The Real Reason Britney & Her Dad Stopped Talking Doesn’t Have to Do With Her Conservatorship

Change in dynamics. Britney Spears and Jamie Spears‘ relationship hasn’t always been what it is now. There was a time when Britney was even “close” to her father, but due to her conservatorship and an “altercation” between Jamie and one of her sons, she’s been forced to end her relationship with her dad.

Jamie has been the conservator over Britney’s $80 million estate since her conservatorship was created in 2008. At a hearing in front of Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny in June, Britney slammed her father and accused him of “abusive” acts like not allowing her to remove an IUD, marry or have children. She also claimed that she had been put on lithium, a medication often used to treat bipolar disorder, against her will.

“The control he had over someone as powerful as me — he loved the control to hurt his own daughter 100,000%. He loved it,” she said. “I worked seven days a week, no days off, which in California, the only similar thing to this is called sex trafficking.” She also told the judge that her dad, as well as anyone else who had a part in her conservatorship, “should be in jail. “My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship and my management who played a huge role in punishing me — they should be in jail,” she said.

A source told People on Wednesday that Britney spoke out about her conservatorship because she wants “big changes” in her life. “Britney was very nervous about speaking in front of the judge, but this is her life — and she wants big changes,” she said.

Britney’s conservatorship was created in February 2008 after her divorce from Kevin Federline and a series of events that led to her hospitalization in January 2008. Britney and Kevin, who share sons Jayden James and Sean Preston, finalized their divorce in July 2007. Six months later, Britney was admitted into a drug rehabilitation center. The next day, she was photographed shaving her head with electronic clippers. In January 2008, Britney was hospitalized after police arrived at her home and claimed that she had been under the influence of an unidentified substance. K-Fed was given sole custody of his and Britney’s children, and she was later admitted to a psychiatric ward under a 5150 involuntary psychiatric hold.

After her hospitalization, the California court placed Britney under a conservatorship, which gave Jamie and her attorney at the time, Andrew Wallet, full control over her assets. According to People’s source, Britney understood at the time why her dad filed to be her conservator, but she doesn’t believe that her conservatorship should’ve lasted this long. Though the insider notes that the conservatorship has created a wedge in Britney and Jamie’s relationship, the last straw for Britney is when her father allegedly physically assaulted her eldest son, Sean Preston, in 2019. According to the source, Britney cut off contact with her father after the incident with Sean Preston, who was 13 at the time.

“Britney was close with her dad for years. It really seems that she realizes he saved her life in 2008, but she doesn’t agree that the conservatorship should have continued on for all these years,” the insider said. “She hasn’t had contact with her dad for a long time and was beyond upset after Jamie’s altercation with her son.”

According to Us Weekly, Federline filed a police report and was granted a restraining order against Jamie in September 2019 after an alleged physical altercation between Britney’s father and Sean Preston. “Britney had the boys at Jamie’s condo on the evening of August 24. Jamie and Sean Preston got into an argument. Sean Preston felt unsafe and locked himself into a room. Jamie broke into the room and shook Sean Preston,” the source said at the time.

Another source added at the time, “Jamie has a temper, which is no secret to anyone in the family. Fortunately, Britney did the right thing and took her boys to safety and away from her father. The whole incident was very upsetting to her and her boys. Kevin was and still is furious…Preston was not physically injured but very scared and shaken up.”

Federline’s lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, confirmed the incident to People at the time. “There was a disagreement that occurred while Britney and the children were visiting with Jamie at his home that led to a physical altercation that was observed by Jayden,” he said. “Britney did the right thing and removed the children and took them out of there, but the trauma to the kids is nonetheless.” After the incident, Jamie was cleared of any child abuse charges after Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said that there was “insufficient proof that a criminal offense was committed.”

In legal documents filed on June 30, Jamie confirmed that his communication with Britney ended around the time of the altercation, which is also around when Britney’s former care manager, Jodi Montgomery, temporarily replaced Jamie as Britney’s conservator. “He has been cut off from communicating with her,” the documents read.

Framing Britney Spears is available to stream on Hulu. Here’s how to watch it for free.

Watch 'Framing Britney Spears' $5.99+

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A Mother’s Gift by Britney & Lynne Spears

Image: Courtesy of Delacorte Books.

Buy: 'A Mother's Gift' by Britney & Lynne Spears $5.21

For more about Britney Spears, read her 2001 book, A Mother’s Gift. The semi-autobiographical fiction novel, which was co-written with Britney’s mother Lynne Spears, follows Holly Faye Lovell, a 14-year-old girl from the small town of Biscay, Mississippi, who has dreams of becoming a singer. When Holly becomes the youngest student ever to win a scholarship to the prestigious Haverty School of Music, she must make a choice of whether to leave her mother, Wanda, behind or pursue her dreams. As Holly starts her new life and makes posh new friends, she finds herself embarrassed by her mom and their humble background, as Wanda struggles with a long-hidden secret that could destroy her bond with her daughter forever.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Britney Spears’ Dad Just Responded to Her Saying He ‘Should Be in Jail’ For How He ‘Abused’ Her

Breaking his silence. Jamie Spears responded to Britney Spears court hearing, where she said that he “should be in jail” for her “abusive” conservatorship.

