Tabla de contenidos para October/November 2021 en Cosmopolitan UK

Magpie WHO? Elizabeth Day returns with her first work of fiction since the publication of her gripping novel, The Party, in 2017. OUR VERDICT Her juiciest thriller yet, it follows Marisa as she moves in with her new boyfriend Jake, and they begin trying for a baby. They also take in a lodger, Kate, to alleviate financial pressure – but Kate’s obsessive behaviour worries Marisa, while Jake doesn’t seem to care. A huge twist turns the narrative on its head – be prepared to forget everything you thought you knew about the characters. With underlying themes of infertility, trauma and mental health, Magpie is moving as well as totally tense. Out now Apples Never Fall WHO? Acclaimed thriller writer and author of Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty is back with…

My ridiculous friend refuses to see scary movies with me. She won’t even watch Dead To Me on Netflix, which is basically a comedy, just because of the title. That episode of Friends where Monica wears a turkey on her head? Too gruesome for her. I, on the other hand, will watch it all. Give me pools of blood, vaginas with teeth and human centipedes all the livelong day. Except for just one tiny, very specific little thing: needles. I’ve heard that somewhere in the Saw movies, there’s a scene with a pit full of syringes and, to be honest, even writing this sentence has me breaking out in a cold sweat. So now that we’re fully into the swing of scary movie season and getting ready to voluntarily experience…

EDITOR’S PICK LOVES 2021 For more of our favourite foundations, go to Cosmopolitan.com/UK/foundations…

1 Beauty Works Jumbo Waver, £70 Okay, I know this looks like a very complicated contraption but I promise it’s about to make heat styling 100 times easier. The three extra-large barrels create loose, natural-looking waves in seconds and the ceramic plates keep your hair soft and shiny throughout the process. 2 Tangle Teezer The Scalp Exfoliator and Massager, £8 Take your routine up a notch with this gentle-buteffective scalp tool. The combination of long and short teeth help exfoliate your scalp (that circulation boost = one of the keys to a healthy scalp) and the handheld size means you’re in complete control of the pressure. 3 Aquis Copper Sure Rapid Dry Hair Wrap, £30 Aquis’ microfibre towels just got an upgrade. Made with the same moisturewicking and frizzeliminating fabric…

FINGERS > EVERYTHING Ruby Buddemeyer US BEAUTY EDITOR Even though beauty is literally my job, make-up isn’t really my thing. Sure, I get as excited as anyone by a pretty new eyeshadow palette, but my personal routine is… not even a routine? My vibe is less JLo, more Emily Ratajkowski. So the second something feels time-consuming or a teeeeny bit complicated, it’s a hard no. That’s why make-up tools seem to me like the most over-hyped products in the business. They’re high-maintenance (all that dampening and cleaning, ugh) and you have to keep buying new ones or risk rubbing months-old make-up all over your face. Also, I already have – for free, for life – something that does a better job. Hello, my ring finger is the perfect size for dabbing…

as we bid goodbye to sundowners and golden-hour sunlight and say hello to crisp autumn days and pumpkin spice lattes, it’s not just our wardrobes that need updating. A change of season means tweaking your skincare routine in order to tackle the repercussions of those months of sun damage, while simultaneously preparing your skin barrier for the colder days to come. It doesn’t have to be complicated, though, thanks to these four simple steps. 1 Switch up your cleanser As your full-coverage foundation replaces your skin tint, it’s also time to swap your exfoliating face wash, which can strip the skin of moisture, for a more hydrating option. Take a tip from J-Beauty and choose a product that nourishes as it cleans. The Gentle Hydrating Cleanser from cult Japanese skincare…

+ There’s no need to consult a doctor before you take the decision to ditch your contraception, unless you’re using it to treat a condition like endometriosis or fibroids. + You can stop taking the pill at any time, but if you wait until you’ve finished a strip, you’ll have an idea of where you are in your cycle (and when your period is likely to start). + Keep track of your period dates. That way, you’ll be clear on how regular your natural cycle is. + If your periods don’t come back after three months, and you’re sure you aren’t pregnant, go to see your doctor. There’s usually a cause for irregular periods, so it’s worth trying to figure it out. + You can become fertile again within one…

