A new article from Variety really hit home for me recently. It was titled, "Equal Pay: Women, Minorities on TV Still Making Less Than White Men." This isn't really news. Of course the pay gap everywhere is still something women are dealing with on a daily basis. But what was startling about this in-depth look at the pay gap in entertainment were the stats.

More: The Best Female BFFs in Film & TV

According to a 2016 GLAAD report, only 44 percent of series-regular prime-time broadcast roles were female. Only 20 percent of series regulars on broadcast television were black and of those, only 38 percent were black women. Ouch.

Now, that's the bad news. But I do think there is some good news to be found in those statistics. Women are underrepresented, yes, but that hasn't stopped them from making big waves in television. Female voices are being heard because they are some of the strongest, most complex and most fun-to-watch characters on television right now. Women may not be equally represented, but those who are show off so many different strengths they're definitely worth celebrating.

So here are the women of present and past television who are owning their power and keeping the female voice booming loudly.

1. Olivia Pope on Scandal

Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) doesn't just stand up to the president on an almost daily basis, she also saved his ass more than a few times.

2. Bette and Joan on Feud: Bette & Joan

The story of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford's infamous feud told through a lens that makes the ladies relatable and complex.

3. Celeste Wright on Big Little Lies

Nicole Kidman's performance as Celeste gave women struggling through abusive relationships a truthful voice.

4. Sophia Burset on OITNB

Sophia's impact was bigger than OITNB as she helped define actor Laverne Cox as a champion for the transgender community.

5. Daenerys & Cersei on Game of Thrones

Love or hate Cersei, you can't deny her powerful impact on Game of Thrones.

And this list just wouldn't be complete without the Mother of Dragons.

6. Jessica Jones

Troubled and flawed, Jessica Jones joins the ranks of Marvel superheroes as one of the grittiest. She was a beacon of superhero hope for women well before Wonder Woman's release, and she continues to be a character worth unraveling.

7. Wendy Rhoades & Taylor on Billions

Wendy (Maggie Siff) brings it with her psychology skills and her ability to assess human nature.

Meanwhile, Asia Kate Dillon takes on the role of Taylor in the series, a gender nonbinary badass who is always the smartest person in the room.

8. Olivia Benson on Law & Order SVU

As the commanding officer of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit, Olivia (Mariska Hargitay) has been making leadership look good since she joined the show in 1999.

More: 15 Kickass Girl-Power Books, As Chosen By Experts

9. Claire Underwood on House of Cards

The woman behind the man, Frank Underwood might be the one building the house of cards, but Claire (Robin Wright) is the one holding the deck.

10. Dana Scully on X-Files

Oh, Gillian Anderson, how I love thee. She beautifully translates Dana's journey to find a balance between supposed myth and hard science as the series unfolds, all while maintaining a character we root for.

11. Offred on The Handmaid's Tale

In a nightmare of a situation, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) doesn't give up. She continues to fight for a world in which women aren't defined by their ability to conceive.

12. Sarah Lane in The Path

Though misguided in her faith, the Myerism Sarah wants is a Myerism that we could all get behind, if only the religion were so simple and uncorrupted.

13. Sydney Bristow on Alias

Who didn't want to be Sydney Bristow in Alias? Yes, her spy skills were on point, but what made her so strong was her unwillingness to ever give up and her loyalty to her friends.

14. Buffy on Buffy the Vampire Slayer

She was just a regular high school girl who happened to spend her off-time killing vampires. There was no greater friend than Buffy and no greater role model for young women.

15. Kalinda Sharma on The Good Wife

She may not know how to work well with others, but she definitely knows how to work.

16. Elizabeth Jennings on The Americans

Just a normal life for a KGB officer operating covertly as a housewife in America. What's not to enjoy about a character like that?

17. Patty Hewes on Damages

Patty dominates in an otherwise male-dominated industry. She fights hard and she fights smart. Her character was so well-developed that it earned actor Glenn Close a Golden Globe.

18. Michonne on The Walking Dead

Not gonna lie. When Michonne first joined The Walking Dead, I was a skeptic. But her humanity has slowly leaked out of her tough, katana-wielding exterior.

More: Our Fave Bromance Moments From Actors Who Are BFFs

Which strong TV ladies would you add to our list?

Anyone following Mandy Moore on Instagram may have seen something upsetting Friday morning. Moore shared a photo of herself with a black eye and stitches – the culprit behind the injury? Her shower door. Haven't we all lost fights with our household objects? I can only speak for myself but been there, done that.

More: This Is Us’ Jack & Rebecca Are Not Happy Campers in New Season 2 Photos

Despair not. Moore is keeping her sweet sense of humor about the whole experience. She wrote, "Shower door handle- 1, Mandy- 0. Real talk: how does a girl get rid of a black eye pronto?" in her Instagram caption and asked her 1.4 million followers for tips. Among the well wishes, a few people had some useful ideas... Like raw potatoes.

Potatoes? Who knew?

More: Prepare Yourself: Mandy Moore is Releasing New Music

Of course, Moore's This Is Us family went above and beyond to make the star feel better about her injury. In a follow-up Instagram post Friday afternoon, she shared an adorable text exchange with co-star Milo Ventimiglia (her on-screen hubby), makeup artist Zoe Hay, and hair stylist Michael Preitz.

Are you melting? We're definitely melting. This is the cutest thing we've seen all day. Awwww.

This is proof family isn't always blood. Moore called them the "best work family ever, ever, ever" and we totally agree. It's not just anyone who would makeup their face and scowl to make you feel better about your own accident.

More: Even Regina King Is Joining the Cast of This Is Us

Moore received a few stitches from plastic surgeon Dr. David Stoker, who made a special trip after hours to help her out. Looks like she's being well taken care of, shower door excluded. We're rooting for quick healing and minimal pain! Good luck, Mandy.

Can we just applaud Days of Our Lives for a minute or two? The NBC soap is giving fans everything they wanted and more with all of the returning characters.