TMZ reported on Wednesday, June 30, that Jamie, who has been the conservator over Britney’s $80 million estate since her conservatorship started in 2008, filed legal documents denying that he has had any involvement in Britney’s “personal” conservatorship for the past two years. In the documents, Jamie claimed that “he has been cut off from communicating” with Britney and hasn’t spoken to her in years.

Instead, Jamie blamed Britney’s former care manager and conservator, Jodi Montgomery, for the restrictions around her personal life. Montgomery replaced Jamie as Britney’s conservator in 2019 after her temporarily stepped down due to health issues following a ruptured colon in 2018. In 2020, Britney’s lawyers filed for Montgomery to permanently replace Jamie as Britney’s conservator, which the court denied.

In his filing, Jamie claimed that Montgomery was the one who ruled that Britney couldn’t make her own medical decisions and made those decisions on her behalf. Jamie also alleged that the court never found that Britney couldn’t consent to her own medical treatment and never made the order for her conservator to make those decisions for her. Jamie also claimed that Britney’s lawyer, Sam Ingham III, had a part in Montgomery’s control over Britney’s medical treatment.

“Ms. Montgomery has been fully in charge of Ms. Spears’ day-to-day personal care and medical treatment, and Ms. Montgomery has made all decisions related to those matters,” Jamie’s lawyers said in the filing.

At a court hearing in June, Britney accused her father of “abusive” acts like putting on lithium (a medication often used to treat bipolar disorder) against her will, not allowing her to remove an IUD, and preventing her from marrying or having kids with her boyfriend, Sam Asghari. In his filing, Jamie claimed that Montgomery was the one who restricted Britney from marrying or having kids. To evidence this, Jamie claimed that he consented Britney’s engagement to her ex-fiance, Jason Trawick, in 2011. (The couple split in 2013 and never got married.)

“Mr. Spears believes it is important for the integrity of the conservatorship proceedings and in the best interests of Ms. Spears for the Court to order an investigation into the issues and claims raised by [Britney] at the June 23, 2021 status hearing,” Jamie’s lawyers said. His lawyers continued, “Either the allegations will be shown to be true, in which case corrective action must be taken, or they will be shown to be false, in which case the conservatorship can continue its course…It is not acceptable for Conservators or the Court to do nothing in response to Ms. Spears’ testimony.”

At her recent court hearing, Britney compared her father’s conservatorship to “sex trafficking.” “The control he had over someone as powerful as me — he loved the control to hurt his own daughter 100,000%. He loved it,” she said. “I worked seven days a week, no days off, which in California, the only similar thing to this is called sex trafficking.”

She also told the court that her dad and “anyone involved” in her conservatorship should be in prison. “My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship and my management who played a huge role in punishing me when I said no—ma’am, they should be in jail,” Britney said.

Britney, who said that she wants to “sue” her “family” for what they’ve done to her, also explained why she decided to speak up now. “And I would honestly like to sue my family, to be totally honest with you. I also would like to be able to share my story with the world, and what they did to me, instead of it being a hush-hush secret to benefit all of them,” she said. “I want to be able to be heard on what they did to me by making me keep this in for so long, it is not good for my heart. I’ve been so angry and I cry every day. It concerns me, I’m told I’m not allowed to expose the people who did this to me.”

Jamie has been Britney’s conservator since her conservatorship was created in 2008. According to Forbes, Jamie has made at least $5 million from Britney’s conservatorship since it started. Since 2009, Jamie has received $16,000 per month as Britney’s conservatorship, which has equaled to $2.4 million in 12 years.  According to the The New York Times, Jamie also received 1.5 percent of gross ticket and merchandise sales from Britney’s Piece of Me Las Vegas residency, which ran from 2013 to 2017. The show grossed $137.7 million, according to Caesars Entertainment, which left Jamie with a cut of $2.1 million. The New York Times also reports that Jamie received a 2.95 percent commission from Britney’s 2011 Femme Fatale tour, which would have made him at least $500,000.

At Britney’s recent court hearing, Jamie’s lawyers issued a statement about how her father “misses” her “very much.” “He is sorry to see his daughter suffering and in so much pain. Mr. Spears loves his daughter very much,” the statement read.

Framing Britney Spears is available to stream on Hulu. Here’s how to watch it for free.

Watch 'Framing Britney Spears' $5.99+

Buy Now

A Mother’s Gift by Britney & Lynne Spears

Image: Courtesy of Delacorte Books.

