<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div><ul><li>Facebook Messenger is one of the most popular messaging apps, with 1.2 billion users.</li><li>That huge audience makes it extremely useful - your friends and family probably use it - but it also means that Messenger doesn't need to fight for your trust.</li><li>It's time to change that.&#xa0;</li></ul> There's no shortage of ways to text your friends and family for free. You can choose from WhatsApp, Skype, Google Hangouts, Signal, Telegram, Skype, Apple's iMessage, or literally scores of other options.But the messaging app you're probably using is the worst choice.&#xa0;<a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/fb-stock">Facebook</a> Messenger is a juggernaut, with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apps-platforms-with-1-billion-plus-users-whatsapp-gmail-google-facebook-club-2016-2#google-play-the-biggest-app-store-6">more than 1.2 billion users</a>. Chances are your family and friends have it installed on their phones. That makes it incredibly useful - after all, the value of any messaging app is directly tied to how many of your contacts also use it.And that's exactly the problem with Messenger. The app takes its massive user (based in large part on its legacy as <a href="https://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/15/facebook-forces-users-to-install-separate-messaging-app/">Facebook's built-in messaging tool</a>) for granted. As revelations over the past weeks and months have made clear, Facebook has its own set of rules for your Messenger inbox. Whether or not you like those rules is irrelevant.For Messenger, users are essentially a captive audience rather than customers that it feels the need to satisfy and fight for.&#xa0;<h2>Messenger needs to earn your trust</h2>In many ways, your private messages sent through Facebook are property of Facebook. Menlo Park can scan the photos and links you send, hand them over to the cops, and even delete some messages from inside your inbox without your permission.Naturally, while it's scanning your messages, Messenger is also collecting loads of data on you, including your call and text history from outside of Messenger. It stopped doing this in March after it was widely publicized. Facebook's on-the-record defense? <a href="https://newsroom.fb.com/news/2018/03/fact-check-your-call-and-sms-history/">You gave it permission</a>.&#xa0;It's time to take that permission away.&#xa0;Given there are so many other messenger services, there simply is no reason to continue to use Messenger. Delete it from your phone, turn it off, and choose a different free app that's not going to violate your trust.&#xa0;<h2>Lack of trust</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>To hear Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg talk about scanning people's messages, you'd get the impression that he's running some kind of terrorism police that's making the world better - starting with <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/opinion/i-saw-a-genocide-in-slow-motion.html">a sectarian conflict in Myanmar</a>."I remember, one Saturday morning, I got a phone call and we detected that people were trying to spread sensational messages through - it was Facebook Messenger in this case - to each side of the conflict, basically telling the Muslims, 'Hey, there's about to be an uprising of the Buddhists, so make sure that you are armed and go to this place.' And then the same thing on the other side," Zuckerberg said in an interview with Vox <a href="https://www.vox.com/2018/4/2/17185052/mark-zuckerberg-facebook-interview-fake-news-bots-cambridge">this week</a>.&#xa0;"Now, in that case, our systems detect that that's going on. We stop those messages from going through," he continued. (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/05/technology/zuckerberg-facebook-myanmar.html">Myanmar NGOs</a> say that Facebook didn't detect the messages, and that the warning Zuckerberg received was actually from civil society groups.)&#xa0;While preventing <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/02/opinion/i-saw-a-genocide-in-slow-motion.html">ethnic violence across the world</a> may be a valid reason to scan Messenger emails, a more recent news story underscores that Facebook executives and officials have increased "god mode" access to their services, and use that power to do shady things that normal users have no idea about.Several people who have chatted with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg say that when they checked their conversations later, all of Zuckerberg's messages had been deleted, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/05/zuckerberg-deleted-messages/">according to TechCrunch</a>.&#xa0;So when these people looked at their conversations with Facebook, only their messages remained. It looked like they were talking to themselves.&#xa0;This isn't a feature in Messenger - it's exclusively available to Facebook executives and officials - but after it was caught Facebook said it was in "<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/05/zuckerberg-deleted-messages/">full compliance with our legal obligations</a>" and said it would add an unsend feature for everyone <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/06/facebook-unsend-messages/">at some point</a>.&#xa0;It's a breach of trust in the social network. So, two items:<ul><li>Facebook executives have special powers, including (but not limited to) deleting messages that&#xa0; its powerful executives previously sent.&#xa0; </li><li>Facebook has the ability to scan or read the content of your messages if it likes. </li></ul>Given the way the company has been acting, is it really a fair actor that you want handling your messages, in which you discuss romantic relationships, or legal troubles, or your family, or your business?<h2>Not a backdoor - there is no door at all&#xa0;</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>It's not exactly appropriate to say that Messenger has a "<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/03/thinking-about-term-backdoor">backdoor</a>" with which it can read your messages. The truth is, there is no door at all.Messenger sends and receives unencrypted messages. That means on Facebook servers, they're stored in text you or I could read. That makes it significantly easier for Facebook to scan them.&#xa0;In fact, Facebook even has a mode if you don't want it to read your messages - it's called "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/help/messenger-app/1084673321594605/?helpref=hc_fnav">secret conversation</a>." Facebook scans your messages by default. You have to specifically turn on encryption to tell it to not scan your messages.&#xa0;Not encrypting its messages by default is a conscious decision by Facebook. WhatsApp, which Facebook owns, has encrypted its messages. Apple has too, with iMessage. Apple even says it doesn't want have the content of your communications <a href="https://www.apple.com/privacy/">at all</a>.But Facebook clearly does - otherwise, "secret conversation" would be the default conversation.&#xa0;Message encryption used to be a challenging technical problem, and it's still not easy. But groups like the Signal Foundation have created open source software that would allow anyone building a messenger app to avoid starting from scratch.&#xa0;Not all messaging apps are encrypted. Usually, the company running the service you're using can look at the messages and legally must provide them to the cops when presented with the appropriate legal documents. Neither Twitter nor Snapchat are encrypted, either. Google looks at your email to serve ads. But only Facebook's CEO has recently bragged about the "systems" he uses to scan them.&#xa0;<h2>Dark patterns</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>This would be easier if Facebook Messenger didn't have one thing making it a great product: Your friends and family. "I really want to stop using FB Messenger, but a lot of my family members use it," one colleague lamented on Friday.&#xa0;But nearly everything else in the FB Messenger product makes it a difficult app to love. For example, it won't let you turn read receipts off, unlike iMessage and basically every other messaging services.&#xa0;This product decision, which people complained was "creepy and invasive" as long as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/help/community/question/?id=10101859240369242">five years ago</a> can be dangerous for some people. Imagine if a former partner was stalking you. You might want to read what he's sending you, but you don't want him to know you read it. <a href="https://twitter.com/Anna_Delaine/status/982026556469018624">That's not an option on Facebook</a>.&#xa0;That's just one product decision that's been made to maximize use and growth on Messenger, rather than the experience. Another example: Sometimes the app sends notifications when one of your Facebook friends installs it. That's not for your benefit - sure, you may want to talk to the guy, but probably not - but it does help keep Messenger's daily active user count up.&#xa0;&#xa0;&#xa0;&#xa0;This company-wide prioritization of growth over experience was revealed in <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanmac/growth-at-any-cost-top-facebook-executive-defended-data?utm_term=.rm3l5MZkKa#.myPl31EwXz">a stunning 2016 post</a> written by one of Zuckerberg's inner circle, Facebook VP Andrew Bosworth.In it, he says that any decisions that Facebook may make in order to continue growing&#xa0; is "<a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanmac/growth-at-any-cost-top-facebook-executive-defended-data?utm_term=.rm3l5MZkKa#.myPl31EwXz">de facto good</a>."&#xa0;"That's why all the work we do in growth is justified. All the questionable contact importing practices. All the subtle language that helps people stay searchable by friends. All of the work we do to bring more communication in. The work we will likely have to do in China some day," he wrote. Basically - by taking your contact book, he knows he's locking you into Messenger.&#xa0;Facebook's leaders aren't stupid. They know what they're doing when they use what are called "<a href="https://darkpatterns.org/hall-of-shame">dark patterns</a>" to get you to upload your friends information, or get you to reply to messages immediately, for example.On a social network, that's perhaps justifiable. But on a private messaging service to communicate with other people, it shows that what you want is not the same thing that Zuckerberg wants.&#xa0;<h2>What to switch to</h2>The point of this column is not to get you to switch to another specific messenger. There are lots of good options. WhatsApp is an obvious choice, and it's encrypted - although it's owned by Facebook, and even one of its cofounders now says to delete Facebook.&#xa0;Signal is the preferred messenger for the security-focused, iMessage is fast and reliable but limited to pricey Apple devices. There are lots of considerations - the Electronic Frontier Foundation <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/03/secure-messaging-more-secure-mess">has a good roundup of them here</a>.&#xa0;Your friends and family may have other preferences, too. But what's important is that you shouldn't use Facebook Messenger just because it's the easiest. If your contacts are worth messaging, it's worth it to talk to them on a service you can trust.If you have information about Facebook Messenger to share, contact the author at kleswing@businessinsider.com. He uses the secure messaging services mentioned in this story, too.&#xa0;&#xa0;This is an <keyword id="6356002" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="opinion">opinion</keyword> column. The thoughts expressed are those of the author.<div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div> <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/remove-apps-facebook-privacy-issue-data-tip-fix-2017-11">How to stop your Facebook friends from giving away your data</a></h3> <div> </div> </div></hr>

