The ceremony will be attended by just 170 guests, who will be rotated in and out of the telecast
Mother of God...
WE CAN'T SLEEP UNTIL WE KNOW DI KATE FLEMING IS OKAY 😭
It’s been a full calendar year — or as the millennials on Instagram say, a full trip around the sun — since we started wearing face masks. In the early pandemic aughts, we strove to make our face masks work with our outfits: leopard prints, groundbreaking florals, and even political masks were all the rage. And then, many of us reverted back to the simple surgical masks, often doubling up on cotton ones. Phone, keys, wallet, face mask — that’s all you need. But now that 50% of all adults in the United States are vaccinated with at least one shot and eligibility for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is now open to everyone over the age of 16 or 18, depending on what state you’re in, a future without face masks actually seems…possible? Still, one real question remains: Just how close are we to not wearing face masks anymore? According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Americans might only need to wait until 2022 before a mask-free reality exists once again. When asked about people in the US wearing face masks for another year during a February appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Fauci, who is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said: “You know, I think it is possible that that’s the case and, again, it really depends on what you mean by normality.” Dr. Fauci also expressed his optimism for getting back to what he again described as normality by the end of 2021. “As we get into the autumn and the winter, by the end of the year, I agree with [President Joe Biden] completely that we will be approaching a degree of normality,” he told host Dana Bash. But even as life begins to go back to some semblance of normal — as seen by US states (often prematurely) lifting COVID-19 restrictions — Dr. Fauci and the CDC continue to stress the importance of wearing a face mask to keep COVID-19 transmission rates low. Until more of the US is fully vaccinated, continuing to wear face masks will help fend off new variants of the coronavirus and keep others healthy overall. But let’s also talk about the elephant in the room (chat? website?): Some of us kind of maybe like wearing face masks now. There’s a certain anonymity to wearing a face mask outside or an added comfort when going makeup-free. Plus, face masks aren’t just protecting us from COVID, or stopping us from transmitting it — they are also protecting us from a whole host of other airborne infections. And because of face masks, flu cases this past winter dropped dramatically. Opting to wear face masks for the foreseeable future, according to the Intelligencer, is also a popular choice among teachers, germaphobes, and those with preexisting conditions like heart disease. “Forever maskers,” as they’ve been dubbed, have their reasons for wanting to permanently cover-up, including wanting to keep others safe from them. Another reason, experts say, is rooted in anxiety. “It’s no different than having a drink or taking a drug or running or any number of ways that we kind of manage our anxiety,” clinical psychologist Lina Perl told Intelligencer about people who choose to wear face masks even after the danger of COVID-19 is gone. “But you can get disconnected from the actual danger.” While she understands why forever maskers choose to continue to hide their faces, Perl also voiced her hope that they “don’t underestimate the loss of [human] connection,” which society will achieve again once our faces are back out in full display. Still, outside of mental health reasons like anxiety, Americans and Brits wanting to make face masks a permanent part of our culture is growing in popularity. The conversation has persisted since 2020, with the general consensus being that the country as a whole could stand to adopt cleaner habits. We still have a ways to go until the “normality” predicted for 2022 occurs. And there is a future, maybe, sometime, where you could be maskless and sweaty in a concert crowd once again. But until then, the regular check of keys, wallet, cell phone, and face mask continues. As it should. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?I Tried Olaplex No.8 & The Results Are IncredibleThe Most Breathable Face Masks To Run InStylish 3-Layer Face Masks To Shop Now
SOUTH KOREA – NOVEMBER 22: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY; NO BOOK COVERS.) In this image released on November 22, Jungkook, Suga, V, Jin, RM, Jimin, and J-Hope of BTS perform onstage for the 2020 American Music Awards on November 22, 2020 in South Korea. (Photo by Big Hit Entertainment/AMA2020/Getty Images via Getty Images) On Monday — in what is perhaps the most chaotic good energy we’ve felt in a long time — McDonald’s announced that the company is partnering with BTS, the world-renowned Korean band, for its next celebrity meal. And it feels like two kingdoms are uniting in beautiful, harmonious solidarity. McDonald’s announced the partnership on Twitter, via just six words: “Coming this May: The BTS Meal.” The already-famous meal includes 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, and