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46 Articles

From the editor

When I pictured what this job would be like if (in my teenage dreams) I ever had it one day, it involved two things: a stylishly decorated corner office in an impressive high-rise building*, and my diary being blocked out all September for fashion month’s front rows. It was the latter that, when I did eventually get offered this role, struck genuine fear into me. Because [shhh, I’m about to let you in on a little secret], if I’m honest, I’ve never really felt the fashion industry was for me. Through The Devil Wears Prada-esque experiences in my early career and the cliquey fashion parties I attended, awkward and alone, later in my career, the message felt very clear – you don’t fit in here. And this is coming from a…

From the editor

Head over to the dot com

Once you’ve read up on upcycling (p41) and where to rent your next designer handbag (p45), it’s time to dive into the rest of the Cosmo Conscious space, with fashion editor-approved tips and recs for a more sustainable wardrobe at cosmopolitan.com/uk/sustainability. To discover more brands championing body diversity like designer Karoline Vitto, on p39, head over to Cosmo Curve at cosmopolitan.com/uk/plus-size-fashion, aka your go-to destination for everything plus-size fashion related. *I ACTUALLY HOT-DESK WITH THE TEAM WHEN I’M NOT IN MEETINGS, WHICH I LOVE. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVIDE GALLIZIO…

Head over to the dot com

It’s time to dig out the duvet

Outer Banks season 4 Netflix, 10 October The Pogues are back and the treasure hunt is far from over, as Outer Banks returns for a fourth season. While John B and his clan may have found the coveted gold in El Dorado, a new adventure is on the horizon for pirate Blackbeard’s hidden treasure. The Outrun In cinemas 27 September Adapted from the bestselling memoir of the same name, Rona returns to the Orkney Islands in Scotland where she grew up, in the hope of coming to terms with the troubled life she lives in London. Starring Saoirse Ronan and Paapa Essiedu. Paddington In Peru In cinemas 8 November Our favourite loveable bear is back and this time he’s headed to South America with the Brown family on an unexpected voyage through the Amazon rainforest and up the…

It’s time to dig out the duvet

If you want to know what it looks like to go through an existential crisis and come out stronger on the other side, just ask Dove Cameron. Or listen to her latest album, Alchemical: Volume 2. It showcases a move towards caring way less about what other people think and way more about her own happiness. And her fans are loving it. They’ve been watching her do the work – literal and philosophical – since 2013, when she starred in the Disney Channel series Liv And Maddie. Now, with new music, big-flex acting roles (such as in Amazon Prime Video’s Obsession), a fresh relationship and a brand-new life outlook, she’s ready to reflect on it all. On her childhood dreams ‘When you’re a kid, you’re not thinking, “I have to choose a…

What it’s actually like to go to a MAFS UK wedding

Silver chandeliers twinkle from the ceilings, illuminating the burgundy paisley carpet below. The walls are adorned with extravagant mirrors, marble frames and opulent wall hangings, while white flowers in palatial brass vases stand on pillars. Guests wait with bated breath for the bride to arrive, barely containing their intrigue when she walks into the room. Heads turn at the sound of her heels on the freshly laid white aisle as whispers spread among the congregation. Because this is no normal wedding, and half of the guests – including the groom – have no idea what she looks like. Welcome to a Married At First Sight UK wedding. For those not familiar with the concept (side note: where have you been?!), Married At First Sight – abbreviated to MAFS – sees two…

What it’s actually like to go to a MAFS UK wedding

Where are all the scream queens of colour?

Spooky season is here, meaning it’s time to get your fright on and dive back into the world of horror films. From Immaculate starring Sydney Sweeney, Cuckoo with Hunter Schafer and MaXXXine led by Mia Goth, this year has brought us stellar scary movies that have had our popcorn flying out of our hands in fear. Think star-studded, female-led casts, million pound marketing campaigns and big box office numbers. Oh, and another thing they all have in common? None of the leads were women of colour. While there’s arguably more representation than ever in film and TV right now, horror lags well behind. According to a report from the BFI which analysed feature films released between 2015 and 2018, only 14% of roles in the genre are played by actors from…

Where are all the scream queens of colour?

