Category: Beauty Note

GHETTS – BLACK ROSE ft. KOJEY RADICAL

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Directed by Netti Hurley

An ode to black female beauty

‘Black Rose’ is an anthem for intersectional feminism from grime artist Ghetts, and ruminates on the rapper’s hopes and fears of raising his daughter in a society that regularly neglects women of colour. Paired with black and white imagery from London director Netti Hurley, the video is a hard-hitting exploration of black womanhood and representation, opening with the rapper’s young daughter asking, “Daddy, how come there’s no dolls that look like me in the shop?” Ghetts’ lyrics weave social commentary and personal experience, focussing on colourism and hyper-sexualisation of black women in the media, and delivers a moving message of black and female empowerment.  

‘Inspired by the work of famous black female artists such as Carrie Mae Weems, Lorna Simpson and the poetry of Maya Angelou, this film is an ode to black female beauty in every sense,’ says Hurley.

What Is Beauty…

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Directed by Anna Ginsburg

Animation examining the changing, yet never-ending pressure on women to conform

Anna Ginsburg has created a beautiful animated look at the evolution of the female body and it’s perceptions over the last 30,000 years. Released on International Women’s Day and commissioned by CNN to launch their global series on beauty, the film is an examination of the changing (but never ending) pressures on women to conform to body shape ideals.

The flowing animation begins in 28,000 BC, morphing between sculptures of Fertility Goddesses through ancient Egyptian views of perception and then through the ages; The Bronze Age, Ancient Greek, the Renaissance and beyond. The shapes are constantly shrinking and stretching, As the modern era is reached, the female body is seen through technology, becoming painfully and dangerously distorted. Film ends with a message to reject the unattainable, often impossible and dangerous ideals imposed on women.

Anna Ginsburg

Anna Ginsburg, is an animator and director living in London.

Ditch Lip Injections With These 9 Hacks!

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I’m OBSESSED with having plump lips – the fuller the better is the general consensus! I literally can’t even scroll down my Insta feed without seeing a full, juicy pout staring me in the face. I know I dont’t need it, God blessed me in that department already but I love when my pout is fuller. So, here’re nine DIY concoctions, techniques, and (safe) tools you can use to enhance your lips for a more voluptuous look – they actually WORK!

1. Toothpaste: Probably the quickest DIY ever, and it’s so simple: cover your lips with a thick layer of toothpaste and leave it on for just 10 seconds! Wipe it away, et voila, a smooth, plump pout.

2. Cinnamon: Cinnamon’s been used in beauty for thousands of years, and because it stimulates blood flow so effectively, it’s one of the main ingredients in a ton of lip plumpers. For a lip plumper on the go, add a couple of drops of cinnamon oil to your FAV lip gloss. For a more intense effect, mix cinnamon powder with a moisturizer like Vaseline, olive oil, honey, or any balm, and apply this to your lips for a minute or so before removing with a damp towel. You’ll notice an intense tingling; this just means it’s working!

3. Overlining and Contouring: This is still my favorite hack to date, and I think it’s probably the most effective for faking fuller lips in just minutes. The technique involves contouring and drawing slightly outside your natural lip line. It also makes your lipstick last ALLL day!

4. Wasabi: Believe it or not, Wasabi isn’t just delicious with your sushi; it will plump up your lips in less than a minute too. It might feel a little uncomfortable, but it’s got to feel better than an injection!

5. Peppermint Oil: Like cinnamon, peppermint also causes a rush of blood to your lips. Mix peppermint oil with a little honey, apply to your lips and remove after one minute. Alternatively, add a few drops of peppermint oil to your lip balm or gloss and plump as you go.

6. Too Faced Lip Injection: This product really works, and I’ve been a fan of it for years! They’ve also released an extreme formula and colored gloss versions.

7. Cayenne Pepper: This can get pretty hot and spicy, so if you can’t handle the heat, you might be better sticking with cinnamon. Just mix a pinch of cayenne pepper with a teaspoon of olive oil (I’ve been tempted to use a few drops of sriracha in the past – I LOVE it!) and apply a thick layer of the mixture to your lips. Leave on for 1-2 minutes (or as long as you can last), before wiping it away with a damp towel.

