BLUSH Magazine - Spring/Summer 2022

FREE | SUMMER 2022

Christine Quinn’s

HAIR CLINIC WITH

Jonathan Van Ness

GUIDE TO BEING A

BOSS

The

What I learnt GOING

SOBER

G am echanger

issue

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CONTENTS Summer 2022

74 Leisure & Lifestyle 38 Jonathan Van Ness: Hair Clinic

Beauty 8

32

Go inside with LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER

10 The A-List fragrance favourites to snap up this summer 13 Buy or bye? Latest in beauty to shop 14 BLUSH Investigates: Retouched photos 18 Christine Quinn cover interview 23 Beauty buzzwords: Retinol 24 The no-BS guide to curl types

42 The best indoor plants to own 51

Bedroom refresh tips for spring/summer

Ultimate Travel 54 Inside Burning Man 56 5 things to try: Ibiza 57 The best travel beauty minis 58 How to overcome flight anxiety

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Style 60 How I built a fashion empire 62 SS22 Trends: Return of the 90s 63 SS22 Trends: Colour blocking 64 SS22 Trends: Post-pandemic glamour 65 SS22 Trends: Throw on and go

26 Beauty shoot

67 Which sunglasses to shop for your face shape

30 LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER: Julia’s story

68 Splurge or steal? High-street dupes for designer favourites

32 DIY face masks from home

70 Sustainable brands to have on your radar

34 Nick Barose’s Hollywood beauty secrets

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74 Fashion shoot

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BLUSH | W E L C O M E Welcome to your SS22 edition of BLUSH!

86 Health & Fitness 79 Body-neutral influencers to follow 80 Why it’s time to join the plantbased revolution 83 Best vegan cookbooks 86 In the gym with...Gemma Atkinson 88 What I learnt going sober 90 Your 2022 manifesto

As we leave the dark nights and rainy days behind (or at least we hope), it’s time to look ahead to the likes of festival season (p51), revamping our wardrobes (p62), and what we hope will be a less rocky year.

This issue is dedicated to game-changers. Game-changing people, game-changing products, and game-changing experiences. We’ve got the lowdown on A-list fragrance favourites (p10), an interview with Sober Girl Society’s Millie Gooch on how she’s revamping attitudes towards sobriety (p88), and even the answers to your biggest haircare questions with Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness (p38).

You’ll also get an exclusive inside look at Gemma Atkinson’s gym routine (p86), and we investigate whether it should be the law to declare retouched photos online (p14) – so there’s great reads aplenty ahead!

But, it wouldn’t be a game-changers issue without a sit-down chat with Netflix’s ultimate boss lady – Christine Quinn (p18). She spoke to us about those office tensions, becoming an author, and how she stays so confident.

Huge thanks to contributors of this issue, and as ever, you can get in touch with me on sophie@sevenstarmedia.co.uk. We love hearing from you!

We’ll see you when the weather’s warmer.

COVER CREDITS Cover Star: Christine Quinn Photographer: Sarah Orbanic Hair: Glen Coco MU: Josie Melano Stylist: Kat Gosik Disclaimer: BLUSH Magazine is published bi-annually (twice per annum) by Seven Star Media Ltd. No part of BLUSH Magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted to any form without permission.

Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of Seven Star Media Ltd, and are included to provide advice only. No content is a substitute for professional medical advice. During printing, images may be subject to a 15% variation. © Copyright of content belongs to individual contributors with the magazine copyright belonging to Seven Star Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Please either keep this magazine for future reference, pass it on for somebody else to read, or recycle it.

Follow us on Instagram: @blushmagazine_uk

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Sophie Editor -

@sophthompson

CREDITS Executive Editor Lee Gatland Art Director Richard Hejsak Managing Editor Sophie Thompson sophie@sevenstarmedia.co.uk @sophthompson

SALES TEAM sales@sevenstarmedia.co.uk 01959 574 556 Printed By Buxton Press Ltd Published By SEVEN STAR MEDIA LTD, 184 Main Road, Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent Tel. 01959 543 650

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OUR INNOVATION, OUR RESEARCH, YOUR RESULTS.

Discover more now

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GO INSIDE WITH LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER The charity is helping people living with cancer feel themselves once more

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ILLIAN attended a Look Good Feel Better meditation and breathwork workshop online to see if it could help her with her cancer recovery, but what she got out of it was so much more.

“I learnt about the benefits of meditation and felt calmer for doing the class, but also made a friend through the speaker asking us to introduce ourselves,” says Jillian. “I met a lady who lived round the corner from me, and we agreed to meet up after the class.”

“Covid has made cancer treatment so lonely, so I was pleased to meet someone who had gone through cancer too” The charity provides wellbeing workshops for men, women and young adults living with cancer. From skincare and makeup, to gentle exercise, the charity aims to help with appearance-related issues as a result of cancer treatment. They also tackle emotional issues such as loneliness, depression and anxiety. Most importantly, it gave Jillian an opportunity to meet other people in the same situation.

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Speaking about how much it had helped her, Jillian added: “Our cancers were different, but we could relate as we had both been through surgery and chemo, and struggled with similar things throughout. I never expected to make a friend on a national virtual class.

“Covid has made treatment very lonely, so I was really pleased to meet someone who had gone through cancer too. We have since met up twice, and have been walking the dog - and I am sure we will continue to see each other.”

The recent Look Good Feel Better beneficiary survey truly demonstrates the impact the charity has on a person’s wellbeing during cancer treatment, with 93% of beneficiaries describing they felt isolated, anxious,

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depressed, low in confidence or worthless prior to attending a workshop, and 98% saying that the workshops helped with their mental health.

Despite a challenging couple of years, Look Good Feel Better has adapted and developed its services to ensure they are available for anyone who needs their support.

Using the gift of time as a result of lockdowns during the pandemic, the charity researched, developed, trialled, and launched new, online services. This allowed them to extend their reach, deepen relationships with beneficiaries and, in doing so, reposition as the wellbeing charity for people living with cancer.

“I love painting faces but I really love helping people to feel good about themselves and that’s exactly what you do as a volunteer for Look Good Feel Better. It’s always the highlight of my week” Helen, LGFB Volunteer If you are a makeup artist, beauty therapist, skincare expert, nail technician, personal stylist or personal trainer, Look Good Feel Better needs you.

If you, or someone you know is living with cancer and would like to attend a workshop, they can be booked by visiting www.lgfb.co.uk.

Volunteer for Look Good Feel Better With new online services and face-toface workshop locations reopening across the country, the charity is looking for volunteers to support their workshops. Volunteers are the life and blood of the charity. They give up their time, expertise and share their knowledge to help put a smile back on the faces of people living with cancer.

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tagram

Signature Scents Credit

: Jodie C via Inst omer agram

smoky scents 10

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hiteley gton-W Huntin : Rosie

Rosie HuntingtonWhiteley

PERFECT FOR: Fresh,

Jodie Comer

PERFECT FOR: Musky,

Jo Malone Lime, Basil and Mandarin, jomalone.co.uk, £72

This unisex Jo Malone offering has been a cult classic since its launch in 1999, and with fresh citrus top notes such as lime, orange and bergamot, it’s no secret that it holds a firm place in every celebrity’s dresser, including model and actress, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Speaking on her platform, Rose Inc, she said “I find myself picking this up often when I’m in need of a little bit of comfort.”

Le Labo Santal 33, cultbeauty.co.uk, £60

If you don’t already own Santal 33, it’s absolutely on your wish list. This musky fragrance is passed from one celebrity to another and any A-lister who owns it has admitted they found out about it via word of mouth within their famous friendship circles.

Because who wouldn’t want to smell like Jodie Comer? In a previous New York Times interview, the Killing Eve star, who has confessed she’s devoted to the perfume admitted, “I definitely copied an actress I worked with. We would ride the lift every day, and I would smell it on her, and it would be that amazing smell. But we’re all copying each other.”

Credit

ce favourites n a r g a r f t s li The A summer to snap up this

via Ins

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fruity notes

Victoria Beckham Any chance we get for a sneak peek inside Victoria Beckham’s beauty routine, we’re taking it. And it turns out when it comes to how she smells, she loves amber-floral notes, in particular those of Room Service by luxury perfumery, ckham Vilhelm. Fans of the niche Be ria cto Vi Credit: via Instagram fragrance house will have spotted Room Service on the Spice Girl’s Instagram Stories a number of times, where she’s described it as “super chic”. The scent is inspired by silver screen actress’ Greta Garbo’s rose baths, with other notes of violet, and pink orchid, making it ultra-feminine.

Vilhelm Parfumerie Room PERFECT FOR: A splurge Service, vilhelmparfumerie.com £120

(…or if you just want to feel like a movie star)

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Cynthia Erivo Following her role as the incredible Aretha Franklin in Genius: Aretha, Cynthia Erivo admitted that Jo Malone’s classic Myrrh and Tonka had become her go-to fragrance as it reminded her of her musical heroine. With a mixture of sweet and smoky aromas, she’s even revealed that she loves it so much she sprays it on her hair and clothes too.

With notes of vanilla, tonka bean and myrrh, this is a wintery scent to spritz all year round.

PERFECT FOR: Strong scent

Erivo Credit: Cynthia via Instagram

obsessives

Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka, jomalone.co.uk, £86 Credit

: Haile y Bieb

er via

Instag

Hailey Bieber

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Given Hailey Bieber’s style and status, you wouldn’t expect her favourite perfume to be a budget offering, but her fragrance of choice is a rather unusual one. “I really like Ariana Grande’s perfumes – that’s not a joke – I think they smell amazing,” she told Sheer Luxe. Notes of fig, lavender and salted caramel make it sweet yet subtle, and sandalwood stops it from being too overpowering. We’d grab it quick before it sells out.

R.E.M. by Ariana Grande, Superdrug.com, £27

PERFECT FOR: Smelling pretty

without the price tag

Cre

mi C a dit: Nao

mpbell

via Inst

agram

Naomi Campbell Nobody does a supermodel scent quite like Dior, and when the most powerful model on the planet shares her love, we listen. At the Fragrance Foundation Awards, Naomi shared her long-time love of Diorissimo, a classic inspired by Christian Dior’s favourite flower back in 1955. “I love florals, florals that linger, and that’s what lily of the valley does, it lingers all night long”, she boasted to the interviewer.

In fact, fans of the brand will recognise that Dior Couture’s emblem is even represented by the flower.

Dior Diorissimo, selfridges.com, £99

PERFECT FOR: Classic florals

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Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, Space NK, £19

Awaken Peptide Eye Gel, Dermalogica, £55 Dermalogica are royalty when it comes to science skincare. This hydrating eye gel contains caffeine to reduce puffiness, and succinic acid to hydrate and minimise fine lines, and can even be used underneath makeup as an eye primer. TikTok is giving this product a lot of air time right now!

The timing of Selena Gomez’s brand Rare Beauty making its UK debut and liquid blush having its moment are impeccable. The eager-to-please Soft Pinch Liquid Blush offers a lightweight flush that won’t disturb the makeup underneath it (making it buildable and mistake-proof) and comes in 11 fully-vegan shades. It’s available in both matte and dewy finishes and contains calming ingredients such as lotus and gardenia.

? e y b r o y Bu OUR RATING:

OUR RATING:

WHAT WE LOVE:

The perfect dewy finish that doesn’t disturb your base

WHAT WE LOVE:

Instant lift and hydration after one use

r to get e m m u s / g n i ses for spr a e l e r y t u orth it) a e w e ’r y e h t k The new b n d if we thi n a ( n o s d n your ha Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair, The Ordinary, £6.80

The Ordinary’s first dip into haircare is here to challenge the narratives that sulphates = bad. Their new Sulphate 4% Cleanser for Body and Hair offers a gentle-is-essential approach and contains SLES-2, a milder sulphate which is gentle on the skin, and cleanses hair without fading colour.

OUR RATING: WHAT WE LOVE:

Affordable

Beautiful Skin Foundation, Charlotte Tilbury £34 If you can catch it before it sells out yet again, the new 30-shade, light-medium-coverage offering from Charlotte Tilbury gives a dewy glow without caking. Infused with hyaluronic acid, this foundation also contains two unique patented complexes that help to reduce oiliness, and provide plumper, more even skin tones.

OUR RATING:

Modern Matte Lipstick in Cherub’s Kiss, VIEVE, £19 Creamy textures and powerfully pigmented, Modern Matte is a lipstick which claims to give you that highly-sought after flawless matte finish without the dryness that other products in this space can leave you with. While it’s been a makeup staple for a while, the brand-new shade extension offers variations of nude that are sure to compliment every skin tone.

