Our next Book Club read, 'One Of Us Is Lying' comes from award-winning YA author Karen McManus. We can't wait to see how this murder mystery meets high school thriller plays out…
Five students go to detention. Only four leave alive.
Yale hopeful Bronwyn has never publicly broken a rule. Sports star Cooper only knows what he’s doing in the baseball diamond. Bad body Nate is one misstep away from a life of crime. Prom queen Addy is holding together the cracks in her perfect life. And outsider Simon, creator of the notorious gossip app at Bayview High, won’t ever talk about any of them again.
He dies 24 hours before he could post their deepest secrets online.
Investigators conclude it’s no accident. All of them are suspects. Everyone has secrets, right?
February 2020 Zoella Book Club: Reviewing Such A Fun Age
Kiley Reid's razor-sharp debut novel, 'Such A Fun Age' got us all talking in the office. In fact, fewer books have given us this much to chew on in just 305 pages but we'll let our reviews do the talking…
When Emira is apprehended at a supermarket for ‘kidnapping’ the white child she’s actually babysitting, it sets off an explosive chain of events. Her employer Alix, a feminist blogger with the best of intentions, resolves to make things right.
But Emira herself is aimless, broke and wary of Alix’s desire to help. When a surprising connection emerges between the two women, it sends them on a crash course that will upend everything they think they know – about themselves, each other, and the messy dynamics of privilege.
Find out what we thought of this month’s book!
Lareese
I did a complete U-Turn on this book real fast! I struggled my way through the first few pages but from then on, the pace kicked in and I was hooked. Kiley Reid writes a remarkably current and provocative debut novel, baring deeply political issues of casual racism and white privilege with those of motherhood, friendship, romance and identity. The narrative is so agile and accessible that at times, you forget you’re reading a work of fiction. You won’t know who to trust, you’ll think you’ve got it all worked out but Reid is an anomaly and she’s not about to hand you a predictable fairytale. Addictive, captivating and bound to be snapped up for the big screen. I can’t wait to see / read what Reid does next!
Rating: 5/5
Would You Recommend? Yes
Would You Read It again? Yes
Zoe
This turned into the ultimate page turner for me and I wasn’t expecting it at all. I connected with the way in which Kiley Reid writes and her compelling style drew me in immediately. There is a lot to this book that made it so great for me. I found the relationship between the two main female characters so real and raw and the racial issues and white saviourism that are highlighted throughout made it so poignant and different from anything i’ve read before. Reid really takes you on a journey of “who to trust” and you find yourself flitting between who you think is in right or in the wrong until the very end. I also really enjoyed the relationship Emira had with Briar and felt it injected the story with stripped back innocence and acceptance. This book was thought-provoking and really clever, a fast paced read with seriously big impact!
Rating: 4.5/5
Would You Recommend? Yes
Would You Read It again? Yes
Holly
After the scene in Market Depot I was like ‘this is literally hundreds of thousands of peoples true story.’ Even if this isn’t based on Kiley Reid’s real life, shit like this literally happens every day?! I absolutely loved this book. Right from the first 20 pages I was hooked. I loved that it wasn’t super explosive, in fact you could say ‘not much’ happened but this just highlights that racial issues are ingrained in everyday lives. As well as racial issues, I think it was a great ‘coming of age’ book. Emira is the same age as me and I really related to her in the way of her friends being at different stages, being unsure of forever etc. I read the last 120 pages in one night because Emira is fucking powerful and I couldn’t wait to see what happened. I am pleased to report I LOVED the ending too. I recommend this book BIG TIME.
Rating: 4.5/5
Would You Recommend? Yes
Would You Read It again? No
Charlotte
This was such an addictive read! I adored Kiley’s writing style and would rush to read any other novels she publishes in the future. The book felt unique in that it was so current and conversational yet complex- if I were to write a book I’d want it to just like this. The story was such an accurate representation of the modern world and the racial issues within it and I loved seeing the dynamic from both protagonists’ perspectives. Aspects of the story that seemed menial amongst the ‘bigger’ plot moments were still a joy to engage with and I felt instantly transported into Philadelphia and the range of characters within it.
I’m going to be honest, the ending disappointed me slightly- the plot seemed to quicken and I became so invested towards the end, but I expected something bigger or more life altering to happen between Emira and Alix- I feel like I still have some questions! Despite that, I loved how clever and thought provoking the story was and would highly recommend it to others!
Rating: 4/5
Would You Recommend? Yes
Would You Read It again? No
Amy McCulloch
When I picked up Such a Fun Age, I didn’t know what to expect. I found myself gripped from the first chapter – the writing is so effortless, and I was very intrigued by the tangled web of Emira, Alix, and Kelley. It was a clever, fascinating satire on race relations and ‘woke’ culture, and I found it refreshing to read. I especially enjoyed the chapters with Emira and her friendships, along with the relationship between Emira and the little girl she is babysitting, Briar. I was left a little disappointed by the ending (I felt like some of the male characters were left off the hook a bit too much!) Still – a minor quibble. I found this an entertaining, fresh and insightful read. Can’t wait to see what Kiley Reid comes up with next!
4/5 rating
Would You Recommend? Yes
Would You Read It again? Yes
Maddie
I’m not going to beat around the bush here, i LOVED this book. It’s a really thought provoking story of a bitter high-school past love catching up with the present day mixed in with a classic case of can a leopard really ever change its spots? Reid writes so where each character is portrayed in a certain way yet sees themselves in a completely different light which felt incredibly real. There are multiple complex themes weaved throughout namely; racism, feminism, sexism, sexuality and friendship which for an old sociology student i found incredibly interesting to read. I kept finding myself wanting to sneak away to read a few more chapters which for me is always a sign of a 5 star book.
Rating: 5/5
Would You Recommend? Yes
Would You Read It again? Yes
Danielle
I LOVED listening to this book the voices, the tone and the way she read baby Briar was so lovely! After speaking to the girls who read the book it seems I was one of the only ones who disliked Alix from the start and I believe that might have been due to the tone of voice as I was listening to it. It’s such an interesting story before anything even starts kicking off as I loved learning more about both girls’ stories and lives. As the story starts to unfold it becomes SUCH a page turner and I was so pleased that truth prevailed. Like Amy I did want a little more from the males’ stories at the end, but all in all it’s a bloody good book.