You should stop using Facebook Messenger until it proves it's worthy of your trust

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-caucasian-couple-sittiing-near-window-1053724562">Kiryl Lis / Shutterstock</a></div></div></div><ul><li>There are three distinct types of narcissists.</li><li>One of the most difficult types to spot is the covert narcissist.</li><li>They hook in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/am-i-an-empath-2018-1?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highly empathetic people</a> with their sob stories.</li><li>Then, over time, their victims feel a sense of responsibility for them.</li><li>Their victim is trapped in an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/signs-friend-emotionally-abusive-relationship-2018-5?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abusive relationship</a> because the covert narcissist has made them question reality and will never be held accountable.</li></ul> Narcissists <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-narcissists-and-psychopaths-are-hard-to-spot-2018-5?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can be difficult to spot</a>, especially if they are older and more sophisticated. Over time, they learn how to optimally manipulate their victims, and get by with their schemes without anyone questioning them.What makes it even more confusing is that they don't all act the same way. Certain patterns of behaviour are consistent, such as when they idealise, devalue, then discard their romantic partners. But there are actually <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-spot-different-types-of-narcissist-2018-1?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">three distinct types of narcissists</a> who act very differently on the outside, according to <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Borderline-Narcissistic-Schizoid-Adaptations-Admiration/dp/1537334220/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1527249480&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=Elinor+Greenberg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">therapist Elinor Greenberg</a>.One of the toughest sub-types to spot is the covert narcissist, becuase they blend into the background much of the time. They aren't a cliché of a grandiose, self-obsessed, "look at me" narcissist, Greenberg said. Instead, they are quietly cruel and behave in a much more passive-aggressive way.For example, they may appear calm and professional to most people. But to those they are in a relationship with they are demeaning, cold, and abusive, and they can switch between these Jekyll and Hyde characters with ease.<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201301/shedding-light-psychology-s-dark-triad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People with dark triad personalities</a> thrive off other people's chaos, so a common game of theirs is to set their romantic partners up for failure all the time, then punish them for doing so. Sometimes they make empty promises, then get a kick out of the reaction when they don't deliver."They do what they want to do when they want to do it," said Shannon Thomas, a licensed clinical social worker who wrote the book "<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healing-Hidden-Abuse-Recovery-Psychological/dp/0997829087" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Healing from Hidden Abuse</a>." "And then they make themselves look like the victim."Some even deny making promises in the first place, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-gaslighting-2017-7?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gaslighting their partner into think they are losing their mind</a>. Over time, the victim may completely lose touch with reality, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-signs-youre-a-victim-of-perspecticide-2017-10?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">known as perspecticide</a>.<h2>Covert narcissists are conflicted</h2>It may stem from covert narcissists wanting to be worshipped. Greenberg said they are conflicted because they think a lot of themselves, but are also incredibly insecure."A closet narcissist doesn't say, 'I am special,'" she said. "They point to something else - a person, a religion, a book, a dress designer - and they are special, so they feel special by association."You may wonder why anyone would be in a relationship with a covert narcissist in the first place, and <a href="http://businessinsider.com/trauma-bonding-explains-why-people-often-stay-in-abusive-relationships-2017-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the answer is complicated</a>. According to Perpetua Neo, a therapist and doctor of psychology, one reason is covert narcissists are highly skilled at sucking their victims in with sob stories. This, she said, is a very effective trap for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-empaths-and-narcissists-are-attracted-to-each-other-2018-1?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">people who are high in empathy</a>."Think about it like the covert narcissist has wormed their way into your heart," she said. "There tends to be a string of misfortune, like every single ex is a jerk, every single friend they have is unhealthy. Always ask yourself what kind of circle of friends this person has. If they have zero friends, that's an alarm bell, becuase the whole world cannot be that unhealthy."Spinning tales about their abusive childhood, or their battles with addiction, leads highly empathetic people down a path where they start to feel sorry for the covert narcissist. Further down the line you'll develop a sense of responsibility over them, Neo said, because you feel "tethered to their potential.""But this covert narcissist has no intention of changing their lives," she said. "It's all a way of sucking you in and a way of getting attention, and a way of justifying their s****y behaviour towards you."<h2>They manipulate your empathy</h2>The problem is, whether the covert narcissist is a colleague, friend, or partner, if you are their chosen victim, you will already know about their alleged problems. And often they can be hard to ignore. Some even claim they are suicidal, meaning walking away feels essentially impossible for the victim."This will be a way to condition you into a sense of fear and walking on egg shells around them, so next time you are not going to hold them accountable," Neo said. "They may even say this very common statement: 'I've never felt this way about someone before.'"This, again, gives you this responsibility to take care of them, even to the point you allow them to isolate you from your other friends and family.With a covert narcissist, their emotions are paramount, but the victim's needs and feelings are up for debate, Neo said. Everything is a competition, and nothing that happens to you even comes close to what they've been through, they say.They will also never apologise, Neo said. They'll simply give their victim the silent treatment as punishment until they give up and surrender.<h2>Their lies are sophisticated</h2>Essentially, covert narcissists have a high contempt for others, and anything that threatens their superiority is taken as a direct attack, Neo said. That's why they are so hung up on being superior and looking down on everyone else."People who are above them in any way, in terms of their assets, or their career potential, or their talent, it'll be 'privilege,' or the government's fault," Neo said. "Everyone else is just a rich w****r. They had rich parents. There's always a way of blaming another person. And someone's fortunes or talents are attributed to something external from them."They may appear to root for the underdog, but it's just a way of making them look better, Neo said. By supporting liberal parties, or defining themselves as a feminist, they essentially trick people into thinking they have morals, when really their integrity is in the gutter. They commonly tell other lies about their past, like beautiful or famous people they have slept with, or amazing job opportunities they've turned down. It's all lies, Neo said. She added that covert narcissists tend to watch a lot of television because they are trying to mimic behaviours they see, such as empathy (which they are incapable of.)Escaping the clutches of a covert narcissist is hard because they drain their victims of energy and resources until they find a new target. Thomas calls it an "IV drip of poison" that doesn't stop until they move on.It's not until the covert <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-narcissist-break-up-2017-2?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">narcissist is gone</a> that the victim finally realises what they were going through wasn't normal. But hopefully they do, and then they can start the process of healing, realising it wasn't their fault, and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-build-healthy-boundaries-2018-5?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">putting healthy boundaries in place</a> to never be a covert narcissist's resource again. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jason-bourne-ruined-action-movies-hollywood-film-cinema-2018-4">How one trilogy ruined action movies forever</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