OUR RATING: WHAT WE LOVE: Incredible shades for lovers of dusky pinks

WHAT WE LOVE: Expect flawless skin all day – no re-applying needed

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ealistic beaut

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INVESTIGATES… SHOULD IT BE THE LAW TO DECLARE RETOUCHED PHOTOS? Since Norway took the leap in 2021, questions surround whether it promotes a more realistic beauty standard or is just a shortcut to covering up a wider problem – and if the UK should be following suit

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HETHER it’s bigger lips, smoother skin, or a flatter stomach on your mind, photo editing is so seamless these days that as you scroll through your feed, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between reality and digital ‘tweakments’.

That’s not to say, however, that the desire for these changes to our appearances hasn’t stemmed from a history of influencers, cultural appropriation, and the desire to rack up those all-important likes on our social media platforms. When it’s becoming increasingly easier to make a career online based on looks alone, you can see why it’s a temptation for many.

In fact, a recent survey by The Harley Medical Group found that 53% of women concluded seeing photographs of themselves to negatively affect their confidence in their appearance, and 41% edit their pictures to post on social media.

More worryingly, 46% of women would consider changing their appearance with cosmetic surgery.

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There was a bill proposed by MPs in the UK to make it compulsory for people to state if they were posting altered images - but it never made its way through Parliament. Meanwhile, over in Norway, it’s now compulsory to declare edited images, following the success of similar rules in France and Israel.

“I would suggest that every teen that has come to seek help for self-esteem and social issues, in the last five years has issues with cyber bullying on social media” says leading psychiatrist, Dr Alison McClymont.

“A law encourages transparency, and it assists those who are struggling with body dysmorphia to gain a sense of perspective. It normalises all bodies and it celebrates diversity. I think the rise body image and eating disorders is a direct reflection of social media.”

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The new laws (set to come into effect in July 2022) were passed in a change to Norway’s Marketing Act, and aim to help reduce pressure in society due to “idealised people in advertising”.

A message on the Norwegian government’s website reads: “Among other things, a duty is introduced to mark retouched or otherwise manipulated advertising when this means that the person’s body in the advertisements deviates from reality in terms of body shape, size and skin.” Violations of the rules could result in hefty fines.

Although it may sound like a good idea on the surface, not everyone is in favour however.

Diren Kartal is an influencer and online fitness coach, and believes that it’s the responsibility of those in the public eye to be held accountable and come across as authentic. “By showing up daily on my social media platforms being myself, raw and un-edited is hopefully going to teach my audience to surround yourself with people who love and respect you for exactly who you are and not something that is fake” he told us.

“Re-touching photos comes from feeling insecure, you aren’t working on the core issue if you put a law in place, people will find other ways.”

The idea has left many questioning whether the move is just masking a bigger problem surrounding body image, and by drawing attention to doctored images, we could be leaving users to dissect what was changed about the person and build a new kind of comparison culture. Some say there could even be the potential for surgical procedure numbers among the younger generation to rise, in a bid to make their online image a reality and avoid having to label it as edited.

Diren adds, “This whole culture is getting worse. If you look at filters on social media there’s so much pressure to look how you may have looked like in a point of your life when you were leaner, fitter, or thinner. Some influencers are even

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A law encourages transparency, and it assists those who are struggling with body dysmorphia to gain a sense of perspective. It normalises all bodies and it celebrates diversity paying editors to Photoshop their photos before posting on social media - the levels people are going to is really quite worrying.”

Alternative solutions could come from the platforms themselves. In 2019, Instagram and Facebook announced that users under the age of 18 would be blocked from viewing posts focused on weight loss or other appearance-altering procedures. Pinterest recently went one step further and banned weight loss ads in their entirety.

Social media influencers have already been told they can no longer use ‘misleading’ filters on beauty adverts, after the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled in 2021, but it’s still a far-cry from the hundreds of airbrushed posts we see every day.

Dr. Luke Evans MP, drew up a bill which backed bringing Norway’s approach to labelling to the UK. Dr. Evans, who is a member of the Health and Social Care

Committee and was previously a GP said: “In my role as a GP before becoming an MP, I saw first-hand how social media use can have a real, tangible and dangerous impact on eating disorders and body confidence issues.

“We know that 1.25 million people in the UK are estimated to have an eating disorder, with around one million people using steroids to bulk up. I’m keen to see real change in the law as a first step to help tackle this problem.

“My proposed legislation is not, however, about holding individuals to account - so if you want to remove a blemish from your wedding photos, or add a nice filter to your photos, then you would absolutely still be free to do that without adding a disclaimer.”

But despite pushing for action – Dr. Evans hopes that his proposed bill never has to come into play, adding, “My hope is that advertisers, broadcasters and publishers simply stop feeling the need to digitally alter body shapes in their adverts.

“By not digitally manipulating their images, brands and organisations have the opportunity to make a real difference to body confidence issues, by not depicting body shapes which, no matter how hard you work, simply cannot be achieved.”

Whether it’s by law or a shift in societies attitude towards beauty onscreen vs real life, it’s clear that a world without the added pressure of perfectly airbrushed skin and year-round toned abs is one that we’d all want to live in.

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THE BOSS HAS ARRIVED Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn talks motherhood, what empowers her, and owning being TV’s biggest villain

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LEGANT, on-time, and unafraid to say what she thinks.

Christine Quinn is exactly how you’d expect as we get acquainted via Zoom - This is the first interview she’s done in preparation for the release of her new book: How to be a Boss Bitch.

Since the latest season of Selling Sunset was released, the 33-year-old glamour queen has inevitably taken a lot of heat from fans, as she’s regularly depicted as the show’s

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villain with a fiery attitude and a willingness to burn bridges to get what she wants. It’s something she doesn’t mind at all, and the basis of how she’s written the tell-all-meetsself-help-guide book on being the best version of yourself.

“I love being the villain, I do.

And with that, also comes a negative connotation, which I don’t understand,” she tells us. “Being the villain means I can have fun being a bitch and saying outrageous things and having the balls to say what everyone else is already thinking. But you know, that’s what being a boss bitch is all about.”

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blushmagazine.org.uk Photographer: Sarah Orbanic | Hair - Glen Coco | MU - Josie Melano | Stylist – Kat Gosik

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“WE’RE IN A WEIRD POSITION WHERE SOME OF THESE WOMEN VIEW THINGS AS COMPETITION BUT REALLY THE ONLY COMPETITION YOU HAVE IS YOURSELF”

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Photographer: Sarah Orbanic | Hair - Glen Coco | MU - Josie Melano | Stylist – Kat Gosik

The real estate agent’s book was inspired by viewers of the Netflix show who also shared Christine’s attitudes - that it’s ok to play by your own rules and smash society’s expectations of women. She cites that confidence is definitely something she’s had to learn, and having to adapt to the Los Angeles lifestyle wasn’t as seamless as it may seem. It’s taken time – and more so pressure - to get to where she is now.

“How I am now was through years of rejection and being told no, or thinking that I’m not good enough,” she adds.

“I grew up in a below-average household and I just wanted so much more. I knew I was good, and if someone would give me a chance, I would do great things.”

“I was engaged to someone at 21 years old back in Texas and I know if I’d stayed there and lived that life, I wouldn’t have been authentic to myself. My dreams were the most important thing to me.”

Coming from a small-town background, becoming a real estate agent was never originally in the cards for Christine, after she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career, although selling houses might not be on the cards forever. Davina’s $75 million listing will undoubtably be devastated.

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“I would love to do, gosh... so many things” she laughs. “But I think for me, the next thing would be a fashion line. I’ve always wanted to create a swimsuit line. I would love to be a Creative Director for a fashion brand too, like Moschino or Diesel.

“I don’t think we’ll be in LA permanently forever. I love Los Angeles. But my husband is European - he’s from France, and we both love Europe. I love the UK. “I want to be able to be here when I have to work, but then be able to escape, so that’s kind of our plan.”

One of the biggest talking points across any season of Selling Sunset was undoubtably Christine’s shock baby announcement, particularly as the mumto-be wasn’t feeling the support from her co-stars.

That, of course, didn’t stop her throwing an ultra-lavish baby shower that set the tot up for a great start.

Now, at eleven months old, Christian (or Baby C for short), is thriving.

“He’s really, really smart. He’s just so advanced, I can tell for his age,” she dotes of her first child. “He has a lot of friends in his age group - he’s tall too.

“My husband’s 6’2 and I’m 5’10 so he’s really tall and seems athletic. He was actually riding horses the other day – he loves horses and I ride horses as well, so maybe he gets his athletic gene from me!”

That being said, the new mum still often takes time to reflect on the turbulence filming created during her pregnancy, and the way her welldocumented near-death birth experience has changed her perspective from the Christine who loved drama we used to see on-screen.

She adds, “I’m 33 years old, and I never thought I would have an experience where I would be close to death - I never even thought that was possible, let alone for my baby.

“Now I make sure that I’m only around people that I want to be with, I’m only in situations that make me happy. I’m only doing things that make me feel good, and if I’m ever in a situation where I don’t feel like it benefits me energetically, I will walk away.

“My post-partum depression was definitely brought on by the show. After we got done filming, I took time to really revaluate what my triggers were. I knew I had depression, I knew it was from my pregnancy, and I knew it was heightened because of the office situation, and the girls

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treating me really, really, really horribly.

“So, I said I’m not watching the television show. To this day. I have not seen the new season, and I won’t.

“I took a detox from social media. I didn’t want to see any negativity, I just I needed to be just in my own element. My husband and I were travelling with our baby and I needed a mental break.”

Christine met husband and tech entrepreneur, Christian, through a mutual friend who had been on a date with him previously but wasn’t feeling it - and luckily for her, they had an instant connection. It also helped that he was looking for a house, and Christine’s credentials made her the perfect woman for the job.

Three years and a Hollywood Hills wedding later, the pair are stronger than ever, with the blonde speaking of her beau: “What I love about him is how we’re able to just be ourselves with each other. If we have days where we’re not feeling good, I’ll just say ‘hey, I don’t feel good today, let’s just hang out and watch TV’ and he’s totally accepting of that.

“I really think that’s what relationships all about, it’s not about everything being perfect all the time. Sometimes, things are going to happen but it’s just being able to go with the flow, and really being there for the other person. I love him for how caring and thoughtful he can be.”

“We’re actually working on a business venture now, together. It’s the first time

his tech industry world and my world will collide.”

The couple have come up with an innovative solution to disrupt the real estate market, allowing anyone to buy and sell homes using cryptocurrency in a firstof-its-kind platform - raising questions about whether this is the start of the end for needing actual agents.

But, having had a roster of careers – from her younger acting and bartending days, through to being one of LA’s best real estate agents, it’s difficult to wonder how Christine remains so calm and collected in life. Sure, we’ve seen her flexing her yoga skills on Netflix, but refusing to stick to the status quo is what keeps her on top of her game.

“I definitely do feel a lot more pressure, but that pressure is what lights my fire inside. I always thought I’d be a really great lawyer or litigator or therapist.

“However, I see it as a positive because I’m able to use my platform to help people and make them a better person and let them know that really anything is possible. You know, when I was growing up, we didn’t have any money for college.

Sometimes we didn’t have any money for food. And I want people to know that no matter your position now, anything is possible.

“Our intuition as women is never wrong, you get this feeling in your stomach when you’re in a situation that isn’t right for you.

“I LOVE BEING THE VILLAIN, I DO. BEING THE VILLAIN MEANS I CAN HAVE FUN BEING A BITCH AND SAYING OUTRAGEOUS THINGS AND HAVING THE BALLS TO SAY WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS ALREADY THINKING” BLUSH | S U M M E R 2 0 2 2

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Photographer: Sarah Orbanic | Hair - Glen Coco | MU - Josie Melano | Stylist – Kat Gosik

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“I think the hardest thing to learn is how to say no. It takes power to be able to say no. No is walking away from relationships that no longer serve you, no is standing up to your boss who wants you to work when it’s your daughter’s birthday. No is the most powerful word.

“Don’t apologise for what you say, who you are, how you act and how you feel.”

That being said, she insists her turbulent relationships with her colleagues isn’t just for show.

“Before the cameras were rolling, the people that were organically at the office - Mary, Maya, Heather and then Davina

later - we got along really well. And we loved working together.

“We had a really good time, but I think we’re in a weird position where some of these women view things as competition but really the only competition you have is yourself.

“I’ve started to separate my work life and my friendships and my friends are people that don’t work in real estate.”

Something that is for show, however, is the mystery surrounding Christine’s love of painstakingly high heels. The selfdescribed dominatrix Barbie never misses a beat when it comes to office attire, but

as she’s settling into motherhood, she’s trying to tone it down a little.

“I have always loved sexy; I’ve always loved leather and it makes me feel really confident. But then I love pink and being a Barbie girl and you know, sparkles and jewels,” she admits.

“My secret is I don’t wear heels all the time. I always have flip flops in the car, or even when I’m at the office. I’m a mom.

I always have a huge bag that I carry which I put them in – you can’t wear heels all day! It’s physically impossible.”

