I try not to watch too many funny videos on YouTube because then I wouldn’t get anything done with my day. But this one I couldn’t resist. Hart is a comedian with a pretty popular YouTube channel called Hartbeat. She’s super funny and great, so I highly recommend her.

Some commenters have called her out for not dressing more feminine. Basically, because Hart is a lesbian and likes women, she should dress like a woman. Um…what?

So Hart responded with the most awesome video of the day.

Hart OWNS the commenter and makes a hugely important point in the process. You can express yourself in whatever way you choose! Just because you’re a female doesn’t mean you have to dress feminine. I mean, I have guys’ clothes in my closet that I wear on the reg!

I hate that these stereotypes are still around! It’s 2013! Why are we trying to convince women to conform to the old whacked-out ideas of how a woman should look? Are women not allowed to wear the color blue because it’s not feminine enough? Heaven forbid we wear t-shirts!

You should dress however you want to dress and in whatever way you feel best expresses your personality. Even if it’s by wearing a watermelon bikini.

No one can tell you who to be or how you should act. The most important thing is that you are true to yourself. Take a lesson from Hart and just BE YOU.

What do you think about Hart’s response? Do you agree with her? Tell us in the comments!
 

Shop at thrift stores like Hayley if you want!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Shutterstock

You know what I find funny? How everyone and their grandma is suddenly a nutritionist. I’m referring to the fact that people love to assume that every chubby person they see is incredibly unhealthy and knocking on death’s door.

We’re very used to the image of overweight people being sad, sedentary gluttons who gobble down soda, cookies, burgers, pizzas and ice cream in front of a television. With every other television show on the air focusing on weight loss, it can be a little hard not to assume that that is the case. But believe it or not, not every single overweight person has an unhealthy lifestyle.

Wow, shocking.

Even more “shocking” is the fact that you can’t look at somebody and automatically determine their health status. In fact, studies have shown that being overweight is not an automatic death wish! So why is it that someone can look at a chubby person walking down the street and assume they’re unhealthy, but not think twice about someone skinny walking along as well? For all we know, the overweight individual eats loads of fruits and veggies and exercises regularly, while the skinny person chain smokes and only eats Cheetos dust and Redbull.

Fat acceptance, a movement that hopes to deter anti-fat bias and societal norms, is growing in popularity, especially among young women and teen girls online. Fat acceptance isn’t about promoting unhealthy lifestyles or encouraging people to become fat; it is about fighting against prejudice and shame. And yet, among the people who begrudgingly accept the positive elements of fat acceptance, they still feel the need to say, “As long as you’re healthy…” To me, this translates to, “Well, okay, as long as you don’t look too fat. Well, okay, as long as you don’t feel too confident about those love handles.”

What is it with this society’s constant paternalistic monitoring of overweight people? Do we think that without our gentle reminders to eat plenty of apples, that they’ll immediately start to inhale taco after taco?  How condescending can we be? Those who feel the need to remind an overweight person interested in fat acceptance to be healthy are likely the same people who can’t quite process the fact that there are fat people out there who aren’t spending their free time sobbing on a scale.

Some people are overweight because of genetic factors, others because they eat a lot of food. But no matter why someone is overweight, it isn’t the business of a judgmental stranger who, frankly, doesn’t know anything about a fat person’s health beyond “they’re fat.”

Of course health shouldn’t be taken for granted. And of course there are diseases that are triggered by the side effects of being incredibly overweight. But there are thin and “normal sized” people with high cholesterol, and no stranger is making a blind judgement on their health status; that’s because they don’t look a certain way. If people are truly as invested in health as they claim to be, why are superficial assumptions always used to discuss it? If we want to have a serious discussion about health and eating we need to dig deeper, like discussing access to healthy foods in low-income neighborhoods. If we want to be have a serious discussion about poor eating habits, then we need to talk about the poor eating habits of every sized person, not just fat people.

Seriously, overweight people have to deal with enough problems in our society without having strangers give them a visual physical exam.

Do you think health is always determined by weight? What do you think about fat acceptance? Tell us in the comments!

Do You Engage In Fat Talk? Here’s Why You Need To Stop

Follow us on Twitter!

But I’m sure some of you simply scoff at this notion of body positivity and you want some real advice on how to achieve the perfect, socially acceptable bikini body to hit the beach this summer. Well, this is the lazy girl’s guide for you. Follow our steps for achieving the perfect bikini body.

Skip this Ad

Next

ADVERTISEMENT

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Cocoon Yourself

You'll definitely fulfill society's beauty standards by the time that you emerge from a short stay in your own cocoon. It works for butterflies, so it should work for us too. We're all animals, that's how science works I think.