Berghaus Expeditor Trek 2.0 Boots, £100 These are the comfiest shoes I’ve ever worn. I’ve spent a lot of time breaking boots in, but these were ready to go straight away. The suede and mesh material was breathable, while the waterproof lining prevented soggy socks. They took a while to tie up, but that’s really my only criticism. I trekked over muddy fields and rocky terrain, and my feet and ankles always felt supported. If you want an all-rounder with a reasonable price tag, these could be perfect. Fiona, Snapchat Editor Danner Mountain Light Cascade Clovis, around £295 You might recognise these beauties from their starring role on Reese Witherspoon’s feet in Wild. But don’t be mistaken – they’re plenty durable. Lightweight and easy to clean, they’re comfy without needing thick…

JUST A LITTLE TIP. The more natural a fabric is, the softer it is to the touch. So if you’re trying to live your snuggliest life, investigate that tag.…

Princess Diana (1994) The OG opted for a short, off-the-shoulder black dress that gloriously broke royal protocol on the same night that a TV documentary aired in which Prince Charles confirmed he had been unfaithful to her. Elizabeth Hurley (2000) As someone who was catapulted into the spotlight by a certain safety-pin dress, Liz’s post-Hugh Grant plunging ivory gown was an undeniably tactical wardrobe choice. Jennifer Aniston (2005) Following five years of marriage, Jennifer and Brad Pitt’s divorce was the talk of the town. That is, until she arrived on the red carpet looking nothing short of radiant in this sequin situation. Reese Witherspoon (2007) Who could forget the zesty yellow strapless mini that Reese wore to the Golden Globes following her split from Ryan Phillippe? Jennifer Lopez (2014) After…

E-commerce personnel As online shopping boomed during the pandemic, companies hired thousands of e-commerce workers to help get products to customers. Roles including driver, supply chain associate, warehouse team lead and online specialist grew by 143% in 2020 compared with 2019 – Amazon was the top hiring company. Finance With a turbulent economy, it makes sense that financial roles, from investment specialists to treasurers, grew by 82% in 2020. This field had the most remote job openings of all 15 categories in LinkedIn’s research – top hiring companies include HSBC and Morgan Stanley. Customer service Travel restrictions, lockdowns and curfews have pushed businesses to find new ways of serving their customers, leading to a 54% growth in customer service roles, including retail and call centre jobs. Top hiring companies included…

IT’S ABOUT TIME YOU STARTED PUTTING Listen, I’m not here to judge re: how you acquired a surplus of fun-size bags of sweets, but I am here to tell you the best way to eat them. Behold: the monster of all brownie recipes. 1 Grease an 8-x-8-inch baking tin and preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). 2 Prepare a box of brownie mix as per the instructions, but use three eggs. 3 Drop bitesize pieces of Crunchie, Milky Way and/or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups into the mix. 4 Spread your batter mix into the tin. Then layer on M&Ms, KitKats or whatever else you can get your hands on. 5 Bake according to the brownie mix instructions, or for up to 50 minutes. Let the brownies cool, then top…

5 October Three university students die of suspected drug overdoses in the north-east of England 8 October Manchester University student Finn Kitson dies in his halls of residence while his flat is being told to self-isolate 14 October A new three-tier system of restrictions is introduced in England, placing each region under its own alert level 15 October Nicola Sturgeon announces the wearing of face coverings is to become mandatory in communal workspaces in Scotland 16 October Pubs and restaurants close as Northern Ireland begins a month of tighter restrictions 19 October Cardiff student Lily Arkwright takes her own life. Her mother later says that lockdown restrictions had a dramatic effect on the 19-year-old’s wellbeing 24 October 1,300 Bristol University students sign up to a rent strike, asking for cheaper…

5 January Mainland Scotland goes into lockdown with a new legal requirement forbidding anyone to leave home except for essential purposes 6 January England enters its third national lockdown due to a rapid rise in infections, particularly of the new variant first discovered in Kent 8 January The Scottish government announces that university students will be taught online throughout January and February 14 January A National Union of Students (NUS) survey finds 9% of students have relied on food banks during the pandemic 18 January £40 million of funding is given to universities in Wales to support students facing financial hardship, helping those most affected by the pandemic with expenses…

