Issue 572 by CUB Magazine

MAGAZINE

CUB ISSUE 572

C R E AT E D B Y S T U D E N T S , F O R S T U D E N T S

WELCOME TO

ISSUE 572

I’m writing this in between sobbing and shovelling a tub of Ben and Jerry’s into my mouth. Okay, so this might be a slight exaggeration, but it accurately sums up how I feel about my time as Editor in Chief coming to an end, and the final print edition of the academic year 2018/19 being upon us. It has been a dream come true (challenging moments included) to edit CUB this past year and I couldn’t be happier with CUB’s progress: the team is the biggest it has ever been and we have noticeably increased our presence around campus and externally – we have been inundated with amazing opportunities from gigs, exclusive art gallery viewings, cocktail tasting and much much more!

4 are some lovely send-offs in this piece to get you thinking about life after graduation.

Finally, I would like to say a few thank you’s. Firstly, I’d like to give special recognition to our design team: Michael Lau Hing Yim, Sarah Bardell, Moneeka Thakur, Aunanna Hossain and Maliha Sajjad, for dedicating so much time to implement my vision in CUB’s printed editions – I couldn’t have done it without you. Secondly, I’d like to give a special shout-out to Christine Stokes from the Students’ Union for her endless support and guidance throughout the year. Lastly, I would like to say a huge thank you to all our readers and the team – CUB is a magazine entirely ‘created by Our incredible student team of 67 editors and over students, for students’, so thank you for making my 150 contributors have continuously provided you job worthwhile. with excellent content and issue 572 is no exception. Inside you’ll find a broad range of articles to get you through exam, coursework and dissertation hell: If you’d like to become part of CUB in the next from political correctness and freedom of speech, academic year, keep an eye on our social media and to how to stay sustainable in the city, to India’s make sure to look out for when applications open period culture, to dispelling the virginity myth and in May! a satirical piece on millennials, this edition really does have it all! As everyone is looking forward Love, to summer, it is also the beginning of the end for many of the team’s editors, myself included. As I fly the Queen Mary nest after three years, there

eld wnfihief Bro-in-C NicoleEditor

EDITOR IN CHIEF Nicole Brownfield SOCIAL MEDIA Naseha Yasmin, Ruchika Naidu, Vaneet Kaur Sandhu DESIGN Michael Lau Hing Yim, Sarah Bardell, Moneeka Thakur, Aunanna Hossain, Maliha Sajjad FEATURES Gabrielle Agyei, Tabitha Purslow, Fran Spree, Jasmine Ali ARTS Moneeka Thakur, Charlotte Rubin, Louise Fligman, Layla Angell, Maria Albano LONDON Lisha Halai, Stevie Cannell, Samantha Vincent, Taylor Humphreys FILM Guy Pullen, Robert Stayte, Meliha Siddiqui, Florian Kasperski, Ioana Radulescu

STYLE Erin Wallace, Karina Bogdan, Roma-Ramsden Gupta, Simran Singh, Sarah Maycock MUSE Juliette Raskauskas, Silvana Limni, Rauda Aldarei, Vanda Suha, Sara Giovannini MUSIC Rachel Peters, Josephine Whitehouse, Azraa Khan, Heather O’Brien, Flora Medford UNISEX Demi Whitnell, Matthew Ferguson COLUMNISTS Gina Gambetta, Isabelle Hathaway, Flora Medford, Samuel Clarke, Charlotte Whittaker, Maleeka Imam, Maria Jones, Azmin M. Mistry, Charlotte Rubin, Tracy Jawad

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EDITOR IN CHIEF

THE SILVER LINING

FEATURES

WE’RE ALL MAD HERE

FEATURES

LONDON

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FEATURES

L’ART POLITIQUE

FILM

BLACKETT’S TWO CENTS

ARTS

BEAUTY 3

Tie

d in Contemporary Times Words by Nicole Brownfield

This article has been a long time brewing. What caused my volcano of thoughts to boil over onto this page was a recent discussion with a friend over the backlash Stacey Dooley faced for posting an Instagram picture of herself holding a young black boy as part of her Comic Relief trip to Uganda. Alarmingly, she had captioned the post: ‘OBSESSSSSED’ and then added a broken heart emoji. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of Stacey Dooley (especially after her stint on Strictly), but the word ‘obsessed’ is extremely objectifying and positions the African child as a token or accessory. One might be obsessed with a new pair of shoes or a new song for example. Not a child. It is further telling that society has reached an all time low when humans resort to emojis instead of words to express how they feel. Stacey’s use of a broken heart emoji is another ill judgement as it makes her the focus of the picture – we learn about her feelings as she smiles for the camera with her tousled hair half covering her eyes. Her

‘blindness’ is symbolic of her obliviousness to the fact she has exploited this child – who remained unnamed- to bring attention to her philanthropic and humanitarian work, while possibly amassing thousands of likes and new followers in the process.

Labour MP David Lammy was the headline act in the line up attacking Dooley, claiming that the picture: “conveys the age-old trope that is her as the heroine and the black child as the victim” and that Dooley painted herself as the “white saviour” reminiscent of colonialism and its alleged civilising mission. However, despite my above criticisms, I do think Lammy went too far and overlooked the fact that Dooley was there on behalf of Comic Relief – a charity whose aim is to make their vision of a just world free from poverty, a reality. I do not think there was anything wrong with Dooley’s picture, just her caption. Dooley could have easily rectified the picture

“If we carry on this way, we will be too scared to speak” Lammy’s comments flagged up some thoughts I have been having for a while. He totally undermined Dooley’s work and reduced her efforts down to race, accusing her as a ‘white’ person of victimising a ‘black’ child. While I agree that everyone is entitled to an opinion and that there may be some truth to Lammy’s comments, it seems that today, no one can express an opinion or do anything without somebody else taking offence or attacking them from the angle of race, gender, sex, class etc. Today’s society is so diverse and has evolved to reflect a rainbow of different people with different personal preferences and orientations, for example individuals who identify as being asexual, pansexual, transsexual, or gender fluid. The list could go on. But my point is, such orientations did not exist in the past and society today has had to adapt to accommodate them. I would argue that some people are more conscious and aware of how to talk about such orientations and express an opinion in a way that won’t cause offence to anyone. However, other people are slower to inform themselves and might take a bit longer to wrap their heads around such terms. This seems to be true for older generations. This is okay. This is normal.

