ADESUWA BELO-OSAGIE
Building With Grace
EDITOR’S NOTE
APhoto: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron
desuwa Belo-Osagie is the Co-founder of 7-Fifteen Capital, a real estate company born out of the deep conviction that Africa and Nigeria need more high-quality and value-driven real estate firms. Belo-Osagie and her partner saw a gap in the real estate sector where much capital was either too risk-averse or too disconnected from the lived realities on ground. Their goal was to bridge that divide by deploying smart, sustainable investments into real estate, focusing on identifying prime locations with the promise of value retention, value appreciation, functionality-led design, the use of highquality materials, and a relentless drive not merely to promote luxury, but to deliver substance and value to their clients.
Read Adesuwa Belo-Osagie’s story about her love and passion for real estate on pages 8 through 10 of this issue.
Using quality hand cream can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining soft and smooth hands. The question is: how do you choose the best product for your hands, given the numerous options available on the market? We explain how to select the best hand cream for your skin on page 12.
These days, an increasing number of people are opting for a soft life. So, what is a soft life? We tell you about it and how you can live that life without breaking the bank. You’ll find this on page 11.
Our watch of the week is Squid Game Season 3. I know I’m late to the party, considering I haven’t seen Season 1 yet. I keep telling myself I’ll see it. Maybe this weekend. Read our review of Season 3 on page 16.
Until next week, enjoy your read.
@onahluciaa + 2348033239132
AUSTYN OGANNAH
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Executive Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa
Writer: Johnson Chukwueke
Design & Layout: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’
Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun
Consulting Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘SunZA’
www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown
6 Ways to Wear Green And Look Effortlessly Stylish
CONTENT
Wellness Reset Summer Habits to Boost Your Mood And Energy How to Choose The Best Hand Cream For You T is for Transition
Ageing Gracefully Health Tips Senior Citizens Should Live By
COVER Adesuwa Belo-Osagie Building With Grace Outside My
Soft Life 101 Little Luxuries That Make Every Day Feel Bougie
Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm - Contributing Writer
Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.
Dorcas Akintoye @mila_dfa_ - Contributing Writer
Dorcas Akintoye is a dedicated writer with more than 2 years prolific experience in writing articles ranging from food, entertainment, fashion and beauty. She has a National Diploma in Mass Communication from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. She loves writing, listening to music and playing scrabble. She is a highly-skilled, enthusiastic, selfmotivated professional writer.
Sally Chiwuzie @unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind - Contributing Writer
Sally Chiwuzie is a non-practising barrister who owns the brand #Unshakable. She is the author of Silent Symphonies, a fictional love story, and the creator of the podcast Chronicles of #Unshakable Truths.
@deletheseer @riyo_david
6 WAYS TO WEAR GREEN AND LOOK EFFORTLESSLY STYLISH
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
Green is a colour associated with confidence and adaptability. Depending on your mood or the occasion, green is one of those colours that can be worn in a variety of ways, whether you’re going there’s a shade of green for everyone. The key is knowing how to wear it right so it flatters you and fits your style. We highlight six stylish ways to wear green and make it work for you.
PAIR GREEN WITH NEUTRALS
Wearing neutral colours with green is one of the simplest and safest ways to wear it. White, black, beige, and grey are examples of neutrals that help balance the brightness or richness of green, giving your ensemble a professional, put-together appearance. For example, a green blouse paired with black trousers always looks classy. Neutral colours might let you gradually introduce green without feeling overly strong if you’re still not sure how bold you want to go with it.
Using numerous shades of green in a single outfit to create a monochromatic look is another chic way to wear green. This could entail combining a deeper tone, like olive or green, with a lighter tint, like mint. It adds layers and richness to your ensemble without making it seem uninteresting. This styling tip adds a unique touch to your outfit and showcases your willingness to experiment with colour.
FASHION
ADD GREEN ACCESSORIES
If you’re not ready to dive fully into green outfits, wearing green accessories is a great way to start. A green handbag, pair of shoes, belt, hat, or even green sunglasses can instantly brighten up a simple outfit.
MIX GREEN WITH PRINTS OR
Green may also be styled in a fun and fashionable way by wearing it with designs or patterns. A wide range of prints, including stripes, polka dots, florals, and animal prints, complement green. A simple green blouse, for instance, can look chic when worn over patterned pants or tucked into a printed skirt. If you’re bold, you can even try green-based printed dresses or tops. Your ensemble looks more stylish and youthful thanks to this combination, which gives it a vibrant, new touch.
USE GREEN AS A STATEMENT PIECE
Another way to make green the primary focus of your ensemble is to wear it as a statement piece. Statement pieces, such as a bright green jacket or a striking green dress, are bold items that stand out and attract attention. To let that green piece take centre stage, the rest of your ensemble can be kept simple with neutral hues.
TRY GREEN IN DIFFERENT FABRICS
Green looks different depending on the fabric. Exploring green in different fabrics can completely change how it looks and feels on you. Green in silk or satin gives a rich, luxurious vibe, while green in cotton feels light and casual. You could try a green silk blouse for a classy event, a green linen shirt for a sunny day, or even green velvet for something elegant and different.