Buy: 'A Mother's Gift' by Britney & Lynne Spears $5.21

For more about Britney Spears, read her 2001 book, A Mother’s Gift. The semi-autobiographical fiction novel, which was co-written with Britney’s mother Lynne Spears, follows Holly Faye Lovell, a 14-year-old girl from the small town of Biscay, Mississippi, who has dreams of becoming a singer. When Holly becomes the youngest student ever to win a scholarship to the prestigious Haverty School of Music, she must make a choice of whether to leave her mother, Wanda, behind or pursue her dreams. As Holly starts her new life and makes posh new friends, she finds herself embarrassed by her mom and their humble background, as Wanda struggles with a long-hidden secret that could destroy her bond with her daughter forever.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

This Is The Easiest, Tastiest Iced Matcha Latte Recipe On The Internet

Nothing completes my morning routine quite like an iced matcha latte. If your social media feeds look anything like mine, you’ve been seeing the beautiful green tea drink all over the place, no matter what platform you’re scrolling. It may be matcha’s aesthetically-pleasing looks that made it go viral, but it actually has many other properties that make it worthy of its fame.

In fact, I (and many other matcha stans), think of the drink as the new and improved coffee—it delivers a nice caffeine buzz without the crash, it’s packed with antioxidants and, of course, absolutely delicious. That being said, not everyone wants to spend seven-plus dollars every time they want to enjoy these amazing benefits, so why not learn to make it at home?

Without access to any type of commercial food sources during lockdown, I had many intense food cravings, one of the strongest of which was an itch for a good iced matcha latte. However, I pictured the process of making the drink to be tedious—and after spending months at home in a sweatsuit, I had become, well, a bit lazy.

So, I scavenged the Internet for simple yet delicious matcha recipes, and Gimme Delicious provided the perfect four-step recipe that I think everyone should try. With only a blender, matcha powder, vanilla syrup (which is easily made at home!) and your choice of milk, you’ll make a latte so tasty that you’ll have to be begged to ever pay for the drink at a café again. Plus, pretending to be a barista is half the fun!

Adobe.

To start, pour 12 oz. of your choice of milk into a blender, or more if you want to make enough for two or three days. My go-to is oat milk to make the drink vegan, but all options taste delicious!

Once your milk is in the blender, it’s time to add in the star of the show: the matcha powder. Many different brands make great matcha powders, so depending on your flavor preferences, you can use ceremonial grade matcha with a sweeter and stronger flavor or culinary matcha for a more subtle, bitter taste. I personally use ceremonial grade matcha by Green Foods to satisfy my sweet tooth. Measure out two tsp of the matcha powder and add it into the blender with your milk.

Next, add two tsp of vanilla syrup to the mix. This step is optional, but if you prefer your matcha lattes sweet like I do, it’s basically essential. And if you don’t have vanilla syrup on hand, I’ve got you covered. To make your own vanilla syrup, all you need is water, sugar, and vanilla extract. Use a small pot to boil half of a cup of water and then add in one cup of sugar and stir until every grain is fully melted.

Let the mixture cool and then stir in one tsp of vanilla extract and you have the perfect simple syrup to go in your matcha latte.

Adobe.

If you have a sweet tooth but don’t care for vanilla or don’t have the time or will to make your own simple syrup, you can easily blend in some sugar, honey, or agave in with your drink. Once your sweetener of  choice is in, blend your mixture for about 30 seconds until the color and texture are consistent.

Then, all that’s left to do is pour your latte over ice and enjoy! Oh, and flex your drink on Instagram of course. Who says you can’t be your own barista?

13 Easy Summer Salads To Serve At Your Fourth Of July BBQ

When hosting a barbeque, adding an easy summer salad to the mix is always a good idea. Give me a salad full of berries with a light vinaigrette, a lettuce wedge topped with fresh veggies or even just some watermelon, feta and balsamic and I’ll be good to go. The right salad is easy to assemble, healthy and a total crowd-pleaser. Plus, a light, fresh salad is the perfect accompaniment to your main BBQ dish, whether that be a juicy burger or a grilled portobello mushroom.

So what makes a salad the perfect *summer* salad specifically? Fresh seasonal ingredients, of course! Summer is ripe (pun intended) with amazing seasonal vegetables like tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, berries and bell peppers. BTW, summer fruits like blueberries, strawberries and peaches are full of antioxidants and vitamins like vitamin C and potassium. Berries are also a great way to stabilize your blood sugar and keep your heart healthy.

Get creative and pair strawberries with goat cheese, peaches with a poppyseed dressing or blueberries with arugula. Trust us, this isn’t your average lunch break salad and we promise your taste buds will thank you. These salads are also perfect to make in large batches to feed a crowd, so they’re especially ideal for your next summer barbeque. Odds are, your guests will be lining up for seconds—and they’ll definitely be asking you for the recipe before the party is over. Leftovers? We don’t know her!

