Tabla de contenidos para September 2021 en Cosmopolitan UK

START HERE 1. It’s time to update your vision board. What are you manifesting? A Finding my soulmate and then travelling the world together. B More Instagram followers, a viral TikTok, and anything else that will build my personal #brand. C Tapping into the most creative part of my brain and making something tangible to share with the world. 2. You’re saving up for something luxe. Which side hustle do you take on to earn extra £££? A Running the social accounts of a local business. B Renting out your spare room on Airbnb. Yeah, you have a spare room. C Selling beautifully made DIY things, because you’re crafty like that. 3. What’s your go-to weakness-that’s-secretly-as-trength answer in a job interview? A “Sometimes I take on more than I have time for and stretch myself too thin.”…

VELVET WAS THE NIGHT by Silvia Moreno-Garcia out 17th August The lowdown It’s 1970s Mexico City, and there’s political unrest. We meet Maite, a self-styled bore who lives vicariously through the characters in her romance comics, and Elvis, a gangster with a soul who (ironically) hates violence. As the lives of the two become entangled when Maite’s neighbour goes missing, things quickly get tense – and you’re never sure who you can really trust. Twist rating Pacy enough to keep you hooked – as it reaches its climax, so will your heart rate. COLD SUN by Anita Sivakumaran out now The lowdown When the former wife of the British Foreign Minister becomes the fourth high-profile woman to be murdered in Bangalore, DI Vijay Patel is sent to India to assist…

EDITOR’S PICK For more of our favourite cream eyeshadows, go to Cosmopolitan.com/UK/creameyeshadows…

Detangle first Make a start on knots before your hair gets wet – that way, there’s less risk of damage when you’re detangling. Add an oil or serum, and don’t worry about going overboard – it’ll protect your hair from losing too many amino acids when you wash it. Try GHD Dramatic Ending Smooth & Finish Serum, £18. Bulk up on protein “If your curls lack definition, try a protein-rich conditioner,” says Dapaah. “A moisturising shampoo and conditioner during the washing process is key to soft and nourished hair that will look frizz-free and healthy once dry.” Try Pureology Hydrate Shampoo And Conditioner Duo, £45.55. Get some clarity Don’t underestimate the benefits of a deep-cleanse. “If you’re seeing a lot of product build-up in your hair, use a clarifying shampoo,”…

MYTH MELANIN OFFERS NATURAL PROTECTION AGAINST UV RAYS Nope. Melanin alone is definitely not enough to protect you, says dermatologist Dr Saya Obayan. Studies suggest that the darkest skin tones may have a built-in SPF of up to around 13, explains dermatologist Dr Shani Francis. But that’s not even close to the recommended daily SPF30 or higher. MYTH YOU DON’T NEED SUNSCREEN IF YOUR SKIN DOESN’T BURN Just because you don’t turn red doesn’t mean that your skin isn’t being damaged. “UV rays can still mess with the genetic materials in your skin cells,” says Dr Obayan. If you get enough DNA damage, your cells can start to grow out of control, which can lead to cancer. MYTH “BLACK DON’T CRACK” Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but…

The biological clock myth When it comes to fertility, there’s a whole lot of fearmongering that goes on. Ever heard that by the age of 35, a woman’s chances of conceiving plummet so rapidly it’s basically game over? Well, a new study* has disproved that scary-sounding myth. Researchers found that the number of reproductive years women have has increased from 35 to 37.1, and the age at which they’re entering menopause is increasing too – meaning we have more “fertile” years than first thought. Quality of eggs is a different ball game, but still – if you do want children, you can silence that deafening tick for a little longer.…

Fjällräven Tree-Kånken, £120 This new Tree-Kånken model is made from 100% plant-based fabric. I used it as a gym bag – there are straps at the bottom for attaching a jacket or yoga mat, loops on the front for a bike light and a reflective logo. It’s got a large main compartment, front section and side water-bottle pocket, but I’d have liked a few smaller pockets as well. Claire, Editor-in-Chief Patagonia Arbor Roll Top Pack 30L, £110 The Arbor’s vast main compartment rolls over and fastens with a clip – more streetwear than youth hostel. It’s got padded straps, zipped pockets for small items and loops to clip extras onto. I hate it when backpacks don’t have a side pocket for a water bottle, but this had two – so one…

it hurts, but it’s true: “Acne mechanica” – or irritation and blemishes caused by the friction of your favourite outfit against your skin – can happen to anyone, says Dr Michelle Henry, a dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. And yes, that’s regardless of skin type (though if yours is on the oily side, you might be at higher risk). But it’s all going to be OK. Here’s everything you need to know… IM-PORE-TANT INFORMATION Each one of the pores all over your body releases sebum, an oily substance that keeps you nice and moisturised. But when that sebum gets trapped – along with any dirt and sweat hanging around – by a layer of clothing, it can cause your pores to freak out. Ever get…

