It appears that Gwyneth Paltrow — actress, mother of a daughter named Apple and impassioned critic of Parisian concierges — will always be 100 percent unadulterated Gwyneth Paltrow.

In 2014 Paltrow received a ton of backlash when she decided to “consciously uncouple” (aka separate) from her now ex-husband Chris Martin after 11 years of marriage.

In a recent interview with Net-a-Porter’s The Edit, the actress decided to reflect on the infamous term that sparked many hilarious think pieces — and her reaction is just as eye-roll-inducing as saying that she’d “rather smoke crack than eat cheese from a tin.”

She told the site:

People are coming around. I know it’s a dorky term, but it’s very worthwhile. I’m always the person who gets s— at first, but then later people say, “Hey, maybe that’s a good idea.” I don’t mind.

Speaking of good ideas, the actress also shared the brilliant way she now dodges the paparazzi:

“They passed laws a couple of years ago about [paparazzi] not harassing children, so I take them everywhere with me like a shield — they’re good for something!” she joked withe the outlet.

Ha. Ha. Hope that earns them more than one Coke a week.

To read the entire article, head over to The Edit.

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These two sisters look so much like the Kardashians, Kris Jenner would have a hard time telling them apart. 

Sonia and Fyza Ali are makeup artists and beauty-and-lifestyle bloggers who are based in Dubai. The two have a dedicated following of over 540k followers on Instagram, and specialize in creating looks for Middle Eastern women. 

They’re also basically doppelgängers for Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner: 

Despite their striking similarities to Kim and Kylie, the sisters told HuffPost they don’t watch reality TV and only get confused with the celebrity sisters when they’re in the United States. 

“In the Middle East, not so much since so many women here have that Kardashian look,” Sonia said. 

Fyza started practicing makeup on Sonia about seven years ago, when she was an art student. Today, at 24 and 22, the sisters are building their own empire and building up their celebrity clientele. 

“I do makeup for a majority of the ruling families in the Middle East who are my regular clients,” Fyza said. She’s also worked with clients like actress Naomie Harris and Karrueche Tran. Sonia says she reviews unreleased beauty products for brands as a blogger. 

Check out more photos of the gorgeous sisters and their incredible makeup below: 

The HuffPost Lifestyle newsletter will make you happier and healthier, one email at a time. Sign up here.

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A woman should not have to defend the natural color of her hair, but here we are. 

Paparazzi snapped photos of Selma Blair out Monday in Los Angeles for a casual afternoon of coffee and shopping. For some reason, the roots of her hair became a topic worthy of news coverage. 

The 44-year-old actress took to Instagram to post the photo that paparazzi snapped of her, and to offer the absolute perfect reply. 

Her Instagram followers applauded her post, writing “You are gorgeous!” and “You made my day.”

We couldn’t agree more. 

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Crystal Kells has always loved documenting her son, Cian, as he grows up. The Canadian photographer takes pictures of her 5-year-old going through day-to-day life with his signature joy and confidence.

“My son is the light of my life,” Kells told HuffPost. “He has made me become a better person. He has taught me to love myself and others more. He is one of the happiest people I have had the pleasure of meeting in my entire life. He lights up a room with his personality and the joy he brings to others.”

When he was 4, Cian started wearing dresses and has enjoyed being creative with his wardrobe throughout the past year. The little boy also likes wearing capes and playing superheroes. He’s a fan of Iron Man, “Paw Patrol,” going on hikes, playing cars and getting his hair cut short.

“He’s my rough and tumble boy who loves to wrestle with his daddy and is my sweet caring boy who loves to play princess,” said Kells. 

Kells, who lives in Hamilton, Ontario, shared her photos and son’s story in a blog post on BoredPanda. “My husband and I are raising him without gender stereotypes,” she wrote, explaining that the fact that her son is a boy does not dictate the clothes he wears or toys he plays with. 

“He doesn’t use his penis to be able to wear a dress, nor does he use his penis to operate the dolls and cars he plays with,” she added. 

The mom told HuffPost she wrote the blog post to share Cian’s philosophy with the world: “Be yourself. Be happy. Be confident. Love yourself.”

Kells and her son have yet to face any in-person confrontations from strangers for his choice of attire. “We do get stares, glares, head shaking and snickers, but for the most part, it’s been quite positive,” she explained. “Cian never notices, and I don’t think he’d care anyway. I hold my head high and smile at them.”

The response online has been a different story, but Kells said she uses it as an opportunity to have discussions with people and raise awareness around the issues of gender stereotypes in parenting. 

Ultimately, she believes the impact of her family’s story outweighs the occasional negative comment online.

”I had a local mom reach out to me and tell me that she and her sons had seen Cian and I at our local Walmart,” the photographer recalled. “Her sons had asked her about Cian and him wearing a dress, so she took the opportunity to teach her children how we are all different and how it should be OK for boys to like ‘girl things’ and girls to like ‘boy things.’”

One of the woman’s sons “just lit up” at this lesson, Kells added. “A few days later, he announced his favorite color was pink and was excited to get a toy that was considered for girls. Both boys have since found confidence and joy.”

This kind of positive impact brings the family joy.  

Said Kells, “It’s for things like this that I write and I share our story.”

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Justin Bieber is all for taking fashion risks. 