More: DOOL Confirms Kassie DePaiva's Return & It Is the Best News Ever

EW broke the news on Friday that The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna is returning to DOOL as Billie Reed. Rinna’s return marks another actor coming back to Salem under new head writer Ron Carlivati.

Carlivati is delivering exactly what the fans want — legacy characters. His list of returning characters includes Sami Brady, Will Horton and Eve Donovan. It’s making DOOL must-see television this fall.

As for Rinna, She began taping her episodes this week, so her episodes will not be seen until the early part of 2018. Of course, NBC and Rinna have been mum so far on her visit to Salem, but it’s sure to be something extra.

More: DOOL's Camila Banus Responds to Cyberbullies Who Won't Leave Her Alone

Rinna first appeared on DOOL in 1992 and then departed in 1995.She bounced in and out of the role in the early 2000s and again in 2012-2013. Two other actresses, Krista Allen and Julie Pinson have played the character, but Billie is most closely associated with Rinna.

Don’t forget that Rinna isn’t the only RHOBH star who is coming back to DOOL, Eileen Davidson left the Bravo reality show to focus on her two scripted roles on DOOL and The Young and the Restless.

More: Eileen Davidson Is Returning To Days of Our Lives

Davidson addressed the leave of absence to her fans on Instagram in July.

"After a lot of thought, because of my crazy scheds at YR and DOOL, I've decided it's best for me and my fam to step away from being a housewife for now," she wrote on her Instagram page. "But ya never know! I might be popping in to see what the ladies are up to from time to time! Thanks for your love and support guys!!!!"

It’s not clear how long Rinna will appear on DOOL, but Davidson’s return to the soap is seen as a temporary one. Either way, Salem is about to be sipping lots tea and stirring the pot with these two ladies in town.

In the realm of widely held beliefs and myths about sex and sexual health, we give one particularly pervasive piece of advice to women: That they should always urinate before sex.

This, we’re told, possibly prevents urinary tract infections. But is this true, and is the practice of urinating before sex actually beneficial to most women? I spoke with Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, OB-GYN and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, about this subject.

More: The Unexpected Health Benefits of Rebound Sex

First, for women who are susceptible to getting UTIs when they have sex, Hutcherson says that she tells them to urinate either after or before and after, depending on the circumstances.

"That’s because you don’t want urine in the bladder when you’re having sex," she notes. "The bacteria could multiply, especially if you don’t urinate within a few hours after intercourse." She explains that for most women, the immune system takes care of the bacteria, which will prevent UTIs. But for some women, the small amount of bacteria will cause a UTI after intercourse.

However, women who aren't particularly susceptible can still help prevent UTIs by peeing after sex. According to Hutcherson, if you urinate right before sex, you will "force bacteria that grows around the urethra into the bladder," possibly causing an infection. Apparently, the advice that all women should urinate right before sex is misleading and may actually cause the very thing they're trying to avoid.

But there are other reasons aside from preventing UTIs that compel many women to urinate before sex: mainly, pleasure. Hutcherson explains that from a pleasure standpoint, urinating before sexual activity is a good idea.

More: What to Do When Your Partner Tells You They're a Sex Addict

"When some women get close to orgasm, they feel like they need to pee, which means that it changes their focus to their bladder," she says. "It gets in the way of them reaching orgasm."

If a woman is exploring female ejaculation, emptying her bladder first may also relieve her worries about urinating. It's well-known that a feeling similar to an urge to pee is a common sensation right before female ejaculation; knowing that your bladder is actually empty might be the difference between holding the orgasm in and letting go.

As for me, I know that I like to urinate before sex because I have a rather small bladder, and nothing is more annoying than asking to be untied during a bondage session to go to the bathroom. Peeing before sex enables me to play with my partner for longer periods of time without interrupting for a pee break. This, indeed, increases my pleasure and my ability to engage in my pleasure as well as my partners'. Have you ever tried giving a blow job when you really need to pee?

In general, what I learned from speaking with Hutcherson is that if you don’t have a tendency to develop UTIs, you shouldn’t worry about whether or not you pee before or after sex. Most women's immune systems properly deal with the bacteria that cause these infections. If you must, peeing after sex is the better choice.

If you do often get UTIs, however, speak to your family doctor or OB-GYN about proper hygiene measures you can take around sexual activity to minimize the risks. As Hutcherson explains, you will probably be told to urinate at least after, but ideally both before and after.

More: How to Tell Your Partner You'd Like an Open Relationship

Lastly, a full bladder can be a hindrance to orgasm for some women, so many of them prefer to engage in sexual activity after urinating. Remember, however, that urinating right before sex can increase your risk of UTI, so stop drinking liquids a few hours before sex, and plan to wait a little after your trip to the bathroom before penetration.

And remember: You can always use this time to do some fun foreplay that doesn't directly involve your genital area.

Matt Damon is at the Venice Film Festival this week this week, where two of his new movies are showing, but what's been on his mind most lately is politics, especially the recent events in Charlottesville. The 46-year-old actor told The Hollywood Reporter that he wasn't aware at the time how apt and topical one of his new films, Suburbicon was, but that it's now being released amid mounting racial tension and overt racism.

"We made the movie last year and it’s incredible to see what’s happened in Charlottesville," he said in the interview. "It’s horrible. A lot of people, myself included, are really waking up to the extent of the existing racism, and it’s so much worse than I naively thought. I just feel naïve at this point."

Damon stars in Suburbicon with Oscar Isaac and Julianne Moore. The movie, which was written by the Cohen Brothers and directed by George Clooney, follows two families caught in conflict after a home invasion in a small town. The film, which premiered in Venice this week, is a dark comedy about secrets, race, deceit, and violence–and although it takes place in the late 1950s, many of the issues are emerging again today.

"I naively thought that, behind our generation, [another one] was coming with more awareness and inclusiveness, and that everything was getting better with each generation," Damon said. "And to see these young, aggrieved, white boys walking with their torches and screaming 'Jews will not replace us!' It was just shocking. Then the night that the President [made his] 'many sides' comment was absolutely abhorrent. Sadly, I feel the movie was made at the right time."

