I’m not usually one to boast but I must say, I’m highly qualified to extol the greatness of '80s fashion; I even have a certificate to prove it. An IRL, laminated certificate, presented to me at a leaving do a few years ago: “For commitment to wearing '80s fashion in the '00s.”
Despite the fact that the decade in question ended while I was still in primary school, the hallmarks of that era somehow managed to burn themselves onto my consciousness and still, to this day, form the basis of my wardrobe. When it comes to shopping, most people have repeat items; you know, when something in a shop or online catches your eye and you have to make a purchase. When you get it home you know it’s perfect – but realise you already own five very similar articles. My personal repeat offenders tend to be either hot pink, feature batwing sleeves, or are a jumpsuit. (Or a hot pink, batwing jumpsuit.) I own boxes of oversized plastic bangles, geometric plastic earrings in every primary colour and strongly believe you can’t beat a pointed, high-heeled court shoe in a single, bright hue. I’ve rocked every shade of eyeshadow from hot pink to gold to lime green but my favourite is vivid turquoise – so much so, I applied it on my wedding day. Some of my happiest memories are of dancing on podiums in white pointed stilettos – it didn’t matter that I wasn’t in step with the era when such fashions had their heyday; the '80s were “my thing”.
Photo: Getty Images
During the '80s, brilliant art, fashion and music seemed to bubble up as a reaction to economic troubles, mainstream right-wing politics and social unrest. While the decade is famous for the hard-edged glamour of Thierry Mugler, Lacroix and Jean-Paul Gaultier on the catwalk, or the curated cool of Ray Petri and the Buffalo movement between the pages of style magazines, my own personal style influences were, to use the parlance of the time, much more naff. Nor was I affected by the exaggerated feminine signalling of Joan Collins in Dynasty, Margaret Thatcher’s pussy bows or Diana’s pie-crust collars. What defined style for me were '80s TV presenters (a phrase I may SOMETIMES type into Instagram’s search bar during idle moments) and the stars of '80s children’s TV – there’s nothing more delicious to my eyes. Caron Keating in puffball skirts on Blue Peter; Anneka Rice in her multicoloured jumpsuits; Jonny Briggs' older sister Rita and her friend Mavis in jazzy prints with big headscarves tied in floppy bows; names that make me feel happy just typing them. If you meet someone you can imagine presiding over a kids’ game show on Saturday morning TV or preparing breathlessly to jump out of a plane, it’s probably me.
Photo: Getty Images
My perfect outfit would comprise leggings, an oversized sweater or jumper dress, some large clicky-clacky plastic jewellery and either hi-top trainers or ankle boots. Acid-wash denim, circles, squiggles, geometric shapes and polka dots all thrill me. The colour palette particular to the era not only brings me palpable joy but leads me onto another formative style influence: Mrs Pascoe, one of the art teachers at my secondary school. Each day she would wear a calf-length pleated skirt, polyester blouse and blazer together with a shoulder-strap handbag and high-heeled stiletto court shoes, head to toe in one of the following colours: fuchsia, turquoise, lemon yellow or jade green. Not, I must emphasise, a combination of the above colours, but each item in the same, single shade. Nowadays it’s called tonal dressing and doesn’t look out of place in the street style roundups from Paris Fashion Week, but in a village in Somerset in the '90s she was, shall we say, ahead of the curve. Jazzy, geometric or otherwise crazy prints in all of these shades on a black or white background are also a source of deep joy. A sweater with a cartoon character on it? Why not!
Photo: Getty Images
I researched other references later out of nostalgia for the decade I was born in, but not a teenager in, and found movies like Beat Street, Desperately Seeking Susan and the whole Maripol-styled era of Madonna. I found Annie Lennox in Eurythmics, Roxette, Bananarama, Boy George and the gender-bending Blitz Kids and New Romantics. I’m not deluded; I’m well aware that most people regard this aesthetic as lurid at best – laughable, even. I know that dressing head to toe in acid Crayola brights and believing plastic to be the optimum material for jewellery is not considered particularly cool, and certainly not chic. I know that if people refer to you as “Timmy Mallett’s daughter” or “Neon Naomi” you won’t always be on trend – but you will have a lot of fun.
To celebrate the end of winter, we tend to get lighter – in our mood, our layers, and our skincare. As temperatures rise, so does the humidity, which means farewell to super chapped lips and perpetual dry spots. While we pack away heavy duty winter creams, we're keeping our skin hydrated with weightless water-based moisturisers.
Water-based (unlike oil-based) moisturisers usually have a gel-like consistency. Gel moisturisers, often labelled as ‘gel-cream’, will list ‘aqua’ as the first ingredient. Whether you use a water- or oil-based hydrator is largely dependent on your skin type but generally, we all encounter some dryness in winter and oiliness in the summer. Water-based skincare is great for the transitional season because while the warm weather triggers our pores to produce more sebum, water is less likely to bind to the natural oils in our skin – trapping less dirt and reducing pesky spots in the process.
Dr Lori Bystrom, chief scientific officer of Bristol-based skincare company Dr. Jackson’s, told us: “Gel-based consistencies can work wonders for oily skin. They are super lightweight and sink into the skin quickly without leaving shine, while also being suitable for sensitive skin. When it’s time to put heavy winter moisturisers away, gel-like formulas are ideal for the change of the season and the arrival of warmer weather, while still providing that much-needed hydration and nourishment.”
Ahead, we've rounded up the very best in lightweight, super hydrating gel moisture.
"Dr Jackson’s gel-based 05 Face and Eye Essence contains vegetable-based glycerin and other natural ingredients, such as damask rose flower water, baobab seed oil, Roman chamomile flower oil, and aloe leaf juice. The natural ingredients and the product's gel-like consistency work in synergy to moisturise, soften, revitalise and tighten the skin."
Dr Jackson's 05 Face and Eye Essence, £60, available at Dr Jackson's
La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Soothing Moisturiser, £16, available at Feel Unique
Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturiser, £25, available at Look Fantastic
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask, £5.38, available at Look Fantastic
Aēsop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel, £81, available at Cult Beauty
Alpha-H Clear Skin Daily Hydrator Gel, £21, available at Alpha-H
Shiseido Pureness Moisturising Gel Cream, £24.50, available at Allbeauty
Lumene Nordic Hydra [Lähde] Hydration Recovery Aerating Gel Mask, £19.90, available at Feel Unique
DHC Astaxanthin Collagen All-in-One Gel, £40, available at Feel Unique
Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream, £20, available at Cult Beauty
Anne Semonin Gel Mask, £43, available at Anne Semonin
Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Crème, £55, available at Chanel
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Overnight Purifying Gel, £14.95, available at Feel Unique
Ilcsi Apricot Gel Mask, £34, available at Cult Beauty
Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion, £55.50, available at Space NK
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel, £31, available at Look Fantastic
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser, £12.99, available at Boots
Blithe Vital Treatment Pulp Essence, £41, available at Cult Beauty
Tony Moly Pure Eco Bamboo Water Cool Soothing Gel, £9.50, available at Cult Beauty
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Thanks to the slew of micro trends that emerged from SS18's fashion month, this season, accessories are just as exciting as the clothes they accompany. Whether it's directional shapes or contemporary colours, the shoes and bags you'll be wearing this spring are strong enough to form the starting point for a whole host of outfits.
Click through to see the eight accessories trends we're wearing now through to summer.
You'll have noticed your favourite street stylers carrying rather impractical bags of late. Teeny tiny bags are having a moment, and while they may only fit our phone and keys, they're the sweetest trend to come out of spring's catwalk collections.
Simon Porte Jacquemus has treated us to more than one micro bag but Le Sac Chiquito, which comes in canary yellow and is emblazoned with his eponymous brand's logo, is our favourite. Simon Miller, meanwhile, kickstarted a circular-handled bag trend that you'll spot everywhere on the high street. His mini Bonsai bag, a diddy bucket bag no bigger than a purse, is our seasonal pick.
& Other Stories Mini Leather Saddle Bag, £39, available at & Other Stories
Jacquemus Le Sac Eivissa Leather Crossbody Bag, £505, available at Mytheresa
Rebecca Minkoff Ring Feed Small Bag, £379, available at Farfetch
It's not too early to invest in a beach-appropriate basket bag, as seen at Mango, Zara and Topshop. You may associate the woven and wooden bags with sunnier climes, but we encourage you to pair yours with your workwear checked blazer and kick-flare denim.
Our favourite structured number comes from Cult Gaia, the brand responsible for creating the statement Ark and Lilleth bag seen on the arm of every influencer on Instagram. You can stay structured and contemporary or go more '70s, leaning towards raffia and bamboo offerings.
Mango Bamboo Basket Bag, £89.99, available at Mango
Cult Gaia Green Mini Ark Woven Tote Bag, £315, available at Browns
Carolina Santo Domingo Corallina Raffia Tote, £410, available at Net-A-Porter
Western boots have been the footwear du jour for some time now, as part and parcel of the return to a more wholesome, rural aesthetic – think corsets and prairie dresses, too – perhaps inspired by HBO's mega hit Westworld. We love classic white, brown and black but a postbox-red or sci-fi silver pair looks just as rad with your everyday outfits.
Make like Ganni, who paired oversized white denim jackets and jeans with theirs, or follow Natacha Ramsay-Levi's direction at Chloé, who toughened up pretty-pretty floral dresses with stomping cowboy boots. Yee-haw.