Read on for 13 yummy salad recipes to add into your summer meal rotation, stat.

 

Courtesy of Taste of Home.

1. Patriotic Summer Salad

This red, white and blue salad gets its name right from its star ingredients: tomatoes, blueberries and mozzarella. So fun and festive! And let’s not forget about the incredible flavors coming from the peaches, arugula and prosciutto!

 

Courtesy of Cookie and Kate.

2. Strawberry, Basil and Goat Cheese Salad

There’s no summer salad more classic than a strawberry, basil and goat cheese blend. This recipe is so simple and it’s the perfect big-batch side dish to serve at your next backyard party. Pro Tip: The best way to eat this salad is to get every ingredient on your fork for one perfect bite.

 

Courtesy of Leites Culinaria.

3. Moroccan Style Salad

With just four ingredients, this salad is the perfect combination of sharp, sweet and salty thanks to the tomatoes, oranges, red onion and olives. The dressing is also super simple, with just enough herbs to add flavor without overpowering the fresh veggies and fruits.

 

Courtesy of12 Tomatoes.

4. Watermelon Tomato Salad With Feta, Mint and Arugula

Nothing says summer quite like a nice, juicy bite of watermelon, so of course we had to include a watermelon salad on this list. Sweet, tangy and oh-so-satisfying, this recipe is super easy, calling for just six fresh ingredients.

 

Courtesy of Love and Lemons.

5. Best Broccoli Salad

We know broccoli isn’t everyone’s favorite veggie, but hear us out on this one. The combination of chopped broccoli, red onions, cranberries and almonds creates a unique, crunchy texture with tangy, fresh flavors. Pro tip: Let the broccoli marinate in the dressing for even more flavor.

 

Courtesy of Pinch Of Yum.

6. Avocado & Shrimp Salad

Consider avocado and shrimp the dynamic duo you never knew you needed. Not only is this salad super delicious, but it’s equally easy to make, with a recipe calling for just three main ingredients plus added flavor from dill, chives, lemon and garlic powder.

 

Courtesy of Keeping It Simple.

7. Asian Chicken Salad

You’re going to want to whip out your camera for this one, because this Asian chicken salad is as beautiful as it is delicious. The oranges keep it super refreshing and the chow mein noodles add a nice crunch. This salad makes a perfect main dish, but it also works well as an unexpected BBQ side.

 

Courtesy of A Couple Cooks.

8. Grilled Corn Salad

If you’re not chowing down on corn all summer long, we need to have a serious talk. Crunchy, buttery sweet and so satisfying, we’re down to eat corn in any way that it’s served, but especially in this grilled corn salad. Tomatoes, cilantro, cotija cheese and chili powder give it some freshness and heat.

 

Courtesy of The Skinny Pot.

9. Simple Veggie Salad

When making a salad this pared-down, you have to be sure you’re using only the best ingredients. Tomatoes *definitely* hit different in the summer and this salad will let that natural flavor shine. All you need are said tomatoes as well as cucumbers, ginger, red and green onions, cilantro and dressing.

 

Courtesy of Jessica Gavin.

10. Summer Fruit Salad With Peach Dressing

Peach season is the best season, try and prove us wrong. This salad takes advantage of the best seasonal fruits, with peaches, strawberries and blueberries all on the ingredient list. Plus, the dressing has a peach-lemon-poppyseed flavor for even more peachy goodness—YUM.

 

Courtesy of Pinch Of Yum.

11. Green Goddess Quinoa Summer Salad

I know, I know—we had you at Green Goddess! This flavorful salad utilizes spinach, quinoa and tomatoes, but feel free to add in other ingredients to your liking, such as mozzarella, crushed almonds or the protein of your choice. The world is truly your oyster with this one, so don’t be afraid to build off of it.

 

Courtesy of Taste and Tell Blog.

12. Kiwi Cool Salad

Kiwi is the one ingredient we didn’t see coming for this salad, but we’re so glad she’s in there. And did you know kiwi is actually a great source of vitamin C? We love to see it! Apples, mandarin oranges, red onion, craisins and almonds round out the rest of this refreshing summer salad.

 

Courtesy of Cookie and Kate.

13. Greek Wedge Salad

A bit different from the traditional Greek salad, this recipe calls for the classic tomato, cucumber and feta mixture on top of a wedge. Add in some olives, celery and a homemade lemon tahini dressing and you might as well be on the beach in Greece. Same energy!

 

Wedding Arch Kits That’ll Make Exchanging Vows Even More Special

Everyone loves a good arch. They’re just something romantic about them. Maybe you’ve always imagined yourself standing underneath an arch covered with your favorite flowers when you say “I do.” Or you just want something around or slightly behind you, your spouse and the officiant to give your photos more of a visually exciting background. A well-designed arch can help you out. As you’ve probably already figured out during your exhaustive wedding planning, floral or balloon arches don’t just appear out of nowhere. You have to figure out how to make your dream a reality. That’s where one of the best wedding arch kits can help you out. 

