This acclaimed new documentary about Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain promises to reveal the man behind the myth.
Our mouth is watering at the thought of it.
Featuring Iman, Maria Grazia Chiuri and more special guests
Given how often it gets mentioned by sports commentators, it’s remarkable that Hadrian’s Wall has never actually marked the Anglo-Scottish border. Indeed – although it comes within an eloping couple of Gretna – at other points it lies over 60 miles distant. More remarkable still is that many south (and even north) of the border don’t realise that Scotland has its own Hadrian’s Wall in the shape of the 39-mile Vallum Antonini. The Antonine Wall stands alongside its more illustrious sibling on Unesco’s World Heritage list; unheralded, begging exploration. As a Scot I am ashamed to admit I had traced the Romans from Amiens to Zurich, but not delved deep into ‘our wall’; not until the Covid cage enclosed us all, forcing more local adventures. Of course I knew the Romans from school. Unlike the World Wars they were not black and white, their blood-red tunics seared in my imagination. I learned of wolves as unlikely parents, but never dreamt the very northern frontier of the Roman Empire – the last frontier wall the Romans ever built – lay largely ignored a few miles from my front door.
She is already a mother to two daughters, Maya and AlmaFrom ELLE
Exclusive: ’60 per cent of sales are for September onwards, and the bulk of that is for next year’ – Julia Lo Bue Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Centres
Stuck on what to buy your mum this Mother's Day, we have found the best gifts on a budget.
It's somebody they weren't close to while on the show...
Though it might not look like it outside depending on where you are, spring is almost here. And with it, comes an excuse to shed the layers of worn-to-death loungewear and coats we’ve been donning all winter, and perform a spring wardrobe overhaul. For you, a transitional spring outfit might involve a maximalist array of accessories, from prairie collars to lucite rings spotted on the runways and TikTok, respectively. If you prefer something more minimal, it’s time to pull out the baggy trousers and lightweight quilted jackets. Either way, with only a few weeks left of the winter blues, our heads — and closets — are ready for the switch. But preparing for transitional spring weather is tricky. Especially after a year like this one, trying to juggle between two wardrobes at once can feel like a lot. That’s where Instagram’s best-dressed come in. From patterned pants and pastel sweaters to oversized trench coats and slouchy suits, there’s a transitional outfit for every style of dresser ahead. All hail the denim tuxedo! It's the peach-tinted sunnies — swipe to see them — for me.Bring on (patchwork) mini dress season.Wear white before Memorial Day, I dare you. Spring colours just make you happier, as proven by this suit.We're green with envy over these fisherman sandal-socks combo. Fact: Crinkly ballet trousers are the trousers of spring 2021. This coat is a true ray of sunshine.Neon leather is the spring combination to look forward to.Spring doesn't mean swearing off joggers — just pick bolder, brighter sets to reflect the uplifting season. Chillier spring days call for a fuzzy polo and an oversized trench.More multicoloured rugby shirts, please! Too hot for a jumper, but too cold for bare arms? Try a knit bolero — we'd be willing to bet it's jussst right. Florals for spring? Ballet flats, berets, and pastel-coloured sweater vests — spring has sprung! McDonald's french fries, but make it fashion.It's clog season, y'all. According to Mona Tougaard, Crocs and DIY tops are this spring's model-off-duty staples.The return of spring means picnic chic is once again relevant.Bring your favourite winter sweaters into spring by opting for off-the-shoulder styles and colourful accents. Good afternoon to this sweater vest and this sweater vest only. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?14 Spring Trends Featured In Zara's Spring LineThe Ultimate Hole-In-One OutfitThese 6 Spring Color Trends Will Brighten Your Day
And you can pre-order them now From ELLE
The film frames a teenage girl’s feminist awakening as both an act of personal empowerment and an initiation into a wider conversation
A healthcare worker holds a dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine against the COVID-19 coronavirus as South Africa proceeds with its inoculation campaign at the Klerksdorp Hospital on February 18, 2021. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP) (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images) Over the weekend, The US Food and Drug Administration authorised Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. It’s now the third vaccine to be distributed across America, behind Moderna and Pfizer and their two-shot mRNA vaccines. Nearly 4 million doses of the newly approved vaccine were shipped out across the country on Sunday night, the first dose of which is set to be administered Tuesday. Deploying another vaccine will mean much to so many: to people itching to get a jab so they can see their grandkids; to the families of the more than 500,000 Americans who’ve died of COVID-19; but also, to the researchers and scientists who’ve worked tirelessly over the past year to help create a solution to our global crisis. Hanneke Schuitemaker, PhD, the vice president and global head of viral vaccine discovery and translational medicine at Johnson & Johnson, is one of those researchers. She helped develop the vaccine and has since been involved with analysing the data from the Johnson & Johnson trials. I spoke with her back in April, when she was working 14-hour days to create a vaccine she deeply hoped would work. When her team released first released their phase three trial data showing their study determined the vaccine was