EDITOR IN CHIEF

n g ue o T -

by providing a paragraph of why she was in Uganda, what the problems in Uganda are that she was trying to raise awareness of, and how people back home and around the world can help. I applaud Stacey for her charity work, she just needed to think more carefully about how she documented her involvement. As a celeb, Dooley has the power to reach a wide audience and make people conscious of Africa’s poverty and the work that still needs to be done to achieve economic and racial equality. People therefore need to overlook her faux pas and instead focus on why she was in Uganda in the first place.

We are all human and like Stacey, we make mistakes.

Due to the desire to be politically correct and make up for the past whereby certain groups such as homosexuals were oppressed and classed as ‘deviant’, people in general have become oversensitive to the words of others and the way they express themselves. We are constantly reminded of the need to say something the ‘right’ way and find ourselves walking on eggshells. Yes, I agree that there is a certain art to expressing an opinion, but what I’m trying to say is that not everyone has perfected that art yet and if someone does express an opinion in a problematic way, try to be more considerate to the fact people are still learning. Not everything a person says or does is meant to be judged in terms of race, class, gender, sex etc. Someone can express an opinion or do something without us feeling we have to jump to the defence of a certain cause or group. If we carry on this way, we will be too scared to speak and opinion will be stifled. The only way to learn from each other is to continue talking and correcting each other productively rather than criticising each other.

Millennial, Goes Vegetarian to Save the Words by Charlotte Whittaker

fter the shocking nation-wide revelation that climate change is actually happening and human consumption is surpassing sustainable levels, we caught up with Lucy, 20 year old student studying history, who has decided that people need to do more to protect the planet.

and years to degrade so it’s good to make sure you reuse the same ones.”

“I’ve been vegetarian for a few weeks now, and I really love it.” Lucy began, whilst tucking into her plastic wrapped cheese sandwich meal deal from Sainsbury’s. “I just think the animal industry is really damaging when you consider the pollution it causes and how much land is used for agriculture.”

“Most stores are using paper bags now. Primark always has which is pretty great of them, so I guess they’re quite environmentally friendly. But whenever I go for some retail therapy at places like H&M, Missguided, or other similar stores, I always make sure to get one big bag and put everything in there.”

After pausing to drink her skinny latte from a single-use paper cup, she then continued, “I just think we all have to do our bit. Like, being vegetarian really isn’t hard. I mean sure I miss meat but there’s so many other alternatives. I don’t know if you’ve heard of Linda McCartney, but they do amazing sausages.”

We then asked her about what she thought of the fast fashion industry, and whether she believed it was it was ethical and sustainable.

She laughed a bit whilst answering; “I’d love to but honestly, it’s just so expensive and time consuming! I just don’t really know how students could do it. I’m on such a tight budget.” She said sadly, whilst eating her meal deal snack.

“I mean I know Primark is really bad for human rights, but look, I’m a broke student so what else can I do? I can’t exactly afford Free People. I don’t really know about the rest.”

THE SILVER LINING

PlANET

Fast Fashion Loving, Plastic Using

Noting that she had a shopping bag with her, we asked about the use of bags for shopping in retail, and she agreed that this was also an issue.

“I guess I tend to do a lot of online shopping from ASOS which is pretty fast- they’ve just introduced same-day delivery! And yeah, that comes in plastic wrap but there’s nothing “Would you ever consider being vegan?” I asked I can do about that.” her, in light of her concern for the land use in When further asked about the sustainability animal agriculture. of fast fashion, she got slightly defensive.

We asked her about what else she’s doing other We finally asked her about perhaps than vegetarianism to help protect the planet. consuming less, and whether that would be “Well,” She began thoughtfully, as she discarded beneficial. the plastic wrapper for her snack. “I try not to use plastic bags. I always take a bag for life with me when I do my weekly shop at ASDA.” After taking a sip from a plastic water bottle from Sainsbury’s, she added, “Plastic bags take years

“Yeah, people probably should consume lessthere’s only a finite number of resources left on the planet!” She agreed, before asking: “Do you guys want another coffee?”

End E S

o here we have it, it is that time of year again. We’re reaching the end of term; one that marks the end of another academic year at Queen Mary. With this comes an inevitable sense of reflection and as a final year student, I can say I’ve had my fair share of these moments. When marking the ‘end of an era’, we obviously think about endings. There is a finality to this statement that suggests a finite close to a certain period in our lives. One chapter has been completed, so we must start another. But this same ending in fact means the beginning of something new. And who is to say that the ending of the year, for many of you reading the end of your university experience, means completely putting that in a box and locking it away. Endings are an indication of growth, of new experience and opportunity. Living itself is a continual experience, one that means the interweaving of one event with another. Can we really mark stages of our lives as the ‘end of an era’ when each and every one contributes to something much bigger?

The end of an era

Our university experience is a huge part of this. Whether yours is just starting out, you are in the midst of it, or find that it is coming to an end, it has changed you. It comes with its ups and downs, friends come and go. There are deadlines, exams, rent, food and bills to think about. The list goes on and on but in all this sense of responsibility, every bump you have faced in the road and every wonderful, joyful experience you’ve had has culminated to create the person reading at this very moment. Yes, we can call completion an end, but we can also regard moments as markers of new experiences to come. With endings can come fear or anxiety. The prospect of the unknown can feel daunting for a lot of us. As an upcoming graduate there is an expectation to have things figured out, to know what the next big step will be. For those of you with a few years left of studies the thought

of what is to come can be just as challenging. Will you get through them smoothly? What challenges will you face ahead? With all this worrying and speculation, we can forget to live in the moment. Life becomes a kind of series of phases, of beginnings and endings, rather than something to be wholeheartedly lived.

F E AT U R E S

Words by Gabrielle Agyei

I’ve always found the social aspect of university strange. Essentially a group of young adults are thrown together and expected to figure it out. It is the first time many of us have been out on our own and because of this, university years really come to define our character. Reflecting on our university experiences we realise how much we’ve been through and how much of it informs who we are today. Endings, our past, inform our present and future. We look back on our experiences and learn from them. We make ourselves better because of them and so we derive power from them in the process. The prospect of the future, something that we can’t see or necessarily predict, can lead to a sense of powerlessness. But power, our sense of assurance, and confidence, comes from knowing that we can face what is ahead because we’ve done it before. The past was once the future, but we tackled it, possibly fell on our faces a few times, but we picked ourselves right back up afterwards.