More: Ben Affleck Doesn't Need a Girlfriend or a Wife — He Just Needs Matt Damon

That wasn't all that was on Damon's mind during the interview, though he admitted that since Suburbicon wrapped in November, he hasn't worked on a movie and instead spends much of his time reading about politics and spending time with his family.

Damon had lots of praise for Clooney, who he says always helps him with his own projects, and who he originally met in 2001 during Oceans Eleven.

"He’s got a huge heart, he’s incredibly loyal, and he’s really, really smart. He’s changed his career, in a way," he said. "Now the perception of George is as big a movie star as you can get, an A-list director, an Oscar-winning producer. He’s somebody whose opinion I really value. If I’m working on a script, I’m sending it to him for notes; if I’m doing a movie I’m showing him a cut and asking for suggestions."

More: George Clooney Threatens Lawsuit to Protect His Twins

Before his break this summer, Damon filmed five movies back-to-back, The Martian, The Great Wall, Jason Bourne, Downsizing, and Suburbicon. When Clooney approached him with the script for Suburbicon, Damon originally said no–he absolutely had to spend time with his family. But Clooney, determined to have him in the part, offered to move the movie to L.A. so that Damon could stay at home and be with his wife and three young daughters during filming.

Damon, despite his small break from acting, still has a lot of projects cooking, including a Robert F. Kennedy biopic called RFK, which he jokes he'll have to lose some weight for. His outlook for Hollywood isn't great–he thinks many of the great projects are going to television and that super hero movies and franchises make it hard for smaller independent movies to get made.

"You can feel this spirit of risk calcifying," said Damon of Hollywood. "The studios just want those big tentpole movies, and it’s really hard to do a tentpole movie when you go in saying 'There’s not going to be a franchise here.' We’ll see where it goes. It feels like there should be a correction, because we’ve been dealing with these superhero movies for so many years, but the audiences don’t seem to be getting tired of them."

More: Matt Damon Says Risk-Taking Days Are Over: “I’ve Got kids”

Damon, who keeps threatening to direct something, still hasn't taken the leap despite a few near-misses. The actor and producer had planned to direct Manchester by the Sea, which he helped produce, but ultimately decided that the script writer Kenny Lonergan should take it on.

"Every time I fire myself as a director it becomes a vast improvement for the movie," he said. But added: "I don’t regret not directing any of the things I haven’t directed. But we’ll see. I would have thought I’d have directed by now."

Game, set, match. That's right, folks: We can all stop holding our breath and can now waltz into our long weekends in victory and happiness, because Serena Williams is a mom.

Of course, many mothers who undergo pregnancy feel like parenthood begins as soon as the alien fetus takes over your body and starts wreaking havoc on your every waking moment, craving, and sleep cycle. But hey, Williams has finally made it to the payoff: A source confirmed to US Weekly that the tennis star — and SheKnows BlogHer keynote speaker — has welcomed her first child, a daughter, with fiance Alexis Ohanian.

Because waiting to go into labor on Labor Day would just provide too many awful puns for us journalists to jump on, Williams gave birth Friday, September 1, in Palm Beach, Florida.

Williams, who expressed some mom-to-be nerves in Vanity Fair earlier this year (“I don’t know what to do with a baby!" she said) announced her pregnancy on Instagram back in April. Since then, she and Ohanian have shared their experiences with swaddle-training and obnoxiously healthy pregnancy cravings alike. Sounds like the pair have come a long way from those clueless days; this little gal was born to some seriously prepared parents.

No news yet on the baby's name, but with names like Serena and Alexis — and aunt Venus — in the fam, we're guessing it won't be "Jane." (Although you never know; grandma names are back.)

Whether you’re using cleansers, toners or moisturizers as part of your daily skin care routine, we all share the collective goal to clear away our impurities and have smooth, acne-free skin. But there’s one thing that we’re all using that may actually be the cause of our skin problems in the first place: tap water.

Unless you’re super-rich and have the time to wash your face using bottled water, you’re most likely rinsing your face using the tap water from your bathroom sink. Trouble is, that could be the source of breakouts.

More: Moringa Oil Is the New Must-Have Ingredient for Perfect, Clear Skin

Racked interviewed NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross, who said that heavy metals such as iron, copper and zinc, all found in tap water, are free radicals (unstable, reactive molecules that damage living cells), which can destroy collagen, causing wrinkles, inflammation, acne and rosacea.

But don’t worry. There is a way to continue your skin care routine without avoiding water. After you wash your face, be sure to use products with high levels of antioxidants, Gross said. A couple of options? La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum (Ulta, $42.50) packs sunscreen in with the skin-boosting ingredients; on the pricier side, SkinCeuticals’ Phloretin CF Gel (SkinCeuticals, $165) adds vitamin C to the mix.

Dermatologist Dr. Julie Russak, also interviewed by Racked, suggested adding a micellar water to your skin care routine, like the cult classic from Bioderma (Dermstore, $10.50).

More: 7 Amazing Oil-Free Moisturizers — Because, Yes, Even Oily Skin Needs Hydration

“It’s a great option, as it is a no-rinse makeup remover that gently cleanses makeup, dirt and debris without stripping the skin, so it maintains the skin’s moisture balance,” Russak said.

Thanks for the heads-up. We’re going to go stock up on micellar water now.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

I had a bad habit of scrounging and shuffling through my parents’ boxes in the attic of our house. They were getting divorced and the ladder was left down quite frequently. Boxes of their 20-year marriage were half opened, taped shut and thrown out. I was roughly 11-years-old, but even then I had an affinity for old objects, memories and collected items.

More: Choosing to shave my legs doesn't make me less queer

Finally, after enough make-believe between the Pink Panther and wooden boards, I noticed an unlabeled box. I peeled back the cardboard and there it was in all of its glory... my father’s infinite and quite impressionable Playboy collection.

I remember feeling stunned and simultaneously thrilled to be sorting through the issues one after another. The box was deep and heavy and had at least 100 issues stacked inside. One after another, I flipped with temptation.