Rating: 5/5
Would You Recommend? Yes
Would You Read It again? Yes
Lauren
This book was an absolute page turner! Kiley’s writing absolutely nails the balance of tackling topical important conversations with a captivating storyline. When you discover how the characters are linked and also when you see people’s behaviour emerge, it keeps you enthralled and wanting to see how everything turns out. It really displays how misjudgement and our own sense of entitlement and being right causes all sorts of issues and conversations that are needed. If you haven’t picked this up yet, please do!
Rating: 4/5
Would You Recommend? Yes
Would You Read It again? No
Darcey
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Such a Fun Age, It was so interesting how Kiley discussed current issues so well, the conversation throughout was complex and explored two very different peoples lives. Now, when it gets to the part of the book when you find out how Alix and Emira are linked, I could NOT stop reading! That was a major plot twist I didn’t see coming, and I was excited to see how it would pan out. By the end of the book, I was unsure on who to trust, who was in the right about events that had played out. I felt compassion for all the characters situations and opinions, I guess it shows that people interpret situations differently, and their differences doesn’t mean someones feelings have less value. I felt at the end I was still wanting to know more, but I loved the style of writing at the end, and that Emira’s life was almost rounded up.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend? 100%
Read again? Probably not
The prettiest pastels you ever did see! Olivia Rubin is one of our favourite British designers and she's here to tell us what it takes to have your own fashion label.
What’s the inspiration behind your latest collection?
For SS20 we created our own ice cream parlour back in September LFW. I had met Daisy; a vintage ice cream van at a Spring fair with my daughters and the idea stemmed from there. All the flavours inspired the pastel colour palette.
What did you study at school / Uni to become a designer?
I was artistic from a young age. My grandpa was an artist so I used it paint with him and at home a lot. I went on to study Fashion Print at Central St Martins. I knew at school that if I wanted to be a fashion design CSM was THE place to go.
Did you always know you wanted to design clothes?
Yes! From reading Vogue, watching the Clothes Show religiously and spearheading a fashion show at my senior school; I always knew it was fashion for me.
What do you think is your “mission statement”?
Empowerment, freedom and happiness. I want my collections to have that feel-good feeling.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
So many high points. My Selfridges pop up, first LFW show, accumulating a host of worldwide stockists I could only have dreamt of and dressing some inspirational people.
How would you describe your personal style?
Eclectic, colourful and
individual.
What are you currently working on?
We have just finished AW20 LFW and we are focusing on selling the collection to buyers worldwide (I am off to Paris next week). We have also started researching the pre SS21 collection-there is never any down time!
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start their own label?
Be ready for a 24/7 commitment and take the rough with the smooth. At the end of the day, from the outside, a fashion lable seems really fun and glamorous but it is ultimately a business, so be prepared for invoicing, pricing charts and costings etc.
What is your biggest accomplishment in life?
My daughters and my business. I unintentionally started the label when my second daughter was 6 months so it has been a juggle managing both to my best ability. I want my daughters to be proud of me and inspire them to follow their goals.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Have no regrets. I did jump into solo projects after graduating quite quickly, but I feel I learned from those mistakes as I have got older and would not have grown my label to where it is today if I had not made those mistakes.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
Sushi although I feel that I should say ice cream!
What do you always carry with you?
My phone, lipstick and hand sanitiser
What are you most looking forward to in 2020?
We have so many exciting collaborations coming up; it is going to be a busy year growing and maintaining the label and of course another LFW will come around soon!
Find Olivia on Instagram here, and her website here.
Storm Ciara and Dennis have been and gone and had their wicked way with our recycling bins and now Spring is finally in the air. The days are getting longer, we can hear bird song and smell daffs and eat gelato once again.
Storm Ciara and Dennis have been and gone and had their wicked way with our recycling bins and now Spring is finally in the air. The days are getting longer, we can hear bird song and smell daffs and eat gelato once again. Which means one thing… bare leg season is here, people.
We knew this day would come and yet here we are, panic plaiting our knee hair and tucking it into our boots. At this stage, we’re gonna need to take a lawnmower to it. Is it a shoelace or is it actually attached to us? We just don’t know anymore.
Fewer months have as much to offer us as bonny March but in case you’re at a loose end and twiddling your thumbs, here are 20 things to tick off your list this month!
1. Tackle the mammoth task that is shaving your legs. It’s been 84 years
2. Honour International Women’s Day by raising a glass with your favourite chicas
3. Visit a farm to see baby bleating woollies being born into the world. Ba-ram-ewe.
4. Go and see Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan
5. Dig out your best floral duvet cover
6. Start a new book you’ve been meaning to read for ages
7. Create a Spring cleaning playlist full of uplifting bops to motivate your weekend chores
8. Start planning your summer vacay
9. Dine al fresco – lap up that Vitamin D!
10. Swap the treadmill for jogging outside
11. Treat yourself to a mani-pedi! Open-toe season is back and our trotters are SHOOK
12. Spend some quality time with your mama for Mother’s Day
13. Have your first iced coffee of the year
14. Buy yourself a bunch of tulips
15. Marie Kondo the hell out of your knicker drawer. Everything’s getting folded: pants, socks, the fish tank. The lot.
16. Eat an ice cream
17. Take a photo of the cherry blossom
18. Go for a long beach walk
19. Tuck into a hot cross bun. It’s Easter somewhere!
20. Drink the obligatory Guinness on St Paddy’s Day
We’re turning our attention to outfits that’ll be both comfortable enough for a sight-seeing marathon and chic enough for a tour of the local cocktail bar. Something that says, we’re game for a day of exploring but hey, let’s make a reservation for a fancy-schmancy lunch en route to the Eiffel Tower, eh? Tres bon!
Pass us a beret already…
Holly
I am a big fan of a city break but also a big fan of being comfy. So I’ll opt for something flowy but good for exploring. I’ll pop on a floaty dress and some thick black tights because let’s be real, it’s still bloody freezing. Then layer up with a warm jacket and scarf and comfy boots that have been worn in so I can walk for many hours.
I’m a seasoned city breaker, there’s nothing i love more than visiting a new place and just wondering around experiencing all that city has to offer. Weather permitting, i almost always prefer to discover a new city on foot and I can very easily rack up over 20,000+ steps a day so sensible footwear is top priority. I usually go between my fail safe black boots or a pair of converse. Paired with comfortable jeans, light sweatshirt and a classic trench. I’m also a big fan of the cross body bags or cute rucksack, don’t choose anything too heavy or you’ll spend the day complaining about your aching shoulders, although that might just be an age thing?!