Christine is always dripped out in the latest collections from some of the most high fashion brands on the planet.

And whether it’s a Chanel two-piece or her iconic Balenciaga logo knit, there’s one piece of her wardrobe she’s always championing – and it’s the one that keeps her most humble.

“One item I will never ever get rid of is the first purse I ever bought myself – a Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy. It was at a time when I was bartending and had not a single dollar to my name, but I had a credit card. I’m a big manifester and I wanted to see what it would feel like to own a Louis Vuitton purse, and it was so unachievable at the time. So, I bought it to just stare at in my apartment, and then tried to return it after two weeks but the guy wouldn’t let me. It was the scariest moment of my life, because I didn’t have $2,000 at that time and I had to work my ass off to pay it off.

“It’ll always remind me how hard it is to earn money. And no matter how much money you have, it’s still is a constant reminder to be grateful of everything.”

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Beau ty buzzwords:

l o n i Ret skincare regime, it should be applied after cleansing and before a hyaluronic acid serum or moisturiser. You should begin using a product once a week, and once you’ve built up tolerance, you can go up to twice a week.”

The clinical ingredient is taking over our at-home skincare routines, and we’ve got the expert lowdown on how to make it work for you What is retinol?

A derivative of Vitamin A, retinol is the wonder-ingredient that is an over-thecounter approach to fighting wrinkles and reducing the appearance of sun damage, but different types of retinolbased products work for different people. Retinol has gained its status as the most effective topical treatment which addresses multiple skin concerns all at once, and can completely transform your skin without the need for invasive treatments. That being said, there are different types of retinol that work for everyone, and you shouldn’t expect instantaneous results.

“If you suffer from acne, you can be recommended a retinol serum for your skincare routine, whereas to target pigmentation, a retinol cream may be advised,” says Dr Rasha, Founder of the renowned Rasha Clinic. “It can take up to 12 weeks to start seeing visible results as it stimulates the production of new blood vessels.”

But it’s not all doom and gloom:

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“Long-term benefits of retinol can include reduced fine lines and wrinkles, as retinol increases the production of collagen,” she adds.

Where to shop The Ordinary Retinol Serum 0.2% in Squalane, lookfantastic.com, £4.25

How to use retinol If you’re a complete newbie, it’s better to slowly introduce retinol as using too much of it can overload your skin, causing irritation and redness, and different percentage strengths are commonplace across packaging. Dr Rasha advises if you have dry skin, you should also think twice before piling it on: “People with dry skin should start off with 0.01% retinol, and those with oils skin can start with 0.03%. For those who are familiar with retinol, 0.3% or 0.1% is advised.

“You need to always wear SPF after you have applied retinol to your face, particularly during the day, as vitamin A can further sensitise your skin to UV rays.”

She suggests you should also try and stick to a night-time routine where you can. “When including retinol in your

Drunk Elephant A-Passion Retinol Cream spacenk.com, £66

Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment, cultbeauty.co.uk, £55

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The no-BS

Salon64 Director, Ricky Walters, takes us through keeping your waves in check

curl types guide to

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time for a trim!”

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_curlss Credit: @medusa e_ modest @elise Credit:

Type 4

antic

“Your curl type is determined by how tight or strong your curls are partnered with its texture,” Ricky says.

“Very loose, naturally wavy hair tends to be the starting point, right up to tightly coiled hair and ringlets.

“Identifying your curl pattern all starts by identifying your curl type.

Type 1s are straight, Type 2s are wavy, Type 3s are curly, and Type 4s are coily. The next system is based on the width or diameter of your wave, curl, or coil (these are the As, Bs, and Cs). Then simply join to find your hair type.”

He adds: “Some people do have a mixture of curl types! It’s important to identify why this could be. If you have always had a patch in one area of your hair that just always falls straighter than the rest the chances is this is purely just the way your hair grows and choosing two different product choices for the two hair types is essential.

“However, if you find your once beautiful curls are now starting to go straight on the ends this is likely a sign of chemical or heat damage and it’s

Type 3

pelessfrom

Hair types: THE BASICS

Type 2

Credit: @ho

C

URLY, girls, we salute you.

Finding the right products for your hair type is not an easy task to navigate, especially when there are so many variations of curls and waves out there (and we love them all equally).

But fear not, when it comes to curls, you’ll hear the ‘typing’ system developed by hairstylist Andre Walker thrown around a lot, and we’re here to untangle it with the help of Salon64’s Director, Ricky Walters.

It can make all the difference when shopping for haircare (and in turn, not feeling stressed at the thought). Of course, there’s debate as to whether the typing system is still not inclusive enough, but it’s gradually growing… and it’s all a learning curve, right? Let’s take a look.

THE TYPING SYSTEM

Type 2

“For all the type 2’s out there, it’s all about using your waves to your advantage. The more boho the better.

A shampoo and conditioner that resets your hair is essential. SALON64’s Viva La Shine Shampoo and Conditioner uses charcoal to cleanse the hair followed by the oil found in coffee to hydrate and moisture the perfect curl combination.”

Type 3

“Type 3’s is a curl that relies on product.

Using Twister Curl Primer by R&CO will be life changing but better still mixing in a little SALON64 Viva La Moisture Conditioner will help those curls last even longer.”

Type 4

“The choice is yours. A light product and brushed out gives you the wow factor with max attitude. However, a strong shape with the haircut is crucial.

Otherwise, applying product section by section on wet hair will give you the definition you deserve.”

R+Co Twister Curl Primer, thebeautyagenda.uk, £23

Salon64 Viva La Shine Conditioner, salon64.co.uk, £19.99

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THESE ARE THE BEAUTY TRENDS SET TO DOMINATE SS22 (AND HOW YOU CAN GET THE LOOK)

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Credit: Gustavo Almeida

UMMER is just around the corner, festivals are back on, and there’s no better time to let loose with a beauty look for all to see - eye-popping colours galore, of course. If you’re too nervous to go all-out-traffic-cone-style straight away, start by trying a coloured eyeliner (a firm favourite of Florence Pugh and Priyanka Chopra-Jonas) or switching up your lipstick shade to something less subtle.

k oo l e h t e t a e r c Re

NARS Orgasm Liquid Blush, boots.com, £26

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G N I D N I BL S T H G I R B Makeup Revolution Viva Neon Palette, revolutionbeauty.com, £3

L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Shine Glossier Lip Gloss, glossier.com, £11

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Y T U D OFF DEWY

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F

ORMALLY known as ‘no makeup-makeup’ the off-duty model era has returned, and bare skin with perfectly preened brows and a dewy glow are on every beauty editor’s radar. Achieving this look is more about the application rather than the amount of product used, and it’s all in the prep and base. Go for cream products where you can to avoid caking and give a natural, no-effort finish.

look e h t e t a e r c e R Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand in Spotlight, asos.com, £29

L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Shine Lipstick in Peach on the Beach, boots.com, £8.99

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Credit: jonaorle

Glossier Boy Brow Gel, glossier.com, £14

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EXPERIMENTA L ELEGANCE

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OURTESY of Julia Fox’s iconic date night with Kanye West earlier in the year that sent the internet into meltdown, the verdict is out, and graphic eyeliner is a trend worth knowing. Of course, it’s not for the faint-hearted, but there are so many ways you can smudge, accessorize, shape and colour this look, that it’s the perfect opportunity to get creative.

Recreate t he look Photographer: monstera

Stila Suede Shade Liquid Eyeshadow in Something Blue, lookfantastic.com, £24 IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, boots.com, £32.50

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, boots.com, £23

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O T N W DO Y -PART

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INCE the release of Euphoria season 2, eye embellishments and lashings of glitter have become the norm just in time for the nostalgic era we’re living in.

Makeup looks that pay homage to the noughties are huge right now, so a glossy lip to pair with is essential, and the newest formulas don’t leave you with stickiness, just pure shine.

look e h t e t a e r c e R NYX Glitter Brilliants in Rose, boots.com, £7

Revolution Bright Light Highlighter in Beam, boots.com, £8

Photographer: Fernanda Carolina

Fenty Beauty Sheer Shiny Lipstick in Glazed, boots.com, £20

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Julia’s Story BLUSH | B E A U T Y

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Look Good Feel Better stopped her from facing cancer alone, and helped her regain confidence

ULIA, an English teacher and mum of two from Cardiff in South Wales, first noticed a lump in her breast back in 2017 whilst living in Beirut, but was told it was “just a cyst” and nothing to be concerned about. It wasn’t until August 2021, after Julia returned to the UK, that she noticed the lump had grown, and received the devastating diagnosis of Breast Cancer.

In a bid to make the best of a bad situation, she reached out to Look Good Feel Better to help her feel less alone. “I heard about the Look Good Feel Better workshops a couple of months after my diagnosis,” she said. “I was interested in the skincare and makeup workshop, but I wasn’t going to attend as I had an allergic reaction from my chemotherapy medication, which made my eyes swell and my skin break-out. I didn’t think they would be able to do anything to help me, but I decided to go along anyway.”

Immediately Julia had no regrets, adding, “It was perfect timing. I was helped

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by the kind volunteers who showed me how to disguise my allergic reaction and I could not believe how I looked. I felt that I could face the world again. It was also so lovely to meet people in the same situation who were dealing with similar issues to me. We all left the session feeling more confident and smiling.”

Julia is now awaiting surgery and is looking forward to getting back to work and spending time with her two daughters.

If you know anyone who would benefit from a Look Good Feel Better workshop, follow Look Good Feel Better on social media, or visit www.lgfb.co.uk

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MEET THE SERUM THAT DELIVERS

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POWERFUL SKIN BENEFITS IN 7 DAYS*

PROTINOLTM FORMULAS Smooth lines and firm skin even faster than those with retinol.**

SHOP WITH YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE OR ONLINE AT AVON.UK.COM *Based on those that expressed an opinion in a consumer perception study. **Based on a historical comparison of clinical testing results across internal Avon

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MASKING from

home

These are some of the best DIY face masks for every skincare concern (with ingredients straight from your kitchen!)

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Fine lines BEST FOR:

1 ripe banana ½ teaspoon raw honey 1 teaspoon full-fat yoghurt 1 pinch of turmeric

Four powerful ingredients in one easy mask? You have our attention.

Mash up the banana and add in the rest of the ingredients to form a paste. Don’t forget to use the banana peel as well as the fruit, as it’s packed with vitamins A, C and B-6 which are key for staying moisturised and combatting those fine lines. If that wasn’t enough, turmeric is bringing brightness, yoghurt has calming superpowers, and honey is keeping your skin clear for the days ahead.

Winning!

Leave-on time: 10 minutes

Dark circles BEST FOR:

½ tablespoon ground coffee 1-2 teaspoons raw honey

Eczema

BEST FOR:

We rely on coffee to wake up our brains, but it can be great for waking up our skin too!

Caffeine constricts your blood vessels and helps to tighten skin to reduce puffiness and reduce the appearance of bags and dark circles. Keep adding honey until you get a paste consistency, and just make sure to apply it with a small applicator to avoid irritation.

1 tablespoon oats 1 teaspoon raw honey ½ teaspoon water Oatmeal removes dead skin cells and uses its antiinflammatory properties to help calm dry skin, while honey is antibacterial, keeping your eczema at bay going forward. It’s also great for sensitive skin that doesn’t respond well to typical moisturisers, and can be lathered all over your body for maximum smoothness.

Leave-on time: 10 minutes

Leave-on time: 5 minutes

Tired skin BEST FOR:

1 tablespoon Greek yoghurt 1 teaspoon oats 1 teaspoon honey

Dry skin BEST FOR:

Greek yoghurt isn’t just a healthy treat, it’s also packed with cult skincare ingredients including lactic acid (to help soften), as well as inflammationtackling probiotics which don’t irritate. The perfect recipe for supple skin and a dewy glow.

Leave-on time: 10-15 minutes

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½ an avocado, mashed 1 tablespoon honey

Honey is a skincare saviour if you’re still recovering from the bitter winter and experiencing dryness. It’s super hydrating and paired with the avocado (which has a tonne of great fatty acids), helps to soothe your skins barrier and get you prepped for that summer glow.

Leave-on time: 15-20 minutes

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Beyond THE RED

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CARPET

What’s your favourite trend that we’re going to be seeing everywhere this spring/summer?

Definitely the return of bold lips, in classic red to fun dramatic shades to purple and plums.

Keep the rest of the face fresh, as it’s a nice contrast between bold dramatic lips with glowing skin (Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation and Fluid Sheer are my go-to products for a fresh-looking complexion)

Nick Barose is the makeup artist behind the incredible looks of the legendary Lupita Nyong’o, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Lexi Underwood – and he’s dropping his best tips for achieving beauty supremacy

What colours should we be investing in?

Why?

Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer, feelunique.com, £36

n A classic red like Armani Lip Power in 400. It works with a lot of complexions, has a slight sheen so it’s easy to wear, and you can even use it as a stain if you just want a pop of colour.

n A more oxblood red like the

Credit: Lupit a Nyong’o via Instagram

Credit: Gugu Mbatha- Raw via Instagram

new Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte in ‘Madmoiselle Lupita’. The deep tones add drama without being too bright, and the velvet matte texture looks very chic, and polished

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What’s one beauty trick you wish you’d learned earlier?

That “flawless” beauty doesn’t mean you have to use so much make up to cover all of your imperfections (or things you think are your flaws), to the point that it looks mask-like.

Beauty Quickfire

ood Credit: Lexi Underw via Instagram

L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte in ‘Madmoiselle Lupita’, lancome.co.uk, £28.59

What’s the one must-have product you’d tell everyone to invest in right now?

RYE Beauty Brow Serum. I love using it on brows to set the shapes before filling in with pencil. It’s soft and brush-able so it won’t dried out and turn flaky, plus it’s a great way to keep your brows healthy, shiny and strong.

“FLAWLESS BEAUTY DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO USE SO MUCH MAKE UP TO COVER YOUR IMPERFECTIONS”

Who is your go-to for beauty inspiration?

I love my long-time client and friend, Kim Cattrall who I learned a lot of great beauty tricks from when I was starting out and she was one of the first celebrities I work with. I love that she likes things that look timeless with (which is also my approach to beauty). I see looks I’ve done on her 20 years ago and I love that it still looks like it could be now!

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Matte or dewy?

It depends on the skin and the look! For example, I’m oily and I do wear makeup so I’d never start with dewy because by the time I leave the house, my oily skin would go greasy.

To keep things matte and velvety (especially on the t-zone) I love Lancôme Prep & Matte Primer. For fresh and dewy skin (without the grease), I go for Armani Luminous Silk Primer. For a red carpet, I use both to keep it matte in all the right places, and luminous in the rest.

Powder or cream formula?

I’d never go for cream for any big photo ops like red carpet because it’s harder to control and might smudge and turn greasy.

But, in real life or doing more natural photo shoots, I like cream because it looks more subtle.

Bold or neutral?

Personally, I think it’s fun to be both, depending on how you feel at that moment - just like wearing shoes, sometimes you wear flats and sometimes you want dangerously sexy heels.

Makeup is the same, it’s about self expression!

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Tanya Living Free In October 2020, I had no idea I would wake up from surgery to find myself with a stoma bag. I just remember touching my stomach and crying to my family ‘I have a bag.’ I didn’t understand it, I didn’t ask for it and I didn’t know how to deal with it. I had repeatedly been told by my consultant that I would not need one therefore I never gave it a second thought.

My stoma was born due to endometriosis squeezing my bowels. In addition to endometriosis symptoms, I experienced problems with my bowels for several years whereby I struggled to retain my food and would constantly need the toilet, bloat, experience rectal bleeding and sickness (amongst other things!). Endometriosis had stuck my bowel, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, urethas and bladder together and pulled it backwards towards my rectum. My surgery lasted ten hours and I had spent over a week in hospital.

Recovery was a lot harder than I had originally thought, no-one prepared me for the mental, emotional and physical journey. From coming to terms with seeing myself with a stoma, dealing with leaks, adjusting to having a new body and getting used to this completely different lifestyle.

For the first few weeks, I fainted at the sight of my stoma and was worried I would never be able to change my own bag. I even struggled to get used to saying ‘stoma’ so my sister came up with the idea to call my stoma Lola and it’s stuck ever since! It took me some time to adjust to the changes to my body and to feel confident again.

In hindsight, I owe my health to the surgeons who recognised that I needed a stoma and it’s incredible how much of a healthy ‘normal’ life I can now lead. Through all the lows, I was determined to keep a positive mindset and embrace my stoma and it’s amazing that I am able to do everything I could pre-surgery and more! I can now eat, travel, exercise, sleep and enjoy time with my loved ones without worrying

about my bowels and I feel the healthiest and most confident that I have ever been.

I have dedicated my social media platform (@ tanyalivingfree) to raising awareness of having a stoma and showing that life is so much more than a bag on our stomachs. I want to break the stigma and show representation for all of our bodies.

It’s definitely a love hate relationship but having my stoma has made me appreciate my body for everything it has carried me through and the life it has allowed me to have.

Having a stoma doesn’t define you. It’s your journey and I can promise that although it seems really scary at first, it does get easier. It makes you unique, it shows how much resilience you have and the battle you have been through.

Tanya & Lola

Follow Tanya's story @tanyalivingfree

Visit our website for more information www.stocare.co.uk

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JONATHAN VAN NESS:

Hair Clinic Ingredients like hemi-squalene are great for making the ions of your hair lie down better - I’d recommend using my Recovery Serum on your midlengths to ends, and putting any left on your hands on those new growth roots.

Also use a nozzle on your blow dryer. Oh yeah, you’re welcome.

Pro tip: Stop washing your hair every day!

If you’re conscious of it looking greasy, just tuck it behind your ears, or put it in a low braid.

After three weeks or so, on day two after washing, you’re not going to feel oily anymore. It takes two to three weeks depending on how long you’ve been washing JVN Hair Undamage every day for your scalp Strengthening Conditioner, to be like, “Oh, I don’t Spacenk.com, £16 How do you need to make all this oil deal with because she’s not going to dreaded fly wash me again.” aways?!

That’s why your So, your hair has three stages of hair starts making that growing. You know how when you wash much oil. You wash it, and then your your hair and all of that hair falls out and sebaceous oil glands are like “there’s no you’re like “What’s wrong?!” - that’s oil on my scalp”, and then they go into your hair shedding. Fly aways are the overproduction mode. new hairs replacing the hairs that shed.

You should also wear a silk scrunchie If you have a lot of fly aways that doesn’t to bed, but be really mindful not to mean there’s something wrong with sweep it back tight, because you don’t your hair! Sometimes that’s just your want tension on it for eight hours. It natural texture and it’s pretty and it’s ok stops the heat living between your to embrace it! pillow and your neck, and it’ll honestly

Queer Eye’s favourite stylist answers our burning hair questions

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keep your ends a lot more together and prevent that greasiness.

I love bleach but I’m trying to grow my hair... can I have both?

Your hair’s going to get so much healthier, the more that you embrace some of your natural colour and switch more to moments of highlights, versus like a bleach and toner back-to-back.

It’s frustrating, and you have to be patient with this. Once it’s there, it’s there.

There’s nothing that’s going to make your hair like it was when it was virgin.

But don’t lose patience and get extensions for length – it puts too much pressure on your scalp – just keep using damage shampoos and conditioners, as well as Instant Recovery Serum.

What is your happiest hair moment?

Oh my gosh, not to sound like a nightmare brat, but when your hair is this pretty every day, my whole life is a happy hair moment – I’m having one as we speak, I did stunning curls today. My hair was also really pretty when I married my husband. I did natural waves – it was classic.

JVN Hair is now available to shop at Spacenk.com

JVN Hair Instant Recovery Serum, Spacenk.com, £24

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I created C-L ASH for people just like me.

I found that such a little change, getting my lashes back, made me feel like I had myself back.

C-lash is an innovative lash created specifically for lash replacement. With a soft, flexible & invisible band to help aid application.

5 STYLES

TO C HO O SE FR OM:

#E YLURE C L ASH

Ava i l a b l e at s e l e cted Bo o ts sto res and Bo o ts. com , Am azon , False eye lashe s.co.uk, AS O S. S u bj ect to availabilit y.

#EveryBodyinPLT

NO ONE IS YOU. THAT IS YOUR POWER.

BE YOU. DO YOU. FOR YOU.

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It’s a (hard)

plant life

Home sw Plant-killers, it’s good news - you’re no longer restricted to the humble cactus

D

IPPING your toe into the world of becoming a plant parent may seem the perfect way to add a splash of colour to your home, before quickly realising that their complex watering schedules and lighting requirements are way more hassle than you thought.

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Indoor plants are proven to improve air quality and help you feel a little more zen, so we should be able to enjoy them, shouldn’t we?

So, in the name of making the urban jungle aesthetic open to all, here are some of the best types of indoor plants to consider homing that can survive with low-light and low-maintenance. Be gone, crusty leaves!

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Satin Pothos, Patch Plants, £15 The Satin Pothos isn’t just a pretty face. Its air purifying qualities make it a plant-with-benefits, and its unique and dainty silver leaves are sure to be a hit on your social media feed.

Dragon Tree, The Stem, £24 If you’re ready to turn your living room into a tropical paradise, the Dragon Tree is the palm-like feature of every home interiors account on Instagram. Give it as much light as possible if you want to keep it looking fresh.

Red Aglaonema, Patch Plants, £16 The Red Aglaonema can survive with little-to-no light and water (especially during winter) but it’s worth noting that the more light you give it, the brighter those eye-catching red leaves will be. We’ll leave it to you decide which shade best fits with your theme…

Money Tree, Bloom & Wild, £38 We could all use a boost this year and hey, we’re ready to take our chances at the prospect of free cash. The Money Tree’s twisted trunk is said to hold treasure, and it’s guaranteed to hold a lot of water, making it your ultimate low-maintenance plant pal.

eet home Peperomia Obtusifolia, The Stem, £14

Also known by the name Baby Rubber, this cute desk-worthy addition is a dream for anyone guilty of forgetting to water their leafy friends regularly. In fact, too much water can actually harm it, so you’re in luck. It’s not fussy on lighting either. Win, win.

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Orchid, Lazy Flora, £22

Bright and colourful to lift your mood, surprisingly, orchids can actually get sunburnt making them perfectly suited to the unpredictable British weather. They thrive in humid environments so are a perfect bathroom accessory. They also make great gifts!

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Surround yourself with beauty.

Proud to support Blush Magazine

The Spring/Su

022 TREND

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A

HOME TRENDS TO KNOW

furniturevillage.co.uk

S the world begins to open and travel restrictions start to lift, we’ve been reminiscing about one of the things we’ve been missing the most: holidays.

This season, each of our five looks are inspired by dreamy holiday destinations and infused with a healthy dose of escapism.

Holidays give us a chance to relax and unwind, explore new cultures, and take moments to think, so we’ve translated all of these feel-good feelings into spaces in the home.

From rolling Tuscan hills to Grecian olive groves and far-flung desert vistas, we’ve handpicked design details from some of our favourite places, whilst referencing key colours for the season ahead.

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Riviera Extending Table and 4 Dining Chairs, £1,995, Riviera Dining Armchair, £329 Furniture Village

Trend:

SUMMER IN THE COUNTRY

I Riviera Extending Table, £1,095, Furniture Village

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N our opinion, you can’t beat the English countryside in early summer. As May turns to June and the fields and hedgerows turn a delicious shade of green, we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Country-house inspired looks have become increasingly popular over the last few years, and for good reason. Blending creative colour schemes, pretty patterns, and decorative details with an air of casual comfort, they make excellent spaces to host friends and family galore.

Made from solid Mindi ash wood and showcasing turned legs and a gorgeously weathered finish, this timeless dinner setup couldn’t be better suited to this trend.

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mmer 2022 Ercol Teramo Medium Extending Dining Table and 4 Chairs, £2,349, Ercol Ballatta Shelf Unit, £819 Furniture Village

022 TREND

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Highgrove Pocket 1000 King Size Divan, £599, Dice Strutted King Size Headboard, £229, Olly Table Lamp, £79, Globe Nest of Tables, £399 Furniture Village

Trend:

AMONG THE OLIVE TREES

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Ercol Ballatta Shelf Unit, £819, Furniture Village

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LIVE green is on course to be one of this year’s hottest hues and whenever we see this shade of green, we can’t help but think of shady olive groves from summer holiday’s past. Whether in Corsica or Corfu, these ancient trees always seem to instil a feeling of peace, and that’s exactly what we’ve tried to capture with this look.

Blending a soft olive palette with natural wood finishes and a mix of other organic textures, the scheme is almost neutral, but not without depth.

Beautifully crafted design details can be found throughout, from ercol’s pale oak Teramo dining table to the British-made, hand-tufted Highgrove mattress – simple things, done well.

Laid-back bed linens, rustic pottery and earthy tableware, perhaps gathered from travels, help to tell more of the story and will add a personal touch to every space.

Prices correct at print

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022 TREND

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furniturevillage.co.uk

Rene 3 Seater Fabric Sofa, £1295, Knot Floor Lamp, £299, Nordic Coffee Table, £349, Furniture Village

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Earth Large Dining Table, 4 Dining Chairs and Large Dining Bench, £1295, Furniture Village

Trend:

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN

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HIS high-summer trend transports us to Tuscany and long, lazy afternoons tucked away from the heat of the day, in cool sun-dappled spaces.