Finally, I found it.

It was the September 1985 issue and on the cover was a familiar face. The text read, “Unlike a Virgin… For the Very First Time.” Madonna stood there, clothed in all black, her hair shuffled around her signature headband and her string of rosaries around her neck. My Catholic schoolgirl boots were quivering.

I don’t remember what other issues my father collected, but this one I put on a pedestal. Being exposed to Madonna in this way was different than all of my other early queer memories. This was more intimate than the moment Claire became my first kiss in her basement. This was far removed from experimenting with Sarah in the bathtub in first grade.

I was raised in a highly conservative Catholic family. Finding my father’s secret, and probably hidden, collection was a holy experience. His confidential dirty magazine stash was passed down to his daughter — something he probably didn’t plan to occur — and shook the pears from her tree. One by one, I turned the pages of every Playboy magazine, joyfully exposing myself to the sleek and shiny pages decorated with flawless women.

As I opened the Madonna issue, I quickly scanned for her spread. The photographs were in black and white and shot by Lee Friedlander. Later in life while studying to get my photography degree, I would think back on these images and use their inspiration again. The photographs weren’t typical of a Playboy issue. They were intimate, like the viewer was the lover, and they had just finished a long sexual encounter. The moments Friedlander captured were mid-movement and unpolished — just like Madonna.

More: What I Learned From Having Sex With a Woman for the First Time

I gazed at her body and her underarms, all unshaven. I remember looking at her shape, at the way she folded her legs and how different she appeared without clothing. I was seeing her through the eyes of the male gaze. Hunched over and fascinated, did Playboy know that an 11-year-old girl would be unhinged at the sight of this particular superstar?

There is one particular photograph where Madonna is seated without any clothing, and she’s looking down at herself. Her legs are unshaven. Her body is smooth. I was awestruck and still am to this day when I look at it. I wanted to steal the magazine and stare at her forever. In that moment, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be her or I wanted to have sex with her. My queer wheels began to turn. I couldn’t get enough of what I was seeing. I wanted more. The female body being presented to me in such a sensitive and penetrating way felt right. I wasn’t confused or ashamed. I felt, for the first time, that I firmly loved the female body. Although, it would take me years to discover the entirety of my queer identity, it is rooted in this childhood memory.

Looking back and detailing my initial thoughts on Madonna and Playboy makes me wonder how I am any better than the concept of the male gaze. My eyes sexualized Madonna just like Friedlander and the Playboy consumers. How am I any better? Is it because I was an innocent child who stumbled upon the box by accident?

At the end of the day, Playboy is an entertainment magazine for men. It supplies written articles and still does to this day. Its beginnings in the 1950s and rise in the 1970s shaped sexuality for men and women across the nation. While we can criticize Playboy for its many sexist mishaps, being exposed to female nude bodies empowered me. I saw a woman I already idolized taking ownership of her body. My own self-discovery as a queer individual is entirely based on my little after-school field trips to the attic where I would gaze and sigh over the large and vast magazine collection. My freedom sat inside that box.

More: Passing as straight is a privilege I'm embarrassed to own up to

The hyper-sexualization of the women in Playboy sparked a craving inside me. My queer senses began to tingle when I saw Madonna’s arms lifted above her head. Her natural body triggered something deep inside my stomach. I didn’t know what that feeling was at the time. It was my little secret.

I simply sat on my foot, daydreamed about her as I fell asleep, and eventually, I grew up.

By S. Nicole Lane

Originally published on HelloFlo.

The last year has been all about hygge — a Scandinavian ideal that encompasses living in the moment and taking time to enjoy all things warm and cozy. It quickly turned into a major design trend here in the States, prompting people to light candles, rearrange furniture to encourage conversation and pop a batch of cookies in the oven.

When I started reading about hygge last winter, it immediately reminded me of “gezellig,” or “gezelligheid.” I learned this term during a semester abroad in Holland, and like hygge, there’s no direct English translation. It encompasses anything that’s quaint and cozy, and is more about how something makes you feel — like the joy and belonging that comes from reuniting with an old friend or seeing a loved one for the first time in a while.

More: How to Clean Your Jewelry so It Sparkles Even Longer

Gezelligheid is an abstract notion and encompasses many of the key parts of Dutch culture. The word derives from gezel, which means “companion” or “friend,” and gezelligheid is all about positive atmosphere and good energy. A room, person or party can all be gezellig, meaning anything from fun to cozy to inviting.

Michele Hutchison of Finding Dutchland writes, “Gezelligheid is claiming a section of the park by stringing bunting in the trees and having a barbecue or picnic on the rug. A bustling street market is always gezellig. Gezellig shouldn’t be expensive or pretentious. It’s hygge but without the fairy magic.” 

The New Yorker’s Glossary of Happiness lists gezellig along with hygge, koselig (Norwegian) and mysa (Swedish) as Northern European words for existential coziness. Tim Lomas suggests that these words are related not just to culture, but to geography and climate — these are countries that would value “the sense of being warm and secure and cozy inside.” 

More: When to Ditch the Harsh Household Cleaners & Go Au Naturel Instead

Whether you’re getting ready for a cold winter or just want to step up the cozy factor in your home, gezellig is really all about embracing the little things. Here are seven ways to bring a dose of this indefinable Dutch quality into your life.

1. Order your coffee “to stay.” Instead of rushing out of the coffee shop on a busy morning, take a seat, sip a cappuccino, indulge in a pastry and do a little bit of people-watching.

2. Flowers. Holland is known for fields of tulips, but any type of flowers can make your home more gezellig.

3. Skip the store-bought version. Nothing says “cozy” quite like a toasty kitchen with the smell of something delicious baking. Instead of picking up supermarket cookies or brownies, make a batch of your own and take pride in something homemade.

4. Don’t pick up after your children. A Dutch website says that since your kids won’t put away their toys without a bribe anyway, you might as well leave them scattered across the floor. Not a decorating tip, per se, but we’ll take any excuse to cut back on cleanup time.

