The Beauty of Being Different

Words Hannah George

Have you ever stopped to think that if we are all different why do we sometimes conform to normality? Why do we do what everyone else does? Why do we sometimes follow the patterns of life - without asking life questions?

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We lose our essence of uniquenesses when we begin to compare ourselves with others. Let's think about this together. The first question we should ask ourselves is; why do we begin to diminish who we are and the greatness that is inside of us? 

Sometimes it is the simple things that we may have or do naturally that we may look down on, such as our personality or the way we dress. Many people may not understand you and they may even criticise you, but guess what? That's you and somebody is counting on you to just be you. When we compare ourselves, it is usually because we don't understand why we are the way we are and the impact of simply being ‘ourselves’ has on the lives of others around us.

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People love consistency, consistency of character, even consistency of a high-quality service in a business or anything! Can you imagine if McDonald’s, for example, kept changing its staple menu every time other fast food or restaurants changed something? Imagine having different types of strawberry milkshakes or fries every week! It would be very annoying, almost as if you couldn't rely on them, you would be annoyed, even upset! They would lose money, customers and trust. 

Not everyone may love your personality but hey! Not everyone likes McDonald's, some people prefer Five Guys! But one thing we can be sure of is that people love consistency, that is not to say you can't change and improve certain aspects of your life and character, but having a stable character is attractive. Be bold in who you are, no matter what may come your way. Being bold is beautiful.

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I am sure you may have heard of the concept that ‘when you get to the right door it will open for you’ but every door that is for you requires you to be you. Yes, with your ‘flaws’ with your mistakes, with your strengths, everything about you. If you are like someone else, how can you expect that door to open for you?

Trust the process, be you and be bold.

Hannah George - Online Editor

Lockdown Part 2?

Words Sarah Adama

When the U.K. lifted lockdown restrictions 2 months ago, scientists warned against lifting lockdown measures too soon. With 2,948 new cases recorded on Monday 4th September, government concerns of an increase across the whole country has led the prime minister, Boris Johnson, to introduce some changes. Did we relax too early? Sarah Adama tells us more.

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The Rule of Six

Previously, citizens were allowed to gather in groups of 30 maximum. Now, the prime minister has stated “You must not meet socially in groups of more than six,” and “if you do, you will be breaking the law.” From today, Monday, 14th September, it will be illegal to gather with more than six people outside your household. The PM added that those caught flaunting the rules will be liable to a fine of £100 and maximum fine of £3,200 for double offences. 

Who is exempt from the new guidelines? The restriction does not extend to schools, workplaces and support bubbles. Weddings, places of worship, funerals and organised team sports are also unaffected. As per the prime ministers promise that the U.K. will not go into another national lockdown, venues – restaurants, hospitality venues and gyms – many host more than six people as long as groups do not mix socially. 

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Street-troops

The marshal scheme will be run by local authorities Covid-Secure Marshalls, recruited and paid by local councils. They will be patrolling the streets to enforce these new rules and break up gatherings of more than six people. The recruitment process will be supported by the government, launching a register of newly qualified and retired environmental health officers (EHOs) , though some local authorities have enlisted the help of volunteers and local council staff. The Covid-Secure Marshals have the responsibilities of preventing mixing in social groups, directing pedestrians, sanitising touchpoints and providing information to citizens on government guidelines. Though they do not have police powers to arrest rule flaunters, they will have to report to police if fines need to be issued. Marshalls will also be checking in on pubs and restaurants to ensure that social distancing measures are being followed and will have to report to the police to issue fines. 

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Operation “Moonshot” 

The prime minister’s big hope. The project aims to amplify testing and promises a return to normality. Essentially, it is frequent mass testing of the population so that we can know who is clear from the virus and able to mix socially. It is a plan to eradicate the virus, a very costly one, which would cost £100bn. To understand just how much that is, it is 2/3 of the annual NHS budget, more than the UK's defence budget. Current UK testing rate is at 200,000 to 800,000-day, operation moon-shot would see that 2-4bn are being tested a day, in December. What is Johnson’s long-term vision? To carry out 10 billion tests a day in Feb 2021. But here’s the problem: the technology does not exist yet. The PM’s hope for mass testing that is “simple as a pregnancy test” and delivers results in 15 minutes could be a long shot considering there isn’t a certified covid test in the world that gives results in minutes. 

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Travel Ban 

With the spike of cases in Europe, the U.K. has ramped up on quarantine rules. Since the borders between European countries opened up, a spike in cases has put many virus hotspots on the U.K.’s quarantine list. Countries such as mainland Portugal and Hungary, which were recently given exemption have also been added to the high-risk list. From Saturday, 12th September, arrivals from Portugal and three other countries recently added, will be required to self-isolate. Seven Greek islands have also been added to the quarantine list following the spike in cases. The U.K. has welcomed a new entry, Sweden to its lower-risk travel category, meaning travellers will not be required to quarantine on arrival.

Quarantine rules in the U.K. require passengers arriving in the country to fill out a passenger locator form and failure to fill the form is now a criminal offence. To ensure citizens have filled out the form and are quarantining upon arrival in the country, spot checks are being carried out. Currently, calls and text messages have been made to 136,500 people to ensure the rules are being followed. 

Sarah Adama - Politician

How to be a Woman of the City Protected from Cyber Attacks

Words Hannah George

Being a woman of the city, a woman who regularly uses different technological devices, who may run a business or who wants to ensure the safety of your children - you have to make sure that you are protected from cyber threats because they can affect us all. After reading this blog you'll be all set to be a woman of the city that is informed of all the different ways to avoid cyber attacks.

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Nowadays discussions about cyber security are an unpreventable topic. The lack of knowledge about cyber security could be detrimental. Almost everything can be done online which therefore means that all sensitive data is stored somewhere on your devices. If any of your information gets accessed and hacked it opens up the floodgates to exposure or your personal life. Cyber threats can come from any source, from your workplace, from your personal devices or through other companies that have your personal information. 

Here are some ways you can avoid cyber attacks.

1. Use a full-service internet security suite

Get protection against existing and emerging malware including ransomware and viruses, to help protect your private and financial information when you go online.

2. Use strong passwords

Don’t repeat your passwords on different sites, and change your passwords regularly. Make them complex. That means using a combination of at least 10 letters, numbers, and symbols. You can use a password management application.

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3. Keep your software updated

Cybercriminals frequently use known exploits, or flaws, in your software to gain access to your system. Patching those exploits and flaws can make it less likely that you’ll become a cybercrime target.

4. Manage your social media settings

Keep your personal and private information secure. Cybercriminals can usually  get your personal information with just a few data points, so the less you share publicly, the better. 

5. Strengthen your home network

It is beneficial to start with a strong encryption password as well as a virtual private network. A VPN will encrypt all traffic leaving your devices until it arrives at its destination. 

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6. Talk to your children about the internet

You do not have to prevent your children from using the internet but you should educate them and use child locks and protections where necessary.

7. Know that identity theft can happen anywhere

You should know how to protect your identity even when traveling. It is better to keep your travel plans off social media and use a VPN when accessing the internet over your hotel’s Wi-Fi network.

Hannah George - Online Editor

The New Qualification for Teachers

Words Hannah George

Do you agree with the qualification process that allows teachers to be able to teach? Have you ever asked yourself that question?

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We can all admit that there was at least one teacher that did not have the ability to teach effectively, for numerous reasons; from lack of understanding, to lack of communication or the inability to manage a classroom full of unengaged students. However, they made it through the ‘qualification process’ of being a teacher. Therefore, there must be more that is required to teach a whole generation of students. After all, students do spend most of their youthful years under the supervision of their teachers at school. 

