Erika W. Smith's Recent Articles - Refinery29

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“No Capricorns Allowed”: A Deep Dive Into Zodiac Shaming

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Lizzo: “I’ve Come To Terms With Body Dysmorphia”

Start Preparing: Here’s When Mercury Will Be In Retrograde In 2020

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What Sex Education Gets Right About Vaginismus

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Sex Education season 2 finale, “Chapter 8.” Sex Education’s Season 2 finale opens on a sex scene. After Lily (T

by Erika W. Smith

It’s Totally Normal To Have Dark Labia

There’s no one “right” way for a vulva to look — but society has many of us thinking otherwise. Almost half of all women are concerned about the ap

by Erika W. Smith

This Aquarius Season, Everyone Gets Weird

Capricorn season is ending, and Aquarius season is almost here. Symbolized by the Water Bearer, Aquarius is known for eccentricity, intellectualism, and hu

by Erika W. Smith

Can You Really Get Pregnant From Precum?

It’s one of those facts that sounds like it was made up just to make kids terrified of having sex: It’s possible to get pregnant from penis-in-

by Erika W. Smith

Mercury Is Entering Aquarius & Things Are About To Get Weird

Mercury isn’t in retrograde — yet — but the speediest planet is moving into Aquarius, the sign of the Water Bearer, on January 16. In astrology,

by Erika W. Smith

Is Your Birth Control Making You Tired?

Hormonal birth control has a lot of positives. It prevents pregnancy. It helps regulate your period. In some cases, it may even control acne. But like any

by Erika W. Smith

Megxit: Ditching Your Toxic In-Laws Is Perfectly Fine

Imagine this: You fall in love with someone who lives in a different country. He’s handsome, funny, charitable, great with kids — a true prince, if you

by Erika W. Smith

Stashing Might Be The Worst Dating Trend Yet

You might have been ghosted, breadcrumbed, or paperclipped. But have you ever been stashed? Even if you haven’t heard the term, you might be familiar wit

by Erika W. Smith

Why This Weekend Is So Important In Astrology

Has this past week seemed particularly chaotic to anyone else? From international news (rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran) to celebrity gossip (Meg

by Erika W. Smith

The Full Wolf Moon Eclipse In Cancer Means It’s Time To Turn Inward

Less than two weeks into 2020, we’ll have the first eclipse of the decade. On Friday 10 January, the moon will be partially covered by the Earth’s shad

by Erika W. Smith

Billy Porter Was Told He Wasn’t “Masculine Enough” As A Child

Whether he’s wearing a black tuxedo gown or a feathered cape, Billy Porter is always one of the best-dressed celebs on the red carpet. And now, he’s ma

by Erika W. Smith

What 2020 Means In Numerology

2020 is the beginning of a new decade, and of course, it’s a presidential election year. That’s why we’re happy to hear that in numerology, t

by Erika W. Smith

Ricki Lake Opens Up About Hair Loss — And Debuts A New Buzz

“Liberated and Free, Me,” Ricki Lake wrote in Facebook caption alongside a photo of her newly-shaved head. In a long post, the actress opened up about

by Erika W. Smith

Can The Low-Carbon Diet Cure Our Climate Crisis?

In Alaska, the glaciers are melting. In California, wildfire season is now longer than it’s ever been. In New York City, rising sea levels are threatenin

by Erika W. Smith

Birth Chart Basics: From Rising Signs To Houses

You probably know your astrological sign, also called your sun sign. That’s the one you most commonly associate with your zodiac. But your sun is only on

by Erika W. Smith

Traditional Astrology Is Very Gendered. These Astrologers Are Ret...

Imagine this: you have a first date that goes unbelievably well. You talk for hours and make out for just as long. Over your third cocktail, your date ment

by Erika W. Smith

Breathe In: Your 30-Day Mindful Meditation Challenge Is Here

by Erika W. Smith

These Resolutions Will Make Your Relationship Even Stronger In 2020

While your single friends are making dating resolutions for 2020, if you’re in a monogamous relationship, you’re all set, right? Nope — long-term rel

by Erika W. Smith

Dating Sucks. Here’s How To Make It Better In 2020

It’s been about a month since I last went on a first date. I thought the night went well, but it turns out I was the only one who thought so — at least

by Erika W. Smith

2020 Is The Year You Finally Start Meditating

Stressed? So are we. From a confusing and upsetting election (let’s not even get started on Brexit) to crushing student debt, and the growing climate

by Erika W. Smith

Twitter Reacts To Judi Dench Saying That Her Cats Characte...

This is some Cats discourse we didn’t expect. In an interview with Out magazine that’s currently making the rounds on social media, Dame Judi D

by Erika W. Smith

Mercury Is Entering Capricorn, So Make Your New Year’s Resolution...

As 2019 comes to a close, Mercury, the planet of communication, will enter the sign of Capricorn on December 28th. Capricorn is known for hard work, planni

by Erika W. Smith

The Last New Moon Of The Decade Is Here, & It’s Time To Start Fresh

The last new moon of the year — and decade — is almost here. On 26th December, the new moon will rise in the sign of Capricorn, and in parts of Asia, A

by Erika W. Smith

These Foreplay Ideas Will Make Sex Even Better

There’s something that most of us want a lot more of in the bedroom. No, it’s not oral sex (well, it’s not just oral sex). It’s foreplay. One 2004

by Erika W. Smith

The Last Full Moon Of The Decade Is Here, & It’s In Gemini

The last full moon of the year — and decade — is almost here. Just after midnight on December 12, the full moon will rise in Gemini. Accordin

by Erika W. Smith

They Is 2019’s Word Of The Year Because The Future Is Non-B...

Take that, everyone who insists that using inclusive language is “grammatically incorrect”: Merriam-Webster has named the non-binary pronoun “they”

by Erika W. Smith

How To Have A Sex Dream

Just this morning, my alarm woke me up from a great sex dream about an ex — half memory, half fantasy. I hadn’t really thought about him recently, tho

by Erika W. Smith