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Matt McGorry Has Joined The #FreeTheNipple Movement

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 Matt McGorry has borrowed Miley Cyrus and Chrissy Teigen's nipples to make an important point about sexism.


 In a July 8 Facebook post, the "Orange Is The New Black" star took a cue from women who are fighting online censorship by Photoshopping "permitted" male nipples over their own, "inappropriate" ones. McGorry photoshopped an old photo of himself with nipples taken from banned Instagram posts featuring the allegedly "dangerous" areolae of Miley Cyrus and Chrissy Teigen. 



Hi. This is a photo of me from my bodybuilding years, circa 2010. And these are the nipples of @mileycyrus and @...

Posted by Matt McGorry on Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Along with the photograph, McGorry wrote that banning women's nipples on Instagram while allowing men to flaunt their "bumpy buttons" freely is indicative of how women's bodies are sexualized and policed.


"It’s not just about getting an even tan," he wrote. "It’s one piece of the puzzle of creating deep change in the way our society objectifies women and creates these different standards for men and women (and other genders)." 


 McGorry wrote that he hoped the tongue-in-cheek post would make people think differently about how they view gender-based double standards, particularly when it comes to what people can and cannot do on their social media accounts. 


"At the heart of it, it’s simply about gender equality and equal rights," he concluded.


Preach, Matt.

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Why So Many Straight Women Watch Lesbian Porn

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Over the years, Karen, 35, has established exactly what she likes when it comes to online porn. Three or four times a week, she goes in search of new videos in some of her favorite categories -- Big breast play. Squirting. Lesbian. When she spoke to The Huffington Post, Karen had recently watched a video that hit all of her sweet spots: two women who didn’t have “perky, fake boobs,” but instead looked real, like they could be moms. They were in bed, kissing and fondling each other.

“It was nice,” said Karen. “Sensual.”

“I gravitate to what gets me going quicker," she continued, "which is girl-on-girl.”

But Karen is straight.

There is little good data on how many self-identified straight women regularly watch woman-on-woman porn, but what evidence is available suggests Karen is hardly alone. A 2014 report from the free porn site Pornhub in collaboration with Buzzfeed, for example, revealed that “lesbian” was far and away the top viewed category among its female users, as well as the top search term -- and women were 445 percent more likely than men to search for “girl on girl.” Though the survey relied on Google analytic demographic stats and therefore did not capture users’ sexual orientation, the overwhelming popularity of those terms hints at a lot of straight women getting off on same-sex porn. So does the marked uptick in searches for "lesbian seduces straight girl," which increased by 328 percent between 2013 and 2014, according to PornHub's internal data.

And sex experts agree.

“The statistic thrown around now is that 1 in 3 adult users of porn are female,” sex therapist Kimberly Resnick Anderson told The Huffington Post. “Though there is no way to say what percentage of that 1 in 3 are straight women looking for lesbian porn, the numbers are too high for it to be just gay women. Straight women are looking at lesbian porn.”

The industry appears to be taking notice. PornHub estimates that 7 percent of its videos are in the lesbian category, making it the site's most popular category overall, Corey Price, the site's vice president explained in an e-mail to The Huffington Post.

"While we don't want to speculate on how this interest [from straight women] has changed and shaped the industry," Price wrote, "we have noticed our content partners have been uploading more lesbian content than ever before."

For many women, same-sex porn provides an opportunity to imagine what it might be like to be with another woman, even if they consider themselves on the strictly heterosexual end of the Kinsey scale. For them, lesbian pornography -- which for purposes of this article simply refers to porn starring two or more women, not porn that is necessarily geared toward lesbian or bisexual women or even features actors who identify as queer themselves -- is purely a fantasy, not a desire they want to act on.

“There’s this disinhibiting factor of the Internet,” Resnick Anderson explained. “People feel so free to explore things they would not necessarily want to do in real life, but that might be compelling to look at or learn from.”

Vickie, 46, says that’s the case for her. She has never been intimate with a woman in real life, nor has she ever given it much thought, though she considers lesbian porn her “get-off choice” and watches it three or four times a month, often with her husband. She has a clear physical type she seeks out -- women with thin or medium bodies and long hair. "I like fingernails," she said.

But Vickie has never encountered a woman in real life for whom she has felt any kind of sexual attraction.

“Lesbian porn is just much more fantasy-based,” she said.