Soft butter yellows are blended with richer shades of ochre and brown to create a warm, wholesome palette that references the ancient stones and golden hills that are such an essential part of the Italian landscape.

Rustic wood furniture goes hand-in-hand with this type of laid-back look thanks to its natural patina and inviting tactility.

But don’t be afraid to go bold too. Something such as the Rene sofa with lustrous velvet upholstery feels right at home in this scheme and is styled with textured accessories in tonal shades to help to add further softness and depth.

Detroit 2 Door 2 Drawer Small Sideboard, £1595, Knot Table Lamp,£99, Furniture Village

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Trend:

POSTCARD FROM THE DESERT

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Amelie Boutique 2 Seater Sofa, £599, Asterope Floor Lamp, £159, Halston Large Round Side Table, £39, Halston Small Round Side Table, £35, Furniture Village

Trend:

MEET ME IN MIAMI

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AKING its cue from this colourful city in America’s sunshine state, Meet Me in Miami is all about having a little fun with your interior spaces.

Complementary colours and abstract shapes come together to create a playful look that can be translated into any area of the home that’s in need of a little joy.

Bubble-gum pinks and rich coral reds are joined by bright cobalt and cornflower blues to create a bold palette that’s full of energy.

Furniture in shades of white and cream work beautifully in this high-contrast scheme by adding a touch of luxe. This Sideboard from Calligaris brings high-end Italian design with its clean lines and ceramic top and the neatly proportioned Amelie sofa with its 70s-inspired silhouette and boucle upholstery, suits this trend to a tee.

Shop the latest look

Calligaris Wings Sideboard, £1595, Flin Task Table Lamp, £59, Furniture Village

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Noir Shelving Unit, £789, Ringo the Monkey Silver Lamp, £69, Furniture Village

ROM Morocco to New Mexico, desert destinations are always brimming with interiors inspiration.

White-washed walls, patterned kilims, exposed wooden beams and an array of rich, earthen hues are just some of the design details we’ve handpicked for this seasonal look, and they’re guaranteed to add character and warmth to any space.

Taking its cue from the sun-baked earth and glorious pink skies that often start and end each day, our colours are all tonal, moving from dark terracotta through to a soft dusky rose.

A Mandarin bedframe in burnt orange works perfectly with this palette and its buttoned headboard and stylish tapered legs make a fitting style statement.

Woven rugs and tactile linen bedding create layers within the look and help to shape that all-important laid-back vibe.

022 TREND

Mandarin Double Bed Frame, £1299, Globe Nest of Tables, £399, Concrete and Gold Table Lamp, £69, Furniture Village

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HANDCRAFTED FOR A LIFETIME OF GREAT SLEEP VISPRING.COM KEW HEADBOARD DESIGNED BY

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Welcome

sanctuary

to your sleep

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OUR bedroom is the last thing you see when you go to sleep, and the first thing you see when you open your eyes, so creating an environment which feels like a welcoming spot to unwind is essential.

With seasons and trends ever-changing it can be difficult not to feel left behind just a couple of months after upgrading, which is why the tiny tweaks are the ones that really count.

By tapping into all of our senses and factoring in colour, lighting, and texture, we can create the perfect recipe for a room that truly feels like home.

Consider colour Citrine, Abstract Wall Art, habitat.co.uk, £12

Cheetah Printed, Cushion habitat.co.uk, £12

Add new textures Texture plays out to more than just throwing a cushion here or there, but when layered in the right way, it can completely transform even the most basic of spaces. You could even consider adding a vintage touch, in keeping with the Japanese homeware trend of wabi-sabi, which aims to find beauty in imperfection. Sustainable is stylish!

It’s a winning combination, with Anna Cross, Buying Manager at Habitat adding, “Bringing texture into the home is a great way to evoke the senses, and layering soft, high thread count cottons with natural tufted textiles helps build tactility. Bring together cushions and pillows with different design details such as scallops and conversational prints to create interest and depth.”

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A bedroom refresh is the perfect way to kick off a tranquil 2022, and we’ve got the experts on hand to help

Habitat Citr

ine Bedroo

While walls splashed with neutral tones are some of the biggest hitters in interiors right now, adding an injection of colour can serve as a great mood booster – and it’s fair to say we could all use one! …

The experts think so too. “A pastel palette can create a fresh, clean and calming environment, particularly in rooms with an abundance of natural light,” says Andrew Tanner, Design Manager at Habitat. “Pair cool hues with natural materials such as jute rugs and wooden furniture pieces to produce a space for relaxation.” Is this the end of the clinical room era?

m Pinsonic, Textured Cushion, Dusky Pink, habitat.co.uk, £9

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Bring the outdoors in As well as having incredible purifying properties (such as increasing your room’s oxygen level for a great night’s sleep!), adding a little green to your bedroom can feel calming and restorative.

Whether it’s tall pampas stems, succulents, or palm trees that are your thing, layering plants around a centre point such as your bed frame will bring focus and make a statement. So, if you’re not someone who Citrine, likes having overly busy walls Pinsonic Throw, or has more minimalist taste, 150 x 200cm, nature is well and truly your habitat.co.uk, £40 best friend.

Habitat Fres

h Vintage Be

droom Off

ice

“PAIR COOL HUES WITH NATURAL MATERIALS SUCH AS JUTE RUGS AND WOODEN FURNITURE PIECES TO PRODUCE A SPACE FOR RELAXATION” Switch up

Fresh Vintage Glass Table Lamp, habitat.co.uk, £65

your lighting

Salarino Opal Wall Light Brass, habitat.co.uk, £30

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“One of the most important factors we consider when it comes to lighting is not only how it changes the mood of a space, but also what function it delivers,” admits Tom Sullivan, Habitat’s Lighting Designer. “Use a mix of ambient, task and accent lighting to define separate spaces for sleeping, relaxing, reading and working. Switching to a table lamp with low luminosity can help you wind down at the end of a long day, or opt for sconce lighting to free up valuable floor space.”

Particularly if your wall colours are darker in colour, it’s important to invest in good lighting that will not only look atmospheric when switched on, but as its own standalone feature too.

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@ no ma

d.ness

Inside

Burning Man Take a look behind the doors of one of the world’s most exclusive events, set in the heart of the Nevada desert…

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HE secretive, yet magical world of Burning Man is on every festival-lovers bucket list. Except, you’re not allowed to call it a festival. The nine-day, 70,000-person event is held each year in the middle of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, and is home to a celebration of creativity, selfexpression, community, and culture.

It’s for this reason it’s gathered a cult following of celebrity and wealthy tech elite attendees (also known as burners), and is centred around the burning of a

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large wooden effigy.

“Burning Man is not a festival, Burning Man is a community.” The website reads. “A temporary city. A global cultural movement based on 10 practical principles.”

These practical principles include radical inclusion (“Anyone may be a part of Burning Man”), gifting, and radical self-reliance.

Burning Man does not book any entertainment for the event, but instead encourages participants to perform for the community free of charge.

That means you could end up getting

massages, making art, going ziplining, and even wine tasting all for free.

A ticket to the experience will set you back $575 (around £425), but in line with the event’s values, no money can exchange hands while there, meaning you’ll need to bring food, shelter, supplies…and pretty much anything you might need to survive in a desert for a week. But that doesn’t mean you should hang around to decide if you can hack it, because tickets can sell out within hours of being released.

The first tickets that go on sale are priced far higher than the regular price,

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ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 (£1,100 to £1,850) – with the aim of supporting Burning Man and the wider community that surrounds the event. It also allows people on lower incomes to apply for the second batch of tickets that go on sale for a cheaper price. The Ticket Aid Program accepts “applications that demonstrate that their circumstances merit financial assistance and convey their intended engagement in Black Rock City in a meaningful contribution to the community”. For one of these speciallypriced tickets, you’re looking at around $225 (£167).

From afar, it can look like a place where ‘hippies’ gather, but the likes of Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk have reportedly attended before.

The nearest large city to Black Rock City is Reno, about a 2.5-hour drive away, so you can see why it makes the perfect remote escape for Silicon Valley-dwellers.

Anisett Jacques-Willis, CEO and Co-Founder of One Centric City has attended Burning Man a number of times over the last few years, and credits its “anything goes” way of thinking that has ‘burners’ wanting more.

“Getting a ticket and going to Burning Man is not by chance. I think the universe pushes you to go when you’re ready. I hesitated for some years before making that plunge and it was everything I didn’t know I needed,” she told us.

“Learning to survive with so little but then having so much to fill your heart and soul was indescribable. I took this lesson back home with me and gave up control of things that would hold me down including material items and have felt so free since.”

So what should you wear to the middle of the desert? Surprisingly, you’ll need clothes for wrapping up. “Daytime think shorts, swimwear. At night leggings, fur, even gloves,” Anisett says.

“But get creative and have fun with it.

Think of it like you’re playing your alter ego.”

She also says you should consider bringing include baby wipes, water and goggles – all of the standard festival essentials. That being said, you should be ready for a very different way of life than

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on the outside world.

“For a first-time burner, I would say go with no expectation and expect everything. Burning Man often gets confused as a music festival, and yes, while there is tons of music and dancing all day, it’s more about the community that is formed. Think of going to a big city and walking or driving around to discover new sights, people, and each experience different from the next.

Despite the adult-only nature of the event, children are surprisingly, allowed to attend.

2022’s Burning Man will be the first since Covid forced organisers to take a two-year hiatus, so it’s set to be bigger and better than ever. Get ready to feel the burn!

“GO WITH NO EXPECTATION AND EXPECT EVERYTHING” “What also makes this place special is the connections you will make along your journey. The first time I planned 2 weeks before and did research to make a list of what I needed. It was a lot of work but worth every minute. I would say 100% plan - although the community is set on giving, it’s also your own survival experience, which will test your will.”

Photographer: Erin Douglas @blackburnerproject

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5

Ibiza

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things to try:

Whether you’re an avid party-goer or seeking some sun on one of the longstretching beaches of The White Isle, Ibiza is the holiday destination to have on your summer bucket-list in 2022.

Plus, it’s only a two-hour flight from the UK which is always a bonus. Here are 5 things to try on your trip…

1.

Go paddle boarding at sunset

The water temperature in Ibiza is surprisingly high (a respectable 26 degrees at its highest) making it the perfect location for trying out water sports, including snorkelling and riding jet skis. One of the most popular choices is paddle boarding as the sea is relatively calm, and you can head to almost any part of the coastline to do it, and watch the iconic sunset with a front row seat. Many boat trip excursions include time to try water sports, alongside tucking into food and champagne while on board, so we’d highly recommend if you’re a first timer.

4.

To experience cultural delights away from the main stretch of tourism, Dalt Villa is one of the island’s highest points and is over 2,500 years old, making it the best place to learn about the rich history of Ibiza. Its stoned buildings and narrow cobbled streets are great for meeting locals and exploring quaint shops and family-run restaurants.

3.

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Release your inner-zen with clifftop yoga

While Ibiza is known for its party antics, it’s also renowned as an escape from reality and the best place to find some peace with nature.

Take a guided meditation or healing treatment at the top of one of the island’s cliffs while marvelling at the crystal waters of the Mediterranean Sea below for a unique experience you certainly won’t get at the gym.

Party on the beach until sunrise

No Ibiza trip would be complete without visiting the world’s most iconic parties at some of the island’s best clubs. For celeb-spotting, Ibiza’s original club, Pacha, is known for hosting the best DJs in an exclusive VIP atmosphere (and the prices sure reflect it!) – or if a beachfront cocktail is more your thing, head on down to Café Mambo in San Antonio to catch the best sunsets while chilling out to the sound of a saxophonist.

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2.

Take in the culture round Ibiza Old Town

5.

Eat like a local

And no, we’re not talking about the classic Lays crisps and sunbed combo.

Fans of tapas can enjoy authentic favourites including paella, patatas bravas, and all of the chorizo you can eat. We’d recommend heading to legendary venue Pikes, set in the San Antonio hills for a never-to-forget dinner at Pamelas restaurant packed with locally sourced ingredients. The best table in the house even overlooks the iconic pool from Wham!’s Club Tropicana music video.

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SAME SUITCASE… MORE MAKEUP

Real Techniques Mini Expert Face Brush, boots.com, £6

GHD Travel Hairdryer Set, johnlewis.com, £59

These are the must-have travel minis are tried, tested, and loved by beauty buff jetsetters everywhere Benefit Cheeky Party mini blush set, lookfantastic.com, £27

Charlotte Tilbury Iconic Mini Lip Wardrobe, selfridges.com, £39

Tangle Teezer Mini Wet Detangling Brush, feelunique.com, £9

Estée Lauder Eden Desert EDP 4ml, boots.com, £12

AESOP London Collection, selfridges.com, £50

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Full Dry Volume Blast Spray, Living Proof, selfridges.com, £10.50

K18 Leave-In Molecular R epair Hair Mask 50ml, k18hair.com, £55

Frank Body Anti-Drama Face Mask 35ml, selfridges.com, £5

Drunk Elephant The Littles Hair and Body Kit 2.0, cultbeauty.co.uk, £41

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Anxiety r i a e h t in How likely is it that something might actually go wrong?