Topshop Graphic Western Boots, £79, available at Topshop
Ganni Callie Metallic Leather Ankle Boots, £355, available at Net-A-Porter
Chloé Rylee Leather Ankle Boots, £640, available at Matches Fashion
The refreshed tourist staple infiltrated our wardrobe a while ago – in fact, Chanel sent a glittering silver belt bag down its SS14 catwalk – but its popularity shows no sign of waning. Whether you go full '90s raver with a more sporty style, or keep it sleek and work-appropriate with a boxy, fitted number, there are hundreds to choose from.
Gucci's Marmont is the best known (and most replicated) belt bag, with its quilted finish and prominent logo. Marc Jacobs gave us more utilitarian pieces, while Alexander Wang maintained his leather aesthetic with his offering.
Natalie Kingham, fashion buying director at Matches Fashion said of the trend: "All belt-bag styles have sold out quickly, particularly from Lutz Morris which have been incredibly popular. We have already reordered the signature style after selling out within a week of being online."
Bershka Belt Bag With Chain, £15.99, available at Bershka
See By Chloé Kriss Small Leather Crossbody, £220, available at Mytheresa
Gucci Ophidia Textured Leather-Trimmed Printed Coated-Canvas Belt Bag, £535, available at Net-A-Porter
Bags have become pared-back in recent seasons, with more muted colours and simpler shapes. That's not to say they're not statement-making; minimalist doesn't mean boring, and our spring plus-ones are just as scene-stealing as in previous seasons.
"Minimalist handbags continue to be a key focus for spring, including sleek shapes and high quality leather, from brands such as Wandler," said Kingham. The brand's trapeze-shaped totes have simple handles and sophisticated colour ways, while Staud's block-colour bucket bags are a permanent fixture on Instagram of late. It's the ultimate antidote to the Gucci-led maximalism that's dominated the fashion narrative for the past few years.
COS Soft Folded Leather Bag, £115, available at COS
Wandler Hortensia Medium Leather Shoulder Bag, £645, available at Net-A-Porter
In retaliation to the easygoing, comfort-first trainer – which has reigned supreme as the footwear staple of everyone from your mum to your favourite musician for the past few seasons – a more thoughtful and artistic shoe style has grabbed our attention. Slingbacks, mules and boots with an interesting, almost architectural heel, are allowing us to put our best foot forward this spring.
New York-based Sies Marjan's Elton John-esque platform (part of the exclusive capsule collection created for Net-A-Porter) is out go-to dancing shoe, while Rejina Pyo's gorgeous western-sculpture hybrid is our go-to for more formal evening events. Jacquemus' almost-too-pretty-to-wear pyramid heels look great with denim and a slogan tee, and J.W.Anderson's take included a cylindrical golden heel. Weather permitting, we're toe-tapping in these beauties all season.
Sies Marjan Ellie Croc-Effect Sandals, £695, available exclusively at Net-A-Porter
Mango Metal Heel Leather Mules, £69.99, available at Mango
Rejina Pyo Yasmin Ivory Leather Mule With Honey Heel, £465, available at Rejina Pyo
Jacquemus Ornamental Heel Pumps, £477, available at Farfetch
While Céline's SS18 plastic tote bag, complete with brand logo, will set you back £600, the transparent trend is easier to tap into than you might think. Staud's two-in-one bag has been seen on the arm of Man Repeller's Leandra Medine, while Raf Simon's Shopping Bag is a take-to-Tesco alternative.
From Off-White's Virgil Abloh giving us his sky-high transparent heels, to Burberry reinventing its trademark trench in plastic finishes, the rain-proof fabric is perfect for April showers. Why not nab a belt bag or backpack in a blue, orange or pink tint, too?
Bershka Transparent Belt Bag, £12.99, available at Bershka
Mm6 Maison Margiela Transparent Clutch, £150, available at Farfetch
Raf Simons Shopping Bag, £129, available at Vooberlin
Arts and crafts have taken over our wardrobe, thanks to the likes of Shrimps and Susan Alexandra, who've taken a super playful material – beads – and made entire bags out of it. Part '90s school kid, part '70s bohemian, this is for those who like to have a little fun with their fashion. If you ask us, the more rainbow-bright you go, the better.
Shrimps' Antonia bag caused sellout fanfare with every iteration – lime green, pearlescent white and slick black – and has been seen on Instagram at weddings and during Sunday market strolling. This season, it came in XXL, meaning the fabulous and rather silly handheld bag can now fit your daily essentials.
Mango Beaded See-Through Bag, £39.99, available at Mango
Shrimps Antonia Faux-Pearl Embellished Bag, £450, available at Matches Fashion
ASOS' Made in Kenya range launched back in 2009 in partnership with SOKO, a social enterprise based in the east African country that makes the collection's ASOS-designed pieces each season. Spring's offering drops today and contains every bold, bright print and summer-ready cut our sun-deprived wardrobe is crying out for.
This season, the collection was thought up in collaboration with brother and sister duo 2ManySiblings, Beats 1 radio presenter Julie Adenuga, and model and activist Leomie Anderson, who each lent their creative input to the design process.
Along with ASOS' in-house design team, the creative quadruple came up with cutaway sundresses in block prints, electric blue and floral kimonos and palm-print yellow halterneck jumpsuits. Mixed-print dresses and Bardot-esque off-the-shoulder tops with matching trousers and headscarves make up the spring offering, which will see us through to festival season and sun-soaked holidays.
Clothing manufacturer SOKO is based in the Wildlife Works Rukinga Sanctuary in Kenya and provides livelihoods for over 45 people in the Kasigau region. ASOS also set up its Kenyan Stitching Academy in partnership with SOKO, delivering two-month tailoring courses to equip locals with skills to enable them to set up their own business or take up jobs with manufacturers.
While we always have our eyes firmly on spring's hot-off-the-press launches, it's more satisfying knowing that the clothes you wear are benefiting, rather than harming, garment workers globally.
There are few topics considered more taboo than money. I don’t discuss my salary with loved ones let alone coworkers, and I’d never really given much thought as to why. I vaguely chalked it up to the fact that I was raised to think talking about money is tacky; my mum is a firm believer that certain things are better kept private.
But then I heard an interesting conversation about women and salary on Angela Rye’s On One podcast, in an episode with The Undefeated ’s Jemele Hill. “There are a lot of people who don’t want to share their salary information because they don’t want other people to have that come up,” Hill said. “If I tell her that I make this, she might make the same as me, and I don’t feel comfortable with that. So some of it is rooted in jealousy.”
Hill’s words pushed me to confront an ugly truth: A part of me doesn’t want to discuss my salary with others because I’m competitive. Deep down, I worry that once I open that can of worms, there are only two outcomes, and I don’t like either of them. One, the person I’m talking to will make more than me, which would make me want to figure out how to make what they make. Or worse: I’ll make more than them, and they’ll try to make what I make. Which would somehow make me less...special?
A part of me doesn’t want to discuss my salary with others because I’m competitive.
It was an uncomfortable admission to make. But after hearing Hill and Rye talk about it, I also knew I couldn’t be alone. As it turns out, I’m not. A 2017 Refinery29 Her Brain survey of more than 3,000 women ages 25-34 found that only 7% of respondents share their salaries with colleagues, and just 17% share that number with friends. I wasn’t surprised by those numbers, assuming that, like me, many other women simply preferred to keep their salary...well, theirs.
Yet, we’re living during an era when women are being barraged with the message that the only way to close the pervasive gender wage gap is by speaking up. Suddenly, the media is paying attention to high profile stories of unequal pay, like E! News host Catt Sadler quitting after learning the network was paying her significantly less than her male co-host. Her story, and others, have led to more public discussions about how we as women can help achieve gender pay parity.
Julia Carpenter, a CNNMoney writer who focuses on the intersection of gender and money, says she’s seen a lot more stories like this in the past few years as media coverage of equal pay increases.
“I think the more younger women are being exposed to how harmful salary secrecy is, the more they’re becoming comfortable with opening up,” she says. “One woman I interviewed last year was inspired to ask every single one of her friends what they made so she could be informed about not just what people at her job make at her age, but across industries.”
Still, based on my own personal feelings, that episode of Rye’s podcast, and conversations with friends, I knew that the simple-sounding “share your salaries!” advice is actually much more complicated. Many of us still squirm at the thought of disclosing how much we earn, even to the people closest to us. But the question was why, when we know now that talking about how much we make can only help us? So I decided to throw away the idea that talking about money is inappropriate (sorry, Mum) and start a discussion on the topic, interviewing 34 women from across the country to find out if they share their salaries, and why — or why not.
I was relieved that the most common reason was the same one that I felt: the competition factor. The reality is that when two people decide to share their salary details, they run the risk of being jealous of what the other person makes. Or there’s the chance that disclosing what you make will encourage them to try to get the same salary — which might somehow negatively affect you. “No one wants to say it, but many women are just competitive,” a 26-year-old publicist from Baltimore, MD, says. “If we’re already not making as much as men, and there are less opportunities, sometimes you just need to look out for yourself.”
An international elementary teacher from Texas who’s currently based in Colombia agrees that competition is much more prevalent among the women she works with. “We work with a pay scale that considers your degrees and years of experience to determine a base salary, but even when it comes to raises and bonuses, I see the female teachers fending for themselves. Meanwhile, the majority of the leadership is male, and they bond over fantasy football or other common interests, so they are a lot more friendly and open with each other. That leads to an automatic favouritism, so I think it’s important that women try to be less competitive and more supportive.”
But a 30-year-old human resources business partner in Richmond, VA, says she only tells people a salary range if pressed on how much she makes, because she feels that openly discussing salary can create unwanted tension, envy, and greed on a team. And a 32-year-old web editor I spoke to shared a story of exactly how she’s seen that happen.