What your favourite author wants you to read next

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness ‘A continuation of the A Discovery Of Witches series, this peeks into the lives of a married witch and vampire and their children, whose powers are due to be assessed by a world covenant of magical creatures. Harkness can effortlessly balance sorcery with strong characters and dialogue, which leaves you believing the magical world may just be real.’ – Jodi Picoult By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult is out 10 October 2120 by George Wylesol ‘In this graphic novel, you are a repairman who shows up to an office building to find it eerily empty, and weird horrors wait around every Backrooms-esque corner. Much like a point-and-click video game, this is a book with choices and puzzles galore. It’s one of the scariest books I’ve ever…

What your favourite author wants you to read next

A beginner’s guide to conscious beauty

It’s easy to roll your eyes when it comes to ‘clean beauty’, isn’t it? We’ve heard the term bounced around the beauty industry for years and, with no regulated definition, it’s been snatched by marketing teams and pasted across every other bottle in your local beauty hall. ‘Greenwashing’ has become prevalent, making it confusing to find the beauty products that really commit to the principles that matter to you. I get it. But if you want to use your purchasing power for good (I’m with you), don’t worry, because all is not lost. Right now, and for our purposes, Cosmopolitan considers clean beauty to include brands and products that take the health and wellbeing of people and the planet into consideration, when they’re being developed, manufactured and sold. But trying…

A beginner’s guide to conscious beauty

THE HIGH-SHINE GLOSS Oceanly Lip Gloss, £20 Capsule makeup brand Oceanly has a plastic-free approach to cosmetics. All of its formulas are housed in biodegradable FSC-certified cardboard to reduce waste as much as possible. While its cute concealer and cream blush give a pretty, dewy glow, the lip gloss is a firm favourite thanks to its non-sticky, balm-like texture that leaves a stunning wash of colour. THE NAIL ENHANCER Manucurist Active Glow Blueberry, £16 With stamps of approval from The Vegan Society and certified cruelty-free by PETA, Manucurist is paving the way when it comes to its nail polish formulas. It strictly steers clear of any potentially harmful, toxic or sensitising ingredients and opts to keep formulas majority plant-based where possible. Ideal if you’re prone to reactions or allergies, plus, the high-shine sheer tint gives…

THE MOISTURISING CREAM Star Seed Forest Cream, £89 Pure enough to eat (although we’d advise against it), this green, natural, botanical moisturiser works to replenish a broken-down skin barrier, while offering all-day hydration and to soothe inflammation. The brand opts for rain-fed, wild-foraged ingredients in its formulations and uses plastic-free (glass) pots that can be reused or refilled, while packaging materials are natural, biodegradable and even plantable, thanks to the addition of wildflower seeds. THE HYDRATING SERUM Evolve Organic Beauty Blue Velvet Ceramide Serum, £36 If your skin is Sahara-dry (I relate), this serum will sort you out. Loaded with squalane and ceramides to deeply nourish and fight flaky skin, a little goes a long way, so just a few drops will help target stubborn dryness. When it comes to sustainability creds, the brand has…

‘Use your purchasing power for good’ THE SPA-LIKE SALTS Commune Seymour Bath Salts, £75 There’s a common misconception that ‘clean beauty’ means a little less luxe. Enter, Commune. Made in the UK, its bath salts are truly one-of-kind luxury, formulated with pink Himalayan salt and Hawaiian black lava sea salt combined with rich essential oils, including lavender, geranium and clary sage. Everything from the plastic-free, recyclable aluminium packaging to the reusable XXL size bottles (to limit waste) makes sustainability feel premium. THE NOURISHING OIL Mirror Water Smooth Body Oil, £27 Dry skin really doesn’t stand a chance against this nourishing, silky body oil. The 100% recyclable packaging includes reusable glass bottles with aluminium lids, rather than plastic. The oil is scented with a woody, smokey base of vetiver, Canadian black spruce and cedar. Close your eyes,…

THE SHINE-BOOSTER SHAMPOO Davines A Single Shampoo, £20.50 Now, it’s not just that this is the brand’s first 100% carbon neutral shampoo, (with 98.2% biodegradable packaging and 95% natural ingredients), but A Single Shampoo gives limp, dull, hair so much glossy shine, it’s on another level. Every single aspect of the shampoo has been created with people and the planet in mind, from sustainably sourced ingredients to the reduction in overall packaging to minimise transportation impact. THE EVERYDAY WASH DUO Faith in Nature Purifying Shampoo & Conditioner, £9.49 each It’s hard not to be impressed by the sheer volume of eco-credentials Faith in Nature has amassed – it isn’t playing around when it comes to sustainable beauty, from B Corp certification to The Vegan Society-approved and UK-made. The newest launch from the brand offers a…