These sets come with nearly everything you need. If you want a low-maintenance, non-stressful solution, we found a kit that you can install over an arch at your venue. One of our picks is a metal arch, which is tailor-made for weddings—and flowers. Another big is a white, gold and confetti balloon arch that’ll match your dress and add a little extra joy to walking down the aisle.

These $26 Amazon Leggings Are the Best Lululemon Align Dupe We’ve Found

As someone whose daily routine has to include volleyball, dance and an end-of-the-day Netflix binge, I’ve always been on the lookout for the perfect leggings that can get me through any activity.

With over 11,000 reviews and a cult following among stylists and celebrities from Kristen Bell to Meghan Markle, the Lululemon Align leggings were almost “it” for me. Its comfortable, breathable, and buttery-soft feel almost made me forget I even had pants on in the first place (no more constant readjusting!), so what’s not to love?

Courtesy of Lululemon.

High-Rise Pant" data-price="$98" class="sc__link" href="https://prf.hn/click/camref:1101l9x2E/pubref:SC--/destination:https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-pants/Align-Pant-Full-Length-28/_/prod8780551" custom-ga-data="{"category":"article-page","details":true,"label":"buy-now","url":true,"product":{"dimension1":"%=href=%","name":"Lululemon Align\u2122 High-Rise Pant","price":"98"},"id":1214300,"location":true}" custom-ga-track="click" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" > Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant $98

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Well, the hefty price tag, for one. A single pair will cost you between $98 to $118, and there was no way my college budget could rely on just Aligns for all my legging needs. To spare myself the incoming heartbreak, I knew I needed to find a reliable and affordable alternative, without sparing the quality I loved about my Aligns.  

Then came along CRZ Yoga. The affordable athletic apparel company first launched in 2005 but only recently gained popularity this year for its flattering and wallet-friendly bras, tanks, shorts, tennis skirts and, best of all, their leggings.

I learned about the brand from my friend Sophia, who always looked so comfortable in their pieces it left me jealous. She swore by CRZ Yoga leggings as “an exact Lulu dupe for only $26.” What did I have to lose? That’s when I hit “buy” on my Amazon cart, and let me tell you, I’ve been in love ever since.

Courtesy of CRZ Yoga.

Buy: CRZ YOGA Naked Feeling Leggings $26

There’s so much to love about these leggings. First is how similar they are to Lulu’s Aligns. The most immediate similarity is that the logos are in the exact same place, under the waistband on the back of the legging, so even bystanders won’t be able to tell the difference. The sleek, medium-compression fabric (which feels exactly like Lululemon’s Nulu fabric) makes the leggings even more comfortable.

They are also so stretchy and quick-drying. During a Netflix marathon session of Gilmore Girls, I spilled my water on them and was amazed at how fast it disappeared into the fabric and felt dry again. What really sold me though is how durable the fabric is. I have washed them multiple times now and there has been no pilling, and I even dived for the volleyball at one of my practices and left with, yes a bruised knee, but no ripped leggings! 

Courtesy of CRZ Yoga.

Buy: CRZ Yoga Naked Feeling High Waisted Capri Leggings $26

My personal favorite is the Naked Feeling line since the leggings are so light and airy, and have a variety of styles. The leggings include any and all adjustments such as no pockets, open pockets, zipped pockets, animal patterns, sheer panels, a cropped fit, or high-waisted — there are so many options! 

@jessnmiller

the highest quality workout clothes I’ve ever owned and they’re so cheap!! #crzyoga #fyp #progamer #collegememories #voiceover #keepingbusy

♬ shibuya by L dre. chanel by frank ocean remi – haley sharpe

These leggings have been getting so popular, especially on TikTok, so it’s only a matter of time before the ones you have your eyes on might sell out. Get your first pair while you still can and trust me, you won’t regret it.

Cute Black Felt Letter Boards with Stands for Your Home

If you live by mantras and mottos, you should consider treating yourself to a letter board. Easy to assemble and a low-lift way to show more personality in your home, letter boards allow you to craft cute messages using emojis, symbols, letters and numbers. You’ve probably seen them all over Instagram. You just stick the letters straight into the vintage-style felt board, where they still stay until you decide to change out your message. Each one usually has a wooden rustic edge and either comes with an easel stand or has one built-in. These boards are also great for events, like birthday parties and weddings. 

The best black felt letter boards with stands have pre-cut letters, so you don’t have to spend an hour trimming little pieces off of your ABCs. One of our picks even has presorted letters, so you don’t have to try to search for the “T” in a pile of 300 letters. In addition to letters, you usually get the cursive words, like days of the week or “love” and “family.” These Instagram-worthy boards might help provide you with some clarity, or you’ll have fun leaving messages for your roommates.