Here are three things that we should look for in our teachers:

Inspiring teachers

Have you ever had a teacher that you look at, and you already feel uninspired and unmotivated? I definitely have - but this could have been easily avoided by them working on their demeanour and the way they carry themselves. It is very hard to learn from someone who you do not aspire to be like. It could be that they are always happy or that they always dress really well - there has to be something that encourages us to learn more and they have to be consistent with their character.

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Experienced teachers 

A teacher should have a portfolio of evidence that what they teach is effective. For example, an international business teacher should have at least worked in an international business to qualify to teach that subject, especially at an A-level to university level.

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Passionate teachers

Teachers that are full of passion are usually the best! They will usually find a way to help you understand, and they will keep you engaged at least, even if you are not a big fan of the subject. When teachers are passionate about something they will put their very best into what they do. However nowadays, a lot of teachers do not particularly enjoy what they teach because on occasions due to lack of staff, a physical education teacher, for example may be called in to teach maths! 

Finding the right teacher is imperative because in most cases, it is the difference between the loving and hating of a subject, as well as getting a really good grade and an average grade.

Hannah George - Online Editor

Redefining Education

Words Hannah George

Education is more than we think. We may have always thought that we need to go to school or to university to be ‘educated’ but have you asked yourself; what does it mean to be educated?

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There is never an end to learning. With the world constantly changing and new innovations emerging from the bedrooms and garages of focused and obsessed learners, we have no choice but to expand on our knowledge or else we will be left behind with the old waves of creations that unfortunately have been labelled out of date and irrelevant, because it no longer serves its purpose of being the most effective solution to a problem.

Real education is an obsession that produces a solution to a current issue. It is not simply a by having a university degree or an apprenticeship. Below are three examples of some of the greatest inventions created by women who were obsessed with finding a solution, and who didn't go to school or university to have the status of being educated to aid them in their creations.

Hedy Lamarr - The Mother of Wifi, Bluetooth and GPS

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Beauty and brains, Australian born actress invented a system for radio controlled torpedoes during world war two, for use as a secret wartime communication system that could keep the enemy from interfering with a ship’s torpedoes. That amazing idea was called frequency hopping: a way of jumping around on radio frequencies in order to avoid a third party jamming your signal. This laid the foundation for technology including GPS, Wifi and bluetooth. What is unique about her story is that she was actually she was essentially a prisoner in her own home, but her husband had many dinner parties, where he would discuss about different weapons they had and how they worked. Through this experience she gained extensive knowledge and she would stay up night after night working on this great invention. 

Mary Anderson - The Creator of Windshield Wipers 

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Can you imagine driving a car in bad weather without windshield wipers? Until Mary Anderson thought of them, that was the only option! Anderson was a real estate developer when she had decided to visit New York City in 1902 and rode on what was called a trolley car, where the driver had to open the panes of the front window in order to see through the falling sleet. However this caused frequent traffic jams as drivers had to constantly get out of their cars to wipe their front window. Anderson thought about this problem and how drivers could clean their windshields without having to stop. She went home and sketched out a few ideas, it looked very simple but it worked. What started off as a rejected idea by car manufactures soon became an essential and standard part for all cars. As you may notice, she didn't have to go to school to study for this, she was simply determined and obsessed to finding a solution to a problem.

Marie Van Brittan Brown - The Great Inventor of the Home Security System

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Have you ever been so frustrated with something, that you chose to take matters into your own hands? Born in Queens, New York City, Brown arose to take matters into her own hands because the police in her local area were slow to respond to calls in her neighbourhood, so she decided to invent a home security system with closed-circuit television. Brown was a nurse at the time, however it was the obsessive desire to find a solution to her problem that starred her in the face everyday that navigated her focus in a completely different direction. 

Hannah George - Online Editor

Basic First Aid Tips Every Parent Should Know 

Words Dr Emma Amoafo-Mensah

Dr Emma provides generic first aid tips submitted by some of our amazing readers! Read more to find out five basic first aid tips that every parent should know.

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1. Why do we need to wear face masks?

I understand why this is such a popular question because the government guidelines on it have changed quite a few times.

The point of the face mask is to protect both you, as the person wearing the face mask, and those around you also. COVID-19 is spread when droplets are sprayed into the air from an infected person’s cough or sneeze, and it’s now thought that these droplets can hang as aerosols in the air.  That then means that other people can catch COVID-19 when they come into contact with these droplets. Since the virus needs to come into contact with a person’s nasal or oral mucosa in order to cause an infection, wearing a face mask is just a way of physically covering those areas. 

One key characteristic of COVID-19 that’s allowed it to spread so far is that people can have the virus but not have any symptoms to indicate that they’re unwell. Therefore people can be at work or in the supermarket feeling quite well in themselves, but still transmit the virus. Wearing a face mask reduces the likelihood of spread and at the moment the government recommends their use in most public places.

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2. When do you call 999 vs 111?

For emergencies, you should always call 999. Once you call, you’ll be asked what service you need – fire, police or ambulance. 111 is a relatively new initiative to allow people to get help over the phone for urgent, but not emergency problems. 

Any life-threatening emergency warrants a call to 999, such as sudden onset severe chest pain, severe allergic reactions, loss of consciousness or seizures. It may be better to call 111 for things that are urgent but don’t  require immediate intervention, such as a minor burn or an injury that isn’t getting better. The 111 operator will usually then try to direct you to the best channel, such as a pharmacy, urgent care centre or A&E.

3. How do you stop a bloody nose? 

Nosebleeds are usually not serious, and can often be managed safely at home. If anyone is having a nosebleed, ask them to sit up or stand up straight, and pinch the nose just above the nostrils for 10-15 minutes. It can sometimes be tempting to tilt the head back or lie down but you should never do this when your nose is bleeding – the blood can travel backwards into your airways and cause choking. A person having a nosebleed should always lean forward to prevent this. Some people find that placing something cold like an ice pack of a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a dinner towel helps the nosebleed stop more quickly.

You should go to A&E if the bleeding seems excessive or is lasting for longer to 10-15 minutes. If you’re swallowing a large amount of blood and are vomiting or having difficulty breathing, that warrants a trip to A&E too. 

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4. What do you do if your child chokes?

The management of choking depends on the severity of choking. It can sometimes be difficult to tell how severe it is, however. The first thing you should do is encourage the person to cough; they may be able to clear the blockage themselves if the cough is strong enough. If the person is unable to cough, try a few back blows. This is where you stand behind a person and lean them forward. Imagine that in leaning them forward, anything blocking the airway will come out of their mouth instead of falling back into the airway. You then give up to 5 sharp blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If five blows doesn’t work, you then want to move to 5 abdominal thrusts (shouldn’t be done in pregnant women or children less than 1 year old). To do this, you stand behind the person who is choking, place your hands around their waist with your fists clenched and pull in sharply inwards and upwards. Again, this can be done up to 5 times.

If these interventions don’t work, call 999. Never put your fingers in someone’s mouth to help them – they could accidentally bite you! 

5. What should you keep in your first aid kit?

This really depends on each person’s personal preference and what kind of injuries they’re prone too, but some basic things I would recommend are plasters of different sizes, antiseptic wipes, bandages and scissors. Some people like to keep medications also, such as paracetamol and other simple painkillers. 

6. How do you heal a burn?

Burns often take a long time to heal, and what you do in the immediate setting is key to its healing. The first thing to do is move the person away from the heat source, of course. Following that, you should cool the burnt area by running it under cool or lukewarm water. Make sure the person is kept warm, as the loss of skin around the burn site can cause the patient to feel very cold. You can then wrap a thin layer of cling film over the area. 

Facial burns, chemical burns, deep burns or burns that cause blisters should always be reviewed by a medical professional.

