Salisbury, the famous Wiltshire cathedral city, has been named the best place to live in the UK by an expert panel.
The accolade comes just over a year since the city played host to an internationally-reported incident in which a former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned in a Novichok nerve agent attack.
The panel assembled by The Sunday Times for its prestigious annual Best Places to Live list made Salisbury its "overall winner" partly because of the community spirit displayed in the wake of the attack.
Helen Davies, The Sunday Times Home editor, said: “There are still parts of the city where the clean-up continues, but to bounce back and be even stronger is a sure sign of a very special community, which is one of the reasons we have chosen Salisbury as the best place to live in Britain in 2019.
“It remains a divinely attractive and welcoming place. It’s handy for coast, countryside and London, has some of the best schools in the southwest, a great market and it’s very strong culturally, too.”
The Sunday Times made its decision with reference to statistics including house prices. The average house price in Salisbury was found to be £393,230, well above the national average, though the average starter home comes in at a more affordable £223,002.
Elsewhere, the panel named the Isle of Dogs in Tower Hamlets as the best place to live in London. "Most Londoners have never set foot here, yet it could be an empty-nester’s perfect new nest," the newspaper writes, citing the neighbourhood's "relatively affordable" (for zone 2) property prices, outdoor sports facilities and growing number of restaurant and cultural options.
Dundee was named the best place to live in Scotland; Crickhowell in Powys was voted top in Wales; and Holywood in County Down led the way in Northern Ireland. Last year's list was topped by York, which this year was picked as the best place to live in the north and northeast.
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Crimes involving dating apps have doubled in some parts of the UK, a BBC 5 Live investigation has revealed.
Using data from 23 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, BBC 5 Live Investigates found that the number of reported dating app crimes has risen from 329 in 2015 to 658 in 2018.
Of the 658 crimes reported in 2018, 286 were of a sexual nature, a BBC 5 Live producer confirmed to Refinery29. This represents a significant rise from the 156 crimes of a sexual nature reported in 2015.
BBC 5 Live Investigates' programme "The Dangers of Online Dating", which airs on Sunday (14th April), includes an interview with Debbie Smith, whose daughter Katherine was murdered in September 2017 by a man she had met on a dating app six weeks previously.
The murderer had previous convictions for domestic violence, and Debbie Smith tells the BBC: “They [the dating platforms] should double-check people before they let them onto these sites, it’s so easy. If Katherine had known he had a criminal record, she wouldn’t have gone out with him.”
However, a representative for the Online Dating Association tells the BBC that it's not feasible for apps to do criminal record checks on every user.
George Kidd, chief executive of the Online Dating Association, adds: “A third of relationships start this way and 10 million people use them in the UK. It’s part of our social fabric, [so] we want to celebrate it and make sure it’s safe.”
The Get Safe Online website offers extensive advice on how to stay safe when using online dating apps.
"Going on a date with someone new is an exciting step in a relationship, but continue being careful," the website advises. "Even if you feel you have become closer to someone via email and phone, you should still remember that this person is largely a stranger to you. Therefore it is important that when meeting someone in person, whether it is your first or fifth date, you take precautions."
"The safest plan is to meet somewhere public and stay somewhere public," the website adds. "Make your own way there and back and don’t feel pressured to go home with your date. If you feel ready to move to a private environment, make sure your expectations match your date’s."
If you have experienced sexual violence of any kind, please visitRape Crisisor call 0808 802 9999.
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Like clockwork, celebrities flock to the California desert every April for a weekend (or two) of sun and outdoor concert-hopping at Coachella. Yes, festival season has officially arrived and, if the flood of palm trees and private jet interiors on your feed is any indication, the most excitable A-listers have already started to trickle down to the valley. Even better, judging by their first round of Instagram posts, this week is going to be full of next-level looks.
Ahead, we've rounded up the best of celebrity Coachella desert style — from models with glowing skin and lace crop tops to A-list actresses dressed down in ripped denim and metallic nail polish. Scroll through for our favourite festival looks, flown in from this spring's most VIP party venue.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez's Coachella performance wasn't the only surprise this weekend — she also gave fans an unexpected beauty look with a fresh set of extensions and face-framing braids.
Currently coveting Elsa's Palm Desert style: minimal makeup and a messy topknot styled with a sexy lingerie top under an oversized Oxford, with chunky dad sneakers to boot.
Jasmine Tookes
Fellow VS model, Jasmine Tookes, is clearly a Coachella pro — choosing a trendy wide brim hat to protect her skin and lush waves from the blazing sun.
Suede cowboy boots and a polished low bun might just be this spring's chicest fashion-beauty combo.
Victoria Justice
We're loving the hippie sunnies and the destroyed T-shirt, but our favourite part about Victoria Justice's Palm Desert style has to be her silver chrome manicure.
Kiana Ledé
If you're heading to the desert, be sure to pack two blinged-out pins to clip back your front pieces. It's the style for spring, and musician Kiana Ledé's Coachella look is proof.
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Not to get too nerdy on you, but this song is a production marvel. It slowly builds, adding more instruments and volume as it goes on, creating this feeling of being sucked further and further in, like a riptide. Before you know it, something that started softly and gently has turned into the eye of a major storm. It's great, and modulating all those sounds while keeping the vocal mix just right to continue to evoke a feeling of longing is no easy trick.
Outer Spaces "Teapot #1"
This song got me with the "crimson and clover" chanted over and over because dammit I love a good Tommy James/Joan Jett call back. The lo-fi guitar, paired with singer/songwriter Cara Beth Satalino's voice, is some top-notch indie rock. The repetition of that phrase does something to a song; in this case, it made me interested in hearing what else Satalino has to say.
Girl Ultra "Ella Tú Y Yo"
Move over, shit I used to think was sultry — we have to make room for this Girl Ultra track. This creepy sci-fi- inspired song has a sexy beat, and a message (and visual) that will probably make you leave the internet.
Sonta "Type of Way"
There's something so familiar about the situation this song evokes: Disappointing relationships with dudes who just can't be up front and let you make your own decisions based on the truth. Sonta avoids the frustration that usually infuses the vocals of songs like this, opting for a laid back flow instead. But I suspect it's a trap. If you say it all calm, maybe that dude will finally tell the truth, but it's absolutely going to be a conversation that ends with some broken glassware and slammed doors.
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Photographer Iain McKell is known for documenting the unique spark of a subculture. Over his career he's shot the New York Guardian Angels, London's '80s New Romantics and West Country New Age travellers.
Shanti Goupil and Jemima Nell, River Lea, Hackney Wick, 2017.Photographed by Iain Mckell
Now, with his new collection, New Girl Order, he turns his lens on a group of young female artists living in Tottenham, north London.
Ayesha Tan Jones at warehouse studio, Manor House, 2017.Photographed by Iain Mckell
New Girl Order is an ode to the girls' individuality, creativity and "sparkly personalities". The series builds a portrait of a "sisterhood" exploring themselves and their personalities. It is a narrative that McKell is accustomed to, having begun his career documenting his own teenage journey to self-discovery in 1970s Weymouth ( Private Reality: The Diary of a Teenage Boy).
