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The Summer Beauty Essentials Team R29 Swear By

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Just like our seasonal wardrobes, we tend to curate an entirely new army of beauty products to see us through the summer months.

For most of us, that means waving goodbye to full coverage foundation in favour of skin-enhancing illuminators, hoarding even more SPF than usual and hunting down the products that promise to take our hair from mane-like to manageable – even in high humidity.

Still searching for those holy grail summer buys? Check out what the R29 team are stockpiling.

Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Editor

This gel-creme SPF is adored by every top dermatologist I talk to – and for good reason. It’s non-comedogenic so won’t result in summer breakouts, has a dry-touch finish so you can immediately apply make-up over the top without sweating it off, and it doesn’t leave a chalky, ashy finish behind on my olive skin.

Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF 50, £28, available at Dermacare Direct

This is the sunniest, prettiest coral lipstick I’ve ever come across. A single swipe is enough to blanket lips in intensely pigmented colour that doesn’t flake, fade or bleed outside the lines, and the applicator is super precise, so you can forget about smudges. Plus, it smells like piña colada. Take me to the beach!

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Mamacita, £18, available at Cult Beauty

You protect your skin from the sun, so why not your hair? This feather-light styling creme-cum-heat protector is packed with UV filters to prevent colour fade, frazzled ends and frizzy bits. It makes my hair feel like silk and smells like orange blossom. Divine.

Sachajuan Hair In The Sun, £20, available at Cult Beauty

Georgia Murray, Fashion & Beauty Writer

This stuff smells like heaven. It's a two-in-one body mask and scrub, which you work into dry skin and leave for ten minutes before hopping in the shower to wash off, rubbing in the scrub as you go. It's left my skin silky smooth, so I'll be using every week from here on out.

Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bod Buff Smoothing Scrub 'N Mask, £21, available at Cult Beauty

I colour my hair so try to keep it in the best condition possible. Enter Tangle Teezer’s new brush. They’re my favourite brushes anyway, but the lack of handle on the original model was annoying, so this beauty is top of my list. It’s been specifically designed to be used on wet hair, so I’ll be using it to spread toner through my lengths in the shower, as well as post-wash before blow-drying.

Tangle Teezer The Wet Detangler Millennial Pink, £10, available at Tangle Teezer

Hyaluronic serum is in my holy grail of skincare ingredients (alongside vitamin C and retinol), and this one from Pestle & Mortar has been bringing some much-needed hydration to my parched summer skin. I’m actually super oily, but that doesn’t mean my skin doesn’t need a big old drink every day. Expect a plump, soft visage.

Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum, £36, available from Pestle & Mortar

This blush stick from Julep is super creamy and blends so well over coverage. It gives the most natural flush (no neon pink here) and has the smallest hint of glow in there for real radiance. I always keep it in my on-the-go makeup bag.

Julep Skip The Brush Blush Stick In Peony Pink, £17, available at QVC UK

Effy Okogba, International Partnerships Manager

In the summer, I like to wear as little makeup as possible, but also like to look glowy and sun-kissed. Sounds impossible right? My answer to this conundrum is this Fenty Beauty primer. Applied underneath a light coverage, creamy foundation, the combination really works!

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer, £24, available at Harvey Nichols

This is my AYR (all year round) beauty secret, which becomes an unmissable part of my daily skincare routine in the warmer months. It’s so important to protect your skin, and after years of trial and error, this cream comes out on top. It's light, easy to apply and leaves no residue!

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Sun Cream Fluid SPF 50+, £16.50, available at Boots

Nothing screams summer for me more than a reliable and bold red lip. MAC's Ruby Woo sees me through all the summer social calendar has to offer, including festivals, Mediterranean holidays and holiday romances…

MAC Ruby Woo Matte Little Lipstick, £10, available at MAC

Katy Harrington, Managing Editor

This is the only, and I mean only suncream brand I trust. It is the one thing I’ll use on my milk bottle Irish skin in the sun. I like the fact that it rubs in fast. I’m not sure if it intensifies my tan, but it most certainly stops me frying like a rasher. The texture is nice and it smells good – that's important as I have to slather myself in the stuff all summer long.

Piz Buin Tan & Protect Tan Intensifying Sun Lotion SPF 30, £8.50, available at Boots

I used to work as a beauty editor, where I was 100% spoiled (for free). But now that I have to dig in my own pockets, I am very picky. Algenist is a newish brand to me and I’m a big fan, because even though it’s pricy, it really bloody works – and I use it sparingly. This vegan serum is the business. Containing 'Algae Encapsulated Retinol', it's the only thing I put on my face at night and is even gentle enough to use during the summer.

Algenist Elevate Advanced Retinol Serum, £81, available at Space NK

Avène has to be one of the most no nonsense, highly effective skincare brands out there. I like a LOT of their products including their brilliant Extremely Gentle cleanser but this spray is a lifesaver in the heat. I keep a can in the fridge and spritz when I get home from work, it’s heaven. It works wonders if you have irritated skin, sunburn or your legs are a bit sensitive post-shaving or waxing. Almost as refreshing as a cold beer.

Avène Thermal Water Spray, £8.50, available at Boots

Kara Kia, Editorial Intern

I’ve been using this cleanser for about two years and it is the one beauty item I can’t live without, especially in summer. I have a rollercoaster relationship with my skin; we go through hectic and calm periods every other season, alternating between daily cystic acne flare-ups and leftover acne scars. When it comes to moving between countries – Jamaica-Canada-UK – and having to acclimatise to the weather, water and food differences, it keeps my skin as clear as possible.

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam, £9, available at Amazon

This is the first moisturiser that has actually worked for me, meaning it doesn’t make me break out. I have tried so many! Drugstore ones, organic serums, organic aloe vera – even skin supplements – with very unimpressive results. But my skin loves Effaclar Duo and the SPF is also a big plus.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+] SPF 30, £12.35, available at Feel Unique

I would argue to the ends of the earth that this masque is the absolute best – at least for my hair type. I have 3c-4a Afro-Caribbean hair that is bleached to a medium-light blonde, which means it need lots of moisture from a formula that complements my hair colour. This masque works wonders, I use it once a week with a plastic cap for about an hour. It works even better if you can sit in a sauna or under a hairdryer for 15-20 minutes. I guarantee you soft, silky, hair and bouncy, quenched curls.

Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Masque, £10.99, available at Superdrug

Meg O’Donnell, Junior Art Editor

I love a summer tan and when that eventually happens for me (hello, Irish skin) I love nothing more than to douse myself in this beautiful concoction! I don’t tend to use it on my hair but I'll apply from the top of my forehead all the way down to my toes. I really enjoy the shimmer, delicious scent and summery glow it gives me. I would recommend a hand wash after applying, mind, because as much as I personally love a gold glitter all-over shimmer, my boyfriend can’t seem to pull it off!

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Shimmer Oil Hair & Body, £38, available at Estée Lauder

This is without doubt my favourite facial moisturiser that I’ve tried. It’s so refreshing to apply and it smells like a dream! The consistency is really lovely and absorbs well, leaving my skin feeling very fresh, hydrated and glowy. Plus, the packaging is just delightful. It's a must for any bathroom shelf curator like myself!

Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Creme, £42, available at Space NK

I tend to use this Laura Geller illuminator as an eyeshadow and it’s one of my favourite products that I own! I have pale blue eyes so the gold colour works really well for me and because it's highly pigmented, it can be applied just the once all over the top lid and underneath my bottom lashes for an #extra look.

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator, £26, available at QVC UK

Dami Khadijah, Strategy & Client Services Manager

There just wasn’t a highlighter until I met you! This loyal, oil-based liquid elixir sends my melanin to work and it looks so natural too. You can dilute it with your moisturiser if you fancy, just for that extra summery glow.

ICONIC London Illuminator, £32.99, available at Cult Beauty

This SPF gives me a slight white cast when I'm not on holiday for some reason (story of the darker skinned), but I haven’t found a good replacement just yet, and until I do I’ll be using it because daily SPF is not optional. I'm looking into trying something from La Roche-Posay's Anthelios range, as I’ve been using their Effaclar Duo for years. I'll let you know if it’s a keeper!

Clinique SPF 30 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream, £18 , available at Boots

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Rethinking Mousse: How To Revive Second Day Curls Without The Crunch

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Here's how the story goes: Freshly washed, painstakingly diffused and expertly styled, curls always look brilliantly bouncy on day one.

By day two? They're often limp, lifeless and absolutely nothing like their former glory.

It's a curly hair conundrum many of us face every morning, and the products we reach for to revive them are super important. Opt for another whip of mousse and those spirals, tousles and waves could end up crispy, crunchy and uncomfortably rock hard. Splash them with water and you're likely to find yourself wearing a halo of frizz...

Luckily though, haircare brands are listening. From OUAI to Tigi, there are heaps of unsung curl activators out there, all promising to save you a wash and breathe life into your curls in a single scrunch.

Click through for R29's pick of the best curly hair products.

Pull a 10p piece-size dollop of this silky cream through your hair and gently scrunch upwards. Star ingredient glycerine helps define curls without crispiness, while clever co-polymers give them gravity-defying bounce until your next wash. It's basically like scaffolding for your hair.

TIGI Bed Head On The Rebound Curl Recall Cream, £15.50, available at Look Fantastic

This salon-approved hair spritz does exactly what it says on the tin. Distributed throughout the mid-lengths to ends, it makes limp curls vivacious and, thanks to the added polymers, leaves hair feeling soft to the touch, not rock hard and rustly. For added volume, tip your head upside down while you spray.

KMS Curl Up Bounce Back Spray, £17, available at Look Fantastic

It might not look like much, but hairstylists all over the globe swear by this spritz – and for good reason. Curly hair is typically quite dry (cue frizzy bits and rough ends), but this harnesses vitamins B and E to hydrate from the inside out, giving curls movement. Simply spray on to either damp or dry hair, give it a ruffle and go.

Davines Love Curl Revitaliser, £23.50, available at Amazon

Best known as a post-shower treatment, this lighter-than-light hair milk works just as well on dry hair, so if your curls look shrivelled and lustreless the next day, rake a 20p-size puddle through and use your fingers to twist them back into shape. P.S. It smells like a beach holiday – divine.

Shea Moisture Coconut Curl Milk, £10.99, available at Boots

A megamix of shea butter and coconut, avocado and almond oils sculpts and nourishes thick waves and coarse curls, without weighing hair down at the ends. If you're using it on dry hair, spray evenly from root to tip until damp and use your fingers to shape.

Twisted Sista 30 Second Curl Spray, £5.89, available at Superdrug

Okay, we said we weren't going to go there, but this mousse – formulated by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, no less – is totally different from any other product we've tried, and the clue's in the name as to why. Run a little water through your hair, follow with a pump or two of mousse and watch your curls spring back into action sans any stiff bits, thanks to strand-softening keratin and ama oil. Infused with OUAI's fragrance #2, it makes hair smell salon-fresh every time.

OUAI Soft Mousse, £22, available at Cult Beauty

The clever ingredient in this curl reviver is wheat protein, which swells up when hair is damp and shrinks as it dries, giving second day curls their structure back. The addition of baobab, babassu and macadamia nut oils work together to minimise the appearance of frizz, split ends and broken hair.

Aveda Be Curly Style Prep, £22, available at Aveda

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9 Skincare Products For Humidity - Because Your Complexion Suffers Too

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If you thought frizzy hair was your biggest humidity bugbear, you might want to think again, because according to skin experts, the sticky weather can also wreak havoc on your complexion. We're talking make-up slips, oil slicks and even breakouts.

“In simple terms, humidity is the amount of water vapour held in the air," says facialist and Time Bomb skincare expert Michaella Bolder. "Low humidity comes with colder temperatures and high humidity with warmer temperatures, but our skin likes balance, so either low or high humidity can throw it out of whack."

"During periods of high humidity our skin tends to produce extra sebum and sweat which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts," continues Michaella. "Plus, the damp, hot weather means our skin is more likely to become host to bacteria. If you already suffer from acne then you need to take extra care during hot summer months that you’re keeping the skin as cool and clean as possible, but the same still applies for those with normal to combination skin types."

So what else can we do about it?

"Everyone needs to ensure they are cleansing their skin twice a day, every day during hot summer months. I'd suggest double cleansing in the evening if you don’t already," adds Michaella, and you might want to re-think the products you apply after cleansing, too.