safe and effective in January, I reached out to catch up. From her home office in The Netherlands, Dr. Schuitemaker spoke with me via Zoom in anticipation of the milestone achieved over this past weekend, telling me that her team is happy with their results, and have even carved out time in their schedules to celebrate some of their big wins virtually. But they’re also not done fighting. They’re looking for ways to improve their vaccine, and planning for how they’ll handle the new coronavirus variants sprouting up across the globe. During our call, she leaned in close to her camera, clasped her hands together, like she was about to let me in on a big secret, and said: “There’s always more work to be done.” Last time we talked in April, you were still in early stages of vaccine development, and had just picked a vaccine candidate to run with but had only tested it on animals at that point. Now, you’re so close to getting emergency approval for your vaccines. How do you feel? “Indeed, a lot has happened. When we first looked at the data from our phase three clinical trial, it said it was 66% effective overall and 72% effective in the US in preventing symptomatic COVID. This was after we already knew Pfizer and Moderna’s efficacy numbers. At first, we thought — oh, no, this is not 90%. But we then realised, there’s no direct comparison. And our aim was always to have a vaccine that was 70% efficacious after one shot, because we know that is what will make a difference in this pandemic. It will prevent disease significantly. “When we looked into the data more deeply, we realised that across countries and virus lineages, or variants, we have very high protection against severe COVID-19. About 85%. Full protection against hospitalisation. And we had no deaths in the vaccine group, when there were deaths in the group that received the placebo shot in our trial. That is quite an amazing result after one dose.” What’s been your biggest challenge and your biggest win? “Keeping everybody focused and energised has been tough, because the work conditions are so challenging. We cannot celebrate our highs because we’re just all by ourselves in our home offices, like everyone. The team is dedicated, but to work day and night and be in the dark about what the results will be for so long? Sometimes it was tough. You get to the end of your rope. You’re tired. You want sleep, and then in your sleep, you’re still dreaming about the vaccine. “But now, we’re pushing toward FDA emergency approval. What am I complaining about, really? We have a vaccine!” Did you do anything specific to keep morale up among your team? And how did you practice self-care yourself? “My team had a daily meeting where we motivated each other. We talked about the progress we were making. And it helped me personally to go walk my labrador, Figo. When I was worried, I’d think, Well, the sun will come up tomorrow, right? Time will help us. Keep breathing.” Last time we spoke, you were working 14-hour days. Is that still the case? “Sometimes it’s higher. But of course, I need to eat, sleep, and walk my dog. The time that I work keeps increasing in the evening. My dog is so fed up with it. He has started to bark. He is 11 years old and has never barked, but now realises he needs to make sound to get some attention. Now I do my evenings with my laptop and him lying at my feet. He deserves attention, and it makes me realise that when this is over, I’ll need to log off and spend some time doing nothing and playing with him. “Right now, in the Netherlands, we have a lockdown and a curfew, so there’s not much to distract us. So we could just keep pushing and doing our work. It’s not a healthy life. I couldn’t do this forever. But I realise what a privilege it is to be part of this. I need to do all that I can to bring this global pandemic to an end. That weighs much heavier on me than the hours I need to put in. If a vaccine can be rolled out and it helps us get out of this crisis, it’s worth every minute.” That must be a lot of pressure, right? “Yes, it was tremendous pressure, especially once the virus variants came into play. We had to get immune response data for all regions in case we saw lower immune responses in areas where there were new variants. Everyone kept asking me where the data was. What can you tell us? When will you know? I was like, I can’t rush this. We need to let people do their work. I was ready to say that my internet broke so I couldn’t take the calls anymore. But that would have been childish. Now I feel more relaxed again, but there’s still a lot of work ahead of us. The trial is still ongoing. We’re working towards the FDA emergency use authorisation. There are new challenges.” You’ve been quoted saying: “Treatments save lives, but vaccines save populations.” Can you tell me more about that philosophy and how it’s kept you going? “What you see in this crisis is that we can treat people, but we see around the world that the health care system is overwhelmed. So even if you have treatment, there are capacity limits for who can receive it. If we can prevent overwhelm with vaccines, we can save the population from the consequences and suffering of this pandemic. And that’s why we’re working tirelessly. We need herd immunity to save the population.” What do you think about the vaccine rollout so far? “I don’t know about for your country, but here it’s going pretty slow. It’s been heartbreaking to see these very old people who’ve felt unsafe for almost a year now. But when they get the vaccine, it gives them back their hopes. They can see their families and meet their grandchildren again. “But I think we could do a better job. I think we need to produce faster and more. Across the world I think we should do everything to get these vaccines to everybody.” Will the J&J vaccine help with that? “Yes. With our vaccine, one shot is enough. It’s great for people in remote areas, because