The 23-year-old singer stepped out in New York City on Wednesday wearing a gold jacket that spelled “Bieber” on the back, Adidas shorts, $60 yoga pants from his merch line, Adidas sneakers and a cowboy hat. He added a green straw and carried Yeezys Boosts to complete his unique look. 

Naturally, Twitter couldn’t handle the bold combination: 

Bieber is performing at Gov Ball in New York City this weekend and we can’t wait to see what he wears onstage. 

As he’s proven before, he can pull off a lot of different looks: 

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“Daily Show” correspondent Hasan Minhaj is the kind of guy the Indian American community can be proud of ― he loves his immigrant parents, he adores his wife, and he’s excelling in an industry that doesn’t make enough room for brown people. He recently released his own Netflix comedy special, “Homecoming King,” where he proved once again that he isn’t letting his success stop him from speaking out about the trials facing people of color in America today. 

As if all of that wasn’t enough, the internet has also resurfaced one more factoid about Minhaj that is basically the syrup topping this delectable gulab jamun of a man.  

Minhaj can dance, guys. And he’s actually not that bad.

Watch Minhaj giving Bollywood actor Salman Khan a run for his money in the Facebook video below.

The Facebook page Bollyshake unearthed a video that appears to be from Minhaj’s wedding celebrations. In it, Minhaj and his groomsmen wear traditional Indian sherwanis and dance to the iconic wedding song, “Saajanji Ghar Aaye” from the Bollywood movie “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.”

It’s standard fare at Indian weddings these days for the bride or groom (or the entire bridal party) to break out into a dance. Minhaj seems to have mastered the classic moves ― the point and grin, the shoulder pop, the yearning, one-arm sweep. 

In “Homecoming King,” the comedian spoke about how hard it was for him to get his parents to accept his relationship with Beena, his college girlfriend. Hasan’s family is Muslim, while Beena’s family is Hindu. 

But Minhaj refused to give up his girl. The pair tied the knot in January 2015 ― and the comedian got a chance to show off his moves. 

Watch the original Bollywood song below. 

Hat tip: Buzzfeed

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For some, curling up with J.K. Rowling’s legendary Harry Potter series is a blissful childhood memory. Who didn’t dream of receiving their very own Hogwarts acceptance letter when they were a kid?

But for the true devotees, the magic never died. Harry Potter remains a powerful force in their imaginations and identities. Their love of all things H.P. is not just written on their hearts ― it’s right there on their flesh. 

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the very first Harry Potter book ― Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Sorcerer’s Stone in the U.S.), published on June 26, 1997 ― we asked 24 superfans to share the stories behind their enchanted ink. For some, the epic tale and its themes of courage, hope and magic proved invaluable during the more difficult hurdles life throws your way. For others, well, they just really love Snape. 

1. Holly Schwartz’s Stars

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books:

My tattoo is of the stars at the top of each page of each book (the American versions).

When did you get it? 

I got it in March 2016, and I was 21.

Why is this image special to you?

I’ve read the Harry Potter books countless times. I had to buy a new set of books because I read the first so many times they were falling apart! I read them every single year. I used to do it over the summer but just last year my coworker said that she reads them starting at Halloween because that’s really when the story started, so I started doing that with her. 

This tattoo is just a reminder that Harry Potter is always there for me when I need it ― it’s a comfort for me. Whenever I see it, I feel happy that I was able to find Harry Potter and that my life was changed for the better by it.

What’s your Hogwarts house?

Gryffindor!

2. Ela Darling’s Dewey Decimal Tribute

When did you get it? 

I got it on my 22nd birthday, just after finishing my master’s degree in library and information science. 

3. Lesley Swan’s Patronus

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books:

My tattoo is of my patronus, which is a swan. My patronus is meant to be my guardian, which is perfect because that also happens to be my last name. I couldn’t believe it when I did the test. It also has the classic phrase “always” which was Snape’s response to Dumbledore when asked, “After all this time?” The “A” is also in the form of the Deathly Hallows. 

When did you get it?

I got it in August of 2016. I was 26 at the time. 

Why is this image special to you?

This tattoo is special to me for many reasons. I have been with my boyfriend for 12 years, and the “always” speaks to how I feel about him. Similarly with Snape, no matter how much time goes by, I will always have that love for him. The swan is special to me because I will eventually marry [my boyfriend], and my last name will change. I will always be a Swan and having that reminder in beautiful artwork makes me happy. 

What’s your Hogwarts house? 

Gryffindor.

4. Samantha Kiel’s Lily

5. Brian Arruda’s Protection Spell

6. Madison Rootenberg’s Animagus

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books: 

7. Katie Streeter’s Deathly Hallows

I have a tattoo of the Deathly Hallows on the inside of my right wrist. The Deathly Hallows (also the name of the final and seventh book in the series) refers to a story originally told by Beedle the Bard, that was passed down through wizarding folklore. It tells the story of three items given to the Peverell brothers by Death: the elder wand, the cloak of invisibility and the resurrection stone. It is said that whomever is in possession of all three is the master of death, and all three items make appearances throughout the series. 

What’s your Hogwarts house?

I’m a Gryffindor. 