Green is no longer the colour we avoid in our wardrobe. It’s bold, beautiful, and full of style potential. Whether you’re wearing it as a complete outfit, mixing it with neutrals, or simply wearing it as an accessory, green can elevate your fashion game in no time. Simply choose the shade that suits you best and have fun with it.
SALLY CHIWUZIE
@unshakable.is.a.state.of.mind
T IS FOR TRANSITION
Shewill remember who she is. She will not beg. She will not break for breadcrumbs.
She will not perform or, shrink or twist herself into palatable pieces. The version of her that is emerging will not settle for silence in the name of peace or loneliness in the name of being chosen. She will walk away from half-hearted love, from performative friendships, from expectations that were never hers to carry.
But that version? That woman?
She is still becoming.
And this — this tender, torrential inbetween — is her transition. Because right now, she is not quite who she was, but not yet who she’s becoming. The shedding is still happening. The identity is still shifting.
And the stretch — God, the stretch — hurts like hell.
When people talk about change, they celebrate the before and after. The glow-up. The comeback. But rarely do they linger in the middle — in that sacred ache where the spirit shifts and the soul groans for breath. That is where she is now.
When I think of everything I’ve endured — not just these past few weeks, but months, even years — it’s easy to understand why I’m tired. The kind of tiredness that isn’t fixed by sleep. The type that lives in the body. The kind that comes from carrying multiple versions of myself — woman, worker, warrior, dreamer, daughter, friend, mother… or the one still waiting to be called that.
Because every woman’s struggle is a piece of string — fragile, tangled, and threaded with expectation.
Some are surviving marriages that look picture-perfect on social media but feel like silent wars behind closed doors.
She smiles for the ‘date night’ posts, but no one sees the tears after the dishwasher fight or the way she sleeps with her back turned, hoping tomorrow will be softer.
Some are trying desperately to become mothers — timing cycles, facing doctors, avoiding baby showers. And some are grieving the loss of that possibility, learning to find joy in a life that may never be called “mum.”
Others are raising children alone or with partners who never really understood the emotional labour of it all.
They are managing school runs, career growth, unspoken grief, and dinner on the table — all while wondering if they’re getting any of it right. And then there are those chasing dreams with trembling hands —
pitching, applying, praying — while wondering if they’ve missed their moment or if the world is even ready for their voice.
Even the workplace has a script now. You don’t just apply — you audition. You don’t just speak — you optimise. Say the right words, perform the right identity, pray for the algorithm to smile upon you. And when it doesn’t, you still rise, smile, and try again.
The weight of being a woman is not one-size-fits-all. But it is heavy. And in the middle of that weight, in the swirl of all those stories — is transition. It’s not survival anymore. It’s not resilience. It’s the quiet, spiritual stretch between versions.
The raw, unfinished chapter where you aren’t who you were — and not yet who you will be.
It’s the deep breath before the breakthrough. The space between the ache and the answer. And while the world wants the before-andafter, you are living in the during. The unbecoming.
The holy unravelling. The tender becoming. So if today you feel like you’re falling apart, know this: you’re not broken. You’re becoming. This isn’t failure. This is formation. And no matter what the world says — you are not late. Not lacking. Not behind. You are simply in transition.
Don’t rush it.
Don’t rush her.
The version of you that’s emerging will be worth the wait. She will not perform.
She will not shrink. She will not apologise for needing space to grow. She will remember who she is. Because this — this hard, messy, beautiful stretch — is not your end.
It’s your transition.
‘See’ you next week.
ADESUWA BELO-OSAGIE
Building With Grace
In a world where ambition often races ahead of meaning, Adesuwa Belo-Osagie is a refreshing reminder that leadership can be both bold and deeply rooted in purpose. A lawyer by training, an entrepreneur by instinct, and a tastemaker by design, Belo-Osagie wears many hats—but wears them all with clarity and grace. As the Co-Founder and Director of 7-Fifteen Capital, she is reshaping Nigeria’s luxury real estate and hospitality landscape, fusing architectural sophistication with local context to create experiences that are as aspirational as they are intentional.
Educated in the UK and the U.S. and having built her early career at the prestigious Clifford Chance LLP, Belo-Osagie returned to Nigeria not just with credentials but with a vision—to create spaces that feel like stories and businesses that move culture forward. Whether it’s through 7-Fifteen’s innovative residential estates or the quietly elegant Husk Collection in Abuja, her work is marked by precision, emotional intelligence, and a keen sensitivity to beauty and belonging.
But beyond boardrooms and blueprints, Belo-Osagie is also a woman of heart. She chairs a philanthropic foundation focused on education and welfare, serves on multiple corporate boards, and mentors emerging leaders with the same thoughtful energy she brings to her projects.