How to spot a covert narcissist

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>
Today's Insider Picks is from guest writer Kara Manos, creator of Politics of Pretty, a <a href="http://politicsofpretty.com">DC beauty blog</a> dedicated to helping Washington women look their very best. 
She's covered numerous NYC Fashion Weeks and is a frequent host for beauty trend and education events. As a senior marketing consultant for OutMarket by day, Kara balances a busy schedule between weekly manicures.
Think wearing makeup in the workplace doesn't matter? Think again. Wearing makeup is just as important as the outfit and shoes you pick out. In fact, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/fashion/makeup-makes-women-appear-more-competent-study.html?_r=0">studies</a> have shown that wearing makeup (but not an absurd amount) increases people's perceptions of a woman's likability. Plus, makeup helps you look more polished and professional. From long-wearing eyeshadow to moisturizing lip color, I've rounded up the best work-appropriate makeup products.
<h2>Eyes:</h2>
Dark eye makeup can yield many touch-ups and not-so-pretty meltdowns, and it can be distracting in a business meeting. If you have fair skin, sweep a long-wearing glimmering champagne shadow like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VQTUVE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B004VQTUVE&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=AOWBSJL3E5GQMHMF">Stila Eyeshadow in Kitten </a>across the lid and blend up to the crease. If you have a medium to dark skin tone, try <a href="http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/estee-lauder-pure-color-eye-shadow?ID=483285">Estee Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow in Sizzling Copper</a>, a metallic brown that brightens without being too sparkly.<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right" style="width:300px"><div class="image"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VQTUVE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B004VQTUVE&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=AOWBSJL3E5GQMHMF"></a>AmazonStila Eye Shadow</div></div>
Go easy on the mascara by focusing on defining and lengthening lashes with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C67E8NK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00C67E8NK&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=W4GGY44MSNDODFYK">CoverGirl Clump Crusher Extensions Lashblast Mascara</a>. Start by rolling the wand from the base to the tip of your lashes to help separate lashes. Tame your brows with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EIRG5IW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00EIRG5IW&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=XCZ2TZU5SVNT6WZF">Benefit Gimme Brow</a>, a volumizing fiber gel that fills in where needed and shapes arches for a polished look.
Wearing concealer is important because it conceals blemishes and discoloration around the eye area so you look more awake. I tested a bevy of products to find <a href="http://politicsofpretty.com/2014/08/the-best-drugstore-concealer/">the best drugstore concealer</a> on my blog, and to this day I'm still using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XHJHV6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B002XHJHV6&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=E264XHR7KBCCGTHX">Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser</a> because of its ability to conceal dark circles and brighten my under eye area. Apply product in the shape of a piece of pie (not a crescent) for a natural finish.
<h2>Face:</h2>
Foundation isn't necessary unless you feel like you need more coverage than a tinted moisturizer or <a href="http://politicsofpretty.com/2013/03/best-bb-creams/">BB cream</a>. Personally, I love <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007FAOV26/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B007FAOV26&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=HS3YVC44W2H4P6UP">NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30</a>, which keeps skin hydrated and helps improve complexion over time.<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right" style="width:300px"><div class="image"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007FAOV26/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B007FAOV26&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=HS3YVC44W2H4P6UP"></a>AmazonNARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer</div></div>
As for bronzer, it's OK to add a little faux color with a matte finish like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053A0GT2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0053A0GT2&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=RMORUPLXHOVHRQRT">The Body Shop Honey Bronze Powder</a>. Using a bronzer brush, create the number "3" on both sides of your face, starting at the top of your forehead, dusting it along your cheeks and sweep it across your jawline. Don't forget to blend it into your neck for a natural finish. For blush, I prefer sheer, buildable coverage in a creamy formula.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8DKI8W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00B8DKI8W&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=O6KAPDBKLQOZ2QJP">Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Color in Blaze</a> is equal parts natural looking and long-lasting. It adds warmth to medium-deep complexions and a sun-kissed touch to fair-to-medium tones.
<h2>Lips:</h2>
<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right" style="width:300px"><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XJ9DLG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B004XJ9DLG&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=S6D67I3Z5NWW2VM5"></a>AmazonTom Ford in Blush Nude</div></div>
Lip color isn't necessary, but a sheer finish can enhance your overall appearance. At the very least, use a light tinted lip balm like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009AWPPRC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B009AWPPRC&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=H2RTPKGWWYJREURA">AERIN Beauty Rose Lip Balm</a>. You can add color to your lips without overdoing it by sporting a dreamy nude-pink lip color. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NRV0X2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B004NRV0X2&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=NGKV4SR2BRIN43B5">Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Buff</a> is pretty and non-sticky with a beige pink hue.
I believe a red lip is no longer reserved for date night-just make sure you apply in moderation. For example, eye makeup should be neutral and light if you wear <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M5T7QFQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B00M5T7QFQ&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=4ASVWABA7OBZFLTW">MAC Lipstick in Russian Red</a>, which is universally flattering on all skin tones and undertones. Using a lip brush, apply the color, starting at the center of the upper lip and moving outward toward each corner. Not a fan of red lipstick? Opt for a barely there hue from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XJ9DLG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B004XJ9DLG&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=biworkmakeup-20&amp;linkId=S6D67I3Z5NWW2VM5">Tom Ford in Blush Nude</a>.
You can visit <a href="http://www.politicsofpretty.com">Kara's website here</a> for everything from extensive drugstore guides to salon reviews and industry tool breakdowns. Her insider tips and tricks help determine the type of products best-suited for your specific needs. She's been featured in Washingtonian Magazine, People StyleWatch and Byrdie.com as a top ten beauty blog to bookmark. Follow Kara on Twitter: <a href="https://www.twitter.com/politics_pretty">@politics_pretty</a>.Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Business Insider's Insider Picks team. We aim to highlight products and services you might find interesting, and if you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale. This is not an advertiser sponsored post and we operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback.

Have something you think we should know about? Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.

