrities. Maybe it’s due to her rise to fame on Friends, but she’s always seemed weirdly accessible. Like the type of person whom you might see at a cookout telling dirty jokes and having a glass of wine with the crazy aunt. So when she decides to get real about celebrity and objectification, we listen.
“For the record, I am not pregnant,” she writes. “What I am is fed up. I’m fed up with the sport-like scrutiny and body shaming that occurs daily under the guise of ‘journalism,’ the ‘First Amendment’ and ‘celebrity news.’”
She writes about how she and husband Justin Theroux are continually harassed by paparazzi on the street. But the meat of the essay is when she gets real about the way the media covers celebrity women.
“The objectification and scrutiny we put women through is absurd and disturbing,” she writes. “The way I am portrayed by the media is simply a reflection of how we see and portray women in general, measured against some warped standard of beauty.”
Aniston says that the tabloids won’t be changing any time soon.
“From years of experience, I’ve learned tabloid practices, however dangerous, will not change, at least not any time soon. What can change is our awareness and reaction to the toxic messages buried within these seemingly harmless stories served up as truth and shaping our ideas of who we are.”
She’s dead right. Read the rest of the piece here.
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