a soda option (Sprite, if you’re J-Hope), as well as the introduction of two dipping sauces — sweet chilli and cajun flavours — both inspired by McDonald’s South Korea recipes, per the burger chain and as reported by CNN. (Unclear as to why they didn’t include a mochi-inspired dessert, but hey, nobody’s perfect.) The meal will be available in at least 50 markets worldwide starting on 26th May. Other celebrities to partner with McDonald’s on its menu collaborations recently include singer J Balvin and rapper Travis Scott. BTS, however, is by far the most hotly anticipated collab to date: In 2019, BTS became the third group in 50 years to have three number-one albums on the Billboard 200 charts in less than one year, according to CNN. Let’s just say that BTS might be the only band more famous and accomplished than the Chicken Nugget. And their fans could not be more excited about the collaboration. “Get in loser we’re going to mcdonalds to get the bts meal,” one fan wrote on Twitter, accompanied by a picture of BTS band members inside a car. “So if you work for mcdonalds during the bts meal collab that means you indirectly work for bts,” another tweeted. Here are a few of the major highlights: john cena at mcdonalds asking for the bts meal with a jhope photocard pic.twitter.com/asOhgUw56O— darcy (@babyratplushie) April 19, 2021 ‘get in loser we’re going to mcdonalds to get the bts meal’ pic.twitter.com/9yzwx73097— 엠미 Emmie⁷⁰³²⁵✜ 🎫 (@jeonjungkuromi) April 19, 2021 family funeral going to get bts meal at mcdonalds pic.twitter.com/UnZXSv5mkb— ITS BAKUGOS BIRTHDAY (@skaterhobi) April 19, 2021 me eating the bts meal like i aint never had mcdonalds fries before pic.twitter.com/e2r0MsCvgz— hourly 2seok 🌊 I love yuo 👉👈 (@hourlyseokseok) April 19, 2021 the mc donalds employee at the grill having to make their 30th bts meal pic.twitter.com/J8EDG6XXXa— bea 𓆏 JAY (@leminhunny) April 19, 2021 so if you work for mcdonalds during the bts meal collab that means you indirectly work for bts pic.twitter.com/QP9PLgJvy0— a⁷ ⟬⟭ᴮᴱ (@kiiotae) April 19, 2021 v when McDonalds launches The BTS MealArmy: pic.twitter.com/Iwo3MXtIeK— ᴮᵉLee ⁷ wanna cuddle namjoon (@BEM00NCHlLD7) April 19, 2021 Several other brands also chimed in on the collab: “Our fav record breakers,” the Guinness World Records’ Twitter handle posted. “We’re lovin’ it,” UNO — yes, the card game UNO — tweeted. “BUT WILL THERE BE PUPPUCCINOS?” Petco tweeted, in a sentence that makes total sense in the year of our lord 2021. Here’s a sampling of the many brand reactions, probably borne out of some very real, “Ugh, why didn’t we think of this first?!” vibes: our fav record breakers— Guinness World Records (@GWR) April 19, 2021 Can we get seven 💜 to go?— Samsung Mobile US (@SamsungMobileUS) April 19, 2021 Forgive me, Chef.*casually marks calendar for May 26*— Hell’s Kitchen (@HellsKitchenFOX) April 19, 2021 Can’t wait💜— Barbie (@Barbie) April 19, 2021 L💜VE— MATTEL (@Mattel) April 19, 2021 we’ll be hitting the drive-thru 💯— Hot Wheels (@Hot_Wheels) April 19, 2021 Truthfully, this collaboration is the reprieve we all needed right about now, and we will gladly engage with all McDonald’s x BTS content. In the words of Jeon Jungkook: “Shoes on, get up in the morn’, cup of milk Oreo McFlurry, let’s rock ‘n’ roll.” Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?The Grammys Used BTS As Eye CandyBTS Is Again The Target Of Anti-Asian Hate SpeechBTS Helps The World Feel A Little Smaller
We’ve sipped on a wide range of world-class Belgian brews to find the perfect fizzy tipples
In a recent Vogue Beauty Secrets video, actress Nicola Peltz explains an unconventional piece of jewellery she wears so she has a piece of her fiancé wherever she goes. Approximately three minutes into the beauty tutorial, somewhere between recommending her all-time favourite sunscreen and why she swears by Dior’s Forever Skin Glow Foundation, Peltz showed off a mysterious, golden pendant necklace. “If you guys are wondering what this is…It’s so weird, but this is Brooklyn’s wisdom tooth,” the actress reveals. She credited Los Angeles-based fine jeweller Anita Ko for taking Beckham’s recently-extracted molar and turning it into the gold-plated piece Peltz now wears around her neck. Peltz goes on to explain that she got the idea from her mum. When the actress had her own wisdom teeth removed a few years ago, her mum had one made into a pendant necklace, which she then gave to Beckham. “So I did the same for him,” Peltz explains. “He wears mine and I wear his.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝓃𝒾𝒸𝑜𝓁𝒶 (@nicolaannepeltz) In the rest of her Vogue tutorial, Peltz shares some of her favourite, go-to beauty products, including many Victoria Beckham Beauty picks, her future mother-in-law. But we can’t stop thinking about her golden-tooth charm necklace. It just goes to show that with most of our favourite pieces of jewellery, there’s often some sort of sweet, sentimental value attached. In this case, like an impacted wisdom tooth, the meaning is deeply rooted. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Victoria Beckham's Smartest Skincare Hack Is FreeBrooklyn Beckham Just Got A Massive Neck TattooVictoria Beckham Launches Posh Lipstick Collection
