How to Beat the Winter Blues

Words Bevery Pokuah 

As the nights draw in and temperatures begin to drop, it can be tempting to go into hibernation mode. However, the colder months are actually a great time to be as active as ever and a great trick to scaring off the winter blues

Get Moving for a Mood Boost

It’s fair to say that on a below zero day, a comfy bed and cranked up heating is much more enticing than venturing downstairs let alone to workout outside or hit the gym. But here’s the thing, exercise can help in banishing winter blues and should not be skipped no matter how you feel. Whether you grab a dumbbell, a yoga mat, or a basketball, a good sweat session releases feel-good brain chemicals that reduces depression and improves your mood, plus your metabolism and energy levels will both stay elevated for a few hours after your workout, so brave the cold and move. It’s worth it!

Embrace the Season 

Winter can be a super downer but if you face snow this year here’s a tip, snow provides the opportunity for activity, make the most out of it! Snow shovelling sounds like a chore, but it’s also a pretty mean workout and can burn more than 4000 calories an hour! Or for a bit of fun, have a snow fight!

Soak in the Sun

Winter nights are cold, long and dark, which means a lack of a very important ingredient to wintertime happiness, yes sunlight! Time spent in the sun helps your body process Vitamin D and releases neurotransmitters that can boost your mood, add a few extra outdoor activities to your week like a walk around the neighbourhood. As for your home, keep your shades and curtains open during the day or use “full spectrum” light bulbs to replicate natural light indoors 

Treat Yourself 

Endless winter days are no fun. Everyone is happier when they are looking forward to an exciting event in the sun. Plan a guy or girls’ night out, a weekend getaway or a ski trip. If you want to indulge on your own, a massage has been shown to reduce stress hormones and increase serotonin and dopamine, which are depression-fighting chemicals. Laugh, relax or escape to keep the winter blues away.

The truth about the 100-hour work week

Words Ebun Lufadeju

There are so many pressures associated with becoming successful. Is success linked to the number of hours worked each week and another note, does working long hours lead to burnout?

Getting to work before everyone else and being the last one to leave is normal for many these days. Working from home can be redefined as working 24/7. No difference separates a weekend from a workday.

CEOs seem to be very happy and full of energy. So how have they managed to do this? Is it something we should all adopt?

The truth about stimulants

We would be foolish to think that everyone can work long, high pressure hours without any form of stimulation, from coffee to cocaine. The human body would eventually burn out without that extra kick – the good news is that a healthy lifestyle can leave you with lots of energy.

A CEO is probably the last person you think would have a drug addiction, but some studies do suggest that 10% of top executives are drug- or alcohol-impaired. Henry T. Nicholas III, who founded Broadcom, developed an alcohol and drug problem. He admitted to alternating between meth and cocaine while negotiating a Broadcom acquisition.

However, not all will need stimulants, it could just be down to genetics… Mark Zuckerberg has famously stated that he does not drink coffee, Elon Musk drinks two cups of coffee a day and Richard Branson only drinks tea!

It might be worth taking a note from their books. Our brains are made up of about 70% water. Replacing that first cup of coffee with water can have a major impact on improving productivity. Try it and see how it goes – not only would your brain thank you, but your bank account would too!

Food for thought

There is an enzyme known as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is responsible for cellular energy homeostasis, largely to activate glucose and fatty acid uptake and oxidation when cellular energy is low. This means that it helps with weight loss, improves energy, improves cardiovascular health and can even reverse diabetes!

High inflammatory diets such as fast foods, sugary drinks and excessive amounts of carbohydrates and processed foods can inhibit AMPK. Foods that are high in fibre, fish and vegetables can help to activate AMPK. We cannot forget exercise; high-intensity workouts also activate AMPK. Most CEOs manage to find time to fit in workouts with a busy schedule because the benefit of productivity is proven.

Busy vs Productive

It’s great to have a to-do list but why not take it a step further and master prioritisation. When there are too many decisions to be made, we can often feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious and out of place. This is commonly known as decision fatigue, which can negatively affect our mental health and impair our ability to make wise decisions. CEOs are paid for their ability to think and handle pressure. De-cluttering physical and mental space is a key for healthy decision making.

To sleep or not to sleep

A 100-work week means that 60% of the week is spent working and that leaves the remaining 40% left for sleep and pleasure. It is important to have a work and life balance. You must find enough time to take a break from work. Eight hours of sleep has always been the global average, however, by 2014 no country was achieving the standard. Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos speak about the importance of sleep

Rest does not always mean sleep; the mind also needs mental breaks throughout the day. If you do not rest it can harm your performance and business. Rest breaks can seem like a waste of time. However, regular breaks have been shown to increase productivity and creativity, as well as improve the overall health and well-being of individuals.

The take-away message

Working a 100-hour week for a company you hate, can eventually lead to depression and you must ask the question, is it worth it? Not everything you see is how it seems. For someone to earn that CEO title, it comes with a price. It might sound cliché, but the key is doing what you love so much that it doesn’t feel like work.

Do your best to be productive in the little things, start small… exercise, eat healthily, get enough sleep and de-clutter your mental and physical space.

A 20 Minute Core workout that will hit your whole body

Words Bevery Pokuah

Let’s turn up the intensity with dumbbells!

Introducing weights into your routine is a great way to challenge yourself and take you to the next level. As you go through each move, remember to activate your core to keep you stable. Get ready to turn up the heat!

Plank Tap

Work for 60 -90 secs

Single leg reverse fly

Work for 30 secs. Then repeat on the other side

Squat to overhead press

Work for 45 secs

Push ups

Work for 45 secs

Curtsy lunges 

 Work for 30 secs then repeat on the other side

Women’s safety - Everyone’s responsibility  

Words Yetunde Salako

Students returned to university campuses around the UK in September 2021 and worrying reports of women being needle spiked whilst on a night out quickly began to emerge. Needle spiking is when someone is injected with drugs without their knowledge.

The Crime Survey for England showed that 144,000 women were victims of rape or attempted rape in the year ending March 2017, but only 59,000 were reported and in the same year only 1,439 people were convicted of rape. The reasons for not reporting rape to the police included, embarrassment, fear they would not be believed, and thinking they wouldn’t be helped.

Following the deaths of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, women unified and took to the streets and social media in remembrance. We protested and campaigned with fresh cries for the police and the government to prioritise women’s safety. The response was outrage, and a demand for change.