‘I still can’t believe she’s gone,’ a pained voice says. I turn to see a heavily tattooed teenager in head-totoe black, her blonde hair streaked pink and blue, pulled into Harley Quinn bunches. Her friend, also in black, with kohl-lined eyes, murmurs in agreement. ‘It’s awful,’ she says. ‘She was so special.’ Behind us, a crowd gathers. They whisper respects as the rain drizzles. But this isn’t that fateful day of 31 August 1997 – it is the summer of 2021, almost 25 years since Princess Diana tragically passed away. I’m peering through a protective hedge surrounding the new memorial statue in the Kensington Palace grounds, on the first day it’s open to the public. Those who are here today queued, in the damp, because their passion for the royals is…

The truth about polyamorous relationships Thought polyamory was an ‘alternative’ relationship structure? It’s actually more common than you’d think. Researchers at US universities* found one in nine people had been in a poly relationship, while one in six had some desire to, and one in 15 knew someone who had. Of those who’d tried it, 30% would do it again, and for those who wouldn’t, it was the emotional intensity (33%) and feeling possessive (21%) that put them off. The most likely groups to engage with it were men, younger people, and people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual. The more the merrier, eh?…

Before addressing the issue of racism in dating, we have to understand what it means to be anti-racist – and why racism is sometimes hard to recognise within our budding and existing relationships. In his book How To Be an Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi defines an anti-racist as ‘one who is supporting an anti-racist policy through their actions or expressing an anti-racist idea’. He goes on to explain that ‘racism is a marriage of racist policies and racist ideas that produces and normalises racial inequities’. It begins with understanding that the process of being an anti-racist involves unlearning some of your behaviours. It also means you need to listen to those who have been and continue to be affected. You need to listen to understand, not just to respond. But…

Dog-friendly holidays got an upgrade Ever missed your dog so much on holiday that you’ve just wanted to go home? Yeah, us too – and thankfully, holiday companies have recognised that we don’t want a break from our four-legged friends. The Devonshire Arms Hotel on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales (Devonshirehotels.co.uk) offers four-poster dog beds, and allows your furry friends to join you in the lounge areas. Meanwhile, at the Hare and Hounds Hotel in the Cotswolds (Cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk), there’s a dedicated bar menu for dog snacks. Just don’t forget to pack the squeaky toys.…

My overall nightstand vibe An organised mess. What’s on top Pens, my journal, hand sanitiser and a Thermos flask for my ginger and honey crystal tea. Always inside My TV remote. My snack situation A bag of Cool Original Doritos. What I steal from my partner’s side I’m single and not interested in a mingle. What I wouldn’t want my mum to find Nothing surprising or unusual. My nightstand life is pretty PG. My night-time reading must-have My journal and my iPad that’s loaded with all of my favourite books. When it comes to alarms, I… I will beat the alarm waking me up if I know what time I have to be up. But to make it feel like I have extra time to sleep, I will sometimes set my alarm an hour earlier. What I fall…

Everybody’s talking about… Finally, the West End’s acclaimed musical about a wannabe drag queen has been made into a film. Yep, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie lands this month, with newcomer Max Harwood as Jamie New, and Richard E Grant as his drag-queen mentor Loco Chanelle. It follows Jamie’s journey through self-acceptance and into the spotlight as he discovers who he truly wants to be. A perfect antidote to the autumn blues. Premieres on Amazon Prime Video on 17th September…

Time to shake (not stir) things up 10th Harry Styles THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE We get it. The One Direction alum has style for days, a fluid attitude that is beyond sexy and, based on his turn in Dunkirk, the chops to pull it off. 9th Daniel Kaluuya THE THINKING PERSON’S SEX SYMBOL Fantasy scenario: he signs on and the resulting movie turns a mirror on society and truly modernises the world of 007. Here. For. That. 8th THE AMERICAN WHO COULD GET IT RIGHT Unlike most of the people on this list, she’s not British. But she is one of the most talented humans on the planet, which is why her name’s been thrown around as a contender to sing a new theme song. We have a far better idea:…

1 GLENN CLOSE DOING ‘DA BUTT’ AT THE OSCARS As in, when eminent award-winner Glenn Close threw it back at this year’s Academy Awards after she was asked if she knew the 1980s hit Da Butt. You’ll need a table, a little lamp and shocked audience members (most importantly, Daniel Kaluuya, if he’s available). 2 OPRAH MID-HARRY AND MEGHAN INTERVIEW Carry a sign that says ‘Were you si-lent or were you si-lenced?’ and do that very specific hand motion she did. Maybe wear a pink jumper. 3 NICOLE KIDMAN’S COAT IN THE UNDOING You know, the green one. Simply rent a Grinch costume. 4 TOM HOLLAND AND ZENDAYA KISSING IN A CAR But instead of being either of them (logistically tricky to be both), be the internet melting down. You…