Shanti Goupil and Jemima Nell; glitter make-up by Kim Kiefer, River Lea, Hackney Wick, 2017.Photographed by Iain Mckell
McKell has described each project as another chapter in this journey. "My work is, in a way, social documentary, but it is always from a personal point of view and with a personal connection," he explains. "I became interested in the romantic notion of photography as a series of self-exploratory portraits that take me to places both physically and metaphorically. Whether it is from the fetish scene or a gangster’s lingerie party, it’s about sharing that experience. I’m not a couch potato, I wanted to go out there and have my own adventures."
Female artists with face make-up at warehouse party.Photographed by Iain Mckell
For New Girl Order, McKell shot on-and-off over two years, visiting the girls' warehouses, capturing the comings and goings, parties, free festivals, pop-up events and art performances in which the girls were involved.
One of McKell's many subjects is Ayesha Tan Jones, a witch, artist and musician who performs as YaYa Bones. Spanning sculpture, music, filmmaking and community work, Jones' work celebrates and supports women, non-binary people and people of colour, creating safe spaces for protest, meditation and magic.
Through these images we meet the girls and their artwork in their studios, sprawled on the sofa at a party and clutching cans of Red Stripe, and skinny-dipping in London's River Lea.
They wear Buffalo boots with '70s-style leopard print flares and ethnic jewellery, and their hair is a palette of rainbow brights. The resulting visual diary is a celebration of freedom and self-expression, and a reminder to embrace the most creative parts of who we are.
With spring finally here, you might think about switching up your makeup routine, ditching your full coverage foundation and heavy cream contour for something a little more breathable. Often, though, achieving fresh, dewy skin means forgoing most of your failsafe makeup products, opting instead for a souped up skincare routine and perhaps a touch of cream highlighter.
But what do you do if you aren't confident showing off your skin? Let makeup artist Mary Greenwell give you some pointers, of course. Here's what the industry pro taught us about flawless, radiant makeup without compromising on coverage – and you only really need three products.
A water-based moisturiser is key
According to Mary, who is a fan of Chanel's Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream, the more moisture the better when applying makeup. She taught us to layer on a gel-textured cream followed by a gel eye cream or serum to "feed" the skin pre-foundation. In fact, most makeup artists would argue that it pays to apply makeup immediately after you've applied your moisturiser to ensure maximum dewiness. Simply rub the moisturiser between your hands and press over the skin, paying special attention to the cheeks and forehead where skin tends to get a little drier.
Skip foundation, BB and CC creams for a 'tint'
The route to gleaming skin is to invest in a skin tint instead of foundation. Much lighter in texture without compromising on coverage, tints result in less of a heavy chalkiness, which can collect in fine lines and gravitate towards blemishes. "It essentially gives you another layer of skin," Mary told R29. She rates Chanel Les Beiges Eau De Teint, £48 – tiny foundation droplets suspended in a hydrating gelée. Brands like Glossier, Pixi and Hourglass are also on board and the trick is to work it in with a brush, then "knock" it in with your fingers to make sure everything is properly, naturally blended.
One thing Mary doesn't really tend to use for a look like this? Concealer, because to take that slight, natural circle away from the under eye creates a mask effect. "This look is about going back to reality, which we're seeing more and more at Fashion Week, where everyone is going back to 'real' makeup and gorgeous skin."
Invest in a multipurpose tinted balm
Not just for the lips, a tinted balm can triple up as a dewy eyeshadow and a blush, says Mary, who used Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balm, £31. Keeping your makeup the same shade pulls the look together and ensures everything looks a little more natural. Make sure your lips are properly hydrated and use your fingers to dab the balm on to your lips, without properly defining them, then tap the remnants of colour on to your lids. A couple of dots on the apple of each cheek, blended out with your fingers or a dense brush, finishes the look.
If you feel like you need a little bit more definition on your eyes, Mary suggested skipping the mascara entirely for a little eyeshadow, worked in with your finger. Take a taupe-brown shade and place a tiny bit in the socket of the eye. Leave the lid clear and take the colour up a little higher for a sculpting effect. "Instead of putting all the darkness around the eye, you’re lifting it up."
This isn't entirely necessary but for extra dewiness, Mary recommended an essence to finish. Her top tip? Not to spritz it on makeup you’ve worn all day, as it could make your skin look too glowy, like it's about to slip off. One quick veil immediately after applying everything, and you're good to go.
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Let's address this head-on. Any TV show poised to follow Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag is destined for comparisons. Last week's emotional finale left a huge gap in the BBC's schedule and I'm pleased to report that you'll be very happy with the series that has arrived to fill it. It's a wonderful comedy-drama with a female protagonist, sure. But let's not make the mistake of assuming that these two shows are one and the same.
Prepare to meet Miri Matteson. She's just been released from jail after serving 18 years for a crime we are not yet privy to. Needless to say, if she went away for such a substantial amount of time, we're inclined to assume that it was a pretty big deal; at least that's the response she's getting from residents in her small, seaside home town where this unspoken terrible thing happened almost two decades ago. The words 'psycho bitch' are spray-painted across the wall in her parents' front garden and initial reactions to her release don't extend far beyond "oh fuck" and a door slammed in her face – for the first episode at least.
We follow Miri as she adjusts to life in her first few weeks out of prison. The first hurdle is moving back in with her parents, Caroline (Geraldine James) and Oscar (Richard Durden). Caroline is concerned with making sure the kitchen knives are out of her daughter's reach and keeping a naughty little secret securely under wraps. Oscar is preoccupied with, well, pretty much everything else. He gives us a memorable introduction when, on collecting Miri from the detention centre, he suggests a quick selfie before they get in the car. This, my friends, is a TV dad we're already excited for.
There's a difficult realisation that Miri has to come to, though. Even though her David Bowie, Prince and George Michael posters remain on her bedroom walls, despite the Walkman beneath her bed and the warm familiarity of her childhood home, the world has changed dramatically in her time away, and catching up with it isn't anywhere near as straightforward as many of us would like to think.
Courtesy of BBC
It's a perspective that we've not seen explored quite like this elsewhere, particularly through an equally comedic and dramatic lens. On coming up with the idea in the first place, star and co-writer Daisy Haggard says she was particularly interested in what this challenge of rebuilding a life looks like for women. There was a "curiosity and fascination with how we perceive women who have done a bad thing over how we perceive men," she tells Refinery29. "There was that, and a love of coming-of-age stories and things that have huge heart and hope in them."
That heart and hope manifests in Daisy's character, Miri, in a huge way. We're quick to laugh at her having to borrow an ill-fitting pencil skirt from her mother for a job interview, then trying to hoist herself onto a bike to get there. No, she has no driving licence. Nor does she have any work experience, beyond her job at Fat Face back in the year 2000. And so our hearts sink just as quickly as we realise that her reputation for an old crime is unlikely to help her search for employment.
These sorts of harsh realities come alongside the sort of hilarity that makes you question your morals a tiny bit (in the best way). But at the root of it all is just a woman trying to get back on the horse (or bike) and put the past behind her. "I hope it's relatable because she's just a girl trying to start a life, or live a life," Daisy explains. "I hope, despite the premise and her past, that we just relate to her as a human being who keeps getting knocked down and pulls herself back up again determinedly.
"Her determination and optimism and pluckiness will make her relatable. We all, in our own way at different levels, have struggles, don't we? And I don't know if you've ever gone back to stay at your parents' but bloody hell, they're always telling me how to load the dishwasher and turn the lights off," Daisy laughs.
