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I Have A Few Problems With Naked Beach – For One, No One Is Naked (NSFW)

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The first episode of 'controversial' new reality show Naked Beach aired on Thursday night. I’ve put controversial in inverted commas because Greggs' sausage rolls have caused more fuss than this flogged-to-death format is likely to generate.

So what’s it all about then? I could say it’s Love Island with love handles, Big Brother with baps, or maybe just Oglebox (apologies) but that would be doing the makers of Naked Beach a disservice because it’s actually a very serious show – nay, a noble 'quest' to make us all feel better about our bodies.

A serious show requires serious people and that's where the fully clothed (boo!) social psychologist Dr Keon West of Goldsmiths University comes in. Dr West's genuinely interesting and insightful studies (including "Naked and Unashamed: Investigations and Applications of the Effects of Naturist Activities on Body Image, Self Esteem and Life Satisfaction " ) show that people’s body image, self-esteem and life satisfaction could be vastly improved by seeing more "normal, naked bodies and spending more time with our own naked bodies". Naked Beach puts this to the test with the ambitious aim to "help fix the nation’s body confidence issues".

Another genuine and serious person is mental health expert and body image campaigner Natasha Devon MBE, who tells us that basically, Britain's body image is in our boots. She cites more studies that found over 75% of women are unhappy with how they look, 45% of men don’t like what they see in the mirror and now, because we're such a bunch of idiots, our kids aren’t happy with their bodies either. Devon says this is a global health issue that affects our mental health and has links to depression.

And so the premise is this: Each week, three 'guests' whose body confidence is painfully low are sent off to a self-esteem bootcamp (or should I say, BOOTY camp) at a luxury villa in Greece, to spend time with some naked people who love their bodies.

These naked 'hosts' are a diverse range of shapes and sizes and skin colours, and each one was selected because they are part of the body confidence movement, which I cannot and will not be flippant about.

Photo: Courtesy Of Channel 4
Photo: Courtesy Of Channel 4

And yet despite its serious goals, the show gets very, very silly. In episode one, guests Elysia, Darrell and Kaye are cajoled into nude wheelbarrow races, hula hooping and life drawing lessons on the lawn, before stripping off each night in front of their rigged-up mirrors and telling us how they feel about themselves. At the end of each episode, a titillating finale looms: will they choose to bare all?

If you’ve watched any reality TV before (yes you have, you liar) then Naked Beach is bound to feel familiar – from the earnest voiceover to the diary cam confessions, exuberant hosts and silly challenges. Were it not for our serious science boffin doing pieces to camera you'd be forgiven for forgetting you're watching a serious effort to transform the nation for the better and not just some shameless excuse to ogle a few naked millennials while you wait for your Dr. Oetker pizza to cook.

If I sound cynical it's because I am. I didn’t hate this show – the hosts and guests seem warm and lovely – but parts feel forced and insincere, and I kept asking myself what the end goal is here. Are we willing people to get naked for their self-esteem or is it just a cheap payoff for the viewer?

Yet I truly rooted for the cast of episode one because they all seem like beautiful, shy souls, and regardless of the show’s simulated sincerity, there is no doubting their cripplingly low self-confidence is real. Darrell talks about convincing himself he doesn’t care anymore – a defence mechanism to which I think many, many people can relate. Twenty-seven-year-old Kaye from Preston works in a fish and chip shop and hates everything about her body except for her toes. She's funny, but her story is genuinely troubling: she’s been with her adoring partner for 10 years but won’t get married because she can't face the thought of shopping for a a wedding dress. Elysia has had a kid and says her self-consciousness impacts her life every day.

And now to the elephant in the room: no one in Naked Beach is actually naked. In fact they're all wearing more than I did getting my last Brazilian (2010, thanks for asking).

The very brief explanation offered at the beginning of the show is that the nylon codpieces are to help ease our very body-conscious subjects into the process but that didn't seem credible to me, so I asked a spokesperson for the show to explain. Was it a watershed thing? Did the hosts not want to strip completely? Did the producers think the nation’s heads would explode if faced with full-on front bottom shots?

Here's what they had to say: " Naked Beach is about body image not genitalia or gratuitous nudity. Both [Devon and Dr West] agree that people with very low body image usually also really struggle with nudity and so, given the details of the four-day process were initially concealed from the guests, the experts felt that meeting a group of entirely naked hosts from the get-go may be unnecessarily confronting and so body paint and modesty covers were introduced."

Fine, but maybe don't call the show Naked Beach then? Oh and all that body paint is going to be a nightmare to clean out of the swimming pool filter.

Photo: Courtesy Of Channel 4

Despite my reservations about the show's worthy intentions, there are takeaways here. I’m not going to whip my bra and knickers off when I’m walking home and fling them onto the windscreens of oncoming cars while singing Cheryl Lynn's "Got To Be Real" at the top of my voice, but I do buy Dr Keon's logic – seeing a more representative range of bodies more often works. We need more of that, everywhere, every day.

And if I haven't made this clear, I believe body issues should be taken very seriously. I grew up in a home where the only thing enforced more strictly than the Bible was the Weight Watchers points system. (My mum and her mates used to carpool to their WW weigh-ins once a week in what they called "the fattybus".) All through my teens and 20s I have been tortured by body confidence issues, done more dumb crash diets than I care to recall and often skipped social engagements because I felt like Kaye does about her wedding dress. So I get it, but you'll have to pardon me if I happen to think that painting sunflowers on our tits isn’t going to solve the problem.

Naked Beach is on Thursdays at 8pm, Channel 4 and on All 4.

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8 Ways To Wear Goddess Locs To Your Next Music Festival

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Faux locs are the unsung hero of protective hairstyles. Typically it takes months to loc hair and years until the locs reach shoulder length. But with a few hours and packs of Marley hair, you can get the same effect. And like many other protective styles, you won't have to worry about styling for a month — at least.

One of our favourite takes on faux locs is the "goddess" style, which was created by Dr. Kari Williams. Williams previously told Refinery29 that goddess locs use various types of human hair to create a lightweight, lived-in finish. And in particular, it's the wavy ends that distinguish goddess locs from the classic faux-loc look. Your stylist can also integrate loose, wavy hair throughout your locs using the waterfall method, which requires pulling pieces of wavy hair out of each loc as you go. This results in sporadic curls throughout your entire head.

Before you go on vacation or hit up the grounds at Coachella, we rounded up some of our favourite takes on goddess locs to inspire your spring protective style.

When you're torn between box braids and passion twists, go for goddess locs instead. They style is a happy medium.

A few loose curls throughout this protective style give the locs extra wow factor.

If you have a backless dress moment that you want to show off, you can toss your goddess locs up into a bun or up-do to give your outfit a chance to shine.

Wrap your locs with metallic cord and accessories to add some bling to your style before hitting up a music festival.

You can wrap your locs into double buns when you don't want to keep your hair out of your face and the focus on your eyes.

What we love most about these wavy locs is that they stay fresh a lot longer than other protective styles, so you can stretch them out for weeks before needing a touch-up.

You'd never be able to tell that these goddess locs were done using the crochet method, which saves hours since you don't have to wrap the hair from root to tip.

If you're not here for lots of length, you can ask your (faux) loctician to style your goddess locs in a shoulder-grazing bob.

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4 Black Women Answer The Question: Can You Braid?

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Is Knowing How To Braid Important To You?

Braiding is an important part of Black beauty culture. And for many Black women, the experience of getting your hair braided — whether in cornrows or for protective styles — begins in childhood and continues into adulthood. In the latest episode of Go Off Sis, four ladies reflect on their braiding memories and answer the question: Can you braid?

"I have such a love-hate relationship with those memories of getting my hair braided," Sojourner Elleby says. "My butt would get tired, I would be sore, and I didn't want to sit there for hours." Jessica Cruel paints a similar picture of her childhood braiding sessions. "Every summer my mom would say, 'It’s time for braids,' and I’d sit between her legs. She'd put on The Lion King and braid my hair for hours." While not always the most glamorous experience, braiding served as a bonding time for many people and their parents (or other family members).

But not all the ladies in the video know how to braid themselves. "You can revoke my Black-girl card. I can't cornrow. I just can't," says Elleby, but she's planning to learn before becoming a mother. "Braiding and Black motherhood go hand in hand, which is exactly why before I have any babies of my own," Elleby says. "I need to have my child in between my legs to braid their hair. I have to." However, Ryen Williams has another point of view: "I don't think you have to know how to braid in order to be a Black mother," she says. "Girl, if you can't braid, you can still be fly."

Press play to hear more of what these women had to say, and tell us about your braiding experiences in the comments section below.

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The Hair Accessory L.A.'s Coolest Fashion Girls Are Obsessed With

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We're here for hair candy of all kinds. Claw clips? Fun! Scrunchies? We'll take one in every color. Gemstone bobby pins? Stack 'em up. But of all the '90s-throwback hair accessories that have seen trend revivals recently, the humble headband is perhaps the most stylishly spring-ready of them all.

This season, everyone from red-carpet regulars (like Elle Fanning and Nicole Richie) to Instagram's mega-influencers (like Julie Sariñana and Camila Coelho) has been topping their hair with a perfectly-placed band across the crown — and it's giving us all kinds of easy up-do inspiration. Padded, wrapped, studded with pearls, however you take your headband, there's a cool-girl way to style it that can take you from your next black-tie wedding to Saturday's boozy brunch, and every spring occasion in between.

