Table of contents for February 2021 in Cosmopolitan UK

How often have you looked in the mirror and picked your body apart? Wished for more curves. For less curves. Wished for smaller boobs. Bigger boobs. A perkier butt. A smaller butt. Wished you were stronger and more muscular. Slimmer and more petite. Taller. Smaller. Thinner. Thicker. Faster. More bendy. If the answer is even once, it’s too many times. And we all have to stop. This January, I want Cosmopolitan to serve as a reminder that our bodies are all built differently and the way we look after them needs to be different, too. There isn’t one way to be healthy, or fit, or to practise self-care. You might do yoga, you might lift weights, you might meditate, you might take long walks. You might be doing none of…

Who’s the most famous person in your phone? Harry Styles. We text on and off, usually every month or so. When are you  happiest? When I’m cooking, songwriting or out on the water. Sometimes I take my guitar out on the water and dangle my feet off the edge of the boat. It’s a great place to write songs. I write a lot of songs in the bathroom too, because it’s the most isolated room in the house. Do you still have the leopard-print suit you wore in the That Don’t Impress Me Much video? Yes, I do. It’s in a museum at the moment. I used to have it at home, just in storage, so I figured it would be better off in a museum on display. I once…

FICTION LUSTER by Raven Leilani, out 21st January “Buzz” doesn’t begin to cover the noise around this debut, which follows Edie, a young Black woman struggling to stay afloat in love and at work. Then she meets Eric, white and married, with an adopted Black daughter. Since she has nowhere else to go, Edie becomes entangled in Eric’s family. GIRL A by Abigail Dean, out 21st January Dean is a lawyer for Google, so you might think she’d have enough on her plate, but she’s also found time to write one of the year’s biggest debuts. Lex, AKA Girl A, escaped her parents’ “House Of Horrors” as a child, but is forced to revisit her former identity. It’s due to be made into a TV series, with the director of…

1 CHECK YOUR TEMP Look, I know it’s cold outside and it’s tempting to warm up your face pre-bedtime, but you really should only use tepid water to cleanse. If it’s too hot, you risk stripping your skin of its natural oils. 2 DON’T BE ABRASIVE Flannels are fine, but you know what’s even better than a flannel? Microfibre cloths. They’re way more gentle on the skin (especially if your flannel’s on the crusty side) and you can get a pack of three for £1.50 from Primark. 3 DOUBLE UP Double cleansing isn’t just a con to get you to spend more money on products – you don’t even need two separate cleansers, just use the same one twice. It’s the only way to remove all your…

TYPE: Blackheads Say what? Blocked but open pores that take on a dark colour due to oxidisation (not dirt!). Treat: All spots are the evil love child of overactive oil glands and dead skin cells – a paste-like concoction that blocks pores and acts as a breeding ground for bacteria. “Thorough cleansing and an exfoliating acid used once or twice a week will help dampen down inflammation, reduce sebum production and kill the acne-causing bacteria,” says aesthetician Dr Kemi Fabusiwa. If you’re worried about your skin’s sensitivity, ease in with mandelic acid – it’s one of the gentlest types and worth considering if you have dark skin prone to post-inflammatory pigmentation. TYPE: Whiteheads Say what? The closed version of blackheads. If you listen carefully, you’ll hear them whispering…

Year-round denim Get cosy with soft knits, and add a beanie and sporty socks to pull your favourite summer pieces out of hibernation Keep-cosy layers Your grandad’s checked trousers, your gran’s knitted jumper and your mum’s floral blouse are the inspiration here Beiges for days How to look très expensive: wear all your biscuity hues at once. Rich Tea + Hobnob = luxury, darling…

Start by sorting your clothes into four piles: 1 KEEP This is for the items you love and wear regularly. 2 DONATE/SELL Set aside pieces that are in good condition but no longer fit or aren’t worn. 3 MEND Group quality staples that need tailoring or repairing. 4 REPURPOSE These are low-quality or stained items that you can cut up and turn into cleaning cloths. Next, give your wardrobe shelves and rails a spray and wipe before returning your “keep” items. Then, put the remaining piles into different bags and donate, sell, mend or repurpose accordingly. Do this step quickly so you don’t end up keeping items you previously decided you don’t need.…

i’m lying down on the cold floor of the toilets at work, using my jacket as a pillow. I’m not recovering from the world’s worst hangover – I had 12 hours’ sleep last night. This is what life looks like when you have fibromyalgia. I was 22 when, overnight, everything changed. I’d woken up unable to sit upright. My joints ached more than the day after a hardcore workout – it felt like someone was pushing an ice pick through each of them one by one. I rushed to hospital where every test came back clear, and for the next year I was in and out of my doctor’s like a yo-yo, taking tests and ever-stronger painkillers. Over time, I became forgetful and would stare at my computer screen unable…