At 71, the formidable star of stage and screen is still speaking out and taking parts that scare her. As she returns in Netflix fantasy drama Shadow and Bone, she talks to Isobel Lewis about her fight for better female roles and why she never cracked America
A decision could be taken any time in the first two weeks of May
God, new TV is exciting these days isn’t it? Whether you’ve been filling the pandemic entertainment dearth by existing on reruns of Modern Family or you’re spending your week counting down to the next episode of Line Of Duty, it feels like a true blessing from above when something new hits our screens. So thank goodness for BBC Three’s Glow Up, back for a third season and featuring a brand-new host, Maya Jama. For those who haven’t tuned in thus far, the reality TV competition is based on the search for Britain’s next big makeup artist. Across the season, the 10 contestants will work on huge campaigns while being judged by some of beauty’s biggest names. Of course the OG judges are back. Val Garland, 25-year veteran of the industry and L’Oréal Paris’ global makeup director sits alongside Dominic Skinner, global senior artist for MAC. So, no presh. WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 13/04/2021 – Programme Name: Glow Up – TX: n/a – Episode: n/a (No. n/a) – Picture Shows: Host (centre) and judges. Dominic Skinner, Maya Jama, Val Garland – (C) BBC – Photographer: David Ellis This first week, the professional assignment is a campaign for Superdrug with the winning look set to be displayed across 800 stores nationwide. Guest judge is the estimable Dr Ateh Jewel, a beauty journalist who’s placed diversity at the heart of her long career. She’s creative directing the shoot and the number one thing she’s looking out for? Each contestant’s ability to colour match their model’s foundation. As Val Garland says, a good makeup artist should be able to work on any skin type, on any skin tone. The contestants are a mix of amateurs and professionals. There’s Ryley, who has zero professional training but who has learned to love her port wine stain birthmark and experiments with looks which amplify what she once thought of as a flaw. Samah, a MUA at a counter in west London, is keen to defy any outdated expectation that Muslim women should stay meekly in the background. And then there’s Dolly who, as a young mum, says she is scared of people seeing her ‘fail’ and just wants her daughter to see she’s really good at what she does (spoiler: she’s amazing). This season there’s also a small but super important change which mustn’t go unnoticed: all the contestants are introduced with their preferred pronouns. Hallelujah. WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 13/04/2021 – Programme Name: Glow Up – TX: n/a – Episode: n/a (No. 1) – Picture Shows: Sophie (MUA) – (C) Wall To Wall – Photographer: Guy Levy For the second challenge, the creative brief, the judges ask the contestants to create a look that represents what makes each of them unique. Some take inspiration from their cultural heritage, others focus on unique aspects of their personal look, two choose to express their neurodiversity. Huge props here — women with autism and the socialisation mechanism of ‘masking’ are never discussed on TV (let alone on reality TV) and it’s something that’s well overdue. It’s during this challenge too that we really get to see our new host do her thing. Maya Jama is calming and empathetic, even taking time to do a breathing exercise with one frazzled contestant. In fact, the whole vibe of the show feels different from previous seasons; it’s far less catty and critical and much more celebratory of the contestants and their work. The results of the creative brief are (mostly) a triumph. Good luck checking out Dolly’s final creation without actually gasping in awe. WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 13/04/2021 – Programme Name: Glow Up – TX: n/a – Episode: n/a (No. 1) – Picture Shows: Dolli (MUA) – (C) Wall To Wall – Photographer: Guy Levy UK reality TV competitions have really had a moment this year. From Great British Bake Off to RuPaul, The Great Pottery Throw Down to Alan Carr’s Interior Design Masters (hands up who could imagine themselves watching those last two shows a year ago), we’ve consumed them during the pandemic with an unexpected enthusiasm. These shows may be the polar opposite of the glamorous but mean-spirited US competitions we’re used to but the wholesome mix of real skill and talent, earnestness and (most crucially) the support the contestants give to each other is exactly what we needed when the global situation was at its most desperate. This new series of Glow Up, in which a group of seriously talented young people rally around each other, overcoming personal demons while getting the chance to show off the skill they were put on this Earth to do, places it firmly in this same category of heartwarming camaraderie TV. We’re not crying, you’re crying. All that’s left to say as the sun shines outside the window and the opportunity to meet friends in the pub (legally!) later beckons, is where was this uplifting hour of telly back in the dark days of January? Roll on episode two. Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star is on BBC Three from Tuesday 20th April at 7pm. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?TikTok’s Enchanting Obsession With Vintage MakeupYes, Trinny London Really Is Worth The Beauty HypeAfter Lockdown, I'll Only Wear Daring Makeup