In this interview with THEWILL DOWNTOWN’s Johnson Chukwueke, we explore her design philosophy, her drive to build a legacy in Nigeria, and what it really takes to lead with both strategy and soul.
What inspired the creation of 7-FIFTEEN CAPITAL, and what gap did you hope to fill in the investment space in Africa?
7-Fifteen Capital was born out of a deep conviction that Africa and Nigeria, in particular, needed more high-quality and value-driven real estate firms that not only understood the local landscape but also had the tenacity and the foresight to contribute towards transforming it. We saw a gap in the real estate sector where much capital was either too risk-averse or too disconnected from the lived realities on ground, and our goal was to bridge that divide by deploying smart sustainable investments into real estate really focusing on identifying prime locations with the promise of value retention as well as significant scope for value appreciation functionality-led design, the use of high-quality materials, and a relentless drive not merely to promote luxury, but to deliver substance and value to our clients as well. We believed we could ultimately reshape communities and prove that African solutions backed by African capital can produce fantastic results. Real estate, in particular, intrigued us for several reasons, primarily due to the realities of supply and demand in this sector. With the Nigerian population growing rapidly, a housing deficit of around 28 to 30 million homes is estimated. We really embrace the idea of contributing towards growth in this sector.
Your firm has a strong focus on private equity and strategic investments—how do you identify companies or sectors that align with your vision?
We ultimately start by looking for alignment not just in the numbers and the commercials but in the overall purpose and with regard to the people involved in the businesses in which we are interested. At 7-Fifteen, we invest in companies and sectors that demonstrate long-term value creation, strong fundamentals and a clear strategy for growth. Real estate development remains our anchor and when it comes to our sister business, HusK Collections, hospitality remains our anchor. But we do pay close attention to adjacent sectors like construction tech, affordable housing, green infrastructure, rentals, and other related businesses. We ensure that we do deep due diligence. Also, trust our local intelligence. Our presence in Abuja and now Lagos gives us real-time insight into shifting market dynamics. And our team is constantly engaging with entrepreneurs, regulators, communities and potential partners in order to stay ahead of the curve.
You’ve spoken about innovation in Africa. Where do you think the next big opportunity lies in terms of business or social change?
Well, I think there are various exciting opportunities when it comes to the continent. When I think of the real estate development industry in Nigeria specifically, I think a big opportunity that I find exciting lies in infrastructure that enables better access, especially in housing, clean energy, and financial services. In real estate, for instance, I strongly believe that we’re only scratching the surface when it comes to affordable and resilient urban development. Innovation won’t always be
solely in new technologies, it can be in new financing models, better land administration systems, or inclusive design approaches that reflect how people actually live and work. At 7-Fifteen, we believe that innovation is about unlocking systems that have been closed or inefficient for too long.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced running a female-led firm in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, and how did you navigate them?
and programs across all levels of education to support more opportunities for young professionals now and young professionals in the future, and we continue to explore ways to scale our various initiatives for increased impact.
“There’s
often a need for more patience, more discipline and long-term vision. If we can’t shift from opportunism to strategy and from extraction to value creation, then we can miss out on a lot of opportunities to improve our commercial environment.”
To be candid, being a woman in leadership in Nigeria’s real estate investment sector certainly comes with a range of challenges. There’s the subtle underestimation from time to time, a heightened level of scrutiny, a frequent need to prove one’s credibility in rooms where you might be the only woman. But at the end of the day, I think I’ve found that performance often speaks louder than bias. At 7-Fifteen, we seek to let our track record do the talking. And in terms of finding ways to navigate this space. I seek out female mentors who can provide guidance and advice. I try to build strong alliances with other females who have had these same sort of experiences and who have overcome these sorts of challenges. And then I also seek to sensitise some of the males within the company and within the industry at large so that they have a better awareness of some of these challenges and can also contribute to improving the system for women out there who are in this industry as well. I’m very keen, along with my co-founder and business partner, that at 7-Fifteen we don’t simply tolerate diversity, but we truly and genuinely champion it.
“I seek out female mentors who can provide guidance and advice. I try to build strong alliances with other females who have had these same sort of experiences and who have overcome these sorts of challenges. And then I also seek to sensitise some of the males within the company and within the industry at large”
Do you believe young professionals in Nigeria have enough mentorship opportunities? How can that ecosystem be strengthened? There’s a hunger for mentorship among young professionals in Nigeria, but the structures to support it are still underdeveloped. We have incredibly talented youth, but not enough access to real, consistent guidance. To strengthen this ecosystem, I think we need more intentional partnerships between industry leaders and educational institutions, and more platforms, digital and physical, that allow for ongoing engagement. At 7-Fifteen, we strongly support and sponsor internal and external trainings for our professionals. We take on interns and youth corpers to contribute to skills acquisition for young professionals as well. Beyond this, via the 7-Fifteen Foundation, our philanthropic arm, we support scholarships
What legacy are you hoping to build or leave behind in the industries you’ve touched?