5. Host a casual dinner party. Ask your friends to pitch in with meal preparation or to each bring a different course, potluck-style. This will cut back on your stress as a host, and you’ll be able to relax and enjoy yourself.

6. Walk (or bike!) to work. The Dutch are famous for bicycling everywhere, and what better way to enjoy a crisp fall day than spending a little extra time outdoors? Weather and distance permitting, skip the train or traffic-filled commute and get some exercise — and a breath of fresh air.

7. Update your artwork. Frame your child’s best pieces or update old family photos that you already have hanging on your walls. Personal touches around your home are just about as gezellig as it gets.

The saying, "violence is not the answer," apparently doesn't hold true anymore. So Jessica Chastain discovered on Twitter this week after she tried to encourage peaceful protests and condemned the "alt-left" and violence.

More: Why Jessica Chastain's Avoiding Relationships With Hollywood Bachelors

No, really, this is a thing.

It started when Chastain posted a tweet of a Time article explaining why the "alt-left" is a problem.

Then she got into a debate with another Twitter user over a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. about non-violent protests.

To that tweet, a follower responded that she should, "listen to people without your privileges" and referred to Chastain as a "white moderate." Those tweets have since been deleted, but Chastain's responses have not.

After all the exchanges, Chastain once again took to Twitter. This time with a heartfelt video in which the actress teared up talked about social change in this country.

More: Jessica Chastain Delivers Serious Speech About Hollywood's Diversity Problem (VIDEO)

Luckily, this time around, there was support instead of hate.

More: Matt Garza Tried to School Jessica Chastain on Birth Control and Failed

Goodbye, Ben Affeck. Hello, Internet! Jennifer Garner has arrived.

More: Ben Affleck Is Divorcing Jennifer Garner, & Yes, This Time They're Serious

But don't even think of calling her a newbie to the Instagram world. Garner is already crushin' it with her first post — a cheeky little video encouraging everyone watch to press that follow button.

She starts with a cheesy joke: "Summer is almost over. Don’t be sad because sad is DAS backward and DAS not good."

More: Welp, There Go Our Dreams of a Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner Reunion

And then ends with a message for all, "I am officially on Instagram so please follow me because isn’t that how this works…"

If only it were as easy as asking for us small folk.

But Garner is an A-lister so she's already got 190,000 followers in the span of about a day.

Garner is also already using her Instagram for a good cause. The link in her profile takes you to a Hurricane Harvey relief fund page hosted by Save the Children.

Can her #TBTs please just be a running list of Alias references?

Garner previously said in a 2014 interview that she stayed away from social media because "I don’t want any more guilt coming from my phone or computer. I have the hardest time answering emails, anyway, so the last thing I want to feel is indebted to my phone or computer. So it’s time."

More: Insider Reveals Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner's Co-Parenting Plans

She added, "And the other is, what would I Instagram that people would want to see. There is nothing I would put out that people would want to see. It’s probably best to stay away. They don’t want to see me and my mom friends after kindergarten drop-off."

I guess she decided it was worth the time. And about that kindergarten drop-off, I would tune in for that. It sounds adorable.

Will you follow Jennifer Garner on Instagram?

To some, makeup and skin care obsessions might seem a little superficial, but the truth is that beauty isn’t just about shopping and product-hunting. Sure, feeling good about your looks can give you confidence, but beauty routines can also provide a creative, fun outlet for self-expression that can lift you up during tough times. Yesterday, we discovered a super-inspiring thread on Reddit’s MakeupAddiction that proved we’re not the only ones whose feelings about makeup go more than skin-deep.

The thread started when a user asked how beauty has played a role in people’s physical and mental health, and within hours, the comment section was loaded with Redditors sharing moving, personal stories. People opened up about how makeup and skin care helped them cope with issues like depression, anxiety and chronic illness, explaining that beauty brings positivity and confidence to otherwise dark, overwhelming situations.

"[Skin care and makeup] gives me a sense of control I never had as a little kid."

We chatted with eating disorder therapist and body image expert Temimah Zucker for her thoughts on how beauty routines can support people’s emotional wellness. “I encourage clients to find meaning in makeup,” she says. “Perhaps a bold lip color represents how powerful your words and thoughts can be. Or maybe concealer is less about concealing oneself, and more about being mindful that some people will see all of you and others might not.”

Zucker also notes that the creative aspect of makeup can be a natural mood-booster. “By cultivating different looks, blending, mixing and experimenting, you can practice creativity and art, which are often much-needed and encouraged pastimes for those struggling with mental health.”

Below, we rounded up six insightful, moving highlights from the thread for an important reminder that beauty is anything but frivolous.

Taking back control

“I grew up really controlled, and my appearance was definitely a part of that control. My mother picked my clothes for me through middle school (and trust me, I wasn’t inept at picking my own clothes). Later, my parents used to make comments on how I looked without any sort of guidance. So now that I have disposable income and free time, I’m SO particular about how I look and what I use … I relish in the luxuriousness of my skin care and makeup. Overall, it gives me a sense of control I never had as a little kid. And I like being known for being good at this kinda stuff too.” — Gotohela

Treating yourself

“The self-care of my skincare routine (almost clear skin now from acne!) and the self-esteem boost of adding colour to my face (eyeshadows) makes me feel accomplished. I have mental health issues too (depression/anxiety/recent severe panic attacks) and it’s a great way to be nice to myself.” — AmyPond808 

Overcoming challenges

“I have severe depression and also lots of issues with chronic pain (hooray fibro!). Most of the time I have a very hard time having the motivation to not look like absolute garbage, even with my work being business casual. Being into makeup has helped me through a lot. I may sometimes get frustrated with having very shaky hands and never being able to wing my liner, but it is worth it to me for the compliments I usually get when I manage to get some makeup on.” — Tikappu-kitsune

More: 12 Safe, Effective Alternatives to Retinoids

Embracing your own skin

“I struggled to come to terms with my femininity for a long time. I went to a religious K-8 school that treated girls as second-class citizens. It really fucked up my ideas about gender, gender roles, and just generally what it meant to be a woman. I completely rejected everything remotely feminine for a long time. It’s been a long hard road to where I am now, comfortable in my own skin. Exploring makeup has been a part of that journey.” — Pomme_dor