Makeup Matters In The Workplace - Here's How To Wear It

The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks">Insider Picks</a> team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Yutong Yuan/Business InsiderSkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($166) and TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C serum ($19.99) both have a cult-following.</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Vitamin C serums get down to the cellular level to protect skin from free radicals, which can damage skin in the forms of discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles.</li><li><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.dermstore.com/product_C+E+Ferulic_5230.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic</a> ($166) has been heralded the "gold standard" in vitamin C serums by dermatologists for it's scientifically-backed formula. </li><li>I had heard that <a href="https://amzn.to/2XH1e6b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TruSkin Naturals makes a vitamin C serum</a> that yields similar results for a fraction of the price ($19.99), so I decided to try both for a month.</li><li>Ultimately, while both products gave my skin a nice sheen, the SkinCeuticals serum was more effective at lightening sun spots, discoloration, and dark circles over time. </li></ul><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-vitamin-c-serum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vitamin C serums</a> are staples in the routines of skin-care fanatics, but they're not just a trend - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16029672" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scientific evidence</a> tells us that topical vitamin C promotes collagen production, lightens hyperpigmentation, and protects skin from free radicals. These qualities work together to leave skin plumper, brighter, and with a nice dewy glow.How could I not be using one of these wonder potions in my routine already? My search for a great vitamin C serum kept leading me back to one product: the <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.dermstore.com/product_C+E+Ferulic_5230.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum</a>. Since it's release in 2005, this serum has been a favorite among self-labeled skin-care experts and dermatologists alike for its scientifically-based formula. That sounded well and good to me, but there's a catch - a one ounce bottle costs $166.I'm all for a skincare splurge every now and then, but $166 is a hard pill to swallow. I wondered, then: Would a cheaper vitamin C serum do the trick? A friend of mine had mentioned that the <a href="https://amzn.to/2XH1e6b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C serum</a> was comparable to the <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.dermstore.com/product_C+E+Ferulic_5230.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SkinCeuticals</a> option -she had seen glowing results, quite literally, and it was a fraction of the price at just $19.99. So, I figured, why not compare these two serums and see if the cheaper one stacked up?<h2>Why vitamin C so important for the skin</h2>I was excited to begin this skin experiment, but in order to help me - and hopefully you - understand what makes vitamin C the elixir of choice for getting that dewy glow, I reached out to a dermatologist for an expert opinion. <a href="http://www.drdendyengelman.com/about2.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Dendy Engelman</a> is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon and celebrity dermatologist. Currently, she works as an MD at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery as well as a clinical assistant professor and director of dermatologic surgery at the Metropolitan Hospital Center. Here's why Dr. Engelman says adding a vitamin C serum is so beneficial, in scientific terms: After that little science lesson, I had a better understanding of why a vitamin C serum is so important and felt ready to take on this experiment and test these serums out. <h2>My testing method</h2>To make a fair comparison, I decided to use the serums at the same. The left side of my face would be dedicated to <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.dermstore.com/product_C+E+Ferulic_5230.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic</a> and the right side would get <a href="https://amzn.to/2XH1e6b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TruSkin Naturals</a>. Skin can be fickle and since I can't control external variables that may cause unwanted flare-ups, doing a half-half method seemed like the best way to judge each products effectiveness. Everything else in my skincare routine would be left as is - I'd fit the serums in after using a gentle cleanser, but before layering on a lightweight lotion, eye cream, and sunscreen. I planned to use the serums for at least four weeks, keeping track of changes that I noticed on either side. <h2>My impressions, week by week</h2>Week one: The SkinCeuticals serum is clear, has a thin consistency, and a metallic scent that kind of <a href="https://www.thecut.com/2018/12/why-do-vitamin-c-serums-smell-like-hot-dogs.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smells like hot dog water</a>. The TruSkin Naturals serum is a milky color, has a thicker feel, and is odor-free. I put three drops of each serum on their respective sides and rub them in. Both serums feel lightweight and absorb nicely into my skin. I let each side dry, then follow up with my regular lotion and sunscreen. After a few days, all I notice is a pimple smack dab in the middle of my forehead - an area where I rarely break out. I wonder if that could be attributed to the new products, or was just a fluke. Either way, I continue the routine. Week two: It hasn't been long, but I haven't noticed much of a difference on either side. At dinner with family though, I get asked if I'm the youngest child. I have a fifteen year old brother - so maybe these serums really are working some anti-aging magic. Did two weeks of Vitamin C serum reverse the clock seven years? I have to say, that felt pretty good. <div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://amzn.to/2XH1e6b" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>Remi RosmarinLeft: before using TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C serum. Right: after using the serum for a month.</div></div></div>Week three: Since starting this little experiment, I've been adamant about following the same routine every morning. While I know I should use sunscreen everyday, I often leave it out of my morning routine. Since using these serums, I've been really good about putting on sunscreen each morning. Even though it's winter, I feel that I'm doing a great service to my skin - and while it's not really a result of these serums, it's been a nice unexpected bonus of the process. My cheeks have been getting a little drier than usual, and I wonder if this could be attributed to the Vitamin C. To counter, I lather on a little more of my trusty <a href="https://fave.co/2ENePBw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream</a> at night - it's my go-to for hydrating dry skin, especially during winter. Week four: After one month I feel that my skin looks good, but I haven't really had any "wow" moments. Maybe I expected that one side of my face would be bright and glowy, while the other would be irritated and red - but both sides of my face look strikingly similar. I had taken a picture of my skin before starting the routine, so I decide to take a new set of pictures and compare. Looking at the pictures side by side, I finally have my "wow" moment. I have sun spots and some freckles, but I've never really thought of them as a skin concern - not cosmetically at least. I've come to terms with their existence and for the most part, forget they're even there. When I compare the pictures of the right side of my face, where I've been using the <a href="https://amzn.to/2XH1e6b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TruSkin Naturals serum</a>, I don't notice any real fading of my spots.When I look at the left side though, where I've been using <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.dermstore.com/product_C+E+Ferulic_5230.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SkinCeuticals</a>, it looks like my spots have been lightened a good amount. I was even more impressed to notice that my veins look significantly lighter on the left side too. My very fair skin, I like to call it see-through, leaves plenty of veins on my face visible - like sun spots, it's something I've kind of just come to terms with, though I wouldn't mind if they were hidden. This is something I wasn't expecting, but am definitely happy to see. Although I didn't really notice anything when analyzing my skin in the mirror, I think both serums have given my skin a nice sheen. My poor-quality selfies may not do either justice, but I think both did a good job of making my skin look a little more even. <div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.dermstore.com/product_C+E+Ferulic_5230.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>Remi RosmarinLeft: before using SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. Right: after using the serum for a month.</div></div></div><h2>The ingredients behind it all</h2>Given that my experience is completely subjective, I wanted some objectivity to answer the "which product is actually better" conundrum. I sent Dr. Engelman the ingredients in each product to hear her take. Here's what she said:Skinceuticals Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Ethoxydiglycol, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Laureth-23, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine, Ferulic Acid, <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.dermstore.com/profile_Panthenol_502241.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Panthenol</a>, Sodium Hyaluronate.I consider CE Ferulic one of (if not) the gold standard for topical antioxidants. It is backed by copious clinical studies and is greatly effective in fighting free radical damage. This contains ascorbic acid, as compared to <a href="https://amzn.to/2XH1e6b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TruSkin's</a> sodium ascorbyl phosphate which is a derivative and less powerful. It also contains ferulic acid, a powerful acid that targets discoloration and fine lines. <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.dermstore.com/product_C+E+Ferulic_5230.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Skinceuticals</a> undergoes extensive testing to ensure that the product is effective and maintains its stability over time. This is one of the reasons it is at an elevated price point.TruSkin Ingredients: Organic Deionized Herbal Infusion, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), MSM, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid (Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel), Vitamin E (d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Carbomer, (2s)-2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic Acid, Organic Gotu Kola, Wildcrafted Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense), Wildcrafted Dandelion, Wildcrafted Geranium, Organic Jojoba Oil (Organic Simmondsia Chinensis), Phenoxyethanol, Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin.This serum is less powerful than Skinceuticals, however it does have some nourishing properties that I like. Witch hazel helps calm inflammation and jojoba is very hydrating. This serum will not work as well, but that is not to say it will not [work] at all.<h2>The bottom line</h2>Both of these products have a cult-following - <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.dermstore.com/product_C+E+Ferulic_5230.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SkinCeuticals</a> is consistently ranked as one of the best vitamin C serums out there and <a href="https://amzn.to/2XH1e6b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TruSkin Naturals</a> boasts over 4,700 glowing reviews on Amazon and a loyal following as well. As Dr. Engelman stated, both products can work, it really just depends what you are looking for in the product. If you are just looking to delve into the world of vitamin C serums as a means of getting even, glowy skin, I think TruSkin Naturals will do the trick. If you are specifically targeting fine lines and discoloration, <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.dermstore.com/product_C+E+Ferulic_5230.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SkinCeuticals</a> will likely yield better results. The addition of ferulic acid and a more potent form of vitamin C explain why many people see significant results, and (unfortunately) why the price tag is so high.At the end of the day, our bodies are totally unique, so what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Maybe neither of these products will be right for you, but even if that's the case, I'd still recommend adding some type of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/maelove-glow-maker-serum-review-2018-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">topical vitamin C</a> to your skincare routine. We're all surrounded by environmental stressors every day, and even if you don't realize, over time these can be very taxing on your skin - vitamin C works to combat those negative effects.Dr. Engelman recommends a serum, saying "they will be most effective in delivering to the cellular level. Serums have the highest concentration of active ingredients and smaller molecules which allows actives to penetrate further". Too much vitamin C can be overkill though - Dr. Engelman cautioned against using more than one topical vitamin C product each day, as too much can be irritating and cause acne breakouts in certain skin types. Ultimately, neither of these products changed my life - at least not yet. While at first that disappointed me a little, it's for the best. Plenty of skincare products reap immediate rewards, but a vitamin C serum is something that helps protect your skin for the long haul, which I know in a few years I'll be grateful for. Neither of these products are quick fixes, and while a one ounce bottle will last you a long time (you only use a few drops each day), keeping up with a $166 skincare habit is not necessarily sustainable. Luckily, there are plenty more topical Vitamin C products to choose from, that may <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-does-vitamin-c-serum-do-for-skin-2018-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">work better for your skin type and budget</a>.For now, I am going to transition to SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic full time with the hopes that it will help lessen the discoloration and veins on the other side of my face, too. I'll definitely continue using TruSkin Naturals every few days though, so I can expand the longevity of this $166 bottle. <h3><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.dermstore.com/product_C+E+Ferulic_5230.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum, $166, available at DermStore</a></h3><h3><a href="https://amzn.to/2XH1e6b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy the TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C serum, $19.99, available at Amazon</a></h3><figure id="img-966853" contenteditable="false" data-type="img" data-e2e-name="image-figure-image" data-media-container="image"><a href="https://amzn.to/2QIkADL" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></figure><a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/insider-picks">Subscribe to our newsletter.</a> Find all the best offers at our <a href="https://coupons.businessinsider.com/">Coupons page</a>. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks">Insider Picks</a> team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.