“I’ll always have a soft spot for him” Holly, 20, is an apprentice project manager from Aylesbury ‘I wasn’t looking for a relationship when I first met Ryan. But when we were introduced by mutual friends after a service at our local church, I was instantly attracted to him. He was outgoing and chatty, making friends with everyone. I’m quite shy, but his warm presence and big grin made me feel comfortable. Later that week, he asked me out for coffee. It was May 2018 and we’d both just finished our A levels, so we spent the summer together. Ryan taught me so much about myself. I hadn’t realised before that the thing I appreciate most in a relationship is quality time. He also brought out a confident side of…

Flexible working Body-positive icon Jada Sezer is just one of 11 brilliant women in our cover feature this month. Hear what she and the likes of Callie Thorpe, Sophie Butler and Morgan Lake have to say about what “healthy” really means on page 60. Double trouble On shoot days, we wear black. Well, that is if you’re picture editor Jodie and features writer Jenni and you’re coordinating while on set. As you do. Park life This month, team Cosmo tested out the best bikes on the market for our Try Before You Train page. Here, features editor Cat shows that, yes, safety might come first, but style comes a close second. Distanced drinks Three members of our features team – (from left) Catriona, Cyan and Jenni – managed an IRL…

THE PURSUIT OF LOVE, BBC ONE Who? Lily James, Andrew Scott, Dominic West, Emily Beecham and Assaad Bouab. What? A BBC adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s classic romantic-comedy novel, with an A-list cast. Set between the First and Second World Wars, cousins and BFFs Linda (James) and Fanny (Beecham) are on the hunt for husbands. Spoiler alert: they don’t use Tinder. When? Mid to late 2021. SEX EDUCATION, SERIES 3, NETFLIX Who? Gillian Anderson, Asa Butterfield, Ncuti Gatwa and Emma Mackey are back, joined by Jemima Kirke and Jason Isaacs (AKA Lucius Malfoy). What? The third instalment of the much-loved comedy-drama. There’s a new headmistress (Kirke) in town, joined by Mr Groff’s older brother (Isaacs). Look out for Cal (Dua Saleh), a non-binary student shaking things up at Moordale High. When?…

USING NEXT GUCCI BEAUTY FLUIDE DE BEAUTÉ FINI NATUREL, £46 Only Gucci could turn my head when it comes to foundation – I mean, just look at that bottle… The brand-new formula is impeccable. It’s lightweight and looks just like my skin (but better), it blurs the appearance of my pores, smooths fine lines and can easily be built up to give a fuller coverage. USING UP IT COSMETICS YOUR SKIN BUT BETTER FOUNDATION + SKINCARE, £32 I promise I’m not exaggerating when I say that this foundation saved my face over the festive months. The formula is one of the best for soothing stressed-out skin (read: too much booze and not enough sleep). It’s infused with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract and vitamin E – giving me all the…

It’s 11am, and I’ve just hung up after a teary phone call with my mum. I’m sitting on my bed looking aimlessly at the mess of make-up strewn across the windowsill. Today is my nephew’s first birthday, and I’m 227 miles away from him (and the rest of my family, who live in Manchester). I know I’m not the only one with this feeling in the pit of my stomach. The past few months have been littered with missed moments, cancelled celebrations and feelings of being “too far” from the people we love. So, whenever I get the chance, I’m all for clinging to the small things that bring me joy. It may sound a bit superficial, but I’m someone who has long loved the creativity of playing with make-up…

Dr Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint, £19 “My first celebrity client was Tom Jones – there was a lot of bronzer. This is a favourite.” Sweed Lashes Nikki_Makeup No Lash-Lash, £20 “I used these when I did Kim Kardashian’s make-up. She found me, and reached out, through Instagram.” Delilah Gel Line, £22 “My signature style is killer eyeliner. I always use this gel by Delilah because it doesn’t dry out.” Dior Backstage Face & Body Glow, £28.50 “I love using liquid products to highlight. This illuminator by Dior is subtle and beautiful.” MAC Studio Finish Concealer, £18 “I worked at MAC after I qualified at the London College Of Fashion. That experience taught me how to shade-match clients.” Hourglass Veil Powder Brush, £58 “I’ve had some brushes in my kit for…