Click ahead to see the hairstyles we're loving for spring for all the motivation you need to dust off your long-neglected headband collection... or find a shiny, new, possibly leopard-printed one to add to your vanity.

If you have green or hazel eyes like Nicole Richie, a silky amber headband, like this one from Slip, will make the gold flecks pop.

At the red-carpet premiere of her upcoming film Teen Spirit, Elle Fanning showed her youthful side with a bright-pink Barbie moment in a glittery Rodarte gown, with a matching headband at the crown of her '60s-inspired bouffant hairstyle.

Influencer Julie Sariñana has her own line of affordable Coachella-ready hair accessories — headbands included — but we've been most inspired by her more low-key headband hairstyles. This chic leopard print headband from Pull & Bear, £7.99, is a great, affordable dupe.

Alex Pereira, influencer and fashion designer, styles her fancy Jennifer Behr pearl-studded Noor headband with Voile Blanche dad sneakers and a camel trench coat, proving the statement headband's high-low versatility.

A classic black padded headband instantly elevates your go-to second-day messy bun. This L. Erickson 1-inch band is an easy add to your next Revolve order.

A scrunchie wrap-style headband adds cool dimension to a protective hairstyle, like braids, twists, or locs.

Athleisure is having a huge moment right now in skin-care trends and cute-meets-sporty hairstyles. We're loving this look: a thick white headband styled with black spandex bike shorts and skinny hoops.

Model Jourdana Elizabeth proves that you don't need long hair to style a headband to perfection. A bright bow band gives a curly short cut a little springy pizzazz.

Beach season is fast approaching, and a white elastic sports band that ties in the back — as styled on models Lameka Fox and Malika El Maslouhi — is an easy, on-trend accessory to throw in your bag along with your towel and sunscreen.

Influencer Camila Coelho proves that the velour headband is wearable through spring, especially when it comes in a fresh baby-blue colour.

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I've Had Enough Of Films About Black Pain & Black Pain Only

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What can I tell you about horror films? They make you jump, they’ll stop you from sleeping and, if you’re really lucky, they’ll terrify you so deeply that even the memory of watching the movie will make you twinge with discomfort. Fun, right? Unfortunately, there’s another symptom that has long pervaded the genre until pretty recently – black people tend not to feature and, if they are, they’ll probably be dead in the first few minutes.

It’s a cliché that the black community has long poked fun at. "Don’t leave the house, black kid! That zombie’s definitely going to kill you first!" How funny! How predictable! How in on the joke we are! But if you'll allow me to spoil the fun for a second, in reality we’ve spent years subscribing to the ideology that black people don’t fit into fictional horror stories. It’s not our space and if we step into it, we’ll be killed, ridiculed or caricatured at the earliest opportunity. Dig a little deeper into the psychology of the whole thing and it's even more grim. We have to consider that perhaps it's because our real-life trauma – the race-specific experience of things like slavery, poverty and gang violence that Hollywood has long preferred to capitalise on – is terrifying enough. We've been assigned our narratives and cinema has expected us to stick to them. To me, that's far more daunting than a menacing shadow lurking on the other side of the shower curtain.

So where does it end? Barry Jenkins' Best Picture-winning coming-of-age drama Moonlight was a landmark film, exploring masculinity in a way we've never seen before. Jordan Peele has been a game-changer, of course. His Oscar-winning Get Out explored the black experience in a way that high-grossing blockbusters hadn’t seen outside of the historical drama canon. But how far did it push? Within the scary film family, his 2019 follow-up Us starring Lupita N’yongo gave the 'black dies, white survives' trope the middle finger in a huge way. Up next this year is Ma, a new horror from The Help director Tate Taylor. He reunites with actress Octavia Spencer, who now plays Su Ann, the sinister woman who invites a group of teenagers from the local high school to party in her basement.

It's a welcome genre-switch for Octavia. Save perhaps for Hidden Figures, where she starred as one of three unsung African-American women who launched astronaut John Glenn into orbit, her most familiar performances have been as the literal 'help'. "The archetypes that they really want to see a – woman of zaftig stature and a cute, little Cheshire cat grin – is the nurturer, or the sassy whatever," Octavia told Dev Patel in Variety 's Actors on Actors interview back in 2016. "And right after I did The Help I was all excited about the possibilities that would come, and 90% of the roles [offered were] a maid. And I'm thinking, I just played the best damn maid role written. I don't have a problem with playing a maid again but it has to top this one – and none of them did."

She's just one of many black women who have continuously been typecast as characters with little more backstory than the generalised struggle that's attached to blackness: pain, hardship and dependancy. In Ma there's clearly more to unpick. Though the trailer hints that Su Ann's motivations might be loosely related to an underlying race conflict, it's not clear whether it'll be a key plot device in the film. That said, the fact that my first instinct was to make this presumption about a film with a black lead and a majority white cast says a lot about what I've come to expect from contemporary cinema – not very much, apparently.

I don't think it's a coincidence that many black actors have found their entry into big money, blockbuster roles via films that follow a stereotypical, largely American narrative of black history. If we take it back just to 2010, we have Mo'Nique winning the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Precious. Fast-forward two years and it's Octavia Spencer's turn to take home the same accolade for her defining role as Minny in The Help. Then comes Lupita, who was awarded her career-launching role in 12 Years a Slave. The trend seems to continue every couple of years, with Viola Davis taking home the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role after starring in Fences in 2017. This year it was taken by Regina King for her outstanding performance in If Beale Street Could Talk. Can you spot the common denominator?

These, some of the most highly acclaimed films of recent years, which are about the black experience, are rooted in a history of pain. That's not to overshadow the fact that each of the aforementioned films is, indeed, exceptional. They gave due attention to both the talent starring in them and the stories that would otherwise be overlooked by people unfamiliar with the uncomfortable reality that we all share. But it almost feels as if black trauma continues to be, if not a trend, then a genre that tactically resurfaces to be applauded by Academy boards that remain predominantly white.

It's a lot to consume and it's difficult to articulate. Personally, I had to stop at If Beale Street Could Talk. I was moved by the love story at the heart of Barry Jenkins' wonderful adaptation of James Baldwin's novel and crushed by the race-fuelled prejudice and injustice that clouded around it. It was poignant, powerful and very close to home – purposefully so. I'm yet to watch this year's buzzy black pain films BlacKkKlansman and Green Book, purely because I didn't feel emotionally prepared to take on or relive painful stories that I'm personally familiar with. To put the sentiment in writing feels selfish of me, almost as if I'm getting in the way of sincerely important narratives that I do truly care about being shared. But there's a heavy weight that rests on my chest as a black woman observing a barrage of 'blacks beaten down by whites, blacks saved by whites' stories. It's a generalisation, for sure. But it's one that is incredibly difficult to unsee.

There are amazing films that come along to break the trend of course, and through them we're slowly starting to prove that black culture is richer than the experiences the big screen seems committed to showcasing. Look at the success of Black Panther and Girls Trip. Films starring black characters, with stories that aren't just about the black struggle, are seeping through the cracks. But we're a little way from celebratory black narratives outweighing or even equalling those that focus on a culture of trauma which in many ways remains prevalent in the world today. And it's just as crucial to see black-led stories about our community's successes, inspiration and celebration brought to life as it is the painful narratives that are sometimes harder to talk about off screen.

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This Is What Periods Look Like For Women Around The World

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Thanks to the much-needed noise around period poverty in recent years, we're increasingly aware of the fact that, for many women, sanitary products aren't readily available. They're expensive, and being unable to afford them is a source of shame and stress for many women. The UK government finally took a crucial step to end period poverty by announcing it would provide sanitary products for free at all secondary schools in England from September.

But millions of women and girls around the world use other methods of managing their menstrual cycles each month, whether that's because they're unable to afford sanitary products or for environmental, health or disposal reasons. A new photo series from the charity WaterAid showcases the myriad surprising and inventive ways in which women manage their periods around the world. From Australia to Zambia, women and girls are fashioning their own sanitary pads and menstruation skirts from unexpected materials – and while they might not be women's ideal solution, they do the job.

"Women shouldn’t have to worry about where they might go, how they might manage their periods, or whether the appropriate facilities including running water and adequate disposal will be available," says Louisa Gosling, WaterAid's quality programmes manager. The charity is calling on governments to prioritise access to sanitary products and appropriate sanitation, among other things, "to ensure that women are not excluded from society once a month as a result of a natural process."

From a menstrual cup to cloth, a menstruation skirt and homemade sanitary pads, there are many ways in which women make do, while battling the stigma that continues to surround periods.

Pakistan

"My mom told me to use cloth during my periods. I cannot afford to use sanitary pads," says Saba, 18, in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.

WaterAid/ Sibtain Haider.

A piece of cloth to be used as a sanitary pad in Islamabad, Pakistan

"I find the use of cloth difficult and it makes me uncomfortable," Saba says. "I can’t use it properly and I feel irritated. I keep worrying because I do not want others to know when I am menstruating."

WaterAid/ Sibtain Haider.

Uganda

Lepera Joyce, 23, shows her goatskin skirt which she uses when she is on her period. "I use this goatskin skirt because it’s always available," she says. "It’s our traditional sanitary pad." Lepera Joyce is pictured in Nakapiripirit district, in the country's Karamoja region.