8. Hallie Cooper’s Lightning Bolt

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books:

It is a white lightning bolt and it encompasses my overall love for the entire Harry Potter series. I fell in love with the books in fifth grade and was at every midnight book launch once I was old enough to attend. Of course I own all the movies, too.

When did you get it?

I got it when I was 27. I have wanted it since I was 19, though, it just took me a while to pull the trigger. I was always too scared to actually get a tattoo because I’m not good with needles. I went with a friend of mine when she got her tattoo and it lessened my fear about it. A week later, I got the lightning bolt.

Why is this image special to you?

The image is special to me because it represents all of what Harry Potter is: strength, courage, dignity, bravery and best of all ― magic.

What’s your Hogwarts house?

Oh, Slytherin for sure.

9. Madeline Mikucki’s Sleeves

10. Brooke Borden’s Lupin Homage

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books:

When I got my tattoo, I didn’t want something huge or elaborate because at the time I was looking for a job and needed something I could hide. I went for the simple rims of his glasses and the lightning bolt. My favorite thing about it is that if people aren’t into Harry Potter, then they don’t always realize what the tattoo is.

When did you get it?

I believe I was 18 when I got the tattoo. I had just graduated high school and my best friend and I at the time got matching ones.

Why is this image special to you?

When I first got the tattoo, it was significant because my best friend and I got them matching. We both love Harry Potter. We went to premiers together and spent our entire grad bash at Harry Potter World at Universal. We really aren’t friends anymore, and as far as I know, she actually had her tattoo covered up. But this tattoo actually sparked the best conversation of my whole college experience. My first night in college I met some of my long time friends over them being in love with my tattoo. It means so much to me.

What’s your Hogwarts house? 

I’m a Slytherin! And proud. It doesn’t mean i’m evil, just cunning.

12. Eric Miranda’s Deathly Hallows

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books:

It’s the Deathly Hallows with the lightning bolt scar on top.

When did you get it?

I got it at 19, which was back in 2012.

Why is this image special to you?

To me it was the beginning of the series, the lightning bolt scar that started it all, and the end, the Deathly Hallows that signified acceptance of death and loss.

What’s your Hogwarts house? 

Gryffindor!

13. Brooke Hodge’s Stars

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books:

I always knew I wanted to get a Harry Potter tattoo, but I knew I wanted to get something a little less common than other H.P. tattoos I’d seen. Not that the Deathly Hallows aren’t cool, or the “always” tattoos, but I wanted something that a true H.P. fan would recognize right off the bat and something that might make others ask the significance. So that’s how I ended up with the stars from the corners of the pages. It helps to separate the people who are solely H.P. movie fans from the bookworms.

When did you get it? 

Ironically enough, I actually went with one of my good friends and we both got Harry Potter tattoos on Daniel Radcliffe’s birthday a couple of years back. It was totally unintentional and I didn’t know until I checked Twitter later that day. It was July 23, 2014, and I was 19. 

Why is this image special to you?

Those books were such a big part of my childhood and experience growing up. The stars were always a welcoming and familiar sight anytime I cracked open a book from the series. I got the tattoo the summer after my first year of college, which was a particularly challenging time for me. I had a rough time with my major and ended up changing and had a falling out with my roommate. It was a very isolating time and it took a lot for me to even want to go back to the same school.

The following year the RA of my new dorm played Quidditch and after finding out that I had a Harry Potter tattoo she practically dragged me to a practice. It introduced me to so many people who I had an instant connection with. Harry Potter is unique in that way. People really connect with it and get so excited to meet people that are equally as into it.

What’s your Hogwarts house? 

I’m a proud Gryffindor.

14. Carla Dobryman’s Shield Charm

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books: 

I thought about which Harry Potter symbol or quote I wanted to get for years. There were so many directions I could have taken, but I ultimately decided on a simple spell: “protego.” It is a shield charm that can be applied to many other types of charms, intended to create this magical barrier to protect something or someone from harm. It’s used in the books dozens of times, from Harry protecting himself against spells casted at him by Death Eaters and Voldemort to the barrier put up at the final Battle of Hogwarts to protect the castle. 

Ravenclaw, with Hufflepuff tendencies.

15. Sophie Wilson’s “All Was Well”

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books: 

My tattoo is the last three words from the seventh Harry Potter book: “All was well.” As a child I was always a huge fan of the books. My dad and I read them together while I was growing up, and when I got old enough, I read them aloud to my entire family on road trips! When I was 8 years old, we got a puppy and I insisted we name him Harry Potter after my favorite book series. Harry and I grew up together.

When did you get it?

I had been thinking that I wanted to get a Harry Potter–inspired tattoo throughout college, but didn’t make the final decision until Harry (our dog) passed away when I was 20 years old. 

Why is this image special to you?

I originally got the tattoo because I wanted to make sure I remembered Harry (my dog) every day when I saw the tattoo on my wrist. He was sick for a long time before he passed away and I spent his final minutes with him ― it seemed like a fitting reminder that in the end, everything was okay and that he lived a long and happy life. As I’ve spent more time with the tattoo, I feel like it also symbolized a a shift for me personally, from childhood to adulthood. Harry Potter (the character from the books) and my dog are such wonderful reminders of my childhood and family!

What’s your Hogwarts house? 

I would love to say Gryffindor, but I was sorted on Pottermore once and ended up in Slytherin. Not sure how that happened!