With stylists and designers on speed dial, A-listers seem to have an endless supply of new clothes. But occasionally they love their outfits so much they deem them worthy of another outing. To celebrate Secondhand September, here are some iconic reworn looks.…

For those who don’t have a 9-to-5 job, the past months have been busier than ever, and self-care is super-important. KEEP TALKING Talk to your loved ones about your challenges at work so they can support you, and make sure they know your shift patterns so they can coordinate social plans for when you’re free. EAT WELL Regular light meals and snacks are less likely to make you tired than a single heavy meal, and easily digestible foods like pasta, rice, salad and veg are a good shout. Oh, and remember: stay hydrated. SLEEP SOUNDLY Make sure your sleep space is optimum (think blackout blinds and a sunrise alarm clock) and try to keep the amount of sleep you get consistent, no matter what time of day you’re catching those…

Your summer rosé’s going green Not literally green, but both M&S and Aldi have brought out their own Vinho Verde rosé – mixing the freshness of Vinho Verde (“green wine”) with rosé flavours – so it’s safe to say it’s a new wine trend. Federica Zanghirella, vice president and course director of the UK Sommelier Association, says it pairs well with paella and fish and can be used as a base for fruity cocktails. Make ours a large one, please.…

for everyone plagued by the ambiguous “Other” taking up precious GBs on your phone – despite the fact that you’ve resorted to deleting texts, my god – we’re here to tell you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And that light is newly freed-up memory space. That’s right – follow this advice and never get a “not enough storage” notification again… STEP 1: Back up your phone to your computer or iCloud. (You can literally just search “backup” in Settings.) Really, you should be doing this anyway so you don’t lose your best-ever Candy Crush score and all those precious photos of brunches you’ve eaten and cute dogs you’ve seen. STEP 2: Reset your phone to its factory settings. Yes, really. Tap Settings, General, Reset,…

Reframe what it means to be “liked” “The word ‘like’ is rather weak. There are far stronger words, such as ‘admire’, ‘aspire to’, ‘inspire’, and so on. Maybe you should want to be seen as ‘inspirational’ rather than ‘liked’.” Professor Philip Corr Think of what matters to you ”Getting to a point where you can be outspoken is actually just honouring your relationship with yourself. Take a breath and change the narrative before acting on a behaviour that you know will be some kind of betrayal. You have that power.” Honey Ross Learn to say no “Here’s the bottom line: you’ll never please everybody all the time. You may think you’re pleasing people but you’re pleasing some people. Ultimately, be true to yourself. I’ve learnt that there’s nothing more powerful…

LAURA HARRIER Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform, £80 WHY IT WORKS: A combo of retinol and lactic acid boosts cell turnover and gently exfoliates skin to prevent future breakouts and minimise existing ones. KYLIE JENNER Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, £15.50 WHY IT WORKS: The blend of calamine and salicylic acid is dabbed directly onto blemishes to break down dead skin cells that clog pores. Not only does it work to clear the pore, but it also soothes redness and inflammation. CHRISSY TEIGEN Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, £19 for a pack of five WHY IT WORKS: These peel pads are soaked with a blend of acids, retinol and vitamins to dissolve the glue that holds together dead skin cells and fade post-inflammatory pigmentation. HAILEY BIEBER Starface…

LESS IS MORE Newsflash: you don’t need 10 steps and 100 products to get good skin. Just focus on the basics: cleansing, treating and protecting with SPF. And make it a point to introduce only one new product at a time. This creates less room for reactivity and will make it easier to determine what’s working for you and what’s not. YOUR EVERYDAY HABITS MATTER Going vegan, running a marathon or relocating to a yoga retreat in Costa Rica won’t erase your acne. But living a generally healthier lifestyle (e.g. eating a balanced diet, moving your body and sticking to a regular sleep schedule) will most definitely make a positive difference to your skin health, and that’s really the end goal, right? ACNE. IS. NORMAL In fact, it’s one of…