"I would advise to stay away from any long-wear foundations or non-water based SPF during humid weather conditions," adds Michaella. "These products won’t allow for any perspiration to come to the surface and could potentially block pores and cause congestion. You absolutely need to switch up your moisturiser during the summer months, too. Think of your moisturiser in a similar way to your clothes - lighter in summer, heavier in the winter. And If you do have oily or combination skin then you would benefit from using a salicylic acid serum during the summer. Applied at night time, this acid gets to work to exfoliate inside the pores to rid them of any dirt and bacteria that cleansing alone cannot reach. Weekly exfoliation is key for everyone during the summer – it’s important to slough off that top layer of dead, dull skin that builds up thanks to the extra sweat, SPF and pollution, which occurs thanks to the heat and humidity."

Got it. Click through to shop the products that'll humidity-proof your skincare routine.

If your skin looks like an oil slick come lunchtime, treat it to a generous spritz of this before make-up. Not only does green tea act like a shield against environmental factors like pollution, but it also minimises sebum production. Plus, the addition of white willow extract is high in salicylic acid to prevent clogged pores. Bye, breakouts.

Herbivore Jasmine Green Tea balancing Toner, £20, available at Space NK

It may be a powder, but believe it or not, the main ingredient in this skincare make-up hybrid is water. A light dusting over the T-Zone stops excessive oiliness in its tracks and makes skin feel fresh, not suffocated. Even better? It's translucent, and so suits all skin tones.

Becca Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder, £32, available at Space NK

High humidity calls for ditching the occlusive creams and milky lotions for something ultra-light. Vitamins B and E in this water-based formula flood the skin, delivering hydration the areas that need it the most. It leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed and makes a brilliant make-up primer on sweaty days.

Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel, £50, available at Murad

In humid weather, the combination of sweat, oil, make-up and bacteria can exacerbate spots and blackheads, but incorporating salicylic acid into your evening routine is your best bet for keeping them at bay. This non-sticky serum chips away at the surface layer of dead skin and oil and makes its way deeper into the pores to prevent blockages. No wonder it has a cult following.

The Ordinary Salicylic 2% Solution, £4.20, available at The Ordinary

Unlike other primers, this comes in the form of an airy whip and melts on contact with the skin to blur pores and to keep skin feeling matte for longer. The best part? It's ice cold on application, making it the perfect antidote to baking hot and humid summer mornings.

Origins Pore Perfecting Cooling Primer, £17, available at Origins

If you invest in any broad spectrum SPF for summer, make it this one. Oil-free and easily-absorbed, it also boasts zinc and niacinamide to regulate oil production and to bring down inflammation - spots, we're looking at you. Skin feels dry to the touch and stays shine-free for a lot longer.

Dermalogica Oil Free Matte SPF 30, £43.50, available at Dermalogica

"I personally opt for a moisturiser with a slight mattifying effect during hot, humid weather," says facialist Michaella Bolder. "This light moisturiser contains borage oil to moisturise, but thanks to the hyaluronic acid complex it creates a protective matrix to instantly firm and smooth the skin's surface without greasiness or leaving behind a slippery residue."

Time Bomb Glory Days Day Cream, £31, available at Time Bomb

If your skin becomes oilier in humid weather, it might be worth swapping out your trusty creme cleanser for something with a bit more muscle. Lactic and glycolic acids in this foaming face wash lift away the paste-like mixture of dead skin and sebum to leave skin squeaky clean, but never tight or uncomfortable. Acne prone? Stockpile it.

Goldfaden MD Detox Clarifying Facial Wash, £32, available at Cult Beauty

This traceless powder counteracts shine and provides SPF30 UV protection - clever. Pat it on to bare skin or over make-up to dial down shine without blocking pores. It's so light, only you'll know you're wearing it.

Touch In Sol Pang Pang Sun Cutting Powder SPF30 P+++, £20, available at Cult Beauty

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What Will Happen If Abortion Is Banned In The US?

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"We use the phrase in Latin America," Paula Avila-Guillen, a human rights expert and director of Latin America Initiatives for the Women’s Equality Centre told Refinery29, "' Las ricas abortan, las pobres mueren.' [Rich women have abortions, poor women die.]"

Many anti-abortion advocates believe that outlawing the procedure will stop women from trying to terminate their pregnancies, but research has shown over and over again that this isn't true.

According to Avila-Guillen, we just need to look at some of the United States' southern neighbours such as El Salvador or the Dominican Republican to know that making abortion illegal or severely restricting the procedure leads to deaths, poverty, and restricted access to other types of healthcare.

"Even in countries with total abortion bans, women who have the economic resources can travel to another neighbour country, the equivalent here to traveling to another state; find private providers that will give them the medication or services for an specific amount [of money]; and they will always find a way because at the end of the day it's about financial resources," she continued. "The ones who need it the most, the ones who are already struggling in their lives, are the ones who never connect with these services and are forced to have an illegal and insecure abortion."

Nearly 25 out of the 56 million abortions performed worldwide each year between 2010 and 2014 were unsafe, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Many of these terminations or attempts end up in death: At least 22,800 women die from complications each year after trying to terminate their pregnancies in an unsafe setting, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

This debate on outlawing abortion in the United States is more relevant than ever because the day reproductive rights advocates have long feared is here: US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, a moderate conservative and key swing vote in the bench, will retire at the end of July. Now, President Trump will have a shot at appointing an anti-abortion justice that could overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that gave women the right to choose an abortion.

Avila-Guillen said banning abortion in the US once again would go against the wave of pro-choice movements across the world.

"You’re seeing in Argentina, Brazil, Ireland, and even in the Dominican Republic that people are realising after having these abortion restrictions for a very long time is that they are useless," she said. "It would be ironic that the United States, which has been in a sense a pioneer on reproductive access, would go backwards while the rest of the world is moving forward."

Abortion rates in the US have declined in the last decade, but the procedure is still fairly common: Research has found that about one in four women will have an abortion by the age of 45. While the Trump administration has set its sight on reducing access to birth control and slashing comprehensive sex ed across the country, making abortion illegal has been one of its main priorities since the beginning. (Trump identified himself as pro-choice at one point in his life, but during the 2016 presidential election he briefly called for punishing women seeking abortions.)

Avila-Guillen said the anti-abortion efforts in the US are eerily similar to the push to outlaw abortions in some parts of Latin America. She used El Salvador, a country where abortion is illegal without exceptions, as an example of how suddenly the anti-abortion movement can strike and take hold.

"The change to criminal code was so quickly that the women’s movement was not able to react. They thought it was a right that was granted to them, that was never going to be taken away," she told Refinery29. "What made it worse is that they also changed the constitution a year later stating that life begins at conception."

Avila-Guillen said that El Salvador specifically is one of the countries that most actively enforces its ban. For example, health providers denied chemotherapy to women who are diagnosed with cancer earlier in their pregnancies and even prosecutes women who have miscarriages or stillbirths. Nearly 25 women are currently in jail after being convicted of aggravated or attempted homicide due to a miscarriage.

She added that even in countries where abortion is not entirely illegal poor women are the ones who are the most impacted.

"Something that’s a commonality among all the countries that the impact this causes on low-income women," she said. "This is a parallel that’s already taking place in the United States."

While at the federal level there's been attempts to curb abortion access, the main battle is being fought at the state level: Since 2011, state lawmakers have passed more than 400 abortion restrictions.

"It would be ironic that the United States, which has been in a sense a pioneer on reproductive access, would go backwards while the rest of the world is moving forward."

These restrictions have already made abortion care out of reach for thousands of women. According to the the Guttmacher Institute, 29 states are considered "hostile" to abortion rights. Per their 2017 report, "58% of American women of reproductive age lived in a state considered either hostile or extremely hostile to abortion rights in 2017. Only 30% of women lived in a state supportive of abortion rights."

If Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court the situation will become more dire. Four states — Mississippi, Louisiana, North Dakota, and South Dakota — have "trigger laws" in place that would automatically ban abortion the moment Roe is reversed. Ten other states still have pre- Roe abortion bans: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Washington, and West Virginia. While those haven't been enforced in decades, it's unclear whether they would get into effect once Roe is overturned.

Based on her experience in Latin America, Avila-Guillen said it's crucial for people who want to defend reproductive rights in the United States take several steps: Make sure reproductive justice should be part of a broader women's rights agenda and emulate women in other nations and take the streets to protest.

In the last few days, reproductive rights advocates have been racing against the clock to pressure lawmakers into rejecting potential Supreme Court nominees who are open to reversing Roe.

"President Trump has promised to nominate Supreme Court justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade. That promise should set off alarm bells for anyone who cares about women—and the Constitution," Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Centre for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement provided to Refinery29 last week. She added: "The stakes of the coming nomination fight are extraordinary. The future of reproductive rights is on the line. It’s up to the Senate to ensure that Anthony Kennedy be replaced with a justice who will affirm the fundamental rights of all."

If the United States ends access to safe and legal abortion, just as Vice President Mike Pence gleefully predicted earlier this year, we wouldn't be restoring "the sanctity of life" as he said. The country would just be signing a death sentence for women. The evidence is right before our eyes. We shouldn't ignore it.

Read our guide to defending reproductive rights and abortion access here.

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Two Thirds Of LGBT People Fear Holding Hands Publicly & So Do I

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Yesterday when my girlfriend and I were walking to a flat viewing we were called ‘disgusting’ by a man, sitting with a girl. He waited until after we’d gone far enough away so he didn’t have to say it to our faces. We both went a bit silent. I made a joke about Pride month being over so men had a lot of pent up hate to get out. A few minutes later she made the same joke – either she hadn’t heard me or she forgot. When we went around the corner we’d stopped holding hands. She said it was because I was too tall but I’d hardly grown five centimetres on that five minute walk.

We got on with our day, saw the flat (it wasn’t quite right) and went home. I made dinner, we watched Love Island and I shouted a lot at the TV (Georgia, my brave little queen!). We’d forgotten about it, moved on. But today, when I read the headline: Two-thirds of LGBT people fear holding hands in public I started crying.

We swallow so much for fear of making a scene

We swallow so much for fear of making a scene. I squash it down into my gut and let my mind drift until I forget, because everything’s fine now for women like me! I live in London, I’m femme, I’m accepted and loved by my family and friends. When I’m on my own most people don’t clock me as a lesbian – I find that frustrating when it comes to visibility but it’s also a safety net that protects me. So I think everything is fine. But when it’s not, and you remember, it all spills out in embarrassing wet hot tears. Or anger. Impotent rage.

This Pride month there has been a lot of talk about visibility and what it means now. That it’s less of an urgency and more of an essential – we shouldn’t have to demand to be a part of your landscape as we are already woven in. That what is actually needed is concrete support for the most marginalised in the LGBTQ+ community: trans and NB people who face violence for needing to pee; those fighting a wealth of mental health problems against the backdrop of a disintegrating NHS; the LGBTQ+ people of colour who face racism from within their community. These are concrete, urgent problems that need to be addressed and talk of visibility can feel… superficial almost. Superfluous.

Being a visible part of the LGBTQ+ community still carries danger. There is a marked difference between a clothing brand changing their logo to include a rainbow, or changing their name in some puny way (hi DeLOVEroo) and walking home next to your partner of five years, scared to hold hands lest you are spotted by someone who thinks its still socially acceptable to hate you. Someone who uses your difference from them as a fuel for hatred, and violence – and holds their position of power over you in a deliberate threat. Knowing that acts of intimacy that straight people can indulge in without a care in the world are something we have to keep secret.

The statistic announced today doesn’t shock me. I don’t think it shocks a single LGBTQ+ person I know. There is no universal LGBTQ+ experience except that when we go out, visibly queer, into the world, we will encounter people who hate us, and will happily tell us or show us through violence, and never think about it again.

It shouldn’t be up to the two thirds of us to shield ourselves from the world just in case – it should be up to that woman, sitting next to that man yesterday, to call him out. I want straight people who call themselves allies online to try and pre-empt this, as well as supporting us afterwards. Straight people may be surprised by this. Even if they aren’t, it shouldn’t take stories of harassment for them to believe this still happens. I shouldn’t have to digest this fear and upset and a teensy bit of self-loathing to get through the day.

We still have a long way to go until being out in the world feels truly safe. I just wanna hold my girlfriend’s hand in public like everyone else.

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What Americana Means (And Doesn't) In 2018: From Childish Gambino To Roseanne

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On July 4, 1845, Henry David Thoreau left the thriving metropolis of Concord, Massachusetts, and moved to a small cabin on the shores of Walden Pond for a two-year experiment in living “deliberately.” The result was Walden, or Life in the Woods, a preachy treatise on the benefits of solitary dude time off the grid, and required reading for high schoolers all across America.

One-hundred and seventy-two years later, Justin Timberlake would also pull a Thoreau: The ex-Mouseketeer turned pop star with frosted tips abandoned the bustle of Los Angeles for a multi-million dollar home in an exclusive residential community outside Big Sky, Montana. It’s in those wide-open spaces that he filmed the teaser video for Man of The Woods – his fourth studio album and his first in five years – released in February 2018. Timberlake was also exploring – or maybe just exploiting – the concept of Americana. Whatever that means in 2018.