they won’t have to come back after three, four weeks. It can be transported at more favourable temperatures than some of the others. Not saying it shouldn’t be rolled out in the Western world, but I think it has potential to be rolled out in more challenging areas of the world especially, to bring the vaccine to everybody.” Have you had your vaccine? “No! It’s funny, people say it’s not fair because I’ve worked on it all year. But I think it is fair. Because everybody is dealing with this crisis. Everybody wants to be vaccinated. I think it makes complete sense that the people who need it the most get vaccinated first. My only risk factor is my 20-year-old son, and I tell him every day to be careful. I’m not at high risk for contracting the virus, so those who are should be vaccinated first.” Once the process of getting this vaccine authorised is finished, what will you do next? I know you’ve worked in the past on other therapeutic vaccine candidates, like HIV, Ebola, and HPV. Will you go back to that work or focus on new generations of COVID-19 vaccines? “I’ll do both. I’m so proud of teams that have kept our other vaccine programs going. Our Ebola program is doing well. But we’re also working on next generation COVID-19 vaccines. We need to figure out: Do we need to do an update for the lineages circulating now? As a virologist, I believe there’s an end to what a virus can do mutation-wise. It still needs to bind to its host. The less the virus spreads, it will stop the emergence of new lineages which will get us out of this crisis. At a certain point, a virus needs to accept that it will be neutralised by antibodies and can’t escape any more. But we’re figuring out what our next steps will be.” Last time we talked, you said when this was all over, you were going to the Alps to hike. Do you think that will happen for you this year? Do you have hope that life will be normal enough for us all to do things like that in the next year? “Yes, I have two friends, and we said on New Year’s Eve of this year that we’re definitely going to go camping there this year. We’ll do it unless we cannot, due to COVID restrictions. But it’s my hope that we’ll have more immunity so that everybody can move around a little bit more. I’m so ready to hike and think of nothing for at least a week.” This interview has been condensed for length and clarity. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?How Johnson & Johnson's Single-Shot Vaccine WorksI've Been Celibate For A Year Because Of COVIDWomen Are Doing More Unpaid Work Because Of Covid
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 20: Protestors are seen at an anti-vaccination rally in Sydney on February 20, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. The protestors, who numbered in the hundreds, are demonstrating against mandatory COVID-19 vaccines. The rally began at Hyde Park, before a short march through the CBD. The COVID-19 vaccine is due to be rolled out to frontline health workers across Australia from next week. The Australian government has purchased enough vaccines for all Australians to be vaccinated, should they choose to do so. While vaccinations are not mandatory, some industries might require workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. (Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images) Julien Christian Lutz spends much of his day on Clubhouse, an invite-only audio app that has swiftly garnered widespread attention since its launch last year. Specifically, Lutz frequents a series of coronavirus chat rooms, where many users swap ideas about health care in the pandemic, discussing things like the ongoing vaccine rollout and COVID symptoms. These discussions are not simple exchanges of information, though. Things often get heated, and Lutz is one of the platform’s many impassioned users — something that immediately became clear when he spoke with me recently via Instagram about his experience in Clubhouse’s medical chat rooms. In our first few exchanges, Lutz was careful to say that he was not an outright anti-vaxxer, nor would he ever explicitly tell someone not to get the coronavirus vaccine. But Lutz — who calls himself a “science communicator,” though perhaps is better known as a rather prolific music video director — also described himself as “pro-herbs,” and was more than happy to send me a PDF of studies he’d found showing the effectiveness of herbal remedies in treating and combating the symptoms of COVID-19. Her also told me, via Instagram: “For doctors to have this information and not act upon it is negligence!” Lutz told me that he rarely encountered anti-vaxxers in his time on Clubhouse; mostly, he said, it was just full of people with a lot of questions. But that’s not quite the perspective that doctors have when it comes to their experience using the platform. For them, Clubhouse is a hub of conflicting information — including misleading medical advice. But, unfortunately, it seems like this is not a flaw of Clubhouse’s design, but is rather an accepted part of it. Though still only in beta mode, Clubhouse has become a home for all manner of things. By allowing people to connect with complete strangers, the app creates opportunities for users to join live chat rooms to discuss or listen in on every subject from getting started in creative professions to burgeoning health trends. It’s informal and communal, which is part of its appeal. But that’s also why it has fallen prey to the great challenge facing all social media platforms — misinformation. Users can easily encounter a licensed medical practitioner or experienced virologist sharing scientifically backed information in the same room as someone who says that the vaccine is embedded with a tracking device or people with the best of intentions passing on unsupported information unknowingly. Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, a board-certified internal medicine physician, founded a club on the app called All Things Covid last month. Since then, it has grown to almost 25,000 members due in part to weekly Q&A with expert clinicians and scientists answering any and all questions about coronavirus. In these discussions, Ungerleider said that she and fellow physicians occasionally encounter audience members who are anti-vaccine. “Since we’re very explicit that we’re a group of physicians and scientists who speak about evidence-based, data-driven issues related to the coronavirus, it is less frequent,” she explains. More often, Ungerleider says they encounter people who are skeptical or have questions. “There’s, of course, a difference between questioning the science, which we welcome, and being anti-science.” Lutz said he spent quite a bit of time in those Clubhouse chatrooms. “I come in and present studies about medicinal plants,” he explained. “The doctors and I argue. The regular people cheer me on and start calling me Doctor X.” Despite the nickname, Lutz is not a doctor — another thing he is clear about mentioning to me in our messages on Instagram. Even if Lutz is clear about presenting his credentials, that doesn’t mean everyone else is. And Clubhouse is far more difficult to moderate than platforms like Facebook, Reddit, or Twitter, because any record of the chat rooms disappears when they end, leaving no digital footprint. There is no documentation of the conversation once the room closes — it’s against community guidelines to record the chat rooms, and you can even get kicked off the app for doing so. And, there are currently no internal Clubhouse moderators, so fact-checking is near impossible. Despite the lack of accountability, users are warning each other that outlandish coronavirus conspiracy theories are spreading quickly across the app, reports Vice. Everything from false rumours of 5G satellites controlling people via social distancing to the vaccine being made from foetal cells has proliferated in recent weeks. Medical professionals on Clubhouse have attempted to intercept this misinformation by calling it out and proactively sharing scientifically supported information, but many of those who have spoken out have faced harassment, abuse, and alleged death threats. Ungerleider said she comes across anti-vaccine rooms with over 1,000 people in them at least a few times a week. “Occasionally physicians or scientists will enter the room to try to combat misinformation, but it is very challenging,” she explained. “Clubhouse does have many people who claim to be experts but are touting pseudoscience, and it’s very dangerous.” Lutz, who said he is in “no rush” to get the vaccine and wants to wait and see how people he knew felt after a few months, does not see himself as one of the Clubhouse users “touting pseudoscience.” He advised me: “I hope you will represent what I am saying properly. You will be doing more harm than good if you discourage people from medicinal plants after I presented you with that PDF.” When I asked Ungerleider about the herbal remedies Lutz said should be getting more attention as legitimate treatments for coronavirus, Ungerleider replied: “We haven’t seen any randomised controlled trials (the gold standard for medical research) show benefit for supplements, herbs in treating or preventing COVID, but more study is warranted.” But while Ungerleider offered a measured response to Lutz’s assertions, the same courtesy isn’t often extended to her — or other doctors. Dr Aya Osman, a neuroscientist, described her time on Clubhouse similarly to Ungerleider; from her experience, she’s had harsh criticism in rooms devoted to talking about the coronavirus vaccine. “We tend to stay away from rooms that are blatantly anti-vaccine because you simply get attacked in those rooms,” Osman said, but then pointed out that “sometimes rooms are started to legitimately have questions answered,” and that those rooms often generate informative and productive discussions when they’re filled with a large number of doctors who make it their mission to spread scientifically backed data and information. It’s when doctors become outnumbered by people who don’t believe in the efficacy of the vaccine, says Osman, that the bullying can begin. This harassment isn’t limited to Clubhouse. One in four physicians who use social media reported being personally attacked according to a Stat News study. The most common reason? Vaccine advocacy. “Honestly, it usually stems from misinformation that isn’t founded in data or facts,” Osman said. “And when you provide the actual facts it can go south.” However, she believes that the public’s considerable distrust of medical institutions stems from trauma. As a neuroscientist, Osman studies how the brain responds to trauma and she believes that fear of the vaccine is an understandable response to prolonged inequity that includes racially-biased medical treatment. For every staunch anti-vaxxer, Osman says she encounters far more cautious people simply looking for reliable information. “People are honestly hungry for this information, she said. “I think during this pandemic people have seen how messy the scientific process can be. And so helping explain some of that to the public goes a very long way during a scary time like this.” Dr Hisham Yousif, who spent most of the past year working in a coronavirus intensive care unit, echoed this appetite for information and advocated patience with vaccine skeptics. “Do you antagonise them on their practices and beliefs, or meet them where they’re at and open their mind to another treatment option?” he responded. “A lot of these folks feel not listened to, disrespected by the medical establishment, etc. You have to understand people’s experiences. A lot of them are rooted in pain, trauma, and prior bad experiences.” While the spectrum of Clubhouse users may run the gambit from a medical expert to a staunch anti-vaxxer, it