More: The 7 Best Products to Shop at Sephora in August

Taking time out

“Those 15 [minutes] in the morning that I put on make up is my “me” time before taking on the day. I get to pamper myself and also be creative and play with colors and different finishes. I get to decide how I want to look for the day: Clean and simple? Colorful? Vampy? Dramatic? Pin up? Soft and easy? It’s whatever I want, and no one gets to dictate it. Also, if I know it’s going to be a hard day, or I feel like I need that extra boost of confidence, I’ll go a little more dramatic—a deep lip, or a metallic eye, or an extra-bold winged liner. It’s my war paint when I feel I need an extra layer of armor, so to speak.” — Klar971

Getting out of your head

“Makeup definitely helps me conquer anxiety and depression. My mind is constantly engaged in worry/negative thinking, and putting on makeup for fun is a time where I can get away from that. Pretty difficult to speculate about how my life is falling apart when I’m playing with my glorious hoard of makeup.” — Gudegudegg

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

If you’ve ever taken a spin through the world of birth-control apps, you know that there are approximately 1 million options, all of which promise to track your period and your fertility with reliable precision. How do you know which to pick? Is it the one your friends are using? The one with the best reviews? How about the one with certification by an internationally governing organization?

Natural Cycles is a birth-control app with the distinction of being the first to be certified as a contraceptive method by the European Union. You take your temperature in the morning and enter it into the app, and Natural Cycles’ algorithm tells you whether or not you need to use protection on that day. It’s essentially natural family planning managed by your phone. Sound good? Before you download it or any birth control app, though, read on.

More: We’re one step closer to getting birth control pills without a prescription

Experts such as Dr. Victoria Jennings, director and principal investigator of the Institute for Reproductive Health at Georgetown University are urging women to be pragmatic when relying on apps such as Natural Cycles to do their family planning.

For one, EU certification and FDA certification do not meet the same criteria. The CE (abbreviation for the French term meaning European Conformity) is delegated based on safety, whereas the FDA, while concerned with safety, also looks into how effective the product is. The FDA has yet to approve Natural Cycles.

Jennings recommends anyone who’s considering using an app for birth control approach the process with care. “You really have to do your research beyond what appears on the first page of the reviews,” she explains.

While consumers should be careful due to a lack of standards (any app can arrive in the app store; there’s little regulation), it’s not that all apps are useless. “It’s important to acknowledge that many are trying hard to do the research about safety and efficacy,” says Jennings, “but often, claims are being made before the full process of research has happened.”

It’s also not that apps that operate based on natural family-planning methods are bad, although according to Jennings, there is skepticism about natural family planning, even in the reproductive health community.

More: 10 Herbal Supplements That Could Be Messing With Your Birth Control Pills

“There’s a bias against methods a woman can use on her own without intervention because of the emphasis on hyper-medicalization,” explains Jennings.

That being said, if you’re going to use a fertility app that’s based on natural family planning, you should know what you’re getting into.

In the case of Natural Cycles, you need to take your basal body temperature (the temperature you have when you’re fully at rest) daily. In order to get an accurate temperature, you have to do so first thing in the morning before doing anything else, which could prove a difficult habit to form and maintain, especially given variables. (What if you have to pee in the middle of the night?)

“There are natural family-planning apps that are helpful and promote fertility awareness, and we should be positive about them,” Jennings says. One such app that’s similar to Natural Cycles but is currently undergoing a rigorous efficacy study is Dot. The main requirement of this app is that you enter your period start date.

More: 5 (More!) Uses for Birth Control That Have Nothing to Do With Sex

Only you can decide if a fertility app is right for you, and if you do opt for one, you should proceed thoughtfully and cautiously since the consequences of the app failing are pretty significant to say the least. The bottom line? “Different people want different methods,” concludes Jennings. “Everyone should be able to have what they want, but make sure to look before you leap.”

By Chanel Dubofsky

Originally published on HelloFlo.

It's been almost a year since Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, and the private star has shared little about their subsequent split in the press. But in a new interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Jolie let down her guard and admitted she's not a fan of the single life.

More: Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie Involved in Weird Interior Design Lawsuit

"I don't enjoy being single. It's not something I wanted. There's nothing nice about it. It's just hard," she revealed.

She went on to explain that, despite outward appearances, the past year hasn't been without struggle. "Sometimes maybe it appears I am pulling it all together, but really I am just trying to get through my days," Jolie said. "Emotionally, it's been a very difficult year, and I have had some other health issues. So my health is something I have to monitor."

Pitt has similarly opened up to the press about how difficult things have been since Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016 after two years of marriage and 12 years together. In interviews, he has confessed he had been drinking too much prior to their split. On more than one occasion, he has praised "Angie's" recent directorial efforts.

More: Angelina Jolie Gives Rare Interview About Her Health & Divorce From Brad Pitt

In August, rumors began surfacing that the pair had put their divorce on hold to "see what happens." According to E! News, however, a source close to the former couple insists no reconciliation is in sight.

"They are not getting back together," said the source. "They are both focused on putting their children's priorities first and are getting along, but this story is clearly an outsider trying to create a storyline that doesn't exist."

Someone clearly didn't clue the rumor mill in to that source's secret intel, though, because a brand-new narrative began circulating over Labor Day weekend — that Jolie and Pitt have reportedly decided to give their marriage one more go.

More: A-List Female Actors Who Are Also Big-Time Directors

"There were a lot of tears, nothing was left on the table," the couple's self-professed biographer, Ian Halperin, told The Mail, adding, "Brad took the first step forward, then they collapsed into each other's arms."

Clearly, such speculation should be taken with a grain of salt.

Regardless of whether Jolie reunites with her estranged hubby, she has a lot to celebrate these days. First They Killed My Father — the film about Cambodian human rights activist Loung Ung, which Jolie directed, produced and co-wrote — debuted this weekend at the Telluride film festival in Colorado. Jolie attended the premiere with all six of her kids in tow.