When I hear city break I hear lots of walking! The best thing for me to wear to explore is always jeans, they’re just easy aren’t they, no fuss! It’s usually best to layer as it’s hard to predict the weather and that way you can always undress the hotter it gets, I love the look of this shacket and I’d pair it with a simple white high neck top. I’d finish off the look with these super-cool western boots, I tend to prefer a boot for walking as flat shoes make my feet ache after a while and they’re perfect if you end up somewhere fancy! Throwing in a crossbody bag as I always carry the essentials and keep my hands free for using my phone to take pics and follow maps.
Echoing the other girls, city breaks for me include exploring and when you know you’re going to be racking up the step counter, it’s better to go for comfort as a main priority. I’d go for layers and warmth at the moment, but something that you can easily take off if needs be. The comfiest pair of jeans I own are definitely the Topshop Joni jeans so i’d also go for those! The bag sits perfectly at the right height and is so comfortable because of the thicker strap that it’s the perfect accessory for a city break! I also opted for some Zara boots as these are the comfiest boots I own and always see me through a full day of walking!
Comfort is high on my list of outfit must-haves day to day, but especially so on a city break when racking up your step count is inevitable. Converse are an essential part of my wardrobe and my go-to whenever I know I’ve got a long day on my feet ahead. Add a jumper, jeans and waterproof but stylish coat and you’re prepared for anything. Oh, and a giant tote bag for my water bottle, camera, snacks and sunnies!
I’m going to Paris next month with one of my best friends and we have been super excited for it, so excited that we have already started planning our outfits… I’m surprised I haven’t started packing yet! I love to layer my clothes, so I have gone for a black turtleneck jumper, with a grey hoodie over the top and then a trench coat to finish it off. I love the straight jeans from Topshop too, they just fit so well. I’ve just bought these Dr Martens too and plan to wear them a lot, as I think they are a pretty versatile boot (if I break them in by then…). Lastly, I recently got this crossbody bag from Topshop and its the perfect size for exploring a city, but fits all the essentials in.
I’ve just come back from a city break to Paris. I lived in my belted coat, leather trousers, a knitted vest and white shirt combo, and chunky boots. And because it was Paris, I basically slept in my beret. Je ne regrette rien!
I’m all about stylish practicality when it comes to exploring a new city! I’m most comfortable in some wide leg trousers and trainers, and picking something colourful always makes me feel put together. Depending on the time of year, I’d throw on a cosy jumper and coat for colder evenings or a denim jacket in the summer for some light layering – even better when it’s a soft pink to match the trousers!
14 Weird and Wonderful Traditions & Superstitions Explained
With this year being a leap year - s/o to the ladies getting down on bended knee - we got thinking about all kinds of the weird and wonderful traditions and superstitions we observe and where they came from.
From throwing the bridal bouquet to saluting lone magpies and puckering up under the mistletoe, here’s how these customs came to be.
Throwing the bouquet at weddings
Many moons ago, it was considered extremely good luck to get your hands on a piece of the bride. In a bid to keep the dress and veil in one piece, brides began throwing their bouquets in the air to distract the frenzied guests. Today, it is believed whoever catches the bride’s bouquet will be the next one down the aisle.
Eating roast dinner on a Sunday
The Sunday roast gained popularity during the reign of King Henry VII when the Yeomen of the Guard would eat roast beef every Sunday after church. They became known affectionately as the “beefeaters”. Now, it’s an opportunity to gather round the table with friends and family and dig into some hearty food on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Wearing black at funerals
The tradition of wearing black in mourning dates back to the Roman Empire when they would dress in dark wool togas. The custom was later adopted by Queen Victoria who wore black when she was in mourning for her beloved Prince Albert. In Western culture, it is still traditional to wear black for funerals but elsewhere, mourners can be seen in lighter dress. In China, for example, it’s traditional to wear white.
Opening an umbrella indoors
According to this superstition, if you open an umbrella indoors it does terrible things for your luck. One theory dates back to ancient Egypt when nobility would use parasols made of peacock feathers and papyrus to protect themselves from the sun. Opening them indoors – away from the sun’s rays – would be seen as an insult to the sun deity ‘Ra’ and you’d be cursed forever more.
The second origin is from the Victorian era when umbrellas were constructed with steel spokes and opening one indoors could cause injury or eye loss.
Like the Victorians, we probably just avoid opening brollies indoors nowadays purely to escape injury rather than the wrath of the sun gods.
No new shoes on the table
Superstition states that putting new shoes on the table is bad luck and the harbinger of death. Although the origin is largely unknown, it is thought to have come from the mining industry. When minors passed away, their family would bring their shoes home and leave them on the table as a tribute. Superstition aside, who wants shoes with their breakfast anyway?
Kissing under mistletoe
The name comes from the Anglo Saxon ‘mistle’ meaning dung and ‘tan’ which means twig. So yeah, sh*t on a stick. Ain’t that the stuff of romance?
The plant’s association with romance dates back to traditional Norse mythology. In the tale, the god Baldur was plagued by dreams foretelling his death and so his mother Frigg, goddess of love, set about protecting him by asking every animal and plant to take an oath never to hurt him.
Loki, a jealous god, realised mistletoe had been overlooked in the oath-taking and targeted Baldur with a mistletoe arrow which killed him. Frigg’s tears became the pearlescent berries we still see today but rather than punish mistletoe, she ruled that it should become a symbol of love and friendship. We still prefer the turd stick version, personally.
Getting pooped on by a bird is good luck
A symbol of good luck in pooey disguise? Go figure. There’s no real explanation for this other than us humans wanting to make the best out of a sh*tty situation.
Candles on birthday cakes
Blowing out candles on your birthday cake is a long-standing tradition that can be traced back to the Ancient Greeks. They would bake round honey cakes as offerings for their gods and goddesses and top them with candles to make them glow like the moon in tribute to the moon goddess, Artemis.
Walking under a ladder
In medieval times, people believed a ladder against the wall resembled the gallows, so if someone walked underneath one it was thought that they would meet the same dreadful fate. Another theory was that when leaned against a wall, the ladder formed a triangle and signified the Holy Trinity. Walking underneath one would therefore break the trinity and be considered blasphemy.