WaterAid/ James Kiyimba.

The goatskin skirt which Lepera Joyce uses to manage bleeding when she is on her period

"I don’t pay anyone to use the skin," she says. "Other pads are expensive. Even if my skirt gets old, I make another one since we have many goats. My grandmother taught me how to make and use the goatskin skirt during menstruation."

WaterAid/ James Kiyimba.

UK

Twenty-seven-year-old Hilary, in London, relies on reusable sanitary pads to manage her period. "The environment is a big factor for why I use reusable sanitary pads. It’s about reducing waste."

WaterAid/ Billy Barraclough.

Hilary's reusable sanitary pad

"I use a combination of different reusable sanitary pads, cotton or bamboo, when I am on my period. A group of women in India makes some of them as a means of sustainable income. It is important to me that they are made of natural materials because I find it most comfortable and eco friendly. Fortunately, I am in the privileged position to think of comfort when it comes to sanitary towels."

WaterAid/ Billy Barraclough.

Claire, 40, in Manchester, uses a menstrual cup during her period to reduce waste, although she acknowledges it is "more hassle" than pads and tampons. "It needs boiling to clean it properly. We have a 'Mooncup pan' in which I boil it and sometimes I have to rush into the kitchen to stop someone from boiling an egg in it."

WaterAid/ David Severn.

Claire's Mooncup

"My main consideration is that these products are better for the environment. I made a lifestyle choice to reduce waste. Before becoming more environmentally conscious I used regular supermarket brands."

WaterAid/ David Severn.

Zambia

Limpo, 22, cuts cow patties to size for use during menstruation. "I do not put the cow patties directly on my skin, I wrap it in a cloth and place it nicely to capture the flow without staining other clothes," she explains. "I like this method because cow patties soak up a lot of blood before they are completely soaked. I go about doing all sorts of things without any trouble." She is pictured in the country's Mongu district.

WaterAid/ Chileshe Chanda.

A cow pattie used by Limpo during her period

"I cannot say that I am completely comfortable and happy using these materials to manage my periods. If I had an alternative, I would use other stuff. It is just that I don’t have an option, so I keep using this anyway. I have never seen or experienced any complications with cow patties."

WaterAid/ Chileshe Chanda.

Australia

Steph, 27, uses tampons, pads and an IUD to manage her period. "I have an IUD to help manage my endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, which in turn helps manage my menstrual cycle as well." She is pictured in Melbourne in September 2018.

WaterAid/ David Freeman.

Steph's tampons

"I use brand name pads and tampons as needed. I get them from the supermarket, but often forget to restock and my wonderful partner goes out to buy them for me. Luckily he is very comfortable with all this!"

WaterAid/ David Freeman.

Zambia

Nowana, 45, pictured in front of her house in Zambia's Mongu district in August 2018, uses powdered cow patties in a pouch during her period. "I would prefer pads to cow patties if I had a choice. They are easy and already made, they are disposable and don’t require a lengthy process like the one I go through when using cow patties."

WaterAid/ Chileshe Chanda.

Powdered cow patties and a pouch

"Our parents taught us about the use of cow patties a long time ago before we even heard about pads. I was shown this method by my grandmother and I have been using it since that time," says Nowana. "Money is scarce and I cannot afford to buy pads, they are expensive and that’s why I use this method."

WaterAid/ Chileshe Chanda.

A 19-year-old named Doris holds lint cotton she uses during menstruation in Kazungula district, Zambia

"When I am on my period, I stop playing soccer or any other sporting activities. I can’t run or play games with my friends." She explains her method: "I get my pieces of cloth from my mother’s old and worn out chitenge. As for the cotton wool, I pick it from the cotton fields and stock it up for use when need arises."

WaterAid/ Chileshe Chanda.

Nepal

"Ready made pads are costly and if you do not dispose of them properly it will pollute the environment," says Sangita, 32, who holds up a homemade reusable sanitary pad in Nepal's Kavre district. "In a municipality like ours, where there is no plan for managing solid waste, pads can contaminate our water source if they are not disposed of properly. So looking at the wider impact, homemade pads are safer."

WaterAid/ Mani Karmacharya.

Uganda

Munyes, 44, in Uganda's Karamoja region, finds it "easy and very normal to make a hole in the ground and sit on top of it for blood to drain in it." She explains: "I find managing my period using this method very convenient because buying sanitary pads is costly and sometimes when blood comes there is no time to run to the shop to buy sanitary pads. I can’t run, letting people see my blood; I would rather make a hole in the ground to sit."

WaterAid/ James Kiyimba.

Malawi

Tamala, 23, in Kasungu, Malawi, uses a piece of cloth called nyanda during her period. "Cleaning the nyanda can be problematic for us and our families, particularly with issues of hygiene and sanitation."

WaterAid/ Dennis Lupenga.

Nyanda, a small piece of cloth used as a sanitary pad in Kasungu, Malawi, which is placed inside underwear

Tamala explains: "However, some among us cannot afford underwear, so in that case, we secure the nyanda in place by tearing a long and thin piece of the rag and tie it around the waist to hold the fabric tight in place."

WaterAid/ Dennis Lupenga.

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Slick Woods Talks To R29 About Coachella, Style & New Motherhood

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Surely one of the most memorable fashion moments of the last six months was Slick Woods going into labour while she was modelling at Rihanna's Savage x Fenty show last September during New York Fashion Week. Looking incredible in thigh-high stockings, nipple pasties, and a harness, the 22-year-old model continued to pose, despite being 2 cm dilated. What a badass.

But then Slick Woods is the ultimate original. Since being discovered by the model Ash Stymest at a LA bus stop in 2015, Woods has come to be known as one of the coolest models in the game. Outspoken and free spirited, her gap-toothed smile is now known the world over. On the eve of Coachella festival, we caught up with Slick at the UGG + Desert X party in Palm Springs to talk about festival style, motherhood and finally beating Gigi and Bella to a modelling award.

Hi Slick, so Coachella is this weekend, talk to me about your festival style. Do you spend much time working out your outfits?

Nah I just pack my uniform, put it in a backpack, then mix and match on the day. I was gonna wear overalls today but my makeup artist told me not to!

Who are you looking forward to seeing play at Coachella?

I don’t even know who’s playing yet! Music at Coachella is usually a little too mainstream for me. I like trap music. Future, Gucci Mane, things like that.

What’s your food and drink of choice at a festival?

Tacos and Jameson whisky. I was at Ireland airport one time and someone made me try Jameson. I love it.

You’re out here in Palm Springs working with UGG. How’s that?

I feel like this new UGG collection has gone to a new level. I wear these slides and I feel like a Korean rapper. You can wear the furry ones, Le Fluff, and go to the club.

UGG have collaborated with Desert X to produce original artwork around the desert, are you much of an art person?

I love my friend Cory Wash’s work, she’s super dope. She does everything with a Sharpie. I keep all her art in my house. Everything she makes, I buy it. Malik Roberts is dope. I like street style art.

It’s Mother’s Day in the US next month, the first since you gave birth last September. Are you going to do anything?

I mean I don’t know if my son's gonna say “Happy Mother’s Day” that soon but we’ll see! He’ll just want food and I’ll be all, “Yes master!”

How are you finding being a parent?

It’s good, I have fun, he’s a fun kid. He doesn’t really cry, he’s just a happy-go-lucky guy. He wakes up, looks around and is like, “How the fuck did I get here?” and I’m like “I carried you!”

I read that last year at Coachella you were pregnant but you hadn’t realised it yet?

Well before it I kept throwing up so we went to two different doctors and they both said I had the stomach flu and gave me medication. Then I came to Coachella and my agent was like, ‘You don’t have abs anymore’ and I was like ‘What does that mean?’ Turns out I was pregnant at the time. It was crazy. Saphir’s a wild baby.

Do you think the fashion industry is doing enough to ensure diversity?

I don’t know if it’s getting better or worse because I feel like sometimes people fetishise us instead of using us because they actually want to be inclusive, you know?

What's been your proudest moment in your career to date?

I won Model of the Year [at the Fashion Los Angeles Awards] like two or three weeks ago and I was like ‘Wow! Me?! Not Bella and Gigi again?’ The Pirelli calendar was a big thing for me too. And being the face of Fenty for so long was amazing, I loved that.

Are you over being asked about going into labour at the Fenty show?

No, I never get bored of talking about my son! Never. My son is my pride and joy.

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The Real Reason America Has Never Had A Female President

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When you have conversations with people, few will admit that they think a woman president is a bad idea, in theory. In fact, many will enthusiastically say "it's time" for a woman in the White House. According to a recent study, 52% of Americans, including 60% of women and 45% of men, say they would feel "very comfortable" having a female president. A 2008 article, however, said "some polls indicate that 81% of Americans would personally vote for a qualified woman candidate from their party."

Neither of these numbers are as high as they should be. But when you look at them next to how much the male candidates are out-polling and out-fundraising female ones for the 2020 presidential race, it's obvious that people really aren't talking the talk. Look no further than South Bend, IN, Mayor Pete Buttigieg pulling ahead of Sen. Elizabeth Warren in Iowa, in third place behind former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders. He has also outearned Warren, bringing in $7 million in the first quarter of 2019 while she brought in $6 million. A late-March Quinnipiac poll shows him tied for fifth place with Warren nationally.