Dr Emma Amoafo-Mensah - NHS Doctor

From Consumer to Collaborator

Words Uyi Ilebs

Designer collaborations have become more and more popular over the last few years, with footwear slowly on the rise. Uyi Llebs tells us more about what is going on in the fashion industry including; Amina Muaddi, an emerging distinguished designer who is currently in the limelight in the fashion industry.

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Designer collaborations have become more and more popular over the last few years, with footwear slowly on the rise. Brands such as Dior x Nike air Jordan and JW Anderson collaboration with converse are popping up all over the industry and it seems Fenty and Amina Muaddi have followed suit because they too have created a footwear capsule collection featuring 7 pairs of sandal heels. Fenty are no strangers to collaborations, for most of their consumers this collaboration was a no-brainer with Amina's innovative designer's and Rihanna, Fenty CEO an avid wearer of Muaddi's footwear it was a perfect match.

Unlike the equally popular brands around Jordan, Romanian Italian designer, arguable rose out of nowhere and became an overnight digital enigma. After studying at the European Institute of Design in Milan, she went on to debut her styling career, styling stints for L’Uomo Vogue and GQ US. Later she co-founded her first footwear brand Oscar Tiye and moved to Paris collaborating with French couturier Alexandre Vauthier launching his shoe line. Amina Muaddi is one of the emerging, influential new age designers catching the eye of many luxury and high street brands. Although still in the early stages of her brand, she has managed to travel the high ranks of society from monarchs such as Princess Rania of Jordan to a list celebrities like Kim Kardashian. There is no telling what heights this brand will grow to in the coming years. 

Which other brands have their eye on Muaddi's designs? Has Amina now set a president for other more established fashion houses to collaborate with up and coming brands?

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Although the collection gained a lot of initial traction, the shoes themselves received mixed reviews with online reviews from Brian Van Cooten saying "it's giving me very fast fashion." "When I look at them, they just don't excite me, I am going to need them to go back to the drawing board and do this collaboration again or Amina just stick to your shoes, stick to what you do because you are killing the game but we didn't need this collaboration."

With the capsule launching during a slightly eased lock down period and precautionary measures still being followed, we were patiently waiting to see how the young designer would showcase the capsules collection. The shift from traditional fashion shows to launch a collection has since been transformed into a fight for the most innovative way for brands to showcase their collection. Muaddi chose a bohemian maze style runway in an isolated wheat or barley field where the pair's capsule collection was featured.

Uyi Ilebs - Creative Director & Digital Marketing Specialist

Is Becoming an Entrepreneur a CEO Fast Track? 

Words Jade Johnson

We are beginning to see a rise in the amount of people starting their own businesses as many begin to recognise the importance of having more than one stream of income. Whether it is as a result of having unfortunately lost your job due to the pandemic or having been put on the government furlough scheme, many of us may have found ourselves with more time on our hands than ever before. Jade Johnson shares with us what it is like to be an entrepreneur.

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There is an entire generation including graduates who have heavily experienced a lack of opportunities being given to them and in turn, have resulted in creating their own. When we think about what comes with being a CEO, we tend to think about making important decisions, having power, success, money. Yes, technically speaking, if you run and operate your own business, you would most likely position yourself as the pinnacle of your own company but how quickly do those desirable characteristics truly take to come along when starting your own business? The reality is that reaching the height of success in your business may take time, and in some cases, more time than you are willing to wait. Be patient but not complacent meaning that yes, good things come to those who wait but great things come to those who put the work in. Make a shift in your environment and strive to make change happen. 

As an entrepreneur you can expect no two days to be the same. You’ll find yourself battling tasks that will most likely be something new and often things you’ll learn to handle whilst on the job - whether it is defining your brand story or collating outstanding invoices and following up with clients. The work doesn’t end, yet. 

Social media is a great tool for marketing, and it is increasingly important to have a digital presence in our world today. We’ve learnt that the world is operating differently, from virtual clothing try-ons to AI fashion shows, and if you want to be a part of this playing field, you have to be more innovative and creative than ever before. All of this is great though, right? Seeing women dominate markets, set trends and smash records is all incredible and when you see these accomplishments it is imperative that you do not let this intimidate or overwhelm you. Instead use this to drive and motivate you. Social media is an open space to receive instant gratification through something as simple as a ‘like’ button and as a result of this we often find ourselves making comparisons. 

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Apps like Instagram provide a platform for users to upload content such as imagery and video for other users to view and share however, how often is it that you would post undesirable images or share a story of a personal or professional struggle? If your answer was never, then you are not alone! We are all, including businesses, more inclined to only showcase the elements of our lives that we want others to see i.e. more likeable content. Be aware that people will only share their story of struggle once they have accumulated a certain amount of success, but it is very rare that you will bear witness to how a business truly starts in real time. You may fall into the presumption that more likes and followers equate to more sales and better business but note that this is not always the case. Trust in your process. Define what success means to you and stay on a path that is yours and only yours. 

Expect to make mistakes but also be willing to learn from them. Be prepared to retain a lot of unsolicited advice but ultimately always do what you think is right for you and your business. Most importantly, don’t get caught up by titles, enjoy the process and keep trying because the rewards are truly amazing.

Jade Johnson - Independent Bridal Consultant

The Renting Economy

Words Uyi Ilebs

Have you realised that there has been a shift in the way we shop? February 2019 brought about a government call to action with the report ‘FIXING FASHION: including clothing consumption and sustainability.’ It went into great length about the effects the fashion industry on the economy, environment, and society at large. Uyi Llebs tells us more about the changes in the fashion industry.

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Leading luxury department store Selfridges joins the fashion rental service teaming up with HURR Collective to offer 100 items to rent from 40 brands for a period of 4, 8, 10 or 20 days at a time. February 2019 brought about a government call to action with the report ‘FIXING FASHION: clothing consumption and sustainability’ going into great length regarding the effects the fashion industry is having on the economy, environment, and society at large. There has been global pressure on the industry to edge toward a more sustainable way of life, through this initiative Selfridges birthed Project Earth. They have pledged to change the way we shop from the materials used, launching new retail models such as repair and resell, and also to inspire a shift in mindsets.

The idea of sharing our wardrobe for most of us sits on a basic level of borrowing clothes to our friends or wearing your older siblings' hand me downs. For others, this form of sharing economy is a lifestyle adopted when they fell on hard times and such charitable donations are their only form of apparel shopping. Although conventionally, wearing second-hand clothing was a practice for lower-income households this stigma still exists for some but the 21st century has seen this as a more socially accepted culture. This milestone Selfridges has taken may have come as a shock, why would the high-end department store be offering these services? Will it affect sales? What are the hygiene processes? Are we eradicating the exclusivity factor of luxury and designer brands? The timing is a bit off. 

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With the pressure to look our best, make a fashion statement and red carpets, the loaning process is most definitely cost-effective and creatively limitless. Most special occasions traditionally would warrant an option to rent an item or two, like a bride and groom choosing a one time experience over ownership for their wedding day. We have now seen a rise in rentals for everyday fashion, also maternity clothing and an effective way for brands to lower our environmental fashion footprint. This model has the opportunity to open the brands to a lower demographic who may now be able to afford these desirable fashion brands.

“Extending the lifespan of clothes that already exist is one of the best things you can do to reduce the environmental impact of your wardrobe.” - CEO Victoria Prew (CEO & Co-founder, HURR).

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As normal as this may have become, not everyone has the same comfort level with purchasing pre-owned clothing, arguing hygiene and class stigmas are still a concern. Apps such as Depop, eBay, and Etsy have now made the experience of shopping second hand more intimate for buyers, furthering the sustainable fashion cycle in the comfort of their homes. However, not everybody always finds these platforms convenient means to declutter their wardrobe.

