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Orange is the New Black cast rocks the VMAs in dark dresses

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Taylor Schilling, Uzo Aduba and Laverne Cox represented their Netflix hit series in a stylish way on the red carpet, and seemed to very deliberately stray from their characters' uniforms. Of course, they are incarcerated on the show, so they don't have much say in the matter, but you could tell the actresses loved dressing up for a change.

VMA: Taylor Schilling

Photo credit: Apega/WENN.com

In a black blinged out sweetheart neckline dress featuring a high slit, Taylor definitely brought the sexy. She paired the dress with edgy black leather sandals, sultry beach waves and gorgeous eye makeup.

VMA: Uzo Aduba

Photo credit: Apega/WENN.com

Also opting for a classic LBD, Uzo Aduba went for a long-sleeve version with heavy embellishment at the midsection and shoulders. She spiced up the dark color with gold strappy sandals, a sassy red lip and a polished blowout.

VMA: Laverne Cox

Photo credit: Apega/WENN.com

Laverne Cox went for a stunning asymmetrical navy sequined gown, accessorizing with simple black pumps and straight hair.

Side by side, these ladies made for quite the stylish trio, and they only fueled our Emmys style fever even more. The big show airs tonight, and we're hoping this is a preview of some fab fashion to come!

More VMAs style

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Amber Rose gets (almost) naked at the 2014 MTV VMAs
Slicked-back hair has a moment at the 2014 MTV VMAs


Ruh-roh: Scooby Doo's Daphne is "cursed" to be fat (aka a size 8)

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As Scooby Doo, Shaggy and the gang go on their latest mystery-solving psychedelic adventure, they are confronted by the bad guy who curses them with losing the thing they love the most, which in Daphne's case means going from her usual size two to a horrifying size eight. (Thereby causing every woman who is a size eight — a healthy size by most measures — to reach through the screen and slap the paint off the animators' fingers.) 

Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy - Daphine fat Curse

Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy - Daphine fat Curse

Warner Brothers says they intended for the scene to be a positive statement on body image as Daphne, the quintessential Pretty Girl, discovers by the end that "the loss of [her] regular appearance is proven to be a superficial thing, and not what actually matters the most to her." They add that Fred not only still loves his gal pal but "didn't even notice" when she gained weight — a statement that I'm not sure is very reassuring. Thanks for being so spacey, Fred. It's one thing to still love your significant other even when they go through significant physical changes but it's entirely another to say you didn't even notice in the first place!

Daphne thin and overweight

Photo credit: WarnerBrosOnline/YouTube

But it's dubious from the get-go as to whether or not Warner Brothers really knows what they're talking about as Daphne's "size eight" frame looks like a Macy's Day parade float and the only other thing they changed about the eternally vapid girl's appearance was to frizz-ify her hair. They couldn't have at least cursed her with a zit or two? A hairy mole? That orange fake tan that's so popular among starlets these days? There are so many ways to mess with someone's appearance and yet the first one (and pretty much only one) they picked was her weight. Not to mention that Daphne then deflates as quickly as a balloon — if only real weight loss were as simple!

Outrage over the plot device has been swift and furious as parents have shared their displeasure via social media. "It's sad to think that my daughter can't even watch a cartoon about a dog solving mysteries without negative body stereotypes being thrown in her face," writes Tom Burns on The Good Men Project. Other people have chimed in that if being overweight, or even a size eight, is a "curse" then we're all doomed.

Yet others are saying it's been blown out of proportion like this Amazon reviewer who wrote, "I actually have to defend the writers here because Daphne realized she was being superficial throughout that story arc, it added to the story in a meaningful way (it allows her to evade iron face) and most importantly: Fred didn't notice/care and said that she "always looked good to him." I would say it was more about acceptance and not being superficial than anything."

Whether or not that's what the writers had intended, they had to know they were stepping on a cultural landmine. With constant reports of overweight people being shamed in public places, kicked off of airplanes and mocked mercilessly online — fat shaming is practically the new national sport — gaining weight basically is treated as a horror story in many aspects of our culture. And we're definitely getting the message. One survey found that women would rather "die or go blind than be seen as fat" while another found that 93 percent of women have tried to lose weight at some point in their lives. But the worst part is the average age girls start thinking they need to diet: Eight.