The term “Americana” is typically associated with the music genre that bears its name, a kind of musical melting pot, incorporating elements of American folk, country, bluegrass, rock, R&B, and blues. Think Chris Stapleton, Lady Antebellum, Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves — artists who make you fantasise about hopping into a vintage Camaro and following Guy Fieri around his Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives tour of America.

But just as we’re now living in a dual America — divided over politics, culture, and everything in between —a new version of Americana is emerging to compete with the old one, one that deals not in escapism, or looking back, but rather in creation. It’s looking forward, to what we could be, instead of putting what we were under a Mayfair Instagram filter.

It’s not just campy nostalgia — Americana is everywhere. It’s in Kanye West’s decision to celebrate the release of Ye, his latest album, with a launch party in the great outdoors of Wyoming (read: a luxury ranch outside Jackson Hole); in the quiet lower-middle-class suburban existence of Lady Bird; in the short-lived return of Roseanne; in the garish Disney-themed motels of The Florida Project; and in the difficult truths of Childish Gambino’s This Is America.

This reclaiming of traditional American symbols is playing out over a wide spectrum, but at its core, it’s a response to our growing self-doubt as a nation: Who are we? And what do we stand for? In their own ways, all of the works cited above are a response to this climate of change. But where some are seeking answers in the past, others are grounding themselves in the present, and carving out new ways to frame what it means to be American.

The 2016 election of Donald Trump as president of the United States has thrown those questions into sharp relief. His supporters, alienated from years of being talked down to by what they perceive to be liberal elites, yearn for those times of yore when being a small-town white man epitomised, in simple terms, Americanness. The Trump administration has exposed an ugly underbelly of latent racism, class conflict, and sexism, yes. But also a large swath of citizens who are keen to find a place in a country they feel is slipping away from them, politically, culturally and economically. Their Americana is the old-school one.

They fear what is already a reality: an increasingly diverse America where being white is no longer the default or majority. Citing new census projections, the Brookings Institute declared in March that racial minorities will make up a majority of the U.S. population by 2045, with multiracial, Asian, and Hispanic Americans growing at the fastest rate, followed by Black Americans.

“There’s always a tendency, when things aren’t the way we want them to be, to look back to the old days, as though the old days were like that,” said Robert J. Thompson, professor of Television and Popular Culture at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. “Some of these people think back to what a wonderful time it was and forget that, ‘Oh right, women couldn’t vote. Jim Crow laws were still going at that time.’”

“Americana is partially this idea of looking back to a better past,” Thompson added. “But it’s a better past in our current past in our current perception of it, and may not often be a better past in terms of what was actually happening at the time.”

Thoreau’s decision to abandon civilisation was a direct response to the pressures brought on by industrialisation. Similarly, Timberlake’s recent push to the wilderness can be seen — as Anne Helen Petersen expertly broke down in her essay over at Buzzfeed — as a way to escape from difficult conversations about Timberlake’s history of exploiting of Black bodies and art forms for his own personal gain. Unfortunately for him, this isn’t 1845, and those questions resurfaced the second he stepped out of the mountains and onstage at the Super Bowl, despite his Herculean effort to keep things bland.

This idealisation of “a better” America in popular culture is nothing new. If you turned on your TV in the late 1960s, amid the turmoil of the counterculture, you’d find a depiction of America that had absolutely nothing to do with Woodstock or the civil rights movement. Shows with a retro, pastoral vibe like Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Petticoat Junction dominated the airwaves far more than hippies and free love ever did.

“Right up until the end of the decade, including the most turbulent year, 1968, some of the highest-rated shows in the country [were] what we would call ‘deep Americana,’” Thompson said. “One of the biggest hits of the 1960s was The Andy Griffith Show. It took place in Mayberry, NC, a small town [that] had no railroad. It had a phone line that the entire town used.”

Timberlake’s album definitely falls into that category of an “aw-shucks,” folksy look back into the past, and perhaps that’s why it was so ill-received. Because as Thompson points out, there’s a major difference between that kind of escapist response and the way Americana is being wielded today. He points to the Ronald Reagan’s now-iconic 1984 re-election commercial, “Morning in America,” as the the last gasp of that kind earnest use of Americana to sell a narrative.

“After that, to do that would just seem so completely, ridiculously naive,” he said. (Sorry, JT.)

Which brings us to the more modern use of Americana — more skeptical, more questioning, and often used to highlight the problems within the traditional, glossy version of the story. It’s an America that confronts the very realities the traditional one shied away from.

There are signs of the trend as far back as 2015, when singer-songwriter Halsey released “New Americana” on her debut album, Badland s. The song, dubbed a “would-be generational anthem” by the New York Times, was intended as a reclaiming of American identity. But unlike Timberlake’s version, it used classic scenes of Americana, like the desert mountains on display in the song’s music video introduction as a way to carve out new meaning, rather than as a return to old values.

“We are the new Americana,” the singer, who told the Times she identifies as “trib bi — biracial, bisexual and bipolar,” sings in the chorus.

Beyoncé’s 2016 visual album, Lemonade is an example of a very regional take on the American Black experience. “Formation,” the first video released to tease the album, showed the singer in an abandoned plantation and lounging in a sinking car meant to evoke New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina. It’s an ode to Southern Black culture, with specific references to Beyoncé’s Alabama and Louisiana roots, but it’s also piece of social commentary, using American imagery to talk about the Black experience, from the legacy of slavery to the Black Lives Matters movement

Released in May, Childish Gambino’s This Is America, which highlights injustice and violence in the lives of Black Americans, does this in a much more explicit and forceful way.

“This is America, don’t catch you slippin, no’” he sings, before shooting a hooded man in the head.

As Justin Simien, creator of Netflix’s Dear White People, noted on Twitter, the pose the rapper adopts while pulling the trigger strikes of Jim Crow imagery, a darker part of Americana that is usually glossed over when seeking nostalgic comfort in the past. And indeed, the four-minute video sparked a fierce backlash from some who viewed it as exploitative of Black pain for commercial purposes — but isn’t that the very point Childish Gambino was trying to make? That America only includes Black citizens in its story when it serves some tangible purpose?

In fact, Simien concludes his thread by asking: “How can those of us granted a moment in the proverbial spotlight just use it to entertain ourselves to death?”

“It’s a challenge and a series of questions. Like art should be,” he adds.

Kanye West’s big flashy Wyoming party for the release of Ye also fits this mould, especially in light of his recent comments regarding his political affiliations and support for Trump. As a Black man from Chicago, he’s no Timberlake, trying to claim lumberjack status. He’s making a statement about who gets to live that narrative. While the lyrics of the album’s seven tracks make no explicit statement about Trump, they dig deep into West’s inner psyche, his struggle with mental illness, and his pessimistic view of human nature. The statement “I hate being bipolar it’s awesome” superimposed on the sweeping mountain views of his album cover feels like an attempt to reclaim a space that has traditionally not been his to inhabit.

Even ABC’s Roseanne reboot couldn’t unambiguously endorse the America it was created to portray. The show was ABC’s push to capture the eyeballs of Trump-supporters, as evidenced by its trailer, which showed only white members of the blue-collar Connor family alongside the slogan: “The family that looks like us.” From a ratings perspective, it worked. Audiences were clearly hungry for that kind of middle ground, and sentimental about a past show that had meant to so much to so many. And to the show’s credit, the episodes that did air clearly attempted (albeit clumsily in some cases) to deal with issues of race, gender identity, and the gaping political divide.

Still, all that was short-lived, as Roseanne Barr’s continued barrage of racist and controversial tweets turned out to be impossible for the network to ignore. In fact, it’s almost as if Barr’s real-life actions were more in line with Trumpian values than the show itself.

On the other side of the political spectrum, shows like Netflix’s One Day At A Time reboot are also attempting to reclaim symbols of working class Americana, this time by giving the show a revamp rather than doubling down on its roots.

The original One Day At A Time, set in Indianapolis, centred around Ann Romano (Bonnie Franklin), a single mom trying to raise her two daughters in the 1970s. At the time, a show that highlighted women’s issues in that way was revolutionary. But the reboot, now in its second season, takes that concept and updates it for a modern audience, moving the setting to Los Angeles, and changing the family’s ethnicity from Italian-American to Latinx. The main character, Penelope Alvarez (Justine Machado), is a second-generation Cuban American and former Army veteran. Her daughter Elena (Isabella Gómez) identifies as LGBTQ +. And the addition of another generation, Penelope’s mother Lydia (portrayed by a larger-than-life Rita Moreno) allows the show to portray a counterpoint perspective on issues like sexism, gender identity, racism, immigration, and mental health, while keeping a decidedly liberal bent within the other characters.

“[ One Day At A Time] has done a really sophisticated, funny, repackaging of this idea of ‘Americana,’ but doing it in that really old-fashioned way,” Thompson said. “Its content is something very different than what we saw back then.”

A show like This Is Us, which takes a very traditional format of working class family drama, and elevates it with discussions about body positivity, race, and class, is kind of a middle ground between the two. On the surface, the Pearsons are the quintessential American family, in the most 1950s, white picket fence sense of the term. But what the show ultimately proves is that that kind of family doesn’t really exist, at least not anymore.

And then there’s the many dystopias cropping up in pop culture, whether it’s Hulu’s adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale, or HBO’s Westworld, both of which use potent American symbols (Puritan dress and ideology, and the Wild West, respectively) and twist them into something bleak. “In an American notion of a good old-fashioned western, you think back to the simple days of cowboys,” Thompson said. “ Westworld shows that if you actually pay attention to your little Americana fantasy, and simply scratch the surface, there’s an evil robot under there.”

That’s the crux of this issue: 2018 may have seen a re-emergence of Americana in the pop culture space, but it’s almost universally suspicious in its attitude towards the traditional aspects of it. We’re clearly in the midst of a cultural shift that’s mirroring our political one, and part of that means a re-shuffling of the elements that make up our identity. Just as Thoreau’s Walden became required reading to understand a certain vision of America, it’s likely that 2018’s pop culture will become the prism through which future generations understand our own current moment. (Lucky for them, it’s a lot less boring.) But that’s not necessarily a bad thing — the definition of Americana has always been fluid. After all, pizza was once considered an ethnic food.

So far, the arbiters of the term have been white men of privilege, but so what? Apple’s iOS changes every month (or so it seems) — why shouldn’t America get an update?

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The V&A's Next Big Fashion Exhibition Was Already A Smash Hit In Paris

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The next major fashion exhibition to open in London was announced this weekend with a cryptic message delivered via topiaried hedges outside the British Embassy building in Paris. In town for the haute couture shows that run all this week, fashion editors would recognise the silhouette anywhere, even in bush form: Christian Dior’s iconic Bar jacket, an essential component of his revolutionary 1947 collection The New Look.

The bushes told them that the rumour was true. The blockbuster Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition held at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris from last summer until January 2018 would travel across the channel to London. Opening in February 2019 at the V&A in South Kensington, the retrospective will be the museum’s largest show since Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in 2015, and the largest Dior exhibition ever staged in the UK.

Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images

More than 200 rare Dior couture garments will be shown, from Christian Dior’s original designs to Maria Grazia Chiuri’s contemporary feminist T-shirts, via the work of historic creative directors Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano and Raf Simons. They will be shown alongside accessories, makeup, fragrance, photography, film, magazines, and Christian Dior’s personal possessions, with a special new Anglophile section exploring Monsieur Dior’s relationship with the UK added on for British audiences, despite our Brexity ways.

"In 1947, Christian Dior changed the face of fashion with his 'New Look', which redefined the female silhouette and reinvigorated the post-war Parisian fashion industry," says Oriole Cullen, a fashion and textiles curator at the V&A. "The influence of Christian Dior’s design was all-pervasive and helped to define an era. In their own individual ways, each of the House’s successive artistic directors have referenced and reinterpreted Dior’s own designs and continued the legacy of the founder, ensuring that the House of Christian Dior is at the forefront of fashion today. More than seventy years after its founding, the V&A’s exhibition will celebrate the enduring influence of the House of Dior and uncover Dior’s relationship with Britain."

Christian Dior with model Sylvie, circa 1948.Courtesy of Christian Dior

It will be interesting to note whether the V&A’s exhibition will explore the evolving feminist politics of the House of Dior, from Christian Dior’s reactionary post-war vision of femininity to Maria Grazia Chiuri’s modern "We should all be feminists" mantra (taken, of course, from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s lecture and essay of the same name). Of his New Look, Christian Dior once wrote, "We were emerging from the period of war, of uniforms, of women-soldiers built like boxers. I drew women-flowers, soft shoulders, fine waists like liana and wide skirts like corolla." That first sentence is generally cut from quotations, presumably to make the second read as a statement rather than as a judgement. In fact, some feminists blame M. Dior’s cinched-waist Bar jacket and swishing skirts for setting the revolution in gender roles back a decade to the pre-war period.