Trying to find a job, desperately attempting to rekindle an old romance and navigating the shift in dynamic with your parents when you reach adulthood – it's all familiar territory. But Back To Life manages to look at it with fresh eyes in a six-episode package coming to a telly screen near you. We'll not give you any spoilers but if you'd like some highlights to look out for, we've got a lot of time for Miri's handsome new next-door neighbour and something is definitely bubbling beneath the surface of mum Caroline's composed exterior.
Back To Life is available to stream on BBC Three iPlayer from Monday 15th April and will air weekly on BBC One
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Copenhagen is a lovely city that makes for a super city break – but the Danish capital is notoriously expensive.
That being said, flights to Copenhagen are usually pretty cheap; low-cost airlines run round-trip flights from the UK starting at just £23. And summer, when people are keen to seek out more beach-focused destinations, is the perfect time to take advantage.
The other bonus of heading in summer? Copenhagen is a marvellous city to just wander the streets. It's super safe and filled with plenty of individual and eclectic neighbourhoods (all impeccably designed of course). And with the better weather, there's less temptation to pop into the numerous good-looking bars and cafés to shelter from the bitter wind.
All the same, you're going to want to spend some cash – a drink on the Instagrammable Nyhavn is a must, as is entry to kitsch amusement park Tivoli Gardens. The hip bars and restaurants of the Meatpacking District are begging to be sampled and that touristy looking Netto boat tour? With the right guide and the right group, it can be a really great way to learn more about the city.
But with prices that make even Londoners balk, how do you spend a few days there without going broke? We asked the keen travellers from the Money Diaries Facebook group how they managed it.
Click through to see their tips and, as always, if you've got any of your own to add, drop them in the comments.
"Get a Copenhagen Card – it gets you into lots of museums, exhibits for free or cheaper and gives you free public transport for 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours (whichever one you buy)."
-Rachel
"We bought cheese and bread from a supermarket and had a packed lunch almost every day we were there. It's nice to buy breakfast at a bakery because the bread is so good, and it's definitely cheaper than going out for lunch. We also hired bikes to get around. We liked cycling to Amager Strandpark. There's lots of nice things to see for free too – cemetery, water [Nyhavn]."
I would also add Sidecar (Nørrebro) for a super cheap brunch, with a hot main and delicious self-serve spread you help yourself to from a communal table."
-Rebecca
"If you are out for lunch there's a place called Mät which is great value for money and right in the centre. There's also a burger place called Hache which has great lunch deals.
General tips: Don't get mixers when going out – it's really expensive – but if you like liquorice shots they usually have deals on those. When going out have some drinks at home first; the bars don't close till six anyway, so you're not in a rush.
Don't pay to see the Little Mermaid, it's not worth it. Do go to Tivoli, it's lovely – but don't get a wristband unless you wanna try everything. And bring a lunch.
Do go into the round tower, it's only a few pounds and the view is lovely, and the national museum is free."
-Kamila
"My friend used to work in Copenhagen and she took me to a lovely café which served good hot food at reasonable prices (miracle in Copenhagen!). It's a café/bookshop and it's at the side of the university library.*
We also went up to the top of the parliament building to see the view one evening – amazing sights. It was free!"
"We went at the beginning of August and managed to do things pretty cheap, with a few treats. We stayed in an Airbnb and made our own breakfast/picnics/dinners for at least one or two meals a day, and we brought beers from supermarkets, which we then drank while walking around some of the busier parts of town – which seemed pretty normal. We also walked everywhere...
We splashed out on Tivoli, with wristbands for everything, which was great and we were there from when it opened to 8pm and we had a great day. The other thing we splashed out on was CopenHot, which are outdoor hot tubs at the harbour. You get an amazing view and a really unique experience. We only went to one museum, Glyptoteket, which was free on Tuesdays and just walked around the outside of other things like the palace. We also really enjoyed the walk to see the Little Mermaid, which was free to see and take cheesy photos with. We also had the most amazing brunch (which I'm still dreaming about) for about £20 at this super cute place Mad & Kaffe. I'd definitely recommend it."
-Bethan
"The Copenhagen Card is a really good deal, we used it for loads of museums, transport, boat rides etc.
We even used it for a combined day trip to Kronborg Castle and the Louisiana Modern Art Museum – I'd really recommend this. Kronborg is at the coast, you can do both in one day as they're on the same train line from Copenhagen and the art museum opens late.
Some museums have free opening times too, we went to the design museum for free in the evening.
The National Museum is free and really good – think viking ships, etc.
There's a free walking tour (usually run by students on a tips basis) we really enjoyed.
Finally, for cheap eats check out the bakeries and hot dog stands. There's a really good one called DØP that does all kinds of tasty toppings and veggie options."
-Katie
"There’s a place called Ancestrale that does an offer of wine tasting between 4-6pm weekdays for 100kr where you get three glasses of wine (red normally), which was good! Would also recommend Paludan Bogcafe, Reffen (what replaced paper island), and there’s a café called Voulez Vous that does a small soup and bread for 35kr that’s really good and would fill you up for lunch!
In terms of what to see, Louisiana museum is amazing, and while the Little Mermaid is super overrated, the Citadel (five star fort) nearby is quite cool."
-Lauren
"The cheapest pints are in the Wall Street bar, not fancy at all but equivalent to €2 a pint."
-Aimee
"If you can bear the cigarette smoky atmosphere, seek out the dive bars, of which Copenhagen has PLENTY. Bo-Bi is right in the centre, then there's Floss Bar – which can get very rowdy – and Cafe Snork – funny name, great vibe.
The Meatpacking District too is great for a cheapish night out. Jolene, Kødbyens Fiskebar, WarPigs. Stick to the beers and stay away from the cocktails and you'll be golden."
-Jess
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We’ll be back in Monterey before you know it. The second season of Big Little Lies will premiere on Sunday 9th June on HBO and on Monday 10th here in the UK.
An official release for the series says that season two will explore the “malignancy of lies, the durability of friendships, the fragility of marriage and the vicious ferocity of sound parenting. Relationships will fray, loyalties will erode — the potential for emotional and bodily injury shall loom.”
In other words, things are going to stay super dark and will likely pick up right where the events of the original miniseries left off.
At the end of the first season Perry (Alexander Skarsgård) fell to his death following an explosive confrontation with Celeste (Nicole Kidman), Bonnie (Zoë Kravitz), Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), Jane (Shailene Woodley), and Renata (Laura Dern). The women banded together and vowed never to speak about what really happened to Perry that night. That, unfortunately, hasn’t stopped the residents of Monterey from jumping to their own conclusions and the women have been dubbed the “the Monterey Five.”
Whispers from townsfolk will be the least of their worries, though. Perry's mother, Mary Louise (played by Meryl Streep), is in town and she wants answers.
"My son is dead. I want to know what happened that night. I'm very tempted to ask you, but I don't think I would get the truth, would I?" Mary Louise coldly asks Madeline in a teaser trailer.
Will secrets stay secrets? Or will the lies come spilling out? Guess we’ll find out this summer. Until then, enjoy the first juicy trailer for what's to come.
Big Little Lies is released in the UK on 10th June
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In 2013, Kristina had just wrapped up an internship at a magazine and was hoping to find a full-time job in New York City. When she saw a listing for a communications coordinator role working for a famous musician at his music label, she knew it was her dream job. Kristina was connected to the hiring manager by a mutual friend, had two great interviews, and agreed to take on a test assignment. She spent a few hours working on it and submitted the assignment before the deadline, along with a thank-you note. “Then I heard nothing. Literally crickets,” Kristina says. “Not even a ‘Sorry, we decided to go with someone else.’”