Women would rather die than be fat. Second graders think they need to diet. This is why we need to stop making weight gain the boogeyman.

More body image advice

9 Signs you're trying too hard to be perfect
Is vagina shaming cramping your confidence?
16-Year-old human Barbie claims she's had no plastic surgery

Taylor Schilling at the 2014 Primetime Emmys — Nailed it

Hayden Panettiere shows off baby belly at the 2014 Emmys

Love it or hate it: Lena Dunham wears something pink and poofy to the 2014 Emmys

Red dresses dominated the 2014 Emmys red carpet

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Heidi Klum goes with a consistent red carpet winner, Zac Posen. Why Posen? "I loved the color of this dress and the sleekness of it," she told People.

Heidi Klum at the Emmys

Giuliana Rancic saddled up to interview celebs in a custom Gustavo Cadile dress with Christian Louboutin heels and Forevermark diamonds.

Giuliana Rancic at the 2014 Emmys

Mad Men's January Jones goes full ball gown with her scarlet multi-level Prabal Gurung dress with black Christian Louboutin heels. Love the added detail!

January Jones at the 2014 Emmys

Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus went with a halter neckline and criss-cross back in her custom Carolina Herrera dress.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus 2014 Emmys

OK, so it's not quite red red, but Mom star Allison Janney looked gorgeous in a raspberry crushed velvet look with gathering around the waist.

ailson janney at the 2014 Emmys

Love the neckline on Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Chelsea Peretti's red gown. The thigh-high slit shows off those gorgeous long legs, too.

Chelsea Peretti at the 2014 Emmys

Does Christina Hendricks ever not nail it on the red carpet? Nope. The Mad Men star crushed it again in her curve-hugging Marchesa gown with gold embellishment at the hip.

Christina Hendricks at the 2014 Emmys

Actress Lisa Rinna looked ravishing in her red strapless mermaid gown.

Lisa Rinna at the 2014 Emmys

Could Minnie Driver's red satin gown with a multicolor jewel neckline look any more amazing? No, no it can't.

Minnie Driver at the 2014 Emmys

Get On Up star Octavia Spencer opted for a dress with plenty of interesting detail. Love how it gathers around the chest and the waist, kinda like a sash.

Octavia Spencer at the 2014 Emmys

Modern Family star Sarah Hyland brings this season's crop top trend to the red carpet with the white crop and full red skirt. Love the high bun and smoky eye makeup, too!

Sara Hyland at the 2014 Emmys

Tell us: Who looked best in red at the 2014 Primetime Emmys?

More Emmys red carpet style

Love it or hate it: Lena Dunham wears something pink and poofy to the 2014 Emmys
Hayden Panettiere shows off baby belly at the 2014 Emmys
Taylor Schilling at the 2014 Primetime Emmys — Nailed it

Photo credits: Getty Images

Orange is the New Black cast glammed out for the 2014 Primetime Emmys

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Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba at the 2014 Emmys

Photo credit: Getty/JeffVespa/WireImage

Laura Prepon

Laura Prepon at the Emmys

Photo credit: GettyImages/Jason Merritt/GettyImage Entertainment

Taylor Schilling

Taylor Schilling at the Emmys

Photo credit: GettyImages/JeffVespa/WireImage

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox at the Emmys

Photo credit: GettyImages/Steve Granitz/WireImage

Alysia Reiner

Photo credit: Getty images/Michael Buckner/Getty Images Entertainment

Natasha Lyonne

Natasha Lyonne at the Emmys

Photo credit: GettyImages/Steve Granitz/WireImage

Samira Wiley

Poussey Orange is the New Black

Photo credit: GettyImages/MichaelBuckner/GettyImagesEntertainment

Kate Mulgrew

Red from Orange is the New Black 2014 Emmys

Photo credit: GettyImages/JeffVespa/WireImage

Danielle Brooks

Danielle Brooks at the Emmys

Photo credit: GettyImages/FrazerHarrison/GettyImagesEntertainment

Dascha Polanco

Orange is the New Black cast at the Emmys

Photo credit: GettyImages/Alberto E. Rodriguez/GettyImagesEntertainment

More Emmys fashion

Taylor Schilling at the 2014 Emmys — Nailed it
Love it or hate it: Lena Dunham wears something pink and poofy
Hayden Panettiere shows off baby belly at Primetime Emmys

Julia Roberts is hands-down best dressed at the Primetime Emmys

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When everyone else opted for long, flowing dresses, The Normal Heart star Julia Roberts went short and plunging in her blue Elie Saab Couture. The mini dress had a flowing peplum waist.