But the sad truth is the numbers suggest that not much is changing. According to Counting Dead Women, 80 more women have been killed in circumstances involving a male as a prime suspect since the murder of Sarah Everard.

Not only are women often left to deal with the traumatic effects of gender based violence when directly affected, but for those who have been indirectly affected the burden is still on women to keep themselves safe.

A survey by YouGov in 2019 found that 1 in 3 women consciously take steps to avoid being sexually assaulted. This made me think of the steps I have taken before, without paying much thought to it. Making sure on a night out we travel in groups, sleepovers so you’re not travelling home alone at night. Walking the long way home on a busy high road instead of the shortcut which is a quiet road. Sending text updates to parents, partners and friends keeping them updated on your whereabouts, maintaining a high awareness of your surroundings when travelling alone. All just some of the things women do when feeling unsafe.

However there is a gradual change in the rhetoric, women are telling society that their safety is everyone’s responsibility. A student led group ‘Girls Night In’ has called for a week long boycott of bars and nightclubs in various university towns, demanding the establishments provide measures that will help women feel safer on a night out. 

The government has pledged £45 million to the safer streets fund which will be spent on increasing street lighting and cctv. Whilst met police commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, has promised 650 new officers to patrol places in London where women feel unsafe, and to continue the conversation with women and girls around London on what will improve their safety.

A survey by researchers at the University of Kent, the first of it’s kind in the uk, examined sexual violence by male students. 63 of the 554 male students, admitted to committing 251 sexual assaults, rapes and other coercive incidents in the past two years; it identified a strong link between toxic masculinity and sexual violence. This is an important step in understanding the psychological profiles of sexually violent male students. Especially if there is to be a focus on educating young men in order to establish a long lasting culture shift. 

Women are not just asking to be kept safe on the streets with better street lighting, they’re calling for the misogyny and toxic masculinity that perpetuates violence against women to be rooted out of public institutions, places of education, the workplace and homes.

The Clean Love Zone

Words Cicely Frempong 

Cicely works as an assistant psychologist within a Community Mental Health Team in East London. She is also the founder of SoundMindsUK, a social media consultancy platform which educates and aims to prevent mental health issues. 

It was my normal 12-hour shift, as usual, I attended the safety huddle where I and my colleagues discussed any care plan updates for our patients. The clinical psychologist asked me if I wanted to join her in a therapy session with a patient that had been on the ward for 2 years, and I agreed. Sat down in front of me was a disturbed young woman who appeared to have lost all hope. She shared with us her story which completely changed my perception of how past experiences can affect the mind. This woman resembled me in many ways. We were both 23, both Ghanaian and we had been sexually abused at a young age. Yet there she was as the patient and I as her therapist. I sat and listened to the abuse and neglect she experienced. She explained that she had wanted to tell her parents but feared that she would cause issues within her family. Years went on with more abuse and accusations, yet she had no friends to confide in, she was left with just her thoughts. Her mind replayed series of abuse, neglect and negative comments. As I sat and listened, all I could think of is that this could have been prevented, it didn’t have to go that far, someone could have saved her. The ‘mental’ get thrown in cells, I guess it’s the manifestation of the cells their minds are trapped in.


At this moment I am shown the impact of how trauma, neglect, and a lack of a loving support system can affect a person's mental health. I am recognising that the mind is a very powerful place, and we spend most of our time in our minds. So, imagine if your mind harboured negative thoughts and painful experiences, it would eventually lead to you being in a dark place. The mind controls how you feel, your emotions and the decisions you make. When fear caused by the past takes control, your mind becomes a very toxic place, and you begin to create a toxic world in your head which soon interferes with your reality. A Clean love zone is taking a conscious decision to seek help by speaking out and focusing on positive experiences in your life. With time comes healing and with healing comes freedom. 

Working as an Assistant Psychologist, in this pandemic I have seen a drastic increase in mental health cases. These are unprecedented times, and many people are finding it hard to cope. The fear of what is next and of if life will ever go back to normal. The reality is we have no control over when this pandemic will be over when we will be out of lockdown and if life will ever go back to normal. However, we have control of what we allow into our minds and how we allow this pandemic to affect us. Actively choose to have a positive outlook on life, by making the most of what we currently have and can do. I am convinced that the mind is our biggest asset, therefore we must do everything to protect it and invest in it.

My tips to live in a clean love zone: 

1. Speak out about any issues or worries you have. Nothing is too big to share. Secrets have a way of appearing big, but once shared they lose their significance and hold over your mind. 

2. Avoid constantly checking and meditating on negative news

3. Make the most of what you have around you and use them positively 

4. Unfollow toxic social media accounts and look for accounts that motivate you.

RSV, HMV, RV, EV… no, these aren't brands. They are viruses

Words Dr Alexis Nelson

It's now mid-October and it's the start of what would normally be cold and flu virus season.

However, this year is going to be different. After a year of lockdown and a tentative return to daily life in 2021, Dr. Alexis breaks down the respiratory viruses to be on the look out for and how they differ to COVID 19.

On record, October to February are the months where doctors tell you to look out for the flu jab and make sure you get one. 

According to Global Influenza Strategy, there were up to an estimated 650,000 deaths worldwide from Influenza in 2019. So now with COVID 19, many health experts are predicting that this winter season could be worse. But there's no room to be fearful. There's lots of information out there, so we decided to keep it simple so you know when to rest and when to get checked out.

Below is a guide of the other viruses out there, what you might experience and when you should go to the doctors.

First, let's break down what a virus actually is. A virus is essentially a small protein or a small piece of RNA (think DNA but smaller) that's in a capsule. This virus needs a host, so it has developed all sorts of ways to travel though the air and through water droplets.

What you may not know is that a lot of the symptoms you have are actually due to your immune system trying to fight back. So until we find a cure for viruses, it's always best to support your body until it overcomes!

Human Metapneumovirus

Symptoms:

• Nasal congestion

• Cough

• Fever

Rhinovirus

Symptoms:

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny nose

Influenza A and B

Symptoms:

• Myalgia (joint and muscle pain)

• Fever

• Fatigue

Enterovirus

Symptoms:

• Diarrhoea and vomiting 

• Nausea

COVID-19

Symptoms:

• Fever

• Cough

• Loss of taste and smell

• Prolonged cough

• Diarrhoea and vomiting

When you have one of these viruses here's what you need to do:

Rest!

Your body needs all its energy to fight the illness.