Endings are not always easy. At university I have experienced some of the best and worst times of my life, but I wouldn’t change a thing. University is what we come to know for about 3 years of our lives. We fall into a routine and find a comfort in it. Because of this, beginnings can be tough too as they signal the unknown. An unknown that is exciting and full of fresh starts. It is a chance to evolve, try new things, learn and explore your passions. It may be the end of an era but its not the end. Really it is only kicking off.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Words by Gina Gambetta

All

good things must come to an end; this column is one of them. I started it at the end of my first year and across the last two years, not only have I learnt so much about mental health, but also myself. When I published my first article, fittingly titled ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’, I was very lost and confused. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life and my mental health was spiralling -I needed something to make me feel like I had a purpose.

I wanted to create something out of a dark time, so I decided to make a space that could discuss mental health in an informative, and yet accessible and engaging way. I wanted others to be able to read something that they could relate to; that did not just reduce them to a statistic, or a charity case. I genuinely hope that people have got something from my articles, even if it is just one person.

Although not all my pieces have tied to the topic, I’d like to think that I’ve touched on some pretty important stuff. From abortion, anorexia, dual diagnosis, and estrangement. As well as this, I’ve shared a lot about my own experiences: suicide crises, diagnoses, medication and all. It’s been quite the ride, and I’ve loved every minute of it. Anyway, during this point of reflection, I began to wonder, since this column started in 2017, what has changed for mental health as an element of our society? On the one hand, it seems more people are able to be open about their mental health and are seeking help. Not to be idealistic, but it appears, despite the likes of Piers Morgan and Katie Hopkins still having platforms, the old stiff upper lip culture is breaking down. It’s now “ok” to say: ‘yeah I’m struggling.’ This shift is particularly prevalent in individuals’ and society’s attitudes to male mental health.

As well as this, days, weeks and campaigns dedicated to the topic have increased, become more visually prominent, and varied thanks to a wider range of organisations getting involved and a stronger marketing presence. For instance, the most liked picture on Instagram is of an egg, known as Eugene; during Hulu’s Superbowl campaign, Eugene slowly started showing cracks after feeling under pressure and not talking about it. In addition, last year the clothing brand Monki joined up with Mental Health Europe to raise awareness about the effects of social media on young people. And on World Mental Health Day, everyone from Ferne Cotton, Shawn Mendes, Nadiya Hussain and Professor Green posted authentic and personal perspectives using the hashtag. And yet, despite “mainstream” disorders, like depression and anxiety –which are almost buzzwords now - becoming more acceptable in society and the media, there is still a lack of knowledge, understanding and openness about more severe and/or less known conditions. People still pull a face or make a comment when they hear the words ‘schizophrenia’ or ‘personality disorder.’ I myself have been asked if I hear voices or have twenty-two personalities, because I have BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) –just to clarify I don’t, well I mean that’s what Patricia and Finbarr who live in my brain say. As well as this, certain

WE'RE ALL MAD HERE

So, what has caused this increased openness and acceptance? Firstly, awareness has gone through the roof. People in the public eye, from reality stars, boxers, singers, and royals are all speaking out about their struggles and journeys. In 2017, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate Middleton launched Heads Together and for the first time spoke about the pain of losing their mother. Moreover, Lady Gaga has been open about suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder); similarly, Nicole Schzinger has talked about her struggle with bulimia and Demi Lovato with her addictions. By influencers and role models speaking out, the topic is destigmatised and normalised. For instance, Tyson Fury recently said, “If I can speak about mental health –heavyweight champion, six foot nine, eighteen stone tough guy –anybody can.”

issues are still taboo and I have had friends told not to associate themselves with me because I do not talk to my mum –apparently it makes me toxic. Worse still, certain demographics face a higher stigma from their family, friends and society. This can be down to: race, religion, sexuality, or culture. When I attended last years ‘Mental Health: Stigma in South Asians’ panel, I was made aware of the shame and silence stigmas which are prevalent in the community –particularly from older generations. In addition, due to these stigmas, it means that these groups are more likely to have a more chronic and debilitating experience. For instance, LGBT youth are four times more likely to kill themselves than their heterosexual counterparts. Moreover, more than half of individuals who identify as transgender experience depression or anxiety. Thankfully, there are some amazing individuals, for example, Hauwa Ojeifo in Nigeria with her trailblazing She Writes Woman charity, and organisations like Stonewall, who are tackling these issues head on. Hopefully, in two years these societal and cultural inequalities will have eased, if not been erased. Plus, although it is fantastic that awareness and openness wise, people and society have come leaps and bounds, fundamentally: services are still strained, suicide and sufferer rates are still rising, cuts are constant, investment is superficial, and ministers, and PMs, are still just using ‘mental health’ as a buzzword to appear relevant and get votes. There is still a long way to go, talking is great, but it only gets you so far, actual change needs to start happening. Yes, I love Mind and Time To Change doing social media campaigns about people’s stories, but that does not actually help people’s recovery –services do. Anyhoo, thank you to all who have read my articles, thank you to CUB for giving me this space, and thank you to my long-suffering flat mates who have dealt with me sat in the kitchen like Gollum at 2am muttering about the 1983 Mental Health Act. Adieu. Aufwiedersehen. Gesundheit. Farewell.

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W O R D 12

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his twenty-six-minute documentary was released on 5th April 2018. It is directed by Rayka Zehtabchi and has gone on to win an Oscar in the ‘Best Documentary Short Subject’ category, contending with the likes of ‘A Night at the Garden’, ‘Black Sheep’, ‘End Game’ and ‘Life Boat’. The documentary is set in a rural village just outside of Delhi, India and it follows the social stigma surrounding menstruation. We hear from various women whose lives have been stunted as a result of their menstrual cycle. In one shocking account, a woman reveals that she was forced to quit her education because she didn’t know how to deal with her periods as she was deprived of the luxury of pads. When women were asked about periods in the documentary they began to giggle nervously and visibly squirm at the mention of this allegedly ‘dishonourable’ word. This indicates the lack of conversation around menstruation in India and that neither women nor men feel comfortable enough to weigh in on the subject. In fact, when a group of boys were asked what a period was, one of them naively answered that it is the hourly ‘class periods’ during school. However, when the interviewer asked if they had heard of the ‘illness’ that affects women, astonishingly all of the boys recognised the term ‘illness’ as referring to period. It is disheartening to see that in India, menstruation is only known as an illness rather than something natural that should be celebrated. Instead, it is seen as something to be ashamed of and something that should not be mentioned, especially in the presence of men. An elderly woman in the documentary is further asked why periods occur in a female’s body and her response is that it is ‘the bad blood coming out’. This exposes a lack of education in female anatomy, especially amongst older generations. Swapna Majumdar’s article in The Tribune informs us that “talking about menstruation has been a taboo even among planners. It received the attention of the Ministry of Health only in 2011. Close to 70% per cent of Indian women risk getting severe infection, at times causing death, due to poverty, ignorance and shame attached to their menstruation cycle.” Taking a closer look at India, we can see that some of the major cities in India have grown both socially and economically,

but the stigma surrounding menstruation continues to exist. In both cities and villages periods are unfortunately treated with disdain.