16. Miranda Martini’s Deathly Hallows

17. Ioné van Heerden’s “All Is Well”

What’s your Hogwarts house? 

I am a proud Gryffindor. 

18. Chris Mesler’s Deathly Hallows

When did you get it?

I got it about a year ago now, I was 21 at the time.

Why is this image special to you?

I chose the Deathly Hallows symbol for its philosophical undertones. Someone who possesses all three is supposed to be a master of death, and to me this symbol represents my own struggle to “master” death, and come to terms with my own mortality, something that is a part of life for all of us.

What’s your Hogwarts house? 

I am a proud member of Hufflepuff and plan to get a tattoo of the crest eventually as well!

19. Elizabeth Canova’s Stars

When did you get it? 

I got this tattoo in September 2016, when I went to visit my cousin who lives an hour from Universal in Florida. We got our tattoos, then spent the day at Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s even more special that I got to share the experience with my cousin. 

Why is this image special to you?

The meanings have not changed, but my feelings about them have. A lot of people don’t always draw the connection to H.P. immediately, since they are not super obvious, but those who do recognize the symbols ― it feels like a special connection, and makes me love them even more. 

What’s your Hogwarts house? 

Slytherin.

20. Lindsey Ruth Wilson’s Golden Snitch

21. Beatriz Da Silva’s Scar And Deathly Hallows

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books:

I have two tattoos. Harry’s scar on my left wrist and the Deathly Hallows symbol on my right wrist.

When did you get it?

I got them in 2010. I had just turned 23.

Why is this image special to you?

Both images are very special to me. Harry’s scar is a reminder that all of us go through dark times, but we all have the chance to get out of these stronger if only we have friends and the necessary aid. (I had been bullied in school, so I had no friends. I started making friends when I found out on the internet that other fans were organizing events to know each other, so I went to one of these events and kept going every time there was one in the city. This was in 2006, and I’m still friends with several of them). The Deathly Hallows image is a reminder that, although we may have power, not everything is available to us. My aunt died before I got it, so I always relate the resurrection stone to her.

What’s your Hogwarts house?

Slytherin, out and proud! 

22. Alisha Stewart’s Deathly Hallows

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books:

I have the Deathly Hallows symbol on my right side.

When did you get it?

I got the tattoo almost two years ago at the age of 26.

Why is this image special to you? Has its meaning changed over time? 

This image in particular was special because (in the book,) as Hermione began to tell the tale of the Peverell brothers, the presumed original owners of the hallows, I got chills. This is what I had been waiting for! All along I’d been on this journey and finally, here it was, an eery children’s bedtime turned reality and finally, it was time to end Voldemort and his crusade once and for all. While it was a symbol marked by death and destruction, to me it became a symbol of victory and triumph and a perfect ending to an adventure I had been on from fifth grade into my adulthood. 

What’s your Hogwarts house? 

Gryffindor! 

23. Rachael Whitman’s Plot Twist

What’s your Hogwarts house?

Alas, I am a proud Slytherin and I carry the wand of Narcissa Malfoy.

24. Hannah Maryan’s “HP”

Please describe your tattoo and its significance to the books:

I have a small “HP” stick-and-poke on the side of my middle finger on my left hand. The H.P. stands for Harry Potter, obviously, as a reference to the books and the boy. But because it’s just initials, it can still be slightly secret for the squares and nonbelievers.

When did you get it?

I must’ve been 19 or 20 years old, so around 2008 or 2009. I started by giving the stick-and-poke to myself, but it hurt so badly I had to stop and left half an “H” on my finger for a long time. My ex-boyfriend/best friend finished the tattoo one night about a year later in his bed where he lived in the living room of an apartment on Haight Street in San Francisco. It hurt less when he did it.

Why is this image special to you?

I love the Harry Potter books (duh) and they always helped me through hard times. I have learned so much from reading them over and over and over. So I wanted a little tattoo to commemorate my love for the books; however, I didn’t want anything too obvious so I chose the “HP” instead of a Deathly Hallows or dark mark or something. Most people don’t know it stands for Harry Potter and assume it stands for Hewlett Packard (like, what?) or when I’m in Spain, “hijo de puta,” which is kinda funny, but I’m not that crude. A couple years later I gave my cousin a matching stick-and-poke in a hotel room over Christmas in Granada, Spain. She has an “RW” for Ron Weasley in the same place. Certainly the meaning has changed over time; not only is it a reminder of my one true consistent friend, the HP book series, it’s a connection to my best friend who hasn’t talked to me in three years, and an expression of cousinly love.

Which house is your Hogwarts house?

Def Ravenclaw, because I’m a Latin teacher/grad student (although I wish it were Gryffindor, but I’m not that brave). 

From June 1 to 30, HuffPost is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the very first “Harry Potter” book by reminiscing about all things Hogwarts. Accio childhood memories.

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After posting a “perfect” selfie, a U.K.-based mom and blogger followed up with a powerful message about body image. 

On May 16, Tova Leigh posted a photo of herself on Instagram, along with a caption about corsets and unrealistic body image standards. 

After receiving tons of “likes” and compliments from friends, Leigh made the selfie her profile picture on Facebook.  