1 SHINE VS DEW If your skin’s on the oily side (read: you have a shiny T-zone), Scarlett advises you opt for a matte foundation first, then add highlights where needed (eg, the cheekbones) for a dewy finish. 2 PREP LIKE A PRO ‘I always prep dry or dehydrated skin with a hyaluronic acid, then follow with a hydrating primer and dewyfinish foundation,’ explains Burton. ‘This helps to bounce back light and create the illusion of glowy skin.’ 3 TRY, THEN BUY Burton recommends going into store and applying the foundation you’re considering (or getting a counter assistant to do it), then wearing it all day to see how it performs, checking the colour in all lights. 4 BODY BLEND ‘Always check your arms and chest when choosing your shade,’…

1 Shampoo bars No, you aren’t imagining it: they’re everywhere right now, thanks to their ability to gently cleanse and cut back on waste, too (one bar typically lasts for at least 30 washes. Amazing). TRY: Davines Dede Shampoo Bar, £14, Garnier Ultimate Blends Coco & Aloe Vera Shampoo Bar, £7.99, Klorane Shampoo Bar with Mango, £11. 2 The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub, £11.99, is like a facial for your scalp. This treatment combines chemical and physical exfoliators to gently remove dead skin and product build-up. 3 Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo and Conditioner Duo, £45.55 Weak or fragile hair types will love the strengthening benefits of this duo, which deeply penetrates strands to repair, strengthen and make your hair more resistant to breakage. 4 SheaMoisture Wig &…

MAKE A ‘SANDWICH’ Apply gel against the grain of your brows first, then reload your spoolie and brush them back down again. Sandwiching each hair in gel makes brows look extra thick.’ VINCENT OQUENDO (@MAKEUPVINCENT) MASCARA WORKS TOO ‘If your brows are on the darker side, save cash and use brown or black mascara to fill them in. Most formulas give perfect definition, tint and hold.’ PATRICK TA (@PATRICKTA) USE YOUR HAIR PATTERN AS A GUIDE ‘If your hairs grow straight up at the inner part of your brow, horizontal at the arch, and down at the tail, your pencil strokes should do the same.’ KATIE JANE HUGHES (@KATIEJANEHUGHES) START AT THE ARCH ‘Fill in the centre of your brow first, working toward the tail, then finish at the beginning.…

How to journal for mental health (properly) Hands up if you have a journal that’s just gathering dust? Well, pick it back up – it really can offer mental health benefits, such as regulating emotions, stress and anxiety. ‘Jot down what you want to get out of keeping a journal beforehand,’ advises Helen Colebrook, author of Journal With Purpose. ‘Is it to record the happenings of each day, process your feelings, plan out your dream life, or get creative?’ She adds that taking a ‘little and often’ approach to journalling – perhaps taking 10 minutes while dinner is cooking – is a solid tactic, too. Now, which drawer did you leave it in?…

four years ago, I woke up and realised that I couldn’t feel my right leg. It was an otherwise unremarkable Thursday morning in April, and I put the numbness down to sleeping funny, or a trapped nerve. I was working as a teacher and couldn’t contemplate the idea of falling ill. Before that day, I’d been feeling more tired than usual, but had put it down to ‘teacher’s flu’. In fact, I’d felt embarrassed that I was seemingly unable to ‘hack the pace’ of my new job. But when I swung my legs out of bed and couldn’t feel the ground beneath me, I knew it was time to see a doctor. My GP referred me for tests and I was taken to hospital, where I fretted about occupying a…