Pennies into pounds Say you’ll save money every year, but just never seem to manage it? Then try this, the perfect option for those who can’t quite part with lump sums of cash. The 1p Savings Challenge is actually doable, as the aim is simple: just increase the amount of pennies you save each day by 1p for a whole year, starting with a single penny. So on 1st January, put 1p into a savings account. Then add 2p on 2nd January, 3p on 3rd January and so on. The most you’ll ever have to put aside on one day is £3.65, on 31st December. The result? A casual £667.95 to help start 2022 off with a smile (and a treat, presumably). Yes, it really is that easy.…

If you lie in bed at night thinking about your million-pound idea (ice cream that doesn’t melt?) but don’t know where to start, a business plan could be your first move. Simply put, it’s a document “outlining your intentions for the business”, says Miller-Cole. “You’re mapping out the answers to the important questions that come with starting a new venture, like ‘Who is this for?’ and ‘What will it cost?’” Once your idea is locked in, the aim is to create a “comprehensive outline of everything that comes with being a business owner”. While everybody’s business plan is different, Miller-Cole has some key advice on how to nail yours. 1 DO YOUR RESEARCH First things first: work out what your niche is. “Looking into the wider field will help…

GT Transeo Sport Step-Thru 2021, £389.99 This go-anywhere hybrid will carry you sturdily along a canal towpath or whizz you down the asphalt to yoga. The plump, grippy tyres act as shock-absorbers on gravel, and provide protection against skidding on wet grass. A dream city-living bike. Maddy Senior Fashion Assistant Electra 2021 Loft 7i EQ Step-Thru, £725 Arguably the most attractive bike around, and the upright riding position is so comfortable. Despite its size it’s surprisingly lightweight and has seven grip-shift gears, so I picked up serious speed with ease. Plus, the padded seat meant no aches, even after a day-long cycle. This commuter really delivered. Sophie Bookings Editor Brompton S2L, from £1,015 A fold-up Brompton might look daunting to a novice, but it only took me three tries to…

CALLIE “Our bodies don’t fit the narrative” Callie Thorpe spent years dieting before realising her mental health needed attention Influencer Callie is one of social media’s best-known advocates of self-love. In 2016, she launched the community page The Confidence Corner on Instagram, to spread positivity to her 250k followers. But it really all started with a diet blog in 2012. “I thought if I made myself accountable to strangers, I’d [lose weight]. It made me feel worse than ever.” She adds, “I had a really terrible relationship with my body growing up. I always struggled with the fact that it was different to my friends’. I tried every single diet.” Callie, 31, has suffered from disordered eating throughout her life but found comfort in the blog too. “I was welcomed…

The woman with a coily grey afro and hot-pink eyeshadow examines me, quizzically, as she waits for my reply. The “it” in question is COVID-19. I’m in a sea of people gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square for the StandUpX march; their visible lips chant “freedom” at random intervals. It’s easy to spot the journalists: we’re the only ones wearing face coverings. “I do,” I say, as Caitlin* – who’s in her sixties – shakes her head at me.“Some of my family have had it.” I think of watching the news the night before, as a grieving wife cried for her husband. She looks at me sceptically.“But how do you know that’s actually what it is?” “So you believe in it, then?” 2020 was quite a year, so frustration at the…

Sex for every body We know that sex and relationships education is lacking, but for disabled people it’s practically non-existent. Enter Love Lounge, a free online service created by charity Enhance The UK – part of the global Undressing Disability campaign – which aims to give disabled people the resources they need for a fulfilling love life. From advice on inclusive erotica to accessible sex positions, it’s so needed. Find out more at Enhancetheuk.org/about-the-love-loungeand @UndressingDisability on Instagram.…

‘When lockdown hit, I moved in with my partner. We have a great sex life and often invite others to join us. I’ve enjoyed threesomes, polyamorous relationships and attended sex parties too, sometimes hosting intimate gatherings myself. After five weeks, my partner and I started to feel like we’d hit a sexual brick wall and missed the freedom we’d had. I messaged some like-minded friends to see what they’d been doing while restricted and one replied saying she’d heard about a group that hosted virtual orgies. Soon, we were added into a WhatsApp chat – the members were all due to attend the group’s next event. Despite having been adventurous in the past, I was nervous. Would I get as turned on via a screen as I did during skin-on-skin…