I had been on a few dates with Andrew*, and although there was chemistry between us, our flirtation had never really gone anywhere. He was an airline pilot, so his work schedule always came first. Still, we remained in touch occasionally. I enjoyed perving on his Instagram shots from the cockpit and the odd picture of him looking outrageously fuckable in uniform. I’m a frequent flyer for work, and spend most of my disposable income on weekends away. On one of our dates, Andrew had told me to text him whenever I was flying on his airline, in case he was the pilot. Every time I found myself rushing towards Heathrow, I would drop him a message and hope that his shift would correspond with my sun-seeking escapism. It never…

Get on board From canal barges in Wales where you can sip G&Ts with your friends (Black-prince.com) to private yacht charters with Below Deck vibes on the river Solent (Borrowaboat.com), holidays on the water are, er, floating our boats. Get seasick easily? You don’t have to be on the move – try Sunborn’s luxury superyacht hotel, safely anchored in London’s Royal Victoria Dock (Sunbornhotels.com). Alternatively, check out Airbnb’s buoyant options – you could stay on a cosy motor boat at Port Forum in Barcelona, or check into a stylish “floating house” in Amsterdam. Ahoy there.…

21 SECONDS TURNS 20 Cast your mind back to August 2001 and you might remember a summer when So Solid Crew rapping about having 21 seconds to go was all you heard on the radio. The hip-hop collective featured the likes of MC Harvey, Asher D (AKA Ashley Walters) and Lisa Maffia, and the song reached number one in the singles chart. “We had no idea it was going to be so big,” Maffia says. “We still get royalties every six months.” Not bad two decades later.…

Bye-bye, BoJo Dog Milo took a shine to the Boris doll on set for our feature The Women Secretly Running The Country (page 92). Such a shine, in fact, that it appears Milo still has some of the hair in his mouth. But how can we be cross? Just look at that face. Winner, winner …chicken dinner – or lunch, more accurately – on our fashion shoot (see page 110). Models Maggie, Gemma and Oma tuck into some hard-earned grub in between shots. New digs Features director Catriona Innes needed a change of scene to write her brilliant report on suicide rates in the UK (page 86), so she worked from this gorgeous Airbnb in Bristol. Change is as good as a rest, right? Friends reunited Nope, not an AbFab…

Twenty-nine-year-old Ramos had the breakthrough of all breakthroughs when he starred in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical Hamilton on Broadway back in 2015. (Y’know, casual.) Now, between modelling for Calvin Klein and releasing music (please see his single Mind Over Matter), he’s getting used to being everyone’s favourite movie star since the release of musical drama In The Heights. Another Lin-Manuel masterpiece, ICYMI, In The Heights follows the lives, struggles and relationships of a Hispanic-American community in the Washington Heights neighbourhood of New York City. We tracked Anthony down to answer a few crucial questions… What are you wearing right now? I just worked out. I’m wearing some orange shorts and a short-sleeved shirt. That’s it. Is that your go-to outfit for lounging around at home, trying to be comfy? I mean,…

Whoopi Goldberg Morgue beautician She’s now an Oscar-winning actress, but once Whoopi made up the deceased. She’s said: “I did hair and make-up on dead people. It’s a rough gig. You have to be a certain type of person. You have to love people in order to make them worthy of a great send-off.” Chris Pratt Door-to-door salesman The actor sold coupons and even had his own van. “I was good! There are major lessons to be learned in door-to-door sales that you use as an actor. Dealing with rejection and walking into a room full of strangers.” Megan Fox A dancing banana Forget that successful modelling and acting career – the Transformers star’s first job was selling smoothies in Florida. “Once a week, someone had to dress up as…

1 FIGHT FADE “The movement of any eyeshadow is caused by oil produced by the mobile part of your eyelid rubbing against the upper part,” says Lorrimer. “Try using an eye primer first and setting your cream shadow with powder.” 2 RE-BLEND Prone to oily eyelids? Lorrimer points out that if oils do come through the cream throughout the day, it becomes re-blendable. “Simply pat out creases with your ring finger and add a little more product if needed.” 3 OWN IT “If your eyeshadow creases no matter what you do, embrace it!” Lorrimer urges. “There’s nothing sexier than a broken-down creasy and greasy eye.” Try experimenting with the undone look using a darker cream shadow for a dramatic evening look. 4 CREAM CARE Remember to screw your pot lids on tightly and click…