Broken mirrors seven years bad luck
The Romans believed mirrors to be magic portals into the soul, thus breaking one would damage the soul and could not be righted until the next seven-year cycle had passed. This was the amount of time they believed it took for life to renew itself.
Unlucky numbers
Friday 13th is steeped in neggy vibes! Many believe the superstition originated from the Bible and the Last Supper – attended by 13 people. Judas, who betrayed Jesus, is thought to have been the 13th guest to sit down, so we have him to blame for triskaidekaphobia. Fridays are also unlucky because of the association with Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday – making Friday 13th the double whammy of bad luck.
Single magpies
One for sorrow or so the song goes! Magpies have long been associated with death and skulduggery ever since Early Christians saw the bird as a symbol of dissipation. It was said to be the only bird not to sing to comfort Jesus on the cross and after his death, it was the only bird not to enter mourning due to its pied plumage.
The notion that the magpie is a bad bird has stuck around and plenty of us still see the solitary magpie as a sign of doom.
A black cat crossing your path
During the middle ages, it was believed that witches would shape shift into black cats to prowl the streets. This belief was echoed in 17th century America during the time of the Salem witch trials.
Leap year proposal
For centuries matrimonial matters were strictly reserved for the gents. According to an old Irish legend, St Brigid struck a deal with St Patrick to give women the chance to pop the question every four years. If they were refused, the man was obliged to buy her a gown or 12 pairs of gloves. As if that’s a fair consolation prize, right? Hey, you’re not worthy of a ring but here, have a lifetime supply of gloves instead. Love you.
We personally think as a woman you should be able to propose whenever you damn well please, so we caught up with Hannah Witton – who proposed to her BF last year – about how it all went down.
Did you have lots of planning beforehand or did you decide to just go for it in the moment?
I’m a planner in all aspects of my life so yeah I did plan the proposal but not to the exact moment. I knew I wanted to propose with the card game Fluxx and with a Poppy (from League of Legends) key ring so the first thing I needed to do was order those items online. Then I had to wait for them to arrive and draw on the cards. Once that was all done it was just a matter of waiting for the right moment, which to be honest never came! I kept asking Dan if he wanted to play Fluxx with me but he kept turning me down. I was on the train back from a trip to Edinburgh and that was when I decided I was just going to do it – game of Fluxx be damned!
Did you feel the need to do anything trad like get down on one knee?
A little bit, but only because I thought it would be funny. I also got down on one knee because when I proposed he was already sat down. Practical and traditional!
What do you think of the tradition that you’re only “allowed” to do it on leap day?
If you want to use that as an excuse to propose, go for it! But I’m a big advocate for just doing things on your own terms and interrogating these traditions to really know if it’s something that you want and suits you or something you’re doing “just because it’s tradition”. Women should be able to propose any year they like, there are no gatekeepers in proposals (except for the person you’re proposing to).
What were your friends and family’s reaction after the proposal?
It was all very positive but some friends were like “wait is this real or a joke?” haha!
What were Dan’s thoughts and feelings on the proposal?
I just asked him and his words exactly are “I thought it was very nice, it was entertaining, you did a good job”. Hahaha so there you go… At the time he was confused because he thought we were already engaged. Which technically we were, we’d already told family we were going to get married and had started figuring out dates, it was just a conversation but neither of had actually proposed yet. So when I proposed, he really wasn’t expecting. But at least I knew he was definitely going to say yes!
How superstitious are you? Let us know in the comments below!
You know those songs that make your body move in a way that is both liberating and ever so slightly alarming?
You know those songs that make your body move in a way that is both liberating and ever so slightly alarming? It starts with a tapping of toe, maybe a modest happy head nod, then before you know it you’re using the Hoover nozzle as a microphone and the kitchen as your stage. Things escalate. Your hair has a mind of its own, neighbours start banging on walls, car alarms start going off. But nothing can hold you back because you’re having such a good time, you’re having a ball. You are Freddie Mercury levels of unstoppable.
Whether you’re knee-deep in DIY and housework, looking for some motivation to get you up and at ’em for the day or simply looking for some feel-good bops to add to your car playlist, these are the songs that are sure to put a spring in your step! Find the Spotify playlist here.
Maddie added…
The Killers – Mr Brightside
You can’t not sing along to this banger, it’s my no1 Karaoke pick. I love it so much my husband and I had an acoustic version as our first dance song at our wedding.
Bon Jovi – It’s my life
If I’m ever feeling down this song is GUARANTEED to make me feel better. I’m a huge advocate of the YOLO mentality and this song is all about living life to the fullest. It’s now or never.
Bruce Springsteen – Dancing in the dark
If there was ever a song to put a spring in your step, it’s this one. Picture a young fresh-faced Courtney Cox rocking out on stage with The Boss and you’ll be bopping along in no time.
Danielle added…
Britney Spears – Work Bitch
This song never fails to get me positively PUMPED. I like to blast it on the way to work when I’ve made the effort to do both my hair & makeup and the sun is shining.
Kanye West / Sunday Service Choir – Every Hour
If you have not listened to this album yet stop what you’re doing and blast it straight into your ear holes. Nothing can get people bouncing like a full-blown church choir. AMEN.
Major Lazer – Light it up
SHABBA, this is song is just great and reminds me of festivals, beer gardens, and sunny wonderful days.
Zoe added…
S Club 7 – ALL SONGS
When the sun starts shining my mood is instantly lifted. This time last year Alfie surprised me by getting S Club to sing at my 29th birthday and now I will forever link this time of year with those songs and the happy memories!
Whitney Houston – I wanna dance with somebody
Do I need to give an explanation with this one? IT’S JUST SUCH A TUNE!
Daryl Hall & John Oats – You Make My Dreams
This song is so happy and bouncy and it instantly puts me in a great mood!
Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
This is my ultimate spring/summer song! I love sitting out in the garden on a beautiful clear day with this blaring and a book in my hand.
Charlotte added…
One Direction – Olivia
A classic (in my opinion) upbeat bop that always features in my feel-good playlists. I have so many happy memories attached to the album this featured on!
The 1975- The Sound
Every time I see The 1975 live it solidifies how infectious and ‘sing-along-able’ so many of their songs are, and The Sound epitomises that.