While the term “ghosting” has its roots in the dating world, it's being used more and more by job applicants who — after participating in one or more interviews and, at times, completing a significant amount of free labour as part of the application process — are never contacted by the recruiter or hiring manager ever again. According to a survey from CareerBuilder, a whopping 75% of job seekers say they didn’t hear back from a job they had applied for, and the situation becomes especially frustrating the more time, energy, and free labour one invests into the process.
Earlier this week, the executive managing editor of Business Insiderpublished an article in which she admitted she refused to hire applicants who didn’t send a thank-you note after an interview. There was a lot of backlash on Twitter, and many people countered with frustrating stories about companies that ghosted them. In truth, the lack of a thank-you note is probably not the reason you didn’t get the job (though you should certainly send one if you really are interested in a position you interviewed for). But then why does it happen?
Kit, 36, had worked in the writing industry for years when she applied for a new SEO writer position in the travel sector. She was excited about the job and felt confident her résumé would stand out. After an hour-long interview, the hiring manager told Kit that it would be “really fantastic” to have her on board and asked her to complete a practice assignment. Kit felt good about her work and even asked a fellow SEO strategist to look it over before she submitted it within 24 hours of receiving it. Then she heard nothing.
"After not hearing back for a few days, I sent a follow-up email thanking her again for the interview," Kit says, but still there was no response. “There was no email or phone call saying that [they were] looking at other candidates. I was really disappointed.”
Kristina, for her part, also says that her experience left her utterly confused and devastated. “I reached out to my contact multiple times over email,” she explains. “I honestly would have preferred an email back that literally just said ‘no’ or ‘your edit test was shit’ or something like that, rather than being completely ghosted.” She adds that the circumstances were particularly strange given the fact that she’d been personally referred for the job.
The reality is, the hiring process has its share of problems, and some even say that the entire system is broken. So it helps to take a look at the process from the inside. Destiny Lalane is a recruiter at drchrono, and though she enjoys doing her job, she also admits it's extremely hard work. “Recruiters are juggling a lot, sourcing and screening talent for not just a number of different positions for a particular department, but sometimes for multiple departments,” Lalane says, adding that the inner workings of these processes aren’t often understood by applicants. “Most recruiters want you to get the job, as it’s often how [we] are compensated.”
Lalane says there are a few common reasons why job seekers aren’t being notified when they are not chosen. Sometimes it’s a matter of waiting for feedback from interviewers and managers to decide on next steps. Other times, managers are on the fence about the candidate and are ruminating for longer than expected. In some cases, recruiters are giving another candidate an offer and are waiting for the process to finalise before letting other applicants know they weren’t chosen. Lalane adds that they do this so that they have the option to extend an offer to another candidate if the first pick doesn’t accept.
“Unfortunately, for some reason some people don’t like to follow up with a candidate after a lengthy interview process because they potentially feel bad letting you down,” Lalane says, adding that she believes all applicants should be formally acknowledged or declined.
That said, Lalane notes that it’s always important for candidates to follow up, even if it feels repetitive. “It doesn’t make you look bad," she says. "It makes you look excited, eager, and engaged.”
While it’s helpful to know what the hiring process looks like from the inside of a company, it’s equally important to know where you stand legally as an applicant. James Murphy is an employment lawyer in New York City who specialises in wage and hour law. Murphy says that certain public employers are obligated to inform applicants who are not selected for a position. This, however, varies widely depending on location.
But when it comes to private employers, there are no such requirements. “Employers sometimes will inform applicants that they haven't been selected, but they do so solely as a courtesy; there's no legal requirement that they do so,” Murphy says. This silence can stem from legal motivations that many aren’t aware of. For example, if a company gives a reason for their decision not to hire you, it could easily be spun as discrimination, Murphy says, and many businesses find it easier to just go quiet instead.
Ultimately, getting ghosted is never a pleasant experience, whether it’s by someone you’re dating or by a recruiter for a job. And while ghosting might not be illegal, it is most certainly disrespectful. Thankfully, it’s possible for this conversation to shift.
Improving an inadequate status quo begins, first, with recognising that hiring practices that treat job applicants as disposable are not the way forward — and recruiters and hiring managers have the power to change them. It starts with the acknowledgement that getting an answer (even a canned one) back to someone who has invested time and completed unpaid work is not only a nice thing to do — it's the right thing to do.
As for Kit, she has come to expect this type of behaviour from employers as part of the job-searching process. And though she hopes things will change, she acknowledges that there are still many hiring teams that haven't figured it out yet. “In the process of applying for jobs, one is meant to jump through all sorts of hoops,” Kit says. “[But] the same degree of professionalism that [job seekers put] into applying to jobs should be practiced by the interviewing managers and recruiters, too."
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Activists are taking part in a "climate rebellion" on London's streets today, demanding the government takes urgent action on the worsening ecological crisis at a time when the issue has been pushed further down the agenda than usual because of Brexit.
Today, the non-violent UK-based grassroots environmental group is attempting to shut down some of London's busiest junctions including Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Piccadilly Circus and Parliament Square, along with busy areas of other major cities including Berlin.
Several London roads are blocked to cars and lorries (with Waterloo Bridge turned into an impromptu garden and skate park, and a bright pink boat spotted in Oxford Circus), with the action due to continue over the coming days (and potentially weeks), according to the group. Members of the group also smashed the glass entrance of the oil company Shell's Waterloo headquarters, with the aim of having their case heard in the crown court, the BBC reported. Coordinated action is due to take place in 80 cities across 33 countries in the days ahead.
They've even been compared to the suffragettes for their willingness to break the law to protect the planet. "If you look back in time at other movements that have achieved significant levels of social change, they weren't having a popularity contest... they were just trying to achieve their aims," one of its key members, Clare Farrell, recently told the BBC's Beyond Today podcast. "Then afterwards everyone goes 'oh aren't they really good people, we'll make a statue of them', and stuff like that."
The public's thinking on disruptive protests often, Farrell says, is: "I'm really glad the suffragettes did what they did, but I shouldn't have to smash any windows or throw myself in front of the king's horse because they've all done that work for us... so we don't have to do that."
Extinction Rebellion's demands are threefold: governments must "tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency" and communicate clearly the urgency of the situation; to "act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025"; and for governments to "create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens' Assembly on climate and ecological justice".
I'm sorry that we have to take disruptive action – but climate change is an emergency.
As the thousands-strong turnout on the capital's streets today highlights, Extinction Rebellion's core members are far from the only ones frustrated by the lack of political energy being expended on the climate and environment right now.
Helen, 24, from London, took the day off work to attend today's action and is part of the group blocking the roads surrounding Marble Arch.
"We want to cause disruption until the government meets with Extinction Rebellion and takes action towards the group's three demands. Until the government truly make steps towards these demands, the protests will continue. I understand it's annoying and I'm sorry that we have to take disruptive action – but climate change is an emergency and we need to start acting like it is. We have tried and will keep trying less disruptive methods like petitions and contacting MPs, but government isn't responding fast enough and non-violent direct action is proven to bring change. Ghandi and the civil rights movement before us proved that. I hope other Londoners can also understand that we are disrupting the city's traffic for all of our futures. But as a proper Brit, we're sorry for the inconvenience!