The enduring legacy of sapphic women throughout history is undeniable. Having created some of the most renowned works of literature and art, modern-day fashion lovers are indebted to the cultural significance that queer women have helped to establish. However, queer women of significant cultural importance, like Frida Kahlo and Virginia Woolf, have often had their queerness diminished or erased entirely through the process of ‘straightwashing’. Such women have been subject to heteronormative historicising and their work as pioneers for the LGBTQ+ community all too easily forgotten. Take, for example, Frida Kahlo, whose openness about her sexuality through her art – which explored sexual pleasure, infertility and her attraction to women – cemented her status as an icon among artists in the LGBTQ+ community. Her rumoured affairs with artist Georgia O’Keeffe and film actresses Dolores del Río, Paulette Goddard and María Félix have been historically overshadowed by her tumultuous marriage to Diego Rivera and brief dalliance with Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky. By straightwashing queer women in this way, we risk erasing the profound impact that they have had on our understanding of the world, including fashion and style. But with the recent influx of period-inspired aesthetics on TikTok – cottagecore, goblincore, Regencycore, dark academia – modern historical-dress enthusiasts are looking to retell the stories of queer women through clothing. From waistcoats to corsets, puff sleeves to bobs, the popularity of queer historical dress has infiltrated the mainstream and as contemporary queer women embrace different aesthetics and trends of the past, the line from historical to modern queer women is finally being properly drawn. @elle.lexxa Reply to @goddess_or_not this ends now 🍰🍰🍰#wlw #haveyouheardtherumors ♬ original sound – elle.lexxa Eleanor Medhurst is a queer dress historian who runs Dressing Dykes, a blog about lesbian fashion history, and was a project team member for Queer Looks and Queer the Pier exhibitions at Brighton Museum. She tells Refinery29: “Feminine fashions of centuries gone by have been heterosexualised in the canon of fashion history. Our queer pasts have been purposefully covered up but by engaging with the material conditions of historical queer women’s lives – i.e. the clothes that they wore on their body – queer women in the present day can validate their histories and connect with them on a very personal level.” As contemporary queer women embrace different aesthetics and trends of the past, the line from historical to modern queer women is finally being properly drawn. The erasure of queerness from history has resulted in the ‘queer aesthetic’ being firmly associated with mid to late 20th and early 21st century trends (think brightly coloured hair and the recent surge in gender-neutral fashion from high street shops). However, a wave of sapphic period dramas like The World to Come and Portrait of a Lady on Fire alongside visibly queer social media personalities has broadened the scope of what queer fashion means for women, though primarily from a white, femme perspective. As fashion writer Rosalind Jana points out, Virginia Woolf has recently undergone a historical transformation by way of a renewed emphasis on her own queer identity and relationships. Ahead of its May reopening, Charleston House, a house, garden, studio and art gallery in Sussex which Woolf frequented with other members of the Bloomsbury group, is hosting events and exhibitions which document and embrace its rich queer history. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dressing Dykes (@dressingdykes) “For a long time, the image of a full-skirted, puff-sleeve, 19th-century dress has been miles away from queer fashion (and I think particularly lesbian fashion) in most people’s minds,” Eleanor points out. “However, thanks to recent representations in queer media, such as Anne Lister in Gentleman Jack, these fashions might now immediately be associated with women-loving-women. This is an empowering change.” For many, the resurgence in popularity of historically queer-inspired fashion isn’t surprising. Elements of queer historical dress have long been subtly embedded in fashion trends but 2021 has seen a surge in popularity of influencers drawing inspiration from queer women of the past. On TikTok, we see accounts such as @feminist_fatale, who prefers “vintage vibes not vintage values”, as a young lesbian reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe. For @elle.lexxa, corsets and puffy-sleeved dresses in 18th century style are a way for her to connect to her queer ancestors. The non-binary lesbian @kazrowe is a self-described “sword lesbian” who sports tailored Regency suits which Anne Lister would be proud of. In Liverpool, @eddieandthedead’s iconic dark academia looks give him more than a passing resemblance to Oscar Wilde. On Instagram, accounts like @everylesbianandtheirfashion and @incrediblylouche curate and educate, showing us how lesbians have dressed from centuries ago until now. The lovely @jessicaoutofthecloset also embraces a vintage look for a modern queer aesthetic. @feminist_fatale I used this sound a year ago but why not bring it back? 