F E AT U R E S

However, the documentary does strive to show the changes that both men and women are working towards. The motto of The Pad Project is “a period should end a sentence, not a girl’s education.” As a result, some members of the village have devised a machine which creates pads and have trained numerous women how to use the equipment safely. Women are given full control of resources, handling machinery, and advertising and selling the final product by persuading women to try the pads which are meant for menstruation, rather than the unsanitary cloths women previously used. The documentary does not just focus on The Pad Project, it also shows advancement in the community where women, as a result of their jobs making pads, have been able to afford gifts for family members and to work rather than sitting at home doing chores. We also meet a young girl who aspires to become a police officer, which is incredibly heart-warming as for many years, women have been relegated to India’s farming or textile industry. Overall, the documentary celebrates the gradual changes that Indian women have started to make in order to empower themselves. I would definitely recommend watching this Netflix documentary. It not only highlights the need for better local and global conversation around menstruation in India, and the world in general, but also opens your eyes to fundamental differences between societies. In the UK, we don’t always appreciate how readily available sanitary products are. Watching this documentary has encouraged me to be more appreciative of the sanitary products that are available and the education that I have received in regard to menstruation which is something that we, as a westernised society, certainly take for granted. Help keep this conversation going. Help make a change to the lives of women worldwide. 13

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“You don’t have to buy expensive, new-fangled gadgets to do your part in saving the environment – there are so many products produced in London that only involve you having to swap over items that you use daily: how about one of Pela Case’s compostable phone cases? Ballpoint pens constructed from water bottles? Reusable sandwich wraps? The most obvious product to help combat our endangered environment is the reusable water bottle: brand’s such as Chilly’s offer sleek, lightweight bottles in a range of sizes and designs that keep drinks hot as well as cold! However, as they can be a little pricey, you can do what I did and get one just for cold drinks - I know I annoy my fellow students in lectures with the clinking as I undo the lid, but it is a small price to pay when rescuing the world! Did you know that a plastic toothbrush takes over 400 years to decompose? As they sit on landfill sites they release toxic chemicals as they decay, polluting our precious air. This is why switching to a bamboo toothbrush is so important: they last just as long as your traditional plastic one but break down naturally after they’re disposed of. I got mine for £4 in Superdrug but packs of four provide better value for money.”

“Optiat: One person’s trash is another’s treasure: this is the motto that will change the world! This natural beauty company upcycle coffee beans that would be discarded from cafés all over London to create what I am confident is THE best exfoliator known to man! My personal favourite is “the hangover cure” with invigorating peppermint, but the caffeine from the coffee in each of the four flavours helps stimulate blood flow, is effective against skin conditions, and fight free radicals (I’m not sure what they are but it certainly sounds like a good thing!). So you can help save the planet just by scrubbing up!”

ST EV I E

“If sustainability is your thing (and it should be), you’ll know that there are 101 little everyday hacks to reduce your carbon footprint. In light of this, I’m going to tackle just one of the many guilty giants: the fashion industry. The tee you’re wearing right now guzzled 2,700 litres of water in the making. Shocked? I was when I found out too. With stats like this, there’s no way that your ‘little contribution’ won’t have a major impact. Let’s start with baby steps: try avoiding clothes with a limited lifespan. We’re talking quality over quantity and ‘on trend’ pieces. By opting for classic, timeless pieces, you guarantee a chic, constantly trendy wardrobe that will never go out of date. Hand in hand with this come capsule wardrobes. The complete closet that consists of a select few curated items that you LOVE. Your capsule wardrobe should be interchangeable, interseasonal, and compatible. The idea is that you should be able to forge endless outfits out of 10 quality items. And if you’re only buying 10 pieces – it is likely that you can afford to spend a little more on each of them. Ask yourself - “does it pass the love test?”. Shopping sustainable brands is epic, but more often they are the more expensive option. However, the mechanics of a capsule wardrobe make sustainable brands that bit more accessible. Also be sure to recycle your old garms at a clothing bank! But, if you’re anything like me (a student and broke) my wish for a purely Reformation closet is curbed by my pitifully empty pockets. Enter the thrift store, and its partner in crime - the charity shop. This duo has been the students’ best friend since day dot. And for us millennials, we’re now encountering a situation where the high street trends are being designed to replicate the gems found in thrift stores. It is tough work, and you’ve got to dig deep, but it is totally worth it. Cheap, unique, and sustainable. I’m saying yes to all three! And although sustainable fashion should be a worldwide concern, for those of us in London here are a couple of my faves: Mary’s Living and Giving shop for Save the Children, Lama’s Pyjamas, and Shop from Crisis (Finsbury Park). For me, concern for our future should be fashionable, and if we can be sustainably stylish, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be.”

LONDON

AND THE 14

LISHA

S U ST A I N A B I L ITY

“Sadly, sustainability is not something we, as a generation, pay attention to. We always seem to have something more important on our agenda, but the truth is that we are affecting the environment through our ignorance. Did you know that roughly 700,000 plastic bottles used per day end up as litter? They are NOT recycled! It may come across as a shock, but the UK throws away approximately 2.5 billion paper cups per annum. Think about all the coffees and teas you’ve bought as students, all served in paper cups. Now you might be thinking that you are doing your part by throwing the cups in the recycling bin, but the truth is that less than 0.4 per cent of these cups are recycled. They either end up in landfills or are incinerated. Incineration is further harmful to the environment as 90% of the ashes are collected under the furnace, whilst 10% is actually toxic fly ash. As a generation, we have the time and tools to make a change! Remember, this is an issue that affects each and every one of us and if we want to make a change we need to start now. Change your non-sustainable habits into conscious sustainable decisions.”