I recently got involved with Extinction Rebellion when I realised that the only way to combat the despair about this planet's future prospects is through activism. I've always been interested in environmental issues – people say it over and over but it really is the most important issue facing our generation and our planet. Climate change is racist in that it will disproportionately affect the global south who have emitted the least amount of pollution; it is also sexist in that women will be disproportionately affected. So for me, fighting climate change is also about fighting all kinds of social ill.
Despair never achieves anything, and people have made the impossible happen again and again – from the NHS to universal suffrage to civil rights. All these things seemed as impossible as being carbon neutral by 2025 seems to us now. But we can make the impossible happen. You just have to believe and act in hope, as cheesy as it sounds.
I'd encourage other people to come out and see what it's like for themselves. This movement is full of kind, passionate and dedicated people who will welcome you no matter your experience in activism – I've only been on two marches before – or knowledge on the subject. You can educate yourselves through free resources. If you're feeling hopeless or dispirited about current politics and the planet's future – channel that energy. Don't wallow. Do something with it. Surround yourself with people who have hope and you will feel more hope too."
Mariah (left) protesting with Extinction Rebellion in London on Monday.
Mariah, 28, a researcher in international development, took the day off work to provide legal support to members of the group who are arrested. She joined Extinction Rebellion three months ago.
"I'm concerned about our future. For a long time I thought we would see a solution from technology or from our governments but we haven’t and time is short. I no longer feel I can wait for others to take action or trust the government to do what’s necessary. Our planet is beautiful and extraordinary. We have no right to let selfishness and greed strip it of its assets. We still have time to preserve and recover if we act now. We can’t bring back species but we can protect what’s left and amend what’s fixable.
Brexit debates are saturating the media when climate breakdown should be at the top of the agenda.
Our aim is to bring attention to our cause and inform the public and government that we're willing to take direct and non-violent action for as long as necessary. Our numbers are growing and so is our resolve. We’re sorry for inconveniencing Londoners and we wouldn’t be doing this if we thought there was another option. Extinction Rebellion's actions during the Brexit debate were brilliant and brave. Brexit debates are saturating the media when climate breakdown should be at the top of the agenda."
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Festival style is having a somewhat of a re-awakening. Of course, there will always be the tried and true denim cut-offs and crocheted dresses. But festival fatigue is real and after a few waves of boho style and fedoras, Coachella goers are ready for a change. That means bike shorts, clever co-ords, and lite brite colours (as a courtesy to your friends when they're trying to spot you in the crowd) are having a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. The goal is to find clothing that feels special for the event, but is also wearable after your 3-day romp in the desert. Be OK with pushing yourself out of your comfort zone but don’t change who you are completely, just be festival-you.
Another Coachella trend we're hoping will stay around all season? Summer layering. It’s hot out there so guests are wearing clothing that will keep them cool, but will also helps ward off the nightly chill once the temps drop. We've spotted fuzzy jackets worn over bikini tops, tie-dye hoodies paired with shorts, and the list goes on. It's all about finding the balance between indulging and wearing smart clothing. Balance meaning: cocktails in the Rose Garden after seeing Childish Gambino, but also recover with celery juice the day afterwards.
Click through for the looks we’re wearing for Coachella and beyond. See you at Weekend 2 for more!
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And then, Grande set out to build a fantasy world. Through her performances of “bad idea” and “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored,” she started the first half of a show that didn't have the hallmarks of the average pop concert. The stage setting was surprisingly dark and space-themed while she blends into her dancers with no glamour spotlight, just the lights reflecting off the highlighter that runs in a sharp line down her cheekbones.
Imagine a world where a woman reunites one of the most successful boy bands of all time at her whim, takes the place of one of their members, and then they thank her for helping them accomplish something they were never able to do in her own career. Or, rephrased: Grande then brought out *NSYNC - with herself playing the role of Justin Timberlake. “I’ve been rehearsing my whole motherfucking life for this moment,” she says before joining them for a rendition of “Tearing Up My Heart,” choreography and all.
The boy band marked the first of several guest appearance. Grande would also bring out her frequent collaborator Nicki Minaj, for a performance unfortunately fraught with sound issues, a full orchestra to accompany her on “breathin’,” and Diddy and Mase for another shot of ‘90s nostalgia and an ingenious segway from her own “Break Your Heart Right Back” into the Notorious B.I.G.’s “Mo Money, Mo Problems” based on their shared sample of Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out.”
After all that guest star power (and three wardrobe changes), Grande took over for the last third of her set bringing out some of her big hits like “Dangerous Woman,” “Break Free,” and hitting the audience with an encore of “thank u, next. ”
Arichella is a passing of the torch. Coachella has been around for 20 years and for most of the time aimed at a Gen X-to-Millennial audience mostly concerned with indie cred, whose idea of a hot ‘90s reunion was the Pixies rather than *NSYNC. Last year, Beyoncé broke down the idea of what a Coachella headliner could look like Grande didn’t follow that path this year. Instead, she gave us what the next generation wants from Coachella: a show that Justin Bieber and Billie Eilish could both enjoy while dancing together in the audience.
During an appearance at the Condé Nast Luxury Conference in Cape Town last week, Campbell shared the effects of the fashion industry still not being balanced or inclusive. "I’m the face of a new campaign and I was told that because of the colour of my skin a certain country would not use my picture," Campbell said. "For me, it was a reality check. I never believe in the hype, so it just kept things in perspective for me. Now I would like to know that models [of colour] get the same opportunities and fees in advertising."
Last year, Campbell began to call for a Vogue Africa and told British Vogue she believes an African designer is going to win the LVMH Prize this year. "Instead of having Western designers use African designer’s textiles and not get it right, let them do it, give them the credit. Because that’s what happens, they don’t get the credit and it’s wrong."
On Sunday, Campbell celebrated her career milestone on Instagram, writing "I go from plane to plane from city to city almost daily and I’m constantly working. My friends are always telling me to slow down and rest but I’m at a point in my career where my vision is crystal clear, and for now I’m on a mission." She continued: "A mission to nurture the new and next generation. A mission to ensure that my industry - the fashion industry - is a place that's diverse and of equal opportunity and I’m on a mission to change the narrative and perception of the great continent of Africa!"
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Photo: Barry Wetcher/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock.
Warning: Little spoilers are ahead.
Marsai Martin’s new movie Little, a body-swap comedy that finds its protagonist being wished into her 13-year-old body as a punishment for her wicked ways, is being widely praised for starring three black women (Regina Hall, Issa Rae, and Martin) and for having Martin serve as the youngest executive producer ever at only 14 years old. However, now that audiences have seen the movie, there's another key aspect of the film that deserves some attention — its message about female empowerment message goes far beyond the casting or behind-the-scenes bosses. The film's plot flips the the evil female boss narrative (the gold standard of which can be seen in The Devil Wears Prada) on its head by the end of Little, and instead of pitting big and little Jordan (Hall and Martin) against her assistant and developer-hopeful April (Rae), the two eventually come together to support each other in the workplace.
The main conflict in Little is between Jordan and her assistant April. While scenes early on in the film show Jordan being cruel to everyone she comes in contact with (she even pushes a child to the ground), she seems to be particularly cold-blooded toward April. We see Jordan channel TheDevil Wears Prada ’s Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), in her adult and child form, whenever she interacts with April and her behaviour is... not great.