I want the 7-Fifteen legacy to be one of transformation and integrity. I want people to feel that our business has not merely been about constructing buildings, but about futures. I want 7-Fifteen to be viewed not just as another real estate firm hunting financial returns, but as a positive force that established a business based on structure, sound systems, transparency and tangible value creation within the real estate investment and development spaces. My co-founder and I hope to leave behind systems and processes that outlive us and that promote developments that are people-centred, sustainable, and culturally relevant. More personally, I deeply want to inspire young women. I want young women to look at what we’ve achieved and have conviction that they can achieve success as well. If I’m able to inspire women out there to get into business and to have the confidence to let their skills and intelligence shine, I’ll feel really excited about our impact and the legacy that I personally have left behind.
If you could change one thing about how business is done in Nigeria today, what would it be?
I would probably change the culture of short-term thinking. Too often, decisions are driven by immediate gains rather than sustainable impact. Whether the way we deal with clients and business partners or the way we formulate and execute contracts or corporate governance measures. There’s often a need for more patience, more discipline and long-term vision. If we can’t shift from opportunism to strategy and from extraction to value creation, then we can miss out on a lot of opportunities to improve our commercial environment. But if we can make these positive changes, Nigeria’s business environment will evolve in a positive manner rapidly. And I feel for the benefit of us all. At 7-Fifteen, we are playing our part by investing for the long run. And by focusing on long-term value creation, not just for ourselves as a business but for our clients as well.
When you’re not breaking new ground professionally, what does a perfect day off look like for you?
Well, I am the absolute opposite of a morning person. So a perfect day off for me absolutely involves a very nice lay in, waking up late. I love a good brunch. I’m a big fan of a good brunch. So perhaps some mimosas, some scrambled egg whites and pancakes. With some yummy maple syrup or agave nectar, something really indulgent and fun because I do love to eat. I adore good food. I have two extremely energetic
but absolutely adorable young boys. So my perfect day off would absolutely involve lots of playtime with them, just doing fun things, running around the garden, splashing in the pool together. I’m sure a bit of hide and seek and a couple of superhero versus the bad guys games chucked in there as well. It would involve some R&R time with my husband, with some of our closest friends as well. I really enjoy great restaurants. I enjoy travel. I enjoy the beach. So perhaps that perfect day would involve some beach time, some good music, letting me just completely disconnect and ultimately have a really fun time with the family and friends that bring a lot of joy to my life. It would end with some yummy cocktails. If I had energy, a good, you know, bar lounge slash club where I can do some dancing to my favourite type of music, which is forever hip-hop and R&B and some Afro beats chucked in there and then passing out in my bed with some indulgent naughty food like a really yummy pizza with lots of cheese on it or you know shawarma or hot dogs or something similar bad for me but amazing tasting at that time in the morning post a late night out.
Are there hobbies or creative passions you pursue that people might be surprised to learn about?
I don’t know that people will necessarily find any of my hobbies or creative passions and felt surprised, but I love art. I really enjoy West African art in particular. I love curating events. It’s something that I really get excited about. It allows me to express the most creative sides of my personality. So, putting events together and thinking through all the ways to make them really special, feel customised, and meticulously planned. I enjoy going through a lot of the things that other people don’t necessarily enjoy, like all the logistics of the guest
experience. I love thinking about colours and textures and the design of the event, and all those sorts of things really bring me joy. For now, I am able to explore this passion via parties for my kids, parties for my family, and sometimes with our corporate events as well. So all those sorts of events bring me a lot of joy because event curation is something that I really really get excited about. I also enjoy various aspects of interior design that goes very well with being a real estate developer but you know going through different interior designs, thinking of ways in which one can put different elements of design together, things that pair well together, things that perhaps a lot of other people may not think would pair well together but that you find
intriguing ways to place together and to find things that can be complementary but surprising. I really enjoy those sorts of activities and experiences, and again, they allow me to express the really creative sides of my personality.
How do you recharge when things get overwhelming? Any rituals or wellness practices that keep you centred? I’d love to be the sort of person who meditates. I keep saying I will get into meditation because I am certainly a believer in the fact that it has a lot of positive repercussions and impacts. But if I’m being honest, when it comes to how I recharge, I really love just some me time. Relaxing holidays are a fantastic way for me to recharge. Time with my husband, time with my kids. I find it allows me to recharge because I can take my mind off some of the more stressful elements of work and just embrace being present with them and having a good time, even when I’m doing something particularly silly with my boys, especially. It’s a different way of me releasing energy. And so, in its own way, it does help me to recharge and reset. I also like to watch completely trashy, lowbrow reality TV shows. I have to say that I find they require very little brain power, which is a good thing. They’re high on drama, high on ridiculousness, high on laughs. And for me, that is actually a way to completely reset, disconnect, not dealing with anything too serious, not dealing with anything that requires much mental focus. And it allows me to just completely relax, completely get wrapped up in the silliness, have a bunch of laughs, and I’ll often finish an episode or two and just be feeling reset and relaxed because I’ve been able to really disconnect from a lot of the more serious aspects of life and a lot of the more intense, sometimes stressful elements of the job that I do. Beyond that, I think I also try to focus on gratitude and the things that I’m grateful for. And I think that just having that mental perspective and approach really helps in terms of mitigating some of the more difficult aspects of feeling overwhelmed.