I compared vitamin C serums that cost $20 and $165 - and it turns out the expensive one is worth the cost

Craig Blakenhorn/HBO(L-R) Robert De Niro and Barry Levinson on the set of "The Wizard of Lies."The HBO movie "The Wizard of Lies" (airing Saturday) showcases the legendary talents of both its star and director, Robert De Niro and director Barry Levinson, who worked together for the fourth time on the feature. They deliver a powerful look at the revelation that Wall Street pillar <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Madoff" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bernie Madoff</a> concocted the biggest Ponzi scheme in history and how it dismantled his entire family.De Niro plays Madoff as a cool and calm hustler who, after the 2008 crash, runs out of tricks and finally admits to swindling over $50 billion from people since the 1970s (he's currently serving a 150-year prison sentence). Levinson takes a complex financial story and turns it into a heartbreaking family saga, in which the patriarch fails his loyal children, Mark (who committed suicide in 2010) and Andrew (who died of lymphoma in 2014), along with his wife, Ruth (extraordinarily played by Michelle Pfeiffer).De Niro and Levinson talked to Business Insider about the challenges of bringing "The Wizard of Lies" (based on Diana B. Henriques' book of the same name) to the screen, developing their classic 1997 movie "Wag the Dog" as a TV series (also for HBO), and what De Niro has gone through to reverse-age himself for his upcoming movie with Martin Scorsese, "The Irishman."Jason Guerrasio: Mr. De Niro, I believe Diana's book was optioned in 2011. Were you involved in the project since then?Robert De Niro: Yeah, I don't know when it was optioned, or dropped by other people, but as far as I know we were on it for a few years. Guerrasio: What attracted you not just to Madoff but to Henriques' book?De Niro: The book was great. We were just trying to make it into a good screenplay and it went through a few iterations and finally Barry and his son Sam came on and that was good. We were finally at a point where we could make it. Mario Tama/Getty ImagesBernie Madoff.Guerrasio: Mr. Levinson, when you came on, where was the script at and where did you want to take it?Levinson: I think it was the focus on Bernie and the family dynamic that we wanted to get to and then build it out. So if you understand Bernie's behavior with his family, which would lead to the ultimate destruction of the family, you will learn a lot about Bernie. And then you have all these thousands of people whose lives were affected by this man. So I think it was to shift the focus from the pure financial aspects of it and see the man and his behavior and the family and how it all came unglued. With that design we can get connected to the character and the emotions and then you deal with the financial. Guerrasio: Mr. De Niro, did you want to meet Madoff?De Niro: We thought about it. [Producing partner] Jane [Rosenthal] and I talked about it, and I thought it may be too much to go down there. And other people were having problems. Even Diana Henriques, she was very limited in her time with him. Someone else I knew had gone down to see him and he was very limited. He couldn't do an interview with him. I forget exactly what he did, but he could talk to him but couldn't do an interview. So I just felt with the limited time, and me going there would have been a big deal made about it, that I just didn't. I met his lawyer and some of his friends. Relatives and in-laws. Guerrasio: Did you feel you had to hear him on tape? Did you need to hear his voice?De Niro: I heard his voice. There's little on him but there was one thing that I played over and over again.Guerrasio: His voice is similar to yours.De Niro: Exactly. And my hair is similar to his. And as far as the baldness in the front, we looked at that very carefully and shaved the front of my scalp. Because when you put on those bald caps and the fake hair on top, it looks good but not as good as when you do it with your hair. And doing it this way is a commitment because you then know there are things you can't do later in reshoots because the hair grows back. But there are ways to work around it. HBORobert De Niro as Bernie Madoff in "The Wizard of Lies."Levinson: The interesting thing is Diana plays herself in the movie and doing the scenes with Bob, seeing she was the person who sat across from Bernie when interviewing him for the book, after a few takes I would go to her and say, "How is Bob's Bernie?" And she said, "There are some moments that he's so close to Bernie that it gave me goosebumps." And I thought that was good. Guerrasio: Was it a challenge to portray Madoff, who is obviously a con man, as seeming trustworthy?De Niro: Because he's?Guerrasio: He's full of sh--.De Niro: But people want to believe him. So he's doing a good job. He's letting you do all the work. And then there's the reputation. People want to come to him and he will only choose who he wants to be in his investment circle, if you will, then it becomes easier and easier. Guerrasio: Because his reputation precedes him. He was a chairman of the NASDAQ - why would he not be on the level?De Niro: Exactly. Levinson: The con artist has to keep evolving, otherwise he's caught. His thing was he would tell people, "I don't know if I want your money." De Niro: That was his MO and his strength. I don't want to say it's his brilliance, but that was the scheme he used. He had this fatherly persona so people would put their guard down and think, "How could this guy screw me?"Guerrasio: The way you guys highlight Madoff's sons and what they went through is so heartbreaking. The suicide of Mark - was that always in the script and did you always want to show it in such a raw manner?Levinson: It's one thing to say his son committed suicide, but to understand what took place, cause and effect - that he could not live with this shame and he so desperately needed Bernie's love - that's what happened. You can't back away from it. You want to understand the gravity of what this man brought about. Mark commits suicide, an investment banker commits suicide, there are casualties. This isn't a guy with a gun that kills people but this man destroys the lives of thousands of people. Guerrasio: He kills you with a smile and a handshake. Levinson: Right.Guerrasio: Mr. De Niro, can you compare this character to anyone you've played in the past?De Niro: No. I don't think so. Unless you see -Guerrasio: I see a little Sam "Ace" Rothstein from "Casino." A little. De Niro: A little. Possibly. It's different. He was not a person who would lie or betray his family like Bernie did. This is a whole other thing. Guerrasio: This isn't the only HBO project you guys are working on. What's the latest on the <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/wag-dog-tv-series-works-at-hbo-998140" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Wag the Dog" series</a>?Levinson: It's developing, we're waiting on a script. Guerrasio: Mr. De Niro, is there any interest in coming back as Conrad, your character from the movie?De Niro: I don't know. We haven't talked about it. [Turns to Levinson] Should I?Guerrasio: [Laughs] So it's really early in development. Levinson: It is. Guerrasio: Watching what's unfolding in politics, is it like watching "Wag the Dog" all over again? De Niro: It is. It's unbelievable. New Line Cinema"Wag the Dog."Levinson: You just look at it all: Deny, deny, deny. Keep shifting the headline all the time. All those things are in the movie, and we've ended up with all of those things now. It's crazy to see that's what has come about now. The idea of diversion. It's like what Bob says in the movie when William H. Macy says, "There's no war," he says, "Of course there's a war. I see it on TV."De Niro: [Laughs and shakes his head]Guerrasio: Mr. De Niro, can you talk at all about the technology being used in "The Irishman" to make you look decades younger? Is that something you guys are still planning to do?De Niro: Yeah. We're doing that. Guerrasio: Have any preliminary things happened? Getting all the motion-capture dots all over your face?De Niro: We did that. Then we did some tests. I did a scene from "Goodfellas" and then they worked on that piece and we've been slowly moving along. We're going to make it great. Guerrasio: Was it a trip seeing a CGI version of yourself as a younger person?De Niro: If they can perfect it, I'll be able to work for another 30 years. [Laughs]<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/research-store?IR=T&amp;utm_source=House&amp;utm_term=CtgrPr-PaymentsEco&amp;utm_campaign=CtgrPr#!/THE-DRONES-REPORT/p/47962272/category=11987294"></a> Get THE DRONES REPORT now! Commercial drones are already a reality. BI Intelligence takes an in-depth look at the most important aspects, including market forecasts for commercial applications, regulatory process, and the leading players. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/research-store?IR=T&amp;utm_source=House&amp;utm_term=CtgrPr-PaymentsEco&amp;utm_campaign=CtgrPr#!/THE-DRONES-REPORT/p/47962272/category=11987294">Get the Report Here »</a> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/first-trailer-stephen-kings-the-dark-tower-idris-elba-2017-5">Watch the first trailer for 'The Dark Tower' - the new film based on Stephen King's epic series</a></h3> Please enable Javascript to watch this video

Robert De Niro talks about how he got inside the head of Bernie Madoff for his new movie