At one point, Jordan stops April from pitching her idea for a new app, and simply says that she doesn’t listen to proposals from assistants. She also throws her Birkin bag at April, demands that April is always awake in case she needs to call, and expects various comfort items (slippers, coffee) in spots so specific that April needs a ruler and a thermometer to get it right. In fact, the opening scene establishing their relationship seems like a direct homage to the moment in The Devil Wears Prada when Stanley Tucci tells everyone at Runway magazine to "gird your loins," except that it's all aimed at April.
It isn’t until the final few scenes of Little, when Jordan becomes an adult after learning her lesson, that the audience learns why April has received the lion's share of Jordan’s ruthlessness.
Jordan admits to April that she didn’t listen to her pitch or promote her because she was afraid that April was trying to replace her, giving context and an emotionally relevant backing to what could be blind ruthlessness (it should be noted that Miranda Priestly also has a backstory that makes her ways more understandable as well, though not one that's so relevant to contemporary professional fears). The happy ending comes when Jordan then realises that she and her company will fail without April and her fresh ideas, and ultimately gives April a promotion.
The scene addresses a common movie and real-life misconception: that multiple women can’t succeed at the same time. There isn’t any validity in this belief (though statistics like the fact that only 17 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs were women in 2018 often help promote fears like Jordan's). And yet, films of all genres often depict powerful businesswomen as overbearing islands among a team of male executives; this is what Taraji P. Henson's sports agent in an all-male company is up against in 2019's What Men Want, and what Miranda is facing towards the end of The Devil Wears Prada when executives are deciding her fate. Little makes the solution to the problem of male-dominated workspaces and industries about lifting up other women, rather than competing to be the one woman left standing. It sends a message to young girls and women that we all succeed when we help each other, rather than subscribing to the notion that our spots are limited.
But the film doesn’t just end with April moving up the career ladder. She actually becomes friends with Jordan. The tech company owner reveals to April that she is her first real friend, and it only took her 38 years to find her. And while Jordan and April both have love interests in Little, both men take a backseat to the main storyline about their friendship. This pointed focus reevaluates how female bosses are expected to interact with their co-workers and subordinates. Gone is the Miranda Priestly attitude (after an entire 90 minutes of soul searching, of course), and in its place is a personality more similar to Jacqueline Carlyle (Melora Hardin) on The Bold Type, a boss who is demonstrably a leader, mentor, and friend. While Jordan is still a bit extra (megaphones aren't necessary when speaking to like, 15 people) and unwilling to share the spotlight (she amends the company logo to include a teensy tiny circle that says "& Associates" to celebrate April's promotion), she ends the film as a friend and mentor to Rae's character.
These are the type of female bosses we need to see more of on television and in film. Young girls should see female leaders that can push their co-workers to strive for more and don’t need to be heartless, demanding, and, at times, terrifying in order to gain power and respect.
Little ’s ability to empower its audience and highlight a diverse cast, from race to body type and beyond, make it a must see movie for everyone, but particularly young girls. Plus, while you're getting lifted up by all this girl power, you've also got Rae's perfect comedic timing, Hall's physical comedy, and Martin's range of hilarious expressions to keep you laughing along the way.
Little celebrates black women, from the actors onscreen to the team behind the camera to the costume design. Support the film, out now, with the hashtag #Ladies4Little.
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Blame the 80-degree weather or the unique breathabilty of a mesh, see-through crop top, but this year's Coachella style was less about the statement clothes and more about the standout accessories. Every festival-goer brought some sort of flashy, colourful add-on to the valley, be it a belt bag around the waist, beaded bracelets stacked up the arm, or the coolest manicure we've seen all spring.
Speaking to the latter, we've rounded up the best nail art spotted over the weekend. From Kylie Jenner 's star-printed tips chrome pinkies, scroll through to see our hands-down favourite Coachella fingernails that just might inspire your next maximalist manicure.
More is more when it comes to Coachella style, just ask model Yovanna Ventura with her zebra-striped tips and massive Quay shades.
Pastels for spring may seem obvious but it's a seasonal comeback kid for a good reason. Rather than just a smattering of ice cream hues, dreamy diluted shades came out in full force on the SS19 catwalks. A.W.A.K.E Mode championed colour blocking in cornflower blue and pistachio green, Chanel gave us beachside tweed in blushes and lilacs, and Off-White was a masterclass in Limoncello yellow.
If you're a dedicated wearer of black, spring can feel a little daunting, but the fresh blooms and first taste of sunshine needn't mean total submission to the saccharine. When worn in a short suit, flared denim or cool co-ord, sorbet shades are more wearable than you think. Here's how I tackled pastel for spring.
Newly Minted
Photo: Anna Jay
From Emili Sindlev to Reese Blutstein, palate-cleansing mint has been a go-to for several seasons now. There's something so fresh about it – not as stark as white, but still appealing to those afraid of all-out colour – and it pairs nicely with other pastel shades, too. I've teamed these minty ASOS jeans with a duck egg blue knit from Whistles, but they'd also work well with lilac or blush.
Mellow Yellow
Photo: Anna Jay
Short suits are the surprise hit of SS19. Part Laura Dern in Jurassic Park, part Diane Keaton in Annie Hall, the key with this hardworking co-ord is going for a Bermuda short that hits the mid-thigh. Wear with a tee and sandals for a more relaxed look or for summer in the city, a silk camisole, loafers and Insta It bag (courtesy of cult label Yuzefi) will hit the nail on the head.
Parma Violet
Photo: Anna Jay
Speaking of violet, this Lazy Oaf co-ord is pretty mega. Balmain made a very strong case for pale purple being the shade of spring, with '80s blazers, cargo pants and mesh tops all coming down the catwalk. The beauty of a two-piece, of course, is that you can mix and match the pieces – but I think they have way more impact when worn together, particularly in a block shade like this fizzy hue.
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Two years ago, Jodie Whittaker starred in Trust Me as a nurse so desperate to rebuild her life that she stole her best friend’s identity and moved to an Edinburgh hospital to work as a doctor. As intense and superbly stressful as the first instalment of the BBC’s medical conspiracy drama was, the second series takes us to a new hospital with terrifying new troubles lurking in the wings. The good news is that you don’t need to have watched Trust Me series one to get into series two. The unsettling news is that things are only about to become more sinister.
We’re still in Scotland except this time around our attention is brought to a leading medical centre in Glasgow. Corporal Jamie McCain (played by Harry Potter star Alfred Enoch) has sustained a spinal injury after being shot in a war zone. We’re given a few violent flashbacks to the mission he was on before arriving at the James Stewart Spinal Unit but no dots are connected just yet. It’s clear that there’s more to the story around the events that landed Jamie there, but for now all we know is that four soldiers lost their lives and he has been left paralysed.
Jamie isn’t much of a talker. He’s angry, resentful and doesn’t want to talk to anyone about his injury. He doesn’t utter a single word for the first 10 minutes or so of the episode, until he spots an asshole guy try to hurt fellow patient Danny Adams (Elliot Cooper) and tells him to back off. Danny quickly decides that he and Jamie are friends (much to Jamie’s initial frustration) and relays everything he knows about the hospital they’re being treated at. He’s collected data about their ward and shares his conspiracy theories with his new, reluctant pal: people are dying and there’s a killer on the ward. "I’ll be your eyes," Danny tells Jamie. "You help me, I help you. We all have to be careful in here."