SOME T H I N G F O U N D 16

Virgin. These days the word is synonymous with being a loser, a prude, or an all-around freak. It seems that past a certain age – one which isn’t remotely near the age of majority – still having your v-card is something of a taboo. Well, I’ve played into that pop culture-induced, Western trope and, as of recently, have lost my virginity.

no VIP lounge full of sex toys and condoms. And there’s no real way of telling whether or not someone’s a virgin – you can’t tell by the way they dress, their age, or the way they wear their hair; the only way you can tell is if you’re directly told. So why was I so happy? And is losing your virginity really that great?!

It wasn’t as glamorous as I thought it would be – it wasn’t as clean, efficient, and effortless as often portrayed in films or music. The process is more carnal than it is algorithmic. Yes, I’ll be completely honest: the first time you have sex kind of sucks, especially when it involves penetration. And yet, to some extent, I still found it enjoyable. It was awkward, yet stimulating – painful, yet arousing. Whilst there was an immense sense of discomfort involved, it also invoked a sense of joy – and it was a sense of joy that was completely worth it. I could laugh at mistakes without feeling the quality of sex was at stake.

Well, yes – and no. Losing your virginity can be an amazing experience – it is the acceptance of one another’s bodies, the feel of human touch, and the expression of passion – albeit sexual passion. It can release you from the confines of your insecurities and help you gain a sense of confidence you never knew you had before. But it can also be awkward, discomforting, and, if it hasn’t already been stressed enough, painful.

Following the encounter, however, I felt an odd sense of satisfaction. As I waddled to the bus stop, all I could think was ‘fuck yeah, I’m no longer a virgin!’ Almost having got hit by, not one, but at least five cars, I thought ‘well, at least I won’t die a virgin!’ I felt an odd sense of confidence seep through my veins – my now very, very sore veins – as if the plasma in my blood had been replaced entirely by energy-induced jizz. On the journey home, a grin was plastered on my face as if to tell everyone that passed by that I, Matthew Ferguson, was no longer a virgin. I jammed out to Dyo’s Sexual while climbing up escalators, replayed the encounter in my mind, and found myself beyond elated to have joined what once seemed like an exclusive club. But alas, there is no club. No society, religion, or political party exists for those who’ve lost their virginity – that would just be weird. There’s

UNISEX

G N I H T E SOM T S O L

“But the harsh reality is that our culture glorifies the loss of virginity to a point where those who’ve not yet joined the club feel like they’ve been dropped in a desolate, barren land...”

Humans are innately drawn to seek pleasure – and that is a beautiful thing! But who said it had to be through immediate sexual pleasure? We get pleasure from so many aspects of our lives – friends, food, nature, family, art, social justice – and none of these things have to involve sex. (Seriously, please don’t shag that basil plant. Put it down.) But the harsh reality is that our culture glorifies the loss of virginity to a point where those who’ve not yet joined the club feel like they’ve been dropped in a desolate, barren land – an unlubricated desert detached from the rest of the world. Virgins aren’t deprived; virgins aren’t prudish; virgins aren’t afraid. They are people who deserve respect. Whether it is for cultural, religious, or simply personal reasons, we all have the right not to lose our virginity. Freedom of expression applies to sex too! And choosing not to express desire or lust is completely normal! Whatever the case, it is not a matter of use it or lose it. After all, as Daft Punk hasn’t, but really should’ve sang, ‘you shouldn’t feel sucky if you don’t get lucky.’

Words by Matthew Ferguson 17

O X

Stu

A D

On d en the OR t a I G nd tChon

A R

We plough through readings, trip during assignments, and wade towards article deadlines. Yet we are never done; when one task has been ticked off, we kick back and see… there are three more to plan ahead for and more things to read for tomorrow and the day after that. On top of the struggle to have everything done – not only on time, but also thoroughly – comes the need to constantly produce work that is better than the last piece you submitted. These questions are constantly running through my mind – is this to the expected standard? If I write how I know, will I never push myself higher? But if I don’t write how I know, how am I supposed to write? If I am still learning, how am I going to write something wholly original? As students who are still learning, it is hard to feel inspired in a world where everything has been written better and done before by an academic who knows infinitely more than you. If every story written can be categorised into one of The Seven Basic Plots, what is the point in writing creatively? Art can suffer from the same paradox: most still lives have been painted in a surrealist, pointillist, realist, or impressionist style; any political message has most likely been touched on by somebody before; most objects in the world have been photographed numerous times. It is easy to feel like an impersonator or a fraud, especially in the digital age where artists are constantly being sued over similarities between songs. Creation is a bipartite process in which our experiences are shaped by what we perceive, which then shapes what we create: what seems to be unoriginality is simply a sort of adaptation. But this never stops artists and it shouldn’t stop you. “Good artists copy, great artists steal,” is a quote that could ironically be attributed to either Pablo Picasso, Oscar Wilde, or several other artists, yet still rings an echo of truth. In both your studies and your personal work, you should not be afraid to put your own spin on something whether it be what you say or how you say it. We are here to learn, and imitation may just be part of the process of finding an individual voice in the crowd. If you have produced it honestly, it will never really be a copy. The academics who look down their nose at you when you get something wrong were once in your exact position: a student, a learner, feeling equally uninspired by the oversaturated body of existing work. At the end of this academic year, it is important to reflect on the fact that you kept going. You might have had lots of extracurricular society obligations, a job, or simply found it difficult to keep on top of all the work set, yet you pushed onwards. You persevered. We all have slumps where we wonder, “what is the point?”, but the important thing is that you keep ploughing and wading on regardless. In terms of university, but also life in general…

Words by Layla Angell 18

ARTS

ion dit

If studying is a journey, it is a tough one.

What have we accomplished? A lot as a University.

AS ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER Words by Taslima Khanom

But personally, I’m not so sure. Me? Mostly assignments. I am writing this for myself and to you. To every one of us who walk through campus, anxiety eating at our veins at the prospect of having to socialise. To be brutally honest, it is not even socialising – it is the fear of being judged. Judged in lectures for not understanding, judged in seminars for saying the wrong thing, judged because we simply cannot seem to fit in. Truth is, everyone judges and at the same time doesn’t. And it is all in our head. I’m here to tell you – and myself – that we need to bury that fear and really think for ourselves instead of others. Who do you want to be? Who do you want to become?