Écarlate afternoon dress, Autumn-Winter 1955 Haute Couture collection, Y line. Victoria and Albert Museum, London.Photo by Laziz Hamani
Soirée de décembre evening dress, Autumn-Winter 1954 Haute Couture collection, H line. Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Gift of Dame Margot Fonteyn. Photo by Laziz Hamani

Christian Dior’s experiences as a young man in Paris in the Roaring Twenties and his affinity with avant-garde artists contextualised the Paris exhibition, and demonstrated how later creative directors took inspiration from M. Dior’s life and interests; hopefully that period won’t get the chop to make way for the new British section. Similarly, the couturier’s passion for the aesthetics of foreign cultures will butt up against contemporary debates around cultural appropriation, but it would be a shame to bypass the opportunity to discuss how we value fashion statements from historic periods, when being woke simply meant you had been roused from sleeping. And with the V&A promising to create a blockbuster exhibition to follow Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, it will be thrilling to see how they recreate the stunning finale of the Paris exhibition, in which couture gowns – many worn by celebrities and royals – were presented in a spectacular Dior Ballroom.

Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams will open from 2nd February – 14th July 2019 at the V&A Museum. Tickets go on sale in autumn 2018.

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How You Can Help Homeless People During A Heatwave

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The current heatwave affecting much of the UK has left many of us feeling hot and bothered, but spare a thought for the people living on the streets with no respite from the heat.

Passersby tend to pay more attention to homeless people during the cold winter months than in the summer, but any extreme weather conditions can pose problems for those sleeping rough. With a heatwave comes the risk of serious dehydration, sunstroke and sunburn.

There are more than 9,000 people recorded as rough sleepers in England, and the number of homeless people recorded dying on the streets has doubled in the last five years, so it's no wonder homeless charities are calling on people to help them during our current heatwave, which is expected to last another two weeks. Here are some simple ways you can help someone living on the streets this summer.

Buy them crucial supplies

You can donate certain items either directly to someone sleeping rough or to a homeless shelter or charity, says London homelessness charity Evolve. These include:

• Bottled water and food for hydration.
• Sun cream to reduce the risk of skin damage.
• Hats and sunglasses to prevent sunstroke and eye damage.
• Handheld fans to lower body temperature and prevent heatstroke.
• Baby wipes for sanitation and avoiding athlete’s foot.

"A lot of people sleeping rough don’t have the basic items needed to survive on the streets in hot temperatures," says Debra Ives, the charity's director of operations. "As a result, we’re calling on the public to donate things like sun cream, water and sun hats to help those at risk in the coming months."

Matt Downie, head of policy and external affairs at Crisis, also recommends donating spare umbrellas. "People living on the streets may spend nights on the move in order to stay safe, which means they often sleep during the daytime, so offering to help someone to find shade could save them from severe sunburn," he told Refinery29.

Put them directly in touch with a charity

If the person sleeping rough is under 25 years old, you can connect them to the Centrepoint Helpline, a freephone number on 0808 800 0661, recommends Paul Noblet, the charity's head of public affairs. "People experiencing homelessness are exceptionally vulnerable to extremes of weather. The most important thing is to get young people on the street to safety," he told Refinery29, adding that water, sun cream or umbrellas for shade can help reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration in the short term.

If the person is over 25, refer them to StreetLink, a website, app and telephone service that can connect rough sleepers in England and Wales to local accommodation and support services; or to Shelter's free helpline (0808 800 4444 or 0808 1644 660 if it's urgent), online support or local services.

You can also help them find short-term solace and shade at a day centre or in emergency accommodation supplied by the local council, says the homeless charity Shelter.

Tell a charity where to find them

Alternatively, you can alert a charity to the person's presence on the street if you consistently spot them in the same place. As well as putting rough sleepers in touch with local services, StreetLink lets people send an alert when they're concerned about someone sleeping rough. Let the service know the person's location, appearance and time they were seen, and these details are sent to the correct local homelessness outreach team.

"We know that the public often want to help when they see someone sleeping out, but they don’t always know how," says Matt Harrison, director of StreetLink. "As well as offering instant relief, such as a cold drink, sending an alert to StreetLink will link the person up with local support and accommodation services that will work with them to help them off the streets for good."

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Got Dating App Fatigue? Here's How To Deal

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Though some people might argue that dating apps have made dating so much worse, you could also say that it's never been easier to find someone, talk to them, and potentially go on a date. Or, you know, talk to them, wait days for a response, and then find out that you've been ghosted. Either way, we can all probably agree that swiping through potential matches has become as mindless as brushing your teeth.

But when it feels like the "right" person might just be one swipe away, it's tempting to feel like you need to constantly swipe, message, and set up dates with people to get the relationship you want. Which, to be honest, is anxiety-inducing as hell.

However, Rachel Sussman, LCSW, a relationship expert based in New York City, says that you don't have to spend all of your time swiping and dating (unless you want to) in order to find someone.

"I don’t think it’s a good thing to constantly be doing anything," she says. "Think of the things you have to do, like sleeping or eating: They’re good for you, but not if you’re doing them all the time. Everything in moderation is key."

Think of the things you have to do, like sleeping or eating: They’re good for you, but not if you’re doing them all the time.

In other words, if you have dating app fatigue, it's okay to take a break — even if you feel like you're missing out. Of course, that's not to say that you shouldn't be swiping at all if a relationship is what you want.

"You have to find ways to make it not exhausting for yourself," Sussman says. "If you want a relationship, you have to still put in the work, just like how someone looking for a job still has to apply and go on interviews, even though it's exhausting."

That might be as easy as setting boundaries, like only going on Tinder every few days instead of every night, or, as Sussman suggests, being honest with the people you're talking to, and telling them that you can only be on the app every so often for the sake of your mental health (and giving them your number if you're super interested and don't want to miss out on talking to them).

And if you're sick of swiping but still want to meet someone, there are other ways to do that, too. Apps might make it easier for some of us to put ourselves out there, but Tinder, Bumble, and OkCupid aren't the be-all, end-all. Still, if you are on dating apps, it's easy to feel FOMO when there are literally millions of people across different dating apps and the options seem so limitless. But if you're more exhausted by your options than you are excited, take note of Sussman's advice and know that you have time to date and maintain your sanity.

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The Trailer For Jay-Z's Trayvon Martin Docuseries Is So Powerful

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The trailer for Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story is hard to watch, and that's why everyone needs to see it. Executive produced by Jay-Z, the six part docuseries takes a brutal look at the events of February 26, 2012 when 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman. In July of 2013, Zimmerman was acquitted, claiming he acted in self defence, and the decision ignited the fierce and important movement to end the senseless killing of Black Americans and the justice system that appears to allow it.

It's a debate that rages until this day, and now this docuseries is an important part of the conversation. Combining interviews with Martin's parents and peers with real footage from the night of the attack, there's no ignoring the unjust and deadly racial discrimination that continues to plague the U.S.

Jay-Z has always been vocal about Trayvon Martin, supporting the community during rallies. Beyoncé has also used her platform to call attention to his murder, giving a tribute to the late teen during her 2016 VMAs performance. This series comes ahead of the October release of The Hate U Give, an adaptation of the novel by Angie Thomas starring Amandla Stenberg and K.J. Apa. The story is also centred on the murder of an unarmed Black teenager.

Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story premieres in the US on 30th July at 10pm on Paramount. UK air date TBC.

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These Are The Signs Most Likely To Get Back With An Ex

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You said you deleted their number, but you didn't have the heart to go through with it. You ran into them at one of your old haunts and now you can't stop thinking about them. The temptation to rekindle an old relationship, no matter how ill-fated it was the first time around, can be pretty intense, regardless of your Zodiac sign. That said, some are more astrologically inclined to pursue an ex than others, albeit for very different reasons. Below, we'll highlight four signs whose personality profiles make their members more likely to get back with an ex (especially those who have these signs as their moon or Venus sign).

Let's start with the signs that end up in on-again, off-again relationships due to nostalgia — Cancer and Pisces, we're looking at you. As two of the three water signs of the Zodiac, you're deeply in touch with your feelings and feel an intense connection to the past, sometimes to the point that you seek out old memories like episodes of your favourite TV show, replaying them in your mind to relive how you felt in that moment. Of course, people you've known and been close to carry a font of memories with them, too. And for all the bad or frustrating memories you might associate with your ex, you can't help but recall all the fun and intimacy you shared with them as well.

This is where the trouble starts. Nostalgic signs crave familiarity (see also: Cancers' penchant for staying close to home and Pisces' tendency to nurture long-held inner fantasies). You find comfort, safety, and happiness in what you already know — and if you're in the right mood, you can end up viewing familiar people and settings through extremely rose-tinted glasses.

Let's be clear about water signs' penchant for sentimentality — it isn't always a bad thing and it doesn't pertain exclusively to their exes. Pisces and Cancers are just as likely to get back with their exes as they are to move back to their hometown after years away — they're not predestined to do either of these things, but neither are ever completely out of the question.

Next, we have the signs that return to their exes out of pure romanticism — Taurus and Libra, this one's for you. The former is your classic "hopeless" type of romantic: Many Taureans hold fast to the belief that, when you connect with someone, the more logistical details (your preferences, lifestyles, habits) will eventually align, too. If a breakup occurs at some point, that's just a complication on the way to your fairy tale ending. Besides, as creatures of habit, Bulls would rather fight for the familiar than move on and risk leaving their comfort zone.

Meanwhile, Libra wants to see the best in people, always. Their diplomatic nature urges them to see reason in everyone's actions, even if that means performing some emotional gymnastics to understand why their ex hurt them. As you might expect, this leads Libran people to be pretty darn forgiving — and more willing to take back a remorseful ex than most. It's no coincidence that these signs share a planetary ruler in love planet Venus. As smart as Taurean and Libran people can be, they struggle to shake their idealism.

And now, a final disclaimer: These aren't golden rules that apply to every member of all the signs we just mentioned — there's maybe one astrological rule that can applied that liberally and it's "all members of a sign are born during its solar season." You might be a Sag who'd sooner give up dating altogether than get back with an ex or a Pisces who's never kept a memento from a past relationship in your entire life. But, if you tend to look back on past relationships and wonder if you should give them another try, you might have a placement or two in Taurus, Cancer, Libra, or Pisces.

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The Prettiest Photos From Backstage At Dior Haute Couture

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Surveyors of Maria Grazia Chiuri's latest collection for Dior were probably split yesterday when the creative director sent its fall 2018 haute couture offering down the runway. For those who rely on the 'haute' in haute couture as a source of fantasy, a repose from the cycle of ready-to-wear, or a welcomed interpretation as fashion as art, it was bleak at best. But for those who are well-versed in the true nature of the craft — its very definition of clothes that are made to fit a client — then Chiuri's most recent lineup, set in a room of walls lined with toiles (3-D blueprints of what couture is made out of), was a quiet success.

Its palette of neutrals — nudes, dusty pastels, and some navy — may not stand out amidst the rest of the week's lineup of intense embroidery and hues, but it is, however, innately French, which is (ultimately) a key selling point for the storied fashion house. (Because this stuff is for sale, after all.) And in terms of variety — suits versus dresses, sleeves versus no-sleeves, flats versus heels — there was some, but not enough to keep younger generations, who may not be on the market for a multi-thousand dollar gown but still like to window shop, interested. Chiuri's subdued take might not be reflective of the current state of fashion, but it seems the Dior woman, who's taken on the roles of equestrian, feminist, ballerina, and fencer in recent seasons, needs a break.

In that sense, Dior's fall 2018 haute couture show felt like the eye of the storm that is haute couture week, which made for the perfect moment to take a breath backstage at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. In the slideshow ahead, we went behind the scenes to capture the show's most intimate moments. Because while couture may not be the most affordable range of made-to-measure, it sure is pretty to look at.

Rebecca Leigh Longendyke gets her makeup done backstage.

Photographed by Chris Smart.

Irina Djuranovic, Emm Arruda, and Sara Dijkink await their turn on the runway.

Photographed by Chris Smart.

He Cong plays with her earrings before the show.

Photographed by Chris Smart.

Louise Robert watches from the sidelines.

Photographed by Chris Smart.

Louise Robert and He Cong gives us a look at the finer details.

Photographed by Chris Smart.

Maria Clara poses for the camera before strutting her stuff.

Photographed by Chris Smart.

Now multiply this by 70 other looks.

Photographed by Chris Smart.

Indira Scott gets ready to close the show.

Photographed by Chris Smart.