As an avid fashion consumer getting rid of the old and making room for new exciting purchases using apps such as ‘Depop’ or ‘eBay’ would be more of a profitable avenue? During her cleanout, fashion editor and stylist Leila Violet Bailey gave away a sizable collection of her sneakers via social media giveaway. When asked why she didn’t opt to sell or even leave them collecting dust she replied: “I noticed on Depop people never really want to buy things for the asking price and always try to buy them for less than their worth. My way of thinking is quite strange but I would rather give them away to a charity/homeless shelter where the person is more likely to be excited to receive them than the average Depopper " - Leila Violet Bailey.

Uyi Ilebs - Creative Director & Digital Marketing Specialist

National Lipstick Day with Busola B    

Words Busola Oguntayo

A long lasting, highly pigmented and smudge proof lipstick is every womans dream and definitely a staple essential in your makeup bag. Here are four lipsticks that Makeup Artist Busola Oguntayo absolutely adores and believes are a must have in your collection.

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M.A.C Matte Lipstick

This product is absolutely iconic, when it comes to lipstick & is one of M.A.C’s best selling products. The formula is rich and highly pigmented and the best thing about this lipstick is the wide shade range! My favourite colours are Velvet Teddy which is the perfect nude paired with a lip liner for almost every skin tone and Ruby Woo which is an electric and sexy red.

Price: £17.50/$19.00

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Huda Beauty Power Bullet Lipstick

Huda Beauty Lipsticks are Nude Heaven. The formula or this lipstick is very highly pigmented yet has a silky smooth feel on the lips! The Rose collection consists of beautiful rose and nude shades which are a perfect for both everyday and going out looks. This lipstick is definitely a go to if you love a matte - ombré lip and you don’t want to touch up every hour!

Price: £22.00/$25.00

Maybelline New York Colour Sensational

This lipstick is what I believe to be the best drugstore lip with 39 shades to choose from. The affordability of this lipstick allows you to build your lipstick collection to to include a colours for any occasion without breaking the bank. This formula is matte but not drying and also has beautiful buildable pigment.

Price: £6.99

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

These lipsticks have been very hot on the market for some time now. I love this product because its not a typical lipstick or lipgloss, it has a cream formula which gives a soft matte finish. This lipstick is super affordable and also long lasting. It is available in 34 shades, my favourite is Abu Dhabi.

Price: £6.00

Busola Oguntayo - Makeup Artist

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Pap Smear Anyone?

Words Dr Alexis Nelson

Many of us are getting to that crucial age where having a Pap smear is very necessary however in this day and age, there are still many women who hate them, and we don’t know why. For those who don’t know, a Pap smear or cervical smear screening usually begins with receiving a letter from your GP advising you to have your cervix checked. Sound unappealing or uncomfortable? Far from. Dr Alexis Nelson shares why.

Why Do We Do It? 

It is recommended by the Health Education England that women should take their first Pap smear test up to 6 months before their 25th birthday. Then, between the ages of 25 to 49, you are invited to do so every 3 years. Between the ages of 50 to 64, it happens every 5 years. Once you are 65 or older, you will be invited to take the test if your last 3 were abnormal. Cervical screening is where a doctor or a nurse examines you, which is usually done so at your GP surgery using a speculum to take a swab sample.

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Seems simple enough doesn’t it? This then poses the question of “why we are so afraid”? It may just be down to the things the procedure tests for. As a doctor myself, what we look for after we have sampled the cells from the swab, is any changes in your cervix and we also test for HPV; which is a particular group of viruses that can cause cancer. 

According to a survey conducted by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in 2018, 1 in 3 women don’t attend due to the embarrassment that is associated with the test. This was the result from 2000 women - half of whom delayed or didn’t attend their screening entirely.

3200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually and most of the embarrassment that is felt is solely due to their body shape. In a world that seems to be dictated by body image and crazy beauty standards, it has highlighted that this has become a barrier not only to improving our mental health, but our physical health too. 

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So, here are some tips to ensure you get your screening done:

1)     Hold yourself accountable! Tell a friend or family member that you trust. In fact, take them with you for moral support.

2)     Talk to your doctor or nurse about it beforehand! – staying clued up keeps the fear you feel at bay.

3)     Book the first appointment of the day.

4) Love the skin you’re in – remind yourself of the confident woman you are.

Dr Alexis Nelson - Medical Doctor in Geriatrics

The Latest Rules and Guidelines on Weddings Post COVID-19

Words Nothando Mpala

Planning your wedding at the moment may seem a bit confusing with the constant changing of the rules and regulations, but do not worry. Freelance Events Coordinator Nothando Mpala clearly explains the new rules and guidelines so that you can enjoy your perfect day!

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Even though we are no longer in lockdown, the events industry will still have to wait until the government’s alert level drops to level 2 before we experience any real live events. However, this has not been the same rule for weddings, as the government has announced that wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships can take place under new rules and guidelines.

Since March, many couples have had to cancel or postpone their big day due to Cov19. From the 4th July it was announced wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships can go ahead as long as the weddings are small gatherings of two households or six people from different households. Couples will now be able to marry with up to 30 people present including suppliers such as the officiant, photographer and other suppliers needed on the day. 

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What do the new rules mean for couples?

• Social Distancing rules will still be applied to prevent the further spread of Cov19, and floors must be marked with the 2-metre rule to encourage guests to maintain their distances.

• Couples will have to wash/sanitiser their hands before exchanging their rings.

• Only 30 people can be invited to attend their weddings and ceremonies must be as short as possible.

• Music must be played at a level where people do not have to shout or raise their voices and the couple should avoid encouraging sing-a-longs or live bands.

• Table plans should not include face-to-face seating, guests should wear masks and venues as well as the location must have easy access to hand sanitiser.

• Weddings can be live streamed to enable those who were unable to attend to be part of the couple special day. 

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Ever since the government has given the new guidelines it has been unclear on what weddings should look like in reality. Nevertheless, one thing is certain that all new plans are subject to the rate of Cov19 infections remaining low. Weddings in other parts of the United Kingdom such as Wales and Northern Ireland were able to implement these rules early June as have had great results of many couples opting for a smaller, more intimate wedding. On the other hand, places like Scotland have kept the ban on indoor weddings and restricted ceremonies to only have a maximum of eight people in attendance. 

With many couples already postponing their wedding to later in the year, or moving it completely to 2021, there is a strong request from many couples to keep their wedding plans as is due to the uncertainty of the pandemic being completely over. The Alliance of Wedding Planners Bernadette Chapman told hitched that “it’s important that couples keep up to date with the latest developments when it comes to communicating with venues and suppliers”. She goes on to say that “couples should schedule regular check-ins with their venues and officiants just in case new dates become available”.

The church of England has stated that they are happy to refund couples that want to postpone their wedding day; however, they will only be hosting small weddings with limited service for those who want to go ahead with ceremonies. More and more officiants and churches are considering ways in which they can broadcast weddings online for those unable to attend. If you had planned a wedding aboard; the best thing would be to move the date to sometime next year as many countries are still on lockdown and won’t be opening up their boards anytime soon. 

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There is no doubt that everyone is unsure when the world will get back to normal, or rather our ‘new normal’. Many couples have lost a lot of finance by postponing their weddings, in spite of this the Association of British Wedding businesses state that “in most cases refunds should be issued as long as a business cancelled without providing any goods or services for example many cancellations occurring due to the government health measures”.

As the government continues to observe the numbers of those infected with Cov19, the future for weddings will be uncertain for a while. The traditional way of having weddings will be put on hold  and wedding we take a more virtual form to cater for those who do have wedding in this period.

Nothando Mpala - Freelance Events Coordinator

How Will Foodies Cope With the New Restaurant Changes Post COVID-19?