START How ambitious are you when it comes to removing body hair? I’m… not? I’ll pluck a few rogue ones if and when I need to, and that’s kind of it. 7 I’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done. 2 Is your skin sensitive? A thousand times yes. I’m prone to bumps, cuts and ingrown hairs. 6 Nope. Honestly, it’s unusually resilient. 3 Would you rather spend a long time removing hair for longer-lasting results, or spend less time but need to retouch often? I can get super-antsy, so I prefer something quick. 5 I’d rather go all in. I want to be hair-free for as long as humanly possible. 4 Which areas are your number-one priorities for hair removal? Usually just large areas, like my legs or arms.…

Black people are less likely to get skin cancer – but diagnoses still happen, and by then, the disease is usually in an advanced stage, meaning it’s more deadly and harder to treat. In an ideal world, we’d all have regular skin checks from a doctor, but I get it. A global pandemic, fear and myths around access to dermatologists are among the reasons people don’t get checked out. Which is why you should at least know how to check yourself each month at home, according to dermatologist Dr Shani Francis. “ DON’T FORGET YOUR SCALP ” STEP ONE Start by checking your face for anything new, changing or unusual (think: a wart or scab that won’t heal, a bump that’s grown in size, or moles that are darker than…

as a professional coach, trained yoga teacher and sea swimmer, I initially wasn’t too worried when I tested positive for COVID-19 back in March last year. I didn’t think I was vulnerable, and apart from some sports-induced asthma, I didn’t have any underlying health conditions. I knew a lot of people who’d contracted it and bounced straight back. I was sure I’d be fine. The illness itself was challenging for about five days – I had a high fever, a cough and shortness of breath, even when I was sitting down. It was a few weeks later, though, that I started noticing my recovery journey was looking different to those of other people I knew. Almost two months after first contracting COVID, I made an attempt to return to work,…

▸ Can you really work out in 20 minutes? In short, yes. “If you’re time-poor, incorporating big, compound exercises alongside short bursts of HIIT training with minimal rest will spike your heart rate and work multiple muscle groups, so your whole body gets a workout.” Think burpees, jump squats, kettlebell swings, sprints and push-ups. ▸ If I’m exercising for 20 minutes, how often should I do it? “Depending on your fitness experience, I would advise doing between three and five workouts per week,” says Baronet. ▸ What should I eat before and after a short but intense exercise session? “Beforehand, I’d advise eating a form of fast-acting carbohydrate one to three hours prior to training – think bananas, dates or mango,” says Baronet. “Post-workout, opt for carbs and a protein shake.”…

I think we can stop playing this game we play. The one where you jam squishy, triangle-shaped pads into all my bikinis and workout tops and I take them out immediately after I’ve purchased them. It was fun at first, honestly, but now I have a mountain of floppy beige things in the top of my chest of drawers that serve literally no purpose. Before you ask, yes, I’m too lazy to find out how to dispose of them correctly. And no, I am not interested in repurposing them as stuffing to maintain the shape of my tall boots. (Let's be real–it would be too gross to see them all spill out whenever I got dressed.) Also, guess what? Every person with boobs agrees with me (submitting here for evidence…

Do you need a savings partner? A problem shared is a problem halved, so if you’re struggling with saving, the solution could be to link up with someone like-minded. “It might be a family member, a friend or someone with a similar goal to you,” says Kia Commodore, a personal finance guru and founder of financial literacy platform Pennies To Pounds. “You can check in, ask questions and keep each other accountable.” Boosting our savings just by having a chat? We’re sold.…

Awkward. You’ve been offered a great new job that you’re absolutely going to accept, but in order to take it, you’re going to have to resign from your current role. There’s no getting away from it, but you don’t want to royally annoy your current boss either (after all, former colleagues are an important part of your network, and you’ll never know when you might want to call on them again). But don’t worry – it is possible to leave your job and still have your former boss think you’re ace. Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code and author of Brave, Not Perfect, explains how… DITCH THE GUILT If you feel bad about resigning, it’s time to stop people-pleasing, says Saujani. “As women, we’re so busy trying…