Jay Wright, Indira Scott, and Nora Attal pose for snapshots backstage.

Photographed by Chris Smart.

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The Professional Ballet Dancers You Should Follow On Instagram

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There's a Misty Copeland quote that's so relatable it's become a popular Instagram meme among dancers. "The hardest thing to hear as a ballet dancer is, 'Oh, that's so cute!'" it reads. "And I'm like, 'If you only know what it took to look cute.'" It makes sense why it resonates with so many ballet dancers: They spend hours on end training, rehearsing, and perfecting a role, but the audience only gets to see the final product.

Fortunately, in the past few years, Instagram has given dancers a platform to share behind-the-scenes glimpses into what their daily life is really like. Exposure through social media is incredibly important, because it allows dancers like Copeland the opportunity to develop a brand and following, and because it makes ballet more accessible to those who can't afford to pay to see a live performance. Plus, photos and videos of dancers are just cool.

On Instagram, you can see videos of, say, what it really looks like when American Ballet Theatre rehearses massive corps de ballet segments, or what prima ballerinas really do in their dressing rooms. And more importantly, you can learn to appreciate all the hard work that goes into "looking cute."

Ahead are the ballet dancers you should follow on Instagram for everyday inspiration in your feed.

Scout Forsythe @scoutforsythe

Scout Forsythe is not only a fierce corps de ballet member with American Ballet Theatre, she's also a surfer from California who's outspoken about the environment. Forsythe's feed is full of photos of her dancing and riding waves, but she's best known for her Instagram stories. Every Tuesday, she posts a #TypicalTuesday play by play of her day, including behind-the-scenes snippets from rehearsals. Sometimes, she even posts giveaways for tickets to performances — so it's definitely worth a follow if you're trying to go see some ballet.

Maria Kochetkova @balletrusse

With her eye for fashion and quirky sense of humour, it's no surprise that Maria Kotchetkova has a massive following on social media. "It’s important to have this little connection between the audience and what we do, because there isn’t much that really tells you that ballet isn’t Swan Lake anymore," she told Vogue in 2016. She often posts video snippets of rehearsals on her Instagram, and her edgy, acrobatic style or ballet is awe-inspiring even to the untrained eye.

Michaela DePrince @michaeladeprince

You may have seen Michaela DePrince in commercials and Beyoncé videos, hanging with Madonna, or on the pages of a fashion spread in Harper's Bazaar — but on Instagram, she's just another 23-year-old who posts candid snaps of her life. The soloist with Dutch National Ballet is everywhere right now, and has been outspoken about the lack of representation for Black women in classical ballet. "Often you look around, and there are no Black dancers," she told The Guardian. "Classical ballet is beautiful, but it’s very old."

Ashley Bouder @ashleybouder

As a dancer, Ashley Bouder is known for her athletic jumps and impressive turns, which you'll get glimpses of in videos on her Instagram profile. But Bouder also shares photos of her daughter, Violet Storm, hanging backstage at the theatre or practicing ballet that will make you melt. Recently, Bouder wrote an op-ed for Dance Magazine about why it's time for ballet to embrace feminism and get rid of gender roles. "There are certainly male dancers out there who would like to be a ballerina instead of her lifting and double-touring counterpart," she wrote. "As there are women who dislike pointe shoes and have the ability to jump high and turn well."

Misty Copeland @mistyonpointe

In 2016, Misty Copeland made history when she became the first Black woman to be promoted to principal with American Ballet Theatre. These days, she's also an Under Armour sponsored athlete and an author. Copeland is so busy hustling that sometimes her Instagram feed is the best way to keep up with her latest projects, performances, and announcements.

Lia Cirio @msliac

Lia Cirio's clever Instagram captions are proof that classical ballet doesn't always have to be stuffy or boring. In one photo from Sleeping Beauty, she wrote: "Prince Charming sliding into my DMs like, 'U awake?'" Although Cirio is a principal with Boston Ballet, she also is the associate artistic director of Cirio Collective, which she runs with her brother. The siblings are half-Filipino, and often discuss why it's important for Asian-American people to be seen in ballet: "I am not a pure white ballet dancer. I’m half-Filipino, and I have broad shoulders," she told Boston Magazine. "I might not look like a Juliet or a Giselle ghost, but I can portray that."

Violetta Komyshan @violetta

While many people know Violetta Komyshan as Ansel Elgort's girlfriend, she's an established ballet dancer in her own right. After graduating from Fiorello H. LaGuardia high school, she joined BalletNext, a contemporary ballet company in New York City. When she's not posting stunning ballet photos, she's on glamorous vacations with Elgort or casually walking red carpets.

Isabella Boylston @isabellaboylston

Isabella Boylston is a principal with American Ballet Theatre, and the ultimate "cool girl" of the ballet world right now. This year, she was Jennifer Lawrence's body double in the movie Red Sparrow, and she also starred in a Nike commercial. While Boylston's Insta is full of videos of her slaying with her BFF "Cindy," she also posts fierce videos of her training with coaches for principal roles.

Lauren Lovette, @laurenlovette

As a principal with New York City Ballet, Lauren Lovette gets to perform some of the most iconic classical ballets every season. But recently, she's started choreographing work of her own on the company, and has made it her mission to push boundaries and make work that challenges gender roles. "A lot of times, we talk about things, but we don't actually do them," Lovette told Dance Magazine in 2016. "We'll post on social media, but when you actually make art that represents what you're trying to say, you're a part of the action." On Instagram, Lovette shares snippets of her choreography at different moments in the creation process.

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Money Diary: A Couple Both Earning 26.5k, Living In Manchester

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Welcome to Money Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking a cross-section of women how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period – and we're tracking every last penny.

This week we're with a 24-year-old woman and her 25-year-old boyfriend living together in Manchester. Although the couple earn almost exactly the same as each other, she always finds herself left with money at the end of the month, while he never is.

To find out where his money's going, we got them both to record their week in spending. And, well, things didn't turn out quite like she expected...

Her

I originally moved to Manchester for university but somehow have managed to stay on an extra two years and it has flown by. I recently left a job to pursue a higher paid role, which didn’t work out – so I took a pay cut to go back to my original workplace (in a different role at least). I’m much happier now and I don’t miss the extra money, however I’m trying to get used to this new role, which is very different from the work I’ve done in the past.

I’ve worked in the public sector since leaving uni and although I am being paid less than the market average, I am more than happy to stay put for now and take advantage of the extra leave (28 days a year plus 26 flexi leave days) and flexible working hours (it also helps that the environment is fairly relaxed). Most of my money is spent seeing friends and booking trips – I know I should start saving but it’s hard when there is so much fun to be had!

My boyfriend and I work for the same organisation, which definitely has its perks – I’ve always got someone to tempt into having a naughty lunch, and getting a lift in is also a bonus. We tend to go in for 7am to leave at 3pm, and often work a few extra hours so we can take our flexi leave. This means we have a pretty good work–life balance and plenty of time for activities.

We got engaged last year but have prioritised going travelling and buying a house over a wedding.

Industry: Public Sector – Lead Auditor
Age: 24
Location: Manchester
Salary: £26,603
Paycheque amount: Around £1,765, not including a pension contribution and student loan, so after that around £1,600
Number of housemates: 1 (boyfriend)

Monthly Expenses

Housing costs and utilities: £640 (split between two). We tend to transfer £600 into the joint account each to cover rent, utilities and food.
Loan payments: After making a wrong career move, my credit card had some heavy use! I try to do at least £100 a month – that way I’ll have it paid off in another three months. Student loan repayments have recently decreased from around £60-£70 to more like £20 (yay for threshold increases; there has to be one silver lining to taking a pay cut, right?).
Transportation: Free (usually). I jump in the car with my boyfriend as we work for the same company.
Phone bill: £62.99 including insurance
Savings? My savings were completely obliterated after an urgent house move (mould problem – the joys of renting!). I do intend to try to save about £200 a month towards a trip to Thailand next year and I really should start saving for our wedding.
Other: Rock n Roll Bride subscription £5, Flying Vinyl subscription £20, Spotify premium (family, for me and boyfriend) £15.99, gym £16.99 (yay for work discount!).

Him

I’m 25 and have been immersed in the scary world of full-time work for around four years. Since uni I’ve bounced around a few jobs (teaching, call centre work and content writing) before settling into the exciting world of data protection. I’m not the best at keeping a firm track of my spending; I tend to guesstimate my spending during the week, keeping to a loose budget of £100, then panic on a Sunday night when I check my accounts and realise I’ve spent £50 more than I intended. We tend to go out for meals with friends, or to do activities, once or twice a week. This week however was particularly heavy for us, which has led to a large overspend on my part.

Industry: Data Protection
Age: 25
Location: Manchester
Salary: £26,503
Paycheque amount: £1,660(ish) after tax, student loan, pension, etc.
Number of housemates: 1 (fiancée)

Monthly Expenses

Housing costs: £322.50 (my half of the rent)
Loan payments: I’ve got a credit card with around £2,000 left on it which I’m trying to pay at least £300 a month off, if not more. However there tend to be tons more exciting things to spend money on than credit card debt (help me I’m a mess).
Utilities: Around £100 a month. I’m not 100% sure of the exact costs, I transfer my half into our joint account (around £600 including money for weekly food shops) for the fiancée to handle; if more is needed I tend to drop around £20-£50 in on an ad hoc basis.
Transportation: I tend to put around £25 a week of petrol in my car. I also pay £61.97 a month car insurance so let’s call this £162 total for the sake of argument.
Phone bill: £18.99 (I’m on a sim only deal on an iPhone I’ve had for years – so far it hasn’t given up on me so I refuse to give up on it).
Savings? What are those? In all seriousness, as soon as my credit card is paid off I’m going to get a car on finance so I don’t have to pray to Optimus Prime (the Greek god of cars) that it’ll start in the morning. Anything I earn extra over that amount (I’m estimating around £200) will then be chucked into a joint savings account to be used for a house deposit/travelling/wedding fund.
Other: We have an extremely active Netflix account which costs £7.99 a month. Also the gym costs £16.99 a month.

Day One

Her

5am: I’m woken up by birds, damn birds.

6am: I’m woken up by my alarm, damn alarm.

6.15am: I really need to get up if I want to be in work for 7. I pull on some clothes and my 'Lucky 13' earrings and immediately drop concealer all down my black dress – I hope micellar water will remove it (it doesn’t) as I have no time to change. I pull on and rip two pairs of tights (note to self, change earrings).

7.10am: I made it into work! As usual, I bring my breakfast with me – pearl barley porridge with raspberries, yum – but I did pick up some melon from the Co-op on the way. £2 (not worth it, it was gross).

11am: I’m getting annoyed at difficult colleagues and I definitely haven’t had enough caffeine. I buy a roll of fruit gums from the vending machine and split it with my boyfriend. 75p

12pm: I quickly eat a sad-looking cheese roll before my next meeting (I bought the ingredients for it a few days ago and left it in the work fridge for my last two lunches).

1pm: I find out we are getting a bonus, yay… instead of a pay rise, ugh… but I mentally spend the extra money in two minutes (hello Thailand holiday plans). I do a bit of online clothes browsing and see there is a Monki sale – YES. I get to the checkout and postage is £6, no way am I spending that! I close the page and my bank balance sighs in relief.

4pm: I finish work and remember to top up my Monzo card with £100 for fun activities and hope that it will last until Sunday.

5pm: My boyfriend and I get the train into Manchester as it’s easier than driving (£3.20) and grab some food from Bundobust, which is incredible! He pays.

We head to the cheap cinema in the Printworks to see the new Jurassic Park film, £4.99. I have a 2 for 1 code so boyfriend gets in for free.

10pm: The film was really good and we aren’t quite ready for the train home yet. We pass a cute-looking late night coffee/book shop and pop in for a cuppa and a slice of shortbread (boyfriend pays but I feel bad as he bought dinner; I send him £8 via Monzo).

11pm: Finally, bedtime!

11.30pm: Daydreaming instead of sleeping and I remember I need a charger for a spare laptop to take to Wales with work next week. £12.99

Total: £31.93

Him

6am: The alarm goes off and I lie in bed for five minutes really considering if I need a job or whether I could survive in the wild like I’m in an extended episode of a Bear Grylls show. Yet again I decide a life of eating insects and foraged mushrooms would be decidedly tedious so I roll out of bed. I’m showered and dressed for around 6.40 and out the door.

7.07am: I purchase breakfast (a slightly crumpled pain au chocolat and some cocktail sausages) and a meal deal (soggy tuna mayo sandwich, popcorn and a Coke Zero) from the Co-op around the corner from work, £5.58. We’re usually quite good at preparing breakfasts and lunches at home and bringing them in, but we had a busy weekend and as such very little meal prep time.