💌 ##cottagecoregf##cottagecorelesbian##foryou##fyp##femmelesbian##wlw##cottagecore ♬ original sound – Tik Toker Naturally, Woolf has also been cited as the inspiration behind numerous designers including Alexa Chung, Hades, Preen and Givenchy. Their collections feature sharply tailored suits for women, ruffled shirts – Fendi’s creative director Kim Jones even etched quotes from Woolf’s novels into mother-of-pearl clutches. By way of homage to Woolf’s gender-shifting character Orlando, inspired by her lover Vita Sackville-West, sapphic-inspired fashion is rising in popularity for people of all genders, particularly among those who identify as lesbian, bisexual and often gender-nonconforming. According to Lyst, searches for men’s brooches have risen 76% since January; notable favourites include Loewe’s Anagram brooch and Dior Homme’s Floral brooch. Although largely out of fashion for the last 30 years, men are reclaiming this once ‘ladylike’ item as a symbol of high fashion – just as it was worn by Orlando. Many of these trends can be linked back to the people who frequented the Sapho 1900 salon, who haunted the streets of fin de siècle Paris in the early 20th century and are largely to thank for our current conception of queer historical dress. During this period, sapphism was considered a brand – sometimes a rather outré one – but there were groups of literary women who embraced the term, creating a very particular style to coincide with the label. The Sapho 1900 scene was comprised of such openly queer authors as Renée Vivien, Gertrude Stein, Natalie Clifford Barney (lover of both Vivien and Radclyffe Hall) and the lesser known Eva Palmer and Liane de Pougy. Renée Vivien in particular had a very distinctive style which combined breeches and trousers with long wool coats nipped in at the waist, worn with men’s shoes not unlike the Dr. Martens we love today. @kazrowe Lets go pride and prejudice lesbians lets go #historytiktok #fyp #historicalfashion #foryoupage #regencyfashion #regency #bridgerton #lgbt ♬ original sound – Elsa In her novel The Pure and the Impure, French author Colette describes her experiences of cross-dressing in 1920s Paris, donning “sometimes a waistcoat, and always a silk pocket handkerchief.” A contemporary ode to the waistcoat comes in the form of the increasingly popular sweater vest. As staples of dark academia-inspired fashion, waistcoats and sweater vests evoke the same scholarly intrigue and bookishness that one might expect of university students. Author and art collector Gertrude Stein, who we’d now likely understand as gender variant, was also partial to a patterned men’s shirt and waistcoat. The ’90s shirts and patterned knitwear all over TikTok surely find their roots here. Jackets which tuck in at the waist that American turned French poet and novelist Renée Vivien might have worn, long wool coats in the dogtooth print favoured by novelist Radclyffe Hall and their partner. And we can see corsets combined with tailored trousers on #birate TikTok à la Mademoiselle Maupin, waistcoats and blazers teamed with sweater vests and knitwear in the style of the film Maurice. A couple of centuries earlier in the 1800s, author and scholar Anne Lister has also informed what we now consider ‘queer’ fashion. Always quite ashamed of how she dressed, Lister wore all-black, mostly men’s clothing, such as trousers and long tailcoats deemed unsuitable for a woman. She was relentlessly mocked for it in her era. Fiercely proud and protective of her queer identity, she used a passage in the bible to justify her sexuality as natural but does not seem to have linked her dress to her queerness. Nonetheless her all-black, stiff-collared image has massively informed modern queer fashion; her lovers were largely very feminine women decked out in puffy-sleeved dresses with wide, flouncy skirts. Anne and her lovers might even be considered an early manifestation of the butch/femme aesthetic we see everywhere today. Black was considered unfashionable, Anne’s clothes ill-fitting and undignified, but the breeches and long coats featured in the BBC’s 2019 adaptation of her life, Gentleman Jack, paint a remarkable picture of Anne’s proto-queer style. However they might identify today, the aesthetics of these queer individuals were undeniably created to mark their difference within a heteronormative society where their lives and loves were unthinkable, illegal. Sculptor and translator Una Troubridge was famous for cutting a wiry, spidery figure in her three-piece suits with her distinctive bob and monocle. Monocles do not seem to have made a comeback yet but the wire frame holding the glass piece mirrors the preferred lightweight frames of modern queers. Her short bob with above-brow fringe is so popular that a hairdresser at Barberette, London, said that all the young queer women were coming in asking for it, even 60 years after her death in 1963. The bobs and bangs popular among both modern and historical bisexuals were also popularised by Troubridge, Radclyffe Hall’s beau. Hall and Stein’s pixie crops are queer-coded too, while Clifford Barney and Vivien’s tumbling curls echo the cottagecore image that femme queers embrace. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jessica Kellgren-Fozard (@jessicaoutofthecloset) Historical queer style, however, was not limited to androgyny or more tailored fashions. Natalie Clifford Barney, a playwright, poet and novelist and lover of Renée Vivien and Radclyffe Hall, was partial to a puff-sleeved dress with a snatched waist one day, and a pair of tailored trousers and white shirt another. Settling for neither butch nor femme aesthetics, she reclaimed the ‘feminine’ puff-sleeve styles we see everywhere these days for a queer look. The popularity of ‘balletcore’ has also soared over the past month, as fashionistas are lusting over Simone Rocha’s pink satin ballerina flats, tulle, and wraparound tops. However they might identify today, the aesthetics of these queer figures were undeniably created to mark their difference within a heteronormative society where their lives and loves were unthinkable, illegal. It only seems natural to want to preserve the historical heritage of queer heroines by paying homage to the fashion and styles that they helped pioneer. For many queer folk it’s a way to reclaim their identity and feel proud. As an expression of gender nonconformity, of loving someone against the norm, these looks inspire how we dress today. They present us with a way of connecting to centuries of queer history that we are told do not and cannot exist. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?There's Far More To TikTok's New Aesthetic TrendHow Queer People Wear Colour To Celebrate & Thrive<em>Gentleman Jack </em>Is Your New Favourite Period Drama
The pressure on Black women to have thick, curvaceous bodies has long been the cause of low self-esteem and body issues. Every day our social media feeds are full of highly edited images which present unrealistic beauty standards and can fuel unhealthy relationships with our bodies. This leads some women to opt for risky procedures like the Brazilian butt lift to achieve the snatched look favoured by celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Cardi B and Kylie Jenner. Now, a new BBC Three documentary is highlighting another trend that can have severe consequences. Dangerous Curves: Get Thicc, Get Sick? is a 25-minute film presented by 19-year-old model and influencer Altou Mvuama which investigates Apetamin, an appetite stimulant which is currently unlicensed in the UK. Apetamin is a syrup manufactured by the Indian pharmaceutical company TIL Healthcare. It has not been approved for safe consumption by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The syrup contains cyproheptadine hydrochloride, a sedative antihistamine used for allergies which is available in the UK by prescription only. However, Apetamin is widely available to buy online from websites such as Instagram, Amazon and Depop and is advertised by influencers on YouTube. The product is marketed globally and sold everywhere from Congo, Ethiopia and Ivory Coast to Asia, Central and Latin America, and Russia. Altou, who says she took the syrup to achieve a “slim thick” body — a slim waist with curvaceous hips — suffered bad side effects, such as drowsiness, nausea and shivering. “I look up to Kylie Jenner because she’s a big influencer and so inspirational and I really like her body,” Altou says in the documentary. “I feel like you have to look a certain way if you want to make it big.” The documentary interviews other young women who have taken the drug, some of whom subsequently collapsed in the street, fell down flights of stairs or fell asleep. One woman in the US, known as AshaGrand, whose YouTube video titled “I almost lost my life taking Apetamin” includes distressing footage of the moment she blacked out while driving and crashed her car, also shares her experience. Altou says that when she first started taking Apetamin, it also made her constantly drowsy. “I was falling asleep at school and my mood swings were crazy,” she says. “But that wasn’t my mum’s only worry. She did not want me to take this medicine.” Altou’s mother’s concern came from firsthand experience: she fell into a coma after taking Apetamin herself. “She was taking it a long time ago and again, she [loved] being thick,” Altou says. “That [had] a huge effect on her because she [had] anaemia and sickle cell. She had to go to the hospital and ended up in a coma.” Altou’s mother recovered from the coma but her pre-existing health conditions worsened. Altou continues: “My mum was always there for me when I was starting out as a model, and just as my career was taking off, her illness got worse and she passed away.” Altou is now the breadwinner in her family and has to support her siblings. She’s been tempted to take Apetamin again to further her career, as it helped her gain more weight than increasing her food consumption, but due to the risk she has opted against it. According to a report by BuzzFeed News, Apetamin is