35. You've got Enron mail!

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div><ul><li>The Onion has launched a campaign against Facebook, even announcing its own spoof social network.</li><li>In an interview with Business Insider, the satirical news site's editor-in-chief said Facebook is throttling its traffic and should consider paying publishers who use the platform.</li><li>The Onion isn't pulling any punches - even joking that Mark Zuckerberg's wife has left him for the CEO of "Onion Social."</li></ul> The Onion has declared war on <a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/fb-stock">Facebook</a> - and now it's getting personal.Over the past few days, the satirical news site has published a barrage of articles mocking the social network, culminating <a href="https://onionsocial.com/welcome-to-onion-social-1826614110">with the announcement on Monday of "Onion Social,"</a> a new spoof social network that promises users&#xa0;"access to unfettered information, unparalleled reportage, and unmatched connectivity to friends and family without regard to the consequences."In an interview with Business Insider, The Onion's editor-in-chief Chad Nackers said the anti-Facebook campaign has been prompted by how the company has throttled the traffic it sends to The Onion and other publishers in attempts to make them pay for ads."We've developed a big audience. That audience is hanging out on Facebook looking at things and it seems like we should be able to reach them," Nackers said. "It seems like [Facebook is] taking another thing away from us by saying 'well you can't reach the people who follow your page unless you spend money.'" (Scroll down for the full interview.)"You wouldn't expect HBO to just give all their programs for free to a cable network. There would be some kind of carriage fee or something," Nackers said. And he said that Facebook's efforts to clamp down on "fake news" may be hurting parody sites like The Onion, though Facebook responded that that's not the case.&#xa0;"I can't prove that that has happened, but I feel that since 2016, since post-election, it has felt like ... Anyone can report that this is 'fake news,' and unfortunately that's what people do," Nackers told Business Insider. <h2>No punches are being pulled in The Onion's assault on Facebook</h2>The Onion has published more than a dozen articles about Facebook since Thursday - and it's not pulling any punches. One of the first&#xa0;poked fun of the 34-year-old CEO:&#xa0;<a href="https://www.theonion.com/mark-zuckerberg-insists-anyone-with-same-skewed-values-1826829272">Mark Zuckerberg Insists Anyone With Same Skewed Values And Unrelenting Thirst For Power Could Have Made Same Mistakes</a>.&#xa0;A particularly dark op-ed pretended to be Mark Zuckerberg's baby daughter, telling him: "<a href="https://www.theonion.com/daddy-i-don-t-want-to-live-in-the-world-your-website-h-1826861817">Daddy, I Don't Want To Live In The World Your Website Has Created</a>."The "child" wrote:"Come on, Daddy. The whole thing is so completely obvious. All you and your website do is hurt people. I mean, really, what you did to journalism alone! You created a platform that cripples publishers and severely limits the reach of their content. Facebook made it so hardly anyone can afford to pay reporters anymore. And it made people stop trusting the news. Don't you understand how essential a free press is to preserving our democracy? Don't you know anything about the Constitution?"Christ, Daddy, didn't you go to Harvard?"<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>And on Monday, after the announcement of Onion Social, Zuckerberg's wife Priscilla Chan appeared in the firing line: <a href="https://www.theonion.com/priscilla-chan-leaves-mark-zuckerberg-for-onion-social-1826907492">Priscilla Chan Leaves Mark Zuckerberg For Onion Social CEO</a>.&#xa0;"I finally woke up to the lie I've been living-Mark just isn't enough for me," she is quoted as saying. "He can't satisfy me intellectually or physically, and the second I saw Onion Social, I knew I had to be with whoever created that ingenious, pioneering site."People who try and sign up for Onion Social, once they navigate the labyrinthine questionnaire ("What is the first name of the person you lost your virginity to?" "Where were you on the night of the murder?"), are invariably rejected. Nackers was coy about whether the company had actually built a functioning social network - it seems unlikely - but teased further developments in the story over the days ahead.&#xa0;"We'll see what happens. I'm assuming the FBI will shut it down in a few days, probably," he said.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>It's an elaborate joke - months in the making, he said - but with a serious point. The editor called on Facebook to let publishers reach their audiences without paying, and even to consider paying publishers for posting content to the site.He also questioned whether Facebook's "fake news" crackdown has hurt The Onion's traffic,&#xa0; and suggested a (real) replacement for Facebook might soon be necessary."I understand private companies have a right to do things, but then it makes me think there needs to be a new private company that's better than Facebook," he said. "I feel that ultimately it could come down to something like that because that seems where we're headed at this point. They don't seem to want to budge."In a statement, Facebook spokesperson Adam Isserlis said: "We&#xa0;announced ranking updates&#xa0;this winter to show people more posts from their friends and family. This means we'll show less public content in News Feed and pages could see their referral traffic decline. But we're also working to make sure the Page posts people do see are high quality. We've found that people don't report satirical content as false news because they know it's intended to be humorous. Generally, satire, including The Onion, should not be impacted by our work to reduce false news."<h2>Read the full interview below. The transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity.</h2>BUSINESS INSIDER: So why are you doing this? What prompted this wave of stories?CHAD NACKERS: Facebook changes their algorithm repeatedly and so it decreases like the number of people who are seeing our content, and I think we're not super happy about that. Just because we provide a steady stream of content for Facebook, 24 hours a day. At this point they're just getting our stuff for free, building their traffic so their ad networks are firing and they're selling stuff, and we're not getting much benefit from it.It's kind of ludicrous. You wouldn't expect HBO to just give all their programs for free to a cable network. There would be some kind of carriage fee or something. So there's certainly a frustration. I think there's times where it's been better but in the last three or four years, I feel like the algorithm has played against us. I don't know if satire has also played a role in some of that.Are you angry about the broader algorithm changes, or do you feel like you've also been penalised in the last few months by the changes Facebook has been making to crack down on so-called fake news?I can't prove that that has happened, but I feel that since 2016, since post-election, it has felt like ... Anyone can report that this is "fake news," and unfortunately that's what people do. I think people who are unaware of what The Onion is, or what is the point that's being made - especially if they disagree with that point - then they label it "fake news."We've come full circle here, where people didn't understand what satire was before, and now they don't understand it on a different level.Have you seen a drop-off in traffic from Facebook since 2016?Yeah, Facebook is not as reliable for us, so we've tried to get other traffic sources, things like that. But it's hard because everyone has a fake news thing, and I think places are afraid of comedy too, like we don't have an Apple News thing.&#xa0;There's a narrowing of venues to get your content seen, basically, and I think that maybe a larger thing is people have been conditioned in how they use the internet. Now people just scroll past things, and it's important to visit websites. You have to go to the-onion-dot-com and look at the content because things like clicking likes or sharing articles doesn't help us.So why have you done this now? Did the Cambridge Analytica scandal play a part in it?The thing is we've been working on stuff for a few months, so what comes out now is not necessarily based on something Facebook just did this week. We were already developing these ideas at the end of the 2017. I think that's when we felt things had been decreasing on Facebook and it just felt like it wasn't as worthwhile. There's times when you think you can game the Facebook algorithm by "oh, if we put up content at this time or we wait before we put our a different thing or wait to re-promote it it'll have a different effect." But I feel like some of that stuff has kind of disappeared and just feels like they're like: 'If you want your content to be seen you need to pay us more money.'&#xa0;It's kind of a partnership - we've developed a big audience. That audience is hanging out on Facebook looking at things and it seems like we should be able to reach them. It seems like they're taking another thing away from us by saying "well you can't reach the people who follow your page unless you spend money."What kind of response would you like to see from Facebook? What changes are you after in an ideal world?I think we just want access to the people we follow, and the algorithm not cutting us off so it's getting to like 10% of the people at any time. I've had people say "oh you guys never publish anything," because they don't see stuff in their feeds.&#xa0;I understand private companies have a right to do things, but then it makes me thing there needs to be a new private company that's better than Facebook. I feel that ultimately it could come down to something like that because that seems where we're headed at this point. They don't seem to want to budge.I think all their data mining has been a huge blemish on what they've done and there's a lot of privacy concerns, and it has sidestepped what they've done to publishers over the last few years. This is not just The Onion, it's every <keyword id="6354777" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Media">media</keyword> company. They encourage you to do Instant Articles, and keep you on Facebook and do videos that are playing on Facebook. Then they just turn that spigot of your content reaching people - they turn it down, it feels like, every few months it gets tightened a little bit.Let's talk about Onion Social. What are you trying to achieve with this, and should we expect to see more along these lines beyond what's come out today?Yes. Onion Social is our solution to this problem, of creating a place where the content, whatever you post, it's uncensored, it's not suppressed. You can go on there and share with the other 12 billion users. Social media has slowly cracked down more and more on people, and it doesn't matter where you fall politically. They are the overlords who decide who sees what. Onion Social is a place where that's not gonna be happening.Have you built an actual social network? I took the entry quiz and was rejected.Well, you have to keep trying, and maybe better yourself so maybe one day you can become accepted. We have all sorts, you can take the tour to see the various influencers we have on the site.So is it real?I guess, you know, if the people come then it is a social network, right? We'll see what happens. I'm assuming the FBI will shut it down in a few days, probably.Have you talked to Facebook about these issues - especially after this barrage of posts?We're in contact with them, I think we get the same story. They're very secretive about their algorithm, and they don't really reveal a whole lot. But we haven't talked to them since this barrage of content so it'll be interesting to see if they want to re-open talks about this.&#xa0;They're kind of blaming publishers for their troubles, I think. And those problems are they got a little greedy about data mining and that's the core of that issue rather than "publishers tricked people."If you want to know the anger about things, with our staff. Russia bought $200,000 in ads - a fairly insignificant amount of money - but they had a lot of power from it and exploited the network, and that's very frustrating that they would sell out the country for so little. We would expect them to sell out for much more money, at least.In one of the recent stories, you use Mark Zuckerberg's baby daughter to attack him. It was clearly written in a way that made Mark Zuckerberg, rather than his child, the butt of the joke - but is there anything related to Mark Zuckerberg or Facebook that would be beyond the pale? How do you make sure your jokes are punching the right way?I think we try to punch up, and I think using a child is a powerful way to create emotion and show how terrible some of the stuff is. If you go through the filter of the innocent baby, it definitely changes how it all plays out. I think we have to try to keep our limits because there's a point. You don't want to go down a path where it's getting into something that's too loaded of a topic, it just doesn't seem fair to anyone.&#xa0;So we try to punch where it hurts, but not go too far as "this is just not even related to anything," that's where we stick to. But they're gut punches. We're not going light on them.<div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div> <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-having-problems-bugs-2018-5">Why Apple is having so many problems right now</a></h3> <div> </div> </div></hr>