Drink water

Your body already loses anywhere between 500mls to 1L of water a day through sweat, saliva and normal body functions. It’s important to keep your fluids topped up.

Painkillers

If your body is in pain - for example your joints - take paracetamol regularly. Follow the dosage according to your weight and never take more than advised.

Remember, it is important to maintain good hand hygiene throughout the illness. If you have COVID 19, follow the government guidelines.

You need to seek medical attention when you are unable to keep up oral intake, your symptoms are unmanageable at home, you are short of breath on exertion or you have a cough that lasts longer than 2 weeks.

The New Faces Awards 2021

After the success of previous events such as WOTC Fashion Week and the Now Woman Summit, Women of the City Magazine is pleased to announce the New Faces Awards, taking place at the luxurious Berkeley hotel in Knightsbridge, London this December 8th 2021. 

The ceremony will honour women across 12 categories including Woman of the Year, Business of the Year, Sustainable Brand of the Year, and the Achievement Award voted for by the public from Monday 8th November 2021. Nominees already include Bianca Saunders, Marine Tanguy, Tessy Ojo, Ade Hassan, and Nöella Coursaris Musunka. 

The evening will be dedicated to the infinite achievements of everyday women, whilst also recognising the efforts of female leaders, with an established track record of organisational and personal success. The NFAs aims to shine a light on the women who have made significant contributions within their industries and communities. 

Guests can expect a celebrity red carpet, WOTC’s renowned live panel with past cover girls and features, and live band performances. 

Applications

If you are or know of an outstanding businesswoman, female founder, or creative for the New faces Awards, apply today. 

The categories for the New Faces Awards include: Business of the Year, Woman of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Emerging Beauty Brand, Emerging Fashion Brand, Sustainable Brand of the Year, Pre-loved Brand of the Year, Beauty Product or Service of the Year, New Face of the Year, Agency of the Year, Community Leader of the Year and the Achievement Award.

Voting opens on Monday 8th November 2021 and a select number of tickets and tables are available to purchase now. 

What happens in Paris...

Words Shemaiah Gold

I arrived in the city of love at the Charles De Gaulle Airport after what had felt like a 5-minute flight. There was a part of me that had hoped the flight would be longer so that I could catch up on some of the sleep I had missed. Waking up at 4 am to catch a flight was no joke, especially when you aren’t a morning person. My body was ringing the alarm for a Starbucks iced latte. I settled for 'une noisette.’ I could already smell the fresh croissants and taste the crunch of a freshly baked baguette in my mouth. Whilst on the plane, I had taken a peek out the window and there it was, like a dream, 'Le Tour Eiffel.’

I couldn't help but fall in love with Paris all over again. I had a newfound appreciation for the arts and culture of France. As I waited for my car, I chuckled remembering the A-level French I had taken in sixth form, and debated with myself as to whether I was bold enough to actually speak any of it, as my driver came into view. ‘Why not?’ I concluded. Now was as good a time as any. "Combien de temps prendra le voyage?” I had asked my French driver as he walked towards me, trying my best to sound natural and as though I had been speaking French all my life. He responded in English and asked me if I was from London. That did not go to plan.

The drive to my hotel wasn’t what I had expected! Parisian motorists were like nothing I’d ever experienced. It was almost as though they had no regard for road safety. I spent most of my journey at the edge of my seat trying to remain calm. Driving in Paris certainly wasn’t for the faint-hearted.

When we finally arrived at the hotel, I couldn’t wait to get out. It was both a mixture of wanting to leave the journey behind and the excitement of starting my day. It was 11:36, French time and all thoughts about sleep had been frightened away during my car ride to the hotel.

Once in the comfort of my room, I knew there was no time to waste. I had back-to-back meetings and the company of the WOTC content team. I had to admit, it felt like I had my very own paparazzi.

One of the things I loved and appreciated most about Paris was the inspiration you received everywhere you went. From the lollipop lady helping you cross the road (which was one of the things I found interesting considering we no longer have them in London), to the cute café spots on the street corners to the beautiful French buildings. I fell in love with the architecture for the most part. I was also inspired by everyone’s own sense of fashion and the influencers I would see taking pictures. I was surrounded by creativity.

"Alors, allé allé." Interrupted from my daydream whilst on the way to meeting number one at WOTC Paris HQ, the content team was also in tow. I strutted past Palais Garnier in my vintage sky blue suit and Dior accessories feeling inspired. I was a girl on a mission.

The evening came quicker than I had expected, meaning my time in Paris was nearing a close. As I waited for my driver to take me to the 'Les Femme et L'art,’ exhibition; the beautiful collaboration between MTArt Agency and Bumble, I knew it was going to be a fantastic night. Look two involved an embellished cardigan dress from Self-Portrait, my favourite pair of Tom Ford heels, and Chanel accessories. As my car pulled up and the driver stepped out, it was clear he also had the memo. He was wearing a very dapper red tuxedo matching my red dress.

On arrival, I was met at the door by a young Parisian woman with brown eyes and a short blonde bob updo, who checked my name off the guest list. I strolled through the alleyway, my Saint Laurent heels clattering on the cobbled street, with the WOTC content team following behind. I felt like Dorothy walking down the yellow brick road into Emerald City.

I spotted the yellow doors, and on them in large bold letters read 'Les Femme et L'art'. Entering, I was instantly greeted with an incredible social presence. The room was filled with both men and women laughing, chatting, and enjoying this celebration of women in the arts.

I took in the room, admiring the decor. My attention fell to a mirror that leaned against one of the walls and on it read the words ‘soi ta propre muse’ in bold letters, meaning ‘be your own muse.’ Looking down you could see a beautiful flower arrangement with bright yellow petals coordinating with the rest of the room. Then, I spotted the woman of the hour, Marine Tanguy. Walking over to her I extended my congratulations on her phenomenal event and partnership with Bumble. She was very much in her element. "You've come at the perfect time because we're just about to have a performance," she had said to me. The lights dimmed as we all waited in anticipation for the performance of the night. It was powerful to see the art of such bold and strong women working together. Camille Walala, Zhara Holme, and Delphine Diallo were from MTArt Agency, what I’d define as a family of movers and shakers in the art space. Delphine had been with the agency the longest. Camille had joined the family earlier this month, whilst Zahra joined the clan at the latter end of September 2021.

Zahra's pieces owned the wall they hung from. The beautiful array of pastel like tones subtly gave the exhibition room life. “All evening was amazing, the performance was definitely an experience. It was a big first for me to see a dancing robot in harmony with a human. A very moving performance,” she told WOTC.