Ariana Grande – Successful
There’s really nothing not to love about Ariana, and Successful is my go-to whenever I need a confidence boost or hype up before a big day or night out.
Lareese added…
Mariah Carey – Always Be My Baby
This song just makes me wanna bop as soon as it comes on. It reminds me of my mum – she’d always have old school Mariah on when she was ironing away and now I do the same.
Love On Top – Beyonce
It never fails to make me move my body uncontrollably.
Michelle Branch – Everywhere
This just reminds me of being young and carefree in the 00s!
Holly added…
Gabrielle Aplin – Miss You
It never fails to instantly brighten my mood. I honestly feel like skipping when it comes on.
Years and Years – Eyes Shut
Years and Years performed at one of my first Pride events ever and it reminds me of my happiest time of the whole year. I happy cry every time this song comes on.
Whitney Houston – How will I know
Just an absolute bop really isn’t it.
Darcey added…
Drake – Passionfruit
This song reminds me SO MUCH of summer and I instantly feel happy when I hear it. I can literally envisage myself sitting at a bar along the seafront, Pimm’s in hand and the sunshine beaming.
Khalid, Swaa Lee – The Ways
This song has been an all-time fave for a while, it’s just so chilled and uplifting. Also, it’s Khalid so how can you not like…
LeAnn Rimes – Can’t Fight The Moonlight
Coyote Ugly is an ultimate feel-good film and this song is just SO good!
Childish Gambino – Feels Like Summer
As the title says, this song makes you feel like it’s summer, and that always will put a spring in my step.
Lauren added…
Marina – About Love
Kinda obsessed with this tune at the moment, it’s feel-good pop with heartfelt lyrics, and the beat always gets me dancing on the way to work!
Harry Styles – Sunflower Vol. 6
I love the drums in this song from Hazza, it’s so upbeat and makes me feel happy every time I hear it, it’s the definition of ‘BOP’.
David Bowie – Golden Years
This is a classic in my eyes, the finger clicks and groovy sounds just make for easy listening and thinking about all the garden parties and beach BBQs to come!
So you've got this date in the diary, maybe it's a 30th birthday party, a hen do, a wedding - you know the drill. Since it's a special occasion, you book yourself in for a fancy schmancy makeover. Great. Fantastic. Can't wait.
If only life were that simple. Suddenly you’re overcome with… the fear. It creeps up on you like an impending smear test or the feeling that you’ve forgotten to hand your coursework in 10 years too late.
What if she can’t do me like I do me? What if she can’t paint my tiny lips like I can, or handle my brows like I can?
It’s the same inner monologue that plays out when we commit to a hair appointment. Suddenly our hair looks f*cking great. Never have our locks looked quite as superior than in that moment between writing it in the calendar and slipping into that cape. You know the one we never know whether to navigate like a coat or a sweater. In our experience, it’s nearly always like a coat.
Makeovers are cut from the same cloth, which is why we thought we’d trial them out so you don’t have to. We hit up eight of the best beauty brands on the high street to see what each of their in-store makeovers had to offer IRL. One brief. Eight brands. Eight very different experiences. This is what happened…
Holly – Mac
I remember the first time I ever got ‘proper’ makeup was from MAC and honestly I have been a huge fan ever since then so I jumped at the chance to go there for a makeover and they did not disappoint.
Details: 60 minutes, £60 to spend on any product (There for 90 mins)
Experience
I was that nightmare customer at first because I had to rearrange my first appointment, was 10 minutes late to the new appointment and needed to extend the session. But the customer service team and people in store were so helpful. The store was clean and everyone was very friendly and I felt so at ease instantly. Conversation flowed easily with the person doing my makeup and it was really enjoyable. She explained everything she was using on my face and asked my preferences, from coverage to colour and the type of brushes she was using. She also wrote it all down on a handy piece of paper for me to take away and consider what I might like to buy, with absolutely no pressure to purchase anything on the day.
Makeup
I think because I gave a very vague brief (going out makeup) It gave the makeup artist quite a lot of legroom. I loved the makeup that was on my face and I am honestly tempted to go back there before my next big night out. I would probably have opted for a slightly less coverage foundation as it gathered in my wrinkles a bit and that is a pet peeve of mine but after 6 solid hours and a netball match and my skin still looking immaculate, I think I could put up with the coverage for my face to be that fresh 24/7. She made my eyebrows fluffy, no mean feat when I have zero eyebrow hair and the eyelashes she used looked very natural. I was a big fan!
Value
I already by my lipsticks and foundation from MAC so I think it’s great value, especially if you need to stock up on a few products anyway. They also teach you a lot so I felt like I really got something for my money and have already started applying some of the techniques she showed me in life. Thanks, MAC, you’ll be seeing me again soon!
Lareese – YSL
So, I get the brand that gave us Touche Eclat and the Blur Primer of dreams and I’m not mad about it. I’ve only ever had a makeover at MAC before, so I was intrigued to see how a department store compared with a stand-alone store experience.
Details: FREE, no obligation to buy product. Approx 40 minutes
Experience
The makeup artist was really lovely and chatty and her makeup was immaculate, which is usually a good sign. I immediately felt safe in her hands and she made me feel comfortable, despite the fact that I was about to be sat in Boots bare-faced with my angry hormonal chin out.
We chatted about what look I wanted to achieve and I said I’d like a ‘soft glam’ look with a smokey eye, preferably using warm brown tones. She nods and grabs two taupe eye shadows and one with a gold shimmer, seemingly understanding the brief and sets to work taking my light everyday makeup off ready to begin the makeover. That detail is important because I feel it sets the tone for how I usually like my makeup. Ahem. At this point, my discomfort was around the 4/10 mark but that was purely down to the Westlife-Esque stool all 5ft 8 of me was attempting to sit on, nothing to do with the makeup. She’s lovely. I’m about to get my face tickled for 40 minutes. I get to call this work. Happy days.
Makeup
She asked me all the right questions about what kind of finish I like etc to which my answer is always the same: dewy and glowy. I like my skin to look like skin – inject a bit of life into it. Please make me feel fresh out the womb again.
In between a few conversations about life and what products I like to use, the rest of the makeover sort of just unfolds around me. I had no idea what direction the look was going in, no reflective surfaces to catch a glimpse of myself before the big reveal. For the purpose of this review, I actually liked the fact that I had no idea what the end result was going to be. Give me all the impact!