The Onion's editor-in-chief explains why he's going to war against Facebook

Max Levchin, Star Entrepreneur And Cycling Fanatic: 'I Still Want To Be The Fastest Guy Up The Hill'

<div class="image-container"><div class="image">Mike Nudelman/Business Insider</div></div>Riccardo G.'s profile on <a href="https://www.couchsurfing.org/" target="_blank">CouchSurfing.com</a>, the website that partners intrepid wanderers with willing hosts, notes that he lives in the "best neighborhood to go out and have drinks," that he offers a "cozy/clean/nice sofa/couch" and that he'll even let you bring your "small dog, if you just can't live without him." 
He describes himself as "amazing, outgoing, funny, smart" and says his interests include friends, eating, drinking, the gym and puppies. His photos show the good-humored Latin American native - dark, handsome, and fit - in exotic destinations around the world, from Cairo to Capri. Nowhere does the profile state explicitly that if you are an attractive female traveler, you might skip the couch entirely and wind up in Riccardo's bed, but it's a good possibility.
In eight months using the service, Riccardo, who is 32 and works for an ad agency, has let eight visitors crash at his apartment, of whom he's hooked up with five, for a 62 percent "success rate." If you count the additional two that climbed into bed with him for a cuddle and then fell asleep, the percentage climbs even higher. (Riccardo and other <keyword id="993210" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="CouchSurfing">Couchsurfing</keyword> users quotes in this article asked to be identified by pseudonyms.)
On the business front, the crowdsourced <keyword id="29913" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="hospitality">hospitality</keyword> site has been experiencing a rough patch lately. After a controversial transition to a for-profit model in 2011, which brought <a href="http://www.tnooz.com/article/from-not-for-profit-to-investment-bucket-in-12-months-couchsurfing-takes-15m-in-latest-injection/">$22 million in funding</a> in the past two years, growing pains have set in. In October, layoffs claimed an estimated 40 percent of the staff, and CEO Tony Espinoza <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/10/10/tony-espinoza-steps-down-as-ceo-of-couchsurfing-jen-billock-steps-up-as-interim-as-startup-lays-off-staff-doubles-down-on-mobile/">announced his departure</a> - giving an opening to competitors like <a href="http://www.bewelcome.org/main">BeWelcome</a> and <a href="http://www.hospitalityclub.org/">Hospitality Club</a>.
Although the company has initiated a doubling down on mobile, the experience of users like Riccardo might suggest another path to profitability.

Never mind iCupid and Tindr. The almost decade-old Couchsurfing, which is available in 100,000 cities across the globe, is becoming the go-to hookup app for a certain class of young world travelers. Bloggers like Maverick Traveler will help you spot the "<a href="http://www.mavericktraveler.com/8-signs-of-a-slutty-couchsurfer-girl/">8 Signs of a Slutty CouchSurfer Girl</a>" by decoding her profile, and female-centric advice site YouQueen has even offered tips on "<a href="http://youqueen.com/love/seduction/how-to-use-couchsurfing-www-couchsurfing-org-as-a-dating-site-and-get-away-with-it/">How to Use CouchSurfing as a Dating Site and Get Away with It.</a>" Meanwhile, a site called <a href="http://couchbangs.com/">CouchBangs.com</a>, which declares that "Couchsurfing isn't just for Couchsurfing," offers a forum for proud couch-cuddlers to share their experiences via short posts with titles like "French Girl in Istanbul" and "Brazilian Girl in New York."
CouchSurfing's <a href="https://www.couchsurfing.org/n/guidelines">Community Guidelines</a> explicitly warn against contacting other members for <keyword id="6367193" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Dating">dating</keyword>, noting, "we will consider this harassment" - albeit without stipulating what the penalties are for violating this rule. In an email interview, the site's interim CEO Jen Billock told Business Insider that "members are ... encouraged to report other members who are abusing the site to our Trust and Safety team, who will take appropriate action, according to our policy, when <a href="https://www.couchsurfing.org/n/terms">Terms of Use</a> violations are reported or observed." 
Perhaps, but use of the site to find sexual partners (a practice known in some bro-friendly circles as "cooch surfing") is nonetheless quite routine.
 
<h2 dir="ltr">"Get in my bed"</h2>
"All of my friends, they love these stories," Riccardo tells Business Insider over beers in a quiet bar in Midtown Manhattan. "They call me the next day asking what happened. I'm like, 'You know, whatever, we went out, had <keyword id="6355231" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sex">sex</keyword>...' They're like, 'No, no, no-tell me when she got there, where you went, did you kiss her, every single detail.'"
<div class="image-container float_right" style="width:400px"><div class="image">Mike Nudelman/Business Insider</div></div>
We had the same questions.
"My first Couchsurfing hookup happened when I was staying with my friend in Miami," Riccardo recalls. "He has a studio and was hosting two girls from France." He slept on an inflatable air mattress with one girl, while his friend shared his bed with the other. They didn't go all the way. "She had her period," he explains. Months later Riccardo got a phone call from the same girl, asking if she could stay at his place in New York City. This time, they made it official. "I never talked to her again," he admits, adding, "I mean, we're friends on Facebook."
Couchsurfing was born after a budget-conscious traveler named Casey Fenton sent out a mass request for accommodations in Iceland and received 50 invitations from students with a free spare futon. Fenton soon realized people all over the world might not mind sharing their extra space gratis while making new friends in the process. Today, each of the site's 7 million members has a unique profile which reads like a personal ad, highlighting interests, locations traveled, details about their accommodations and, most important, references. This system allows friends you've made globally or locally to vouch for you and the unlikelihood of your being a serial killer. Members can request a couch, host a traveler, or find new friends to meet up with locally.
Riccardo agrees to host only female travelers and stipulates that they be younger than himself. He accepts them based on their attractiveness "of course," but physical appearance isn't the only criterion. "I've seen cute girls that have boring pictures and I'm like, 'You look boring, sorry.' At the end of the day I'm going to spend three days with you. I want to have three days with somebody I can talk with. Not somebody just empty."
In Riccardo's case, it all starts with a request for approval - from his pal in Miami. "I'm always sending him links like, 'Hey, do you like this chick? Should I invite her?'" he says. "There's more people coming to New York than Miami, so he's always like, 'You bastard!' Then he always asks to do Facetime because he wants to see them."
"The first time," he says, leaning over his beer, "I had two girls that stayed…I didn't sleep with either. Big fail!"
He got a little closer on his second try, a girl from Slovakia with blonde hair (his weakness) and small, dark, squinty eyes.
She was in the process of moving to New York and needed a place to stay for four days while she looked for a permanent home. "We went out for drinks the first night," he says, "and I hit on her. I tried to kiss her. She, was like 'No, no, no-I don't want to make it awkward.' I was like well, whatever, so we kept on drinking, dancing, and having fun."
Riccardo later learned he'd made a critical error. Experienced couchsurfing casanovas know to hold off on making a move until later. Your guest is already committed to coming home with you, so why risk the old fashioned approach? His friend later advised him on a more direct strategy.
"Come, get in my bed," he'll say, just as his guest is preparing to hit the sack.
At first, Riccardo could not believe it was that simple. "I'm going to get slapped," he thought. "I'm going to sound like such a jerk just telling them." But he tried it on his next guest and bingo. "We got home just laughing and telling jokes, and I just said it. She was like, 'Okay!'"
"My friends say, 'You're telling me that line - get in my bed - it works?' I'm like dude, it works."
Riccardo is asked if he feels sleazy. "I do feel guilt, but not like I took advantage of somebody." Instead of calling his friend with tales of his latest conquests, he has recently found himself calling to complain. "I'm telling him it was awesome last night, I had sex and everything-but it was empty sex."
We ask if he'll stop, since it's become so unfulfilling, he smiles and shakes his head no.
<div class="image-container float_left" style="width:400px"><div class="image">Mike Nudelman/Business Insider</div></div>
Why stop, when it's so easy? As Maverick Traveler, a self-proclaimed nomad who "roams the earth, seduces beautiful women," and blogs about his adventures, puts it, "I simply do not know of an easier way for a guy to get laid with exotic women in exotic countries. Long live Couchsurfing!"The anonymous blogger is also the author of the popular<a href="http://www.mavericktraveler.com/how-to-bang-couchsurfing-girls-the-complete-guide/"> "How to Bang CouchSurfing Girls-The Complete Guide</a>" (which, after he declined to comment for this article, mysteriously disappeared from his website) and "<a href="http://www.mavericktraveler.com/8-signs-of-a-slutty-couchsurfer-girl/">8 Signs of a Slutty Couchsurfing Girl</a>" (which mysteriously didn't).
According to his blog, he started using the site in 2009 "as a tool to get to know a city, meet interesting people, and, of course, to bang chicks." Four years of his exotic lifestyle later, Maverick is sharing the secrets of Couchsurfing as a "gateway to easy lays" - from preparation ("Wash your cum-soaked bed sheets") to avoiding a negative review at all costs: "Under normal circumstances, I use every trick in the book to get a bang, but with a possible negative looming over my head if things don't work out, I play it cool with Couchsurfing chicks."
Most of his readers are clearly appreciative of his advice: "Nice post. I didn't know CS was a bangtool," reads one response.
 