Camille's piece matched her bright blue hat on the night and with its graphic shapes. You could instantly feel the fun and joy of the world she was inviting you into through her work. “When I entered the exhibition and saw my works hanging in this beautiful gallery,” she commented, describing her favourite part of the night. “Indeed, even though I was born in Paris, I spent little time in this city and had never been exposed to it before. So it was quite moving to see my works hanging in my hometown with other talented artists.”

Delphine's 'Golden Age Art Print,’ particularly stood out to me because I love gold. It reminded me of a modern-day, cosmic version of the Mona Lisa and was a true display of a woman's beauty being redefined. “Femmes de l'art means the art world through the eyes and through the gaze of women. A new world to discover today in 2021. This is what it means to me; a new narrative. This collaboration with Bumble means that I am opening up the conversation and the female narrative to the art world and to a company that is willing to help expand the image of female artists to society. I really appreciate that Bumble is taking a stand to support us women,” she told WOTC.

The ballet performance by American ballerina and quantum physicist Merritt Moore, was breathtaking. I was truly blown away. The performance began with her crouching down and as she did, the audience followed suit. The entire room was enthralled, either sitting or crouched down to hear the heartfelt story of her mum passing away, whilst also taking in the strength and beauty of her being in her most vulnerable state out in the open. The performance was a magical display of tears, ballet, words and light.

She later revealed to WOTC that she had programmed the robot herself. “The highlight is always to see that people fall in love with the works of our artists just as much as we did,” Marine had told WOTC. “We are beyond lucky to work with Camille Walala, Delphine Diallo and Zahra Holm who are quite literally THE artists to watch out for. What a dream!”

The gallery is open from Tuesday 19th - Sunday 24th of October from 12h00 - 20h00 at Espace Leon Temple, 147 rue du Temple 75003 Paris.

Bumble and MTArt Agency Enter Exciting Partnership launching Women and Art Exhibition

As the month of art is well underway in London, popular dating and networking app Bumble, and award-winning talent & creative agency MTArt Agency come together for an exciting partnership, launching their exhibition “Women and Art,” which kicks off in Paris days before FIAC 2021 and calls attention to the lack of equality for women in the world of art. 

‘Les femmes et l’art’, a pop-up exhibition, kicks off on October 19th, lasting through to 24th, at the transient Bumble Gallery, in Le Marais. The week-long exhibition is dedicated to contemporary art in Paris, placing female artists at the forefront. 

In the city of love - a fitting location for the renowned networking app, Bumble France is bringing women together to connect and make known the lack of equal representation in art. 

Press, influencers, and cultural voices will also enjoy a private, invite-only viewing of the exhibition on October 18th. 

MTArt Agency CEO, founder, and former WOTC Magazine cover girl Marine Tanguy comments “As a female founder, I recognise the need for more equality in our sector as both art professionals and artists. Women are overwhelmingly underrepresented, misrepresented, and undervalued in the art world. It’s an honour to partner with Bumble to showcase some amazing artists and highlight the need for a more women-centered industry, where artists can be known and recognized for their artistry. I hope that this partnership will inspire and empower women to make their own first moves.” 

Naomi Walkland, Bumble’s Head of Europe comments: “As an app that’s rooted in kindness, equality, and inclusivity, we are always looking for ways to empower women. The exhibition“Women and Art” at the Bumble Gallery is a partnership in response to the lack of female representation in the art world, and our way to provide a space to celebrate the women to make the first move in art, in life, and in love. Art is not only a love of mine but also a top interest for dating in Paris. Our research shows that 1 in 4 millennials are most excited about, and would opt for, an indoor cultural date**. With tens of thousands of Parisians choosing to display ‘art’ as an interest on their profiles, the exhibition at the Bumble Gallery makes for a perfect date spot.” 

Attendees can expect to see works from French artists Camille Walala, Zahra Holm, Delphine Diallo who are all part of the MTArt family, as well as an exclusive launch performance by quantum physicist ballerina Dr. Merritt Moore. 

The gallery will be open from Tuesday 19th - Sunday 24th of October from 12h00 - 20h00 at Espace Leon Temple, 147 rue du Temple 75003 Paris.

Here’s What the WOTC Team Did Whilst WhatsApp, Instagram & Facebook Were Down!

At around 16:45 BST on Monday 4th October, WhatsApp went offline worldwide and with it also went its sister application Instagram, and of course FaceBook, the mother app of both. But as the family of apps went down, what was only a few hours for some felt like a lifetime for others, particularly for WhatsApp and Instagram users whose global community was mostly made up of millennials and Gen Z, posing the question as to whether social media had taken a great deal of precedence in our lives and unhealthily so... With that, here’s what some of the WOTC team got up to whilst WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook were down. 

Credit: Shutterstock

“I was actually relieved somewhat when Instagram and WhatsApp shutdown, firstly because I thought my WiFi was playing up, but mainly because it made me realise how much time I spend on them. I did however, fill the void with TikTok haha.” 

Jennifer, Fashion Editor 

“I was refreshing [the app] every 2 minutes!”

Erika, PR Assistant 

“I wasn’t going to do university work that night, but it made me uni work because there was nothing else to do. I also went on Snapchat - and I don’t really go on Snapchat.”

Beverley, Culture Editor 

“It was actually very peaceful. I didn’t even realise it was down for about an hour, though I was confused as to why the phone wasn’t going off as usual. When it got to midnight, I started to think that Facebook had actually lost their mind. It was peaceful, but it got a little boring.”

Sandra, Tech Editor 

"I didn't notice. I was actually watching Squid Game.."

Whitney, Food Editor

“I had a busy clinic in the afternoon so I didn’t realise it was down until the end of the day. Initially, I thought it was an issue with my phone so I restarted it. Then I started cursing the hospital internet, until a friend texted me to ask about a meeting we had planned that evening. Once I knew it wasn’t an issue with me, I loved the fact I didn’t have to check WhatsApp for a while. I spent the evening doing some admin. I think I’d be lying if I said I was miraculously more productive, but it was definitely nice to have a break from WhatsApp groups and Instagram statuses, and to distract myself in other ways. I knew it was working when I received a message about something. It wasn’t something I wanted to devote any attention to if I’m honest, so I carried on as if it was still not working!”

Dr Emma, Senior Health Editor 

“So while the infamous trio was having a break yesterday, I took the opportunity to watch “Bride Wars” on Netflix - absolute classic. I then tidied up my room and went to the gym for a well-deserved, glute-focused session.”