It’s time to combat those flying nerves because PSA: It turns out turbulence isn’t even *that* bad

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O matter how many statistics about the unlikeliness of ever being involved in any kind of air-related disaster, the wide reporting of accidents and bumpy turbulence can be terrifying for even the most frequent flyers.

Between 33% and 40% of travellers experience flight anxiety, and for some, the thought can be too scary to even consider a holiday abroad. But that shouldn’t be the norm when we’re getting excited to hit the slopes or head off to a sandy beach, right?

In a bid to help make flying more enjoyable again (because it can actually be relaxing!) we spoke to Bayram Annakov, Founder & CEO of App In The Air, the multi-award-winning personal travel assistant app, loved by more than six million frequent fliers around the world about how to combat the jitters.

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So, why do people find flying so scary?

“Aerophobia, or a fear of flying, is a very personal thing and there’s not necessarily one cause – it can come from anxiety of a loss of control or a fear of enclosed spaces, from associating a traumatic event with the process of flying, something unrelated such as stress at work, or any number of other triggers.

“There are so many wonderful things about flying, which make it all worthwhile. For me, the main is it allowing me to explore new destinations or connect with my friends, family and colleagues around the world. It’s also a rare chance to disconnect and catch up on books and films that you’ve been meaning to enjoy but never quite have the time for in day-to-day life. It’s a highly efficient mode of travel, you never know who you will meet, and, thanks to the incredible service levels offered by many airlines, it can also be a great way to enjoy top-class hospitality.”

“Flying is, without a doubt, the very safest form of long-distance transport. It is stringently monitored and scrutinised, and airlines and the commercial aviation bodies that govern them are militant about safety regulations. If you flew every day of your life, probability dictates that it would take nineteen thousand years before you might succumb to a fatal accident. By comparing that to driving, something that people do every day without anxiety, where there are approximately 130 people killed daily, it shows just how safe air travel really is.”

Are airlines themselves doing to help nervous flyers?

“The more that travellers can understand about the safety features of aircraft and the procedures in place to protect us all, and the more that the experience of flying itself can be demystified, the more confident anyone with aerophobia can become. Airlines are doing a great job of sharing helpful information of this nature on their websites, in their inflight magazines, on their social media channels, and, most importantly, onboard, so absorb as much of this reassuring content as you can.”

The good news is, if you get the jitters

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Talmesha Keonna

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at the thought of stepping on a plane, it’s not the be all and end all. In fact, it’s a lot more treatable than you’d think (or literally no one would be keeping the aviation industry alive), and it doesn’t have to involve the usual personal strategies of turning to the in-flight wine.

One chime: There are a few variations of what this means. The first being that you might be approaching turbulence (which by the way, isn’t nearly as bad as you think, it’s just like a car going over speed bumps). The other being the pilot wants a cup of coffee.

Some noises you might expect to hear on the plane…

Two chimes: This sound supposedly signals when the plane has reached 10,000 feet.

While their exact meanings aren’t revealed for security purposes, here’s what we know about some of the noises you hear while on board.

Revving engines when landing: It might sound like you’re about to take off again, but this is actually the pilot reversing the engine thrusts to slow the plane down.

Banging while boarding: This is the sound of bags being boarded into the plane! There’s always someone late to the gate, after all…

Bayram’s top tips for easing flight nerves

1.

Drink responsibly: Alcohol can heighten anxiety, so avoid the temptation to manage those feelings with booze. Responsible consumption, or avoiding alcohol altogether during the flight, will help.

2.

Practice breath work: Calming breathing techniques can help to overcome feelings of anxiety as they arise. Take deep, slow breaths in, hold, slowly release and repeat.

3.

Download App In The Air: The app offers a range of features that take the stress out of travelling and provides reassurance to users, making the process of flying as seamless as possible.

4.

Distract yourself: Downloading some of your favourite comforting shows and films will provide a welcome distraction from what’s going on around you. If you have noise-cancelling headphones those can really help you to lose yourself in what you’re watching!

There are so many wonderful things about flying, which make it all worthwhile. It’s a rare chance to disconnect and catch up on books and films that you’ve been meaning to enjoy but never quite have the time for in day-to-day life

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5.

Notify the cabin crew: Your in-flight team will be experts in helping passengers with anxiety, and there to make you as comfortable as possible. If you start to feel nervous let a member of the cabin crew know, and they can be on hand to provide reassurance.

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HOW I BUILT A FASHION

Empire

Founded by Hanna Olsen in 2013, DIXIEGRAZE has exploded in popularity for its luxury-yet-affordable jewellery offering

– here’s how she did it...

What does DIXIEGRAZE mean to you? Where does the name come from?

It’s actually a funny story behind this name and it literally just came at random. I was watching a movie when I was about 15 years old, and there was a café called Dixie and I just thought that the name was very like funky and bubbly at the time. The second part, GRAZE, comes from my name (Hanna) which is from the bible and means grace, but I just spelled it with a Z instead.

I put them together and it became my nickname in my teens and what I used as my first ever email too, so just kept the name when starting my brand.

What inspired you to create the brand?

When I started it was harder to find good quality jewellery that was sort of in between

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high-end and regular costume jewellery, so I wanted to find something in the middle that would be affordable. I just started making jewellery for my own use and then I would post that on Instagram just for fun really. This was in the early stages of Instagram; I think it had been out like a year or two. People really loved what I posted and wanted to buy the products, so I had to come up with a website really quickly. It wasn’t actually the plan to start a business at all. I had no idea what I was doing! I have no background in business or marketing, and I’m still to this day winging it at times.

for yourself. Not only because you have to work so much harder, but because you also have to set your own routine and it’s so easy to fall off track. You literally have nobody to push you or tell you what to do, so you have to be very organised and on point with everything.

What have been the biggest challenges of launching your own brand?

I feel if anything, as women we have an advantage especially when it comes to all things fashion, jewellery and even beautyrelated. Some challenges I’ve faced is for sure the copy cats. Larger brands are always stealing the designs of smaller brands. It’s just one of those things where you feel really defeated at times and discouraged to keep going.

What are you most proud of?

I’m proud to be a black-owned brand that is for all women and men. I have a lot of men wearing my stuff now too! It’s very inclusive, which I’m proud of. I also come from a small place in Sweden where I grew up predominantly around white people, so to have people from all around the world wear my pieces is huge for me. I still get goosebumps sometimes when I see orders going to the Maldives or even Japan.

What’s your favourite piece?

I love the ‘I AM’ necklace because it holds so much power. I designed that with the intention of it serving as a daily reminder of knowing your self-worth and value. We all need that from time to time you know!

I want DIXIEGRAZE to be a brand available for all, no matter your age, gender or size. I’m always inspired by architecture and vintage trends. I love texture and pattern a lot, and that shows in the details.

What was your life before DIXIEGRAZE?

What advice would you give to another woman looking to take the leap into business?

I was working in retail but for a jewellery company. So, my love and passion for jewellery has always been there. I’ve also had loads of other boring office jobs in between. It’s definitely different working

Honestly, as cheesy as it might sound...just start! Everyone started somewhere but the difference is that they started. So, all you have to do is go for it and not compare your journey to someone else’s.

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“I STILL GET GOOSEBUMPS SOMETIMES WHEN I SEE ORDERS GOING TO THE MALDIVES OR EVEN JAPAN”

‘I AM’ necklace, dixiegraze.uk, £30

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Tartan skirt, prettylittlething.com, £15

Returnof the

New Balance 452 trainers, newbalance.co.uk, £60

Tartan blazer, prettylittlething.com, £28

90s

Invisibobble Hair Halo, lookfantastic.com £7.99

It’s nostalgic love

affair

Slip dress, skims.com, £76 Mini bag, shop.mango.com/gb, £35.99

Velvet Cupid dress, wolfandbadger.com, £240

Heart hoops, shop.mango.com/gb, £12.99

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Colour BLUSH | S T Y L E

G N I K C BLO

The bigger the cla sh

Button-down top, monki.com/en, £25

Blazer, hm.com, £34.99

, the better

Sunglasses, Marc Jacobs, £110, at asos.com

Midi dress, neverfullydressed.co.uk, £99

Shorts, prettylittlething.com, £22

Bag, jwpei.co.uk, £75 Knotted mules, riverisland.com, £48

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Tulle dress, zara.com, £79.99

Hair slides, £6, accessorize.com, £6

PU croc blazer

by Molly-Mae, prettylittlething.com, £60

Skirt, Pretty Lavish, selfridges.com, £48

POST-PAN DEMIC

Glamour

rned tu n u té n a m ia d We’re leaving no Cowboy boots, nastygal.com, £75

Sandals, riverisland.com, £45

Top, Pretty Lavish, selfridges.com, £45 Belgravia 36 watch, abbottlyon.com, £139

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w o ! r o g h T on and BLUSH | S T Y L E

Minimal effort, ma ximum

style

Leather trousers, hm.com, £24.99

Oversized shirt, cosstores.com, £69

Slingback heels, hm.com, £17.99

Tote bag, Maje x Varley, selfridges.com, £137

Jumpsuit, House of Sunny, selfridges.com, £130

Bracelet, astridandmiyu.com, £59

Midi dress, riverisland.com, £50

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GABOR STYLE CLINTON 64.681.19 | COLETRAINE 64.684.14 TEL: 01642 677222 E-MAIL: CUSTOMERSERVICES@INTERSHOE.CO.UK

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PICK YOUR PERFECT PAIR Here’s how to find the sunglasses that suit your face shape just in time for summer

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RENDS come and go, and with such a huge range of options when it comes to sunglasses, it can be hard to know how to narrow down your choices. Aside from important aspects such as UV protection, finding a style that suits your personality and your face shape (some styles suit more shapes than others!) is a recipe for the perfect pair. If you’re not sure what face shape you have, try standing in the mirror and tracing with lipstick, or use a measuring tape to calculate the width between various features.

Heart Heart-shaped faces tend to get narrower the further down you go, so you’ll want a pair of sunglasses that create harmony between the brow area and chin. A great way of achieving this is with a classic pair of aviators or something slightly more rounded.

High key, quayaustralia.co.uk, £59 chimieyewear.com, £60

Ray-Ban, sunglasshut.com, £137

Round

Square

Those with round faces tend to have gentler features, so opting for a ‘butterfly’ shape frame will add definition, as well as a modern touch to your look. Similarly, rectangle glasses will give a more stretched effect to your face and give more shape.

Oval If your face shape is oval, you’re winning – almost any pair of sunglasses is bound to suit you. People with this face shape usually have well-pronounced features and a narrower forehead and chin. To make those cheekbones pop, go for a square pair, or for something more subtle, try round glasses.

Square faces tend to be more angular, with high-pointed cheeks (think Angelina Jolie) and a strong jawline. If you want to soften your features, adding a round sunglasses shape can help to balance it out. Alternatively, a trendy pair of cat-eye frames work to embrace those striking features.

riverisland.com, £14

Céline, net-a-porter.com, £320

Le Specs, net-a-porter.com, £75

stellamccartney.com, £210

Modern Rarity, johnlewis.com, £49

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Splurge

or Steal BLUSH | S T Y L E

Style your new-season wardrobe with these purse-friendly high street takes on designer favourites

SPLURGE Top, skims.com, £50 Trousers, skims.com, £86

The cosy set

SPLURGE Horsebit loafers, Gucci at matchesfashion.com, £765

Chunky loafers

STEAL Lilo chunky loafers, schuh.co.uk, £60

STEAL Top, hm.com, £12.99 Trousers, hm.com, £19.99

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SPLURGE The Pouch Bag, bottegaveneta.com, £2275

Practical pouch

The sheer cut-out SPLURGE STEAL

Mesh-panelled woven trousers,

Oversized ruched clutch,

MUGLER, selfridges.com, £490

asos.com, £20

SPLURGE Happy Go Lucky necklace, Martha Calvo, net-a-porter.com, £155

Nostalgic jewellery

STEAL Abstract mesh panelled leggings, prettylittlething.com, £28

STEAL For All Time choker, freepeople.com, £24

Popping platforms

Statement sunglasses SPLURGE Large aviators, Gucci, endclothing.com, £335

STEAL Pluto Platforms, asos.com, £42

SPLURGE

STEAL

Medua Aevitas Platforms,

Retro aviators,

versace.com, £1080

riverisland.com, £16

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Sustainable

style

Get clued up on the brands to shop and build a wardrobe that doesn’t cost the earth (literally)

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T

HE fashion industry produces 20 per cent of global wastewater, 10 per cent of global carbon emissions and textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of water globally – but we can help turn the tides…just by wearing our clothes.