“At cocktails at an after-work happy hour, a colleague asked how much we all made. I spilled my salary — around $70,000 a year — which I felt proud of, until my ‘work husband’ shared he was making $90,000. I instantly hated myself and my salary, something I'd been proud of a minute prior. After that, I found my resentment would flare up at him in work settings, when it wasn’t even his fault. And the guy who originally asked? He made less than both of us, which I think contributed to him quitting not long after. The whole thing definitely caused a huge rift in our team.”
A senior digital media professional in New York who makes $95,000 admits to being protective over her own salary. “I don't totally feel comfortable sharing exactly how much I make, partially because I'm on the higher end now,” she says. “I know our boss can't just give everyone a big raise every quarter. I think it’s also on each employee to negotiate their offer and fight for a raise when they think they deserve it.”
Aside from competition, another reason many of the women I spoke to were hesitating to open up was an arguably old-fashioned one: etiquette.
“I was just raised that money is private,” said a 27-year-old e-commerce specialist in New York. “Like my mum still to this day refuses to tell me how much my dad makes.”
A 26-year-old sales representative in Miami, FL, was in the same boat as me growing up, where talking about money was almost as inappropriate as talking about sex or drugs. She says she still can’t even imagine talking about money around her Cuban family. “I would never even dream of asking a friend how much they make,” she says. “I could just imagine my parents gasping at the idea.”
Competition and decorum aren’t the only things keeping women quiet. There’s also the fear they will get in trouble at work. For the record, it’s actually illegal for employers to retaliate or take action against employees who discuss their salaries amongst each other. And Suzanne Lucas, a business writer who worked in Human Resources for 10 years, says there’s absolutely no reason employers shouldn’t want open conversations on the topic.
“Companies should absolutely encourage discussions about salary — if they have nothing to hide, there's no reason to want to keep the information secret,” she says. “Salaries should be based on market rates for the jobs, with slight variations for performance and experience. Everything should be easily explained.”
Still, even with laws of protection in place, it’s not easy for employees to prove retaliation. One writer in New York admits that she was specifically told with a whisper not to share her salary with her colleagues after she got a big raise. And a 24-year-old marketing professional in Philadelphia, PA, realised that fear tactics around salary secrecy can be subtle.
“I once used a coworker’s vacation benefits to prove why I was owed a day off, and my supervisor said that the company ‘strongly discourages employees discussing their salary and benefits with each other’” she said. “I never got in trouble per se, but afterward I noticed a big difference in our relationship and the way she treated me.”
But there’s an even more personal reason women aren’t sharing salary: concern over what others might think. It turns out some women don’t want to disclose how much they make because of a fear of being judged.
“I would feel way too self-conscious to be open about how much I earn, because I do think people will judge my financial decisions if they knew,” says a 29-year-old news professional in Washington, D.C. “Once that information is out there, you leave yourself exposed to scrutiny. I've caught myself thinking about other people ‘I wonder how much this person must make to be eating lunch out every day!’ Do I really want to invite other people to think that about me?”
And she wasn’t the only one. As a 27-year-old customer service supervisor from New Jersey put it, “I definitely worry that people will either judge how little I make...like, ‘Damn, homegirl makes no money and just bought a new Fendi bag!’ or the opposite, which is like, ‘Oh, she can pay for that trip? She got money!’”
Some women don’t want to disclose how much they make because of a fear of being judged.
For women of colour, there’s another complicated layer about how others might perceive your income: self-preservation. “I can't speak for everyone's experience, but I do feel like Black people are raised to be protective of what they got and how they got it,” the customer service supervisor adds. “Understandably because of our history here in America, I think families pass down a tendency to be suspicious of the intentions of others through generations, and that might make you less likely to tell the world ‘Here’s what I’m making!’”
So it seems that while we all know sharing salaries can only help us earn more, in order for us to see real change, we need to start changing the way we talk about money. Carpenter from CNNMoney points out that while all of the aforementioned reasons like competition and fear are completely understandable — and that everyone is entitled to doing things at their own comfort level — if we ever truly want to see equal pay, we have to push ourselves to shatter the taboos around salary secrecy.
“Think about it: While it might be uncomfortable at first, the aura of secrecy can only be harmful in the long run if we’re all blind to what other people are making,” she says. “Of everyone, we know that women and women of colour are making far less than other demographics. So not having these conversations is only affecting us.”
For anyone who’s on the fence about opening up, this story from a 29-year-old publicist in New York might help.
“Salary wasn’t a topic I discussed with my coworkers until one I was friendly with was quitting and mentioned what he was offered to stay,” she says. “My coworkers and I were baffled both by how much they were offering him to stay, and how little we were getting paid. The one time I had asked for a raise close to what he was making, I was told that I hadn’t done my research and no one would pay me that much. I ended up leaving for a company that was willing to giving me a 30% raise, better benefits, and didn’t demean me when I negotiated. Money is a sensitive topic, but I think the only way we’ll ever get equal pay is if we’re willing to believe our worth — and talk about it.”
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Traveling is fun. If you're lucky enough to be able to afford to take holidays now and then, or even if you travel for work, it can be really rewarding. Plus, taking time off and getting outside of your comfort zone (literally) can be great for your health.
But, as fun as it is to escape everyday life and jet off to an exotic locale, the actual act of traveling and flying itself can be rife with triggers for anxiety. How early do you need to get to the airport? What if your flight is cancelled? And, once you get on the plane, how do you get through the fear that comes with every bit of turbulence?
Amy Morin, psychotherapist and author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do, says that flying, in particular, is anxiety-inducing because unlike, say, driving a car, you can't swerve away if an accident is about to happen.
"For many people, anxiety about flying on a plane stems from a lack of control," she says. "You’re a passenger on a plane with no control over anything."
It makes sense on a lot of levels: You're not the one in the driver's seat, and beyond being thousands of feet in mid-air without any control should a potential accident arise, you also can't control if a plane will leave without you if you're late.
That being said, a fear of flying doesn't have to stop you from traveling by plane altogether. If you're someone who gets anxious about flying, read on for some tips to help you keep your cool.
"Sometimes, the days leading up to a flight are more anxiety-provoking than the flight itself," Morin says.
With that in mind, try to use those days to remind yourself why you're getting on the plane in the first place.
"Create a list of all the reasons why you want to go on the trip and read it to yourself if your anxiety tries to convince you to cancel the trip," Morin suggests.
Morin says that it might help to imagine all the things you're going to do to go on your trip.
"Imagine yourself walking through the steps of taking a trip," she says. "From arriving to the airport to stepping off the plane after your flight, spend some time visualising yourself successfully getting through it."
Seeing it in your mind might help you believe it, and in turn, quell your anxiety.
Unless you really think it'll be helpful, Morin says that it actually probably isn't a good use of time to research airplane safety if you're anxious about it.
"Instead, getting on the airplane and facing their fears head-on is what will really help them feel less anxious about flying in the long-term," she says.
However, if you have severe anxiety and your therapist tells you that it'll help, that's a different story. Your therapist might, based on your individual experience, advise you to research planes to learn more about what to expect on a plane as part of exposure therapy.
Bring a book, download a movie, grab a magazine — you get the picture. Beyond just having something to do on the flight, it helps to have something to distract yourself from any uneasy thoughts.
"Create a short script to give yourself," Morin says. "Repeating 'I’m okay,' or 'I’m facing my fears' can help you drown out catastrophic thoughts."
At the end of the day, you might not be able to make your worst fears go away — but, if you can't beat 'em, accept 'em. That doesn't mean giving in to your most catastrophic thoughts and letting them overwhelm you. It just means that you acknowledge that you're thinking them and trying to move past your anxiety.
"Accept that you’ll have some anxiety," Morin says. "Thinking that you should be completely calm will cause you to panic when you realise that you are feeling anxious."
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If you walk past an abortion clinic in the UK, you'll likely come across a group of people protesting outside the building. Many women and staff trying to access and provide legal healthcare report being harassed and intimidated by anti-abortion groups holding daily vigils.
But one council has taken a stand against this behaviour, in a new move that will hopefully make women feel safer when they exercise control over their bodies. Ealing council, in west London, has voted to introduce a safe zone outside a Marie Stopes clinic after women reported feeling bullied outside the premises.
The idea of "buffer zones" outside abortion clinics to protect women has long been debated, but Ealing council will be the first to implement the policy in the UK. It's a momentous step that could encourage more councils across the country to follow suit.
The safe zone will come into force on Monday 23rd April and will mean that neither anti- nor pro-abortion protesters can stand within 100 metres of the clinic, which has long been subject to particularly fervent protests. Anyone who breaks the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) will be committing a crime and could be prosecuted or fined.
During the consultation process, the council said the motion was not passing judgment for or against abortion, which has been legally available in Great Britain since 1967. "It is a motion that seeks to protect the rights of individuals from harassment and intimidation when accessing legally existing health services and of local residents not to be exposed to related disruption and distress on a daily basis."
Protesters outside the clinic, armed with placards and prayer beads, "use deliberately disturbing and graphic images and models, including those purporting to be of dismembered foetuses," as well as distributing leaflets containing false information about abortion. Many even follow, record and question women as they enter or leave the centres, the council said.
They said I was a murderer... that I was killing something with a heartbeat
Lisa Jones, who was a victim of the protesters' behaviour when she sought an abortion at the clinic years ago based on doctors' advice, says what happened still haunts her today. "They said I was a murderer... that I was killing something with a heartbeat," she told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme.