Julia Roberts in Elie Saab at the Emmys

The most interesting part of the look are the (seemingly) hundreds of baubles adhered to the lace bodice of the dress.

Julia Roberts in Elie Saab

Julia Robert Elie Saab Emmys

And those navy peep-toe stilettos at the bottom of her mile-long legs? Louboutins, naturally.

Julia Roberts Elie Saab emmys

Tell us: What did you think of Julia Roberts' Emmys look?

More Emmys red carpet fashion

Red is the color of the 2014 Primetime Emmys
Orange is the New Black cast glammed out for the 2014 Primetime Emmys
Love it or hate it: Lena Dunham wears something pink and poofy to the 2014 Emmys

Photo credits: Getty Images

Sarah Hyland rocks a crop top to the Emmys

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Is it 1999 or 2014, 'cause we're suffering from a serious case of nostalgia when we look at Sarah Hyland's Emmys crop-top-and-full-skirt combo.

Sarah Hyland at the Emmys

Doesn't the Christian Siriano creation remind you of Bianca's prom dress in 10 Things I Hate About You? Admit it... it totally does.

SArah Hyland Emmys dress

Love Hyland's high bun and smoky eye, too. Just the right amount of glamour without getting too sexy.

Sarah Hyland Emmys look

Watch: Sarah and her cute cast mates

2014 Primetime Emmys: Young Fashion Roundup

2014 Primetime Emmys: Young Fashion Roundup

More Emmys red carpet style

Orange is the New Black cast glammed out for the 2014 Primetime Emmys
Red dresses dominated the 2014 Emmys red carpet
Love it or hate it: Lena Dunham wears something pink and poofy to the 2014 Emmys

Swimwear model fights back against bogus photoshopping

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While media critics and positive body image activists have been fighting the Photoshop battle for years, one person you usually don't hear complaining about the editing process is the model herself. But that's about to change, if Australian model Meaghan Kausman has anything to say about it.

The outspoken model shared what she says is photographic evidence of some sneaky (and totally unwarranted) photoshopping on her Instagram account this week. Speaking out on the controversy, she posted a before and after photo of the shoot and expressed her dismay at the situation in the caption: "I recently did a photoshoot wearing Fella Swim... This morning I was extremely shocked to see that Fella Swim had uploaded a photoshopped version of Pip’s original photo to their Instagram page. They had drastically altered my body, thinning out my stomach and thighs in an attempt to box me in to the cultural ideal of beauty. Above is their version, below is the real version."

Meaghan Kausman instagram about photoshopping

Meaghan Kausman instagram about photoshopping

It's pretty obvious there's been some significant editing done to the photos, and it's really disappointing to see such a gorgeous, curvy woman edited down in this way. Since the average American woman is a healthy size 8 or 10, this kind of photoshopping can understandably be extremely damaging to women's views of themselves.

Many models turn a blind eye to the pervasive photoshopping problem, but Meaghan isn't standing by silently. She went on in her Instagram post to write some encouraging words to all body image activists everywhere: "My body is a size 8, not a size 4. That’s my body! I refuse to stand by and allow ANY company or person to perpetuate the belief that "thinner is better." All women are beautiful, and we come in different shapes and sizes! This industry is crazy!!!! It is NOT OKAY to alter a woman’s body to make it look thinner. EVER!"

Truer words were never spoken, am I right? It's really refreshing to see a model speak out on this industry issue, especially when her paycheck comes from the very people editing her photos. Here's to hoping other models follow suit!