The clean beauty badge decoder

The Vegan Society Ensures products do not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products. Cruelty Free International Indicates products have not been commissioned for animal testing, or don’t use ingredients tested on animals. Soil Association The Soil Association looks at everything in a product’s supply chain to ensure they all meet organic standards. Forest Stewardship Council® Makes sure paper or cardboard materials come from responsibly managed forests. Certified B Corporation B Corp’s social and environmental performance standards focus on balancing transparency and accountability with profit.…

The clean beauty badge decoder

You’re about to see Ulé everywhere

Okay, I’ll say it: there’s nothing more mind-boggling than the realm of sustainability. We may see a physical difference in our skin when we use a product, but how the product is made or where the bottle goes after we’ve used every last drop is still a mystery. Do they really biodegrade? Or actually end up getting recycled? And when it comes to ‘sustainably sourced’ ingredients, we have to take the brand’s word that they’re telling the truth, while the term ‘clean’ has no tangible definition. It’s confusing. But a brand that’s cutting through the greenwashing noise? Ulé. It has created innovative ‘vertical farms’ in its labs to grow ingredients, saving space and allowing it to recycle 95% of the water used. It’s dubbed a ‘seed to bottle’ approach. ‘It takes…

You’re about to see Ulé everywhere

Natural deodorants

1. NÉCESSAIRE THE DEODORANT GEL – EUCALYPTUS, £18 This eucalyptus roll-on contains 5% AHA and niacinamide to combat odour, at the same time as treating hyperpigmentation and minimising underarm bumps. Topped with a refreshing, spalike eucalyptus scent, there are no boxes left unticked. Get you a girl (read: natural deodorant) who does it all. 2. WILD CHERRY BLOSSOM DEODORANT, £13 Not everyone could have predicted armpits would be a lucrative business, but Wild certainly did. Its refillable tubes are a bestseller – and for good reason. The OG Coconut Dreams scent smells so tropical that it’ll have you flicking through Skyscanner flights. It’ll even keep you dry on your overbooked Ryanair trip. Impressive, much? 3. DRUNK ELEPHANT SWEET PITTI DEODORANT CREAM, £18 You may feel like a drunk elephant after first use of this deo…

Natural deodorants

Why make the switch Standard deodorants are typically aluminium-based and can irritate skin and clog sweat glands. But natural formulas don’t contain aluminium, phthalates or parabens, which allows for the natural process of sweating – an essential for temperature regulation and toxin release. Give it time When transitioning to a natural deo, your sweat glands will purge and get rid of all of the built-up bacteria and chemicals that have been trapped from antiperspirant use. Persevere through the first few weeks (and the potential unusual smells) to unlock a world of natural freshness. Know the product Although used interchangeably in the market, ‘deodorant’ and ‘antiperspirant’ products do different jobs. Deos are designed to curb the B.O smell as you sweat, while antiperspirant helps to limit sweating altogether. Swat up on the product before investing to…

Black-owned is for everyone

Before the racial reckoning of recent years, many Black-owned businesses spent for ever, sometimes decades, hustling in the shadows. I’ve since personally watched lots of Black-owned beauty brands finally get the love and success they deserve. But one thing hasn’t changed yet: the general misconception that their products are exclusively for Black people. The truth is, these companies still tend to be ‘othered’, bypassed by those who consider them too niche or who don’t consider them at all. So here’s a PSA for all my non-BIPOC folks out there: unless an item explicitly states it’s only for a specific ethnic group, skin tone or hair type, it’s also meant for you. ‘When you centre skin of colour first, you’re centring those who have the most reactive skin,’ explains Chaneve Jeanniton, founder of…