Knitty pretty What do you wear when it’s too warm for a coat, but too cold for a long-sleeved top? Answer: a vibrant knit. The ultimate trans-seasonal staple, you can wear a chunky jumper with retro trousers or a silky skirt, or pulled over a dress. This season, it’s all about vintageinspired designs – think technicolour cross-stitching, mismatched patches and cosy fabrics. Yep, the mood is basically Lorelai Gilmore circa autumn 2004, and we’re all in. Jumper, Stine Goya Studio at Lisa Says Gah…

i I don’t know about you, but for me, it all feels like a blur. And by “it all” I mean, of course, the space-time continuum. But also the way fashion has evolved to keep up with the times, instead of staying ahead. Bear with me here. The whole fashion industry has worked forever, as you likely know, around “seasons” of collections – and it’s “shown” those collections at Fashion Week, to buyers and editors like me, about six months ahead of time so we can make all our plans. But even before COVID-19 halted clothing production, virtualised runway shows and kept us in tracksuits 24/7, things were starting to change. Shoppers wanted to wear a trend as soon as they saw it, not wait six months for it to…

Scroll yourself solvent Sometimes, the extra brainpower that goes into being ‘good at money’ can be off-putting – and a bit boring. But Instagram could be the key to staying in control of our cash. There’s now a crop of accounts that empower their followers to take care of their finances, covering everything from investing (@thisgirlinvests) to money-saving hacks (@gofundyourself). The accounts aren’t preachy – they understand how easy it is to get into a difficult financial situation, and offer practical advice, at the touch of your fingertips, for getting out of it.…

You can’t be happy at work all the time. But if you’re really beginning to dread it, are regularly crying on the job, or find yourself bitching non-stop with your colleagues, then it’s time to schedule a tricky conversation. Try these (uber-mature) approaches… Be specific Make a list of every factor that frustrates you, even the silly ones – it will help get them off your chest. Then, narrow it down to the most critical issues, like the ones you rant about to your friends in WhatsApp chats (erm, hello, working overtime without extra pay). That’s the stuff you want to get into with your boss. Watch your words Saying you’re miserable and demanding a fix is going to do you precisely zero favours. Instead of calling out your supervisor’s…

ANASTACIA JIDO, 25, foreign student from Canada, studying Law, University of Leeds OLIVIA PAGE, 20, studying Creative Writing, University of Brighton RAFFAELE BALDO, 25, foreign student from Italy, studying Illustration, Nottingham Trent University CAITLIN HELLYER, 20, studying Marketing, University of Bristol OMOLOLU OBEMBE, 19, studying Chemical Engineering, University of the West of England ISABELLA SMITHEMAN, 19, studying English and French, University of Manchester LIV FACEY, 20, studying English, King’s College London FRANCESCA HUGHES, 19, studying Film and Literature, University of Warwick PRIYANKA VIRDI, 20, studying Chemistry, Biology and Psychology, University of Glasgow…

2 November As curbs on hospitality expire, Scotland’s new five-tier system comes into force 5 November University of Manchester students protest against fencing being put up around halls of residence 9 November New measures around limited socialising come into force in Wales after the ‘firebreak’ lockdown 25 November Rent strikers at the University of Manchester succeed in negotiating a 30% rent reduction for students living in halls of residence during semester one of 2020 30 November Mass testing of students begins ahead of the university ‘travel window’ opening on 3 December, although testing isn’t available in all universities…

5 February Economy minister Diane Dodds announces that thousands of university students in Northern Ireland will receive £500 in an attempt to help with the financial impact of COVID 15 February Hotel quarantine for people arriving from 33 high-risk countries is introduced in England 18 February Lockdown in Northern Ireland is extended until 1 April amid concerns St Patrick’s Day celebrations could cause cases to rise 22 February Boris Johnson sets out a roadmap for easing restrictions in England…

IT’S not until I approach the house that I wonder what the hell I’m doing. The street is suburban calm, the leafy green trees dancing in the breeze. Inside, my stomach twists and turns. I take a breath and open the iron gate, before ringing the doorbell. ‘Come in,’ he says, leading me to his front room. We’ve never met before, but he feels strangely comforting, with a soft buttery voice and a stillness that makes me forget about what could happen next. I study his face for a reason to recognise him, but I can’t find one. ‘You look so much like your father,’ he says, knowing how much those words will mean to me. But he has never met my father. Not really. And there are no photographs…