seems like most people there are questioning things in good faith and trying to find reliable information. So how can Clubhouse, a fledgling social media platform, provide some level of certainty that the information users are coming across is accurate? There’s no post to review or flag feature right now, and that’s part of the problem. Still, Ungerleider believes there are ways to combat misinformation in this new landscape. She suggests Clubhouse adopt a verification system similar to Twitter. Refinery29 reached out to Clubhouse to see if they had any plans to implement a verification system for combating misinformation, but they did not yet respond. “I think it would definitely help users to understand who the credible sources are on the platform and combat a lot of the misinformation,” said Ungerleider. In the meantime, she recommended that people seeking out vaccine information on Clubhouse really do their homework when it comes to the “experts” on the platform. “Take notes while on CH and spend time personally investigating by reading the science before making any major decisions. I also think asking questions of speakers and specifically asking about the evidence to support claims is important.” Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?What You Should Know About The COVID VaccineWhy Are Israel COVID Cases Suddenly Rising?Your COVID-19 Vaccine Questions, Answered
Last year, a surprising accessory trend caught on with the maximalist fashion crowd, turning standard tops and dresses into statements with one simple addition: the detachable prairie collar. Ganni debuted them during fall ‘20 Copenhagen Fashion Week, followed soon after by Tory Burch in New York and Alberta Ferretti in Milan. Before long, they were everywhere, lining the necks of Instagram influencers with exaggerated taste, like Blanca Miro, Imani Randolph, and Emili Sindlev. But no matter its styling capabilities, a doily-like collar doesn’t stand a chance against winter weather. For that, you’ll need another accessory entirely. And according to Instagram and runways alike, that accessory is a balaclava. Once worn only by bank robbers and outdoor sportsmen, balaclavas are, quite simply, knit hats that you pull over your whole head, with an opening for your eyes. (According to Time, they were named after the Battle of Balaclava, a battle during the Crimean War, during which Ukranian soldiers wore similar hat-mask hybrids.) These days, balaclavas have undergone somewhat of a makeover. They’re now cuddlier, friendlier, and much cuter — more of a fashion statement than a utility item, though, we’ve found that they’ve been really useful in reinforcing our face mask(s) this winter. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @deima_knitwear They’ve been a recurring favourite among the colourful and heavily accessorised Instagram feeds of Michelle Li and Poppy Almond. Paired with chunky sweaters, an aggressive number of chain necklaces, and oblong-shaped sunglasses in pastel shades, you almost wouldn’t believe the balaclavas of 2021 are actually meant to keep you warm, rather than doll up a look at a moment’s notice. They also appeared on autumn ‘21 Fashion Month runways, where designers ranging from Tod’s and Lemaire to Bevza debuted balaclavas alongside knit co-ords, furry coats, and slouchy suits in much more tranquil shades of cream, caramel, chocolate, and white. At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?XXL Collars Are Your New-Season Styling Trick7 Of The Best Fashion Brands Based Outside LondonStyle Picks: Everything On Our March Wish List
'Shielding' is one of the words most synonymous with the COVID-19 pandemic. Used in conjunction with the group of people termed 'clinically vulnerable', it refers to the extreme guidelines that these people have had to follow during the pandemic in order to protect their health. As we come up to the first anniversary of the first UK lockdown, some people will have spent an entire year sheltering indoors, without the takeaway coffees, walks with friends and supermarket visits which have helped the rest of us stay sane throughout this ordeal.For many, the typical person shielding is someone elderly; your nan, for instance. But there are plenty of young people who are classed as vulnerable, too. For these people, making up their own mind about whether an activity is 'too risky' to partake in is a privilege they do not have. They have been at the mercy of other people following the rules, and their frustration at those who've consistently banged the drum for lifting lockdown is understandable.Ahead, we speak to five young women who've spent pretty much all of the last 12 months indoors, shielding from COVID-19. As vaccines roll out and lockdown measures look set to lift, we asked them how they've been surviving, what they've spent the past year doing and what they hope this pandemic will mean for the future.Isabelle Jani-Friend Isabelle Jani-Friend, 22, is based in Sussex. A freelance writer, she is currently studying for her NCTJ qualification. She is also a campaigner for Just Treatment, an organisation committed to saving the NHS from private corporations. She has cystic fibrosis, osteoporosis and pancreatitis. Cystic fibrosis is a lung condition, with COVID-19 posing a huge risk. Prior to the first lockdown, she had already made preparations to shield. Isabelle has been vocal on Twitter about the misconceptions of shielding over the past year and has often received a negative response. "People shielding haven’t done anything for a whole year but our lives are still valuable, the same as everybody else," she says. Due to her young age, she's even had to deal with scepticism about her own vulnerability.On what the past year has been like for her, she says: "It’s been tough, which is, like, very mildly put." She soon made her peace with the need to shield but having to field comments about disabled