3pm: We leave work after an exciting day protecting the nation’s data. We’re home for half past then it’s time for a brew, a quick costume change and an episode of Doomsday Preppers before we’re back out and on the train for 5.07pm, £3.20. I hate driving into Manchester; the train is almost as cheap as parking and I don’t have to worry about finding a parking space, it’s a win-win.

5.40pm: We meet a couple of friends at a restaurant for dinner (really tasty vegetarian Indian street food). We get four small plates to share and a drink each for £20.50. I pay for this in return for my cinema ticket later. We really shouldn’t have gone for a midweek meal and movie date but Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom was well worth it.

6.40pm: We descend on Co-op like sugar locusts in search of sweet treats to take to the cinema; I snagged a voucher from a tasting stand on the way to the shop and get a free Coke Zero. £2.34 buys me a peanut butter KitKat Chunky and a big bag of chocolate buttons. I buy the buttons 1) To share, and 2) Because there’s an Alton Towers voucher on the bag and a friend and I are supposed to be going in early July (mama dint raise no fool).

9.45pm: We aren’t tired and it's alarmingly light outside still so we stop at a late night café on the way to the train station and get a pot of tea and a millionaire's shortbread to share (I did go to the gym the next day, please don’t judge me), £8.50. As I bought dinner, the fiancée sends me £8 over Monzo to cover the cost.

Total: £32.12

Day Two

Her

6.15am: Up and awake straightaway, throw some clothes and concealer on (and make a mental note to buy new foundation now mine has run out).

7.10am: Nip to Co-op before work to buy some breakfast (as we were out last night I forgot to prep anything). I settle on a pain au chocolat and some melon. £2.99

8am: I do an online food shop from my desk, although I seem to buy a lot of unnecessary things it comes to £40 (which is much cheaper than our Morrisons shops but still a lot more than we used to spend). I hope this will last a week and a half. I pay on the joint account.

12pm: I walk to Sainsbury’s with boyfriend and buy a salad and carrots with hummus, £4. Uncharacteristically for Manchester, it is lovely weather so we sit outside on a bench for lunch – the fresh air improves my mood massively.

12.45pm: Back to the office, then immediately sent out on an emergency teabag run. I also buy a Freddo. £2.48

3pm: Home time finally!!

5pm: I make vegetarian meatballs in a sauce made up of anything I can find in the cupboard and of course lots of garlic (we are a vampire’s worst nightmare). The Sainsbury’s own meatballs aren’t as good as the Quorn ones – that’s what I get for trying to save a few pennies.

7pm: I should go to the gym but I’d rather stay in watching old episodes of Rick and Morty instead. I buy a new gym top on ASOS to motivate me to go tomorrow. £12

Total: £21.47

Him

6am: Alarm. Again.

7.13am: Back to the Co-op, another pain au chocolat and cocktail sausages, £2.08. I’m a creature of habit, sue me. The fiancée doesn’t like mayo so we decide not to buy lunch at the Co-op and instead go and search for a mayo-free meal deal at lunchtime from a different shop.

12.16pm: We journey to Sainsbury’s and she discovers mayo-free lunch foods – lunch is saved. I get a chicken and chorizo sandwich, a bag of crisps, a Coke Zero and a roll of Fruit Pastilles. Unfortunately I didn’t check the packaging properly and my sandwich isn’t included in the meal deal. I’m furious but too lazy to go and get another sandwich, £4.70. I’m genuinely disappointed with myself about this one.

I go to the gym after work and we cook at home. Fortunately we don’t spend any more money!

Total: £6.78

Day Three

Her

6am: Up and out of bed, I forget breakfast AGAIN so I buy a pain au chocolat AGAIN and have the melon from yesterday that I forgot to eat. 99p

10am: I remember to process my expenses from the week before when I visited Sheffield. It’s like I have a mini savings account through work as I get a nice bit of money at the end of each month (okay it was my money to start with but it stops me spending it on late night ASOS splurges).

12pm: Lunchtime! Boyfriend and I realise we forgot our packed lunches prepared last night so head to Sainsbury’s – I buy exactly the same lunch as yesterday. £4

3pm: Work finished for the day! I really should go to the gym but I am too tired after these early starts, I promise boyfriend I’ll go this evening.

6pm: Remember we have to collect the food shop, I’m excited that we’ll have a full cupboard of food, especially as we hardly food prepped this week.

8pm: I’ve already broken my gym promise and instead catch up on my true crime podcasts. My laptop charger arrives and of course I chose the wrong one.

Total: £4.99

Him

6am: Today's an odd day, instead of contemplation I have a 10-minute existential crisis. At least anxiety is free.

6.57am: Traffic was good so I decide to add a bag of popcorn to my breakfast so I’ve got a tasty snack for later, £3.07. I get hungry mid-morning so snacking should, in theory, make me less likely to spend more at lunch.

12.09pm: The whole point of experimentation is to prove/disprove theories. In this case the theory was wrong. I spend £5.40 at lunchtime in Sainsbury’s. In my defence I did have to buy sweeteners for my tea as I had run out.

3.30pm: Home time.

6pm: I’ve been feeling sluggish for a long while and after discussing it with a friend they recommended vitamin B12 supplements. I go on Amazon and order some for £11.97.

Total: £20.44

Day Four

Her

6am: Getting up is a little bit harder each day this week (I’ve definitely contemplated quitting and joining a commune far too much) and I’m on my final day at work before the weekend! I remember my breakfast this time – pearl barley porridge. As it is Friday I also treat myself to some hash browns. £1

12.30pm: After a long meeting it’s time for fun lunch Friday! Every Friday my colleagues and I choose a new place to go for lunch – today it’s a pizza place around the corner with a good build your own pizza deal, £7.99. I get extra garlic on mine – my colleagues love me. I spend the afternoon in a food coma and hardly get anything done, it can all wait until Monday I’m sure.

3pm: Work is officially finished for the week. Boyfriend’s friend had her baby last night so we nip to the hospital to have cuddles. She asks us to pick up some food and also explains that she forgot to bring any Baby-gros (relaxed or what?) so we swing by a supermarket on the way and I pick out some adorable grey and white ones with tiny giraffes on (keeping it gender neutral of course). £9

5pm: When we arrive at the ward I immediately start crying, little Thomas is the most beautiful little potato I’ve ever seen! Boyfriend has cuddles with the baby while I help mum brush her long hair (this takes literally about an hour). We stay for a few hours helping out and as much as I love baby Thomas already, I am so sure that I am nowhere near ready to have one of my own – even if boyfriend does talk about what our kids would be like when we drive home (cute yes, but after hearing his friend’s birth story I’m going to need a few years to get over my new fear).

8.30pm: Even though it’s Friday night and everyone else is out being sociable, all I want to do is sleep! I’ve had a super busy week at work sorting out next week's equally busy business trip so I collapse on the sofa watching Netflix (new Drag Race, #TeamKameron).

Total: £17.99

Him

6am: Today will be a good day. Today I’m going for pizza at lunch, a weekly tradition we’ve come to call fun lunch Friday.

6.56am: I’ve switched up breakfast, today I get hash browns to accompany my pastry. £1.89

12.40pm: It's pizza o’clock. The pizza place is set up like a Subway for pizzas and does a three-topping pizza and a drink for £7.99 as a lunch deal. I don’t think this needs any justification, you can’t put a price on happiness.

3.30pm: My best friend gave birth yesterday and she’s ready for visitors. We leave work and go to the hospital via Asda for some food, £10. Hospital food sucks and, after the trauma of giving birth, my friend could definitely use some comfort food. I get to hold the baby and don’t drop it, which I’m counting as a victory.

8.30pm: We arrive home and pop on Netflix (new Drag Race, #TeamAsia). Bed.

Total: £19.88

Day Five

Her

8am: Some extra time in bed makes me feel so refreshed… Then next door starts some loud DIY so I suppose two extra hours is all I’m going to get today. A letter pops through the door – it’s our hen do instructions for next weekend. We are going to York to do a murder mystery (and have paid £160 just for the night!). I’ve been assigned the character Patsy from Ab Fab – which is hilarious as I unfortunately resemble Eddie, even down to the fluffy hair and bad taste in clothes. The organiser forgot to say a man was attending, so boyfriend has been assigned Bubbles.

10am: We hit the local charity shops to see if we can buy some last-minute costumes cheaply but quickly give up – I decide I’ll just have to look Patsy-inspired; there is no way my curly locks will be tamed into a beehive.

2pm: We meet a friend for a coffee (and of course I have some cake). We go back to the cute coffee shop from the other night and I order a V60 – it is badly made so I leave it, what a waste. £11 including train ticket.

3pm: It doesn’t just rain in Manchester, it pours. My shoes have a hole in the bottom so I have to run to Primark to pick up a new pair, £8. I dump my useless pair in the bin outside – this is what happens when I am stingy and buy pretty much exclusively from Primark.

4.30pm: It’s a friend’s birthday so boyfriend and I meet him and some others to play Junkyard Golf; on the way we grab a burrito, the best food in existence, £9.50. Our friend buys our tickets for golf so I buy us both a fun cocktail, which comes topped with pick and mix (very Instagrammable, £15). I guess that the £100 I put on my Monzo a few days ago won’t be enough, I add some more and hope that will last until at least the end of the weekend.

8pm: After I get completely destroyed at Junkyard Golf we walk to Font for cheap cocktails. I of course choose a sparkly unicorn one topped with more sweets, £5. We decide to head home after this one before the night escalates.

9pm: Drunk(ish) food is needed. I nip into Co-op on the way home and boyfriend buys crumpets for the morning and some reduced mini scotch eggs.

10pm: I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

Total: £48.50

Him

2.09pm: £3.20 on a train ticket to Manchester. We have a mission: We’re meeting one friend, then shopping for fancy dress outfits for a hen do next weekend, then mini golf for another friend’s birthday.

2.40pm: We’re back at the café we went to on Tuesday night. I get myself a pot of tea and a brownie, £6. There is no justification for this, I’m a wreck of a human being.

4.22pm: I’ve bought my fancy dress outfit, I’ve got a pink tutu, matching fishnet gloves and a bead necklace. I’m going to look fabulous. £5.97 (plus my dignity).

4.44pm: To finish my outfit off I buy the cheapest, most hideous, aquamarine tank top I can find from Primark. £3 (and the last vestiges of my dignity).

4.54pm: We meet up with the group for the birthday celebrations at Starbucks, I buy the fiancée’s drink too, £6.65. It’s well known that vanilla Fraps have restorative properties.

5.34pm: Burrito time. I buy my friend’s burrito as he’s booked/paid for golf. £19

6.26pm: Pre-golf drinks. The actual price of two fancy cocktails and a cider is £19.50 but fiancée sends me £15 to cover the cocktails, so the cost for me is £4.50. However it is worth noting that £4.50 for ONE 330ml can of Kopparberg is outright theft. I blame this extortion on post-Brexit Britain.

8pm: Post-golf cocktails. £7 total but fiancée sends me £5 to cover hers so the real cost for me is £2.

9.06pm: We nip into the Co-op on the way home to pick up milk, crumpets and other supplies. £2.65

Total: £52.97

Day Six

Her

9am: I know I need to wake up because I have lots to do today but I just don’t want to…

9.30am: Boyfriend tempts me out of bed with a cuppa and I make Quorn sausages (I decided to try the garlic and parsley ones and they are lush) and crumpet eggs – made by cutting a hole out of the crumpet and frying an egg in it, bloody amazing (the idea was totally stolen from someone on Instagram).

12pm: We tidy the house a little bit before walking into our local town to pick up some things I need for my trip next week. I buy a spare toothbrush, toothpaste, tights, a pair of leggings and two face masks for £13.50 and also some emergency cereal bars and instant noodles (I’m so fussy and need back up just in case) for £3.

Coffee break is absolutely needed – boyfriend pays.

Boyfriend goes to River Island and shows me a jacket in the sale that he loves but says he can’t justify buying until payday. I pay and he offers to buy the new makeup palette I’ve had my eye on when he next gets paid. £25

2pm: We meet boyfriend's brother and wife for lunch. I’m not thrilled by this idea due to the interesting relationship I have with that half of boyfriend’s family (mother-in-law from hell) but we actually have a lovely time. I eat a massive burger and chips. £10

4pm: We go back to boyfriend’s brother’s new house for a cuppa and a tour of the work they’ve carried out, it gives me major house envy. I spend a good part of the evening looking at houses I want to buy (and can’t afford).

6pm: I start packing for my trip on Tuesday. My suitcase is full after skincare and loungewear, I will have to make some sacrifices – it is only a three-day trip. After that, boyfriend prepares breakfast for the next few days and I make a veggie lasagne which will sort us for lunch tomorrow and feed boyfriend at least one of the nights I’m away (usually when I go away he eats like a child at a party).