But she later felt guilt about her choice of photo and the filters and edits she used to create it. On May 28, the mom shared a follow-up post to reveal the reality behind the “perfect” selfie. 

“Today I am sharing the ‘behind the scenes’ of that image,” Leigh wrote. “How I actually looked when it was taken, without 20 attempts to get it right, without cropping out the bits I don’t like and without adding the ‘make me look pretty’ filter.”

The mom explained that over the weekend, she read an article about the way social media can make people feel depressed and insecure because they perceive the perfect-looking images to be real.  

“Well let me tell you something: THIS IS REAL,” she wrote. “In all my mum-tum, cellulitis, granny pants and absolutely zero thigh gap glory! Not the perfect sexy body by some dictated standard, but imperfectly fabulous because it is real and it is mine.”

“We live in a world and a society that puts a lot of pressure on women, young girls teenagers etc to look a certain way,” she told HuffPost. “We tend to share the good moments and the attractive bits about our lives which I guess is understandable, but at the same time is very misleading.”

She added, “If you look at social media you will see that 99 percent of images look perfect. But how does that even make sense? Life is not perfect. We are not perfect. And that was the point I was trying to get across: We’re not perfect but that is totally OK. Being real is far more powerful than being perfect.”

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Long before Trisha Yearwood was a lifestyle guru, she was on the top of the music charts, selling out concerts and performing for adoring fans. The “She’s in Love with the Boy” singer was, and still is, a critical success, and her working and personal partnership with Garth Brooks has something to do with it.

After two divorces, Yearwood realized that maybe the man of her dreams had been right in front of her for years. In the 2000s, after Brooks ended his marriage to his college sweetheart, he took time off from music and eventually romantically reconnected with Yearwood after nearly 15 years of friendship. A love blossomed and the pair became engaged in May 2005 and got married later that year. 

They recently celebrated their 11th anniversary. 

“We have been friends for such a long time. Our relationship is based on a very deep friendship that we’ve had, so we were in the position of knowing each other as friends before we ever went on a date,” Yearwood told HuffPost of their marriage during a recent Build Series interview. “I think a lot of times you are ― just speaking for myself ― down the road in your relationship before you really get to know the person well enough to get to know if you really like them or not, and liking someone is as important as loving someone. And so we laugh a lot. When we’re not all lovey-dovey and passionate, we’re still best friends, so it’s just the way it works.”

Yearwood, who stars on an Emmy-winning cooking show, “Trisha’s Southern Kitchen,” and has a new line of products with Williams Sonoma, says Brooks is not just her husband but a true partner in life. 

“He’s whatever I need him to be; He can be my best friend, he can be my lover, he can be my shopper ― if I need a dress for an event and I don’t have time to go shopping, this guy can buy a dress and it’s gorgeous and it fits ― he’s fantastic,” she said. “He’s all those things that you need him to be and I think at the center of it is a true respect and love for each other, and a friendship.” 

Something else that helps Brooks’ case is his coffee-making skills. 

“My husband doesn’t drink coffee ― which I don’t trust people who don’t drink coffee, but I do love him ― but he makes my coffee every morning and he makes really good coffee, so he can stay,” she joked. 

Watch the full interview with Trisha Yearwood below. 

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On Thursday night, 12-year-old Ananya Vinay won the Scripps National Spelling Bee after correctly spelling the word “marocain.” But what exactly does that word mean? 

Marocain, derived from the French word for Moroccan, is a ribbed crepe dress fabric. Its warp threads, which give a fabric its strength, are made of silk, wool or rayon (or a combination of those). The fabric is often used to make dresses and women’s suits and is quite recognizable because of its ribbed look, according to dictionary.com.

If you need help figuring out how to pronounce marocain, this video will help:

Below are photos of dresses made from marocain:

Now you know! 

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Black hair is a beautiful thing.

It can defy gravity, make waves or be elegantly woven. It’s magic.

That’s why Miranda Morowa wanted to show the gorgeous versatility of black hair with the #BlackHairChallenge. Morowa, who runs Melanin Mamis ― a page to help women celebrate themselves ― was inspired by the black hair threads she created. So she thought of the hashtag and tweeted from the page on May 26 to encourage black people to show off the many hairstyles they’ve rocked.

Morowa, who regularly hosts challenges on Twitter for women to participate in, told HuffPost via Twitter direct message that “black hair is the definition of art.” She added, “Dating a Black Girl is like dating 20 different girls. We change our hair so often, it’s super fun & creative. We Slay.”

She isn’t here for the negative stereotypes that some believe about black hair. “Our hair is very unique and we’re blessed to have it,” she said. “As you can see in the #BlackHairChallenge, we can pull off any hairstyle we desire and still look beautiful.”

And the responses reflect that. The hashtag was initially intended for the ladies, she said, but she was pleasantly surprised to see men sharing their photos as the challenge went viral.

From cornrows, weaves and twists to afros, presses and bantu knots, get into this challenge and check out these Twitter users’ photos.

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Forget oiling your pubes ― oiling your boobs could be the next healthy beauty trend, though its health benefits are dubious at best. 

According to a Racked interview with Imelda Burke, the founder of Content Beauty & Wellbeing (and Emma Watson’s newest beauty guru), a product called Boobs’ Essential claims to serve an important purpose. 

