THE AWARENESS ISSUE THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL GUIDE, COULD YOGA CHANGE YOUR LIFE? CRUELTY FREE BRANDS, DRESS UP & INTERVIEWS
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wareness has an ubiquitous presence that resonates through every single one of us.
But what really is it? Are we born with it? Are we brought up by our parents to be conscious of it? Is it even important? Many live by the mantra of ‘ignorance is bliss’ - well here at Surface, we don't like that saying. Awareness comes in many forms, whether that’s selfawareness, environmental awareness and political awareness to name just a few. All of these forms have something in common - they bring together similar feelings and emotions that connect us together; empathy, sympathy, knowledge, understanding and perhaps most importantly, uniqueness. Being unique brings empowerment, to be ourselves and to really understand our own beliefs and opinions. Empowerment gives strength to every single one of us. It gives us that hunger to fight that campaign. It gives us the knowledge to trust. And it gives us the awareness to run from the enemy. Be aware, be empowered but most of all, be YOU.
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Issue 1 - Awareness • Contents
CO NT EN TS: 5
YOG
GA
Issue 1 - Awareness • Interview
YouTube
sensation Adriene Michler, gives her expert opinion as we take a peek in to the ancient YOGA > practice of Words: Georgette Beacham
ARE
you on a quest for inner peace? Or, you might be looking to lose a few pounds? Perhaps you're just on the lookout for a new hobby? Or are you at one of those life-changing moments in your life when you think, “Oh crap, who am I? What am I doing?� Let me introduce you to
PHOTOS: Wholefoodsmarket, Coolerlifestyle
'YO GA'
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mental health issues such as anxiety and PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). Furthermore, practicing yoga is believed to create better relationships with our bodies, improving friendships and relationships with others. Sounds like a miracle, right?
Yoga, which derived from the word ‘yuj’, meaning ‘union’, is a form of exercise that originated in India around 5,000 years ago and is still continuing to develop. Yoga is well known for its sleep benefits as it uses slow and methodical relaxation techniques of the practice help to create more thinking space and winding down time. The slow and attentive movements of the practice encourage you to learn the art of mindful thinking. The ancient practice is compiled of many different forms, including, Hatha; Karma; Mantra; Bhakti and Jnana (Gnana). Its main physical focus is breathing, whilst developing on your strength and flexibility through varied postures. Yoga is designed to give us the tools and guidance to not simply just improve the physical aspects of our bodies but, completely refresh inner toxic patterns of thinking, therefore improving our mental wellbeing. It's OKAY! We can now scrap the misconception that Yoga is primarily for ‘hippies’, as even the modern day doctors have been prescribing Yoga for the relief of arthritis, joint pain and back problems. Yoga Therapy is prescribed for the ‘treatment’ of many
So the saying goes, you don’t find yoga but yoga finds you. Many Yogis advocate that the Hindu discipline is something that will gravitate toward you when you need strength in your life. Once you’ve grasped the basics and you've integrated it into your daily ritual, then in one aspect or another it will stay with you forever. Oh how romantic.
So you’re probably thinking, “what’s this got to do with me and why could it change my life?” Yogis preach that Yoga is more than just a form of exercise but, "a way of life." Have you ever arrived home from work feeling stressed about the tough day that you’ve endured and the first thing you reach for is that chilled, beautifully crisp holy water that is sat waiting for you in the fridge? Cough*wine*cough. Well no, Yoga is the notso-new answer. So instead of reaching for the fridge, sit on your matt. Through breathing and spiritual meditation, the focus on the breath will ultimately draw you to focus on the present, which will apparently improve your mood and forget that stressful day. Fear not! If the idea of listening to your spiritual core and trying to gain a greater sense of self isn’t your cup of tea, then perhaps the physical and health benefits might just sway you. Yoga can help
to completely reform your posture, as well as improving your flexibility and assist in shifting those pesky pounds. This is an added bonus according to Yogi’s, as Yoga is a ‘journey’ as opposed to a goal but, this is hope for the many of us who are keen to trim their waist and tone their derrière. If you’re thinking, “nope, you haven’t sold me yet”, then let me introduce you to Adriene Michler, a world renowned Yoga Teacher and Vlogger with a YouTube channel that boasts almost TWO MILLION subscribers. “As an on-going theme for me as a teacher and something I like to offer for my students is an invitation to ‘find what feels good.’ I feel like, if we keep working in a way that we are empowering each other to feel good in our bodies, then we’ll all be a lot happier and healthier off the matt.” ‘Find what feels good’ is Adriene’s famous mantra, which you will often hear her repeat on her YouTube channel. “For me, the biggest lesson I’ve learned in the past 5-10 years is that you’ve got to be yourself. You’ve got to understand that yoga is more than the weight-loss, it starts to bleed in to your everyday life. Those are invitations in to a bigger practice, which is being yourself. So for me, that sometimes means not getting on my yoga matt at all, but going out and having pizza and a party. Or some days it’s a walk then a margarita. It doesn’t even have to be a pizza or alcohol or these extremes, sometimes it’s just a couple of stretches in my bedroom naked after having a shower – just kidding”. That’s right, she did say it, pizza IS Yoga. Isn’t that enough convincing? Surface -
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The
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Issue 1 - Awareness • Beauty
Guide
To
CRUELTY-FREE COSMETIC BRANDS
Cultbeauty, Feelunique, Iwearlipstick, Sigma, Birchbox,
Here at Surface, we care fundamentally about the treatment of animals. We’ve picked out a few, luscious brands that are cruelty free and do not test on our beautiful animals. Here’s what they had to say: “We do not conduct, condone, or endorse testing on animals. While some of our natural fiber brushes are made from animal hair, no animals are harmed during the process.”