F E AT U R E S

It is that time of the year again – where we start prepping for upcoming exams and look ahead to summer! It is hard to believe that this is my first published article for CUB, despite being a member throughout the whole of the academic year. I blame it on nerves and that crippling panic of not being good enough. I began writing this to end the year knowing I did something for myself, actually took a small step forward to what I want to accomplish in life. Writing is my dream, it always has been, and it always will be. I started this article in hope of inspiring some optimism in those of us who haven’t done the things we intended to do at the beginning of the year. I’m here to say that it is okay. It really is. Whether you’re a first year going into your second or you’re graduating this summer, there’s always that saying that we should live by:

As one door closes, another opens. A bit cliché but very true and very real. So here’s a bit of wisdom (or not):

Begin taking opportunities, for yourself, to make yourself proud, for your goals however big or small. 21

In Oscar Wilde’s The Soul of Man

Under Socialism, we are introduced to a vision of a world of equality and goodness where man may find the time to enjoy life, to take leisure and to create new things. This imagined society, so different from our own, forced Wilde to explain the rationale behind his dreaming. He tells us that:

‘A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at, for it leaves out the one country at which Humanity is always landing. And when Humanity lands there, it looks out, and seeing a better country, sets sail. Progress is the realisation of utopias.’ Wilde’s prosaic argument for utopian thinking is here summarised in a claim that all human progress is dependant upon the belief in utopia itself. There is great evidence supporting this idea, for from the beginnings of human civilisation human beings have strived for a better world. Before Wilde’s own day, when most of the European world was filled with peasants, labourers 22

dreamed of the land of plenty, Cockaigne, where all life’s pleasure were immediately at hand and where the hard-life of the everyday was nowhere to be found.

‘This period in history bought fear and anxiety for a perceived moral decadence and degradation’ The want for a better world, for which we can ‘set sail’, is in The Soul of Man an antidote to the fears and pessimism of the modern world, which, for Wilde, meant the 1890s and the Fin de Siécle (end of the century). This period in history bought fear and anxiety for a perceived moral decadence and degradation - a pessimism aimed at bourgeois society and its material and cultural success. In one line of Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, we can see this focus on the conflict between the pessimistic and the optimistic: ‘Algernon: I hope tomorrow will be a fine day, Lane.

Wilde, however, was not the only Victorian writer to dramatize these feelings, for a multitude of widely renowned novels covered similar themes. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dracula and The Time Machine are all examples of novels filled with anxiety for change, degradation, and excess. What was it, then, in this time, that gave certain writers a feeling that the world could be better; and what, in a world filled with pessimism, could allow them to find their desires for the future?

‘All these examples [...] are the articulations of authors that desire a better world’ This, of course, ushered in a variety of utopian fictions, which, in turn, gave us the sci-fi we know today. These writers, using imaginary worlds, scenarios, and technologies, were able to better grasp how they wanted the future to be, and, more importantly, gain hope from that image. Notably examples include W. H. Hudson’s A Crystal Age, where a small race of humans, rebuilding after an apocalypse, find their way back to a more modest and pastoral world; or Edward Bellamy’s Looking Backward, involving a young American who wakes up from a hypnosis-induced

sleep and finds themselves in a US that has been converted into a socialist utopia; or even William Morris’ News from Nowhere, where a socialist finds themselves in an agrarian society with no money, private property or class systems. All these examples, which are only a handful amongst many, are the articulations of authors that desire a better world, and who, through their writing, want to show us in what ways they deem that to be possible.

L'ART POLITIQUE

Oscar Wilde and the Fin de Siécle / Why We Should Set Sail for Utopia

Lane: It never is, sir. Algernon: Lane, you’re a perfect pessimist. Lane: I do my best to give satisfaction, sir.’

‘we can imagine a utopia, or goal, that we can all achieve’ Art, which I am sure Oscar Wilde would argue alongside myself, is the perfect expression through which we can imagine a utopia, or goal, that we can all achieve. It is important that we take a particular lesson from Wilde, and of utopian writers in general, when we think of the world we sit in today. Is it worth, when we believe things are wrong, to give into those who call themselves the ‘sensible’, or the ‘centrists’, who are indeed just those who are conjoined with the status quo? Or would it be better to be constantly imagining a better future, or island, where all that we wish to achieve is possible? The latter is infinitely more appealing, for even if we do not manage to reach the island we see on the horizon, we have still come much farther than the person who is stuck on the shore. Words by Samuel Clarke 23

It was the morning of Deadline-Monday and

e a r one and I’d just been accepted into university. I just went with the flow and had to rush to meet the central intelligence. Hello to the longest yard here comes the boom, due dates! I could feel the heat, me myself and work but I was going in style, a youth in revolt. 127 hours later and doom and annihilation were upon me, November’s climax had left me empty as if I’d been attacked by a tomb raider. I saw the assignments but it was too late to get out, the high life was over! As the deadlines were approaching fast and furious, dumb and dumber became superbad, the ugly truth began to click, life wasn’t a LOL high school musical no more. 500 days of summer was a memento of the distant past and my notebook was in the mood for work. I was a serious man every day working hard and now you see me 47 meters down in the books 13 going on 30. Yes man, a star was born, the dark night became lady bird. To all the books I’ve read pitch perfect I say, project x is my final destination. I became the reader on the revolutionary road up the lovely bones, it’s an education in the loop, precious up in the air, the dark side resulting in a cloudy with a chance of meatballs. But I kick ass, unstoppable to the core. Catch me if you can resident evil, I’m all for the ride along.