These Primer-Infused Products Are Perfect For On-The-Go Beauty

Whether you’re a fuss-free minimalist or simply don’t have the time to forgo an extra hour of sleep and accommodate a lengthy regimen, multitaskers like makeup products with primer are a godsend. More often than not, they perform as well as using two separate products would. Besides, let’s face it: even if you do happen to find your lengthy beauty process both meditative and fun, who doesn’t love being able to save a little time without compromising the outcome of your elaborate efforts?

While 2-in-1 beauty products are certainly nothing new, especially when it comes to coverage creams, we’re also starting to see new powders and foundations infused with primer so you can skip the somewhat contested extra step. These primer additives work similarly to traditional primers, helping to extend the wear time of the product, blur texture and fill in enlarged pores.

Because some primers can be problematic for those with sensitive and acne-prone skin, these built-in innovations may offer a good alternative to layering on an additional product underneath your makeup. This emerging trend is gaining momentum at the moment, and we’re staying on the pulse with new drops of this time-saving category. In the meantime, here are our current favorites.

The Best Acrylic Nail Kits to DIY At-Home Talons

Whether you’re trying to save some money or just want to show off your own nail skills, at-home acrylic nail kits can be a great investment. They have everything you need to get Insta-worthy nails right in the comfort of your living room. Sure, it might take some practice but once you get them down, people will wonder what hot spot you visited to get them done. And you’ll be able to say it was all you.

You can cut and polish these clear tips into any nail shape you want, though many of them come in a coffin shape to get you started. You’ll also get nail glue, files and buffers, as well as a liquid monomer and clear acrylic powder. If dip powder is more your jam, you can of course choose that variety. There are even really fun glitter shades to choose from.

Grab your favorite polishes and step into a bright light so you can see all the intricate work. Don’t worry if you mess up—you can always use acetone remover to start over. These kits will help you get started into you new nail journey. And who knows, maybe you’ll become the next big nail artist.

Are Too Hot to Handle’s Cam & Emily Still Together? They Lost the Cast A Lot of Money

Warning: Too Hot to Handle season 2 spoilers ahead. With their ups and downs at the retreat, it’s understandable why viewers want to know if Cam and Emily are still together after Too Hot to Handle season 2 or if their relationship has chilled.

Cam, a 24-year-old from Newport, Wales, and Emily, a 27-year-old from London, were two contestants on the second season of the Netflix reality TV dating show. Like the first season, Too Hot to Handle season 2 brought a dozen or so singles from across the world together to a tropical resort as they looked for love and tried not to have sex. Too Hot to Handle season 2 also saw the return of Lana, an Amazon Alexa-like device who watched the contestants 24/7 and called them out when they kissed, had sex or touched themselves or someone else in a sexual manner. If contestants are caught breaking the rules, Lana deducts money from their $100,000 prize fund.

There were some changes between Too Hot to Handle season 1 and 2, however. The first difference is that the contestants didn’t know they were on Too Hot to Handle. When they arrived at the retreat, they were told they were on a show called Parties in Paradise. It wasn’t until Lana arrived and told them that they were on Too Hot to Handle that they learned what show they really were on. The second difference is that the remaining prize fund wasn’t split between the final contestants like in season 1. Instead, the money was given to the contestant that everyone believed had made the most progress at the retreat. (SPOILER: In the finale, Lana chose Cam, Marvin and Carly as the top three contestants who had made the most progress on the show. The other contestants then voted on which of the finalists deserved the money. In the end, Marvin won with the most votes and was awarded $55,000.)

So that’s how Too Hot to Handle season 2 worked. But are Cam and Emily still together? Here’s what we know about their post-show relationship.

Source: Instagram

Are Cam & Emily still together after Too Hot to Handle?

Cam and Emily were two of the 10 original contestants on Too Hot to Handle season 2. They coupled up fast and were one of the strongest couples at the start, even though they lost the cast a lot of money as a result of their expensive kisses and handjobs. (Cam also lost money on his own because of a shower wank.) Though Cam and Emily seemed like one of the most stable relationships on the show, a bump in the road came in the form of Christina, who joined in the middle of the season and almost kissed Cam on their date. When Christina told Emily that she and Cam almost kissed and that Cam said that his relationship with Emily “wasn’t serious,” Emily and Cam had a big fight over how he isn’t used to being with one person.

Another obstacle came in Natasha, who joined later in the season and invite Cam into the shower with her. In the end, Cam decided to walk away, but when he told Emily about the moment, she wasn’t happy at first before she decided to forgive him. Cam was one of the top three finalists, along with Marvin and Carly. In the end, he came in second place and didn’t receive the prize fund, which went to Marvin. But Cam didn’t walk away with nothing. In the final moments of the show, he told Emily that he loved her and the two slow danced into the sunset.