“M&S retail a wide range of own-brand cosmetic, personal care and household products, all of which are certified cruelty free by the BUAV and carry the Leaping Bunny mark.”
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“Illamasqua has always stood firm on core principles that define our position in the beauty industry. Our products have never and will never be tested on animals."
“BECCA is and will remain a cruelty-free company. We do not test our products on animals and we will continue to hold true to this principle.”
Facts & Stats
(Not for the faint-hearted)
• "More than 600,000 animals
"Our Brand is certified by both PETA and The Leaping Bunny Program (CCIC) as cruelty-free.”
“100% cruelty-free. Some Anastasia Beverly Hills products contain beeswax, however many cultfaves such as the Dip Brow Pomade are vegan.”
“Please feel at ease when using bareMinerals products as we do not test any products on animals. We also do not work with any manufacturers that do animal testing.”
“We live for lipstick and are serious about primers — but we also really care about animals. That's why we are cruelty-free. We test our products on human volunteers, not animals.”
were subjected to experiments that even the researchers considered had caused them moderate or severe suffering.” • "According to the latest Government figures (2015), a total of 4.14 million experiments were completed in Great Britain during 2015." • "379 ‘other mammals’ were used, which includes popular hedgerow residents such as voles, shrews, bats and hares." • France, Germany and the UK were the top 3 users of animals in experiments, in that exact order. (CrueltyFreeInternational)
“NYX Cosmetics has been a committed member of PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program since 2010.”
We have always believed in beauty without cruelty and in campaigning for change. That’s why together with Cruelty Free International, we were the first global cosmetics company to campaign against animal testing.”
*While care has been taken to ensure that information contained in Surface's 'Cruelty Free Cosmetic Brands' feature is true and correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of this information. Surface -
I DON'T REALLY LIKE TO TALK ABOUT MY GYM WORKOUTS, IT'S KIND OF A SORE SUBJECT.
...Tumbleweed
Words: Georgette Beacham
**Note: Some activewear may cause serious offence.
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’m not usually one to moan, however the 44% increase in gym memberships has quite simply pushed me over the edge. You know those little niggle’s that just get under your skin? Yes, I’m probably being pedantic and it’s all very light hearted, but it’s great to air a few things once in a while.
Within the last couple of years, there’s been a fashion trend that I will merely describe as… impractical. Like sunglasses on a rainy day. Barely-there string vests worn by certain members of the male species. A garment that’s cut so low, it provides a cleavage that reaches past their belly button. No poor person needs to witness a ‘flexing’ man’s nipple veering its ugly self from a chest that’s as broad as my dining room table. What’s worse is that it’s unavoidable to the eye when you’re already in an establishment where personal space struggles to exist, where there’s four people to every square metre, and you’re packed in, like sardines in a tin. Then there’s the recent social media phenomenon. The, ‘I-haven’t-workedout-unless-its-on-my-Snapchat’, phenomenon. Recently, I was sharing a floor mat with a 20-something female who was also on a 10 minute Instagram photo-shoot, meanwhile I was unknowingly in the background of the shot, on all fours trying to stretch out
my ‘spaghetti’ arms, as my very kind boyfriend calls them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for having pride in your appearance, but I’m not sure 50+ photos trying to get that ‘perfect’ angle is really going to benefit your health or fitness. I just love it when I finally get my hands on an available gym bike only to find it soaking in smelly stale sweat, something only industrial bleach can recover. It’s neither clean NOR healthy, and after seeing the beautiful Thor lookalike clamber off the bike moments before me leaves me nothing short of heartbroken. Thor lookalike, I will never be able to look at your beautiful self the same. Ew.