Livia Firth, the founder of Eco Age (a company that certifies brands for their sustainability) launched the #30Wears campaign to encourage us to only buy an item if we know we’ll wear it more than 30 times to justify its environmental impact. You’d be surprised at how many times you end up saying no!

In a bid to shop more mindfully, these are the best sustainable fashion brands to know right now (and add to your wardrobe without guilt).

Reformation In the sustainability space, Reformation are one of the biggest on the block. They champion the message that “being naked is the number one sustainable option” and “wearing reformation is number two”, with a roster of trend-led collections from sportswear through to wedding gowns and day dresses.

The brand was born out of sustainability when Founder, Yael Aflalo, sold vintage clothing out of a small Pina Top, Los Angeles storefront Reformation, in 2009. Since then, net-a-porter.com, Reformation has gone £60 on to design its own lines to ‘celebrate the feminine silhouette’ and even built their own factory in LA in partnership with groups like the Fair Dress, Labour Association Reformation, to bring healthy net-a-porter.com, and happy working £276 environments to everyone who is part of the brand.

Rescued deadstock fabrics (offcuts and things that aren’t sellable) form the baseline of the designs in small quantities – so you can almost guarantee no one at the party will be wearing the same dress as you. They’re also pretty open about the fact they can answer “who made it?” at every level of their supply chain, making them a huge threat to the fast fashion brands we’re currently used to seeing line shop windows – particularly as they’ve got a huge celebrity following including Kaia Gerber and Hailey Bieber as fans regularly seen in their clothes.

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Mother of Pearl There’s a common misconception that sustainable clothing is always too quirky for the average person, or at the opposite end of the scale, too boring. Mother of Pearl have taken over the runways as a trailblazer in wearable fashion that has little environmental impact, strong social messaging, and celebrates individuality – whatever that means to you.

Amy Powney, Creative Director, says: “There’s no handbook on how to make a brand sustainable, but I wanted Tan jacket, to know from start to finish motherofpearl.co.uk, where our product was £295, grown or derived, who was making it and the social impacts along the way.”

And Mother of Pearl allows you to Sweatshirt, do exactly that. All motherofpearl.co.uk, workers are paid £195 a living wage and their ‘No-Frills’ core collection is made of entirely natural and organic materials.

Mother of Pearl’s pieces are contemporary with a side of attitude, and more recently, they’ve branched out into homeware with a new collection in partnership with John Lewis which is instantly recognisable as their brand.

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Lark & Berry Whilst diamonds are a girl’s best friend, unfortunately, they’re not particularly ethical or sustainable. But thanks to modern technology, brands like Lark & Berry are creating cutting-edge lab-grown diamonds that hold the same quality as their mined counterparts, without all of the messy middle.

CVD (chemical vapour disposition) is their preferred method to culture diamonds and involves putting the diamond ‘seed’ in a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gas, 14k Gold Ring, which is then heated to larkandberry.com, around 800 degrees. £385 Under these conditions, the gases begin to ‘stick’ to the seed, growing the diamond carbon atom by atom. In fact, these diamonds usually end up being purer than mined diamonds as scientists can control the environment in which they grow.

They’re then packed into dainty luxury jewellery pieces that make for the perfect keepsake gift to enjoy without damaging the planet.

Ninety Percent

Romper, Ninety Percent, net-a-porter.com, £55

Pyjama set, Ninety Percent, net-a-porter.com, £56

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Packed with 90s-inspired sports daywear, Ninety Percent is dedicated comfortable, wardrobe staples that have spanned decades with style.

Just like its name, 90% of its profits are split between five charities, as well as the people who make their collections happen. Each item of clothing sold contains a unique code which allows its owner to vote for which charity they want their portion of proceeds to go to.

Options include Wild Aid, War Child, and BRAC. “We created a concept that is all about making maximum change with our profits, where our customers know they are being a part of a revolution in the way businesses are run,” says one of the founders, Shafiq Hassan. “Why not change and find a new

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version of capitalism - our version? We’re trying a crazy idea and seeing if it connects with people.”

Stine Goya Stine Goya is the Danish Trousers, brand known for its playful Stine Goya, prints and bright colours, net-a-porter.com, adored by the likes of Candice £140 Brathwaite and Elsa Hosk.

They’re one of the most open brands when it comes to shifting towards becoming more planet-friendly, and acknowledge that while they’re trying, there’s still a way to go. “We are in no way perfect and will never claim to be, but aim to be transparent and hold ourselves accountable to you, our stakeholders and customers, well beyond surpassing our goals,” their website reads. “What Top, started with one Stine Goya, capsule collection net-a-porter.com, created with 100% £196 sustainable and recycled materials has led to a mission to use 90% sustainable and/or recycled materials across our entire collection by 2025. We are honest in saying this goal is ambitious.”

From recycled polyester to Eco Vero Viscose and Tencel blend, this is just the start for luxury fashion brands changing how the future of our wardrobe looks, and it’s hopeful that this pressure will encourage others to follow suit.

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas

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STARS IN YOUR EYES Photographer: Naeim Jafari Co-ord: Farnaz Salmani

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RED CARPETREADY

Dust off your favourite glam because dressing up is the new dressing down blushmagazine.org.uk

Photographer: Khaled Ghareeb Models: Buliana Simon & Nivea Leavell Dresses: Salma Helmy

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Photographer: Joana Cordeiro Ferreira Model: Jéssica Pereira Dress: ÊTRE Boots: ASOS

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A MAXI LOVE AFFAIR

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GO WIL

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Bold prints are here to create long-overdue wardrobe noise Model: Samia D Agency: Good Faces Shirt: PrettyLittleThing Roll neck: Missguided Trousers: Abercrombie & Fitch

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OHEMIAN LUXE 78

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Photographer: Tatiana Twinslol Boots: Nasty Gal Hat: Eliurpi Dress: Missguided

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LET’S GET BODY Meet...

POSITIVE

neutral

Amalie Lee (@amalielee) Eating Disorder Recovery Coach & Mental Health Advocate 82.2k followers ’Body neutrality was the first step on my own healing journey when recovering from Anorexia many years ago. Loving my body came later - firstly, I simply needed to tolerate it and approach it without judgement. Now, as an eating disorder recovery coach, this is also the first step I tend to work on with clients. Loving your body is great, but sometimes that is setting the bar too high, making you feel like it is just another task you are failing at. That is where body neutrality comes in.

Now I do love my body, yet it is the core principles of body neutrality that grounds me and has gotten me to that point of self-love. Many years ago, self-love and looking myself in the mirror and actually liking what I was seeing seemed impossible, and perhaps ironically, by not making that my main goal, it became achievable with time.’’

No matter where you are in your self-love journey (or what it looks like), we’re getting you acquainted with the best accounts to follow for inspiration

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Join the

ve-gang

Founders of The Vegan Street Food Co, Anna and Gary Yardley, show us how to make plant-based changes...without intimidation

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T’S no secret that adopting a plant-based diet can be better for your health, and more so, the planet - but it’s easy to become intimidated or put off by the culture that currently surrounds veganism and what it stands for. Skipping one serving of beef every meat-free Monday for a year saves the equivalent emissions to driving 348 miles in a car, so the impact it can have brings hope for the future.

Anna Yardley is co-founder of The Vegan Street Food Company and most recently,

with her husband Gary, has launched the UK-first Plant Based School Kitchens. Her business ventures were prompted by a dairy and wheat intolerance diagnosis, inspiring the food-loving couple to cater for others also seeking ways of enjoying a plant-based way of living that didn’t restrict them or was unaffordable.

With around 1.5 million people in the UK now opting for veganism, we spoke to the pair on how you can make changes to your diet (whether you’re looking for subtle tweaks or to go the full way) for a better 2022.

Why is now a great time to transition into a plant-based diet?

Any time is a great time to transition to a plant-based diet. It needs to be when you feel the right time for you is and when you are in the right mindset to do it. It becomes a way of life that aids us in reducing our carbon footprint.

People are more aware of what we eat and how society can make a difference to our future but also future generations.

But, what about all of the nutrients you might miss?

There is so much advice out there to make sure you don’t lack in nutrients.

Examples include: adding flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts and soya beans to a diet is an excellent way to boost your intake of Omega-3. When I first started this journey, I invested in reading a lot about nutrition, protein, and what I needed to add to my diet. Following a plant-based diet, you need to consume more protein than meat eaters which is easily done by including legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds and soya.

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the meat option. For example, in a shepherd’s pie, swap the mince for lentils. Once you have started to get used to this way of thinking, you can then expand your knowledge and try to experiment with new recipes.

Isn’t a plant-based diet more expensive?

A plant-based diet is not expensive, and it’s no different to how you shop already, but replacing the meat. If you were preparing a new recipe, you would have to go and buy ingredients! This is no different, just a lot healthier for you and for the environment. It only becomes expensive when you buy meat alternatives or ready-made meals!

We can all be healthy and balanced in any diet. It’s about control over what you eat and even in a plant-based diet you can eat junk food! It’s what you want to achieve for your body and to make a difference in the way you consume food and the right foods.

Will switching to plant-based be more difficult?

Not at all, it’s training yourself to change your mindset! Take time when you are preparing your meals. Make it fun with cooking rather than feeling like it’s a chore. I’d recommend using recipes from BOSH (to die for by the way), and you will start to enjoy the change in your diet while, also feeling the benefits of plant-based.

What are 3 ingredients you should add to your shopping list that you might not have considered before?

Why do you think there’s been such a boom in people transitioning to plant-based?

“DON’T OVER COMPLICATE THINGS AND TRY TO COOK YOUR REGULAR MEALS BUT SUBSTITUTE THE MEAT OPTION.”

Nuts, spinach, and legumes – they’re perfect for Omega-3, protein, and iron.

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What’s the biggest mistake people make when going plant-based for the first time?

Don’t over complicate things and try to cook your regular meals but substitute

I personally think over the pandemic, people have looked into their lifestyle and they are more conscious about what they eat.

Many programs and the news cover these stories with increasing frequency and after having the time to take it all in, it’s made people so much more aware and passionate to make a difference.

T OP T IPS!

For going plantbased -

Make small swaps to your diet, like having a meatfree Monday – don’t feel pressured to take a huge leap in one go

-

Try new things! There’s a world of ingredients you’ve probably never considered, so it’s time to step outside of your food comfort zone

-

Keep learning! Follow the accounts of fellow vegetarian and vegans on social media for new recipe inspiration

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PLANT-BASED

Veggie cookbooks to add to your collection, for tasty dishes that don’t cost the earth Fast-food favourites

Budget-friendly

LEON Fast Vegetarian, amazon.co.uk, £16.99

BOSH! Healthy Vegan cookbook by Henry Firth and Ian Theasby, waterstones.com, £16.99

If you’re a fan of high-street fast-food chain, LEON, you’re in luck. They have several books out packed with the recipes for their most popular dishes, including this all-vegetarian offering, showing you how to make the most of the veggies you have at home. A must-have if you‘re looking to live a lower-waste lifestyle.

Leftover lunches Ottolenghi Flavour by Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage, argos.co.uk, £15 Restauranteur, Yotam Ottolenghi, has been turning heads since the release of his first self-titled cookbook in 2008. If you needed proof of just how popular his tasty Mediterraneaninspired recipes have become – there’s now seven volumes, including the newest, Flavour. This book proves that vegetables can be just as exciting as meat dishes, and you can expect to see the classics reinvented in a flavourful, modern way, including a spicy mushroom lasagne, and portobello mushroom steaks with butterbean mash.

Cult-favourite vegan chefs, Henry and Ian, are bringing the joy back to mealtimes and proving that plantbased doesn’t have to = boring.

There’s a common misconception that making vegan versions of homecooked favourites bumps up the cost, but everything in this book can be sourced straight from your kitchen cupboard – perfect if you’re dipping your toe into veganism for the first time.

Local legends Mildred’s, amazon.co.uk, £14.50

For light summer bites Charred by Genevieve Taylor, waterstones.com, £16.99 BBQ season is fast approaching and spoiler alert: enjoying an outdoor meal with friends is no longer about hunks of meat! Chargrilling is actually one of the best ways to get maximum potential from vegetables, and Genevieve Taylor is rewriting kebabs, burgers, and sharing platters with vegetarian alternatives that are enough to win over fans of a sausage.

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London based vegetarians and meateaters-alike flock to one place and one place only for a hearty weekend brunch: Mildred’s. The effortlessly-cool, affordable restaurant has released some of its bestkept secrets (plus extras they should add to the menu ASAP) in the form of a cookbook bringing some serious veggie flavour to your home.

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R U O Y N A E L C G S P R I N S RO U T I N E FITNES Personal Trainer at PureGym Suzy Quinn shares her top tips to enhance your fitness routine.