"I was happy to come out of clinic, go home and risk my life [by not having the procedure] because I didn't want to be branded a murderer," she said. "But I couldn't." She described anti-abortion protests outside clinics as "cruel [and] unfair. I don't think it should be allowed."
Richard Bentley, managing director at Marie Stopes UK, called the move "a landmark decision for women" and praised Ealing council "for recognising the emotional distress" that anti-abortion groups create, and "for taking proportionate action to protect the privacy and dignity of women accessing our clinic in the borough."
“This was never about protest. It was about small groups of strangers choosing to gather by our entrance gates where they could harass and intimidate women and try to prevent them from accessing healthcare to which they are legally entitled. Ealing council has sent a clear message that this kind of behaviour should not be tolerated, and that these groups have no justification for trying to involve themselves in one of the most personal decisions a woman can make."
He said other councils had been watching the process, with some considering similar measures to protect women outside clinics in their areas. "Ultimately, we believe every woman in the UK should be able to access abortion services without harassment and we hope this decision marks the beginning of the end of the harassment these groups undertake nationwide.”
Ealing-based pro-choice group Sister Supporter, which collated more than 3,500 signatures in support of creating a safe area for women around the clinic, said it was overjoyed by the council's decision. Founder Anna Veglio-White told Refinery29: “Sister Supporter are elated that after two and a half years of tireless campaigning, Ealing council have voted in this landmark order."
The group said the protection order is about "redressing the current imbalance of rights" outside the clinic, and that it could trigger "a domino effect" among councils and "hopefully lead to a change in national legislation".
"With this move, progress in Northern Ireland and the referendum on the 25th May in the Republic of Ireland, 2018 is set to be the biggest in reproductive rights history since 1967.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also praised Ealing council, saying "behaviour that seeks to deliberately target women for harassment and intimidation should not be tolerated."
I welcome this move from Ealing Council. I respect the right to peaceful protest, but behaviour that seeks to deliberately target women for harassment and intimidation should not be tolerated. https://t.co/0J9exNIJay
Anti-abortion protesters, including The Good Counsel Network, which holds daily vigils outside the clinic, and Be Here for Me, have denied harassing women and said they wanted to support women who may not want an abortion but felt like they had no other choice.
The days of using Uber just to hail an Uber are starting to look downright primitive. Soon, you’ll be able to use the app to book an electric bike, rent cars, and pay for public transport, too. This is all thanks to three new updates announced today, which signal Uber’s goal to become an all-in-one transportation app, rather than one limited to car pickups.
The most interesting of today’s three announcements is a partnership with Masabi, a London-based company that provides mobile ticketing for public transportation. The company works with everyone from New York's MTA to Los Angeles' Metrolink to let you purchase tickets in advance. It's the company's first foray into public transportation, and could mark a turning point in the division that has existed between ridesharing and public transit.
“Uber rides have gone a long way helping these customers explore their cities, but we want to offer more to making getting around — whether it’s one mile or 50 miles — even easier," Emily Hallet, Head of Product Marketing for the Mobility Platform, told Refinery29 regarding the expansion.
If you live in San Francisco, you may have already tried a pilot version of Uber’s bikeshare service, which kicked off in January. The service is now expanding to Washington, D.C., but this launch out of pilot mode — and Uber’s purchase of Jump Bikes, the pedal-assisted electric bike brand — suggests it may roll out in other cities soon.
Uber's bikes differ from the ones used in Capital Bikeshare, the main bikeshare program currently operating in Metro D.C. For starters, they’re electric. Second, they’re dockless, meaning you can pick them up where the last rider left them. You unlock the bike using an app on your phone, the same way you currently unlock dock-based bikes. Dockless bikeshare programmes are already popular in the UK, but they’ve hit some snags, including incidents of vandalism. In order for Uber Bike to succeed, the company will need to make sure its security is on point.
Today’s second update, called Uber Rent, is slightly more in line with the company’s roots in ridesharing. The service, which will launch first in San Francisco, is powered by Getaround, a carsharing company similar to Zipcar that makes it easy to pick up a vehicle for small errands or weekend trips. It's appealing for anyone who doesn’t want to pay for a parking space or car insurance, but wants the convenience of renting a car for a few hours.
In Uber's eyes, these three addition, as well as its core rideshare offerings, work in tandem as one transportation hub on your phone.
“These services are really complementary,” Hallet said. “Bikes are great for relatively short-distance urban travel, especially commutes, and carsharing is great when you want to head off for the weekend or run errands.”
These additions follow the announcement of Uber’s new rideshare option, Express Pool, in February.
Your turn, Lyft.
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On Wednesday, Wendy Vitter, President Donald Trump’s nominee for a district court in eastern Louisiana, will appear before the Senate for her confirmation hearing. Vitter has drawn attention because of her anti-abortion advocacy record — and for failing to disclose that history on her Senate questionnaire, a form that nominees must fill as part of the confirmation process.
Vitter is best remembered as the wife of former Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana, who was involved in the 2007 D.C. Madam sex scandal, but she has a longstanding legal career and has served as the general counsel to the Archdiocese of New Orleans since 2012. In January, she was nominated by Trump to a federal trial judgeship.
In her questionnaire, Vitter didn't disclose several anti-choice speeches and panels in which she participated.
One of them took place in 2013, when she led a panel called "Abortion Hurts Women's Health." During her appearance, Vitter endorsed the views of fellow panelist and anti-abortion activist Angela Lanfranchi, who told attendees that abortion increases women’s risk for breast cancer, which is false. (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has debunked this claim.) Lanfranchi's brochure also said that women who use the birth control pill can develop breast, cervical, or liver cancers, and can potentially suffer a "violent death" because they're more likely to cheat on their partners. There's no existing scientific research supporting any of those claims, but Vitter encouraged attendants to check out the brochure anyway.
"Go to Dr. Angela’s website, Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, download it, and at your next physical you walk into your pro-life doctor and say, ‘Have you thought about putting these facts or this brochure in your waiting room?'" she said. "Each one of you can be the pro-life advocate to take the next step."
Vitter also failed to disclose a speech she gave in May 2013, where she participated in a rally opposing the construction of a Planned Parenthood clinic in New Orleans.
"Planned Parenthood says they promote women’s health," Vitter said, according to the Clarion Herald. "It is the saddest of ironies that they kill over 150,000 females a year."
There's no basis for the latter claim. And Planned Parenthood does more than just provide abortions: That care constitutes only 3% of the services offered by the organisation, according to its latest annual report. The majority of their work includes things like birth control and STI testing and treatment.
Her extreme views have worried reproductive rights advocates, since federal courts are the first line of defence when groups fight anti-choice legislation.
"Vitter’s record of opposing women’s health and rights is far outside the mainstream," Dana Singiser, vice president of Public Policy and Government Affairs for Planned Parenthood, said in a statement to Refinery29. She added, "By promoting fake science and misinformation as fact, Wendy Vitter has proven that she doesn’t have the judgment needed for a lifetime seat on the federal bench."
It continues, "To be qualified for a lifetime position on the federal bench, a nominee must be fair-minded and committed to defending our core constitutional protections, including reproductive freedom. Any nominee willing to place politics or personal ideology above respect for the rule of law poses a grave danger to the health and safety of women and to the stability of American democracy."
Being "allergic to exercise" sounds like a lie you'd tell your PE teacher to get out of class, or a phrase you'd see printed on an ironic workout tank. But, some people claim that it's totally a thing.
On fitness Reddit threads, people say that whenever they do cardio, their thighs and legs get "insanely itchy" to the point where they have to stop working out. Others say their waist itches uncontrollably while running. And, some say they itch on the elliptical, regardless of what they're wearing. As wild as this may sound, there's a scientific reason why these allergy-like reactions happen.
During any kind of strenuous exercise, your temperature increases, and your body sends blood to your skin and muscles, explains Miguel Wolbert, MD, a board-certified allergist in Midland, Texas. In your skin, there are allergy-containing units called mast cells, that are essentially waiting to be triggered. When your body temperature rises, the mast cells release histamine, "leading to identical allergy symptoms that one may experience from normal environmental triggers," he says.
The symptoms that people typically have during exercise are itching, hives, asthma, runny nose, or redness of the skin, Dr. Wolbert says. In very rare cases, people can experience exercise-induced anaphylaxis, which is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs in more than one part of the body at the same time, Dr. Wolbert says.
Cardio is probably the most common type of exercise that people seem to be "allergic" to, but sometimes just sitting in a hot tub or getting stressed can lead to symptoms, Dr. Wolbert says. There are a few other factors that can make your body really go into overdrive and cause a reaction, too. For example, some people find that eating certain foods before or after exercising increases the risk of allergic reactions, Dr. Wolbert says. "Really, pretty much any food can cause this — there are case reports for most foods people eat," he says. Drinking alcohol or taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) can also trigger it. And some find that they have increased allergic reactions during their menstrual cycle, because they have increased histamine levels.
Luckily, if you're someone who does deal with uncomfortable itching or sniffling during your workouts, you don't have to swear off exercise or physical activity altogether. Dr. Wolbert usually recommends that patients take an antihistamine, like Zyrtec or Xyzal, before a workout or as part of their daily routine. "Those two antihistamines seem to help the skin nicely, and are less sedating than say, a Benadryl is," he says. And, for people who get really intense reactions to exercise, there are other prescription drugs that essentially "turn off the reactions" that occur during exercise. "I consul these patients to exercise with a buddy — and never alone," he says.