“A cross between body oil and a health tracker, the Boobs’ Essential Oil encourages you to massage your breasts daily, which makes you familiar with them so that you can mentally track any changes,” Burke said.

Indeed, the directions for using the oil somewhat mimic the self-exam instructions from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which tell women to massage their breasts in a circular motion while standing or lying down, covering the entire breast to feel for changes. But experts say a self-exam once a month is the best practice for screening yourself.  

Daily screening, on the other hand, might lead people to feeling things that aren’t there and overscreening is a big public health concern. 

“The likelihood of detected lumps is increased when women touch their breasts more frequently. However, this would not depend on whether or not a woman touches her breast while applying this oil,” said Kirsten Moysich, PhD, MS, Distinguished Professor of Oncology in the Departments of Cancer Prevention and Control and Immunology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, adding: “Aggressive exams lead to over detection of breast masses that might never become serious. Daily exams are certainly not necessary.” 

The oil is made from a mix of organic sweet almond oil (which is supposed to make skin softer), frankincense (boswellia serrata), sandalwood and myrrh. It was created by Zoe Lind van’t Hof, who said she started making it with her late mother after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, 

Lind van’t Hof says she intended for the product to be used as a daily or monthly check for lumps or for skin recovery during radiation for cancer treatments. She says the oil has certain health benefits, such as preventing and reversing cysts and the ability to rejuvenate cells and increase immune cell activity. For what it’s worth, Moysich told HuffPost there is no human evidence to support that claim. 

“You can find cell line studies or even animal studies to support biological effects of just about anything,” Moysich said. “However, I am unaware of any studies that have demonstrated that this particular oil has prevented and reversed cysts, rejuvenated cells or improved immune function in actual women. A healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and exercise are very effective ways to maintain a healthy immune system.” 

If you’re not in the market to drop around $37 on oil for boobs, head here for recommendations for breast cancer screenings.  

The HuffPost Lifestyle newsletter will make you happier and healthier, one email at a time. Sign up here.

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We found the perfect thing to wear on days when your RompHim is dirty.

Hologram City, an L.A.-based brand, has designed see-through lace shorts for men that are sure to make hot summer days just a little breezier.

They also make lace shirts, as well.

Accessorize with a belt and you have a male romper — and with this particular ensemble, you don’t have to take off all your clothes to use the bathroom!

The shirts and shorts are available for pre-sale for $49 per item and come in a lovely pastel rainbow of colors.

Lace be honest, these are pretty fab.

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A mom in Colorado has come up with a colorfully creative way for families to celebrate the arrival of their rainbow babies. The touching project also recognizes her friend’s strength and persistence during her experience with infertility.

Colorado mom Julie Schneider has launched a Kickstarter campaign in hopes of creating what she calls “Rainbow Hats” for families who have welcomed a rainbow baby, or a baby who is born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or infant loss. Schneider met with a local hat manufacturer who will make the rainbow-colored hats on antique knitting machines. She told HuffPost her friend, whom she’s known for almost 30 years, inspired the project.

Schneider’s friend, who requested that Schneider not include her name on the Kickstarter page or the Rainbow Hats site, welcomed a rainbow baby with her husband this spring after undergoing IVF for a few years. In December, Schneider traveled to Michigan, where her friend resides, where they met at a Barnes & Noble in Ann Arbor. While there, Schneider gave her friend a rainbow-colored hat she crocheted. Schneider told HuffPost “she loved it right away.”

“It’s become one of her favorite hats,” she said.

Seeing how much her friend adored it, Schneider became inspired to share the idea with other families. She has a $15,000 goal for the campaign, which lasts until the end of the month; $15,000 will cover the first batch of hats, including the hats her backers will receive as their rewards for donating and shipping costs for sending them. Schneider has turned to a hat manufacturer because of a wrist injury that keeps her from making many hats. 

Schneider designed the hats to come in three sizes. The “baby” size is designed to fit newborns and babies up to a year old. The “little” size covers kids 1 to 6 years of age, and the “big” size is for kids and adults 7 years and older. She also designed them so that wearers can fold the brim up or down.

Schneider told HuffPost that in the future she might include other styles of hats like trucker hats or seek out different fabric manufacturers so she can offer more options. For now, she wants to focus on hats to help families symbolize their love for their rainbow babies.

For more info on Rainbow Hats, head to the official site or to Schneider’s Kickstarter page.

The HuffPost Parents newsletter, So You Want To Raise A Feminist, offers the latest stories and news in progressive parenting. 

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A British author, blogger and actress has encouraged other moms to love their “perfectly imperfect” bodies in an empowering Instagram post.

Giovanna Fletcher, whose books include Billy and Me and Happy Mum, Happy Baby: My Adventures In Motherhood, shared a photo on Instagram that shows her enjoying a day at the beach with her two sons, Buzz and Buddy, whom she has with McFly band member Tom Fletcher. In the caption, she wrote that she had recently seen many posts about postpartum bodies. She then gave a touching explanation about how she feels about her body after giving birth to her sons. 

”At times it does bother me how much my body has changed, but I know I don’t ever want it to stop me having fun with the boys,” she wrote. “They aren’t going to look back and think, ‘Gosh, Mum had terrible cellulite, stretch marks and wobbled a lot,’ but they would notice if I sat out of games and didn’t make the most of my time with them.”