For other women, the appeal of lesbian porn is a little bit more complicated, allowing them to express a part of their sexual identity that would otherwise remain locked. Karen, for example, has questioned her own sexuality at various points in her life, particularly in her early 20s. She now identifies as straight, but says she would be open to experimenting with women in real life -- if she weren't too timid. Same-sex porn helps her virtually scratch that itch.

“I’ve never experimented, but I think about it,” Karen said. “I think I’m so nervous and shy when it comes to that, I’d probably never follow-through.”







But Resnick Anderson said that much of the appeal of same-sex porn has little to do with potentially complex questions of sexual fantasy and fluidity, and more to do with the simple fact that much of the lesbian porn that's out there tends to give more air time to acts that actually get women off.

In other words, oral sex.

“Seventy to 80 percent of women are unable to reliably achieve orgasm from intercourse alone, so oral stimulation is going to be more erotic to them,” Resnick Anderson said. “There also tends to be more foreplay. Whereas in the straight porn, it may go straight to the f**k scene or money shot. In lesbian porn there’s a focus on breast stimulation. It tends to be more tender and more intimate.”

“I like certain acts,” Vickie agreed. “Basically, eating out and also toys.” The heterosexual porn she's watched tends to focus on penetration and leaves her with the sense that when they do go down on women, the men aren't necessarily all that into it or particularly skilled.

“For me, it’s more that women know what women want,” she said. “How to do it and how to get it.” Ninety percent of the time, she imagines herself on the receiving end of oral sex she's watching.

Hilary, 50, echoed the sentiment, and says she has even used lesbian porn as a kind of instructional tool for her fiance.

“I think guys tend to think, ‘If I just use my finger or penis, she’s going to get all this enjoyment and have an orgasm,’” she laughed. “I can show him, no, pumping in and out doesn’t work, and there are other parts of the body that are as much of a turn on as the vagina. It’s not that he’s inept at all, but I can watch it with him and say, ‘Oh, playing with my breasts like that might be nice.’”

If heterosexual porn provided more of what these women were looking for -- foreplay, oral sex and women who seem to be actually orgasming rather than just shrieking theatrically -- they might be more interested, they all said.

Instead, they're content to get what they need from the woman-on-woman world.

“The main focus in straight porn is either the male partner's pleasure, or [giving] the impression that he is a 'master lover,'” Sarah, 23, wrote in an e-mail to The Huffington Post. "With women, the motions and movements during mutual masturbation, or oral sex, are far less fast and furious."

Lesbian porn provides the best approximation of what she actually craves in her real life: A sense of genuine enjoyment. A skilled partner.

In other words, just good sex.

For privacy reasons, the women in this story used only their first names.



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Teens Struggle To Maintain The Self-Acceptance Intent Of '#DontJudgeChallenge'

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It wouldn't really be social media movement if there wasn't a side of controversy.

The increasingly popular "#DontJudgeChallenge," which has blown up on Twitter and Instagram, is no exception. This campaign was, in theory, supposed to be a movement that encouraged self-acceptance and diminished cyberbullying. But it only took a few individuals to shift the focus from celebrating imperfection to mocking it.

Several young people coopted the hashtag to tease those with certain characteristics that are traditionally considered to be "ugly" -- things like acne, untrimmed facial hair, glasses and yellowing teeth.

ABC News summed up the disparate opinions and approaches to the challenge in the below Good Morning America segment:


YouTube Vlogger Nathan Zed, known for his channel TheThirdPew, posted his own take on Twitter.




He called out the irony of a movement which supposedly opposed judgement, saying "so, we're making fun of people with acne, glasses, unibrows, braces -- but then calling it the 'Don't Judge Challenge?"

Some began to reclaim the original hashtag, though, while others opted to start a new movement, known as "#BeautyInAll."













Props to those who stood up to maintain the initial integrity of this movement.

H/T: Chicago Tribune

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5 Things Every Woman Needs to Know Before Shaving Her Face

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By Amy Marturana for Well+GOOD

Last month a New York Times article revealed that celebrity facialist Kate Somerville and many of her female A-list clients (names noticeably withheld) shave their faces.

A reality star, soccer mom, and blogger also fessed up to the deed. Their reasons? It not only removes the hair (peach fuzz and dark strands alike), but it does a bang up job of exfoliating. Talk about a perfect recipe for an ultra-smooth face.

But wait a second. "Shaving" is not ever paired with "face" in the Unspoken But Seemingly Mandatory Body Hair Removal Manual for Women, where waxing, bleaching, lasering are all recommended as a course of action. Cue panic/confusion/genuine curiosity.