Source: Instagram

So are Cam and Emily still together? It looks like that answer is yes. Since Too Hot to Handle season 2 aired, Cam and Emily have been liking and commenting on each other’s Instagram posts. On a photo of Emily in a bucket hat and a bikini, Cam commented two eye emojis, to which Emily responded with a shrug emoji. The week of the season 2 premiere, Emily also posted a photo of her TV screen, which showed her and Cam almost kissing. She captioned the post with, “Eye spy @camholmess” with eye emojis. Cam reposted the story on his own Instagram.

As of writing this, Cam and Emily haven’t confirmed their relationship, but from the looks of their social media interactions, it seems like their post-show romance hasn’t cooled down yet.

Too Hot to Handle is available to stream on Netflix.

Are Too Hot to Handle’s Marvin & Melinda Still Together? Their Post-Show Relationship Is Revealed

Warning: Too Hot to Handle season 2 spoilers ahead. Now that their time with Lana has ended, fans want to know: Are Marvin and Melinda still together after Too Hot to Handle season 2? Or has their romance cooled down.

Marvin, a 26-year-old from Paris, and Melinda, a 28-year-old from New York City, were two contestants on the second season of the Netflix reality TV dating show. Like the first season, Too Hot to Handle season 2 brought a dozen or so singles from across the world together to a tropical resort as they looked for love and tried not to have sex. Too Hot to Handle season 2 also saw the return of Lana, an Amazon Alexa-like device who watched the contestants 24/7 and called them out when they kissed, had sex or touched themselves or someone else in a sexual manner. If contestants are caught breaking the rules, Lana deducts money from their $100,000 prize fund.

There were some changes between Too Hot to Handle season 1 and 2, however. The first difference is that the contestants didn’t know they were on Too Hot to Handle. When they arrived at the retreat, they were told they were on a show called Parties in Paradise. It wasn’t until Lana arrived and told them that they were on Too Hot to Handle that they learned what show they really were on. The second difference is that the remaining prize fund wasn’t split between the final contestants like in season 1. Instead, the money was given to the contestant that everyone believed had made the most progress at the retreat. (SPOILER: In the finale, Lana chose Cam, Marvin and Carly as the top three contestants who had made the most progress on the show. The other contestants then voted on which of the finalists deserved the money. In the end, Marvin won with the most votes and was awarded $55,000.)

So that’s how Too Hot to Handle season 2 worked. But are Marvin and Melinda still together? Here’s what we know about their post-show relationship.

Source: Instagram

Are Marvin & Melinda still together after Too Hot to Handle?

Marvin and Melinda  had their ups and downs on Too Hot to Handle. They were two of the original 10 contestants on season 2 and coupled up fast. Their first bump in the road came when Melinda kissed Peter to make Marvin jealous after seeing him talk to other women. Their hot-and-cold relationship continued throughout the season, with Marvin and Melinda sleeping in bed with other contestants before coming back together and having an expensive night of sex.

In the finale, Marvin asked Melinda to be his girlfriend, and they made plans for her to visit him in Paris for him to come to New York. When Marvin won the prize fund, he and Melinda looked like they were ready to continue their relationship. But are Marvin and Melinda still together? It seems like that answer is yes. Since the premiere of Too Hot to Handle, Marvin and Melinda (who both follow each other Instagram) have been liking and commenting on each other’s pictures. In one photo of Melinda in a summer dress, Marvin commented the prayer hands emoji, to which Melinda responded two heart eyes emojis. Marvin also commented on a picture of Melinda in a white bikini with, “Wooo,” to which Melinda also responded to with heart emojis.

Source: Instagram

Melinda has also commented on Marvin’s Instagrams. She commented a sweating emoji on a shirtless photo of Marvin in bed. In another photo of Marvin’s bare back, Melinda five heart emojis. Marvin also commented, “Sheeeeeesh. Queen,” on an Instagram video of Melinda on Too Hot to Handle.

As of writing this, Marvin and Melinda haven’t confirmed their relationship, but from their social media interactions, it looks like their romance is still hot, hot, hot.

Too Hot to Handle is available to stream on Netflix.

13 Easy Summer Salads To Serve At Your Fourth Of July BBQ

When hosting a barbeque, adding an easy summer salad to the mix is always a good idea. Give me a salad full of berries with a light vinaigrette, a lettuce wedge topped with fresh veggies or even just some watermelon, feta and balsamic and I’ll be good to go. The right salad is easy to assemble, healthy and a total crowd-pleaser. Plus, a light, fresh salad is the perfect accompaniment to your main BBQ dish, whether that be a juicy burger or a grilled portobello mushroom.

So what makes a salad the perfect *summer* salad specifically? Fresh seasonal ingredients, of course! Summer is ripe (pun intended) with amazing seasonal vegetables like tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, berries and bell peppers. BTW, summer fruits like blueberries, strawberries and peaches are full of antioxidants and vitamins like vitamin C and potassium. Berries are also a great way to stabilize your blood sugar and keep your heart healthy.