1 NEXT-LEVEL PASTELS So there are cutesy pastels (meh) and then there are these pastels: 0% subtle and 100% happy. Use a pink blush that works with your skin tone on your cheekbones, then add bright shadow shades all around your eyes, says make-up artist Marla Vazquez, who created all the looks in this story and is one of Hayley’s best friends. ‘Try not to overthink the shadow placement – it’s OK if the sides aren’t identical,’ she adds. • Jacket and shirt, Fendi. Earrings, Maria Tash. Ring, Grace Lee AND HERE’S YOUR GETTING-READY PLAYLIST • Because obviously, this kind of make-up requires its own soundtrack – and Hayley Kiyoko, whose addictive pop songs were streamed on Spotify more than 122 million times last year alone, has that on lock.…

i know what some of you are thinking. Dating is supposed to be fun, and trying to decipher whether you may have said something ‘a bit racist’ between the starter and the main course is not sexy. But it has to be acknowledged, as the truth is, just like in many other areas of our lives, racism exists in the very fabric of dating. Sometimes it’s the awkward probing about where you’re really from. Sometimes it’s family events where you’re forced to endure your date’s weird uncle’s ‘jokes’ about immigrants and deprecating racial stereotypes. Often, it’s the overwhelming number of times someone has fetishised you, reducing you to a skin colour, and acting as if you should feel grateful to be given attention in the first place. So if you…

Set boundaries Agree what the topic of discussion should be, especially if it is difficult to hear or talk about. Decide how long you want to spend on the topic, and agree on what ‘buzzwords’ can be said if one of you is feeling sensitive and wants to take a step back from the conversation. Communicate Ask questions and talk openly about the topic, highlighting some of these ‘blind spots’. Challenge Prepare to have your views challenged – this will help you gain a broader perspective and find alternative viewpoints. Come together Reflect on the conversation as a couple, how you felt as individuals and any new learnings from the discussion (then go and do something nice together).…

Modern Love What’s the vibe? Standalone episodes that explore the complexities of love. Who’s in it? Anne Hathaway and Dev Patel in series one; Lucy Boynton and Kit Harington in series two. Is it like Sex Education? If you want characters to emotionally invest in, this does the trick. Series 1 and 2 are on Amazon Prime Atypical What’s the vibe? An 18-year-old with autism wants to date. His family must help him become independent first. Who’s in it? Keir Gilchrist, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Michael Rapaport. Is it like Sex Education? An emotional and social education that’s funny and touching. Watch series 1 to 3 on Netflix Euphoria What’s the vibe? Follows troubled classmates, focusing on a 17-year-old recovering drug addict. Who’s in it? Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob…

1. ‘Yebba is one of the greatest vocalists I‘ve ever heard. This song really fills me up – it feels very warm and calming.’ 2. ‘I Know A Place is one of my favourite “release everything” dance songs – a jump-around-and-throw-your-arms-to-the-side kind of song.’ 3. ‘My family is Jewish, and whenever one of us had a bar or bat mitzvah, my dad would make us a montage of pictures and home videos. One of the songs he set my sister‘s video to was Your Smiling Face. Whenever I hear it, it always makes me think of my family.’ 4. ‘I saw Maggie Rogers live twice, and I listened to her album about 300 out of 365 days last year. Light On can really take you out of your head and…

Beauty director Victoria Jowett on this month’s #empties USING UP DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY VISION FLUSH IN TUTU, £18 There’s nothing quite like this creamy tint to give cheeks a rosy, sun-kissed flush – picture yourself just back from a week in Ibiza, after spending a little too much time on that poolside lounger (we can only dream). The satin, semi-matte finish is uber-flattering on textured skin, smoothing pores and blurring fine lines, all while giving a healthy sheen. USING NEXT MILK MAKEUP BIONIC BLUSH IN TELEPORT, £21 I never knew I needed my blusher to have skincare benefits until I tried this. It’s made with a blend of hyaluronic acid and plant-derived collagen, which hydrates the skin and seals in moisture – so you get that plump, dewy, I-just-drank-eight-glasses-of-water glow.…

STYLES Early 2000s revival ‘Expect to see lots of playful ways to dress up the hair with elastics, like variations of bubble ponies and pull-through braids.’ Justine Marjan, celebrity hairstylist 2 Volume à la Farrah Fawcett ‘Big, fluffy volume continues to have a huge influence in the hair space, especially the natural body that comes from drawing your hot rollers forward and wrapping away from the face. It’s an iconic ‘70s look.’ JM 3 Loose and half-up ‘Super-sleek high ponytails are phasing out for softer half-up looks with tons of texture. Bonus: They pair great with face-framing curtain fringes (which, yep, are still a thing).’ Josh Liu, hairstylist and founder of Útiles beauty Baby plaits ‘Baby braids are an easy element that add a lot of impact. Prepare to see…

let me start by saying that I am totally and completely aware that, in the grand scheme of things, this is a very small problem to be complaining about right now. But unlike the utter shitshow that the global pandemic has brought about, it’s a problem that is relatively easy to fix. And, as a skin-obsessed beauty editor, I just need five minutes to talk/vent about it. Is that okay? So: maskne – and yes, that’s the official name for the very common, very annoying form of acne that comes from wearing face masks, was something I dealt with constantly during the first low months of quarantine, back in 2020. Because, duh, I wore a mask absolutely everywhere outside my home (and still do). And because face coverings create a…