While these buzzy (or should we say fuzzy?) beauty admissions piqued the interest of thousands of women quietly noticing chin hairs in the bathroom mirror, they also raised a ton of questions. Like how to remove unwanted facial hair with a razor--could it be just as easy as the guys make it look? Or would it make matters worse?

So we went to the experts--a hair removal technician, a dermatologist, a plastic surgeon, and a facialist--and learned that before you take a razor to your pretty face, there are some things you really ought to consider.

Here are the five things you need to know before shaving your face:

1. It's a myth that it will grow back darker and coarser. "Shaving has absolutely no effect on the rate of regrowth, the color, or the thickness of the hair. Although it may feel a little stubbly, the hair is not actually thicker at all," explains Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, dermatologist and co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, DC. So then, why have we been taught since puberty that this is the case?

Stephanie Kaulesar, an expert technician at hair removal salon Spruce & Bond clarifies: "What you are feeling is the blunt shaved edge of the hair instead of a thin pointed end that's the natural shape of a hair strand." Other than chemical processes, like when you get your hair colored or a perm, nothing can change the specific hair texture you're born with (other than sneaky hormones).

More reading: 9 beauty tools insiders can't live without

2. Try a men's razor. They're developed specifically for the face. "My favorite is the Schick Hydro 5," says Kaulesar. "A man's razor is designed to tackle tougher hair, they're extremely sharp, and more durable." Which means you'll decrease your chances of causing irritation and ingrown hairs. Just make sure to shave in the same direction as hair growth, and limit the number of passes. Go slowly and carefully and don't use a dull razor.

More reading: Two natural hair removal methods you need to try now

3. Never use the same razor you use on your legs. Keeping things--specifically bacteria and dead skin--separate is a good way to avoid irritation and potential infection, suggests Cecilia Wong, facialist and founder of Cecilia Wong Skincare. "If you use the same razor you use on your body, you put yourself at risk of nicks and cuts, which can cause inflammation and irritation and can lead to scarring and ingrown hairs," she warns.

4. You'll be more prone to ingrowns. Yes, shaving your face can have skin-smoothing benefits. But the friction and micro-damage it imparts on the skin can cause pesky ingrown hairs. "Shaving in the same direction in which the hair grows helps prevent irritation," says Kaulesar of Spruce & Bond. She recommends washing gently with a washcloth, or regularly using your Clarisonic to keep ingrowns at bay. Don't use in-grown products meant for the bikini line for your face.

More reading: Recipe: A delicious dip that's also good for your bikini line (not kidding)

5. Shaving at home is not the same as dermaplaning. Dermaplaning, which a lot of women are talking about right now, is an in-office procedure that's more about exfoliation than shaving. It's not something you should ever try at home, warns Dr. Daniel Maman, an NYC-based plastic surgeon and assistant clinical professor of plastic surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital. "Dermaplaning uses a specialized scalpel, held at a 45-degree angle to the face, to mechanically remove the superficial layer of dead skin cells," he explains.

The goal is removing skin, not hair, though that's often welcome side effect. In addition to trying to navigate facial contours with a very sharp object, "patients themselves will have difficulty judging exactly how deep and how extensive the shaving of superficial dead skin cells should be," Dr. Maman adds. So leave that to the professionals.

Bottom line: If you're looking for a simpler way to remove patches of facial hair without suffering through painful weekly upper lip waxes -- with skin-smoothing benefits as a positive side effect--shaving your face might be worth a try. If the more intense skin-rejuvenating benefits of dermaplaning sounds more like your goal, see a plastic surgeon or derm who performs dermaplaning to see if the procedure is right for you.

More reading from Well+GOOD:
Are your beauty habits starting to look more like your grandmother's?
13 things you really want to know before your next bikini wax
5 steps to getting the perfect shave (and smoothest legs) every single time

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The Best Of Caitlyn Jenner's Most Recent Looks

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By Sue Williamson, W Magazine.

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(photo: Instagram/@CaitlynJenner)


Caitlyn Jenner's new look made an early appearance on the star's Instagram page. Jenner celebrated Father's Day with her family in an easy white dress cinched by an off-white belt. With long, loose curls and tan wedge sandals, Jenner looked chic from head to toe -- albeit not entirely prepared for a day of off-roading.

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(photo: Getty Images)


Visiting NYC, Jenner stunned in a sleek black bodycon dress and matching slingback pumps, the ideal ensemble for dinner at Tutto il Giorno.

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(photo: Getty Images)


The following day, Jenner donned a knee-length leopard wrap dress for a day of shopping at Patricia Field...