Source: Shutterstock

One Bite Only

You know those Carl's Jr commercials where all these models eat these massive burgers for the pleasure of the male gaze? Well, that seems to be working out perfectly for them, so just eat one bite of a giant burger every day. You'll feel your hotness flourishing with every bite.

Source: Shutterstock

Shrink

When you put your clothes in the dryer for too long they shrink, right? Well, you can achieve the same level of socially acceptable tininess if you do the same thing. Just make sure you wear protective heat like a helmet and some elbow/knee pads.

Source: Shutterstock

Get Shipwrecked

Destiny's Child found themselves stranded on a deserted island with nothing more than the clothes on their back and a million dollar film budget when they made their music video for "Survivor." And they looked hotter than ever! So get shipwrecked and wait for the magic to happen.

Source: YouTube

Become A Walking Cover Girl

If you can't have the perfect beach body, at least tape loads of photos of perfect beach bodies to yourself. There's nothing like being plastered in photos of skinny women to make you feel like a winner.

Source: Shutterstock

You Are What You Eat

Consider light cannibalism. I mean, you are what you eat, right? If you eat babes, you'll become a babe. Again, that's totally how science works.

Source: Shutterstock

Tan Tan Tan

The crispier, the better; the more leathery looking, the hotter. Consider forgoing sunscreen and defiantly forget about common sense. Burnt orange is the new black. If you can schedule a trip to the sun, book it ASAP.

Source: Photo Wenn

Get A Body Double

Body doubles are used all the time in action movies and sex scenes. Why not get in on the benefits? Your body double will fool everyone into thinking that you have body that is allowed to be seen in a bikini.

Source: Shutterstock

Get Some Tats

If you tattoo a bikini onto your skin, then you'll technically always have a bikini body. You can just get a touch up to reflect current trends! Bonus points for tattooing some awesome cleavage.

Source: Shutterstock

Just Wear A Bikini

If you've done all of these steps and still haven't achieved the perfect bikini body, so what? What is the perfect bikini body anyway? Whatever some awful thinspiration blog tells you? Wear a bikini and be the hottie that you already are!

Source: Shutterstock

What do you think of these tips? What else are we pressured to do to meet society’s standards? Tell us in the comments!

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Bikini
Follow us on Twitter!

Ultimately, body hair is a very personal decision for everyone and it’s nobody’s business but our own.

Recently we’ve written about ingrown hair and Brazilian waxes, so we decided to highlight 10 discussion worthy comments from you, our awesome readers, about body hair.

Skip this Ad

Next

ADVERTISEMENT

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

What do you think about body hair? Do you think that there is too much pressure on women to be hairless? Do you embrace your body hair? Tell us now in the comments!

Your Complete Guide On Body Hair Removal
Follow us on Twitter!

Still, nobody wants to risk anyone seeing their camel toe in public. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. The Lazy Girl’s Guide On How To Prevent Camel Toe will give you loads of useful information and tips so that you won’t have to deal with any horror stories on the way to class or the gym. Trust us now, thank us later.

Skip this Ad

Next

ADVERTISEMENT

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Go Goth

If you think you're camel toe is going to be too distracting, try a whole new look that'll really get people to talk.

Source: Shutterstock

Anti-Camel Toe Twerk Team

Who is going to notice your camel toe if you're twerking instead of walking? Twerk to class, twerk through the supermarket...trust me, it's not the camel toe they'll notice. We're not liable for suspension though.

Source: Shutterstock

Wear A Jock Strap

Or any other kind of athletic cup. It'll look a little weird but at least it isn't a camel toe.

Source: Shutterstock

STOP, HAMMER TIME!

If you're lucky, your school never empties their lost and found and you'll find an 80s relic: Hammer pants. Throw these bad boys on and Hammer Dance your way to class.

Source: Wenn

Invest In A Fanny Pack

Speaking of vintage, get a fanny pack! They're super stylish.

Source: Shutterstock

Wear Balloons

If people are gonna see your camel toe, make 'em work for it. Tape balloons to your body and make a game out of it.

Source: Shutterstock

Take A Note From Biebs' Book

You know those awful looking diaper pants that Biebs wore a couple months back? Yeah, well, they might come in handy in this situation.

Source: Wenn

Lap Cat

Cover your camel toe with your cat. Or your neighbors cat. Or a stray cat you found outside of your apartment. It's the Puuurfect (wow, sorry) camel toe cover.

Source: Shutterstock

Buy A Camel

Seeing an actual camel's toe is way more interesting than seeing yours. Plus it's a super cool conversation starter.

Source: Shutterstock

Embrace It

The laziest way to deal with a camel toe is...well, to deal with it. Walk around with confidence. I am labia hear me roar.

Source: Shutterstock

Do you have an embarrassing camel toe story? Any tips to share on hiding your camel toe? Tell us in the comments!