1. Find your fragrance vibe. Figure out which notes – the individual scents, like lemon or rose, that make up a perfume – you do and don’t like. Start a list and jot down what you associate with them. No need to be overly technical about it, though. In my ‘hell yes’ column are jasmine and gardenia (to me, they’re basically summer bottled) and in my ‘just no’ column is strawberry (it’s too candy-like for me). 2. Revisit your old favourites. This can help you accomplish step 1, but let me also say that while discovering a new scent (see step 3) is a power move, there’s no shame in keeping a former fave in your mix (mine is, and always will be, Chanel No5 – it just smells rich).…

Having goals MS doesn’t have to stop you from achieving great things. I’ve travelled to Africa and helped to build a school, and created my own vintage fashion magazine, C’est La Vintage. Medication It helps prevent me relapsing and controls some of my symptoms (although it can also introduce new ones, such as hot flushes). Oxygen therapy can help repair muscles too. Role models Seeing Selma Blair, who also has MS, on the red carpet with her walking cane was a big moment. But it’s not always obvious if somebody has MS – raising awareness is crucial.…

QUILTED Pretty much like its blanket namesake, complete with diamond shapes and puffy texture. You’ll feel snuggly while lookin’ hella chic. HIGH SHINE Gotta love it when fashion is surprisingly low maintenance. All you need is a soapy damp cloth to clean these pieces. BUTTER YELLOW It makes for outfits as slick as your favourite quarantine baking ingredient. Add more dimension to a monochromatic look by mixing up the materials – knit, jersey, leather, whatever! PAISLEY Your dad’s ties might make you averse to this pattern, but trust that there are stylish, non-boring options! (Totally eyeing that Mango jumper.) PATCHWORK Not to be confused with quilting over on the left, this lets you mix a bunch of prints or textures together for a killer retro vibe. Tinted glasses encouraged. LILAC…

KNOT IT Loop a short scarf around your neck, tie it on the side, et voilà. WRAP IT Works best with square-shaped scarves far a three-point cowl effect. ONE-SHOULDER IT Even better if there’s a cute colour scheme and a brooch involved. BLANKET IT Just walk around cuddled up in a big scarf. What? It’s cold! TIE IT Drape and knot a silk scarf around your head for retro vibes. BELT IT For my asymmetrical babes, slip a scarf over one shoulder and cinch. DRAPE IT Like #5, but with a longer tail to toss dramatically behind you. PIN IT Sometimes, your scarf is prettier than your top. Show it off like so.…

It’s carving season… Pumpkins: the perfect way to celebrate spooky season without throwing away your life savings on a fancy-dress costume you’ll only wear once. And with pumpkin-picking patches popping up (now that’s a tongue-twister) across the country over the last couple of years, we’re getting increasingly crafty. In 2019, everyone loved a painted pumpkin, and 2020 was all about the Trumpkins (that’s Donald Trump pumpkins to you and me). Our predictions for 2021? First prize to anyone who manages to carve an ode to the Friends reunion or a disgruntled Jackie Weaver. Happy haunting!…

Awkwafina taught me a magic trick, and no, I’m not going to tell you how it works. Mostly because I can’t tell you how it works, because this interview took place this spring, when the world was on the brink of maybe, possibly, kind of reopening, when we still couldn’t be in the same room together. And honestly, it is basically impossible to learn magic over Zoom. I mean, I could attempt to describe it (and tell you that it involved some tape and a pair of scissors and tarot cards), but we’d all be better off imagining an alternate reality instead: that I was hanging out at a party with Nora Lum, the 33-year-old comedian, actor, rapper and writer from Queens, New York – who, as the story goes,…