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(photo: Getty Images)


But emerged in an entirely new ensemble of a black blazer, sequined top, and a multicolored mini that had Field's name written all over it.

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(photo: Getty Images)


Jenner wasn't finished yet--the reality star changed for the third time that day into a cleavage-baring lace dress while arriving at "An American in Paris" on Broadway. Blake Lively, watch out.

Also on HuffPost:


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A Guide to the Best Bras for Your Cup Size

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There are loads of bras out there and so many styles to choose from that no wonder 85% of American women are wearing the wrong-sized bra: it's overwhelming. We likely fall into a cup we like, think it's the one we should wear forever and possibly never think about switching.

How many of you reading this right now have bras that are years old? Two years? Five years? More?

Don't worry: it's not uncommon. But it's time to consider getting a bra that really fits and finding the best style that will offer you the support and comfort you need for your cup size.

When Rachael Ray brought me on to her show to be a "Bra Boss for the Day" and do massive makeovers on the female family members from the show Cake Boss, I knew it would be a lively afternoon! Below are the results of our fun day together.

Here's a way to decode some of the bras available and what cup sizes they can work well for. Of course, there is crossover (e.g. A cups will find fabulous contour bras out there), so this is meant simply as a guide to get you started to better fitting bras you love.

Wireless Bra (Ideal cups who can wear this: AA, A, some B)
Wireless bras are also know as soft cup bras and are as the name says minus the underwire. They are ideal for women size AA or A who don't always need a maximum amount of support. Whereas in the past they have been identified as offering limited support, today's wireless use other elements like padding, seams or lining to shape and support the breasts.

Push-Up Bra (Ideal cups who can wear this: A, B)
Push-up bras create the appearance of increased cleavage and volume using angled cups (which often have underwire), demi cups and/or different varieties of padding including graduated padding, which is thicker at the base of the cups and tapered towards the top of the cups.

Contour Bra (Ideal cups who can wear this: C)
The signature of this bra is that it's known to hold its shape (if you accidentally squished it in your luggage it would spring back to life). The beauty of this style that sports an underwire is that it sculpts and smoothes and provides a symmetrical shape without adding size to the chest.

T-Shirt Bra (Ideal cups who can wear this: C)
These are seamless, ultra-contoured bras created to be undetectable under everything from thinly milled T-shirt to light, clingy knits. Words like smoothing, invisible, soft touch and barely-there are descriptors often used to describe the cups of these bras. An added benefit: many T-shirt bras have wider bands in the back to account for back flab and to smooth out the appearance of the back when wearing a T-shirt. These bras have all the advantages of a contour bra.

Full Cup Bra (Ideal cups who can wear this: D)
Full cups cover most if not all of the breast, offering both more coverage and support.

Demi Cup w/ ¾ cup coverage (Ideal cups who can wear this: D)
While most demi-cup bras typically only cover half of the breast, a more secure option for a D-cup is one that has ¾-cup coverage that doesn't sacrifice an ounce of sexiness.

And for the ladies from Cake Boss who were all over size D cups, look at the variety of bras that worked for them below!

Lisa's Seamless T-Shirt Bra
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Wife Lisa
Came in wearing: 34C demi-plunge bra
Actual size: 32G
New bra: Wacoal La Femme 30th Anniversary T-Shirt Bra in Jester Red, $62
The result: A seamless contour bra with all of the great support she was lacking (her previous bra was floating off of her body) without adding any weight to the size of her chest.

Lisa's Lace Full Cup Bra
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Sister Lisa
Came in wearing: 36D push-up bra
Actual size: 34 DDD
New bra: Panache Andorra Full Cup Bra in black, $62
The result: This lacy number offers maximum amount of surface area coverage that took care of previous side spillage that she was concerned about and a tremendous amount of support without sacrificing any sexiness, which she specifically requested!

Maddalena's 3/4-Cup Demi Bra
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Maddalena
Came in wearing: 44C wireless bra
Actual size: 44E
New bra: Elomi Bijou Convertible Seamless Bra in black, $70
The result: Since Maddalena came in wearing a wireless bra, the transformation into this ¾-demi was incredible. By lifting her up it greater defined her waist, and as she said, 'It woke me up!'

Grace's 3-Part Bra
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Grace
Came in wearing: 34D plunge push-up
Actual size: 32F
New bra: Freya Fio Balcony Bra in nude, $58
The result: In her 3-part bra, which namely means her bra cup was divided by three seams, Grace got added support: the more seams, the more support and shaping! And this bra helped to bring everything front and center for her.