Words Baby-Leah Burnett

Are you excited to get back into restaurants, to explore and to eat some of your favourite dishes? As we already know the lockdown has restricted us from fine dining, dinner dates and birthday party outings and now we are not sure if the restaurants experience will ever be the same. Contributing lifestyle editor, Baby Leah reveals exactly what we can expect post-COVID.

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Being able to walk into a beautiful room filled with tables occupied by a sea of different individuals whilst being served from the minute you walk in, to the time you leave, is many people's idea of a perfect night out. However, COVID-19 has caused the hospitality industry to be completely non-existent since March and foodies (such as myself) have been hit the hardest at these closures. COVID-19 has meant that we have been starved of that sought-after luxurious environment paired with steak from places such as 45 Park Lane which literally melts in your mouth. Instead, we have had to compromise with home-made dishes followed via YouTube to recreate our favourite foods. However, you cannot deny it's impossible to recreate the Instagram-worthy interiors of places like the bathrooms in Sketch and Aquashard or the aesthetic of outside terraces like the Syon Lounge. As a true restaurant enthusiast, you pay just as much attention to the way your seats feel and what music is played to the way the food tastes. The true question is, how is the hospitality industry going to recover post-COVID and how are our experiences going to differ compared to the last meal we had outside our homes?

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The time has come where many restaurants have re-opened their doors and we will be able to return to our favourite food locations. After almost 4 months of an inactive Open-Table and unavailable restaurants on the CODE app (a discount app available to those who work in popular restaurants in and around London) we can finally begin to make reservations again...but what does this reservation now entail? One of the main things that is unsurprising is that social-distancing measures are going to be in place, which although sounds like a hassle for the employees, could be a pro for us who love to dine. Oblix at The Shard is one restaurant that Is known for its crowded yet lively East bar and its busy West Restaurant where many dread the counter seat (a seat where you must be seated side-by-side with strangers). However, with the new social distancing and decreased covers, will this give us the privacy we always craved when going on a date? I know that many of us have been too close to a birthday party of tipsy teens or encountered a bridal party a little too rowdy whilst you wanted to have something more intimate. So, could this be a good thing? Social distancing is unarguably a headache on small places such as the tube but in restaurants and hotels this could be a game changer.

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Changes such as social-distancing and face-masks are inevitable and unsurprising but one change I have seen that I love are quarantine “greenhouses' ', they have been used at a noodle restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand. These igloo-like globes are similar to the ones used at ‘The Coppa Club’ in London which are always highly requested by the guests. It is first-come first-serve much like the window seats in The Shard so the thought of it being a necessity is quite exciting especially as they seem so isolated and intimate. On top of this, they are very convenient considering London's unpredictable weather! Plastic table dividers have also made a frequent appearance in countries such as China, which divide you from your partner you are eating with. In my opinion, these don’t make too much sense if you are already in each other's company, it would make more sense to have the dividers in between the tables that you are near to prevent the spread of the virus. Either way, from what has happened in countries ahead of us in regards to COVID-19 every precaution will be taken in the restaurants we are all dying to go back to.

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New apps have been developed to assist with the new way of dining. One of many that I've seen is “Dines” which essentially decreases the amount of table service to a minimum for the guests. You can simply register your restaurant with “Dines” and it eliminates queues at bars, waiting for waiters as you order and pay via your smartphone. From this alone, you can clearly see that coronavirus has triggered a spike in modern technology, and we are really entering into a new way of life in all areas of our lives. These changes make smartphones a necessity to your nights out and some would even feel like it takes the magic out of being a waiter/waitress. Could the virus and development of such apps eliminate these roles for good? Could it take the “rawness” out of hospitality? Some may love it some may hate it but it’s a new norm we are all going to have to conform to – at least – until a vaccine is developed.  

Baby-Leah Burnett - Contributing Lifestyle Editor

The Beauty of Fashion    

Words Andrea Losinda

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When most people think of ‘fashion’ they may assume it is all about the outward appearance, although that is not the case. Fashion Marketer Andrea Losinda, explains how you can use the right clothing items or accessories to help your mood when feeling down and also with your confidence.

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When we get dressed up we communicate nonverbally to the outside world. What we wear is a physical representation of who we are because fashion is a way for us to express ourselves, our identity and most importantly how we feel. I always like to try something new and be creative with my style. It allows me to step out of my comfort zone, exploring items you’re not used to allows you to realise wearing yellow shoes weren’t so bad that you loved it. Creative combinations in your style allows you to see what you can do creating a more creative mindset.

There are so many different aspects that cause mental health issues and it can often be overwhelming and consuming, however, this does not mean you cannot go through it and come out stronger than you went in, retail therapy is an amazing way to relieve stress and other emotions you may be feeling at the time. You do not even need to spend all your money. It is a convenient way to keep you occupied.

Getting compliments on how you are well put together would always make you feel good about yourself - so why not focus on exploring your style.

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It is important to look your best for yourself because it’s all about how you feel. Why not explore who you really are through your style? Being fashionable helps with confidence as you know you’ve taken the time and effort.

Your great fashion style and receiving compliments would help with improving your self-esteem but for those who may already be confident and happy on the inside, you can use fashion to inspire others by promoting positivity and creativity through your designs and style. Everyone is always looking to be inspired, why not do so with what you love?

Andrea Losinda - Fashion Marketer

The Mind, Health and Wellbeing

Words Annabel Gold

Did you know your mind is one of your greatest assets? Mind, Health and Wellbeing Coach Annabel Gold, shares with us the raw truths of students' struggles during their early teen years and explains ways that we can detect and help to solve those issues.

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Most mental disorders begin during the ages of 12 to 24 years of age, although they are often first detected later in life. This age range is also the peak time for individuals to be in education, especially secondary school, college and university. Many studies have shown over the years that students at university level experience mental health problems. Common problems experienced by students include depression, eating disorders, self-harm obsessive compulsive disorder and psychotic disorders.

Systematic reviews have shown that emotional distress can lead to poor grades, decreased emotional and behavioural skills, social isolation, struggling to cope with academic load and attending classes. Such mental struggles also lead to dropping out of school.

Below are some experiences from students I currently coach, who have experienced mental struggles and are progressively getting stronger mentally and emotionally. All three of these experiences share common themes of not being able to express the mind, feelings of anxiety, pressures from school and parents, trauma from past events. Some involve being bullied in the school environment and feeling the pressures to fit in.

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Student at 15 Years

“From my early teens, a traumatic event took place, which caused resentment to grow towards my parents. I don’t care much about anything, my education, I can't help but act up. Sometimes I don’t go in or pay attention to anyone. It’s easier for me to fight everyone and be the class clown. I also experienced a lot of bullying from peers. All of these things have led to being kicked out of school. At this point, I don't care much about life or what the future holds. I find it hard to get attached to people, I would just rather go through issues by myself”.

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Student at 17 Years

“I became very paranoid about making wrong choices. I get anxious about the opinions of people around me, paranoia has translated into panic and anxiety attacks. I never voiced or expressed opinions, I've been so used to bottling a lot of thoughts and emotions inside. Most of my thoughts can be quite negative. What hasn't helped is that I had grown up in a toxic and abusive environment where I heard negative words. I know that a lot of my thoughts are based on past experiences and memories. As a student I can be so consumed with the opinions of others and trying to fit in that I become lazy and make excuses for slacking in my work”.

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Student at 20 years

“I struggled with insomnia and extreme anxiety in secondary school and now that I'm in uni these struggles have gotten worse. Sometimes, I experience a level of anxiety that would make me sick. There has been so much pressure from school and my family has such a high expectation of me because in their eyes I'm the good daughter. The thought of disappointing my parents makes me feel anxious and low of myself. Having people around me seems like a good distraction from hearing the many voices in my mind”.