often taken by people seeking to gain weight quickly. One woman in the documentary says her weight jumped from 54kg to 86kg in three months; another was as young as 12 when she first took the syrup. What is most concerning is how widely available the unlicensed drug is. Altou goes undercover to see if she can buy it at local markets in London. When she spots the product in a butcher’s shop, she asks the shopkeeper if it works, to which a nearby auntie exclaims: “Yes, just be consistent.” Altou is able to purchase three different bottles of Apetamin at multiple locations for just £5.99, with shopkeepers insisting that it is a “very good” product. Knowing now how dangerous Apetamin is, Altou says she regrets encouraging her followers to buy it. “It’s really sad that there are girls out there endangering themselves just to look a certain way.” “Social media is extremely toxic,” she continues. “The girls of my generation will know what I’m talking about. It makes you feel like if you don’t look a certain way, you’re nothing. When you see all these public figures like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner and all these other celebrities who have beautiful bodies, we all forget that it’s not their actual bodies, they’ve paid for it. You won’t achieve that perfect look, it’s unrealistic unless you get surgery. You’re endangering yourself.” A spokesperson for Amazon said: “This product has been removed and we’ve taken action against the sellers in question.” A spokesperson for YouTube said: “YouTube’s Community Guidelines prohibit any content encouraging dangerous or illegal activities. We routinely remove content flagged by our community that violates these policies.” A spokesperson for Instagram said: “Buying and selling non-medical or prescription drugs is strictly against our policies and we have removed the accounts brought to our attention.” A spokesperson for Depop said: “Medical products, including unlicensed products such as Apetamin, are not permitted on Depop and will be removed.” Dangerous Curves: Get Thicc, Get Sick? airs on BBC Three on 21st April. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Black Women Are Left Out Of #MeToo — Why?Black Women & Racial Burnout – Let's Talk About ItBlack Women’s Mental Health Is Often Invalidated
Whether or not ageing factors into your beauty routine, wearing a daily dose of sunscreen has endless benefits for the health of your skin. However, while it has long been a product dermatologists and facialists can’t stop talking about, there’s no denying that sunscreen has garnered a bit of a bad reputation in past years. It wouldn’t be entirely wrong to say that sunscreen has previously been a product lagging behind. Think thick, white formulas which often clog pores, feel uncomfortably greasy and leave behind a grey cast. Until now, that is, as new skincare innovation is making sunscreen a must-have product for everyone. What is sunscreen and why do you need to wear SPF? Sunscreen helps protect skin against the sun’s damaging UV rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin’s layers and, over time, they can cause skin cancer and signs of ageing, such as wrinkles. UVB rays cause sunburn and change the colour of your skin but they can also cause skin cancers. You might see sunscreen referred to simply as SPF. This stands for ‘sun protection factor’, the number on the label which tells you how much longer the sunscreen will allow you to stay in the sun without burning, according to consultant dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth. That number relies on you applying 30ml of sunscreen during each application and topping up regularly throughout the day. Some sunscreens also feature antioxidants: ingredients which provide further protection against environmental factors such as infrared light (also produced from the sun and which can cause pigmentation such as melasma and age spots) and pollution. In other words, sunscreen is an excellent all-rounder. What’s the best sunscreen? I’ve tried countless SPF products and I always come back to one skincare brand in particular: Heliocare. While it isn’t available on the high street, you can buy it from trusted skincare websites including Just My Look, Face The Future and Dermacare Direct, or direct from the official UK website. The Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF50+, £28, was recommended to me by many dermatologists when I was struggling to find a sunscreen that didn’t clog my pores, cause spots or feel greasy on my skin. Since giving it a go three years ago, I can’t do without it. What’s so special? Unlike other sunscreens it’s completely weightless. It absorbs quickly, protects skin from UVA, UVB, infrared light and visible light (blue light, emitted from screens) and is non-comedogenic, which means it’s a lot less likely to clog pores. The ingredients also boast antioxidants vitamin C and E to further protect against the environment, and it dries matte and invisible, making it a great option for darker skin. Somehow, it blurs blemishes and scars and makes skin soft, too. The Heliocare range also features the 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF50, £31, which is ever so slightly tinted. I