Fletcher emphasized how much she appreciates her body because it gave her the “two most important things” in her life, inspiring other moms to embrace their flaws. 

“So thank you to you in all your wobbles, lumps and bumps,” she wrote. “To me, you are perfectly imperfect.”

In February, Fletcher stopped by AOL Build UK for an interview and spoke openly about her postpartum body. During the chat, she said that a short time after she had given birth, a woman who asked for a photo with Fletcher’s husband turned to her and said, “Oh, look. Mommy’s still got a tummy.”

Watch Fletcher’s AOL Build interview below.

Fletcher said that a few days later, the incident came to mind again.

“A few days after that I had a shower, and I stood in my dressing room ― leaky boobs, stretch marks, wobbly belly,” she said. “And I just thought, ‘How do I feel about this ... my body has changed, it’s not like it was when I was 18, no surprise.’”

The author soon realized the strength of her body, especially after going through a miscarriage. She then offered the audience an important message on how society views people’s bodies.

“We scrutinize and we put it down all the time,” she said. “We’re always told, ‘She’s got cellulite, she’s too fat, she’s too thin.’ Who actually cares?”

The HuffPost Parents newsletter, So You Want To Raise A Feminist, offers the latest stories and news in progressive parenting. 

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Kate Middleton is our fashion role model for high-class, fancy affairs. But it turns out the Duchess also has a style tip for those of us with more casual wardrobes. 

Over the last few months, she’s sported a particular sneaker time and time again: It’s the cotu classic sneaker from Italian brand Superga, and it’s pretty darn adorable in action.

At $65, the shoe is fairly well-priced, and reviewers on Zappos say they’re also comfortable.

If they aren’t your cup of tea, try some of our other favorite sneakers on for size. 

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”Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” could have been a totally different album altogether, were it not for a simple misunderstanding.

Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney has revealed how the title and concept of the British band’s eighth album actually came to him during an airplane flight with a roadie, Mal Evans.

McCartney said in an interview posted to his website on May 25 that the idea behind the record, which celebrated its 50th anniversary Thursday, all emanated from him mishearing Evans asking him to “pass the salt and pepper.”

“I thought he said Sergeant Pepper,” said McCartney. “I went, ‘Oh! Wait a minute, that’s a great idea!’”

After having “a laugh about it,” McCartney, 74, said he immediately “started thinking about Sergeant Pepper as a character.”

“I thought it would be a very interesting idea for us to assume alter egos for this album we were about to make,” he added.

The rest, as they say, is music history.

Read the full interview on McCartney’s website here.

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As “Wonder Woman” garners stellar ratings and remains on track for a record-breaking opening weekend, a Fox News panel is conducting a deep dive into a critical matter: Is the Amazonian princess American enough?

Fox host Neil Cavuto noted on Friday to guest Dion Baia that “some” have been taking issue with the film’s alleged lack of patriotism — chiefly, that the superhero’s costume color scheme is too un-American. 

“Some are calling it less American, Dion, because, well, her outfit isn’t red, white, and blue, and, in order to appeal for foreign audiences, very little reference to America at all,” said the “Your World With Neil Cavuto” host.

“I think, nowadays, sadly, money trumps patriotism,” Baia replied. “Especially, recently, I personally feel like we’re not really very patriotic, the country, in a certain sense. And they want these movies to succeed internationally, you know, so they’re going to dial back.”

Fellow guest Mike Gunzelman lamented that he feels “it’s cool to hate America these days.”

Baia, for his part, said his comments have been misconstrued. “Taken outta context much?” he tweeted Saturday, referencing an Entertainment Weekly article that characterized him as being “upset” with the movie (probably because he used the word “sadly.”)

He maintained he was simply explaining why he believes the movie’s American patriotism was “toned down.”

But in any case, criticism of Gadot’s costume as not looking “American” is a little weak.

A red, blue and gold color combination is still fairly reminiscent of the American flag. Gold is often incorporated into patriotic decorations and accessories, and sometimes used in place of white.

The original comic and Lynda Carter’s iconic Wonder Woman costume from the 1970s TV series both included more gold than white.  

Yes, Gadot’s Wonder Woman is not wearing a bottom piece adorned with little white stars, but she is wearing a top with an emblem of an eagle, which is, you know, a major symbol for the United States.

Plus, the actual plot of the movie involves Wonder Woman teaming up with an American pilot to stop German forces, which makes equating it with “hating America” a bit of a stretch.

Whatever. There have been worse takes on the movie.

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It shouldn’t have been a shock when my tooth broke off, but of course, it was.

For months, my jaw and teeth have been in a constant state of clenching and grinding. Now, a molar had broken in half, pushed over the edge by one bite of a salted caramel cookie and a steady diet of political news-induced stress.

Research shows that as much as 70 percent of bruxism (the medical term for jaw and tooth grinding) occurs as a result of stress and anxiety. For me, the issue started after November’s election, when, like millions of other Americans (or to be exact, 57 percent, according to the American Psychological Association) my anxiety level ratcheted up to an all-time high and stayed that way, thanks to the relentless stream of Trump and Republican-related nightmares we’ve been bombarded with ever since.