Why are some voters choosing Buttigieg over a policy heavyweight who has brought more exciting and well thought-out ideas to the table than any candidate so far? Like the senator from Massachusetts, he's a capitalist who wants to tax the rich and get big money out of politics. Like Warren, he's also open to abolishing both the Senate filibuster and the Electoral College so Democrats can actually make their proposals happen. But unlike her, he doesn't have a ton of specific details on his plans or experience bringing them to life. "I really like Pete Buttigieg. He is intelligent. He is decent. He is curious," tweeted commentator Jill Filipovic. "But when he says, 'I think that policy matters, I’m a policy guy,' but all of his policies are basically Warren's (except less specific and less progressive), I wonder why he's not working for her." Good question.

A lot of this comes down to Democrats thinking that playing it male means playing it safe, having watched Hillary Clinton lose in 2016 (although that she won the popular vote, in a country that supposedly isn't ready for a woman president, is less discussed). In the above-mentioned 2008 article, called "Subtle Sexism? Examining Vote Preferences When Women Run Against Men for the Presidency," authors David Paul and Jessi L. Smith note that people's perceptions of others' biases tend to colour their own voting preferences. Some polls "imply that nearly one-third of Americans believe their 'neighbours' are unwilling to vote for a woman," they write. In other words, as Kate Manne, an assistant professor at Cornell University interpreted it, " I’m not biased, but they might be, so I ought to vote for a man."

This risk-averseness is compounded by mainstream media, which reflects the internalised misogyny of the public. Not only does cable news pay an outsized amount of attention to the white, male candidates — ensuring they stay high in the polls — but print and digital media reporters, a recent study found, tend to describe them more positively.

The Northeastern University School of Journalism analysed 200 articles, focusing on the five most-read news websites according to Amazon's Alexa: The Washington Post, The New York Times, HuffPo, CNN, and Fox News. Researchers looked at the percentage of positive words used to describe 2020 presidential candidates. The candidates by media sentiment from highest to lowest, were: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Cory Booker, Beto O'Rourke, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Notice a pattern here?

Words used to describe the female candidates more frequently have to do with their requisite "scandals" — which might not have been such huge "scandals" if they were men. The most egregious example of this is that the top words for Gillibrand are "sexual," "harassment," and "Franken," echoing the misogynistic refrain that she somehow threw former Sen. Al Franken "under the bus" when she called for him to resign. As a reminder, Franken had eight credible accusations of sexual harassment against him, there were other senators calling for his resignation, and he chose to resign himself.

The misogyny in political coverage is made worse by the fact that 70% of political coverage overall and 74% of election news at online news outlets is done by men, according to a new report from the Women's Media Center. It's made even worse when you consider that they seem to exist within an echo chamber: Male political reporters retweet other men three times more than their female colleagues. It's all but guaranteed that most people who tweet this article will be women, when it's the male reporters who need to read it most.

So, why is it that so many people would be happy with a female president but are unwilling to do the legwork? The answer lies somewhere between media bros, internalised misogyny, and "risk-averseness." But now that all of these factors are out in the open, we have no excuse but to address them head-on and, ultimately, do better than we did in 2016.

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11 Seriously Amazing Wedding Dresses With Pockets For The Hands-On Bride

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I don't know a woman alive who doesn't love pockets. Along with "It was half off in the sale!", "It has pockets!" is the best thing you can hear after complimenting a friend's new outfit; cue them doubling down with a demonstration of said pockets, naturally.

In 2019, humans have managed to grow plants on the moon (no, really), yet women's clothing often remains pocketless. While our male friends and partners can get up and go – keys, phone and wallet tucked safely in their back pockets – we must content ourselves with that meagre coin pocket on our jeans (or worse, fake pockets).

No time are you more likely to find yourself needing to carry a small suitcase worth of items than on your wedding day: your vows, a packet of tissues, lipstick for touch-ups, a flask for Dutch courage, a list of your other half's obscure family members... In January, this tweet about a bride and her bridesmaids whose dresses had pockets went viral, causing women across the globe to consider the possibilities of a brave new pocketed world.

In the same boat? Then look no further, we've rounded up 11 of our favourite wedding dresses with pockets.

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How To Make Your Beauty Routine Eco-Friendly – Without Compromising On Quality

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When Glossier Play burst onto the scene earlier this year, it wasn't the velvety formulas, Instagram-worthy shades and impressive pigment payoff which caught the attention of makeup lovers on Instagram. It was the packaging and materials used. Products were enveloped in material reminiscent of shiny plastic sweet wrappers and stuffed into cardboard boxes, and if you bought their cool new eyeshadow, Glitter Gelée, you were getting non-biodegradable glitter, essentially microplastic, which experts now argue has a profoundly negative environmental impact.

Thankfully, Glossier Play has been letting their fanbase know that they will be phasing out the foils over the next six months, and regarding Glitter Gelée, are actively exploring reformulating the product with bio-glitter, but the comments are still coming in thick and fast on Instagram. "At a time when sustainability is at the forefront of customers' minds it's pretty sad that this isn't biodegradable," wrote one follower, while another said, "Do you know what’s aesthetic? A clean planet. All this packaging is sooo unnecessary." Glossier isn't the only brand to face the wrath of the beauty eco-warriors. Pat McGrath Labs has also been called out for their unscrupulous use of packaging, such as plastic bags and sequins, with anonymous beauty collective Estée Laundry leading the fight.

So with more and more of us putting environmental impact at the forefront of our purchases, why are beauty brands continuing to ignore consumer demand? "It does seem that despite the fact that people are swaying towards eco-friendly products, most of the big corporations simply do not seem to care," explained Vicky Lyons, founder of Lyonsleaf, a natural, 100% recyclable beauty brand which has just gone completely plastic-free. "Any business has to make money, so there is a motivation to produce a product that sells – and shiny plastic does sell. As well as this, big brands have an infrastructure set up for certain types of packaging and it’s not that simple to change overnight. Small brands are more nifty and can adapt more easily, but it's also up to us to make positive changes and to invest our money into ethical companies who really care."

This is something Rowena Bird, cofounder of LUSH, which has just opened its first ever 'naked shop ' (that's zero packaging whatsoever), seconds. She suggests that while it's hard not to become disillusioned when it looks like hardly any difference is being made in the beauty industry, it's important to continue to speak up. "Write to companies demanding they make a difference and be mindful of what you’re buying. You don’t have to give up your way of life entirely, but small adjustments can make a huge difference. This includes reusing as well as recycling, because single-use items are the worst offenders."

An R29 experiment concluded that it's difficult to make your entire beauty routine plastic-free at the moment but that beauty brands, such as Kjaer Weis, Le Labo, Rituals and more are getting on board with refillable initiatives, preserving packaging and saving you money in the long run. In fact, Beauty Kitchen recently launched their 'return, refill, repeat' programme, beauty's first large-scale, zero-waste initiative. Brand founder, Jo Chidley told R29 that since going live with the scheme, other beauty brands have contacted her to enquire about collecting, washing and returning their packaging for them. According to Jo, this will be phase two of their programme and will hopefully encourage bigger brands to factor in sustainability.

Upcycling – enlisting jars, bottles and tubs for other uses around the home, like potting plants, flower vases, or storage for kitchen ingredients and jewellery – is also something brands are into. Isla Apothecary, By Sarah London and Haeckels (whose packaging is mainly recyclable glass) are just a few companies championing the movement. Even better, Haeckels has begun experiments with growing their own packaging from environmentally friendly materials which achieve the same effect of plastic but are actually made out of biodegradable elements like mushrooms and sea algae.

Then there's Instagram-worthy BYBI, whose packaging looks like plastic but is actually sugarcane (entirely biodegradable), Soaper Duper, whose packaging is made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic (the reason why the bottles are green is because the majority comes from semi-skimmed milk carton lids), and fragrance brand Floral Street, which ditches cellophane wraps and printed labels for 100% recyclable, compostable and biodegradable boxes.

In fact, there are hundreds of burgeoning beauty brands who are doing eco-friendly beauty right, but just aren't as big yet. Take We Are Paradoxx, for example. The recently launched haircare company ditches plastic and glass for aluminium, which, despite being a little more expensive, can be recycled on an infinite loop. "Plastic can only be recycled a limited number of times and is down-cycled each time," explains founder, Yolanda Cooper. "Eventually it will be used to create fabric and end up in landfill. This is not solving the problem, just delaying it for future generations." Yolanda reveals that she also looked into glass and although it is considerably better than plastic, it weighs more, which increases the carbon emissions, requires additional packaging to protect it from breaking in transit and can be dangerous in the shower. "Aluminium is not only infinitely recyclable, but has a lower transportation carbon emission than glass or plastic," adds Yolanda, "with 55% of aluminium cans currently being recycled correctly compared to 34% of glass containers."

Recycling properly is a great start, especially if you aren't willing to give up your affordable shampoo multipack just yet, but it's clear our approach to how we deal with beauty waste needs to change. "Get a recycling bin for your bathroom," adds Yolanda. "We know that 90% of us recycle regularly in the kitchen but only 52% of us recycle in the bathroom, so beauty and personal care products are contributing heavily to the plastics issue." And it's important to realise just how much control you have as a consumer. "One of the best ways to help the environment is to stop investing in brands with no eco-friendly credentials altogether," says Vicky, something Jo seconds. "The sheer power of your money, and where you choose to spend or not spend it, will make any brand sit up and listen."