know model and actress Poppy Delevingne (who has reactive and irritable skin) swears by it, as does top consultant dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto. This is also a staple in my skincare routine and I can honestly say my skin is much better since using it. This brilliant sunscreen is swiftly followed by Supergoop!’s Unseen Sunscreen SPF30, £30, Glossier’s Invisible Shield SPF30, £20, and La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Age Correct Cream SPF50, £25. Gone are the days when sunscreen sat heavy and obvious on skin. Unseen Sunscreen does exactly what it says on the tin and the clear formula is undetectable, making it a top pick for all skin tones. Like Heliocare, it deflects UVA, UVB and blue light, and doubles up as a makeup primer after moisturiser. Invisible Shield is also clear and similar in texture, doesn’t clog pores, works for all skin tones and makes skin dewy. If your skin is on the dry side and needs extra moisture, Anthelios Age Correct is great as it nourishes skin and lends a subtle glow. It’s currently down to £16.99 at Escentual. How do you apply sunscreen? Sunscreen should be applied after moisturiser as the last step in your morning skincare routine. If you have very oily skin and the sunscreen you choose is hydrating enough, you could just apply that. “The damage happens when people under-apply sunscreen, they have applied sparingly or they are not reapplying sunscreen,” says Holly Thaggard, skincare expert and founder and CEO of Supergoop! “When using products with SPF in them, such as foundation or CC cream, chances are you are never applying enough to get the maximum protection needed,” continues Holly, which is why it pays to ditch products which contain SPF (yes, even moisturiser) and opt for a specially targeted sunscreen like the above. “I say, apply your sunscreen like you think you have done it beautifully and apply it again,” says Holly. Pay special attention to your eyelids and under-eyes, areas which tend to be missed, as well as your lips. Do you need to reapply sunscreen throughout the day? Holly says that no SPF is long-lasting and in two hours it breaks down in sunlight. “If you apply it that morning, come 3pm you have to reapply,” says Holly, who suggests building an SPF wardrobe. “This can consist of a couple of products that you can layer into your skincare routine or apply over makeup, and they should be 30 or 50 in factor,” adds Holly. Her top pick is Glow Screen, £15, which contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, followed by a powder SPF to dust over your face throughout the day. Try the (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF35, £26 or Brush On Block SPF30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen, £25. SPF mists are also gaining popularity among experts. Consultant dermatologist Dr Justine Kluk recently took to Instagram to share her love of the Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Hydrating Face Sun Cream Mist SPF50, £6, while La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Invisible Anti-Shine Face Mist, £14, is unnoticeable on skin and works well on oily skin types. What’s the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreen? You can work out whether your chosen sunscreen is mineral or chemical from the ingredients list, and choosing one or the other is all down to personal preference. “Mineral sunscreens contain the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide,” Dr Kemi Fabusiwa, skin specialist and founder of Joyful Skin Clinic, recently told R29. “These two mineral ingredients sit on the surface of skin, reflecting the UV rays and preventing them from penetrating deep into the skin.” Usually quite thick and white in texture and colour, they are also sometimes referred to as ‘physical‘ sunscreens. Mineral sunscreen might not be the best option for darker skin as it can often result in a white or grey cast. It’s also not good for those who work out, says Holly. “Mineral sunscreen sits on top of the skin and traps heat so they cause you not to sweat naturally.” That could explain why you might experience clogged pores or sore eyes when the formula runs. Chemical sunscreen absorbs UV rays, rather than reflecting them. It tends to be a lot lighter and undetectable, making it a better alternative for people with dark skin or skin that is prone to spots and clogged pores. “It’s a real personal choice,” concludes Holly, who says the best SPF is the one you want to wear, though it might help to try different products to see which one works best for your skin tone, type and lifestyle. Refinery29’s selection is purely editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items we love! As part of our business model we do work with affiliates; if you directly purchase something from a link on this article, we may earn a small amount of commission. Transparency is important to us at Refinery29, if you have any questions please reach out to us. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?The Difference Between Chemical & Physical SPF11 Popular Sunscreens Tried & Tested On Dark SkinSPF Moisturiser Might Not Be That Effective
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