Black-owned is for everyone

The greatest nail colours of all time

OPI BUBBLE BATH NAIL LACQUER, £14.90 Truth: you can’t talk about neutrals without talking about Bubble Bath. The sheer, pinkish nude looks good on all skin tones and nail shapes. NAILBERRY OXYGENATED NAIL LACQUER IN STONE, £16.50 This deep-grey lacquer is a must. Pair it with your favourite cashmere set for cosy vibes. SALLY HANSEN INSTA-DRI NAIL POLISH IN MIDNIGHT DRIVE, £4.99 The three-in-one formula acts as a base, colour and topcoat – and dries in just one minute. EMOLYNE NAIL LACQUER IN LIBREVILLE, £13 Everyone needs a classic crimson in their collection. This timeless option is ultra shiny, chip resistant and vegan. CHANEL LE VERNIS NAIL COLOUR IN ROUGE NOIR, £29 It’s been a bestseller for decades, probably because the red-black somehow screams edgy and glam at the same time. ESSIE NAIL POLISH IN BIKINI SO TEENY, £8.99 Yep, the…

The greatest nail colours of all time

Autumn fashion wants you to be the moment

Fancy lingerie Like if your Bridgerton crush invited you to a modern-day party with a scandalous dress code. WEAR IT TO: DATE NIGHT, OBVIOUSLY. Cropped coats Microjackets are the new microskirts, trust us on this one. WEAR IT TO: EVERY AUTUMN FESTIVITY (FIREWORKS NIGHT, THE PUMPKIN PATCH, YOU GET IT). 8. Rings, £90 for a set of 2, Pandora Essence Boots the house down Biker! Cowgirl! Kitten heel! Metallic! The options are endless, there’s a boot for every ‘fit. WEAR IT TO: WORK, YOUR NEXT NIGHT OUT AND EVERYWHERE ELSE. Bubble hems The extra oomph all your skirts, dresses and tops need from now on. WEAR IT TO: BRUNCH, THEN WATCH THE COMPLIMENTS ROLL ON IN. PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF THE BRANDS, LAUINCH METRICS/SPOTLIGHT…

Autumn fashion wants you to be the moment

Karoline Vitto is going global

When Ashley Graham stepped on to the runway last September in a shredded cut-out dress, complete with sheer mesh flowing over the supermodel’s famous curves, everyone could sense something exciting was coming. That something was London-based designer Karoline Vitto’s S/S 24 ready-to-wear collection, with models ranging in size from a UK 10 to a 24. During a fashion week that was significantly lacking in body diversity, Vitto’s unapologetic parade of fuller-figured models made her show stand out. This casting wasn’t a tick-box exercise to pay lip service to diversity, this was a statement about beauty, design and the future of fashion. Forget frocks that hide and minimise; think belly-roll framing cut-outs, contour-clinging draped jersey and metal hardware looped across exposed flesh. Ultimately, the designs are sexy, subverting traditional societal narratives around…

Karoline Vitto is going global

Upcycling has never been more popular and these brands are why

Lydia Bolton @lydiabolton_ UK-based Lydia Bolton crafts Gen Z-adored, recycled one-off clothes, such as striped snoods and bejewelled football jerseys using secondhand and unwanted textiles. She furthers the sustainability conversation through public workshops and educational Reels, plus her big-name collabs with brands, including Nike, Lime and Manchester United. HOUSE SPECIALTY: Perfectly imperfect colourful stripe knits and cool-girl gingham blouses. WEAR IT WITH: A cargo maxi skirt and crayon-bright glass jewellery. FYI: Bolton champions skill sharing via community upcycling workshops. Psychic Outlaw @psychic.outlaw Austin, Texas-based Rebecca Wright launched Psychic Outlaw in 2019 by repurposing recycled quilts. Each folksy, Americana design has personal meaning (Wright’s grandmother was a skilled quilter) and you can even send in your own textiles to be remade. HOUSE SPECIALTY: Cosy chore coats, plus maxis made from old bandanas. WEAR IT WITH: Your most faded blue jeans and…

Upcycling has never been more popular and these brands are why

Just a list of cool, sustainable materials you can go ahead and start wearing

1. PIÑATEX Is what happens when pineapple leaves are turned into a leather-ish fabric that can make very cool coats, shoes and honestly anything. For proof, look to this extremely chic Mashu bag. 2. DESSERTO Hello to this cactus leather, known for its softness (no spikes on that jacket!). Only the most mature parts of the plant are used, leaving the rest to regrow. 3. MYLO Mushrooms, folks. Thread-like fungus filaments, called mycelia, grow on beds of sawdust and other organic materials, forming a fluffy layer that’s then processed and dyed to make trainers and bags. Trippy, right? 4. ECONYL Nylon, but make it out of fishing nets, old carpets and other plastic waste. It’s used in swim- and sportswear (and the occasional Prada bag). 5. CUPRO This breathable, silky fabric – perfect for blouses and tank tops –…

Just a list of cool, sustainable materials you can go ahead and start wearing

You should totally rent your next handbag (but from where?)