But now I have the mirror in my hand – my discomfort’s at a solid 10/10 and this time it has everything to do with the makeup. Savage I know! I’m sorry. At least I’ve learned to tolerate the stool by now, that’s progress.
I usually like my makeup to look quite light and natural, even on a night out, so this was a lot heavier than I’m used to. The eyeshadow was darker and cooler than I expected since I requested a warm brown smokey eye. Gulp. I could see my contour in my peripheral vision and I also had a red lip up to my nose… how do I handle this tactfully? I sheepishly asked her if she’s happy to swap the red lip for a nude just to tone down the look a little which she was happy to do. Overall, I think if you’re into full coverage, hella glam, last-all-night kinda makeup, then you’d be in good hands here. Unfortunately, it just missed the mark for me and my penchant for barely-there slap.
Value
Despite the obvious, I do think getting a full face of makeup for FREE is exceedingly good bang for your buck. If you need to feel fancy for an evening or simply want to branch out with new products and don’t know where to start, this is a great budget-friendly way to experiment!
Danielle – Bobbi Brown
I’m not sure what I was expecting from an in store makeover, especially one from Bobbi Brown as I usually wear quite a lot of high coverage makeup and BB are known for a much simpler more natural face.
Details: 60 minutes booked in, £40 to use against any product
Experience
For my makeover I booked in for 60 minutes “glam” and when I sat down she asked what kind of thing I wanted to go for. I had great fun in store and got on really well with the makeup artist who did my makeover, I could tell she was good at her job and I was not worried about her skill set at any point. I didn’t think that there was going to be a full-blown tutorial on what was taking place but there was absolutely no chat around what she was doing at any point or if she had any advice for how she thinks certain products should be applied to my face. I was most surprised at the lack of education on products as she didn’t really try to ‘sell’ me anything which is good because everyone hates being sold to, but I was left scratching my head not knowing what to buy after. I ended up just going for a basic powder as this was something I ‘needed’ instead of getting something we had talked about during the makeover.
Makeup
Although it was quite light, I loved the makeup that was done for me at BB, the skin looked great, there weren’t any harsh lines and the eye makeup was gorgeous. However, if you are looking for high coverage Kimmy K contour full-face makeup, Bobbi Brown is not the brand for you! I could imagine a lot of people veering towards BB for wedding makeup as it natural and gorgeous.
Value
I think if you are going into Bobbi Brown to buy something you know you need you might as well book in for a makeover as you do get a full face, but other than that I’m not sure it was worth £40 and as there isn’t really an education element it’s harder to justify the spend.
Zoe – bareMinerals
I actually couldn’t tell you the last time I went and had my makeup done at a beauty counter and if I’m honest, totally forgot that most/if not all makeup and beauty counters offer some sort of makeup application that you can book in or just sit down during a spot of shopping. It’s such a fantastic way of seeing which products suit you the most and to get an overall feel for the brands without just grabbing something and taking it home only to be confused as to how it’s used and discover it’s not the correct shade. I opted for a Bare Minerals makeover as I already knew I loved the brand and a fair amount of their products are already in my makeup bag, so it was more just to see how they would use them and if I could find something new I hadn’t tried before.
Details: Bare Minerals offer a full face of makeup lasting around 45-60 minutes with a £50 minimum spend on product which is probably a bit more suited to someone who is looking to revamp their makeup bag or are already fans of bare minerals but want to discover new items or stock up on their favourites.
Experience
I had the lovely Jasmine do my makeover but all three girls in the Brighton store were helpful and friendly. The store itself is clean, well thought out and easy to navigate too. Jasmine started by cleaning my face using skin care products which I thought was a lovely touch. I wasn’t expecting a mini facial before the makeover began but it was relaxing and I loved learning a bit more about the skincare products the brand sells. Once my face was prepped, Jasmine asked me what sort of makeup I was going for, and as the team brief was “glam” I told her the more the merrier! Jasmine made sure I felt comfortable with all the makeup choices, asking me if usually wore blush, checking I was happy with the amounts of things and the colours of product and was very careful not to make me feel out of my comfort zone makeup-wise which I really appreciated. She also explained each product in detail and was brimming with Bare Minerals knowledge which just made me love her and the brand even more than I already did.
Makeup
The makeup was great, I loved it! I particularly liked the skin, I already use the original mineral foundation, but her application was brilliant. I also loved the colours she used for the eyeshadow and her technique was very professional. I was ready to hit the town afterwards! (Who am I kidding? Haha)
Value
I think £50 spent on products after a full makeover is great value! Although some counters offer a free service with no obligation to spend, I do think the girls in Bare Minerals go above and beyond to give you the best experience and actually teach you how to use the products so I can’t imagine you’d ever want to walk out without a completely fresh makeup bag anyway! I’d definitely go back and would recommend!
Darcey – Fenty
I had never had an in-store makeover before, but I was particularly excited to be having my first by Fenty Beauty as it’s a brand I have loved for a while now. I was slightly apprehensive that I might not like how they do my makeup, mainly because I’ve always done my own and know how I like to do it.
Details: 60 minutes booked in, free of charge with no obligation
Experience
I had booked in the week prior, and the girl who pencilled in my appointment let me know that she would be doing my makeup. She asked me a few questions beforehand and jotted them down. When I arrived the following week for my appointment, she greeted me at the Fenty Beauty stand and went back over what I was wanting from the makeover. She asked me lots of questions, which was great as she really got a feel for what I wanted.
I went for a ‘night-out, soft-glam look’ with a brown smokey eye and a bronzed glow. My MUA was super chatty throughout and friendly, she made me feel really comfortable the whole time which was really great. She did every part of my face step-by-step, showing me what she was using and why. She started with my brows first, and after she was finished got me to look in a mirror to make sure I liked the way she did them (they looked great btw).
She repeated this process throughout the makeover with every product she used, she even asked me if I would prefer a mousse or powder bronzer! Little details like this made the experience feel even more personalised. She showed me a lot of their products, explaining why she liked them and why she thought they would work well with me. However, at no point did I feel any type of pressure to buy any product, she actually said to me she thinks makeovers are a great way to trial different products and so you can see how they sit on your face over a prolonged period of time (aka, going on a night-out for me). Altogether, I had an amazing experience with Fenty Beauty, the staff were so nice and they really listened to what I liked!