ANSWERS 1 A BRUNCH BOWL Prep those whole grains and season them with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Then top with poached, soft-boiled or fried eggs, and some hot sauce. 2 EGG DROP SOUP Whisk eggs in a bowl. Then boil some water and your noodles, add in that ramen flavour packet, and use a fork to drip the eggs into your soup. Done! 3 LOW-KEY SHAKSHUKA Sauté the onion, add the tomatoes, stir, then add three to five eggs. Cover and cook on a medium heat until the whites are solid. Top with coriander and serve with bread. 4 FRENCH TOAST Mix milk, two eggs, cinnamon (if you’ve got it), and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Dunk in those bread stragglers until they’re coated. Fry in…

1 It’s time for a Netflix binge. What are you diving into? a Bridgerton. Again. b Anything that involves baking. c The latest true-crime doc. Lights off, volume up. 2 You get a “Hey” text from the fool who ghosted you. Your response? a No response. (Though I do have my read receipts on.) b “Sorry, who’s this?” c I blatantly call them out. No rest for the wicked! 3 You’re moving into a new flat next month. What’s your packing strategy? a I’m hiring a luxe moving company to come and take care of that. b A little every day. I heard slow and steady wins the race. c I’ll just tackle it the week before the move. I’m still living here! 4 Your date just called and they’ll be 20 minutes late. What are you going to do? a Call it…

► Ditch your Sorry, but they can’t effectively break down oil or make-up – at least not as well as a cleansing oil can [try The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil, £12]. Any gunk left on the skin overnight is a recipe for spots. Plus, tugging that comes with wipes can aggravate already acne-prone skin. ► Stick to sulphate-free face cleansers So wipes don’t do enough, but and often labelled as “sodium lauryl sulfate” or “sodium a product’s ingredient list) do too much. Along they can strip away your skin’s natural oils and deplete its protective barrier, making it more susceptible to and acne. A Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser, £16. Wash your face and body last in the shower Hair conditioners are usually loaded with heavy oils and butters…

Pre-stick your spot stickers Zit stickers are a godsend when you’re breaking out, but the adhesives they’re made with can be irritating. Before you pop one on, lightly tap it on the back of your clean hand. This lessens its sticky powers just enough to minimise the risk of redness without making it fall off your face. Sing your ABCs (twice) while you wash your face This ensures your acne cleanser stays in contact with your skin long enough for the active ingredients (like sulphur or salicylic acid) to work their blemish-clearing magic. Area-treat with your retinoid Most directions will tell you to apply a pea-size amount all over your face, but you can also just area-treat to avoid a full face of dryness. So if you tend to get…

My date came to pick me up and arrived in a van advertising colonics. It was his family’s business. JESSICA, 28 After a break-up, my mum dragged me out to a film. I threw on some old trackies and had greasy hair, so was relieved to see there was nobody else in the screening… until I went to the lobby to buy a drink and saw my ex. A minute later, he walked in with this stunning girl, made awkward eye contact and laughed at me. The four of us ended up being the only ones in the theatre throughout the entire film. MEGAN, 23 I went back to a guy’s house after a great date, and to “create ambience”, he draped a red T-shirt over his bedside lamp. It…

This is the kind of spectacular beach you’d expect to find in Mallorca or Ibiza rather than, er, south Devon. Reached via a drive through pine forests, Blackpool Sands is a magnificent crescent of coarse, golden sand with some of the clearest water you’ll find off the UK coast – the turquoise hues are more Dominica than Dartmouth. Bookended by rocks that keep it sheltered, it’s a lovely place for a dip on a hot day – there’s usually a floating pontoon boat that you can swim out to and dive off. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even hire a kayak or paddleboard and explore further along the coas BEACH BONUS The Venus Cafe overlooking Blackpool Sands is the heart of the bay. Locals and tourists flock here, attracted…

Free Guy hits the big screen Popcorn at the ready for this Hollywood blockbuster, starring all your faves. The film follows banker Guy (Ryan Reynolds), who discovers he’s a background character in a video game and starts to rebel against his programmed actions, causing predictable chaos. Jodie Comer and Stranger Things’ Joe Keery play the programmers responsible for the glitch that allows Guy to realise his world is fake. Sounds fun but complicated. Anyone else think we might need to watch this twice? In cinemas 13th August…