So just pausing to think through the things that I’m grateful for and pausing to think through ultimately whatever you’re facing, what are the worst-case scenarios? Can you deal with the worst-case scenarios? Are they things that you know, life ending or world ending. And if they are, which they pretty much always are, then you can get past them. You can figure out a solution or a way to pivot. And I think that really helps me stay centred and deal with moments that can feel overwhelming.
As a company, while we move really quickly, we work in a fast-paced environment. We are really intentional about trying to build a culture that respects mental wellness and embraces a mentality of building holistically and making sure that our employees are clear that, as a company, we value them feeling mentally well. Thank you so much.
SOFT LIFE 101
Little Luxuries That Make Every Day Feel Bougie
Fluffy pillows, fresh sheets, and mood lighting can turn even the most basic bedroom into a mini sanctuary. Add a scented candle or diffuser, some fresh flowers, and a bedside carafe for that “hotel at home” feel. Soft life starts with your surroundings.
Ditch the rushed meal over the sink. Plate your food. Garnish it. Sip your water from a wine glass. Use the “good” mug. You deserve to dine, not just eat. Even a simple breakfast feels luxurious when it’s served with intention.
You don’t have to spend a hundred thousand naira on perfume to smell elegant. Discover a unique, affordable scent that makes you feel confident and expensive. A signature scent isn’t just a fragrance—it’s a presence. Spray, step out, and let the compliments roll in.
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
Who says you need a yacht in Capri or first-class tickets to Dubai to live the soft life? In this fast-paced world where grind culture often takes centre stage, more and more people are proudly opting for something sweeter—the soft life. And no, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Soft life is less about luxury labels and more about intentional living, prioritising peace, comfort, and self-care in ways that feel indulgent, even on a budget. Think of it as a rebellion against burnout— where you romanticise everyday, treat yourself like royalty, and stop saving joy for weekends or special occasions. It’s lighting that candle on a Tuesday, booking a massage “just because,” or ordering a latte with oat milk and a cinnamon swirl. Living the soft life is a vibe, a mindset, and, for some, a lifestyle manifesto. So, whether you’re on a budget or splurging, here are a few little luxuries that can make your everyday life feel a little more luxurious and a whole lot more blissful.
Luxury isn’t always physical—it’s also emotional. Saying no to things that drain you is peak soft life behaviour. Whether it’s skipping that one-sided friendship or setting digital boundaries, choosing your peace is the ultimate flex.
Whether it’s a 10-minute skincare routine, journaling with your morning tea, or a mindful walk in the evening, carve out time each day for something that soothes you. These rituals, however small, signal to your brain that you matter—and that’s soft life energy.
Living the soft life isn’t about having it all; it’s about enjoying what you have in a way that feels elevated and true to you. It’s choosing ease over stress, pleasure over pressure, and presence over performance. So go ahead— romanticise your lunch, light that candle, and play your “rich aunty” playlist. Because every day deserves a little softness, and so do you.
What’s inside the hand cream is just as important as how it feels or smells. Always check the ingredient list. Look for ingredients that match your skin’s needs. If your hands are dry, ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera help to draw moisture into your skin. For nourishment and softness, ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or almond oil are great. And if your skin is cracked or damaged, hand creams with vitamin E, panthenol, or ceramides will help repair and strengthen it. At the same time, avoid hand creams that contain excessive alcohol or strong artificial fragrances; these can dry out your skin or cause irritation, especially if you’re sensitive. The right ingredients make all the difference.
FOR YOU HAND CREAM CHOOSE THE BEST HOW TO
BY DORCAS AKINTOYE
Every day, we put a lot of strain on our hands from activities such as cleaning, cooking, typing, washing, and even exposure to the sun. Your hands may eventually get dry or itchy from all that work. A quality hand cream can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining healthy, smooth, and soft hands. But how can you choose the best product for you when there are so many available in the market? Selecting the best hand cream involves more than just picking the one with the nicest aroma or the most attractive package. It all comes down to understanding your skin and what it needs. Let us show you simple but important tips to help you choose the perfect hand cream that works for you.
CHECK THE INGREDIENTS CONSIDER THE SCENT (OR LACK OF IT)
KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE
Before buying any hand cream, the first step is to determine your skin type. Do your hands get very dry and cracked, or are they only slightly dry? Do you have oily skin or sensitive skin that reacts easily? Knowing this makes it easier to choose a cream that will help. When you understand your skin type, you avoid wasting money and time on products that don’t suit you.