Issue 1 - Awareness • Opinion Groaning, grunting. Nope, the last time I checked there was not a Wimbledon tennis competition taking place. No sign of Serena, or Andy Murray. Yes, the weight you’re lifting may be as heavy as three elephants but, all noises should be kept to themselves. I now have to supress sounds I never thought I’d have to hear. Don’t get me wrong, it is quite entertaining when subsequently you’re involved in an eye ball session with other ‘gym goers’, who are thinking the same as me, but my gosh, it’s still disturbing. Oh, and please don’t get me started on those other noises that haven’t come from their mouth, but that’s for another day. We’ll leave odours for that day too. There’s also that rather awkward and uneasy moment you make eye contact with someone that’s watching you in the reflection of a reflection of another reflection… Sophie, 23, a regular gym-goer explained me,
This one time I was on the squat rack and checking my form in the mirror opposite me. The reflection bounced off on to another mirror and I could see this guy looking at me directly in the eye whilst boastfully pulling out his ‘wedgie’. It was cold-hearted. The memory has implanted itself within me forever.
I often leave the gym being wiser in knowledge; however this is not to my choice. Whether it’s what John’s having for tea tonight, or what John had for tea last night, why Jessica has fallen out with Tom, and that Jack had spent “about 100 quid at the weekend”. Phones. Why people feel the need to answer a 20 minute phone call whilst they’re in the gym baffles me. Sat, taking up a workout machine and failing to do much else. The sheer volume of their voices can only be compared to the regular chat I have on the phone to my hardof-hearing gran, when she’s groaning about the price of her concession bus ticket. “GRANNY, YOU’RE SHOUTING!” Surface -
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Issue 1 - Awareness • Interview
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NOT-SO CONCRETE ‘JUNGLE’ n the same week as it’s been reported that hundreds of migrants are returning to the Northern port town of Calais, Eva Fahle-Clouts, a German born artist living in Lyme Regis explains her very personal experience of her 10 days in the camp that she said to be “too dangerous” to visit.
Words: Georgette Beacham
It began with a suitcase, a suitcase of ‘dis content’. Eva travelled across the English Channel with Gail Sagman, a fellow artist and friend, in October 2016. The premise was to be able to carry art materials that would fit in a suitcase of aeroplane cabin allowance. Inside were cotton sheets, powder paint and henna; tools to create not just art, but feelings and expression.
rejected by Police who argued the hut was too “sturdy”. The hut stood amongst thousands of dishevelled tents and improvised shelters. Colourful graffiti of personal but positive messages distinguished each tent, with expressive messages such as ‘Gone U.K’, ‘Know Hope’ and a painted union jack flag with ‘soona’ written accurately across a tent wall.
“We wanted to create a symposium of artwork in Calais but we didn’t know if the camp would be there.” The closer it came to October, the more doubt that the camp would even exist. There were definite plans that the camp would close after almost 20 years and all refugees would be evacuated. “We just wanted to see what was possible in the time that we had left.”