‘I was 25 years old when my mum first put the word out that I was available for marriage. My dad had worked all over the UK as a doctor, so they had family friends everywhere. Those family friends knew other Asian Muslim families. That’s mostly how arranged marriages work: friends of friends of friends. Part of me expected to have an arranged marriage, even though my parents would have preferred me to meet somebody suitable myself, because it would have meant less work for them! In my early twenties I did meet boys I liked, but none of them were Muslim and marrying outside of my religion wouldn’t have been an option. Knowing my parents would choose somebody for me meant I didn’t feel pressured to find a partner…

The party paradise After the last 12 months you deserve to let your hair down at adults-only Oku Ibiza, which opens on the White Isle in May, just in time for clubbing season (fingers crossed). It’s on our radar thanks to its two pools (including one of the largest on the island), its close proximity to stunning Cala Gracio bay and for just being really stylish – the minimalist earthy-toned decor in the swim-up suites has hooked our attention big time. The complimentary yoga each morning is a nice touch, and there’ll be a DJ set at sunset while the cocktails flow. Sold. The highbrow hotel Switzerland’s new Art House Basel is a must-visit for art and design geeks. Spread over six staggered storeys on hip, car-free Steinenvorstadt in the…

20 YEARS SINCE SAVE THE LAST DANCE It’s 2001, you’re putting a poster of Sean Patrick Thomas up on your bedroom wall, you’re wearing a halter top and Be Faithful by Fatman Scoop and Faith Evans blares out of your stereo. A lot has changed since the world first met Sara (Julia Stiles), a naive ballerina who moves to the South Side of Chicago, where she falls in love with Derek (Thomas) and learns how different life can be. It’s nothing short of iconic… except for the occasional cringey two-step. Sorry, Julia.…

Tiger queen If there’s one film to stop scrolling for, it’s The White Tiger, the brand-new Oscar contender based on the 2008 Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name by Aravind Adiga. The drama follows Balram Halwai and his epic journey from serving wealthy employers (Priyanka Chopra Jonas, pictured, and Rajkummar Rao) to becoming a successful entrepreneur in India. But it’s not all smiles and success – the powerful drama packs in laughs side-by-side with challenging questions. Tweeting about the film, Chopra Jonas said, “It will make you uncomfortable, and most importantly it will entertain you.” Sign us up. Out on Netflix, 22nd January…

JANUARY 2016 A GOLDEN GLOBES MEETING We have the Globes, Denzel Washington and a burger to thank for Korlando (sorry). While presenting an award, Orlando spotted Katy on Denzel’s table. He then headed over and asked to steal a burger. “Denzel said, ‘Sure.’ So, I took one and winked at Katy. And that was it,” Orlando’s since said. Smooth. MAY 2016 INSTA OFFICIAL When it comes to celebrity couple Instagram debuts, we all know the rule is “go big or go home”. Case in point: Katy’s photo of the pair wearing white dressing gowns while sprawled out on the steps at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cannes. AUGUST 2016 *THOSE* PADDLEBOARD PICS When photos of Orlando paddleboarding naked in Italy surfaced, the internet went wild. Katy has since said, “Everybody was naked.…

Clinique All About Clean All-In-One Cleansing Micellar Milk, £19.50 I’m not normally a fan of milky micellars, but Clinique just converted me. This felt so calming on my eyes that I genuinely felt bad for all the times I’ve tugged at them with no regard for my future vision. It didn’t leave a residue, so I didn’t feel like I needed to wash my face afterwards, and with only two pads it removed all my mascara. Kylie Skin Foaming Face Wash, £18.55 No judgement to Stormi’s mum, but I had incredibly low expectations for this cleanser. Serves me right then, because I loved this so much I’ve just purchased another bottle. I normally avoid foaming cleansers the same way I avoid people coughing on the train, but this removed all…

Lottie London Freckle Tint, £6.95 “Look, I don’t know why drawing on fake freckles makes me so happy, but every time I do it (which is every day), it gives me the same serotonin burst as a sunrise.” Laura Capon, DEPUTY BEAUTY EDITOR Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Candy Venom, £16 “My make-up-artist sister once taught me to hide hangovers with a fresh white T and a sharp, pink lip. I’ve never met a lip product that’s so succcessful at making me look and feel like my old self than this.” Kate Pasola, BEAUTY WRITER MAC Art Library Palette in Flame-Boyant, £39 “Sunsets, ice tea, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos… all my favourite things are on the warmer side of the colour spectrum, including this stunning eye palette.” Keeks Reid,…