All bras from BareNecessities.com.

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The 100 Most Iconic Wedding Dresses

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From the off-the-shoulder Oscar de la Renta gown Amal Clooney chose for her and George Clooney's 2014 wedding to the custom pink ombré John Galliano Dior number Gwen Stefani wore at her 2002 nuptials to Gavin Rossdale, celebrity wedding fashion never ceases to impress.


 Diamond retailer Vashi recently compiled this handy illustrated infographic of the 100 most iconic wedding dresses. Take a look below and get inspired all over again.


 



H/T Cosmopolitan 


 


Also on HuffPost:


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Bridesmaids Rejoice! New Wedding Trend Is Individuality

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Let's just say, there's a reason the movie wasn't called "Sisterhood of the Traveling Bridesmaid Dress."


 

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What The Heck Is Strobing, And How Is This Makeup Technique Different From Contouring?

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 "Beauty Glossary" is a HuffPost series that breaks down beauty product techniques, treatments and ingredients so you know exactly what you're putting onto and into your body. 



If you haven't heard, contouring your face like a Kardashian is out. Strobing (the look Jennifer Lopez has been rocking since the late '90s) has resurfaced as one of this season's hottest makeup techniques.


Strobing is different from contouring because no dark shades are used, according to Make Up For Ever director of artistry and education Lijha Stewart. Instead, bright highlights are placed on areas of the face where the light naturally hits to create an illuminated complexion. Those areas include the tops of the cheekbones, the temples, center of the nose and on the cupid's bow.


"Its origins are from runways around the globe," says Stewart. "This trend is about healthy-looking skin rather than the sculpting you get with contouring. When you highlight first, the contours in the face naturally come forward."


The result? Skin that looks like it's glowing. Stewart says it is important to use different strobing shades based on your complexion. "This will ensure the skin looks bright and radiant, rather than too harsh or ashy and dull," she says. People with fair skin tones should focus on white to pinky-beige highlights. Those with medium skin tones look best in bronzed beige to gold hues. Meanwhile, golds to peachy and orange shimmers stand out on dark skin tones.


Before getting your strobe on, start by applying a hydrating primer like Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer or Laura Mercier Foundation Primer to get a subtle glow. Stewart also suggests putting on a weightless, liquid foundation that's close to your complexion. A large, flat foundation brush will help to buff the makeup into your skin. 


"The first step to strobing is to apply a dewy concealer in a color two shades lighter than your skin tone on the areas of your face where the light naturally hits," she says. Finish your base and blur lines and imperfections with a pressed powder throughout the center of your face, blending down and outward. 



To pop your highlights and strobe your face, layer a shimmer highlight such as Make Up For Ever Pro Sculpting Duo or Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed to the same areas you applied your concealer. "The trick to achieving a strobe that pops is intentional placement and layering of creams and powders," says Stewart. "Avoid misplacing highlight or you can give yourself a greasy look. Use a light touch and only apply on the high planes of your face." 


Complete your strobing makeup by adding a pinky-peach blush to the apples of your cheeks. 


For strobing makeup inspiration, watch the videos in the slideshow below:







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This Supercut Of Women Apologizing Makes Us Never Want To Say 'Sorry' Again

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Sorry (not sorry) -- quick question: "Why are women always apologizing?"


One study attributes women's disproportionate sorry-habit to "a higher threshold for what they think warrants reparation" than men. Other theories suggest women may be more likely to use apologies as a crutch, a filler, or simply to convey politeness.


To highlight just how often -- and for what -- women tend apologize, Women In The World created a supercut of women saying sorry in some of our favorite movies and TV shows -- often when they don't actually have anything to apologize for.


From "The Little Mermaid's" Ariel saying sorry to Scuttle the seagull because homegirl just has other things to go do, to Gracie Hart in "Miss Congeniality" apologizing for eating a bite of a bagel to some of our favorite leading ladies apologizing for simply taking up space in the world, it seems far to many women -- both on the big screen and IRL -- have caught the sorry epidemic.


 Luckily, there is a cure. 


 


h/t: WIFEY.TV


 


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Caitlyn Jenner Shares The Frustration Of Fixing Chipped Nail Polish

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Chipped nail polish can be the worst, and as Caitlyn Jenner shows in a recent Instagram post, it can be a hard problem to fix. 


Jenner shows off her manicure (which we're guessing involves Deborah Lippmann's Blue Orchid shade) to 2.6 million followers as she tries to mend some smudged lacquer. "Fixing a nail," she says, and as she continues to paint, we sympathize with the frustration of getting a nail back to its pretty, polished self.