More body image musings

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16-Year-old human Barbie claims she's had no plastic surgery

22 Swimsuit selfies prove beauty is not a size

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1. You're gonna hear me roar!

Bikini1

Bikini1

2. What a sexy beach… get it?

Bathing suit beauties 2

Bathing suit beauties 2

3. OK seriously, how is she doing that?

Bikini3

Bikini3

4. Say cheese!

Bikini4

Bikini4

5. I love the caption just as much as the photo: "How to get a bikini body: Put a bikini on your body."

Bikini5

Bikini5

6. Who doesn't love a good bootie tooch?

Bikini6

Bikini6

7. You jump I jump, remember?

Bikini7

Bikini7

8. Check out this waterfall

Bikini8

Bikini8

9. How you doin'?

Bikini9

Bikini9

10. Work the camera

Bathing suit beauties 10

Bathing suit beauties 10

11. The best part of bikini season? Bikini shopping.

Bikini11

Bikini11

12. Now this is how to bring it!

Bathing suit beauties 12

Bathing suit beauties 12

13. Does anyone know where to get this bathing suit?!

Bathing suit beauties 13

Bathing suit beauties 13

14. A beautiful chick with an awesome tattoo.

Bikini14

Bikini14

15. Me. Ow.

Bikini15

Bikini15

16. Tannin' and relaxin'.

Bathing suit beauties 16

Bathing suit beauties 16

17. Hut hut! Oh wait, wrong sport…

Bikini18

Bikini18

18. She's underwater, but she's breathing fine.

Bikini19

Bikini19

19. Om…

Bikini20

Bikini20

20. I can barely do this on dry land…

Bikini21

Bikini21

21. Um, guys? You're kind of in my shot.

Bikini22

Bikini22

22. Easy, breezy, beautiful!

Bikini23

Bikini23

More confidence tips

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Zooey Deschanel's Emmys nail art is adorably pink

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There was the tuxedo mani she sported to the 2012 Golden Globes (nothing short of incredible, right?), of course. And who can forget that cool cinema-themed nail art she wore to the show the following year? We could go on and on, but we know you want to see her latest work of nail art.

Tom Bachik Tweet about Zooey Deschanel nails

Tom Bachik Tweet about Zooey Deschanel nails

At last night's Emmys, Zooey showed up looking stunning in a gorgeous hot pink, strapless gown and metallic pumps, and her mani wasn't too shabby either. To go along with her flirty beauty look (fun retro curls and a pretty pout), Zooey's nail artist, Tom Bachik for L’Oréal Paris, went for a simple yet totally chic mani with a touch of personality.

He shared his inspiration for the look with SheKnows: "Zooey is sporting a super-hot pink dress, so I wanted to create a simple and classic look, playing up the tone-on-tone style. We wanted her nails to be clean and traditional, but with a fun, modern twist. I loved the idea of a reverse moon look on her. It's architectural, straight and very sleek." We have to agree. Lucky for you, we got Tom to share the step-by-step process for channeling Zooey's classy mani. Have fun, ladies!

Get the look

  1. Start off by polishing each nail with a baby pink color, such as L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail Polish in I Pink I'm in Love.
  2. Next, place electric pink nail art tape about 3/4 of the way down the nail in a horizontal line.
  3. Make sure your look lasts by sealing it in with L’Oréal Paris Top of the Line Top Coat ($6).
  4. For an extra touch of shine and moisture, add a few drops of L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil directly onto nails and cuticles.

More Emmys beauty and fashion

Orange is the New Black cast glammed out for the 2014 Primetime Emmys
Red dresses dominated the 2014 Emmys red carpet
Love it or hate it: Lena Dunham wears something pink and poofy to the 2014 Emmys

Woman pays $150,000 to look like her cartoon caricature (VIDEO)

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Krystina Butel, 30, has spent the last 15 years and over $150,000 on beauty treatments and surgery so she can resemble a caricature someone drew of her while she was on vacation. Since that time, she has had five breast enhancements, Botox, lip injections and makeup tattooing, and has more ideas in mind to complete her plan to look like this idealized version of herself.