Why, you ask as you sit through another trailer for a film you could have sworn you’ve already seen, does Hollywood seemingly have no new ideas? Because, well, money. It’s a lot safer financially to make something based on nostalgia, that audiences know and love, than to take a chance on something totally new. It’s a bit like buying yet another T-shirt from your favourite brand, but in a different colour to the five you already own. Not super-ground-breaking, but there’s something comforting about coming back to a world you know. And when it comes to films with potentially bigger budgets and even bigger stars, sometimes the re-do might just be better than the original. Here are the new films and musicals (based on old films and musicals) we’re looking…

Beauty director Victoria Jowett on this month’s #empties USING UP YSL LIBRE EAU DE TOILETTE, £104 (90ML) I’ll admit it, I love a floral fragrance. I know what you’re thinking: florals are so… basic? But YSL’s newest eau de toilette is anything but. Creamy jasmine notes are lightened with a sharp dash of mandarin orange and fresh lavender. The dry-down is warm and rich, with calming musk and vanilla. It smells like bare skin in summer – just a spritz and it takes me back to lazy afternoons in the park on a hot day. USING NEXT GUCCI FLORA GORGEOUS GARDENIA EAU DE PARFUM, £105 (100ML) OK, forget for a second that this bottle is the most beautiful thing you’ll ever see and let me tell you how in-credible the…

It’s always gone without saying – at least, for me – that BLACK LIVES MATTER. It’s also clear that some folks need to be reminded of this, as they did when the world came together over a year ago to protest against police brutality and racism. While a story on SPF might seem minor in the fight for equality, it’s important to see self-care as a pretty revolutionary act of self-preservation that shouldn’t be taken lightly. I also know a lot of you are probably thinking, “Do Black people really need SPF?” Absolutely, 100% yes, we do. Let me break down exactly why that is. While it’s true that Black people are less likely to get diagnosed with skin cancer than other racial groups, when they are diagnosed, the outcome…

1 REAL DEAL Stickers made from actual nail polish or a pre-cured gel look more natural, lie flatter and last longer than plastic or film stickers. 2 OIL IS THE ENEMY Applying straight to the nail? Clean the nail bed first with alcohol-based nail-polish remover. According to Zuzana Benkovska at Rawr beauty salon, tweezers are also a must when applying, because the oil in your fingertips breaks down stickiness. Bonus points if you abstain from hand cream for a while. 3 FIT CHECK Prep your cuticles to widen your nail canvas, and ensure your chosen wraps are the right fit for your nail. Once they’re on, let them bend to your nail’s natural curve. To push in place without leaving fingerprints, rub a sandwich bag over them (trust us on that one). 4 SMOOTH…

Summer: ’tis the season of park picnics, long evenings and buoyant moods… or so you may be led to believe. But if you feel less than radiant in the warmer months (and no, not just because of the pandemic), you’re not alone. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the mental health condition that negatively impacts people during the darker, colder months, can work both ways. Around 10%* of those with SAD find themselves struggling in summer too. Even if you don’t think SAD is the issue, there are plenty of other reasons to feel anxious and low at this time of year. Here’s why… FEELING THE FOMO Anxiety can arise from the fear of missing out. “As the temperature rises, so does the number of sun-drenched images on our feeds,” points out…

Prep school What do you get when you cross The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air with Princess Diana? Meet Rowing Blazers, the celeb-favourite New York brand that’s been redefining preppy since 2017. Yes, that is Lady Di’s famous “I’m A Luxury” jumper – Rowing Blazers has teamed up with its original designers Gyles & George to reissue it. The brand is also re-releasing Diana’s iconic red sheep jumper, news of which prompted a chorus of gasps at the Cosmo fashion desk. Mix it all up with neon caps, Sperry sailing shoes and ’90s gold jewellery. Shop the latest at Rowingblazers.com. Prices range from £35 to £495.…

WHERE THE MONEY GOES £200 A lot of beauty and fashion brands gift me products, so I don’t spend loads on myself. I love Zara. £300 I do my food shopping at M&S or Sainsbury’s and get around 10 takeaways per month. £1,680 I’m currently saving for a bigger place, so after a good month of work I was recently able to put a chunk towards that. £2,950 The mortgage and bills for my flat, which I own. I live alone. £320 This covers my phone bill (£60), gym membership (£60) and all my travel (£200). £150 I don’t spend much on nights out, as a lot of restaurants, clubs and bars give models free entry, meals and drinks. I tip the staff generously and pay for my own taxis.…