8. Lip Plumping Suction Tools: Okay, these are definitely something you need to be careful with (from experience they can hurt a little), as you can bruise your lips if you use them too intensely. However, if ‘suffer to be beautiful’ is your motto then this is definitely an effective cosmetic alternative.

9. The Ultimate Plumping Mix: If you’re feeling daring, then a potent combination of some of the above ingredients gives you crazy good results! In a small container, combine ½ tsp of cayenne pepper, ½ tsp of cinnamon, a pinch of ginger powder, a drop of peppermint oil, and combine with 2 tsp of oil, like coconut oil or olive oil. Once the ingredients are well mixed, gently massage the mix into your lips for ten seconds and leave on for up to 2 minutes – if you can!

And finally (and most importantly!), just because bigger lips might be everywhere on Instagram, it doesn’t mean they’re the perfect look for every person! Everyone’s face is different, and we all suit different lip shapes and sizes, so I suggest you steer clear of the shot glass hack, or excessively using lip plumping devices. Not only can these cause short-term bruising, major swelling, and a lot of pain, but if done repeatedly they can destroy your lips’ natural collagen levels and weaken the skin tissue, causing a deflated look. So always be careful using unconventional methods. AND, that’s why I love lip contouring, it lasts all day and wipes away at night!

Which beauty hack is your favorite? Let me know if you have any other hacks in the comments below.

Broke Girl’s Guide: 7 Awesome Hacks To Save Money On Your Beauty Products

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If you’re obsessed with beauty as much as I am, it’s safe to assume that you’ve probably splurged on the latest product drop. If you haven’t convinced yourself that buying a new highlighter is way more important than your weekly lunch allowance, are you even a beauty addict? But what majorly bums me out is when I’ve fallen in love with the product – telling pretty much anyone who will listen, just how dope it is – then suddenly it’s gone. To help you out if you’re ever caught in this dilemma, I’ve got 7 super easy hacks to make your products last way longer so you don’t waste a dollar.

1) Don’t overuse your product 

One of the most common mistakes that everyone is guilty of is using way too much product. To make sure you don’t squeeze out a week’s worth of moisturizer in one go, follow this guide on how much you really need.

2) Get the most out of our your mascara

When your fav mascara is running low and you find yourself scraping the barrel, add a couple of drops of saline or an essential oil, like almond oil, to inject a little moisture back into the product. Just make sure you don’t pump the wand as this will actually add more air bubbles and bacteria into the tube, making it even drier. Another amazing hack is to use your old mascara wand as a brow brush. Simply soak it in some makeup remover so there’s no excess product hanging about.

3) Never forget to wash your brushes

I can’t tell you enough how crucial it is to regularly wash your brushes. Not only will it make them last waaaay longer, it’s also so much better for your skin as you’re not spreading any bacteria onto your skin that’s left on your brush.

4) Store your nail polish in the fridge 

To give your nail polish a longer shelf life, keep them cool by storing them in the fridge during the summer months, or all year round if you live in a desert. This will stop any clumps from forming and it won’t get all gooey. If your polish is already at that stage, you can also add a couple of drops of nail thinner into the bottle.

5) Oil up your razors

Even though razors seriously save us on a daily basis espicially when there isn’t anymore hair removing lotion, they’re not the cheapest tool in our beauty kit. So to make it last longer, after using your razor shake it dry and leave it to soak in baby oil. This will keep the metal from oxidizing, so it’ll stay sharper for longer.

6) Make your fragrance last

One of the most expensive items in my beauty cabinet is fragrance – if there’s one time I ignore a price tag it’s when I’m in the perfume aisle. So make sure you don’t keep your fragrance in your bathroom, as the steam from your showers will degrade the aroma. To make your perfume last longer throughout the day, apply an unscented lotion before applying the fragrance as it will hold the scent longer when it’s sprayed onto moist skin. Also, don’t forget an eau de toilette is less concentrated than a perfume, so the scent will fade a lot quicker.

7) Keep the lid

Another super easy way to make sure your product stays in prime condition is making sure you always put the caps back on them (even if you’re in a rush) and also making sure you close it properly. It will make your products like eyeliners, lip liners, mascaras, and lipsticks last so much longer, as it will stop any air or bacteria getting into it, preventing it from drying out.

Check out 10 genius beauty hacks that will save you more money, as well as how to heal a broken soul, I mean palette, here. Let me know if you have any other hacks in the comments below.