One by one, refugees who had fled from Syria, Somalia and Afghan arrived at the hut, curious but confused as to how to unleash their creative attributes. Eva explains of their overwhelming appreciation toward Britain and their love their own countries and this was something that they would repeatedly draw and paint on their cotton sheets. “We gave them the freedom to do what they wanted; it was their choice. It was fascinating to watch them find new ways of being with each other in such a political climate. It was one of the few times that art and politics come together, with no fixed borders.” >
“As it happened, we were very lucky that the first day we arrived, we found an empty hut.” This very hut that they decided to use as their gallery was originally built by somebody who had hoped to use it as a restaurant or a shop but the idea was
- Calais Migrant 20
Issue 1 - Awareness • Interview
“It wasn’t so much about the process being therapeutic, but the outcome resulted in a form of therapy as they could concentrate on a creative process and enjoy life at that time.” These individuals had left their home countries in fear for their safety following war and destruction. “I remember two Afghan men explaining of their harrowing personal experiences. They fled Afghanistan fearing for their lives. They walked for two years to reach Calais. Their positivity was overwhelming even at this stage where they were not yet safe.” After listening to Eva recall her personal experience within camp, there was one very poignant word used repeatedly, a word that many of us would not use to describe the situation in Calais, and this was ‘positivity’. This is something that Eva believes must be transcribed better in our media today. “When you are present there, you don’t think about the negative press but the real emotions of being there”. The ‘Calais Jungle’ holds hundreds of negative reports and stories but here holds a much more uplifting outcome to the Calais Jungle. Around 70 pieces of cotton sheet
artwork were produced. From mountains to fruit, clouds to dreams, each sheet told an individual story with a primitive but intricate quality. Researching the ‘Calais Jungle’ today leaves one with little hope with negative ‘Breaking News’ and reports on demolition and starvation. One must be reminded that these migrants and refugees are not criminals trying to illegally enter Britain, but humans living in fear, holding hope to seek a new and safe life. Many will fall guilty to preconceptions and stereotyping. “On the first day we were not sure of the route through camp, so we followed some boys who were also on bikes. One was eating and had some paper or wrapper left. We watched as they stopped so that the boy could put his wrapper in the bin. I was so surprised, and I thought, why? Why am I surprised? What stereotypes do I have of these people?” Eva returned from Calais with a strong and defiant statement: “At first I thought, this country does not deserve these people, but over time this transformed into, believing that this Country actually needs these people.”
"There’s not enough positive reporting I believe that these migrants would not sit and ‘gain benefits’ but instead, these people that have risked their lives would hope to try and make a living" Germany has positively documented and exhibited the integration of refugee children into German families. “Perhaps if more positive stories were published, people would not fear and possibly respond differently.” According to the Home Office, 1,900 children registered following the Calais demolishment but around only 750 were brought over to the UK. Surface -
Issue 1 - Awareness • Real Life
#BeBoldForChange 8th March 2017 Celebrating: International Women's Day
Issue 1 - Awareness • Coming Up
Get Your Wellies Ready! Festival Season is Fast-Approaching... Words: Marita Mckay With Coachella about to kick start festival season off with a bang and no doubt a sparkle, soon music lovers from all over the world will be enjoying their favorite time of the year. Not only have the clocks gone back an hour, (spring is officially here!) but also the highly awaited festival prep starts. For the next few months Pinterest won’t know what’s hit it, thousands of us will be searching ‘festival hair’, ‘festival make-up’ and ‘best festival outfits’ and creating more inspo’ boards than ever. Following many long months of anticipation and those long awaited question of who will be touring the
festival circuit this year, deciding which festivals were heading to and, of course paying off those deposits – well guess what all you beautiful people? The wait is over. Huge acts are being announced and headliners are pretty much confirmed. Now all we need is the glorious sunshine but let’s face it, UK festivals haven’t had the best of luck in terms of weather. I don’t want to jinx anything, but Poncho and wellies at the ready! You’d no doubt learn the hard way if it is your first festival experience and you think you're being clever - trust me I know a few who have been there and have got a few WET t-shirts to show for it! >
Glastonbury Festival: 21 June 2017 – 25 June 2017 It would be an absolute travesty if I didn't start with Glastonbury or should I say Glasto? Let’s face it, there is nowhere in the whole universe quite like it, come rain or shine. So the line-up…Yes, yes, everyone and their dog have been wanting to return to Glasto with Ed Sheeran as the headline. It’s been six years since his last Glasto performance at the tender age of 19. Fast forward to now, aged 25 and with hoards of multi-award winning songs and albums, including this years ‘Divide’. The hype surrounding the Sheer-miester indicates that he’s going to be putting on more than an amazing performance.
ACTS not to be missed: Chic, Dizzee Rascal and The Kaiser Chiefs.
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PHOTO: Photobucket
Headlining alongside Ed are American rock band, The Foo Fighters and our very own home-grown rock band, Radio Head. Radio Head are expected to put on an absolutely jaw-dropping headlining show, making their return after almost 20 years since their last gig. And as for The Foo Fighters, they’re booked to make their return following that highly publicized Glastonbury cancellation back in 2015. Reports suggested that Dave Grohl’s broken leg was to blame, so let’s all keep our fingers and toes crossed that they make it onto the stage this year.