14 September In England, social gatherings of more than six people become illegal 16 September Northern Ireland’s universities warn they will take disciplinary action against any students who breach COVID-19 public health guidelines 22 September New restrictions are announced to curb a rise in infections, meaning that pubs, cafes, restaurants and casinos across the UK must close at 10pm and only provide table service 27 September In Cardiff, Llanelli and Swansea, no one is allowed to leave or enter their area without ‘reasonable excuse’ and people can’t meet indoors with anyone outside of their household 28 September 40 UK universities have had reports of COVID cases and thousands of students are selfisolating as the semester begins…

2 December England’s second lockdown ends after four weeks and the country returns to a three-tier system 8 December 90-year-old Margaret Keenan is the first person in the world to be given a COVID-19 vaccine as part of a mass vaccination programme 19 December Tougher restrictions are announced for London and parts of south-east England, meaning people must stay at home for Christmas 20 December As case numbers head in the wrong direction, travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK is no longer legal in an attempt to better control the virus 26 December Scotland’s mainland goes into tight level four restrictions, meaning household mixing isn’t allowed and pubs and restaurants must close 26 December Northern Ireland goes into a six-week lockdown after rules were briefly relaxed for…

2 April A ‘stay local’ message is introduced in Scotland, with non-essential services including hairdressers opening soon afterwards 5 April Scotland’s CMO Catherine Calderwood resigns after breaking lockdown rules 8 April An NUS survey finds 23% of students have been unable to pay their rent in full over the past four months 12 April In England, hospitality venues can serve customers outdoors and non-essential retail opens 12 April In Northern Ireland, stay-athome messaging is replaced with ‘stay local’…

Right before she got her very first acting gig – a role in Netflix’s instant hit The Haunting Of Hill House – Victoria Pedretti had just burned through the last of her post-college cash. After graduation, she’d decided to give the whole acting thing a try. But months later, there was no Jennifer Aniston-in-Friends big break, and she was ready to accept the fact that she needed a regular ol’ day job. Keep this extremely relatable anecdote in mind while you watch her reprise the role of insanely rich LA girl Love Quinn in You’s third season. (Reminder: the character’s name really is Love, and Love’s brother’s name was Forty. It’s a tennis reference, if the ‘insanely rich’ thing was unclear.) Season 2 ended with the show’s weirdly appealing stalker…

DON’T PUT PEOPLE IN ‘A BOX’ → Avoid probing people about their race and identity, especially on the first date. This includes asking your mixed-race date which of their races they identify more with, and making them ‘pick a side’. ASK POLITELY BUT DON’T ASSUME → Getting to know someone is one of the exciting parts about dating, and this includes learning about their culture. But don’t make assumptions. Instead of assuming your Arab date comes from a strict culture because of what you’ve seen on the news, ask them whether they’ve visited their country of origin before and what their favourite thing to do there is. DON’T SHY AWAY FROM THE TOPIC → Especially if you’re in a committed relationship. Nicola Birago, a BACP-accredited counsellor, says that when having…

‘I first met Mitchell* when we were hired as resident assistants for the same university housing community. We quickly developed a flirty friendship, but since he had a girlfriend and I was getting over a break-up, our relationship was strictly platonic. That is, until the night he became single. We were scheduled to work our usual graveyard shift together, which meant manning the desolate front desk through the night and into the early morning. When Mitchell arrived over an hour late, his face was pale and his breath smelled like whisky. After a bit of convincing, he admitted his girlfriend just broke up with him. We passed his hip flask back and forth, consoling each other over our mutual heartache. Maybe it was the alcohol or our shared sadness but,…

WHY IT’S GREAT ‘Paris is always a good idea,’ Audrey Hepburn once said and we couldn’t agree more. The capital of France is home to some of the best hotels, restaurants, bars and shops in the world. JOURNEY TIME: 02:15 HRS FROM LONDON WHEN YOU’RE THERE… Get ready for an elegant trip. Kick off with Atelier des Lumieres, a digital exhibition so cool it would be criminal to miss (you might recognise it from a scene in Netflix’s Emily In Paris). Isabel Marant, APC, Maje, Sandro, Ganni: all of the cool-girl labels are stocked at Galeries Lafayette, so it makes sense to check out the legendary department store while you’re in town. At dusk, walk to the middle of Pont Neuf, Paris’ oldest bridge, and capture the Seine and Eiffel…