A hand cream’s scent may appear insignificant, yet it plays a significant role in the whole experience. Some people love sweet, fruity, or floral scents, while others find them repulsive or are allergic to them. Choose a hand lotion with a light aroma, or one that is fragrance-free if you have a sensitive nose or work in a scentfree environment. It is kinder to your skin and won’t irritate those around you. However, if you prefer your products to smell good, choose a scent that you appreciate and won’t grow tired of. Just be sure that no harsh chemicals that could irritate the to produce the fragrance. A good scent can make applying hand cream feel more enjoyable, but your skin’s comfort should always come first.
Choosing a suitable hand cream doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing. If you have the chance, always try the hand cream before buying a fullsized product. When you try it, pay attention to how it feels. Does it absorb quickly? Does it leave your hands feeling soft or greasy? Do you like how it smells? Testing it first can save you from wasting money on a product that looks nice but doesn’t work well for your skin. If trying it in person isn’t possible, take a few minutes to read online reviews. You’ll often find useful feedback from people with similar skin concerns to yours.
SUMMER HABITS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD AND ENERGY
WELLNESS RESET A
Wake Up With The Sun
Longer days mean more natural light, so why not use it to your advantage? Waking up earlier and getting sunlight within the first hour of your day helps regulate your circadian rhythm, improves sleep quality, and boosts serotonin levels. Step outside with your morning tea or stretch on your balcony; just ten minutes of sunshine can do wonders for your mood and energy.
Hydrate Like It’s Your Superpower
Summer heat means more sweat, which means you need more water. But hydration isn’t just about quantity, it’s also about quality. Add citrus slices, mint leaves, or cucumber to your water for a refreshing upgrade. Consider waterdense fruits, such as watermelon, oranges, and cucumbers, to increase hydration. Hydration helps maintain your energy levels and keeps your skin glowing all season long.
Move For Joy, Not Just Burn
Summer is the perfect time to revamp your exercise routine. Instead of sticking strictly to intense indoor workouts, try joyful outdoor activities, like dancing in your living room with the windows open, sunrise yoga, swimming, or even walking around your neighbourhood. Movement is not punishment; it’s a celebration. When it’s fun, it’s sustainable.
Declutter Your Digital Diet
Wellness isn’t just physical; it’s also mental. Summer’s slower pace is a great time to cut back on doom-scrolling and overstimulation. Schedule screen-free evenings, unfollow accounts that drain you, and create a “sunset ritual” where you unwind without your phone. Replace endless scrolling with journaling, reading, or even cloud-watching. Your mind deserves rest, too.
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
s the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, summer presents the perfect excuse for a total wellness reset. Think of it as spring cleaning for the soul, shedding the sluggish routines of earlier months and embracing habits that uplift your mood and re-energise your body. This season isn’t just about beach trips and iced drinks; it’s about realigning your lifestyle for mental clarity, physical vitality, and emotional balance. Whether you’re navigating a busy city life or looking to recharge during your break, here are summer wellness habits that will leave you feeling lighter, brighter, and more alive.
Eat Vibrantly
If your plate looks like a rainbow, you’re doing summer right. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are not only bursting with flavour but also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and moodboosting nutrients. Grilled corn, fresh mangoes, leafy salads, and smoothie bowls make healthy eating feel indulgent and exciting. Let your meals reflect the energy you want to attract.
Wellness doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul; it’s about small, consistent choices that align with how you want to feel. This summer, ditch the pressure to “glow up” and instead show up for yourself daily. Whether it’s five minutes in the sun or a full day of selfcare, every step toward balance counts.
HEALTH
AGEING GRACEFULLY
Health Tips Senior Citizens Should Live By
Don’t just go to the doctor when something’s wrong; make it a habit. Regular screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and certain types of cancer can help detect issues early. Annual eye and dental checkups are equally crucial, especially since vision and oral health often decline with age.
Nutrition needs a shift as we age. Seniors should focus on consuming nutrient-dense meals that include a mix of lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Calcium and vitamin D are key for bone health, and staying hydrated can’t be overemphasised; our sense of thirst declines over time. Think of food as fuel to nourish your body, not just fill it.
You don’t need to run a marathon to stay fit. Regular movement, whether it’s brisk walking, swimming, or light strength training, can improve balance, reduce the risk of falls, and boost heart health. Exercise also supports joint flexibility and helps manage conditions like arthritis and diabetes. Bonus? It’s a powerful mood lifter.
Good sleep is gold at any age, but especially in later years when sleep patterns can become irregular. Aim for 7–8 hours of rest in a quiet, cool, dark room. Create a calming bedtime routine. Rest isn’t just sleep—make space for quiet moments, hobbies, and music.
BY JOHNSON CHUKWUEKE
There’s a certain grace that comes with growing older, a quiet kind of power in the wisdom gained through decades; the stories etched into every laugh line, and the peace that comes from embracing life as it is. But ageing gracefully isn’t just about looking good for your age; it’s about feeling good, too. For senior citizens, maintaining health isn’t about chasing youth but about preserving vitality, staying independent, and enjoying each new season with energy and confidence. So, how can our golden generation live their best lives yet? These essential health tips will help make those golden years truly shine.