 



Still getting the hang of this. What do you think of the color?

A video posted by Caitlyn Jenner (@caitlynjenner) on



Oh and Caitlyn, we love the color!  


If you've been in a similar situation to Jenner's (and let's be honest, we all have), here's a quick fix. With a Q-tip, apply some nail polish remover to the smudge to loosen it up. Then, smooth the polish back into place or apply another coat of polish. See how to do it here


See more beauty tips and tricks on HuffPost's Pinterest:



Also on HuffPost:


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The 'Swiss Army Knife' Of Travel Gear Features 15 Levels Of Awesome

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Travel has finally met its match... and it matches your pants.


At first, the BauBax travel jacket looks like an average blazer or sweatshirt. But hidden beneath its average silhouette is a mind-blowing lineup of 15 travel-friendly features that expertly handle every need, including ones you didn't know you had.   


For example, there are nine creatively-placed pockets for everything, including phones, iPads, earbuds, passports and a special mini blanket that you can order with the jacket. The zipper even becomes a pen.






There are also gloves built IN to the jacket, to warm those hands on chilly flights:




Oh, and don't forget the eye mask with inflatable neck pillow, which can deflate in two seconds flat: 




...and the built-in drink koozie...



...and the removable sleeping hood that takes you from in-flight nap to sidewalk chic in one seamless swoop.




The BauBax jacket will come in multiple colors and four styles: windbreaker, sweatshirt, blazer and bomber, with versions for both men and women.  


It's pretty much everything a traveler could want, but the swag comes at a price. The jacket will retail for $160 to $200 -- depending on the style you choose -- when it becomes available for delivery in November 2015.  For now, while it's still in the Kickstarter funding stage, travelers can pre-order their jackets for a discount.  


It's worth noting there may be a point to the price: This jacket eliminates the need to buy neck pillows, gloves, eye masks AND stylish outerwear for your next business trip. It's the "Swiss army knife of travel wear," as CNN Money puts it.


But if $200 seems too steep, there's always the Sleeper Scarf or the Napwrap, with features that are a little less subtle. 


...Hey, you've gotta start somewhere.


Also on HuffPost:


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This Is How Much You Should Tip Your Wedding Vendors

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When you’re planning a wedding, figuring out how much to tip wedding vendors is one of those details that’s often left to the very end of the planning process and creeps up on couples when they are juggling dozens of other last-minute details. Many people forget about tipping wedding vendors until the final days and, well, even hours before the wedding. How do I know this? To be totally honest, that’s just what happened to me when I was my planning my wedding, and I now see it all the time with our DIY Wedding Mentor clients (clearly there’s no judgement coming from me on this one!). So in order to avoid the last-minute stressor of figuring out who to tip and how much, you want to start thinking about tipping vendors now before you have too much going on and are too frazzled to straighten it all out. 

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7 Childhood Trends From The 2015 Paris Couture Week Runways

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Haute couture is often viewed as spectacle rather than practical wear. But here we are at the end of Paris Couture Fashion Week, thinking of all the things we could wear from designers like Elie Saab and Fendi


If there's one trend we noticed it's that some of our childhood outfits made it down the runway. Remember the Champagne-colored Jessica McClintock gowns from junior prom? Ralph & Russo is trying to make them a thing. Oh, and striped tights? Looks like Jean Paul Gaultier is calling for a resurgence. 


Check out the childhood trends that sauntered down the runway and be inspired to play some dress-up this weekend. 



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Stars' Pageant Pasts

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Stars' Pageant Pasts

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Predictions for Fall Hairstyles

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We've got a couple months of summer weather left but we're already seeing some fall colors on the streets, including some of those beautiful, rich browns. So, even if we're still lovin' those summer highlights, we can wonder at all the possibilities for fall, the season when we typically see a lot of trend-setting changes in hairstyles.

Observations and predictions for color:

• So far, it appears the ombre will remain in the backseat. When we do see this distinctive color style that was so popular in recent years, the color transitions are very soft and subtle, almost unnoticeable.

• Warm browns with soft highlights are gaining popularity.

• Reds are complimenting skin tones. Keep in mind, when going red, if your skin tone is warm, you want to lean toward copper, strawberry and other lighter reds. If your skin tone is cooler, you may want to stick with the more blue reds, like the plums, blood reds and eggplants.

• For those into vivid colors, such as lavender, pink and greens, the word on the streets is "grey." Blondes are leaning toward these silvery tones with transitions to the other colors. The results are beautiful, if you can go with a bold style like this.