lives having "less value" added a nasty edge to the outside world that she has been isolating from."I took up boxing for a little bit because it’s good when I’m angry, and I’m angry a lot at the state of the world. So that’s been quite good but I’m not really the exercise type." Boxing was a way to cope with low moments. Screaming into a pillow was also a good coping method, she jokes.Video chats were initially a staple of shielding for Isabelle but not so much as the pandemic wore on – she prefers voice notes. When asked who she has missed the most, she says immediately: "My nan. 100%.""I think that I had this idea in my head when I turned 21 – I talk about this a lot – I thought it was gonna be like the best year of my life because everyone says, 'Oh, you’re 21 – it’s great!' But it was the worst year ever and that was really upsetting," she says, remembering plans she had to travel to Australia with her boyfriend. She just wants to see her family now. "I’ve lost time with people I love, that’s the hardest thing." The life expectancy for someone with cystic fibrosis is just 44, and losing one of those valuable years is something Isabelle has explored in another piece.On looking ahead to building a more positive future, she says: "The most important things for me are that we find the kindness to be able to share the vaccine with everybody over the world, and also that we actually look after our NHS because we need it." Importantly, a year of shielding has taught Isabelle what she likes to do. She now thinks that she'll never again be compelled to say yes to social events she doesn’t want to participate in. Her time is precious, it is not to be wasted. Rachel Charlton Dailey Rachel Charlton Dailey, 31, is a freelance writer based in South Shields. She is the founder and editor of The Unwritten.She has a variety of conditions including lupus, an immune system disorder. Not taking immunosuppressant tablets for the condition – which would have lowered her immune system – meant she was not on the 'clinically vulnerable' list. She decided to shield anyway. "You see it all the time on Twitter," says Rachel, when asked what people get wrong about shielding. The impact this ignorance has on people is huge; she refers to several high profile celebrities who have made statements about lockdown and how "nature should take its course". Partly in response to such statements, Rachel wrote a piece entitled "Please Stop Killing Us" and has since deleted Twitter from her phone, despite it being helpful to her profession. "Honestly, it’s been tough but at the same time I think I’ve gotten a lot closer to a lot of people," says Rachel, citing a relationship with a relative that was previously strained. Walking and reading are staples of her daily life. "At the moment I’m reading Claudia Winkleman’s biography and I am loving it!" A sausage dog called Rusty has also been a much-needed companion.When asked who she misses most, the answer is immediate. "My nieces," Rachel says, noting that their young age means that she's missed a lot of their growing up."I’ve really missed just wandering around shops," she says, with charity shops being a particular favourite. "To be honest, I’ve let myself feel my feelings," says Rachel. It's been her go-to method for dealing with low moments: allowing herself to cry, calling people and cuddling her dog. For a future after the pandemic, Rachel would like to see "more accessibility" for disabled people, citing the positive impact that the pandemic has had on remote working and virtual health appointments. She adds: "I’m going to know who I want to spend more of my time with [after this] by who valued the safety of the vulnerable people." Shona Louise Shona Louise, 23, is a freelance writer and photographer based in St Albans. She also set up an Etsy shop in the course of the third lockdown. She has Marfan syndrome, a rare disorder which has a variety of hallmarks. In line with the UK government’s new modelling of risks to those deemed ‘vulnerable’, she found herself on the updated shielding list. She had already been shielding, however. "I think my condition can be classified as a congenital heart disease," Shona says, which is a part of the new criteria for those told to shield. She says she is glad that her situation has been recognised and felt relief at being told to shield but is angry and frustrated at the government. "When rules relaxed, especially over [the] summer, I had a lot of friends get in touch and ask if I wanted to meet them. "I didn’t feel comfortable meeting up with friends and a lot of people, not that they struggle to understand that but I think they were surprised that I was still kind of taking that precaution. "There’s this idea that the only people staying at home are older people, that [there] aren’t any young disabled people who are shielding or who are taking these precautions. I don’t think we’ve been considered in the picture of what shielding looks like. "It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster," Shona continues sadly, with not seeing her girlfriend being one of the hardest experiences. Video chat has been a staple and the pair have set times to speak. "I’ve missed her the most," she says.Shona has also missed trips to the theatre. Distracting herself by keeping busy and being mindful of her news consumption have helped her to cope. She hopes that being able to work from home will be considered an option for most jobs after all this is over. "I think the world can be a lot more accessible than what we’ve always been told." Nisha HaqNisha Haq, 27, is based in Hampshire and is a wedding and commercial photographer, alongside other roles. She has asthma and decided to shield despite not being asked to officially. Nisha has found that people like to paint all shielders with a "broad brushstroke". The stereotypes she sees are both "insensitive" and "out of touch"."For me