Engage Your Mind And Spirit
Mental wellness is just as vital as physical health. Challenge your brain with puzzles, reading, or learning a new skill. Stay socially connected through family, faith groups, clubs, or volunteer work. Loneliness can lead to depression and cognitive decline, so laugh, connect, and keep growing. A nourished mind keeps the spirit young.
Ageing gracefully isn’t about chasing youth; it’s about celebrating longevity with wisdom, wellness, and a positive mindset. It’s choosing a lifestyle that supports the body, mind, and spirit. With the right habits and a little intention, senior citizens can continue to live richly, independently, and joyfully. Growing older is inevitable, but how we age? That’s up to us.
CASSY’S CHRONICLES OUTSIDE MY BEDROOM WINDOW
It started like any normal Friday night.
I had just gotten back from work, exhausted. I yanked off my wig, peeled off my clothes, showered, and slipped into a loose tank top and shorts. My neighbour, Jide, lived next door. Our buildings face each other. You can clearly see into the apartment across, especially when the curtains are open. You don’t even have to try hard. Jide and I had spoken a few times, casual hellos, mostly. He had this deep voice that made your stomach flutter. I’d noticed the girls that came and went, but I never paid attention until that night.
It started with a soft moan. At first, I thought it was a sound from my TV. But when I muted it, I realised it was coming from his window. The curtains were slightly open, just enough for me to see inside.
parted in a silent moan. The pleasure rushed over me like a wave. I sank to the floor, hand still trembling.
She was on all fours, and he was behind her, slow and deep, one hand gripping her waist, the other on her back. His mouth moved to her neck, her moans rising with each stroke. I felt my body react immediately. Heat rushed between my thighs.
I should have closed my window. Turned away. But my hand slipped into my shorts instead.
I couldn’t help it.
I touched myself slowly, watching them move. Her back arched. His grip tightened. His face twisted in pleasure. My heart was racing, my breath uneven. It felt like I was in the room with them. I imagined it was me in front of him. The pressure built fast. I could barely hold back. As he groaned out his release, I came too, shaking, breathless, lips
I lay there for a few minutes, dazed, staring at the ceiling.
But something changed in me that night.
I had tasted him with my eyes, and now I wanted the real thing.
The next evening, I wore my short red dress, the one that clings to my body in all the right places. I stepped out just as he was locking his door.
“Hi,” I said, voice calm but confident.
He looked at me, lips curving into a small smile.
“Hey.”
I walked closer. Bold. My heart was pounding, but I didn’t stop.
“I saw you last night,” I said.
He raised a brow. “You were watching?”
“I did more than watch.”
He stared at me for a second, then laughed softly, shaking his head. “You’re bold.”
“I want you,” I said.
Silence. Then he unlocked his door and stepped aside.
“Come in.” I did. Inside, the tension between us snapped like a wire. He pulled me to him, lips crashing into mine. It was rough, fast, and needy. Our bodies couldn’t get close enough. My dress was off in seconds. He kissed my neck, my chest, then lowered me to the couch.
His mouth found every inch of me. His tongue worked magic, and by the time he entered me, I was already shaking. He moved with purpose, deep and slow, then faster, until we both shattered together.
Breathless. Spent.
Afterwards, he lay beside me, running his fingers along my thigh.
“So,” he said, smirking, “are you still going to be watching through the window?”
I smiled. “Why watch when I can have the main show?”
He laughed, pulled me closer.
And I knew this wasn’t going to be a one-time thing.
BY BOLUWATIFE
ADESINA
is a pretty decent summer picture, and if it were half as crisp off the track as it is on the track, we’d really have something. But few will complain. We know what we’re getting. We’re getting Brad Pitt easing his abs into tubs of ice water and Brad Pitt striding toward the camera in long shot, twice, exactly the way Tom Cruise did in Top Gun: Maverick
Fundamentally, it’s a movie about how to get in and out of cars, and how to perfect a grizzled poseur’s look of middle-distance staring into preordained destinies somewhere up in the sky. Driver Sonny Hayes, Pitt’s character, survived a near-death crash 30 years earlier. He has lived a nomadic existence ever since, leaving a trail of exes and broken hearts wherever he stopped long enough to check his brakes and change the oil.
The screenplay by Ehren Kruger (co-writer on Top Gun: Maverick) drops hints about Sonny’s gambling addict past, and his stint as a New York City cab driver, and that’s a movie I’d see right now. A bitter, riskprone Formula 1 flameout, scaring the living hell out of one arrogant Wall Street trader or nightclubbing socialite after another? Yes, please.
Sonny’s solitary, nomadic life gets a jolt from old pal Ruben (Javier Bardem, also very good at the getting-out-of-car-whilemiddle-distance-staring-thing).
Three hundred and fifty million dollars in debt, he owns an F1 team in dire need of an experienced driver behind the wheel, someone to mentor the reckless but promising young rookie Joshua (Damson Idris). Joshua doesn’t take to the fossil in their midst, dissing Sonny with insults like “old man”, “old timer”, and “Mr. 1990s,” and you know that sort of disrespect will come back to teach him a lesson.