This High School Principal Reminds Girls That Leggings Are Not Pants

Follow us on Twitter

Afraid to be naked? You may have gymnophobia! | Source: ShutterStock

Most people are a little nervous the first time they get naked with someone else, but are you actually afraid to be naked? There’s actually a legitimate phobia for that. (A phobia is different from a regular fear in that an all-out phobia is usually irrational and interferes with your daily life and functioning.) If you’re afraid of being naked–not just uncomfortable being naked in front of someone else–you may have gymnophobia.

Experts say phobias, including gymnophobia, often develop after a bad experience–for example, you might get arachnophobia after being bitten by a spider. Similarly, if you have a bad experience with nudity, like getting made fun of in the locker room at school, it can make you afraid to be naked in general.

What’s more, people who are afraid to be naked usually suffer from other anxiety and/or body image issues–which makes a lot of sense, right? Specifically, people who suffer from anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) may have issues stripping down because of the obsessive thoughts that come along with it.

One doc explained it thusly: “[It’s] more a general anxiety of their own body image as a comparative basis. We are an increasingly obese nation so the comparison could be stressful, anxiety producing, negative for one’s self-concept and could affect one’s own willingness to expose one’s self in privacy in a relationship.”

Translation? People with gymnophobia who are afraid to be naked are constantly worried about measuring up to everyone else, whether those people are real or media images of perfection.

If you think you’re legit afraid to be naked to the point of having gymnophobia? Don’t panic! There are ways to correct it. Experts recommend that you take small steps–starting with walking around and getting comfortable in just your skivvies, then moving forward from there.

Have you ever been afraid to be naked? If you’re afraid to be naked, do you think it’s all out gymnophobia or just being uncomfortable with your body image? Tell us in the comments!

Afraid to be naked? Here’s why should love being naked!

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Source: Shutterstock

Anyway. Yes, I am very Italian. I was blessed with olive skin that tans easily and dark hair. But what most people don’t know is that I’m also very Irish, which has blessed me with green eyes and freckles. Lots and lots of freckles.

But I didn’t always think they were a blessing. I used to hate them so much! Like to the point where I wanted to know what Lindsay Lohan was doing to get rid of hers, which I’m not proud of.

I never really minded them on my arms, legs, back or stomach because they weren’t that concentrated. My face was a different story. Anytime I get even the slightest bit of sun, a million freckles come out of hiding on my face. They made me feel dirty, and apparently I looked that way.

A few years ago after spending a week at the beach, my mom tried to rub some dirt off of my nose. It wasn’t dirt, it was a group of freckles. No one ever made fun of me for having freckles, but I just couldn’t stand having these little dots all over me. I used to wear high coverage foundation just to hide them.

But one summer, I had an epiphany. I had been spending a lot of time outside (with SPF, of course!), and I got all sorts of freckled and speckled. I remember being at the grocery store completely makeup-free and the woman at the register looked at me and said, “You have the cutest freckles!” It was such a simple moment, but I had never really been complimented for my freckles before.

When I got in my car, I took a look in the mirror and thought “I guess they are kind of cute!” I decided to change my attitude about my spotted friends since they weren’t going away. I vowed to spend the rest of the summer without coating my face in foundation, which was such a blessing in the disgusting Southern heat. The more I let my freckles hang out, the more people told me they loved them and the more I loved them.

A lot of my freckles visible year-round, but now I always look forward to summertime when they’re more defined.

Do you have freckles? Do you love them or hate them? Tell us in the comments!
 

I also came to love my nose and am so thankful I didn’t get plastic surgery

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

In a quest for perfect nipples, some women are getting nipple tattoos. Ouch! | Source: ShutterStock

Tattoo trends are fleeting–remember when everyone had Chinese symbols or tribal bands? But um, there’s a new tattoo trend that’s pretty baffling: nipple tattoos. We’re talking about tattoos of nipples … on your nipples.

The trend, adorably (or grossly) called “tittooing,” is for women who want “darker, more defined” and “perfect nipples.” Which is weird, because ask anyone–especially a guy–and they’ll tell you, pretty much all nipples are perfect, joyous and wonderful things to behold.

Here’s when nipple tattoos make a little bit of sense: They were originally designed for women who underwent mastectomies for breast cancer. That I can get behind. But for the rest of us? Dude, WTF?

Aside from the pain involved–these things do not tickle–nipple tattoos aren’t even permanent. These last from 12 to 18 months before they start fading and you have to get them redone or at least touched up. What’s more, it’s more painful for women who haven’t had surgery, because your nipples are more sensitive. And if you ever get pregnant? That nipple tattoo is going to last even less time or possibly distort because of the changes in your bod and your boobs.

If for some bizarre and likely misguided reason you still want to go through a nipple tattoo (or “areola restoration,” as the euphemism goes), docs are urging you to go to a medical tattooist and not the random smoky shop down the street because of the risks involved.