personally, it’s been reconnecting with nature," she says, describing how she's been getting through the pandemic. She's also been getting back into music. She is a member of a choir which meets on Zoom regularly. Emotionally, she says, it has "definitely been a rollercoaster" and she's struggled to feel settled, moving house along the way. This state of flux, with its highs and lows, has been stressful. "Zoom has been keeping me afloat with my business especially," says Nisha, with other communication methods including voice notes, snail mail and phone calls all playing their part."I think I’ve missed my friends the most," she says. The togetherness of cultural events has felt particularly absent. "It’s also the little experiences, like browsing in the shops."She's found escapism in whatever form she can; following the journeys of TV characters has provided a release in low moments.Once this is all over she hopes for an "extra" new normal. She plans to indulge more in the arts, cultural celebrations and to appreciate the things that we take for granted. Her takeaway from shielding is that she has learned to be with herself, by herself, and be happy in her own company. Sophie Balfour Sophie Balfour, 25, is a volunteer Brownie leader and writes about health and law for TalkAbout, an organisation dedicated to connecting young people and professionals. She is based in York and has multiple health conditions, with cystic fibrosis requiring her to shield. Sophie's heard many hurtful opinions about shielders over the past year: that they've been "locked up" and are "contributing little societally". "When people hear the word 'vulnerable', I don’t think they think of people with medical conditions," she says, adding that they definitely don't think about people under the age of 25. Starting her role at TalkAbout has served as a good distraction. "I think for me, the way I mostly got through it was just by focusing on the one day [at a time]," she says. Zoom meetings with friends and having something to look forward to once a week, coupled with TV, has also helped. "I miss my family," she says, with Zoom calls often being too chaotic an alternative to seeing them in person. Not being able to see older relatives in particular has proved painful. Experiences like freely going to a café are also missed. "These are my mid 20s and I should be living my life. I should be going to see my friends get married, or go and see family, or go on holiday with my boyfriend or something," she says. "2020 was a rollercoaster."What does Sophie hope for in the future? "Just a better understanding," she says. For now, she knows she will never get over people who have said her life is worth less and that makes returning to normality feel like a scary prospect. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?The Sexual Problem COVID Is CausingWhat You Should Know About The COVID Vaccine6 Women On What It’s Like To Get The COVID Vaccine
Not long ago, I interviewed Victoria Beckham about her glowing skin routine. Her top tip for reducing puffiness came from renowned facialist Melanie Grant, who told her to dunk her face into a bowl of ice water, or to take some ice cubes and roll them around on her face. Victoria told me that she swears by the surprising quick fix after travelling or having a glass of wine and although it sounded a little unusual at the time, it looks like it might have caught on. Lately, all beauty experts can talk about is skin icing. The technique does exactly what it suggests and consists of rolling ice or facial tools fresh from the freezer over skin to reduce puffiness and to bring down redness. It’s huge on TikTok, with beauty lovers filming themselves grappling with slippery ice cubes in a bid to make skin glow, or storing their trusty jade roller and gua sha tools at sub-zero temperatures. Something everyone’s talking about in particular is the Nicole Caroline Luxury Ice Facial Set. Now shipping to the UK, it boasts facial ice spheres, which Irina Shayk recently reviewed and loved. With celebrities like Victoria and Irina on board, and videos racking up thousands of likes on TikTok, the craze isn’t to be sniffed at. But is skin icing a step really worth including in your AM to PM skincare routine? What is skin icing or cryotherapy for skin and how do you do it? “A professional skin icing treatment involves liquid nitrogen (dry ice) being applied to the skin,” says celebrity skin expert Nicola Russell aka The Skin Geek. “An at-home treatment involves the use of a tool which is kept in the freezer beforehand.” Dr Mariam Adegoke, skin expert and founder of Adegoke Wellness Clinic, says that cryo-sticks, ice globes or even ice cubes can be used on areas of skin. “In the same way ice is used for injuries to help reduce the body’s natural response to inflammation (redness, swelling, pain and heat), icing can be used to improve the appearance of inflammatory conditions such as acne,” she says. @averyhoneycutt I’m gonna duet this in a week👀🧊 #StrikeAPosay #fyp #skintok #skin #routine #icing ♬ original sound – Natalie Gurevich What are the benefits of skin icing? Dr Adegoke mentions that there is no hard scientific evidence behind the benefits of skin icing, and a lot of it is anecdotal, so results will be variable and temporary. The idea is that the cold temperature causes blood vessels to constrict. This reduces redness, pain and swelling, and improves the appearance of spots. “Blood vessel constriction also means a reduction in the amount of fluid, which is particularly useful in under-eye puffiness,” adds Dr Adegoke. “The gentle massaging action helps to increase lymphatic drainage, further removing excess fluid that causes puffiness. Skin icing is also thought to reduce excess oil production and increase absorption of other skincare products.” There’s more. “Ice stimulates circulation and will add a flush to the face,” says Eva Nydal Abildgaard, technical