Get creative and pair strawberries with goat cheese, peaches with a poppyseed dressing or blueberries with arugula. Trust us, this isn’t your average lunch break salad and we promise your taste buds will thank you. These salads are also perfect to make in large batches to feed a crowd, so they’re especially ideal for your next summer barbeque. Odds are, your guests will be lining up for seconds—and they’ll definitely be asking you for the recipe before the party is over. Leftovers? We don’t know her!

Read on for 13 yummy salad recipes to add into your summer meal rotation, stat.

 

Courtesy of Taste of Home.

1. Patriotic Summer Salad

This red, white and blue salad gets its name right from its star ingredients: tomatoes, blueberries and mozzarella. So fun and festive! And let’s not forget about the incredible flavors coming from the peaches, arugula and prosciutto!

 

Courtesy of Cookie and Kate.

2. Strawberry, Basil and Goat Cheese Salad

There’s no summer salad more classic than a strawberry, basil and goat cheese blend. This recipe is so simple and it’s the perfect big-batch side dish to serve at your next backyard party. Pro Tip: The best way to eat this salad is to get every ingredient on your fork for one perfect bite.

 

Courtesy of Leites Culinaria.

3. Moroccan Style Salad

With just four ingredients, this salad is the perfect combination of sharp, sweet and salty thanks to the tomatoes, oranges, red onion and olives. The dressing is also super simple, with just enough herbs to add flavor without overpowering the fresh veggies and fruits.

 

Courtesy of12 Tomatoes.

4. Watermelon Tomato Salad With Feta, Mint and Arugula

Nothing says summer quite like a nice, juicy bite of watermelon, so of course we had to include a watermelon salad on this list. Sweet, tangy and oh-so-satisfying, this recipe is super easy, calling for just six fresh ingredients.

 

Courtesy of Love and Lemons.

5. Best Broccoli Salad

We know broccoli isn’t everyone’s favorite veggie, but hear us out on this one. The combination of chopped broccoli, red onions, cranberries and almonds creates a unique, crunchy texture with tangy, fresh flavors. Pro tip: Let the broccoli marinate in the dressing for even more flavor.

 

Courtesy of Pinch Of Yum.

6. Avocado & Shrimp Salad

Consider avocado and shrimp the dynamic duo you never knew you needed. Not only is this salad super delicious, but it’s equally easy to make, with a recipe calling for just three main ingredients plus added flavor from dill, chives, lemon and garlic powder.

 

Courtesy of Keeping It Simple.

7. Asian Chicken Salad

You’re going to want to whip out your camera for this one, because this Asian chicken salad is as beautiful as it is delicious. The oranges keep it super refreshing and the chow mein noodles add a nice crunch. This salad makes a perfect main dish, but it also works well as an unexpected BBQ side.

 

Courtesy of A Couple Cooks.

8. Grilled Corn Salad

If you’re not chowing down on corn all summer long, we need to have a serious talk. Crunchy, buttery sweet and so satisfying, we’re down to eat corn in any way that it’s served, but especially in this grilled corn salad. Tomatoes, cilantro, cotija cheese and chili powder give it some freshness and heat.

 

Courtesy of The Skinny Pot.

9. Simple Veggie Salad

When making a salad this pared-down, you have to be sure you’re using only the best ingredients. Tomatoes *definitely* hit different in the summer and this salad will let that natural flavor shine. All you need are said tomatoes as well as cucumbers, ginger, red and green onions, cilantro and dressing.

 

Courtesy of Jessica Gavin.

10. Summer Fruit Salad With Peach Dressing

Peach season is the best season, try and prove us wrong. This salad takes advantage of the best seasonal fruits, with peaches, strawberries and blueberries all on the ingredient list. Plus, the dressing has a peach-lemon-poppyseed flavor for even more peachy goodness—YUM.

 

Courtesy of Pinch Of Yum.

11. Green Goddess Quinoa Summer Salad

I know, I know—we had you at Green Goddess! This flavorful salad utilizes spinach, quinoa and tomatoes, but feel free to add in other ingredients to your liking, such as mozzarella, crushed almonds or the protein of your choice. The world is truly your oyster with this one, so don’t be afraid to build off of it.

 

Courtesy of Taste and Tell Blog.

12. Kiwi Cool Salad

Kiwi is the one ingredient we didn’t see coming for this salad, but we’re so glad she’s in there. And did you know kiwi is actually a great source of vitamin C? We love to see it! Apples, mandarin oranges, red onion, craisins and almonds round out the rest of this refreshing summer salad.

 

Courtesy of Cookie and Kate.

13. Greek Wedge Salad

A bit different from the traditional Greek salad, this recipe calls for the classic tomato, cucumber and feta mixture on top of a wedge. Add in some olives, celery and a homemade lemon tahini dressing and you might as well be on the beach in Greece. Same energy!