While Glossier has yet to find an alternative for their plastic glitter, they have just discontinued sending sticker sheets with every shipment and also updated their shipping boxes to be made out of 100% recycled materials, as sustainability becomes a larger priority for both them and their customers. It does seem as though there is a long way to go for other big name brands, but with a spotlight on using social media to call out unnecessary packaging, investing in refillable schemes, environmentally friendly brands and taking small steps to better recycling, the future looks hopeful.

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Thando Hapo Is The First Albino Model To Cover Vogue

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Thando Hapo just made history. Fronting the new issue of Vogue Portugal, the 30-year-old South African model is the first person with albinism to appear on a Vogue cover — and it's a dream come true. Hapo shared her excitement on Instagram, writing "I once said to a close friend that it would really be lovely to see a woman with albinism on a Vogue cover, I would not have imagined that that woman would be me."

View this post on Instagram

I once said to a close friend that it would really be lovely to see a woman with albinism on a Vogue Cover, I would not have imagined that that woman would be me. "We are the ones we have been waiting for." I'm emotional, because I see progress and get to form part of a progressive story and narrative. I got to a place in my career where I appreciate every specimen of my body and knowing that wherever I go, my existence, the way it is, has always and will always be enough. Thank you for allowing me to make a footnote in history @vogueportugal Thank you to the people who advised, supported and contributed significantly to this journey, who harnessed the essence of representation and inclusion. @gertjohancoetzee @melshaw001 @asandasizani @lynetteb_ Dr Precious Motsepe @unalbinism @audisouthafrica @asifhoosen @khanyi_matla @phindiv @pirelli Tim Walker @bbcafrica @bbc @motsepefoundation @afi_sa @glamour_sa @marieclairesa @foschinisa @pridemm @fashion_friend1 @staceylhanmer @kirsten___goss @beautyrevolution_za @samhopa @wokeproject @mimiinblue @adwoaaboa @infra_red_99 Not to mention I worked with an amazing team, it was one of the most unique and refreshing experiences I've ever had. Produced by @imi_oztas Features editor @patriciatrdomingues Editor in chief @sofia.slucas Photographer:@rhysframpton Styling @sallyannebolton Make up:@suuad_jeppe Journalist @joanapem P,S thank you to @shaundross for sending so much love my way and @diandraforrest for the shout out. thandohopa#photograpy#activist#activism#fashion#writer#diversity#inclusion#representaion#feminist#feminism#art#albinism#blackgirlmagic#model#actress#southafrica#afro#kinkyhair#naturalhair#authenticity#thoughtleader#narratives#change#storyteller#body#representationmatters#voguecover

A post shared by Thando Hopa (@thandohopa) on

She continued: "'We are the ones we have been waiting for.' I'm emotional, because I see progress and get to form part of a progressive story and narrative. I got to a place in my career where I appreciate every specimen of my body and knowing that wherever I go, my existence, the way it is, has always and will always be enough." She ended her Instagram caption by thanking Vogue Portugal for the landmark opportunity.

In the accompanying cover story, Hapo spoke about whether or not she thinks inclusion in the fashion industry is just a trend. “I do not think that human bodies should ever be called 'trends.' I have a serious problem with people who say albinism is a trend, or vitiligo is a trend. Or people who say ‘It is so cool to be black right now,’” Hopa said. “Human bodies are not disposable.”

Vogue's international counterparts seem to be getting it right when it comes to diversity and inclusion (save for a Kardashian cover here or there). Last year, Naomi Campbell vocalised her belief that there needs to be a bigger platform for the African diaspora on a global scale. “There should be a Vogue Africa. We just had Vogue Arabia — it is the next progression."

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What You Need To Know About The Latest Abortion Reform Proposals

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All women accessing abortion services in England should be able to choose between a medical or surgical termination, the NHS's official advisory body has said.

All women should also be able to access abortion services without the need for a referral from a GP, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended in its first ever guidance on abortion.

NICE said that the guidance, which it has developed with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), is designed to "improve the organisation of termination of pregnancy services, and make it easier for women to access them".

NICE said that women in England currently face a lack of consistency: while most abortion services allow women to self-refer, some hospitals still require a referral from a GP.

In its draft guidance, NICE advises that GP referrals should be phased out entirely because it can be difficult for women to get prompt appointments.

In addition, NICE says there is evidence that "women may face negative attitudes from healthcare professionals" which "makes it harder to get referrals for termination of pregnancy".

NICE also recommends that NHS clinical commissioners should consider introducing upfront funding for women who may not be able to afford to travel to abortion services.

Paul Chrisp, director of the Centre for Guidelines at NICE, said in a news release: “Choosing to terminate a pregnancy is an important part of reproductive health for many women, which is why it’s essential that providers are able to offer consistent support and advice.

“Integrating and streamlining services should help improve access for all women, leading to shorter waiting times and allowing earlier terminations. This provides multiple benefits to the woman, including being able to have a medical termination at home.”

Professor Lesley Regan, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, added: “These guidelines will help to address significant barriers that women experience across the country, by reducing waiting times and making it easier for them to access services. It’s also absolutely vital that more healthcare professionals are trained in this key area of women’s healthcare to ensure services are sustainable in the long-term.”

The draft guidelines have been welcomed by abortion services charity Marie Stopes, which said that the new proposals "will help to improve services and address some of the barriers women face accessing abortion care".

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Coachella's Biggest Makeup Trend? Glitter, Glitter, & More Glitter

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Besides boho crop tops, denim cutoffs, and Ariana Grande-packed playlists, festival goers at this year's Coachella music festival are on the same page when it comes to glam. Last year, Queen Bey brought out 90's-influenced buns and bubble ponytails, while dewy skin and glowy cheekbones got in formation.

This year, things are looking a little different because glitter is everywhere — and not just on the eyelids. Attendees are getting creative and pairing chunky shimmer with rhinestones, sequins, and jewels to create otherworldly looks fitting for the weekend's over-the-top events.

Global Beauty Director for YSL Beauty, Tom Pecheux says that glitter is the way to go for festivals because it will look good no matter your skill level. "I really love glitter because it makes you think of joy and happiness," he tells Refinery29. "You don't need to be an expert to wear it. It's easy to put on — could be a nightmare to take off — but it's so worth it," Pecheux says.

For festivals that take place in the scorching heat, Pecheux says it's the one thing that won't fail you. "When layering on foundation and other complexion products in the heat, there's always a chance that it will melt off with heat and sweat," he says. "Wearing glitter does the job because it makes you look cool but it won't wear off."

Pecheux recommends playing up your favourite features with glitter and gems while keeping the rest of your makeup muted. This year, festival attendees focused the sparkly stuff mainly on the cheekbones, eyelids, and inner corners. If you're attending weekend two of the festival and still don't know what makeup to pair with your outfit, browse through the blinged-out beauty looks ahead for inspo.

Travel and accommodations were provided by YSL Beauty for the purpose of writing this story.

A few chunky stones along your eyes will take you from festival goer to festival goddess.

A classic cat eye gets the part treatment with a few expertly placed gems.

Pack shimmer along your lids and brow bone for a celestial effect.

Wanna make your cheekbones really pop? Star-shaped sequins will do the trick.

What to do with the leftover glitter on your fingers? Highlight underneath your brows and dust the rest along your hairline.

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The Awesome Way This Woman Is Tackling Period Poverty At Her University

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A woman studying at the University of the West of England (UWE) has used £100 of her student loan to provide free tampons for her fellow students.

Daisy Wakefield, who's studying for a degree in Drawing and Print, said she felt compelled to spend her own money on the sanitary products because the Bristol university had failed to act.

Announcing the scheme on Instagram, Wakefield told followers: "After many emails saying 'I’ll get back to you' or 'I’m not sure', I’m tired of @uwebristol not addressing the crisis that is period poverty in the UK. Therefore, I, Daisy Wakefield have been forced to take matters into my own hands by supplying FREE sanitary products on all @uwebristol campuses."

Wakefield has designed custom packaging for 4o boxes of free tampons, and distributed them in bathrooms around the UWE campus.

In a follow-up post, Wakefield wrote: "If one student using their student loan can provide, hand make and assemble 40 sanitary boxes, UWE most definitely can."

The university said in response: "Period poverty is a global issue and we're pleased UWE Bristol students are passionately advocating for change. The university does not currently supply free sanitary products on campus, though we would be pleased to meet with students to understand if there is an emerging need for this."

Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced in March that free sanitary products will be made available in all secondary schools in England from September.

Dawn Butler, the shadow minister for women and equalities, called the new scheme in English secondary schools "a victory for all those who have campaigned for an end to period poverty".

"It's a disgrace that period poverty exists in the sixth richest country in the world," she added.

It was announced earlier today that a similar scheme to provide free sanitary products in Welsh secondary schools will also be rolled out, the BBC reports.

Scotland announced its own scheme making sanitary products available free to school pupils to help "banish the scourge of period poverty" in August 2018.