MILE END

Words by Meliha Siddiqui 24

that she was out of my league. I was in bed, reading some pulp fiction ‘Hey old boy, how you doin?’ when I saw that one of my group chats was a It was my favourite adult, professor blow up. ‘No hot water again!’ sent Travis to Arnold, a really good fella, who came the Inglorious-Bastards-group-chat. Some around the corner and made me stop like it hot, I guess. It was nothing new, staring at the girl from Casablanca. happened every odd week. And Oliver was ‘Oh, not too bad, although I feel like complaining about an ankle he’d twisted I’m in a crossfire hurricane, got two while trainspotting the night before. But essays due and forgot to print them’. ‘You never mind, I had more pressing issues at are gonna get some heat my friend if you hand. My last essays were due and I had don’t make those deadlines, better speed an angry girlfriend to calm, bad times up, after all you’re gonna be a graduate at my place tonight. She’d really turned soon’. He was right of course. Damn, into a mean girl. Gonna be mission graduate, sounds like we’re turning impossible to make peace. Maybe into grownups after all. Well, as with something from the chocolate my friend Forrest used to say factory, yeah that sounds good. ‘Life’s a trip. You never know My alarm rang, and I jumped what to expect. Nothing might straight outta bed and ran happen but there might just downstairs. Shocked, I realised as well be 300 pirates of the that someone had stolen my Caribbean waiting at the bike, ‘damn bicycle thieves’ I edge of tomorrow.’ And cried. They really are mean I take comfort in that streets in Mile End. I arrived thought. Well, I guess at Uni, breathless, and that’s it, as they say realised that I’d forgotten to ‘once more to the print my minority reports d e p a r t m e n t’s so I borrowed my friend office’. I wish Akira’s ID and went to all of you the library. That’s when good night I saw her, the girl with and good the dragon tattoo, I luck. didn’t even know her name. I just knew that she came from Casablanca, studied biochemistry and Words by Florian Kasperski

FILM

PON A TI U M E E

In the following you’ll find two stories about our beloved time spent in Mile End, told through the movies we cherish. Can you spot every film title?

This is not my story. If you’ve been with me, shared and cared with me, there’s snippets below for you too.

I’ve never been too keen on these past three years. For most people, they’ll sit and look out the window, lashes glazed with raindrops while pondering where the time has gone. Yet, I look for a reason to move on. A dreadfully itinerant and restless youth, with a trawling mind to boot. That mind has tried to find reason or excuse for how I think what I think and what I choose not to think. How to avoid thinking what I don’t want to think, where the thoughts still raged through.

Excluded on Friday. Imagine when Pops was called; my father’s a sensitive chap. Quite prone to overreact but here, his tone was languid. A guttural hum I didn’t recognise, one that agitated me to the core. Brought an end to my quixotic charm because now, he wanted answers. Yet there was one question I knew was coming – it had to come, there was no chance of me explaining the fracas otherwise. And if there was, the denial may have been the choker around my throat.

I visited my GP pretty late into my first year. Stressed was an understatement; I was adrift, afraid and lost in the darkest epochs of the mind. I’d been living at home with rent troubles (long dissolved) and was hounded by my own anxiety. And it wasn’t so much of what was happening there and then that terrorised me. No; it reminded me of a watershed in my life, a flashpoint that changed my relationship with everyone I knew and as much as I try to deny it, it saddens me to say that I lost a few along the way because of it. Including myself.

So I blurted it out. I did the same a few years later with a close family member but she ignored my pleas to keep it secret. No matter. But Pops was cool. In fact, he was more than cool – ice cold, maybe? Anyway, the event itself afforded me a great deal of confidence. I told more of those I trusted (as if some didn’t know already), I distanced myself from the bigots who hated me for it and if their prejudice pressed on, they ended up with a shiner. A trophy of their ignorance or my rage; it is something I’m not sure about but I’m content either way.

In October 2012, I felt panic. Do you know it? That feeling where you’re about to be sucked into the sky? Better than Hell and still blinded by the light. Had I any idea what came next, I might have reconsidered. Still, the period in question started well. New moon on Monday, a spat on Wednesday...

Back to now and it just so happened that I was diagnosed with depression by that GP. What triggered it was all that came before, here and there. It also coincided with my first serious relationship, one that taught me some lessons. A) Be vocal. B) All that glitters ain’t gold. Indeed, the whole thing was more like grease wrapped in a rainbow. So I learned pretty quickly that if you’re not on the same page, it is futile.

BLACKET T' S TWO CENTS

I Keep a Diary For Myself...

Our Hearts Are For Everyone Else. Nana then went down with pneumonia, so I got my priorities straight. At least, I tried to. I have but one person to thank for that period – my best friend, Ivy. We always said that if he took his own advice he would probably change his name to Jesus. Nonetheless, I learnt that the change starts with you. Good advice fails on deaf ears as much as grand gestures disappear from crying eyes. Be more positive. If people talk to you, say something back. Don’t question what they’ve done – question what you haven’t.

“... I learnt that the change starts with you.” Suddenly, I felt pure. That day from 2012 bothered me no more as I came out and took a good look at myself. Instinctively, I saw that the problem didn’t start with me. (Rest assured, no one’s perfect). Yet I had lain with a parasite in angel dress. I clipped their wings as they needed a stay on Earth – indeed, how will you know who you are if you’re not grounded? They weren’t willing to face up to it yet, and I wasn’t comfortable with that. I’d spent the best part of five years coming to terms with my quirks, my one supposed irregularity, while

shame was the weapon which had thus far geared my pride. However, there was no suppression of pride this time. I blurted it out. Again. And again. There was no deliberation or calculation – people asked and I answered, but the major difference was simple. (Took me a hell of a long time to figure it out though.) See, when I told Pops it was bravado. It couldn’t have been confidence because I didn’t know how he’d react, so I didn’t really have a leg to stand on. But that support rallied me on to find my guts in first year as I didn’t care what people thought from now on - because I was so used to myself, my faults, my individuality, I didn’t care! If there’s one slogan we all could tell you, it is that there’s a strength behind indifference; Ivy once told me that’s a queer thing to say. My response? “How ironic”. But what shocked me the most was the hangover. How these events we think are over, the ones we believe we’ve forgotten about, are still there. The remnants are as powerful as ever, like glass bottles with jagged shards that will tear your mind apart. Our remedy? You have a mouth. Yet before you speak you must find your voice and the process of breaking down that stone wall, that starts with YOU. (If you’ve still no idea what the theme is here, follow these steps. Grab a thesaurus; a good one, mind you. Head to ‘H’ and find ‘Happy’. Find a synonym, preferably one beginning with ‘G’. Read this again, and smile.)