BagButler The deal: BagButler specialises in luxury designer bags. Rent a bag of your choosing for four to 14 days, booked up to six months in advance. There’s also a Seasonal Membership option, giving you three bag rentals across a three-month period for £450, with discounts offered on additional rentals. The experience: BagButler’s most popular bags are all Chanel, so it seemed like a no-brainer to select a classic Mini Flap bag in a trend-led Barbie-pink hue for a weekend getaway, costing me £175. She arrived carefully packaged in a dust bag and wrapped in tissue, and as I’d ordered on a weekday, shipping was free. The return process was just as straightforward – I received a text reminder and used the prepaid mailer bag I’d received. The £250 deposit I’d paid…

You should totally rent your next handbag (but from where?)

Who said workwear has to be boring?

‘Recently, I wore faux cowhide shoes to school and one of my colleagues asked, “Jessi, what are those shoes?!”’ Her fellow teacher might not ‘get’ the look, but Jessi’s fans would. She has racked up 354k followers in three years, since her sister encouraged her to start sharing her outfits on her Instagram account @by.regiina: ‘To my surprise, people started liking it.’ Jessi’s style is enviable and her ‘What I wore to work’ Reels stand out in a sea of near-identical holiday inspo and cookie-cutter OOTDs. In a traditional workplace it can feel restrictive to navigate a professional dress code. How can you feel like your personality is allowed to shine when there’s an expectation to look, well, serious all the time? But a quick scroll through Jessi’s pics, snapped on…

Who said workwear has to be boring?

Our fashion editor’s top tips

Capsule dressing Use that same winning formula for holiday packing on your Mon-Fri ’fits and gain extra snooze time. Planning what to wear in advance will allow you to clearly identify any gaps in your wardrobe. Accessories! Shoes in particular can change the vibe of an outfit, instantly smartening up something you’d usually wear with trainers. Loafers or Mary Jane flats are perfect office alternatives. Secondhand saviours If your work attire demands a completely different wardrobe to your off-duty style, finding pieces at car boot sales and charity shops can save £££.…

Concentration? I don’t know her How we lost our collective ability to focus

I have a confession – it has taken me around 20 minutes to write this sentence. This is not because I’m an agonising perfectionist who ponders over every single word. It’s because I’m increasingly distracted by literally anything that isn’t the task at hand. The moment I’m sat at my laptop, fingers hovering over the keys as if to start typing; my brain refuses to engage. Maybe I should do the washing-up from lunch? Did I reply to that message on Hinge? I think I’ll go and make a cup of tea before I start tackling these emails. Before I know it, I’m woefully behind (sorry, boss). We’re living in the era of distraction. There was once a time when I could read a whole book in one sitting, lazing on…

Concentration? I don’t know her How we lost our collective ability to focus

Ethical activewear

PLANT-STRETCH COMPRESSIVE LEGGINGS, £85; TANK TOP, £75, PANGAIA Pangaia is renowned for its colour range and sustainable approach. Its plant-based nylon is made from castor beans – the feel might take some getting used to, but the top and leggings deliver when it comes to a seamless fit and not budging. Dusty, entertainment and lifestyle director CONDOR 3 ENGINEERED MESH TRAINERS, £160, VEJA I’m training for a fitness competition and these super-chic trainers are my go-to. They’re made from breathable recycled mesh, so my feet stay cool and they’re created with more than 50% lower-impact materials, which makes me feel good every time I lace them up. Jaime, art editor BAMBOO LAYERING TOP, £32; ENDURO BAMBOO 7/8 DEEP WAISTBAND LEGGINGS, £49, BAM CLOTHING The natural bamboo used is so soft it feels like a dream to change…

Ethical activewear

We need to talk about secondary infertility

Danielle always thought she’d have her ideal number of kids – three, to be exact – by the time she turned 35. But, as it does, life happened, and she and her husband didn’t welcome their first child until Danielle was 36. That was more than two years ago. For the past eight months, the couple has been actively working on having a second baby. Danielle had an ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilised egg implants anywhere other than the uterus, often in a fallopian tube) last October. ‘That and the fact that we’ve been trying for more than six months means our doctors are now advising IVF,’ she says. She always knew that getting older could affect her chances of conceiving, but still: they’d conceived their first baby naturally; this was…

We need to talk about secondary infertility

I’m thriving. My best friend isn’t. Is it wrong to tell her about my successes?