But girls, really: Your nipples are perfect the way they are. Seriously. Just ask your boyfriend.

Do you think nipple tattoos are worth the risk? Would you ever consider a nipple tattoo? Tell us in the comments!

Nipple tattoos are almost as crazy as this. Almost.

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

A pair of completed portraits from the Real Beauty Sketches. Source: Dove YouTube

In our recent round-up of ways to boost your self-esteem, we reminded you that often we are our own harshest critics when it comes to our looks and overall body image. If you wanted even more proof of that fact, then you need to watch this new video from Dove’s Real Beauty campaign.

This new project is called “Real Beauty Sketches,” and the premise is simple, yet powerful. Women were asked to describe their own looks while a sketch artist drew it. Then another person described that same woman to the sketch artists. The completed portraits were hung side by side and shown to the subject.

The differences between the pictures – all done just from verbal descriptions – were apparent, with the subjects commenting that their self-described sketch was less flattering than the one drawn from others’ descriptions.

I’ve always respected the Real Beauty campaign, but I think it’s often easier to see other women and be sincere in saying that they possess natural beauty. But when we have to turn it onto ourselves? That’s ultimately harder to grasp and I think this particular campaign really explores that.

I know that I describe my features in pretty harsh ways – ways I would never in a million years even think to use to describe someone else. This video also got me thinking about how a couple weeks ago, Audrey Hepburn’s son talked about all the different flaws the actress saw in her own appearance. Women of all lifestyles grapple with body image.

What struck me as the most important lesson isn’t just that other people see our beauty in positive ways, but we can use that knowledge to remind ourselves that we are beautiful and become more secure in our own looks. It’s not about trying to impress people around us, but feeling secure and confident in how we are. A reminder that other people see us in a really positive light (which may be hard for us to see ourselves) can help put us on the path to self-acceptance.

Watch the video below, and you can see more of the sketches and hear longer interviews with the individuals featured over on Dove’s Real Beauty Sketches website.

What did you think of this video? Do you agree that many women would describe their looks more harshly than other people would describe them? What are ways you think we can work to encourage healthier body image? Tell us in the comments!

10 Quotes To Help You Love Your Body

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Confidence is the secret to beauty, but so many of us have poor body image and low self-esteem! | Source: ShutterStock

Ladies, our self-esteem and body image as a whole aren’t where they should be. A study says that half of us have poor body image and hate the way we look–but we almost all agree that confidence is the secret to beauty! What gives?!

One in two women feel like they’re not pretty enough and detest their appearance, but 88 percent of us say confidence is the key to truly looking amazing. One good part of our body image, though? Most of us are at least somewhat aware that we’re stunning as is–we just want to feel better about the skin we’re in, which can be tough since we’re bombarded with images of imaginary Photoshopped perfection all the time.

We’re here to help! Here are some more reasons why you should feel as gorgeous as we know that you are – and how to boost your self-esteem:

Others think you’re goodlooking. Seriously.
Studies have shown that we’re a lot harder on ourselves body image-wise than anyone else is on us, especially guys. In a lot of research studies, dudes have rated women as much better looking than the women rated themselves, so if your self-esteem is suffering because you don’t think guys find you attractive, guess what? They do!

Chances are no one even notices the flaws you’re freaking out about.
When you zero in on what you don’t like about your bod, face, hair, whatever, your self-esteem can plummet pretty easily. But guess what? You’re likely the only person worried about it. And unless you point it out to someone else, chances are they didn’t even know it existed.

And the flaws you can see? They may be part of what makes you hot.
Cindy Crawford used to hate her mole, and it became her trademark. See where we’re going with this? A lot of the very things that set us apart and make us self-conscious are actually what attracts other people to us: Think Zendaya’s height, Demi’s curves, Selena’s teeth or Miley’s hair.

By loving yourself and showing confidence, you’ll inspire others to do the same.
You know how when someone gives you a compliment you beam for hours? Giving someone else a compliment will make you feel just as good–and will probably inspire them to pay it forward and give you one right back. So next time you’re feeling crappy when standing next to someone you think is cuter than you are, instead of grumbling about how hard your life is, tell her how pretty her eyes are or how awesome her bangs look. Because chances are she has insecurities just like you!

There’s a lot more to you than what’s on the outside.
Cliche because it’s true. You’re beautiful–we know that. And you’re also, brilliant, brave, strong, funny and probably an awesome friend. If you ever have a breakout or a bad hair day, remember that what’s in your heart–not on your face or on a scale–is what actually makes you who you are. And who you are is one gorgeous, great gal. Don’t you forget it!

Are you surprised that so many women and girls have a negative body image? How do you improve your confidence and self-esteem? Tell us in the comments!

Boost your body image with these 10 inspirational quotes!

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!