So, as the weather gets nice and you venture outdoors for a run or bike ride, consider this one more reason why you should really take your allergy meds.
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Young people travel in a different way from previous generations, apparently. A report last year found that millennials and Generation Z are guided by a #YOLO philosophy, with both groups preferring to spend less on accommodation and more on being able to tick standout destinations off their bucket lists, and millennials also take more travel days than anyone else.
So it was only a matter of time before airlines tapped into this generation of hungry travellers. Last summer, Air France announced that it was launching Joon, an airline geared towards millennials that promises to be "punchy, energetic and dynamic". While some publications rubbished the idea, dubbing it "bizarre" and cringeworthy, it could be semi-decent.
According to The Telegraph, at this week's Passenger Experience Conference in Hamburg, Joon revealed what passengers can expect on a flight with a millennially minded airline. “We want to be an airline with a DNA based on digitisation, simplification, personalisation and a tailor-made travel journey,” the company's head of partnership and advertising, Michael Ruet, told the publication. Here's what this means in practice for travellers.
Cheap fares
Joon isn't marketing itself as a budget airline but its fares would put it in that category, with flights to European cities starting at €39 (£34) and long-haul journeys from €249 (£218).
The airline currently flies to various in-demand short-haul destinations including Berlin, Barcelona, Porto, Lisbon, Oslo, Rome, Naples and Istanbul, and earlier this year ran its first flight to Cape Town. Other long-haul destinations available include Cairo and Tehran, as well as Brazil and the Seychelles from May and Mumbai from June.
A nod towards fashion and the environment
Flight attendants' uniforms, which come in an electric blue hue, are made from 60% recycled plastic and with box-fresh white trainers, even made a reference to the persistent athleisure trend.
Ils sont prêts, et ils ont hâte de vous accueillir ! Plus que 2 semaines avant le grand départ... RDV le 1/12 pour nos tout premiers vols ✈️ pic.twitter.com/tz8I6rBLqP
Millennials stereotypically love fancy coffee, craft beer and unusual cocktails and Joon is catering to this, offering passengers cocktails created with the Experimental Cocktail Club company, free organic coffee, French craft beer (Le Parisienne) and other local French products in economy, premium economy and business class cabins, although meals aren’t free in economy class, The Telegraph writes. (We'll bet there's avocado on the menu somewhere.)
High-definition and VR entertainment
Passengers can watch their favourite romcom and other in-flight entertainment on high-definition screens or they can stream the content for free on their own devices. And for the technologically savviest among us, there will soon even be the option to pay to rent a VR headset to watch films and TV in 2D, 3D or VR.
The airline says it's had positive feedback from passengers, particularly on the free drinks, although the paid-for meals have been less well received. It has also taken pains to point out that, yes, generation X and baby boomers are welcome to travel with them. “We have both young staff as well as older crew from various backgrounds, so it’s a good mix,” Célia Geslin, Joon's head of product and customer experience, told fares.
The trailer for The Searchers, John Ford's 1956 epic Western starring John Wayne, describes its protagonist as follows: "It's John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, who had a rare kind of courage. The courage that simply keeps on and on, far beyond all reasonable endurance, never thinking of himself as martyred, never thinking of himself as brave. Here is the story of a man, hard and relentless."
Those words basically sum up every role Wayne played over his five decades in Hollywood, and as a result, cemented his take on one of America's most enduring and masculine symbols: the cowboy.
But what happens when that cowboy can no longer just grit his teeth and be a man? Who is he then?
That's the very question in The Rider, Chloe Zhao's gorgeous docudrama about a young rodeo champion Brady Blackburn (Brady Jandreau) who suffers a traumatic head injury that leaves him unable to ride. The film explores the aftermath of the incident, as Brady seeks to forge an identity apart from the one he's spent his entire life pursuing.
It's a premise that would be fascinating on its own, made all the more so because it's all rooted in truth. None of the main cast have ever acted professionally before, with Jandreau, his father Wayne (Tim Jandreau), and sister Lily (Lily Jandreau), who has autism, all playing exaggerated version of themselves in a story based on real events.
Zhao, who was born in China but studied film in the United States via London, met Jandreau while filming her first film, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, in the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. " I've been to many rodeos," she said in an interview with Refinery29 prior to the film's April 13 US release (UK release September 21). "I've seen a lot of young cowboys. There's something about their lifestyle and who they are that interested me. The sport that they're participating in is so close to their way of life. So, I can really talk about a place by telling their story. I just was hanging out on a ranch, and I met Brady, and I thought I discovered a young Heath Ledger or something."
Zhao was pondering how to build a story around Jandreau when reality did it for her. In 2016, Jandreau was thrown from his horse during a rodeo. His skull was crushed, and the doctors warned him that getting back on a horse could be fatal. Zhao's film chronicles Brady's recovery and his deep sense of loss as he realises he needs to reexamine what it means to be a man now that he can no longer walk in John Wayne's boots.
It's a delicate portrayal that feels entirely new: the female gaze applied to a symbol of toxic masculinity. Because while there have been female-driven westerns ( Godless), some even directed by women (Natalie Portman's Jane Got A Gun, Courtney Hoffman's Good Time Girls, and Susanna White's Woman Walks Ahead, which will premiere at Tribeca later this month), it's still rare for a female filmmaker to take on the traditional male cowboy narrative.
The director stresses that she had no desire to make a grand statement when she first embarked on the project. "It was just a human connection," she said. Still, she does think that her being a woman impacted the final product.
"The female gaze is the individual gaze of each female filmmaker," Zhao explained. "I think you have to be very specific to be universal, and that's why it's very important to zoom in on your own personal experience and your own personal gaze."
That gaze is perhaps most evident in the way that the film handles its female characters, none of which are typecast in the role of Brady's love interest, or as a sexy rodeo side-attraction in Daisy Duke shorts. In fact, aside from Lily, the one constant female presence in Brady's life, there are very few women in the film, reinforcing the feeling of this very male world that Brady feels he no longer fully belongs to.
"This is really a love story between a cowboy and his horse," Zhao said. "When you generalise a gender, when you make films through that kind of gender landscape, it's not going to be an authentic portrayal. "
That reluctance to play to type is perhaps why the film has been so-well received since it premiered at Cannes in 2017 (the same year Jessica Chastain criticised the lack of female storytellers), also garnering four nominations at the Independent Spirit Awards. But in a way, Zhao's journey to make this film as a woman director struggling to tell a different type of story than what's usually prescribed mirrors Brady's arc.
"There is a pressure for female filmmakers — the dominant machine is male, and the kinds of things they're looking for, the kind of cinema that's been there, is male," she said. "Just having enough women be successful doesn't necessarily mean we're changing how men and women are portrayed in movies. If you just enter a house that's already built, you're going to follow its rules. We have to build other houses, and climb into each other's windows."
If The Rider is any indication, Zhao has a promising career in construction ahead of her.
You might recognize the name Erdem Moralioglu as the fashion designer who has dressed Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Michelle Obama. NBD. And unless you count his previous collaboration with H&M, you probably never thought you'd have the chance to wear a Moralioglu original. But you might be wrong about that.
This spring, he partnered with NARS to design and curate a floral-inspired makeup collection full of rich jewel tones, vivid pinks, and gorgeous metallics. This 13-piece range includes eyeshadow palettes, blush, lipsticks, highlighter, and blotting papers — all in fairytale packaging you won't want to keep in your makeup bag. If you think spring shades are generally one big pastel snooze, you might actually be tempted to call this floral lineup groundbreaking.
The designer tells Refinery29 that his vision for the collection came from a photograph of an '80s icon. "A starting point for my inspiration was this amazing photograph of Molly Ringwald taken by Sheila Metzner for Vanity Fair in 1984 where she’s surrounded by exotic flowers," he explains. "I was thinking about this idea of a strange flower and I wanted to create a range of makeup that had an ethereal and slightly surreal beauty to it." And that he did.
Click through to check out the entire NARS Strange Flowers collection.
The range will be available exclusively from 15 April at Selfridges, and in the rest of the UK from 1 May.
With both sheer and opaque finishes, this creamy formula leaves nothing to be desired for spring. From a muted lavender to a deep plum purple, these lipstick shades are anything but expected.
NARS Lipstick in Bloodflower.
NARS Lipstick in Carnal Carnation.
NARS Lipstick in Larkspur.
NARS Lipstick in Moon Orchid.
NARS Lipstick in Voodoo Lily.
NARS Lipstick in Wild Flower.
This sleek palette lets you keep four cream shades and one balm in your smallest clutch.
NARS Poison Rose Lip Powder Palette.
These blushes deliver a subtle flush of colour that reminds everyone you're awake and alive after a winter spent hibernating indoors.
NARS Blush in Loves Me.
NARS Blush in Loves Me Not.
For the days your highlight fades by noon, reach for this on-the-go illuminating stick that works just as well on your inner corners as it does on your cheekbones.
NARS Multi-Use Highlighting Pencil in White Phox.
You can go warm-toned, cool-toned, or totally out of your comfort zone with burgundy.
NARS Eyeshadow Palette in Fleur Fatale.
Every shade you'd find in a magical forest, including sunshine.
NARS Eyeshadow Palette in Night Garden.
Sure, you can get blotting papers for less than £5 on the high street, but does the packaging look like a work of art? Probably not.
NARS Mattifying Blotting Paper.
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With myriad factors to consider, it's difficult enough deciding where to rent a property, let alone choosing the right place in which to buy somewhere. The stakes couldn't be much higher.