Issue 1 - Awareness • Coming Up
Boardmasters Festival: 9 Aug – 13 Aug 2017 Another UK festival with an EPIC lineup that will absolutely not disappoint is Boardmasters festival, located in Cornwall’s sunny town of Newquay. With the release of Jamiroquai’s new album this year, the British funk band and everyone’s guilty pleasure are sure to get you moving with their new music and classic songs that we all know and love. Alongside Jamiroquai, Boardmasters have confirmed the headlining act Two Door Cinema Club. Also set to play at the festival is Indie rock band Alt J. These are certainly
two bands who are sure to put on a spine-tinglingly awesome show. But if those acts aren’t tickling your fancy, then why not hop on a surf board? Boardmasters is not just a mere music festival but a pro surf and skate competition as well, situated on none other than Newquay’s world famous Fistral beach. Sunbathing alert! (Always wear sun cream kids). Boardmasters has no-doubt one of the best festival views in the UK, overlooking miles of golden sand and crystal-clear sea. It really is an amazing location for a festival and one that’s increasing in size every year. Don’t miss out.
Bestival Festival: 7 Sept - 10 Sept 2017 Last, but by no means least, is Dorset’s four-day, late summer music festival, Bestival (previously situated in the Isle-of-White). Bestival has some of the most diverse acts you'll find at a festival this year. To kick start the line-up, I give you electronic duo The Pet Shop Boys. Now, if they’re too much of a blast in the past for you, how about a nice dose of singer-songwriter Jamie T. And for those early morning danceoffs, none other than the DJ Queen, Annie Mac!
Yes, at this festival you'll have the chance to listen to the greatest array of acts, but there’s also so much fun on offer. Extra features will make an appearance like the world’s biggest confetti canon, an oceanic HMS Bestival and even a free haircut if you just so fancy. ‘Increase the Peace’ is Bestival’s motto, so join them with their good-vibes-only and chilled happy approach to life.
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Issue 1 - Awareness • Interview
She Believed She Could, So She Did >
Words: Georgette Beacham
Issue 1 - Awareness • Interview
A
ccording to eating disorder charity Beat, around 725,000 people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder and one in 250 women will experience anorexia nervosa at some point. Meet Harriet, a bubbly 19 year-old who herself, suffered from anorexia nervosa during much of her teen years. “I was 12 years old when little habits and insecurities begun, but it wasn’t until my mid-teens that things got bad. I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and my personal perspective of myself was completely warped to what everyone else could see,” she said. Harriet has never had a large appetite, but her unhealthy relationship with both food and her body initiated a sinister turn in her life that eventually developed in to an eating disorder. “The combination of the two made it a huge battle. I enjoyed very little food-wise and just didn’t feel the need to eat. I’d skip meals, eating probably just a single
meal a day. There were certain foods that I would avoid – some days I wouldn’t even eat that, getting by on as little as I could.” “The reason my relationship with food was so bad was because I associated it with both the feeling and the appearance of being fat, I couldn’t face it. The determination to be thin drove me to hate food, thinking that it would make me gain weight.” This had a knock on effect on Harriet’s mental health, leading her in to a deep depression, severe anxiety and self-harm. “It became a cycle.” Harriet was isolating herself as she became so engrossed with her eating habits and the dominating negative relationship that she had with food. “Because of the depression, I’d get moody and this pushed a lot of people away. It’s almost impossible to try and socialise when you are constantly feeling insecure and fighting your own mind. I didn’t like myself as a person, I hated everything about myself – not just my appearance.”
“What’s worse is that it used to affect my family. I feel so sad now thinking about everything that I’d put them through. I know that if it was my child, it would be devastating to have to go through as a parent. To watch your daughter or loved one destroy themself and become unhealthy is not a nice thing to go through for anyone – whether that be a mental health condition or a physical condition, to see someone you care about suffering is bound to effect the family.” Harriet explains that she didn’t want to seek help as she knew that this would involve having to gain weight in order to get better. “I didn't want to gain weight at any cost, and didn't like the idea of others taking my control away and forcing me to recover. I wanted to hide my illness so I could get smaller and smaller until I was content, although I realise now that I never would have been content. No matter how many goalweights I reached, I would always want to set one more and be that bit 'better'. No amount of inches around my waist dropped, or pounds on >
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Issue 1 - Awareness • Interview