Assess your goals When was the last time you switched up your routine? If you’re still doing the same exercises and reps as you were when you first started out, you are going to struggle to progress and reach your goals. Take a step back and assess what you want to achieve, do some research around exercises choices, ideal rep ranges and then tweak your workouts accordingly.

Check your nutrition When it comes to reaching your fitness goals, nutrition is just as important as your workouts and it can be easy to get into a rut with meals. Whether we reach our goals within the gym is heavily dependent on what foods we’re consuming. Do you know how many calories to aim for based on your goal?

Do you know how much protein you should be incorporating into your diet?

Spend some time reviewing your food choices and maybe try out some new recipes; this way, you can make sure your diet is on track to help you make the best progress.

Try something new

Sign up for a challenge

Spring is the perfect time to try something new. Check out a new fitness class, try a new workout style, or even switch up which exercises you do. Injecting your routine with something new can make stale workouts feel exciting, and it gives you something new to master.

Signing up for a fitness event is a great way to kick your motivation into gear as it gives you a deadline and a goal.

Choose something that you feel will challenge you, interest you and also keep you motivated. From running events and intensive obstacle courses, through to charity walks that could help raise money for a good cause - there are plenty of events for you to choose from!

Commit to 30 minutes a day As the days get warmer and brighter, it’s natural to want to spend more time with friends and family. If spending long sessions at the gym doesn’t fit with your life right now, commit to 30 minutes of moderate activity a day – whether that’s a fitness class with friends, a fast walk in the sunshine, or 30 minutes of lifting weights. It’ll help to maintain your fitness, and there’ll be plenty of days where you feel like going harder or for longer.

For more workout inspiration visit: puregym.com/blog or follow us on social @puregymofficial

EE 600+ FRUTS WORKO

A SPRAITN TRE

REACH YOUR GOALS with the FREE PureGym App

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Try these delicious double chocolate protein oats and they take less than 25 minutes to make!

Not only that, but they are also high in protein, with 25g protein per serving.

We’re obsessed with baked oats, and we know you’re going to love them too! Let us know if you try the recipe.

INGREDIENTS (SERVES 1) Our award-winning free PureGym app is one of the best ways to get started in the gym and help you kickstart your fitness journey.

We’ve got over 600 digital workouts, including workouts by body part, PureGym classes and you can even build a personalised training plan - whether that’s to build strength, improve fitness, lose weight or even just to feel more confident in the gym, you’ll be supported every step of the way.

• • • • • • • •

25g chocolate protein powder 20g oats ½ banana ¼ tsp baking powder ½ tbsp sugar free maple syrup ¼ tsp vanilla essence 80ml almond milk 15g white chocolate

METHOD • • • •

•

Preheat oven to 180c Blend all ingredients together, apart from the white chocolate Place half of the oat mixture into the bottom of an oven proof ramekin Push the white chocolate into the middle of the mixture then top with the remaining oat mix Place into the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes, and then once cooked serve straight away For more healthy recipes visit: puregym.com/blog/recipes

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IN THE

GYM WITH

Gemma Atkinson The actress and fitness influencer takes us behind-the-scenes of her no-fad diet and exercise regime as she adapts to becoming a mum

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Go-to exercise:

Cheat days...

“I’m all about functional training. I mean, it sounds awful to say, but I love burpees.

I know most people hate burpees. But I love the fact that it’s a full body exercise in a short amount of time. I also think skipping is really underrated. Whenever I’m travelling, I always take a skipping rope with me. It’s great for your core, your arms, your quads, cardiovascular, it’s fantastic. And also, I think just squatting, you know, basic bodyweight squats.

Again, you can add a jump squat to it to make it more challenging. It doesn’t have to be anything too complex!”

“For anyone wanting to maintain a healthy diet, the idea of cheat days is like telling a recovering alcoholic to get drunk once a week.

“So I just incorporate them throughout the week, as I’m when I feel like it. If I fancy a little bag of Maltesers with my coffee, then that’s fine. I just don’t need to have like a Maltesers with my coffee every single day. I don’t necessarily dedicate

“ONCE YOU STOP DIETING, AND YOU START SEEING FOOD AS FUEL FOR YOUR BODY, YOU START MAKING BETTER CHOICES

How to stay motivated “I always train for no more than like 45 minutes to an hour max. I think you have to focus on how you’ll feel long term with regular exercise. I don’t see it as a chore to go to the gym, I see it as a privilege that I get to move my body.

“If people focus more on the health, and think of training and eating good foods to stay healthy as opposed to looking a certain way, it flows more naturally, because there’s no pressure - you don’t have to hit a certain weight or size.

“Once you stop dieting, and you start seeing food as fuel for your body, you start making better choices.

“For me, I always try and focus on my PBS in the gym. It’s not about wanting to be a size 10 by summer for me, it’s wanting to squat 90kg instead of 80kg. Going for strength rather than appearance works for me.“

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On changing body image perspective when it comes to parenthood “My focus now is to be around for as long as possible for Mia, and have the best quality of life possible with her. I want to be able to be rolling around on the floor with her children one day like my grandad used to do with me.

“I want to set a great example to her.

We’ll never be a house that doesn’t have chocolate or chips, because that’s just not realistic either!”

-

How to stay active when you’ve got a busy lifestyle “I love walking! I’ve got two dogs, so I have to take them out regularly. But a power walk around a nice park is so easy to do, and it’s free for everybody.

I’m not a runner. I’ve got friends who do love running, but it’s not for me. I much prefer just getting my steps in and taking the stairs instead of the life...things you can adopt throughout the day.”

a full day of the week to eating crap, so to speak, because that’s not going to put me in a good place for the following day.

Moderation is key!”

-

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 onion, sliced 1 garlic clove, finely sliced 1 orange pepper, cut into strips 1 heaped tablespoon goodquality Thai red curry paste 180g frozen large king prawns 1x 400ml tin light coconut milk 200g baby corn and mangetout, cut into bite-sized pieces 2x 250g pouches basmati coconut microwave rice

To serve: coriander leaves (optional) lime wedges

Creamy red thai coconut prawn curry serves 4 Brace yourselves, as this has quite a kick to it. You can use shopbought paste for this one – and I recommend stocking up on a few jars, as you’ll be keen to experiment after trying this. All you have to do is add some veg and frozen prawns (or tofu) and ta-da! A beautiful curry dish in 15 minutes. (Remember to buy paste and not a ready-made sauce. Some brands come in tubs or resealable pouches and last for ages as you only need a little).

Prep time: 10 mins Cooking time: 15 mins Calories per serving: 351

1

Heat the oil in a non-stick wok or frying pan over a high heat. Add the onion, garlic and pepper and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, then add the curry paste and prawns and stir. It should all be sizzling nicely.

2

Pour in the coconut milk, then add the baby corn and mangetout. Stir well and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 8 minutes until the prawns are cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened.

3 4

Meanwhile, prepare the rice according to the packet instructions.

Serve the curry with the rice, scatter over some coriander (if using), and pop some lime wedges on the side for some extra flavour.

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WHAT I LEARNT GOING

sober

Founder of Sober Girl Society, Millie Gooch, shares her booze-free journey and how she built a community of over 170,000 women looking to ditch alcohol 88

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LMOST 1 in 5 adults said they were participating in Dry January this year, and with people beginning to take health more seriously as more zero-alcohol alternatives pop up in supermarkets, it’s worth questioning if once day we could be a completely booze-free nation.

After giving up alcohol in 2018 age 26 (arguably peak partying time!), Millie Gooch has gone on to become an Author, ambassador for Alcohol Change UK, and is inspiring women across the UK to take the leap, thanks to her community, Sober Girl Society. The group aims to show people that life can be fun without drinking, and regularly host meet-ups, booze-less brunches, and resources for those looking to ‘bin the gin’.

“I decided to stop drinking because of the impact that alcohol and hangovers were having on my mental health,” Millie told us. “I wasn’t an everyday drinker but a party girl bingedrinker – but when I did, I always took it too far and never knew when to stop!

I would far exceed the recommended weekly 14 units in just one night and then I’d feel so embarrassed I wouldn’t drink for a week or so – and then once I felt better, I’d do it all again.”

Six months later, Sober Girl Society was born and in three years has since grown to over 170,000 followers on Instagram alone, connecting women globally, and helping them on their own paths to sobriety. “The most important thing I’ve learned is that sobriety is actually just the beginning,” Millie adds. “I realised pretty quickly after stopping that I was drinking to ease anxiety and depression, to feel some sort of relaxed state where I wasn’t stressed or overthinking, I was also using it for confidence. When you take alcohol away you really have to tackle those things and as a result my mental health and confidence are so much better, meaning I don’t really feel the need to turn to alcohol.

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“When you stop drinking it can feel really isolating and there is so much power in finding like-minded people so that you don’t feel alone”

“I think when you stop drinking it can feel really isolating and there is so much power in finding like-minded people so that you don’t feel alone. The accountability is great for some people but really, it’s the support they appreciate the most.”

“Does that mean I’m boring?” is definitely a huge barrier for anyone who’s ever been sober curious, but by putting on wake-up clubs (a safe space to talk about all things alcohol-free), dance classes, and other social events, Millie is out to challenge the narrative that you can’t have fun without drinking. “When I was drinking my life was just: go out, drink to excess and spend the entire weekend hungover and having an existential crisis.

Now my weekends are so varied and I do so many new and different things - I even started a series on TikTok called wholesome fun to showcase all the fun things you can do outside of bars and clubs.”

She’s even built up a roster of go-to 0% tipples that you’d struggle to tell the difference with: “I love Caleño as a gin alternative, Noughty as a sparkling wine alternative and Lucky Saint as a

beer alternative. I’m also a massive fan of kombucha!”

But despite the fun antics of Sober Girl Society (in fact, just last year Millie published her first book on the power of a hangover-free life), there’s still a long way to go. According to Alcohol Change UK, 24% of adults in England and Scotland regularly drink over the Chief Medical Officer’s low-risk guidelines, and 27% of drinkers in Great Britain binge drink on their heaviest drinking days (over 8 units for men and over 6 units for women).

That’s not to say that drinking equals bad of course, because most of us do love a prosecco on a social occasion, but a change in alcohol attitudes could be the key to better mental and physical health.

“I think people need to realise that sobriety isn’t really about giving something up because you actually gain so much when you stop drinking. We always view it as a loss but it’s quite the opposite for me – I have more time, more money, stronger relationships and I’m happier,” Millie says of the wider societal shift.

Her advice for anyone getting sobercurious? “There is a whole corner of the internet out there that many people don’t know about dedicated to sobriety and sober curiosity – everything from courses, podcasts, influencers – even If it’s just to break up your Instagram feed from relentlessly tempting boozy brunch posts!” It’s well worth making a case for.

Join the sober fun over on Instagram @sobergirlsociety

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manifesto

credit: HBO

Your 2022

SELF-CARE ISN’T SELFISH! THIS IS YOUR REMINDER TO GET YOUR JADE ROLLER OUT, LIGHT A CANDLE, AND TAKE SOME TIME FOR YOU. THAT DEADLINE CAN WAIT...

EVERY BODY IS A BEACH BODY. AND LET’S FACE IT, WE DESERVE OUR BEST SUMMER YET.

ONE WORD: EUPHORIA. THIS IS YOUR REMINDER THAT SEASON 2 IS OUT AND YOU SHOULD BE READY TO GET EMOTIONAL ALL OVER AGAIN.

SPENDING 5 HOURS A DAY ON TIKTOK IS A GREAT USE OF YOUR TIME. EVERYONE NEEDS TO LAUGH RIGHT NOW. YOU DO YOU.

...BUT THAT SIGNATURE JULIA FOX EYE MAKEUP IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BECOME A THING FOR US REGULAR FOLK. SORRY. SHE LOOKS GREAT THOUGH.

CROCS *ARE* BACK IN FASHION...

FALL IN LOVE WITH YOURSELF – IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING

DON’T PICK OFF YOUR GEL NAILS. IT’S SATISFYING AS HELL BUT WE’RE BREAKING UP WITH EXPENSIVE (AND HARMFUL) HABITS THIS YEAR.

BE KIND

Go out there and smash it. You got this.

Love, BLUSH x 90

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WELL WISHES

The following people, businesses and companies would like to extend their very best wishes to everyone at Look Good Feel Better charity, and to support the continued success of B L U S H Magazine...

A & S Engineering Anglia Handling Services Ltd Arch Motor & Manufacturing Co Ltd Balgores Motor Group Cambrai Covers Chandris Foundation (The) Cintec International Ltd Cremtor Pet Cremation Dragonfly Sign & Design Howard Construction (Anglia) Ltd Lewis Concrete Ltd North Lincs Engineering Ltd UK Gas Technologies

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