For some people, it's all about the location, location, location, while for the vast majority of us, property prices are the most important thing. The mind boggles at how momentous a decision it must be for the small proportion of young people who can afford to put down permanent roots.
If you're hoping to join them soon but can't decide where to buy your first place, you'll be interested in a new ranking that names the best UK cities and towns for first-time buyers.
The research, by Furniture Choice, takes into account four metrics – average house prices, the difference in cost between a first property and subsequent properties, average salary and unemployment rate – meaning it's more useful than rankings that solely take into account prices. These metrics were based on interviews with first-time buyers, who revealed the most important factors to them when they were searching for their first home.
The verdict? Pendle in Lancashire is where it's at, apparently, with the typical first home costing just £87,769, subsequent homes costing 27% more on average, and a strong average salary and employment rate.
Burnley and Hyndburn, also in the northwest, ranked in silver and bronze position, suggesting that those of us wanting to create permanent homes should consider moving to – or staying in – the north of England, rather than the Midlands or the south.
The 10 best UK cities and towns in England for first-time buyers
“I could buy designer, but this Fashion Nova fit all that ass,”Belcalis Almanzar rapped on the song “She Bad” off her debut album Invasion of Privacy. Of course, we expected the rapper to shout out the Instagram-friendly fast-fashion brand: Not only did she flaunt the label in her latest music video, but she constantly shows Fashion Nova love, wearing many of its pieces, including a pair of jeans shorts she styled with an Altuzarra jacket and a vintage Green Day concert tee to her album release party last week. Now, Cardi is getting “schmoney” with the brand — and we're not talking about #sponcon.
In an interview with Apple Music Beats 1, she spilled the beans that she’s designing a line with the clothing label. “With Fashion Nova, they gave me the opportunity to design what I like and what I want to put out,” she told host Ebro Darden. “I’m going to put out a line with them, a little something-something for the fall. It’s going to be crazy because it’s what I like.”
“You know one of my passions is fashion,” she explained. And while both Fashion Nova and Cardi B are keeping the details under wraps for now, we’re hoping this collaboration is a maternity (or bridal!) line to follow the plus-size range the retailer introduced in early 2017. “They’ve been rocking with me from the beginning,” Cardi tells Darden. “Fashion Nova is big, and I know that a lot of people cannot afford expensive ass shit so everything is going to be affordable. I want people to look good and to look high-end with a good budget price and that’s the perfect opportunity. I’m excited for that.”
Fashion Nova is just as pumped for the collaboration as Cardi B. “She’s part of the family, Richard Saghian, founder and CEO of Fashion Nova tells Refinery29. “Cardi’s been wearing Fashion Nova for years, before her music career took off,” he continued. “We’re so excited for this next chapter and our new collaboration. She’s been hands-on in designing every aspect of the collection. I think our customer will be very impressed.”
According to an official release, "Cardi has spent numerous hours innovating designs, creating new silhouettes, and translating high-fashion looks into affordable pieces, with help from the Fashion Nova team and her own creative team, power stylist Kollin Carter." The fall/winter 2018 collection, which will feature 80 to 100 pieces (including "denim, dresses, and outerwear"), will be available on FashionNova.com and at the retailer's fie Southern California store locations in October.
Cardi continues to put on for the regular, degular, shmegular girls, reminding us, once again, that there is no one working as hard as she is.
In my makeup bag there is an arsenal of tools which I use to tear down the patriarchy. In my makeup bag there is a bunch of cremes, potions, poly-filler and over-the-counter drugs that allow me to cross an overbearing gender binary.
In my makeup bag is the hardware which allows me to finally live my childhood fantasies. In my makeup bag is a lifeline to an expression of my gender that saved my life – that saves so many people’s lives. In my makeup bag is a history book, connecting me to the radical queens, queers, butch dykes and trans folk who fought for me to be able to paint my face the way I want to paint it. In my makeup bag there are thousands of tricks for me to cover the scars of my teenage acne, or the slice on my nose from a homophobic attack which has never quite healed. I love the scars in some ways, but having the devices to cover them allows me to dictate their mark upon me.
In my makeup bag there are missing pieces and extra bits — given, received, shared in the round between my drag sisters and me, like heirlooms, reminding us of each other whenever we use them. In my makeup bag there are hairs which stick to the sides, cut from the long hair of a drag king friend and stuck to make a beard while leaning over my makeup box. In my makeup bag there’s self-care, a kind of self-care that not only nourishes you but makes you omnipotent, even if just for a night.
In my makeup bag there’s an ode to the women who gave me a femininity to explore, but not to parody (that’s just terrible, lazy drag). In my makeup bag there’s jewellery given to me by my friend Amnah who was so desperate for me to be kinder to myself that she found things to make me sparkle.
Indeed, there are a lot of things in my makeup bag. And while it’s so easy to talk about colours, powders, primers and highlighters with a Zoella level of soullessness and irrelevance, makeup to me – to many of us – is not an extravagant stockpile of excessive frippery, but something which gives us power. In a world where that power is only taken from us, makeup is a tool which allows us to draw our battle lines and give so much power back to ourselves. It’s a secret language, misunderstood and disregarded by boring dudes who think makeup is "gay/for gays", which allows us to communicate with each other silently or with floods of Facebook messages about Kat Von D’s new matte lipstick, as evidenced by 70% of my conversations with my friend Sadhbh. (For the other 30% we talk about radical queer politics and are currently asking each other whether femme-centric spaces are doing enough to accommodate butches.)
With all this in mind then, how does one construct the perfect face to encompass all these (intense) emotions and meanings? Time, pain and rejection help. But a light appears eventually, and it’s your face.
I start my routine with a smoothie, which I throw in the trash in front of someone in gym wear because it makes me feel good. Then I have a Full English, by which I mean the various sausages of the men on my rotation. After this I prime — I prefer MAC Strobe Cream because I want to blind my enemies. I spend a while thinking about how Ayn Rand has a lot to answer for, before taking MAC Full Coverage in NW24 and smearing it generously all over my gender non-binary face to conceal the fact that I’m actually Holly Valance. Top time- and energy-saving tip: Get a makeup artist.
Photo: Holly Falconer
Next I pop on Cher’s masterpiece Closer to the Truth as I approach mine. I wonder when she’ll age, then make the sign of the cross in worship to her, the queen of all drag queens. I contour, but only because my real face is too sculpted — so I, as they say in Italian sculptural history, "de-sculpt xoxo" (translation slightly off). I use MAC obviously, because they sponsor my face and also insure it.
After this I go to The Ritz for an hour or so and coax the signatures of old men from the 1% onto their wills, which are now all for me — girl gotta eat. Then I head home in their Bentley and do my eyes while thinking about late-stage capitalism. Next I tweet Diane Abbott and tell her she’s a legend, and after this I stick glitter all over my beard because it’s simple and effective. I spend some time worrying about the environmental impact of glitter but then get infuriated that the gays can’t have anything. I keep going with glitter. And finally I draw on a lip, a big brown faded lip. I have a bunch of cigarettes and possibly a Babycham because I’m on a health kick. And then I kiss myself in the mirror and tell me that I love me.
Me. My makeup bag is not for anyone else. It’s very much for me, as yours is for you. People question (much like they question drag) whether the act of wearing makeup is anti-feminist; I think the answer is in the reason we do things. For so many of us, makeup is about choice, about allowing yourself to choose how the world sees you. The same can be said for not wearing makeup, especially if you’re expected to by society. It gives us agency over our image, which the world is so intent on distorting and abusing.
Above all, in my makeup bag is a kit which allows me to create an illusion which is closer to the truth than most people ever get. Because while people bandy about terms like "fake", I think choosing how you want to look is, polar oppositely, the definition of authentic.
Great news for anyone who likes to raise a glass (or two), the home bar is now a must in any discerning drinker's home. The rising cost of, well, everything means more millennials than ever are shunning the expense of overpriced cocktails in crowded bars and rediscovering the joy of fixing themselves a drink for an evening in.
A home bar is so much more than somewhere to shove that bottle of peach schnapps you've been hoarding since your 21st. Zoe Hodson, a senior home buyer at cult homeware repository Anthropologie, says: "Whether it is housed in a purpose-made cabinet, on a vintage-inspired trolley, or just a moment on a sideboard or shelf – the home bar is a space for little rituals of entertainment or that well-earned treat." Where collapsing on the sofa with a mug of lukewarm wine feels like an anticlimax, taking the time to craft your favourite cocktail in a chilled martini glass is an act of self-care.
If you do want to add the old-school elegance of a home bar to your living space, it can be hard to know where to start. Our homes are getting smaller and more expensive and the glamour of a home bar might seem a world away from the reality of a crowded house-share or a shoebox-size studio.
So we decided to do the hard drinking work for you and searched out the essentials you'll need. From where to store your bottles to the perfect glass to raise in celebration, we've got everything you'll need to shake up a storm. Cheers!
The Trolley
Dayna Isom Johnson, a trend expert from independent design hub Etsy, says: "The bar cart has re-emerged in recent years as a must-have home accessory."
There are great vintage bar cart options available if you're willing to trawl your local car boot sale or antiques warehouse. But if you'd rather use your Saturdays for sipping cocktails, then invest in something contemporary. Danish designer Margit Brandt's gold 1930s-style bar cart will breathe elegance into any room and can be delivered straight to your door.