Bevery, Fitness Editor 

“As the buffering sign paused all my online activity, I retreated and my inner hermit relished in the thought of some new green ticks on my offline checklist. First thing I did was dust of my exercise mat to burn all my weekend calories. I won’t disclose how successful this attempt was, let’s just be happy with the light sweats and workout selfies. I decided I would pamper myself focusing on my basic hair and skin care needs that I’d convinced myself I didn’t have time for. My spontaneous wash day commenced 2 hours into the social media freeze, taking up more time than I expected… I guess I was a little out of practice. My facial turned into more of a combination of some steaming and using a dime-sized serving of almost every product I own, trying to make up for my skin care neglect. I must say my pores were loving it! With my new glow and clean scalp, it was a much needed involuntary pamper day - even if my new waistline is still in buffering mode.”

Uyi, Fashion Editor 

“I did check for the first few minutes, then I realised this was the perfect opportunity to get some work done with no distractions. For once, there was nothing happening on my phone. Of course, I also migrated to Twitter, as I always do. I’ve always been a Twitter user and Jack never fails us! I used Twitter to find out what was going on and catch up on other news updates and stories. Once I got into the flow of my internship and other work, I didn’t even remember that WhatsApp was down. I have worked hard to make sure I’m glued to my phone less. I literally only checked Instagram once, putting my phone down more and picking up the pen.”

Sarah, Political Editor 

“Because I had a few people I had to communicate with via WhatsApp group chats, I was checking quite frequently. I actually used Twitter a little more yesterday as it was quite good for updates. I also came across a lot of information that I didn’t know about, particularly in regards to the Pandora Papers. So I used my time to read articles, which I wouldn’t usually do and I watched a few episodes of a Netflix show and I caught up on some sleep, which was really nice.”

Talibah, Food Editor 

“I was constantly checking my phone (laughs). I realised that I do it so constantly. I knew it wasn’t working but for some reason, I was still looking at it. In the end, I told myself that I needed to take a social media break. It was funny because I had everyone’s number and I could call them and I could iMessage them, but I found myself frozen wondering how I would get in contact with people.”

Krystle, Property Editor 

“I don’t really use Facebook much at all, but WhatsApp for me.. it was amazing to have a break. I found myself checking WhatsApp the most. I went to Instagram when I found that WhatsApp wasn’t functioning. I didn’t know what to do with my hands, so I just put my phone down. In conclusion, I mostly spent time thinking.”

Shemaiah, Art Editor 

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Exclusive: Here’s How WOTC Fashion Week Went

Phadria Prendergast, WOTC Magazine

WOTC Fashion Week kicked off on Friday 17th September, with a fleet of luxury cars - a mix of Rolls-Royce Wraiths and Ferraris, took guests to and from the swanky Nobu and COMO Hotel in Park Lane, London. Renowned for its prestigious homes and luxury car showrooms, it was the perfect area to host an intimate breakfast for 30 of WOTC’s dearest, as well as new friends of the magazine.

Sharon Gaffka

Nat Bowen

The occasion not only marked the first day of London Fashion Week and the magazine’s coveted ‘Big Fashion Issue’ reveal, but also looked to honour global foundation Malaika, whose founder Nöella Coursaris Musunka was our first cover girl. The private, invite-only breakfast saw guests include a foray of former and current WOTC cover girls such as Mariya Dykalo, Aspinal of London’s Creative Director; Marine Tanguy of MTArt Agency, Emily Rea & Thais Cipolletta of The Restory and HLD’s Hannah Holland. Friends included international artist Nat Bowen, Sherrille Riley of Nails & Brows, Mumble Forum’s Monique Vega Hodgson, and musical artist Nqobilé.

Hannah Holland

Emma FTN

Cars took guests to event number two at Selfridges; the WOTC Fashion Talks ‘Luxury’ and ‘Female Founders’ panels. The intimate crowd included a mix of both WOTC readers and global industry leaders. Panelists included global luxury retail expert Frances Card, fashion’s chicest florist Whitney Bromberg Hawkings, founder and CEO of FLOWERBX, and renowned womenswear designer Julie Lingard, founder of AQ/AQ. From Selfridges, we sped to the Bvlgari London ending the day with key talks on PR, the ‘new age’ influencer and the future of journalism and publishing, with panelists including international journalist Amanda Randone and award-winning PR specialist Emily Austen.

Mariya Dykalo

The following day, we were back at Nobu for reception of Prosecco and canapés, whilst we watched a number of emerging fashion brands walk down the runway, alongside legendary womenswear label AQ/AQ, at WOTC’s sustainable catwalk.

To re-watch the live talks at Selfridges and the Bvlgari London, click here.

To listen to the live talks at Selfridges and the Bvlgari London, click here.

For more images from WOTC Fashion Week, click here.

EVEN SUPERHEROES NEED A DAY OFF 

Words Bevery Pokuah

Credit: Shutterstock

The world’s most decorated gymnast in World Championship history, Simone Biles, is not only a role model but a modern-day superhero. Not because she can push through her pain as expected, for yet another gold medal but this time she is playing on her own terns. With the entire world watching, she pulled out of a major event and so can you. You can put yourself first. 

Athletes are used to dealing with pressure, but the Tokyo Olympics has thrown several unique challenges that have been impossible to prepare for. This year’s games have brought mental health to the center stage and only a few weeks ago, Japanese Tennis player Naomi Osaka also withdrew after the second round at Roland Garros as organisers attempted to get her to press conferences. Athletes would usually rely on their families for support in stressful situations, but Tokyo’s Covid bubble which forces athletes to travel without family and friends, has removed a source of reassurance and hope. Athletes go through immense pressure of living up to public, social, and personal expectations and the thought of the weight of the world on their shoulders, but the question is why is it so difficult for athletes to put their mental health first?

Both Biles and Osaka received a largely sympathetic response, but this hasn’t always been the case. The Covid era has increased awareness of mental health issues, especially in sport. During her press conference after pulling out of the team competition where the USA took home silver, Biles stated:

"I have to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being[and] that’s why I decided to take a step back."

