Is ‘bed rotting’ self-care or self-deprecation?
The latest wellness trend on TikTok caters to burnt-out Gen Zers, encouraging them to escape the demands of daily life by spending extended periods of time under the covers and emerging only when they feel properly rested. At first glance, there’s likely a lot of good that can come...
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Microdosing psychedelics could help those with ADHD
A new study shows that consuming tiny amounts of LSD or magic mushrooms can improve mindfulness in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Following decades of demonisation and criminalisation, psychedelic drugs are being proved to have profound implications for a field that’s seen few pharmacological advancements since the 60s. I’m...
A model has gone viral for her experience of AI white-washing
With artificial intelligence on the rise, its use in the fashion world raises new moral dilemmas. Shereen Wu is a burgeoning runway model from the US. She’s also a burgeoning influencer, sharing her career and lifestyle with several thousands of followers. But it’s not her content creation or modelling skills that...
The major environmental impact of faux leather
As the popularity of ethical fashion grows and consumers continue to seek out vegan clothing alternatives, it’s time we asked ourselves if these products are truly as sustainable as they seem. It’s common knowledge that fast-fashion has long-dominated the style landscape, for the affordable and straightforward way in which it...
Are AI-generated images perpetuating toxic beauty standards?
Viewing photos generated by apps like Midjourney, DALL-E, and Adobe is no longer a novelty. Could frequent exposure to highly idealised – and unrealistic – images of human beings potentially reshape society’s beauty standards? If you’ve ever toyed around with AI photo-generating apps, you may have noticed a trend emerging...
Muscle dysmorphia is fuelling a silent male mental health crisis
As social media and the lucrative, unregulated supplements industry continues to promote unrealistic beauty standards, more boys and young men today are becoming obsessed with body image and bulking up to the point of risking their overall wellbeing. For as long as I’m able to remember, women have been the...
The latest TikTok trend points to Gen Z’s obsession with anti-ageing
With more social media users buying into the idea that perceived flaws must be dealt with before they’ve even begun, young people have turned their attention to a new product which promises to offset any future lip creases: a straw designed to prevent wrinkles. It’s no secret that Gen Z is obsessed with anti-ageing. Earlier this year, a 14-year-old went viral on TikTok for sharing a multi-step skincare routine with the...
Boohoo under fire for breaking promises on ethical overhaul
Following shocking revelations of malpractice at clothing factories owned by the fast fashion giant in 2020, it pledged to reform its operations and launched its ‘Agenda for Change’ programme. A new undercover investigation has found evidence that this was nothing but smoke and mirrors. In 2020, Boohoo, the online retailer at the helm of popular trend-driven fast fashion brands like Nasty Gal and PLT, lost almost £2 billion in...
London-based agency launches sustainably made edge styler
The beauty industry has become notorious for its single-use plastic problem, but one UK design agency is looking to change that with its reusable edge styling brush designed specifically for Black hair textures. A renowned London-based design agency, Blond, has just launched the Edge Slick – an innovative hair styling tool that marries form and function with sustainability. The beauty industry has become notorious for its contributions to single-use plastic waste....
Beauty brands brace for incoming sustainable packaging regulations
As we inch closer to 2024, significant changes to packaging regulations are on the horizon for both the EU and the United Kingdom. Beauty and cosmetic companies will need to pay close attention. For too long, eco-conscious skincare lovers have felt a pang of guilt when throwing out empty plastic bottles once they’ve reached the end of their favourite products. Their guilt isn’t unfounded either, as 95 percent of all cosmetic...