First of all, I do find it really creepy that a caricature artist drew a 15-year-old girl so provocatively — she appears to be topless, with long hair barely covering her giant boobs. The swim ring she's wearing around her waist, which features a turtle, is looking up at her with love (lust?) in his eyes and hearts blooming from his noggin.

Butel didn't find it creepy, though (and apparently her parents didn't, either). She says that she has used this caricature as a road map of sorts for building a new version of herself. When she first saw it, she claimed that she was jealous of how glamorous it looked.

Krystina Butel video about work done

Krystina Butel video about work done

Standards of beauty are formed throughout our culture in many ways, with media playing a big part — and who's to say that an impressionable teenage girl can't be swayed by what an artist saw as her most interesting features?

She's not alone in the extremes she's going through in order to attain this idealized beauty. And while celebrities are famous for customizing their bodies, even in massively painful ways, it's not limited to the wealthy. Should we judge this woman for internalizing her own ideal and using her own money to bring it to life? I don't think so.

Krystina Butel via Facebook

Krystina Butel via Facebook

The decidedly unique role model Butel is using is sure to turn heads, and she does resemble the original art — overdrawn, exaggerated and larger than life. She has even incorporated the hearts from the drawing with tattooed heart-shaped areolas, which I honestly find to be pretty cute. And even though I am not interested in pursuing plastic surgery myself, that is no reason to badmouth Butel.

What one person finds beautiful, another does not, and while there are some pretty typical beauty standards that many will agree to, this goes to show that not everyone is on the same page. While Butel may spend thousands more dollars and may not ever reach her perfect ideal, it's her choice so I can't really blame her for trying.

More on beauty

16-Year-old human Barbie claims she's had no plastic surgery (VIDEO)
Ruh-roh: Scooby Doo's Daphne is "cursed" to be fat (aka a size 8)
Acid attack victims show off their true beauty in gorgeous new photo shoot (VIDEO)

Why gender-bending hairstyles are good for feminism

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I love it. Similar to the strict ideas of what makes women beautiful and feminine, men have a rigid form for what masculinity should be. Flip through a hairstylist's book for "men's haircuts" and it's pretty limited — a little shorter on the sides, rarely the benefit of highlights or color and movement beyond this becomes a point of discussion. For women, we've got highlights and lowlights, bobs, A-lines, layers, razoring, texturizing — you get the point. Men have little room for personal hair expression, particularly straight men.

If we open up the doors for men to play with their hairstyles without it being immediately feminized or niche, it's one more step toward balancing the scales for self-expression between men and women. I think we're mostly over saying that women with pixie cuts look like dudes — we should also let men have Katniss braids without saying they look like girls.

Not to mention, think of how many more friends you'll have who can help you get ready in the morning or for a night out.

As with most things in feminism, allowing for these things benefits both genders. Some hair trends I hope men start adopting (mostly for my own personal gain):

  • Curling
  • Braiding
  • Straightening
  • Blow outs (or even blow drying, which I can't even master)
  • The perfect top knot
  • Whatever this hairstyle is

Please & thank you!

More articles on hair trends

Slicked back hair has a moment
What to know about dyeing your hair violet
Rita Ora's throwback glitter gel hairstyle

7 Style lessons we learned from these Nina Dobrev outfits

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Lesson #1: Mixed patterns aren't taboo

Nina Dobrev Lesson #1: Mixed patterns aren't taboo

Photo credit: D Dipasupil/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Ilaria says: "A fashion rule to break? Mixing prints and patterns together. For this look we incorporated neutral colors with very strong and different prints. The geometric black and white pumps gave the whole outfit a fresh and unique appearance."

Lesson #2: When in doubt, go for leather

Nina Dobrev Lesson #2: When in doubt, go for leather

Photo credit: Pierre Suu/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Ilaria says: "Never question if a leather jacket goes with your outfit — it’s one of my favorite accessories for cooler temperatures and can transform any outfit from day to night. In this case, the leather jacket gave Nina’s glamorous outfit a more relaxed feel."

Lesson #3: Suits don't have to look stiff

Nina Dobrev Lesson #3: Suits don't have to look stiff

Photo credit: Pierre Suu/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Ilaria says: "I love suits, especially for women. This is definitely one of the coolest trends for fall. They come in all different colors and prints, and are fun to style, whether it be with a simple, white tee or with a shirt buttoned up all the way to the top."