The 24-year-old assured viewers that she feels great physically but being ‘head star’ at the Olympics is taking its toll emotionally. In an Instagram post earlier this week, she told 5.1 million followers that “I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but damn sometimes it’s hard.” Attending the Olympics is any athlete's dream, Biles wanted it to be for herself. When Biles started to feel like her reasons for competing were being drowned out by the constant pressure to please others, she felt a kind of detachment from her first love.  She made a bold decision to take a back seat and trust that her teammates would bring home the medal. The act of leadership and maturity she displayed is one that many others wouldn’t, one that will hopefully cause a ripple effect and encourage open discussion about mental fitness. 

Preparing for major sporting events is demanding, physically and mentally, for athletes of all ages and demographics. Years of training and practice cannot substitute a well-rested mind. A balance must be created between the process and the outcome, so that athletes can avoid falling into the threat state which is (experienced when the situation is perceived as leading to failure with no available strategies to cope with it) and maintain a challenged mindset which is (whenthere is an opportunity for self-growth with available coping strategies) In order optimize performance and gain the best results.

If we acknowledge that a physically injured athlete is not fit to compete, then we must also accept that one whose mind isn’t at its peak should also take time out to rest and recharge.  The Tokyo games, originally set to take place last year, will be a major turning point in the conversation on mental health in athletes; It’s wellbeing first, performance second. 

Reminder: football is not just about trophies. It’s about family, community and unity

Words Sarah Adama

Credit: Harry Kane

The England team have secured a victory. Like many others, I believe it has never been easier to support an England team. Gareth Southgate’s team is multidimensional and representative of the England we want to live in. It’s northern, it’s Southern, young, experienced, black, white, mixed. The team has given us far more than any trophy. Being reminded of leadership and community, is a well needed breath of fresh air.

On and off the pitch, they have promoted equality, challenged racism quite literally fed children. They provided hope at a time of dampened spirits following the challenges of the last few months. Even non-football fans gave their heart to the game not because of other fans, but simply because of what the team represents. I mean, football won some fans from Marcus Rashford’s campaign to make sure no children went hungry during the lockdown.

The squad are the national heroes. They are pioneering an inclusive football and an inclusive nation, exhibiting strength and leadership and their impact is testament to this.

Yet, black players Bukayo Saka (19), Jadon Sancho (21) and Marcus Rashford (23) have been subjected to waves of abuse online following the final last night. Shortly after losing the penalty, a mural housing Rashford was vandalised with graffiti. The footballers Instagram and Twitter comments were piled with vicious, hateful comments especially towards 19 year old Saka.

Racism in football isn’t new, but I guess it was simply too much to expect that the few would praise the team that got us so far in the tournament, rather than hijack the moment.

I dare to say that our government has done little to clamp down on racism and xenophobia, years of denial and stirring has enabled such hate to thrive in our environment. This is only the latest event to expose the fragments in our society. A few weeks ago the Home Secretary said it was fine for English fans to boo the team for taking the knee against racism. Yet today, she condemns that very same thing.

Many have been affected by the results of last night’s final. Some already feared for their lives being out in public, others have reported facing racial abuse at work and at school, whilst parents are reluctant to send their children to school for a few days.

For those that previously insisted that the U.K isn’t racist and is in fact the least racist in Europe (a report generated before Brexit), it is even harder to deny the stark reality that’s staring us right in our face.

For many of us, there is no victory at all if what these young men have done for the nation is swept away by hateful comments. In fact, it is only a statement that the country has failed.

From the Conservative MP suggesting that Marcus Rashford should have spent more time “perfecting his game” rather than “playing politics” to the football fan that believes he can commit violent acts against another fan because of his skin colour or nationality.

It is evident that football is literally political. It is so deeply intertwined with politics, a longstanding culture of overt racism in the 1970s and 80s, the growth of hooliganism and now endless online abuse. Footballers are members of society like everybody else and are simply affected by the politics of society. The players and officials taking the knee before every match has shown the power of football as a political force and has been key in reinforcing togetherness during the UEFA tournament.

Across the globe, people are expressing their love and support. The FA, the governing body for football in England, released this statement:

Bets, booze, and billions: Is the EURO2020 what the country needs?

Words Sarah Adama

Shutterstock

Today is the day. Will the EURO2020 finals be enough to cushion the economy?

Football is considered the national sport of England. Governed by the Football Association, it is the most popular spectator sport in the U.K, drawing in over 2 million spectators and wagers.

This is the first time in 55 years that the England’s men’s team have reached the finals, as such, optimism is high. People are spending. On drinks, food and even England football shirts. In 2020, the lockdown restrictions meant there was no stadium audience and changes to broadcast agreements cost the Premier League and English football league a staggering £1.7 billion. Meanwhile, experts estimated that £90m will be pumped into the UK’s economy ahead of the match today. The final is set to become the most watched UK TV event of all time, even more than the England vs Germany match 55 years ago, which drew in a tv audience of over 30 million. This week, over 24 million people tuned in the watch England secure a place in the finals against Denmark, making it the 8th most watched viewing event of all time. Many employers are giving employees time off, even Tesco, one of the country’s biggest retailers announced its closure on match day so that staff can support the national team. Pub are sold out across the country; many restaurants and places of leisure will be supporting England vs Italy at the finish line.

An England victory could boost the economy. Here’s how.

Economists have predicted that England’s success alongside other factors will boost economic growth. 

So, what’s at stake? More than national pride, the country needs a consumer confidence boost, the Three Lions ‘bringing it home’ can ensure this. Chancellor Rishi Sunak says he expects a ‘bounce back’ in spending thanks to England reaching the finals. With national morale and consumer confidence at a high, Chief Economist Andy Haldane’s prediction that the economy will benefit from ‘enormous amounts of financial energy waiting to be released, like a coiled spring’ couldn’t be truer. 

It seems everybody wins. The hospitality, leisure and betting industries have all seen a massive boost in profits. Pubs are expected to sell over 13 million pints on the final’s day. With Wembley stadium and pubs across the stadium sold out, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) estimates nearly 13 million pints will be sold on Sunday, 7.1m during the match itself. However, venues are only operating at 50-60% capacity due to covid restrictions. Experts have commented that the strict rules on customer numbers means that struggling pubs hosting the finals may not make enough to restore their pandemic losses. The BBPA predicted that pubs are set to lose out on £9m in beer sales alone. Yet, the impact of spending on hospitality could bring £150million to UK GDP, according to Chief Economist at Panmure Gordon, Simon French. The feel-good factor could bring a much-needed consumer sentiment. 