Cuts: It's all about the bobs ... bobs, bobs, bobs! This is where the action is headed for fall ... longer, shorter and bobs with layers and LOTS of texture and movement through the layers.

The bob is such a versatile style. It just lends itself to so many possibilities and accessories. And it's a cut that we can change so quickly on the go. It's short, it's long, it can go loose and wavy, like we've seen on the red carpets so frequently this year, or up in a bun or twist, and you can make these changes so fast! Add a little gold filigree or clip with pearls and suddenly you have something formal after a week on the job. Pull it back into a ponytail and head for the gym looking great! It's easy to wear with a sun hat or gathered in a ponytail with a ball cap. Can't miss with a bob.

The movement in a bob is built it. You move and your hair moves. Bigger waves and curls will 'bob' up and down. Gentle waves and layers will sway, adding lots of visual effect around the face. Of course, you may not want all that hair falling across your eyes while you negotiate in the boardroom but that's what all the accessories are for, to clip and hold, creating all kinds of moods.

Love it! As always, be open to change.

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Which Nail Polish Color Matches #TheShoe? It's #TheDress All Over Again.

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#TheDress debacle may have been a low point in human history, but it seems as though we've arrived at another great mystery of our time: #TheShoe. 


In today's mind-boggling news, a simple tweet by Massachusetts civilian @totallymendes asks which nail polish color matches the shoe in question. Assess the situation below. 


 





Take a long, hard look at this one, because apparently people cannot distinguish whether the right or left color complements the pump.


So which one is it? As was apparent with #TheDress, this might just be a super scientific optical illusion -- or the Internet is just once again really messing with everybody's lives. 


However, it seems that there's an easy hack to finding the ultimate answer. Business Insider noted that those with Adobe Photoshop (or even Microsoft Paint) can find out that it is indeed the left polish that matches the shoe (#teamleft). But, like with every other Internet frenzy, no one wants to listen to sound logic. The battle will wage on.





 


Before you see some of the reactions to this trippy phenomenon below, for old time's sake let's open up that #TheDress wound for a hot second. 



 


Now, let the shoe debate walk on.


 

















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Museum's 'Kimono Wednesdays' Cancelled After Claims Of Racism

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"Kimono Wednesdays" sounds more like an ill-advised sorority ritual than sanctioned museum programming. And yet, this month, at the MFA Boston, museumgoers lined up to touch and try on kimonos in front of Claude Monet's "La Japonaise."


It wasn't long before protestors spoke out both on social media and on the museum grounds, dubbing the initiative to be culturally insensitive and racist. Critics pointed out that, even worse, the garments on display were actually uchikake, not kimonos. Insert forehead slap.


As a result of the outrage, the MFA swiftly canceled "Kimono Wednesdays," which was scheduled to continue until July 29.





Originally imagined to accompany Monet's "La Japonaise," a painting of the artist's wife Camille Doncieux posing with a fan and kimono, the program encouraged visitors to "channel your inner Camille Monet" by posing in similar garb. 


What's strange is that Monet's piece is often interpreted as a satirical response to the absurd, fetishistic craze of the Japanese aesthetic sweeping Paris around 1876, at the time of the work's creation. Instead of sparking a dialogue around the problematic Orientalism of the time, it seems the MFA engaged in a little fetishism of its own. 



In an extensive tumblr post from "Stand Against Yellow Face," protestors elaborated on the many supremacist aspects of the work's presentation. "What is the value of inviting the public to then dress up and participate in the very thing Monet was critiquing? Why not choose a print from the Hokusai exhibit to highlight the experience of Japanese women? Or why not provide a discussion on the historical context and criticality about the 1870’s obsession?"


Protestors who gathered in person held signs reading messages such as: "It's not racist if you look cute & exotic in it besides the MFA supports this!"





"There is no education on the garment’s origin, history, uses, or importance in Japanese society at the time," Stand Against Yellow Face explained on Facebook. "The act of non-Japanese museum staff throwing these kimonos on visitors as a 'costume' event is an insult not only to our identities, experiences, and histories as Asian-Americans in America, but affects how society as a whole continues to typecast and deny our voices today … A willingness to engage thoughtfully with museum employees and visitors on the bullshit of this white supremacist ‘costume’ event are [sic] welcome.”