Lesson #4: Classic looks can look totally modern

Nina Dobrev Lesson #4: Classic looks can look totally modern

Photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Ilaria says: "High-waisted skirts and a button up may be reminiscent of a uniform, but in this case, a pop of color did the trick. The bright purple skirt and AIR OPTIX® COLORS Gemstone Green contact lenses gave both pieces a stylish kick."

Lesson #5: Moderation matters when it comes to fashion

Nina Dobrev Lesson #5: Moderation matters when it comes to fashion

Photo credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Ilaria says: "One important thing to remember is it’s important to strike the right balance. If going tight and sexy, it’s good to balance it out with a more covered up silhouette such as the high neck and long sleeves."

Lesson #6: Great style doesn't stop at your clothes

Nina Dobrev Lesson #6: Great style doesn't stop at your clothes

Photo credit: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty Images

Ilaria says: "Don’t forget you can also accessorize your hair. This is one of my favorite looks — I love to experiment with color and accessories, and the unexpected navy bow on Nina completely transformed her outfit from serious to playful."

Lesson #7: Don't be afraid of prints

Nina Dobrev Lesson #7: Don't be afraid of prints

Photo credit: Tommaso Boddi/WireImage/Getty Images

Ilaria says: "Multicolored prints are in. You can go bold, like Nina, and do a lot of different colors all in one. Or you can take baby steps and keep the patterns within the same color family.

More celebrity style

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South Korean female bodybuilders are challenging their country's beauty ideals

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However, brave South Korean female bodybuilders are daring to break that well-established mold. The BBC just profiled one, Jeong Yeon Soon, who began strengthening her body after seeing photos of the very toned Madonna. Jeong Yeon Soon was a former beauty queen, who suddenly realized being happy and healthy was much more important than fitting the cultural ideal of beauty she'd come to know so well.

That doesn't mean her journey is easy now, though. She's on a five-times-daily, chicken-potatoes-veggie diet, often in the form of hearty shakes. Soon says her lifestyle is hard for others to understand, and it's hard for her to make friends and go out on dates. In a country where women will often undergo full-body liposuction — even a procedure to remove muscles in the calves so legs appear smaller — to achieve an ideal of beauty, Soon's muscular physique has raised some eyebrows. "People say, 'Oh, what's that? Women should be feminine and small.' They say, 'She must be transgendered.' I heard that!" Soon confessed in her interview.

It's always hard when you're blazing a trail yourself, so I feel for Soon. It must be hard to get the stares (and even disapproval) of those who don't necessarily understand or feel comfortable with what you're trying to do. But I'm also so proud to see her take this road. Trying to change the literal structure and stature of your body to be more "delicate," like many South Korean women are expected to do, is ludicrous. It's not natural. It's not sustainable. And ultimately it's not healthy, from both a physical and psychological perspective.

Like Soon, we need more women all over the globe to opt for being strong, fit and healthy over whatever bodily form our culture's currently glorifying. If we can all work on being our happiest, healthiest selves, we'll naturally redefine what it means to be beautiful.

More body image

16-Year-old human Barbie claims she's had no plastic surgery (VIDEO)
Ruh-roh: Scooby Doo's Daphne is "cursed" to be fat (aka a size 8)
Acid attack victims show off their true beauty in gorgeous new photo shoot (VIDEO)

Charcoal as teeth whitener — we put it to the test

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In case you haven't seen it, activated charcoal powder is black as night, so applying it to tooth enamel for a whitening treatment seems counterproductive. I'm willing to admit, though, that I didn't go to dental school and I might not know everything, so I submitted my skepticism to Dr. Joseph Banker of Creative Dental Care so he could set me straight.

The activated charcoal method

"The tiny granules of activated charcoal are extremely porous and very effective in binding certain materials to their surface," Banker explained. Apparently, charcoal granules can pull the tannins found in coffee, tea and red wine from teeth, thereby reducing the appearance of stains in just one use. Unlike peroxide whitening products, however, charcoal only removes surface stains, so it's not helpful if your enamel is discolored.