Dear Minaa, My bestie and I have been super close since we were kids – we always played together, shared the same school crush (he still doesn’t know) and whispered secrets late into the night at every childhood sleepover. She truly knows me better than anyone else does. But lately, our relationship has hit a bit of a pause. I think it’s because she’s simply… not living her best life at the moment. Her career is stagnant, her mental health is in rough shape after a bad break-up, she has a lot of credit card debt and (understandably) she’s not happy about any of it. Meanwhile, I’m kind of killing it – my relationship, career and finances are all in a great place. I completely understand how lucky I am, and I want…

I’m thriving. My best friend isn’t. Is it wrong to tell her about my successes?

The 2024 Cosmopolitan Homeware Awards

It’s that time again. No, not binge-watching Gilmore Girls (although there is that), but getting the cosy blankets out and going into hibernation mode. Whether your bedroom is your sanctuary or you’re a full-on interior aficionado, there are endless brands and products trying to catch your attention – and your £££. Which is why Cosmo has rounded up a panel of experts from the interiors space to share not only their insider knowledge, but the products and appliances they reach for most, based on affordability, quality and, of course, appearance. THROW Evelina Kroon Wool Blanket at Arket, £97 ‘I absolutely love this pink and green lambswool throw. It’s the perfect dose of feelgood decor. Big enough to curl up under or cover your sofa with for a pop of colour in the home.’…

The 2024 Cosmopolitan Homeware Awards

Dusty Baxter-Wright is Cosmo’s entertainment and lifestyle director, who has 10 years’ experience working across interiors and lifestyle content. Scarlette Douglas is the leading interiors and property TV presenter for Channel 4, and also hosts the podcast Property Unlocked. Lydia Venn is Cosmo’s senior entertainment and lifestyle writer, covering interior design trends, shopping recommendations and home hacks. Blossom Boothroyd is the Homes Testing manager at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who has trialled hundreds of products to find the best appliances. Zeena Shah is an award-winning author, stylist, designer and content creator renowned for her dopamine decor style.…

Your autumn horoscope

Aries You’re deep in work mode at the start of Virgo season and, yeah, it’s exhausting. But good news: now you’ve made it past the lunar eclipse, your to-do list is (finally) taken care of. Even better, Libra season, which started on 22 September, sets the mood for love and new lovers. Leo Sure, Mercury retrograde was making things difficult until the end of August. Then, you were able to focus on… work, work and more work during Virgo season. But! By Scorpio season on 22 October, you will be all about resting and recharging. Sagittarius Virgo season saw you finally adding the finishing touches to that major work project that was taking up all your time. Now it’s time for some reflection: do you feel proud of it and your career so far? If…

Your autumn horoscope

It’s time to invite your friends over to make butter candles

Listen, butter is fabulous in all forms. But if you (a) cringe at the thought of spreading a stick straight from the fridge or (b) enjoy getting a little crafty for the sake of the ’gram, this is the trend for you. Made with food-safe wicks (absolutely a thing, now you know), butter candles are as fun to create as they are delicious to dunk hunks of food into. (We like them with bread, seafood, steak or veggies, but go ahead and trust your intuition.) You can make your own in one of two ways (see below) – get it right and your group will enjoy dipping into a perfect pool of melty goodness surrounded by a cinema-popcorn-scented ambience. Yes, it’s extra as hell, but that’s what life’s all about.…

It’s time to invite your friends over to make butter candles

Get information

TECHNIQUE ONE: SCULPTING Place softened butter in clingfilm and flatten with a rolling pin. Lay the wick in the middle of the butter, then use your secret pottery skills to shape it into whatever form your heart desires. Pop your candle in the fridge to harden. TECHNIQUE TWO: SETTING Melt butter and pour it into a silicone mould (for a freestanding candle) or a shallow ceramic dish (to burn in a vessel). You can buy moulds online. Centre the wick by tying it to, or balancing it against, a chopstick, and let your creation cool.…

Get information

Who says summer has to end in September?