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Here are some tips on how to help these mental battles:

• Expression - Learn to speak your thoughts to someone close to you, if you can’t say it out straight away, then write it out. Overcoming your mental struggles starts with being able to share those struggles with someone other than yourself!

• Listen - Understand that it is okay to have many thoughts at once, but running away and trying to distract yourself from them won’t help. Take time to listen mindfully without judging or making any conclusions. As you listen to them just simply write them down.

• Moving Forward - Continually come to terms with the fact that you cannot change the past experiences and memories, whether negative or positive. You can only change your attitude towards them, which comes through a process of development and understanding.

• Feed on Good News - whether we like it or not, our mind is continuously being shaped by the things that we see, hear, watch and do. If we want to be in control of what shapes us, it starts with first being intentional with what we feed our minds with. Feed your mind with good conversations that make you laugh and smile, read things that make you feel hopeful and contribute to your intellect.

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Overcoming traumatic experiences can be difficult to do especially alone, as hard as it may be to reach out and open up to another person, it is important to do so. As a student in secondary school and college, I struggled with depression and battled suicidal thoughts. My hope was having someone to open up to but there wasn’t anyone around. I was so isolated. My only way was writing. It was my way of expression at the time, until I developed friends I could open up to.

As a student, making use of the community around you would be beneficial, there's a reason why you have peers, mentors, even support services. There will always be pressures to fit in and be like others and this pressure will be experienced throughout our lives. If we can learn to understand ourselves and be comfortable in who we are continuously becoming, then we will not yield to these pressures. It is important to always remind ourselves that we individually have our own journey to take on which means that there can only be one you.

Annabel Gold - Mind, Health & Wellbeing Coach

Skincare:The Science Lesson

Words Dr Emma Amoafo-Mensah   

For many people, the skin is thought of as a covering to display their beauty, to make up and to take care of. As a dermatologist however, Dr Emma is here to educate the world on the complexities of the skin.

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1. The skin is the body’s largest organ, and in my opinion, the most important. 

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The average adult as 1.75m2 of skin, and it plays a very important role in the body. The skin protects us from infection by providing a coat for all  the organs on the inside. Imagine if your muscles, bones, heart, lungs etc were exposed to the elements all day every day – they wouldn’t be able to function. Think of your skin as a beautiful, soft, whole body Canada Goose jacket. 

Your skin is what allows you to feel all sensation - heat, cold, pain and pleasure are all tangible sensations only because the skin allows you to feel them. This may not seem important at first, but imagine being burnt but not knowing you were being burnt, or stepping on sharp things without feeling pain – you would cause a lot of damage to your body every day. 

Alongside this, your skin allows you to keep your temperature within acceptable limits. It creates sweat to cool you down in the heat, and it tells your little microscopic hairs to stand up in the cold – creating an automatic custom made fur jacket.

2. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world. 

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Luckily, most skin cancers are benign, so they often aren’t the first to come to mind when people think of cancer. Melanomas, however, are a very dangerous type of cancer that kill over 2000 people in the UK alone each year. By far the biggest risk factor for getting skin cancer is UV rays from the sun, so wearing sunscreen is a must. 

3. Your skin often tells you what’s going on inside. 

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There are many medical conditions that manifest themselves on the skin. Diabetes, allergies and inflammatory conditions of the bowels can all cause skin rashes. It’s in your interest to pay attention to your skin, because it can sometimes give you the first sign of more serious conditions going on within.

Dr Emma Amoafo-Mensah - NHS Doctor

The New World of Interior Design

Words Sayo Akinlude  

There’s no doubt that the world has changed significantly these last few weeks, but with lockdown in the UK easing what will the new normal look like? Interior Designer, Sayo Akinlude reveals the new realities of interior design that will make you want to start designing immediately!

There is no doubt that the world has changed significantly these last few weeks, but with lockdown in the UK easing what will the new normal look like? Many of us have taken this time to find ourselves, learn skills, and enjoy being home. It’s safe to say lockdown has been really a real eye-opener. So, let’s get straight down to it. Lockdown has made us all appreciate our home a little more and look after it a little more. Let us all be honest, we’ve had moments during this lockdown where we wished we had done the decoration we had ‘been’ planning - or actually taken the time out to renovate.

It is with no doubt that the changes caused by COVID-19 have substantially benefited the interior design industry. Not to mention that it is of no coincidence the only places to open their doors were the essential stores, such as Homebase, B&Q and now Ikea. The new normal for interiors is looking very promising, creative and functional.

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The amount of time we’ve spent at home during these past few weeks has made us all realise several things:

• The importance of looking after your home.

• Having a home that’s not only alluring but also functional.

• Investing in quality pieces.

• My personal favourite realising Pinterest isn’t the real world.

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Now, although things are looking promising for the industry, people have also developed what I like to call, home Scopophobia, which is the fear of showing others their home. There are many reasons for this but I truly believe one of the main reasons is social media. Due to the lockdown several people have turned to social media, for an escape, entertainment, and more. However, more people have been showing us clips of thier extravagant beautifully designed homes, for example, Drake’s Toosie slide, filmed in his mansion, Patricia Bright has started a new page dedicated to her home ‘The Bright’s at Home’. As a result of interior design being displayed on a new level, many people are starting to feel a little embarrassed, of our small one-bedroom, or our lack of a garden space, which in the long run can affect your mental health.

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Interior design is not about how big your space is, or how many bedrooms you have, interior design is about having a space that embraces all the different aspects of you. A space that accompanies all of your needs and that allows you to be free and happy.

Sayo Akinlude - Interior Designer

New Age Weddings

Words Nothando Mpala  

Wedding planning is stressful enough and with the unprecedented global health pandemic thrown into the mix, many obstacles have arisen. However, love will always find a way to make your perfect day just right. Nothando Mpala, Freelance Events Coordinator delves into the conversations of weddings during the age of social distancing.

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It’s no secret that weddings have always been one of the most expensive events of all times, as the industry makes a whopping income of 10 billion per year. According to the National Wedding survey conducted by Bridebook and Hitched, couples will spend an average of £31,000 on their special day. Since the hit of the coronavirus lockdown, the wedding industry has been hit the hardest, as 64% of UK weddings have been cancelled or postponed until 2021/2022. However, as the lockdown rules begin to ease, will couples have to swap their ideas of a big fat wedding for a smaller, more intimate affair? Could this be the new normal?

In March, the Church of England announced that they would only be hosting wedding ceremonies for a group limited to five people due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. This rapidly changed as the rules from our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson stated that an outright ban would be implemented to all weddings along with any social gatherings during the lockdown period.

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Months later and it is unclear when the ban will be lifted in England and Scotland, yet the Welsh government have recently announced that from the 22nd June ceremonies can go ahead but social distancing rules must remain. Under the new measures in Wales, couples will be able to have ceremonies with just their witnesses and their registrar.

Even though, it's extremely unlikely that we will be attending weddings in the traditional way that we’ve known. Many couples are choosing to reclaim their day in a positive way. The crisis has given some couples the opportunity to rethink their priorities by focusing on having a smaller and more intimate ceremony with just the closest members of their families. On the other hand, this year has shown other couples the importance of having massive gatherings with family.

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Nevertheless, with the world slowly reopening, many business owners and venues are eager to get back to business as usual whilst maintaining social distancing rules. In Ohio, wedding venues have reopened and will be hosting up to 300 people, even though guests will be restricted to safety protocol that includes “No dancing or mingling and six feet distancing between tables”. Many argue that, although this protocol follows the social distancing guidelines it limits interaction and the necessary features of enjoying a wedding.

In the last couple years, small weddings have become more trending due to couples not being able to handle the financial burden of having a big wedding. Some couples choose the option of having a smaller wedding, to invest and provide their guests with more of a valuable experience. During this time, it is understandable that guest lists will only get smaller and smaller in order to accommodate social distancing. Whilst social distancing weddings are not what couples initially envisioned, there are plenty of ways for couples to make their original wedding day in this season. 