If you prefer a more modern aesthetic, try an industrial-inspired bar cart like this black metal and mango wood drinks trolley – the perfect home for a whisky collection. If you have a mix of spirits and glassware you'd rather show off, and don't want to blow your budget, try something altogether simpler, like IKEA's all-white take on a bar cart.
homeArama Bahne BH Drinks Trolley in Gold by Margit Brandt, £199.95, available at Trouva Maisons du Monde Industrial Serving Trolley, £219, available at Maisons du Monde IKEA Sunnersta Trolley, £22, available at IKEA
The Cabinet
The drinks trolley may be the trend of the moment but it's not for everyone. If you have kids, pets or clumsy flatmates, you might prefer to keep your glassware stashed in a drinks cabinet. Fortunately, there are styles suitable for all homes and budgets.
If you want to make a statement, definitely consider a mid-century cabinet. Even if you don't usually buy vintage furniture, search sites like Etsy to find fully restored options, like this gorgeous upcycled palm-print sideboard. If you would rather a piece that you can personalise, you can pick up an original on eBay for a steal, though these may need collecting or a lick of paint. A pro tip is to search 'sideboard ' instead of 'drinks cabinet' as these are often equally chic but priced lower.
There are also great modern options like the Oro Small Drinks Cabinet, complete with millennial pink door and chic touches like hanging space for your glassware. If you're running low on floor space, mount this Adelyn Diecut Cabinet on a statement wall and turn your bar into a feature. A more minimal alternative is to invest in an open shelf, like cult home brand Hay's Layer range, and proudly display your bottles out of reach of toddling tots and excitable pets.
NuaNu Mid Century Retro Upcycled Cocktail Cabinet, £450, available at Etsy Oliver Bonas Oro Small Drinks Cabinet, £445, available at Oliver Bonas Anthropologie Adelyn Diecut Cabinet, £298, available at Anthropologie Hay Layer Shelves, from £441, available at Hay
The Tray
If you're one of the many Brits dealing with a lack of floor space, you needn't live without a home bar. A drinks tray makes a super chic addition to any flat surface in your home, from a coffee table to a chest of drawers in your bedroom, if you're not lucky enough to have your own entertaining space.
Stay traditional and add light to a room with an art deco-style mirrored tray. These are easily found on the high street, like this one from M&S, and look gorgeous with classic cut-glass tumblers. For a more contemporary spin, pick a bright lacquer tray and display just a few chic bottles and a cocktail shaker to keep the pop of colour.
If you want your drinks to make more of a splash, consider a bright gold tray or printed version in our current interior obsession, terrazzo. Stock with coloured glasses or a few simple decanters to add a distinctive touch to even the smallest space.
Marks and Spencer Deco Round Mirror Tray, £39.50, available at Marks and Spencer John Lewis Painted Lacquer Square Tray, £30, available at John Lewis The Modern Botanist Zakkia Snow Statement Round Terrazzo Tray, £54, available at Trouva Hay Serving Tray Golden, £29, available at Hay
The Glasses
Though these seem simple, glasses can be the most overwhelming part of setting up your home bar – there are just so many available. Cocktail recipes can demand anything from a highball to a tulip flute, which usually leaves us wondering, will a Sports Direct mug not do?
If you're feeling overwhelmed, the experts recommend keeping it simple. Jean-Sebastien Robicquet, master distiller of premium vodka CÎROC, says that his home bar is stocked with just "a set of nice tumblers and coupette champagne glasses for the classics". You can still make these your own; Anthropologie's gilded monogram tumblers are a great way to personalise a drinks tray or, if you're going for a minimal look, try Arket's Scandi-inspired bodega glasses.
Fabled (falsely) to be moulded from Marie Antoinette's breast, the coupette champagne glass is found in almost every top cocktail bar. If you're a cocktail lover, or fond of a glass of fizz, these are a must for your home bar. Ben Branson, founder of non-alcoholic spirit Seedlip, advises searching charity shops for beautiful vintage champagne glasses. Make these a feature by mixing and matching styles, pairing old with new, or even mixing simple IKEA coupes with more ornate rippled glasses.
Still feeling spoiled for choice? Simply invest in a set of large wine glasses. These are the perfect vessel for anything from gin and tonics to straight spirits over ice, champagne cocktails and, of course, wine, and always look effortlessly chic.
Anthropologie Gilded Monogram Glass, £14, available at Anthropologie Arket Bodega Glass Set, £5, available at Arket The Forest & Co Vintage Champagne Glass, £15, available at Not On The High Street IKEA Storhet Champagne Coupe, £1.50, available at IKEA Ferm Living Ripple Champagne Glass Set, £27, available at Scandinavian Design Center Habitat Large Wine Glasses Set, £30, available at Habitat
The Kit
Home bars are the perfect way to upgrade your Friday tipple from a lukewarm gin in a tin to an expertly crafted cocktail, but for that you might need some kit. A cocktail shaker may well be your first buy, so you and your flatmates can recreate that scene from Cocktail and because owning a brushed brass cocktail shaker will definitely make you feel like an adult (even if you still call your mum in a crisis).
However, Finn Thomson, Copper Dog Whisky brand ambassador, advises tailoring your kit to your favourite drink: "A lot of classic ... cocktails are stirred so you will find a glass, long spoon and lots of ice will suffice". Those meant to be stirred, not shaken, include some favourites like a Martini and an Old Fashioned, so invest in a classic mixing glass and a set of bar tools, like these marble and copper beauties.
If you prefer your drinks straight, you might not need to invest in any kit but do think about how to keep your drinks cold. Jean-Sebastien Robicquet advises all home bar owners to keep a bag of ice cubes in the freezer, which can be transferred to this chic ice bucket when you're hosting and want to impress.
Made Blaze Cocktail Shaker, £20, available at Made Oliver Bonas Marble & Copper Bar Tools Set, £60, available at Oliver Bonas Yarai Mixing Glass, £15, available at La Gent Rockett St George Green Jar Ice Bucket, £30, available at Rockett St George
The Alcoholic Drinks
The most important part of any home bar is, of course, the drinks. No matter how experienced you may be with booze, it's not always easy to translate your favourite from the pub to your front room.
First of all, think about the spirits you really enjoy drinking. If you like a wide range of cocktails or you love to entertain, Robicquet recommends "you stock at least a bottle of each base spirit (vodka, gin, cognac and whisky); along with bottles of vermouth (red and extra dry) plus some bitters you’ll be able to make most of the classic cocktails". If you're not sure which brands you prefer, try ordering something other than your usual next time you're out for a drink and only invest in the ones you really like.
Alternatively, if there's just one spirit you enjoy drinking, put your money where your mouth is. "Quality over quantity" is the rule for home bars according to Thomson. If you're building a collection of a single spirit, he recommends you "vary the flavour profiles including smoky or fruit forward notes, and also consider regionality". Robicquet also advises investing in a range of flavours, "from the floral to the spicy gins, or from the classic and flavoured vodkas".
If you want your bar to be a statement, then feel free to consider aesthetics as well. Hodson advises that "a vintage silver tray, set with five or so boutique gins ready to serve, can look very chic". She admits to being "seduced by beautiful bottles ... like Sipsmith " but if you don't like the look of your favourite tipple, then consider pouring it into a decanter or a minimalist carafe.
If spirits are stored right they can last for years, so buying a bottle of your favourite can really be an investment. The only clear rules for storage, according to Thomson, are to always "keep the bottles out of direct sunlight and always stand upright". Although we wouldn't recommend setting up your bar beside a radiator, Thomson says "temperature isn’t so important ... except in extreme circumstances". If you like any spirit cold, even whisky, keep it in the freezer. A home bar means you can play by your own rules.
CÎROC Red Berry Vodka, £39.99, available at Selfridges Copper Dog Whisky, £29.25, available at The Whisky Exchange Sipsmith Gin, £25, available at Waitrose H&M Carafe, £12.99, available at H&M
The Non-Alcoholic Drinks
If you're trying to reduce your alcohol intake, or cut it out entirely, there's no reason you should miss out on a home bar. With more and more research into the hell that is a hangover, delicious dry drink options are becoming widely available.
Ben Branson founded non-alcoholic spirits brand, Seedlip in 2015. These can be mixed seamlessly into your pre-existing bar or used as the base of almost all cocktails while still staying sober. If you are creating a dry cocktail cart, Branson recommends "keeping a staple range of ingredients that don’t need the fridge [like] a good vanilla syrup, elderflower syrup and ginger syrup". You can even make these yourself with "leftover herbs [and] fruit peels".
If you're not ready to go teetotal but still want a non-alcoholic option, consider investing in high end mixers, like those from London Essence Company, which can be drunk on their own. Blended soft drinks like T&E No. 1 and Monte Rosso can also be the perfect base for a spritz, or make a great, booze-free cocktail served with just ice and a slice of fruit.
Whether you decide to stock up on the booze or keep your cocktail cabinet totally dry, just remember that a home bar is there so you can have exactly the drink you want. The only rules you need to play by are your own. We'll raise a glass to that.
Seedlip Non-Alcoholic Spirit, £27.99, available at Seedlip London Essence Company Classic London Tonic, £1.25, available at The Whisky Exchange T&E No. 1, £2.49, available at Waitrose Monte Rosso, £2.49, available at Ocado
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I thought I knew what a hangover was. I’d splashed vomit down the side of enough cabs. I’d eaten bread in the shower. I knew the delight of laying a clammy cheek on a cold paving stone in broad daylight.
But that was before. Before I experienced what I now know as a hangover. Only once you’ve allowed a toddler to draw on your belly with a Sharpie while you work through waves of nausea do you understand the purgatory of a real hangover; the mum hangover – the result of trying to prove to yourself and others that mum's still got it.