Athens, Greece Flight time*: three hours and 40 minutes Average temp: 23 degrees. A last-minute city break with glorious sunshine? Yep, you need to head to Athens. The Greek capital has it all, from culture (the literal Acropolis is there) to shops and a rapidly growing restaurant and bar scene. And if you head further afield, there are a number of breathtaking beaches, including Astir and Voula, where you can hang out at beach clubs, too. Taghazout, Morocco Flight time: three hours and 50 minutes Average temp: 19 degrees. Calling all surfers! A trip to this fishing village in Morocco needs to be on your short-haul list. Known for its exceptional waves, it’s the perfect place to soak up the remaining summer rays. And even if you’re not bringing the surfboard, there’s so much to…

Who says summer has to end in September?

Is this thing on?

It was about 5am when the ghost started haunting Ashley Park. She was straight off a much-delayed flight from Los Angeles and eager to finally get some sleep in her Manhattan hotel room. Alas, the supernatural world had other plans. The door suddenly swung open on its own, making the actor bolt upright in bed. ‘I don’t even believe in this stuff!’ Ashley laughs later that day when we meet for fettuccine, fries and espresso martinis – the ‘comfort food’ she needs. ‘I swear something was there. It scared the crap out of me.’ That’s saying something, since at this point, you’d think it would take a lot to frighten Ashley. She survived leukemia as a teen and theatre school as a young adult. She won over Broadway’s notoriously picky audiences as…

Is this thing on?

What is good sex?

‘OH, MY GOD,’ SHE SAID, gripping my hand, eyes wide and hopeful. ‘Can you please tell me… is this normal?’ I had met this woman 20 minutes ago, perched on a bar stool, and now she was whispering in my ear how often she wanted sex and what exactly she was looking for. Telling someone who is three large white wines down that when it comes to sex, there’s no such thing as normal, and that as long as she feels safe, desired and it’s all consensual (and, of course, legal), then she should absolutely pursue what she wants, is tricky. Particularly when yelling over Charli XCX booming out of the speakers and trying to catch the barman’s attention. But I’m used to it… I’d say most of the people who work…

What is good sex?

We need to talk about male friendships

4.37am is anxiety hour in this house. The time, somewhere in between darkest night and the first light of morning, when my brain does its most catastrophic thinking. Tonight’s subject? Whether my boyfriend is miserable. Earlier that day, we’d had a fraught discussion about our living situation (a small flat rapidly closing in on us now we have a six-month-old son) and where we should move to next. I want to stay in north London. It’s where I grew up, where my support network is. He’s from the countryside and has lived all over the UK and, indeed, the world. He’s here because he loves us, but it’s by no means his first choice. He did London in his 20s. Deep down, I suspect he’s over it and longs for a calmer, quieter…

We need to talk about male friendships

If you’re worried about a man in your life…

Don’t feel the need to offer solutions. Just listen and try not to feel like you have to ‘fix’ anything. ‘Both men and women want the same thing – to be seen, heard and validated,’ says Jodie Cariss, therapist and founder of Self Space. Whitehead at Andy’s Man Club agrees that, from his experiences in groups, ‘subtlety is key,’ and that people just want to know they’re not alone… Consider low-key signposts to show they’re not alone. ‘As someone who suffered in silence for a number of years, relatability was something I always craved – I felt alone and isolated by my issues, as though I was the only person in my situation,’ says Whitehead. ‘If a man is struggling, I suggest trying to find someone he admires in the public sphere who…

SWEATER WEATHER

Models: Georgia Stannard at Zebedee Talent, Zaahirah Wilde at Linden Staub. Hair stylist: Sharon Robinson using Hair by Sam McKnight. Makeup artist: Jesse Walker using Haus Labs. Bookings editor: Sophie Leen. Photo assistants: Amina Humphreys, Bernardo Arame. Fashion assistants: Angel Cordova-Todd, Thomas Brackley, Nicole Hutt. With thanks to: Tin Cafe @thetincafe and @TheHaggerston…