the scales dropped, would satisfy me because I would always want to be just one inch or one pound smaller.” There was a positively decisive turning point in Harriet’s life that helped her to assess what was really important, and even more crucially, encouraged her to seek the help that she so desperately needed. Harriet began modelling as a pastime, a formidable distraction that ignited her self-confidence. You’ll find hundreds of negative stories in the press regarding an underlying pressure to stay thin in the modelling industry, but modelling for Harriet did quite the opposite, helping her to view herself in a positively different light. “Instead of magnifying my insecurities, it actually highlighted aspects of my body that I came to like and this in turn helped me to get to away from the negativity. It gave me something else that I could try and be good at. So, instead of being driven to lose weight, I was instead driven to produce images that I was proud of, which then began to improve my body confidence.” Harriet explains that if she were to model as a career, it wouldn’t be fun anymore. “I'm not competitive; I model because I am passionate about it, not because I want to make money or a career from it. I believe that the minute you get serious and competitive it definitely becomes more negative. It is an extremely hard career to get into and there is a lot of competition.” Apart from the modelling and some
professional help, Harriet cannot praise her loved ones enough for their love and support, explaining that their constant reassurance has helped her to recover more than anything else. “It’s been a massive battle, but I can now say that I am fully recovered. I do still suffer from depression and anxiety but not as severely as I used to.” “I now eat three normal sized meals a day and I eat what I like when I like without worrying about it. I'm still not a massive eater, but I can definitely enjoy food now and not feel guilty for eating it!” With strong associations between social media and the ‘thin ideal’ body image, as well as today’s society putting an increasing pressure on young people, there has been an advance in self-objectification and the necessity to become thinner. Harriet explains that although she still has some insecurities, she’s comfortable with that and she doesn’t “hate every inch” of herself like she used to. “I'm a completely different person than I used to be when I was ill. In fact, sometimes when I look back at myself and what I thought was attractive, actually grosses me out a bit! I never used to think someone could be 'too thin', but I do now.” “I'm proud for being well enough now to be in a position to share my story with others, it wasn't easy to get here but so worth it. If I can help
just one person understand what it's like to live with an eating disorder, or how important it is to get help, or support that person in need, then that makes me happy.” The road to recovery for an eating disorder doesn’t have to be a lonely battle. “The main advice I would give to any women or men who may be facing eating disorders is to know that you are not alone and you do need to seek help. Even if you feel like you do not want to recover right now, trust me when you are recovered you will look back and realise how much better off you are healthy. It really is important to disclose your problems to someone you trust, and with their support, seek help.” “Don't let your illness define you, you are still in there fighting and you deserve to feel like yourself again.” With the help of treatment, around sixty percent of people with eating disorders fully recover. They go on to live a healthy life with a varied diet, have children, build successful careers and develop great social lives. There is hope. There is success, and Harriet is awe-inspiring proof of that. Do you need help and support, or just someone to talk to? Beat is the UK’s eating disorder charity. Head to https://www.b-eat.co.uk/ where you can find online support groups, message boards and information on regional projects. Beat Helpline: 0808 801 0677 Surface -
Oopsy Have you got a story that you feel Surface and the world have a duty to know about? We'd love to hear from you! Email us: confessions@surface.com
Marty, 19, Aberdeen “I was 13 years old and the whole school was in assembly. We were sat in silence as we had a guest speaker in. All of a sudden I sneezed and a very loud fart immediately followed. I’m now 19 and I’m still known as ‘Farty Marty’.”
Jess, 26, London
"I had a very important interview for a potential job and I met my friend for lunch afterwards. As we sat down she looked at me in utter disbelief. I’d had peanut butter on toast for breakfast and had not noticed a small piece of nut that had dried just below my nose. I never heard back about the job."
Jay, 25, Exeter "I stood up to make a speech at my sister’s wedding. On my way up, I'd somehow caught my shirt on the chair, fell back and landed on my back with my legs in the air. I had concussion and ended up in an Ambulance!"
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Surface Says: 8/10 You say: 10/10
Surface Says: 7/10 You say: 8/10
Surface Says: 6/10 (Ouch) You say: 6/10
Daisy Issue 1 - Awareness • Real Life
"I received some flowers from a friend. As much as I loved them, I was skint and needed to give something to my boyfriend’s mother for her birthday. So I re-gifted. Little did I know that they had, “To Boux” on a hidden note. Awkward! If looks could kill…"
Shay, 18, London "I must have eaten something dodgy prior to a two-hour train journey with my very new boyfriend. It’d been a mere ten minutes before a waft of egg hit the train carriage harder than a brick wall. I realised it was me, and so did the rest of the train. Sorry!"
"I had a few too many cocktails on holiday and we were getting ready for a night out. I was on my way to the balcony for the typical ‘selfie’ when I walked clean in to the glass door, thinking it was open! I had a black eye and a split lip for the rest of the holiday!"
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Surface Says: 8/10 You say: 7/10
Surface Says: 10/10 You say: 10/10
Surface Says: 7/10 You say: 5/10
Boux, 20, Cheltenham
Grace, 26, Leeds
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THE AWARENESS ISSUE
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