There’s nothing like fresh basil on a pile of tomatoes and mozzarella – but it takes patience to raise an entire herb plant. And now, because nature, water and these instructions exist, you can create a simple (and very cute) herb garden in just 10 minutes. Here’s how… STEP 1 Take some sprigs of almost any herb (think: basil, chives, mint, thyme, oregano) and pluck the leaves off their lower stems. Then cut each stem base at a 45° angle. STEP 2 Stick your sprigs in cups or jars of tap or filtered water so that the stems are fully submerged. Place them in a spot with lots of sunlight and wait a couple of weeks for your teeny stalks to magically grow roots and more leaves. Pro tip: swap…

i take a seat on the wooden kitchen chair pointed out to me. The shiny black hairdresser’s cape drapes over my shoulders like I’m a. The mirror balances on the kitchen worktop, angled a little too high so only my forehead is in view. Not ideal when you’re having your hair cut. Still, I trust the hairdresser, whose house my mum has brought me to. It’s the first time I’ve met her, but I’m foolishly optimistic that she can turn me into the model on the page I’ve torn out of Just Seventeen magazine. I’m 14 – so this is 20 years ago. Friends is at its peak and layers are “in”. My goodness, layers are in. I remain quiet as the hairdresser – I don’t remember her name, or…

1 Skin type: combo with acne scarring Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £34 Keeps the T-zone matte without sucking the life out of dry patches, and hides month-old scars. 2 Skin type: oily with jawline spots Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint, £25 Smooths out bumps and uneven texture while keeping excess oil and shine in check too. 3 Skin type: dry with cystic breakouts Beautyblender Bounce Liquid Whip Long Wear Foundation, £32 Blend over spots for full coverage, dilute with moisturiser elsewhere. 4 Skin type: sensitive with large pores It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte, £32.50 One of the very best high-coverage foundations that keeps skin matte and won’t settle into open pores. 5 Skin type: combo with whiteheads Shiseido Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation, £41 A lightweight, glow-giving foundation…

Heal raw, red skin with good ol’ Vaseline You used All The Things in an attempt to wage war on your breakouts, and now? The top layer of your skin is dry, flaky and sensitive. Smooth on a thin layer of Vaseline Healing Jelly Original, £2.99 – it’ll create a protective shield over your skin, helping it to rebuild – and then wait. Your skin takes about 28 days to regenerate, so healing will be a process. Smooth a crusty old pimple Run a clean flannel under warm water and hold it over your flaky spot to soften the skin. Then, dab a little moisturiser on top to prevent any make-up from clinging to the flakes. Use a small, thin make-up brush to apply concealer just to the red mark…

Are daters becoming more honest? Dating has long been about presenting the best possible version of ourselves (even if it wasn’t, erm, entirely accurate), but the Tinder tides have turned. A report by the app found its users are being more truthful and vulnerable than they were pre-COVID. Mentions of “anxiety” in bios grew by 31%, and “normalise” by more than 15 times. But will being honest actually land you a date? Absolutely. 48% of Gen-Z users said they’re looking for a partner who’s authentic and truly themself. So go on, let it all out.…

“He made me feel special in a way I hadn’t experienced”Daria, 22, is a student from Vienna Raphaël approached me first when we met in a London nightclub in September 2018. I thought he was cute – not like the typical guys you meet in clubs. He was interesting and funny, and I was intrigued. We texted a lot after that, then met up for walks as friends. The more time we spent together, the more we realised we liked each other. Raphaël made me feel special and happy in a way I’d never experienced before, and I think I fell in love after just a few months. He’d surprise me with plans – a walk around the city, a dinner, or travelling. One time, he even flew to Vienna,…

This gorgeous beach in Italy’s Calabria region has more than two miles of glistening white sand, sloping gently to a shimmering blue sea. You’d almost think you were in the Caribbean if it weren’t for the cliffs topped with uneven stacks of ancient houses – unmistakably Italian. BEACH BONUS The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, a monastery set high on a rocky promontory, which you can reach via steps carved into the rock. It’s a slog to get to the top, but you’re rewarded with gobsmacking views of the coastline and across to Sicily’s Aeolian Islands. We also love the cobbled streets of Tropea village, lined with piazzas, restaurants and boutiques – you’ll feel as though you’ve walked onto a film set. WHERE TO STAY LA DOLCE VITA A TROPEA…