Retail benefits from spending either way, as retail analyst Catherine Shuttleworth predicts a “massive” weekend for supermarkets as the final comes. As well as a mini spending boom on cares and homewares, and a boost in productivity. Consumers have been spending on food and leisure, and the England squad’s victories have only set off the feel-good factor. Even retailer Nike reported that it had sold out its £70 England kits for the semi-finals.

Gambling groups are set to benefit from wagers. Already Ladbroke’s owner Entain reported that customer bets on the tournament to be about £250 million as wagers on the finals saw up to 17.5million. Morgan Stanley analysts estimate that sports betting operators acquire more new customers in June and July in years with a tournament compared to those without, according to Bloomberg.

We are yet to know the economic legacy of the EURO2020, but if football really does come home, we can expect a high surge in consumer confidence and productivity all across the country. 

The FA is being shaken up and we’re here for it.

Words Sarah Adama

Shutterstock

In its 157-year history, the Football Association, to nobody’s surprise, has never had a female chair. This month, the governing body announced its unanimous nomination of Debbie Hewitt MBE as Chair of the FA, with effect from January 2022. She is set the replace the former chair who resigned in November 2020 following offensive comments. 

The FA board made up of a seven-member selection panel led by non-executive director Kate Tinsley considered Hewitt’s extensive non-executive career spanning over 15 years across different sectors in Listed, private-equity backed and privately owned companies. Currently, she is the non-executive chair of Visa Europe, The Restaurant Group plc, BGL Group and White Stuff and has been awarded for her proven success in servicing businesses and the public sector. Following a six years tenure in the role, she will step down from the Restaurant Group when she joins the FA. 

“I am delighted to be nominated for the role of non-executive chair of the Football Association,” Hewitt told the FA’s website.  

“ As the events in recent months have shown, this is a significant moment in time for English football, with a clear purpose for all stakeholders to secure the long term health of the game at all levels. 

I've been passionate about football from a very young age and I'm excited by the opportunity to play my part in shaping the future of something that means so much to so many.”

In such a male dominated industry, it’s rare to see women holding top posts. Yet women are, and have been, some of the biggest supporters of the sports sector. Debbie Hewitt has a tough job on her hands, though the optimism and support from her peers in the industry is welcoming. Former England and Manchester United Defender Gary Neville tweeted, “this is an outstanding achievement. The FA have a chance to modernise here if they allow Debbie to do her work!”

Williams bows out, gracefully.

Words Sarah Adama

Shutterstock

The seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams has been forced to concede her first-round match at the All England club against Aliaksandra Sasnovich after sustaining an ankle injury from the slick surface. 

She built a 3-1 lead in the first set against her opponent when she first slipped and left the court to receive medical attention. With the match tied at 3-3, Serena seemed to buckle at midpoint and this time walked off the court in tears. Of course, there was nothing less than a standing ovation from heartbroken fans for the 23-time grand slam champion as she departed with grace and poise. 

One of the sport’s favourites, Serena was many people’s choice in what was considered one of the most open women’s grand slam tournament draws. This year’s Championships was described as the one that would “make or break her career”, yet we are reminded of her resilient character and ability to bounce back.

Williams was aiming to win her 24th grand slam title and this is her first-ever round loss at Wimbledon. "I was heartbroken to have to withdraw today after injuring my right leg," she expressed in an  Instagram post. 

“My love and gratitude are with the fans and the team who make being on centre court so meaningful.”

Tennis lovers have shifted attention to the conditions of the centre court as Serena’s injury followed a knee injury to Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.  

“Brutal for @serenawilliams but centre court is extremely slippy out there. Not easy to move out there," tweeted British tennis star, Andy Murray.

In the words of a true champion, “I really think a champion is defined not by their wins, but by how they can recover when they fall.” 

It’s hard to see her bow out like this but she has done it with so much grace and poise.

 Until next year Serena. We’re rooting for you. 

Kim Takes SKIMS to the Olympics

Words Uyi Ilenbs

Shutterstock

Kim Kardashian West announces SKIMS will be the official underwear brand of Team US at Tokyo Games.

Under her social media post this Monday Kim K, shares some exciting and unexpecting news, that her clothing brand SKIMS is designing the official undergarments, loungewear and pyjamas for Team USA at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The SKIMS catalogue ranges from underwear, shapewear and loungewear. Although the SKIMS brand is fairly young what didn’t come as a surprise was the entrepreneur’s Olympic collaboration. This full circle moment for Kim stems from the Kardashian Jenner Klan’s Olympic legacy inherited from Caitlyn Jenner, her mother’s former long-term partner.

“I travelled with my stepdad and family to all different cities for the Olympic trials, the Olympics and track meets of @caitlynjenner’s and at every stop I would buy an Olympic t-shirt as a souvenir.” Kim shares.

She has never been marketed as an athletic person before but the SKIMS brand focus on providing innovative solutions for diverse body types, is what has most likely put them side by side with the likes of Nike and Ralph Lauren official clothing providers for the Tokyo Olympics.

"SKIMS’ shared mission and values of empowerment and inclusively made the brand the perfect fit for Team USA," stated Peter Zeytoonjian, senior VP of consumer products at U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Properties, 

SKIMS will be releasing this collection to the wider public as a capsule collection online in July. Its pleasing to see the brand remain authentic to its aesthetics and style within this collection. The official ad visuals captured a diverse selection of female Olympians and Paralympians in power poses featuring their minimalistic neutral colour palette. With athleisure on the rise, there is a massive opportunity for a monumental and profitable outcome for the young brand to step on to the world’s streets, gyms and couches and beds.

Tokyo is famous for their fashion district and traffic for alternative styles and culture. It looks like the Tokyo Olympic Games will embody this too with new fashion brands being added to the Olympic roster. Telfar Clemens, recently announced they too were designing for the games, the uniforms for team Liberia. Something is telling me the red racetrack will turn into the red carpets for these fashion brands.

A letter to the daughters on Father’s Day from our Editor

Words Phadria Prendergast

Shutterstock

DEAR DAUGHTERS,

For a long time Father’s Day was bittersweet for me. My dad had been absent from my life since the age of 7-years-old and quite frankly, I thought life wasn’t fair. I thought I had been given the short end of the stick, because my family life - namely my (non-existent) relationship with my dad, didn’t look like everyone else’s. It wasn’t the picture perfect portrait that was often painted in TV shows, and it certainly didn’t look or sound the way my friends had described their own father-daughter relationships throughout my primary, secondary and college education. 