You’ll find it hard to dismiss Danny’s theories as quickly as Jamie does. It doesn’t take long to work out that something sinister is lingering among the ward staff. Four Weddings and a Funeral ’s John Hannah stars as Dr Watson (yes, he’s heard the jokes before), the clinical lead. He assures his new patient Jamie that he’s "in safe hands now" but we’re not too sure. Besides an apparent lack of real concern about the number of people dying in his care, he also delivers a gross mini monologue about women being "a puzzle wrapped in an enigma. The old emotional Rubik’s cube – you solve one side and then the others… totally screwed." There’s a questionable backstory here, waiting to be unearthed.
Elsewhere we’ve got wonderful Ashley Jensen ( After Life, Catastrophe, Ugly Betty) playing head physio nurse Debbie. Do we trust her? Not yet. She’s smart, cutting and observant – all attributes that could bode better for her than her patients and colleagues. Dr Zoe Wade (Katie Clarkson-Hill) is engaged to Dr Alex Kiernan ( Outlander ’s Richard Rankin) and burying some secret demons with the sleeping pills she’s been slipping from the drug cupboard. Dr Watson alludes to something in the recent past that jeopardised her career and it seems that Zoe’s cheery façade is only going to last so long under the pressure of suspicious deaths and mistrust on the ward.
Photo: Courtesy Of BBC
If you’re not great with hospitals, this series will make you feel incredibly uneasy. That said, the suspense might just be enough to tempt you in. Jamie’s suspected PTSD simmers beneath his stern and sarcastic exterior. More people start to leave the ward in body bags and, by the sounds of it, no one is to be trusted. If there’s a four-part suspense-fuelled conspiracy thriller missing from your schedule, this one deserves to fill it.
Trust Me starts on BBC One on Tuesday 16th April at 9pm
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Ashley Graham, Olivia Culpo, the Kardashians... There aren't many celebrities whose hair Justine Marjan hasn't styled to perfection. She has everything from bobs to ponytails nailed, knows the prettiest hair accessories to buy in time for spring and exactly which hair products are worth your hard-earned money. So when given the opportunity to pick her brains, it was obvious we'd bombard her with all the hair-related questions we ever had...
How do you actually get a smooth ponytail with no bumps if you have thick hair? – Rose Lander, Marketing and Events Executive
I always create ponytails in sections so that the hair is easier to control. Most of the time, I gather the top half of the hair first in an elastic band, then gather the bottom of the hair and attach it to the first ponytail with another elastic. If hair is super thick, I may take even more sections. Before brushing the hair up, spray roots with a strong-hold hairspray, like TRESemme Hairspray, then brush with a Mason Pearson Smoothing Brush (which includes boar and nylon mixed bristles), while the hair is still wet from the hairspray.
Is there a way to stop my hair from unravelling when I fasten it into a bun, other than lots of hair pins and hairbands? (They're super uncomfortable!) – Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Editor
Tie the hair into a knot, then just one or two pins, like Kitsch PRO Essential Bobby Pins, will do! This keeps the hair secure without it sliding out of place. Make sure your hair isn’t too silky as this will make it harder to hold. Prep hair with a sea salt spray like Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray or OUAI Wave Spray, or a dry texture spray like Oribe Dry Texture Spray, so that there is more grit for the pins to hold onto.
What can I do with curly hair for a wedding look? It's naturally curly and I don't want to straighten it. – Charlie Elliott, Strategy Associate Director
First of all, make sure your curls are hydrated and healthy so that you look polished. Start by getting a healthy trim about a month before the wedding so your hair has time to settle. I am also a big fan of toners and glosses in salon to keep the hair looking shiny and full of depth. Wash your hair with a hydrating curl shampoo and conditioner. Some of my favourites include the TRESemme Botanique Naturals Collection and Moroccanoil Curl collection.
Post-shower, gently squeeze out moisture with a towel. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle and spray a hydrating detangler. I love TRESemme Repair and Protect 7, and the Balmain Hair Couture Leave In Conditioner. Gently diffuse your hair with the diffuser attachment (I like the ghd Air Dryer) on a high heat and cool pressure setting. If your curls tend to fall quickly, use a spray gel, like Oribe Spray Gel, or hairspray as it is drying. Avoid touching the hair with your hands until it is 100% dry as this can cause more frizz. When finished, leave as is or use some Rhinestone Bobby Pins to tuck one or both sides back, create a stack over the ears, or twist up into a cute pineapple.
What's the best way to maintain volume throughout the day without caking my hair in hairspray? – Shona Pickersgill, Marketing Research Manager
What's the best hair serum? Anything worth investing in that's going to make a difference?
The answer will be different from person to person depending on hair type and texture. For thick and dry hair I love the Moroccanoil Treatment. For fine, delicate hair I love TRESemme Keratin Smooth Serum. One of my favourite practices that makes a big difference is applying a pre-shampoo treatment oil to the hair before washing it. Leonor Greyl has an amazing multi-use treatment called L'Huile de Leonor Greyl, which can be applied to the hair 20 minutes before washing and to the body post-shower. This way the hair absorbs the oils it needs and the rest is washed away when you shampoo without leaving a heavy residue.
Is there a way to ask for sexy, relaxed, beach babe hair in the salon? Hairstylists always give me huge ringlets and say they'll drop, but they never do. Also, how can I achieve this relaxed style myself at home? – Katy Harrington, Managing Editor
My favourite way to get relaxed waves at home is to use the ghd Platinum+ Styler to create flat iron waves. This gives a more relaxed texture and you have more control over the wave pattern. The best way to get what you want in a salon is to bring in a picture. Tell your stylist you want a relaxed texture and to keep the ends straight. The last few inches of your hair should definitely not be wrapped around the iron. If you are in the salon and your curls look crazy, ask your stylist to run the flat iron over them to bring them down.
Do you have any tricks for reducing frizz when blow-drying hair? Is using my fingers to flatten it down okay? – Natalie Gil, Senior News Writer
Using your hands is probably not the best idea as the heat from our hands can actually cause the cuticle layer of our hair to open, resulting in more frizz. I would suggest finishing blow-drying each section with the cool shot on the dryer to set the hair. Always use the nozzle attachment on a hairdryer to direct the hair downwards so the cuticle lies flat, and using frizz control products from start to finish. Some of my favourites include the Aveda Smooth Infusion collection, OUAI Smooth Collection, Gisou products, and TRESemme Keratin Smooth. When the hair is dry, spray a smoothing brush with a lightweight hairspray.
Can anyone suit hair accessories? What's the best, easiest way to wear them without looking overdone? – Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Editor
Absolutely! I love hair accessories because they instantly add a statement to any hair look. If you're nervous to wear accessories and want to dip your toes in, I would suggest starting at the back. Pull your hair into a low bun and place some pins on either side or below and above the bun. Another simple way to wear is to simply tuck one side behind your ear and hold it in place. Try the XL Snap Clip or the Classic Rhinestone Bobby Pins. They're both super easy and your hair will stay in place all day. I launched the #kitschxjustine range of accessories as a non-intimidating way to try the trend and play with hair accessories. I wanted to create pieces that were fun, easy to wear, and that can easily be dressed up or down and every piece can be mixed and matched.
