Why we must cut our new clothing purchases by 75%
If you favour human and environmental wellbeing over the ever-growing consumption of throwaway fast fashion, switching to a smaller wardrobe may be your only option. Regardless of how tempting it is to buy into the flurry of new aesthetics, cores, and microtrends that flood our feeds, there’s no ignoring the...
Current in Fashion + Beauty
TikTok’s face tape trend has been newly co-signed by a major star
Next up on the list of questionable TikTok trends is using tape to achieve a temporary face lift or to prevent the formation of wrinkles while asleep. But is it legit? Scroll on TikTok and you’ll stumble upon beauty hacks ranging from traditional to taboo, helpful to downright dangerous, or...
How will the UK plastic packaging tax impact beauty?
From April 1, any company manufacturing or importing packaging containing less than 30% recycled materials will be taxed £200 per tonne. For an industry that’s renowned for its insurmountable reliance on plastic, this may well pose some issues. Earlier this month, ‘the most important international deal since the Paris...
You decide – is beauty glamourising drug culture?
Harry Styles’ long-awaited cosmetics brand just dropped a psychedelic-inspired collection. Aesthetic visuals aside, there may exist a wider issue with the way these products are being marketed. Whether we like it or not, psychedelics are having their moment. Permeating both mainstream media for their extraordinary medical potential and our social media...
People on Twitter are freaking out about adidas’ new bra campaign
When does marketing take things too far? According to many people online, showing uncensored, unfiltered pictures of real women’s bodies on Twitter is the answer. adidas has just announced its latest range of sports bras with a powerful, yet controversial campaign. The ad is for the brand’s line of 43 new...
Rihanna’s maternity style sparks debate on pregnancy beauty standards
In encouraging a new generation of expecting mothers to flaunt their bellies as they see fit, the singer-cum-business mogul is advocating the importance of rejecting societal expectations regarding what women should be wearing during those nine months. When those iconic pregnancy reveal pictures graced our feeds back in January, they...
Beauty consumers now favour ingredients over brands
Life in isolation has provided us with time to reconsider our priorities when it comes to buying cosmetics and skincare. It seems we no longer care what the box says, rather what the product inside actually contains. If you’re partial to experimenting with makeup, or spent lockdown perfecting the ultimate skincare routine, likelihood is you’ve been swayed by aesthetic packaging or brand advertising at one point or another when buying...
Nasal tanning sprays are TikTok’s latest questionable trend
Experts are worried that unregulated substances found in tan-enhancing nasal spray could have serious health consequences. While self-applied tanning lotions have gained popularity over the last two decades for being kinder to skin, many people may still be making a trip to the sunbed, especially as we enter peak winter paleness. Deeper-tan creams containing low levels of SPF typically facilitate the darkening of sunbed lovers as they sprawl out under UV...
Beauty brands are advocating for the redefinition of Black
MAC Cosmetics, e.l.f, and Morphe are just some of those involved with a campaign that’s seeking to shift perceptions about what it means to be Black. In 2020, the pressing question of ‘how can I help’ was one that dominated social media well into the following year. It came on the back of protests across the globe which not only called for an end to police brutality and justice for George...
Major shoe brands finally address size and gender inclusivity
Heels, pumps, and other ‘feminine’ footwear are often restricted to smaller sizing. But with increased pressure from consumers, the biggest brands on the market are working to include shoe lovers from all walks of life. Feet are funny things. Some love them, some really hate them. They’re big and small; wide and narrow, with wonky toes and curious anomalies. Last year, Brits spent almost £10 billion dressing up these strange...