SWEATER WEATHER

Love on the streets of Los Angeles

Tyler, 28, filmmaker; Myko, 27, dancer, singer and actor Years Together: One Tyler: We read together; we party together. She’ll look over my scripts. Myko: And he shoots music videos for me. Tyler: She’s also acted in some of my projects. Myko: I think it’s a really good sign when you can live and work together. Eden, 28, model and social media influencer; Christian, 28, maths teacher Years Together: Two Eden: We met through TikTok. Two weeks after we first FaceTimed, he came to LA. One week after that, I went to Texas to meet his son. A month after that, we got engaged. Christian: She told me long-distance didn’t work for her. So I packed my entire life in three boxes and moved here. Eden: On our first date, he got my name tattooed on him. Christian: A lot of…

Love on the streets of Los Angeles

Do we really have to be ‘healed’ to date people?

What do we owe the people we date? Respect? For sure. Clear communication? Definitely. The most ‘healed’ version of ourselves? Not so sure on that one. Yet the conversation around whether we need to be ‘healed’, ‘doing the work’ or even just in therapy in order to be dating never seems to go away, does it? Remember when Jonah Hill was accused of weaponising therapy-speak against his then-girlfriend Sarah Brady when she claimed that he set her a list of ‘boundaries’, which included not surfing with other men or hanging out with friends from her ‘recent wild past’ (sounds fun, tbh)? Or when people started sending out questionnaires to people they had matched with on dating apps, asking them if they were in therapy? Conversations about ‘healing’ when it comes to dating…

Do we really have to be ‘healed’ to date people?

How to ask for what you actually want in bed

You’ve done the research. You know exactly what you like. Your solo seshes are a well-choreographed routine featuring your fave lubes, the perfect combination of vibrators and erotica you already have bookmarked (how many times is it okay to listen to Andrew Scott’s Quinn story? Asking for a friend). But when it comes to asking for what gets you off? Suddenly you’re letting someone rub your inner labia for 10 minutes while they ask if you’re close – you’re not and neither are they. Asking for what you want in bed can be hard, but it’s also the key to the best sex of your life. ‘We’re all responsible for our own pleasure and orgasms,’ says clinical sexologist Gigi Engle. ‘Our partners are not mind readers and if you don’t communicate…

How to ask for what you actually want in bed

Ruby Rare finds the best medicine for break-up blues is to hit the dancefloor

I recently ended a big relationship, which has been much messier and more painful than I’d anticipated. I needed a couple of months to hunker down like a little hermit crab, safe in my shell, but now the time for wallowing is over. I’m single for the first time in six years – well, as ‘single’ as I can be as a non-monogamous babe. While I still have a few long-standing partners, they’re more sexy friends or people I see on an occasional basis rather than primary partners. I’m finding the idea of redefining being single within a nonmonogamous context really empowering, positioning myself, rather than me in a couple, at the centre of my dating world. As I start dating again, I’m not looking for anything serious. I just…

Ruby Rare finds the best medicine for break-up blues is to hit the dancefloor

The true tale of my multi-orgasmic hookup with my much younger handyman

After my 11-year marriage ended, I felt like a virgin again. I hadn’t had sex in such a long time, it was almost like I’d never had it at all. And now I was a busy single mum – one who was also the proud owner of a farmhouse that needed some work. Anxious to get started, I hired a friend’s brother to help with odd jobs and heavy lifting. The day we met, he reached out to shake my hand, then turned it over and traced the calluses on my palm with his finger. A surge of energy pulsed through my body; my nipples hardened instantly. ‘Not a fan of gloves?’ he asked with a little smile. Still, I wrote Aaron* off as a romantic possibility. He wasn’t really my type.…

The true tale of my multi-orgasmic hookup with my much younger handyman

At home with Alice Oseman

What’s your favourite room at home? I recently moved so I’m still settling in, but probably my office. I painted it green. It has high-arched ceilings as it’s an old building and it’s a cosy corner for me to write, draw and work. I need to be at home, shut away from the world with complete quiet to work. Where would you love to live? France. My grandparents lived there in a rural, northern village, and we would visit every year. I would love to live in a little cottage in France when I’m a lot older. What is your ideal Sunday? I love to have one day a week when I don’t need to do anything. I’m often in London for work, but I need a day to shut down, not talk to anyone…

At home with Alice Oseman

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