Makeup
I think she smashed it with the makeup, I loved every part of it! Even the brows, which I was most nervous about, but I’m going to be taking her technique forward, as she did them better than I do! She did exactly what I asked, it really was a soft-glam, brown smokey eye look, with a good amount of bronzer.
Value
Amazing value! It’s FREE, you don’t have to buy any products and they do such an amazing job! You could tell all the girls working there really love their job and the makeup. It’s great value if you are wanting a night-out look or even just wanting to trial some products!
Maddie – Spack NK
I’m not particularly brand loyal when it comes to makeup and let’s face it, you can’t go too far wrong with Space NK when it comes to anything across the beauty category so I thought it would be the perfect choice for me.
Details: 20mins makeup refresh appointment, free of charge
Experience
I’m not particularly brand loyal when it comes to makeup and let’s face it, you can’t go too far wrong with Space NK when it comes to anything across the beauty category so I thought it would be the perfect choice for me. It also helped that it was completely free of cost and only 20 minutes so if you’re time poor (like me) it’s a great option.
I came out of a blustery, very wet outside looking incredibly dishevelled, hair all over the place, you get the picture but I was instantly made to feel completely comfortable and at ease surrounded by all the gorgeous brands that stock the shelves. I was offered a drink by the lovely MUA and took my seat next to the Nars counter. Nars is known for their beautiful, extremely wearable makeup and I’ve always been a big fan so I was excited to try some of their new collection. Their new Afterglow eyeshadow palette caught my eye instantly, I have the mini Wanted palette already and this just looks like it’s slightly sexier cousin. I think the lady must have caught me eyeing up the palette and asked if I wanted to try it, UM YAH.
Makeup
She layered up a mix of shadows and liners, showing me at every stage how you can build it up to make a more dramatic glam look. The palette has a couple of pink shades which is a colour I’d usually avoid, one really bright electric pink and a softer pastel which she used to blend the more coppery shades to make a really lovely warm smokey eye. She matched a blusher and a light pink tinted lip balm to tie the whole look together.
At no point did I feel super up-sold to or that I had to buy anything at the end, in fact she encouraged me to go home and play with what I’ve already got to achieve similar results which I thought was really great. I personally hate feeling pressured into any decision, especially as high-end makeup has got a punchy price tag these days. It was the right track to take with me as she just let the products speak for themselves and I left feeling great, with zero guilt and a huge desire to purchase everything.
Value
I really love the finished look and it really took all of 20 minutes to go from my everyday neutrals to pretty in pink. For £0 I think it’s an incredible service, you get to try before you buy which is perfect when you’re investing in premium products.
Lauren – Kiko
I didn’t know KIKO offered in-store makeovers so was intrigued to try as they’re cruelty-free and have quite a few vegan options too, plus they’ve got such a wide range of products from natural to vibrant that I was ready for any sort of look!
Details: 45 mins – 1hr booked in, £20 to use against any product
Experience
I was greeted by Stella who was so lovely and friendly throughout the process. She asked me what the occasion was, and I said a glam Valentine’s dinner look that needed to last until late (it was 1pm at this point) so I could really get a chance to wear the full shebang. She asked me a lot of questions about what base I would like, finish, eye-look, lip colour, so I felt confident that I’d be happy with the result even with her creative license, and the came back with a huge range of products that were all vegan too which I’d specified on booking so felt really happy that everything I was wearing was vegan-friendly.
Stella chatted to me throughout the session but also focused on making sure the look was a high standard, and she kept checking in with me that I was happy and made changes during the application (I was originally going to wear a red lip but it felt too much with the brown eye so she switched this out for me). She talked me through the products as she went along and at the end was happy to help me pick out the £20 worth of products that I thought I’d get the most use out of. All in all, it was a great experience from start to finish!
Makeup
The finished look was pretty spot on to what I was hoping for, but actually I was surprised HOW good it was! The eyes were incredible, and my brows were bigger than I could ever imagine growing them so I felt very fancy and ‘done’ compared to my usual self. Obviously it’s a lot of makeup and the contour lines on my cheeks and forehead were quite heavy, but if I was going for a big night out or event, I’d definitely go back as I was so impressed with the result.
Value
As KIKO is so affordable anyway, it’s worth booking in for the makeover as £20 gets you quite a bit of product, plus you’ll be able to see it in action so know whether it works for you. I’ll definitely be going back and would recommend everyone else tries KIKO too!
Charlotte – Chanel
Getting my makeup done by someone else is up there with a massage or facial in treating myself to something really special. I’ve never tried any Chanel beauty products before so prior to the appointment, the experience felt like it would be a really luxurious/special one!
Details: 1hr booked in, £45 to use against any product
Experience
The experience itself was very comfortable and I felt in control of the direction of the look throughout. I outlined that I wanted to try new products to get me out of the rut of using the same things day in and day out, and explained that I wanted a ‘night out’ look appropriate for evening drinks. The lady who did my makeup was extremely knowledgeable about the products used and as she applied each she explained the benefits of each item and how it would help improve the longevity of the look- something I’d highlighted as important as my appointment was at lunchtime and needed to last until the evening.
Makeup
There were aspects of the look such as the brows and glowy base that I think worked really well and would definitely encourage me to incorporate Chanel products into my routine. The base was probably my favourite part- the foundation was well matched and although the coverage was lighter than I’m used to, I think the products used created a really natural but perfected look. I’m not sure whether it was the skincare/primer used or the foundation itself but the base did feel quite sticky even after powdering- a minor observation in the grand scheme of things but one that made me feel the base could have moved/worn more if the weather was warmer or I’d had a stressful day ahead.
Overall the one thing that I didn’t love was the eyeliner flick, but that’s definitely just because I do a flick every day myself and like it to follow the natural shape of my eye. The highlighter was gorgeous and I purchased this following the makeover as it was a lovely balance of adding noticeable glow whilst still maintaining a natural finish.
Value
Given the long list of products that were used on me, I would definitely recommend the experience if you’re looking to try new products as nothing was off the table and the MUA was more than happy for you to ask questions and create a look that was very personal to you. Given that Chanel is a high-end brand with products on the luxurious end of the price scale, I think £45 is a fair price given the total cost of a full face look!