Truth be told, those 7 years that I experienced with my biological father, I was what you would have called a “daddy’s girl” through and through. So, when he ultimately decided that he no longer wanted to be part of my life shortly after my 7th birthday, I was heartbroken. I couldn’t and didn’t understand why.  

Today, as I type this letter to you all, our beautiful readers and specifically, all of the daughters across the globe, I sit content and in complete understanding, because in all honesty, I couldn’t remember anything my dad had taught me. I briefly remember him putting me through private school and providing a lovely home for us to live in at the time, and I’m grateful for both, but that was all I could really recall. 

I understand today that fathers cast a vision; fathers shape your mind; fathers show you who you are. Fathers create and leave behind legacies. Fatherhood is about sacrifice. Fatherhood was never about the amount of times I was told “I love you” or how many times I’d been taken on holiday, nor was it about how many things I was given or bought, but for many years, when I thought about fatherhood, it was often what I associated it with. And so, I realised that my dad couldn’t father me, it wasn’t his fault. He also hadn’t been taught how to. 

Now, I am privileged to have a father, who I’m not biologically related to (because true fatherhood has little to do with blood), but who has reshaped a once bruised mind with harsh, but true and invaluable words of wisdom. These words guide me, help me to make sound decisions and allow me to discover who I am daily. They’ve presented an alternative future before me, one that would have otherwise ended in turmoil, simply because I had no real guidance. 

So with that, I would like to say happy Father’s Day to all the incredible fathers (blood or otherwise), who are casting the vision for their daughters and guiding them through life. 

And to the daughters.. mainly those who on this day, often feel broken, defeated, sad - I hope my words bring you understanding and solace. 

-

Designers are Expanding Past Just Clothing

Words Uyi Ilenbs

Dior

Many luxury designers have expanded their product lines past clothing over the years, with beauty at the forefront. Fashion and beauty are synonymous industries, so it’s no surprise when fashion labels began introducing cosmetics to their roster. The last decade has seen a spike in this movement but even with esteemed brands such as Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Givenchy, Valentino are only now joining this new-age style of the designer brand. Although, this delay to conform could have possibly positioned Valentino at an advantage with front row seats watching the evolution of the Fashion X Beauty movement prior to jumping on board. 

Competitors Competing
High street brands have picked up on the move and have become a one-stop-shop for all things fashion beauty and lifestyle. Brands such as Zara recently announced they are adding beauty to their product lines, going head to head in the race to the height of the all-inclusive shopping experience. Arguably the comparison of luxury fashion brands and high street retailers would usually be a far cry but in the world of cosmetics, products that meet customer needs usually are the brands that get the purchase. With these new lines, a lot of luxury designer brands are not producing their own cosmetics, using beauty conglomerates such as L’Oréal, COTY, or Estee Lauder to produce their products. Luxury brands using these companies to produce their cosmetics works as an equaliser in the realm of cosmetics. Customers slowly started noticing that many of the luxury cosmetics, high street retailers and drugstore products have similar to identical formulas. 

Diffusions
So why do these luxury brands still see a high volume of purchases? Well, the focus for these luxury brands becomes how do they build brand loyalty. For luxury fashion labels, a cosmetic line can be used as a form of diffusion brand. Ultimately offering the luxury experience, designer fashion labels are able to share their brand identity across cosmetic product lines without the weighty price tag their fashion apparel comes with. Dior is popular for merging its cosmetics and fashion apparel. They feature their cosmetic bags with the latest and trendiest Dior prints and logo. The internet has introduced online trends consisting of DIY hacks for turning designer cosmetics gift packages into luxury designer handbags. Customers are purchasing the latest Dior lipstick collection that comes in a luxury designer bag, this is a two-for- one deal that the fashion labels could not offer by themselves. 

Cosmetics open a new audience for these designer fashion labels, for these high- priced brands the exclusivity factor isn’t one they would like to reject. This becomes difficult in the cosmetics industry where ingredient lists are on show and conglomerates are producing competing products and brands. Similar to fashion apparel the ocean is vast and shopping habits differ for each customer's needs. The new age Luxury designer brand will have multiple arms covering fashion beauty and lifestyle. Brands that do not adapt are more susceptible to reduced brand possibilities and will fall behind the ever-growing industry. 

POST LOCKDOWN GLOW UP WITH DOLL BEAUTY

Words Samantha Allen & Danielle Gregory

Doll Beauty’s Chester Salon

Coming out of lockdown is the perfect chance to treat ourselves to those beauty products we can finally use now we have an excuse to leave the house! And there is no time like the present to be planning your post lockdown glow up says Doll Beauty founders Danielle Gregory & Samantha Allen! They are one of the biggest beauty brands in the UK - with a huge celeb following & beautifully insta-friendly products.

1 – Gilly Lashes, £10 

Gilly lashes are one of the most popular lashes in the collection; they are lightweight, fluffy & the perfect lash for a natural, subtle extension. These have been extremely popular with celeb mums such as Billie & Samantha Faiers and can be seen featured on our Instagram regularly. We often get asked in the salon & online for natural looking lashes and these are by far one of our most recommended products. 

2 – Medium Golden Glow Tan, £15

Our fake tan is the perfect way to make yourself feel oh so glam & ready to take on the outside world! The Medium Golden glow shade is the lighter of the two & is a lightweight, quick drying mousse. The smell is to die for; with a mix of rose & marshmallows & caviar extract, this will make you look & feel a million dollars! For the perfect application make sure you pick up our Mitt for a flawless overall tan. 

3 – My Love Lipstick, £13

One of the most popular nudes in the collection – My Love has gorgeous pinky tone & the perfect lipstick to take you from day to night. My Love is lightweight & long lasting & looks stunning on it's own or with a pop of gloss over the top! 

4 – Blusher, Tan Lines, £13

Our blusher collection is simply stunning. With eight shades in the collection – it's hard to choose just one! Tan Lines is certainly one of our favourites & perfect for making your cheeks pop! Tan Lines is compact & comes with a built-in mirror making it easy to pop in your bag & blush on the go! 

5 – I Love Doll Palette, £25

The I Love Doll Palette is one of our newest additions & part of the Love Collection. This palette contains nine new shades consisting of nudes, pinks & browns – perfect to get yourself Dolled up on Mother’s day & beyond! 

There we have it ladies – the perfect palette to take you from daytime brunch to evening drinks feeling and looking fabulous! If you haven't already, why not put a date in the diary where you can get Dolled up & put the products to good use? 

Visit www.dollbeauty.com

Instagram - @__dollbeauty_