And while it won't premiere until Sept. 15, on Netflix, the film is already garnering major buzz. It's being called Jolie's best work yet, and it earned a standing ovation at Telluride.

ICYMI, Chris Evans adores his dog, Dodger — like, a lot. He posts quite frequently on social media about his affection for the pup and has been lamenting lately how much he has missed his doggy BFF while he's on location. But no one could have predicted the cuteness overload that would occur when Evans and Dodger were reunited.

More: Chris Evans Melts Our Hearts After Winning Super Bowl Bet

To be fair, we all knew the precious pair would be in each other's company again soon. After all, how could we not? Evans has quite literally been counting down the days on social media.

Then, on Sunday, the Captain America star shared the super-sweet moment (which he videoed for posterity, naturally) he got to see his four-legged friend once again, captioning the Twitter vid, "After 10 long weeks."

And holy heart-tugger, the warm welcome Dodger gives Evans is enough to defrost even the iciest heart.

More: Chris Evans & Jenny Slate Share Sweet Embrace — I'm Not Crying, You're Crying

What makes the pair's story even more special is the fact that Dodger is a rescue dog. Evans adopted the pup after meeting him in April during the filming of Gifted. If you'll recall, one of the film's final scenes was in a pound. Is that a great meet-cute, or what?

We don't want to speak too soon, but if Evans keeps posting aww-inducing pictures and videos of his dog, he just might dethrone country singer Brett Eldridge and his dog, Edgar, as social media's reigning cutest human-and-pup pair.

More: Brett Eldridge's Instagram Is the Most Wonderful Place on the Internet

Any parent of young children will tell you that when you get a rare night out sans-children, you make the most of it. And that's precisely what Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel appeared to do when they attended the U.S. Open in New York City over the weekend.

More: Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake Waited a While to Share Their First Kiss

With their 2-year-old son Silas presumably in the capable hands of a nanny, Timberlake and Biel couldn't couldn't stop the feeling during a match between Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez.

The couple's sweet date night included lots of laughter, cheering the players on and plenty of PDA. Never one to let fans down, Timberlake hammed it up whenever the cameras panned around to the couple — making funny faces and even throwing his arms up in celebration.

More: Justin Timberlake Is a Big Fan of 'Dad Life'

Could these two be any cuter? Let me consult my Magic 8-Ball: ah, yes, OUTCOME UNLIKELY.

Working in the veterinary field, one of the concerns I heard most frequently expressed was how often owners should feed their dogs (and what type of diet, but that’s another story). Some people fed one meal a day, others three, and still more let their dogs free feed, but most were concerned that they might be feeding either too much or too little.

So how many times a day should your dog actually eat?

As with most medical advice, the answer is not quite as simple as we might like.

How often should puppies eat?

There are few cut and dry answers when it comes to dog diets, just like not all feeding schedules work for humans. For instance, I get super-grumpy if I don't have a midmorning snack, but I have friends who can go hours without feeling hungry or irritable. However, when it comes to puppies, there are a few rules you should follow.

More: 15 Toy Dog Breeds That Will Make You Want a Little Dog

Young puppies, especially toy breed puppies, need to eat every few hours to avoid dangerously low blood-sugar levels. As your puppy grows, you can decrease the frequency of the meals based on your veterinarian’s recommendation.

How often should adult dogs eat?

Adult dogs, on the other hand, do not need as many meals as puppies and can go for longer between meals.

Veterinary nutritionist Dr. Amy Farcas says that most healthy adult dogs are perfectly fine eating two meals a day. Your dog does not need a lunch, despite what he may tell you, and most dogs adjust very well to this twice-a-day schedule.

More: 8 things a pet nutrition expert wants you to know about your pet

There are exceptions to this. Dogs on a weight-loss diet might do better with several small meals over the course of the day to help them feel less hungry, and dogs with health conditions like diabetes or cancer might require a specialized meal plan.

Feeding one meal a day is not typically advised by veterinarians, especially for large dog breeds. All of that food, and the speed with which it is consumed, could lead to bloat.

What about free feeding?

Some owners prefer to free feed, thinking that their dogs will graze over the course of the day and only eat as necessary. While this can be true of some dogs, others, like my cocker spaniel, take to free feeding like I would take to an all-day ice cream buffet.

There are some other disadvantages to free feeding besides obesity. It is harder to monitor your dog’s food intake if you free feed, which means you might not notice right away if your dog has a change in appetite. This makes it harder to catch illnesses early.

More: What You Don't Know About Cat/Dog Obesity Could Kill Your Furry Friend

It is also difficult to free feed in a multiple-dog household. Down the line, one of your dogs might need a special diet or you might have a dog with some food aggression issues that could make free feeding problematic.

With pet obesity on the rise, measuring out two to three meals a day for your dog seems to be the best option for your pets. Talk to your veterinarian about how much food your dog should be getting on a daily basis — that includes treats — and how often your dog needs to eat to stay healthy.

It's a happy time in the royal household because Prince William and Kate Middleton are expecting their third child. This is huge and exciting news for any celebrity couple, but for Prince William and Middleton, it's especially happy. After the recent sad anniversary of the passing of Princess Diana and the news that Prince Phillip would be stepping back from public royal duties, it feels as if this is a bit of a mood-lifter and all-around happy occasion.

More: Source Claims the Queen Plans to Crown William & Kate King & Queen

The news of Middleton's pregnancy was confirmed by Kensington Palace via their Twitter account on Monday afternoon, local time. According to the press release, which is very succinct and very sweet, the royal family is "delighted with the news"; just what you'd expect on an occasion such as this.