10pm: After a long bath (using up the last of my birthday Lush stash) I jump into bed. I can’t believe the weekend is over already.

Total: £51.50

Him

12pm: My parents have chosen Fathers' Day to go on holiday so instead of jetting around to their house this morning with a hastily wrapped Toblerone I’ve had a lie-in. We then walk into the local town centre in order to pick up some bits and pieces for a business trip fiancée is taking next week. I pick up a new pair of tweezers in Primark because ours have gone missing. £1

12.35pm: Another tea and coffee purchased at a café. Fortunately my stamp card is full so I get one of the drinks for free. £2.45

3pm: We meet up with my brother and my heavily pregnant sister-in-law for an early dinner. I’m not sure of the exact price for all I have but it works out at around £15.

4pm: We retire to my brother’s house and watch numerous quiz shows with cups of tea. It starts to rain a little while we’re there so my brother gives us a lift home. Then it’s meal prep, bath and bed.

Total: £18.45

Day Seven

6am: I hardly slept last night and none of my clothes look right. I try to attempt proper makeup but my signature eyeliner flicks don’t look right, either. I finally choose a dress and immediately spill yoghurt over it when I’m moving things around the kitchen – I then have a large tantrum and change.

7am: At least I get to work at a good time so I can eat my breakfast in peace. A colleague is in a foul mood after some criticism they received on a report – I put my headphones in to drown out the aggressive typing.

8am: Feeling much better after breakfast and a coffee. I even managed to nab a banana from the work fruit bowl before they all went.

10am: I really should be doing some prep before going away tomorrow but after my struggle with clothes this morning I’m panicking about feeling nice on the hen do this weekend. Spend a few hours slyly looking through the ASOS sale.

12pm: Back to our normal ways of preparing food for the week, we've both brought a portion of the lasagne I made last night. I’m still grumpy so I go to Co-op and buy a Freddo, 25p (I could get onto a rant about the increase in the price of Freddos but I’ll spare you this time).

3pm: Work is over for another day, boyfriend is heading to the gym tonight so I get the train home. £4

5pm: After I get home, have an extended nap and rummage around the cupboard for snacks, I continue to pack for my trip – hate being away from boyfriend but at least I will get some reading done (plus I’ve never been to Wales before, so there’s that).

9pm: Early night definitely needed, it seems like I am always busy these days.

Total: £4.25

Him

6am: I can't say I’ve missed my alarm over the weekend. Today I’m aiming for a 'spend free' day. Two of my meals (breakfast and lunch) are already prepped. I’ve put my gym kit in the car boot so I can go on the way home from work.

7.10am: Arrive at work and eat breakfast (pearl barley, yoghurt and raspberries) with a mug of tea.

12pm: Lunchtime – fiancée made a big lasagne last night and portioned it out into Tupperware for the next couple of days.

3.30pm: Work finished for the day, I go to the gym (hopefully damage control for the week of eating out).

5pm: Home at last for dinner and a night of Netflix.

Total: £0

The Breakdown: Her

Food/Drink: £84.75
Entertainment: £4.99
Clothes/Beauty: £58.50
Travel: £10.40
Other: £21.99

Total: £180.63

The Breakdown: Him

Food/Drink: £103.30
Entertainment: £19
Clothes/Beauty: £21.94
Travel: £6.40
Other: £0

Total: £150.64

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12 Products To Protect Your Hair In The Sun

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You wouldn't leave the country without stocking up on SPF for both your face and body, but what about sun protection for your hair?

According to Pinterest, saves for SPF hair mists have increased by 52%, as more and more of us are becoming aware of sun damage. While your lengths won't peel or turn an unsightly shade of lobster red like your back and shoulders, intense heat and UV rays have the ability to sap it of moisture, shine, movement and colour in a matter of minutes. Cue lacklustre, straw-like tresses on your return to Heathrow and at least three frantic phone calls to your hairdresser the day after.

Protecting your locks from the sun might not be high on your agenda when all you want to do is sink daiquiris but there's a new breed of easy hair mists, serums and oils with the ability to shield those pesky free radicals, minimising damage instantly and cumulatively throughout the day.

Click through for R29's pick of the best.

Ombre, balayage or all-over, this masque is devised specifically for those who dye their hair regularly. A dream team of natural ingredients provides a hit of hydration that leaves lengths satisfyingly soft, while the clever UV+ technology keeps colour under lock and key – even if you're a big sun worshipper.

Alterna Bamboo UV+ Rehab Deep Hydration Masque, £21.25, available at Beauty Bay

The bottle may look small and humble but the ingredients sure pack a punch. A megamix of green tea extract and vitamin E helps to ward off free radicals like UV rays all while smoothing, glossing and de-frizzing, and shea butter acts like a shot of nourishment for an overworked scalp. Simply mist onto dry or straight hair and let it work its magic.

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, £22.50, available at Aveda

Don't let the word 'oil' put you off. This protective primer from the geniuses at Bumble and Bumble combines six lightweight types that cocoon the hair shaft so each strand is safeguarded not singed. It's basically a beach umbrella in a spray bottle and you shouldn't hit the beach without it.

Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer, £8, available at Bumble and Bumble

If you pack just one hair product in your suitcase, make it this. It harnesses fortifying vitamins to strengthen hair from the inside out, while antioxidant properties and UV shields mean intense rays bounce right off. Expect an impressive mirror shine, too.

Cuvée Beauty Protective Treatment, £35, available at Cult Beauty

This weightless mist clings onto each and every strand, protecting against sun damage from root to tip. It has the knack of adjusting to all hair types (even thick and coarse) and evaporates in next to no time at all, so you can style away as usual. A beach bag must-have if ever we saw one.

Kérastase Micro-Voile Protecteur, £21.80, available at Kérastase

Perfect for the wash-and-go kinda girl, Maria Nila’s shampoo leaves coloured lengths feeling as soft and healthy as virgin hair. It is also packed with natural antioxidant pomegranate to keep rays from zapping away moisture and vibrancy.

Maria Nila Luminous Colour Shampoo, £15.99, available at Salon Services

Pulled through damp or dry hair, this milky crème is sturdy enough to keep your style in place all day, without the weighty feel. Thanks to the added filter, it acts like an apron against penetrative UV rays which so often drain the hair of moisture and shine, so you can skip the salon in favour of another cocktail.

Oribe Creme For Style, £31, available at Space NK

Not only does a single dollop of Original & Mineral's conditioner banish the halo of frizz that is synonymous with humid weather, it also shuttles antioxidant ingredients and added UV guards into the hair fibre for ultimate protection – even after you've rinsed it out. Double up on defence and team with the matching shampoo.

Original & Mineral Maintain The Mane Conditioner, £22, available at Net-A-Porter

This has a cult following for good reason! Whether you colour it or not, hair can take a battering from chlorine, sea salt and intense UV rays but, thanks to moisture-magnet glycerin and special ingredient dimethicone, which wraps itself like armour around fragile strands, this combats both the dreaded fade and the frazzled feel. Worth its weight in gold.

Philip Kingsley Citrus Sunshine Swimcap, £6, available at Look Fantastic

Intelligent UV filters in Sachajuan's Hair In The Sun shut out beating rays so you can say "See ya" to the parched, straw-like feel that lapping up the sun tends to lend your locks. Thanks to the lighter-than-light texture, it's an amazing styling cream – and if you're staying in the UK this summer? Well, the stunning orange blossom scent makes it the beauty equivalent of a holiday on the Amalfi coast.

Sachajuan Hair In The Sun, £20, available at Feel Unique

If you swear by Ultrasun's face sunscreen, then you need to reserve a spot in your hand luggage for the clever hair version. A single spritz veils hair in a potent mix of antioxidants which work hard to deflect environmental aggressors, and the added UV filter ensures your lengths stay smooth, not sizzled. Step this way for shampoo-ad shine.

Ultrasun Daily UV Hair Protector, £18.50, available at QVC

A cloud of Wella's Solar Helio Spray maintains moisture in every single lock of hair without weighing it down or making it feel uncomfortably greasy. The best part? The nourishing vitamin complex helps to keep colour vivid, even when the sun is beating down.

Wella Professionals Sun Protection Spray, £12.95, available at Beauty Bay

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Refinery29 Style Picks: How To Dress For Summer Nights

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Good news! The heatwave is set to continue well into July, which means more sunny days and hot nights.

For daytime we favour comfy dresses, sandals and trainers but summer evenings are our chance to be a bit more daring with our sartorial selection. If you're thinking about what to wear to summer parties, barbecues, floating cinemas or rooftop restaurants, we've got you covered.

Ahead, R29 staff select their favourite pieces for slaying these summer nights. Click through for inspiration...

Georgia Murray, Fashion & Beauty Writer

I’d buy any of Rixo’s vintage-inspired silk pieces in a heartbeat, but this floral one is top of the list – just on the right side of chintzy.

Rixo London Cindy Printed Crepe Wrap Dress, £159, available at Net-A-Porter

Is having your feet dripping in jewels the way to make you feel like a million bucks? I think so. These Uterqüe beauties will go with denim and a white shirt for work, and a slinky dress for sipping on a sundowner.

Uterqüe Bejewelled High-Heel Mules, £69.90, available at Uterqüe

These textured statement earrings will look as beautiful with the aforementioned dress and shoes as they will with a white tee and jumpsuit on warm summer days.

Mango Pompon Beads Earrings, £6.49, available at Mango

Charlotte Gush, Fashion Editor

I’ve never particularly been a florals-in-summer girl, but since the look has become way less saccharine in the age of unisex T-shirts and (perfectly) ugly sandals, I can see the charm.

Ganni Floral-Print Crepe De Chine Wrap Skirt, £170, available at Net-A-Porter

Technically a menswear designer, Christopher Shannon makes witty and often ~painfully~ real T-shirts that anyone can wear. For this collab with the very cool Buffalo Zine, Chris reimagined brand logos to speak to millennial pain, shame, and zero-sum money game.

Christopher Shannon x Buffalo Zine 'Guilt' T-Shirt, £31.50, available at Buffalo Zine

Most people love it when the heat of summer is tempered by a light breeze, or the sun going down. Not me. I am an extreme cold fish, and so a summer jumper is essential. I’ve had this cotton one since last summer, and I love it – and it’s now on sale.

Raey Raw-Hem Cotton-Jersey Sweatshirt, £60, available at Matches Fashion

Kara Kia, Editorial Intern

I don’t own a single red dress, simply because the colour seems too high maintenance to throw in the wash with all my other coloured bits. But Reformation has converted me! I would wear this red milkmaid mini to a summer evening BBQ with friends or on a casual dinner date with bae.

Reformation Klara Dress, £164.73, available at Reformation

I’m digging the matchy-matchy look for summer, dubbed colour drenching. These strappy sandals are minimal enough to be worn more than once and the chunky heel looks like they’ll last the evening without killing my feet.

Public Desire Sophie Heeled Sandals, £29.99, available at Public Desire

Crochet is the official knitwear of summer and this lotus flower clutch will be the perfect addition to my all-red summer evening lewk.

& Other Stories Crochet Lotus Clutch, £45, available at & Other Stories

Laurene Mpia, Associate Production Manager

I am a huge fan of a head-to-toe white outfit in the summer because we all have a beautiful sunny glow that looks great in white. I would wear this oversize white suit with a white (crop) top and sandals. Easy.

& Other Stories Double Breasted Linen Blend Blazer, £85, available at & Other Stories

More and more all white looks, please. Classic, sexy and elegant. I would style this midi dress with flat shoes and statement earrings.

Zara Knit Dress With Buttons, £25.99, available at Zara

A summer night is probably the only occasion to wear a gold cross-body. It’s compact but very functional and it has a small light inside for finding your keys in the dark.

Jerome Dreyfuss Bob Gold Mat Lambskin, £275.07, available at Jerome Dreyfuss

Katy Harrington, Managing Editor

I love embroidery and want to wear more red so this Free People v-neck dress is a double tick.

Free People Embroidered Oaxaca Mini Dress , £298, available at Free People

I want this Bella Freud T-shirt, not just because it’s on sale to support The Old Vic’s 200th anniversary, but because it would look very nice with a pleated black midi skirt that is hanging in my wardrobe looking lonely. It’s limited edition so won’t be around for long I fear.

Bella Freud Limited Edition 'DARE' T-Shirt, £95, available at The Old Vic

I was not kidding about wanting to wear more red. I love the cut and colour of this dress but would like to emphasise that I do not have the money to buy it, nor an occasion to wear it.

Maje Maxi Dress With Flounce Detail, £269, available at Maje

Tilly Thorns, Client Services Executive

This bandana print top delivers all the '00s nostalgia you could ever want, and who does summer wear better than Nanushka?