"The first time you go out and do something social after having a baby, it’s like flexing a new muscle for the first time, so you can go in a bit hard, it’s not even something most women have an awareness they’re doing." I’m talking to Maisie Hill, a highly praised women’s health practitioner and doula. "Also when you first go out as a new mum, it’s hard to stop thinking about your child because your body is flooded with hormones that keep you bonded to your baby. Alcohol can soften those bonds, allowing you to switch off."
Society frowns on mums drinking; as a woman you’re either childless and up for it, or a mother.
"Many women find themselves asking, ‘Who am I as a mum?' versus 'Who am I as a woman who can go out and be social?'" Maisie is explaining why the conversation around alcohol and mums feels so loaded and why when mothers drink they feel intense guilt. "Society really frowns on mums drinking; as a woman you’re either childless and up for it, or you’re a mother. As soon as you have a kid you’re expected to be someone else, to be pure, to always be present for your children. Pregnancy is meant to have switched off a large part of you, but it’s not that black and white, and why would we just switch off who we are because we’re mothers?"
"I’d be lying to myself if I said I would be happy never partying again," Zoë de Pass, better known as @dresslikeamum, tells me. "I love to party, I loved it before becoming a mum and I haven’t changed. It’s a myth that you become a different person, you don’t, you just have more responsibility. But being pregnant and sober has taught me one thing – that I can go out and have a good time without drinking."
For lots of women, pregnancy is their first real stretch of sobriety. So entrenched is drinking in our culture, it’s often the absence of a glass of wine that lets people know you’re pregnant, which when you think about it, is an odd way to tell the world that you’re having a baby. Giving up drinking, and the socialising that goes with it, is a huge lifestyle change. You have to stop the moment you see those two blue lines; no wonder alcohol becomes so intrinsically linked to your old self.
I was excited to socialise ‘properly’ again after having my son, but I realised that drinking once you have a baby is just not the same as before. The hangovers are worse, life just too relentless for recovery. And you turn to alcohol for different reasons – to feel like yourself, to switch off the mum voice, to get through the goddam day. But the weirdest thing about drinking again is the strange pseudo terms mums have for drinking. I learned this new language through NCT WhatsApp groups and from the memes that slowly filled my Facebook feed post-birth. ‘Gin o’clock’ and ‘Fizzy Fridays’ are said very casually with no irony. I’ve found that drinking is almost fetishised in the mum community; it’s never just wine, it’s ‘Mummy’s little helper’ or 'deserved'.
"The whole wine o’clock thing symbolises to me how unconnected and unsupported we are as mothers," Maisie says. "In caring for others, often our own basic needs aren’t met; you don’t get enough sleep, you skip meals. The idea that other people are having a drink at the same time as us, that we’re part of a collective of women who understand and are doing the same thing, can be comforting."
I take the topic of ‘wine o’clock’ to the brilliant Michelle Kennedy, founder of Peanut, an app that helps connect like-minded mums. She tells me about a question one mum asked on Peanut, titled "Wine to unwind?" The post read: "Anyone else absolutely exhausted by the end of the day and not sure how to unwind? By the time I’ve got out of the door, dropped [my son] off at school, gone to work, collected him and done bedtime, the only thing I want to do when my partner comes in is crack open the wine. Is it ok to be drinking wine every night? Anyway, sometimes I feel it’s just me in this endless routine."
Michelle and I go through the responses together and every single one is in favour of the wine. "It’s just the mummy way," one woman replies; "Girl you’re fine, you’ve got a lot going on, you aren’t neglecting your child, drink that wine, you just need some me time," says another. It seems that because we know society heaps a decent serving of judgment on mums who drink, mums actively support other mums who like a glass of wine. I love that the conversation on Peanut isn’t judgy, as I’ve seen too many Mumsnet forums descend into nasty attacks on any mum who so much as hints at having a vice, but the infantilised language – 'Fizzy Fridays' and 'Hurrah for gin' – bothers me. I feel very uncomfortable baby-talking to the drink in my hand. It is not 'Mummy’s helper', it’s just a glass of prosecco. And you know what? That glass of prosecco isn’t a totem for the woman I used to be either.
We travel for many different reasons. For some of us, it’s a chance to reset our mind and body. For others, it’s a thirst for adventure. For AJ Odudu however, it’s a desire for something completely different that gets her out of the city and onto planes, trains and automobiles to unexplored destinations.
For her latest trip, she’s headed to the Cotswolds for a spot of escapism. On the surface it might not seem like an obvious destination for a millennial weekend away, but hold on a second there; the Cotswolds is a wellness HUB. Follow AJ as she tries out the latest trend of forest bathing (yep, it's a thing) with Ian Banyard from Cotswold Natural Mindfulness, a raw food cookery workshop with Jay Halford at Foodworks Cookery School, treehouse-hopping at Oakdown Treehouse and even a bit of singing with the locals…
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I love colouring my hair, and I’ve been quite a few different shades, but I find it really hard to keep my colour looking fresh. It loses its shine so quickly. Colour is really expensive and it’s so frustrating to spend so much money for it only to last a few weeks before the colour turns dull! What can I do?
Stella, 28
There are lots of things in beauty you can scrimp on. Mascara, for one – I always find Max Factor and L’Oréal Paris perform just as well as designer brands. Sheet masks are another (they have superficial effects at best, so why cough up for some obscure niche brand when Dr. Jart does the trick?). Oh, and hairspray. If there’s a better hairspray on the planet than Elnett, I’m yet to find it. However, I always think it’s best to pay a little more for your hair colour if you can. Wherever you go, your colourist should give you a full consultation, carefully studying your hair type, history and routine before reaching for the foils. Nine times out of 10, this sort of service will be a little more expensive, but you do wear your hair every day.
For example, if you want a pop of colour but can’t afford (fiscally or routinely) regular salon visits, your colourist should take that into account and give you something with minimal regrowth. Been box-dyeing your hair since you were 13? If your colourist doesn’t even ask about your hair history, please hang up your gown and walk away, because goodness knows what could happen when they put the bleach on. The same thing goes for colour fade – a lot of it is down to miscommunication between the client and the colourist.
I called my longtime colourist, Jenny Richards, at FOUR London to ask her advice: “Seeing colour fade within two weeks means something’s not right. We wouldn’t expect to see real fade for at least six weeks.” Hair colour is a huge process, and especially if you’re seeing a new colourist, it’s really important that they take a full history from you. “With blondes going brassy for example, it’s usually down to a colourist not taking into account the current condition of the hair, how it’s responded to colour in the past and the natural undertone of your hair underneath any dye,” said Jenny. My nonna always tells me: “You can lie to your priest because God knows the truth, but you must be honest with your doctor.” I’d extend that to your hairdresser, too – please tell them what your natural hair colour is and just how much abuse it’s been through. They’re there to help, not judge, and keeping mum on your hair history is a recipe for disaster.
Moralising aside, here’s what you came for. First up, blondes. Jenny’s taken my hair from Neapolitan brown to Norwegian blonde over the years, and always warned me off any shampoos that claim to ‘revive blonde hair’. “I’m wary of those kinds of shampoos because quite often they actually have some colour pigment in them. While that sounds like a great idea, it will just tamper with your professionally applied colour and more often than not lead to random colour deposits over your head. I’d prefer my blonde clients to use a gentle purple shampoo.” She also name-checked La Biosthetique Couleur Shampoo Crystal 0.7 for bleached and blonde hair, noting that it was good for keeping out yellow tones, while keeping the hair hydrated.
If you’re a bottle redhead and often feel your colour vanishes faster than the good prosecco at your work drinks, you’re not wrong. “The red hair molecule is larger than other colour molecules, so it doesn't penetrate the cortex of the hair as deeply as other colours do. Therefore, since it isn't as deep, it can wash out easier,” explained Jenny. “Clear vegetable glosses are fantastic to keep the hair looking glossy and shiny for all hair colours, but redheads might find them especially useful. At FOUR, we tailor a bespoke vegetable colour for any client who wants them to use at home to brighten and refresh colour. They’re really popular with my redhead ladies.” If you need something off the shelf, Rita Hazan, who colours the hair of Beyoncé and J.Lo, has a brilliant at-home range. Try her Rita Hazan True Colour Ultimate Shine Gloss, but be sure to buy the clear to avoid the aforementioned colour deposit thing.
As for brunettes, your best bet is using a good sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, and investing in at-home gloss, or asking for one in the salon. Jenny recommends Kérastase Bain Chromatique Shampoo & Conditioner for all shades of coloured hair, and Olaplex No.3 to keep the hair strong and healthy.
I understand that after forking out for salon colour, buying salon-brand shampoo feels like adding insult to injury, but you’re essentially rinsing all the money you just spent down the drain if you don’t use the right products. “Sulfate-free is the main thing. Harsh shampoo will only strip your colour aggressively,” added Jenny.
I think it’s also worth mentioning that heat attacks your colour as well as your hair texture, so always use heat protection when styling your hair – even with rough drying. “Modern hairdryers get super hot, which is great for speed drying but can be very harsh on the hair,” Jenny noted. It’s also key to properly rinse your hair, with shampoo, after swimming in a pool or the sea to remove chlorine and salt. Pools are probably the worse of the two, as the copper in the pipes can make blonde tones go green, but a build-up of saltwater ain’t great either.
Got a question for our resident beauty columnist Daniela Morosini? No problem, qualm or dilemma is too big, small or niche. Email deardaniela@refinery29.uk, including your name and age for a chance to have your question answered. All letters to ‘Dear Daniela’ become the property of Refinery29 and will be edited for length, clarity, and grammatical correctness.
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