As cool as ice What do we love most about skiing? The cheese, the bread, the interesting tan lines – and the super-cool snowsuits that make us feel like an extra in Charlie’s Angels. This monochrome version from Perfect Moment also means no one will lose you, ever, even in the thickest of snowfalls. But if a winter trip is off the agenda this year you can always recreate the ski vibe within your own four walls – just turn the heating off, melt some cheese in a saucepan and ask your friend to spray you in the face with some fake tan while you’re wearing your goggles (and this snowsuit, naturally). All clothes, Perfect Moment…

Desperate to make like *NSync and say Bye Bye Bye to your current job? You’re not alone. But, let’s face it, thanks (or should that be no thanks) to the pesky pandemic, you might not be having loads of luck job hunting at the moment. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL… Applications for available jobs have increased by 10.5% At the same time, there are 28% fewer jobs available than in 2019.* That’s a lot of competition. So if you’re one of the many people who can’t find a new job, it might be time to relight the fire you once felt for your current gig. While we’re not promising you’ll ever be thrilled to receive yet another interminably dull email from Trevor in IT, you can maximise what is good about…

Beat the blues Do you feel like you stare at your phone/laptop/tablet (delete as appropriate) more than ever these days? You’re not alone – an Ofcom survey has revealed that during lockdown the nation’s screen time increased by 31% compared to 2019. It’s understandable but not ideal, as the blue light emitted by screens restricts melatonin release, making it harder to drift off and stay asleep. Thankfully, there is a solution: glasses that block out blue light. Although they’re clear-lensed, they work hard to filter out blue light. Our favourite brands? Quay and Ocushield (who also make medically rated screen protectors, should glasses not be your bag). You’ll feel less, erm, blue in no time.…

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders in women, affecting one in 10 in the UK.* It’s different to polycystic ovaries (PCO), which refers to the appearance of multiple ovarian cysts and is considered a variant of normal ovaries. PCOS affects some women with PCO, and can cause irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne or weight gain. But while PCOS is related to our hormones, the symptoms can sometimes be improved through diet. If you have a BMI of over 25, consultant gynaecological surgeon Dr John Butler, from The London Clinic, advises that “even a small reduction in weight can significantly improve symptoms”. Aim to eat lots of fruit and veg, avoid high-GI foods and have regular meals so your blood-sugar levels don’t yo-yo. “PCOS…

Hi hun, how does this dress fit around the chest?” I look at my phone and squint, then read the message again. The use of “hun” suggests this could be a genuine prospective buyer reaching out, keen to know if their potential purchase will fit right. I’ve been selling my old stuff online for 10 years and I’ve never had any reason to hesitate. But, recently, something strange has been happening… I’ve been getting messages from those wanting more than just a secondhand dress. Was this buyer one of them? They send another message: “You look amazing in it. Do you have more photos?” Spotting the person’s username is Barry69,* I get my answer. It all began with a fitted, crochet dress. It was a tricky item of clothing to…

He was a comedian (supposedly) but his chat was mostly just oversharing details of all the threesomes he’d had. As I went to leave, he grabbed my foot and said he’d love to lick it. LIZZIE, 36 I’m about to file a complaint to Spotify for not making you their “hottest single of the week”. “I matched with a guy on Tinder and this was the first message he sent. You just know he’s copy-and-pasting that one relentlessly.” Taty, 25 A guy I’d been speaking to for a week (who I hadn’t made plans to meet) messaged saying, “It’s a shame this fizzled out”… because I didn’t reply for one day. He’s now blocked me. DONNAY, 31 He parked outside a house to tell me how proud he was of…

Want to maximise your holiday entitlement in 2021? All you need is some savvy scheduling. Here’s how to turn 19 days of annual leave into 47 days off: take four days’ holiday from 6th-9th April for a 10-day break. Then book four days off after both May bank holidays (4th-7th May and 1st-4th June) for two nine-day stints, and four days from 31st August to 3rd September for nine more days. Then book 29th-31st December for 10 days off from 25th December to 3rd January. Move fast though, or Sandra from accounts might get there first.…