Time For A Career Change? There Are So Many Clues In Our Childhood By Emma Gannon
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” is such a weird thing to ask a kid. Us adults should know better, especially because we can often find it an awkward question to answer ourselves.
If you ask any grandparent or someone older than you, I’m sure most would still shrug their shoulders and chuckle: “I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up!” Perhaps it is only a light, nosy question, like discussing the rainy weather, but sometimes it can feel too heavy.
No one wants to predict their future on the spotEmma Gannon
No one wants to predict their future on the spot; no one wants to be asked where they see themselves in five years time. Definitely not when you’re a kid.
I have memories of being around 10 years old and a teacher asking me this question. What do you want to be? I would just clam up, feel stupid, and just blurt out something random like “er.. I dunno, a vet?” and run out into the playground. The thing is, at a young age, we actually do start having a strong sense of what we enjoy or feel good at, but it’s not as simple as turning it into a job description. It’s just a lot more subtle, bubbling away under the surface, and takes quieter focused moments to notice our skills and interests. We have to look for the clues. Some teachers are fantastic are noticing even the smallest of clues. The teachers who notice the small meaningful moments of achievement, not just the big loud trophy cabinet ones.
If we look back to the things we were attracted to at school, maybe we can remember what makes us feel alive in adulthood.Emma Gannon
According to research, many parts of our personality are already formed by the age of seven. As children we are in many ways our most free — we are creative, we are open-minded, we ask ‘why’ a lot. If we look back to the things we were attracted to at school, maybe we can remember what makes us feel alive in adulthood. Did you love pulling things apart and putting them back together again? Did you come alive in drama class? Did you like building things with your hands? Did you make collages? Were you obsessed with computers? Did you enjoy working by yourself? Were you happiest when leading a group task? In which lessons, with whom, at what part of the day were you thriving the most?
Elizabeth Gilbert (bestselling author of Eat Pray Love) recently said that her teachers at school were always telling her to shut up in class because she spoke too much, and now she literally talks on stage for a living. This makes me stop in my tracks because I too was told off for talking, even when it was actually someone else talking to me.
What’s wrong with having “too many” opinions? Emma Gannon
It reminded me of a teacher who I bumped into recently who told me I had “too many opinions” in her classes. She was laughing while saying it, a light-hearted joke perhaps, but it was a strange thing to pull up as a negative. What’s wrong with having “too many” opinions? Plus my job now is writer and columnist, where I am literally paid to have my own opinions.
Looking back, there were so many clues in my childhood leading towards what would be my later career. It wasn’t that I was always writing, but I do remember being happy whilst doing it, and getting good feedback. One vivid memory was with one of my babysitters Donna, who would draw a picture with some crayons, any old picture, and then she would task me with writing up a story that could go along with it. Once she drew a dragon inside a house and then I went away and scribbled four pages in my bad handwriting about an orphaned dragon who was trying to find a new family. I was encouraged to use my imagination. I was creating stories from an early age.
My task to you now, reading this, is to sit down with a pen and paper and remind yourself of all the things you loved to do as a kid. Emma Gannon
It makes me sad to think that so many of us lose touch with our creative childlike selves, or, in some cases, told by society to stop. Or to grow up. These clues that pop out loudly when we are younger can so often go ignored by teachers, parents and ourselves because life is busy and noisy. We are taught to follow the crowd, read the same-old career brochure and stick to the same old routes. But it doesn’t have to be that way. My task to you now, reading this, is to sit down with a pen and paper and remind yourself of all the things you loved to do as a kid. It might not be the case that you will get to ‘quit your job and follow your dreams’ — we all know things don’t happen that way overnight. But, even the act of reminding yourself of what you enjoy and what you are good at can lead to a new hobby or a new side hustle and therefore a new sense of fulfilment. It can lead us back to ourselves. It can remind us who we are again.
Find Emma on Instagram, Twitter and find lots more on her Website. You can also sign up to Emma’s wonderful newsletter The Hyphen here.
Kiley Reid's debut novel Such a Fun Age is the Zoella Book Club pick for February and she's here to tell us all about it!
When did you start writing?
I’ve been writing
since I was little but I didn’t take it seriously until I was in my early
twenties.
What was the process like for writing ‘Such a Fun Age’?
In the beginning, I would write Monday through Friday for three hours in the morning and another hour in the evening. But once I went to grad school and had more time and a bigger body of work, I would do eight hour days, especially in the final weeks of completion.
What inspired you to write ‘Such a Fun Age’?
I was very inspired by the feeling of working in someone else’s homeKiley Reid
I started with the goal of having a very awkward and charged relationships between three people. From there I focused on the nanny / mother / and child relationship, which I knew well from my time as a nanny. I was very inspired by the feeling of working in someone else’s home, especially while you don’t have a stable income and health care.
What are you currently working on?
I’m executive
producing the film adaption of Such A Fun Age and when I’m not on book tour,
I’m very slowly starting to write a second novel.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Being accepted into grad school was a game-changer as it was the first time I had time and space to really focus on writing. I was also excited to teach workshops which was a great experience.
Tell us about some of your favourite authors and books!
I loved Donna
Tartt’s The Little Friend and it has one of my favorite literary nannies in it.
I also loved Z.Z. Packar’s collection Drinking Coffee elsewhere and The History
Of Love by Nicole Kraus.
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start writing?
Don’t turn to your phone. Kiley Reid
Set realistic
goals. Not just “I want to write more.” Make lists and try your best to
complete them. If you get stuck, just sit and think about it. Don’t turn to
your phone.
What is your biggest accomplishment in life?
That’s a hard one!
Having the stamina to apply to graduate school two years in a row was very
difficult and I’m glad I had the strength to do it despite rejections.
What will you be reading, watching or listening to in 2020?
I’m excited to read
Gish Jen’s newest book. I’ll also be watching a lot of television as it’s an
election year.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Apply to
everything. Even if you don’t know how it would work out. Just apply and figure
it out later.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
I know it’s not a
real meal…popcorn.
What do you always carry with you?
Glue. I love press-on nails and if one of them decides to pop off, I am ready.
What are you most looking forward to in 2020?
Touring has been wonderful and I’m looking forward to getting back on the road in March. I’m also excited to dive into novel number two.
Are you reading Such a Fun Age for the Zoella Book Club?