Words by Aaron Blackett 27

“Playing devil’s advocate...” boasts that person in your seminar discussion, the one who is shamelessly obsessed with disguising bigotry as a radical counter-argument —you know the one. For a very long time I believed that Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita was merely the holy grail for these types of people, fuelled by Stanley Kubrick’s reworking of the novel into a black comedy, sending critics into a haze of hapless empathy for the paedophilic antagonist: Humbert Humbert. Yet, upon further re-examination in recent months, I have concluded that although people use Nabokov’s beautifully worked narrative as a scapegoat to allow horrible artists a moral pass purely due to their creations, it is simultaneously a mockery of these exact people. Lolita is written in the form of a memoir, narrated by the main character Humbert from his prison cell awaiting trial for murder. The narrative follows his adoration for ‘nymphets’ (prepubescent girls) through a fancy aesthetic

prose, attempting to manipulate and obstruct our true reading of his actions. As we are observing Humbert’s memoir, Nabokov is essentially using him as a mouthpiece to argue that obscenity can be excused for intellect; therefore, strengthening the case to separate the art from the artist. This is the frame used so favourably by the closet bigot mentioned earlier. All the while, Humbert openly admits to enjoy toying with his psychologists, he even outright states “you can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose.” Surely it is not so difficult to part ourselves from the utopia of aestheticism Nabokov has created to see a literal murderer and paedophile right before us? Bringing recent events such as the #MeToo movement into consideration confirms that unfortunately, this blindness and ignorance runs deeply in our own, very real society. Nabokov’s painfully blatant portrayal of Humbert as a deranged psychopath makes a mockery out of anybody who fails to see

not condemn the toxicity of one’s actions for the immediate gratification that surges through you and convinces you that you’ve done the right thing, and then book tickets to said person’s next undeserving gig. From Nabokov’s purposeful, testing, normalization of Humbert’s actions, those who sympathize with him reflect a society evermore willing to blame the victim in order to protect art. Just as though Humbert attempts to evade punishment through paraphrasing the entire ordeal of his victim, 12-year-old Dolores, through subconsciously reminding everybody just how smart he is and why that means he deserves a free pass, exemplifies why intellect and talent shouldnever be a factor of moral or legal judgment.

ARTS

Learning from Lolita — Why it is Impossible to Separate the ART from the ARTIST

beyond the deceptive veil; a concept reflecting the current state of Western pop-culture. As seen recently, the dismissal of allegations when people (notably women) speak out has been an attempt to separate the art from the artist; certain audiences seemingly have trouble grasping the fact that someone who’s content they enjoy are morally inept. The #MeToo movement forced these people into that acceptance, but it is not enough. To truly support victims, we cannot slap abusers on the wrist and carry on with appreciating their art —the stance Hollywood would love for us to take. If we attended Casey Affleck’s next film screening (which, say it with me, —we certainly will not) we are collectively putting money into the pocket of an abuser. Whether you decided to believe his accusers of sexual harassment on the set of a 2010 film, these victims would never receive the closure or respect that they deserve if their abuser’s career proceeds to prosper, leaving you a bystander in the matter. Speak out against abusers, give victims a platform, but do

Words by Domenica Taverna

LIGHT MAKEUP

FRESH

During Exams

WORDS BY SIMRAN SINGH

Exam season is here which means stress levels are reaching their peak. During this time, we often forget to take care of ourselves and this can seriously affect our skin and our health. Here are some simple solutions to help avoid this. WATER

If you’ve read my previous articles, you will know how much I stress the importance of water! Especially during revision, make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your brain hydrated and to flush toxins and impurities from your body. You will also notice your skin appears to glow and become clearer. It is proven that water helps with concentration and memory, which is definitely handy for revision and the ability to focus on your work. If you’re someone who doesn’t like plain water, try adding slices of lemon or cucumber for a refreshing taste. My favourite is lemon and honey water as lemon helps to cleanse your digestive system and honey is soothing and a natural antibacterial.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT Now this saying is very true as your skin reflects what you eat. During stressful periods, we tend to eat into our stress and crave junk food. Instead, we need to eat healthy, wholesome foods that will keep us feeling full of energy throughout the day. Here’s a list of some yummy foods you can incorporate to have the BEST skin and provide your body with the goodness it needs. •

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STAY CLEAN

As well as looking and eating our best, we need to make sure we maintain proper hygiene to avoid germs or bacteria that may weaken our immune systems and affect our exam performance. • Wash pillowcases regularly – change your pillow case every week as sweat, dead skin and the odd dribble and dirt from your hair all transfers onto your pillowcase. It is important to wash your pillow case regularly, especially if you have oily or acne prone skin. • Don’t touch your face – It is a known fact that our hands carry more bacteria and germs than our mouths! By touching your face constantly, you transfer the bacteria from your hands onto your face which can then trigger breakouts. • Always remove your makeup – if you’re planning to stay up late studying make sure to remove your makeup before sleeping no matter how tired you are. Always.

•

Green tea – ditch the coffee and try green tea as its packed with antioxidants and it’s antibacterial so it will reduce acne bacteria in the skin. Avocados – They are AMAZING for your body and are full of fatty acids and proteins that strengthen and retain the skin’s moisture. Try crushing some avocado and spreading it on your toast for breakfast! Salmon – fish is another amazing food to incorporate into your diet as it contains the essential oils needed for your body. Salmon contains zinc which is beneficial in healing the skin and the appearance of acne scars. Dark berries – berries are packed with fibre and will help you curb your snacking. Berries are also rich in skin-clearing antioxidants and have a natural low sugar content to help you avoid munching on sugary snacks. Try having berry smoothies, salads, or add a mixture of different berries to your breakfast bowl to kick start your day! Dark Chocolate – who doesn’t love chocolate? Opt for dark chocolate instead of your generic chocolate bar as it has incredible health benefits like keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check. Also, it is a major mood booster and can reduce stress to leave you feeling more proactive.

During stressful periods, sometimes the last thing we want to do is apply makeup. If necessary, try doing a light makeup look, especially if you have acne-prone skin. We want to make sure our skin can breathe and feel fresh. For a simple, natural makeup look, follow these quick steps and you’ll be ready to go! 1. Prep and prime your skin and apply moisturiser to make your skin ready for the day. 2. Apply concealer underneath your eyes and on other areas you feel you need to highlight and conceal blemishes. 3. If you need to, shape your brows and pencil them in lightly using soft strokes. 4. Add mascara, but only if you think you need to give your lashes extra volume. 5. Add a light blusher onto the apples of your cheeks to create a natural flush of colour. 6. Apply liquid highlighter on your cheek bones and the bridge of your nose to create a glow from within. 7. Finally, apply a generous layer of tinted lip balm to add a natural colour and moisture to your lips or add a lip gloss to create a healthy, dewy look.

BEAUTY

k o o L d n a l Fee