More: Prince George & Princess Charlotte's Cutest Moments From Their Summer European Tour

It would appear that the royal family had to make the announcement about Middleton's pregnancy for a few reasons. The first is that Middleton is less than 12 weeks but one might presume that, given the other various news items coming from the royal household, the royal couple wanted to wait for a better time. Additionally, a reporter for The Daily Mail notes that the announcement had to be made because Middleton would be missing a public engagement — which frequently warrants a quick announcement from royal officials — and because Middleton is suffering once again from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, as noted in the press release, too. She suffered from the illness while pregnant with her other children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, so it is likely that she will not be appearing in public as often as expected throughout this pregnancy so that she may care for her unborn child.

More: Prince George & Princess Charlotte Are Going on Tour With Their Parents

While on royal business in Manchester, England, Prince Harry was asked by reporters if he has heard of Middleton's pregnancy and what his thoughts were. "It's great," he replied. "I'm very, very happy for them." He appeared all smiles although he did note that he hadn't had a chance to speak with his sister-in-law or brother about the news just yet.

Congratulations are most certainly in order for the royal family, Middleton and Prince William specifically, and best wishes for a healthy pregnancy for Middleton especially.

Coined by the beauty geniuses of the world, de-potting is more or less a creative way to organize your favorite eye shadow singles into one ginormous super-palette, aka the Z palette. Experts recommend using MAC’s Pro Palette, large which, for reference, can be used to combine three Urban Decay palettes into one. Amazing, right? And if having your go-to shadows in one convenient place isn’t reason alone to jump on the de-potting train, it’s also great as inspiration for new color combinations.

More: The Exact Hair Products Rihanna Uses — Courtesy of Her Longtime Hairstylist

Figuring out how to de-pot your eye shadows isn’t an easy task, but luckily for you, we already scoped out the best de-potting tutorials out there so you can try out all sorts of techniques, such as using heat to remove the glue under the pan with a hair straightener or going heatless with a string of floss. Below, check out these insanely easy tutorials and start de-potting your way to an epic collection of shadows.

Using a lighter

Using rubbing alcohol

Using a straightener

More: 7 Best Makeup Priming Sprays That Won’t Leave Your Face Extra Oily

Using an X-acto knife

Using floss

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

As it approaches its seventh season, the anthology TV series American Horror Story is bringing back some familiar franchise faces to tell the story of one woman who is being terrorized in the days and weeks following the 2016 election. One of those familiar faces is AHS' greatest repertory actor, Sarah Paulson, who has been featured as a key player in every season since the early days of AHS: Murder House. She's proven herself not only indispensable to the world of AHS, but she's become a total chameleon. Playing a psychic medium, a steely witch, a beleaguered queer reporter, conjoined identical twins, an actor and, soon, a terrorized and fragile American in the exaggerated hellscape of late 2016, AHS has put Paulson through the wringer with no sign of letting up.

More: The American Horror Story: Cult Cast Just Gave a Bunch of Upcoming-Season Deets

As we approach the premiere of AHS: Cult on Tuesday, we should take a moment to appreciate all of Paulson's finest moments over previous AHS seasons. While she has consistently turned in a riveting performance, there are some moments that stand out better than others, in my opinion. What follows is a selection of those moments. Take a look for yourself.

More: American Horror Story's Lily Rabe Posts Photo With New Baby

1. Murder House: Billie Dean Howard predicts the birth of the Antichrist

Paulson's first appearance on AHS was as psychic Billie Dean Howard on Murder House. In one particularly powerful scene, Billie Dean explained how the Antichrist would come to exist, effectively chilling to the very bone Jessica Lange's character, Constance Langdon. Watch Paulson put on her best drama voice and scare the ever-living daylights out of ol' Connie.

2. Coven: Cordelia says goodbye to her mother

Coven was one of Paulson's best runs, and it's thanks to her character, Cordelia Foxx, and the way in which she maintains the upper hand. Cordelia goes on a real journey in her personal life and as a witch in Coven. It's one of the scenes toward the end of the season, where Cordelia makes up with her mother as her mother approaches death, that is the most affecting.

3. Asylum: Lana finally escapes the asylum and gets the upper hand

In one of Paulson's best AHS moments, she hardly says anything at all. As Lana Winters, Paulson's skills in nonverbal dramatic acting are at their best. Watch as she masterfully conveys so much with a deadly stare and one well-timed middle finger, escaping Briarcliffe with damning evidence against serial killer Oliver Threadson.

4. Freak Show: Meeting Bette and Dot

Paulson had double duty in Asylum, playing identical twins sharing one body, Bette and Dot. Their introduction to the series sees Paulson playing both sides of the situation and showing off her impressive range.

More: American Horror Story: Cult Released the Official Guest Star & Character List

5. Roanoke: Shelby can't stop saying Matt's name

One of the key twists in Roanoke was that Paulson was actually playing a fictionalized version of Lily Rabe's character, Shelby, in a TV show reenactment. As such, Paulson's fake Shelby was left screaming the name of her husband — a lot — as she pretended to be part of a couple living in a haunted house.

6. Freak Show: Bette and Dot eat pink cupcakes

In another ultra-eerie Freak Show moment, Paulson acts her heart out, showing the twins dying because of a lethal pink cupcake.

7. Coven: Cordelia uses her second sight on her skeevy husband

Following an accident where Cordelia has acid thrown in her eyes, she is brought home by her mother, Fiona, and her husband. It turns out that Cordelia isn't technically blind; the attack has given her the gift of second sight, and she can see a person's actions when she touches them. Paulson channels so many emotions in this scene and flows between them so well that it's amazing to watch.

8. Asylum: Looking into the face of madness

The final scenes of Asylum feature Lana's story coming full circle. It's a little bloody as she confronts her serial killer son, but it's also eerily cathartic.

9. Cult: The clowns are out to get her

Cult will see Paulson become Ally Mayfair-Richards, a woman who is not dealing with the election of Donald Trump particularly well. While the season about to get under way, it's clear that Paulson will be doing a lot of terrified screaming as her character sees creepy clowns everywhere — even in her own bed.

10. Hotel: Hypodermic Sally's scary time to shine

Paulson played the dead drug addict Hypodermic Sally in Hotel. Frequently crying and always brooding, Sally isn't doing very well in the afterlife, and her death proves it.