If you want to give activated charcoal a try, Banker says the process is simple. First, head to your local pharmacy to pick out activated charcoal capsules. Break one open, and mix with a few drops of water. Apply the mixture to your teeth with a toothbrush, and let it sit for two minutes before rinsing. "Just don't brush with the charcoal, as the abrasiveness can damage your teeth or gums," Banker cautioned. He also added that you shouldn't try the treatment if you've taken medication within the last few hours.

Results are in, and they're mixed

Charcoal teeth cleaning

Of course, I simply had to try Banker's treatment for myself. So, how'd it go?

It took a while to rinse the charcoal out of my mouth to view my results, and I wasn't exactly blown away. My teeth looked about the same — which is to say, "yellowing and lackluster" — both before and after treatment. However, I noticed that the spaces between my teeth looked cleaner and brighter than before. In other words, the charcoal treatment was good for a minor adjustment but certainly didn't produce a whitening overhaul.

On another note, guys, keep your paper towels handy if you use activated charcoal. This was one of the messiest home beauty treatments I've ever tried, and I'm sure it didn't help that I was trying to snap selfies while drooling black powder. It also didn't help that my daughter found one on the floor and thought it was a skittle. Whatever, don't judge me.

More how-to beauty guides

Create a longer lash look
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4 Outfits to help you look on top of your game

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Like it or not, your clothes impact how others perceive you. Want to dress for success without sacrificing your individual sense of style? Power dressing is key. Here are four outfits that help you look on top of your game.

1. Flattering sheath

When you want to turn heads faster than Joan on Mad Men, a figure-flattering sheath is the way to go. You'll command the room while staying stylish in this colorful dress with a pair of slick nude pumps in patent leather. Top off the look with statement earrings that are playful but not too playful. You're in business — literally.

Flattering sheath

2. Dressed-up denim

Who says jeans can't put you on top of the world? You can dress them up so easily. Dark denim looks especially sharp when paired with a bright jacket, like this fabulous studded number. A white peplum top is understated but still makes a statement. Add an anything-but-boring black sandal with edgy, chic stacked heels and buckles. Then cap off the outfit with stackable gold rings.

Dressed-up denim

3. Tailored blazer

A blazer is your No. 1 power-dressing essential. How else will you manage to pull together trousers, denim, skirts and dresses in a matter of seconds? Just about any outfit becomes 10 times more commanding when you slip into that fits-like-a-glove tailored jacket. You can't go wrong with a classic schoolboy style in navy mixed with a patterned pencil skirt, basic T-shirt and bold necklace. Polish the look with simple flats.

Tailored blazer

4. Trench coat

Ah, the universally flattering trench coat. Every woman should own one (in a neutral shade so it can be tossed over any outfit). Inject a dose of joie de vivre into your ensemble with a loose-fitting striped T-shirt and slim black trousers, plus a forest-green shopper purse that's both structured and roomy enough to fit all your work essentials. Get ready to own the room in this outfit.

Trench coat

This post was sponsored by Lee.

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True Detective's Alexandra Daddario has spot-on fashion advice for you

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Alexandra Daddario at the Viva La Juicy Gold Couture fragrance launch

Alexandra in a printed Juicy Couture dress. Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty images

In fact, when asked to cite the best fashion advice she's ever received, the actress says, "Feel comfortable," in a heartbeat. We caught up with the actress at the Viva La Juicy Gold Couture fragrance launch and couldn't resist asking this stylish lady about her approach to fashion.

"It's about liking what you're wearing," Alexandra explains. "When I was younger, I would want to wear something that everybody else was wearing or what people told me to wear, but you need to be comfortable in what you want to wear."

Of course, in Alexandra's line of work, getting all dolled up comes with the territory, so she especially enjoys being able to switch between her more casual personal style and her glammed up on-screen styles: "In my line of work, I get to be different characters and wear different kinds of things, so it's nice sometimes in my personal life to not think about what I have to wear and just put on sweatpants and a T-shirt and not have to worry about it. But that also makes it more fun when you do get to dress up and transform into a different person."