product researcher at health and beauty brand, New Nordic. If you imagine how you might look fresh-faced and rosy after a cold winter walk, skin icing has a similar effect. Desi Valentine, aesthetician and founder of Skinned App, agrees. “I always use this phrase with my clients: cold in treatment is your friend,” she says, “as it will give you a bit of a glow.” While pores can’t open or close, Eva mentions skin icing can minimise the appearance of enlarged pores, much like if you were to splash your face with cold water after cleansing. Does skin icing actually work? It does. Every morning, I wake up with a puffy face from sleeping either on my side or my front. My cheeks, nose and lips are often pretty swollen; add bad hay fever into the mix and my face takes a good while to go down. I’ve tried cooling, gel-textured moisturisers and invigorating cleansers with ingredients like mint and arnica (often said to aid bruising and swelling) but to no avail. Instead, I decided to try the 001 Skincare CRYOpress. At £78, it’s one of the more expensive skin icing tools on the market but it did give me the effect I was after. The tool is essentially an ice massage roller. Tiny little spheres are suspended in the roller itself and freeze when placed in a chiller. The brand advises using the Alpha Glow Flash Facial, £96, alongside the roller but my skin doesn’t get on too well with exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids so I used The Inkey List Symbright Moisturiser, £10.99, to provide enough slip. It took a few moments to adjust to the freezing cold sensation, which I have to admit took my breath away at first, but as my skin got used to the cold and the pressure, it actually felt relaxing. I started on my cheeks and moved to the sides of my nose and lips, which are the puffiest parts of my face in the morning. According to the instructions, rolling upwards helps lift and contour and pressing in a certain area de-puffs. After a couple of minutes, my skin looked facial-fresh and I was impressed. It was ever so slightly flushed and glowy, like I’d just used a hydrating face mask. I didn’t notice much difference in my large pores, though. What it did help with was my tight jaw, which is always exacerbated by stress and teeth grinding. It ironed away any knots and I felt like I’d just had a facial. Aside from the price, my one gripe is time. When I’m not working from home, I’ll have to factor the technique into my speedy morning routine and as a lazy person, I’m doubtful I’ll keep it up. Still, it really does work to dissipate puffiness and it’s great if you’re headed to a special occasion. The Skin Geek Cryo Roller, £39, is a great affordable alternative. It reduces muscle tension when rolled along the jawline, improves skin firmness and helps fade inflammation or redness. “I call this the sub-zero hero,” says Nicola. “It’s a handy gadget which applies freezing cold temperatures to the skin and triggers vasoconstriction,” where blood vessels constrict. “Although it is pulling away the blood flow to the skin, this is just temporary, and oxygenated blood will flow back to the area soon after, leaving your skin brighter and fresher-looking, exactly what you want from a facial,” Nicola adds. @ennykolaa Anyone else tried skin icing? #tiktokmademedoit #fyp #icing #icefacial #skincare #glowingskin #foryou #ice ♬ original sound – Coi While there’s nothing stopping you from using actual ice cubes like TikToker Enny above, or even a jade roller if you already own one, brands have jumped on board the skin icing trend to produce tools which aren’t as slippery or messy and can be used over and over again. You might have seen SKN Rehab’s Facial Ice Globes, £40, or similar on Instagram. Often made from glass, they look like a pair of maracas and contain a freezable liquid. You gently pass the globes over your skin for a soothing, calming and de-puffing effect. According to SKN Rehab, the Facial Ice Globes are also known to soothe skin post-treatment (perfect if exfoliating face masks leave you a little flushed), reduce redness and boost skin circulation. Dr Adegoke also recommends Fraîcheur Ice Globes, £95. They work better when used alongside skincare, such as serums and moisturisers. Just be sure not to press too hard, as lots of ice globes are made from glass. If you’d rather not spend any money at all, skincare and beauty expert Nichola Joss (known for her game-changing facials) recommends using two teaspoons and dessert spoons, one in each hand. When kept in the freezer overnight, the back of the spoons can be passed over your skin for a cooling, de-puffing effect. The smaller spoons can help de-puff under-eye bags. Are there any side effects of skin icing? Skin doesn’t mind a little cold, says Desi, so it would be difficult to over-ice. It’s likely that after around 10 minutes, your tool will adapt to your body temperature anyway. “The only caution is to not leave the roller on the same area for too long,” adds Nicola. “Skin can appear pink and flushed temporarily but this will diminish. Out of all the lockdown facials that people are doing at home, I’d rank this as one of the easiest and safest,” she adds. Dr Adegoke hits home the importance of not holding extremely cold tools in one spot. “Rather, gently massage,” she says. “Most importantly, don’t use them for too long,” she adds. “Each area only requires a few minutes and as a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t be icing for any longer than 10 minutes.” Another thing to remember is that if you’re using a tool, whichever one you choose, be sure to combine it with your favourite skincare product. This will make it a lot easier to sweep the tool across your delicate skin, without pulling or dragging. Again, ice globes made from glass should be used carefully. 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? 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