In 2017, there is no escaping the news or the stress that it can bring. All we can do is try to find a balance between staying informed and staying sane — and I, for one, am failing. Like a lab rat hitting a feeder bar, I tap every mobile news alert. I refresh the same news outlets multiple times a day, then text stories to my friends to share in the outrage. I read Twitter after I go to bed. Then, apparently, I grind my teeth to their studs in my sleep. 

After my tooth broke, I knew I needed to do more than just get it fixed. I had to stop my teeth from grinding in the first place.

Searching the internet for solutions, I almost immediately hit pay dirt in the form of a tweet by model and national treasure Chrissy Teigen. It seemed that she— along with many of her followers — was having the same Trump-induced jaw clenching problem I was. Now I knew I wasn’t alone, and even better, she had a solution.  

Botox! I always knew there would be a day when it would come to my aid.

Perhaps less news and stress were not the only way to save my teeth. Thanks to modern medicine, there was a way to maintain my ill-advised lifestyle by throwing money at the problem ― and neurotoxins into my jaw. I was into it.

While I waited for my dentist appointment to inquire about Botox, I decided to explore other options. With two weeks to go, my mouth was killing me. 

In the course of my highly unscientific research, I came across other random internet sources suggesting herbal tinctures to reduce stress. While I don’t generally go for natural healing, there’s an herbal remedies store less than a block from my apartment. I figured I’d give it a try.

I reviewed my situation with an exceedingly calm and sympathetic salesperson who explained the many stress-reducing herbs she herself took each day. We landed on something called motherwort, a tincture that apparently, “calms the heart.” It sounded legit, in a Shakespearean sort of way. The quiet loveliness of the store and how good it smelled in there was making me rethink my entire position on herbal remedies. Perhaps just hanging around this place would be enough to solve the problem.

It wasn’t until we reached the register that my herbal expert confessed she clenched her own jaw so much her front teeth needed to be replaced — and not for the first time. This did not inspire confidence. Credit card already in hand, I bought the stuff anyway. As I left, I couldn’t help but think how bad things have gotten that a person who works in the most relaxing store in New York is literally snapping her teeth off from stress.

The motherwort experiment ended about as quickly as it began. The tincture’s absolutely horrible taste (the solution is mostly cane alcohol), combined with the saleswoman’s confidence-busting admission meant that I wasn’t even getting a placebo effect. I’m sure this stuff works wonders for some people, but I would have been better off doing a shot of whiskey.

Still in search of a solution, I moved on to a magnesium supplement, which I read can calm nerves and relieve muscle tension. I must have stopped reading before the part that explains that magnesium is sometimes used as a sleep aid, resulting in a very long and confusing day of nearly falling asleep at my desk. A switch to taking it before bed yielded better results. I felt like I slept a little better and woke up feeling less tense, but it did nothing to aid in my daytime grinding. I still needed a real cure.

Finally, it was time to see the dentist. After getting my tooth repaired, I gave him the rundown of the grinding situation, the stress and the remedies I’d tried, casually suggesting that Botox, or perhaps even Xanax, was the next logical step he could kindly help me out with.

He was quiet for a moment, then replied, “Have you watched that show ‘The Night Of’ on HBO?”

“Yes, why?” I asked, confused.

“You remind me of John Turturro’s character, the lawyer with the foot eczema, trying a million different things to fix it.”

This was not the response I was looking for.

He continued. “I think you’re kidding about the Xanax,” (I wasn’t) “and the Botox is really just for people with extreme cases of TMD. What you need is a custom night guard to protect your teeth. And maybe get away from your computer every couple of hours. Try to relax a little bit.”

Ugh. So sensible. Why don’t I have a cool dentist, like Chrissy Teigen?

In a way, he was right. I was trying to avoid dealing with the real problem by treating the symptoms. But there’s a good reason I was looking for quick fixes: If I stopped reading the news right now, it wouldn’t make me stop worrying about all the people who stand to get hurt over the next four years. I wouldn’t be less freaked out by how divided our country has become. And of course, I’d miss mocking Trump and Co’s astounding daily displays of incompetence with my friends.

But I am trying to dial back the insanity. I’m doing yoga when I can and reading books on paper instead of being glued to my phone. I’ve even banned Twitter from my bed. And I’m going to get the stupid night guard. Hopefully it holds my teeth together until the midterms.

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Katy Perry honored victims of the Manchester terror attack in song and on her sleeve. 

She gave them a special salute Sunday while performing at One Love Manchester, the benefit concert organized after the May 22 suicide bombing that killed 22 people and injured at least 59 after an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena. 

The “Chained to the Rhythm” singer sang a few of her most iconic songs while wearing a white mini-dress over a turtleneck printed with photos of the victims.

Days before the event, which also featured Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and Oasis’ Liam Gallagher, among others, Perry wrote she was “humbled to be a part” of the event. It ultimately raised over $3 million for the British Red Cross. 

She also delivered a heartfelt message to the roughly 50,000 attendees, thanked Grande for her strength and encouraged everyone to operate from a place of love, even when that feels impossible. 

“It’s not easy to always choose love, is it?” she said to a crowd of screaming fans. “Especially in moments like these, right? It can be the most difficult thing to do. But love conquers fear and love conquers hate. And this love that you choose will give you strength, and it’s our greatest power.”

Our greatest power, indeed.  

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