Alexandra Daddario at the Emmy's

Photo Credit: Jon Kopaloff/FlimMagic/Getty images

Like this week's Emmys, for instance. Alexandra turned heads in a gorgeous Old Hollywood-inspired gown she says gave her loads of confidence: "I tried to find something that I really liked and when I put that dress on, I felt instantly beautiful. It was glamorous and young and sexy. I felt really pretty and I think that feeling good in your clothes and feeling beautiful is important — it gives you confidence and makes you comfortable."

Now that the Emmys are over, Alexandra is back to focusing on her work and reflecting on her season one role on the hit HBO series True Detective. She says it was a total blast to play dress up while filming the show set in the '90s: "For my True Detective character, one thing I loved is that it was a period piece set in the '90s. I grew up in the '90s and you forget how different the style was. I really liked playing a character in that time."

Turns out fragrance is another way the beauty lover (who got her first bottle of Chanel No5 at the age of 13) likes to express herself at the start of a new season. "Viva La Juicy Gold Couture is perfect for fall!" she said.

Skin care and sun protection are two other beauty priorities for the actress. "You definitely need a good moisturizer. I love a line called The Body Deli. They make organic moisturizers. They have one that is a rose moisturizer that's really thick, but goes on light and is absorbed really easily," she says. "In the fall people forget to wear SPF because you don't feel how sunny it is, but I'm a believer that you should always wear SPF all year long."

Wise words from one stylish and savvy lady, if you ask us.

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Dear '90s, we want our curvy models back!

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It felt kind of like we knew them. They were our girls, and we were basically on a first-name basis.

Cindy. Kate. Naomi. Christy. Claudia. Tyra. Elle. Linda. Helena. I bet you can fill in the blanks, right?

And maybe there was a reason. When you check out old photos of these girls, there's something noticeably different about them than the models we saw in the 2000s, or even the re-emerging supermodels of today. They looked... healthy. Happy. Strong.

Look at Cindy Crawford during her heyday and you'll see muscle tone, or look at Tyra Banks and you'll find curves. Both women reportedly wore size 8s. Linda Evangelista? A size 6. Helena Christensen and Christy Turlington were size 4s — something that will get you labeled "fat" in today's modeling culture, according to former Sports Illustrated cover girl Brooklyn Decker. They had boobs and butts... which is totally healthy and normal.

Gisele Bundchen, Alessandra Ambrosio and Amber Valetta

Photo credit: Steve Eichner/WireImage/Getty images, Don Arnold/WireImage/Getty images, L. Cohen/WireImage/Getty images

But just like trends change in fashion, so do they in modeling, as well. The 2000s ushered in a new cookie-cutter prototype. Pin-thin, long-and-lean ladies like Gisele Bundchen, Alessandra Ambrosio and Amber Valletta dominated runways and ads — created a lot of body-type monotony. Models also started taking a backseat to celebrities when it came to who was scoring the latest cover of Vogue or the most coveted ad campaign. With the exception of a select few, supermodels virtually disappeared. Shocking? I don't think so. Models just weren't all that relatable anymore, and America was no longer "sold" on supporting supermodels.

We're still overwhelmed by the prototypical model of the early 2000s today, although the tides are slowly turning toward more diverse women — and the reemergence of the supermodel. (Enter Upton, Kloss and Kroes, for example.)

Forbes' latest list of highest-earning models is growing to include more curves and sizes with selections. The world's favorite poster child for curves, Kate Upton has now cracked the top five, and healthy size-6 Doutzen Kroes ranks second behind modeling force-of-nature Gisele and her $47 million in earnings. It's nice to see some different body types getting their due.

Although there's certainly a place for the super-tiny models (even in the '90s, Kate Moss donned a skinny size 0-2), I miss the good ol' '90s days when their diversity was a regular occurrence among the models we all knew and loved, not a total rarity. The more diversity we see, the more these women seem like a group of would-be besties and the more we all naturally embrace our own differences.

Robyn Lawley

Photo credit: Steve Eichner/WireImage/Getty images

This is a start, but next year I'm hoping size-12 Robyn Lawley breaks out on Forbes' list. The gorgeous model represents the size of the average American woman. So why not?

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