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Netflix's Special Is A Perfectly Imperfect Portrayal Of Disability & All That Comes With It

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At the start of the first episode of Specia l, a new Netflix series, the sun is shining, there’s music playing, and a man is walking down the street. Then, he falls. It’s a common enough occurrence, but it’s from there we get our first introduction to the show’s protagonist, 28-year-old Ryan, who walks a little differently from people we’re used to seeing on TV.

“Do you need help?,” a kid asks. “I’m fine,” Ryan says, and goes on to explain his physical disability to the questioning kid and to viewers. This “Do you need help...I’m fine” refrain is an all-too-familiar exchange for me, because like Ryan, I am a 20-something with cerebral palsy. It’s a common call and response, whether I’m climbing up the steps of the subway or simply walking through a doorway.

From the moment it begins, Special, premiering April 12, lets you know you’re in for something different. The show is the streaming service’s first foray into 15-minute episodic comedy and was created and written by comedian Ryan O’Connell. O’Connell also stars in the series, which is inspired by his 2015 memoir I'm Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves. Over the course of eight episodes, the show explores Ryan’s sexuality, independence, and what it means to come to terms with his disability.

Cerebral palsy manifests itself differently in everyone. I do not have the same dexterity issues as Ryan; he is able to walk unassisted, whereas I use forearm crutches for support. I have written dozens of stories for this publication and others, but almost none have mentioned my disability until now. There was no need to. My disability has little to no bearing on my ability to do my job — or so I’d like to think. As Ryan says in Special, “Writing about your own personal shit is scary.” The editor who asked me to write about the show didn’t tell me why she was asking me specifically. She didn’t have to.

“My whole life, CP has been the main course, when really it just needs to be an appetizer — or better yet, taken off the menu altogether.”

One in four adults in America live with a disabilit y, but GLAAD’s Where We Are on TV ’18-’19 report found only 2.1 percent of primetime broadcast TV series regulars — a total of 18 characters — have disabilities. A 2017 study from the USC Annenberg School For Communication and Journalism found that of the 100 top-grossing movies of 2016, only 2.7 percent of characters were depicted with a disability.

The entertainment industry’s portrayal of disability is flawed. The way journalists write about disability is flawed. Neither Special nor this article can provide a complete fix to either of those things, but both can start to try.

Still, the irony of writing this piece is not lost on me: In Special Ryan takes an internship at EggWoke, an online publication that is shifting from producing listicles to asking writers to exploit their own personal experiences for pageviews. Comedian Punam Patel stars as Ryan’s co-worker and friend, a plus-size brown woman with a love for expensive fashion who is asked to write articles about “loving her curves” all while being as insecure as any woman in her twenties is about almost everything.

The experiences at EggWoke are likely a satirical take on O’Connell’s own experiences as a writer at Vice and Thought Catalog, an early adopter of sensationalised first-person narratives. But Ryan’s decision to lie about the origins of his disability (he tells his coworkers that his physical differences stem from a car accident) makes perfect sense. It’s the same reason why the girl from my high school who was wheelchair-bound for a few months after a sudden illness received news coverage, but when the reporters wrote about her using the school’s single old elevator, they never thought to ask for input from the one other student who had been using it every day for three years.

It’s not newsworthy to say: “I was born with this thing. I’ve had it my entire life. It’s not going to get ‘better’ or ‘worse,’ and I don’t really care what you have to say about it.” It certainly doesn’t endear you to the general public.

Special doesn’t try to be endearing. It’s not afraid to explore the reality of dating and sex, disability or not. In episode 3, Ryan loses his virginity to a male sex worker. The scene is physical and not afraid to show the mechanics, complete with an extra moment before sex for Ryan to open his legs, which often tighten up. It’s awkward, yet fulfilling, much like sex can be.

In episode 7, Ryan’s boss, Olivia (Marla Mindelle) sets him up on a blind date with her cousin, who — unbeknownst to Ryan — is deaf, in the hopes that they might have something in common. They don’t. Ryan later tells Olivia: “I can do better than a deaf guy.” It’s harsh, but the idea behind it is true: People with a disability might want to (and are perfectly entitled to) date an able-bodied person. It’s also true that some able-bodied people may hesitate to date someone with a disability. That’s just reality.

We don’t need to talk about it all the time, but to deny the effects of disability on any one person, those they love, or those around them would be disingenuous. It’s not all good, or bad or fair — it’s just reality.

Despite all that I appreciate about Special, there are a few worrying messages being sent to younger viewers with disabilities. Though in his late 20s, Ryan appears to have no real friends prior to the ones he meets at the start of the series.The emotional implications of the fact that Ryan’s first sexual experience is with a paid sex worker (though he is remarkably gentle and kind) also go unexplored, as does the concept of disability settlement money —which people can receive if they sue doctors or hospitals after the birth of a child. The show contains passing reference to the fact that Ryan has this money, but the complicated realities, both emotional and otherwise, are not discussed.

If the show gets a second season, O'Connell has already said he would prefer it have half-hour episodes. I would hope they tackle more of the micro-difficulties that individuals with disabilities can experience: The constant barrage of well-meaning people saying “Are you sure you don’t need help?” or “You’re such an inspiration,” and the difficulties of doing little things like buying milk at the grocery store, because if you buy it you have to carry it. These experiences are ripe for translation onto television screens.

But overall, the show is a step in the right direction — an honest and flawed show is better than any attempt at a “perfect representation” of disability. It doesn’t shy away from difficult and complex topics, from Ryan’s co-dependence on his mother to the toll of being a caretaker. At the end of the final episode, Ryan’s mother admits that she does blame him for the fact that she doesn’t have much of a life. It’s a horrible thing to say, but there are elements of truth.

In an interview with Vulture, O’Connell said he wants people without cerebral palsy to relate to his story. As anyone who has ever come to terms with being remotely “different” from what society deems “normal” will tell you, no one wants a difference to define them. They don’t want to be tokenised.

In the first episode of Special, Ryan tells his mother (played by Jessica Hecht), “My whole life, CP has been the main course, when really it just needs to be an appetiser — or better yet, taken off the menu altogether.” The line struck a chord for me because it spoke to my own desire to “blend in.” Still, we don’t need to talk about it all the time, but to deny the effects of disability on any one person, those they love, or those around them would be disingenuous. It’s not all good, or bad or fair — it’s just reality.

Special shows what’s real for its cast of characters. They are vulnerable, flawed, and funny. And like all of us, they’re just trying to figure out how to tell the world who they really are, and what makes them special.

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Your Horoscope This Week

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The week starts on a bright note as the sun trines a retrograde Jupiter on Sunday. Be open to blessings as this movement passes over. The weekend ends on a high note when the moon waxes in Leo until 9.38pm on Sunday evening. We’re ready for a break when the moon goes void-of-course until the next day at 6.13am in practical Virgo. Our words gain confidence on Tuesday when communicative Mercury moves into bold Aries. The moon leaves Virgo on Wednesday at 12.29am, entering a second well-timed void-of-course period ending at 7.22am in Libra. We approach our full moon on Friday at 7.12am, encouraging us to connect, share, and enjoy each other’s company. If you made a goal during the new moon of the 5th, reflect on how you grew your idea and gave it life. The moon wanes in strategic Scorpio at 8.40am, helping us to plan out our next steps. Sweet Venus joins Mercury in Aries on Saturday, giving us an edge in our approach to love and aesthetics. Use this newfound confidence to try out a new trend, and put yourself out there. The sun enters Taurus on Saturday, changing our focus from creating new beginnings to living in the here and now.

Get R29 Horoscopes direct to your calendar, every week with two simple steps!

1. Click this link to download to: Apple / iOSGoogle / Android

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Can I subscribe if I use Outlook? Yes. Using the webcal link above, you can add the calendar to Outlook.com or an Outlook desktop client.

Aries
March 21 to April 19

Look how far you’ve come, Aries. Soak up every moment while the sun illuminates your sign this week. You could come across an excellent travel opportunity on Sunday when the sun trines Jupiter, your personal travel planet. The sun lends you ingenuity, so don’t hold back. Communication planet Mercury enters your sign on Tuesday, giving your words an assurance to those who hear them. Your home and family ruler, the moon waxes full in Libra on Wednesday morning, helping you to bounce ideas off of friends. Get their opinion on your space if you’re looking to fix it up. Follow your heart on Friday, when your love ruler Venus conjuncts with perceptive Neptune. If something feels off, ask the object of your affection what’s up. Venus enters your sign on Saturday, adding a little more sensuality into the mix. On the same day, the sun moves into your second house, switching your focus to earthly pleasures. Hold onto the fire that the sun brought you to give you the confidence to take on your finances, values and possessions, and live in the moment.

Celia Jacobs.

Taurus
April 20 to May 20

Need a little luck, Taurus? Stay alert on Sunday when the sun, your ruler of home and family life trines Jupiter, the planet of abundance. Mercury, your personal cash planet enters fiery Aries on Tuesday, giving you a more confident approach towards your finances. If you’re doing your taxes this week, you’ll be able to handle the transition with ease, or at least, find the right answers. You’ll have a new zest for life on Saturday when Taurus’ planetary ruler Venus moves into action-minded Aries. The planet of love and beauty rules your health and work zones, helping you bring refinement to everything that you do. Looking to try out a new workout or digital assistant? Always remember to simplify. Celebrate your season as the sun enters your first house on Saturday, lighting you up just in time for the weekend.

Cachetejack.