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Many couples can host “Minimonies” which is a new term for mini ceremonies that give family and friends the opportunity to experience seeing them get married virtually without the reception which would be held later. In addition, COVID-19 has allowed couples to be creative with photography as many photographers have been proposing doorstep photoshoots. Wedding and event planner at ‘Perfectly Planned 4 You’ Cherelle Joseph mentioned that “It has also given couples a chance to get all dressed up and admire each other in their wedding outfits”. Overall, couples are choosing to make their original date special even though they have had to cancel or postpone their wedding to 2021/2022. 

Despite the fact that many weddings won’t be happening this year, we can be sure that 2021 will be an exceptionally busy year for the wedding industry. Even the off-peak seasons such a winter and specific weekdays will be filled with bookings of postponed weddings.

Nothando Mpala - Freelance Events Coordinator

Virtual Catwalks: The New Fashion Week

Words Nothando Mpala  

It’s been months since we have been in lockdown and fashion show schedules have been unclear due to COVID-19. Even though some fashion houses have started to return to work in cities such as Italy and France most designers have been forced to rethink the way they host fashion shows due to social distancing rules, along with the fact that the world has not yet completely returned to business as usual.

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The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions every year. Before the global pandemic the industry was pushed to start thinking of ways of being more sustainable, now the industry is starting to accept the concept of virtual catwalks, clothing and rooms. Etienne Russo, the founder of Villa Eugenie who produces shows for the likes of Chanel and Burberry says “The lockdown of the fashion world allowed many to take a step back and deeply reflect on how to address the situation”. As fashion shows go become digital and go through a radical and racial transformation; here is a rundown of some of the shows coming up this summer period.

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London Fashion Week which was previously known as London Fashion Week Men decided to drop the “men” to cater to all genders online. They launched their first couple of shows online in early June, however they were not the first to give it a go as Shanghai and Moscow went digital for the fashion weeks in late March and April.

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Hermès will be livestreaming for Paris men’s fashion week on 5th July just before The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode host the first ever Virtual Couture fashion week in Paris from the 6-13th July. They will be showing the men’s spring collection 2021 in a video format for this season.

From the 14-17th July Camera della Moda team announced that they will be having an online men and women’s fashion show that will be titled Milano Fashion week digital. For this season they have decided to host a physical-digital show which will give each designer an opportunity to create a narrative for their latest collections. On the last day of Milano Fashion week, Gucci is set to premiere its men’s and women’s resort collection 2021 which has created an exciting buzz for MFW.

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Copenhagen Fashion Week which takes place in Denmark’s capital city will go digital on the 9-12th August, this show usually attracts influencers, buyers and editors from across the world. The Swedish Fashion Association is set to resurface in last August for some digital fashion events.

New York based designer Jean Raymond of Pyer Moss will be staging a drive-in fashion experience tour to showcase his new film “American” in September. “His hope is to give the audience an sight of the labour and process of putting the collection together”, told by Vogue. 

Overall, right now a lot of Fashion houses are trying to build something that fits into the needs of today as well as invest in new technology that can showcase collections for the future. There is no doubt that digital fashion weeks will attract millions of new viewers outside of their general audience. Digital fashion has given designers a new outlet for creativity and will also raise more many questions about the long-term vision for Runaway shows.

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Chief executive, Caroline Rush from the British Fashion Council said “The current situation is leading us all to reflect more poignantly on the society we live in and how we want to live our lives and build businesses when we get through this”. She added that online platforms would be here to stay even when physical shows are feasible again.

Nothando Mpala - Freelance Events Coordinator

20 Black Beauty Brands You Should Know

Words Shemiah Heckman

In the past few weeks we've seen endless posts circulating on social media stemming from the devastating incident of George Floyd who was senselessly murdered by a white male police officer in the US. The question on many people's lips has been what do we do next? How can we support?

There's no doubt that the protests, endless resources and information being made available as a result of this incident has been amazing to see, amongst which we've seen many people come together to support and push 'black owned brands'. However this shouldn't be something we just do now to jump on the wave of racial activism, now more than ever, even beauty brands that aren't 'black owned' should wake up to the reality that it's time to be inclusive of every race and nationality with their campaigns, products and staff. 

Here is a selection of some of the best black owned beauty brands:

1. Charlotte Mensah 

@Charlottemensah

The British/Ghanian award winning hairstylist provides a phenomenal hair-care product line formulated around Manketti Oil - an extract sustainably sourced from the manketti nut that not only hydrates, but also smooths frizz, adds shine, and soothes dry scalps.

2. Everyday Cosmeticss

@everydaycosmeticss

 The latest e-commerce wholesale beauty business founded by Black British born founders Sarah Bakare and Josephine Anane which launched in January this year. Everyday Cosmeticss is your arsenal of beauty products, all with very affordable prices and very fast delivery! 

3. Maya Nije Perfume 

Maya Nije Perfume

Maya Njie was inspired by her small Swedish summer house to her grandparents' visits on a Sunday afternoon when developing this perfume line, she set out to capture scents that would help revive the memories so engrained in her family photo album. These perfumes capture the soul of Njie's Swedish-Gambian heritage, whether that's with hints of leather, bursts of sweet summer fruits, or a unique combination of vanilla and cardamom that's particular to Swedish tradition. 

4. MDM Flow 

@mdmflow

For all the 90's babies! An inspiring LCF cosmetic science graduate, born and raised in London, Florence Adepoju who found a niche for a cosmetic brand inspired by the late 90's and the reigning years of Hip Hop with all it's glamour. Florence launched her cosmetic line at 22 and it's very popular for the highly pigmented lip collection.

Check out: MDM Flow Lip Collection (£13-£15) 

4. Pat McGrath Labs

@patmcgrathlabs_contact

 No doubt, Pat Mcgrath set a high standard for makeup artists in the fashion industry for many years, with her cosmetics line 'Pat Mcgrath Labs' being one of the first beauty brands to cater to a variety of different skin tones. From the eyeshadow palettes to the matte lipsticks, these highly pigmented are some of the most luxurious and high quality you will ever get your hands on. 

Check out: Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Concealer (£26)

5. TPH by Taraji 

@tphbytaraji

Taraji P Hensen is not only an amazing actress but the founder of TPH which was birthed after years of her bad experiences with stylists who didn't know how to work with black hair. This is an issue that is very common in most creative industries so it's great to see a hair line that caters for all hair types; natural hair, wigs, installs, braids, locs, straight hair, wavy hair & curly hair.

Check Out: Master Cleanse was the first product Henson made for herself. It's a refreshing formula made with witch hazel water, eucalyptus oil, and tea tree oil to break down buildup. Its packaging is outfitted with a tri-touch applicator, which provides deep access your fingers might not get to - whether you're wearing a protective style or cleansing your natural curls. 

6. B.Simone Beauty

@bsimonebeauty

The inspirational Businesswoman and Youtube personality who's 'road to a million' video went viral on social media launched her namesake vegan and cruelty-free line which is made up of mainly lip products, including liners, lipsticks, and glosses, as well as makeup bags and accessories. These products are very affordable and long-lasting!

Check Out: The Lip Mattes are long-lasting, creamy, and come in gorgeous colours with fun names like "Money Maker," "Freestyle," and "Link in Bio."

7. Frederick Benjamin Grooming 

@fredbgrooming

Michael James, the founder of Frederick Benjamin Grooming, started his brand because he was determined to find a better way for Black men to feel powerful when it comes to hair care and grooming. He wanted to provide them with safe, high-quality products that are free from common chemicals and irritants, so he made products infused with natural oils to cleanse the scalp and hair without stripping it while fighting bacteria and calming aggravated skin. In addition to basic hair care and styling agents, the brand also offers a range of shaving products, including a soothing after-shave gel with aloe vera, a beard oil, and a post-shave bump treatment.