I've got little strands of hair that always stick up on end at my roots. Are they broken hairs or new baby hairs? – Casey Bird, Creative Lead
They could be either! Broken hair at the root could be caused by blow-dryers that get too hot, sleeping on harsh fabrics, brushing your hair when it is wet, over processing with colour, trauma and weak strands. To combat and prevent, I suggest taking some hair vitamins (I like Olly Undeniable Beauty Gummy Vitamins) to encourage healthy hair growth, switching to a silk pillowcase to prevent breakage while you sleep, using only non-damaging hot tools like ghd, who make sure their tools don't heat up to the extreme, and making sure you manage stress. If these are new growths, I would suggest taking the same measures to encourage the hair to grow healthy and strong. For baby hairs that are particularly hard to style, I like to use PRO Creaseless Clips to lay them down. Also, spritz them with a strong-hold hairspray.
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One in four people with an eating disorder is male. We don’t hear about it or speak about it as often as we should.
"On average it takes nearly three times as long for men to get a referral after first visiting a GP as for women," says eating disorder charity Beat 's Head of Communications Rebecca Willgress.
"Too often doctors do not spot the signs of eating disorders in men because they might not be underweight or because behaviours such as excessive exercise are seen as typically male activities. We need to challenge the stigma and misunderstanding that surround male eating disorders."
Eating disorders are harrowing and dangerous for the people who live with them. They are also traumatic for those people's loved ones – and we don’t hear about that much, either.
So what is it like to be in love with a man who lives with an eating disorder?
Chloe, 22, has been in a relationship with Aiden, 23, for two and a half years. She loves him because he’s funny and charming and sweet. She loves him because he makes her laugh – proper belly laughs. She loves him when he’s angry and she loves him when he’s miserable.
Not long after they first started dating, Aiden told Chloe that he had bulimia.
"We were laid in bed one night, and he said 'I’m a bit of a weirdo' and I said 'What you talking about?' and he said basically, 'I can’t eat anything without throwing it up'. At first, I didn’t really clock onto what it was, you know. But then I thought about it and I said to him, 'You need to get help, you need to get help'. I kept pushing him to go and see someone and finally he got to the point where he realised something's got to be done."
That was the first time Aiden had told anyone about what he does after he eats. His family and friends didn’t know about it at the time, which must have been terribly isolating. Thankfully, he felt safe enough with Chloe to tell her the truth, and she was able to encourage him to see his GP. From there, he got therapy and would come home with various exercises to do, like recording a food diary and writing about how eating made him feel.
For Chloe, Aiden’s revelation explained some of his behaviour. "When we’d go out, he’d always be watching what he was eating and after dinner, he’d vanish. He’d go to the bathroom and he’d be gone so long, I’d think 'Have I been stood up?' He wouldn’t come over to my house at the beginning and have something to eat. It was always 'Oh, I’ve already eaten'. He’d do a lot of calorie counting. When we first started going out, we’d do late night shopping trips to Tesco and I’d go straight for the crisps, as you do, and he’d be in the salad section, reading the backs of packets. I never really thought too much about it at the time, until I found out what was going on."
Even now, after Aiden has been through therapy, their relationship is affected by his fear of food. They don’t go on date nights to restaurants like other couples. Going out to dinner makes Aiden too anxious. "Every time we eat out, he thinks people are watching him. He gets petrified. It makes it quite difficult. It’s really rare now that we go out. I’ll suggest it and he’ll say 'It’s always food or the cinema with you' and I’ll say 'But that’s what people do for dates'. So we’re just in the house a lot of the time, or he doesn’t mind going for a long walk. Sometimes we put on a film and share a bag of popcorn, if we’re lucky. It’s had a massive effect on both of us, and on our relationship. I mean, we’ve never really had that honeymoon period."
Chloe says her body has changed since she’s been in a relationship with Aiden, but her attitude to eating really hasn’t. She’s always been pretty resilient and healthy in that regard. "I don’t stop eating," she says. "I’ve put on weight in the past 18 months but I think that’s because I’ve been comfortable, you know." Aiden has got to a healthier weight but he’s requested that Chloe and his family members not comment on it. "He talks about wanting to lose weight but when he weighs himself, he’s asked us not to congratulate him or say anything either way, so it’s about finding that balance and just saying, 'Okay then, alright' instead."
Aiden says he’s in recovery, but he still struggles. He has good days and bad days. He and Chloe argue quite a lot. Like a lot of men, Aiden’s depression and anxiety tend to manifest in anger. She’s loving and patient, but she’s also had to be straight with Aiden about how his illness affects other people. It affects her enormously; of course it does. She worries about him all the time.
"I ask him daily, 'Are you okay, are you alright?' and it really winds him up, but I think that’s just me being anxious and making sure he’s alright. I don’t like to mollycoddle him; I more go for tough love. I say it how it is. I’ve said to him, 'If you carry on like this, you’re going to kill yourself. You’ve got to think of your family.' That happened one night when we had an argument and I just said what needed to be said. I have to be honest with him because I know what he’s going through is tough but I have to be tough with him to love him, you know."
Aiden has been ashamed and secretive about what he goes through, partly because we so often think of eating disorders as illnesses that belong to women.
Loving a man with bulimia is difficult. Being a man with bulimia is difficult. It’s all achingly difficult. Aiden has been ashamed and secretive about what he goes through, partly because we so often think of eating disorders as illnesses that belong to women. "We’d have rows and I think part of that was because he is a male with an eating disorder," says Chloe. "I think he felt like he’s lost some of his masculinity, and I had to say to him, 'This makes you no less of a man. You are still a man.' I wanted him to know that it’s fine for him to be going through this. I think that’s the reason he didn’t ask for help until we spoke about it."
Chloe wants Aiden to get more treatment, go back into therapy and further repair his relationship with food, and himself.
"I want that for him, I want him to be better. But selfishly, I also want it for me. This has had a huge impact on us, of course it has. He still struggles, I can see that. It’s not something that’s going to be fixed overnight, I know that, and I’ll be here. But while he’s like this, I’m affected. I don’t talk to him about how I feel because I don’t want to ever be a burden, or too much for him. I don’t open up to him."
Aiden has told his friends and family about his bulimia, which means he has a proper support network. He knows he’s got Chloe, he knows he’s got other people around him who love him. This time, when he goes back into treatment, that could make all the difference.
"Men with eating disorders face particular challenges, but help is available and recovery is possible," says Rebecca from Beat.
Taking care of someone with an eating disorder can be physically and emotionally exhausting, especially as your loved one may become withdrawn or have emotional outbursts. It can be helpful to bear in mind some strategies to avoid escalating situations, such as waiting to talk once everyone involved has calmed down, while still remembering that you do not need to feel guilty yourself. The eating disorder is not your or anyone’s fault.
"Remember that eating disorders are isolating and secretive illnesses, and often cause feelings of low self-esteem and a distorted perception of body size and shape," says Rebecca. "Your partner may not want to be physically or emotionally intimate while they’re ill. This is not them rejecting you, but the eating disorder speaking. Try to understand things from their point of view, but communicate your feelings too. Try to keep doing things together as a couple and as a family."
"Beat’s helpline service is open every day of the year, and runs support groups where men can speak to their peers about their problems and their recovery."
If you or someone you know is living with an eating disorder, visit Beat or call their helpline on 0808 801 0677 for information and support
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