Gemini
May 21 to June 20

You’re turning heads on Sunday, Gemini. If you’re single, you could end up meeting someone just outside of your friendship circle as the sun trines Jupiter, your personal love planet. Our star is lighting up your 11th house of friendships until Saturday, so take advantage of this influence if you’re ready to connect. Partnered Geminis will enjoy the company of their significant others with friends, so why not get out of the house and soak up the spring air? Your domestic planet Mercury arrives in Aries on Tuesday, lending you the courage you need to get shit done this week. On Friday morning, pay attention to the moon as she waxes full in Libra. Friends could offer valuable financial advice as the moon guides Gemini’s money zone. You’re ready to retreat from socialising on Saturday when the sun enters your 12th house. He shifts your internal focus to your expressing vulnerability and inner growth. Keep a diary while he inhabits this house and reflect on how opening yourself helps you find strength.

Amber Vittoria.

Cancer
June 21 to July 22

Creating a smoother daily routine on Sunday will set you up for success this week, Cancer. Look over your old schedule and improve on flaws while the sun, your financial planet trines Jupiter, your planetary ruler of health and work. On Friday, your momentum gains as the moon waxes full in Libra at 7.12am, lending you a psychic glow that connects to your social circle. You’re feeling more energised to nest on Saturday when Venus, your planetary ruler of home and family moves into Aries. Make your bedroom a haven for love and relaxation. The sun lights up your 11th house on Saturday, influencing your goals, connecting you to friends and new groups. If you’ve got a big project you’ve been trying to get off the ground, seek the help of your besties. Seek out a mentor to help you if your friends don’t fit the bill. Whatever you choose, execute it with enthusiasm and grace.

Ariel Davis.

Leo
July 23 to August 22

Everyone is on your wavelength, Leo. The moon waxes in your sign on Sunday until 9.38pm, increasing the need to be recognised and adored. Gently guard your words as your inner emotions are more susceptible to revealing themselves while the moon inhabits your sign. The sun trines Jupiter on the same day, offering you some good fortune. Bring that positive energy with you through the week. Avoid biting off more than you can chew on Tuesday when Mercury, Leo’s personal financial ruler moves into Aries. You might feel a bit of angst but that’s just the Ram’s energy driving you on. Look within to find out exactly what you need, and push for that. Your ruling planet, the sun helps you to enter your next chapter, so get ready for significant professional changes over the next four weeks as this house rules your public image, career and structure. You’ve been preparing for this moment, and it’s time to achieve your dreams.

Lynnie Z.

Virgo
August 23 to September 22

You’ve been undergoing significant changes in your eighth house , Virgo. Find comfort in your foundations on Sunday when the sun trines Jupiter, your personal planet of home and family. The moon waxes in your sign on Monday at 6.13am, increasing your attention to detail and enhancing your natural talents until Wednesday morning at 12.29am. Once you’ve recharged your emotional batteries, you’ll be ready to spring back into action on Tuesday, when your career planet Mercury moves into excitable Aries. It wasn’t long ago that Mercury’s retrograde prevented us from communicating properly and reaching our goals. Now that the messenger planet is direct, Virgos are ready to move forward with all work-related emails, conference calls and texts with ease. It’s hard to contain your enthusiasm on Saturday when your financial ruler Venus enters Aries. You’ve got a new fire burning inside you, how will you expend that energy? The sun ignites your ninth house on Saturday, encouraging you to explore, expand your mind and seek out adventure. Consider this an opportunity to travel, go back to school, or delve into a new and exciting subject.

Simone Noronha.

Libra
September 23 to October 22

Taking the utmost care of your partnerships and relationships is work, Libra. Your ability to comfort and connect is especially blessed on Sunday when the sun (currently lighting up your seventh house of relationships) trines Jupiter, your planetary ruler of communications. Friday morning’s full moon in Libra opens an excellent opportunity for you to expand your network. Follow the pull of the full moon’s energy and bravely enter a new group of like-minded individuals. If that idea makes you cringe, bring a friend and make sure to reach out to some new faces. It’s important to remember that everyone is usually nervous and wants to build a new connection. Mercury, your planetary ruler of good luck and spirituality, enters bold Aries on Saturday giving you the desire to reconnect with your inner self. Charming Venus follows him on the same day, lighting you up from within. The sun enters your eighth house on Saturday, encouraging you to embrace the act of transformation over the next month. Let go of anything that no longer serves you.

Sarah Mazzeti.

Scorpio
October 23 to November 21

Pay attention to your intuition on Sunday, Scorpio. A lucky break could come your way when the sun, your planetary ruler of career trines Jupiter, your sign’s personal financial planet. You may notice your emotions are harder to hide on Friday as the moon wanes in your sign from Friday at 8.40am for the rest of Saturday. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and admit that it’s okay to ask for help. Venus, Scorpio’s personal love ruler, speeds into Aries on Saturday enhancing their self-assurance. If you’re single, enjoy Venus in Aries by making the first move. Partnered Scorpios will be rejuvenated and ready to take the lead in their relationships. The career-minded sun shifts his gaze to your seventh house on Saturday, helping you to solidify your longer term partnerships, contracts and romantic relationships. Research your working style so that you can relate to your team members with a clearer understanding of your co-workers' needs.

Kelsey Wrotten.

Sagittarius
November 22 to December 21

You’re walking on sunshine this week, Sagittarius. Your ruling planet Jupiter trines the sun on Sunday, infusing good fortune into your path. Being open to blessings helps you to receive them. The sun lights up your fifth house of creativity, pleasure and romance this week, bringing joy to everything that you do. Mercury, your planetary ruler of love and career, gets an energetic boost as he enters fiery Aries on Tuesday. Embrace your newfound fire this week in your romantic relationships — don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Venus, your personal health and work ruler, enters the fellow fire sign on Saturday, encouraging you to create a more active lifestyle. Find something that works for you, be it yoga or running. The sun illuminates your sixth house on Saturday, encouraging you to build healthy habits for the year. Consider your priorities and how your physical wellbeing could be improved upon in tiny steps.

Kissi Ussuki.

Capricorn
December 22 to January 19

Clarity comes easier on Sunday when Jupiter, your personal planet of self-discovery and spirituality trines the sun. Your current focus is held by the harmony that you’ve created for yourself at home, while our star brightens your fourth house. You’ll be ready to get out into the world on Tuesday when Mercury, your personal planet of health and work enters active Aries. Single Capricorns, have you considered getting set up? Your personal love ruler, the moon waxes full in Libra at 7.12am, allowing your friends to play matchmaker. If you’re attached, spend the day building your friendship with your partner. Venus, your sign’s personal career ruler, is ready to start her engines on Saturday when she enters action-minded Aries. Use her charm to finesse the fire sign’s enthusiasm and ambition. It’s time to celebrate your successes on Saturday: the sun enters your fifth house of creativity, pleasure and romance. Make time for yourself to tap into your creative side.

Loveis Wise.

Aquarius
January 20 to February 18

A romantic interest could take you by surprise on Sunday, when your love ruler, the sun trines Jupiter. The sun lends you the confidence and wit to pull off a good back and forth, but are they what you’re looking for? The moon waxes full on Friday morning in friendly Libra, creating deeper connections to your colleagues. Blow off a little harmless steam and enjoy the camaraderie — it’s rarer than you think. Venus, your personal planetary ruler of home and family whizzes through Aries on Saturday, lending you the inspiration you need to get going on a home improvement project that’s been gathering dust. The sun leaves your third house of communication on Saturday and switches his gaze to your domestic fourth house of family and instincts. For the next astrological month, your priorities will turn towards your foundations.

Hilda Palafox.

Pisces
February 19 to March 20

Have you been waiting for something to click into place at work, Pisces? Your lucky day arrives on Sunday when the sun trines Jupiter. Our star rules your health and work zones while Jupiter rules your career. You'll have the opportunity to change your daily habits to enhance your wellbeing at work. Listen to your intuition and what you truly need from work. Get ready to turn up your speed on Tuesday. Friday’s early morning full moon in Libra helps you to find inspiration in your social circle. If you need help for a creative project, source your team from your crew. Mercury, your personal planetary ruler of love, home and family enters Aries on Saturday. If you’ve ever needed a little courage to get you out of your comfort zone, trust that the messenger planet’s tour through Aries will light a fire under you. The sun enters your third house on Saturday, helping you to buff up on your communication skills and connect with your community.

Rachel Jo.

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New Study Finds SPF Moisturiser Provides Less Sun Protection Than You Thought

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From skin cancer to burns, fine lines to pigmentation, we're all aware of the damaging effects UV rays have on skin, so for many of us, buying a day moisturiser that also contains SPF is a total no-brainer. Hydrated skin and sun protection – tick.

But a new study presented at the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) 's annual meeting in Edinburgh found that the SPF in our trusty pot of moisturiser, whatever the factor, might not be offering us the UV protection we think it is.

The study concluded that "moisturisers with sun protection factor (SPF) provide less sun protection than the equivalent strength sunscreen in real-world scenarios," in other words, compared to a regular, targeted sun cream with no add-ons like face cream or foundation.

During the study, researchers from the University of Liverpool enlisted the help of a specially modified camera that captures UV light in order to look at the ways in which participants applied regular SPF and moisturiser containing SPF – and the results were very different.