<h2 dir="ltr">Girl Meets Boy(s)</h2>
Jessie S. just turned in her two weeks notice, a final preparation for her upcoming road trip through the Americas along the Rocky/Andes mountains to arrive in Brazil just in time for World Cup 2014. Currently she lives in her hometown of Philadelphia, and though single and actively looking, the early twentysomething hasn't met anyone of interest locally.

 
"I haven't had sex in five months!" she tells Business Insider. "But I have made out with about 10 different guys." While she encounters plenty of prospects in Philly - men she works with, men from her martial arts school, men on her community soccer team - she prefers to do her hunting further afield. "I've decided it's really not worth it to get romantically involved with any of those guys. It's important to stay professional, and guys I train with need to see me as a fighter and a teammate or it gets too complicated."
A Couchsurfer since 2009, Jessie has traveled the globe using the service. But it's not a dating site, she insists, "It's a social site. But with anything social, there is sometimes a spark. I'm very passionate and very easily seduced!" She bursts out laughing. "I have high standards, I don't just sleep with any guy I think is hot. But once there is a connection, there isn't much holding me back."
For instance, this guy in Wales. "There was a very strong attraction on both of our parts," she recalls. "When he came downstairs to offer me blankets and pillows for the couch, I just asked him, 'Can I sleep in your bed?'"
Then there was Ireland, where despite being a little fuzzy on the specifics, Jessie also recalls making the first move with her male host. "Whether it was verbal or if I just went for it and kissed him, I ended up sleeping in his bed that night and having sex with him. It was funny because the next morning his roommate, who had seen me sleeping on the couch the night before, barged in his room and was very surprised to find me naked in his bed!"
Of course, that sort of spontaneity is part of the appeal. "When you are a traveler it's hard to be able to commit to anything, so if you do want any form of romance in your life, you kind of have to be cool with this way," she says. "You recognize that you are kindred spirits and you have a lot to offer to each other, but you're not going to suddenly move to this person's country to be with them. It works because most Couchsurfers are travelers at heart and don't want commitment. They're a little more rebellious, and people who are used to breaking the rules understand that."
 
<h2 dir="ltr">What the World Needs Now</h2>
An active participant in her local Couchsurfing community, Ana B. organizes events and goes to weekly meetings designed to connect local and visiting CSers. It was at one of these weekly rendezvous where she met her husband. "We hooked up, started dating, moved in together and now I'm pregnant!" she says. "We're having a Couchsurfing baby!"
<div class="image-container float_right" style="width:400px"><div class="image">Mike Nudelman/Business Insider</div></div>
A Couchsurfer since 2007, who first began using the site as a way to practice her English with non-Portuguese speakers, the South American native is always "changing, learning, growing" and is "pretty messy" but draws the line at leaving a wet floor in the bathroom. Ana has hosted between 30 and 40 travelers in both Portugal and Brazil, proof of which she keeps displayed proudly on her refrigerator. "I collect refrigerator magnets, so I ask my guests to bring me one from their country. Now I have lots of them!"
Having hooked up with about a third of her visitors - some while still single, and others with her husband - she has lots of stories too.
Like the time Ana and her husband hosted a "really cute, adorable, and loving" Israeli couple during Brazil's notorious Carnival festival. The guests booked their stay six months in advance, so there was plenty of time to become acquainted via Facebook. "We started chatting and I saw that she had pictures kissing other girls on the lips and she has nice boobs. I thought, 'When she comes to Brazil, we'll see.'" After a cheeky game of "Never Have I Ever" lubricated by numerous caipirinhas, the visitors were suddenly upgraded from the couch to the bed. "We never expect it to happen until the last night, when the person wants to go crazy," she says. Her guest, it should be said, left Ana a glowing reference on her profile, gushing that she "simply enjoyed every moment with her."
When asked how she broaches the subject without offending her guests, Ana replies with conviction that Couchsurfing tends to inspire connections that are more intimate than one has with close friends. Small talk leads to wild stories of past experiences. In Ana's case, the fact that she and her husband have had threesomes with other women often happens to get worked into the conversation. "You see it in the other person's face if she is interested, if she is curious. And if she is interested and we are interested in her, why not?"
She says the main benefit to Couchsurfing hookups is that they come without strings attached. "There's no wondering if he will call the next day or jealousy over the new girl he's dating now. It's perfect."
 
<h2 dir="ltr">The Competition</h2>
CouchSurfing remains adamant that its service is designed to bring people together for cultural exchange and free lodging, not sex. "Couchsurfing is not a dating site," Billock asserts. "However, there are many examples of people who have met through Couchsurfing and formed all kinds of wonderful <keyword id="6358061" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="relationships">relationships</keyword> - friendships, <keyword id="6354692" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword> companions, married couples."
But mid-November brought the launch of a competing site, <a href="http://tryloveroom.com/">Loveroom</a>, that is explicitly designed to facilitate sex - a direct approach that appeals to users like Ana. Originally floated as what its founder Josh Bocanegra calls a "thought experiment to connect people in a new way" via a simple Launchrock <a href="http://loveroom.launchrock.com/">splash page</a>, it was billed as "a platform where single people &amp; couples can share a room with other people under one condition: they need to be attractive." According to the user, that is. "The users are 100% the judge of who they think is attractive," clarifies Bocanegra.
The idea, says Ana, is, "'You can come to my house, you can stay for free, and if I like you and you like me we are going to have sex, no strings attached.' I like that, the honesty."
As to whether it will really take off, she predicts, "Men will definitely join. But I think if I were a single woman, I wouldn't create a profile, because it's a site that basically says I will have casual sex with you."
That said, Ana's married, and in fact, she is one reason why the site announced a new feature just six days after it's launch. "I contacted the website admin to talk about creating a couple's profile and Josh immediately replied," she says. "In less than 12 hours the feature for couples was available!"
At this stage, such timely additions to the site are feasible and user feedback is priceless. "We didn't need any funding whatsoever," says Bocanegra of his passion project. "I did all of the programming myself, my girlfriend" - Loveroom co-founder Jeanine Fuentes - "did a lot of the design work." In fact, Bocanegra lives off the residual income from his first successful tech startup, <a href="http://lyr1kz.wix.com/beats4real2">Beats4Real</a>, which he created at age 16. Loveroom is now looking for developers to ensure the site can handle it's rapidly growing demand.
While the site had registered 6,500 users as of this writing, Bocanegra isn't sure any have met in person. "I'd give it a couple of months," he says. Still, it has attracted <a href="http://nypost.com/2013/11/02/new-site-allows-users-to-pick-room-rentals-from-cute-singles/">plenty</a> <a href="http://betabeat.com/2013/10/no-uglies-loveroom-ensures-only-hotties-will-rent-your-extra-bedroom-this-weekend/">of</a> <a href="http://mashable.com/2013/10/29/loveroom-airbnb-no-ugly-people/">press</a> and seems to have identified a market niche that Couchsurfing was serving only reluctantly.
"As of right now, Couchsurfing is our biggest competitor for sure," Bocanegra says, "but I wish we could team up somehow!"

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