Nanushka Lucky Scarf Top, £115, available at Nanushka

Gone are the days of short shorts. These mid-thigh denim babies are essential for my summer wardrobe and I’m trying to use my flatmate's discount as much as I can (thanks Karina!).

COS High-Waisted Denim Shorts, £45, available at COS

This is perfect for summer nights; loose enough to wear over layers or belted up for a fitted look, very chic indeed.

Arket Expedition Jacket, £79, available at Arket

Dami Khadijah, Strategy & Client Services Manager

Jumpsuits are my thing from as far back as I can remember, and if it has a low back then we have a winner.

ASOS DESIGN Denim Halterneck Jumpsuit In White, £38, available at ASOS

I think ASOS hit the nail on the head with the product description: "Think sport with added spice!"

STYLE NANDA Tracksuit Dress With Shirring, £65, available at ASOS

When given the choice, I’ll always opt for comfort. Awaken your force with a fresh pair of classic Air Force 1s – they’ll never disappoint, regardless of the outfit.

Nike Junior Air Force 1 Low Trainer, £49.99, available at Foot Asylum

Rose Lander, International Co-ordinator

I panic-bought this dress for an event and it’s now my favourite. Chic but comfortable, with room for big birthday dinners and dancing at summer weddings.

Warehouse Songbird Wrap Midi Dress, £45, available at Warehouse

My hair is pretty thick so by the end of a hot day I have to tie it back. I’ve found a pair of tasselled earrings to make my pulled back 'do look more like a semi-sophisticated chignon than my desperate attempt to fight the frizz.

H&M Long Earrings, £6.99, available at H&M

Jumpsuits are my go-to evening outfit all year round but especially in the summer. You can just chuck one in your suitcase and know you have something stylish to wear without any thought going into it.

ASOS DESIGN Tea Jumpsuit With Cut Out And Tie Detail In Chain Print, £30, available at ASOS

Tamar Riley, Director, Marketing & Audience Insights

This ethereal, lightweight dress is perfect for summer nights and I’m a big fan of this Californian brand.

Dôen Lavande Dress £201.84, available at Dôen

Firstly, it’s 50% off, thank you very much Matches Fashion. Secondly, the faded pink looks great with fresh white trainers for a relaxed summer night.

Cecilie Copenhagen Jehro Scarf-Jacquard Dress, £94, available at Matches Fashion

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The Women Embracing Grey Hair In Their 20s & 30s

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I still remember that excruciating moment when a colleague stood over my chair, squinted at the top of my head and said loudly: "Are you going grey?" Thanks. I was 25 and really had no wish to highlight the silvers starting to poke through my naturally dark hair. Not long after that, I started getting my hair coloured to cover those stubborn strands. But over the years it's left me wondering: Why do we have such an issue with grey hair?

"People usually notice their first greys in their early 30s," explains Anabel Kingsley, trichologist at leading London hair clinic Philip Kingsley, stating that on average, over half of our hair will be white (unpigmented) by our 50s. However, she adds, hair can start turning grey much earlier for some people and is strongly reliant on genes.

So our parents and their hair history can be a strong indicator of when we’ll start to go grey. Jessie Young, a 21-year-old student from London, admits she was a little shocked to find her first grey at 15, but it wasn’t completely unexpected. "My mum was entirely grey by 30," she says, "so I guess that affected my feelings about it because there was some sense of inevitability." Although she currently has no desire to cover the greys she has, Jessie says she’ll see how she feels in a few years when it becomes more noticeable in her brunette hair. "I hope I can just embrace it. I’ve dyed my hair white before and if it happens naturally then it will be a lot cheaper to keep up."

Martha Truslow Smith from Charlotte in North Carolina decided to stop dyeing her hair two years ago at the age of 24 when she realised that the stress of "falsifying an appearance" and covering her roots was chipping away at her self-esteem. She says it created "a miserable pattern I could see myself locking into, like so many women, for years to come". She set up an Instagram account, @Grombre, which now boasts more than 8,000 followers, both to give her encouragement on the hard days when she was growing out her hair, and to create a platform to celebrate the beauty of grey hair. She’s strongly in favour of reframing the conversation to move it from being something to be ashamed of to something to be loved.

Happy Friyay! @young_and_gray29 #gogrombre #grombre

A post shared by Going grey with (grohm)(bray) (@grombre) on

"I am so sick of being told what to look like," Martha says, insisting that it's important for women to take control themselves. "I don’t think women have suddenly lost any taboo or shame of grey roots. Growing them out takes profound bravery that often doesn’t go unnoticed (for better or for worse), but what I’ve found to be more powerful than any negative words, is the ability to look in the mirror and be able to see myself, not a version of me others have told me to construct." Katie Petersen, 34, from Portland, Oregon, agrees. Having decided to stop colouring her hair a year and a half ago, she now rocks a neat brown bob streaked with silver. "I know it’s hard not to worry what others think, but ultimately do what feels right for you. Nobody really cares about your grey hair as much as you do."

Martha warns, though, that going grey shouldn’t be considered a trend and that embracing it isn’t for everyone – and that is okay. Beauty journalist Sali Hughes has brilliantly documented the trials and tribulations of her own greying hair and insists on the right of every woman to make a decision that suits them, be that ditching the dye or grabbing it with both hands. Writing for The Pool, Sali declared: "All we 'should' be doing, as ever, is encouraging women to do with their bodies whatever they damn well please."

It is undeniable though, that despite grey hair positivity and platforms such as @Grombre, there is still a stigma attached to greying hair, especially when it begins prematurely. As such our relationship with our locks losing their colour can be complex, and one we don't always feel comfortable talking about. Personally, I was struck by how many friends, colleagues, acquaintances and strangers shared their stories, once I asked the simple question: "When did you find your first grey?" If I thought I was the only one who'd found more and more grey hairs before my 30th birthday, I was most definitely wrong.

One 27-year-old who got in touch but didn’t want to be named described how she had spent almost an hour the night before her wedding plucking out every single grey hair she could find – almost 100 strands in total. Although she doesn’t colour her hair, she does admit feeling both self-conscious and conflicted over it: "Rationally, it doesn’t make sense to spend money on, but it sticks out and bothers me."

A 31-year-old who spotted her first grey at 17 told me how a streak of silver hair on one side of her head makes her feel self-conscious, despite reassurance from friends that she’d look cool leaving it uncovered by root spray (a non-permanent colour in a can, which she says has been a game-changer for her as she can dye her hair less frequently): "I get self-conscious about it because I think it ages me and I don’t like how it looks on me. Some of my guy friends said it would be cool if I let it grow out as a streak but I don’t know if they’d say the same if I was grey all over."

Elizabeth Hodge, a 31-year-old mother of four living in Florida, was 13 when her mum spotted her first grey hair. "At the time we just laughed about it but over the next couple years the grey hair quickly multiplied," she explains. "By the time I was 15 some friends would tease me about it and pull one out to look at it in amazement." At 17, her cousin, a hairstylist, began colouring her roots every four weeks but after a decade of this routine, she decided enough was enough. "I didn’t want to spend the time and money, and also I was curious about what my natural hair looked like," she says. "I was frustrated with the apparent general expectation that young women don’t have grey hair. I got my premature grey hair from my dad and he was never pressured to colour it; in fact, his good looks were often attributed to having grey hair."

Anabel agrees that there is a double standard between the sexes when it comes to going grey. "It’s generally acceptable for a man to sport grey hairs," she says. "It’s even thought of as attractive and distinguished – hence the phrase 'silver fox'." But for women, she says, it can be a different story: "It signifies becoming less desirable and is associated with the negatives of ageing. The fact of the matter is that society puts more pressure on women to remain looking youthful."

Whether you choose to dye your hair, leave it natural or streak it through with whichever
colour suits your mood, in the complex world of greying hair and society's relationship with it, there is only one solution, and it's Sali's: Do whatever you damn well please.

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A Wellness Trip Abroad Made Me Realise How Badly I Treat Myself At Home

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I do not expect any sympathy whatsoever but so far this year, my only holiday has been a long weekend back home in Ireland for a friend’s wedding, which entailed one marathon piss-up, one day being so hungover I wished for death, and the next two trying to assuage my Catholic guilt by clearing boxes of old school copybooks and strings of fairy lights purchased in Thailand circa 2002 from my bedroom at the behest of my parents. I arrived back in London feeling and looking like utter shit, got home, ordered a pizza from Deliveroo and fell asleep on my bed in my clothes.

My next break I swore would be different, so I signed up for the least "me" thing I've ever done, a four-day "cleansing package" at a swanky hotel in Greece. This, I tell myself, will be a proper break, in a hotel with clean sheets on the bed, blue skies, sand, the Aegean Sea and more than six hours' sleep a night.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions and the journey to the airport feels like it. I need to be there by 4am, which means leaving my house at 2.30am, which means staying out and not bothering going to bed at all. And that is how my detox begins – boozy, smoky and bleary-eyed.

Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort

The "cleansing" package, I'm told, has been designed to "stimulate circulation and detoxification". I think the word "detox" is a pile of bollocks, used to sell (mostly women) junk that they don’t need 'cause guess what, your internal organs know how to detox better than any cold-pressed juice. But scepticism aside, I really like the look of the itinerary, which involves outdoorsy exercise, plenty of delicious (real) food, wine and lots of lovely spa treatments.

On the first day I try a "water source journey" in the thermal spa (people love a "journey" don’t they) complete with steam room, Finnish sauna, tepidarium and a cold plunge pool. After that I am taken in a fluffy robe and slippers to be massaged, scrubbed and left to relax. Later I join an outdoor Pilates class which makes me realise I don’t hate all exercise, I just hate intimidating gyms with exposed brick, wall-to-wall mirrors and Ibiza Club Stompers 2014 playing at full blast. Exercising outdoors is really lovely and I decide to do more of it at home. By the morning of day two, I am feeling significantly better and by that I mean less addled, happier and more energetic. I start the morning in my room with a coffee and a butt-naked swim in my small private pool overlooking the sea.

Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort

The last full day of the trip is my favourite, a group of us get to try Nordic walking (with those silly sticks that are actually not silly at all). After about three hours of trekking in the heat I return for a Cryo Gel treatment – a draining leg massage and mask to boost blood circulation. Later in the afternoon I have a hydrobath (eh, all baths are hydrobaths, right?). At the end I feel so relaxed and far from London I have forgotten my last name and what I do for a living. On the final night I am in bed by 10pm. You have no idea how long it is since I’ve been able to write that sentence but the hotel beds are like clouds and I also undertake to investigate the cost of new sheets upon return. Or at least, start putting pillowcases on my pillows.

On the last morning I get up early to have one more nude swim. As I pack, I can’t help wishing the taxi would leave without me so I could have one more day here. I feel a bit foolish really, that I'd left it this long to take some time for myself. Going home to visit family and friends is all well and good but I never feel like it's a proper break with no strings attached, and that's what I've been missing – time to truly relax and to think.

Look, I’m not a changed woman or anything, but my little break made me realise that my work hard, eat crap, drink like a fish, smoke like a trooper and repeat lifestyle is taking its toll. If I keep it up, I'll look like Keith Richards by the time I'm 40. Living in London, or any city or town, can get a bit much and everyone needs time away from it.

The last thing I do before heading to the airport is to take the hotel pen and paper on the bedside table and write a list of the things I need more of in my life. It’s a long one with things like seeing friends I really like, reading, walking, listening to podcasts that are not solely about women being murdered, watching movies alone, dancing alone or in a group, travel (even if it’s just to Box Hill or the Co-op up the road), and pillowcases (matching sheets is my 2019 goal). In the column next to it I write the things I do too much of. There are only four: drinking, smoking, social obligation and Deliveroo.

For details or to book the 5* Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort, Halkidiki, Greece, click here

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It's Coming Home! Internet Explodes In Memes After Epic England Win

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They may be suffering with hangovers, but England's football fans have an extra spring in their step this morning following the country's epic win against Colombia in last night's World Cup knockout game.

The victory, which was the first time England has ever won a penalty shootout in the competition, has made fans even more optimistic than usual about our chances in the tournament – and they're spreading their giddy excitement online for us all to enjoy, football fans or not.

'It’s coming home' memes, featuring the iconic football anthem by The Lightning Seeds, have taken over social media along with footie-inspired parodies of films and TV shows, from Friends and Peaky Blinders to The Matrix and The Wolf of Wall Street.

If all goes to plan when England face Sweden in the quarter final on Saturday there will be many more patriotic memes to come, but here are some of the most amusing ones we've seen so far.

Comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel – who feature in the famous anthem, which refers to the fact that football was invented in England – got involved in the celebrations.

While England star Jesse Lingard memed himself after the game – to hilarious effect.

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