After assessing the pictures, researchers found that when an area of skin is covered efficiently by SPF, it appears black. When they looked at the pictures of the people who had applied SPF moisturiser, their faces were comparatively lighter, which suggests SPF absorption was less successful and therefore less effective.

Photo Courtesy Of The British Association Of Dermatologists

"We expected the area of face covered with moisturiser to be greater than sunscreen, in particular the eyelids because of the perception that moisturiser stings the eyes less than sunscreen," said Mr Austin McCormick, a consultant ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeon, and one of the researchers. "In fact we found the opposite: the area of the face covered effectively was greater with sunscreen than moisturiser. In addition, where it was applied, the moisturiser provided less UV protection than sunscreen."

But that's not to say moisturiser with SPF doesn't provide sun protection – just a little less.

"Although skin moisturiser with SPF does provide sun protection, our research suggests that it’s not to the same degree as sunscreen," continued McCormick. "We do recommend moisturisers and makeup that contain UV protection – it is better than no protection at all, but for prolonged periods in the sun we recommend the application of sunscreen with high SPF."

The study also found that people are more likely to miss out certain areas of their face when applying SPF moisturiser, in particular, eyelids. According to BAD, this is a huge cause for concern, as "the eyelid area is a common site for skin cancers".

In addition, how you apply SPF is important, too, and it seems we aren't slathering on the moisturiser as thickly as a regular SPF. In fact the study concluded that people missed 16% of their face on average, compared to sunscreen, at 11%. Matthew Gass, of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: "A good way to prevent this from becoming an issue is to wear sunglasses and reapply sunscreen regularly. This should help protect the bits you miss from being exposed to excessive sun."

He concluded: "Unfortunately, moisturiser with SPF just doesn’t perform particularly well in real world situations compared to sunscreen. Although it may say factor 30 on the box, this study is just further evidence that lab testing conditions for these products don’t reflect how they are used."

The solution? Investing in a separate SPF to apply over your moisturiser. Sure, it might be a little bit of a faff in the morning, but it's definitely worth it.

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The Best Raincoats For April Showers

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Us Brits supposedly have over 100 words for rain – hardly surprising, given that ours is one of the wettest countries in the world. And since April is living up to its rainy reputation, it's time to round up the best raincoats for a damp spring day.

These are not the bland and shapeless raincoats that your mum forced you to pack for your Duke of Edinburgh expedition. SS19's offerings are a riot of colour (pink at Emilia Wickstead, sky blue at Alexachung, pillar-box red at Burberry and sunshine yellow at Marc Jacobs) and sport everything from plaid and iridescent shimmer to oversized pockets and neon snake print.

Working with Icelandic heritage and outdoor wear brand 66°North, Ganni offers some of the coolest (and most durable) raincoats, which are also lightweight enough for layering. Rains is a new, more budget-friendly favourite, with jackets in pastels, holographics and slick black.

Check out our pick of April showers-ready raincoats. You never know, you might even find yourself longing for a rainy day...

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R29 Tried The Patches That Shrink Your Spots Overnight – Here Are Our Thoughts

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Despite proven, dermatologist-rated ingredients for acne such as retinol, salicylic acid and glycolic acid, as well as medication like Roaccutane and spironolactone, it seems acne patches are huge in skincare right now. Take cult favourite Mighty Patch. The stickers were designed to be placed onto whiteheads with the aim of drawing out the gunk and grime, saving you from popping and the inevitable skin staining left behind. This year, however, we've spotted a number of new-gen acne products on the market and at the top of the list are microneedling stickers.

They may sound scary (and probably the last thing you want to put near a raging, pus-filled zit) but these little patches consist of virtually invisible points made of acne-fighting ingredients, like salicylic acid and tea tree, to bring down inflammation and prevent spots from erupting.

So how exactly do they work? Some patches, like Aussie-born ZitSticka, come with a cleansing towelette to sterilise the area. Note that it's worth getting rid of any whiteheads and cleansing the area before placing on a patch for best results. Once skin is dry, the patch should be peeled from its case, placed on to the spot and pressed on. Korean brand Vice Reversa 's patches come without a steriliser, but are housed in vacuum-packed pouches and have similar 'needles'. Once on, these little darts then melt into the skin within two hours and (supposedly) work their magic.

But do microneedling acne patches really do anything or are they just another skincare gimmick? Ahead, four R29 staffers put them to the test...

Annika Kanwal, Campaign Manager

Verdict: I don’t normally get a lot of spots, but when I do they come out with a vengeance! I’m currently sporting a very sore, red, cystic volcano on the lower right side of my cheek. These painful bad boys take forever to go down so I was intrigued to see how the ZitSticka would work. The initial pin prick of the needles on the cheek was a surprise but literally lasted for a second. I was impressed with how unintrusive the sticker looked and felt on my face. It blended in so well, I forgot it was there for the most part. I only kept it on for just over two hours but noticed a big difference immediately. The redness had completely gone and the size of my spot had reduced massively. It didn’t get rid of it completely but the soreness was diminished, which is a big plus. I would use these stickers again as a way to speed up the spot removal process, but I was hoping for a complete removal.

Charlie Elliott, Strategy Associate Director

Verdict: I usually get spots around my chin but previously my hormonal acne flared on my cheeks. I have scars from that but spots are rare until this giant one appeared. It was raised and sore so I gave myself the best chance and put the Vice Reversa sticker on after removing my makeup and wearing it overnight. It was a little bit fiddly but stuck fast all night. I expected a miracle, but all it did was turn my raised bump into a whitehead. I guess it helped progress the spot quicker, but that would have happened eventually anyway.

Serena Brown, Photo Intern

I very rarely get spots but when I do, they always choose to appear in the most obvious of places. This time, I was blessed with one right in the middle of my chin. It was really sore and red and didn’t look like it was leaving any time soon. I put the sticker on before I went to bed and genuinely thought I’d wake up completely spot-free but that didn’t happen. It had reduced the redness slightly but there was definitely still a massive lump on my face. Maybe this spot was just particularly stubborn one but for me the patches weren’t really worth it...

Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Editor

Verdict: My spots have a mind of their own. Once I’ve popped a blinder (a must when they have a whitehead, and don’t worry, my hands are always clean) the pore tends to fill up again the next morning, so the process starts over and I’m left with a sore, red, weeping mountain. Lately, I seem to be getting whiteheads around my mouth (I think it’s because I’ve been wearing such a heavy, occlusive lip balm to prevent winter chapping) so I figured that if I stuck a ZitSticka on overnight, it might stop it from flaring up again.

As I placed the patch on, I could feel the little salicylic acid-infused needles making their way into my skin. This wasn’t exactly painful but it took me by surprise. I was only going to bed, but I was impressed by how undetectable the patch was. It's completely clear but matte, so meshes with skin well. When I woke up, my spot had reduced by half. No raised redness, no second whitehead. It was virtually flat, and on my skin, it usually takes a good few days for a spot to get to that stage. It really sped up the healing process.

The only thing I would say is that there’s way too much packaging for one tiny patch. I understand that it’s important to preserve the little needles, but surely there are other ways than housing it in a separate plastic case every time…

Anna Jay, Art Director

Verdict: I don’t get too many spots, but when I do, I get an absolute corker. I felt one coming up just below my jawline, a really painful, cystic one and thought this was a good chance to try out the patch, as it was really early stages. I put the Vice Reversa patch on in the morning and left it on all day, removing just before bedtime. The redness had definitely gone down at this point, but the lump remained despite being less irritated and painful. Two weeks later and the spot never came to a head, is shrinking, and now almost gone altogether. I did use another patch a few days after the first one, but with this being a particularly stubborn spot, I’m really impressed that it didn’t reach peak horror and is now almost gone.

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Coachella Fashion Has Come A Long Way From Flower Crowns & Crop Tops

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If you're anything like us, you love a good throwback photo. There's nothing better than scrolling back through your Instagram feed and seeing all the tragic outfit mistakes you've made throughout the years. After all, those fashion mishaps made your style what it is today. Well, that's essentially the case with Coachella fashion. For years, hoards of millennials have flown out to Indio, California to listen to Beyoncé and maybe catch a glimpse of Vanessa Hudgens, but the main event has always been the clothes.

And boy, were some of the outfits bad. But over the last few festival seasons, we've seen Coachella style take a move in the right direction, a.k.a. away from flower crowns, denim cut offs, and barely-there crop tops. From head-to-toe tie-dye to monochrome two-piece sets, we can actually see ourselves wearing these looks far past Ariana Grande 's last bop of Weekend 2.

To prove it, we're scouring Indio this weekend and the next and rounding up the best and brightest celebrity fashion looks of Coachella in the mix ahead.

We're tie- dying over this look.

No doubt about it — platforms are the boot of choice this weekend.

We're calling it: athleisure isn't going anywhere. Especially at Coachella.

Borrow your entire look from your dad (sneakers included).

Skipping the polo fields for an off-site party? Here's all the 'fit inspo you need.

Crop tops no more — we're donning bikini tops instead.

Sometimes all you need is a fresh dye job to take your outfit from everyday to Coachella ready.

Slip in to something more comfortable for an almost too easy Coachella look.

Is it even Coachella if you don't wear a bucket hat?

We're ditching skinny jeans and opting for denim of the wider leg variety in the desert heat.

Another tie-dye look for the record books.

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