F1 travels from Daytona Beach to Abu Dhabi as the team’s chances improve, in between additional near-fatal crashes and battles of the ego, plus a budding romance between Sonny and the team’s technical director, Kate, played by Kerry Condon. She’s a breath of fresh air in this slick, two and half hours of hero redemption. Director Joseph Kosinski clearly took the impressive aerial reshoots (real and simulated) he oversaw in Maverick as inspiration for the track-level work on F1, and there is a lot of it. The IMAX-immersive, behind-the-wheel perspectives blend with real racing footage shot from many other perspectives, along with the digital effects, always in the name of velocity. Sonny is a brutal tactician but divinely inspired toward greatness, per the script, a driver more about ramming speed than playing nice.
The results hang together well enough as a $200-plus million showcase for Pitt, and for Kosinski’s action facility. F1 does, however, follow in the tradition of glossy, big-budget racing movies determined to spin their wheels, dramatically speaking, 20 or 30 minutes longer than they have gas in the tank.
Also, there’s a peculiar misstep in how Kosinski and editor Stephen Mirrione chop up the non-racing sequences into micro-collisions of talking heads, cutting at dangerously high speed, back and forth. It’s one way to generate urgency, but is it the right way? You long to return to the racing stuff. And my favourite footage: the movie’s impressively varied depictions of frenzied pit stops, three to nine seconds in duration.
In an artfully packaged movie offering more teamwork lessons per lap than any racing film before it, nothing in F1 beats those pit stops — purely cinematic blurs of speed, noise and collaborative purpose.
Rating: 8/10
Another, please.
After watching the third and supposedly final season of Netflix’s surprise hit South Korean drama Squid Game, it’s tough to remember why this show became such a genre-redefining hit when it first debuted in 2021.
That’s not because the show has changed. To be sure, all the elements that powered its success back then are still in place now. Most importantly, it has retained a striking visual aesthetic — one that transforms a space where people in poverty are forced to play deadly children’s games into a twisted vision of a playground-turned-nightmare.
And there’s the bonkers concept — wealthy VIPs secretly bankrolling what amounts to the most deadly reality TV competition in the world for their own amusement. But ultimately, even as Squid Game amps up the brutality and forces characters to make even more terrible choices, we have seen versions of this story before. And that familiarity robs the narrative of its impact – particularly when the show so often telegraphs what is coming for viewers well before it finally happens.
The show’s second season expanded Squid Game’s universe by introducing us to the world of the staffers who implement these horrific games, dressed in pink jumpsuits and masks adorned with a triangle, square or circle. In this new season, we learn why one of them seems so different from the others, pursuing a personal mission that requires infiltrating the games.
The main story of this final season concludes the quest of our hero, Lee Jung-jae’s Seong Gi-hun –aka Player 456 – a father and degenerate gambler who returned to the deadly games last season after surviving in the show’s first run of episodes, hoping to find a way to dismantle them from within.
Unfortunately, the new episodes mostly confirm a sad truth he learned last season – there are just enough people here warped by greed, addiction, selfishness and desperation, that stopping this lethally exploitative game is awfully tough to do.
As the third season begins, Gi-hun is broken by his failed attempt to stop the game by leading a team of competitors with weapons to overpower the guards. It’s a constant theme in Squid Game – the heroic goals of some characters, often completely subverted or undercut by the failure of other, less heroic figures. This season reinforces that theme constantly, making it even bleaker and unpromising than earlier editions.
There are at least three stories unfolding here: the efforts of the subversive staffer inside the organisation, Gi-hun’s quest for renewed meaning inside the competition, and, outside the game, attempts by a former police officer to locate the island where it’s all going down. Turns out, the ex-cop’s brother is the organiser Front Man — played with chilling intensity by Lee Byung-hun — who always seems one step ahead of everyone trying to subvert the game.
There is stuff in this third season that fans may love, but pulled me up short. Too many plot twists were so obvious, I was distracted waiting for characters to catch up.
The show still draws its characters with a heavy hand — making sure we know who is virtuous and who is not — foreshadowing which players are destined for an honourable death and which are likely to go down mired in their own weaknesses. There are also way too many performances — particularly the English-speaking, mostly-white VIPs who giggle over the deadly fates of the contestants — that feel overwrought or too stiff or both.
According to Netflix, Squid Game’s first season in 2021 is the streamer’s most popular original season of TV ever. There is no doubt about the power and global influence of the franchise, which spawned Halloween costumes and comedy sketches around the world, which makes me wonder if this really will be the show’s final season, particularly if the last instalment proves equally popular.
Fans may disagree with my criticisms and enjoy the heightened violence, extended world-building and sobering, poignant conclusion of Squid Games’ third season a lot more than I did. But I do salute creator/showrunner Hwang Donghyuk for producing a TV series that helped wake up global audiences to the power of South Korean entertainment, ending its story with as pointed a critique of capitalism as I have ever seen on television.
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