Stand Against Yellow Face's tumblr memorandum also elaborates on why the choice to exhibit traditional Japanese dress in this way, even if not meant to be offensive, is damaging and hurtful. "Orientalism exoticizes (read: others, demeans and obscures) many cultures including South Asian, East Asian and Middle Eastern traditions, and resulting aggressive attitudes (both micro and macro) towards Orientalized peoples persist to this day."





On July 7, the MFA released a statement announcing a shift in programming, where visitors will be allowed to touch with and interact with the historically accurate kimonos on display, but not try them on. 


As Katie Getchell, deputy director of the museum, told the Observer, the MFA thought "Kimono Wednesdays" would be a success in part due to the popularity of similar programs in Japanese museums including the Setagaya in Tokyo, The Kyoto Municipal Museum, and The Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts, when "La Japonaise" was on loan.


In its July 7 statement, the museum apologized for offending any visitors. Despite this, protestor Aparna "Pampi" Das told the BBC that despite the MFA's statement, protests will continue until the museum issues a formal apology and opens a panel including protestors to discuss the incident in public.


The MFA wrote in an email to the Huffington Post that the museum is not making any statements in relation to the protestor's new demands.


See more Twitter reactions to the controversy as well as the full list of FAQs from Standing Against Yellow-Face below and let us know your thoughts in the comments.















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From Dapper Suits To Skinny Jeans, Here's 100 Years Of Men's Fashion In Under 3 Minutes

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One hundreds years of bikinis, beauty, hairstyles and women’s fashion: We’ve been deluged of late with videos showing the evolution of sytle trends geared towards the ladies.

The time has finally come to cast a spotlight on the lads.

In the video above, created by Mode Glam, watch as 100 years of American men’s fashion is explored in under three minutes -- from the dapper suits of the roaring '20s and the groovy shirts of the '70s to the hipster denim-on-denim outfits of today.

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How to Look and Feel Fabulous in an Economic Crisis

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With the turmoil of the Greek economic crisis unfolding on my very doorstep since relocating my business and family to Greece earlier this year, it's all too easy to get caught up in it all and become easily overwhelmed. But there's one thing my fellow Greeks and Greek Australians must never forget. Fabulous is a mindset.

Previous harsh social circumstances through history have led to cosmetics being rationed which resulted in a dive in public spirit. Further to this, during World War II, all cosmetics except for lipstick were rationed. Winston Churchill decided to keep lipstick in production because he felt it had a positive effect on morale. Needless to say, lipstick sales did well during the war.

Be Empowering
Looking after yourself amid times of hardship can often be confused as being superficial and not addressing the real issue at hand, which in most cases is untrue. Even during a time of crisis women must empower one another, whether it be through their appearance, mindset or passion. To be able to help others, one must feel good within themselves. Beauty isn't just about looking and feeling great it's about empowering yourself and others to feel happy, strong, confident and in control.

Colour Correction
During a time of crisis people often find solace in wallowing in their fears, negative thoughts and concerns. Sometimes it takes just one person to make a positive difference. In many European cultures after the passing of a loved one, mourners show their grief by wearing all black, hence the association with black as a morbid and non-uplifting colour. Break away from all black (for now). Whether it be your clothes, lipstick colour, nail polish or flash of coloured eyeliner, bright colours will instantly lift your mood and the people around you. Red lipstick is a universal symbol of strength and power, and women have even suggested they feel more capable when wearing it. Exactly what people need during a time of uncertainty.

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Indulge Yourself
A quick nap, a hot shower or a massage are all things which instantly assist in making you feel rejuvenated and more relaxed. The same could be said for your beauty routine. Stress is one of the main causes of tired, dry and dehydrated looking skin, and the first place for it to show? Your face. Taking time out for yourself is essential. Pamper yourself with a rich Hydrating Cleanser to invigorate your skin's appearance or use a primer to create the perfect landing for your makeup base. Because the truth is, when you look good, you feel good.

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Minimal is Key
You don't need a full face of makeup to look 'done'. Powders and highlighters are great for enhancing your natural features and so easy to apply. I have been discussing the 'no makeup' look for years and the truth is even though the look is natural and has a barely there look, the result is flattering on absolutely everyone. An all-in-one palette is a great option to achieve a nude makeup look. Use the lighter colours in the inner corners of your eyes and to highlight your brow bone and the darker colours to sculpt and contour. When people see others looking haggard and worn it affects their own energy as opposed to being surrounded by people who look and feel great. It's contagious!


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So what are you waiting for? Pop on your heels, run a straightener through your hair and unscrew the cap of your favourite red lippie, it's time to inspire others with your fabulous and optimistic attitude.

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