Check Out: The Easy Primer Skin & Beard Oil is a pre-shave elixir that soothes dry skin and prevents irritation. It's also lightweight and sinks into the skin quickly. 

8. Shea'd Beauty

@sheadbeauty

Young beautician and founder of Shea'D Beauty, Shea Moss is the founder of this leading nail bar making influencers go false nail crazy! Based in East London, they were the first to start creating their own 'stick on' acrylic nails helping their regular clients get through COVID-19 with their nails still looking glamorous. 

Check Out: https://sheadbeauty1.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/rainbow

9. Danessa Myricks Beauty 

@danessa_myricks

Who wouldn't want their skin to glow constantly as if Danessa Myricks did our makeup?! Whether she's creating a super high-impact, metallic eye look complete with gold foil, or she goes soft glam with a glossy lip, Myricks's work is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Danessa Myricks Beauty offers everything you need for a full face, start to finish. There is also a wide selection of pigments in both powder and liquid form that you can use on your lips, eyes, and even body. 


Check Out: Colorfix 24-Hour Cream Colour. You can use these little tubes absolutely anywhere. 

10. Bomba Curls 

@bombacurls

Lulu Cordero is using hair care to celebrate the roots of her Dominican culture — and its beauty secrets. Cordero's Bomba Curls brand uses high-quality natural and organic ingredients that help maintain strong, moisturized, poppin' curls. The brand launched with the Forbidden Hair Oil, and recently expanded to include the Forbidden Hair Mask, a deep conditioning treatment that promises to restore elasticity and promote healthy hair growth. 


Check Out: Dominican Forbidden Oil, a lightweight and multipurpose oil with nourishing ingredients like coffee seed and black cumin seed oils. It's gained a ton of popularity online with natural hair enthusiasts on social media. 

11. Range Beauty 

@range_beauty

Alicia Scott started her career working in the fashion industry, where she noticed a lack of deeper foundation shades at runway shows and photoshoots as well as many foundations also causing Scott's eczema to flare up, even if she could find her shade, the formulation might not agree with her sensitive skin. 
So, as any self-starter would do, Scott decided to create a foundation she could actually use that wouldn't irritate her skin. Her beauty brand, Range, offers 21 shades. As a bonus, the hydrating formula contains soothing chamomile extract and French clay to keep oil under control. 
 

Check Out: The True Intentions Hydrating Foundation, which gives you sheer to medium coverage and has calendula and cornflower extracts that have natural anti-bacterial properties for acne and eczema-prone skin. 

12. Beauty Bakerie

@beautybakeriemakeu

We love an Instagram baddie beat, but a makeup lover needs choices, and Cashmere Nicole, founder of Beauty Bakerie, is happy to offer some. When she created her brand, Nicole wanted it to promote an alternative to the bad-girl images that young people are often exposed to, especially on social media. 
Sweetness and innocence is what Nicole wanted to bring back to the game, and that mission is reflected in so many elements of the brand. The packaging keeps to a confectioner's theme. The brands ‘So Icy’ illuminator powder is housed in what looks like a mini tub of ice cream. The hero Lip Whip tubes have that signature swirl that make it look like the lipsticks were filled using a frosting pipe. Certain items, like the Neapolitan Eyescream Palette, look good enough to eat. 

Check Out: The Lip Whip, a liquid matte lip color that’s a hit with the brand’s massive Instagram following. 

13. Unsun Cosmetics 

@unsuncosmetics

It's time to pick up products like this that look after and protect the skin with anti-aging properties for the summer! Unsun Cosmetics was created by Katonya Breaux in 2016 after years of searching for a sunscreen that works for women of colour. The brand's three-piece sun-care collection consists of 100 percent mineral-based SPFs that don't leave behind any weird residue or chalkiness. They're also made with skin-boosting ingredients like hydrating glycerin, coconut oil, and olive fruit oil for added moisture. Star product: The Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 and has a subtle tint that evens out the skin and gives it a glowing finish. 

14. Pear Nova

@pearnova

Many have been waiting for this! The new phenomena - vegan nail products that involve understanding the tones and formulations required for polishes to shine on darker complexions — founder Rachel James birthed Pear Nova. Inspired by the colours and fabrics she sees on fashion runways, the polishes are 5-free (so no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, toluene, or dibutyl phthalate DBP). 

15. Beautystat Cosmetics

@beautystat

Skincare beauty experts this is for you! After researching and reviewing thousands of products, and developing products for Clinique, L'Oréal, Revlon, and Avon, cosmetics chemist Ron Robinson launched Beautystat Universal C Skin Refiner. His brand mission is to "help consumers cut through the clutter and understand what types of beauty products are working and what's not". 

Check Out: Beautystat Universal C Skin Refiner. It's packed with 20 percent pure vitamin C (L- ascorbic acid), which we know has amazing benefits for evening skin tone and texture, boosting radiance, and diminishing the appearance of dark spots. It also contains squalane for lightweight moisture and tartaric acid, an ingredient known to optimise skin's pH levels for better absorption. 

16. Mented Cosmetics

@mentedcosmetics

 Mented Cosmetics came to life with one question founders KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson couldn't find the answer to: Why was it so hard to find a nude lipstick for their rich skin tones? 
Thus began their quest to perfect nude lipsticks and lip liners for deeper brown skin. They created quite a zealous following of others looking for the perfect nude also. Since then, the brand has expanded to include foundation sticks, eyeshadows, blushes, and even nail polish. 

Check Out: Skin by Mented is one of their most versatile products. It's a multi-stick that functions as a foundation, concealer, and contour all-in-one. 

17. Juvia's Place 

@juviasplace

Founded by Chichi Eburu, Inspired and sparked by the beauty of Africa, Juvia's Place is a celebration of the richness, glory, and history of the African kings and queens, which is translated through the product packaging, pigment, and visuals. Each palette and individual hue is hand selected with a reason and cause behind it. For full coverage and maximum pigment, get lost in The Nubian Eyeshadow Palette or the Nefertiti Loose Highlighter, and radiate the beauty of the African plains. 

Check Out: The Nubian eyeshadow palette.

18. Baby Tress 

@shopbabytress

Ever struggled to lay your edges in the morning? Elevating the curl function, Baby Tress is a hair tool company that caters to the taming, styling, and defining our baby hairs. Understanding the demand when it comes to our baby hairs that is often dressed in the varying hairstyles, the brand has redefined the edge styler with their product, which combs to separate and smooth the hairline, swoops and shapes the edges, and features a pointed tip at the end to sharpen the finishing details. 

19. Skin Gourmet

@skingourmetus

"Pure raw wild" is Skin Gourmet's motto, a beauty brand started by Ghanian-born Violet Awo Amoabeng. Everything about the brand is done by hand: the ingredients hand-picked, the formulas hand-mixed and hand-packaged, in jars and bottles that you can return to the brand to be reused. As for the "pure" part, the brand uses absolutely no preservatives, stabilisers, parabens, artificial colours, or fragrances these creams and scrubs are truly good enough to eat. 

Check out: Skin Gourmet Baobab Sugar Scrub (£37) 

20. Okiki Skincare

@okikiskincare

Founded in 2016 by mother and daughter, Ade Ogunsola and Antonia Ogunsola, Okiki Skincare is made in Britain and inspired by their Nigerian and Ghanaian roots. The products range from soaps, scrubs, skincare, candles, and much more, which are reminiscent of recipes that have been used by their ancestors for generations. And for every large candle sold, Okiki donates £1 to help re-plant trees in Ghana.

Shemiah Heckman - Make-up Artist